Tag Archives: road trips

i’m at seabrook…

Posted on by under America, Friends, Travel

As you read this, on a (hopefully) sunny morning, wherever you are, I’m probably eating a splendid breakfast in the camp dining hall. Not just any dining hall, because this camp & conference center has a CHEF. If I’m not eating scrambled eggs, grits, or French toast, I might be wading in the ocean, before heading to the morning meeting. You never know. Depends on what time you’re reading this. DSC_0247

If I’m on the beach, maybe there will be dolphins close enough to shore that I could get some good pictures of them. Someday, I’m going to get a longer zoom lens for my Nikon, so I can get closeups of dolphins in and pelicans on the water. DSC_0301

When I’m in the chapel, I will be sitting with some of my best friends in the world, singing our hearts out, before the meeting begins. The weather is supposed to be HOT, so we’ll probably have the air conditioning blasting inside, requiring all the girls to bring jackets or pashmina scarves to wrap up in. DSC_0336

If you’re reading this on Saturday afternoon, I am definitely running around on the beach, in my water shoes, throwing a frisbee. Or playing volleyball, and picking the sand spurs out of the ball, every time it gets hit into the weeds. Or swimming in the ocean, because the weather is supposed to be glorious! And not wearing sunscreen, because I never do.DSC_0349

And if you’re reading this late in the evening, I will be sitting on the bleachers, by the campfire, playing my guitar. The stars will be shining over our heads, and hopefully, there won’t be any clouds for them to hide behind. We’ll go beachwalking, argue over the constellations, and jump up and down like little kids, when we see a shooting star. I always seem to miss them, because I’m never looking in the right direction.DSC_0415

I wish you could all be here, so since you can’t, you have something to look forward to, when I return. I’ll have pictures and a story or two to tell! Oh, and before someone gets after me, I wrote this on Thursday, and I definitely screwed up all my tenses. I’m pretty sure I went back and forth between past, present, and future, but I’m not going to try and correct myself anymore. Grammar-phobes, beware!DSC_0480

road trips are my “SQUIRREL!”…

Posted on by under America, Travel

It’s Friday. That means I’m getting up at the crack of early to go to work. My co-worker and I have switched shifts, so that I can finish work at 2pm. So, I’ll be driving about 9-10 hours to spend 1.5 days with my friends at a conference, and then drive all that way back on Sunday. Sound like too much for you? I figured as much.

You may not understand how much road trips are to me. I just LOVE to travel, LOVE hitting the road, LOVE the freedom of the road. Don’t get me wrong, my backside is a bit sore after all that time sitting down. I’m only human.

It’s been quite a few years since I considered a 9 hour trip to be a big deal. I tend to laugh when people complain about driving 4 hours or less, which I consider to be peanuts. Of course, it’s all in your mind, how the trip affects you. I can get just as sleepy near the end of a short trip as at the end of a long one. But when you KNOW that you have a long trip ahead, you can just sit back and enjoy. Enjoy what, you’re wondering?

When I’m on a road trip, I’ve left my worries behind, I have the expectation of something wonderful at the end of it. Often, it’s time spent with my friends, at a weekend Bible conference. We play games, stay up late, play volleyball and Ultimate frisbee, spend hours talking and shrieking with laughter, and hearing the Word of the God from wonderful speakers.

When I’m on a road trip, I can crank up the music and sing my head off. I can talk eat a little healthily, and make more than one stop at Starbucks, if I want to. I can admire the scenery, and let my thoughts wander (not to be confused with not paying attention to the road ahead). I can hash out any problems that I can deal with or sing my head off, and get them to go away for the time being. There’s joy on the trip, and there’s joy at the end of the route. There’s even joy when I get back from that trip, because I can tell people all about what a wonderful time I had.

My current destination is where I used to live, when I was in Pennsylvania. So, not only am I headed where my best friends are located, I’m headed to a place that was home to me for several years. I know everyone around there, and love them all dearly. And some of them are getting older, so every chance I get to see them and spend time with them, is a precious time.

