My college informational series is almost here! It starts Sept. 8 and runs the 15th, 22nd and 29th. It is presented by UCAN, UCC and the local Boys & Girls Club. Today we had a blurb in the News-Review under: "So you know...". I hope it goes well. We are providing free food. An iPod will be raffled off to someone who attends all 4 sessions.
Soon I will be starting on planning the Day of Sharing and the Homeless Count. On Monday, our AmeriCorps person starts. It's been insanely busy!
Another Vista and I have been trying to fund raise backpacks to donate to low-income and homeless children in the area. After going through the area's school supply lists, we decided to take a trip to a local one-stop shopping place, as a low-income family would to shop for supplies. We chose one list and shopped for a kindergartner, third grader and fifth grader. It came to a total of over $95 and that was being semi-efficient. In addition, you could not get all the supplies at the one store, so we had to go to another store because they required a specific brand of red pens. If you saw these lists, you would find them just, as ridiculous as we did. A ream of copy paper for a kindergartner? 16 glue sticks for ONE kindergartner...and Elmer's glue? Why are the 24 box of crayons cheaper than the 16, but the class requires no more than 16? We tried to write an editorial, but it didn't get published. Oh well. At least we will be fighting poverty with passion by educating middle & high school students and parents about college and other post-secondary opportunities.
The local community college financial aid officer will be presenting about funding college in the first session. We also have other presentations by the school's Education Talent Search, TOP/SSS program and College Now, as well as by the recruiter (a partner in the program) will present about community college. The school will also be sending presenters from various departments about their certificate and apprenticeship programs. An admissions officer from the University of Oregon will be tabling on behalf of the Oregon University System. Sarah, the AmeriCorps program director at UCAN, will be presenting about AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps NC3. We also have pamphlets from National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and Outward Bound. I think it should be a great program!! Now, I just hope people show up!
Sorry about the delay in postings. I am so busy, so I come home and don't want to type a bunch! :)
26.8.09
4.6.09
Middle School College Education Nights
I have pretty much finished everything for my Summer Activity Program. Wildlife Safari is going to come and present about smart pet choices. They will be bringing an alligator, bearded dragon, ferret and a snake, etc. Fish and Wildlife will be bring animal pelts and donating birdhouse kits. The Sheriff's department is supposed to send a deputy and the McGruff Crime Dog.
Right now, I'm working on getting my pocket resource guide out in our lobby and stocked up for the Day of Sharing and Homeless Count later this year/next year. I will be working on these two HUGE events, so pretty soon I will be slammed with work!
Until then, I will be developing informational sessions for parents and middle school (and high school) students about college as a viable option after graduation. I will also present about other options such as vocational schools, AmeriCorps, and non Bachelor degree options. My hope is that they will start to believe that college is an option, that they can get out of their situation. After all, 69% of those living below the poverty line have a HS education or less. Those with a bachelor's degree will make 316% more than those without a HS degree, and will make ~$2.1 million in their lifetime (in 2006 dollars based on 2005 data -- so probably much more).
My hope is to have my first session in late August, as a "Welcome Back" shindig. Hopefully we have some interest from the clients we serve.
Right now, I'm working on getting my pocket resource guide out in our lobby and stocked up for the Day of Sharing and Homeless Count later this year/next year. I will be working on these two HUGE events, so pretty soon I will be slammed with work!
Until then, I will be developing informational sessions for parents and middle school (and high school) students about college as a viable option after graduation. I will also present about other options such as vocational schools, AmeriCorps, and non Bachelor degree options. My hope is that they will start to believe that college is an option, that they can get out of their situation. After all, 69% of those living below the poverty line have a HS education or less. Those with a bachelor's degree will make 316% more than those without a HS degree, and will make ~$2.1 million in their lifetime (in 2006 dollars based on 2005 data -- so probably much more).
My hope is to have my first session in late August, as a "Welcome Back" shindig. Hopefully we have some interest from the clients we serve.
Frigi-Dare Jump of Death
This is what my co-workers do on the weekends. We were raising money for our Refrigerator Replacement Program, which offers low-income clients new energy efficient refrigerators at little or no cost. Half the proceeds from the event went to this cause.
