Looking Back. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.

We've been home almost two weeks.  The RV is cleaned out and back in storage.  The laundry is done.  The animals are home and settled and I'm finally starting to remember what day it is.

Did we have fun?  Was it worth it?  Would you do it again?

These are the questions I've been asked the most.

I'd like to be able to answer the questions with an unequivocal and enthusiastic "YES!".  I'd like to be able to say that we spent the eight weeks in familial bliss - children happily doing their schoolwork, thoroughly and positively engaged in their surroundings while Mom and Dad gaze lovingly at them, and each other, as everyone soaks up the wondrous vibe that is the G household.

I could say that, I guess, but I'd be lying.

We *did* have some GREAT family moments - don't get me wrong.  We also had swearing, yelling and tears.   And lots of second (and third and fourth) thoughts.  Many nights I wondered--what the heck was I thinking?

So, was it fun?  Yes, parts of it were absolutely fantastic ---  The Grand Canyon, the Beach, the Statue of Liberty, South Dakota, D.C., meeting up with friends and re-connecting with family.  We ate boudin and cracklin' in Louisiana and viewed the Declaration of Independence -all in the same month. We swam in the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.

All of that was fun and I don't regret any of it.

*IF* we had actually spent some time in the RV as a family prior to this trip, I would have realized that the whole circumnavigate- the -country- in- two- months was a tad bit ambitious.  I would have realized that driving and navigating an RV through unfamiliar roads is really, really stressful.   I would have either lengthened the time of the trip or shortened the route.

However, we didn't, so off we went - blissfully naive.

Was it worth it?  Absolutely.   We made memories.  Some positive, some negative, but I bet no one *ever* forgets the two months we spent in the RV.

Would I do it again?  I think it's too soon after the trip to answer this one.   Once the memories of the 'pain' fade (kind of like childbirth--you forget, so you do it again), I bet the answer will be 'Yes'.

Right now, though, I'm content to let the RV spend the summer in storage.  Maybe we'll take it out again----- next year.

State observations

*In Indiana you can only have a roadside emergency for two hours.  It's true, I saw the signs.



*Texas and Idaho have incredible rest areas.



*Louisiana's non smoking signs are apparently just suggestions.  We also saw our first styrofoam containers in at least 10 years, in Louisiana.



*Texas had this really strange bird called a Grackle.  Good imitators, these Grackles--we heard a fine car alarm imitation one morning.



*New Mexico loves a good Chinese Buffet.  They are everywhere.



*Pennsylvania has a reputation for having the worst roads in the country, yet the  roads we drove on in Pennsylvania were just fine.



*Georgia's WalMart carries Krispy Kreme doughnuts while Wisconsin's WalMart has a horrible cheese selection.  Strange.



*Mobile, Alabama looks like a beautiful city to visit.



*South Dakota is the land of cheesy, roadside tourist attractions.



*In Sparta, Wisconsin you can visit the Deke Slayton and Bicycle Museum.  Huh?  Yes, that is the same place.


*Wyoming has terrible water.  Why, I wonder?  No one lives here!



*The really old section of every town in America is "Historic" and should be visited.  I guess.


*I think Montana is a pretty state - hard to tell since all we've seen is rain.   :(

Thank Goodness for Handy Husbands

Yup, another problem-- the electrical transfer switch died tonight meaning we didn't have electricity.   Sigh.

Keith was able to rewire and bypass the switch, giving us power and buying us time.

*IF* the weather holds, we can be home in just two days.

Random Thoughts.....

Just some random thoughts as we spend the night in Indiana.  We continue west tomorrow, stopping in WI on Tuesday to see my dear step-sister!  I'm so excited to see her and, hopefully, meet her family.  It's been way too long.


*We paid $32 for the privilege of driving through Ohio on some of the *worst* roads of the trip.

*Pennsylvania drivers do not know how to merge.

*The use of blinkers appears to be optional, nationwide.

*Doves are some of the most annoying birds--- ever.  They are everywhere, at every park location we've stayed at.

*Birds on the East Coast are much more colorful and noisy than those back in our section of Oregon.

*It is most excellent to drive with a potty on board (unless, of course, you are the one driving).

*The Pacific Northwest truly is one of the most beautiful places in the country to live. I am very fortunate to call it home.

*On a trip like this, alcohol is *not* optional.

*We have not had as much free time as I thought we would.

*A happy driver makes for an enjoyable trip.

*I could plan an entire trip just visiting National Parks.

More Musings

More Musings….

*If I were to do this again, I would either shorten or lengthen the trip.  All the way across the country and back in 8 ½ weeks was a bit ambitious.  We are only 4 weeks in and I’m t.i.r.e.d.  Driving days are stressful and non driving days are FULL.   Shorter, closer to home trips or 4 months across the country would be preferable to the whirlwind tour we are doing.  I think.

*I wish there was a better system for navigation.  I have to double and triple check the GPS route against my atlas and bing and google just to ensure that our route is accurate.  I also wish I had a GPS that would tell you what lane to be in.  There’s nothing worse than trying to change lanes quickly in an RV.   

*I really, really enjoy visiting places that differ from what I'm use to.  Heck, I even love checking out the aisles in WalMart for all the different, local offerings.  I love trying new food and interacting with people who are part of a different regional culture than I am.  

*I think the next vacation (er, adventure) I embark on, I'll fly.  ;)

Musings. Nothing Deep, Just Quick Thoughts....

*You don’t have any personal space in an RV.  This is why I’m camped out in the laundry room.

*Character flaws are magnified when sharing a small, living space, but so are character strengths. 

*I do not have the temperament to camp (even in an RV) with small children. 

*I love that my children are not (in general, anyway) whiners.

*I do not have the patience I thought I did.

*I love that my husband can fix anything. 

*I’m grateful that both Keith and I are planners.

And last, for now.

*If you want a relaxing vacation, do not RV across the country—go to Hawaii.  :)