Arlington

Hi Friends!

I am posting to you now from my new condo in Arlington, Virginia. I arrived yesterday evening (wow, was it only yesterday?) around 7:30PM EST - after beginning my journey on Thursday morning @ 7:15AM in Conway, AR. So, after about 12 hours on the road on Thursday, I arrived in Asheville, NC at Warren Wilson College where I met up with Emily Chiara - a very good friend from the Heifer Ranch. She is in her first semester there (after taking off one year after high school).


Emily, in downtown Asheville


Asheville was beautiful! The downtown area was amazing and we had a great time going out for sushi then hanging out at the Days Inn. Yesterday morning we had a special birthday breakfast at The Green Sage Cafe. It was fabulous - all organic, healthy, and you even got to compost your food scraps!



After I left Asheville I headed west... yes, you heard that right... I actually went west on I-40 for a few miles before turning back east. That was only one of many turn arounds I made during the day. I left at around 9:00AM that morning, anticipating arriving in Arlington between 4:00 and 5:00PM. Well, that obviously didn't happen. I blame the Blue Ridge Parkway - but not too harshly because she is BEAUTIFUL and I had some great moments out there. However, I spent about 26 miles trying to figure out how to get on the parkway and once I did, I discovered that many people enjoy "cruising" and soaking in the magnificent beauty. I, too, would have really enjoyed taking my time - but I had people waiting for me in Arlington. So, I needed to take in the views at a little faster pace.

Here is a shot from my car



Meanwhile, after I had covered a stretch of the parkway in about 3 hours (which would have probably taken only an hour on 81) I decided to rethink my plan and ended up in Roanoke - which, by the way, is a black hole of confusion and limited gas stations. I finally found my way to I-81 (thanks to the help of a friend) and headed north to Winchester, VA. After about 170 miles I cut over to I-66 which would run me straight to Arlington! That was the boost I needed to keep on truckin'. I was incredibly ready to be there at that point - and I was already well over an hour late.

(Finally approaching Washington!)


So, fast forward 70 miles and I am pulling into Arlington! Lauren, my roommate, talked me through some directions to "The Grove" condos and I pulled up just outside the front gate. She came down and met me. It was amazing to finally meet her - after we had been exchanging emails and talking on the phone for over a month! We started bringing things in upstairs and I got my first view of the place. It is SO beautiful! The rooms are big and spacious and it feels so warm and inviting. Plus it smells really really good - which you know I really appreciate. :)

I also met Abby and her boyfriend Charlie. Abby has a torn ACL so she hung out up here while Charlie, Lauren, and I unloaded the rest of my things. It only took about 3 trips and I was able to unpack everything last night. My furniture was already here - had rented it a few weeks ago - and now I am just waiting on my air freight box to arrive (probably within a week). But, I have everything I need for now!




Abby and Charlie had to go to an engagement party, so Lauren I tried to decide on some food. We were starving and I was pooped so we decided to order some delicious pitas from this amazing place in Arlington called "The Lost Dog Cafe." http://www.lostdogcafe.com/ -- They delivered and it was amazing. Just what I needed! Lauren bought dinner. She said, "Please it is my pleasure to introduce you to this greatness for the first time and especially on your birthday!"

So we ate, Abby and Charlie returned and we all stayed up and hung out for a while, getting to know each other better. Basically they are all incredible - very warm, active, kind, laid-back peeps.

It felt amazing to get a good night's rest! My bed is incredibly comfortable. The only thing I will have to get used to is the sound of the cars passing on I-395. But, I can pretty much sleep through anything. I got up this morning, grabbed a shower, then headed down to turn in my paperwork to the leasing office. All is going well! I also really enjoyed getting lost for over an hour trying to find the Whole Foods in Clarendon. Bleh. BUT! The good news is that I found it and now have some groceries! I plan to meet up with a friend tonight for dinner - I think we are going to hit up this neat area called Shirlington. Can't wait!

Hope everyone is doing well! I would love to hear from you!

Melissa

PS - Thank you, Ches, and everyone who came! I loved my birthday/going-away party!