TRIPIN' with TRIPINON

2011-01-12T10:32:00.006-05:00

Old Time TV.

With the change to HD for TV and the need to get a converter box to receive local and/or non HD channels I've begun to notice a difference in the viewing habits of the different areas of the country. The first thing I notice was the dearth of channels the deeper one moves away from major population areas. It was like going back in time almost to the beginning of the television era. Only then the lack of programing was also in the major population areas. Back then it was known as TV, the great American waste land. Most of the performers in the old shows have gone on to that TV land in the sky.

Now I notice the types of programing that is available. Naturally ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX are almost everywhere. The next large provider of TV is Public Broadcast stations (which didn't exist back in the day). Especially near college areas. PBS is also an outlet for the states to advertise themselves to the people within their state and to the travelers. It is a great place to find interesting sites to visit while within the state.

But the greatest thing that I notice is the retro programing. The Rifleman, Dragnet, Beverly Hillbillies, Leave it to Beaver, Gunsmoke, Andy Griffin Show, Peter Gunn, and anything else that made it through the time warp of 40 or more years. There is even a station called RetroTV. To me it's retro of the mind.

My perspective on such programing is negative. Especially when one of the suggested therapies for fighting Alzheimer is to do new and different things that force the mind to work. But I also realize there is a need for some people to connect with memories of the past. I don't own the world and I don't believe that my way is the only way.

This is the programing of the good old days. Is it where the mind of the viewers are stuck. For them it appears that nothing has changed. Or is it a sancturary for the stressed out mind?

2011-01-10T10:00:00.002-05:00

THE GREAT SNOW STORM OF 2011.

At least that's the word for 4-8 inches of snow in what is called Upstate in South Carolina. Our reference point for Upstate is the I-85 corridor. This storm has been on the news stations radar for at least the past week with predictions of 1-4 inches for upstate. The day before the storm was for 4-7 inches with the adverse conditions beginning about midnight on the 9th of January. At five in the morning the prediction for accumulation amounts was 7-12 inches. Later in the evening of this day it is suppose to deliver us some freezing rain. Then we are suppose to have below freezing temps. That's what I like about the south??

The buzz word for the day is "Stay home".

The first priority of snow removal is the main arteries. Interstates, US highways, with back roads on the bottom of the list. In previous travels up and about the area are I'm in total agreement with the buzz word of the day. These Upstate back roads are like riding on a roller coaster. The roads are narrow. Up and down . Blind curves and hills. Shoulders. Fogitboutit. They are a hazard when the weather is good.

But when the big one finally stopped we were hit hard. About 3-4 inches. And after the snow there was freezing rain in our area, less than 1/2 inch, and a drop in temperature that caused our pipes to freeze. Well, the water pipe at our park site. But with a freezer full and water jugs for backup we will be able to weather this storm too. Seems like I ran into some of this great southern weather last year when we went to the Mardi Gras.

Spring? Naw.

2011-01-05T11:13:00.001-05:00

Fair Play, SC.

We've had some pretty decent weather for the past couple of weeks. In the seventies during the day and the forties at night. We have heard, from the local news stations, that the fall foliage has run it's course. I don't know where his report came from but not here. The trees have been beautiful and with the weather as good as it has been they have held on to their display of colorful leaves.
Even today with the rain and haze you can still see and feel the impact of the changing colors. What's even better you can watch the metamorphose on a daily basis. You can see each progressive change of color as they travel toward the shedding of their leaves and prepare for the next season of growth.

2010-12-15T10:59:00.002-05:00

DISCOURSE

We are now approaching that seven days in December that juggle the minds of all with thoughts of peace, a second coming, gifts, gatherings, greed, war, despair and whatever window of life one chooses to open and look through. These same actions are with us throughout the year. It's just that at this time we are inundated with them in such a narrow period of time and it is continuous.

We participate in this madness without really giving much thought to the when, what, why, where, who and how of our actions. If we add to each of those words and placed them in front of a statement like - do I have to do this - It opens more windows. If you can do that and it leads you nowhere then you have reached an answer or you aren't thinking.

But that thought process should not be seasonal. It should be a habit until it becomes second nature. Like breathing. And to stop thinking is not an option.

Stink Bug Transporter

2010-10-05T16:34:00.006-04:00

We left the stink bug capitol this morning and traveled to Stoltzfus RV in West Chester PA. It was to catch up with the monies we spent at the Hershey RV show. We are having a tow package installed to pull the car we bought that replaces the scooters we are trying to sell that the doctor said I should not ride anymore. (Taking a deep breath). But that's another story.

At any rate I did my stink bug inspection when preparing to leave. The weather has been cool and wet the past few days and that decreased the numbers of bugs on the exterior of the MH. Still inspection is in order. Upon pulling in the front slide out I noticed a bunch of them on the inside of the seal. When I say a bunch I mean more than a dozen, hanging together for the warmth and comradship of each other. Whatever that means. Also on the locking bar there was another dozen or so doing the same thing. Now they are inside. And now I give them a good drink of Raid and watch them fall off in a dead drunk. I love the word dead.

Upon clean up I look around at the top of the slide out seal and durn if there ain't some hiding around in there. Well there is still more drink left. Pass the can. After the clean up it was time to boogie on down the road. Whoops there is one crawling on the driver's side window. Spritz. Dead.

Upon arriving at our destination I found another half a dozen or so crawling here and there trying to miss the party. No way. Death awaits them also. I don't believe that I've erradicated all of them but so far the inspection has been a great benefit over what we had to put up with last year at this time. I would suggest that each of the travelers in the MH world do the same.

And don't forget your tow.

More on stink bugs

2010-10-01T00:10:00.005-04:00

Our travels have brought us back to the stink bug capitol of the 1000 Trails world. Hershey Thousand Trails. We were here last year about the same time and it was our first experience with these buggers (pun intended). Since then we have found out a lot more about them. Nothing we like.

I call this the capitol because of the plethora of these bugs in the area. The point of entry is suppose to have been Allentown PA. Why I don't know and I use terms as "It appears" because I don't factually know. The reason for so many is because the campground is situated in an abundance of cornfields. A great place for them to breed and feed. And when it is harvest time, like now, that habitat is disturbed and removed so they come visit the motor home community. In droves.

It is reported that these bugs are now in twenty-nine states. Mostly in the warmer climate areas. Which generates another problem. We snowbirds are giving these buggers a free trip wherever we go . Of course we don't realize it since most of the time you don't see them until we get to our destination.

I've mentioned this before but I've discovered the eggs. If you look on the underside of your awning you might notice a cluster of white specs. These are the eggs of the bugs. The shells are very hard and not easily scraped off. You might find some dark brown spots on that underside also. I don't know if they are hatched or another breed of bugs.

But there is a way to remove them. We use raid on a Q tip. It softens the eggs and removal becomes easy. Raid will also give you an opportunity to watch the underside of the bug. As they roll over and die. This is not a commercial for Raid and I'm sure other insect sprays are just as effective.

There are so many ways for the stink bugs to get into the unit they will keep you busy just trying to find the places. I have no idea how many times we've asked "how did that get in here" or "where did that one come from". Let me give you some suggestions.

Through your air conditioner. We've found them behind the air conditioner filters when cleaning.

Around the sldeout seals. If there is a gap they will find it.

On the roof of the slideout and under the slideout awning. You should check these areas before bringing them in. Last year we found a colony of almost a dozen of them on the inside of the slideout seal as we were closing it. We were unaware of the effects of bug spray at the time and didn't get them all.

On your clothes when you enter the home. You don't see them until they show up on a wall or in your bedding. We've found them in our computer bags.
Check under your steps. Check the chassis of the unit before you leave the sight. Check your wheel wells.

These are just a few of the areas and you will find more as you go along. Don't crush them unless they are in an enclosed container you intend to through away. I would also recomend against using a vacumn cleaner unless you want to throw that away also. Or clean it well. Remember They don't call them rose bugs.

Happy hunting.

Not so big

2010-09-22T03:03:00.006-04:00

The Hershey RV Show.

In our first trip to the Hershey RV Show some five years ago the place was crowded. We took three days to review the show and still did not make all the seminars and demos that were available to us. It has not been that way since. We go about every other year and each year we have seen a decline in attendance of exhibitors. This year there may have been more spectators but there was less for them to see.

The stands were almost empty. The aisles had plenty of walking room and not the usual traffic jam of a RV show. Concession stands inside had short waiting lines. Outside if was different. There the lines were long. With the demise of several RV makers there was less in product offerings. The economy showed it's impact.

There are a few other shows that I have attended on the east coast but I measure them all by Hershey's. I felt it can no longer be called the largest in the country.

If it is, then there is a lot of room for growth. Maybe next year

'Dar 'Da R Again

2010-09-20T12:56:00.004-04:00

Stink bugs still.

Our travels have brought us back to the stink bug capitol of the 1000 Trails world. Hershey Thousand Trails. We were here last year about the same time and it was our first experience with these buggers (pun intended). Since then we have found out a lot more about them. Nothing we like.

I call this the capitol because of the plethora of these bugs in the area. The point of entry is suppose to have been Allentown PA. Why I don't know and I use terms as "It appears" because I don't factually know. The reason for so many is because the campground is situated in an abundance of cornfields. A great place for them to breed and feed. And when it is harvest time, like now, that habitat is disturbed and removed so they come visit the motor home community. In droves.

It is reported that these bugs are now in twenty-nine states. Mostly in the warmer climate areas. Which generates another problem. We snowbirds are giving these buggers a free trip wherever we go . Of course we don't realize it since most of the time you don't see them until we get to our destination.

I've mentioned this before but I've discovered the eggs. If you look on the underside of your awning you might notice a cluster of white specs. These are the eggs of the bugs. The shells are very hard and not easily scraped off. You might find some dark brown spots on that underside also. I don't know if they are hatched or another breed of bugs.

But there is a way to remove them. We use raid on a Q tip. It softens the eggs and removal becomes easy. Raid will also give you an opportunity to watch the underside of the bug. As they roll over and die. This is not a commercial for Raid and I'm sure other insect sprays are just as effective.

There are so many ways for the stink bugs to get into the unit they will keep you busy just trying to find the places. I have no idea how many times we've asked "how did that get in here" or "where did that one come from". Let me give you some suggestions.

Through your air conditioner. We've found them behind the air conditioner filters when cleaning.

Around the sldeout seals. If there is a gap they will find it.On the roof of the slideout and under the slideout awning. You should check these areas before bringing them in. Last year we found a colony of almost a dozen of them on the inside of the slideout seal as we were closing it. We were unaware of the effects of bug spray at the time and didn't get them all.

On your clothes when you enter the home. You don't see them until they show up on a wall or in your bedding. We've found them in our computer bags.
Check under your steps. Check the chassis of the unit before you leave the sight. Check your wheel wells.

These are just a few of the areas and you will find more as you go along. Don't crush them unless they are in an enclosed container you intend to through away. I would also recomend against using a vacumn cleaner unless you want to throw that away also. Or clean it well. Remember They don't call them rose bugs.

Happy hunting.

Mosquitoes vs Green head flies

2010-08-10T16:54:00.001-04:00

We are all familiar with mosquitoes. They are everywhere and are known for the disease they pass on to mankind. The Green head is not as well known because it's habitat is in marsh areas near the sea shore. They also carry the tag of marsh flies.

There is another category I put these pest in and this category allows them to work together to make your shore visits as uncomfortable as possible. The mosquitoes are stealth. You don't always hear them as they seek your pipeline of blood. sometimes you don't even feel them. But the green head is another monster. They don't care if you see or hear them and they don't just insert a needle like proboscis into your epidermis, They come with eating utensils and take chunks out of you. And they invite their friends to the feast.

We took a trip to the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge for the purpose of capturing nature through the lens of our camera. It was a clear day and as we drove around the area I could hear the sound of rain smacking against the passenger window. Remember I said it was a clear day. Realizing it couldn't be rain as the intensity of the the pelting noise increased I wondered what it was.

Not realizing that there was a window between them and me they came for a meal and pounded their bodies against the window as they tried to get to the supper table. The noise became intense and I was amazed at the ferocity of their attack. These things looked to be as much as an inch long and there were so many at times you could hardly see out the windows.

The trip around the preserve is eight miles. Most of that distance you stayed in the car. Now I say most because sometimes you need to get out to capture the picture you want. Open the car door and some of them get in and when they do they look for a way to get out. So I thought.

