Greetings from the road, my dear Siestas! Well, to say that Keith Moore and I are having an adventure is our official understatement of the year. If you watched the SSBS wrap up (Tuesday’s post), you know that Keith and I have done something highly uncharacteristic: pulled out of our driveway in a large rented RV and hit the road with little more than an atlas and two rather sizable hounds.
My coworker, Sabrina, was going over my August calendar with me about a month ago and said, “You have a week of vacation coming up and you should take it. Beth, the rest of us take actual vacations. Some of us even take three weeks a year. Where could I make you and Keith some reservations?”
So I began to think and think and talk it over with my man. Ever since my surgery, I just haven’t been able to work my physical body into the ground like I used to. To tell you the truth, that’s a gift from God. He probably never meant for us to work as hard as I have worked in the last twenty years. This time, I knew I wanted real time off. But where? Keith’s spiritual gift is giving so I knew he’d give me any kind of vacation I wanted but there’s one little factor that grossly limits our choices: we want our two little buddies with us.
That’s when this wild idea hit us. My man has been trying to get me to do this RV thing for years but I couldn’t quite picture, for instance, washing and drying my big hair in it. Believe it or not, that was one of my lesser worries. My greater worries are not suitable for public conversation but as you can clearly conclude, I decided to try my best to overcome personal obstacles. Novices that we are, we’ve had moments of questioning our sanity (like, for instance, at night when we can’t actually sleep in it) but, overall (during daylight hours), we are having a blast! Keith will not let me drive but I am the world’s best map-reader and a sight-seeing enthusiast so we make a great pair.
I will just give you a few highlights (or low lights depending on how much you appreciate trivia) because I can’t stay on here very long. I’m only getting this opportunity because Keith hardly slept all night and has now finally fallen asleep and snoring loud enough, God love him, to rock the entire RV. I may need to take some Dramamine. (Did I spell that right?? Spell check is letting it pass but, for the life of me, I have never noticed the “drama” in Dramamine before. That I have not overdosed on it is a wonder.) Geli and Star are also staring a hole through me like, “Is this what we came here to do? Seriously? Just sit here in the RV? Do you know what kind of good smells there are out there right now??”
We drove over 10 hours on the very first day from Houston to Caprock Canyon State Park in north Texas. At half past midnight, we backed the RV into a space that, lo and behold, had a broken electrical outlet but we didn’t realize that was the problem. We thought either our RV was malfunctioning or, more likely, we were inept. We blessed the other campers by sleeping (all 4 hours) with the generator going. But when we were able to drink enough coffee to peel our eyelids off our eyeballs, these were a few of the scenes around us:
Can you believe that’s in TEXAS??? Absolutely breathtaking. We loved it so much. Then, yesterday we got back on the road and spent all day spying gorgeous countryside on our way out of the Lone Star State and into New Mexico. Geli and Star were in dog heaven. They love traveling this way and, as I tweeted yesterday, they suggested we buy this thing when we get home and drive around Houston in it. Finally, we understand their needs, they said. This was the scene behind us much of the day:
It’s a wonderful thing to have an I-phone on a road trip. At all times I can find the nearest Starbucks. I can also find charming restaurants. This was one of them yesterday.
Keith got a big old plate of beef enchiladas, New Mexico style, with red chili gravy that made your eyes water. I had a hamburger steak because Kimberly, our darling young waitress, said it was good. I had a hard time overlooking the sandwiches because the menu said all of them were made with homemade bread but I’d had enough sandwiches in the RV to let that dream go. As God would bless me, my hamburger steak came with a side of “Texas Toast” (thank you again, Texas!) that was, you guessed it, made out of HOMEMADE BREAD. It was two inches thick and grilled on both sides in butter. I could bawl about it but, of course, I’ve had only about six hours of sleep in two days. I’m telling you it was the Texas toast of my life right there in New Mexico. As we paid out, our waitress said, “Ma’am, can I ask you a question. Is there any chance your name is Beth?” Turns out her Daddy is the pastor of the First Baptist Church in that town. It was a delightful encounter and we thanked God for it.
