It's not that I felt the need to take a month-long break, but Ron & I wanted to visit far-flung family members. The idea of one long trip took off and August seemed right.
The trip took an unexpected turn as Ron developed an interest in camper vans. This interest turned quickly into reality over the course of June and July. By the time our trip rolled around, we were the proud owners of "Traveler", our trusty Class B camper van. Now, our August trip would be its maiden voyage. Two people, two dogs, four weeks... living in a van. So much for the luxurious inns, hotels, and fancy downtown rentals I had in my mind!
The van turned out to be a great way to travel for the two of us and our two small dogs, Cooper and Bailey. We quickly got into a rhythm of travel and seeing the sights. Old favorites like New Orleans, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe as well as new experiences in the beauty of New Mexico, Arizona, the Mojave Desert. Even the dogs enjoyed seeing what is new when we slid open the van door each morning.
I don't know that this trip was life changing. It did open my eyes to how big our country really is. For all we saw driving 7300 miles and passing through 17 states, there's just so much more. This spaciousness and the sharp contrast of hills, mountains, seaside, desert, plains really appealed to me, as space and contrast are critical to my creative process.
I'm sharing several of my favorite photos below. This trip has reminded me how important it is to say "yes" to trying new things. May we all be open to exploration and experiences.
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