September 27, 2011

The Summer of Discovery...

By now, you know that most of my posts over the past four months were written right here...at my laptop on the dining table in our Flying Cloud.

We traveled nearly 11,000 miles between June 9th and September 24th, and slept in our own beds all but three nights (one night in each of our sons' homes, and one night I spent with my mum and stepdad).
The main purpose for our traveling this summer was for Handsome's musical endeavors. We began our trip with three weeks in Meadville, PA, followed by a side-trip to Battle Creek, MI to pick up the puppy; Rock Island, IL, Oskaloosa, IA; Milwaukee-area,WI; Jackson Center, OH; Romeo, MI; and finally Williamsburg, VA before returning home)
Both dogs traveled easily with us, and although we sometimes felt tight for space, we managed quite well.
We stayed in some incredibly pretty campgrounds, during some awfully hot (and sometimes rainy) weeks, and we met some wonderful people along the way.

We reconnected with dear friends, caught up with family, and spent quality time with each other. We sadly said "goodbye" to our sweet, old dog in Wisconsin.
We commemorated September 11th at the TerraPort facility at Airstream's factory in Jackson Center, Ohio...
and I was giddy-happy watching my husband make beautiful music at nearly every stop along our journey.

It was a summer of discovery for me. I learned many things about traveling in our Cloud, and wanted to share my Top 10 with you.
  1. I'm not a "camper". I travel in my home on wheels and enjoy the comforts of private showers, meals on dinner plates, and being cool (or warm) and dry, as we move from one place to another. 
  2. It's hard to write blog posts that don't give away the fact that you're away from home.
  3. You just don't hold a grudge when you live in 250 square feet. 
  4. I only need to take 1/3 of the clothes I packed for this trip.
  5. I won't bother to pack quilt kits and lots of fabric. I never touched them.
  6. I take direction for maneuvering the Cloud into it's camping space better than I give direction for same. Additionally, I'm really good at backing up the truck and hooking it up to our camper. Handsome is really good at driving us safely to our destinations.
  7. There are things I can't do in the camper that I'm able to accomplish in the studio.
  8. I missed my studio, but enjoyed the journey.
  9. Four months is too long to be away from home, but
  10. I can be anywhere, for any period of time and be happy...
 
...as long as I'm with this man.

We really had a grand summer. Music, family, friends and time spent together away from our everyday routines. Even though you didn't realize it at the time, I'm so glad you joined us on our journey. 
Photobucket
Written by Brynwood Needleworks
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17 comments:

  1. Junk ExchangeSeptember 27, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    Donna .. what fun you must have had .. seriously, would love to do something like that .. our trips to Canton are spent sleeping on an air mattress inside the empty van .. sometimes with an air conditioner shoved in the window .. sometimes not .. luckily they have shower facilities .. love your airstream ..

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  2. MinimissSeptember 28, 2011 at 1:32 AM

    More, more, more ............

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  3. Sue ~ Granny's WorldSeptember 28, 2011 at 1:39 AM

    You hid your trip well I certainly never guessed. So pleased you enjoyed it and that you got to spend quality time with your man. Being with someone 24/7 is hard and you survived. We did a 3 month road trip of the US in 2004 and enjoyed every minute of our time together. Something to look back on with a smile

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  4. MoonBeamSeptember 28, 2011 at 3:02 AM

    What a wonderful experience this must have been, and what a surprise for those who follow your blog. Savor the memories.

    Bobbi

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  5. Michelle May-The Raspberry RabbitsSeptember 28, 2011 at 6:12 AM

    Adventures are always best with the ones we love best. :)
    Glad ya'll had such a good time.
    xx, shell

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  6. ShirleySeptember 28, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    Hi Donna, I am so glad that you had such a good trip. I would love to see more of your trip. It is fun to meet people from all over. The quality time spent with family and friends always give you wonderful memories that can never be taken away from you. Have a wonderful day. Your Missouri Friend.

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  7. Carol- Beads and BirdsSeptember 28, 2011 at 6:53 AM

    Well, with all you said, the last picture says more than any words you spoke. Ain't love grand!!
    xx, Carol

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  8. NancySeptember 28, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Oh Donna, You were less than 10 miles from my home when you were in Romeo, MI. Did you love the village? We raised our daughters in an old home on Main Street. Old she was with no heat to the second floor, except what hot (?) air rose up. Ice would form on the inside of the windows during the winter. I hope that you had a wonderful time in MI.

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  9. ChrisSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    Had to chuckle when I read your 'discovery' notes. Tight quarters make for sometimes-too-much-togetherness even if it is in that darling Air Stream :-) So..next trip you leave some of the clothes behind? I would definitely have some sewing with tho. You just never know.

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  10. CreateologySeptember 28, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Your adventure sounds like it was wonderful. 11,000 miles is huge. Your top ten list is great. Isn't it amazing what we can do with when necessary. Why do we live in such large homes? I grew up in a large family in a very small home with only one bathroom...yet now with only me and Mr. C and our BooBoo kitty our bigger home with 3 bathrooms is not enough at times?! Happy week to you dear...

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  11. Twyla and LindseySeptember 28, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    Donna, thank you so much for taking us along with you. I really admire you for blogging every single day while you were gone. It was a grand adventure. Twyla

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  12. SherriSeptember 28, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Donna, what a fun experience! You did very good!!

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  13. Terri GordonSeptember 28, 2011 at 1:52 PM

    Hi Donna, I hope you are doing well. This is such a strange thing, my husband and I were traveling through Indiana on September 8th and a suv went by with Florida plates and the lady driving looked just like you. I believe it was around Indianapolis. I came home to see if you were traveling and it looked like you were not. I live about 30 miles away from Romeo, MI, near Port Huron, MI. What a wonderful adventure and all with a new dog, wow. Did Kes pass away? I hope not. Have a wonderful week. Hugs, Terri

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  14. Brenda PruittSeptember 28, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    And what a journey it was!
    Brenda

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  15. KrisSeptember 28, 2011 at 6:42 PM

    Great post, Donna!!

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  16. Theresa MacNaughtonSeptember 28, 2011 at 7:55 PM

    So glad you had a good summer (with one very sad exception). It is always wonderful to make discoveries in life. I, too, am not a "camper" unless it involves modern amenities and a way to keep cool! LOL That is such a lovely photo of you and your man. :) Take care!

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  17. PattySeptember 29, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    Sounds like a wonderful summer

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment today. I'm using new settings on my comments so that I'll be able to respond to your messages to me. Be sure to come back to see my replies!

Blessings, Donna

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