We made it to our second destination about 9:00 PM last night and will be here one more night. I have on a jacket and I nearly froze to death last night. All my Houston home-girls hate me right this minute.
I’ll catch back up with you in the next day or two but I’ll leave you with the most surreal sight of the trip thus far. We purposely chose the scenic highways that looked like long ropes through ranch lands as broad as tongue could tell. Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado are all famous for those. We saw beautiful horses and tons of cattle and that was just in Texas. Once we crossed the first border, we hit New Mexico where the deer and the antelope play. And seldom is heard a discouraging word and the skies are not cloudy all day. Home, home on the… Sorry, Siestas. I’m just overtired. To get back to my story, before we left Texas, we passed by a typical wide-open pasture with horses frolicking and manes flowing in the wind. Nothing unusual about that except that these were all miniature horses. The kind that would stand about as tall as my waist. No, not Shetlands. Miniatures. Like stuffed animals. In herds. I have never seen anything like it. We weren’t at a place where we could pull of the road with our big Daddy or I would have taken you a picture. It was the weirdest thing you’ve ever seen because everything else about the scene was absolutely normal. It was like the horses didn’t even know they were supposed to be taller than three feet. Suddenly, I pictured a remake of The Wizard of Oz set in Texas instead of Kansas. Pitch those red slippers, my little pretty! Put on some hot pink ropers and follow that yellow brick road, Girlfriend. You’re about to have the ride of your life.
These are the things that amuse me.
I’ve enjoyed saying hi to you, Siestas! My man just got up and, from the look of things, I better put on another pot of coffee. We love you. More than anything, we love loving Jesus with you. I am asking Him to refresh our souls and grant us some sweet revelation while we’re on this trip. I pray the same for you, Darling Things, whatever you may be doing right now. He can meet with us as easily while we fold clothes and wash dishes. It’s all about whether or not we ask Him for eyes to see.
I’ll talk to you soon!
Thanks for sharing! How refreshing! I love the picture of the dogs in the window. Too cute!
God Bless you both with much needed rest and alone time!
I’m not a camping girl either, Beth, so kudos to you for giving it a try. So glad you’re having fun. That pic of the dogs watching the scenery is priceless. Wish my kids had cared as much when we traveled with them 🙂
I hope you have a nice vacation even though you don’t sound like you are getting enough rest. I lived in TX for a bit & loved everything about it. Oh, I wanted to also mention that I started reading your new book last night @ 12am b/c I couldn’t sleep. I downloaded it on my iPad thru Kindle. I know I am going to learn a lot. Thanks for writing it! Praying for traveling mercies!
How fun to have you check in the midst your adventure! And what a fun sounding adventure it is!
Love the word picture you painted of the miniature horses! Ruby slippers and all! Can’t wait to see you in another kind of horse country next weekend in Lexington!
Love and prayers,
Kelli
Been watching for your first post from the open road! So glad you took time to have a “real” vacation!! Enjoy every minute and take lots of pics!! Love you dearly!!
Have a blessed time, Beth. And sounds like you are! My husband is begging to go back to Carlsbad Caverns! We’ll eventually have to make that New Mexico trip again. We loved the Sandia Mountain Peak in Albuquerque, too!
Have fun Star and Geli!!
Oh Beth, how did Star and Geli act over the miniature horses? Were they barking ferociously? Wonder if they thought they were dogs? Can’t you see Star and Geli “round them up” and grabbing onto their tails?
yeaaaa Beth And Keith on an adventure – what fun! Blessings to you both as you experience God’s wonder and creativity
LOL!!! I love vacation. I love the mountains. Enyoy the RV. I’m eager to see more posts from your trip…
Hi Beth,
sounds like you are having a blast!! We love you so!
keep on driving and come see me in Tucson!
blessings – Sister Lynn
Sister Lynn, are you in Tucson permanently now? I tho’t you were in the Midwest!
I am in Tucson for a year or so while our monastery in Missouri is undergoing renovations.
Oh, good! Enjoy your time in the desert, hopefully you’ll make it back to A&M for another retreat soon!!
