We are back from our first extended RV road trip. The month of May and the early part of June proved to be great for RV travel to the Mid-Atlantic region of our country. Finding a rhythm of the road led us to understand the 3-3-3 rule, even if we did not follow it. Many in the RV community suggest that you travel no more than 300 miles per day and that you arrive at the next destination by 3:00 pm. And if you have time, stay at least three days in one location. As it turned out, we traveled 4,500 miles in 37 days in 14 states as we visited national historical sites and several national parks. We are now fully committed to future travels to the various regions of our country and the national sites described in the Collector's Edition National Park Passport book. 

We had a great time at New River Gorge National Park celebrating Mother's Day weekend with our son. A great adventure and a great visit. We "Walked the Bridge" catwalk. It's a thing. Check it out online. Tours are available from a National Park vendor near the Visitors Center just north of the bridge from Fayetteville, West Virginia. As we walked under the road surface on the steel catwalk, the New River flowed 850 feet below us. Yikes! It was a bucket list experience! We recommend the Outpost at New River Gorge as a great place to RV or camp in cabins or tent-platforms. We were entertained by two Bluegrass Music groups on their lawn area as the beginning of the summer music program. The town of Fayetteville, WV is very nice with good places to eat including the Cathedral Cafe.

Beginning a new week, we visited the Shenandoah National Park and its surrounding wine country. This area will see more of us in the future with longer visits with our son and daughter-n-love. They were our hosts for several days away near Winchester, Virginia. After a relaxing time with day hikes, coffee with my son, and family dinner in town, we ventured north for a Loop around the Mid-Atlantic. With historical stops in Pennsylvania at Harpers Ferry NP, Gettysburg National Battlefield, and Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, we drove south along the Eastern seashore. Crossing the Delaware River from New Jersey, we crossed into Delaware and found a beautiful lighthouse and beach at Fenwick Island. Then into Maryland and Ocean City for lunch. The Atlantic Ocean was beautiful and the sky was adorned with high clouds. 

The Cape Charles area of the Eastern Shore of Virginia deserves a longer stay. Our one day there was not long enough. The Chesapeake Bay is magnificent both in its calm sunny state and in its stormy squall state. We were delayed from crossing the Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel complex for nearly two hours due to high winds and heavy rain. Once cleared to cross, it was harrowing to say the least for these newbie RV enthusiasts. Our trip back across Virginia was rained soaked and so we missed stops at Colonial Willliamsburg and Richmond. We will have more opportunities to fill out our Collector's Book, but one stop we did make on this trip included Monticello. The home of Thomas Jefferson was brought to life by a wonderful tour guide and a very alive "Mr. Jefferson" portrayed by a gentlemen who told "his" story with great ease and remarkable accuracy.

We enjoyed parking the RV and being off the road for a few days in Afton, Virginia. We met our kids neighbors who hosted a very enjoyable dinner and gave us many tips for finding our way in the neighborhood. More drives through Shenandoah NP and drives both into and around Crozet and over the mountain to Waynesboro left us with a keen sense of belonging. We are very happy to call Virginia our home away from home.

A part of the polar vortex slipped southward this week, too far south. Cabin work slowed considerably as freezing temperature and a fierce north wind confined us inside making steel cut oatmeal, beef-tip stoup and chicken caldo. We did manage to hang window blinds and some temporary curtains to keep some of the cold outside. We will need to have our cabin underbelly spray insulated as the crawlspace cooled down considerably.

It has been a year since we purchased this cabin shell and began the journey of design, planning, and implementing the DIY interior finish out project. We moved into an unfinished cabin and every interior detail we complete seems like a major win! We will complete most of the planned work by mid-March. And then, we begin some travel.

We join my brother and his wife for a week of RV camping in late March. A trip to New Orleans is on the mid-April schedule and a return trip to the French Quarter Music Festival with dear friends. In May, we will travel for the month with a round trip to Virginia and time with the "kids." As cabin DIY work takes a back seat, we place certain exterior projects on the "later list."

Farm life is very good for our souls. Let me be clear, I am not a farmer. Laura and I live on a family farm and help when and where we can. Retirement is a very good thing for our souls. We chose to exit the faster, busier, and more expensive lifestyle of Austin and its ever-expanding metroplex. We landed in a very quiet setting fifteen miles from "town."  Our west window faces the oak trees lining the Papalote Creek which is mostly dry except for the rainy season (whenever that may happen again) and deer graze feet away from the cabin. A drive up to the cattle guard and our County Road mail box or to one of the other family residences is about as far as this soul needs to go. Unless it is a Sunday. And until it is time to travel.

In respect for ministerial colleagues as they continue to influence and persuade their congregations that loving God and loving neighbors (others) is still the mission of most Christians, I ponder a third phase of my ministry and to what and how that calling will lead. For now, we rest, pray, invest in family, and help our neighbors when and where we can.

Blessings to all of you friends. May the brilliant stillness of a morning sunrise or an evening sunset bring you peace. May the hurts you experience find healing balm at the hand of a very loving Lord. May a friend listen to what you may need to say. And may your wanderings be guided by an ever-growing sense of grace.

Along the Way with Laura and Paul (retired)

January 2025 and we are on Galveston Island visiting lifetime friends Larry and Colleen. We know no better way to begin retirement than to visit these two friends along the Way.

Our RV provides a glamping excursion of four nights at the Galveston Island Holiday KOA Campground. Larry, aka Dr. B on the Keys, is playing for one of the New Year's events here at the campground. A bit chilly with a fresh cool front, we bundled up and braved the elements to have multiple styled black eyed peas in a KOA guest potluck while listening to Larry play piano, sing, and occasionally throw in the harmonica to boot. 

Laura and I have relocated for retirement. Our Texas residence is located on a family farm in the country northwest of Sinton and south of Beeville. Corpus Christi is close enough. Actually, we shopped in Calallen this week bringing back some fond memories. Prior to clergy ministry, we lived here for eighteen years. Coming back home.

Home. That is an interesting concept. I will say more about what that means for us in future posts. For now, our home is where we are now. On the farm. With the Coastal bend family (Laura's siblings). We travel soon to Virginia to see our son and daughter-n-love. That beautiful area near the Shenandoah National Park is where they live. We hope to spend plenty of time coming and going from their place in summer and autumn RV trips.

Lots going on in the world.  Wind blown wild fires in the LA area. We pray for all those families impacted by that loss. The passing of a former President and amazing witness of faith, hope, and love. We mourn and remember with his family and with the country. Although I may not have a weekly pulpit to speak to these events and others, I hope that Laura and I can stay connected to each of you we love so much.

Along the Way with Laura and Paul Harris

Hi friends,

It is getting real. It being retirement. And it feels a bit exciting while also a bit unsettling. I was journaling this morning about all the routines that will stay the same and wondering about new things. I look forward to coffee time with Laura wherever we find ourselves: RV, Farm Cabin, On the Road, WorKamping, or Visiting The Kids (to clarify from here on out we are calling our son and daughter-n-love The Kids). I also wonder about new things. A new to us church. A new to us availability to a much more flexible schedule. A new to us ability to volunteer where we can contribute time. 

So, today and the remainder of this week as well as in early December, we are doing some things around Austin that we have never done (or not done in a while) in the four times we have lived here. Lights in Zilker Park. A walk on Lady Bird Lake. Bats at sunset. Some live music. Meals at our favorite diners. This may be the last time we find our residence in this city or close to it. We have enjoyed it. Alas, I drift. 

On to do some things, old and new. It's the Way we travel.

See you Along the Way
​Paul

We previewed the music festival scene with friends this weekend. Railcar Revival was the name and it was in our current location. Held at the Buda TX City Park, the event featured Texas based music groups Reckless Kelly, Ty Myers, Julianna Rankin, along with Cody Canada, and finally Treaty Oak Revival. A good sized crowd gathered early afternoon under a blue sky and a mild November temperature. Lots of food, drinks, and merchandise was available at event prices. Those are the bullet points for this journal entry; however, the significance was a snapshot of things to come. Laura and I enjoyed the company of longtime friends, the Blomstedts. We shared a great weekend of music, food, and storytelling. And we planned at least two RV meet-ups for music festival events in 2025. 

