In the Beginning...

I will begin with the end-Stephen and I made it safely to Boston, well South Hamilton to be exact. We had no car problems and no trouble with the law, it was all smooth sailing...we didn't even fight (big surprise). The biggest difficulty we faced was our poor miles per gallon rate, 11-12 MPG on South Dakota-like days and around 9 MPG on more mountainous days.

But to begin at the beginning, this is how we got here.

Day 1: Kirkland, WA to Missoula, MT.
We said our final good-byes to the Prices, the FIRS, and Kirkland and headed out around 7am. About 24 miles later we realized our car was unnaturally swaying back and forth. We pulled over at the Snoqualmie Casino and threw bag after bag of National Geographics into the front of the trailer in attempts to decrease "trailer sway." After the readjustment we had no more problems with trailer sway for the rest of our journey. Our first big obstacle of our trek was Snoqualmie Pass, it was slow and steady, but we just kept on thinking "We think we can...we think we can..." and sure enough Eleanor (our car) made it! After that success we were much less concerned about all the other passes we had to go through. We arrived in Missoula around 3pm and stayed with Levi Hicks and his family. Upon arrived Mrs. Hicks had delicious tacos prepared for us. They were amazing. Then Stephen, Levi, and I went out and grabbed a few more supplies that we were going to need for the trip-cheese (since we left at the Prices), CDs (for our enjoyment), and some sour gummy candy. Then we spent the evening relaxing and watching "The Island."

Day 2: Missoula, MT to Rapid City, SD.
This was one of our tougher days-this was the day that we learned that for every 3 hours google maps says it will take it actually takes us 4 hours. So our 1o hour drive took over 13 hours. Yikes. I think I blocked this day out of my memory because all I remember is driving and driving and then it getting dark and finally arrived at the Farquars. They sure know how to make cranky car travelers feel better; they greeted us with hugs and warm food! After spaghetti and brownies they introduced us to their new toy-a retro pinball table! It was so much fun and Stephen and I would have continued our tournament longer if we didn't think the noise would keep them from sleeping. The next morning we ate delicious cereal and were off with the gifts of fruit and nuts and gas in our car! Thanks Farquars!

Day 3: Rapid City, SD to Minneapolis, MN
This was another day of driving from morning until night. It was estimated about 9 hours, so it took us about 12. Just a lot of flat corn fields. And although we resisted the temptation to visit the Corn Palace we did stop at Wall Drug...the signs (all 64 of them) were just too intriguing. We saw and got it all-the new back yard, the dinosaur, and the free cup of ice water. When we arrived in Minneapolis and Dwight graciously greeted us with a warm dinner and a warm bed! I was SO TIRED that night. It was then, on day 3, that we realized we needed a day 6, and with Dwight's family and friend discount at the Marriott, we got a hotel reservation in Syracuse, NY.

Day 4: Minneapolis, MN to Cleveland, OH
Since we were staying with friends of a friend in Cleveland and we told them we would be there at 9pm and did not want to keep them up late, Stephen and I started driving at 5am. We drove from before the sun rose to after it set. It was a long day. It was also the day that toll roads were introduced...the dreaded toll roads. When we arrived in Cleveland we did not know what to expect since we were staying with Sara's family friends from when she lived in Ohio. But it was a great surprise! The Truax's were a super nice and friendly couple who's kids have already left home. Mrs. Truax worked at their church and Mr. Truax trains bomb dogs. It was great to relax and drink tea as we chatted and got to know them. After a wonderful nights rest, the Truax's made us a hot breakfast and sent us on our way with many gifts. Thank you!

Day 5: Cleveland, OH to Syracuse, NY
This day was shorter in terms of drive time but still pretty long because we stopped at Niagara Falls! Everyone said that the Canadian side was better but with a trailer we did not want to risk getting searched and stayed in the US. It was pretty difficult to find parking in the first place but to find parking for a car with a huge trailer attached to it was even more difficult. Once we were parked, we ate lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and then journeyed to the falls. Besides the crowds and the heat (and the cold I was beginning to get) the falls were beautiful! I could see how the other side would be better but it did not stop me from appreciating the view I did get. The mist from the Horseshoe Falls could be seen miles away. SO MUCH WATER! After the falls we finished that day's leg of the journey and pulled into the Marriott around 8pm. Having a hotel room after five long days of traveling was just what we needed. We quickly took advantage of the hot tub and just relaxed! We got a wonderful nights rest and were fully rested for our last day of driving!

Day 6: Syracuse, NY to South Hamilton, MA
We left the hotel around 8 am and drove our final part of the journey. This day was definitely different from the rest-there was excitement in the air! I slept most of the morning, feeling sick from the cold, and then switched with Stephen in the afternoon to finish up the final drive. We arrived at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary around 2pm and met up with Stephen's old roommates, Alex and Troy, to help us unload. We were only on campus for about 10 minutes when we met two other men who were living in our building, both of whom also helped us unload our trailer. After the hours it took to load that trailer, and carefully place the right boxes in the right place, it was all out and in our apartment in about a half an hour! After that the RLC bought us pizza for dinner (on the seminary of course) and we had our first meal in our new apartment.

Well that is the short version of a very long trip. After 6 days, 3,309 miles, $657 for gas, and another $100 in tolls, the Olsons finally made it to the east coast, just the beginning of The Great Olson Adventure!