July 1st - July 8th

     As Laura has already stated we were at the Blue Mesa Reservoir but she didn't post the boys getting the first of many Junior Ranger badges from our National Parks. We have several National Parks that we need to revisit so we can gain more stamps for our passports and badges for the hats. Each boy earned a Junior Ranger hat for earning the first badge and each boy will earn a Junior Ranger Vest when they complete 10 badges.

                                         First Badge - Curecanti National Recreation Area (Gunnison)


                                  

                                         Second Badge - Black Canyon National Park (Montrose)

     After leaving the wonderful Curecanti National Recreation Area Laura earned her driving stripes through dangerous curves, narrow construction and mind blowing down grades and she survived. I really wish you could all have seen her white knuckles the entire 3 hours.

    

     Again as Laura stated in her post, the rally was a great time, We met so many great people that were more than helpful and took us in as the step siblings they never had. I honestly wish I could travel with all these people but we have to move on our own 8 wheels for a while to get this full timing thing down. That said the boys had a wonderful time playing with all the other kids and getting their full timing legs as well. The one picture in this set was a tractor ride through the park and all the kids that wanted to could spray, any unsuspecting bystanders walking along, with water. Well Hell ya I had to get in on that action but I got more than I expected when we rounded the Full time Rally trailers and we were the ones getting wet.

     The luau was allot of fun and big daddy got to wear a nice Hawaiian shirt and a shell bra and my cowboy hat, isn't that a winning combination. I think I scared some people but when they saw the 80's dancing the ladies were lining up to get some of that. No wait that was the dream that night, I just scared a bunch of people.

      We left Montrose this morning and I now feel like we are actually full timing since we are out of Colorado. I stopped in Layton Utah at the Camping World and came across free water, sewer and electric spots in back for customers. Not bad for our first night out of state and on the road by ourselves, that Laura is one heck of a co-pilot. Everyone is asleep and I need to get some rest as well, thank you all for reading this babble and please tell everyone you know to go to the blog even if they dont want to and click on all the advertising. Laura says I have to work and I think thats my ticket even though a 1000 hits is like a dollar. This is gonna be one heck of a great adventure for us.

The Rally....

Making friends as an adult is not always easy or comfortable. I like to use what I call the “Golden Retriever” approach. I generally bound haphazardly up to the unsuspecting target of my new found affection and metaphorically (usually) lick their face while wagging my tail and chanting, “Wanna be my friend? Wanna be my friend? Wanna be my friend?” I try to abstain from sniffing anyone’s butt in the process. So, it was in that vein that I approached the FullTimeFamily rally. I was not disappointed! The following interaction nicely sums up our family’s entire experience this week.

     Jema welcomed us, along with Clementine, on day one as we signed up for the rally and got our welcome packets. They were kind and funny and supportive right off the bat. As the day went on I had a chance or two to have a couple very brief interactions with Jema but heck, I know a kindred spirit when I see one! I was really hoping to have more time with her. That evening I put the kids to bed and Alan stayed out at the campfire and chatted. The next morning he told me all about the wonderful conversation he’d had with Jema and said “You would love her you should get to know her.” DUH! Later I said to her, “I am so sorry I missed the campfire last night, I would love to chat, I so want to be friends.” Her reply? “We are ALREADY friends!” And that is the reception we received all over the campsite. People were incredibly open, kind and helpful. There was a genuine openness and quick affection among the group that was seemingly void of pretense. Just good, honest, open people. Many of them were very devout in their faith, and their kindheartedness was a testament to their religion. More than once we heard things like “God will send beautiful things your way….” Or my new friend Kimberly, who set up the Rally saying “Just keep walking the walk, things will fall into place.”

     It wasn’t long before Alan was inundated with help from neighboring campers trying to decipher the plumbing issue in our shower. The boys had rigged up a bunch of parts and created a Frankenstein-esque shower faucet which thankfully solved 90% of the leaking issue. Everyone was so welcoming and forthcoming with their experiances and stories. Our new neighbors, the Livingston Family, (LivingstonFamilyAdventures.com) gave us so many great ideas on how to boondock as well as cut down on the gluten in our diets. (Notice I didn’t say cut-out, Alan needs a few more weeks to get used to that idea!) And Marci makes her own household products, she even taught a class on it while we were there! We got lots of great recipes from her, all on her website peeps!

     We talked to so many people about how to make money in so many different ways! I had no idea that most of the jobs they are doing even existed. It was amazing to see how resourceful people are and how dedicated they are to making things work for their families. They were all so supportive of us “newbies”! Many of them have been out on the road for 2 years or more.

     We got to do a trailer tour in which people opened their doors and we got to see all the different ways in which people are traveling. It really brought home to me how entrenched the idea of space and “needs” has become for us. At home, each child expects to have their own room, and bed, and desk, complete with television. On the road, there are tons of kids whose priorities are dramatically different. They are happy to share a couch or a bunk with a sibling because the whole world is their back yard. It is interesting to see our boys work through what they are used to; separate bedrooms and toys into this new way of being. Seeing how many other kids are doing it, and how much they love it, was a wonderful way to start the adventure.

      Many of them have more than two kids, and some of them stay in one place (like Breckenridge, in the WINTER!!!) for 6 months at a time and some travel from place to place as a function of their work. Many are like us, working as they go remotely. All of them mentioned the vast difference between moving every few days to staying in one place awhile and I am seeing more and more how beneficial the work camping gig in North Hampton, MA. will be.

      We left today and I must admit, it was hard. We have so much gratitude for these amazing families. They embraced us, helped us, and taught us so much in a week! And most importantly, knowing they are all out there too has created a safety net that we know we can rely on. Can’t wait to meet some of our new friends up in Minnesota and the next rally is in April!

None of them say goodbye, they all say see you soon, safe travels. We have met a wonderful group and now we are off to Utah! It’s HOT~!!!

Stay tuned, as soon as I get a picture of the “Butterfly Bus” I’ll send it, a rolling public art piece and we got to be a part of it, FANTASTIC!

L.