Making The Trek

Thursday, 11 September was our last day in Ohio. Our plan was to leave by 9:00 in the morning, but of course plans never seem to be set in stone. We had an appointment to have our carpets cleaned at 7:00am, but the guys were late and showed up around 9:30. When they finished we had to take out all our empty boxes from the basement to the trash. Needless to say we had more than expected. Joe also had to fill in some holes in our backyard, courtesy of our dogs, with dirt. We then borrowed a broom from next door, swept the garage and basement, got the dogs in the car, said goodbye and gave our fish to our neighbors, and off we went.

We ended up hitting the road a little after 1:00; Only about 4 hours behind schedule. Joe drove the Corolla with the dogs in the back seat, and I drove the Camry with Annika. We drove about five hours or so the first night, and about 3 1/2 the following morning. The drives were short enough that Annika napped for a big chunk of it, but believe me when I say she was not happy when she decided enough was enough. We would have to stop and get a drink of snack for her and let her and the dogs out to walk.

It would have been nice to do some sight seeing along the way, but we had the dogs and were just happy to have found a hotel for the night that would accept them along the way. When we got into town on Friday we had to put them in dogie jail, aka a kennel, for 3 nights because we couldn't find a hotel that would accept such big dogs. On Monday, the first night we had a key to our house, be sprang the dogs free and camped in the basement overnight. The movers came bright and early the next morning and we've been unpacking and trying to get situated ever since.

Joe leading the way as we pass the off ramp for the last time to the job he's been working for the past four years.

Driving through Columbus for probably the last time.

Annika sleeping in the car.Joe leading the way as we approach the end of our drive in Ohio.

Yeah! West Virginia welcomes us.
Pennsylvania welcomes us too.
Taking a rest at the Golden Arches, where they serve Annika's favorite fast food item, the yogurt parfait.
Annika making sure the dogs have water.
Annika sucking down her bottle after having some yogurt and apples.

Snacking and reading in the car are great ways to pass the time.

Annika singing to the music while reading her book. Yes, she's multi-talented! Sorry the video is sideways, but it was hard to drive and take good camera shots at the same time.

Maryland, here we come!Annika rocks out on a little rocker in front of the Cracker Barrel, a great place to use the restrooms.
Annika was so cute. She would climb on the chair all by herself and start rocking.
Annika ordering room service while Joe and the dogs kick back on the bed.
Little Miss Annika making her important calls.

The dogs had never been for a car ride so long. They were really happy to get into the hotel and settle down.
Views along the drive in Maryland during the second day. It sprinkled or rained on and off all day.
Still following Joe.
A crazy butterfly or moth at the kennel we dropped the dogs off at.
Annika getting a ride into the hotel we stayed at for the weekend.

Annika thought this was so much fun!
Annika looks so cute with her thumb in her mouth, a rare occurrence.
Annika's first ice cream cone.
Joe was guest of the day when we checked in. This sign was displayed in the lobby all day at the front desk. Before we went to sleep Joe asked for it because I had been saying I wanted it all day.
Home Sweet Home! Our new home in Maryland.