AUGUST, 2009

August was another busy month with lots of traveling and meeting new people. After leaving the 1000 Islands, we drove to Milford,Pa. to visit long time friends,Howie and Joyce. We spent a week with them camping at "Lake Adventure" This is a large, family camping area where they are members. We hadn't seen them for 2 years so we had a lot of catching up. It was great seeing all the members of the famlies.
We drove to Scranton and found my grandparent's home.This was where I spent most of my early childhood. This beautiful,old home is now broken up into apts,for students at Scranton University.One young man took me up to see his apt.,it was sad but I remembered where everything was.
We left on Sunday,8/09,and drove to Nuangola, Pa. to visit friends Parker and Jill at there lake house. We camped in their driveway . We hope to see them this fall in St. Augustine when they come with their boat,on the way south.
We left Pa. the next am and headed to Maryland. We stayed at Tuchahoe State Park on the eastern shore, about 40 miles from Annapolis. We spent 6 days there and had a great time. Annapolis is a beautiful and interesting place!!
From Maryland, we headed to Virginia. We spent 3 days at Glouscester Fanily Campground , near Yorktown. We toured Yorktown Museum, very interesting and educational. We planned to visit Williansburg the next day but spent the day relaxing in the pool. Yorktown wore me out!!!
The next trip was to New bern,North Carolina. The town is beautiful with so many historical buildings and churches.We only stayed 2 days because we didn't care for the campground.
The next stop was Little Pee Dee State Park in South Carolina. We spent 3 days just relaxing and reading.
On Monday, 08/24, we arrived at Givhans Ferry state park on the Edisto River, 35 miles from Charleston. We planned to stay 3 days but stayed 6 days. Charleston is one of our favorite places!!!
We wanted to go to Savannah, Ga. but decides to head south. We went to another favorite spot, St, Marys, Ga. We stayed at Crooked River State Park,near Kingsland submarine base. Another beautiful park. We even had cable!!! We went in to St,Marys for happy Hour at "Cindy Dean,s" and dinner at Paulies. Great evening .
Tuesday,09/01 , we left Ga. and arrived in St. Augustine and our compground, Stagecoach, home for the next few months. We had to shorten our trip so that Ican get my breathing problems taken care of. I'll keep you upto date ,

FINGER LAKES AND 1000 ISLANDS

July sure was a busy month!! After seeing Niagra Falls and surrounding areas, we left Canada and headed east to central New York and the Finger lakes. The area is noted for beautiful lakes and for it's wineries. We arrived in Seneca Falls on Friday, July 17th. We stayed at Cayuga Lake State Park on Cayuga Lake.

Part of the New York barge canal runs thru Seneca Falls and we were able to see several boats transit the locks .The towns are charming with lots of historical sites. Seneca Falls was the start of the woman's suffragette movement.

We took a bus tour of 6 wineries and had a great time. We had too much sampling and bought several bottles of wine. We also drove down to see the Taughannock Falls on lower Cayuga Lake.

They fall 215 feet and were beautiful.

We left the area on Wednesday, July 22 and headed north to the 1000 Islands and Alexandria Bay. We went up to visit Guy's cousin, Donny and wife, Micki .We camped in his driveway with a beautiful view of the ST. Lawrence River!! We planned to stay for just a few days but stayed 9 days!!!

This was definately a highlight of our trip. Every day was a adventure!! The house was full with various family members coming and leaving. Every night was a great meal and company.We went to the Clayton Antique Boat Museum and to the Antique Boat Show in Skaneateles.The wooden boats were beautiful.

Donny took us all, by boat, to the Boldt Castle in Alexandria Bay. Very interesting.

Another day we all took the ferry to Kingston, Ontario to have lunch.

The last day, we went to Clayton on "Fancy Lady", Donny's prize ,antique wooden boat. Great trip!!

The house is on the ST. Lawrence River with spectacular views. Freighters pass by several times a day . This is truly a special place.

