This post will show how our route this year brought us all the way back to where we started on May 24, and then we put the Bettie Mobile back into the garage.
But first, let’s move on from Clemson.
November 5
Our next important stop is Matthew’s parents’ house in Mathews, Virginia. Not wanting to make the long ride in one day just to arrive tired and late, we head to Danville, Virginia for a cheap hotel and internet. On the drive out the next day we see the sign, “Y’all come back to the Last Capitol of the Southern Confederacy, DANVILLE.” Turns out in April 1865 it briefly served as the third and final capital of the Confederacy before its surrender later that year.
November 6 – 23
Kayla does some work at the Charles City Library, then we head to Mathews County. Matthew spends these days helping his folks do some major housing compound organization and fall cleaning. Kayla wants to check in with some of her folks in the midwest; we pair her trip with a couple days in Richmond (a 90-minute drive from Mathews) to visit some friends and experience that city’s fast-growing food scene. Matthew drops Kayla off at the airport and heads back to his parents while she goes to Chicago/Iowa for a week.
November 24-29
Hugs all around to the Turners, then we make the drive to Paoli, PA to visit Kayla’s brother Kevin and sis-in-law Kristi. One fabulous dinner and one night later we make the short hop to downtown Philadelphia to stay with niece Hannah and fully immerse ourselves into the Philly scene for two food-filled nights. Then it’s back to Paoli for a full family Thanksgiving, where niece Emma also joins the fun.
Bay Bridge over the Chesapeake 
So much to eat in Philadelphia. 
This is the line outside DiBruno’s … 
…which led to another line inside! 
Helpful tips for shopping in the Italian District. 
Requisite Philadelphia tourism. 
Remember when the Bell was outside? 
A very Boettcher Thanksgiving. 
Pie! 
Games! 
Emma and Hannah… 
…at an old bottling operation.
November 30
Another good-bye and we hit the road one last time this year, this time for a solid 12-hour trip back to Glenn, Michigan. We take the turnpike, which feels strange after so many months of mostly driving on lesser-traveled roads. We’ve missed our favorite Glenn Store Pizza & Subs so much that we call in our order 20 minutes out so they are warm and ready when we finally pull in to the driveway.
The next day we will be socked in by a storm. We have two weeks to pack away clothes and gear from six months of travel, and to pack again for the next five months away – first to Bend for a month, then to Juneau for the Legislative session. Wheeeeeee!
(Spoiler alert: as we were settling into Bend, we made a change in our plans. Stay tuned for the next episode to see how we pivot!)
Always good to see where you have been and are going. My guess is I will see you now and then while the session is going on in Juneau. Safe travels. Jeff B
Alas! That’s part of the change of plans: we’re substituting Virginia and Michigan for Juneau this year.
I heard a preview of the next installment from the horse’s mouths.
Who are you calling a horse!?!
Nice update.
One question: What do you have against Missouri?
( Looks like the only state you haven’t passed through. )
Ah, Missouri. It’s not you, it’s us. 🙂
(But notice the lack of lines in Missouri’s neighbors: Tennessee and Kentucky. They’re on the list! Along with the whole Northeast.)