I mastered Architecture!

I've been working on my architecture thesis since June. On December 12, I officially finished, meaning I've obtained my Master of Architecture from the University of Washington!

The process was exhausting, and at times I felt I wouldn't finish, but with encouragement from my advisers, friends, family, and Adrian, I did it! I'm really proud of what I produced during this 6 month process.

An architecture thesis is pretty different than most (very different from the Construction Management thesis I'll be writing next quarter). The thesis includes a document, which is the product of research (my first few months of work went entirely into this). Each student then takes their research and figures out how that would apply to designing an architecture building. I had two faculty advisers, Doug Zuberbuhler and Jim Nicholls who met with me weekly to give me much needed and appreciated feedback and guidance.

In my case, I began my research by looking at material samples libraries. Architects have a collection of samples in their office (such as tiles, bricks, or siding) which help them make selections as they determine how to build a building. I began researching the need for these collections in architecture schools. Unfortunately for me, there was very little written, so I had to work harder to get information. I found and surveyed eight schools to find out about their materials libraries.

This research sparked an on-going interest of mine in a broader topic: how architecture students are taught about the "nuts and bolts" of architecture. (Funny how literal "nuts and bolts" is in this case!) I found that the most innovative and interesting ways of teaching this technical side of architecture all included "hands-on" activities by the students. This often included building with real materials. How things are built is the part of architecture I love. In architecture school, this often takes second place to how things look. One of the hands-on ways of learning is in a "design-build" studio, where the students design a project and actually build it. (Most of the stuff we design stays on paper in school). Adrian and I met in a design-build studio.

From this research, I decided to design an addition for one of our architecture buildings, Gould Hall. The new space would have a materials library, a classroom, and a design-build shop. All of these support learning about the technology of architecture. In addition to these spaces, I decided that the building itself could be part of the education of the student. I asked myself "how can this building teach?"

After the research, I began designing the project. I determined that the building could enhance architecture education in three ways. First, by simply enclosing the rooms for teaching. Second, the building reveals how it was constructed, such as by showing the inside of a wall that would typically be covered. Finally, the building works as a laboratory, allowing the students to build and test specific elements of it. This occurs in three spots, where they can test a wall assembly, a roof assembly, or cladding.

The whole process was mentally exhausting, but really rewarding. I'm really happy with my final product. The presentation went well (I even remembered to breathe). My model is really amazing and I'm glad I built it. It's one I will actually keep. The document is long (over 100 pages) and there are people who actually want to read it, which almost never happens. I'm the official expert on materials libraries in schools.

I'm so happy to be done with architecture school. I wish I was done with school totally, but I have to do the next thesis and two more classes. After this ordeal, it will be a breeze! Plus I already know the silly official bureaucratic business that needs to be done.

Thanks to all of those who supported me in this, whether it be cheerleading videos (Jessica), proof-reading (Mom, Dad, Vanessa, Adrian), cookies (all my classmates in the cookie club), prayers or just supporting me on a daily basis (Adrian and Amanda). Your encouragement was critical to this process.

Enjoy the images of the project below. If for some crazy reason you'd like to read the 100+ page document, let me know.

Here's the title and a brief description:

Materials Library and Design-Build Shop Addition to Gould Hall

Ana J. Levan
Autumn 2008 Independent Thesis
Committee: Doug Zuberbuhler and Jim Nicholls

University of Washington Master of Architecture

This thesis explores how buildings can help teach the technology of construction. In addition to exposing construction details, the building provides opportunities for students to construct and test sections of the building. The program includes spaces that will house and support hands-on learning in architecture at the University of Washington. The design is intended to enhance educational opportunities that consider materiality, technology, and construction.

Overview of the model from above (Gould Hall in grey, addition wood)

View from sidewalk (digital model from SketchUp)

Similar view from physical model

View from across the street.

View of the back wall of the building, along property line.

Back wall again.

Back wall in the digital model.

View of the shop yard.

To help the students understand the building, the drawings were specifically included in the materials library a long with a "mock-up" of the exterior wall.

The block wall as it extends past the building peels away to show the insulation and air cavity inside.

The inside of the classroom is wood paneled, with the screws exposed to clearly identify the hidden studs behind.

The back wall, one last time, showing a student testing how cladding weathers under different water conditions from the downspouts.

Students building a wall panel to test.

