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Trip to Nashville

Photo by: Tim Bindner

Marcie and I took a trip yesterday to Nashville, Indiana. It felt strange to not have any pressure to be home.

We grabbed our water bottles, snacks, my camera bag, and headed out around 8:30am. Our plan was to drive 98 miles to Nashville. The weather was already in the upper 60s so the sunroof was open and windows were cracked. We headed up interstate 65 passing by small towns and eventually along the John Mellencamp Way past his home town and current residence of Seymore, Indiana.

Traveling this route, we passed by large farms and huge open fields as the sunlight filled our vehicle. The open flat fields of Indiana provide such beautiful views. I had no pressure to get there at a certain time, so I set the cruise control at 74mph. It was obviously slower than the many cars than zipped by us along the route. Marcie and I talked, listened to music, but mostly sat in silence, looking out and enjoying the beauty of Indiana. Ironically passing by Seymore, a John Mellencamp song came on the radio. Marcie recognized it and mentioned it to me. I, of course, already had made the connection, but was glad she picked up on it.

We eventually reached exit 68 and turned left on State road 46 towards Nashville. From there we followed a 2 lane road for 16 miles through hills past schools, parks, old houses and new, and even camper lots. Many signs told us this is a popular tourist destination, and Marcie reminded me we came here a month before Gavin was born with my sister, her husband, and my parents. I do not remember that trip at all.

I turned right onto South Van Buren Street and immediately saw all the little shops we planned to visit. We found a $5 parking lot and started walking. The sun warmed our skin as we began walking into and out of each little shop. This is not my idea thing to do, but I knew Marcie enjoyed it, and I could watch people. This I enjoyed. Jewelry shops, antique shops, candy shops, candle shops, wood carving shops, galleries and photography shops, and heck, even a model train shop were visited by us.

The area was dotted with restaurants, leather shops, and practically anything you wanted to spend money on. We snaked up and down the roads and alleyways, visiting almost every place. Some surprised us, like the leather shop that sold mostly biker clothing. When ask if we “rode”, my response was “nope, just looking”. We had a 30 second visit to an herbal store. We walked in, both were overwhelmed with the aroma, did a quick U-turn, and headed back out.

Our spoils left us with one long sleeve t-shirt (Marcie’s), a buckeye, two caramels and some popcorn (all Marcie’s). I left with a few pictures and the pleasure out with my wife for a few hours. This 8 block square area had so many places to visit, and things to see. For her it was being with me but also looking at the shops. For me, it was being with Marcie and people watching.

As mentioned, we had no pressure to be home. The only two things positive about losing Kota was he was no longer in pain, and we do not have to be home at any certain time. Days like this help me mentally, but I still think about him and miss him every day. I hope I will again see him someday.

It was a good day.

Until next time,

Tim (Kilmer)

P.S. That is Marcie walking away in the picture above.

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