Vermont adventures

We spent two wonderful weeks in West Dover, Vermont with my dad and brother Jim. Brother Bob, wife Judy and children Marisa and Gregory live three houses down. Dale worked with Jim and dad on his final house. Dad is a builder and has been for 60 years. He is now 89 and ready to retire. But, for years and years he has said, "just one more year". I think he is finally ready.
While in Vermont Dale and I drove north to the little town of Wheelock. Dale's mom was born and raised in Wheelock on a 260 acre homestead. The home is still there with 60 acres. It has been passed on, first to the six children who are now all gone, Dale's mom the youngest died one year ago August. It continues to be kept carefully in the family, maintained and used by many family members. This is way past rural. The house is one story with a large open attic. The six children slept in the attic. The parents had a bedroom downstairs. No electricity, no phone, low ceilings for heat conservation, no insulation, no neighbors. The children rode to school in a pony cart. This is northern Vermont. It is cold and snowy. Now there is a propane frig and stove. Then it was wood stove only. They now have some propane lights in the kitchen and dining area. The others areas are lit with lanterns.
With only two days notice Dale's cousin Carolyn got the local cousins, the four Gadapee boys and wifes together, cooked a wonderful turkey dinner and just overwhelmed Dale with love. The dinner was brought to the homestead where Dale and I spent the night. I am not on my own computer so I can't show the pictures of this wonderful place of memories.
We spent the next day searching out the places of Dale's childhood. His first homes, the graveyard's of his relatives, the hospital where he was born. We bought maple syrup at the Danville farmer's market from a cousin Gadapee. We did a couple of hours of "history detective" to find the now closed 12 bed hospital in Hardwick. It was a great day for Dale....except for.....
The cousins were once again going to meet us at the farm for dinner and we were to spend another night. In rural Vermont many of the roads are not only dirt, they can turn in 4 wheel drive, not a Yaris road. We were a little late trying to find our way back. The GPS was leading us down a road we knew was 4 wheel so we tried the next road. About a mile in the road forked and we did not know which way to go. Dale chose the right fork, drove aways up a hill and discovered we were in a driveway. He turned away and started out. We started to hear screaming, I told Dale to drive fast, he did and a fellow was screaming and screaming running after us throwing fist sized rocks. Even though we were on a poor dirt road, I said drive faster and faster, that guy was going to come after us. We bounced down the road and finally came to a newer built house with the garage door open and vehicles in the driveway. We swerved up into the driveway and I ran to the door banging for help. A pickup truck was careening down the road, past this house and slammed on his brakes turned around and fishtailed back up the road. He had come after us.
I was shaking and finally after talking with the homeowner we were given directions back to the farm. We were going to stay another night, but after we had dinner and all the cousins left, Dale said he would take us back to my dad's, about 3 hours away. I was to frightened to stay. So I say don't drive up JILL HILL ROAD in Wheelock, Vermont. We know if that guy had a gun at the ready he would have shot us.
We arrived in Effort, PA Sunday. Another cousin lives here and we are visiting her. Dale is once again busy, fixing, pruning and enjoying helping take care of things she cannot do for herself. Linda's husband died in 2004 and taking care of a home for a widow is a challenge. This is Dale's joy to be able to use his talents for others.

Home to Vermont

Grandparents Cathy and Stan

Grace, Hope and David grandchildren

(our great neice's and nephew)

Cullen and Heather (our nephew - Cathy and Stan's son and daughter in law)

