The National Road was built in the early 1800s and was the first major highway project of the US federal government.  Originally connecting Washington DC with states to the west, the road traveled nearly 700 miles between the Potomac and the Ohio Rivers.  Today that road has been replaced with major highways and interstates including highway 40 which runs east to west  through Cambridge, Ohio.  On a couple of occasions Lisa and I have traveled to New Concorde, Ohio and have passed a strange, curving bridge (now abandoned).  My interest got the best of me and I traveled to the bridge the other day to find out more.

The “S” bridge of Cambridge was part of the National Road and crossed what is known as “Peters Creek”.  The bridge was actually built in 1803 and was tied to what was called “Zane’s Trace” – the original road through the region.  The odd thing about the bridge is that it was built in an “S” shape in order to cross the creek at a perpendicular angle so as to cut down on the construction cost.  Because the road ran almost parallel to the creek, it was necessary to curve the approaches thus creating the “S” shape.  When highway 40 was constructed, the bridge was abandoned and is now just a minor tourist attraction.  In 2005 major flooding in the area damaged the bridge and a reconstruction project took place to preserve its history.

As I walked across the bridge my mind tried to imagine horse and buggies making this passage over a century ago and how far we have come since those days.  Cars and trucks zoomed by just a few feet away on highway 40 and I could not help but notice the contrast of the speeding automobiles to the slow, steady flow of the creek passing under the bridge below.  Society had passed and by-passed the “S” bridge in exchange for higher speeds and faster arrivals.  I took a moment to appreciate the painstaking work of those who curved the stone arch just to save some money and at the same time create an architectural work of art.  Those who labored to preserve the bridge after the flood damage should also be commended.

This place will probably never be one people will travel from miles away to visit.  In fact, Lisa and I almost did not notice the bridge as we ourselves sped down the adjacent highway toward our destination.  The bridge is a reminder of a time that took time.  Whether it be a horse and buggy or a Model T Ford, the “S”-shaped bridge required travelers to slowly move along the curve of the creek and meander in their journey.  If one went too fast they would find themselves toppled into the stream down below.

We need more “S” bridges in this country – places where we can just meander, pause and appreciate.  And go slow.

Love, Steve and Lisa

Update 6/19/2014:  It is a reflection of how many people John Worth influenced that nearly 1500 people have read my tribute to John.  Thanks for reading and honoring John in such a special way.  Blessings!

Lisa and I are so sorry that we cannot be with our church family today to honor the life of John Worth during his memorial service.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Judy, the boys and the entire Worth family.  I wanted to honor John the only way I knew how – to write about him.  This is my tribute.

By the time we reached Montgomery, Alabama the line of cars had reached more than a dozen.  Some who had joined our convoy to Panama City, Florida had no idea where our group originated but had pulled in line along the way and remained in formation as we headed south for spring break.  In 1985 one could not travel without the aid of a CB (Citizens Band) radio and we would joke and tease one another during the ten-hour drive while also keeping our eyes peeled for state troopers ready to slow us down. In order to make really good time the group needed a bird dog in front scouting for speed traps and alerting everyone to slow down. We had to have a leader and that leader was always John Worth.

We had met at John’s house at three o’clock that morning and after everyone was in line and accounted for we waited for his signal to begin our trek.  Along the way we depended on John to give directions as to where to stop for gas, where to eat, and how fast we should be driving.  It seems appropriate that John would be the one to head out into that darkness on that sleepy pre-dawn morning and light the way for all the rest to follow.  He never shied away from taking charge and just knowing he was in the lead somehow gave me assurance that I would not have any problems – just needed to follow his tail lights.  The majority of those in that convoy that morning were members of Bellevue Baptist Church and knew John to be a leader not only on trips like these but as an admired deacon and servant of the church.  John’s boldness was instrumental in moving Bellevue forward during good times and bad and his faithfulness to his friends, to his family, to his church and to the God he loved was unwavering.  That boldness would sometimes be confused with brash bull-headedness that would, at times, anger people and rankle even the calmest of members and friends.  But, in the end, everyone loved John and admired his courage. This post is dedicated to him.

