tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86773612551374811692024-03-12T19:07:33.081-04:00a dog house on wheels<i>Ramblings of a retired couple- complete novices at traveling via 5th wheel trailer with their 2 Bernese Mountain Dogs.</i>Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-19575786246833063442012-11-30T13:25:00.002-05:002012-11-30T13:28:27.853-05:00Postcard from Arizona- 3<h3>
30 November 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Benson</h4>
It's almost <i>Rabbit! Rabbit!</i> day (the first day of a new month) and I am <u>still</u> trying to get the new computer to the point I can call it "useable". It's been almost a month of screwing with this thing! Takes awhile when you have to start all over again: at one point I had to contact Samsung who told me how to use a Function key option when powering-on to restore the computer to an earlier or even not-yet-installed Windows configuration (there are no instructions; the only Help is on-line which pre-supposes you don't a problem getting connected; well guess what Mr. Microsoft and Mr. Samsung, when you click on "Get Help With Connecting to the Internet", you probably don't have a *&^%#$# connection!). The problem was intermittent and seems to occur daily sometime during the mid-morning ('morning sickness' I guess). With that problem sorted, I got started again and must admit it went much quicker the 2nd time (though the Admiral emphatically does <u>not </u>agree!).<br />
<br />
<h4>
Sierra Vista hasn't moved</h4>
We drove both vehicles over to Sierra Vista to have the Highlander serviced and to get the windshield washer hoses replaced at <i>Sierra Toyota</i>. While we were off to Maine for the summer, a critter had taken up residence in the engine compartment and needed some building material. Or maybe a low-cal lunch. I guess the hoses were handy and he was <u>sure</u> we wouldn't mind. Sorry dude... <u>wrong</u>!<br />
<br />
Surprisingly, the bill at this particular Toyota dealer was very reasonable for service and repairs. Looks like they have a $70/hr billing rate which is significantly less than we seen elsewhere.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Update on our truck</h4>
Just for the record: nothing has broken on our F-350 truck since we arrived. Still running great; still getting good mileage; and the exhaust is still smelly when we idle.<br />
<br />
This reminds me of an old Post script that appeared in the Saturday Evening Post around 1952 which went something like this:<br />
<br />
<i>During WW-II, a merchant marine captain was disgusted with his First Officer's drinking habits, so to build a case for dismissing him he decided to record the problems in the ship's log:</i><br />
<i>"Tonight the 1st officer was drunk when he came on duty."</i><br />
<i>The next night when the First Officer came on duty, he read the Captain's entry and then added an entry of his own:</i><br />
<i>"Tonight the Captain was sober."</i><br />
<br />
<h4>
Channel 43</h4>
I think I mentioned earlier that I've volunteered to help with Channel 43 (the <i>SKP Saguaro RV Park</i>'s private cable channel). It's been fun learning something new, creating the weekly playlists that schedule the video files and play them into the park's video feed. I may have to learn about creating videos as well. Bryan & Mike have been patient teachers!<br />
<br />
The key s/w that makes this all work is <i>Playlist Manager</i> from <a href="http://sprintbit.com/">SprintBit.com</a>. It's an SQL-based product that costs all of $29 which, if you forgive a few quirky behaviors, is a bargain for what it does. Last year the freeware program they were using was causing more work than you can imagine. They have photos of the guys laying on the floor in the park's video feed room as they entered new playlists and added videos. No thanks! Call me a <i>prima dona</i>, but Mrs. Bowman's little boy doesn't do laying-on-the-floor-updates-cuz-of-crappy-software-from-China. Bryan and his wife Susan worked on those problems the entire summer and his effort has made the production job nearly routine this fall. What a guy!Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com1SKP Saguaro Co-op, Benson, AZ 85602, USA31.9431695 -110.29174131.941485 -110.2942085 31.944854 -110.28927350000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-86788901586673673502012-11-14T12:57:00.000-05:002012-12-06T18:20:00.877-05:00Postcard from Arizona- 2<h3>
14 November 2012</h3>
<br />
<i>[ Edit: I processed a bunch of images from Day of the Dead in Tucson which I've included below. ]</i><br />
<h4>
Catching up. Again.</h4>
Not sure why I let this happen, but here I am behind again. I think this may have happened before in an earlier life. But I really do have an excuse: we're having too much fun. I think. Is that possible? to have too much fun? Nah!<br />
<br />
Did you vote? Everybody needs to vote. I did- I vote<i>d</i> for the end of political rhetoric and accusatory BS. Apparently others of you voted the same way cuz it has finally ended. Or maybe they just ran out of $$$. What a relief! Now where do I vote to stop the tele-marketing and the robo-marketing?!<br />
<br />
And we have a lot of gas these days. You know... the kind that comes in a big tank and runs the furnace. Since we were already in their system, Barnett's was out to our site in a matter of 3 or 4 days. Last year it took 3 weeks before they brought the tank plus another 2 weeks before they filled it.<br />
<br />
The timing was good as the temperatures dropped a couple days after we were hooked up. Got as low as 25° F where we are on the outer reaches of the park. On the plus side, the daytime highs are down in the 70's now and it's incredibly comfortable outside during the day.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Computers and software.</h4>
My (not very!) old <i>HP</i> laptop packed it in. It's not like I didn't have some warning: the touch-pad had died a couple months after I bought it; some keys didn't work right, though that was intermittent and infrequent; then the eSATA connector (connects to my 2 TB external drive) literally fell apart and I had to switch to the very slow USB 2.0 port; and finally about 2 months ago the wireless connection died. Fortunately the latter was only an annoyance as I had a spare <i>NetGear</i> WiFi device that plugs in to a USB port. A separate but really big issue was something associated with the CPU and memory. Processing images started taking longer and longer. I had thought it was maybe a virus, but <i>McAfee</i> Virus Scan and <i>Microsoft</i> malware s/w insisted all was well. I decided it was time to move on, but I held off till we got settled here in Benson. Almost as soon as we arrived I ordered a replacement laptop.<br />
<br />
But what to buy?<br />
<ul>
<li>The old <i>Sony</i> we had on the boat did really well, though it was shot by the time we moved into the Santa Fe house. It worked well and I felt OK with getting another except anything with a <i>Sony</i> logo is pricey.</li>
<li>I wore out the <i>Dell</i> replacement for the Sony... it didn't last 3 years and it was in a friendly environment.</li>
<li>I learned over 15 years ago that <i>Gateway</i> is not anything I want to own again. </li>
<li>The <i>HP</i> that replaced the <i>Dell</i> has lasted only 23 months, so I didn't want to go there again. Plus HP says they're getting out of the PC business.</li>
<li>There are a ton of choices out there, but I've never heard of 90% of the brands. </li>
<li>I decided I wanted to try a <i>Lenovo</i>. Their ThnkPad model was recommended by photographers who process all their images on them (they use a 2nd monitor so they can calibrate color). I <u>think</u> <i>Lenovo</i> is the old <i>IBM PC</i> machines which always had a good reputation (created by the Point of Sale Division of <i>IBM</i>). But they ended their 2-day 20% discount special during the 2 hour period between configuring a machine and checkout. So screw 'em.</li>
</ul>
I was whining to myself about my lousy timing when I happened to notice the TV and home theater electronics in our Montana: all <i>Samsung</i> equipment. Hmm... this stuff has survived road shock, vibration, altitude changes, high-/low-humidity, and extravagent (though not extreme) temperature swings. This stuff just keeps on keeping on.<br />
<br />
So I went to Amazon.com and there was a <i>Samsung</i> Series 7 (it's considered a gaming machine) configured pretty much as I wanted it for about $800 less than the discounted <i>Lenovo</i> I had just tried to order. Plus it had an optical disk drive which reads Blu-Ray & reads/writes multiple format data CDs (for some odd reason <i>Lenovo</i> doesn't offer ODDs on their work station laptops... ???). Amazon had the laptop in my hands in 2 days. Then things got hard...<br />
<br />
Getting 'stuff' off the old machine is always the biggest challenge and this time is no exception. What a pain, especially when my 2 TB external hard drive decided it's going to join the rush to retirement! Fortunately I managed to move my images (all 18,000 of them) plus my genealogy, text, spreadsheet & tax files before the external drive died. Sadly I failed to get the last full back-up on the <i>HP</i> restored to the <i>Samsung</i> since my external hard drive also died! It wouldn't have reinstalled executable files, of course, but I had a lot of things I wanted to keep like the goose--bumps.com and rabbit-rabbit.org web site source files and all my saved e-Mails which, among other things, had activation codes for downloaded s/w, receipts for purchases (for warranty claims), all my Contacts and all my Bookmarks. But that's how it is. I'll just have to move on from here (if you haven't already, seend me an e-Mail so I can get your address back in the Contacts!).<br />
<br />
At this point I have installed 3 earlier generations of <i>Adobe</i> Creative Suites (CS includes Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Acrobat, etc.), bought and installed the upgrade to CS 6, then uninstalled CS 4 thru CS 5.5 (in hindsight it was unnecessary to install these before the upgrade as <i>Adobe</i> allows typing the qualifying activation codes); my 2 favorite image managing & editing programs are installed: <i>DxO</i> Optics Pro Elite 8 and <i>Adobe</i> Lightroom 4; <i>Microsoft</i> Office 2010 is up and running; I've installed Mozilla's Firefox browser and Thunderbird e-Mail programs (I refuse to use IE or Outlook); and Family Tree Maker 2012 (from Ancestry.com) is up and running and can read my family history file. Still have to deal with <i>H&R Block</i>'s TaxCut s/w which I'll need soon.<br />
<br />
Btw, it may be nothing but growing pains, but I think Windows 8 (vs. the older Windows 7) may have been a mistake. Ihave essentially thrown away 20 years experience with prior Windows systems as the user interface (aimed at the touch-screen market) has no relationship to prior versions. For instance, none of the utilities like Notepad or Windows Backup or Disk Manager are to be found anywhere. Even the venerable Solitaire & Minesweeper games are gone. I guess with the truck pretty much fixed I now have something new to whine about!<br />
<br />
<h4>
Goings on</h4>
We've made it to dinner a couple times with friends Mike & Susan and we made it to the Day of the Dead celebration in Tucson with friends Doug & Linda (I can finally process the images!). Celia has gotten back into line dance (no surprise there) plus she volunteered to do Channel 5 updates (daily announcements). And I've volunteered to work on Channel 43 here in the park. Mostly we've tried to keep a lid on eating so at the very minimum we don't gain.<br />
<br />
Oh... and we bought and have started using a <i>Bissel</i> Green Machine which both vacuums and shampoos the carpets and hard floors. It's a beast (heavy, uses water for filtration), but it has dual use and works pretty well. Timely addition as our now 3 years old <i>Kenmore</i> Intuition vacuum is starting to die. Hmm... this seems to be a recurring theme: replace things at 3 years old. That's pretty poor!<br />
<br />
So that's it for now. Here's the phto from Day of the Dead...<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxBsBjtQBlTv6dLpj18yLpZLJmfxf5Kd8kLxLgpJRLkrnoqmIVs0OELoK8xKxBvPs_z13ce3GNVxX6kiBA0LnfOPYV82mAmkQEEBprQL13hQ-7rzgVJhMn1mSPa2v_-fmSDIgLaEjQCI/s1600/DSC01967_P_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxBsBjtQBlTv6dLpj18yLpZLJmfxf5Kd8kLxLgpJRLkrnoqmIVs0OELoK8xKxBvPs_z13ce3GNVxX6kiBA0LnfOPYV82mAmkQEEBprQL13hQ-7rzgVJhMn1mSPa2v_-fmSDIgLaEjQCI/s320/DSC01967_P_DxO.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Perhaps the most patient person I've <br />met, Doug volunteered to drive through <br />what turned out to be horrible traffic!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JRVbO4BpLRdTki-rPezpMeqq6lU5wx_po4KjLtctJ4G91ye-r8qaphxkcWN4eC9dsJDBoa2yVXuI_VUckD8vpRYRuy3mIZJqUjarVWXH1XfVjCR5Ya2yDnIeD4vzNYuIRn-ZN53fq90/s1600/DSC01988_P_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JRVbO4BpLRdTki-rPezpMeqq6lU5wx_po4KjLtctJ4G91ye-r8qaphxkcWN4eC9dsJDBoa2yVXuI_VUckD8vpRYRuy3mIZJqUjarVWXH1XfVjCR5Ya2yDnIeD4vzNYuIRn-ZN53fq90/s320/DSC01988_P_DxO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The celebrants sort of milled their way past us...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQRt4l4FSqEiAwkc9DhXKUcscqW9OuUTyxtTpdB7PKCmxIoYiGl98I2hQ7wo8OhLNDd6S8wpEErBL1Dap0kLMlLaPBP5RntumsGiuQK43M1fmELxVpRgd3zOnugJTTOj_d4VGVXVhxcY/s1600/DSC01989_P_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQRt4l4FSqEiAwkc9DhXKUcscqW9OuUTyxtTpdB7PKCmxIoYiGl98I2hQ7wo8OhLNDd6S8wpEErBL1Dap0kLMlLaPBP5RntumsGiuQK43M1fmELxVpRgd3zOnugJTTOj_d4VGVXVhxcY/s320/DSC01989_P_DxO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>...and just seemed to keep coming.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBP7YsfqW8YKD5OLtA80mmeioCcqkCSjEpa1920zDKCNd61pNc_Ba5fdPYKaNEyQTN96pGqlJ1wnCzSd8epUh5x6YKiM73kbDKTHDYG6O-dSn0EiHv_vpqtkj0cONerlzTz5x1R_w0D0/s1600/DSC01999_P_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBP7YsfqW8YKD5OLtA80mmeioCcqkCSjEpa1920zDKCNd61pNc_Ba5fdPYKaNEyQTN96pGqlJ1wnCzSd8epUh5x6YKiM73kbDKTHDYG6O-dSn0EiHv_vpqtkj0cONerlzTz5x1R_w0D0/s320/DSC01999_P_DxO.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There was a lot of interesting figures<br />that had to be done by art students at<br />Univ. of Arizona here in Tucson.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgnY_IKoeOGGh-CsZ4vo8hOeQ-H4BB5hH90HgkiyIwYz5syE6WNdOPdrv3OBOgWcZN4cstIHoWvzu6HZWColMhuNJPl__2kT158bDMU1ziPwP7Tf4RMrGYOduNIBGQFjiJU9-BQUgLFQ/s1600/DSC02009_P_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgnY_IKoeOGGh-CsZ4vo8hOeQ-H4BB5hH90HgkiyIwYz5syE6WNdOPdrv3OBOgWcZN4cstIHoWvzu6HZWColMhuNJPl__2kT158bDMU1ziPwP7Tf4RMrGYOduNIBGQFjiJU9-BQUgLFQ/s320/DSC02009_P_DxO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Most were in costume or had some theme makeup..</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s5SGap4vyP2kpoUJXWNpHrCJ1VxdU6XrrwofM8PpZmeiWb-BfDgBXL7tCw3hYByRt5MqfvSZWVhz6OLjI9iIMlteUBiCfwvwhyKN0uXtOBwYf3ZqX4I8lQN0t6AfdL3Q9xpR3C3MV2E/s1600/DSC02020_P_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6s5SGap4vyP2kpoUJXWNpHrCJ1VxdU6XrrwofM8PpZmeiWb-BfDgBXL7tCw3hYByRt5MqfvSZWVhz6OLjI9iIMlteUBiCfwvwhyKN0uXtOBwYf3ZqX4I8lQN0t6AfdL3Q9xpR3C3MV2E/s320/DSC02020_P_DxO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>... like this one that made me believe Monalisa was back from <br />the dead. With a black eye!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHOfEbYAa6m3UPXyj9TNyP3LsW0xcI7v8Na8Xtra9Yduqge0q1XIKpIWDkK0SWNlczi23zGFC3xozMwg80Ifbh-Ixp9fKpHWvYUG_FEyrYSpE6X2dn_4hWE0RdpaMGewCzC4gkHiKYnU/s1600/DSC02038_P_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHOfEbYAa6m3UPXyj9TNyP3LsW0xcI7v8Na8Xtra9Yduqge0q1XIKpIWDkK0SWNlczi23zGFC3xozMwg80Ifbh-Ixp9fKpHWvYUG_FEyrYSpE6X2dn_4hWE0RdpaMGewCzC4gkHiKYnU/s320/DSC02038_P_DxO.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Admiral was having a great time!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsrhpYZhO-eg8EECK7bCbOXY05NqIHHlKREUkWjh8ogM7UyAKK6iBCGtjKPfxXyn_AmydLlw_np-2xVbv9AC0yt0mq-f_NbYPTEf2zmu0ZWLzqdTINXdgOhJf1mIYmfQgumzyTgL10sA/s1600/DSC02041_P_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsrhpYZhO-eg8EECK7bCbOXY05NqIHHlKREUkWjh8ogM7UyAKK6iBCGtjKPfxXyn_AmydLlw_np-2xVbv9AC0yt0mq-f_NbYPTEf2zmu0ZWLzqdTINXdgOhJf1mIYmfQgumzyTgL10sA/s320/DSC02041_P_DxO.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Many rememberances for family members <br />that are gone like this guys mother...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmM28znEf5YgFaxPIHJQ6kTr0A9-mm8nTQaMQU8_WLLHImYz7zE9agtbq1hwCfB_GPfe1sW78hYWusha_ri97lLfjNJt9LEYvJj7v3G4FeRhyNVp4XdhlJ7PIvnp7JqKLHyMGYEY6oqg/s1600/DSC02068_P_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmM28znEf5YgFaxPIHJQ6kTr0A9-mm8nTQaMQU8_WLLHImYz7zE9agtbq1hwCfB_GPfe1sW78hYWusha_ri97lLfjNJt9LEYvJj7v3G4FeRhyNVp4XdhlJ7PIvnp7JqKLHyMGYEY6oqg/s320/DSC02068_P_DxO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>...and someone's father.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDXrgkLpOIH8BwnPCTwIixnFcM6Mic-24xOEgt3GOCdGkETKp0oMxO9ln5NfianRa9IVRCzvPX_vDvD8Oftq7pSujDikKk11vy9KbwZPm23YH0GuxPPDzrYtphf3-zlxU8rszGbvjyaE/s1600/DSC02074_P_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDXrgkLpOIH8BwnPCTwIixnFcM6Mic-24xOEgt3GOCdGkETKp0oMxO9ln5NfianRa9IVRCzvPX_vDvD8Oftq7pSujDikKk11vy9KbwZPm23YH0GuxPPDzrYtphf3-zlxU8rszGbvjyaE/s320/DSC02074_P_DxO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Someone had to have seen the Chinese New Year parade in <br />San Francisco!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRGB4ZPYrCIPEZnjiStsM5cj27t6GoQPnMk2F-9T3MTPaf0btE8v3E2B4j_4gyW-Uq6E2-hF_yMMh6rcLhU_KuWoIaVGbTAvKQVcwO-Ae7iYkLTsi0wAJCj_KjO_76E0bZeYJXn9AflQ/s1600/DSC02091_P_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDRGB4ZPYrCIPEZnjiStsM5cj27t6GoQPnMk2F-9T3MTPaf0btE8v3E2B4j_4gyW-Uq6E2-hF_yMMh6rcLhU_KuWoIaVGbTAvKQVcwO-Ae7iYkLTsi0wAJCj_KjO_76E0bZeYJXn9AflQ/s320/DSC02091_P_DxO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Not everyone was in costume...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjPw4s-DZxd2GNMUCb8V9R3BfGbal_b9d6uWyj16xVqj3DHI7tEJ0MJY8Hh2wo09NrX-A7bEq-_Ad3EVPbPetkz7lSlwpKXvTCuKSmFO_SYj69Pob27ylU22hwr3vaflVvDHtBe9yiF8/s1600/DSC02102_P_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjPw4s-DZxd2GNMUCb8V9R3BfGbal_b9d6uWyj16xVqj3DHI7tEJ0MJY8Hh2wo09NrX-A7bEq-_Ad3EVPbPetkz7lSlwpKXvTCuKSmFO_SYj69Pob27ylU22hwr3vaflVvDHtBe9yiF8/s320/DSC02102_P_DxO.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>...but these </i>mariachis<i> certainly were.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjtu7bdpeutYHfyoKH8Zwmjzx3IqQaTVeThtQ2ZmyeuicfWHg5nuzSSw5G5I-A-8x-ZgrB2EC78VPfU_4A3gGyVtxaZwKQxgjIVzr1-eoPvTYf4wbaXCpRV4dPh7G3KQPnH0VKcAM7dA/s1600/DSC02133_P_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjtu7bdpeutYHfyoKH8Zwmjzx3IqQaTVeThtQ2ZmyeuicfWHg5nuzSSw5G5I-A-8x-ZgrB2EC78VPfU_4A3gGyVtxaZwKQxgjIVzr1-eoPvTYf4wbaXCpRV4dPh7G3KQPnH0VKcAM7dA/s320/DSC02133_P_DxO.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mmm... try to keep up kids!</i></td></tr>
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<br />
<br />Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-41984702112589362362012-11-01T23:48:00.000-04:002012-12-07T19:43:40.838-05:00Truck repairs and changes<h3>
1 November 2012 </h3>
<br />
<h4>
Hey, dude... what did you have to do to get your mileage to improve so much?</h4>
<br />
If reading technical details about our truck (repairs, mods, whatever) is b-o-r-i-n-g and if hearing again my obsessive rhetoric about fuel mileage makes your eyes glaze over, you'll want to skip this post.<br />
<br />
To anyone left, if you've read through the our year-and-a-half of whining and up & down emotions with each mod or repair, you know we've spent a lot of $$$ to get to 13 mpg when pulling our 15,000# Montana over fairly level ground. What's more, we're now getting about 17 mpg running solo on level ground at 55-60 mph. What we have now works well for our needs, but there are cheaper ways to get to this point.<br />
<br />
We started with nearly everything Banks makes for our truck (air cleaner, DPF-back exhaust, inter-cooler, and their<i> 6-Gun Tuner</i>). It helped improve fuel economy by 15-20% and it was all CARB-approved mods (it could pass a pollution inspection in California). It was not, however, a dramatic improvement in mileage. In fact, the firmware mod Ford supplied in 2011 produced about the same result.<br />
<br />
Then the EGR system temperature sensor in the DPF died. The resulting Ford-approved repair by the dealer in Sayre, OK nearly destroyed the truck and left me prejudiced about the hazards of DPF and EGR systems in general.<br />
<br />
Thanks to having access to a mechanic that has dealt with all this before, I learned about a way to keep the Banks tuner, remove the DPF and its attendant cleaning cycle, and have access to the power-boosting settings that our Banks tuner offered. As I see it, it's not till you defeat the EGR system that you get meaningful improvement in fuel economy.<br />
<br />
But before you get too enthused about seeing your mileage jump from 9 mpg up to 13 mpg while pulling a 15,000 lb. load on level ground, there are a few things you need to inform yourself about. There are more issues than just fuel consumption, but here's a few talking-points to start considering:<br />
<ul>
<li>There's no guaranty from anyone you'll get improved fuel economy, Period. They won't even <u>talk</u> to you about it. DPF-delete plus a compatible tuner is strictly an off-road system.</li>
<li>You're left with a truck that will never pass a pollution inspection, so understand what your state requires.</li>
<li>Understand your own feelings about driving a truck that may cause more pollution. Your personal cost of fuel isn't the only issue.</li>
<li>Installing the necessary non-Ford firmware from <i>S&C</i> in our Ford's ECM would have ended any warranty coverage; our warranty had expired July 2012.</li>
<li>I'm told some (most?) dealers won't work on a truck with these mods even if the repair is unrelated to the mod. That may be urban myth, but you should ask your local dealer if you think you may need their help at some point, like to repair the transmission or change the oil.</li>
<li>Diesels have smelly exhaust, but ours seems stronger than when the truck was stock.</li>
</ul>
<br />
So do your homework to understand the ramifications, both legal and practical. Installing a DPF-delete kit in the exhaust and loading 3rd party firmware in the Ford engine control module (ECM) is a slippery slope. There are traps, trade-offs and the potential for damage to your wallet and your truck.<br />
<br />
<h4>
This is the hardware we ended up with</h4>
In our case we already had a Banks <i>6-Gun Tuner</i> and all the other Banks hardware. But our Banks doesn't change anything in the Ford ECM... it lives between the ECM and the engine. So with Banks equipment, the EGR (exhaust gas regeneration) system continues to operate and you can pass a CARB inspection in California (CARB has approved the <i>Banks 6-Gun</i> and a sticker with the permit number is supplied by Banks). No matter what Banks has done to improve mileage, the ECM still goes into the regeneration cycle and the mileage goes right out the tail pipe. If you just install a DPF-delete kit, which is nothing but a piece of tubing that fits where the DPF used to be, the ECM will fail to work because certain sensors are no longer installed.<br />
<br />
