wandering thoughts of a camp-o-holic ...

As I finish catching up on our blog, I contemplate our trip. It's been a long vacation but in many respects, not long enough. We have seen so much beauty and so many amazing places but really only skimmed the surface - there is so much more we can do to experience the beauty of this continent. This trip has definitely opened up many possibilities, but it would take many lifetimes to accomplish it all. We had fleetingly few moments and meals with friends and family. What we have learned, is that we don't need 95% of the things we own at home - that we can survive out of our minivan with a few essentials. That the only thing really important is time spent together with family. Traveling and camping has truly brought us closer as a family, and closer to God. Experiencing the majesty of a waterfall, or the stillness of a starry night, or the variety of plant and animal life, or the towering mountains - there is a great sense of thankfulness and blessing for what God has created, for what we must preserve and keep for our children.

This trip is almost over, but the memories will last forever.