Day 19…Minnesota family visit….Today is our 5000th post!!!…Four days and counting…

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Rookie, Tom, and I, and Joe Soucheray. It was such fun visiting the guys and participating in the podcast.

We are still reeling after our delightful experience visiting Joe Soucheray and the crew for our podcast a few days ago. Even now, as we reflect, it feels like one of those rare moments in life that lingers just a little longer than expected. The kind you carry with you as you move through the next days, smiling to yourself each time it comes to mind.

If you didn’t have an opportunity to listen to it, please click here for our post with the link. It was such a joy to be there, to share our story, and to feel so welcomed by Joe and the entire team. There are no words to fully express our gratitude for the warm and wonderful responses we received afterward. Messages poured in from our loyal readers, along with countless new readers who discovered us through the podcast and took the time to explore our website.

We did our best to respond to every comment, every message, every kind word that came our way. If we missed you, please accept our sincere apologies and know how deeply we appreciate your support. Each note meant more to us than we can adequately describe. It is this connection, this shared sense of curiosity and kindness, that keeps us moving forward, writing post after post, day after day, year after year.

As it turns out, we recently marked our 5000th post since we began this journey on March 15, 2016. Click here for that first post! Seeing that number stopped us in our tracks for a moment. If we had written every single day since we started, we would have reached 5196 posts by now. But in those early years, as we were finding our footing in this new way of life, we did not always write daily. There were also times when life intervened, as it so often does. Medical issues slowed us down, long travel days left us too weary, and in those earlier times, unreliable WiFi sometimes made posting impossible. Thankfully, some of those challenges have become less frequent, but they are still part of the story.

Last night brought another special moment as we met up with Tammy, Vincent, TJ, Sarah, and Jayden at Texas Roadhouse in Shakopee, Minnesota, just a short drive from here. Walking into the restaurant, hearing familiar voices, and sharing a meal together felt like stepping into a pocket of comfort and joy. There is something so grounding about sitting around a table with people you care about, laughing, catching up, and simply being present. We had a fantastic time and are already looking forward to seeing them again on our final night here, Monday, at TJ and Sarah’s home for a barbecue.

And now, today holds yet another long-awaited visit. For the first time since we arrived, we are finally making it to Billy’s Bar and Grill in Anoka, Minnesota, for Tom’s weekly family gathering at this fun bar and restaurant. On the way, we will stop in Blaine to pick up two of Tom’s sisters, Colleen and Patty, who will ride along with us. This will be the first time we have seen Tom’s siblings and other family members since we arrived on May 16. It is hard to believe how quickly time has passed, especially considering how much of it was spent recovering from being sick with pneumonia.

Unfortunately, we will not have the opportunity to spend more time with them after today. In just four days, we will be boarding a flight to South Africa, beginning the next chapter of this journey that continues to unfold in ways we never could have imagined.

Wow. Even writing that feels surreal. We had better get packing.

We will be back with more tomorrow.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 5, 2016:

Last night, in Bali, as we exited the bedroom to make our cheese plate, we spotted this huge Nursery Web Spider. Although their bite may be painful, it apparently isn’t life-threatening.Tom was able to scoot it outside with the broom. No screaming. Just photos. For more photos, please click here.

Day 18…Minnesota family visit…Here’s our new, June 3, 2026, Garage Logic podcast!…

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6/3 The traveling Lymans live in studio today

To listen to yesterday’s live podcast at Garage Logic, when we were invited as guests, please click the above link entitled, “6/3 The traveling Lymans live in studio today.”

To listen to the four-year-old podcast, please click here.

It could not have felt more familiar or more joyful than yesterday, when we walked back into the podcast recording studio to appear once again as guests on the widely loved Garage Logic podcast, broadcasting from the KSTP TV studios in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota. Four years had somehow slipped by since our last visit, and yet the moment we stepped inside, it felt as though no time had passed at all.

With road construction weaving through the city like an unpredictable maze, we chose to leave earlier than necessary, not wanting to risk being late for the 11:45 arrival before the noon start. There is something comforting about arriving early, about sitting for a moment and taking it all in before the energy of a live show begins. The studio, with its quiet hum before airtime, held that familiar sense of anticipation.

Joe and the crew greeted us in a way that only genuine people can. There were enthusiastic handshakes, warm hugs, and wide smiles that made us feel not just welcome, but truly remembered. It is a rare and special thing to return to a place after several years and be received with such openness. In that moment, any lingering nervousness simply faded away.

Sitting down in the studio again brought back a flood of memories from our last appearance. Back then, we had come with a different set of experiences, a different chapter of life behind us. Now, after years of travel, unexpected detours, and recent health challenges, we carried new stories, new reflections, and perhaps a deeper appreciation for simply being present.