Since the Banks tuner doesn't change anything in the Ford ECM to disable EGR, we needed a different tuner that would turn off EGR plus a DPF-delete kit (a piece of " or 5" exhaust tubing). With that tuner installed first, then the Banks tuner can be "piggy-backed" on it and continue to modify fuel flow as it always has. Scott steered us toward the <i>S&C Mini-Max</i> tuner as it's been proven in this application. The <i>Mini-Max</i> replaces the stock Ford ECM firmware with something similar except it has no EGR functions. At this point your warranty is dead and you've got an off-road vehicle.<br />
<br />
The <i>Mini-Max</i> must be installed in a specific way prior to re-connecting the <i>Banks 6-Gun</i> tuner. Normally the <i>Mini-Max</i> display and cable is used to install new firmware in the Ford ECM and then left in place so you can see truck/engine operating parameters as well as set any of the 3 power levels. In our case we just wanted the firmware installed then left in the Stock setting (0 HP gain). With that done the Mini-Max display and cable can be removed and the Banks re-connected between the ECM and engine. <u>Both</u> tuning systems (<i>Banks 6-Gun Tuner</i> and display as well as the <i>S&C Mini-Max</i> ECM firmware but not its display) are installed and operating simultaneously, i.e. the Banks is "piggy-backed" on the <i>Mini-Max</i>.<br />
<br />
In our installation, none of the Mini-Max hardware is used after the replacement firmware is installed. The <i>6-Gun</i> display continues to operate the Banks tuner, completely oblivious to the presence of the modified ECM firmware. S&C has created some impressive tunes for their system (as high as +500 HP over stock on a 6.4L Ford), but only one is available without their display. So for our installation the S&C will be left set to Stock for as long as we have the truck.<br />
<br />
The tech doing the mod really needs to have been down this road before- it's complicated! Doing something out of sequence can leave you with a dead truck. If it's done properly - ours was, thanks to Scott Spear at <i>Spear's Auto Center</i> - I would expect your 6.4L PowerStroke diesel to produce a similar improvement in fuel economy to what we have seen. But again, their are <u>no</u> guarantees. The exhaust cleaning cycle, elimination of about 150# of metal, cooler inlet air (that's what the inter-cooler does for us), and less-restricted intake and exhaust are all involved in making the engine more efficient.<br />
<br />
We've never felt a need for more power from our 2008 Ford F-350. It has <u>plenty</u> of torque just as it comes from the factory. Yes, we still have the option to dial up an extra 50-185 HP, but what for? If it reduces our fuel economy, we're not interested. Banks will tell you, though, that the best economy may not come from the lowest power setting. Yet I continue to avoid those higher settings because my greater concern has always been that more power may cause transmission or differential damage.<br />
<br />
On the down side, the exhaust odor while idling is stronger than when the DPF was installed and we've found we're getting a little diesel exhaust inside the Montana while we're pulling. I guess the latter explains why some some owners install vertical exhaust stacks on their pickups. Plus we're at risk of being cited and fined for having tampered with the EPA-approved exhaust system.<br />
<br />
I'd love to see numbers which compare emissions caused by the stock system (including the ash blown out during cleaning) vs. a system that defeats pollution controls while using 40% less fuel. To my knowledge, that sort of data is unavailable... ???<br />
<br />
If you decide to attack the fuel economy issues with your truck, get a good diesel tech to help you and to do the work, or at the very least guide you. That ain't me, but if you're near central New Mexico (Cedar Crest, NM), Scott Spear is your man!<br />
<br />
One more thing: our truck is a 2008 Ford F-350 with the 6.4L PowerStroke diesel with 4-wheel drive, long bed, dual rear wheels, 4.10 differential, stock tires, tow package. It's big and it's heavy. I would expect what I've described above to be applicable to any similarly equipped Ford F-350 PowerStroke, but if you have anything different - e.g. single rear wheels, 2-wheel drive, whatever - the results will surely be different. Maybe better, maybe worse, but certainly different.<br />
<br />
Similar mods are available for all recent American trucks (Dodge, GMC/Chevy, other Fords). In fact, I got launched on this path by a guy with a 2006 Dodge with a Cummins diesel. Do your homework for your truck. I'm just highlighting one way to peel this onion called fuel economy. I will <u>never</u> recommend anyone else do what we've done.<br />
<br />
There are a few forums where you can get info from other owners... Google is your friend. Lots to be found out there. Just remember that along with all the good info is a lot of stuff that's flat wrong! It's your job to separate the wheat from the chaff.Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com1SKP Saguaro Co-op, Benson, AZ 85602, USA31.943038 -110.29371131.9413535 -110.2961785 31.9447225 -110.29124350000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-69455131842247143642012-11-01T02:32:00.001-04:002012-12-06T15:51:49.102-05:00Postcard from Arizona- 1<h3>
28-31 October 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Santa Fe</h4>
We retrieved the truck on the 27th (Sat) and the 28th was supposed to be a 'drive it and see if it's OK' sort of day. Well, it was a good plan, but life got in the way. Instead of a test drive, Sunday saw the truck doing some hauling to get a few things from the house to the Montana. Then Monday the 29th we returned the rental car (btw, the <i>Kia Forte</i> we rented was excellent!), aired the tires, cleaned all the glass in the truck, and fueled up. Then we discovered the Admiral's favorite Key West hat was missing, so back to Budget Car Rental. I'm not sure I actually finished what needed doing or if I just got tired and quit. Airing up the tires always kicks my butt!<br />
<br />
I had either of 2 first-nite destinations in mind:<br />
<br />
<i>Las Cruces KOA</i> (290 mi) or<br />
<i>Road Runner RV Park</i> in Deming (345 mi). <br />
<br />
When the Admiral heard more than 300 miles to get to Deming she told me where to go! So I drove to Las Cruces.<br />
<br />
We've been to <i>Las Cruces KOA</i> several times and know what to expect. Staying more than a single night means you have to deal with the dust from raking the gravel late the next morning. So there was no choice but to make it a 1-niter. The park is pristine, but keeping it that way raises dust even with the watering system on the back of the small tractor.<br />
<br />
Other than a 1-hr delay in Albuquerque for an accident, the trip went well and we managed to get 12.7 mpg... a first for us while pulling. The next day we pulled to the <i>SKP Saguaro Co-op</i> in Benson and... <i>Yikes!</i> 13.2 mpg! What an incredible drop in fuel usage<br />
<br />
<h4>
Benson</h4>
We have arrived safe and sound in Benson, AZ on 2 November. The last leg was about 215 mi and, as I mentioned above, this time we saw 13.2 mpg. We ended up at close to the same elevation, but the trip was anything but level: we started at 4,600' and ended at almost 4,400'. In between we dropped to under 3,400', went over 3 low passes before climbing to 5,000' as we traversed the pass into Texas Canyon, and finally ended up at 4,385' here in our site. The route had everything: steep grades both up and down as well as long flat stretches. Made me feel a lot better about trying to tackle Alaska next year: 13 mpg for much of the 10,000 mi means a saving of $1,500 - $2,000 compared to 10.5 mpg.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Old friends</h4>
The best part of arriving in the park was getting to connect with old friends. We'd been in touch with Mike & Susan while we were on the road, so it was no surprise to them when we pulled in. Naturally we had to do dinner out so we could get caught up and that meant a trip into town to Reb's. Great meal, great conversation, great to be back!<br />
<br />
<h4>
Summary for the summer</h4>
Benson, AZ to Trenton, ME via Elkhart, IN, upstate NY, southern VT & NH, including day trips was 4,600 mi. Trenton, ME to Benson, AZ via Asheville, NC, Louisville, KY and St. Louis, MO including day trips was another 4,000 mi.<br />
<br />
We left Benson 8 April, stopped in Santa Fe for 31 nites, took 34 days to get to Maine, spent from 16 June thru 13 September in Maine, then spent from 14 September to 16 October getting to Santa Fe where we stayed for 2 weeks. We left Santa Fe on 31 October and spent 2 more days to get to Benson, AZ on 2 November. That's about a week short of 7 months on the move, and our truck runs better than before we left. The coach, however, looks like it's just traveled 8,600 miles. We need to get scheduled with Hooper so it's not an embarrassment to us and the park!<br />
<br />
<h4>
Photos</h4>
<br />
Still haven't got this resolved. Looks like I'll be getting a new laptop... maybe a Lenovo? Dunno. Too many choices and it's easy to get Analysis Paralysis.Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com1Tamarisk Ln, Benson, AZ 85602, USA31.944697218312836 -110.2913618087768631.943012718312836 -110.29382930877685 31.946381718312836 -110.28889430877686tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-4577096335085767942012-10-27T01:52:00.000-04:002012-10-28T12:19:37.478-04:00Postcard from New Mexico- 3<h3>
27 October 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Santa Fe</h4>
It took over a week to get in the queue, but on Thursday 10/25 we drove the truck to <i>Spear's Auto Center</i> in Cedar Crest, NM to get the exhaust system fixed. I had talked quite awhile to Scott and took his advice to install a DPF-delete kit plus an H&S XRT-PRO tuner. The great part about this approach is that all of the Banks gear stays in tact. The XRT-PRO, as setup by Scott, operates in the Ford tuner to shut off regen. The Banks system still adds/reduces the fuel flow as an adjustment to what the engine is commanding. He set the XRT-PRO to 0 HP gain (stock) so that I can run all 6 Banks power settings as we have always done. Very interesting concept. H&S has many optional tunes available (all the way to over 500 HP) if you don't have a Banks system already, but I don't want to make any smoke out the exhaust, so he kept it conservative. For us, it's all about fuel conservation.<br />
<br />
<i>Edit: H&S makes it clear on their site to not "stack" tuners (e.g. Ford + H&S + Banks) as we have in our F-350 unless you know what you're doing. You really need someone involved who has worked this out already because a misstep will lead you to a dead end where you can't operate the truck.</i><br />
<br />
<h4>
Surprises</h4>
We wanted to get the truck serviced while Scott was doing everything else, so I asked for that to be added to the service order without really knowing what that might entail. When <u>The Day</u> arrived, Scott stripped out the old parts, then when he received & installed the delete kit and tuner, road tested everything before the day was over, then was ready to start the maintenance work at the end of the day. Great start.<br />
<br />
Then Michelle handed him the printed 75,000 mile service instructions... all 18 pages. <i>Yikes!</i><br />
<br />
As he went thru the service he discovered that our rear shocks were leaking. Typical shock life is 50,000 miles on these trucks, so they did good. I asked that he replace just the rear shocks and he got them on order along with any filters he needed. And that's when things started getting messy.<br />
<br />
The first set of shocks they sent were for a Jeep, so they had to re-order. They also ordered the internal transmission filter which was a challenge cuz there are 10 different filters used for this transmission. The right one depends on the truck's VIN. Our truck was built the day they started using the 2nd choice, but the filter turned out to be the wrong one. We needed the oldest filter choice which was <i>supposed</i> to be for the day before our truck was built. By the time Scott had to leave (he also races radio controlled cars professionally!) the filter hadn't arrived. But he said if it arrived before Michelle went home on Friday, he would come in on Saturday and finish up. And that he did.<br />
<br />
Btw, when he walked me around the truck before we left he said the Banks exhaust (the last section of tail pipe) was so blue and dark, it had to have been heated to well over 1,500° F, maybe even 1,700° F. That's pretty scarey! I think what saved us is that the exhaust hit those temps while we were moving which helped dissipate some of the heat. Still, it points out the danger of the recommended repair that Ford wants done when the sensor is corroded in place.<br />
<br />
<h4>
The bottom line</h4>
We retrieved the truck mid-day Saturday for a grand total of almost $3,500: $2,000 for the exhaust/tuner mods; $1,500 for maintenance. Don't ever let anyone mislead you- diesel trucks are expensive to operate!! But if you need torque for pulling/hauling, nothing else will do.<br />
<br />
We happily paid the bill- what a relief when Scott assured us there is nothing wrong with the twin-turbo. We had lunch at the <i>Greenside Cafe</i> in town (try their <i>Sangre de Cristo</i> sandwich!) then drove back to the RV park.<br />
<br />
I reset the mileage calculator on the dash as we took off. There was no issue whatever with the engine... ran like a noisey top! Also, I heard no strange turbo noises like I heard on the way over. The exhaust note is not loud which is a relief. And by the time we had covered the 40+ miles of constant grade change the calculator was reading 20.1 mpg. That's a great number for the 6.4L F-350 when running solo (no load; Ford says maybe 9-13 mpg), but the number we want to know is mileage under load. That will have to wait till we head for Benson on Tuesday morning. We've got our fingers crossed!<br />
<br />
Btw, I always ask that the engine get full synthetic motor oil (AMSOIL if I can get it- 15W-40 CJ-6). I was shocked the first time I drove our truck after having it installed... the engine becomes <i>much</i> quieter! <br />
<br />
<h4>
Computer issues</h4>
You probably noticed there haven't been any photos recently. My laptop is struggling and I haven't been able to process images for a couple weeks now. Like everything else, it'll get fixed in Benson!Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com2Santa Fe Skies RV Park, 14 County Road 48C, Santa Fe, NM 87508, USA35.588795 -106.04311435.575882 -106.062855 35.601707999999995 -106.023373tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-60268253567498720612012-10-19T16:52:00.000-04:002012-12-04T15:10:29.745-05:00Postcard from New Mexico- 2<h3>
16-19 October 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Santa Fe, NM</h4>
It was a white knuckle flight all the way from Tucumcari, but the truck made it with flying colors. As a precaution before leaving Tucumcari, I called <i>Spear's Auto Center</i> (Crestview, NM) to see if I was doing the wrong thing by towing the rig to Santa Fe. The folks at <i>Spear's</i> are the ones that got our <i>Banks</i> tuner, etc. working for us last May. The mechanic who answered the phone said he understood the circumstance and that we should do the least damage by keeping the exhaust gas temps (EGT) below 1,200°.<br />
<br />
So that's what I tried to do: I limited our speed to 50 mph initially, then later to 45 mph with the emergency flashers going. But there's a 3,200 foot grade change from Tucumcari to Santa Fe and speed had little effect on the EGT. It was still better than it would have been otherwise had I not made the adjustments I did. It'll be a long time before we know for sure.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Setting up repairs</h4>
I rented a car right away so we could do errands without having to drive the truck.<br />
<br />
Then on Wednesday I called <i>Spears Auto Center</i> and talked to Scott. I explained everything again and asked what he thought we should consider doing. His suggestion was to install a DPF-delete kit which will eliminate regeneration altogether and just side-step the problem. To help me make a decision I asked Scott to give me an estimate to replace the DPF (which is now apparently leaking exhaust gases) and another to install the DPF-delete kit. It was about $3,700 to replace the DPF (DPF, sensors, clip (?), labor) vs. $2,000 for the DPF-delete kit (pipes, <i>S and C</i> tuning kit, labor). So it looks like we're going to go with the DPF-delete kit and hope for the best. Not only is it cheaper initially, it will provide another boost in fuel economy and will avoid future engine shut-downs from a bad sensor (I'm told they are a frequent failure, though this was our first occurrence in over 30,000 miles).<br />
<br />
The work isn't scheduled yet, but hopefully we'll get it started next week. Scott just needs to receive the parts.Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0Santa Fe Skies RV Park, 14 County Road 48C, Santa Fe, NM 87508, USA35.588795 -106.04311435.575882 -106.062855 35.601707999999995 -106.023373tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-85393699994029972762012-10-14T15:31:00.000-04:002012-10-19T16:34:44.813-04:00Postcard from New Mexico- 1<h3>
13-14 October 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Getting to Tucumcari, NM</h4>
Well we made it to the KOA here but not without a very high level of anxiety. <i>Aarrrggh!</i><br />
<br />
Mileage has definitely deteriorated and exhaust gas temps are very high... running at the maximum allowed temp (1,250° F) even with straight & level pulling. What's more there is a very strong smell of diesel exhaust in the coach and in the storage compartments of our Montana every time we stopped along the way (115 miles). I had to run the kitchen exhaust fan just to step inside.<br />
<br />
At one point I got out and looked under the truck to see what the new sensor looked like and was shocked to see that it's simply clamped to the <u><i><b>outside</b></i></u> of the diesel particulate filter (the so-called DPF). You gotta be kidding me! This is Ford's solution for replacement of a corroded EGT sensor?<br />
<br />
There may be something additional wrong, but my guess is that the replacement sensor is reading very low since it's not inside the DPF. I'll further guess, and I admit this part is a little weak, this causes the Engine Control Module to use too much fuel. Too much fuel makes the EGT higher than normal. Our truck, as delivered, won't display EGT for the driver. You have to have a separate readout that accesses the internal data bus, and that's what the Banks does (in addition to modifying the fuel-delivery commands if you're running in non-stock power levels). In Stock mode- that's what we use 100%- the Banks tuner doesn't modify the engine fuel delivery commands, but it does display the data being sent to the internal computer. So the average owner would be driving in ignorance of just how hot the exhaust gases are.<br />
<br />
Btw, I saw a puff of white smoke on at least 2 occasions on the driver side. The exhaust, however, is on the passenger side. So I haven't a clue where that's about. I thought maybe we had a locked trailer brake and I was seeing a tire skid and smoke but that proved to be wrong.<br />
<br />
The plan was to find a Ford dealer here in Tucumcari. No joy. We either have to drive 115 miles back to Amarillo, TX or drive south about 80 miles to Clovis, NM. At this point it seems to make more sense to drive to Santa Fe and get it looked at there.<br />
<br />
Enough whining. <i>Mea culpa!</i> <br />
<br />
<h4>
Tucumcari KOA</h4>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q5pN_SrKNU1D0eAJ6SmnN5DVYY8Ycd0S4VILqRnyn4fpKNhtN0WZsGfSAII9u3jw5Lo7bWigW0plR3ODzePPs8hls-EH_uxahSabiPQIcth7xP1CJ2HaCfVoEHs7ozu0rqqLMfW2hzg/s1600/DSC01922_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q5pN_SrKNU1D0eAJ6SmnN5DVYY8Ycd0S4VILqRnyn4fpKNhtN0WZsGfSAII9u3jw5Lo7bWigW0plR3ODzePPs8hls-EH_uxahSabiPQIcth7xP1CJ2HaCfVoEHs7ozu0rqqLMfW2hzg/s320/DSC01922_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>This little guy is a chi-weenie... chihuahua/Dachshund mix. <br />He does a good job of getting diners to share their food!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This stop has been a surprise. I wouldn't begin to call this a garden spot since this part of New Mexico is very dry. But the campground has what a traveler needs if they're just stopping for the night. This KOA has an on-site restaurant with food that's made here... not just something re-heated in the microwave! We had both had the Mexican plate which had a choice of 2 of the 3 entrees offered: <i>enchiladas</i>, <i>tamales</i>, or <i>chile rellenos</i>. I had a couple of very good cheese <i>enchiladas</i> (you can ask for cheese, chicken or beef) plus black beans and a very good New Mexico-style Spanish rice. I wanted green chile salsa which was mild enough that most diners wouldn't notice anything but the flavor.<br />
<br />
Cindy & Layne are the owners and Cindy makes everything except the <i>tamales</i> herself, including the <i>tortillas</i>. We were very pleased with our meals and don't hesitate to recommend eating here if you happen to stop. And they'll deliver the food to your site if you want. Pretty cool!<br />
<br />
Oh... and we had breakfast there this morning which was every bit as good as dinner last night. We had pancakes (a stack of 3, mine were 6" pancakes). But I was pissed at myself for not remembering they have biscuits and gravy on the menu! I doubt I'll be able to convince the Admiral to eat out again, so that was a missed opportunity.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlzM0DiSWWmtJHcU9ut9teExFG5OxarANhSZ-sLkf0ncskrVa1TByENhRaqz-BGSWvPk0DYSYEENAIIBKnc_KfzRKSQ4yAC-t_1ZCqTH2cifuepfcZPIriZ1-66cuVLkCL_S3mmOzU4Y/s1600/DSC01925_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZlzM0DiSWWmtJHcU9ut9teExFG5OxarANhSZ-sLkf0ncskrVa1TByENhRaqz-BGSWvPk0DYSYEENAIIBKnc_KfzRKSQ4yAC-t_1ZCqTH2cifuepfcZPIriZ1-66cuVLkCL_S3mmOzU4Y/s320/DSC01925_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The campsites have a few trees, but they're struggling <br />with the limited water.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Tucumcari is in the high desert and, as you should expect, it's very dry. The rule of thumb is that anything green that isn't grass probably has a sticker on it or is poisonous. They had about 1/2" of rain a few days ago and almost overnight it greened up a little, but that will soon be gone. And there's a steady 15-20 mph wind blowing during the day. The kind of wind that can wear on you. You can't be a wimp to live around here!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl53MaZILUBigvoAvObKP0u_zoEqNr5ZNnKCHZzRmkPa-0PEuEAQF7TPKRKf7VkTW9z0GuUeP27P7NUqoarojbxKB5ss7xS5Nsp0EECi0qaQ2-Avn1XNxfFeK0OJ_qcyLijMOYRGzKEZ8/s1600/DSC01927_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl53MaZILUBigvoAvObKP0u_zoEqNr5ZNnKCHZzRmkPa-0PEuEAQF7TPKRKf7VkTW9z0GuUeP27P7NUqoarojbxKB5ss7xS5Nsp0EECi0qaQ2-Avn1XNxfFeK0OJ_qcyLijMOYRGzKEZ8/s320/DSC01927_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Click on the image to get a larger one, then check the <br />ridge of the distant hills. You may be able to pick <br />out the wind generators.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
All the pull-thru sites were full last night, but they tell me that by tonight we can have a pick of any site in the park. The spike in visitors is because of people who have been to the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta and are now heading home. Sure enough, by 4:00 AM I was hearing engines start as people began heading out. When I went over to arrange to have a propane tank re-filled there weren't more than a couple other campers left in the park.<br />