Students building a roof panel to test (the area below is outside so if it leaks, they won't be sued).

What will they be next?

Adrian and I made our Halloween costumes again this year. I have to admit, we took the idea off the internet, but I still think it's clever (and maybe sickeningly cute).




As many of you know, I'm completing my architecture thesis this quarter. For the most part, that means I don't have time for things like writing a blog. However, I needed to get our Halloween pictures up, so I figured I'd do a post.

An update on me:

My architecture thesis drawings need to be done December 9, and the document turned in by December 12. After that I will emerge from this long frustrating process relaxed and happy! Then in a month I'll get back to doing my Construction Management thesis, which has to be done in June. Compared to architecture, it will be a breeze (I hope). I'm looking forward to never ever having a studio and a final review again.

I'm also the teaching assistant for a class this quarter on Materials and Methods. I hold office hours and grade papers. This weekend I have about 60-70 one page papers to grade. The paper they wrote actually relates to my construction management thesis. The students tried 3 pieces of software which were related to their paper topic. The students had the option of filling out a survey about the software. I'm analyzing the results for my study.

The wedding plans are going well. Adrian is being very helpful, which I appreciate. We've got a photographer who is amazing (see our engagement pictures on her blog) We also have our pastor, reception venue, and caterer lined up. The last big thing on the list seems to be the DJ. Hard to get excited about the DJ since I don't particularly like to dance...

As of November 1, I became part of the Steering Team and my church, Gift of Grace. The team consists of Pastor Jami, Vivian, and me. I am going to be part of that leadership team for a two-year term. I'm excited about being called to serve in this role. I feel slightly underqualified, but everyone assures me that is not true. We meet weekly at a local coffee shop, Mosaic, which is the coolest place ever. It's run by a church in their basement-which doesn't sound all that cool, but it is. They designed it to have a coffee shop feel and have local artists hang their work (it rotates monthly). The coffee and pastries have no price. You pay what every you feel it is worth. The church donates a portion of their proceeds to a charity, which changes every month.

That's what's happening in my life right now. I'm looking forward to traveling for the Holidays. Thanksgiving in Houston, Christmas in Stockton, and New Years in Pittsburgh. We'll also be stopping in St. Louis on our way home for my cousin's wedding. I'm looking forward to December 12th, and equally dreading its arrival because I have so much to finish.

Seeing Seals, Sand, and Surf at the Seaside

Although you wouldn’t guess it from reading my blog, Adrian and I have had a busy summer. We were engaged at the end of May, both our parents came to visit in June, and we moved to a new apartment in July. We’re attempting to garden, and have successfully picked three cherry tomatoes and a handful of green beans. Adrian started a new job in August at Seattle Design Build. In September, I wrote 40 some pages of my architecture thesis.

Before starting 11 more intense weeks of thesis, we decided to take our first road trip of the summer. After all our traveling last summer, it’s hard to believe we hadn’t left the state since spring break. We decided on a trip down the Oregon coast.

Day 1 – Long Walks on the Beach

We drove to Cannon Beach on Thursday evening after Adrian got off work, so we had a full day of fun for Friday. We stayed at the Tolovana Inn, which was right next to the ocean.

First order of business was to get breakfast, which we found at Pig’n Pancake. I think Adrian had both pig and pancake, but I had neither (went with the waffle). The restaurant had a great photo of the shore, so Adrian inquired about where it had been taken. We found out it was taken at Ecola State Park, on the north end of Cannon Beach. After breakfast we headed there. The drive to the park was through a great forest, which Adrian clearly loved since about every thirty seconds he proclaimed, “I dig it…” The view was great and there was a lighthouse to see, but the sun was in the wrong spot for photos. We decided we’d try to make it back and headed north to Seaside.

Seaside was pretty touristy, but we had some fun with it. Adrian got new shoes, and Ana got a gyro, so we were both happy. There was some crazy dog competition set up on the beach, so we watched some dogs jump into a big pool of water for awhile. After it was sufficiently late enough for the sun to be in the west, we headed back to get our photograph at Ecola.

Once at the park, we checked out a second beach a mile and a half down the road. There was a cove with a sandy beach, and apparently decent waves for surfing. I’d never actually seen people surf, so watching them was amusing. Adrian amused himself by skipping stones. We got the needed photographs and headed south again. We drove to Manzanita (recommended by several), but when we got there all I wanted to do was sleep. It was in both of our best interests to return to the hotel for a nap.