Do you remember Jack Sparrow telling Elizabeth that the Black Pearl isn’t just a ship? He told her that it was freedom to him. And while I don’t approve of all of his piratical attitudes and notions (nor of his personal hygiene), I can understand this. And yet, as much as I love my car, I don’t see my car that way as much as the actual act of traveling. Whether I’m on my own in the car, just me and my music, or sharing it with my friends, once the rubber hits the road… freedom has arrived.

So, let’s hit the road, already!

i think i like to write…

Posted on by under America, Books, Exercise, Travel, Writing

I made myself read another chapter or two of The Book of Three, before coming downstairs and getting on the computer. I slogged my way through, and perhaps the story is starting to grow on me, especially after Gurgi showed up. But then I find him to remind me a lot of Gollum, so I’m waiting for more of the differentiating characteristics. Yes, I know he’s hairy, like a wolfhound, but he started off by trying to strangle Taran, talks in a very strange manner, and does a lot of whining about the cruelty of the masters. I do know, of course, that he’s a lot nicer than Gollum, so I’m waiting for the whole story to improve, too.

You see, I’m getting more addicted to my blogging and writing, and it’s affecting my reading goals for the year. Dreadful, isn’t it? I’m three books behind schedule on Goodreads, which is unheard of, for me. Do you realize, it took me two weeks to read Ben Shapiro’s Bullies, despite it being a completely fascinating and awesome read? That’s how into my writing I’ve been getting, that I write and write, or edit and edit some more, and then I’m too tired to read. I think my usual program of getting all the fiction in at the beginning of the month was a good plan. Now, if I could just find some fiction that I want to read!

Going to the gym has cut into my free time, as well, but I don’t consider that a bad thing.  : )  My original goal for the year was to get hooked on going to the gym, and it’s working. I still have no specific weight-loss goals, but I can see the difference in my clothes, and enjoy it when the scale decides to change with them, too. It’s a nice feeling when I can see improvements in my endurance and strength on the track, as well as the other machines. My foot continues to act up, as if it’s annoyed with me for giving it a regular pounding, but even that is getting better, when I run.

At work, I’ve been working on the… well, I suppose it’s actually “small talk”, right? Blast it, I hate small talk. I like to have interesting conversations with people, not just the bubbly, frothy stuff. But when you only have a minute or two with every customer, you have to either stick with the run-of-the-mill “How’s it going?” and “Have a good one!”, or for the regulars, you come up with different things to ask them. Try and show some interest in what they’re doing, or ask them an interesting question that gets (or startles) a response out of them.

It’s tricky, because I’m used to being able to have longer conversations with people, and this short stuff frustrates me. I manage it with a few of them, though, because I know a little bit about some of their projects, or know when they’re exhausted from grading a million papers, before being able to work on their own research. Some of them never seem to stop, even to sleep, while some occasionally get their weekends off. I suppose if I knew what they actually did in those labs of theirs, I’d have even more fun, but short, conversations with them.

But if I’m looking for a good conversation, I should be getting it soon! I have a road trip scheduled for the beginning of March, so I get to start work early, leave early…. and drive to Pennsylvania! Ok, I know that most of you wouldn’t be thrilled by that kind of schedule, but I just love the fact that I’m going. And that it’s a road trip. I love road trips! Even if I have to get up for work at 5am, in order to not have to take the work day off. I’ll arrive at my destination by midnight, get to enjoy the remaining 36 hours of my conference, and then drive back on Sunday. Could it be any more awesome?

No, I’m actually not being sarcastic. I enjoy long road trips, getting to listen to music, and just enjoying the freedom of the road, with no responsibilities, aside from not getting in an accident (or getting pulled over). If I get to spend 1.5 days, or more, with my best friends, see other friends that I haven’t seen in months (I used to live there, remember), and hear some wonderful messages from the Word of God, then the weekend is a total win for me. I know plenty of people that would only see the terrible amount of driving involved, and that would ruin it for them.