<br />
We should be on our way tomorrow to Santa Fe (west on I-40 to Cline's Corner then north on US-84/US-285 to El Dorado, then west about 20 miles to the NM-599 turnoff). We'll be staying at <i>Santa Fe Skies RV Park</i> again while we see all the usual doctors.<br />
<br />
<h4>
And oh, btw...</h4>
We've been trading notes with RV'ing friends Mike & Susan about the current truck problems and possible repairs. Susan reminded us "If it has testicles or tires, you know it's going to be expensive!" Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com16291-6293 Qr Al Rd, Tucumcari, NM 88401, USA35.171808769928347 -103.6667776107788135.168563769928348 -103.67171311077881 35.175053769928347 -103.66184211077881tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-81896842524515528332012-10-12T00:01:00.000-04:002012-10-19T16:31:49.994-04:00Postcard from Texas- 1<h3>
11-12 October 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Amarillo, TX</h4>
The truck got us here without a problem, though it seems like we are getting poorer mileage and exhaust gas temps are higher when running. Still it had plenty of power and ran smoothly, so it's probably just the elevation change... we're at about 3,300' here in Amarillo.<br />
<br />
This KOA is on the Northeast outskirts of town, so a simple job like getting groceries took a 12 mile drive each way. But it was an <i>Albertson's</i> so we were able to buy familiar brands again (Yea! <i>Oroweat </i>again!).<br />
<br />
<h4>
Great burgers!</h4>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRo4dxurjKQMqkpevpaRrADgODVv85whZjnEQPRubxmmlJvPxLaUactgp318NJ-H-vg8ym0jJ8CNbuQmWTCZZuuPp_0b4VS-DIy2MFcTgEOct1TXda80xG9oP6BCCfFQY8FGVR-0QkzQ/s1600/DSC01918_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRo4dxurjKQMqkpevpaRrADgODVv85whZjnEQPRubxmmlJvPxLaUactgp318NJ-H-vg8ym0jJ8CNbuQmWTCZZuuPp_0b4VS-DIy2MFcTgEOct1TXda80xG9oP6BCCfFQY8FGVR-0QkzQ/s320/DSC01918_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Admiral is doing her best to ignore <br />the locals peeking over her shoulder! <br />It's a mural painted from an old photo <br />of patrons of this 1946 establishment.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It's been 6 months, but yes, the <i>Golden Light Cafe</i> on 6th Ave. still has the best burgers and fries we've found anywhere, bar none! We went for lunch and it was crowded but not impossible. Friday nights, as I recall, are a little chaotic. We've been thinking about this hamburger for a few thousand miles. Does that qualify as obsessive? or just anxious anticipation?<br />
<br />
So now we're fueled up ($4.26/gal... <i>Aaarrrggh!</i>), stocked up, moneyed up ($3.50 for an ATM charge?!), and the address is in the GPS for Tucumcari, NM. Should be there tomorrow if we don't get blown off the road. They really didn't need to order up all this wind to welcome us back. <i>Yikes!</i>Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0Amarillo KOA, 1100 Folsom Rd, Amarillo, TX 79108, USA35.224569 -101.72426835.211598 -101.74400899999999 35.23754 -101.704527tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-90458922984545816992012-10-11T23:44:00.000-04:002012-10-13T15:46:51.260-04:00Postcard from Oklahoma- 3<h3>
11 October 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Canute, OK</h4>
Or maybe it's Foss, OK... ?? Google & Garmin disagree about where we are. Happens a lot in the boonies.<br />
<br />
Good news: the truck is fixed. First I got a number for Jerry Tosh (580-821-2520) who is a mobile repairmen for trucks, oil field equipment, RVs... whatever. If it has an engine, he'll work on it. He took a quick look, then jumpered across the starter solenoid with the ignition on and the engine sprang to life. He told me "Don't shut it off!" and said I should go to a Ford dealer. I called a Ford dealer in neighboring Elk City, but they were too busy to look at my problem.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWQ24Y63067l1B-DpxmjOkYUrNyEBTyz3stHVXeXo7vLj8eUbNJ9GrWlYKBMX4hrVQeUqeThd0LP99HCrTIsZ1lk7ZWtq-Jc6E3NakxJIdBScD0I0s4i4c-0eKjlQNGtDADuByv2e4G4/s1600/DSC01914_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWQ24Y63067l1B-DpxmjOkYUrNyEBTyz3stHVXeXo7vLj8eUbNJ9GrWlYKBMX4hrVQeUqeThd0LP99HCrTIsZ1lk7ZWtq-Jc6E3NakxJIdBScD0I0s4i4c-0eKjlQNGtDADuByv2e4G4/s320/DSC01914_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Doug Gray Ford came to our rescue!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The good news, though, is they gave me the number of <i>Doug Gray Ford</i> in Sayre, OK (580-928-3369). <i>Doug Gray Ford</i> is about 25 miles from the KOA and Dennis, their service adviser, agreed to have the guys take a brief look at our problem.<br />
<br />
It took their diesel tech all of about 5-minutes to figure out that one of the 3 exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensors (yes, 3!) had failed and that they had the sensor in stock. I felt confident about what he said about our truck since all but 1 of the vehicles in the 8 service bays was a truck of one flavor or another. A good clue he probably spoke with authority.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUD7LuOL38GpclnhfaLxHIwN5ZBhkMX9X6KWShleG98grwKewqKu0zBXPQd6loa7ArUUQBUdnPs_8Ph1TvwBgnC6t5SDomhFUdzTlXs8TZE9yMv6EmE8mtIqTQEtTz2BYwkviM1F6-T20/s1600/DSC01911_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUD7LuOL38GpclnhfaLxHIwN5ZBhkMX9X6KWShleG98grwKewqKu0zBXPQd6loa7ArUUQBUdnPs_8Ph1TvwBgnC6t5SDomhFUdzTlXs8TZE9yMv6EmE8mtIqTQEtTz2BYwkviM1F6-T20/s320/DSC01911_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>You should have heard the lift groan as all 6,800# of our <br />truck moved up in the world.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The tech got started right away. They pulled one truck out and ran our truck in... literally stopped working on it to take care of us! It souinded so simple I thought I might be out of there in 10 minutes. But then things seemed to grind to a halt. Turns out the sensor was so corroded they had to cut it off the diesel particulate filter (DPF). Ford has an approved work around for this problem. To me it seems like a temporary solution since it involves a hose clamp, but it's supposed to work till we can have a new boss welded into the DPF and have the sensor mounted as it was originally. Hopefully we can wait till Benson, AZ to get the work finished.<br />
<br />
So tomorrow we should be on the road to Amarillo, TX for a couple nights, then on to Tucumcari, NM and finally Santa Fe, NM. We're getting close to putting <i>Paid!</i> to this season.<br />
<br />
<br />Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0794-828 NE Hwy 66, Sayre, OK 73662, USA35.310712767139314 -99.62930202484130935.307473267139315 -99.634237524841311 35.313952267139314 -99.6243665248413tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-13905281742351683022012-10-10T23:59:00.000-04:002012-10-11T00:06:33.174-04:00Postcard from Oklahoma- 2<h3>
9-?? October 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Canute, OK</h4>
This was supposed to be a 2-night stop on the way to Amarillo, TX. Sort of a wide spot in the road that is I-40, but for a KOA it's unusual. They have a small restaurant for breakfast and dinner and they have fuel. Never heard of re-fueling before in a KOA. And this KOA has the trademark A-frame office, so this full service park was built by the corporation. I can only guess that at some time there was very little fuel available in this stretch of road. <br />
<br />
The park has a lot of trees which will come in handy tomorrow when the temps get to about 80° F. We thought we were through with all that, but... !!!<br />
<br />
<h4>
The truck</h4>
This is the note I was afraid I would eventually have to write and sure enough, it happened. Our Ford F-350 truck just died. I fueled up, drove back to the park, and as I finished backing in to the site I noticed the Engine Check light was on. I figured it was probably because we're about due for service so I didn't give it a lot of thought. We came back out an hour later to take a ride and I found I couldn't start the truck. The dash lights come on, but nothing happens when I turned the key. Not a sound, not a blink. <i>Nada.</i><br />
<br />
The KOA office gave me the number of a mobile repair service and I called. Jerry Tosh will be here in the morning to have a look. I won't rule out something easy, but my gut tells me we're going to become very familiar with the Clinton/Elk City area of Oklahoma before we get on the road again. There go our appointments!<br />
<br />
Stay tuned...Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0Historic U.S. 66, Foss, OK 73647, USA35.428225036228106 -99.21435356140136735.4217560362281 -99.224224061401372 35.434694036228109 -99.204483061401362tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-5420191192222966792012-10-08T23:15:00.000-04:002012-10-11T09:57:08.568-04:00Postcard from Oklahoma- 1<h3>
6-8 October 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Claremore, OK</h4>
This KOA says it's in NE Tulsa, but it's actually in Claremore... about 30 miles NE of Tulsa.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPNjLVWsm9Gxku2rACqvMEzHTFf3ngDcEAw6Wfsl7SsVScqGCTzri7F8hNTf44Msa-8xeou7E4CDvrXjrdrilxALRVL7EKTfjPTqOrGf1kuvSvDtxJHdaZzIBUnhKK94u3vgrXJI1YyU/s1600/DSC01838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPNjLVWsm9Gxku2rACqvMEzHTFf3ngDcEAw6Wfsl7SsVScqGCTzri7F8hNTf44Msa-8xeou7E4CDvrXjrdrilxALRVL7EKTfjPTqOrGf1kuvSvDtxJHdaZzIBUnhKK94u3vgrXJI1YyU/s320/DSC01838.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The track was a stone's throw from our site.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And it's a bit of a surprise. The description on the KOA site talked about horse racing and a casino which I took to be somewhere nearby. Not so: This KOA is on the grounds of <i>Cherokee Casino</i> which is co-located with <i>Will Rogers Downs</i> race track. After checking in at the KOA desk in the casino we got parked... about 50' from the race track. Amazing stuff. I tried to get a couple shots of the horses launching from the starting gate (they were racing quarter horses when we were there), but it was so cold I gave up! Still, it was a great site and something we'd not have seen had I understood the park.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq9tACJYexqkdi9J9z5MWYo0Bxp0Y0JEFRxPfwWZgU9W9_l1XX4kz2P50inP6wjXstw7beZf_k71wPz5Wm5zsn7UKGMa9WZvshXslV9u_UD9zkADnm5Ohxj-YcuzLRgnjErzUNiqrriA/s1600/DSC01843.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq9tACJYexqkdi9J9z5MWYo0Bxp0Y0JEFRxPfwWZgU9W9_l1XX4kz2P50inP6wjXstw7beZf_k71wPz5Wm5zsn7UKGMa9WZvshXslV9u_UD9zkADnm5Ohxj-YcuzLRgnjErzUNiqrriA/s320/DSC01843.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Setting up the starting gate for the next race. </i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And not a grown tree in sight anywhere. It looks like KOA planted a few sticks when they took over the park, but they're hardly noticeable. Maybe in 10 years!<br />
<br />
The Admiral was delighted about the casino. She loves to play the nickel slot machines and wasted no time getting over there on Sunday afternoon. Lost her bank roll in a couple hours and came home broke and smelling like an ash tray. So much for paying for the trip with her winnings. It's been 4 years since the last time she satisfied her urge to gamble, so we should be good for at least another 4 years... she <u>really</u> hates to lose. Almost as much as she'll hate reading about it in these pages!<br />
<br />
<h4>
Will Rogers slept here </h4>
But none of this is why a traveler <u>should</u> stop in Claremore, OK. What you <u>should</u> come here for is the <i>Will Rogers Memorial Museum</i> which is also the burial site for the the Rogers family (except Will Jr. who is buried with his wife in Arizona). This was sort of home base for him and his family. They had a ranch about 13 miles away in Oologah, OK. The ranch tour is free but the Memorial Museum costs $5 or $4 for seniors. We settled on the museum and lunch out.<br />
<br />
I don't think of myself as having heroes. People I admire, yes; people that are heroes, no. I suppose I did as a kid till I got over the Lone Ranger and Roy Rogers. If I had to pick a hero today, I suspect Will Rogers would be on my short list (guess I still look to cowboys for inspiration). After listening to recordings Rogers made during the depression trying to gain support for Hoover's plan for feeding & employing the down-and-out, and then later supporting FDR's plans to put America to work, I realized that not much has changed since then and that Rogers had some good thoughts on what needed fixing. I heard many of these recordings when I was young, so much of it was familiar.<br />
<br />
If you've never seen his private production film <i>Ropin' Fool</i> as well as the <i>Ropin' Fool Outtakes</i>, you owe it to yourself to find and watch it. He was truly amazing. It ought to be available thru NetFlix... ??? It was one of the very first uses of slow motion photography in a production film.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJV5cL3PVRqLevXreb_dyZcqxU0sAXskWe0ADN9NGLuky-N5g_PfQmgcITk8Ih52pC56F1EX_9pwYH9K_HS7En8NSZHCtRBksqRqNIy8XZaAN8kped3mxEoe6oGjcHuL5orddh-vghLr4/s1600/DSC01853_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJV5cL3PVRqLevXreb_dyZcqxU0sAXskWe0ADN9NGLuky-N5g_PfQmgcITk8Ih52pC56F1EX_9pwYH9K_HS7En8NSZHCtRBksqRqNIy8XZaAN8kped3mxEoe6oGjcHuL5orddh-vghLr4/s320/DSC01853_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A genuine Remington just sitting in the rotunda. </i>Yikes!</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4F9x0Aa3uBC3B21HtxKQBCGHUiGuhoWtERTJhP1PeqGLQ4akJye2LkYKeZEZchhhzonzRBBBuJNBlk-FBvvVsYVeChIDDVuiY6dnG-GH0EX20lQk0qxdGbFfw6d6sqhAFeviIzz9vK4/s1600/DSC01861_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4F9x0Aa3uBC3B21HtxKQBCGHUiGuhoWtERTJhP1PeqGLQ4akJye2LkYKeZEZchhhzonzRBBBuJNBlk-FBvvVsYVeChIDDVuiY6dnG-GH0EX20lQk0qxdGbFfw6d6sqhAFeviIzz9vK4/s320/DSC01861_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A bronze by Charley Russell picturing <br />Rogers in a typical setting... typing <br />his daily column.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvB-j7BcDutNZ9hwxu_-hBMS1upvSn44a9FHldH1pyHGP8k9IylHXrrzL0uvIOEhcweC7bjsX3kVYeM1JAk-67MQrLYaw0YdMRpAn4-GOLNXT2TGbuefQMTrbxDl_1_iu_YCBHwiuOlI/s1600/DSC01862_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNvB-j7BcDutNZ9hwxu_-hBMS1upvSn44a9FHldH1pyHGP8k9IylHXrrzL0uvIOEhcweC7bjsX3kVYeM1JAk-67MQrLYaw0YdMRpAn4-GOLNXT2TGbuefQMTrbxDl_1_iu_YCBHwiuOlI/s320/DSC01862_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A model of the Lockheed </i>Orion <i>in which Will Rogers <br />and pilot Wiley Post crashed. I was surprised to read <br />there was a witness. They had landed, asked directions, <br />stretched their legs, took off. About 100' off the ground <br />the plane pitched forward and 'somersaulted' to the ground <br />landing on the canopy. Seems a very odd behavior. Now I'll <br />have to research what the suspected cause was.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHC-zgdmOlZ9PFNagvM1dErpJxAP2KdElv2vsZjof48BM3VrR7nTzNBrgN1WiDC4ohGYruasR_WEVlHiP4wDkC-F7ap4McyjW5rCqXv5avFaoDmjyr21KZE4J2Kyhzu5QEwyF-q6UziQ/s1600/DSC01864_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHC-zgdmOlZ9PFNagvM1dErpJxAP2KdElv2vsZjof48BM3VrR7nTzNBrgN1WiDC4ohGYruasR_WEVlHiP4wDkC-F7ap4McyjW5rCqXv5avFaoDmjyr21KZE4J2Kyhzu5QEwyF-q6UziQ/s320/DSC01864_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>An 8' or 9' bronze of Will Rogers <br />dominates the rotunda. I'm guessing <br />this too is a Charley Russell.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNHU-_vb1kblZYrs5-jhyeSEZl45cW4O6zlNwNxI6049mAGcDzfugJQLJ8yXwETr6pxXeNCPob1kcjsJVxi13nzGwujy_zCGqlm_lKgMjoUm-Nlq48cbXUjLdO_g8oM8yjPvefEit2qc/s1600/DSC01872_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNHU-_vb1kblZYrs5-jhyeSEZl45cW4O6zlNwNxI6049mAGcDzfugJQLJ8yXwETr6pxXeNCPob1kcjsJVxi13nzGwujy_zCGqlm_lKgMjoUm-Nlq48cbXUjLdO_g8oM8yjPvefEit2qc/s320/DSC01872_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>He did fund raisers all over the world to <br />help people in need, this one while he <br />was still with the Ziegfeld Follies.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ydmpt_C1a671miAC-Vzb1f82i8nfAiUqiyYMuxN3hmGOoet_4UjC8Vtba2AA9URueaG5zviPMUSjsjYnzy7aUX0Ntq8uy7_l2brPhF_46jJGMqehXq58hBEODLS6FMaw4Yjd9OOYduA/s1600/DSC01874_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Ydmpt_C1a671miAC-Vzb1f82i8nfAiUqiyYMuxN3hmGOoet_4UjC8Vtba2AA9URueaG5zviPMUSjsjYnzy7aUX0Ntq8uy7_l2brPhF_46jJGMqehXq58hBEODLS6FMaw4Yjd9OOYduA/s320/DSC01874_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A patio just outside the theater where his movies play <br />continuously. He made 50 silent films plus another <br />21 'talkies'. Rogers was a slacker compared to Tom Mix <br />who turned out over 300!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_yO1qVjyxTcncViTuOZoTQ0WucAQ5SN0ZKMHvTbbnBVqd6aRv2za5y8Ft4wrIk40dcSXq4FxnFNWUEVQ6VVT3Hk8SNVeOojA5I33Z5PopzWa5HzGT1H5zz09GVQYGnJ7f6JC6idbqsA/s1600/DSC01878_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_yO1qVjyxTcncViTuOZoTQ0WucAQ5SN0ZKMHvTbbnBVqd6aRv2za5y8Ft4wrIk40dcSXq4FxnFNWUEVQ6VVT3Hk8SNVeOojA5I33Z5PopzWa5HzGT1H5zz09GVQYGnJ7f6JC6idbqsA/s320/DSC01878_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I guess you know you've had an impact when the Navy <br />names a Poseiden submarine after you!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvOnlYGxamX8nwXtaXVoahIVTPHXZMDiorp2kNgs8mzCCBC5Hs76PnaFGno27NYSGqGNqBUz7Nv96MqTjXxpLjjf98PTfuaH_YYRQMrsMuSzNqyyZnFQAzyXtI4YZIzo_wbN9Yk_sWqE/s1600/DSC01897_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvOnlYGxamX8nwXtaXVoahIVTPHXZMDiorp2kNgs8mzCCBC5Hs76PnaFGno27NYSGqGNqBUz7Nv96MqTjXxpLjjf98PTfuaH_YYRQMrsMuSzNqyyZnFQAzyXtI4YZIzo_wbN9Yk_sWqE/s320/DSC01897_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The veranda where the sarcophagus is located with yet <br />another bronze of Will Rogers. This overlooks the area <br />where Claremore is located and is across the street from <br />Will Rogers State University.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A portrait done by Charley Russell. Rogers & Russell were <br />both Oklahoma cowboys and close friend.</i></td></tr>
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Oh, and Will Rogers' full name is William Penn Adair Rogers. I also have a Penn heritage (my paternal grandmother was a Penn) and they lived awhile in Missouri & Oklahoma before moving on to Arizona and later to California. I need to poke at that a bit to see if there's a common ancestor. Now wouldn't <i>that</i> be cool!!<br />
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<h4>
Recent reading</h4>
Btw, if you share my disappointment in what was- and still is- taught to US high school students in American history, check out <i>Lies My Teacher Told Me</i> by Loewen. He teaches college level history and has been an outspoken critic of the content of American history textbooks as they attempt to establish certain people as "heroes", whitewashing the distasteful parts of their 'history' or ignoring inconvenient accomplishments. And it's a fun read... like history <u>should</u> be.<br />
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<h4>
On the road again</h4>
Off to western OK next, then Amarillo, TX; Tucumcari, NM; and Santa Fe, NM.Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0Claremore, OK, USA36.3125963 -95.6160936.2102373 -95.7740185 36.4149553 -95.4581615tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-33142221022654372902012-10-05T23:21:00.000-04:002012-10-07T23:25:50.570-04:00Postcard from Missouri- 2<h3>
3-5 October 2012</h3>
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<h4>
Springfield, MO</h4>
We stopped here for another visit with the Admiral's brother and sister-in-law, Steve & Eileen, as we wind our way along the Interstates toward Santa Fe. We got laundry out of the way, did the shopping thing at <i>Dillon's</i> (another Kroger-owned market), and got fuel. Probably the lowest price we'll see the rest of the year at $3.80/gal. <br />
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And we suffered through our first cold weather of the season. <i>Yikes!</i> Had to get my wool socks out of the storage bag cuz the floor where the desk is located in a slide got really cold while I was sitting here typing. Even had to do the hookup in the morning wearing my polar fleece vest the whole time. What happened to endless summer?!<br />
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All the great looking oak trees rained acorns the whole time we were there. The concern is that when I close the slides they would get crushed against the slide seals. So I had a brain storm the morning when we pulled out: fire up the compressor and blow the acorns and leaves off the tops of the slides. Cool, huh?! Yeah, right. Turns out the air would blow everything away that was within about 3-4 feet and did nothing to any acorns or leaves beyond that. It was like an invisible wall. So much for the brain storm. I had to squeegee them off with the window cleaner I have for the truck.<br />
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Here's a few park shots plus a gratuitous shot of Annie the Super Dog...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtTmu5ux2GZvuOmCSbt7-RfHBIyz8VMx1scHDWHbhDoK-hsp2yTDynRHuLLq3GnKflD1oloBlsWBJ8sRq4zbqI9YJ8uZy4O_3AWfIkvxN20NNDOSnUK3OPf8kQ1im4tAGMiibC-0qBCA/s1600/DSC01817_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtTmu5ux2GZvuOmCSbt7-RfHBIyz8VMx1scHDWHbhDoK-hsp2yTDynRHuLLq3GnKflD1oloBlsWBJ8sRq4zbqI9YJ8uZy4O_3AWfIkvxN20NNDOSnUK3OPf8kQ1im4tAGMiibC-0qBCA/s320/DSC01817_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Great looking park...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdf22xbWSMc7LV_YyuKfXl2eiHDU-4dTkO0oR5dAgnMROM588uzhhANoRP4MqxtSJ0CERBv7lnPBqt8b-v-8pKtOxDUe2aZ1jhMJLPOqFi6lLj6lneZll2pUsD2r9AX9w-D5TX210VnM/s1600/DSC01818_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdf22xbWSMc7LV_YyuKfXl2eiHDU-4dTkO0oR5dAgnMROM588uzhhANoRP4MqxtSJ0CERBv7lnPBqt8b-v-8pKtOxDUe2aZ1jhMJLPOqFi6lLj6lneZll2pUsD2r9AX9w-D5TX210VnM/s320/DSC01818_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>... with lots of oak trees...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZBHI2bZW6RduN4_cJOK53GvwdBtGd0ohkk_wZyCIWT06I29acr_AHEuETu4uGB4vBQlg-5INWIPSY_k91WibujibcLqxl-1b64eCXWO9NmCteOKPXAZNMHahY4zhnkdvC3jFskZvmxE/s1600/DSC01820_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvZBHI2bZW6RduN4_cJOK53GvwdBtGd0ohkk_wZyCIWT06I29acr_AHEuETu4uGB4vBQlg-5INWIPSY_k91WibujibcLqxl-1b64eCXWO9NmCteOKPXAZNMHahY4zhnkdvC3jFskZvmxE/s320/DSC01820_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>...that rained acorns the whole time we were there!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Annie the Super Dog. Kelly ran and <br />hid: "I don't like cameras!"</i></td></tr>
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Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0Springfield, MO, USA37.2089572 -93.292298937.1077867 -93.4502274 37.3101277 -93.134370400000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-27741778295646208652012-10-02T01:08:00.000-04:002012-10-06T01:10:08.424-04:00Postcard from Missouri- 1<h3>
30 September - 2 October 2012</h3>
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<h4>
St. Louis</h4>
We're cheating a little here. The campground was actually in Granite City, IL. But it was relatively close so we could easily visit the Gateway Arch. This was the Admiral's first visit and my second. Pretty amazing piece of work and the view from the top of the arch is unlimited all the way to the distant horizon.<br />
