We pulled away from home Wednesday morning for the first leg of our journey north—a roughly seven-hour travel day once we factored in fuel, rest stops, and the obligatory Timber walks.
Getting Jack out of our driveway with Cheeto attached was wonderfully uneventful. Mark has mastered maneuvering all 65 feet of us around the curves and trees lining our driveway and out onto the road.
Still, I was a little sad as we left the farm.
Bailey and Lane have now officially moved off the property and are preparing to build their own home. They are understandably excited, and we are thrilled for them, but I know we will miss so much of the process while we are gone—the foundation being poured, walls going up, and rooms beginning to take shape. We also won’t be there to help them walk through decisions or select finishes and furnishings. If weather and subcontractor schedules cooperate, their new home may be nearly move-in ready by the time we return.
The West Virginia portion of our drive felt bittersweet for another reason. Our route followed many of the same roads we traveled for years on our way to the ski condo. The scenery was familiar and beautiful, but it made me miss having our mountain place—and the easy access it gave us to our friends at the ’Shoe.
After a 20-minute break so Timber could enjoy a good walk and Mark could stretch his legs, followed later by a fuel stop to prepare for the next day’s drive, we arrived at our first overnight destination.
An Overnight Stay on the Farm
When traveling to a primary destination, Mark and I frequently boondock along the way. For our non-camping friends, boondocking simply means camping without connecting to water, electricity, or sewer.
We use two membership-based apps that connect self-contained RVers with businesses and organizations willing to host them for a one- or two-night stay. Hosts may include farms, ranches, churches, breweries, wineries, cideries, distilleries, museums, and many other interesting places. Our favorite app is RV Overnights. They are still growing and adding new locations all the time. Harvest Hosts is more established and thus has more hosts. We check RV Overnights first and if they do not have a host in the area, we’ll then check Harvest Hosts.
Instead of paying a traditional camping fee, travelers are generally expected to support the host’s business by making a purchase or offering a nominal donation. Your RV must be self-contained, meaning you should have your own bathroom and be able to keep the interior comfortably cool or warm using house batteries, solar power, or a generator. Some hosts offer water or electricity for an additional fee, but those amenities are not guaranteed.
Our first stop was Lyle Family Farms in Chillicothe, Ohio.
The family operates a small farm stand near the entrance to the property. Farther back are two designated RV parking spaces, although there appeared to be room for additional guests. The farm is home to cows and chickens, along with a large gym and batting facility where local baseball and softball teams practice. Judging by the steady stream of cars coming and going, it also appears that local residents use the exercise equipment inside.
We purchased fresh eggs and ground beef from the family and then explored the back of the property, which borders a nature preserve. A path led down to a creek, giving Timber the perfect place for an evening walk.
We also met most of the family. Mom and Dad were busy, but Grandma and the two young children were wonderfully chatty and entertaining.
Then there was Kimber, their very shy Great Pyrenees. Kimber clearly wanted to be near us and followed us around the property, but she remained carefully positioned just beyond arm’s reach. Timber tried his hardest to befriend the gentle giant, but she refused to succumb to his considerable charms.
Another Farm—and an Unexpected Latin Lesson
Day two was a little easier, with approximately five hours of driving before we reached our next overnight stop in Belleville, near the lower edge of Michigan.
Although we were staying at another farm, The Five Solas Farm was quite different from our first stop.
The owners, a couple in their mid-60s, purchased the ten-acre property years ago and created a home and lifestyle they clearly love. The husband primarily manages the chickens, turkeys, guinea fowl, and peacocks. In addition to collecting eggs, they operate a small chicken-processing area and sell meat to local customers, including those who subscribe to the farm’s summertime produce baskets.
The wife was an exceptionally busy bee—no pun intended, although the farm does have beehives.
In addition to ‘building things, such as tables, benches, and structures, she grows and sells herbs, vegetables, medicinal plants—and no, not that particular medicinal plant—along with several varieties of fruit. She also makes soaps, salves, deodorants, candles, oils, dried spices, dried fruit snacks, teas, and freeze-dried foods. Her small shop was packed with an unusual but impressive assortment of homemade products.
She sells freeze-drying equipment and teaches people how to freeze-dry just about anything. We purchased several items, including a package of freeze-dried guacamole that we fully intend to test on some unsuspecting friends.
During our conversation, we learned the meaning behind the farm’s name. Some of you may be far more knowledgeable about theological history than I was, but I initially assumed the name referred to the five members of their family. They had three children, so my logic seemed sound. I also wondered whether Solas might be their last name—or at least some variation of it.
When I finally asked, the owner replied, “Oh no, nothing like that.”
She explained that when she homeschooled her children, they studied Latin extensively for five years, partly to help prepare them for the SAT. She then proceeded to recite the Five Solas in Latin.
For anyone curious about what they mean, read on. If Reformation theology is not on your vacation reading list, feel free to skip ahead.
A Brief Introduction to the Five Solas
The Five Solas are five Latin foundational theological principles associated with the Protestant Reformation. Their underlying concepts developed through decades of preaching, writing, debate, and conflict involving Martin Luther, John Calvin, and other Reformers. Although phrases such as sola scriptura and sola fide were used historically, grouping them together under the title “The Five Solas” became common in the 20th century.
