Our California Trip

Well, we got back late last night from our quick trip to Claremont, California. I have to say that we had a really enjoyable trip. We ended up driving down which took about fourteen hours. On the way home it was a little longer because parts of I-5 were closed in California due to snow.

We decided to visit down there because Jeff had the opportunity to interview with Keck graduate school. This is another option that Jeff has interest in, and is looking into. Basically this school prepares it's students to go into the science/business field. If Jeff goes this route after graduating he could get a job at a medical research company, which is something that he has a great interest in.

He had his interview on Wednesday, and it went very well. He enjoyed the campus, and the people he met were very friendly and informative. At one point in the interview process they told Jeff that if he is accepted he will be the first student to attend Keck that has a child. I thought that was very interesting.

While we were there we tried to look around at the housing market and see what the town had to offer. We really liked the feel of Claremont, and probably the only negative that we could see was how expensive the cost of living is down in California. It was crazy! For the size of place that we live in now, we would probably have to pay more than double the cost in California.

All-in-all we really enjoyed the city, and I'm sure Logan would like the warmer weather that we get in California as apposed to the tons of snow that comes with Iowa. It was nice to see what our options are, and as Jeff always says, "It's nice to have options".

One of the streets in Claremont. I was SO excited to see all the trees. That is one of the things that I love about Oregon, is all the green and beautiful trees we have here. Jeff kept commenting how much the town reminded him of Mayberry. All the yards were very well kept, and the houses were all different and unique. I loved how wide the streets were. They reminded me of Utah...Brigham Young would be proud.

Jeff standing out front of his possible future school.

There is a church building in Claremont. There are three family wards that meet in the building. It looked like a pretty large building, so we were thinking that it might also be a stake center.

Our last night we ate at an amazing Italian restaurant. The food was wonderful, and it was a really nice setting. I love good Italian food, and the chocolate moose cake was to die for.