After the nap, we decided on a long walk on the beach. Sort of cliché, but actually quite enjoyable. We wandered down the shore until the sun went down. After sunset and dinner at a local pub, we went back down to the beach to make a fire. We have had a pile of wood to burn outside our apartment since we moved, so we were happy to finally get to burn it. We enjoyed s’mores and even shared some with a very shy Russian girl whose mother had stopped to talk to us. The girl reminded me of how quiet I was at that age, except when people used to talk to me I’d just giggle. We managed to burn all the wood just in time to get in the hot tub before the pool closed. I went to bed tired and happy, wondering if the next days would prove to be as good as this one.

Day 2 – A Blowhole!

By the second day, I had already eaten a weeks worth of calories, so we decided to have a late breakfast. We checked out of our hotel and headed south, figuring we’d find something on our drive to the next adventure. One of the things I had marked in our guidebook that I wanted to do was to stop at the Tilamook cheese factory. If only cheese were its own food group… I’d never say that another state could produce cheese like Wisconsin, but Tilamook does a decent job. We took the “self-guided tour” of the factory, which basically meant walking up a set of stairs overlooking the factory floor. Not very exciting, especially since it was Saturday and no one was working. However, they did have a tasting line, which Adrian went through twice. We ended up eating breakfast at the café there. I had hashbrowns, and of course I asked them to top them with cheese. I think the cheese to potato ratio was about 1:1. Yum.

The next major stop was Fogarty Creek State Park. The guidebook promised “wooden footbridges in the forest” but the beach proved to be the main event. Adrian climbed out onto this big rock and found a blowhole. Though it sounded fun, my shoes (although cute) were not going to accommodate me going out there. After a small argument and a change of shoes, Adrian convinced me to climb out there to check it out. It proved to be well worth it. The waves would crash into this cave, and the water would explode out of this small hole, making a wonderful noise and splashing high into the air. I felt like a kid playing peek-a-boo watching it. I knew what was going to happen, but every time it happened it surprised and delighted me. The noise and the splash were a great combination. We took an insane amount of pictures.

After the blowhole, we decided to stop at a lighthouse. One lighthouse seemed like a requirement in fulfilling the Oregon Coast experience. We stopped at the lighthouse in Newport, called the Yaquina Head Lighthouse. We arrived just in time to go up to the top of the lighthouse, where you could see the view and the lens. I learned that each light house has a unique signal; the one here was two seconds on, two off, two on, and fourteen off. If you’re ever in a boat and you see that pattern, you’ll know know you’re near Yaquina Head.

Post lighthouse, we headed to our motel in Florence, Oregon. Our directions from Google totally missed, but we found it anyway. Florence reminded me of Moab, UT because it’s near a big stretch of Dunes on the coast. Half the trucks you see have four-wheelers or other toys in the back. We used the guidebook to find us some food. For dessert, we had to try BJ’s ice cream. It was worth every calorie. Sickeningly good. Exhausted again, Adrian and I crashed out early.

Day 3 – Sea Lions, Pie, and Football

Adrian and I decided to head back north (our general direction was working from north to south along the coast). We stopped at an overlook just north of the Sea Lion Caves. We just expected a view, but there were a ton of Sea Lions lounging on the beach and playing in the water. We watched them play in the waves for awhile and decided that we would not need to pay to take the elevator down to see (and apparently smell) the actual Sea Lion Caves. There was also a light house we could see from the same lookout, and sure enough its light pattern was different. Apparently we also have a photo of this lighthouse from this spot on the wall outside our bathroom.

We stopped and climbed down to Devil’s Churn, which we had looked down on the day before. We got to see some starfish and Adrian didn’t get swept to sea, so it was a good little hike. Once we got back to Florence, we stopped to buy a kite. I had seen people on the beach flying them and realized it was something I hadn’t done since I was probably eleven. Like the lighthouse, it seemed like an essential part of the Oregon experience. To totally round the thing out, we bought a kite with a picture of a lighthouse on it.

Since all the activity was exhausting me (I think maybe I’m getting sick or reverting to being five), we went back to the motel for a nap. I asked Adrian to check out the guidebook to plan our afternoon. We wanted to head much further south, but we had a reservation for two nights in Florence. We decided that our best course of action was to find a new place to stay further south and suck up the charge for the unused night where we were. Luckily, we had internet access, so after our second call we found a reasonably priced room in Bandon, Oregon.

