The Great New England Road Trip: Days 1-3, The Journey Begins
Day 1: Every Adventure Needs a Chaotic Beginning
Every good adventure has a beginning, and ours started with a little bit of everything.
Somehow, despite trying to be more prepared than ever this year, it took us even longer to get out the door. The camper was packed (mostly), the van was loaded (we thought), and our incredible neighbors came over to wish us well before we left. They patiently stood by as we made what felt like an endless parade back into the house. For at least thirty minutes, we kept remembering "just one more thing." But their patience gave the kids plenty of time to wave, yell, and scream goodbye as we finally pulled away from home and were officially headed north toward Ohio.
Our chaotic morning wasted no time turning into a chaotic afternoon. Outside of Nashville, traffic came to a complete standstill thanks to a wreck on the interstate. The detour rewarded us with the breathtaking scenic overlook of... the In-N-Out Burger parking lot. Totally unplanned, of course. 👀
As if sitting in traffic wasn't exciting enough, relatives driving behind us started texting pictures of our camper with what looked like a possible axle issue. Once we got moving again, the bikes decided they'd rather not stay attached, coming loose not once, but twice, nearly making a dramatic exit from the back of the camper. Then came a stretch of road that felt less like a highway and more like a roller coaster.
By dinner time, we found ourselves in a Chipotle parking lot, not because we were craving burritos, but because we were fixing a flat tire. Unfortunately, Chipotle had already closed, so dinner became the classic emergency travel meal of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
Somewhere in the middle of all of this, we made the obligatory Buc-ee's stop. We almost bought half the merchandise displayed in the entrance before coming to our senses, turning right back around, and escaping before we could see the rest of the store.
Looking back, it wasn't exactly the smooth start we imagined, but somewhere between the traffic jams, mechanical surprises, PB&Js, and endless side quests, our kids kept saying, "This is the funnest trip ever."
We watched a beautiful sunset paint the sky that evening, and it reminded us that sometimes the best stories aren't the ones that go according to plan, they're the ones that don't, and we will remember this day forever!
Day 2: Reunion Day
Some traditions never get old. For our family, this gathering has been happening for as long as we can remember. Years ago, it was simply known as Bobo's Birthday Party, celebrating our grandmother, a truly remarkable woman whose love continues to bring our family together even years after her passing. Though Bobo is no longer with us, the tradition lives on. Every summer, family from all over come together to laugh, eat far too much food, and enjoy simply being together.
Of course, another Dayton tradition had to happen before the reunion officially began - Yard sales. The girls piled into the car with Grand Jan and Papa for a morning of treasure hunting through neighborhoods and thrift stores, while the boys stayed behind with Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Mindy. They spent the morning enjoying something we don't get much of back home - cool Ohio weather and thick, lush green grass.
Meanwhile, Lee's brother wandered over to admire the camper and chat with Caleb. He's an incredible inventor, currently transforming a van just like ours into a gorgeous Quigley 4x4 camper. It was fun imagining what our old van might become in another life. Before long, he'd generously donated several parts, and Caleb happily disappeared into an afternoon of tinkering and upgrades.
When the girls returned from their shopping adventures, they came bearing the greatest surprise of all: Marion's Pizza. We've been eating Marion's for as long as we can remember. It's a Dayton institution that's been serving pizza since 1965, and somehow no one has ever figured out how to make pizza quite like they do. Famous actors, athletes, and musicians have all enjoyed it, but to us, it tastes like home.
As evening arrived, the reunion was everything we'd hoped it would be. The patio filled with conversations that picked up exactly where they left off last year. Kids ran through the yard playing games while cousins, second cousins, aunts, uncles, and just about every branch of the family tree gathered together again. Tables overflowed with more dishes than anyone could possibly sample in one afternoon - which, honestly, is exactly how a family reunion should be.
The kids survived almost entirely on watermelon, popsicles, ice cream bars, chips, and anything that definitely wasn't considered dinner. By the end of the night, everyone was exhausted, happy, and just a little bit sticky.
Day 3: A Walk Through Dayton's History
The morning was wonderfully slow. We lingered outside with family, soaking up the cool Ohio air before heading out after lunch to one of Dayton's greatest treasures: Carillon Historical Park.
Calling it a museum hardly does it justice. It's an entire village where Dayton's history comes alive. Historic buildings, remarkable inventions, and beautifully preserved artifacts are scattered throughout the property, telling the story of a city that helped shape America. The kids loved riding both the full-sized train that circles the park and the tiny model train built just for little passengers. But perhaps the most unforgettable attraction was the carousel.
We've truly never seen anything like it. Instead of ordinary carousel animals, every single seat celebrates a piece of Dayton history. One moment you're riding a Wright Flyer, the next you're sitting on a box of Esther Price chocolates, a National Cash Register, or even the Wright brothers' beloved dog. Everywhere you looked was another reminder of Dayton's incredible spirit of innovation. Growing up, our mom always told us that Dayton was one of America's hidden treasures - a place where inventors, engineers, and dreamers changed history. Walking through Carillon Park, it was easy to see exactly what she meant.
Later that afternoon, many of our Alabama family members began making their way back home to care for dogs, twins, and the newest Piper & Leaf creations. The rest of us had one important mission before leaving Dayton. One more trip to Marion's Pizza. Some traditions really deserve an encore. The kids had fun pointing out the famous faces lining the restaurant walls. Where else do children get excited about recognizing Shirley Jones, Dean Martin, John Davidson, and Gene Kelly? We suppose that says a lot about the movies we watch around our house. 😆
Naturally, we couldn't leave Dayton without one final stop at Graeter's Ice Cream for chocolate soda.
Originally, we planned to hit the road that evening and make our way toward the next destination. But after a little hiccup with our Harvest Hosts reservation, we decided not to force it. Instead, we stayed one more night, enjoyed a little extra time with family, and prepared to hit the road bright and early the next morning, ready for whatever adventure waited around the bend.
