RootedWanderer

And This Too Shall Pass

2011-04-02T13:54:00.000-07:00

Six months. Such a short period of time when I consider the average length of a human lifetime. These six months, however, have encompassed some of the most difficult moments of my life. And for that, I am supremely joyful, for out of those moments came growth that I have longed for to take place. On this journey, I have met some of the most interesting, eccentric, and gracious people I've ever had the privilege to know. The Lord truly prepared the way, because at each stop, I came away with something new and different. I don't want to speak for Scott, Britton, Emerson, or Rachel- they have their own stories, which I believe they would love to sit down and tell you. I do want to speak to them, though:
Britton- You are my brother, through and through. Your constant willingness to give and not keep tabs on what others owed you in return was humbling, inspiring, and alleviated alot of stress. I love your ability to make everyone laugh, coupled with being able to be serious and listen when others needed it. Thank you for investing so much in Emerson- you were honestly like a third parent, and this journey was where I most needed that help. You didn't only help with Em, but I could see in you a genuine love for him- you have no idea how much that means to a parent to see others adore your child. Since I married Scott, I've hoped for the opportunity to get to know you- I got that opportunity and I can't wait for more adventures together!
Rachel- You truly made the most of this journey. You didn't waste the time given you, and that is an amazing quality to have so early in life. You have many stories to tell and knowlege to share! I didn't get to know you how I wanted to. I wasn't always sure how to break through to you, but I believe the Lord will open up doors for us in the future. Many people don't get to experience the things that we have experienced together, therefore what we have and what we could have is irreplaceable. I love you , sister.
Emerson- You were the star of this show! You put up with more than any child should have to, and my respect and love for you is mature beyond both our years. You are my delight, my cross to bear, and many days, the very breath that keeps me going.
Scott- You know. I don't need to write much to you, but to say thank you. You have stayed with me for five and a half years, and in the last six months we have grown more together than in those five years combined. I adore you with a love grown out of undying loyalty, painful adversity, and peaceful healing- an unconditional, eternal love. To say more would be a disservice- Love is where we start and end.
I am very excited and anxious for the next season of Life. I started this journey believing that Scott and I would find a new place for our family to settle, somewhere natural and beautiful. And we found many places that fit this description, many places where we could have dug down our roots and stayed. In the end, however, I realize that those beautiful places lacked a certain luster without the people that I love. Towards the end of the journey, I felt much like Christopher McCandless (Into the Wild) at the close of his life. Unlike Chris, though, I am given a second chance. I have the opportunity to invest in relationships like I haven't done in many years. Therefore, Scott and I have decided to spend some more time in Toledo, Ohio, where our journey first began. We are not sure how long we will live there, but we will not leave until the Lord releases us, secure in the knowledge that we have poured as much Love into the Body in Toledo as they have already poured into us.
I will continue the blog! So please keep following. The adventure has just begun! And I extend a huge thank you to all of you who are reading my words and looking at my pictures- it means alot to me to have your interest and loyalty. Feel free to continue to leave feedback as well, I thoroughly enjoy reading what you have to say.
Let the Journey continue!

Missoula, Montana and Minneapolis, Minnesota

2011-04-02T13:05:00.000-07:00

Missoula was our second to last stop on the trip. We were put up in a great little hostel, Hutchins Hostel, by a good friend from Toledo, Lyndsay Ott. Lyndsay moved to Montana a couple years ago, now living in Missoula and volunteering to fight fires during the summer in Helena, MT (which is amazingly awesome to me, by the way). I really enjoyed Missoula. It is a big enough city in the sense that there is alot to do, but it still has a "small town" feel to it. It's surrounded by beautiful mountains, so you have a brilliant view no matter where you are. Lyndsay introduced us to a couple breweries along with one of the best gyro places I've ever been to. We spent about five days in Missoula, enjoying the shops, a superb open mic night, local beer and wine, and a hike through the mountains. We wanted to simply take Lyndsay with us when we left, but we said our good-byes on the 25th and set out for our last long drive to Minneapolis. Thank you, Lyndsay, for all your hospitality, conversation, and your amazing friendship!

Minneapolis- our last stop. We arrived in the early morning after a drive through the night. We stayed with another friend from Toledo, Kevin Snider, and his sister, Jayne. We only spent a couple days in Minneapolis, but what a perfect last stop! Kevin and Jayne were a breath of fresh air. They woke up in the morning to meet us when we arrived, taking us to breakfast after we slept a couple hours. The next two days were ultra relaxing, with a visit to the Como Zoo and Conservatory and the rest of the time simply spent with one another and Kevin and Jayne, enjoying Kevin's wine and home-brewed beer (excellent!) and splendid conversation and company. We were sad to leave so hurriedly, but speaking for myself, I was excited to complete the last leg of our journey and move on to the next season in our lives. Many thanks to Kevin and Jayne for making the last stop on our memorable journey a wonderful one!