18.5.09
SHOW ME THE MONEY!
Today, I received a letter from the Mercy Foundation's Tree of Hope Fund. I will be getting money to buy supplies for hygiene and nutrition activities! I'm very excited, though I will need some other funds for things unrelated to hygiene and nutrition, so I will leave that to my summer associates!
17.5.09
Northwest Service Symposium
Thursday-Friday, I was in Portland, OR at the 14th Annual Northwest National Service Symposium. It was a forum to learn what other AmeriCorps/AmeriCorps*VISTA/AmeriCoprs Learn & Serve members were doing. The Symposium is through the AmeriCorps Network Northwest that serves Washington and Oregon.
We're the only groups in the country who have a symposium and they've been doing it for 14 years. They ask for submissions of artwork -- poems, games, paintings, stories, etc. -- and they get collected and put into a book published for the attendees of the symposium. There are also different break out sessions put on by AmeriCorps and VISTA members about what they are doing at their sites. It was a really great forum to get new ideas, hear about other people's positions and network with other people, creating bridges between various organizations across the Northwest.
I learned about "Warm Socks for Cold Soles" started by a woman in Washington. She just started out small and it grew exponentially. She has now been asked to come to the White House to speek to a committee about making it into a national program. I am thinking about implementing it along with the Homeless Count. We collect blankets for the event to be passed out, but socks would be a really great thing to be able to give to the homeless as well. I also learned about a program at OSU (Extension, not to be mistaken for my biggest rival Ohio State, but Oregon State) that is a simulation that I could use instead of doing the Walk-a-Mile program. It was also a great place to meet up with PSO members and find out how their service was going and what issues/problems they had had already.
I've also learned that the UCAN VISTA Coalition is one of a kind. It has been a great help to have other Vistas as a support, as well as more senior (already been serving for several months) act as mentors to help me adjust to the area and find out about resources in the community for work and personal use. I couldn't do without it!
I should find out this week whether I got the money I requested from the Mercy Foundation for my summer activity program. I will also hopefully have picked my other Summer Associate!
We're the only groups in the country who have a symposium and they've been doing it for 14 years. They ask for submissions of artwork -- poems, games, paintings, stories, etc. -- and they get collected and put into a book published for the attendees of the symposium. There are also different break out sessions put on by AmeriCorps and VISTA members about what they are doing at their sites. It was a really great forum to get new ideas, hear about other people's positions and network with other people, creating bridges between various organizations across the Northwest.
I learned about "Warm Socks for Cold Soles" started by a woman in Washington. She just started out small and it grew exponentially. She has now been asked to come to the White House to speek to a committee about making it into a national program. I am thinking about implementing it along with the Homeless Count. We collect blankets for the event to be passed out, but socks would be a really great thing to be able to give to the homeless as well. I also learned about a program at OSU (Extension, not to be mistaken for my biggest rival Ohio State, but Oregon State) that is a simulation that I could use instead of doing the Walk-a-Mile program. It was also a great place to meet up with PSO members and find out how their service was going and what issues/problems they had had already.
I've also learned that the UCAN VISTA Coalition is one of a kind. It has been a great help to have other Vistas as a support, as well as more senior (already been serving for several months) act as mentors to help me adjust to the area and find out about resources in the community for work and personal use. I couldn't do without it!
I should find out this week whether I got the money I requested from the Mercy Foundation for my summer activity program. I will also hopefully have picked my other Summer Associate!
10.5.09
The 1st Month
Ops, I've been really bad at updating this. I've had some long days.
What have I been doing?
I have been working on my Summer Activity Program for one of the low-income housing sites that we do services for in Sutherlin, OR. I am not going to be running the program, but I will have 2 summer associates (AmeriCorps*VISTAs) that will be doing all the program planning and running.
I wrote a local foundation for some money from one of their funds for supplies. I am awaiting to here if they will be donating any money. I have also been working on getting some special events scheduled for the kids. Right now, I have the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife coming to do a presentation with animal pelts, as well as donating birdhouse kits. I have been in contact with the local Sheriff's department about having the McGruff Crime Dog make an appearance with a deputy to talk about safety and what he does for a living.
