We usually return home once a year in our travels and stay for about a month. This year, of course, was very different, with Eric’s unexpected health crisis and surgery. We arrived just in time for the fall colors, survived one of the coldest, wettest, longest winters in history, and are now enjoying the spring blossoms.
Reflecting On Our Unexpected Hiatus
Sitting still in one place for seven months (seven months!!) was certainly not what we had planned when we started our full-time journey almost four years ago. But if we’re going to be settled down somewhere, Ashland is where we want to be. It’s been wonderful to reconnect with friends, and to even share our hometown for a few days with fellow full-time traveling buddies MonaLiza and Steve (Lowe’s Travels), who came to visit in mid-October.
It’s a bit disconcerting to realize that so many months have passed. I can’t quite tell you where all of the time has gone—but suddenly, we’re just weeks away from leaving town. It’s a strange feeling to have had something of this magnitude happen and to have had our lives rearranged for us for such a long stretch of time. It certainly puts into perspective the illusion of control.
I’m excited about resuming our travels and also feeling a bit tentative. Part of me wants to go, and part of me wants to stay in our beautiful hometown, surrounded by people we love, doing things we enjoy right here in our own backyard. This is a familiar internal tug-of-war. I don’t know that I’ll ever reconcile the two.
But as I think about our summer and fall plans—the Oregon Coast, Olympic Peninsula, San Juan Islands, North Cascades, and Glacier—I feel the spark of adventure rekindled within. And in my mind, I hear the words of my favorite poet, Mary Oliver, nudging me along: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and wonderful life?” For now, travel wins.
Selfishly I delight in your extended stay and our time creating together in spite of the circumstances that slowed your travels. We’ll have to work out a way to meet for a month at a time to rejuice our imaginations with projects and the requisite tea and chocolate! Laurel you are our party central and life is never as much fun when you’re not here…i.e. Blazing Saddles, Wines, Belly Dance and Thai!!! Love to you both as you leave home again.
Diana, what a gift it has been to rejoin our amazing tribe of loving, generous, fun-loving, creative friends. Thanks for the many months of your inspiration and companionship in our creative endeavors. Get that rolling home and we’ll take this party on the road! oxoxoo
What gorgeous, gorgeous photos. Lucky you…fun to see the Halloween shots too. Just think of all the fun and exciting adventures in your next travels. I have been saving a Glacier booklet for you guys and if we don’t see one another, I will mail it to you. Take a deep breath – you are almost there…
Love, Peggy
Peggy, it was an absolutely beautiful fall…and Halloween is quite an event in Ashland! So much fun and so many amazing costumes. I hope we’ll see you soon. Love you, darlin’!
Beautiful pictures as usual. We are packing up for a trip back east. I’m excited and hesitant at the same time too. We will be welcoming our 2nd grandchild while we are back there. Yay! The wind here is keeping us at a standstill at the moment and we want to get on the road. I’m looking forward to your new posts from the road.
Glad you enjoyed the photos, Pam. How wonderful that you’ll soon be welcoming a new grandbaby into your family! Enjoy your journey back east — hope the wind stops soon!
We loved Lithia Park in early June, but I think it would even be better in the fall. You are fortunate to have been “stuck” in such a beautiful place for 7 months. Once you are back on the road and have a few miles behind you, I’m sure you will get that spark of adventure back. Enjoy your travels!
We feel really fortunate that if we have to be stuck, it’s here in our beautiful hometown with our wonderful friends. Thanks for the good wishes — I think you’re right, that once we’re back on the road, our excitement for traveling will return.
Aren’t we the cutest among the colored leaves! Ashland is really lovely in fall, and I wished we had more time spent there. Pretty soon you will be in the groove of travel days again despite a hiatus. Just spend enough time in Glacier NP.
MonaLiza, we were so happy that you and Steve came to visit us in Ashland! I just wish we had more time together. We’re planning at least a couple of weeks in Glacier — I hope it’s enough! I’ll be checking your blog for ideas for hiking. :-)
Ashland is such a beautiful place and we were so glad that you had introduced it to us through your blog. We enjoyed our time there. Time truly is fleeting and it is nice to have options.
I’m so glad you enjoyed Ashland, Debbie. I wish we had been here while you were in town. You’re right — we’re fortunate to have options, but I find it sometimes difficult to choose. I guess I want it all. :-)
I always love reading your posts. As we get ready to hit the road to Maine I am reminded of all the work we leave behind. This past month has been redoing our landscaping. After 28 years it needs our attention. Being on the road is just a reminder we need to downsize. Life is short, take advantage of this time. You will find a new normal, it actually will be better because you savor the days more!!!! See you on the road….
Julie, you have been a wonderful support through this seven-month journey, having experienced such a similar situation in your lives. Enjoy your adventures in Maine (definitely on our list!). We’re looking forward to meeting up with you two again on the road.
