More Hunting

 Tuesday 28 November 2023   4th day of deer season

   Neither of us moved when the alarm went off.  Just plain exhausted. It had snowed 3 to 4 inches, and the place is beautiful.  Had a wonderful, cooked breakfast with all the coffee I wanted. Walked Rudy in

It's pretty anyway.

the snow (not happy) then in and another nap. It warmed up just a bit 27 degrees this morning as the wind picked up quite a bit, gusts 20-25 mph.
   By the time lunch was over I was starting to sense I should be back out hunting. About 1pm I headed out. I found a stand in archery season, something between just old and unsafe and old but I got in it anyway.  The wind was wreaking havoc on me, the stand swayed just a bit and nearby branches beat against it. But I stayed anyway.
   I had to keep turning to stay warm. I had just propped my rifle along the side of the stand and stood up to take a pee when a doe walked out. I'm hunting buck so I watched her for a bit and out walks another

deer. I figured I better get the rifle. I reached over picked up the rifle.  Holding the rifle my hands were froze almost instantly. Just as was about to sit it back down out walked the buck. Bang... he drops... it is over. Just after 3pm still time to gut, drag and be home for dinner. 
   I called Diane, she just started to bake brownies and couldn't come help. With the snow the drag went much easier, I backed the truck into the embankment and drug him right on to the truck. Back to cabin he was hung up and almost done by dark.  It was good we had the heat on in the cabin I could warm up and wash up every so often.
   It was home and right into the shower. Used all my gutting gloves on Sunday. Diane had a wine waiting for me after the shower. Ooooh, life is good.

Wednesday 29 November 2023  day 5

   During the past few days while I hunted Diane has been very busy shopping (online of course).  And being a cleaning lady, a grocery shopping gal and that is a challenge up here. She cooked and baked. I think I'll keep her.
 

Rudy getting warm!

 But now she had the itch to hunt some more despite the wind still howling.  She went to the old stand I was in while I hunted nearby for bear.  She stayed until dark but no buck.
   We came back I walked Rudy and he is tired of the cold and snow.  When he come in he sits in front of the heater vent or fireplace whichever is on.

Thursday 30 November 2023   day 6

   Another nice, cooked breakfast. Much nicer day today temps in the mid 40's and a few peaks of sunshine. Getting close to the end of the season (for us) we head out around 10 to hunt for the rest of day.  Diane went to her stand while I walked up the hill to packed up the climber and ground blind. After organizing the stuff, I walked a big circle around the mountain hoping to jump one. Nothing.
   Diane stayed in her stand while I loaded up the three deer to take to the butcher shop. It was after 4 when I returned she hunted right up till dark. Nothing.  
   Diane walked up to the pizza shop and picked up wings for dinner.

Friday 1 December 2023     day 7 of deer season

   Warmer but rain most of the day.  I washed truck bed out. Dirt, deer blood and freezing weather had all my things froze to the truck bed. Diane went to the big laundromat to wash most of the hunting clothes and to turn in keys to PO Box. She forgot my key so she will have to go back tomorrow. By the time she return the rain was steady. 
   We have been working on our plans to Dillsburg and after that to Newmar factory service in Nappanee, Indiana in January, get the Moho fixed up and the car ready to tow behind the Moho.  And then south the minute we are done. Still working on were in the south. But south as fast as the Moho will take us.

Saturday 2 December 2023

   Deer season is over for us.  I scaled the mountain one more time to retrieve the hunting stands and camera.  Clothes are mostly washed and packed.  I made this final trip to the cabin to pack containers, pick up rifles, bow and to turn off heat. Turned out the stuff was way to wet to put in storage bins, so I'll be back tomorrow.  They are calling for all-day rain on Sunday, so we are going to wait till Monday to head to Dillsburg. Leftovers for dinner. Poor Diane the frig and cupboards are getting mighty empty. She will have to go store soon after we park in Dillsburg.

Sunday 3 December 2023

   We are sitting here listening to the rain.  It is almost 11am and Rudy has not moved close to the door.  Hopeful the rain will let up enough for him to go out soon. We've been picking and packing one thing at a time to be ready for tomorrow's journey. I made the last trip to the cabin turned off the heat and pick up the few things. Always sad to close the place up for the winter. The rain quit just before noon and Rudy was ready to go.
   Spent the rest of the day getting ready to travel in the morning.

   

    

Thanksgiving & Deer hunting

 Wednesday 22 November 2023

   We were to be on our way down state for Thanksgiving but there were to many sick people so we decided to stay home and just drive down tomorrow.  It will make a long day but hopefully we will not be spreading illness to anyone else. Spent the day making sure we had all the hunting stuff ready to go.