Actually those that get in are a diversion. They attack you from inside your vehicle and in order to rid yourself of them you must open the door and try to chase them out. Well more come in. Now you have to get out of the vehicle. Bad move. But at least it give you more room to go on your own killing spree.

There have been a few times that in my zeal to reap retribution and revenge I've punched at the flies but forgot to slacken my blow before I hit myself. This is another ploy of the flies. They know that you can knock yourself into another stage of consciousness that, for awhile, slows your functions. The bloody feast is on again.

My observation of these crittes showed me that they work together. The green flies rule the daytime hours. The mosquitoes, even though they are out at any time, rule the night. When in the motorhome at night you know that if you open the door the mosquitoes will be in before you can close it. They dare you to come out into their territory, The opposite of that is you dare them to come in to yours. It is a battle of the blood suckers vs the fly swatters.

The Hunt For The Horseshoe Crab

2010-06-08T16:26:00.010-04:00

As our trek continues so does our hunt for the elusive Horseshoe crabs. we finally caught up them on the Atlantic shores around the Cape May area. Well sort of. The focus on the Horseshoe crabs is based on the migrating birds that feed upon them on their journey north to the Artic the main bird of concern appears to be the Red Knots. An endangered species. Part of the reasoning for their status is that the stop on the Eastern shores of the Delaware, cape May area to fed upon the eggs of the Horseshoe crabs.

The birds fatten up on the eggs and then make the four thousand mile journey north. Come late to dinner and you don't make the trip. It's non stop and if you have not eaten enough to give the necessary energy, you die in route. But the birds you see here are not migratory. They are greedy home based seagulls that also partake of the egg feast. There are like pigeons in the cities.

We didn't see any Red Knots. We did see bodies of the crabs strung across the beaches. They are at the top of the beach line. We spent one evening at one of the access areas to the beach where the crabs were being tagged by volunteers. We were there late into the evening and the crabs began to come ashore around dark and when the birds had gone away. How many came ashore in the thirty foot section we were allowed on, the rest of the beach area is off limits this time of year, we can't tell because of dusk closing in fast. But we were told by the taggers that they had tagged 700 of them two days before and the only reason they stopped was because they ran out of tags. We were also told that just two nights prior, at another access point, you couldn't walk in the area because there were so many Horseshoe crabs.

This is the remains of a crab that didn't make it back with the tide. On it's back with no way to turn over without the help of the tide or people it becomes an open platter for the birds.

In the background there is another left over of the tides as the birds feed on the eggs of the crabs. But that's nature. The Horseshoe lays so many eggs there is more than enough to maintain their existence. That is until man came along and decided to harvest the crab for bate and other purposes. As the numbers of crabs diminished through over fishing it adversely affected other species. My understanding is the eyes of the crab are similar to human eyes and research has be ongoing with that for decades. As a human food source there is not enough edible on it to make it a good food source. Luckily horseshoe.

As the Horseshoes came ashore that evening into night I tried to capture some photos of the tagging. The lighting was so poor that I could not get a good focus nor good pictures even though I was using the camera flash. But the method is to drill a small hole in the shell of the crab and attach a disc tag to the hole that does not come off in the water. The disk is about an inch and a half in diameter. The hole drilled into the shell of the crab is minor and just enough to insert the nipple of the disk. After tagging they the are registered and returned to the sea. One tagger said she recovered a Horseshoe that had been tagged four years ago. It only added to the mystery of where do they go when this mating season is over. They still don't know.

So what is the purpose of the Horseshoe Crab? To produce bird food.

We're movin' on up

2010-06-04T16:30:00.001-04:00

We have traveled on to Sea Pines Outdoor World Resort in Swainton, NJ. About eleven miles from Cape May, NJ. Never thought I'd see so many NJ tags since we left the state in October 2009. We stopped at Cherry Hill RV Park in MD for three days to visit a son and his family. The Park is top notch and a great place to stay and visit the capitol.

We still have our leaking scooters and are schedule to have them in the repair shop on the 2ND of June. Here is hoping they can. One of their issues will be parts. If it's carburetors we did finally receive two from the company so we can provide them with that. One of our problems is time. We will be leaving here somewhere around the 5th of June to creep up the coast about forty miles for a week. Hope they can get it fixed before we leave. If not we will have to go to plan B. Don't know what that is yet but there will be one.

One of the hardest things is that we wanted to view the migration of the horseshoe crabs along the coast. We have rented a car and will continue our search of the shores with a four wheel vehicle. If we find them it will be your pleasure also.

Chinese Junk

2010-05-27T15:00:00.000-04:00

No, not the boats that toll the rivers of China. I'm talking about scooters.

But Chinese Junk a misnomer. When you consider that America is the worlds largest manufacture of cars and China is the world leader in Scooters you also must consider that they can't be junk if they are that big an industry. Chinese quality control leaves something to be desired. But the biggest problem we had was the bad, bad customer service from the company we bought them from. They are the Scooter Depot and they are big in California as well as online. And my guess is if you lived near them or in CA you would not have the problems we had. No there is no lemon law in CA for motorcycles and don't believe the hype about customer service on their website.

There were several problems I had with putting together the final parts. especially with a few missing. Also two left side rear view mirrows. But the biggest problem was the leaks. I filled both bikes with gas and we rode them around awhile. Testing and learning. that night, while trying to sleep we noticed the slight smell of fuel. Closed our window and it was eliminated. The next morning when we went to start the scooters we noticed the fuel was low on one and empty on the other. At any rate I added fuel to what is suppose to be mine and took it for a spin down the road. I didn't go far, since we didn't have licenses and when I gazed at the gas gage it was almost on empty again. With a turn around and hope, hope I could make it back without having to push it, I returned to camp.

I set the bike on the kick stand and watched the high priced precious fuel seep into the ground from whence it came. In a raw form that is. Pat's bike looked OK but we later found out it was leaking also. Not being mechanics we called the company and tried to find out what was happening. An exchange of a dozen emails, a couple of weeks and several phone calls and they never were able to address the problem. About half my emails went unanswered.

We later, after having gotten the trailer, took the bikes to Pensacola for repair. No one wants to work on Chinese bikes because it is supposedly hard to get parts and if they are a dealer in Chinese manufactured bikes they don't want to accommodate anyone who has bought online.

To make a long story short the repair shop in Pensacola did an initial set up on the bikes and we were off to the races. So we thought. When we put them on the trailer one started to leak again. So with a bottle of carburetor cleaner, free, and the instructions on running them until they clear up we took of again. We already lost a whole week in scheduling the bike class and was coming up short on the next class. Our deposit was already in and we only had one day before the class.

In short we took leaking bikes to class and discovered that if you put the bikes on the center stand they didn't leak. If you put them on the kick stand wherein the bike would be leaning to one side they bleed their precious fuel and our money. We spent twenty dollars on gas during the training session and only rode them for about twenty miles together.

Needless to say we still have two leaky scooters but my last phone call to the company was not nicely minced words and I requested to speak to an owner or manager. I expressed my disdain with there customer service. Apparently they are sending two new carburetors.

The Journey Back East

2010-05-11T14:31:00.005-04:00

We were stuck at Azalea Acres. Waiting for our motor scooters. They are to be our alternative transportation since we don't have a tow vehicle and usually rent from Enterprise when we get to an area we want to travel in. You just can't take a 38 foot motor home up and down any street. We look at the scooters as getting to places you might not travel with a car. Like some of the back dirt trails. Well getting the scooter was just the beginning of the adventure.

They are 150cc Chinese made scooters. Well you know what they say about putting the cart before the horse? I did that. I bought a Versahaul carrier to hook into the tow frame of our unit. One that would carry both bikes (sounds better than scooters). When we finished putting the bikes together, there is minor assembly required, and tried to put them on the carrier, they would fit. The bikes are slightly too wide. We needed an extension of at least a foot on the carrier. So we had someone who was going into town, Robertsdale, pick one up for us and was going to have it welded on by one of work campers at the park.

After taking a review of the weight limits of the hitch, 500lbs, and the weight we were putting on it, over 600lbs we realized the best or at least the better thing to do was get a trailer to haul the bikes. So with some phone calls completed and some info from other members of the camping family off we went in our 38ft home to find a trailer. Of course we did some food shopping along the way. We found what we thought we wanted but had to return the following day to pick it up. They had to weld some D rings on it and since it was so late in the day they could not do the job right then.

After picking up the trailer the following day it was back to the park to load up same. Now this was accomplished over a period of days that turned into weeks. There was more that we were doing at the time. First item was to relocate in Florida since that was were our mailing address was now established. We also had to get our vehicle and license changed over to Florida. The tags were no problem but to get an endorsement on your license for the scooters you had to go to a bike training course. Two hundred dollars a piece for a two day course. So hold the licenses until after we take the course. So in the meantime we practice riding the bikes. Pat never had driven a bike before and I had not for umpteen decades.

Our testing and driving the bikes brought out problems with them. The worst being that they leaked fuel. That's another part of the journey back that we will get into on our next entry.

Robertsdale Alabama

2010-04-25T18:45:00.007-04:00

The middle of nowhere between Mobile Alabama and Pensacola Florida. As you can see in prior chapters of the blog we've been in the area before. The part of Robertsdale we've returned to so often is off exit 53 of I-10. We've spent time at three different RV parks in the area. Wilderness, Azalea Acres and Styx.

Wilderness is an adult park because there is not much there for children to do. It is the least improved of all of them and at the time we were there we had to shut off the water during the evening so the pipes wouldn't freeze. Not only shut off the water but disconnect and stow our hoses. It was a time of extended unusually cold weather down south. TheIr laundry room only had two washers and driers and the swimming pool, thought not in use, looked as if it would not be used during the summer months.

Styx is a much larger park. All pull through and several cabins. There are plenty of facilities for the children to enjoy and a great swimming pool for all. They pride themselves on social activities. Our first stay there we participated in a hobo supper. Just bring something and throw it into the pot. It was the best of the three parks.

Azalea Acres is also an adult park. It's only been open about three years and is in the process of continued improvement. Large sites that can handle fifty plus footers and wide enough that you are not right under your neighbors slide out. We found it a very enjoyable place to stay. I guess it had to be since we stayed for five weeks.

The reason for such a long stay at Azalea was because we were establishing our residence in Florida and need to get licenses and tags for that state. It is a long and drawn out affair when you don't really have a true residence in the state and no tow vehicle to run all the errands you need to make. Added to that we purchased some Chinese motor scooters that were delivered to us while there. There was some minor attachments to be made to them before they were completely ready. HA! But that's another story.

All of these parks are close to each other. so close that to get to Azalea you have to pass right by Wilderness. And Styx is just on the opposite side of I-10. The proximity of the parks also have something else in common. The all share the noise of the same shooting range. At these parks quiet is not the norm but you can get use to it.

Sky pillows

2010-04-06T19:25:00.005-04:00

Watching the sky this morning I gazed at the clouds as they glided across the blue. A quieting sight. Watching the shades of the clouds change as the sun blazed through them. The thinner the cloud the whiter it was. Thick clouds blocked some of the light and the bottom of the fluff became shadows rimmed in white. Clouds can be very beautiful when you watch their varying shapes and colors. And Also very relaxing.

We are at a campground in Robertsdale, Florida. close to the Gulf of Mexico and not very high above sea level. Near us is a broadband tower. It's height also is unknown to me but my guess would be about 1000 feet. As I watched the clouds flow by I began to notice they were beginning to cover the top of the tower. It was like seeing something through a fog that got thicker and thicker until the upper part of the tower vanished. The clouds slowly hide from sight, I guess, the top fifty feet of it.

If it were not for the tower I would not have realized how low the clouds were or how high the tower is. Still don't really know but It was a beautiful sight to experience.

Homeless vagabonds

2010-03-18T15:27:00.005-04:00

That's us. We have bounced around from campsite to campsite for the pass six months on our new found lifestyle. We have stayed at state park, National parks Walmart and Flying J parking lots and private RV Resorts. And we have enjoyed the journey and sites in between.

There is still a lot of paper work being done to change our voting residence, our mailing address and vehicle registration. Plus all the goofy stuff that goes along with it. I thought it would be simple but with the new rules on security it is not.

