Last Day: Flagstaff, AZ to La Mirada, CA

We finally have made it, and what a day it has been!  We set up the trip so that today's drive would be the shortest, intentially thinking that 1) we would be fairly tired at this point in the trip and 2) that we might want to go look around the city some today if we had time.  Even with the shorter drive, today seemed like the drive went on FOREVER!

The drive through western Arizona on I-40 has got to be one of the longest, windiest stretches of the US with absolutely nothing for miles.  The wind was very gusty, and it made it difficult to drive.  It was one of those that just drained you, and that was within the first two hours of so of our trip today. The scenery was pretty, but it was uninterrupted and seemingly lasted forever.

We finally made it to California and actually had to stop at an inspection station.  It is almost like California had their own customs check.  I think I caught the guy off guard a little when I told him we were from South Carolina.  He also asked if we had any animals in the car (with Mo sitting in Megan's lap in the front seat).  Once through, it was literally almost just like Arizona.  It really was an exhausting couple of hours.  Once we finally made it to Barstow (where I-40 starts/ends) we were quickly introduced to the California traffic.  It only got worse as we got closer to Los Angeles.

Traffic is something that we are going to have to get use to.  It was only 2:30 on a Friday and it was crazy! If you think traffic is bad somewhere like Greenville or Charlotte, that is nothing.  It even seemed worse than any traffic I've been stuck in Atlanta.  Needless to say, we are going to try to avoid the interstates as much as possible.

Once we finally made it to our hotel for the week, we took a little time just to unwind.  After eating a small bite to eat, we decided to go explore La Mirada.  We found Biola University and walked around the campus a little.  Most of the buildings look like they were built during the 70s.  We then drove around trying to find a grocery store, and just to get a feel for the area.  If we are going off of first impressions, we will be back in the South as soon as Megan finishes.  Strip malls are everywhere.  We did find at least one nicer shopping center and bought some groceries at Albertson's (and we got a discount card to add to our Bi-Lo and Ingles cards, which I doubt we can use out here). 

Tomorrow, we hope to start looking for apartments.  We found out from the moving company today that our shipment will arrive closer to the 19th, so we will have a couple of weeks to try and find a place.  It will be an adjustment to say the least...