Visit with Shane!!

Friday Sept 25    We spent our second day at the Huntington KOA just catching up on laundry, shopping and just generally taking it easy.  It was mostly gray and overcast all day.  We did find a nice Italian restaurant to eat at.  Food was really good and the price was quite reasonable.  We returned to the camper with enough leftovers for lunch the next day.

Saturday  26 Sept.  Woke up to the sound of rain!  There is nothing worse than packing up in the rain, walking the dog in the rain, hooking the car up in the rain, YUK.  But we did it and were on the road by 9:45.  We traveled to the first exit (10 Mile), filled up with fuel in the rain and I found the slowest diesel pump I have ever used.  By the time I pumped 60 gallons I was soaked.  Back into the camper I now have 2 sweat shirts drying all the fans running to keep the windshield from fogging up.  We

Mt. Morris CG,
Bare bones, but to visit Shane
we can do this again!!

drove 25 miles the rain was over and the rest of the drive was dry and uneventful.  We pulled into Mt. Morris at 4:15 set things up had burgers on the grill.  Shane was at the West Virginia vs Maryland tail gate parties so we won't see him until tomorrow.

Sunday 27 Sept.  We spent the afternoon with Shane and Allison and they took us to a little bar/grill, Mario's, in downtown Morgantown for world famous Wings with Cowboy hot sauce.  The food was great and once again we brought enough home for another meal.  We were kidding Shane about the "world famous" wings and he quickly showed us the list (from internet) of  "22 wings you must eat before you die" and there were the cowboy wings number 17.  We had a nice visit and returned about 3pm, they were headed to Allison's new place to paint (ha, ha)

Monday 28 Sept.  Woke up to rain.  Rudy just does not like rainy walks or getting his feet wiped off so he had a long morning.  We headed back into Shane's because after a hundred subtle hints his mom just had to make him macaroni and cheese.  We visited for awhile his work has been very slow and no assignment on the horizon.   We had a nice visit and dinner with him then returned around seven.

 

Brad, Diane and Rudy

What a couple of days!!

Tuesday 22 Sept.  We had a bit of scare last night.  Rudy ate something and was gagging for awhile then started eating grass like a cow just moved to a fresh pasture.  We turned off the chicken twice to walk him around the campground. We walked up to the office for a vet's phone but they were closed.    Slowly he came around and never did throw up he just slowly got better and finally ate his dinner.

Nice CG

And Brad Signed the
Floor!!

  After a restless night sleep we were up, packed,  had breakfast and were on the road by 10:00.   We traveled route 66 for 50 miles then onto route 60 for the  rest of the trip.  The first stop was for fuel on route 66 were we found the Crapduster (a bi-plane with a manure spreader backend), second stop was Uncle Rooster's dinner(a very interesting place where you sign the floor and they had great food) and the last was a rest area along route 60 for a break and geo-cache.  At about 3:00 we pulled into the Big Spring campground in Van Buren Missouri.  The first thing Rudy found was Miss Kitty, the unofficial greater of the place and she does not run from dogs.  Poor Rudy he put forth his best effort and meanest growl and Miss Kitty just would not run.   Eventually he gave up and moved on the squirrels they ran and he was happy.  We settled in had left overs for diner and just relaxed a little.  Tomorrow we will hit the road for another long day 225 plus miles.

Wednesday 23 Sept.    Up and moving at a descent time(9:45) this morning on our way to Bryan's Lake  in Graham Ky.  We have at least half way on route 60 before getting on the interstates for the rest of trip.  The only problem with the smaller roads it is hard to find rest areas.  And as fate would have it I needed a rest area and couldn't find one.  Used the next best thing Wal-Mart  and just as I turned into the entrance there it is.  A big sign "low clearance" 11'0", my first thought was to try it anyway we only need 11' 9" or so.  But after a few seconds we decided it wasn't worth it and put it in

It was peaceful anyway!!