We spent a couple off weeks at Wilderness RV Resort in Robertsdale, AL. From there it was a couple of weeks at Abita Springs Resort in Abita Spring, LA. This was the stop for the Mardi Gras. then the next two weeks was at Fountainbleu State Park at Mandeville LA. Then we went to Styx Rv Park in Robertsdale, AL. It was a case of testing out different parks to see what we like and disliked. Our next stop was to be Wilderness again but someone mentioned Azalea Acres in Robertsdale. It's less than a mile from Wilderness so we thought we'd try our roots there for awhile and will be here for the next monnth. This will allow us to take care of all the necessary paperwork for a change of residency to Flordia.

Boring? Not on your life. New people. New conversations. New sights. And then there is nature. Things that one normally would see in a zoo or book or on TV we now see live and take our own pictures. So far it's been mostly birds. We listen. Try to locate them and recognize them by their sound. there are deer all over the place. They come out mostly late evening and night so when driving you must be aware. We watched a predator bird dive out of the sky and capture it's dinner. A smaller bird. Feathers flew. It was gone in a flash and we never were able to tell what type either bird was.

New Orleans?

2010-02-27T21:10:00.002-05:00

We took a two hour bus trip through New Orleans and it was a trip through history. There is no way I could put what was narrated to me into words and do it justice. Besides it was a bus (van) trip and there was only one spot we stopped at. the rest was continuous travel and picture taking advantages were not the best. Beside my SD card got full. You know, like running out of film in the old days.

There is a lot of rebuilding going on in "Naw Orleans". Down town that is. but in several of the wards the devastation of Katrina is most visible. There has been a new concrete dike built off one of the water ways. The dike is about ten feet above sea level where one can see the barges navigating the river. The walls of the dike are about eighteen inches thick and built to handle a category 3 hurricane. When we were there we noticed some young people sitting on the top of the dike enjoying themselves. We went over a bridge, pass them to get to what is know as the 9Th ward and took a down hill ride into the ward, Seventeen feet below sea level. People are not returning to the 9Th Ward.

There are buildings throughout the area that have dates and numbers painted on their walls that denote they have been checked for occupants and bodies following the flooding. Some are being lived in again since the people have no where else to live. There are homes that have been destroyed by fire. Since the owners did not have flood insurance it is said they burned the homes to collect fire insurance. These reminders, still standing after five years past Katrina.

There are brand new homes, about 100 yards from the dike, that were built by Brad Pitt for people who would return. Great designs. Energy efficient since all of them have solar panels on the roofs. There was one that was built on a boat keel so the owners could float away if there was another flood. Of course I didn't notice any steering means on the home. Maybe it will be the Noah's Ark of the 9Th Ward.

All new construction has to be on stilts now. We saw such construction on stilts as high as 10 feet and as low as one foot. And then there are the empty lots. Homes that were swept away and nothing left but foundations. Mud holes. Grass plots. And the grass is required, by city ordinance, to be cut. Even if you no longer live there but own the property.

Of course there are always monuments. This one is a monument to the levels of the flood. It hit a level. Stoped. Something else happened. And it roses to the next level. Then the next and then the next. Remember the 9Th ward is seventeen feet below sea level

Mardi Gras - Fin

2010-02-25T16:55:00.005-05:00

It's all about the children.

Contrary to the breast bearing and drunkenness you see on TV it is really about the children. The beads that are thrown from the floats are thrown in the direction of the kids. Toys are handed over the side of the floats directly into the hands of a child or parent for the little ones. Hands are upraised and out stretched to capture the trinkets as they fly through the air. But it's all for the kids. Standing on ladders, or shoulders so they can have a better vantage point of the procession.

Mardi Gras 2010 - part 1

2010-02-21T12:47:00.012-05:00

It's more than just New Orleans. The Original Mardi Gras was started in Mobile Alabama, so I've been told, and it has expanded along the Gulf Coast from Florida to Louisiana, maybe further. Our goal was to make it to New Orleans. We did and it was well worth the journey.

The weather was unseasonable seasonable. That is it was cold but after all it is winter down here to. We had frost warnings, schooling closings, snow warnings and just plain bone chilling, damp cold weather.

We stayed at the Abita Springs Campground. It's on the north side of Lake Pontchartrain and it took us awhile to recognize what the weather and news people were talking about when they referenced the "North Shore".

Since we don't haul a tow we rent a car for the purpose of traveling and sight seeing in the areas we visit. We choose Those rental dates around the best weather we can find. With all the cold the best we could find was rainless dates.

From Abita to New Orleans we had to travel the Lake Ponchartrain Causeway. A three dollar toll on a twenty-six mile bridge. Our first trip was one of exploration. It was to learn the lay of the land. Where the streets for the parades are and where we would be parking. Of course when we went to our first parade we were nowhere near were we had explored. But what it did do was give us a better understanding of how the city was laid out and how to get around.

Parking for the parades is nightmare. It is a must to get there early, and drive around and around until one can find an unposted space, an empty space that is not a driveway or within fifteen feet of a fire plug or corner. A spot that you don't have to pay a minimum of twenty dollars for. The closer one gets to St Charles and Bourbon Streets the higher the prices. Park in the wrong place and you will get a ticket 9big cost) or get towed (big cost) or both. Double big cost.

We have Microsoft Streets and Trips and print out maps from that. This allows us access to street maps of a readable pocket size that allowed us to not only find the parade routes but when we parked it helped in finding the car when we returned. Still got lost once.

There is still a lot of Hurricane Katrina residue in New Orleans. Empty lots. Broken streets and sidewalks. The area has huge trees whose roots are breaking up some of the sidewalks and you wonder what they are doing to the foundation of the existing homes. I have been told that the new building codes requires one to build their home on stilts.

All through New Orleans and the Gulf area Saints fever is ramped. The people are proud of their Saints and the black and gold is constantly in your eyesight. And the people that we met were courteous and helpful. It is a city that is not only rebuilding it's superstructure but also it's image. When they had the parade for the Superbowl Champs there was no busting of windows or burning of cars. It was a mass of happy people enjoying the moment and their team.

More on the parade on the next entry.

Now I know

2010-02-19T23:17:00.007-05:00

After much research and asking many people we found out what the sound that is so beautiful to our ears comes from. We tried crickets, tree frogs, cicadas. We listened to the sounds of many on the web. Heard some that were close but as we repeatedly listened we realized some of the sounds were not quite it.

And then we heard it. We knew it as soon as we did for there is no other sound like it that we have ever heard.

Listen for yourself. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spring_Peeper#Vocalization

And if you can, try to listen only once. We could not

And we still have not seen them.

It's snowy time down south

2010-02-17T13:07:00.002-05:00

The temperatures down south have been about twenty degrees below normal. So I've been told. And I've got the pictures to prove it. Even though it's much better than what we ran away from back east, as mentioned before, the rotten weather has followed us.

Our heat pump has been running every night and sometimes during the day. There is also a chill in the air even if the temp reaches the fifties. My guess is either the humidity, the wind or both. Our night have been in the low low thirties and even in the mid to upper twenties. Cold weather warnings are on the TV every night.

Not expecting to be in too much cold weather I did not save any long sleeve shirts. DUMB. But I did pack away about six sweaters. SMART. No not really, I just like to wear sweaters.

The hottest time we had was during the Super Bowl when most of the motorhomers gathered together in the family center to watch it. It was tailgating indoors with pot luck platters and BYOB a plenty. There was no one there that cheered for Indy. And the mini-crowded was stadium loud for the Who Dat's.

Back to the Silence - Part ll

2010-02-01T16:36:00.004-05:00

About thirty minutes before sundown the noise makers come out again and start their chirping. This time I'm ready. I put on some warm clothing a jacket and with flashlight in hand I go outside into the chilly air, yea it's cold down here, sit and wait.

The darkness came. With it comes the sounds. I had seated myself facing the direction I felt I've heard the sounds coming from. Wrong direction this night. They were ninety degrees on my right and about forty degrees further on the same side were others. They would call back and forth to each other making that music that can be pleasing or displeasing to ears.

Focusing on the closest sound I turned on the light and slowly swept the area to see what I could spot. Nothing. Not only nothing the durn thing shut up. The sound at about 140 degrees also shut up. Nothing. Not one more peep as I sat there, back into darkness listening for their sounds and feeling the chill air reaching me. After about 30 minutes I could no longer take it so inside I went. I wasn't inside ten minutes and they started chirping again. Laughing at me. Teasing me.

I still don't know what they are.

Back to the silence

2010-01-26T14:25:00.003-05:00

There is nothing like it when you can hear the birds sing their beautiful songs. To listen to the breeze rustling through the trees or the rippling sound of a flowing stream. To hear the croaking of frogs, the chirping of crickets at night. It is a pleasure to hear such silence over the cacophony of the sound of the cities.

Oh! The crickets at night. Well let's get back to the crickets. At night, outside our bedroom window, I can hear the crickets transmitting their messages from one to another. they don't use cell phones so sometimes they have to be loud to get their message to go long distances. There are times I feel like a tower and that they are transmitting right through me.

These crickets are the loudest I've ever heard and they sound different. Extended notes like a bow pulled across the strings of a violin. At times the bow would bounce creating a musical flow of several notes. What kind of cricket are these? From the high volume of the noise I surmised they had to be big. Maybe as big as baby dinosaurs. Well maybe not that big but I did hear frogs in the distance and they seemed to be staying away from these crickets.

They were even active during the day so I went outside on a safari to hunt them down. Every step I took vibrated the ground and drove the critters to silence. I had to stand still, wait and listen for the next stringing of the violins. Then move toward it and repeat the process. I heard but never saw them.

But I did notice a few crayfish wholes in the area. Could this have been crayfish making the sounds? More research is needed.

- to be continued -

Weather

2010-01-24T13:35:00.001-05:00

Ever since we left NJ we have had some of the weirdest strings of weather I've ever known. We've had storms that have come out of the Gulf of Mexico and worked it's way up the east coast, bringing the wind and rain that we mentioned in Ida vs Isabel.

Our journey further south took us through the rains of Georgia the cold at St. Augustine, Florida and even lower temperatures that threatened the crops in Florida and froze the water pipes in the panhandle at Pine Lake Resort in Fountain, FL. After two days of freezing pipes the management drained the popes from 4:00pm to 8:00am for the next five days.

California had rain storms that tracked their way across the southern US bringing flooding to the Gulf Coast from Louisiana to Pensacola, Fl. We consistently saw messages flashed across our TV telling us about tornado watches and warnings and to have alternative plans.

In a motor home there are only two plans I know of. Pack up and move or hope there is a tornado shelter near or in the campsite. The basement in the a motor home is in the the motor home not under. But then when we had the house in NJ it was on a slab and there was no basement there either. So you just settle in during the storms and don't concern yourself with things you can't control.

That's the weather man's job.

Williamsburg revisited

2010-01-11T12:12:00.001-05:00

Return to Williamsburg, VA.

The title is a misnomer. It is not a return to Williamsburg but to the Williamsburg area which is full of so many historic sites. So the return did not include Jamestown, Yorktown and of course Williamsburg. This time we tried to visit places we missed in prior visits.

Williamsburg Pottery Factory. This is a factory that is in the process of rebuilding. Factory is not the correct title to put on it at this time and I'm not sure what it's future will be but it is a massisive outlet store for pottery, peanuts, lawn decorations, household utinsels and stuff. I looked at it as an over priced dollar store that was an outlet for Chinese stuff. Even the glassware and pottery were made in China.

Then there is Smithfield. Where those delicious hams come from. Our visit was during the wrong time of the year. The trees were changing their colors if not already changed and the festivities of the travel season are over. Make sure you get a map of the town so you cane walk the streets and find those areas of interest that make Smithfield what it is. There is plenty of public parking in town. I guess it was because smarter people don't visit the town after season and there is plenty of space available.

The big attraction appears to be the old homes throughout the town. They look nice, from the outside, if you are into old homes. The next big attraction(s) is the Arts, Shopping and Dining. Oh yea. The hams. We picked up a small one that we would have for Thanksgiving and whatever was left over we would apply to other meals. Well that ham was so salty that even after drawing it we still could not enjoy it. And when we had finally gotten it down to a point that the salt was acceptable the flavor was gone.

Deep Freeze

2010-01-10T14:02:00.003-05:00

Across most of the country people have been victims of an Arctic freeze for more than a week. That's why we left the mid Atlantic and headed south. Mother nature saw us. She said "you can run but you can't hide". Maybe there is really no place to hide.

