so many faces. so little time.

Thus far, my road trip has been filled with many, many highs and few lows. The most rewarding part of it all is getting to see so many wonderful friends along the way. I left Colorado on Friday morning for Utah. This was one of my longest days of driving. It was already a long distance from estes park to Logan, but winding through the mountains slows you down. Also, I was beginning to feel ill. I was slightly worried how my body would adjust to the altitude, but I don't even think it was specifically that single thing that bothered me. However, my ears were constantly popping throughout that entire drive. No bueno. By this point I was just so exhausted and lacking sleep, driving was not the best medicine for that. period. Once I got right outside Logan, though, I got to drive through Bear Lake, Utah which is one of the most beautiful sights I've ever seen. I was so mesmerized by the snow and pretty water, I forgot all about my sore throat and pounding head. I met up with Jeff Parker in Logan. Jeff worked with me last summer in Juneau and previously before that in Ketchikan for ACA. He showed me a bit around the Utah State campus and I got to meet several of his friends at a bonfire that night. The next day we hit up a newly opened coffee shop and went on a very short hike before I had to take off.

The night before I left Utah, I was contemplating a detour to Yellowstone National Park. I had plenty of time to spare and I've always wanted to see it, but I really wasn't feeling well at this point. Not to mention it would have been another night in a hotel instead of a friends couch. So, on Saturday I decided to skip Yellowstone and drive straight to Boise, Idaho. Another guide, Nate, that I worked with last year in Juneau lives in Boise. Nate is actually my boss's little brother. He left mid-season last year, but I will be working for his brother, Chris, again this summer. I didn't see much of Boise besides the inside of a Borders cafe, but it actually reminded me a bit of home in Olathe. Nice homes, new buildings, shopping areas, ect.

The next morning I left for Portland, Oregon. A visit that I had been anxiously awaiting my entire trip. A lot of the boys from last summer were from Portland, and they just raved about that place. I could not wait to see what all the fuss was about. First off, the drive into Portland from Idaho was just breathtaking. Once I arrived in Portland, I met April Scott at her house. She goes to school in Portland and I will be living/working with her all this summer. We have several mutual friends through ACA, but we had never actually met until Monday. She did a great job of just showing me around Portland the best she could in one short night. I really just wanted to get a good sense of what the people and town were like. It's unlike anything I'm used to, but I'm very intrigued. I can see how that place can grow on someone very quickly. April and I had some great conversations that night and I'm so stoked about my housing situation this year in Juneau. It's April, myself, and 4 other wonderful girls living in what we refer to as the 'Bath House' in downtown Juneau. What a phenomenal summer ahead of us.

I crashed at April's house that night and the next morning met up with Joe who I was originally planning on picking up in Portland. Joe is yet another guide, and he is taking the ferry with me from Bellingham, Washington on Friday evening. I arrived in Portland much earlier than I anticipated, so he still had things he needed to get done at home. I collected some of his things into my car and continued on by myself to Tacoma where he will meet me here by train on Thursday night. I'm currently at our friend Krista's home in Tacoma. Krista was my roommate and best gal pal from last summer. It was a happy reunion yesterday. I plan on crashing here for my remaining time in the lower 48. I'm excited to stay in one place for more than 24 hours. It was really starting to take a toll on my health. I have mostly all of the driving out of the way. No more 10 hour days in the car. Hallelujah! It's a fantastic feeling. Now, I'm just anxious to explore Washington over the next few days. Unfortunately Krista can't show me around because she's a hard-working business girl now, but that is okay. I'll manage on my own, and she left me a detailed list of all the places she wants me to see. So, today I'm about to go wonder aimlessly around some parks and museums in Tacoma. Tomorrow, I'm going to wake up early and drive to Seattle just for the day. It's going to be a good time. It feels so great here! I've really lucked out with the weather my entire trip. Mostly sunshine and 65 degrees. It's amazing.

I'll catch up with y'all soon. Adios. <3 Al.

Side note: Kansans/Texans...it is ILLEGAL to pump your own gas in the state of Oregon. Lesson learned the hard way.

THE END.