Michigan to Montana

Hard to believe but I am in Montana! When I left Michigan, I spent a night near Duluth, MN and the next day did some vehicle maintenance at Jiffy Lube. Then I headed west and spent a night in Grand Forks, ND. I had intended staying in another campground further west but still in North Dakota but encountered, for the first time, a campground that was full! I thought I might have to spent a Walmart night when I got to almost the Montana state line because another place I called was also 'full'. So, with daylight lasting 'forever', I just kept going west and spent a night in Glasgow, Montana. I called a few places in my 'plan' and made reservations for Sunday night (near Havre, MT) and starting on Tuesday I will be in the East Glacier area for three days. On Monday night, I have not confirmed a reservation but think I will be in Ft. Benton, MT and can do some sightseeing there.

   Before leaving the ladies in Michigan, we spent a day in Calumet and toured an old theater there. The town was a copper mining town and even Sara Bernhardt performed there. I took a few photos in the theater.

These are in arch over the stage.

   

Michigan

Since I have had no internet I was not able to update my blog but I think it has been a week since I wrote anything. I am in Copper Harbor, Michigan and it is currently raining. Yesterday, after a nice stay in Mackinaw (did the carriage tour on Mackinac Island) at Tee Pee Campground including an evening with Becky and Corbin, I headed to Sault Ste. Marie and watched boats go through the locks before taking the Lock Boat Tour and going through them myself. It is interesting to watch the water rise and fall to allow boats to go onto the St. Mary River and either into Lake Superior or Lake Huron depending on the direction they are heading.

Then I realized that I had time (in the rain) to drive all the way to where my RT friends from Melbourne were ending a rally so I did that and spent the night with them including doing a potluck dinner (I stopped and got food for it). They planned to head here to Copper Harbor so I decided to join them and stay for a couple of days too. We ate in a restaurant for dinner and now have great left overs for another dinner tonight. This morning we all walked most of the town and visited some gift shops and then Nancy headed back to the campground while Judith and I walked to the boat marina and took the Lighthouse tour. I asked a couple from this boat ride if they would drive us back into town and they took us right to our corner. We had time for a bathroom stop and by the time we got into our vans, the rain started.

No more camp nurse

I left Frenchwoods on Friday due mostly to my 'cold' that just wouldn't go away while working 12-16 hours daily. I have headed west and am in a campground in Jamestown, NY. Tomorrow I will head to Ohio on my way to Michigan where I intend to go up the west side and return down the east side.
     My 'cold' is still with me but getting more rest and sitting in the sun today has helped alot. The weather today was perfect at about 81 degrees, sunny and a breeze too. I might even need a blanket tonight when it will be in the 50's to 60 degrees.
    Being a camp nurse was short term but I learned alot about the  job and myself and doing my RV travel is more fun which at this stage in my life is the 'way to go'. Working a job that is not pleasant (and didn't pay very much for that many hours) just isn't for my 'old' body.

Working at Frenchwoods

I arrived in Frenchwoods (Performing Arts Festival) last Wednesday and it took many trips to the van to 'move in' my clothes and 'stuff' that I will need to be here for the summer. I have now returned a few things to my Roadtrek and I keep rotating items needed or not needed. I may have to bring in my little heater since we have had a couple of nights below 50 degrees and it would have been nice to heat up the room before my shower in the morning. I am using a down comforter (given to me by my friend Sue) which has definitely kept me from 'freezing' in bed.
    I started work officially on Tuesday and the last two days have been until midnight before being able to get into bed due to the 'set up' needed for dispensing medications because many parents do not follow a suggested way to get their kids pills to camp. And, it is amazing how many meds/vitamins/supplements, etc. that these kids are on (ages 7-17). There are anti depressants, GI and allergy things as well as the 'real' meds for the asthmatics that are given on a daily basis. During 'sick call' which is officially after breakfast and dinner, we get all kinds of complaints and in these beginning days, the 'homesick' happen alot.
      I am tired but the 'routine' should start being better tomorrow. We are given a few hours off each day (I have this evening off) and I will have two days off in the next 19 days and then another session will start. Each three week session is 20 days with a change of doctor and most of the nurses  come for a session because they bring their kids (they do not get paid and do not pay the camp fee for the kids).
      I found a nice level spot to park my van and hopefully will not have a problem using it all summer when I do leave for a few hours on a day off. I am checking her every couple of days and am keeping up the 'maintenance' things necessary although she sure could use a bath!
    When I start taking pictures, I will show you this camp and the activities that are quite unique to a kids summer camp (we do circus, drama, dance, music, horseback,waterfront stuff,arts/crafts including ceramics and jewelry making,sports including skate boarding) . There is not only the lake waterfront but a pool too. The fitness center (for campers and employees) is phenomenal with classes and machines galore. Employees can participate in any of the activities and once I am more rested, I intend to do that although it will not be circus for sure (too hard).
    I just hope the hills I am walking do not hurt my body too much (knees are aching) and just make me fitter and thinner!

Mass. to Conn.

This is the beach at the campground in Dennis Port, Mass. and then the next day was not so nice and I headed to Rhode Island where I stayed in a campground right next to Newport so I got to eat breakfast in a little place that is apparently quite popular with the Newport crowd.

From there I headed to Old Mystic, Connecticut and stayed in a very nice place just north of Mystic and east of Groton. Strange weather did not allow me to do much sightseeing until the day I left and then I drove around Mystic, Nuank (south end of the peninsula) and had breakfast in Stonington Village before heading further west in dense fog and mist.

I drove around the Foxwoods casino and resort (there's an MGM Grand there too) and ended up here in a campground across from Black Rock State park. I needed to have a place with TV since I knew some of this stay was going to be rainy, indoor weather. I did get to walk in the park this morning before the clouds really rolled in and it has been misty, raining on and off all day but I had lunch out before returning to my cave. The television and internet have helped keep me occupied and my books are still waiting for me to pay some attention to them.

Cape Cod today

My days since last writing have been busy and fun. I visited with my friend Chicki and her husband, Stu, in Marblehead, Mass and she gave me a tour that was terrific (including Salem). They made sure I was fed well and my van was safe (finally used my propane to keep refrigerator cold).

When I left there, I headed towards Cambridge and Boston. I took the subway from Cambridge (right near my nephew's house) and spent a few hours downtown Boston walking the Commons and Gardens. By the time I left, the clouds were rolling in but I got back to my van and got parked in Elliot's driveway safely. Had a nice evening (dinner) with my niece, nephew/niece in law, brother and sister in law and the great niece, Lucy. I slept well while it rained and this morning headed towards Cape Cod. I am in a lovely campground (with TV for when it's raining and I'm inside) and if the sun does come back out tomorrow, they have a small beach area.
   The photos are just a sampling of Marblehead, Salem and Boston. I had done some of Portsmouth, NH before this and even with grey, drizzly skies, it was interesting.

Crisscrossing New England

It seems to me that I have been crisscrossing New Hampshire after doing some of that in Maine. I spent the last two nights in Massachusetts but it was just below the N.H state line and tonight I am sleeping in N.H again. I spent my day mostly in Portsmouth wandering the town and hoping the rain would hold off which is did until I got back into the van and headed south again to this campground. I only shopped in Walmart and a grocery store because prices in Portsmouth are 'tourist' priced items and I have found I can get things in Walmart that have the state name on it (souvenirs) for lower prices. As soon as I paid for tonight and walked out of the office, the sky opened up and the rain was like a faucet. It let up just a smidge to allow me to get 'hooked up' but then rained pretty hard for a while. It has actually stopped now. Watching two small squirrels chase each other around a tree is really funny. This type of squirrel has a red tail, is almost as small as a chipmunk but they are still squirrels in behavior.

    I did get to walk into Ashland while there and took a few photos just to try to show off the fact that these little towns are surrounded by great mountains of beauty.

