Home sweet home

Yesterday, we finished transferring our earthy possessions back into Allie and then returned to space 71 at Croton Point Park. Home-sweet-home.

There hasn't been much rain, so the park has taken on the appearance of a "dust bowl."  Every time a vehicle drives past, a cloud of dust rises up from the road and settles on anything outside. It's so bad that we need to keep the windows on the road side closed most of the day.  We do like the end spot, because it affords us much privacy, but each site has its own drawback - and for site 71 it's dust. Regardless, it feels great to be back. 

"G" gave Allie a bath before leaving 223, so she really stands out among all the other dusty RVs, 5th-wheels and trailers. We were welcomed back by many of our neighbors here, which was quite nice and unexpected. "G" has made many friends here, even more than me. I'm often surprised when someone I don't know walks by and says, "Hi "George!" 

Georgia - One of our neighbors

Lucy protested the entire trip down, but she is readjusting just fine. All her kitty-accouterments are back in their usual places, so life is beautiful for Missy Miss. I did made the mistake of bringing her outside the RV on a leash a few times, and she has gotten to like it so much that whenever we are sitting outside, she meows until we bring her out. I've created a monster!

Checking out the trash can

Wanting to go for a walk with dad

While we were gone, a pretty big fire broke out down the road from the campground. The wind blew a lot of black ash around the campground and firefighters were worried about embers sparking the dry ground around the RVs, so campers were advised that an evacuation order might be implemented. There was even a helicopter dumping water from the river to help douse the fire. I'm so glad to have missed all that excitement. 

Work continues at 223. Each project brings us closer to a fresh, clean and empty home, ready for its new residents. Only a few pieces of furniture remain, a little painting needs to be done and a garage sale to be scheduled down the road. I can't believe how much stuff will be going - one way or another.

Deep thought for the day: Objects are just things that we enjoy to look at, but adventures are things we look back at and enjoy - again and again. ~ vc

   

Poor, lucky cat

On Saturday we pulled up stakes at Croton to make the long 10-mile journey to 223. Tomorrow, we are taking Allie up to Goshen to get our brakes checked because while traversing the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina, "G" felt a "drag."  When we pulled over we were hit with the stench of burning rubber and, although safe enough to continue the trek home, we knew it would need to be addressed, sooner, rather than later.  

"G" searched for a certified Ford service center that can work on a Class A motorhome, which is not as easy as you might think. We were lucky enough to find a place less than an hour away and we will head up there tomorrow to leave our baby for an indeterminate amount of time. 

Last night and today have been spent emptying the fridge, freezer, and pantry. In addition to packing  up clothes, toiletries and medications (and wine), we needed our coffee pot, toaster, and blender. Lucy even had her own baggage that took over four trips. 

My poor kitty had quite a shock to find that most of her hiding spots at 223 were gone. Her favorite box spring was sold, her window perch was removed and today, the couch and end tables found a new home. Unfortunately, her old habits of hissing at her reflection immediately resurfaced. We have the reflective surfaces covered and constantly keep an eye out for the stray cat that taunts her through the sliding glass door. 

I keep telling her what a lucky cat she is and that home is wherever her mommy and daddy are. It helped that we transferred her scratch pad, basket, bowls, water fountain, litter box and toys. Tonight, she broke out one of her favorites, a tennis ball!  

I miss my cozy Allie, but "G" seems to be in his glory. He's loving the long, hot showers and all the space.  My favorite things were a long soak in the tub and the warm, soft lighting of incandescent bulbs. The bulb thing was an interesting observation.

I have fingers and toes crossed that the time away from Allie will be short-lived. I miss her already, even as she sits in the road outside the window at 223.

Deep thought for the day:  Do what you feel, but feel what you do.  - VC

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

A long distance is traversed one stay, one step, one stop or one state at a time...

This blog entry shall begin with the deep thought for the day:  Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it. ~ Greg Anderson

That quote says it all for me.  Our "First Great Big Adventure" was a journey that took us down, and then back up, the east coast. We now sit in Allie, our home, and see how we have come full circle from our departure and return to Croton Point Park where it all began. Every stop along the way was a learning experience and a testament to being lucky enough to "love the one you're with."  

The photos that follow are a montage of our newly-named, "Never-ending Journey," from start to current location. 

Croton Point Park, NY 12/17/2014

Croton Point Park, NY 4/1/2015

And now, everything that has occurred in between those two photos above.

Hamburg, PA 12/18/2014

Staunton, PA 12/19/2014

Raleigh State Fairgrounds, NC 12/20/2014

Wake Forest, NC 12/25/2014

Brunswick, GA 12/28/2014

Daytona Beach, FL 12/30/2014

Clermont, FL 1/3/2015

Orlando, FL 2/21/2015

Clermont, FL 3/18/2015

Boone, NC 3/26/2015

Blowing Rock, NC 3/28/2015

Staunton, VA Walmart 3/29/2015

Jonestown, PA - the last stop on the first leg of our Never Ending Journey...

