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A much needed history lesson…
We have been on the open road (cue Goofy’s “On the Open Road” song from A Goofy Movie) for a little over two years now and until this current job, all jobs have been west of the Mississippi River.
We have seen the Grand Canyon, Zion, Glacier, Crazy Horse and Mount Rushmore. We have drank Butterbeer at Hogsmeade at Universal California and had authentic Chicago deep dish pizza in Chicago. We have visited a real mining town of yesteryear in Montana, visited the hometown of Quaker Oats and Aunt Jemima and walked on the Strip in Las Vegas.
But none of that compares to the South.
The food. The history. The people. Unmatched.
When Keegan called me to tell me our next job location was in Alabama, to say we all were excited would be the understatement of the century. And Alabama has exceeded our expectations in the best ways.
Each election year gets darker, more violent and creates more fear and anger than relief and happiness. As a parent and a homeschooling mom, it is my job to teach my children how to navigate and be successful in this world today and watching the reactions of Americans on both sides of the political race was disappointing to say the least but something good did come of it.
I refuse to raise my children without the understanding of “how things work”. For example, if you stay up late and I wake you up early, I don’t want to hear any complaining. If you want money, you have to do your part and earn it. If you mess with fire, you’re gunna get burned. If you are going to vote for anything, make sure to do your research and vote for those who will make the country a better place, no matter gender, race, age, or sexual preference and always remember God. It’s not just a teachers job to teach your children. It’s yours too!
This election was an unnecessary metaphorical bloodbath. When November 5th came around, I knew I did NOT want to be pacing the house waiting for results. I don’t know about y’all, but on a normal day, I do not handle stress during the waiting game very well so I knew November 5th was going to be H E double hockey sticks. If not because of social media…..it would have been because of my husband. It wasn’t my first rodeo….so I decided not to take a chance.
Why not take a day that is stressful and sometimes unfair and turn it into a history lesson? A history lesson many have forgotten or never learned. A history lesson so dark, bloody and sad but also heroic, historic and still relevant.
A civil rights museum — talk about fitting for the times, right?!
The Birmingham Civil Rights Institute We took the kids on an eyeopening journey at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham, Alabama, a museum that gave us so much more than pictures and exhibits. It sent us back in time to a time when the world was black and white, literally split down the center. It was a priceless history lesson that everyone needs to see for themselves. http://www.bcri.org
Did you know Rosa Parks was NOT the first black woman to refuse to move from the white section of a public bus? If you did, please message me and inform me because we did not. Claudette Colvins, 15 years of age, was the first black woman to refuse to give up her seat nine months BEFORE the infamous Rosa Parks, on March 2, 1955. Just as important, if not more since she was the first, as Rosa Parks, sparking a movement of epic proportions.
Seeing a replica of a public transportation bus, metal charred and torn, steel charred pipes where cushioned seats once stood, shards of glass covering every inch of the floor inside and out was a reality check I was not prepared for. The thought of people of any color, age and gender, sitting on a bus, minding their own business, being burned alive inside, all because of the opinion of others was nauseating.
Standing mere inches away from a jail cell that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., sat in while he penned the infamous “Letter from Birmingham Jail” in April 1963, a letter I read before going to the museum and was stunned to notice that it is a relevant today as it was 61 years prior. Click on the link to read the pdf of “Letter from Birmingham Jail” https://www.csuchico.edu/iege/_assets/documents/susi-letter-from-birmingham-jail.pdf.
To watch the video of MLK standing at the Washington Monument in D.C. giving one of the most famous speeches in history, his “I Have a Dream” speech brought me to actual tears in the middle of the museum. I felt completely ridiculous wiping away tears but knowing that his speech still has an impact on people today is exactly why Dr. King gave that speech. A man so full of love for everyone, he spoke for everyone of all ages, races and genders then and every day since.
I think this country needs a refresher course.
I couldn’t think of a better way to spend Election Day. We left there with heavy hearts and somber thoughts of “how can people be so cruel all because of an opinion on a skin color??!” We left knowing we would have been part of the revolution. We left there knowing we could all make a difference in the world.
A lesson I am here to tell you. Yes, you. You are important. God made you because He knew the world needs you! And if we can all work together, towards happiness, the world would flourish and grow in the right direction. If you are ever in the Birmingham area, please go check out the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. It is such a special place, you will leave forever changed, hopefully for the better!
Our middle daughter turned 8 years old this last weekend and we celebrated in Panama City! We surprised her, Zoe and Jax with a dolphin sightseeing cruise and it was a blast! The captain even allowed Rory and Jax to drive the boat in the Gulf!!! The happiness was radiating and we are so grateful to be able to share these experiences with our babies. I highly recommend http://seascreamer.net if you are in Panama City and want to go see some dolphins and have a lot of laughs. Great crew, lots of amazing information and we saw 7-8 pods of dolphins!! We even briefly got the **National Geographic** version of the dolphin life (you and me, baby, ain’t nothin’ but mammals….ok I’m done LOL). After some good seafood, lots of sand in places one should never have sand and even catching a jellyfish in a sand bucket, we made it home tired and Rory a year older! A great trip!! I even tried cheesy grits and swore I went to heaven after every bite!!
Remember to take the time to travel, even if it is only domestically. It is so worth it! Great people, great food and great memories are waiting for you. You only have to say yes and start driving! God is good, y’all!
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Summer’s end, autumn start….
Most of the time, I do not follow crowds or trends.
I do not care to keep up with the Joneses (who were the “Joneses” this phrase is coined upon? Anyone know?) or to be busy 24/7 to appease the social media gods, except for two seasons a year, fall and winter.
You can chalk me up to a basic, flannel wearing, apple picking fall lover (except that APPLE CINNAMON is the superior flavor/scent. NOT pumpkin spice! I said what I said!)