Maine to New Hampshire

I seem to be 'criss crossing' the states I go through. I went from the beach in Maine to Conway, NH for a night and then to Mt. Washington (home of the 'worst weather') and took the cog railway to the top. It was not as clear as I would have liked due to fires in Quebec that were sending smoke down to New Hampshire. The top of the mountain was very windy and cold but sun was shining and I attempted the outside observation area but was almost blown down by the strong winds.
   I headed west from the mountain and spent a night near the Connecticut River which separates NH from Vermont. This morning I headed east again and am now in Ashland, NH with a brook all around me. I am staying here for three nights (will do some laundry and enjoy having TV). It was predicted to be rainy but tomorrow might actually have some sunshine. It is a lovely little park and I'm going to just relax.

On the Beach

I finally got to sit on the beach at the ocean here in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. This campground is not very big but it is close enough to the beach to walk and there is a little town like most 'beach tourist' towns where there are stores to buy souvenirs, restaurants, and an amusement park atmosphere to some of it. There is a pier that reminds me of the Cocoa Beach pier and others that have similar atmospheres.

    I have some new neighbors who are from Albany, NY and it is always nice to have folks to talk too while in a campground.

Maine to Canada and back to Maine

On Friday I wound up in Palmyra, ME but for only that one night since I was at a place where I was really alone. Another camper came in late but since they didn't unhitch the truck from the travel trailer, I guess they weren't staying there more than overnight either.
    I headed on Saturday to Canada but did a little touring of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park first. I got to St. Martins, NB, Canada late afternoon but with the light staying longer (and it was an hour later too), I got all hooked up and even met my next 'door' neighbors (a lovely young couple with a five month old baby and a little dog too). They live in New Brunswick but this is a new travel trailer for them so  'first' outing with it. On Sunday, I walked to the 'Caves' where I could see the tides going out and it was a good 2.5 miles roundtrip of a 'hike' for me. I spent the afternoon with my new friends out in the sun with the wind blowing very hard off the Fundy Bay. Since I had only paid for two nights (original plan was for three), and the hostess was not encouraging me to stay, I left this morning (Monday) and headed back to the USA. I was able to drive without needing the more expensive gasoline in Canada and filled up with room to spare near Calais, ME.
      I drove into Bangor where I did some Target and Walmart shopping (groceries, wine) and a stop in the Verizon store to check my phone battery. I almost got a haircut too, but didn't feel like waiting so I came on to this lovely campground in E. Orland, ME which is woods and lake (can see it from my window but have woods behind the van). I will take photos tomorrow and play with the ones from Canada too. I will stay here until Thursday, for sure.

Sunshine in New Hampshire

I am happy to say the sun came out today. I drove from Austin lake where it rained and since it kept raining, I just kept on going until a campground in Montezuma, NY where I spent the night. The rain let up enough for me to hook up and in the morning after my shower, it was still not raining for me to unhook.
   By the time I got into Pennsylvania, the rain came again (light but annoying) so I drove all the way to this campground in New Hampshire. It was misting when I got here and then was told the bathrooms/showers were not open until Friday! Well, I was glad I had showered in the morning and have a working toilet in my van. I have water, electric and a cable hook up so I've been able to watch TV.
   I convinced the office to give me the combination for the bathroom/shower today so I will be able to shower tomorrow before I leave for Maine. I will 'dump' and it should be a lovely weather day for several to come.

RAIN!

I knew I was lucky so far but the rain has finally got me! I am spending the day 'indoors' here in Lake Austin Campground and my planned walk (exercise) is not happening. I have walked up to the big bathroom twice just for the exercise although I have used my own facilities too. I am hoping the morning will be a little drier for 'unhooking' and getting out on the road again. I am using my little heater off and on today because the damp weather along with temps in the 60's are making it a little chilly in here for me. The 'babbling' creek is behind my van.
    I have started another blog (http://travelpod.com/members/rsherry6) so I am doing stuff in both places for those who are actually reading about my travels. I am trying to include photos but still learning how to do that on both blogs.

Four days later

When I left Breaks Interstate Park, I headed to the New River Gorge where I got to see the bridge which is 686 ft high from the river (New River) below. People are allowed to base jump from this bridge in October (one day) and I can't believe they do it! I then headed to the Gauley Bridge and stopped on the way at Hawks Nest State park (no camping there) for lunch with a wonderful view of the Gauley river below the restaurant. I was heading to a campground which is along the Gauley River but when I got there I saw only one camper and decided this was not the place for me to stop. I went back east and wound up in Battle Run Recreational Area (on Summersville Lake) and was parked right on the lake. I did move for the second night because I knew it was going to rain and I wanted to be close to the bathroom.
    I left the next morning and headed to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. This is the place where the radio signals are sent out to the galaxy. Did the free tour and it was fascinating. I then headed up to another National Recreation area (Stuart) and stayed the night in the woods. I thought I had no shower there but it turned out the 'big' bathroom (I was close to an 'outhouse' type of toilet) was just down a short hill from me so I was able to shower before leaving this morning.
    Today was another 'tour' of the West Virginia mountains--and I mean windy,narrow and terrible roads around a mountain that my GPS took me on after I decided against another 'planned' campground. I stopped for lunch (Chinese) in New Martinville, WV and then went across the Ohio river and up to Steubenville where I am in a lovely campground on a babbling creek (out my back window) with no cell phone service but free internet. I am living without TV for almost a week now.

   I will stay here until Tuesday (walk and rest tomorrow) and will figure out where I think I'm going next.
   The bridge photo is when they were building it-the one with it behind me is how it looks now

Breaks Interstate Park

Today I am in Breaks Interstate park which is co-run by Virginia and Kentucky. I arrived here yesterday after spending a couple of days at a campground in Tenn. and then with Sue and Jon at Cumberland Falls State park in Kentucky.
   Escaping rain so far, we did have a cold morning and I needed to get another top to keep me warm so when we went to Walmart, I just had to spend money.
   Today I walked/hiked a total of about 4 miles and visited the Lodge and Visitor Center here. The clouds surely look like rain any minute so I am staying 'in' now.

Left Hickory, NC

I left Hickory this morning after a lovely few days with my friends who made me feel 'part of the family' and after my sudden loss on Monday, it was well appreciated.
   I was not happy to throw out all my frozen foods since at some point my refrigerator quit working and I think when I plug into a house, I have to watch for circuit breaker trips. The refrigerator did work after I got going and so I am pretty sure it is not a refrigerator problem. The rest of the cold stuff survived OK.
   This campground is nice and I have free internet and TV (cable) as well as my water and electric. It is hot so my a/c is quite welcome. It is supposed to cool off during the night and be cooler by sunrise. I am not sure what I will do on Saturday and maybe it will be nothing but read, walk - will see how this weather really turns out. I'll be heading to Cumberland Falls State Park on Sunday to meet up with Sue/Jon and since it is a short ride (2.5 hours), I can stop and 'sightsee' if I choose on the way.

Am now petless....

   I left home on Sunday morning with Missy. She didn't seem well, but I thought it wasn't anything serious. We arrived in Georgia and settled into Towns Bluff Park on the Altamaha river. There were only a few trailers there and many are just there without campers in them. On Monday when I thought it might rain and had very little to do, I decided that Missy needed to be seen by a veternarian since she was not eating, drinking or using the litter box. She wasn't even interested in a treat and I noticed her walking was difficult. I got an appointment in Vidalia and it turns out that she was in kidney failure! There was not much of a decision to be made then and so she was put to sleep. I am not sure how I drove back to the campground (30 miles) without crying alot but for dinner after some phone calls, emails, and cleaning out what I could of 'hers' (litter box), I had wine and ice cream for dinner and slept fairly well.
    It was pouring down rain when I left this morning but I got 'unhooked' fairly rapidly and headed to North Carolina. After several hours of driving in the rain, the sun did finally come out and I am at my friend's house (they used to live in Englewood when I did) in Hickory. We have had dinner and I will hang out for a few days before heading towards my rendevous with Sue/Jon in Kentucky. I will probably stay in a campground on the way from here to there (have to be there on Sunday) but have to decide when I leaving here first.

Travel with only one..

I will be traveling with only one cat now. My Silver Fluff didn't quite make her 17th birthday (May) and went to the Rainbow Bridge today. She had lost weight and was only 8lb 7oz and although we thought she might only need an antibiotic, that only helped for a few days so her last trip to the vet was this afternoon.
   I will miss her waking me early in the morning but I think Missy (who 'knows' something has changed) will not mind being an 'only' cat.
    Next week we will go to a Roadtrek rally at a nice campground in Kissimmee and I hope to continue my learning there enough to 'boon dock' when I do not want to stay in a campground with hook ups and just want a place to spend a night. When we get back, it will be a hectic turn around to be able to leave on May 3rd heading north.
    I can be honest and say that I am a little scared but lots of excited to be doing all of this stuff.

