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!
BETH, KEITH!!! Don’t pass up a little town called Pagosa Springs, Colorado! I could just kick myself for not realizing that you were headed to God’s country! I wish I was there right now to invite you in for a stay but truly this is one little town you HAVE to stop at for a day at least. Hot springs, mountains, river running through it! When God created the earth he smirked at just the thought of this place and when we finished he said “It is GOOD!”
Enjoy!
Theresa
I agree, Theresa! I almost mentioned it in my comment too. I bet it is wonderful living there.
How funny! Once you go it is hard to resist coming back for more. It sounds as if you have come across our sleepy little town also. A little slow and backwards but most of the time I’m in fast forward so it’s just what I need to slow life down. Maybe if we all printed in caps PAGOSA SPRINGS, COLORADO on our posts they wouldn’t miss it 🙂
Have a great day Linda!
Theresa
Beth I love the photo of the pooches! I too have pooches and know vacation can be more fun with them then without. I miss them so much when I have to be away from them. the land scape photo’s are awesome. Keep them coming and I pray you have a great God filled vacation.
Much love to you
Kathleen:0)
Can’t wait to hear more!
How weird is it that the picture of Star and Geli made me tear up? Precious. I love me a dog or two. Nothing like hitting the road with your faithful sidekicks! Have a wondrous trip!
Happy vacationing Beth and Keith & precious dogs.
We lived in a camper with shower, stove, etc. and did ministry. Our kids were involved. We sang in churches all over New England for two years. (Home Schooled the kids). Loved, loved, loved it! Enjoy your precious moments with your hubby…oh dear God give you rest!!!!
LOVE the picture of the dogs 🙂
what fun! I envy you your trip, only been out west from Ohio a few times and I just loved it. May God give you rest and refresh you as you travel.
God bless
Oh how I love to travel with a friend telling me about their trip! This is going to be so fun, thanks for sharing and for the rambling thoughts. I feel like I’m in an RV “On the road again” I’ve never been on an RV one, but thought since you were singing I’d sing a song too. Have fun and I look forward to the next blog if and when you can. I pray though the Lord cease Keith’s snores so you can sleep!
Such a treat to hear of your vacation with your man and the doggys too. Thank-you God for safety and their special time together. Love the picture of the dogs, my that could have soooo many captions!
Beth,
You are a beautiful woman. I am from New Mexico and I’m not sure where in New Mexico you have been, but I will say that the Lord Jesus blessed us greatly…. you cannot and WILL not ever have chile (red or green) like this ANYWHERE else in this entire earth He created! He loves us so much with this gift and I’m not sure why! 🙂 Haha! It’s true. But I have to say that depending where you stopped in NM, it may not have been as good as you’ll find it in the southwestern corner of the state. If you stop by this area, please don’t pass up the chile. I would love to meet you here and show you where the Lord has shown me Himself.. His creation is just that, creation..but at the same time, He fills our eyes with wonders that show us who HE is and how wonderfully creative He is!
Love you,
Sari in Silver City, NM
I love it when you ramble. Have a great time and enjoy
all the beauty that the Good Lord made for us.
LOL..LOL…LOL I wish my man said that to me!! 🙂
JUST ENJOY IT ALL…..
awesomeness beth. you soak up this time w/yo’ man and see the revelations God has to open eyes and hearts.
Amen!
LOVE hearing about your adventures! Ever since the video the other day I’ve been eagerly anticipating stories from your trip. I LOVED the picture of your two dogs looking out the window. And laughed out loud at the “drama” in dramamine comment. Have A WONDERFUL TIME and thanks SO MUCH for thinking of us while you are out “adventuring” together — it’s so sweet of you to keep us posted!!!
I remember we went on a road trip from Florida to New Mexico (Red River, NM to be exact) when I was 16, and I PROMISE you, it took us about 2 days to cross the Great State of Texas. When you wrote that you traveled 10 hours the first day, I was thinking, “Oh I wonder what state they went to?”
…. you were still in Texas.
I laughed out loud.
and you’re right, that’s some beautiful scenery you shared. God is such an artist.
I do wish you’d gotten a picture of those miniature horses! My daughter (9) loves loves loves horses. She’d have eaten that up. I may have to google some for her now just so she knows they exist.
Have fun and I pray you get some sleep. Or you may need a vacation to recuperate from your vacation…
HAHAHAHAHA – thanks for all the wonderful mental pictures. SO – I’ll be honest, if it were me and I had all that space in the RV – I probably would have tried to take home one of those mini-horses LOL. I mean could you imagine having that in your yard??? LOL. I could just see myself – coffee in hand – ready to start the day – and looking at my window and seeing that little mini horse running around – I can’t imagine it would ever get old. LOL.
Maybe I could send you some carrots or something and you could try to catch one on your way home? Just a thought….:O)
I am so happy for you and Keith. This has got to be one of the most fun vacations ever. Enjoy! Soak up the beauty of God’s creation. I know you will remember this time together for the rest of your days.
