After the 11 loads of laundry I was absolutely exhausted. I really wanted to get on the road by Saturday morning but it was just out of the question. After almost two weeks of little to no contact with Adam I was ready to literally fall into his arms but I had 1100 miles of road between me and him.
Saturday morning we took some time to walk through my moms house and identify the family heirloom’s. We had such a peaceful time dividing the big furniture items among us sister’s. God was definitely in the midst of us as we each chose the things we wanted we all felt happy with the decisions.
Each time we go back home I am sure that it will become more normal. It was hard setting foot back in my moms house. It was Left the way she had it with all the little areas of special things just the same. It was like at any moment she would walk in with her smiling face and give me the hug my heart longs for. Maybe she’s taking a long ride on her horse through the fields. But as I sat there the tears started to flow and my heart ached more for her.
I knew that part would be hard but I was hoping I had healed enough that it wouldn’t be that hard but here we are and the tears are flowing and I can’t avoid it.
On ward to pack the car. Things never get packed as fast as I plan, especially doing it alone. I had three extra bins of clothing to pack and All of our 5 bikes plus a new tent that was twice as big as our last one. I shoved all the camping gear in our car top carrier and it wouldn’t shut. So I climbed on the roof and jumped on the top to get it too close. Putting all my weight slamming my body on top of it, it finally latched And I was able to get it ratchet on top. One step is done. Next step is to pack the back of the car because once the bikes are on the hitch rack the back door will not open.
As I begin ratcheting on our load I start to realize I’m going to need more ratchet straps. So after we saw a family movie Saturday night I went to the nearby Walmart. It was in a town that was surrounded by mountains which meant my already lousy phone reception would definitely not have reception. So when my GPS took us on another closed road I was thankful to have my nice K with me. She helped me navigate through the closed roads so I could focus on driving through the dark roads that I didn’t know. She later said she thought we were going to die lol. I definitely wasn’t at that point. 😂
When I woke up on Sunday morning I was determined to pull out by noon. After wrapping 11 ratchet straps around the bikes and three rubber bins I had everything tied down… Or so I thought. Off we drove.
Two hours down the road I knew something was wrong with my load when I couldn’t see the handle bars of one of my bikes so I pulled off and retied the last two ratchet straps as best as I could and decided at the next Walmart I would get another ratchet strap. I needed that one to tie around the entire load and lock on the back of the rack. So I found the Walmart and got my ratchet strap and I tied the back on and felt it would ride much better this way.
I drove until I was too exhausted to drive any further. It was only 3 1\2 hours from my sisters house but hey it was something. I was a little bummed that I couldn’t go further. But at least it was a little ways. Tomorrow I will push hard.
Signing off from one woman to another.
Weary traveler.
Jenny Ren