We made it! Against the better judgment of just about everyone, we went out I-80 straight through Donner Pass. If our trip were to end in failure, that's where it would have been! But, aside from a few brief snow flurries, and a small snaffoo with our car dolly, we made it through unscathed!


 Now, before we'd left, we had an outpouring of such love from everyone :D
 It was a little overwhelming, to be reminded so much in such a short span of time how absolutely incredible the group of people we're leaving behind is. It was…  Well, beyond words. If any of you read this - and if you're reading this, chances are I'm talking about if - thank you. Thank you just for being you, and for being in mine and Jen's life. Whether it's as a next door neighbor, an old friend, a new friend, a beloved acquaintance - thank you. We're moving to be closer to some of you, and far away from many more. But no matter how far, we'll always be here for you, and you'll always have a place in our hearts :D

 On that note, dear Cody! Cody took the time to make a copy of an entire book on tape, a day and a half worth, of a book I was super excited to read/listen to. It was such a wonderful and thoughtful gift!
 Only this was, when we got the U-haul...


 Guess I'll just have to listen to the books another time. This was one of the moments where I was most sad to be leaving. Somehow, to get such a perfect heartfelt gift for the moment and no be able to use it, just felt terrible.
 Miss you, buddy :(
 But what a great gift!

 We had other excitement as well, this was my first time towing a car, and so the trailer was a particular adventure. Here's a picture from several hours into our drive, right before we hit the Sierras:


 Fortunately the well was deep enough to keep the car in, but seeing this was nerve wracking. I adjusted and re-tied this strap, but we stopped often from then on to check on them.
 That was our first adventure moment. The second was in the early evening, when we starting going into the Sierras-


 It was getting dark, and cold, and had been raining, but that rain could have turned to snow any moment


 …And did turn into snow, when we got to the top!
 But, at the end of the day, the snow was very minor, it never built up on the road or hurt visibility much. We were lucky, but had planned accordingly for it we hadn't been lucky.


 This is what those wheels are *supposed* to look like, from our first gas stop in Nevada!


 And dinner, at our first hotel in Nevada. Traveling dinners have a charm all their own - but that could also be the company ;)

 Tonight, we've crashed at a motel in Winnemucca Nevada. I guess we win a mucca!