Leaves changing in Nebraska. I do love summer, to a point. I love being on the water, in a boat, fishing, hiking etc. But to me, summer is all about go, go, go. Do this, go here, do that, see this, non stop for 3 months. (That is how life FLIES by. When you are always living for the next minute instead of living in the moment you are in. If you don’t believe me, look at your kids.) And to “have fun” in 110º weather for Lord knows how many days in a 90 day period??? Where is the fun in trying to become dehydrated beef jerky??!
Fall & winter, though? They are my favorite seasons because the weather (depending on what location you are in for fall, sorry Southern California) forces everyone to slow down. To stop and breathe, maybe even clear your calendars.
In the summer, when you are sweating your water weight out of your pores, you can only take so much off before it becomes indecent exposure and someone is scarred for life. No thank you.
But after September, you can bundle up with as many layers as you need to be cozy and comfortable. When did we replace comfort with busyness in our lives?
I understand working in mentioned weather is not appealing to almost anyone, my husband reminds me of this often, but close your eyes and picture for me….
You walk into your warm home after a long day in the cold, to sit with your family, wrapped up in a blanket, with a warm bowl of stew, watching a movie with your babies, joining in on the laughter, forgetting about the outside world and all of its many issues.
Isn’t that the point? Your home and your family is to be your safe space, your comfort haven, the source of the warmth for your soul. Fall and winter help deepen that warmth in your soul, in more ways that physically.
The seasons shed their former colors for new ones every few months. Along with that comes a plethora of changes. God is showing us it is ok to change with the season. It is ok to shed the old, unwanted and unnecessary because you will be born as you should. So then why are we afraid? When changes, if you let it, can lead to something beautiful.
As the leaves change here in Southeast Nebraska, I find myself looking back on the past 2 years of traveling, appreciating that we embraced the change God put in front of us, knowing He always has our best interests close to His heart. He is good!
Montana was breathtaking for the summer. So much wildlife, terrain and history to explore in the 41st state of our union. With 56 state parks to explore (man, we should have got out more), Montana is the 4th largest state by area but remains the 8th least populated state in the country, it takes a special bread of old soul to live and thrive in west Montana.
East Montana is, as best that I can describe it (also depends on what part of East Montana) either Hippie Headquarters (Helena) or Western Barbie (Bozeman). I wish I was kidding, but I am far from it. Regardless, it is a treasure you must experience, for the breathtaking views if not the people, at least once in your life.
Fort Peck Lake, Montana. If you want to live life like when the “West Was Won”, West Montana is calling your name. (You probably can’t hear it because they don’t have cell service in a lot of areas and probably still use pony express for as long as Amazon took to get to us but they are calling you!) But there is a particular kind of beauty in an area where time stands still, there’s not a Starbucks in 100 miles, let alone a Walmart, where yesteryear knocks on your door, asking you to come live the way your ancestors did, slow, steady, with meaning.
Every Sunday, while we were in West Montana, we would go fishing at Fort Peck Lake and it was glorious, peaceful and absolutely wonderful, with or without fish being caught. Our Sunday tradition eventually included another wonderful family who grew to become part of our family. It was a day each of us would looking forward to and a tradition (and part of our family) we miss everyday. I can’t help but think that this is how God intended our Sabbath to be practiced.
Easy like Sunday Mornin! Looking back on the 2 years we have been on the road, we have met so many amazing people, had many laughs around a campfire or a picnic table, many serious conversations that have led to realizing no matter where you are in the world, no matter your age, race, or gender, we all have the same problems, worries and fears. And you can always find someone to walk with you through the storms. You are never alone, if you don’t want to be.
God pushes for your story to change because He places people, places and things in our path for growth. There is still so much to learn and so many places to see (yes, even in our own country) and so many people to meet that all of this could change your world for the better, if you let it. You just have to accept the offer God is giving you and trust in His timing.
Embracing His word while listening to the world around me. The leaf changes colors and falls from its home gracefully, knowing there is a bigger picture to be seen.
God is Good always! Trust in Him and you shall see the change.
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How much?
Dearest gentle reader….just joking as I am on a Bridgerton binge and it got me thinking that I have not posted on our blog in some time. Apologies, as I have come to live in the moment of our family adventures and not so much posting about them. But there have been adventures and many more to come.
But this blog post won’t be focused on our adventures…but yours.
To start off, hello from the “Big Sky” state or the “Treasury” state, Montana!! As we enjoyed the southwest area of the United States, almost one full year of going back and forth from California to Texas and back was more than enough! Mind you, it was in the same areas of each state….along I-40 (I am sure you can imagine the boredom!!) So being told we were headed to Montana was a welcome change!
If you have not been to the Big Sky state, PUT. IT. ON. YOUR. BUCKET. LIST. Spacious, green, beautiful mountain ranges and some of the nicest people. A state that respects the ground God gave them along with the people as well. And the food!! Montanans pride themselves (as they should!) for homegrown, local ingredients in their food and boy, can you tell a difference.
But be prepared to experience all 4 seasons (and more) with a 24 hour period!!
For my 34th birthday in May, all I wanted was to go to Glacier National Park and it was the best birthday yet! We had planned to tent camp (see previous paragraph about the weather) but ended up renting a cabin at the local KOA in St. Mary’s, only 1 mile from the National Park entrance. I could not have asked for a better, relaxing and enjoyable birthday exploring and appreciating God’s work.
But I have noticed something in particular in the 3 national parks we have been to in the two years on the road (Grand Canyon, Zion & Glacier). I have seen more foreigners visiting our National Parks than Americans.
I do not mean this in an insulting way. I am all for anyone and everyone who respects this country to come and enjoy what we have to offer! What I mean by my previous statement is that there is a huge percentage of Americans who have not been given or taken the opportunity to truly enjoy our homeland. We have been conditioned to work our bones to death and only take breaks on the weekends to get things done that have been neglected in our home/lives, only to wake up and it be Monday again. Going through this vicious cycle for 40+ years until we are possibly too old to travel.
We have accepted that our knowledge of our country is only to be obtained through social media or books.
