Pulled into home about 3:00 p.m. Monday evening. 1,556 miles in 3 days is not our idea of fund - unless we have our grandkids waiting at the other end! But, alas, only two were waiting! We got our hands on Hayden - the 1 year old - about 4:30 - and Grandma just sat and watched him toddle around - and soaked it up! It was like a flash back - to when his daddy was toddling around! He reminds us so much of Russ that I went and pulled out the pictures. Incredible! (Hayden's big sis, Hunter (10) , had left Monday morning for 3 days of 'outdoor school' down in the Arbuckle Mountains, so we won't see her till Wednesday afternoon.)
Then Randy, Shelly & Nick (9) showed up about 6:00 (after swimming lessons) - and we got to visit for a couple of hours, before they had to leave and go pick up Wes from a pool party. Now we know where we rate, for Wes (12) thought the pool party was more important than hanging around waiting on us! Go figure! Hopefully, we'll see his smiling face soon.
We got a few necessities out of the fifth wheel and begin settling in - once again - at Russ & DeAnna's house. After the 'high' of arriving home, the tired begin to settle in and we called it a night. We are so anxious to get to work on the house, but we keep telling ourselves we must clean out the 5th wheel first - our least favorite job.
Wednesday found us playing hooky a bit, running some errands and doing some price shopping for a kitchen sink and faucet, before heading over to surprise Hunter when she returned from Outdoor School. It's just so much more fun to shop than unload that trailer! But we got one more load, Roger dumped it on our bed, and then we, of course, had to empty the bed before we could get in it come bed time.
We gave DeAnna's mom an evening off and I provided taxi service for Hunter to cheer and choir, while Grandpa stayed home and chased Hayden. That was the first time I have driven since my fall, and found it to be quite a challenge.
So the next couple of weeks will be more of the same, I'm sure. During our 'breaks' I continue to finish up paper work, working towards wrapping up our time on the road and sorting through 5 months of piled up mail.
It's good to be home, but in 3 short weeks we head south - and west - to Dallas (Fall break with the grandkids), Houston (KOA alumni reunion) and Phoenix (KOA convention). That's just more of 'normal' for Team Hughes.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Sunday, September 16, 2007
FINISHED!
YES! Fifty-one reviews, eleven new owner/manager visits, one dislocated shoulder, one campground fire, four mechanical breakdowns and a few other miscellaneous visits - and we are winding up our time here in the North East for 2007! Wow - it has definitely been a season for the books!
After Mystic, CT - we rolled along with stops in Unadilla, NY, then on to Pennsylvania to Delaware Water Gap, Allentown, Pine Grove, Elizabethtown and finally, #51 Washington! The weather continues to be Great - with just a bit of rain - but mostly sunshine and cool days. Hopefully by the time we pull into home, the State Fair of Oklahoma will be in full swing - and everyone knows it gets cold and rainy during the state fair!
Today is Sunday, Sept 16th - and we headed back west to the Gettysburgh KOA for a few days off. Well, for now 'off' means we lost the yellow shirts for a couple of days. This evening we fulfilled our promise to Simone (the 7-yr-old 'owner' here at Gettysburg) and took her out for an early dinner at a Chinese buffet (her choice).
Tomorrow will find Roger at a dealership getting the truck checked out - hopefully. The 'check engine' light keeps coming on, but by the time we stop, it goes off. So, now that our schedule is a bit more relaxed, he will follow up. Tuesday will find him at Penn National Golf Course with John & Emil. My plans include curling up with a good book and resting - for I can't drive the truck with my bum shoulder. But that's ok too.
Our schedule at home is beginning to fill up and it looks like a busy October & November for us. We can't wait to be right in the middle of the chaos!
After Mystic, CT - we rolled along with stops in Unadilla, NY, then on to Pennsylvania to Delaware Water Gap, Allentown, Pine Grove, Elizabethtown and finally, #51 Washington! The weather continues to be Great - with just a bit of rain - but mostly sunshine and cool days. Hopefully by the time we pull into home, the State Fair of Oklahoma will be in full swing - and everyone knows it gets cold and rainy during the state fair!
Today is Sunday, Sept 16th - and we headed back west to the Gettysburgh KOA for a few days off. Well, for now 'off' means we lost the yellow shirts for a couple of days. This evening we fulfilled our promise to Simone (the 7-yr-old 'owner' here at Gettysburg) and took her out for an early dinner at a Chinese buffet (her choice).