park, unhooked the car, Diane backed the car unto road and blocked traffic until I got the motorhome backed up and turned around.  In the meantime people tried to go around us and in the exit.  We finally made it into Wal-mart hooked the car back up and on the road again after a little break.  Back on route 60 another hour stopped for fuel, back on the highway, looking for the interstate connection when Diane sees a sign bridge closed on route 60.  She finds an alternate which was also marked by detour signs and off we go.  Things were just fine until we got to the Kentucky river bridge it was old, low railing, heavy truck traffic, very narrow and to top it off a 90 degree turn at the far side.  Nobody talked and nobody breathed until we were on the other side.  Back on route 60, over to the interstate and up the road  to Graham we went.  Following the GPS(you know what is going to happen) we turned onto a side road to the campground, it is 15 feet wide and here comes a pickup he was nice and pulled off  to the side.  I ask about the campground and we are on the wrong road.  We followed his directions turning twice

Rudy has a visitor, Cosmo!!

 and each road got narrower,  people are pointing, staring, we are in rural KY  after all,  but we finally made it to the campground and we are ready for a drink.  Not so fast, we stopped to talk to a campground person, we turned around in a hayfield, followed this guy another half a mile into woods.... I get out and into the golf cart and he takes down a step but short hill to pick out our site.  Who would have guessed,  the sites consist of a bunch of outlets fastened to trees along a edge of another field  and a water hookup up the side of the hill.   We didn't much care, told him we would take it, I ask him how much he though and guessed 20 bucks. I gave him a 20 and off he went no receipt no paper work and I was just hoping he really works here.  We settled in went for a long walk found the lake which was actually very nice.  Now Rudy just loved it here where he could run lose and he made two friends "Cosmo" and "Campground Dog" their real names.  We don't have sewer hook up so we will leave in the morning.

Thursday 24 Sept.    Up and out of the campground by 9:15 almost a record for us.  Onto the interstate and rolling right along.  Stopped at a Wal-mart for a break when we notice a Cracker Barrel right beside it, off for a nice lunch.  Back on the road and a there is a construction sign warning of very long delays on our route.  Diane maps us around this one and a few miles up the road traffic is stopped she says take this exit and off we go into Lexington Ky.  We made a few turns (I was a little nervous) but not to long we were back on the interstate.  She saved us a bunch of time being stuck in traffic.  We pulled into the Ashland KOA at 5:15, after traveling almost 300 miles and loosing an hour crossing another time zone.  It is so nice for a flat site with all the hook ups with cable and wifi. What a difference a day makes.   After settling in and taking Rudy for a walk we had bison burgers for diner and just relaxed.

Brad, Diane and Rudy!!

We made it through Kansas!!

Friday 18 Sept  We spent most of the morning and half the afternoon sitting in the camper being glad we were not on the road.  We watched all the other coaches pull out and get on the interstate while the wind blew so hard it took both of us to hold the door to get Rudy out.  At one point he was at the end of his leash and it was vibrating so hard his little head was just  a wobbling in step with it.  We finally took a drive into WaKeeney  visited the Museum, two veteran parks and found three Geo-caches before stopping for diner at Jake & Chet's dinner.  The Museum once again impressed us for a town of less than 2000 people and most items came with a note of who had and/or wore them.  The dinner was almost very good, we had the special(prime rib) not the best we ever had but for $17.00 it was good and we brought more than half of it home with us (Rudy was happy).  We wanted to stop at the antique store beside the campground but it was closed by the time we returned.  The wind died down somewhere after 7pm we took Rudy for several walks around the park and settled in about 8pm.

Saturday 19 Sept.  We hit the road at 9:30 stopped for fuel right beside the campground and were rolling again by 9:45.  We are traveling two lanes roads again, they are much more relaxing.  However, today we traveled about 208 and arrived at 3pm.   That is 5 1/2 hours  an average of less than 40 mph,  but in Diane's defense we stopped for fuel,  in Alexander for bathroom break,  two rest areas because they were on our way and had geo-caches, and Wal-Mart to have left-overs for lunch .   Now Alexander like WaKeeney has original brick streets through the old parts of town, very well maintained towns but like most have given way to Wal-Mart and other chain stores with downtown suffering.  We are now at Spring Lake campground in Halstead KS.  A nice CG with a lot of permanent/seasonal sites but they were nice and we are happy with our 14 dollar night site.  We are planning to leave tomorrow breaking the two night rule but we need to speed things up a little.  Tomorrow trip is planned for 225 mile plus a fuel stop, it will be long day for us.

