Road Trip

A day with Jill

Posted on July 9, 2014 by theowenscrew

With only two and a half weeks left in New Mexico, I feel my time is quickly running out. Jill, another travel nurse, and I had talked about going and doing something together before I up and leave. Well, it was now or never.
So this morning bright and early for us night shifters (8:30) I picked Jill up and we headed towards Colorado. When Suzanne and Jeremy were here we had visited a little lake (reservoir) up in the mountains above Durango. It was so peaceful and so beautiful that I wanted to go back and see it at least one more time. Jill loves scenic drives and was game to trying to figure out a way to get all the way around the lake. We did it! We were wondering if we were going to need the 4 wheel drive a few times but we did it, and it was beautiful. So worth the drive up. Here are a few pictures from the back side of Lake Vallecito.

After our rough riding dirt road adventure around the lake, we headed towards Pagosa Hot Springs in Pagosa Springs. I had seen pictures and was very excited to see it for myself.
It was definitely lunch time when we pulled into Pagosa Springs. Our stomaches were insistent on that. We picked a cute little restaurant called “Hoggs Breath” named after Boss Hogg, the founder of the establishment, originally called Boss Hoggs Restaurant and Tavern. We enjoyed reading the history of this little place as well as of the town and the hot springs in their newspaper like menu.

Finally getting Frito Pie checked off on my experience list, I was pleasantly
surprised by the presentation and flavor. Not bad, not bad at all!

The hot springs was only another mile or two from the restaurant, so we got there shortly after noon. I had been hoping for overcast, maybe some rain, but no lightning. Well I got my wish for the most part.

We decided to take the scenic route home through Ignacio, which took us right past Chimney Rock National Monument. It was before 5:00pm so we went in. There were no more tours scheduled for the day but we got information on the ruins at the top and admired chimney rock from a distance. It wasn’t much, but it would do.

The clouds were awesome and we were wondering if we really were going to get dumped on, or if it would be dry rain again.

Then the rain started, and we both rolled down our windows to take deep breaths of fresh air/ fresh rain smell. Are we in Heaven? No, still Colorado!

Then it happened, the major Dumpage and Farmington/Aztec first monsoon of the season.

With wipers on full blast and windows down slightly more than a crack so we could experience the weather but in a smaller dose… It was pure bliss.
Thank you Jill for a thrilling, exploring, memory making kind of day.

Categories: Friends, Fun, national monument, new mexico, Road Trip, Travel Nursing, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Neenah Wisconsin, Theda Clark Medical Center

Posted on July 7, 2014 by theowenscrew

It is official 8/4-11/1 we will be living in or around Neenah Wisconsin working at Theda Clark Medical Center. It is on a little lake called Lake Winnebago.

It is about an hour drive to the Great Lakes and 188 miles North West of Chicago.
We are in the beginning stages of researching the educational opportunities for the kids in and around the area so if you know of anything that you think is a must do please share.
Thank you all for your continued prayer we are so thankful for it.
-Sarah

Categories: Countdown, Road Trip, Travel, Travel Nursing | Leave a comment

Assignment #2 Pending

Posted on July 3, 2014 by theowenscrew

We have less than four weeks left here in New Mexico. The time really has flown by. Shiprock has been a great work experience and I am keeping a list of the things I have learned here. Although I am not ready to leave my new friends, I am ready to be on a busier unit again. We have been offered a new position, and are madly wading through the paper work and making all the decisions that come with that. It has been a challenge with Chad out of the country and with very spotty unreliable internet. We are excited to announce our new assignment location as soon as the contract is officially agreed on and signed.
Thank you for all your prayers and support.

Categories: Countdown, new mexico, Road Trip, Travel, Travel Nursing | Leave a comment

A Sad Day in the Neighborhood

Posted on June 29, 2014 by theowenscrew

I suppose the one bad thing about Mary Beth visiting is having to say goodbye.

