Welcome to Paradise

Captains Log

Day ?, 4/5/10. We stopped for a few days so I'm not sure if I should count this consecutively or not.

We got up nice and early to head out for Los Angeles today. We had a lovely time in Oregon. Paula got some delicious food, tried Disc Golf and loved it, played volleyball and watched home movies of me. My family loves her. Who wouldn't?!

7:15am: We say goodbye to my parents and head out for SoCal.

8:07am: CALIFORNIA! We just crossed the border though its about 11 more hours till SoCal. Our excitement is premature.

California stops everyone soon after you cross the border to ask if you have any fruit or plants in the car. They take this stuff seriously. One little bug or insect could ruin the crops. Paula is amazed and baffled by this. I thought for sure they would search our car because its so full but they took our word for it. We were telling the truth anyways!

Stopped for gas twice. Once was $17 at $3.35/gallon and the second was $10 at $3.09/gallon. We realize that $3 is about standard. Ouch.

I see and In N Out Burger at the second gas stop and lose my head. We can smell burgers and my mouth starts to water. Or drool. We decide to take an early lunch. Paula is a convert. $10.01. I could do without these bible verses though.

4pm: Stop again for gas. $15 at $3.28/gallon

5:41pm: We are passing a lot of livestock big rigs. As we get near one, Paula looks at me and asks "Is that a prison bus?" I look at her to see if she is joking around. That poor girl is serious. I laugh in her face and tell her its a horse prison. I'm so sympathetic. This joke still happens to date.

A few hours later we stop in Torrance for the night. Right as we arrive on the 405 in the South Bay, a Green Day song comes on the radio. And one of the famous lyrics is, "welcome to paradise." I can't believe how eerie that is.

We got a hotel and spent the next day looking at apartments. We found our apartment on day 1. We absolutely love living here and know we made the right move.

We are just a few minutes from the beach too! Its been a difficult journey and we're still getting settled but its all worth it. Every single time I see the smile on her face, I know I'd do it all again for her.