Foxfire & Freeways: Arrgghh mateys! Ships ahoy!

Another fun weekend is officially in the books.

Friday afternoon we rolled into East Harbor State Park, and what a beautiful place it turned out to be. The campground is huge, with spacious campsites, large dump stations, a beautiful beach, and plenty of room to simply relax and enjoy being outdoors.

Saturday was spent at the very first Port Clinton Pirate Fest, and for a first-year festival, I think they did a fantastic job.

There were pirates everywhere.

Some people had incredible outfits that looked like they’d stepped straight out of a movie. Long coats, tall boots, tricorn hats, sleeves from wrist to shoulder… and even dreads nearly touching the ground.

All of this…

…during a 90-degree heat wave. 😅

I was sweating just looking at them.

One of the best parts of these festivals is unexpectedly running into familiar faces. We caught up with friends from the Ohio Viking Festival and several of our Indiana Renaissance Festival friends, and it reminded me just how quickly this community starts to feel like family.

Of course, we also made time to listen to one of our favorite bands, Pirates Creed.

If you ever get the chance to see them perform, I highly recommend it. They always put on a fantastic show.

Bug also got to see and feel some sand between his toes, he was not quite sure how to walk on it, then he enjoyed the water and wanted to sit in it but I didn’t have a change of clothes on me so I let him find some sea shells

Today we finally pointed ourselves toward Iowa.

We got a little later start than planned after waiting for another camper to move so we could get out of our site, but that’s just part of campground life.

One thing we’ve decided as a family is that we want to start making more sightseeing stops along our routes. The destination is always exciting, but sometimes the places in between become the best memories.

As the miles rolled by today, I found myself thinking about something.

A few years ago…

I never would have imagined this life.

Traveling across the country.

Spending weekends at festivals.

Being married.

Owning a home.

Raising our little Bug.

Sharing adventures with Sunna.

Building friendships in places that once felt so far away.

Back then, it all felt impossible.

Now…

I honestly wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Our next stop is one I’ve been looking forward to.

Iowa.

Not just because it’s another stop on the map, but because it means time with family.

Bug will soon celebrate his first birthday with his cousins, and I can’t believe we’re already here.

It feels like yesterday he was just beginning this journey with us, and now we’re planning birthday cakes instead of baby bottles.

I always love visiting Iowa.

There’s something special about spending time with family, cooking together, baking together, making things together, and filling the table with fresh vegetables and homemade food.

Sometimes the best destinations aren’t famous landmarks.

Sometimes…

They’re simply the people waiting for you when you get there.

Until the next mile, keep the fire lit and the road calling.
— Foxfire & Freeways