The Beginning

I met Ottilia when we were 6 and 9 months old in the crib at the First Unitarian Church of Oakland. Other than being church friends we were never went to school together but we hung out non-stop. Our parents would be constantly driving one of us to the other person's house and then back again. This started as soon as we were able to talk to each other. We would stay up late (for little ones) giggling, there would always be the threats of separation but we knew it would never happen. Once we were about 4 we began taking imaginary trips to faraway glamorous places. We were convinced that once we were grown-ups we would get an apartment in Paris or London and live happily ever after. Then life happened. I moved to Minnesota in 7th grade and we have stayed friends through it all. We celebrated our 16th birthdays together and stayed in close contact. One May 16th we are both graduating college.

My grandfather, Clyde Eller, died in late February. He worked for the EPA and was a avid supporter of the National Parks. My mom and her brothers grew up taking road trips to Sequoia National Park and have always had a great love for the outdoors. When he died I felt the need to do something to honor that legacy. So...

On May 19th Ottilia and I will be departing on a road trip. We will drive from St. Paul, Minnesota to Oakland, California. I will drop her off in Oakland and pick up my (amazing) boyfriend, Tim. Tim and I will drive from Oakland to St. Paul. The trip plan looks something like this:

Leg One: St. Paul-->Coeur d'Alene, Idaho (camping along the way of course)-->Portland, OR (to see my sister and her fiancé)-->Tacoma, WA-->HWY 101 and Avenue of the Giants-->Oakland

Leg Two: Oakland-->Capitol Reef National Park-->Moab, Utah/Arches National Park-->Kansas City-->St. Paul

Any suggestions of places to camp along the way are much appreciated!

I will keep everyone updated along the way. Our adventures begin!