We cranked through Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, and Illinois in one day for one reason, so I could come home to see my dear Aunt Jane. I was blessed enough to be able to spend a few hours with her and the family on Friday morning and retrospectively say goodbye to the most beautiful woman in the world. Sometimes Gods' work is more apparent, and I know he made it possible for me to say goodbye to the sweetest aunt and one of the most influential people in my life. Wednesday, July 6th, she became another angel of mine... and while I was surrounded by some of my dearest friends on the lake, the sun reflected upon the clouds in such a way that it looked like heaven's gates were opening up and I was comforted.
After spending time with my family, we headed up to Grandma's that afternoon and those 6 hours were probably the longest of the trip. But we had singalong time with Boodle and we jammed loudly to Celine and Send it On...me and Beth doing all the hand motions. Seriously laughter...we even skyped in Carrie and the Startts so she could see what her daughter was up to. We stopped in Cedarburg to drop off the gear and then make our way to the Northwoods.
By the time we got to Grandma's, it was almost as if our great adventure had not happened.... perhaps if the odometer didn't read 12,000+ miles higher and we didn't have 10,000 pictures to prove it, I'd feel like it was all just a dream. The month went so fast and we experienced so much. We learned so much about our country and about ourselves... we learned the importance of seatbelts in national parks and that bear spray is really important...after learning about a man being attacked in Yellowstone by a grizzly only a few weeks after we'd been there. And like I said before.... we experienced so many different lifestyles but were reminded that kindness is often the best way to accomplish a task and that communication is key to any relationship.
Perhaps the most important lesson was that anything is possible and that you can do whatever you set your mind to, which perhaps sounds like a Mr. Rogers' afterschool special, but people doubted our ability to drive to Alaska... and sometimes we even doubted it, but despite challenges and obstacles, we used our resources and each other and made it, without too many scratches.
I think this lesson was especially important for my road trip companion. Despite outside opinion about her abilities, she often doubts them. While I am hands down the more logical, Lindsay can do anything she puts her mind to. I couldn't have had a better sidekick on the road... or a better big sister. This trip only solidified our relationship... especially when I would steal her stuff and then return it half broken in total little sister fashion. And our sibling banter. For me, I saw a light ignite in her somewhere along the road... which turned into a fire when we crossed into the State of Washington. And while I've always been able to bring out the "car jammer" in her... I think she finally reached a new level of openness on the road. I saw that shell begin to break open, and the wings beginning to emerge from my little baby bird. I hope that our road trip memories will be the fuel she needs to stretch those wings and fly into the wide open, this time solo. I have no doubts about her abilities.... and as much as I will miss her by my side... I will always remember the 30 days we spent together on the road.... love you lucy.
including my travel to and from cedarburg.... finally miles : 13,133 plus 412 nautical miles by ferry.
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