New Year, New Adventures

Well dang y'all. It's been a while. Between work and cramming in as much family and friend time as possible there's not much time left for blogging. Not that y'all probably even noticed. Haha! I was just talking to Ryan today about how blogging is a little bit narcissistic. But, here I am, so I guess I don't care. 😆

Anyway, we're finishing up our time here in Austin. I'm not going to lie, we got of to a pretty rocky start but the last half is shaping up to be pretty awesome. I've really gotten to know and love my unit and coworkers. It's going to be pretty hard to leave family, old friends, and new friends. In the same breath those same pesky pants ants are in full force and I'm super excited for our next adventure. Ryan and I had been pretty set on finishing out the winter in Florida, or at least on the east coast. As my end date neared there were potential contracts in New Hampshire, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and St. Petersburg, FL. I even got my Florida license last month in preparation of a warm end to our winter on the gulf coast. So, naturally, after all that work and planning we'll be spending mid-February through mid-May in Idaho Falls, Idaho. No joke. In case you don't know your geography, Idaho Falls is actually farther north than Chicago. I'll be helping staff a small PICU at East Idaho Regional Medical Center while they train new staff. By the time we get there high temps should be in the 30s and lows in the teens. Then, each month we'll gain about 10 degrees. It's not Alaska or anything but I'm pretty sure it's the exact opposite winter experience we were expecting. Ha! Best made plans and all that.


We're going to make the 23 hour trip in three days. Our plan is to make it to Albuquerque, NM and spend the first night, then spend the second in Moab, UT. Third day is move in day! We're hoping to visit Canyonlands National Park while in Moab since we didn't get to do that last time, but that'll depend on the weather. I think we're actually going to have to get snow chains...I don't even know what those actually are. 😳

Idaho Falls wasn't really anywhere on our radar but we're actually really excited. It's only 2 hours from Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. It's also about an hour away from Jackson Hole, WY and Craters of the Moon National Park. Unfortunately a lot of the roads in the national parks will be closed until May but there will still be a lot of places we'll be able to go. We're already planning a trip at the end of the assignment to Yellowstone and I can't wait. Also. I'm 90% sure we're going to have a two bedroom apartment-so if you can get there you'll have a free place to stay!

That's enough text for now! I'll catch y'all up on the last couple months with pictures.

Karaoke with a few of my coworkers! We had our own room and it was BYOB-lots of singing happened that night.

Ryan cut down our Christmas tree!

In Fredericksburg for Lauren's 30th!

Thanksgiving with family

Cards Against Humanity-the only acceptable post Thanksgiving meal activity

My favorite Austin brewery! Adelbert's. Love it.

Beautiful sunset from our balcony

Graffiti Park

My sweet Nin

Saying goodbye to a new travel friend, Erica.

Hamilton Pool, a Hill Country must.

My last shift here is January 31st. We move out February 1st, celebrate mine and mom's birthday, then the 3rd we fly to Chicago for the weekend to see Hamilton (and Cameron and Peter)! That leaves about 3 full days to spend with friends and family before we hit the road. 

CHEERS TO THE NEW YEAR AND NEW ADVENTURES!