I think I’ll stop now, as I have a few blog posts coming up with subjects I don’t want to teeter over into. I can be a danger to myself, (or maybe just to my blog) when I get to rambling!

home is in my heart…

Posted on by under Travel, Thoughts, Food, Nature, Kids, Photos, Memories, Family, Friends, Exercise, America

The saying about the residence of heart and home is true, but I can honestly claim several places that I consider home. When I miss each of these places, I sometimes wonder if I left a piece of my heart behind, but I think it’s more like I took them inside my heart, and carry them around with me wherever I am.

Before I left for Australia, I lived in Pennsylvania for almost five years, working as the housekeeper of this camp. GWH is very dear to me, both the people and the camp itself. So, having missed the last Labor Day Conference, I was thrilled to make it to this one.

As part of the “young people’s group”, my friends and I stayed in the Den (where the snacks are located), where we enjoyed the added benefit of having an air-conditioner. The weekend wasn’t all sunny, but no matter the sunshine content, the air was swelteringly muggy. You know, that wonderful feel of walking through soup.

My friend C. had never been to GWH, and was pleased to find that our weekend residence is where all of the camp directors stay… which means the costumes for Girl’s Camp. She loved trying on the hats, as you’ll see.

It’s such a big conference that you can never spend a long enough time talking to anyone, so I compromise, and do lots of running around hugging people, assuring them that I’ll see them again before the weekend’s over. Old friends that I’ve known since before they had their four children, or newlyweds that have welcomed their first baby. Much older friends that are the support in the local church, and I keep a close ear/eye out for how their health is doing. If they go home to be with the Lord before I see them next, they will be blessed, but I will miss their hugs.

My dearest cousin was able to get out on Saturday, so we could enjoy her and her baby, as well as get her in on the Ultimate Frisbee fun. How many years has it been since we had all my cousins on that field? Way too long. I remember a year when the Funks and Dingers made up at least 10-15 of the Frisbee participants. And I will continue to warn the guys, do NOT underestimate the pregnant one that’s cherry-picking in the end zone. She will take you out.

I got to take a wander down the hill, one afternoon, and revisit some of the buildings that I once cleaned from top to bottom. The discovery of a fancy-schmancy new coffee maker in the Old Dining Room was a bit of a surprise, but I like the paintings on the wall. I wonder if anyone I know did them. The Welcome sign on the front door hasn’t changed in the last 70 years, though I remember that it took me three or four years to notice the pineapple design, or realize that pineapples are symbolic of hospitality. Who knew?

My interest in floral photography hasn’t let up, and I took advantage of every interesting bloom I could find. I will furthermore admit that the bumblebee shot didn’t look that cool until I played around with the effects on Picasa. I am not THAT good a photographer. But I finally figured out how to highlight the buzzy little fellow. Other plant life drew my attention in the main meeting hall, behind the Dining Hall, and in front of Nancy’s house. I still think those flowers look like someone drew on them with a Sharpie.

My bruises from the weekend are starting to fade. I got a bit sore after playing Ultimate (haven’t played since sometime in Australia), and then I bashed myself up a bit more playing volleyball for three nights in a row. I haven’t played vball in well OVER a year, because the local court in Emerald got flooded before I arrived. That and Aussies don’t seem to play volleyball very often. I know, it’s sad. I only have one or two pics of the games in the Annex, but I sure wish I had some pics from the final guys versus girls game. With about thirty people to a team, the guys not being allowed to spike, and the ref being determined to keep his son-in-law in line, it was quite hilarious.

I also got to go on a short hike to Caledonia, but we had a dinner deadline for two of the girls, so we weren’t out for THAT long. Muddy, steamy, and just nice to be back in Pennsylvania. Though, there was a bit of a speed competition going on between the cousins, but they had to slow up for a family photo, at one of the bridges.

