Give me land, lots of land

This is what I looked at for 700 miles today.  It reminded me of that song......give me land, lots of land. That song has new meaning for me. The Badlands in South Dakota were pretty interesting and quite beautiful. Left Wisconsin, crossed Minnesota and South Dakota and Finally landed in Sundance Wyoming with a goal of Kellogg Idaho for tomorrow and on Wednesday a visit with my cousin Sara and bonding with my new home Wednesday afternoon. I am getting so excited. 

Lots of Corn

Today took me through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and half way through Wisconsin.  Six hundred forty one miles and that's with spending an hour in traffic trying to get through Chicago. 

When I find myself alone with just my thoughts and myself for 24 hours a day, little voices from the past and future start talking to me. I started hearing them as I toured myself through Ohio.  Trust me when I tell you that there will be no corn shortage this year.  I have seen enough corn in 12 hours today to feed every man,woman and child for the summer.  That,however, is not what I found to be the subject of that little voice.  In the distance, I could see the farmhouse with the wrap around porch, barn and silos that are the heart of that farm. I could picture the mom calling the family to breakfast as they sit around and talk about what work needs to be done for the day. All claim ownership of all that needs to be done to make the,farm viable. My father's family were farmers and it gave me a greater understanding of what their lives must have been like. How we all loved going to the farm to visit Grandma and Grandpa Davidson. A little further down the road was a small church with the parking lot bursting with local worshipers.  Faith was and is the basis of the American family. It made me anxious to get back to the things that are really important.  

Further down the road I came to Chicago, an overwhelming sight of buildings and an awesome view of Lake Michigan.  It was during the traffic jams that I started thinking about the diverse populations that make up this great city. I particularly thought about the homeless. How must it feel to have no place to call home and no one to have your back. Are they hungry? Are they in pain? What happens to them?  They all belong to someone. Where did it all go wrong for them?

On the other side of Chicago, back to the cornfields and turf farms. Now the little voice of the future starts talking. Where are you going to stop for the night?  When are you going to arrive at your new home and the  what?  A year from now, five years from snow, what does it all look like?

So much to think about and only me to answer the questions. Save me from myself and call me to chat. Those little voices in my head are exhausting. 

On the road

Spent an awesome evening with Jason, Kim, and Finn. Jason made an incredible lobster risotto which we oohed and aahed over through the whole meal.  Definitely want more of that. 

Left Wakefield at 8:00 this morning and landed in Erie PA at 5:00 tonight.  I don't know why I had it in my mind to stop in Erie, but I did. Lesson learned that hotels in a popular place attached to a splash lagoon might be a little expensive. Oh well,  I'll do better tomorrow. 

Looking to get to Rockford Illinois tomorrow. Wish me good weather. The scenery is beautiful and I'm really enjoying the drive. I'll try to take pictures tomorrow. I get so excited to get where I'm going that I forget to stop and smell the roses. 

GETTING CLOSER

I will be leaving Cindy's tomorrow after lunch. Needed to repack the car today so I could fit in some more things and to make sure I could see out the back window while driving on the highway. I did a lot of pushing and shoving but I think I got it. Last few things in the morning and it's good to go.

Cindy's grandson graduated from preschool today.  What a cute ceremony and such a proud little guy.  So handsome dressed in his little white shirt, plaid tie and khaki shorts.  Makes it more real for me that I am going to be a part of Casper's life.

Early to bed tonight.  Going to see Jason and Kim at their home in Wakefield tomorrow. Am so looking forward to spending some time with them. They will be the ones to see me off Saturday morning.

AND IT BEGINS...........

 The tranquility of Pequawket Lake and spending time with my best friend of 54 years has prepared me for my big adventure traveling from Maine to Washington state.  Being with Cindy gives me comfort and focus, all the things a best friend does.  I was able to get all my paperwork done, bills paid and check in with Peggy in Washington to make sure my new home is all set for my arrival. Tomorrow......laundry and repacking the car. 

How cute is this pumpkin hat!! You can see his adorableness as he is giving his Nana a smile via Facetime.  It's amazing how babies can get the creative juices flowing and all you want to do is keep sewing and knitting until they have one of everything that you see and just have to make.

This little guy lives in Vancouver, British Columbia and I don't get anywhere near the amount of hugs and kisses I crave.  I'll be leaving on October 25th to visit him and the suitcase will be full of all the things I've made that I know he and his moms will love.

I'll post pictures tomorrow of my new creation made today.  Never made a wet bag for cloth diaper users, but I'm pretty proud of the outcome.