Introduction and Day 1: The Adventure Begins





Our European Adventure Begins…


They say opposites attract, and that is absolutely true when it comes to the two of us. However, I learned early on that while personalities may be opposite, it’s critical to have common interests; things that you can enjoy together that help you build a lasting connection. For Aaron and me, travel is at the top of that list. 


We began dreaming of an extended trip to Europe a few years ago. We thought that perhaps when the kids got older, and we had more flexibility with work, we’d take some time and really explore as a family. Eventually we discussed doing it during my 10 year Sabbatical at Kids’ Food Basket. Having studied abroad in Switzerland (Afton) and Austria (Aaron), we both have a deep appreciation for the wonder of this huge world created by God for His glory and our enjoyment. Discovering other cultures, languages, customs, foods, and landscapes gives us a broader and deeper glimpse into His creativity and generosity. We find, for us at least, it builds a deeper empathy for human kind, and a greater resilience as we navigate new territory.


Little did we know that COVID-19 would plague our world, and while providing a humbling reality of how an virus can halt life and travel altogether, it can also provide a reset for our priorities and our habits. Over the past decade, we’ve built careers, started a family, bought and renovated two homes, and done so at a pace that can be intense and busy.  


However, with my career transition, and Aaron now fully capable of remote work, now seemed like the best possible time for an extended time away including some quality rest and relationship building for our family. We want to share our love of travel with the boys as our parents did with us, and so our adventure beings. We know we’ll miss friends and family, and the comforts of home. Yet, we are excited about the unknowns ahead of us, and all that we will learn about this beautiful world.


Day 1: Travel from Grand Rapids to Madrid, Madrid to Malaga, Malaga to La Herradura


I was most concerned about how this day would go, and prayed heartily for a smooth, multi-stop transition abroad. Praise be to God, it went off without a hitch!


A fight from Grand Rapids to Newark, then overnight Newark to Madrid, led us to Spain. A quick round of Churros and a Spanish Omelette (YUM!) in Madrid nourished us before we boarded the high speed train from Madrid to Malaga. The boys enjoyed visiting the train cafe, even though they decided the prices were too high. Once we arrived in Malaga, we then rented a car at the Malaga train station, and drove the remainder of the way to our little cliff side Spanish village, La Herradura.


The glory of southern Spain escapes the limits of human words and the cameras on our phones. Our apartment overlooks the Alboran Sea within the Mediterranean, greeting us each morning with gorgeous sunrises and ending each day with pink skies. The architecture of La Herradura combines white plaster walls with brown roofs, green arborvitae trees towering over the landscape, and bright fuchsia and purple flowers everywhere. It is simply breathtaking.


We stopped by the Supermercado to pick up foods for breakfasts, lunches and tonight’s dinner, and turned in for the day! We made it!


Favorites of the Dia:


Aaron: Train ride and the views from our first VRBO accommodations

Afton: The apartment in La Herradura, simply incredible view

Zachary: The train ride

Colton: The train ride






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