August 22
We are almost home now! We spent last night at the military campground in Dover (where all went well this time, thankfully), and we should be in Hartford by this evening. I'd be lying if I said that it doesn't feel strange going back to a house. And not just for me, I'm sure! We've all come a long way, I think (literally and figuratively), since we began this trip.
Gimli, for one, is no longer quite so scared of bugs as he was at the beginning, and he's done so many things and learned so much that he couldn't have in the city! He hasn't even touched his iPad in a week – and I believe him when he says he wishes the trip could be longer. Of course, I am sure the swimmer's ear, the discovery that blackberry bushes have thorns, and the face of failure will not be so fondly remembered.
Fíli and Kíli haven't changed much, though they are somewhat more mature, I think, and more responsible than when we picked them up. Or maybe they were always that responsible, and I just didn't see it until now. At any rate, Kíli at least showed his artistic side with the stylized Howard (just the name, not the duck!) he painted on the front of the trailer; and Fíli says that he will wear his hand-scar proudly (once the stitches are removed).
Frodo has grown a little taller, but he is still his usual bold and fearless self. He's got a bit of a tan now, though, and a lot of little insect bites to remember the trip by. Already, he is asking when we can go back out again. I hated to tell him that it will be a while before we can go to the beach, but I am sure that we can find some place near home that he can practice his new swimming skills.
Thorin is still Thorin; he's still the love of my life, still my grumpy-yet-loving husband. I have even learned some things about him that I didn't know before – like the fact that he didn't learn to swim until he fell out of a boat when he was thirteen (which was why he was so keen on teaching Frodo how to swim early), and that he is allergic to poison ivy (which we saw while we were on the trip, but thankfully did not come into contact with).
As for me, I am not nearly as much a white-knuckle rider as I was at the start. I didn't even worry too badly going over the Bridge-Tunnel this time! Well, except when I pointed out another rainbow to the boys while we were halfway across, and Thorin started steering towards it for a second! Also, I don't believe I am so neat as I once was. I do still like things to be tidy, but I no longer cringe at the thought of a few dishes in the sink, or stains on the couch, or Play-Doh between my toes (well, maybe I cringe a little about that last one, especially since we now have a dog) – but I can't figure out whether that means that I have matured or reverted back to reckless youth.
What I have figured out, though, is that going camping (even in a trailer) is a bit like like parenthood – in that it consists of hours of boredom and frustration, punctuated by occasional moments of sheer terror. And, also, I've found that diaper wipes are one of the most important things you can take on a long trip with kids.
In any case, instead of running through New York to drop off Gimli, we called Gloin and arranged for him to come and pick him up at our place; and Fíli and Kíli will likewise be staying with us until their mother can come and get them in a few days. Then our little adventure will officially be at its end.
One chapter left, folks!