Coming Home
We spent a short two night visit with Dale’s sister Cathy and husband Stan in Amsterdam New York. They are a VERY busy team entertaining and teaching in a wide variety of settings in the Northeast. We were very happy to be able to spend even a short time with them and while there, spend the most delightful afternoon and evening with our nephew Cullen and family. He and Heather have the cutest and most delightful little family. The girls Grace and Hope look like little dolls come to life. David the family namesake at 2 is a precious and busy little fellow.
We arrived in West Dover, Vermont Friday August 29th. My brother Jim cooked the most fabulous lobster dinner for us. He is a wonderful cook and has been providing the most tasty meals. This is a talent we did not know about and when he once again visits us in Virginia this fall…he will be doing the cooking!
My family moved to West Dover in 1962 when I was a youngster. We lived a mile from Mount Snow and the five of us children grow up skiing and enjoying winter sports. Well the boys enjoyed them more than I because I never liked being cold. I attended high school in Brattleboro and actually lived there during my junior and senior years. There are many, many memories here for me.
Aaron and Susanne were born in Brattleboro. We lived in one of the first houses built in West Brattleboro, an farm house my dad and Dale renovated. Nothing much had been done to it over the years and it had no indoor plumbing or kitchen to speak of. The upstairs swayed. It was a wonderful place after the fix up and we enjoyed that home more than any other we have owned since. The memories are bittersweet.
Brattleboro is a beautiful Vermont town so different from the southern style of building. The villages are quaint mostly from the middle 1700’s to 1800’s. A town common or square is not unusual, with the village being built around it.
We are visiting friends we have loved and not seen in many years. Friends so close it is difficult to visit because the time is so short. Vermont is where my roots are and they run deep. It is a time of memories. My mother is buried here. I visited her grave and felt the loss. So many memories, I could stay here a month.

Leaving Wisconsin

Left Muskego, Wisconsin Sunday drove through a quiet early Sunday morning Chicago and arrived in Albion, Michigan mid afternoon. The campground is on a series of five small lakes. We spent an afternoon exploring these lakes in our canoe. The time in Albion was a transition time and a little difficult. After spending almost 7 weeks with Dale’s dad, brother and sister-in-law we had a bit of a let down. We didn’t do much of anything in Albion, just let the time go by so we could adjust. It was with sadness that we left Dale’s dad knowing we might not see him again.
On Wednesday we left Albion and crossed the border to Canada. The campground was north of London, Ontario in Granton. A lovely quiet spot with our site facing a small river. It was beautiful and peaceful. We visited St. Mary’s, Ontario, a historical town on the Thame’s River. We returned for a second day, enjoying the many walks in the town and the second hand store shopping. I purchased a lovely little teapot and another Catherine Cookson book (my favorite author).
Yesterday, Sunday we left Canada (and spent 3 hours at the border crossing waiting to cross) and arrived in Gasport, NY. The weather has gone from hot to quite cool. We are 29 miles from Niagara Falls and will visit tomorrow. We are also very close to Lake Ontario and will make excursions to the water. Today we visited a Lake Ontario lighthouse and hiked along the rugged coastline.

The Bike Ride

Dale, Lucas and Lori...on your mark get set.....smile!

Okay Dale, Lori and Jane ready for those comfy bike seats!!

Jane wrestling the might bear. Jane wins !!!


Lucas, Lori and Dale resting beside the vanquished bear.

Saturday, a picture perfect day with low humidity and mild temperatures found us on a fantastic 20 mile bike ride with our dear niece Lori and her fiance Lucas. This area of Wisconsin is fairly flat with small rolling hills making it a great place to ride. There are many paved bike trails. The one we went on was originally a train track: smooth, flat and almost straight. Lori and Lucas packed a picnic lunch for us which we all enjoyed immensely, half way through our ride.

Lori lives in the small, historic, artsy town of Waukesha. The scenic Fox River run through the village with beautiful flower gardens, bike and walking paths beautifying both sides of the river. We biked directly from Lori's country cottage home to Frame Park. After stopping for cold drinks we enjoyed a most pleasant and relaxing day together. The garden town and verdant rolling countryside reminded us of the quiet beauty of the English countryside.

