September 26th, 2020

Days 378 to 384

We got to explore Priest Lake a little bit on day 378. It is a beautiful place so we'd like to go back and do some hiking there one day. The smoke was still too thick to actually enjoy a hike, so we drive around - I got my feet in the lake... Jordan, of course, jumped in.

After that, we returned to Boise so I could correct the cloudy clear coat on that giant mural. I've learned a few things from that mural.

1. Be CRAZY detailed in explaining what the client can expect from working with you. I mean specific in EVERYTHING!
2. I don't thoroughly enjoy doing murals... so I will charge accordingly.
3. I did this mural for the community... but, I won't allow a project to take over my life again like this one did.
4. A clear coat doesn't dry clear if there's humidity, moisture or if it's applied too thick... so don't get friends to come help if their heart isn't in it or you'll be sanding and repainting.
5. You can actually sand off your fingernail without noticing until you've taken a chunk of skin. It hurts.

There's other lessons, I'm sure but those are the big ones. I really, honestly, didn't thoroughly enjoy this project. So we shall see if I decide to take more down the road. What I can say is thank you to all the people, the friends and strangers, who stopped to tell me how much they love it and appreciate what it does for the neighborhood. That made the headaches... both literal and hypothetical- and the possible permanent damage to my shoulder from the tent and fence crashing on it - worth it. My shoulder will hopefully heal... but it's definitely not right at the moment.

Good thing I can work with both hands.

We've moved on, out of Boise. We have some wonderful adventures planned as we move south, currently in Utah, then we'll pop into Colorado briefly (I HAVE to show Jordan one of my favorite places on the planet... Silverton, CO). Then we'll head down to Sedona... which I'm SUPER excited about because I've felt drawn there for 3 years at least. I'm happy to finally go!

So, we'll lots of road time... but we're cutting the drives to shorter stretches. At least, they aren't ... USUALLY... ten hour days.

The cats aren't pleased that we're parked and not staying in the camper with them. We're staying with our buddy Zach... probably our last home visit for quite some time. It's nice to be able stretch out and have the bedroom so far away from the bathroom which is even farther away from the kitchen. We aren't used to having this much space.

It's been a wonderful visit. Zach and his brother are in a band so they jammed on their guitars last night. I absolutely LOVE live music... especially rock, so I was in heaven.

I'm so very grateful to have seen my nephew, Braden, tonight. He's in the airforce, and he was able to come over to watch the fights with us. Turns out, UFC fights are his favorite sport. I didn't know. Everything was perfect.

Tomorrow, we hit the road for our next destination. We have our adventures loosely planned out through the end of October, then we'll continue to make our way south... eventually getting back to Florida for the winter. We are now following the warm weather. A great life to have. Boise is still considered home base... for now. But we've discovered that I'm allergic to the Treasure Valley. Every time we return, my allergies get out of control.

It is likely we'll visit Idaho again this winter, just a quick flight in when my beer label gets released. Yes, my art will be on a beer label for Mother Earth Brewery, their Project X series. A whole new avenue for my work.

I'm excited for what the future holds for us. We are living the life many people dream of. But the truth is, you can have it too... you just need to make the decision and go for it. It's amazing how the universe conspires for you once you start to pursue your dreams!

In the morning, we're off again. Be prepared for many many photos to come. Like I said, we're going to some magical locations over the next several weeks. For now, I bid you adeu.