Extraneous Sign Verbage and Extra-terrestrials

Joshua and I have a habit of pointing out weird road names and laughing at them. Yesterday it was Noodle Dome Rd. Today there was a town named Gary and Joshua said it was rather narcissistic. Also we saw signs that said “Use EXTREME caution” (not just the regular kind) and “Dust storms may exist” (you mean like the aliens?). We got a late start today after dealing with our bank on some of their new fees (I miss WaMu) so we got to the International UFO Museum and Research Center at about 10:30. Figuring it would not be much to look at, the late start did not faze us. Three hours later, we walked out and I was sorely disappointed that the t-shirts were all so lame because I really wanted one. The museum was thought-provoking because A) we are definitely weird like that and B) because we got to make jokes the whole way through about the characters from the television show Roswell. It did make us think, though, about how inconsistent the government’s “official position” was on the incident but that the personal accounts from many different kinds of people were relatively consistent. All the same, I don’t think either of us are willing to be converted to believing in extra-terrestrials quite so quickly. (When we passed what looked like a thick-web covered bush in Arizona it was still difficult not to think of the pods from aforementioned show). The spaceship themed McDonald’s is everything one might expect with a UFO shaped play area, complete with Ronald in a spacesuit. We left Roswell satisfied with our short but enjoyable stay in quirky Smalltown, USA.

Our time on the road totaled about eleven hours today, coming in at over 600?? miles. The route had us on the interstate again and I think it was delightful for both of us to be reunited with I-10, this time westbound. It was pretty much like yesterday’s drive, but a bit more scenic. The mountains were a nice change to Texas’ hills and windmills. Hours later, even mountains can seem redundant, especially when repeatedly paired with stretches of desert. When twilight hit, the scenery lit up in shades of purple, red, and orange and we were able to snap a few shots at 70 mph.

Yesterday’s incident has made us very aware of our gas levels and it is nice to know we can laugh about it already. KFC was our choice for dinner and a bathroom break (McDonald’s, Subway, Wendy’s, Sonic, and Arby’s is all we have seen for two days… notice their menus are not unique). While we were waiting for our order, a group of beefy men walked in sporting matching black shirts labeled, “Geronimo Hot Spot.” Joshua made me really nervous when he observed in a loud, awkward whisper, “What is this, a biker gang?” It turns out they were a volunteer fire squad but all I could imagine was angering a group of scary guys who would demand the Uhaul as payment for our offense.

A couple hours and playlists later, we arrived at our other set of parents, talked for a little bit and headed to bed. Looking forward to a fun few days…

Momentum More Than Moxie

(Roadtrip Day 1)

The day began with plenty of tears after saying goodbye to my family this morning. Even pursuing the "right" destination is hard when you're leaving loved ones. Of course it is supposed to be a "see you soon", but the pain is deep and the void is wide where my favorite people reside in my heart and in my life. Both Joshua and I admitted to making up scenarios in our mind about how or why we should stay in DFW at least a little longer, simply needing and wanting more time, not wanting to say goodbye. It makes me misty eyed to think about it and really all I could do today was think and talk about other things in order to bring myself to the present and really enjoy this journey we are on. To some degree, the resolution to stay on the westbound road was more momentum than moxie. I had no great bravery, resolution, or revelation. I simply knew that our spirits and our circumstances were like headed like a wave to the shore: timely and inevitable. So we drove.


Windmills in west Texas


Our open road

We made an 8 hour, 461 mile dent in our roadtrip for Day 1. It was mostly quiet, relaxing, and uneventful until just outside of Roswell. Our gas gauge read empty when we were about thirty miles outside of Tatum and forty miles away from Roswell. We pulled over to a rest stop thinking that it would be easier for someone to find us but after several phone calls to police stations and wrecker services, we realized it would be hours or lots of money before we would be taken care of. Even AT&T required 72 hours to activate roadside assistance. I think we both got tired of trying at the same time and I told Joshua, "I kind of want to just start driving." So we did. Miraculously (for sure), we made it 35 miles on an "empty" tank and pulling a trailer! There is just no other way to call it anything but God's grace.



Once in Roswell, we filled up on gas and checked into our hotel. After a quick shower, we decided that we would do the UFO Mickey D's tomorrow and headed out to drive around a bit and eat at a Mexican restaurant recommended by a friend. Joshua and I are fans of the 90s [teen drama] tv show, Roswell, so we looked up the original Crashdown Cafe location (even though Roadside America said it's been closed since 2003). We found that it still had the famous spaceship wreck in its facade but is now a very cheesy alien paraphernalia store. A few photos and a short drive through the alien-lamppost-ed Main St. later, we opted to eat at Farley's, a diner/pub that stayed more alongside our alien themed visit.



Tomorrow's plans include the UFO Research Center and the oh-so-special spaceship-inspired McDonald's then an approximate eleven hour drive to Mesa, where Joshua's parents live. I am ready to do my own "crashing" in Roswell.

Leaving one state for another

Today was the first day of our road trip back to Redding. While it has been really exciting and I'm really glad to be on a great trip with my amazing wife, I did not expect leaving to be so difficult. It turns out I really love the people that have come into my life. To be honest it's going to be a real bummer to not be able to call up family and friends to see if they want to hang out and see them 5 minutes later. It has been the most difficult part of this moving process and many tears have shed. :(

The road trip itself is a blast. We spent 8 hours getting to Roswell, NM, and it is as cheesy as you have probably imagined. It is the same as any other small town in America, with the exception of alien paraphernalia being plastered all over, which includes everything from alien faces on the lamppost, to UFOs "crashing" into buildings, and even the UFO-shaped McDonalds. All in all, Roswell has so far lived up to this nerds expectations.

