We’ve been on the road for over two months now, and it’s been an amazing experience for my family and me.  We’ve seen lots of family and friends, hiked through lots of beautiful nature, learned about all kinds of science, and perhaps most importantly become much closer as a family.  As anyone who’s traveled with others knows, sometimes the most difficult part is just getting along with those you travel with.  The fact that it was so much fun to travel with Kim is a big reason I wanted to marry her, and that continues to this day with our kids.

During the last two months I’ve spent close to the same amount of waking time with my kids as the rest of the year combined.  A big part of taking this trip for me is to get time with my kids while they’re young, impressionable, and don’t mind hanging out with their parents.  By far the most common thing I hear from grandparent aged people when they smile at our children is how fast the time goes and how we should enjoy it now.  I’ve even had a lady say that to me while Xena was having a meltdown because she couldn’t find her special rock, and all I wanted to do was hand her off and tell that lady to enjoy it herself, but I understood what she was saying nonetheless.  During this trip I’ve had

the privelege of bonding with my daughters over setting up a campsite, tying knots, learning about astronomy (eclipse and otherwise), reading lots of books, singing songs, and answering countless questions about the world around us,

mostly beginning with “why”.

Geneveve and Xena have really bonded too, and it’s incredibly special to see their relationship as sisters be so close.  They play together in imaginary worlds in the dirt for hours.  Most of the toys that we brought with us in the

car went untouched as sticks, rocks, dirt, and each other became everything they needed or wanted much of the time.  They’ve learned how to better resolve conflict with each other, when the other needs help, and when to give each

other space.  I’m sure if we’d had them in Portland for the summer that they wouldn’t have been forced to the same level of closeness as they have on these travels.  I hope these bonds and lessons keep them close in the years to come.

I certainly meant to write more during our travels, but lack of internet for much of the time was a convenient excuse for me to stay more present.  I have things I wrote on paper and in offline media that I’ll be transcribing and backfilling to our family travel blog, and hopefuly some time for reflection between when the kids start school again and I start my new job, whatever that ends up being.  There really is a profound difference in mental state when you’re disconnected from the online world and spending time with loved ones.  That’s not to say I’m going to renounce technology and go live in the woods, but I highly recommend

taking the time to disconnect with your family when you can.