Melanie’s Decade Trip finale: Versailles State Park and homeward bound.
Our RV adventure through Indiana state parks is wrapping up. We’ve had a great time in Brown County,http://seamslikeastory.com/the-rv-adventure-begins/ , Spring Mill http://seamslikeastory.com/more-rv-adventures/ ,and McCormick’s Creek State Parks. http://seamslikeastory.com/the-rv-adventure-continues/ We spend our last night at Versailles State Park before heading home.
Good Morning World!
RV trip day 4: I wake up to the sound of Melanie’s chatter coming from the sleeping loft. For once, I don’t hear rain. It seems dark out, but I discover it’s just the canopy of the forest at McCormick’s Creek. I check the time on my phone…8:30. We slept in this morning. Peeking out from the pop-out sleeping section, I see Melanie coming down the ladder. She’s an old pro at that now. “Good morning! Are you ready for another RV day?”
“Yes!” she says as she helps herself to a bowl of Frosted Flakes and some yogurt.
After breakfast, I help Melanie wash up and put on clean clothes. We’re still not sure how much water is in the tank, so we’re not using the tiny RV shower. So far we’ve been getting by with using the community showers (some are better than others) or just washing up in the sink. We plan to stop by Ed’s mom’s house in Ellettsville for lunch on the way to Versailles. I’ll shower there. I put on yesterday’s clothes (or did I sleep in them?…at this point I’m not sure… after three days in the wild, I fear I’m returning to my natural state.)
On the road again…
The drive from McCormicks Creek to Versailles is our longest drive yet, just shy of 100 miles. After a quick stop at Ed’s mom’s for lunch (and a shower) it takes us about two-and-a-half hours on the road. Riding in the RV is a major part of the fun for Melanie; that’s why we planned to be in a different park each night. She loves to view the world go by from the familiar surrounding in the RV. Sometimes she naps or plays on her iPad, but often she simply enjoys the ride.
It’s not raining when we pull into our campsite at Versailles, but it’s hot and humid, and the mosquitos are out. We pull together leftovers for dinner and eat in the RV. The playground isn’t close to our campsite. Instead, we take a walk around the campgrounds after dinner, then Melanie helps me make s’mores (in the microwave this time)
After observing Ed’s solitaire game, she makes herself comfortable in the loft.
At 11:00 we get ready for bed, lights out. All is well… but then, it’s not.
Restless night
Melanie is wound up. From the curtained loft we hear giggling, random noises, and word-for-word reenactments of favorite Disney movie scenes. She’s moving around so much the RV is rocking. Is she tired? Too much sugar from the late-night s’mores? Overstimulated from 4 days on the road? Probably all the above.
We let it go, hoping she’ll calm herself. By 11:30 Poppy’s had enough. “Melanie, be quiet. Go to sleep,” he says in his science teacher voice. For the next half hour we both gave several more “reminders.” Nothing works.
My Sunshine
Out of desperation, I try a different tactic. I find a book in her backpack, climb the ladder and lie down beside her. “Let’s read ‘Rainbow Fish’,” I say. She doesn’t look at me or respond, but scoots over to make room. She pulls her blanket under her chin and I tuck it in around her. Melanie steals glances at the pictures in the book as I read softly and slowly. She settles down.
After the story ends, I ask if she wants me to sing “You Are My Sunshine,” a song her Daddy sings to her. “Sunshine!” she says, and I begin to sing. My voice quavers a little as I choke back tears. Melanie often lives in her own little world. It’s not often that we get to cross over into it. I know this is a rare moment of connection I will always treasure. I kiss her forehead, whisper goodnight, and tiptoe down the ladder, facing out, Melanie style.
Home Day
The next morning, we have breakfast, then Melanie and I go over the chart we have been keeping since our first morning. She repeats after me: Monday, RV-done, Tuesday, RV-done, Wednesday, RV-done, Thursday, RV-done. Friday…what’s happening today?
HOME! she says
The playground isn’t as far as I thought, so we walk up for one last romp, then go back to pack up the RV.
RV Guy
On the way out, we stop by the “dumping” station. This is something we weren’t looking forward to, but it’s necessary to clean out the tank before we return the RV to its owner.
It wasn’t that bad. (Says the lady who doesn’t have to put on rubber gloves and handle the hose that expels the toxic waste.)
As we drive along, I look over at Ed as he makes a subtle nod and wave to a passing RV.
“Hey! Did you just salute that RV driver?” I say.
“Yep. That’s what us RV Guys do.”
“So can we get one?”
“Nope.”
Oh well…
Final Musings
I look back at Melanie buckled in the passenger seat. She’s cocooned herself with her pillow, blanket, and Disney princess dolls and is fast asleep .It’s been an amazing adventure for us all. One that was a decade (plus one) in the making. I plan to make a Shutterfly photo book for her with simple text so she can read it and remember the fun we had. Yet, I wonder what Melanie thinks about her trip? What will she remember? Did we make a connection into her world?
A few days after the RV trip, the family gathered for a Father’s Day lunch. As she was leaving to go home, Melanie came back, reached for Ed’s hand and gave it a squeeze.
Threads of Thought
Thanks to all who have followed us on this Decade trip. My heart has been warmed by your compassion and comments, especially from those who have children or grandchildren with special needs. In writing this 4 part series, I hope I have given some insights into the joys and challenges facing autistic children, their parents, and grandparents.
Many believe it’s time to shift the conversation from Awareness to Acceptance so those with autism can find fulfillment in all areas of their lives. A simple change in our vocabulary can lead us further towards accepting autistic individuals ,and others with special needs, for the unique gifts, perspectives, and personalities they bring to our world.
And if I change Ed’s mind about buying an RV, you may see us at your next camp outing !
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Besides being Melanie’s grandmother, I’m a retired teacher, traveler, blogger, and author. Read about my transition from teaching in Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and Life http://amazon.com/author/debravandeventer
I am a teacher who gets the joy of working with students who have special needs! I loved reading of the adventures and it so special when these children allows us small glimpses into their world!
Thanks for following along on our camping trip and for the work you do as an educator!
What a delightful journal/journey!
Thanks for following along Chris!
Oh my goodness this was a wonderful read! RVs are such a great way to collect experiences which is our motto for living.
I am so glad to hear about your adventures and you singing to Melanie choked me all up and brought tears to my eyes <3
Thank you for sharing such a great experience 🙂 Who knows maybe Ed the RV guy will change his mind 🙂
Sandra, thanks so much! It was a monumental experience. Best of luck with your travels. Who knows? Maybe we’ll meet up someday!