I’m laughing right now at this post, Beth!!! You are chalking up some good memories right now in that RV…..all the things that can go wrong, will probably go wrong, but you make the best of it and laugh like you are doing right now! loved the pics of the dogs….isn’t it funny, how they like looking out the window? Our dog, a German Short haired Pointer will get all excited when you say, “Let’s go for a ride”, and sits up just like your picture, and looks out the window, and then puts his head out the window, with his ears flapping in the wind….what a hoot!! enjoy your trip, see God’s beautiful creation, and refresh your soul, sweet lady. blessings, Pam in San Diego
I second that Pam!
Have a great vacation. You deserve it, but maybe stay in a hotel one night and get some real rest!!
Haha! I told her the same thing, Amanda!
My husband and I always laugh when we see a big ol’ RV parked in the parking lot of a hotel. You just have to know that the woman traveling in that thing must have had her fill! I am sure though, should we ever brave such a thing, that I will doing the same! But what a great adventure!
Have a BLAST! Don’t forget to come back to Texas 🙂
Loved hearing about Geli and Star! We have two hounds too and our life would be so boring without them! We try to go camping every other weekend. They go bonkers when the camper is in the driveway because they know the weekend will be full of swimming, scraps and lots of smells.
You can see our furry kids here (notice who belongs to who!) http://kwinrc.blogspot.com/2010/06/summer.html
What’s funny is that Sophie (B&W Springer) is so much like me – not a care in the world, very loving and protective, while Penny (brown pointer) is very straight-laced, a worrier and snores just like my sweet hubby! My gosh, they even eat like we do! Penny & my hubby both can eat their dinner in 3 min flat – whereas Sophie and I take our time and enjoy each bite (I wish you could see her eat! She chooses the morsel then picks up her head and chews at least 20 times with her mouth open – so funny and cute!)
Kelly,
I love the pictures thanks for sharing….
your furry kids are the cutest!!
I keep calling my husband over to look at all the pictures of everyone out having fun….He works way to much and I’m his Admin so that makes me work way to much!! Boating & camping sound like so much fun. We live on a lake so he says why go away when you can enjoy your own backyard – HELLO – I want to see this beautiful country!!
Oh, Beth… I just love you and wish we were ALL in that RV with you!!! 🙂
I have always wanted to visit Texas and this just ramps up my desire! I am tickled by the idea of a place where sweet ladies say “Bless your little heart” and “y’all” at the end of every sentence!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying this much deserved time off, exploring and savoring all the riches of God’s creation! I pray you the rest of your trip is safe and full of visits from our awesome Creator!
Dear Beth and hubby, So glad you’re getting a chance to unwind! I have two questions – one is about technical stuff. I’ve always thought we’d enjoy doing something like that but wondered if the maintenance is hard – backing them up, hooking up, electrical stuff, etc.
Also wondering why it’s hard sleeping in them?
Hope whatever it is, you’re able to get some good rest before the trip is over.
Love in Him,
Becky, I can’t answer your questions precisely but Mom said that the bed is as hard as a rock! I am sure that has something to do with it! 🙂
Maybe they should try adding a memory foam mattress topper to it… I love those things! : )
Then tell your Mom and Dad to get themselves to the nearest Costco asap to buy a memory foam mattress pad to plop on top of that rock-hard mattress that the RV came with — their problem will be solved instantly — nightime oblivion awaits!
Im sure there is a blog for RV-ers.
Love the image of the miniature horses. I’m sure in a state known for “BIG” like Texas is, those babies are kind of an oxymoron.
We are neck high in harvest I’ve been on the combines a few days here and there, but mostly in the kitchen cooking for a crew of 15 and hauling it as much as 15 miles away each evening. My one respite has been our Tuesday night study, Breaking Free! Luckily (?) my 40th birthday is coming up and my husband and I are going to take a few days of vacation in September over toward the mountains of Western Montana. We love our flat plains in the Eastern part, but sometimes crave the smell of pine trees and cold mountain streams.
Have a fun and relaxing, restorative time in your RV Vacation! I’m thinking my kids 15, 12, 6 and 4 would LOVE to travel that way just like Star and Geli!
