Thursday, July 28, 2022

Last Drive Home


 I took the northern route and spent a night in Illinois and a couple of days in MN.  Visiting relatives.  Enjoyed a couple of lovely family dinners and a birthday party.  It was so nice and grounding.  

Then it was off for the rest of the trip.  I had two plans for the drive.  Stopping somewhere and getting a HD t-shirt for my brother, which I did in Butte, MT.  And I had seen signs for a used bookstore.  Good thing I was really paying attention.  I see how I missed it last time.  You see the billboard and it is for the next exit.  Enjoyed some time poking around and I left a few dollars there in Alberton, MT.  

Made really good time even with my stops.  I have learned to follow my friend Doug's example and make sure I have my hotel(s) booked.  No more sleeping in rest areas.  Beds are so much more comfortable.  

While I was gone, I applied for a job.  I had a phone interview on Monday and was basically offered the job.  It's a market where people who want to work can find a job.  So, I had to time my trip home to a meet and greet this week.  And I made it.  Naturally.  

Saturday, July 16, 2022

Girl Visit

 After our weekend trip to Kentucky it was time for the 12-year-old and I to head west.  We returned the way the 10-year-old and I had travelled to Indiana.  That included a night at my cousin's house in Minnesota.  I really am happy that I had discovered that way didn't add much to the commute but saves a night in a hotel.

My girl is much more laid back.  She isn't into doing too many activities.  Happiest staying home, playing on her iPad and loving on the pets.  She did spend some nights with her dad.  We also spent an afternoon at OMSI seeing the DaVinci exhibit.  I was a little disappointed with it, but it was still worth the trip.  After that we spent a good hour in IKEA just bumming around.  For some reason she really wanted to go there.  She picked out a shark and a fake plant.  Another day we had lunch with Marti and then did an art project.  

The second week of her visit, her mom and David came out.  His father had had a massive stroke and was not expected to recover.  They got one way airline tickets and came.  Steve did not recover.  After a family gathering it was time for the four of us to head back east.  

Three more days on the road, but this was so much better.  Three drivers instead of one and they helped with the gas.  I also noticed I got a couple of meals paid for.  

I so enjoyed my visits with my kids.