Neighbor Kid

Jill's Journal: One thing we very rarely seem to have in campgrounds is neighbor kids. But this week, a sweet grandfather and his grandson are on Easter break next door to us. The girls have taken to 9-year-old Zachary and he to them. They’ve all become fast friends and we suddenly see the benefits of sending our kids outside to play with the neighbor kid! I know we’re late to the party…parents have been doing this for years. But it's new to us and, my goodness, what a treat it is to hear them playing happily outside while I peacefully get things done inside the house. I could get used to this!

Dinosaur World

Jill's Journal: Dinosaur World was on tap yesterday and the girls could hardly wait to get there. Over 150 life-size dinosaurs were featured as we strolled the park in blazing heat and viewed them in their “natural” environments. In spite of seeing Jurassic Park 15 years ago, I’ve never really thought twice about dinosaurs before. I had no idea scientists believe there were so many different kinds! With just 3-4 exceptions, they all look pretty much alike to me. Ross the paleontologist on Friends would be horrified.

But the girls enjoyed going on a fossil dig and playing in the dinosaur boneyard and I’m glad…because it was definitely a little cheesy! I was just waiting for an Elvis impersonator to hop out from behind one of the dinosaurs and burst into song. (No offense to Elvis!) I can’t say the $34.19 in admission fees was worth it, but the girls have been spouting dinosaur names and information ever since, so they must have learned something.

And yesterday evening we found an unexpected treasure. We happened across the small town of Glasgow, Kentucky, and decided to grab some dinner while we were out. Somehow we ended up in a small Mexican restaurant named Garcia’s Grill and had one of the best Mexican meals ever. Who would have thought? Their sign said, “A Different Kind of Mexican Restaurant,” and they were right. It wasn’t Mexican food the American way, but Mexican food like I’ve had in Mexico City or Cabo San Lucas. I had a shrimp/black bean chimichanga, Rob had fish tacos, and both were out of this world. The girls weren’t quite as excited with their fare, but you just can’t please everybody all of the time!

Last night was our last night in this campground and a bright red motorhome had moved in across the way. It looked more like a rock star bus than a motorhome. The girls have something I didn’t know existed…motorhome envy! It is hysterical! Madelyn is especially coveting it. She’s noted that all the rest are “just white,” but this one is “ruby red,” and wants to know if that can be our next home. Funny girl.

Not All Campgrounds are Created Equal

Jill's Journal: We left Louisville, eager to hit our first new town. Here we are, officially on the road, and our first weekend is the Fourth of July (which means everything everywhere is completely booked)! Not the best planning on our part, but sometimes you just can’t anticipate these things. We of course thought we’d have a month of this under our belts by now.

My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown had a cancellation for two nights and we snapped it up a few days ago. We are not yet schooled in campgrounds, but I think today was a huge lesson. The Horse Park was palatial compared to this! I had no idea. This is very rustic and tiny, which is fine and charming all on its own, but the spot we were assigned to is meant for pop-up campers and tents, not a 42’+ fifth wheel. It’s surrounded by trees and odd angles and when we saw it, I was certain there was no way to back our home into it. It would take an act of God to fit…or at least Rob’s amazing driving skills. Somehow he, with the direction of our new neighbor Johnny (who drives truck for a living), backed this thing into that crazy space. I think all 38 of our new neighbors came out to watch and I’m certain several bets were placed on whether it was even possible. But Rob did it!

We have woods right behind us and trees so close we can touch them out windows and are on such a grade that it feels like we’re going to topple right over, although Rob assures me we won’t. Our new neighbors are the friendliest things in the world. This must be what camping is all about – everyone is instant best friends. There are campfires everywhere tonight and the 65+-year-olds are the biggest and noisiest partiers out there! Hilarious.

We did meet another full-time RVing, homeschooling family, which was awesome. I spoke to both the mother and to the now 21-year-old daughter, who is now settled down with her own family but has grown up doing this. Both raved about it. The mother told me we’d never want to stop and settle down and the daughter told me it was the most fabulous childhood imaginable. She said she loved it. Very encouraging.