Our route took us to Athens, Ohio where we visited a grandson just starting his freshman year at Ohio University. It was wonderful to see him in his new surroundings, explore a little of the campus, share a lunch on a bench in the shade and just talk. He is so happy with his choice of school and that makes us happy too!
We then moved on to Lewes, Delaware where we connected with sailing friends from Maryland. They rented a house on the beach and we were in Henlopen State Park about a mile away....together during the day we talked, played cards, explored the town, talked and just generally enjoyed each other's company. Leaving Lewes we moved up to Old New Castle, Delaware to see a best friend. We'd met him and his wife when we lived in our historic home before our sailing adventure. This was a bittersweet visit because my best friend, his wife, died during COVID and walking into their house and not hearing her laughter or seeing that broad smile was a heartache. But seeing him was wonderful.
We drove north through New Jersey trying (unsuccessfully) to avoid NYC traffic and found a lovely state park just across the Vermont line. We happily pulled into our site and just collapsed. There is nothing relaxing about driving anywhere near NYC in a car....even more "fun" in an RV. The next day saw us pusing east to Atkinson, New Hampshire for a long overdue gathering with Dave's brother and extended family. Hugs all around and adult kids with little kids.....activity throughout their big back yard and a deliciousl barbeque dinner!
Two days with family was relaxing and passed too quickly....but he headed a little west to Hollis, New Hampshire for two nights with "The Other Lynn and Dave". Our long-time friendship has weathered distance and now weekly dice games on Zoom. So much better in person!
That connection meant it was time to head back home.....so into the RV for three plus days of driving. Crossed the southern edges of New Hampshire and Vermont, moved quickly across New York State and hit a little of the corner of northeast Pennsylvania. Basically it was a start-driving-about-nine-in-the-morning and stop-driving-about-three-o'clock in the afternoon part of the trip. This get-back-home-part is not my favorite section of any RV trip. This one went smoothly, though, until about the last 200 miles.
Let's just say that there are way more semi-trucks heading on "our" route and the highways are in terrible condition. Shake, rattle and roll for hours. If I ever have to help drive from Indiana around the bottom of Chicago to head north to Wisconsin again it will be too soon. And much of our Wisconsin highway system is nothing to boast about.
Glad to be home.....Dave will be checking all the nuts, bolts and screws in every door and cabinet in our rolling "home" to be sure nothing falls out or off next time we go anywhere. A nice two weeks....but a bad 200 miles.
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