The drive back to Southwest Colorado from Ogden, Utah was beautiful. I could feel myself getting “closer to home” with every mile and change of scenery. I was recalling distant memories of what it was like to live there before, the familiar faces we will soon see again, and the possibility of finally settling down. Just as soon as I imagined myself being part of the land, keeping bees, finding my place in the community again, I felt a deep urge to keep going, to stay on the road as we have been. I didn’t want this wandering feeling to leave me. It’s so strong that anything that feels like a commitment also feels like a trap.
“The mountains are calling and I must go, and I will work on while I can, studying incessantly.”
—excerpt from John Muir’s letter to his sister Sarah Muir Galloway
But when I look at what I call the backside of the LaPlatas (because I have viewed them from the other side for so long) I know they are calling me home. A few visits with friends on their land, in their homes, and in nature validate all of this for me. I can’t help wonder how I will make a living in Southwest Colorado (SWCO). It’s doesn’t seem to need me or I just don’t see how I can contribute—at least not in the same way I did before. I guess it’s time to reinvent myself again.
Ray and I opened our storage unit together for the first time in 4 months. After living in a 5’x 9′ space plus the Jeep, everything I laid eyes on seems unnecessary and extravagant. I wondered where we would land and if all of these things would join us or if some of it would get sold or donated to those in need.
Soon after landing in SWCO, we took off again. Packing for the next leg of the trip made landing here seem like a false start. It’s wedding time in Denver, folk fest time in Arkansas and time to return Flo back to Kansas where she will undergo her next instantiation.
Whether it was a hot day, a cool evening or on the porch of the Grant Humphrey Mansion, you could find me designing, painting or touching up a sign for the wedding. Fifteen signs in all, I had a blast making letters for the lovely bride and groom.
But all good things must end. So here we are saying goodbye to the Martinez family again and planning the next part of our trip traveling East to visit my family. And since checking the balance on our checking account today, we know our travels will soon come to an end. 😉
On the Road with Flo 
Love you and can’t wait to see you, talk with you, listen to your tales of travel…giggled at the ides of Leavenworth as “back east.” ♡♡♡
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