Thousand Islands . . . yes, home of the salad dressing!

We are wrapping up our time here in Ontario and have positioned ourselves to wind up near a U.S. entry port in the 1000 Islands region. This was the 'playground' of the rich and famous during the late 1800's.

We enjoyed two days with the folks at the Mallorytown KOA. A beautiful park and we felt a bit pampered being able to walk over and enjoy breakfast at their pavilion each morning. Their son, Andrew, was getting ready to depart for his second year at McGill University in Montreal and we enjoyed visiting with him. One morning I ordered a 'Western Thing' breakfast sandwich and Andrew 'challenged' me to try it with mustard. I took him up on the challenge, and have to admit it gives an 'egg sandwich' a whole new personality! Had some good old fashioned rain - which we really haven't seen that much of this year, much unlike the family at home in Oklahoma. Got all my paperwork caught up on their excellent WiFi - right from our trailer.

Before leaving, they gave us their business card for 2 complimentary boat tours of the 1,000 Islands region. It was our intention to stop on the way to the next KOA at Ivy Lea (which was only a few miles down the road), but after talking about it we decided to trek on to Ivy Lea and unhook from our trailer. Arrived at Ivy Lea about 11:00 Friday morning - but thankfully our space was vacant. While visiting with the owners here, they made us 'an offer we couldn't refuse' when they asked if we would like a 'personal tour' of the islands. So, we promptly got the walk-about done -left the yellow shirts behind - and headed out for an evening on the St. Lawrence Seaway.



Susan's mom and step-father have a home in the area and a beautiful pontoon boat that they let us borrow. Dave was an excellent 'captain' and we saw several of the beautiful 'summer' homes and the famous "Boldt Castle" on Heart Island. The restored castle - fashioned after a castle in Germany is now the scene of many weddings - and we caught sight of a wedding party as we circled the island.






This out building is the 'pump house'!






This 'modest' building across the water from the castle was the 'boat house', built so the owner's sail boat could exit in full sail!

The tragedy of all this magnificence is that all this was built for his wife, Louise, who died before the castle was finished. Upon her death he left the islands and the castle was never finished.






Check out the 'play house'!








We also saw the 'shortest' bridge spanning international waters, as the house sits on an island in Canadian waters, while their 'backyard' is an island in U.S. waters!




We wrapped up our evening with dinner at the "Boat House" with some authentic Austrian 'schnitzel'! Got back after dark and had a bit of a challenge getting the boat to the dock as the tide was out. Which also created a challenge for moi - trying to make the 'giant' step up onto the dock! But, once again, I laid my 'dignity' aside and - with Roger's help - made it back on dry land, with only a couple of mosquito bites.

Sorry To Leave You Hanging . . .

Yes, we are back on the road again. Got out of Scranton, PA just before noon - but decided to cancel out on my doctor's appointment for we just didn't know how long the repairs would take and didn't feel it was fair to the doctor's office to wait till the last minute. Have decided to just wait till we see Oklahoma again and follow up with my doctor - or whoever he recommends.

A night in Cooperstown and 'stuff' just keeps happening to us. Since Patty is a 'one-woman' show there during the week, we carted our laundry up to do it as we went over the review with her while she manned the store the next morning. Gathered up the laundry and Roger came in with the detergent bag and said "Look at this!" I buy Oxyclean in a big box and divide it up in smaller quantities (usually in zip lock bags). However, the last batch I bought, I had just bought a 'Seal a Meal' vaccum sealer and practiced with a bag of Oxyclean. I remember it sealed it tight as a drum. Well, Roger came in carrying that 'bag' and it had 'expanded' till it looked about ready to burst. We didn't think anything about it, he re-filled my jar and off we went to wash. Had 4 loads, and as usual, I poured the detergent and a dose of Oxyclean in every load. Pulled out my load of black pants to find them looking rather like 'tie-dye'. Our first reaction was that they didn't rinse well, so I put them back through another full wash with no soap. Still came out looking like tie dye. Then I noticed a load of our yellow shirts looked a bit 'washed out' too! The only thing we could figure out is that the Oxyclean had some kind of 'reaction' sealed with out oxygen - and it 'bleached' out two loads of laundry!

