We Are Outta Here!
8.6.20 9.5 hours in an RV to our first destination
Picture it…
Jeff has both hands gripped at 10 & 2, still calm as ever, but very focused.
I’m leaning out the passenger window adjusting the rear view mirror. Like all the way out the window.
Maddie and Tae radio (peppy country) on Spotify is coming through the surround sound speakers.
Zane and Darla are deeply engrossed in their phones, laying on our pile of dirty laundry on top of my bed.
Mystery objects are jiggling, squeaking, and sometimes falling on the floor. (I’m honestly surprised by how few things have fallen.)
The California desert is sprawled out in front of us in various shades of tan to match the window treatments in the RV. Not a cloud in sight.
We did it, y’all.
We packed up our house and moved it into a motorhome.
Anyone want to guess how many different credit cards we charged for gas today?
After spending all that money on gas there was no way we would be stopping for lunch, or ice cream, or any other tasty treats you might associate with a road trip. We left the house this morning at 930am with a leftover Domino’s Pizza to eat for breakfast on the road. Around lunchtime, Darla made a tuna salad and hand fed Jeff a sandwich while he kept driving. ♥️
It has been a 9½ hour trip today.
We have seen so much already! Los Angeles traffic (not too bad because of covid), desert towns where it was 97° and as dusty as the inside of satan’s mouth. We drove up 395 past the pine trees of Mammoth Lakes and I am now watching the temperature readout drop down to 71°. Around every corner is another story from past trips up here. Jeff and I are yelling them to Darla over the rattling sounds of our new home.
We’re taking this trip to shelter-in-place somewhere new and our kids are less than thrilled about it.
Because of the months of covid-inspired isolation and limited contact with their friends, I find it hard to distinguish between normal teenage angst/despair that will blow over and an actual problem.
One thing I do know, the kids DO NOT KNOW the difference. Their feelings feel big and all-encompassing, no matter what the origins.
As soon as we parked in our grassy spot, Darla and Zane set off to explore the campground on bikes.
I guess we are off to a good, crazy start. I feel really happy here and after lots of hard work getting ready to leave, now we can just be. Just sit and watch the galaxies full of stars move around in the sky.
Thanks for reading!
love,
Shannon
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