Time, Lakes, and Flying Dog Gates

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Time got away from me. I suppose it’s true what they say—time flies when you’re having fun. And Grapevine, Texas? It delivered.

We pulled into the RV park about a week ago, ready to reconnect with dear friends, and the setting couldn’t have been more perfect. Though the park was on the larger side, it was beautifully maintained and surprisingly private. Our site overlooked the lake and marina, with only one spot separating us from our friends.

Morning coffee with a view, evening laughter just a few steps away—it was the kind of week that fills your cup.

In between the joy, we checked off a few practical to-dos: refilled prescriptions, caught up on some business odds and ends, and did a little shopping (Amazon delivery was lightning fast here—dangerously so). And of course, we made a pilgrimage to Central Market, which always feels like a treat

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But the real magic was in the dinners. Long conversations, shared meals, and the kind of laughter that only happens when you’re with people who just get you. We talked about everything—hot-button topics included—and left each evening feeling seen, heard, and grateful. I hope our paths cross again soon, somewhere down the road.

Not everything was sunshine and sangria, though. Poor Daisy girl sprained her hock and has been benched from her beloved frisbee games. It felt especially cruel to have that gorgeous lake view and no way to chase joy across it. She’s on a two-week rest plan with meds and snuggles, and we’ll be finding another vet soon to make sure she’s healing well.

The highlight of the week? Duckie came to visit. It’s been three weeks on the road—my longest stretch ever without seeing my daughter—and having her here was pure joy. She even joined us for our final dinner with friends, which turned into a Swiss Raclette night (a first for our family). If you aren't familiar, it's similar to a fondue event with a shared, table-top grill - a wonderful & fun dinner event. It was one of those evenings where food, laughter, and connection swirl together into something unforgettable.

The next morning, we hit the road again—with Duckie following behind. And thank goodness she was, because not long after a particularly jarring bump on the freeway in Dallas, our entire collection of dog gates—twenty panels in total—launched themselves into traffic.

According to Duckie, they fanned out across four lanes like some kind of canine-themed confetti. Hilarious in hindsight, but also terrifying. She managed to dodge most of the debris, though one panel did meet its end beneath her tires (and everyone else’s). We considered going back, but playing Frogger on the LBJ Freeway didn’t seem like the wisest move. No news reports followed, so we’re choosing to believe all was well.

Before We Lost the Gates

Dallas itself was... eye-opening. After passing what felt like an endless stream of suburban developments, Rob turned to me and asked, without a hint of irony, “What are all these people doing? Chasing the American Dream, working themselves to death to keep up with the Joneses—for what?” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Maybe next they sell their house, buy an RV, and go live the next chapter.”

It was a good reminder. The traffic, the noise, the indifference—it all makes you want to choose differently. And we have.

We’re now parked at our third lake in four weeks, this time at a small, more residential campground. It’s not quite our vibe, but it’s the perfect base for what comes next: the land hunt. We wasted no time—scratched two properties off our list today. But the third one? It might be something special.

Tonight, we’ll sit with it. Make our lists. Dream a little. And tomorrow, I suspect, there will be more to share.

Next Up: Tour of Twenty-Six Magical Acres

The third property we visited made us pause, breathe deeper, and wonder if maybe, just maybe, the land is calling us home. It’s got something special. Not flashy. Not perfect. But soulful. And tonight, we’re making lists and dreaming big. Stay tuned.