Moscow, Iowa

Nice yard for a CG

Sunday, July 28, we got moving slowly.  No hurry for us and we were only traveling about 100 miles, from here to West Liberty, Iowa.  We pulled out about 11:30 and headed out route 74, where there were just miles and miles and miles of corn fields.  We hit route 80 about 12:30 and stopped just inside Iowa at I-80 Truck Stop, the largest Truck Stop in the world with over 900 truck/RV parking spots and about a half dozen fast food restaurants.  There was a large gift shop, a food court and a family diner inside the building we headed to, we opted for the family diner and weren't disappointed.  We did a geocache right there on the premises and finally got back on the road about 2:30.  We did our last half hour of driving and pulled into the Little Bear Campground right about 3:00.  We got checked in, walked the dog, hooked up, slides out and cracked a cold one.  Nothing fancy about the CG, but for $25.00 a night, a nice site, cool weather and hot dogs over a camp fire, we couldn't complain. 

 

Monday we got up, had breakfast and headed out to find HWH Hydraulics.  It is only about 15 min. down the road, easy to find and get into, should be no problem with the RV tomorrow.  We then headed into town to get coffee (can you believe we ran out of coffee) and grab a bite to eat.  This proved to be much harder than it should have been.  Most of the restaurants were Mexican, which we both like but they looked a little shadier than we wanted to walk into.  After that we tried the Bar and Grill that somebody recommended, but the kitchen was closed, so off to the Papa John's pizza joint, ugh.  We then went to the grocery store, very small place with very little to pick from, but we found the coffee and were off again.  On our way to town we did another geocache and tried to find second one here at the town park, but no luck.  We then headed back home where we tryed sitting out side, but the flies were so bad, they ran us in.  We ended up with chicken wraps for dinner and headed to bed about 10:00 - 10:30. 

 



Beautiful Old Home in Tipton

Today we packed slowly and headed out about 11:15, for our 12:30 appointment at HWH, but hey, there no problem with being early.  We got checked in, Brad pulled the RV into bay 4, then we all loaded up into the car and headed out for the day.  We headed to Tipton today in search of a restaurant and had better luck, we found the Tipton Family Restaurant.  We both had sandwiches then headed to the city park to walk Rudy and do some more geocaching.  What a miserable day, gray, rainy and 65 degrees....the dampness just draws into you, but we did manage to find 2 more geocaches while we were there.  We did some driving through town checking out the old homes, found a Wal-Mart, which I think was the smallest Wal-Mart I have ever seen, then headed out to find a grocery store to get a gallon of water for coffee in the morning.  HWH had called and the rear levelers need rebuilt, so they removed them from the RV, and we are now parked at their facility for the night, needing to be in a bay by 8:00 AM to get the levelers replaced (they wanted us there at 7:00 AM, but there isn't any way).  I hope they do a good job, would be nice to hit the button and have the jacks actually go up.  It is still gray and rainy, so not much happening here, left over chicken on a salad and hiding inside from the nasty weather.  Well I'll have to keep you posted as to how we make out here and then our next destination.  Later, Diane and Brad

 

 

Crawfordsville, Indiana to Galesburg, Illinois

They went on forever!!

Thursday July 25, we got up and slowly packed, ready to head out and move down the road.  We stopped for lunch at a diner that we saw advertised along the highway, not a bad choice, good food and a fuel up right across the street.  Brad did a slight over fill of the gas tank, "again", while I walked the dog, then we got on our way.  It actually was a nice ride with no problems, nice sunny, clear day with a couple of rest stop stops on the way.  One thing that got both our attention was the amount of windmills that we saw.  Once we got into Illinois they must have gone on for over 50 miles, first in site then you would loose them, then they would appear again.  We are not sure if it was a continuous farm, or more than one, just seemed to appear out of nowhere.  We finally pull into the CG about 4:30 (3:30 central time), found our site, got set up, than sat outside and enjoyed the evening.  The CG is an old KOA, a little tight on the sites but not bad and we look out the front widow into a soybean field.  Brad struggled to stay up until 9:30 (10:30 eastern time) and I actually went to bed shortly behind him.....oh my.

