I know I'm slow at this... gah! Get off me already!

Ok, now that I've apologized for taking forever to update me bloggie blog, here's the scoop: From October 1st to October 4th, my dad and I road tripped from Salem, VA to Seattle, WA to move my lovely car, Artex, and as much of my stuff that could fit in him, to my new house. We needed to drive over 2,800 miles in four days. We were going to be stuck in a car for at least 11 hours a day. Add bathroom breaks, meals, gas getting, de-bugging the windshield, and the occasional scenic view, and we were looking at being on the road a lot longer than Mapquest likes to let on.

Not our actual route, but an idea of how far we traveled.

I'm not going to lie. (<-- Overused phrase? Waa, waa, waa.) At first I was a little worried. I definitely wanted my dad to come on this trip with me, but his initial attitude toward how long the trip was, was somewhat discouraging. I was anticipating a trip filled with major grumpiness from the both of us, mixed with a few exhaustion-induced arguments. Dad came home from work one day and said he was going to book hotels for the three nights on the road. He got on Mapquest and mapped out perfectly even driving times for each day and picked three boring cities that happened to fall in between. Talk about lame city. I was hoping we could make it, at least, a little fun, so I noticed that Mt. Rushmore was kind of on our route and I brought it up to him. He thought that could be cool, and then some awesome work friend of his, (let's call him Darryl) told him about this amazing cross country road trip he went on with his son and how much fun it had been. Thank you Darryl for turning on the little light bulb above my dad's head, because he then came home from work with four travel books, a buttload of maps, and a TripTik from AAA. His perspective of the trip had completely changed and we were going to make it fun now! Bonding to the max!

High Five!

After sitting over a kitchen table full of maps, computers, and travel books for days, we finally planned our rockin' road trip. We were limited on time, because we only had four days, but we were going to fit as much in four days as we possibly could. And we did! And it was argument-free. Here's a little rundown of our trip:


Day 1: Salem, VA to St. Louis, MO
States visited: Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri

We left my hometown of Salem at 6:00 am, grabbed some Starbucks, and hit the road. We made it to St. Louis that evening, and only got stuck in city traffic for a few minutes. Dad wanted to do it big in St. Louis and I wasn't going to argue with that, so we stayed at the Hyatt, which is right in front of the Arch and down the street from the stadium. We were so bummed when we found out the Redskins were playing the Rams there the NEXT day! If only we had known... Oh well. Anyways, there were a ton of Skins fans walking around, which was pretty sweet. There was also an old people convention in town. We were starving by the time we checked in and ate at a sports bar called Brewhouse. We went there to chill out and watch some games, but ended up ordering the most amazing chicken tenders in the history of chicken tenders! Oh.my.gosh, they ruined all other chicken tenders for me. Hands down, the best I have ever had in my entire chicken-tender-eating life. The bar was really fun, and afterwards we went to check out the Arch and walk around downtown. The late night hobo situation was a little skeezy, so we went back to the hotel.

St. Louis at night

Day 2: St. Louis, MO to Deadwood, SD
States visited: Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota

We got up really early in St. Louis to take some pictures of the Arch in the daylight. We had an unexpected, really fun time! We tried to take all these cool pictures, and Dad actually laid on the ground to take the coolest pictures of me with the Arch. It was hilarious and a lot of fun, and we got attacked by the park sprinklers on the way out. We hit the road again and drove to Deadwood, SD. This was the longest driving day yet. We had 14 hours of just driving time, but I was so excited to go to Deadwood. There was a TV show called Deadwood that was about the actual town, but we had never seen it. I have my grandfather Funderburke's wild west, Cherokee blood in me, and I LOVE the old west and the whole cowboys and Indians era. You can Google "Deadwood", because I'm not about to teach a history lesson here, but it is a really neat place with a lot of history. It has obviously been restored since the 1800s, but the buildings were required to look exactly like the original, so it's pretty legit. Too legit to quit if you ask me. We rolled into Deadwood exhausted after 1:00 am, bypassed the hotel casino, and went straight to bed. I also have to mention that we stopped at some rando Ruby Tuesdays for dinner, and had one of the greatest meals ever! Maybe it was because we were starving and had lived off of potato sticks and peppermint patties all day, but I had the best tilapia, potatoes, and grilled zucchini I have tasted in all my years.

