Home for the Holidays

After 7,475 miles, 18 states, and 39 stops we made it back home in time to spend the holidays with family and friends.  (And what a great time we've had catching up with everyone!).  But words can not describe the depth & breadth of our experiences as we traveled around this magnificent country of ours over the past four months.

From the quaint, little historic town of Elizabethtown, KY; to the grandeur of Niagara Falls; to the breathtaking sunsets along northeast costal towns,  (such as Kennebunkport, Maine); to the beautiful rolling foothills of Pennsylvania, and mountains of West Virginia & Virginia - the scenery has been nothing but spectacular.

Of course, we couldn't resist the mouth-watering, maple syrup pancakes of Vermont  - as well as the best seafood this country has to offer all through out our travels of the Northeast.  (Which is the main reason I absolutely had to go on a diet when we hit the North Carolina border!!)

And, oh my...we have had adventures!!  We rode bikes along Lake Champlain, (and over the causeway) in Burlington, Vermont; floated through the skies in a hot-air balloon in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; hiked up to Moxie Falls in central Maine, and toured historic covered bridges while riding open-air, three-wheel scooters all along the way.  As you can see, we definitely discovered how much this country of ours has to offer!

Educational-wise, we visited Yale University, West Point Academy, as well as prestigious Phillips Exeter Academy in Hampton Falls, NH.  We strolled through eleven museums, (including living-history & military museums), across the entire northeast.  (Places like Strawberry Banke in Hampton Falls, NH;  a shipyard village in Mystic, CT; Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, MA;  Railway Village in Boothbay, ME.)   And, we were even able to squeeze in five national parks (Gettysburg, Harpers Ferry, Antietam National Battlefield, Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline Drive) as well as several state parks (including Mount Battie in Camden, Massachusetts).

Yet perhaps the best part of the whole trip was all the wonderful people we were able to meet throughout this journey.  We met people from various countries, US states, and no doubt...various walks of life that crossed our paths during our travels.  Along the way we met...

• A retired minister in Medina, Ohio who owns a fabulous campground and started an on-site camp church as his new ministry.
• The Hanush's, (Dave, Lynn and their son Darrol), who are walking across the nation, praying daily for communities, individuals, and churches.  We met them in Jamestown, NY and immediately noticed the sign on their RV, "Prayer Walk Across America".  (See our blog journal dated July 18, 2018 to learn more about their walk of love and faith).
• A young couple working at an Auto Repair Shop in Colchester, VT.   We spent an hour (while waiting on our tire repairs), talking about camping, different venues, Vermont, marriage, etc.
• Several couples & individuals bike riding in Burlington, VT - as we all congregated on the bridge to take photos.   One couple had their small puppy in a puppy-backpack.   Several were full time RVers headed toward Maine (as we were).
• The couple from Connecticut we met in Wells, ME on the transit bus.  They dearly loved their grandchildren, who were currently going in and out of their house (per their home camera which kept sending alerts)...LOL
• Several neighbors who came and went at the campground in Wells, ME.  From the young couple (and their golden retriever) from Nova Scotia, to the gentleman from Massachusetts who spent many days/hours sharing all kinds of helpful information about our next venue - Massachusetts.
• The family from Japan who we met in Kennebunkport, ME at the tour bus stop.  They were fascinated by our RV lifestyle.
• The young couple from NY we met on the Biddeford, ME bike trails.  They had handcrafted a dog carrier onto their bike and had their small Yorkie traveling with them.
• The young couple from New Hampshire we met hiking up Moxie Falls in Maine.
• Our neighbors at the campground in Old Orchard Beach, ME, originally from Austria, now living in Trenton, NJ.
• The New Jersey extended family visiting Pennsylvania (for a wedding) who we had the so much fun sharing a family style lunch at an Amish restaurant one Sunday after church.   This is a restaurant that seats you at tables with complete strangers to share a family style meal.  Keith said a blessing for the food, and after that we all felt the immediate bond that comes when sharing a meal with other Christ followers. 
• The young couple and their children from Lancaster, PA who we met while touring the covered bridges.  Both had previously worked for the Sight & Sound Theater in Branson, MO and offered to get us backstage passes next time we were there.
• The Amish family (including their golden retriever) whose farm our hot-air balloon landed in - and all the kids helped packing everything up.
• Our neighbor at the campground in Virginia who helped us with our RV slides; whose wife had recently suffered a stroke and was now living in a nearby nursing home.  So thankful to be able to spend time in prayer with this "good Samaritan". 
• Our three campground / transit bus ladies in Charlestown who made the morning and afternoon trips so much fun.   Not sure I have laughed so much & hard in a long time. 
• And, of course all the churches we attended across the northeast in various states and several select, but different, denominations.  The warmth, immediate bond, and the truthful messages we received from most of these congregations brought home a real sense of the true, spiritual family of God and the bond we truly all share.  This was by far the most special!

During our travels we also picked up various tidbits which we couldn't wait to share with our southern friends & family.

     What you must know traveling the Northeast:

1. We came across an " Elm Street" in 99.9% of the cites/states we traveled.
2. Ohio roads are by far the worst roads to travel (especially in an RV).
3. The NE states love their "round-about's" (and their toll roads).
4. Maine drivers are by far the most laid back and considerate drivers (even in the most congested towns).
5. Massachusetts has the craziest six-lane intersections and the most aggressive drivers.
6. The NE absolutely has the best bike lanes (at least compared to the South).
7. Maine is the best dog friendly state (featuring water bowls outside retail stores,...etc.).
8. The best barbecue...is not in the Northeast, but only found in Memphis!
9. The best seafood...is definitely found in the northeast (not the South)!
10. You can get anywhere in the NE in just a matter of hours.
11. Unlike the South, Northeastern's have strange accents. 😂

It's been so much fun and we can't wait to get back on the road!   However, needless to say that it comes with bittersweet emotions - as we leave behind our family and dear friends. We have REALLY enjoyed the numerous luncheons, dinners, and Christmas parties, (all the times to reconnect) these last few weeks.

No doubt a part of our hearts will always be left behind with our family, our dear friends, and our church family in the MS/TN area.  But the call of the wild beckons, and so, we move on to our next adventure and calling.  In the meantime, we wish to share with you additional pictures from our recent NE trip. (See below)

Wishing all our friends, (far and near), a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! 🤶🎄

Strausburg Scooters, Pennsylvania
Hot-Air Balloon, Pennsylvania
Gettysburg, PA
West Point Academy, New York
Renaissance Faire, NY
Harpers Ferry, West VA
Blue Ridge Parkway, VA