So it happened! We left Indiana on Sunday and headed to Ohio. We’re gradually making our way to Bull Run State Park in Virginia, for a 2 week stay. We’ll see friends from Chicago and Arizona that we’ve known for years. And we’re hoping to take in the Civil War battlefield in Manassas VA. This was a trip we hoped to take last year, but the exhaustion of last summer caught up to us. Bruce was deep into project mode at work, and the idea of sightseeing without him, wasn’t in my wheelhouse.
Our time in Indiana was well spent. We caught up on purchases, doctor appointments, surgery, PT, a crown for my broken tooth, a birthday celebration, visits with friends and relatives, truck maintenance, and all of the details that keep us safe, whole and mobile. And I had 13 quilts done! Several baby and child size ones, and some biggies. Plus some holiday/birthday presents to mail.
Phew!
Right now, we’re using state and county parks for our stays. We love these options. They are usually on land that isn’t accessible to private campgrounds, often in coveted locations. Usually there is a 14 day limit on stays, so when we park longer than that we opt for private campgrounds. We find that Saturday moves, with a minimum of 7-14 days are best. It gives Bruce a chance to work without the work of moving midweek. Saturday traffic is less semi-truck heavy, and lighter. State/county campgrounds are also more affordable. At Fountainbleu State Park, across the lake from New Orleans, we stayed 14 days for less than $200. Seniors pay half price in Louisana state parks.
We’ll take it all day long.
We had our first big destination error. As we moved from Ohio to Pennsylvania yesterday, the app we use for travel hadn’t updated itself on Bruce’s phone. He plugged in the location to our navigation system and as we approached the entrance I shouted ‘NO!’ I had updated it online from a private park to Ohiopyle State Park and he missed it. Luckily the parks were only 20 miles apart and it was 2:30 pm so we had plenty of daylight to turn around. Limited grocery options in both OH and PA left us with an Amish produce stand and a mini mart. The heirloom tomatoes are irresistible.
One of the things I look forward to most, about landing in Indiana for a season is seeing my cousin. Kathleen and I spent a lot of time together growing up. We went to the same church, school, and our moms were friends. There were sleepovers at her house, and I was in her wedding in 1979. She’s coming up on her 50th anniversary soon. Her life is rich with 8 grandkids, many nearby. She even has a couple of married ones who are likely going to make her a great grandma in the next few years. As couples we have a great time. The fact that her husband is an accomplished pit master doesn’t hurt. Smoked meatloaf, cheese, pulled pork, and BBQ spaghetti being just a few of his specialties.
We spent an afternoon in a Bloomington IN antique mall. Bloomington is to IN what Ann Arbor is to MI. Major college town with a championship football presence (last year – yay), med school, multicultural eateries, colorful residents, and an extra 100,000 people descending on it every August. It’s never boring in Bloomington.
I’m a complete cynic about antique malls. For me, they’re more of a museum experience. Things my mother, grandmother and even myself, all for sale at ridiculous prices. When 45 yr old Tupperware is selling for $5 a piece (or more), I’m done. I picked up a book on mushrooms for $13 and looked on the back, only to find that brand new it sold for $16. I uttered one of those ‘unfiltered’ comments, loud enough to make a fellow shopper chuckle.
It’s a gift.
But the time spent reminiscing and chatting, laughing and enjoying each other was priceless. And all in all I ended up spending more than she did. Artsy cards always grab me – I can’t resist.
It also wouldn’t be summer if we didn’t see our friends from the Chicago area, Thomas, Shanti and their son David. Bruce and Thomas worked on a project together when we first arrived in IL. They had us over for dinner with the girls to introduce us to Indian food and traditions and a friendship was born. They have been wonderfully supportive of our travel life. They caught up with us in New Orleans our first year. Hosted us that summer while the RV was being repaired. And again when we were booted out of an extended stay hotel for not disclosing our cat, (we had him the year before with no problem). Both guys celebrated major birthdays this year, Thomas’ 60th and Bruce’s 70th. This summer they dropped David off at Purdue University for his first year of college then made their way to Bloomington to see us.
Leftover BBQ spaghetti outside, a trip to Nashville IN for a day of wandering, and a lovely brunch enjoyed by all. The farmer’s market tomatoes we picked up were devoured, and the fresh salad greens enjoyed without fear of lettuce poisoning.
As we traveled to Chicago for Thomas’ surprise party, we had just enough time to meet up with family friends in the area. The Simmons have been in our lives about 12 years, their kids are our adopted grands. They spent a lot of time visiting us in Chicago, I’ve watched their kids grow up! We never miss last minute visits on the fly!
Bruce recently posted on Facebook about our next season, wearing his heart on his sleeve. His desire for adventure and change have made me a different person. He has traveled the world, and much of the country, but this life ‘on the road’, living in out of the way places, has given both of us a huge appreciation, for the challenges that face people who live in the margins of life. So many families are living in campgrounds for economic reasons and jobs. There is a big need for safe, clean, affordable places for people to park their homes. We find ourselves moved to serve them as we can, when we are near. It’s also given me the sense that we may never own a ‘stick and brick’ house again…
Safe travels to us!
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