Mission Changed: Road Trip, Crisis, and Adaptability
The last few months have been… intense. Life threw several curveballs at us—some expected, others not so much.
It started with a devastating loss: a very close friend of my wife’s, someone she had known since they were four, spent 36 days in the ICU battling COVID in Texas. She passed away, and we decided to drive from Washington to be with her family.
The Journey Begins
Our adventure started at 5 a.m. on a Saturday. Fueled up and ready, we headed south toward Portland, then caught I-84 east. The drive was smooth all the way to Salt Lake City, where we stopped for dinner and a hotel. We usually try local spots, but this time even Cracker Barrel disappointed—bad food, questionable service, and zero relaxation.
The next morning, we pressed on toward Moab, Utah—one of our “happy places.” Arches National Park never fails to lift the spirits. After enjoying our favorite stops, we grabbed lunch at Zax Pizza and wandered the town, feeling relaxed and happy.
When Plans Change
Then the news came: Jahanel’s mom had suffered a stroke. Airlifted to Seattle, she wasn’t allowed visitors, and there wasn’t anything we could do. Mission changed. Our Texas road trip became a race home.
Updates came in constantly. The hospital tried surgery to remove the clot but couldn’t. The focus shifted to comfort in the ICU. Exhausted but determined, we turned the car around and began the long haul back, with only a four-hour nap in Monticello, Utah.
Challenges on the Road
The drive home wasn’t easy. In Idaho, a flapping noise revealed a shredded inner fender liner—left unsecured by a dealership months earlier. Later, in Oregon, we encountered torrential rain, near-zero visibility, and worn road stripes. Every mile required focus and adaptability.
Once past the worst stretch, Jahanel took over, and we finally made it home after a grueling 20+ hour drive.
The next day brought another challenge: driving her parents to Seattle. Traffic was surprisingly light, but upon arrival, I realized I had left my Jeep key at home. A quick Uber saved the day—expensive, frustrating, but manageable.
Lessons in Resilience
This trip was more than just miles on the road. It was a masterclass in adaptability:
Expect the unexpected: plans can change instantly.
Stay focused under stress: long hours, bad weather, and personal crises test both patience and judgment.
Problem-solve on the fly: shredded fender liner, lost keys, and hospital logistics all required quick thinking.
Support your people: at the end of the day, the mission is about family and community.
Right now, the focus is on helping Jahanel’s mom stabilize and supporting her dad through the chaos ahead. But the trip reinforced an essential truth: preparedness isn’t just about gear or plans—it’s about mindset, flexibility, and knowing how to respond when life throws the unexpected at you.
"If you want the full road trip story—the highs, the lows, and the unexpected detours—check out the complete journey here."
