• Trek #2, Day 7: An Unexpected Day in Salt Lake

    Day 7 took us to Salt Lake City in hopes of finally getting the van fixed. We left the camper behind with Grandma and Grandpa Davies in Talmage and headed to the Ford dealership first thing in the morning. After a few days of warning lights and uncertainty, we were ready for answers. Unfortunately, after…

  • Trek #2, Day 6: Family Ties

    Trek #2, Day 6: Family Ties

    Day 6 carried us over the Rocky Mountains and into Utah, adding another chapter to both the journey and the family reunion tour that has quietly become part of this PCS. The drive itself was beautiful. As we wound our way through Colorado, we passed through Steamboat Springs, a place both Sam and Zed agree…

  • Trek #2, Day 5: Back to the Beginning

    Trek #2, Day 5: Back to the Beginning

    Day 5 brought the Davies Herd to a place that played a major role in both Sam and Zed’s story: the United States Air Force Academy. The drive to Colorado Springs was a trip down memory lane in more ways than one. As we made our way from Manhattan, Kansas, to the Air Force Academy,…

  • Trek #2 Day 4: Thrills and Together Time

    Trek #2 Day 4: Thrills and Together Time

    Day 4 was all about roller coasters, laughter, and spending the day together. We headed to Six Flags St. Louis and packed as many rides as possible into our time there. One thing that struck me throughout the day was how different this season of life feels. Years ago, amusement parks meant splitting up. Some…

  • Trek #2, Day 3: Faith & Family

    Trek #2, Day 3: Faith & Family

    Today was a different pace from the first two days of Trek 2. Instead of making miles west, we made an out-and-back trip to Nauvoo, Illinois, to visit sites important to the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For Sam, it meant resuming her role as passenger princess. With Zed behind…

  • Trek #2, Day 2: Cousins, Critters, and Camper Life

    Trek #2, Day 2: Cousins, Critters, and Camper Life

    Day 2 started with Sam and the littles making a stop to visit a family we were stationed with during our Germany years. Military life has a way of scattering people across the globe, but every now and then routes align and you get the chance to reconnect. Dax and Zoe immediately headed for the…

  • Trek #2, Day 1: Southbound to Sevierville

    Trek #2, Day 1: Southbound to Sevierville

    The second leg of the Great Alaskan Adventure is officially underway. Before the convoy ever left Maryland, there was already a story to tell. Sam volunteered to pick up lunch for everyone before departure. Due to construction, the only practical parking option near the sub shop was a parking garage. The Bronco, loaded with bikes…

  • Passing the Guidon

    While much of The Davies Herd’s Great Alaskan Adventure has involved family members scattered across the continent, this week brought something special: The herd was reunited. After Zed and the middles established operations in Alaska, the Disney Davies completed their Florida adventure, and Sam wrapped up time on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, all six members of…

  • One Last State

    One Last State

    Anyone who knows Dax knows he loves a good list. If something can be checked off, he’s interested. One of his long-term goals has been visiting all 50 states, and as we prepared for move #7, the kids had visited 47. Only Maine, Alaska, and Hawaii remained. With Alaska about to become home, we realized…

  • Four Years, Countless Memories

    Four Years, Countless Memories

    As the Davies Herd prepares to head north to Alaska, it’s hard not to look back on the last four years and marvel at everything that happened between arrival and departure. Four years ago, we arrived in the National Capital Region from what we still consider one of the most incredible assignments of our careers:…