BIG BERTHA

Like most people, George and I had been discussing future plans on and off forever. We had thoughts of eventually buying a home somewhere, but that "somewhere" could not be decided upon. We each had our preferences, but, like a jury after a difficult trial, we were hopelessly deadlocked. 

Living in Little Miss, our 37 foot Tiffin Allegro Open Road, had been heaven, but being stuck inside her with my long recuperation time from bunion surgery and then remaining inside due to 100 degree temperatures in Florida during CoVid, the walls started to close in on us. Besides that, our two air conditioners could not keep the RV cooled below 80 degrees on most days.

George did his due diligence in searching and researching for a solution to our dilemma and it eventually led him to his long-wished-for and favorite RV. His dream-come-true was discovered sitting at Dylan's RV Center in Sewell, NJ.  I had to admit, she was a beauty. I had always told people that the only two things I truly missed living in an RV were not having a dishwasher and a bathtub. Well, he was able to find one with a dishwasher and that made me a happy camper.

On September 11th of 2020, we picked up Big Bertha, a 2019 Tiffin, Phaeton 40IH. She earns her name with her over 40 foot length, four slides, three roof air conditioners, polished tile-heated floors, washer, dryer, king-sized bed, keyless entry, power glide chassis, double-pane windows, huge shower and a large kitchen with a dishwasher! We got the layout we had preferred, one with the kitchen on the driver's side and dinette on the passenger side. 

My grandmother used to tell me of an old-wives tale, "New home, new baby." Well, we did it the opposite, new baby (Stella) new home (Bertha).

I always knew that George would find a way to get a Phaeton and I had the Big Bertha name picked out way back when we bought our first RV, Gracie. 

Stella was a little confused and unhappy for the first couple of hours, but she finally found her hiding spots and sunny nap locations and adjusted much more quickly than we did. We are still opening closet after closet and drawer after drawer unable to find what we are looking for. 

We are getting used to living life a bit fancier and a lot “larger.” There are so many buttons to operate the lights, that it took us almost the whole day to figure them all out. We have ceiling lights, sconce lighting, ceiling accent lighting, entry lights, exterior lights and baseboard courtesy lighting.  Then there are buttons to cover the entry steps, turn on the hot water heater and raise and lower the kitchen shade and TV. 

There are a couple of quirky little items that need to be fixed and George has been able to solve most of them. Whatever he can’t get done, we know certain people who can help out with the expert knowledge and/or tool for the job. Tony, Ray and Craig, are your ears ringing?

Here is our big, bad, beautiful, bodacious, behemoth Bertha, not meaning to, but showing up all the other RV's at Croton Point Park. 

All of my blog entries will include comments or updates on our sweet Stella Bella. She had major oral surgery a week ago and is healing nicely. Although getting her had been my idea, apparently, she is unaware of that fact. Her best bud is her dad - and, for that matter, ANY male who enters Big Bertha. She sidles up next to them and before you know it, she's up on their laps, purring and placing her head under their hands to be petted. I believe it might be that she associates me more with discipline and her after-care causing me to get the cold shoulder. Time will tell.  Fingers crossed that she begins to like me again, I will continue to love her, regardless. For now, the photo below depicts her recent attitude towards me.  :(

 

Awww.  Baby, you're breakin' my heart.

Deep thought for the day:  Bigger is not always better.....but Bertha is!  ~ vc

Off and running...

Loving the sun and nap time. 

Since Friday, June 24th, we have been residing at our NY "home," Croton Point Park. While here, we have relocated a total of three times in order to be in compliance with the new "rules and regs" at the park. This morning, bright and early, George got the ball rolling and we hit the road under beautiful, clear blue skies. 

The planning began in February and here we are, July 28th - day 1 of our "3rd Great Big Adventure." First stop will be an overnighter in (or near) Snow Shoe, PA. We will be following Route 80 for the first portion of the trip and eventually drift up to Route 90. Thirteen stops (yes, 13-but if I count in our origination, it's 14) have been penciled in for the westward bound journey. Some are just overnighters and some are extended stays.  I'll blog when time and connectivity permit.