Tomorrow will find Roger at a dealership getting the truck checked out - hopefully. The 'check engine' light keeps coming on, but by the time we stop, it goes off. So, now that our schedule is a bit more relaxed, he will follow up. Tuesday will find him at Penn National Golf Course with John & Emil. My plans include curling up with a good book and resting - for I can't drive the truck with my bum shoulder. But that's ok too.
Our schedule at home is beginning to fill up and it looks like a busy October & November for us. We can't wait to be right in the middle of the chaos!
Saturday, September 8, 2007
The Colors, They Are a Changin'
Fall in New England! If we can't be home, then this is the place to be!
Made our way east on Tuesday morning (9/4) along Route 2 from New Hampshire to Maine. Can't believe the absolutely gorgeous weather we are having. Very cool nights (heater weather) and warm days. As we traveled we caught glimpses of color and some of the trees are turning. The locals say it is probably more from dryness - than frost - but when we arrived at Skowhegan, ME, her flowers had already been nipped by frost.
Did our walk-about and visited with the folks here. Wednesday we were up and out - headed further east to Bar Harbor to attend the fall meeting of the New England KOA owners. Thankfully I had put in my jacket, for I needed it as we dined on pancakes packed with fresh Maine blueberries upon our arrival at the Bar Harbor KOA. Open-air dining is always nice up here, but the morning breeze coming in off the water was 'very fresh'!
As the meeting broke for lunch, we borrowed manager Ron's office to join a conference call with the other 8 Field Services Teams. The 10:00 a.m. time frame in Billings works great for them but means it is noon-time here in the East. So while they dined on BQ (what happened to Maine lobster?!) we sat with our ears to the phone. Just as the call ended - in time for the Billings staff to go to lunch - the owner's meeting ended. Got in some more visiting, made plans to make a couple of short visits to parks as we head south the next day and wished everyone safe travels. We then took time to warm up a plate of leftovers (about 3:00 p.m.) before heading back to Skowhegan to finish up the review there. Enjoyed some extra time with Beth from Skowhegan as she rode over to Bar Harbor with us.
Munched on pizza - compliments of Don & Beth - for supper, and visited with them until after 9:00. A long day, as I had awoke at 4:00 a.m. that morning and just stayed up, since we had to be ready to leave by 7:00.
Thursday dawned bright an early - again - and we had to be rolling by 8:00 a.m. to make our stops at a couple of Maine parks - and still get to Mystic, Connecticut before 'rush hour' traffic hit. Stopped in Freeport to check out their new playground equipment - and have a short visit with the new owners there.
As we headed to the Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA about an hour south of Freeport, I reminded Roger of a really rough bridge joint coming up on the interstate. Now it's bad enough that I remember where all the Sam's Clubs and Wal Marts are up here - but now I'm beginning to remember the bumps in the roads! Sure enough, it was a doosey!
We parked the rig in an empty site and was whisked off to lunch. Feasted on a big bowl of New England clam chowder and got in a good - but far too short, visit with Larry & Nancy.
Survived yet another trip down Interstate 495 - around Boston - which is one of our least favorite roads. With roads like that, one doesn't have to worry about 'rearranging' the fifth wheel, for by the time we stop, EVERYTHING has been rearranged for us! Knock on wood, thankfully, nothing broken yet this season - except for the shackles on the fifth wheel. (That happens every season.)
Once we were in Connecticut, Roger plugged in "Sylvia" and she directed us right to a Wal Mart, where we picked up a few supplies before landing for the next two nights at the Mystic KOA. Wish we had time to see the seaport, but just can't this trip. Drove by the famous "FoxWoods" casino - and, yes, it really does 'rise like the Phoenix' out in the middle of the Connecticut countryside. Beautiful complex and it looked very busy. Not our cup of tea, though.
Arrived at the KOA, and as we pulled in to our site, we found ourselves parked next door to Sammy, the Bassett Hound. His owners live in a HUGE beautiful motor home as they travel around the country. The couple are 'horse' folks and the wife competes in dressage. Talk about a 'dog's life'! We made instant friends with Sammy, who reminds us so much of our beloved Myer, who is patiently waiting in Oklahoma for our return (along with Emma & Ellie).
That's the 'girls' - Myer to the left - she's almost 12, then Emma - just over a year old - then Ellie - who they say is going to be a BIG girl, for she's just about 7 months old! Come to think of it, we actually have more 'grandpuppies' than we have 'grandkids'! Oh, well, we love 'em all!
Made our way east on Tuesday morning (9/4) along Route 2 from New Hampshire to Maine. Can't believe the absolutely gorgeous weather we are having. Very cool nights (heater weather) and warm days. As we traveled we caught glimpses of color and some of the trees are turning. The locals say it is probably more from dryness - than frost - but when we arrived at Skowhegan, ME, her flowers had already been nipped by frost.