Photo trial

I am testing putting in photos. Seems to work OK.

Planning and Plotting

As you can see if you've read my blog before, I have changed the title to reflect what is more current. I am sitting with maps and campground directories trying to figure out my adventure starting May 3rd or 4th and ending at Frenchwoods on June 23rd for the summer.

First Campground

Well I have finally done a 'real' campground with the cats and it was fun. I did meet up with a group of women who had planned this 'rally' and activities were planned which kept us busy. I was pleased with how the cats handled being in the van even when I was out for a several hours and I think we will have a lovely time traveling.
While at the campground in Apopka, we went on a historic trolley tour and lunch in Mt. Dora and with the sun shining and not too hot, it really was lovely. I had enough food that I didn't need much dinner after our 'happy hour' snacks and wine and I didn't stay up very late because sleep was such a good idea. On Saturday we were supposed to have a 'free' day but it turned out to be more fun when about 8 of us made sandwiches and went to a 'refuge' where we had our picnic lunch.
On Sunday, I headed to Florahome to see Sue and her daughter's house and although it was raining, I plugged into the house to keep the refrigerator running. Becky made the best Shrimp Scampi for dinner and after some TV, I said good night and went to sleep. We had breakfast out for Sue's birthday and then I headed home. I took a scenic route mostly rather than the interstate and that proved to me that this is how I want to travel.

Post Roadtrek Rally

I did the Roadtrek Rally in Orlando a couple of weeks ago (three nights) without my cats so that I could concentrate on my educational needs. I left with so much 'stuff' in my head! I met great people who never said 'no' to me when I asked questions or asked to visit inside their vans.
I am more confident now about my camper but still need to learn a few more things before I will be able to be 'on my own'. I will attend another 3 night RV get together (not just Roadtreks this time) next month and will get the rest of the 'hands on' training I think I still need. This next trip, I will take the cats and see how they orient to their 'room on wheels'.
I am still glad that I made the decision to purchase this vehicle and know it will be a wonderful journey for me. I expect to be leaving home in May and heading to the Catskills for a few months starting in June. I will 'camp' along the way to my job site and look forward to a fun time.

New van

My travels will be in a larger van than the mini - as of now I have a Chevy 3500 extended van (Roadtrek) to travel and live in when I go back on the road.

After I attend a three day 'rally' in February, I will be more confident and able to take me and my two old ladies on trips. I will not be staying in hotels and motels except for special occasions and intend to enjoy my new 'life adventure'.

short trip to GA

I have just returned from a short trip to Sue's in Georgia where it was definitely winter and this Florida gal was a little chilly!
We had a great time shopping for things for her 'open house' which was a success on Sunday evening with so much food that even I got to take home 'left overs'. Jon and Sue had decorated the house inside and out for the Holidays and it is really pretty.
When I left on Monday morning it was 29 degrees and Jon was busy scraping ice off my van windows so I could see and with the help of the defroster, it was just fine. The sun came out and there was very little traffic so the drive home was quite uneventful. The mileage I get on my minivan is so good that it is hard to think about exchanging it for a small RV (Roadtrek) and will, again, take more thought (and finding the right price).
When I got home, the heat was needed and I had it on all night so I think that winter followed me. I do not mind some coolness and 50 here is not so bad. It gives me the chance to wear the winter sweaters and sweats.
Now, I just need to get everything back together (put away and mail stuff and homeowner stuff) so I can be back to 'normal' for a while.

Nov. 30, 2009 -home

I am home now after last week's driving from New York to Winchester, VA to Columbia, SC, and then Eufaula, Alabama.
My night in Winchester was uneventful and the drive to Columbia was misty/rainy, not the nicest of weather but I did not encounter heavy rain. Driving with trucks when it is wet, however, is not such fun.
The weather in Columbia prevented me from visiting the zoo/botanical gardens but I did get to the Capital building and that was quite interesting. When the building was re-built after burning, it was decided to make it 'burn proof' and so it is marble and steel and the woods that are used are decorative and gorgeous.
On Wednesday, I headed to Alabama and even though it was the day before Thanksgiving, my timing was good enough to miss bad traffic and I arrived in sunshine (not very warm) and rested.
Thanksgiving was fun even though it was cold outside. After I watched most of the Macy's parade on TV, I headed to Lakepoint Park where the Whitmer clan was gathered and cooking. They really made me feel part of the family and I apprecated that very much. I only lasted until about 5pm when it was already dark outside and getting colder. I enjoyed my warm room and slept well. We 'hung out' on Friday too and they fed me well again.
I headed home on Saturday morning and was glad to sleep in my own bed at night. My poor Fluff is a bit confused with suddenly having more space than the single room of hotels, but this morning she remembered how to get out on the deck through the 'pet flap' so I guess she is re-acclimating to home. Missy has no problems since she sleeps close to me no matter what bed we are in and adjusts to all situations. They do amaze me at how, at 15 years of age they put up with the travel even though they do not like the confinement of the cage in the van.
Today the massage I am going to get is going to feel magnificent!

N.Y, Winchester, VA, Columbia, SC

I am now in Columbia, S.C.
After leaving Garden City, NY early on Sunday morning (hard even though I did not stay through the dinner at the wedding), I headed to Winchester, VA for the night. It was such an easy drive I was quite surprised because I wound up going through the city of New York (drove right past Macy's) but it was on Sunday and there was no traffic to speak about. Even with a few small detours (not made by me), I arrived in Winchester by 1pm. It was a quiet night and I went to sleep early.
This morning, we headed to Columbia, SC driving in mist and some rain (but not hard, dowpours), we got here by 3pm. I hope that Fluff does not continue to wake me at 5 a.m. each morning. It makes me sleepy very early in the evening.
I will do some sightseeing tomorrow and maybe go to the zoo if the weather is nicer but otherwise, starting at the Visitor Center downtown, I will find other things to do

New York

I left Virginia early on Friday morning with no more rain and it was mostly not a difficult drive at all. The only part of the DC beltway that I used was going north and the time I was on it, the traffic was light. My driving dilemma happened when I got to Staten Island and had to get off the parkway to get cash! The tolls had depleted my cash and so I stopped in Target, bought catfood, and got some cash back so I could go on, but I got confused (even with the GPS) and wound up on streets before getting to the Verrazano Bridge.
Then, it got worse when I did not follow my instincts or the GPS and I drove though many Brooklyn and Queens streets (20 miles took over an hour) which I had never driven on in my life even when I lived here!
I finally arrived just before 4pm and got everything inside that I needed and since I found I could get a ride to the dinner, I had some wine and tried to relax. I left here at 6:30 and discovered the dinner had 90 people attending due to so many families being involved since there are several divorces and remarriages involved. It was fun to see family and meet a few cousins I didn't know about.
I had to take a taxi back to the hotel because the driver took off early even though I told them I would be calling for a ride back. Anyway, with the wine I drank, it was certainly safer than driving. Tonight, for the wedding, I will drive and not drink (not more than one) which I have done before in situations where I will be driving.
Tomorrow, we will head back to Virginia for one night before heading south to Columbia, SC.

Luray, VA

Today I saw the Luray Caverns and they really are spectacular. To think how many years and milleniums it has taken for it to get to such beauty is mind blowing.
There isn't much else to do here in Luray, Virginia and so tomorrow will be real 'rest' day for me. I have re-arranged the items in the big suitcase and duffel (my dressers in the van) and they are now back in the van (did laundry too). I would have gone to NY a day earlier but the price difference in the room is enough that I will stay here and head there on Friday morning. I am not happy that I will have to do the beltway around D.C. but that is the best/fastest way to get there and still have time to settle in before heading to the rehearsal dinner.
My lunch (and dinner) are items from the Walmart - rotisserie chicken and potatoe chips. I may treat myself to pizza tomorrow for lunch. The weather is not so great with clouds looking like they will open up and rain at any moment and with temps around 50, it feels colder. I do have heat in my room but it is hard to regulate so I've been turning it on and then off to be comfortable (it will have to run for the night).
I have made my reservations for next week and so that is off my mind since it is Holiday week and I wanted to be sure I didn't run into any difficulty.

