Where I've been....

I've been out of town 6 of the past 9 weekends.  

I've logged approximately 5,463 driving miles.  To put that in perspective, it's only 2,898 miles from where I live to NYC, NY!! According to google maps to reach 5,463 miles I'd have to drive from Seattle to LA to Miami to NYC to Boston.  And even then I might have to circle around a bit to get up there.  This astounds me.  

Anyway, back to where I've been....

Well, first Phil and I went to St. George, UT (1,330 miles RT)  to visit GrannyT and watch Phil run the St. George marathon.  Visiting Granny T was a pleasure, running the marathon--well, you'll have to ask Phil.  It was a particularly hot day and I was very glad to be a spectator. 

The following weekend we took the family down to Anaheim and San Diego (962 miles RT) to visit Phil's brother and a few animals.  It was a delightful trip.  San Diego is my mecca.  

After that trip I had two weeks at home before I had to make an unexpected trip to Vancouver, WA (no pictures of this trip)  for a good family friends funeral.  While I wished I was visiting under different circumstances, it was a special time where I was able to spend time with people I love and feel grateful for eternal families.  (645 miles- one way, since I flew up and drove back)

I then took another two weeks off before heading down to Santa Barbara (690 miles RT) to run the half-marathon with my SIL.  It was a great trip (just girls!) and mercifully short. The race went well, and I enjoyed the course and my running mate who slowed down significantly to keep pace with me.  That is such a great distance! After the race we ate, shopped, and watched my sister jump out of a plane.  

One more week off before heading for the Thanksgiving grand tour of the Intermountain West.

We drove first to Idaho (823 miles) in rather treacherous conditions, then down to Provo (257 miles), where we parked it in a cabin for a week.  We spent lots of up close and personal time with all sorts of family members playing Ticket to Ride, hosting Murder Mystery Parties, and eating lots.  While we were there we were also able to drive our kids (literally) down memory lane by visiting BYU and all our favorite Provo spots.  I haven't been to that part of Utah in years and it was fun to be back.

Then finally, on Saturday we packed up for home.  The 12 hours it took to drive back flew by and I have been digging through our mountains of laundry ever since.  While I am grateful for the busy times and for technology and machines that make traveling like I did so easy, I'm grateful to be home.  I've vowed to plant myself here for at least a month with no significant trips taken.  And, to vacuum my car because, as you can imagine, it needs it!