2011-04-02T12:42:00.000-07:00

Seattle, Washington

2011-03-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

On our last day in Washington, Crystal drove us to Seattle, along with her daughter, Dasia, and nephew, Malcolm. Rachel actually stayed in Seattle with Crystal's sister, Lee Ann, during our time in Ellensburg, so we met up with them when we arrived. While the weather was usually rainy and chilly during our time in Washington, it was beautiful when we went to Seattle, perfect for sight-seeing. We parked and then walked around the public market, the name of which escapes me at the moment. There were numerous musicians pan-handling, and I shot several short videos, featured below. Alot of talent! After the market, we took the ferry on the Bainbridge tour. We happened to embark on the ferry in the evening, so we got to enjoy the sunset and beautiful night view of the city. Before driving back to Ellensburg, then, Lee Ann made us a delicious spread of sandwiches for the road, and on our ride back the full moon illuminated the trees and mountains for a gorgeous drive home. I sat up in the front seat, and Crystal and I talked the whole way home. It was a fabulous day. Thank you Crystal, Lee Ann, Dasia, Nyari, Gabe, Kent, and Marie for such a wonderful time in Washington. We hope to enjoy it again with you all some day!

2011-03-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday in Ellensburg, Washington

2011-03-24T14:50:00.000-07:00

From Albany, we went to Portland, OR to stay for a couple of days. I took some time for just Emerson and me, staying in a hotel in downtown Portland. The rest of the gang camped that night, and then Scott joined me the second night and Britt and Rachel stayed with a couchsurfer, Jubal.
Alot of people told us how much we would like Portland, but honestly, we didn't have an entirely positive experience. Apparently minors aren't allowed in bars, so when Scott, Em, and I went out to get something to eat and drink, we were asked to leave, rather rudely, from the first two places we tried. Discouraged, we finally found a Chinese restaurant to eat at and then headed back to the hotel. Other than that, though, our time was fairly fun and relaxing. We visited Voodoo Donuts (yum!), and on the day we left we met up with Britt and Ray again and played some games at an arcade then drove about five hours to our next destination. Portland was one of my least favorite cities thus far, but I'd give it another try (I didn't get alot of pictures in Portland, but the few are in the next post of pictures).

Onto Ellensburg! I loved our time in Ellensburg. We stayed with a good family friend and fellow missionary kid, Crystal Boothman, and her three kids, Nyari, Gabe, and Dasia (I'm sure I didn't spell those beautiful names correctly, Crystal). Her parents, Kent and Marie, also live on the property, and they are surrounded by beautiful farmland and mountains. We were privileged to stay in their spare apartment above the garage, complete with all of the amenities. It was so relaxing! Crystal had an open door policy, and we were provided for in every way.
While there, we celebrated Emerson's 2nd birthday. What a perfect place for this celebration! We went to an arcade for games and pizza, followed up by homemade, local icecream. Emerson had a great time interacting with Crystal's kids, especially Dasia, who is close in age at five years old. I believe he developed his first real "crush," even being so bold as to go in for a kiss! So cute. What a memorable past two years! I wouldn't trade them for the world. I love you, Em.

2011-03-24T14:27:00.000-07:00

Albany, Oregon

2011-03-14T16:09:00.000-07:00

From Crescent City, we drove about five hours to Albany, OR to stay with a friend of mine that I met while in Africa, Melissa Wicks (formerly Tucker). She greeted us that night with dinner and a fridge full of beer and soda. The next day we hiked at Bald Hill and in the evening went to Block 15, a local brewery. The last couple days were spent walking around downtown Corvallis and Eugene, OR, taking Emerson to the neighbor's place to interact with the chickens, horses, and dogs (they own a kennel) and the evenings were spent playing Nerts.
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to reconnect with Melissa. It was truly special, because I am fairly disconnected from those I knew in Africa. Melissa's husband, Andrew, had left the day before we arrived in Albany, so we unfortunately didn't get to meet him. However, Melissa invited us to return anytime, so we will see you soon, Mel, better get that camper ready!

2011-03-14T15:40:00.000-07:00

On, To California!

2011-03-14T15:31:00.000-07:00

We made about a twenty-eight hour drive from Denver, CO to Crescent City, California. We had planned on stopping overnight in Moab, Utah and possibly Reno, Nevada, but we knew the drive would be long no matter what, so we hopped in the van and high-tailed it to Cali. Unfortunately, our exhaust/muffler was damaged, and despite the incredibly loud noise of our engine throughout the whole drive, we figured we could still make it to our destination. Unknowingly to us, the hot exhaust fumes were melting our starter, so when we were in Utah we had to have AAA come out and jump start our van. We were advised not to turn the van off until we reached California, because of the possibility it wouldn't start up again, so we kept the van running from Utah until Crescent City. Our starter was shot. Fortunately, after a rainy overnight in Crescent City, AAA towed us to a mechanic who fixed our starter, gave us a great deal, and directed us to another automotive service who could fix our muffler. They also ended up cutting us a deal, so all in all, we didn't have to pay too much for the repairs. And for our second overnight in Crescent City, a friend in Toledo (thank you Sarah Davies!) referred us to a family she knew in the area who gave us beds, food, lots of fellowship and laughs, and taught us a fantastic game called Nerts (though we have termed it several other things:). Donna also drove us to the coast and through part of Redwood National Forest. The redwoods were UNBELIEVABLE. I walked through them by myself for awhile, and those moments made up the best walk of my life. They were like tall, wise grandfathers keeping watch from heaven. A trip worth taking, thank you Donna and Rob!
Honestly, this is a long story made short. These days had the potential for major stress, as one thing after the other went wrong, but God provided in every way. It was and is still amazing! And I ask for your prayers for Donna and her family and all those in Crescent City. The after effects of the earthquake in Japan damaged their harbor and city only a couple days after we left. It was quite surreal to hear that news. Seeing as how the Lord has provided for us though, especially recently, there is no doubt in my mind that He has a plan, truly!

