Wrapping it Up

What We Learned

We spent 5 weeks together, with 0 breaks, driving 6,500 miles across 20 different states, and visiting 6 National Parks.  We are not perfect.  We are a family!  Most importantly, we grew together, and love each other MORE! 

It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t hard. It was amazing. It wasn’t always fun. But, we lived it together. We laughed. We cried. We sang. We prayed. We hugged. We played. We rode. We hiked, and we ate (lots!), and, we truly lived. We didn’t go through the emotions, we lived them.

We started our trip in prayer, and last night when we arrived after 11pm, did the same.

Gratitude

We are grateful to our employers, McKesson Corp., and PSNC Energy for supporting our dreams, and are thankful for supervisors and coworkers/friends who gave us wings.

Steven would like to thank Steve B. Jerry O., Mike K., Greg S., Scott L., and others who supported behind the scenes.  And, those who followed along!

Amanda is grateful for the steadfast support and encouragement of Derek R. and Reagan T., as well as Steve M., Jen R., Christina F., Joe B. and John P., who kept the wheels on the bus.

Thank you also to our family and friends, who sent us texts to check in, called, and prayed for our safety.  We felt the prayers and love you so much!

Dream

We will be processing this experience for months, or even years, and hope that we can serve to encourage you to live your dream(s)…now.

We cannot put “it” off. We may not be healthy enough during retirement.  My Dad only lived a few years after he retired, and he and my Mom didn’t get the chance to “dream” together and do “it.“ That lesson was one of the last gifts he gave me.  The reason to do “it,” now...whatever the “it” may be for you.

Let’s Have Less, and Experience More.

Growing Together

We brainstormed ways that we grew individually, and as a family and here is our list:

• Went white water rafting, even though we were a little nervous, and Brady rode the “bull” on front of the raft!
• Rode ATV’s.
• Brady learned to hook up the camper and was super helpful when we arrived and left.
• Piper learned how to be away from home,  and especially Pepper (her favorite chicken).
• Biked together in a variety of cities.
• Experienced claustrophobia in a coal mine! (Not all good!)
• Took the risk and did it, leaving work behind.
• Confronted our fear of heights, through going up into the John Hancock center in Chicago.  Admittedly, we may not have totally conquered them.
• Piper started brushing her hair by herself, and now wears a Navajo headband, and her hair down.
• We increased the number of miles we can hike together.
• We had a chance to talk more about our faith, during family devotion time.
• We experienced lots of adversity and prayed our way through it (I.e. almost losing the bikes in downtown Chicago, no power, lost, rain, camper challenges).
• We figured out what we were doing once we got in the car, without an outlined plan, and followed our family’s pace…not trying to see it all.
• Brady completed his postcard journal, sending his “older self” pictures of where we went, and describing it. Piper kept a written journal.
• We learned a lot about the animals, nature, environment, and geology in our amazing National Parks.
• We fought and forgave, and fought and forgave.

We experienced God’s Grace through the beauty we saw,

laughter we heard, and joy we felt. 

Thank you for traveling along with us.  We are forever grateful. Please lets know how we can encourage you to live your dream!

Piper ran to see Pepper Roja, as soon as we got home. 

Our Campgrounds for Future Reference: Let us know if you need more specifics.

• Cincinnatti, OH-  Winton Woods Campground – (Spacious, and lots to do.)
• Chicago, IL Chicago McCormick Place (Felt safe, close to the city. a parking lot that has 24-hour security.)
• Rochester, MN – Autumn Woods ( Convenient to Mayo Clinic, if needed in the future)
• South Dakota, Custer State Park –  (Blue Bell Campground) (LOVED. Ranger programs in our backyard. Spacious campsites. Kids could bike to the general store.)
• Cody, WY – Diamond Double X Ranch – Family owned operation. Very loving. Great accommodations.
• West Yellowstone, MT – Rustic Wagon – Nice folks, but what you would expect within a small town.
• Jackson Hole, WY – Virginian RV – Campground was in town, and close to everything.
• Salt Lake City, UT – KOA – Great location. Train stop is across the street. Easy to get downtown.
• Bryce Canyon, UT – Ruby’s RV – Great campground, and biking and shuttle distance near the park.
• North Rim Grand Canyon, AZ – Kaibab CamperRVillage – First come, first serve, but we were lucky to get a spot.
• Albuquerque, NM – KOA – Did a great job with late check in’s. Had staff to welcome us and show us to our site.
• Amarillo, TX –  Oasis Campground and Resort – Loved this campground. Made it super easy to get in and out.
• Sallisaw, OK – KOA – Met our needs, but wouldn’t have a reason to go back.
• Memphis, TN – Graceland RV – Tight campground, with spots that are close. Didn’t spent more than a night, so it was fine.
• Nashville, TN – Jellystone Campground. We have stayed at Jellystone campgrounds in the past, but this one didn’t have the same family feel. It may be though that our kids are getting older.