Sunday, May 1, 2011

A year ago today...

...We awoke in sleeping bags and on inflatable mattresses, in an apartment devoid of furniture, lighting and dishes. Somewhat sadly, we disposed of the leftovers from the previous night's meal at Los Charros. It had been a lively evening: the kids devouring chips and flirting with the waitstaff, the mariachi band wandering from table to table, the always-delicious Los Charros food and aguas frescas. Being great with child, I couldn't sample their tequila selections, but I was content.

Technically, our last day in our apartment was supposed to be Apr. 30, 2010, but our landlords generously allowed us to spend one more night rent-free, and thus we made our move on May 1. We had a 12-hr drive ahead of us, so we made the equivalent of an alpine start -- loading the suitcases in pre-dawn dimness and feverishly checking and re-checking the inside of the apartment for anything left behind, any lights left on, any water running. Brian carefully locked all our house-keys inside the apartment. It was one of those moments of mixed fear and freedom. We were homeless! To be sure, we were in the process of buying a house, and we were going to be staying with my parents in Oregon while we closed on said house, but for a while we would have no keys.

There was nothing left to do after that but start the car, back out of the driveway, and drive the familiar roads out of our neighborhood for the last time. As glad as I was to be leaving CA for WA, I knew there would be several things (and people!) that I would miss, and one of them would be barreling down deserted Bay Area freeways at dawn, on my way to some adventure. After this, our adventures would be down different roads.

....

Brian brought the camera back, so Easter pictures will be coming soon!

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