I am constantly amazed at how quickly time passes. Part of me imagined life on the road would feel slower—and in some ways it does—but somehow the days still slip by just as fast. March was no exception.
Family Time in the Desert
We kicked off the month in the best way, with my parents coming to visit. It ended up being perfect timing with Derek heading to Denver for a work conference. We’re not used to having him gone for a full week, so having my parents here during that time felt like a gift.
My mom came out to the desert to stay with Trygg and me for a night. I loved getting to share our little corner of the world with her—showing her our favorite boondocking spot and the quiet, peaceful beauty that comes with it. It’s something that’s become so normal for us, but getting to see it through her eyes made it feel special all over again.
The next night, I stayed out there by myself… and if I’m being honest, I did not love it. I’ve learned that I really love this life, but I love it most when Derek and Trygg are right there with me.
The following morning, my dad and brother came out to help me move our Brinkley closer to everyone, which I was very thankful for. Later that day, my aunt and uncle, Sandy and Richard, arrived, and just like that, our quiet desert days turned into full, family-filled ones.
Not every moment was go-go-go, though. The next day, while everyone else headed out for a side-by-side ride, Trygg and I stayed back. He hasn’t been loving side by siding lately, so we took the slower route—laundry, errands, and some much-needed one-on-one time. Honestly, those quieter moments end up being some of my favorites.
Derek finally made it back early Saturday morning after a long, delayed travel day thanks to a snowstorm in Denver. We were all more than ready to have him home. The rest of the weekend felt like a deep exhale—filled with hiking, swimming, relaxing, and just being together.
Sandy and Richard headed home Sunday morning, and we made our way back to our favorite spot. A couple of days later, my dad and brother took off to Glamis for some time in the dunes, and my mom came back to stay with us in the desert. No big plans—just time together, soaking it all in.
A few days later, and far too quickly, it was time for my parents to head back to Minnesota. With snowstorms on the way, they decided to fly home and leave their rig behind for now—one more reminder of how unpredictable this lifestyle (and the weather) can be.
When Things Don’t Go As Planned
As we started settling back into our desert rhythm, we had our first real reminder that this lifestyle isn’t always sunsets and quiet mornings.
Our Brinkley experienced its very first rainstorm… and it did not go well.
We came home to find a large puddle of water on the kitchen floor, with water actually streaming out from under the cabinets. I just stood there for a second and said, “Why is the floor all wet?”
Without missing a beat, Derek responded, “I don’t know, Margo!” — if you know, you know.
Once the initial shock wore off, we jumped into problem-solving mode. We checked all the obvious things, plumbing, connections, drains, but came up with nothing. Meanwhile, the water wasn’t slowing down.
We ended up having to cut into the bottom of the kitchen cabinet base just to get things dried out as quickly as possible—not exactly how we imagined spending our evening.
Unfortunately, the rain kept coming through the night and into the next day… and so did the water.
By morning, it was clear this wasn’t something we were going to figure out on our own, so I called a local dealership and scheduled an appointment to get it looked at.
More on that to come…
New Friends & New Experiences
With no rain in the forecast, we felt comfortable sticking with our plan to head to Winterhaven, California for our first Full-Time Families event—and I am so glad we did.
Going into it, we really didn’t know what to expect. But it ended up being such a special week.
It was a smaller gathering—just 14 families—and we were one of only two new families. That ended up being perfect for us. It never felt overwhelming, and it gave Trygg the chance to really connect and play with so many of the kids.
One of the biggest highlights for me was simply watching Trygg in his element. He has such a natural way of connecting with people—it doesn’t matter who they are, he just finds a way to be their friend. One of the moms shared with me how much they all loved having him around, how easily he connected with every single kid. As a mom, hearing that filled my heart in a way that’s hard to put into words. I felt so proud of the kind, genuine person he is – it was one of those moments that just quietly fills your heart.
There was one night in particular that stuck with me. All the kids were out riding bikes and rollerblading around the campground, and it instantly took me back to what it felt like growing up in a neighborhood—just that freedom to roam and be with friends until the sun went down. It’s something Trygg wouldn’t have experienced back in Minnesota, and it made me so grateful for this lifestyle in a whole new way.
Another highlight was getting to connect with other families who truly understand this life—the challenges and the beauty of it. From navigating homeschooling on the road and finding meaningful opportunities for the kids to socialize, to dealing with the inevitable RV repairs that always seem to pop up at the least convenient times… it’s a life that stretches you in ways you never quite expect.
But it’s also a life filled with so much good. More time together as a family, unhurried and intentional. The chance to explore new places, wake up to different views, and follow wherever the road leads next. There’s a freedom in this lifestyle that’s hard to put into words—and being surrounded by others who get it made it all the more special.
We spent the week sharing meals, sitting around fires, swimming, and having the kind of conversations that just feel easy and understood.
And yes… it was hot. Really hot. Like 112-degree desert heat kind of hot. But even that couldn’t take away from what an incredible experience it was.
We’re already planning to attend another Full-Time Families event in September, and I love that we’ll get to see some familiar faces while also meeting new ones along the way.
Looking Ahead
It feels so strange to say that we’ve been in Arizona for a little over four months now. We’ve taken a few side trips here and there, but still… I can’t believe how quickly that time has gone by.
We have truly loved our time here. The sunshine almost every day, the mountain views, and the countless hours spent outside—it has been the most incredible way to spend our winter months.
But as much as we’ve loved it, we’re starting to feel the pull toward what’s next.
It’s time to begin planning our trip north so we can spend the summer in Duluth—soaking up time with my parents, getting back out on the water, and reconnecting with familiar faces we’ve missed so much.
I find myself just as excited for the journey getting there. We’re planning to explore a couple of new states along the way, and I can’t wait to make even more memories with my little family.
And for those who have been asking—we haven’t forgotten! I’ll be sharing another blog post soon with a full look inside our new Brinkley, along with plenty of pictures. It’s been so fun making it feel like home, and I can’t wait to show you.
This life we’ve chosen isn’t always easy—but it is ours, and it’s filled with so much more than we ever could have imagined. And through it all, we’re reminded that every challenge brings growth, every adventure adds to our story, and in the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take.
