Back to Reality

August 20, 2016

We pulled into the Pioneer Trails office around noon.  Since we had never taken a group photo we spent some time trying to find the right spot for that.  We probably all look a little travel weary but the group picture was taken and preserved for posterity.

One way I  know I had a good vacation is if I have a hard time returning to real life.  This one is hard.  I must admit the sad truth.  I could easily become a self-indulgent, non-productive member of society given the chance.  It's time to give myself a figurative kick in the rear and get on with life. A life that is filled with good things, albeit less carbs and more exercise.

On the plus side it's wonderful to be with my grandkids again.  And their parents. The most spectacular sights on the planet do not compare to having sweet babies squeezing my neck.  One particular four-year-old with blonde ringlets and shining blue eyes, informed me that she had "missed me terrible!"

During our last few miles together David Lee led us in some songs.  Oh Lord My God, Amazing Grace, Blest Be The Tie That Binds, among others.  He read aloud a poem he wrote which made us laugh and brought a few tears to our eyes as well.  He graciously gave me permission to include it on this blog:

This coach with eight wheels it rolls down the highway,

  Its loaded with Stutzmans, all cousins they say,

While scattered among them you also will find

  Some folks who are dear friends of all the Stutz kind.

The men at the wheel would be Junior and Dave,

  To turn that big wheel they must really be brave.

Sometimes they forget that its time for Rest Stop,

  Until some fair ladies are ready to pop!

Then traffic slows down to just barely a crawl,

  Till some folks now dearly desire a stall!

So finally a Rest area breaks into view,

  And everyone knew what they needed to do.

The sign on the door said that this one is closed,

  But on a side building a sign was exposed;

It said do not urinate on our stone wall,

  The camera will see if you go there at all.

So finally we found that long row of outhouses;

  To use them, some ladies just held shut their noses.

Then Cadillac Mountain was almost a fright,

  The fog was so thick, but a beautiful sight. 

The raindrops were wet and the wind in a hurry;

  It sent us all back to the coach in a scurry.

McDonalds one morning, twas time for some chow;

  With potty break too, we all made it somehow.

I placed my food order while standing in line,

  Two muffins egg sausage with cheese sounds just fine.

We opened our sacks and were ready to bite,

  But where were the eggs, they were nowhere in sight!

To fix our food order its back to the counter;

  Not one time but twice I went back there to hound her:

Third time is a charm I have heard some folk say;

  Those muffins with eggs finally turned out okay.

One lady took off with the TV remote,

  And thought it would work like the phone in her tote.

But TV remotes do not work well at all,

  When ladies are trying to make a phone call.

Remote was then placed back into the motel;

  So that piece of mischief, it ended real well.

We should all return what we never should take;

  Its good that we fix the mistakes that we make.

We stopped at the Magical Mountain one day,

  The gal in the Gift Shop was there heard to say;

My cell phone, it must have decided to run;

  To lose a good phone, it is really no fun.

Our TV remote lady had picked it up,

  But took it right back to that gal in the shop.

So phone and remote were all safely returned,

  And our dear gal's honor was very well earned.

One guy bought some lobster traps to take along;

  Next morning those three traps just lay there alone,

Stashed under the coach they were all high and dry;

  Its then those traps' owner was heard to reply,

I'll have to return them right back to that jerk,

  I caught not one lobster, they really don't work!

In souvenir shop the next day there he bought,

  Some red rubber lobsters, now in his traps caught.

I think that we all had a very good time,

  While riding along on this Green Country line.

From home Buckeye State to the north shores of Maine,

  Then into Canadians' fair land we came.

A three hour cruise on the Bay of Fundy,

  Took us across to the coast town of Digby.

At Peggy's Cove we found a beautiful sight;

  Before we departed the sun said Goodnight.

Our Scottish guide there in the town Halifax,

  Told stories and many historical facts.

The kilt that he wore, well, it gave him no guilt;

  Don't call it a skirt, he said, You may get kilt.

The mountains in Highlands great Park were so tall;

  The picnic right there was enjoyed by us all.

The ferry ride north to that beautiful Isle

  Where our guide Elizabeth shared with a smile.

The town of Charlotte there she showed us with glee,

  At evening the musical, 'Anne with an E'.

The Island of Edward the Prince was so grand,

  But then it was on to the New Brunswick land.

The U.S.and Holmes County then was our goal,

  The sharing and singing enjoyed by us all.

Such beautiful scenes and the sights that we saw;

  It caused us to many times gaze at in awe.

These cousins, it seems that they always have fun,

  We love these dear folks and their friends, everyone.

So thanks to Green country for doing this tour;

  I'm sure that we all want to do it some more.

Now may I yet share just a bit of advice,

  Lets keep our knees down and our eyes to the skies.

Our LORD will soon come back to take us away,

  Up to that Great Homeland, forever we'll stay.

                                      For my cousins and friends,

                                                 David Lee Stutzman

 

 

And now the count-down until next time.