Thursday 23 November 2023        HAPPY THANKSGIVING

   I was right. What a long day! We left the Moho at 7am, with Rudy, drove to Karen's house for Thanksgiving dinner. Diane was making baked corn for the meal, so we had to arrive early enough for her to cook. Karen's one dog doesn't play well with other dogs, so Rudy had to spend the day it the car.  It was a nice sunny day, so it wasn't too bad.
   We ate around two.  The food was great and visiting with the family was great.  Many thanks to Mike and Karen for hosting. It was a lot of work for them.
   Then we got back in the car and drove home. It was after 8pm by the time we arrived at the Moho. Rudy was ever so happy to get out of the car.  It was a glass or two of wine and we called it a night.

Friday 24 November 2023

   Recovery day of course.  After eating way too much yesterday it was yogurt for breakfast, salad for lunch and I think burgers for dinner. Diane made us sandwiches for hunting tomorrow as we prepared everything for opening day.

Saturday 25 November 2023    HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to me (the 50th anniversary of my 21st birthday) 

  We left the Moho at 5:15 am!  It was cold temperature right around 18 degrees with a light breeze. In our stands by 6:30 and froze by 7:30. I was wearing my best and warmest hunting clothes I own and still I froze. The sun finally came out about 9:30 and warmed us up just a bit. We stuck it out all day. I saw a few deer 𐂂around 9am and some more just after lunch, but they were in and out of the brush could not identify anything I wanted to shoot. Diane had 6 or 7 🦌does come running right toward her, they ran past her, ran back then went off in several different direction all in a few seconds. She didn't even have a chance to get rifle. Cold and tired we headed to the moho. Dinner was in the crock pot the place smelled sooo good.

Sunday 26 November 2023  (2nd day deer season)

   We had so much fun yesterday we did it again today.  Again, it was below 20 degrees and we left at 5:15. (Rudy was not happy). We crossed the creek, up the mountain and in our stand by 6:45(a little slower on the second day).  Well wouldn't you know it 8am two doe walked by me and stopped. I picked the larger one out and shot.  She just looked around and took another couple of steps. I looked at my rifle yep, scope is still on it. Aimed shot again and she fell over. I'm happy I radio Diane tell her I got one, she didn't answer so I repeated the message. She answers in her loudest whispering voice QUIET. She had several deer around her stand. She shoots. I wait.  A few minutes later she radios I think I missed. 
    I headed over to check mine out, tag it etc. She goes to look for blood couldn't find any. Disappointed she radios me.  Just as I start to head down, she shoots again. This time the deer takes a leap and falls over.  She leans her rifle against a tree and walks down to check the doe, it's a nice one.  A little noise off to her right and here goes a huge buck across the hill. AAAA CRAP.
    It is now only 9:30am. My deer is at the top of the hill, Diane's halfway down. I left all my gear with her went back up the hill gutted mine and drug it down to meet her. Gutted hers and we actually had to drag it UP hill a bit to get it on the path.
    Words cannot describe the drag down the hill, across the creek and up another hill to the truck. We

At the Creek

both packed a layer or two of clothes in our back packs.  Diane ferried rifles, packs and coats down the hill across the creek and up to the truck while I drug deer. I was at the creek when she returned. We both worked hard to get them through the water and up to the truck. As soon as the last one was loaded it was up to the cabin drop of deer and Diane was off to get poor Rudy.  He has been in the Moho for seven hours.
   Diane returns with Rudy and I was working on the second one. I was happy to see her (she has coffee) Rudy was happy to see me (deer blood licking of my boots). We ate are lunch had a coffee and were sitting in the cabin before 

Finally finished!

4 o'clock.   What a day. Completely exhausted it was leftovers and wine for dinner and we were done.

Monday 27 November 2023 (3rd day of deer season)

   Diane did not move when the alarm went off.  But I'm no quitter I was out to get the buck she saw yesterday.   Out the door at 6am in her stand just before 7am.  No buck, no doe, no coffee and not even the squirrels were out to entertain me.  Wasn't long before there was no Bradley in the mountain either.  Back to the Moho before lunch for a much-needed coffee and nap. The temps have stayed well below freezing overnight, so it's hook up water, dump tanks and unhook every few days.
  Had a nice dinner some wine and a chance to recoup just a bit. 

   

Two doe on the meat pole!!

Prepping for Hunting and Thanksgiving!!

Thursday 16 November 2023

  In between hunting trips, I did manage to take our hunting blind to the top of Norman's hill.  I've been planning for warm days, cool days and OMG cold and windy days. If it is really bad, I will head to the tent on the hilltop for opening day. I am getting older and ground blinds are doable for my age group. 😏 
   In the meantime, the Moho has been doing well.  We did have another day the Oasis heating system went off but after a quick google search and a screwdriver we were back online. The compressor light was flashing and burner would not light. It is hard to believe, but after the google search I tapped on the compressor and poof we were back online.

