What a Tour

Traveling, for me, is like hitting the reset button on life. It's about breaking free from the usual routine and diving headfirst into exciting adventures. We pulled off the impressive feat of traveling (for 5 weeks) with just one carry-on and a backpack each. Laundry became an adventure in itself, with sink-washing and machine-washing, sometimes hanging clothes on a line, other times using a dryer. Surprisingly, we stayed quite organized, and the boys were excellent at keeping track of their belongings. Ironically, it was Gabe and me who managed to leave one thing behind: his new umbrella and my fancy razor. What a bummer! All of it was a recipe for an unforgettable summer. But what made this trip truly special was the quality time we shared as a family. Two months on the road with my family was more than just a trip; it was the best quality time together. We played card games, shared 35,000 unforgettable, hilarious moments, and read books (Charlie managed to finish 11!). We operated as a team, although Gabe took the lead and bore the brunt of the responsibilities. Making sandwiches on the car (yes ON the car - we never ate ANY food in the car) and eating them by the roadside, indulging in more ice cream than we probably should, and staying at charming aparthotels along the way were just a few of the unforgettable moments from our journey. Don't get me wrong; there were plenty of typical moments when one of us needed a break from the rest. When the boys drove us crazy, we'd send them on an adventure, and, honestly, I think we drove them equally nuts. I found myself saying "NO" to almost every request. Luke was fixated on shoes and fancy watches, while Charlie had an eternal craving for ice cream. Gabe is always raring to go at 5 am while the rest of us are still snoozing or leisurely reading in bed, causing us to miss out on morning activities. On the bright side, this gave us the chance to fully enjoy our afternoons and evenings, staying up late and making the most of that time. It's clear that Gabe has had enough of our morning laziness. But as we near the end of summer, it's all just part of what made this time amazing. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure has strengthened our family bonds, serving as a reminder that time together is the most precious gift. I can’t help but think that in just five years, Luke will be off to college, and tomorrow, Charlie hits double digits at ten. Time is truly flying by, and I'm immensely grateful we carved out the time to make this journey happen this year. Tomorrow, we will gather school supplies and set our minds towards the start of school. It's a bit hard to gauge how the boys are feeling, but I have no doubt that they'll be terrific, even though the challenges may be significant.