Our new post is live as you can see!…Fun sports night at Jabula…Check out this starter platter!…

Last night at Jabula, three sturdy-looking guys ordered the above four-person starter for Zar 575 (US $35.24). I couldn’t stop looking at it and drooling, but in my entire life, I would never have eaten all that fried food.

No words can describe how relieved I am that our new site is almost finished. For many months, a quiet but persistent worry lingered in the back of my mind, the possibility that our old site could suddenly crash and disappear. After all these years of writing, sharing, and documenting our lives, the thought of losing it all felt overwhelming. That concern stayed with me day after day, never quite leaving, always reminding me that something needed to be done.

And now, after it finally went live last night, I feel a sense of relief that is difficult to put into words. It is as if a heavy weight has been lifted, one I had grown so accustomed to carrying that I almost forgot what it felt like to be without it.

You may ask, why didn’t I do this sooner? It is a fair question, and one I have asked myself more than once. The answer is not simple, but it is honest.

For two and a half months, we were cruising, moving from place to place with a very poor WiFi signal. At times, it was nearly impossible to accomplish even the simplest online task, let alone begin a project of this magnitude. A redesign like this requires focus, consistency, and reliable connectivity, none of which were available to me during that period.

Then came the month we spent in Minnesota for Miles’ graduation. That time was meaningful and important for many reasons, but unfortunately, it was also when we were both very ill. Being diagnosed with pneumonia took everything out of me. There were days when I could barely think straight, let alone concentrate on technical decisions or creative input. My only goal during that time was to recover, one day at a time.

Following that, we spent two months in New Zealand and Tasmania. In those beautiful surroundings, one might think inspiration would come easily, but oddly enough, I struggled to find the motivation to begin. Perhaps it was the exhaustion from being sick, or simply the mental weight of knowing how much work lay ahead. Whatever the reason, the project remained untouched, sitting in its precarious state, waiting.

Finally, the time came for both my web guy and me to fully commit to getting it done. I must give credit where it is due. He did at least ninety-five percent of the work. With over five thousand posts and thousands upon thousands of photos to transition, this was no small task. The sheer volume alone is difficult to comprehend. My role, in comparison, was much smaller. I selected the design, reviewed pages, and spent many days going back and forth with him, making changes, corrections, and adjustments as we moved along.

Even now, it is not 100% complete. There are still a few changes we want to make, some small refinements, font changes, photo changes, and final touches that will bring everything together. We expect to complete those over the next few days, and I imagine that by Wednesday, it will truly feel finished. I suggested our web guy take Sunday off after working so hard.

During this process, I also took the opportunity to update our old “About Us” page. It felt like the right time to refresh that section and reflect on where we are today after all these years of travel. In addition, I asked our web guy to add a new feature that I am especially excited about. On the upper-right side of the main page, you will now find a link titled “Our Videos.” This will take you to every video we have made since we began traveling the world in 2012. This was never available on our old site, and I believe it adds a whole new dimension to the stories we share.

As you browse through the new site, you may notice a few differences. Some things may have moved, others may look slightly different, and it is even possible that something you were used to seeing is no longer there. If you notice anything missing or not quite right, I would truly appreciate it if you let me know. You can reach me via my email address listed at the top of the page.

Your feedback has always meant a great deal to us, and it continues to help us improve.

Most of all, I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued readership. Many of you have been with us for years, following along as we navigate this unusual and often unpredictable lifestyle. Your support, your messages, and your kindness have never gone unnoticed.

We sincerely hope you will find our new site easy to use, enjoyable to read, and a place you will continue to visit as we move forward on this journey.

Be well.

Photo from ten years ago today, July 12, 2016: