As usual, making plans doesn't result
in flawless execution of said plans. We initially thought that we
could convert Velda from school bus to RV in three months; we then
extended our time frame to get us on the road by the first of June so
that we could camp host in Utah over the summer. That plan had to be
scuttled when we realized we were nowhere near having her in livable
shape by April. Where I got those ambitious timelines I'm not sure,
but suffice it to say that we're still working on her a year after
beginning the conversion. That said, she's officially a licensed Motor Home, and we are about to get back on the
road, ready-or-not, here we go!
It's been an amazing and productive and
educational year in Wisconsin, and this Alaska boy is glad that he
dipped his toes in the waters of the midwest. And I'm tremendously
excited to be heading west again, this time to settle into life in
Montana. Jess and I have accepted jobs as resident managers of a
large mini-storage facility outside Bozeman, which will give us ample
time to focus on making toys, exploring a new area, and spending time
together. After spending the last several months working completely
different shifts, with one of us often starting work before 8 AM and
the other often not home until midnight, the concept of spending time
together is reason enough to rejoice.
Unfortunately, it seems less and less
likely that Kobi will be making the move with us, as he was diagnosed
with a huge tumor growing off his spleen a month ago, and given four
days to live beyond that diagnosis. He's a resilient little guy (you
could also say “obsessed”, and if you know him personally that's
probably the adjective you'll choose) and refuses to let go. He still
follows me around the house, even though stairs are getting more and
more difficult for him, and the custom-cooked meals we've been
giving him generally go uneaten. It's only a matter of time before
his spirit and body go their separate ways, so we're just trying to
keep him as comfortable and happy as possible in the meantime.
This is a time of major transition for
us, and as painful as some of the next steps will be, we are looking
forward to starting new lives in a new place, finding community and
reconnecting with old friends. Velda isn't “done”, but she's at a
point where we can see her coming together, and we'll be able to work
on her during our time in Montana to ensure that corners are not cut
and that she's the comfortable home we have always envisioned her as by
the time we want to live in her.
Until next time (which won't take as
long as this update did) – best wishes and safe travels from Jess,
Ben, Velda, Frank, and Kobi.