 

Brick Road

Fancy Brick Sidewalk

Friday we got up and headed out for breakfast and to check out the area.  We found a nice place to eat, then headed into down town checking out the main street, seeing what was there and then checked out a couple of beautiful parks in the area.  Some where in our travels, Brad took a wrong turn and in the process of turning around, the street he turned up was made of brick.  After that we found a lot of the side streets made of Brick and a lot of fancy brick sidewalks.  As it turns out, Galesburg was the original maker of the Purington Pavers and Old Tuscany Bricks for over 100 years and there is some beautiful brickwork all though the town.   We then headed out to Wal-Mart then back home, walk the dog...we actually left him run loose in a field and as long as we had treats he always comes back.  Then back in his house and off we go to find the balloon festival.  Well we found it, but the craft show wasn't open, no balloons, just a couple of food vendors, too rainy and breezy this afternoon.  We were a little disappointed with that, tried doing two geocaches, no luck then just headed home for something on the grill.  It was a comfortable evening, so we sat outside until about 9:30, then inside, coffee made and off to bed for all of us.

 

Today started out as a repeat of yesterday, breakfast and into town.  This time we stopped in downtown, got a cup of coffee and walked around for a bit.  There was a beautiful church on the public square (round about) in town.  We walked around it for a bit, I took some pictures, while Brad tried the doors and peeked in the windows.  Then we headed up the street (Lynne I missed you for this), there was a large 3 story building full of antiques.  I think we were in there for at least 2.5 hours.  We checked out another small store and did some admiring of the old building, sorry to see another town falling into disrepair.  We were in town until about 4:00 then we headed to the grocery store, planning for the trip tomorrow.  It was about 5:00 when we got home, put the groceries away and headed out to the field with Rudy.  He had a nice little run, a walk around the CG for us to check out everyone with a campfire and back home for dinner.  We had fish on the grill with veggies, nice meal.  Dishes are done, blog is started so off for another walk with Rudy, it was about 45 min. long, out through the woods and around the pond, what a beautiful, but chilly walk.  This is amazing, but a week ago we ran our AC non stop and tonight they are calling for record colds in this area.....seriously!  Oh well, no heat on, just an extra cover on the bed.  Well it is now 10:00 and I think the blog is about done.  Thanks for the visit, write ya all soon,  Diane and Brad.   

Our Camp Site!!

 

Crawfordsville, Indiana

Friday we left Washington PA heading to Wright Patterson AFB in Dayton, OH.  We had reservations there, but when we got there the Office was closed.  The full hook-up sites were all full when I called so we were given a water and electric site (now we did count 8 full hook-up sites open the whole time we were there).  Saturday we got up and headed out to breakfast, but the first 4 gates we stopped at were closed.  Brad actually stopped and asked for directions to get off the base, the roads were laid out kind of strange and there was no gate in site.  We finally make it out to breakfast, then go check out a couple of city parks, hoping to find a dog run....no luck, then off to find the commissary and exchange.  Back to the RV and start packing up the few things we had out, ready for another move tomorrow.  We had hoped to get to the museum, but next trip, just not enough time in our one day stay.

 

Sunday up, packed and on the road by 11:00, and as we were driving over to the gate...there sat Air Force One (is the Pres. here or not), oh well, over to Wal-Mart for supplies and back on the road about 12:30, this time heading to the Sugar Creek Campground in Crawfordsville, Indiana. We stopped for fuel around 2:00 pm Brad opened both fuel doors to help vent the tank,....but with the slope of the ground fuel was running out the low side as he put it in the high side, oh no!!  When we got into Indiana we got off route 70 to travel route 40, a much nicer road and a little slower pace.  About 20 minutes of being on the road, the bugs are so bad, Brad does the smart thing and hits the wipers and washers.....not so smart, smeared them to the point it was a pull over and wash the windows with a bucket and water.  Down the road some more and we hit them again, I have attached a picture, and this is within 15 miles of the first washing we had to stop and wash the windshield again.  Back on the road and we finally pulled into the campground about 5:15, found our spot and got set up.  We did a little stroll through the CG, pretty nice place.  A quick dinner on the grill and all off to bed early, the drives tend to tire us out. 

