Home at Last

March 18-21

Looking back at the blog Dave wrote for our Cross Country trip in 2011, I am struck by the similarities of these last days. [ //crosscountrycasita.blogspot.com]  So I'm ending with his words, updating only to match current circumstances...

Landon, Scott, Laurie, Owen & Charlie

Dave loves to walk the beach

From Chandler, AZ, we made pretty much a bee-line for home, stopping overnight only in northern San Diego, home of our daughter Laurie, Scott, and grandsons Landon and Owen.



We camped for 3 nights at San Elijo State Beach (San Diego County), a favorite location on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean; we could listen to rhythmic ocean waves all night long.  The last  evening Laurie, Scott, 11-year-old Landon, and 7-year-old Owen joined us for a hot dog cook-out and toasting marshmallows for yummy S'mores. 

The next day we finally arrived home in Royal Oaks about 6pm on Friday, March 21st, exactly 2 months after our departure.  We were warmly greeted by daughter Cheryl, her husband Jason, and our 6-year-old granddaughter Ava, all of whom have been living in our house during our absence.  Without their expert management of our home affairs, including care and feeding of 2 cats, our extended absence would not have been practical. 

Our camping odyssey took us through 12 states, adding Arkansas to the list of states visited previously in the Casita. We drove a total of 8,125 miles.  We were able to visit 50 people related to us by blood or marriage. We also saw around 20 other friends along the way, sharing memories and renewing relationships.  This is not counting the new friends we made in Key West or our treasured Wheat Ridge friends!

compliments of Stephanie B.

People often asked us "What was your favorite aspect of the trip?" or "your favorite destination?" or "most memorable event?"  All of these well-meaning questions are impossible to answer in a simple way.  So many vistas and event-stones and encounters occurred along the way that they now rest together in interconnected layers within our memories.  Our lives have been enriched in many ways, our eyes opened, our minds challenged, our bodies still strong, our spirits renewed.  And yes, after 2 months of togetherness, Dave and Jane are even more in love. [I especially like this part!]