Planting Trees in Lima

We spent the second weekend of November at our daughter and son-in -law's. We had a couple of reasons for taking the camper. Most important was to have a warm dry place for Lucy while we planted trees (Anna and Dave had 300 trees to plant) on their land. The other reason was Albany RV had made an appointment for us in Churchville Monday morning to get the bedroom slide fixed (that's from the September trip).

The 10th was kind of cold and overcast. We started planting trees about 10:30. Lucy directed from her wagon. She only lasted about half an hour. She then took her nap in the camper and Grandma watched her. After her nap and lunch we went back outside to help. This time Grandma K got to babysit.

All 300 trees were planted by 3:00. Dave had everything well planned and organized. But everyone was pretty tired at the end of the day.

Jockey's Ridge

We also stopped at Jockey's Ridge. It's a state park but it's the highest sand dunes on the east coast. We've had many adventures there- the easiest was flying kites. From the massive sand piles to the stunted trees it's a fascinating place.

It was a very calm, peaceful trip. We spent time watching the ocean and the brown pelicans.
We saw dolphins - sometimes just one or two , sometimes many.
One day we went for a ride through the KItty Hawk Woods. After the ocean, the sound was quite a contrast. We also watched the surfers (never saw any women surfing); the guys on Saturday were really good. By Sunday the ocean had changed and there was no surfing.

Outer Banks October 2007

It was strange not to be packing the camper. I'd forgotten how to get everything in the Miata. It was a crowded trip down. The trip tik from AAA was a different route. I only made 1 small mistake with the directions (and Bob was still calm).
The whole trip has been great so far. I didn't even complain about getting up while it was still dark Monday morning. The stars at home were beautiful Monday morning. The sunrise was pretty. The ride was long but uneventful.
We have a great view from the condo of the beach. The bedroom has a small deck and we can see the Wright Brother's Memorial from there. The weather has been in the low 80's. We've been walking on the beach, reading, sitting on the deck and watching the ocean or riding around with the top down. Life is good. (There's a store here by that name- we haven't been there yet but I saw ads) We did do a little shopping and got a great Christmas present for Anna and Dave. Mostly we're just relaxing and enjoying the beach.

Day 3 with Anna and Lucy

I think we need to name this trip Kathy’s mistake(s).

I messed up directions everyday including today. We got to Seneca Falls from the campground but…. We got in (again) a turn only lane and had to turn a block to soon.
I figured we’d just run into 5 & 20 in a block or so. DIDN’T HAPPEN! So we did another up over and down and ended up in Waterloo like we were supposed to.

Until now all my mistakes had been directional, this time we drove (And Anna and Lucy from the other direction) all the way to south of Penn Yan to the Windmill Farm Market and Craft Fair – it’s only open Saturdays. Anna and Lucy met us there and we then went back up the road to the tourist’s information. I explained what I did and asked for alternatives- he gave us several. (Now we need to go back so we can do all the things he mentioned) We went to lunch and then did an hour and a half boat ride on the ‘Esperanza Rose’ around Keuka Lake. As we stood in line for tickets we noticed that Bob and I were going to skew the age range (we ran into the tour from the Seneca County Office of the Aging), not to mention what Anna and Lucy would do to it. It was very relaxing and it was Lucy’s first boat ride. She, of course, charmed everyone. Hopefully she napped all the way home because she entertained everyone from lunch to the cruise (I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a happy baby).

We made it back to the campground with no problems. Kathy didn’t really have to go into the trunk>

Day 2 Seneca Lake Wineries and the Finger Lakes National Forest

Today (Tuesday, Oct.2) we went to some Seneca Lake Wineries. Some were wineries we’d been to before, some were new, all were good.

The ride back to the campground was a little longer than planned. I only brought the little wineries map (big mistake). The map showed county route 2 going into the Finger Lakes National Forest and meeting route 4 which would take us back north. Well….
County route 2 turned into a gravel road and we never came to a road labeled county route 4 but we came to the end of route 2 and had to go somewhere. We turned left and continued driving in the National Forest on gravel roads. It was pretty and we went by 2 campgrounds and several trailheads. Eventually we ran into construction and so turned around and found a sign for County Route 4. We went south on it (because of the major construction) and eventually ended up on a road that was on the little winery map! So it took us about 45 minutes longer but we saw all kinds of farm animals (cows, dairy and beef, horses, donkeys, ponies, pigs, sheep, goats and alpacas) and some deer on the edge of the woods. All of this was in the small area between Cayuga and Seneca Lakes all south of Route 96A.

Kathy didn’t tell you but I threatened to put her in the trunk if she got us lost again!!

