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October 7-14, 2019 Traveling from Ohio to Texas -camping along the way – with a surprise stop at Waco!

Our first stop was at Mammoth Caves National Park. We enjoyed some down time, catching up on work and trip planning. Our site was beautiful – really enjoyed the fall leaves and peaceful camp.

We didn’t have a good signal at camp so Lorree had to go to the welcome center to use the wifi for her Juice Plus meeting online. Everything worked out great!

Natchez Trace State Park / Pin Oak Lake

Our electric tongue jack gave out during our last set up – the gears were slipping. Had to stop at Camping World and found just what we needed! Replaced the jack and got a new pin lock. All set and ready to roll! Our camp site was beautiful – great sunset!

Lower White River RV Park

We had a travel day today – our stop for the night was just off the interstate hwy – didn’t even unhook. Passed by some cotton fields, looked like snow at first! Lorree has kept up with our travels with our colored map.

On the way we stopped at a rest area, that was also at a Solar Farm. Wow – very impressive with even more expansion planned for the future!

Atlanta State Park

Another great camp site – a place to relax and get caught up on work and correspondence. We sure enjoy these travel days and the State Parks that we have been staying at.

Dennis was watching our neighbor trying to set up his tent for him and his kiddos – he was having a bad time and it was cold and raining. Dennis helped him figure out the tent poles and all was well! We went to town and did our laundry – then broke out the bikes and enjoyed riding around the camp!

Liberty Hill COE

Our first Corp of Engineers Campground – very nice! We only stayed one night but it was very relaxing and peaceful!

A Surprise Stop in WACO, TX! how fun!

We saw it on the map and decided to stop. Such a peaceful place – you could feel the peace when you stepped on the property! We had to park a few blocks away – but a guy in golf cart was right there and offered us a free ride to Magnolia Farms!

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October 5-7, 2019 Mooch-docking at Dayna’s house in Ohio and Lorree’s horse ride!

We managed to travel through Cincinnati twice – lots of traffic but no problems! Dayna’s house was a beautiful “plantation House” set high on a high overlooking rolling grassy fields. Very serene but not far from the city.

Saturday evening we went to Cedarville University and attended a campus worship service. Very moving – all based on letting the water (Spirit) flow. Even had snow falling during one of the sets!

Sunday we attended Dana’s and Dayna’s church. They have a garden with an empty tomb on the property – great inspiration! After church we enjoyed a home cooked meal with Mark and Jan followed by desert with Jeff and Criss. It was a great day full of fun and fellowship!

Meeting Brite the horse and Brito a Bethlehem Donkey – see the cross on his back!

After Lorree’s hip replacement surgery in February, her goal was to ride a horse again. Look at her, she’s a natural! (Dana wasn’t too sure about how the horse would react since he hadn’t been ridden for a while) Lorree really enjoyed the ride!

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October 1-5, 2019 Kentucky Roads – Creation Museum and The Ark Encounter

First stop as we headed to Kentucky – just a one-niter at River Trail Crossing -Butler, OH.

Beautiful country roads (thanks Google Maps!) …but so narrow and no shoulders -we barely fit in one lane. Pretty tense when other cars and trucks were coming at us!

We arrived at Big Bone Lick State Park the next day. This campsite was halfway between the Creation Museum and The Ark Encounter. It was a perfect location…. but our site was not level side to side and also on an incline front to back. It was pretty tough getting it to level

The Creation Museum!

Our first adventure was the Creation Museum put together by Answers in Genesis (Ken Ham). We were very familiar with the creation vs evolution discussion from our days of homeschooling our children. It was a good reminder that a literal six day creation by our mighty God makes SO much sense!

The museum was very well done with lots of exhibits and diaramas that tell the story of creation. We explored the grounds, saw birds, butterflies, and fish – it was a very peaceful day.

The Ark Encounter!

The next day we went to The Ark Encounter. Our Google Maps App took us to the back side of the property where the maintenance yard and equipment were located. There were about 6-7 vehicles all there at the same time – crazy maps!

From the parking lot at the Ark Encounter, we boarded a shuttle bus to the Ark!. It is Sooo big – pictures just don’t capture the immense size and breathtaking appearance.

We enjoyed a great meal at the buffet, then toured the Ark. It was not the busy season, so we were able to enjoy a nice slow pace and not worry about crowds. The information shared as we went through the Ark was based a lot on common sense and from research done that would depict the time frame that the ark was built. They called it “Artistic License” (which by the way is also used to depict evolution).

Before we left – one more time to repair the closet bar. The bracket holding the bar gave way (too many bumps and jostles while traveling)! I drilled a hole and put the clothes bar through – cant fail this time!

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September 28- Oct 1, 2019 The FALLS!! Breathtaking!

We drove along the coast of Lake Erie all day… from Ohio through Pennsylvania to New York! We passed Sandusky, OH, home of Cedar Point Amusement Park. We remembered going there with the boys with the Bible Quizzing Team from Michigan some years ago!

Our campsite for the next few days is at Evangola State Park in New York. It was on Lake Erie, it had very green foliage and some beautiful views! We got out our electric bikes and rode around the camp a few times.

WOW!! The FALLS were breathtaking!

Our destination…Niagara Falls! It was spectacular to walk right up to the river and see the rushing water fall over the edge. It was mesmerizing to just pause and watch it. Thousands of gallons of water flowing, non-stop for years and years – and never running out!

We decided to go to Canada and see the falls from their side. They say on the Canadian side you see the spectacular views and on the American side your feel them!

