TRAVEL

We’ve clocked over five full years of full-time RV living without turning each other into roadkill. Our trial by fire? Cramming ourselves into a 200-square-foot camper with zero slide-outs alongside three growing boys—for two and a half long, character-building years. Moms, trust me on this: boys are infinitely easier in a tiny space. They don’t need vanity lighting, they don’t care about closet space, and as long as they’re fed, they function like remarkably quiet houseplants.

Fifteen years later, Bill snagged a consulting job, triggering our second act. We started in a trailer, leveled up to a Class A motorhome, and best of all? The boys grew up and got their own places. Now that we’re officially empty nesters on wheels, we’re roaming the US— enjoying all the square footage to ourselves and leaving a trail of campfire smoke behind us.

I was practically born on a plane—pretty sure my parents’ prayer list was just a list of flight schedules! They answered the call and moved to Brazil, where I made my grand entrance into the world. After that, we spent my childhood in a state of migration, bouncing between Brazil and the US every two to four years. Over the last 50 years, I’ve watched air travel transform from a glorious Sabbath rest with free full meals and actual legroom to an exercise in test-your-patience sanctification where you pay extra just to breathe the cabin air.

As my husband traveled all over the globe for work, he wisely used points he accumulated in business travel and blessed us with an annual anniversary trip. Eventually, those “anniversary” trips multiplied like loaves and fishes—suddenly any random Tuesday was a divine invitation to buy plane tickets.

Later on, the Lord led us back to Brazil to work as administrators at an international Christian school. That meant annual school conferences in new countries every year. We took full advantage of the “go ye into all the world” directive and snuck off to explore every surrounding country we could physically reach!

By the way, here’s a random fun fact to share at your next potluck: did you know the world’s oldest restaurant is in Austria? Because both of us enrolled in airline point programs early on, the accumulation of years has paid off, continuing to give us access to free upgrades, extra bags, and other perks. Free is good, right?

When I wasn’t soaring at 30,000 feet, I was practically being baptized in transmission fluid—I was born in a car, too! Ah, the joy of being a missionary kid on “furlough” (for the uninitiated, that’s mission-speak for a non-stop, coast-to-coast church-tour marathon).

As the youngest, my two older brothers lovingly applied “brotherly affection” by banishing me to the dreaded middle seat. By hour two of every road trip, I’d abandon all dignity and slither down onto the floorboard, performing olympic-level gymnastics just to contour my spine around that giant metal floor hump. Mind you, this was back in the pre-SUV era, when backseat floor space offered all the luxury of a church basement folding chair!

Between the air miles and those unending stretch-of-highway miles, I’ve logged enough time on the road to satisfy the Israelites’ 40-year wilderness wanderings. Pretty sure half my earthly life has been spent asking, “Are we there yet?” Gone are the days of fiercely scanning the highway to check off all 50 states on a paper license plate hunt, or testing the spiritual fruit of patience during a four-hour game of “I Spy.” Back in my day, “screen time” was just staring out the window at endless cornfields and practicing the armor of God against your brother’s elbow touching your side of the seat! Nowadays, you can cross three state lines and the backseat won’t even notice!

While train travel is the mode I’ve experienced the least—the light-duty category on my travel resume—I’ve still racked up a few memorable rides!

The absolute grand champion has to be the time I boarded a two-day journey with my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and my five-month-old firstborn. We had those classic sleeper cars with two berths that folded up by day to reveal window seats underneath. When I say it was cozy, I mean the whole compartment was about the size of a matchbox! But I was young, full of energy, and blessed with the kind of naive optimism that made squeezed quarters with family and a baby feel like a neat little adventure.

Years later, we branched out to international trains, including some high-speed marvels that make you feel like you’re riding with wings. And, of course, riding the London Tube was an experience all its own. To this day I can still hear that crisp British voice offering sound counsel: “Mind the gap!”

If you walked a mile in my shoes, you’d probably need a new pair of soles—and a strong pair of knees! Between all the airports, road trips, and trails, we’ve logged enough footsteps to make a Fitbit explode.

Some of the most incredible blessings in this world can only be reached by good old-fashioned foot traffic—hidden-gem restaurants, sweeping mountain vistas, serene gardens, and deep caves. Walking forces you to slow down and engage all five senses (for better or for worse—some trail smells build character real quick!). It stretches your faith, tests your fear of heights on high ledges, and suddenly transports you back to childhood with just one whiff of pine.

If I had to recommend just one earthly paradise to put on your bucket list, hands-down it’s Yellowstone National Park. God really showed off with the flora, fauna, mountains, and geysers—the photos don’t even do His artwork justice. Plus, the wildlife is up close. We had a massive bison wander right up to our car window—and let me tell you, when a bison that size looks you in the eye, you start praying for extra bumper protection!

Pro tip for fellow wanderers: if you plan to visit a few of God’s natural wonders, grab an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass. It pays for itself in no time and opens the door to endless adventures!

Alright, hands down, this has to be one of the absolute most joyful ways to get around creation! The wind blowing back what’s left of your hair, the warm sun on your face, lungs drinking in that fresh outdoor air, and your legs pumping with pure, thrilling anticipation of what’s around the next bend… I ask you, what’s not to love?

Best of all, you don’t even need to haul your own bicycle across state lines like a pack mule. So many cities now have bike-share stations where you just pull out your smartphone, pay a few bucks to unlock a bike (as low as $3/hour!), and ride off into the sunset like a modern-day circuit rider—at least until your hour runs out.
Now, let me be completely honest: at this stage in my life, I am thankful for the invention of the e-bike. Before I tried one, I thought it was a complete cheat—like sitting on a moped and pretending you’re exercising. (Pro tip: avoid the ones that do all the work for you; we need to use a little muscle so the good Lord’s machinery doesn’t rust!).

Instead, a proper e-bike just gives you a gentle boost right when you hit a steep incline. You can leave it off when you’re feeling heroic, or crank up the “pedal assist” when the hill starts testing your sanctification. So many cities we’ve lived in have gorgeous greenway trails now. It’s basically just walking—only much faster, with way better scenery per hour. 10 out of 10, highly recommend!