We are not alone...

A small sample of those who are coming with us...

Turns out that our travels are not just about us. Yes - we are the ones that are giving up our current lives, belongings and routines, clearing away the accumulated cobwebs and debris of 15 years.  But we are not alone.

We have friends who have supported us with their kind words & well wishes, loaned their vehicles, air mattresses, storage space.  Still more friends who opened their home to us, giving us a place to call home - our first and very memorable stop in our tour.

Off to an MLS soccer match the day
we moved in with friends.  Thanks Pete!

We have family who have drawn closer in the last few months, shared their dreams, embraced ours and made it OK for us to say farewell.  Not goodbye but so long - until next time.

We have parents who have volunteered to adopt pets, manage mail, obtain insurance, offer rides, visit often and always support the rightness of our choices for us.

We have co-workers who - in spite of staring heaps of unfinished business in the face can only offer words of encouragement, support, strength and wisdom.

We have mentors who keep in touch, feeding our dreams with stories of theirs, good times, bad times and long held memories of their adventures.

We have bare acquaintances who go out of their way to offer advice, encouragement and words of wisdom.

Yes indeed - it turns out that this is not just about us.  When you dream big and follow through the people around you react in surprising ways.

We have enjoyed, in the last several months more community than we ever did before we embarked on this adventure.  Perhaps it is we who have changed, become more open to the generosity of those around us, those who would be our community.  This is probably at least partially true but whatever the reason, we continue to be amazed, strengthened and encouraged by the community we are a part of and we will take this community with us in our hearts while we travel.

To the Mothers in my life...

It's Mother's Day, an important day to many of the key women in my life.

First - my wife - mother of my children.  Thank you for supporting me in my darkest times and sharing in the exciting times.  We have many years and a brilliant future in front of us.  I love that you're up for the ride!

Next - my mother.  You never doubted our plans or desires, even when it obviously means changes to your life too.  Thanks for being my mom and supporting us in this.  Without the team we have behind us we could not succeed.  My mom deserves a special mention for taking on the effort managing our mail while we're away - a job which could be more involved than it might appear.

Finally - my mother in law.  Not last, and certainly not least.  You have been supportive and strong as we've moved forward in this.  We will miss the easy access to drop by and chat, and the girls will miss afternoons in the pool but we know that you will visit as we will.

The rest of our support team (friends and family, Pyrats yargh) has many mothers in it.  Your support now and in the past has been so incredibly important to us.

To all of the mothers out there, nurturing the dreams and futures of their children - keep up the hard work.  It does pay off.  And kids - whether you're 6 or 60, don't be afraid to live your dreams.  That's what your mother's would want and no matter what might happen they will stand with you.