Jersey Days

Can’t believe its been so long since we posted, We have been kept really busy here in Farmingdale NJ at my Son Tim’s Ranch. He and Bonnie are the proud owners of a small horse ranch they named it the Circle W Ranch . We have been to several dinners and babysat for the two youngest Granddaughters. Had a day at the Beach at Point Pleasant which is only a 15 minutes away from Tim’s. Had the pleasure of attending a horse rally and watched Meghen compete in Barrel racing on her horse Dude,Dude is a big guy, she was the youngest in her class, and had the biggest horse.

                                          Point Pleasant Beach.  

                                   Point Pleasant Beach.

                                       Point Pleasant Beach.

                               Bonnie & Meghan.

                                        Bonnie & Meghan

                                                      Meghan.

                                                    Meghan.

                                 Meghan and Dude at home.

                                        Pizza Night.

                                              Sam & Meghan.

Sam & Tim fixing the pilot light on the RV range.

                     Our Oldest Granddaughter Allie,with Rigg’s & Sam.

We Have spent two and half weeks here and it has been great, I am so proud of the parenting Tim & Bonnie and Tim are doing with the Grand girls both of them are such hard workers, Bonnie even helped with putting the jacks down and setting the trailer  up while my back was out, two trips to the local Chiropractor and I am now well on the road to recovery. We have decided to stay one more night and then leave tomorrow and head for Scranton , with a stop for the night in Jim Thorpe PA. It’s only a three hour drive to Scranton, but we are in no hurry and would like to camp in the Pa Mountains.

We will sure miss our NJ family but I think Bonnie and the girls are excited about a,visit to The Weeb Ranch in Dardenne Prairie. Now we will visit hometown relatives and friends in Scranton before heading into the Catskill’s and then Niagara Falls and Canada.

That’s about it for today, Everyone be safe, Sam & Donna.

Bonnie’s Birthday

Ran some errands  yesterday,one was to the Miracle Ear store. Sam’s hearing aids are less than a month old and one stopped working…turns out there is this tiny little filter that had clogged and needed replacement.  Great service, we were in and out and they gave us extra filters if it happens again.

The granddaughters and a friend came out to rig to meet Riggs. He sat patiently (begging) as they ate their ice cream

then it was petting time! lots of kisses and giggles

Then Riggs found a ball and game on. Katie the older girl learned the trick…you tell Riggs drop it and ignore him and he will give you ball….younger one Meghan kept trying to pull it from him…well heck that’s tug and tug her he did and shook her….she thought it was the funniest thing ever.

Back at the house Meghan showed us her 1st place ribbon and her Championship belt buckle,it weighs almost as much as she does Dinner last night with Bonnie, Tim, her parents Rick and Becky, her brother Eric and sil Michelle. and their friend Rich.  Went to a place called The Little Taste of Cuba. Food was fabulous…we had everything from octopus, to fungo. I had grilled pork chops that were out of this world.

 

This is fungo…plantains and pork. Would you look at the size of that.

There was a band playing across the street in front of the Town Hall and the girls went outside to listen. This is a great little downtown area, just bustling with life. Reminds me a lot of Old Town St Charles.

Great food, great time, great people

Everyone safe travels and be well

CIRCLE W RANCH,FARMINGDALE,NJ

We stayed in Hershey until Monday morning, chatted with Phyllis and Len and then headed out to NJ. Hopefully down the road we will meet up with them again, they are just great people.

Thousand Trails campground, Hershey Pa

Delaware River Bridge….Sam wanted pic ? Its just a bridge!

Bonnie was standing at edge of road to direct us into their place, Circle W ranch. They have 5 acres with 2 horses. Tim is working very hard to clear some of the woods to build bigger paddock for more horses.

This is first time we have met Bonnie and she is the best. When she saw Sam having problems because of his back she pitched right in to get camper set up.

Sam hadn't had pizza in two days and I think he was starting to get the shakes, so when Tim came home from work pizza was ordered.

Pizza and a beer and I got a happy man.

We sat and talked a long time catching up. It’s been a long time since we have seen Tim.

Sam with Lugar. Lugar is a hunting dog and so very well trained, but of course he is also a spoiled house dog.  Like Sadie you can’t stop petting, once you do his nose is under you hand flopping it around, or a paw gently tapping your arm like “hey remember me…don't stop”

Sam finally agreed to go to a chiropractor, had gotten to point of not only excruciating pain but he could hardly make it up steps of Chappy. He’s never been before so he was leery. But he went and is feeling better. Dr said he had popped a joint out on his right side of back. We are going back Friday for a follow-up. He was told not to sit around too much, he needs to get up and move because that is less pressure on the spine that just sitting. I was going to take a picture but thought he wouldn't appreciate a pic of him on the table, butt in the air and shirt pulled up. Now what’s really ridiculous when I made the appointment the gal called me back and said Medicare had no record of Sam,told her guess the supplemental policy has to go thru medicare.  Well I called them, turns out when we are traveling they will only cover emergency room or urgent care facilities, not individual doctors etc.  Talk about waste….what would be cheaper…doctor office or emergency room???  Will have to rethink supplemental policy.

