Okay, so…once upon a time…no, that'll take too long.
In a nutshell: Johnny had long had a dream – solidified by ten long winters – of moving home to California, but it was always in the category of “Maybe…someday…when we're ready.” Then, he got a call from a friend who works for a statewide non-profit, wondering if he wanted to come out and work there on a temporary-but-hopefully-permanent-basis. It was basically his dream job, working with someone he already knew he liked, and in his beloved homeland. The catch: he found out about it on a Wednesday, and would need to start the Monday after next (so, ten days' notice). Throw in a cross-country drive with a baby, and we realized that we would need to leave Saturday morning. Commence crazy packing, a massive to-do list, some phone calls to arrange things, last-minute shots for the baby, and quick last-minute goodbyes (and a little drinking).
The name seemed fitting, somehow.
Three days later, the oil was changed, the car was packed, and we were as ready as we were going to be. Our favorite doughnut shop opens at 3AM, so we figured we'd just leave whenever Maddy woke up anytime after that (PRIORITIES, okay?).
Doughnuts in hand and cauldron of coffee in cup holder, it was Next Stop, South Bend! Maddy was a super traveller, and we didn't have to make a major stop until lunchtime in Buffalo (where we tired her out by window-shopping our way around a nice mall. Looking good, Anthro.). All things considered, we made it to South Bend in very good time – about 17 hours for what is, on paper, a 12-hour drive. Johnny made it through the last few hours by dreaming of making it there in time to order takeout from the world's best Chinese restaurant. We made it with 20 minutes to spare, and it was just as good as we had remembered.
Sunday was our day to relax and hang out with friends, some of whom we hadn't seen since our wedding. We went to Mass at the church where we got married, then to brunch, and then walked around campus. It was a beautiful day, so Maddy got to see all the sights (and her parents got to grumble about all the things that had changed).
Christmas card spoiler alert.
Well, guess it's a tradition now.
We hosted dinner that night and had a grand old time catching up with friends (and catching viruses…but that will come later). Monday morning, we took a last little tour of campus (complete with the obligatory guard who refused to let us park on campus, even with a sleeping baby and promises of just a quick stop). Then we were on our way, past Chicago and on to Route 66.
Pilgrims in an Unholy Land 