Sunday drive

If all you did today was sit around and watch TV, then I feel sad for you. Life has so much more to offer. I don't care where you are, there is always something to see if you just get out and look. Today was my "get out and look" day.

Rick was caught up on his paper work (this assignment has been lighter duty than most) so we planned to get out and see a little of the countryside. Even before we left this morning, a pair of cardinals, a few chickadees, and a tufted titmouse had breakfast at our feeder. I watched a couple of geese taking a walk on the snowy bank of the creek below the camper, and I saw some deer wandering around down there as well. The beautiful wildlife, along with the pancakes I fixed for breakfast, started my day out great.

 We took the back, less traveled roads just to see what we might see. I was amazed. I was able to get a few photos of some of our sights, but some really cool stuff I missed. Like the huge snowman (at least two stories tall), suffering badly because the last few days have been sunny, but still large enough for his 55 gallon drum hat to stay perched firmly on the top of his head. We whizzed past the cemetery where the grandmother of Ulysses S. Grant is buried, and I saw some Ohio icicles. Oh how I wished I'd begged hubby to turn around and go back so I could get a picture. Those suckers hung from the eaves and ended in perfect points only a few inches above the ground. You're just going to have to take my word for it. They are nothing like our Texas variety.

We saw some crazy people...well, I think you'd have to be crazy to do it...ice fishing. (Most of the lakes around here are frozen over, and some of the "cricks" are too.)  I saw a great big wild turkey in an open field getting a drink from a puddle made by melting snow. Somewhere along the way we ate lunch at a nice place decorated with handmade Amish quilts and wood furnishings. And did I mention the one antique shop we found open?  So much eye candy, and all we did was drive and observe.

We were not the only folks that took a Sunday drive.

Our drive took us through the center of Amish country. I think my heart rate slowed just from watching the horses trot down the highway.

We couldn't resist driving on over to check out Resort A. Remember? And yes, It IS a resort. We know where we want to stay if we ever come back to Ohio on vacation and don't mind shelling out the big bucks. But for this time, we are happy with our choice of campgrounds. Our time here is going to be short and not very profitable, so we are glad we were able to save a few dollars.

At Resort A, there is on display a taxidermic bear, hunted and killed in Alaska. It stands 10' 3" tall. It holds some kind of large game record. Why didn't I take a picture? I don't know. All I could do was just stand there with my mouth hanging open and stare. I knew the thing was dead and I still found it hard to breath as I stood only a few feet from it with its huge mouth open, it's teeth showing, and it's claws ready to turn me into julienne slices. I thought it was funny that the bear was right beside the treadmills in the workout area. Talk about a way to get the heart rate up!

 

Heading back to the camper we enjoyed more snow covered hills and narrow roads, passed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and stopped at a Camping World where we poked our heads into some new campers. How nice it was to decide we are content with what we have.

Then, as we continued on, low and behold, we just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

One of the Goodyear blimps lives in the area and it was coming in for a landing. I've never seen the thing from far away, so to get this up-close look was really cool.

Back at the camper, with birds on the feeder, a deer in the creek bed, and a setting sun, I sigh deeply. This and every "adventure" adds to the fullness of our lives and experiences and memories, but oh how I miss my kids, grandchildren, and the rest of our extended family. I always look forward to seeing them again. If I let myself, I can get very sad and moody about being so far from them all. But that would do no good for no one. So I thank the Lord that He allowed me to enjoy this day, where I am.

The next time you get a little down about where you are or life's circumstances, try turning off the TV and taking a long Sunday drive along the back roads just to see what you can see. You might be amazed!