The Zoo

Dale and I enjoyed a wonderful day at the Milwaukee Zoo. Perfect weather, no crowds, good ice cream and pleasant memories. We first visited this great zoo in 1971 during our travels across the country. Young and carefree, traveling in a step van converted to a rustic home on wheels. That was back before all the interstates. We only traveled on back roads and stopped to visit every free attraction available. We were part of the 60's culture change. Hippie's we were called. The mainstream culture disdained us, much like many disdain today's lost children. We didn't care and enjoyed a time of youth unknown to most. We landed in California at the height of the Jesus Loves You movement. Neither of us knew Jesus. Young people would come up to us on the street and try to tell us about Jesus. I wasn't interested.
During our stay we worked and met various people. The Lord had a plan. We met people who were kind to us in spite of our "hippyness". We met a married couple who had done all the things I had done and now had something I did not have. The parents of a girl I worked with took us into their home and treated us with respect and love. They were different. We were told about this Jesus by another girl who had lived my life and now was different. I sensed a difference that I did not understand.
After almost a year on the road Dale dropped me off at my parents home. I had not lived there since I was 13. My mother was close to death with cancer. I was confused and asked this Jesus to help me....and the rest is history...He chose me.
The next time we went to the Milwaukee Zoo we had two children sometimes in the 80's. I remember that day. I remember my children and their cousin's at the zoo.
The day also was precious because as an artist, I saw the wonderful, funny, glorious, creative hand of God everywhere. I felt His very nature in His incredible creation. Visit a zoo.....see God!
So we had a wonderful day, full of precious memories and the incredible hand of God.

Bristol Faire

Saturday we walked into the past, 1574 and Queen Elizabeth is on the throne. England is at peace and once a year the locals gather together to celebrate Faire day in the Bristol shire. Unknown to Dale and me this time in England is as unabashedly brazen as today is coarse in its entertainment. Walking through the gates of Bristol Renaissance Faire and leaving the twenty first century was a shock and lesson. Little did we know the culture awaiting us. We passed through the day as strangers in a strange land. As well as the performers, most of the faire goers came in the costume of the day. This was a living fantasy life for many.
Women flaunted their bodies in the peasant dress of the time. Men enjoyed looking evil or coarse. The lowness of the flesh was exalted. The queen and her court presented themselves as courtly without the coarseness of the lower folk. Sir Robert Dudley spent about a half hour conversing with Dale and myself while the queen was enjoying a royal repast with a Lord and Lady. He pointed out all the royal folks, who they were, their position in court and the royal intrigue of the time. Robert Dudley, as you know loved the Queen and hoped to one day wed her. He would not have known the outcome, but we do and his life of adultery and intrigue was not rewarded as he desired. Life was about power and position, politics much the same as today. Ethics were no different then, than today.
I felt as if transported through a small portion of hell. Small children were there and I wanted to save them from this nourishment of death. The common folk frolicked and convorted, the entertained was coarse and jokes about body parts deemed hilarious. We were not able to stay at any of the shows except the Jousting. I felt sad as this was just a small microcosm of life today and since the beginning.

It was a rainy morning and we walked through plenty of mud and small puddles. When I got home I had to wipe clean my shoes as they were spattered with dried mud. Underneath the mud they were clean and white, but I couldn’t get all the mud off.
The Lord is so precious, always tenderly hugging me to Himself. Always, He draws me closer and closer to the comfort and safety of His care. I see His glory everywhere and in all things. The Faire was the world and it’s complete evil lost state. The people lost, looking for comfort in the only way they knew. Satan had completely ravished many of them, but many simply did not know their state and spun in circles of decadent living trying to dull the ache of their empty hearts. The Lord said to me, we live in this world but we are not of it. We are cleansed pure white forever and ever, but the things of the world spatter us trying to take hold and trick us into thinking we are not totally cleansed and removed from it’s evil. The laughter, food and drink is to make the evil enticing and desirable. God is mocked and perversion is made the idol. The empty soul has nothing else to nourish it.
And my Lord said, look my little ones are among the lost wandering souls. Go and bring them to me. Love me and love my children that is all I ask of you. Love me and love my children.

Old World Wisconsin

Here's Dale dismantling Mark and Sally's bathroom. The only thing left in it now is the throne!

On Wisconsin's hottest day of the year Dale and I visited the 500 plus acre site of Old World Wisconsin. It consists of six or so working farms and a town site of original buildings brought to this location from various spots in Wisconsin. The oldest is a mere 1840's age. Besides the intense heat I was thoroughly blessed by what I experienced. Even the heat taught me lessons.

The farms are greatly spread out over the acreage with each being a slightly different time period and ethnicity. African American, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, German, Yankee and Norwegian styles of farming and buildings of the period are in each distinct farm location.

