Day 201

April 22, 2018                                                                                                                    Day 201

My morning started off the same as it has been the last couple days with coffee and breakfast.  We then rode the gator down to his parents place to begin working on my camper.  We painted the top of my camper where the solar panel is placed with white latex paint and while that dried we rode up the road to his grandparents house.  We stayed there for a little bit and then went back to his place for brunch since we only had toast for breakfast earlier.   Then we put another coat of paint on my camper this time mixing some yellow with the white to get the off white color of the rest of my camper. 

Today I was really excited for because he was going to take me repelling which I have never been so he was going to teach me!  It was a blast and I  could easily see me doing this at least once a week just to get out and enjoy the day.  It was a wonderful way to spend the day.  After we went down a few times we drove into town to go grocery shopping and get ice cream.  When we got back to his place he started brewing up a new batch of beer so I was able to see the beginning of the process. 

Soon I was ravenous so he got a fire going outside and we started cooking hotdogs over the flames to which we added coleslaw and chili.  For desert he made something called a "mountain pie" that was two slices of bread with cherry pie filling for the center and that was placed in a cast iron thing and placed in the fire to cook.  It was really good and when dinner was over we cleaned up and once again sat in the hot tub.

Day 200

April 21, 2018                                                                                                                Day 200

My day started around 09:30 as we sat in the kitchen sipping coffee and eating cinnamon rolls for breakfast.  As soon as our coffee was done we rode down to his parents place to begin working on my camper.  He cut and sanded down a metal plate that would go where the wires for my solar panel run into my back hatch.  It would act as a support and hopefully help prevent water from getting down into that area again.  The plate looks amazing and I think he did a wonderful job for he also cut down the aluminum trim on the sides of my camper where they meet the hurricane hinge for there were gaps that was allowing water to seep in.    The top of my camper where my solar panel was was sanded down while we tried to get a resin to set. 

Throughout the day we rode back and forth between his house and his parents and for lunch his dad made us a quick lunch of ramps, potatoes and beans which I thought was really tasty.  At some point we had to run into town to acquire a new resin, paint, and some other materials.  Of course, since we both love ice cream, we stopped at a Dairy Queen for some ice cream for the ride back. 

As my camper dried for the evening we met up with some of his friends to go ride the jeeps around some more.  I really do enjoy just riding around in the jeep and spending time with someone who is a great conversationalist.   As it got darker out we went back to his place where we had popcorn and watched a TV show.  I know I am missing some details but I have been so consumed with hanging out and working on my camper that I am writing this a few days past this date so I can not remember everything that has happened.  I was supposed to be gone by now but now we are working on my camper so one I cannot leave until it is fixed and it is nice to be able to take a step back and just enjoy the moments of this life.  We are always rushing off to the next thing and I know I am guilty of doing this a lot even on this trip.  The thing is though we need to take things as they come and it is not hurting anything by me staying somewhere longer then I planned.  I have only one life to live why not enjoy it and do what I please.

Day 199

April 20, 2018                                                                                                           Day 199

Jason was already gone for work by the time I woke up from a nightmare concerning someone I used to know and what they did to me.  I honestly wish I could just forget it all and not let it get to me.  In any case, I got up and made my life force...coffee.  With coffee running inside me I did some of my laundry and cleaned out my camper.  I also filled up my water bottles, switched out the laundry and did a workout.

It was a beautiful and sunny day outside and I kept going back and forth to my camper organizing things. It is amazing how doing simple household chores is relaxing and how nice it is to just be in a home and be able to take a shower.  Around 11:30 I ended up typing up some of my blog which I am quite a ways behind in.  I only got a few days done but I worked on it all the way until he got home around 16:40.  I think what takes the longest is uploading the pictures from my camera and my phone.

Once he was home we started looking at my camper again for it was still leaking bad.  We ended up tearing off the flex tape and he cut a hole in the back hatch of my camper where my solar wires go into the hatch.  After seeing what the wood underneath the solar panel and by the hinge looks like we needed to dry out the wood for it was damp and before we could do anything to fix it it needed to be dry.  So we drove it down the road to his parents house where I backed it into the garage with Jason's help.  He started up a fire in the wood stove and closed all the doors to leave my camper in there over night to dry out.

