Whenever we set out on the road we say “heeere we go” with a particular inflection. Our tradition originates from a bus driver named Gene who, before taking off from a stop, called this out to alert passengers that the bus was going to move so no one would fall. I rode his bus sometimes and Steve knew him, of course, from work. That was only a few years ago but Gene has left this earth. His premature passing was one of many nudges (along with some other pretty hard kicks) behind our decision to sell our house, quit our jobs, and set off on the road trip adventure that both of us have dreamed of seemingly forever.

This manifestation of our journey began almost a year ago on our annual anniversary vacation and it is auspicious that we finally set out on the 22nd anniversary of the day we met. The past year hasn’t been much fun what with lawsuits and work difficulties, the work of prepping our property for sale only for the housing market to go over the edge of awful, and worrying about anything and everything. But now is not the time to look back … we are moving on. Separating from people we love has proven to be the hardest part. I cried my way through my last 3 weeks of work and for Steve, leaving Nicole, just as their renewed daddy-daughter relationship grows into something very special, is wrenching.

I realize though that, even as we drive away, our Santa Cruz family is still part of us. Things will never be the same but they will be good. My morning started with a smile when I checked email (in the parking lot off I-5 where we slept last night) and found I had been cc’d on an emailed “difficult person alert” from the Community Center. The last line is my theme for today … “hope springs eternal” (thanks, Jack!)

Heeeeere we go!