This is my third and final installment for the road trip my husband, Ken, and I just returned from. We were gone 50 days (Yes, FIFTY!), we visited 13 states, and were able to see quite a few friends and family along the way. We paid anywhere from $2.19 to $4.05 per gallon for gasoline and we put almost 8000 miles on Meriwether, our trusty camper van.
I had told you last time that our plan was to take the Pacific Coast Highway down to Southern California to visit Ken’s sister and brother. The horrific fires in California, and the subsequent power outages completely rerouted us (and through some rather desolate country!) Our biggest “adventure” of the trip happened when we were awakened at 4 a.m. in Susanville, CA to find our power was out, our coach battery was dead, and we were freezing! To make matters worse, we’d checked in late with only 1/4 tank of gas and the entire town was out of power! (We’d been told the city of Susanville wasn’t part of the power outage, but apparently PG&E had other ideas.) By what I’m calling a small miracle, we were able to find a gas station in town that had a generator. We filled up (to the tune of almost $4/gal.) and when we went around the block to get headed in the right direction the gas station we’d filled up at minutes before had gone dark! (Thank you, Lord!)
Things went well the rest of our trip and we saw some wonderful sights and experienced so much of God’s amazing creation. While Ken’s goal on our trips is to see as much of our nation as possible, my favorite part is getting to see so many people—family and writer friends, including so many at the ACFW conference.
Some of our favorite campsites were on the tail end of our trip. We especially loved Arizona, the Palo Duro Canyon in Texas, and Arkansas where it was fall all over again!
Meriwether got a much-needed oil change and tire rotation this week, and she’s resting up until our next trip in 2020 when we’ll travel for two weeks to the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference, spend a week in that glorious place, then take two weeks to get home. I think a 5-week trip will be more to my liking than the 50 days we were gone this time, but I must admit, my husband has won me over to the RV life, and I’m truly looking forward to our trip in the spring.
How do you commemorate your travels? Is there a certain souvenir you collect, or a special place or way you display photos from your trips? I’d love to hear your ideas!
And I don’t want to sign off without saying a huge thank-you to all the veterans out there on this day set aside to honor you! America owes such a debt of gratitude to you, and on behalf of Inspired by Life…and Fiction, we are grateful from the bottom of our hearts for your service and sacrifice! May God bless and keep you.
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WHAT a fabulous post, Deb. I love how Ken has now won you over to the RV life! What wonderful trips you have ahead of you—and think of all those people you’ve yet to meet! You’ll be a blessing to them, just as you are to me/us! 😉
I think compromise has been the game-changer. Ken would still be thrilled to sell everything we own and RV full-time (in a camper van, no less!) I’m just not there yet, and 7 weeks was a hair too long for me. But his willingness to make our next trip only 5 weeks (after a few months here in Missouri to settle in to our new home, find a church home, etc.) means that I can truly look forward to the next trip!
Deb, I love this recap of your adventure. Although, I am chuckling about you now saying one of your favorite stops was AZ…remember how you first felt about it? As to how I “commemorate” our trips, I usually make a Shutterfly book.
I hated the desert so much when we were in California and Nevada. We were deep into the trip and I was really homesick by then. But the Arizona desert won me over with its beauty! (It probably didn’t hurt that my uncle and aunt were there too. 🙂 )
Your idea for a Shutterfly book is a great one! Ken’s family made one after our Hawaii trip and I still just love leafing through it and remembering what a fantastic time we had together.
I have loved following your journeys. Thanks so much for sharing them with us.
Thanks, Lynn. It’s been a fun way to recall our favorite moments of the trip!
I loved reading about your recent 50-day trip. I, too, like to collect post cards (and photos on my phone) of the various places I’ve visited. However, I drop the ball when it comes to displaying those post cards or photos once I’ve returned home. So, I like your idea of hanging the postcards on a cord of some kind to display them. I do send some photos via text message or email to friends and family members along the way. Thanks for sharing your life with us.
I just finished reading Reason to Breathe and loved it! I’ve ordered Chasing Dreams and can’t wait to read it.
Awww! So glad to know you enjoyed Reason to Breathe, Suzanne! I hope you feel the same about Chasing Dreams! Blessings!
I’ve loved the photos from your amazing road trip! And that garland of state park cards — darling.
I like to buy three types of souvenirs when I travel. A candle and soap from the region to use and enjoy after I return home. And a Christmas ornament. I take a fun walk down memory lane each December when I hang ornaments from past travels on the tree.
Becky, I love the souvenirs you buy! Not only are they a great way to remember your trip by (and with candles and soaps, one that doesn’t collect dust for decades!) but they support artisans in the areas where you traveled. I’m going to remember that!
What a wonderful trip! You saw and did so much, and the pictures are amazing.
When we travel, I collect spoons and magnets. My refrigerator tells the story.
Glad you’re safely home!
Your refrigerator tells the story! I love that, Betty! Great things to collect as remembrances!
Thanks for sharing your trip, Deb. It looked amazing. I stood on that corner in Winslow, AZ two years ago. When we travel, we buy magnets and coffee mugs. We display the coffee mugs in our kitchen and I have magnets at home and in my classroom.
Coffee mugs is one I buy too, Rebecca. Not necessarily from a particular state or park, but usually with a coffee shop logo. Magnets are fun too—and useful!
Wow! What an amazing trip! And 50 days! As someone who travels a lot these days, I know it is hard to be gone from home that long–especially since your home is relatively new! You are a trooper! And a great example to us all. 🙂
Thanks, Anne! And one of the highlights of the trip was getting to have dinner with you in San Antonio!!
Deborah, this is a late post. (Time goes by too fast! 😜) Thanks so much for sharing your trip with us. I enjoy “visiting” other places vicariously. (BTW, you are one of my favorite authors. I truly enjoy your characters who experience traumatic, believe-able situations, and rely on Him for healing and growth!) ❤️