The Rest of the Trip

Well, I didn't have computer access after Casper that wasn't slower than molasses, so here I am trying to catch up at home.  

Wenatchee, WA was our next stop.  We flew from Denver to Spokane, then drove West and a little North for 2 and a half hours.  It was rainy and dark when we got there, but you could see the apple orchards lining the road.  We could also tell we were right in the middle of some beautiful mountains.  The group offered to take us to dinner at a fancy Italian place that night.  Nothing to make you feel like you were raised in a barn (despite my mother's best efforts) like trying to eat fancy appetizers, hoping it doesn't go flying at the potential employer's head as you attempt to get the darn thing off the stick, dropping your silverware on the ground, half dropping the food tray, and feeling the pepper and arugula stuck in your front teeth as you're trying to make conversation about things you know nothing about.  In short, dinner was a bit awkward.  They were very nice, the community was beautiful, but both Jeremy and I were feeling just a little off while we were there.  I was just frustrated, went for a run on their riverwalk (the super beautiful Columbia River runs through there) and thought, "you don't have to make this your home."  Suddenly I felt much better and at ease.  As Jeremy and I talked about it on our drive out of town, he felt similar.  He wanted it to be there, it seemed like such a nice place, but he felt better leaving it behind as well.  

Our drive to Spokane was beautiful.  If anyone's looking for rolling, open farm fields, highway 2 in Washington is it.  There was nothing there other than the amazing sky and field after field.  We stopped in Couer D'Lane (did I spell that right?) to visit a dear friend of mine from our time in Spokane.  She fed us dinner and we were able to visit.  I love having friends that even if it's been years since you've seen each other, it might as well have been yesterday for how much you're still able to talk and enjoy each other's company.  

From there we headed through the top of Idaho on into Montana.  We had almost 6 hours to go, it was dark and we hit a lot of fog, so we can't say we actually saw anything until we made it to Great Falls.  I got up early the next morning and ran on their riverwalk (it's the Missouri in Great Falls) and felt so at ease there.  There were geese all over the river, and everything just felt slower.  

We ate our continental breakfast, I started talking with the lady taking care of the food and told her I needed to go upstairs and brush my teeth so I didn't scare anybody.  She got a big smile and said, "Honey, don't be escurred, you're in Montana!"  I think she said don't be scared, but that's how it came out.  Apparently, there's no great need to impress there.  We felt that over and over as we drove around and visited with other families in the anesthesia group there.  Everyone waved to us, even kids on their bikes.  Our conversations at meals were all about animals (having them and/or killing them), rivers, hiking, camping, wind (it's not as windy as Casper, but still windy), and I don't know if I've ever laughed so hard for a meal.  We both felt so good about being there, it was easy to know that's where we needed to be.    

I had to come home Sunday to relieve our dear friend watching the kids, Jeremy needed to stay to see the hospital Monday, then fly home Tuesday.  Jeremy got home yesterday and was very happy with everything about the hospital, we were just waiting to see if they would offer a contract.  They got a hold of Jeremy today and we have a contract!!!

So it's off to Montana in July.  We're both very excited about it, we'll try to keep that in mind as we stress over selling our house, moving, finding a place to live, getting our dog medicated enough to not barf on the way across the country, and fun things like that.  So much excitement!  

And that's the latest update.  We'll shall be sharing many more exciting things, I'm sure.....