Families on the Road

We spent one night at the Lonestar RV Resort in Austin when we went up to see Ross and Rebecca. We love this park...if you're ever looking for a place in Austin to stay, check it out. It's spendy if you don't have a Passport America Discount (our favorite discount club), but if you have PA, it's only $21. They have a fantastic pool, it's all very green and lush and the customer service is outstanding.

It was a HOT afternoon, so we all walked down to the pool for a dip. While we were there, a couple walked in and she had some dreadlocks that were just starting out. A conversation started about the dreads and we ended up talking for about 15-20 minutes. The topic of blogs came up and she said their blog was called "Follow That Bus". And of course, I say...

"What!? I totally read your blog!"

Yes, the traveling family blogging world is small. Bill and Tara, along with their kids, Chelsea-Rain and Sage have been on the road for about a year. We continued talking and they invited us over for a little get together with another family they have been caravanning with, the "Little House on Wheels" family.

It was fun to meet Rik and Amy. Bella had a fun time hanging in the RV with their kiddos Willow and Ellery. Be sure to check out their blog...Rik is a great photographer!

It's always a joy to spend time with fellow travelers. They just "get it". There isn't much explaining to do about our lifestyle...the conversation is easy and flows comfortably. I wish we could have had more time with them, but we had other places to be. Before we left, I did get to tour their school bus.

I've had a crush on quirky school buses for a LONG time (I wanted to BE Enchanted Gypsy). But, Matt is 6'5" and we would have to cut his feet off in order for him to walk through a bus. Even the raised roof busses are too low. So I live vicariously through families like this one. They have a cozy little wood stove, beautiful wood work, bunks, and a funky enclosed patio. LOVED it. Sage has some pretty sweet dreads as well. What a fun, unexpected crossing of paths!

You can see more of their renovations here and follow their adventures here.

**Both of these families and more can be found on the website "Families on the Road".

Ticknor Tribe

One common "objection" we hear as to why a family just cannot travel full time is that they have too many kids to be on the road. Well, to that we say..."Nonsense!". And to prove our point, we introduce to you, The Ticknor Tribe.

Vaughn and Dana Ticknor are traveling the country with their 11 children this year...in a 40 foot fifth wheel pulled by an extended cab truck and followed by a 15 passenger van. Be sure to watch the video above to hear about their travels and get a tour of their rig.

When Christine came by the RV and said "there is a family rolling in with 11 kids!"...we said "SWEEEEEET!". Apparently that's not the normal reaction the Ticknors get from campgrounds :) Sometimes they won't even let them camp there. Which is crazy when you realize how fun and inviting this family is! They fit right in with the 11 other kids that were already at Hill Shade! Their arrival was quite the event...check it out:

Bella had so much fun playing in the field with everyone...


Matt shared the veggie oil love with Vaughn...

And here are a few photos of their rig:



Aren't these skylights great!?

You can see more photos of their home here...they also explain in more detail how they made this rig work for their family.

The Ticknors are from Montana...so we hope to catch up with them again someday! Be sure to check out their travels at their blog, The Ticknor Tribe.

Dreams Realized

During the first week of the Live Lightly Tour, we stayed with a sweet little family near Madison, WI. After our first night there, they shared their hearts with us over our morning coffee and cinnamon bun scones. They hadn't slept a wink the night before. They were too busy thinking about how they could sell it all and get on the road with their family! Their house was up for sale at the time...but they hadn't had any solid offers. We joked that if God sold their house the next day, we knew it would be a "sign" that they were supposed to hit the road :)

Well...the next day, their house DID SELL! We were so excited and started making big plans. Dan and Alicia were in the process of adopting their 4th child at that time...and expected the adoption to be finalized shortly after that. But things didn't quite work out exactly how we envisioned. 

Fast forward to today. Dan and Alicia are STILL in the process of adopting their daughter...and the adoption process has been drawn out for nearly 3 years due to trials, paperwork, etc. They will be finalizing this Thursday, and we are beyond thrilled for their family. This was the last hurdle they had to go over before realizing their dream of traveling the country.

We were able to go and visit them this past summer in the Minnie Winnie. We had a fabulous time visiting...and didn't want to leave! While were we there, they caught the travel bug again...

Matt and Dan would sit around the living room looking at TONS of different RV's. We were in the process of selling the Minnie Winnie and buying our current coach, and they were having fun dreaming as well. A few months after that...Matt sent them an ad for an RV with a price they just couldn't refuse. They bought it and their journey began!

Their inaugural trip in their RV was to Hill Shade to come and spend time with us...and new friends, the Moers (owners of Hill Shade). We spent 11 days as "insta-neighbors" and enjoyed every minute of it. 

Matt and Dan installed new hardwood floors in the RV and also revamped the table into a bar area. Dan and Alicia had already painted, sewed curtains, and taken care of other little fixes before they arrived...and it's so cute in there! Be sure to check out the gallery to see more of it. They have 2 bunks and a queen in the back where the kids sleep, and Dan and Alicia sleep in the front on an IKEA sleeper sofa. It's the perfect layout for their family!

We enjoyed lots of meals together...potlucks are a very good thing.

We hung out in each other's homes.

...and the kids didn't have any fun at all ;-)

It was hard to say goodbye...but we know that we will see them again! We're planning on meeting up this summer in the Midwest and then again on the open road after they leave on their adventure in the fall.

 This is a family that we instantly felt a heart connection with...and even though we had only spent a few nights with them that first time around, we stayed in touch through the years and have become dear friends. God had a special plan for them when our lives collided the first time...and it's so fun to see it play out today. It's encouraging to look at their life and remember that God always sees the bigger picture...even as we get bogged down in the details of every day life. He has a plan...and is working it all out for GOOD. 

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give
you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

Photos from our time at Hill Shade here.
All photos available for comment on Flickr here.