Stuff and such......

Uno's Deep Dish Pizza!   Chicago style pizza,which we loved when we lived there, is available here.  A real treat! Always a debate about who has the best pizza......Chicago or NY.  Totally different, so I vote for both!  

This cart escalator in a two story Target was amazing to us!  Had never seen anything like it.  

Weather has turned dramatically cooler, and we have gone from air conditioning to heat in the motorhome!  A chilly 50 degrees this morning, with high predicted of 71.  Maybe a bit more like normal for this time of year.  Our car is green with pollen, and I am sneezing up a storm!  Guess there will be no swimming pool today!  

The Freedom Trail

 We went into Boston today and walked along the trail, which is actually bricks marking the way along many historic sites.  Though I had seen several already, I had not walked the trail, nor gone into some of them.  I have selected a few photos, and will put more up in an album.  Note you can go to those by clicking on "photo stream" that I have added to the page.


I love this first building, the old State House.

The Union Oyster House is the oldest continuously operating business, and Daniel Webster was a regular customer!

This is Paul Revere's home, and we toured inside.  No photos allowed.  Longellow's poem about his midnight ride has always been one of my favorites.   Longfellow's home, by the way, is in Cambridge Ma, just across the river.  

This grave stone from 1695 was the oldest I noticed in Copp's Burial Ground on a slope where the earliest burial sites dated to 1660.    

We also went into the Old North Church, from which hung the lanterns on the night of the famous ride.    

lovely morning for a walk around the camp BEFORE the storms came!

Cute little cabins for rent.

And one of the other motor homes came from far away.  

Clem and I went out yesterday to run some errands, and when we returned, we had neighbors all around!  Now, I was pretty spoiled to have the place to ourselves, but visited with some of the folks during our storm watch, and again this morning on the way out.  One side of us has folks from Florida, the other side are folks from Mass who were wintering in Florida.   The coach above was spotted on my walk around.  I actually selected a site for next years stay!  :-)  

Tornado in Massachusetts?

That was one for the books!  It was a crazy afternoon of watching the news on TV, and wondering if we were in its path.  We were wondering if we should leave the motorhome and head for something with a foundation, when a knock came at the door.  The management of the park requested us to come to the office building as the storm approached.  We went, and waited until is passed.  The sky and air took on the eerie green I remember from the days we lived in Chicago, but we saw only rain and lightening.  Thankfully we were spared, but feel bad for those whose homes were destroyed around Springfield.  Has been a tough spring weather wise for many.

Minutemen

I had a photo of last years parade after all!

BBQ at the camp

Friends David and Cindy joined us for a cookout and bonfire at the new campsite.  Cindy said it takes her back to her childhood, when she camped on family vacations.  5 kids to a tent!   Our motorhome has a big label on the back that says "Roughing it Smoothly."  Very apropos!

We had Chris and Marcia and the girls over Sunday evening for bbq and a game of ladderball, then a fire and s'mores.  I was busy playing ladderball and getting dinner, and no photos!!  We also learned you need to buy wood for a good fire, which we did tonight.  Along with starters!

Moving Day

No big surprise for the Russo's!  We moved from Brookline, N H to Littleton, Ma. to Minuteman, the park that was booked for the holiday weekend.  We drove tree lined roads, dotted with farm stands along  the way.  This is definitely the place to be.  Big trees everywhere, a nice pool, game room, play area for the kids.  Very pleasant.  The pine aroma is wonderful.  We put laundry in, and played ping pong while it washed, then went in the pool while waiting for the dryer.  As you can see, we had the pool to ourselves.  It is very pleasant here, and we will definitely return.  

It rained on our parade!

We missed the parade this year, and I wish I had photos from last year's parade to share with you.  The Minutemen march in the parades here, in tricorn hats and muskets, and fife and drum corp.  It really is very neat.  So New England!   

The other thing that is so neat about the holidays here is the sheer number of flags and buntings on buildings.  The town had not one, but TWO flags on each light pole.  And I passed one house with white picket fence, and they had a small flag on every single fence post.  So neat to see all that red white and blue waving in the breeze.  

A little R&R at the camp site

Our little soccer star

Emma, 9, loves all sports, plus dance, and is a busy little girl!  Soccer and gymnastics are her favorite, she tells me.  Nice to be here to see her play!  

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!