Yesterday we crossed the 5,000 mile mark.

We watched Mae’s tripometer as it rolled over to that nice, round number and shouted a celebratory woohoo! We high-fived and then I went back to shooting video of the road, staring out the window in awe. We were somewhere in Colorado. I think it was before Mesa Verde, but it might have been somewhere closer to Pagosa Springs.

When you’ve driven over 5,000 miles in less than four weeks (one of them basically stationary), it all runs together. Or at least it can, if you don’t keep track of everywhere you’ve been.

Since we left I’ve scribbled over 150 pages of notes, recording everything from snippets of conversation to details from our guided tours to attempts at describing the natural wonders we’ve viewed. I’ve also written in my journal almost daily, jotting personal reflection, thoughts on our experiences, and pep talks when I freak out. I’ve taken thousands of photos and a few hours’ worth of video. This journey is Documented.

So why haven’t I posted here? Because all of that documenting, as well as the actual experiencing, and attending to my day job at The Local Tourist, takes time. Once we get back I’ll be able to devote that time to making all of that documentation fit for public consumption.

Do I sound like I’m whining? I feel like I sound like I’m whining. “Oh, whoa is me. I have to climb the overlook at Zion and tour the Western Film Museum and camp under the stars at Joshua Tree and yada yada yada do more cool stuff and I don’t have time!”

(You feel sorry for me, don’t you…)

We’ll be home Sunday and it’s hard to believe this trip is almost over. I’m excited for the next few days, but I’m also ready to start sharing what we’ve seen and learned. It goes beyond “we went there and did this” to a new level of understanding. The winding road does more than connect the dots; it paints an entirely new picture.