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Wow!  Have I really not written since Michigan?  I knew our trip was a whirlwind but I had no idea the extent ;o)  Well we are back in Wyoming…but we did make it to the east coast!  Yippy!  And let me tell you how good it feels to be out of that rat race and back home!  Although it was beautiful and eventful, it was busy and exhausting.  From the lower peninsula of Michigan we headed through Ohio where we were able to bike in Cuyahoga National Park on Labor day weekend.  From there we headed up towards Niagara Falls where Ethan celebrated his 5^th birthday…in CANADA ;o)  Awesome!  Although we enjoyed Adirondack park in New York, they weren’t the Rockies ;o)  However we did love Vermont and the Green Mountains.  I got my romantic wish of going to a sugar shack to try pure maple syrup…yum!  Although our (or should I say our kids) lobster experience in Maine was quite the opposite.  They were a bit shocked that we were going to eat something we had just seen swimming in a tank!  However, Acadia was wonderful!  We loved the ocean and the history of the park.  Boston was a bit more challenging.  Especially trying to find parking with a canoe on our roof ;o)  But the freedom trail was fascinating and the city itself was my favorite.  Nonetheless it still left me exhausted and leaning toward home.  That is until an angel paid us a visit in what we thought was a quaint elementary school park.  After telling this man we were on our way home, he said “we’d be crazy not to take the train to New York City!”, as the train station was just a couple miles from there.  My thought: we don’t have to find parking?  Okay I’m in!  And we did!  The statue of Liberty and all (Addalynn’s dream come true!).  We also managed to cram in Plymouth Rock, Cape Cod National Seashore, and Gettysburg.  All before taking another train from Harpers Ferry to Union Station in Washington, D.C.  Loved the memorials and walking the mall.  Although I would love to go back and see the museums when our kiddos are older.  Shenandoah was a breath of fresh air.  Although the rat race whirlwind of a trip had us ahead of schedule and the heat had us yet again longing for the cool mountains of home instead.  After an indescribable detour to see Noah’s Ark in Kentucky, less than a week after seeing New York city, we kissed the cold refreshing ground of Wyoming.  As you can see it is by the Grace of God we made it! 

                I can’t say that I loved every minute of our trip.  As I have said, there were moments when I wanted to go home, moments when I wanted monotony, and moments when I wanted my momma!  But the blessing of being able to explore and discover much of our country has left me marveling and with memories I will never forget (in fact I hope I don’t, because I’m sure I will have to remind our 3 small children someday).  But I think our goal in spending more quality time as a family, dabbling in activities and places around the U.S., and finding our next place to put down roots has been met.  We’ve bonded while biking, canoeing, hiking, and picnicking all over the country…but there’s no place like home!  We’ve yet to adventure to the deep south, the west coast, and my (still) dream: Alaska, but Wyoming is by far the most extraordinary to us.  So here we are!  Until next time ;o)

UP has our vote!

Michigan has kept us busy and God has continued to bless us on our travels.  To name just a few of our adventures: pasties in Marquette (delicious!), a practically private and very cheap outdoor concert at Marquette’s ski resort, one of the last FREE camp spots at Hovey Lake in Hiawatha National Forest, a church service ON lake superior, “log sliding” down hundreds of feet to the icy and secluded waters of Lake Superior at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, feeding jelly to Lulu the baby black bear cub at Oswald’s bear ranch, standing under the copper colored, refreshing waterfalls of the Tacamanon River, discovering the least crowded and most beautiful Iroquois Light House, and FINALLY understanding the Soo Locks.  Our very favorite blessing was camping in an old CCC camp just outside Paradise, the wild blueberry capital of the world.  It was “paradise” to us: with hundred-year-old, huge, healthy white pines, miles of secluded jogging roads, and its proximity to town.  It reminded us so much of the Medicine Bow National Forest at home that it has left me homesick.  REALLY homesick.  Every evening we were blessed to hear two sandhill cranes call as they flew off into beautiful evening, as if to say goodnight.  Although we were apprehensive to leave this dream spot, me had been in Michigan for almost a month and had yet to touch foot on the lower peninsula ;o)  Currently we are staying just outside of Manistee in the Manistee National Forest.  Finally, we almost capsized “Smokey” as we roughly learned to paddle down the (sad to admit) LITTLE Manistee River.  It was so clean, clear and beautiful; we even spotted a salmon! 