Hugs and blessings, dear Keith and Beth
Beth,
It seems everyone should have a camping story to share while on God’s beautiful earth!! So glad you are already sharing your story. Three of us Ohio (known as “Buckyes”)gals are making the trip to Kentucky to see ya all and now we are really looking foward to hearing how God is going to use this trip for His Glory and our enjoyment with you!!! See ya in Lexington, KY.
“Dramamine.” Yes, I saw “drama” in dramamine also, Beth. As I made out the word while reading, I thought: “Huh, look at that,’drama’ is spelled out in dramamine.” And lo and behold, you wrote about catching it, too. I luuuuuv it!!! Also, have to say, I particularly love the back scene of your trip. . .your babies are SO cute!!!! Looks like they’re havin the ride of their life time! Isn’t God just amazing?! The way He sends His creatures both big and small to tickle us with His creation. Just two days ago I went for my evening walk and decided to sit for a bit on a swing at a school park, and out of the woods they came, three deer; two little ones, and a taller one, whom led the little ones and seemed as though she fit the role of the Mother. Their beauty nearly took my breath away, I was so beside myself and was able to snatch a picture of them on my cell phone. I believe the Mother led the other two to pose for that picture for they remained SO still for me to take up to five pictures!!! At one point she even looked at me as though she was teasing. Perhaps I was little under some “dramamine” myself. 🙂
I do pray that you and Keith have a memorable ride of your life! I do pray that the yellow brick road leads you to many Starbucks!!!! God bless, and may His face turn toward you both. . .and your two buddies!!!
“Dramamined Under His Amazingness”, oh, blessed be His glorious name, and with prayer and love,
Heidi (and Mishchah, my cat; his name means a gift from God)
Love it, Love it, Love it!! 🙂
How fun! My sisters just got back from San Fran and it was 54 at the Redwoods . . . dreaming of October and the first cold (haha, in Texas, 80 is cool for us!) —– enjoy Beth and Keith!!!!!
Do you know what? Just yesterday I was thinking ‘does Beth Moore ever get to have a holiday?’ So pleased to hear you’re on one. Hope it refreshes you both 🙂
What fun!! Our family talked about doing this but we haven’t gotten around to it yet…actually we decided we would kill each other 2/ 5 people and our dog Daisy in an RV. lol I love to travel and told my friend that even though flying is so much faster, I would love to plan a long road trip.
Your girls looked so cute looking out the window. :))
Have fun and safe travels!
Love,
Patty
Traveling Siesta Mama! I’m so glad you were able to say HI and share some pictures. I can’t believe how big the puppies have gotten and they are so pretty!
Have a great time and stay bundled up.
Love coming from your siesta!
Beautiful pics! I was born in the great state of New Mexico. Have a great time on the road again ….. I’m busy enrolling younin’s in school for a another great year. Then I get to return to Texas and will finally be a classroom teacher next year!! Woo Hoo!! (been a dream of mine for over 10 years. God kept opening doors and I decided to go through it.) Can’t wait.
Looking forward to seeing more pics from your trip.
Jan
Beth
That sounds like such a FUN vacation
My husband and I have talked about renting an RV and taking both of our boys! I think they would love it!
I am thinking next summer we need to do it!
Enjoy your time off!
May God give you much laughter, rest, peace, and joy!!!
Much love
You were almost in my backyard at Caprock Canyon….y’all should’ve stopped in for coffee! 🙂
I hope you two have a blast and if you get up to Estes Park Colorado I know you would just love it! It’s beautiful and scenic and I bet there are plenty of spaces they would let you take those two precious pooches….
Whatever you do… Have a blast….thanks for sharing can’t wait to hear more..
Love ya,
Lichelle
Have a Blessed Trip Ya’ll! I love the pictures! The dogs look like they are having a ball. So Sweet!
I love it that Siestaville is so dog-friendly. I LOVE my sweet baby girl Cindy.
Oh Sweet Beth and Keith (and Pooches too)-
Enjoy yourselves! We have often talked of doing that very thing, but decided that we aren’t the RV-ing type…you’ll have to let us know one reluctant RV-er to another! I see so much of my sweet Jason and I in you and Keith. We often make the trip from our home in Minnesota to my in-laws in Montana-all 11-12 hours of it in one stretch, and I don’t get to drive one second of it!
May God bless you with fabulous love and fellowship together, and may you return to us refreshed and renewed!
Love you,
Andrea
Hahaha! You’re killing me with the pony thing! Too much. I would have loved a picture. Have fun!
Heather Charton , currently residing in the scenic(?) Texas Panhandle
Love, Love, Love this window into your ‘supercool, fantabulous, RV Adventure’! We are inspired and Rookie and Jack are trying to talk us into making one of our own!
Love it!! Sounds like so much fun! God Bless you and Keith and give you rest plus many memories (reminders of his favors poured on us)!
My brother raises miniature horses. They are just like pets. (Only they weigh more!!)