Beth, enjoy your much deserved vacation. Loved the pic of the dogs at the window. You are brave. My idea of camping is the nearest Marriott.
Loved your post!! loved the pictures! I too haven’t been well and for the longest time could not read any post’s from this blog…….I missed it so. Now I’m well enough to enjoy every word and every picture…..thanks so much.
Thanks for taking us on your vacation with you!! So glad you are enjoying the beauty of God’s creation with your man, Star, and Geli!
Beth – What fun to hear an update on your road trip adventure…. I love the photo of Star and Geli. They look like such seasoned RV travelers! Did you see that movie “RV”? It came out a few years ago, and starred Robin Williams… Anyway, I hope you have none of the traumatic adventures from the movie…
Enjoy yourselves! Praying for you to have much laughter, fun times together, make tons of memories, and for Him to cover you with His protection as you as you travel.
Love and hugs,
Adrienne
Adrienne-
As soon as she said she was doing the RV thing I thought of that movie:-) And I agree, no DRAMA would be good!
Except the Dramamine:)
Beth…
have a wonderful, WONDERFUL road trip. Thanks, by the way, for getting that song stuck in my head! will be singing it all day!
and thank you for your simple prayers for us…. i really need them today… and it’s so encouraging to know others are praying when i, myself, am too weak to.
But God is good….. and He has a hold of me…
So glad to hear that you are vacationing! You and Keith deserve it. You might want to stop in a Target, Walmart, or anything of the like in your neck of the woods and pick up an air mattress! Seriously…you’ll sleep better 🙂
I am anxiously awaiting my trip to Lake Tahoe this weekend. My cousin is getting married on top of Heavenly and we all get to celebrate with her and her soon to be husband Kyle. It is going to be amazing….wish that they knew Jesus though 🙁
Have a wonderful time Bethie!
Miss Beth –
Thanks for checking in. Loved the pictures. I would have never imagined scenery like that in Texas!
I do believe that Star and Geli will not be satisfied riding in a good ole pick up truck ever again! They look pretty happy riding in that RV. : )
Do hope you manage to get some rest and sleep on your adventure.
God Bless your travels!
Keep the updates coming!
Beth,
What fun it sounds like you are having! We do the road trips often…with 4 children it is the most economical choice. Love seeing America pass by and all the different landscapes. We are in Colorado Springs where America’s mountain is so if you are headed this way, give ua a holler!
hugs to you, Amy W
Beth,
Thank you for always including us in your adventures! You are blessed with a word fitfully spoken and I love to hear from you. Our 14 year old son has been begging his dad and I to do a RV road trip, I think I will have him read this post and it will only inspire his desire to do so.
We actually did a driving road trip from California to La Junta Colorado. I can tell you the scenery made me cry and I kept thanking the Lord for showing of to me.
Try to get some good rest (maybe a hotel one night?)
God bless and keep you, Keith and the girls.
Love you hugh,
Celeste
My friend and I like to refer to your rv style trip as “Glamping” – jut outdoorsy enough to count as camping, but with all the true comforts like microwaves, hairdryers, and of course, air conditioning ;). Enjoy your glamping trip!
Oh, I love that word! glamping – now I could go for that!
Adrienne
I could go glamping! Mascara and mountains, Hallelujah and Amen!
Glamping….. that is MY kind of camping 🙂
Fun! They used to call my sister “camping Barbie” b/c while camping in a tent, she would plug in her rollers in the public bathroom (you know, the one where you pay for your shower in quarters), roll her hair and do full makeup everyday. Gotta love her. She said it was this or no camping.
God Bless Sabrina for “suggesting” you take a real vacation. People in full-time ministry need to be reminded they need to stop and be refreshed with their families. What an adorable picture of your “children” (at least that’s what I call my two hounds) enjoying the view.
I’ve only visited San Antonio, but would someday love to see other parts of Texas. I have been to the Grand Canyon, Arizona and Utah and had my breath taken away by creation’s beauty.
Hope you have a wonderful week and will be “refreshed” by the time you come to Lexington to bless us on Friday the 13th! I will be there.
