Day 50 & 51 - I think we're crazy

Last night in the Frontier - and last night signing
postcards at that dinette table

Daddy & Annalise rolling up the broken awning for the last time

So we got up this morning not really knowing what was going to unfold.  This was our day to make our final push for home – next stop, Danville, IL followed by western PA.  But first we had to meet with Mark, the salesman from Pettibone RV.  We met at 8:00 with 2 goals – double check the storage issues in the kids “new bunk room” and in the kitchen.  

If we were going to trade in our beloved Frontier, it had to be the right move and the upgrades would need to be significant enough.  We actually had a third goal, which was to get a firm trade in value.  All 3 goals were met beyond what we could have hoped for and I don’t think I’ll forget how Lisa tapped me on the shoulder in the entrance way to the master bed room and said quietly, “OK”.  17 hours before, we were contentedly camped in site #302 at Pettibone RV Resort.  Now we were making plans to arrive first thing Monday morning to transfer all of our stuff from the Frontier to a 2013 Kodiak Express. 

Everyone pushes in the rear slide - one last time

I’m still a little in shock over the whole affair, but when you’re in the Heartland where just about every camper is built, prices change drastically compared to anywhere on the East Coast.  Mark told us that he had just sold a camper to someone from Schenectady, NY – it was cheaper for them to buy from here and have it shipped back to NY, than to buy anywhere near home.

So we signed all of the necessary paperwork and made plans to finish the deal and transfer everything over to the new camper on Monday, August 19.  As most of you know, it just happened to also be our 18th Wedding Anniversary - a point that Laryssa made the night before and was positive that it was a sign that a new camper was definitely in our future.

Getting ready for the transfer of our "stuff"

Transfer complete!  Ready to roll!

We were all pretty sad to look back in the parking lot and see our Frontier so alone.  He gave us so many memories.

"Bjorn's" first gas station.  We decided to name him Bjorn since it is Norwegian for bear.

Bjorn will give us a lot more room and some great new features to make our next adventure even better!

Camped in Zanesville, OH under a full moon - pretty fitting for a bear!

So we push home tomorrow.  We can't wait to see you all again!  It's been a summer we will never forget - can't wait to share so much more with you all when we see you.  While this blog has shared our travels, there's so many small details that just couldn't be included.  Hope you enjoyed the journey!

Love,

The Olsens (and Maribeth, of course!)