A few years ago I had the pleasure of leading the Bellevue deacons through a Ropes course that I built and managed on the campus of the middle school where I worked for twenty years.  My goal that day was simply to get the deacons and ministers to come together for an experience of support and encouragement.  The men were challenged to put on harnesses and climb up to thirty feet while being belayed and supported by a rope held by the other deacons down below.  I could tell that the men were a little hesitant at first (as was common) and after all the harnesses were securely fastened and instructions given, I asked for a volunteer to be the first climber.  It took about two seconds for John Worth to step forward.  That was John.  He may have been scared to death that day, I really don’t remember – but I do remember he was determined to be first.

I don’t think John wanted to be first just to tell everyone later that he was first.  Something in his DNA forced him to step out – to stand alone, if necessary – to lead.  My hunch is John was as afraid that day as everyone else but was not going to let fear stop him.  Fear seemed to be his motivator and I was amazed to watch as every single deacon and minister followed his lead and climbed to the top of every single obstacle that day.

In the thirty-five years I knew John Worth (twenty-eight of which I served with him as deacon) I never found anyone as faithful to the things he loved.  If there was ever a problem – you can bet that John would barge into it head-long and full force without a flinch. Had John lived during an age in which problems were resolved with duels, he would have held the record for either most duels won or fastest duel accepted and lost.  Once I remember him being challenged following a church basketball game by someone not entirely pleased with how aggressive he had played and John offered to settle the matter mano-a-mano and this after he had already played an entire game.  We broke up the altercation and both went their separate ways.  John just did not know what ‘back down’ meant.  He drove through life fast and, at times, furious.  I made the mistake once of getting on a double inner-tube with his oldest son, Johnny II, and allowing him to pull us across Rough River behind his speed boat.  I was so scared by the time he had reached his top speed that my fingers gripped to the handles had practically melded themselves to the fabric hand holds.  At one point I looked over at Johnny II and saw him flying through the air having lost his grip.  I was too afraid to keep going and too afraid to let go.  Finally and mercifully John slowed down and I pried my fingers loose and dropped safely into the water.  John did life full speed ahead and people with him had to learn to hang on or fly off – he never offered a slow ride.

Over the years I came to understand something special about John.  He really loved people.  On several occasion he and I were partnered to visit someone from our church and I was always amazed at his ability to not only talk to people but have genuine interest in their lives.  It is no wonder he was so successful selling – he really liked the people he sold to – and that is a rare find these days.  One could not walk into Bellevue without being greeted by John and he turned the basic task of ushering into an art no one will ever be able to duplicate.  He simply loved meeting people.  John often described himself as a “smart ass” and his teasing was legendary.  One had to learn to laugh at the ribbing he would give you or he could make it brutal.  It was just one of the ways he connected with people he liked and he liked a lot of people.  But with John it was more than just liking people. Through the years John was for me and my family someone we could rely on for help if needed.  On the day my brother died in 1987, one of the first people to meet me at my mom and dad’s house and attempt to comfort our grief was John.  When it was left up to me to gather my brother’s belongings in Frankfort, Ky., (where he had lived) it was John who offered his van for Lisa and I to use on that horrible day.  I will never forget his kindness.

When I connect the dots over the course of my life, I realize that John played a major role in creating an important path in my journey.  In 1978 one of my best friends was hired to be the youth minister at Bellevue Baptist Church.  John Worth was the driving force in having Mike Spencer hired as a full-time youth minister – something extremely rare in those days.  Typically churches hired ministers to fill a combination of roles such as youth and music.  Bellevue was still a relatively small church at the time and yet John knew the need for youth ministry crucial. It has been my belief that the strong youth ministry Mike established was the main reason Bellevue stayed together during what would be a tumultuous few years in the early 1980s.  I credit John Worth for that vision.  It was during Mike’s first summer on the job that he invited me over to Bellevue one afternoon for a youth volleyball game.  One of the high school girls playing that day caught my eye.  She was small in stature but cute and had a huge personality.  Five years later, Lisa Cunningham became my wife and even though we now travel with her job much of the year, Bellevue has remained the orbit in which our lives have revolved and a place we will always call home.  I credit John for being a key instrument God used to carry out His eternal plan.

