A Never Ending Story

“Bastian looked at the book.

‘I wonder,’ he said to himself, ‘what’s in a book while it’s closed. Oh, I know it’s full of letters printed on paper, but all the same, something must be happening, because as soon as I open it, there’s a whole story with people I don’t know yet and all kinds of adventures, deeds and battles. And sometimes there are storms at sea, or it takes you to strange cities and countries. All those things are somehow shut in a book. Of course you have to read it to find out. But it’s already there, that’s the funny thing. I just wish I knew how it could be.’

Suddenly an almost festive mood came over him.

He settled himself down, picked up the book, opened it to the first page, and began to read…”

-Michael Ende

It seems we have come to the end of our written journey on Ephemeral View. Though the blog may be complete, the story does indeed continue. Thank you for following along through our many chapters on the road. Reflecting on our adventures, deeds and battles with our tiny house out west will always be a treasure. We set out to live with less stuff, live outside more and live in some new and beautiful places. This leap of faith came with plenty of educated guesses and expectations, but also with a hopeful openness to learn from the unexpected. As we settle in to our present chapter, we would like to leave you with a few of our favorite unanticipated and magical memories. Each of these awesome things really woke us up!

*The smell of chaparral after a rain in the San Diego River Gorge
*Alert! Obstacle on trail… Bull Snakes Mating in Lory State Park, Colorado
*If the name Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, intrigues you, you’ll find the town equally as curious and fascinating to explore.
*The chatter of the social quail running through the brush throughout our travels west

*Watching the Milky Way and Zodiac move through the seasons in dark sky parks at Enchanted Rock and near Big Bend, TX.
*The wafting fragrance of eucalyptus trees on the northern California coast… and what a surprise to find they were brought to you by Jack London, in his quest to bring Australian trees as a new, though ultimately unsuccessful, west coast crop!
*The cricket-like whirr of the Broad-Tailed hummingbirds in Almont, Colorado, as they dove straight down to impress nearby females.

*Intoxicating scents of lemon trees growing in the desert of Borrego Springs, California
*Retelling the Potawatomi creation tale of Skywoman Falling, as we lay in the bed of the truck watching the Perseid meteor shower. Suddenly a drummer began playing in the distance. Enchanted Rock SNA, Texas.
*A dog walker comes up behind us on our Almont, CO, porch. Nope! That’s a black bear casually walking by.

*Charles Schultz practically created his own town within the town of Santa Rosa, CA, where the Peanuts museum resides. Many of his comics were written at The Warm Puppy Cafe, next to the skating rink he had built. What a charming day!
*Not sure what that whooshing sound was every evening in the Gros Vente campground… ah-hah Night Hawks swooping for mosquitos in Wyoming!
*Oh, the laughter of the Sandhill Cranes flying overhead in New Mexico, heard long before you spot them!

All of this and more offer us proof of the beauty in life to be found when we are open and willing to explore the unknown. Plus, it is a reminder to trust that it will keep finding us no matter where or when we are. We wish this for you too in all your days. While every day can’t be the best day, you never know what it will be until you step out into the world and open to the first page…

Monarchs Dancing on a Layover in Marathon Texas…