Babies and kids, seemingly everywhere. Some of them, I just met, and others, I’ve known them since babyhood. How did they get so big? How did all my friends come to have children that are SO cute? I cannot resist taking pictures when they’re around, because who doesn’t want to capture this time in their lives?

At our Second Annual Justin-Sponsored Picnic, after the speech, and after the guys made sure the hotdogs were thoroughly cooked, I got to hang out with two of the girls that were making friends. One had just learned to point at her eye and nose, so there was a near-catastrophe when she tried to point at someone else’s nose. We switched to “where’s her nose?”, instead of “where’s her eyes?”, and then they began to play follow-the-leader around the picnic tables. Such a precious age.

My time there wasn’t really long enough, but I know I’ll be back, sometime in the New Year, and then I can talk to more people, one-on-one. There are friendships that never grow old, and you just keep making them stronger and stronger. These are the ones that you go “home” for. Because when I’m with those that I love, I am home.

road trippin’!

Posted on by under America, Family, Food, Friends, Travel

Road trip! We’re off to Pennsylvania, in the morning, and here I am, taking my own sweet time with the packing. Ok, I’ve done some packing, but now I’m blogging while the Republican National Convention is on. I love Hannity.

But anyway, nowadays, getting ready for a trip seems to involve looking for every plug and battery charger I own, just as much as packing clothes and toothpaste. Two cameras requires two battery chargers, and both batteries. Maybe I won’t even use the cameras, but if I don’t have the chargers, I’ll need them. Then there’s the car charger for my phone, Bluetooth earpiece, mp3 player, and now, I have one for my Kindle Fire. Oh, and that’s before I get my plugs for my laptop, with the headphones.

Someone’s probably going to inform me that there’s a universal charger for all this, but I don’t have it yet. If it hasn’t yet been invented, I’m sure it’s on the way. No matter how many wires, I’m grateful for them, because they allow me to talk on the phone interminably, when the trip gets boring, and I can listen to any music I want, without digging for CDs. Good stuff.

My weekend will be spent with lots of good friends at a Bible conference, and lots of acquaintances that I haven’t seen in two years. People that I only see on Labor Day weekend, every year. We “young people” don’t eat with the conference, but go out for all our meals, and spend too much time thinking about food, or where to eat for the next meal.

Between the conference meetings, and eating out, I need to know that we’ll play a game of Ultimate Frisbee. Ok, actually, I threatened my soccer friends with dire punishment if they interfere with any games of Ultimate. Sure, there are two days to play in the afternoon, but we always end up with some rivalry for the field. When soccer takes over, a few fellow Frisbee lovers and I will hang out on the sidelines, trying to subvert the other players to the dark side.

So, I know I haven’t been sharing much lately, but I hope I’ll have some pictures and good times to tell you about, when I get back next week. Wherever you are, I hope you have a wonderful time with family or friends, and I’ll see you on the flip side.

of travel & the treasure of friendship…

Posted on by under America, Family, Friends, Photos, Thoughts, Travel

Before I forget, I want to thank everyone for their encouragement and prayers, as I made the long trip home. The Lord answered those prayers, as I had no problems, aside from some road construction in the mountains. Wouldn’t you think that if they warn you for over a hundred miles that you need to get in the left lane, people would have time to do it? Sure, those of us that were GOOD were in the left lane at the right time, and all the miscreants were in the right lane, zipping by. Guess whose fault it is that traffic was crawling? I’ll let you figure it out.

I already knew this, but just this week, I’ve become aware of what wonderful friends I have. Even the ones, here on this blog, that I have never met! Everyone’s kindness and encouragement was like receiving a huge comforting hug, just when it was needed. And for that, I thank you.

