Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers

visited long-time friends in Lebanon and Thorntown, Indiana
and celebrated Independence Day for the last time ever
July 4, 2008
USA map showing location of IndianaIndiana map showing location of Lebanon

The two RV Gypsies did not know that this would be the last 4th of July they will ever celebrate due to the worst tragedy their family could ever imagine!
sign - Welcome to Indiana
sign - Welcome to Old Mill Run Park

Old Mill Run RV Park
8544 W. 690 N.
Thorntown, IN 46071
(Boone County)
reservation phone ' 765.436.7190

Note: The two RV Gypsies stayed at this campground again in 2020 so they could visit their friends. For more campground information, visit that page now, but be sure to return here.
flowers and a sign
the RV of the two RV Gypsies
Sharon, Terry, and Lee

Lee Duquette and friends of the two RV Gypsies -
Sharon and Terry Dickerson, at Old Mill Run Park.

Sharon was Karen's room-mate in the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor and also the maid-of-honor at Karen and Lee's wedding in 1966.
creek in the campground
 creek in the campground

Below: Zionsville, Indiana - this is just one of the pretty spots in the shopping area of this quaint historic town.
sign - Zionsville, Indiana
Zionsville, Indiana

Below: The two RV Gypsies at the Dickerson's annual 4th of July party.

Sharon and Karen relaxing
- friends forever.

Lee Duquette playing bean bag toss
Sharon & Karen - friends for over 44 years
Lee Duquette

Below: The party tables

Karen Duquette ready for the 4th of July parade!
party tables
Karen Duquette dressed for the 4th of july
Below: 4th of July Parade - a big event in Lebanon, Indiana
Eagle float
antique car
Below: Terry Dickerson in the parade - throwing out candy
Terry Dickerson's car in the parade
Terry Dickerson
Terry Dickerson's car in the parade
giant lion
clown on a Segway

a mini car and 2 big cars
Above: a small car and 2 big cars

After the parade, Karen and Lee Duquette called their son Brian Duquette in Orlando to wish him a Happy 4th of July. When he did not answer his phone, Karen got worried and left him a message to call her, as soon as possible. Brian always answered his mom's phone calls, no matter where he was (even if at work).

crying faceJuly 5, 2008 - In the early morning hours, the two RV Gypsies were woken up by a phone call. Karen knew it was too early in the morning to be her son. A detective informed them that their son, Brian Duquette, was robbed and MURDERED in his own home in Orlando, Florida. (use the BRIAN button above for details and updates).

While Lee Duquette talked to the detective on the telephone, Karen went outside in the campground and screamed and screamed and screamed some more. NONE of the nearby campers came outside to see if she was okay. Then her friends Sharon and Terry Dickerson came to the campground because Lee had called them with the awful news.

So they said good-bye to their friends and drove their RV from Indiana to Orlando, Florida in one day, stopping now and then to hug each other and cry.

While in Orlando, Karen Duquette got blood clots in both her lungs and almost died herself. Lee Duquette took her to a local hospital. Doctors say that the blood clots may have been from the stress.

go to the next adventure of the two RV GypsiesSo, they parked their RV at Thousand Trails in Clermont for awhile, while checking on Brian's house, paperwork, caring for Brian's dog China, and making funeral arrangements. They were in constant touch with the detective trying to solve Brian's murder. In the meantime, they did a few local things just to try to keep from going insane.