Road Trip Week 4: Crossing the Mojave

On Monday, we crossed the Mojave Desert...with 2 kids in tow. I feel like someone should give me a blue medal ribbon, or that I need to put a big fat check mark on The Bucket List. But then again, I don't really think that feat was on The Bucket List to begin with. It was just the necessary means of getting from the Anza-Borrego Desert to the burbs of Las Vegas. Derek and I have done it before, and I remembered it being quite the trek. However, I forgot to factor in the fact that

a) we were a lot younger 

(ie: had youthful, abounding energy) 

b) took a different route 

(which we didn't realize until we were halfway through the desert and it was looking a lot more desolate than what we remembered) 

c) we didn't have squirmy kids in the car with us. 

To be honest, the trip really went better than could be expected considering all of the above factors. We enjoyed a yummy breakfast and grand send-off from our dear friends the Mellor's, then hit the open road for a day full of fun (sarcasm noted) in the car. The vast scenery was breath-taking and the view from every angle was astounding. It was hard to take it all in and process the magnitude of God's creation. We meandered through Joshua Tree National Park, saw thousands (literally) of windmills in Palm Springs, then plunged into the depths of the Mojave Desert.

and went on. and went on. and went on.

 for what seemed like eternity. 

then we took a turn and realized we were on Route 66, which of course we had to get out and snap a few pictures.

and then went on. and went on. and went on. 

again.

FINALLY, we arrived at a lone range gas station where we were able to fill up the tank prior to our last stint to Vegas. We made a pit stop, made some phone calls, and got back on the road for the last 2 hours. About an hour later, I asked Derek to pass me my cell phone. After not being able to locate it in all the overflow from a day in the car, we tried calling it...NOTHING. I tried to recall my steps, and with dread, realized that I had left it at the gas station when we stopped. My gracious husband held his tongue, turned around, backtracked the hour back to the gas station, and got back on the road...

stopping for lunch in Joshua Tree

To say those extra 2 hours added to the trip were some of our toughest so far, might just be an understatement. I felt like I was leading a 3-ring circus in the back seat trying to keep the squirmies entertained, under control, fed (as we opted to skip dinner since it would probably have been a disaster anyway by this point), and changed. Keeping the mood quiet and pleasant was the least I could do for my poor hubby who had been driving 10 hours with a car full of girls in the middle of nowhere for an entire day.



Eventually we arrived to our destination in Mesquite, Nevada. Having just given farewell hugs to precious life-breathing friends that morning, we then gave welcoming hugs to pillars-in-our-life friends that evening.

Separated only by a desert.

I think we would agree that we would drive that desert again any day to spend the time that we have had with people that have had such an impact in our life. Full of laughter, fun, and good memories...at the end of the day, it was worth it all. This is why we are able to relocate our lives to Africa. Because we have family sprawled all over who are behind us, in it with us, walking the road we walk and spurring us on.

This is Life.

(on the road)

view from Borrego

Derek & Steve, Pastor at The Christian Center (where Derek used to be Youth Pastor back in the day; Steve also married us, and he and his wife Marian have been spiritual mentors for us for years...)                                                                               

saying goodbye to the Mellor's

Mama & her girls (I think we look                                                         Daddy & his baby girl

good with a dog- don't you?)

 

"I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart;
    I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you;
    I will sing praise to your name, O Most High."

Psalm 9:1-2