I loved hearing stories John could tell about his times with Vernon Cunningham, Lisa’s dad and one his best friends.  The two of them had many wonderful experiences riding motorcycles on various journeys, camping in tents along the way and just being together as friends.  John would lean into his stories, literally moving forward in his chair and starting usually with a “I’ll tell you what…” and then proceed to launch into a hilarious yarn about past adventures.  One of my favorite stories was his describing a high school basketball game during his years at Owensboro High School.  The best I can remember Owensboro was playing Calhoun High School (now McLean County High School) and toward the end of a very close game John was fouled and sent to the free throw line.  Owensboro trailed by one point with only a second or two left and as he stepped up to take the free throws – a time out was called.  I don’t remember the details of what happened next but there was an extended delay.  The Owensboro High coach then, Lawrence McGinnis, told John to stay at the line until play was finally resumed and here is where John paused and leaned in.  “Thirty-five minutes later I was still standing at the line waiting to shoot”.  By the time he was handed the basketball he was so nervous he missed everything.

In recent years I noticed John grow mellow and gain a healthy perspective about his life and the family and friends he loved so much.  John asked me to teach his Sunday School class sometime around 2004 and I remained his teacher for the next several years.  I could always count on John being in attendance and offering a comment or a perspective on whatever topic was being discussed. One particular study during my tenure as his teacher was on heaven and I never remember John being more amped up about a biblical subject.  Hardly a week went by that John did not talk about and get noticeably excited over God’s promised after-life.  He just could not wait to get there.

John Worth barged into my life and hundreds if not thousands of other lives as well.  He led into the darkness and went courageously head first into every challenge.  On June 14, 2014 John barged into heaven.  He died riding his motorcycle – something he loved.  He died with friends near him – the people he loved. It was shockingly unexpected and the years of missing him have only now begun.  He leaves behind a wife (Judy) whom he adored and his boys and grandchildren who were – to put it succinctly – his life.  He also leaves behind people who he could call his friends.

There will never be another person like John Worth.  And now he is where he has wanted to be all along.  Open those doors to heaven wide – John is coming through and nothing is going to stop him.

Steve McFarland

“A subject for a great poet would be God’s boredom after the seventh day of creation”   Friedrich Nietzsche

I would like to clear something up with our readers in regard to Lisa and I in our travels.  We have been to some wonderful places and seen spectacular things.  The Grand Canyon, Hoover Dam, Gettysburg, New York City, Washington DC,  Stone Mountain, Ga., Los Angeles and Las Vegas all come to mind.  But in between all the places and exciting events are numerous days and weeks of getting up, getting ready, going to work, cooking, cleaning, and getting ready to do it all again tomorrow.  Whew!  Glad to get that off my chest.  Lisa stays busy with work and, for the most part, I have been able to remain active and busy doing different things in places we have been.  But during idle time there is a search for something to do – something exciting and engaging.  Yet no matter how exotic a location has been – there are days of doing nothing and fighting boredom.  The truth is we spend a lot of our time just living – not really doing anything spectacular.

If there is one thing that we try to avoid in our working/retired relationship and travels it is boredom.  Boredom is for me the scary monster under the bed that is ready to slink out of hiding and attack me at any idle moment.  Boredom is what scared me most about retirement and is why many people continue to work long after they should.   I am certain I share that fear with other people in retirement and I have accepted that the fight to keep that monster tucked away will be mine until the end of my life.  Lisa has made that battle a little easier to fight in that she seems to always find something to do or see or experience.  Most of the time I initially fight against her hair brained ideas – it seems to be my default mode reaction – but have learned to just go with it because I always, in the end, have a good time.  But where she has much of her time eaten up in her job, I have to work hard at finding things to do to fill up much of the hours and (I must say) have done a pretty good job doing that no matter where we have been located.

