Following the completion of my 5th semester at University of Arizona (which went well thanks for asking), Jess and I departed for colder climates. We flew from Mesa, AZ to Cedar Rapids, IA in order to visit family for about three weeks, and then return in time for spring semester.
The day we left, we intended to plant my "Fort Barrett, AZ" stamp at the supposed location of the Fort. However, the weather (which is a reoccurring character throughout this narrative) had different plans. Instead, the night before, it decided to be wet and cold and make all the roads leading to the fort impassable. So much for that plan.
We made it to the Mesa Gateway Airport in time (after a short Krispy Kreme stop), and were anxious to be moving along. There had just been an ice storm in CR, and a snow storm was close behind, so we had about a three hour window to land in CR before we were blocked out. Fortunately, we managed to leave without much delay and land without delay. Getting into the terminal itself was a tad time consuming but what use is there in complaining. To greet us was Jess' entire family with some of my family waiting for dinner.
After landing, the entire break went by rather quickly. First, we visited Jess' Mom's parents and family in Laurel, IA for two days and celebrated Christmas there. Then we celebrated Christmas with my immediate family at home. Then down to North Liberty, IA to celebrate with Jess' Dad's family. All before Christmas! During this time, the temperature stayed in the single digits with bitter winds. Then on Christams day, Jess and I left with my family to go to Muskegon, MI to celebrate with my Dad's parents. They had just gotten about 12 inches of snow (on top of the existing 8) the night before. But fortunately Michigan is "warm" in winter, staying in the 30's. Then we went across the state to St. Clair, MI to visit my Mom's parents and family. Again, warmer, but with less snow.
While in the St. Clair area we visited the Port Huron Museum, which was having an exhibit on the 100th anniversary of the winter storm of 1913, a killer snow storm over Lake Huron that sunk many ships and killed hundreds of sailors.
My family made it back to Iowa in time for New Years, which we celebrated rather quietly considering the past two years Jess and I began dating and I proposed.
Then Jess and I left with Jess' family to go for two days to Hannibal, MO and Quincy, IL for a basketball tournament that Jess' sister was in. It was during this time that "Snowstorm Ion" and the "Arctic Vortex" decided to hit the midwest.
So with subzero weather with strong winds....Jess and I decided to try and introduce Jess' parents to Letterboxing...at night. Not the best decision on my part, but we did manage to find two that night and a third the following day, and I think Jess' dad is still interested and is talking of planting a letterbox or two in CR.
Following the basketball tournament, we returned to Iowa just in time for the real cold to set in. -50 degrees with windchill. Jess and I spent Sunday catching up with some friends and teachers from our "church", and spent the rest of our time enjoying our families.
Altogether it was a wonderful experience. It was Jess' and mine first Christmas as a married couple and it was nice to see all the different ways that our families celebrate the season. It was nice to see family again and spend our time with them. But I am also glad that we are able to come back to Arizona. Not just because it is sometimes 100 degrees warmer here, but because this is where our family is now. And even if it is just the two of us for now, I love every moment of it.
P.S. For those who are living in or visiting the Arizona area, we managed to bring back three Hitch Hikers back with us and planted them right away in Apache Junction. Just in case you wanted a little incentive to brave the "Arizona Winter".
