What a difference a wrong turn makes.
We have had a great traveling day. Instead of going straight to Interstate 80, Google took us through some very small townships in Pennsylvania and Ohio. At first annoyed that this detour would make our travel day longer, we quickly felt grateful for the uncrowded highway and the beautiful countryside. The highlight is that we were smack in the middle of Amish country. Five miles into the drive we passed an Amish woman driving a tractor on the highway soon to be followed by many Amish horse carts and homes along the roadside. We could tell the Amish homes by the lack of automobiles, buggies in the driveway and laundry hanging on a line. If not for COVID, we would have stopped at a few of the roadside stands where they were selling smoked meats and Ohio maple syrup. Even masked it seemed somehow wrong to expose them to anything our industrialized world has to offer through human contact. It was also such a relief to see fewer political signs (although we have included one for your viewing pleasure). The Amish do not get involved in American politics and the simplicity of their life had such appeal today.
Today is Tala's six month birthday. I was treated to FaceTime with her kicking her legs and smiling while the three of them "vacation" in the Berkshires until their power is restored on Monday. It was a relief to feel just joy in seeing her ~ no remnants of the sadness of leaving her to muddy the enjoyment of today's virtual visit.
We have shortened our driving days so that we don't feel as rushed as we felt on the way out. Today was a 5 hour day (although the slight detour lengthened it in a delightful way). It is now 6:00 pm and we are all set up at our campsite. I'm having a glass of wine as I write this, enjoying a lovely warm evening and thinking about what gourmet meal I might prepare tonight in Nessie's well equipped kitchen. Homemade chili, Annie's macaroni and cheese, quesadillas, veggie burgers? Whatever we decide, it all tastes delicious when we're "camping".
댓글