Home again

After 10,000 miles on the road, we arrived back home, safe and sound. (Well, maybe we're sound, that might be debatable!)

After Thanksgiving, we flew from Michigan back to where we had left our car in Atlanta, then began the trip home via the southern route.  We thought we would avoid winter weather/hazardous road conditions, but we were wrong!  We had to stop mid-day just west of Dallas because of sleet coming down so hard we couldn't see out of our windshield.  Saw a couple bad accidents, and heard there were 13 more ahead of us.  Luckily there was a very comfortable Holiday Inn Express we could "camp out" in, but we were afraid we'd be staying there for several days because of other severe weather on the way.  But luckily after 24 hours, we felt it was safe enough to travel to get out of the worst part, so we "escaped."

 It was relatively easy driving the rest of the way until Southern California, then we couldn't get over the Grapevine because of hazardous conditions, so "had" to stop in Ventura and stay at a beach house owned by Linda's family right on the Pacific Ocean. We delayed coming home by a couple days just to enjoy one of our favorite places.   It was a lovely way to end our trip.

By the time we got home, our car looked like it had been through snow and ice, but our home looked well cared for by the young AmeriCorps volunteer who stayed in our house while we were gone.  It has been cold in this part of the country, too, with very frosty mornings, but nothing like other parts of the country.  So we have been busy moving back in, getting caught up on mail and bills, and storing our good memories from the trip into our memory bank.

The fun part is that we're also getting ready for Christmas and the arrival of Kristen, Chris and Abigail from Japan, and Chris' daughters, Jasmine and Alexandria, from Tacoma, and Jason and girlfriend Kaitland from Santa Barbara.  We left the "family" we became part of in New Windsor, Maryland, and the Davenport family we shared Thanksgiving with in Michigan, to now be surrounded by my family in our own home.

We feel blessed to have good health, enough wealth, and safe travel -- thanks be to God!



Thank you for following us on another terrific trip.  Until next time….  Happy Holidays.

Michigan Thanksgiving

We couldn't believe the temperatures as we drove further south.  It was freezing cold the morning we left Atlanta to fly to Michigan.  We're so glad we made that decision -- to drive the Prius south to get out of potential snow, and then fly to Michigan.  Had we tried to fly out of Dulles the day before Thanksgiving, we probably would have had problems because they were canceling flights like crazy because of the freezing temperatures.  As it was we got to experience a "first" -- de-icing of a plane.  Had to wait in line for an hour and a half for de-icing before we could take off.  Probably doesn't happen that often in Atlanta, but this is all new to us, so who knows?

We rented a car in Traverse City -- luckily a bigger car than normal because of all the snow.  Picked up Lauren on the way, and drove carefully through the snow to Petoskey.  The sisters, Lauren and Natalie, enjoyed being together, and then Lauren's boyfriend Rob joined us, as well as Devin (grandson) and his girlfriend.  Ann and Mike fixed a super Thanksgiving dinner.  All of us were appropriately stuffed!

We thought Atlanta was cold!  But Thanksgiving Day and the day after in Petoskey, Michigan were unbelievable.   It was 6 degrees (!) where we were but it said 9 degrees on our web link.  Brrrrr!  

When we packed for our trip way back in September, it was in the 80s.  It was hard to think about clothes for the snow, so I came a bit unprepared.  We went to a half-off sale at a thrift shop and I got Sorrel snow boots -- for $3.  Borrowed some mittens.  So off we went to the Petoskey Christmas Parade on Saturday.  Who goes to a parade when it's 30 degrees?  Apparently lots of Michiganers!   

Luckily Ann (John's daughter) has a good heater in her new-old house.  The house was built 100 years ago by the grandfather of the 70+ year old owner, and has been in the family ever since.  She was really happy that Ann got the house, and left some of her antiques and appliances.  It really does have lots of charm.  With a few extra bucks (interpret that $1000s), it would have lots more charm.   In the meantime, Ann and boyfriend Mike have really done a great job with it.

