Big News for Christmas

Saturday 24 December 2022  (Christmas eve)

   Our first day of rest after the I95 trip. We slept in, it was sure nice to relax all day.  I think three days of bad weather driving screwed up our equilibrium.  I had to concentrate so hard and focus on the taillights ahead of us that it left us with a little vertigo. After a nice hot cooked breakfast, we set the bar for today kind of low.  Diane did a run to Kroeger's for a few grocery items.  I hooked up the water and sewer, dumped the tanks and that was it for chores.  We remembered a nice seafood restaurant from when we were here before and spent hours trying to find it on maps or in the blog. Diane finally found what we thought was it, on a restaurant search. We called they were open until 3 or 4 or 5 depending on how much business they had.  So, we drove the half hour to the place, The Flying Fish. It wasn't the one we were looking for but, now it was 1:30 so we went in.  The place was cold, we sat and ate with our jackets on, food was ok at best. Walked around a gift/antique shop next door, nothing to be found. Back to the Moho put on some Christmas music on and played a game of Mexican train (dominoes).  

Sunday 25 December 2022   MERRY CHRISTMAS to all

   Sunny and a little warmer today. We had but yet another cooked breakfast, did out gift exchange, and opened the gifts from the O'Donnell's. Sunny and warmer yet today, it was really a nice Christmas Day, just cold for Savannah, GA.  Everyone was out walking, and we were no exception. Diane took a walk first, then Rudy and just before it started to cool down, we all took another walk out to the fishing pier. Not every campground has bridges rated for tanks.

   To celebrate Christmas, we made steak and shrimp on the grill with mushrooms of course. 

    The BIG NEWS that has been killing Diane to post is the surprise that she has known for 5 days but was sworn to secrecy.  Shane and Morgan are pregnant again. What a Christmas gift. 

I think they told him he would have to share!!  😊💕

Monday 26 December 2022

   Back at it this morning and a much, much, much, better experience, 33 and sunny as we pulled out.   We were on the road by 10:00 and traveled down I95 unimpeded. We stopped for gas and then at the Florida visitors center for a nice lunch and to get our free orange juice.  It is a small glass but oh so good.  51 degrees, even Rudy wanted out for another walk. We arrived at Camp Blanding at 2:30 173 miles 4 1/2 hours minus a hour for lunch avg speed 50 mph, much better.  The nighttime temperatures

Rudy love the sunshine!!

are still below freezing.  Piles of ice around the water faucets from leaving then run all night.  None of the campgrounds down here have frost free hook ups.  I filled the freshwater tank and grilled sausages on the grill for diner. It was still in the 40's as I grilled. Getting warmer every day should be close to 70 when we get to Webster.

A trip down the I95 corridor

 Wednesday 21 December2022

   Well, we hit the road just a half hour later than planned, not bad for us.  As things turned out it didn't really matter. We rolled down 15 through Gettysburg and into Maryland. Stopped at the Maryland welcome center, checked the truck, made coffee, used the bathroom and were ready for the ride through DC. Things didn't go south until we hit I270. From there the whole way down to Richmond was stop and go but mostly slow and no go.  Just as we hit the umpteenth construction zone the steps started going in and out with each bump we hit. So, I'm white-knuckle driving and Diane says the steps went out and BANG! We looked at each other and a loud BANG!! I looked in the mirror and the orange barrels are rolling down the embankment.  We stopped for a quick break at the rest area below Dumfries checked for damage, none just some orange on the edge of the steps.  Back in the Moho and in just a few more hours we made it to Carolina Cross Roads.  A total of 295 miles in a mere 7 hours,  Avg speed 40 mph.  Diane gets the self-check-in slip and we go park, oh yea! After we are set up she walks the payment back up to the office only to notice the site we are in was already reserved.  We aren't moving! She got a blank slip out put the other peoples name on it and a different site number and poof we are good to go.  Left over BBQ and bed. PS after some wine.

