Day 2,3, and of course 4

I really am trying to update this every day that we are on this trip, but with some of the motels that we are staying in and the slow dial up connections, it's just not worthwhile.

Day 2 - We started driving pretty early, and we passed Chicago. We kept on going and drove through Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and made it to the border of Iowa. We ended up staying in Davenport, which is one of the Quad Cities.

I really wanted to try to not eat at any chain restaurants the entire trip, but sometimes that is just not possible!! We had dinner at the Lonestar Steakhouse, which was pretty good. We spent the night at a Motel 6 - my first time at a Motel 6. Very easy and convenient because we know that they allow dogs, but we probably drove up to 5-6 places to see if they allow dogs before finding the Motel 6. It was a decent room, but the standing circular shower just cracked me up.

Day 3 - This was a really early start for us! We were on the road before 8am, and we really wanted to make it to Rapid City, so we just kept on driving and driving. We drove through Iowa and into South Dakota. We did stop at a great rest area that looks over the Missouri River when we came into South Dakota. We took some pictures and then got back into the car to keep driving. We stopped for dinner at a very very small sketchy little town Kadoka, but dinner was really good! I had a Buffalo burger and fries at Jigger's Restaurant. Driving through town, we didn't see anything that looked like it would pass a Health Inspection, but then we saw this place which looked ok, and it had a police car and a bus in front of it. If cops and tour buses stop here, it must be pretty decent, right? We made it Rapid City at about 9:30pm. We stayed at a Red Roof Inn, again, another pleasant surprise of a motel.

Day 4 - We got up in the morning and headed out to Mount Rushmore. They advertised a breakfast speacial - where you can dine with the presidents for $3.95. It sounded great, and would be pretty so we headed out there first thing in the morning. Mount Rushmore is spectaculiar. We got some great pictures (look for postcards in the mail from us!) and then headed out to see Crazy Horse. At first, I was not really interested in coming here at all, but when we got there and saw the place and the plans that they had, I was really impressed. It is totally privately funded, and they refused $10M from the goverment to work on the project. I find this admirable, and I'm glad that they are standing their ground and not loosing focus of what they are doing and why. Considering Crazy Horse was shot in the back by and American soldier, I think they are going about it the right way. Scott said he thought I would like this because he knows that I don't go for government funded projects as much as private organizations. I thought that was funny, and it's something that I didn't even think of until he said it. He's right - I guess I did marry someone who knows me well!

We then went for a wine tasting near Mount Rushmore and got a couple bottles of wine (Prairie Berry Winery). We then ate lunch in Hill City, SD. Again, another buffalo burger - I can't get enough of it! Then we drove to Casper, WY. We took some little back roads which were incredible - and boring (a little 2 lane road). But we saw lots of sheep, cows, buffalo, and antelope. Very neat. There's not much going on in Casper, so we ate dinner at an Italian restaurant called Bodiccelli's in downtown Casper, and then saw Episode III. Amazing.

Now, we are headed to Denver!!

Day one - Wed May 25 - Erie, PA

On Monday afternoon we started out treck cross country. We first went up to NYC to visit Bryan, Mark and Erica. We had a great dinner at a Tapas restaurant and then spent the night in Bryan's new condo in Brooklyn. It's a great place.

Tuesday took us to Binghamton for lunch, then to Rome for the night. It was nice seeing Scott's family (my family now!!) and it was a bittersweet departure this morning.

Today, we officially started out trip. We went from Rome, across the state towards Buffalo, and we ended up in Erie, PA. We are staying in a very small hotel room (with the dog) and are just starting to wind down for the night. The dog is driving Scott nuts right now. He's just acting up now for some reason.

We drove on Rt 5, which pretty much skirts Lake Erie. It's so pretty, and there are so many vineyars and grape orchards all over the place here. We passed a Welch's plant, so we figure that most of the grapes around here end up in juice and jam. We went out to dinner at a great restaurant called the Smuggler's Wharf. Dinner was great and we got to see the sunset on the bay over the pier.

Tomorrow we are going to try to make it to Chicago - and if we are making good time we might try to pass Chicago and spend the night in the next city that looks interesting.

BTW - What's with all the statues of frogs in Eria, PA?

Happily every after?

Scott and I woke up on Sunday, and we felt like there is nothing different at all about our lives. It's kind of funny how for 6 months we have stressed out about the one big day - and now that it's all over, it seems like nothing has changed!!

Scott said - well, I guess that means we had our stuff together! I guess he's right.
It is strange saying - this is my husband. I wonder if I'll ever get used to it. I never did switch from boyfriend to fiance. This one might take just as long! And getting used to signing my new name is strange, too!

We closed on my condo and just this past Monday we closed on the new house in California. We are officially home owners!! Next: the drive....

Marital Bliss...

The big day arrived, and it was absolutely beautiful.

Highlights of the day:
I was so relaxed, and I have never felt to calm and confident that I am going the right thing, with the right person, for all the right reasons. I love you honey!!
The timing of the ceremony was incredible. It rained before the ceremony, but as we were walking down the aisle the sun came out. Then as soon as we walked up the aisle to the tent, the sky grew dark and it poured rain. Someone was looking out for us that day.
Although the rain did put a little damper on things, the result was a full rainbow out in the fields with the Blue Ridge Mts in the background. We got some great pictures.
The end of the night with the sparklers was as amazing as I hoped it would be.
And last but not least, all our wonderful friends and family who came out and celebrated with us - we love you, and thank you for all your support and love.

I will get pictures up on here as soon as I can figure out how to link them to this website.
What a wonderful day, and a wonderful start to our new life together.

It's the Final Countdown

I can't believe it's a week away!! I have been a mix of emotions the past week or so.
I started out very calm, and had the attitude that we've got time and everything will be fine.
Then, it switched to a frustrated feeling, and that I am completely done with this wedding thing and everything that isn't done yet doesn't really matter. I told Scott, if he wants programs, a seating chart, and table card, then he has to do them because I am done.
Then, I got really stressed out because these things have to get done, and now there isn't enough time!! We still had to get our parents and attendants gifts, etc. I ordered them, now it's just waiting and hoping that they arrive before the wedding.

Now, I think I am a little calmer, we still have a lot of work to do, but I am in complete disbelief that we are a week away. This week is either going to fly by, or it's going to drag on like you wouldn't believe. We still have to do:
Seating Chart and the pictures and names of all the tables
Out of town baggies
Buy a slew of things (most importantly a Guest book)
Wash and put ribbons on all the guest favors
Do programs (if we have them at all)
Put together the CDs for all the music for the ceremony and breaks

My goal is to have all this done by Wed morning - but who knows if that's really going to happen. Tricia is great and is coming over to help on Tuesday night. Maybe that will force me to get my act together and at least have everything printed out.

This past weekend was Scott's bachelor party, and the girls took me out to dinner on Fri night, and then on Sat night. What wonderful friends we have!! And what a headache I had after Saturday night!! But on Sunday, Scott was so cuddly and sweet, and he seems really excited to be getting down to the BIG DAY. He is so amazing. I really lucked out in finding him.

Oh well - it's 6 days away!!!!!!