We are now in Robertsdale, Alabama, better known as down south, off the Gulf of Mexico. We are in what is suppose to be warm weather. Yes it is winter season but this is ridiculous. Every night I disconnect the fresh water hose to prevent freezing. Our auxiliary catalytic heater runs most of the day to kill the chill in the air that seems to go right through you. We run our heat pump during the late evening and switch to our heater when the temperature gets below freezing.

The cold has a chilling effect on socialization. People have been outside only when necessary. To walk the dog, dump their trash, maybe go shopping. But over all we have all hunkered down in our cocoons waiting for the big thaw.

I've spent time with freezing water hoses. Having to bring them inside at night to keep the water left in them from freezing up. And the park cuts off the water between 4:00pm and 8:00am each evening. My site feed pipe has been frozen for a couple of days and I've had to go a site away just to get water. It's nice to have extra hose

Saint Augustine FL

2009-12-19T14:10:00.001-05:00

It is a beautiful city. There are more churches crammed into a small area that I've ever seen anywhere else. But I didn't go into any of them. After all they are just stain glass windows with pews and alters and arches and if you seen one of them you have just about seen them all.

As beautiful as the city is I took not one picture. You would better of buying postcards. That's because it is so crowded at ground level that I felt a good shot was not possible.

There are two tourist trolleys that travers the city. Old Town Trolleys and the Red Train. We got tickets for the Red Train and mistakenly got on the Old Town Trolley. We went almost the entire tour before we were told we were on the wrong one. But the lady who told us said to just continue our ride and get off at the Visitor Information Center and change trolleys. So be it. When we got on the correct train we noticed that even thought we went to the same places the routes were slightly different. Both trips were very good and the drivers were informative and in some cases comical.

The tickets for The Red Train were $16.00 each and the train is sponsored by Ripley's Believe it or Not. The original Ripply museum is in St Augustine. Since we have been to a couple of them before we opt out, The tickets are three day tickets so you have time to ride around, get on and off at any of the stops, wonder around and then hop on again. We decided to ride through the whole think and see were we might want to go at another time.

The following day we took in the Fort at St Augustine. It has changed hands by treaty a couple of time but has never been conquered. For that reason and by treaty it will fly the Spanish flag until 2050

We've continued to have a running fight with the weather and we have not been the winners. The weather was cold and windy the first day and even though we were layered we were not layered enough. I missed my hat to hold some of the heat in my body. The second day was colder and windier. I had my hat and more layers but I shivered the whole ride and the trip into the fort. At least the fort broke some of the wind but the rides are in open trolleys and the only thing that broke that breeze was me

Bouncing on the wooden benches, huddling up my own body to get some warm, I found myself five days later with muscle cramps in my torso that have keep me awake at night. And here we are on Xmas eve and it's raining outside

Savanna GA

2009-12-11T22:50:00.007-05:00

Well not really Savanna. More like Paula Deen's

Half the fun was getting there. We were making the journey to Paula's and decided to divert ourselves for a short trip to some friends from the old neighborhood. They moved to GA and have enough land to set up some parking sites for a couple of RV's. At the time we were suppose to arrive they were in Atlanta and would not be back for several more hours. Instructions were giving to just pull up and back into one of the sites. Hook up water and electric and hang in until they got home.

We did that and DW pulled up to back into the furthest slot. the soil there is very sandy and DW just happened to get stuck. Stuck to the point we were unable to straighten the front wheels and the rear wheels would not pull us out. What do we do now? Level the unit, extend the slideouts, hook up water and electric, fix dinner and go to bed. Take care of the problem later.

One thing about visiting friends is both parties have to make adjustments in their schedules and they had a full one for the next couple of days. Not so full though we did not make it to Paula's. We went late Friday night and it was crowded. To our luck most of the crowd was a group and they were preparing the first floor for them so our wait was only about half an hour. Our seating was on the third floor. Didn't even know the place was that big.

Paula's has two dining choices. Buffet or menu. DW and I took the menu even though the buffet looked very appetizing to me. I just wanted to try something different. Red snapper in peach sauce, fried grits, asparagus, corn with I don't know what. All I know was it was goooooood eat'n.

Our friends taken on the buffet had a ball with the chicken and ribs. Sweet potatoes that were said to be out of this world and samplings of other fare that I did not taste nor want to taste. I didn't want to confuse my taste buds. But from their return to the line several times I know they were not disappointed.

DW had fried collards. Never heard of them before. Fried green tomatoes. Never had them before. She ate well. Said she was stuffed and I knew it when she through that eating utensil arm across the back of her chair. I never seen that before.

The next morning was dig out day. We started by lowering the jacks, digging out the front wheels and placing some heavy boards under them. Once the jacks wheels were raised some we could lower the jacks more and add some more boards to the wheels. The jacks quit. Oh what now! We diddled around until we located the problem being in the jack on/off switch I managed to jump the switch enough to get the on lamp to come on and then the jacks were operable - - - intermittently. At any rate we continued the procedure until we were able to raise and support the wheels enough to straighten them out and maneuver out of our dilemma. We then pointed the unit toward the open road and sat tight until the next day.

Of course we were not going to waste time. We contacted HWH and discussed the problem with them and the results of our trouble shooting. They agreed with me. So I asked if they could send me a new switch. No. But they could fix the panel if I sent it to them. We discussed the time frame and I decided it was way to long so I ordered a new control panel for the jacks. The next morning we booked. Our friends had obligations to meet and were already on the road earlier that morning. Next stop Fort McAllister, GA.

.

No Bars in More Places

2009-11-11T19:47:00.001-05:00

No Bars in More Places. That's AT&T at Chesapeake Bay Thousand Trails near Urbanna, VA. Being where we stayed during our trip to the Urbanna Oyster Festival, the camp ground was nice but phone service was nil. On the campgrounds pamphlet the have annotated a "phone stump" for those that have AT&T. We were here in 2007 and I saw a lady standing on a tree stump and I looked up at her and said "You must have Cingular" (which it was at the time). She did and it was the only place she could get phone service. It has not changed yet and the stump is wearing away.

I walked around the campgrounds back then and found a couple places where I could get as much as two bars. Turn a degree or two in any direction and you loose it. This time, with AT&T, It was worst. there were no bars at the stump and only once was I luckily enough to get a couple of bars where I'd gotten them before.

This condition was not just there. It was all along Hwy 17 at least from Urbanna to Cloucester. No bars meant no phone contact, no Internet except through the use of WiFi at the adult center. Slow but it worked. No bars means goodbye AT&T. Hello Verizon. Those who had Verizon had no trouble. But we have decided for the present time to have one line on each carrier. I know there are places that Verizon won't have great coverage and a backup would be prudent

Urbanna Oyster Festival - 2009

2009-11-06T18:59:00.002-05:00

November sixth and seventh Urbanna VA held it's Annual Oyster Festival. People come from near and far to participate in the fresh shell fish prepared in many different ways' The whole Small town is blocked off. Vehicles are parked on the edge of town, money maker, an no bicycles, skateboards or roller shoes allowed. I thought I saw a sign that also said no dogs but that was ignored. A good pair of walking shoes were the order of the day(s).

It's a plethora of signs and banners attempting to to tell attendees their fair has the best whatever to satisfy your pallets. Cheese steaks, corn dogs, butterfly Potato chips, Italian sausage, ice cream, sodas of multi flavors in a ninety-nine cent refillable souvenir mug, cracklin', funnel cake and of course shell fish of oysters, clams, crabs and even unshelled types of fresh fish.

The Chesapeake Bay fresh oysters were sweet tasting. They were raw, fried, soup, stewed and almost any other way you can think of preparing those slimmy little delicacies. We had some fried, naturally with french fries on the side and I must say not being an oyster eater they were good.

There are two parades for the festival. On the first night there is the ubiquitous Fire engines and rescue type vehicles from different town in the area. It is said to be more than two hundred vehicles with horns and sirens a blasting. It is recommended that one cover their ears to drown out some of the noise. We left before it started.

The next day was the big parade and the crowning of the queen. We missed that day too. After all how many parades does on have to see in a life time. Without kids at least one less. And there was no way it was going to hold a candle to the News Years Parade in Pasadena CA.

Worth visiting. If you like fresh oysters by all means. Make sure in your trek through tow you go down ti the museum and docks. A bit of history awaits you. If you plan to eat bring lots of cash. It will take a lot to fill you up and it's not cheap. If you like a parade of noisey sirens, it's high decibel heaven. But if you bring children make sure you have protection for their ears. If you like big crowds in tiny towns ? You got it. And if you think you might want to rest those tired dog, BYOC, bring your own chair. There ain't no park benches in town.

Delaware Seashore SP, DE

2009-10-26T21:40:00.000-04:00

A short distance down the road to another high priced DE State Park. We are bird watching still and that was our main reason for stopping there. We were disjointedly pleased. Disappointed because most of the migration has gone before us. Pleased because we were able to get some nice photos of several birds that are unfamiliar with. Our National Geographic American Bird book is very helpful in the identification process.

The campground is on a jetty. We had water,sewage and electric but no trees. We had plenty of wind though. Enough to keep us from putting out our chairs and awning but the temperature was and walking between the wind gust was comfortable.

Just like in the city we would often times hear sirens going of in the distance. Our second day an EMT vehicle came down the road that was next to the entrance to the campground. I felt it was going to continue further down the road to some houses past us. They did. Next I heard a chopper overhead.

The area and campground is used by fishermen because of it's access to salt water fish via boat and from the jetty. Many units we say were from Pa and the fishing seemed pretty good. But this day it was tragic. A fifty-four year old man fishing from the rocks slipped into the water. He was wearing waders and they filled up with water and acting like an anchor pulled him under. It is said he managed to get one off and reached the rocks again but the other boot, still on and filled, pulled him back under. the EMT had gone to the end of the jetty to see if they could spot him. It and the chopper had no luck and the next day they gave up the search for the body

The Cape May Ferry & Cape Henlopen SP

2009-10-26T20:57:00.000-04:00

When we pulled up to the tool both the toll collector looked up at me (I'm driving) and cheerfully said "Sixty-eight dollars".

I said, with a surprised look on my face, "SIXTY-EIGHT DOLLARS?"

I had thought it would be about twenty four but that was long ago in a different size vehicle. So depletion of the cash account ensued and we pulled into the line of waiting vehicles and waited for the ferry. The trip across the bay took about seventy-five minutes which was a saving of time and distance if we had taken I-95 instead. That helped heal my monetary wounds.

Since our journey started so late in the day we had a beautiful glimpse of the sunset and then it went total darkness. It was almost the same when we got off the ferry at Lewes DE except for the lights in the parking lot. But when you hit the end of the lot it was pitch black and we had to navigate our way down the unknown road to Cape Henlopen SP, DE. No lights on the road either.

we went through two unattended gates looking for the campsites. The firs aid deposit $8.00 in a little box off the road. Task accomplished. then we weaved our way through darkness looking for sites. there was plenty room so we decided to park near the restroom and showers building. Sack out for the night and do our hook ups in the morning. On of the things that amazed us was the large parking space the had in the from of the back in site.

with the dawn we went to the ranger post to sign in. With all the driving around in circles we did the night before we had no idea how close we were to it. Less than 100 yards. We also discovered at that time the box for the $8.00 was not for us and they don't refund fees. The sites are so large because they are not back ends but parallel parking sites. You put a tent or whatever on the ground side and you unit stay on the side of the road. Water. No electric or sewage at $27.00 per night. Oh yea and that entrance fee we didn't have to pay.

We spent two nights there, rode our bikes around what use to be a shore battery outpost during the WWII. Know the bunkers are all sealed up but you can still get an idea of the massiveness of the installation. Right down the road before you enter the park is Fort Myles which contains the history and several of the canon of the time. We didn't visit beside of time constraints.

Even though the area is a bird sanctuary most of the birds had already gone south. We were still about two weeks behind the migration schedule. So this stop over was a day later and multi dollars short. After two nights it was onward to Delaware Seashore SP.

Heat and biting bugs

2009-08-17T11:58:00.005-04:00

It's hot.

Of course that's a relative term. It depends on where you are and how much heat you are use to. For me, It's hot. It is the first day of a heat wave on the east coast. That's three consecutive days of 90 degrees plus weather. Part of the relative part deals with the humidity and that has been high when the temperatures were lower so the 90 degree mark really doesn't mean that much.

to beat the heat and get some exercise in one must get that task done in the early morning. I step out my MH, spray on the bug spray and start hoofing it. It's not long before the mosquitoes are searching for an opening to feed on. They buzz around my face, which I did not put bug spray on, and my back. I use a stick to fan them away an just keep on walking. They are hungry and non stop. Sometime I deliver more blows to myself than them. And there are times when your reflexes make you swat at phantom mosquitoes. they aren't there but the feeling is.

