Back to PA, sigh!!

Sunday 20 September 2020

    Everyone knew it had to come to a end.  Despite our best efforts it was 10:30 plus a little until we pulled out.  Dan came over to talk and exchange phone numbers and by the time we were done with hugs and handshakes it was 10:30.  We headed back the same routes we took coming in but everything seemed different and several times we thought we made a wrong turn but we didn't.  Plus there is no excitement going home. Oh hum!  The whole trip was two lane back roads and some how they seem steeper and windier than the trip in.  If you ever come across Hogback Mountain in Vermont (route 9) schedule yourself at least a hour the views are great, a restaurant on site and a brewery. We didn't stop and I will never hear the end of that.  We parked at 3:30 in our same spot  in Woodford VT.   Burgers on the grill a couple walks for Rudy.  What a great fall day.

Monday 21 September 2020

   I went to take Rudy out this morning and everything is white, we had a hard frost temp 29 degrees.  We were rolling at 9:15 heading back to PA.  A long drive today and it includes the 30-40 mile stretch of I88 in NY that will absolutely jar you and your camper apart.  They are working on it now so hopefully be the last trip on that rough section.  The good news we only have 50 miles of two lane winding roads in Vermont.  It was a beautiful day just loooong.  After a few stops we rolled into our campsite at 3:30.  277 mile in just over 6 hours almost a record for us.  Hog maw sausages for dinner and we were done.

Tuesday 22 September 2020

    It is good to be parked.  We had a nice breakfast grilled outside and once again Diane didn't think 30

Leaves changing

on the trail!!

degrees was to cold.  I just had to be careful everything was frosty.  Temp this morning 30 and lucky for her she could read the temperature from inside and just yell out the window.  It warmed up quickly and we headed to the rail trail for a ride.  After two weeks of eating and happy hours we needed it.  The weather was perfect.  Back to the Moho cleaned up and headed over to Jen and Greg's for a short visit and to get fire wood.  We came home the back way didn't see a thing.  Started the fire and enjoyed some wine before grilling some chicken for dinner. Another beautiful day.

Wednesday 23 September 2020

  Diane went to get her hair done while I worked.  Well really I just did some little things getting ready for our trip to Dillsburg tomorrow.  She came home showered, ate lunch and headed back into Wellsboro to the grocery store  while I worked around the camper.  Does anyone see a pattern here. The wind has kicked up pretty good but otherwise another beautiful fall day.  

Back in Tioga

County.

A few more days in Maine!!

Tuesday 15 September 2020  

   The weather has really turned toward fall with very cool morning (like low 40's) and the breeze picks up every day.  We have been eating at restaurants with out door seating but now we look for indoor seating.  And a lot of places don't even have indoor seating.  Today was the famous Maine Diner as shown on Guy's DDD.  We both had the baked lobster pie OGM that was good.  It came with blueberry pie that we had to get to go. We took a drive up along the coast and ended up at the Bush compound again.  We stops took a few pictures it seemed someone was there several black limousines parked in the driveway.  By now it was late and we headed back to Rudy via a few antique stores.  Just so many of them.

The Maine Diner and the Lobster Pie was featured on Triple D, so we had to try it for ourselves, YUM!

The Bush compound, the main house and a few of the smaller homes where all the activity was!!

Wednesdays 16 September 2020

    Back up route one to Kennebunk.  we went just to do some antiquing.  We hit a local food truck for seafood chowder and crepes  The chowder wasn't anything special but the crepes were really good Diane had  London Broil crepe and I had the braised pork crepe.  That is right neither of us had lobster today.  We didn't find any good buys antiquing but Diane did get a new battery for her phone in Kennebunk.  That town was really neat just a shame all the museums are closed.  We found a road side fire wood place that was decently priced at two bundles for 5 bucks. 

Thursday 17 September 2020

  We headed out to check a gas station for fuel on the way home and no we wouldn't come close to fitting.  Next we headed for lunch at Richards Café just a little road side café.  Outdoor seating only but we sucked it up and ordered.  Diane had broiled scallops with fries and coleslaw  I had native shrimp (little ones but a bunch) we were both pleased with the food.  We went up to Portsmouth walked around a lot of stores were still closed and not many people.  We started to look and no restrooms open anywhere even Starbucks's (restrooms) were closed.  We ask a sales clerk she said there was a port-a-pot out on the pier and a public building about six blocks away.  We hit a few more stores bought a sweatshirt a headed out town.  No wonder there wasn't many people, there are no restrooms

Friday 18 September 2020

Brad had to try the

Shrimpy Mary!!

   Time to get serious about leaving on Sunday, we drove to Kittery looking for diesel stop, no luck.  We drove into New Hampshire to the town of Portsmouth a neat little town but very congested and we couldn't find a place to park.  We did however manage to find a spot for lunch.  The Weathervane Restaurant caught our eye.  I had crab stuffed shrimp and Diane went back to her new found love lobster mac and cheese.  Both were very good.  We headed home hit a few outlet stores and few antique stores, came up empty.  Back to the Moho walked Rudy talk to Patti and John for a while then started to pack a bit. Sat by the fire and enjoyed some wine.

Saturday  19 September 2020

   Today is the big lobster feast here a the campground and the day to pack the Moho.  Cool and windy but we had our cooked breakfast before Diane headed for groceries.  I packed cleaned and pack the grill stuff the best I could.  We talk to Dan and Cinthia for a while before picking up our lobsters at 2:00.  The wind had most everything cooled off.  The mussels were just plain cold but the lobster were still warm and very good.  We both had two and we ate them.  The meal came with coleslaw, pasta salad, corn on the cob and even desert.  AH what a good meal but that means it is almost time to leave.  I got the fire going we had some wine then headed down to Joe and Ruth's camper for a little campfire talk and said our goodbyes.  

Our last Maine Sunset!!

Maine Adventures

Friday 11 September 2020  (let's never forget 9-11)

   The mosquitoes weren't so bad this morning,  it was 45 degrees.  Wow what a difference a few days make.  Sausage and pancakes for breakfast, Diane didn't think it was to cold at all to cook outside, she didn't mind a bit.  Of course she didn't come to join me either.  Decided to slow it down a little so just a drive around town to check out "old" Maine towns and poof once again we found the neatest little restaurant the Fisherman's Catch and just had to check it out.   Lobster rolls and steamed clams, yum.   Back to the Moho a nice walk for Rudy.  Started a fire around 3:30 just a small one as the wind pick up a bit.  Dan and Cynthia came over again we talked until it was time to eat.  They are from California just out traveling around.  Dan had a very interesting job.  He rented/sold and delivered furniture to Hollywood movie sets and shoots.  And eventually he was delivering to their homes.  He has a lot of interesting stories.  After the big lunch it was just grilled hot dogs for dinner.

Saturday 12 September 2020

   We stayed home today need to let the credit cards cool down a bit.  I think we have had lobster 5 of the last six days.  A drive around the area seemed to fit the schedule.  We still found a few more antique stores but came home empty handed.  Things have a way of working out just as we pulled in Cynthia came over and invited us over for happy hour etc.   We walked over to Dan and Cynthia's site about 5:30 for happy hour and home made tacos.  Another couple John and Patty joined us.  John works part time for the post office here in Wells, Maine and for another post office in southern Florida both work part time for Thousand Trails here.  I thought that is a good gig working post office Maine and Florida.  Anyway the food was great the fire was comforting as temps are dropping.  We came back around nine as another couple was just coming over.  A great evening.

Sunday 13 September 2020

   Kind of a stay at the camper day.  We had scrapple and eggs for breakfast(cooked on the grill).  Diane had a few errands to run while Rudy and I kept a watchful eye on the camper.  After lunch we walked 

over to play mini golf next door to the campground.  It is cool, quite windy, good thing it is mini golf, the wind doesn't affect your score to much.  Now Diane still blamed a few high counts on the wind😂.  Back to the Moho.  No fire tonight.  It is really windy and we are cutting back a little tonight so we can get up early for tomorrows boat ride.  Burgers on the grill and called it a night.

One of the holes at mini golf, it was pretty!

Monday 14 September 2020

  We  are up at 0 dark thirty(6:00) to pack and get prepared for our whale watching trip.  The wind is 12-15 mph and there is a small craft advisory.  We packed crackers, dry ham sandwiches, breakfast bars and water, nothing that could possibly upset our bellies. Other passengers brought beer and tuna wraps, they must have been seasoned boaters.  The boat left at 9:30 from Kennebunkport, we arrived as suggested 1/2 hour early, took our Dramamine and waited.  We pulled out right on time heading out some 20 plus miles.  Other than the wind it was a beautiful day although the temperature dropped as we got farther off shore.  We had a great day saw probably 7 or 8 whales only three were real close. When we would see a whale the captain would stop the boat and maneuver to stay close to the whale which meant we were rocking and rolling pretty hard.  The little buggers are fast and it was difficult to get good pictures but we managed to get a few.  On the way back we snapped a few good pictures of the Bush Compound and their church, the shore line was beautiful with the waves breaking on the rocks.  Back at 2:30 and straight home to get Rudy.  Dinner was in the crock, pot roast and turnips.  A very short happy hour with Dan And Cynthia and we called it a night.