Sunday 20 Sept.  We didn't get on the road until 10:00, but we finally got moving.  We are beginning to remember why Kansas is such a hated state to travel through.  We did manage to do the two lane roads again,  but it is just as flat and boring as the interstate.  We stopped for gas in Eldorado, KS at the Triple S Ranch Supply store that was rather interesting to walk through, mostly selling cowboy boots and jeans.....not what you normally see.  There were no pay at the pump machines and you can pump first then go pay.  We started out in the dry plains of Kansas, then all of a sudden, things started to turn green and lush.  We are now in the south east portion of Kansas and they have had a lot of rain here, so everything is green and the grass is still being mowed.  Our last stop on the way was a rest area at the site infamous mass murders of Kansas (The Bender's) and of course a geo-cachce.  We cross the Missouri border and head to our CG, The Big Red Barn RV Park, in Carthage, MO.  It is on Old 66, so hopefully tomorrow we'll get to do some touring.   

Monday 21 Sept.  We didn't get moving this morning.  Rudy and Brad had a really long walk, while I sat in bed for that first cup of coffee, and it still took me about another 30 min. until I made it to the kitchen.  I put dishes away and cleaned up a little, then sat out side with Brad for a while.  We

Nice CG, and they park
you every other site....Nice!!

decided to have breakfast in, then Brad decided it was the day to shave, so it was a relaxing morning at  home.  We finally got on the road about noon heading into Carthage, stopping at Iggy's dinner for lunch, nice place and the food was pretty good.  After that we headed into the town square where we find a very impressive Court House, it was huge and beautiful.  We parked took some pictures then decided to hit a couple of the antique shops and some of the other stores on the town square.  It really amazes us the different items you find in the different areas.  We then found the local butcher shop to stock up on supplies, and off to the grocery store.  I am pretty sure we are now set for the rest of the trip.....but as usual, we'll run out of something and have to go shopping again.  We got home about 5:00, put everything away and Brad is making dinner (chicken), while I finish the blog.  We plan on hitting the road again tomorrow, for a couple of 1 night stops until we get to Shane's and then on to Dillsburg for a couple of days.  After that we will be off to Tioga County to check out the house and talk with the renters. 

The old Court House

 Brad, Diane and
Rudy


Just some neat old buildings!!

 

On the road again

Tuesday 17 Sept.  Well we finally made it out of Horsetooth but not out of Colorado.  We finished packing, hooking up and pulled out at 10am.  A very windy day(20-25mph)  and the first 20 miles or so were terrible fighting the wind.  Once we turned east on highway 34 we had a tail wind and all was

Nice CG in
Wray, CO!

good.  A not so long drive to Wray Colorado was nice.  As we travel across route 34, how bland eastern Colorado really is.  We arrived in Wray (pop 2345) at 3pm and temperature of 100 degrees.  The humidity is really low but it is still hot.  We settled in and started looking for place to eat dinner and yes there is more than one, six actually but if you take out fast food and sandwich shops there were two left.  We went to Creekside Tavern, nice place but not a lot to pick from so we settled on pizza and it was pretty good.  Tomorrow we will hit the other place.   We drove around town(2 miles each way) then back to the house.  We walked Rudy and surprisingly the temperature drops quickly  as the sun sets.  Diane was finishing the Blog last night when she noticed an email from the renters.  Thinking it was about this months rent, she opened it, but the news is they are moving out.  Needless to say, it was a restless nights sleep, need to change all our plans and re-group.

