Back on the road again 1/13/23
Well hello there…
It’s been awhile…
And it feels good to be back again.
The last half five months of 2022 held - well - a lot. But it also felt really good to take a break from writing here and trust that it would be okay to return in the new year.
What did those months hold you might ask?
We started by spending a month with my sister in Salt Lake City, living out of my parents part time apartment. It was fun to be in a brick and mortar house but it just helped to confirm that the road is where we want to be.
I was reminded of a couple we met in Des Moines, Iowa a few years back that were not able to get their camper van down to the tent sites at the campground. They drove around asking if anyone would let them spend the night parked next to their camper. We were the ones that said yes, and so we had a good visit with each other, letting their Bulldog meet our Newfies (well Brigid at least, Mechthild never did like other dogs). They told us that in the course of two years the wife had not spent a single night outside of their camper van. It was a tiny van and I remember thinking that took some dedication. After our month in my parents apartment we broke our streak of camper nights but we will see what the new year holds.
We then headed to California for a wedding of a dear one which included having all the family fly in to my parents house in the desert. The wedding was held at Disneyland and was EPIC! We enjoyed a week there, celebrating with the bride and groom, and enjoying some time with family in the parks.
After getting everyone back on their planes home, Jason and I headed out to the coast of California - beginning one of our dream trip routes - a few months making our way up the Pacific Coast Highway all the way to the top of Oregon.
We made it to Manchester, California when a medical emergency with our daughter had us driving through the night - or should I say nights - as fast as we could with Betty in tow. We traveled 2000 miles in about thirty hours. and then set up camp in Tulsa for the next month. There is nothing like a mother’s love to give you energy you never knew you had.
Worrying about driving in the freezing temps we headed out from Oklahoma and spent a lovely week in Santa Fe on our way back to Salt Lake City -just the two of us - experiencing our first snow and below freezing temperatures in the Airstream.
We didn’t do much that week except take walks with Brigid and try to catch up with our bodies and souls. We did enjoy some good Mexican food though thanks to the recommendations of one of my mother’s cousins (Thank you Necia). And some beautiful sunrises.
On the night of Jason’s birthday we pulled into Salt Lake City and had the biggest birthday party Jason has probably had in many years - with family and friends. And then we settled into our campsite to spend the holidays with all our families - something we haven’t done in many, many years. There was lots of snow and merriment and we were excited to have both kids come for the actual Christmas weekend. The boys were even able to stay into the New Year.
It has been a full, emotional, and sacred time. There are many of our family members that are fragile and in need of prayer right now. And we are still awaiting news on others family members who continue to struggle with their health.
We left Salt Lake City on January 7th and met up with good friends from the desert that had relocated to Las Vegas right before we left. We had started a small house church community in Palm Springs together and it was so wonderful to catch up and see how well things are going with them. And then we continued on to Arizona where we met up with another set of friends who we have known since our kids were little. They now winter in Arizona and they came up and camped with us for a few days. We enjoyed talking around the campfire, eating wonderful food, and reminiscing about when the kids were little.
On Wednesday morning Jason and I woke up on our own for the first time in a long time. As much as we have enjoyed the visiting, these two little hermits are ready to be on their own again.
We are in a beautiful spot with amazing sunsets, coyote calls, burros, huge Saguaro cactus, and warm weather and we find ourselves outside soaking it all in. Going on long walks with Brigid (who is on a big diet after the holidays) and just enjoying the quiet. We are making plans for our year of travels. And let me tell you it will be epic - as we are heading to places we have never been before. And did I mention we have a wedding in Germany in May?
The year ahead looks full of potential. And also full of lots of challenges for many of our beloveds as they navigate tough health challenges. We are grateful for the community of family and friends that continues to follow and support us as we make this wild dream a reality.
May you and all those you love be blessed this New Year. We look forward to visiting with you all as we make our way down the road.