Saturday, January 23, 2021
White Sands National Park & Lincoln National Forest
ODOMETER: 83,225 | MILES TRAVELED: 5,280
by Jana
Today, we had White Sands National Park on our agenda. The weather was beautiful and we were all excited to visit this natural wonder. An added attraction was the fact that you could sled down the snow white sand dunes.
White Sands National Park raises up from the Tularosa Basin. Great wave-like dunes of gypsum sand cover 275 square miles of desert, creating the world’s largest gypsum dunefield.
Even though I’ve seen photos of White Sands, I didn’t expect it to actually be THAT white. Even from the car, it really looked like snow! There is an 8-mile drive around the dunes with places to stop and explore. Some sections of the road are covered by the sand and plows have had to push it to the side of the road just like snow. It’s like walking through snow fields at the beach. I was reminded of another magical Earthly spot: White Haven Beach in the Whitsunday Islands in Australia. The sand there is also so white it looks more like snow.
We found a perfect sledding spot that was quiet and had a great time! As one may expect, the sand is not quite as slippery as snow would be so it’s important to find a pretty steep dune. Our RV park in Alamogordo even lent us sleds, complete with some wax to make them go faster!
The juxtaposition of the snow white sand, the brilliant blue sky with perfect white clouds and the majestic range of the Sacramento Mountains in the distance made for a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle. It felt like we were suddenly on another planet!
In the afternoon, Grant and I went to explore the Lincoln National Forest near Cloudcroft, about 20 miles back up in the mountains. In those 20 miles, the mountain views are incredible and the landscape changes multiple times.
We came through Cloudcroft and the Lincoln National Forest on our way from Carlsbad to Alamogordo and the pine trees reminded me so much of my European Childhood, I had to go back there before we left the area.
We found a quick 5-mile hike and set out in the clear but chilly and windy afternoon to make it back before dark. It smelled like Christmas and even though it was a relatively short hike at around 8,500 feet, both Grant and I re-emerged from this magical forest feeling cleansed and energized.
It’s like walking through snow fields at the beach.
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Day 136: Baja Sunrise | Los Barriles, Mexico
Friday, March 12, 2021Baja Sunrise | Los Barriles, MexicoODOMETER: 84,770 | TOTAL MILES TRAVELED: 6,555We have decided to settle in Los Barriles for a period of about 6 weeks. It is a beautiful place with camping right on the beach and gives us the ability to wait out...
Day 135: Baja Sunrise | Los Barriles, Mexico
Thursday, March 11, 2021Baja Sunrise | Los Barriles, MexicoODOMETER: 84,770 | TOTAL MILES TRAVELED: 6,555We have decided to settle in Los Barriles for a period of about 6 weeks. It is a beautiful place with camping right on the beach and gives us the ability to wait...
Day 134: Baja Sunrise | Los Barriles, Mexico
Wednesday, March 10, 2021Baja Sunrise | Los Barriles, MexicoODOMETER: 84,770 | TOTAL MILES TRAVELED: 6,555We have decided to settle in Los Barriles for a period of about 6 weeks. It is a beautiful place with camping right on the beach and gives us the ability to wait...
Reflections
Reflections
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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We are currently sailing the South Pacific to Australia.
Thank you for joining us, have a great day!