Our time spent at Croton Point had been busy and hectic with many visits with friends, family and doctors. We love staying here for its close proximity to the three reasons just stated, and besides, it's one of Lucy's favorite places for birding, seeing familiar dogs and permitting visits from people she likes (and has come to like even more during this trip). In addition to the birds, this park offers a beautiful river, lush, green foliage and magnificent sunsets. It's the best place to call "home" in the area. We checked out the next-closest campground, Sylvan Lake, and were significantly underwhelmed. Our fingers will be crossed that a site will be available in Croton when we return in October.  

Our itinerary has been updated and uploaded under the tab marked, "2016 Journey." Just click there if you are interested to know where we are or where we will be headed next.

Stay tuned....

One of only three sushi dinners. This one with friends, Butch and Dawn.

2nd sushi inner with Charlie at Sakura! Delicious and fun, as usual.

"The Last Supper," before leaving for the west coast. Take out by myself, but good!

I always get my "doggie" fix with my three Croton canine friends pictured below. With their owner out of commission after having knee surgery, I was afforded the opportunity to get in abit of exercise by helping out with walking duties. My other "doggie" friend, Georgia, wasn't around much during our recent stay, but I did get to see her and get a nice wet kiss on the lips before leaving!

#1 Walking buddy - Big boy, Ruger - a gentle giant.

4-1/2 pound walking partner - Chloe - She determined the route.

My Croton buddy - Buddy....no long walks for him anymore.

Great traveler pictured below...her tail is ready to visit more states and view the Pacific Ocean!

Bird watching. She spent countless hours watching the action at the window feeder.

Deep though for the day:  Days, although they can seem long at times, actually flicker by quicker than a lightening bug on a hot summer evening. Now you see me - now you don't.  ~ vc

The countdown begins once more...

July 31 - Blue Moon

I noticed on the calendar today that as of today that only three weeks remain to our extended stay here at Croton Point Park. Thus, the countdown begins...3, 2, 1, GO WEST YOUNG MAN. Well, I'm not a man, but "G" is, and neither of us is young anymore. However, young-at-heart is what matters most and westward-ho we are planning to go.

I have made three preliminary trip routes out to Colorado, one via Route 70, one by way of Route 80 and one a mix-up of both, turning the trip into a roller coaster ride. I think we may just head out and see which way the wind blows (figuratively, not literally). 

We know the first stop will be at the Newburgh Walmart for an overnight-er which will allow us to get a jump start and avoid the morning rush hour bridge traffic. The last stop, Yogi Bear RV Campground, in Larkspur, CO, has already been booked for an RV site and a "Boo Boo" Lodge for the grand kids and their mom. I'm soooo looking forward to seeing those little faces that I haven't kissed in almost two years.

Right now, we are tidying up loose ends, organizing, purging unneeded or unused items, stocking up on meds and getting all last minute tests and doctor appointments completed. The privacy shade was finally repaired last month and we are still awaiting the arrival of the new thermostat. The furnace was working when the thermostat was bypassed, so we are hoping that once we get that part, we will be up and running. Time will pass quickly with all the last minute necessities from now until September 8th. 

I figured I would capture our summer in Croton Point Park with a few photo collages. 

Enjoy, we certainly did, and looking back, it flew by. 

It was a year of many milestones!

Leah's 80th, Teri's 75th, my 60th, "G's" 50-something, and not pictured, Glenn Jr.'s 40th)

My special gift from NC crew.

Jack's Christening and Willow's 2nd birthday

It was a summer with great food - the best PIZZA!

Pizza frenzy, courtesy of Moe and Lisa. 

Flour imported from Italy makes a difference. 

Tip: never put sugar in your homemade dough!

It was also a summer filled with furry friends..

Clockwise from top left: Sweet Georgia, Handsome Bo, Gentle Ruger and Cute Chloe

Buddy. AKA The Budster, Bud-man.

It was full of wine experminentation!

 (with a little help from my friends - you know who you are)

My new summer favs

  Magical skies were in abundance

And, of course, Lucy...

