Day 22 - Friday Oct 31

Today was a day of rest and relaxation. Stephanie had to work and then had prior evening plans so Swil Kanim and I relaxed at home in the RV. I decided to work on making some cute baby booties only to discover that I left all of my crochet hooks at my daughter Chrisi's house.

I did manage to find a stray hook but it was much smaller than the pattern called for.

I was really in the mood to crochet so I decided I would use the smaller hook and just adjust the size of the pattern. Within 2 hours I finished both booties!! I was quite proud of the finished product and now I am anxious to make another pair in a different color.

Swil Kanim spent most of the day in a blissful state. He is still in disbelief of seeing his daughter. I think he is a little overwhelmed. I am so very happy for him!

Day 23 - Saturday Nov 1

We got some grocery shopping done and then met with Stephanie at the jewelry store she works at. Her Aunt Cassie works there also so Swil Kanim was anxious to re-connect with her also.

We then went to eat at Applebee's and enjoyed another dinner together. It is so wonderful to hear Swil Kanim and Stephanie talk about the things they remember about each other. I have heard the stories from Swil Kanim before but to hear him tell them to Stephanie gave them a whole new meaning and a whole new life.

We later decided to catch a movie and decided on "The Changling" starring Angelina Jolie.

Cassie met up with us a the theater and boy were we in for a shocker with this movie.

It is an outstanding movie but the previews that we had seen about the movie did not prepare us for what the movie was about. I wont give it away, it was a true story and quite disturbing, but I have to say it is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time.

After the movie and much discussion of how incredible the movie was, we all called it a night and Stephanie took us back to the RV. We plan on meeting up with her tomorrow to go see her mom.

It sure is going to be hard to leave on Monday. It just seems like far too short of time.

Day 21 - Thurs Oct 30 -

After getting the laundry done and everything in its place we left around 12:30pm.

We looked up RV parks near and around Richmond/Sandston area and found one in Ashland called Americamps. Swil Kanim sent Stephanie a text letting her know our plans and the timeframe of our arrival. She said she was excited...and nervous! Swil Kanim had trouble sleeping last night just knowing that after 20 years he would be re-connecting with his daughter.

It has been a long time coming and everything has been happening by God's timing.

As we got closer and closer to our destination, the anticipation was getting to Swil Kanim.

Both fear and excitement, I am sure.

After what seemed like the longest drive ever, we finally arrived. Swil Kanim gathered his composer and after many texts and e-mails, he actually CALLED her. They both confirmed their excitement and nervousness about meeting and agreed to meet at a nearby restaurant.

I have to say it was the most beautiful reunion. Swil Kanim feared that upon meeting her that he would just explode into tears and be a mushy wreck. But, it was not like that at all.

It was simply.....beautiful. Stephanie brought along her friend, Mike, and we all had a wonderful dinner.

It was non-stop conversation of laughter and occassional tears. Before we knew it the restaurant was empty and most of the staff were gone. So, we went out to the RV and visited more. Swil Kanim asked if it was alright if he played her a song. And he played the song he wrote for her many years ago and dreamed of one day playing for her in person. The song....."Father, Distant Daughter".

It was the most beautiful thing that I have ever witnessed.

I wont elaborate on the rest as it is their personal time and moment.

I am just thankful for the Blessings that God is placing in our lives.

I am grateful for my husband.

I have never seen him look as handsome as he did tonight. (although he has always been handsome.....there was just a remarkable difference)

What a day of Amazing Grace!

Day 20, Wed. Oct 29th

We got a late start but it was nice to sleep in and not rush. We left the RV park at noon and as we pulled out we saw a family bookstore so we didn't get far! After about 45 minutes of browsing around we finally left the bookstore and as we were leaving the bookstore we saw an RV/Car Wash, so we didn't get far! haha! We made a much needed stop to get the RV washed.

If you are ever in Sevierville Tennesse, I highly recommend this place. They definitely pay attention to detail and the service was outstanding. So, this is my 'shout out' to the folks at DOLPHIN CAR & RV WASH in Sevierville TN on highway 66!!

After FINALLY getting on the road we drove out of Tennessee and made it to Virginia by way of I-81. One good thing on this trip is that the diesel prices keep going down as we head east.

The lowest price we have paid is $2.89/gl. We are thrilled with that!!

We decided to stop early at an RV park to get some laundry done so we pulled into Ft Chiswell RV park in Max Meadow Virginia. We got all settled and plugged in and gathered our laundry and headed to the laundry room only to find out that the laundry room closed at 7pm! What kind of nonsense is that?? So, I will have to get up early and get that done before we head out.

Good news is that I got to check my e-mails and got a wonderful e-mail from some friends that we met at the Navion/View Rally in Oregon this June. A BIG HELLO to Nancy and Steve Simpson from Friday Harbor!! They are a great couple that travel around in their VIEW to some great locations and it is good to get re-connected to them.

We plan on making it to Richmond tomorrow and hopefully stay for a few days. Swil Kanim doesn't have to perform at the Smithsonian until the 6th or possibly earlier but we havent found out. Another note, is that we found out that Swil Kanim's performances at the Smithsonian on the 6th and 7th have sold out!! WOW!! He may be performing on the 3rd and 4th and maybe the 9th but that has not been confirmed yet.

Another beautifully blessed day!!

