i'm safe in the Midwest. we made it to Amber's in 16 hours (perhaps the fastest 16 hours of my life)- and I saw a gorgeous sunrise in the hills of 68 (in WV/PA?) and drove through a thunderstorm in Ohio, among other things.
more details to come- i want to check out more changes in my parents' home (my 'room' is no longer mine- whatever personality I had in it is lost, basically)
so great trip, happy, and sad. i feel broken-up, like Amber and I were dating, and usually at the end of a long drive, i feel wonderful and refreshed and inspired, but this time, i also feel down.