We had come prepared, of course. Notes were tucked neatly away, ideas we thought we might share, points we believed we should remember. But as the conversation began, those notes stayed exactly where they were. Joe has a remarkable gift as an interviewer. His questions are thoughtful and engaging, unfolding naturally in a way that invites conversation rather than performance. One question led to another, each one opening the door to stories we had not even planned to tell.

The pace of the conversation felt effortless. It moved along with an ease that made time slip by unnoticed. The rest of the crew joined in seamlessly, adding their own questions and perspectives, creating a lively and welcoming exchange. There was laughter, reflection, and that comfortable sense of being part of something shared rather than something staged.

For a brief moment, we allowed ourselves to feel something we rarely claim. The way they welcomed us back, the genuine interest in our journey, and the kindness in their responses made us feel, in the most humble sense, like we mattered in that space. Not in a grand or exaggerated way, but in a simple, human way that felt deeply meaningful.

As the hour came to an end, it was hard to believe how quickly it had passed. What began as a scheduled appearance turned into an experience that felt both grounding and uplifting. Walking out of the studio, we carried with us not just the memory of the conversation, but the warmth of reconnecting with people who create something special every single day.

It is moments like these that stay with you. Not because of any spotlight, but because of the connection, the storytelling, and the shared laughter that remind us why these experiences matter so much.

We truly could not have enjoyed it more.

With only five days remaining until we depart for South Africa, we are holding these meaningful moments with family close, knowing how quickly this time will pass. Each day feels full in a way that is both comforting and a little bittersweet.

Last night, we gathered with Greg, Heather, Miles, and Madighan for dinner at Pizza Luce in Eden Prairie. Sitting together, sharing a meal and easy conversation, reminded me how much I treasure these simple times. There is something about being around family that settles you, even when so much lies ahead.

Tonight, we will meet Tammy and Vincent, along with TJ, Sarah, and Jayden, at Texas Roadhouse. It will be the first time we have all been together, which makes it feel especially meaningful. we look forward to the laughter, the catching up, and the feeling of everyone in one place.

On Friday, we will head to Billy’s Bar and Grill to spend time with Tom’s siblings and other family members. Then Saturday morning brings Heather’s daughter Megan’s graduation party, another moment to celebrate and reflect on how quickly life moves forward.

Sunday will be quieter but just as special when my dear friend Chere stops by our hotel. We will sit together in the dining room and talk as if no time has passed, picking up right where we always do.

Before long, it will be time to leave. Two days later, on Thursday, we will arrive in Marloth Park, stepping into our next adventure while carrying all of these moments with us. The packing has begun.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 4, 2016:

An elaborate Hindu temple in Bali, at the beach. For more photos, please click here.

Day 17…Minnesota family visit…Off to do a podcast with Garage Logic…See past podcast here today…

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Fantastic interview at Garage Logic’s studio…

To listen to the 2022 podcast, please click the link above labeled “Fantastic interview at Garage Logic’s studio…“.

Today feels like a small milestone in the middle of a much larger journey. We are heading to the Garage Logic studio in Minneapolis for another podcast with Joe Soucheray and the crew, something that feels both familiar and entirely new at the same time. The last time we sat behind those microphones was May 6, 2022. Back then, we were coming out of our first and only bout with Covid-19, still a bit fragile, still finding our footing again.

It is strange how life circles back on itself. Here we are once again, recovering from illness, only this time it has been RSV and pneumonia that slowed us down. Different names, different symptoms, but the same feeling of trying to reclaim our energy and our sense of normalcy. Travel has always been such a big part of our lives, and this most recent cruise may very well have been our last big one. That thought lingers quietly in the background, not with sadness exactly, but with a kind of acceptance that comes from knowing seasons change whether we are ready or not.

I am especially grateful that we planned this podcast toward the end of our stay in Minnesota, six days before we depart for South Africa, which feels like just the right timing. It has given us the space we needed to rest, to heal, and to come back to ourselves slowly. Tom is no longer coughing, which in itself feels like a small victory worth celebrating. I am still dealing with an occasional cough, but it is manageable now. I will come prepared, with cough drops tucked into my bag and a bottle of water close at hand, just in case.

There is something comforting about returning to the Garage Logic studio. It is not just about the conversation, the microphones, or even the listeners. It is about connection. It is about sitting down with people who have followed our story, who have shared in our ups and downs, and who understand that life rarely goes according to plan.

We are looking forward to giving them an update, to letting them know where we have been, what we have experienced, and what we plan for the future.

We thought it might be fun to revisit the past as well. Today, we have posted the podcast from four years ago, as shown above, a snapshot of who we were at that moment in time. Listening back, I am sure we will hear traces of both fatigue and resilience. It will serve as a reminder of how far we have come, even when the path has not been easy.

