Only 50 To Go!

Our Memorial Day Weekend turned out to be a very quiet one. Friday afternoon Roger put his KOA work clothes on and pitched in to help get the newly remodeled men's restroom open for the weekend. I found him on his hands & knees doing the last cleaning on the new tile floor. They still have to get new baseboard installed, but at least it is completely operational for the holiday weekend.

Saturday morning Roger worked on the pool gate closure, while I did laundry. I truly took the day off, as I didn't even put on a yellow shirt! Got a nap too - course then I wasn't sleepy come bed time!

Cooked up a batch of chicken & dumplings for supper and Roger & I 'frogged our sides'. I always take advantage of 'staying put' for a day or two so I can break out the crock pot and let something simmer all day.

Sunday afternoon we took advantage of a quiet spell at the campground and did some consulting work with the franchisees. It's often very hard to find time to do this when it is a small campground and the folks are doing most of the work themselves. Took a break and then joined the staff for a true Italian meal in the pavilion. I baked up a batch of banana bread - for no self-respecting 'southern' girl ever goes to someone's house without taking some kind of food! One of their work kampers is a retired New York City policeman who also happens to be Italian. Sundays are 'pasta days' and he cooked up a pot of sauce big enough to feed 50! There were only 8 of us, but we put a dent in it. He also fixed a pan of Eggplant Parmesan (Lori, eat your heart out)and although it was the first time we have ever eaten it - it was wonderful! During supper he regaled us with stories of his childhood in the Bronx - and the hazards of growing up within an extended family of Italian New York policemen. Roger made the mistake of saying something about him living in New York City - and was quickly corrected! He lived on Long Island - NOT New York City. He just worked there! To an Okie - that whole area is New York City - but not to a native New Yorker!

Monday found us traveling south about 40 miles to the Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA, which is south of Portland, Maine (almost to the Maine/New Hampshire border). This is definitely one of our favorite parks. We love the rustic atmosphere, camping among the tall pine trees. It was here we did the first of our 51 reviews. It went very well, and it got me back in the routine of the paperwork.

Upon our arrival, we discovered that we definitely have a black water holding tank leak. It is a 'flash back' from our first year on the road. You never forget that distinctive odor. Only this time the tank is 'enclosed' in the body of the trailer and we can't get to it to even wash it down. Plan to stop in at an RV dealer here and see if they can order one so we can come back this way on our way to Nova Scotia to get it installed. We have suspected it, but evidently we hit one stretch of bumpy road too many, and now there is no doubt.

Roger is suffering a full-blown case of gout in his right big toe, which made walking the campground painful. He hung in there and we have the first one behind us. Had a quiet afternoon while I did paperwork; he's been resting with his foot up - and I have been popping the celery seed and Motrin down him.

So one down and fifty to go! (Not to mention three more new owner visits)

Relocation Successful!

We were delighted to find momma sandpiper settled on to her relocated nest when we stepped out of our camper the next morning. Seems it took her a couple of hours that evening to find her 'babies' and venture back, but at least she did so before the night chill set in, so they were warm & toasty. By the time we pulled out Friday morning, she had camping neighbors on each side of her and she was set for the holiday.

Didn't have far to go Friday, as we headed north about 35 miles to the Augusta/Gardiner KOA. Looks to be a warm one - for it was 85 degrees at 10:00 a.m. - the A/C kicked in as I was cooking breakfast at 7:30! We heard it hit 95 degrees and boy, did we feel it! Got settled in here and spent time 'catching up' with all the happenings over the winter. Roger donned his grubbies once again and pitched in to help Earl do the final clean-up on the refurbished men's restroom, so it would be open for the weekend.

These folks are a bit behind in getting open this year. Couldn't be helped, as Earl ended up - quite unexpectedly - in the hospital. He's recovering nicely, but when something like that happens when you are trying to get open, you end up playing 'catch up' for the rest of the season. Opening the pool wasn't a priority, since they have had such a cold spring. But now it's 95 degrees and everyone is asking about the pool. I told them to break out the water balloons - or water hoses; even better, throw a pool opening party and let the kids play as it fills. The water is going to be so cold, that no one will linger long.

It's good to have a couple of days 'off' - plan to relax & kick back a bit - have had a couple of long days on my feet - and my knees haven't let me down, but they do let me know that they are tired. Not sure what the weekend will hold - no particular plans.

Our Neighbor, the Sandpiper

One of the neat things about our job is getting to be so close to nature. Here at the Freeport/Durham, Maine KOA our neighbor on the next site is a momma sandpiper tending to her eggs. She so patiently sits on her eggs, with her body all fluffed out to keep them warm. If one should come a bit too close, she immediately skitters away to lead you away from her eggs.

Can you spot her eggs? There are two of them and they look like large 'stones' about an inch to the left of her.
She has chosen this campground each year, but always before it has been in a grassy area. The owners would just rope off the area with 'caution' tape and have a 'watch party' to see who would be the first to spot the new babies when they hatched.

The problem this year, is that she chosen the gravel parking pad of the RV site in which to lay her eggs. Up till now, it's not been a problem, for the camping business hasn't really kicked off full steam for the season. But with the Memorial Day Weekend coming up, every site will be needed.

When we returned from our trip to town last night, the owners had moved the eggs, and the stones around them, over to the grassy area, hoping that she would find them and return to her nest. By nightfall, she was still frantically looking. Hopefully, by morning, we'll find her settled in again, keeping her babies warm. We'll keep you posted. Sometimes moving a nest works, but sometimes it doesn't.

We also met the 'rest of the family' of the new owners here in Freeport. They are Cosmo, Carmen & Callie, three very friendly German Shepherds. Cosmo is the 'old man', on the quiet side and always ready for lovin'. Carmen is younger & very jealous of any attention given to Callie, the 6-month old pup. Beautiful, well-behaved dogs that reminded us of our own four-legged granddogs.

With the owners busy making supply runs to stock up for their weekend, yesterday was spent doing a walking tour of the campground, snapping pictures of all areas, work in progress, etc. Had time to visit with the work kampers, and Roger showed them how to disassemble the dump station water tower and repair it.

A bit of free time and we decided to run to town. Roger is a bit short on 'long pants' and it's still too chilly to break out the summer shorts. Even though Roger's 'trust' in his new navigator "Sylvia" (the GPS) was shaken a bit in Pennsylvania, he faithfully decided to give 'her' another chance. Right off the bat, he turned left out of the campground, instead of right - and she quickly 'recalculated' and took us on quite a 'scenic tour' of the back roads on our way to Auburn. She did indeed lead us right to the WalMart, Big K, and the mall (right through the middle of town, but at least we didn't have the trailer!) After no luck in 3 stores, we decided to head back to the campground. Roger programmed the address of the campground and . . . "no results". Great! (Goes to prove that these gadgets are only as good - and up-to-date as their software!) Luckily I remembered the name of a neighboring campground that was listed under 'lodging' and I knew if we got there, we could find the KOA. And we did.

I also took the opportunity to once again remind Roger that, although I might 'occasionally' dose off while on navigating duty, that this was the second time I had saved his hide when "Sylvia" let him down!

There's No Place Like . . . Maine

Our replacement parts arrived by 10:30 Tuesday morning - much to our surprise! Guess it pays to break down near a large metropolitan area. We were so sure that they wouldn't get there on Tuesday that we were being very lazy. When Bryne knocked on our door to deliver the legs, I was still in my nightgown!

Roger got right to installing the new legs and already had them on by the time I had our breakfast/lunch ready. By 1:00 p.m. we were hooked up and I started to retract the legs. Oops! Roger hadn't got them adjusted just right and they wouldn't retract far enough for us to get the blocks out from under the legs. We both stood there thinking "what do we do now?" I piped up that perhaps if we unhooked the truck, raised the trailer higher, then raised the truck higher & reconnect, we could then retract the legs enough to get the blocks out - and then Roger could make the needed adjustments. Made sense to me! Roger looked at me and said - just a bit sarcastically - "And how would we raise the truck?" "Simple", I said. "Just use the boards we carry to level the trailer on occasion." After a bit of thought, Roger agreed it just might work. (It did, thank you very much!)

As we drove down the road to our next destination, I was 'ribbing' Roger about not giving me credit for my ideas. He, very generously, agreed that I have some GREAT ideas. . . it is just implementing them that often creates quite a challenge for him! But in the end, he did give me credit for a simple solution to a perplexing predicament.

Arrived in Freeport, Maine about 4:30 that afternoon. Oh, it's good to be back in Maine. I started to say it's my third favorite place to be (behind home and Newfoundland), but we've really found so many 'favorite' places up here in the Northeast, it's really hard to choose.

We are here for a new owner visit, but the previous owners are still here, and have done our job for us very nicely! So this will be a very easy visit in one respect, but difficult in other ways. It's hard to be somewhere you are not really needed, and at the same time, do our job. First visits are always hard for me. But this morning, we'll do our 'walk-about' and take lots of pictures; it's a great park and I'm sure the new owners will do very well.

There Is No Place to Go But Up!

VIP one day - broke down in Boston the next!

When we were planning our schedule back in early May, we 'projected' taking a day off and catching a Boston Red Sox & Atlanta Braves game while they were here in Boston. Shows how much we know! When we attempted to get tickets, there were none to be had (sold out for the entire season). OK - to date we've had plenty of unscheduled 'down time' and we needed to make a visit in Boston, anyway, and meet the new management.

We left out of Newburgh, NY about 8:00 a.m. - and got on the New York Thruway, where we have an EZ Pass for tolls. It's really handy, as all the NorthEast states honor it - and it really saves us a lot of time not having to wait in line at the toll gates. However, since we got our new truck this spring, we didn't have the little plastic 'velcro-type' sticky strips to hold it to our windshield. When we stopped at a service area to get gas, I asked the attendant at the kiosk if there was a "EZ Pass" station inside. I explained what I was looking for - and his solution was to offer to sell me a roll of duct tape. I told him, "No thanks - we'll just keep looking". I thought I was back in Oklahoma! Just goes to prove -every state has their very own supply of 'red-necks'! :>)

Drove through rain off and on all morning, and arrived in Boston about 12:30. Setting up camp, and Roger went to unhook the fifth wheel from the truck. When he did, there was a loud pop and the trailer dropped precariously to the side as the left leg gave out. It wouldn't go up or down, and I was just thankful the trailer wasn't laying on it's side. At least we were able to get the truck back under the trailer hitch and get it somewhat level by leaving it hooked up to the truck. Roger spent the afternoon taking the left leg assembly off, and discovered that the threads were completely gone - which has probably been our problem all along.

A blessing in that we are at a "company-owned" park - and Wendy graciously loaned us the use of one of the 'retired' Field Services trucks - to head to the nearest RV repair. The second stop found a couple of service guys that were very helpful - they called the factory, only to find that we couldn't order just one leg - for they didn't make 'that kind' anymore. (Roger said that was probably a good thing!) So after 3 trips back & forth between the repair shop and the campground to get part numbers, VIN, etc., they told Roger he could just call the factory direct and order - which would save KOA some dollars, since he obviously knew how to work on it. So he did - and they promised to get us the new legs by late Tuesday or early Wednesday. With labor going at $110 an hour, I think he'll earn his pay check this week!

At least the rain has stopped, and Roger is busy getting the trailer propped up on cement blocks so he can take the other leg off and have it ready to install the new ones when they arrive. His mechanical skills really come in handy, even though doing major repairs aren't really in his job description!Guess that is one of those jobs that fall under "and other duties as assigned". I'll take the chance to do a couple of loads of laundry - and it's homemade pizza for Roger tonight. He doesn't often dictate what I cook for supper, but he does love my pizza.

KOA VIP!

Wow, do we feel special!

We pulled out of Delaware Water Gap, PA at 6:30 this morning - headed back west to Salem, PA to get a new gear box installed on the trailer, hoping it would solve our problem. (It didn't) Driving that 115 miles ended up taking us 4 hours, as we were detoured off the interstate due to an accident. It was about an 18 mile detour, which took us up and down a mountain and through a couple of pretty little towns. The only problem - we 'inched' along for most of those 18 miles, which took over an hour. They were having a town-wide garage sale and we were going so slow we 'window-shopped' from the truck! It was kinda neat to see everyone out walking the sidewalks and checking out each other's 'stuff'. A beautiful day.

After a much needed stop at the rest area - after that hour+ delay - we headed on to the RV dealer. Following some advice we had gotten while staying in the area, we took the 'back roads' to the RV dealership to avoid the Saturday traffic. Bad idea. I thing that 'detour' added another 30 to 45 minutes to our trip. Once we arrived, we found the RV service bays had been turned into a pick-up spot for 'pizza kits' - the result of a fundraiser for some local group. Brought back memories of our 'band parent' days.

The repairman jumped right on it, but turns out that wasn't the solution either. They worked on it about an hour and finally decided that it must be a 'power' problem - which means it's either electrical - or the motor. Having done all we could do at that point, we decided to roll on down the road, and headed toward Newburgh/NYC N KOA in Plattekill, NY. Pulled in about 4:00 and had a good visit with the staff, before being led to our site by the campground host - only to find our site decked out with the KOA VIP sign, a bright yellow tablecloth and a bundle of firewood! This is actually what they do for their KOA 'Gold' campers - which are 'frequent campers' - just like 'frequent fliers'. I even got a bit of a sample of the latest fudge flavor of the day "peanut butter white chocolate". (Shelly - you would have loved it!)

Our arrival brought us so much attention, I ended up chatting with the neighbors - who had all kinds of questions - until Roger had the trailer completely set up. (I ended up giving them my yellow table cloth & firewood, for we wouldn't use it). A bit later. we had left the trailer door open, as the weather was cool and Roger had kicked back watching the ball game, while I had started supper. A gentleman walked up to the trailer and said "knock, knock". Thinking it was 'George', the long-time swimming pool caretaker here, I said "Come in". (When he did, I thought, "Oh, he's wearing his hair longer!") Once he had stepped up in the trailer, I realized he wasn't who I thought he was! Thankfully he just stood in the door, (even though I had offered him a chair) but he was full of questions about our job - and had all kinds of stories about KOA's. I just kept cooking - thinking he was never going to leave! He was a very pleasant old man - but we normally don't make a habit of inviting campers in to our trailer!

Boy, every day is different!

Murphy's Law is Alive & Well in Pennsylvania!

We celebrated too soon.

Up and around this morning, looking forward to being on the road again after our unplanned, but very enjoyable extended stay at Williamsport, PA. When they installed the new parts yesterday afternoon, they didn't leave a bill. When Roger asked about it, the answer was "I'm just the repairman". OK. So our first chore of the day was to find this RV dealership. No problem. Right.

Roger programmed "Sylvia" - our GPS system with the sexy voice - with the location information he had. (Now I had already learned that "Sylvia" couldn't be completely trusted, as she took me on a bit of a goose chase a couple of days earlier when trying to find the nearest Sam's Club & Wal Mart - and then find my way back to the campground). Sure enough - after driving 20+ miles we ended up (literally) in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania. Seems "Syliva" had taken us to "Clifford Lane" - not Clifford Road. So as soon as we had cell service again, the female with the brain - ME - called and asked directions. Granted, it turned out we were at least in the right town. With the bill settled, we headed back to the campgroud, said our goodbyes - and headed east.

Drove through some very heavy rain - with a bit of lightening - and arrived at the Delaware Water Gap KOA about 3:00 p.m. We're feeling really good about things - back on schedule - and we pulled in to our site and prepared to unhook. You guessed it. The problem with the front lift legs is still with us - only worse. We were finally able to get it up enough to get the truck out from under it, but it's obvious this is a problem we can't 'live with', as we hook up and unhook on the average of every 2 days.

