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Happy things from today:

• We saw from the highway the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. Keziah noted that it was a rather large building. I thought that it was funny for nanoscale to be in a large building.
• It was a long ride home today in a car without a working air conditioner. We kept going with music, conversation, and the scenery. One thing that Keziah commented on was how wonderful it is that states seem to be encouraging wild flower growth along the highways. She wondered aloud who thought of it. I suggested that Lady Bird Johnson may have been an inspiration. It was my understanding that she is why the Texas Bluebonnet is planted along the highways in Texas. Now that I am home I've done a little online research. It seems that Texas had the wildflowers growing along the highways in the 1930's. Anyway, the Highway Beautification Act of 1965 (under Lyndon B. Johnson) was a start for the rest of the country. It doesn't completely explain the recent blooming of flowers along the highways compared to when Keziah or I were growing up. It is still delightful to see.
• It used to surprise me that I would see leaves starting to turn on my ride home from Pennsic, now I look for them.  Autumn is coming.
• We traveled a ways on some back roads because of some traffic. The areas were pretty and there was more shade than the highway. There were also some parachutes that we saw coming down.
• We arrived home just after six this afternoon. It is so nice to be home. I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. The cats seem to have forgiven us. Nanni took a little bit to forgive me, but she seems fine now. Winston seldom comes to me, and didn't today. He was all over Keziah though.

Flowers

Blue sky ahead.

Orange foliage.

Big cloud

Parachute

Nanni

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Currently reading: She's Come Undone, by Wally Lamb.

Thank you for being part of my happy things.  Stay safe.

Goodbye Pennsic, Day Fifteen

 Some happy things from the final day of Pennsic and day to travel:

• The rain came down hard last night with crashes of thunder and lightning.  We were in a different tent and mist came through the canvas on occasion.  We were still mostly dry and safe in the little tent we borrowed for the last night.
• The weather in the morning was beautiful.  The sun was bright and dried things out nicely so that things could be packed.  Another storm was due to come around two in the afternoon and everyone was packed and out before then. 
• We only drove a little over 300 miles today and stopped for a nice dinner and hotel.  Keziah and I will both feel better in the morning after sleeping in a bed and a building.  We have about another 300 miles to go and a stop to make tomorrow before getting home.
• I saw two deer and seven (!) woodchucks along our route.  
• When off the highway for a short time we came across Our Lady of Victoria National Shrine and Basilica.  It is an ornate building on the outside.  Pictures on the website show some of the inside.  I almost wish we had stopped to see if there were any tours available.
• There were spectacular cloud formations from all the scattered storms in the area.  We missed them all while driving today.
• In two weeks of camping I only pulled my laptop out once in the beginning to check on my bank account.  Opening it up to use at the hotel, it took me no less than a minute to find the power button!  😄

Clouds

Empty camping area

Selfie when we crossed into NY.

Windmill

The Basilica

More of the Basilica

Clouds

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Currently reading: She's Come Undone, by Wally Lamb.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay Safe.

Pennsic Travel

Happy things from this day on the road:

• When leaving the house just before 3:30 AM Keziah and Gideon pretended to be pilot and co-pilot by giving the two passengers a humorous welcome.  
• The long drive to the event site in Pennsylvania is long.  I'm at a point in my life where I am questioning whether or not this is something I want to continue doing once I am no longer Baroness.  I'm happy we made it to the event safely and with no mishaps along the way.
• Clinton County rest area is where I walked a little and tried to get a picture of a butterfly that wouldn't stay still.
• Wendy's in DuBois has a little gnome village to look at while waiting in line for the drive thru.

• Because we left when we did we got in later than I wanted.  The good part of this is that the line to get in wasn't very long.
• I'm so thankful for the people who helped out by getting here and helping with organization and setting up.

Some other pictures:

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We listened to Seedfolks, by Paul Fleischman.

Thank you for being part of my happy things. Stay Safe.