Mary Beth drove to Shiprock early this morning and picked me up from work, then drove us down to the town of Gallup 100 miles away. I was a little tired, but my heart would not let my brain rest. Such a short visit, and I wanted to soak up every last minute of the rest of our time together. We talked a little about the morning, our visit, Myra, and her up coming maiden greyhound bus ride. We turned on the iTunes Radio to praise music, turned up the dial and sung our hearts out to God. I think that is one thing that I like most about Mary Beth. She challenges me to not be a tourist to the “Christian experience” but to learn from the master as a disciple working actively at becoming more like Jesus. With a few growing moments, laughter and tears, it has all been good. Phone calls, texts and Facebook are great, and I am so thankful for them, but they don’t 100% replace face to face, heart to heart discussions.
Gallup came upon us quickly, and as we pulled up to the bus stop, we both let out some nervous laughter. It was a bit of a dive, and was this going to be a bigger adventure than she bargained for?

We were very early, so after we got bags checked and tickets printed, we ventured further down the road to find some breakfast. We drove a ways before something popped up on the horizon. With only one choice, McD’s (besides Vergies, but after one look at that we vetoed it unanimously), we headed strait there.
Chad had better come home soon, as I am not taking nearly good enough care of myself. With very little time for running to the store or cooking, McDonalds coffee has become my substitute for his well balanced nutritional meals. I ordered my McDonald’s coffee, and decided to chance it with their oatmeal and we sat down to enjoy our breakfast.
This is when it all went down… I don’t believe in betting money, but Mary Beth was going to attempt to make an impossible shot with her straw wrapper and asked what the chances were that she would make it. Obviously without thinking I said, “if you make that shot I will lick the floor.”
SWOOSH nothing but net…
Seriously!! How did that just happen! She turned to me with a little sparkle, obviously enjoying all the squirming in my seat that I was doing. I backed off of my stool, and quickly but not with out attracting a LOT of attention, got down on my knees and licked the floor. We were both roaring with laughter. Me in my scrubs dressed to the nines of a professional nurse on my knees licking x1 the floor in McDonalds. I jumped back up in my seat without taking a bow trying to ignore my new audience. That set the tone for the next half hour. It didn’t help that I was on the tired side. Mary Beth saw all my true colors totally unfiltered. After breakfast we went back to the convenience store/bus stop and grabbed some snacks for the road. Knowing I had a longer drive ahead of me, and work again tonight, She didn’t let me stay to see her on the bus. We hugged goodbye and I quickly jumped in my car. I didn’t want to cry again.
I received periodic texts throughout my drive back updating me on the status of her adventure, and maybe to make sure I was still doing OK staying awake for the drive. Staying awake wasn’t a problem though, not today. I had received a second wind with all the laughing and caffeine I had for breakfast. That and running over the whole visit and how it went in my head. Yes, I am truly blessed to have such good friends. What a blessing you are to me Mary Beth. Thank you for coming to visit!

Categories: Friends, Fun, Heart, Road Trip | Leave a comment

What to say about today

Posted on June 27, 2014 by theowenscrew

It was amazing to wake up to the beautiful view of red rocks this morning in Sedona.

I wanted so badly to hike up in the hills and stay there. They are just so beautiful, peaceful and thought provoking. A place to think and get life kind of sorted out. What an amazing gift we have been given in the beauty of nature and all the forms it takes. We got dressed and ready to go. At breakfast Mary Beth invited an older lady to sit with us. I think our breakfast discussion with her may have been the highlight of my day. We learned about her childhood in New Jersey, how wonderful her little sister was as a kid, life as a Girl Scout troop leader and much more. I need to remember to open myself up to those type of opportunities to learn and love on someone else more often. We may have gotten out of town later than we had planned, but it was well worth it. The scenic drive to Flagstaff was also worth the extra time it may have taken and we took advantage of the time to chat. Mary Beth may know my entire family tree now. The Grand Canyon was no disappointment either. As opposed to the rain and snow we experienced when we went as a family, this time it was slightly warm with wind gusts that made you fight to hold your hair back as you smiled in delight. We found a little trail that led down into the canyon and followed it down a few switchbacks. It was far enough away from the rim to minimize the sounds of talking and laughter from above, and you could actually hear the quiet roar of the river below. What an amazing feeling standing on a ledge against the red rock of the canyon in almost compete silence, only the very faint sound of the river. I could have stayed there all day. It may have been the longest period of silence I have experienced in weeks, or perhaps months. I could feel my heart just opening up to soak in the wonder and beauty of one of the most amazing sights on earth.

