Turnaround Time

We arrived back in Seattle late last night.

What a trip.

In case you didn’t know this, driving the 3,000 miles from one corner of the country to the other when you have very little time to dally is…ummmmm…a lot. It’s a whole different ball game than having weeks to linger and explore and take your time.

The last week was a lot of 10-12 hour driving days, getting out of the truck just long enough to stretch for minute, gas up, pee, and get back on the road. Driving past mountains and rivers that called our name, meeting friends along the way for a quick lunch or a cup of coffee, and then moving quickly on.

Not a particularly satisfying road trip, but I’m still grateful for the time with Justin and all the big and little conversations that time in the car allows for. And for good audiobooks…what a gift to be able to swallow an entire book in one long sitting or two, indulging our imaginations in a different world for hours.

In a month, I will turn around and make the trip back. This time it will be just Chili and I on the drive east, though Justin will join me for the drive back west.

In this turnaround time in between, I have a lot to process, not the least of which was the discovery this last Saturday that I have eleven older half-siblings that I didn’t know existed. WHAT?!?!? Seriously. Eleven.

So.

I hope you’ll indulge me with a little break.

I owe you book club stuff and some fun photos and a few emails that I’ve drafted but not finished. And I’m excited to get them to you.

I had grand intentions for these weeks between trips, but here’s the thing…

I find myself in need of a bit of space right now.

Some quiet to sort through some things, both business and personal.

And I’m going to practice what I so often preach here- that the world will not stop if we take breaks when we need them.

I will be back just as soon as I’m ready. I don’t think I’ll be long, especially with my favorite season coming in fast and so much I’m eager to share with you.

Enjoy these last long summer days and I hope you’ll take whatever space you need right now as well. I’ll see you soon!

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The world’s fastest pass through of Teddy Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota…