Molly wrote an incredibly eloquent post about yesterday’s events and our decisions so I don’t feel there’s there’s too much more to add. I will share a few of my own thoughts on the day though.
- Thank you to everyone for the multitude of well wishes and offers of help and support. It’s been touching to hear from so many people who are following along with us. While we write and share our adventures primarily for ourselves to look back at in the future, it’s awesome to know that they also inspire others. It’s also been so helpful in explaining everything to the girls. For the one person who caused the pain there have been hundreds who have offered kindness.
- We thought hard about whether to press on or return home. While this is certainly a crappy obstacle that would have needed to be overcome we could have done that if we’d needed to. However, this, along with all the snow we’ve been encountering (see RMNP, the rest of Colorado, and Tioga Pass) and all the snow that still lay ahead (Lassen Volcanic, our next scheduled stop is still mostly closed) seemed a pretty clear sign the trip was doomed. The third factor, of course, is budget. We do our best to travel as cheaply as possible, thus all the PBJ&C. The detours to Moab & Ely along with changes that would be or may be needed at Lassen, Crater Lake, Mt. Ranier and more were adding up and insurance deductibles certainly don’t help.
- Among the things stolen was the box of extra Untangling Knotts cards that we pass out to share this page with the people we meet. I’m sure they quickly ended up in a garbage can, but on the off chance our thief finds their way here my message is: If you are homeless I hope our camping gear brings you warm nights and the pennies on the dollar you likely got for our camera and other items gets you some hot meals. Of course, I’m still pretty pissed off. You did cost me a couple thousand dollars and lead to the end of our trip. So in summary, fuck you, but enjoy my shit, asshole.
- Although the situation sucks we did have a mostly awesome two weeks and I don’t want that to be forgotten or overshadowed. We got to smell the mountain pine laden air, we experienced the serenity of several clear blue mountain lakes, we discovered Great Basin NP which we will undoubtedly return to some day, we returned to one of our favorite hikes at Arches, Molly finally conquered Yosemite, we saw our first rodeo in Fruita, cheered both sides of the parade in Baker, were serenaded by Cowboy Brad, drank lots of good beer, dined at the Yosemite Lodge, and had many many more amazing moments big and small.
- A couple random other things I wanted to get in here somewhere:When I first saw Fred I didn’t realize what the smashed windows would lead to. The hardest part emotionally for me is cancelling reservations – sad to think it’ll be years before we get to those places. Kind of looking forward to a summer at home. Kimpton Monaco SLC tonight.
- While this is the end of #RTXVII it isn’t the end of our adventures. In fact, there are already some reservations made for #RTXVIII.
I am sorry it took me awhile to get back with you. For some reason I had been taken off and had to reregister. My heart is broken for you guys and I hope you will be able to see the post I wrote to you. I hope it showed up since I did not realize I was knocked out and had to re register until after I sent it.
God knows who did this and he will tend to them. I hope that they actually don’t enjoy your things. I hope they choke on what they have done to your wonderful family. Karma is a &$?!@/ and they will get theirs. I personally like the way you phrased it Zak. They will rot for sure.
May I please help you in some way? Is anyone checking on your house? Did they get any information on where you live? Because they will know you are not home. Can I do that much for you, check on your house? I am so glad that Ellie’s ranger hat was not taken. The one picture of all of you sittimg outside eating and your other daughter with the broken arm was just sobbing brought me to tears. I cannot stop crying either.
Have a safe trip home and may God carry you in the palms of his hands and deliver you safely home.
Love,
Joanie Kenning (the crossing guard)
Molly and Zak and Zoe and Ellie,
I was a couple of days behind reading your wonderfully entertaining and informative posts. Now I have read about the disastrous break-in and theft. Your words convey so much to my mind, but it’s only in my heart that I can start to understand. Because it is late and Tiffany just called with something she is working on, I had to stop reading Zak’s post and share your disappointing news with Tiffany and Chris. Zak and Molly, you two brought a lot of joy to our girls when, about 15 or 16 years ago, we all took the train to downtown Chicago and you held our girls’ hands much of the way. My prayer is that we Sullivans somehow could bring some of that same joy to Zoe and Ellie, even all the way from Charlotte, NC. I know the resilience of your family from many adventures shared with your parents and grandparents. (Be sure to ask about the King Ranch and, I suppose, “Solvang.”) I know that God works together for good in all things for those who know Him and love Him. Perhaps the girls will find new friends in the coming weeks that they otherwise would have missed. Perhaps God will draw you even closer as a family to each other and to Him, now that you have been tested by the rigors of backpacking, camping and are recovering from the evil inflicted by the awful thievery. I will read the rest of the blogs tomorrow when it’s not so late, but please know that each of you will be in our prayers in the coming days and weeks.
Much love from the Sullivans in Charlotte
Dear Sullivan Family,
What a wonderful post of encouragement to help Zak, Molly, Zoe and Ellie. I too, am broken hearted from what happened to them. I hope they have made it home safe ( yesterday was the estimated time for them to get home). I am so glad that there is families like you, that through faith in God, will help comfort them. It was a horrible ordeal and they need to hear it again that threw Christ he will be powerful in comfort to them and will bring strengh to them.
God bless you and your family.
Joanie Kenning (Crossing Guard for the girls school)