You and I were born to roam

Welp - we made it to the grand state of Arizona! The drive was definitely a long one, but we had a heckuva lot of fun along the way. :) We ended up taking a small, 5x8 trailer from uHaul. The trailer turned out to be a bit of a headache, but we managed to tough it out. David drove (literally) the entire way because I was too freaked out by the idea of wielding such a weird contraption. And it didn't help that my tiny car wasn't really made to haul heavy things (and we were truly pushing the weight limit...oy!). Pics of how much stuff we crammed into the thing:

We obviously didn't waste any space. :P

Despite any minor glitches we encountered, the overall trip was a fantastic one chock-full of gorgeous views and friendly folks. I didn't take a ton of pictures while on the road, but I do have a few. Enjoy a mini version of our journey:

St. Louis, Missouri skyline


Tulsa, Oklahoma


Windmills in Texas


Flat, flat Texas

We ended up stopping at Cadillac Ranch right off historic Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas. I actually wrote a small blurb about it for Gadling.com (AOL's travel website), so I was super excited to actually stop and check it out with my own two eyes. Definitely one of the cooler roadside attractions I've been to.











And...after a good 20 minute stop, we were back on the road!


Pretty New Mexico -- this was when the scenery really started to change. :)


The oldest gas pump I've ever seen/used. Also in NM




Right outside of Albuquerque, where we stayed for an evening.


Near the boarder of AZ and NM

And then...we entered Phoenix! :) I was actually too excited to take pictures. I wanted to absorb everything I saw without looking through a lens, so sorry for the lack of pics! :D You'll get some soon, believe me!

Our first night we stayed at my grandparents house (where they live in the winter) and then met up with my Aunt Clara/Uncle Roger for some delicious Chinese food at a nearby place! The next morning we hauled it over to our new apartment and signed the lease. Unpacking the uHaul was a long story, but it entails a few emergency phone calls to uHaul, 3-4ish hours and the assistance of Aunt Clara/Uncle Roger.

Shortened story: piece of furniture got stuck on the lip of the trailer door and we couldn't open it. A series of tools, huffs, injuries and passers-by offering help later, it busted open. All this just as uHaul roadside assistance were on the road to come tear the whole thing apart!!

Alas, we finally got all our belongings inside of our new apt. The following Tuesday, we were pretty much unpacked. I still have a bit of decor to do and we need to find a few accent chairs to fill out the living room, but it feels homey. Pics:

LIVING ROOM

BEFORE


DURING

AND....AFTER!

The 4 pillows are from Goodwill at around $3 a pop, rug/coffee table are from my grandparents (graduation gift a few years ago), orange lamp from Ikea and the the couch was a steal on Craigslist for a modest $125! :D All the little trinkety/vintage things are from Indiana.


Apothecary bottles are a gift from momma!




Ahh...I love that globe! And the old, non-functioning radio. :D And the red oil can is from a place in Missouri we happened upon on our drive-- $6!


I'm sort of proud of myself for my random idea to make a "wrench bouquet." How cool is that tool box/Indiana license plate, too?


Old heater (hiding cords!) from Trader Baker in Franklin.


The poison pharmacy bottles are a gift from mi madre.

BEDROOM

BEFORE


BEFORE (check out that massive closet, though. :P )


DURING

AND...AFTER!

Okay...now the rest still have quite a bit of more work to do, but I'll show you anyway. :)


BALCONY/PATIO

BEFORE

AND...AFTER





KITCHEN AREA

BEFORE


DURING

AND...AFTER:




BATHROOM

BEFORE
(loving that double sink)


AFTER

Whew...hope I didn't overload you with pictures. I actually have more from around the complex, but those can come another day.

Peace,

Wendy