 

Breakfast in a safe!!

During the night we had a horrendous thunderstorm blow threw, it woke me up, but I rolled over and went back to sleep, Brad on the other got up until the storm was over, then tossed and turned the rest of the night.....the next day we figured out why.  Monday morning when he went outside, he found that he had forgotten to close the two big bins on the drivers side of the coach, and they were soaked.  Oh what fun....clean all the stuff out of the bins, including the wet file cabinet and then leaving them open during the day to dry out.  Out for breakfast, the place was ok, then did a geocache in town, shopped at the antique store (yes I did make a purchase), then headed back home.  We had chicken on the grill and did some long strolls through the camp ground.  I would come back here if we are ever passing by this area again. 

 

Tuesday morning we got up and did a walk up through the primitive camping area....which I think is just a big as the rest of the CG.  Most of those sites are right on the Creek and very nice.....I remember those days, just not for me anymore.  Brad made breakfast on the grill, then time to clean up and head to town for groceries and Brad a hair cut.  Back home, did some checking on the rafting or canoeing on the creek, planning for tomorrow.  We also found out that this place was totally flooded earlier this year, a levee up stream broke and the CG was completely under water, to the point a couple of RV's and the campground's 500 gallon propane tank went down stream.....ouch.  A lazy night here at camp, a quick chat with Shane, pork chops for dinner and all the windows open, yea it finally cooled off for a nice night of sleeping.

 

We got up today, after pulling up the covers to be comfortable through out the night...yea.  Well we planned on tubing today, but at noon it is only 69 degrees....I don't think I'm getting in the water.  So we head into town, pizza for lunch and off to the Carnegie Museum.  Not bad, and we had to come back since we did the geocache here on Monday.  Then off to another geocache and of course it brings us to another museum, the Rotary Jail Museum.  This place was amazing, the guide, not the best, but the whole concept of the rotary jail was amazing. 

 

Off to Illinois tomorrow,

Diane and Brad

East Berlin PA to Washington PA....a little west

Tuesday July 16, we started sorting and getting things ready for storage or the Salvation Army, while having a marathon laundry day.  Bed sheets done and the hamper is empty, yea.  Brad left about 1:00, heading out to get the car inspected, while I did some sorting and organizing.  When he got back, we got cleaned up, heading over to Chris and Thom's for dinner.  We stopped to pick up a watermelon on the way, and before we went to the house we took Rudy to the dog run, hoping to tire him out a little.  Well I think the dog run was the trick, he actually did very well with the kids.  At one point Grady was teasing him and when he went to chase him, his lease broke.....Grady's eye got huge and his hand went over his mouth (priceless look) and Rudy just stopped....he's not used to be able to chase what he wants.  It worked out, he came right back to Brad when called, I fixed his leash and all was wonderful again.  It was nice seeing Chris and family....somehow they usually get missed on our visits home.  Back home....still steamy hot, hang out inside and then off to bed.

 

Wednesday we were at it again.  After sorting through all our things, we ended up having to repack the outside bins...nice we have room again.  Then off and running, Brad dropped me off to get a pedicure while he took to stuff to storage and stopped off at the Salvation Army, then only had about a 5 min. wait until I was finished.  Back home, hang out with Rudy, talk with Rick, Shane, Lynne and off again to the Shirks.  We headed out to the Pizza Grille for dinner...delicious.  We stopped back at the house for just a few minutes, said our good-byes and we were off....I was sad, missing my sister and the rest of the family again.  Back home and start getting ready for the move tomorrow, cut up the last half of water melon, and then open a can of tuna to add mayo for tuna crackers on the ride.....but all of a sudden Rudy goes crazy, barking and barking and running around me, barking some more.  He got so bad, Brad had to take him outside until I finished mixing it up, what a reaction. 

