Hello! I know it’s been a while. This crazy year has really taken a toll on all of us and all we do. But, I know you didn’t come here for excuses. So, how ya doin’? 

Me? Well, as you may (or may not) know, I’ve been traveling. Not long after Covid shut everything down, hubby and I took a gamble and drove our rig to Florida. And, once we were there, we went up to Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. And since we went that far…you get the idea and, hopefully, the reference. Long story short, we traveled across the northern portion of the United States, westward bound.

What did we see? What didn’t we see! The thing about crossing and actually experiencing the beauty of this country for the first time is that you find yourself struggling to describe it. The words, quite literally, are not there. Still, my friends, you deserve something.

Imagine, if you will, the following:

  • A Florida beach with sand so white, sun bounces off every grain until the entire ground shimmers like glass
  • Pickup trucks, fireworks stands, the hunger-inducing smells of bbq, and snow cones dripping sweet, sugary goodness in the Southern summer sun
  • A small town populated by an unexpected mix of horse drawn carriages, state of the art technology, internet coffee shops, and clotheslined yards in Indiana
  • Small towns with general stores, narrow winding roads, flags with pictures of soldiers from wars gone by lining the streets, and twenty different shades of green in the trees in Pennsylvania
  • Slick, rainy freeways crowded with commuters traveling to and from, surrounded by a forest of colorfully painted buildings speaking all at once in downtown Chicago
  • A quaint town, just outside of Milwaukee, where the aromas of coffee and handmade chocolates fill the sidewalk and your senses, making you feel as if you’ve just stepped into a Hallmark Christmas movie
  • Golden brown plains, hills blackened by rich coal-colored tree trunks, endless multicolored miles of rock, herds of buffalo freely grazing on native grasses, the sounds of those who came before echoed in canyons and through the trees, a glorious statue named Dignity, and a hundred billboards advertising Wall Drugs in South Dakota
  • Blue skies as far as the eye can see, snow capped mountain tops reaching to the heavens above and reflected in crystal clear waters below, and nothing but room to grow in Montana
  • Rows and rows of vegetables, orchards of fruit hanging low on the branches, the comforting and relaxing scents of lavender, baked breads and coffee, fish flying in the market, and the crisp, juicy, crunch of freshly picked apples in Washington
  • Ocean waves crashing against mighty rocks rising majestically above the water, cool sea spray kissing your cheeks as seafoam outlines the beaches below along Highway 101 in Oregon
  • Ancient redwoods reaching up above the clouds, blocking out the sun, whispering tales of days long gone for those quiet enough to listen
  • Rolling hills, air scented with garlic and grapes, peaceful sunsets, and a harvest moon in California’s wine country
  • Snow covered Jericho trees and trembling, confused tumble weeds weathering a freak winter storm along I-10 in the Southwest
  • Buc-ees!!!! You know you’re in Central Texas when…
  • Outer loops, inner loops, tollways, and parkways leading to tree lined country roads, bayous, beef, catfish and crawfish…Houston…home

This, this is what we saw…all of this and more….in the middle of a pandemic…in the safest way we knew how.

And in between, we observed people. People living their day-to-day, not really noticing us, mostly nodding from a distance, focused on holding their masks in place. From time to time, we had the pleasure of conversation, again from a distance, with campground neighbors sitting across a large campfire, with boondocking hosts proudly showing off their farms and the season’s bounty, or with hikers somewhat more adept or in better shape than we.

We saw America, with its cultural and political divides – and unexpected sameness – in the towns we crossed and in the people with whom we shared a greeting, asked a question, or told a story. Unsure at times, we realized nothing is gained from remaining safely behind our closed door, so we opened it.

Now, vaccinated and armed with more masks and hand sanitizer than toilet paper, we will continue this journey. This time heading to Yellowstone with our dear friends, Fred and Wilma. We vow to embrace nature in all its wonder and beauty while leaving no trace in the wilderness but leaving the best of ourselves with whomever we meet.