Last night Bonnie put on a feast for us, Tim had smoked a pork butt for 18 hours and she had fresh tuna a friend had caught. Also homemade coleslaw, rice, beans, and salad.

Here’s Allie meeting Riggs for first time.

We hadn’t yet met their other dog Reinna as they said she’s too much of a wild child. Well they let her out and in comparison to Charlie she’s almost comatose. Again like Lugar she is a sweet heart.  She’s the one out cold on Allie’s lap.

Riggs has been good except of course for getting tangled up…Mom I’m stuck!

How such a big dog can get over under and around is beyond me.

We haven’t introduced the dogs yet as Lugar is not neutered and they aren’t sure how he will be around another dog.  He is fine in the field but that is with other hunting dogs and they are all working.  Riggs is a home body and likes his camper so hasn't been a problem.

Today is Bonnie’s birthday we are all going out to a cuban restaurant for dinner.  We will be able to meet her parents and brother.

For now happy trails and be safe out there.

HARRISBURG TO HERSHEY

Yesterday was a short travel day, so the morning was a slower pace. Sam’s back was a little better after resting for the day and half. He went outside to start the hook up preps.  He was gone about 15 minutes, when he came in Riggs acted like he had been gone forever.  His separation anxiety is bad.  He jumped up on Sam almost knocking him down. Sam sat down in chair and Riggs pinned him in.

Sam must have twisted when Riggs jumped because his back started spasming again and he was in pain.

Hooked up and headed on down the road to Thousand Trails campground to meet up with Phyllis and Len. We are just one site over from them, nice big pull thru. Got all situated and they wanted us to go out to lunch/dinner with them. We piled in Lens truck and headed to Phyllis’ daughter Terrys’ house, its only a few miles from here, but on this back country roads seems so much further than an interstate drive. Terry bought and old grist mill that had been renovated. It is a beautiful house. Stream runs right under the house and then curves back and away.  In the living room is the old ‘well’ structure where you can look down and see the stream and the impression where the grinder wheel had been located. Plexiglas has been installed about 3 feet from top of well rim. Really a great house and she has it decorated beautifully.

Len and Phyllis in Terrys’ sunroom.

Terry and her sons girlfriend and Cane the dog. Len said its short for Hurricane.  Don’t see how, she is very calm and such a sweetie.  She is a rescue that was at a kill shelter in Alabama with only 1 day left.  Terrys husband saw her online and told Terry how can you refuse a face like that…well she couldn’t so they called and made arrangement for her to be brought to New Jersey.  She a collie great Pyrenees mix.

We wound up going to Haag’s Hotel and Restaurant where they serve family style Pennsylvania Dutch food. You pick 3 meats from a list of 7, we got roast beef, grilled chicken and sausage.  Everything is served in bowls and refilled as needed.  Appetizer was tapioca, slaw, applesauce, cottage cheese, rolls and butter or apple butter. I not much a fan of applesauce but this was all homemade with big chunks of apples and was delicious, same with the tapioca best I’ve ever had. Then the sides and meat. Sides were mashed potatoes, green beans, red beets, corn niblets, dry corn, chicken gravy, and beef gravy.  Think I remembered all of them.  Food was great and conversation flowed.  Good time.

Back to campground and said our good nights.

DIDN’T GET LOST ONCE

Nope not once did we get lost yesterday, but then we really weren’t traveling either. By the way, I hope anyone reading blog when I do it, I hope you understand that blogs like yesterday are suppose to be humorous. I have a very tongue in cheek humor and hope no one thought I was being mean, or whiney…p.s. I don’t whine, might bitch a lot but don’t whine. Nuff said.

Sam has been longing to get to a pool. For months planning this trip his first priority in campgrounds…POOL. Poor guy until now water has been to cold. So yesterday, armed with his towel,his tube and cooler off to the pool.

While he was in pool I decided to drive around and see what there was to see. Harrisburg is the capitol. Took a few random photos from the truck. Would have liked to have gotten out and walked around a bit, but temperature was 94 and the air quality was poor. News said if respiratory problems stay indoors. Knew it wouldn’t be good for me to even attempt. Could see headlines “Dumb ass Missouri woman collapses decides to walk around despite warnings”.

Nice pedestrian walkway over Susquehanna River

Capitol  building, would you look at those stairs. Rocky Balboa this one is for you.

  Just a pretty church

Downtown.

Typical downtown area. Vendors blocking lanes making deliveries. Lanes very narrow, lots of traffic. Pedestrians crossing in middle of street running right in front of you hoping to scare the tourist. Not me I drove in St Louis too many years to worry about that.

Back to campground. I did wave at Chappy on my way back as I could see her from highway. 

Started to rain so Sam had to cut pool time short. He said while he was in water has back felt better. Poor guy is really having a time with his back…but typical male, will he go to a doctor or chiropractor of course not.

