Monday, November 14, 2016

Floridahhh

We pulled up our jacks and drove out of chilly New York on Thursday morning, November 10th. Our "mini-caravan" consisted of me, driving my Sentra, following close behind George and Lucy in "Little Miss." This was our first time going separately and we both had mixed feelings about the pros and cons of solitary travel.

As the main conversationalist of our trio, I caught myself commenting about road signs, talking to myself about the drivers and the scenery and I BLASTED my Sirius XM radio turned to a Pop station. I sang along so loud that I never heard my navigation system's audio directions. I sang along to Ariana Grande, Alesia Cara, Maroon 5 and Sia, to name just a few. My new favorite song is the one by Alisia Cara, "Scars to Your Beautiful." What a powerful song.

George would never admit that he missed me, my singing, my talking or my navigational assistance, but I know he did. We called each other often and kept up with the plans for pit stops or for one of those,  "stretch the legs" breaks. 

I must pat myself on the back, because I managed to drive the over 1,100 miles, most of which was on I-95, without panicking too much. In my defense, no one likes driving through the cities of Trenton, Baltimore, DC, Jacksonville or Orlando either.

During my ride, I took the time to notice the little things and smile often because that's just the way my mind wanders. 

Below is a great imagery of a "woman's mind" and exactly how my mind is usually churning with thoughts of people, places, seasons and feelings.

A Woman's Mind





While driving through New Jersey, there is a Service Plaza called "Thomas Edison Service Area." My thoughts, similar to the little balls in the gif above were as follows:
  • Humm, Thomas Edison.
  • His name is actually, Thomas Alva Edison.
  • I know that because my father went to Edison High School in Mt. Vernon and always said Thomas Alva......
  • I lived in Mt. Vernon.
  • I'm in New Jersey.
  • I remember driving in the car with my parents to visit my mom's family in Linden, NJ.
  •  I wish the tractor-trailer behind me would either pass me or back off.
  • We spent summers in Seaside Heights, NJ.
  • My step-mother is moving from New Jersey to New York.
  • Gee, I just left New York and I'm already in New Jersey.
  • My grandmother was born in Boonton, NJ.
  • I've got a lot more miles to go.
  • Bruce Springstein was born in New Jersey.
  • Humm. I'm still in Jersey.

Clara Barton, Founder of the Red Cross
I could have gone on and on, but then I came to the Clara Barton Rest Area and remembered that she was a nurse.

This is no lie. This is how my mind works.

We were able to utilize the parking lots of three Walmarts on our trip south. The first was in Maryland, the second was in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina and the last night was spent in Georgia. Besides the cost for food, gas and tolls, the trip only cost us $10, which was the fee to dump our grey tank. We even got a free fill up of potable water at a North Carolina Pilot Service Station.  Life is good.

On Sunday afternoon, we arrived safe and sound at 233. The long drive was over and the work to get all settled began first thing Monday morning. Five loads of laundry (poor Lucy had "the sick" on our bed), food shopping, cooking, weeding, unpacking, re-packing and sitting in my rocking chair filled the long, damp day.

Tonight, I'm waiting for the last load to dry while watching "The Voice." I'm enjoying the music and trying hard not to sing along - for George's sake.

Deep thought for the day:   I have an almost complete disregard of precedent and a faith in the possibility of something better. It irritates me to be told how things always have been done .... I defy the tyranny of precedent. I cannot afford the luxury of a closed mind. I go for anything new that might improve the past. ~ Clara Barton (1821-1912)
I may sometimes be willing to teach for nothing, but if paid at all, I shall never do a man's work for less than a man's pay. Clara Barton
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/c/clarabarto276762.html



Monday, November 7, 2016

A soft spot to land for a little while...

The Merry Traveler. What a great cat!
Although it's been some time since my last blog entry, I figured I should formally end "The 3rd Great Big Adventure" with all the memories that helped to bring it to a bittersweet close.