We got level enough to survive for the next 3 nights, but Roger immediately called the RV dealer back in Williamsport. He is convinced it is the gear box motor. He was convinced of that when it first happened, but the repairman claimed they took it apart and found nothing wrong. That may be, but it still doesn't work! So now we are waiting on a call back from them telling us when it will be at their shop. So it looks like we head back west first thing Saturday morning and hang around the area until it arrives.

At this point our schedule is in a state of constant chaos - with daily changes. It's looking like a very long summer.

A Bit of Work Kamping!

We just can't seem to stay away from renovation projects! But it sure beats wasting time sitting in the trailer and, as always, when you have to work, it's always so much more pleasant when you all work together. In the process, Roger proceeded to acquire yet another set of 'grubbies', for if a job is to be well done, you have to get it all over you!

With the weekend looming and the rain over, we spent Friday morning walking the park and helping Dan & Michelle establish a list of priorities they needed to address to meet KOA requirements. That gave the sun time to dry out the grass a bit and Roger put on his 'landscape maintenance' hat and (a bit too eagerly) volunteered to man the Kubota zero turn radius lawn tractor.

Talk about 'boys & their toys' - six hours later, the park looked great - and he managed to only get it stuck three times! The first time he bogged down when mowing around the pond. But with a little help from the nearby back hoe, he was rolling again in no time. Then, later on that afternoon, he appeared back at the trailer (woke me up from my nap!) and said he needed my help. He had got off in another 'boggy' area and we used the yellow truck to get him out and running again. But the 'highlight' of the afternoon was when he was mowing down at the front of the park - near the house - around a huge cedar tree. He hit THE bog! He came and got me and the yellow truck again - and proceeded to get the yellow truck stuck too. We had to call for reinforcements (the back hoe) that pulled both of us out. Roger was feeling really bad - but Dan just laughed it off and said - "I got stuck in that same spot last week! I shoud have warned you!"

By the end of the day Roger had me looking up Kubota lawn mowers on the Internet and I told Dan I had a feeling we might just have a Kubota ZTR in our future - and I was sending him the bill!

Well, so much for 'fast, reliable service' from UPS. Just got a call from the RV repairman - the parts were shipped from the manufacturer on Friday - "second day air" - which should have put them here today - Monday. But, when UPS made their delivery - no parts. A few phone calls later, they found our parts in Columbus, OH, with delivery scheduled for Tuesday! Guess that was 'second day air - times 2'!

So today's 'activity' will be installing the back side of the KOA entrance sign that was delivered Friday afternoon. Thankfully I have cleared our calendar until Thursday. Surely we will be up and running by then. I broke out the crock pot and put some boneless pork chops to cook; headed to the grocery store to get ingredients for some "Okie potatoes" - and we'll have 'dinner on the grounds' this evening for the work crew.

Lessons I Learned from my Mom

Received this from a friend this morning - and I thought "how true! - and so much more!" Roger & I have had the privilege of having two phenomenal moms in our lives. Although mine has been gone since 1998, there's not a day goes by that I don't think of her - and miss her. We're fortunate to have Roger's mom still with us - keeping Roger in line now and again, along with our sons - and now our grandchildren. Here's to our Moms!.

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
   
2. My mother taught me RELIGION. "You better pray that this will come out of the carpet - (or dress)!"
   
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
   
4. My mother taught me LOGIC. "Because I said so, that's why."
   
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC. "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
   
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
   
7. My mother taught me IRONY. "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
   
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS. "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
   
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM. "Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
   
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA. "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
    
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER. "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
    
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
    
13. My mother taught me about the CIRCLE OF LIFE. "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
    
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. "Stop acting like your father."
    
15. My mother taught me about ENVY. "There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
    
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. "Just wait until we get home."
    
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING. "You are going to get it when we get home!"
    
18. My mother taught me about MEDICAL SCIENCE. "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
    
19. My mother taught me ESP. "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
    
20. My mother taught me HUMOR. "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
    
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
    
22. My mother taught me GENETICS. "You're just like your father."
    
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS. "Shut the door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
    
24. My mother taught me WISDOM. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
    
25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE. "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you." AND THEY DID!
    

