The Trip Has Begun!!!

What I first believed to be a mini trip while I waited until I was able to start the real one has turned into the beginning of the real one!  As has been the theme of my life as of late, things are not going how I planned them to, or how I expected them to.  While I expected to start my trip by heading west, it turns out that apparently, I was meant to head east first.  It’s been so wonderful to visit with friends and see sights that I would have missed if things had gone according to my original plan!

Todd and Rosie by the fire

I started my adventure with a trip to McHenry, IL to visit Todd and Rosie (college friends).  Again, things didn’t go according to the original plan because the power was out.  Luckily there were branches that needed to be burned and marshmallows that needed roasting! 

somehow the amount of blue in
 this sign is ruining the integrity
of Aaron and Beth’s neighborhood

The next leg of the journey took me through Indiana, where I saw a huge billboard that informed me that “hell is real” (but failed to give me any follow up information . . . how do I avoid it, how do I know if I’m going, what is it like, etc.) and a man driving his car while he had his entire head out of his window (much like a dog) . . . WHILE DRIVING!!!!  After I made it through the strange land that is Indiana, I arrived in Columbus, Ohio.  It was lovely to spend time with Beth (my college roommate) and Aaron (friend since first day of college) and see their Ohio home (which is totally beautiful)!  Eating ice cream sold by weight, touring THE Ohio State University, and eating Peruvian chicken and French fries with hot dogs and tons of sauce on them was fantastic too!

My view during dinner

My beautiful new tent!
(Thanks Mom and Dad!)

After leaving Columbus, I drove down to Shawnee State Park in West Portsmouth, OH.  I found a delightful campsite that was situated up in the woods, and slightly away from the road.  I set up my tent for the first time and ate dinner by the river.  I woke up early the next morning and went for a hike.  It was so nice to have the woods to myself.  It also saved me the embarrassment of having anyone else see how winded I got on the rather steep inclines! (I’ve clearly spend too much time in Chicago, where the only change in elevation is a bridge!)  There were also many flowers, birds, streams, and even mushrooms that looked like pancakes! 

Crossing the Ohio River into Kentucky

  After leaving Shawnee State Park, and ensuring Devin that I had not been eaten by a wild animal, I drove along the Ohio River.  While I did not stick my whole head out the window (as they apparently do in Indiana) I did steal many a glance at the gorgeous farms along the river!  I crossed into Kentucky at Maysville to visit the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center.  I have very talented relatives that have many miniature pieces displayed there!  The miniature collection was very impressive!  It’s amazing that people can make such tiny and detailed replicas of things that are impressive in full scale!  It’s certainly worth checking out (especially those Ashby Jedd models). 

The couch

Devin cutting meat and
cheese for lunch in
Hoosier National Forest

Next I arrived in Louisville to visit Devin (friend I met at PACTT) in his fancy new apartment.  It was quickly revealed that before we went to Lebowski fest, we would first be moving a couch . . . not just any couch. . . a sleeper sofa.  Luckily it was a love seat, not a full sized couch, so we were able to get it upstairs by ourselves!  We were rewarded for our manual labor by learning about a fabulous band called the Seedy Seeds at the fest.  The next day we went for a hike in Hooshier National Forest just over the river in Indiana.  After we made it up the “steep grade” we had fun climbing in cave like structures and eating lunch on the edge of a cliff like structure.   Devin was kind enough to let my Louisville visit extend another night when I found out that all the campsites at Mammoth Cave National Park were accounted for.  Another unexpected twist of fate that worked out perfectly!  It turns out that I will be able to extend this leg of the trip for a few more weeks, so it was wonderful to have access to the internet to help me plan the next few days of adventures!  Plus, it was fun to listen to the Seedy Seeds and hangout with “The Dog”!