Author: Mind Cancer

During this time, AJ and I went on our first No Destination trip. We left Texas and headed north to South Dakota. We didn’t have anything on the agenda except to see National Parks, and the only plan we had was the date we needed to be back home.

The first couple of days were spent traveling from Texas to South Dakota. Our first stop was Badlands National Park. Looking back, I don’t think we gave it enough time, so I plan to go back one of these years to really explore it more. We did take a helicopter tour over the park, and that gave us a sense of its size—it is massive. At first, I did not realize just how big it was, especially since we only found two trailheads from the road.

From there, we headed to Piedmont, South Dakota. We tried to go to Wind Cave, but it was closed and there were no tours available, so we went on to Mount Rushmore. We ended up taking another helicopter tour around it and were able to see everything from the air. After that, we went to Custer State Park, which turned out to be one of the most beautiful areas I have ever seen. I wish I had taken more pictures there.

We spent a few days in the area with one of AJ’s friends, KH, before driving out to Devil’s Tower in Wyoming. Instead of waiting two hours to park, we stopped at the base and hiked up. That hike was amazing, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys hiking. The different views along the way gave us an experience you would never get by just parking in the lot.

From there, we drove to Colorado, went on the zip line over the Royal Gorge, and then made our way back home.

It was such an amazing trip that AJ and I promised each other we would continue this tradition every year.

This weekend we went to a family reunion for AJ’s side of the family. It was a really good time, and the cabins where we stayed were very nice. I did end up accidentally calling AJ by VS’s name once, and of course it happened right in front of her entire family. I was a little embarrassed, but honestly, what do you expect? It was bound to happen at least once, especially when you have two widowed people dating.

Other than that moment, everything went really well, and it turned out to be a great weekend.

AJ and I went to San Antonio this weekend for my birthday, and BA and LA met us there. We ate at Dick’s Bar and Grill, which was a fun experience, and then visited the Alamo before walking around the area to take in the sights. The River Walk had its usual energy, and it was nice just being out, enjoying the day and the company.

All in all, it was a really good weekend and a great way to spend my birthday.

We went to the Wine Festival in Granbury, Texas. If you have never been to one, this is definitely a must see. The little town itself is awesome, with a great atmosphere that makes it fun to just walk around and explore. The festival was not that expensive, and with the ticket you get a glass to take home, which makes for a nice keepsake.

It was one of those outings that felt easy and enjoyable, and I would go again without hesitation.

Over the weekend AJ, AE, and I went camping at The Arrowhead – Tawakoni Tipi Resort with BA, LA, and their family. It was an okay time overall, but one thing really got to me. AE kept playing in the fire, putting a long piece of metal in and using it to burn things and even people. AJ was not doing anything about it, and it went on for two nights. By the second night, I had enough. I ended up leaving very early in the morning just to get away while they stayed behind to explore other areas.

When I got home, I discovered that AE had broken something in the house. I sent a photo of it to AJ, and her response was that they would just not be spending much time at my house and to pack up their things. I really thought at that point she was breaking up with me. So I packed up all of their belongings and took them over to her place. By then, she had already moved out of her apartment and was living closer to me, so it did not take long to drop everything off.

When AJ got home, she was surprised to see all of their things stacked in her living room. She was confused as to why I did that, and I explained that I thought she was breaking up with me. Looking back, I realize we should have communicated more, because that was not the case.

Today AJ and I went to a local event where they do glass blowing. We each had the chance to make our own Christmas ornament, which was a really fun experience. We were told to come back in a week to pick them up. When we went back, hers turned out great and we were able to take it home. Mine, on the other hand, had broken and they had to remake it. I never did go back to pick it up, it just did not feel the same if I hadn’t made it myself.

We haven’t been back to do this again yet, but it is something we still plan on doing in the future.

This weekend AJ, her sister, and her nephew went with me to the Kaylee Mills Gala. The whole evening had an energy to it, people dressed up, the room buzzing with conversation, the kind of event that felt both formal and fun at the same time. It was a great time, and I would definitely do it again if the chance came up.

We bid on a few items during the auction and actually won them. I bid on a fishing trip for AJ and AE and won, and I also bid on a hog hunting trip and won. Between the bidding, the food, the drinks, and the laughter, the night was full of good memories. It’s definitely one I’ll keep looking back on.

Today I closed on my brand-new house. I knew from the start that once I sold the other house, I wasn’t going to be in the apartment for very long. I even told the apartment complex that when I signed the lease. They understood from the beginning that I might break the lease, and they were fine with it. I never really made that apartment feel permanent, I didn’t hang anything on the walls, and I hardly unpacked.

So when the day finally came and I told them I had bought a house and would be moving, they allowed me to break the lease without any penalties. I’m still grateful for that. It just goes to show that honest communication really does go a long way.

Today was the day I signed for my very first apartment. It feels bittersweet. The apartment is in AJ’s area, since staying in the house that VS and I had built was just too heavy. It is not that I could not afford to keep the house, but living there without VS was simply too much. Selling that home meant I had to find another place to live, and this felt like the right step. Since VS’s passing, I needed somewhere that would give me a chance to start over. The town I had been living in was far too small and isolating, and this apartment feels like the fresh start I have been needing.

AJ and I went to Las Vegas for the first time together. It was a place I had always wanted to take VS, but we never made it there. In the past, I only came here for work, so my time was spent in meetings and conferences, without the chance to see shows or enjoy the city the way most people do.

This trip was different. We came for one of AJ’s family member’s weddings, and while we were there, we made time to actually experience Las Vegas. We saw America’s Got Talent, The Blue Man Group, and another show that slips my mind now. Being able to share that with AJ made the trip stand out even more. It was one of the best times I have had in Las Vegas, not because of the lights or the crowds, but because I finally got to enjoy it the way I had always imagined.