We rode back to his place for dinner leaving my camper at his parents place.  For dinner we had hot dogs, rice and peppers while candles burned between us and we listened to music.  The rest of the evening was really nice for we drank the beer he had brewed and talked about many things.  At one point he disappeared outside and a little while later he honked a car horn for me to come outside.  There he was in the old car he had redid and so I hopped in and we went for a fast ride on the roads near his house.  That car had some power and it was so thrilling to be going so fast in the night; it might help that I love fast cars :)  After that thrilling ride we got in the hot tub again before calling it an evening.  I have to say it is nice to have a hot tub to relax all your muscles and make one fall asleep easily.

Day 198

April 19, 2018                                                                                                                Day 198

Last night I tossed and turned and felt as though I didn't sleep at all when I woke up.  When we were both ready we headed downstairs to eat breakfast and then drove to where his welding demonstration was being held.  After dropping him off I headed back to the hotel where I looked up things to see or do in the area and work on my online business. 

At 11:00, I checked out and sat in his van in the hotel parking lot thinking of calling my mom when one of my good friends called me.  We ended up talking all the way until I had to go pick Jason back up around 12:30.  I thoroughly enjoy talking with my friend and he always has great stories from work which I look forward to hearing.   Before I started to drive to pick Jason back up we joked about me not coming to get him and taking off in his van but alas I did pick him back up :)

Once I picked him up we went to the Penn Brewery for lunch and a drink.  The food and drinks were not too bad but nothing really special and once we were beyond full we started on the trip back to his place.  When we stopped to fill up with fuel I took over driving to give him a break during which I think he fell asleep for a few minutes.  We then spent the entire drive talking and listening to music.  An hour or so into the drive we took a detour to see "Big Muskie" a  Bucyrus-Erie, 4250-W dragline which was the largest walking drag line ever built.  It also was the biggest machine ever to move on land so that was really interesting to see.  We spent a few minutes there walking around before getting back in the van and continuing the drive.

Around 19:00, we got back to his place where I called my mom before him and I went for a run.  I would like to interject that one I am not a great runner in the slightest and I HATE hills!    It is amazing how out of shape I seem to be even though I hike all the time and also workout too.   After I practically died trying to keep up with him we did a lunge contest where we believe we did lunges for over 100 yards.  I think it is safe to say we both could barely walk afterwards but neither one of us wanted to give in but eventually I couldn't go any further :)  It is nice to have someone that pushes me to get out of my comfort zone and workout when I don't really feel like it. 

Back at the house we showered and then we sat on the coach watching, "The secret life of Walter Mitter" which was a very good movie.  By the time the movie was over it was around 23:00 and we both were beyond exhausted and he had to be at work early in the morning.

Day 197

April 18, 2018                                                                                                         Day 197

I slept in until around 09:30 which felt amazing!  For breakfast we had coffee and cinnamon rolls which are always yummy :)  Yesterday, on my drive back to his place he had asked if I wanted to join him on a day trip to Pittsburgh for he had to do a welding demonstration and I said that I would so while I wrote in my journal he looked up places to stay.   We both took showers and packed up for being gone for a day and then we started the drive to Pittsburgh.

The sun was out and the temperature was tolerable for the drive and the conversation continued to be effortless.  We stopped at a McDonald's for a quick snack and then made a pit stop to see the Palace of Gold in New Vrindaban, West Virginia which was decent.  I enjoyed seeing the peacocks and swans and just walking around.  From there we stopped at the big Cabelas store that had some amazing taxidermy with an Africa, mountains, desert and arctic scene along with lots of things I wanted.  We then detoured to a REI store which was even worse to be in then the Cabelas for I honestly want everything that is in that store!    He got something for his bike while we were there and I tried hard to just quickly glance at things and not stare too long at something for fear I may purchase it. 

At this point in the day we were starving; unfortunately, the first place we found looked sketchy, the second place was way too busy and loud but finally we settled for a place called Burgatory. It turned out to have the atmosphere we were looking for and the food wasn't too bad either.  Granted at this point in the day I was so hungry I probably could have ate anything.  When we were done eating we stopped at a store for some beer and snacks and then headed to the hotel.

Day 196

April 17, 2018                                                                                                                 Day 196

Last night I was freezing cold in my sleeping bag but at some point I must have fallen asleep for I woke up this morning with a jump due to yet another nightmare.  This one I don't really remember but I hope it doesn't mean they are going to start back up again.  Once I was up I had to use some force to open my door for it was frozen shut.  Outside there was a good inch or so of snow on the ground and it was 26 degrees and still snowing.  I sat in my vehicle where it was warm and clean from yesterday.  There I made oatmeal and changed into my winter hiking clothes...by now it was just going on 06:30 am.