We finally left onThursday, July30th,heading south to the Poconos in Penna,

The Muskegon Connection

Michigan really surprised us.We were under the impression that it was mostly industralized.After you leave Detroit, it is mostly rural,typical smalltown America.

Our friends, Lew and Deb, hooked us up with the Muskegon Conservation Club in North Muskegon. This is a small, comfortable and friendly marina that Lew and Deb belonged to before bailing out and sailing to the Conch Republic.

We stayed there 11 days. During that time we evjoyed 2 pig roasts, one on Jul y 4th at the marina and one July 11th at Deb's parent's house. Both were memorable.

We also went sailing on Lake Michigan with Lew's cousin on her 30 ft Catalina. The winds were fair and seas 2-3 ft,just a perfect day!

Deb took us on a great tour of Muskegon including the Art Museum,the library with glass floors,and even a ultra modern Catholic Church, St. Francis de Salaes.

The city down town area was disappointing. For reasons not understandable, all the old and historical buildings were razed leaving a sort of "moonscape" and feeling of despair. I guess falling right into the feelings of a large part of the state due to the automobile situation.

On a happier note, we had a wonderful time.We met a lot of great people, the weather was good

even if cooler than we are used to for this time of year.

We left Michigan on Monday, July 13th and headed for Windsor,Ontario.We spent one night there and arrived in Ridgeway,Ontario which is near Niagra Falls.Very impressive but WAY too commercial for us. We took pictures, lost a whopping $25 dollars at the new casino, and left to have lunch in a more reasonable spot.

Tomorrow, July 17th we will leave here and drive to Cayuga Lake StatePark in Seneca Falls, NY

That is in the finger lakes region in central NY state.

Michigan adventure,2009

On Sunday,June 21, we finally left Detroit!!! We headed north to Tawas State Park on Lake Huron. Very pretty town, beautiful park,nice people. We stayed 3 nights and went NW to central MI toa great campground about 6 miles north of Grayling.Happi Days Campground is small.quiet,and very comfortable.It is run by a young couple,Todd and Kari and they go out their way to help you in any way they can. We will definately return on our next trip.

We took a day trip up to Charlevoix then followed the coast to the Mackinaw Bridge and up to

Sault St Marie to have lunch and see the locks. This is truly a beautiful state .

We left Happi Days on Saturday and drove south to Reed City. We are now camped in my step mothers driveway.it is cold and rainy.It is June 39th and only 58 degrees!!!

The weather on the weekend was beautiful. On Sunday we went to the west coast to Ludington,a pretty beach town, on Lake Michigan. After lunch,we drove up the coast to see the sand dunes. I never realized that the lakes had sand dunes!! It looked like the Atlantic coast!!!!

We leave here Thursday and head south to Muskegon where we will hookup with Deb and Lew, our friends from Marathon.The next 10 days will be a blast!!

The month of May,2009

The month of May,2009 was a busy time. We spent4 days in Nashville,great time and beautiful federal campground.We met a couple from Ormond Beach,FL and being the small world it seems to be,I know their son ,who is a nurse!!

After Nashville, we headed north to the Mammoth cave area in Kentucky.We were in another army corps of engineers federal park,Dog Creek.This park is on Nolan Lake,Cub Run,Kentucky. A beautiful area in the middle of nowhere!!! This is very hilly country with narrow,winding roads, There is a large Amish population so there are lots of horse drawn wagons.

We went to the caves and took a 3 hr.Lantern tour. That means no lights other than lanterns.There was also a lot of dirt hills to climb !!! Not fun!!!

By the time we reached the end,WE WERE 160FT DOWN!!!That meant we had to climb up to the surface.Steep,dirt hills,,stairs,more dirt and finally 98 stairsto exit. I honestly thought I was going to die.My asthma took control and I couldn'tbreath!!!! Idid survive but will NEVER DOTHAT AGAIN!!!!

