Moving to Virginia

May 24, 2016
Montana to North Dakota

Jack and I began our adventure to our new home and drove through a very green and beautiful Montana.  We thought we might drive to North Dakota and go see Mount Rushmore but once we started driving we decided to just keep going.  I think we were both excited to get to our new home and explore.

Don't be fooled by the welcome sign, North Dakota was miles and miles of absolutely nothing but flat land.  It was intensely boring and we just drove and drove to get out of there.  Even the hotel was boring.  :)  At least we had each other!

May 25, 2016
North Dakota to Minnesota & Wisconsin

The next day we got to go see one of my very best friends, Elaine, in Minnesota.  She had recently moved there from Germany and was getting ready to move back to England so I really wanted to see her before she moved.

I am hoping to go and see her next year.  I hate that she now lives so far away but I know we won't go too long before we see each other again.

Elaine and me

After we had lunch with Elaine we got back into the truck and continued on to Wisconsin.  We stayed the night and got ready for our long drive the next day.

May 26, 2016
Wisconsin to Illinois, Indiana, Ohio & West Virginia

Wisconsin was beautiful!  I actually got some really pretty pictures of the lakes on the side of the highway but I couldn't find them when I started to blog about this lovely state.  We were only in Wisconsin for a short time and then we were on to Illinois!

Illinois was another lovely state.  I think we just happen to be traveling at America's most beautiful time aside from fall.  Everything was very green and lush.

Of course Indiana couldn't be outdone!  It may have been very flat but it was full of life and those glorious skies!  I had forgotten how beautiful the United States was, it was a nice welcome home from Europe.

Ohio was prettier than I remembered.  Again, it may have been because it was just that time of year but it was getting more hilly and just as green.  We were in Ohio for a very short time and ended our driving day in West Virginia!

I think West Virginia was my favorite state to drive through.  It was mountainous and absolutely stunning!  We were able to stay at an amazing hotel for this stay which meant a lot after such a long day of driving.

May 27, 2016
West Virginia to Virginia

These views were almost unbelievable.  Driving through West Virginia to Virginia made my heart so hopeful.  If Virginia was going to be anything like West Virginia, we were going to be VERY happy indeed!

Finally we got to Virginia.  It wasn't as mountainous as West Virginia but it was just as green and had it's own charm.  We drove to our new townhouse and were able to finally end our trip to our new home!  This should be a very fun year.

Home Sweet Home

May 9, 2016
Day 1: Munich, Germany

After living with our good friends for a couple weeks, we had our last night in Germany.  We spent the day before exploring Munich with Cary and Orienna.  It was the perfect end to our time in Germany and it really made me understand the gravity of leaving Europe.  I had just had the best two and a half years of my life, but I was also equally excited about all the adventures we were about to have back in the United States.  Traveling outside the US made us understand how important it is to get out and experience your world.  There is so much to see in our own country too!

Our Bavarian view on our way to Munich

A bit of my heart is still here

Each summer they bring in sand and make a tropical oasis in the middle of Munich

Our little oasis

Captain Jack

Cary

Orienna

Just views from Munich

Cary and Orienna at our favorite sushi restaurant in Munich

So the morning of May 9th, Jack and I flew back to the United States and flew into Baltimore, Maryland and stayed the night.


May 10, 2016 - May 24, 2016
Billings, Montana

The next day we flew home to Montana.  It was wonderful to get home and see so many of our family members that we hadn't seen for about two and a half years.  I also was having some serious issues with missing Bavaria.  I was worried that I would feel claustrophobic and that the sky wouldn't be big enough.  The sky seems HUGE in Europe.  I know that is because there are less buildings so the view is just less obstructed but it's hard to let go of that.  I should have known better.  I should have remembered Montana.  I think God had us go home to Montana so I would have an easier transition...and what a transition!  Montana was absolutely beautiful!  I had PLENTY of sky!  We spent about two weeks in Billings before getting into Jack's truck and moving our lives to Virginia.  It was two weeks filled with family, friends, and so much love.

These massive skies helped with the transition for me!

I got to see my baby girl too!

We did lots of shopping!

This was actually set up like this when we walked down this isle!

My brother-in-law, sister, and nephew at my son's restaurant job

Enjoying a good meal with family

There were many days of family gatherings

My Dad, sister, and nephew

I feel like we laughed the entire time we were home!

...and look at those skies!

Kiylei & Kraig being silly

I couldn't get a serious one out of them

As it got later the laughter kept coming

My Mama messing with my sister

I love these goofballs!

Shopping with the Mama

My guy and his furry friend

We had a family tattoo day too

Kiylei and Jack got this one but with the words "Family", Keenan got the Guinness Harp without the words and I got the harp with the words, "Fernweh" which is German for a longing to travel.

Just a view of the Montana sky

My Starr family got pictures while we were home

The location was so lovely even if it was overcast

Then we went to Red Lodge, a little ski town for pizza

My sister-in-law, Karla, my Mom & Dad

My Mama, Dad, and Brother-in-law, Jason

They had huge margaritas

My brother, brian

My brother and my guy

Later, we went to my brother's camp site (My brother Brian, Dad, and brother Randy)

It was raining so my Mama sat in a little space to light her pipe

My parents with their pipes (They only smoke when they are camping)

My sister-in-laws, Karla and Kristie

Me & my guy

Karla, Kristie, Brian, Randy, Dad & Mike

Karla & Kristie

Captain Jack with a beard

More Montana

This trip ended with our Moving to Virginia.  I look forward to exploring an entirely new part of the United States that I hadn't seen before.