A week to go...

    I am here in Georgia at my second campground after spending a few days in my friend's driveway. I am not thrilled with summer still hanging around and the need to run my a/c but I have been able to sleep at night with just the vent/fan and that's better than a/c.

             I went to Callaway Gardens and after some walking, I watched the Birds of prey 'show' which was two birds showing their free flights and the 'keeper' explaining all about them. The owl was swooping very low and I had to duck a few times to avoid getting hit.

The flowers in the Horticultural Center were really pretty and this photo is just outside the building!

   The butterfly exhibit was showing only Blue Morphs and they are difficult to photograph with the blue wings in open position. I got more photos of various butterflies when I was on Mackinaw Island in the butterfly exhibit there (photo above shows the blue ones on the window).
     Tomorrow I will go to Alabama and then head back east to Brunswick, GA. On Thursday, next week, I will be going to Ft. Clinch (Fernandina Beach, FL) for a rally with the Roadtrek chapter and that will be my last campground before going home. It will be fun to spend my birthday with my Roadtrek friends.
 

The time is going.......

  I can't believe that my journey is only a couple of weeks from home. I have been 'wandering' around in North Carolina and am now in South Carolina where I will be until Sunday when I will visit with my friends in Kennesaw, GA. While in N.C., I spent a night at my friend's house  in Hickory and it is always good to visit friends. I discovered that my surge protector works correctly since I tripped the breaker in the house when I tried to turn on my a/c. After re-setting the breaker, I tried all my appliances while on generator and everything was just fine. It was cool enough at night to use their electric to run the refrigerator although I did have my propane turned 'on' for 'just in case'.
   I have discovered the reason for my 'sweating' freezer too and it is now 'fixed' because I had a container that was preventing the door from really being closed properly and now that I have changed that situation, my freezer no longer 'sweats' and all is good. 
    The things I have learned on this trip will serve me well for my future travels. I have more 'stuff' than I could ever need and when I get home cleaning out (house and Roadtrek) stuff is at the top of my priorities.
  

Kentucky, Tennessee

I am at my last campground in Tennessee. I am almost out of wine so I need a Walmart that sells wine and in Tennessee that isn't happening (I have a brand I like that only Walmart sells) so tomorrow I will head to North Carolina and have already put a Walmart Supercenter in the GPS!

   I have done some time in Kentucky and then Tennessee. The entrance into Mammoth Cave is only the start of a long, dry cave but fascinating. It was a lot of 'hiking' in the cave and then 'up' to get out of it.

I spent that night in a nice little place where I met a couple who live in Brisbane, Australia. They bought a used class C and are driving it to California where it will take a boat ride home to Australia.

Then I spent a couple of nights in a Corps. of Engineers campground that was on Lake Barkley, in Kentucky. It is a beautiful park.
     After that I headed to the Nashville area and stayed in a campground where they have country music on Thursday nights (the night I arrived) and dinner is available for purchase too. 
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                                                      I did tours the next two days (one in downtown Nashville and then the next day (all day) to the Jack Daniels and G. Dickel distilleries

 Notice that Jack was quite still during this photo op.
      After four nights there, I moved on to a place near Knoxville and then headed here to Bluff City, TN. As mentioned, I will head to North Carolina tomorrow - still not sure where from there.

September...already!

I can't believe it is already September! In the last week I have done more 'eastward' travel and arrived in Kentucky after some Wisconsin and Indiana. 

 This is Taliesin, the house built and lived in by Frank Lloyd Wright in Wisconsin. The interior designs and landscapes from this house are wonderful and a studio and school for selected  students of architecture exists to keep his ideas going.
   From this place, I drove many back roads and saw lots of corn being grown. I also found some Amish folks riding in their wagons including one who was in front of me and took a while before realizing that if he stopped, I could pass. I was in no hurry so I didn't mind the time frame at all.

I

I went on from there into Indiana and then Kentucky where I got to see the Mammoth Cave for a couple of 'hiking' hours. It is really quite interesting as a dry cave which goes on and on and on for many miles. The stories told by the Ranger were quite good about who started exploring this place.
    I spent that night in a small campground and met a lovely couple who live in Australia. They bought a used Class C and are driving it to California to be shipped home!

    I am spending a couple of 'relax' days in a Corps of Engineers campground that is lovely on Lake Barkley. There are only about 6 rigs in this whole place but a couple who just arrived told me it will be full for this weekend. I'll be heading to Nashville tomorrow.