Added to the little buggers are an bigger bugger with a bigger bite. Silent. The Green head fly. They abode and abound in wetlands and shore areas along the coast. They make a summer at the shore misery. These things bite and I do mean bite. And when they do you slam at the spot the pain comes from without a second thought. Sometimes adding to the pain of the biting bug.

There aren't that many people meandering about under these conditions. As the day goes on some of them, with kids, go to the beaches. some just go to the swimming pool at the camp ground. most do what I do to beat the bugs and heat. Stay in the air condition MH.

More than one way to skin a cat.

A Tail of two Smithvilles

2009-08-16T12:30:00.002-04:00

While staying at the NACO campground in Port Republic NJ I noticed signs for Historic Smithville. http://www.smithvillenj.com/events/index.cfm in Smithville NJ. Familiar with Smithville I was wondering how it could be so close to the Jersey shore. The Smithville I knew was near Mount Holly, NJ, some sixty plus miles west. Naturally we had to go see.

It's a tourist trap and that doesn't mean it's not a nice place to visit. It seems to be centered around the Smithville Inn, a rest stop for travelers of yore. The Inn and it's diner are still in operation. Added to that are a plethora of shops to separate one from their shillings. Trinkets and whatnot's of all types. A few rides for the kiddies and paddle boats for the bigger folk. Ice cream shops and a winery outlet. Trinket shops abound with signs that tickle the funny bone.

Over all the area is colorful and great for photos, well laid out and very pleasant to walk through. Worth a visit? Sure. One of the things that surprised me was the size of the town. There is a shopping center about half a mile down the road. Going by the center and into the unknown I ran across the real burg of Smithville. A large residential community that isn't really seen or known by the casual traveler. That's one of the rewards of motor homing into the unknown So if you ever go there make sure to drive into the shopping center and beyond.

Then there is the other Smithville in Easthampton NJ. http://www.co.burlington.nj.us/departments/resource_conservation/parks/sites/smithville/info/index.htm This one is still in the stag of rehabilitation. An old prison and industrial site that has been converted to a nature and recreation center. They use to have jousting contest between different old time reenact groups, trade fairs and demos of early American culture from Native American through pre and post revolutionary day. I don't know if they still do. Their website does not say much about that at this time.

Still if one is in that area it is worth a stop. After all when you are motor homing you just can't always barrel down the road without stopping to smell the roses sometimes.

Little bug. Big Bite

2009-08-09T16:30:00.002-04:00

Chestnut Lake NACO campground is not far from Atlantic City and the Jersey wetlands. In our exploration of the area we have found very little in the way of population along the back roads. Nice homes in some areas. Nice, big, expensive homes that one knows the woman of the house does not do the cleaning. The greatest mass of life that I've ran across was the little old mosquito.

The first time I took a walk around the CG I made the mistake of cheating and taking a short cut across the grass. All I did was stir up the little buggers and let them know breakfast was ready. They attacked my legs with gusto and attempted to get their morning tomato juice. With multiple swats and a change of direction I got off the grass and onto the roadway where the sun could beat on them.

On the walk back to my MH I decided to stay on the road but as I walked through a shaded area the mosquitoes came at me again. Looking down at my legs I could see more than a dozen clinging to my socks and more flying around looking for a good breakfast table. Half of them died where they landed and the rests decided to fly away.

All of a sudden I feel this sharp stabbing pain in the middle of my chest. A reflex action made me slam my hand at the pain. As I looked down at my hand I could see blood seeping around my fingers. What did I do?

I pealed my hand back and noticed a black spot on my shirt. A flat mosquito. Surround by my rich, red blood. That bugger must have thought she would get take out for the whole family and those on my leg were just a diversion. It's amazing that something so small can hold so much.

The next time I went for a walk I remembered to use the bug repellent first.

A Small World

2009-08-04T10:38:00.000-04:00

The world of flowers. We look at them from a distance and see how beautiful they are, how fragrant they smell. Not always pleasant. But there is a different view of them when one looks closer. An intricate view of design and color that can only be seen up close. And it doesn't matter the size of the flower. the real beauty is deep within its petals.

I'm having a problem uploading photos at this time so I can't really show you what I mean so this is a chance for you to gaze into the mini world for yourself. Look at any flower of a large size and see it's beauty. Look deeper and you will see an inner beauty of color and design. Then go look at smaller flowers. Take a decent magnifying glass to assist you if you don't have a camera that will give you closeups What you see may amaze you and it's better than watching TV.

I find this world fascinating to and for the minds of children. For they are also of a small world surrounded by giants. They are amazed when these smaller things are pointed out and explained to them.

I shall return to this subject when I'm able to upload some photos. Until then, look into the small world.

Time to think

2009-08-02T11:30:00.005-04:00

It is hot and muggy at Port Republic, NJ. And the mosquitoes offer no respite. Still with bug spray and a breeze sitting outside watching the birds fly can be acceptable. On this day doing just that, I watch the birds flying around the trees. Darting in and out of the branches as if the were pilots in a dogfight. What speed the are doing this I have no knowledge of but to watch I think of jet fighters. They are fast and very acrobatic in there travels.

And then I begin to wonder. How do they know, without instrumentation, which direction they are going? What altitude they are? How do they get back from wherever they started? What do they use as markers? How can they twist and turn to catch bugs, their food, on the fly? All questions I do not have answers for but questions that keep my mind active and in wonder.

Boring

2009-07-26T07:28:00.011-04:00

Boring . . . . And I mean boring.

This RV lifestyle is really boring. Nothing to do but . . . . . well let me give you an example of a twenty-four hour day.

We start the day by getting up anywhere between 7 and 9 in the morning. Whatever floats your boat. And regardless of the time you get up you don't eat breakfast until about two hours later. Gotta get you head together first. Now that time frame does not include coffee. That stuff is the head gathering elixir. The coffee time is blended in with computer time. Catching up on the latest news, reading email, checking finances. You know. the mundane stuff. After having done all that it is now time to decide what to wear for the day. Usually a big decision time between shorts and tee shirt or jeans and tee shirt.

If one had not decided the day before then now is the time to determine the days events. This day we will take a trip to the Cape May Lighthouse in Cape May New Jersey. Pack the necessities, snack and water, and off we go. Oh. Don't forget the camera and binoculars. The journey is about twenty-five miles from our campground traveling down route nine. Heavy traffic on the two lane route because of the summer crowed. But it relieves the boredom by allow us to find out where the shopping malls are and other places that might be of interest. We even found a Wal-Mart that wasn't listed in the book. (If you have to ask what book then you don't need to know)

So, continuing our journey, following the directions I pulled from "Streets and Trips". We got lost. Nothing new. We done that many times. When all else fails then follow the road signs. When you can find them. Unobstructed by trees and polls. It's great to swivel your neck around and reed the sign that says you should have turned on the street you just passed. But that's what they make big driveways and parking lots for. Impromptu U turns.

Well we get there. Big deal. Tall tapered cylinder with a light on top. No. I ain't walking up those steps to the top. I'm pass that age of adventure. We decided to take a walk through the trails. There are three. 0.5, 1.3, and 2.0 miles. Let spit the difference and take the middle one. We begin our walk across a newly renovated walk way that is laid with imitation wood. Helps the environment. Last longer and requires little maintenance. This turns into an unrenovated section of the path. Needs renovation badly. As we continue to trek we run out of board walks and begin walking on mother earth. She could use a little work too. Where is this stimulus money?

Well there is nothing to do but listen to the song of nature as the birds call back and forth. To take pictures of beautiful flowers and try to capture some of that beauty through the lens. To watch about two holes in the ground. about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter being visited by bees. They only enter about a quarter of their body, do whatever they are doing and fly of to another or somewhere else. Tried to get pictures of them but the move so fast all I could get was a clear shot of the holes and bee blurs.

Well that was boring so after several minutes of observation I move on down the trail. Clicking of a shot or two of Red Winged Black birds aka fly catchers, A swan cleaning it's feathers and leaving a trail of down floating in the water. Don't they know we are trying to keep the waters clean?

After making this trek and being totally bored and tired we returned to the car for water and a snack. Then off on trail one. Here we watched mallard ducks preening themselves on an unsanitary platform. I wouldn't want to walk on that.

All in all it was a long hot day, and I mean hot and muggy, of boring stuff only to return to the RV and have to download and catalog the pictures we just took. Squeezed into those evening hours is dinner and a bicycle ride around the campground. Gotta get some exercise. Chow, read, chat, write, bed time. About midnight. Might awaken in the early morning, say two or three, take care of necessities, get a snake and hit the hay again about two hours later. And then a new day dawns while I go back to bed. Bored.

Everyday is not the same. You look for new and different things to see, ride the bike and or walk more and maybe take a nap during your heavy day. Any thing to kill the boredom.

To put up with this boring lifestyle one just has to love it. And I do. I love it! Love it! Luuuuv it!

Moving Stuff and going full time

2009-07-17T02:52:00.003-04:00

We were still in the process of moving stuff out of our home in prep for full timing. And it's still amazing how that stuff grows as we trash it, give it away or move to a centralized location within the abode so we can move it again at a later date.

But the moving of stuff this time was t o allow us to go full time (almost). We still need to devoid ourselves of the home. It is amazing how that American dream you wanted so much many years ago has become the American Albatross. And in today's economy it is a nightmare. But, it served it's purpose and now the dream has changed to something much bigger. It has become not the house with the picket fence but the house without fences and one that will give us a much wider view of America.

Our first stop is at the Outdoor World Campground in Swainton, NJ. What a beginning. While DW was doing her thing on the inside of the motor home I'm doing mine on the outside. She had already hooked up power and after some grocery shopping I started to hookup the water.

I like to do this in stages. checking each connection for leaks before making the next one. As I did this and got to the filter unit the connection was pouring out liquid. I tried to tighten the connection. Couldn't tightened it. Tried to disconnect the pressure gage I had put on the connector. Wouldn't come off. Went to get my pliers and wrenches and found that some of what I need was back in that stuff we had been moving. DW40 and a lot of elbow grease finally did the job. Got my pressure gage back but the connection at the filter was still leaking bad.

Well for now I have to omit the filter. Connected straight to the MH and guess what. That connector was leaking too. All the washers had been replaced on our last trip so I felt it had to be the connections. I replaced the elbow going into the water system only to find out the replacement was broken and it was just like having an open hose.

Now being one that is great at multi tasking I was also getting the fire started in the grill. Stuff some paper and coals in the chimney lighter and forget about it for awhile. While this process was going on DW is preparing stuff for dinner, puts on coffee and a fuse pops. I hear the call from inside that the electric is off. All this takes place while sweat is pouring off me, dripping onto my glasses and I can't see half the time.

Multi task. fix the power first. After both of us checked breakers and switches we finally found the the breaker at the socket where the coffee pot was plugged in had popped but didn't look as if it did. Electric on again.

Check fire for grill. It didn't start. All the paper had burned but the coals didn't catch. re papered and re lite same. Now for the water. I retraced my steps with the water hookup. That is I started from the beginning and eliminated the filter. I finally got all the connections leak free and we had shore water and power. But no fire in the grill.

I had it. With the humidity taking water out of me faster than I could get it in I had to stop and sit in a nice cool place for awhile. Like and air conditioned motor home. And, of course, replenish the fluids. DW had to cook inside since I was no longer going to fight with the fire starting.

After all was said and done DW asked if I had opened the gray water dump valve. Ha! I hadn't even connected the the dump hose and I wasn't about to tackle that task now.

To cap of the evening we had a very nice dinner and then took showers. I could see my dirt and sweat and stink just running down the shower drain. It was good. And it was good night.

Big Weekend

2009-07-07T08:39:00.004-04:00

Well the big bang weekend is over. That is until the end of the summer for many in September. For us it was just another day in the mobile home.

Here at Outdoor world at Scotrun, PA we watched the trailers and campers arrived beginning on the 2nd of July. Many people just brought their units in to set them up for their three day vacation. It was said there were over a hundred units at the campground. Believe me the place filled up quickly.