Of all the places we have lived – Cambridge, Ohio presents the greatest challenge for Lisa and I in terms of finding things to do.  As I have written, Cambridge offers plenty of places to eat and adequate shopping venues.  And in its defense, Lisa’s on-call schedule has prevented us from traveling very far from the area to explore the region fully.  But it is certainly not the most exciting place we have lived.  In fact, it has been a challenge unlike any other.  Where we hardly slowed down while in Arizona and where the fast pace life of southern California and  Atlanta were both exciting and nerve-wracking, here we are challenged to find a lower gear to live with and allow ourselves to be okay with doing nothing.  Which leads to me to the point of all this.

It is okay to do nothing.  Now when I say do nothing I don’t mean sit in a chair and vegetate.  What I mean (and not to sound preachy) is that it is okay to accept getting up and going to work, cooking, cleaning, sitting outside, taking walks and generally living life in small town America.  We have realized we don’t have to be “going” anywhere or “doing” something to avoid boredom.  Here in eastern Ohio we have learned to live small.  Somewhere along the way America has convinced us that we have to be “doing” something to be really living.  My grandparents lived all their lives in a town of three thousand people and their days were spent working, cleaning, cooking and swinging on their front porch watching cars go by.  That is all they did (for the most part) all their lives and they were the happiest couple I ever knew.  Lesson learned.

I was thinking about this the other day: If you would have told me when I was ten years old and absolutely a fanatic about sports (of all kinds) that someday television would offer twenty-four hour sports – I would have been so ecstatic I would not have been able to sleep at night.  Add to that the fact that someday I could watch cartoons any day or night of the week – well, I may have had to be medicated.  When I was ten years old we had to wait until the weekend to see a sporting event on television and could only watch cartoons during a five hour segment of time on Saturday mornings.  In those days we had to wait for those things we really liked.  We did not get too much of anything.  We never got bored with cartoons or sporting events because they were such a rarity.  Too much of a good thing – it turns out – is too much.  And we get bored with “too much”.

Cambridge Ohio is a good thing for Lisa and I.  There is certainly not “too much” of anything here.  We are learning to live with the anticipation of more exciting places to see and more exciting things to do.  That anticipation keeps us from getting bored and has shielded us from the horror of unhappiness.  Often the anticipation of something is the best part.  Planning and looking forward to a vacation or trip is sometimes better than the trip itself.  Our worn out RV is just that – worn out.  But it makes dreaming of a new RV all the more exciting.  I have said before – we need to thank God for the hard times because they make the good times even better.

So – it is good to be here in Cambridge Ohio – where we are living small but never bored.  Now if you will excuse us – it is time to go sit outside and watch the cars go by.

Love, Steve and Lisa

I love to walk.  Wherever Lisa and I have been in our travels with her work – I have found some amazing places to hike.  In Gettysburg I walked the battlefield almost daily.  In Loma Linda, California I found walking among the palm trees and orange groves in the shadow of Big Bear Mountain to be the most picturesque hike of my life.  Stone Mountain offered marvelous scenery and even Arizona’s desert had an appeal.  Walking has been a good way to stay in shape and explore areas of God’s amazing earth that driving past in a car would have missed.  Walking forces me to slow down and that can be a really good thing.  Though arthritis in my left knee and some foot problems that need surgery have me limping some of the time – I walk on and have enjoyed every step along the way.  Well – mostly.