Thursday 22 December 2022

   Up at 6:30, DC is behind us we are good to go.  Diane picked a fuel stop that had a Dunkin Donuts so we could save time and get an egg sandwich while I fueled up. I was done and waiting for some time before she came back with food.  She ordered a sausage and egg (no cheese) sandwich 'cause I don't do well with the cheese.  Opened up the bag we had sausage and cheese no egg. We were already

Bass Lake and
our camp site.

there an hour, so we ate and left.  Back on I95 and rolling right along for about 20 mile when the rain started. It rained harder and harder, then back to steady rain, but always rain.  I couldn't take it any more, so we stopped for lunch while some heavy rain passed, we even played a game of 'Farkle'.  Back on the road in the rain and traffic was back to stop and go then no go then slow go again. This was to be a short driving day after DC yesterday.  We rolled into the Bass Lake campground in Dillion SC at 3:30. The guy assured us even after an all day rain we would not sink in the sand. it worked out but we will not come back either.  Some 179 miles and 7 hours (-1 1/2 hour lunch) makes average speed 33mph. But tomorrow at least there is no rain. Tacos for diner and early to bed.

Friday 23 December 2022

   Up at 6:30 cleaned up, unhooked and rolling by 8:30.  As promised there is no rain but the wind is horrendous. We were heading to a 'Buc-ee's' fuel stop 20 miles down the road for fuel and breakfast.  The place was packed and I had the Moho parked crooked blocking several pumps.  We have been to

Turn on your volume.  Rudy is telling Brad he's not

moving another day.

several Buc-ee's and never seen one this busy but, diesel was $3.88 a gal.  I pumped fuel while Diane went to get us a sandwich.  I was done, waiting her and then pulled out just as soon as she as her butt hit the seat before we got parked in. Once back on 95 she told me they did not make sandwiches to order just had premade wraps and sandwiches she picked wraps. They were terrible but we ate them.

Parked for 3 nights.  Now to relax!!

I'm trying to drive in gale force wind and eat breakfast at the same time. And to think we gave up yogurt for this. The wind was the story of the day even the truckers were only going 55mph.  It wasn't long until we hit the heavy traffic. All........day, stop and go and slower go.  I think we stopped at almost every rest area there is. The only good news is the wind doesn't matter much at 15 mph. Finally pulled into Lotts Island campground outside Savanah at 3:30 total 220 mile 7 hours and average speed of 32mph. Now we are three days of rest and recovery.  Glad we are in Georgia even if it is cold temps down to 20 tonight.

Getting ready for our trip South!

 Friday 16 December 2022

   More prepping today.  Diane shopping at BJ's and Warrington Meats. I took more stuff to storage unit and pick up somethings to bring back to the Moho.  Same, same, same get out hoses and water filter, fill up and dump tanks then disconnect drain and put it all away. Getting tired of that. We did get a bit of a break today, we went to visit Lynne and Rick, ordered crab cakes from Nick's in New Cumberland.  Oh, they are so good.  Headed back home around 8:30. We had a really nice visit and are going by over tomorrow for Diane's family Christmas dinner and white elephant gift exchange. 

Saturday 17 December 2022 (Halsey's typhoon kills 780 sailors 1944)

Merry Christmas to the Angeli family

   Today is the big get together at Lynne's house. All the sisters were there except Karen who came down with covid. I took Diane over early to help Lynn set things up and then I was almost late getting there on time for diner. We all had a great time and of course plenty of chicken and waffles. This year we did a white elephant gift exchange that was fun. The crowd started to thin out about 4 and Diane and I were the last to leave about 7:00. Back to the Moho.  Physically and emotional drained, it didn't take but a glass or two of wine and I was done for the day.

