Day 4, Ride Home, Roadside Finds and Roast Beef Glory!

Day FOUR of our 30th Anniversary trip... and I’m not ready for it to be over. 😭But oh my heart, what a sweet, slow, peaceful sendoff.

We slept until around 8ish (again!), and honestly? I think we could grow into this “slow morning life.” No alarms. No rush. Just stillness. Brandon might not believe it after calling yesterday and saying, “Mom, I didn’t even know you COULD sleep that late!” 😂But here we are, breaking records and catching zzz’s.

Breakfast was light and lovely:

🍉 Watermelon, 🍈 cantaloupe, 🍍 pineapple for me.

🥜

🍞 PB&J toast for Kevin. Simple. Sweet. Just right.

Of course, we checked in on our sweet Honey Bunny, who’s still recovering from her “lady surgery.” Her mom said she’s doing okay, but not quite her bouncy, tail-wagging self yet. Healing takes time, even for a floppy-eared warrior. 🐶💕

We had a short Bible study and prayer time because most of it actually happened last night since we knew today would be a travel day. Even on the go, we want to stay grounded in the One who holds our every moment. ✨

Then we soaked up some last-day poolside peace, just over an hour of quiet sunshine. It was warm and overcast, the perfect setting for what I’m now calling “cloudy rays.” No splashing. No noise. Just rest and reflection. ☁️☀️

After a shower and some refreshing, we hit the road with one last adventure in mind:

Wears Valley + roadside treasure hunting. 

🛻Kevin was on the hunt for shed signs, and boy, did he find them.

🪧 Some vintage-style advertising signs

🚘 A couple of super cool license plates

🔤 I grabbed a little nameplate for myself. Not flashy. Just felt right.

I didn’t find a ton that caught my eye this time, but honestly, I just loved the wandering. The browsing. The “hey, look at this!” kind of joy.

And then... we made our final stop of the trip:

Jessica’s. AGAIN. Because let’s be honest, once you find something that hits, you don’t mess with it.

🥪 I got my usual: the roast beef sandwich of absolute glory. Add in the homemade potato chips, and I had to slow down and thank the Lord right there at the table. 😂

Finally, we headed home, back to:

🐾 Tipper (watchful and wise)

🐾 Felix (unbothered and napping)

🐾 Jackson (full snuggle mode, no questions asked)

🐾 Whiskie (already causing chaos with a dramatic tail flick)

We unpacked, started laundry, tackled the mail mountain, mowed the lawn, and dashed some dinner.

And now? I’m sitting here tired but grateful. Sun-warmed. Soul-filled. Heart-soaked in thankfulness.

Thank You, Jesus.

For 30 years of shared life and grace.

For hard things that refined us.

For laughter that brought us back.

For children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

For the fur babies.

For the home You’ve built in our hearts.

For Kevin still loving me and letting me keep on being a little "extra."

For love that stays and grows and chooses again, and again, and again.

Here’s to the next 30!

Full of roadside stops, roast beef sandwiches, cloudy rays, and daily mercy.

Still smiling,

Still full,

Still absolutely Yours,

~ Melissa 💕