Last days in The Dalles

Our route to Austin, via Salem and Eugene

We pushed our departure date forward a couple days, and will drive away from The Dalles for the last time on Saturday, August 27th!

The Floorplan

Earlier this week our application was approved for an apartment, which we’ve rented sight-unseen! It’s a risk, but it’s not easy to rent a place from 2,000 miles away. This place is near South Congress, in the “Musicians Aplenty” area. Since we’re signing a ten-month lease, we’ll spend that time deciding which part of the city is the best fit for us, and look for a little house more suited to our tastes to rent in June.

Also this week I had a third (Skype) interview for a job; it went really well, and I have a great feeling about the company (more details if they make me an offer). There will be a final interview in person once we land in Austin.

We’re finishing up our packing—there’s still lot’s to do, and cleaning besides, but we’re trying to think of our last days here in The Dalles as “vacation,” and are taking our time and enjoying the process!

Andrew Anderson, as you may or may not be aware, is moving to Austin too! In fact, he’s already on his way, and we’re looking forward to reuniting in Texas. Having him in the same city will help make it feel like home that much sooner.

—Danielle

Looking forward

We just officially celebrated the anniversary of our first date—November 2nd, 2004. It’s hard to believe that it’s been six years; for whatever reason, it feels like a hundred years, or none at all.

Matt and I have been living quietly here in The Dalles, saving our money and making plans for the future. It will be al least another year before we think about moving again, and we’re tentatively talking about heading back to my old stomping grounds: Providence. When we last visited together (a few years ago), I was surprised by how much Matt liked the area. Providence is a charming city, and the surrounding areas are great too. Boston is little more than an hour away, and NYC is less than three hours away. Train or car. Then, of course, my maternal family is within a stone’s throw in Massachusetts—where my mom is planning to return within a few years herself.

Matt’s much loved cousin, Morgan, and her husband are pregnant, and it’s got us thinking about our family plans. Where do we want to raise a child (if we decide to have one)? Will we settle down somewhere and buy/build a house? These are big questions, but we know for sure that, lovely as the scenery is, it’s not The Dalles. Regardless of what we decide, we won’t do it lightly.

-Danielle

Above photo is us on our honeymoon in Puerto Rico (last August).

1-year anniversary vacation

As a wedding present, my dad generously gave us a AAA gift certificate. So, we booked six nights at the Elizabeth Street Inn at Newport for our one-year anniversary vacation. From July 31st until August 6th, we’ll be relaxing in the romantic “King Jacuzzi” suite…

It’s been a while since we’ve been to Newport, and we decided that a vacation to Hawaii—or anywhere else involving airports—would be too stressful. And, since we’ll be on the coast, we’ll spend some quality time with the Nichols grandparents (much overdue!).

-Danielle

the dalles

On Friday I got the call from Columbia Gorge Community College; they made an offer, and Matt and I have decided to accept. Which means we’ll be moving to The Dalles just as soon as we can find a place, hopefully by September first. Things are happening fast, but we both feel good about the direction we’re heading in. More on The Dalles and the move later!

Columbia Gorge Community College, building two (where the bookstore is)

more photos next week

My little laptop is great for emails and google maps, but terribly slow at uploading photos. We’ll post lots more of San Juan and surrounding areas when we post the wedding pics next week.

Today we spent some time exploring Old Town, which is where we’re staying. Our little apartment is right between the two large Spanish forts, in an attractive and well-kept street. There are tons of cats! There are at least 20 within our little block, and they’re really pretty. Lean, with petite frames, they resemble their jungle ancestors far more than our mainland domestic cats. Very Abyssinian looking.

Last evening we walked down to Escambron Beach for a swim. It was late in the day (around 4:30 ish) and there were very few people on the beach or in the water. The water was clear and bathtub warm, but seemed a lot more salty than the north Atlantic.

Matt’s having a siesta… we’ve just come back from lunch at a delicious local hole-in-the-wall place. In a few minutes we’re going to explore El Morro, the massive fortification at the end of the island (just a few blocks away).

-Danielle