There was beautiful weather for my entire trip, so I was able, once more, to appreciate the beauty of this great country of ours. The windmills of Indiana were less alarming, this time, but the seemingly endless farmlands were glorious to look at. Into Kentucky, I saw great stretches of wooden fences for the horse farms, and thought how much the horses must like having so much room to run around in. The mountains, as I approached Asheville, North Carolina were a wonder, with the sun beginning to set, and magnificent colors reflecting off the hills. Of course, that part of the trip was tainted by waiting too long for a bathroom stop, and then having to hold it for miles and miles, and two tunnels. A rest stop has never looked so beautiful, as the one on the other side of the mountains.

But before I could see the hills of Kentucky and Tennessee, or the mountains of North Carolina, I had to stop for one night in Indiana. Oh, I had high hopes of making the trip in one day, having left at 4am, and having a lot of adrenaline in my system. Surely I could save myself some money, and not stop? But around 4pm, I felt the energy just drain away, and I wanted to rest. No, I wasn’t sleepy, but I was just plain TIRED.

So, I pulled off at a likely exit, in Lafayette, Indiana, and picked a place called the Baymont Inn & Suites. They had a nice room for me, and a decent price, though I did make sure they didn’t accidentally give me one with two beds. I felt like I was depriving someone, last time.

As before, I still haven’t gotten over the childish delight that accompanies staying in a hotel room. Once you’ve gotten past the “ouchie” that comes with paying for it, you can enjoy it to your heart’s delight. The nice, clean bathroom, the made-up bed, and all the accoutrements that go with it. Since my last hotel didn’t have a fridge, I felt like I’d received a bonus that this one did, plus a microwave. Unfortunately, I had nothing to put into the fridge except for a water bottle. Oh well.

I was debating this new style of bedding that didn’t put a comforter on it, but left it in a bag, in case you wanted one… and then finally discovered that the comforter was white, and looked like sheets. How crisp and clean looking! The bathroom was quite stylish, with the sink in the dresser/armoire looking piece of furniture, though I think it was a little too close to the toilet for comfort’s sake. Who wants the feeling that they’re sitting UNDER the sink, when you’re using the facilities?

The folded up washcloths and facial tissue were shades of our towel creations on the cruise, I thought. Ok, not quite as fancy, but it made me think they were really trying. And when you’re staying somewhere away from home, don’t we all want to think they’re making a might effort, just for us?

I sampled the television channels for a few minutes, turning it on to find Luke getting electrocuted by the Emperor, and then perusing until I found that both Dog Whisperer and Hoodwinked were on. But that still wasn’t enough to keep it on, because my computer is where the fun is.

After a shower and dinner at Bob Evans (don’t get the omelets there), I was cheerfully making a pot of coffee with my little coffee maker, and thinking how cute my little baby coffee cups with their travel lids were. Until I was chatting on the computer, and found that the lids don’t fit properly, and I shrieked loud and long when I spilled hot coffee all down my front.

The quaint little breakfast nook, on the main floor, with the street lamp, was nice to sit down in, and eat something before leaving in the morning. Though I will say, it is a little difficult to avoid carbs when you’re eating a “continental breakfast”, where millions of bread products are available. So, I had those little egg patties with sausage gravy, so that I wouldn’t have to stop for breakfast. But if I had been staying in that hotel for longer, I really would have enjoyed their nice sitting areas, where if you’re traveling with your family, you can curl up with a book and avoid whoever you want to avoid.  : )

I knew I was finally in the south, when I found a Zaxby’s, outside of Louisville, and stopped to enjoy one of their Zalads, with grilled chicken and ranch sauce. It was wonderful, though I knew their salads were good, from previous diets. If I could own a fast food franchise restaurant, I would want to own a Zaxby’s. Not only do they have great food, but they have the best wall decorations. Usually, there are plenty of local items for local sports teams or historical sites of interest. But I’ve always wanted one of their clocks, and the “Obey This Sign” sign is what I’ve always wanted for my house.

Well, I have probably rambled enough for one night. My trip took a little longer than expected, but then again, I was stopping to eat in for all my meals (even those that were at Zaxby’s or Subway), when I was eating my own food, in my car, on the way north. It makes a difference in the trip’s timing.

