Ups and Downs…and In Betweens.

Over the last week we’ve had some pretty interesting weather.  Now some may think that if you live in Colorado you’re a shoe-in for cold, snowy, cold, snowy, cold… and more snowy weather.  Visions of white-capped mountains may come to mind.  But that’s a little further up.  And we’re much further down.  There’s a joke I’ve learned while living here.  You want to hear it?

You know why northeastern Colorado is SO windy?  Because Nebraska sucks and Wyoming blows.  (insert appropriate level of laughter here.)

Yes.  We’re in between, it seems.  Cold and snowy we’re typically not.  This is one of two snowy winters we’ve experienced since moving here in November of 2007.  The last one was 2007-2008.  Otherwise temps here may be consistent with snowy-like conditions elsewhere, but the sun, the lack of cloud cover, and an elevation of 4,300 ft. above sea level seems to make everything feel about 10 degrees warmer than anywhere else.

Our weather is interesting because it’s been snowing.  I’ve pulled out the two-stage snow thrower a whopping total of five times more than last year!  How many times did I use it last year?   A big, fat NIL.  Zero.  Zip.  Zippo.  Nada.  None.  Not once.  I even pulled out the snow thrower a bit prematurely this evening as it’s still coming down and blowing.

Why do I mention this?  Ever try to RV in sub-freezing weather?  Right… you can’t.  Well, I should say you can, but with very limited capabilities.  Luxuries like using the shower are off limits (pipes freeze… or your water pump freezes and explodes… Learned the latter of the two the hard way) and even staying warm is a challenge.  It’s not like these RV’s are insulated like your congressman (again, learned that one the hard way – never do a test-run at an elevation of 9,400 ft. above sea level in February and expect good results) .

In two and a half weeks we’re on the road.  Going UP through the mountains and then slowly back down to an elevation of 4,000 ft. for our first stop.  4,600 ft. for our second stop.  I’m praying for mild weather to say the least.  It’d be slightly better than a good thing to get this adventure off to a good start.  Would you pray with me?  Please?

Thank you.

“Unpacking” the Packing Experience…

Yesterday my 2-month old daughter and I shopped.  I dread what I may be teaching her – “Shop ’til you drop.”  Of course, I am sure this is a far cry from the kind of retail shopping experience she’ll prefer 5 years from now.  Let’s revisit, shall we?

First, Camping World.  The Cozy app list was long, but at least it’s relatively cleared with a few minor treats to pick up before the expedition of a lifetime begins.  You know, all the important stuff like RV toilet paper that chafes yet breaks downs enough not to clog up the black well tank.  A light strand for the awning to brighten our evenings as we sit under the stars, some extra fuses, a collapsable dish-drainer, and so much more.

Then onto Best Buy (insert manly grunt here… no… wait… don’t.)  for a pair of two-way radios, a.k.a. “walkie talkies” just so we can, um… you know… walk and talk. (Oh, I did pick up the latest Batman movie release for a little DVD entertainment in inclement weather.)

By late afternoon, my wife had joined us as we ventured to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and the Container Store – two places that psychologically overwhelm me.  By the time we finished the minivan was a low-rider and views out the back window were at a premium.  Oh, did I mention we hadn’t yet eaten dinner?

To make a long story short our shopping adventure made for one looooong day.

And this is just preparation.  Preparation for the long haul.  I have no idea what will come at us during three months and more than 9,800 miles of RV travel.  “Plan for the worst” is a motto some choose to live by.  I’d like to challenge that – how does one exactly plan for “the worst”?

As we pack and organize I’ll be planning for the best of the best.  I’ll be packing my trust and extra loads of faith… Oh crap… where’d I put the patience?  Yeah, that too.  I can’t even begin to visualize a trip like this without these things.  I’ll be spending intentional time in quiet thinking and praying about this trip.

Two weeks.  Five days.  I can hear Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” beginning to play in the background… or is it Lindsey Buckingham’s “Holiday Road” or the B-52’s “Roam” or Black Sabbath’s “Crazy Train”?

The Adventure is About to Begin

The countdown has started… about a year ago.  As a solo pastor of a church of over 300 listed members and roughly 50 more children-in-tow, ministry has begin to take its physical and emotional toll.  I lack energy.  I lack motivation to lose weight.  My ability to hold back on frustration is minimal… I am ready for a time of renewal.  

Three weeks from today we leave.  “We” is me, my lovely bride of nearly 12 years, my newborn daughter Sophie, and Melissa’s cat, Tink, who loves me best… dammit.  We’ve purchased a Class C RV, a 2012 Jayco Greyhawk and have made a few test runs to break her in before our adventure begins – 29 states, 9,800 miles (give or take a few more), towing our grocery-getter for three months.

Did I say I was ready for a “”renewal”?  What was I thinking?  

My journey will consist of daddy day care, spending quality bonding time with my daughter while my wife slowly works back into…work.  We’ll visit national parks, friends, and make some new friends while hoping to enter into some sacred conversation along the way.

3 weeks.  Let the adventure begin… Why don’t you come along for the ride… I’ll need the company.