Leaving the spot I was at my AWD and check engine light were on but there was nothing I could do about it so I drove to the seneca creek trail head.  The trail was 9.7 miles out and back but I would only end up making it 6.2 miles due to the flooding of the trail and though I went thru one creek crossing the second one was too high and not safe enough to pass.  The hike itself was beautiful even though the trail had turned into a stream.  I would really love to come back in the summer when the weather is nice for this whole are would be amazing.

At my camper, I messed with my lock again for it was frozen closed and made a chicken salad sandwich once I was able to free it.  I ended up tossing half the sandwich for I just was not craving it and tried to eat a peanut butter and honey slice of bread but that too did nothing for me.  I drove out towards Seneca Rock wishing the snow would relent so I could see the views but alas it did not.   When I reached Seneca Rock I could see it from the parking area but honestly I was just not in the mood to hike and I have learned to not make myself do a hike if I am not feeling it for nothing good will usually come of it.  I also still had no service and I did not want to be worrying my mother any more then I am sure she already is.  Instead, I drove over an hour out of my way until I obtained service so that I could call her.

To say I was surprised that I did not have any messages from her would be an understatement but this is where what I said earlier about possibly coming off rude when I was complaining about checking in all the time comes in.  So I apologized to her when we spoke.  After messaging Jason it was decided that I would drive back to his place and spend the next few days hanging out with him and waiting out this crappy weather.  Before starting in his direction I called my grandma and bought a box of raisenets and an energy drink.

When I got back to his place it was around 18:00 and we headed over to Cedar Lakes which is a park near his home.  There we walked around with Daisy for about five miles and while walking with him he made me realize that I should try more things to keep myself feeling younger in a way.  It is kind of difficult to explain what I mean.  When we went back to his place we had dinner and followed that up with the hot tub again.  Before calling it a night he brought to my attention a dangerous thing...that he access to Season 7 of Game of Thrones. :)

This snow is bullshit...just saying

Seneca Rock

Day 195

April 16, 2018                                                                                                               Day 195

Today Jason was supposed to go to work but he ended up calling out so that we could hang out for little while longer before I left.   Once we were both up we had coffee and ate breakfast together before the awkward good bye.  I just hate good byes and would love to avoid them at all costs if I could.   As I pulled away the snow began coming down almost instantly and I felt as though I should turn around and head back to him.   Instead I continued driving to the marked location he had given me on where there was free camping.  While I drove I could not get over how unexpectedly beautiful West Virginia is and also how water seems to just pour out from every nook and cranny as though the ground itself was weeping.  When I neared the dispersed camping area I had no cell phone service and the river was raging next to the road at times coming almost up to the road itself.  I would find out later that the area I was in was in a flood warning.

The road was pothole ridden and the waterfalls seemed to fall out onto the road.  Part of the road at times was also almost gone due to the rain.  I drove around for quite some time figuring out where I wanted to be and I didn't settle for on a spot until about 18:00.  Driving around with the rain that has now turned into snow I realized that what I really want is to find someone in which to be with.
The snow was coming down harder as I parked my camper and I quickly did the dishes, ate and crawled into the safety of my camper which was also freezing cold!

Day 194

April 15, 2018                                                                                                     Day 194

I was very relaxed when I woke up this morning and after stretching I jumped into the shower while he made us coffee and breakfast.  Since I have never heard of fried apples he was making me some to try.  The coffee was nice and strong just the way I enjoy it and when the food was done it was delicious.  We sat and ate at the bar area and continued to talk about anything and everything.  Today we were going to drive about two hours away to hike Klaymore Mine which he had been to before and figured I would enjoy.

I changed into hiking clothes, loaded up my pack and we got into his van.  The drive was nice for I was finally just a passenger and able to soak in the landscape of West Virginia which is rugged and wild looking; the water seems to be pouring forth from the ground at every given point.  We drove past the capital building and stopped at Glen Ferris to see some waterfalls at a dam which was pretty neat.  From there we continued an additional forty-five minutes to see the New River Gorge Bridge which was a spectacular site due to its size.  Then we parked his van and began hiking the Klaymore Mine trail which would end up being about a five mile hike.