Raise your hand if you remember learning (albeit, briefly) about Lewis & Clark & Sacagawea? **raised my hand** Raise your hand if you remember WHAT you learned exactly? **crickets**
Where we are located right now in Montana is Lewis & Clark county. You can’t drive a few miles without seeing something referencing these historic figures, whether it’s a motel, caverns, museums, part of the trail they took while navigating through the Rocky Mountains.
I honestly had not given these historic figures much though throughout my life until we were stationed here in Montana. But stopping to take a look around and to think, these three people WALKED with no pavement, no car, no GPS, trees galore, all to be but forgotten has made me sad. We learn about them in History class for a week but don’t truly appreciate what they did for us to be who and what we are today until you come up to Montana and see it for yourself.
It makes you feel small and sadly, weak. How we rely on Amazon, restaurants, frozen dinners, etc., with zero ambition to change the world or at least experience it because we have been conditioned that what we are doing is enough.
How many national parks have you seen in your lifetime?
How many historical places have you visited to pay respects too?
We went to an old western town/ghost town called “Virginia City” and it was a sight to be seen. Most of it was closed until after Memorial Day but we got to peak into the dilapidated yet frozen in time buildings that have stood for centuries to give us a glimpse of what it was like before everything was modernized. Back when America was strong.
A mile down the road was a forgotten ghost town called “Nevada City” where they dredged for gold in Alder Gulch.
Before I get too much into that story, most people don’t stop and think that every single state, city, town, road, all connect and build this amazing country of ours. So most people don’t pay any mind to history anymore as centuries ago has nothing to do with them….when in reality, it has EVERYTHING to do with them. Once you remember that, you will remember to be grateful again. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming…..
Have you ever heard of Alder Gulch? How about Nevada City, Montana? No? Ok how about an easy one. Have you ever heard of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts?
What is the correlation, you ask? In the early 20th century, $126.7 million (in today’s prices) was dredged from Alder Gulch in Nevada City, Montana and sent to help fund Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 2,412.6 miles away. Still think all history doesn’t connect and mean something today?
Our country is something to be proud of. The world is ever evolving and it is a vicious cycle of the older people hating what the younger people are doing/wear/saying etc. But allow me to give you small spoiler alert, the younger generation will eventually be the older generation who hates the younger generation.
Every time I write a blog post, it helps me to be grateful for the opportunity my family and I have been given to travel the country. To experience it and appreciate it. Yes, I do understand we were given a rare opportunity but it was an opportunity we could have missed out on. How many opportunities have you missed out on due to fear or some other excuse? You don’t know what you could have had otherwise if you stay in your comfort zone. I always say, “your comfort zone will kill you”.
Something we have learned through experience, which is, no offense, way more credible than anything you have read on Facebook, or watching on YouTube, is this…..
OUR COUNTRY IS NOT AS DIVIDED AS THE MEDIA WOULD HAVE YOU BELIEVE!
Call me crazy or full of bologna (yes, I just sang the jingle to type “bologna”…Thank you, Oscar Meyer!) but I have seen a lot and it still has only been a small portion, but I have seen enough to know that Americans are all mad and we are more alike and united than social media would have you believe. But you can believe what you would like, real life experiences or your social media feed because you would rather live vicariously through someone else and by extension, believe what they believe.
Instead, why don’t you get out and see for yourself! Take one trip a year! Plan in advance to pay for it ahead of time, a little at a time. When Keegan was at his previous employers, we weren’t making anything. I was only able to stay home with my babies because they gave us company housing. Blessed, yes, but without that, I would have been working for daycare. But we still were living paycheck to paycheck. Regardless, we still went to New Orleans, San Antonio, the mountains every year, Lake Tahoe, etc. How? Because I planned ahead and payed a little at a time.
AND. IT. WAS. WORTH. IT.
You don’t have to do the expensive, fun extracurriculars to post on social media. You don’t have to eat at the finest restaurants. My favorite trip was when Keegan took me to Santa Fe for a weekend. $300 to our name to get there and back (our hotel was already paid for **thankfully**) but our first night was a 6 pack and burritos from Allsups (IYKYK) and we went to a piano bar the next night for dinner and an amazing show! The rest of the time was walking around and enjoying just living. No souvenirs, no spa days, no extra activities. Just walking around and enjoying each others company.
Another piece of advice….
TAKE YOUR KIDS WITH YOU! It shapes them into amazing little humans. Yes, trips with your spouse or adult only trips are great occasionally but your kids deserves excitement and breathtaking views too!
It is not worth to work your life away only to travel and enjoy life after retirement. You can not bet on your health, or your expenses, or if the places you really want to see will still be there at that time. You can’t even bet if YOU will be around when you retire. You can always replace the money you spend. You never know how much time you have. So spend your time wisely as it is more precious than gold!
Let me ask you one last question. If you were guaranteed to be around for your grandchildren. Would you have any amazing stories to tell about your adventures and experiences?
Arizona, billings, Bozeman, California, Change, choice., Clark, Culver, Culverfamilyadventure, desert, expectations, experiences, Family, food, forest, freedom, glacier, glacier national park, God, Grand Canyon, Happiness, Helena, history, homeschool, kids, KOA, Lewis, Lewis and Clark, Life, memories, Montana, mountains, museum, national parks, Oklahoma, possibilities, reality, rv life, Sacagawea, Texas, Travel, Utah, Wyoming, Zion, Zion national park -
A Year in the Life – Reflection
It has been a hot minute since I have updated the world on the Culver Family Adventures, we have covered a lot of miles in 6-ish months! Take a ride down memory lane with me….buckle up!
Women’s bathroom sign at Damacios Bar & Tapas in Albuquerque! We agreed when we decided this was going to be our new lifestyle that after one full year on the road, we would sit down and assess the last 365 days, and countless miles, and decide whether or not to continue this nomadic lifestyle. Not just a mental health checkup, if you will, for Keegan and I, but the kids especially.
