Six one-night stands

Over the eight months Bob and I have been traveling, one thing we both agree on is that the optimum minimum time in a campsite is 3 nights. We like being able to relax a little and not have to rush from one place to the next. This has not been one of those weeks. That’s not to say we haven’t enjoyed our time, or seen a lot, it’s just not been relaxing. We’ve gone from northern Michigan to Boston.

First we drove from Petoskey, MI, to Northfield, outside of Detroit to visit my friends Jane and Mark. Jane has gone on several trips with me, taken workshops/retreats and also been to the Fairy Congress. Mark has been whale kissing with us in Baja. It was great to spend 20 hours with them, and we truly enjoyed their dogs, chickens and turkeys and hospitality.

Next we had a long 325-mile drive through Ohio to just outside Pittsburgh. It was a tough day with construction on the turnpike and high tolls besides. Found a lovely spot to land, and the next day we met with my friends and students Mary Jane and Clive. The four of us went to Falling Water, the incredible home that Frank Lloyd Wright built just south of Pittsburgh. It’s an absolutely gorgeous place.

On Monday, we drove to Lily Dale, NY, a spiritualist community where they communicate with the dead. I loved this place and it’s calm, peaceful energy. We went to three message services, one where I got a message from my grandmother. We also attended a healing service and saw a great video about the community. Bob met a young couple that was camped near us from Israel, so he invited them over for drinks. It was fun to learn about their trip across the US, and to give them advice and a map to help out.

After a morning meditation at Lily Dale, we headed for Niagara Falls. We walked around the falls on the US side and went on the Maid of the Mist. What an exciting trip that was, motoring into the middle of Horseshoe Falls and feeling the blast of water on our faces. It was hard to believe we could sit there in the boat without being bounced around. That evening we drove north to get a good look (and Bob get his feet wet) in Lake Ontario, the last of our Great lakes.

Up again and heading on the road to a campsite in Waterloo, NY. We came here to visit Seneca Falls, the town that inspired Bedford Falls in It’s a Wonderful Life. The bridge where George Bailey meets Clarence the angel is there, but that’s about it. The historic barge canal that runs through town and much of New York State was interesting and very pretty, but we hoped to have a drink at Martini’s bar, or visit Ma Bailey’s boarding house. They were not there. They could do so much with the It’s A Wonderful Life connection, but the local drug store is not even named Gower’s. There is a ZuZu’s Café and a Hotel Clarence, but they are really missing the boat.