We are also going to have garden themed activties this year as the property has agreed to participate in UCAN's "Plant Another Row to Go" program. The program is asking local farmers, and anyone else to "plant another row" to donate to the homeless, so they can have fresh produce and flowers. So we will be working with the children in the raised beds, and teaching them how to garden, as well as how to give back to others.
I have another project that I'm trying to figure out what to do with -- Walk-a-Mile. Last year, it didn't go very well, which could have been due to the fact it wasn an election year. There were suggestions to have people in the community pair with the homeless instead of politicians with low-income people, but I haven't had the chance to meet with my supervisor to discuss other options.
I've also been tagging along going to the Coast to do presentations at schools about AmeriCorps and our summer associate positions. Next week, I will be going to Portland for the Northwest Service Symposium -- I thought it'd be nice to get out of Roseburg for awhile!
I suppose that's it for now. Sorry for the delay!
What have I been doing?
I have been working on my Summer Activity Program for one of the low-income housing sites that we do services for in Sutherlin, OR. I am not going to be running the program, but I will have 2 summer associates (AmeriCorps*VISTAs) that will be doing all the program planning and running.
I wrote a local foundation for some money from one of their funds for supplies. I am awaiting to here if they will be donating any money. I have also been working on getting some special events scheduled for the kids. Right now, I have the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife coming to do a presentation with animal pelts, as well as donating birdhouse kits. I have been in contact with the local Sheriff's department about having the McGruff Crime Dog make an appearance with a deputy to talk about safety and what he does for a living.
We are also going to have garden themed activties this year as the property has agreed to participate in UCAN's "Plant Another Row to Go" program. The program is asking local farmers, and anyone else to "plant another row" to donate to the homeless, so they can have fresh produce and flowers. So we will be working with the children in the raised beds, and teaching them how to garden, as well as how to give back to others.
I have another project that I'm trying to figure out what to do with -- Walk-a-Mile. Last year, it didn't go very well, which could have been due to the fact it wasn an election year. There were suggestions to have people in the community pair with the homeless instead of politicians with low-income people, but I haven't had the chance to meet with my supervisor to discuss other options.
I've also been tagging along going to the Coast to do presentations at schools about AmeriCorps and our summer associate positions. Next week, I will be going to Portland for the Northwest Service Symposium -- I thought it'd be nice to get out of Roseburg for awhile!
I suppose that's it for now. Sorry for the delay!
17.4.09
April 13-17th
APRIL 13th
On Monday, I left for San Diego for my pre-service orientation (PSO). The airplane I was supposed to take out of Eugene had gotten struck by lightening, so a mechanic had to come and check it out and make sure it was safe. Unfortunately, the mechanic was not on site at the airport (which was the tinest airport I've ever been in.), so we had to wait for the mechanic to get there, wait for them to okay it, then wait to board. All of this delayed our flight about 40 min, which in turn made us miss our connection in Seattle. At this point I had not met the other Vista, who is serving 25 miles south (Canyonville) of me (Roseburg), but I only had her cellphone. I called her in Seattle and met up with her, so we were lost together. We luckily caught a new flight shortly after arriving. We were also lucky to catch the last shuttle to the hotel. PHEW.
APRIL 14th-16th
There were about 200 people there from all over the country, and from many ages ranges, which I didn't expect. We were split into groups based on which state we were serving in. My group -- the blue dots -- were serving in Oregon, Utah, and Idaho. It was amazing how many people were from Michigan just from the Blue Dot group. I met someone originally from Saline, 2 from Troy and another from Grand Rapids. The guy from GR was also just graduating from my alma mater -- GO BLUE!
For the most part, the training was pretty boring just going over the rules, history and admin stuff for AmeriCorps*VISTA. The last day we got to pick which class we wanted to take -- Partnerships & Building Relationships, Resource Mobilization or Volunteer Generation & Development depending on what were were doing in our organizations. I took the Partnerships class and it was really intense because it made me realize how difficult my job might be in bridging connections and trying to get various groups to have a common goal. It was a lot on the last day, especially when I was tired and really ready to go home.