We left that campground May26th and headed to Peru,Ind. to see our friends Dan and Betty.We planned to spend 2 nights in their backyard but stayed 4 nights. We had too much fun to leave but since I was still having breathing difficulties, we wanted to get to my brothers house in Detroit.

We have been here 1 week and I saw the doctor my first day here. I've had a stress test,echocardiogram, cardiac cath, and chest cat scan.Thankfully all were negative but I still have problems with my lungs.Iam on new meds and have to stay here until medically cleared,2-3weeksmore. We are camped in his driveway!!We still hope to get to the UP and MUSKEGON for a pig roast on July,11th.

We spent 4 days in Jackson,Miss. in another beautiful state park. Our site was on a lake in a forrest,in the middle of the city.We drove down to Vicksburg,Miss. for a daytrip.Vicksburg was a major battle in the Civil War.We really enjoyed all the history in the area.

After 3 days of rain,we left and headed north.We left just in time. When we were about 50miles north,Jackson was hit with severe thunder storms with hail !! When we arrived at the next park, the roads were strewn with branches and leaves and of course,it was raining!!

This state park was another beautiful forrest in the middle of nowhere.We had to drive 50miles round trip to buy beer and bread!! We had a herd of deer come through our campsite every night!!!.The high lite of this stop was dinner at the campground restaurant.Several people told us how wonderful the food was. We have never had such HORRIBLE food!!! Absolutely no taste!!!

The rain came every day and the daywe left,we were under severe thunder storms!!!

We planned on stoping in Memphis but due to the weather, we went on to Nashville,Tenn,

Panama City,New Orleans,Natchaz,, Jackson,Miss.

Hello to all!! Sorry that it's been so long between blogs but in state parks there is often no signal for computers or cell phones.
St.Andrews SP,Panama City was very nice.The beach WAS BEAUTIFUL,the camp sites were good,weather wasnt so great.We only had one good beach day.

From Panama City,we went to Mobile,Al. We spent one night there before heading on to New Orleans. We did spent a few hours intown and willspend more time there next trip.

New Orleans was fantastic!! We stayed at a stste park,Bayou Segnette, about 8 miles from the French Quarter. The high light was going to the Jazz Fest!! I hope to go again.

After a week,we left and headed to Natchaz,Mississippi.This was a change in plans. We had planned to go to the Ozark region of Arkansas but the cost of even state parks was too much.We decided to drive the Natchaz Tracefrom Natchaz to Nashville.

Natchaz State Park was deep in the forrest. The sites were private,grounds clean,scenery beautiful. We had a crazy cardnial that keept attacking our cara and camper!!! For 3 days,he tried to get usout of his woods!!!
We had lunch at the Magnolia Grill in downtown ,right on the mighty Mississippi.
We spent 3 days and left Friday heading up to Jackson,Miss.on the Natchaz Trace .

Salt Springs Recreation Area

We arrived at Salt Springs on Wednesday, April 8 th. Salt Springs is a National Park in the Ocala National Forrest. This was the nicest,cleanest,best all around campground we have ever been in! We met 3 other couples for 5 days and had a great time just hanging out and being together.
On Easter, our son Chris and wife Cynthia,friend Tim,came for a cookout at the campsite.Darren and family couldn't come because Jonny was playing his trumpt in the Easter Parade.Jonthan had to play in his band at church so he and Jen weren't able to come either.
We left Salt Springs Monday,April 13th at 0845.We arrived here at St. Andrews StatePark at 1630 in time for pouring rainand thunderstorms!! I was thankful we didn't have to set uo a tent!!!We were lucky to miss really bad weather that was behind us. We will be here for one week and the to New Orleans!!! I forgot to mention that St.Andrews SP IS IN Panama City Beach,FL,

Myakka River State Park, March 25-April 6,2009

This park is so beautiful and great for critter watching, As we were going to our campsite,a family of wild pigs crossed the road right in front of us. There was mom, two babies and Big Daddy bring up the rear. We saw wild turkeys,vultures,racoons, armadillos, and of course ,alligators.The lake and rivers were over run with BIG ones.The most memoriable sighting was a family if 7 deer cautiouslly crossing in front of us early in the am.
We met a lot of interesting people. One couple invited us to see them in TORONTO in August. Some people you just click with.
We also met a large ,extended family from Jamica. We were treated to a delicious, genuine Jamacian dinner of Curried goat,yellow rice,sliced roast pork,and baked plantain.
We left Miakka on Monday,April 6th and went to a camp ground inTampa for 2 days. We wanted to break up the trip to the next destination.

