During our stay in Ohio, Andy searched Facebook Marketplace tirelessly until we found a decent motor home in our price range. Once the sale was complete, plans could go forward to drive back to AK instead of flying. The perks of driving a motor home are having beds and bathroom plus a kitchen along with you on the long drive, plus being able to sell a motor home for a pretty decent price in Alaska (usually) and be able to cover or at least offset the cost of fuel on the trip up. That’s the hope anyway.
On March 7, we left Ohio to visit the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum in Kentucky before driving out to PA to visit Andy’s folks. Other than a couple nights while the motor home was getting an alignment and new tires, we slept in it, and I must say, it was wonderful practice. I wasn’t sure how well it would work to have a family of 8 living in such a small space, but the older children got really good at folding the table and couch down to make beds, and each child stuffs his pillow and blanket in his sleeping bag before stowing it under the bed in the back every morning. In much less time than you would think, we are ready for travel!
After a couple weeks in PA visiting with family and old friends we drove the long way back to Southern Ohio, visiting more people along the way.
On the 21st of March, when we were almost back to my folks area, my mom messaged and wondered if we just wanted to park the motor home at their place for the weekend, so we stopped at the Bungalow (the house we had stayed at in Ohio) packed like mad for about 3 hours and got the trash burned and everything out of the house, then headed to Mom and Dad’s.
The weekend was full full full with a Passover celebration Friday night with my family, a reunion with a bunch of childhood friends on Saturday, cleaning the Bungalow, getting the motor home ready for the long drive, etc etc.
Monday morning, March 25, we said our goodbyes and got on the road around 10 to head for Alaska.
Saying goodbye to Mom was so hard, but I’m grateful for the two months we had there and for the hope of heaven. It’s goodbye for now, not forever.
We drove to Indiana and stopped for supper and to meet up with a friend, then drove on and reached Iowa about midnight. By this time, Andy was having a hard time staying awake, so we parked at a truck stop and slept until almost six AM, then got on the road again.
In Kalona, IA we stopped to have breakfast with old friends and had a great time catching up as well as a break from the monotony of driving.
There have been many, many knock knock jokes told and giggled over, I Spy games played, Guess the Animal and Guess the Number. Boredom really does help people get creative. A big hit so far this trip are the Boredom Busters my Aunt packed for us. We’ve only opened one every day so far, and it’s the first thing the children ask to do when we start driving in the morning. So far we’ve opened the packages to find play doh, five toys to share, chocolate covered pretzels. Messy, but oh so fun!
We made it through Iowa yesterday, and into Nebraska where it was very windy. Driving took a lot of concentration with such a tall vehicle, and before long, a seal came loose on the top of the motor home and began flapping in the intense wind. Then the right rear view mirror fell off. That was certainly eventful. 😆 Thankfully we were able to get pulled over to the side while it was still hanging on by a thread and didn’t lose it entirely.
We drove to a Walmart where Andy was able to get bolts and get the rearview mirror mounted once more, and while we were there we also got a vacuum for the out of hand crumbs that had built up in here. A very strong vacuum with a hose. Ah, the satisfaction of suctioning up the mess that had been created by 5 children snacking while driving. 😅
Around 9:30 pm we stopped for gas and decided to call it a day. We parked with the big trucks and got showers in our tiny bathroom before crashing for the night.
This morning there were a couple mechanical issues Andy was trying to figure out, (old motor homes, man! 😅) so we didn’t get moving until 7:30. But before long we crossed another time zone and gained an hour. Time is on our side! 😄
We just crossed the Colorado border and hope to get to Andy’s Uncle’s place around 1-2 pm.
Hopefully that catches you up a bit on our last week or three. I’m looking forward to getting home and being bored and not going anywhere. 😄 For our ten year wedding anniversary coming up in April, we thought a staycation sounds really really nice.
So glad you got to take in the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter while you were in the area. I’m assuming that you took all your children with you? We were just there Feb 8-9 of this year for our belated 30th anniversary trip. Very educational and worth your time!
Sounds like you are creating a lot of memories with your family, both extended and immediate family. Bless you for doing that! God grant you safety and success as you travel. It is great to hear about family activities where parents are committed to each other and their children. Only eternity will reveal the results! Keep us posted on the rest of your trip.
Such memories and it sounds like you are really making the rounds while you are down there. Have fun and know that the snow is melting up here and we are actually having some rain at this very moment. May the rest of your trip be safe, fun and memorable — with the least amount of difficulties with your new purchase.
Blessings on your travels!
I can imagine it was so to say goodbye (on this earth) to your mother. Hugs and love!