Rogers Rocky Top Retreat

My time in West Virginia was a blast. We stayed at Rogers Rocky Top Retreat in the New River Gorge. I had never been there and I was excited to camp it up! Turns out that the rocky top retreat is really just some guy Rogers front yard. There were numerous other campers and climbers setting up their tents in Rogers yard when we pulled into our parking spot. Of course our autohome quickly put their dinky ground tents to shame. Everyone was really cool and the next day we found some people to climb with. It was going to be the first time I would rock climb outdoors and to tell you the truth I was very nervous. We hiked out to the location of the climb and just when it would have been my turn to climb it started to rain! To my relief we spent the rest of the day exploring the New River Gorge. Here are some pictures of the day!

Home Sweet Autohome

Berlin Wall

Berlin Wall at the Newseum. Check out http://www.newseum.org/!

Cleaning House

After dropping my car off with my new favorite uncle, Wade, we drove to Annapolis, MD. While visiting Robs parents we started to clean the Autohome, also known as "The Loft". After three grueling days of Jeep maintenance (primarily performed by Rob) we were able to have some fun. His parents took us to the nations capital to tour the Newseum. Yes, I spelled that correctly - it is a museum about the news. It showcased heart-wrenching Pulitzer Prize Winning pictures, pieces of the Berlin Wall, and numerous films on the history of journalism. I would highly recommend going to the Newseum if not only to say Newseum. Come on! It is fun to say! Say it with me "Newwwseeum!"

Then the time came to say goodbye. We packed up The Loft and headed toward New River Gorge, West Virginia.

Salem Girls Reunite!

When Salem girls get together it is always a good time! I had such a blast being back in Winston-Salem, NC, with some of my best friends from college. My trip was cut short because the Jeep died. But I was thankful that it perished before Rob ditched me to go to Maryland. I was lucky enough to stay with my good friend Jennifer while in Winston and she showed me how exciting the city had become. I mean really, Winston. You had to wait until after I graduated to get some nightlife! And no trip to NC would be complete without seeing Old Salem! I can assure everyone that not a single brick has been altered. I would like to say thank you to Jennifer, Katie, Jenna, and Mary Kate. It was great to see you guys and you will all have to come visit me in Utah once I make it there! I wish I could have stayed longer and seen more people, but Rob and I had to hit the road. We were headed to Charlotte, NC, to drop off my Jeep with family only to turn right back around and head to Maryland to see Robs parents.

R.I.P. Jeep

Name: Jeep Jeep

Date of Birth: 1997

Date of Death: July 2010

Cause of Death: Idiots at Tire Kingdom

Jeep you will be missed. When I look back at all we have been through it brings a smile to my face. Accidentally knocking over mailboxes, changing the battery more times than I like to remember, trips to Salem, and late night fast food runs. OHhh the memories. I know that your parts will be going on to better places.

"Ummm ... my check gauge light is on!"

We finally get to leave FL and Rob is officially out of the Navy! We are driving in separate cars to our first destination Winston-Salem, NC. Everything is going as planned as we pull into a gas station... until I try to start my car to leave. The check gauge light was on and NOTHING would happen except for a horrible noise that would sound when I tried to turn the key in the ignition. Thanks to a toothless man and his V8 we were finally able to jump my car battery and get back on the road. By the third time my car stopped on interstate and by the third time Rob had to jump my Jeep with his we decided we needed another plan. Of course I was freaking out about this time. I was homeless, jobless, and now car-less??!!! We bought a battery, limped into a small town in South Carolina, and resolved to sleep on the issue. The next morning we awoke to the sound of moo cows and headed to AutoZone. Rob bloodied his arm replacing my alternator, we said goodbye to the ladies at AutoZone, and hit the road.

Things I learned on the first day of my trip heading west:

1. Do not sweat the small stuff. I could not control what happened with my car and I should not have freaked out. Next time I hope I can keep my calm under stress.

2. When your check gauge light goes on - trust it - the car does not lie.

3. Rob is really a mechanic trapped in a doctors body.

4. Get in the Zone... AutoZone.