Did our walk-about and visited with the folks here. Wednesday we were up and out - headed further east to Bar Harbor to attend the fall meeting of the New England KOA owners. Thankfully I had put in my jacket, for I needed it as we dined on pancakes packed with fresh Maine blueberries upon our arrival at the Bar Harbor KOA. Open-air dining is always nice up here, but the morning breeze coming in off the water was 'very fresh'!
As the meeting broke for lunch, we borrowed manager Ron's office to join a conference call with the other 8 Field Services Teams. The 10:00 a.m. time frame in Billings works great for them but means it is noon-time here in the East. So while they dined on BQ (what happened to Maine lobster?!) we sat with our ears to the phone. Just as the call ended - in time for the Billings staff to go to lunch - the owner's meeting ended. Got in some more visiting, made plans to make a couple of short visits to parks as we head south the next day and wished everyone safe travels. We then took time to warm up a plate of leftovers (about 3:00 p.m.) before heading back to Skowhegan to finish up the review there. Enjoyed some extra time with Beth from Skowhegan as she rode over to Bar Harbor with us.
Munched on pizza - compliments of Don & Beth - for supper, and visited with them until after 9:00. A long day, as I had awoke at 4:00 a.m. that morning and just stayed up, since we had to be ready to leave by 7:00.
Thursday dawned bright an early - again - and we had to be rolling by 8:00 a.m. to make our stops at a couple of Maine parks - and still get to Mystic, Connecticut before 'rush hour' traffic hit. Stopped in Freeport to check out their new playground equipment - and have a short visit with the new owners there.
As we headed to the Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA about an hour south of Freeport, I reminded Roger of a really rough bridge joint coming up on the interstate. Now it's bad enough that I remember where all the Sam's Clubs and Wal Marts are up here - but now I'm beginning to remember the bumps in the roads! Sure enough, it was a doosey!
We parked the rig in an empty site and was whisked off to lunch. Feasted on a big bowl of New England clam chowder and got in a good - but far too short, visit with Larry & Nancy.
Survived yet another trip down Interstate 495 - around Boston - which is one of our least favorite roads. With roads like that, one doesn't have to worry about 'rearranging' the fifth wheel, for by the time we stop, EVERYTHING has been rearranged for us! Knock on wood, thankfully, nothing broken yet this season - except for the shackles on the fifth wheel. (That happens every season.)
Once we were in Connecticut, Roger plugged in "Sylvia" and she directed us right to a Wal Mart, where we picked up a few supplies before landing for the next two nights at the Mystic KOA. Wish we had time to see the seaport, but just can't this trip. Drove by the famous "FoxWoods" casino - and, yes, it really does 'rise like the Phoenix' out in the middle of the Connecticut countryside. Beautiful complex and it looked very busy. Not our cup of tea, though.
Arrived at the KOA, and as we pulled in to our site, we found ourselves parked next door to Sammy, the Bassett Hound. His owners live in a HUGE beautiful motor home as they travel around the country. The couple are 'horse' folks and the wife competes in dressage. Talk about a 'dog's life'! We made instant friends with Sammy, who reminds us so much of our beloved Myer, who is patiently waiting in Oklahoma for our return (along with Emma & Ellie).
That's the 'girls' - Myer to the left - she's almost 12, then Emma - just over a year old - then Ellie - who they say is going to be a BIG girl, for she's just about 7 months old! Come to think of it, we actually have more 'grandpuppies' than we have 'grandkids'! Oh, well, we love 'em all!
Saturday, September 1, 2007
It's Pretty Bad When. . .
. . . you need an e-mail to remind you of your own birthday!
The KOA home office is so good to send out 'reminder' e-mails alerting everyone on staff when it is someone's birthday. So Thursday evening we pulled in, got set-up, and I got 'connected' to see what I had 'missed' during our 530 mile drive that day. When I opened up that particular e-mail, I said, "Oh, Roger! It's my birthday Sunday! The days are really blending together and I had completely forgotten. Not that it really matters, but I did feel a bit foolish.
Last week was indeed a whirl wind of campgrounds and reviews. Once we were back on U.S. soil, we stopped at the first Home Depot we came to in Watertown, NY. We have been searching for some 'Grade 8' bolts that are a necessity for repairing our fifth wheel slide out. It has begun 'eating' bolts every few weeks again. Since Roger had put the last one in, we were feeling a bit vulnerable without a spare.
