I didn’t sleep well the first night on the road. You know how it is when you get out of your routine and you don’t drink enough water or eat the right stuff. And, my brain was still moving when I finally laid my head on the pillow. I did sleep…but fitfully. And there’s not a lot of places to wander around in this tiny camper. I could have made a cup of tea, but it all seemed like too much bother at 3:00am. 

I fiddled around once I finally woke up and by the time I got hooked up and on the road, it was already 10:00! I forgot to check my tire pressure before I left the campground so I pulled into a service station. The machine was broken and it crossed me to actually LOSE air pressure. I went to another one, and it was broken as well! They should have a sign on them and it didn’t even occur to me to see if there was a phone number I could call to complain. Lesson learned.

I decided to drive the three miles back to the campground and ask if I could plug in my extension cord and pump up my tires with the portable air compressor I carry with me at all times. She did me one better. She had me pull around to the back and her husband pumped up my tires for me with his big air compressor. The folks who own Grandpa’s Farm Campground in Richmond, IN are the best. And…if you ever travel through and stay over on a Saturday night, they have Camp Church on Sundays…complete with coffee and donuts! Check them out if you have the opportunity.

I no sooner got on the road till the rain hit. Everything from drizzle to downpour and back again on a gray and murky day. I-70 was absolutely crazy! And they are still working on it…with big portions closed…in Indianapolis. I am driving the northerly route and cut across Illinois on a diagonal. I wanted to get as far north of the bad storms as I can. The relief I felt was palpable when I left all that traffic behind and sailed along through America’s bread basket. Beautiful farmland…rich, dark, and flat stretched out on either side…anxiously waiting to burst forth their bounty. This far north, the redbud looks like it did on our way to the beach in the middle of April. They haven’t quite started to gain their brilliant green leaves that contrast so beautifully with the fading purply-pink of their blossoms.

I had a long talk with my precious friend, Sparky as I drove through the rain yesterday. I miss her so desperately. I try not to focus on that loss too much as it hurts so deeply. I told her I would never go on a camping trip again without “taking her with me”. She hated camping but she went anyway. I hated losing her…but she died anyway. This is what she gets for leaving me…camping revenge. I may hear about this when I get to see her again…but she’ll just have to deal with it for now!

I stopped at a rest area in the middle of the sprawling farmland for a rest. Now, this is the first time I’ve come up against a downside of this kind of popup camper. I can’t just hop out of the truck, run back to the camper, and stretch out for a nap, use the potty, and eat some lunch. If the weather were nicer, I could certainly have popped up the camper and taken a snooze, but I’m not doing that in a downpour. So, I rummages around in the truck and found a small blanket. I created a turban around my head, leaned the seat back, and slept for an hour. I was so refreshed when I awoke. 

I grabbed a snack and hear the man in the semi next to me calling out for my attention. I rolled the window down slightly and he asked how I like my camper. He and his lady friend bought one recently and this weekend will be their first outing. He’s never camped before and they are going to see the country together. I had to smile. He is retired Army. He did three tours in Iraq, for which I thanked him profusely. We had a lovely chat and I wished him a fun and abundant life on the road. 

I knew I was getting close to the campground I stayed at last night when I passed a sign for Pekin, IL. My grandparents lived in Mishawaka, IN when my mom was born, then they moved to Pekin, IL and two or three more babies came along. They moved around to find work during the depression and this was where they landed before returning home to West Virginia. If the weather had been nicer, I might have gotten out and looked around but as it was…I moved on down the road.

I was a little puzzled when I saw the time of my projected arrival come and go on the GPS. That’s when I suddenly realized, I had crossed over the date line between Eastern and Central time. Which meant…I had another hour to go! I don’t know why I forget that every time. It’s not bad coming in the other direction because it feels like you’re not driving as long. But going west forces you to change your expectations.

As I was nearing the end of day two, I sent up a prayer and asked God to ease up on this rain so I could get set up without getting soaked. He was so generous to oblige when the rain stopped about 10 minutes before I got to the campground. I got a beautiful site…flat and level, with a nice view. I didn’t have to unhook so it was no time before I had everything set up and I was comfortably snuggled in the Big Birdhouse. I fixed supper from the stuff in the cooler and settled in to write my daily letter to you all.

Another day done. Mr. FixIt worked on the new fire-pit today then went to the youngest granddaughter’s softball game. It’s a busy time of year for everyone and I’m thrilled to be spending it doing something I love…driving and camping…and heading toward people that I love. So…stay tuned for another installment of…The Grand Adventure!

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“And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.””

Exodus 33:14 ESV