Is it really over?

As I sit to write the summary of our trip, I am almost at a loss for words.....I am not sure where to begin and where to end. This much I know; it was certainly a trip of a lifetime and I am a changed person for the experience of it. I am truly blessed to have been able to do this and am filled with gratitude towards Guy for allowing this all to take place. For those of you that don't know this, Guy and I were married 21 years ago for a brief 2 year marriage. We went our separate ways and reconnected through his daughter on Facebook in 2008. Never in a million years did either of us think we would ever see each other again......but fate would have its way, and we have healed the wounds of the past. For my 50th birthday, Guy asked me to put together a "bucket list" of things I wanted to do in this lifetime. A RV trip across America was on the top of the list, (behind biking across Ireland and a safari in Africa) and coincidentally on the top of his as well. So, it was decided then and there, that this trip would become a reality. After extensive research, and the purchase of an RV plans were underway. Working in the school system allows me the time off in the summer to do such a trip and Guy's business allows him the freedom to take off whenever he wants to....along with his trusted staff to run his office while away. Of course, technology allows this freedom as well with Internet access so we could both keep up with bill paying, etc.... So, this 6 week, 7900 mile trip took us through 18 states, 11 National Parks, 3 State Parks, 4 Indian Reservations and 8 modes of transportation, including jet ski, golf cart, ferry, ski boat, mule, tram, raft, bicycle and of course, lots of walking/hiking. I guess you could say, we did it all! To re-cap it all in this last blog is a very difficult task, but one worth doing I suppose. So, I thought I would begin with a list of the highlights....if one can even do that....because in my opinion, the entire trip was a highlight....even with the mishaps along the way. Beginning the trip with the Michael Buble concert and winning $1265 at the casino tops the list! Seeing the smile on my face brings me back to that time. Ahhh, the smell of fresh $100 bills! This certainly helped to finance our adventure and was definitely a great way to start the trip. Although it took us 3 days to reach our first destination, being in Colorado was a definite highlight. I belong in this state and hope to one day find myself living there. It was wonderful to visit with my childhood friend Jon and his family and having a connection there might just be the first step towards my relocation. Although if Guy had his way, I would be living back in Florida! Colorado was also a low light of the trip as I had a difficult time adjusting to the high altitude and mixing alcohol into that equation was a very bad idea.
One of the biggest and most consistent highlights of the trip was stargazing and campfires. Being out in the wilderness brings no light pollution and seeing the milky way in all its brilliance leaves one feeling quite small in this existence. The billions of stars, and the astrological formations seen along with the display of shooting stars were brilliant. As John Denver put it so beautifully, "I've seen it rain and fire in the sky, talked to God and listened to his casual reply....Rocky Mountain High" We took advantage of stargazing any chance we could and one of the best times was driving along the interstate in "big sky" Montana and seeing the stars so close, it felt like you could put your hand out the window and touch them. We pulled off the highway and drove about
a 1/2 mile down a deserted road, grabbed a blanket and climbed on top of the RV. We laid there and lost ourselves in the night sky. Serenity at its finest!
Seeing the Southwest and the Desert for the first time was also an experience that is etched in our minds. The vastness and unending horizon were spectacular. Of course, getting used to the sweltering temperatures was an adjustment all in its own. Ahhh, nothing like the desert in July! We loved the Southwestern way of life.....kicked back, friendly and accepting. It was awesome to see the different rock formations that appeared in all their glory out of nowhere. The RV, which we ended up naming "Rhonda" plugged along the fiery highway with ease, but the generator had a hard time keeping up, which at times, made the temperature inside a little uncomfortable. I can't blame her though.....going 75 mph in 110 degree temps takes its toll. One of the low points while in the desert was my almost heat stroke which I received by biking at high noon. Not too smart and I was very lucky to get away with just a little dehydration and headache. This oppressive heat makes Lake Powell one of highlights on this trip. The 80 degree, crystal clear aquamarine waters of the Colorado River were very inviting. (when the air temp is 110, a water temp of 80 feels cool) Our camp site had a million dollar view, as we liked to call it our waterfront property! Both my dogs Cosette and Story learned to swim here as well and it was pure joy watching them frolic in the water. Renting the ski boat and spending the day exploring the massive lake is definitely one of the highlights and I think I even cried when we had to move on to our next destination. I know I will return to this place, only next time rent a house boat and spend a week on the water! Any takers?
