Today was a very strange day. Someone had compromised AJ’s Facebook account and sent her screenshots of messages between her and KH. KH is a really good friend of hers who lives up in South Dakota.
The screenshot itself was very innocent, which only made the whole situation even more confusing. It was unclear why someone would go through the trouble of accessing her account just to send something that did not seem suspicious or harmful at all.
AJ was let go from her job and was in a very difficult place emotionally. She had only started the job a few months earlier and was just beginning to settle in when everything suddenly changed. Since I had a lot of PTO that I needed to use, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to take her on a trip and help get her mind off losing the job.
I had just picked up a brand new Toyota 4Runner, and it felt like the right time to put some miles on it. We were able to find someone to watch AE, which honestly surprised me because he can be very difficult and most people hesitate to take him.
We decided to head up to Colorado with the goal of visiting a few National Parks along the way. One of the places we made it to was Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. It was definitely a unique experience. Unfortunately, it was so cold that we could not fully enjoy being out on the dunes the way we had hoped.
On the drive back, we ran into a snowstorm somewhere in New Mexico. What normally would have been about an hour and a half drive ended up taking more than eight hours. The roads were slow and difficult, but we were very thankful that the 4Runner had four wheel drive. It made a big difference in getting us safely through the storm and back home.
AJ and I took yet another trip to Fredericksburg, but this time BA and LA joined us. It is not often that the four of us can get away together without anyone bringing their kids, so it made the trip feel even more special.
It turned out to be a fun and relaxing weekend. One of the highlights was when I snapped a picture of AJ sitting in a pink fluffy chair while the club was blasting Pink Pony Club. Going to a club in Fredericksburg is definitely not typical for us. Honestly, going to a club at all is not something we usually do. But AJ and LA wanted to go, so we went along with it.
It ended up being a night to remember and a really great weekend together.
AJ and I took a trip out to Big Bend National Park. Even though AJ has lived in Texas her entire life, she had never been there before. Since we have a goal of visiting all the National Parks within the next ten years, and the opportunity to go came up, we decided to take the trip.
The trip started with a small complication. AJ accidentally left her driver’s license at home. Just in case she needed some form of identification, we had AS send us a photo of it so we would at least have something available.
Even though I had been to Big Bend before, it was still a great experience. The last time I visited, I was by myself, so it felt completely different sharing the trip with AJ. We also discovered a few places that I had not seen during my previous visit, which made the trip even more memorable. Big Bend is one of those places that always leaves you wanting to come back and explore more.
AJ has talked about taking AE there someday, but given our past experiences traveling with him, I am still hesitant about that idea.
AJ, AE, and I took a trip with BA and LA to visit their family in Arizona. Before we left, AJ and LA reassured me that it wouldn’t be an expensive trip. As it turned out, that wasn’t exactly the case. While the budget airline tickets were cheap, the added costs for luggage, hotels, food, and activities quickly piled up and blew through the budget, and then some, just trying to have a decent time.
AE was especially difficult during most of the trip. From the very first day, his behavior made things challenging, and it quickly became overwhelming. Anyone who knows him knows that traveling isn’t exactly his strong suit. Still, somehow I keep getting talked into taking trips with him.
BA and LA were kind enough to take AE for a day so AJ and I could have a little break. They knew I was already feeling worn down and honestly ready to go home after that first day. That one day was the only part of the trip that felt somewhat relaxing.
By the end of it all, I couldn’t wait to leave Arizona and get back home to Texas, where I could finally unwind and catch my breath.
AJ and I took a quick trip to Fredericksburg. While we were there, I asked AJ to marry me, and she said yes.
I didn’t have a ring with me or anything planned out in advance, and honestly, that was okay. It wasn’t about the details or the timing. In that moment, it just felt right.
AJ and I kicked off our 2024 “No Destination Vacation” by heading out to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The caverns were impressive, but in many ways they felt similar to other caverns we’ve visited before. The first thing you notice when walking in is the strong smell from the bats, it’s powerful enough to make you gag at first. The tour is self-guided, which makes you wonder how many interesting details you might be missing along the way without a guide pointing things out.
From there, we continued into New Mexico, making a few stops at wineries along the way. That evening we stayed in Cloudcroft, a quiet mountain town that made for a great overnight stop before continuing west.
Our next major destination was Page, AZ, and this area completely blew us away. The scenery there is absolutely stunning. We visited Horseshoe Bend and even took a helicopter ride out to a nearby mesa. The views from the air were breathtaking and gave us a whole new perspective of the desert landscape. While in the area, we also visited Antelope Canyon, which is truly a must, see if you’re ever in that part of Arizona.
From Page, we drove on to Zion National Park, where we spent most of our time staying just outside the park. One day we made a trip over to Bryce Canyon National Park, but the place we really fell in love with was Springdale. The town has an incredible atmosphere and beautiful views everywhere you look.
When it was finally time to start heading home, we made one last stop at the Four Corners Monument, the unique spot where Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico all meet.
AJ and I spent the weekend in Corpus Christi for her brother’s wedding on the Fourth of July. AJ had the special role of serving as the officiant for the ceremony, which made the trip even more meaningful.
While we were there, AE found his own way to stay entertained. The summer heat had softened the tar in the parking lot, and he decided it would be fun to play in it. Before long he was covered in tar from head to toe. None of us had any idea how we were going to get it off of him.
That’s when AJ’s dad suggested trying WD-40. To our surprise, it worked incredibly well—the tar practically melted right off. Definitely a trick worth remembering.
To add to the day’s adventures, AJ’s brother and his soon-to-be wife ended up arriving hours late to their own wedding.
AJ took AE to a grief camp in the Dallas area. It was good to have a break from AE and AJ and I know that he had a good time. Since I was not there, I dont have much to say about it.
This was a great weekend. AJ and I decided at the last minute to take a trip to New Orleans just to get away for a bit. AS thinks it is crazy that we can decide on a whim to head somewhere like that, but that is part of what makes it fun.
The trip turned out to be a really good one. We spent some time walking around Bourbon Street, where I even got a photo of AJ laying under a street performer during one of the performances.
We also took a swamp tour where we were able to hold a baby alligator, which was a pretty unique experience.
It was definitely a trip to remember.
Drifted Notes 