Cross-Country to Alabama!!!

So we left slc on Tuesday morning and started out on our cross country adventure. I knew that I would need this red line energy drink eventually, so I cherished it with all my heart until it was needed (in Mississippi).

I don't know if anyone driving through Colorado or Kansas would have the sudden urge to pet baby pigs or see a 5 legged steer, but if you do, its good to know that the service is out there.
In Denver, we went out to a Rockies game at Coors field. It is touted that Coors field has the best food in baseball and I can attest to that. We had a chipotle chicken BLT sandwich and a smoked sirloin burger. It was devine!!!!


In Kansas, we stayed with John and Amanda (and Taylor and Emily). We had some amazing cookies and got some much needed rest. Thanks again for everything guys!!!

We were up at 5:30am to get an early start on the day and Kelly was treated with a visit by Emily.
In Kansas and Oklahoma we went through a few turnpikes and I realized that I didn't have exact change, so we got $20 bucks worth!! Yea!!!We were driving through Arkansas and found Alma. A small southern town founded by a legendary indian judge.


We headed through Arkansas and passed over the Mississippi river into Memphis. I made a few wrong turns on the freeway, so we spent an extra hour there. I was impressed by how beautiful it was.
We headed out of Memphis and through Mississippi and into Alabama on highway 78. We turned off the freeway and took a backway into Tuscaloosa and it was a tough one. It was 62 miles of country road and since we were wiped out it made it tougher, but we made it there safely.

The Inaugural tri-annual multi-regional brother-in-law golfing trip

So my 2 brother-in-laws (Ryan, Scott) and I went golfing to test both our manhood and our pride. Despite not having played in over 12 years, I felt that I manned up and did well shooting a 40-over par. Even though Ryan was the resident pro in our group, I think Scott and I really held up our own playing on the executive 9 course at Sawgrass. In the end its not about how well you golf, its how well you look while golfing.

Me prior to my triple-bogey chip shot.
Ryan monitoring our efforts
Scott striking a pose.

Oregon Trip

Since Kelly and I are moving to Alabama soon, I decided to spend 2 weeks back home in Oregon to spend time with family while I still could (at least for the next 3 years). It was alot of fun. Everyday was jam packed with things to do. Since I was able to do many things, I will number them for convenience.

1. Dad and I went to Bend, Oregon to do some work (sorry no pics), but believe me Bend is beautiful. (http://www.arcatapet.net/travel/images/bend/P7130585.jpg)

2. Mom and I went to Seattle to visit Aunt Deedee (in Edmonds, Washington) and her family as well as Justin Winters (Kent, Washington) and his family. While we were there we went to a Seattle Mariner game at Safeco field as well as a UCLA-Washington college baseball game.


UCLA-Washington game. Notice the guy in the lower left hand corner reading. I guess people there would rather read than watch a washington ball game. Way to go Huskies.3. We went to Medford to visit Uncle Mike and Aunt Mazie. Aunt Mazie told us a story about Uncle Mike's Italian heritage. His family left Italy to move to Port Townsend, Washington. While Uncle Mike was little his dad took him to a globetrotters basketball show. Uncle Mike screamed soo loud because it was the first time that he saw a black guy. I'm going to miss those two.

4. When the family and I headed down to Medford, Oregon to visit, we stopped in Eugene for a stop at the sacred stadium that is Autzen.

5. My Sister Corinne and I at headed out to Seaside, Oregon to visit Uncle Denny, eat some BBQ at Riverside BBQ, and see the coast.Uncle Denny's surf shop (www.seasidesurfshop.com)
Riverside BBQ in Seaside.