Clear weather, good roads, and the prayers of friends carried me through, and arrived home when my parents weren’t looking. But I’m here to stay, for some time, and will be looking for work nearby. Thank goodness the University and everyone will be hiring shortly, just in time for the Clemson students to arrive back in town. Good night!

on the road again…

Posted on by under Friends, Thoughts, Travel

You will have to be patient with me, but in time, I will explain to you why I’m headed back to South Carolina. I have left my job in Minnesota, and will not be a nanny this year, after all. Before anyone asks, I was not fired. If you’ve been reading some of my posts about my struggles, I will try and explain, when I figure out some things for myself.

For now, I’m near Indianapolis, staying in a hotel, and I just put in twelve hours on the road (from 4am to 4pm). My shower, comfy bed, and a neighboring restaurant are all beckoning to me, so I will leave you now. If you think of it, I would greatly appreciate prayers for safe travel, tomorrow. My friends have been covering me with prayer, today, and I haven’t had any trouble on the roads. Thank you, Lord.

Continue to have a wonderful weekend, and I hope to be back with you soon, with more cheerful things to share. And eventually, an explanation. Thanks.

facing my first week in minnesota…

Posted on by under America, Photos, Thoughts, Travel

As I sit here sipping a cup of coffee, comfortably ensconced on my “new” bed, I’m also debating whether I need another filter for my water. Somehow it still tastes chlorinated. Do they have Brita pitchers up here? I will have to check, when I go looking for the skirt hangers that I forgot to buy, earlier.

While I gather my thoughts together, considering my recent trip north, I would also like to take the time to welcome my new followers. I seem to have picked up another handful over the last two weeks. Welcome to my blog, and thank you for taking the time to read about my continuing journey as a nanny and a girl that just likes to write about what she does. Whether I’m reading, listening to music, watching movies, or wandering around my new hometown, I hope that I can share my experiences in an interesting way. I don’t consider myself unusual, but since every person is unique, and they have completely unique experiences in their lives, you may find my comings and goings unusual. In that case, hold on for the ride, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

On Friday morning, I got up and hit the road, right on time, with plans to stop just outside of Gary, Indiana, for the night. I’ll just let you get that song well-stuck in your brain (but who could ever not love listening to Robert Preston sing?) before I continue.  : )   My route sent me north, through Asheville, NC, where I had a moment of wistfulness over not being able to visit the Biltmore Estate while I was at home. But it’s on the to-do list for the year, so hopefully we will get there over either Thanksgiving or Christmas. Someday, I’m going to see it during spring or summer, too, when the flowers are in bloom!

The drive to Kentucky was free of any problems, as was the entire trip, for that matter. But up until that point, my brain had been a bit foggy, and I was fighting to stay alert. Not quite sleepy, but capable of becoming so. I finally decided that my contacts were giving my eyes the symptoms that I was sleepy, even though I wasn’t. Time for a new pair, but I went ahead and switched to glasses, and then I was golden.

One of my first stops in Kentucky took me to a Burger King that was full of beautiful photos of horses and races. It finally occurred to me that I was in horse racing country, and checking the atlas confirmed this, as there were all sorts of famous race tracks, horse farms, and museums listed on the closeup of… was in Lexington? But the pictures on the wall also jogged my memories… had I ever been in this particular Burger King before? By the time my route veered towards Louisville, I realized that if I’d kept going in the same direction, I’d have ended up in Cincinnati. Bingo. In past years, my trips to Michigan went over that route, and the pictures in that BK must’ve stuck in my mind from nigh on eight years ago. It’s funny, the things you’ll remember.

I came through Louisville, which I can never think of without remembering the movie Elizabethtown, and how the girl tells Orlando Bloom how to say it. “Lou-uh-vuhl”, she said, if I recall correctly. It sounds a bit odd to me, trying out that pronunciation, but if I ever stop in Louisville, I will do my best to pronounce it right. My first trafficky spot took me over some interesting bridges, and I found myself taking pics of several bridges on the whole trip. The landscape doesn’t always photograph well, when you’re driving at high speeds.