Our last stop found us nestled along the shore of Lake Wallenpaupack, in Hawley, PA for the night. When I saw that our route was going to take us almost directly though Hawley,, we decided to stop to visit my very good friend, Berni and her husband Ron, who reside in the sleepy little town.  I just couldn't be that close without checking to see if she would be home and available for a visit. It was so last minute, but we were able to pull it off and spent a very enjoyable, impromptu evening together drinking wine and catching up. It was just what the doctor ordered - for us both. I needed to see a friendly face, and she had spent the day with her 90-year old mom who was rapidly approaching her last days. Besides sharing a couple of glasses of wine, we shared a few tears and laughs...only as friends can.

Here are a few statistics of our long, 3rd Great Big Adventure:

1 overnighter at a Bass Pro Shop
1 visit to an Animal Hospital
1 toll booth navigated by me
2 elementary school fairs in 2 different states
3 Walmart over nights
6 grandchildren were visited
6 new blood relations were met for the first time
7 National Parks and Monuments were visited
8 State Stickers were placed on our USA map
14 states were traveled through (not including NY)
16 blog entries were written
20 campgrounds supplied us with services for either one or multiple nights.
30 miles were driven by me
7,018 miles were driven by George
400 + photos were snapped

It turned out to be a magically, wild and wonderful journey full of beautiful sights, sounds, laughter and even some tears, that are forever burned in our memories. If I were to pick a favorite National Park, I believe I would choose The Great Smokey Mountains and a few of my favorite States are South Dakota, Tennessee and Idaho.

So, with our 3rd Great Big Adventure freshly behind us, we landed at Croton Point Park amidst rules, regulations, restrictions, controversy and frustration, but we did get to enjoy time with family and friends. Many meals, lots of wine, dinners out, dinners in, hearty laughs and happy times offered us an enjoyable, albeit short time in NY. Life was indeed good.

Our original plan was to spend the months of October and November at Croton Park, but we were only "allowed" a 4-1/2 week stay in a 30 amp electrical site. With overnight temperatures rapidly dropping after Halloween, and the lack of being given an extended stay, we decided to end our time here prior to Thanksgiving and head south.

The beginning of color
We did get to witness the beauty of of a New York fall which is one of the most colorful of seasons in the Northeast. Situated in a County Park provided us with scurrying squirrels, soaring eagles and hawks, brilliant colors and falling leaves.
Carpet of leaves

A Sugar Maple in full fall regalia

Heading south this time will be quite a challenge for me since I will be following George, the over 1,100 mile trip, in my new Sentra. This will be my first extended road trip. My max to date is 5-1/2 hours - from DC to NY.


Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I can add a sticker to my US map of Emergency Room visits. After only 2 days at Croton Park, I took a bad tumble out of the RV with the worst damage being caused to my right knee. Ten stitches a bruised tendon and lots of pain followed and the pain is still present.

Lucy getting in some sleep before her next gig on the road.

The next blog entry will generate from sunny Florida. Yippie-ki-yay.

Deep thought for the day: When I'm told "no," I usually rebel and do the opposite. So when the doubt entered my mind that I couldn't drive to Florida, I decided that I'll be damned if I don't. Florida here I come.


Friday, September 23, 2016

Eastward bound.

Today, I compose this entry from the parking lot of a Bass Pro Shop located in Portage, Indiana, where we spent last night. This portion of our 3rd Great Big Adventure has turned out to be quite anticlimactic and I am finding it difficult to compose an intelligent post while feeling so blue. Poor George has been surviving my less-than-upbeat mood since leaving Colorado and as much as I try to rise above it, I'm finding it too difficult of a task at the moment. I know "this too shall pass," but until it does, life is stuck in the slow lane.

I hope the folks who take the time to read what I write find my usual publications interesting and my "Deep Thoughts" somewhat thought-provoking and I hope they can also understand my present predicament of being temporarily uninspired.

A fellow blogger recently published a video on the feeling of "disconnect" while living full-time in an RV. He explained how, although you get to experience the excitement of all the new places to which you travel, you give up the familiar connection with the place from which you came, such as familiar roads, stores, friends, family, etc. I'm not sure if that is exactly what I'm feeling, but I presume time will tell.