We stopped for a late lunch at Don’s Diner in Reedsport, Oregon. The sign for award-winning pies sold me that it would be a good choice. We were not disappointed. Wow. Seriously good pie.

Next we stopped at Shore Acres State Park, where we found an English formal garden and a car show (only one of which was expected). A few miles later we stopped at a lookout along the road and found another group of sea lions. I had heard them barking while we were in the gardens, but couldn’t see them.

Once we got to Bandon, we checked into our motel. The room was tiny, but the motel was right at the top of a set of stairs to the beach. We decided to head down to the beach to try to fly our kite. The wind was pretty minimal, so we could only get the kite to fly if one of us would run it down the beach. It was entertaining, but exhausting. We took over 100 pictures, hopefully most of which we’ll delete!

After the kite, we played with the time delay on Adrian’s camera to get some shots of us on the beach. Adrian thought we needed to be standing IN the water, despite it being like 33 degrees, so he’d run in and I’d jump into his arms so I could stay out of the water. Before leaving the beach, I decided to face my fear of birds and chase some seagulls. I felt pretty tough, and we had a good laugh over it.

After that entertainment, we began our search to find a restaurant with a TV so Adrian could watch Sunday Night Football. We thought we were doomed, but just as we were about to head out of the other end of town, we saw a sports bar. We stuffed ourselves again, while I suffered through the Cowboys beating the Packers. The things we do for love…

Day 4 – Lighthouse Kite

Most of day four would be devoted to traveling back to Seattle, but we decided to head further south for the morning.

We stopped at Cape Blanco, which is apparently the westernmost tip of Oregon. In the car, I read that the spot had a lighthouse and was the windiest place in Oregon. I immediately thought: KITE! The lighthouse was closed for another hour, but there was definitely wind. As Adrian took some photographs, I pulled out the kite. There was definitely no running required this time. We took pictures of us flying the lighthouse kite by the lighthouse, and then got back on the road.

By this point, we were pretty far south in Oregon. Adrian had mentioned that he used to go on field trips to the “Prehistoric Gardens” north of Gold Beach. The Prehistoric Gardens has life-sized sculptures of dinosaurs. Lucky for us, there are two along the road so we could stop and get our photographs with them. Yay for the T-rex!

We went further south to Gold Beach, where we saw signs for the mail boat tours up the Rogue River. Adrian really wanted to take me on it (he’d gone on it before with his family) but the next trip wasn’t until the next morning.

We decided our last stop of the trip (aside from food, restrooms, and gas) would be Cape Sebastian State Park. The guide book said that you could see the lighthouse fifty miles away in Crescent City, CA on a clear day. Sure enough we could see a tiny spec about where the lighthouse should be. Satisfied with all we had seen, we got back on the road and drove home to Seattle.

We’re mostly unpacked, and this blog is almost complete, so I guess I should be ready to start school tomorrow. I’m not particularly ready or excited, so instead I’ll keep my mind on future adventures to Alaska, Africa, Connecticut or wherever else we may find ourselves in the future.

an engaging story

Last night, I got engaged to the man of my dreams. Adrian is now my fiancé, my verloofde, my bräutigam, my fidanzato, my forlovde, my prometido, my fästman. (I haven’t decided what I want to call him now, I”ve always hated the sound of the word fiancé because I think it sound pretentious. Totally irrational, but that’s typical me.) We’re getting married!

The Ring
I suppose like most engagements, it all started with the ring. I’ve been thinking about the ring since last summer when I would doodle rings in a little notebook when I’d run out of things to do at work. A few months later, Adrian and I discussed what I wanted in a ring, so I gave him a few suggestions and sent a few pictures. I wanted him to know right away, so I could put it out of my mind and he could totally surprise me when (and if) he ever did get me a ring.

A few months ago, Adrian mentioned he wanted my opinion on a design. Since we’re in a design profession, I didn’t think much of it at first. The next day he showed me what he wanted my opinion on, a series of sketches of rings! I tried to play it cool, but failed miserably. Soon after, he had a mysterious meeting on the Eastside. He can’t keep a secret, so I found out that he was getting a ring made for me. We worked together to finalize the design, got some design advice from Jessica on our road trip, and the jeweler started to make the ring.