We had also fallen in love with some Formica we had spotted on the counter top at the Ivy Lea, ON KOA - and wanted to get a sample. Found the bolts, but not the sample. So we headed to the next exit, thinking we would find a WalMart. We did, and also a Sam's Club and a Lowe's. Found the Formica sample at Lowe's and we felt almost 'normal' again, walking the aisles and scheming and planning for our home remodel projects that await us in Oklahoma. Then we stocked up the freezer and frig with bounty from Sam's and WalMart and headed south to the Watkins Glen, NY KOA.
As we were doing the exit review with them Monday morning, their manager arrived to announce that their pool pump had just 'crashed and burned'. Not that we wish 'bad luck' on anyone, but sometimes it is nice to know that we have 'lots of company' when it comes to 'bumps in the road'. They went to take care of business and we headed south to the Gettysburg, PA KOA. A quick one-night visit there, but we promised Simone, the 8-year-old 'co-owner' of that beautiful park, that we would come back when we had more time and take her out to dinner. Roger also plans to get in some golf with Simone's dad and grandpa during our return visit.
On to Philadelphia/West Chester - yet another great park. Lots going on there with a new building about to go up, but we found time to get in a visit over a bowl of fresh peaches & ice cream that evening and before we knew it, it was 10:30 p.m.
Had planned to make an early start Wednesday morning, but as we broke camp, Roger discovered that one of the trailer tires was low - and then the air compressor had developed a leak in the copper line. Something came to mind . . . 'when it rains . . .!'
Of course, better to change a tire at the park - under a shade tree - than along the side of a busy highway, so that's what he did. I sat and offered 'moral support'. (I'm getting really good at that!) When we stopped at the store on the way out to say good-bye to Gary & Lori, a camper commented to Roger that "you handled that tire change really well!". Sometimes you take encouragement wherever you get it!
By that time it was after 11:00 - which put us behind for the day. Pulled into Jonestown, PA (near Hershey) and immediately began our walk-about, so I could get the report done by 7:30 p.m. I was worn out by the time I got the paperwork finished, and tried to wheedle out of the exit review, but Roger wouldn't let me off the hook. By the time we finished, it was 9:00 p.m. and yours truly had 'hit the wall' and will admit to being a bit grumpy.
Thursday dawned way too soon - for both of us - but head north we must. We both had been dreading the day, for we had 500+ miles to go before we slept. The 'bonus' that day was a stop at a Cracker Barrel for their turkey & dressing lunch special. We also made a quick stop at the Brattleboro, VT KOA. The new owners, Beverly & Ernie, had called to give us an update on some changes they had made and we wanted to see them first hand.
Pulled in to the Twin Mountain, NH KOA about 7:30 that evening, but not before Greg & Sue called to see if we were 'alright'. Our late arrival was beginning to worry them. A dish of ice cream at their social for our supper and a short visit with them, but it was still after 9:00 p.m. before we called it a day.
Friday of the holiday weekend, but we took time to do the walk-about at Twin Mountain. It went very quickly, for they offered us the use of a golf cart - and they run such a great operation, we found nothing to 'write up'. We love doing reviews like this one. Greg & Sue invited us to join them for brunch at their favorite breakfast cafe - and we got in a good visit talking about their future plans for the park. They headed back to face the Friday afternoon holiday rush - and we headed about 30 miles south to the Woodstock KOA.
We had planned this visit back in July and booked it early - for we have to be somewhere over the holidays - and we don't like giving our money to the competitors. Have wanted to see this park in full swing over a weekend - and we got our wish. Hunter would have loved it here! Candy bar bingo, a treasure hunt, kick-ball game, pie-eating contest, horse-shoe tournament, glo-stick hay ride, rock painting . . . just some of the activities of the weekend.
Roger even got off lucky and took me to the all-you-can eat pancake breakfast and then the pot-luck supper on Sunday evening - in honor of my birthday! At least I didn't have to cook! Well, I did bake some brownies for the pot-luck. He then offered to take me to the ice cream social, but I was too full from supper for that! But he managed to choke down a bowl. :>)
But sitting still for a couple of days gave us the chance to get a prescription filled, truck tires rotated, oil changed and the trailer tire fixed. Pretty typical 'holiday' whether we are at home - or on the road.
The KOA home office is so good to send out 'reminder' e-mails alerting everyone on staff when it is someone's birthday. So Thursday evening we pulled in, got set-up, and I got 'connected' to see what I had 'missed' during our 530 mile drive that day. When I opened up that particular e-mail, I said, "Oh, Roger! It's my birthday Sunday! The days are really blending together and I had completely forgotten. Not that it really matters, but I did feel a bit foolish.