For me it was a special birthday on the 2nd. The DW made me some oatmeal cookies from a recipe featured on The Neely's of Food Network. They were the Oatmeal Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich. I noticed on their video how the coolies seemed to flatten out when she baked them and I never saw her press them down. The DW's did likewise.

As I chomped into my first cookie I told her they were tasty but they didn't seem to taste like oatmeal cookies. More of a spice cookie flavor. "OMG. I forgot to add the oatmeal", said she. And the laughter and comments erupted. A second batch came forth and, as suspected, these didn't flatten by themselves. Don't know how the Neely's made sandwiches out of them but they were good.

As the weekend approached we just chilled. Watching the antics of everyone else. It almost appeared as if no one went to see fireworks from here. They seemed to build fire pits, burn grub and listen to the noise of the big boomers in the early night.

Sunday and Monday we watched the tide of campers dwindle as more long haulers, 5th wheelers and Motor homes arrived to fill some of the spaces. Adding to those who had been here more than a week. Now, almost mid week they too will be moving on. Not to go back to work but to the next destination on their unending vacations.

No TV

2009-07-03T18:36:00.003-04:00

We have been without the boob tube for a week now and I don't really care. It's been nice even though I miss the weather reports. But then that is what the computer if for. Now that's my side of the story but DW made mention of missing her soaps. OMG.

So out I go to get the dish up. Eighteen months ago in the land of sun and wind, better known as Quartzsite AZ, the dish took a tumble and the horn broke of its mountings. They're cheaply put together anyway. So before this trip I decided to repair it. Drilled a couple of wholes to mount a bolt through it and, walla, we are off and running. Naturally I didn't have, take, time to test it out.

Any who. This day out comes the tripod and, of all things that must befall me, the pole is missing. We both looked high and low in the bays without success. Luckily I had a length of PVC that I could use. Unluckily it was a tad to small in diameter. So putting the old noggin to work I wrap ed some cardboard around it until I was able to get it to fit.

So I slide it through the C clamps that hold the pole tight to the tripod. Just my luck one of the nuts to the top clamp is missing. Can only tighten it so much. But that's not the best part. The tripod and pole are suppose to be level. And with my trusty pole leveler I had on heck of a time trying to accomplish that task. Not being a genius with a compass and trying to level the pod and pole while acquiring the proper direction I found my dislike, nah hate, for soaps increasing by the second.

We worked on that task for more than an hour when our next site neighbor came by and told us he was unable to pick up anything on his roof mounted satellite dish. He felt it was probably interference from the trees.

Can you get soaps on your computer?

Peace and Quiet

2009-06-30T11:26:00.004-04:00

Early morning and I could hear the trees rustel in the breeze. Our at least that is what I thought I heard. It was really a light rain. A quiet peaceful rain and I listened to it until I fell back into my land of nod.

Later in the morning a little kid about 2 years old came knocking on our door. At first I though he might have been disoriented and went to the wrong camp site. As the DW got up to check he scampered back across the road to his own site. I watched through my old eyes and saw someone laying down, conversing with him and a younger one. All was ok.

Yet as I watched I began to wonder why were they laying there and even though the arms were moving around it just didn't look right. And why did that kid really knock on our door? So DW got dressed and went over to check. The next think I hear is "call the ranger station".

Well the mother of the child had hurt her back and fallen. She had sent the 2 1/2 year old to get help at what we later found out was a couple of sites. We just happened to be the ones that responded. So with a response from the office and a call later for an ambulance all began to get better for our unknown neighbor. She had a painful time being raised to her feet and placed on a gurney. then if was off to the hospital for her. The DW ending up babysitting the neighbors two boys until a family member was able to arrive.

That episode in the time of our lives broke the peace and quiet but it was well worth it just to be able to help another.

On the road again

2009-06-27T22:04:00.008-04:00

And it feels good. Not that we haven't made several small trips since our last update but this time it's the real deal. We have moved out of the brick and motor pad and onto the rubber. Fulltimers at last.

It is not an easy transition. Especially getting the house in order and ready for sale. Where and how did one accumulate so much stuff? It seemed that the more we got rid of the more it grew. Our house was purchased to raise our kids and most of what was in it was purchased with them in mind. Well they are all grown and gone now and do you think they want that stuff? No way. They've started accumulating their own.

We gave much of it to charities and trashed what was not worth giving away. Still there are things to be stored. We both have looked at items that had meaning years ago to us. But they are items that have no meaning to anyone else. We choked back the emotions and made the choice to trash it. There are new memories to be had down the road.

Now we have to figure out where we are going and when and how to get there. Plus how long we'll stay in one place. My Favorites in the computer has a listing by states of many attractions we want to see. My Streets and Trips contains several travel itinerary and route layouts for trips. It's just a case of pick one and start the journey.

One of the last things we had to do was visit our doctors. It's amazing how well they look after you. Or at least their pocket book. How they want to manage your health every three months. It was nice to have them make the next appointment and be told that if I were in the area I'd keep it otherwise I'll call them when I'm available. Wonder if I can charge them a fee if they can't meet my schedule? I refuse to have managed health care manage my travel schedule.

At present we are staying at Scotrun Outdoor World in PA. I came down before the DW while she went to her class reunion. I had a dull time putting up with some heavy rain and hail for one day. On the day she came to join me she had the excitement of watching a black bear cross the highway in front of her. I guess, like the chicken, it to wanted to get to the other side. And no one tried to stop it from jaywalking.

The Hershey RV Show - 2008

2008-09-12T14:24:00.013-04:00

On the 11th of this month we went to the big RV show in Hershey PA. This year, at least when we went, it was not so big. Oh there were the usual plethora of RVs but what was missing were people and vendors. We went on senior day. Buy one get one free for those who are seniors. A perk for living so long. Like doctors bills.

The last time we were at the show was in 2005, not long after we purchased our unit. The place was packed and you could hardly navigate around the vendor floor of the concourse. This year there were was no problem getting to where you wanted to go. Stadium seating was not at a premium. It was a lesson in economics that our politicians just don't seem to understand.

Now I have to admit that I don't know if the lack of patrons is because it's a weekday and vendors are going to show on Friday through Sunday. We looked at the function brochure and noticed some names of vendors that were not there. That empty space you see on the right of the picture is the same on the opposite side of the floor as the above photo shows.

Outside, as mentioned, there were plenty of units to goggle and just as many sales persons. The seemed to be talking among themselves more that potential customers. We had plenty of time to purview any of the units we so desired without interference. One of the things I found missing was the paper work of the units. You had to ask for them.

I also noticed a 25% - 30% discount on some of the units we looked at. To me that was a reduction on an inflated price to begin with. If I were in the market to buy the discount price would be a good starting point and then down from that. At least 50% off would be good for this market. Yep, I'm out of my mind.

Fall's a coming

2008-09-05T13:50:00.005-04:00

Well it that time of year again. When the trees begin to shed the summer greenery and turn to blazing colors of gold, red, rust and shades in between. It is nature getting ready to take a nap and she does it in style.

It's also the time for snowbirds to fly south for the winter. Well at least roll south. We started our prep in August. We made a one week trip with one of our grand daughters to Gettysburg Farms in PA. It's a 1000 Trails/Outdoor World preserve with much, much to keep the young ones busy but the area it's self also hold a lot of entertainment.

We spent one day at Indian Echo Caverns. Another day was spent at Hummlestown, PA at the miniature railroad. It is a model city with the railroad as a main theme. Eye level for small children where they can let their imagination run

wild at their own level. From the model railroad it was a stones throw to the real thing and the chance for a little one to ride the big boy. Pumping steam. whistle blowing. Chugging as it pulls a load of cars behind. Oh, and don't forget the cinders from the coal burner. Ah the memories.

For the young one's who attending the CG there are geese, cows, horses, goats and turkeys to feed and pet. There is a hay ride to take them through a long and winding trip through the corn fields. And of course there is the pool to cool one off during those hot summer days.

It was a nice way to prepare for the upcoming travel season. That is for those who don't have to haul kids around to the different activities they the children attend. For them its the end of the travel season.

On the road again

2008-05-26T20:54:00.004-04:00

It's Memorial Day weekend and the weather is conditional on your location. On the mid-atlantic coast it is one of the best Memorial day weekends we've had in years. If you are in the heartland you have your heart in your mouth as tornados rip through the country side. The west has it's usual fire season and the northwest it's late snows. Whatever you want, weather wise, you can have if you're a MHer and plan ahead.

This weekend we traveled to Forest Lake TT. Some 550 or so miles from home as we make our way towards Winston-Salem NC. Never have I seen traffic so light on the highways except about fifteen years ago when we traveled I-85 to Duke. This time it's not traffic patterns it's gas prices. Almost $4.00 per gallon. I feel that has kept most people closer to home base. For us it's bring home base with you.

What do you do on these long drives when you are the co-pilot and DW is at the wheel. I decided to play a few children's games. I counted the road pizzas for awhile and watched the feathered cleaning crews have a raw meat cook out. That got boreing since there wasn't enought roadside meals to keep my interest. Kids are like that. So I switched to counting MH vs trucks. Now that was interesting. For the first time I noticed more MHs on the road than the big boys. Sometimes as many as two to one. For the first time we MHers are king of the road.

I expect all this to change as the night draws closer and delivers must be made to the freight stations on Tuesday. But I do know that the cost of fuel is taking it's toll on the trucking industry. Jevic, a company near our stationary home has been in business for almost three decades. We would look at their trucks on the road all across the country. No more. They just went belly up. Bankrupt with, I'm sure, fuel being the nail in their coffin. On the road I spotted a trucking company building with a big banner announcing "Space Available". Lifestyle changes caused by a crisis's our leadership knew was coming and did nothing to change our dependency on fossil and foreign fuels.

The Forest Lake TT is loaded this weekend with members and guest. Tomorrow we will see if people are staying longer in one place to cut down on their fuel expense. MHers will probably not adjust their lifestyle but will adjust their budgets. I've now adjusted mine to $5.00 per gallon for travel purposes. Life and MHers roll on

Journey to full-timing

2008-05-20T17:48:00.004-04:00

A lot has happened since our return from Quartzsite. The first was the return journey itself and the changes in the scenery on the way back. The next in the doctors visits and the blood test by the vampires that the many different doctors require.

You do get a check up of your MH don't you? That's when you find out about all those minor things that your winter travels have pressed upon your rolling home. You do get the same for yourself to don't you? That when you find out about personal deterioration of one's body during the rusty years.

Well my check up caused my primary physician to plop down in his chair. He had trouble finding a heart beat. After a few words he told me I needed to go to the emergency room. Eight days later I returned home with a Pacemaker. That 's the short story.

Now back to the important part. Our intent during our brick and mortar home visit was to prepared it for sale. My suggestion to anyone his is really considering to make the transition to full-timing is to start early. You have no idea how much stuff you may have accumulated over the years. Stuff that means a lot to you and nothing to anyone else. Stuff that family members pass on to their children when they die and the kids have either no use or desire for it.

We have pictures from forty years ago that are our memories. We've gleaned through them, got some laughs, shed some tears and in one box went those that we will scan into our new 500 gig drive and the rest went to the land fill. Furniture that we gave away to charity. We did not want to spend the time having a yard sale. Besides the heart condition took more than a week out of our lives.

There are minor repairs and painting to be done and we rusty folks will have to do it ourselves. Our young ones are too busy to and distant to be of much help. We really don't care and realize it's stuff. Plus they are getting rusty too. We even had to get rid of some of their stuff we have been storing for the past fifteen plus years. No matter how many times we asked them to come get it over the past years they never seem to have the time. Of course there was no hurry since we will always be around. In order to expedite the extraction of their stuff I just told them it didn't matter if the came to get it or not. I gave them a date when it would be put out for trash pick up. Now those words were a mover. Stuff went quick.

It's true when they say one person's trash is another's treasure. We put junk on the curb that hardly stayed there long enough for us to walk back into the house. I'm afraid someone will think we are putting our MH on the curb.

Why did we buy all that stuff? we should and could have used those funds for something more use full. Oh well. It fit our needs at the time. Our needs are now to get rid of this elephant that we neither have need or desire to continue feed. And if you are considering the same make sure you start early.

Choices

2008-02-29T18:27:00.000-05:00

To be or not to be. That is the question. Whether it is nobler to be pulling your alternate transportation with your motorhome or have your transportation pull your home. In short have a Class A or fiver. Class C and D are not included in this dissertation.

