Get Your Kicks, On Route US-36

Isaac let me drive the truck, but I only lasted a few hours. I didn't like it very much.

Driving from Illinois to Utah is a long drive, especially when you are driving alone in separate cars. Luckily we had plenty of snacks, walkie-talkies, and good music (haha, actually the truck that Isaac was driving didn't have a radio or a CD player or anything so he was sorry out of luck in the music department). We also broke up the drive a little by stopping at the Winter Quarters Nebraska visitors center. While we were there, Isaac's sister, Martha, was preparing to leave to the MTC going to that exact mission, so it was fun to check it out and give her a little head's up about what to expect. We learned all about the pioneers that stopped there for the winter and realized that Isaac and I were driving the same route that they had taken across the country in handcarts (Nauvoo to the Salt Lake Valley). Although we were doing it in a fraction of the time in air conditioned cars, our journey still required faith and trust in the Lord and his plan for us. Just like the pioneers, our futures are a little uncertain and we have to have faith in the Lord, especially when things don't seem to be working out as planned. Sister Hawkes was the sister that gave us the tour and incidentally is now one of Martha's roommates. While we were there, we were also able to walk through the cemetery where many of the pioneers are buried, and walk around the temple (we couldn't go in because it was closed for cleaning/maintenance.) It was a good opportunity to reflect on those things that are most important in life and really put things into perspective as we moved on to a new phase in our life.

We completely lucked out on hotel rooms thanks to Priceline name your own price option--a completely different story than the last time we drove across the country--that was scary. We stopped again in Cheyenne Wyoming and were able to go out to a nice dinner, go swimming, and get a good night sleep before our final day of driving.

On day three we finally made it into the Salt Lake Valley, and immediately were stuck in traffic. As we crossed the border into Utah, Isaac, who was driving in front of me, threw his arm out the window and gave three enthusiastic fist pumps while yelling in excitement. I laughed for a long time about that one. When we finally reached our destination, we pretty much collapsed on the couch in exhaustion. It is amazing how sitting in car can completely wear you out, but we made it safely and are so glad to be here.