Home Sweet Home

We made it back home, and here are just a few tid bits about the trip:

Departure date - October 7th, 2008 from Raleigh, NC
Return date - November 23rd, 2008
Making it 6 weeks of travel.

Most expensive gas $3.49
Cheapest gas $1.76
23 Tanks of gas
$586.70 spent on gas

9,789.1 miles

28 States traveled through
17 States slept in

13 Peace Corps friends visited
5 Retired Roanoke College Soccer Players
4 Cary Presbyterian Friends
2 CSM friends
4 Hampton Friends
11 Family Members
3 Roanoke College Friends
8 Newbery College Friends
And a few other random acquaintances and the other friends we forgot :)

Fun times to say the least.

The tail end...

Man did we get behind on this or what?
So here are the last three stops we made...

Oklahoma City/Houston


We left the farm in Kansas for Oklahoma City. It was a pretty uneventful drive, flat land, fun sunglasses found in the car, and going the speed limit the whole time because we heard there were tons of policemen that would pull you over for going 4mph over the speed limit. Once in OK, we let ourselves into the one and only Amy Whittle's house. Amy is a Roanoke College soccer friend. We were 2 of 3 seniors that finished all four years of soccer - and we were both walk ons. So funny. Anyhow, we waited for her to get home before going for a walk around the lake and to dinner. The next morning we got up and headed to Houston.

We stopped in Austin, TX for lunch. Everyone has told us that we should definitely go there. We would have loved to spend a night there and go to a show, but between not having anywhere to sleep and wanting to get to the people waiting for us in Houston, we just stopped for lunch. Austin was a cute little town though.

We then made it to Houston where we spent time with Saraben (a PC friend) and Scott. We had a blast. Sitting around and catching up on the last year and laughing. It was pretty bad, we didn't take any pictures of them, or of anything really. Except at the Prop 8 protest, against the banning of Gay Marriage. Which was really cool to be a part of. And hopefully one day we can say we were a part of something that eventually changed in America.


Pensacola, FL


Our next desitination was Pensacola, FL, with yet another planned lunch stop. We got to New Orleans for a late lunch and walked around a bit. On our way out of town you could still see a lot of hurricane mess. So sad really. The pictures of Mississippi and Florida, are obviously not ours - and the Alabama was actually from the next day. Why you ask? Well Phil fell completely asleep on me all the way through those states. Plus it was dark. But I had to find the Mississippi sign because I thought it was hilarious that it's moto is - 'it's like you're almost home.' For those of you who don't know, I was born in Mississippi and spent the first four years of my life there. And i thought it was hilarious, actually laughed out loud to myself.

Also on this leg of the trip we had our first serious car trouble. A flat tire. AHH. luckily though it was on the right side, so we could just pull over and be safe changing it. And phil did it in record time. Go Phil! So we were on our way - with only 20 miles left or so. We spent the night with my college bestis, Megan and Mike, where we played with the dog and cat and lounged around with a home cooked meal and dessert.

Atlanta, GA

Georgia! Yet another uneventful drive. We got to Atlanta late afternoon and we were very excited to see some more Peace Corps folks. We spent the first night with Amanda and her ninja cat. Great food, The Farmer's Market, lots of wine, and rummy cube. We had fun to say the least.

The next day we met up with Tait, and visited Emory, where Amanda is going to nursing school. That evening we had a dinner party and Tait's mom's house. Another pc friend, Kelly Cox, came over and a childhood friend of Emma's, Sam, came to hang out too. Yet again, lots of wine and great company.

Next stop - Phil's home and a wedding.

Is It A John Deere?

There's not much to the landscape of Kansas except rolling hills covered with the farms of America. We showed up at our friend Ryan's house after dark tired but ready to catch up. We had some beers, food, and talked for a while before we slumped off to bed.

The next day we had a late start then set out to see the Kansas country side. After we grabbed some tacos Ryan took us by huge dairy and meat farms, grain piles of milo and corn, and even huge windmill farms. He explained a lot about how things work within the business of growing grains to feed the cattle that feeds America. We hit up Dodge city to grab some beers then headed back to the house to take it easy. The slaughterhouse smell and the cow shit pools followed us back to the house.

Evening brought beers another fine salad and “Lars and the Real Girl”. We hit the hay to get some rest before driving to Oklahoma city the next day.

