1... Lift Off!

Today is the day.  It is finally time to begin our journey to fulfill Frankie's wishes.  We are more than grateful for all the help we have received in planning and funding.  Please keep the Dancing Nomads in your prayers/thoughts as we set out on this emotional but exciting road trip.  I am excited to see friends and family gathered at the send off today. Last night I stayed up with my mom and Auntie Bobbie talking about Frankie.  We were awake until 1:30 enjoying the memories and discussing our fears.  It is important to talk about Frankie. Whether a random memory pops into your head, or you need to get something off your chest, it is healthy to share with others.

As the first official dance of the trip the Woodville High School class of 2012  will be our first Honorary Nomads for a day.  Thanks to Misty Ratcliff for the video.

Today's random it of advice: Live your life as an exclamation, not an explanation.

3... 2...

Preparations are winding down to the very last details. With one day left we are racking our brains... What are we forgetting? I have that nagging feeling that I'm forgetting something, but the laws of traveling state, "You won't remember until you're too far to turn around." Maybe the gods of traveling will take pity on my scattered brain.

On another note, Danni and I attended Woodville graduation this evening. The speeches were wonderful, and the dance was comical. The little blip was such a Frankie thing! Our family got a kick out of it. I'm glad we decided to go.

I would love to write more right now, but I'm too tired to think. Congrats to the graduates. Good night!

5... 4...

We have come up with another wonderful idea for our trip. The purpose of this trip is not only to spread Frankie's ashes, but her love, wisdom, and kindness. We plan to leave trinkets as we go along for strangers to find. There will also be a note with Frankie's message and directions to our site. Hopefully some of the people who find them will visit and let us know! Frankie is no longer physically able to educate others, but through all of us who loved her she can teach the world.

Today's random bit of advise: Commit yourself to constant self-improvement.

6...

The Jabberwocky 2.0 is upgraded and looking like a champ!  Thanks to our dad's hard work, it is just about ready for the adventures that lay ahead. 

My mom, Danni and I made curtains to add color and make the inside a bit more cheerful.

The green curtains open up to reveal a bed on either side.

Our five star kitchen!  We went to Walmart last night and bought most of the canned and boxed foods.  It is all hiding under the left seat... we have to be creative packers in such a small space!  The table also turns into a bed in case we pick up any hitch hikers along the way.

Our sink and stove. We won't be using the stove when it's too hot, so we are taking an electric skillet, George Foreman grill, and a microwave.

Here is the other side of the camper.

The ominous toilet was taken out and replaced with a comfy love seat.

And for today's random bit of advise: Find some other way of proving your manhood than by shooting defenseless animals and birds.

7...

We are exactly one week away from the start of our journey!  It took a grueling week and a half to get all the campground reservations taken care of, but have prevailed.  Today we are working on a plan for food.  If anyone has any easy recipes that we can make over the campfire, in an electric skillet, or even in the microwave we would love to hear them!
Danni and I (Alex) are currently making a playlist of songs to dance to... we are after all the Dancing Nomads!  Frankie loved to dance, and we thought this would be a great way to feel and share her love.  Again, if you have any suggestions let us know!

We have upgraded camper pictures coming soon, but for now I can show you the route we have planned out.

For today's random bit of advise: Leave everything a little better than you found it.

The Boys Are Back in Town

Greetings, all!  Now that Danni, Luke, and I (Alex) are back in the great RC, TX we are ready for some major trip planning.  The next few weeks will be filled with making campground reservations, planning meals, scouting out odd sights too see, and fixing up our lovely home on wheels.  We will post our progress now and then to let you know how things are going.

We are planning on leaving Sunday, June 3 from Woodville, TX.  I'm pretty sure we are going to have a send off for all of Frankie's friends.  Once the details are worked out I will share them here.

Now for a random bit of advise: Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you.

We now have a camper to live in during our journey! Here are some pictures of the pop-up trailer our dad bought on an auction website.

There are queen size beds on either side.

Ain't she a beaut?!

The lovely toilet/shower combo

Our kitchen (there is even a tiny fridge not shown)

and finally our table. What decent heathens could travel without a table!

Obviously it will undergo a bit of surgery. Nip here, tuck there. Danni and I are going to pick out some new curtains tomorrow. We are even going to submit a video to Major Makover: Camper Edition too. Cross your fingers!

(For those unfortunate souls that don't know what Major Makeover is.... click me!