Wednesday 16 Sept.  Here we are with all day to spend in Wray.  We went to the Wray liquor store looking for wine but didn't like either brand they had.  We did wash the car stopped at the grocery store and walked through the town parks.  The Wray museum was bigger and more interesting than we ever thought it would be.  The lady running it was very knowledgeable she highlighted several things to us.  One was the story was how they managed to have a 150 year old piano that was left in an old sod house because it wouldn't fit in the owners new house and was discovered by a man out duck hunting.  And the other was artifacts from an Indian battlefield (Beecher Island) just outside of town and they still hold a reunion with descendants from both sides.  We headed back to the camper cooked the steaks we bought at the little grocery store, they were fresh and very good.  We had to wait until the sun started to set before grilling as the temperature was still reaching almost 100 degrees.

Thursday 17 Sept.  We were pulling out of campground by  9:30 but stopped for diesel fuel and
were back on the road by 9:45, this included waiting for the longest train ever.  We are heading to

WaKeeney, KS
KOA CG....not bad!!

WaKeeney along I 70 which should have bigger and better services/selections than in Wray.  Another very warm day and wind picked up as we drove so we stopped at the first campground on our list pulling in around 3pm local time.  The campground is a KOA, nice,  the usual close sites, but at least you can walk around.  We did a quick drive through town, only to find out that it's smaller than Wray, just our luck.  It was 90 again, but if you walked slow and find the shade whenever possible, it wasn't bad walking.  Once the sun started to go down, so did the temperature, so 2 or 3 more trips around the CG with Rudy...I think more for us than for him.  By 7:30 the campground was almost full including several high end campers the biggest a 2015 Newell(a million plus rig) and it is towing  a Hummer H3.

On the Road back to PA,
Brad, Diane and Rudy

The end at Horsetooth Reservoir!!

Thursday, Friday and Saturday was work as normal.  Thursday we were pretty slow, so a little packing outside for Brad. while I scrubbed and cleaned inside (him and Rudy stayed out of my way).  Friday we had over 40 campers coming in, so lots of site markers, a couple of questions, but all in all it was a fairly quiet Friday.  Saturday I headed to town to pick up some supplies while Brad finished washing the outside of the Moho.  It was a hot day, so I think I made out on the that deal.

Now Sunday was a bit more interesting, we headed down for our last visit with Shari and family and it just happened to be McKayden's Birthday, so they are doing a 'Chopped' meal for her.  Now I have seen the TV show, but the ingredients that McKayden picked made this interesting.  We had an appetizer which consisted of Spicy 'Sriracha Peas(Chili Garlic Coated Green Peas), ginger snaps, cheese, and wraps.  The teams were, Shari and Makira against Matt and Maddie, with Nana, Pappy, McKayden and Matthew as judges.....yes we had to taste it.  Matt and Maddie won that round, then for the second round, we had oriental noodles, chicken, bean sprouts, and donuts.  Now on this round, Matt ended up on the phone and left Maddie on her own, so Shari and Makira won that round.  That took most of the afternoon, so a quick piece of cake, ice cream and the opening of the gifts and we were off.  The kids had soccer at 4:30 and it was almost time for them to leave, so we headed out for a slow ride home, back roads the whole way, and were still home early enough to have a fire and enjoy the evening at home. 

Rudy's new seat beside Brad.   Our last fire at Horsetooth.

Monday was a lot of packing and re-organizing inside and out, cleaning and laundry.  We turned over our computer, CC machine, Jet-pack (wifi hot spot), radio and the container of stuff related to camp hosting and officially went off duty about 2:00.  Roger stopped to pick the stuff up, sat and talked for about 30 min. and we said our good-byes.  Back to our chores, but about 5:00 we quit, we were exhausted from trying to remember where everything went.  Brad started the fire, while I poured us a glass of wine and just as we settled in, Cathleen stopped in to say good-bye and drop off some fresh tomatoes and frozen corn, yum.  She visited for a little while then her and her husband headed off to go fishing.  We settled back in by the fire, a few more visitors with questions and looking for camp sites, so we helped them the best could and sent them on their ways.  We finally got to sit and enjoy our wine, while Brad cooked sausages on the fire.  It was our last night at the Horsetooth Reservoir, so most of the fire wood is gone and we managed to enjoy the evening.   Just out of curiosity I did some checking and they have dropped the reservoir 30 feet from the middle of July until Sept 15, when we left....no wonder our little inlet is dry!!

