We took Lucille, our camp trailer (named after Lucille Ball and her movie The Long, Long Trailer), on our first camping excursion, a couple of weekends ago, in preparation for our epic adventure, and it was a very educational experience, to say the least.
First off, I decided not to take our dog. I had been considering it, and the kids really want me to take her, but after seeing how much more work it was going to add to the mayhem, and listening to someone else’s dog bark for 3 hours while they were away from their RV, I decided against it.
Second, I learned that I greatly underestimated how much gas was going to cost us. The road trip app that I have been using to calculate the price of gas, apparently doesn’t factor in pulling a fully loaded 26 ft trailer. Ugh!
Thirdly, I learned that when you aren’t hooked up to electricity you can’t expect the battery to last forever, and the furnace doesn’t work without power. We found that out at 5:00 in the morning laying in freezing camper. I stayed in bed while Shawn got up and tried to figure out what the problem was. He flipped switches, looked at lights and buttons, fiddled, hemmed and hawed, and then finally went outside to change the battery.
Fourth, I had the sudden realization as I lay there in that freezing trailer, that on our trip I will be the one flipping switches, looking at lights and buttons and then changing the battery at 5:00 in the morning. What if I can’t figure out what is wrong? Am I up for it? Can I do it? Do I want to do it? Sigh… Laying in a freezing camper at 5:00 in the morning really forces you to evaluate and reevaluate all the whys, whats and hows. Believe me!
And Fifth, I came to the conclusion that, I really am going on this epic adventure to make memories with my children and to build family relationships, the relationships I have with my children and their relationships with each other. Also, to build relationships and make memories with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. My kids haven’t seen any of my family for 3 years. That’s way to long. You can’t put a price on those kinds of relationships and memories with loved ones, and when it comes down to it I would do anything to foster those relationships, even change a battery at 5:00 am in my pajamas.
Potty Train Camdon CHECK (although I don’t know if this will be a help or a hindrance)
Get MiFi so we can have internet CHECK
Get a backpack to carry Camdon in CHECK
Finalize and plan first leg of the trip CHECK mostly
Yard Sale CHECK I made a whopping $.50
Practice driving and backing up the trailer (insert scared emoji here)
Deep clean house
Clean Yard
Edit 3 photo sessions
Pack
Get a root canal, seriously I think I need one before we go. 🙁
Make out a menu of things I can actually cook in our trailer. I don’t have an oven so this could be tricky.
Spend all our money CHECK
Go crazy CHECK (was already)
When I started this post I was thinking I was doing pretty well on my list, but after writing it all out here I’m freaking out a bit. I better get a move on. We will be on the road in less than 3 weeks.
“…no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second’s encounter with God and with eternity.” — Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
I’ll be honest, I am super excited andscared to death at the thought of going on our grand adventure. I keep telling myself there are a million reasons this is a bad idea and we shouldn’t go. “What if the suburban breaks down.” What if it costs more than I thought it was going to ?” What if I can’t back up the trailer?” “What if we have an accident?” “What if I get lost.” “What if this isn’t the best use of our money.” “What if it’s a giant mistake?” “What if……..
But then, there is also a little spark in me that says, “What if?” “What if it does work out?” “What if you do have the time of your lives?” “What if you make memories that will last forever?” “What if it isn’t what you expect it will be, but that’s okay. It will be what it should be?” “What if there are hard things, but you learn from them and you are better for it?” “What if you can dream big and make it come true?” “What if you can do hard things?” “What if you can have an epic adventure.?” I’m trying really hard to listen to that little spark.
It’s time for our exciting news….. Drum roll, please………We are going on an epic road trip down the west coast this summer. We just bought a camp trailer, and I’m loading everyone up for a 4-5 month adventure. We are sad Shawn won’t be able to travel with us the whole time, but he will be joining us when he can. We are leaving Alaska the end of May and will be spending time with family in Utah, Idaho, and Washington. After our visits with family, we plan to explore more of Washington before continuing down the west coast through Oregon, and California. Depending on how fast we go and what our schedule is like we might even venture into Arizona before heading back home.
Here is a map of our plan so far. If you aren’t familiar with Roadtrippers.com check them out. It is a fabulous site for planning any road trip. They calculate the amount of money you will spend on gas, your drive time, and the miles you will travel. This site has been invaluable. Roadtrippers also has an app for your mobile device.
We would love to have you follow along with us on our journey. I plan to blog about the trailer we purchased, how we are making this all happen, and so many of the things we see and do along our way.
We also need a name for our fun adventure. The Lowry Family Epic Journey just doesn’t have the right ring to it. Submit a fun name and then we will vote for our favorite. If we choose your name I will send you a Christmas ornament from Santa’s House in North Pole, Alaska. I can’t wait to hear what you come up with.
Check back again soon!
You can follow me on Instagram. User name: KimberlyMLowry
Winter is almost over, and we are sure looking forward to summer coming. We have some super exciting things planned that we can’t wait to share with everyone. (No we aren’t having a baby) STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION!
Welcome to my blog. My name's Kimberly. I moved to Alaska from Utah, when I married my wonderful husband, and I've been in Alaska for 14 years now. Little did I know, when I got here, what an eventful life it would be. Surviving the "Last Frontier" while raising and home schooling 7 kids is an everyday adventure.