Deep thought for the day:  Enjoy today for today, bury the negative past, release the ghosts and look forward to the wonder of what is yet to be. - vc

Stuff

It's been a while since I've sat down to compose an entry, mainly because we have been stationary for so long here at Croton Point Park, that I didn't feel that there was much to tell. However, a lot has been happening and, I guess, this is part of our Full-Time Journey, so why not document what is new, exciting, different, or just plain, "Is What It Is."

At the end of May, I fractured my ankle while exercising at the park. I had actually worked my way up to a slow jog, yet while just walking, I turned by ankle and it (too easily) fractured. Today marked my last physical therapy session and I am quite happy to have that completed. I'm determined to slowly work up to at least walking for exercise again. I am also in the final recuperation phase of a really bad virus that settled in my chest, which caused my asthma to flare up. For several nights, I was out on the pull out sofa trying not to infect "G," and give him some chance to get some sleep.  I slept with a vaporizer close by, Lucy at my side and coughed the nights away.

"G" has been visiting the dentist and suffering through a root canal, fillings and a crown. No fun, but glad it happened well before our departure date this time.

In early July, Miss Lucy went to the vet for a dental cleaning and teeth extractions. The poor thing didn't know which end was up for about 2-3 days, because she was receiving morphine for pain management. Although she is having a bit of difficulty eating hard, crunchy food, she is gobbling up her canned food and soft treats like crazy. We see improvement and even a playful kitty since the extractions (4), which may have been causing her some discomfort. 

We are still awaiting the back-ordered part to our privacy shade to arrive at the repair shop in Port Jervis. Once it's in, we will pull up stakes and head back there to get that and the furnace repaired. Since a trip to Colorado is on the horizon, we will want that furnace in good working order, because even though it will only be September when we are there, we need to be prepared for the worse case scenario - snow. A four letter word I don't like to say out loud.

Speaking of the Colorado trip, I have begun the laborious task of planning the stops along the way. We decided to make the trip with only over-night stops along the way. There will be minimal sight-seeing until we reach our first, extended stop, at Garden of the Gods RV Park in Colorado. This park is situated at the base of Pike's Peak and, if the hundreds of reviews are correct, it will be spectacular. 

The past month has found us spending our days visiting dentists, doctors, food shopping, cooking and cleaning. Just regular day-to-day living as we sit parked in our super site that allows us to see all the rigs as they pass by to either pull into the park or as they drive past us to leave. There is no one directly opposite us, or on our driver's side. It's spacious, lush and green. A beautiful site to call "home."

Deep thought for the day: I find that the longer I sit still, the more I itch to move. The foot is better and my breathing has improved. I have some scratching to do.

The Owl Tree

We arrived at Croton Point Park on Wednesday, April 1st and it seems like it was just yesterday. The days have been filled with scheduled doctor's appointments, selling furniture and giving Allie a good spring cleaning - a whirlwind of activities - all good ones, thankfully.

After we got the interior of Allie all spiffed up, "G" had the huge task of cleaning her exterior, which took a beating with rain, snow, salt and ice. 

I've attached a couple of pictures of our arrival to our "Summer Hangout."

Crossing the State line!

The view from the Beacon-Newburg Bridge

Allie in "her spot" for the spring and summer.

Lucy, posing for a photo while watching dad getting Allie all hooked up.

Lucy's hangout. Especially on "sheet day."

She doesn't discriminate - she likes the white sheets just as much as the striped ones.

At the beginning of the week, I finally got a chance to visit "The Owl Tree," as it is being referred to by everyone in the area. A pair of Great Horned Owls built a nest in the crook of a tree and three babies hatched a few weeks ago.  It looks as if the nest needs an addition because mommy and daddy do not fit inside any longer. 

Baby near the end of the lower branch. You can see his "horns."

Mama or papa owl in one tree.

I snapped a picture of one of the parents in an adjacent tree, who was "seemingly" asleep, but every once in awhile, a look of disdain would be cast upon all the curious on-lookers. I've gotten to enjoy close up views of the whole family through my own, and other bird-watchers' binoculars. They are magnificent, and while I observe them I find proof that there is a "greater force" in action around us. The parenting skills of the adults is quite amazing to witness.