2011-03-14T15:01:00.001-07:00

Last Week in Colorado

2011-03-14T00:03:00.000-07:00

Our last week in Denver was like the first- ultra relaxing. We moved at a leisurely pace, and frankly, it was right up my alley. We visited the Coors factory, breezing through the tour and enjoying the free beer at the end. They are remarkably generous at the Coors facility, and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the beer, too, mostly because I did not know that Coors manufactured Blue Moon.
We also made a trip back toward Colorado Springs to go to Garden of the Gods and also to Manitou Springs, a nice little city with a "penny" arcade and lots of fun shops. On our way back to Denver we stopped for dinner at a place that used to be one of my favorites in Colorado Springs, an obscure but delicious Vietnamese restaurant called Saigon Springs. We also drove by the school I used to attend, Colorado Springs Christian School, and I have to admit, I almost cried. I enjoyed my three years living in Colorado, and seeing some of my old stomping grounds took me back to good childhood memories.
We spent about a half day in Boulder, CO, visiting with a high school friend, Matt Latham. He took us to a couple of his hangout spots and also tried to teach us slack lining (I think this is what it's called). He stretched out a line (like one you'd use to tie down something on top of your car) between two trees, cinching it tight. Then he just jumped up and walked across it, like a tight rope! None of us quite got the hang of it, but it is definately something to try and keep working at in order to perfect.
Thank you to everyone who influenced our time in Denver- Amy, Mark and family; Evan, Jonathan, and parents; Matt, and anyone I might have left out. We felt the family love and generosity and are better for it!

2011-03-13T23:41:00.000-07:00

Denver, Colorado

2011-02-27T16:59:00.000-08:00

Scott, Britton, and Rachel worked for a few days in Colorado Springs in order to make some money. They were painting/renovating a house and working very hard! Thanks guys! I stayed in Wheat Ridge, CO with Scott's aunt, Amy, and family; husband, Mark, and kids, Zoe, Daniel, Iain, and Sam. They are only about a ten minute drive to downtown Denver. What a great family! Scott and the gang arrived a few days ago, and Mark and Amy have been feeding us, taking us around Denver, and just showing us a great time, despite their very busy schedules! Another perk is that Britt's lady, Jena, was visiting some friends, Krysta and Alex, in Denver, so Britt got to enjoy some time with her (and we did, too!). So far we've seen some of the sights in Denver, gone to Red Rocks, and Scott and I took Em to a place called Jumpstreet, a huge indoor play place with giant trampolines and other recreational things. Emerson was so cute there, he had a great time! I tried to upload a video here on Blogger, but the file was too large. If you want to see it, I posted it to my Flickr account. We'll still be here for another week, so stay tuned for more pictures, as usual!

2011-02-27T16:28:00.000-08:00

2011-02-27T16:00:00.000-08:00

Land of Enchantment

2011-02-27T14:49:00.000-08:00

Finally, the rest of my pictures from Santa Fe! The first couple are from Madrid, New Mexico, a small, transient hippie town. We went to Hollar, a neat little restaurant where John Wayne plays beautiful folk music with a friend. Ray, Scott, Em, and I went and also got to meet and visit with Matt, Rhonda, and their daughter, Taylor, friends of John Wayne. They are a joyful and humorous bunch, and they treated us as family from the beginning. On another evening we had dinner at their home, and Rhonda is fantastic cook, hoping to open up her own restaurant one day. Rhonda, you've got an investor in me!
Santa Fe has a great farmer's market. Everything is actually local because they have a good growing season. Scott, Em, and I went one Saturday, and later in the evening I cooked Britt and Scott a dinner of all local and/or organic ingredients. It was pretty tasty!
On our way out of Santa Fe to Colorado Springs, we stopped by John Wayne's home, the Broken Saddle ranch. Ray had stayed a few nights out there with John. John works on the ranch and lives in a tepee, which is both inspiring and pioneering. He is one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever met. His eyes sparkle and his face is marked with smile lines. He speaks softly but with passion and his heart beats for the Lord and for being in relationship with all the people He's created. There is no stranger to John Wayne, and frankly, he has helped instill these same qualities in his children. It is entirely refreshing to meet people of this caliber.
Thank you Dr. Dan, Matt, Rhonda, Taylor, and John Wayne for all your hospitality and friendship. While Santa Fe is a remarkable city and culture, our experience would have meant nothing without you!

