September 1, 2023 - HOME SWEET HOME

Finally home! What was supposed to be a seven hour drive became ten. We had a few stops along the way that added a little time. 

But it then became a long drive starting north of Valdosta, Georgia. Then rained the rest of the way home. We found our home safe and unharmed from Hurricane Idalia. Now to clean the mess we left on our departure. Then unpack and do some more cleaning!! 

The past eight weeks were amazing. Can’t believe how much we did! The beautiful places we stayed and visited. Hiking. Fly fishing. Visiting friends and family. Best trip ever!! 

There are a few short trips planned over the next eight months until the next big trip. And BIG trip it will be. Alaska is in our horizon!!! 

August 31, 2023 - TALKING ROCK, GEORGIA

Let’s give a shout out to our amazing friends in Georgia who allowed us to stay at their lovely home. We had such a fun time in Talking Rock! Cruised

around a few nearby towns. Briefly went to Jeep Fest. Then landed at a local brewery. 

Loved the Talking Rock Brewery. Amazing atmosphere. Good music. Beautiful venue. Delicious food and great brew. 

Hate to leave tomorrow and can’t wait to return when we have more time. 

August 30, 2023 - TENNESSEE!!!

Wow! What a campsite!! This evening we stopped in Tennessee to stay with friends. Tim and I were treated to a lovely meal. They fixed Guinness Stew for us. What a treat!! And oh my was it delicious. I’ve already ordered the Cook’s Country Cookbook that the recipe came from. 

Our friends have only recently moved here from Florida. It was great to see them. Their home, barn and property are all so beautiful and the area is on the edge of the Smoky Mountains. 

The view from their property is spectacular. Wish we had more time to explore the area. We will be back for a longer stay. Tomorrow we will continue our journey farther south and closer to home. 

August 29, 2023 - LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY

The journey home has begun. Thanks to Hurricane Idalia. Our drive to Kentucky Horse State Park was uneventful and absolutely beautiful. We took the long way around to get here in order to avoid Cincinnati, Ohio. Tomorrow we will continue to head south. 

 

August 28, 2023 - ANOTHER DAY AT AIRSTREAM

Back to the Mothership! We had decided to take my mom and stepdad over to the Airstream factory. They had not been to the new factory yet. 

The morning tour that we took was over in part of the old factory. Here we saw where the Basecamps are made. To get there we walked past the service center bay doors. Saw a bunch of the REIs being made! The new REI Co-op Special Edition 20X model is huge for a basecamp and has some really cool features. Expanding the opportunity for adventure! We also got to go see just a little more of the Touring Coaches again. 

Heidi’s Hideout was where we went for lunch again! Delicious. Hopefully I can recover from the fried bologna and hamburger sandwich that I made a special request for and ate. I really don’t think it was very healthy. But it was so tasty!! Exactly what I was hoping to get over in Waldo yesterday. 

Tim copied me!!

After lunch we made our way back over to the new Airstream factory where we took the travel trailer tour again. We had a very interesting tour. Didn’t expect anything less. Just so fascinating seeing this American Icon be put together. And to see those working there be proud of their work. 

Wish we could take pictures in the factory but for the privacy of those working they don’t allow any photography inside the factory. After our afternoon tour we took another spin through the Heritage Center. So amazing that it exists and every time I go in there I realize I have missed something previously. 

Unfortunately tomorrow brings a travel day. We were hoping to stay a few days longer. Even tossed around the idea of attending Alumapalooza that happens next week at the Airstream factory. However Hurricane Idalia is knocking on the west coast of Florida. We will begin heading south and position ourselves in north Georgia until after the storm passes. 

August 27, 2023 - A DAY OF ERRANDS

Laundry day! It’s been a few weeks since we’ve done any laundry. We found a nice laundromat in Bellefontaine. Clean and a very nice attendant works there. I may have annoyed a few other clients but don’t come and sit down next to me speaking really loud on your speaker phone. That’s just rude. I can play music loud on my phone and I probably judged and picked some good music they would not like. Just say’n! 

Go Neil Diamond!!! 

While out we also made a stop at the Tractor Supply store. It’s twice the size of ours. They had chics! 

When we got back I had to take some pictures of my aunts flowers. Her yard is so beautiful!! 

She made us a delicious dinner. Probably one of our only linen dinners this trip. She made a pork loin, roasted potatoes, carrots, and pasta salad and my mom made purple hull peas. Then we had Oreo bunt cake for dessert. What a treat! THANK YOU!! 

LoBo kept watch all day for us. He’s a good hunter. While we were eating Jett turned down the bed. She is so bad! 

August 26, 2023 - WALDO!

We’re camping in my aunts yard right next to my mom. It’s a great spot! Jett loves the grass. My aunt’s neighbor, and friend of my stepdad, is painting his 1969 El Camino. So we all went over to inspect the progress. 

LoBo spent most of his day hunting birds. He’s so handsome and such a good boy! 



My stepdad drove my mom and Tim and I to Waldo, Ohio for lunch. The plan was to go to G and R Tavern for a fried bologna sandwich. As we approached we could see the line of people waiting for tables run out the door and down the sidewalk. So we headed back to Bellefontaine for Mexican food! 



The night ended with us streaming the NASCAR race at Daytona outside on my iPad while enjoying two campfires. And we had more beer that we did not need.