Last week at Tompkins Campground

Wednesday 17 June 2020

      It started as tough day.  I had to make sure Diane was up and moving by seven.  It was a ugly job but I survived the challenge.  She had to go to Corning hospital for a test then went to Kohl's shopping for some shorts.  I think she just needed some "store time" now that things have opened back up.  Rudy and I were busy the whole time.  Can't remember what we did but I'm sure we were busy.  Over to Jen and Greg's for diner, good as always.  We had a good meal, good wine, and a good visit.

Thursday 18 June 2020

   After breakfast we headed to the trail for a ride.  Diane rode her bike for a  few miles then walked a mile or two.  On her way back she ran across the bear on the trail.  He walked the trail for awhile

ahead of her then crossed over the trail and  jumped the fence heading towards the mountain.  WOW.  We headed home and a bear ran across the road in front of us.  A large bear (male I guess) he stopped in the field beside us and we managed to get a picture.  That is three bears in less than two weeks.  Must be the year of the bear for us.  I hope away.

Friday 19 June 2020

   We headed up to NY to do some shopping and of course it was lunch when we arrived in Corning.  The good news is, the restaurants were open with indoor and out door seating.  We had pizza at the Cugini Italian Café'  it was very good and good to be out.  Next was the wine store then I dropped Diane at Wegmans while I went to Sportsman Warehouse for a life jacket.  Back to the Moho the raft had arrived at Trina's house so Diane put groceries away while I picked up the raft.  As soon as I got back we opened it up and inflated the raft.  It is bigger than it looked on the internet. We are ready for the water.

Saturday 20 June 2020

    Each day the weather gets hotter and hotter.  Temps when I got up was 65 degrees on its way up to 88 degrees by afternoon.  So we decided to ride the trail this morning and raft this afternoon.  By the time we returned had lunch and got down to the lake there was no where to park and the lake was full of boaters.  We went back home started the fire and enjoyed the evening.

Sunday 21 June 2020

    Happy Fathers Day.  Took the raft out for a test drive.  First Diane went out for a 20 minute paddle while I fished.  She liked it but it seemed to drift a lot.  We put the longer rudder on it and I took it for a spin.  It worked well but the boat traffic was heavy and you are always watching for big waves coming.  The weather was hot!!  We went back to the moho had lunch then returned to the water with Rudy.  We dropped Diane off while Rudy and I went and waited down by the campground for her to paddle on down.  She had a good time.  We switched I took my turn as I rounded the corner toward them I could hear Rudy barking.  Poor thing missed me.  Back to the moho, showers, and chicken for dinner.

Monday 22 June 2020

 We had a nice breakfast and prepared to "descale" the water which takes three to four hour without using any water at all.  So we went to the trail for a ride and again it was after lunch when we were done so we were forced to eat  at Pag Omar's again. Darn!  At least we killed the time pleasantly.  If was after 3pm until we finished lunch and made it home.  We were not hungry at all so fresh grapes and strawberries for dinner.

Tuesday 23 June 2020

  One of the shortest travel days ever.  Check out time wasn't until three so there was no hurry.  We packed, took a break, cleaned, took a break and had lunch, took a break and before long we were almost late leaving. On the road by 1:00pm, stopped for fuel so were are ready for the trip to Dillsburg.  We got parked and set up without incident, except for the cell phone booster wouldn't work.  After many trips up and down the ladder and many adjustment to the direction for the antenna we figured it out.  We had the "in" and "out" wires hooked up backwards.  Mean while Diane got the TV hooked up and running and for the first time since we've own this coach the sound bar came on with the TV.  We don't know why and now we can't adjust the volume.  Good thing it was a short day.  Happy hour and burgers on the grill.

Week of wonderful weather

Thursday 11 June 2020

  Got up, had breakfast, weather was good.  We worked on taxes, had lunch, worked on taxes, had diner and finished taxes. The end.

Friday 12 June 2020

   After a nice breakfast and a little cleaning up around the camper we headed in for a ride on the Rails to Trail.  It was a nice day and I decided today I was going to get back to the fifteen mile mark.  I headed out with out incident. As I made my way back I could feel the extra miles taking a toll. With about three miles to go I had my head down just peddling along looking ahead occasionally to check for other riders. At about the two miles to go mark I looked up and wholly crap here were two bears walking the trail toward me.  I stopped to get a picture but soon realized I needed to retreat some.  I turned around rode 50 yards or so did a check and the bears are gone.  Started on my way again and out come the bears again.  Now I'm starting to think mom bear is going to show cubs how to catch a quick lunch.  I stopped again and they finally jumped the rail fence and moved on, so I hoped.  Let me tell you my old tired legs found new energy as I set a record for the two mile dash. Back to the camper.  Jen and Greg came over for a visit and we sat by the fire, had a glass of wine and caught up.

