My Year of Traveling, Part 2

We had planned a big trip - the trip of a lifetime. We had one small window in which we had the opportunity to do what we'd always wanted to do: take several months where we weren't tied down to anything and travel the country, researching my school curriculum. My husband is more realistic, and knew this was a great idea, but we probably couldn't pull it off. I, on the other hand, wanted it more than anything. I was sure we could do it. So we started making (tentative) plans.
Needless to say, it didn't work. Our house was on the market longer than we'd anticipated, and when it sold, it was the wrong time of year to go. We knew that once we moved and got settled in to a new job, we'd be stuck. The window closed. Maybe one day that chance will come back, but not when the girls are at this perfect age. I tried telling myself the trip hadn't been a for sure thing, but it was still a big blow.
So, partly in consolation for me losing out on my trip, partly because Erma was unhappy with the move and needed something positive and fun, and partly just because, we took a smaller (in comparison) vacation - to California.