Settled in Philadelphia

On June 16 we set out on our cross-country journey to Philadelphia. We took 7 days to make the trip, giving us some time to stop off for a couple sights along the way. We started out south down I-5 from Sacramento to Bakersfield and then headed east, following I-40 until Nashville, Tennessee with a brief stretch on Route 66. From there we headed back north through Louisville, Kentucky and then across Ohio to Pennsylvania where we finished the journey on the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76). We traveled 3,385 miles through 12 states and reached Philadelphia around 3:30 PM on July 23.

Our first big stop along the way was a visit to the Grand Canyon. We came in the main gate and then drove along the side of the canyon east before leaving the eastern side of the park. Here is a picture of us at Grandview Point.



We also made a short but sweet stop at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Coincidentally, two NASCAR racing cars were on site for a press conference about a new Elvis Presley trophy that was being unveiled. Here is a picture of Marty and Tucker in front of the scene.



Our belongings were delivered the day after we arrived and we have begun the long process of setting up the apartment. Tucker has made himself useless by lounging in the middle of the action where he will be tripped over. Here he is using the moving company's furniture blankets for a bed.



Since we have arrived, we have been working to settle into our apartment and meet some new friends. Other than an oppressive heat wave, we have been enjoying the change to a city lifestyle.

Here is a picture of the view from our apartment looking out at dusk.



The photo albums for our trip can be found by clicking on the links below:



http://calmarty.smugmug.com/gallery/665484
http://calmarty.smugmug.com/gallery/672788
http://calmarty.smugmug.com/gallery/675756
http://calmarty.smugmug.com/gallery/675214
http://calmarty.smugmug.com/gallery/677185
http://calmarty.smugmug.com/gallery/686670

It's a Boy!!!

We had our final doctor appointment for the pregnancy with Alta Bates in Oakland (now we have to find a doctor in Philadelphia). The highlight of the morning was the ultrasound exam. First and foremost, it was meant to determine that the baby is developing normally (it is) and retarget a due date based on the measurements (now December 7). They told us after Marty had snapped this that we aren't supposed to take photos.



A nice benefit to the exam is that they can determine the sex (from a close-up of the groin area). Our technician had no doubt that it is a boy. We would have been excited either way but since Marty comes from a family of all boys, he was a little nervous about the possibility of a girl for the first child.

Below is the "portrait" that we were given from the exam. You can see his head on the right side of the image (he is facing up) and his hand is in front of him (he was sucking his thumb). His spine is shown coming off to the left.

Sail Away

After Time in Portland with friends and family we headed north to the San Juan Islands. We sailed for 6 days and visited several beautiful Islands. Our favorite stop was at Roche Harbor on the San Juan Island.




We loved exploring all the different harbors and small towns.

Fourth of July in Portland

We had a great visit to Portland with Marty's Unlce Jim, Aunt Betsie, and cousins Chris and Pat. Marty's Dad, Julie, and Ben were also over with the sailboat, Sea Bear, as well their friends Kevin and Alana. Matt and April also came with us from Sunriver, Oregon.

After getting a relaxed start on the day, Ben and Marty had a squirt gun fight on the dock while waiting for Uncle Jim to come back from an earlier trip out with the new Stark family yacht (God Scent).



When they got back, we took a leisurely cruise up the Columbia to the Wilamette River and then over to a waterside picnic site where we had dinner.





After a quick post-dinner swim, we headed back to the marina to watch the fireworks.





The rest of the photos can be found here: All of the photos from our trip (taken with our great new camera) can be found here: http://calmarty.smugmug.com/gallery/653471

Sunriver, Oregon

We had two fun weeks in Sunriver, Oregon. The best part was many of our friends came and spent time with us. Our first visitors were Adam, Mindy, Maureen, and Kenny.



Later Matt, April and their dog Gimli joined us. The dogs loved visiting the log cabin, built by Marty’s Great Grandfather, on Elk Lake.