When I first brought up the possibility of a five day RV trip, to Oregon, with some of my friends, she looked at me as if I had just sprouted horns from my head. “Sooo…” she replied, narrowing her eyes, “you want to take a vacation without me?” “Aha..ha..ha,” I chuckled. “No, no, this isn’t a vacation, this is work.” Boy, did that get a laugh out of her. Haha… Eventually, I was able to put some thoughts into words and she and I had some very heartfelt conversations about the trip.  The last couple of years have been extremely stressful for me and I was feeling burnt out and used up to some degree.  We both agreed that having a chance to take off some the many hats that I wear on a daily basis, and just be Aaron for a few days, would not only be good for me but for all of the family in the long run.  It really made the trip that much more meaningful for me to have her understanding and support.

So the five of us were off to Oregon, where we explored the coast and basically any road we could get the RV down.  But it was truly the second day of the trip, when we arrived at Ecola State Park, that this trip began to have the effects that I had hoped for.  There, early in the morning, something about that sunrise was so utterly beautiful to me that I found myself just wandering around, content not to have any real purpose but to just find what new beauty lied around the next corner.  I could literally feel a peacefulness wash over me.

The next couple of days were filled with amazing landscapes (that I took way too many pictures of) and late nights of Heads Up that reminded me that my pop culture knowledge needs some work … 🙂

In the end, it was just what my mind, body and soul needed.  A chance to recharge and to be inspired again by the beauty that is all around us.

If you have a chance, check out the work of my good friends who were with me on the trip: Mike Olbinski, Jay Worsley, Jason Williams, and Andrew Fleming.  All amazing artists in their own right.  Also check out the two films of the trip at the end of this post.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a huge thanks to my amazing wife Marisa, who has always been my biggest champion. Marisa, your tireless support, your willingness to take the road less traveled, even if it means uncertainty, and setting aside your fears, has made all the difference.  I love this journey we are on together, I can’t wait to see what awaits us around the next bend.