 Saturday 13 June 2020

   Today we headed up to New York for a day of shopping and lunch IN a restaurant.  Of course by the time we arrived at the mall it was already lunch.  Go figure.  We ate at Applebee's seated every other table and you had to wear a mask until you were seated and all the staff were wearing masks.  It was ok but they needed more waiters. Next was Target, Outdoor Warehouse,  Kohl's, Dick's, Pet Smart, the Liquor Store  and Tractor Supply.  We guess New York just opened up, all the stores were full, check lines were long.  Most store employees wore mask but not all, most shoppers wore masks but not all.  We had great plans of buying/shopping for kayaks, clothes, food, tools, radio and so much more.  We left at 11am made it back at 5pm and had bought poop bags for the dog!  We did buy an outside radio at Target. We got the fire going had a wine or two before calling it a night.

Sunday 14 June 2020

   After breakfast I headed over to Kate and Tony's to check out the farm since the logging this winter.  What a mess, big ruts through out the farm, logs laying everywhere and even trees that were not cut.  Turns out they had to quit because it was to muddy and they should return soon to finish.

  Well the radio we bought yesterday did not pick up even one station so Diane returned that today and was hoping the line in Kohl's would be much shorter. Nope!  While Diane was out running around I walked Moccasin Trail around the camp ground, about three miles.  Another great day with clear skies and temps in the 70's. The weather has been good for several days, cool mornings and Diane has been keeping the camp fire burning around the clock.  That has been nice and we spent a lot of time sitting outside.

Monday 15 June 2020

And this is why we exercise

from here!!

   We got up to another just beautiful day.  Got the campfire going then made breakfast on the grill and ate outside.  We cleaned up then headed to the rail trail.  I don't know how we do it but it was lunch time when we got there.  We rode first anyway.  I did my 15 miles again this time no bears but I did see a big old snapping turtle all covered with green algae crossing the trail to lay eggs, I would guess. And on my way back I had to stop to let a mama deer and baby cross they were so cute.  Back to the truck it was 1:30 so we ate at Pag-Omar's ice cream/sandwich  shop right beside where we park to ride. Back to the Moho get the fire stirred up again, a walk for Rudy at it was wine time.

Tuesday 16 June 2020

   All good things must come to a end.  Instead of having breakfast by the campfire this morning I decided to go have a tooth pulled.  Actually it was a regular checkup but one of the teeth I broke this winter was below the gum and the dentist said it had to go.  So out it came.  Now with the covid restriction they come out to the car to get you.  I went right to "the chair" Dr Ollock was waiting, I sat, he gave me the news, shot of Novocain , out came the tooth and I was on my way home in less than 20 minutes. That was it for me today.  I sat and spit blood while Diane cleaned, did 2 loads of laundry and cooked (meat loaf and mashed taters) for the man with a sore mouth.  I did manage to sort though my fishing gear trying to make up a usable  rig.  We sat by the fire and watched an old movie, enjoying sitting outside.

It's all over

Sunday 7 June 2020

The whole crew at

lunch time!!

   We are in recovery mode today.  We did manage to go to the Brown's campsite for lunch hot dogs on the grill with the whole family Mel, Pere, Taylor and today Keisha and her two came down to visit.  We stayed about an hour until they went for a hike and we headed back to camp.  Another really gorgeous day today mostly clear skies and 80 degrees.  We sat around resting when Diane discovered we left her cookie sheet and hot pads at the Smedley's.  She called Shane, he has the cookie sheet but the hot pads are at the Smedley's and so is Morgan.  It took several calls/texts between Diane ,Shane and Morgan before arrangements were made for pickup.

   We headed back to Mel's for burgers and few games of corn hole.  I got beat thoroughly by Taylor so I called Diane in to replace me while Pere cooked us burgers.  It was nip and tuck right up to the end when Diane sank two in a row and saved face for us both.  Then diner time we all ate while Diane gloated over her victory.  Back to the camper.

                            A serious game for Diane and then she finally makes the winning shot!!

Monday 8 June 2020

   We went down to say goodbye to Mel and crew around 10:30 then headed over to Shane's to pick up cookie sheet and hot pads.  After knocking on the door several times  the half asleep Shane appeared.  It was 11:15am.  We retrieved our things, stopped at Weis and for.gas then back to the Moho to pack for the trip to Tompkins Campground in Lawrenceville.  Weather was great again today as we packed ate and enjoyed our last night here.  We made a fire and sat out our last night until almost dark.

