Dear Readers.....

Now, I know I have more readers than those who have registered as followers, as I do get occasional emails from you.  I would LOVE it if you would register as a follower.  And would love your comments at any time.  Good, bad or indifferent!!  :-)

Went out to dinner last night with the kids, and Grace and Emma , upon hearing we were going out, started jumping up and down with their suggestion of where to go.  Japanese steak house.  You know, where the chef twirls the knives and throws food!  What could be more fun for a kid , right?  Well, when he made a volcano and scorched our eyebrows, Grace (almost 6!) leaned over to me with a big smile and said, "didn't I pick a good restaurant?!?!"  

And into Massachusetts

We left very early this morning to beat the traffic, and headed out of metro NY area, and into New England.  As we entered Massachusetts, the rolling tree covered hills greeted us, and reminded us once again what a beautiful area this is.   Stone walls lining ancient farmland, towns created in the 16 and 1700's, historic buildings with placards declaring their beginnings.  The birth of our nation took place here, and the history is here to relive. And the beauty of the countryside awaits us.  I will have lots of photos for you!

But now, we have set up camp and rested a bit, and are setting out to see our son and his family!

Over Hill and Dale......

We played golf on an Executive course at a state park.  Some interesting holes, paths, and lies!  A gorgeous day, sunny and breezy, though it got pretty warm by the end....especially dragging those carts up and down the hills.

Liberty Hall

Arlene and I enjoyed a visit to Union, NJ, and the home of the first Governor, William Livingston.  A subsequent line of historical figures lived here, including a signer of the Declaration, and senators and governors, all descendants, amazingly.  Including Governor Keane.   Starting as a  fourteen-room Georgian-style house, built in 1772,  Liberty Hall stands today as a fifty-room VictorianItalianate mansion. 


It sits on the grounds of Keane University, and we learned the family and the University are pronounced "Kane", rather than phoenetically.   We were fortunate enough to be the only ones on tour at that hour, and led by a knowledgeable and enthusiastic docent, who gave us a wonderful tour, and a lot of information about the era as well as the home, and answered all of our questions.  It was like a personal conversation.  Pretty neat.   Because the home has always been in the family, he said nothing has ever been thrown away , and they are still finding amazing things from the 1700's in boxes in the attic. And they really did save everything.....receipts, and ledgers, which give great documentation to the articles in the house.....all original.   A real treasure.

Arelene and Paul's RV Park, Little Ferry, NJ

They practically insisted that we cancel our park reservation, and stay in their driveway!   When I said it would not fit, Paul went out and measured and assured us it would.  As you can see , it just made it!  The front wheels were in the air with the levelers down, but it fit.  Arlene was waiting on the stoop, and was, I believe, astounded, that I DROVE the behemoth, let alone backed it up.  And maneuvered it into the driveway in one shot, no less!  Truth be known, I was pretty proud of myself.  I am really getting the hang of backing into a space.  Clem just lets me do it, since I seem to have a knack for it.  Arlene, as you can perhaps see, is even more diminutive than I am.  Clem calls us the midgets!  She and I have a very unique friendship, built not upon living near each other, or going to school together, but rather having gone to gymnastic camp together.  We met at subsequent camps, meets, and competitions, and she spent time in summers at my house in upstate NY, where she came to know my family.  And my family razzed and teased her, and threw her in the pool, and yet she remained my friend!  In those days it was letters traded back and forth , and as we became adults, we stood up in each others weddings, and then she has followed us around and visited us in each place we have lived, with the exception of Florida.  Now a life goal.....to visit us there!  haha!  We did the math this visit, and it turns out we have been friends for 50 years!  Now , if that doesn't make us feel old!!!

Gassing up in NJ

WE have lived in the only two states in the nation that don't allow you to pump your own gas!  Oregon, and NJ.  But that is not why this photo was taken.  I leaned out of the drivers window to capture this meeting, as they discussed our motor home.  It is a conversation starter!  They laughed and chatted away as the tank filled.  But the really funny part is that, while I was standing up and leaning out, an attendant came across the lot towards us, and stretched his arms up to me, and called "Rappunzel, Rappunzel, let down your hair!"  ( He actually said Rapeezel, but I knew what he meant, and gave  him credit for knowing the story!!)  Oh, I said,......I cut it off!!  Now, he retorts, how am I going to save you?????  Very cute!  should have gotten HIS photo!  

is dinner ready?

