We've Got Friends In Low Places

Relationships have always been key in my life, one of the things I absolutely value the most. I’ve been lucky enough to surround myself with many people who believe this same thing! It’s been awesome to put that value into practice by visiting so many of our closest friends and family during our travels. It has been an absolute joy reconnecting with people across the entire country. We have seen some people that I/we haven’t seen in many years and it’s always so great just to pick up where we left off. I’ve been reminded of the unique paths we all choose for our lives and primarily the paths that Tyler and I chose as we reconnect with people we’ve met in so many different stages of our lives: high school, college, mission trips, Teach For America, Phoenix, Hashing, and family. All of these relationships are different and bring something unique and enriching to our lives.

Successful relationships require work and sacrifice and we are so blown away by the amount of love and support we have experienced already on our trip! So many of our friends and family members have gone out of the way to host us, spend time with us, and provide for us in amazing ways! In 61 days, we have only spent $184.59 on housing and that is single handedly because of the willingness of our tribe to let us (including Diesel) stay with them! We’ve had friends pay us surprise visits *cough* Anne and LT *cough* Calendar Girl and Ballsy. We’ve had friends not allow us to pay for hardly anything *cough* Bill and Hali, Anne, The Ringwoods, Coney, Nathan, AJ, and Dr. Norwood. We’ve had friends cook home made delicious meals for us *cough* Megan and Lars, Dustin and Anne, Pete, Adam and Shasta, Rena and Matt, Nancy, Garrett and Katlyn, Wilma, Calendar Girl and Ballsy, Dad and Debbie, Jordan and Abbie, and Carol. We’ve had friends open up their homes to us even if they weren’t going to be there for part of them time *cough* Red and Goes, Teea and Jeramiah, Cumfy. We’ve had so many people welcome Diesel into their home *cough* Sis and Lars, Bill and Hali, the Ringwoods, Susan and Matt, Nancy and Dan, Red and Goes, Teea and Jeramiah, Adam and Shasta, Carol and Michael. We’ve had people just let us take over their homes like it was our own *cough* Carol and Michael, Adam and Shasta, Susan and Matt, Teea and Jeramiah, Amy Reynal, Sarah Walls. We’ve had people teach us new games, new recipes, new drink concoctions, new songs, and new hash traditions *cough* Anne and Dustin (rummy reminder), Jordan and Abbie (Fortnite), The Ringwoods (Pit), Jeramiah (Bang Ball), Bill and Hali (nicolaski shots), Jim Wilson (liar’s poker and quarters), Sis (world famous guacamole and kale salad), Jenna, Emma, and Jaime (new camp songs), the Shafers (sweet corn prepping), Wilma (homemade ice cream), boozy milkshakes (Adam @Damascus Brewery Restaurant), SHIT H3 (Wheel of Herpecles and a fun circle), Adam Wilson (all the poker games). We’ve had friends show us around or take us on some new adventures *cough* , Adelina and Zach (Vegas strippin’, cabana enjoyin’), Bill and Hali (amazing hike/run and everything Crested Butte), Whores, Sis and Lars (Rocky Mountain National Park hike and beautiful friends), Matt and Karly (Denny’s memorial ride), Matt and Susan (Pittsburg parks, rivers, and restaurants), The Ringwoods (Wilwood-dog friendly beach, escape room engagements, and family fun!), Skillet, Colette, Luke and Cory (the channels hike and Hidden Valley trail), Osama, CJ, Red and Goes, CG and Ballsy, AJ, and Shasta (4th of July shennanogans), Coney (beautiful hash through Central Park and many gifts after), Katie MacPeek (back road jeep ridin), Teea and Jeramiah (Sparta visit), Rena and Matt (dairy farm operations), Justine and Wes (kitchen bridges and old photo albums), Tess and Ellen (kid loving and playing time), Adelina and Deanna (wedding dress shopping in NYC), Jenna, Emma, Beau, Burger, and Woodson (river floating), Steven and Jaime (shotgunning at a 2 year old’s bday party), Sydney and Bren, Jordan and Fist It (kickass weddings), Anne, Dustin, and LT  (buggy ridin’ and water fall visitin’), Carol (Grand View tour, baseball game and High Trestle Trail bike ridin’), Dr. Titus (exclusive High Point tour), Samantha and Shauna (coffee date meetups), Elyse and Burger (concert freeloading and B.Bops)...

I know there will be many more memories made with old friends and new friends as we continue our travels! I wish I could better express my overwhelming gratitude for all the friends and family with whom we’ve already gotten to spend some time. Thank you all for giving up your time, your money, your house, your slobberless floors, your full vodka and whiskey bottles, and mostly your love for us! Please come meet us somewhere over the big water!

With all my love,

-Leah ‘Hot Pocket’ Wilson