I first met Michael on a warm April’s evening in Los Angeles. When I hopped inside his car the first thing I noticed (apart from how handsome he was!) was that he had the heat on in the car. I know this sounds cheesy, but I swear I knew right then that we were meant to be together. I’m pretty sure we were the only two people who drove around balmy LA with their heat on!
Michael grew up in the desert, so it’s no wonder he likes to be warm, but there’s really no excuse for me. I grew up in rainy Washington State and should be used to cold and damp… but I’m not. We both like warm, dry, sunny weather. We’re like two lizards. It’s pretty astonishing that we’ve spent the past 12 years in London!
Red Rock Canyon is just a 5-minute drive from Michael’s parents’ house, and is a lizard’s paradise. It’s warm, it’s dry, and it’s covered in desert plants and pretty cacti. The enormous red rock formations are something out of this world, so beautiful and so grand as you stand at the base of them. I don’t know what it is about the desert, but in some bizarre way, it feels so much like home to me, and yet it could not be further from my original home.
We spent an afternoon exploring Red Rock with the kids last week. We talked a lot about the beautiful rock formations and how they were formed. We felt the crumbly red sandstone as we walked between boulders, brushed against a prickly cactus or two, and even found a stink beetle that threatened to spray us with its noxious juice. And of course we searched for lizards; it’s the boys favourite pastime. Easton recently told us that, after this year of travel, he would like to live somewhere where lizards live. I think he may be on to something there. : )
So pleased to have found your travel blog Courtney. The most perfect place to stop and record all of the advents you are having.
oops adventures!
I think Easton should move to Australia! It has suddenly become quite hot so all of the lizards are out at the moment. I’ve been dodging them (as well as Kangaroos and Wombats) and have seen a few squished ones along the highway recently!
Hey Courtney, I’ve been following your family since Marlow was born and I absolutely love their styles. But there’s no way these are walking/hiking shoes! They look SO uncomfortable and thin. You recently got a trainer for yourself, are you considering buying them one as well? Anyway I’m looking forward to see your family adventures for the following year! Xo
Yes, really surprised to see the children in such flimsy shoes when walking on rocks.
A mummy that has raised four healthy, happy children and is brave enough to take them on a journey of a lifetime full of wonder and adventure. And a beautiful blog post reminiscing of early romance, the discovery of nature and education in the wild. And a comment that bypasses all of that to fixate on appropriate footwear for what was probably a couple of hours of casual wandering. It makes me wonder, it really does. I mean COME ON! 🙂
Looks amazing. Such a wonderful way for the kids to learn new things.
Love your blog & reading about your travels
This made me laugh! If I jumped into someone’s car and they had the heat on, it would be a deal breaker. I’m that crazy person who has the air conditioning on the in the car, even in the middle of winter.
Thank you for sharing your adventures. A gap year with my children is on my wish list too.
How special to get the family back to where you husband is from. We have our timer on for a year adventure with a no later than 2018 start. I loved your advice regarding your eldest being no older then 10 years and this start date gives us that timing for our eldest as well as time to sort out our working lives so as to be able to work through the year away remotely.
I noticed you had deleted some beautiful pictures from your Instagram page come your arrival in buzzing Brazil (my husband’s country) and I truly hope you continue to post your pictures there. If not, I will follow your journey as your family learns and discovers the world together here on this blog.
Just remember this is your journey. The travel you are taking with your family as well as your space online. Make sure you give only what you want to give and show what you feel comfortable with. It is always your choice. And only yours.
Stay safe , Mandy
I can’t quite believe that these photos were taken 5 minutes from civillization!! That is incredible, what a wonderful place to explore!
I love that Ivy and Marlow have casual clothes on. Reminds me of the movie The Secret of Roan Inish. If you haven’t seen it, you must!
Happy Trails!