Why?

I've been called some interesting things lately...

Let's see... nuts, psycho, crazy, disturbed, thrill seekin, insane- to name a few.

And trust me I can see how the idea of being in the car as much as we have been could seem a little nutso to some. Remember, I was there.

Then there's smelly fish, crap weather conditions, nasty contraptions to wear, and lots of fashion faux pas to boot. And lest we forget feeling like a skanky hoebag all those endless hours in the car.

Plus these things aren't always conducive for glamorizing oneself. I tried waterproof mascara rafting only to have it run down my face 10 minutes in. I curled my hair before going to the beach in WA- Ha! Not the smartest idea I've ever had. I would definitely have to find a new hairdo if I lived there permanently as most of them were flops.

If you know me even a little you know that I typically don't leave my house unless I'm entirely put together. It's just the way I work. Make-up, hair products, and accessories are never far from reach and require their own piece of luggage regardless of the length of our stay.

So why do I do it you ask?

Well, I have a few secrets to share...

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Notice anything about this photo? And I'm not talking about my blinding white skin or slightly crooked hat.

Look closer...

See those pearly whites?

Well, I haven't seen those as much as I'd like lately. And my parents paid a fortune for them. That's the numero uno reason.

Number 2. You don't see this...
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or this...
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in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Or anywhere in the vicinity. Within driveable distances there are infinite amounts of awe-inspiring landscapes that make my heart tingle and smile from the inside out.

I put together a slideshow to highlight some of our adventures in the last year just to further prove my point. Plus it illustrates just how beautiful this earth really is. We racked up about 15,000 miles on our car traveling to Florida, New Mexico, South Dakota, Washington State, West Virginia, St Louis, and numerous smaller trips within 2 or 3 hours. (Sorry, you'll have to close out that ad on the bottom. I guess that's what I get for using a free program.)


Number 3. Turns out I'm an adventuresome soul at heart and long for more- more than I can get here.
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And I'm deathly afraid of heights and still managed to find a smile while ziplining through the forests of West Virginia. The guides had to give me a couple pushes. And I may or may not have screamed my head off.

Number 4. It's great to spend time with hubs AWAY. A time to reconnect and forget about the everyday junk.
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Number 5. I hate feeling "stuck". And in case you missed that post you can find it at Butler Way here. We moved to Iowa for what I thought was just a transitory period in our life. That was 12 years ago... I have attended school, had multiple jobs, birthed two children, and moved twice, and we are still here…

And as my niece so eloquently put it, "Sometimes when life throws you lemons, you have to get the hell out of town."

So, I may be broken just a little, but

That's why.

23 comments

  1. Good one girl...I love your outlook...really and truly ;)

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  2. I love the pictures! I think it is awesome that you guys did as much traveling as you did. Trips are never easy with kids, and long road trips are hard when you don't have them, but the memories you make are the things that matter the most. So many people miss out on all the wonders this earth has to offer because they aren't willing to take the good with the bad. In no way do I think you are crazy, I think you and your husband are great parents, because you are teaching your kids to go out into the world and explore it. That is what I hope to show my boys too, I get the your crazy for doing that all the time, we may be crazy to them but we are at least having a good time!

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  3. like your smile!! You look very happy, the trip must have done you good. :)

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  4. We all have to go looking for our smiles once in a while. And sometimes, we find them right where we left them.

    I still think you look WAY too adorable when you think you look like a skanky hoebag!

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  5. Another batch of amazing photographs. You are SO lucky to have such a brave spirit my dear! I don't think I could attempt half of the activites you sign up for, which is why I will continue to read your blog and live through you! Haha! You look beautiful and full of life in every shot. Your family is SO lucky to have such amazing memories captured by you!

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  6. awesome pics- as usual!

    I hopped over and read the guest post you linked to- this is where your hubby needs to get a job!
    http://www.zimfamilycockers.com/DiabloCanyon.html

    it might not be near family- but the weather is 8 million times better. and the scenery. and its by me! lol.

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  7. Beautiful photo's...I admire your couragous adventure...we all need to stop and revive!...my move from my homeland was to follow my heart...a huge challenge but i don't regret it one bit!Keep smiling.

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  8. It looks like you had a fabulous time!

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  9. Excellent reasons, all of them. I'm glad you enjoyed your adventure. I enjoyed seeing your pearly whites too. ;)

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  10. I would not mind having such adventures like you because at the moment I feel stuck and I see that the reasons you give are so excellent. Cool pics by the way :)

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  11. That's it...I'm moving to Iowa!! Looks like so much fun. Want to adopt me and my kids???

    Lots of yummy love,
    Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
    www.mawhats4dinner.com

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  12. so brave
    I am so afraid of heights even though it looks like a blast i can be a wuss.
    Thanks for posting on "being" stuck.
    That's where I am right now - and I am trying so hard to get "un-stuck"!

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  13. What a great post, Alicia. I have been feeling like that so much lately. We got married and I moved here thinking it was "for a little bit." (That was 18 yrs ago.) I actually like it a bit now, but have all those feelings you mentioned and want to GO! (EVERYWHERE.) We are trying to decide if we can swing it to travel for a whole year- don't know if we will do it, but it's keeping me sane at the moment!

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  14. I am always so in awe of your adventures, your spirit and, of course, your pictures. Everything is just stunning and I love this post. I'm so sorry you haven't seen those pearly whites enough lately. Good for you for going out and finding them again instead of sitting around waiting for happiness to find you! Thanks for sharing! I don't think you are crazy...I think you are amazing!

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  15. for someone afraid if heights, you sure are able to overcome and some amazing things! it's great that you have traveled all over to experience some thrill seeking adventures!

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  16. Love all the photos of course, and it's admirable that you are taking the bull by the horns so to speak! I love that you guys travel so much, and hope to do it too...when the kids get a little older...

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  17. so now the next time you complain about living in IA, i'm going to remind you of this post!

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  18. Love all these photos Alicia! You are definitely adventurous and brave - I don't know that I could handle the zip line!

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  19. Haha, I love your neice's quote, so true though!

    Beautiful photography!! Looks like you guys had a fantastic trip!!

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  20. What amazing pictures! Seeing so many places by car is such a great experience and your pictures always capture such wonderful moments!

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  21. What beautiful pics! I love how you word things which is something I'm terrible at. You have such an optomistic view on life and it truly rubs off on others. Thanks for sharing!

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  22. Awesome photos. We've rafted the Gully before, it is a total rush. We're going to have to do the climbing next time.

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  23. Amazing photos! You look so happy and such awe inspiring scenery.

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