After spending over 50 years on the west coast, Lee got a job offer to DC and we decided to be adventurous. So, we moved to Alexandria, VA and lived there for 6 years. We don’t regret any of it. Something about being immersed in our Nation’s history and getting to learn what wasn’t taught in high school or college history classes; it was an amazing experience. Even in those 6 years, we still didn’t get to see everything we wanted to see while living on the east coast.

While raising our two sons, we tried to give them as many experiences as possible. They have their own lives now but would have loved to bring them with us. I wish we could have shared all the adventures we had with them while we lived in such a historical part of the country. Thankfully, we were able to fly them out a few times to see some of the sites. We really hope that they have learned from watching our “take a chance” or “What the hell, just go…” attitude.

When Lee was eligible to retire, we jumped at the opportunity. It’s always financially smarter to work longer, but you may not have longer… So, after ordering a 2025 RAM 3500 Dually and a Brinkley Z3515 5th wheel to be picked up in Washington state, we started off for more adventures. Leaving Virginia, we drove our car with Elsa in the back seat back across the country. We took 3 weeks to drive from VA to WA, taking our time so we could visit friends and family along the way. Of course, it’s not a Young road trip without a trip to Disney, so we spent a few days at Disneyland.

Elsa still has anxieties but has come a long way and become a good traveling buddy. She still doesn’t like to be picked up or put in the carrier, but she is adjusting. Once we figured out her travel style, it became easier, letting roam freely in the back seat, as soon as we are in the car. Every morning we listen to the “morning meow show” for 20 or 30 minutes and then she settles down for a nap back in her carrier.

On the way up I-5 we stopped in Vancouver, WA to pick up the truck and drove both vehicles the rest of the way to Bremerton, where we sold our Toyota RAV to our son. On June 11th, 2025 we picked up our Brinkley 5th wheel. What a learning curve! Lee has never driven anything like this and the moving in and settling in for full-time living took a lot more time that we anticipated. Luckily Lara’s parents have a couple acres that we were able to park at for a few months while we got settled. They also have many years of experience with RVs that helped us shorten the learning curve. We enjoyed the holiday’s with friends and family and on January 13th, 2026 we nervously put Elsa in the truck, hitched up the 5th wheel and headed out on our biggest adventure yet!