We have been on the road one full year as of August 11th (can you believe it??? Seems like it has only been a few weeks….) and we can say for certain, it was the best decision we made since deciding to keep the kids (Calm down. It was a joke….:)).
Bushnell, Illinois – Sept 2022 We all know the Lord works in mysterious ways and as he would have it, Keegan received a call from his previous employer asking if he would be interested in coming back, which was humbling, but we could’t help but laugh at the timing. It is like God is telling us that if we are going to reflect on the previous 12 months, we need to be reminded why we made this decision in the first place.
We have been together for almost 11 years, married for the last two. We have been through hell and back and then all over again. We have had many laughs, many tears, and so many memories in between. But we have traveled more miles in the last 12 months as a family than in the last 10 years before August 11, 2022 and we are blessed.
Authentic Chicago Deep Dish Pizza – and that was a medium!!!!!! Highly recommend Giordanos! We have been to Illinois, Missouri, west to California, to New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, back to New Mexico, Colorado, back to (take a guess!) New Mexico. Basically if you were to hand a crayon to a toddler and give him/her a map of the Southwest United States of America to doodle all over, that would be our breadcrumbs of where we have been the last 6 months. I know I-40 and Route 66 in the southwest region like the back of my hand, I almost put in another change of address (don’t worry, I came to my senses!!)
We spent a few weeks in Fort Sumner, NM after leaving the west coast, home of Billy the Kid. If you ever get the chance, stop through that quaint little town and step back into the wild west, go to the Billy the Kid Museum and then head south to see his grave. He lies 6 feet in the ground, under a cement pad, encased in a locked cage. Why you may ask? Because his headstone kept being stolen….
Billy the Kid’s grave in Fort Sumner, NM People have been curious about true crime from the beginning.
After Fort Sumner, we were able to go “home” for almost 2 months, to Amarillo, Texas. It was nice to be able to see family as much as possible.
Roadkill Cafe in Seligman, Arizona. After our pitstop home, we were sent back west on I-40 to a “quirky” (their word, definitely not mine) town west of Flagstaff, Arizona called Seligman, Arizona, the birthplace of Route 66, the road that is in better shape today than I-40 just one mile south. “A vibrant slice of Americana” – visitarizona.com, it is an interesting play to stop for the day, but 1 month was a stretch. But….
76 miles east and 46 miles south of Seligman is Sedona, Arizona, a gem in this country that EVERYONE needs to see, even for those who are not outdoor enthusiasts. We took a day trip and it was well worth every second. The drive from Flagstaff to Sedona is the perfect trek in a convertible or a motorcycle, slow and full of switchbacks and breathtaking views you must see to believe. We hiked 4 miles up to Devil’s bridge and had a picnic on a rock, overlooking the area. Take my word for it, put Sedona on your bucket list.
Devils Bridge Trail, Sedona, Arizona. After Seligman, we had a brief stop in Williams, Arizona where my grandpa highly recommended we ride the train north to the Grand Canyon (we were entertained with live music to and from and even had “bandits” stop our train and “rob” us as they did in the Wild West. Jax was a hero and ran to tell the sheriff and helped him catch the bandits!!).
“There will never be a photograph of the Grand Canyon that can adequately describe it’s depth, breadth and true beauty”
Stefanie PayneTime stands still at the Grand Canyon. Your problems and worries (except the sheer terror of the possibility of falling to a most certain death) fade away when you are there because her beauty is captivating. Thank you, President Theodore Roosevelt, for establishing the Grand Canyon as a National Monument and President Woodrow Wilson, for establishing it as a National Park to preserve its beauty for my family and I to see 120 years later. This is proof that your choices shape the world for future generations.
South Entrance of the Grand Canyon Next was a week in Winslow, Arizona (yes, we listened to the Eagles. We took it easy and we stood on the corner….if you don’t understand, just…go away!) then we rode off into the sunset to Albuquerque.
Let’s just say….it was there. Albuquerque is an experience. If you know, you know. If you don’t, consider yourself lucky and keep it that way.
We were able to leave the blue state of NM for a brief second to head to Rocky Ford, CO and see my dad for a minute and eat some amazing fruit from the local farmers markets only just turn back around and head to Raton….which brings us to today.
The view from the top of Capulin Volcano in Raton, NM No matter how many times we have had to come back to New Mexico, this last year has been priceless. We have met so many amazing people, many of which will be life long friends and we have had so many experiences that Keegan and I are so blessed to be able to share with our children, most more than likely wouldn’t have happened had we not decided to take the plunge and leave our comfort zone.
“There is no growth in the comfort zone.”
Jocko WillinkChange is always scary, big or small, but beautiful things can come out of change, you just have to be open to the possibilities. It was terrifying making such a drastic change that affected every part of our life but looking back, we wouldn’t trade it for the world. Looking in our rearview mirror to appreciate the last year has us looking forward to the miles ahead and excited to find out what adventures await the Culver Family.
Time sure flies when you’re having fun….and it’s true! God is Good!
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When you don’t want to….that’s when you should.
California is like a coin. There are two sides to it. The north is full of trees and water while the south is the desert and dry (with the exception of Los Angeles, it is green). The north is slow and spacious while the south is bustling and overflowing. Which is better is a personal opinion.
We have always said, for years, that we never wanted to go to California unless it was for the National Parks.
The irony? We spent our honeymoon in Lake Tahoe, California. It is barely in California, but in California none-the-less (and it is stunning! Not one regret, minus the McDonald’s with no drive thru).
So when we were told in October that we would be leaving the Midwest to head as far west as we could go, we were not enthused. But we knew it was part of the job.
Our time in Bakersfield was relatively uneventful, not by choice but because of the constant chaos and the expensive cost of living. Constant police/ambulance/firetruck sirens day in, day out. Nightly laps from the police helicopter around our campground at least once, if not more. A week or two before we left, there was a 7 hour police standoff with a pedophile just 1 mile from our campground, an area of town I frequented often. We were ready to leave.