Trailer Troubles

It was bound to happen. Two of our teams had had major problems (1 truck, 1 trailer) and I had just e-mailed them that all was well with us. So it goes. I recall something about 'pride goeth before a fall'.

Tuesday morning (May 8) we were getting ready to hook up the fifth wheel to the truck, when the electric motor/gear box - or whatever - started making a terrible noise. It was something to do with the front lift legs. Afraid something major would 'snap', Roger got out the hand crank and we proceeded to get it hooked up to the truck. This is the fourth time we have had trouble with the legs/gears of the front lift system since getting the trailer in 2004. We drove on to our destination (Williamsport South/Nittany Mtn, PA) and got settled in. The first thing we did was call a mobile RV service, hoping that they could overnight parts and get us fixed before we were scheduled to leave on Friday morning. In spite of hearing stories of how slowly the world moves in these parts, we were optimistic. We shouldn't have been. Several phone calls on Wednesday - with Roger even calling back to Midwest City to talk to our RV service guy at Leisure Time (to get information on where to get parts) - left us thinking we had the ball rolling.

Then a call at 9:00 this morning from the service manager - only to discover that they hadn't even ordered the parts yet, because they weren't really sure what was wrong! I knew we were in trouble when he asked Roger when we needed to leave! So, it's now 5:15, Thursday evening, and we have yet to see - or hear - from them since about noon today. Something tells me that we won't see them over the weekend either!

I keep chanting a mantra about 'staying flexible', but that's a bit scary this early in the season! So it's back to the drawing board to re-arrange our schedule, make some phone calls canceling out the next couple of visits, and hope we can roll by Tuesday, or Wednesday at the latest.

In the meantime, Roger donned his 'grubbies' and went to work helping the owner here paint his building. Had to call a halt this afternoon, for the rain moved in and we had about an hour of rain that was a true 'toad strangler'. Lots of lightening & thunder, then it moved on to the east.

Went out to eat with the owners here last night to Norman's Watsontown Inn. Not sure just what to expect, for it was the first time for them too. What a beautiful place - and a very good meal. Since we don't go out for breakfast anymore, eating out is a real treat!

Afterwards, we drove back to the campground and treated ourselves to some of their delicious ice cream. They have an old-time ice cream parlor set up in their store. As we were standing their visiting, Dan said, "It's so nice to have people to talk to that have teeth!" This park is converting to a KOA - and these new owners - are learning to deal with 175 seasonals (most well over 65 & a bit 'back woodsy') - who have had sites here for 30+ years - and subsequently feel like they 'own' the park. It's amusing to hear them tell of "so & so moved my rocks" - or "so & so set up a tent & ruined by view". Yesterday Dan threatened to create a 'no man's land' between two sites who were 'feuding'. What a life!

We'll probably hear lots more before we leave, as we'll don our KOA aprons and pitch in at their pancake breakfast, ice cream social and other activities over the weekend!

The Back Roads of Pennsylvania!

Ohhhhh - those back roads get us every time! Traveling east this morning, breezing along I-80 across the middle of Pennsylvania, with our destination Pine Grove KOA - which is about 30 miles or so north of Harrisburg off of I-81. Thinking I would 'save' us a few miles, I routed Roger south - off of the interstate - down some state roads. What a mistake! Again! I truly NEVER learn!

As we approached our first 'small town', Roger starts slowing way down. So much so that I asked, "Are we low on gas?" Of course we were! He was trying to 'scope' out the gas stations to see if they had diesel - and if we could get our 'not so small' rig in to the pump. Being the 'good' wife I am, I asked, "Why didn't you stop for gas on the Interstate if we were so low?" Roger's answer: "I didn't need it then!" (Now why didn't I think of that!) After a bit of 'creative' maneuvering we got some diesel and went on our merry way, meandering through beautiful small towns. As I was commenting on how pretty the old buildings and houses were, Roger said something about how I should learn to drive on these roads! I assured him he was doing a very good job. . .! Think it had something to do with how narrow they were - and how sharp the turns were! I have to admit I was getting a bit nervous, myself; especially when we would approach an underpass labeled 13' 10"! I quickly asked if we would 'fit' - and Roger assured me "Sure, we're only 13 foot!" Boy, was that reassuring!