Can’t wait to hear and see more about your trip.
Oh Beth, how I envy you!! I was on the road for about 9 years in my motor home. It was just me and God and a special time of learning about my gracious Father. We traveled across this country and had many adventures and met many wonderful people. Hope you and Keith enjoy it as much as I did!!
Hi Beth, I enjoyed reading about your travels! Texas is a place my husband and I would dearly love to travel through, being from way up here in Alberta.
My wonderful Mother passed away on July 16th, exactly 61 years to the day that she was married to my Dad. So July has been filled with flying to see her and making funeral arrangements. God is so good, he has been so faithful to us as a family as we have grieved and said our good bye.
Needless to say I haven’t had much time to get on this blog, its nice to be back.
I bless you Beth, as you enjoy all the sights around you, even the dogs watching everything. So fun!!
We go tent camping for the 1st time ever in the next month. Our dear friends from church are taking us. Maybe Jesus will come before then.
You have made your man sooo happy!!Love it! You are soo brave. Rest, Rejoice and Receive from the Lord together.
Blessings,
Happy Heart
Beth,
I just can’t believe that you are experiencing my life. My husband, Kent, and I have been fulltime RVers for over two years now. We sold our home, most of our possession, retired and have been on the road travelling across the country seeing God’s handiwork and meeting the most fabulous people. We belong to the United Methodist mission community called NOMADS. We volunteer our time and services at churches, camps and community centers across the country. Nomads are made up of Rvers who want to serve the Lord while on the road. As volunteers, we serve three weeks at each project and choose the projects we feel God has chosen for us. Usually there are about 3 to 5 RVs at a project. It is a beautiful community of believers. I am so glad you are getting a taste of the RV lifestyle. It has so many wonderful aspects. Of course, you can RV part time or just a few months out of the year. I can not tell you how much I have grown both mentally and spiritually since I have been on this journey. Each week we worship at a different church and share our Lord’s love with the people God has given us the blessing to meet. I have learned that there are as many ways to love our God as there are people. I know you will have many wonderful experiences. I hope you can slow down a bit and not tire yourself out. The beauty od RVing is that you can set the pace and choose the path. So relax, have a great time, and stop to see the sunsets, smell the roses and meet the people who come your way. Happy Trails…..
Well I had almost finished my comment and for some reason I don’t know what happen to it I might be day late but I had been wandering if you all were going to be coming thru New Mexico if a matter of fact I had been thinking about it yesterday. Star and Geli look like they are having the time of there lifes. Well as we say here in Albuquerque Nm ( BUENO DIAS AND BUENO NOCHAS) one means good day and the other good night. When you come back thru come in the morning to see our beautiful sunrise on the mountains or our sunset on the SANDIAS that is the name of our mountain which means watermelon because of the colors they have in the morning or evening honk as you go by.
Love you all have a safe trip.
Carol
Laughed out loud at those cute dogs looking out the window!
Have fun you two! You deserve it. Praying for your safe travels (and that you get some sleep!)
Love ya,
Lawan
Thanks Beth for your post. I am having a really bad day. My man of 10 years has decided to up and leave his family. I have a 4 year old and 20month old twins. I am a stay at home mom and my world is falling apart. It is nice to read your blog and smile.
I can see that you’re really hurting Ginger!! Thanks for letting us know, I will be praying for you everyday! Let God wrap you in his Love right now.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your way acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.” Prov.3:5,6
So very sorry, Ginger. Praying!
I too will be praying for you Ginger–hang in there and know there are hundreds of us feeling your pain. Trust in the Lord right now–He will see you through!!
Ginger,
I pray the Lord would give you wisdom and direction as you figure out what to do next. I pray for your children, that they would be comforted and protected during this tough time. And I pray the Lord would put face to face friends in your path to help carry you through.
In His Love,
Donna
Have a wonderful vacation and get lots of rest!!
Enjoy your time with your man and doggies. I just love when you ramble and the pictures were gorgous.. I think that is misspelled…but not really sure. Anyway have a wonderful time of rest. You deserve it.
So far, it sounds like a wonderful, quirky, amazing couple of days! Have fun!
I think this is a wonderful idea!!! So glad you are spending time with your man. That same surgery did a number on me several years ago. But it beats the alternative which was no quality of life whatsoever.Anyway, you are a great inspiration in pointing us to the ONLY ONE who can fix us 🙂
Super cool… just remember… click those heels and say..”No place like Home”
Beautifully Awkward
Hi Beth! My husband wanted to do the same thing this summer w/ our dobe, but I just couldn’t wrap my mind around it! How do your pups do when you are eating in the restaurant? Do they actually sleep during the night?
We took a hotel/road trip this summer and went up to Anacortes, WA. Best food we found in this tiny town was at a bowling alley of all places!! Biggest pancakes I’d ever seen!!
I’ll be praying for you all.
Little Monkey’s Mama
God is so good! To Him be the glory!!! (Judges 5:31)