May 25,26.06 Mowhawk Trail to Home

Captain’s Blog
May 25,2006
Odometer Reading: 42130.8
Location: Phillipston, MA

Tried climbing the very steep narrow road with hairpin curves to the top of Mount Greylock, however the RV was really struggling and running hot. Had to find a wide spot in an otherwise very narrow road to turn around. It was too bad because it has been crystal clear and I’m sure the views would have been spectacular.
Hooked into another empty campground with a great pond. Quiet night and trying to prepare mentally for the return home. We did not figure in the Holiday weekend with our plans and actually clocked too many miles instead of sitting for some R&R so we are a little ahead of schedule. Last night was just to gear down and come to the realization that we have to go home. We planned on spending another two or three days right here but there will be no availability because of the holiday.



Captain’s Blog
May 26 - 29 ,2006
Odometer Reading: 42235.8
Location: Raynham, MA –HOME-

Didn’t sleep too well last night anticipating the end of a great experience. Sure didn’t feel like 4 weeks, more like one. We are so very pleased with results of our trip and are looking forward to planning the next phase of our lives, which is definitely the RV phase. Will it be full time, most likely. Getting home has resulted in a lot of unplanned work. We are overrun with catepillars so trying to get then under control and at least off the house and away from our plants has turned into a full time job. The AC decided not to work so Ron spent a lot of time trouble shooting and finally figured out the problem. My washer won't spin out so doing laundry has been a nightmare (time for a new washer). We shut the furnace down for the month (I guess this is not the right thing to do) we had to call in the furnance service man to get it up and running again for the hot water. We won't be doing that again. My Mother is not feeling well so have been spending a lot of time at the Nursing Home. Oh, did I mention unpacking the RV! Ah - Home Sweet Home. The End!!

May 24,2006 - Lake George, NY – Pownal, VT

Captain’s Blog
May 24,2006
Odometer Reading: 42038.3
Location: Lake George, NY – Pownal, VT


Spent last night at a great and empty campground with a beautiful pond and fountain in the center that was illuminated at night. Once again we were one of about 6 overnight campers. The owners told us that they were full for the holiday weekend as are all other campgrounds in the area so there will be no space available for drifters like us. We left Lake George via the less traveled routes, and toured the town of Saratoga Springs. What a beautiful place. The town center is well maintained and set up for the public to enjoy and it is a place we would return to in a minute. As Charles Kurault once said, those who travel the highways miss out on the real America. We agree completely since most of the great experiences we have had have been off the beaten track.

May 23,2006 - Lake George, NY

Captain’s Blog
May 23,2006
Odometer Reading: 41928.4
Location: Lake George, NY


http://www.champlaincanal.org/canal.html



Well, I’m sure this is getting boring because I repeat the same thing over and over – beautiful, great, amazing etc. Spent today exploring the locks along the Champlain canals on the way to Lake George. Every lock has been turned into a park for visitors to spend time and watch the boats pass through. We did get to watch as a sailboat went through. Not very busy today as locks go but was fun watching. Again, at another great campground with no on here, however I guess all the campgrounds in this area are booked solid for the Memorial Day weekend.

May 22,2006 - Coxsackie, NY

Captain’s Blog
May 22,2006
Odometer Reading: 41842.5
Location: Coxsackie, NY

Lovely name for a city just below Climax. Whoa, what were the Town Fathers thinking!!Actually were drove 150miles to get here, specifically to check out a Motorhome we are interested in. Unfortunately the two on the lot were not the size or décor we are looking for so the search continues. Spending the night in a rest area tonight with a great wifi connection. Tomorrow we are off to another destination just haven’t figured out which one. As you all have probably noticed we are way ahead of our original planned schedule so are trying to put a plan together for an area we have already saturated with visits in the past. One thing we have figured out is that we could do this FOREVER!!!

May 21, - 2006 Delaware Water Gap - Bushkill Falls

Captain’s Blog
May 21,2006
Odometer Reading: 41696.4
Location: Delaware Water Gap, PA

Toured Bushkill Falls today. What a beautiful place, miles and miles of walking trails, stairs to climb and descend and 8 incredible falls to view at a multitude of different angles and heights. The weather was cool and rainy making the falls even more magnificent.