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The project was actually started in 1937 with a design competition which was won by a guy named Saarinen. The construction, however was delayed many years since a couple wars got in the way. The 2 halves of the arch didn't join till 1965. For the faint of heart, you don't walk to the top of the arch which is something like 632 feet above the ground... about 28 feet short of an 1/8th of a mile. There's a tram of 8 'pods' that carry 5 people each up to the top. 4 minutes up, 3 minutes down. The interchange of people leaving the pods with people boarding them is more of a collision, but most folks happily shifted as necessary to let folks pass. I doubt there's the same feeling of friendly cooperation on a hot summer day!<br />
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And since this is a federal facility, there are no weapons allowed including knives over 4" overall. My little pocket knife (1.5" blade) with opening-assist was marginal. Since they couldn't get it to open completely with the assist they let it slide. A different guard on a different day might not be so helpful.<br />
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The day was pretty much ugly with a little bit of rain and solid cloud cover. So the photos are a mixed bag that I'm not so proud of. But that's how it is sometimes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3w2mXRBwnXQ7z_VlVAxOGlmhy5hUEDJng_-xnN95br5HTlBnqlog6lyzar28OtdAfg09CygLvk6jgZFxZ_4Evq4GjVC3weSJDTSFZO3C0ZDeK3Z_4DEYCzq67kII5CN55UyAGFO_4J38/s1600/DSC01751_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3w2mXRBwnXQ7z_VlVAxOGlmhy5hUEDJng_-xnN95br5HTlBnqlog6lyzar28OtdAfg09CygLvk6jgZFxZ_4Evq4GjVC3weSJDTSFZO3C0ZDeK3Z_4DEYCzq67kII5CN55UyAGFO_4J38/s320/DSC01751_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>It's an old park but adequate. WiFi is a joke.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hwpe7HORz9Tejlo3jUnuqiQ8KfwctpdkY6p876yr8mq2mUURiVKCZjTUQs9LUP6o2uzG0qnjXM4fG-UV9EEDGL2CVS9vT1BDlTfcZwBz92HtZ_3NEPYpVnU5fu7j-U5gsBftSv2KZYo/s1600/DSC01763_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hwpe7HORz9Tejlo3jUnuqiQ8KfwctpdkY6p876yr8mq2mUURiVKCZjTUQs9LUP6o2uzG0qnjXM4fG-UV9EEDGL2CVS9vT1BDlTfcZwBz92HtZ_3NEPYpVnU5fu7j-U5gsBftSv2KZYo/s320/DSC01763_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Arch is essentially on the Mississippi River.</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT_iRpGV4OFeVVdcAALc-NdqB4ndKd1m_T1ga3mHGUpj8OprC2hUkPJW1hO9UkkhHncWgULNJxfgZ2bjTBlA9tnCOJWXU4XxM1TCfo_V4Hohv2OQsKI4IEcqt7BpNLA3D29wQUq4rkMQ/s1600/DSC01773_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT_iRpGV4OFeVVdcAALc-NdqB4ndKd1m_T1ga3mHGUpj8OprC2hUkPJW1hO9UkkhHncWgULNJxfgZ2bjTBlA9tnCOJWXU4XxM1TCfo_V4Hohv2OQsKI4IEcqt7BpNLA3D29wQUq4rkMQ/s320/DSC01773_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The arch has a stainless skin with <br />structural steel inside.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F2KKw6Hp9CgeGGOB0fTWT9sN1P6nE3gRsnU2gs_oE1yv6WscEsXtNosJeJSxmtKjJTItXyLi5KPa4Ho3I6nNsGRUrX-d1qLVYeoCCfFv2W_sqCbO3p4jrSFawdFS7SQBMbiflCe8OlY/s1600/DSC01776_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6F2KKw6Hp9CgeGGOB0fTWT9sN1P6nE3gRsnU2gs_oE1yv6WscEsXtNosJeJSxmtKjJTItXyLi5KPa4Ho3I6nNsGRUrX-d1qLVYeoCCfFv2W_sqCbO3p4jrSFawdFS7SQBMbiflCe8OlY/s320/DSC01776_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Like heading into a subway. The underground <br />area is cavernous.</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh7iB9dS1Jlzo8BtGBzEu5nkVCiMj-VKuGwqy_u7HQwJmn0GTgVeX-Y533I_wZ40PBfONki5WlyliHd4bqZYvM0bFGRlhIRI6sHHVt55AyVe0QdiKo6lOLA8QgRe7mD9Br06qK8rnbrs/s1600/DSC01778_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh7iB9dS1Jlzo8BtGBzEu5nkVCiMj-VKuGwqy_u7HQwJmn0GTgVeX-Y533I_wZ40PBfONki5WlyliHd4bqZYvM0bFGRlhIRI6sHHVt55AyVe0QdiKo6lOLA8QgRe7mD9Br06qK8rnbrs/s320/DSC01778_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Here's the ticket counter (museum store in the <br />background)...</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj974CVQIJRJfYOwlX7Q-AwUvngupOj5miIBKPJHKYITDimWwF2ULfuE2855KemaH0R-62n7wnTAbEvwFCIXg6QJm5sLHw96iKH8YfShavd19iJYj8GAt3cSBWkCyX5PkFdLCz8J4s1nMA/s1600/DSC01780_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj974CVQIJRJfYOwlX7Q-AwUvngupOj5miIBKPJHKYITDimWwF2ULfuE2855KemaH0R-62n7wnTAbEvwFCIXg6QJm5sLHw96iKH8YfShavd19iJYj8GAt3cSBWkCyX5PkFdLCz8J4s1nMA/s320/DSC01780_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>... and the information kiosk.</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCDb74-AQU8LYTapLgNwvrXZghpJyKNaep3kWd-kdA0PNTk7ceHbc7sYp4bFN1TiAWoFt5FS6pW3jny6AMnoVBzp4hbirPIOW30idcAcpiauR6IBeDuTo5DmwJkbm2xjibFLifrHEjAY/s1600/DSC01790_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCDb74-AQU8LYTapLgNwvrXZghpJyKNaep3kWd-kdA0PNTk7ceHbc7sYp4bFN1TiAWoFt5FS6pW3jny6AMnoVBzp4hbirPIOW30idcAcpiauR6IBeDuTo5DmwJkbm2xjibFLifrHEjAY/s320/DSC01790_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Admiral was doing her best to not <br />look claustrophobic as we all sat bent <br />in half inside what is not much more <br />than a very large oil drum!</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorU2iNGv01tg59LqkN7Dh-gV7PMelDyXOuXSHBSijXbShQVrWodqOWfUZbobjUA9UgriSgfYIE2nDOFo3RVwpFDP2V5Bs4gQezskV6MhYT0q4Ztq_IiLGxwViM_QQrB-QimJTshhgozk/s1600/DSC01794_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiorU2iNGv01tg59LqkN7Dh-gV7PMelDyXOuXSHBSijXbShQVrWodqOWfUZbobjUA9UgriSgfYIE2nDOFo3RVwpFDP2V5Bs4gQezskV6MhYT0q4Ztq_IiLGxwViM_QQrB-QimJTshhgozk/s320/DSC01794_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>View from the top out across the river.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYOmqslwOtErEyJCZgdRQHLdAUM5E3_8nFbPXJG9CPFzifRwW18rWxK4IVA5SwmtVt6yspwIVtA8xnXiqVayiqmIWT9Z9SfUVpS09TRsb1M95poQkZuscoELKQpn9P0Hf8OygEWuIcl4/s1600/DSC01799_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYOmqslwOtErEyJCZgdRQHLdAUM5E3_8nFbPXJG9CPFzifRwW18rWxK4IVA5SwmtVt6yspwIVtA8xnXiqVayiqmIWT9Z9SfUVpS09TRsb1M95poQkZuscoELKQpn9P0Hf8OygEWuIcl4/s320/DSC01799_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>One of the bases.</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLQTi4tk_3ACqMoqls5EtmdGjQVT3ehmtDjLZ_slUV0Ql0yZOrVioAXyr40ZktVSvkamKlwbYi7bjVHHGp2es8ayTe11xOuGpdCdD0CyHahWX5b40qZa4HgY23hOnKw7JCaI3kjWynRY/s1600/DSC01804_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDLQTi4tk_3ACqMoqls5EtmdGjQVT3ehmtDjLZ_slUV0Ql0yZOrVioAXyr40ZktVSvkamKlwbYi7bjVHHGp2es8ayTe11xOuGpdCdD0CyHahWX5b40qZa4HgY23hOnKw7JCaI3kjWynRY/s320/DSC01804_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>And the stairs from the street. </i></td></tr>
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<br />Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0Gateway Arch, Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, 200 Washington Ave, St Louis, MO 63102, USA38.6248217 -90.184860638.6124167 -90.20460159999999 38.6372267 -90.1651196tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-64658278130924509152012-09-29T00:22:00.000-04:002012-10-06T00:23:53.198-04:00Postcard from Kentucky- 1<h3>
25-26 September 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Corbin, Kentucky</h4>
This was just a stop along the way to Louisville, KY. It turned out that this KOA is one of the nicest campgrounds we've stayed at. Very nice place that is impeccably maintained with lots of tall trees to offer shade and protection from nasty weather.<br />
<br />
Not much protection from rain though. We arrived with a few rain drops starting. As we got positioned on the site, though, it got downright serious and hammered us for awhile. I let it ease a little (till the thunder stopped) and we got a little wet as we set up.<br />
<br />
If you're looking for urban entertainment, this isn't a stop for you. But Laurel Lake is nearby and gives this KOA part of its name: <i>Corbin/Lake Laurel KOA</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
27-29 September 2012 </h3>
<br />
<h4>
Louisville, Kentucky</h4>
Yet another KOA. KOAs are often close to an Interstate so this is probably what we'll do the rest of the way back to Santa Fe and then Benson. KOAs aren't our favorite and they're more expensive for what you get, but they're consistent and (with one notable exception in Upper Michigan!) comfortable. In <i>South Louisville KOA</i> we had very large park with <u>large</u> campsites! There's even a Wally World just down the street so it's a convenient stop.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESwwJqicOyp4Ssns3HVG4kq6VgnLKv_NOfhLcEyIhKGlcfBq8rLiKyZAChh8_XqDU3pEchkWh_56DB2XJyAXNTWVbm9KRo_BOGB6eubHl0Q7mDx58_MxuUABk1yyDqdJiTeXCFrS7txA/s1600/DSC01723_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhESwwJqicOyp4Ssns3HVG4kq6VgnLKv_NOfhLcEyIhKGlcfBq8rLiKyZAChh8_XqDU3pEchkWh_56DB2XJyAXNTWVbm9KRo_BOGB6eubHl0Q7mDx58_MxuUABk1yyDqdJiTeXCFrS7txA/s320/DSC01723_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a>If you come to Louisville and have any interest in sports, yuh <u>gotta</u> go to the <a href="http://www.sluggermuseum.com/" target="_blank"><i>Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory</i></a>. We spent an afternoon driving the 20 miles, taking the factory tour and looking around (a couple hours), then driving back. They have a theater, the factory and there's a batting cage where you take a few cuts at a 90 mph fast ball.<br />
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I expected to be able to take photos on the tour, but once again "no photography!" There is nothing in the factory that is so unique to require secrecy, so the issue must be safety. But there you are. It was an interesting tour and we were glad to have stopped here.<br />
<br />
Even though the company makes several kinds of sports equipment, this location is all about bats. Something over a million bats each year (though I doubt they all come from this small facility!). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi857HeKnnxg-8uv3qpVfU_EOiap26q6hrpbioIaJpmpdJ0bCSFBMdYyAozkI1lbHz40r4VbD-25EiPG88FelYRHaj_rS1iGqlhPmWLIKGoQVXTH1jlskxLo01wHh_aLhGfoWDMjVeb8yU/s1600/DSC01737_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi857HeKnnxg-8uv3qpVfU_EOiap26q6hrpbioIaJpmpdJ0bCSFBMdYyAozkI1lbHz40r4VbD-25EiPG88FelYRHaj_rS1iGqlhPmWLIKGoQVXTH1jlskxLo01wHh_aLhGfoWDMjVeb8yU/s320/DSC01737_DxO_Web.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYySb5a6cgymBFmZ_vVBFS747EUEJcnFL2CThzIte2apKkpIEzdU0amxilLkQM-JCi-PD0RH5qufMwzpY2BnjBT9cOEzyHEPXuDWpmBWPqPPQnPDr-_HFoIWPjz647TPozoiFLBsLjBfI/s1600/DSC01744_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7KmVf53HqKTFgi_dB8zOzLkl5IWHdRkRi_4k6-j_nc83lYCv2wN6qTocarpeDCB0q1iKeDX3QtTZah5X9eUYeXFsOZcYRCmRGTG12nB0OiaKmMEdN_MKpRcXNody87OYTDpx_XufLw4/s1600/DSC01734_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7KmVf53HqKTFgi_dB8zOzLkl5IWHdRkRi_4k6-j_nc83lYCv2wN6qTocarpeDCB0q1iKeDX3QtTZah5X9eUYeXFsOZcYRCmRGTG12nB0OiaKmMEdN_MKpRcXNody87OYTDpx_XufLw4/s320/DSC01734_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYySb5a6cgymBFmZ_vVBFS747EUEJcnFL2CThzIte2apKkpIEzdU0amxilLkQM-JCi-PD0RH5qufMwzpY2BnjBT9cOEzyHEPXuDWpmBWPqPPQnPDr-_HFoIWPjz647TPozoiFLBsLjBfI/s320/DSC01744_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0Louisville South KOA, 2433 State Highway 44, Shepherdsville, KY 40165, USA38.0037878 -85.681498937.9912758 -85.70123989999999 38.0162998 -85.6617579tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-29337978912591798282012-09-24T18:48:00.000-04:002012-10-05T18:53:27.010-04:00Postcard from North Carolina- 1<h3>
<i>22-24 September 2012</i></h3>
<br />
<h4>
Asheville, NC</h4>
KOA again- this time <i>Asheville KOA West</i>. We picked the one on the West end of town (there are 2 KOAs in the Asheville area) in anticipation of an easier departure after our 3-niter. And we are happy with our choice. Yeah the site wasn't level, but the 2 boards we carry got it sorted. So... why was not being level OK this time but not last time? Cuz they had ice cream sundaes at the park pavilion! Plus the only guy who fills the propane tanks (he's the manager) was still there and had time to fill one mostly-empty tank before he left for 2 days off. We don't want to run out of propane cuz it's getting pretty cool at nite... as low as 43° F last nite.<br />
<br />
The park has a lot of trees and is on very hilly ground. A walk with the dogs can leave you (mmm... me!) out of breath thanks to the elevation changes. Well... unless you're a dog in which case it's really interesting to hear all the funny wheezing noises humans make when they walk uphill! <br />
<br />
We made a trip into town and had brunch at <a href="http://overeasyasheville.com/" target="_blank"><i>Over Easy Cafe</i></a> (the <i>Urban Spoon</i> app. for our iPhones is great for this sort of thing!). Excellent food, sidewalk seating if you have a dog with you (we didn't), and you better not be in a hurry cuz it takes awhile to get your food. If you have a long bed dually as we do, parking can be an issue (the town is old, so the streets are narrow). So we parked in the lower lot at the Visitor Center and walked.<br />
<br />
There is an indoor mall in Asheville called the <i>Grove Arcade</i>. It was opened in 1928 with plans to be an 18-story building. It ended up 2 stories and was one of the very first indoor malls in the US. Very interesting architectural details inside. If you come to Asheville it's worth taking a look thru the shops.<br />
<br />
We also went to the <i>Folk Art Center</i> on the Blue Ridge Parkway on the East side of Asheville. We'd been there about 9 years earlier and remembered really enjoying the visit. I had my camera along but was told almost immediately "no photography", so I don't have much to show for the visit. The Admiral, however, did some Christmas shopping, so we didn't come away empty handed.<br />
<br />
And we had a great lunch at <i><a href="http://eastvillagegrille.com/" target="_blank">East Village Grille</a></i> on Tunnel Rd near the <i>Folk Art Center.</i> <u>Great</u> sandwiches, but not cheap.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITu43EgNe86x_4Xz1Fasc6Zkb_EKyVnUwoX-IUx4SxZNCY9npy2_LIcOLBUee0TjmbDIeE2XVBqbDoxC3BWAWPc-77AxUSwvFtLrIuXYVYZnfMXA8FHr6iToQyERv8tqabX1KZsdCEYc/s1600/DSC01637_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhITu43EgNe86x_4Xz1Fasc6Zkb_EKyVnUwoX-IUx4SxZNCY9npy2_LIcOLBUee0TjmbDIeE2XVBqbDoxC3BWAWPc-77AxUSwvFtLrIuXYVYZnfMXA8FHr6iToQyERv8tqabX1KZsdCEYc/s320/DSC01637_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Clouds over the park that I found interesting.</i> </td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTImgX3EPE9oRsulouv3376qGsWTEZR4ksUcRrgfzrlF5UzMotJwB4mSHd5i8johmuZ5FMCIyP9TLQJ2JfoKKz5_1ckdzvto0NZe03uM_iNFeetyXahTghFdRhnB-pCNHp923xrgttQQ/s1600/DSC01641_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTImgX3EPE9oRsulouv3376qGsWTEZR4ksUcRrgfzrlF5UzMotJwB4mSHd5i8johmuZ5FMCIyP9TLQJ2JfoKKz5_1ckdzvto0NZe03uM_iNFeetyXahTghFdRhnB-pCNHp923xrgttQQ/s320/DSC01641_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sidewalk cafes in many places</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn8j_yktKnALc1NXCjleznZ7qv6HPvs7a4F6JxMVEOdAuumV8NPx3E4Ou646rRNQg3yVmlVKVMD087k-XlGg4TAkw3eYzdsJ5VplYZy5cu9ruPhjMCmohT-qvn57qWEx_-F4fmOwBRLg/s1600/DSC01645_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCn8j_yktKnALc1NXCjleznZ7qv6HPvs7a4F6JxMVEOdAuumV8NPx3E4Ou646rRNQg3yVmlVKVMD087k-XlGg4TAkw3eYzdsJ5VplYZy5cu9ruPhjMCmohT-qvn57qWEx_-F4fmOwBRLg/s320/DSC01645_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Enough buskers to keep you entertained <br />as you hike down the street.</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ahyphenhypheng98gyQdyyOktCpEdlu3DQNsC64gJaAPp3gIICNPYiwqOcqhOU6hPokz9BijJrPy1rJTRTtwjyNGuXQW3Iwzldu31APnzGOrMMjwLNeMTC9gugAISyi1xOkbE3AVw72gjLsrxRi3w/s1600/DSC01646_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ahyphenhypheng98gyQdyyOktCpEdlu3DQNsC64gJaAPp3gIICNPYiwqOcqhOU6hPokz9BijJrPy1rJTRTtwjyNGuXQW3Iwzldu31APnzGOrMMjwLNeMTC9gugAISyi1xOkbE3AVw72gjLsrxRi3w/s320/DSC01646_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I was surprised to still see families touring <br />this late in the year.</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjRTdQ_YGgJ1GRaAqRnz2FEVgmy0rejyXsmI13tTdrYqO6OJPJxTyD_dSQOKlk3ge0Tg4zHSBAUI9BIL2FXWzghZHAreMqxGeuwVepZV8RAql2hbcR3CLjYspHQemiU9GRWAP8AF8ho8/s1600/DSC01649_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikjRTdQ_YGgJ1GRaAqRnz2FEVgmy0rejyXsmI13tTdrYqO6OJPJxTyD_dSQOKlk3ge0Tg4zHSBAUI9BIL2FXWzghZHAreMqxGeuwVepZV8RAql2hbcR3CLjYspHQemiU9GRWAP8AF8ho8/s320/DSC01649_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The sidewalk tables at the </i>Over Easy Cafe<i>.</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3wOKJ2tfro6OGYdjdY1H1yqGZz2Na747YSZkXidjsTiJbVaWhlfVfuzkB1-MnHhpuBdNu5ZirC5JGrasRgDUvghHX3rBc_9gwHz3dqVyhupvtmW2ZPpqugTw5t6cPNeb1ngrhimVnWs/s1600/DSC01654_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3wOKJ2tfro6OGYdjdY1H1yqGZz2Na747YSZkXidjsTiJbVaWhlfVfuzkB1-MnHhpuBdNu5ZirC5JGrasRgDUvghHX3rBc_9gwHz3dqVyhupvtmW2ZPpqugTw5t6cPNeb1ngrhimVnWs/s320/DSC01654_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>More of the Over Easy Cafe.</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcjZteAKn6nJNH6u4oZNPjxKCMpEBeiL5-xk_vGTcaWVunWE_gKVb0Qih5Ko_dn9ayjBChOIlrP5rlLJdrSbDhn8KALtDxHHvffgfG2AkNeoXV8IeERo2U6h0euUHfXcXnHt4DJUUhMM/s1600/DSC01656_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhcjZteAKn6nJNH6u4oZNPjxKCMpEBeiL5-xk_vGTcaWVunWE_gKVb0Qih5Ko_dn9ayjBChOIlrP5rlLJdrSbDhn8KALtDxHHvffgfG2AkNeoXV8IeERo2U6h0euUHfXcXnHt4DJUUhMM/s320/DSC01656_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>No, I'm not the Bruce that supplies their maple syrup!</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBaq4eOuk3nQ4DNzCtNo42aL9ZsMp4FA5lXXAToFZ9Vg6ZH1XB9lzNJTUpOgaT80yCL2jxDc8gKoq3-azCjo6-atbP-GCbdYNle0LUS5NXqaE_kfSOT0wwbjS0b-OxWRaE3jyuu3GanU/s1600/DSC01657_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBaq4eOuk3nQ4DNzCtNo42aL9ZsMp4FA5lXXAToFZ9Vg6ZH1XB9lzNJTUpOgaT80yCL2jxDc8gKoq3-azCjo6-atbP-GCbdYNle0LUS5NXqaE_kfSOT0wwbjS0b-OxWRaE3jyuu3GanU/s320/DSC01657_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Admiral's veggie omelet...</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqS1GMRw3_oRgFlOdLqswsHryRyPpNARV6xDQFC3Is2z_JIiQrYHtALEU7jS9gMz2_KFN02TLmXLl5xAMNuqeU3EeXq_HIEX_vF-y2K5Sqc33Rz3PHjO2KxVaqm83SDMHGOtnNwvLcPA/s1600/DSC01658_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqS1GMRw3_oRgFlOdLqswsHryRyPpNARV6xDQFC3Is2z_JIiQrYHtALEU7jS9gMz2_KFN02TLmXLl5xAMNuqeU3EeXq_HIEX_vF-y2K5Sqc33Rz3PHjO2KxVaqm83SDMHGOtnNwvLcPA/s320/DSC01658_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>... and my 1" thick pancake. One was enough!</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhT5fTKBQ3_dSRiOadlFblHp3Qna_475_xJRi4GZDQZljPqlscv5H4RzA48Nnn_aAKcG3m9fH34c_kHxfevkpwp2fv9tZEHyKIaFqJ8Thl_LzBewSZnsZWXPKKXrQ8qVuZuRiRzWu3wI/s1600/DSC01660_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhT5fTKBQ3_dSRiOadlFblHp3Qna_475_xJRi4GZDQZljPqlscv5H4RzA48Nnn_aAKcG3m9fH34c_kHxfevkpwp2fv9tZEHyKIaFqJ8Thl_LzBewSZnsZWXPKKXrQ8qVuZuRiRzWu3wI/s320/DSC01660_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yes- dog friendly restaurants if you choose <br />outdoor seating.</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Tle4jxBi38q7N1L3w3PVKeIT0xtjwYPQPbIQUdJcxAyDc1x3otDNFTobV11FvHVBbVSz4C-pFrMtFGoCAUNzA_1tf_9BD2gUmsuhSsc6eWXwSItzg2dGHfUz76gY_I6847Qd8tQvjCY/s1600/DSC01662_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Tle4jxBi38q7N1L3w3PVKeIT0xtjwYPQPbIQUdJcxAyDc1x3otDNFTobV11FvHVBbVSz4C-pFrMtFGoCAUNzA_1tf_9BD2gUmsuhSsc6eWXwSItzg2dGHfUz76gY_I6847Qd8tQvjCY/s320/DSC01662_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Gourmet Chip. The cones are filled with just-fried <br />potato chips. Looked good!</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPKLxv_hI9gnVtZhyPDtvZynTw_kC1YxJ1C04gacJ5p2CndMvHo25F0iVvaAaD8V-UTZalVjSYMGYFsl1yipOkgae14C19FPFg_SmzWQuFddWwrsqI5Yfz0dwCBSvUMbid7WosLDcaHQ/s1600/DSC01680_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPKLxv_hI9gnVtZhyPDtvZynTw_kC1YxJ1C04gacJ5p2CndMvHo25F0iVvaAaD8V-UTZalVjSYMGYFsl1yipOkgae14C19FPFg_SmzWQuFddWwrsqI5Yfz0dwCBSvUMbid7WosLDcaHQ/s320/DSC01680_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Grove Arcade...</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6Hto-BE9mH-0QGKXFhFkr-yTzEzKSIcuHnaq9_aF6YTeZQcYYGiPMtuM88eZseoKwrfNdr1rzbpETkPYm8-i80QFUvKe-7MTvNLYt9gFJqryiizP1QYZZMnzsUFJQuql3956_PUf_Pg/s1600/DSC01681_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6Hto-BE9mH-0QGKXFhFkr-yTzEzKSIcuHnaq9_aF6YTeZQcYYGiPMtuM88eZseoKwrfNdr1rzbpETkPYm8-i80QFUvKe-7MTvNLYt9gFJqryiizP1QYZZMnzsUFJQuql3956_PUf_Pg/s320/DSC01681_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>... with outdoor dining.</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23CkmusEukJGZ7GvXpiz3JyQDIqIjpqhmfIgrPPjxYMhldUwVjcSty-VkrLEbQ6E6uhHcd36FaHKwgQ0yMoN9O_ka9ThyE-7HPpZ2S_eo92EOr77O8tefsKV7t8q4_j18dU-7LbgN1zs/s1600/DSC01683_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23CkmusEukJGZ7GvXpiz3JyQDIqIjpqhmfIgrPPjxYMhldUwVjcSty-VkrLEbQ6E6uhHcd36FaHKwgQ0yMoN9O_ka9ThyE-7HPpZ2S_eo92EOr77O8tefsKV7t8q4_j18dU-7LbgN1zs/s320/DSC01683_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>GA = Grove Arcade</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8sSI0DTwEadq6CHAcW3IO1sXFuc7wh4zkp6WI22Pdp6BEvOCLSPL6nkSrdorF09pz_v_NT_PP5F6OwQB6nE4bxaP-CXFcAWrVB8X0mf2UaTlTo6eC6orVkBFomUvdUazAn5Fw39U66Q/s1600/DSC01685_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ8sSI0DTwEadq6CHAcW3IO1sXFuc7wh4zkp6WI22Pdp6BEvOCLSPL6nkSrdorF09pz_v_NT_PP5F6OwQB6nE4bxaP-CXFcAWrVB8X0mf2UaTlTo6eC6orVkBFomUvdUazAn5Fw39U66Q/s320/DSC01685_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Carmel's...</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bv2KsRz_HfDnIESuQyHCB1ZQwdkC0wRYa2XiMyUDOs9_qP9Q4-50RNDj-FFuGHaceqfw1u9ErDaIzs-6YU1Any72v4Gyz5AxEy5gJubUNwt-sxRbqFt65mbsSqa_N-l16wkCKZdDUH8/s1600/DSC01687_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bv2KsRz_HfDnIESuQyHCB1ZQwdkC0wRYa2XiMyUDOs9_qP9Q4-50RNDj-FFuGHaceqfw1u9ErDaIzs-6YU1Any72v4Gyz5AxEy5gJubUNwt-sxRbqFt65mbsSqa_N-l16wkCKZdDUH8/s320/DSC01687_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Details...</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggXVfIbxBlJHn75E4HVoZM0oYOhXE7yfu5A0nak_kDliTDwTupBjW_KFkjvOnJdP1bdRKKEDF0Ki_lLys9guPiPGDaeNCbk4xUtnEIY0N1mwY2pBZWs7mhPEp_31kwj1mcQ0nG3WqKnI/s1600/DSC01694_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggXVfIbxBlJHn75E4HVoZM0oYOhXE7yfu5A0nak_kDliTDwTupBjW_KFkjvOnJdP1bdRKKEDF0Ki_lLys9guPiPGDaeNCbk4xUtnEIY0N1mwY2pBZWs7mhPEp_31kwj1mcQ0nG3WqKnI/s320/DSC01694_DxO_Web.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Loved this stairway!</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-zuAljrBbrEFw53cCA-U1RtAEIhxusLIqjurMVfQly2CNRVHSUaG-dHbhTLH7SzUEF9JhvAA4OPM1yTPVgviCbjM_Yy4-LyV3u4xkZO0rYaMJYJXQNGcMSIRmLNlBwXWN73xElCqLNM/s1600/DSC01699_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj-zuAljrBbrEFw53cCA-U1RtAEIhxusLIqjurMVfQly2CNRVHSUaG-dHbhTLH7SzUEF9JhvAA4OPM1yTPVgviCbjM_Yy4-LyV3u4xkZO0rYaMJYJXQNGcMSIRmLNlBwXWN73xElCqLNM/s320/DSC01699_DxO_Web.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>If a shop has yarn you can bet the <br />Admiral will check it out!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZadH-hp7hJSM0f2QBIlBR96IsRU3E1kcLn8FjsHF1wHg2x8U4ay5lLcEV3qY8uLE9rKJ8VPCqN-TBv8yzapdvfFsHUZyt6xUKGi0oEM9WaUWYhR3EV2ede9yNBPnz8rx9iqIThx-JWhk/s1600/DSC01712_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZadH-hp7hJSM0f2QBIlBR96IsRU3E1kcLn8FjsHF1wHg2x8U4ay5lLcEV3qY8uLE9rKJ8VPCqN-TBv8yzapdvfFsHUZyt6xUKGi0oEM9WaUWYhR3EV2ede9yNBPnz8rx9iqIThx-JWhk/s320/DSC01712_DxO_Web.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A new look in quilting tiles.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0Asheville, NC, USA35.6009452 -82.55401535.394376699999995 -82.869872 35.8075137 -82.238158000000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-54774339760255687822012-09-21T00:26:00.000-04:002012-09-25T00:29:25.373-04:00Postcard from Virginia- 1<h3>
