I lost a friend, mentor and uncle

Yesterday, I woke up to the news. I was flat, it didn't click. "Your Uncle Robert passed away this morning from a heart attack..." Ok, shit, well, shit.
I didn't know what to do with it. Uncle Robert is always there for me to call when Lola won't start. He's always at the house when I come to San Antonio. He's the guy to call when you need a last minute limo for a bachelor party. He taught me how to ski. He is my youngest uncle. We look so much alike at times it's scary. I can't complain he was a good looking man. He was always smiling, always good for a laugh.

So what do you do with that news? What can you do. You do the only sane thing, walk into the kitchen, start grinding coffee, then curl up on the couch and cry, in huge racking fits. Because, well, shit what else can you do? I loved that man. I always assumed I would see him again, I used to joke about being next in line for his bus if he ever died, it's not funny any more. I'd much rather have him here. I don't cry much, Natalie had never actually seen me cry until yesterday, then it happened twice. The second time was when my sweet mom called me and neither one of us could hold it together, I almost wrecked the car. Good thing Natalie is asleep now, or she would have seen me crying again. If you see someone cry three times, then it is an expected response. Lucky for me she's asleep.

Robert loved cars. We both love cars. More specifically we love Volkswagens. Sure he had a Porsche he was redoing, the occasional Beamer in the yard, I think there was an old MG and he always asked me if that little hunk of metal under the tarp on 7th was an old Mini (editors note I think it was an early Honda) but his pride and joy was "my bus." I have Lola, he had his bus. We love our old, finicky, beautiful cars. We loved talking about them, dreaming about next steps, showing them to people, even occasionally working on them. I always new I could call Uncle Robert, with no pre-amble, without talking for months, and get straight to car talk "Mikey what's happening?" "Oh no much, so Lola won't turn left when it's raining..." and off we'd go, long distance shop talk. I can't tell you how many times that happened.I'm going to miss him.
Uncle Robert was a pivotal figure in my life. He loved his family so much, and we are all reeling with the loss. I'm going to miss him.

.settling...eventually.

mike has come and left again since the last post.  it was so good to have him here, to have home.  we love it.  his course in wyoming with NOLS went splendidly, and he is now kayaking and rafting in Utah with the school until the beginning of september.  autumn is shaping up to be busy in the youngster world.  mike will head out mid sep to austin to pick up the rest of our stuff, we'll take a trip or two to "city of rocks" to soak in the gorgeous climbing weather then off to yosemite in october for what is guaranteed to be one of the best open elopements i've EVER had the pleasure of crashing (thx jersey and becky) ......

on the home front, i finish orientation with the hospital this week and move to nights!  as a researcher, I have fully informed myself of all the tips of owning your circadian rhythm, surviving and yes, even enjoying, the life of a night shift worker. I s'pose the trick tends to be nutrition, routine, discipline and a happy heart.  those things, i can do. the perks? higher pay, slower pace and breakfast for dinner . . . . always.  i would love to hear wisdom and victories from other night shift workers. keep the negatives, though - i need all the help i can get :)

In the in between, there has been compost building, cucumber pickling, pesto canning, bread making, car fixing, trail running, owl watching, friend making, music listening, job learning, adventure planning, curtain sewing, coffee drinking, spouse cuddling and dream mapping. life is good here in twin falls, idaho . . . . . mikeynat

"climb the mountains, and get their good tidings."

- john muir

twin falls, idaho

the mrs. here. 

you can usually tell me by my lack of capital letters, overuse of commas, love of ellipsis (look it up, i won't tell) and pensive statements or dramatic quotes (usually involving adventure, simplicity, wanting to be home but never wanting a home . . . yada, yada, yada ......) guilty as charged.

i find myself in twin falls, idaho, with mike in the field as an instructor with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS).  he's been gone for three weeks now, with two to go.  just as with all other courses, we have no contact except for the letters i so eagerly receive mailed to me from the ration planes, donkeys or bears that visit him on the course (ok, not bears).  this has made relocation to the US and settling in idaho quite interesting.  he is guiding in the Wyoming Wilderness and i am starting my new position as an ICU Registered Nurse at St. Luke's Medical Center. Idaho has blown me away, and will continue to do so i am sure.  between the beautiful people, winding trails, rushing waters, small town charm, endless fields and rugged mountains..... i believe we have decades of adventure to be had in this grossly underrated state.

from our cross country travel of Australia to the relocation across the United States, with so many unknowns, it feels good to be here.  i have recently moved us in to a charming two bedroom, one bath home on endless acres of farmland about 20 minutes outside of town, with mike joining me this week.  the space generously provides us with kind neighbors, room for chickens, gardens, baking, creating, canning, preserving, slack lining and hammock napping - all thanks to the generosity of beautiful friends.  i will post images soon, but you can also find us on instagram as @mikeynat ........

welcome to our adventure.  never neglect your own,

nat

Treking in the Van Down Under

Ausralia

Vanlife

For the last five months we have been traveling around Australia farming, fishing, diving, hiking, climbing, and sailing. Our travels have taken us from the south coast of Tasmania to the Northeast coast of Queensland. We've documented the trip through photos on Instagram @mikeynat though we have neglected the blog.

Climbing Mt. Arapiles

 In July we will be returning to the US, I have picked up a contract with NOLS in the Wind River Range in Wyoming. Nat is in the process of applying for nursing jobs, there is a real possibility that I will go into the field not knowing where I will be returning to until I get back out.

Catchin' Sharks

On our travels we have met some amazing people and been recipients of bottomless hospitality. We've come to appreciate the value of a good meal and a welcoming home and look forward to sharing our home and table as we return.

As always, you can contact us through our Facebook, this blog, Instagram, or email. We hope everything is well in your world. Share a laugh, share a meal, and sit on your porch.

Byron Bay Sand Art

Love
Mike y Nat