Wandering With Purpose

Dec 21

And We’re Off

Once again, Kelly and I are on the road with Airstream in tow, our destination being Arizona wherein we will rendezvous with Kelly’s family for the holidays, before spending some time exploring desert areas of the southwest.

Per usual, we decided to get a jump on the drive and we have landed in the modest town of Los Banos for the night. We are currently parked in the far reaches of a Walmart parking lot, accompanied by a half-dozen or so RVs and semi-trucks.

Cozy in a Walmart parking lot

Dec 19

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$%*! Happens (again)

Irony is an odd thing. Just one day ago, I was practically giddy as I wrote about my truck. Having met all my expectations, it has performed flawlessly over the course of its initial 10,000 miles, doing anything I have asked. Not once has the truck complained, whined, or otherwise bemoaned that which I have requested of it.

I love that truck.

And so, in what can only be considered cruel irony, this morning I failed to uphold my end of this truck/owner bond. My behavior today, akin to an amateur, leading to an accident of sorts – I backed into a parking beam as I arrived to work this morning.

I have disrespected my truck.

My poor truck

I’ve seen teenage girls drive better. I am so ashamed, so disappointed in myself.

Fortunately, the damage looks worse than it actually is; a good thing because Friday night we hit the road once again with Airstream in tow. Sadly though, during this trip my truck will not look quite as proud as it deserves. It will not prance as it should.

I have only myself to blame.

Upon return, I promise to make repairs and restore glory as it should be – as the phoenix rises from the ashes, so too shall my black beauty once again claim its proper status as being badass.

I know, dramatic…

Dec 18

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Taking ownership of the truck

The picture above was taken on June 29th of this year; I snapped it moments after purchasing the truck. Two days later, Kelly and I drove to Portland, Oregon and took possession of what would soon become our new home – the Airstream we affectionately named Mabel.

Since that picture was taken, the truck has powered what Kelly and I hope are just the beginning of many Airstream related memories.

Today, with little fanfare or celebration, the truck attained a milestone of sorts – 10,000 miles. Appropriately, the big moment occurred as I pulled into my storage locker in order to secure a few items in preparation of our next trip.

10,000 miles and other related metrics

One of the reasons we bought the Airstream was “to get away from it all” by disrupting the routine and go play outside. I gotta say, it’s hard to believe we’ve accumulated this many miles so quickly – nearly 330 total hours behind the wheel as evidenced by the picture above.

By my conservative estimates, at least 5300 of these miles are directly attributable to one of the trips below:

Half Moon Bay to Portland (1325 miles RT)
HMB to Yosemite (812 miles RT)
HMB to Ashland, OR (1063 miles RT)
HMB to Bainbridge Island, WA (2100 miles RT)

In a few days we will again hitch-up our home and head south for the holidays, our destination this time being Arizona. It goes without saying, Kelly and I very much look forward to next 10,000 miles and creating many more memories together.

Dec 18

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