When I stopped for the night, I felt like I had windmills in my brain, because of the miles and miles of them that I’d come through in Indiana. Something about them really messed with my mind, because though you can eventually see that they’re lined up in rows, when you’re looking across the entire landscape, you feel like there’s an optical illusion playing tricks on you. They all appear to be moving, and you can’t always see the pole that holds them up. So, these windmills always seem to be about to tip off their “tower” and tumble into the road, like tumbleweeds, but they never do. And because each row has a considerable distance between it and the next, your mind is looking for a logical arrangement of them, but it can’t find anything logical to settle on. Good thing the road was mostly straight, I found those windmills way too distracting.

Arriving at the Country Inn & Suites, I was highly amused over my good fortune to stay in a room by myself, when it had two queen-sized beds in it. As I may have mentioned, I resisted the urge to jump on them, as I was really tired. The website said they have rooms with one king-sized bed for the price I paid, but none were available when I signed up for that room. So, I had myself an inward chuckle over it, and then used one of the beds to put all my stuff on. As a former housekeeper, I also made sure I didn’t mess up anything that I wasn’t really using. So, no, I didn’t try out both beds to see which was more comfortable, and I didn’t move any towels that I didn’t need.

I was further amused when I found that right next to my hotel was a restaurant called The Tilted Kilt Pub & Eatery. I couldn’t quite decide whether to be awestruck, shocked, or go eat there for dinner. But as I’m eating on a particular diet plan right now, that wasn’t really in the game plan. So, upon leaving town, I attempted to get a picture, when I was across the highway at the gas station called Luke. Sorry, couldn’t pull off and get a picture of the eatery when I was closer to it, so you’ll have to settle for the cropped picture, taken at some distance.

After more bridges and toll booths than I can keep track of, the landscape began to change again. After the rolling hills of Kentucky and Tennessee, I reached the fields of Indiana, which had enough trees on the edges to block my view to beyond the horizon. Or at least, it seemed like I could see to the edge of the world, if I climbed onto a roof or something. But then the land of Wisconsin began to remind me of my years of traveling through Michigan. Every summer, I either hopped on the bus in Detroit, or drove myself to the U.P., and Michigan is mostly flat, until you reach the top of the “mitten”. Wisconsin, likewise, was starting to think that flatness was boring, and began to develop some rolls.

More and more pine trees appeared, and the uniformly green swathes of forest were sometimes broken up by farms, but nothing you could call a mountain. And then, suddenly, these rocky formations leaped up out of nowhere. I didn’t get my camera out in time to take pictures of the cooler looking ones. The area was called something Bluffs, as I recall, and if I was touring the country for the sake of having a good time, I’d have stopped to explore them.

I saw signs for the Wisconsin Dells, and my memories took me back to a favorite book, by Lori Wick, called Sophie’s Heart. A wonderful book, by the way, and one of Lori Wick’s best. It was funny, as it suddenly occurred to me that the story of Sophie involved her becoming the housekeeper for a family in Wisconsin, but she could’ve been their nanny, too, because the children looked to her for companionship and advice. That is, having lost their mom, they had no woman of the house, except Sophie, and their dad was still recovering from his loss, too. But rather than tell you what happened, I’ll get around to the point. The only time I’ve ever heard of the Dells is when the kids in the book try and trick their dad into taking them there for Sophie’s birthday, and it wasn’t until I read that, that I found that the area was full of water parks. I’d like to go there someday and try out some of them.

My arrival at my destination was only slightly marred by Google not having the exact spot, because the area is newly developed, so I was in the wrong spot. But I wasn’t far off. I drove around trying to figure out where Google had gone wrong, until the family called me back, and directed me the last mile to their house. And now, I’m in the process of settling in, unpacking my suitcases, arranging my books, and getting cozy. It looks like my bed may end up being my “blogging zone”, as it’s pretty comfortable, and my computer can work as a heater, if I get chilly. Not that the weather’s chilly here, right now, but with the AC on, it can get a little cool downstairs.