Jessica and Adrian promptly started conspiring together to make me think the ring would not be ready for a long time. They did pretty well, but I had suspicions it would happen sooner than they were letting on.

The ring itself is a perfect combination of Adrian and me. I wanted something rigid, rectangular, straight and simple. He wanted something more complex and curvy. We got both. The stone is an aquamarine. I picked aquamarine for several reasons. First, it was important to me that it wasn’t a diamond. A long time ago, I actually told my grandma that she could buy me diamond earrings, but that they would be the only diamonds I ever owned. Second, aquamarine is beautiful. The color is subtle yet intriguing. Third, I found out that aquamarine has historically been believed to protect sailors as they travel, ensuring a safe voyage and a safe return. Since Adrian was in the Navy for four years, I found this particularly appropriate and set my heart on getting an aquamarine.

The Proposal
How did he ask? That’s always the first thing I want to know after I find out someone has gotten engaged. I pretend not to be a romantic, but I truly am. Last night around six, we drove down to Seward Park, a park along Lake Washington, here in Seattle. I knew he had set up a scavenger hunt, to be followed by a picnic. We had done this once before in Kubota Gardens and I loved it then. We took our bikes since the park is pretty big.

The First Clue – The Car
Adrian took off to place the clues, leaving me with an envelope, filled with a map and a letter. I read the letter (actually a poem) and studied the map to the second clue. I sat patiently near the car, enjoying the rare perfect Seattle day. I waited at the car until I received the go-ahead call before heading to the next clue.

The Second Clue – The Amphitheatre Stage
I rode my bike to the first clue, nestled in the wall of an “amphitheatre” (really it was a theatre). I enjoyed the bumpy ride down the grass to the clue. His second letter described how and when he fell in love, just over a year ago. He described the intense feelings he immediately had, the ones that he said matched the feeling “that makes me squeak and jump up and down when he has his arms around me.” He said I practically vibrate, and honestly, I do.

The Third Clue – The Bridge
I had some issues finding the third clue. It was hidden in a bridge, but from the bike path, it didn’t look like a bridge so I passed right by it. When it became clear that I had gone too far on the map, I called Adrian to warn him I had gone to far and was going back to fetch the clue. I studied the pictures he included more closely and realized I had indeed seen the bridge the first time by. In the third letter, he described the smile that creeps over my face when he holds me close. He said, “When I see it, I know that you are the reason for me, and that I am finally where I am supposed to be. Yours is the most beautiful smile I will ever see.”

The Fourth and Final Clue – The Rock on the Beach
The last clue was hidden by the rock on the beach. When I got to the beach I put down my bike and grabbed the clue. This time there was no map, so I knew Adrian was close. I started reading the final letter and knew he was going to ask me. I rushed through the rest of the letter, forcing my eyes to focus on each word but not comprehending anything in it.

I walked up to Adrian and he held me close. My memory of what he said was a blur, but he tells me this is how it went “You’re the reason for me. I love you with all my heart. I’m a better person with you, and I have to ask you a question: Will you marry me?” I was crying my eyes out before he even asked. I managed to get out a “yes” and an “of course.” Then I cried some more, kissed him, made sure he had asked my dad (and mom), and then let Adrian put the pretty little ring on my finger.

Then there was more crying, jumping, laughing, and kissing. Adrian set up the picnic, and I tried to eat. I was way too excited to want to eat! I think I’m still way too excited to want to eat! After awhile he told me that his friend David had been there taking pictures of the whole event. He thought of everything! David took 217 pictures and probably got poison oak, so I’m extremely thankful for him being there.

After we finished eating, we started calling family and friends. I called my mom first. She was obviously not surprised, but she was excited she could finally tell people. Adrian called his parents and his dad happily welcomed me to their family. I called Malisa and got the squeal of excitement I wanted to hear from someone besides myself. We made a few more important calls and text messages and then packed up our picnic.

After the picnic, I wanted to go to Crate&Barrel to buy a dish to put my ring in when I do chores so I don’t damage or lose it. We decided we would also buy champagne glasses and something to remind us forever of the special night. We found the dish and glasses easily, and finally settled on a pretty wood salad bowl. It seemed practical, the kind of thing you rarely use and will not break. The sales women wanted to know what we were celebrating, and I excitedly showed her my ring and said, “I’m engaged!”

