Let me revel in the moment of perfection awhile longer before I force myself back into reality. (Reality being a cluttered, unfinished house and a To Do list 2 pages long; perfection being two magical days on the road.)

It really was perfect. And it only took me a couple hours to stop holding my breath and realize it’s greatness. We made it past our previous break-down spot and to Death Valley without any issues, found a sparsely populated campground and were surprised by how easily we settled into a “routine”. It was really as if we’d be doing it for ages. It felt so good. We only wished to come home so that we could finish packing and get back out!

It was also good to get a feel for things. When evaluating the learning curve and adjustments we need to make, one thing dominates: privacy. It’s been a frequent question and we tend to answer it with our standard “What’s privacy?” There simply is no privacy at home. We’re together all the time, we sleep in the same room and other than averting our eyes when changing or using the bathroom, privacy just doesn’t exist. So, when I say privacy is an adjustment we need to make, I don’t mean in the common sense.

What I do mean is the “illusion of seclusion”. (Hey, I’m a poet and you didn’t know it. I can make a rhyme anytime.)

Being that Zeb is slow to wake up and not a morning person, listening to us make coffee and tea first thing in the AM just plain sucked. For all of us. It turned him into a crank for a good 20 minutes and had me taking so many deep breaths I nearly hyperventilated. He simply didn’t have a space of his own to wake up slowly. He also requested privacy in the bathroom (surprising coming from the boy who won’t let me pee in peace).

All this adds another task to my ever-growing list – hang an adjustable, removable curtain to give us a secluded (if not quiet) place to feel alone. I have an idea as to how I’ll do this but no clue as to when I’ll accomplish it. Some other things to consider: a way to protect pans to make cooking on the rocket stove feasible; more shelves and “spots” for things like glasses or a book light; finding kid-friendly and -populated areas.

There is so much more to say but to be honest with you, I’m too exhausted right now to think straight. The RV will be starting its veggie oil conversion soon, my kitchen is devoid of food and my mounting To Do list is arguing with the unbending will of Father Time. So, please ignore this sub-par post and excuse me while I shuffle off to bed. Tomorrow is going to be a long month.

[You can read Justin's highlights here and see more photos here.]