Many times throughout the hike we were climbing over fallen trees and navigating ruble but it was an enjoyable hike and honestly it was nice to be able to go hiking with someone.  At the mine, we descended 800 steps to the abandon buildings and railroad cars below.  While exploring down there it started to rain and as we ascended the 800 steps back up the rain started to come down harder and harder.  He had no problem going up the steps but my legs were shaking and I had to stop and catch my breath.  At the top, the rain started to really come down and though we were soaking wet it did not bother us at all and actually I think it made it even better.  It was awesome that he did not mind being soaking wet and was enjoying it just as much as I was.  The hike itself was a nice hike but I think what really made it was the company for we talked the entire way.

At the van we both changed into dry shirts though honestly I don't think it helped any for our bottoms were completely drenched and the dry shirts were now just soaking up the water from them.  We were starving and he knew of a specialty pizza place nearby called Pies and Pints so we headed there.  We ordered a large pizza with one half being a mushroom garlic with roasted mushrooms, feta, roasted and fresh garlic, caramelized onions, olive oil and fresh herbs and the other half was a chicken gouda with marinated grilled chicken, apple-wood smoked bacon, smoked gouda, red onions, chipotle cream and scallions.  It was freaking awesome!  The beers we had were also very delicious for mine tasted like a candy bar.

As we stood up from out seats there were puddles of water where we had sat and stepping back outside we were freezing.  In the van again he blasted the heat to warm us up and we headed back to his place.  When we got back I changed into warm, dry clothes and we spent the rest of the evening on the coach watch Land of the Lost.

Day 193

April 14, 2018                                                                                                             Day 193

I was on the road by 08:30 to Jason's place in West Virginia where I was to meet up with him and go ride around in some jeeps.  I had met him some time ago via Facebook and we have been talking ever since then and thankfully things worked out that we could meet up while I was traveling.  He also built a teardrop camper so I was excited to see his and hopefully get some help with fixing my leaking problem.   His place was approximately two to three hours away so I would be getting there around noon.  While I drove I called mom and spoke with her and I have already apologized to her about this but for some reason lately I have been getting irritated at telling people where I am at every hour of the day.  I know they all mean well and I would much rather have people who care too much then those who care too little so after I felt like I was somewhat rude about what I told my mom I apologized to her.

When I found his place it was quite a ways back and he walked out to greet me and as we spoke I liked hearing his accent.  I met his beautiful dog, Daisy, while we waited for his friends to show up with whom we would be going out jeeping with.  It was a beautiful spring day and to be honest it became a little too warm to where I was sweating. We spent the entire day, up until 17:30, riding around on back roads along with another jeep and a couple side by sides.  We mostly talked with each other and I found the conversation to be stimulating and the ride to be relaxing.  Near the end of the ride it was just his jeep and one other jeep.  The second jeep became quite stuck so they spent the next half hour or so trying to free it from the mud. 

Back at his place, I drove my camper to the back of his house and parked it next to his.  He showed me the one he built which I absolutely loved and then he took a look at mine.  He informed that the reason I could not find the solar seal was apparently due to the other silicone company, DAP, paying Lowe's to not carry it.  He applied the solar seal he had which unlike the other kinds of silicone stays malleable and does not harden up and break. 

Once my camper was sealed he showed the other things he has built.  All I can say is that this man is one of the most talented people I have ever met!  Besides building a teardrop camper he has also built a sailboat, a kayak, two bicycles, carves pipes with designs on them, makes wood and metal artwork, restores old cars, brews his own beer and wine and can pretty much do about anything!  I mean seriously, what can't this guy do?  His home is quite beautiful and one can tell he has put work into it.

Inside I sampled his beer which turned out to be very good and he made us dinner out of steak, rice, peppers, onions, mushrooms and homemade salsa.  We both enjoy the same music so while we talked we had some soothing music as background noise.  I find it very easy and relaxing to talk with him which is nice for one does not always find that; especially, with people one has just met.   With our dinner finished he started a fire and we sat outside drinking, talking and looking up at the stars.  A little while later when our food had settled in our stomachs we hopped into his hot tub and let me tell you it felt divine.  When we got out of the hot tub and decided we should probably get some rest, he was letting me sleep inside in the guest bedroom, we realized that it was going on 2:00 in the morning!  Conversation came so easily and we were both having such a wonderful time that time literally flew by without either one of us noticing.

