The obnoxious chiming of my phone woke me this morning. 4am. Not a mistake. I had certainly set my alarm for that specific time but admittedly, I was a bit annoyed cuz I was in a very sound, comfy, warm, sleep.
A few under-the-cover stretches, snuggles with Piper, and my feet finally hit the floor.
Today was the day. I’d been anticipating the significance of this day and the challenge this particular Wednesday beheld for several days.
One year ago today, I set off on the journey of a lifetime. The challenge? To capture all that 2024 had unfolded before me; to share the travel nuggets obtained from living on the road in my car; to share the truths derived from visiting real homesteading, face-to-face communities around the country; to share the difficulties and hardships smattered here and there during 2024; to share the inexplicable joy and exuberance of a dream realized.
Preparing for today, gathering calendars and journals, photos and videos, has propelled me into a deep contemplative mindset. The vastness of what was entailed in this last year is a bit daunting, especially when I’m trying to put all these thoughts, feelings and experiences into written words.
My Comfort Zone Eviction tour was not a singular moment in time. The days before January 22,2024 and after January 12th 2025 are intermingled with preparation, time with family, and unexpected emotions and outcomes. The actual days of my travels are all brilliantly covered with a colorful brushstroke that will drip onto the pages of my future.
One cannot fulfill a lifechanging dream without the effects permeating into the days ahead.
So here we are and here we go!
January 22, 2024 – Monday
Frigid cold with inches of snow on the ground…
A day much like today!
I’d arrived home on the 20thof January from Orlando, Florida. I’d spent the previous week with my daughter, Lauren, and her family at Universal Studio. We’d been planning this trip for a year and a half! The wait was worth it because now our group included my beautiful 10 month old grandson.
After arriving back home to PA, I unpacked and tucked all the beautiful memories and sadness of leaving away and I turned my attention to the last details for Monday. I had approximately 36 hours to change gears and finish preparations for my Comfort Zone Eviction tour [CoZE].
On Sunday morning, the 21st, I wrote in my journal as part of the day’s entry, “facing fears and embracing opportunities” The verse printed at the bottom of the page:
“I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jerimiah 29:11.
I definitely claimed that verse!
Piper was still healing from her surgery. The healing process for her and the PTSD for me could fill up several pages! For now, just know I was also packing ramps and meds to take with me so Piper could get in and out of the car and get up or down any stairs we encountered.
I’d bought a membership to KOA Kampgrounds. Mostly I did this to appease my mother.
When I first shared my plans with her for 2024, she asked me if I had started making my flight arrangements.
“Mom, I’m going to be driving to all these places. I can’t afford to fly everywhere! Besides, I have Piper and I need to, want to, bring her with me.”
…long pause…
“Oh honey. You’re going to drive all around this country in your car?”
My car being a 2013 Ford Focus with, at the time, 130,000 miles.
“Yeah! It gets great gas mileage and so far everything I need fits, including me and Piper sleeping together in it!”, I assured her.
“I’ll worry so much and will be praying for you a lot”, she said.
Mom, at Thanksgiving, had given me a black mug with a white bare-branched tree on it. In the tree were 2 red cardinals. She had one just like it – a reminder for me she would be praying for my safety while I was touring the country.
The morning of January 22, 2024 dawned with the hint of a sunny winter’s day forthcoming. The temps were still so cold and there were several inches of snow on the ground but the sun came out in all her glory.
I finished loading my car, checking my lists a thousand times. I was heading to Wytheville, VA and staying the night at the local KOA. Maps showed a 7 hour drive, 476 miles. My destinations of VA on this day and TN on Tuesday, had been hit hard with a snowstorm. The drive could take longer.
I checked, double checked my home. Cleaned up the house – yes, I’m one who likes everything to be as perfect as possible before I leave. I’d put all my plants together on a few shelves and the kitchen counter to make it easier for my daughter, Catherine, to water.
One more walk-through and out the door we went till March. Piper was beyond excited to get in the car. She’d known something was up with all the packing.
I walked the very short distance to my daughter’s house to say goodbye. The “grands” were somewhat used to my leaving for long stretches of time because of my previous years’ seasonal work in Montana. Probably the hardest one for me to leave, my newest grandson, born in November. He was 2 months old and I knew he’d be so changed when I arrived home in March. So much growth would transpire in those weeks I was away.
Hugs and more hugs as my eyes filled with tears.
Did I have second thoughts during all of this preparation? Sure. But my WHY was a constant reminder when doubts began to creep in.
I walked carefully out to my warm car, avoiding the icy patches. Piper greeted me, the exuberance of her tail wagging causing wind gusts. I climbed in, fastened my seat belt, and adjusted my phone in the holder so I could better see my navigation. I waved back to the sweetest little cherubic face in the livingroom window. Put my car in reverse to back out of the driveway. I whispered a prayer for protection on the road. Shifting to “drive”, we were off for the adventure of a lifetime!
Was I a little scared? Yes. There were so many “if’s” and “what if’s” slamming into my thoughts as I drove toward the interstate.
At this point, the only thing I knew to do was follow the plan. Drive to the KOA in VA. That’s all I had to do for this Monday, January 22 of 2024. What about the weather forecast of 22 degrees for the nighttime temperature? I’d handle that “experience” once I got there!
