Fall is in the Air

Greetings from Amish Country in Ohio...

The fall colors have been doing their thing these last several days since leaving the Dakotas.  The past two weeks we have spent time in Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan and now in Ohio.  It is a race to the east to beat out the cold weather.  Temperatures dipped below freezing outside Minneapolis but we've been blessed to have good weather most of our trip.

In Minnesota we visited Mike's childhood pastor Rick and his wife Lynda.  The spoiled us with caramel apples and a dinner out for Mexican food.  We went to an apple orchard and still haven't eaten our way through the bag we picked.  It was very hard to say goodbye to them!

In Illinois we spent time with my cousin, visited a friend at the farm were she works and also had dinner at a former teammate of Mike's.  Our campsite was on the Navy Base in Great Lakes.  we had a view of Lake Michigan!

In Michigan our campsite was next to a playground and pond and provided the most beautiful backdrop.  We were able to spend the night at yet another former teammate of Mike, Adam and his family.  Our kids were enthralled with their basement and Saturday morning we celebrated both Daniel and Adam's birthdays.  Our Daniel turned 6 this week!

We are so grateful for all of these visits with family and friends along the way.  Our stops largely depend on places were we know people.  Our times of hiking and biking are starting to fade as we are well into the midwest with the East Coast just around the corner.  When we started this trip we knew there would be so many good times as well as challenges.   In South Dakota, I hurt my leg/back in a work out and have had sciatica since.  I've also had some post chemo flare ups that linger from time to time and have decided to flare up.  I've had both in the past and usually I can use the tricks up my sleeve to help.   Lots of massages, essential oils, physical therapy routines and lots of stretching but the pain still isn't all gone.  There's been many a time I've wanted to throw in the towel and go home. Nothing gets me down like physical symptoms.  I knew there would be hard times on the trip but I didn't anticipate not feeling well.  It has been challenging physically, mentally and emotionally.   Our pastor this week talked about how many times people don't read the Bible because they find it challenging and difficult.  He said something to the affect of, "but what things on earth that have lasting value and worth come easy?"  So it is with this trip.  It comes at a cost, often the cost is comfort.  I find myself longing for the comfort of home. The easiness of home.  However, it doesn't take long to see what I would be missing.  Since leaving Montana, each state we've been to I have never been to before.  It's all new.  Yes, it's hard but it's worth it.  Meanwhile, I'll keep stretching.

Much aloha,

Nikki