The Meanderthals

This entry to the travel journal was going to start out waxing philosophically about how we are back at our journey’s beginnings but there is a funnier story than that happening here. We have returned to the spot where we first found out that, yes, Airstream waste tanks, despite their contents, can indeed freeze but this time it is a most comfortable temperature with little worry of repeat. We are camped about 4 miles north of Mark’s hay quarter in Clark SD at one of the nicest city parks we have visited yet. For a mere $15 a night, you get full hookups. This time of year across America there remains the summer tradition of baseball and much to Mariah’s delight the field of dreams is right next door to our campsite. We thought we would go over and enjoy an afternoon of this pastime when one of the players hit quite a foul ball. We watched it sail high into the clear blue sky only to have gravity reach up, grab it and throttle it down upon our stationary, unaware, innocent Airstream. I heard a dull thunk and prayed it was not the sound of a crushed $800 solar panel. Hence the journals’ title. The ladder and I immediately dispatched pillows over the panels for their safety.
The town of Clark is like Pleasantville. Almost everyone is an anglo and everyone drives an American car. It has been like this forever. The kids and I ride bikes down the middle of street with no fear of being hit because there isn’t very much traffic. Mariah and I have put together what we think a town needs to have to be designated a town.
1. at least 2 cafes
2. post office
3. 3 hairdressers, 2 barbers
4. a grocery store
5. gas station, usually more than 1
6. library
7. motel, even if it only has 7 rooms
8. some form of diversion (movie theater, bowling alley or skating rink)
9. Summer activity places (ball fields, swimming pool, tennis courts or golf courses)
10. church

Clark has all of these but very few people to utilize them. They can’t all be out farming seven days a week. It was nice to see some of them gathering for the baseball games.
This morning we sat out in front of an empty store front and pirated some WiFi from a plumbing supply house and nobody even seemed to notice us. On the other hand we don’t have to lock our bikes or trailer. It will be nice to go from this to the big city of Socorro.
On the news side, Mark sold his hay and acquired another windmill. He is trying to use Fluffy for work but it is not easy with a camper on the back – better luck next time.
One of the things I love about us is that we seem to generate a party wherever we go. One evening during a baseball game some friends of ours came over to say hi and have a beer. Small towns generate a curiosity about strangers that in the event that one person acts as if they know the aforementioned stranger then everyone who knows the friend must come over and introduce themselves to “be in on it”, hence a party forms.
Late summer evenings are lovely until the mosquitoes feel they should have been invited too. It was lovely to spend some time with local South Dakotans especially when it has been raining and the crops look good.
As time passes we feel the tug of home and started to cross the great plains at great haste so we could spend some time with our friends from NM who purchased a ranch in Oklahoma. The difference between NM and OK becomes very clear when you are talking to a rancher who makes the jump. There is grass in OK, lots and lots of grass so much that you have to hay it and that makes ranchers into farmers. The adjustment is traumatic but in a strange way. Instead of cows suffering from thirst and hunger, they now have foot rot and obesity (as if there is such a thing in a cow!). The ranch that the Mckinley’s have is a gorgeous piece of property in central Oklahoma with tons of wildlife and birds. Besides being a rancher and a farmer they are now going to host guests for hunts and birding. On the ranch are nine guest houses, each with it’s own amenities such as washer/dryers etc ready to take guests. For those of you looking for a nice getaway you might consider emailing Donne at mckinley5@pidi.net.
Fast forward to our time in New Mexico. One of the features I love about cell phones is you can call people and they don’t know exactly where you are calling from. I had fun with my friend Tracey who called me on Thursday to find out when I was coming home. I told her our target date which was Aug 1 but she wanted to know where we were then. I stretched the truth a little and told her I was still in OK which was sort of true for we had only just crossed the Texas border. What I didn’t tell her was the fact that I was whisking my way her direction to surprise her at the Santa Fe farmer’s market on the coming Saturday. After a wonderful visit with my cousin in Galisteo, we shocked the Tracey and her family at the market and then ate a culinarily delightful meal at Tomacito’s. It is so good to be back in the Land of Enchantment. Our first nighttime thunderstorm with it’s smell of creosote and sage and rolling thunder over Santa Rosa lakes reminded us of how we could never leave here. Waking up to the sunrise over the Sangre de Cristo’s and the everchanging light on the grasslands is like heaven. The air is pure and crisp and dry.
We have decided to ease into home with a quick trip to see my mom and dad in Los Alamos. We have a acquired an extra child, Shayna who is daughter of Tracey, my beautiful blue eyed girlfriend. Feels like home already…..
This is the final travel journal entry, barring any more adventures between here and Socorro. I am sure an epilogue will be in order. Thanks to everyone who read the journal and all your kind thoughts for our good and safe travels. Also thanks to all those who put us up and put up with us in one form or another. Open invitation to all to come see us.
Hugs from the Meanderthals

