Many homes in the desert have tiny lots and are stacked one atop another. With the fast-growing population of Las Vegas, these types of houses are selling quickly.

On and off over the past almost five years of travel, we’ve entered the US a few times for brief periods. Once was for three days in September 2014 when a cruise ended in Boston. We stayed for three nights to visit with my then 95-year-old Uncle Bernie and Cousin Phyllis. Hopefully, we’ll see them again when he turned 100 in 2019.


On a few other occasions, we boarded a few cruises out of Florida,  staying over only one night, which will again occur in these next few years based on upcoming bookings we already have in place.

The long drive to Susan’s finds me in remote desert locations.

Stopping in the US for these few nights over a multi-year period isn’t quite the same as for those who may come and go from the US or their home country, stopping to take care of a home, an apartment, or a condo providing an opportunity to repack, regroup and “take care of business.”

For us, the journey is contiguous. We have no storage, no clothing anywhere, to which we can return and attain that sense of regrouping that many travelers undertake when traveling the world. 

“Cookie Cutter” homes behind the noise-reducing wall of Highway 215 in Las Vegas.

Of course, that’s not to say that their experiences while traveling the world are diminished in any manner or less significant than anyone else maybe. The difference is purely one of convenience and a psychological impact. Long ago, we accepted that we have no home or no such place to stop to regroup.

Even staying in Richard’s home (the first private home where we’ve parked ourselves since early 2013 when we stayed with friend Carol in Boca Raton, Florida for a few nights), although ideal, in its myriad comforts and easy conveniences, it’s still his home. 

The heat and dust create a haze over the desert, often impeding views of the mountains.

Now, with only eight days until we depart Nevada, we find ourselves switching mental gears to a degree but not as much as one may surmise after these two months in the US. The foray into visiting family and friends never really felt like we were “home.”

Oddly, the barrenness of the desert has a certain appeal.

During these past months, many have asked, “How does it feel to be home?” Quickly and without a lot of explanation, we’ve said, “Great!  It’s wonderful to see everyone!” 

But on each occasion when we’ve been asked this question in each other’s presence, Tom and I have locked eyes, if only for a second, with the mutual understanding that “home” for us is another place, wherever that place may be at the moment.

Don’t we humans usually refer to “home” as the place where we’re settled at any given time with our most immediate family, whether it be a spouse or significant other, children living at home? 

Red Rock Casino and Hotel I pass on my way to visit sister Susan three times a week.

I often cringe when I hear partners in meaningful relationships refer to “home” as some distance location where they grew up, as opposed to where their most immediate family resides at present.

If we had a condo in Scottsdale, Arizona, or Palm Beach, Florida, living in a “55 and over” neighborhood, wouldn’t that be our home? Oh, I suppose for most, it’s merely a matter of semantics, but for us, it’s a powerful message.

It’s unusual how the rock is terraced to created navigable lots for the expensive homes with views of the Las Vegas Strip.

That message is clear to us to feel rooted and at peace wherever we may live…” home” is where we are living at any given moment, together as a team, as we continue to travel the world with ease, joy and simplicity” as clearly stated in the heading on our home page, basically our slogan, our mission, our intent.

The concept of “home is where the heart is” doesn’t negate or diminish the love and powerful emotions we feel for those that live in places that we don’t. That love follows along with us wherever we may be at any given time. It resides in our hearts, not within the walls of any property we may occupy throughout the world.

Homes in the terraced hills in Henderson.

As so, as the time approaches for us to be on our way, we do so with peace of mind and contentment over the nine weeks we’ll have spent in the US in 2017. 

This period was a step along the way, a stopping point in our world journey, leaving us with an enhanced sense of “home is where the heart is,” which always will remain with us along with the memories we gleaned during these nine weeks, as we continue. 

May you find fulfillment wherever your home may be

Photo from one year ago today, July 24, 2016:

One year ago, this was our private vacation home in Rawai, Phuket, Thailand. For more photos, please click here.