News Trend Road Trip Day 6: Olmsted Falls, OH|Actual

Off we go on another all-American family road trip.

Two parents

Two daughters

A big red dog

And a car full of suitcases, leashes, a cooler, bags of food, blankets, pillows, maps, books, extra sweatshirts, water bottles, bags, backpacks, and a whole slew of electronic devices and their chargers.

Where are we going and what will we do when we get there? Just wait and see.

* * * * *

The four - oops, I mean five of us, counting Ranger - have been on the road for almost a week now but we cannot truly get this vacation party started until we are once again a full family of six. I mean seven. (Sorry, Ranger.)

Last night, as I slept in my cozy, white down comforter dream of a hotel bed, my two elder daughters climbed on a plane in Seattle and flew across the country in the deep dark sky. By the time I woke up, they were fast asleep in my room, still dressed in their traveling clothes, empty Starbucks cups littering the side table.

My husband disappeared early to run errands so it was the five of us womenfolk -- plus our handsome four-legged escort - who headed out together to face the day. An explosion of words, laughter, and inside jokes burst forth. There were intense debates about where to the nearest Starbucks, sharp words to Ranger when he took up more than his share of the back seat, and critical review of each others' outfits and accessories.

In other words, my life is now totally back to normal and I couldn't be happier that my road-tripping family is once again complete.

Distance covered today: 0 miles

Total trip so far: 2534

News Trend Road Trip Day 4: Peru, IL To Olmsted Falls, OH|Actual

Off we go on another all-American family road trip.

Two parents

Two daughters

A big red dog

And a car full of suitcases, leashes, a cooler, bags of food, blankets, pillows, maps, books, extra sweatshirts, water bottles, bags, backpacks, and a whole slew of electronic devices and their chargers.

Where are we going and what will we do when we get there? Just wait and see.

* * * * *

Chicago was my home for the first years of my adult life and it's always emotional when I get back to visit. The city with big shoulders stops short at Michigan Avenue, and I always thrill to see that front line of skyscrapers waiting for me as I cruise up Lake Shore Drive. Memories wash over me as I join the hustling, bustling crowds on the sidewalks, munch a sandwich in the fresh air of the park, and hear the L trains rattling along the elevated tracks of the Loop.

Today we explored a part of the city new to us. Cloud Gate has captured my imagination since it was installed in the new Millenium Park over ten years ago, and meeting that gigantic mirrored bean today in person did not disappoint. Lunch at the Shake Shack across the street was also a new treat, and when we drove away from this short visit to my second-favorite city in the world, I was completely and utterly content.

Distance covered today: 402 miles

Total trip so far: 2534 miles

News Trend Road Trip Day 3: Seward, NE To Peru, IL|Actual

Off we go on another all-American family road trip.

Two parents

Two daughters

A big red dog

And a car full of suitcases, leashes, a cooler, bags of food, blankets, pillows, maps, books, extra sweatshirts, water bottles, bags, backpacks, and a whole slew of electronic devices and their chargers.

Where are we going and what will we do when we get there? Just wait and see.

* * * * *

Iowa is a poem of a place. Like a handmade quilt on a rumpled bed, her softly undulating hills and valleys invite me to cozy up and stay awhile. Trim houses sit watch over luxuriant corn and soybean fields in the peak of their summer glory, deer and rabbits roam freely. Anyone who tries to tell you that Iowa is a bore has clearly not taken the time to get to know her.

After two days of hardcore cross-country driving, we found ourselves way ahead on miles and treated ourselves to several hours off the interstate grid. Exploring small towns on gravel roads, we rode with the windows down and our cameras at the ready. Madison County's famed covered bridges captured our imaginations; we toured four of the six old relics and learned that Ranger will NOT set foot inside of one, though he will happily swim in the waters below.

Distance covered today: 458 miles

Total trip so far: 2132 miles

News Trend Road Trip Day 9: Elyria, OH To Howell, MI|Actual

Off we go on another all-American family road trip.

Two parents

Two daughters

A big red dog

And a car full of suitcases, leashes, a cooler, bags of food, blankets, pillows, maps, books, extra sweatshirts, water bottles, bags, backpacks, and a whole slew of electronic devices and their chargers.

Where are we going and what will we do when we get there? Just wait and see.

* * * * *

Our weekend of celebration ended and my two older daughters flown back home, it's now time for our road trip to get back underway. Reversing our long eastward progression, we circled the wagons to face the west and began the long trip home.

On our way out of town, our little party of four stopped for lunch at Elyria's premier burger joint and feasted on Oh Boycheeseburgers, visited my late father-in-law's shop, and wandered down country roads to seek out the old Streicher family farm.

The house disappeared decades ago and the old barn is in disarray. But the fields stretch out under the golden summer sun just as they always have, and it didn't take much imagination to see George Henry and his sons out baling up the fresh crop of hay.

The past is gone, it's true.  But if we look carefully, it is always within our reach.

Distance covered today: 173 miles

Total trip so far: 2722 miles

News Trend Road Trip Day 7: Elyria, OH|Actual

Off we go on another all-American family road trip.

Two parents

Two daughters

A big red dog

And a car full of suitcases, leashes, a cooler, bags of food, blankets, pillows, maps, books, extra sweatshirts, water bottles, bags, backpacks, and a whole slew of electronic devices and their chargers.

Where are we going and what will we do when we get there? Keep reading!

* * * * *

Today we celebrated the life of June Elaine Squire Streicher, a styling young lady who was also a daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and my sweet mother-in-law. She is the reason we traveled all the miles on this road trip and I am thankful to be here, in the small Ohio town where she lived her long, lovely life.

During the thirty-three years we shared, June showed nothing but respect and appreciation for the way I lived my life. She never offered advice, disapproved of me, or told me what to do. But through her wordless example, my mother-in-law reminded me over and over again about what matters in life, and her gentle, positive influence with be with me always.

Work hard, be neat, and clean as you go.

Don't take yourself too seriously.

Put a home-cooked meal on the table for your family every day.

Stand by your man.

If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all.

Live frugally, but treat yourself to the occasional treasure.

Manners matter. Be polite

Never say no to an opportunity for travel

Make the best of whatever you're given.

Bake lots of pie.

Worship, pray, read your bible, and thank God for all things.

Distance covered today: 15 miles

Total trip so far: 2549 miles

News Trend Road Trip Day 11: Howell, MI to Albert Lee, MN|Actual

Off we go on another all-American family road trip.

Two parents

Two daughters

A big red dog

And a car full of suitcases, leashes, a cooler, bags of food, blankets, pillows, maps, books, extra sweatshirts, water bottles, bags, backpacks, and a whole slew of electronic devices and their chargers.

Where are we going and what will we do when we get there? Just wait and see.

* * * * *

Michigan

Indiana

Illinois

Wisconsin

Minnesota

We're heading west with abandon now, picking up momentum as we dash through the Great Hardwood Forest, over the mighty Mississippi, and out into the open prairie.

Some prime sightseeing lies in store for the final leg of the trip, but our primary purposes have been accomplished. We laid my mother-in law to rest, and spent several days catching up with my mom, whose Lewy Body Dementia continues its ugly advance.

And as today's sun sank down into a fiery glow on the windswept horizon, I found myself wondering, which is more difficult - to bid farewell to the earthly presence of one mother or to walk out the door and leave behind the failing, tortured mind of the other?

I don't know. Both are pretty heartbreaking.

All I can be sure of is this: my faith is the only thing that is keeping me going.

My faith tells me that no matter how chaotic this world may feel, God is always, ALWAYS in control

My faith reminds me that the separation between this life and the next is but a veil.

My faith promises me that God loves each and every life with equal value and tenderly holds us all.

My faith helps me control myself when all I want to do is sit down and cry for a million years.

My faith calms my troubled heart.

And for all those things, I am grateful.

Distance covered today: 661 miles

Total miles so far: 3383 miles

News Trend Road Trip Day 10: Howell, MI|Actual

Off we go on another all-American family road trip.

Two parents

Two daughters

A big red dog

And a car full of suitcases, leashes, a cooler, bags of food, blankets, pillows, maps, books, extra sweatshirts, water bottles, bags, backpacks, and a whole slew of electronic devices and their chargers.

Where are we going and what will we do when we get there? Just wait and see.

* * * * *

Well. There are few things as precious, rewarding, and downright soul-satisfying as bringing a smile to another person's face.

And when that person happens to be your own mother, who suffers from advanced Leey Body Dementia, the joys are that much sweeter.

So imagine the fun I am having by sharing my good boy, Ranger, with my dog-loving mother.

He leans into her lap for ear rubs.

She beams with happiness as she pets him.

He naps at the side of her wheelchair, his hips tucked under her feet.

She laughs with delight as he exuberantly laps at his water dish.

And while I am usually a stern stickler for doggy discipline, I must admit that my normal rules have been outrageously relaxed.

She slips him human food right and left: half a grilled cheese and turkey sandwich, a handful of potato chips, four French fries.

He brazenly climbs up on her previously forbidden couch and enthrones himself like a prince.

What can I say. The time that the three of us can share together is far too short, so why not wring out every moment of happiness. I'll deal with my dog's new naughty habits later, but for now, the smiles on Mom's face make it all worthwhile.

Distance covered today: 0 miles

Total trip so far: 2722 miles