May 19,20 - 2006 Delaware Water Gap

Captain’s Blog
May 19,20,- 2006
Odometer Reading: 41663.4
Location: Delaware Water Gap, NJ


We were here three years ago and fell in love with the place. Before arriving we were not sure if it would hold the same allure for us but it has not disappointed. In fact, we discovered some great hiking trails and followed a waterfall
almost to its inception up a cliff. Didn’t make it to the top, was quite late and didn’t want to encounter any black bears. We have a site right on the Delaware River and had visits from several local animals including a doe. Ron was able to get really close resulting in some great pictures before the doe ran into the woods. Very quiet and serene so we were able to get lots of rest for the two days we were here.

May 18, 2006 Drive from Rehoboth Beach to Allentown, PA

Captain’s Blog
May 18, 2006
Odometer Reading: 41593.5
Location: Allentown, PA
Drove to the Lehigh Valley, PA. One thing that was once again noticeable; lots of new construction, farmland being used for very large houses on very small lots regardless of the vast amounts of land surrounding these developments (lots of money around or good credit). We wonder, especially in the outer banks how the infrastructure services, water and sewerage can facilitate such growth. Ron is having a problem getting acclimated to the heavy traffic the further north we get. He was spoiled being 1 of 2 vehicles on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The north in not as RV friendly as the south, actually neither are the people (Yankee bashing) Will be spending the weekend at the Delaware Water Gap boon docking and then on to upstate New York and Lake George. The weather has been holding pretty well for us. It has been nice during the day and rainy at night when it doesn’t matter

May 16/17, 2006 Cape Charles, VA/ Rehoboth Beach, DEL

Captain’s Blog
May 16, 2006
Odometer Reading: 41264.5
Location: Cape Charles, VA

Drove to Ocean City MD. Very over populated and no real access to the beaches or ocean unless registered in one of the million hotel rooms. Not a lot to do there as almost everything was closed or being prepared for the Memorial Day weekend. The day was beautiful and sunny. Spent a lot of time outdoors enjoying the good weather. It was so hot that the laundry I hung out was dried by the sun in about 30 min. Good old solar power. No water views today but great anyway. It has been great sleeping weather too as the temp drops just it enough to make it comfortable.

Captain’s Blog
May 17, 2006
Odometer Reading: 41420.5
Location: Rehoboth Beach, MD
Drove to Ocean City MD. Very over populated and no real access to the beaches or ocean unless registered in one of the million hotel rooms. Not a lot to do there as almost everything was closed or being prepared for the Memorial Day weekend.

May 15, 2006 Bodie Island/Currituck lights - Whalehead Club

Captain’s Blog
May 15, 2006
Odometer Reading: 41166.2
Location: Coinjock, NC

Spent last night at a state campground on the ocean. Had a lightening storm with a pretty heavy downpour but otherwise OK. No hook-ups so no TV or wireless access. Today we visited two more lighthouses, Bodie Island Lighthouse and Currituck Beach Lighthouse. The Bodie lighthouse is just for viewing while the Currituck allows climbers, however due to thunder and a threat of a storm the lighthouse was closed to visitors. I guess they didn’t want anyone to be exposed to the possibility of a lightening strike. We did get to walk the beautiful grounds and visited another small family home (23,000 square feet) right on the ocean called The Whalehead Club. On our way to the Currituck Beach Lighthouse we had driven a little too far and ended up at a dead-end into the ocean where 4 wheel drive vehicles are allowed on the beach. They can drive all the way to the Virginia border where a gate blocks riders from crossing into Virginia because they don’t allow cars on the beaches in Virginia.

We also spent a very enjoyable afternoon at the Wright Brothers Museum in Kitty Hawk. The monument to the brothers sits on top of a hill with a 360 degree view of the ocean and island which was breathtaking. The museum was great and they have the site of the first flight attempts marked off with large granite stones with the date, time, duration and length of flight.

Tonight we are at a Resort of sorts. I’m not sure whose definition of a resort this is but it is definitely in a great spot, right on a peninsula across the ocean from Currituck. Our drive here was precarious due to very heavy downpours and flooding on route 12. Never saw flooding like that. There are no water drainage systems in the roadways and high water signs all over the place. Well, we are here and safe so that is all that matters.

We are about 6 days ahead of our planned scheduled so are now rerouting ourselves and trying to slow down. Not used to having all this time off so now Ron is working on a new plan for the next leg of our trip. Perhaps we’ll be heading to Alaska, because at the rate of speed that we are traveling at we definitely have time to do the round trip in the next two weeks.

Living in the RV has not been a problem and we are having no issues with confinement compared to living in our home. We both agree that full time RVing will work for us. Only one issue has occurred and that has been GAS pains, fuel that is. Deb gets a little anxious if the fuel gauge does not stay above ½ full.
Otherwise, we are having a great time.