Our next stop brought us to Oshkosh, Wisconsin — a city whose name, we discovered with some amusement, is indeed one word rather than two. Jack and Robert had worked side by side for many years, while Laurel and I had spent those same years crafting, raising children, and navigating the beautiful rhythms of life together. We lovingly referred to ourselves as ‘road widows,’ given how frequently our husbands had traveled for their careers. Reuniting with these dear friends felt like slipping into a familiar and cherished place.

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We settled in for a few days to reconnect and to take in a bit of what this charming city has to offer. Our first outing brought us to the largest farmers market I have ever had the pleasure of attending, held in the very heart of downtown Oshkosh. As fortune would have it, a Jazz Festival was unfolding on that very same day — what a delightful and unexpected gift. We were treated to a captivating performance by Jack and Laurie’s son, Mike, and two of his extraordinarily talented colleagues. We could have lingered there the entire afternoon; these young men are genuinely gifted musicians, and the music carried beautifully through the open air.

Laurie’s warm hospitality and beautifully prepared meals made every moment of our stay feel like a true gift. Her craft studio alone was enough to inspire a return visit. 🍂

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Laurie showered us with warm hospitality and wonderfully prepared meals throughout our stay. She and I spent a leisurely afternoon together in her beautifully appointed basement craft studio — I confess I was entirely envious of the space. Having stepped away from crafting for quite some time, I found myself pausing to recall each step of the process, rediscovering a quiet joy I had nearly forgotten.

One evening, we enjoyed a memorable dinner at TJ’s Harbor — a wonderful restaurant I would recommend without hesitation to anyone visiting Oshkosh. The atmosphere was warm, the food was excellent, and the conversation flowed as easily as ever. Then on Sunday, we gathered for a family dinner at their home, and it was nothing short of a blessing. We had not seen their adult children in years, and we had yet to have the pleasure of meeting their precious daughter-in-law and their two sweet granddaughters.

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It was a truly wonderful visit — and yet, as always seems to be the case on a journey like this, far too brief. The road was calling, and there were so many more places to see and experiences to savor before the leaves would begin to turn. We left Oshkosh with grateful hearts and carry its warmth with us as we continue northward.

Until the next bend in the road… 🍂

Nancy