Day 192

April 13, 2018                                                                                                     Day 192

Due to the constant coming and going of vehicles and the lights all around I did not sleep so well and was up by 05:00 am.  I changed into jeans and my boots and also applied some makeup.  Climbing out of my camper I walked into the Flying J's store and used the restroom where I washed out my shake cup and sprayed dry shampoo into my hair.  From there I drove to the nearest Starbucks to work on my blog and plan the next leg of my trip.

I spent all day there working on planning my trip thru West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware and some part of New Jersey.  When I first arrived I ordered a drink but they made it iced instead of hot so I had them redo it.  Then they made me the wrong one apparently so I ended up getting two hot drinks both with an extra shot of espresso.  I think it is safe to say I had a lot of caffeine.  For lunch I made a wrap again at my vehicle and walked into Ulta to look for a lipstick that wouldn't come off so easily.  Getting back to Starbucks the planning of my trip was starting to frustrate me for camping for fairly cheap here on out is almost impossible  I didn't even get to update my blog I spent so much time trying to plan.

At 15:30 I drove to a nearby park to walk around some and which had a nice view of the town.  The weather was pleasant with a strong wind but I did not need my jacket.   Leaving the park, I decided to catch a movie and went and saw Blockers which was not bad but not as funny as I thought it would be.  Afterwards, I stopped at an Ale House where I had a delicious chicken cordon blue sandwich with sweet potato fries.  Then I spent another night at the Flying J's truck stop. 

Day 191

April 12, 2018                                                                                                     Day 191

I woke up refreshed and ready for the day.  After brushing my teeth and making a shake I headed to Hocking Hills State Park about 1.5 hours away.  The drive was relaxing and whereas Kentucky had fields filled with cows and horses Ohio's' fields were of corn and other grain products.  The hills are not as steep as those found in Kentucky and they tend to be gentle rolling hills.  I pulled into the park with zero cell service around 09:00 am.

At the camp store I obtained a map and got out some carrots and hummus to snack on before my hike.  When I parked over at the Old Man's Cave parking lot I put on my hiking boots and got my pack ready for a day of hiking.  Right away the trail started with amazing waterfalls within a magnificent gorge.  I would come across: Upper Falls, Middle Falls, Lower Falls and the "cave" throughout my hike.  It was so green and to be honest I don't have the words to truly describe the beauty of this place that would do it justice.  A small stream bubbled along the entire trail as birds flitted about and the sun shone through the tree tops speckling the earth below with light.  After Old Man's Cave I continued to Cedar Falls that passed through the "most exquisite area in Hocking Hills."  It was laden with Hemlock and bound by steep rock walls and their accompanying grottoes and waterfalls  I think when I was at the falls I caught a man asking a woman to marry him and she said yes.

The next leg of my hike led me to Ash Cave and was mostly on old forest roads.  One could tell the landscape had changed for it opened up and was comprised of hemlocks, beech trees and various other hardwoods.  Throughout this section the wind was blowing so fiercely it caused all the trees to wave back and forth.  Above me it sounded as though stags were locked in an eternal battle it was so loud.  Every few minutes a branch or even a full tree would fall down around me. When I reached Ash Cave I saw a brown bat fly away and I snapped some pictures before going back the way I had come.  Near the end of the 14 miles my feet were dragging and unfortunately my phone died so my Strava app stopped recording at mile 10.  When I reached my camper, I drove further away from people to park and make a wrap for lunch.  It was a difficult task for the wind was blowing so strongly that my lettuce kept flying away along with everything else!  Once I finished my wrap and a glass of tonic water flavored with cucumber I drove back to the camp store to get directions to the nearest hardware store since I did not have cell service to look it up.

Twenty minutes later I was at the Tractor Supply store in Logan looking once again for Eva-dry and/or Solar Seal.  There I was asked by a guy in a cowboy hat if I was finding everything alright.  I asked about the supplies I was looking for which they didn't have and we continued to talk in the aisle for a few minutes.  Before leaving the store he gave me his card with his number in case I wanted to hang out later or tomorrow.  As I left the Tractor Supply store I drove north to Lancaster where I stopped at a Lowe's with no success either.  By this time it was 16:00 and a beautiful day out but my feet were sore and I didn't want to hike anymore and I needed to figure out where to spend the evening.   Finally, I settled for staying at a Flying J's for the evening and hitting up a Starbucks nearby in the morning.    At the travel plaza I bought a bag of skinny popcorn, which I practically ate the entire bag that night, and bought an Arizona green tea.  I wrote in my journal, responded to messages for work and best of all it was hot in my camper :).