Let's get to Wisconsin

Sunsets, clouds, wild ideas, and friends that become family.  These are a few things of which I can never get enough...

It was a very Small thing to suggest driving to Wisconsin for an "extra sister's" wedding earlier this month.   So on a hot Tuesday evening, Tirzah and I loaded up everything we might possibly need in the next week and drove off for Wisconsin.  At that point I think neither the tiredness of the previous few days nor the excitement of the coming weekend had really quite set in.  There were still miles and hours of driving ahead before we could reach our anticipated destination, so maybe the feelings were better described as a subtle dread of all the car time that was ahead.  

As the passenger for once, I got to sit back and enjoy the landscape, sunrises, and sunsets without distraction.  As we drove through Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, Minnesota, and then finally Wisconsin, memories of old family road trips came rushing back.  Before the time of this blog, my dad took us on a few cross-country drives; I remember always thinking that those mid-west states were ugly and boring.  But this time I saw something different.  Certainly something different from the sights in my western Washington.  Yet still a beautiful part of God's creativity.

As we passed through different towns, landmarks, and "tourist traps," there were many instances when Tirzah and I would think "hey, remember when we drove through that one year and Dad decided to just stop here?"  And I became again grateful for our dad who never hesitated to take unexpected stops at a place that looked interesting.  

Unfortunately, we were attempting to get to Wisconsin as quickly as possible, so we had to use only our memories to re-live these old adventures.  But I did take many, many pictures out the dirty car windows as we plowed ahead. 

On our way east, I was pretty disappointed to have the sunset behind us each night.  I'm pretty sure that every time I see a sunset, I think it is more intensely amazing than the last.

Somehow these wind turbines are pretty photogenic.

Our first sunrise in the car came early but lovely.

I think this was the best sign I saw in the whole drive.

One of the best things about lengthy car trips is the snacks.  While we usually don't justify buying tasty treats, we do get caught in the trap when we're preparing for a road trip.  It had been ages since I'd gotten banana chips, and they are literally so amazing.  Why are these so rare in my life?!

Aside from the numerous truckers, we were often the only ones on those lonely, straight roads.

I think I'm going to go here instead....  XD

Another sunset sneaked in from behind, casting the most brilliant colors yet again.  

The next morning's sunrise was exciting.  It was our last sunrise spent in the car before we got to see our friends!

When it grew cloudy after the sunrise, I couldn't have sighed more contentedly.

These dark clouds only brought a few lousy drops of rain.

Finally we found the signs we had been watching for!  Crossing into Wisconsin and having only 7 hours more of driving was pretty exciting.

A couple days after we arrived, the long awaited wedding day came.  Even as I watched this dear friend walk down the aisle in her radiant amazingness, I could hardly believe we were actually there to celebrate with her.  I am so grateful that God made this "crazy" trip possible so that we could be there for someone so special to us!

Did I mention Johannah?!  Well, she didn't get married, but seeing her there was a special bonus to the package!!  Connecting with these friends after a year (or more) felt so good.

With the wedding behind us, there was only one thing left to do: say goodbye and get back home.  We got to see Ema one last time as a MRS. before we headed back west.  Saying all the goodbyes and piling back into the car for some more long driving days wasn't easy, which only shows how blessed I am with these friends.  But it wasn't quite time to say goodbye to everyone....