Along the Way with Pastor Paul and Laura Harris
 
Family, friends, sisters and brothers in Christ, we write to share news of Pastor Paul’s retirement from full-time ministry in the United Methodist Church. On January 1, 2025, we shall begin a new phase of life and ministry as we set out for new adventures along the way. As Paul’s status changes to Retired Elder in the Rio Texas Conference UMC, we give thanks for all the many relationships we’ve shared in this (25) years of itinerant ministry.
 
We have been truly blessed to share in ministry with some amazing people and churches. We have worked with wonderful teams of lay and clergy sharing life along the way. We have sung praises with saints among us. We have shared at table with folks and families desiring to be closer to Christ. We have been available as pastor and partner. Paul’s role has been to lead, baptize, equip, preach and preside. Laura has been along-side every step of the way. From our sending church in Corpus Christi, we have lived in ministry with folks in San Antonio, Austin, Laredo, Hunt (Kerr County), and now back in Austin. Here at Manchaca UMC, we have been blessed to share in a season of celebration with the 150 years in ministry. We depart knowing that you are blessed with a strong laity and an experienced church staff.
 
We are finishing out our Lofted Barn Cabin placed on the DuBose Family Farm in San Patricio County. It will serve as our primary residence and launch station for retirement. The Coastal Bend of Texas has a special place in our hearts and with joy we return to begin again. We plan to share time on the farm with family helping as we can, wherever we can, as long as we can. We also plan to travel to Virginia starting with a spring-summer trip in 2025. Our son Ben and daughter-in-love Rebecca make their home in Afton, VA. We will enjoy being close to them while using the RV to visit the scenic and historic sights of the land east of the Mississippi. We hope to log some of our travel adventures within our website Along the Way with Laura and Paul which you may find at www.pauleharris2017.com. Paul has been making a list of things to do in retirement. Laura’s only item is to not participate in list-making. Spending time with family and friends is the priority. Laura and her sister will have plenty of time to find trouble and enjoy laughing about it. Friends on Galveston Island stand ready to welcome us into retirement.
 
We give thanks to all with whom we have shared life Along the Way.
Much love and many blessings!   
Pastor Paul and Laura Harris

Ceiling boards are being installed now in the Lofted Barn Cabin. We chose a tongue and groove 1x6 pine board that has staggered joints and will be sealed with a clear polyurethane wood finish. It is looking good!

In the background, the bathroom and bedroom walls are up and the bathroom shower unit is installed with green board on all walls. Contractor will install our LVP flooring in the bathroom and set the toilet. Our goal is to have a working bathroom by early October.

More work for the Harris family to begin after the October wedding: Kitchen cabinets, farm sink, pantry, under loft ceiling boards, wall paneling, and some additional lighting. 

​This August in Texas it is too hot. Combining climate change and lower heat tolerance in our bodies, we have decided to invest our future months of August in cooler places.
Yesterday while the low temperature was 81 degrees F in central Texas, I investigated two other options. Afton, VA where my son and daughter-n-love live had a low temperature of 48 degrees F.
​Truckee, CA where we also love to visit had a low temperature of 41 degrees F. That is a 40 degree temperature differential. Lest I go on too long about the weather, the decision has been made. Next year: Truckee, CA for several weeks in early August and then Afton, VA for the remainder of August and September to enjoy the wine harvest season of Albemarle County, Virginia. The preparations have begun.

Laura and I celebrate this weekend as partners, spouses, and best friends. We met in high school and grew up together. Many blessings along the way have empowered us together to share our lives with each other and with family, friends, colleagues, and parishioners. This year we celebrate an important milestone in our lives. We give thanks for the years past and look forward with great anticipation to the years ahead in our marriage. Right now in this moment, we celebrate being together. Much love and many blessings!

Earlier this year, we purchased a Lofted Barn Cabin shell and are in progress of its finish out. As we speak, Laura is at the farm purchasing materials for our contractor who is helping us complete the ceiling boards and get the bathroom set up for use at the October wedding of our niece Kaelyn to Miles Pace. We hope to complete the interior by December 2024 in time for Christmas at the DuBose Family Farm.