Seven months…yes but so glad that Eric is still with us and that you two can share more adventures together.
Absolutely, Brenda — the most important thing of all is that Eric is doing so well. We remain incredibly grateful that we were here in Ashland for his diagnosis and surgery, surrounded by loving friends and with excellent care. We’re hoping to see you and Morey on the coast!
How nice that you still feel a tug to stay in Ashland. We have no tug to return to the east coast or PA so we will continue to travel until we find that place that calls for us to settle. I am glad that you are continuing your travels and look forward to our WA meet up. How sweet that Steve and MonaLiza were able to visit and enjoy your beautiful fall colors. LOVE the final photo of Eric:)
Do think about staying on the east side of Glacier. The hiking is so much better and there are less people. The west side is a mob scene. You can check our blog for awesome ideas. But we can talk in WA!!
Pam, we’re looking forward to seeing you guys in Washington in June! It will be wonderful to reconnect. We’re meeting up with LuAnn and Terry in Glacier and are planning at least a week on each side of the park. We already have a long list of hikes that we want to do and would love your input. (p.s. I love that photo of Eric, too. ;-))
Ashland in the fall sure is a treat for the eyes! That Halloween parade looks like a blast!
Seven months is a loooong time, Especially over this rough winter! It’s good you were able to weather this difficult time in a place that means so much to you, where you have a good support system.
Safe travels as you move on and wishing you both good health!
Thank you for your good wishes, Lisa. Seven months is a long time — but at the same time, it’s gone by so quickly! If you ever get the chance to return to Ashland in late October, it’s a wonderful time to be here. You could even dress up for Halloween and join in the parade! It’s a really fun event. :-)
Definitely looks like where I want to be for Halloween!! love the dragon :-) Hard to believe it’s been seven months already. Looks and sounds like a most wonderful place to heal and regroup. I’m excited that you’ll soon be back on the road and look forward to catching up with you in WA.
Jodee, I wish we were going to be here when you visit in May. But we’re looking forward to seeing you in Washington this summer. :-) Plan to visit Ashland sometime in October — you would love the Halloween celebration!
I wouldn’t want to leave that town either, buuuuttttt, so much to see and do! Summer is coming and you all are gonna be on an enviable route, with all the more reason to enjoy every minute of the journey. I can’t wait to see it all… and probably steal all your ideas!
We’re excited about our summer/fall plans and are hoping to have lots of good adventures to share, Laura. I hope you find some worth stealing. :-)) You’re right, there’s lots to see and do….time for us to get on with it!
Once again, love those pictures. You’ve managed to make the very best of a scary situation and we’re glad you’re on the other side of it, looking forward to your next travel chapter. We’re headed “home” for the summer but have to admit we don’t feel the pull to be there. Travel still wins! Safe and wonderful travels, both of you.
Thank you, Sue. :-) We’re very grateful to be on the other side of Eric’s health challenge. After all of this time, it almost feels like we’re beginning anew with our travels! Wishing you and Dave safe and wonderful travels, as well. See you on the road!
As I write this comment I am imagining a tug of emotions within you and Eric: excitement as future adventures begin to take shape, sadness at leaving your loving Ashland family of friends, and perhaps a bit of apprehension at leaving a familiar spot close to the medical experts who lovingly cared for Eric as he recuperated. Getting back to your “on-the-road routine” will most likely be just what the two of you need, allowing you to fully reestablish your footing that all is right in your world. Look forward to seeing you both in the fall. Love you!
Oh LuAnn, you understand exactly what we’re feeling! I couldn’t have said it better. Meeting up with you and Terry in the fall is one of the things we’re most looking forward to as we resume our travels. I can’t wait to hear about your summer in Yellowstone. Love you guys!
The illusion of control is a serious fact of fulltiming. SO many things can alter the “plan”. Lucky Lowes to visit you in your hometown. Wish we’d been out there this winter since we would have had a longer time to catch you there. I can feel your tug of war in your words. Mary Oliver’s famous quote is applicable to us all. If we aren’t living our lives with intention and examination then what are we doing?? Life is SO SHORT!
What gorgeous colors on the trees. Great picture of the 4 of you. What fun! Love the shot of the pigs. You do take the best pictures! I could so get into the “dress up” for Halloween. Ashland may be more my town than Charlottesville even though in many ways they seem similar, especially with that beautiful river hike. And even more points if it is less than 25 miles from town which is what Shenandoah National Park is from us with its seemingly never ending hikes and waterfalls.
I know Mary Oliver’s poetry speaks to you, as well, Sherry. For me, the only life worth living is one lived with intention, awareness, and a good measure of gratitude. I think you and David would love Ashland — we sure would enjoy sharing our hometown with you!