Knoxville, TN

I have been in Knoxville since Saturday and I think I got to do what I wanted to do/see. I went to the Worlds Fair Park and got up into the Sunsphere for a great view of the city (not as high as the Tower in San Antonio). I walked to the downtown area and browsed but took the free trolley back to the candy factory (did buy a little bit of chocolate). Then I drove down to the river although it took a few 'round the blocks' before I finally figured out how to get to where I wanted and had lunch at Calhouns right on the river. With great weather hanging here, it has been a lovely day. Taking pictures of trees with 'fall' colors is good for me. I may get some rain in the next few days (leaving for Luray, VA in the morning) so I really enjoy this 'perfect' weather.
I hope you all are enjoying my notes.

forgot...

While in San Antonio, I did a trolley tour and then the Alamo before the things mentioned in the previous post.

Vicksburg, MS

Here I am in Vicksburg, MS after a couple of days in San Antonio following my weekend in Conroe/Shenandoah, TX. I did a lot of walking in San Antonio along the River Walk where I ate lunch a couple of days (more on that in a minute) and went up to the Tower of the Americas as well as The Texas Institute of Cultures.
On Wednesday evening I started to feel some stomach distress but didn't think too much about it until I didn't sleep most of the night. I finally got up and left by 7:30am but with gastric spasms. It was a very, very long drive to Vicksburg and not feeling well and being so tired I stopped more times than usual including times to just sit and close my eyes. I, therefore, did not arrive here until about 6pm CST and that's when the diarrhea started. At least, it waited until I was in the room!
Today I went to the Vicksburg Battleground (National Park) which is right across the street from my hotel. I also drove downtown and looked around and was not that impressed. The Park was lovely although I felt I was in a large cemetary (all those soldiers who died there) and there are monuments all over from all the states that participated in this battle.
Tomorrow, I will head to Knoxville, TN which is also not a short drive but I am being careful about what I eat today and right now seem to be better.

arrived San Antonio

While in Shenandoah for four nights where my friend Diana is staying for her current contract, we mostly spent our time 'shopping' the malls and eating. It was fun but exhausting. Shopping is hard work! I didn't buy much of anything and that is good since I'm spending on food and enjoying it.

This morning I left for San Antonio and am glad it was not one of my marathon drives because I am tired. I did find that there is a streetcar system (with a stop 1/2 block from my hotel) that will take me to the center of town where the Riverwalk, Alamo, and other things are that I want to see. I went today to see how it goes and had some late lunch on the Riverwalk in an italian place (not very good food). Tomorrow I am going to take a trolley tour and get the 'overview' so I can see what I really want to see (like the Alamo) and still not 'kill' myself walking. I will be here to do more on Wed. so I do not need to cram it all into one day.

I am very lucky with weather so far and with the storm heading away from where I am (or where I'm going), I will be able to enjoy things even more.

Arrived in Texas

I spent a couple of nights in Mobile Alabama and that gave me a full day to go to Bellingrath Gardens and do some Kohl's shopping too. I met a great lady at the Gardens who has been on the road alone for a month and we did the Gardens and House tours as well as going for lunch together. Marilyn and I will keep in touch via email. She was heading to Vicksburg and then home soon.
I arrived in Texas this afternoon after a very long drive (got off I-10 and did some scenic routes) and now am waiting for Diana to get home and we'll get something to eat or just drink.

ready to roll

I am almost ready to get going on this new adventure. Most things are packed or ready to be put into a bag and/or the van. I'll be leaving on Tuesday morning so I am just doing 'last minute' stuff to be sure I don't forget anything. It has been a challenge to pack for multi seasons and the wedding too but I think I have it all and am sure I am taking more than I will need as I usually do that even though I plan on doing laundry along the way. I am only hoping that I do not have to drive in rain or snow both of which could happen especially with the crazy weather patterns we've all experienced.
I will try to write on here every few days while on the road with my first stop being Mobile, Alabama on Tuesday.

Still hot in October

Now it's October but the weather sure doesn't seem to be aware that it is autumn! We've had record heat and I'm tired of it.
On my birthday, when I enjoyed a day at Epcot with my friend, the temperatures were in the 80's and there was a slight breeze so we were able to get through the day comfortably until we just got too tired to do any more eating and drinking during the Wine/Food Festival there.
With Boo at the Zoo time starting next week (my volunteer job), I am hoping that the weather cools and it 'feels' more like the Holiday is supposed to be at this time of year.

mid September

Hard to believe that it is midway into September. Here in Florida the weather seems like summer just goes on and on and on and the weatherman says it could be another month before any 'cooling' occurs.

'restless' again

Have been home for a week and I am 'restless' already. I can't seem to figure out where I want to go or be right now so I am just trying to enjoy my 'minutes' at home and I seem to be keeping busy so I guess it's alright. Some of the problem is the weather which is still so hot that I do not want to go out to do much of anything and that is keeping me from going to the zoo (volunteer work). Next week we should get rain from the tropical stuff that is heading this way (could actually have a hurricane develop from those systems out there).
So I am looking at my 'next trip' possibilities and that may not happen until November when I think I am going to a wedding in New York. I'm thinking I will make a trip out of that occasion when the weather is cooler. It is still early to be planning but I did check that the hotel involved is 'pet friendly' so I can take cats with me. I am assuming that they will both be breathing still and so I need to plan for taking them.

Home again

I am home now after several days in Kennesaw, GA with my friends. We went to Tallulah Gorge and saw some of the falls and it is quite a pretty place. I just wish we had more stamina in order to really hike around!
All in all I had a great four weeks on the road and even with Fluff's veternary interventions, we survived it and will go on with more adventures in life.

Salem, VA

I really did enjoy going to the Lobster Festival on Wednesday when I ate two soft shell lobsters. They are at a stage where the shells will be shed and replaced so they are soft enough to crack with fingers. It was like any other 'fair' with rides and all sorts of food vendors (not just the lobster). They have a gigantic lobster cooker than does thousands of pounds of lobsters all at one time.
On Thursday, we headed to New Windsor, New York and although there was some drizzle, it wasn't a bad day's drive at all.
Friday was a 'killer' drive. It should have been about 8 hours but I was in that van until arrival in Salem, Va at about 5:30pm (left before 8am). The rain was awful and there were spots on the highway where traffic was actually stopped for a good 15 minutes. The last couple of hours the sun came out but I was already tired from the strain of that hard drive. Even with stopping for gas and bathroom breaks, I was really happy to get here. I checked in and didn't even mention the cats. It turns out that I am in the 'pet' wing anyway -there is a dog show happening and there are some beautiful dogs staying here.
I slept very well and didn't get up until 7:30 which is really a treat since Fluff has been waking me at 5:30 most mornings. I am going to see about some caverns that are close by and not be 'too' strenuous at anything today. Tomorrow I will head to Kennesaw and stay at Sue's house.

Last day in Maine

Today will be my last day in the state of Maine. Yesterday the sun was out all day and I can really understand why this is such a great summer destination. I went to to top of a small mountain (Mt Battie) and then walked out (almost a mile each way) to the Samoset lighthouse along a breakwater which protects the bay from really bad storms.
I did drive down to Freeport (home of LL Bean) on Monday while Fluff was at her 3rd vet getting the stitches (I couldn't get them out since they were so embedded ) out and being looked at (they 'squeezed' her in their day so I had to leave her there) and she got an injection of an anti-inflammatory drug. I spent more on her than on me this day.
My hosts gave me a lobster sandwich with corn on the cob for dinner and I have spent time talking to them. They have suggested I come for a couple of months next year and have the apartment which is available here. It is something I will give some thought to doing although there are other places I want to visit too.
My Fluff's ear is healing but it will never stand up perky again. There is a breed of cat with ears that look like what her left ear is like now (the ears sort of lie down) but she has not seemed bothered by any of her 'ordeal'.
Today is the start of the Lobster Festival and I intend to eat one or two of those delicious crustaceans.
I will pack as much as I can into the van today (after I eat) so I will have less to do in the morning before heading to my next stop which will be an overnight in New Windsor, New York. Then, on Friday, I will head to Salem, VA (by Roanoke) for two nights and end on Sunday in Kennesaw at Sue's house where I will 'rest up' until I go home.
At this point in the trip, I am happy about the vacation even with the veternary visits.