Tuesday 9 June 2020

   We were on the road by 10 am. We stopped in Selinsgrove for lunch and Rudy needed a walk.  Back on road until Tractor Supply in Mansfield to get propane.  We unhooked(have to back in) Diane headed to the store I filled up with propane and headed to the campground.  With the stops we made in just 5 1/2 hours and went 190 miles.  It was a nice drive.  We arrived and started to set up.  First the site is quite unlevel after several attempts of leveling, blocking, leveling and still more leveling we quit and had a beer.  The coach leans to the front and to the right. Had another beer and decided to set up the satellite dish it didn't work, moved it, adjusted it, moved it, adjusted it still didn't work.  So I switched to wine had diner and went to bed.

Wednesday 10 June 2020

   Woke up set up the cell phone booster and it worked first time.  With this great achievement I went back to the satellite adjusted it, moved it, adjust it and still nothing.  One last try I moved into the woods and poof it is working.  One last thing to fix.  When Diane got up we reblocked and releveled the coach this time she did it manually.  It turned out good(pretty good) were are still a little low on the right front corner but the tires are on the ground.  Camp site all fixed up we headed to Lambs Creek for a bit of exercise.  That really didn't pan out to well, the trail had been flooded and there wasn't much maintenance done.  I did manage to go about 7 miles and Diane walked and rode her bike a bit (getting back into the biking mode).  But the weather was good and we had a nice time.  We got home and  I got the fire started we ate diner (Hog-Maw sausages) outside.  Another great day.

The Wedding (Shane & Morgan)

Saturday June 6 2020

  We had breakfast started before Mel, Pere and Taylor  arrived at the campsite.  We talked about the wedding and what time we needed to go everyone agreed on 1:30.  Diane and Mel went inside to start the macaroni and cheese.  Mostly Mel talked while Diane cooked.  Needless to say we were running late by the time the Browns headed home.  I got ready while Diane put the mac and cheese in the oven.  She showered while I packed the truck, walked the dog, and checked on supplies(wine, wine opener, wine glasses).  By the time the mac and cheese was done the truck was running we just took it out of the oven and into the truck and we were off around 2:05.

   We arrived at the wedding(the Smedley's house) just 10 minutes before it was to start(3:00) and it turns out five cars rolled in after us. There was no official time for anything.  John the best man hit something on the road and disabled his truck, he had to borrow a vehicle just to get here. We all had a drink while we waited for the ceremony to start. 

   It was a beautiful day, the Smedley's estate made the nicest place to have the wedding and we all enjoyed the grounds.  The ceremony was very short just the wows Diane didn't even have a chance tear up as her baby got married.  Gracie(their dog) was a big hit and made her own appearance in the wedding.  After a little chit chat about how covid-19 ruined the day for Shane and Morgan and how all the plans changed so many times we were lined up at the food table.  

   Shane and Morgan seemed genuinely please with how the day turned out.  We ate, talked  with the new in-laws (sounds funny) and tried to visit with everyone.  Both Shane's and Morgan's grandmothers were there and both couldn't believe the "kids" got married.

   It was well after 8pm until we got back to the Moho and Rudy.  We were to go down and visit with Mel and crew for awhile but we were wore out.  A nice walk for Rudy a glass of wine for us and we were done for the night.

Waiting on the Wedding

Monday June 1 2020

Nice Rail Trail!!

   After breakfast we headed out to find the rail to trail parking lot.  We didn't have cell service so we had to navigate by memory.  Well, that didn't work well.  Apparently our memory is shot.  We drove, turned around, drove turned around and finally gave up but didn't know how to get home.  We just made a few turns and voila we pulled up to a stop sign beside the trailhead parking.  Now we think we are geniuses.  We laughed for a while then went for our ride/walk.  Back to the Moho, a walk for Rudy then sausages for dinner. Sat by fire for awhile.  A really nice day

Tuesday June 2 2020

Rudy likes his own 

chair by the fire!!

  Breakfast, laundry, cleaned up the camper and back to the rail trail parking lot.  Today it only took 10 minutes to get there😅.  It was another nice day for a ride a bit warmer than yesterday but still nice.  Back to the Moho Diane headed to the grocery and liquor stores (needed some wine for the wedding), while I did something(can't remember).  Wine time came before we knew it but we caught up.  Burgers on the grill and nice campfire.

 

Wednesday June 3 2020

A decent campsite!!