The next stop was QFC to buy champagne and dessert to totally round out the night. We selected a chocolate caramel with whipped cream frosting cake. As Adrian would say, “uh-huh.” Since I had barely touched our dinner, I was very happy to down some cake.

I’m getting married! We’re talking about planning an engagement party sometime soon. I’m pretty much the happiest girl ever, kicking my feet with excitement. Adrian makes my heart race, he challenges me, he keeps me dreaming, he really is the man of my dreams, and I thank God that I got the chance to meet and love him.

Adrian asking me to marry him

Giving me the ring.

Setting up the picnic

Me kicking my feet.

Being mushy again.

Smiles and tears

Enjoying our picnic by the water.

spaceballs, the double feature!

I went to Target yesterday. I was in the DVD section and found Robin Hood Men In Tights for $9.99. Then I saw Space Balls for $9.99. I suddenly NEEDED both! I tossed them in my basket and continued to browse the movies. Then the greatest thing ever happened. Jessica and I found the double-features section of the DVDs. We found BOTH movies in one double feature for only $13.99. Score! These two movies are like my 2 all time favorite comedies.



Jessica then found Flashdance/Footloose and I found two semi-embarrassing girly teeny movies. We're totally set for our Saturday night movie tradition for the rest of the school year.

School is over in 4 more weeks. I unfortunately have a final review the last day of finals week. I can't wait for this quarter to end. Adrian are, of course, heading on a road trip after school (since he's graduating and has to get a job).

Miss Suzy Homemaker

My mom and dad bought me a sewing machine for Christmas. I hadn't sewed anything really since I made a small quilt in about 5th grade, but I really wanted a sewing machine. I'm not sure exactly what sparked it, possibly seeing some Marimekko fabric and desperately wanting to make a skirt out of it.

Sew.... I made myself an apron for my very first project. It didn't turn out perfectly and I had to call my mom about 7 times for help deciphering the directions. It's finished though and as you can see, functioning quite nicely. I used it to make some muffins this morning.

I think maybe next I'll make some killer grocery bags so I can pretend to be all "green" here in Seattle and not use plastic bags. Unfortunately, I know enough to start wondering exactly how many plastic bags I have to save before the embodied energy of a canvas bag is worth it. I feel like it must be years and years worth.

Today I'm headed to church and then Adrian and I are going on our first hike of the year. Hopefully we'll get some good pictures that I can post.

Read Me First or Last

I just posted my 8 days of the Spring Break trip. To get the full effect, start by reading "North Dakota to New Mexico" and work your way back to this one. Otherwise it will be like Momento or that one episode of Seinfeld where everything happens in reverse. Your choice.

If all this wasn't enough information, you can check out our pictures on Picasa: Ana's Picasa Album.

Feel free to leave comments!

The End of the Trip as We Know It

Thursday, March 27, 2008, 9:00 am
Having driven through part of the night and sleeping a few hours at a rest stop, we arrived in Reno, Nevada. In order to spend a few days with Adrian’s parents, but get Jessica back to Seattle to work, we had gotten her a flight to Seattle. It was 9:00 am and Jessica’s flight was not scheduled to leave until 2:40. We decided it was a good idea to try to get her on an earlier flight. She called up and found out a flight was leaving at 9:50 am. We dropped her off at the terminal to try to get on the earlier flight. She called me a few minutes later and said she could get on it, but there was an hour layover in Oakland so she didn't do it. I pointed out the logic that even with the hour long layover, she still arrived in Seattle sooner and didn’t have to waste the morning. Seeing my logic, she decided it would be worth it and got herself on the flight. She managed to get through security and on the flight just in time.

Adrian and I happily left Reno and headed up to Susanville, CA to his parents house. His sister Shannon had driven up from the Bay Area to see us. She brought her so-ugly-she’s-cute puppy. Adrian’s cousin Donald also drove up from Reno to see us for a few days. We enjoyed the good fun, food, and wine that his family always provides for us. On Friday we helped Adrian’s dad, Steve, build a shed for his lawn mower. I learned that Adrian uses the same hammering technique that I do with as little (or maybe even less) success.