There were several things that stood out. We live in a time of comfort. Air conditioning leads to closed doors and windows keeping out flies and vermin. The intense heat of the day made for some intense odors in the pig sty and chicken coops. Very unromantic! Every house smelled of smoke from the kitchens. Some had the smoke house in the house and this made for much unpleasant odors. The heat was constant with no relief. The work was constant with little relief. The situation was work the farm, grow the vegetables in the gardens of each home, take care of the animals, slaughter the animals, process the meat, mend, wash, repair, work, work, work. The richest of the folks during these times lived difficult lives. They had little distraction from work. The preacher might show up a couple of times a year for he walked 200 miles to get to the area.

What did all of this mean to me? First is unrelated to the time period. Many of the houses had a Plexiglas barrier between the viewing area and a room. Many of these clear barriers were worn a bit and not very clear or clean. I could not see either the entire contents of the room due to the area obstructed by the cloudy barrier or the angle available. It seemed a picture of my ability to see my life. My deep desire is to see and understand God's revelation to me. I try to strain around the corners or look intently through the cloudy glass. I get frustrated seeing only a tiny section and then only viewing the cloudy image. The whole of the Lord's glorious truth is there but I can't see it. My vision is limited not only by the image available, but my processor has an extremely limited capacity. Again the Lord says, "What I show you is all you need. I know the beginning and the end. I know everything about you, everything that you do not know yourself. Look to me alone, trust me alone, don't worry about what you do not see. Just look to me, not the situations you can not possibly understand. Love me with all your heart and love those whom I give you to love." Mother Teresa said, "In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love." Isn't that grand! Love is one small step of love after another. It's not a great, huge decision, it's a phrase by phrase, thought by thought, action by action, step by step determination to love all others with the love we continually enjoy from Christ. I'm in no way worthy except that I am entirely worthy. He made me worthy. I didn't even chose Him. HE CHOSE ME!!! I don't need to see around the corners and through the haze. I only need to feast on His love.

The folks here think of these buildings as old. They range from 1841 to 1896. That's not old. Virginia's settlements are much older and the Roman city of Chester, England we visited over a thousand years old. My grandfather was alive when these settlements were built. My own father was born in 1919 and the earliest building only precedes my birth by little over 100 years. The difference in life style is enormous. They not only knew their neighbors, but their lives were intertwined. Everyone worked. Families lived together and died together. There were no nursing homes. People did not have the option to live as an island. No one closed themselves in a room watching a box or pushing buttons. Children explored and worked.

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think my greatest sin is the elevation of self. While everything in me wants only to love, adore, worship and be loved by God, my self is continually seeking ways to care for itself above God and above others. After living almost 60 years I know things are of little importance. Comfort is nice, poverty is not, but enough is fine. I've learned relationships are the stuff of life and loving others and God is the most precious joy in life. One Sunday we were visiting a church and the sermon went on and on. I totally lost what was being said. The Lord distinctly said, "Madam, it's not about you!" Life is not about me. Don't I live as if it were? Lord, you are so infinitely patient with me. How I love you for that!

It's hot again today. I'm glad I live now. I love the grocery store, washing machine, automobile, telephone, air conditioning and the luxury's of kings.

Wisconsin
We've been in Muskego, Wisconsin for almost 2 weeks now. Dale has spent the past week working on a new bathroom in his brother Mark's home for his Dad's use. The house is a very old farmhouse that has not seen remodelling for many a year. It was too small for his dad to be able to access comfortably confined now to a wheelchair needing full assistance. The first week has been building a new closet in his Dad's bedroom to replace the one that is coming down to be a part of the new bathroom. The old bathroom is now being dismantled and removed. Next week he will start building the new one.His dad has had many mini stroke's and other troubles and is under the care of son Mark and daughter in law Sally. Sally is an RN and has a huge loving heart. Dad Slocomb is the third person they have cared for in their home, first Sally's grandma, then mother and now Bernard. Dale's mom died last summer in Florida.

Muskego is very close to Milwaukee and there is much to see here. Dale will be taking a couple of days off each week to take me to various places, Monday to the great Milwaukee zoo. I don't do much physical work so I have plenty of time for myself.

