27/23

Ladies and Gentlemen!!!! We, The W's, have arrived!! I know crazy right? Well 2300 miles is a long drive but we did it. The drive was remarkably beautiful, packed full of laughing, singing and being part of another road trip...This one, although the longest, was also the first road trip that included Miss Bomber, our newest addition to the family.

We had hundreds of discussions on the way. One was how many states have we been to since starting this whole traveling thing??? Well in just under 3 years the answers is 27. Andy and I have been to 27 of the 50 states together in that time frame. WHOA!

So here goes the list

1. Illinois- home to Ethel and so many beginnings. How I always will love this place. Warmth in my heart is located every time I think of it!
2.Wisconsin- Weekends at the lake house, fishing, talking on the dock in the rain, Weddings, ETC
3. Indiana- baby baptisms and family get togethers, the starting place for a long road trip to Texas.
4. Ohio- a quick stop in Cleveland on the way to another destination
5.Missouri- Our second home of sorts- STL how we love you, just not in the heat of the summer.
6. Pennsylvania- A quick stop
7.New York- A weekend away and a hockey camp for entertainment.

8.Arkansas-a very frustrating end to the longest motorcycle trip EVER! Although we were lucky enough to meet some of the nicest people in the country on that trip.

9. Oklahoma- Stayed here on a road trip and ate at a diner from the twilight zone...no seriously weird.

10. Texas- Been here a couple times. Once for work for 3 months and once for a conference. Both times had the same result, Texas wasn't for us.
11. Kansas- home to some good coffee shops and more than you think.
12. Nebraska- Traveled through multiple times and always seem to stop at the same places (not intentionally)

13. South Dakota- Grabbed some take out pizza and enjoyed lunch under the watchful eye of Mr. Washington himself.

14. Iowa- A very small trip through but entertaining.

15. Michigan- passports please? Driving back from a hockey trip, stopped at customs...Searched my bad but when they smelled the hockey equipment they said "go right ahead."

16. Oregon- It started with a camping trip and good friends, now another adventure.

                                       

17. Arizona- Ran a 1/2 Marathon together and family visits. I think Arizona was our first trip together...hmmm?? Thank you Andy for always staying by my side, holding my hand and getting me through some difficult times.

18. New Mexico- Going to check into the hotel, "Actually sir you are at our other location, across the street." The exact same hotel had a the exact mirror of itself across the street...and it was just a La Quinta...odd
19. Washington- The Davenport hotel....a wonderful experience (like all) but truly something we both needed.

20. Hawaii- Kauai is amazing. North side...enough said.

                                                         

21. Colorado-Multiple trips and home to one of the best restaurants on the planet...SHUGAS. No matter when we have visited we make a trip to enjoy tasty beverages and wonderful food. Colorado was our first road trip together, capped off with another race together and our first trip to Shugas. Not to mention, this year was my first time skiing with MR. W in Colorado.

22. Utah- A marvelous sight for the human eye. Emotional b/c of the beauty that surrounded us on all of our trips through. Regardless of the season it is remarkable.
23. Nevada- Need a couple more miles for your platinum status??? why not take a trip to Vegas...OK, and another weekend adventure began. Bill's has never been the same...

24. Wyoming- While driving though, sadly we were able to see large amounts of smoke and such coming from the crazy wildfires of this summer.

so much fire

Those aren't clouds coming off the hills

25. Idaho- It is really pretty. Not just potatoes
26. Montana- "I would have liked to have seen Montana" If you understand the reference, that is awesome, otherwise a pretty site to see as well.

27. California: BEAUTIFUL..There are no words or emotions that describe my love for this place. So many wonderful memories, we even got married there...Secretly it is our other home.

What a view

What a Day!

There are many more adventures to be had but in three years I think Andy and I were both pleased (to say the least ) on our progress together....Oh and we also went to Aruba, Toronto, Niagra Falls, Vancouver and Victoria Island.

I hope one day my family will look at all of the writings, photos and collections I have placed here on my little blog and smile....All these travels are just the details to the whole story... Just Us!