Traffic Jam Photos

Unusual flower

I spotted these along the waters edge in Savannah, and thought they were very interesting.

The ducks met us tonight

We drove into NJ today, and got a sight at a nice park with a lake and lots of trees....my favorite kind!  The ducks waddled out to meet us!  We had dinner outside, and I have to admit I slipped them some treats!  They weave in and out and under the coaches.....pretty funny.  Even followed me to the laundry room.

Interesting that  the coaches on either side of us tonight are 40 footers, and have their own washer and dryer.  One couple is from Long Island, and they are on a short trip , and have a red scooter on the back of their coach.   The other couple is from Jacksonville Florida.  The man across from us is a Viet Nam vet who was here for a reunion, and he has what they call a "toy hauler."  A trailer or RV that has room to put the motorcycle inside!  We were informed of his entire summer itinerary!  :-)

Tomorrow we drive about 2 more hours to my long time friend, and Maid of Honor!  Clem will take the car and visit with his Mom and sister in NY, while I catch up with Arlene.

Just had a bit of rain, which reminded me of last night.  We woke up when it came down hard on the roof.  Not as loud as say a tin roof, but certainly much more so than the house.  And I guess a lot closer to our heads!  We were fortunate to have a dry day traveling, though.

                                   This lovely lady was selling wares at the colonial garden shop, while the woman above was making baskets, starting with the very tree!  

Colonial Williamsburg

I was truly amazed at the size of this "living museum."  It is actually a township, much as it was in the 1700's.  Some of the buildings are original, and some are recreated, and it has been made what it is through the generosity of John Rockefeller.

Now, I lived in the Boston area, and know the history of that area, and "the shot heard round the world. " But this history was brought to light for me.  It seems many of the good folks of Virginia considered those Bostonians to be rabble rousers!  And those that did, fought against the likes of Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson, who believed that we should have "no taxation without representation."

Well, you don't need a history lesson from me , but it was really neat to have 1700's townfolk walking around and carrying on their daily chores.  We toured several of the buildings, but you were free to roam into the yards and alleyways.  Clem especially enjoyed that part.

Travel Day

Yesterday we spent the day at Colonial Williamsburg, and I will get to that, but first must tell you the tales of today.

  Today was planned as a travel day, so no particular stops planned.  We got through Washington DC with no problem, but hit construction slowdowns that had us crawling.  I amused myself talking to the driver of a 16 wheeler.....fun to be as high up as they are!  Also got the little camera and took a few snap shots before Clem had a bird.  I WAS driving, but SLOWLY, as I explained!!

So, we are pulling through a toll booth in Baltimore, and the phone rings.  Friend Jack asks Clem if we are pulling through a toll booth in Baltimore!  WHAT?!?!  He is directly behind us!!  

We left Fla last Tuesday, and said goodbye to them.  They were leaving Sunday.  We could not have planned that if we wanted to!  Clare waved as they passed us!  What are the odds?!?!

My other story of the day is that as we approached a toll, it said $2 an axle.  So, since we are towing, that should be $8.  I pull up.....the girl says, that will be $23.!!!  Seems the price goes up as the axles go up!  I told her it was quite a racket, at which she smiled, and I handed over my money.   I think it a huge injustice that they count all the axles as if it was a big rig, when we in fact are towing a vehicle and seeking sun and fun.  

So, next toll comes along, and just says $4 per 2 axles.  So, as I approach, I look for signs.  But I give a big smile to the guy in the toll booth as I lean out, and he asks if I am towing that car behind me.  I am, I say, and so, it would be one 2 axles here, and one two axles back there, right?    He says, ....we will give you a discount!  You can't complain about a discount , can you?  Not at all, I reply....thank you!  And take my change!    Wonder if it would have worked on the gal?????  Never hurts to ask, I always say!  

Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson

Unfortunately, you could not take photos inside.  My first question, having grown up in upstate New York, where there is a Monticello , pronounced with an "s"sound, was how was it pronounced.  It is in the Italian fashion, with the "ch", as it was initially fashioned by Jefferson after Roman architecture.  It was said it also made  reference to  America and the Roman empire.