My favorite devotional is Beth Moore's Praying God's Word Day By Day. This is my 2nd year bathing in it's comfort. These days I have much time to ponder the unfathomable riches of God's Word and I have never felt so at peace and close to our precious Lord. Traveling, visiting different churches, living with different types of people has had the effect of wrapping me in God's precious love. I have thought through out my life I must learn and learn and learn, dig deep into the things of God. I have also fought tooth and nail against my inability to retain information. I have spent a lifetime in awe of folks who learn and remember. I have always felt so hampered by the difficulty of not being able to "remember" or even understand things being said. During this time of change in our lives, removing the things that have so long held me captive I see the Lord as never before. I've spent a life trying to "control" my life for my benefit. Trying to understand so many things. I can look back during this quiet time and see a long road to freedom. I see God as never before. Huge, awesome, unfazed by my failures, unending patience, guardian of every jot and tiddle of my life. I see judgement of others not only as huge arrogance, but as futile as comparing myself to God in my goodness as the insignificant difference between myself and the best or worst of sinners. I understand love as a command and a joy not an option. I understand forgiveness as freedom from bondage, bitterness and judgement. I know God completely, utterly, without withholding any good thing loves me, knows me and is the very light I stand, walk or rest in. I don't need to understand all the processes or remember the words. I know I am the beloved, I know all His children are the beloved and I know all He asks is that I love Him and His beloved. I understand my life is not about me. Simple, beautiful....my heart is becoming the heart of a child, full of wonder at the turns of life, full of trust in my Daddy who loves me. The peace that passes understanding can fill a heart!

Posting

I have have several comments that folks have been unable to leave comments. I think I have fixed the problem. If anyone should have further trouble please email me @ granyjane@hotmail.com

Peoria

It’s Sunday afternoon 6/29. We’re in East Peoria, Illinois, the day is nicely cool. The campground is very quiet and rustic, situated next to the Illinois River. A peaceful day. We attended a small country church this am and heard some fine Baptist preaching. It is a highlight of each week to attend a local church (we just go to whatever is close) and fill up on the Word of God. We never know what we’ll get, but being in the Lord’s house, with His people is the finest meal of the week. It is easy to get sidetracked during the week with traveling and visiting. The Lord doesn’t always get first place. Sunday calms the spirit and fills the heart. The little country churches we have been visiting are not McDonald’s they are the finest of the fine. Little pockets of joy and Christian fellowship.
Our prior stop was in Hardin, Indiana (we seem to be zig zagging a lot) We stayed on the Sugar Creek and did some treasure hunting on the river. It seems that a marine animal lived 300,000,000 years ago. Or whatever one believes, I have no idea how these times are deducted. They are called crinoids. They died and became fossilized somehow and lived mainly in this area and are found along the Sugar Creek. People have come to hunt them for hundreds of years. Indians made beads out of the fossils. The picture shows some of the examples that we found. Also in the picture is a bright blue rock found in western Kentucky.
I’m getting used to cooking in our tiny kitchen and are enjoying local produce, now it’s kohlrabi and zucchini. The meals are kept simple but it is amazing what one can do in a kitchen with 2 foot square counter space and a tiny frig. We are trying to eat the meat and veggies I stuffed the little freezer with upon leaving so we can get ice cream (real food) into it.
The fellow who owns this camp gave us a dozen fresh eggs from his hens that live in his yard. I think it was a peace offering. The water here is brown, dark red brown with iron. He took the filter off his house for us to use. It still tastes a bit rusty but is useable. We are learning a lot, not just about traveling and RV life, but about letting go and letting God. I tend to freak at the slightest thing….I am seeing day by day, this is the Lord’s trip He is taking us on. He has much to show us. His love is the best part of my life. What an exciting adventure.

On to Indiana

The photo is the monument to Jefferson Davis. We saw this absolutely HUGE thing rising above the flat Kentucky landscape and just had to investigate. It denotes his birthplace and has a small museum. And this is in the middle of nowhere.....