Trying to get a pic that looks like his finger is up that statue's butt. (Maturity at its finest)

That awesome ground laying shot :)

Day 3: Deadwood, SD to Missoula, MT
States visited: South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana

We woke up in Deadwood and got super touristy. It is the coolest place! I want to go back for a couple days in the future, because we definitely didn't have enough time there. We learned the history of Deadwood and its famous residents, did a little shopping, and hit the casinos. I happen to be an old lady, and penny slots are my jam. I played $1 in a few different penny slots and lost it all, but then I heard the Cleopatra machine calling my name. I've felt a little bit of a connection with Cleopatra lately. I've been reading a historical novel about her, and she keeps randomly popping up, so I took the existence of a Cleopatra slot machine as a sign. In the grand scheme of gambling, a $20 win isn't a big deal, but in geezer-status penny slots, it's the jackpot! The lights and the alarms were going off the chain! Thank you Cleopatra! I left Deadwood $17 richer. Roadside lunch at McDonald's was on me! After lunch, we hopped in the car and drove all day to Missoula, stopping in Boseman to eat at Buffalo Wild Wings. Missoula wasn't that exciting, and it was really late, so we went to bed when we got there.

Deadwood, SD

Famous saloon where Wild Bill was shot

Cashing out! Big money-moneeey!!

Day 4: Missoula, MT to Seattle, WA :)
States visited: Montana, Idaho, and Washington

We slept in until 8:00, and had a relatively short driving day. When I say short, I mean, like, only eight hours. Haha! Scenery-wise, this was my favorite day to look out the window. I had a feeling Montana would be my favorite state, solely from watching Legends of the Fall (my 2nd favorite movie), and boy was I right! Montana has the most incredible views! I've never seen such a beautiful place, and pictures do it absolutely no justice. Wow. I could totally live out there in the wilderness for a year. I loved it so much! Getting back on track, we drove all day until we finally reached the Emerald City! Hello, Seattle!! We were welcomed by the rain, but were so excited to finally get there. We moved my stuff into my new house, headed to IKEA for dinner and furniture, and then Dad headed to his hotel to crash while I hung out with my new roomies.

Montana sunset

Just beautiful

This is actually in Washington, but how amazing!

Day 5: Seattle livin'

This was my last day with my dad. Before this day, I didn't have a fear or a worry. I was so ready to move, and the concept of being away from the people I love wasn't resonating yet. I woke up with the painful thought in my head that my dad would be leaving in about 24 hours, and it made me extremely nauseous, which I had not expected to happen. We put furniture together for most of the day, and then headed downtown to Pike Place Market to get a little touristy. It was my dad's first time in Seattle, and I wish I'd had more time to show him around, but we'll have plenty of time in the future. After we walked through the market, we went down to the waterfront and ate at Ivars, a Seattle favorite. Dinner was delicious, the view of the water was gorgeous, and I totally cried like a baby. But some sort of a breakdown was inevitable, I guess.

Pike Place

The original Starbucks store (with the original logo)

Dad's name up in lights! (aka: Seattle Art Museum)

Day 6: Bye bye (sad face)

I dropped my dad off at the airport pretty early. It was heart wrenching. I was questioning everything I had wanted for so long, rethinking my decision, and convinced myself that this whole thing was the worst idea ever. Moving across the country seemed so scary to everyone else, but I had never questioned it at all before that day. It was such a sudden, overwhelming feeling. I dropped him off with a river full of tears, drove back to my empty house, cried to some R.E.M, and went back to bed. I couldn't take the emotions and thoughts running through my head, so I slept them off. When I woke up, I was just okay. Not good and not bad. I took advantage of the moment, and I accepted that I was here and there's no turning back now. I couldn't change where I was, but I could choose between wallowing in regret the whole time or taking control and living this decision to the fullest. Either way, I would still be here, so it would be more beneficial to everyone if I made the best of it. I decided to give myself one sad day, and that was it. Thank goodness that momentary freakout didn't last long!

