Daisy

Five Things - July 31, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

  1. My dad headed home last week a few days after the kids. Ray had a business trip, so it was just the two of us for a few days. He and I are a lot alike. We geek out over the same stuff, like the night sky and our love of all things sci-fi, so binging Star Trek Picard became a priority. After Yellowstone, the Tetons were our next stop. My dad and I appreciate the majesty of nature in a similar way, and seeing something like the Teton range, and the beauty that surrounds it, was a breathtaking experience, one I’m really glad I could share with him. It’s been a long time since I’ve had my dad all to myself, and it was really lovely.

  2. We’re still in Wyoming near the Tetons, so Ray and I got up early Sunday and went into the park. It was a good call because in addition to being far less crowded at the ass-crack of dawn, the animals made a great showing. A giant elk watched us from her place on Signal Mountain, a mama dear and her twin fawns grazed by the side of the road near Jenny Lake, and the bison were hanging out contentedly in the fields. I think early mornings in these parks might be the way to go.

  3. Huckleberry everything is popular in Montana, and also here in Wyoming. I’ve recently learned I have a taste for huckleberry infused beer. Yum!

  4. Daisy dog is a great travel companion. We take her with us pretty much everywhere unless we’re doing a serious hike where we might encounter wild animals. She’s super popular. The other day an older women who’d recently lost her elderly pup stopped and asked for a cuddle. Daisy happily obliged and I’m sure made that woman’s day. When I picked Ray up at the airport, Daisy was so excited to see him, she yipped, spun in circles, and gave him her biggest smile. We should all strive to be worthy of a dog’s unconditional love.

  5. If I’d lived out here in the mountains, I might have become a geologist, and I definitely would have taken up rock climbing. Growing up on the ocean, I didn’t think any type of geography would capture my imagination as much as the coastline, but the mountains sure have come close.

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Our itinerary subject to change:

July 22 - August 5: Jackson, WY

August 5-10: Rock Springs, WY

August 10-18: Hurricane, UT

August 18-27: Palm Springs, CA

August 27 - September 5: Temecula, CA

September 5 - October 1: Santa Barbara, CA

October 1 - 9: San Francisco, CA

October 9 - 30: Portland, OR

October 30 - November 15: Seattle, WA

November 15 - January 3, 2024: Orangeland Park, CA

Five Things - February 27, 2023

Welcome to my blog titled “Five Things” where you can expect just that - five random musings or reflections from the previous week or so. In addition, at the end of the blog, I’ll keep a running itinerary of our travel plans. For a photo gallery of our life on the road, our pets, and miscellaneous things I find interesting, you can follow me on Instagram @tabithalord.

So here are this week’s five things…

  1. Daisy is a great travel buddy. She loves riding in the car, running errands, playing at the doggy beach, and yes, bars. Most places down here in sunny Florida have outdoor decks where pets are welcome. Daisy is a popular attraction at such establishments.

  2. Having a washer and dryer on board was an excellent decision. Most people we spoke with said they’d rather have the extra closet space, but I am so glad I don’t have to bring the dirty laundry anywhere. With the amount of yoga and gym clothes we go through, and because we have pets along, I still do laundry almost every day. That much hasn’t changed with our life on the road!

  3. It still feels a little bit like we are on vacation, and I don’t mind that at all!

  4. When I hit the 10k word mark on a new manuscript, it feels like a keeper. When I hit 20k, I’m really invested in the story.

  5. If you follow this blog and you are a writer, you might be interested in Authors Buzz, a new author resource website created by me and two other talented ladies. We provide tons of articles and tips on writing craft and the business of publishing, and we also host a fun little podcast on YouTube where we discuss all things writing related. Our first few conversations are available so check them out!

Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien

Our Itinerary (subject to change):

Feb 4 - March 27: Sarasota, FL

March 27 - April 2: Disney World, FL

April 2-3: Panacea, FL

April 3-10: Lillian, AL

April 10-19: New Orleans, LA

April 19-26: Austin, TX

April 26 - May 2: Corpus Christi, TX

May 2-8: Lakehills, TX

May 8-15: Carlsbad, NM

May 15-22: Albuquerque, NM

May 22-29: Santa Fe, NM

May 29 - June 2: Alamosa, CO

June 2-10: Colorado Springs, CO

June 10-18: Granby, CO

June 18 - July 5: Central City, CO

July 5-9: Vernal, UT

July 9-13: Rock Springs, WY

July 13-22: West Yellowstone, MT

July 22 - August 5: Jackson, WY

August 5-10: Salt Lake City, UT

August 10-18: Hurricane, UT

August 18-27: Coachella, CA

August 27 - September 5: Temecula, CA

September 5 - October 1: Santa Barbara, CA

Monday Musings 6-21-21

All our children are together with us for the first time since Christmas 2019. Our oldest is 28 and the youngest 17. Ray and I were reflecting on just how long we’ve been parents! Those years, when the kids were little, were both wonderful and exhausting. They seemed to go on forever and yet pass in the blink of an eye.

At this juncture, where they are all young adults (or pretty close), I feel nostalgic. On the one hand, I miss spending family time at the aquarium or the zoo or various ball fields. I miss snow days and beach days and bedtime stories. On the other hand, I love where I am in my life right now, and I love seeing my children launch into their adult lives. I love their wonderful significant others. I love watching them grow their careers, and I am so curious to see what they will do.

My nostalgia does not hold regret, and for that I am grateful. Things certainly weren’t perfect, but we had a full, wonderful, messy time of it when our family was younger, and it is exactly right that the kids are where they are now, doing what they’re doing. I think we helped them grow big, brave wings, and they feel free to fly.

Fair winds and following seas to our oldest Nick, who’ll be deploying this summer. So proud of this guy, and so pleased he has found an amazing partner in Leslie. Congratulations to Noah, and his lovely Brynne, on their 2020 graduation from Dodge College of Film. Happy birthday and congratulations to RJ, who graduated from high school and turned 19 on the same day. And last, but not least, our sweet, talented Kyra will be a senior next year! She managed to navigate a challenging COVID junior year with strength and grace. My heart (and my house) is full.

In other news….

I have a big birthday coming up, and guess what I’m getting? Little Daisy is almost ready to travel. We can’t wait to meet her! And yes, I realize I am slowly replacing my human kids with fur babies.

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