Illinois now

It is getting hard to remember what I have written and what I have never gotten around to since the days 'on the road' blend together. I have done many 'one nights' and that does not make it any easier to remember the day I did which activity. I did get to Taliesin (Frank Lloyd Wright's house) in Wisconsin and also got to meet a couple of other Roadtrek folks who live in Hawaii but travel in the summer here.
    I, also, now have a semi-messed up computer which may not get totally fixed until I get home (October) so I will work with what I have and hope I do not miss anything (especially bills to be paid). 
   I am in a campground for two nights (need to rest sometimes) and will head out tomorrow.

To Wyoming

I have been driving daily but with some sights along the way such as Yellowstone National Park and their Grand Canyon.
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    The beauty is hard to capture in a photo from my small camera but you must believe me that this is a great place to see.
   I went on from there to Cody where I spent a night and then on to Sundance where I went to see the Devils Tower National Monument  (picture above) and the Vore Buffalo Jump (a large sinkhole where the Plains indians rounded up buffalo so they would fall to their deaths and provide food).

Here's one guy all by himself, resting.

       ---Today I am in Custer, South Dakota and will probably stay here a few days. Daily driving gets very tiring and in this campground, they do a barbeque on Friday night. The host here already plied me with wine on my arrival and I am one block from town so I can do some walking.

Oregon to Idaho

Hard to believe that I was not going to be traveling this summer and look how far I've gone! From Washington down to the Oregon coast.
   Then I headed inland to the big rally (Family Motor Coach Association/Roadtrek International) in Redmond. It was quite a surprise to discover that I would be 'boon docking' (no electric/water hook up) for the first time but doing it with about 70 other trek folks meant I had good support to learn this new type of camping.

     There were 2000 motorhomes at this rally with the 70 of us little ones. We were parked in an area up on a small hill overlooking the Expo/Fairgrounds but it was a hike to a real bathroom/shower. In fact, the shower was (as my next door neighbor called it) a 'gang' shower. There was no privacy whatever so, needless to say, with the hike and that factor I did more washcloth bathing than real showers. I prefer campgrounds where there is a hook up for electricity and water and will not boon dock unless I need to but now I am comfortable with it.
   My RT is second from the right the ones on either side of me are owned by 'solo' ladies. One is from Arizona and the other from Canada. The one from Arizona is the first where the 'fence' is because she had one of her dogs with her. There were, in fact, many dogs and a few cats too. I left on Saturday instead of Sunday in order to avoid the mass exodus.

    I spent last night in Fruitland, Idaho (further than I intended to drive) and tonight I am still in Idaho but (again further than planned) in Idaho Falls where I arrived after stopping in Craters of the Moon National Monument. This national place is miles of old lava that arrived when the 'hot spots' erupted (current hot spot is under Yellowstone).
   Tomorrow I will drive to Yellowstone National Park and if I can get into one of their campgrounds, will spend a night or two right in the park.

Washington

I am amazed at how many miles I drive but have learned that I am happy when I am behind that wheel so sometimes I drive further than what I have planned. This trip has been very 'loosey, goosey' anyway so I guess that is OK.

   Driving through Mt. Rainier National Park was magnificent. I was very impressed with the beauty of it all and how nature has provided this for us to enjoy.
  

Hiking in Glacier

Second day in Glacier found me hiking..this is St. Mary Falls and the photo does not do it justice.

To get across another creek formed by another waterfall, I had to walk over this two board (one railing) bridge. Was fortunate to have a hiking companion who I met as we got off the shuttle bus which dropped us at the trail head. It was a glorious day although I hurt the next day (hot shower helped).
   Today I am in Soap Lake, Washington which is a lake that has minerals in it which are supposed to 'heal' the body aches and pains and when the temperature rises a bit later, I will attempt it.
   Tomorrow I am heading to Mt. Rainier and hope to camp in the National Park.

Glacier

I am in a campground directly across from Glacier National Park and the scenery is amazing! Yesterday I did the Red Bus tour on the Going to the Sun road and am glad the driver was at that wheel and not me! I got to take great photos and learn about the park while not having to watch the twisty, not always smooth, road. There is construction going on to repair the parts of the road that are really bad and that means 'flag' men who stop traffic and make it a one way road in several areas. The trip started in St. Mary (we were picked up at the campground) and ends at the Lake McDonald Lodge almost the end of the road on the west side of the park. After lunch in the lodge, we returned and got to take more photos. I started out in a jacket and ended up not needing sleeves at all!

at the campsite

glacier made valley

Logan Pass view

scenery

Have many more photos -these are samples. I am planning to return to the Park today (walking, using shuttle inside the Park) once the clouds blow away. I was told of a nice waterfall that I can hike to (not too far)  which feeds the St. Mary Lake and that is the view I have from my campsite location.

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.