Music: Stomping Grounds by Béla Fleck and the Flecktones
 

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”  – Miriam Beard

Here we are – home again – and happy in the knowledge that our goal has been met.  We visited the 48 continental United States.  Alaska (far off Alaska) will be next, and allow us to cross that slightly larger goal of all 50 states off our list.

After we arrived in Wyoming (the last state in the 48), we thought that we might feel different, maybe even sad, now that we’d come to the end of our amazing journey.  But really, there is so much more to see.  Traveling home, our stops in Idaho and Oregon have proven that to be true.  Nature astounds even in states lived in or traveled through many times.  There will always be more. 

Now we’ll turn our attention to some new goals – things we’ll obsess over and dream about until plans and actions can make them so.  We’ll still travel too, of course, because travel has become a part of who we are.  It revives us, makes us happy, and it reminds us that no matter where we are or how skeptical we might be, there is always something interesting or beautiful to see (thank you, Kansas). 

One last thing.  This goal started with an insane idea: to quit our jobs and hit the road.  We did it – twice.  Maybe it’s not for everyone.  No matter what your goal, though, know that there are at least two people out there who believe anything, if planned and truly sought, is possible.  And if you ever have a day when you’re just not sure, remember that you have the entire beautiful world out there just waiting for you to come out, sit awhile and be inspired.