there's no place like gnome.

Dave and I are fresh off a nine-day, 2300 mile trip to the east coast and back. We left mid-afternoon on a weekday and didn’t stop driving until we reached the Atlantic. (It was a bit crazy and not necessarily the plan but an audiobook from John Grisham kept us awake and safe.) We arrived to the beach before our hosts and so we spent time eating (authentic east coast – I’ve told you Dave is a bagel snob) bagel breakfast sandwiches and napping on a park bench until we could get into the house for a proper sleep.

Leg 1: Ocean City, NJ

Dave’s brother, Ryan’s in-laws have a family home two blocks from the beach in Ocean City, NJ. It would be our home base for the next three nights. Matt, another brother, and his family was due to arrive same day but a delayed flight brought them in the following day. While we were gathered at the beach house, we spent time on the beach, walking the boardwalk, eating classic beach food, and hanging out at the super cute house.

This, my friends, is called Polish Water Ice. Apparently a NJ/beach specialty? Think slushy but creamier, not as ‘icy.’ That’s the texture of the water ice, the red (cherry) pictured. It’s best mixed with soft serve.

Leg 2: Stroudsburg, PA

We drove to PA where we would spend the next three nights with Dave’s brother, Ryan and his family. More specifically, Dave and Ryan would embark on an overnight hike on the Appalachian Trail, complete with a black bear encounter and coming to the aid of a sick through-hiker. While they were off on their adventure, I did a little hiking with the family left behind and engaged in some alone time, antiquing and cross-stitching.

Leg 3: Cleveland, OH

Dave and I left PA for a single night stay in downtown Cleveland. Why Cleveland? Because Cleveland currently has a run of The Back to the Future musical and it was kinda, sorta on our way home. (I made it be on our way home!) Did you know Back to the Future is my favorite movie? (I’ve probably mentioned it two or twenty times.) We checked into our hotel, found a fun brewery for supper, and then settled into our seats at the theater. The whole time I was worried Dave would HATE it. He proclaims that he hates musicals. Well, folks, not this one. Dave was just as enthralled with the show as I was. I’ll be watching for future closer stops and will happily pay money to see it again. (Fun fact: Dave’s brother Matt and family continued onto NYC after the beach. They also saw the musical in the Big Apple and loved it just as much as we did.)

Leg 4: Adrian, MI

We left Cleveland and drove the coast to Dave’s family home where we stayed a night with his parents. En route, for kicks and giggles and coffee, we stopped off in tiny Heron, OH where we ate the best donuts we have ever had from this unsuspecting little donut shop filled with retired men around the counter drinking coffee out of mismatched mugs. We ate our donuts on the shore of Lake Erie and walked out to the lighthouse before continuing on our way. We arrived to the farm with time to catch up and supper out at Culver’s.

Nine days after we departed, we picked the dogs up from my mom and step-dad’s and arrived home, happy to sleep in our own bed and inspect the progress of the garden. Okay; that second part was really just me. (The garden is growing! Blog update to come!)

We’ve been out with the camper twice this early season. Mid-May found us at Devil’s Lake State Park – a new to us state park. This past weekend, a familiar place at Lake Emily County Park near Stevens Point.

Devil’s Lake weekend was filled with hiking, some exploration of another nearby state park, and a short trip into Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo. We arrived to our campsite super late, as we pulled off to wait out a severe thunderstorm with some crazy high winds. The tick count was relatively low (oh, how I hate those little things) but they didn’t stop us from hiking through the bluffs. It seemed like a fun area we hope to explore more.

This past weekend we returned to a favorite campground near Dave’s sister and family. It has become one of our favorite places to stay while we visit them. We arrived Thursday night and spent Friday on our own adventure; we visited and hiked Rib Mountain State Park in Wausau (another new park for us), stopped for pinball at one of Dave’s favorite places in Point, and then enjoyed a beer at the Point Brewery beer garden. Saturday we met up with family, starting at a local swap meet (My sister-in-law purchased two goats! This swap meet was other-worldly with chickens, ducks, and rabbits galore.) and then waiting out some rain at the camper with lunch and a movie. S’mores, bowling and pizza followed.

The best purchase to add to the camper this year has been this set of collapsible loveseats/double chairs. (Thanks, Costco!) Emmett has always been an old soul, preferring a chair to the ground. And honestly – we prefer it for the dogs, as it keeps them cleaner. They have adapted well to their new spot.

Once we journey home later today, the camper will stay parked for about a month until we head out for the Fourth of July weekend. A couple weekends at home are needed (so I can to finish planting the garden!) and then we’ll head out for a non-camping trip at the end of the month. More adventures to come!