Day 15 - 16 ; Sat-Sun Oct 25-26
We spent the weekend in Arkadelphia with Wesley and Natasha. It was a good weekend of healing and connecting. Natasha made a wonderful meal - Chicken Squares- which I am anxious to get the recipe from her. It was a wonderful weekend of bonding and re-connecting. Wesley and Natasha are doing great and they have a wonderful apartment. It was so good to see them.

Day 17 - Mon Oct 27
We packed up and went to Wesley's workplace, Dino's Main Street Cafe and we had lunch with Natasha. Wesley was working but sat with us. Swil Kanim gave Wesley a native drum and a handkerchief from the Paddle to Lummi . We reluctanlty said our goodbyes and hit the road around 1:30pm. Our time with Wesley and Natasha was much needed and we are thankful that this trip included this stop. Another Blessing! Oh......and I have to say that Swil Kanim's highlight of this day is stopping at Hooter's he LOVES the Chicken Wings! HAHA
We stayed the night in East Memphis.

Day 19 - Tues Oct 28
Another beautiful day of traveling. The weather on our trip has been amazing. We have been blessed with beautiful weather wherever we go. Today was just a day of driving. We headed east on I-40 and drove thru Nashville. We thought about stopping and hitting an open mic somewhere in Nashville but decided to keep going. We wound up at an RV park in Sevierville, TN called Ripplin Waters Campground. We arrived around 7:30pm which made me happy. I dont like pulling into an RV camp late late at night.
We had dinner in the RV and I was able to catch up on the e-mails and just relax.
We plan on making it to Richmond VA tomorrow. It will probably be late when we arrive.

Day 11, Oct 21 - I dropped off Swil Kanim for his 8:30 flight heading to Walla Walla WA. After I dropped him off I was able to do some grocery shopping and then headed back to the SonEdna Estate. I got there about 11am and pulled in just as Myrna was finishing rowing out on her pond. We shared a great vitamin smoothie and watched a little TV before she had to get some work done. Around 6pm we headed to Charleston which is only 2 miles from her house. We were attending a benefit for C.A.R.E. (Charleston Arts and Revitalization Effort). The event was held outdoors at a historical home in Charleston. Many people attended and it was a lot of fun and they had some great food which was featured in the cookbook that they were selling.
Benjamen, Myrna's administrative assistant took me into the historical home where the owners gave us all a wonderful tour of the home. My favorite part was the screened in porch with a wonderful porch swing that Myrna and I got attached to. It was a wonderful evening with a great southern flare!

Day 12, Oct 22 - I spent the morning straightening the RV and then taking a walk around the estate with Bailey. Benjamen took me to lunch in Charleston at a great little gift/sandwich shop called The China Cabinet. I had a great chicken salad sandwich with, of course, sweet tea to drink. I had a nice chat with Benjamen and got to know a little of his story. We talked about the great food that was served the night before and then he purchased the C.A.R.E cookbook for me. It is filled with wonderful recipes from the community of Charleston.
Myrna came home about 7 and asked me to have dinner with her in the house. We had some wonderful chicken and okra and watched MRS DOUBTFIRE. We had a great time and great laughs and then called it a night. What a great day!

Day 13, Oct 23 - It rained all day!! Kind of a bummer, I was hoping to take another walk around the estate since it would be my last day there. Benjamen took me to lunch at a place with nothing but southern cooking. I can't remember the name right now, but I had another great meal. I just love southern food! After lunch I went with Benjamen to the office which is also a guest house on the estate. Its a beautifully decorated little 2 bedroom cottage with a great office area for Benjamen and one other assistant. Myrna showed up a little later and was on her way to an event but her car got stuck in the mud. It was still raining which added to the trouble. After some help from the grounds keepers she was ready to go. We said our goodbyes and I thanked her for her extreme hospitality. I enjoyed getting to know her and spending time with her. She told me she wanted to hear more about our journey and to keep in touch. I feel so blessed to have met her. She is a very beautiful lady both inside and out and a very talented costume designer. After saying goodbye to her, I hung out with Benjamen for a while and around 4:30pm I said my goodbye's to him and thanked him for ALL he did and then I headed off to Memphis to pick up Swil Kanim. His plane arrived around 7pm and it was a little difficult picking him up especially when I had no phone to let him know where I was or vice versa, but we eventually found each other.
It was good to see him and we went to a Waffle House to have dinner and tell each other about the events of the past 2 days. Swil Kanim had a great time and a great performance at the Walla Walla event. It was a conference for Student Financial Aid Advisors. He made a lot of connections and the potential for other events stemming from this one is good.
We found an RV park and settled in for the night.

Day 14 Oct 24 - We headed to Arkansas for a town called Arkadelphia where we met up with Swil Kanim's son Wesley and his wife Natasha. Wesley gave us a tour of the Oachita Babtist University and then we had a great dinner at the Burger Barn. The cafe that Wesley works at was holding an open mic at 7pm so Swil Kanim and Wesley performed there. It was a great night. There were no customers and no other performers so it was just a fun night of jammin for the both of them.
At the RV park we rented a RV spot and also a cabin for Wesley and Natasha to stay in for the weekend. We thought it would be great for them to stay at the park with us. We played a great game of Cranium and it was good to reconnect with the both of them.
Another great day!