October 18, 2025 (Sat.) - A Day of Wandering.
Today was one of those easygoing, loosely planned days. We didn’t have much on the agenda—and we were totally fine with that.
Lynn slept in, thanks to a 3 AM Benadryl-induced coma. She didn’t stir until 9 AM, which is practically unheard of. Kirk was up not long after.
By 11:15 AM, we headed to New Castle to return some hardware Kirk didn’t end up needing. While there, we scouted out a nearby Mexican restaurant—still on the quest for the elusive perfect crispy taco. Sadly, the search continues. The chips were a dead giveaway: store-bought texture, which usually means the taco shells are too. Lynn wasn’t optimistic, and rightly so. The food was forgettable at best.
After lunch, we pulled up the Roadside America app to see what quirky attractions were nearby. A few attractions popped up, so we tracked them down. Then Lynn spotted a Facebook post about Thistlewaite Falls in Richmond, just a half-hour drive away. The waterfall itself wasn’t exactly roaring, but the area was lovely, and a hiking trail beckoned.
On a whim, we decided to explore the trail, despite being totally unprepared—no water, and Kirk was wearing his less-than-ideal shoes. We figured we’d stroll a bit and turn back whenever we felt like it. The path wound through a peaceful stretch of trees, and for the most part, it was an easy walk. That is, until we hit a surprise obstacle: a steep staircase made of tires, complete with a chain to grip for balance. Definitely more intense than we bargained for—but we made it! At the top of the staircase, there was another trail. Not knowing where it went or how far, we opted to turn around and go back the way we came.
After exploring Thistlewaite Falls, we stumbled upon Springwood Park. We drove around a bit, then hopped out for a short walk to admire the trees. There was another trail there, but after our impromptu tire-stair workout, we opted for something gentler. The sun peeked through the clouds, and although the humidity lingered, a light drizzle rolled in—totally unexpected, but refreshing.
We made it back to the RV around 3 PM and quickly settled in for a well-earned nap. By ~6 PM, we were rested and ready for a peaceful walk around the campground’s lake. As we strolled, we noticed the clubhouse buzzing with activity—turns out, there was a potluck happening that evening.
It was a bit surreal, considering how quiet the campground had seemed. Golf carts outnumbered campers by a long shot, and we couldn’t help but wonder: where did all these people come from? Most likely full-time residents and their friends gathering for the event. We were kindly invited to join, but since we didn’t have a dish to contribute, we opted for a quiet evening in instead.
By 9 PM, the rain returned—yet another unannounced guest in this week’s unpredictable weather lineup. And just when we thought the night had settled, the skies unleashed a full-on storm. Wind and rain whipped through the area, waking us up and reminding us that Mother Nature always has the final say.
Meanwhile, the stink bug saga raged on. Kirk caught at least ten today. They may be persistent, but so is he.
All in all, a mellow day with a few unexpected twists—just the way we like it.
Weather – High 78*, Low 56*. Winds 9-19 mph with gusts up to 29 mph. However winds kicked up to ~40mph later in the evening. Rain wasn’t forecasted but it poured in the middle of the night. Only humidity was in Richmond on our hike.
Traffic – None.
Food – Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant – meh.
Notable – Thistlewaite Falls, Springwood Park.
