Heading Home

November 28 (Day 39 and beyond)



As we turn back to South Texas on Sunday morning, I have to say my expectations for this trip have been met and exceeded in so many ways.  It has been a lifelong dream to ”see the USA in my Chevrolet…” (you have to be of a certain age to know what that’s about!), and the places we have visited have been remarkable each in their own way.  The destinations, however, have not been entirely what this trip was about.  Indeed, it was the in-between spaces…the journey…that made this trip so special.

And so it is with life.  Life is lived in the spaces between the big events.  The highs and lows—just like the desert valleys and mountain tops we’ve seen driving over 5000 miles in these past 7 weeks—are what make a life.   MB and I marked wanted to mark our retirements with this sort of once-in-a-lifetime cross country trip, and we feel fortunate to have seen that dream come true.  We feel blessed and ready for the rest of the journey!

Finally, I’ve tried to make this blog about the remarkable places we have been and the amazing things we have seen.  I’ve avoided a blog of “selfies” because I didn’t want our experience documented as a “Flat Stanley” trip.  But, as this journey comes to an end, here are a few final photos of the places we’ve been…and some of the very special folks who were along for the journey.
Mike with his uncle and aunt, Joe and Clara Briones...and his cousin, Erik,,,in Santa Fe

Rio Grande Gorge

A grand day at the Grand Canyon!

Nothing like good times with old friends, Mark and Carol, in Palm Springs...
...and friends both old and new:  Stan, James, Trey, and Michael in Palm Springs

Happy to have found a rare place in the shade in Palm Springs

With Stephanie and our Whidbey friends, David and Ervin
Mike and Stephanie take over the Seattle Pike Place Market

Another sticky situation I found myself in...

...and then this happened.  No subsequent arrest, though...

On the Oregon Coast

Lewis, Clark, and Briones
In Vail, Einstein remains seemingly unconvinced by Mike's argument.

Let it snow!
And now...May God bring us safely home!

--Scott and Michael, November 28, 2014

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