19-21 September 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Winchester, VA</h4>
We missed the rain by staying an extra day in Lake Ariel, PA which made for an easy drive the next day to Winchester, VA. I had called ahead to reserve a space at <i>Candy Hill Campground</i>. They didn't take CC info, so I wasn't completely sure we really had a spot for the night till the Admiral came back with a sheaf of paper with enough rules to choke a horse. Whatever, it's a very popular campground- filled every night this time of year-
with lots of rules and signs letting you know about the rule you just
broke. But the park was quiet at night, and even though the Interstate wasn't (!), we slept well atop
the site's concrete pad which was <u>level</u>. <br />
<br />
There is a Wal-Mart about 1/2 mile down the road, so while the Admiral shopped, I tanked up with diesel at the local <i>Sheetz</i> station. Nope. Not saying a word about the name, cuz the price was better than any place else! Btw, if you have a smartphone and aren't using the <i>Gas Buddy</i> app, you're missing a great resource for finding fuel.<br />
<br />
And no, Candy Hill is not a Christmas theme park. Apparently many years ago, before it was an RV park, previous property owners had a daughter with a dog named Candy. Candy died and they buried Candy on the hill. So... Candy Hill.<br />
<br />
Btw, we have noticed that PBS is frequently not
available on a park's channel offering. So we used the antenna even
though cable was available.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Wytheville, VA</h4>
We did a 2-niter at Wytheville so we could do laundry. As you probably know by now we have a washer and dryer, but we have to be stopped and we have to have 50 Amp service plus a sewer connection to be able to use it. So a 2-niter is usually necessary and this was it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrCKWXmcAHIbOe3iq9x1BB6PS6J16bsIk26vobT4eN2W_6skF9yeki3PKC03Z14kAvJNw9hE86YymPTDfWZ8yPEg7-a1tUBuZaTNuYuXNYMv7zUJZ9APweNYF78LClCAuqijlPXcDz1s/s1600/DSC01630_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOrCKWXmcAHIbOe3iq9x1BB6PS6J16bsIk26vobT4eN2W_6skF9yeki3PKC03Z14kAvJNw9hE86YymPTDfWZ8yPEg7-a1tUBuZaTNuYuXNYMv7zUJZ9APweNYF78LClCAuqijlPXcDz1s/s320/DSC01630_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The <i>Wytheville KOA</i> is an older park that needs some work. The new owners are going to need a lot of enthusiasm as there are a number of things that need attention. Our site was small (that's just how it is in this area; it can't be changed) and it wasn't level (and that <u>can</u> be changed). We carry a pair of 2" x 8" x 6' boards to level the rig and they almost were enough, though not quite. Still, we did our laundry and slept well before pushing on to Asheville, NC. <br />
<br />
The guy beside us the first nite had a big Class A with leveling jacks. He couldn't get level and left the park. The next nite we had 2 Class A rigs beside us, again with leveling jacks, and neither of them could get level either. While these 3 were all high-end motorhomes with lots of storage, I don't know how they could carry the long boards we stow in the bed of our truck (along with an assortment of blocks for jacking or for the evening the landing legs).<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKU3JJnwgTBERD24P3gt35Scd1ulXuID2jcB5VPVJLuekrq_OcBUWxSomvhU2PNo8fTiYCuCQ3CajK1a4CQJ7OgUxGpbNZ5lB4J00zlQ6rXtkk4cCc83mKEl4GG2xbMv9-HmglzkUnjU/s1600/DSC01625_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKU3JJnwgTBERD24P3gt35Scd1ulXuID2jcB5VPVJLuekrq_OcBUWxSomvhU2PNo8fTiYCuCQ3CajK1a4CQJ7OgUxGpbNZ5lB4J00zlQ6rXtkk4cCc83mKEl4GG2xbMv9-HmglzkUnjU/s320/DSC01625_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Covered group activities pavillion with dog runs behind.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Still, the park is very pretty with lots of trees, it's a long way from the Interstate so it's quiet, and they have two very large dog runs... one for bigger dogs and one for smaller dogs. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrPUZj-wKs_XhqK1JTD9OOIZ2FoRxWog9EaIrsF_vaReQbm9o-HYOCY4XmKj9DtLaIN56D-epkkgkBHfBtB88oPKMlaRBuCCyBcW01rmawFbtbT_GMOsgFRx07VntD8qtyEHdGvwFepI/s1600/DSC01632_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrPUZj-wKs_XhqK1JTD9OOIZ2FoRxWog9EaIrsF_vaReQbm9o-HYOCY4XmKj9DtLaIN56D-epkkgkBHfBtB88oPKMlaRBuCCyBcW01rmawFbtbT_GMOsgFRx07VntD8qtyEHdGvwFepI/s320/DSC01632_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>These are the usual KOA </i>Kamping Kabins<i>. Unless they're <br />the Deluxe Kabins, you have to us the public <br />showers & restrooms.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQY_gsRYvOFqd0eVureMukNvWp0-6rzcrAOBF0ITWBN0I5Wse_yu9Bk9MKiz0l6h1SL7Qi8-fS2Bw9KvVuYYDqW6wzD9hC6ph7lg48kPWqP4AlVlCSJLsS9zA5slEeEKxvSttOW2_m1E/s1600/DSC01635_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgQY_gsRYvOFqd0eVureMukNvWp0-6rzcrAOBF0ITWBN0I5Wse_yu9Bk9MKiz0l6h1SL7Qi8-fS2Bw9KvVuYYDqW6wzD9hC6ph7lg48kPWqP4AlVlCSJLsS9zA5slEeEKxvSttOW2_m1E/s320/DSC01635_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I think this is the owners residence. Typical of all the grounds.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxlRXKmqRqIrWo3BuC2jaPNdwKO2ND2CQZEueOxEFEouajSj6xge1X3dSciqSxIsN9uEO8wQSawedkCyE66r3wbV7QmizgNJKsiaFe970_j9pST6Z9hZrwJ5jmxRC4LG_vasv_2-lxbo/s1600/DSC01624_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdxlRXKmqRqIrWo3BuC2jaPNdwKO2ND2CQZEueOxEFEouajSj6xge1X3dSciqSxIsN9uEO8wQSawedkCyE66r3wbV7QmizgNJKsiaFe970_j9pST6Z9hZrwJ5jmxRC4LG_vasv_2-lxbo/s320/DSC01624_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Starting to fill up the map!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-80383693452971382502012-09-18T23:19:00.000-04:002012-09-25T00:32:28.079-04:00Postcard from Pennsylvania- 1<h3>
16-18 September 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Lake Ariel, PA</h4>
This was a fortunate stop. Never been here before, of course, so I had no idea what we were getting into. I had the impression from the name that <i>Clayton Park Recreational Area</i> was a state park. That's not the case. This is a private campground on a huge piece of property in the Pocono mountains right on Lake Ariel. Just a short drive from the slightly (!) larger town of Mt. Cobb, PA.<br />
<br />
When I booked I thought it was for 1 nite, but I was happy to learn I had actually booked for 2 nites. The 17th was a glorious, sunny day. We enjoyed the restful quiet of the park so much (we were nearly the only ones there during the day) that we added another day so we didn't have to be on the road in the expected heavy rain on the 18th.<br />
<br />
And rain it did! Our rain gauge said we had 2.37" of the stuff but it felt like 10". Walking the dogs was a giant pain, but I managed to get out in slight lulls in the nearly steady downpour. Unfortunately the rain collected right where the drivers door of the truck was located. The rain had stopped, but the water was over the top of my boots. So I climbed in thru the passenger door and snaked (oozed?!) into the drivers seat and shifted the truck enough that I could connect and pull out at an angle. The ground is very solid so there was no real threat of getting stuck... just a problem getting into the truck.<br />
<br />
Here are a few shots from the 17th. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6fKqatUS22TEGLoWKrMv3pPtk-VcWJOQc0XMQsRja6xAkIBXi1CyD3ZlcYT9xWk1NnIc9LE8usZ8oTOtjYTu3dfatRvv3irA50Erj7C7M3nHn1-mFD1VuDmL7Vl5hjrTTf245isUsD8/s1600/DSC01586_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6fKqatUS22TEGLoWKrMv3pPtk-VcWJOQc0XMQsRja6xAkIBXi1CyD3ZlcYT9xWk1NnIc9LE8usZ8oTOtjYTu3dfatRvv3irA50Erj7C7M3nHn1-mFD1VuDmL7Vl5hjrTTf245isUsD8/s320/DSC01586_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>All these rigs have a full side view of the lake. Wonder <br />how many years it took to get thru that waiting list!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YB8JK1MKixAN5s9cpkMX-6O8ccfH4F5-7Ggklhw_04v0dUdZBintToCnIQGt_pLkJjmRcRVIpeWm7Jxrt6vvqwjvRoAwxNdJza1UkSiyYHV2quzrdHDNNiG8QpQo724Qwd5qDxiwSpQ/s1600/DSC01598_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YB8JK1MKixAN5s9cpkMX-6O8ccfH4F5-7Ggklhw_04v0dUdZBintToCnIQGt_pLkJjmRcRVIpeWm7Jxrt6vvqwjvRoAwxNdJza1UkSiyYHV2quzrdHDNNiG8QpQo724Qwd5qDxiwSpQ/s320/DSC01598_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The park continues in to the other side of the cove.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHclRLKDCquv2MFsOY9Jwb87h5JxSo_ZDrshU0tEc2dE3cvbwgIGq4pjIGghdhreFWE75G4De9BVnGOsRN7j4NF7sV6DqWTbAE_PT3kZB4pXfXCfYp7XDjeiBJtV8U94XXTsQcDAA7ro/s1600/DSC01602_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHclRLKDCquv2MFsOY9Jwb87h5JxSo_ZDrshU0tEc2dE3cvbwgIGq4pjIGghdhreFWE75G4De9BVnGOsRN7j4NF7sV6DqWTbAE_PT3kZB4pXfXCfYp7XDjeiBJtV8U94XXTsQcDAA7ro/s320/DSC01602_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great place to watch the sunset or just doze in the sun.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6ZbT5dn-m7mSL8XGKtSNsE5zuhqwrNwWqZhCY7yiajuyo4UFVzVqimCjVim7ihRI3lCsQkIobZK0T1cJdf6WwOFHdUb3LJTkErCeNONsTl0ZiDRtl_QwHqI8gB0hodXV4KoncBQA9Nw/s1600/DSC01620_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6ZbT5dn-m7mSL8XGKtSNsE5zuhqwrNwWqZhCY7yiajuyo4UFVzVqimCjVim7ihRI3lCsQkIobZK0T1cJdf6WwOFHdUb3LJTkErCeNONsTl0ZiDRtl_QwHqI8gB0hodXV4KoncBQA9Nw/s200/DSC01620_DxO_Web.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The season is changing fast now!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtSDNEFm49Nf7mQuC7-4KwqBHHzmi96guvBitNK7VglFtYIgU_pW7H8sKaeDPDOu2I7ZSJcd9ogDDO5sJhU61zBXEhBAqM0tClq-JjatOB6Oa3NKrpVpSGTEFSOvDf9FTi4zumBf4aUw/s1600/DSC01593_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtSDNEFm49Nf7mQuC7-4KwqBHHzmi96guvBitNK7VglFtYIgU_pW7H8sKaeDPDOu2I7ZSJcd9ogDDO5sJhU61zBXEhBAqM0tClq-JjatOB6Oa3NKrpVpSGTEFSOvDf9FTi4zumBf4aUw/s320/DSC01593_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The tiny cove where owners launch their boat.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Off to Virginia tomorrow. More along the way...Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0Lake Ariel, Lake, PA, USA41.4539745 -75.38268141.4420735 -75.402422 41.4658755 -75.362940000000009tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-61508653101349515452012-09-15T22:45:00.000-04:002012-09-21T22:48:10.735-04:00Postcard from Massachusetts- 1<h3>
14-15 September </h3>
<br />
<h4>
Sturbridge, MA</h4>
Friday AM we were on our way to <i>Jellystone Park</i> in Sturbridge, MA. Sturbridge is the home of <a href="http://www.osv.org/" target="_blank"><i>Old Sturbridge Village</i></a>. <i>OSV</i> is similar to <a href="http://www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/?WT.mc_id=1801" target="_blank"><i>Colonial Williamsburg</i></a> in VA if that helps. Now that I've seen both, I think of <i>Williamsburg</i> as being a place for upper-middle class families, but <i>OSV</i>
seems to have been home to middle class families in about 1834. They
were farmers with much of their production consumed and some
sold/traded. We hiked around the site till lunch, then I went back to
the trailer an walked the dogs. Then it was back to OSV for some more
looking around. It's was well worth the $22 ea for entry (Seniors
price). If you're in the area you owe it to yourself to visit. I filled 2
memory cards and went thru 2 batteries... everywhere you look is a
photo op!<br />
<br />
<i>Jellystone Park</i> was less of a happy experience than the <i>Jellystone Park</i>
in Sioux Falls: in Sturbridge it's sand & dirt, small spaces,
terrible access roads. I was expecting better than the very rustic, but
it was all of 5 minutes from OSV, so convenience made up for a lot.
Sites are small and typical of much of what you find in the east where
these campgrounds are very old.<br />
<br />
Here's a few of the photos from the day. More later...<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG71TcZTpThVNHHsi4qgkafU_KF9X_XgrngCZFaGwUKyZX6zgDwqusQjP8yM_V2Ducr9Lb9DkZ2wcKSVcJ_yax_6sPc8466LV_2hf4665TW4NZiUCkUVfJNJdiUIufy9uzGZwmw7OzIA/s1600/DSC01193_DxO_Web.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDG71TcZTpThVNHHsi4qgkafU_KF9X_XgrngCZFaGwUKyZX6zgDwqusQjP8yM_V2Ducr9Lb9DkZ2wcKSVcJ_yax_6sPc8466LV_2hf4665TW4NZiUCkUVfJNJdiUIufy9uzGZwmw7OzIA/s320/DSC01193_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Entrance area to Old Sturbridge Village</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyBQUkCKnphCrBlfFOA5fkUVWivI8nZ_kkwLTNbXI0kiOk_PcVnibBJpUbT6RJ5mQKb_HgptlO4spIV__WGXYv96umAUTWQ2sd-khkkGgrfnlzdpQbsQEXUgbgm_rBodkpHJKxqyUZKY/s1600/DSC01195_DxO_Web.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyBQUkCKnphCrBlfFOA5fkUVWivI8nZ_kkwLTNbXI0kiOk_PcVnibBJpUbT6RJ5mQKb_HgptlO4spIV__WGXYv96umAUTWQ2sd-khkkGgrfnlzdpQbsQEXUgbgm_rBodkpHJKxqyUZKY/s320/DSC01195_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Oxen in the field to demo plowing... or maybe fertilizing!</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM6xpqlZi3E5FiU-B0-ymLYFmj1nLcFmBUa5_ev9M8UR7UNQ5CcnUVwYpEXgrZqs16QyRC7Sa1IpVQ3op4aLercynKhY8LCqnJyQvwzvks8XrAgETxRaX3ydsYPOVXqErDhpNqHld4SY/s1600/DSC01198_DxO_Web.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUM6xpqlZi3E5FiU-B0-ymLYFmj1nLcFmBUa5_ev9M8UR7UNQ5CcnUVwYpEXgrZqs16QyRC7Sa1IpVQ3op4aLercynKhY8LCqnJyQvwzvks8XrAgETxRaX3ydsYPOVXqErDhpNqHld4SY/s320/DSC01198_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The reality of getting a drink of water or taking a bath!</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhdpy-it3gyoSAsNfOh8yuQp5E9Nx13mck07PiYiWAmIhfcPJ2YdgmGyVTguqYzfRVKdKtjnjg7ivzTSoga2znT8eubypFRp406f-11BZ3POq3KAj_BlDf-HD85-X9VRrvdJyR5IBDm4/s1600/DSC01199_DxO_Web.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihhdpy-it3gyoSAsNfOh8yuQp5E9Nx13mck07PiYiWAmIhfcPJ2YdgmGyVTguqYzfRVKdKtjnjg7ivzTSoga2znT8eubypFRp406f-11BZ3POq3KAj_BlDf-HD85-X9VRrvdJyR5IBDm4/s320/DSC01199_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>A small house. Only wallpaper for insulation.</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xzevE9bPuPznaCyeRCMkXWoxXyinki5PqSndLwQ3TohY1xSFIoFxXvzdqIUHwsW8_0uQ9qNUxZ8YQJz3kHLEe2IqhHfNd_khG06UQVi9BknLPxy9_-_abViu2WHjFLzKuCfjtfZN_nw/s1600/DSC01203_DxO_Web.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xzevE9bPuPznaCyeRCMkXWoxXyinki5PqSndLwQ3TohY1xSFIoFxXvzdqIUHwsW8_0uQ9qNUxZ8YQJz3kHLEe2IqhHfNd_khG06UQVi9BknLPxy9_-_abViu2WHjFLzKuCfjtfZN_nw/s320/DSC01203_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Basket making in her spare time. 10 hrs/day was devoted <br />to the main meal!</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXPbPmr3DVFEqLmRWaHmrTfQiMwGY70GB_dlTBbPuzWjALxYBlQRiIhwM5oLpAcDKVm3xFjvIABo6cyettmAOACxiMwMcQrKYOxDTHfjmjDb-zTXA4zbWLADxlEjLCiBBD8rwUJDhxBs/s1600/DSC01206_DxO_Web.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXPbPmr3DVFEqLmRWaHmrTfQiMwGY70GB_dlTBbPuzWjALxYBlQRiIhwM5oLpAcDKVm3xFjvIABo6cyettmAOACxiMwMcQrKYOxDTHfjmjDb-zTXA4zbWLADxlEjLCiBBD8rwUJDhxBs/s320/DSC01206_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The docents were in costume but not in character <br />as I found in Williamsburg.</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xuRDQSq6bL5JwU4H3VI_Yf9qNnYVlQ_fCDRy7JExrjyx9rvwLSQAgdcg4t4xLQRMBLwFkgmavy9PL7rokMfJUEghyphenhyphen9x8xXiT53kO54QWE0TutWPbY4gnzqJuJV0r5-uyLELTLNRl5XU/s1600/DSC01213_DxO_Web.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xuRDQSq6bL5JwU4H3VI_Yf9qNnYVlQ_fCDRy7JExrjyx9rvwLSQAgdcg4t4xLQRMBLwFkgmavy9PL7rokMfJUEghyphenhyphen9x8xXiT53kO54QWE0TutWPbY4gnzqJuJV0r5-uyLELTLNRl5XU/s320/DSC01213_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16-cwEl1-s1pYJX3i6Wx_mRKVJb5xpfdstTryGg_I12sqiE32MafsxFijIwcA0USOnoP09nvjQzTtcruhQhIBSbtOQwRnzkJ8-Lf89qNFq3zIrmksXcA7PGNJ0dZOyK8eKVtNIeHqlwg/s1600/DSC01220_DxO_Web.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh16-cwEl1-s1pYJX3i6Wx_mRKVJb5xpfdstTryGg_I12sqiE32MafsxFijIwcA0USOnoP09nvjQzTtcruhQhIBSbtOQwRnzkJ8-Lf89qNFq3zIrmksXcA7PGNJ0dZOyK8eKVtNIeHqlwg/s320/DSC01220_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Found the silhouette fascinating.</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5tq0rwmyXUOrdveHZQeCb9EaHxEOZTpYw-x88Em0no74o0pvIFHv6CkaobQGc2-AXte9TYlRIOwLIyAmKYAx5lTrEzn_qV_KLKCz6G8smsbRpNKav29p_p4phmaNzlottC1zdVTKcXQ/s1600/DSC01210_DxO_Web.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5tq0rwmyXUOrdveHZQeCb9EaHxEOZTpYw-x88Em0no74o0pvIFHv6CkaobQGc2-AXte9TYlRIOwLIyAmKYAx5lTrEzn_qV_KLKCz6G8smsbRpNKav29p_p4phmaNzlottC1zdVTKcXQ/s320/DSC01210_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Quaker Meeting House.</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcthK2QnMMhkvM0DQTQR154MW_FqgT1m66jTGqR_tRmY6Gh6s40ivdJpyVKKErfIQBH2kGYOvS3h6ji4GRlSVchVl9XFBQQW_1hjFYF3GurtMksJJUchWt_D8TkCImgUHRZhlfZVhpc20/s1600/DSC01222_DxO_Web.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcthK2QnMMhkvM0DQTQR154MW_FqgT1m66jTGqR_tRmY6Gh6s40ivdJpyVKKErfIQBH2kGYOvS3h6ji4GRlSVchVl9XFBQQW_1hjFYF3GurtMksJJUchWt_D8TkCImgUHRZhlfZVhpc20/s320/DSC01222_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>More window stuff</i></td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzv2lTHXc-USaPuIsUIubF8lXJYeLMGu0ErXByZfP34X_TTYOKJadHWKDGPejsq6coqodVRroP212IRvhKUu6couDHEuVNcZSQn0R87YgEO9h5DNm3l7HIWl5pltT-FVh_Ta2nxoRFlc/s1600/DSC01218_DxO_Web.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzv2lTHXc-USaPuIsUIubF8lXJYeLMGu0ErXByZfP34X_TTYOKJadHWKDGPejsq6coqodVRroP212IRvhKUu6couDHEuVNcZSQn0R87YgEO9h5DNm3l7HIWl5pltT-FVh_Ta2nxoRFlc/s320/DSC01218_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Quaker Meeting House interior with its <br />2 floors of seating. The rows of seats <br />were inclined to allow those in the <br />back to see over those in front.</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK-UH6UZbyCLrwg5JemZZtpm0BMyQfKxxrXNhcm28uFrBHzyKVVCQQTLV2QDPNf60gFaORP6N2rIAIGBiNqOS2js5zQTPMFGl4SMjU8fbdckB5ymKuVYFNEvy2UpRuaF4m-R2fvr1Uh8/s1600/DSC01230_DxO_Web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK-UH6UZbyCLrwg5JemZZtpm0BMyQfKxxrXNhcm28uFrBHzyKVVCQQTLV2QDPNf60gFaORP6N2rIAIGBiNqOS2js5zQTPMFGl4SMjU8fbdckB5ymKuVYFNEvy2UpRuaF4m-R2fvr1Uh8/s320/DSC01230_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Small pastures for the sheep.</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdN3b0QGx0cCarY7hUV5aOif9ao_aqCxbYohkjyQbs0-hCU9Jq92royXBpKltGZovs15HnYP439kc7e7DNONhOA_kYBVDpW-GrTeSjmOhPk7kouPG6ag5h2XpjOZAx70x22LHPVB4IL-c/s1600/DSC01231_DxO_Web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdN3b0QGx0cCarY7hUV5aOif9ao_aqCxbYohkjyQbs0-hCU9Jq92royXBpKltGZovs15HnYP439kc7e7DNONhOA_kYBVDpW-GrTeSjmOhPk7kouPG6ag5h2XpjOZAx70x22LHPVB4IL-c/s320/DSC01231_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>They were dying wool beside the barn. Took her 2 hours <br />of feeding wood to get the cauldron to boil!</i></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoWueIVkHgbnJafhVgBYm9AFn3W8sh4d16gocOOXdbdanCnbeoI-PcZobVVaxyI92GlQ4OZEIQNNseS5QrtQym_kAyI0iQxOz3QcOnKLrHFcdv4dGmiBOtBfMZm6JMIKLmM-5sCYfjy0/s1600/DSC01237_DxO_Web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMoWueIVkHgbnJafhVgBYm9AFn3W8sh4d16gocOOXdbdanCnbeoI-PcZobVVaxyI92GlQ4OZEIQNNseS5QrtQym_kAyI0iQxOz3QcOnKLrHFcdv4dGmiBOtBfMZm6JMIKLmM-5sCYfjy0/s320/DSC01237_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Village center. </i>Old Sturbrige Village<i>, restored to ca. 1830, <br />was first opened to the public in 1946.</i></td></tr>
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<br />Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-30980369827889168552012-09-13T21:44:00.000-04:002012-09-21T22:51:30.159-04:00Postcard from Maine- 7<h3>
10-13 September 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
Durham, ME</h4>
There was a lot of creaking and groaning as we pulled out of Trenton, ME. It worried
me till I realized it was just my joints. Old age is not for wimps! Now we're back in Durham again for a last 4-day visit before we leave for points West.We had a really nice drive with partly cloudy skies. So we had frequent sunshine to light up the very green countryside.<br />
<br />
Mileage was terrible, however, as we headed North to I-395 near Bangor, ME- on the order of about 8 mpg for the 35+ miles from Trentin to Bangor. Like many who live on the West coast and have lived or driven in the Rockies or the Sierra Nevadas, I tended to scoff at the piddly bumps on the Eastern landscape that are called mountains. Now that I've driven in these wannabe-hills, however, I've come to realize that whatever they may lack in elevation, these 'bumps' more than make up for in grade change. I can't imagine driving an RV through this area if it doesn't have the torque of a diesel engine! Owners I've talked to that drive gassers routinely get 4-5 mpg in these hills. So I guess 8 mpg from Trenton to Bangor was not unreasonable. From Bangor to Durham (near Yarmouth) the mileage crept up to 10 mpg overall after the last 105 miles. <br />
<br />
We had a nice but brief visit with Brad & family. Stayed with Elin & Ingrid while mom & dad went to an open house at the school. Then we got together for pizza (<i>Flat Bread Pizza</i> in Portland) which was excellent. Especially since Brad brought it home with him... no driving!<br />
<br />
Btw, if you should find yourself in Yarmouth and in need of a meal, be sure to stop at <i>Bruce's Burritos</i>. We really enjoyed what we had there!<br />
<br />
<h4>
Moose sighting!</h4>
And all this time I thought it was a conspiracy: Mainers claiming to have moose just to keep tourists coming back. But I'm here to tell yuh they <i>do</i> have moose. We found this guy at a rest stop of all places. He was reluctant to have his photo taken, but the Admiral sweet talked him into it!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzMYm-MY6AjQaptwsnlEcmg2we8k21sj3JhLeURduBjRelN9sPELnBM5G3CMUB8O8mJfiO5z2o4pMvtS9ZJGyczZuPpFUGoHPkGAhgCkRu10XGnn2muIR9r2mD3ucTsqt3n9xgCZjIWw/s1600/DSC01182_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzMYm-MY6AjQaptwsnlEcmg2we8k21sj3JhLeURduBjRelN9sPELnBM5G3CMUB8O8mJfiO5z2o4pMvtS9ZJGyczZuPpFUGoHPkGAhgCkRu10XGnn2muIR9r2mD3ucTsqt3n9xgCZjIWw/s320/DSC01182_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The only moose we saw all summer.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<h4>
Sony NEX-7 camera </h4>
Btw, I shoot with a <i>Sony NEX-7</i> digital camera. Initially I had a few complaints, like the <i>^%$#!*</i> Video button that is so easy to hit accidentally. And the mindless nature of the Menu system that has to be drilled thru to find what you want. I suppose there are reasons for taking the path they did, but it escapes me. It has taken 6 months, but both have been beaten into submission:<br />
<ul>
<li>I bought <a href="http://www.rluther.com/" target="_blank"><i>The Guard</i></a> from Ric Luther for $20 shipped. It makes it very difficult to activate the Video button and that's just fine with me! I previously had hours of video of my feet!</li>
<li>I bought <a href="http://friedmanarchivespress.com/ashop/index.php" target="_blank">Gary Friedman's NEX-7 e-book</a> (supplied with both Kindle & PDF files) which suggests several menu customization changes that have made a world of difference! Very readable and he's a knowledgeable photo professional.</li>
</ul>
Now that I have my camera set up in a way that fits my approach to shooting, I at long last find the camera intuitive. And the images excellent... far better than I'm able to make use of! If you shoot with a DSLR and are tired of carrying all the bulk and weight, I'd suggest looking into the Sony NEX-series of mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras. With the right selection of lens a NEX can be carried in a jacket pocket. And, depending on the model, the camera features are right up there with many DSLRs.Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-31216269664670767542012-09-03T16:36:00.001-04:002012-09-06T10:17:51.016-04:00Postcard from Maine- 6<i><b>4 September 2012 </b></i><br />
