Fruit Beer and Perspective

I think the best you can ask for your first travel day of a long trip is... nothing to report.

We haven't hit the scenic parts of the country yet, the ones we don't see every day. Ohio is our neighbor, and it's much like driving through Pennsylvania. You'd almost not even realize you crossed a border.

We go to our first destination with no trouble, no hassle.

Youngstown, Ohio.

Why there?

We joined the Harvest Hosts community when prepping for this trip. Thousands of small businesses all over the country open their doors to RVers and offer free overnight stays. Some have electric hookups, but many are true boondocking: no power, no water, no sewer.

That sounds more primitive than it really is.

We're not exactly roughin' it. We've got a generator, fresh water tanks, bathrooms with black tanks that will last us a few days.

We got amenities.

And we found what I think was the perfect first stop: Paladin Brewing. Perfect location off the highway. Perfect distance from home. 

And then I heard the backstory of this place, and I knew I had to say something about it.

I met John Chandler.

And what a story he has.

John is a cancer survivor. He lost an eye to cancer. He lost his sense of smell. He told me his sense of taste seems to work "now."

And still, his beer is amazing.

I love it when brewers experiment with fruit. I'll never wave the "don't fruit the beer" banner.

Fruit it all day long.

John does.

He makes a lovely raspberry wheat. And a cherry wheat. And a strawberry cream ale.

I'm not even finished.

I've entered fruit beer nirvana.

But seriously.  Eleven years ago, John said things were pretty tough. But he opened a brewery anyway.

And I think he's inspiring.

Would I be that resilient?

I don't know.

Perspective is everything.

So day one is nearly complete. I'm genuinely tired.

I think sleep is a given.