Author: Sam

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Musings of Sam

There is No Place Like Roam

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We had the pleasure of celebrating Christmas and the New Year with friends and family in the Greater Salt Lake City area. It really was a pleasure. We chose to just pack the truck and drive up, leaving our Airstream in storage in Las Vegas. Leaving our house behind required us to stay as guests with those we visited, and our time spent visiting was richer because of it. Had we brought the house, our time would have been shorter as we attempted to get back home at a reasonable hour, and it would have required more time spent driving hither and yon each day.

We spent the bulk of the time with Jess’s parents in Sandy, UT which is actually where our legal address is. Amid the celebrations were dentist appointments, truck maintenance, and drivers license renewals, and other logistical activities.

Our drive back to Vegas to pick up the house seemed shorter than the drive away from it. It took a shockingly short amount of time to mount the bike rack and bikes, tow to a nearby RV park, and shuffle all the stuff.

I woke up in my own bed, listening to the sound of rain on my little tin roof. It is good to be home.

I have a few observations from our time visiting friends and family, and I’ll share one here:

Of all the time we spent at home, the time I felt most comfortable was when were were out adventuring or running errands. For some reason, errands in particular had this effect. I had a few moments walking around a grocery store, in Target, Costco, or Walmart where I forgot that we were not out traveling. I forgot for a minute that it was below freezing outside. I forgot that we haven’t been on a hike in a month, and that most of the recent days I hadn’t seen my kids for but a few moments here and there. Those moments could have happened in any city and the country, and I missed them.

There is no place like Roam.

For our family, it is the activities, not the places, that make us feel ‘at home’ and comfortable. Though we enjoyed our time over the holidays, I’m glad to be back Roam.

Categories
Utah

Tubing at Gorgoza Park, Park City UT

We arrived in Utah just as the weather turned cold. It was chilly, but it had not snowed much before Christmas. On the 20th of December we found a tubing place at Gorgoza Park near Park City, and headed up with some family for some fun! We purchased 2 hour lift tickets and secured a tube for each of us.

The tubing place had plenty of groomed runs, and two lifts: the first was a ‘magic-carpet’ style, and the upper lift was a tow rope style. Little Cara had a few stumbles learning to ride the magic carpet, but did just fine after a few tries.

The upper tow line towed you sitting on your tube, for a relaxing ride to the top, where it dumped you over a small hill and dropped the tow line. When we got there the lines were short, and we made quick work getting our early runs in.

Rachel and Andrew did really great, being big kids and even going solo on many of the runs. Little Cara need a little more help, but paid us back with cuteness and fun.

 

Cara threw her buzz wings into the truck before we left, and wore them the entire time sledding. I’m so grateful for our friend that gave us those wings, as they’ve seen plenty of country in plenty of different weather. Tubing was no exception, and we appreciate the extra speed from her boosters as we rode down the hill.

Jess was much better with the camera than I was with video, but here is a Wandering Update video, with some darn adorable video of Cara right at the end!


Toward the end, some freshly falling snow slowed the runs down and the lines began to back up. We were glad we showed up when the lines were short and the runs were fast! By the time we left, riders coming down the runs were only making it half-way down before coming to a slow stop.

We had originally planned to take the kids skiing for this Christmas, but opted to save that for a later time when we could line up a series of visits and lessons and maximize the experience. We did still want a snow adventure, and tubing allowed family to participate, and it turned out to be a much better option. Travel has taught us to be flexible and change our plans to better fit our needs. This was no exception, and our adventure was very fun and maximized time with family.

Categories
General Information Video

Catching Up – Wandering Video Update – Not home for the Holidays

We have clearly been distracted and not updating the blog on a regular basis over the holidays. It has been fun with the family, but this next week we will be heading south after some doctor and dentist appointments.

I have a few video updates that I’ve been meaning to post, so I thought I should get caught up before we hit the road again! Here is the first, in which we put the Airstream in Storage before driving up to Sandy, Utah for the holidays.

Categories
Faith Thoughts on Life

He is the Gift

Thanksgiving reminds me to be grateful, and Christmas reminds me of Christ. Though many Christmas traditions originate in interesting ways, I celebrate the way the holiday helps me turn my thoughts to Christ, and of the miracle and blessing of his birth. I try and make sure that I do not let myself get buried in our activities and forget Him.

We spent last Christmas in our Airstream, just North of Houston Texas. We had a quiet and magical time as a family, where it was easy to direct and focus our attention and activities. The lights we strung inside the Airstream lent a magical feeling to our holiday.

I remember the Christmas that I really discovered the joy of giving. That year, I finally figured out that the giving is much more important and special than the receiving. My joy increased, and my understanding of our Heavenly Father’s Gift to us grew as well. I am grateful for Christ, for his willing sacrifice and his Atonement. He is My Saviour, and yours too, if you’ll allow him to be.

This Christmas we will be spending with family in Utah. We will trade a little quiet and simplicity for family traditions and a slightly busier schedule, but there too Christ will be our center of celebration. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and that you also can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with those you love!

Categories
Faith General Information

Watch the 2014 Christmas Devotional with us!

Every year, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints present a Christmas Devotional with words of faith and beautiful music. The devotional is held in Salt Lake City, but is broadcast live for all to enjoy.

The live broadcast is TONIGHT, and about an hour long, and will begin at 6PM Mountain Standard Time, but I’ve time-translated it for you here:

Pacific: 5PM
Mountain: 6PM
Central: 7PM
Eastern: 8PM

There are many places to view it, including Youtube and right on LDS.org, but here is the complete list: 2014 Christmas Devotional Details. Invite a friend, and enjoy getting into the Christmas Spirit!