You've Got a Friend in Me

Just like Hannah and I, Bradellina made many friends while on the roadtrip. Some were camera shy, but here are some of the more outgoing ones.

In South Carolina we stayed with some friends on the Columbia International University campus, and one day Bradellina ran into this guy in the hallway. He was tall gnome, and his bird enjoyed the tunes Bradellina had to offer.

 

In Florida we stayed with some of Hannah's family, and they too had adopted a couple of gnomes. They were kind of busy-bodies (the gnomes, not Hannah's family), but they were very hospitable and friendly.

 

We landed in Jackson, Mississippi for the entire month of December, so we made LOTS of friends there.

One was this little tramper (as in traveler, not the other kind...although I guess we didn't know him that well...) climbed into our car without invitation, but ended up winning our hearts. I don't like most cats, but I would've let this one come with us if I had thought he'd enjoy it. Pete was packed with all sorts of our gear, so Bradellina didn't get much attention from this kitty.

 

While in Jackson, Hannah and I were both able to get seasonal jobs, and we stayed at one of her co-worker's (Shana) houses for a few weeks. They had two dogs, Zeus and Roxy (pictured), who were naughty little pups but oh so adorable. Roxy didn't quite know what to do with Bradellina.

 

 

This co-worker lived on the outskirts of Jackson, basically in the boonies. The entire time we stayed with them, there was this awful stench outside near where we parked. On the day we departed, we stood outside saying our good-byes to Shana and Zeus and Roxy (Brad, Shana's husband, had to work) and we finally mentioned the smell. Shana's response (and don't forget to read in a Southern accent) was, "Oh, that's the deer's head." Hannah and I of course had to check it out, and Bradellina, being the adventurer he/she is, had to take a picture with the deer head. BTW, the beloved deer provided some delicious meals while we were there, including deer-sgetti and deer-steak, so he did not die in vain. 

Fast-forward to Colorado and small mountain town of Breckenridge, where Bradellina met Alvin (the one and only) and a tiny dinosaur. 

  

There was some drama when we stayed in Southern California. The gnome of the family we stayed with in San Diego quickly developed feelings for Bradellina, which can be clearly seen in the photo below. Bradellina thought the gnome very nice, with a good personality, but he/she just isn't attracted to gnomes who are taller than him/her. So unfortunately Bradellina had to let the poor, lovestruck gnome down, and the rest of our stay there was a little uncomfortable for both of them.

Many other friends were made during the roadtrip, but in the end, when Hannah, Bradellina, Pete and I returned to Washington (the state), it was Mr. Fishy (he has a far longer and more impressive sounding name, but I forgot it long ago) and Red Riding Hood who had stuck by us.