My 3600 mile drive from Tampa to Seattle...starting new in the Pacific North West

 

Hi! My name is Kristin and I am 28.. and almost 4 months ago I moved across the country from Tampa, Florida to Seattle, Washington. I started a new job at the University of Washington, but most importantly I started a new life adventure. It was a great time for me to do this, as I am single, ready to leave Tampa, up for the challenge of making the drive alone. I didn't know anyone here in Seattle.. but I am slowly changing that.

I'm currently exploring as much of Washington as I can.. and trying my best to document it as best as I can. The beauty here is literally breathtaking and I can't believe I am here. The decision to pick up and move across the country, with only what I could fit in my car and what I could ship in 5 boxes, was terrifying. But each day I am here- I am so happy I had the courage to do so, the support and encouragement from friends who knew I needed it, and that I was lucky enough to get an amazing job so I could make the move. I am a few months late in making this blog, but plan to keep it updated from here on out!

The drive here was amazing. I am lucky that I enjoy long road trips, especially on my own. There are few things I enjoy doing as much as driving with my windows down, singing to awesome music, and dancing with my arm out of the window. I first drove from Tampa to Johnson City, TN where I went to grad school- and where I first fell in love with mountains.

From there I visited family outside of Nashville, and then left to do the remaining trip in 4 days.

 

The minute I  hit South Dakota there was snow all over the ground.. (In April!) which blew my little Florida Girl mind. I  made a detour before leaving Rapid City, SD to see Mt. Rushmore and it was well worth it.

 

 As I was getting back on the road, I actually hit some falling snow and though it was terrifying, I made it through. Driving through Montana was one of the most beautiful drives of my life, and was worth all the snow I drove through in SD, in order to take this Northern route through Montana.

 

I can't wait for another trip back to Montana, when I have time to explore more and visit Glacier National Park.

The drive through Idaho was surprisingly gorgeous as well, and it continued in this fashion until I hit Eastern Washington. Most people (including myself) don't know how different the terrain of East Washington is, it's very dry and desert like. It looked very much like the dry, southern lands I had left behind, and felt like a let down honestly. That is until I hit the Columbia Gorge!! Standing at the overlook, taking in more beauty than I had every seen before-  I actually cried out of pure happiness. Thousands of miles of driving.. and I was home.

 

 

 

The Final Product! Arrived in Seattle on April 15, 2013