Stacy and Jesse Westfall, the kids and the horses on the road
Change is hard because it means taking on something new.
We have lived in at least eight different places over the last six months. I am aware that ‘at least’ may seem like a strange statement…but I have had some difficulty in counting. This mainly stems from the question of how to identify a place we have lived vs a place we have passed through. For instance, I am currently parked at a horse show in Jackson, Ohio. The photo here is from a few hours ago. Everything the five of us…plus our horses…have used to live for the last six months is in this rig pictured here or in our mini van. Does that mean we are ‘living’ here?
The change we signed up for was giving up a permanent base of operation a.k.a. our home. The new part has been learning how to live on the road. We knew it wouldn’t be easy because change never is.
We also knew that we would be the most tempted to jump back to the ‘safety’ of a familiar lifestyle during the first few months of change. As we passed the six month mark last week I can say that this new ‘normal’ of living on the road…with horses and three kids, is starting to get comfortable!
Comfortable! Yep, we are getting pretty good at moving around and none of us regret what we are doing. In fact, now that we have made it through the early phase of learning this new lifestyle we are actually MORE excited than we were in the beginning.
I don’t know what the future holds…but who among us really does? I am spending time with my family and my horses, seeing many new places and meeting new people.
Nope, change isn’t easy but it can be rewarding.
P.S.-I’m thinking about having a map added to our website where I can drop a pin everyday so you can see where we are and where we have been…what do you think?
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The map with the pins would be awesome! Thanks for the updates Stacy!
Paula
Paula M. Derflinger
14367 Rhodeback Road
Croton, OH 43013-9740
614-327-4112pawlah1@hotmail.com
“WHO SAYS I CAN’T” – Jothy Rosenberg, author and two-time cancer-surviving amputee and entrepreneur who fought back, survived and thrived ! http://www.whosaysicant.org
“Always saddle your own horse. Always know what you’re doing and go in the direction that you are heading.” ― Connie Reeves http://www.americancowgirl.com/film.htm
Date: Fri, 22 Aug 2014 01:53:44 +0000
To: pawlah1@hotmail.com
Yes! a map would be awesome and could you please add Buffalo New York to your upcoming travels!! Would love to meet you in person. Safe travels!
How do you maintain a place of ‘permanence’ in order to get license plates, vehicle insurance, mail?
I also vote YES on the pins!
What are you going to do with your rig when you go to Costa Rica?
Park it somewhere…where is yet to be seen…
A Map is a great idea!!!! Maybe you could also pin Alaska!!!!!
The Quarter Horse Congress is great place to enjoy in October at the Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ohio. I live 20 minutes from there. There has to be a place where you can come and stay in the greater Columbus Area. Please let me know if you are coming in the Area. O.S.U. and Otterbien University has a Horse program. The Horse Manager ph.no. 614-459-4208.at O.S.U. I have to find the no, for Otterbien later.
Dear Stacy, please check out the Ohio State Parks ,which they have wonderful trails to ride your horses on. Have a great time! Wish I could meet you too. I live near Dublin Ohio.
I think you need a pin in Montana!
Great idea. You live an interesting lifestyle. It would be interesting to see all the places you have been or where you are at.
Being on the road is hard work, but you will never regret the time you get to spend as a family.
I am so glad Chloe was able to spend time with you at Miracle Mountain. What an awesome bonus to a wonderful week full of great people. We were blessed to have you in our neck of the woods!
Love the idea , you are living a dream,continue to enjoy…Happy Trails to you and your family
You still have an open invite to visit us at Rising Glory Farm in Middle Tennessee. Would love to see you again.
Yes…map would b Awsome !
Wow, I love your rig, it’s gorgeous! Sounds like such an interesting life. Thank you for this blog Ms. Westfall, I admire you greatly as a horsewoman. And C. S. Lewis just knows how to express things perfectly, doesn’t he…
YES pin on map excellent idea
YES on the map….. start it off with Henderson’s ……….. Such a great facility…..was just there the first of the month……… And if you settle down into a spacious home you can frame the map and hang it on the wall as a reminder of the great ride the family did together.
I like the map idea. Why are you traveling all over the place? Clinics/shows?
How do you handle school with all the traveling? I assume that you home school the boys, but isn’t that difficult? And do they miss having activities that they can participate in other than horse events?
Our boys were both home schooled and attended traditional school during the time we lived in our house. The last couple of years we let them choose what they wanted and they choose homeschooling although when we were still in town they did do sports with the school. On the road that will change but the school part won’t. Look for future blogs about the boys and home schooling…I’m actually planning on incorporating some of this into their homeschool curriculum this year.
I vote YES for a map.
