On the Road!
Laura here, writing this aboard the Amtrak train out of Fargo, ND. The trip still seems unreal at this point, though we’ve already seen our first destination and hit the trail again. We arrived in Fargo right on time at about 11:30 pm last night. Our plan was to spend the whole afternoon there, arriving at about 1 pm, but at 6 am yesterday we were pushing our deadline for finishing everything that needed to be done before we left. Usually I’d vote we just wrap up cleaning and packing as best we can and figure it out on the go, but this is a monumental trip. The idea that we are going to be gone for so long is something my brain still can’t wrap itself around, but with so many hours and miles of travel behind us already, I am at least starting to feel the literal distance we are putting between us and our old life of renting, working and school (though I graduated in December - months ago now). Finishing up packing the apartment and dedicating some time to making sure we had what we wanted and needed (but not a hair more!) in our packs was worth delaying our departure by about 11 hours, though of course we missed most of our time in Fargo this way. Luckily we only had to pay $15 each to change our ticket times and we still caught the same Amtrak out, which was scheduled for 3:30 am but really rolled out of Fargo around 5 am.
We didn’t sleep Tuesday night, running on about 6 hours of sleep each from Monday. The day was frantic with packing, cleaning and moving. After 36+ hours awake we both napped on the Greyhound from Minneapolis to Fargo, Charlie conking out pretty hard. I slept again in the train station waiting for our tardy train which was delayed by floodwaters.
The Red River is still in high flood stage, and though it was dark, when we were in Fargo we looked at it, climbed some dykes and managed to become exceedingly muddy with very sticky clay over the lowest inch or so of our persons. Our friend Misha was our tour guide for the night, happy to show us around Fargo/Moorhead, even though we were terrible guests, exhausted and only minimally entertaining. But she loves us lots, whether we are drained or not. We will carry some of her love in the form of mud with us for a while, I’m guessing.
It was sad to say goodbye to my parents, but they are both supportive and sweet, just wishing me home safe eventually. We’ve seen and hugged many friends in the last week, too. Our (former now!) roommate Mouse is caring for our energetic girlkitty Iliana and my dad has our boykitty Fritz with him. My mom especially helped a lot in the last two days around our house and Charlie’s mom lent us her car, and gave us lots of good food and love to take with us. All in all, everyone has been so supportive, helpful and excited as we embark. We are leaving an amazing community of people who we love very much.
The sun is rising over the fields of North Dakota now, though it is not above the horizon yet. Charlie is snoring next to me. We have about 14 more hours on the train before West Glacier and Glacier National Park, though if the train remains about an hour and a half behind schedule, that time will lengthen, of course. I think it is time to add to my very small collection of sleeping hours. I wish you a good morning, where every you are, and hope for safe travels for ourselves and everyone else traveling at this time.
One small dream for us, one giant leap as it becomes a reality. Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible.
Love, Laura
We didn’t sleep Tuesday night, running on about 6 hours of sleep each from Monday. The day was frantic with packing, cleaning and moving. After 36+ hours awake we both napped on the Greyhound from Minneapolis to Fargo, Charlie conking out pretty hard. I slept again in the train station waiting for our tardy train which was delayed by floodwaters.
The Red River is still in high flood stage, and though it was dark, when we were in Fargo we looked at it, climbed some dykes and managed to become exceedingly muddy with very sticky clay over the lowest inch or so of our persons. Our friend Misha was our tour guide for the night, happy to show us around Fargo/Moorhead, even though we were terrible guests, exhausted and only minimally entertaining. But she loves us lots, whether we are drained or not. We will carry some of her love in the form of mud with us for a while, I’m guessing.
It was sad to say goodbye to my parents, but they are both supportive and sweet, just wishing me home safe eventually. We’ve seen and hugged many friends in the last week, too. Our (former now!) roommate Mouse is caring for our energetic girlkitty Iliana and my dad has our boykitty Fritz with him. My mom especially helped a lot in the last two days around our house and Charlie’s mom lent us her car, and gave us lots of good food and love to take with us. All in all, everyone has been so supportive, helpful and excited as we embark. We are leaving an amazing community of people who we love very much.
The sun is rising over the fields of North Dakota now, though it is not above the horizon yet. Charlie is snoring next to me. We have about 14 more hours on the train before West Glacier and Glacier National Park, though if the train remains about an hour and a half behind schedule, that time will lengthen, of course. I think it is time to add to my very small collection of sleeping hours. I wish you a good morning, where every you are, and hope for safe travels for ourselves and everyone else traveling at this time.
One small dream for us, one giant leap as it becomes a reality. Thanks to everyone who helped make this possible.
Love, Laura