After some major traffic, we made it to Tuba city around 2:30 and got lunch. We had wanted to see the Hopi Mesas, but did not see them on our map nor any signs anywhere, even after driving through the Hopi reservation. It was a pretty long drive, but with the hymns playing on the radio we could sing the miles away.
Gallup for dinner was an interesting experience. I had been told that there was this restaurant named Earls that had good food, and the Navajo people came to your table and showed you their wares as you ate. I am not big on buying things because of our limited space, and I hate to have to say no thank you, but I was assured it was low pressure and a worth while experience to have. It wasn’t at all what I thought it would be like. It was an older looking place and the food was OK. The people selling their wares were low pressure. It may have had something to do with the time, but there wasn’t much variety, and nothing that really caught my eye. We watched the sunset as we drove towards Shiprock. It wasn’t as much fun to show Mary Beth the area in the dark but we do have a few more days, and a few more opportunities to see it. For now we are just glad to be off our bottoms and wondering with all this car time if we shouldn’t be more proactively trying to prevent a DVT.
Goodnight from Farmington.

Categories: Friends, National Park, national parks, new mexico, Road Trip, Travel | Leave a comment

Laughter is Good Medicine

Posted on June 26, 2014 by theowenscrew

I woke up this morning in Phoenix, or, should I say Mesa, at my aunts house. It was already pretty warm outside at 7:30 so I took Myra on a short potty walk.
I may have to stay around here a little longer as I have been completely spoiled. Check out this breakfast of champions!

Sliced strawberries and pineapple with whip cream on top (it has to have dairy to be a well balance meal right?). We stayed out on the front porch and enjoyed the warmth and slight breeze, as we talked for several hours about life and all that entails. About 11:30 we decided that Mexican food sounded really good, and so we got all put together and headed for lunch on the town.

I was keeping an eye on my watch, as I was scheduled to pick up a friend at the airport at 2:30. Towards the end of lunch the minute hand was moving closer and closer to 2:00pm. I was thinking we were pushing it as it was going to take 20+ minutes to get to the airport from my aunts house. We payed and quickly got out to the car and on our way. A few stoplights into our return drive from the restaurant Aunt Heidi says, “you know it’s only one here right?”. I had forgotten about the time change between Farmington and Mesa. I didn’t have to rush, I didn’t have to sweat it.
We got back to her place and I refilled the water bottles and packed the car. We talked a bit more about drawing and art, and before too long, it was time to say goodbye.
The directions to the airport were very straightforward, so with the address plugged into the GPS, off I went. As an Idaho farm girl raised at least an hour away from the nearest freeway, you would think Phoenix traffic would be a bit intimidating, but this GPS thing makes me feel like I have a super power. Well, today it wasn’t quite as helpful as usual. As I sat in the front parking lot at the address given me looking for my friend and talking on the phone we realized that I was not at the same building she was at. I drove in a few circles, and about three U-turns later found her on the other side of the street in a rental car return maze that could have only been dreamed up by airline staff out to have a good time at my expense. All dressed up cute in her business clothes Mary Beth was ready to kick off her heels and head out of town. It was now three and the traffic was starting to slow, and we just wanted to get out of town before true rush hour hit.
We had discussed the “plan” and changed it a few times before we decided to head towards Tuzigoot, so we could take the scenic route to our Sedona destination. About 11 miles out of Verde Valley we saw a sign for Agua Fria National Monument. I kind of have a personal goal to see all of the national monuments and so I couldn’t exactly pass this one up.