On top of an already unnerving experience in Bakersfield, we watched the KOA we were staying at, quickly go downhill due to poor management. This lifestyle is all about freedom and Bakersfield KOA is trying to ruin that for a lot of people. The campground was full when we got there in November, and when we left on the last full week of January, it wasn’t even a 1/4 of the way full. 6 pages of rules with small font, and they enforce every. single. one of them. A complete power trip. If we wanted a lifestyle with a bunch of rules, we would live in a community with an HOA. We do not recommend spending one penny there.
We are now just south of Sacramento, the entry way of wine country, and I couldn’t be more happy. If I am going to be in California, why not be in wine country, surrounded by forests and mountains….and wine drunk LOL!
We have been living this lifestyle for 5 months now, 3 of those months have been spent in California and to me, that is also complete irony. God humbling us. Telling us, “although you say you don’t want to be here, watch this”. We have met some of the greatest people during our stay in Bakersfield.
You know you have been somewhere too long when your kids know and love some of the people who work at the campground by name (shout out to you, Ray!!), you know your neighbors and their dogs (willow, cotton, WAYLON!!) and your heart is ripped out of your chest when you have to say good-bye to friends who have grown into family, thanks to God putting you in places you never wanted to be but He knew you needed to be there, whether that’s in a crime ridden town or having your tank explode in your camper (not ours, but that how we met some forever friends).
We think we know what we want, where we want to be, who we want to be. But do we? Honestly? They say “if you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans.” And boy, has he been laughing.
We are learning that the beauty of this lifestyle is that there are no rules. No strings. The possibilities are endless of where we want to end up. And we are learning to embrace the possibilities. And we have never been happier. But it is not this lifestyle that grants us the freedom of life, it is God that gives us a life of freedom. The freedom to choose who, what, when, where and our why to life. You are not stuck. You can always choose change and change can be good! Change is exhilarating and liberating. Life is short. Why not live it to the fullest?
Did you ever sit and listen to the elders at the coffee shop, always telling stories? If you didn’t, you missed out for sure. But if you did, then you remember the captivating grip they had on their friends (and those eavesdropping around them) because THEY HAVE LIVED LIFE WELL. They didn’t just work and go home. They lived this life to the fullest, and so should you! Society is slowly teaching us to work and go home. That that is what “life” is. It is not.
One of my favorite movies is “Eat. Pray. Love” starring the amazing and stunning Julia Roberts. (If you haven’t seen it, RUN, do not walk, and watch it ASAP!!) While in Rome, Liz (Roberts) is told by Luca Spaghetti (yes, can’t make this up),
You feel guilty because you are American. You don’t know how to enjoy yourself….it’s true. Americans know entertainment but don’t know pleasure….Americans! You work too hard, you get burned out. Then you come home and spend the whole weekend in your pajamas in front of the TV….But you don’t know pleasure. You have to be told you earned it. You see a commercial that says “It’s Miller Time!” and you say “That’s right! Now I’m going to buy a 6 pack” and drink the whole thing and you wake up the next morning feeling terrible. But an Italian doesn’t have to be told. He walks by a sign that says “You deserve a break today!” and he says “Yeah I know. That why I am planning on taking a break at noon to go over to your house and sleep with your wife!”
That the moral of life. Besides making me want to go to Italy and Bali (not so much India but I’d go given the opportunity), this movie makes you think of what society has molded you to think life was and how much you miss out on because you don’t feel you deserve it or “can’t” afford it. YOU CAN AND YOU SHOULD. Most people are not happy with what they define as pleasure. Why? Because what we define as pleasure is only temporary when we should figure out what our permanent pleasure is. THAT is what makes a happy life.
Start collecting amazing stories to tell your grandkids. Make memories that create a life well-lived instead of just a life lived. God gave you this ONE life to live, why not LIVE?! Why choose to be miserable thanks to what society says when you can be happy based on your preferences? God is good and YOU ARE WORTH IT.
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California dreamin’….
No, not really but I can hope one day!
It has been a hot minute since I updated my blog and there’s a reason….we have been in California for over a month and Keegan hasn’t worked but one day and we haven’t done much with our time here like we have in other locations for many reasons.
Let me start off by saying that the California that Tupac and Dre or even The Beach Boys talk about simply doesn’t exist so get that out of your head immediately! The 60s were the peak of California and it has only been down hill from here, at least in Southern California.
California landscape is yin and yang – the northern part of California is forestry and clean air and the southern part is desert and many other derogatory adjectives about the air quality and more. Bet you can’t guess which area we are in?!? 🙂 Yup, the latter.
Bakersfield, California. Population of 410,000 and I am pretty sure most of them drag race every night on the street in front of the KOA we are staying at. Located 2 hours and 15 minutes north of Los Angeles and 4 hours and 30 minutes west of Las Vegas, we are not far from the devil’s playground.
We are surrounded by “mountains” that are only 20+ miles away but you are unable to see them on a normal day due to the smog in the air, and these mountains are NOT small. But according to the government, electric cars and taxing cow farts is the way to eliminate this issue. *insert eye roll here*. (Come on, we will do it together.)
Fuel is still almost $5 a gallon and diesel is almost $7 but hey, it is slowly but surely going down.
Our campground has been spotlighted by a police helicopter a few times during the night in the month we have been here and we would be rich if we had a NICKEL for every police car, fire truck or ambulance we see and /or hear daily (we would be billionaires if I said a “dollar”, it’s that much!).
Guardrails in the mountains are not necessary according to California, which we noticed when we were in Lake Tahoe in April of 2021 for our honeymoon. According to how these people drive in their smart cars and Teslas, I would make a positive assumption that they are mandatory.
We have all heard the BS of the paper straws — well it is bologna! We have only been given paper straws one time. Any other time, it is plastic lids for cups and plastic straws 100% so don’t buy that hype for Southern California.
Grocery bags. Let’s talk grocery bags. Ugh.
