Saturday, January 16, 2021
Carlsbad, NM
ODOMETER: 83,078 | MILES TRAVELED: 5,133

by Grant
Today was catch up and recovery day. We have been traveling a lot in the last 16 days. Starting off in New Orleans for Jack’s 16th birthday on New Year’s Eve, we went through Lafayette, LA, Lake Livingston in Onalaska, TX, Choke Canyon, TX, Rough Canyon, TX, Big Bend National Park in Terlingua, TX and now Carlsbad, NM. Combined, we’ve traveled 1,448 miles and are currently at our 8th RV park in 16 days. This does not represent our intended pace of travel, but sometimes we get to a place and don’t see value in staying for more than a day. With the full-time traveling lifestyle, flexibility is key.
Today, I spent time planning the next leg of our trip and researching the weather and availability of different places. Thelma the RV is 18 years old and can’t withstand sustained freezing temperatures. After my research, we have decided to head to Tucson, AZ next.
It was quite a chilly day and we all spent the majority of it inside with Jana catching up on the blog and Jack and Ellie doing schoolwork. Jana is adamant about getting everyone off the bus and outside every day, so today we decided to take the dogs for a longer walk through the desert near the campground.
It was nearing sunset and it was frigid, but there was magic in the air nonetheless.
We ordered BBQ takeout from the campground kitchen again because we enjoyed it so much last night. The staff here is very friendly and we like to support their business.
Combined, we’ve traveled 1,448 miles and are currently at our 8th RV park in 16 days.
Travel with us:
Travel Diary
Travel
This is a daily log and photos of what we’re up to.
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Sailing Tahiti to Australia | Month 1 FP
Sailing Tahiti to Australia | Month 1 Preparations Welcome! We are a family of four: Grant (dad), Jana (mom), Jack (16) and Stella/Ellie (15). We just finished an 8-month tour of the U.S. and Mexico in Thelma & Louise, our Monaco Diplomat motorhome and Jeep...
Reflections
Reflections
These are our personal thoughts on some of our experiences.
Why We Sold Our Home to Live on a Bus and Travel Full-Time
Why We Sold Our Home to Live on a Bus and Travel Full-TimeAt any other point in time, the decision to sell our home and move into an RV to travel the U.S. full-time with two teenagers and three dogs might be quite ridiculous. But in these unfathomably complex and...
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How We Stay Safe & Healthy While Traveling Full-Time during COVID-19by Jana & Grant GambleSome people asked if we were taking unnecessary risks by traveling during COVID-19 and we're sure it's a question on many people's minds even if they don't vocalize it....
Reflections: One Month In
ReflectionReflectionReflectionReflectionOne Month In Thursday, November 26, 2020Thanksgiving Day | Palm Beach Motorcoach Resort, FL ODOMETER: 80,306 | MILES TRAVELED: 2,361 by GrantWe’re just over 4 weeks into this grand adventure (or experiment) and we’ve...
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
Our Trip
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Our Trip
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TRAVEL WITH US!
We are currently sailing the South Pacific to Australia.
Thank you for joining us, have a great day!