A NEW CHAPTER FROM THE ROAD

Life in the R-Pod, memories of Shawn, and the journey ahead.

After a life-changing season, Sammy Jo and I are back on the road and beginning a new chapter. This is where I’ll share the journey — the good days, the hard days, the memories, and what comes next.

Read Our Story See the Photos

New public records · November 1, 2026

City correspondence identifies Unit 109 in mold-cleanup reporting

A City of Red Wing document contains June 2025 correspondence in which a construction superintendent relayed a contractor's description of mold cleanup and sealing at Maple Hills, specifically listing Building A, Unit 109. The correspondence records what was reported to the city; it does not independently establish which cleanup steps were carried out inside the apartment.

Examine the city mold records → Browse the public records docket →

MAPLE HILLS APARTMENTS · RED WING, MINNESOTA

What Do Public Records Reveal About One of Red Wing’s “Top 3 Places to Live”?

Management displayed a BusinessRate “Top 3 of 2025” award for Maple Hills in the apartment-building category in Red Wing. What might public records tell us about the property’s renovation, environmental conditions, safety, and regulatory oversight? Eight signed government data requests, dated October 14, 2026, are available to read. Responses and source records received from agencies are being published as they are reviewed.

The “Top 3” designation comes from the BusinessRate promotional notice shown below, which references Google reviews; this website has not independently verified its methodology or ranking. These requests seek information; they do not establish wrongdoing. The archive includes newly published city correspondence; further agency records will be added after review.

Explore the public records docket → Read the signed letters (PDF) ↗

What management displayed

Two photographs of the posted BusinessRate award and accompanying letter. Select either photo to view the original image.

BusinessRate Top 3 of 2025 Maple Hills apartment-building award displayed on a bulletin board in Red Wing, Minnesota — BusinessRate “Top 3 of 2025” award displayed at Maple Hills.

Accompanying BusinessRate letter describing a Top 3 apartment-building designation based on Google reviews — Accompanying BusinessRate letter referring to Google-review data.

These images document a posted promotional claim. They do not independently establish the quality or safety of the property, or any violation. The public records requests seek additional information.

OUR STORY

Home has never just been a place.

For years, the R-Pod was more than a camper. It was home, a base for medical travel, and the place where Shawn and Sammy Jo were always beside me. Frontenac became one of our favorite places to stop, breathe, regroup, and simply be together.

Losing Shawn changed everything. Returning to the R-Pod without him feels different, but the memories travel with us. This new chapter is about moving forward without forgetting what came before.

Shawn sitting inside the R-Pod — Shawn at home in the R-Pod.

MEMORIES FROM THE ROAD

A life built around being together.

The Johnson Pack

A Life of Love & Adventure

For years, Shawn, Sammy Jo, and I shared highways, campgrounds, waterways, and quiet places to rest. They were never just along for the ride; they were my family. These are a few moments from our life together.

“If they can't go, I don't go.”

Shawn the Golden Retriever sitting upright like a person in a truck passenger seat, wearing a black harness. — **Shawn, the four-legged copilot**Shawn sat upright in the passenger seat while we drove. At weigh stations, troopers sometimes called us over just to meet him—and many gave him treats. He made friends wherever we traveled.

Young Golden Retriever Shawn posing on a plush bed with white flowers behind him. — **The puppy who would not sit still**He looks so calm here. In reality, Shawn was such an energetic puppy that the photographer asked me to leave the room so he would settle down for the portrait.

Close-up of Shawn’s paw resting gently against a human hand. — **A paw in my hand**Some of our most important memories were the quiet ones.

Shawn, wet from a bath, looking toward the camera as Douglas leans near him. — **Bath time with Shawn**A moment of caring for my boy that I will always treasure.

Shawn nuzzling Douglas’s shoulder in their vehicle. — **An affectionate copilot**Always finding a way to be close.

Shawn and Sammy Jo sleeping beside each other on a bed. — **Together, even in sleep**The two of them shared the road and the quiet moments.

Shawn and Sammy Jo lying next to each other on the bed in the R-Pod. — **The best kind of company**Making room for both of them was never a question.

Shawn sitting upright on a small R-Pod couch, front paws held out in front of him. — **The gentleman of the R-Pod**That unmistakable upright pose was all Shawn.

Sammy Jo resting her head on a soft pillow in the R-Pod. — **Sammy Jo, at ease**Quiet, gentle, and always part of the pack.

Select any photograph to see it at full size.

Coming soon: Our Montana creek adventures

One of our favorite places to stop was a stream west of Missoula, Montana, where Shawn and Sammy Jo could run and swim. I’m looking through our old videos so I can share those adventures here too.

More memories from the road

Shawn and Sammy Jo standing in the water — Days by the water.

Shawn and Sammy Jo riding together — Always ready to go.

Shawn and Sammy Jo sitting by a campfire — Campfire nights.

Shawn sleeping among blankets — The quiet moments mattered too.

LATEST UPDATES

From the road

Short updates, live-stream announcements, photos, and reflections can go here.

October 2026

Back in the R-Pod

Settling back into life on the road and figuring out what this new routine looks like with Sammy Jo.

October 2026

Building a home online

This website will be the central place for stories, updates, live events, and ways to stay connected.

Coming soon

Follow the court proceedings

A central place for selected public filings, court orders, and case updates. State and federal proceedings are organized separately. Documents will be added as they are reviewed for publication.

Minnesota

State Court Litigation

Housing-related court proceedings, filings, orders, and correspondence.

View state court index →

United States District Court

Federal Litigation

Federal case information and any documents once officially filed.

View federal case index →

How to read this archive

Document guide

Case status, filing dates, and document labels will distinguish allegations and arguments from court rulings.

About this archive →

COMING SOON · ACCEPTING INQUIRIES

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Scheduled docket checks, notifications of new filings and orders, public document retrieval, factual status reports and organized case records.

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Freelance Paralegal & Litigation Support

Research, drafting, discovery support, document review, chronologies, exhibits and litigation preparation as an independent contractor under attorney direction and supervision.

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SUPPORT THE JOURNEY

Help keep us moving forward.

The last year has brought medical challenges, housing issues, legal costs, travel, and a lot of unexpected expenses while rebuilding life in the R-Pod. If you'd like to help, your support goes toward those added costs and helps make it possible to keep sharing this journey with the community that's grown around it.

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Note: Any discussion of legal matters on this site reflects personal experience and public court activity. Nothing on this website is legal advice.