Still in New Smyrna Beach

Hello to all. We have had an active,funfilled 2 weeks. Two of Guy,s cousins and spouses came to see us and our new home We hadn't seen them in years so it was great to see them..We went for lunch and spent the day just catching upon family things.We plan to see Donny this summer when we get to upstate New York.
The following day , frionds Sue and Mike arrived with their motorhome and Harley . We did bike week for the next 4 days.They left on Sunday.
The next 2 days were spent with boater friends,Rob andDeb, from Oyster Creek Marina in St Augustine .They stopped here to see us on their way south. I definately was feeling envious!!!
Between seeing our local friends and activities here in the campground,we are having a great time and never a dullday!!
This weekend, we are going up to Orange Park to see Chris and Cynthia. We will stop in St Augustine on Sunday to see Darren,Julliet and the boys. On the home ,we plan to stoptosee Jon and Jen.We leave here next week to head for the Myakka River State Park;
Ihave to go now and cook my veggies for the St Patty's party this evening.
Have a great week!! Guy and Carole

Birthday/ Anniversary week

Last week was one long celebration of my birthday and our 48 th wedding anniversary! It started on Sunday, Feb. 22 with a party in St Augustine at my son Darren's house. All three of our sons,wives , and grand kidswere there. It was a great happening!!
Tuesday, the 24th my girlfriends took me out for lunch. Ihavent't had a birthday party in years and now 2 in 2 days!!
Wednesday the 25th was the big day.We went out for lunch at a nice place then out to dinner at a really nice place.
Friday we went back up to St.Augustine to spend the weekend. We went to the Scotch Highlands Games in Green Cove Springs on Saturday. Darren and his family went also and we all had a great time. We met several RV'ERS and plan to return next year with our rig and join the 3 day party!!
This week we are looking forward to seeing our friends Sue and Mike from Orange Park, They are coming in their RV to spend a few days with us.
So far we have been enjoying our new life.I still miss the boat, water,and dolphins but I will adjust!!

Our stay in New Smyrna Beach

We have been here for 3 weeks and we are enjoying seeing all our friends. Friday nights are the nights to go out and see everyone. We really missed the social scene living in Orange Park!!

The park has been crowded with race fans. Areas not normally used are filled with tents and small campers. When they leave, the bikers come in. Its a great time!!

So far all is good with the motor home,no more catastrophies. We plan to leave here on Marsh 25 and head to Sarasota and the Myakka River State Park. We have reservations for 2weeks.

We have friends in the area so it. will be fun

I'll send an update if anything new happens or changes.

First night, a NEW ADVENTURE

We moved aboard our brand new RV, a Monaco Montclair, on 1/24/09. We arrived in New Smyrna Beach at 1800. By the time we arrived at our assigned spot, it was 1830 and nighttime.

We set up with electric ,water, and sewer, let out the 3 slides and settled in with a cool one. All was well until 0400 when I got up and felt A WATER SOAKED CARPET!!!! The culprit was 3 loose hose clamps at the SHURFLO pump!!

A Change of Life

Moving from Bluerider, our Hunter 37 Legend was completed this past fall with the sale of our boat. It has been a wonderful home, and we have met such wonderful people in our travels.

Now we are making our way on land, still mobile with our new Monaco Montclare Irish Gypsy, looking forward to more exciting experiences, beautiful sights, and a chance at meeting more great people.