Going Home

We left New Orleans on 1/24/16, made an overnight stop half way to Austin, Texas, and landed in Austin on 1/25/16.  We spent two nights in Austin so we could visit with my step sister and her family.  We had a great Texas BBQ dinner with them and a great visit.  From this point on, we are on our way home, with no more touring.  So I thought this would be a good point in time to think about the Big Trip and sum up what we saw. 

This trip was my #1 Bucket List trip.  I spent most of my adult life working and raising two wonderful girls.  I planned on taking this trip after I sold the business, but family health needs kept me a home for another 4 years.  Now, that all are healthy, it was time for us to hit the road, and boy did we.  I always wanted to see this country, especially the East Coast, since both Tom and I have never been there to tour (we have been to New York City and Boston on business, but that didn’t count). 

What we saw were beautiful rolling hills, the huge Great Lakes, fall colors in the Northeast, forests as thick as you can imagine in Maine, sawgrass and lily pads of the Florida Everglades, and water---lots of water.  While we are suffering through a drought in California that is destroying our beautiful lakes and streams, the south suffers with floods, and the Finger Lake area of New York had water everywhere.

There were a few consistent sights in most of the East.  Lots of shoestores in the cites, always a dollar store of some kind, and Mini-golf everywhere – go figure?  And the people we met were wonderful.  We didn’t meet a person we didn’t like, whether it was in the campgrounds or in the cities.  They were always interested in our trip and shared information with us about the local area we were in.  They always wanted to help. 

Tom’s mom left home with us and traveled for 2 months.  Then we dropped her off at her youngest son’s home in New Jersey to visit with them and the rest of the family.  She stayed with them for about 7 weeks, and rejoined us in Virginia, where we had a Harris family reunion with Tom’s dad’s family.  I think it was a very special time for her.  All in all, she spent over 4 months on the road with us, and did very well. 

Our dogs, Penny and Lucky, just had a great time.  Penny isn’t too enthusiastic about the driving part, but they both really enjoyed all the new smells.  On several occasions, we were able to let them swim in both lakes and the ocean.  Lucky took to it like he was a water dog, when he really isn’t (he is at least half Chihuahua). 

This will be my last blog.  I have really enjoyed putting everything down in writing with pictures, so we can recall everything we experienced.  All in all, the trip was a huge success.  Today is 1/30/16 and we are on the Interstate 10 headed west.  We are in Texas as I write this, but will be home on 2/3/16. 

We love travelling, but as Dorothy said, “There’s no place like home.” 

With love to my family and friends,

Linda