After dinner at Ivars

I have now lived here for over a week, and I am so darn glad I'm here! After the initial "what am I doing?" fiasco, I am so excited that I'm in Seattle and look forward to having a routine and a life here. This city has so much to offer and I know I'm supposed to be here. This is a good place to be young. This is right. This is right now. I may not stay forever, but definitely for a while. And although that day of sheer terror and regret was really scary, I'm glad it happened. It showed me how important my family actually is to me. Obviously, I love my family and they are very important to me, but before I left I thought the distance wouldn't be a big deal. I thought I could just move to the opposite coast and that phone conversations, the internet, and a few holiday trips would be enough. I now know that maybe it's more than that. The availability and the possibility of seeing my family whenever I want, makes a difference when it comes to comfort. I didn't realize that before now, and it's good to know for the far future. But for the meantime, here I am. Let's get ready to rumble!

Bring it, big city!

Um, why is everything I write so freakishly long? Hopefully I have friends that like to read! I'll wait a few days or so to update on my actual life on here. There's nothing too exciting going on yet, but so far it's going really well. I don't have a job at the moment, but I'm working on it. No worries. Mo' money, mo' problems, or so I hear. I'm just really glad I'm here. This is definitely the right thing, and I am supposed to be here. I can't wait to see what life has in store for me in Seattle!

Let's do this!

Oh! And I'm kind of loving pen pals right now. Let me know if you want my address so we can write! Fun times in old lady land :)
♥ Whitney
*P.S. The first person to come visit me gets a prize!!!

Yesterday was the 20th Anniversary of Nirvana's iconic album, Nevermind. I've read a gazillion articles on how the album single-handedly changed music and a generation, which is very true and super interesting, but I want to talk about the impact it had on me, myself, and I. Yes, Nevermind changed everything from music to fashion to the attitude of young people around the world, but on a much smaller scale, it changed me. It made me. 

I honestly don't know where I'm going with this post, but I'm going none-the-less. For seven years now, people have asked me over and over why I like Seattle so much and why I would want to live there. And for seven years, I have B.S'd cliche answers of "it's pretty" or "there's a lot of music". In reality, I can't put my feelings for the Pacific Northwest into words, and I'm not sure that I even understand it. All I know is I went out there for the first time in 2004 and I never looked back!

Picture from the one time I sat in a window seat.

I'm thinking I'll just go over a few reasons why I love Seattle:

1. There's a real live rock music scene. I'm obsessed to the max with music, and Seattle is swarming with rock bands. And hot rocker boys. (Schwiiing!) There's an actual scene, and they're obsessed with music too. I can go to shows all the time and not be known as the girl who "spends all her money on concerts", because it's normal there! And people will actually know what bands I'm talking about. We can have multi-person conversations about the music that I like, because they like too, and it will be amazing! I can have serious talks about music... Just thinking about it, I feel like I'm skipping through a meadow and twirling in circles with my arms out, just smiling! Plus, Nirvana was from Washington! If you really know me, you know that Nirvana is my golden rock band, and that "obsession" is a very weak term for what they and their music are to me. Between Sub Pop Records, Nirvana, Jimi Hendrix, and many other bands of the 90's and 2000's, there is a rich rock music history in Seattle. That makes me happy! 
2. People are outside a lot. Seattle is a walking city. Whether they're walking to the grocery store, to one of many coffee shops, or to a park, they're outside a lot. It's one of those places where you're constantly seeing people riding their bikes or paddle boarding on the lake. There's also plenty of hiking, climbing, camping, wakeboarding, snowboarding, and hanging out at the beach. I'm really excited to get more adventurous!
3. The city is wonderful. I love downtown Seattle! I know it's touristy and trafficy, and maybe I'll hate it after a while, but I highly doubt it. There are parks, markets, beaches, shops, restaurants, museums, venues, malls, piers, hotels, fountains, sculptures, brass pigs, carnival rides, gum walls, ships, and that big Space Needle, among other sites. I'm already planning on getting a membership to the EMP and frequenting the farmers markets all the time. 
4. Seattle weather. Crazygirlsaywhaaaat?? There's no way she just said "Seattle weather!" Yep. I said it. One time my aunt told me that when moving, you had to think about things that were important to you. She said for her, weather meant a lot, and that was a big reason in why they moved to Florida. When I say I like the weather in a very rainy city, people think I'm nuts. I guess I am, because I love rain! Particularly, I love Seattle rain because it's so light, unlike Virginia downpours. I've always liked rain. I constantly beg people to play in the rain with me, and very few have. Sometimes I will just stand out in the pouring rain, and it's the most amazing feeling to me. I don't like umbrellas, and my hair is curly, so it works out. What can I say? Oh yeah, they have a lot of sunshine too!
5. My kind of people. I have to first make it very clear that I LOVE my friends and family in Virginia and wouldn't trade them for the world!! That being said, I never feel as comfortable or more like myself than when I am with my Washington state friends. I don't know what it is. Maybe we have more in common and I feel like I can say whatever I'm thinking because they're just as weird as me. And they usually know what I'm talking about, which makes me happy. My humor is often lost in Virginia. Here, I'll talk about a movie or TV show I love, and nobody will know what I'm talking about. The same thing happens with bands or songs I'm into. Or snowboarders and competitions. Then I will talk to my friends in Washington, and they will not only know what I'm talking about, but they love those things too! I'm not that weird there, and I don't get frustrated that nobody gets me out there, because they somehow magically do. Virginia has a huge place in my heart, but it feels like a different universe in Seattle. A universe that I belong in.