We remembered walking up to this spot at Horseshoe Falls and seeing the edge of the falls with the kids back in 1996 (?). We ate lunch at Tim Horton’s grill – of course we had to get our Philly-cheese steak sandwiches!

We really enjoyed our time at Niagara Falls – well worth the trip! We continue to be amazed at God’s beautiful creation for us to enjoy!

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September 26-28, 2019 Maumee Bay (Lake Erie), OH

I thought we were “large” on the road, but compared to the real trucks we’re “just a toy”. We pulled into Maumee Bay State Park by mid afternoon after a straight forward interstate highway trip.

Very nice campsite, somewhat secluded from neighbors by large trees and hedges.

We drove to the public beach inside the State Park – It was a beautiful WINDY day! Enjoyed being the only ones on the beach (too chilly to get in) except for the birds.

YIKES! We discovered a hole in our closet floor! The 2×4 that I used to hold the weight of clothes in the middle of the clothes bar, broke through the floor into the storage space underneath!

Glad we had a free day! We drove into Toledo, Ohio (Lowes) and purchased some lumber. Thankful I  brought my tools…we’re learning quickly there’s always something to fix when you’re RV traveling!

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September 19-26, 2019 Pure Michigan!

We made it to Niles. MI! Driving into NIles felt like “coming home” since we lived there for about 11 years. It was so fun to get reacquainted with Jeremiah and Asia and spend time with Ray & Sarah. We camped at River Front RV Park on the North end of Niles – beautiful place!

Of course Jeremiah and Asia camped out with Papa and Nana! We enjoyed snuggling with them when the sun came up.

Ray had a few projects that we helped with, trimming trees and putting up dry wall in a hall closet.They fed us well – real fresh smoked ribs from his smoker. Sarah showed Nana how to make Chinese dumplings – yum! They also gave us some smoked cheese that they had done.

The kiddos (even Ray and Sarah!) loved riding the electric bikes and showing us their games. Jeremiah and Asia have sure grown – they are getting smarter than Papa and Nana!

We had so much fun – thank you Ray & Sarah, Jeremiah and Asia for great memories! Now that we’re traveling we’ll be back more often!

While we were in NIles we took care of business as well. Lorree got her laptop upgraded at Revive Our Hearts Ministry. It was great to see a lot of our old friends and co-workers. Our visit went too fast – but we’ll be back!

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September 17-19, 2019 Sangchris Lake State Park, Deer Run Campground, Rochester, IL THE SUNSET!

We traveled into Illinois today -about 6 hours. another long day of driving. I want to mention that God has protected us times with “almost” accidents (side swipes, head-on’s, and rear-end crashes) HE had certainly put guardian Angels out to protect and defend us- Thanks God!

At Sangchris State Park (We are liking State Parks!) we were overwhelmed with the setting AND the sunset by the lake!

We saw fish jumping, cranes swooping, and squirrels chasing! It was a treat to sit here and take it all in!

It was great to just relax. We’ve shared with each other that it’s really hard to remind ourselves that “this is not a vacation” This is our new life – WOW -so blessed and grateful for the years of hard work that got us here. Thank you God!

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September 15-16, 2019 Wallace State Park – a place to relax and enjoy the country.

We traveled about 5 hours today – we were ready to get off the road. Wallace State Park is beautiful….and humid! We “dripped” the whole time we were setting up. SO thankful for God’s creation and air conditioning!!

Lorree continues to work part time at Revive Our Hearts from “home” We have enjoyed great reception on our unlimited data plans – either AT&T or Verizon – so she has been able to connect from everywhere we’ve been!

The next day the humidity was low and we enjoyed being out in our “sun room”

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September 13-15, 2019 All we said was…”Can we help?” Painting, Camping, some soccer, and a Birthday Party!

Before we left home, we offered to help paint if Becki and Jon were ready for that. They took us up on our offer and we were able to help paint the Kitchen and Dining Room while we were there. The color didn’t change, but everything looks fresh and new again!

In August, the four older girls traveled to Canon city and spent the weekend with us. Now it was the four younger kiddos turn. Audrey and Haley came first and then Caleb and Ryan. Great memories sleeping in Papa and Nana’s camper and eating bacon and eggs for breakfast!

We also were able to get in a game of Soccer – Caleb is a tough player!

It was great to have fun with the family and enjoyed celebrating with Becki on her Birthday!

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September 12, 2012 Electric Bikes, Volleyball and a Castle! – Newton, KS

Thursday was our fun day with the Busenitz family and we enjoyed every minute! We started out unloading/unfolding our electric bikes and let the kiddos have fun in their cul de sac.

The kids had so much fun – we left the bikes at their house and they rode them every day!

We all loaded up in their big van and headed to Salina for a volley ball tournament. Megan, Valerie, Lindsey, and Sarah all play for the Panthers – a homeshool co-op team. This is Megan’s senior year at homeshool and honored at a later game.

They won a few and lost a few – but it was fun to watch them play hard!

After the game we traveled back toward Newton – Jon took an exit and said he had a surprise to show all of us. A castle in the middle of Kansas!

The castle was built in 1936 as part of the WPA (Works Progress Administration). It is on top of Coronado Heights (one of the high places in Kansas ) It is alleged to be near the place where Francisco Vásquez de Coronado gave up his search for the seven cities of gold and turned around to return to Mexico.

We enjoyed a beautiful Kansas sunset and made some great memories!