Many the Miles...

It was a good day for driving. Brian and I got up early Friday and hit the road, hopping on I-70 to Utah, then down through Moab to the Navajo reservation, and onto Flagstaff. I love the Rocky Mountains, and road trips through the Western Slope always grow my appreciation of the beautiful geography right outside our doors. There are so many landscapes and colors that change constantly from Boulder to Phoenix! Passing the Flatirons, majestic in the purple pre-dawn, then coming over the Continental Divide to the striking rocks in sun and shadows, and moving on to the maroon plateuas toward Grand Junction. Then all of a sudden you are in Utah, surrounded by vivid red stone and soil, with its divine fluid stability. The plateaus spread out and melt into creams and roses of the desert terrain. It amazes me to see the layers in the rocks, and watch how they have moved and changed through history. Then Arizona has its own mountains, with full, tall pines and short barby bushes. You have to get pretty close to Phoenix to find any Saguaros, but they have their own stories to tell.

We stopped in Jerome, to visit Aunt Lisa and Uncle Jack. We had pretty good timing, pulling in as they were getting closed up for the day. We had a wonderful evening with them, enjoying a bit of rain and some cool temperatures. What a nice weekend retreat from the desert!

Saturday we had a liesurely breakfast and got back in the car to drive to Phoenix. The apartment complex I am staying in was not ready for me at all. They had not prepared any paperwork, and even with two different prospective residents on the phone all week, were unaware of our situation as roomates looking for a five-month lease. It took about an hour, but I got keys. It's not bad - we'll certainly be comfortable for the term.

We unloaded the car in about 15 minutes, and then set out to get the essentials - dish soap, toilet paper, water, etc. Brian had the genius idea to raid the Dollar Tree - we spent about $60 and I was pretty set aside from stuff to go in the fridge! He spent the next few hours trying to convince me I needed to buy a futon, so we shopped for furniture. I did find a lamp and a table and a "desk" that really only fits my laptop. But with my little air mattress, my bedroom is sparse but comfy.

Sunday was hard. We got to sleep in for a bit, and then get to know the neighborhood some more. Then I had to take Brian to the airport, which was not fun. After he made it through security I set out to find a financial calculator for class, and drove around for about an hour looking for an office supply store. No dice, but I definitely have my bearings now!

Thanks for all the calls and emails! It's so nice of you to think about us. I'll let you know how class goes - Mon-Fri 8:30-5:30, phew! Hope I make it...