If we didn't have bad luck, we wouldn't have any at all! Oh, well, guess I have a good supply of 'grubbies' now for painting, etc. when we get home.

Onward & upward, north to Lake Placid. This place is one of a kind. Had barely pulled in till a yellow shirt on a golf cart rolled up to say that it was "Taco Salad Night" at the campground and Richard & Sylvia had invited us to join them. It was just about over, so we hurried up and feasted on a bountiful and delicious salad. We spent the evening catching up and talking about anything and everything and before we knew it, it was 11:00 p.m! Great folks!

The next day - even with six - count them, six bath houses, we found the park in excellent condition. Sure wish this park was closer to Oklahoma, for we know our grandkids would love this park. The Adirondacks are just a very special place.

On to Canada after breakfast with Richard & Sylvia. Doing reviews like this is the 'fun' part of the job. Listening to Richard tell of some of their 'experiences' had us laughing and before we knew it it was 10:00 am and we have miles to make before we sleep.

This time at the border the line was long. I was trying to make some scheduling calls and was right in the middle of one when Roger pulled up to the Canadian border booth. The agent stated that we couldn't 'do' anything till I got off the phone. I was on 'hold' so I hung up and he proceeded to ask a few questions (never even looked at our passports this time) - and waved us on through. Two stops in Montreal and we trucked on to Renfrew, Ontario.

Our first time here and it is a delightful park. Small with lots of seasonals, but so friendly. We especially liked their 'swimming beach' and state of the art mini-golf and mini-splash park. We ran into some former franchisees who were camping there, and they invited us over for burgers as soon as we got set up. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, Roger had to put on long britches and thicker socks - for it's down right chilly! Being my mother's daughter, I can't go to supper without taking 'something' so I scrounged up a bag of Cheetos and Roger's Amish apple pie and chocolate chip cookies from our visits in Pennsylvania. They were a big hit and their 13-year-old daughter even gave me a hug for the 'best cookies ever!' I assured her, I didn't make them, we just bought them. Enjoyed an evening around the campfire, but these late evenings sure catch up with us. I enjoyed not having to cook again. Couldn't believe that we actually ran the heat both nights!

Next stop was Marmora, Ontario. Slipped in on a Sunday afternoon to find that they were winding down from their big "Corn Roast" weekend - and they had bunches left. Dan & Alexandra 'gifted' us with a dozen ears, picked fresh Saturday morning! Enjoyed our short time with them. We were here in 2004 and it's good to see the improvements. And yes, we ran the heat again that night.

Monday was a 'short' day as we only had 50 miles to go to Brighton, Ontario. This is a park we visited in early June (when the Canadian border guard threatened us with arrest) - and it's good to see the improvements made just since then. With the weather still very chilly, I decided it was a perfect night for a pot of beans and cornbread, but I couldn't resist cooking up three ears of the corn. Reminded me of many a supper Mom used to cook up; the only thing missing was some boiled eggs. Have to say it was the best corn on the cob I EVER remember eating! All I did was cook it in water - I didn't add a thing and it was sweet as could be. Yummy - wish you all could have been here to share.

Knowing we couldn't take it back across the border - and Roger wasn't exactly crazy about eating corn every night - so we shared our bounty of corn with Ed & Mari. She, in turn, showed up with a 12-pack of Diet Dr. Pepper for me, for she has been following my blog and took 'exception' when I said I couldn't find Diet DP in Canada. She even stocks it in her store! Maybe there is hope for our 'neighbors to the north' yet! The second night, they treated us to dinner at Dougal's and we really enjoyed relaxing and visiting. (It's beginning to sound like we're eating our way through Ontario, isn't it?)