 

Hill Top Site

Thursday we are heading out, Dad couldn't meet us for our normal Breakfast, so we just got packed up and headed in to East Berlin for some groceries.  Rudy was so excited, or nervous, he actually opened the door to his cage got in himself.  After we got done at the grocery store, putting the stuff away, I opened the refrigerator, out rolled a beer and a tiny hole  popped and beer all over the place.....mostly me. We finally get everything put away and I finish changing and getting the mess cleaned up, Brad pulls out heading down 194 to 30 over to 81 and then we hit 68 west.  Now we have traveled  route 68 many a time, but it sure is different is a diesel RV, lots of hills, turns and dangerous downgrades, a good work out for down shifting, engine breaking or both, , but we did fine.   We stopped at the welcome center  just inside of West Virginia, but no campgrounds near by with 50 amp service (90 degrees, I want AC).  So we head up to the KOA in Washington, PA.....what a drive.  You turn down this tiny little street in the center of town, then wind down this skinny little road about 1.5 miles, then head up this steep hill to the KOA.  The KOA itself is on a hill and the sites are actually, tiered into a hill side, yikes.  OK, we get parked, not a bad site, top tier and we actually have a breeze.  Brad took Rudy to the dog park, where Rudy ran about 6 laps....back to the RV.  I had the jacks down and the slides out, working on getting the inside put back together, and then Brad got to working on getting the outside hooked up.  Hot dogs, potato salad, chips, pickles and what not for dinner, now just lazing around, a load of laundry in and the count down is on for bed time.....early night tonight.

 

The hill out tomorrow,
See how that goes
 

Thanks for the visit,

A very tired,

Diane and Brad

Gettysburg Farms, PA

I'm back,

Thursday, July 11, we got up and did a load of laundry then got ready to go do some visiting.  The first house we stopped at nobody home, then off to Norm and Pat's.  We get there and she is scrubbing her floor with ammonia an the smell is enough to gag you.  We got to the living room, then she comes to join us and the Beth , who is visiting from Texas, showed up and joined us.  After awhile they call Norm and he comes home to visit.  We were there about 2-3 hours then it was time to head home to Rudy.  We just had something here at the house, working on our trip out west and walking the dog. 

Friday I am to meet dad and spend the afternoon with him.  Brad on the other hand, was a bit slow in getting motivated to get me over there, but we just made it in time.  Dad and I are going to have lunch with Deb and her friends, so Brad dropped me off and headed out to do what ever he was planning on doing.  Dad and I had lunch then headed over to the cemetery....81 is a parking lot.  But dad gets on the back roads and we make it.  We stop and visit mom for a while, I still cry when I visit, then headed out to find Uncle Franks grave and Jim Ramage's grave just a few rows behind his.  After that we headed over to the casino for about an hour then back to dad's.  Brad had stopped to do some visiting on his own,  then picked me up at dad's and visited for a little while before we headed home.  Another light meal and a long sit outside enjoying the smell of every body's campfire.

 

Saturday was a laundry morning and then we headed over to visit with Jen, Greg and Aunt Ada.  We were there about 1.5 hours and had a very nice visit.  We then headed home, walked Rudy and loaded him into the car, then off to visit with Lynne, Rick and Bailey.  We sat on the deck for a short visit then they fixed dinner, salad, steaks and potatoes....what a treat.  We then sat on the deck until about 10:00, talking and enjoying the evening.  I did get to see Lynne's new kitchen plans and what is going to look like.....nice, but then the whole house is going to be beautiful, but oh the work they are doing now....ouch.  Rudy and Bailey did ok Saturday, but some how being on neutral ground (campground) seems to work a little better, just not fair Rudy is leashed and Bailey gets to run free, but they didn't do to bad.