The scenery was beautiful, though. So many dogwood and other flowering trees in full bloom. The maple trees were loaded with dark burgundy leaves. Truly small town beautiful. Got through the towns and although the roads were anything but straight, I thought we had got through the worst. As we rounded one curve, there before us was a humongous mountain of coal (literally) - and a mega coal mining operation. The coal was right on the surface and they were mining right into the side of the mountain. What a sight.

But shortly thereafter, we had to go down a mountain. I REALLY got nervous when the speed limit signs said 20 mph for trucks. Never saw a sign that said what degree of down grade it was, but it was steep. When it 'ended' in a hairpin curve, I had had enough of this 'Sunday drive!' We saw a sign that said I-81 to the left - and we took it! We were only about 15 miles short of our intended destination, but we were leary of what could possibly lie ahead. SO, from now on - it's freeways for us - at least when we're towing the fifth wheel!

North East or Bust!

Right on schedule we rolled out of our driveway Tuesday morning about 11:00. To match my mood, it was raining - as though God understood my heart ache at leaving the kids and grandkids behind. I have ALWAYS hated goodbyes - and they don't get any easier with each passing year!

Our first night we landed about 6:30 in Stanton, Missouri - about 60 miles west of St. Louis. We had run out of the rain that day, but it caught up with us by the time we were breaking camp the next morning. A very long second day that took us all the way to Buckeye Lake, Ohio - home of the Pizza Cottage! Discovered that a KOA owners meeting was just breaking up, and there were about 5 couples staying till the next morning. They invited us to join them, and we couldn't turn them down. We 'shelved' our pizza plans (for the time being) and joined the group for hotdogs & leftovers (from their meeting). It was great re-connecting with old friends, and everyone broke out the pictures of the grandkids. When asked if we would really forgo Pizza Cottage for hotdogs, we quickly told them - "Oh, no - we'll just stay a second night and go tomorrow! We aren't leaving here without our pizza!" :>)

So Thursday I declared an "office day" to get caught up on scheduling, filing and assorted other paperwork. About noon, Mike & Shirley (the owners) invited us to ride along with them to go check out the progress on the restoration of their 1954 Lincoln. It was his grandfather's car (that he had purchased new) and they are having it completely customized. We had to chuckle, for these folks are from the south - originally - and I made the statement that "you can take the southern boy out of the south, but you can't take the NASCAR out of him!" He was like a little boy in a toy store! It was a nice break in the day and then after they closed the store that evening, we all went over to the Pizza Cottage for our long-awaited pizza. Purposefully bought a large one, so we would have left-overs. Of course, we'll have to come back through here this fall to see the finished car - and have some more pizza!

Didn't get all my paperwork sorted through, so Friday morning we decided to drive north to Streetsboro, Ohio - which is just south of Cleveland - and set down early so I could get some more office work done. This is our first visit to this park, but we had heard so much about it, we wanted to check it out. Their store is actually the original Streetsboro general store building that was moved onto the campground back in the 70's. They have kept it pretty much like it was originally - and it is delightful. They also have an old-time swimming hole, and Cathy shared that they have already had some swimmers this year! Must have been 'wanna-be polar bears' - as the pond is spring fed (55 degrees) and there hasn't been THAT much sunshine in these parts yet this season. But, I could see Wes & Nick (and Randy) wanting to try it out if they were here!

It has turned out to be the perfect place, for she put us at the back of the park - where it's quiet, and I have had a very productive afternoon.

Roger continues to plug along, but he still suffers with the congestion & a terrible cough that has hung on from 'typhoid Hayden'. I keep 'nagging' him to stop and go to a doctor, but he refuses. I guess sooner or later he will get tired of feeling bad, and go. Did get him to go to WalMart and get some over the counter meds and cough syrup.

Will head into Pennsylvania in the morning . . . and begin making our campground visits.