Love in Two Acts: Growing Up with My Best Friend and Growing Old with My Husband
John's next transporting load took us to Greenville, North Carolina. While John was doing the travel trailer delivery process, I walked from the dropoff location to a Chili's to get my FREE birthday dessert š, which we shared that evening. Afterward, we did some grocery shopping, laundry, and refilled our propane. Then we headed for the KOA in New Bern, North Carolina.
Since we were in the area, we made plans to visit my best friend of over 50 years, Bernadette, and her husband, Keith. Bernadette and I grew up across the street from one another. Immediate memories come to life! Maybe one of my memories below will rekindle a favorite memory from your childhood.
~Riding our bicycles to the neighborhood creek.
~Playing Marco Polo in the swimming pool.
~Playing Guess Which Hand on my front porch steps.
~Playing hopscotch in our matching red sandals, bought from Gilvan's in town.
~Bern's Dad driving us to Dairy Queen in his VW "Bug." It was tradition for all of us to belt out songs on the way there!
~Making up dances. I think our best "choreography" was to Heat Wave (the Linda Ronstadt version). That song recently came on the radio. I immediately grabbed my phone and took a video with the song in the background and forwarded it to her. Echoes of long ago, awakened between lifelong friends. šÆāāļø š©· š„¹
Shout out to you, Bern: Growing up with you and our lifelong friendship is very special to me.
Readers: Thanks for taking a journey down our Memory Lane!!! I hope these glimpses into our childhood sparked a memory from your own youth! š
So we had dinner plans with Bern & Keith at their home in New Bern, North Carolina. We had drinks, and they made a delicious dinner. š Afterward we sat and talked for hours. It was a great evening, and it was so good to see them in person. Love them. š©·
While staying at the KOA in New Bern we met an employee named Cameron. He and his wife have traveled some of the same places we have. They stopped to work for a while and are headed out again in a few months....this time they are headed out on land instead of sea! Super cool. We really enjoyed talking with Cameron.
The next day we drove from New Bern, North Carolina to Arrington, Virginia. We stayed at the Blue Mountain Barrel House, part of the Harvest Host program. We took a walk before dinner and enjoyed the mountain views. We shared a pizza to support our host in exchange for a parking space for the night. When we stop driving on any day, we love to take a walk and take in the local scenery.
The following morning we headed to another Harvest Host participant - 1812 Brewery in Cumberland, Maryland, taking U.S. Route 33 over the Shenandoah Mountain! Such a beautiful drive.
We headed to Sugarcreek, Ohio, stopping on the way to pick up our Amazon package (supplies) at an Amazon locker. Amazon lockers are scattered throughout the country. When we need supplies, we have them shipped to one of the Amazon locker locations two days out from where we were when placing the order. Two days down the road when we arrive at the locker location, there are probably 12-24 lockers. You stand in front of them and turn on your bluetooth, clicking a button that you are picking up your package. A locker pops open revealing your package. Very convenient!
We arrived at Dutch Valley. We walked through their Gift Shop, Market, Bakery, and Restaurant. To support our host, we bought peanut butter cookies. Mmmmm.....homemade Amish cookies. What a treat! š
Left: Apple Creek, Ohio
Right: View From I90 in Pennsylvania of Lake Erie with Ice
Once we landed in Indiana, we picked up John's next transporting load. We headed to Chichester, New Hampshire. Our first stopover was a Harvest Host participant - Danny's South in Orchard Park, New York. The restaurant was three blocks from the Highmark Stadium, where the Buffalo Bills play football! Jim Kelly Boulevard! At the time, they were building a new stadium, which will be even closer to Danny's South. We went for a walk near the stadiums - as close as we were allowed. Such fun!
The next afternoon John delivered the travel trailer in Chichester, New Hampshire. After any delivery, there is always a sense of relief, that the trailer is "off our back" and delivered safely. The drive on Route 9 going over Hogback Mountain in Vermont was beautiful. I loved seeing the New England style houses.
New England Houses, Hogback Mountain, Moose Crossing
We spent the day at Niagara Falls State Park. It was definitely chilly! But we had a great time walking the Park, seeing the falls, and taking pics. Check out some of our pics and videos........
Afterward we stayed at Ellicottville Brewing Company in Ellicottville, New York; the Dutch Valley (again) in Sugarcreek, Ohio; and the Berlin Farmstead. We took a "Down Day" in Berlin, where we thoroughly enjoyed the town! We took a long walk, organized our toll expenses, and John submitted his paperwork to get paid. He also submitted our Passenger Authorization Form for the upcoming month. This is required for me to ride with John while he is under load. Thereafter, we arrived back in Indiana, where we grocery shopped at Martin's and did laundry at the Driver's Lounge.
Left: Walking Around Berlin, Ohio
Right: Grind Your Own Peanut Butter at Walnut Creek Cheese & Market
We loved the Walnut Creek Cheese & Market! When in the area, we tried to stop there! Such fresh items and nice people!
We got another transporting load.
Stay tuned to see where John's work took us next!
I loved reading your post about our childhood Suzi (Suzanne)ā£ļø Such incredible memories! We had the BEST times! Iām so lucky š to have you as my best friend š Hope to see you & John soon~ Love you lots š