It’s true, a bit out of the blue we find ourselves in the heart of New York City. But that’s just a teaser – hang on, we’ll get there.
And speaking of getting there: In a future post, we’ll catch you up on what’s happened since NYC up to today. Currently we are near Bar Harbor, ME, about to embark on a full week of activities in Acadia NP. Adventures of the last month have included three spots in upstate NY, a week in Boston / Cape Cod, and four nights holed up in a central New Hampshire AirBnB so we could catch our breath from a remarkable 7-week run of camping and events. More on all that later … let’s start by going back to June 22-July 2.
Our route til now.
That dark blue line is following our 2026 route: starting in Glenn, MI, down to the bottom of the vee in Georgia and about halfway up the other side to our days at Red Wing music festival (all discussed in previous posts).
It was just a short hop from the festival to Shenandoah National Park, and for Matthew’s folks, it’s just a skip and a jump to that same place from their home on the Bay, so we all met up for a few nights. The highlight of the visit was taking Jim and Tammy’s ragtop VW Bug and touring the Skyline Drive. Top speed limit 35 mph!
But then, yes, it was time to head to New York City. It turns out that Kayla’s coworkers at On-Ramps (a New York City based company) were going to have an office cocktail party at a rooftop bar. And wouldn’t you know it, we could make it there, too! Kayla’s brother Kevin lives outside Philadelphia and right next to an Amtrak train line. We could dash up from Shenandoah, stash our camper in Paoli, then the next day catch a 2.5 hour train into NYC and make it to the party by cocktail hour!
First stop in NYC was a rooftop “instagram” bar for a cocktail party with Kayla’s coworkers. 
Using the Alaska hand map in a social setting. 
When you enter Manhattan via the Brooklyn Bridge. 
We walked the Highline – once an elevated railroad, now a park. 
A lot of old docks are now part of Brooklyn Bridge park. This one is for sports. 
Free kayaks for use from the parks dept. 
The World Cup via upstairs at an Irish Pub. 
The World Cup via a public space. 
We highly recommend taking the St George ferry. It leaves from Brooklyn … 
….goes to Staten Island … 
…right past Lady Liberty … 
… and ends on Manhattan’s west side.
We spent three days and nights in the city and walk about 20 total miles. It was during the World Cup, and that energy permeated the town. So many people in team jerseys, so many little nooks and big public spaces showing the games. It really raised the energy level!
After these fun-filled days, we head back to Paoli, where all the talk is of record high temperatures and Heat Domes. Rather than rush out into the un-conditioned wilderness, we hang back with Kristi and Kevin for a few days. In addition to enjoying a/c, catching up on work projects, and several nice evenings of hanging out with K&K, we get a special tour of the Wharton Esherick Museum, where Kristi is a docent. Wharton sure was a creative guy — what an interesting place!
Wharton built his own home and studio, with his own creative architectural design. 
Who says you can’t have curved roof lines? 
The interior is full of his clever furniture designs, like these ceiling lights that swing from arms like boat paddles. 
Every item in his house was creatively designed and hand-crafted. 
Making the most of every inch of space. 
The kitchen is especially clever … 
…look at that silverware drawer! 
We had some nice porch time in Paoli before the heat dome settled over us.
Next in line for storytelling: two weeks in upstate NY! Stay tuned.
Dear K & M, Holy wow, good stuff. Thank you for keeping us folks updated.
Just think you are missing days when there are over 7,000 in town. Grr, but it is the realtiy.
Safe travels. Jeff
Super cool! Great shots of the Wharton compound.
Wharton looks great. Never have been there. You have on the road for 6 years. Amazing.
Thank you for the update.