The open road does gets lonely at times and you lack the ability to visit with a friend, grab dinner at a favorite restaurant, or run into a grocery store that you can maneuver with your eyes closed. The familiar, although boring at times, turns out to be a comforting thought once away for a long period of time. Even coming upon a Post Office or a Walmart hundreds of miles from home are welcome sights.

I was going to title this entry, "Homeward Bound," but decided to settle for "eastward bound," because anytime we are out for a long day, I always refer to our return to Little Miss as "going home." Home is wherever George and Lucy reside.

Below are a few photos that slipped by the wayside and failed to get posted - each one is most worthy of recognition and a place of permanence within my blog. 

Enjoy.

Colorado girls' first sleepover.

Nina with her "Meema" Lobster - happily getting a bit more worn for wear.
Breakfast of champions!
My Little Chef - she makes the BEST scrambled eggs.
An interesting RV. A Chevrolet Champion.
From the School Fair. I thought it was so adorable.
Overnight stay in Hannibal, IL. Lovely park.Deer Creek RV Park.
Under the table we have her bed and her travel bag. This is Lucy's position once the key is turned in the ignition.

Deep thought for the day:  “When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”  ~  Alexander Graham Bell

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Boulevard of Love

Major stop #2 along our 3rd Great Big Adventure found us in Monument, Colorado, which is one of the two closest RV parks to our granddaughters, Nina, Lola and Emma. This campground was a better fit for us opposed to where we stayed last year. This was a quiet, serene and woody park that provided us with a  soft spot to land every evening. The only negative comment I would mention is that we could hear the endless hum of traffic on Interstate 25, but it only turned out to be a monotonous sound that soothed me to sleep (when sleep was had). 

First sight. What a welcomed one...

Seeing Lola for the first time in a year!

Mommy with Emma, who needed a bit of time to remember us.
The time we spent here was a whirlwind of fun, laughs and even some tears. I couldn't believe how much all three had grown since this same time last year. The Face Time chats helped with the progression of change, but it pales in comparison to seeing them (and hugging them) in person.

On our first Saturday, the girls slept over in Little Miss and we had a full evening of crafts, snacks and a movie - Underdog! The next morning, Nina and I made bacon, eggs and waffles for breakfast. It was such fun working alongside of her in our limited-spaced RV kitchen. My little girl is such a mature young lady and has accepted the responsibility of "big sister" in an admirable way.

Mani/Pedi Time
Last year when I visited, I got the opportunity to take each of the girls, separately, for a "Special Day" day together. This year, we repeated that tradition with Nina going first. Our initial stop was to a nail salon, because Meema was in desperate need of a pedicure. From there, we hit the stores at the Outlet Center and then went out for dinner. The evening ended with a visit to Smart Cow for a "make your own sundae." Papa George really liked Smart Cow. 

Shopping with my glamour girl.
The following day belonged to Lola. After a haircut we shopped around at Target, had dinner at a local pizzeria and squeezed in a stop at Smart Cow before heading back home with her bag of goodies. Papa George is loving Smart Cow.
Pizza was her choice of food for dinner.
Loving this little beauty...notice the writing on the wall above our heads.
Lola - and a double rainbow!

Thursday found us picking Emma up at daycare and whisking her off to the hair salon for her haircut. She sat very still and was so well-behaved. 

Poor Emma has been suffering with a really bad "owwie" on her knee. She did a fine job skinning it, not once, but twice and just looking at it makes me cringe with how much it must hurt. Special Meema powers helped to get the old bandage removed, which was actually causing more problems, opposed to helping. Lots of love, gentle cleansing and magical re-bandaging helped nature takes its course.

The pain from her "owwie" was diminished by a fun day in the Target toy aisles. Other shoppers were smiling at her and her comments as she went from aisle to aisle, talking up a storm. This was the most I've heard her speak since being here! 