The new podcast will follow tomorrow, and there is excitement in that. It feels like turning a page, like stepping forward once again. For those who want to listen sooner, it will be available on YouTube at no charge today after 3:00 pm CST. We love that it is accessible to anyone, anywhere, a way to stay connected no matter the distance.

As we get ready to walk into that studio today, I find myself feeling thankful. Thankful that we are well enough to go. Thankful for this opportunity again. And thankful for the listeners around the world who continue to share this journey with us.

We will be back tomorrow with all the details.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 3, 2016

This praying mantis in Bali actually looked at Tom while he took this photo. Good shot, Honey! He was as big as the palm of my hand. For more photos, please click here.

Day 16…Minnesota family visit…Great time at Miles’ graduation party…

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Our boy Miles. We are so proud of him.

It was a cold, rainy, and windy day, the kind that usually sends people retreating indoors, wrapping themselves in blankets, and canceling plans. But not this time. Not for Miles. Not for this milestone. Nearly one hundred invitees showed up, jackets zipped, hoods pulled tight, all determined to celebrate this moment with him. Something was comforting in that, a reminder that even the most uninviting weather cannot dampen the importance of family, connection, and shared joy.

Son Greg and granddaughter Madighan. For some odd reason, I can’t find the photos I took of Maisie Heather and Megan. We will add their photos next time we get together.

The tables were filled with an abundance of food that seemed to stretch endlessly. There were trays of meats and cheeses, salads, sandwiches, bowls of snacks, and desserts that looked as though they had been made with care and pride. Tom was in his own version of heaven. I watched him with a smile as he indulged in treats he so often avoids in our day-to-day lives. The highlight for him, without question, was the homemade strawberry shortcake prepared by our ex-daughter-in-law, Camille. Alongside that were potato chips and sweet snacks that he enjoyed without hesitation. For me, I stayed simple, picking at the meats and cheeses, content in my own way. It was hard resisting that cake, but I didn’t take a bite.

Miles and Madighan.

By the time we made our way back to the hotel close to 5:00 pm, neither of us had any desire for another bite of food. It was one of those rare and satisfying moments when you feel finished, not deprived, not overthinking, just done. We didn’t eat another morsel for the rest of the evening, and it felt perfectly fine.

A photo of Miles, me, and Greg at a Minnesota Twins ballgame a few years ago.

What made the day truly special, though, was being surrounded by family. Seeing our son Greg again always brings a sense of grounding, and it was lovely to spend time with his girlfriend, Heather, and her daughter, Megan, whose graduation party we’ll attend next Sunday. And then there were our three grandchildren, Maisie, Miles, and Madighan, each one growing into their own lives in ways that make us proud. They sat with us at times, talking easily and sharing pieces of their lives, while also moving in and out of the party’s busy energy.

This was only a small portion of the food.

One of the most fascinating touches of the day was the setup for what they called “dirty sodas.” I had heard of them in passing, but this was my first time seeing such an elaborate display. There were cans of soda lined up on ice, along with flavored syrups and cream, all ready to be mixed and customized. It seemed to be the latest trend among the younger crowd, and they embraced it with enthusiasm. We chose not to try one, content to observe from the sidelines, but it was fun to watch their excitement as they created their own combinations.

For much of the party, Miles and his friends were immersed in lawn games, laughing and competing in that easy way young people do. The adults, on the other hand, gathered in small groups, conversations weaving in and out as stories were shared and connections renewed. Every so often, Miles would pause, step away from his friends, and come over to acknowledge us. Those small gestures meant more than he probably realizes.

The strawberry shortcake was the hardest item for me to resist, but I didn’t take so much as a taste.

Madighan and Maisie spent time sitting with us, chatting along with Greg, Heather, and Megan. It struck me how responsible all three grandchildren have become. Each of them has a job, has purchased their own car, and takes care of their own insurance. There is something deeply reassuring in seeing that level of independence at their age. Their futures look bright, and that thought stayed with me long after we left.

The drinks and supplies for making “dirty sodas.”

It was also a pleasure to catch up with Camille and hear about how well she is doing. Life moves forward in unexpected ways, but there was a genuine ease in our conversation, a sense that time has softened everything into something manageable and kind.

Daughter-in-law Camille and Tom.

By the time we returned to the hotel, the contrast between the cold outdoors and the warmth inside felt especially comforting. We changed into more comfortable clothes and settled in for a quiet evening, watching Survivor, Season 50. After the damp air and hours of conversation, my coughing continued, lingering from this illness that refuses to let go fully. Being warm and still brought a sense of relief.

It had been a full day, in every sense of the word. A day of family, of small indulgences, of laughter, and of reflection. That is enough for now. We will be back.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, June 1, 2016:

Low tide at the beach on a cloudy day in Bali. For more photos, please click here.