Delicious Chocolate Cake

Sunday we got ready and headed over to Dad's for the regular Legion Lunch, Dad, Lynne, Deb, Jim, Karen, Mike, Brit, Aly, Brad and myself were all there.  It was nice to see them all and get the chance to talk a little.  We then visited with dad for a little while, then headed home to tend to Rudy, but first a stop at the pet store and the wine store.  We spend about an hour at  home with him, then up to Mel's for dinner and a visit.  This is the send off  meal with Monique as she is off to the Army on Tuesday.  Mel made a fabulous raspberry/pecan salad and Pere made some delicious chicken on the grill, topped off by the chocolate cake made by Monique.  We were there until about 9:00 then headed home, both of us tired from all the running. 

Our Camp Site

Monday is crazy hot and humid, but things to do and places to go.  We pulled out of the CG about 9:30, heading up to Shumaker's garage to get the RV inspected.  I picked up Brad and Rudy there and we headed over to Logan park, where Mel and the girls are going to meet us, and we actually ran into Mark and Norman while we were there. After that we stopped at Wendy's for lunch and headed back to Shumaker's and they were just finishing up the RV.  I left Brad and Rudy there, actually at the gas pump, headed back to the CG, stopped and dropped off some clothes at a drop off and then to get sweet corn, tomatoes and a watermelon.  Back to the CG, parked and here comes our motor home just rolling up the dust, ugh.  Brad got parked, jacks down, slides out and everything put back out, waiting for Shane to come visit.  We did some more checking for our travels but we aren't having much luck finding a CG about 3.5-4 hours out.....might have to stop at a Wal-Mart.  But after going to Lynne and Rick's, thinking we were there, Shane showed up and we had all the fresh things I bought earlier with burgers.  It was nice to see Shane, sorry it was only once, but that is better than not seeing him at all.  Another late night for us with another busy day planned for tomorrow.
 

Charlottesville, VA to PA

Blenheim Winery

Sunday was another quick breakfast and then off to Scottsville and stopped at the 'Tavern on the James' for lunch.  Everybody's meal was delicious, including the French Fries and home made Potato Chips.  We walked through town for a little, stopping at a junk shop or two, then headed back the way we came, looking for an Antique shop.....found it.  We spent a good hour in there looking around, but no purchases were made.  From there we started the wine trail again, first at 'First Colony'.  Good wine and a few purchases were made there, then off to Blenheim Winery.  This place was beautiful and as we found out, owned by Dave Matthews.....the wine was OK, Brad and I didn't make any purchases here and Lynne and Ricks were minimal.  From there off to the Trump Winery, yes ole Donald Trump actually owns a winery in VA, and it was just as you would expect, all dark wood and very formal appearance.  Brad and I did buy one bottle of wine there, with the Shirks also making a purchase.  From there back home for dinner, left over chicken, salad, cheese, crackers and pretzels.....followed by playing cards. 

 

Monday was a hang out and pack day...for the most part.  Lynne and I finally headed over to 'The Fresh Market', with a stop or two on the way, the first one being Starbucks, of course.  We did a shoe store, clothing store, the grocery store, Rite Aid, a beer stop and we finally get home about 5:00-5:30.  We bought and had burgers, with portabella mushroom and gouda cheese in them, with what ever left overs we could scrounge between the two RV's.  We finally have a campfire, yes it was still 85 degrees and our last night of cards before we all leave tomorrow.   