The church on the left is 'St. Ann's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church', where the Bush's would go when they stayed in Kennebunkport, ME.  Under the arrow in the right picture there is a whale, they didn't spend a lot of time on the surface, but we saw enough to make it worthwhile.  

Diane and Captain Ahab

Maine

Tuesday 8 September 2020

   Our first full day in Maine.  Breakfast cooked on the grill a nice morning sunny in the 60's.  We took a drive around just checking out the neighborhood and ended up at the Kittery Outlet store. It is a very large sporting goods store kinda like Bass Pro just bigger.  First of course we stopped for lunch at Roberts Maine Grill and Raw Bar.  We had to wait 20 minutes for a table the place is huge but with covid rules not much seating.  Diane had Lobster mac and cheese(maybe her new favorite) I had Jambalaya with Maine mussels, shrimp etc.  Both were very good a bit pricy but good.  As we wandered back to camp we hit a few antique stores we soon realized we will never get to all the antique stores here.  We finished off Diane's left over mac and cheese had a little wine and the day was over.

 Wednesday 9 September 2020

     Very foggy this morning but we headed out anyway. We started out looking for a bike trail and ended up in the little town of Ogunquit.  Most of the towns are the usual tourist stuff restaurants, gift shops, antique stores etc.  We walked around until we found a nice restaurant Bessie's Dinner a quaint little place but the food was good.  I had a lobster ruben and Diane had the shrimp basket.  She had so many shrimp I had to help her finish.  We hit an antique store started to talk to the owner turns out the place has been in his family since the early1800's.  Started out as a blacksmith shop for the shipping business, sailors would bring broken metal items to the blacksmith and he would fix or make new ones.  I ask him about the heavy traffic( couldn't hardly cross the road) he say oh this is very light now that Labor day has passed, I'm glad we were not here in peak season.  We drove back along the coast the fog made for some beautiful view of the coast line.  Back to the Moho walked Rudy we had to run back to the camper to get away from mosquitoes.  After dousing ourselves with bug repellant we headed back out and this time we survived.  I started a fire the neighbors joined us for a happy hour(s) and sharing traveling experiences.  They are from California and have been traveling for over a year now.

Thursday 10 September 2020

   Just had a lite breakfast Diane went for groceries and drugs while I worked on unclogging the bathroom sink. The mosquitoes are quite relentless here I took Rudy for a walk with jeans, sweatshirt and hat and those little buggers still bit me. We packed some waters and headed up to Old Orchard Beach where we were with  Lynne and Rick several years back.  Nothing much has changed.  And while we were there we hit Bailey's Seafood shack.  Each of us had a whole fresh lobster and shared the sides.  Just the right amount of food and it was delicious.  We drove down the coast line checking out some vistas and antique stores.  Plus we were looking for some cheaper fire wood and between everything I must have turned around a half dozen times.  But Diane found a couple of salt and pepper shakers she just had to have so it was all worth it.  We had rain on and off all

day so back to the Moho and where we just had grilled hot dogs for dinner.          

        Old Orchard Beach.

Time for an adventure!!

 Wednesday 2 September 2020

   Woke up to the pitter patter of rain, just what we need to spend the day out of the camper.  We were out of Moho by 7:15.  Rudy didn't get to finish his breakfast,  I only had one cup of coffee and I need not say anything about Diane being dressed and moving at 7:15.  It wasn't pretty!  Down the road for coffee and breakfast after blueberry pancakes and more coffee we both are feeling better.  We even saved a snack for Rudy.  Having six or more hours to kill Diane suggested we go see Aunt Dot and Aunt Loretta, so off to Mt Carmel which is only 40 some miles.  We visited an hour or so with each of them Aunt Loretta wants to go dancing and Aunt Dot is nursing her ankle, that was broke and now swells.  It was time for lunch and just as we were discussing where to go the phone rang the Moho was done.  We headed back.  The bill was $1700.00  luckily warranty covered most of that.  We packed up and headed back to our campsite.  I took the Moho and filled up with fuel and propane, Diane headed to Wellsboro for groceries, then we met at home.  

