Last week, I was writing from 30,000+ feet, headed toward four nights away from the family. This week, we’ve got two versions of the story to tell.
Mine involved a house full of women, horseback riding, mountain views, birthday surprises, and an entire surprise day of crafting. John and the girls’ involved pizza, cousin time, a sleepover, getting lost, and a very determined mission to conquer the warp wall.
Then we were back together for boat rides, Halloween hair, and a Broadway day that somehow turned into two shows for Lowina and I.
Our first time apart since hitting the road. A birthday away from my people. And a reunion that reminded me how much I love this very full life we’re building together.
My few days in the mountains
A familiar house & a little room to breathe
Wednesday’s flight to Roanoke was smooth, and we landed on time despite taking off late. After everything it took to get me to the airport, I was very thankful for an uneventful flight.
Jordan, the founder of SheWolf and my co-host for the Wild Women Retreat, picked me up. Then we had about two hours in the car to catch up on life before arriving in Massanutten.
Walking into our house felt weird. Familiar obviously, but very different without John, the girls & boys, and all the activity that usually comes with us.
Jordan wasn’t feeling well, so we called it an early night. I caught up on some work and retreat prep, enjoyed having a little space to myself, and appreciated getting to have adult conversations without someone needing a snack & "mom, mama, mommy" halfway through.
Thursday morning was slow. Outside of getting things set up, I spent most of it in bed working through some work plus all the things that needed to happen before everyone arrived. Two of the other alphas joined us midday to help get our house and the neighboring house ready.
By that evening, the women started arriving. Some I already knew, and others I’d only met through our pre-retreat activities. It was so good to finally get everyone together.
I cooked dinner that night, the only meal of the retreat that wasn’t chef-prepared. Rain kept us inside, but there was plenty of conversation around the table. A rainy evening in the mountains with a house full of women getting to know each other. A pretty good beginning.
Horses & mountain views
Friday morning, the festivities really got started. I snuck out for a quick solo walk before breakfast, then came back to a meal prepared by the famous Chef Joe from Buddy Systems. Having someone else take care of the food for the weekend was such a treat.
After a group meditation and stretch, we headed to Jordan Hollow Stables for horseback riding. We arrived early enough to meet some of the other residents first: Marley and Carley, the Great Pyrenees, and Snickers the goat. Plus, of course, the horses we’d actually come to see.
Our hour-long trail ride through the woods was so peaceful. Then we enjoyed our chef-prepared packed lunches before heading back to the house to get ready for one of my favorite fall experiences in Massanutten: the scenic chairlift.
We were a little early for peak foliage, but it was still beautiful. This time, we also hiked to the peak (my first time!) and got to see the view from the other side of the mountain. I love that we can keep coming back to a place we know so well and still find something we haven’t done.
Dinner that evening was beef rice bowls with all the toppings, and they were so yummy. Afterward, the ladies were happily crafting next door, and I decided I needed a little quiet time, so I settled in for a movie by myself.
Then John had a navigation mishap getting home after dropping the girls off for their sleepover. So much for fully switching off. I stayed awake until he made it back, which ended up being around midnight.
Apparently, I cannot go to sleep while someone I love is still trying to get home. My future with kids going out at night is not looking like a well-rested one.
Birthday streamers & canceled plans
Saturday was my birthday! I woke up to a decorated house, streamer cannons, and the ladies singing happy birthday. Then Chef Joe made my favorite breakfast: huevos rancheros. A very great start to the day.
Some of the group headed out to mountain bike, while the rest of us were supposed to visit the adventure park for summer tubing and the mountain coaster. The weather had other plans, and our activities were canceled, so back to the house we went.
A few women decided to head out for a hike, and the rest of us settled in to craft. When the bikers returned, we talked about our planned winery visit, but everyone was feeling like a little more downtime sounded better, so we stayed.
I spent pretty much the entire day crafting, talking, and resting. And after the pace of life lately, I was very thankful for it. There is always something to do when you’re working, homeschooling, parenting, and moving your home around the country. Even on the quieter days, my brain always has a list going. That day, I got to unexpectedly sit still for a while.
Dinner was salmon with a few different salads, followed by more crafting before an earlier bedtime.
A birthday in the mountains with good food, thoughtful women, and very little urgency. I missed my family, but I also really appreciated that day.
Postcards for later & a flight back to my people
Sunday came quickly. I slept in, then headed downstairs for takeaway breakfast burritos while everyone packed up. We needed to be out of the neighboring house by 10 a.m., but we had a little more time to finish cleaning up mine.
Before saying goodbye, we all wrote postcards to ourselves that we’ll receive at some random point in the future. I’m looking forward to seeing what it feels like to hear from this version of me whenever mine arrives. Then came lots of hugs, exchanging information, and final conversations with women who had felt much less familiar just a few days earlier.
Jordan and I finished packing up the house before heading to Greensboro, where she dropped me at the airport for my flight back to the city.