One can tell that we have been on the road for a long time when you read that title.
Sad as we were to see Madison, WI in our rear view mirror, it felt good to know we were on the road headed west again, another leg closer to home. We were sad to leave Dave, Jackie and Dan and their wonderful hospitality but the open road beckons us. Being the early starter that we are, we felt lucky to make it another state before late.
Traversing country we passed by before felt like déjà vu, only you have pictures to prove you have been here before. Such was the case as we passed over the Mississippi near Wyalusing State Park. Before we were fleeing the icy grip of a cold front and this time we could turn on our air conditioning carefree of the heat outside (thanks again, Stick). This time we could stop and appreciate Effigy National Park where prehistoric Indians made mounds that are remnants of some ancient sophisticated culture. It felt good to hike up the hill and appreciate the effort of those who came before us.
You might think we made it to another country for we spent the night at Lake Louise……….….Minnesota. A lovely park in the middle of now-here, it felt good to be 1 of 4 in a park in the middle of summer that had room for 50. The morning was cool enough for a long bike ride and the girls and I went on one and along the way picked blackberries for our breakfast (I should say theirs, I am allergic). Pricked and stained, we headed back to the camper with our water bottle full of berries for dad who opted to stay for hot shower instead of the ride.
Ever westward, our destination is the Pipestone National Monument which doesn’t have a campground but the town nearby has a city park dedicated to a Rapunzel looking water tower. This is a mecca for people throughout the area and for centuries. They came here for the special stone which was soft enough to carve but sturdy enough to hold fire within. Even today, only Native Americans are allowed to mine the unique stone. Also called “Catlinite” after the famous painter of the residents of plains in the early 1800’s, George Catlin, it is a red ochre color and carvings upon it are very durable.
Although the quarries are not that impressive to look at the visitor center and associated gift shop is well worth the visit. The sacredness of the location is very evident as you walk around appreciating the waterfalls and wildflowers. We are very lucky in that the weather has cooled off considerably (reviews of past attractions!) so hiking is more fun.
Back in South Dakota, the feeling is more western than eastern and we breather easier for we are at heart westerners. Till our paths cross that is the news of the road. Hugs to all, the Meanderthals

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No rain no rainbow's Kimo's rules

It never fails no matter how flawless a situation you try to create, the gnomes come in a provide one with a reality check. Having my 78 year old mother travel with us was a new twist in the family unit dynamics. Thank goodness she is spry and flexible since the Airstream decided to initiate her by blowing it’s 12 volt electric system. It was only one circuit but it was the circuit that runs the water system and lights the frig. My mom had a great time watching me scurry frantically around trying to figure out what was wrong and then how to fix it. Welcome to life in an antique Airstream, mom! I was quite proud of her trooper-ness. We lucked out in that the weather stayed cool for her visit. We had fun going to Lake Michigan and pretending it was fun to swim in 40 degree water – brrrrrr. Refreshed and invigorated we hit the trail to Madison,Wisconsin.

Madison has the reputation of being one of the most liberal, happening places in the US and I have to say it lives up to its reputation. Located in central Wisconsin, surrounded by lush farmland and situated directly on 3 lakes, Madison is one beautiful town. Easy to navigate despite the lakes, it has the famous University of Wisconsin, noted for many firsts in the agricultural community. Bless my mother’s heart for wanting to walk a mile….. no wait drive some miles in the Meanderthal rig but the heat and rigors of the road were a bit overwhelming I believe. My first task was to get her to a place she could get home from. Unfortunately flights from here to anywhere are quite pricey and so she decided to drive back to NM. Bon Voyage mom!