Valerie
Louisville, KY
This sounds like your ‘cup of tea’! On the wide open road with your man and your girls-of the four legged variety. We made that drive to Co. Springs over July 4th, and saw Caprock Canyon on the map, looks like we need to stop on our next trip! That’s what I love about Texas! So much to see!!!
Enjoy!! I second the idea for at least one night in a nice, dog friendly motel!!
I LOVE IT! we are hitting the road south within hours and are heading to Alabama’s most beautiful border–the Gulf. I love late summer trips. Enjoy your adventure, J
Have done the RV camping for years and there is nothing better this side of heaven. Such a way to enjoy God’s beautiful creation and a wonderful time to bond. With everything!
Will be pulling our 5th Wheel into Colorado in about four weeks. YEEEHHAWW!
How fun!! Have a great time!!
I just wonder if you would travel again by RV??
The scenery is beautiful – and the picture of the dogs is priceless.
My husband says he wishes he could talk to Keith (Texas men tell it straight, no fluff) about the experience because we always talked of traveling that way but never got brave enough to actually do it.
Thanks for sharing!!
LAUGHING. I am glad your are as nutty random as me!
I think I can join a few other siestas in that same nuttiness:)
I am taking your road trip as a biblical message, because while you are out in the middle of nowhere you are noticing bits and pieces you never have seen before of the awesomeness of God, the little secrets He is sharing with you:) He’s teaching you through every Kodak captured moment:) You are living out physically what I am experiencing spiritually:) Very cool. Love it.
Enjoy your trip, and please just tell me that you weren’t standing on top of the RV in order to get signal to send this post?:) (RV movie, check it out.)
:)ang
Hey Beth!
I loved the picture of the dogs! We have an 8 month old German Shorthaired Pointer, who is at “school” right now, learning how to hunt birds. When we got him, we didn’t know that he was going to turn out to be such a baby (to us). We are absolutely smitten! So, we try our hardest to include him on our trips, also.
I hope y’all have a great trip. Enjoy the RV!
That sounds like the perfect vacation! Just you and your man and God’s beautiful creation. I’m moving that to the top of the list of “first things to do when all the kids are grown and gone”. Right now an RV trip with a toddler and a 6 month old doesn’t sound too relaxing, haha. Hope you have a WONDERFUL vacation!!! Drive safe Mr. Moore. 🙂
Oh I remember you telling about your travels in an RV with Beanie and the tornado and your man. That was tooo good. I laughed so hard I was crying. My childhood was filled with traveling and camping in a popup camper. At least you have indoor plumbing – the camper did not and I really don’t do outdoor plumbing unless I really really have to.
yay for a vacation! If you make it to south west Colorado make sure to check out Mesa Verde near Durango, its amazing!
Beth, I truly hope you will rest and be refreshed. Eddie would love this kind of trip. Maybe we will have to take one with our little dog, Tigger. Have fun and blessings to you!
I’m so glad that you all are having a good time. Praying for safe travel.
Miss Beth!
how i love the travel log! and how i love you! most of all, i love loving Jesus more right along with you and all the other siesta’s!!
have a wonderful, safe trip!
jackie
I agree Jackie! Y’all inspire me!
Enjoy your vacation, your dogs and your man, Beth (maybe not necessarily in that order)!!!
My heart is so happy over this post!!! Thanks for sharing.
Have some large fun Mama Beth!
Hugs,
Fran
I love loving Jesus with you too Beth! 🙂
Beth, I’m on a little trip of my own. I have thyroid cancer and now have no thyroid but having to do the radiation thing. Which means I took a radiation pill yesterday and am now isolated at a cabin at the lake. The cabin is owned by one of my ladies in bible study and even though I was hesitant because she has small children, her husband is a physics professor and has worked with radiation and he said it was no problem. It is all a God “thing.” He placed her in my study with a husband who knows about it and then the best was that while I was praying for the cancer to be encapsulated before surgery God did more and made all the knots benign on the left side. The right side had come out earlier but I crashed during surgery and they couldn’t chance taking the time to get the left side out. I think God just wanted a little more time to finish healing that left side!
