Looking, Lauging and Learning

A new friend (Nancy), whom I met while at my conference in MD, sent me the following in an email on our first full day of travel:

English writer G.K. Chesterton said, “The traveler sees what he sees; the tourist sees what he has come to see.” When I arrive anywhere—whether the situation is familiar or foreign to me—I view the event with traveler’s eyes. I do not simply focus on what I hoped or planned to see, as a tourist might. Instead, I set aside preconceived notions and expectations. I soak in the experiences of the present moment.

Whether I am traveling or at home, I journey through the day as a full participant. I engage deeply with the world—open to new lessons, new insights, and to being utterly transformed by everything I encounter. I walk with traveler’s eyes along the blessed and sacred journey of life.

Open my eyes, so that I may behold wondrous things.­—Psalm 119:18

As I write this post (day 6), we are about a half hour outside of Paducah, KY. Pretty exciting, to say the least, and wasn’t on my original radar since we had planned to head to Arkansas from Tennessee. In case you are not familiar with the significance of Paducah, it is only the home of the National Quilt Museum and considered the quilt capital of America! Mark is planning to drop me off for a few hours and do some bonding with his motorcycle without a tag-along!

 

Our first week is coming to a close and I can’t believe that it has only been 6 days since we started out. Covering 9 states in 6 days, visiting 4 state parks (MD, VA, TN), and putting 1,350 miles on the truck, we have learned a lot already. Here are some lessons so far:

·      When descending down a mountain road towing a trailer, apply all means possible for controlled and safe descent; i.e. low gear engine braking, selective trailer braking, extended distance relative to forward vehicles…hot brakes = soft braking hazard. A brief pull over solved the problem but didn’t alleviate some fear and worry.

checking the brakes

following a slow logging truck 

·      Quick and efficient camp set-up and take down…each of us taking on our critical roles. My role feels much like an airline flight attendant preparing galley for take off and landing while Mark checks the outside of the camper before take-off, checking for mechanical and functional needs.

·      Non-verbal communication is essential when directing trailer hook-up and backing in. Enough said?!

·      Small spaces require constant maintenance and upkeep for a happy life wife.

·      Not all state parks are created equal…we’ve stayed at the best and the worst. But with that said, I really have come to realize that our state/national parks are one of our most valuable assets that must be preserved and maintained.

Hungry Mother State Park nature center.

Seeing our vacation through the eyes of a child

·      Planning ahead is essential but time consuming. Sometimes I wonder if having available Internet access is a blessing or a curse when camping. As I research places to stay and see, I get distracted and overwhelmed with information and discouraged at what I’m not able to see and do.

Al play and no work...!

·      You can’t prepare for everything until you try it out…so bring a few key tools, some extra hardware and the credit card for everything you didn’t think of.

·      Words of wisdom from previous travelers, Bob and Arlene Blum to purchase the Good Sam GPS for the trip. So glad we took their advice!

Puts our "rig" in perspective!

As far as highlights go:

·      The quaint river front town of Paducah, KY and all of the local businesses/shops. Especially the locally owned shoe store that started in business selling Earth Shoes (1975) and the owner’s 92 year-old mother who shared her life and area history with us.

·      The kind young woman who graciously gave us directions on the back roads of Tennessee when we found ourselves lost (even with an IPhone) and late for meeting our college friends for dinner.

·      Meeting up with our friends Dave and Barb, whom we haven’t seen since probably 1980? A reunion much too short…until next time.

·      The concept of campground “hosts” who are resident campers available and assist campers in their specific campground area. I wonder if it is a southern thing or just haven’t done enough NY state park camping in recent years.

·      The symphony of rain on the roof and nighttime “peepers” that have lulled us to sleep each night.

·      Stopping at a local farmers market for some fresh produce for dinner and stopping each day for  enough food for a few days and then getting creative with meal preparation.

"Glamping" dinner after a day of driving.

Early pre-departure breakfast outside our backdoor along a peaceful brook at Montgomery Bell State Park.

·      Mark’s smooth & skillful mastery of winding, rolling hills and hairpin turns on the Harley!

·      Our ever-improving communication skills! 

So, as it turns out, I’m finishing this blog after visiting the Quilt Museum and Mark decided to go along with me to view the exhibits afterall. In his words, “Wow, amazing… detailed craftsmanship and flawless execution.” I think that means he was impressed.  He’s always had an appreciation for those who skillfully work with their hands. Until next time, thanks for traveling through my eyes! 

Coming up next: St. Charles, MO; Missouri Star Quilt Shops in Hamilton, MO; camping at Watkins Mill State Park and Museum (textile history) near Kansas City; somewhere in Kansas…State Park camping, then on to Colorado to meet up with Neel and Nancy in Mesa Verde! I’m getting really excited!