I never realized what a Renaissance man he was.  A self taught architect, he designed not only the house, but many of the furnishings and even a beautiful coffee urn, which he had crafted in metal.  The dome was the first ever built on a private residence, and constructed by his free and slave carpenters.  The underground of the house was well planned, with all the necessary workings hidden from sight.   It was fascinating  to hear about the man, and the home, and to learn that he actually died on July 4, 50 years after the Declaration of Independence, for which he wrote the draft, was signed.

Michie Tavern built in the 1700's, near Monticello

 Clem said it was a tavern...you HAD ro have a beer with lunch!  Black eyed peas, fried chicken, corn bread and stewed tomatoes.  All very good!

This  tobacco barn that is being restored, was one of several out buildings on the property.  

Fill 'er up!

We stopped for gas in NC, and
I got out to see what I could take
a photo of...this was on that local
rural road I mentioned, where you could get some local flavor.  Well, this gentleman said..."there's nobody there!  Why don't you take a picture of me?!"  Of course, I obliged.  He said when he was "comin' up", gas was 29 cents a gallon.  I remember those days, too......can I be as old as he looks?  :-)

The tank is 75 gallons, by the way....something everyone seems to ask.

along the Tobacco Trail

Honeysuckle....

And the noisy cicada

Back tracking to Fernandina

Just one of the lovely homes that I jumped out to snap a photo of on our driving tour, after a nice lunch.  Will have to go back in the winter and stay on the beach again, and do the walking tour of the town and historic homes.

At the 'lake house"

Loki enjoyed the view out the windshield across to the lake.  Our neighbors were in a tent, as you can see! There were a few motor homes, several trailers, and some tents . ....a bit of everything at this park.  The beach sight in Florida was RV's and trailers.

State Park , NC

Fort Clinch , Amelia Island FL

I have several photos...will put up a link to album so you can see if interested.

Tread Softly

That is actually the name of this dune plant that I spotted on Amelia Island.  Light was low, and not a great shot, but you can see the leaves are what attracted me.  I just looked it up, and good thing I didn't touch it!  Covered with little hairs that can cause a rash!  Hence the name, I guess!  

It has been a whirlwind couple of days!  We hit Savannah, but I also got hit with some malady that left me laying low, so we stayed at the campsite instead of going into the city.  We had been there before, and it was wonderful, and I had looked forward to spending some more time there, but it will wait until the next trip.  Which, by the way, will be less "scheduled!"  We have reservations between Florida and Boston, as we panicked when the park there was booked for Memorial Day.  But I think that was because of the holiday.  The parks have had plenty of room.  I would much prefer to wing it.  As someone said, there is always Walmart, should the parks be full!!

Anyway, we relaxed among the moss draped trees of that park, after having spent the night before on the beach.  Drove to NC on Thursday, where Bob and Judy had encouraged us to park in their driveway.  Well, it was too tight a squeeze for this big boy, and we ended up staying at a state park on a lake near them.  It was really lovely.  And we had to remark how neat.....a beach house one night, and a lake house the next!  However the spirit moves you!!  The only draw back with that particular park was that we had to be back by 9pm!  We ate a yummy but rushed dinner that Judy had prepared, and she sent us packing with a plate of brownies to enjoy in our coach!  Would have been nicer to enjoy the brownies with them, but it was a sweet ending to the day!

The next morning I was up with the birds, and walked around the lake and took a few photos of the light coming up.  I say light, because a line of showers moved in and the sun didn't make it!  Bob picked Clem up for some golf, and I went and met Judy and we went to one of her favorite birding trails after the rain moved through.  The trail is an old railroad line, called the Tobacco Trail, since the trains once went through carrying the tobacco crops to market.  We were met with a cacophony of sound that nearly drummed out the bird calls!  We later discovered that it was made by the once every 13 year emergence of cicadas!  I could not believe how loud it was in places!  I took photos of one of them before I knew what they were, so will post one.

The trail was lovely, with big trees shading our way as the day warmed, and providing habitat for an abundance of birds.  I saw my first red headed woodpecker!!!  Gorgeous bird.  And NOT Woody Woodpecker!  He is more the pileated woodpecker with the red headed coloring.   Poetic license!    The Florida landscape is so different from anywhere in the country, and I do enjoy it, and the weather and the beaches, but I do  love being in the woods!  And the aroma in this particular woods was so different and lovely.  The only thing I could attribute it to was the honeysuckle along the trail, which was about finished.