2011-02-27T14:24:00.000-08:00

Santa Fe, New Mexico

2011-02-18T15:50:00.000-08:00

This post has been a long time in coming! Thank you to all for your patience. We haven't had a consistent internet connection these past couple weeks, so it has been difficult to find time to post. What a whirlwind Santa Fe was! As we were entering New Mexico, I felt like we were finally TRAVELING, because the landscape was so different than what we had been experiencing. It changed so many times, from flat, yellowed grasslands to rolling hills to towering mountains with polka-dot sagebrush. Our first few nights were spent with Patrick and Tony, fellow couchsurfers. They live outside of Santa Fe in a more rural area. They reside in a renovated warehouse and rent from an artist who has displayed several of her fantastic paintings in their home (Patrick is also quite a remarkable artist). The bottom set of pictures below is of their beautifully creative abode. Their backyard overlooks an unparalleled view, and the middle set of pictures below illustrates this and also chronicles a lovely walk we took with Patrick, Tony, and their two dogs. Thank you Patrick and Tony for welcoming us as friends and for your hospitality! You did not treat us as strangers, and your lives and travels are indeed an inspiration! After leaving Patrick and Tony's place, we spent two nights in downtown Santa Fe at the Sage Inn (thank you Hotwire.com). What a wonderful city! The galleries, the art, being within walking distance to Whole Foods- it was indeed an enjoyable couple of days. All of this was a prelude to the next chapter of our time in Santa Fe. We were fortunate enough to stay at the home of "Dr. Dan," a friend of a friend. He was not there, but it was arranged for us to stay there by John Wayne, the father of our beautiful friend back home, Ashley. Dr. Dan's home is nestled in the mountains, about a ten minute drive from Santa Fe. From there, we hiked, beheld gorgeous sunsets, and commuted to Santa Fe for various activities. Check back soon, I will be posting more pictures and information from our time in New Mexico!

2011-02-18T14:52:00.000-08:00

2011-02-18T14:48:00.000-08:00

2011-02-18T14:24:00.001-08:00

Austin, Texas

2011-02-04T11:55:00.000-08:00

We arrived in Austin last Saturday, staying with a friend of Scott's from Toledo, Kevin, and his girlfriend, Ariel. The evening we arrived Ariel treated us to dinner at her place of work, Mesquite BBQ. We stayed with Kevin and Ariel for two nights, enjoying some delicious homecooked food, funny movies and Jane Fonda workout dvds, and visiting a huge park, the name of which escapes me at the moment. We also got to go to Juan in a Million, featured on Man vs. Food on the Travel Channel. Scott was going to try and do their burrito challenge, but I think the waitress misunderstood his desire. Still, we enjoyed their delicious special, a large breakfast burrito for only $3.80. Yum! For the last two nights we were in Austin we stayed with Jacob Blust, another friend from Toledo. We enjoyed catching up with him, watching some more movies, cooking, and the morning we left, enjoying a massive donut from a local bakery. For half of our time in Austin it was warm, but the last couple days were freezing! Thank you to Kevin, Ariel (and their dogs, Voodoo and Bunny), and Jacob for keeping us safe and sound! When we left Austin, we purposed to drive six and a half hours to Lubbock, TX, where Rachel's uncle and aunt live. However, we hit some majorly icy roads, slowing us down to a crawl, so we stayed overnight at a hotel (thanks Mom and Dad Delaney) in Abilene. We were a bit worried the roads wouldn't be any better the next day, but we ventured out anyway, and though it was icy for about the first hour, soon we were smooth sailing and made it to Lubbock in great time. Ray's uncle and aunt are away on various ventures, but her cousin, Allen, welcomed us into their home for our two-night stay. We leave tomorrow for Santa Fe, which seems fairly surreal to me because we've been looking forward to this for a long time. Stay tuned!

2011-02-04T11:40:00.000-08:00

The St. John Cathedral Oak

2011-02-02T18:57:00.000-08:00

On our last day in Lafayette, we visited St. John Cathedral, where nearby is one of Louisiana's live oaks. The Cathedral oak is said to be several hundred years old, standing approximately 126 feet high, spreading 210 feet across and 9 feet in diameter. The trunk is stout and strong, with long, spindly branches that are covered with thick moss and fern. It was truly remarkable to see this part of natural history. After seeing the oak, we spent the rest of the day and evening with Charles, Amber, and Wayne, their neighbor, who we also got to know during our stay in Lafayette. Before we departed, we went to Poupart's, a lovely French bakery- I could have easily spent another day in Louisiana camped out there! Thank you to Charles, Amber, Maddie Belle and Wayne for a fantastic visit- you set the standard very high for our western travels!

2011-02-01T22:03:00.001-08:00

Cajun Jams and Fresh Oysters

2011-01-27T22:39:00.000-08:00

Last night we walked to a hostel a couple blocks away from Charles and Amber's home. They host music jams and sell, among a few other things, one dollar Schlitz beers- not the best tasting, but, hey, it's only a buck. Today was a relaxing day; Ray visited a glass shop and gallery and Scott and I took Emerson to Girard Park, only a few blocks away from our home base. There happened to be a group of kids there, probably from a kindergarten, and a couple of them really took a liking to Em, making sure that everyone made way for him as he climbed and played around with the older kids. Too cute! This evening, then, Charles and Amber treated us to fresh oysters. Charles served them two ways, raw or grilled with butter, garlic, and parmesan cheese. Unbelievably delicious, even for me, who thought I didn't like oysters. Salad, grilled veggies, guacamole and chips, and leftover gumbo completed our meal, just another success to add to the list!

