Pause within a Pause…
So much progress has been made, but it still feels like the wheels are spinning, spinning spinning.
A major milestone was passed in that we HAVE new wheels! Mid way through May we purchased a new vehicle 2010 Ford Expedition (new to us anyway) and said goodbye to the trusty Honda Fit. Originally we were looking at some variety of camper van, but with vaccinations for Covid accelerating (we are both fully vaccinated YAY!), the inflated price of camper vans and our complete lack of experience with them, we opted for a vehicle that we can throw down air mattress in, and hopefully will need less maintenance. A name is still in the works. Thus far we are leaning toward “Santo Suave”. What she lacks in gas efficiency is made up in a smooth and quiet ride.
The sensation of PAUSE comes from the fact that Rene is having bilateral lower abdominal hernia surgery April 26th. It is out patient surgery, but it’s still getting intubated and cut open. The issue has been bothering Rene for several years and has now accelerated past “ignorable”. He really likes his surgeon and are surrounded with support, so now is the best possible scenario for getting it taken care of. Our departure date will depend on his recovery. So, we are prepping as best as possible, anticipating leaving Seattle at the end of May, but allowing for contingency plans should a slower rate be necessary for healing.
Speaking of support, we wouldn’t have made it this far, or through 2020/21 without incomparable support from friends and family. In November friends made space for us in their home in Montlake. In exchange for cooking for all of us, we have a roof over our heads and minimal living expenses. Without this living situation, we wouldn’t have been able to save for the adventure we are about to embark on, or purchase the vehicle we now have. Our family and friends have been wildly supportive mentally, emotionally and monetarily. The generosity has brought us tears of gratitude many times over.
We have a LOOSE itinerary planned. Given we are starting later than expected, the plan is to head east. Quick stop in Walla Walla to visit friends who moved there a few months ago, into Montana, visit some National Parks, make our way to Minnesota where Rene went to college, then to Shelburne Vermont where a friend from college lives and has offered us a place to land for a bit. The goal is to be in Vermont by the end of July and stay in the Northeast into early October. Johanna has relatives in upstate New York and Ontario that we’d like to reconnect with, if possible. The next goal is to be in Durham NC by Halloween/Samhain. Rene lived there for about 4 years and still has close friends in the area. This is are far as we have ‘planned’ and with COVID, wildfires, money and life all being factors, we expect to adjust several times over. The thought is that we’ll zig zag our way back west throughout winter and early spring, and see if we still like each other… oh wait, we’re married!
Another blog post on that lovely day later.
Thanks for reading this far, should you want to contribute to gas money or the equipment we are planning to purchase, you can contribute https://gofund.me/26eee8a1 , request a custom embroidered tote bag from the shop, or via various apps Venmo @jojolocal, PayPal gojojo81@gmail.com, cash app $jojolocal
