From Here to Kingdom Come

One month and three gas caps later, John and I have literally driven from Kingdom Come to Promised Land.

Granted, those are State parks in Kentucky and Pennsylvania, respectively, but in just the few weeks that we’ve been on the road in our rusty, trusty RV we affectionately refer to as the Escaper (because that’s what Toyota called it some twenty years ago as evidenced by the paint job – and it’s absolutely appropriate), I feel like we’ve covered a lot of ground in many ways.

Like the fact that we have been able to find and share stories that we are so very proud of just as we intended, that the Escaper is still creaking along, and that we are still speaking to one another in civilized tones and actually having fun. That’s a lot for two old friends who decided one day to follow an idea and see where it led.

There were grand visions of what we would be able to accomplish while on the road but those quickly gave way to the reality that in between researching, interviewing, writing and editing, we still needed to trouble shoot the numerous mysterious leaks, air conditioner woes, overnight parking accommodations, etc. If there is such a thing as a work/life balance I’m not sure I will ever find it – whether at home or on the road. I think there’s just life.

Six weeks ago I said good-bye to my comfort zone of cherished family and friends around Washington, DC and headed into the great unknown. Those who know me well know how fond I am of saying “it is what it is.” Before it was a glib way to end a sentence; now they are truly words to live by.

These weeks have been eye opening for me, but John hasn’t exactly had that feeling yet, since for him, we have been traveling familiar territory. So it is with great excitement and anticipation that we start heading west. No offense to my East Coast brethren (we’ll catch you on the flip side) but if we want to make it to Alaska, we need to do so by mid-August.

I foresee many a Wal-Mart parking lot in our future and I look forward to those sofas offered by new and old friends. I know how privileged I am to be able to do this project at this point in my life. I can’t thank you all enough for your words of support and for visiting our web site. We have many miles to travel, but at least we can say we’ve already reached Promised Land.