April 17th, 2007.  Le jour grand.  All the goodbyes have been said, movers have got the stuff, just a few errands to run and
then we're outta here.  I have to admit that it's a strange feeling to leave the state that's been your home for nearly 30 years.  
Sort of like spring cleaning, when you're poised with an item over the garbage can, knowing that you have no more use for it but
wondering if you're making a mistake by throwing it out.  At least, unlike a knickknack, a state will always be here.  And it's
time to try being a Washingtonian for a while.  The desert comes with me.  History isn't easy to discard.  We're all made of the
places we've been, and with that thought, I'm out the door with no regrets.
Cat's packed.  Let's go.
Last AZ photo-op.  We've got fish,
food and fun - time to vamanos.
One of my last sights of Arizona.  Saying adios to cloudless skies,
dust, dry heat, and cacti:  Not as difficult as one might expect.
April 18th, 2007.  Don't even ask about finding a hotel that accepts pets in Santa Barbara at 11 o'clock at night.  We will try
to erase this experience from the annals of Dana Hunter History.  Instead, let's get on the road to Big Sur, see a lot of ocean,
a fair number of vineyards, and a goodly amount of Southern California sun and surf.  

So far, so good.  The cat's surviving without too much angst.  Although we will soon discover how much she doesn't enjoy
switchbacks....
Into the mountains.  By now I've grown used
to staring at the arse-end of my roommate's
car and can enjoy the scenery.
Sun, surf, sand, and bleedin' great rocks.  Yes,
people have run into them - we had it on good
authority at this scenic pull-out.
A happy roommate is a wonderful thing.
The waves look small from up here.  They weren't.  It's
called "Big Sur" for a reason, folks.
Someday, a house on the beach.  I'll take this one, thanks.
At the top of Big Sur, there's a restaurant/gift shop/scenic
viewpoint thingie.  If you go there, you can stare at this view while
you listen to their fountains and get absolutely destroyed by the
yummy smells wafting down from the restaurant above.  Come
hungry.


On to the Emerald City