Sunday 18 December 2022

   Today was just like all the other days this week, cold mornings about 28 degrees just enough to freeze the water lines if we don't disconnect. We are busy trying to get supplies for the trip and still

Nice day at the
tree farm.

visit with family.  Today Diane did some grocery shopping Trader Joe's, Karn's and Giant, she likes to spread her money around. I visited the tree farm and then with Pat for several hours this afternoon it's hard to believe Norm has been gone over a year. I stopped at the Road Hawg in Dillsburg and picked up some BBQ for diner and still beat Diane home. We are wearing out earlier each day.

Monday 19 December 2022

More of the same today, sorting, shopping, storage unit, etc. The sun was out today but still cold.  We went to Keisha's house to exchange gifts and visit and see the grand and great grandkids.  Taylor was in to visit from Arizona, and we got to see her new baby (Olive) she is so cute. Back to the Moho around 7:00.  A couple of wines and the day was over.  

Tuesday 20 December 2022

  This is the last day to prepare before going south in the morning.  Diane got her last Chase visit this

Last Chase visit
for the year!!
Nana will be back!

morning, then over to drop off the car at Karen's, lunch and last visit with Lynne. I picked up the kayak and ladder from Shane's, picked up meat from Bev's, dropped stuff at the storage unit, and stopped at the post office all before lunch. Back to the Moho dumped tanks, filled the freshwater tank(for the last time), and just a whole bunch of stuff that I can't do in freezing temperatures. Shower and over to Shane and Morgan's for dinner and to exchange gifts.  Another nice family get together and the last one in PA until next year.

It is not over

 Thursday 8th December 2022

   Last night just an hour or so after we parked Tom (deer butcher) called to say my deer was ready for pick up.  So, Diane is busy shopping, wrapping gifts, visiting Chase over to Lynne's to drop off and

Chase is 
getting big!!

pick up gifts from storage.  And while she was gone, I had a brilliant idea, since I had to drive up north to pick up deer I might as well go hunt the last day or so. Meanwhile I took her deer to Paul's to cut up and grind. We still needed to vacuum pack the burger.  To bribe Diane for the hunting trip I made steak and shrimp cooked on the grill and she finally caved.  Dinner took a while; it was almost 10 until we were all done.

Friday 9th December 2022

   Ok here was the plan I had. I leave around 9am drive to the cabin hunt the evening spend the night hunt Saturday and pick up deer meat Sunday morning and head home.  Diane worked on Christmas gifts, ordered some more, returned a few, stopped a Bev's to freeze most of the meat from her deer and then to Lynne's for diner and to spend the night.
   I stopped at the cabin turned on the heat and went to our secret spot for the evening hunt. The secret must be out, the place was full. I ran into three guys before I found a place to sit. Nothing! Back to the cabin, it was still cold, so I had dinner and slept on the recliner by the stove. 

Saturday 10 December 2022 (Last day of 2022 deer season)

   I was up at 4am, I couldn't sleep the chair just to uncomfortable. So, I got a jump on the day. Coffee, breakfast and more coffee, then down to Norman's hill. Parked at 5:30 and was on the top by 6:30. Temp this morning was 19 degrees. I had foot warmers, hand warmers and body warmers but still was

But it paid off
in the end, a 
Happy Hunter!!

froze by 8:30. It was a nice day, and I had found a really nice spot. Didn't see a thing until 10 when a doe walked by then another one about 1:30. The sun was shining, and I warmed up and by 2pm I'm figuring no buck and thinking more about the drive home. Then at 2:30 another deer showed up, but I couldn't tell if it was a buck or not, it finally turned, it was legal, I shot and he dropped on the spot. Now I was happy! Then I started thinking.  I have a 150 lb. deer halfway up a hill, across a creek, up another hill to the truck and it gets dark in two hours. I gutted him, drug him downhill, across the creek but, could not drag him up the hill to the truck. My lucky day, the neighbor (only one) was driving by on his 4-wheeler and helped me get it on the truck. I got him back to the cabin cleaned up and headed right to the butcher shop, picked up last week's deer and dropped off the buck.  While I was busy Diane was enjoying her day wrapping gifts, in fact she stayed home and wrapped all day and night until 11:30pm anyway.

