To Do List

West Virginia: #32

Here's what's left people:

That's why Ali and I hit the road when she visited over the fourth of July. 

We drove 800 miles during two days of her four-day trip.

Had to check off North Carolina and West V! Both beautiful.

I'm addicted to road trips, and I'm not afraid to admit it.

This is called an Atlas. People used them before the GPS fad hit.

Ok, more than a fad.

And ok, sometimes we used a GPS. But not too much!

This picture would be a lot cooler if I wasn't cursed to miss every "Welcome to (insert state)" sign that we pass.

It's a problem. 

But I have 18 more chances to fix it!

Well, ok, 17...I don't plan on road tripping to Hawaii.

My LAST Field Trip. Ever.

Isn't that the saddest blog post title you have ever read?

The truth hit me hard when I started this post.

Our trip out to Harper's Ferry and Gettysburg last week really was my last field trip.

Ever.

Ok, as a student.

You get to go with your kids on fun field trips, right?

Enough sad stuff, look how much fun we had!

Harper's Ferry is beautiful. AND it's in West Virginia. State #32, people!

I recently learned that I need to hit all 50 before I turn 25,
because Ali is trying to hit 50 in the next 3 years.

I don't want to be left behind.

Just 18 to go...

Look how much fun they're having! We were incredibly jealous.

They're just tubing down the Potomac, then meeting up with the Shenandoah. 

West Virginia is SO beautiful. I could live there.

We were wishing for our swimsuits...but this was almost as good.

Except for Jon and Sean. They needed the full experience.

This was right before they both surrendered and just got completely wet.

We made friends with a guy that was hanging out on a little island in the middle.

When I told him I was from Utah, he said, "Are you guys Mormons? 

I mean...I can definitely tell those two out there are Mormons, but are the rest of you too?"

Then we laughed at Jon and Sean a little more.

I love how green it is, but is it worth the humidity?

Still deciding.

I like trains.

Miss Jacqui Bird! This is the Gettysburg Battlefield, full of monuments and history. 

This picture is very appropriate because Jacqui's smart pretty head is also full of history. 

And someday she will teach it.

Red barns. 

On my church history trip last fall they taught me that red barns are red because they were painted with ox blood.

That was the cheapest color of paint to make. You painted yellow barns if you were rich.

I kind of wish I never learned that?

Blood is gross.

We climbed a tower. And this is what we saw.

I love mountains, don't get me wrong...but I love it here too.

This is Sean shooting a Canon. On a cannon.

And this. This is David Sentman's focused, focused face. Notice that he is about to finish that nugget.

One of forty that he finished that day.

Alex, on the left, challenged David to a nugget-eating contest.

David won.

I am still amazed.

And that, my friends, was my very last field trip.

Didn't even cross my mind during the day. It was too much fun.

I know I'll miss being a student in the fall when 92% of my friends are back on campus with backpacks and books and class schedules and...other student-ish things I won't have anymore.

But I'm excited for my next chapter. Whatever it is :)

Independence.

America's birthday. In America's birthplace. WITH a sister.

Perfect, yes?

Two years ago we spent July 4th together in Boston. We kicked the day off by hearing a reading of the Declaration of Independence downtown.

Boston 2009 / DC 2011 

So this year...we did it again! This time at the National Archives.

Then we hit up the parade down Constitution Ave, consisting of all things American.

It was pretty great. It was no Delta parade though -- nobody threw any candy?

 Boston 2009 / DC 2011

Burgers on the 4th, definitely a must.

Last time, by the Charles River. This year, at the Chevy Chase chapel.

We walked around the International Folk Festival on the Mall for a while,

then staked out a spot for the fireworks show at the base of the Washington Monument.

Jo Dee Messina even sang to us while we played cards and waited for fireworks.

We thought we didn't know any of her songs. But then we knew them all.

Thank you, CMT.

Ali told me not to just smile for this picture. 

Then we both automatically assumed this Washington-Monumental position and facial expression with no vocal communication.

I love having a sister.

DC 2009 / DC 2011

Sure do miss the rest of our family! It's been too long since I've had a Utah summer.

I'd be ok with a burger from Delta next year, I think.

The fourth of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. I'm really grateful I spent this one in the nation's capital and experienced the patriotism that's overflowing here.

Proud to be an American.

Midmorning Joy

Soon I will tell you about my very patriotic Fourth of July,
complete with a sisterly visit and 800-mile weekend road trip.

Yeah, 800.

But right now, I just want you to know how much I love this:

That right there is 4.6 oz of pleasure.

Is it bad that I need a snack every 90-ish minutes at work?

This one usually gets the 11 a.m. slot. And I always sincerely look forward to it.

Georgetown Beauty

I could live here.

And be very happy.

I think there is a direct correlation with your life satisfaction and the color of your door.

I'm looking into it.