They are reinforced reusable bags, which is good in my eyes. They hold a lot of stuff without the fear of tearing and I love that. But being charged per bag?!?! *forehead slap* If you go to self checkout, it asks “how many store bags did you use” and yes, they get counted at the door. If you go to an actual cashier, they ask if you want a bag. Otherwise, have fun carrying all of your can goods by yourself.
There is security at every single store. Walmart, Target, Costco, everywhere. That’s comforting (sarcasm). If we take the kids out of the campground, it is Keegan and I together, never one by themselves. Otherwise, it is either Keegan or myself, running the errand by ourselves. I don’t think I will muster the courage if Keegan goes back to work to go out by myself with the kids. Grocery pickup will become my new best friend, sorry Beth! LOL!
It hasn’t hardly been bad, despite what I have mentioned above. We thankfully haven’t had any issues since our plates prove we are from Texas, we use plastic, eat meat and support the 2nd Amendment loud and proud, but we have only been here a month so stay tuned.
Our KOA has been nice. Security. Locked gates at night. A playground for the kids, heated pool and a mostly working hot tub for us to enjoy daily. There is also very good bar and grill on site so Keegan and I have been able to sneak away and have a quick “date night” occasionally.
We have made some life long friends which has been lifesaving here in Bakersfield at the KOA. A good friend is invaluable and in the short time we have been here, they have been just that! Lots of laughs and memories already. They definitely have helped being 20-23 hours from family during the holiday season a little easier.
We took the babies to Universal Hollywood for our middle child’s birthday the beginning of November and it did not disappoint. All 5 of us had a great time. Minions, Secret Life of Pets, Simpsons (man did that take me back to my childhood!), and much more! Our favorite was the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. OMG did I geek out! Even Keegan loved it and he is NOT a Harry Potter fan at all. If you ever get a chance to go, do not hesitate! (A word of advice, if you have a Sam’s Club/Costco membership, you can get tickets cheaper!)
The local museum/zoo in Bakersfield is doing a Holiday Lights show that we went to earlier last week and it was spectacular. A safari, botanical garden, dinosaurs and Christmas land, all made of Christmas lights. Definitely a sight not to miss out on!
We have plans to eventually go to the ocean, may be go to San Francisco. Some of the roads in the national parks around us (Yosemite, Redwood, etc) are mostly closed this time of year due to potential weather which is a complete bummer. There is a possibility to go Las Vegas and see the Hoover Dam and the Grand Canyon but nothing is set in stone yet.
From what we understand, we will be here until at least the first of the month and then we may have to option to leave if Keegan still hasn’t worked by then. We may not be going here or there all of the time, but we are enjoying each other’s company and the company of those around us at the KOA. We will be home for a few days for Christmas then back to California.
We haven’t done a whole lot in California but we have been here long enough to know, we are not in Kansas anymore, Toto. It is good to experience different locations to know what you do or don’t like. Our middle child has informed us that “she doesn’t like California because it is stupid and dirty”. Mind you, she is 6. LOL.
Although we are completely out of our comfort zone here in South California, we have enjoyed being able to step back and breathe and spend some quality time together. Am I ready for Keegan to go back to work? Yes. Is Keegan ready for Keegan to go to work? Absolutely. But it has been a nice “paid” vacation for him. But momma is about to lose it with him home 24/7 which gives me very little hope for when he retires LOL.
God is good y’all!
Culinary school is going great. One “assignment” a week (which is a simple recipe or two teaching techniques) and I am maintaining a 4.0 GPA! YAY!
I hope everyone’s thanksgiving was pleasant and Christmas will bring many good memories. I pray everyone’s 2023 brings happiness and joy!
Until life gets interesting or we move again! Remember to always choose happiness.
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79 days and 2,997 miles
We have been called many things in 79 days. Nomads, gypsies, crazy, blessed. The list goes on and I am certain it will only keep growing.
While I like the terms “nomads” and “gypsies”, and I resonate most with “crazy” (I mean, 3 kids, ranging from ages 4-11 in a 43 ft. fifth wheel staying, as Keegan has grown to saying “anywhere from 24 hours to 3 months“, in one location LOL. I only wish he were joking.) What I have come to believe is that we are, in fact, blessed.
Living in the panhandle of both Oklahoma and Texas, there is not a lot there. The term “growth” is almost non existent for many things, from personal growth to the growth of vegetation without countless hours of extra and hard work, that to which not everyone is capable of producing with only a handful of bountiful careers available, the options are scarce. “Comfort” can be found anywhere. Comfort was found in the panhandle by not knowing any different, at least it was for my family and me. It was safe, staying in the panhandle. Our family was near. We had friends. We knew the people, the crime rate, the schools, etc.
I am humble enough to know that without my hometown, I would not be who I am or have what I have and for that, I will always be grateful but I am more than confident that my children deserve more than what little my hometown has to give them.
Stepping out of the only comfort zone Keegan and I had ever known was not easy, but day by day, it has proven to be the best decision we have ever made. Not just for us individually, but for our family as a whole, as well.
Growing up in the panhandle, you accept how it is and if you choose, attempt, with what little control you have, to change what you can. The holidays in our home town has always felt, for lack of a better term, bleak. No one goes all out. You don’t feel the holiday spirit, whether it’s easter, 4th of July or Christmas. 1 house every few blocks has their light on for trick or treaters on Halloween. My mother in law didn’t have ONE trick or treater last year and she lives on a very busy residential area (and don’t blame COVID. It’s been minimal for yearS).
To me, that is robbing our children of the innocence and imagination they are due. And now that I have traveled, even in the minimal sense of the word, to places that actually celebrate and feel more like a community than our hometown, I am set in my feelings.
