Jessie and I recently had our firstborn son, and his name is Brae. I don’t think we could have ended up with a calmer baby for an adventurous lifestyle… This is our first one with Bea!  As we move forward in this life, working on family values, personal needs, and family goals.  This Bible Verse I find important. For Christ is the foundation to anything that is successful!

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” — Ephesians 4:2–3

We started in mid-March.  Our Parental Leave from work will run out soon.  This was our opportunity to see family with our newborn son, Brae.  We loaded the back of our Jeep as if piecing a puzzle together.  Every day would be broken down by what Jessie and I hoped would be a manageable distance.  So with that, we began our drive…..  Our first destination was Bristol, Virginia.  A town right on the Tennessee border.  Surrounded by mountains.  You can feel God’s creation around you here—Virginia’s tallest mountain… a short distance away.  Today, the cold left a layer of frost to greet our precious little adventurer.  Bound by his car seat and a blanket.  His first experience of high country cold.  I hope he felt the magnitude of God’s natural creation.  The longing that comes with these places of lessons and life memories.  For even when someone has not been somewhere of this beauty… For some reason, they still long to experience it.  As Brae acclimated to a different type of day, he didn’t cry all that much after the first day.  In fact, the moments he would look around at his surroundings at a Truck stop or restaurant were surreal.  To see the wonder building within.  The beginnings of what curiosity captivates all of humanity.  What drives a few of us to pursue adventure until we no longer breathe.

As our little family pushed on, we drove through Tennessee and the mountains that come with it.  Signs for places to visit in the future fly by our windows.  Cumberland Gap National or Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge comes to mind.  One of the distant mountains is calling for an adventurous reunion.  The Wildlife Refuge at sunset grabs those who pay attention and reminds humanity that there is more than just convenience.  All the while, Brae is being exposed to the inspiring grasp of travel.  We found excitement in the Blower Motor for our Air Conditioning, having issues at a Loves Travel Stop in Arkansas, and inspiration as we explored the views of El Paso and Juarez, Mexico, from the Scenic Drive in the Franklin Mountains of Texas.  We also found peace as we experienced the historic Boiling Wilson Hotel in Wythville, Virginia.  Back surrounded by mountains to explore one day… A small mountain town that reminded us of a home past.

As we drove through Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Texas, Jessica, Brae, and I began to find a rhythm amongst the rapid change in our lives and the beginnings of adventure with a child.  The trio we are now beginning to find peace amongst the changes.  The ambiguity of never traveling with an infant before had been draining us… But no more!

We found, as parents, that Brae was a lot more enduring and stoic than we feared he would be.  As we moved mile after mile, the bottles would be sanitized every night at our hotels.  They could, in fact, even dry while we drove.  Rest stops and Travel Stops were made easier by feeding him there.  We could simply bring his changing pad with us into the public restroom… And use it in a more sanitary manner with the provided changing station.  Dog pads are a best friend to parents as well.  We could manage the temperature control for Brae in his car seat more with a USB Fan, and his Sun Hoodie could protect him from harmful rays. Lastly, we found that Brae would happily endure his parents’ adventurous goals for the day if we did not exceed more than six hours of driving.

So as we move forward, we have much to learn…. Though we have also acquired knowledge to get here.  Brae…. Mom and Dad are excited to experience this life with you!  Next stop… The mountains!

-Sky