summer [the beginning]

This summer the mister and I were blessed with five weeks of travel, family, and friends. We made it to and/or through 23 states in that time and had uncountable adventures. From New Mexico to Maine and back again, the only thing that would have made it better was more time, more hours in a day, and perhaps a few more naps (so that we could have adventured harder!). 

We began our journey on June 22, leaving home a little later than usual so that we could get Blake's for breakfast on our way out of town. We drove through the panhandle of Texas, which has the best rest stops I have ever been to, and into Oklahoma. We visited the Oklahoma City National Memorial which was unlike any other memorials that we have visited in the past. The biggest difference is that this was the first memorial that we have visited that was built to remember something that has happened in our lifetime. We may have been young at the time, but we could both recall, at the very least, media coverage of the bombing. It was a rather humbling way to begin the summer. At the same time it was inspiring to see how the community responded and how they continue to respond through events such as the Memorial Marathon each year.

We come here to remember
those who were killed, those who survived
and those changed forever.
May all who leave here know the impact of violence.
May this memorial offer comfort, strength,
peace, hope and serenity.

1 of 163 in the field of chairs

gates of time

memorial fence

children's area

After our time at the memorial we went to meet up with a host through couchsurfing. Unfortunately the timing of our meet up did not work out and so we pulled up a parking space at a nearby shopping center for the night. The good thing about sleeping in the car is that you get moving rather quickly in the mornings. There is no packing to do and therefore you can simply wake up and drive.

And drive we did, on to more adventures. Stay tuned for the details!