hard to believe...

But today marks the one year anniversary of the day we began our BIG road trip. If yer up for it, you can revisit the feel of the first day here. It's been a nutty ride and still is. Many pros and a few cons thrown in. I'll be posting a lot about the trip as the next three moths pass by. I'm finding I can connect more with our experience now since we've been back for so long. Our lives are still in a bit of an upheaval and times are tough. It's scary isn't it?

unpacking rodney

first night digs

joshua tree

yes, we did it again

we went and picked blueberries but this time we added some blackberries to the mix. we're hanging out in Portland, OR right now and will be home sooner than soon. it's been a great trip. a STUPENDOUS trip but methinks we a-go-gos are beginning to show signs of trip fatigue and are quite looking forward to returning "home".

winging it on the road

we spent most of yesterday driving all over south dakota and wyoming...
we did manage to see the sunrise over the badlands.
with a rainbow even...can you see it?
jump with some presidents.
nap in the rain amongst trees that smelled of caramel.
and pitch our tent within view of a famous landmark.

the long long road

we've been spending QUITE a bit of time on the road lately...now that most all of our planned visits and meet ups are done it is time to head for home...the long way at least. we're still hoping to hit Portland, Or so portland peeps, gimme a shout if yer in town and up for a visit. you'll be our last stop before we begin a new chapter in central california.
until then we will camp and drive...and drive and camp...
and hopefully hit up a cheapo motel-o once in awhile...
and find ACTUAL state signs to smile in front of...
and maybe stop for ice cream...
happy trails!

i may be on a BIG road trip...

but still there is time for...
making skirts.
playing with a sewing machine.
and taking too many photos of tiny colorful macarons.

july 18 in chicago

we saw taller than tall buildings.
looked at art.
ate lunch by a fountain.
visited the shiny big giant bean.
happened upon an interactive puppet show.
and visited the chicago underground library.

spiffy jiffy

one is never too old for a factory tour...right? this week, in chelsea, michigan, we hit up the Jiffy factory with the loverly Little Red Hen. i think everyone should don a pale blue paper cap...don't you?

in toronto

we hit up a flea...
and walked all about...
there was some museum goin'.
and sticky sweet coffee drinking.
there were homemade eats...
and skirt making...
and more wandering.
new friendships were sealed.
and we celebrated with jumping, of course!

vintage dreams in canada

we may not be making the bed right now but lookie how our friends break out the vintage for us...

in montreal

we walked along cobblestones.
admired the city at night.
went thrift shopping...
studied Easter Island.
walked through an excavated history of the city.
took cover from the rain at an open air market.
and sipped refreshments from an enormous orange.

Montreal is beautiful, stunning, old, new, full of people and sounds, ups and downs and overflowing with wonder. if only we had more days to visit. i'm already itching to return!