The sun, the sun!

The sun actually came out around noon today and it really is prettier country with sunshine. I can now say that I drank wine at 10 in the morning. My alcohol intake record was vodka at 11 a.m (many years ago) but when you go to a winery, you taste and it happened to be only 10 a.m.!
I enjoyed the winery but only bought a small glass and no wine. I shopped and ate lunch (lobster roll) in Camden, ME (had driven up to Lincolnsville to see where the ferry leaves to go to Islesboro--where my nephew got married) and then stopped at the other store (same winery but not at the vineyard) to taste some more!
I went into Rockland and enjoyed the scenery (harbor, boats) and got some fresh baked bread, cheese, Genoa salami that will be dinner with wine.
I am disappointed about not having lobster here where I am staying but will just have to buy it to get my fill. I can get it at a market and have it steamed if I want to eat it in my room and that could be less expensive than in a restaurant.
I am enjoying this trip even with the weather interference.

arrived in Maine

It was a nice drive through New Hampshire to Maine today even though it was overcast and cloudy. I didn't get rain until just before I got to my destination in Rockport and then it stopped so I could unload the van in a 'dry' situation. I will probably have rain more than sun in the next week but will have fun anyway. Tomorrow my first stop is a massage! Then, I hope to explore Rockland and get information on all there is to do in and out of the weather.
On Saturday, I am planning a winery that isn't too far and in the direction of Camden. That's about as far as I've thought for now.
Fluff has made herself comfortable on the other bed (two queens in this nice room) and Missy is with me on this one. Fluff started out under a bed so this is a whole lot better. The husband and wife who own this place have dogs, cats, birds. Next door is a couple who have a cat with them. My only disappointment is that they really are not doing the 'lobster daily' as was on the website because it has been raining for long enough that they just haven't done it. The husband told me he will get me some though (not tonight) and if I buy any, he will steam it for me too.
I am looking forward to 'sitting still' for a week in one place.

I managed to get up into the White Mountains this morning before the rain started and found that my 'old' body is not in very good shape. I took the tram up to the top of a mountain (about 4000+ ft) and in order to get to the observation tower, there was a narrow trail along the rim of the mountain. Some was uphill and then the tower stairs to the top but it was well worth the huffing and puffing. Then, I went down the the Flume area (all in Franconia Notch State Park) and that little 1.5 mile trail was mostly up! Another beautiful and well worth the hike trips and I just stopped and rested a few times. I talked with some folks from California who were resting almost as much as I was and so I had company on part of the trail (we thought we were on the down part but that was not the case).
When I was leaving was when the rain started so my timing was very good. I went into Plymouth, NH and found the hospital so I could try to get a suture removal kit (Fluff's stitches come out on Sunday). The pharmacy next door did not have any so I went into the hospital itself and the triage nurse gave me (free!) a kit. Then I found a sushi place and had lunch. I have food for dinner so I do not have to go out in the rain today again. The rain is supposed to move out by tomorrow mid-day so I can do some other 'sight seeing'. On Thursday, I am going to my B & B in Maine and will stay there for a whole week.

New York state arrival

We arrived in New York state yesterday after another stop at the vet for some 'probiotics' and a 'hard' collar for Fluff. She doesn't like this collar but it works better and that ear has to be protected for this week's healing to occur. I just wish she wouldn't wake me at 5:30am!
The weather has cooperated on the trip, so far, so I can not complain. Today I will go into Stockbridge to sightsee and visit with my brother/sister in law. Tomorrow I will head to New Hampshire where I hope the weather will continue to be nice so I can really see those mountains.

A memorable day in PA

Fluff had her ear surgery and she is 'home' now with an Elizabethan (soft) collar. I just hope it really keeps her from scratching the area that has a small open area for drainage. She got it off once on the way home from the vet and I had to fix it at a red light stop. She is on an antibiotic and I have a pain med to give her for a couple of days (only one dose every 12 hrs if she needs it). The vet thought she would need the pain med but right now she seems to be OK and, in fact, ate quite a bit when we got home. She is a little wobbly and can't jump up to things (though she was having some trouble with that before this) so I have done a 'step' thing with the carrier and a chair so she can get up on the bed. She is supposed to rest. Her stitches will come out in 10-14 days and we will be in Maine then. I have copies of all her records from today so I can show any other vet we might encounter. I am hoping to get the stitches out myself and not need to see another vet. The vacation expense has risen quite a bit from the original numbers but she is one of my 'babies' so, as any of you animal people know, you just do it when it is necessary.
I did a little sightseeing here and had lunch with my friend Sue and her sister, Nancy. We will not leave until Saturday so I'll see them again tomorrow.

'surgery' for Fluff

This morning I am taking Fluff to a 'Cats Only' veternarian and after talking to the doc on the phone, he is going to do the surgery to fix the bleeder in her left ear (lobe) so we can not worry on the rest of the trip. I will report on the outcome later.
We are in Montgomeryville, PA which is near my friend's house in Perkasie and will be here until Saturday when we will head north again.

Virginia now

Yesterday I did go into Charlotte's 'uptown' area and went to the Discovery Place where the exhibit was on sunken ships and Pirates. It really was quite interesting and there were lots of pieces from the Republic which sank in 1865 during her fourth hurricane encounter.
I was awake at 4am with Fluff crying but I still do not know why since I examined her and even fed her. Her ear is puffy and has fluid in it but not like the other night so I'm watching it and know it will need draining again.
I dozed on and off and then just got up around 6:30a.m. After some breakfast at the hotel, I headed north to Virginia where we are staying only one night before going on to PA tomorrow. I just didn't want to drive any further today. There is a buffet restaurant next door with good food so now I can have some wine and stay in for the night. The temperature is about 78 and that is so nice compared to the higher ones the last few days. The desk clerk said it was 55 here this morning so I may need sleeves tomorrow morning! I actually have turned the A/C off in the room because it was too cold. Didn't use A/C much in the van either on the drive.

Emergency Vet experience

Arrived in Charlotte, NC around 5:30pm and it was still about 95 degrees outside. I got settled into the room and rested. Driving that many hours (about 10 with stops) made my back ache and it needed to be rested. I went out to get some dinner (take out) and then watched the 1st half of the TV movie about the meteor. I was petting my 'kids' as I usually do when we are in a strange place and felt a 'funny' ear on Fluff. When I turned on the lights, I found her ear was swollen with fluid!
I got dressed and got some help from the front desk (cat lovers) and, thank God for GPS systems, we went to an Emergency Vet clinic. I am glad it was a Sunday night when traffic was extremely light and the GPS talks to me (especially on the dark roads). Her ear got drained and he explained it could happen again (broken blood vessel) but in the meantime I will be giving her Prednisone to help stop her itchy/scratching skin problem. By the time we got back to the room, it was almost 2am so I am not in any hurry to get out and do anything this morning. She doesn't seem bothered by any of it.
The weather is cloudy/rainy but that gives me temps in the 80's instead of 90's and that is nice. I will probably go looking for indoor (museums, etc.) places to spend my day.

Unemployed again

The job is over. I gave it 6 1/2 weeks and realized that this 'ideal' job is not the one for me. Not only did I not like the full time situation (lost my 'freedom') but there were several other things about the job tasks themselves that I just could not abide by any longer.
I learned alot about many things including myself and since I am no longer a zoo employee either (although I can volunteer), I am now a 'really' retired person.
I have thought about taking a trip, but with temperatures outside being so hot, I am not in any hurray to go anywhere. It was hard enough just going to the store today. The thermostat in my van that shows outside temps said 96-98 and that is 'stay at home in the A/C' weather.
I have things to do in the house so my time is being used and I am enjoying my minutes.