 

Camp Buddies

 

Tuesday morning I got up about 7:00, thinking Rick was going to get on the road before I had a chance to say good-bye to Lynne, but as luck had it, they didn't get on the road until 9:00.  After that we started our packing in preparation for our move.  We finally get out of there about 11:00, not too bad since the inside was an absolute mess when we started packing.  Brad drives for about an hour, then I get behind the wheel and pull into a gas station about 15 minutes into the drive, where Brad had me go down the road to another gas station...I ended tuning around in a small motel parking lot.....talk about nervy, then back to the gas station and I hit the road again lasting about another hour or so and we changed drivers one more time.  We finally get to Gettysburg Farm about 5:00 and it took us awhile to find a site...first one ok, second one, nice but way too un-level, back to the first site and there we stay, no more looking.  We get set up and I decided to make dinner, grilled cheese on the grill....how about that.  But as I open a cupboard, crash, one of our new wine glasses is smashed on the table.  Now how much sweeping do I need to do get all the glass up before we let the dog in....I think it was a good 1/2 hour, what a mess, and how sad.  Finally dinner and off to be about 11:00.

 

Wednesday we get up and in about 1/2 the rain is coming down.  What a gray day, we really don't feel like doing much, yogurt for breakfast, shower and then a call to Monique.  I made arrangements to meet her for lunch, I gave her a buoy I wanted painted and she agreed to paint for me.  I had a very nice time,  then she went home to paint while I stopped for gas and then headed to the grocery store, my freeze was bare.  Back home, unload, put the stuff away, then we got out our flag, sign and outside lights....now it looks like home.  Off for another walk around the CG and just as I was thinking about texting Lynne, she called, dinner is off, so Brad showered and off to the Hog Wild BBQ place for dinner.  We were anxious to get there and both a little disappointed with dinner....but hey I didn't have to cook.  Back home, walk the dog and then while we are sitting out side, after seeing our sticker, another couple that belongs to the Escapees (Brook and Bob) stopped to say 'Hi'.  We talked for awhile, what an interesting story.  She was adopted as a baby, and was here to meet family she found via Ancestry.com....she must be in her 60's....oh how her family has grown.  We did another walk around the CG and I am finishing the blog while putting off doing dishes....oh well, they are still there, so I guess I'm done for the night.

 

Thanks for checking in,

Diane and Brad

 

Ashland to Charlottesville, VA

Our stressful traveler

Tuesday July 2, we get up to the sound of pouring rain.  We did our best to dodge rain showers but didn't have much luck.....oh what fun it is to pack up in the rain.  We finally get all packed up and head out about 11:15 for our 1.5 hour drive.  What a drive, rain, sun shine, rain, sun shine, the weather really couldn't make up it's mind.  We finally get off 64 about 3 exits early, planning on finding a shopping center (Starbucks) to unhook the car...but after driving the RV through downtown Charlottesville, we found route 20 and just headed to the CG.  When we got back to route 64, we stopped at the underpass, disconnected the car and sent me on my way.  I get to the CG, and as I'm checking in Brad pulls in and waits at the top of the drive.  I walked to our campsite, get him pulled in where it is fairly level, then back to the office for the car.  We then get to set up in the rain, oh how refreshing :-)  We just hung out at the CG for the evening, dinner on the grill, many dog walks (lots of sniffing and other dogs to meet), enjoying the rain and humidity. 

Wednesday we headed into town, first to the bagel shop, then a tour through town checking things out and finding a little bike trail along a little river, a little more touring through town,

off to  'The Fresh Market', Starbucks and then we head home.  Lynne and Rick are planning to be here about 7:00-7:30, so we are planning chicken wraps for dinner.  Change of plans, they have a house showing so it has delayed the arrival time until about 10:00......no worries.  They ended up pulling in about 9:30, get parked and set up the necessities, then come over and hang out with us until about midnight.....off to bed. 

Instead of 'Where's Waldo' it's
'Where's Lynne and Rick'

Thursday we all slept in (including the dogs).  We finally had breakfast, I guess it was really brunch, at about 10:30-11:00, then we all got cleaned up and headed up to Carters Orchard.  We walked around for a while then did a little wine tasting, which ended up with a 6 bottle purchase.  We headed home about 4:00 to have an early dinner, then back to Carters Orchard for some music and the 9:00 fire works.  That was a lot of fun, a bottle, 2 or 3 of wine, some snacks, nice fireworks and a good time had by all.  I do believe it was the first time any of us got to watch the fireworks go off at eye level.  We get out of there about 10:00, back home, visit for a while and then off to bed. 