And just to show that I’m settling in, bit by bit, here’s a picture of my bulletin board! It’s been a long time since I had a bulletin board in my room, I’ve missed it. Picked up some colorful push pins at Target, and I was good to go. Now, I’ll have to get a few more pictures to fill up the bulletin board that’s over my bed!

shades of the music man…

Posted on by under America, Travel

Well, for those who are interested, I’ve arrived safely, just outside of Gary, Indiana. Yes, of Music Man fame. It’s too bad I don’t have time to drop in there and check it out. Of course, if I had that kind of time, I’d have stopped lots of interesting places today. Civil War battlefields, museums, wineries, homes of famous Americans (like Henry Clay and Benjamin Harrison), and many other places were advertised along the roads. I mean, come on, Pigeon Forge has built a replica of the Titanic, I could’ve stopped there!

I did take some pictures, but I don’t really have the energy to put them on the computer, at the moment. I left at 7am and arrived at 8pm… Eastern time. Having checked my phone and the clock in my room, I’ve realized I must’ve crossed into Central time, somewhere along the line. Yes, I knew I was headed that way, but I didn’t know if I’d switch time zones today or tomorrow. So, that explains why I think it’s really light out, when it’s only 9pm… but no, now it’s 8pm. Well, that means I get to sleep a little longer, right?

My tired brain is full of windmills and corn fields. I’ll tell you about them later. For now, I’m going to finish my tepid tea-flavored water, take a refreshing shower, and then continue to giggle inwardly over the idea of me having two queen-sized beds to choose from. Too bad I’m too mature to jump on them.  : )

the endless road approaches…

Posted on by under America, Photos, Thoughts, Travel

The time to hit the road is drawing here. I can feel it, as I keep looking around, trying to figure out if I remembered everything. Wishing I had longer to pack and prepare. Reviewing the route on Google Maps. Checking addresses and packing food to put in my cooler. Debating whether I can find something to plug my Kindle into my stereo, when I don’t have a tape player in my car.

Yes, all of these thoughts jumble through my head, but I’m not intimidated by the trip, even if it will take me two days. Just anticipating that it could go quickly, but it likely won’t, because I’ve never driven this route before. I’m sure parts will be dull and tiring, and others will be new and interesting. After all, I am heading into several states that I’ve never driven through before! Maybe they’ll have other kinds of fruit for their water towers. : )

Truckers do this all the time (and I give them full props for doing it), surely I can handle this one trip with no problem. But even if I don’t mind doing it, it doesn’t change the fact that long road trips are more fun when you have someone to share it with.

Of course, I get around that by talking on the phone when I’m really bored or excessively sleepy. Don’t worry, drivers, I stay out of the fast lane when I’m doing it, and I pay close attention to the road. I would never do it in really busy traffic. But there are times when you need to hear someone else’s voice, after hours and hours in the car. When even drinking coffee doesn’t help (and the caffeine has no effect on me).

When was the last time I drove this far? Each time, I was headed for camp in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. One time, my mom and I drove straight there, but on the way back, we went through Canada, and came out through New York State. A year or two before that, I drove to PA with two others, picked up my cousin from camp there, and drove all night to get to camp in MI. I remember vividly how each of us drove until we were exhausted, and then passed the wheel to someone else, during the night. That night, we were switching drivers every hour or so, but somehow survived.

From everything everyone tells me, I have reason to believe that Minnesota is a wonderful place to live, Minneapolis being a fascinating place to visit, and that the people are friendly. I’m a little leery about their winter, but I’ll adjust. So, stick with me as I share my continuing adventures of being a nanny that likes to travel, but this time, staying in the U.S. See you on the northern side!