My flight was originally supposed to get in at 11:55 PM PT, but we were lucky to get our flight changed to an earlier time. I tried to change my seat because I prefer window seats, but our flight was booked. We couldn't understand how many people would be flying from LAX to Eugene, OR. We soon found out when the UCLA Men's Track & Field team started filling the waiting area seats. Our new flight was supposed to arrive at 9:30 PM PT, but we were delayed thanks to the UCLA Men's Track & Field team. They had a hard time listening to the flight attendant when they told them to stowe their electronics. When we stopped in Medford, OR, they all got up and made it difficult for the passengers (I think only one) to board and take their seat. Once again, they couldn't listen and turn off their electronics, so we were delayed leaving Medford.
FINALLY, we got into Eugene. Unfortunately, Eugene is about a little over an hour from Roseburg, so Amy (the other Vista) and I had to drive all the way back to Roseburg. Driving in the mountains when it's so dark is hard especially when you can't have the brights on all the time for the sake of the traffic in the other direction. My lights aren't very bright, so it's hard to see, not to mention I was extremely tired. The last 20 miles were brutal. Amy stayed at my apartment because she hadn't been able to get settled into her place, plus she was still 25+ miles further south.
APRIL 17th
Luckily, I did not have to start work today. Today we had a Farewell/Welcome picnic at a park in Canyonville for the Vistas serving UCAN. I met all the Vistas serving at other locations. They gave us (the new Vistas) a present -- reusable grocery bag filled with paper clips, notepad, popcorn, AmeriCorps*Vista sweatshirt and some other things, which was very nice. It went until 2ish, and then we came back and I got to come home and rest. I'm glad I didn't have to start work today. This weekend is going to be near 80, so I'm looking forward to it. I start training on Monday at 9 AM! I'm glad it's not until then because I know another Vista serving in UT had to start today after getting in late.
Sorry for such a long update, but I didn't have my computer with me this week. Look forward to more on Monday!
On Monday, I left for San Diego for my pre-service orientation (PSO). The airplane I was supposed to take out of Eugene had gotten struck by lightening, so a mechanic had to come and check it out and make sure it was safe. Unfortunately, the mechanic was not on site at the airport (which was the tinest airport I've ever been in.), so we had to wait for the mechanic to get there, wait for them to okay it, then wait to board. All of this delayed our flight about 40 min, which in turn made us miss our connection in Seattle. At this point I had not met the other Vista, who is serving 25 miles south (Canyonville) of me (Roseburg), but I only had her cellphone. I called her in Seattle and met up with her, so we were lost together. We luckily caught a new flight shortly after arriving. We were also lucky to catch the last shuttle to the hotel. PHEW.
APRIL 14th-16th
There were about 200 people there from all over the country, and from many ages ranges, which I didn't expect. We were split into groups based on which state we were serving in. My group -- the blue dots -- were serving in Oregon, Utah, and Idaho. It was amazing how many people were from Michigan just from the Blue Dot group. I met someone originally from Saline, 2 from Troy and another from Grand Rapids. The guy from GR was also just graduating from my alma mater -- GO BLUE!
For the most part, the training was pretty boring just going over the rules, history and admin stuff for AmeriCorps*VISTA. The last day we got to pick which class we wanted to take -- Partnerships & Building Relationships, Resource Mobilization or Volunteer Generation & Development depending on what were were doing in our organizations. I took the Partnerships class and it was really intense because it made me realize how difficult my job might be in bridging connections and trying to get various groups to have a common goal. It was a lot on the last day, especially when I was tired and really ready to go home.
My flight was originally supposed to get in at 11:55 PM PT, but we were lucky to get our flight changed to an earlier time. I tried to change my seat because I prefer window seats, but our flight was booked. We couldn't understand how many people would be flying from LAX to Eugene, OR. We soon found out when the UCLA Men's Track & Field team started filling the waiting area seats. Our new flight was supposed to arrive at 9:30 PM PT, but we were delayed thanks to the UCLA Men's Track & Field team. They had a hard time listening to the flight attendant when they told them to stowe their electronics. When we stopped in Medford, OR, they all got up and made it difficult for the passengers (I think only one) to board and take their seat. Once again, they couldn't listen and turn off their electronics, so we were delayed leaving Medford.
