Nashville | Ryan & Jordan

Tag: Nashville

December 28, 2013

Ned the Silver Bullet Goes East

by Jordee

Though he’d already taken us around 2,000 miles south, Ned was tireless and seemed more than willing to head east, since going any further south would mean going to Mexico. And we weren’t quite ready to leave the US again.

So we found the western-most part of an interstate which spans the country, west to east. We were both looking forward to being on this road, knowing that dear family members in two different states live just a few miles off of it. Ned made his second major turn, and we were on the road which would take us to our new home.

But not before a few stops. Needles, California; Flagstaff, Arizona; Gallup, New Mexico. For the most part nothing but open road, sunshine, coffee, semi-trucks, tumbleweeds, and some Louis L’Amour stories. And plenty of time to debrief and thank God for our time in our first home together. After a night in Albuquerque, we continued east anticipating our next stop and a day off the road at our parents’ home in OKC.

Feeling blessed by family and refreshed, we passed through Arkansas, then Memphis, and stopped to record our first album in Nashville. Just kidding, but that would be really neat. The next day was our final day on the road, and we passed through the Smoky Mountains as the road became gradually more and more familiar. No matter how long it’s been since I’ve seen them, signs for familiar towns make my heart a bit lighter. And then we pulled into our new driveway in Clemmons, soon to be warmly welcomed by family and an unusually warm, starry night. 4,085.6 miles later.

November 29, 2013

the pilgrims went to the east coast

by ryan

A long time ago in a galaxy–this galaxy–pilgrims traveled across the Big Pond to the East Coast. They had hard times. And so have we, even if they are smaller.

But we all have reasons to be thankful too. Yesterday we missed being with most of our family. We missed our parents, our brothers & sisters and their families, our grandparents, our aunts and uncles, and our cousins and their families. But we had each other and friends–who are family in a way. And we’re thankful for that.

And we’re thankful for the prospect of being home for Christmas. If we were trees, family would be our roots and maybe our sun and rain too. And so thinking about seeing them makes everything brighter.

However, before it gets too sunny I need to tell you about the Big L we have to do. I know what you’re thinking: “Oh no! The Big L . . .” No, you are probably thinking about losing or leagues, or maybe you are confused so you’re skipping down below to figure out just what the Big L is all about. Sorry to disappoint you, but it is not a dance. The Big L is Down & Right, or if you prefer, South & East.

December 13 we head Down to Southern California from Up Here in the Great White North. Then we take a Left and go Right–I’ve heard it both ways–and go East toward Western Europe. Directions can be hard sometimes. Being thankful can be easy sometimes.