Thursday 3 September 2020

    What a crazy couple of days.  Diane had to go to NY for Dr.'s appointment at 2pm.  I visited with Jen and Greg in the morning gassed up the truck and made it back before lunch.  Diane cleaned and packed the inside did laundry this morning and headed to her appointment while I cleaned and packed the outside this afternoon.  We had stuff scattered everywhere it was half wet and still a bit of drizzle in the area and just made packing up miserable.  Diane returned we finished most of the packing. We want to get a early start (for us) tomorrow.

Friday 4 September 2020

   The big day is here!  We are off on our first adventure of the year, a trip to Maine.  We pulled out this morning
heading to Bennington Vermont.  A nice day to travel.  We went through NY into Vermont.  It was a really nice ride through the mountains of NY and not much traffic.  Portions of NY roads were very rough including one section where they closed down the right lane altogether.  We arrived in Woodford VT around 4:30, 272 miles.  The campground is an old ski lodge.  Sites were scattered throughout the grounds nice just no sewer.  It will work fine for two nights.

Our campsite and the view at the ski lodge in VT.  Beautiful place and lots to visit in the area.  

Saturday 5 September 2020

   What a beautiful morning just a little cool (like 45 degrees cool)  but we managed.  Breakfast cooked on the grill and yes Rudy and Diane stayed inside.  We decided to go into down town Bennington for a hour or so to check out a couple of antique stores.  What a surprise when we pulled in and parked, there were cars and people every where we looked.  Turns out this is their Garlic Festival weekend.  That is right Garlic Festival.  We had a great time learned a lot about garlic there are at least 10 types(favors) grown here in VT. We had lunch garlic chicken noodle soup(go figure) with a roast beef sandwich.  Back to the Moho and start getting ready for tomorrows drive to Epsom NH.  I had to wash the windshield, a job I've been putting off way to long.  Now I'm washing it in the shade in 49 degree temp. with a breeze just before dark, my own fault. Diane is working on the inside packing and getting ready for the move tomorrow.

A cute picture from the garlic festival.  It is usually in a large field outside of town, but this year is was reduce in size and scattered through out town.  I was a nice day, fun and town was an old New England style town (at least in our minds)  

Sunday 6 September 2020

   Back on the road this morning although a short drive today to Espom NH, and it was absolutely beautiful.  The mountains of Vermont were spotted with just a touch of color, beautiful, brilliant reds.   Now let me tell you the drive was very scenic through the mountains of Vermont, through quaint little towns with very narrow New England streets.  And then there were the hills 8 and 9 % grade short they were but steep and under 7% no signs were posted. We pop up over a hill go around a corner and poof you are going down another 8 % grade come on engine break.  Glad we had the diesel and glad I had some experience on hills. So route 9 through VT is drivable with a Moho/camper just not your first trip. It was a beautiful day and beautiful drive. We rolled into Epsom NH around 2:30 to the Circle 9 campground the only spot we could find for Labor Day.  Again our fault you don't wait until the last minute to find a spot on a holiday weekend.  The place had 2 stars (one and a half to many) but it was only one night.  We got the premium pull through for $52($50 to many) at check in they told Diane we would want to put water in the tank and use our pump.  I filled the tank (no kidding) for 1 1/2 hours it was half full.  Diane picked up lobster rolls for dinner the best part of being here.

A beautiful overlook on a mountain to in VT and a new road sign to add to our list of many.

Monday 7 September 2020  Happy Labor Day

  We only have to travel 50 miles or so to Moody Beach in Maine.  We had breakfast walked around the campground finding the way out.  The way out had trees limbs hanging very low so I went to the office and ask if we could go out the IN road.  The lady just looked at me said NO you will cause an accident.  Everyone must go out the OUT way. So back to the Moho pack up and pull out, I had to back up just to get out of the PREMIUM  pull through.  I pulled out through the trees and stopped to hook up and CRAP the side of the Moho is all scratched.  Now I'm just mad.  But it is not the end of the world we hook up and head on over to Maine.  Only a hour trip, we pull in at noon and get a great site, we are all set up including rugs, chairs, grill, table and even clothes line by 2:30.  OH YES, we are in Maine for two weeks.  YEA.  We just hang out and relax at the campground for the rest of the day.

Our site, a very nice end site and the best find...a Lobster Bake here at the campground and we will be here for that!!

   

The lost Blog

  

 Warning

I am not responsible for all the info (or lack thereof) in this post.  Our computer had a hiccup/breakdown/glitch and I lost six days of info.  So this post is from memory and you know what short term memory is like for seniors.   Bear with us as we break in the new computer.

