New Blog

Ok, as we are now settled in Albany- I started a new blog- demarslivingeastcoast.blogspot.com.

I owe you an apology...

Ok, so I know you are expecting pictures of the house- but it is in complete chaos- I have stuff everywhere and cannot possibly photograph this madness! I will be posting pics soon as well as posting a new blog address. We just haven't done anything too interesting yet.

But- I will tell you about New York: so far I really like it here! It's a small city I guess but Albany is part of the "capital district" so there are many small towns that sort of blend together to form this district which makes it quite large and easy to get lost in! Adam's parents helped us out by sending us a GPS system for our car- that will help a ton!


New Yorkers are very into their neighborhoods. Our neighbors are so nice and welcoming. They all know each other and have tons of opinions about all kinds of things- where to shop, etc! They know each other's stories and want to know yours! In fact, when we go for walks- people sort of slow down, look at us, and try to figure out- where did they come from?! Random neighbors will walk up to our porch and introduce themselves and tell us all sorts of random things about Albany. There is a lot of pride that goes into these neighborhoods and it's oddly refreshing.

The humidity is something else! It is just always moist and muggy- it's very different. I sometimes like it- sometimes hate it! I like the fact that we will experience many different climates.

We had a dinner with Adam's anesthesiology department on Tuesday. First event as the doctor's wife! LOL! I am confident that Adam ended up in the right program- the head of the department is very kind and remembered Gavin's name and everything. The residents all seem very happy here and it seems family oriented which will make the next 4 years a bit easier. I'm really proud of him and even though it kills me to be away from all my friends and family, I think he'll do well here and come out a better doctor.

I promise that I will post pics soon.

-Jenny

A word from Albany

Hello all! Well, we have arrived to our home in Albany, NY. It is nearly 10pm here and we are at the "Muddy Cup Coffee House" using the wireless connection as we won't have cable set up until next Tuesday. We had a fabulous dinner at the Madison Cafe which is near our home. It was so delicious and had a fantastic wine list.

So far we are just trying to figure out where everything is! We won't get our stuff until this weekend so we have a blowup mattress and a few odds and ends to get us by. We are adapting to the quirks of our century old home- we painted one wall today! We brought our red wall with us! It looks great and we'll conquer the rest of the living room and office tomorrow.

NY is different, for sure. Driving is a bit crazy. The people are super nice. Our neighbors have been very welcoming and sweet. One even offered to mow our lawn since we won't have a mower for a few days. You cannot buy wine at the grocery stores- this appalled me yesterday but today I discovered wine shops are very fun and stocked up! We'll post pics of the house tomorrow!

Also- as a side note, after some requests we have decided to keep up the blogging- we will start a new blog of east coast adventures. We are sure to see and experience a lot over the next 4 years and a blog will make it easy for you all to keep tabs on us. Plus, I don't have to email a bunch of pics and can just post them here.

Talk to you soon! - Jenny

Home Sweet Home

After an eventful morning at Niagara and an eventful drive through marble-sized hail and New York traffic (it's true, they drive like morons), we arrived in Albany around 6 p.m. It's now 1:37 a.m. and the 3,094.8 miles have worn me out. Jen and G are fast asleep and I am soon to follow. Will add more tomorrow.--d

Poncho Villains

Gavin and Dad prepare for their first trip aboard the Maid 'O the Mist.

See the tiny little blue creatures way down there? Those are the Niagara Gnomes, the little guys who pump the water back up river so the falls are constantly running. I hear if you catch one, they're obligated to tell you their secret to eternal life. Good luck!

Couple hundred miles from home

Gavin was smiling in this picture, I promise.

Niagara

Our first glimpse of the falls from the American side. This makes Snoqualmie look like a backyard gutter.

A word from the G-man

Can I say I've made the trip from west coast to east coast if I've been facing backward the whole way? Seriously, I've got two beagles and a back seat to look at. Every now and again mom or dad hops in the back seat to feed and entertain me, but if it weren't for this strap from my diaper bag I'd have absolutely nothing to chew on and no one to love. Please come to Albany for a visit. You can share the other end of the diaper bag strap and we'll hang out. See you soon. Love, the G-man

Can you tell me which picture is of Indiana or Ohio? I think not!

Day 6: Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and NEW YORK!

We pushed hard today and went through 5 states! Indiana and Ohio were brutal to drive through- seriously how much farmland can one see? We decided to stay at Niagra Falls tonight so that we can go on a boat tour in the morning! Niagara Falls is just about 20 minutes outside of Buffalo. We should get in to Albany by late afternoon tomorrow.

