Monday night with Joel

We relaxed all evening and I napped then Joel left for a meeting.  Yes, he drove his new car with the manual transmission.  I walked to the grocery store two blocks away to get Joel some stamps and coconut oil.  When I got back, I wanted to sit in Joel's room and wad but I realized I have such a short time here so I went out back to join his friends.  There are 11 people that live in the DKA house, about half are girls.  Each are unique and very nice.  I like them all.  I invited Jill who was in the living room to join me and then sat and talked with Hunter and Allison, Jill, and Sarah until Joel returned.  mike came shortly after that.  He is 24, a lot of fun, super friendly and helpful.  I enjoyed talking to the kids.  Allison's mom's name is Debbie Clark and she's a clinical social worker.  Turns out Sarah's mom is too!  After awhile, Clarisse came blowing in full of hugs.  She came just to see me!  We had a great time just hanging out chatting.  At some point they set up tables for their variation of beer pong, called triangle pong.  After a brief debate in front of me on whether or not to drink with me there, they unanimously decided to go for it!  It looked like so much fun, I joined them!  Joel didn't know what to think about me chugging my beers on my turn as he was sipping his.  You gotta get back in the game!  We didn't drink all that much at all but we did laugh quite a bit.  The kids got a kick out of me putting a pic of it on my Facebook wall.  

I turned in to bed eventually and Joel came to get his guitars to play then slept on the couch again.  

I slep well again then We got up this morning and had Cheerios on the front porch then got ready and walked on campus for Joel's job number two out of three jobs.  He works in the cinematic arts room in the basement of the library.  I am set up in a courtyard outside a coffee shop within the library.  He works til one then we'll grab a bite to eat then Mike will take me to the airport.  Joel decided he's not ready after all to drive his stick car to the airport.  Whew!  

I've had such a great visit here.  I still can't believe I drove here by myself.  In some ways it seems like a huge deal but then it seems like not that big a deal at all!  God was with me for sure.  I really like Joel's friends and his house and lifestyle.  I don't care for the driving here at all and think the standard transmission may be less than ideal.  He is thrilled with his car, though.  I saw parts of LA that I hadn't seen before this time which I liked but there are too many people and cars.  I really felt more of a culture shock this time that I had on my previous visits.  So excellent to spend time with Joel.  He's such a great kid.  

Joel Monday

I woke up at seven Cali time and it was super quiet at the house.  I slept really well.  I made my way to the front porch and there was poor Jill, Joel s ex.  She'd been locked out of her apartment and stayed with a friend who had to leave for work.  We sat and chatted for quite awhile.  She s cue and nice.  I hope she and Joel work out the friendship.  Joel just isn't ready for something serious right now.  We drank iced coffee and ate Cheerios and i did my Bible study.  Joel got up around nine so i showered and made him done eggs.
We decided to go to Santa Monica so we got back on the freeway and went about 20 miles.  Santa Monica is pretty, remind me somewhat of the plaza area in kc.  We walked around and got Joel some shorts in a thrift store Hannah and Leah would have loved.  We went to the pier and had coffee then meet Joel s friend Mike. We went to the arcade and played a few games including air hockey then i had to go put my feet in the ocean. The beach was crazy crowded and Mike showed me the sand crabs.  Yuck.
We then spent the next hour or so driving around to restaurants that were all closed and grabbed a buffer at Islands.  I think that makes about five burgers in a row for me now.
One more crazy trip on the freeway and we are now back at the house testing.

Joel Day One

I am tired which makes it even more surreal that I am here.... Joel and I have organized his room, folded his laundry, taught him to drive a stick, walked across campus to Chipotle, bought a meal for a homeless person and grocery shopped all since I got here.  He is now playing his guitar for me.  

I am.alive and.in LA

I am still shaKing from the Los Angeles freeway but i am here.i thought was doing great then the freeway started doing insane things.i called Joel panicked then found his exit and had to  change like 50 lanes but i am here!

Almost There!

I drove 650 miles today.  Finished one book on cd and started another.  Stopped in Salina, Utah and ate at a Mexican restaurant for an early dinner then back on the road.  Scott and I texted and talked and planned ahead and i drove right to the Clarion Suites he reserved for me in St George, Utah.  I saw the pool while checking in, threw my stuff in the room and changed and was out in the pool within 5 minutes.  I tread water then relaxed and shut my eyes then sat in the hot tub.  Back in the room I did my Bible study then finally got my blog to post!  Am now lying in bed trying to unwind. 

Tomorrow I only have 391 miles to drive and I will be with Joel.  

Saturday afternoon on the road

It is now 4pm ish local time and I am in Salina, Utah.  The first part of Utah was desolate, just rocks.  Then I went up through winding unique mountains with really pretty rock formations, colorful, hard to describe.  It was a lot harder driving then in the Colorado mountains but Joel's little car did great!  I stopped at two overlooks mostly because its really pretty!  I walked to the top of one and took pictures of both.  My pictures do not do it justice and the best pics would have been way up high but it wasn't safe to take them while driving.

I have two hours 45 minutes left to go today.  I finished one book on cd and have started another one, both really god whichever helps!  Joel texted and said to drive on and get there tonight!  No way I can drive that far!  I felt like my head was going to explode when I stopped here.  Scott is making me a AAA reservation in St George.  Better planning than last night!

Scott texted me on the road and said I am a great adventurer!

Adventure continued

This morning I got up in my tiny motel room and life looked a lot brighter.  I am now in Vail about 90 miles down the road.  I am actually having fun!  The air is crisp and clean and bright and cool.  The mountains are beautiful and fun to drive on.  The brakes in Joel's car work really well.  Gonna take it easy today but my goal is 700 miles.  That will be the farthest I've ever driven by myself.  Last night was the second time I've stayed Ina hotel room alone!  

Pictures later I promise.