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. :-)

STILL HEADING EAST

We were going to go out to dinner Monday night with my nephew Patrick and his family, but after spill Sam took Sunday his back just wasnt up to it. So we begged off (sadly) and rescheduled for Tuesday.  I did a little straightening up and then called Walgreens and told them Sam had prescriptions that were ready at our hometown pharmacy, they said no problem they would call and fill them give them a couple hours. So off I went while Sam rested his back.  Sure enough everything ready, except I thought I had just gotten one of the scripts before we left and since it is $150.00 didnt want to take it until I was sure, so they said they would hold it for me.  When I got back Sam looked and it had been almost a month since I had picked it up.  Isnt that one of the glorious (yeah right) things about getting older, something you thought was last week turned out to be last month.  Sam said he would go back and pick up and get a couple things at the store. We were to meet at 6 for dinner. Sam left at 3.  Sam is not a dilly dallerer so by 530 I was getting worried, and also we are always early when meeting people, never late. By 6 I had every scenario imaginable. My cell was in the truck and his was here. He doesnt have a clue how to use it and if he was in an accident it it password protected and no one could call. No one would know where we were staying etc. Or what if he fell again and was hurt. Or since he hadnt eaten and it was way past time for his insulin what if he had passed out and was in a diabetic coma somewhere….well you can see my mothers worry wart took over my mind! Of course I had to call my niece and let her know we were running late and hoping they didnt think we were trying to blow them off.  Finally he’s back at 615….he got scripts, went to store picked up 3 items, store was a zoo he was headed to express line and a lady whipped right in front of him with a FULL basket so it took a while, you know some people cant tell the difference between 10 items and 50.  Then he saw the sports clips and since I had told him he was getting scruffy he decided to get a cut and trim….well 20 min wait turned into and hour. Then he got turned around and drove in wrong directions…oh well he’s back safe and sound.

We made it to dinner at 7. Giammarco’s restaurant. Very nice. We had  a great time catching up and then it was time to say goodbye.

Yesterday was a traveling day from Columbus to here at Bedford Pa. Again ace photographer that I am I took some great pictures of the mountains, of course camera lost them. We are at Shawnee Sleepy Hollow campgrounds. It is a nice park in many ways but getting run down. Sam said lady is elderly that owns it and is trying to sell so she can retire and she needs to.  When I called and made reservation told her we need a pull thru and she said ok no problem…turns out they have NO pull thru sites…Sam had a heck of a time getting into spot because of the trees that hang so low and placement of electric.  We didnt unhook as we decided to stay just the night.

Here are the pictures of the Cross Creek Campground we were at in Columbus. It was very nice. My only negative was in the shower room. They have the changing area and the shower, they have regular shower curtain between shower and changing area.  But between changing area and rest of bathroom they have a see thru curtain…I know its all gals, but my naked body is not something anyone wants to see, even Riggs turns his head when I change it that tells you anything.

Well not sure of todays plans yet. Think we might stop in Harrisburg for the day and then connect with Phyllis and Len tomorrow in Hershey.  They are such a great couple and love being with them. If you ever get the chance to connect with them make sure you do.

Everyone have a great day and safe travels.

GRADUATION PARTY AND CONVERTER

Still here at Cross Creek Campground. Yesterday was the party celebrating my great nephew Drew’s graduation. It was held in Heritage Park at the Everal Barn. Its an old barn that was on a working farm and has been restored as a party hall. Amazing what they did to it.

Sam and Drew

Sam, nephew Patrick, brother Pat, Pats bil and sil Deb and Terry, my sil Kathy and me

My brother, my niece Connie, Drew

My great niece Sheridan, her husband Edgar, Deb

Me and Patrick (Drews dad)

As you can see our family grows them big. The shortest boy is 6’4”. Only time I feel short is around them.

It was really nice, plenty of food and my niece and her friends love to make cookies so there were thousands of all varieties. Of course on the food bar there had to be Cincinnati chili….no beans but has cinnamon and chocolate, must be an acquired taste.

Down side when we got back to the rig, Sam hooked his foot on Riggs’ tie out and and fell. He wasn’t  hurt other than he has been having problems with his back acting up and it was just starting to feel better and the fall really set him back.  Also almost gave the guy parked next to us a heart attack when he saw Sam go down and didnt see that it was the rope that caused him to fall. We had planned on going out to dinner tonite with Pat and Geae but with his back acting will wait until tomorrow night.

This is really a nice campground, hope to get pics tomorrow. Today was cloudy and spitting rain off and on. Late this afternoon had a terrific down pour.