2011-01-27T22:28:00.000-08:00

Lafayette, Louisiana

2011-01-27T14:44:00.000-08:00

I love Louisiana, at least the part I've been exposed to. We've had a phenomenal time with Charles and Amber Vincent and their adorable little girl, Maddie Belle. Charles is extremely knowledgeable about Cajun culture, and it has been a pleasure learning from him. He and Amber have also exposed us to genuine Cajun food, such as boudin, gumbo, and red beans and rice- I'm not talking Zatarains here, this is the real thing! We also had the opportunity to drive to Baton Rouge and meet and do some work for Charles' parents, Gene and Nita. Gene is an extremely gifted musician and Nita is one of the best cooks I've taste-tested for! She cooked us authentic jambalaya for lunch and made us a New Orleans tradition for dinner, muffaletta sandwiches. My mouth is watering just recalling the flavor. Anyway, if you couldn't tell, I'm enjoying our stay here immensely. Lafayette, along with its surrounding areas, is a great city with plenty to do and partake of, including drive-thru daiquiris (I purpose to get at least one before we leave). We will be here another day, then leave on Saturday for Austin, Texas. Grand times!

2011-01-27T14:30:00.000-08:00

Carthage, Missouri

2011-01-22T22:05:00.000-08:00

I didn't take many pictures while we were in Carthage, just a couple cute ones of Emerson and Josiah (David and Juls Purser's son), so this post will mostly be description. We were in Carthage a little less than a week. We stayed at the Carthage Crisis Center in the home of Bryan and Marilyn Bisbee. We met David and Juls Purser while attending Toccoa Falls College, and Bryan and Marilyn are Juls' parents. They have been running the crisis center for about five years now (if my memory serves me right). There are about 25 people who live there, both children and adults. It is a special place, full of community, support, and acceptance. While there, Scott and Britton helped Marilyn develop her plans for a garden by building some raised beds. David also helped us to find some paid work in delivering phone books to the city of Carthage- a tiresome job, but entertaining when working with Scott and Britt! In the end, it was great to be able to spend time with our gracious friends and their beautiful son, and we send a thank you to Bryan, Marilyn, and their family for having us as their guests! Yesterday, then, we reunited with Rachel and drove 10 hours to Lafayette, Louisiana, to stay with another couple friends from college, Charles and Amber Vincent and their 5-month-old daughter, Madaleine. We've been here for only a day, and already I can promise lots of interesting stories and pictures to come!

2011-01-22T21:53:00.000-08:00

St. Louis Pictures

2011-01-20T17:57:00.001-08:00

St. Louis, Missouri

2011-01-20T17:48:00.000-08:00

We've begun the western part of our journey! We've learned alot so far, especially from the first part of our trip, and I'm full of hope and anticipation for this next portion. We started out in St. Louis with Ray's sister and family. We stayed two nights with Josh, Laura, and their two daughters, Jadis and Addison, and one of those nights Scott and Britton stayed with Omni, a couchsurfer. Thank you to all for your hospitality! While there, we ate at a St. Louis barbeque staple, Paddy's, played at the City Museum, a massive indoor and outdoor playground for grown-ups (though Em played there, too), and got to know Ray's gracious family and accomplish a couple odd jobs for them. After two days, Britt, Scott, Emerson, and I moved on to Carthage, Missouri, while Rachel stayed on a few more days with her sister. We are currently still in Carthage, leaving tomorrow, so stay tuned because more is soon to come!

Gainesville, Florida

2010-11-20T14:06:00.000-08:00

Gainesville has been our last stop on this leg of our travels. We have been staying with a branch of the Body- Wes, David, and Brett. The guys have been extremely hospitable, and before we leave this evening, we get to attend one of their organic church meetings. While in Gainesville, we have taken part in viewing a meteor shower, milling around the college town, and walking a portion of the Gainesville/Hawthorne trail. When we leave this evening, we will be attempting to drive the 16 hours back to Toledo. Gung-ho!

Good-bye for Now

2010-11-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

Fishing Trip

2010-11-18T11:32:00.000-08:00

Captain Dan Yider and his son and first mate, Kevin, took our crew, along with Skip (Grandma Barb's husband), on a fishing trip in the Atlantic. It was a phenomenal experience. I've never been fishing in the ocean, done very little fishing period, so this was a time of rapid learning and application. I loved it! We took along Britt's camera and all snapped some shots of the day. Rachel caught two grouper (one being the largest catch of the day), Britton also caught two grouper along with others, Scott pulled in mostly mackeral and a trigger fish, and I caught some yellowtail and blue runner. Thanks to the Captain and Kevin for your guidance and to Grandma and Skip for financing this wonderful experience!

