We've Arrived!

First, I had hoped to summerize our trip daily but some things from technical disadvantages and then when we had some technical time the sleep ended up being cherished along this trip when we would arrive at the hotels in the evenings to upload the photos. I hope this helps summerize our journey.

It hit home that I had left our home in California while in Nauvoo when I read a saying from a journal entry of Bathsheba Smith, "My last act in that precious spot was tidy the room, sweep the floor, and set the broom in its accustomed place behind the door. Then with emotions in my heart... I gently closed the door and faced an unknown future ....(boy that sums up how hard it was leaving as I swelled with tears) and I knew with her faith I could make it to North Carolina in our Ford! That entry will forever be marked in my soul!

We arrived August 1st at 8:00pm. Over 4000K miles and a lot of Hotels and restuarants (oh yeah! a lot of photo stops). We had a great time and actually had not to many problems with the kids, kuddos to them sitting in that back seat tightly! I think having stretched the trip into 14 days helped out a great deal. They were so excited to see what the next hotel or stop had in store. Learned a lot along the way! Just a summary

California-Nevada-Cried/Refected on our memories while reading our photo album

Utah took a deep breath relaxed and repacked to lighten the load

Jackson Hole - Tourist trap but fun!

Yellowstone - A very large park with so much to see

Cody Wyoming-No elevators in the Hotels in the whole town (2nd Floor, sorry Mark)

Keystone, SD - A wonderful free county we have here in America!

Omaha, NE - A very long drive from Keystone with nothing in between (here we did loose a great neighbor Cecil) what was amazing we had zero reception but managed to get that one phone call at that particular time just to be informed of his passing)

Nauvoo, IL - A very lovely place with very rich history (learned a ton)

St. Louis - The arch is a National Park for some reason Mark and I never knew that part of History! Same gifts in the gift center just a different names on them. This day was a bit hard with some health concerns for our dog Kona whom we left behind to fly out later she has to have surgery on ears and tumor will know more in the morning about if she'll be joining us!

Nashville, TN - A fun place to visit but pretty hot that day!

Knoxville, TN - Lots of kids (Junior Track and Field Olympic going on)

North Carolina - A beautiful state with trees galore! Will take some time to get use to living here!

Thank you to all that helped support us off on this new venture in our lives, we have cried many tears some even tonight as the kids realize they miss family and friends. It's settling in that this is our home but California will always be our roots of memories we created with all of our love ones and friends. We look forward to keeping in touch and hearing from all of you. I have to say it is a bit strange though only here a day not having someone walking into our home or the phone ringing off the hook! Love to all!!!!!!!! The Howder Family

More to write later. It's 1:37 am on the 3rd I guess!