So far Nemo and Cleo seem to prefer catio views of the woods over views of water. I think it gives them more a feeling of lording over a domain. They notice birds, small critters, deer, insects and other lowly peasants, and they must seem very regal from below. Water creatures can’t possibly absorb their full glory from below the water’s surface. Tsk, tsk.

Stream-of-consciousness summary of our first eight weeks on the road: Five weeks was too long in one place (Wright-Patterson Air Force Base FamCamp). Huffman Prairie is an amazing place filled with Wright Brothers history. I cannot believe it took me 55 years to learn about Paul Laurence Dunbar. Sending postcards to our granddaughters is so much fun. Two nights in a row seeing a Starlink satellite train had us feeling “Close Encounters” vibes. Camp Atterbury in Indiana felt like camping on a barren planet that also provides free laundry. Strange to me that the base shopette sells mostly junk food and hard liquor to people who are supposed to be in shape. Anything for a buck, I guess. Camping at the Illinois State Fairgrounds is convenient and reasonably priced. We sat in on a dressage competition and noticed that they have an actual human organist playing in the center of the ring. An unexpected breath of fresh air in this digital age! Visited Mom and Dad King while in Springfield. We were stunned by the vastness of their new home so much so that I felt compelled to splay across the beautiful expanse of countertop. Greg and I could walk by each other without turning sideways. The bathrooms had an echo. It was amazing. All this while they felt quite the opposite so soon after downsizing. It was a real treat to see them and have a tour of the lovely place they now call home. It was great to catch up and have a look inside the artistic process (and art supply toolbox) of Mr. King. He is an amazing pastel artist. I am forever grateful for all the help the King family gave me as a teen in need of straightening out. Thank you. The Benton, IL library has a fantastic reading garden for children complete with a wooden pirate ship, canvas masts and all! Metropolis, IL is all Superman, all the time!

Illinois has gaming parlors in the strangest places including gas stations and laundromats. We played $5 while doing laundry and won $60! Now if we can figure out how to make money each time we do laundry… Eureka Campground in KY is an amazing value with the nicest campground hosts and great water views. The Apple Valley Hillbilly Garden is quite an experience. Buying a spaghetti squash at a roadside stand can sometimes mean ending up with a canary melon. Piney River RV Resort in TN uses the term “resort” loosely. However, we have enjoyed floating down the river most days and watching the cedar waxwings hawk for insects each morning and searching for satellites in the night sky. Greg was kind enough to wait to tell me until after we got out of the water one day that a fish had been temporarily trapped between me and my float. *shivers* The roads to the campground are a bit on the treacherous side and very dusty, but we passed a field of small goats which made the trip worth it.

Eight weeks ago our goal was to be sanitary, safe and happy in 200 square feet. We have evolved to loftier goals and hope you will check in once in awhile to see how the view is from the catio!