So, we are actually at home now! We arrived home last thursday! We had several very important stops, and some of them were surprises!! We visited with family and friends along the way, which was wonderful, but being home!!! yeah, I am not sure I can put it into words!
But, that is jumping ahead! I have to go back a week or so and catch you up on what we saw!
So, after the Grand Canyon we went north east to catch the four corners! Navaho land, where we saw many native american/ Navaho artists and their crafts, and we also each stood in a different state, at the same time!
So, that added 3 more states to Alexa & Gavin's maps!
From here we headed into Colorado to see Mesa Verde National Park. Our neighbors at home in Maine made this suggestion, and we are glad that they did! This is an amazing place, where Pueblo people built their homes into the sides of cliffs! Much of the park is closed in the winter, but we were able to walk down to the Spruce Tree House. They even allow you to climb down into a Kiva, and use the grinding stones!
Spruce Tree House, as seen from the path
We saw many rock formations that were completely alien to our New England minds!
From here we headed across New Mexico, spending the night at a truck stop in Santa Rosa, just outside of west Texas! Then it was a day of driving, trying to reach Tyler before freezing rain and nasty weather in general. But, first we had a pit stop in Oklahoma for lunch in the camper on the side of the road, another state visited! We arrived in Tyler in good time, by 9:30 or so.
We had a wonderful couple of days with Uncle Joe & Aunt Melissa, and many cousins! The kids were sad to leave ( me too, really!). But we did move on after 2 nights, but not before a gathering of about 18 cousins to share pizza, stories, and laughs. Cliff and I, and the kids too, will remember that gathering for a long time!
We then dipped into Louisiana, again to show the kids a brief glimpse of another state and color it in on the map! First we had a quick stop in Marshall, which was a tradition when we drove through when I was a kid, to see the pottery shop!
Moving forward, next stop Mike & Karen, more cousins! Mike is my Dad's nephew. We decided, Mike, his sister Michelle, and I that we have seen each other 4 times! Three of them as adults! It was wonderful to touch base with them, it had been exactly 20 years since Cliff and I had seen them. We met Mike's daughter and had a fun meal at a Mexican restaurant. The next morning we were off to Mountain High Berry farm in Cabot to see a high school friend of Dad's. I do not have enough space to describe these wonderful folks! But they made us right at home, fixed an amazing spread of venison, which Gav & Alexa helped prepare, with homemade biscuits, jam, eggs, etc! Just like I remember from all those years ago!
Then it was a 2 day trip to surprise Gwen, Lia, and Nana in Pittsburgh! AND meet our newest family member, Victoria!
We enjoyed checking out a little bit of Pittsburgh, and surprising the pants off Nana is always fun!! But it was wonderful to see these awesome ladies in person! We miss being closer to them!
Then it was a birthday bash in Long Island, a quick lay over in CT and home again, home again, Maine! Now, we are waiting for the blizzard of 15 with smiles and a pile of wood for the wood stove!
Thanks for following our big journey!
