Pedro the Lion-hearted

As seen in my earlier post, Pedro won't die. But I'm not sure if it's Pedro or nerves that has my stomach churning a little bit. I get on a ferry in about 8 hours that will contain me for the next three days and provide infinite time to question my decision and most likely make me wanna run back to Shoreline to mommy. But forward I go. I'm excited to see what is in store for me, even though it may be difficult. I am signing a 6 month lease when I get to Haines, so if things suck, it's only 6 months. You can do anything for 6 months, right? So off I go on my next adventure. I think it's time to settle down at least for a little while.

T -4 days and counting and Pedro

I leave for Alaska in 4 days. HOLY CRAP! I'm stoked, despite the large amount of things that I need to do between now and then. In case anyone was wondering, I named the unwanted creatures living inside me "Pedro." Pedro does not like me, and I do not like Pedro. It's a hate-hate relationship. Although, I think Pedro probably likes me, he just doesn't show it very well. What a jerk.

no better title than random thoughts

1. i have a strange desire to quote air supply... but don't know why
2. i have spent 12 of the past 15 hours on my bed. no joke
3. i had cake batter ice cream yesterday. much better when consumed as just one scoop instead of 4 of 20
4. i have resorted to selling some of my instruments to make some money... it makes me cry a little
5. my back has been sore for some reason lately. possibly related to weeding at my uncles or #2
6. i leave for Haines, AK a week from today SO STOKED!!
7. i'm hungry. and my mommy loves me so she made me pumpkin bread that is all the way down stairs... to get off the bed or to not get off the bed? that is the question
8. it's my birthday tomorrow, so don't forget to say something nice to me
9. i'm tired of taking anti-biotics that have caused my existence over the past week to look something like this:

to Oregon and back

I got to hang out with my brother, sister-in-law and nephew this weekend. It was pretty rad. Super low key. I like Bend. And I really like watching my nephew run around. My family is cool.

back in Washington

just a couple pics of how i saw the country...
philly cheese steak in Philadelphia


















Original Nathan's Hot Dog in Coney Island

what happens in vermont ...

... doesn't stay in vermont

stationary

I will spend two nights in a row in the same place for the first time since I was in Boston. With any luck I might hit even six or seven in one place. Crazy. I'm back in Seattle now. It's good to be home-ish. I'm not sure where home is, but I sure do love my family and my puppy. So it's good to be here.

Here's some estimates from my trip for you...
Miles on the train ~ 3256
Miles on a bus ~ 381
Miles driven/ridden ~ 5334
Miles flown ~ 3204
Total traveled ~12175 (almost 350 per day)
States gone though ~ 38

state number 50

I went through Nebraska today. It was the 50th state that I've been in. There are a few astersiks in there... I didn't stop in Ohio or Kentucky, but I have gone through them, so they're kinda on the list. I'm pretty stoked about it. And some of the states I haven't been in for a long time... like since I was 7.
Tonight I'm in Wyoming, which may be my 4th favorite state. I like it here. But not as much as Alaska...

Charleston - Richmond - Atlanta - Driving around

So I made it to Atlanta after going to Charleston and Richmond for a bit. I loved Charleston... there's so much history there... it's a geek's paradise. I got to hang out in Richmond with my Aunt Karen and see the historical house that she is restoring, which was awesome. Then I took my final train to Atlanta... I wandered around the city and made it down to Olympic Park, where I joined an Ultimate Frisbee game. It was pretty rad.
I met up with Ashley (future roommate) in Atlanta, and now we're on our way to Seattle. Our first stop was in Mississippi, which meant that I had to go through Alabama... State number 47. Then last night, I got to hang out with my cousin, Caroline, in Tulsa and meet her in-laws. It was super cool to catch up with them. Today we we're staying in Kansas (#49). Barring major trauma, we'll be in Seattle on Thursday night (through #50 Nebraska). I'm pretty stoked.