🏡 Heading Home: Reflections on Months of Travel Through Kansas, Colorado, and Beyond

June 23, 2024

After months of exploration—from the patriotic storefronts of Branson, MO to the sunflower-lined highways of Kansas—we’re finally heading home. And I’m feeling that familiar “heading-home” mindset shift where nostalgia, reflection, and anticipation swirl together. On this journey, I'll share the scenic beauty we passed, the history we soaked in, and the deeper story behind the camera—the heart of this channel. Welcome to a special episode of Switching Gears RV Diary.

🚐 The Final Leg Begins: Leaving Branson Behind

Our adventure in Branson was memorable. From patriotic shows to scenic drives, it had its charm. But every trip weighs just a little heavier when the end is near. As we rolled southward, I realized: I wasn’t just tracking miles—I was tracking memories, growth, and how this journey has shaped us.

As an RV couple, the road home is more than a route. It’s a moment to pause—and to ask: What did we gain? What awaits when we park the rig again? That reflection—and the scenery—became the theme of the drive.

🌻 Kansas: More Than Just Sunflowers

A History Rooted in Progress

The first stop after Branson took us into the Sunflower State—Kansas. But there's much more here than meets the eye. Did you know Kansas was the first state to ratify the 15th Amendment, guaranteeing African‑American men the right to vote? That’s a powerful part of its legacy.

In the tiny town of Osborne lies the Geodetic Center of North America—a factoid that surprises many! Add in endless wheat fields and a windy reputation, and Kansas quickly becomes more than your mental backdrop from The Wizard of Oz.

🌃 Wichita’s Heart: Keeper of the Plains & Harvest Host Life

Stopping Over, Staying Connected

Our overnight stop came through Harvest Hosts, at a place called Exploration Place in Wichita. After securing our spot next to Keeper Plaza, we wandered into town to see the iconic 44‑foot steel sculpture, Keeper of the Plains. Perched where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers meet, it’s a tribute to the region’s original inhabitants.

The nighttime fire and light ceremony around the sculpture created a quiet, reverent atmosphere—an unforgettable contrast to the flat farmland surrounding us.

A Morning in Exploration Place

Curiosity pulled us into the science museum the next day. As a mission-driven nonprofit, Exploration Place offers everything from kid-friendly exhibits to deeper, adult-level science. Did we geek out over the flight history section? You bet—after all, Wichita’s dubbed the “Air Capital of the World.”

We even spotted playful dinosaur figures—because, yes, we brought a little one (our grandson!) along for the ride, at least in spirit.

👥 Community Connections: Coffee, Conversation, and Comfort

One of travel’s greatest rewards is reconnecting. What began as a random stop in Wichita turned into lunch with longtime friends—and a private tour of their impressive business. Add cups of coffee, shared stories, and laughter, and it felt like a mini-homecoming.

Coupling that personal connection with learning for our channel gave this stop a richness most travel content can’t script: warmth, depth, and true belonging.

⛰️ Colorado’s High Country: Beauty & Altitude Challenges

Revisiting Colorado Peaks

We started filming in Colorado back in June 2023, when the mountains were at their green peak. Little did I know that in revisiting my camera skills after decades, I’d be challenged by the high altitude. In some of the most majestic terrain in the U.S., my health struggles showed up in every steep hike and deep breath—but that’s part of honest storytelling.

Paint Mines Interpretive Park: Unexpected Spires

East of Colorado Springs lies a geology gem: Paint Mines Interpretive Park. With spires and hoodoos carved by erosion, revealing colorful clay layers, it looks almost Martian. Native Americans once used the pigments for paint—hence the name. The best part? Admission is free, and the trails stretch nearly four miles. With the right light and even a sprinkle of rain, it’s a hidden photo goldmine.

Denver and Equipment Troubles

A Harvest Hosts night in Denver offered us rest and perspective, until we discovered a hitch: our trailer brakes weren’t working. We waited days for a software update from the manufacturer. Meanwhile, in Colorado Springs, altitude and elevation changes tested our patience.

We were determined to keep heading east—to home, to familiarity, to stability. So even as alarm bells rang, my husband shifted manually and we pressed on. We figured if you build a mission around living life on your terms, uncertainty comes with the territory.

🎥 Building the Channel: Picking Up a Camera Again

When I started Switching Gears RV Diary, it was with hesitation. Talking into a camera? Filming travel footage? It had been 20 years since I even considered videography. But slow steps—researching, filming, editing—turned my dream into reality.

By December 2023, I posted our first video. We bought a toy hauler and a side-by-side we named “Julius.” Altitude issues forced us to adapt, but we kept moving.

This channel is not about slick production—it’s about real life. I don’t fuss over perfect framing or fancy camera angles. We’re honest about the giggles, the missteps, even the never-ending dog poop bag struggles.

Personal Growth & Creator Insights

I teach by nature but I learn by need. Turning health challenges into opportunity, I realized I wanted autonomy—freedom to create, to help, to share stories. Watching YouTubers helped me dream, and now I’m paying it forward.

It’s not easy: from the dreaded equipment issues to draining editing hours, my assistant (my daughter) and I learned that juggling life and a channel takes grit. But every comment reply, every new subscriber—they all matter. At 320 subscribers and 35 videos, I’m just getting started—and I’m thankful for each of you watching.

📈 What’s Ahead & Why Heading Home Matters

We’re nearing the end of this adventure—and while that bittersweet feeling tugs at me, I see something beautiful waiting at home. We chose to travel hard, live in our toy hauler, soak every mile of adventure…all so we could come back for something special.

Yes, RV life is about wandering. But sometimes heading home is the pointiest turn in the road, bringing clarity, closure, and preparing us for what’s next. There are people to hug, projects to start, and new dreams to build.

✍️ Parting Thoughts & Travel Insights

1. Altitude affects more than your lungs. Be ready for sudden health shifts and slow down.

2. Travel fosters reconnection. Even on the road, community remains vital.

3. Keep it real on camera. Authenticity wins over perfection.

4. Stay curious along the way. From stone spires to painted clay, travel surprises you.

5. Heading home is part of the trip. It’s not regression—it’s an anchor.

👣 Join Us as the Journey Continues

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• Leave a comment—maybe you’ve faced health travel challenges, launched a small channel, or found meaning in your journey.

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We’ll be back in our hometown soon, doing exactly what we’ve chased all year. But this isn’t the end. It’s the pause between chapters. And coming up next: a glimpse into how planting roots feeds the spirit after months of roads.

Thank you for traveling with us—here’s to every mile, every memory, and every moment waiting when the rig stops for real.

— The Switching Gears RV Diary Crew