Deryl's Runabout Update for March

Good grief, March 1 seems like ages ago in some ways, I may have to jump around a bit rather than write chronologically. We've had a great month. Overall, the RV life and constant travel have been becoming less strange and stressful. I've been getting used to planning logistics every day and researching potential destinations and timing. Have noticed that I really don't sleep well most nights and it 's probably due to a combination of excitement/newness with new places and kids so close by that we hear every breath.
Highlights of March were seeing so many friends and relatives! I had a terrific reconnect with my friend Lori with whom I worked so closely at Hand Therapy Associates. (Lori also made our wedding cake and hosted a bridal shower for me.) She moved to Florence, AL six plus years ago and it felt like not a day had gone by. She took us to Helen Keller's home and a sweet old fashioned soda shop while giving us a tour of the neat area as well as visited us with a local dessert, Banana Pudding, in the RV out at the campsite. Oh, we also saw the mascots of UNA, two beautiful lions, in their very nice habitat on the campus. I don't think I've ever seen big cats up so close and active. Very cool.

Last week, we visited briefly w/ friends from Ximedica who were working in Cincinnati- always good to see the guys, although it meant Dave had to work a day and a half. (Ahhh, roughing it)

We visited with Kelli Trexler and her son, Myles, at her parents farm in Greeneville, Tennessee, last weekend. What a slice of heaven that area is. Fields, farms, rolling hills...We parked the RV behind a barn with a view of the valleys around and Smokey Mountain range to the East. The children adored playing with and feeding and generally chasing around the farms goat flock and newborn piglets. They own the largest hog I have ever seen. This guy was like a small cow and clearly heavier. His fangs were lethal looking but thankfully he was friendly and clearly enjoyed attention. Dave scratched him w/ a stick and he rolled over for more. What a sight. Great to see Kelli and little Myles. Her family were great hosts.

Today, in Asheville, NC, we visited some more friends from church, Isaac and Emily Wingfield and Gabriel Wingfield and his fiancee, Megan, at their parents home here. Big week for visiting at home. We saw their awesome home and walked up in the woods behind their home. Again, a great visit. We are so blessed with such a wonderful, fun, loving church family.

And, lastly, we will probably be meeting up with our family (The P. Robsons) in Atlanta this weekend where Peter is doing a televised dive into a a huge tank at the Atlanta Aquarium. Really hope we get to do this. Didn't think it fit into the itinerary, but God has been clearly calling the shots and making the path so clear, it's been neat to witness. More on Peter's big dunk if we get to see it.

SO...other than visits, highlights were the neat, old architecture in Selma, AL, two underground and one above ground hike in Mammoth Caves, KY, riding w/ Elena through KY Horse Park, watching foals play along a windy, white fence lined back road in Lexington, watching training at Keeneland Racetrack, the Creation Museum in northern KY, and the town of Asheville, NC where I seriously think I might like to retire (at the latest). This town is fabulous. It's a bit like Providence with all the good stuff pushed together and amazing views all around. Bookstore/wineshops...lots of local art venues, Oh, and the Biltmore Estate. It lived up to its steep pricetag. I spent two hours with the tour headset and could have spent five more hours on the grounds. I'd love to come back for a “romantic weekend” to hike the grounds, go to the farm and winery, canoe, bike...( hint, hint, Honey)

Overall, neat month. Becoming more flexible and patient (my prayer) and appreciating seeing so much of the East finding more places I wish to return and spending such time with my little family. We're off to New Orleans via Natchez and Vicksburg next week where we look forward to visiting with my brother, Rob, Aunt Judy and Uncle Ted for the French Quarter Festival. Then we hightail it to las Vegas to drop RV w/ frineds for a week and get a vacation from our “vacation” with my dear friends, Katie and Erik, in San Diego.