<br />
<b>Trenton, ME</b><br />
The temps dropped a few days ago. And for the last 2 nights the furnace cycled a couple times. Hmm... I think I remember something about this sort of thing. What's going on? Could it be that fall is getting closer? Nah... plenty of time yet. Back in the high 70s tomorrow!<br />
<br />
But it is getting close to the time we'll head West. I'll have to check the tires and the fluid levels. And I suppose I'd better lube the trailer's shackles and axle bearing since I have those fancy 'wet shackles' and the axles have Zerk fittings. And maybe wash the windows on the truck. Oh- and some fuel in the tank would be nice.<br />
<br />
Now, where did I put the <i>#^%$</i> truck keys?!<br />
<br />
We've been here so long it's beginning to feel about that detached. Weeds are getting embarrassingly long under the rig. And the dogs have learned when to go to the door to wait for their favorite people to bark at. But what really got me thinking about this is the folks beside us just fired up their engine to make sure it still runs (it does; and diesel exhaust still stinks too). That and the fact our rent is about to run out after the 9th. And blueberry season is over.<br />
<br />
So it looks like we'll be on our way about 10 September. We'll stop first at the KOA in Durham to visit our family in Yarmouth. Then while we're there we'll figure out the best way to get across the country without melting since it's still hitting mid-100° F in Oklahoma City!! Not that we particularly love OKC- it just happens to be real close to the shortest line you can draw between Maine and Santa Fe, New Mexico.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Halleluiah</h4>
We finally had an awakening that we were killing ourselves with the local Maine ice cream. (Here's where you say: <i>"Really? What was your first clue, Sherlock?!"</i>) About 3 weeks ago we got back on the wagon and have been eating what is for us proper meals. The one thing we indulged in last week was a lobster roll down the road at <i>Hot Dog Heaven</i> and it was an excellent treat. No ice cream and we immediately got back on track. What we're doing is pretty simple:<br />
<ul>
<li>nothing white but a cup of milk on the morning cereal</li>
<li>no more than 4 oz. of lean meat or fish per day</li>
<li>aim for 25-35 gr of fiber daily</li>
<li>only whole grains (no processed flour or white rice; a small potato if it has the skin on) </li>
<li>leafy green veggies as a salad <i>before</i> the entree</li>
<li>limit sugar at any meal to no more than 25 gr</li>
<li>lots of veggies (about the only way you can hit the fiber goal)</li>
<li>about 15-120 min. after every meal, go for a 15-20 min. walk</li>
<li>fruit or a yogurt for a snack</li>
</ul>
Certainly not the Atkins diet, and not quite a vegetarian diet. But a lot better way to eat than we've been doing by hitting local restaurants. We got this approach (in a lot more detail) from Karon Rzad, a Key West nutritionist I was sent to in late 2003. No calories to count since the calories take care of themselves if you meet these criteria.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Schedule</h4>
Schedules are evil. We learned that when we were cruising. You get in trouble following them cuz they make you drive longer or faster in a day than is safe; they can leave you in campground you don't particularly like to meet someone who may or may not show up; and worst case can leave you without a campground. Yeah, there's always a <i>WalMart</i> parking lot (unless they don't permit it in that location), but we try to keep that for emergencies.<br />
<br />
But we have doctor/dentist appointments starting 18 October and we thought <i>Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta</i> didn't end till 16 October. That meant our usual RV park (<i>Santa Fe Skies</i>) would be booked. Thankfully we had the dates wrong: Balloon Fiesta ends 14 October and not 16 October, so they should be able to find space for us by then. We had wanted to be back in Benson by 1 October but that's just not going to happen.Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-24813051037057915152012-08-19T15:51:00.000-04:002012-09-02T07:30:11.825-04:00Postcard from Maine- 5<h3>
20 August 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Trenton, ME</h4>
<i>"OK dude... why the silence? You awake out there?"</i> Yup, we're awake. Still hanging out in coastal Maine. The weather here beats pretty much the whole rest of the US this summer, so we're not anxious to move too soon to get back to the Southwest.<br />
<br />
Which presents a dilemma. We managed to schedule doctor/dentist appointments in Santa Fe at the same time as the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. How smart is that?! Not very if past experience is any measure. Every RV park within 100 miles of ABQ will be booked for that week plus a few days before and after. Not sure how to deal with that... workin' on it.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Fat Farm</h4>
We've discovered a hidden treasure in Maine. They have a 'fat farm' here. Usually that means a place to go to lose some unwanted fat. In this case, though, the fat farm puts weight on you. The center of this conspiracy happens to be Gifford's ice cream. I can't believe Maine isn't the heart attack/stroke capital of the US! Great ice cream and all our favorite flavors, but without Dr. Oz looking over our shoulder we've gone nuts. I bet I've added at least 10 lbs. It's been a month since I've seen my shoes while I'm wearing them!<br />
<br />
So you've been warned: if you come to Maine, be prepared to have some of the best ice cream available in the US. Just make sure you're prepared for the consequences! Our favorites are...<br />
<ul>
<li>Gifford's- Sold most places including Hannaford's and Shaw's supermarkets. We've tried blueberry, moose tracks, vanilla, and chocolate.</li>
<li>Rich's of Maine- not easily found. We've tried vanilla and blueberry.</li>
<li>Scoops- a tiny independent in the Ellsworth Harbor parking lot. They offer their own homemade ice cream and it's excellent. We've tried apricot-peach (wow!), and chocolate.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<h4>
The B-List</h4>
It's expensive in this part of Maine whether you're eating out or cooking at home. It's tourist heaven and, since locals only have 4 months to earn most of their annual living, prices are higher than we find comfortable. So when we eat out we look for the least costly that's good enough to go back. So if you don't want to eat at the very best places, here's our B-List of a few which meet our very loose criteria. In no particular order...<br />
<ul>
<li><i>Hot Dog Heaven</i>- About a 1/4 mile S of Timberland Acres RV Park on Bar Harbor Rd in Trenton. <i>HDH</i>
is a one-man show with only occasional help at the counter (so it can be slow). John serves
a great chili/cheese dog, his lobster and crab rolls are wonderful, and
his fish chowder is excellent. And of course Gifford's for dessert.
Order at the counter; no inside seating... just picnic tables. And his food is <i>great!</i> He closes Columbus Day, then spends his winter in Jamaica recovering from working 7 days per week.</li>
<li><i>Pat's Pizza</i>- On Bar Harbor Rd just before the turn to WalMart. Been around for decades. They have good pizza, good design-your-own hamburgers, and they have specials each nite. For instance, on our first visit they had lobster rolls for $10.95 which is the best price in town. And save room for carrot cake!</li>
<li><i>Governor's Restaurant and Bakery</i>- They're on High St. near <i>Hannaford's</i>. Breakfast anytime they're open. Everything is good but I really liked the Memphis Bacon/Cheeseburger and Celia liked the Southwest omelet. And try the fritter for dessert: a combo of apple fritter, chunky applesauce, caramel and Gifford's ice cream. The bakery was only OK except that the bread was excellent (they'll slice it for you if you want).</li>
<li><i>Jordan's</i>- Another walk-up place but it also has a dining room where you can take your food if you don't want to eat in the truck. They have hamburgers, dogs, lobster ($$) or crab ($) rolls. They brag about their onion rings, but I thought they were just so-so.</li>
<li><i>Martha's Cafe</i> (was <i>Martha's Diner</i> till Martha changed the name)- It's next to Shaw's Market on High St. She serves breakfast and lunch only, then closes at 2 PM. And bring cash... no CCs here. Everything we've tried has been good including the Rueben. If you like maple syrup on your pancakes, plan on smuggling your own cuz it costs a small fortune to buy hers!</li>
<li><i>Union River Lobster Pot</i>- In Ellsworth on (<i>surprise!</i>) the Union River, just over the bridge. This upper end place (white table cloths, waiters, casual dress) serves lobster serveral different ways plus clams, fish, etc. Not the kind of place we go very often, but what we had was good. You need reservations here.</li>
<li><i>Ruth & Wimpy's</i>- A lower-middle place in nearby Hancock (east of Ellsworth) with high end prices. The usual lobster/crab/fish offerings. I did a double take at the prices ($28 for a lobster in a diner-style restaurant?!) till I saw the section with 'baskets'. A lobster roll was no pricier than anywhere else. The home made blueberry pie was definitely blueberry, but nothing to write home about. The problem was probably that it wasn't yet blueberry season (<i>duh!</i>).</li>
</ul>
Here are some that were only so-so or that we were warned away from...<br />
<ul>
<li><i>The Mex</i>- I guess the rule of thumb is you don't come to Maine for Mexican food!</li>
<li><i>Mainely-Meat</i>- A BBQ place in Bar Harbor on ME-3 & in Ellsworth downtown. Only so-so. Again, when you think of BBQ, is it Maine you think of first? Probably not. But it was definitely better than what we had in Batavia, NY.</li>
<li><i>Helen's</i>- on US-1 near Home Depot. We tried to like this place but looks can be deceiving. The food was not well prepared and the recipes left me wondering (<i>lasagna</i> <i>Alfredo</i>? Maybe, but it's not on my short list of favorites!). The desserts looked great but had apparently been sitting too long: the genuine whipped cream topping was stiff enough to be used as a Frisbee.</li>
</ul>
Celia had lunch with friends at <i>Jordan Pond House</i> in <i>Acadia NP</i>. High end and in a prime location and is quite literally world famous. Apparently parking was chaotic which made it dicey to arrive on time for their reservation (recommended). Prices were $$$, food was good (but skip the lobster soup... not enough lobster). <i>Jordan Pond House</i> famous for its popovers. If they're anything like I had when there in 1971, they're outstanding! Everyone needs to go <i>Jordan Pond House</i> at least once so you can have bragging rights. But if you have a long bed dually like us, better find another way to get there!<br />
<br />
And if you don't know what a popover is, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popover" target="_blank">check out Wikipedia</a>. <br />
<br />
<h4>
Along the road.</h4>
Watch for the road side stands. That's where you can buy good berries in-season. You'll find (in order of appearance) strawberries, then (briefly!) raspberries, and finally blueberries. We lucked out cuz the park has a local that supplies each of these as they become available. A local drops them off as she makes her rounds. We paid $5.50 for a quart of blueberries. However...<br />
<br />
When we took a drive northeast we made it as far as Columbia Falls, ME to the <i>Wild Blueberry Land</i>. Kinda' looks like the <i>Giant Orange</i> roadside stands we used to see in California except it's blue and doesn't have orange juice. They sell blueberries and pretty much anything made with blueberries like pie, jams & jellies, candy. Whatever. I coaxed The Admiral into buying a blueberry pie which I later discovered cost $17. <i>Yikes!</i> The point is, don't get too carried away with local food and crafts. The local dude a 1/4 mile down the road from the RV park is selling the same things and wants $11 for a pie.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Off to the vet</h4>
Annie has struggled since we left the southwest. She keeps getting hotspots. Probably from bug bites or maybe it started from inadequate rinsing from the last bath before leaving. Whatever, she would get over one, then another would start. We went to a vet in Michigan, just north of Elkhart, IN; then we called the vet in Santa Fe and got Cephalexin via <i>WalMart</i>; then when she got her 4th or 5th infection we decided she needed to see a vet again. We found <a href="http://www.oceansidepetvet.com/" target="_blank"><i>Oceanside Animal Hospital</i></a> here in Trenton, about 1.5 miles south of us on ME-3 (Bar Harbor Rd.). <i>Oceanside AH</i> is run by Darryl Burmeister, DVM. He did a thorough check of Annie looking for hotspots we may have missed (we hadn't, but he found all the old ones); treated the worst site; then sent us on our way with prescriptions for Prednisone and Cephalexin. <br />
<br />
About a week later Kelly started having a problem for the first time. She licked and chewed her way through the hair on her side and managed to get a big old smelly site going in a matter of a few hours. Back to Oceanside.<br />
<br />
This time Darryl The Vet said he thought Kelly wasn't far enough advanced to require Prednisone, so Kelly was treated (shaved the site and disinfected it) and sent us home with just Cephalexin. Again, the treatment was like magic. Both dogs are doing great now and we couldn't be happier with <i>Oceanside Animal Hospital</i> for care of our dogs. So if you find yourself in the area of Trenton/Ellsworth in Maine and in need of a vet, consider Oceanside as our suggestion.<br />
<br />
Btw, Annie & Kelly routinely get a pro-biotic every morning, so antibiotics are seldom an issue for diarrhea or loose bowels. Prednisone, however, made Annie have to pee every hour only to slurp up more water. Had to get up several times the first night. Which is not a problem since I have to get up just as often for myself! Annie did complain about having to shave several times a day, but hey... that's life in the truck lane!<br />
<br />
More coming. May try to get out of here about the first of September depending on the weather west of us.Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com057 Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton, ME 04605, USA44.511196866987859 -68.39229583740234444.499874366987861 -68.41203683740234 44.522519366987858 -68.372554837402348tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-37929493010878240472012-07-14T16:34:00.000-04:002012-07-17T16:45:44.250-04:00Postcard from Maine- 4<h3>
14 July 2012</h3>
<br />
<h4>
Trenton, ME</h4>
We are really enjoying our stay here at the <i>Timberland Acres RV Park</i>. It's a nice park, we get our mail forwarded quickly (NetFlix again!), and the weather has been OK for us (we're wimps and start whining if the weather varies much from our "acceptable" norm!). Trenton has turned out to be a nice location for touring the area and, other than Eastport, is probably as good a homebase as an RVer could hope for.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Repairs to the weather station</h4>
Temporarily having a physical mailing address meant I could finally get our Davis weather station repaired. When we drove from Oklahoma to Branson, we went thru N Arkansas to get there. It was a gorgeous drive with new foliage overhanging the road. Normally there would be clearance between the tree limbs and the top of the coach. But we came thru early and the new growth hadn't yet been knocked back by passing delivery trucks. Apparently I was the trail blazer and ended up with no anemometer cups on the weather station (it's mounted on the ladder). Oops.<br />
<br />
So I ordered a replacement anemometer wheel which we could receive here at the park. Only problem is it wouldn't fit on the now-bent-out-of-shape shaft on the anemometer!<br />
<br />
So next I ordered a new sensor suite (Davis' <i>ISS</i> for our <i>Vantage Vue</i>). When that arrived I found nothing was working on the display. Apparently I received something that had been on the shelf too long as the battery was reporting it had low voltage and there was no wind speed displayed. So with our now-cloudy skies (I'm told this is the summertime norm for this area) I positioned the <i>ISS</i> under a light on the table for a few hours and <i>Presto!</i> We now have wind speed. I'd love to tell you I relied on my superior deductive skills, but the truth is I had seen wind speed suddenly come alive after a couple hours on the original <i>ISS</i> when that unit had been indoors for a couple days and needed to do some charging.<br />
<br />
<h4>
East Blue Hill</h4>
Not long after we arrived in Trenton we learned we have friends staying nearby. Connie & Ralph live in Texas but they have a summer cottage in nearby East Blue Hill Village. It would be a shame to be this close and not see them, so we hoped we'd be able to connect with them before we leave to return west to forest fires and dust bowl conditions in the west.<br />
<br />
And connect we did. Initially hey had visitors when we first e-Mailed them, plus they had a pre-planned trip to Nova Scotia for a few days. But they were free after that, so we made plans for us to visit on the 14th. The drive from Trenton to E. Blue Hill should have been a straightforward thing to do: enter the address into the GPS and go. Unh-uh... not so fast. As far as Garmin is concerned, we're talking blazed trails here. The chance of having their address actually show up in the Garmin was somewhere between slim and none and none is what it w was.<br />
<br />
Fortunately Connie sent detailed directions and off we went... 'over the river and thru the woods', directions in hand, with no clue where we were most of the time. But the directions were spot-on and we made it, only a few minutes late. With the dogs.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm6PTk1jNw_JXXjLYtf3Ek_eDFpmK57Xvx0FpmLGf5YSfgjaB8rUq7UYt-f_KhLn4_uChUZBqr8vOpDkhcg5C-fnLlFdOZYSAralD1gMm4H_0ud30Qsm4hM44QwSjhgYqLD8ttAM5vSw/s1600/DSC01047_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYm6PTk1jNw_JXXjLYtf3Ek_eDFpmK57Xvx0FpmLGf5YSfgjaB8rUq7UYt-f_KhLn4_uChUZBqr8vOpDkhcg5C-fnLlFdOZYSAralD1gMm4H_0ud30Qsm4hM44QwSjhgYqLD8ttAM5vSw/s320/DSC01047_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Interior of the 1920's-built cottage.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjIEzkSBMs3FYl-ZLFOZKIeSBfKbktxhqLYwpgC0tYdtubd48hY0IhKNSV3wesoxzU8on8P-vHJ_A72BLud4ehD9yTTFcFnCBJ2ztLp7fVZuXZabtyTMttp_fPq1fPDvHwSkUNfVslYk/s1600/DSC01034_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinjIEzkSBMs3FYl-ZLFOZKIeSBfKbktxhqLYwpgC0tYdtubd48hY0IhKNSV3wesoxzU8on8P-vHJ_A72BLud4ehD9yTTFcFnCBJ2ztLp7fVZuXZabtyTMttp_fPq1fPDvHwSkUNfVslYk/s320/DSC01034_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>View from the deck</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ixjn4JcuxJxAk7maIf2YukGCJtNyGD_mpUNl_0VzOlRESZ7ogRmPE3lGadGCNCnb2YzAqMfPQAVbqhyphenhyphenw_jEYhhX-DVpIQxIjCIgH93EflJSmWH0HP9ZaxXDeTLCbktn5BuKnvxnwnbg/s1600/DSC01065_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Connie & Ralph have an incredible location overlooking a large inlet off what I believe is Blue Hill Bay. The small main house was built in the 1920s and the tiny guest cottage a couple decades later.<br />
<br />
Plus they have added a small barn where Ralph has a shop and can store their tractor with enough room left over for winter storage for their wooden dinghy. Lots of work to keeping a place like this... trees everywhere plus brush, paths and stairs to be maintained, a new sewage treatment system to be installed. The list went on and on!<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU0tx3HhhK2Py6JRuP3Yljq9f_4G4oDkUGy1nvbtgm980akkU1EK67geQy8OkSFGXh_KkxwvuTTaB4Csuve2N3rhu-BYcG_V7fXy2XdR184Q3mbLjvfW-3D0hbRp0c0yss0EiHeyfQHQ/s1600/DSC01024_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU0tx3HhhK2Py6JRuP3Yljq9f_4G4oDkUGy1nvbtgm980akkU1EK67geQy8OkSFGXh_KkxwvuTTaB4Csuve2N3rhu-BYcG_V7fXy2XdR184Q3mbLjvfW-3D0hbRp0c0yss0EiHeyfQHQ/s320/DSC01024_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Motion detectors at work on the deck. My God they're loud!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The house has a large deck which looks out over the water, so the dogs immediately made themselves at home and told anyone that could hear them they were in charge. Later I realized you could hear their bark miles away (I don't want to think about how many raised eye brows we caused!). They seemed oblivious and just plopped right down and made themselves comfy. Good things they;ve been dog owners!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2YP7uWIRyqwKC1sw5ZdmTopg9BCWso9FH0uYbAGVmZMC6W-l1FsqpWWM1ANYOiI7xCI9PsXMAdkJGZI-uZBvmpZM0aXF9GVfk_K3NzcjISeIEWALnuIsikZAjbfLmoZHLVo1i1vAGPE/s1600/DSC01043_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ2YP7uWIRyqwKC1sw5ZdmTopg9BCWso9FH0uYbAGVmZMC6W-l1FsqpWWM1ANYOiI7xCI9PsXMAdkJGZI-uZBvmpZM0aXF9GVfk_K3NzcjISeIEWALnuIsikZAjbfLmoZHLVo1i1vAGPE/s320/DSC01043_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Connie & Ralph slaving away in the kitchen</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Lunch was a Maine-visitor's dream come true: lobster rolls! Connie put together the lobster rolls and Ralph took care of the strawberry shortcake. Wow! What a meal. Thanks again guys!<br />
<br />
Celia was right in there asking questions and taking her own photos, so maybe we have some in our future! Till that happens we'll have to be happy with this reminder us of a wonderful meal with our guests! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ixjn4JcuxJxAk7maIf2YukGCJtNyGD_mpUNl_0VzOlRESZ7ogRmPE3lGadGCNCnb2YzAqMfPQAVbqhyphenhyphenw_jEYhhX-DVpIQxIjCIgH93EflJSmWH0HP9ZaxXDeTLCbktn5BuKnvxnwnbg/s1600/DSC01065_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ixjn4JcuxJxAk7maIf2YukGCJtNyGD_mpUNl_0VzOlRESZ7ogRmPE3lGadGCNCnb2YzAqMfPQAVbqhyphenhyphenw_jEYhhX-DVpIQxIjCIgH93EflJSmWH0HP9ZaxXDeTLCbktn5BuKnvxnwnbg/s320/DSC01065_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The steering station and the spray dodger</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
When you have a place on the water as they do it's only natural to have a boat as well. Ralph has a wooden Hampton (the vintage style, not the builder). The boat has a strip planked hull, wooden decks and removable wooden floors. Very simple layout with a steering sttion and stowage fore & aft. It's powered by a 3-cylinder Yanmar diesel engine that moved us right along when we went out after lunch. Rock-solid steering! It was a dream to handle as it tracked like it was on rails. It's been several years since I was last on the water, so this was a very special treat for me. <u>And</u> I didn't have to row the tender...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5Jnt0Ts3gdAFyOzwIySQfHabyGxZdmNUsvZnbZ9_5PeGmeI6KUrFys-LyNkfRuXYzFmSpku9F0BgqNDvb_ig4ogNEXfmRh_sy_YXC5qBiZ7_LyxH105BXZFkuR4pODVwDepip5920IU/s1600/DSC01055_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5Jnt0Ts3gdAFyOzwIySQfHabyGxZdmNUsvZnbZ9_5PeGmeI6KUrFys-LyNkfRuXYzFmSpku9F0BgqNDvb_ig4ogNEXfmRh_sy_YXC5qBiZ7_LyxH105BXZFkuR4pODVwDepip5920IU/s320/DSC01055_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Looks like what it's named for: a pea pod.</i></td></tr>