Hemingway House

2010-11-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

When we visited Key West, Ray brought my camera along and took some beautiful photos at the home of one of her favorite authors, Ernest Hemingway. When you see Ray, ask about her time there, I very much enjoyed listening to all that she knew and had learned.

A Lovely Afternoon

2010-11-17T07:27:00.000-08:00

Ray and I took a bike ride around Marathon Key. We ended up at a superb little cafe, Leigh Anne's Coffeehouse, and spent several hours chatting and enjoying their delicious fare. When we rode home early in the evening, Scott and Britt had cooked up a wonderful dinner, and I took a picture of Britton's epic cheese platter.

Catching Up

2010-11-17T06:29:00.000-08:00

Well, we've finally left the Keys. It was a bittersweet departure. We spent almost three weeks on Marathon Key, and for me, it was a time of difficulty but discovery, hurt but healing, and lastly, complete renewal of my love for Scott. There is so much to be told, and each one of us would give you a fantastically different perspective, that I'm simply going to start posting pictures- I don't know where to start.

Happy Halloween, Bam Bam

2010-10-31T19:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween, friends! Our Floridian Halloween was supremely enjoyable. We hunted for the supplies for Emerson's costume, and I created a rustic Bam Bam Flinstone garb. As you can see from the photos, he was truly gorgeous and was absolutely modeling for his photo shoot. After the photo session, we took Bam Bam for a short bout of trick-or-treating. Following the tricks and treats, I got to experiment making grouper and snapper fish tacos with a homemade mango salsa. They turned out pretty yummy! Britt headed out to the pier after dinner to do some late-night fishing, and while he didn't catch his shark quite yet, he did catch a lobster that will indeed be a delectable midnight snack. A fun holiday indeed!

2010-10-31T19:21:00.000-07:00

Marathon Key, Florida

2010-10-30T22:35:00.000-07:00

Ta-Ta, Toccoa

2010-10-30T22:29:00.000-07:00

Our last days in Toccoa consisted of hiking, spending time with family and friends, and, as pictured below, lots of time playing Settlers. Thanks to Chris and Emily Sprowls and Ben and Chelsea Anderson for being fun, patient, and generous hosts! It was indeed surreal to spend time in Toccoa again, because it was such a milestone in Scott and I's life together. It was where we embarked on our first years of marriage, and it absolutely made us stronger (Adventure Respite, for those who are familiar) and helped form our perspective on nature and God. I'm positive we will revisit time and time again. From Toccoa we drove about eleven hours (whew!) to Palm Beach, Florida, where we spent the night and following day at the home of Chris Horrell, a friend of Scott and Britt. He lives in a beautiful area only minutes from the beach, where we spent the better part of our day, and in the evening we dined with Chris and his lovely girlfriend, Victoria. We set out after dinner for the final four-hour stretch to the Keys, in order to avoid the traffic of the Halloween weekend. We arrived on Marathon Key in the wee hours of the morning, almost too excited to sleep. Above are a couple photos, of Emerson's cookie-face and our homemade grouper corn chowder. Yum!

2010-10-30T22:06:00.000-07:00

Ruen Thai

2010-10-24T18:13:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite restaurant of all time, located in Cornelia, Georgia. Its been three years since Scott and I have frequented it, but it was just as delicious as we remembered. I meant to take pictures of our meal, but it was too tasty! Fortunately, pictured below, Emerson showed his feelings toward the meal as we were exiting. Thanks, Ruen, see you in another few years!

Lovely Friends and Brasstown Bald

2010-10-23T22:40:00.000-07:00

Toccoa, Georgia

2010-10-22T18:02:00.000-07:00

Everything In Between

2010-10-22T14:26:00.000-07:00

I'm back, and I have my camera in working order! Thank you to those who gave so much encouragement during this time of intermission. I'm psyched to continue sharing pictures, thoughts, and travel info with you all. My time away from the blog and taking pictures was fruitful indeed, and I feel rejuvenated and with new perspective. To begin, I've posted a few more pictures from Scott and my trip to Chicago before we embarked on our journey. I found them on my memory card when I received my camera and couldn't resist posting a few photos of my beautiful husband and son. Also, at some time I will post info and pictures, taken by Britt and Ray, of where we have been during my period of intermission. Currently, we are in Toccoa, Georgia, visiting Scott and my former stomping grounds. It is surreal to share this place and these experiences with Britton and Rachel, and I am enjoying every moment. Scott, Emerson, and I are staying with our wonderful friends, Chris and Emily Sprowls, and Britt and Ray are staying with my cousin and his lovely wife, Ben and Chelsea Anderson. Picures and more info soon to follow!

