Our Journey Began

Ready to go! Joplin, MO - June '06 First Jr.Ranger badge; George Washington Carver Ntl. Monumt. - June 12, 2006	It's time...and I have a bit of it...to let "the world" know our whereabouts.  I feel as if time is zipping past much too quickly, like we'll not make it to where my internal compass drives me...as if it'll be too late.   Then, I realize everything falls into place as it's "supposed to" and I stop worrying...for a day, maybe two. But, it comes time again to raise the levelers, "batten down the hatches," and hook up the Exploder.  Make sure the black and grey waters are empty and the fresh water tank is 3/4 full, milk and juice are in the fridge and the laundry is caught up....and, well, the confidence that I'm doing fine slips through my mind like warm pudding between fork tines.   It's a balancing act...and I'm a Libra, I'm supposed to be able to do this. I'm a multi-tasker by nature without extreme on either side.  But, what if time is running out?  What if the ATMs and Debit cards become "null and void" before landing where The Spirit has intended?   (Don't worry...Wendy, you'll be where you're supposed to be....")
Sioux Falls, SD - June 30, 2006	Theodore Roosevelt Ntl. Park - July 9, 2006
Medicine Rocks, MT - July 10, 2006	PK & Medicine Rocks, MT - July 10, 2006
Medicine Rocks, MT   Perfect. But, it was certainly one of those times where we should have been set up for certain disaster (low fresh water, low food stores, very rough roads).  Everything goes well; ALL the cogs are well greased and move easily.  The kids climb holey walls, and crawl into "caves" all afternoon...I explore as well, with a different perception; it's magic. We share a sunset in quiet, and I ask the children to open their minds to what God/The Universal Energy/The Spirit has to offer: A woman in white with long dark braids appears and tells me I have chosen a great learning path for my children and to feel good about that...stop worrying...we are on the right journey. PK sees an indian brave on a successful buffalo hunt, Nick said he just wanted to send out great energy to the earth. Natalie sees flames, lots of trees burning. She feels there is going to be many fires; lots of places, lots of trees. This makes her sad for the Earth.	We all talk about what we felt and saw, thank The Spirit for our messages, and return to our perfect spot under the pine trees to sleep in the RV. Morning time brings a baby rabbit to my doorstep who regards me - but doesn't move - as I walk into the crisp daybreak. After a quiet stroll to greet the sun, I head back to begin the physical day. The bunny still waits in the same spot. I speak to it, then enter the RV - kids still snoozing. As I make breakfast, the little rabbit begins a playful "dance" in front of the window. I take a moment to watch it skip and skiddle with twitches of excitement and youth.  Then, it slowly hops into the dry grass. It's a message much needed by me. It takes a lot of faith, sometimes, to trust that all will be well. And, it sure feels wonderful when it works out.
Double Spear Ranch, Pryor, MT - July 12, '06	Pryor Mtn. Wild Horses - July 13, 2006
Double Spear Ranch - Pryor, MT   Probably the strangest part of the journey - mostly because there existed a thick, human interactive web. Soap-opera-like scenarios,  only western style.  This very cool place is a "dude ranch." One of those places Billy Crystal would go then get his cell phone crushed by a mad cow - or a digital camera eaten by a bear while berry pickin'.	On a lark I pulled into Pryor (a one-"quickie mart" town) as a Montana storm had the RV rockin' - and staying on the road wasn't an option. A Crow woman at the mart called out "to Tony's" - the man who owned the ranch.  He said to come on out ... and we ended up staying for three days.    If everything happens for a reason, I still haven't figured out this one. Perhaps the "lesson" wasn't for me but for someone else at the ranch.
Glacier National Park, MT   Before we left Florida, a friend said we shouldn't miss this place.  So, we didn't.  And, she was right.    This National Park has breathtaking scenery around every bend. The enormity of it - mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and crystal clear water - made us all feel very fortunate for embarking upon this Journey.	Medicine Lk., Glacier Ntl. Park, MT - July 21, 2006
Nick is in camoflage; Whidby Island Naval Base - July 29, 2006	Whidby Island Naval Air Station (NAS), WA   This gorgeous island, on the Straight of Juan de Fuca, was our final stop before crossing the border into Canada.  We restocked the food, washed clothes, and slept-in late a few mornings.    However, we didn't miss the chance to enjoy the seashore as much as possible; it was the first salt air we breathed, and the first ocean waves we heard since leaving Florida three months ago.   We even had a fantastic "neighbor" who just happened to be on one of his yearly crabbing trips, and who shared two ginormic dungeoness crabs with us.  WOW!!
Whidby Sunset Looking out our RV window	Whidby Island "Neighbor"