We Love Denver

We made it to the big city after a really long drive through the mountains in our small two wheel drive Honda civic. These cars are not made for going up and down snow covered peaks. Once at the Huggins household Holley made us sandwiches after our long hard drive over the mountains from Grand Junction. We chatted while eating learning that somehow people actually trust their kids to be with Holley 5 days of the week as their nanny. We certainly could not believe this but then she cleared it all up by saying the parents are actually at home most of the time while she is there with the kids. Whew! Ha, so being exhausted we hit the hay till the next day.

A little morning brew and shared potatoes got us ready to get outside to check the mile high area out. First stop- Red Rocks- the out door amphitheater formed by, you guessed it, some really big red rocks that make it perfect for a crowd to soak up music. While Emma and Holley checked the place out Phil actually ran around the place for exercise. What a loser, but he wasn't the only one as a large group of people were screamed at by their buff trainer while they ran up and down. Holley and Emma being the slackers they are took the rails to mean their own personal slides to the bottom forgoing any steps at all. The two of you are awesome!!! A shower and short lunch later Holley had us downtown Denver to walk around seeing the sites and meeting people. Emma saw a covered wagon that simply turned out to be the us military recruiting people. We left laughing. Holley took us to a chai place for trivia. Trivia straight from her silly brain!!! At first I actually thought she was reading from a phone or something but nope. They were good ones too! Our minds full we met up with Holley's brother and some of his friends for a bit which was cool since UFOs actually become a topic for 60 seconds much to Phil's delight! A bit later our trio went off to meet Phil's friend Cary (Beth and Erin's older sister) and her husband Paul for sushi. Phil caught up with Cary and the girls got to know the couple. Paul truly taught us the wonders of eating fried shrimp heads. I am not kidding they are amazing and contain kryptonite which is good for you! Full of fish we looked for beer in all the wrong places until we came to “Benders” pub. Punk rock posters and art featuring George Bush's head on a naked chick's body told us everything we needed to know. This was our spot for beers! We even got free shirts from shot girls promoting “American Honey”. Nough said. Our evening drew to a close since we had all pretty much laughed way to much so we said good night till another time! Awesome to see you Cary and Paul!

Sunday did not turn into church for Emma and Phil however we did climb a small mountain err I mean hill. Holley had us up early at 11:30 to do some hiking/scrambling up rock faces for the morning. Holley is truly young at heart, mind, and spirit. I thought (phil) I could still climb up rocks like a youngin but she truly put me to shame. And I (emma) definitely learned that i really am scared of heights, who knew. Or maybe I'm just scared of falling off a mountain rock. It turned out to be a great like adventure for sure. As any good Sunday the evening was quiet. Holley went to church while the heathens (phil & Emma) went to Barnes and Noble. Thanks for everything you freaking wonderful beautiful person Holly!!!



Monday was a deadline day for Phil. He drove to Steamboat Springs to face the past. Thats all about that since its been pissing Phil off for the last two years of his life. We got to hang out with Emma's friend Charly in Frisco, CO. It was fabulous to see her, and tears came to both (emma and Charly) our eyes. She was so excited to see someone from home. And it was great for me to see the woman that has been so supportive of me my whole life. We didnt do much but sit around and catch up, and talk about Peace Corps, and what the future holds for both of us. Charly is was wonderful to see you, and hopefully we'll see you in Seattle sometime....

Trekking Across The Desert

Arizona Border Patrol

B.P.O.- "Hello folks, Are you American citizens?"

P & E- "Yes we are."

B.P.O.- "Did a small Mexican family jump in your trunk when you weren't looking?"

P & E- (exchange funny looks) "No."

B.P.O.- Do you have any weapons of mass destruction?"

P & E- (Puzzled funny looks) "No sir." (much emphasis)

B.P.O.- (without skipping a beat) "You have any bundles of dope?"

P & E- (strong answer) "No sir."

B.P.O.- "Cause I see your necklace (Phil's rasta African Necklace) and I could have a dog come over and sniff the car."

P- "We don't have any, so bring a dog."

B.P.O.- "You sure about that?"

P- "yeah, bring a dog."

B.P.O- "Ok, (Phil tries to drive away) hold on a minute, roll down your back window." (we agree) (he inspects) "Ok, you guys drive safe."

