When I selected the theme of lights, I thought about the traditional holiday lights we all enjoy seeing this time of year. But as usual, the theme morphed into other interpretations, as it should.
Join me this week from my temporary home in Spokane, Washington.
Lights on the Road
We drove out of the driveway for the last time, early last Sunday morning, a day later than planned. Of course, I cried as we left but soon my spirits were buoyed by thoughts of our new adventures to come. My husband drove his truck with our dogs in the back seat while I followed behind in my Rav4. Both vehicles were fully loaded, and our POD container was packed and ready to be shipped two days later.
We drove from Sacramento to Portland, Oregon, taking long 10 hours, driving half of this in pouring rain along Highway 5. By the time we reached Salem, the rain had stopped. Within 45 minutes we checked in to our motel and recovered. We were up and out the door at 7am.
We drove along Highway 84 along the Columbia River Gorge and this sunrise greeted us.
Yes, I took the photo while driving but I can say “shoot” and the phone snaps the pic. The morning light was incredible, and I managed to also get the reflection from the hood of the car. We drove in record time arriving at our destination in five and a half hours!
The map shows you where Spokane, Washington is compared to Sacramento, California. The one-way trip from Sacramento is about 840 miles.
Light at the End of the Tunnel
We arrived to snow on the ground but not on the roads. We unpacked, rested, and visited with my brother-in-law who is hosting us in his home for the next few weeks while we wait for our manufactured home to be built.
After a few messages we learned the home would be delivered to our property this week. On Thursday, after running a few errands and taking advantage of dry streets, we headed up to Nine Mile Falls, 20 minutes north of Spokane, where we will live. We turned the corner of our street expecting to look at the foundation and what had been completed on the property, and lo and behold…this!
Tears sprang to our eyes as we saw our home for the first time.
We were told the house was delivered just the day before. It is set temporarily on wheels and in a few days a crane will arrive to lift it onto the foundation and join the two sides. In the meantime, we walked through the mud and snow and peeked inside where we could. Once it is properly placed, the company finishes the inside, with carpet, flooring, etc. Soon the contractor will hook up septic, water and power.
In this 15-parcel subdivision, 5 other homes are in the process of being built. We were the very first buyers.
In case you are wondering, this home is 30 x 68 feet (2040 sq feet), almost 800 SF larger than my former home. Sharp eyes may see that I chose the same exterior paint color as my former house, which, in an interesting twist, officially closed that same day.
Indeed, seeing the home for ourselves tells us there is a light at the end of this year-long tunnel through which we have travelled.
Northern Holiday Lights
For now, we are enjoying holiday lights in others’ homes. My sister-in-law always has gorgeous displays full of light, indoors and out.
The lighted deer in her front yard were aglow in what was left of the snow.
Her Christmas Village is inspiring.
While packing for the move, I discovered several boxes of holiday decorations, including a box with lighted deer. I can’t wait to put the lights up in 2021 on our new home!
I hope you enjoyed my various interpretations of lights. For your post, you can share images of lights or interpret the overall concept of light.
A huge shout-out to fellow Washingtonian, Susanne at Cats and Trails and Garden Tales for hosting Sunday Stills last week while we moved.
There will be no Sunday Stills challenge for December 27 as many of us take a break and enjoy our holidays. Have a wonderful but safe holiday week and let’s begin the new year with faith, hope, love and peace. Check back soon to my Sunday Stills Challenge page for January’s themes.
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