As I write this, it is December 2022 -- many years after the end of our Epic Adventure. After our trip wrapped up, Andrew and Ben each headed off to college. A couple years later, TJ left for college and majored in Recreation Management -- his major being a direct result of the influence from our trip. Also, we moved to Big Bend National Park -- another direct result of the influence from our trip. Then two years later Daniel started working in Terlingua as a river guide -- yet another direct result of the influence from our trip. We now live in Amarillo, Texas; Joseph is in a specialized college program this year, and Jonny is in his last couple years of high school. The kids have pretty much grown up.
We nearly didn't put forth the effort of making the trip happen, and there were times when it was tough and we wanted to give up. However, there is not one ounce of regret from us for what we did. It was our last year that we all lived together as a nuclear family, and I feel that the final bonding that occurred within our family made it all worthwhile. In the years since our Epic Trip, the boys have all gone off in their separate directions, spreading out all over the state, throughout the country, and even across the globe. But no matter where we each might venture in life, we all share many wonderful memories from our Grand Adventure. To quote the poet and playwright Oscar Wilde:
"Live life with no excuses, travel with no regret."