Sunday 11 December 2022

  Now this is important. I was going to call the butcher to see when the buck would be done before driving home "but I didn't". I packed up and drove home arriving right around lunch time.  Diane was

Nothing like snow to
pack in!!

making her infamous Keto lasagna; it takes her all day but is sooo good.  I spent the afternoon sorting hunting clothes between storage and laundry.  About 2pm the butcher calls the deer is DONE when can I get it. You got to be kidding me! I just got home. Last day for pick up is Wednesday. We had our lasagna; I filled the water tank and disconnected/drained water hose, then off too bed
  Diane has started planning our trip south first day is scheduled, Oh Yea. Next big item on the list is to find a place to park the car for the winter. We dicided to take the truck so Diane can use the car when she flies home.

Monday 12 December 2022

   After a nice breakfast Diane and Lynne went to Mt Carmel to visit Aunt Dot and Aunt Loretta.  I spent the day sorting hunting stuff, did a load of hunting laundry, took a load to storage unit and went

Aunt Dot at 89 years.

to Bow Hunter's in Wellsville to resupply for next year. 

  Diane didn't get home until 7pm, we were both wore out, so hog-maw sausages for diner was it. Cold again tonight, so I had to disconnect the water. 

  Even while running around Diane managed to get two more reservations made, but now we have to change the first one. But she is making progress.

Tuesday 13 December 2022

   Temperatures are in the 20's every night so we have to hook up and disconnect water every day.  Diane headed over for her Tuesday visit with Chase. I did another load of hunting clothes, went for a haircut and started organizing the basement compartments for the trip south.  Finally done with hunting and it's time to get ready to go south.

Rudy on all four!!

   Rudy is doing much better, if you didn't know he tore "ACL" this summer while running off leash up in Vermont.  He is now using his bad leg most of time. Sure is good to see him on all four legs.

   This filling water tank and disconnecting water every day is getting old.  After her Chase visit, Diane is almost done wrapping and is now boxing gifts that need mailing. She has a schedule today, first trip to fed ex and the post office. 

  Our schedule is looking good, first night Walnut Hills VA, second night a Moose Lodge somewhere in NC and then three days at Lotts Island, Savanna Ga. in much warmer weather.

Wednesday 14 December 2022

   Did I really say I was done with hunting! One last thing.  I had to pick up meat.  I left at 7:30 am and drove to Tioga County, picked up the meat and drove home.  I stopped the meat off at Bev's for freezer storage and got home at 5pm. What a long day 8 hours sitting in the truck my back is sore and my brain is fried!

    Diane continues wrapping and again made a drop off at both fed ex and post office. We had left over lasagna for diner. And of course, had to unhook and drain water lines. They are calling for a significant ice storm tomorrow morning. Everything is cleaned up and put away. We are so ready to get to warmer weather.

  Diane made our final reservation for the trip. First stop in Florida will be Camp Blanding in Starke Fl. I can feel the sunshine on my bare feet already.

End of the season

 Sunday 4 December 2022

   No hunting today.  We spent the day catching up on cleaning, sleep, filled the freshwater tank, Diane

Brad resting his eyes.

went into town and did some laundry. She has all the fun. Doesn't it just figure, a nice day I'm feeling a little better and we can't hunt.  But it feels good to sleep in, have breakfast and just relax for a day. I rested most of the day other than going to get water.  Poor Diane has been doing everything for the past week.  She cooks, does the dishes, laundry, gets groceries and generally just looks after everything including me. After her trip to town, she came home and made us meatloaf and mashed taters for dinner.  Tomorrow should be a good hunting day. Low of 20 degrees tonight and sunny in the morning.