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The Hampton seemed to be about a 1/2 mile out, so you have to have a way to get to the mooring. And that's where this 13' Pea Pod replica comes in. It serves as the tender and is also wooden. A tender is the 'taxi' that gets you between the shore (or wherever you happen to be) and the boat. Not sure who built his Hampton, but the Pea Pod was built by a local builder in Blue Hill. It's beautifully built and maintained and it came with a 1 person-power engine: two oars pulled by Ralph.<br />
<br />
We really enjoyed visiting and greatly admired their house and property. They told us it was something of a disaster when they bought it in 1996 and that they've done a huge amount of work. But it paid off and now they have a show piece. Great job guys!Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com0York Rd, Blue Hill, ME 04614, USA44.4131220505188 -68.522844314575244.4074510505188 -68.5327148145752 44.4187930505188 -68.51297381457519tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-51969554407326862812012-07-11T00:00:00.000-04:002012-07-12T01:28:14.750-04:00Postcard from Maine- 3<br />
<h3>
11 July 2012</h3>
<br />
Catching up, so this is a long one!<br />
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<h4>
Trenton, ME</h4>
We 4 desert rats have been struggling with the heat, humidity and bugs. There's no way to avoid mosquitoes during the summer, but I was sure we'd avoid the heat and humidity here in Maine. That was apparently an illusion as we got hammered with several days over 90° F that made it feel like my internal battery charger was broken... my virtual motor was <i>kaput</i>. We were so uncomfortable we were to the point of driving West to the Oregon coast which, in our recollection, is always cool & foggy from the chilly waters traveling down the coast (more illusion as the reality for 2012 is quite the opposite!).<br />
<br />
Our daughter-in-law Stephanie told us we really needed to look at more of the northern part of Maine after having come all this way. And, more importantly, keeping near the ocean would be cooler. That turned out to be right on the money.<br />
<br />
And that's how we have come to be in Trenton, Maine, just North of Mt. Desert Island, Acadia NP and Bar Harbor. I did careful and exhaustive research to find just the right park (I looked in Woodall's and picked the first one that had an available pull-thru) and ended up with a site at <a href="http://www.timberlandacresrvpark.com/" target="_blank"><i>Timberland Acres RV Park</i></a> . I started with a couple weeks to see how we liked it, then 2 days later I extended another week; after 7 days we made it a month. What we've found so far is that, as promised, it's a lot cooler.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3G3ljsfVITYkbbJmveOmpM8KxA-lfNEEtdh8mRhGJWfrz1jtSi-0oAUR9Uqr-cMMYn3XZWSAugr1pwTIm2h7DAHyP0V3-d5Ka49q6QeRDwwIML_VPO8_ORMBTRJcZx3vU5eG1fguobs/s1600/DSC00850_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR3G3ljsfVITYkbbJmveOmpM8KxA-lfNEEtdh8mRhGJWfrz1jtSi-0oAUR9Uqr-cMMYn3XZWSAugr1pwTIm2h7DAHyP0V3-d5Ka49q6QeRDwwIML_VPO8_ORMBTRJcZx3vU5eG1fguobs/s320/DSC00850_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a>And wetter. Guess you have to be careful what you wish for! :) What happened initially is H-Debbie (I try very hard to never use the H-word!) left Florida and came North where it parked itself between Maine and Nova Scotia. The pressure bands that circulate around the eye of a cyclonic weather system (even though it wasn't a tropical storm anymore, it still looks like one on Doppler radar) kept sweeping over the top of us. So it rained like we may soon need an ark, only to clear and dry out for a day or 2.<br />
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This is a great RV park with the biggest pull-thrus I've seen. Our 75' pull-thru appears to be about 90' long, and I see some that look to be over 150' long. Like the SKP Co-op in Benson, AZ, this park has events planned to entertain folks that don't want to do much driving: crafts, exercise, entertainment, and of course bingo (hey, it wouldn't be an RV park without bingo!). What's really nice, though, is the convenient location:<br />
- Mt Desert I is just 7 miles away (the park offers a shuttle)<br />
- Acadia NP is just 14 miles away<br />
- Mt. Desert Island is home to a lot of wonderful stops like Bar Harbor, Jordan Pond House, Southeast Harbor, Seal Harbor, etc<br />
- 2 miles north in Ellsworth are <i>Hannaford's</i> and <i>Shaw's</i> markets, a <i>WalMart</i>, and a <i>Home Depot</i><br />
- There are popular food stops nearby like <i>Jordan's Snack Bar</i> (lunch & dinner), <i>Martha's Diner</i> (breakfast & lunch (was <i>Martha's Cafe</i> till they got a new sign), and <i>Ruth & Wimpy's</i><br />
- Maine is home to consistently <i>great</i> ice cream! <br />
- And there are more tourist per square inch than in Santa Fe... that's a <u><i>lot</i></u> of tourists!<br />
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<h4>
Jordan's Snack Bar</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXPNHPGUyMois_dqzgGNWZRXoIDol-xZPdHK1DDbcZc3eqY7qTUPfHYcMW4akxVByGxzA4-mienTHWvoErDLO8A51g5sigH0_yd07Cau_yPkeAO5_PhXNJRD2X74RxcCKp301n_EIkKQ/s1600/Photo+Jun+26,+18+47+02_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXXPNHPGUyMois_dqzgGNWZRXoIDol-xZPdHK1DDbcZc3eqY7qTUPfHYcMW4akxVByGxzA4-mienTHWvoErDLO8A51g5sigH0_yd07Cau_yPkeAO5_PhXNJRD2X74RxcCKp301n_EIkKQ/s320/Photo+Jun+26,+18+47+02_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Crab roll and onion rings. Skip the fries!</i></td></tr>
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As soon as we arrived and met our neighbors Mark & June, they told us about Jordan's. And we both have an app for our iPhones called <i>UrbanSpoon</i> that contains a user-created listing for <i>Jordan's</i> with a bunch of raves about the place, so off we went for dinner. It was a pleasant surprise for something which is little more than a hot dog/ice cream stand. They have hot dogs, hamburgers, lobster/crab/meat rolls and are famous for their onion rings (good but not great). Oh... and ice cream.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JZJOs1jgt5BtGeNm9pVsyOBeUJyKnuC4IPBvvE_cffixsKfu0ywA_eH-Ny6utShLFpRrmbGWbUBog3eWNwNoyF0RBdql6lIQCsa_zNwLYz4t-J76_l0MOlXe7zpRjL_j4S_5t2G3m70/s1600/Photo+Jun+26,+19+04+26_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JZJOs1jgt5BtGeNm9pVsyOBeUJyKnuC4IPBvvE_cffixsKfu0ywA_eH-Ny6utShLFpRrmbGWbUBog3eWNwNoyF0RBdql6lIQCsa_zNwLYz4t-J76_l0MOlXe7zpRjL_j4S_5t2G3m70/s320/Photo+Jun+26,+19+04+26_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Luxury dining when it's wet outside!</i></td></tr>
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It was raining (surprise!), so we were able to check out one of their features: they have a dining room in an adjacent building. You order & pay, go to the dining room and wait till they call your number. Then take the receipt to the window, get your food and take it to the dining room. So we didn't have to eat in the truck nor take it back to the park.<br />
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We went past Jordan's on one occasion to find incredible crowds and no room to park. Turns out they have live music on Wednesday evening. So if you want music with your crabmeat roll, <i>Jordan's </i>is an option<br />
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<h4>
Bar Harbor </h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdJtCnR6R4FQ8t9WCRlxIy64WUuI6NomL82R1BiXkYleSduqLGdxclYrsiiIERXyFZnVaJhAIWdUgcjTgy9LEup5BrfIcgGp_SvlLC96AEv3wmpDGLdAzEMYwcSpGBg6hOYyKvfvuhbw/s1600/DSC00854_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRdJtCnR6R4FQ8t9WCRlxIy64WUuI6NomL82R1BiXkYleSduqLGdxclYrsiiIERXyFZnVaJhAIWdUgcjTgy9LEup5BrfIcgGp_SvlLC96AEv3wmpDGLdAzEMYwcSpGBg6hOYyKvfvuhbw/s320/DSC00854_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our 2nd day here we drove to Bar Harbor to look around and so that I could take a few photos for the blog. Yeah, right. That's not gonna happen any time soon. BH is a small old town with small old roads while our truck (crew cab, long bed, dualies) fits about like a full grown moose would fit in our back seat. <i>Yikes!</i> And the traffic was heavy. I was so glad to get out of there we celebrated the escape with ice cream at <i>Udder Heaven</i> just outside the town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKXf2HqSnExRn1Yu1QSZEho5ZTRpAXkxQQUOuB61S1T2lMuwuZJSWoR9kpBf_vO3qGe0f6OU83QpxdBxz_S0C3F4Ai7E3D9PDE7Cygap95w8cbizJ-ckDmgCRCHKf28sxYdUP3Z_HH9w/s1600/DSC00853_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKXf2HqSnExRn1Yu1QSZEho5ZTRpAXkxQQUOuB61S1T2lMuwuZJSWoR9kpBf_vO3qGe0f6OU83QpxdBxz_S0C3F4Ai7E3D9PDE7Cygap95w8cbizJ-ckDmgCRCHKf28sxYdUP3Z_HH9w/s320/DSC00853_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
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There are 2 food places here (<i>Udder Heaven</i> and <i>Mainely Meat</i>), so a few days later we came back to have dinner and ice cream. <i>Mainely Meat</i> is a BBQ place and the food was OK, but the truth is you don't come to Maine for BBQ so I doubt we'll be back for BBQ. The ice cream, however, beckons!<br />
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And did you notice that lobster on the sign holding the ice cream cone? Not on the menu... he's just visiting. <br />
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<h4>
More rain</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAbDwfXXRnSPjc4nq2JLOD2DxXthoHMPCZBlJEuavgTIslDN672pmRumYpELQJGqklNqkyfGrWwd5HiwgQx8v-didufHlphc0kNMFt4b0b27nLYBtI0B53Uq6PXWk4nE3Ow9f0BDgFso/s1600/DSC00856_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcAbDwfXXRnSPjc4nq2JLOD2DxXthoHMPCZBlJEuavgTIslDN672pmRumYpELQJGqklNqkyfGrWwd5HiwgQx8v-didufHlphc0kNMFt4b0b27nLYBtI0B53Uq6PXWk4nE3Ow9f0BDgFso/s320/DSC00856_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The cloud show just before another T-storm.</i></td></tr>
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The rain was persistent and annoying, but it didn't keep us home. In fact it was a delight to see some of the startling cloud formations. The clouds are a part of the landscape and do as much to to make this a beautiful location as the delicious greens. My only trouble was I couldn't drive and shoot photos at the same time!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUtFRx8YkfkeKCbU6IoEBFUo8rVmWDZ94FNFX3PYYduzwm2ZjaBlFpcn9DqAZmnkvJ6Q-XrMcusmKnoRZPvYVMWkit4OH_VnwNeeFABsl_cz7Ire7NwbZhOB3XvUYZSVre-Fud70PQ_M/s1600/DSC00858_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUtFRx8YkfkeKCbU6IoEBFUo8rVmWDZ94FNFX3PYYduzwm2ZjaBlFpcn9DqAZmnkvJ6Q-XrMcusmKnoRZPvYVMWkit4OH_VnwNeeFABsl_cz7Ire7NwbZhOB3XvUYZSVre-Fud70PQ_M/s320/DSC00858_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>After the T-storm. You can't see the 2" deep water<br />at the front of the site</i></td></tr>
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There was one issue, though. The dogs have to go out to pee or poop. And they really don't care about the weather. Sunshine? OK! Wind? OK! Snow and sleet? Even better! So we're out walking no matter the weather... about 4 times a day plus once more before lights-out. We keep a couple towels near the door and towel their feet and coat, but it really has taken a toll on the rugs. So we'll be candidates for a carpet shampoo this winter after we get back to Benson. And for the record, the only occasion that one had an 'accident; was when Annie had Predisone for a hot spot and had to pee every 30 minutes... couldn't make it through the night.<br />
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So the rain kept coming and the weather was cool. I guess we're busy making lemonade. <u>Cool </u>lemonade!<br />
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<h4>
Ellsworth Harbor</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmYaKyOwCNgraDXHXpjTZ8m3Fv0Zytede5Hwy5rLYX3DzqxRDJ9Njax1AmbhyhB5L5sBUySdYs_Q6f8NRabKiZo0vBk8yEGfDGSuvOCovfOsX89O08YgafbrkpkcnpSWemGf_GjqD1lA/s1600/DSC00862_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmYaKyOwCNgraDXHXpjTZ8m3Fv0Zytede5Hwy5rLYX3DzqxRDJ9Njax1AmbhyhB5L5sBUySdYs_Q6f8NRabKiZo0vBk8yEGfDGSuvOCovfOsX89O08YgafbrkpkcnpSWemGf_GjqD1lA/s320/DSC00862_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ellsworth's small harbor</i></td></tr>
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We took a ride out on MDI... the local's shorthand for Mt. Desert Island. Except for one small problem: I turned too soon and we ended up driving around to the west side of Ellsworth, the neighboring town north of the park. But it worked out really well as we ended up coming into town past the small harbor... which is where <i>Scoops Ice Cream</i> stand is. I bet you can see a pattern here!<br />
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<i>Scoops</i> in Ellsworth is not related to <i>Scoop's</i> in Branson, MO. It's a local place that sells their own home made ice cream which is to die for. The Admiral had chocolate (what else?!) and I had apricot-peach which was incredible. I believe it was peach ice cream with lots of apricot bits added and I've never had anything as good. Wow!<br />
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And they have hot dogs, crab meat and lobster rolls. So we drove back a couple days later and had "lunch"... a shallow attempt to legitamize having more ice cream!<br />
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<h4>
Bass Harbor Head light</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjQi7gEgp6z5_Ra3sNqNgK__K2zSk5u1nOZpg01sY8uuK-pZvplHeUKo9fugCUjjhfzvQh2fJJSni09-uyW1N4gkA__HURVWOcESvE-q6fSJuryo3to-G9PU9J4vvZgNMTTNt55TlwUU/s1600/DSC00880_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzjQi7gEgp6z5_Ra3sNqNgK__K2zSk5u1nOZpg01sY8uuK-pZvplHeUKo9fugCUjjhfzvQh2fJJSni09-uyW1N4gkA__HURVWOcESvE-q6fSJuryo3to-G9PU9J4vvZgNMTTNt55TlwUU/s320/DSC00880_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The pond opposite Seawall</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxsXvvEU2wZa_57hlEuWl0R88Qdeg7_Tczuf3babOzG0_3QP_QYGFu8Ndie7yhv2A_dh1WfowibtOkxU_OpIJE2EncqTQjktf63HAMD7SKHRV99bDbu9Cn3ZyTjdtkyrpc4F282KilhY/s1600/DSC00871_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxsXvvEU2wZa_57hlEuWl0R88Qdeg7_Tczuf3babOzG0_3QP_QYGFu8Ndie7yhv2A_dh1WfowibtOkxU_OpIJE2EncqTQjktf63HAMD7SKHRV99bDbu9Cn3ZyTjdtkyrpc4F282KilhY/s320/DSC00871_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Seawall</i></td></tr>
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I missed the turn for the USCG station for Bass Harbor Head light and couldn't find a place to turn around till we got to a stretch of beach called Seawall. The name is a mystery at the moment and I want to understand how it was derived. But it was an interesting stretch of large-rock coast line with this small pond nearly unnoticed on the opposite side of the road. And of course more clouds!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN55juPz7sZ_NHaGDTTpnY1UMVAZQ7PlL07LrNe9obZvXTZplD4FLsxLbjOblylCH5r507pBETCbeOf1N1jViW6SD8nALAASQF6Rp6tCwR_EtRxNUY34jVZAdk5PF6HEoUbpp45RCGIA/s1600/DSC00891_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDN55juPz7sZ_NHaGDTTpnY1UMVAZQ7PlL07LrNe9obZvXTZplD4FLsxLbjOblylCH5r507pBETCbeOf1N1jViW6SD8nALAASQF6Rp6tCwR_EtRxNUY34jVZAdk5PF6HEoUbpp45RCGIA/s320/DSC00891_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRj6u0332p8cohmn3mFTh-9E3Xy15lDX2ZQjigIVDsPSKSKDhUfFORQqfhJd1PIeAnq3ICOGwHnwAsVBGm0cno_MjznDU6zLd7YBDuNt5fN2KMVyc_szhQjJr1kz7PSXSpE9MME5PiY4/s1600/DSC00884_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVRj6u0332p8cohmn3mFTh-9E3Xy15lDX2ZQjigIVDsPSKSKDhUfFORQqfhJd1PIeAnq3ICOGwHnwAsVBGm0cno_MjznDU6zLd7YBDuNt5fN2KMVyc_szhQjJr1kz7PSXSpE9MME5PiY4/s320/DSC00884_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a>And this stop gave me a chance to turn around and head back to Bass Harbor Head light. It's an interesting light with an easy walk to the shoreline where a continuous stream of people crawled around pretending to be ants. All ages, many non-English conversations, young and old, some not happy about having to climb the 60 or so steps, all with cameras in hand. An interesting experience and the light was barely discernable from down below! I needed to be a mountain goat to manage what it would take to get the shot, so y'all need to like this one instead!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEt9rjSfzNPwqJn7U8onRRcqMsd5bwkSjA3qdocdCUklmOVIwzTgbm4qrCns-482zNw5cz-jMEXrdDWLhU3yTkqZH5jkZ4yo-PasL8B35v-Z9d8tVOOaM2cvXTvW8X6P4TP5_kdANYawI/s1600/photo1_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEt9rjSfzNPwqJn7U8onRRcqMsd5bwkSjA3qdocdCUklmOVIwzTgbm4qrCns-482zNw5cz-jMEXrdDWLhU3yTkqZH5jkZ4yo-PasL8B35v-Z9d8tVOOaM2cvXTvW8X6P4TP5_kdANYawI/s320/photo1_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h4>
Annie again</h4>
So far this has been a journey of doggie health care. Poor ol' Annie had yet another bout with hot spots. Unfortunately it was a place she could reach to chew and lick. And it was Sunday. The Admiral called our vet in Santa Fe and, thru the miracle of modern telecommunication, a prescription was gotten into the hands of the local WalMart for Cephalexin. $4, same price they would charge for the same script for a human. And it was exactly what Annie needed... she's once again doing great.<br />
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<h4>
A drive to Bangor and Old Town</h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKlSR7iiVHo1Lw7NouiJvtLJfZUSmslxfRY7POTh0Dl-k9_aQmuZOa-HoDoIvNoXNhnBD_0q0Y4-zpkANTP2USxzu25iGdqNIIuqyVr9Ba0iHTUjgTSmyNCwV7bC_DpsFAfUDfcnRC8o/s1600/DSC00894_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKlSR7iiVHo1Lw7NouiJvtLJfZUSmslxfRY7POTh0Dl-k9_aQmuZOa-HoDoIvNoXNhnBD_0q0Y4-zpkANTP2USxzu25iGdqNIIuqyVr9Ba0iHTUjgTSmyNCwV7bC_DpsFAfUDfcnRC8o/s320/DSC00894_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a>We wanted to just drive through Bangor. Or at least I did. The first house I bought was on Bangor St in San Jose so I wanted to see the namesake. It's an interesting city and we'll probably go back to take a closer look.<br />
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Old Town, ME is the town that Old Town Canoe Company takes its name from. Somewhere here is a museum, but I failed to find either the manufacturing site or the museum. So we'll have to go back before we get a proper check mark.<br />
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I did manage to stumble upon the old train station. It's a recycling center today, but it appears the tracks are still tied to a main line somehow... off to the right are many rail cars.<br />
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<h4>
The Great Timberland Acres NASCAR Race </h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIv4-cWK5UqkhSwteEb0x-P_HlolYrxSvLd6Bnp8y8IZxu6AJM5IsJjIxRvFz_5Hean6jrAokxHW4DN7dvRGaeeWuNmflOyOb8sclF3z8dKfWM9nbnqGGUeiufzWXOwsZDc76R7I5hbTQ/s1600/DSC00906_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIv4-cWK5UqkhSwteEb0x-P_HlolYrxSvLd6Bnp8y8IZxu6AJM5IsJjIxRvFz_5Hean6jrAokxHW4DN7dvRGaeeWuNmflOyOb8sclF3z8dKfWM9nbnqGGUeiufzWXOwsZDc76R7I5hbTQ/s320/DSC00906_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Aflac car</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0tbIkLFsqLlsBFRp9CwXIYyIQqqG7qsyUXA0VZI4Hus_FnqrjrPFo6V8Tbndcj0RuSDhh-d3KnGCLxbwEtgh8I2Zft4vCDRH0t8PNVSXrFo8hQmz6q-Wb7aAdglsb9UMYR0sGqimJLw/s1600/DSC00898_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU0tbIkLFsqLlsBFRp9CwXIYyIQqqG7qsyUXA0VZI4Hus_FnqrjrPFo6V8Tbndcj0RuSDhh-d3KnGCLxbwEtgh8I2Zft4vCDRH0t8PNVSXrFo8hQmz6q-Wb7aAdglsb9UMYR0sGqimJLw/s320/DSC00898_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I was amazed some of these people actually fit inside the car!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UnRuA2ldW2Bc633n_iHG8dagVl3fRFDqVnGcx12WTO7x6EMlec7k2y8Mf4CG2nStBLO-55uZtqjqDj1Y4EFyqJzijjBPyKZ_g82giYH81nO3FVed9-ZfqPMfzl8SaxyPasa_Bn4s26M/s1600/DSC00904_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4UnRuA2ldW2Bc633n_iHG8dagVl3fRFDqVnGcx12WTO7x6EMlec7k2y8Mf4CG2nStBLO-55uZtqjqDj1Y4EFyqJzijjBPyKZ_g82giYH81nO3FVed9-ZfqPMfzl8SaxyPasa_Bn4s26M/s320/DSC00904_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There were some grim faces out there!</i></td></tr>
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RV parks seem to worry about keeping people entertained. Timberland Acres had an easy solution drop into their hands when the local Shrine organization staged a NASCAR day with the generous donation of use of cars donated by the local car dealer, Darling Auto Mall. They brought a bunch of miniature cars for people to drive. Pretty cool stuff with the nearly-touching-the-ground profile and unmuffled exhaust! We didn't get involved, but there was no way of ignoring the events as cars roared around the access roads and drawings were announced with all the necessary hoopla. No hay bales, no safety marshals. But no one seemed to miss either. They even had a miniature tow truck.<br />
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<h4>
Penobscot Narrows bridge and Ft. Knox</h4>
Not sure how this works, but there was a Ft Knox in Maine in 1893. Surely Ft. Knox in Tennessee was in operation at the same time! It
was rushed to completion because we were convinced the Spanish were
going to attack from the north during the Spanish-American War. That never happened, but somehow we've
managed to have 2 Army forts with the same name. Possibly named for 2
different Knoxes?<br />
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The state has built a park that surrounds the fort as well as the
tower of the very modern bridge that crosses the Penobscot Narrows. For
the price of admission you can roam the old fort as well as take an
elevator to the top of one of the bridges towers... the 'Observatory'. It was a grand day and we had incredible visibility. And the girls had a great time sniffing everything hoping for some P-mail. Sadly there was nothing for them, but they did read everyone elses mail!<br />
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I'll leave it with these shots from our afternoon at the park. We're really enjoying the area and the weather! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnW5VoQM8_nl27R7oKfImrVi7kFImbqGsURJ6AWvZIhR4N4HMGA43x1SGb8LraqfhSAUr-6gymLhHxrM17SnVtwuTGGw0aoXlpeJ7LZarF3goPx5LjP_yo-LS7Csi2wmmsss5KfjIxyc/s1600/DSC00941_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnW5VoQM8_nl27R7oKfImrVi7kFImbqGsURJ6AWvZIhR4N4HMGA43x1SGb8LraqfhSAUr-6gymLhHxrM17SnVtwuTGGw0aoXlpeJ7LZarF3goPx5LjP_yo-LS7Csi2wmmsss5KfjIxyc/s320/DSC00941_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The nearby town of Bucksport, ME</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BamLxHAXle7MPImuR-6OJ2f44epU_v5uxtDByNpq0RyhNQqFwqp6QYSjgknZH0P_zJj7tk_4Csu1quOhd6ui3JbnmUxJxtGDfBaR1tJu7glLavuYmdx43nIeHVoFUeRUc_bZgZMti6k/s1600/DSC00951_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BamLxHAXle7MPImuR-6OJ2f44epU_v5uxtDByNpq0RyhNQqFwqp6QYSjgknZH0P_zJj7tk_4Csu1quOhd6ui3JbnmUxJxtGDfBaR1tJu7glLavuYmdx43nIeHVoFUeRUc_bZgZMti6k/s320/DSC00951_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The centerline of the new bridge <br />from 42 stories up!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvQSTF82kxSe8PbjLnti2mvcsO6c1M_Sh4z8a2Yjcexg6nn1syDxoZyAO4FDqzIDq0emcaPXDQZ6deJZk_J3HKzGXMnp_OErDRWZ4YwV94iDnqtzfwIhONYFI3Cf7e738k6mUkh4mPKs/s1600/DSC00972_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvQSTF82kxSe8PbjLnti2mvcsO6c1M_Sh4z8a2Yjcexg6nn1syDxoZyAO4FDqzIDq0emcaPXDQZ6deJZk_J3HKzGXMnp_OErDRWZ4YwV94iDnqtzfwIhONYFI3Cf7e738k6mUkh4mPKs/s320/DSC00972_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Old and new side by side</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLduiN3wfm_pJsNk7VlCZDNJOUUui6A8npC67ViOuiRFYAP9s_3P71c-W4OV-RUyC6ouGKX6SeSIHcT1pR30WGc3oU0tzJd1a_G8AsZC5Hosag9Fei8gHP4Lwc5asCOPK9tg7Xd2F8FYo/s1600/DSC01021_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLduiN3wfm_pJsNk7VlCZDNJOUUui6A8npC67ViOuiRFYAP9s_3P71c-W4OV-RUyC6ouGKX6SeSIHcT1pR30WGc3oU0tzJd1a_G8AsZC5Hosag9Fei8gHP4Lwc5asCOPK9tg7Xd2F8FYo/s320/DSC01021_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a>Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com2Trenton, ME, USA44.438889 -68.370555944.393589500000004 -68.4495199 44.4841885 -68.2915919tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-20368234436437370812012-06-25T10:26:00.000-04:002012-06-27T13:03:26.020-04:00Postcard from Maine- 2<h3>
