End of the Year Recap

Hope you and your loved ones had a very Merry Christmas! Do you have a Word of the year? I am currently praying for my Word for 2022. My word for 2021 was Steadfast, but I could have been better reaching out to the Lord for His steadfastness. Praying this year, God brings His Word to me, and I cling to it with all my mind, heart, soul and strength.

Since June the traveling has pretty much been weather related vs damage. We were in Idaho for June and when we first got there, we had a little bit of hail that fell but at the end of the month we reached temperatures over 107 degrees. Another wonderful thing about Idaho, besides the scenery, is having family there! Also, we ate at 6 out of the 7 "Road Food" restaurants in Coeur D Alene. Now, that was fun!

Washington was just one stop at a KOA and then on to Oregon. We had a crazy 4th of July. We stayed at a Harvest Host SakéOne. The business closed at 5:00pm and we were the only ones around, not bad, except for our little uninvited friend that was lurking around. By this time, it was dark, Hubby came into the rig and before he turned the lights on, he saw him. This guy was just pacing back and forth between SakéOne and a lumber yard. Hubby called the "after hours" number, and they sent the cops. Three cop cars come roaring up, it was crazy watching this unfold. Thankfully, the Lord's hand was on all of it. The cops had the guy leave, hubby stayed up a bit longer and then we pulled out the next morning for Coos Bay, Oregon. 

 

Let's just say, July in Oregon is cold by the coast! We did have a nice time though and I was able to go to a Farmer's Market. Once again, a phrase came up with our family and friends, "This is unseasonable cold or hot for this time of year". 

After Oregon, we headed to California. We were there for twelve weeks. It was truly wonderful to see everyone, make new friends and just be in the joy of the moment. We started in northern California, and that is NOT San Francisco. Fun fact: there is still 10 more hours to reach the Oregon border from San Francisco. So, we were up with the Red Wood trees, we went on a boat ride in Eureka, we ate out, we ate in family and friends’ homes. It was great catching up with everyone. Such a special time. Now, would I will spend another 12-weeks in California, hmmmmmmmm, nope. Due to all the weather comments we were getting and how strange the weather was (for that time of year), my friend, Lynn, asked us not to be in California late November, her son was getting married outside. We were already settled in Texas by the time the wedding happened. So, all was well and the wedding was beautiful.

We drove from the Palm Springs area to Phoenix, Arizona. It was fun catching up with a college roommate and seeing friends from High School. While we were only there for one week, we did have a good time. Even got to see a Halloween parade. 

Leaving Arizona, we stayed one night in Lordsburg, New Mexico. What's in Lordsburg you ask? Well, nothing really. Although there is a ghost town and we visited there on Halloween, but during the day. We were on our way to Las Cruces. We arrived and were able to set up before dark, we had candy in hopes that we will have children that trick or treated. Well, New Mexico is a mandate mask state, and we were only able to hand out candy to a few children that were in the KOA. We also met friends and keep in contact with them. They are wonderful people and so much fun to hang out together. We saw them again in Texas.

Now, with all the crazy weather we had, nothing made us suspect we would have a flat tire. We just bought those tires in April. Back in windy Oklahoma. But there we were on the middle of I-10, two hours left before we made it to our spot and BAM! Hubby saw smoke and he did a great job getting us off on to the side of the road. The sad thing is that here we were in the "Friendship State" and at least six highway patrol just passed by some going the same direction and others the opposite. We were ok, by the grace of God, but still, it would have been nice for someone to check in on us. A five-hour trip took us eight hours. We spent one night there and saw our "Las Cruces" friends. Then we made plans with them to meet up in Fredericksburg. That was fun. We will see them again in Georgia next year. 

 

We got to visit with my dad and stepmom on their property, we stayed in San Antonio for almost two weeks. Saw family and had a fun visiting with them. Tim came over and stayed a couple of nights, that was also good. Hadn't see him in seven months. Then went down to south Texas and visited with more family. Had Thanksgiving with hubby's brother, Fred and his family. It has been years since we have spent time with them. After that, we went to Kingsville. Hubby's hometown. We were able to see friends and family there. And as I am writing this, we are back in our old stomping grounds. It has been truly amazing to sit in church and have fellowship. The church does a great job online, but it isn't the same.

So, the first half of the year we had some damage to the rig. The awning had to be taken off and replaced (in California), still trying to figure out about the ladder, do we fix it or not? The blown tire (West, Texas), someone stealing hubby's bike, but it is electric, the battery was not on it, and it was heavy, so that person left it in KOA, and we got it back. Then we went out to lunch with my cousin, and someone tried to steal our truck (both happened in San Antonio). It has been an amazing journey and I am still excited to be living this way. Good times and bad times happen no matter where your home is and I feeling blessed by the Lord to be on this journey. "The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8 (NASB)

Look at our US map now! Almost a year on the road and we have stayed in twelve states!

Coming for Nevada and Utah next year!

If there is something special you would like me to take a picture of, please let me know!
 
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God, the RV & me...