Monday 5 December 2022

   We were up at 4am, well I was, Diane didn't get up until I took her a cup of coffee at 4:15.  We stumbled around the kitchen packing snacks, having breakfast and getting hunting equipment ready.  We rolled out at 5:40 just a couple minutes off our goal of 5:30. Diane dropped me at Norman's and she headed up to her spot. I slowly but steadily head up the steep hill heading to the very top. I made my last turn and headed to my spot. I was hot, sweaty and it was starting to get daylight, so I found a tree stump and sat down.  I wasn't even done sweating when Diane texted, she got a doe. So that was it for the morning. I started back down the hill. She picked me up we went back gutted, drug and loaded her in the truck by 10 am. We stopped at the cabin and were back at the Moho at 11am. I had finally started talking almost "normal" today but still have a scratchy throat.   I went out for the evening Diane made chicken parm another favorite meal of mine.

Tuesday 6 December 2022

   This is the last day of hunting for us tomorrow we are heading to Dillsburg.  Once again, we got up

Diane sat in the dry
and watched the engines go by.

to the pitter-patter of rain drops. I got dressed and went out anyway. Diane slept in. I lasted until 10am. The rain would stop start stop start all morning, I think I wore out my raincoat taking it on and off.  I got back to the Moho and after some lunch I started cutting up her deer while she went to town to pick up some last-minute supplies for the ride home tomorrow. By the time I was done with the deer I had just enough time to go up the mountain and bring our stands in. I made it back at 4:30 and just kept on packing and cleaning for the trip. We were packing and didn't even have any wine until after 6 when we sat down for dinner. Our butts were dragging.

  Wednesday 7 December 2022 (Pearl Harbor Day)

   Rain, drizzle and fog... just wished I could go out hunting.  I packed up the remaining stuff and headed to the cabin to drop it off for winter storage. Back to the Moho. We packed like fools until Diane had to leave for her eye doctor appointment.  I finished packing hooked up truck (in the rain and mud) and was on the road by 11am. Things did work out a bit, Diane met me a Tractor Supply we unhooked the truck filled up with propane, re-hooked the truck, went to Wendys for lunch and back on the road at 12:30. The rain and fog lasted the entire day.  We parked at 4:30 in the fog and drizzle got everything hooked up, iced down the deer and off to the VFW for wings.

This is what Brad's been
feeling this past week.  

Not much fun Hunting!!

 Thursday 1 December 2022

   Diane made squash soup from scratch last night for me. It was very good, and I could swallow with little pain.  It took a lot of work but was well worth it.
  Well, here it is the 6th day of deer season (rifle) and my 3rd day of sitting in the Moho waiting for my drugs to clear up my infections enough to go back out hunting. Very windy and cold today temps around 30 and a 16-mph breeze.  Not enough though to keep Diane in the Moho with me. She had to call the Dr's office for me (I can't talk) and as soon as she hung up she was out the door to go hunting.  Then a hair appointment after lunch. You get the picture.
   I am feeling better, I slept all night and have very little coughing. My throat is still very sore and of course I can't talk. I'm thinking I can hunt tomorrow, maybe even go out a little tonight. I'll see how I feel after getting some water for the Moho tank.  We like camping here but can't give up daily showers and the niceties of running water.
   Well so much for that thought. As soon as Diane walked out the Dr called and sent me to an ENT specialist in Coudersport. Left here a 1pm got back at 4:30. Camera up my nose and down my throat, swabs and fingers down my throat until I thought I would throw up. All said and done just a bad sore throat.
  Soup and grilled cheese for dinner and of course a bunch of pills.

