Final Stop: New York, New York to Austria

Days 41 & 42: We hopped in our mini van and headed to the Coronavirus epicenter: NYC.

It was a very odd experience. At some points, areas of the city seemed vacant, at other points there were surprising crowds of joggers, walkers, cyclers and playing babies in the park, most without masks or distance. 

The nerves kicked in once we got the consult. But they were very helpful and gracious, and after about an hour wait, I had my visa in hand :)

We practically ran to our van, we were so excited, and rushed to a surreal and desolate Newark Airport.

After roaming the empty terminals, we found our check-in counter and went through a lengthy vetting process before being approved for our tickets. No airport food stands or shops were open and all other gates were empty. Our 300 capacity plane was filled with less than 100 passengers. It was a great flight.

We were thrilled we entered Frankfurt so easily (and grateful the food stands were open!) It was busier than NJ, but still not its usual. We had plenty of space to spend our more than 7 hour layover.     

At 5:30pm on Wednesday, we were home <3

10th Stop: Hamilton, Michigan

Days 34-40: We spent this week quarantining/social distancing with my dad and Diane while waiting for our date to meet at the Austrian Consulant. Our immediate focus was to sell our car and camper (stressful!)

Luckily, after posting on Facebook, the first person to look at the camper and the first person to look at the car, both purchased them. 

As relieved as we were to be relieved of the burden, we were so sad to see them go. This chapter of life is offically closed. We had some joy knowing the buyers of both were very sweet and would put them to great use.

The rest of the week was spent enjoying fun, quality time with my dad and Diane: walks, meals, game nights and a hike - memories we'll cherish.

Iowa to Michigan

Days 32 & 33: Easter Sunday. It started with 50-60 mile per hour winds, our car was encased in a thin sheet of ice from frozen rain. It was a long and exhausting (for Sebastian) drive to Iowa. The wind blew the camper back and forth (our mileage dropped to only 8 miles per gallon of gas), and the sleeting rain made it difficult to see. 

 We found a nice little campground in Iowa City for the night. It was so chilly, the water supply was shut off from early evening to late morning. But today's drive was much better and we were so happy to make it to Hamilton, Michigan in the early evening! We treated ourselves to takeout for the start of our basement quaratine.

Heading Back

Days 30 & 31: We were so thankful to find out that I may be able to get my visa! We've spent the last two days traveling through Utah, Wyoming and into Nebraska for 850 miles back toward Michigan.

 We didn't take many photos along the way, it wasn't very scenic. Southern Wyoming (at least along the highway) was a disappointment, but we were up almost 10,000 feet traveling across the mountains which was pretty cool.

Nothing but flat prairies and cows through Nebraska. We're in a perfect country campground between 2 fields for the night (we're the only ones here). Today was sunny and 70 degrees F, tomorrow it's due for a high of 30 f with 50 mile per hour winds, but we hope to make it to Iowa where it's a bit more mild.

9th Stop: Provo, Utah

Day 28 & 29: We had poor internet for a few days so there's some catching up to do. 

We LOVE Utah! The landscape is amazing with lakes, creeks, moutains, canyons, waterfalls and tons of hiking and exploring to do.

Our campground was just down from Utah Lake and we caught a couple of great sunsets. We day dreamed about living here someday.