I felt refreshed, but also still tired from a weekend of hosting. Both can apparently fit in the same carry-on. Mostly, I was grateful. For time with other women. For a little solitude. For a birthday with room to rest. And for another smooth, on-time flight taking me back to my people.
Meanwhile, John & the girls…
While I was in the mountains, John and the girls were having their own adventures in Brooklyn. From the updates, pictures, and stories I got, there was plenty keeping them busy.
Pizza, playgrounds & the warp wall
After dropping me at the airport on Wednesday, they headed back to the camper so John could finish setting everything up. Water tank filled, stability jacks down, and all the other jobs we’d rushed through before leaving for my flight.
Then they walked a block over to a pizza place for dinner. A table-sized cheese pizza for the girls and a huge calzone for John. After our drive into town, getting parked, and the airport run, a good dinner close to home sounded pretty perfect. They stopped at the playground beside the camper before heading home for a movie.
Thursday morning was lazy for the girls while John got as much work done as he could solo. There was plenty of TV, followed by a very prompt arrival at the ninja park when it opened at 2 p.m. They spent two hours riding the zip line approximately a thousand times and trying to conquer the warp wall.
Lizzie made it up. Lowina couldn’t quite get there, but she kept trying. More to come on that...
The sleepover countdown
Friday brought another quiet morning while John worked and the girls counted down the minutes until it was time to see Nonjabulo and Auntie Amy.
When it was finally time, they walked to the subway and took the G train toward the apartment. They arrived just early enough to surprise Ja as she got off the bus. Then came a walk around the block and a stop for all the snacks required for their big sleepover. Very important preparations.
The girls played for hours, everyone had Uber Eats for dinner, and then there was more playing before John headed back to the camper. The girls stayed for a movie and popcorn.
John’s trip home was the navigation mishap I was following from Virginia while trying to have my quiet movie night. He says it was a blast just jamming on his headphones and enjoying getting lost while I stressed from miles away.
Pancakes, ceiling fans & the big truck in Brooklyn
Saturday morning, John met the girls at a little cafe for pancakes and croissants. Then they headed back to the apartment for more playtime while he swapped the ceiling fans in Amy’s and Nonjabulo's bedrooms (something she hasn't stopped talking about since!). A little family visiting. A little home improvement.
Emma and Khumalo came over to hang out before they headed to Industry City for lunch and exploring. John and the girls all chose food from all different places, of course. After lunch, the girls and Khumalo played outside for a while, followed by a little shopping. John headed back to the camper while the girls went back to the apartment with Khumalo.
By pickup time, he was over taking the train and paying for Ubers, so he decided to drive the big truck through Brooklyn. After everything it took to get our rig into the city, I can’t say driving around Brooklyn was high on my personal wish list. But he luckily found parking a few blocks away and went upstairs to hang out before bringing everyone home.
The girls were asleep within about one minute of driving away. Another Uber Eats dinner and two very tired girls. A successful sleepover weekend.
One very proud girl
Sunday started with dance class. The girls were the only two kiddos there, so they basically got a private lesson. They loved it and are still doing their Halloween dance to "Calling All the Monsters."
Then came pizza, which John described as probably the biggest he’d ever seen, followed by another visit to the ninja park. Lowina had some unfinished business. Within 20 minutes of arriving, she made it up the warp wall.
After all those attempts on Thursday, she’d come back and conquered it. She was so proud of herself, and I loved hearing that part of their weekend.
They stayed for another two-hour session before heading back to the camper for a lazy evening. Then it was time to pick me up from the airport. John said it had been a great few days with just him and the girls, but everyone was excited to have me home. The feeling was very mutual.
Back together
Flowers, birthday snacks & some big feelings
Seeing everyone at the airport on Sunday evening felt so good. The girls immediately told me there were birthday surprises waiting at the camper. When we got home, I walked in to beautiful flowers, some of my favorite snacks, and a sweet card.
After being together pretty much 24/7, a few days apart had been bittersweet. I loved the retreat and appreciated the time away. But walking back into the camper, I felt like I was back where I belonged. This adventure and the extra family time while we’re waiting to meet Indy has been so special. A little space gave me some refreshment to lean back into it.
Bedtime, however, was rough. There were lots of big feelings that seemed to have been waiting for my return. We were happy to be together, tired, and working through everything that came with our first few nights apart.
Still very thankful to be home.
Three boats & one very busy Statue of Liberty
A few weeks earlier, I’d planned a Monday adventure in the city. Monday-morning me had some thoughts about that decision. I’d just gotten home, we’d had a hard bedtime, and staying put sounded pretty appealing. But we got ourselves ready and headed out.
Our plan involved taking two ferries to reach the pier for our boat tour around the city, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. We chose the one-hour sightseeing option without getting off at the islands, figuring that would work best for the girls.
Correct decision. For all of us.
When boarding opened, people rushed for seats at the front of the boat. We found a spot outside near the back, along the edge, and settled in to enjoy the views and learn a little about the city.
