It feels like the perfect time to share our current wanderings through middle America. We have enjoyed the highways, byways, and roadside stops of the Santa Fe Trail, and Route 66. But with New Mexico, Kansas, and Missouri in our rear view mirror, I reflect on the richness of our lives.

It dawned on me that the yesterdays, of those who paved the roads ahead of us, are our todays – our history, our progress. And I wonder if they could fathom life as we live it, or if it would even make sense. I guess trying might be half the fun.

You can’t understand a city without using it’s public transportation system. – E. Ozan

In Dodge City, Kansas we find ourselves waltzing into the late 1800’s. Cowboys, cattle, saloons and well…you know. Let’s get that out of the way right now, shall we?

You are allowed to be both a masterpiece and a work in progress, simultaneously- Sophia Bush

There were plenty of alternative choices in those days, but thank goodness for progress, and nudges allowing our little girls to grow up to be cowgirls.

Near Independence, Kansas a local byway took us to the childhood home of Laura Ingalls Wilder. For me, the stories of a girl who lived in the prairie, became real. It is difficult to relate to the hardships they faced. I keep a Yeti filled with water close by, snacks in my backpack, and ride in an air-conditioned vehicle. To think Amazon can get me a wooly blanket in a few hours, is almost magical.

A good laugh overcomes more difficulties than any other one thing – Laura Ingalls Wilder

School looked a little different. too.

Bennet Springs, Missouri, frequented by early settlers, might best be described as a mecca for fly fisherman. Everyone is up before the sun, and the rivers quickly become a local watering hole. No pun intended. It seemed like a lot of effort to me, but the gatherings around the campfires later in the evening told me of the whys behind the why nots.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. -unknown

And interestingly enough, the nearby Amish community can’t be bothered with all the unnecessary progress. They have work to do.

Let me sit here on the threshold of two worlds, lost in the eloquence of silence. – Rumi

We still take time to find out of the way places to Jeep. He is constantly looking for mud puddles to play in. I am working on understanding how that feels fun. And in his defense, I wander away looking for that one more photo, while he is working on his deep breaths.

I don’t think he is going to change anytime soon. Neither am I.

Acceptance? That’s progress too, right?

Turns out the most beautiful things in my life were not on my to do list –
R. Hollis

And we move along…

Wind Kisses, Donna