Day 37: The Great Unknown

Today we ventured farther northeast in the country than we've ever been (at least in a car...airline layovers don't count, do they?). We're in new waters, which means a bit more navigating is required of me. I'm so fortunate to have the benefiit of the truck's navigation system, although it doesn't help with issues such as height clearance and turning radius. We could have used a bit more of that info regarding our new campground. The tilt on the trailer as Stan pulled it into place was pretty scary. He's told me I'll need to be elsewhere when he pulls out of our site on Sunday...my freaking out doesn't help him maintain his cool and calm approach to all things "Teensie."  :-/

We stopped for a picnic lunch at an Ohio rest area about 60 miles west of West Virginia, where we rendezvoused with the Israel family, our good friends from home. Mark and the kids also brought a picnic, and we enjoyed hanging out for a while, letting the kids burn off some energy and have a blast in their mini reunion. (We missed you so much, Sondra!) The Israels are nearing their official departure on a one-year trip around the country in an RV. Guess we're not the only ones with enough loose screws, er, um, gumption to tackle this type of adventure.

We were in West Virginia for about 12 miles on our way to southwestern Pennsylvania, long enough for us to sing through John Denver's "Country Roads" about four times...you know the song..."Almost heaven, West Virginia. Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River..." The truck pulled us up and down an unending line of curvy hills, many of them quite steep, especially around Wheeling, WV. She didn't seem to mind one bit, although we'll appreciate the beautiful Alleghenies more these next few days while the trailer is parked here in the Portersville campground.

We really enjoyed a longer day in the car; it gave the kids a chance to watch a movie and Stan and me the opportunity to share a few tears and lots of great conversation about my dad, who died four years ago today. This trip is partially in his honor and is a reflection of our intention to have no regrets, to plan for the future while living in the present, and to invest in our family by making incredible memories together. Dad's sudden death caught us all off guard, especially him. I think he'd be thrilled about this adventure and would probably have joined us along the way. He and my mom instilled in me (and my brother) a love of travel; it's alive and well, and my dad feels close by when I'm living some of his dreams. I love you, Dad.

 

Precious memory: Dad and Kelsey during our springbreak trip to Florida four years ago