We made it home!

We are officially home after our 3 month trip across the United States.  It feels good to be back!  Here are some thoughts about the last stretch of road trip and what it feels like to be gone for so long and then get back:

• East side v. West side of flyover country:  there is a huge difference between the eastern and western halves of the (non-coastal) United States.  The East is WAY more populated, which means you see lots of cities, you have to plan for rush hour traffic at different points, the beauty comes more in bursts, and you encounter significantly different regional cultures from state to state.  The West is barren of both people and trees - I believe there is only one city with more than 60,000 people in the entire stretch from Lincoln to Reno - which means you view landscape as far as the eye can see (which is sometimes stunningly beautiful and sometimes eerily desolate), you have to think about whether you will make it to the next gas station if you are anywhere below half a tank of gas, and there is a more universal cowboy / frontier feel to it all.  
• House sitters:  We had house sitters stay in our house, which fortunately worked out very well, but it's funny to notice the little changes they have made.  Some are nice / embarrassing (they organized the chaotic pots and pans cupboard!); some are puzzling (where did the sharp knives go?); and some are funny (they used the kids' refrigerator magnet letters to spell out Latin phrases).  
• A second chance at a first impression:  when you walk into your house after such a long time away, it's almost like you're seeing it for the first time.  This combined with just coming from both of our parents' very comfortable homes inspired us to make some changes - hanging up pictures, putting down area rugs, rearranging some furniture.  And by us, I mean Kenny.  (I am very happy with the changes, but Kenny is more the doer in our family.)
• My favorite room:  it's nice to have my kitchen back.  We are at the stage in life where meals and snacks are constantly being prepared, consumed, or cleaned up.  It's nice to bring that mess and chaos back to our own house.  Thanks to my mom and mother in law for being so patient and gracious with us as we commandeered each of your kitchens for several weeks.  
• One more thought:  When you're traveling around the country, you can only take what will fit in your car.  This means that you leave *most* of your stuff behind.  And by and large, you do fine without a closet full of clothes, the extra bins of toys, and all the gadgets and electronics and appliances that make life a little easier / more entertaining / more luxurious.  (Granted, one of the reasons it was so easy was because we were able to borrow some of these things from our parents.)  It makes me realize how much less I could live with (and makes me want to clean out my closet), but it also makes me hugely grateful for the stuff to which we are returning.  

It was great to see so many of you during our travels!