Laura's Retirement Journey

In 1975, Keith bought an old Martin guitar at auction. Paid $45. Over the years he's had a couple of people look at it. He is pretty sure it's an 1840s instrument that has been modified. And he wants to sell it. It's fate. We looked up Elderly Instuments, the final word on Martin guitars and it's minutes from Ann Arbor. I wasn't sure this was going to work. All the instruments in the shop were new and we kept hearing "What a great case!" And "That's a really old guitar." Not what we wanted to hear when we were hoping for the next great Martin find and a slot on Antiques Road Show.  Then we met Frog. (Yup. That was his name. Frog.) Frog is that veteran rocker who settled down working at a guitar store for a couple of weeks. Thirty-five years later he is the expert on vintage guitars. He took pics with his phone and now he is having the pro shoot the guitar for detail. He also told us the history of the guitar business -...

Keith and I are in agreement. We love to travel but we aren't interested in a forced march. We need time to hang. We also want to get a taste of wherever we visit. So we came up with the idea of driving for 4 hours staying for 3 nights. And if a stop seems dull... do an overnight. Don't bother to unpack. Move on. Sounds mighty dreary in poor Ole Erie. So I planned one night. But last night we stayed for one night in nearby Geneva,  Ohio and I was surprised. In the 90 minutes we lazed around Geneva, we saw a mini beach tourist area, cute historic cottages that haven't changed since the 30s and a park with an expansive view of Lake Erie.  If we had more time we could have done a Vine Crawl to the 15 wineries in the town.  Anyway there is something special about everywhere. Just have to look for it.

Quote of the day This is good. I figured out the transmission. Billboard Everyday is hump day at Adult Outlet.  Exit 57. 

Buttermilk Falls near Ithaca is now my favorite waterfall ever. The hike takes you first to the 150 foot scene stealer. Then it's a 1 1/2 mile climb up thousands of steps through the Gorge. Lots to see. Waterfalls, a chimney and bowls big and small. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was active from 1932 to 1941. They made our parks accessible and usable for people. Park lovers owe them a great debt of gratitude. Learning:  Got to get my legs and lungs ready for Custer. 

Destination an Indian village  built by the Civilian Conservation Commission (CCC) in the early 30s. Apparently the tribes around the Finger Lakes  built and lived in log cabins!!! Very sad story really. George Washington ordered their villages destroyed and their crops ruined so that they would leave upstate NY and the land would be available for the patriots. Many of the loyalists and Indians died or retreated onto Canada.

Happiness and anxiety are a strange brew. Thrilled this trip is finally happening. Every time I camp I feel calm. Something about feeling settled, the sound of the birds and the residual smell of wood smoke. Even better we have a mattress 3 feet off the floor and a bathroom 5 feet away. Little pleasures are a big deal camping. So what is the anxiety? Watching Keith drive a 40 ' truck and trailer, Watching Keith deal with a ball that won't unstick from the hitch, watching Keith back or pull the trailer into the campsite. Is there a theme here? Hmm

 It only took 30,000 steps (×2), 4 grocery trips, a lot of cursing (not really. Keith doesn't curse. He just thinks it.) And wonderful good byes from old and new friends. Tomorrow we are heading out for a 3-4 month, 5000 mile trip. I am so f****** stoked (it's Keith who doesn't curse.) Pic of us during covid lockdown. Keith had retired his proud boys shirt.