Day 3,990

Growth:

Becky’s been reminding me that we don’t have to squeeze more into our trips, sometimes the spaces in between, the unfilled times, are exactly what we need.  This trip has had opportunities for over-scheduling, but we’ve kept it pretty calm by our standards.  Having that extra time to breathe and process has been exactly what I needed.

Appreciation:

Another vacation with Becky is just about wrapped up!  This was a kind of crazy one, we dropped off Gavin and became empty nesters, we go to give our camper van it’s first “Mike and Becky only” trip longer than two nights, and we got to celebrate Becky’s birthday on vacation.  In past years we’ve somehow happened to time being on a vacation or outing of some sort on Becky’s birthday – including the Grand Canyon and Alaska.  Nice to get back to celebrating on the road!

This bonus time for the two of us has been supremely relaxing, this was pretty much the only morning we woke up early to an alarm.  We were able to get in one last hike at New River Gorge NP this morning before starting the trip back and it was a beautiful one for sure.  The clouds were hanging in the river valley as the sun slowly rose.  To add to the fun the moon was still out and the sun rose to just the right height to create a circular rainbow in the clouds.  It was pretty epic!

Another trip for the two of us, likely the first of an increased number with just the two of us with both boys being out of the house.  Celebrating her birthday while on the road doing what we love seemed a very appropriate way to spend the day!

Presence:

At one point this morning Becky and I both sat on a rock that was very close to the edge of a 1,500’ vertical drop.  We sat watching the rapids in the river between the ever increasing gaps in the clouds above the water but below where we were sitting.  We watched the sun slowly rise up, the clouds drift, and we just enjoyed a moment of quiet calm.  

Thanks!!!