So that’s Spring Break; it was amazing and exhausting. We drove over 3,800 miles. We didn't set a timer, but the google map I made with our directions said our trip would be 3,385 miles and take 2 days, 7 hours. Nothing like some good times in the car. This trip has reduced the number of states I still need to seven: North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Alaska, and Hawaii. I have a feeling it may be awhile before I knock any more off the list. At the end of our trip, Jessica and I made a pact that we would save Hawaii as our last state and go together. I hope we don't have to wait too long!

Not the Golden Arches

Wednesday, March 26, 2008
We decided to have the breakfast of champions before our last day of hiking: donuts. We stopped at a local grocery store to get the donuts and various other supplies. Jessica and I had polished of the bag of Jolly Ranchers (except the blue raspberry ones which weren’t worth eating), several bags of gummy bears, and most of a bag of Starbursts, so we decided to hit up the candy aisle. I selected a bag of peachies (which I just remembered have yet to be eaten). As we were standing there, Jessica said “I wish they had a giant bag of gummy bears.” Just as she was saying it, my eyes paused on a big gold bag. Could it be??? Indeed, as if her wish were instantly granted, I pulled a 3 pound bag of gummy bears of the shelf. That’s 32 servings (I checked). Amazing. I asked her to wish for something else, but she didn’t seem to want to challenge fate.

While stuffing our face with donuts and pastries, we headed the few miles up the road to see Arches in the daylight. We determined the best hike would be the Devils Garden trail (once Jessica saw my logic, that fool!). The hike was about 6 miles, plus side trails to several arches. There were eight major arches along the trail, most notably, the Landscape Arch, which “stretches 306 feet, yet is only about 11 feet thick at its center” (straight out of the trail map literature). The trail was amazing, taking you through amazing rock formations. We climbed up a few of the rocks to get a view down (again I was paranoid about Adrian falling to his death, though unafraid for myself). The hike was absolutely amazing. Adrian particularly loved it. We all got re-sunburned from a few days before at the Grand Canyon.

After the hike, we did a few of the overlooks, though very little was as impressive as what we had already seen. We went to an overlook of the Delicate Arch, which is one of the most photographed arches and is on Utah’s license plate. Our final stop was a short hike at the North and South Window arches, where I got tired of being in the wind, went off ahead and almost got lost. I can’t decide if it counts as being lost when you have lost sight of anything resembling a trail, but can still see the parking lot. Regardless, it freaked me out for a bit, but my travel companions were really good about just letting me be upset for awhile.

Having completed Arches, it was time for our 11 hour drive back to Reno.

Six Places at Once

Tuesday, March 25, 2008, approximately 11:30 am
This is the biggest moment of the trip for Jessica and me. We have arrived at the Four Corners, the one and only place in the United States where four states meet at one point. Having a lifelong dream of being in every state, this is the ideal location to visit. Four states in one shot! This momentous occasion was worth every cent of the $3 entry fee. We prepared for this moment days ahead of time and had determined exactly how we would be in four places at once. Little did we know, we would be in SIX places at once: Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Colorado, the Navaho Nation and the Ute Mountain Reservation. Wow!

Adrian did a pretty good job of pretending like he wasn’t excited to be there. He was a good sport and took lots of pictures for us. He also bought my t-shirt, a magnet, and some Navajo fry bread, making him pretty much amazing to the girl who failed to get cash at the last ATM stop.

As we left Four Corners, I realized going to Mesa Verde National Park was only about an hour out of our way. Although we briefly discussed in on the ride from Seattle, we hadn’t realized how close we would get to it. Since it was still early in the day, we decided to make a detour to see the cliff dwellings. Mesa Verde National Park was the first National Park opened to protect man-made achievements.

We drove up and into the park, arriving at Spruce Tree Terrace. In the parking lot, we were excited to find both North Carolina AND North Dakota to add to our growing list of states. I think we topped out at either 40 or 41, plus 3 Canadian provinces. Jessica has the list in her sketch book. We hiked down to the Spruce Tree House, which is the best preserved cliff dwelling. They had restored the roof on one of the kivas and provided a ladder so we could go down inside it.

The rest of the dwellings you can only see from the road during the spring. During the summer you can take ranger led tours of them. We saw the Balcony House and the Cliff Palace. The Cliff Palace was the largest cliff dwelling.