Spring here is much earlier than the northeast, of course, and the huge magnolias were also about finished, though still showing signs of their beauty everywhere.  The other thing that was striking was the huge beds of wildflowers along the highways!  Masses of mixed colors poppies and other flowers combined.  I  was doing the driving, so no photos, unfortunately.   I need to mount a camera on the dash!!

After the trail we walked through downtown Apex and took in an art exhibit at their local cultural center, then met the boys for lunch before heading out.  We hit the road again and made Richmond VA, where I  am happy to say we are spending three nights!  Yay!  I turned the captains chairs and set up house for a few days, which will be nice, instead of "breaking camp" every night!  Now, we don't have to collapse the tent and stow it, but we pull in the sides and hook up the car, and of course drive!  The cats are way more comfortable with the quieter , smoother coach, but they still are much happier when we are standing still!


One more thing before I end for today.  Those of you who read our last travel adventures will remember our trip through the canyon that was so harrowing.  Well, we had a bit of a mishap yesterday, thanks to the GPS.  Only a few moments, which could not compare, but still enough to reinforce that we need the GPS made for trucks and RVs!   We reached a point where we could have followed the map, or her, and  unfortunately chose her!  She likes to take the most direct route, and got us on city streets!  Now, I was not happy about that in any case, but then we encountered an underpass that was 11 feet!!  We are 13 and change!!!!  NOT good!  Circling around with 34 feet of RV plus the tow car, looking for a way out, cursing her every minute!

The good news is, we ended up taking a more rural two lane road for a while in order to catch up with the major route, and it showed us the character of the area.  That is the way I really want to travel, instead of the highways, so that part was very interesting.  And far from the monotony of highway driving.  Part of the route was the Civil War trail, which was neat.

Well, we are off to visit the sights of Virginia, so I am sure I will have tales to tell!  
Have a great day.

Our "beach house" on Amelia Island

This is Fort Clinch State Park!  Pretty amazing spot.  Only $23 a night, and when Clem turns 65 it will be half price.

The love bug mess.  Mind you, the windshield had been cleaned three times already by the time this shot was taken.  And the photo does not do it justice.  They needed to be scrubbed off with one of those scratch free kitchen scrubbers.  We will time our trip differently next year!

Love Bugs!!

Yes, it is our Anniversary, but that was NOT what I was referring to!  For those of you who do not live in Florida, let me tell you, they are a menace!  They fly around.....in two's, mating mid air, apparently!  Well, we encountered CLOUDS of them, and they splattered the wind shield so bad that visibility was cut dramatically.  We stopped three times on our way to northern Florida to clean them off.  Then spent an exciting hour and a half cleaning the front of the coach when we finally arrived on Amelia Island, and our first destination.  Friendly helpful campers loaned us long handled brushes to reach the 13ft span of the coach.  They were astounded by the number of bugs we picked up, since most of them were either camping there for a while, or coming from other areas.   The season is short lived, but apparently very bad this year for some season.  

The campsite at Fort Clinch State Park was spectacular, and soon made us forget about the whole cleaning adventure.  Site number 9 bordered a board walk to  the ocean, and we could see the water from the coach.  We took a nice walk, and though we had planned on going out for dinner, decided to stay and enjoy the view.  I was able to make some dinner from the various food items brought from home, and we sat outside and sipped wine as the sun set a spectacular orange.

Would love to have stayed there another night, but decided ahead of time that we would get through Florida, as we can always return to those places next fall/winter.  And we definitely will return to that park, and spend more time in Fernandina.  We did take the time to tour the Fort the next morning, and drove through the historic town before heading out.  I want to walk the tour, and take photos of the wonderful historic homes and buildings.  They are beautiful.  Built in the 1800's, the town was named for King Ferdinand of Spain.  And the Fort, though never actually completed, was a Civil War Fortress, and one of the finest examples of the type of fortification.  I will post some photos taken in the area.

Heading out after a great winter in Florida.

We will leave our sunny home on May 17, heading north toward Boston.  Stops along the way are planned for Fernandino Beach on Amelia Island, Savannah, North Carolina, Monticello and Williamsburg in Virginia, and New York City.  Then a week with the kids and grandkids in Boston, before starting the adventure across a more northern route to Portland.  We expect many exciting stops along the way, and this time, with our own coach, will decide the schedule as we like.  No deadlines.  Hope you will follow along and share the ride with us!