The motor spun. The Warp Drive (WarP9) turned on the bench because I pressed a pedal.

It was monumental and mundane at the same time. Months of parts, diagrams and waiting on shipments led to this moment. What I actually saw was a bare shaft spinning for a few seconds and slowing to a stop. That was it.

Getting there took a lot of small sessions. Some were at the bench. More were online, searching for parts and reading manuals. Along the way I found one part I didn’t know I needed and dropped one I thought I did.

After a wonderful week in Playa del Carmen, we packed up and headed home. The trip was filled with amazing experiences, from exploring ancient ruins to enjoying the local cuisine and culture. We made memories that will last a lifetime and are grateful for the time spent together as a family.

Growing up, Becca drove to a boarder town from Texas every summer to serve the local community and worshiped in Spanish. So we found a local church to join for the morning. She was hoping for a cross-cultural experience, and we got one. The church was small, but welcoming, and the pastor delivered a message that was both timely and challenging. We were able to connect with some of the locals after the service, and it was a great way to start our last full day in Playa del Carmen.

After a day at Chichen Itza, we needed a day to relax and recover. We spent the morning at the pool, and then walked into town for lunch. We found a place with a great view of the beach, and enjoyed some tacos and drinks. The kids played in the sand while we ate, and we all enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Friday was our big trip day to Chichen Itza and (maybe) Ek Balam. We got up, fed, and out of the house by 7:45, but Jack’s shoes were still wet from the prior day’s monsoon, so he wore sandals instead. Only a few minutes into the walk to the car rental, Jack was in tears from foot discomfort and Abbie was in tears from the heat–not the most optimistic start to the day.