When your most vivid memories are of the blurry view out the window, it's time to slow down. I am grateful for phone picture reminders, but I also know when I'm pushing my family too hard. It was becoming more about the destination and not the journey. Within a week, we had traveled to so many national parks that even the rangers gave us the big eyed look of skepticism. The truth is that a drive-thru, visitor center stop and mini hike weren't filling our buckets. It became more about the race to fill in the junior ranger booklet rather than enjoying the spectacular views all around us. We hopped from Badlands to Crazy Horse to Mt. Rushmore to Devil's Tower to Yellowstone and to the Grand Tetons within a week. What we needed was some clarity and pause. The flexibility of never knowing where tomorrow was going to bring us became more stressful than relaxing. Yes, we could fit one more place in, but was it worth it? After the Grand Tetons, we decided to have some mini vac...
I do not understand Canada. Despite this large country sharing a seat with us on the Americas bench, it still feels like a foreign mystery for me to visit. 1. Why is the currency named like cartoon characters? Loonies and Toonies? I don't understand. 2. Why is it Saskatchewan and not Saskatchewa? It feels like adding the n turns it into an adjective and not a noun. The grammar rules in my head are rage fighting right now. 3. The potato chip blends just break the mind. Doritos and Lay's are two separate entities, not one. This duo never needed to be a couple. The world doesn't need another Kimye. 4. Blueberries and sausage are not a pleasant looking combo. The raw links look like bruised doll legs. 5. What is Peavey Mart? I mean really, did they not just straight giggle when naming this mini mart? 6. They love pun named stores. I fully am behind this. 7. They have food brands for what will happen if you eat too much. For example, "FATSO" peanut butter. Say it like ...
We started our trip with the type of omen that makes you rethink the exact moment you're currently in. Within hours of starting a 6 week trip, we witnessed a car crash that left all participants forever changed. One split second decision changed the course of many lives that morning. As we slowly drove by, the past, present and future of everyone around me flashed before my eyes. I grappled with the idea of how to save the teen lying on the ground breathless. Could I give her mouth to mouth? Do I even remember the needed steps for CPR? Why didn't I pack the fire extinguisher? I watched as the young driver paced back and forth with his hands wringing through his hair. He knew from this moment on, everything would be different. The feeling of utter regret palpable for all passerby's to see. The moment of "what if?" hovering in the air. We all have these moments. Moments where we wish we could change that one simple action and leave the swamp of dread we currently ...
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