My Week in Instagram (Week 20)

This is, by far, my biggest Week in Instagram post to date. I spent nine hours in the car on Wednesday, and then again today. I found myself in Idaho for a few days, so there were lots of things to take pictures of. Plus, being creative helps me cope with stress, and this week was incredibly stressful.

So I took a lot of pictures.

Just a note...it may seem irreverent of me to post duck pictures on a trip to attend the funeral of my 16-year-old niece. Trust me that I needed a little bit of levity; we all did. 

Sunday:

We've had small storms move through with some good
spring rain. Sunday morning was rainy. The afternoon
was sunny.

A Japanese Maple and the hummingbird feeder.

In the sunny afternoon, I got a good run in.

The same red tree from earlier, but now it was raining
again.

Rainy late afternoon.

Monday:

After finding out about Echo, I went to the gym. I talked
with my friend Matt for a bit. He was setting up to do
his own workout. He has a lot of stuff.

Sac State was on Spring Break. I went for a short walk
before rehearsal.

This little squirrel made me giggle. I still ended up leaving
rehearsal early that evening. I was exhausted.

Flowers outside the music building.

Tuesday:

Stretching at the gym.

Hot tea in my favorite mug.

My "desk" at Fusion.

Pitch Pipe

My "office," where I teach piano and voice lessons.

I was going through an old notebook and found this
randomly scrawled in it.

April on my calendar.

Wednesday (the long drive to Idaho):

Ready to go.

Yes, the duck came with me. He always goes with me.

Sunrise in the Sierras.

There's still snow at the highest elevations.

I've never seen Donner Lake covered in fog.

Into the fog on Donner Pass.

Reading selections at a gas station in Nevada.

Yep. Definitely in Nevada.

When we got to Twin Falls, I used the treadmill in the
hotel gym to run some easy sprints and do some free
weight exercises.

We had a Target right next to the hotel, and I was
confused when I didn't see the usual Niner/Giants gear!

Cali thought that Twin Falls looked much like parts of
California. Same stores, same cars. Still, it felt different.

Thursday (the day of the funeral):

I snapped a quick picture of a treat I bought myself at
Target on Wednesday. I haven't painted it yet, but I do
know I'm naming it Tater Swimmy.

We are definitely not in California anymore.

Echo's obituary.

Echo loved Hello Kitty, so some of her things were on
display.

Later in the day, I had a chance to walk from the hotel
to a visitor center and viewing platform at the Snake
River Gorge. It was about a mile from the hotel.

Snake River Gorge. Even in overcast weather, it's
gorgeous.

A hay truck crossing the bridge. Aaron & Co. live across
that bridge, in the town of Jerome.

I couldn't resist.

After a couple miles of walking, I relaxed in my room for
a bit with tea, a creme egg, and an episode of Breaking Bad.

Mom, Dad, my cousin Mer and her partner Trish, and I
went to Outback Steakhouse for dinner on Thursday.

Mer and Dad, back at the hotel later. It meant a lot to all
of us Coopers that Mer and Trish came up for the funeral.
And it was awesome to catch up with them. They're really
fun, good-hearted people.

Trish and Mom. We talked for a couple of hours.

Friday (the long drive home):

Friday morning, with Idaho behind me. Lots of makeup
on to hide my swollen, bloodshot eyes.

Idaho has its beautiful parts, for sure.

Heading South towards Nevada.

Northern Nevada in sepia.

Shortly after this, we arrived in Wells, where I took over
driving duties for the next 180 miles to Winnemucca.

In Winnemucca. Californians need a passport to go to
Nevada.

Potato Rd. in Winnemucca.

Dad took this sign pic and texted it to me because I was
driving. : )

Mom took over driving in Winnemucca, so Cali and I
settled in with the iPod and my pillow for a non-nap. I
mostly just lay down, closed my eyes and listened to
music in a daze.

I came to about 10 miles out of Reno. Reno is about 10
miles from the California state line, so it's a last-chance
for gambling.

In the casino/cafe/gas station we stopped at. Okay.

Yeah, I really don't get it, either.

Edging ever closer to California! (Dad was driving, I
was riding shotgun.)

Hallelujah!!!

More pics of the Sierras, which were looking magnificent
after hours in Nevada.

Abandoned.

We left Interstate 80 at the exit for the back way into
Lincoln (avoiding the heavier traffic in Roseville). We
all cheered a bit when we saw the exit.

One quick stop to get some dinner at this great little shop
and deli Mom and Dad love.

One last picture for this week.

We are safely arrived at home. I've showered and had dinner. I feel so much more human, though I'm definitely tired and looking forward to tucking into my own bed tonight, with Millie nearby. I have felt pretty much every possible emotion this week, and on top of that I have crossed a large chunk of Nevada twice.