It's a choice we all have to make sooner or later. Some move from one class MH to the other. The fiver allows the occupants to leave home behind and visit the surrounding country side and/or get supplies. But they can't cook a meal while sitting in their truck or make a quick and easy run to the bathroom from that truck to their home on wheels.

The Class Aers can do the above, cook meals, more easily, comfortably and safely carry more people. But you need to carry that tow behind you. Of course another advantage is that one is not limited to a truck for their alternate transportation. You can haul any type you want and you also have options on the manner in which that vehicle is hauled.

Choices, choices, choices. And when the choice is made it is based on the desires and needs of the buyers. Ain't it great to have so much to choose from?

Can't get lost

2008-02-26T15:08:00.000-05:00

When one travels the roads of America they are going somewhere by design or by happenstance. Either way to avoid getting lost one should always have some form of guidance. We have a built in compass on our rig. Of course there are maps and we depend on the truckers map first. Then there are state maps one can get at any information station when they enter a state. One should take a look at all the functions they can find in that state for the time period they will be there.

We back that up with The Next Exit, a must have. We've also discovered that it's nice to have Wal-Mart's book to get directions to these hidden gems of provisions and rest. And then to top all of the above off we have Microsoft's Streets and Maps and the TrailerLife Campground Finder. Hook them up to your GPS and there is no way one can get lost.

Ha! I've used all of these and have been lost more times than I can recall. They are accurate. The co-pilot, wife or me, are not always that good. One can be in the wrong lane of traffic and can't get into the correct lane and whoops, we're going the wrong way. Down narrow roads where a U turn is impossible - - -but you do it some how. Or being told by Alice, that's what we call our direction finder, to make a turn on a one way street - - - the wrong way.

You make some nice discoveries this way and some of them you would rather not make. Especially the ones on narrow muddy roads or hills that were built for mountain goats or paved roads that turn to dirt roads that turn into paths.

That's why my final back up is our biz card which says, We're Lost and We really Don't Care

Waiting to come back home

2008-02-23T15:49:00.000-05:00

You've seen some of Agodonis MX, now look at the lines getting out. You must remember that the check is for your protection. Of course I doubt that any terrorist will be walking through the gate. Many folks feel it's by design to discourage people from going over to get medication. When you are on a limited income you don't mind waiting in line to save money. The people in the line are jovial. They speak with each other, tell stories and tall tails, exchange information and knowledge and are willing to help one learn how to deal and get around in Mexico. It's a great group of people to stand in line with.

The top picture is where we first got into the line. For a perspective look in the center top and you will see a tall tree. That tree is about half way to the final curve in the line

To the left you see that tree again on the right side of the picture as we move along. Now remember these people are not crossing the border just for their looks. They are doing it to get a Chiropractic treatment for $30.00. To get a set of tri-focals for less than $200 and that includes examination. To get, meds of course, and even though some of them might be generic they are as much as 80% off stateside prices. They are here to get a new set of denturs, while the wait for less than $200. In this experience I learned there are a lot of people that do not have health benefits and it is mostly not their fault. I've seen a part of the 40 million.

We reached the tree, and the restroom, and the benches and the shade. To many it is a welcomed spot. The sun takes no mercey on you down here and a hat can be your best friend. That and a cold bottle of water.

We are still not at the end of the line. As you look at the center point of the picture you can just see the turning point. Another 25 yards after that and you will be in the trailer with as many as three Border Patrol members checking your bag and passport and then passing you through.

After making that journey and walking back to the parking lot I looked back to see where the line was now. It is longer than it was when we got in it. Much longer. They are now going up the hill and along with them climbs the rising temperture of the day. And there are more coming every second. No that is not the tree on your right. From this vantage point you can't even see it.

Part II

2008-02-20T20:14:00.000-05:00

Remember part one? I don't. That's the problem with having so much time between post and also having such a short memory. It's also one of the problems when you do this on an air card and all the advertisement ain't true. There are coners of this country that microwaves don't reach and if they do they, like us, are just passing through.

Anyway back to Algodonis MX. The tourist trap if you look at it that way but it is also a medical center. Pharamacias all over the place. Dentist, Glasses, Chiropractors. You name it, They've got it. And they have a bunch. For those who are on Medicare and need to pay for their own medical needs it's a bargain and a well needed bargain at that. Of course the hub bub with our politicans is they can't guarantee the safety of the medicines but so what. They can't gurantee the saftey of those bought in the US. All they can be guarantee is the over pricing of our drugs.

Of course there is more to Algodinis that the med end of it. There is also inexpensive liquor and over expensive trinkits. Gold jewlery abounds. Real Rolex watches, cheap. Yea right. Hats, ponchos, clothing, rugs and on and on and on. Unlike Tiajuana, MX we didn't have to say no to a bunch of annoying children begging in the streets. but you did have to say no to a bunch of vendors peddeling their wears on the sidewalk.

The sidewalks are covered with tarps from the store front to the street. All along the street side are tables loaded with things to be bought by tourist. You wonder where they get all the stuff. I was looking for Mexican artifacts made in China. Didn't find any though. Not wanting to use flash I didn't take pictures of these areas. And then sometimes one gets so caught up in the sights they forget to take the picture all together.

Does that sound like I disliked it? Well I didn't. It gives one a different perspective of how another part of the world has to survive. I think on my next trip, and I will go again, I'll squat in a spot and focus on photos. Catching the moment and the beauty. The folks north of the border are welcome in Mexico. After all we do provide an income for many of them. Guns are not allowed across the border. A little different from being able to carry a gun in Arizona as long as it is visible. Cars yield to predestrians. Try that in New York or Philly.

On leaving the town we joined into a line of people who had to go through American customs. A long line of people. A long, long line of people. It took us an hour and a half to get through and that was without any interuptions in the flow. It's just a slow process. When we got through I looked back at the line and it was longer than when we started. It is my understanding that you come as early as possible and leave early. Get your stuff and get out before the line gets long.

I-95 to Yuma

2008-02-03T12:36:00.000-05:00

For us as vendors Quartzsite has been a disaster. But we are not alone. There is the old saying in merchandising of location, location, location. It still holds true. But one must add to that the economy, the economy, the economy and a bunch of other factors that have to be considered. Of course among the top of the list is product. We have discovered that we have a product that people like but may not understand, want or need at this particular function. We discovered that we have to improve on our display and marketing abilities. At our age it's a job. But if Col. Sanders could do it why not me.

That's the most positive part of the trip. Discovery. I had the opportunity to take a trip to Mexico to a tourist trap called called Algodones. It was a short trip, about 84 miles one way, with another vendor and I didn't want to spend his day sight seeing for me. His main purpose was medication. One of hundreds of people who cross that border ever day to get medicine cheaper. There was some that I could have picked up for myself but when I did the quick calculations it was not cheaper for me.

I now realize how many people do not have health insurance and some form of prescription package. These people have to pay for their medications out of pocket and the older one gets the more meds the doctors seem to ply on them. It's a finanical burden that steals from the supposed golden years. The pharmacy legislated government prescription package is not a relief for the lower income and many of the retirees. But you don't know that until you are part of it or see it.

I spent the journey traveling south on US 95 looking out the window like an excited child. Watching the desert fly by with all its empty beauty. Cacti of different type dotting the carpet of sand and rocks. Hills that are made by nature. Hill that have ben made by mankind as they reaped the wealth under the ground. A wealth of metal and minerals that are still being mined today.

When we left Rice Ranch and turned onto 95 I noticed both sides of the highway packed with RVs. This was the beginning of the crowd of buyers all of us were expecting. We belived there would be more than 100,000 people attending the big show. All of a sudden the crowd of units stopped. Back to open BLM land. Every now and then there were small conclaves of RVs. Circled like the old conostoga wagons as groups of friends meet at one spot to enjoy the company and stories of others. They too come from all over but mostly the North West. The snowbirds who aren't into skiing. It is estimated the turn out this year was down 40 to 60 percent.

There are no towns along this highway until you reach Yuma but the desert springs up some weird sights. Midway there is a store with fast food gas and some provisions. Replinish some minor necessities for your RV. Futher down the road is a VFW camp sight. It's was loaded with RVs. My guess is that a lot of veterans spend time there. Since we didn't stop there isn't much more that I can tell you about it.

As the journey continued it was back to the sights of the open desert. I noticed areas where there were dried up rivers of water. I think they call them washes. Along the road are signs that say don't drive when the road is flooded. And these floods came fast during the rainy season. We came upon the Yuma Proving Grounds. A huge military complex for big weapons. Same old beautiful desert until you reach the end of the grounds. Then it burst into a surprising mass of greenery. The first was an orange grove then came garden crops of lettuce, brussel sprouts, and other leafy vegies that are grown here during the winter. It's too hot during the summer to grow them.

The water comes from wells and the famous Colorado River that has turned into a stream about fifty feet wide where we crossed. Not your usual picture of the Mighty Colorado. The green remains as we pass Yuma AZ on the way to the border via I-8. Along that highway there are RVs parked helter skelter on outcroups of the highway. Free camping in most cases. Some of it is on Native American territory and there may be fees applied. But it's cheap.

Onward ever onward until we reach the border. Well the parking lot before the border but I'll leave that for Part II of the story.

Change over

2008-01-28T11:10:00.000-05:00

The Sports, Vacation & RV show in the Kenny King tent is over. Next will be the Tyson Wells Arts & Craft Show and then The Rock & Roll Classic Car Show. Along with that comes the change over in the people who stay here and those who come.

At Rice Ranch there was an influx of travelers who used the site for their full hook up facilities as they stayed for their short period of time. Now, what was an almost full camping site is now back to it's open spaces. Over night the campers have moved on to other destinations.

Left behind are the vendors of Rice Ranch. For most it has been a nightmare. The expected crowds never arrived. Many did not even make their expenses. I've been told this is nothing new. Vendors come here on a dream of making big bucks. Enough to get them through the year. This year because of the high cost of gas, the economy and the weather it didn't happen. There are those who wonder how they are going to get back home because of their lack of sufficient funds. In reality the gold rush is not over and the results for many of these prospectors is the same.

Looking around at the hills I know there is gold in them thar hills. I've even had the chance to sit with one of the vendors and pan for gold at his motorhome. He brought a couple of buckets of dirt from the hills and did the paning at home. It was a good learning experience and we even found some flower gold during our paning. No nuggets. But the sparkle is just as bright.

There is another vendor here who sells gold nuggets and jewlery. Has a big dog at his back and a bigger pistol on his hip. Here in the wild west of Arizona you can pack a gun as long as it it visible. He does his digging in Utah where he has a claim and some of his selling here. He said that in past years the crowds have been larger and even for him it is an off year.

There are people who have been coming here for years, even decades and there are many first timers here both vendors and visitors. It is a trip worth the time for the varied experiences offered. One being the cheap medication across the border in Mexico. Inexpensive dental and eyecare. These items save people on a limited income a lot of money and is worth the trip alone. Of course our medical system here does not approve of this but they don't pay my retirement.

Even though we, as vendors, only found fools gold in those hills we are considering returning next year. There's something about those hills that grab you.

More than meets the eye

2008-01-23T21:08:00.000-05:00

That's Quartzsite. A whole in the desert where people have been coming for years to what is called a swap meet. It was originally where rock hounds would come to sell their rocks of many types, color and value. To trade for equipment to dig for more rocks. Some of those rocks were gold. Today the trade and sales still go on but the rock hounds have moved on to another area.

The swap meet has remained but the traders are different now. There are buyers who look for bargains at the countries largest flea market. They come to buy, to look, to camp and many just to travel through. Most dry camp on BLM land. Naturally, in the desert. Still there are many who stay at motorhome parks within the area. The place is loaded with travelers. Mostly from west of the Mississippi in the northern reaches of the country and Canada. Snowbirds.

The traffic is terrific. It jams the approaches to Kuehn Rd and US 95. The big draw being the Kenny King RV Show, The hobby, craft and gem show and the rock & roll classic car show. But all that is only a little of what Quartzsite is about and I only know a smidgen of it.

This is considered the valley. When it rains in the mountains that surround us you could find yourself in a world of trouble if you are camping in or near the many washes they have around here. One being in what we joke as Lake Quartzsite. There ain't no lake in Quartzsite. Only a parking lot that was built by the owners of Rice Ranch. We've seen it fill with water once and are waiting for the rains to repeat the event. Much of the dirt they dug out of that site they used to build up the vendor and motorhome sites they now use. That's where we are participating as vendors.

