And... we're off!

Essi and Frodo in the camper, "What's the hold up?  Let's go!"

Wednesday, March 27.  Foot to the pedal, ready to roll.  Frodo and Essi waited patiently in the camper van while we did the last-minute house-closing tasks.  We hung around home a couple of extra days to wait out the 20˚-ish nightime temperatures.  We didn't want to risk freezing lines in our first nights on the road.  

Our first goal:  the eastern section of the Lincoln Highway.  We'll do the western section on our way home next fall.  Driving through Indiana was familiar.  

One of the more exciting Ohio sights.

 Our trip through Ohio was predictable.  Sorry, Ohio... 

 We boondocked (dry camped) in a Walmart parking lot on the eastern edge of Ohio, easily made it through Pittsburgh and found some fun and interesting things as we began our journey through southern Pennsylvania.  

Essi hangin' out at the gas station

Apple pie and a cup o' joe

Thursday, March 28.

We discovered a Lincoln Highway Museum Experience that was very fun.  We spent more time there than we expected.  There is so much to learn and appreciate from the toil of the generations who made this possible.  And... the price of admission included a cup of coffee and a slice of pie in a restored diner.

A famous Lincoln Highway landmark

Another beloved landmark

 We came across the Flight 93 National Memorial, not realizing we were near it.  The Memorial is huge, moving, informative, and beautifully respectful.  Acres of preserved land, the crash site, groves of trees, a Memorial Walls and Walks, a Visitor Center, and a re-telling of a history that belongs to our generation.

Jerry at the base of the Tower of Voices

When it is finished, the Tower of Voices will take your breath away.  Ninety-three feet high, forty huge wind chimes ranging from five feet to ten feet tall.  We boondocked again our second night, tucked away in a State Forest in the mountains, with not a soul in sight.  

What a peaceful, blissful spot.

Friday, March 29.  On to Gettysburg, where we found an established campground that was actually open - most aren't opening until later in the spring.  Our first showers, first electricity.  Ahhh....

We're catching up on email, blogging, and resting.  Getting ready for our first big trip was a lot of work, and finding our way along the old Lincoln Highway took great driving and navigating energy.  The resting time is welcome.

We're grateful for God's blessing on our trip, for safety on the road and camping, for incredible views, and for the opportunity to live a lifetime dream.  And now I'm going to sit in the spring sunshine and knit.