Here in Cambridge Ohio I found a “Rails to Trails” six mile paved path called the “Great Guernsey Trail” situated just a couple miles outside town.  I began walking the path about a week after we arrived and averaged about five miles per day after walking every morning and afternoon.  The path is sandwiched between a rather large creek on one side and a large marshy area on the other that must be a favorite spot for duck hunters in the area.  Cranes can be seen standing with their long legs in the shallow water and ducks and geese are prevalent.  During my walks I have spotted numerous critters including deer, chipmunks, squirrels (some solid black), rabbits and beaver.  Recently on a trip I noticed a black form about fifty yards ahead laying in the middle of the path and thought at first it was a limb that had fallen from the canopy of trees overhead.  As I got closer I noticed it’s head start moving and at first glance thought I was looking at a very large snake.  I slowed up and waited to see what the creature (whatever it was) would do and just as I got a little closer – noticed it begin moving off the path and that it was a very large turtle.  A VERY large turtle.

Now let me explain something – I am a city boy – let me be clear about that.  I love the outdoors and I have a fond appreciation for wildlife and God’s creations.  But when it comes to being out in the wild – I would much prefer having electric fences, cages or glass enclosures separating me from them – especially things that slither.  As I walked on – now wary of the possibility of these prehistoric looking turtles being in the grass beside the pathway I was walking – I realized I did not enjoy this walk nearly as much as I had five minutes before.  After walking another quarter mile I again noticed something rustling in the grass beside the path ahead of me and eventually came upon the knarliest snapping turtle I had ever seen.  Being just a couple feet from the thing as I passed – it seemed to be protecting the nesting area it had dug out.  Geez!  The thought occurred to me that I may need to start carrying a pistol or a harpoon on these walks.

I managed to get back to my truck without any violent encounters with the other snapping turtles I passed (and there were about five).  My conclusion was they were coming up from the swamp and creek to lay eggs and were protecting their offspring.  ‘Don’t worry Mommy (or Daddy) – you leave me alone and I will leave you alone’.  In fact, you come after me and I am running.  Now you may be laughing at the thought of being chased by a turtle.  But I noticed one moving with incredible speed along the path at one point and as slow as I am – I’m not sure I could outrun it.  No – let me take that back.  If this hideous creature comes after me trying to snap my toe off – it ain’t gonna catch me.

The next day I again set out on the Great Guernsey Trail having regained my confidence after seeing a senior adult lady on a walker braving the journey.  Surely if this poor thing can survive this Jurassic path – so can I.  After again passing several snapping turtles I became more comfortable with my walk.  Then the snakes.  Why did it have to be snakes?  As I walked along keeping one eye on the path and one on the mutated turtles, a man on a bike approached and warned me that a four foot long snake was laying off the side of the path just a few feet ahead of me.  “Oh! Okay!”, I said nonchalantly as if I was kin to the crocodile hunter, Steve Irwin, and handled snakes on a regular basis.  He passed me – and I turned around and high tailed it the other way.  I think I almost passed him on the path back to my truck.  You would have thought I was watching a tennis match as my eyes scanned both sides of the path watching for the turtles from hell and four foot long snakes ready to attack.  What’s next?  A mountain lion?  Black Panther? Charging Rhino?  At one point an insect landed on the back of my leg and I almost crapped my pants.  Get me the hell out of here!

I have now found another really good place to walk.  It has really wide walkways, and plenty of things to see.  I have to admit some of the creatures I have encountered there have been even uglier and scarier than those God-forsaken snapping turtles.  But at least Wal-Mart has restrooms!

Take Care!  Steve and Lisa

One week down here in Ohio and one Lisa and I are glad is over.  After waiting for paperwork to be completed Lisa was finally cleared to begin work this past Friday and was met with a warm welcome from the director of her department.  And no wonder.  The girl she was to be working with quit the day before and as of right now Lisa is the only Echo-Tech at the hospital.  It looks like thirteen weeks may have just turned into twenty-six.  Dealing with all that was not easy – especially since she has been sick with an upper respiratory infection.  But she has soldiered on and is hoping to survive this first full week.  We both have learned that the first couple of weeks in a new place is the hardest adjustment and being sick makes that almost unbearable.  My stomach bug and her respiratory problems have made us very unhappy campers.