This sign was almost immediately off the freeway off ramp, and was accompanied by a rather washboard looking dirt road. Thinking there must be a visitors center just up the road a ways, we headed on. Now, I haven’t done a lot of dirt road or gravel road driving in a while, and found myself going much too fast. After a sharp turn/ loose gravel combination that made our lives flash before our eyes, we decided on a slower pace. Maybe 5 miles into our gravel road we turned around because there was no sign of a visitors center and I had less than a quarter tank of gas. Being stranded in the desert on a gravel road in the heat of the summer seemed like a scenario to avoid at all costs. It was very beautiful though, and I promised myself I would look up more on the significance of the park later on.

The drive into Sedona was as beautiful, just as it was last time, and I enjoyed getting to share this jewel with a friend.

We found our hotel and then quickly headed back out to explore.

It got dark quickly, so we returned to the hotel, took Myra for a walk, found a cool bug, and then it was time to crash. Looking forward to a few more days of laughter. Thank you Aunt Heidi for being such a wonderful host, and Thank you Mary Beth. I may have laughed to the point of tears a few times today, and like you would say, “it is good for the soul.”
Love you guys!

Categories: Friends, national monument, Road Trip, Travel | Leave a comment

The Longest Round Trip of My Life

Posted on June 20, 2014 by theowenscrew

We left our apartment in Farmington NM at 6:30pm 6/18. After deciding the best plan of action to get everyone to Oregon was to drive the family to Idaho where we could meet up with my parents, who would drive them to their house in Central Oregon where we had a few different options of ways to get them to Salem. We were mostly packed so we threw everything in the car right after dinner, I grabbed a uniform for work in case I couldn’t make it back and needed to get a hotel and drive to work from there. There was pretty much no complaining from the kids the whole drive, because everyone was so eager to get to Oregon to see Grandma and Grandpa, Hadassah, and Cyrus. Chad drove first. We drove right into the sun and were so relieved when it finally set as we crossed into Utah.

We planned to drive into Salt Lake, spend the night, and then meet my parents somewhere between Burley and Boise early the next day. We stopped in at three different hotels in the Salt Lake-Ogden area, but none had vacancies so we had them call the other hotels in the area of the same chain, and they were all full as well. At this point we were in Ogden or Logan, I can’t remember which, and we decided it’s 2 or 3 am, so by the time we find a room and get the kids in it, it will be 4:00, and then what’s the point. By this time I was wide awake in my nightshift groove, so I took a turn driving. We got into Twin Falls around 5:00am. I had been told by my parents to stop in Burley, so I was already pushing it. Since everyone was still sleeping, I figured let’s go see craters of the moon while were here. By the time we get there and have breakfast, the park will almost be open, and we can see it, then get back to Twin in time to meet the rest of the relay team. So I headed north. After about 30 min. we got ahold of my parents and permission to meet them in Boise at the outlet mall. So we turned around and by the time we got back to Twin falls it was 6:00 everyone was awake and ready for breakfast. Thanks to IHOP, which was just over the Snake river, we could grab a bite and got back on the road in not too much more time.

Chad drove our next leg. He had not slept too soundly in the previous four hours, but he had gotten some sleep and he was worried about me trying to drive back on no sleep (rightly so). I took the opportunity to sleep from Twin Falls to Boise although again, although it wasn’t very restful sleep, and I was wide awake by 44 miles out of Boise. We texted our teammates who we discovered had just left Baker and were a little over two hours out from our rendezvous location. We pulled in thinking we could possibly keep going and meet them in Ontario I supposed then I could say I made it to Oregon, but I knew I needed a little more rest and I was already pushing myself in miles that I would have to drive home by myself on minimal rest. So, we stayed put and took a nap in the car. When we heard that mom and dad had made it to Meridian we got the kids and dog out of the car for a run, to get some energy out and stretch and maybe use the bathroom. The kids were excited and very cute to watch. I am going to miss their energy, laughter and smiles these next three weeks. I am looking forward to some sleep, reading, and contemplative time. I have not been getting that alone time with my creator since we embarked on this adventure.
My parents pulled in around the corner in a white 15 passenger church van around 10:00am only a second after Caleb told Hannah, “they could be here any second.” It was pretty funny. And as soon as Eve recognized the faces she came running. Nothing like a I’ve missed you so much I’m going to sprint and dive into your arms kind of greeting to let you know how much you have been missed.
After talking and catching up, transferring bags and car seats and a potty break for them, feeling the time crunch I gave all the adults good bye hugs and we all got buckled in. Realizing as I turned to wave my good bye that I had not hugged the kids good bye it sunk in how much I’m going to miss them. Three weeks is a long time. I know they will have lots of fun so I won’t worry too much. I know they know I love them but still a big missed opportunity to get in a good bye hug.