Here is the condensed version:
- Sola Scriptura—Scripture Alone
The Bible is the supreme authority for Christian faith, doctrine, and practice. Church traditions, papal decrees, councils, and religious leaders may offer guidance, but they do not possess authority equal to Scripture. - Sola Fide—Faith Alone
Salvation comes through faith rather than through human works, rituals, penance, or good deeds. - Sola Gratia—Grace Alone
Salvation rests entirely upon God’s grace rather than any inherent human merit or worthiness. God initiates, accomplishes, and sustains salvation. - Solus Christus—Christ Alone
Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between God and humanity. No other human or spiritual intermediary shares Christ’s saving role. - Soli Deo Gloria—Glory to God Alone
Salvation and the Christian life ultimately exist for the glory of God. All praise, honor, and worship are directed back to Him.
This unexpected conversation is one of the reasons I enjoy choosing these individual overnight locations during our travels. We get a glimpse into the way other people live while learning about the small piece of humanity they have cultivated.
Campgrounds offer wonderful opportunities to meet fellow travelers, but most of us are visitors there. At these overnight locations, however, we are staying within the owners’ home environments—the farms, businesses, and properties that shape their daily lives. The experience often leads to a different and more personal level of conversation that what we encounter at campgrounds.
The swing in the middle photo and the table in the last photo were made by the owner, as well as them constructing the pergola
Wine, Cider, Dogs & Newmar Talk
Our final overnight stop before reaching our friends was not nearly as educational as The Five Solas Farm—but it was certainly social.
We stayed at Seasons of the North Winery & Burt Lake Brewery, where we sampled a selection of wines, beers, and ciders. Ultimately, we decided the cider was the most drinkable of their offerings.
We initially sat inside with Timber, but the manager’s small corgi was a little too enthusiastic about nipping at his ankles, so we relocated to the patio.
There, we met three generations of a family who vacation in the area every year. We spent a pleasant evening chatting with them and sharing travel stories. The father and son drag race and tow their racing trailer behind a 37-foot Newmar Country Star, so there was plenty of RV talk to go around.
We told them about Newmar rallies, the overnight-stay programs we use, and the Open Roads diesel fuel savings program. They were particularly excited to learn that they could save money on diesel, so we helped them download and set up the app.
In return, they shared several recommendations for a future visit, including Burt Lake State Park, which they said can easily accommodate big rigs.
Their two larger dogs joined Timber on the patio. Timber desperately wanted everyone to play, but he eventually had to be persuaded to settle down with one of his bison bones while the humans continued talking.
Across the Mighty Mac
The following day, we crossed the Mackinac Bridge—or the “Mighty Mac”—into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
I was a little disappointed that the fog prevented us from fully capturing the bridge’s magic. Truth be told, however, even on the sunniest Michigan day, crossing the Mac doesn’t quite hold a candle to the beautiful turquoise water and ocean breezes surrounding the Seven-Mile Bridge in the Florida Keys.
Perhaps I’m a little biased.
We were the first members of our group to arrive at Country Village RV Park in Ishpeming. The campground entrance is sandwiched between an industrial building and a car wash, so our initial impression was not particularly promising.
Once inside, however, we discovered a quaint, family-friendly campground that was surprisingly full. Our site is large, grassy, and equipped with full hookups. The campground also has a heated pool and permits campfires—a nice bonus when so many places are currently too dry to allow them.
Eventually, five couples will be gathered here. Three own DRV fifth wheels, while two of us are “Newmarians” traveling in Super C motorhomes. The other Super C couple owns a Newmar Supreme Aire, which is a rather nice step up from our Super Star.
It is wonderful to reconnect with our Alaska travel friends, Liz and Mike and Scott and Carolyn. We met Sandra and David at the Kerrville rally last fall, and we are meeting the other Super C couple, Peggy and Mark, for the first time.
The other four couples are staying in this area for the entire month. Mark and I have only nine days before continuing west, so we will have to be selective about what we can squeeze in around work hours and sight-seeing drive distances.
What We Hope to Explore
Two destinations are currently at the top of my list.
The first is Isle Royale National Park, although getting there requires some commitment. The park is several hours away and accessible only by boat or seaplane. Still, I would love to add another stamp to our National Park Passport book.
I also hope to visit Jacob’s Falls on the Keweenaw Peninsula and stop at The Jampot next door. This unique shop is located on the grounds of a Byzantine Catholic monastery. The monks operate a bakery and sell jams, preserves, baked goods, and specialty coffees to help support their religious calling. Waterfalls and baked goods seem like an excellent combination to me.
As a Michigan native, Liz has compiled a much longer list of places for everyone to explore during their 30-day stay. I’m not sure how much Mark and I will manage to fit into our shorter visit, especially while balancing work and travel time.
Whatever we accomplish, we are happy to be settled for a few days and reunited with friends.
I gotta run. I’ve got to make dessert (peach cobbler) to accompany our group dinner this evening. Scott is smoking a turkey that Liz brought from her Mother’s farm, Sandra is making dressing (or stuffing), Liz is making a salad, Peggy and Mark get a pass since they will just be pulling in and setting up.
More from the Upper Peninsula coming soon!
The Route, thus far
Masters of RVing Adventures 
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