Next week, God willing, we will head towards Ohio.  We are kind of at a crossroads however.  I am learning that after about four months of travel, I’m pretty maxed out and exhausted (even as slow as we go!)  Probably due to the flexibility required, tight quarters, new washers every week, and how could I dare leave out that we are far from family and friends?  I don’t mean to sound snotty and ungrateful.  I LOVE traveling and feel so richly blessed to be able to adventure and explore as our little family.  But it’s downright tiring some days, to the point that the daily grind, unchanging, monotonous life staying put sounds peaceful and serene.  We continue to pray for direction and discernment from our precious Lord.  Pray you are doing likewise, knowing that He has a perfect plan for each one of us.  Sometimes being still isn’t all He requires, but being patient as well (that’s my vice).  If you’re like remember God’s timing is perfect too!  Watch and wait for Him… Peace and Love to all our faithful readers: our family, our friends ;o)

Eric, Jenna, Addalynn, Ethan, Abram, Sophie, Holly, and Slimey 

Smokey

We have a new addition to our family!  Her name is “Smokey”.  She’s all aluminum, 17’ long, and glides like a champion (when both people are paddling…Eric ;o) You guessed it!  God answered our prayers for a canoe!  As we were literally driving into Bemidji, MN we found a post on Craig’s list for a steal of a deal that “just happened” to be in…you guessed again!  Bemidji.  Now we tow behind “Georgia” our 32’ motorhome, “Black Coffee”, our jeep, loaded down with 5 bikes (“Sea Star” and “Mantis” to name a couple), and, drum roll please…”Smokey”!  We haven’t capsized her yet, but we weren’t brave enough to take her on Lake Superior.  So far, our favorite trip with “Smokey”, was up at Voyaguers National Park in Norther MN.  Our favorite pastime in her is paddling quaint little lakes and cabin hunting for the world’s cutest cabin.  Although we have our favorites, our newest friends have talked my husband into building one of his own someday.  I’m on board as long as we have some good helpers.  So it might be a few years ;o) 

The past few weeks have yet again left us in awe of God’s comfort and encouragement.  Feeling so homesick parked at a Walmart in Wisconsin, my prayers were answered just minutes later when we were visiting at a beautiful duck filled pond with a sweet couple who both grew up in Wheatland.  And just this last weekend, UNPLANNED (by us), we spent Sunday with the uncles and cousin of dear friends back in Wheatland.  God is so good!  We also met an extraordinary family who not only built their own cabin (as mentioned: Eric’s dream), but homeschooled their 6 amazing kids, and all play in a Gospel bluegrass band together.  They also have uprooted several times, selling their homes, and getting rid of their stuff.  Okay we’re not the only “crazy” ones (you are! Try it and you will see how freeing it really is!)  Currently we are on the UP (upper peninsula) of Michigan.  Beautiful!  Much less rain than MN, and fewer mosquitos than Wisconsin.  The kids are enjoying all the berry picking and I am enjoying not meeting any black bears on my morning runs ;o)  Very cool, slow, and rejuvenating here (especially with smores ;o)  Praying this finds you and yours just as happy and at peace as we are.  Remember to stop and smell the roses this summer, it’s short but oh so sweet! 

Peace and Love,

Eric, Jenna, Addalynn, Ethan, Abram, Sophie, Holly, and Slimey (even he is not a pout pout fish!)

Leaf Peeping?!

I have some bittersweet news.  Alaska was not part of God’s will for our family this summer afterall, as we are STILL waiting for our daughter’s passport so we can travel up through CANADA.  The sweet part you ask: we are well on our way to do some leaf peeping on the east coast this fall!!!  I have to admit, I am still pretty bummed about Alaska.  It’s been a dream of mine for almost fifteen years and I wanted to embark on such a journey so badly I admit, I was pushing my will pretty badly.  But you know what?  Even though I didn’t picture the east coast for this season of our lives, God’s plan, I know, is so much better than I could ever imagine myself.  That being said, I’m thrilled to see what He has in store for us.  So far, we camped next to a couple who just moved down here from Alaska, and said they would never recommend taking a big rig like ours up the Alaskan Highway.   The next day we camped next to a couple from the UK who just traveled the east coast and loved it!  Last night we camped next to a couple from Canada who is traveling in the US to avoid unbelievable high Canadian gas prices.  Okay Lord, we get the picture: we are not to be traveling to Alaska through Canada in our big rig (not to mention the missing passport). 

