Where the adventures really started.

We had driven from Los Angeles all the way to the home of my great uncle and aunt, Jim & Gaby in Middleton, Washington.

We visited with them, shared photos and stories, and refilled our water tank before setting off with a new member of the van: a big ol' Pecan Pie that Aunt Gaby insisted we take. She said we could use it when we arrived at our next destination, to help celebrate Thanksgiving, of course.

My brother Sean and his girlfriend Jenny were relaxing at Bridger Jack campground in Canyonlands. I like driving through the night for a variety of reasons: less traffic, for instance. One of the downsides is...visibility.

Julie was driving into the park, slowly, as per the deer crossing warning signs. Nevertheless, a deer, as deer do, waited until our van was 10 feet away from her before darting out right in front of us. Julie slammed on the brakes to save her, but the Pecan Pie, along with everything else on the counters, flew forward, crashing into the back of the passenger seat, opening up and splattering all over the carpet, of course after nailing a laptop and a few t-shirts along the way.

Strap it all down. Secure everything.

Lesson Learned.