Home Again

We’re home.  Bleary-eyed and weary from all that driving, we arrived here around 7pm.  Then it was a mad dash to drain all the tanks and blow the water lines out and winterize the RV as it is below freezing here.  We took out any food items that could freeze and left the rest for tomorrow.

Today started out sunny and 28 degrees.  As we drove north, however, the clouds descended and we were driving in a gloomy gray day.  Welcome to the Midwest!

In her online travels, Deb found an Indiana-based donut shop chain that was started by the Amish.  It now had several locations throughout Indiana, including one in the greater-Indianapolis area.  Since this was right next to the Interstate, we stopped for a donut.

The donuts were delicious, although a bit on the expensive side.  Perhaps it’s the location.  We were in the swanky Fishers District. I’m sure that was part of the reason for the price premium.

Right next door is an IKEA store.  We stopped there and walked the maze and found a few things for the RV.  An extra set of sheets for the bed and another USB cable for the one I got my foot tangled in and broke a few days ago.

Next stop was three stores in Shipshewana, Indiana.  Two grocery stores and Yoder’s Meats.  It’s always dangerous to go to Yoder’s meats.  We always come away with way more than we planned for.  In addition to the out-of-this world cherry brats that we like, we came away with a whole smoked chicken and a few thick pork chops that will be part of a meal in the near future.  We got into a conversation with the guy at the meat counter who also does quite a bit of backyard BBQ who told us what all the good stuff was and how to prepare it.  Looking forward to some good eats!

After one more stop at Mancino’s in Portage, we arrived home to a cold and dark house.  I had turned the heat on at noon, but our under-powered furnace takes a long time to heat the place up so it was only 62 when we got home.  Always a bit of an adjustment.  Being able to use the bathroom without your knees touching the door and your elbow halfway into the shower is like luxury.  We won’t have to take Navy-style showers any more or prepare food in a tiny galley.

But it’s all worth it.  The experiences gained and the friends we’ve made on this trip have been amazing.  Well worth the cramped living arrangements.

Some trip statistics:
Total miles traveled:  4428
Trip length: five weeks