#1 From the Pacific Northwest to Lancaster: Trip 1—Repositioning Craig and His Car

Our nine‑day cross‑country drive from Oregon to Pennsylvania was primarily a reunion tour, (we called it the “VIP tour”).  But it also was an endurance test, and the unofficial kickoff to building our Timber Oaks retirement home.

We left Eugene on Sunday, March 1 and encountered heavy Northern California rain, pushing through hail near Shasta Lake before getting to Santa Rosa for the night. After a breakfast visit with Roger and Jose Manuel in Sebastopol, the miles unfolded quickly. We crossed the Central California Valley, skirted the desert, and reached Needles late that evening.

Roger, Angie, Craig, Jose Manuel (foreground)

The next stretch carried us through the Southwest to Placitas, New Mexico, where we enjoyed a warm visit with Brad and Tracy Bogart and their pets including a new puppy, WilliJack.

At the lovely home of Brad and Tracy Bogard, and the first puppy of the trip, WilliJack!

Then came the long haul across the Texas Panhandle and into Oklahoma, where endless windmills and rough roads eventually gave way to the calmer landscape around Lake Eufaula.

Miles and miles of windmills in the Texas Panhandle.

From Oklahoma, we continued east to Alabama for a cozy overnight with Beth and Rich, complete with pizza, conversation, and an energizing morning hike.

After the lovely morning hike (and it was getting warm!) with Beth.

A short drive brought us to Knoxville to see Jay and Elizabeth in their new home, including a bicycle tour of their lovely new lake-view neighborhood.

Jay and Elizabeth with their poodles including a new puppy!

The following day took us to Brevard, North Carolina, to reconnect with former neighbors from West Friendship and admire Bob’s workshop and Jeanne’s pottery. 

Bob in his workshop.

Jeanne making breakfast; some pottery in the foreground.

Our final two stops of our southern loop included a stop in Tryon to visit Henry and Margaret Freeman — complete with delicious crab cakes and clam chowder, and a model railroad display that has to be seen to be believed — before heading to Locust for an evening with Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Jack and all the cousins whom we haven’t seen in years!  Our heart was overflowing.

Part of Henry's amazing model railroad.

An amazing time with family, and another puppy! So fun!

The next morning, we made the final push north through Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland, arriving in Lancaster just before 8 pm.

We arrived in PA!

Hard to see but his car is fully loaded with three bikes on the back!

After 4,105 miles, Craig and his car were officially “repositioned,” marking the start of the next chapter: building our dream timber frame home. The journey also brought us back to so many people who have helped shaped our lives — each now part of this new beginning.