Moving along, The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park make the top 10 list of course, and these were the parks that we spent the most time in, with 3 nights in the Tetons and 6 in Yellowstone. We were out of the heat, the days were long with the sun setting near 10:00pm and the nights were cool. Each park offered its own beauty and our exploration was endless. Each trail we hiked was more beautiful than the last and the anticipation of what we might encounter at each turn was exciting. Renting the convertible was a great way to "be up close and personal" with the wildlife that meanders so close to the roadway, or even crosses it. Although, being 10 feet from a bear was a bit intimidating! Our best campsite was at Slough campground. A remote, very small establishment with only 19 sites. We were right on the river, so the dogs enjoyed the exploring and the sound of the water rushing over the rocks made for a very peaceful sleep despite the fact that only a few days prior a fatal mauling from a mama grizzly and her starving 3 cubs occurred. Our worst campsite was also at Yellowstone in the south end. It was more like a parking lot which did not allow fires and did not even have room for picnic tables. So, we made the best of it by parking at a remote area of Yellowstone Lake and having a wonderful late night dinner lakeside and then going to the campsite only to sleep. It's funny how something so disappointing can turn into something so wonderful! White water rafting also makes the list of highlights and was truly one of the most fun adventures on this trip. Cascading over grade 3 rapids was a thrill and brought Guy and I back to the days of our honeymoon where we did the same thing. This tour guide was wonderful and let us out of the boat to swim in the calmer waters, although at 60 degree water temp, we didn't last too long out of the boat. I think our most interesting hike was The Narrows at Zion National
Park. A five mile hike between two walls extending over 2000 feet up! The entire hike was in the Virgin River and sometimes we were in ankle deep water and sometimes in waist deep. One thing was certain, we were always in water and the threat of flash flooding and certain death was in the forefront of our minds as there was no where to escape to should such an event occur. We wore neoprene socks and special boots for the treacherous walk on the riverbed rocks. Despite our feet hurting for days after, the excitement of it all was well worth it. Also at Zion was our most strenuous hike on a trail named Angels Landing. Several switch back trails, appropriately named Walter's Wiggles and a short and steep ascent of 1500 feet made for much determination to reach the top. But it didn't stop there....the last 0.5 miles was so steep that chains were needed to guide you along the trail.
Pictured on right you see I am holding on to one of the chains for dear life, and somehow still have a smile on my face, despite the 1000 foot drop below. The trail is appropriately named Angels Landing. Many of our hikes were beautiful....some challenging, some breathtaking and some even relaxing. But one thing for sure, all were memorable.
Our favorite sunset was in The Badlands watching it set behind the mountain and leaving a brilliant evening sky.
Our final low light of the trip was when Guy dislocated one finger and broke another all during the same fall which occurred 12, 300 feet on top of a mountain peak while hiking in Colorado.

Hmmm, 2 low lights of the entire trip and both occurred in Colorado......After a trip to the medical center and a re-setting of his fingers, we were back at the adventure, but at 1/2 speed. Fortunately, this was towards the end of our trip and forced us to wind things down and prepare us for our 36 hour ride home.
I thank you for taking the time out of your busy days to follow my blog these past 6 weeks and live vicariously through us on our vacation. I hope it encourages you to explore your dreams. So many times we say, Oh, I would love to do such and such.....or, if I only had the time or the money, I would do such and such. My advice to you is to take the opportunity to plan your dreams and live them. We are only on this earth for a short while and there is so much out there waiting for us to see and explore. We are already talking about our next trip. Who knows, we may find our selves biking across Ireland next summer! It's time to live life to its fullest! I titled this blog "Is it really over?" What I really should of titled it was "Part One"!! I want to leave you with one of my favorite quotes and one that applies so well.
"Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that
you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success" ~ Louisa May Alcott

Happy trails~ Laura and Guy xoxo
below are a few of my favorite pics.....enjoy!!