First week on the job

It has been a week since starting the new job and although there is much to learn for this 'simple' job, I think it is going to be great!
We have had an overview of the systems we will use and some documentation information and will start getting into the details this week. We still are not 'in' the system for us to 'clock in/out' but that should also be happening this week.
It was an interesting week being 'Nurse's Week' in that we got some sort of food treat everyday thanks to the work of the two Team Leads (our first line of managers to report to) and it was really nice to see how employees are treated by this company.

I have 'landed' a new job and it is in nursing (it does require my RN license). I will be using my nursing experience/knowledge along with my computer skills to evaluate the need for specialized radiology tests. It will be 'full time' and after nine years of not working 40 hours a week, it should prove interesting (a little scary) but that it is a 'sitting down' job and should be 'perfect' for me.
I am very excited and looking forward to it (starts May 4th). I expect to learn new things and keep my brain active. Before I start, I will take a short 'road trip' to visit my friends (Sue and Jon) in Georgia.

Seems like forever since I last wrote anything and, I guess, three months is a long time.
I flew to Chicago a couple of weeks ago for my convention of O.R. nurses and surprisingly, there were four of our 'group' there this year. The weather was superb considering we thought it might snow/rain and instead we had sunshine and tolerable temperatures.
That week goes by very quickly between educational sessions and seeing old friends. It really wears me out and when I got home I had my four days of work (at the zoo) to contend with after finding my 'main' computer monitor not working.
When the first day 'off' came, I decided to activate my new cell phone and that turned into a difficult task when I could not download my contacts into it and had to go to the Verizon store not just one day (after 'on the phone' for an hour) but a second day as well. I did, however, take the time to run some errands while I was in that neighborhood including a nice pedicure (been at least 9 months since one of those treats).
Back to work on Friday after 'cleaning' some of the house on Thursday, and am back in the 'work' pattern again. I keep thinking I should get back into nursing and leave this very low paying zoo job, but this one tires me out so how could I really survive a nursing position. I would be willing to try, however, and have resumes out to some folks.
So, that catches me up for now except for mentioning the 'road trip' to Kennesaw at the end of February for a few days. It is nice to have a friend just far enough away that when I visit it seems like a real 'road trip' and helps my wanderlust alot!

Holidays 2008

And Thanksgiving is done and over so onward to the December Holidays.
Thanksgiving was fun with Diana here. Our Cornish Hens (and the traditional 'trimmings') provided just enough food that we wouldn't have too many left overs since we went to St. Augustine the next day for Becky's wedding.
The wedding was beautiful and Becky was a gorgeous bride in a dress she hadn't thought would be 'her style'. We all had a lot of fun and being with 'our gang' of ladies made it all the more special. The sad note here is that grandpa, Don, who was past 91 in years and having a grand time at the wedding, suddenly passed on the Tuesday morning after the event. He was a great guy and will be missed by all.
I will probably be working a bit more at the zoo the last couple of weeks of this year since that is our 'busy, busy' time but that's OK with me.

almost Thanksgiving 2008

My downstairs room is finally finished and looks very bare with no furniture except the lone single bed. Everything else from down there went out in the trash when it was so badly destroyed by flood waters. I have not figured out what I want to use that room for so it will stay 'as is' for the time being. I love my new windows and door and without another '100 year' flood, we should stay dry for a long time.
I am enjoying my job at the zoo which is certainly easier than nursing! It doesn't pay a lot of money but is quite different and talking to the guests and kids is really fun.
I am looking forward to Diana's visit and our trip to St. Augustine to attend the wedding of Sue's youngest (Becky). With the reception being held in the winery, it should be wonderful.
The ceremony is in an old church so it will have a great romantic 'feel' to it all.

Post Tropical Storm Fay

Now that I have had the walls taken out downstairs after my 16" of water (lake overflowed into the downstairs room), I am awaiting the contractor to start remodel/reconstruction and waterproofing! I am thankful that the damage was only to that part of my house and feel quite 'lucky' compared to other folks in our area.
I am replacing the bottom couple of steps with concrete to prevent the seepage that occurs when heavy rain super saturates the dirt under the house. The waterproofing stuff will be applied there and all around the concrete block where seepage could occur. I am replacing the back sliding glass door with windows so there will be concrete on the bottom of those to seal too. The sliding glass door to the patio will become a 'french' type door. When it is all done, I will have the big problem of choosing a color to paint and then figure out what I'm really going to use that room for other than the storage in the closet. The only furniture left downstairs is the single bed which somehow survived the flood.
This project is ending the thoughts of a trip to the north this month so I will have to be content with my new room being my next birthday present to myself. I may, however, go to Georgia for a couple of days to spend the actual 'day' with my friend Sue and her husband.

Short trip to Georgia

I have returned from my short trip to Georgia (traveling with two cats certainly is easier than traveling with five!) and it was fun. I discovered the Augusta Canal -who knew there was a canal there established for the purpose of creating electricity to run mills so that Augusta would not become a ghost town and that the canal almost became a golf course in the 1990's but the people 'saved' it and it is a lovely 'green area' that is still able to allow two mills to produce fabric.
Then I toured the campus in Athens, Georgia - if only I were a young woman off to college, this would be a lovely place to study.
I then headed to Kennesaw to be with my friends and attend a 'wine themed' wedding shower. The wedding (in November) reception will be held in a winery in St. Augustine so doing a wine tasting for the shower was quite appropriate and since I wasn't driving, it was even better.

Santa Fe

Just returned from a great long weekend in Santa Fe where my friend, Diana, lives. The girls who I usually spend time with at our convention (we didn't go this year) joined us so there were five of us just having fun.
Diana took us to wonderful places including Bandolier National Park where we climbed to see the caves that the indians lived in 1000 or more years ago. We also visited the pueblo in Taos that is still occupied.
We ate and drank well and enjoyed each other's company and look forward to our next gathering.

zoo work and other

After my short trip to the west coast of Florida (a surprise 60th birthday party) and the panhandle, I am back to my schedule of 'retirement' with zoo work. In fact, with 'spring break', I have been working alot (this is my paid job there) and I am finding it very good for me as I have learned (still learning) new skills and I am sleeping very well after a day out in the air working (cash register).
Life at home has changed with only two cats making it strange but easier in some ways. Next month I will be leaving them for a few days to join my friends and play in Santa Fe and that will be hard since I haven't left them since last year. I have gotten very used to having Missy sleep next to me every night!

Cat status

As of Wednesday, we are now a two cat family. Shadow was down to just over five pounds and when she started having symptoms we couldn't fix, it was time for her to go over the Rainbow Bridge. It was not an easy thing for me after having her company for almost 18 years, but I know it was the best thing for her. Very strange for me having only two now.
Missy and Fluff seem to 'know' that something is radically different and are staying pretty close. We are going on a short trip to both the west coast of Florida and then up to visit in Crestview.

December already!

Wow, it is already December and the year will be new in only three weeks!
This morning my friend's daughter became a mom for the second time (I knew within an hour of the birth) and so there are now two little girls for her to 'grandmother' alot. The only problem she has is that they are five hours away from her so it takes a little planning to get there but she is on her way right now to see this newest addition.
I am 'branching out' by adding a 'fun' job to my life. I am becoming an employee at the zoo (and some volunteering time too) and so my time on Sunday's there now is more of a committment than it was before but I'll be learning a new skill (for very little pay) as a cashier and that will be something different than the nursing profession!
I am not sending Holiday cards this year so I am wishing you all a happy season and a Great NEW YEAR!

Almost Thanksgiving

I can't believe that it is almost Thanksgiving and last time I wrote was June!
I spent most of the summer at home and had more work done on the house (replaced the A/C duct system). Then, after I recovered from a bad fall (incurred physical injury as well as a concussion), I took a short trip to Georgia (visited my friend Sue) and Tennessee (saw the sights in the Chattanooga area) with my three 'old' ladies in tow. They did very well, I got sick and came home a little sooner than I had planned.
I seem to be OK now and life goes on. I am enjoying 'autumn' (finally) in Florida and being able to wear sweaters/sweatshirts. Hopefully this weather will last a couple of months.