In Geneseo, IL, Naperville, IL, and Hannibal, MO, almost every house was decorated for fall/halloween and not just the bare minimum, a pumpkin or two and a dying mum. No, their homes looked like their local Walmart or target couldn’t keep the holiday inflatables in stock. 2 or 3 houses on each block had one (or multiple) 12 ft skeletons in their front yards. Lights, countless pumpkins, Michael Myers everywhere. It felt like a movie on Hallmark Channel (minus the cheesy, unrealistic love scenes). Every local store, coffee shop and restaurant had seasonal food, drinks, decor etc. that it was actually fun to walk around down town or Main Street. I am so happy my children were able to experience what a real town holiday felt like. I wish we were able to stay in one these areas a little longer but it’s a consequence we knew existed.
Coming home to the panhandle for Halloween to do our annual TRUCK or treat with the family is always a good time but after experiencing areas in the Midwest during this time of year, made me feel like I had to try a little harder to make my children’s time fun to make up for the lack of trying to be festive in the Panhandle and that’s not a fun feeling. My oldest even made a comment of how it was different back home than where we had been.
Most people don’t understand what I am talking about and that is ok. The only thing I can tell people is to get out and travel. Go see new places as often as you can. My husband and I made a pact years ago to “go somewhere new once a year, whether local (within a few hours of home) or somewhere that takes days of planning and saving. IT. IS. WORTH. IT. You may not get the full experience just visiting but even a glimpse of what is out there is better than a lifetime of obliviousness.
There is a vast amount of knowledge and experiences waiting for you (and your family if you have one) that will shape your life and memories. So why not? We are not in control of our hometown as children but we are in control of your location as an adult. If you are happy in your life long hometown, great! I am so happy for you. And I hope you are making other’s experiences in your hometown enjoyable as well, not just during the holidays, but every day.
My hometown is somewhere we do not plan to ever lay roots in again. My family and I have outgrown it, which leaves room for others to grow and flourish and I hope nothing but that for you! But coming home for a small period of time to celebrate what is a small holiday made me sad because while there was some effort (and great effort at that) to make everyone’s Halloween a success, more often than not, no effort or care was made. Many homes gave dark streets and shut doors to happy and excited children, ready to make memories and they will always remember the houses and blocks that don’t care. Do better, America. In many ways, do better.
We complain about how our votes don’t matter. That our efforts don’t matter. Start small. Make a difference in your community and you will see growth. YOU MATTER. And you can make all the difference in the world to one person that could change the future.
God is good, y’all.
We are in Bakersfield, California and it is not ideal after the amazing fall we had in the Midwest. We went from colorful trees where the leaves were just beginning to fall and the small town charm to wayyyyy too many people who care only about themselves and dirt. California is a large state with vast areas of nothing and overpopulated cities. To say I am uncomfortable is an understatement but I knew, going into this new lifestyle, we would eventually end up somewhere we weren’t keen on but I intend on making the best of it for my children. We have plans to go to the ocean, visit all of the national parks in the area, possible revisit Lake Tahoe, where Keegan and I spent our honeymoon last April. As much as I would love to see the Hollywood sign, famous cemeteries and much more, I am not sure Los Angeles is on my list to see. Too. Many. People. With. No. Manners. LOL.
We are closing in on the end of year and our first holiday season without our family close and while it is difficult, just like being in California, I plan to make the best of our situation. It has been a great (bumpy at times) almost 2 1/2 months. It has already felt like a lifetime that we have been on the road but we already have a lifetime full of memories and we have only just begun.
Remember, money is temporary. Your home is temporary. You cannot take any of it with you when you are joined with our Lord. What stays long after you’re gone is the legacy and memories you leave behind. Not only with your family but your friends and your community too. Take the trip. Buy the tickets. Go all out for all holidays. You only live life once and why not live it to the fullest and go all out. It will be worth it.
Just to ruffle some feathers, MERRY CHRISTMAS! LOL have a blessed and holiday season!!
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Fall fun and family…and some pretty big news!
It has been a minute since I have posted and I just realized I haven’t posted since our moving day! Oops! **slap in the forehead!**
We left the picturesque town of Geneseo, Illinois and headed west towards Chicago and let me tell you, there isn’t a moment that has passed each day that I am not in awe of the gorgeous fall foliage surrounding my family! I cannot get enough of the trees changing colors, from gorgeous green to the deep crimson red just before they fall. What you see on social media does not do fall in the North justice. I highly encourage everyone to experience and appreciate God’s work.
We landed in the Village of Sheridan. I have come to notice most “towns” in Illinois are called “villages” which I think is absolutely charming — “Welcome to the Village of Sheridan” or “Welcome to the Village of Naperville”, you get the picture. Something else I have noticed is that so far in Illinois (I’ll keep you posted as we travel in the North outside of Illinois at some point LOL), they appreciate their history which is fascinating. All history is painted both good and bad and they embrace it all. Astounding.
Sheridan is located 1 hour and 13 minutes from Chicago so we took full advantage our first weekend here and went to Navy Pier! Wow! It should be on everyone’s bucket list! We took an architectural tour on the Chicago River and loved every minute. We got up close to the Almighty Trump Tower, Marina City (basically a city within a building — it has a bowling alley, a grocery store and more!! But you don’t have to go inside to notice its uniqueness, it is shaped like a corn cob!), Merchandise Mart (4 words – four million square feet!) but the coolest thing we learned is that “The Dark Knight” was filmed in Chicago! Pretty cool.
Speaking of films, the Village of Yorkville, which is 20 miles from our campsite, is where the movie “Man of Steel” was filmed as well! I can understand why for sure! I have yet to scope out where it was filmed exactly but it is on my list!
My family is spread out throughout the country. My mom, brother and nephew are down in south Texas, grandparents in Florida, more family in Colorado but this last week, we were finally able to visit my aunt and uncle in Michigan and I cannot figure out how it took us this long to do so! I didn’t think it could get more gorgeous than what I have experienced this last month in Illinois but I was proven wrong (and I’m sure to be proven wrong time and time again and that’s ok!). Instead of villages, Michigan has townships. I LOVE IT! Sounds historic and I’m here for it! The fall colors of orange, yellow and red colored most of the trees no matter the direction you were looking. Some leaves even danced in the wind as they fell. You couldn’t help but feel as if you were living in a real life Hallmark movie.