 

Friday we did the brunch again, pancakes and sausage then got cleaned up and headed out about 1:30.  Today we are heading into the Main Street Mall.  We got there and had a lite lunch at Nooks and from there headed down the walking mall.  We did some shopping at the artisan shops and a book store with a couple of stops in between.  The one shop we stopped at had some beautiful Kaleidoscopes, upward of $400.00, but we got to enjoy many of them.  We ended up being in town until about 5:30, then stopped at the grocery store on the way home.  Tonight it is just snacks for dinner consisting of cheese, beef sticks, pretzels and crackers for dinner....what a beautiful day. 

 

Today we had fruit for breakfast and made it out of the CG by noon.  We headed to Crozet for the food networks famous pizza (not disappointed) then stopped at an artist shop (earrings were purchased) then on to the wine trail.  We stopped at three different wineries but the ones was so crowded we didn't even get up to the bar to do some wine tasting.  We did show them, we just bought a couple of glasses of wine and I think even a purchase was made.  We finally ended up at the Cardinal Point Winery.  The people were very nice and it is actually owned by a retired General, so you got a military discount.  We did our tasting then we each got a glass of wine and went out on the patio to relax and enjoy.  Brad was talking with this older couple while the rest of us gathered up our purchases and headed out to join him.  We then found out they were the owners of the winery and he is the retired General.  The had a band playing in the field below the patio, so we enjoyed the sounds and the beautiful day. 

 

 

We'll have to see what tomorrow brings.

Diane and Brad 

Last days in Ashland, VA

June 28 through July 1, Hot, humid and thundershowers,

 

OK, Brad was trying to recall the past week, but I think I'll try to summarize what all we did and call this blog finished.  It really does work better if I make time to do the blog every 2-3 days, not a week later. 

 

Thursday we drove to Charlottesville to check out the CG we are heading to on Tuesday 7-2.  We had rain on and off the whole way over and back, but it was a nice drive and got us out of the RV for a while. 

 

Friday we worked on getting the door awning in place to make sure it still worked.  That didn't take long, once we found a second ladder and remembered how it was to go up......but it went up and worked, yea.  Brad called a repair guy who was going to come out on Monday, but they didn't have the rivets needed, they would just come up with some way to reattach it.  OK, now we are not sure but that didn't sound great to us. 

 

Saturday we headed over to McGeorge's RV to check with the service department.  They actually knew what we were talking about and gave us the 2 rivets we needed...wow.  From there we headed over to the Bass Pro show (largest we have been to yet), walked around for awhile then headed into their Islamorada Restaurant, where we had a delicious lunch.  From there over to Home Depot for a rivet gun, back to the RV and attach the awning.  What the rivet gun broke, so I headed back to Home Depot returned that one and actually bought a cheaper one, success.  That one worked and the awning is attached to the RV again. 

 

Sunday Brad cancelled the repair guy and from there we just went shopping for the day.  First we had lunch at this little diner (pie and ice cream) then off to find Lowe's, Target and the grocery store.  Back home,  put all the stuff away and suffered in the heat and humidity again.  Dinner at home and hide in the AC one more time.

 

Monday another hot day.  We went out breakfast then I headed out in search of a post office and ended up on a 20 mile tour of the area.  Back home, pork and sauerkraut in the crock pot, and get ready to head to the Cold Harbor Battlefield......downpour and another and another and another.....no battlefield trip for us today.  We hang out for a while, do laundry, clean then head over to Bass Pro for a screen room.  Brad and I hung out there for a while, just to be out of the RV, but then headed back home to check on Rudy.  We took him up to the dog run area, but it was too wet and the fussy little thing doesn't like water.  Back home for dinner and we sat outside suffering in the heat and humidity. 

I'll get Tuesday through today caught up when we get back,
Diane and Brad