After Mesa Verde, we headed to Moab, Utah where we were spending the night. We arrived at the Apache Motel in early evening. Apparently John Wayne had stayed here, so the lobby had some John Wayne memorabilia, including a roll of John Wayne toilet paper that said “It’s rough, it’s tough, and it doesn’t take crap off anyone.” Jessica and Adrian loved it so we inquired where it could be purchased. The motel operator informed us it was sold by her granddaughter in downtown Moab, so our next destination was determined. We took a walk to downtown Moab, bought our TP and went out for pizza. After pizza, we drove into Arches to admire how bright the stars can be when you’re in the middle of nowhere. We caught a few shooting stars and then headed back to the motel.

No Small Mountain (the Grand Canyon)

Monday, March 24, 2008, 8 am? 9 am? (which time zone are we in?)
The next morning after some free hotel breakfast (an actual hot meal, no continental style breakfast here), we headed back into the Grand Canyon. Mid-morning we arrived at the South Kaibob trailhead. Since no one remembered a map (1 of the 10 essential hiking items) I made Adrian photograph the map sign at the trail head. (Haven’t these people seen or read Into the Wild?). The hike into the canyon is like climbing a mountain in reverse. You do all the down switchbacks on the way in knowing that every step down is a step up later (when you’re more tired).

The hike had some great view points, so we stopped to take lots of pictures and let Jessica sketch a few times. The hike had major stopping points at “Ooh Aah Point," “Cedar Ridge,” and “Skeleton Point.” I never did figure out why it was called Skeleton Point.

We finished the hike in about 4.5 hours. With all our stopping, the hike down actually took half an hour more than our hike back up. We were sweaty and exhausted so we decided to try to find the IMAX so we could enjoy the Grand Canyon from indoors.

We found the IMAX just outside of the park, and shelled out entirely too much money for the 34 minute show. The IMAX video was a bit too educational, but it was fun, as the IMAX usually is. We determined that the best way to visit the Grand Canyon was either by air, or from the river while whitewater rafting. If I ever drag my children to the Grand Canyon, we will do it one of those two ways. (Can you tell how much I loved the Grand Canyon?) From the IMAX video I determined there were surely amazing things to see, but we were not going to see them from the trails along the south rim. Luckily, our time in the Grand Canyon was complete.

Police Officers Don't Work on Easter

Sunday, March 23, 2008, 10 am (Easter Sunday)
After a quick breakfast at the hotel, we started what was possibly my most untraditional Easter ever. I convinced both Jessica and Adrian to attend church with me at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church. Finding a church in the middle a heavily Mormon area proved to be interesting. A Google Business search of Kanab, UT found about one Christian church for every ten Mormon ones. Mass was uneventful, and finished in just over an hour.

On our drive out of town, I passed a police car and noticed something funny about the passenger seat. A dummy occupied the driver’s seat. I cracked up and told Jessica and Adrian, who did not believe me. We turned around just to be sure, and of course took a few pictures. Due to his amazing mustache, I think I laughed so hard I cried. Shortly after I saw a police car drive by, and I was thankful he wasn’t a few minutes earlier. I think he may have frowned at our blatant disrespect of the Kanab officer of the law. We saw another dummy cop as we entered Arizona. I guess no one wanted to work on Easter Sunday.

We arrived at the Grand Canyon mid-afternoon. We stopped at the first overlook, saw the gigantic canyon and almost collectively went “ehhn, it’s grand, it’s a canyon, I get it, when do we leave?” Maybe that was just me… I was a bit cranky. We stopped at the visitor center to try to plan the next day. Eventually we settled on a hike we could agree on, the South Kaibob Trail. We walked around the rim of the canyon and checked out more of the view points. Eventually, we were all a bit more impressed. It was a little hard to grasp the whole thing. It was almost as if it was so big and overwhelming, that it almost became underwhelming. (Again, I find myself pondering if something can be simply whelming. I’ve never head the word, but spell check says it is spelled correctly.) We enjoyed some great views. Some of the points you can get to have huge drop-offs (the canyon is, after all, a mile deep). While I am not afraid of heights, I have become more and more afraid of Adrian and heights. Apparently I’m not afraid of me plummeting to my death, but watching Adrian get close to the edge makes my stomach churn. I’m learning to just try not to watch and walk ahead.

When we were done, we drove the 80 odd miles to Tuba City, Arizona where we were staying for two nights. Since the hotel messed up our reservation for a single room with two beds, which they had run out of, Adrian managed to get us two separate rooms for a reduced rate. I like having someone around to take care of things like that.