🦊 Backroad Notes: A Tiny Grain of Sand, a Massive Ache 🪨💥

Well… travel life threw us a curveball, and this one definitely wasn’t on the itinerary.

We ended up needing an extra night at the campground because I woke up around dawn this morning in intense pain. After heading to the hospital, I found out kidney stones were the culprit.

The last time I dealt with these little troublemakers was back in 2015, and apparently, I’d conveniently forgotten just how miserable they can be! My body decided it was time for a very unwelcome refresher course. 😭

Ah, the nitty-gritty details of travel life that don’t involve beautiful scenery or fun roadside adventures. Though, of course, there’s still the infamous incident involving dropping the keys in a gas station bathroom… and that’s a story I still haven’t lived down. 😂

This definitely wasn’t how I wanted the weekend to start, but it is what it is. As Smokey Bear might say:

“Only YOU can prevent kidney stones… stay hydrated!” 🤣💧

Disclaimer: Hydration is important, but kidney stones can have different causes, so drinking water isn’t a guarantee against them.

Thankfully, there’s still plenty to look forward to this weekend!

I’m excited to see Hexxen perform. Johnny and the whole group are amazing, and if you get the chance to see them, definitely check them out!

And then there’s my other very important weekend dilemma…

I bought TWO new dresses. 👗

Now I have to decide which dress to wear on which day and, more importantly, how I’m going to accessorize each one.

I really don’t think I need to explain what accessorizing means to those of you who know me. 😂 Between the outfits, accessories, and all the little details, you know I’m going to have fun putting everything together!

Tomorrow night, after the festival, we’ll be staying at the hotel for the night. Then on Sunday, we’ll hitch up the camper and head straight toward Iowa once everything wraps up.

And after that?

HOME IS GETTING CLOSER!

We’re down to just 9 days until we make it back to Ohio. Nine days until our own space, our own kitchen, our chickens, and a chance to breathe without immediately planning the next stop.

I’m ready. So very ready. 🧡

For now, I’m taking things one day at a time, hoping the pain stays away, looking forward to some great music, and deciding which dress gets its moment in the spotlight.

I came out of the hospital with antibiotics, painkillers, and a brand-new water mug in hopes of motivating myself to drink more water. If this mug helps keep me hydrated, it’ll be the most useful souvenir I’ve picked up on this trip! 😂💧

Because even when the road throws a tiny grain of sand into the works, the adventure doesn’t have to end there.

Until the next mile, keep the fire lit and the road calling. 🧡🦊