The lake is gorgeous but I am looking at it through windows because we are having one of those record breaking heat waves and I can’t breathe outside.
Bless you Beth for always being an inspiration to us all and I pray the bed gets softer or you find a really good hotel to sleep in (that would be my choice!)
Your comment touched my heart. I had my left thyroid removed some years ago. The nodule was benign, thank you Jesus !, but they wanted to remove it because my grandmother had thyroid cancer. I need to go back for another ultrasound to check on it though. You’ve inspired me to go do just that. I’ve been fortunate not to have to take thyroid medication thus far and I’m very grateful to our Heavenly Father for that.
I pray that Jesus Christ, THE Almighty Healer,touches you in a mighty way and you experience a WHOLE HEALING! In our Kinsman-Redeemer’s Name, Jesus Christ. Amen
Oh wow, thank you so much for telling me that I gave you a reason to have it checked out. I have never had any thyroid problems at all (would have liked to blame my weight on it but no dice) until these knots appeared. Catching it early and praying it through is the key. Get yourself checked and He holds you in His Hands.
Oh Beth!! My man and I love to load up the RV and hit the road. We have a few “traveling buddies” with us as well and we DREAM of the times and places we want to go to. It is a bit to get used to at first. I took lots of dramamine when we first started traveling this way as I felt sea sick all the time. Enjoy!!! There is so much to see out there. You meet the most interesting people and Jesus gives plenty of opportunity to share His love with them in the most unique ways.
Thanks for sharing your adventures with us!!
Royana
How sweet you are to include all of us on your trip! I love the way you share your life with us! I also love the picture of your “buddies”….TOO cute!! 🙂 Have a fun, restful, and very blessed vacation!
Love it!! I have been there Mrs. Beth!! Those beds are sooo not made for a good nights rest. The only bed that was semi comfortable on my grandparents RV was the one they slept on. It was the Queen size bed that the couch turned into. In the mornings, after Nanny & Nandaddy were up and drinking their coffee outside, all of the girl cousins would fight to see who got into their bed. See, there were 5 girls sleeping in the back of the RV in 2 twin beds. 5 girls & 2 beds does NOT equal a good nights rest…EVER! One girl was in between the beds on the floor…so needless to say she was usually the first to Nanny’s bed! lol!
I agree with whoever said it before, stop by Target and grab an air mattress…you’ll feel ever so much better!
Can’t wait for the next peek into your vacation! Y’all have soo much fun and take lots of pics!!
Nikki
Hi Beth & Keith, It sounds like you are on quite an adventure. The thing is you’re doing it together! That’s sonmething I’m learning in my 34 year marriage. It’s important that we don’t let time get away from us. We only have a moment here together and we need to make it as fun exciting and joyful as we can. Hope you make beautiful memories and feel free to share what you can with us here in blogworld. Love you and go have some great fun!!!Carla
Oh Bethie! My dear aunt breeds miniature horses and owns a little (no pun intended, lol) farm out in the Texas hill country. They truly are a sight to see! I never get tired of their big horse attitudes and personalities. I am just a horse girl thru and thru…and a texas one at that! Take your time on the road, there is a quote I love from Mr. Sam Houston himself..”Texas is the finest portion of the globe that has ever blessed my vision.” I know you are driving thru more that just our beloved state, and I know from yearly ski trips to New Mexico with my family that it has some of its own sights to behold. But there is just nothing quite like the Lone Star State!
I love that, ‘I never get tired of their big horse attitudes and personalities,’ Small horses with stallion personalities, kind of like a yorkie who thinks she’s a german shepherd!
You are speaking my language Siesta Mama!! My husband and I have a RV and love driving down the road looking at the sights too. He drives and I read the map and man the binoculars just in case we need to know about an exit and/or turn ahead of time. Our basset hound (who has since passed away) would only ride in the RV and didn’t like traveling in another vehicle at all. In fact, it got to where we had to pack the RV at night while she was asleep or she would get so excited and lay by the RV refusing to move until it left the driveway and howl at the top of her lungs. Enjoy your much deserved vacation!!