John joked that everything is supposed to be bigger in America, but the Statue of Liberty was smaller than he’d imagined. The girls thought she was super cool.
I was primarily entertained by the tourists trying to get their photos. People were standing on chairs while the guide yelled at them to get down. There was a lot happening for a one-hour boat ride.
Afterward, we tried to visit Imagination Playground near the pier, but the gates were closed. So we grabbed a snack and took the ferry back toward the camper. John needed to catch up on work, and I took the girls to the nearby playground before their final NYC dance class. Lizzie rode her bike and Lowina took her scooter all the way there and back. They loved it.
Bikes, scooters, and the prettiest sunset behind us. A lovely end to a day I’d briefly wished we hadn’t planned.
Halloween hair & an old friend
Tuesday was a big work and homeschool catch-up day. Also, a very big hair day. The girls and I all washed our hair that morning (in a tiny Brooklyn parking lot bathroom), and then it was time for Lowina’s red Halloween hairstyle. I’d promised Ellie blue tips too, so we had two very specific looks to accomplish.
Lowina’s hair took almost the entire day. I squeezed in Ellie’s blue tips, then rushed to get myself ready for dinner.
First, we took Nelson to the closest dog park for a run. Then we headed out to meet Pasha, one of John’s childhood friends, who we hadn’t all seen together since freshman year of college. So good to catch up and hear about life after so much time.
Then it was back to the camper for an early night. Wednesday was going to be a big one. We didn’t quite realize how big.
A Broadway gamble that worked out
On Tuesday, I’d entered the ticket lottery for MJ the Musical. Then, somewhat randomly, I entered for Wicked for Lowina and me too. We didn’t get MJ (the girls' top pick!), but we did get Wicked.
Which meant Lowina and I were potentially looking at a double-show day, because I still really wanted all of us to see MJ. Buying the tickets I’d been looking at would have cost over $1,000 for the four of us, so we decided to try the TKTS booth in Times Square.
After a morning of work and homeschool, we headed into the city. John took the girls for a snack while I waited in line. Somehow, at about 12:45 p.m., I got our tickets. The show started at 1.
Time for a family power walk to the Neil Simon Theatre.
Three Michaels & two very excited girls
The girls were SO EXCITED. Watching Lowina’s face every time a song started gave me life. Ellie had her excited, shocked face on for a lot of it, but once “Billie Jean” came on after intermission, she started singing a little too.
Their favorite part was when MJ popped out of the stage. Mine was the story: seeing how the show explored what Michael went through and how those experiences followed him through his life. The 10-year-old playing little Michael was so talented, and the other two Michaels were incredible too.
Afterward, we waited outside for autographs and got to meet all three of them. The girls were completely starstruck. I love getting to watch them experience things like this. The anticipation, the recognition when a favorite song starts, and then meeting the people they’d just watched onstage.
Very glad we made that power walk.
Our usual NYC dinner
After the show, we walked a few blocks to Carmine’s, our staple meal whenever we visit the city. Auntie Amy and Nonjabulo met us there, another favorite part of our NYC visits. We sat upstairs for the first time ever and enjoyed a great (extra!) birthday dinner.
It had been over a year since I’d seen Amy, when I last brought the girls to the city. Since I’d missed their weekend together, I was especially glad to have time to catch up over dinner. John had only experienced NYC during holidays and weekends before, so the quieter version of Times Square and Carmine’s was a very different experience for him.
We ate, talked, and did a little shopping afterward before it was time to split up for our dates.
One more show & another daddy-daughter adventure
Lowina and I headed to the Gershwin Theatre for Wicked, while Lizzie got a daddy-daughter evening. Her requests were riding around on the eScooter and getting ice cream. A very clear plan.
John and Lizzie eventually ended up taking an Uber home after going into the wrong station. NYC transportation was continuing to keep him on his toes.
Meanwhile, Lowina was so excited for our mommy-daughter date. She loved the first half of Wicked. By the second half, she was getting tired and a little antsy, which felt very reasonable considering everything we’d already done that day. But she stayed awake for the whole show and loved it.
Then we got on the subway to head home, very ready for bed. Two Broadway shows. Cast autographs. Carmine’s with family. Separate dates with our girls. A very full day, and one I’ll remember for a long time.
A little time away, then right back into it
This week looked different for us.
For a few days, I got to be in the mountains with women who came together to connect, explore, and rest. John got time with the girls, and they got cousin sleepovers, dance classes, and the satisfaction of finally making it up the wall. Then we came back together for birthday surprises, big emotions, boat rides, hair projects, old friends, and a last-minute dash to Broadway.
I’m glad I went. I’m glad they had their own adventures. And I’m very glad to be back in our camper together, hearing everyone’s stories and making even more of our own.
Thanks for riding along with us this week, and for letting our travels inspire your own. Your next adventure is closer than you think.🤍
Until the next stop,
The Wagner Family