So, that brings us up to date. Pulled north in to Mallorytown, Ontario, near the 1000 Islands area. Had a free afternoon, so took the opportunity to do a couple loads of laundry in their brand new laundry. Love those front loader machines! Came back to the trailer to make up a meatloaf for supper. Had it half way made when I realized I didn't have any tomato sauce, so poured the remainder of a jar of pizza sauce in it. Not bad! Course, as usual, I ended up with enough meat loaf for 3 meals! Thank goodness for freezers.

Taking advantage of a second night here, so pulled out the crock pot and put a roast on for tomorrow so I won't have to 'slave' after doing the review tomorrow.

Well, folks, I hear my 'bed' (it's really still the recliner) calling my name so I'm going to wrap it up for tonight.

One More "Bump" in the Road!

I must have jinxed us! Talking with folks at Williamsport, PA and I said, "IF" nothing else happens . . .

And it did!

Left out of Williamsport about noon Monday, trucking east & then north, headed to Cooperstown, NY. The Baseball Hall of Fame induction is over and done with, so things have slowed down in that area. Got north of Scranton, PA and just pulled through a toll booth, when the truck just lost power. Roger went to accelerate and nothing. It was still running, but with the trailer in tow, he couldn't go but 15-20 mph - and that is NOT GOOD on an eastern U.S. interstate! Not good on any interstate, but we limped along on the shoulder.

I thought he would get off at the first exit, but no, he thought it might clear out, so he kept on going. Wouldn't you know it was a steady uphill climb! He kept thinking that if he could just get some speed up, but no chance. We went on this way about 5 miles more, then he called it quits and pulled in to a rest stop. Called AAA and they sent a tow truck.

We unhooked the trailer, and Roger decided to give the truck a try on its own. Got up to 50 mph, but by that time, they called and said they had a second tow truck coming for the truck. If you have ever seen one of the tow trucks, you realize you need more than a 'step stool' to get in to one of those things! With my bum shoulder, it wasn't going to be a simple task for me!

But with Roger's help, I made it in- and out! By the time I did, my dignity was long gone, but thankfully I will never see these people again in my lifetime! One truck headed off with the trailer to the 'yard' of the towing company, and the other truck headed to the nearest Chevy dealership with our truck and us. Got there about 4:20 - just as the service department was closing.

Since it is still under warranty, they called Enterprise for a rental for us. I'm thinking . . . finally something easier for me to get in and out of! Not to be. The only 'car' they had available was a Dodge Ram truck, with no step. With my short legs and bum shoulder, it might as well have been another tow truck! With no choice in the matter, we took it and Roger pulled over to a curb so I could climb in. We drove straight to the tow lot to get enough clothes and toiletries for a night in a motel - and a step for me - before beginning our search for a motel.

If you have never been in Scranton, PA - what a maze! Thankfully we had enough forethought to get our friend "Sylvia, the GPS" out of our truck. Headed to the Days Inn, hoping to find a room with a recliner, since sleeping in a bed is still tough for me. No luck there, so we tried calling around to the various motels. No recliners. Even tried a Residence Inn, thinking a 'longer stay' place would surely have nice comfortable recliners. Nope. But they did call their 'connections' and found a Host Inn in Wilkes-Barre, about 15 miles back down the road.

With nothing but time on our hands, we headed back south. Nice motel, and Roger was just positive he had seen a Cracker Barrel advertised on a billboard just one exit down from the motel. He was set! So finally about 7:30 we headed out on our next adventure. Well, there was not a Cracker Barrel to be found, so we settled for a very mediocre meal at Chili's. Normally we have really liked their food, but Roger ordered a 'country fried steak' and it came with a little dollop of gravy about as big around as a tea cup on the meat! Also had a huge mound of potatoes, and one little 'dollop' of gravy sitting right atop the potatoes. I looked at that and said, "That's all the gravy? We're gonna need some more!" He then came back a few minutes later to tell us that it would be a minute, for they were 'heating' up some more, which means he just opened another can! Oh, there are just some things you miss about the South!

