On Wednesday, September 13th, we drove away from our home for the last time. I tried to take a moment and shed a few tears in the garage before we left, but everything was so hectic that I didn’t even think to look back at the house when we drove away. The day didn’t get less hectic, as we were towing the SAAB for the very first time and there was an added element of stress to the whole drive. by the time we got up to the mountain air of the Sierras, I began to feel at ease. There were thunderstorms ahead and behind us, and we stopped at a rest stop at Donner Pass and took a brisk walk with the dogs. The forest was cold and wet, and the pups were so happy to be running free in the woods. The rest of the drive was spectacular. The mountains were so stunning and the light of sunset mixed with the bands of thunder and lightning storm was dramatic and moving.
We got into Nevada, heading towards Carson City as the sun set pink behind the Sierras. We pulled in to the Washoe State Park at dusk and found our campsite in the darkness. We leveled, slid out the living room and exhaustedly went to bed.
Waking up on Thursday was incredible. We woke slow, as this was the first day in a long time where we had nothing we had to do. I stepped out onto our campsite in awe of the mountains and the way the light was falling on them. The 8AM sun shown through the sage brush and gold grass, and we walked the dogs to the lake where they swam and chased sticks. The sage here smells so strong, on the night we arrived it was pungent and wet, like eucalyptus but spicier and sweeter. I was swooning all day at the unexpected beauty of this place. In the afternoon we had to get the Saab checked out for a burning smell it had started to make on the day before we left home. We walked down an ugly road in Carson City while we were waiting for the verdict, grabbed two dollar gin and tonics at a nearby casino, before going back for a 1500 bid for a new clutch. That hurt, but at least we knew we were starting our journey with the Saab in good shape. A new beginning, if you will.
So today we were stranded, we ubered home from the auto shop so we biked thirty minutes down the road to get into a little town where we found some breakfast. Finally having some time to rest has made us realize how tired we are. We pushed so hard all summer to get the house done… and now this new time has come and it feels incredible. Right now, Jordan is picking up the Saab and getting groceries and supplies. I am on the couch with the dogs sleeping next to me, our huge front window is open to an incredible view of the Sierras, Washoe Lake and the sprawling span of sagebrush. there are colorful high desert hills to my left. The sun is streaming off of bailey. I love our little home more than I ever imagined I would.