When we were putting sewer hose on yesterday, made the mistake of having Riggs outside with us, some how he managed to get under and over hose while we were connecting. Then someone came down road walking their dog, he charged out and cut the hose in half. Fortunately, the campground store had one. But getting that new hose onto the fittings was a bitch. Young man next to us came over and helped thankfully.

Our converter has been acting up, yesterday Sam had to put the battery charger directly on to batteries as they were down to zip, we had no air and it was 88 inside rig. Being Sunday not a lot we could do.  First thing this morning I called Mobile Rv Service and explained problem. This is a one man operation but said he would be here this afternoon. His name is Mike Graney and he used to work for dealers, decided to go into business for himself because everyone else makes you bring rig in for service where as he saw need to go to the campers. Didn’t take him long and we were back in business. Of course not cheap,close to $500.00 for parts, labor and service call, but probably wouldn’t have been any cheaper if we had to have a dealer do it.  In past Sam has done these things, but with his back acting up and the neuropathy in his hand he just couldnt do it this time.

Well, that’s about it for today. We are spending one more day here. Will leave Wednesday morning head east to Pennsylvania.  Hoping to meet up with Phyllis and Len of “My own highways in my mind” blog in Hershey, Pa. Then it is on to New Jersey to see son Tim and his family.

Everyone have a good night and be safe and well.

Oh almost forgot, Riggs said to tell everyone he was been good.

Travelin’ Days

Hey everyone its Donna tonite.

We left Union Il headed toward Delaware (Columbus) Oh for my great nephews graduation party on Sunday.  We decided to break trip up into 2 days as it is a long haul. Checked 3 different map programs, came up with 3 different routes to take as we decided we would stop at Terre Haute or Indianapolis. The one that Sam thought was the best as we got further south was going to put us almost back in St. Louis.. So we altered to come into Indiana from the north bypassing Terre Haute area.  Between the construction in and around Chicago and the traffic our 4 hour trip turned into 7 hours. 

Turned out to be one of those days, nothing major just a lot of little irritations that make for a long day. Sam doesn’t let fuel get close to empty, so when it was time to stop for fuel, we wait our turn, get up to diesel pump and because it was the bigger trucker nozzles all he could get was 6 gallons which meant another stop.  The other day batteries died in my camera and since he uses rechargables he does the battery changing.  During drive I saw a couple things to photograph, camera wouldn’t work. Turned out no batteries. And a few more miscellaneous blips.

Finally get to campground, Sugar Creek Campground in Crawfordsville,In. Sam makes the discovery our batteries are almost dead. Our converter has been acting up and he was afraid that it had finally quit. Since we were only staying the night he didn’t unhook. He plugged into the electricity at the site but was afraid to open slide incase we couldnt close it in the morning. As you know doesn’t leave you much room inside.  Didn’t really bother us but sent Riggins into a tailspin. He’s a big guy. When he jumped in the chair that is usually in the corner was in front of the door, so he immediately jumped onto it. Well you see Riggins doesn’t like jumping down, guess his perspective of heights is way off, as he would not jump from side of chair to the floor! It’s what 1 1/2 feet down? So there he sat, whining crying and panting his head off. I tried pulling him down but he wanted no part of that just dug in. He kept looking at his water dish and food bowl and would whine some more.

As you can see it was a long way to floor! After about 4 hours he finally put on his big boy pants and took the death defying leap to the floor. In meantime he took a little snooze against my oxygen machine. When he did jump (actually slid) down he somehow ripped the hose off of the machine. Of course all of a sudden I had no oxygen and was afraid machine was broken. Very relieved when I saw the dangling hose. Again not much room in here without slide but guess he was so tired from all the whining and crying he couldnt bear to stand to eat

Then he decided to get more room so went up on landing by bathroom. Well he can go up steps but doesnt like to come down, so here he is stuck on landing whining and crying because now he wants to go pee.

Fortunately for him he has a sixteen hour bladder because he was still there this morning when I got up.

We did figure out that problem was probably not converter. Some how when we switched off the a/c it clicked up to heat and believe that is what drained the batteries while we were driving.

Would definitely like to go back to Sugar Creek sometime when we can stay a couple of days.  There is a real Sugar Creek and the campground sits on it. Even spots backing right up to it. Riggins can swim in it, you can swim, fish and they do rent canoes and tackle.

Got several shots of a blimp as we approached Columbus and being the ace photographer that I am Sam managed to salvage one

We are now at Cross Creek Campground in Delaware,Ohio. Really a nice place. Lots of activities especially for kids.

Even handicap RV spots.

Well its been a long day, hope some of you are still awake. I have a tendency to ramble a little more than Sam. Will get more pics here later and post