2010-10-22T13:47:00.000-07:00

A Brief Intermission

2010-09-30T13:01:00.000-07:00

I will be taking a break from photography and the blog for awhile. As you know, my camera was being repaired at the start of our journey. I received it yesterday, and while the original problem was fixed, apparently another part had been damaged while in the factory. Therefore, I'm sending it back in to hopefully be repaired once and for all. Needless to say, I was quite disappointed. We were traveling from Prince Edward Island back to Maine, so I had a few hours in the car to think about my current situation. Over and over, worry crept up, will I ever get my camera back in working condition? Do we have the money to fix it? How long until I can have it back? I was miserable while mulling over these questions, but finally, little by little, peace trickled in. Photography, and any other thing I might create, does not define me. The Lord crafted me from dirt and defines me more and more each day. Therefore, during the time my camera is in repair for the second time around, I am going to take a sabbatical and explore my relationships with those around me, simplicity, and other areas of my existence. If everything else of this world is stripped away, what will be left? I want that bare version of myself to be more rich and lovely than the one adorned with the works of my hands, for those works to be only optional, not required. So, ta-ta for now, I look forward to returning and still welcome your comments and feedback. Much love to all!

Prince Edward Island, Canada

2010-09-26T14:32:00.000-07:00

We're back in Canada! We are in the midst of our last couple days here on Prince Edward Island. I was excited to come here because I am a fan of Anne of Green Gables, as are most of the women I know...whether they admit it or not. We are staying with Karyn MacPhee, a woman we encountered on Couchsurfing. She opened her extensive home for us, and we each have a bed to sleep in, divine! We have been low-key since coming to PEI, and while it is beautiful here, we are excited to head back to the US on Tuesday. While in PEI, we visited several parks, beaches surrounded by red clay cliffs, and Charlottetown. We never made it to the site of Anne of Green Gables, but the fantastic view from Karyn's home was enough to quench my thirst for beauty.

2010-09-26T14:03:00.000-07:00

Mt. Katahdin

2010-09-24T10:32:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the fantastic pictures (taken mostly by Britt) of his, Scott, and Ray's climb of Mt. Katahdin, the highest mountain in Maine. It is located in Baxter State Park and is the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. There were many more pictures taken, but these are some of my favorites, and through them I live vicariously, since I did not get to participate in the hike. The next morning after the crew returned home, we went to the Appalachian Trail Cafe in Millinocket, Maine, and enjoyed a 100% homemade breakfast and tales of those who have completed the Appalachian Trail. Britton is planning on hiking the AT in about two years, and Scott and I would like to hike the trail with Emerson (and Cadeau) when he is a bit older-there was actually a woman who completed the entire trail with her six-year-old son. Inspiration!

2010-09-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

Exit Vermont, Enter Maine

2010-09-19T17:54:00.000-07:00

We had an amazing time in Vermont, thank you to our hosts, Gail and Don Cameron! Among many things, this fine family gave us the opportunity to stay overnight on their boat, the Crown Royal, which they dock just inside of Quebec, Canada. It was a wonderful experience and gave Ray and I the opportunity to say that we've biked in Quebec! During the week we spent with the Camerons, Gail fed us like kings and queens then sent us off with wise words, multiple provisions, and an invitation to return yearly. See you soon Gail! We stopped for the night in New Hampshire, a state worth a second visit, then continued on to Millinocket, Maine. We camped at a public reserves campsite, which is essentially free land to enjoy. Our campsite was incredible, the most beautiful I've ever visited. We camped right on a lake and each morning were met by a fantastic sunrise. During our three day stay, we explored the area, bathed in the frigid yet refreshing water, and sampled moose chili, bear meat, and red hotdogs (apparently a Maine staple) at the hands of our generous neighbors. Thanks Randy, Josh, Alicia, and Dixie! Currently, I am staying at a hotel with Emerson and Cadeau, while Ray, Britton, and Scott are climbing Mt. Katahdin (a bit much of a hike to take a baby on). Pictures soon to follow!

2010-09-19T17:27:00.000-07:00

Mt. Philo and Red Rock Park

2010-09-11T20:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we visited Mt. Philo, stopping by a farmer's market at the base for some fresh zebra tomatoes, corn on the cob, and kale for dinner, then continued on to climb to the summit. From the peak you could see the Adirondack mountains, the Green mountains, and across Lake Champlain to New York. Today, we met hippie Bob (from Burlington) at Red Rock park for some hiking and cliff jumping. Bob took us to the cliffs that he used to frequent for this recreation. Ray and I jumped from approximately 20 feet, and Britton jumped from the 40 foot point (don't worry, Jan, we skipped the 76 footer). The water was glistening and clear, and at 70 degrees it was chilly but entirely refreshing. Thank you to Bob for his guidance, and to Scott for being a wonderful father, watching Emerson while we got to have our adrenline rush!

2010-09-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

Burlington, Vermont

2010-09-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we decided to visit Burlington, which is the largest city in Vermont. Not a large city by any means, in comparison to other cities in the USA, but a beautiful, artsy city nonetheless. On our way there, lo and behold, we came across the Magic Hat brewery. A fantastic discovery! Ray was especially excited, as this is her favorite beer. We were given a free tour, t-shirts, and several free samples. I haven't been to a brewery before, but Magic Hat seemed to stick out from the bunch in its fun and creative nature- glittery mannequins and huge paper mache-like creatures hanging from the ceiling, blacklights illumintating neon skeletons, and a photo booth to prove your visit. After the brewery, we strolled Church St. in downtown Burlington, chatted with hippie Bob about Vermont politics and jumping from 40-foot cliffs, tried to persuade Britton to challenge a local to a wrestling match in the park, then headed home with rain drizzling on our faces. The evening contiued with a delicious pot roast at the hands of Gail, and ended perfectly with piano, 12-string guitar, and singing courtesy of Gail's husband, Don.