We drive off with a shotgun in the trunk.

Really that's enough said, because this drive was pretty uneventful, other than seeing the fence that America really did build along the boarder of Mexico. I mean seriously?

We got in after dark to Flagstaff, where we met up with Chris Erikson, a fellow Peace Corps Volunteer. It was so great to see him, he gives the best hugs, and we had a great time catching up and talking about the past. Lovely. Miss you Chris!

It's Obama! in So. Cal

We had a short trip to a place called Del Mar, a bit north of San Diego. We spent the drive listening to election coverage. You know we weren't too worried about the outcome - our own personal poll of keeping track of all the campaign stickers we saw on cars gave us a clear picture that Obama would win. Ok, so we were a bit nervous. But the turn out wasn't so bad. We spent election night with a split couple. The husband - definitely not a fan of Obama, the wife - a fan, but kept kind of quiet. So they took us out to dinner, and he continued to tell us that Obama wasn't the answer, asking if we had houses, and that more of our money would be taken. Oh hey, mister - we don't have any money, or a house, and that car in your driveway - not ours. So Phil and I were thrilled that Obama won, despite everything else. And we surely enjoyed dinner, thanks Paul :)

As we watched different states go Blue we got excited, we waited for NC but it never came. However Phil's county in SC went blue. Great job guys! And we tried to find out the outcome of Prop 8 in california. Much later we learned that Prop 8 passed, once again banning gay marriage in California. Maybe one day we can move forward. You win some you lose some I guess.

In the morning we woke up way to early and went deep sea fishing with Heather. It was tons of fun despite hugging the toilet, and only catching one small fish each. But it was beautiful out there. The rest of the day we napped and then Phil and I went for a 'romantic' walk on the beach. ha. until he decided to go for a run and didn't meet up where we planned to, leaving us both walking back to the house alone and in the dark. Though he was only a few blocks behind I think.

After a fabulous dinner, we curled up on the couch and watched "into the wild" and then hit the sack. The next morning we got a knife and fork breakfast and hit the road for Arizona, proud in the fact that we will have an African American president!

Beth and Erin's World - LA

Erin and Linus (sweet old man dog) greeted us at the door to their apartment near sunset blvd after a short six hour drive through the hills of Kali. We promptly chilled on their couch to catch up a bit. Emma took off to see a friend and beth rolled in not to long after that so we had some beers while we just chatted about our lives over that last two years. My connection with the two of these awesome girls goes all the way back to elementary school in good old south carolina. We talked of those we know and how we had changed, then Erin and I headed to a bar as per usual. Beth took her medication and had an early night. We headed to an old friend's show who used to live in charleston first. Robert played drums at a small place where we could drink on the street outside while chatting with the homeless guys who were looking for more drink as well. Next bar was german themed with a really chill old lady playing piano. We met up with Jonathon, erin's guy for then and had a couple before going to the 'ass' bar to get a bloody mary. I didn't get any of that so just slept on the couch next to emma who poked me until I stopped snoring.

I (emma) got to go hang out with the one and only Jill Hoffmeister. To wrap it up, it was fabulous. I showed up on her doorstep and hung out in her swanky condo until we headed out to dinner. We spent hours catching up, reminiscing about college days, and talking about our visions for the future. After dinner we went back, where her sister had a couple friends over to bid her farewell before moving to Canada. While catching up on one of the many movies I have missed, we continued to talk and hang out. Jill, it was great to hang out with you, and I hope we see each other again soon.

Our second day in LA, we tagged as the touristy day. After sleeping in and getting dressed we headed out for a great breakfast. And then went up to a park to walk around and hike up and see the Hollywood sign. Then we did a driveby through Hollywood, with the greatest tourguide ever, Erin. Thanks Erin! To say the least we had a fabulous time with these two girls. A pizza dinner, and election coverage filled our evening.

The next morning - Election Day, we went for coffee and headed off to watch Erin and Beth vote. It really was exhilirating, and we were somewhat dissapointed we had to do it via absentee ballot. But you know. Shortly after we were on our way to San Diego...

Oh and the music on this video is the one and only Erin Armstrong. So if you like what you hear check out her band "My Imaginary Friends". This is only a bit of her music - there's a lot more where that came from.