Thursday, April 8, 2010

Reflections and Renewal

“It is a great time of renewal and new beginnings, when life rises refreshed from its sleep through winter’s dark.”

This past weekend was the annual celebration of life returning! Winter reflection is over and a new season has dawned. While still cold and snowy, the signs are showing even in the tall mountains of southwestern Montana. There are tiny plants emerging from the still somewhat frozen soil. Songbirds can be heard in the trees by the river. Days are getting longer and warmer!

What a strange winter we just had. After arriving in late October when temperatures are generally still tolerable, they suddenly plummeted to forty below. The town enjoyed a great opening day on Thanksgiving and had high hopes for the season. However, February began with unseasonably warm temperatures that continued for a month or more. The snow base deteriorated and the town of Big Sky became a mud pit much sooner than expected. Since then, the days have been alternating between warm and cold; slush and ice are constant companions now and will be around until June. They say there are two seasons here: winter and not-winter.

We got to see some good shows this season … the Hooligans (Grateful Dead cover band from Bozeman), the Lee Boys (which we’re hoping to see again in May in GA), and Sweatshop Union. My dad came to visit in late February and we went hiking, snowshoeing, snowmobiling in West Yellowstone, and skiing (we’re still awaiting pictures!). We got in some good time on the hill, drank good beer (the only kind we drink!), made some friends, and had friends come visit. We thought “this town ain’t got no heart” when we were booted mid-winter and thought we might have to quit our jobs and drive on, but a kind heart came to our rescue and we got to stay. It was a good season and we will miss this town when we leave.

Now it’s time to look forward! There are so many adventures that await us! Spring and summer bring mountain biking, hiking, paddling, swimming, hammocks, disc golf, cookouts, farmers markets, summer festivals, and harvests from our currently sprouting vegetable plants. I’m ready to put on my Chacos and go wade in a creek with Zach and the Black Dog!

We have decided after much discussion and planning that we are going to embark on our upcoming journey with no plans or time frames. We will stop where we want and when we want, and if we need to work then we will stop somewhere and do so. Many things are possible when your home is on wheels!

Heading out Wednesday, April 14th! ALL FORWARD!

Kelly

 Bus in a spring snowstorm ... bike rack under cover

Neighboring cabin on the river

Love that split-rail fencing

How can you say no?!

Zucchini getting started

Zucchini going nuts!

Lots o' lettuce

Saturday, April 3, 2010

MT>GA>ME

It's that time again ... ROAD TRIP!!! We are anxiously awaiting the end of the season (April 11th) and the end of Zach's plowing contract (April 15th) so that we can hit the road! We've got quite the adventure planned! We will total almost 4,000 miles when we reach Maine ... that's a LOT of miles! We can't wait to see our families and friends and show off our home on wheels :) Our route is no where near concrete, so we'll hopefully be stopping in interesting towns, natural hot springs, state parks, music festivals, meeting up with friends, or anything else that tickles our fancy along the way. I'll try to keep the blog updated so you know when to expect us! We have no time frame (except making the Rockland Blues Festival in Maine in July!). We've been working towards this all winter and now it's time to enjoy the fruits of our labor! We still need a temporary parking spot in Griffin and will be open to any yard work, babysitting, auto care, sewing repairs, etc. that you might need taken care of. I will also have some seedlings for sale when we arrive (compact, container-friendly varieties of cherry tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, lettuce, snap peas, organic basil, sunflowers, and lobelia). And don't forget my handmade goods! Every penny counts. After all, it's roughly $.32 a mile!

Thanks as always for being supportive towards our endeavors. We are truly living our dreams and there's something to be said for that!

Coming to a town near you ...

Kelly, Zach, and the Black Dog