Saturday, January 9, 2021
Travel Day | Choke Canyon, TX to Rough Canyon, TX
ODOMETER: 82,505 | TODAY’S MILES: 211 | MILES TRAVELED: 4,560
by Grant
We awake to a cacophony of gunshots which continue unabated for hours. It is duck season and even though we’re in a State Park, the surrounding area is open for duck hunting. We had planned a paddle on the lake, but given the hunting activity and traffic on the lake we decided against it.
We had booked Choke Canyon State Park for four nights, but the lack of trails (almost non-existent), the hunting activity on the lake and the lack of internet for the kids’ school on Monday made us decide to head further west to hopefully better accomodations.
We decided on Rough Canyon, which is part of the Amistad National Recreational Area. It’s another good stint of driving across this massive state and we are amazed by the barren landscapes and spartan towns.
We made it to the Amistad National Recreational Area and headed for the Rough Canyon camping area. It is first in first serve, and there are only 4 sites. Luckily, there are only 2 other campers when we arrive and we pick a great spot looking out on the Amistad Reservoir.
The reservoir is bounded by Mexico and the U.S. We have driven a lot along the border and gone through several border towns to get to the lake. The lake was built in the 60’s and Amistad means “friendship” in Spanish. With a shared resource like this, friendship is obviously a good thing.
We were amazed by the landscape and went for a small hike around the boat ramps, ranger facilities and shoreline. The shore is rocky and covered with scrub and cactus. It is so different to our experience on the Florida Coast and we are loving the transformation of landscape as we ply our way across this great country.
Jack pulled out the camera and the drone and went off to get some images and video of this desert vista. The water in the lake is really clear and the whitewashed shores paint an amazing relief against the water.
Jana, Ellie, and I wandered a bit and caught up with Jack for a while. Eventually, we headed back at the RV to prepare dinner. It’s veggie chili nigh.
Jack arrived back after dark and said it had gotten pretty cold. It was going to be in the late thirties overnight. Not too cold for the RV, but chilly for us after the warmth of the Gulf Coast.
The veggie chili is great and with really poor internet here as well, we decided on an early night. We’re all pretty tired and needing a good night’s sleep. It is funny when you’re camping and up at dawn, when the sun goes down you often feel like following it.
We had chatted about our current campsite and decided to try to head to Big Bend early. There are no hook ups here and even though the coverage map showed good signal, we have barely any internet. It’s critical we find a spot with good cell service, or WiFi, for Jack and Ellie to do school on Monday.
The lake was built in the 60’s and Amistad means “friendship” in Spanish. With a shared resource like this, friendship is obviously a good thing.
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These are our personal thoughts on some of our experiences.
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♥️🎈21🎈♥️
Father’s Day 2025
Mount Jerusalem National Park
Happy Birthday to My Greatest Adventure Partner!
Happy 20th Birthday, Jack!
Grant’s built homes, companies, and communities, but the most beautiful thing he’s built is the life we’ve gotten to share for more than 21 years now. It’s a life grounded in love, kindness, and deep gratitude for our family and all the experiences we get to have together, thanks to him.
I love Grant’s integrity, purpose, passion, and his heart-centered generosity of spirit — whether he’s working on visionary wellness communities or transforming an abandoned shack into our next family home.
Right now, I’m so grateful for Grant’s support during the hardest health challenge of my life, whether it be helping me walk down the stairs, dressing me, driving me to endless appointments, or reminding me of my own strength when things get scary. He holds space for all of who I am, supporting the choices I make for my healing, and supporting my dreams with unwavering belief in me, in sickness and in health.
At the same time, Grant is the best dad to Jack and Ellie. Watching him with them, celebrating their gifts, supporting their journeys, and being their safe harbor is a blessing and a joy. He parents with empathy, kindness, an open mind and endless patience, and show them, every day, what it means to be a man who leads with his heart.
At work, Grant is a force of nature. He inspires positive change, connection, and makes the world better, one project at a time. But beyond his impressive accomplishments, it’s his humility, his servant leadership, and his genuine care for people that truly set him apart. Grant doesn’t just work to improve businesses, he works to improve lives.
He’s taught me that true success is measured not by what we achieve but by how much we care. And Grant cares so much; about his family, his friends, his community, and this planet we all share.
Grantly, thank you for being wild and free, for embracing life’s chaos with open arms, and for loving me and our family unconditionally.
Happy Birthday!
Today, as you begin your twenties, we want to pause and celebrate the beautiful human you are. Your authenticity is a light, shining through in everything you do. You live your truth with a courage that inspires all of us. Your creativity is captivating, lifting the spirits of those who witness it. We admire your dedication to your own art and your profound connection to music, film and art in all forms.
Your unwavering selflessness, kindness and compassion are strengths that move quietly but profoundly, touching lives in ways you don’t always realize. The warmth and care you extend to others is a true reflection of your being. It’s a gift to watch you uplift those around you, always consciously mindful, always compassionate.
As you continue on your artistic journey, know that we are with you, supporting you always. We believe in your art, unlimited by commercial constraints and free from the mainstream’s narrow definitions of success. Your authentic vision, your voice, and your perspective are important and needed in this world.
Keep following your passions. Keep being you—because who you are is truly a gift to this world. Here’s to more years of creativity, joy, and the pure expression of your true self.
We love you so much, Jack. Happy 20th Birthday!
With all our love and admiration,
Mum & Dad
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