Where did our water go, the green roofed building is in both pictures, one with water, on after the 30 foot drop!!

Glad to leave, but sad at the same time.  Thanks, Diane, Brad and Rudy!!

Happy Labor Day

Monday 7 Sept.   Happy Labor Day to everyone!!  We were heading to Shari's early today.....but like most of days it was almost ten until we left the camper.  I just can't figure out why we are always so late.  Anyway,  we arrived in Coal Creek Canyon just after noon, talked for awhile, checked out the new roof, and the layout for a possible garage.  Sometime around 3:00 Matt started the grill and put the corn ears on and strong thunderstorm rolled in complete with hail and a 20 degree temperature drop.  It only lasted 20 minutes or so and Matt finished cooking and everything was great.  Steaks, corn on the cob with all the fixing and of course Madison's home made guacamole dip.  We headed home about 5:30, stopped for a cup of coffee and finally arrived here at 8:00pm  (late night out for us). 

Tuesday 8 Sept.   Once again the temp dropped to the low 40's I wore jeans to walk Rudy but by ten I was hot.   Diane headed in town for the weekly shopping trip hitting three or four stores.  I really wanted to go with her to enjoy the shopping maybe next time.  I stayed home waxed one side of the motorhome.

Wednesday 9 Sept.   Just another routine day of packing cleaning and organizing.  Shari came up for the last load of fire wood and the kayak.  We treated her to wings for the Canyon Grill from just up the road and we were not disappointed.  The bed of Matt's truck was completely full of wood and we had to put the kayak on top and tie it down.  They certainly made out well with firewood from us working.  I guess that the way it goes, we work kids get the benefits.  Just sausages on the grill for dinner and off to bed. 

And the fire wood is down to a tiny pile!!

Thursday 10 Sept.  Today was special and not because I took the car in for an oil change.   Diane loaded the free windows 10 on the computer.  First it took several hours to download and a few more for her to set it up and find our favorites list etc.  I stayed outside and out of her way,  self preservation on my behalf.  She finally came out smiling.  She hooked up our new Verizon  hot spot and had windows ten working.  We had a late lunch and all seem well the last thing was to update the blog with some pictures.  Well let me tell you as that job progressed(or not) there were a lot of sounds(not good) coming from inside the camper.  But eventually she prevailed and all ended well.  Diane had some wine(big glasses) as I cooked chicken on the grill.  The day ended well and we sat by the fire until almost nine pm.

Brad, Diane and Rudy

Almost over!!

Wednesday 2 Sept.   I hate to say it but we had to get out our flannels(well I did) and sweatshirts as the temperatures dipped into the low 50's this morning.   We headed into town to get and return things for our departure.  First was Wal-Mart, then Lowes, Lunch at a Greek diner, seven eleven for cash, Home Depot, then Rite-aid, Wine store, and finally grocery store.  It took us almost 5 hour until we were back,  I can't believe it takes so long to do so little.  It sure is nice having the new refrigerator we bought some family packages of meat and vacuum packed it smaller bags.  Burgers and fixing for diner.

Thursday 3 Sept.   Back on duty today but not much activity we had only four check outs and six check ins.  Not to waste our time we are cleaning packing and reorganizing for our trip.  We removed the  foil reflector from the windshield today only of find two month's of dirt and cobwebs.  Diane cleaned for over an hour yet some will have to wait until we get rid of the county's computer and associated equipment covering the dash.  And just as we were discussing our first stop on the way back.  Diane's phone rings and they now re-changed there undecided not quite sure minds and are desperate for her to work on Sat. and Sun.   So now she has another next to last and last day of work to look forward to.

No Water left in from of us.....how sad

Friday 4 Sept.  The lake is still being drained at almost a foot per day.  The water is now so far away from the camper that we can't  float in the water and yell for another beer.  So I deflated all the tubes and loaded them in the car to take to Shari's, then Diane called Shari and she didn't hve room for them, so I re-inflated them all and put them out for a mini moving sale.  We were expecting to be very busy today, but as it turned out it was a fairly calm and slow day.  We had a tri-tip roast in the crock pot for dinner, YUM YUM. 

