Embarking on a cross-country journey, I found myself transitioning from the seaside landscapes of Eastern Shore Maryland back home to the southern charm and familiarity of Mississippi and finally, to the breathtaking shores of the Big Island of Hawaii. What a trip, yall! Yet, this was no solo adventure – our two loyal pups by our side, made every mile memorable. They camped with us, airbnb’ed with us, they lived out of my Jeep for a solid month, until we finally flew to Kona back in August!
Oh wait…. we still didn’t call our place home once we arrived in Kona because we had 5 weeks of more airbnb’s ahead of us once we arrived. Our actual house was not available until September so we lived out of suitcases for the first 5 weeks we were here in Hawaii!!! Whoof. To say we need rest after all that is an understatement!
Maryland to Mississippi:
As we set out on the road, the transition from Maryland to Mississippi unfolded like a scenic tale. The open roads stretched before us, offering glimpses of picturesque landscapes and friendly faces as my sister came to help us pack our entire 3 bedroom house into a Uhaul to bring to MS. The dogs, tails wagging, embraced the change in scenery, and the friendly face of my mom and sister’s family.
Mississippi to a month of traveling back up the East coast:
Are you thinking, “Wait… Jessica, you went back up the East coast after moving all your belonging down to MS??” Yep. You read that correctly!! Haha. We are a little crazy apparently. My mother-in-law competed in a 20k cycling race in the Senior Olympics for the first time, so we made a camping/ road trip out of it! We then made our way back up the east coast until we hit Maine, stopping along the way to site see and cheer on Trent’s mom! Pups in tow. Then, we eventually ended up back in Mississippi to.spend a week with my family before the BIG move (aka Hawaii).
My mom-in-law competing (and finishing strong) in the senior olympics!
Mississippi to Hawaii:
The logistical challenges of moving with pets were met with determination, and soon enough, we found ourselves surrounded by the lush greenery and pristine beaches of the Aloha State. The pups were anxious on the plane rides but they adjusted quickly once we arrived. Our first few weeks were full of airbnb hopping from coffee farm ohana suites to water front homes with the ocean as our backyard. All dog-friendly of course… Adapting to island life with dogs meant discovering pet-friendly beaches where the turquoise waters met golden sands and lava rock. Hawaii's landscapes became the backdrop to our daily walks and explorations. We truly are blessed to have the opportunity to explore some of the most beautiful places in the world!
September 1 was a day to remember…. the day we finally settled into our little Hawaiian cottage and could plant some roots for the first time in months. My aunt was here to help and we did one of the fastest decorating jobs we have ever pulled off before she left town! I always call her my personal interior designer because she is just that good.
A New Chapter Unfolds:
From the Chesapeake Bay to the Mississippi Gulf coast and the Pacific shores of Hawaii, the journey was not just a relocation but a profound chapter in our lives. As we settled into our new little island home, the memories of our cross-country adventure lingered – a testament to the resilience of family, both human and our pups, and the beauty of embracing the unknown. Trent has started his new job, a balance between work and vacay. I am enjoying my time as artist and health coach, while still making our house a home. Starting a garden and joining the community. I am excited for you to follow our journey as we learn how to navigate our new island home!
Aloha, new beginnings!