A lot of the appeal to me is a mystery. The things I like about Seattle can apply to a lot of other cities, but it's not the same. I don't know why, but I am so happy when I am out there. Everything just feels right, and although I tried to explain it a little, I really can't put it into words. Everything I said is inadequate, but I think I owe it to people to say at least something. It's a feeling. It's a sign. It's just right.

Here are some of my favorite memories from pre-citizen Washington! (And although I love it, notice that there is no rain in these pictures... Gossip!)

First visit to Pike Place Market.

Hiking to "Shipwreck", our secret camping spot.

Ghost hunting.

About to get kicked out of a playground in the middle of the night.

My forever faves.

Disguises in the Pirate Store.

Cigars and sing-alongs with my buds.

Being tourists.

Gosh, I love that view...

The Booster!

Espresso By The Bay coffee shop!

To the left is the first Starbucks EVER.

Pike Place Market!

Late night bonfire.

Inappropriate housesitting.

80 degrees at the bottom of Mt. Rainier, and snow at the top!

Olympia, WA.

On top of the Space Needle.

Snowboarding at Crystal Mountain.

Friends <3

I guess that's all I can say on the subject of moving right now. I'm kind of tired of talking about it, and ready to just do it! Haha :) I leave on October 1st, and will be driving across the country for four days with my dad to my new house. That should be a fun entry. Left coast is the best coast!!

☮Woolie, OUT!   

I'm going to go ahead and mention that when I use words like "tomorrow" or any specific day to predict when my next blog post will appear, you should multiply that by 3 or 4-ish, and you'll be pretty close. It's not that I don't want to honor my word.... I think I have good intentions! I wish I was disciplined enough to sit down and do it, or at least disciplined enough to not make promises I can't keep. I swear I do it because I love you! And it sounds good.

Honestly, I want my "why I want to move to Seattle" themed post to be awesome! I have a lot to say about it, and I haven't had time to really sit down and dedicate my entire brain, or even 32% of my brain to it. I'm thinking realistically, part 2 of my moving blog will appear this weekend :)

But for now I leave you with the reason I am considering throwing Seattle away and moving to New Jersey!!! I'm kidding about moving to Jersey. I heard the crabs can jump 2 feet in the air... and I'm not talking about the ones at the beach. I'm not kidding when I say I hope and pray that this guy shows up in Seattle one day with his CD player and serenades the crap out of my 8am bus with the sweet sweet sounds of Katy Perry! He had me at "uhuuuhuuhhhh" ;)

 
☮Woolie, OUT!

I named him "Bubbles"

It might come to this

I'm living proof that this advertising model works