Moving Sale, No Takers!

We gave the stuff away!!

Saturday 5 Sept.  Diane is off to her second next to last day of work. This morning she wasn't sure why she agreed to work two more days.  I am handling the camp ground easy today with no check ins or check outs.  Had only one action all day.  We have had a few rain shower over the last few days but I am still watering the road at least once a day.  The low humidity just dries the road as soon as the showers pass.  Spent the rest of the morning cleaning and rearranging street side storage bins and under the bed storage.  Diane finally arrived home at 2:30 and was exhausted,  A small snack and a short nap and she was as good as new.  We decided hot dogs over the fire since we had that afternoon snack.  She put the dogs out to thaw and I started the fire and just as we were ready to start cooking a customer show up with a long story about her site.  We called the rangers to come figure it out and Rudy was going crazy with all the people here so we had to put him inside.  It took about 20 minutes  to get everything straightened out and amazingly Rudy was being quiet.   Once they all left I brought Rudy out and Diane went to get the hot dogs.  She yells out and asked if I put two back in the freezer, we pause,  I head to the camper and Rudy won't move.  I had to drag him over he didn't stand up until I got to the steps.  You can guess the rest of story under the table Diane finds the remain of two hot dogs.  By now Rudy in coward down hiding behind Diane's, ears back flat with the 'I just couldn't help myself' look.  I tried to scold him but Diane is laughing to hard.  Now we know why he was so quiet when we put him inside.

Rudy now has his own
chair and is loving it!

Sunday 6 Sept.   Diane's last day of work again (this time she means it).  I'm holding down the campground while washing the front of the motorhome.  Again not much action everyone is staying another night getting ready for Labor Day.  A lot of people asking why they are draining the lake so fast.....nobody knows the answer but the level keeps dropping 10 inches a day.  Diane came home around 3:30 we made a trip around the park said goodbye to a few of the regulars that we got to know.   Back to the camper, happy hour with ourselves(boo-who) and just sat by the fire for awhile.

Brad, Diane and Rudy

Lynne's visit and Zip Lining in the Rocky Mountains

Rudy trying to
ignore the deer in
the yard!!

     A lot of excitement this week.   We had our normal shift of camp hosting and things have really slowed down.  We are still full on the weekends (Friday, Saturday) but we are only averaging 12 or so campers per night during the week.

 

 

     But then Lynne came to visit on Tue. the 29th for a 4 day visit with Diane.  They had a great time visiting Estes Park on Wednesday,  some shopping in Fort Collins on Thursday and the big one was a six stage zip line event in Conifer Co on Friday.  It was a exciting time, for the first stage they had to walk up hill for 20 minuets or so at 9000ft.  Diane was quite winded by the time they arrived at the starting point but she made it.   Diane and Lynne were just a little over the average age of the group which was 27.   After the zip line they went to a hotel in town so they were closer to the airport for Lynne to catch her plane on Saturday.  I picked Diane up from the rent a car office around noon and she was still all pumped up about the zip line ride and the overall visit with Lynne.

 

Lynne on the take-off
 of the longest Ride

Diane coming in for
a safe, fun landing!!

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 They are still dropping the water level a foot each day.  The water level is now down over 30 feet from when we arrived and most of that as been the last three weeks. It seems so strange to have to look down to see the boats and that the marina is so far away from the parking lot.  On Sunday Diane worked her last day as a 'gate keeper' and will be turning in her paper work this week.  I've broken down and packed away the fishing rods, cleaned up all the debris from working on the refrig. and generally reorganizing the storage bins.   Starting to get excited about leaving and moving on.  We have decided to end our work here on the 12th, visit Shari on the 13th and hit the road on the 15th.  Have no idea where we our going yet just that we will head toward Tennessee to meet our friends Buddy and Teresa.  Then will head back up to good old PA. to visit with family and friends

 

     Shari, Matt and family will be up Labor day for a cook out and pick up another truck load of fire wood that we have accumulated in the last two weeks.  We will then visit with them on the 13th to say our farewell for this trip.   

 

Brad, Diane and Rudy