 

Wednesday 26 August 2020

    We headed into town to do routine chores starting with lunch at Tony’s Pizza Place, washed the truck, drug store, and gas. We went back to the Moho picked up Rudy and headed over the mountain to the VFW for wings.  Carry out only but Rudy likes to watch for deer and we had a few travelers with us.  Back to the Moho ate our wings and called it a night.

Thursday 27 August 2020

   A nice breakfast today before the stormy weather hit.  I did my walk around the park while Diane went for groceries and to pick up broccoli salad for our picnic tomorrow.  She returned did her walk while I put away the up the stuff outside.  We just had dogs and beans waiting for the rain to move in.  We did get a little storm lasted 20 minutes but nothing like they were calling for.   I called Julie to see if they made it in before the storm and they did.  They were here and had the camper in order by 3pm. Greg had stopped down also to check on them and Julie feels a little special with all the attention.

A view of the dam from our walk!

Friday 28 August 2020

 Our picnic was planned for tonight at the Folk’s camp site with Paul’s clan.  The weathermen were calling for all afternoon rain and strong storms.  After much deliberation and thought the picnic was postpone until Sunday lunch time.  The skies got dark and wind blew but no rain.  We took a drive over the mountain checked out some properties and ended up close to Ives Run, so we stopped in and had a quick visit with Paul, Betty, Dave and Julie.  Paul had some good stories but you know….”you can’t ever trust Paul’s stories”.  Back to the camper steaks and corn on the cob for dinner. 

Saturday 29 August 2020

    Today was to be the all day rain from the hurricane and we planned accordingly.  Diane scheduled a Pedi and I was going to put the stuff away outside.  Not long after scheduling the Pedi Julie called to say her and Dave were coming over to visit while Paul & Betty visited the Butlers, so Diane cancelled the appointment.  We visited with Dave and Julie outside for an hour or two before they had to leave.   It never did rain the wind kicked up a bit but we still did burgers on the grill with fresh corn on the cob.

After Dave and Julie left we found this

walking a walking stick on our booster tower!

Sunday 30 August 2020

    Today we finally had the postponed but much anticipated picnic at the Folk’s campsite.  We headed over and Diane dropped me off at 11:00 and went to get more broccoli salad since we ate most of what we bought for the Friday picnic. Jen and I got the fire rolling and it wasn’t long until The McCurdy clan arrived.  Paul and Betty first with Dave and Julie right behind them.  Diane returned shortly thereafter and we all gathered around the fire.  Stories were told both old and new as we caught up with family drama.  As time went by the skies cleared and we moved as far away from the fire as we could.   Greg rang the dinner bell and lunch was served.   Spare ribs, homemade Mac and cheese, pickled eggs and beets and of course broccoli salad rounded out the menu.  We even had homemade pumpkin pies for desert.  Paul ended up eating three deserts just to even out the left overs.  It was a good day and good to see family all together.  Paul & Betty were the first to leave around 3pm they are heading home today.  The rest of us lasted until 4:30.  Diane and I headed back over the mountain.   And no one took any pictures. Darn

Monday 31 August 2020

   Up and slowly packing for our trip to the transmission shop in Muncy.  We left most of our stuff on the camp site like the rug, grill, satellite, and such since we will be back tomorrow afternoon.  I headed out around noon and Diane went into Wellsboro to the court house and the bank.  I arrived checked us in and situated the RV by the time Diane arrived at 4:30. We have cell service but no/none/nada TV reception.  Diane went and picked up grub from Cracker Barrel.  Food was OK but I was hitting the Tums within the hour.  A couple walks for Rudy and it was time for bed.  Looking forward to having the transmission fixed.

Tuesday 1 September 2020

   We were out of the RV by 8:45 turned the keys over to the service manager and went for breakfast.  Found this little place called Kathy’s Café, the food was good.  After breakfast we hit a few shops trying to kill a few hours.  We started with the state store and that’s all it took.  The shop called at 11 o’clock we need a sensor, wiring harness plus a drain and flush.  They can do it tomorrow but need the coach by 7:30.  Rudy and I stayed in the Moho while Diane shopped all afternoon.  But when she came home we had a new computer, new sneakers for her, dog treats and poop bags for Rudy and food for us all.  Now the reason we finally bought the computer is after typing (and saving) six days of blog we shut down the file and poof lost the entire post plus the previous post.  Pizza for dinner and hope we make it out of bed in time tomorrow morning.