ALASTAIR + LALEINIA

To celebrate our first weekend in the Bay Area, we drove over to the coast. We had read about a little beach that wasn't supposed to be busy called Tunitas Beach close to Half Moon Bay. It was a great drive over there, through the mountains and down Highway 1. When we got there, we had to climb down a little path, using a rope at one point to steady ourselves. It wasn't as bad as we'd read, but it was pretty difficult while carrying Emre! But once we got down, we were able to enjoy the sand and the fog! We tried out our new tent and threw the frisbee around while Emre found rocks and put sand in his hair! He loved to explore, and had a great time doing his thing on the beach. Right as we climbed back up the bluff to the car, the fog cleared! It was nice to see more scenery, but a little sad since if we'd have waited another 10 minutes or so before leaving we'd have been able to take some nice pictures and enjoy some nice sun from the beach! Ah well, gla

  Since Lain and Emre left Michigan early, I needed a driving companion so mum flew out for the drive! After shoving much stuff as possible in the car, Tetris style, we took off! Before long we arrived et stop #1, Chicago. Ever since missing it in 2013, I've wanted to see the Bean, and so that was our destination. It was really cool, this giant mirror in the middle of millennium park. It was fun to walk around it and see our earlier reflections with the city buildings behind us. After a stop at Giordano's pizza, we got back in the car and headed towards Nauvoo. After hitting some undefined creature on the way, we pulled over and slept at a rest stop, mum in the hammock (still can't believe she did it) and me on the floor. The next day, we spent a bit of time in Nauvoo, walking around the town and chatting. Then it was on to Mt. Rushmore. We slept at a rest stop in South Dakota, this time mum in the car and me in the hammock. It was colder than before and a littl