Maybe I missed your blog that says why you are traveling now? Kudos to you Stacy for always being willing to step outside the box and explore yet another avenue of horse/rider potential. Post a map! I live in New Mexico if you’re ever out this way.
i think that would be a wonderful idea1 we could live your adventures through you a little more easily. but enjoy these nomadic days, because all too soon, life moves in and life has a way of changing every thing. age, health, kids growing away, etc. this is an adventure now. but in a heartbeat, in the future, everything can change.
I agree and I am well aware that life will move in directions I cannot see right now…so now IS the time to run with what we have for possibilities.
Please do a map!
I’m truly enjoying your adventure.
yes..please do…I love to read about your adventures …I will most likely never meet you face to face but I feel like I am your big sister..in Christ…I live in south Jersey.
I am from Germany and a big fan of your blog and your video diary. The first time i heard that you want to sell your house an going to live on a trailer I couldn’t believe behause I am a person who really hardly leaves her comfort zone. But for me it is admirable what you and your family do. A map to see wehre you are would be a great idea, because as I come from Germany a map would help me to follow you better through your big big country.
Be safe as you travel and enjoy this great land of ours.Thanks for sharing with us.
A map would be great.
We lived on the road for a number of years, showing sheep professionally. We would tell people we live wherever we were at! Our daughter grew up not knowing a stranger and still has friends from coast to coast. A great way to grow up! We are still on the road quite a few months of the year, but now have a place to keep all our “stuff”. It’s a different lifestyle, but it sure is a great way to see our marvelous country and meet many, many wonderful people.
Yes, would love to see a map! So many possibilities! Would love to meet you if/when you may it to NH/ME. May God lead you wherever you go.
I just wondered if we could be related. My grandfather was Harry Westfall. My father was Russell. His brothers were Ronald and Ralph. I live in MI. You sound like you are really enjoying what you do best. Good
luck, hope to hear from you, even if we aren’t related. I go to some of the horse shows. I never miss the draft show in Lansing, MI.
Great idea Stacy. I love following your journey and I’m cheering you on from Australia. Stay safe and happy.
You need a low window cut in that trailer for those minis! 😉
My question is, when you ‘give up a permanent home’ how do you claim license plate tags for a particular state for renewal as well as insurance and what happens to your mail….you can’t possibly eliminate all of it. I need to know as I might be following in your footsteps.
Jan…we are still new at this too, just yesterday I was on the phone with the insurance agent making sure everything is up to date. I would recommend visiting this site, http://www.gonewiththewynns.com, as they are further down the ‘road’ then we are. It is a great site with tons of info, I’m reading it almost daily!
I vote yes to the map too!
i love this-
what you are doing for your family is just awesome-
would love to see a pin map 🙂
a map would be great. I hope the security of the site is enough so you don’t get hassled.
Your life sounds fabulous! I would love to be able to live with my horses all the time. I do wish you were still in Texas. I was so excited when you moved here because I thought I would get to see you ride. Well your time here came and went in a flash! Maybe one day!!! On your journey!
Safe travels!!
Melinda
Good news! Texas is warm in the winter…so there is a good chance we could head back that way when the cold comes.
Yay! I hope you come close to Ft. Worth again! Safe and blessed journeys!
That would awesome to see
Yes! Will be fun to see where you have been & where you are going!
We love your frequent posts and the stories of what you are doing. The map would definitely help tie the stories together. You could also use a certain color of pins to show where you will be heading soon.
Yes! Will be great to see where you have been & where you are going.
See you guys tomorrow evening!
Your stalls are right next to mine…and I have a video camera…you better watch out, lol
Ditto on the map, would love to watch your travels. God Bless you all with safe travel and joy in your work
Curious. How old are the kids? Home-schooled? Bill
The boys are 16, 14 and 13 and we do home school. We started with homeschooling when they were young and then they went to school for a few years. With all the travel and the boys being old enough to choose, we let them choose. I was surprised when they chose the homeschooling because they do see benefits of traditional schooling too (as do I) but there are many great (and difficult) things about homeschooling. I think part of their curriculum this year will be video/photo/and blogging so hopefully you will be hearing more from them as the year progresses.
Definately! Pin all your stops. Love teading about your journey! Happy trails!!!
Great idea about the map Stacy, I’m in Australia so when you talk about where you are and where you’re heading I have absolutely know idea LOL A visual aid would be great 🙂
Boy I wish I had known you were so close by I would have loved to met you!!! Will keep you & your family in my prayers for safe travels!!! I’m headed for Clermont Co. Ohio for a horseshow tomorrow to watch my 12 yr old granddaughter in a horseshow! Maybe one day I will get to bring her to a place where you are to meet you!! Stay safe! God Speed!!!