Last week was indeed a whirl wind of campgrounds and reviews. Once we were back on U.S. soil, we stopped at the first Home Depot we came to in Watertown, NY. We have been searching for some 'Grade 8' bolts that are a necessity for repairing our fifth wheel slide out. It has begun 'eating' bolts every few weeks again. Since Roger had put the last one in, we were feeling a bit vulnerable without a spare.
We had also fallen in love with some Formica we had spotted on the counter top at the Ivy Lea, ON KOA - and wanted to get a sample. Found the bolts, but not the sample. So we headed to the next exit, thinking we would find a WalMart. We did, and also a Sam's Club and a Lowe's. Found the Formica sample at Lowe's and we felt almost 'normal' again, walking the aisles and scheming and planning for our home remodel projects that await us in Oklahoma. Then we stocked up the freezer and frig with bounty from Sam's and WalMart and headed south to the Watkins Glen, NY KOA.
As we were doing the exit review with them Monday morning, their manager arrived to announce that their pool pump had just 'crashed and burned'. Not that we wish 'bad luck' on anyone, but sometimes it is nice to know that we have 'lots of company' when it comes to 'bumps in the road'. They went to take care of business and we headed south to the Gettysburg, PA KOA. A quick one-night visit there, but we promised Simone, the 8-year-old 'co-owner' of that beautiful park, that we would come back when we had more time and take her out to dinner. Roger also plans to get in some golf with Simone's dad and grandpa during our return visit.
On to Philadelphia/West Chester - yet another great park. Lots going on there with a new building about to go up, but we found time to get in a visit over a bowl of fresh peaches & ice cream that evening and before we knew it, it was 10:30 p.m.
Had planned to make an early start Wednesday morning, but as we broke camp, Roger discovered that one of the trailer tires was low - and then the air compressor had developed a leak in the copper line. Something came to mind . . . 'when it rains . . .!'
Of course, better to change a tire at the park - under a shade tree - than along the side of a busy highway, so that's what he did. I sat and offered 'moral support'. (I'm getting really good at that!) When we stopped at the store on the way out to say good-bye to Gary & Lori, a camper commented to Roger that "you handled that tire change really well!". Sometimes you take encouragement wherever you get it!
By that time it was after 11:00 - which put us behind for the day. Pulled into Jonestown, PA (near Hershey) and immediately began our walk-about, so I could get the report done by 7:30 p.m. I was worn out by the time I got the paperwork finished, and tried to wheedle out of the exit review, but Roger wouldn't let me off the hook. By the time we finished, it was 9:00 p.m. and yours truly had 'hit the wall' and will admit to being a bit grumpy.
Thursday dawned way too soon - for both of us - but head north we must. We both had been dreading the day, for we had 500+ miles to go before we slept. The 'bonus' that day was a stop at a Cracker Barrel for their turkey & dressing lunch special. We also made a quick stop at the Brattleboro, VT KOA. The new owners, Beverly & Ernie, had called to give us an update on some changes they had made and we wanted to see them first hand.
Pulled in to the Twin Mountain, NH KOA about 7:30 that evening, but not before Greg & Sue called to see if we were 'alright'. Our late arrival was beginning to worry them. A dish of ice cream at their social for our supper and a short visit with them, but it was still after 9:00 p.m. before we called it a day.
Friday of the holiday weekend, but we took time to do the walk-about at Twin Mountain. It went very quickly, for they offered us the use of a golf cart - and they run such a great operation, we found nothing to 'write up'. We love doing reviews like this one. Greg & Sue invited us to join them for brunch at their favorite breakfast cafe - and we got in a good visit talking about their future plans for the park. They headed back to face the Friday afternoon holiday rush - and we headed about 30 miles south to the Woodstock KOA.
We had planned this visit back in July and booked it early - for we have to be somewhere over the holidays - and we don't like giving our money to the competitors. Have wanted to see this park in full swing over a weekend - and we got our wish. Hunter would have loved it here! Candy bar bingo, a treasure hunt, kick-ball game, pie-eating contest, horse-shoe tournament, glo-stick hay ride, rock painting . . . just some of the activities of the weekend.
Roger even got off lucky and took me to the all-you-can eat pancake breakfast and then the pot-luck supper on Sunday evening - in honor of my birthday! At least I didn't have to cook! Well, I did bake some brownies for the pot-luck. He then offered to take me to the ice cream social, but I was too full from supper for that! But he managed to choke down a bowl. :>)
But sitting still for a couple of days gave us the chance to get a prescription filled, truck tires rotated, oil changed and the trailer tire fixed. Pretty typical 'holiday' whether we are at home - or on the road.
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