North to Burley I set my sights. I do so love the higher speed limits in Idaho and Utah. In an inky two and a half hours I was pulling into my childhood best friends house for lunch and a chance to get off my backside. I knew I looked like crap and probably smelled like crap but Colleen didn’t mind and after a hug I asked if I could take a shower and she said, “make yourself at home.” I took a quick and wonderful shower and felt human again. Thank you so much Colleen for lunch and a shower!
I couldn’t stay as long as I wanted, as I was already worried about tiredness and I knew I had 10 more hours of driving to do. I have never thought that eastern Idaho ever offered as much beauty as the rest of the state but it really was such a beautiful drive through there.

I filled with gas at Maverick which is my new BFF (for this trip at least), and grabbed some snack food hoping to use it to ward off any afternoon drowsiness. I then grabbed a coffee at the Golden Arches and headed down the road. Here is a bad picture of the beautiful Snake River flowing through Burley.

I hit I-84 east feeling like a whole new person. I’m pretty sure it was the shower, and the coffee probably helped too. I turned my phone to iTunes Radio and filled the car with lively music. The construction between Burley and Salt Lake allowed me to play dodge the cone as I took in the sights of the amazing mountains. Man we are so blessed to be surrounded by such beauty all the time.

I lost my cell connection so I changed to the stored Christmas music on my phone, and stopped at another Maverick in another little town well before Brigham City to go to the bathroom and was so surprised when I got back on the freeway to discover stop and go traffic already. For the next two hours I was in stop and go traffic. I knew I would hit rush hour but I didn’t know it would be starting so far out of Salt Lake or last so far past it. For the most part we went faster than you do in Portland rush hour traffic but it just kept going and going and going. Wow. Now I was looking at an after midnight arrival time in Farmington according to the GPS but I was also wide awake now so I didn’t want to get a room yet.

The sunset again was beautiful. It got dark as I pulled into Moab for dinner.

In Moab I stopped at Paradox Pizza for dinner, and a few phone calls to various people to check in and let them know I was doing ok. I was only three hours from home (New Mexico that is). The first hour into my drive from Moab to Farmington was filled with eating pizza which is very messy car food, drinking ice water and watching the lights in my rear view mirror. Then came the hard and tired time. I sang CC songs from cycle one off my phone, slapped my face, wetted my eyelids from water out of my water bottle and attempted to call a few people to talk to on speaker phone because I didn’t feel that area was all that safe for me to pull over and take a nap. I thought if I can get to Cortez I can get a room. I did make it to Cortez it was pretty shut down looking as it was almost midnight. I stopped at another Maverick gas station and filled my tank. I chatted with the clerk inside for a little bit and grabbed a BIG gulp sized cup and filled it with Ice. Enough ice I could eat it all the way to Farmington. I added a few Big Hunks to the ice as insurance. Surely chewing on that sticky stuff should at least get me to Shiprock which is right between Cortez and Farmington and if I was going to take a nap in the car the hospital employee parking lot there would probably be the safest place. The ice worked great but wasn’t going to last me as far as I had hoped but between the ice and 1st Big Hunk I made it to Shiprock. Being on familiar roads somehow helped me to pull it all together enough to make it the last 28 miles to my apartment. That and the Dave Ramsey show played from my phone. Walking into the apartment at 1:05 am I felt so much relief. I had made it but not with out a few scary moments. I don’t plan on ever pushing myself like that again. Thank you all my friends and family who where praying for safe travels because I am sure that is what made the difference. Now after most of the night and day of sleep I am still a little scared that I pushed so far. I have to remind myself that I made it. And promise not to push that hard again.
-love you all and I’m so thankful for this beautiful day that I’m safely in Farmington for.

