Change is afoot...

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.