Returning to Grand Rapids, Michigan - working remotely and looking for a home

As we move ever closer to a permanent home in Michigan, we also move our concept of home as well: it's now "returning" as opposed to "visiting" or "going to" Michigan. As we contemplate our trip back to Providence to tidy things up one last time, those ideas will become even more fixed for  both of us.

We waited until the Memorial Day Weekend was over before packing the car and "returning" to Michigan. I officially started work as a part time employee the end of May so I also spent the better part of our final days preparing for working from the road. Meanwhile, Susie continued to pack our stuff up:

We left Providence Wednesday afternoon and spent a leisurely three hours or so driving up into the Catskills in search of respite at the Archer home in Prattsville. We passed through a rather serious thunderstorm around Albany but by the time we pulled into the Archers we were rain free. Gloria had prepared an incredible meal which was patiently waiting for us: a wonderful salad of greens balanced by a scrumptious slow-cooked pot roast with carrots and potatoes. My God how that woman can cook!

We spent a wonderful evening of warm conversation and good food before hitting the sheets. It was so dark and quiet in those mountains. . .

the Archer home in Prattsville

From the Archer home we meandered our way up New York state roads to Oneonta where we picked up I-88 to Binghamton. From there we navigated our way to I-86 and found ourselves virtually alone on the highway for mile after mile. Not a car passed us nor did we see or pass a car. It was strangely pleasant -- the landscape reminded us of Vermont -- gorgeous in other words.

Along the way we stopped at a rest area that must rank as one of the attractions along the Southern Tier Expressway: the Allegany river rest area. The architecture and interior decor was straight out of someone's dream of what a rest area would be like if Indians (i.e., native Americans) designed them. Incredibly beautiful and very touching. If you find yourself driving this way go see this.

Allegany River rest area along I-86

Once we hit Erie, Pennsylvania, located unsurprisingly along the eastern shore of Lake Erie, we picked up I-90 and turned south to Ohio, one of the more misunderstood states. Just before reaching Cleveland we stopped for the night at a Red Roof Inn in Willoughby.

After checking in we drove to nearby Mentor-on-the-Lake to see what it held in dining possibilities (none) and settled for an unremarkable meal at a Friday's near our motel.  Still, the lake looked impressive:

Mentor-on-the-Lake (Lake Erie that is)

TGI Friday's for dinner 

With an early start the next morning we were in Grand Rapids before noon.

The next phase of our lives - the search for a new home - began in earnest with an occasional aside to see an old friend or two and some family. Fraught with frustration and uncertainty, we were constantly reminded at how really difficult it is to find a place to call "home." But find it we shall.

Tomorrow we leave for Providence, although it's quite possible that we might see a home early in the morning before we depart: that's how crazy we have become. But this place has real potential.

Anyway, we will spend the night in Batavia, New York (nope, not sure why), arriving in Providence early afternoon the following day.

Stay tuned for what happens next!