ArcaMax

When you travel with love in your heart -- and a bit of curiosity -- even the smallest of cities become rich tapestries of experience. Our recent four-day journey to Muncie, Indiana, wasn't just an ordinary visit, however. It was a reunion, a farewell and a discovery all wrapped into one.

We arrived after a long day of planes, buses and rental cars that took us from our home in Thousand Oaks, California, to the quiet streets of Muncie. Tony's father was in hospice care at home with his wife, and our purpose was clear: Time together was the most precious gift we could bring. While Tony spent most of the time staying close to his dad, Carmen explored the city that had become his father's home.

Our Airbnb home base was a converted garage lovingly named "The Garage Lodge." Think rustic cabin meets cozy man cave: a loft bed, half-kitchen, dartboard and more charm than most boutique hotels could muster. We felt like locals immediately.

A cultural highlight was "Art in Bloom" at Ball State University's David Owsley Museum of Art, where 16 floral designers interpreted permanent installations with stunning arrangements. While this event only happens once a year, the museum has a remarkable permanent collection of paintings, sculpture, textiles and more as well as special exhibits that are worth a visit year-round.

That evening we attended "Runway for Rescues" at the Muncie Civic Theatre, where local models strutted to benefit the Animal Rescue Foundation. The true stars, however, were the puppies shown for adoption -- every tail-wag a reminder of why events like this matter. At other times this venue is the showcase for live theater for both children and adults.

On Friday morning Carmen strolled through Christy Woods, a pocket of quiet trails right on Ball State's campus. A woman named Barbara gave her an impromptu walking tour, sharing stories of the university's past and the people who shaped it. In the afternoon Tony's cousin, Scott, arrived and the three of us went back to visit the Orchid Greenhouse, also part of Christy Woods. This unexpectedly lush paradise is divided into hot and cold rooms that are home to exotic frogs and vibrant flora.

Saturday offered time to explore downtown Muncie, where ivy-covered boutiques and hometown treasures line the streets. Carmen picked up locally made jewelry from the Ivy Rose Boutique and model airplanes as gifts from Toys Forever. She also picked up some hand-crafted chocolates from regionally famous Lowery's Candies, which we shared when we got back to his father's house. Later that afternoon we headed to the Guardian Brewing Co. for peach cider, a meatball sub and people-watching.

No trip to Muncie would be complete without visiting the Minnetrista Museum and Gardens, which celebrates one of the city's most important manufacturers, the makers of the Ball canning jars. The glass exhibits within the museum are breathtaking, but what truly captured our hearts was the tribute to Bob Ross. One entire house is dedicated to the beloved painter, complete with the original studio downstairs and a painting classroom above where it is possible to take classes from certified Ross instructors.

Another highlight was the Ball family homes around the property. Craftsman-style and steeped in history, they whispered stories of Muncie's past with every creaking floorboard and sun-dappled stair.

The end of our long weekend came too soon. We packed up and said our goodbyes to Scott and the Garage Lodge, and Tony shared one last heartfelt goodbye with his dad. We left with full hearts and tear-filled eyes, grateful for the time we had spent and the town that had wrapped its arms around us.

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WHEN YOU GO

The Garage Lodge: airbnb.com/rooms/23849667?source_impression_id=p3_1752088035_P3Yg9lai-x3ZC7i2

David Owsley Museum of Art: bsu.edu/web/museumofart

Muncie Civic Theater: munciecivic.org

Christy Woods: bsu.edu/map/landmarks/christy-woods

Ivy Rose Boutique: facebook.com/Ivyroseboutique29

Toys Forever: toysforeverhobbies.com

Lowery's Candies: loweryscandies.com

Guardian Brewing Co.: guardian.beer

Minnetrista Museum and Gardens: minnetrista.net

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Carmen Zermeno and Tony Winders are freelance writers. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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