FINALLY, we got into Eugene. Unfortunately, Eugene is about a little over an hour from Roseburg, so Amy (the other Vista) and I had to drive all the way back to Roseburg. Driving in the mountains when it's so dark is hard especially when you can't have the brights on all the time for the sake of the traffic in the other direction. My lights aren't very bright, so it's hard to see, not to mention I was extremely tired. The last 20 miles were brutal. Amy stayed at my apartment because she hadn't been able to get settled into her place, plus she was still 25+ miles further south.
APRIL 17th
Luckily, I did not have to start work today. Today we had a Farewell/Welcome picnic at a park in Canyonville for the Vistas serving UCAN. I met all the Vistas serving at other locations. They gave us (the new Vistas) a present -- reusable grocery bag filled with paper clips, notepad, popcorn, AmeriCorps*Vista sweatshirt and some other things, which was very nice. It went until 2ish, and then we came back and I got to come home and rest. I'm glad I didn't have to start work today. This weekend is going to be near 80, so I'm looking forward to it. I start training on Monday at 9 AM! I'm glad it's not until then because I know another Vista serving in UT had to start today after getting in late.
Sorry for such a long update, but I didn't have my computer with me this week. Look forward to more on Monday!
8.4.09
Today
Today we head back to Eugene. My mom's flight leaves very early on Thursday, so we're going to stay the night in Eugene. The weather has gotten colder here, and it's rainy for the next several days...typical in Oregon.
I am getting quite aquainted with Roseburg and am pretty good at navigating the streets. In one of the pamphlets my mom picked up, I learned that there was a huge blast downtown in 1959 that leveled 8 blocks of the downtown area. More info here.
There are several wineries all throughout Oregon. As my best friend is quite the wine connoisseur, I'm sure I will be visiting some of them in the future.
I am getting quite aquainted with Roseburg and am pretty good at navigating the streets. In one of the pamphlets my mom picked up, I learned that there was a huge blast downtown in 1959 that leveled 8 blocks of the downtown area. More info here.
There are several wineries all throughout Oregon. As my best friend is quite the wine connoisseur, I'm sure I will be visiting some of them in the future.
Relax
Yesterday was a day of relaxation. We just did a few errands, applied for food stamps and put together some things for the apartment. We played a couple rounds of Bananagrams. It's so much fun! You should try it.
Here are some pics of the apartment in its various stages!
Here are some pics of the apartment in its various stages!
Portland
On Monday, we drove up to Portland to check it out. We walked around the Pearl District. I fell in love with it and really want to move there after I finish my service. Here are some pics from the drive up and in Portland.
PORTLAND - THE CITY OF ROSES
PORTLAND - THE CITY OF ROSES
4.4.09
Eugene, OR
Ops! We forgot to bring a camera. We ate at PF Chang's because my mom had never tried it. Then we did some shopping for the apartment. I finally used my gift card to Bed, Bath & Beyond from Rachel and Matt. We went everywhere -- Kohl's, Target, Sears, Kmart, Wal-Mart -- looking for shelving units to put things on. We finally found some at Home Depot back in Roseburg.
From looking at the people walking around Eugene, it definitely had an A2 vibe. I also checked out the campus since the University of Oregon is one of the schools on my list to apply to for my phd.
Today we're going to check out the Oregon coast, tomorrow Portland. Just to make all of you Michiganders jealous the weather is supposed to be sunny and 62 today, 71 tomorrow and 76 on monday. :)
I will be uploading more pics from my mom's camera on Facebook, or FB as Jonathon would say.
From looking at the people walking around Eugene, it definitely had an A2 vibe. I also checked out the campus since the University of Oregon is one of the schools on my list to apply to for my phd.
Today we're going to check out the Oregon coast, tomorrow Portland. Just to make all of you Michiganders jealous the weather is supposed to be sunny and 62 today, 71 tomorrow and 76 on monday. :)
I will be uploading more pics from my mom's camera on Facebook, or FB as Jonathon would say.
2.4.09
1.4.09
What are the chances!
BUT, the funnier thing is that we stopped for lunch and gas, and we just happened to stop in Hood River, OR. ;)
Columbia River
Washington
alongside the mountain is the Lewis and Clark highway.