Nine months of time

Seems I've been away from this blog for about nine months, and , no, I did not have a baby in this time frame. I have been busy with 'things' and 'stuff' and the time just flies by when you don't even notice it.
I have taken only one small trip and that was for my convention which was only in Orlando so a short drive away but a great week with my friends and professional colleagues.
Upon my return, however, I found a very sick Goldie (my youngest cat) and in four weeks time, I was forced to send him to the Rainbow Bridge. And, then, on top of that, Whiskers (next youngest) also had to go join him within six days. It was not a happy time and I am still recovering as are the remaining three 'old' ladies.
It is interesting that it took at least 5-6 weeks for the three girls to find new habits (new sleeping places, eating habits) and I know that is the result of suddenly not having the other two 'kids' in the house.
I am busy with some work at the hospital, zoo volunteering, being Treasurer of my Homeowner's Association and now I am also the President Elect for my professional organization's local chapter. I guess my committments mean I won't be taking long trips for a couple of years.
We got a new roof this year so hopefully there will be no hurricanes to blow it away. I think those are the 'highlights' of the last nine months and I will try to write more often.

My couple of days in Atlanta were nicely filled with the Aquarium and Stone Mountain as well as some personal care (haircut, manicure/pedicure) and eating in restaurants we don't have in Melbourne.
I chose to use the MARTA system (train) to get downtown Atlanta and it's good that I did since it was on a 'football' Sunday and traffic was unbelievable as well as the parking fees!
Their Aquarium is not exactly what I expected (was thinking more outdoor viewing) but well worth going to visit anyway.
Stone Mountain was a place I had never gotten to even though I had been to Atlanta several times in the past. It is a beautiful park and I enjoyed a 'Duck' ride (big bus that goes into the water and is a boat) as well as the aerial tram up to the top where I walked on top of the granite mountain itself.
Today I am home 'recovering' and I expect that will take several days. I have things to put away, mail (oh, my god, do I have mail) to go through, house to take care of (a month without cleaning will require much time to 'catch up'), and a body to get back to 'normal'. I hardly know what day it is yet.
So, for those who have been following my journey, it is over for now.

Atlanta arrival

After a lovely day at the Biltmore Estate yesterday, we arrived in Atlanta today. The sun is shining and it is definitely the south type of weather.
I am looking forward to the Aquarium tomorrow. The room we are in is very nice with a refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot and a king sized bed that my 'kits' can not get under. This morning was not fun getting Goldie out from under the middle of the bed (fortunately not a king sized) and took longer for us to get going but it's a short trip compared with others we've done and the arrival today was actually before 2pm.

From Niagara to Charleston, WV

On Friday, in Niagara Falls, I did the American side that is mostly in the State Park. I took tons of pictures, did the Maid of the Mist, ate lunch overlooking the Horseshoe (Canadian) Falls, did the Cave of the Winds, although there is no longer a cave there (room caved in) and it is mostly just a wet time at the bottom of Bridal Veil Falls. I went to their Discovery Center that is about the geological information of the area and even went into the aquarium (very small). The trolley that goes around the park is the best because it really shows off our Park and the drivers give information as you go.
On Saturday, the weather wasn't so great but Diana (my friend from Santa Fe) who was in Buffalo came and spent the day with me. We walked over the Rainbow Bridge and did the Maid of the Mist on the Canadian side. The views of all the falls from that side are more spectacular for sure! We had lunch by the Canadian Falls and by the time we walked back over the bridge had time to just glance into the Park. As we headed to the hotel, the rain started.
Sunday was my travel day to Cleveland and my 'rest' day (got a massage and replaced my cell phone that finally died after I dropped it once too many times).
Tuesday was travel to Charleston, WV and weather certainly did not shine on me for these couple of days. I went to their Discovery Museum and Planetarium and was unable to do much outdoor stuff.
Tomorrow it is off to Asheville, NC and the Biltmore estate.

Niagara Falls

I am now in Niagara Falls and after settling into the room, I took a helicopter ride over the falls! It is spectacular and awe inspiring.
My day in Schenectady, NY was a 'rest' day for me since there really isn't that much to do there. I drove around their historic area but that didn't take very long and even though it didn't rain, it wasn't the greatest day.
Today I had clouds and sunshine for the drive here and then just sunshine and it is predicted that the weather will be beautiful for the next few days. I am busy planning which activities I really want to do and I know that the Maid of the Mist and the Cave of the Winds are on the top of the list.

About to leave Portland, Maine

I am about to leave Portland, Maine after being here for four nights. I did the sightseeing I wanted to do which included a trolley and boat tour (really beautiful scenery) went to LLBean and the multitude of outlet shops in Freeport, and even did some indoor mall stuff. I really only needed two full days here, but having three was OK too.
I am hoping to get the van loaded before the rain starts but anticipate driving all day in the rain to Burlington, VT and probably won't get out of rain until Tuesday when I head out again. I can't really complain about the weather since I've missed the really bad stuff and am grateful that I decided to leave a week earlier than originally planned. Had I left when I thought, I would have been right in the middle of the heavy rain and flooded areas of North Carolina and Virginia.
As usual, my cats know this is a 'different' morning but there aren't too many places they can hide so getting them loaded in the carriers shouldn't be too hard.

sunshine in Portland

My weekend was rainy but on Saturday I got to Deptford, New Jersey without a problem. The cats, of course, love the Towneplace Suites with it's kitchen cabinets to play with and room to 'hang out'. I spent part of the time with my niece (in law), her parents, great nieces and nephew and it is always great to see them.
On Monday, I headed to New London Connecticut. It was cloudy but didn't rain until I got there. It was a smaller room but worked OK for the two nights we were there. I did get to visit the Mystic Seaport on Tuesday morning because the rain held off until about 11:30am.
Yesterday (Wed.), we headed north and because I got off the interstate for a bit, it took longer to get here (Portland, Maine) but -NO RAIN!
It is not supposed to rain until Saturday so I will try to get the outdoor sightseeing mostly done today and tomorrow. I am heading to the waterfront and intend to finally get my seafood, outside on the water.

Virginia

I arrived in Chesapeake ,Virginia and even without printed directions (I did stop once to ask but I was only around the corner from the hotel at that point) I managed to find this Towneplace Suites. The cats are loving the fact that they can get under the bed and I will not be so happy about that tomorrow morning when I have get them into carriers -there is not enough space under the bed for me to even crawl so it will be a challenge.
My plan for today is to head over to the beach area where there is an Aquarium and I can get some fresh seafood for lunch. It is supposed to be a very hot day so I'm thinking the Aquarium might be a good place to stay cool.
Tomorrow we'll head up to New Jersey where I will get to see my grand nieces/nephew and niece in law.

Day 3

I have arrived in stormy Wilmington, NC after a lovely couple of days in Charleston, SC. On Monday, Sue came and spent the day (slept over) sightseeing with me. We did a carriage ride and some walking but the heat was really bad and we needed to go back to the hotel to rest before we could go out for dinner back in the historic area of Charleston. We certainly can't complain about our eating for the day what with lunch in an Irish Pub and dinner at a place that gave us so much food I didn't eat it all and there was no thinking of dessert.
I am lucky that I had some rotisserie chicken and cole slaw left over (from my dinner Sunday nite) so that I could eat tonight because the rain is so bad that the streets flooded and I was not about to get back in the van. My alternative would have been the Outback Steakhouse that is right across this parking lot. I am hoping that it will be clear enough tomorrow for me to do some sightseeing in Wilmington that also has a great historic area downtown and I'm not that far away. Apparently they have a free shuttle that you can use to go around the area once you have parked your vehicle and I will do that unless the weather is really good and I can do a tour (carriage or trolley).
My cats are doing very well and I'm attributing that to them being older. They had a really good time in Charleston where we had a separate bedroom and full kitchen so there were lots of cabinets that they could 'bang' doors and get into and they chose to do alot of it during the night! In order to leave today, I retrieved a few of them from inside cabinets and drawers but they are doing well while in the cage in the van.

2006 trip start

I am finally about to leave on my 2006 road trip. I have packed most everything (much easier to pack for the cats than me) and today will put it all in the van. The sky is cloudy so it is a slight bit cooler and that's a good thing.
My first stop is Charleston, S.C. (tomorrow) and Sue will join me on Monday morning for sightseeing. Tuesday I'll be heading for Wilmington, N.C.
The laptop is ready for the journey so there will be entries along the way.