As more people arrived on BLM land the coyotes have moved futher up into the hills. That makes the little dogs that many of the people have here a lot safer. You don't leave your mini-dogs out at night. And while speaking of dogs it just amazes me how many people have these dogs who have become their new babies. And how much time they must spend cattering to the needs of the animals. I remember when my kids were small we would carry them on back packs so our hands would be free. We never had a carriage and when they started walking we put a leash on them so they wouldn't run away. Those little buggers were always faster than we were. Here I see the same thing for pets. Pets who will never get to the stage of independence that we are so happy to see our kids reach.

There is a sound of Quartzsite that is a regular sound many times a day. The sound of ambulances. When you realize that most motorhomers are over sixty and some even pass that by a decade or two, you also realize that health problems and death are your neighbor. I guess you can say as long as you can hear the sirens you are lucky.

I hate to sound like a bearer of gloom especially since I'm one of those septuagenarians but I have to look at my opinion of the reality of what I see. This lifestyle is one that people have chosen after, for most, many years of labor. We've paid our dues and wish to enjoy our remaining years and see those things that we were unable to see and enjoy during the years of labor. This is what we have worked for.

Now you spend your time hob nobbing with the wealthy and not so wealthy. The got it made and the just making it. Age and health puts all on the same level playing field. And you talk about places you've been and plan to go.You listen to the advice of those that have traveled the roads before you. You laugh a lot about the different experiences you've had. You all enjoy the grandure of this big country. And you help each other as best you can when there is a need.

Quartzsite is going though a change. Over the years it has gone from a two lane road on main street and US 95 to a four lane highway both ways with an extra lane for left turns. It has at least two traffic lights. And there is a button you can push as a pedestrian to allow you to cross the street. I think the person who timed the lights must have just come out of college and was a member of the track team. The light allows you to get to the middle of the street before you become an open target for vehicles. Someone didn't take into account the lack of ability of most pedestrians to even walk must less run across the street. Then when you think of this town being a mecca for only about five months and then it's just another desert town that dosen't have much traffic. Well what do you expect form a college kid with a summer job.

Another change that Quartzsite is going through is the rumor, I call it that because I have no proof, that the town council no longer wants the "trailer trash" in their town. The want to turn it into condiminums and make it a desert oasis. It seems that don't appreciate the monies that the "trailer trash" brings into the town. It's what runs the place for a year. But developers have the ear of the power structure in town and money talks.

I can't see this place being an oasis. The people that live here don't drink the water. They also say Arizona water is a bummer so I can't see why anyone would consider this an oasis. Unless you are selling water. What makes it even worst is it's city water and it taste bad, bad, bad. It's also bad for you with all it salts. We've had to get a reverse osmosis filter for our kitchen faucet. We have a triple filter for the input into the unit and have had to replace a couple of them. I watched the first filter turn from white to brown in two month of Quartzsite water. They usually last for six months. I also notice the collection of salts around the pipes before the water gets into the motorhome. When we leave here we'll give it a good flushing.

Last, but not least, Quartzsite is not as big this year as it was last year and the past few years. There is no million and a half people here this year. The crowds crossing the street aren't really crowds. The only traffic jam I've seen is early morning when people are heading for what is know as the big tent. That heavy traffic last until about noon. We are at Rice Ranch. We've been to Tyson Wells across 95. We've been to the Kenny King big tent. The crowds are not there and about 2:00pm you can walk without any congestion anywhere.

There are people walking around, mostly looking for and buying what I would call junk or needs to subliment what the need or want for their motorhome. Yet there are the large majority of people that walk around just looking. Not purchasing anything. It has become a financial lost for most vendors who depend on Q to make their income for the year. It's like the department stores waiting for xmas buying to put them in the black.

Quartzsite tells the story of the economy and high gas prices and their effect. Less people. Much less spending. Still if one were to come here they would still see more motorhomes than they could imagine. It is still a sight to see, a visit to make. BLM is the place to stay and the desert is the place to explore. It's beautiful. But I really wouldn't want to live here.

A different view

2008-01-04T06:24:00.000-05:00

I have read many articles about Quartzsite and other places of interest to Motorhomers. Looking back on them most are the type of stuff you would see in a travel brochure that entice one to want to go to certain places. At Quartzsite I see a different view.

Here, as in Gillette, WY there is the issue of the sand. It is a find dust that permeates through everything. In Gillette it stuck on the screens and came through every crack it could find. In Quartzsite it is a finer type of dust that seems to be part of the air itself. Allergies seem to be worsened. Many people complain about that. There seems to be a thin coating of dust on everything and it is a dust that if not constantly removed becomes stuck to the surface. There are clean keys on this laptop. The ones that are used the most. The others, at the top of the keyboard, are loaded with grey matter.

If you smack the bed sheets you can see the fine dust floating in the air. there is that constant need for changing of vacuuming then. This is what you breath in at night and hack up in the morning.

Quartzsite also has more than is share of drop outs. The recluse. The drifter. The homeless. the prospector looking for the mother load. They are all over the BLM land. Some are in older motorhomes and look like they stay here all year. Some have staked a claim on digs they have. And there are those that carry the living quarters on their backs. There are some who are from the left over hippie generation and some that are the new hippies. Through the beards and dirt and grim that covers their weather beaten faces are their hidden age. Out here I think they are called Rainbow People. I'll have to find out more about that term.

And then there is the land. Sparse vegetation. Mostly cactus and I would guess sagebrush's. In time I'll find out more about it. There is a bush out here that looks like a dying stump with some frilly stuff on top. When you see areas that have a lot it looks as if the desert is about to bloom. Sorry I don't have any pictures of this yet and your imagination will not work if you have not seen it.

I remember on our journey to this place seeing all the houses and developments with walls around them. I figured it was Spanish building in nature. Yes but no. It's protection from the wind driven sand and flash floods. Sorry no pictures, yet. It didn't matter your financial status, you still had the wall. The towns near here are small. They remind me of dying western ghost town. Boarded up buildings. Businesses that cater to the motorhome trade with out much trade to cater to. These are not the pictures you see in the RV/Motorhome mags. They would more likely be in National Geographic.

All that said I still like what I see. It is different and has its own sense of beauty. The mountains, the sky, the sunsets, The desert itself. So when you pick up a mag on these types of places just don't believe the hype. go see it for yourself

Happy New Year

2008-01-01T14:36:00.000-05:00

My wish to all.

Every hour, every day, every week, every month, every year is a new beginning. The happiness comes out of how you handle it. We wish all to be able to bring joy into their life on a daily basis. That way you will have a happy year.

Now back to the journey . I think I stopped with wind. It didn't. On Christmas day we were greated with another blast of desert winter. We had put up out tent again a couple of days earlier and found ourselves revisiting the take down phase. If we didn't the wind would have taken it down and away.

Man does this wind roar. Again other vendors came to our assistance and helped us take it down. You don't ask for help. It just shows up. After getting mine settled I helped another vendor make changes in his set up. then you look around and see if others are in need. All was well after that and then it was a day inside.

The followiing day was calm. With this we changed our tent design. Top, no sides. Quick product packing and putting it away and the wind can have the rest. So far it's working. Since then we haven't had another windy day.

New Years Eve. Football time again. Plus there has been invites given by vendors to participate in a pot luck evening meal. Pat and I had to take a trip for provisions and since we don't have a toad we use our bikes. Great exercise for ol' folk. Especially when there is a steep bridge to travers, both ways, in the two mile plus one way journey. Huff and Puff ain't no stranger to me. But it's great for the legs and thighs and I feel the benefit when I just walk.

We had no idea of how many people were going to be there plus there were at least two other pot luck functions going on in our conclave. We brough rice pudding. Enough for about ten people figuring that would be the max there. Well it was about thirty. Hotdogs and hamburgers, good food, along with home made salads, BBQ and bread. there was a Mexician Pizza which I didn't taste because I thought it was just another pizza. Wrong. Fried chicken, beans, ice cream, cake and more. And a blazing fire to keep us warm. The company was warming enough with a little coffee to help. Oh yea there was wine and beer but not too many people took part of that. It was a suprising way to end the year and a very pleasant gathereing of people with the same interest in mind.

We no longer depend on the Weather Channel for our forecast but we do look at the weather channel and intellicast, keyed in for the Quartzsite forcast and that has really helped us get correct weather. At least so far.

The Wind

2007-12-21T23:58:00.000-05:00

The nice thing about this life style is you really don't know what day it is and I haven't worn a watch in months. If I need time and date I'll look on the computer. No need in asking someone, they don't wear watches either.

But there are things that happen that make you remember a particular event and sometimes you count on those events to be your calendar.

On Thursday we moved our tent from the side of the motorhome to outward more so to the front. We felt it was a better location and would allow for more exposure to possible customers. It was a task of breaking down and then hammering in the stakes at the new location. Pat and I used muscles we hadn't used in ages. A couple of other vendors came by and asked if we were throwing in our hats since customers have been slow for everyone. Of course it gave me the opportunity to say yes and joke about the situation we were all in.

Thursdy night, December twentith. I watched Thursday night football and then hit the sack. A warm night. We even had to open the windows to cool off the motorhome. During the day I was told the winds were suppose to be 40mph. It was too quite to believe and weather forecast for Quartzsite are not at the top of the list on the news. The aren't at the bottom either. Actually the town isn't on the news or the news maps. We usually get Pheonix weather which is ninety miles away and they talk about the "Valley" which is in the Pheonix area. Ninety miles northeast of us. The next nearest thing that is on the map is Yuma, eighty miles south of us.

About 4:30 am I was up for awhile just listening to what was happening outside. Nothing. It was still a quiet night. An hour later I heard the beginnings of wind blowing across this flat land. Later that morning, about 8:30 it was blowing what we thought was a good twenty mph. We looked out the front window and about 500 yards away we could see the dust flying across the ground. There were some workmen in that area and they brought a water truck in to spray on the dry land so they could continue their task. About an hour later they gave up.

We decided not to open, as most everyone decided the same thing, and use the day for inside work and catch up. As the day was progressing so was the wind and our tent began to take a beating it wasn't built for. We had to leave the motorhome to take whatever precautions we could to keep it from blowing over. With the help of others, for this is a society where people pitch in when they think there is a need, we ended up taking the hard earned labor of the day before down. Dropping the sides, removing the top, putting everything away and just leaving the frame work standing. We can always put it back up another day as long as the frame is still there. After I finshed mine I went to a neighbors and hepled him with his.

Another day of hard labor for old folks. But another learning experience. We then setteled down to spend the rest of the day in the MH. Watching the flags being straightened by the north wind of forty mph plus with nothiing flaping but their very ends. It was windy. One vendor who stopped over said he lost a chair. I saw the remanents of a fake ivy plant stop by our tent and then take off for part unknown. Whatever you had that was not tied down was leaving. There was a flag we had made up for our tent that decided to take a trip. Of course the wind played games with me and as I got close to it the wind would push it futher away. It would wait for me to get close again and then move it away. I began to notice the distance between me and the flag was getting greater each time it stopped so I decided not to play anymore. As I turned to return to the MH I could hear the wind laughing as it picked the flag high off the ground a sailed it to parts unknown.

Later that afternoon a new found friend stopped by and asked Pat if she wanted to make the trip to Albertson's with her. A resounding yes because we don't have a tow with us and have to depend on local stores or others to stock up on supplies. Our mode of transportation is our bicycles but in this wind it is not the most efficient. So off they went to the shopping center, nineteen miles away into California. I stayed behind and did some work of my own. Besides someone had to keep an eye on the skeleton of the tent.

I think I mentioned it before but I'll say it again for those who might have missed it. The wind out here roars. There is nothing to slow it down but us and sometimes I think I hear mother nature laughing at us. I walked around this complex and there is only one tree. It is loved by all dogs but I'm sure it is lonely and dose not feel the same about them.

It is 10:30 pm now and the wind has subsided quite a bit. Gust still rock us every now and then but the forecast calls for a much better day on Saturday. Less wind. A high of about sixty-five. With those conditions we will go out and pick up the pieces and rebuild just as everyone else will be doing. We'll laugh, joke, complain and start a new day and somewhere in there I'll be ready for some football.

The Middle of the Beginning

2007-12-15T19:26:00.000-05:00

Finally I have found the time to open my blog . . . . again. The first one didn't seem to work and I have not been able to get back on it. Somewhere out there in the ether is my former blog. If you run across it please return it to me.