"Home" for the night, and it passed about like any night in a motel. Strange bed, strange chair, strange everything. Our 'home on wheels' may have its problems, but I much prefer it to moteling it every night. Know it would be better if I was feeling better. The thing I'm struggling the most with is my loss of independance. Seems like Roger has to help me with everything from washing my hair to getting dressed. He never complains, but I do.

We're hopeful they will be able to diagnosis the problem quickly and get us back on the road by noon today. Stay tuned.

Angels Wear Yellow!

Or that's what our franchisees in Niagara Falls North think! This is the park that burned to the ground early morning July 27thl It was our first chance to get over there, and when we got there Fran just grabbed us and cried. This is the third park we have been close to over the years that has gone through this, and it is never easy.

The other two KOAs in the Niagara Falls area really stepped up to the plate and pitched in to help Leigh & Fran survive that first horrible couple of days. As Fran was telling us about all their help, she made the statement, "I didn't know angels wore yellow, but they do!" It made us so proud to be associated with a company that has such a feeling of 'family'.

They were trying to work with only two yellow shirts each, so we went back the next day and took some of our ample supply. We also burned a cd of pictures we have taken at their park over the years, and it was helpful as they begin the task of making a list of things that were in their building.

At times like these it can be so tense and emotional, and Fran was sharing how sad it was that she had lost all her 'things' from her parents. She begin to cry and went on to state that she really felt bad, for Leigh's grandparents 'urns' were also lost in the fire. I do not know what possessed me to say it, but I spouted, "That's ok, they've been through it before!" Fran started giggling and so did we. We laughed till we cried, again. Laughter is good for the soul, even in tough times.

The review at Niagara Falls/Grand Island was something. With 61 kabins and a lodge, we had our work cut out Sunday afternoon (but so did the cleaning crew!). Think about 50 of them were vacant and we checked every one! The manager, Ginny, really has her hands full with the park undergoing major renovation. When we arrived on Friday, she had just got the A/C working again in the main building. Then, as we were sitting in her office Monday morning going over the review, the power went down. Seems a transformer had gone down somewhere on the island and the entire park was down. We felt a bit like we were deserting a sinking ship when we left, but knew there was nothing we could do. It's times like this that remind us WHY we are glad we no longer own a park!

Drove south to Westfield, NY and unhooked from the trailer and headed southeast to Kinzua, PA. A pretty little park in the Allegheny Mtns. Needed to do a follow up visit there and didn't want to drag the trailer over those rough roads. It was about 90 miles each way - in the rain - and got back to Westfield about 8:00 p.m. and began their walk-about. Had to stop when it got dark, and finished up the next morning and drove further south. The heat and humidity was a killer, with temperatures in the 90's - and right on Lake Erie!

This stop was Mercer, PA about 130 miles north of Pittsburgh. Waited till it cooled off a bit to do their walk-about. A nice park and we see continued improvement here, which always makes us happy! Had a nice visit with these folks, before heading south once again.

As we drove, we begin hearing reports of a major rain storm that had hit parts of Pittsburgh that morning and predictions of more rain to come. And boy did it. It took us 3 hours to drive 127 miles. It was raining in sheets! Of course, wouldn't you know it, we needed gas. Couldn't find a station - and didn't want to risk getting off on to city streets, so Roger pulls over and stands out in the rain - and lightening - pouring his 5 gallon emergency supply in the tank. He was soaked! That got us on to the turnpike service area, but by that time it was raining so hard, we just pulled over and sat it out for a while. He then backed up to the pump and got gas and we continued on.