It has been interesting watching Lisa prove how good she is at her job and when doctors start questioning her ability they quickly find out she knows what she is doing and in some cases knows much more about ultra-sound than the doctors.  This happened yesterday after Lisa was warned that one of the Cardiologists would challenge her at every turn but – she should stand her ground.  No problem.  Lisa’s southern charm combined with nearly thirty years of experience disarmed the doctor in rapid order and when Lisa explained some of the places she had worked including Atlanta and Loma Linda, California – game over.  This ain’t her first rodeo.

So people are nice but not ‘out of their way nice’ here in Ohio.  We find it much like our experience with people in Pennsylvania.  But it makes it fairly easy to connect with people who seem to love (even need) southern hospitality.  I predict people will be in tears when Lisa leaves this place – I know her too well and soon many others will.  Her track record speaks for itself.

Love, Steve and Lisa

It has been a rough first week for Lisa and I here in Cambridge Ohio.  We arrived here on Monday and after practically causing the entire campground here to evacuate while we attempted to back our RV into it’s slot – we finally unhitched to the cheers of those who had gathered to watch the fiasco and collapsed.  I wonder if my “backing up disability” counts for some kind of compensation?  Our next campground will have to have ‘pull through’ sites or else we may end up in the Wal-Mart parking lot for three months.  I can pull our RV through Atlanta, Arizona and anywhere on earth – just don’t ask me to back up.

Apparently one of the things we did not realize we had packed with us from Owensboro was a flu bug that our son and Lisa’s brother had contracted while we were with them before leaving.  It hit me first Monday night and I am still not completely recovered three days later.  Lisa has now got what appears to be a slightly different version and (hopefully) not as severe.  After waiting for all the lab work, police reports from every state she has worked and enough paperwork to make Tolstoy blush – she finally made into work this afternoon (Friday) and at least can get some of her orientation completed before getting a fresh start Monday morning – we hope.  After rushing to get here to have her fingers printed on Tuesday – it has been what my mom often called “hurry up and wait”.  Sounds like a government job to me.

Cambridge reminds us of Hanover/Gettysburg Pennsylvania where we stayed back in 2012 for five months.  The town is small but charming and has plenty of everything we really need – restaurants, groceries, fuel and (of course) a Wal-Mart.  We are hoping to get back to Gettysburg which is about five hours east of us to visit with friends from our stay there.  It is great being just six hours from home and we know if our need to see our grandson gets too intense – we can just drive home.

Lisa is looking forward to checking out Cambridge glass – which was made here years ago and is famous in the area.  Much like Hanover there are plenty of antique stores and an extensive Amish community just north of us that we hope to check out soon.  In the meantime we just look forward to feeling better and finding out what it is like being a Buckeye.

Take Care!  Steve and Lisa

In all the places where Lisa and I have traveled with her job – there has not been an opportunity come along that we did not feel genuinely excited about.  We were thrilled to learn about her first placement in Hanover, Pennsylvania – just thirty minutes from Gettysburg – and we even looked forward to the long trips west to Loma Linda, California and Kingman Arizona.  But this past week that good feeling could not be found.  In the words of Barry Manilow – we looked high, low and everywhere in between – just trying to get the feeling again.

After two months we were beginning to get a little anxious for her next assignment and were ready to accept about anything that came along.  Almost anything.  A call came in on Thursday this past week that a three week job came open in Oklahoma and the job was here if she wanted it.  We researched the area and talked about it.  We then researched a little more and talked a little more.  Then something very unusual happened.  We both said we did not want to go.  Something just did not feel right about this and though we needed the work – we were willing to wait for something better.  Let me repeat – we were willing to wait for something better.

The next day Lisa received a call from a hospital in Cambridge Ohio and by the time the hour long phone interview ended – she was offered a thirteen week job at a place just six hours from home.  And this time – we both were feeling good about it.

