I am writing this at 36,000 ft on my way from Albuquerque, NM back to Charleston, SC. The significance of this is that it is proof we have made it west. We did it. We were able to “jump off” so to speak. A lot has happened since we left Maine. Sailing in Annapolis, seeing friends and family along the east coast, and multiple discussions on where we want to winter. Each with a change of heart and direction every time. We got stuck. We drove 95 too often, and worst of all we were all getting bored. So in late October we hit the road again. For good this time. A marathon trip to Mobile, AL to visit our friends and spend a promised Halloween on the ranch. Also, the opportunity to prepare for the trek west. We headed for Texas and spent time on our friends farm outside Dallas. Then to south west Texas, outside San Antonio, to Gonzales to meet a dear friend of Wendy’s. During this time I was still traveling almost every week. I was feeling travel weary, I fly all week, I drive all weekend. I knew I needed a break. I was beginning to wonder what we were doing again. Wendy knew I needed a break too. We had to slow down again. We hit New Mexico for the week of Thanksgiving, and I am only traveling for fun with the family. Carlsbad Caverns was awe inspiring. An awesome example of what nature can do. I know Wendy will be posting some cool pics. Kirsten and I explored all the caverns that went 800 ft below ground together. We stayed outside Carlsbad, in what seemed to be the middle of the desert at Brantley Lake State Park. It was just what I needed. A few days of down time. Long runs on empty desert roads, and of course, time with the family to just be and enjoy Thanksgiving. From there we headed to White Sands National Monument and Valley of Fires. We crossed a snow covered mountain to get there, but again totally worth it. The diversity of the terrain is hard to describe. 10,000 plus foot mountains that open onto sandy deserts. The vistas are gorgeous. I learned Albuquerque is higher than Denver. Makes for some interesting runs. I have three weeks of planned crazy travel again, and then two weeks to slow down at the end of the year. The current plan is to head to Tucson, AZ and then into Palm Desert, CA to spend my birthday and holidays. It will be a much needed break. It is good to see everyone energized again, including me. I am sure this will come up in one of her posts…but now Wendy wants a fifth wheel toy hauler, and to keep the show going a little longer. It’s a Voltage 3950 and will give us an extra bedroom and bathroom, a loft for the kids and plenty of space to make the rest of this big adventure even better. Time to go read that first blog post of mine again.
Dec5
