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Tuesday, February 5, 2019

Journey to Arizona has begun!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my husband and I are walking and biking to Arizona from our home which is about 280 miles.  The quilt I started tonight represents our journey.

The white section represents the first 10 miles of the trek which took place December 23rd.  Each white log is one mile.  The yellow squares between them represent my husband walking alone.  It took him 3 hours and 5 minutes.  When he began this journey he had no idea that I would want to join him.  He has since come to realize that logistically I need to join him.

The black section represents our journey on January 5 and the next 10 miles.  The purple squares mean we walked together.  It took us 3 hours and 9 minutes, and we walked at a speed of 3.54 mph.  It was a cloudy day with the temperature being about 25 degrees F.  I was a little surprised at how hard this section was for me.  We were on a dirt road, which is easy walking, but about mile 7 I started to hurt.  My hips, thighs, and feet were really feeling it.  I was shocked!  I came to realize that age is not in my favor for this journey, and my body is not as young as it used to be.  Each of us rated our experience on a scale from 1 to 10 with 10 being the best.  I gave this section a 4.  I really earned that 4 in those last three miles.  I honestly limped around for a week afterwards.  

Hubby rated it a 6.  His first section alone he rated a 5, so he definitely came up.  He is dealing with old injuries that make walking more difficult.  Many years ago he had a barn wall fall on him that had a grain bin full of grain attached to it.  His ankle had to be pinned.  Within the last 5 years he nearly cut off his big toe with a chain saw and had to have it pinned.  For now, his ankle doesn't really bend like it should and neither does his toe on the other foot. Once we get through the next 14 miles we will be biking most of the rest of the way which will be easier on him.  




I will be getting out my Bernina and embroidering some words on the solid white and solid black logs.  I want to tell small details of our trip there such as the date and other details I want to remember.

A wonderful thing has happened on this journey; we have grown closer.  We are fresh, new empty nesters and are trying to rediscover ourselves as a couple again without kids.  Years of raising a family together have made me realize that I focused too heavily on the kids and not enough on my husband.  My advice to the young generation is to ALWAYS focus more on each other.  Doing that will benefit the kids as well.  This trek has brought us so close.  Phone calls, television, and work do not intrude on our time while we walk.  There is often no service on the trail, so we only talk to each other. I think that having this common goal is so good for us.  We have been married for 28 years and are still going strong.  We raised three amazing children and have welcomed two son-in-laws and 3, soon to be 4 grand children into our family.  I still think he is the best looking man in the world.

He did take a couple of photos of this part of the hike.  I am pretty short, only 5 ft tall.  You can see there is quite a gap in our heights.  Also, I had a few layers on to keep warm.  








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I got a good start on Jasmine, and so did my daughter.  The first photo is mine while the second is hers.  This was my daughter's first paper piecing experience.  I am amazed at what she has done.







I am linking up with:

MCM
Monday Making
Freemotion by the River



8 comments:

  1. Your daughter is doing a great job with the piecing. There are a lot of pieces to stitch in that block. The fabrics/ colours in your. Braid are lovely. It's going to be a great quilt.

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  2. Love ❤️ that’s Disney blocks! And thanks for continuing to share your Arizona journey and quilt progress. I enjoy keeping up on it.

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  3. Ps: im hoping to start my BOM project in March!

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  4. Your 'Journey to Arizona' quilt is going to be SO special! Adding in the details of your trip will make a wonderful memory quilt. I think it's wonderful you and hubby are taking that trip. As an empty nester myself, I couldn't agree more with you about how important it is to stay connected as a couple. Something that is easy to let go of when raising children and working demanding jobs. I look forward to seeing your quilt as it grows!

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  5. Your paper pieced block looks great! I think it is so neat that you and your husband are doing this journey! I know how surprising it can be to start walking and realize that your body isn't as strong as your mind thinks it should be. It sounds like this is such a wonderful time for you and your husband.

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  6. Good Morning! Your words about the walking together just gave me the chills, and how true it is that you need to focus on each other. I'm going to casually pass that on to my niece, and offer to give her and her husband some time to just go be together. With a sixteen month and a one month old, I suspect they could use a break and alone time. Jasmine is coming out fabulously for both of you! Great job to your daughter. I am SO impressed. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  7. Documenting your incredible journey in a quilt is brilliant! The trip itself sounds really challenging, but a great thing to do as a couple. Challenges like that are certainly more difficult as we get older.

    Your daughter has really grasped the paper piecing technique. She must have had a good teacher!!!

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  8. I love your idea of adding embroidered words to your braid logs... such a perfect addition and reminder. And yes, parenting changes our relationships with our partners and it is important to keep these strong as life changes... although this can be easier said than done!

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