I don’t always trust my feelings.  It has served me well to ignore my emotions when making a decision and instead weigh all the facts.  In the case of the job in Oklahoma there was really no reason to turn down the offer but the strong negative feeling we both experienced was enough to rely on.  As it turned out our feelings led us to this place in Ohio and after arriving last night, we have high hopes that this will be a really good place to spend the summer.

We know very little about Cambridge – other than it is the birthplace of John Glenn.  We will learn more about the area in the coming weeks and will continue to blog our newest adventures.  We feel blessed to have so many read about our travels and encourage us from one assignment to another.  That really makes us feel good.

Love, Steve and Lisa

I received a call from a friend yesterday wondering if Lisa and I were still alive since we had not blogged for over a month.  We are not only very alive – we aren’t even sick.  We are just in an extended waiting period for Lisa’s next travel assignment and in the meantime – just enjoying being home.  Lisa and I are getting better at waiting – which is absolutely necessary when you travel from job assignment to job assignment.  It is not easy and even, at times, a little frustrating – but we have no other choice.  Noah may have waited as long as seventy years for the rains to finally come – so what is a couple of months?

Waiting for something to happen that is out of your control is made worse when in a hurry.  I was at a local bank the other day and a lady in line became so frustrated with her wait that she declared the situation “ridiculous” and stomped out.  She probably drove across town to another bank branch and got in another line – and probably waited some more.  I get it – hurry and waiting don’t mix.  When I have things on my mind to get done I don’t want or even expect delays.  But when they happen it is as if someone took control of my “to-do” list and threw in a few “wait in line for ten minutes” here and there.  There have been times I thought my head may spin-off if the cashier did not quit talking and get on to the next customer in line.  These Hostess donuts won’t keep forever.

It has taken me almost two years of retirement to gear myself down from that frantic hurrying mind-set that I developed over the past thirty plus years.  It is just not easy to slow down and even harder to patiently wait for something. If I can get better at waiting – I may add a few years to my life and I know I will be a happier person.  Maybe that is why older people tend to drive slower, walk slower, talk slower.  It may have nothing to do with health or age issues – they just “geared down” more and more until they reached a point that you would swear if they went slower they would be in reverse.

Next time you get behind an elderly driver – you know the one that is driving the mid-nineties Taurus that can barely see over the steering wheel – try not zooming around them in anger at the first opportunity. Instead stay in their lane for a few minutes, take a deep breath and wait.  You may enjoy the view.

Take Care!

Lisa and I are ready to pack it in here in Georgia and head home to Kentucky.  Tomorrow we will pull out of Stone Mountain Campground and head north toward the wintry weather of home.  With the exception of a couple of brief trips home – we have been gone now for two months and are ready for a break – even if it may be brief.

Without question this assignment here in Georgia has been the most difficult we have experienced thus far – for a number of reasons.  We never expected the snow storms or single digit temperatures here in central Georgia and enduring it in our RV has been a daily battle.  These last couple of weeks have been a little better with warmer temperatures but like most people in America – we cannot wait for spring.  Along with the winter weather – we have had to deal with Lisa’s thirty-five mile commute to Riverdale.  Traffic in Atlanta is worse than anywhere we have been so far and that includes New York, Baltimore, and Los Angeles.  We have loved the southern hospitality and kindness of everyone here and for the first time in our traveling – our accent is not a topic of every conversation.  But we are ready to move on.  Stone Mountain may be the prettiest setting we have stayed (as far as the campground) – but the off-season months offer very little in terms of activity and, with the exception of the weekends, we have been practically alone.  We love the peace and quiet but miss meeting and getting to know people as we did in Arizona and California.

We don’t know where Lisa’s job will take us next.  Lisa has been recommended for a job in Monroe, Wisconsin where I noticed the high was seven degrees yesterday.  Yikes!  We have learned to not jump the gun thinking the first job offer will be the one.  Who knows where we will end up but we should know something in the next week or two.

But we do know that tomorrow we are heading home.  And there is no place like home.

Love, Steve and Lisa