New thoughts

I am now thinking I might drive north this summer instead of west. If the weather doesn't get better up north soon, I might not go anywhere. Even the midwest is having strange weather patterns. It is really too soon to make any committment but I have gotten all the new AAA books and new maps. I'm thinking I might just go stay in one place for a few weeks (doing day trips) and then move to another for a few more weeks. With gas prices so high compared to last year, it might be wiser to do it in a better way this time. I'm also waiting to see how my cats health holds up since as they get older, I'm not sure I can do the travel with them as easily.
In the meantime, I enjoyed my weekend in the L.A. area when I went to my nephew's wedding. It was good to be with some family again and I had fun.
I am off to South Carolina to visit with my friend Sue (Karen and Lynne are coming too) and that will be fun too.

planning for next trip

I am starting to think about my next 'long' trip across the country to see things I didn't get to on the last trip and get to my nephew's wedding in California. I have already started a list of cities to go to/through and get to the destinations I want to stay in for more than one night.
I am thinking I will be able to go across the lower part of the country this time (no hurricanes) and get to San Antonio first. Then I'll head north and west so I can get to Salt Lake City and then Seattle, Portland and down into California. I'd like to see those redwood forests and Yosemite. In the spring, it is said the falls in Yosemite are fantastic since the snow is melting from winter.
Will keep you posted on the latest as it happens.

the 'rest of the trip'

From Albuquerque, I drove to Shamrock, Texas
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (saw the Memorial there)
Little Rock, Arkansas (met evacuees there)
Lawrenceburg, Tennessee
I got ambitious from there and figured distance and time wrong so I drove 14 hours to get home on Tuesday night (in the rain and dark when I got to Daytona).
I am still recovering although I have put most everything away now. I have a dirty house to clean and magazines to go through (I did the mail).
It was worthwhile, although very tiring, trip around our country and I am glad I did it.

7660.20 miles covered

ACTUAL Trip August 28-Sept.27, 2005

Bainbridge, Georgia Shamrock, Texas
Tupelo, Mississippi Oklahoma City, OK
Springfield, Missouri Little Rock, Arkansas
Council Bluffs, Iowa Lawrenceburg, TN
Keystone, South Dakota
Mitchell, South Dakota
Sheridan, Wyoming
Gardiner, Montana
Pocatello, Idaho
Ontario, Oregon
Cascade Locks, Oregon
Klamouth Falls, Oregon
Reno, Nevada
Ely, Nevada
Cedar City, Utah
Tusayan, Arizona
Sedona, Arizona
Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque

Due to Hurricane Rita, I will be skipping San Antonio and heading east from here tomorrow. Being on I-40 should keep me from getting any really bad stuff although I'm sure I will not avoid rain completely.
I have had a fantastic trip! From Yellowstone to the Columbia River Gorge to Crater Lake and Reno (won $25- for a non-gambler that's good) and then the Grand Canyon and Sedona (my favorite place). I've seen some beautiful country and it is nice to know we have some great National Forest areas that are protected and will be around for a while without development or 'progress' changing them.

Six days on the road

I arrived in Keystone, South Dakota today after leaving Mitchell, SD this morning and since I gained an hour, it was too early to get into my room. I had some lunch and drove up to Mt Rushmore to see how far it is and it is only two miles. I finally got into the room at about 1:30pm and got the cats settled. It is the smallest room I've had but still has a refrigerator, microwave, queen bed (they can get under it), a small table with two chairs and a built in type of dresser. I have to use dial-up for internet but, at least, it works where I couldn't get connected two days ago in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
I will be here for two days and am looking forward to seeing Crazy Horse and the Presidents on their respective mountains tomorrow. The weather is perfect so I can't complain and the stores are all having end of summer sales that are really good. I will buy things tomorrow now that I have browsed the Keystone stores and am pretty sure of what I want to buy that I can use and will be souvenir's too.

Bainbridge, Georgia

Here we are at our first stop of the long road trip. It was not a difficult drive at all . I was going up I-95 but when I got around Daytona it started pouring, so I cut off on FL 40 and headed west to Ocala where I picked up I-75 to I-10 and then from Tallahassee north to here. This town is about 20 miles north of the Florida state border.
The room is nice and the bed has those wood sides on the bottom which will make the loading (pet) easier since they can't get under the bed. Goldie is the hardest and since this is a king bed, I am glad I won't have to struggle as much in the morning.
I am pretty sure that I am ahead of Hurricane Katrina and even if I get some rain in the next couple of days, it won't be a hurricane for me.

Home from Santa Fe

I got home from Santa Fe on Tuesday night and it really was a smooth trip even though flying out of Houston is not great since it takes a minimum of 30 minutes from the gate to take-off.
Anyway, the time spent out there was fun and it really is pretty and dry (weather wise).
My new fireplace will not be installed until October. They couldn't get here today but were going to come tomorrow so that it could get done before I leave for my 'road trip'. With a storm (about to be Hurricane) Katrina heading into Florida and predictions of heavy rain and some wind here too, the fireplace installation is now scheduled for October. I could just envision the mud and dirt if they could even try tomorrow but I was told they probably wouldn't be able to do it in that type of weather anyway. So I will leave town for my next trip and do it when I get back.

Santa Fe

Here I am in Santa Fe enjoying my visit with my friend Diana. We walked over every inch of the Indian Market yesterday -a very huge art show of Native American goodies and my poor body knew it last night. I slept very well.
Prices are a little too high for my pocketbook, but some of the work was magnificent.

Santa Fe

Well I'm off to Santa Fe this afternoon but this time it will be in an airplane without the animals. I am going to spend a few days with my friend, Diana, at her 'new' house where she hasn't spent much time due to her job that kept her more in California and didn't give her much time to empty boxes and put the house together. She hasn't had a chance to explore in the town and so we are looking forward to fun exploration of Santa Fe and I'm anticipating the beauty of the scenery. She tells me that she is happy there and that makes me happy!
My beautiful Silver Fluff (mostly Maine Coon) developed an infection over the past weekend and although she responded to antibiotics, I did take her to see the vet who pulled a few teeth yesterday (not even the cause of the problem) that were rotten. She is eating again after a couple of days of not being interested, so that's a good thing and will get her antibiotic until I get home. With very few teeth in her mouth, it is not difficult to give her a pill and Donna (my great friend/neighbor) will take good care of her.
When I get back from Santa Fe, I will be getting a new (replacement) fireplace and then I can get ready to get 'on the road' again. My plan for the trip is almost finalized- I had to leave a few things off to balance out the cost of the this fireplace thing- and the weather in the direction I'm going is already cooler so I will have to pack the right clothing for all kinds of weather.
Until next time--from another location--

Hot summer

Only another week left in July and I'm wishing for cooler weather to start now!
I've been out in the zoo in the afternoons when it is so hot I can't believe how there are visitors at all but I guess when you are sightseeing (we do get lots of tourists in Melbourne, Fl), you do all you can even if it's hot.
I'll be flying out to visit Diana in Santa in only a little more than three weeks and I'm looking forward to that trip. Even though it is hot there too, Diana says that because the humidity is low, it just doesn't feel that bad and she has even left her windows open several nights (it does cool off there at night).
Then, when I get back from Santa Fe, I'll get the van packed and will be off on my next road adventure. I fully expect to be gone a minimum of six weeks and I intend to see as many National Parks and beautiful country as I am able.

Hot, Hot, Hot

It's been a hot time in Florida and it's only the beginning of this summer! When it's not raining, it's so hot and humid that it is hard to spend much time outdoors.
I did, however, get my first kayak 'training session' at the zoo. It will take many more hours to learn all the information I need to be able to 'lead' the tour. I will go and 'shadow' (be a second, bring up the rear, person) on tours being given and listen/learn from the guides who have been doing it for a while. This weekend, I am going for the 'animal handling' class. And, then there are several other classes that I'll be doing over the next few weeks like learning the aviary (and bat) information as well as the giraffe information too.
Otherwise, life goes on and I am planning my trips. I'll be flying to Albuquerque in August to visit with my friend, Diana, in Santa Fe, and then when I get back, it will be time to get back on the road with the animals for my 'long' trip north/northwest.