Truth be told, for a while I thought our trip had come to a halt altogether when our family’s cabin in the medicine bow national forest was on the brink of burning down.  Folks this is literally a miracle!  Cabins just yards away lay in ashes and not a tree on our property was burned!  Praise God and all the hard-working firefighters who saved “the cabin”.  So here we are, on the border of North Dakota and Minnesota praying God will provide a canoe for our family of 5 (is that even safe!?), as we venture northward into the tranquil boundary waters (which won’t we so peaceful after we arrive).  Still missing and praying for all of you: our precious friends and family.  Partnered with our gracious Father, your love and support have kept us going.  May He and we do likewise for you!  Peace and Love, Eric, Jenna, Addalynn, Ethan, and Abram (Sophie, Holly, and Slimey…our ever-resiliant goldfish who survived swimming in our toilet ;o)

Home on Earth

Although we thought we would be at the ocean until our kids turned into fish, after a few days on Padre Island, the wind, cold, and fine sand set our journey north, up to the suburbs of Austin where we were reunited with family (something we had no idea how much we missed!).  We similarly enjoyed the quiet and quaint neighborhood we stayed in.  I will never forget jogging past endless wildflowers in the sweet morning sun and conversating with the horses, ladybugs, and Lord in the pastures.  What a precious and much needed time of rest and relaxation.  Not to mention the fun we had dining at the oldest BBQ joint, triple stepping at a live dance hall, and boogying down to twist and shout at a wedding.  Texas was a ball.  But all good things come to an end and we were excited to get home to see more loved ones, and get ready for our next adventure (God willing) through Canada and up to ALASKA!!!  We had plans to experience the panhandle of Oklahoma, but once again, God had a different agenda for our family.  It wasn’t waterfalls and hot springs, but elephants and Herefords…literally!  We were led to the small town of Hereford, TX just outside of Amarillo, due to severe weather in Oklahoma.  We were blessed to stay at a park with a beautiful walking and biking path, next to a duck filled, sunset-mirroring pond.  The circus “just happened” to be in town for the couple of days we were there, and we were wowed!  As if that wasn’t enough, we discovered an awesome thrift store where Ethan laid eyes on “Mantis”, his new big boy bike (for $5!).  Although attending a Baptist church service celebrating the graduating seniors had us missing home, we were cordially invited to have burgers at an amazing couples home.  Between the wedding in Austin, church in Hereford, and a BBQ with “grandparents”, the seeds of home calling us were officially planted and we were on our way.  Although we loved the beauty of Colorado, it didn’t have the people like Wyoming does: fewer and kinder.  We didn’t even spend a week in the entire state.  After “accidentally” missing our exit in Glenwood Springs, Eric asked me if I just wanted to go to “the cabin” (just outside of Laramie, WY).  My answer: “YES!!!”.  It wasn’t until we went hiking to an old mine the next day that I realized how extraordinary the mountains of Wyoming really are.  As I gazed upon the intricately placed myriad of spring blossoms, rocks, and even cactus, I was in awe of God’s creation.  Even with the cactus, I felt so safe and at peace here.  I even imagined this to be a little piece of heaven.  How blessed we are to have this in our backyard!  Traveling south did make me appreciate the beauty of Wyoming, our home on earth.  Will Alaska prove otherwise?  Geographically it’s already in the negative for grandparents, grizzlies do seem a bit more daunting than even snakes, but beauty and people…we have yet to determine!  Stay tuned ;o)

