Ryan & Jordan

with Pioneer Bible Translators

Tag: road trip

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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November 1, 2013

Going South

by Jordee

In my mind I’m goin’ to Carolina…

James Taylor rings in my head every so often, particularly around Christmas and the start of summer. We’ll be going to Carolina again soon, and the feelings haven’t changed much since the first time I left home.

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A lot of our lives will be spent traveling, meeting new people, learning new languages and cultures, and I wouldn’t trade any of it. But there is something consistently comforting about going back to where I grew up–like being invited inside out of the cold, and being wrapped in a warm blanket. The accent, the food, the hugs, the complete familiarity and the sense that not much as changed–it doesn’t get old when you are away so frequently.

Sure, I romanticize it a bit, but I also embrace my roots in a geographical place that is still so close to my heart. This time I’ll be returning with Ryan, which makes it that much sweeter. Home is where he is now, and where our Father is. And this time, home will be right near where it was for eighteen years.

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October 11, 2013

There & Back Again: the last day

by ryan

When our headlamps shone before the sun did in Saint Mary, Montana we did not know this would be our last day on the road; the darkness around us paralleled our sight into the future.

Filling up the tank we head north as the victorious sun ascends in the east–assurance of some continuity.  Alberta beckons, the wide open Montana sky a canvas for the morning’s paints.  We quiet ourselves and hear the sweet song of Canadian parks, mountains & glaciers, trees & streams.  We want to go there.

But first: coffee at the Tumbleweed in Nanton, Alberta: a homey place you’ve got to stop by–if you ever find yourself in Nanton.  Onward!

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Banff is so beautiful, and so are the 7,167,223 people with us in the park.

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The crowds continued as we traveled west into British Columbia toward our home near Vancouver.  We kept looking for an open camp site or accommodations elsewhere to no avail. So we kept driving.  And driving.  And we found a place to stay three hours from our house, but at that point we just wanted to be home, so that’s where we went.   It was about time.

We can plan all we want for an adventure, but we always plan to be surprised.  Life is kind of that way, isn’t it?

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