We visited my aunt’s favorite beach on Lake Michigan and walked the pier. It was such a joy to share a memory with my children of seeing a lighthouse for the first time together. A true blessing and I soaked it all in. Having a 180 degree view on a LAKE was surreal. When you look out to where the water meets the sky, it is almost like God created Lake Michigan to force you to stop, breathe and admire. Water as far as the eye can see. Quaint and charming lakefront homes tucked into trees on the coast just like what you see on TV. The softest sand you have ever felt between your toes. It was a true pleasure and we sure appreciate my aunt sharing her favorite place with us, as it has become one of ours.
We finished our trip with a fall favorite not very common in the south — apple picking! Packing up and heading back to Illinois was hard as we thoroughly enjoyed every second in Michigan and we will for sure be going back but we sure missed Keegan. Take it from me, if you get a chance to visit around Grand Rapids, October is a great time to do so! So put it on your bucket list and thank me later!
We have been in Illinois since the end of August and have loved it all. Keegan is coming to the conclusion of his training and is ready to go out on his own in the next few weeks so who knows where we will be going but I will keep you posted!
On a more serious note, I have been feeling as though I have not been spending my time as wisely as I should be. I know making memories with my children is important (it is the most important thing) and teaching them is critical too, but what I mean by that is since I have found myself with a lot more time on my hands that I am normally used to, I feel as though I should be utilizing it in a way that will help us when the time comes that our travels end and we make a permanent home somewhere (over the rainbowwwwww). Most of you know that I love to cook. It has always been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I had attempted to go to culinary school at the Art Institute of Kansas City straight out of high school in 2008, but God had other plans in mind. He knew I needed my babies and my husband before I became a chef. With that being said, I have been accepted in the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts Online graduating February 2024 and I couldn’t be more excited!! As my aunt said while I was visiting, “This is true story of you’re never too old to chase a dream!” Classes start November 7th and I cannot wait to become Chef Ashley Culver with a diploma in the Culinary Arts and Operations. I have big plans for our future and hopefully, y’all will be able to enjoy my hard work one day!
God is so good, y’all! Remember to always choose happiness and go for those dreams!
apple orchard, architecture, boat tour, Change, chef, Chicago, Chicago river, choice., culinary school, Culver, dreams, fall, fall foliage, Family, food, God, Grand Rapids, Happiness, history, Illinois, kids, Lake Michigan, leaves, Life, memories, Michigan, Sheridan, struggle, success, Texas, Travel, vibes -
Once I stepped outside of the normality we call “life”….
Today is moving day. Off to a new location, not far from Geneseo. I wake up before Keegan and start our coffee, make us a couple of sausage biscuits and enjoy his company before he heads off to make a life for us. Moving day is always an exciting day, at least for me. Curiosity killed the cat. What’s the RV campground like? How cute is the town (our expectations are HIGH after Geneseo! Cutest town ever!)? Wonder what they have to do in town? How nice is their grocery store (yes, this is literally the second thing I google after I find an RV campground LOL).
But I notice, especially on moving days, my expectation of time and things do far exceeds reality. When you have a home, there’s always something that needs to be organized, cleaned, decluttered, decorated, so on and so forth. Since our new life is….well….still new (yesterday was ONE MONTH since we have left the panhandle!), my mindset is still wired into our old life.
After Keegan left for work, I got to work cleaning up the house and getting ready to move. Master bedroom — done! Bed made, laundry put up, clutter thrown away and slide pulled in! One room down. Kitchen — cleaned! Fridge — cleaned out! Bathroom picked up! All within 20 minutes. But there’s no use in sliding the rest of the slides in until the kids wake up and Keegan’s almost here.
So now what?
I find myself outside, rocking in my chair, enjoying my coffee and just listening. Enjoying a moment to myself and actually being present in the moment. I hear birds waking up, leaves rustling in the trees due to a slight breeze and…..peace. Can you hear peace? I’m not so sure but I sure feel it.
Complete fall vibes! I find myself thinking about how many books I have read in the last two months….twenty one! Yes. I know. That’s a lot. My husband laughs at me daily about it (but I could have worse problems!!). But the reason I have read so many is because I now have the time. I have made time for one of my favorite things and I love it. Which then brings a question to mind.
How much of our day to day life is useless, a waste of time or an unnecessary addition of stress?
I could maybe finish a book in a month MAYBE (unless it was really good!) when we lived in the panhandle. There was always something needed to get done. And looking back now, I can pinpoint so much that was unnecessary, whether that was in the value of time, stress, happiness or money.
We choose the unnecessary because of someone else’s expectation. We choose the unnecessary because of how easy it is when going through the motion. But most of it does (or did) not bring happiness.
Mentally, we know this. Physically, we know this. But we still choose it. Why?
Why don’t we choose something we love to do as a career? Oh, because we are conditioned to believe money brings happiness. Or we are in competition with someone else to have the best or what they have.
!!NEWSFLASH!! — IT WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH UNLESS IT IS EXACTLY WHAT BRINGS YOU HAPPINESS! A paycheck will never be good enough. Ever. There will always be someone who is better than you at something or that makes more money. So why compete? Why not do what makes YOU happy?
The sunset our last evening in Geneseo, IL. In the end, that’s how YOU win! By being HAPPY. Not rich, or successful, or famous. Plain and simple….happy.
And that is what we are! There have been a few bad moments in our adventure so far but the growth and the memories have far exceeded the negatives and I cannot wait to see what God has in store from this day forward! I want everyone to have this feeling everyday. The feeling of knowing they are on the right path. The feeling of true joy and happiness. We all deserve it!
Live your life based on your standards, don’t let anyone set the standards for you and choose happiness always!
God is great, y’all! See you in Sheridan, Illinois for the last leg of this job then who knows where! (Instead of “Where’s Waldo?” Let’s play “Where’s the Culver’s” LOL).
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Culver Family Adventures 