Free air!  Can you believe it???

What a wonderful April Fool's Joke on us: Snow.......still visible on April 1st.

Signs of Spring

We pulled up and out of the Staunton, VA Walmart this morning and had been traveling along smoothly for about 140 before stopping at the West Virginia Welcome Center. It was a very pretty one with a big dog walk, several picnic tables and a large info center where "G" stocked up on more of his "reading" material. It was a convenient place for us to rest and have some lunch. The sun had been out, but clouds gradually began to fill the skies. 

While out stretching our legs, I took a few shots to prove (to myself) that spring is in the air. 

West Virginia Welcome Center

Daffodils getting ready to pop

Yellow crocuses

Purple crocus

After we stopped in West Virginia we were plagued with rain and heavy traffic for about 40 miles due to road construction and a disabled vehicle. "G" mastered the steering wheel like a pro. He will get the official "RV Hero Pilot" Badge when he goes over the George Washington Bridge!

All-in-all, after starting out for the day in Virginia, we travelled through West Virginia and Maryland, each for only a few miles, until I-81 led us into beautiful Pennsylvania, the Keystone State.  We are set up for the night at the Jonestown KOA, which seems to be a very nice place and situated close to Hershey Park.  The KOA Market offers cooked meals and ice cream, in addition to the standard RV supplies, refrigerated items and dry goods. I may splurge on breakfast: bacon, egg and cheese on a roll for $1.85. Although the KOA menu offers grape juice, we don't plan on having any. 

Considering the time of year and the fact that this is a Tuesday, the place is packed, which is a very good sign, for sure. Since we are just ending a harsh winter, we have to envision what this campground must look like in the summer time and it's not hard to imagine how lovely it will be in a month or two. 

I recorded a couple of videos of Lucy during this leg of the voyage. She struggled these last two days with travelling, but I keep telling her, "just a little bit more and we will sit tight for awhile."

Enjoying a bit of sun on the dashboard.

A new spot, mommy's chair. 

It's too late for photos of Jonestown KOA tonight so I'll include campground pics in tomorrow's blog entry, which will be generated on the road to Croton Point Park; our home base for the next five months or so.

Deep thought for the day:  "Don't worry about what time it is....just worry about what day it is. I'm in no hurry. I'm retired." ~ "G"

FYI  For anyone to whom this pertains:  Until our next move, any mail can be sent to us in care of my brother, Will.

Mission Accomplished - 1st Wally World Stop

During this entire journey, I've wanted to spend a night at Walmart, and being two stops away from Croton, I didn't think it was going to become a reality. "G" did some research, and, believe it or not, Walmart over-night locations are rated by the people who take advantage of the free, safe place to spend the night. So, after finding a highly-rated one right off of Route 81, we decided to give it a try.

Maneuvering into the parking lot, with Ms. Parton towing the Sentra, was a little tricky, but we were able to find a great space behind a tractor-trailer that afforded us the opportunity to put our jacks down and our slides out.

We got some exercise in by walking over to the store around 9 pm. We discovered that it was one of the nicest Walmarts we have ever seen, with neatly stacked merchandise on the shelves, polite shoppers and helpful employees. The parking lot was very quiet and peaceful. We would definitely stay overnight here again, especially since the price is right!

Walmart in the distance.

Our "space" for the night.

"Where on earth am I?"

Deep though for the day:  It doesn't matter where or when the rocking and rolling ends, home is wherever my litter box lies. ~ Lucy Lu

Honeybear Campground Farewell

Our long weekend in Boone, NC has come to an end. We got a late start out of the gate this rainy morning. Honeybear Campground is probably a magnificent place in the summer and fall. If it weren't for such a harsh winter and late spring, it would have looked less dreary and cold.

We were parked on Silly Squirrel Trail, which was a big improvement from street we were parked at the last campground. 

Some beautiful shots of Honeybear. The sun wasn't out, so use your imagination. 

Entrance Sign

Site A-15

Looking up at Allie (and "G") from the lower loop

A nice site, but smaller than what we need - no sewer either.

Allie, perched on a cliff.

Cute chairs

Joan, you need these for outside the cabin..... 

The beautiful lake that the chairs and bench were placed near.

The staff were very friendly and the WiFi was the best we've encountered. Except for the ride on Route 421 that takes you up, over and around huge mountains, I'd have no problems staying here again. 

Deep thought for the day: If not for cold, damp and rainy days, how could you possibly adore the warm, sunny ones? ~ Vicki