Jim (John's son) and family were down state with their children -- Erik, who plays basketball for his college, and Sarah, who lives/works in Grand Rapids.  We'll see them on Sunday.

The downside to this whole trip has been my sbcglobal.net e-mail account.  Can't get into it.  I may be able to solve the problem when we get home, but most likely not.  So I've set up another temporary e-mail (may soon become permanent) at:
                  gaylepickrell@gmail.com

Methodism in Maryland; Pickrell roots in Virginia; Historic sites in Atlanta

We left New Windsor on a Sunday, and went to church at the Lovely Lane United Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, which is where the official Methodist denomination was formed in 1784.  The original meeting house is long gone, but the beautiful "Mother Church" was built in the 1800s, and has been kept up with lots and lots of donations over the years.  The first minister was Francis Asbury, and his name plus all the preachers since then are written in the stained glass windows, or more recently on a separate panel.  There was also a museum there with original documents.


Had the best pizza ever at a terrific pizza joint in Baltimaore recommended on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives by our Santa Rosa Food Network celebrity, Guy Fieri.  Then the drive south.


The next day we stopped in Galax, Virginia where the first Pickrell to come to this country purchased land through the Virginia Commonwealth land grant in 1793.  Took some pictures of the creek and some woods that may have been on his property, but didn't have enough time to do much research.

Also stopped at a beautiful guest ranch, The Farm, owned by a friend of my cousin--perfect for your next Virginia family gathering!

We drove in a hard rain to get into Atlanta by early afternoon.  Went to the Carter Center/Museum, and then to the Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Site.  It was an interesting back-to-back combo -- both museums with rich history of men who deeply influenced human and civil rights.

Replica of the Oval Office during Carter's presidency

Eternal flame and burial spot of MLK and Coretta Scott King

Leaving New Windsor

We are now packed up and ready to leave New Windsor, Maryland.  We'll begin our drive to Atlanta on Sunday, take a flight from there to Michigan on Wednesday to spend Thanksgiving with Davenports, fly back to Atlanta, and then begin the journey home via the southern route.

We were given a "going away" party by the staff and volunteers here on Friday.  Didn't feel like we deserved all the gifts and fancy desserts -- hadn't been here long enough -- but we did appreciate their love and kind words.

We are sorry, in a way, to be leaving.  It was a bit overwhelming at first, but then it slowed down and we got into a rhythm that was mostly very workable.  It really has felt like home.  We've enjoyed being around a diverse group of people-- volunteers, staff and guests.  We've been impressed with the very committed volunteers who are here -- young adults and retirees.  They are part of the reason this place can keep on serving.

Gail and Tom --full time Brethren volunteers who work more than full time!

Turner, a Brethren Service Volunteer leaving soon to volunteer in Japan, working in kitchen until then

Charlotte (kitchen staff) fixing the "broken" cake for a banquet

A farewell party for a maintenance staff person

Janet, head cook, and pastor of two churches

With Cori Hahn, administrator of the Hospitality Center, who has been wonderful to work with.


We've had many wonderful side trips on our days off, we've seen gorgeous Fall colors, visited friends and family, and enjoyed the landscape of the area -- all part of our goal in being here.

We've worked, yes.  But we've also had time to read, play games, do jig saw puzzles, and enjoy eating meals in the dining hall almost every day.  (The meals have been hearty -- we've never eaten so much so often.  I'm hoping the scales here are broken!)

We've also appreciated being part of a larger ministry -- a Brethren Service Center that carries out ministry around the world through the International Medical Association, the Brethren Volunteer Service, their Disaster Ministry and Children's Disaster Ministry, the On Earth Peace movement, SERRV.  All good.

When we first arrived, it was quite warm -- in the 80's.  But now there have been several days when the weather peaked at 37-39 degrees.   Brrrr!  When we arrived, the trees were green, then began to change color, then displayed their gorgeous golds and oranges, and now the leaves have mostly fallen and the trees look pretty barren.  Must be time to go.

And so we bid farewell, leaving with good memories from this part of our life journey.  Thank you, Brethren Service Center for allowing us to share ministry with you.