sonder – n. the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.

Maineville, Ohio: October 9th- October 12th

On Friday evening we arrived in Maineville, Ohio and parked the Dutchmen in my Aunt Mary Jo’s and Uncle Mike’s driveway. We were greeted with two ice cold, bud light limes, barbeque ribs that had been cooking in the crock-pot all day, along with a sweet potato and a fresh salad. It was delicious… especially delicious after driving for 9 hours straight. My Aunt insisted we stay in their re-decorated basement guest room, which we didn’t argue. Saturday morning, Mike, Berkley and I walked around Landen Farm Lake, which butts up to my Aunt and Uncle’s backyard. The lake is beautiful. There’s a two mile walking path all the way around it. The community has endless tennis courts, pools and hot tubs. I visited when I was young, but I obviously have a whole different appreciation now. It would be an amazing place to live.

We spent the rest of the day visiting with my cousin Christine and her family at their new house in Hamilton, Ohio. They live on six acres and have a pole barn out behind their house that has its own batting cage. Yes, like a legitimate batting cage with a projector that shows a fake pitcher throwing the ball. Mike was hitting so hard we all had to leave the barn.

We went “downtown” Hamilton to attend Operation Pumpkin Festival and had a few beers at Pinball Garage, a brewery that sells tokens to play pinball or distract your kids with. SJ and Rogan, Christine and Sean’s little boys loved it. SJ is seven years old and Rogan is five. Christine and Sean also have a new two-month old foster baby girl. Rogan wanted to be holding Mike’s hand constantly, which was the most precious thing ever. They were so much fun. We played scattergories and drank white claws. I read “Augie the Moose has a Loose Tooth” to Rogan and SJ while they tickled each other and laughed hysterically as they got ready for bed. 

We ate Christine’s homemade cinnamon buns Sunday morning and had coffee on the porch. I ran around the lake and for lunch, we all biked to a brewery nearby in Mason, Ohio called Sonder brewing. Sonder, means that each person has a unique story. (See full definition above) Coolest brewery name ever? I think so. The food was also delish. Mike ordered the chicken and waffles and I had a  yummy buttermilk chicken sandwich. When we got home, we played a full on football game. Mike injured his foot from stepping in a hole. My Uncle was a football star in high school and College, so naturally his grandsons are following in his footsteps. In SJ’s spare time he’s drawing plays and making his brother run them alongside him while their “Ga” and “Pa” play defense.

Lexington, Kentucky: October 12th-14th

Hannah, my college roommate and her girlfriend Ashleigh came to our campsite at Kentucky Horse Park when we arrived in Lexington. They helped us polish off a bottle of Pinot Noir that we drank out of mugs. We picked up some famous Kentucky food from “Ramsey’s” and spent the evening in Hannah and Ashleigh’s backyard catching up. Tuesday was my twenty-seventh birthday. I woke up after our first “official” night staying in the camper and watched an episode of the office with Mike while we ate some fried eggs, drank some hose water (Which Mike eventually ended up spilling all over the camper when the spigot wouldn’t shut off). We took Berk for a walk and checked out all the other campers, which were much fancier and larger than ours.

Hannah drove us to lunch at Zim’s cafe in downtown Lexington where we tried hoecakes for the first time. A hoecake is a pancake made of cornbread and yes, it’s as delicious as it sounds. It was served with pulled pork on top. We went to Country Boy Brewing for a couple flights afterwards and Hannah bought me the cutest baseball tee as a birthday gift. We visited Native Café and tried their famous, warm apple cider with bourbon. The café was nestled in the woods in the heart of the city, which was super neat. We spent the rest of the day/evening with Hannah and Ashleigh at Ethereal Brewing in the distillery district. Wednesday AM we packed up our campsite. Mike dumped our “black tank” for the first time and was very proud of himself. Berkley and I supervised the process. Then we hit the road and headed to St. Louis, Missouri.

St. Louis Missouri/ Cahokia, Illinois: October 14th-15th

We ate PB&J’s, listened to a murder mystery podcast called “S-Town” that one of my friends recommended and sang a lot of 90’s country. After 4.5 hours we arrived in Cahokia, Illinois where we set up camp. My friend Matt “Yako” that I went to college with and hadn’t seen in six years came and picked us up to show us around St. Louis that evening. We stayed in Illinois, but were only five minutes or so from the famous arch. We went to a place called “The Hill” and ate dinner at a fancy Italian place. I felt extremely out of place wearing my Birkenstocks and a crop top, while the other guests arrived in suit coats. Mike and I tried toasted raviolis for the first time. I think that was my first time eating raviolis ever. (I know, I was weird as a child). We grabbed a beer from Rockwell Brewing Co and hit the hay in our tiny bed. 

Missouri is full of adult outlets. Seriously, every other billboard is an advertisement for one. Mike says “Missorians are kinky.” Anyways, we’re Nebraska bound. I don’t know a single soul who lives in Nebraska. (Besides Aunt Becky from Full House). Tonight we’re staying at our first Harvest Host location called Kimmel Orchard and Vineyard Educational Foundation. Harvest Host is an app we paid $80.00 for that allows us to stay at Breweries and Wineries across the US for “free”. The hosts suggest that each guest buy something to help support their business, but other than that you can stay and use their property and facilities. Tonight will be the first time we’re running off our generator rather than public water, sewer, etc. 

We had more PB&J for lunch today, along with animal crackers, apples and granola bars. I’m in charge of making lunch everyday, while Mike hooks the camper up. Berk has been sleeping a lot as we drive, which is good. I sprinted him around the RV park this morning before we left, hoping to burn some of his energy. It’s 57 degrees and Sunny right now in Bates City, Missouri. There are a lot of soy beans out here. Michael tells me every time we pass them. Same with the corn. He quizzes me on the different types of corn we see. I swear we’ve passed 57,000 other campers and RV’s. They’re everywhere.