Our Journey Thus Far

 We are ON THE ROAD! It was a LOT of work getting the practice sold, transitioning to Dr. Allen, selling the house, getting stuff moved into storage, trailer ready... whew!

So, we're trying to make videos of our trips but I wanted somewhere that I could journal a bit, and just write feelings and thoughts along the way (this is Derek). So I think I will use the blog for that. 

A few weeks before hitting the road I had an RV guy do some modifications that we are very happy that were done! This hole that was cut out allows us to access a big area we're using for storage. Very convenient addition. 

HOT SPRINGS, AR

This was our first stop. Here for a week. We enjoyed the campground a lot, was beautiful. This picture below was in the fordyce bathhouse museum. Was really interesting to learn about how Hot Springs became a destination area, and how people thought that the water had healing properties.

138 degrees F coming out of the springs...

Putting on our first stickers onto our travel map!

It's fun to realize that no matter where you are, there are beautiful things about each area. This was a lookout point in Hot Springs. 

Exercise: Jenny and I have been pushing still in our workouts, whether it's with our adjustable dumbells and bench with us, or going to Planet Fitness. Planet Fitness also allows you to bring a guest with you, so that means Ashlyn has been able to join us! She has been learning to push herself and is really enjoying learning how to lift weights. She really is an incredible girl that always enjoys learning and growing in some fashion. 

This was a hike at Catherine Lake State Park near Hot Springs. It was a fun little hike with a waterfall at the end. When asked their favorite part, the kids remarked that it was 'running back to the van in the rain!' We got pretty soaked at the end. 

It's funny to me how a lot of times the most memorable things are some of the uncomfortable situations in the moment. 

Jenny and I have still given each other some personal time each week. For my time (this was while in Branson, week #2) I chose to go trail running. It was 4 miles and absolutely beautiful. The trail went by Lake Taneycomo most of the way. I often feel the most peace and quiet in my life when I'm in nature. 

This is one of my clients, a dentist that practices in Rogers, AR. We met up with him and his family at Dogwood Nature Park. It was SO BEAUTIFUL. We spent the morning with them and after they left, we rented bikes and rode the 5 mile trail to the top of the park. There were waterfalls all along the way. 

Feeding the fish

These fish were HUNGRY! You'd throw some pellets in and they'd be jumping on top of each other to get it!

Discovered these two perched in their nest under a rock wall (at Dogwood). 

On the way riding our bikes down the trail at Dogwood, I became overwhelmed with the beauty and the togetherness of our family. It's an incredible opportunity to venture out on a long trip like this. I'm so grateful for it. 

Much of it is still normal life (shopping, cleaning, schoolwork, etc.). But there are these absolutely beautiful moments (that also happen during normal life) where you just really appreciate the beauty and the peace. That's what I have experienced a few times and so far, they're always in places of quiet and nature. 

A lookout point in Branson, MO. 

The Titanic Musem in Branson was a hit! We all enjoyed it and ended up watching the movie afterward. The kids really enjoyed learning about the ship and the kids aboard (135 children died on the Titanic). 

Andy's Custard! This was every missionary's dream in my mission, to have an Andy's in your area. 

Garvan Gardens in Hot Springs was so beautiful. This 'outdoor' looking cathedral was so beautiful. So much of it was glass that you feel like you're outside when you're in it. 

We did a zipline together as a family at the campground in Hot Springs. The kids loved it and all did great! I was a little nervouse how the three youngest would do. But Claire volunteered to go first and didn't even hesitate! So everyone after that just followed suit.

We have been playing around with our schedule as far as when to go and do things, when to work on school, have alone time, etc. It's definitely a work in progress. So far, we take advantage of rainy days by doing homeschool. We also usually do homeschool and stick 'close to home' on Saturdays and Sundays when it's busier in the city. 

I (Derek) have been able to be more involved and overall I'm enjoying it. I'm really enjoying helping the kids understand more history (and learning it myself) as we travel through different areas. I'm very interested in how the United States territories were formed. So just the last week or two we've been studying the French Indian War, the Louisianna Purchase, and Lewis and Clark. It's really been cool. 

The Buffalo River: this was so fun! We spent about 5 hours kayaking and canoeing down the Buffalo River. It was about a 90 min drive from Branson, MO. I downloaded a documentary about the Buffalo River that we watched on the way there and it put a lot it in perspective while we were there. 

The kids all did great. Desi had a hard time kayaking on her own but the older 3 loved it (and Jenny). We found a creek that empties into the Buffalo where we were able to walk up and explore about a 1/2 mile or so. We sat down in the creek at one point and when we got up we were covered in probably 50 tiny leeches (Jenny, Brinley and I). They were harmless. But about an hour later, I told Jenny that my butt was itching sooo bad and I was convinced that the leeches were in my shorts sucking my blood on my butt. I had Jenny check and she verified that I was clean and just getting 'itchy butt' from sitting in my wet swimsuit in the canoe for several hours. Hahah.

We visited Grant's Farm here in St. Louis. This farm was owned by Ulysses S. Grant and purchased by Anheiser-Busch. This was a really neat place, lots of animals. 

They had free beer samples. I had my first Bud Light. 

We were able to see the Clydesdales that you see in the Budweiser commercials. If you can read below, you'll learn the history of the Clydesdales. They delivered the first case of 'post-prohibition Budweiser' to the Whitehouse. And they've been part of the company ever since.

Overall, we're very happy and enjoying things. Definitely different parts that are a learning experience. But we've had a few years to get used to using the trailer, living in it when we remodeled, and years of considering what it might be like to live this lifestyle.