As for the driving itself, I think road trips are some of the best times for Rachel and I to connect. We got to spend the morning drive observing beautiful scenery and discussing our last few hours with siblings. I think the most exciting thing that happened was when we ran out of gas in between Tatum, NM and Roswell, NM. We were about 23 miles from Tatum and about 30 miles from Roswell. We called three police stations and two trucking services. No one seemed to be able to help or they wanted $120 dollars to drive out and give us 5 gallons of gas. No, thank you. So Rachel said "I almost just want to keep driving", which I knew meant, "I bet you if we go, God will provide a miracle for us." AND HE DID! We drove 35 miles on an empty tank of gas. It was really amazing.

Anyway, it's late and it has definitely been an emotional few weeks, so I am going to catch some shut eye and maybe write more another night :)

Joshua J. Dobler

Down To One

It is all a blur today. Joshua spent the day running errands and mom and I have been doing things at the house like sorting boxes (Uhaul/Jeep), laundry, and other odds and ends. I'm mapping our route along the way because I was not able to finish my Elizabethtown project, but I'll put it together as I can. Through some of the scrapping I began to realize that I'd rather throw pictures and maps in as I went and customize pages accordingly. However it gets put together, I am really excited for the result. Mom and Dad have been really generous letting us stay with them during all of the chaos and they both spent so much time helping us pack things into the Uhaul. They have really made tying up loose ends and leaving with our heads on straight a reality.

Without the time I had intended to focus on playlists, I very much fell back to some of what has become oldie-but-goodie artists (good music is good music) to compile two playlists: Roadtrip Rock and Roadtrip Repose. The first is basically a feel-good eclectic grouping of AC/DC, Flogging Molly, Regina Spektor, Paramore, Matthew Mayfield, Rolling Stones, Hall & Oates, All-American Rejects, and more. The second is for those sweet moments of sunrise and blurry horizon with Ingrid Michaelson, NeedToBreathe, O.A.R., The Smiths, The Cranberries, Fleetwood Mac, with seasonings from the Elizabethtown soundtrack.

Last night I sat with my sisters before bed and had that precious sister talk about how beautiful and wonderful they are. Hannah left for Tennessee this morning so that was pretty much my last time to see her for awhile. I will not even put up a tough front: I bawled my eyes out. Tonight we hung out with Natalie and Doug, kissed baby Talon, and enjoyed some sweet conversation with Jim and Debbie. Afterward, we spent time with the family, laughing over Super Mario and generally just savoring last moments. Hunter and I stayed up talking forever and I was impressed once again by his wisdom at eighteen. And then I bawled my eyes out again. Leaving the second time is harder because there is no "oh, I'll be back in a few months" lingering around. But our bond is so deep, real, and absolutely blessed that I know I am not losing them. If anything, I hope to inspire them that adventures are so worth it!

--Here is a little video clip of our family fun:


Original Video - More videos at TinyPic

Sweet Symmetry

The last four days have gone by so quickly. Our apartment is empty and cleaned and the keys are no longer ours. My parents' garage is full of our belongings (although there are a handful of boxes that need to be gone through in order to consolidate). We were able to get some help yesterday that we would never have been able to survive without. With four days of bending, lifting, and carrying, my whole body is reminding me every five minutes of the work we were doing. All the same, the days flew by so quickly because I was spending them with Joshua.

We laughed and talked and fell in love again every day. I am still starry-eyed over this incredible man. It is entirely cliche, but I love him more now than I did then. We really cannot have enough time together; the more I hear him talk, or receive his understanding grace, or simply laugh and enjoy life with him, the more that I get the picture of the nobility and destiny he has. The anticipated days of traveling together become sweeter in my mind when I realize that hours on the open road are some of my favorite memories that we have, from Redding to Sacramento or San Francisco and then from Redding through Arizona to Texas. When there are minutes upon hours of driving, you get past routine conversation and into deep thoughts, belly laughs, and introspection. We first talked about getting married on a roadtrip and now we have been married a year. The symmetry to our life together communicates to me once again that the Lord's timing is on this move.

Please pray for us to find the employment that will both provide for and satisfy us, as well as a living situation that can be "home." Both Joshua and I are seeking somewhere that does not feel temporary, but is soft ground ready for some roots. (It looks like we want a break from moving again too soon!) Ultimately, though, pray for the release of His will and abundance in our lives and that we would be able to hear and follow.

may can bring what it may

The month has arrived. It is three weeks tomorrow from Leaving Day. There are a million and one things to do, but you know, I am totally not worried about it. There are very few times I have been able to say that in the last couple of years, but I am quite at ease with where we're at and the pace we're going... and the place we're going.

Over the last few weeks Joshua and I have had a few things come up that make staying feel "safer" and more "convenient." No matter what anyone says, there really is only so much you can do when looking for a job or apartment from 1,800 miles away, especially when you are trying to be "monetarily conservative", work full time, and finish a school semester! We are moving without for-sure jobs without a for-sure address and without even a for-sure bed (unless you count the air mattress). And really... all I can think is that there is that much more potential for adventure. It's illogical and impossible to explain unless you have been so fortunate to experience this before.

There is something so indescribably priceless about knowing you are headed exactly where you ought to be.

My heart is both elated and completely nervous. It just feels like we are headed back to where we were supposed to have started. The Lord's grace is all over this. Sometimes we make decisions in the moment and hear Him clearly and sometimes we don't. Mistakes are a part of the journey and the detour is over. It's time to get back on the road!