I hear faint whispering around me, “oh that poor woman” and I wonder what happened to that poor woman? Drifting in and out of consciousness now I vaguely remember…

Three weeks to the day, a sabbatical, “Sharon finding Sharon,” something in the distance only slightly illuminated is suddenly burning brightly. Incredibly, after journaling for more than 50 years, I finally have so much clarity and this story begs to be told.

Fifteen minutes into the ‘high speed’ ferry ride, there is a loud metal on metal grinding sound and the ferry slows. Random droplets have morphed into a full-on misty rain, and I look for those life jackets hiding under seats I vaguely heard mentioned when I sat down.

Suddenly, Sami spies a woman sweeping sand from her porch on Pennacook Ave. Sixty pounds of pure muscle yanks me forward, all the ‘balls’ in my act wobbling perilously.

Craig spies a yard sale and pulls off to the side of the road. I spot a wood and canvas something or other and pick it up. A man hidden from clear view with a sunhat and a cigar shouts out, “It’s all free.”

The night air wakes me just past midnight. I’m sleeping sound in the Winnie with Sami curled up in the corner nestled against my leg.

Jackson Brown’s “Stay, just a little bit longer…if you take a little time and you leave it all behind” echoes in my heart as I pull away from the Porchvue Winery..

Built in 1887, this historic farm turned Winery.

After 2 years of Covid…a robust economy is chugging back.

I drift back…..to the last real camping trip I took with Dad…

Winnie’s first stop - Coloma, MI

It all begins with an idea.

The Smoky Mountains loom ahead.