On the Road Again...

Preface: I've discovered this nifty little feature in the blogging world that allows you to link maps to your page. Watch out, blog, I'm dangerous now...

This past week Patrick and I officially completed our contract with Johns Hopkins!! I honestly can't believe how quickly the time went. Was April really that long ago??

We spent our last week saying goodbye to friends and coworkers, which was such a humbling experience. Never could we have known that so many kind and caring people would cross our paths. From new friends who so readily opened their hearts and homes, to old friends that resurfaced at just the right times...they were all a gift indeed. I wish I could have captured a photo of each of them, but my memory will have to suffice. Here are a couple I DID manage to catch!

One last visit to Rach and Esther in New York City - it won't be as bright a city without you

My sweet friend Jess and I outside the "historic buildings" of Hopkins, lol

Jamie Jam! My travel friend and yoga guru extraordinaire

Then, the perfect icing on the cake - my mom came to Baltimore :) 

She had vowed she would try to visit us girls out east before we went our separate ways, and by George she did! I got to show her some of my favorite neighborhoods, ferry her thru the Harbor via the water taxi, and treat her to Miss Shirley's amazing chicken and waffles - can't beat that. But mostly, it was such a blessing to enjoy the comfort that is your mother during times of transition. 

My sister and brother-in-law were able to make it up too, so we all got to be together (dad was there in spirit) one last time before the McHenry's headed west and the Rusk's headed south!

My radiant sister and I on packing day!

Goodbye dinner with the fan (minus dad!) at our favorite restaurant in Little Italy

Creek girls, always

And now, we set out on the longest drive either of us have ever attempted. 

Baltimore, Maryland to Spokane, Washington. 

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Just the thought of all these hours spent sitting makes me want to develop DVT's (nursing joke, lol). But we have planned for many a stretch break and will hopefully make it in good time. We officially head west tomorrow, propelled by our trusty Jeep, hauling our belongings in a U-haul - you know you're mobile when your possessions for daily life fit in an 8x4 trailer, lol. 

For me, this transition is bittersweet; I will miss the friends we made, and the nearness of my only sister. Despite the times that it didn't seem worth it, this season of our life turned out to be a big blessing. But we are excited to see the span of this country from the road, eager to be reunited with loved ones in the Northwest, and filled with anticipation for the next phase of our travel nursing journey!