Winding Down

August 19, 2016

Amish Country Pennyslvania

Today was to be a driving day.  We pulled out of the hotel in South Portland, Maine around 7:30 AM, for the final leg of our journey.

Paul had been asked to do the devotional this morning and he talked about how much God loves us and that we are all as important to him as someone we might think of as much greater than ourselves.  Someone like Billy Graham, for example.  After he had finished talking and prayed he was called back up to the microphone and asked to share his personal story.  Many of those aboard had heard bits and pieces of what life had been like growing up in the dysfunction of his family and they wanted to hear more. 

An hour later people were still asking questions.  It was good for Paul, I think, to talk about the journey he’s been on.  He’s able now to talk about it without rancor; the bitterness and pain has long since gone, leaving in its place sober acknowledgement that life isn’t great sometimes but that it is as good as you determine to make it.  As he has often said, “You can’t help what’s been done to you but you can help what you do about it.”

We ate lunch at a Cracker Barrel in New York State.  It seems warmer here than in Maine, and the weather is beautiful. Back on the bus many of us either napped or read our books or both.  Until the back end of the bus erupted again.  It seems the back seats are where all the craziness happens.  General merriment and much laughing soon had everyone on the bus awake again.  Several people walked back to investigate and before long they were joining the party too.

We entered Pennsylvania in the early evening.  When traffic slowed to a crawl Dave and JR decided taking a secondary road might be advantageous. What could have been a much longer trip turned into a ten-minute detour through lush farmlands bordered by Amish farms. And we saw our first buggy since leaving home almost two weeks ago.

One of the best things about traveling on a bus, especially with people you know, is all the conversations that happen while you’re cruising down the highway.  Moving freely about at will, sitting for a time with this person or that, hearing their stories, learning about their lives – it all adds up to a wonderful time with memories formed and new relationships started. 

We are staying at the Comfort Inn in Clearfield, Pennsylvania tonight.  It is situated high on a hill overlooking all the typical fast food places one usually finds on an interstate exit.  We parked in one of those eatery’s parking lots and dispersed for a quick supper at whichever place appealed to each of us.  After a full meal and milkshake at Arby’s I decided to walk up the hill to the hotel rather than climb on the bus and getting hauled up.  Five or six others joined me.  It felt good to get a little exercise.  I’ve been packing on the pounds and getting lazy these past few weeks. It's shocking how quickly one can become addicted to self-indulgence. It’s a good thing this fun is drawing to a close before I lose all desire to be productive ever again.

After everyone was settled into the hotel for the night, Dave called a meeting to discuss possibilities for the next Stutzman Cousins Vacation.  Even though Paul and I are not Stutzmans, we have been very fortunate to be a part of two of their extended trips.  I’m already looking forward to the next time away with this group, wherever that may take me.