Friday 2 December 2022

   Day seven of deer season 22 degrees and breezy.  I got up at 4am to go hunting but no real improvement of my throat so I went back to bed. After breakfast Diane went to Wellsboro for groceries and more prescriptions for me. I went to Ives Run to get another load of fresh water. The temperature warmed up a bit, to low 40's so we finally headed out to hunt via Patterson's for some Christmas gifts.  I dropped Diane at Gary's then I headed to Norman's to move the camera and scout a new spot. The stupid camera would not work but I did find some big buck rubs. I didn't see any deer and headed back to get Diane. On ride back to get her a saw at least 50 doe. Picked up Diane she didn't see anything.  We just can't figure it out we spend hours in the woods see nothing and on the way out there are so many.

Here are the two rubs Brad found on Norman' hill.  

Saturday 3 December 2022

   Day eight of rifle season and we woke up to a steady rain and 20 mph wind we stayed in bed.  After breakfast Diane went back to wrapping gifts while I went to get water and propane. The rain let up around 1:30 so we dressed and headed out for the evening.  We pulled into our stop and here stands three deer, one a spike, one a small doe and one nice doe. But before Diane could get ready they ran off and that was it for the evening.  Dogs and beans for dinner. I was supposed to grill burgers, but the wind is relentless. 

And that is the end of the first week of rifle season.

Very short Recap of 6-7 months!!

 Wednesday 30 November 2022

   Well, I'm going to give this another try to get back in the blogging mode.  

   A lot has happened this past six months we left Tompkin's campground just after Labor Day and moved over to Ives Run and worked there until October 30. We did a short trip this year up to see Ashley in Burlington Vermont as she started Medical school

  We had several friends visit us while at Ives Run in October.  Our friends from Louisiana, Buddy and Thresa were here for a week and the day after they left Lynn and Rick arrived for a week and in

between that I went to Burlington, Vermont to see Ashley get her white coat for medical school.

                                             Ashley with her White coat after the ceremony!

   With November comes hunting season and this year we had an extra trip to the cabin for four days of archery deer and turkey hunting.  Ben, Logan, Mason, Kenny Mann, Lorin and I were up. Logan was sick when he got there, and Mason got sick after he was there but not before he shot a nice five point the first day he was there. Lorin got a doe two days later. By the time we left everyone was feeling a bit under the weather. Ben left the heat on because we would be back up in four days for bear hunting.

   Bear hunting was the same group less Kenny. Lorin and I got there on Thursday so we could archery hunt Thursday night and Friday. It was nice to arrive to a warm cabin. We saw a few but didn't get any shooting.  Ben and boys arrived Friday evening, both of the boys had been to the doctor's and were back to normal.  We hunted Saturday and I missed one at 7:30!! I could have been in the cabin by lunch. Sunday was very cold and windy hunting would be a half of day except for me, my head was congested, and I had a bad cough, so I stayed in the cabin. The boys all got back around noon we closed up and headed home.

   We were in Walmar manor for ten days Diane trying to get her share of time with little Chase McCoy

and get a jump on Christmas shopping. Christmas shopping went well but she ended up with pink eye from Chase. We did go to the McCoy's for dinner one night. The whole family was sick. But we had a good time 

 Diane's visit when Chase had Pink eye!  He's up and walking all over the place.   

  We are now at Cole's Trucking lot (no water) to do some hunting and hopefully fill our freezer with some venison.  After not even seeing a deer the first two days I went to Norman's property and got a doe.  Actually, I went to clear some fallen trees and at the last moment decided to carry the rifle as well as the chain saw. Just after clearing the second tree, I looked up and here were two doe. Now I had to drag her down the hill across the creek and up the hill to the truck carring rifle, back pack and the chain saw.  I just couldn't do the uphill alone, had to call Diane. When Diane got there, we drug her up the hill and loaded her into the truck, just in time for Diane to get back for the evening hunt. By the time I got her hung up and cleaned out, my throat was really sore.

   I went to the doctor's yesterday to have a sore throat cheeked out.  Well, it turns out I have infected sinuses, ears and throat. So, I'm out of commission for at least two days. Diane says I'm a good patient but the sicker I get, the more time she spends hunting and shopping and even finds going to the laundromat better than doing the laundry here.