We left Kentucky today after spending three days in Hardin, Kentucky near the "Land Between the Lakes" We enjoyed a day of bird watching and viewing an Osprey atop a toll dead tree guarding it's baby. Osprey builld their huge nests at the very top of a dead tree or pole, usually near water. Where we were bird watching was a remote location where people normally don't go. I happened on the nest while the mama spoke very sharply To me....kew kew kew leave leave leave. It flew around the area trying to maneuver me away. I didn't want to disturb her so I took a few pictures and left. On Sunday we visited a very small country church and were so blessed with the country gospel hymms and simple, but precious message. It was so refreshing to be in church. Today we are in Oaktown Indiana for a few days heading toward Dale's brother and dad in Wisconsin. We should be there in another week or so. This is corn country with forever fields as far as the eye can see.

Stopping for a root beer Stanford Ky

Stanford, Ky

Tuesday 6/17 Just spent a lovely day in the historic town of Sanford, Kentucky. First we visited the L & N train depot built in 1866. It is now closed and transformed into a museum of the train era of the town. It had a women waiting section, a general section and a special section for baggage and black folk. I’m sure glad times have changed. The lady host delighted in showing us everything as we would probably be the only visitors for the day.

Next we strolled downtown and viewed the buildings built circa 1788 - 1866. We were the only folks on the entire main street. Everywhere we stopped the proprietor was every so glad to have someone to talk with. The barber with his one chair shop came out and asked us in. There was another one chair shop across the street and apparently they mostly sit in their shop’s all day doing nothing, just staring out the window. Men’s haircut’s cost $6 and a beard trim $2.

Next to the soda shop for a root beer and a talk with the young lady there. A nice fellow on the street noted we were strangers in town. Very obvious with almost empty streets. He stopped to chat, took us to the bank to meet the banker who owns most of the town and of whom absolutely everyone we spoke with just loves him and what he is doing to restore this small town. A wonderful town with the most friendly folks we have yet to meet. At least 6 folks were delighted to chat with us. We also visited the court house and perused the county records dating back to the 1700’s. Marriages, wills and court proceeding. Cost 50 Cents to get married.

Item of interest this part of Kentucky was once part of Buchanan Country, Virginia.

Kentucky

We did leave Friday afternoon, overpacked and raring to go. We stopped in Narrows, VA at the River's Edge campground where we spent 2 nights. The site was on the New River and we had a lovely view. We paddled upstream (Dale got out a pulled part of the way) past some small rapids then we enjoyed a nice float back down.

Sunday late morning we left for Kentucky. Since we only travel averaging 31 miles per hour it took us about 8 hours to go 275 miles. The trip through West Virginia was spectacular up and down, up and down the mountains on narrow roads. I used the brakes on the passenger side ALOT!!

We are in Kentucky (Mt Vernon) staying at the Country Music Center of Kentucky. The campground is fairly empty Sunday-Wednesday, but fills for the shows after that. We'll be leaving tomorrow for Mammouth Cave Area. I bought a lap harp in Berea. It has music that you insert under the strings and can be played almost instantly. What fun.

Today we are going bird watching and cemetery wandering...

One more day

Tomorrow we will be leaving for our very first RV journey in "Gramma's Camper Truck" so named by grandson Daniel (4 1/2). We are almost packed having spent the better part of a week sorting, resorting, figuring, packing, deciding and wondering just what are we doing. Last week we took Daniel camping for a couple of nights at Claytor Lake State Park which we highly recommend with beautiful campsites and a great beach. Susanne, Greg and children came for part of two days. We had a fantastic time. We started packing GCT directly upon getting back.
Tomorrow we leave and we still don't have a plan except that we'll eventually be heading t0 Wisconsin to visit with Dale's Dad, brother and sister-in-law. We'll decide which direction we'll take in the morning. I used to be so good at planning, as you can see I'm totally hopeless now. Traveling in GCT is a brand new adventure and takes me back almost 40 years ago when Dale and I traveled accross the country in a converted step van....that was also with no plan just easy traveling and great adventures.
Well we'll see which way the winds blows........

The Tea Party May 2008

We all had a wonderful time at the "Tea Party". I especially enjoyed the beautiful young ladies enjoying tea and conversation. It was a sweet fellowship and I think we all look forward to another tea...

Check out my Slide Show!