Alive!

It's been a whirlwind few days. After taking the red eye to Washington, DC I spent a day wandering the town then a night at the bar and jumping into bushes (a favorite DC past time). Tuesday started at 5:15am, contained lots of emotions and tons of expended energy trying to stay warm, and ended with another night at the bar (unfortunately no bushes this time). Wednesday started early, included a metro ride in the wrong direction (my apologies to all involved) and ended with a nine hour car ride up to Boston. Phew!

So I'm alive and kicking and got my first real night of sleep since embarking on this adventure, but what can you expect with amazing things happening. A full report about inauguration will come, but here is how I explained it to a friend while chatting online:

Three things: 1) People were joyous. Truly joyous and relieved. 2) Everyone was so kind. It was freezing cold and most people weren't dressed appropriately. That's a recipe for angry folks, but folks were AMAZING. 3) You could hear a pin drop at times during the event... and 4, for good measure: The echo of his words going down The Mall.... that was my favorite part.

Hopefully I'll find some time to blog and a way to upload photos. Stick with me!

Soccer Team

Another weekend, another trip. I'm taking my soccer team to the east side of the state to tour Oregon's capital building, check out Oregon State's campus, and watch the Oregon State men's soccer team play Gonzaga. See you on Monday!

Trip Finale

Today is the final day of my east coast trip. Rather than recount what I've been doing I'll just say that Boston has really impressed me and is faaaaarrrrrr better than New Yorkers give it credit for. I already look forward to coming back again.

Oh, and one more thing: Yes it went billions over budget and yes there are a variety of flaws, but Boston's Big Dig is a fantastic example of the benefit of getting cars away from city centers. Without exception every person I talked to testified that Boston's downtown is exponentially better and more connected now that the vehicles are underground. Take note city planners and get cars out of downtown!!!!

Now off to shower and to catch the T to Logan!

Day 6-9... Yes

It's been a great stay at Elon with Margot and Jessica. I met the newest addition to my Pi Kappa Phi family, kicked it with old friends, and bumped into a few professors and staff that I see far too rarely. Last night I lied in bed having glumly realized this was probably the last student-based visit to Elon because all the students I know are graduating this spring. Bummer.

This afternoon we're off to West Virginia to start a weekend of fun and white water rafting with a bunch of old Elon friends. Hooray!

Days 3-5

Life on the road continues as I arrived at Elon, my college, for a few days visiting the old school stomping grounds. Kicked it with Margot from margottobed for the first 24 hours, now over at Jessica's for the next couple days (holllller diligent reader!), and catching up with some friends... emphasis on some... I'm getting old.

This year marks two biiiiiiiiiig things: 1) I can legally rent a car (Actually, I have no idea if this is true, I've always just believed everyone who says that right is unlocked at age 25.); 2) The freshmen that were at Elon my senior year graduate this spring. Next time I'm back there there won't be more than a handful of folks I know. Weird.

I think it's a sign I'm old. Ugh.

Embarking

Today marked the beginning of my two month adventure. After two hours training this morning, I spent the entire afternoon packing up my life. The itinerary:

La Grande->Portland (Obama, Brother, Ducks game)
Portland->Corvallis (Camping)
Month in Corvallis (Serena, training, racing)
Corvallis->Portland (Airport)
Portland->Charlotte (East coast trip begins)
Charlotte->Boston (Beer... full disclosure: I'm a lightweight. It's really for the historical sites.)
Boston->Portland (End of adventure)

So that's that. As I said when I began this blog, I don't know how much time for writing and access to internet there will be in the next two months, so be forewarned My Vast Readership. Any suggestions for people to see and things to do between now and the end of my adventure, let me know!