Dave, whose house we are staying at, is a good friend of some friends of ours in NM. He and his wife, Jackie and the artist in residence, Dan, have welcomed us and helped us solve some problems we were having with our rig. Dave has a tremendous amount of knowledge about a lot of things including music. When he heard Mariah play, he insisted that she go into the recording studio of a friend of his and “lay down some tracks” so we did. Mariah hadn’t practiced much as she had been away for a few weeks but it sounded pretty good anyway. Very nice studio and Dave’s friend, Jack who was the sound engineer was so helpful, encouraging and knowledgeable. It is nice to see people inspiring Mariah besides mom and dad.

Madison has a tremendous farmers market. 120 vendors and about 30,000 people all milling about peacefully and graciously waiting in ques for their fresh organic produce, fresh, non factory farm raised meats, and lots of baked goods. I love open markets and this one was unforgettable. Lots of people playing music. We had a lovely day popping in and out of the eclectic little shops around State St and then touring the capitol. The capitol building rivals the US capitol in DC. Very ornate and awe inspiring. Mariah insisted we get mall-ed so we went for her sake and now hopefully her wardrobe is complete (ha- fat chance!). We are heading back to the land we started from (South Dakota) today and then south and west so this journal will soon wind to an end and life in the Socorro fast lane will start again. Thanks everyone for being part of our travels and our life. Will send out Kimo’s rules when I find them and we can apply them to all our glitches, triumphs etc.

Hugs from the Meanderthals.

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The Haj

For the first time in the Meanderthal journal entry history, everyone has to guess where we were when I posted the last pictures. Just a fun touch! Happy 4th of July to all!
Our first stop on the way west (yes we are finally heading west!) was near Lock Haven PA where I used to go as a kid. Continuing west we stopped at the Packard museum where we enjoyed some very fancy restored Packard. I hope everyone who is interested will read about the Packard first’s!
We had big plans to go to Dearborn Village in Detroit but somewhere along the way a very distracting event happened, actually a combination of events. On our way west, Bill told us about a bluegrass festival in Ohio which intrigued us but seemed to be to far south. The Roe family whom we had visited with in Florida, were traveling in Ohio and when I told them about it, it came together that we could all meet there. Since we were their video crew and they were doing a show for free we got in free too! The festival is called Mountain Heir and I enjoyed it as much as any festival I have been too. Lot of good pickers! All good things must come to an end and so off we were to visit the home of Airstream, Jackson Center Ohio where our Airstream was built. It was funny to pull into a campground (cleverly called Terraport) where there were only Airstreams. We were still the oldest rig in the park however. Most of the people there were there to get their Airstreams repaired and came over to inspect and trade war stories about life on the road with an American legend (their advertising not mine!) . We went on a factory tour but because it was the week of the 4th all the employees were gone so it was quiet. Their operation is not as exciting or efficient as the Corvette factory in BG but it was interesting none the less. We had a technician come out and look at ours because we think it is sagging to one side but he said it looked in good shape. I guess we have a higher standard of what “good shape” is. Most Airstream owners sometime in the life of their trailer or motor home come here hence it is called “the haj”.
It is a long way from Jackson Center to Chicago but once you are in Chicago it makes the other miles look like they flew by. I just didn’t realize that Chicago is the 3rd largest city in US. I am glad that we had a very good reason to come here or I would have avoided it. Yes we are now the Meanderthals + 1. My mother and daughter are with us now and we feel like an American family on an American holiday. The campground we are at is right on Lake Michagan and is very nice and thank goodness the weather is cool (no AC). We will watch the fireworks from the lakeshore that the three communities (Chicago, Waukegan and Zion) nearby are firing off. Happy 4th everyone!