   A nice enough day when we woke up but as lunch time approached the skies darkened and wind started to blow.  We were headed to have lunch and a visit with Beverly and the closer we got the harder in rained.  We pulled into her driveway and made a mad dash to the door.  We talked for 20 minutes or so until the rain passed then Diane went to Weis for some rotisserie chicken.  We had and nice visit catching up on all the local goings on over the past month.  We headed home via Party City we needed some supplies for the big wedding day.  We got back to the Moho, I walked Rudy around the park checking things out while Diane headed to the now open Kohl's for a blouse for the wedding.  She returned with five.  I  guess we ate to much for lunch so we weren't that hungry and just had leftovers for dinner. The sky grew very dark and we had severe thunderstorm warnings but just some wind and a little rain.

Thursday June 4 2020

   After breakfast and hanging out laundry Diane left to return 2 blouses to Kohl's and used the money she saved to buy shoes. It is like they are free.   She is so smart!   Rudy and I did dishes went for a walk and cleaned up outside for another day of possible thunderstorms. By the time she returned Mel, Pere and Taylor had arrived, she chatted a bit with Mel and Taylor before we ate lunch and headed to the bike trail.  The storm that missed us hit the trail system with several large trees down across the path.  They were cut back enough to ride but a lot of work yet to do.  We came back cleaned up and headed to Mel's camper with Rudy for dinner.  Mel made chicken and veggie foil packs cooked on the grill, they were very good.  We sat and talked until almost 8 when again thunderstorms chased us in.  Rudy did eventfully allow Taylor's dog (Nala) to get close to Diane and I.

Buttonwood Campground!!

Thursday 28 May 2020

   We were up and rolling by 10:30 am no need to hurry with only a 4 hour drive to Buttonwood campground(145 mi).   We packed everything but didn't bring in the slides.  Diane headed into the Wine and Sprits store while I finished packing and headed out.  I stopped for fuel and also put diesel additive into the tank.  Luckily I had a flexible funnel or that would never have worked.  I don't know who design's this stuff, the neck on the bottle was short and fat I could barely get it to drain into the tank.  After a little help from my funnel I had it working.  In the mean time Diane was headed to the rendezvous  point in Liberty.  I finished fueling and put the pedal to the metal and headed her way.  We meet at the Liberty gas station, hooked up the truck and headed down the highway. We rolled into Buttonwood around 3pm and with the covid-19 they escorted us to our site no office check in.  We hit on and off drizzle/rain most of the way down.  To top that off somewhere around Williamsport the passenger side wiper came loose.  Had to turn off the wipers and exit the interstate without seeing well.  It all worked out we parked fixed the wiper(I think) and were back on the road in just a few minutes. Anyway we made it, the truck and motorhome looked like crap after driving in the rain all day.  We got settled into our spot and not long after Lynne and Rick rolled in with there nice shiny vehicles, seems they didn't hit any rain at all.  We chatted with Lynne while Rick hooked up their camper.  Home made ham and bean soup for dinner then sat by the fire and visited for awhile.

Friday 29 May 2020

   Rick had lost/forgot most everything except the motorhome so he headed home for medicine/wallet/owners card and was forced to stop for a bagel on his way.  Lynne had to work for a few hours, Diane and I washed the truck it was so bad you couldn't see out the windshield and was just filthy.  We went to check out Mifflintown, Mifflin, and Port Royal before stopping at the grocery and Wine and Sprit stores.  We had nachos for dinner some more fire time made a rough plan for tomorrow before calling it a night.

Saturday 30 May 2020

  We all started off with a nice breakfast of scrapple, eggs and toast.   Diane and Lynne went for firewood and just a drive around the area while Rick and I aired up some river tubes for sitting in the river..  We had a quick lunch and headed down to water to cool off.  We were in the water only a few minutes when the clouds rolled in.  I'm telling you it has been hot and humid here for the past few days.  This morning there was not a cloud in the sky we had to sit in the shade of the motorhomes to eat breakfast.  And just like that when we go to enjoy the river it gets cloudy.  But we had a good time anyway.  After a hour or so Diane and Lynne fixed us up with a beverage and all seemed better.  We went back to the Moho around 4pm started to prepare for dinner as the skies cleared and sun returned.  Steaks, mushrooms, grilled brussel spouts and baked sweet potatoes.  I think we all ate a little to much.  A couple glasses of wine by the fire and the day was over.  A great day.

A great weekend for

one and all!!

Sunday 31 May 2020

   The weekend is over already.  We all cleaned packed getting ready to head out.  Other than the ride down we had wonderful weekend with great weather and we enjoyed our visit.  The Shirks headed out around 10:30 and we were right behind them at 11:15.  Another really nice day we finish the 71 mile drive to PA Dutch County in Manheim around 1:15. After setting up we had a late lunch and settled for hot dogs cooked over the fire for dinner.  We have a week here to visit with Mel and Pere before Shane and Morgan's wedding on Saturday.

Traveled this road many times,

never before did we notice

the center wooden guide rails.