53%

I don’t want to rub it in, but I seriously just looked at our screen saver and it looked exactly like the view we have from our window right now: a cotton candy clouded sky with sea, surf, and sand.  We’re camped out on Padre Island National Seashore, and not only is it free, but it’s extremely beautiful, and relatively desolate.  Although we were sad to leave Alpine and the many friends and doctors we had so graciously become acquainted with and inspired by, our gypsy spirits were ready to journey on.  Although I must admit, even though Alpine was not on our travel itinerary, I know why He was on God’s; it was the first place I could see our family settling down again (at least for a couple years ;o)  But while the Lord has always answered our prayers for safe travels, they haven’t always been maintenance free.  I will say, His timing is incredible however!  Although the new alternator in Arizona consumed half of our “Zoo” day, Phoenix could not have been a better place to need RV parts.  And once again, though needing new tires was a bummer, San Antonio was the ideal spot for them to be replaced.  We even got to enjoy the exoctic river walk and historic Alamo while they were being changed!  To boot, Addalynn’s prayers were answered and she got to “meet” the ocean before nightfall (she’s half mermaid you know ;o)  Although the weather thus far has been less than ideal, we’ve still managed to go boogie boarding, shelling, bike riding, and running on the beach.  We’ve learned to take full advantage of library storytimes and McDonald’s playplaces almost every town we go to.  But even though our motorhome is covered in fine powdered sugar sand and we wade the ocean with goosebumps, we’ve been told brighter and warmer days our coming our way soon, so we’re not ready to throw in the towel yet (pun intented).  Plus, this sleepy little beach town has us pondering.  After hearing Sunday’s message on loving the 53% of people that will never step foot in church, we are dumbfounded by the number of homeless people down here.  With the devastation of hurricane Harvey and hiring signs in almost every business window, it seems something else is keeping these people in poverty.  Perhaps they are poor in spirit as well.  Although this blog may not find you in a warm place right now and you might not even know anyone that’s homeless, I know we all know someone who is hopeless.  I challenge us all this week to offer someone who’s path we cross true hope.  How we do this you ask?  By creatively connecting with them, putting yourself in their shoes, loving on them, and sharing with them the hope that you have… the hope of eternal life with Jesus, by knowing and following the abundant life He has planned for each and every one of us.  God Bless you all!  Peace and Love, Eric, Jenna, Addalynn, Ethan, Abram, Sophie, and Holly    

Supernatural Shopping

He did it again!  In a way I would least expect it (how could I imagine anything less at this point :o)  Although we ended up in Alpine, Texas by way of our really sick dog (yes again!), it was very clear we were meant to celebrate Easter with such a wonderful community and church.  Just days before we were “supposed” to leave Big Bend, Sophie, our 9 year old, eats anything and everything, mastiff (yes we have two large dogs living in our motor home with us), had an abcess on her jaw that was blowing up like a balloon by the minute.  Although we were sad to leave our new friends with twin boys Ethan’s age (on their birthday ;-( , I knew we had to get Sophie to the vet…80 miles away.  We first stopped in Terlingua, Texas and saw Dr. Sam, a kind, retired vet who advised us to see the “Dodson’s” in Alpine.  Minutes after driving into town, between the best $5 dollar “hot and ready” I’ve ever had, the beautiful college campus on the hill, a small town grocery store, and lots of thrift stores, I loved Alpine.  It not only reminded me of Wheatland and Laramie mixed together, it “felt like” we were supposed to spend Easter here.  Not to mention Dr. Zach took such good care of Sophie, who ending up needing surgery and lots of rechecks.  Needless to say, almost a week later, we are still in town.  Easter certainly was a blessing in Alpine.  This “Easter Bunny” got to go shopping with Jesus.  Seriously.  I walked into the thrift store and found a potty chair, a horse game, and a spider man game all sitting on the shelf next to each other.  Being the indecisive, cheap, and list-maker that I am, I was thrilled to not only be in a cheap store, reusing toys, but I was so joyful to be shopping with my very best friend, who not only loves and knows me, but once again has proven that He loves and knows my children.  An hour later, Easter baskets full of perfectly picked toys, books, shoes, and candy, I knew why God had led us to Alpine.  Little did I know that the church were we would attend was not only doing an Easter Egg drop from a helicopter (17,000 candy and Gospel-filled eggs, taped shut!), but was a place we felt at home on Easter (although we did miss you all!)  It never ceases to amaze me how the instant connection that is made with true brothers and sisters in Christ.  Especially when celebrating the day that gives us true hope: Easter.  Praying yours was blessed as well.  And as always, we pray you are feeling God’s presence and seeing His hand in your lives as we are in ours.  He is so good!  Miss you all…

Peace and Love, Eric, Jenna, Addalynn, Ethan, Abram, “Stinky” Sophie, and Holly