To begin, we want to say thank you to all of our family and friends for their support. This was not any easy decision to leave home for a job, but we think it will be a very exciting experience and journey. Secondly, this is our first crack at blogging... don't judge the grammar, punctuation, or spelling.

Our journey started on Monday following a week of stress and a weekend of almost too good a time. It was not easy saying goodbye but after the tears were dried our long long long long road trip followed. In the truck was Rick, myself, Marty, Sam and Bentley. Although this day was supposed to be one of the longest it would turn into the shortest. There were many conversations most of which involved a lot of giggling on my moms part. Our end of the day conversation was to play dirty word mad libs via the iPhone. If you have never played and find yourself on a long road trip it is pretty entertaining. Day one ended in Nashville where we had originally had big plans but we ended up eating and going to bed due to exhaustion. I am looking forward to visiting that city again when Cliff and Kelly move there next summer:)



Bentley the traveling dog

To be honest the next day was boring.. and we ended in Orlando:). Day three was expected to be the shortest day of the trip. We started our morning out with Starbucks and the knowledge that we were only 6-7 hours away from Key West! All was going  smoothly until we exited a toll booth and heard a rather loud pop.. shrapnel hitting the undercarriage of the truck.. and the ever popular feel of a flat tire. We found a safe place to pull off the busy 91/Florida Turnpike and assessed the damage. After walking around the truck and the trailer twice the tires all appeared normal. Rick, Mom, and myself all got back into the truck confused. We started the truck up, put her in drive and within seconds of moving realized something was not right. The truck had a distinct wobble and a squeak. We obtained great advice from Mike Jones as well as Kurt and determined a u-joint had gone out. Luckily we had Chevy road side assistance and they quickly found us the closest dealership and a towing company. A 45 minute ETA was given for the towing company.. and we all breathed a sigh of relief because we wouldn't be on the side of the road for very long. At 1:10 (5 minutes before the tow truck was expected to be there) we get the word that they were not coming due to the tow truck breaking down. Another towing company was contacted and it would be another 45 minutes.. putting us at an hour and a half after our truck broke. This theme would repeat until we had sat on the side of the road for a total of 4 hours. As we approached the Chevy dealer at 4:15 we could only think of getting our car fixed as quickly as possible. The Maroone service department was amazing.. they listened to our frustrating sob story and had a diesel mechanic stay late to fix our vehicle. Our 2010 Chevy silverado had indeed blew a u-joint but we had also damaged the drive shaft. They were not going to be able to get the part in until Friday. Brad, the service master, thought outside of the box and found a drive shaft off a new vehicle and replaced ours. We were in and out of the dealer in less time than it took for us to be towed off the turnpike. The remained of the drive was uneventful and we arrived in Key West just after 10:30 PM.. only 13 hours after we had started in Orlando.



Wednesday night we spent at Joe and Cher McMonigles lovely home on the Navy base in Key West. They are two of the most generous people that we know.. I hope they don't get tired of the Thompsons:) Thursday we awoke on a mission to get our u-haul unpacked and moved into our new place. Marty and Sam spent time unpacking the boxes while Rick and I took the u-haul back. If you ask them we have "too much kitchen stuff" but that is a.) not true and b.) I use all the stuff in the kitchen... I swear. We had the place unpacked and everything found a place by 4 PM. My mom and sister are amazing at getting things done.

Thursday night Rick and I spent at our place. It was weird sleeping in a new apartment... and freezing!! Apparently our A/C controller isn't accurate and for some bizarre reason I figured we didn't need blankets in Key West... turns out I was wrong. On Friday morning as I am stirring from a cold slumber I hear this "you aren't gonna like that".. now there are many things that went through my head.. (get your thoughts out of the gutter) but the thing that did not go through my mind was "cockroach". That is right... right there in our bedroom, next to the dog, was a large dead cockroach... the fleeting thought "move home now" came and went and I did a very grown up thing and said "ewe.. Rick get rid of it!!!!" Cher gave us good advice about how to ensure that never happens again and I am happy to report it there have been no more sightings nor dead ones found.

Friday we had the pleasure of eating at one of our new favorite restaurants "Le Creperie" and getting an amazing tour of the navy base by Skipper McMonigle. Cher also took us to a local shipwreck where we got to snorkel..

Saturday was spent shopping and walking around Duval.We got to eat breakfast at our second favorite restaurant "Old Town Bakery".. they have the most delicious croissants. After shopping Mom and Sam spent time at our little apartment and headed back home in the late afternoon. I am so very happy they came with us on our trip to Key West. It made saying goodbye a little easier.. especially because I am sure they will make a trip back here sooner than later :)


This blog is going to be updated with stories of this adventure as well as pictures. I figure not everyone cares what we are doing and I didn't want to fill Facebook with updates all the time. We miss you all so very much..seriously come here for vacation!