¿Donde está la biblioteca?
Well my friends, after a whirlwind six weeks in Vegas, we’re back on the road. We had hoped to spend the time relaxing and enjoying some downtime with Brent’s parents, but in true Stark fashion, we decided to throw our lives into complete chaos instead. So here we are on the other side of the chaos, and I have to say, it was totally worth it.
We LOVE Riveted Rosie, and we LOVE Rocco the truck.
It makes me so happy to have the kids back in secure seats while we’re driving, and it’s nice to be able to have a conversation without yelling over the cacophony of Class A noises. Now, if we could get Olive’s average potty stops down to somewhere less than 3x/hour, we might actually be able to get somewhere!
Right now we are in North County, San Diego, moochdocking off of our dear friends Ed & Felicia. Be careful, if you live in a gorgeous place, have a nice big flat driveway, sweet kids for our littles to play with, and adults that we adore being with, you are in danger of an extended stay. Laundry facilities and a 30 Amp plug-in are bonus features. ;)
So… where to next, you ask?
I’m currently brushing up on my 6th grade Spanish skills, and if Señor Solis taught me anything in that one semester, it’s the importance of always knowing how to locate the library. I hope that one phrase will carry me through the next two months because we are headed to Baja!
This change in itinerary was the big impetus for switching rigs, and basically everything we’ve been doing for the past month has been prep work for our first international trip. Getting passports for the kids, finding a more nimble setup that can handle rustic roads and remote camping locations, researching Baja, and making sure we’re clear on all of the necessary logistics (insurance, cell coverage, etc.).
We’ve been busy.
For those that we’ve told so far, the reactions seem to be a mix of excitement and fear, so let me answer some of the biggest FAQ’s we get:
Q: Are you going alone?
A: No, we are meeting up with the group of Fulltime Families that we originally connected with in Driggs, ID and reconnected with at Lake Mead in December. This was their plan, and they graciously invited us to tag along. Some of the members of the group have camped extensively in Baja for the past 6+ years, and they know all the ins and outs. I’m not sure we would have felt comfortable doing this alone our first time, so it feels really safe to be doing it with a group that is so experienced.
Q: What about COVID?
A: Our friends have already been down there for a month and tell us it is extremely quiet compared to past years. We aren’t going to super populated tourist areas; we will be camping in smaller remote towns and won’t have any more contact with people than we do in the U.S. (grocery shopping, food take-out, etc.). The masking rules are very strict and everyone is on board, so there isn’t the same politicized drama that we’ve experienced in some areas of the U.S. It’s always refreshing to be in a place where everyone understands that masking is not a political statement, but a sign of care and concern for those around you.
Q: What about international travel restrictions?
A: Right now there are no COVID restrictions for travelers driving across the border (in either direction). If that changes before we return, we will roll with it and figure it out as we go.
Q: How long will you be there?
A: Right now the plan is to stay for about two months, but that isn’t firm in either direction. We’re just going to hang out as long as it feels good.
Q: Where exactly are you going?
A: Our friends are currently camped at the south end near La Paz, so we’re headed all the way down there first. We have no real itinerary other than that, but will wander our way back North when it feels right.
I know this might seem like a risky venture to some (I know my parents are being quietly, but nervously supportive), but our other plan was to bop around Thousand Trails campgrounds in California for the next few months. We were already doing that in Washington and Oregon, and it wasn’t feeling good. For one thing, being in tight campgrounds in close proximity to lots of other people, while trying to follow distancing protocols felt really uncomfortable. The kids desperately wanted to play with other kids, but we were constantly policing and it was NOT FUN.
In this scenario, we have the opportunity to move in a bubble with our friends, giving the kids (and us) a safe social outlet while on the road. We will be more free, which ALWAYS feels good.
Oh, and we’ll be on the beach in Mexico. So there’s that.
Honestly, this journey has been such a beautiful adventure, AND it has also been really hard at times. The kids are starting to ask about settling down somewhere (Sam especially is OVER IT), so it feels likely that Mexico will be our last hurrah before getting serious about our next move. I’m excited for a portion of this to feel like a vacation vs. a fact finding mission. Hoping for a slower pace, some relaxation, and the calm healing that only some sunshine and ocean energy can provide.
Nos vemos al sur de la frontera! Y también, donde está la biblioteca?
Con alegria, verdad, y amor,
~Lisa