The non-stop pace caught up with me (early mornings and late nights typing reports) - and I dozed off. Of course, wouldn't you know it was not a good time! Roger claims I go to sleep always as we are approaching a big city! He would reach over and wake me and I would doze right off again! By that time we had missed our turnpike exit - and the next exit was 20 miles down the road. Needless to say Roger was NOT a happy camper. After fighting that rain and traffic, for 3 hours, the LAST THING he wanted was to drive 40 miles out of the way. You could say it was a pretty quiet evening in the Hughes household last night. The pace is wearing on both of us, and with me still being a 'wounded bird' with my shoulder does not help. We barely got the trailer set up, before the skies opened once again. The third wave hit later that night. We are used to rain storms like this in Oklahoma, but it's been a while since we've had rain like this up here.

Circumstances have mandated that we are here in Madison, PA (southeast of Pittsburgh) for two nights and it has been for the best. A good park here, and we both have gotten some much needed rest. Two quiet evenings here, for Friday nights are not good times to meet with busy owners. Will meet with them in the morning and then head about 150 miles northeast to Bellefonte, PA.

It's Hotter than the hinges in Hades!

That's the new 'Rogerism' we've picked up this year! (Credit for that one goes to Nancy in Augusta, Maine)

So much for coming to the Northeast to escape the Oklahoma heat! Think it's actually cooler in Oklahoma than we have been having here the past couple of weeks. Finishing up here in Vermont for now and headed to Lake George, NY in the morning. A one night stay there and then a long day's drive back to the west side, to the Niagara Falls/Grand Island KOA.

All of the above is behind us - and we are settled in here, once again, in Niagara Falls. A quiet Saturdy evening - in our trailer, anyways . . . but the campground was hopping. We chose to hibernate, though. We often spend time 'cussing and discussing' ideas, dreams, challenges, philosphies, etc. Yesterday was one of the days. It got off to a bit of a 'rocky' start, when we're in the middle of Lake George traffic (kind of like Branson, MO traffic for those of you familiar with that). As we approached the interstate ramps, Roger said, "Which way?" I said "South" and he headed to the "North" ramp! The conversation went something like this: (me) "WHAT ARE UP DOING?" (him) "YOU SAID NORTH! " (me) "I SAID SOUTH! YOU DIDN'T LISTEN!"

We did get on the interstate - headed south - but the tone for the rest of the day pretty much followed suit. One could say it was a bit like having J.C. (Roger's dad) and Delsa (Twylah's mom) in the truck, instead of Roger & Twylah. (Now that's scary!) Seems we couldn't agree on anything!

Guess we need those times to 'let off steam'. Coming off a couple of very challenging visits and I think we put so much of ourselves into this job, that sometimes we just have to 'blow'. But when you are traveling down an interstate at 65 mph, you sure don't have any doors to slam or places to escape too! :>)

All was well by supper time. I mixed up a batch of Okie Taters and Roger says I got a 'really good scald' on them. He 'pigged out' and, bellies full, we had a quiet evening.

Randy called about 9:00 (Eastern) just as I was getting good and settled in my bed (the recliner). He and Shelly had been working on our house and wanted to discuss light fixtures, paint, etc. Got me to thinking, so I was back up and on the computer, checking out the nearest Lowe's & Home Depot. It couldn't have come at a better time, for we'll have a bit of 'free' time today (Sunday).

With the park full, we can't really even begin to do the review here till this evening when the weekenders leave out. So this morning it is laundry and then a visit to Niagara North, that had the fire July 27th. We'll have some Lowe's & Home Depot time after that.

I appreciate all the notes I've gotten with concern for my shoulder. It's better, but have a long way to go. Seem to do all right most of the day, but by about 4:00 in the afternoon I have to 'give in' and take some Tylenol.

Honestly, our life just isn't as 'interesting' since the departure of our granddaughter. But we hear she hit the ground running and hasn't looked back!

From here on in it's pretty much non-stop reviews, rolling every day. Come along for the ride!

P.S. The pictures have nothing to do with anything - that's just Nick & Wes doing the 'glad to be home dance!'