While we were traipsing around in “no internetland” last week we crossed a big milestone. On August 1st we marked the completion of our fifth year on the road. FIVE YEARS! Five years of bumping down the road, always being surprised with what’s around the next bend. After milling around the Eastern half of the country (more or less) for four years, we finally broke the Mississippi River Force Field and made it to California! Along the way we marveled at the Rocky Mountains, helped Lara settle in her new home in Waco, TX, discovered the beauty of the Southwest, traveled (almost) the length of California (and still managed to avoid LA), drove up the beautiful Oregon Coast and (as you know) made it all the way to Alaska. As Sowers we were blessed to have worked at a college in Arkansas, a K-12 school in Arizona, and a variety of camps and conference centers. We’ve been able to connect with friends from long ago and relatives that we haven’t seen in 30 years. Truly, this has been an amazing year. All together we’ve driven over 9800 miles in the motor home. (Last year we only did 3450 miles.) Of course, our Alaska Adventure has accounted for almost 5600 of those miles! Total miles since we left the parking lot of First Baptist Church on August 1, 2004? 34,500.
Here is a map of our general travels in the Lower 48 –

Map of Year 5 – lower 48

Then there was the drive north to AK (Fairbanks)

Then south of Fairbanks (Denali) and our trip back to the lower 48 through Calgary, Alberta.

Just as we were setting out on this great adventure, Tim McGraw had song out called Set this Circus Down. These are the words – (and of course you have to imagine Gary singing it to me 🙂 )

Sometimes this road, it just keeps winding
Round and round and back again
But you’ve always kept me smiling
Over every hill, round every bend
Baby you’re the one smiling with me when the sun comes up
I got the wheel, you got the map and that’s enough

And we go rolling down this highway
Chasing all our crazy dreams
I’ve gone your way and you’ve gone my way
And everywhere in between
One of these days we’ll find a piece of ground
Just outside of some sleepy little town
And set this circus down

Sometimes I lie awake just thinking
Of all the horizons we have seen
And as another day is sinking
I thank God you’re here with me
‘Cause baby you’re the one laughing with me when the sun goes down
Living on faith and holding on tight to the love we found

And we go rolling down this highway
Chasing all our crazy dreams
I’ve gone your way and you’ve gone my way
And everywhere in between
One of these days we’ll find a piece of ground
Just outside of some sleepy little town
And set this circus down

Five Years. If you’re not surprised, I want you to know that I am! And I don’t think we’re ready to set our circus down just yet!