After much time narrowing down her choices, we headed home with her booty and took a nice long nap. While she slept, I assembled her little doll bed and had it all ready for when she awoke. I filled the remainder of her nap time with folding a mountain of laundry. Three little girls sure do accumulate a lot of dirty clothes.  As I folded it all, I couldn't imagine how my "single-mother-daughter-in-law" gets it all done. My hat goes off to her and I'm proud of how well she balances such a full plate. 
Still waking up from her nap.

Remembering that she got some goodies!
Dinner that night was Chinese take-out and afterwards, we made our last visit to Smart Cow. Although it was Emma's turn, she didn't mind that her sisters came along for the fun. After the third trip, but Papa George finally got tired of Smart Cow.

On Friday evening, we all went to the Clear Sky School Fair. Memories from the NC Crew's School Fair assured me that it would be a tiring and exhausting night. Up and down stairs, in and out of the building, around and about the interior - searching for little girls' rooms, locating the kick ball field and playground, and then back inside for more games, games, games found me dragging and eager for a chair and a glass of wine. It was actually a fun night and I even passed my 10,000 goal on my Fitbit. Returning home, it dawned on me that Meema/Grandma needs to get into "School Fair" shape before the next one if she wants to see happy, smiling faces.

Here are a few snaps of the fun. 

Nina smacking the lever with a heavy hammer.

Lola, next up for a bean bag toss.
Happy Emma, getting pushed by Papa George.
Lola enjoying the ride.
Seriously considering the strategy for this game.
"I'm not too little to play."
Saturday brought us to the girls' second sleep-over in the RV. While in Walmart earlier in the day, Papa George bought the DVD, Jungle Book, which was to be the main feature for the night. The morning began early (6:30 am) for us retired folk, and after a repeat breakfast spread, we had fun in the playground and completed an arts and crafts project of bead-jewelry making. 

Lucy survived and everyone had fun.

On Sunday evening, the visit inevitably came to an end, but not until after showers, baths, teeth were brushed and books were read. Extra-special Meema kisses were planted upon three beautiful little faces and I bid my sad farewell, until next time. It is always difficult for me to walk out the door and away from the apartment.  The ride back to the RV was long, dark, quiet and blurry. 

Meema, Lola and her American Girl Doll that looks like her.

Jewelry making in progress.

A smile to melt your heart.

Bejewled...

Deep thought for the day:  Boulevard: noun, a broad thoroughfare; a monumental link between important destinations.



Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Arriving at major stop #2

Interstate 70 is an interestingly beautiful ride from Utah to Denver. At times, it is rough, bumpy and challenged us with elevations over 11,000 feet, but it provided us with gorgeous views of the Rocky Mountains and lead us to a soft landing spot in Monument, CO.

We pushed Little Miss to the limits and "idiot" lights began to shine and alert us to a over-heating engine. Thankfully, we were near Vail, so we knew we could find help, if needed. George was able to get her safely off onto a shoulder of the road at the top of one of the higher elevations to rest and cool off. The Rocky Mountains were a test that Little Miss passed, but ever so slightly. We made it safe and sound, but it was unnerving to think that we could have had a delay so close to our "Major Stop #2."

Colorado River flowing westward


Eisenhower/Johnson Tunnel - Traffic light on an Interstate - a first for me.

After passing over the Continental Divide- the Colorado River flowing eastward
I've heard of a Town without Pity, but never No Name.



The views were were treated to made up for the scare, and we arrived - safe and sound in Monument, Colorado, where we will spend the next few days visiting four special girls - Nina, Lola, Emma and their mommy, Meily.

Deep thought for the day:  Huge mountains may separate us, but Little Miss (and I) will always find the way to you.

Just before publishing this post, I received the sad news that two former colleagues passes away on Monday, September 12.  

All of us, regardless of whether we are "The Greatest" or a pauper, make an indelible mark on all those whose paths we cross. May all your words be kind, may a smile be upon your lips, may love reside within your heart and may all the impressions and marks we leave on others be ones that are warmly remembered.    RIP: Bobby Williams and Kathy Marrone.