June 12th marks 49 years of marriage for us, and now in our 50th year, we’re taking a road trip.

The room in our home where the planning began. We’ll travel August 18 through September 5th exploring places neither of us has seen before.

Driving Northwest together might be the perfect combination of ordinary – miles and miles in an SUV – and adventurous – impulse stops or hikes, breathtaking views, new to us Catholic churches and shrines, meeting new friends along the way, and possibly even new conversations between the two of us. I imagine him wincing as he reads this, but I also hope that Doug will reveal to me parts of himself I’ve never seen before, new parts of him to love!

If it goes like most car trips, we’ll pivot between audio books, silence, and conversation in the car. We’re comfy in each others’ presence, but that doesn’t translate to bored. We’re both excited about some visits with friends, and to celebrate one of Evan’s army buddy’s 40th birthday.

We’ve reserved a rental vehicle (the aforementioned SUV), booked places to stay, and bought tickets from Seattle back home to Houston.

This is really happening! I hope to share some of it here on the blog.

 The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in

from this time on and forevermore.
– Psalm 121: 8