Gavin had a big day as well! He had mashed potatoes and said mama tonight!! He is now sleeping soundly and will be glad to be done with the road trip tomorrow.

Day 5: Wis Dell, WI to Chicago, IL

Fun day! We started our day in Madison, WI and had some good brats and beer. Madison is a great town! I wish I had more time to spend there.

After Madison, we headed to Chicago where Starsky and Max are enjoying their very first hotel stay. Living large at the Hilton!

Funny that the hotel is pet friendly! Max finally ate some food and is enjoying his leisure! We are staying down by Grant Park located on Lake Michigan. We are also realizing the life of parents as our little Gavin boy got grumpy so we couldn't spend too much time in the city this evening. We'll have to come back to Chicago another time!

We are off to New York tomorrow- we are planning on staying the night somewhere near Niagra Falls so we can spend some time there Monday morning before heading home: TO ALBANY!!

A note from the beagles

Max: "This is tripping me out! I can't walk with my tail straight- I try but it just stays between my legs! I am scared and can't eat- but on the bright side- I've probably dropped 3 pounds!"

Starsky: "I don't even care that I'm in the car all day- I am with my family 24/7 and I love all the little walks at rest areas! This is the best ever!"

Day 4: South Dakota, Minnesota, and Wisconsin

We left South Dakota this morning but not without stopping at the Corn Palace! We then entered Minnesota and that was by far more boring than driving through Wyoming. Due to some flooding in the midwest we did not make it to our intended destination of Madison, WI. We were detoured off of I-90 and after sitting in traffic for an hour we decided to stay in Lake Delton, WI. Wisconsin is really a beautiful state- lots of green hills and farm houses. Tomorrow we are heading out early in order to beat the traffic and will stop off in Madison for some brats, beer and cheese. We will then head down to Chicago for a day or two. We're really having a good time on this adventure!

The World's Only Corn Palace!

Whoever dreamed this up realized that if they didn't build the world's first corn palace, someone else was bound to do it. As we all know, the world can only support one corn palace, so it's a good thing they got to it when they did. Mitchell, SD would be otherwise unknown to the world.

Where the Heck is Wall Drug?

Enough with the Rushmore pictures already!

For being a couple hundred feet tall, those guys in the background sure look tiny.

A little bit of WA in SD

Gavin for President!

There's Scary and then there's...

Wind, rain, psycho truck drivers, snow in June!? None of these scare me. I have been pushed to the limits of human fear, gripped by terror as speed and lane position fluctuate wildly, tested by the previously unknown perils of being a passenger in a vehicle travelling 90 miles an hour in the hands of JENNY DEMARS! I have looked death in the face and come away a better man.--Adam

Day 3: Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota

Very eventful day- started the day in Billings, MT and now we are in Murdo, South Dakota! Happenin' town, Murdo- doesn't look like there is even a grocery store here but the Super 8 Motel welcomed us after a long day on I-90.

We stopped at Mt. Rushmore - it was crazy windy up there so it was a quick stop but was worthwhile.

After saying hello to the former presidents, we stopped at Sonic Drive-in where I had the best grape slush of my life!

We then hit Wall Drug in Wall, South Dakota. The only reason we stopped was because they have about 100 signs from Wyoming on advertising their shopping center. I thought it was quite a hole but we got some entertaining photos!

We are about 1400 miles into our journey- should hit Minnesota by midafternoon tomorrow.

-Jenny

Montana Landscape and a cute pic of Dave and Denise

It's true what they say...

There are not a lot of people in Wyoming! This is the first part of our trip where it has not been raining! But man- I don't care how beautiful Adam thinks Wyoming is- I'm a little bored with this landscape. It just goes on, and on, and on, and on...

Day 2: Idaho to Montana

We made it to Billings, MT- it was snowing through the pass which is crazy given that it is JUNE! Gavin and the dogs were great for 600+ miles of driving. We are going to slow the trip down tomorrow and take a few breaks as we get into South Dakota. Tonight we are staying at my uncle's house in Billings. I have to say that I am glad to see Montana again because it's much cooler than I remember it. -Jenny

Phew! What a day. Mom had to entertain me while the movers took all my stuff. Boohoo! Then we drove all the way across Washington (almost). I was patient most of the way, but enough is enough! Somewhere about 30 miles west of Spokane I decided it was time to call it a day. Damn straight, you better put me to bed!

Day 1- Spokane

After a full day of packing up our house, we finally departed at 6pm and made it to Spokane. We're staying at the sweeeeet Quality Inn... hey, it was $90 bucks and it's nearly midnight so it will work.

Tomorrow we depart for destination Billings, MT- stay tuned.

-Jenny