It’s a little house on a hundred acres of oak forest. A canyon built like a cradle where, over 31 months, I’ve clambered, climbed and connected.
I fell in love here.
Today has been my last day on the ranch. We’re moving 3000 miles across the country to another forest and another home, starting tomorrow.
Leaving this place is saying an extended goodbye to a kind, gentle, and lavishly generous friend.
Tonight, Marty and I walk the property, marveling as though for the first time at the way the sun slides golden up the hillsides in the evening. We crunch oak leaves beneath our feet. We track a bear by the road.
When we return home, small lights brighten the path to our house and there’s a happy glow inside. Our family’s in there. The dogs streak ahead because they’ve sensed their Karen is nearby. What greater cause for celebration? Inside, they’ll leap and grin and tell her, “What things we’ve seen! We have so much to tell you!”
I’ve moved a lot in my life, but leaving a place has never felt quite like this. I’ve never felt the land love me back like it does here.
Tomorrow the morning light will slide down the canyon wall and illuminate the valley. I won’t be here, but that moving strip of gold and the smells and sounds of the place are going nowhere. They’re timeless. They’re mine.
Karen and I will climb into Sappho the Sapphire Subaru, along with Bilbo Baggins and Claire, in the early morning and embark on a new life. Slide eastward across the continent, towards dawn.
I don’t know what we’ll find on our journey, before we meet up with Adam and Marty in our new home town. But the journey is a place all of its own, and we’ll arrive shouting, “What things we’ve seen! We have so much to tell you!”
See you on the road, folks. Thanks for reading.
This article originally appeared on Rowan’s Wild Inventures substack newsletter. To subscribe and get all Rowan’s posts in your inbox, head over to Wild Inventures on substack now.
That’s a lovely way to say goodbye. Safe travels to you all.
Belated thanks, Mary!
Safe travel thoughts and prayers for you and Karen. I don’t know what your path will be to your new home. My son Ross and I did a road trip to DC from Texas. While he drove I looked up local diners or restaurants along our route. Met great people and had such a great time enjoying the beauty. You will collect more stories for your memory treasure bank. Delicious light writing awaits.
Beautiful, Ro. Much love and safe passage.
xoxo
Hi Ro,
So much love in this post. Farewells pull on the heart strings and remind us of the good memories we’ve made – and point to the intriguing unknown future. The photos are beautiful. Ultreya!
It’s a beautiful drive East, into all the new beginnings. Anytime you see a shabby diner or food stop with lots of cars in the parking lot, that’s the place to eat. Follow the locals.
Safe travels Rowan, what a moving tribute to a place that has loved you so well.
Your family gives me immeasurable insight into choosing paths for ourselves. We get to create our own journeys and stir the pot of our own sought after magic. I find delight in all of you. Exciting indeed!
What a beautiful way to honour this place. Sending love as you say goodbye to your home. Looking forward to tales of your adventures from the road.
Truly beautiful Ro! I could smell the air and feel the depth of connection! Safe travels.
Safe and vivid travelling, my love. xxxxxx
“I’ve never felt the land love me back as it does here”
What a gorgeous line. I can’t wait to feel this way someday!!
Have a wonderful road trip! Some of my best times ever were on road trips…
May you find unexpected delights in the way and a place you’ll adore at journey’s end…
So georgeous ♡
“I’ve never felt the land love me back like it does here.” <3 <3 <3 Safe journey, Ro!
notes…
So glad you got to experience “California” in the most beautiful way.
As the season turns, it seems a perfect time to transition.
Releasing and turning toward the new with love and beloveds.
Oh beautiful Rowan. I feel all the feels reading this. Go well love and look forward to going along for the ride on your words. X Amanda
what lovely things indeed!
joy takes such courage, I quiver reading your post
My reply, this humble bow