5,000 Miles and Counting

This morning began quietly again—just before sunrise, as usual. I got up early in the RV, moved softly so as not to wake anyone, and prepared myself for the long day ahead. I knew today would be special. Today, I’d pass the 5,000-mile mark.

I stepped outside just before 6 a.m., into the calm and coolness of the morning. My first steps were along a gravel road, with the rising sun at my back lighting up the landscape in a golden glow. At one point, a skunk was waiting on the side of the road. It spotted me and slipped back into its hole—just one of those curious, quiet moments nature offers when you’re out there alone.

Once I crested that gravel road, I paused. The view stopped me in my tracks. In the distance: the Snake River winding its way through the land, and ahead of me, the road I’d follow for hours—running parallel to the interstate, through this vast open country.

Though I felt a bit tired, my body settled into the rhythm. I knew I had close to 39 miles ahead of me. There were a few picture stops—how could I not? Beauty was everywhere. At mile 14, I met up with my crew, then refilled on water and snacked on some energy bars. They headed off for a bit of sightseeing while I ran solo again, crossing through an underpass to the other side of the highway and onto a long, seemingly endless stretch through desert and steppe.

It was hot. The kind of heat that dries your mouth and makes the road shimmer. I was thirsty all the time and drank a lot. Eventually, my crew returned—perfect timing. I refilled on water one last time and took my final snack for the day. Ten more miles to go. The last push, under a fierce sun.

Crossing the Snake River again on a wide bridge just before entering Rupert was such a highlight. I love rivers—they always make me feel grounded and alive. Even better, a whole flock of sparrows flew out from under the bridge as I crossed. They danced all around me in the air, celebrating with me, it seemed. That moment made my heart light.

I reached Rupert just before 3 p.m. My crew greeted me with an ice-cold protein shake—pure heaven. After a quick stop for shopping, we made it to the RV park. Showers for everyone, laundry, and then I headed over to the adjacent gas station where the Wi-Fi was strongest to take care of my daily social updates and work.

Now, I’m getting ready for dinner and looking forward to a warm evening outside—hopefully a quiet celebration stroll by the river to honor this 5,000-mile milestone.

There’s still a long way to go—11,300 miles to be exact. But today, I pause to take it in: the beauty of the journey, the gift of this experience, and the incredible people supporting me every step of the way.

To my crew: you’re everything. You show up no matter what. We laugh, we push through, and we make this adventure the best it can be.

To everyone following along, sending love, cheering me on—thank you. I carry your energy with me every day.

Now let’s keep going. One step at a time. One sunrise at a time. One story at a time.

With love from Idaho, Andrea