LAST DAY!
We're just about to head out. It's about 10:30 ET. We only have 551.4
miles to my apartment!
miles to my apartment!
31.3.09
Old Oregon Trail
for the iPhone.
13 hours after leaving Cheyenne
OR...our final destination.
More snow!!
destination. They're predicting 10-20 inhes, but we should be out by
the time the worst gets to the Ogden Valleys.
Our goal today is Ontario, OR. Considering we haven't made any of our
destination goals I'm not sure you should hold your breath! ;)
Oh no, snow!
racking enough being a passenger!
30.3.09
Day 2
well the plan was to wake up at 7am ET, but my mother woke up too early, and thus i woke up too early. we checked out of the hotel at 7:20am CT.
we managed to miss the Nebraska sign too. just can't seem to get the camera ready out on time!
shortly after we stopped in Lincoln, NE for some IHOP. Yum! but an hour out of our driving time because they took so long bringing out our food. then back on the road.
my boyfriend's stepdad said that Nebraska was nothing but cornfields. he wasn't kidding. Nebraska was the most boring state we passed through. we saw tons and tons of cows, and blue heron-like birds hanging out with the cows.
lunchtime! gas stop in North Platte...subway to go! back on the road in boring, boring Nebraska. then we saw tumbleweeds! like in the movies! they just blew across the highway. one rolled up the side of the car and off the antenna and startled me.
the winds started to pick up, and the snow started to drift. but my mom seemed confident we could keep going. we kept checking the weather map on my trusty iPhone!
finally, out of Nebraska! this time we were ready for the Wyoming sign! we decide to stop in Cheyenne for another gas fill up, only to learn I-80 (the expressway we've been on since Illinois and stay on until UT) is CLOSED from Cheyenne to Laramie. the winds were getting up to 50 miles/hour. our goal for the night was Rawlins, WY -- about 100 miles west of Laramie. we decide to grab some soup to warm up. we ate at Village Inn. we talk to one of the people there about how long the expressway shuts down and learn there is an 1-800 number to check the status of the roads. we have my dad call because my phone wasn't getting a good enough signal to use the internet. we go the number and learn it's still closed. the girl sitting behind us was on her way to Salt Lake City and used the other number. she said it was shut down until 11pm. we decide to just stay in Cheyenne.
luckily the stop we chose had at least 6 hotels! we picked the one right next door to the restaurant -- La Quinta. we walked over and got a room. we then moved our car to the door closest to our room. and then the fun began!! or rather i should say the craziness!
we got our bags out and walked up to the sidewalk as the winds were blowing very hard. i finally made it up onto the sidewalk, but the wind was so strong i couldn't make it any further toward the door. it was starting to blow me away! my hands are ice cold and feel like they're going to fall off. my mother can't move either and is laughing hysterically at how ridiculous it is that we can't walk up the sidewalk. finally we catch a break in the wind and forge ahead to the door. i put the card key in and open it barely an inch and the wind just pushes it close. my mom finally makes it up and stands, so she can block some of the wind. i get my foot in the door and finally get in the hotel. we stand there just inside the door laughing at how crazy it was and how we can't feel our hands. had it been much longer i think we could definitely had suffered frostbite! my hands were red and felt like they were going to fall off. it was nuts!
i call my boyfriend to tell him about the closed expressway and our problems getting to the door. but i had a hard time because my mother was laughing hysterically and how ridiculous it was and that made me laugh, while i was trying to tell him the story.
now, i'm catching up on my blogging and safe inside for the night. hopefully the roads clear up tomorrow that we can forge on. we're a little bit behind schedule, especially now with the closure of I-80.
hang in there for more updates! -- they may just be a day or 2 late. :) blogger.com didn't want to let me write on my iPhone.
ciao!
we managed to miss the Nebraska sign too. just can't seem to get the camera ready out on time!
shortly after we stopped in Lincoln, NE for some IHOP. Yum! but an hour out of our driving time because they took so long bringing out our food. then back on the road.
my boyfriend's stepdad said that Nebraska was nothing but cornfields. he wasn't kidding. Nebraska was the most boring state we passed through. we saw tons and tons of cows, and blue heron-like birds hanging out with the cows.