22-25 June 2012</h3>
<h4>
Bath, ME for dinner</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUNGGAQ12slMLekOARqnBEQ5eCyCdfYl-9xpXUO2vsYn5Eo3X6CXxXBMpPB0s2Kfjib3ymGrq8UXODTh1xulR8lCeV6QFNTf_Jno1D9cWT3vmaTJjFh3hhT271XZuY5Y1MXC1LS73pPY/s1600/DSC00755_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOUNGGAQ12slMLekOARqnBEQ5eCyCdfYl-9xpXUO2vsYn5Eo3X6CXxXBMpPB0s2Kfjib3ymGrq8UXODTh1xulR8lCeV6QFNTf_Jno1D9cWT3vmaTJjFh3hhT271XZuY5Y1MXC1LS73pPY/s320/DSC00755_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beale Street BBQ, named after a street<br />in Memphis</i></td></tr>
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Dinner out with everyone becomes a logistical nightmare, so the best option was for us to meet Brad, Stephanie and the girls. In this case we went to Beale Street BBQ in Bath. And in case you aren't aware, Bath is home to Bath Iron Works which drives the economy here. During WWII they built destroyers for the Navy. And I recall that more recently they've supplied guided missile frigates for the Navy. If you get to the water front on the Kennebec R, yo can't miss the cranes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking thru the goodies at the Sweet Shoppe</i></td></tr>
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We had to wait a tiny bit so we tool a walk around the old downtown area that I hadn't seen in almost 40 years. It's been revitalized and looks like it might be around for another 100 years.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8oC9HJavg7P4nKegC85jmsr7zrMcrFoX85lBDbios1RfJmQWNC8eBlFK6H1MEcOydgPj9dz14wcXec-KYS9F-0am9jrhi-9aZVvDPxO1N9KiutKohbcG4gtnIMUpkBFXlfAX_v6Irdc/s1600/DSC00768_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8oC9HJavg7P4nKegC85jmsr7zrMcrFoX85lBDbios1RfJmQWNC8eBlFK6H1MEcOydgPj9dz14wcXec-KYS9F-0am9jrhi-9aZVvDPxO1N9KiutKohbcG4gtnIMUpkBFXlfAX_v6Irdc/s320/DSC00768_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Bath Sweet Shoppe... check it out!</i></td></tr>
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We stopped at the Bath Sweet Shoppe where the girls picked a goody... a rare treat. I looked around to see that the Admiral thought this was about the coolest shop(pe) she'd seen in awhile. Just lots of neat 'stuff'.<br />
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By the time we were back we could sit down and order. Ingrid really got serious about her coloring and tolerated no interruptions! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTW5ertuX-cGSQeBm0r5aYfpoSj-kdreBawGp5k9ot3kzQYMMpGgZL9ZrDjjogOX2lVZrHnnJMwVsLZERKANEdIIxNfvnKgEPT3dJtNvAsdLqKfRLFxhul3OCHLo7zhEW_euMXAUUJP8/s1600/DSC00774_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinTW5ertuX-cGSQeBm0r5aYfpoSj-kdreBawGp5k9ot3kzQYMMpGgZL9ZrDjjogOX2lVZrHnnJMwVsLZERKANEdIIxNfvnKgEPT3dJtNvAsdLqKfRLFxhul3OCHLo7zhEW_euMXAUUJP8/s320/DSC00774_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Caution: artist at work! </i></td></tr>
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I'd eaten here before and knew they had great BBQ, but this time I thought I'd try jjust a plain old hamburger. We shared an appetizer of calamari, but I'm afraid I'm never going to be a fan of chewing rubbery rings. Everyone else seemed to be liking them, so I guess it's just me. I keep trying, but...<br />
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And of course dinner isn't really dinner unless you stop somewhere for ice cream, right? The kids loved it. And I heard Brad say to them "you realize it's back to vegetables again next week, right?" Hmmm... that's going to be quite a transition! :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFoXxvvbwJMn2nqBJbaO8XORJ5wWBxdlwJmPoP7fOLisPFmSlvwc6vdioWsFPj8LSTmckcAIKz6KLsLvtomAQoPzhzc03jgC-zbysrhvNlH7mXLrDmMdkhR-aPaujLniu4QCLBQUmums/s1600/DSC00781_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFoXxvvbwJMn2nqBJbaO8XORJ5wWBxdlwJmPoP7fOLisPFmSlvwc6vdioWsFPj8LSTmckcAIKz6KLsLvtomAQoPzhzc03jgC-zbysrhvNlH7mXLrDmMdkhR-aPaujLniu4QCLBQUmums/s320/DSC00781_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>An after-dinner walk took us to the ice cream shop.</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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We took a short walk alomg the riverfront after we got out ice cream cones. Along the way we stopped by the shed where they're building a replica of the first commercial boat built in Bath. It's 40' with a sprits'l rig. We were there too late to look around inside except to peer through the dirty windows, but I could just make out the model at the far end.<br />
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<h4>
"I want to see a lighthouse"</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOS_OQ1M4X48Pv80oi9xgYA_vnSC2uFkWscucI8FZ_KY7jkZzmN4hTVlsPRRI0o3iuTuGVHuJSwkFC7MHf7ciNLATEzr2ODB7hS50OWLbFQTQuksj7tVsB38FpLZ-qy-iYdBR_jJ5_ZMw/s1600/DSC00801_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOS_OQ1M4X48Pv80oi9xgYA_vnSC2uFkWscucI8FZ_KY7jkZzmN4hTVlsPRRI0o3iuTuGVHuJSwkFC7MHf7ciNLATEzr2ODB7hS50OWLbFQTQuksj7tVsB38FpLZ-qy-iYdBR_jJ5_ZMw/s320/DSC00801_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Picnic area as seen from the old gun emplacement</i></td></tr>
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It's seldom the Admiral makes a specific request, so when she does we try to pay attention. Like lobster rolls, seeing a Maine lighthouse was on the short list. So Brad arranged to meet us on Saturday and go to <i>Two Lights Park</i> and then to nearby Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJAHWukqwypOSys1UGr6LOm07ZWsH26-XpH9jsLUCGPuxXi8NMGWhXgdR1wznoSgXWENYAH9yMUFFE2bURmiHabuvO6Vi-fG7-LegIrGYYPoCgUbePZjjwILvp60ycgheFAXOkVmPXQs/s1600/DSC00785_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJAHWukqwypOSys1UGr6LOm07ZWsH26-XpH9jsLUCGPuxXi8NMGWhXgdR1wznoSgXWENYAH9yMUFFE2bURmiHabuvO6Vi-fG7-LegIrGYYPoCgUbePZjjwILvp60ycgheFAXOkVmPXQs/s320/DSC00785_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The old WWII observation tower</i></td></tr>
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There aren't any lights at Two Lights Park... the park lies between the 2 lights. We hiked around a bit and got to old WWII observation tower which later served as an antenna tower for recently invented RADAR, or simply radar today.<br />
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The park offers great views of the coast line as it lies (lays? sorry Sister Stanislaus I still get it confused!) South of Portland Head. It was clear while we were there, so we could watch the recreational boat traffic as folks worked hard to use their time well. Makes me appreciate even more being retired as I watch them try to cram as many things into the available time. Did I do that too? Probably. <i>Yikes!</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpRkQEfwpNr7t_MkF4OyuYCqZxWpSi586wXOJT8vVq83ykMX704FY8Im5CS3qB4UprIG4PWU2Gg4AeQHJy6wKnILDHZ6RHMFAt3Ps7GsKMrnxPRjj_GJS-e5BbLHDbQoWf8lrTK42aO0/s1600/DSC00799_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpRkQEfwpNr7t_MkF4OyuYCqZxWpSi586wXOJT8vVq83ykMX704FY8Im5CS3qB4UprIG4PWU2Gg4AeQHJy6wKnILDHZ6RHMFAt3Ps7GsKMrnxPRjj_GJS-e5BbLHDbQoWf8lrTK42aO0/s320/DSC00799_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking S from 2 Lights Park</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlOdBU-4e4QehjhC5lpq7GWEGfoAtzwIbIJNwEtuLhUJpq2UbYcW-2hhKA0xuXtSuXFmWisWxU5Qp7KrUS9o3KiwvaD4Dj7e4ebcu2y5Z_Lvc8Jcb-iR1dg306uMHznyzNXwC8S6KKYs/s1600/DSC00802_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlOdBU-4e4QehjhC5lpq7GWEGfoAtzwIbIJNwEtuLhUJpq2UbYcW-2hhKA0xuXtSuXFmWisWxU5Qp7KrUS9o3KiwvaD4Dj7e4ebcu2y5Z_Lvc8Jcb-iR1dg306uMHznyzNXwC8S6KKYs/s320/DSC00802_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Elin checking out the boats and islands</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiYuRGOGrKpIMMUnzzJKL5bkbyDBliO3WNniYMpACw8nDnCgbU7UNOt45hS256I4FzeCT7zanlbZMhpSj1lDhA4g4SI8cMq29GcjSeqRCfLme2sH2tvoSRXgD60flgV_3laCjMlif9I4/s1600/DSC00819_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiYuRGOGrKpIMMUnzzJKL5bkbyDBliO3WNniYMpACw8nDnCgbU7UNOt45hS256I4FzeCT7zanlbZMhpSj1lDhA4g4SI8cMq29GcjSeqRCfLme2sH2tvoSRXgD60flgV_3laCjMlif9I4/s320/DSC00819_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>I was pleasantly surprised at how much Brad enjoyed Annie</i></td></tr>
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<h4>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6CN8Lhyphenhyphen_gE3ZXCxM7tYlwGUVkr9joLU4GNuUog7Wz45kdeROERgtg_BvTVGgfqG8nPIgfMvRnJR3VKuJNBAy1Pnhw7MhlXm89TvtKxPYc5KxMp5ezMnvgqcL9I9xse-lHzJF-yvpOAY/s1600/DSC00837_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6CN8Lhyphenhyphen_gE3ZXCxM7tYlwGUVkr9joLU4GNuUog7Wz45kdeROERgtg_BvTVGgfqG8nPIgfMvRnJR3VKuJNBAy1Pnhw7MhlXm89TvtKxPYc5KxMp5ezMnvgqcL9I9xse-lHzJF-yvpOAY/s320/DSC00837_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a>
Fort Williams Park</h4>
The main attraction at Fort Williams Park is what is arguably <i>'the most photographed lighthouse in the US'</i>: Portland Head Light. i.e. the lighthouse at Portland Head, not the corrupted pronunciation we often hear which sounds like Portland headlight.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-jChZMh6L7qQMA9HYe4PIZ3aDpJs-oKyWRCr7MbiqcQS5wYIpbCgTGuKC19tHN_WYHt24RHoSweb74bw8Kv4YKTUZQvMpx-pW4NKvDe6xsT-Rig9p6exDMsnhlD2nxWGAno3pwrbcsg/s1600/DSC00842_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-jChZMh6L7qQMA9HYe4PIZ3aDpJs-oKyWRCr7MbiqcQS5wYIpbCgTGuKC19tHN_WYHt24RHoSweb74bw8Kv4YKTUZQvMpx-pW4NKvDe6xsT-Rig9p6exDMsnhlD2nxWGAno3pwrbcsg/s320/DSC00842_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a>And certainly it's a gorgeous setting for this recently restored lighthouse. We were here in 2008 and couldn't get near it as they did restoration of the old tower and keeper's house. The park and the structures are now under the care of the state of Maine and that's how the restoration came to be done. The USCG still maintains the light inside the tower (it's locked so you can't get inside to see anything), but the structures and land are now maintained by someone else. It's all about budget.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttE20s2Pbt9ljAFVuNZsmGwBC0HRZ9xusC5dWBbkInUZ998E4vJcmxS0QLE9WCcufVayct3kzeNx59c6bpL-BBGHvUb1yaXaO_7Uuntn4ak91jlIQFoI_oCLuNcMD8Dg2Vdg6oHXnRjw/s1600/DSC00829_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttE20s2Pbt9ljAFVuNZsmGwBC0HRZ9xusC5dWBbkInUZ998E4vJcmxS0QLE9WCcufVayct3kzeNx59c6bpL-BBGHvUb1yaXaO_7Uuntn4ak91jlIQFoI_oCLuNcMD8Dg2Vdg6oHXnRjw/s320/DSC00829_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Portland Head Light & keeper's house. That's a fog <br />hornto the bottom-right of the tower, and another light <br />off shore on the horizon.</i></td></tr>
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Entry to the 91 acre park is free, so there's no direct revenue stream from visitor's. One way they get around the expense of maintaining the visitor wear & tear that is to sell seasonal licenses to food vendors who are scattered around the park. I was told the license costs $4,000 per season and the park provides nothing but parking space. I got this info from a guy named Frank who sold me my hot dog. He also happens to be a school teacher. Frank spends his summers selling hot dogs and ice cream and meeting people from all over the world. He said it was the best gig he'd ever had.<br />
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Frank was interviewed on the news the next day: a plane crashed just off the head and he ran over, jumped the fence and tried to get to the pilot who was swimming toward shore. It looked like the pilot was going to make it, but then the retired doctor from Cape Elizabeth disappeared below the waves and died.Glad we were there Saturday instead of Sunday!<br />
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<h4>
Making tracks North</h4>
We're off to Bar Harbor next, about 140 miles North and East. We had thought we might head for the Oregon coast, but Stephanie convinced us we had a lot more to see here. Oregon and points North will have to wait for next year.<br />
<br />Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com2KOA Freeport (Durham) USA43.9293793 -70.152062943.9279498 -70.1545304 43.9308088 -70.14959540000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8677361255137481169.post-58609307321116049402012-06-19T09:53:00.000-04:002012-06-25T10:05:18.801-04:00Postcard from Maine- 1<h3>
16-19 June 2012</h3>
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<h4>
Durham, ME</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Getting acquainted with Annie</i></td></tr>
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It's taken a few weeks since we left Benson, AZ, but we have finally made our way to Durham, ME... over 3,800 miles when you include the running around to see things and to shop, eat- whatever.<br />
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<i>'So who do you know in Durham?'</i> Not a soul! But my son and his family live about 10 miles away in Yarmouth, and a cruising-days friend lives in North Yarmouth. So this will be home base for a week or so as we do some visiting.<br />
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We arrived and got set up on Saturday after a short day of driving. And a good thing that it was short as these hills, which are not high at all compared to the Rockies or the Sierras, have very substantial grades to get over them. We've been getting terrible mileage (it was less than 9 mpg this time) since we hit Upstate New York.<br />
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Our grand-daughters Elin & Ingrid and their mom Stephanie arrived Saturday afternoon for a short visit and got to meet our dogs Annie and Kelly. It went well which was a relief as we were concerned about how big the dogs are and how small the girls are. Even Kelly, the smaller of our two <i>berners</i>, weighs about 50# more than our youngest grand-daughter Ingrid. But Kelly sat surprisingly still as she tried to figure out what these strange miniature people with squeaky voices were all about!<br />
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The next day was Sunday, Fathers Day. Off we went to lunch at <a href="http://harraseeketlunchandlobster.com/" target="_blank"><i>Harraseeket Lunch and Lobster Co.</i></a>, a lobster shack in So.Freeport that's on a pier. So. Freeport is a small seaport south of Freeport, the touristy home of <i>LL Bean</i>, and Freeport adjoins the very rural town to Durham where we're staying. The Admiral has been talking about having lobster since the last time we were in Maine in 2008, so this was a big deal. And <i>Harraseeket</i> didn't disappoint. Brad, my-son-the-lobster-snob, said he gave them negative-points for having anything green in the roll, but we 2 lobster-deprived ex-New Mexicans kind of liked the tiny pieces of Romaine or whatever it was. When he ignored the greens, he admitted these were pretty darn good lobster rolls.<br />
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Fwiw, a whole lobster costs less than a lobster roll cuz the latter contains meat from more than just the claws and the tail; someone has to spend time picking thru the rest of the body getting the little tasty bits and pieces, so it's labor-intensive. Nothing has been wasted when you have a lobster roll except the shell, the gills, and the tomally/tamale/tumally (pick your spelling; it is used for certain things).<br />
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<h4>
Winslow Beach Campground</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The 'army' marching into the woods with the <br />Admiral guarding the rear. You'd almost think <br />she used to do this for a living!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPEGFACPm6_7DpCFOoFtVSTzK9I9noBR6MpuYYfMNzviJtSW1KO7pbbahbYCXmj32k3CgPbzk0lZNtPrKi_HZOcM8DwWHJjZiT6w6QyB9Cn-q89P8v3FXyPNE9KudpFVPbjVrkGe484o/s1600/DSC00702_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPEGFACPm6_7DpCFOoFtVSTzK9I9noBR6MpuYYfMNzviJtSW1KO7pbbahbYCXmj32k3CgPbzk0lZNtPrKi_HZOcM8DwWHJjZiT6w6QyB9Cn-q89P8v3FXyPNE9KudpFVPbjVrkGe484o/s320/DSC00702_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Annie letting Elin believe she has control!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzUj1fZIT2-aDhmlojpDn1NCuHcQuH7HjNInzAvzfsEY9PX0Z4UfhwiRb2mypbhxy57aMZ33KESLIJ9R8E0q-tgDev2lnYoSZaL85wufUadFif-ndfoNRl03HX4N0x-Mfkv9qjU4QBtE/s1600/DSC00722_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzUj1fZIT2-aDhmlojpDn1NCuHcQuH7HjNInzAvzfsEY9PX0Z4UfhwiRb2mypbhxy57aMZ33KESLIJ9R8E0q-tgDev2lnYoSZaL85wufUadFif-ndfoNRl03HX4N0x-Mfkv9qjU4QBtE/s320/DSC00722_DxO_Web.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ingrid 'walking' Kelly... <br />with only a little help from Brad!</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nyl1MbIaTm77q4OODcD7LBaXZFlq2VEM6v0maMG9Xxx7C4KIl-ocAq588lbha4UZrycEBQ8DfcQqrOkpXuFjzdYQ6vFIJ34JZMXr3SCY2RfwrE1O9NWyPm9A_RKkyNLtE-eRsLS0rFo/s1600/DSC00728_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nyl1MbIaTm77q4OODcD7LBaXZFlq2VEM6v0maMG9Xxx7C4KIl-ocAq588lbha4UZrycEBQ8DfcQqrOkpXuFjzdYQ6vFIJ34JZMXr3SCY2RfwrE1O9NWyPm9A_RKkyNLtE-eRsLS0rFo/s320/DSC00728_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anchorage off the point</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPO5pq5TtD5cmfmbT80yPf5Ejy2tqH1PlDGUgMPqlDMfr62tqUffrvIX0qqKY0m4I6QhIR5H8aPwpD7aIn__cWwYzFbYfFWueSUYGFgQNEDTXn4dYeMbcXiAAVvsHZPrZs-DxzgdsaFU/s1600/DSC00711_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRPO5pq5TtD5cmfmbT80yPf5Ejy2tqH1PlDGUgMPqlDMfr62tqUffrvIX0qqKY0m4I6QhIR5H8aPwpD7aIn__cWwYzFbYfFWueSUYGFgQNEDTXn4dYeMbcXiAAVvsHZPrZs-DxzgdsaFU/s320/DSC00711_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wild buttercup in the park</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0VFJqCIqmKCfEzR53dmnbM3Jt0nqA8t-tD7Qz8wfl2i_ssYFMpEjtZSSVxgW5iqNQ3Nz1sCVbzfDPd7kRaYQq5WRNfYndaa-Rw6y064UHG6Xw6Iw6z4TWznLwgI6B4N-xojyAQuY9kw/s320/DSC00744_DxO_Web.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Small schooner reaching toward the anchorage</i></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0VFJqCIqmKCfEzR53dmnbM3Jt0nqA8t-tD7Qz8wfl2i_ssYFMpEjtZSSVxgW5iqNQ3Nz1sCVbzfDPd7kRaYQq5WRNfYndaa-Rw6y064UHG6Xw6Iw6z4TWznLwgI6B4N-xojyAQuY9kw/s1600/DSC00744_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>The crowds were overwhelming at <i>Harraseeket's</i> and we were glad to be on our way to <i>Winslow Beach Campground</i> to go for a walk around the point and to let the kids play in the playground. We had a great walk with minimal crowds... I think they were all at <i>Haraseeket Lunch & Lobster Co.!</i> And Elin & Ingrid had a great time 'walking' them. That means there was an adult hanging onto the end of the leash cuz I didn't want to think what would happen to these light weights if something attracted the dog's attention!<br />
<br />
When we got to the playground, Elin said more than once that Annie was getting slimy goop on her. I figured it was the usual wet nose stuff since berners don't drool like Newfies or St. Bernards. Should have checked quicker cuz it turned out that Annie was drooling excessively and acting a little weird. Then the diarrhea started.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Dog trouble. Again.</h4>
It wasn't a premonition, but for some strange reason I'd entered the number for an emergency vet in Scarborough, ME which is open 24/7. I called them and told them we were coming. Thankfully their address was in the latest Garmin directory (you do keep your GPS updated, right?!) so we got there without too much traffic-drama. While we were checking in and later in the examining room, Annie was leaving puddles of saliva. And by this time her gums were very red. The vet, Dr. Kevin Cowan, went thru the usual questions 'did she eat this, that or the other'. Bottom line was, he thought it was mushroom toxin. That's when Celia said she had seen a lot of mushes in the undergrowth. And Annie is a grazer that snags anything she can find. So that's the consensus. Plus Elin said she had seen a mushroom, then it disappeared. Brad was skeptical (she makes up stories like her grandpa Bowman), but it was certainly prophetic.<br />
<br />
The vet recommended keeping her overnight, giving her activated charcoal to coalesce the toxins, do blood work, then kept an eye on her. We agreed, approved the estimate, gave them a deposit, and drove back to the RV to worry all night. We got a call at 5 AM to say that somewhere around 3 or 4 AM she had thrown up, but by 5 AM her blood work was looking pretty good. They asked for some of her special diet as they were going to try food later. We delivered that by 9:30 AM (30+ miles in commute traffic takes awhile), then returned to the RV. About 1:30 PM they said we could come get her. She was one happy camper when she laid eyes on us! We got her home where she drank an inordinate amount of water, ate dinner, then went to sleep for hours.<br />
<br />
Annie's doing great now, though I was very startled when she passed a stool that was black. Then I recalled they gave her activated charcoal. She's getting meds to guard against any secondary infection and to keep her tummy settled, but all-in-all I think we've dodged a very large caliber bullet!<br />
<br />
Bottom line: if you're in the Portland area and need emergency help for your pet, we feel we had excellent care from <a href="http://www.maineveterinaryreferralcenter.com/" target="_blank"><i>Maine Veterinary Referral Center</i></a> in Scarborough, ME, 207-885-1290. They're located very near <i>Scarborough Downs</i> off US-1.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Spaghetti Dinner</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDsMbCOKowSOMC6RNEcAJW996MqJs4JNXmPyNO1KTpNoegBw4UgUOmLQ0zpeQ9tDafz6L4f72dMU5eLvCQwj5SvI-a6vLF8HZWw_nyw0pY0K_9o4Xr5b-zNtI7iFjXwwn2ThGU8xMK54/s1600/DSC00745_DxO_Web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVDsMbCOKowSOMC6RNEcAJW996MqJs4JNXmPyNO1KTpNoegBw4UgUOmLQ0zpeQ9tDafz6L4f72dMU5eLvCQwj5SvI-a6vLF8HZWw_nyw0pY0K_9o4Xr5b-zNtI7iFjXwwn2ThGU8xMK54/s320/DSC00745_DxO_Web.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Big feed in the back yard</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Elin, Ingrid and Stephanie</i></td></tr>
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Brad got home early (he usually works awful hours!) and made a spaghetti dinner from the sauce Stephanie made earlier. We had a great feed of spaghetti, spinach & kale with onions and shepherd's bread. Then later we had strawberry shortcake that Steph and the girls picked earlier... strawberries are just coming into season here. Seemed to us they were having a late spring, but they told us this is about normal since we're at 44 deg N latitude.<br />
<br />
Stephanie and the girls will come over to the park on Wednesday. It's supposed to be 91 deg F (<i>yuck!</i>) , so the swimming pool sounded like a good option!Bruce and Celiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15260445199944898299noreply@blogger.com2Winslow Park Way, Freeport, ME 04032, USA43.8105824 -70.128066943.7991239 -70.147807899999989 43.822040900000005 -70.1083259