I've visited "The Owl Tree" every day since and am enjoying watching how fast these little guys are growing. The eldest of the three hatchlings tried to fly sometime between yesterday and today and ended up grounded but luckily, not injured. It just climbed up another tree and is gearing up for its second attempt. I am getting so attached to these downy creatures that I'm starting to feel pride as they climb, stretch and grow.

The fans of the owls.

Last weekend we celebrated "G's" mom's 80th birthday at The Ship Lantern Inn, in Milford, NY. It was a delicious dinner with family and friends. Not a "total" surprise but great, nonetheless. Tomorrow is another busy day, as I will be godmother to my little (?) nephew, Jack. 

Jumping Jack Flash!

Like I said at the beginning of the entry, it's been a whirlwind, but it has been exciting and glorious. Life is, indeed, beautiful.

Deep thought for the day:   “Drink wine. This is life eternal. This is all that youth will give you. It is the season for wine, roses and drunken friends. Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” ~ Omar Khayyam

Dentist update - ready to 'go"

"G" had a successful visit at the dentist yesterday, thus, allowing me the honor of starting the official countdown to "G's and V's Great Big Adventure." Baring any unforseen events, we are finally ready to get on the road tomorrow. We had little time to get the last minute stocking, cooking and storing chores completed, because I refused to plan ahead until I got the "green light" on Monday afternoon.

I took stock and inventory of the items I chose to have on board and got rid of anything I haven't used in the month and a half we have been down here. Listed below are my top six "must have" RV items since these six have made living aboard Allie much easier for me:

1. Salad Spinner. Thank you Lisa and Moe. This handy-dandy item has been one of my favorite kitchen items. I use this often and for many different purposes. It not only strains, spins, and stores salad, it folds up, taking minimal space in my closet, thus making it an even better addition to any RV kitchen.

Salad spinner! OMG!

2. Keurig Single Pod Coffee Server. Thanks Leah and Charlie! Mornings just wouldn't be the same without my Keurig. This takes up such little space on our counter and stays put when traveling. Can't beat that cup of java in the morning. I wouldn't leave home without it.

Keurig One-Cup Coffee Pot

3. The Day of the Week Clock.  Thank you Auntie and Uncle Tony! Well, it actually speaks for itself. I don't know what I would do without this clock. I had found myself asking "G" what day it was much more often than what time it was.

"When the Day of the week is more important than the hour of the day."

4.  Left-Handed Knives.  Thanks Charlie. Whether you travel in an RV or not, if you are a "leftie," you must get yourself one of these babies. You will finally discover how cutting or slicing is supposed to feel. I was amazed with the ease of cutting. I never realized how many knives have the blades honed for a right-handed person. Discrimination, I tell you!!!!!

5. Crock Pot.  Love this little "original." Set it and forget it. It is a wonderful way to free up the day while not using up a lot of propane. Since it takes upso  little space, it is a "keeper." So far, I've used it to make soups, stews, chili, oatmeal and pot roasts.

6. Presto (Chango) Electric Skillet.  This baby is my most frequent "go to" kitchen appliance (except for the Keurig) when preparing breakfast, lunch or dinner. Every RV should have this versitile appliance. Pancakes, bacon, grilled cheese, chili, pasta sauce, sausage and peppers...you name it. I heard you can even bake a cake in one.

I also wanted to end our Croton tour with a couple of photos to mark the passing of time and capture some interesting shots.

Fall photo of tent-camping area

Winter view of tent-camping area

Photos of the Croton Point Park "Toll Booth." I took close-up photos of the artwork that adorns the perimiter of the building.  Our friend, Charlie, blogged about the murals on the bathhouse, and the ones on the Toll Booth are strikingly similar in design and composition. I was unable to connect the artist to these small murals on the Toll Booth, but here is a link to her work and more info about artist, Mariah Fee.  Winnie & Me Blog Entry about art on Croton Bathhouse  and/or Artword by Mariah Fee

Toll building

Depiction of the brick-making building?

Indiginous creatures of the Hudson River?

The Wine Cellar!

Insects and Fauna?

Early tools

Oyster shells

Henry Hudson's ship, The Half Moon

The Roundhouse at Croton Harmon

Deep thought for the day:  Good things (eventually) come to those who wait.