We got neighbors yesterday evening. Of course Riggs has to bark when he hears people. I always wait until late to put him out at night , that way no one walking around or kids playing that he can bark at. Put his rope on him at ten and we went outside. He barked and charged. Neighbors were standing in front of the unit talking to a guest. I yelled he’s friendly and fortunately rope stopped him about a foot from them.  They laughed and said Hey Big Boy what's wrong, stuck out their hand and then started petting him. Of course they told him you really are a big dog.  Whew, all I had to apologize for was not seeing them and letting him charge like that, not that I had caused someone a heart attack.

Today we travel to Hershey to hook up with Phyllis and Len of “My highways in my own mind” blog. They are full timers and we have met them a couple times before. Great people.  He’s from Louisiana and she’s from New Jersey…apparently opposites do attract as they are so good together.

Well everyone have a great day and safe travels. 

NAVIGATOR OR PILOT ERROR

You know how I said my camera was eating my photos, well Sam said it wasn't the camera just the user and they weren’t good enough to save, WHAT me!!! ace photographer that I am. He did manage to save a couple. Now what’s wrong with these, personally think they are good pictures of Riggs’ water bowl, the trash bag, and the  box of kleenex

Yesterday we chatted for a while with a nice couple at the campground, then packed up and headed to nice campground in Newville,Pa. Sam put the destination in garmin, I had written down exact directions and off we went. Nice drive chit chatting and watching scenery.  I don’t trust the garmin so I pay no attention to what she says and she wants you on every back road.  We past a school with letters very big that said Newville Elementary I even commented on it and wondered why the school was so far from Newville, oh well must be a popular name in this part of Pennsylvania. So we continued to cruise right along. After awhile Sam asked what exit, told him 201. I checked milepost and we were at 218. He then said then why are we coming up on 226 exit. Then I saw next milepost…what 227???  Now you have to understand, Pennsylvania has the worst mileposts. They are very short and round and not very visible. So I called campground, sure enough we were by that time 30 miles in the wrong direction. I said we had to turn around, Sam said no way he was driving 30 miles backward and then next day drive it again.  So I called campground back to cancel our reservation. First time I talked to husband, second time the wife,told her I was sorry that we had to cancel, she said her husband had told her if it had been him he wouldn’t have turned around and she said she would have…guess its a male vs female thing.  They were so nice, while on phone she looked up 3 campgrounds with phone numbers on her computer for me that were close two were off I15 so Sam got off there and pulled over over we got to the toll booths so we could figure out which way to go.  I called, one number disconnected other didn’t answer, bingo on third one, Harrisburg East Campground. But it wasn’t off this exit, it was 11 miles further up toll road. As we went through toll booth Sam asked how we could get back to the toll road. Guy told us to go 15 north and take first exit, go left and it would have ramp back to the toll booths. Of course Riggs loves to put on his big boy pants and bark at toll people. Sam told the guy, he’s friendly you could stick your hand in the window and he would lick it, guy told Sam, I love dogs but not that much. Off we go to make our way back to where we were.  I had written down exact directions and off we went.  Man said to get off at I283 exit, from toll booth go strait. Sam headed to right, “Sam this isn’t the right way, we are suppose to be on 283”  “This is 283 you’ll see” . So up the ramp we went, and sure enough sign says 283, so as usual he was right and I was wrong, but still didn’t feel right.  Next we were to take first exit off of 283 and go left. We drove and drove came to a light at a T intersection and sign said 283 ends. We went left but wasn’t street  I had name of  it said I230 and was a small town business district. He pulls into Tony’s Pizza lot.  I called campground, sure enough we were lost again, should have stayed strait from the toll booth. He gave me directions so we didn't have to back track all the way back to toll booths. Sam asked right or left off pizza lot, “well is north to the right?” with his hearing deficit all he heard was right so that’s the way he turned.  On we go…uh where the light we were suppose to come to? Sam we are headed south!  Well you told me right…no I said is north to the right.  Well we made a u-turn and as you all know not that easy with a rig.  Off we go again. Still can’t find where we are suppose to turn. I’m not calling them again. We stopped at a small auto parts store and guy said you must be trying to find campground, guess the 30 ft fiver that was taking up his whole lot gave him the hint.  Just go down here to Eisenhower turn right and it goes strait to the campground, just four or five minutes away. GREAT! As by this time Sam’s patience has totally flown out the window. So we creep along looking for Eisenhower Blvd…10 minutes later no Eisenhower. I think I see another U-turn in our future. Sure enough headed back to town, now Sam is ready to explode.  Sam there’s Eisenhower!!! The damn street only has a sign facing south side nothing on north, sure enough just a couple minutes down the road the campground.

So here we are at the Harrisburg East campground. It’s okay but wouldn't recommend it. Close to the turnpike and traffic noise is horrible, these truckers love their jake brakes. And it is pricey and doesn’t offer much for the buck. Tomorrow we are headed to Hershey to meet with Phyllis and Len at Thousand Trails campground, which is about 15 or 20 miles from here, hopefully won’t be a 4 hour trip, but we’ll see.

Here’s a couple pics from the highway

Well rambled on long enough everyone have a great day and safe travels

Oh by the way….Sam said I am a terrible navigator, I say we both screwed up, pilot has to take some responsibility. :-)