2010-09-10T08:43:00.000-07:00

Ferrisburgh, Vermont

2010-09-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

On our way to Vermont, we followed a portion of the Chautauqua/Lake Erie Wine Trail. The air was laced with the scent of grapes, and we could not resist a stop at Mazza Vineyards in northeast Pennsylvania. We did a wine tasting for $2.00, it was completely worth it because we met a fine man, Tyler, who engaged us in enjoyable conversation and even gave us some extra tokens for their sister winery down the road. Thanks Tyler! We arrived in Vermont at about 10:15 pm, completing the longest day of traveling that we have planned for our Eastern leg of the journey. We were exhausted and hungry, but when we arrived at our contact's house in Ferrysburg, Gail Cameron greeted us with warm kindness and homemade spaghetti and meatballs. As a side note, to date I have not had to touch any of the money we had budgeted for food. Thank you to those who sent us off with some monetary help and to all of those who have taken care of us so far. Your graciousness is not met with ignorance.

2010-09-09T06:24:00.000-07:00

Goodbye, Aliquippa, and Thank-You

2010-09-06T20:09:00.000-07:00

Thank-you Dean. Thank you Community of Celebration. Thank you Aliquippa for sending us off with minds clear, hearts light, and bellies full. Thank you for evenings around the bonfire that stretch into the wee hours of the morning, for our first pizza from an earth oven, for warm smiles and kind words after a hard day's work, and much, much more. You are blessed and a blessing, and while we continue on our journey, we already feel beckoned to return.

2010-09-06T20:00:00.000-07:00

2010-09-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

2010-09-04T18:16:00.000-07:00

Aliquippa, Pennsylvania

2010-09-03T20:45:00.000-07:00

No lifestyle that I have led has felt more natural than the one we are leading now. It has its difficulties, yes, but the satisfaction of needing no television or entertainment, simply the unspoiled company of dear companions, is unparalleled. We are in Aliquippa, PA, spending approximately five days with Dean Baldwin, a friend of Scott and I's from college. Dean lives in an intentional community and is a phenomenal artist and gentle spirit. He attends grad school, teaches art classes, and works with a fantastic ministry opportunity, a coffeehouse named Uncommon Grounds. It would take too long to relay the history of Aliquippa or all that Dean and his friends do here, so if you ever get the chance to meet him, just ask about his incredible story. We decided to stay with Dean and his gracious roommates, Casey and Ryan, in order to help Dean with some projects he needed accomplished. One of these is resurrecting the urban garden near his home, and in the pictures below you can see some of the before shots of the garden and Scott, Britton, and Ray working tirelessly. They are troopers!

2010-09-03T20:30:00.000-07:00

2010-09-03T12:09:00.001-07:00

We Did It

2010-09-03T12:01:00.000-07:00

It was hard to believe that the day had finally come. Friends and family gathered for good-byes the night before and the day of. The farewell was bittersweet, and I believe it speaks to the quality of our loved ones when I say there was more laughter than tears. Now, as a note, my camera is currently in the shop for repair, therefore my mode of picture-taking is a 3 megapixel point-and-shoot. I am anxious for the return of my baby in about a week, but I've tried to make the best of the circumstances. So, above are a few shots of our good-byes and day one of our adventure. Aliquippa, here we come!

2010-08-27T07:22:00.001-07:00

And So It Begins

2010-08-25T22:07:00.000-07:00

We've been saving for and planning this expedition for over a year. My husband, Scott, our sweet son, Emerson, puppy-at-heart Cadeau, and two dear friends, Britton and Ray (Rachel), have quit our jobs, cut the ties to our present comforts, and are embarking on a journey with an indefinite end. This is not simply a road trip, in the Spring Break sense of the phrase, but the beginning of a nomadic lifestyle. We take with us the love of our family and friends, who we wish could all come with us, but are presently on their own journeys to their own unknowns. On September 1st, we are heading out from Toledo, OH, and venturing first to Niagara Falls and upstate New York. I will be documenting our journey primarily through pictures, as they convey more than my words ever could. While our official travels, with Britton and Ray, do not begin until September 1st, Scott and I have been "homeless" since the end of July when we moved from our apartment. Since then we have been enjoying the hospitality of several wonderful families. My first photo above is from our trip to the Lake Forest area in Chicago to visit my in-laws, Chuck and Laurie Delaney. Scott is standing at the shore of sunset-lit Lake Michigan, illustrating one of the reasons for our nomadic existence: beauty. To sum up this introduction to the travels of OrganicEmery and family, I leave you with a quote by William Henry Channing that my lovely friend Ashley Hanson made me aware of:

To live content with small means;
To seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion;
To be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich;
To listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart;
To study hard;
To think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never;
In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common-
This is my symphony.