The Wind of Change

It's in the air in full force! Something is brewing as our time in Yellowstone winds down. Although we are coming back next summer it is kind of sad watching this season come to an end. This place has been so good to us. Unlike our other trips in Destiny... people have not been our main priority. It's been all about nature, self-examination and growth. It has been a huge adjustment for us, our life together has always been so social and this summer we kind of turned into little hermits. Partly because- financially we can't really afford to do much, the other part is we have just been really enjoying each other and all the amazing creations around us. Every single week we have been able to discover a new place or have been able to take a new adventure. Not only is Yellowstone National Park in our backyard but we have Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming all with 10 miles of us. There are so many rivers, lakes, trails... it's impossible to run out of places to explore here. I feel guilty if we go to the same place twice. So yes, we are kind of sad to see it come to an end.

We will be taking the coastal way back home, taking our time. We hope to be home for the holidays this year- but it's all up in the air. That's the thing about full time Rv'ing, you often have more questions that answers. That's what makes this whole lifestyle absolutely crazy. there are ALWAYS more unknowns than knowns. And for a Type A, planner, organizer, do-er - this is where I find the biggest challenge and greatest blessing. I have to let go, drop the reins, release the steering wheel and have complete faith. 

Sure...

We don't have enough money saved yet,

Ya....

I don't know when our next paycheck will be after September 13,

And yes...

even gypsies have bills to pay

And....

We have no plans or jobs lined up from November-May of 2014

No money, no job, no direction.... sweet

Now hold on for the ride!

Although I could be (and sometimes do) freak out over these little transition phases in our life (that come often) I cannot be worried because every single time a door opens, and just in time. Never early and never late. And honestly, not just one time has this happened, or even a couple of times... but EVERY SINGLE TIME! It is a scary and absolutely beautiful thing to be in the hands of the Creator of the Universe. We said that we would go wherever He wanted us to, we told Him that we didn't need money or nice things, we told Him that we do whatever He wanted us to..... 

so now we wait.

We will wait with joy, embracing every minute of this place, inhaling every ounce of the un-polluted fresh mountain air, stare at the millions of stars that we see every night and the glowing milky way. We will recount all of the blessings this summer and the times of growth. A wind of change is a'blowin and we will wait with excitement as we anticipate our next mission!

They're Here!!!

Jordan's Parents, Ally, Ian, Richelle, and Zoe Come to Yellowstone!!!

We have been waiting in anticipation all summer for Jordan's family to get here. Even though the Thrane clan couldn't make it, we were glad that we would be able to show most of his family the place we have grown to love so much. August felt like an eternity away though...and then in the blink of an eye it was here and they were on their way! Jordan was SO excited, like a little kid who gets to go to Disneyland in the morning! I love the relationship he has with his family. I love that his older brother Ian is his best friend! They talk all the time on the phone, into the wee hours of the morning. It is such a precious gift. The best part of it is that they have accepted me into the family as well. I love my in laws and not many can say that!!!

Their time up here was a whirlwind as we only had three and a half days to share, plus we had to work part of the time. It was great though, we got to show them our house, our little town and our work! We explored the Mountain Man Rendezvous where we threw axes and atl atls (a primitive light spear throwing weapon). Oh ya and all the boys drank a man's crazy whiskey concoction from an old ceramic jug. Brave souls!!! We took them tubing down the Madison River, explored the National Park two of the days, took a walk down by the lake, showed them a good bike ride down to a river where Ally found $5.00 on a rock in the river, and enjoyed an amazing meal at the Bar N Ranch. The restaurant is set in the middle of a 200 acre ranch with glass windows on three of the walls. We each ordered something different so between all of us there was beef, bison, elk, antelope, duck, salmon, halibut, trout and crab on the table. Dave (He refers to  himself as Dave the Lord of Winterfell) the executive chef and a friend we met down at the local watering hole, sent us out some amazing custom appetizers on the house. We all shared a little bit of each other's plates and it was just an amazing meal after a long day of hiking and fun in the Park. The night before they left we went over to their campsite and played games outside on the picnic table by the light of lanterns. It was so fun and I learned how horrible I am at games! haha! 

Atl Atl

Whiskey drink...

Madison River

Make a wish

Float time.... we found out later it was illegal! Whoops!

Just amazing

Geyser time

This place is endless

Fairy Falls

Gandolf leading the way for us

Handsome Brothers!

Cote's (minus Ambs)

We made it! We thought the hike was 2 miles, turns out it was 5 miles!

Brown haired girls!

Enjoyin nature with Zoe girl, watching fishys jump

Jump!!!!!

Teachin her how to rock climb, just like I did with Mars at this age!

Sibs (minus Ambs)

Cute Parents

Jordan calls this our "Duck Dynasty" dinner at the Bar N Ranch

Priceless! She loves her Uncle Jordan

On Wednesday morning we went and hung out as they got all packed up to go. The days flew by while they were here and it was really sad to see them go. As much as we love traveling to experience new places and new people there is nothing quite like "your people." The people who know you best. Ever since my dad and Lynnette came and left in early June we have been without those familiar faces. So having the Cote's here was so refreshing. And although we are not rushing this summer to end we will be excited to get home this fall and see all of our people in California!

Week Eight

Our work days Friday through Tuesday went pretty fast this week. We had the two busiest nights of our summer and we were just so happy from our last days off at the lake. On our weekend we headed up to Bozeman to stock up on things. Our cupboards and fridge are emptier than they have ever been. So we ran a ton of errands and ended the night with Despicable Me Two. It was another excellent movie and a perfect way to spend our last free ticket from Nashville. It was late and so we spent another night in the Walmart parking lot.

With Destiny's walls nearly bursting with food and drinks we headed back to West Yellowstone. We scouted out some great fishing spots along the Gallatin River on the way up so we decided to stop at a couple of them. It was so gorgeous. We pulled Destiny off in a turnout then hiked down to the rivers edge. I brought a blanket and a good book and Jordan just fished the day away. The book is called Beautiful Outlaw... it is a refreshing and amazing read. The sunset was gorgeous with so many layers of mountains and clouds. 

Well I guess we have to get back home for our work week... sigh... until next week!!!

Hebgen Lake

It's that moment when you look around you and you think... 

"This Is It"

This is life at it's finest. And you wish that you could capture the moment for all of time. There is no camera that could catch it. No video camera that could take in all that you are feeling. This moment is for only my love and me. Right here and right now in the midst of some of God's greatest creations. I could stay forever. I know I have to leave but I have frozen this moment in my mind.. one memory I carry in my heart forever.

Imagine waves crashing on a shore, 

rain drops beating, 

hail falling, 

fire red skies, 

thunder booms, 

lightning flashing, 

double rainbow, 

sherbet sky, 

silver lining clouds, 

bird chirping, 

fish jumping, 

green trees, 

campfire crackling, 

guitar playing, 

milky way glowing, 

stars shooting, 

and that's all just one night.

I could describe the scene until I'm blue in the face and it wouldn't really do it justice. I'm coming to the realization that experiences really only hold meaning to those who actually experience them. Sure maybe we could learn a thing or two from someone else's experience or maybe inspire each other. But no one is going to get it like you did... when you were there in that moment, when all of your senses came alive and every part of your being was right there.