Categories: Family Time, Road Trip, Travel, Travel Nursing | Leave a comment

Our Rental Car Experiance

Posted on June 19, 2014 by theowenscrew

We are learning lots of lessons on being flexible. We have planned since before we left Salem for Chad and the kids to take a trip home so he can go to Honduras and the kids could get in some Grandma and family time. We showed up to pick up our rental car this afternoon at 4:30pm to discover that even with a Visa backed debit card we could not rent a car. It has to be a credit card. We have been on the Dave Ramsey plan for the last five years and do not have a credit card. We instead believe in saving up and buying what we want and having an emergency fund, well, I don’t know why but we didn’t even see that coming. We looked at the cost of last minute plane flights X 4, train tickets, renting a car from acquaintances here in New Mexico. Plan A, B, C, D were checked off the list as possibilities. I don’t work tonight or tomorrow night, and my parents, even though they are elbow deep in a bathroom project, have offered to meet us in Idaho, so we packed the car and headed out.

Thank you mom and dad for being there for us. Thank you Chuck and Donna and mom and dad for all the brain storm ideas and for help nailing down a plan.

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Happy Father’s Day Chad

Posted on June 16, 2014 by theowenscrew

A Sunday drive after church lead us back to Silverton Colorado. With only an hour to explore the town after lunch on Thursday, we left with out really getting a feel for the quaint little town. We visited the shops that we had not yet seen.

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For dinner Chad decided on a little place that has been featured on ” Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” called Thee Pitts Again.

Chad had the Guy Fieri special.

Then we played at the playground by the school and public library and took in the sites all around us.

We had looked at all the shops in town so we decided to drive through the side streets as the houses are pretty cute. That didn’t take long and we weren’t quite ready to head home so we headed up the dirt road towards the mines.

The road up to the mine was so scenic that we decided to continue on up the road to view a little more of “the scenic loop” noted by a sign on the side of the road.

We didn’t do the whole loop because we had no idea how far it was and it must have been big because we did see a sign for Lake City in 30 miles. It was getting later and this wasn’t the kind if road you would want to be on after dark so we found a wider spot in the road and turned around.

Just before we got into Durango there is a hot spring just bubbling out of the ground on the side of the road. We had to stop and touch it.

It was not too hot, only slightly warm and was fun to touch and feel.

We watched the sun set over the mountains as we descended out of Durango, a day well spent.
Happy Father’s Day to all Fathers out there especially Chad, Chuck, Paul, Jeremy, Jayson and Great Grandpa Lawhead as well as to many Uncles and great uncles. We love you guys.

Categories: Family Time, food, new mexico, Road Trip | Leave a comment

Q and Hopefully A

Posted on June 8, 2014 by theowenscrew

I guess I am hoping that someone out there is feeling a little like they are traveling too through the pictures we have taken and the information we have learned and shared here. I know most jobs are not portable, and two weeks off a year is only enough time to sneak in a camping trip and visit family for the holidays. This is especially for friends who have wanted to travel and see the states but their responsibilities have not allowed it, and for my fellow homeschool families who are studying U. S. History this next year we want to do this blog so that you all can experience this adventure with us and learn beside us.
I am curious. What would you like to know about the Four Corners? Arizona? Utah? Colorado? New Mexico? The Continental Divide, The Grand Canyon, The Great Salt Lake? The Navajo Indians, Hopi, Ute, Anasazi, Ancient Puebloans?
We will attempt to discover the answers to your questions and share them with you. We can learn together.