Family Road Trip Revealed

From the moment we cranked the engine and pulled out on May 29th, I knew this road trip would stretch us.  What I didn’t know was how deeply it would reveal me.

Two months.
Thirteen colonies.
Seven states behind the wheel.
One cruise.
One medical emergency.
A broken A/C, a busted radio, and a whole lot of prayers.

This is what the road revealed.

Part I:  The Road, The Heat, The Hustle

We’d never traveled in the RV during the thick of the Southern summer heat.  But this year, we decided to go for it—my kids, my mother, my aunt, Uncle Carl, and me.  Our goal?  Journey up the East Coast, explore the original 13 colonies, and then drop the kids and me off for a cruise.  Afterward we’d make our way back home by August 1st.

That first leg of our trip was full of excitement.  There were so many firsts:  Niagara Falls.  Crossing into Canada.  Morning tea while the RV was surrounded by wild horse.

We didn’t know the air conditioner was going out—we only knew the days were beginning to feel heavy.  Sweltering.  We ended up buying a portable A/C unit on July 1st, but by then, the heat had made itself known.

Uncle Carl had asked the RV shop to check the A/C back in March.  They said it was fine.

It wasn’t.

And while I’m from Texas and used to the heat, even I have to admit that shade, cold water, and an overcast sky became heaven-sent luxuries.

Part II:  When the Unexpected Hits Home

A few days into the second leg of our trip, Uncle Carl wasn’t feeling great.  He mentioned low energy and broke out in hives.  Quietly, he asked if I could help drive.  There were no mountains, so I was confident I could handle it.

It wasn’t until he said, “I’m having trouble swallowing,” that my spirit stirred.  Something wasn’t right.

We pulled into Savannah, Georgia on July 6th and got him to urgent care.  They thought it was an allergic reaction.  Gave him a shot.  The next day, he was up touring the city with us.

But that wasn’t the end of it….

The day we were set to board the cruise, he returned to urgent care.  This time, they sent him to the hospital.  While I was already out at sea, I got a phone signal just long enough to receive the news:

Carl had a mini stroke.

My heart dropped.  I had lost my Pops and maternal grandmother not long ago.  The weight of grief was still present enough.  But I knew—I know—God’s got it.  And I knew we had to step up. Uncle Carl, the one who so often carries us all, would now need us to carry him.

Part III:  Stepping Up and Driving Forward

With Carl recovering, it was my turn to take the wheel.

And I did.

I drove that RV through South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.  At one point, I drove 12 hours—stopping only for gas and food—from Orlando to New Orleans.

Our radio had gone out.  The backup camera? Gone.  But I had a destination in mind: home.  I wanted comfort.  I wanted to get us back to safety.  And honestly, I wanted to pass by my alma mater and show my kids where I had once dreamed about the life I’m now living.

The kids?  As long as they had snacks, their iPads, and a charged phone to watch TV—they were good.  They were kids.

And me?  I was proud.  Tired, yes.  But proud.

Part IV:  Gratitude on the Go

Even with all that came our way, there were moments of joy that I will forever cherish:

♥ Walking across the border into Canada with my babies—our feet in another country, our laughter loud.
♥ Eating spaghetti at a picnic bench outside our RV in Charleston, cooked by my aunt with love.
♥ The family and friends celebration in Shreveport that reminded me of how deeply rooted we are as people.
♥ The beauty of Assateague Island, where the wild horses roam and the sky meets the sea.
♥ The sheer abundance of being dropped off to a cruise, turning vacation mode into super vacation.

Having the time, the means, the ability to give my children a two-month summer adventure is something I don’t take lightly.  I stay in a posture of gratitude—because this is what I’ve worked for.  This is what I prayed for.

Part V:  What the Road Revealed

I’ve been walking in a new confidence lately.  One that says:  I can do hard things.  I have done hard things.  And this trip?  It tested me—mind, body, and soul.

But it revealed me too.

◊ It revealed my capability.
◊ It revealed my faith.
◊ It revealed that I am more than just resilient—I’m ready.

When the road got tough, I got still.  Kept breathing.  I walked laps around the cruise ship deck.  Practiced yoga.  I got a massage.  I talked to God.

And I kept going.

Because the road doesn’t wait for perfect weather or ideal timing.  It rolls on.  And we roll with it.

Coming Home

We’ve been home about a week now.  The first thing I did was unpack.  I don’t live well in chaos or out of a suitcase.  What I needed was order.  I needed my bed.  And whew, my bed has delivered.

I’ve been sleeping well, moving through my space with a new kind of peace.  This trip didn’t just test me—it confirmed me.  I’ve been working hard to become the woman I now know I am.

The road revealed: Capability.
I am proud of myself:  For stepping up.
The part I wasn’t expecting:  Carl’s illness.
The heat taught me:  Limits.
I carried:  Hope through every mile.

BTW:  “You can either pray or worry, but you can’t do both.” – 50 Cent

If you’re a mom, a woman, a sister on a healing journey—trust the road.  It may get hot.  Things may break.  Plans may shift.  But the strength you’re looking for?  You’ll meet her out there.

She’s you.
She’s waiting.
And she can do anything.

If you want to see more from this journey—cruise moments, RV life, and the beauty we passed along the way—make sure you're subscribed to my YouTube channel: Life In AD.  The road revealed so much, and I'm sharing it all piece by piece.

Other Post You May Enjoy:

Post Cruise Emotions: Back on Land, Heart Full

Handling Travel Setbacks with Grace

Healing While Traveling