The adventure begins

Day 1, June 27: The adventure begins. A trial the likes of which none of us ever imagined. Um, no, actually, for the first time ever, day 1 of our trip was completely without incident. Usually there is some major malfunction that causes us to purchase new bike racks, hang upside-down off the 12-foot roof of the RV duct-taping the windshield in place, having the mirror simply fall off, or in extreme circumstances, actually requiring the sudden, on-site purchase of a new RV. Day 0 was a bit more hectic, when we thought my hand was broken but I just suffered very serious swelling and bruising. Do you all play the game we love to play at Casa de Gownezio? It's the game where instead of organizing that which requires organization, one quickly yet forcefully pushes all 153 pieces of Tupperware into the kitchen cabinet and then walks away from it? And then the next person who simply needs an 8 ounce container for leftovers spends the next 30 minutes picking up the Tupperware that has exploded over a 100 square foot area? Well, it was like that with our camper, except that when I opened the front compartment, it was the forged steel sway bar from the hitch that came bursting forth. It was (at this point you should probably be humming some dramatic/heroic music) headed straight for Kieran's foot, and I got my hand there instead. I sure hope you are impressed. That's his one freebie for the trip; I will not be putting myself between him and a grizzly.

My biggest annoyance so far is that I finally got myself a shiny new phone to take on the trip as the old one proclaimed its imminent demise. But then, as you may have heard, Verizon stopped actually being able to do much of anything for 2 solid days. And so not only did I not get to use my shiny new phone, but now it's unable to be hooked up to the home computer with all the music, data, etc. on it. And downloading everything is taking soooo long. #firstworldproblems #thestruggleisreal

Our list of stuff we now realize we forgot to bring with us:

1. Gabe's sneakers (he has to choose between sandals and massive hiking boots)
2. Kieran's sneakers (ditto)
3. Kathy's entire bra collection. She has no bras. It's like 1969. Liz offered to share hers; that was very helpful as it provided Kathy with someplace to lay down and consider where she can purchase new ones for herself.

Last night was terrific. We camped at Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio; it was right near Das Essen Haus, a German restaurant in Amish country where my grandparents used to bring me when I was just a wee lad. It was also right at the same exit where Liz and I stopped at a fantastic restaurant 15 years ago and have been trying to remember ever since where it was. We didn't eat there, but did eat at The Barn at Sauder Village which had that same amazing 17,000 calorie chicken & potatoes kind of buffet. And fed all 8 of us for $80.

But the best part was that Grandma Gowman drove over from Monroe and stayed with us last night! It was great seeing her and getting some quality time with her and the grandchildren. And we had such a great campfire that it took three tries to drown it.

And the second best part was that for the start of camping/end of school I surprised Liz and myself with the gift of Lagavulin.

Day 2, June 28. Today has been a hard drive. Five hundred miles, including a two-hour stretch through and near Chicago that was heavy traffic and very, very tight construction with narrow lanes, no shoulders, and concrete barricades until about the last 50 miles of the state. Not only was it just abysmal, there was no escape. Mile after mile of soul-sapping hyper-focused driving, and exit after exit was closed. And it was two hours past when lunch should have been. And we were on fumes before we finally exited at Wal-Mart. I never thought I would feel genuine elation at seeing Wal-Mart. It may have led to some people being crabby; I will have to investigate and get back to you on exactly who that was.

So, after eleven hours on the road, through exhausting traffic, thunderstorms, and wind, we approached our destination. Betty (our in-truck navigator) counted down. “Your destination is two miles ahead on the left.” Aaah, so tired. “Your destination is one mile ahead on the left.” And hungry. Sooooo hungry. “A half mile...” Oh my gosh, at long last! “A quarter mile...” Yes! Dinner! Relaxation! Campfire! My bed! “You have arrived at your destination.” Cows. Lots and lots of cows. And grass. A an old house, way off yonder on a hill. But nope, no campground. That was 30 minutes in the other direction.

But we made it, and even got in dinner and a walk before the rain started. In our first two days we have covered nearly 1,000 miles.