lunchtime! gas stop in North Platte...subway to go! back on the road in boring, boring Nebraska. then we saw tumbleweeds! like in the movies! they just blew across the highway. one rolled up the side of the car and off the antenna and startled me.
the winds started to pick up, and the snow started to drift. but my mom seemed confident we could keep going. we kept checking the weather map on my trusty iPhone!
finally, out of Nebraska! this time we were ready for the Wyoming sign! we decide to stop in Cheyenne for another gas fill up, only to learn I-80 (the expressway we've been on since Illinois and stay on until UT) is CLOSED from Cheyenne to Laramie. the winds were getting up to 50 miles/hour. our goal for the night was Rawlins, WY -- about 100 miles west of Laramie. we decide to grab some soup to warm up. we ate at Village Inn. we talk to one of the people there about how long the expressway shuts down and learn there is an 1-800 number to check the status of the roads. we have my dad call because my phone wasn't getting a good enough signal to use the internet. we go the number and learn it's still closed. the girl sitting behind us was on her way to Salt Lake City and used the other number. she said it was shut down until 11pm. we decide to just stay in Cheyenne.
luckily the stop we chose had at least 6 hotels! we picked the one right next door to the restaurant -- La Quinta. we walked over and got a room. we then moved our car to the door closest to our room. and then the fun began!! or rather i should say the craziness!
we got our bags out and walked up to the sidewalk as the winds were blowing very hard. i finally made it up onto the sidewalk, but the wind was so strong i couldn't make it any further toward the door. it was starting to blow me away! my hands are ice cold and feel like they're going to fall off. my mother can't move either and is laughing hysterically at how ridiculous it is that we can't walk up the sidewalk. finally we catch a break in the wind and forge ahead to the door. i put the card key in and open it barely an inch and the wind just pushes it close. my mom finally makes it up and stands, so she can block some of the wind. i get my foot in the door and finally get in the hotel. we stand there just inside the door laughing at how crazy it was and how we can't feel our hands. had it been much longer i think we could definitely had suffered frostbite! my hands were red and felt like they were going to fall off. it was nuts!
i call my boyfriend to tell him about the closed expressway and our problems getting to the door. but i had a hard time because my mother was laughing hysterically and how ridiculous it was and that made me laugh, while i was trying to tell him the story.
now, i'm catching up on my blogging and safe inside for the night. hopefully the roads clear up tomorrow that we can forge on. we're a little bit behind schedule, especially now with the closure of I-80.
hang in there for more updates! -- they may just be a day or 2 late. :) blogger.com didn't want to let me write on my iPhone.
ciao!
29.3.09
Day 1
i finally got access to wireless internet and can finally back-update for the past couple days!
we left at about 8:20am ET from Dexter, MI. we stopped at 10:00am for some Arby's...i think they weren't ready for us since they just had opened.
we managed to totally miss the Indiana sign on our way from MI. so much for a picture of all the state signs! not long after we were in Illinois. then Iowa. Iowa was lots of cornfields and rolling hills.
we stopped in Coralise for dinner at Bennigan's in the mall. it's a good thing we have had my iPhone because it has been very useful for measuring out our stops for gas. and we found the hotel we stayed at.
our goal was to make it to Lincoln, NE, but we just were too pooped, so we stopped in Council Bluffs, IA -- just outside of Omaha, NE. after driving by the hotel once, we finally saw it. SLEEP, finally!
we left at about 8:20am ET from Dexter, MI. we stopped at 10:00am for some Arby's...i think they weren't ready for us since they just had opened.
we managed to totally miss the Indiana sign on our way from MI. so much for a picture of all the state signs! not long after we were in Illinois. then Iowa. Iowa was lots of cornfields and rolling hills.
we stopped in Coralise for dinner at Bennigan's in the mall. it's a good thing we have had my iPhone because it has been very useful for measuring out our stops for gas. and we found the hotel we stayed at.
our goal was to make it to Lincoln, NE, but we just were too pooped, so we stopped in Council Bluffs, IA -- just outside of Omaha, NE. after driving by the hotel once, we finally saw it. SLEEP, finally!
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