Finger Lakes Day 1

10-1-07

All our obligations were met with emails, phone calls and a half hour visit to Bob's old school.

So, we decided to go to the Finger Lakes. First try was a call to Sampson State Park- no sites until Tuesday (the website said a dog show- woof- woof) so we checked Cayuga State Park- first come first serve but lots of sites.

I missed a sign and we ended up in Seneca Falls. (Bob is retired! – very calm) Half an hour later (woops-5 ton limit-can't go that way so we must go other, longer way) we ended up at the campground. (Now we know where to go for the wineries tomorrow).

We quickly were set up (No problems!!). so we went down route 89 to a couple of wineries & and to Bellwether Hard Cider (BOTH of us liked the cider! We have to find an Oswego source.) Nice ride in the Miata and good wine- retirement is wonderful!!

Kathy is the official taster, I am the designated driver!!

Home Again

We had an uneventful drive home. It's cold here! I enjoyed the 80 degree weather. I think my favorite part of the trip was sunrise on the Outer Banks.

Our trip did not match the AAA trip tik or what was planned but it was definitely fun.

I will plan future trips but I will also make sure we have maps. The state maps helped but the area maps were the most help when we got somewhere. The big RV book of campgrounds and the AAA campbooks were life savers. I also think we want a list of Jayco dealers so we know where to get help.

A Lighthouse, Trials and tribulations!!

New Point, Virginia was great! We were right on the beach- mini dunes and mini waves (after the Pre- Gabrielle surf on the Outer Banks). We spent a couple of days sitting on the beach, watching the water and boats and reading. We saw the New Point Comfort lighthouse. Then the last day things started going downhill as Bob will explain:

While in Virginia we discovered that the gray water (sinks and shower, not toilet - that is black water) valve would not open so I could dump the holding tank. I made contact with JAYCO and made arrangements to stop at a dealer just over the Virginia/Pennsylnia border on the way home. Yesterday was great on the bay, nice breeze and plenty of sunshine for the day. This morning we left for Pennsylvania and the dealer to fix the valve. Spent two hours at the dealer only to find out that the problem wasn't the valve but faulty sensors that said the tank was not empty when it actually was. We are now in a campground near Carlisle - the "Western Village". crowded place, nice site but I had a melt down trying to level the camper. I could get the front or the right side leveled but not both at the same time. I finally got it as good as possible but not until after I blew all the good patience credit I had earned over the past week.

Chocolate World

Chocolate World , Hershey, PA was fun- the ride and story of how chocolate is made was cute, singing cows and all. The singing trolley ride was very interesting- lots of history, minimal singing. The trolley driver was a retired principal and tour guide was a retired teacher. Milton Hershey and his wife could not have children and so adopted 4 boys. They then started a school for orphaned or underpriviledged boys (now girls are included) - the Milton Hershey School, very impressive, (the retired principal had been a student at the school and later became principal). Milton Hershey did a lot for the community and his trusts continue to do so.
Hershey Park is now on our list of places to take Lucy.

Williamsburg

We decided to stay today in Williamsburg. There are a lot of friendly people here at this KOA.

We explored northeast of Williamsburg. It was a nice drive. The area was similar to the countryside near Fort Drum, lots of history and several small towns.

We will leave tomorrow for the Chesapeake Bay area. Kathy has made a reservation for a spot right on the beach! Sounds like a great place.

Kathy is going to write an entry for our stop at Hershey, PA because I forgot to mention it.

National Seashore and more!

Our on going story:
A camper problem kept us in PA an extra day. The bedroom slide decided it did not want to come back in. ( the technician who came to fix the non working slide could not believe how calm Bob was- he repeatedly said 'I can't believe what a good attitude you, Bob, have' ) so we got to NC about 7 that night. We enjoyed the sound of the ocean and all the stars, this morning the sunrise, and about 12:30 were told the National Seashore was closed for camping because of Gabrielle. So, we are now in Williamsburg, VA at a KOA for a couple of nights before deciding the next step. It'll make a great story when we get back and fill in the rest. (You wouldn't believe the new, 'retired' Bob)

As soon as we figure out how to attach pictures we will send a few showing the trip down and the national seashore.

Pennsylvania

The trip is going fine except for one minor problem. The slide on the bedroom on the motorhome decided it did not want to go bck in. I couldn't get t so I had to call the RV warranty number. They contacted a local repair place and they came to get it back in. We can put the slide out but have to hand crank it back in (or leave it in - option of choice). Lost a day due to this so we will skip stopping in Virginia and head right to N. Carolina today.