The family unit travels minus one again. Mariah is off on her great adventure with my mother to Europe. We miss her but the show must go on.
Every once in a while in your life you get to go back in time, not just in memory but actual time and you feel in your mind and heart like you were when you were “young” and had no worries about the future or the past or the current. I was lucky enough to have this experience when we were in Burlington, VT. I visited my first love and it really felt like no time had passed between us. The beauty of it was that as much as we had changed, we hadn’t changed at all. It is rare to find and lovely to experience. The best part was that my friend Alan and Mark got along great. I enjoyed sharing my family and meeting his mate and his friends and his life.
Sadly we had to leave to wind our way to Massachusetts to visit a neighbor who lived across the street in Socorro. Saskia and John belong to the liege of people who come to Socorro, steal ours hearts and then leave. The fun part is that we feel at home whenever and wherever we get to visit them and be their neighbors again as we camp in their front yard interfering with their electric dog fence (whoops!). They have two handsome boys that are much bigger and more mature than I expected. We arrived on Saturday and Mariah had to leave on Monday so she got to visit a little but not enough. In our quest to try more amusements parks, we tried to check out Six Flags on Father’s Day. Now I know what people in downtown New Delhi live like everyday. It was such a mad house we decided to try again another day. Talk about a well disciplined teenager, the next day while we tried again to enjoy Six Flags, she stayed in the camper to finish her schoolwork so she wouldn’t have to take it on her trip with grandma. Wow! It was sad to put her on the plane but I know she will have fun and learn a great deal.
When in New England do as the NE’s do. I guess that means we have to eat fresh lobster and fresh clam chowder, rats! One of the historical trips you can take when in this area that doesn’t involve large cities or downtowns with to many people is go to Salem MA. The Salem Witch Museum is a testament to the wrong that can be accomplished when fear is used as a weapon. I particularly enjoyed how the museum showed how we refuse to learn from our past and keep using the same techniques to manipulate and stereotype.
You can’t go to New England and not enjoy the coastal villages that make it what it is. We had the pleasure of watching a man in his boat go out and get his dinner from a trap in the water and then seeing all his lobsters in a box. The dinner was set and now Olivia got to see how to put a lobster to sleep before putting in the water to cook. I bet she never forgets that! On our way home we had the pleasure of getting lost in downtown Boston. There was an adventure. The computer which I have been using to navigate with MS Streets and Maps with GPS decided to run out of battery and so we had to wing it. We got to the Sommer tunnel which as it turns out doesn’t allow campers through. Whoops, back up, try to cross four lanes of traffic coming into the tunnel and then look for the entrance to a bridge we can see but seems to be 50 feet above us. Oh and by the way, it would be nice if Boston would put some street signs up so you could at least know where you are so you can try to explain to someone on the phone how lost you are! We did make it back but only after some hair raising passes under very low bridges. Thank goodness the beer was cold and the seafood medley delicious.
Once again we were on the move and we decided to stop and see some friends we had made in Florida. It was a quick stop but enough time to tour downtown Hartford which was very nice. They have a spectacular rose garden and a very clean downtown. The first statehouse has been well preserved and it set the tone for everything else. One of the days in the MA we spent trying to see a museum in Kent CT. After driving 3 hours to get there we found out it was closed. We couldn’t leave well enough alone and decided to try again and this time met with success and the effort was definitely worth it. Mark and I both share a love for tools so the Sloane/Stanley museum was a must. I don’t want to go into great detail about who he is but if you haven’t heard of him (Eric Sloane), you should look him up. He was a very interesting collector, artist and author. The icing on the cake was that the Connecticut Antique collector park was next door where volunteers have preserved relics of the evolution of the industrial revolution. Everything from steam railroad engines to early oil pumping equipment that used the steam engine but was powered by natural gas can be seen in the 10+ buildings, all in working order and mint like condition. The people who are there are all volunteers and very motivated to educate one on what each machine does and what role it played in the industrial revolution that shaped the northeast. There was a mineral museum where they are creating a coal mine and showing a dynamite blast in sequence. They have the best fluorescence display I have seen yet and I have seen a few now. We really hated to leave there but westward we must travel. Our destination is Chicago for the 4th so we can pick up Mariah and my mother who wants to experience the adventure in the flesh. It is not for everyone but it sure is fun! That is the newsiest news there is from the Meanderthals.
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