Friday 17 November  2023

   Diane had a DR's appointment in Wellsboro so she made it a shopping day, grocery store, wine store, drug store and I can't remember what else.
   The weather has been good for hunting, cold evenings but warmer in the afternoon.  Good for hunting but a pain in the butt for campers.  Each day I have to hook up the water, drain the tanks, unhook and drain the water and sewer hoses.😞
    Today is the last day of archery season. I hunted the last hours waiting/hoping for a last minute buck just not in the cards.  Good news we have two more weeks of rifle season coming up.😁

Saturday 18 November 2023

   Now that archery season is over, I can reflect on just now much fun it really was. First of all I didn't hunt every day all day long.  But 6-week season times 6 days a week = 36 days of hunting times 10 hours a days = 360 hours of hunting available.  During that time, I shot at one doe...missed.  Shot at one buck hit it but couldn't find it. Those two opportunities took a total of 10 minutes. That left me with a whole lot of quality time in the forest.  Really it was enjoyable and besides I got a lot of exercise.
   Moving on to rifle season, I went over to the cabin fired up the furnace, pulled our containers out of the shed and put them in the cabin for us to sort through after it warmers up a bit.
  Diane was lucky she didn't want to come over until the place warmed up so she stayed in the Moho and washed drawer after drawer of utensils and kitchen ware. Seems we had some small visitors👽....... just mice in the silverware and several other drawers. It took me several tries to get the little critters. First day he got all of the peanut butter without tripping the trap. 😒 But day two I prevailed.

Sunday 18 November 2023

I thought it looked
like a person in her tree!!

   A fairly nice day, sunny and seasonal temperature. We both went to the cabin, sorted through the hunting stuff trying to figure out where we put all our stuff. Seems we are missing a few things and have no idea where the stuff could be.  Eventfully we gave up and set up for some target shooting.......and let's just say we can use that target again....I think we need to hit the shooting range more often. We decided with the size of deer and we are making long shots so we can call it done.
   Next, we headed up the mountain to our stands.   Diane climbed up her stand to look around and meets the dummy I put up.  I went on up the hill, climbed my tree and waited for her.  She finally showed up and after we looked around, I decided to move my stand just down the hill a bit. Back to the cabin cleaned up and headed home.

Diane trying to 
find me!!  😉

Monday 19 November 2023

   Another appointment today.  I headed to Williamsport, stopping at Tractor supply for a diesel fuel can. Then on down to my appointment.  I was 45 minutes early checked in and told the receptionist I would be back, and she says oh wait maybe they can get you in early. I'm gullible, OK I say and sit down....45 minutes later they call me in.  In no time (2hrs) I was on my way home.  I stopped for fuel at the cheapest place I could find $3.44 a gal, I was happy.....that was cash $3.59 credit same as everywhere. Oh well, filled up with fuel, headed to cabin put diesel in the fuel tank and headed to the Moho.
   Meanwhile back at the Moho Diane is cleaning/washing utensils from another couple of kitchen drawers. She has all the fun. 😁 She did make a run to the post office and shopped the sporting goods stores on the way back looking for a better hunting stool. No luck on the stools.

Tuesday 20 November 2023 

    It is not deer hunting yet but we were up at 5:30 this morning. Why do you ask.... Diane had a haircut appointment at 8am. However, with impending rain/freezing rain we both left the Moho by 7:15, her to the hairdresser, me to the mountain top.  The trail camera stopped working so I retrieved that and climbed my tree to trim some branches.  On my way down my tree, the stand slipped and dropped about three feet.  I did not panic... I did not pee my pants....I did however drop my phone (cracked the screen).  Now I'm thinking I may move to another tree. 😏 Just as I made it back to the truck the rain started. Up to the cabin dropped off some more diesel fuel then back to the Moho.
   Diane survived her hair cut at 8am. After a much-needed recovery, she headed to Wellsboro for a grocery and drug store run.
   We had rain all day, freezing rain occasionally, roads were fine, but the vehicles have had an ice glaze on them most of the day.  

Busy month

7 November 2023

  

  We headed to Harrisburg Cummins dealer to have the oasis and generator serviced. The Oasis (heating system) has been on the blink for a couple of weeks now and with temps in the 20's it is time to get it fixed. We park around 4pm check in with the office and headed to Lynn and Rick's place. Pizza for dinner and of to bed.  Anxious about what is wrong with the moho we had restless night sleep. Morning came and we were out of the by 8am.  Breakfast at Brother restaurant, hit BJ's for groceries and gas, Sportsman's Warehouse just killing time and we have Rudy with us so every where we stop he has to get out to pee. 😏We ended up at Bonefish for lunch(seafood just our luck) had a nice lunch could have survived on have of what we ate. Finally about 1pm we get the call the moho is finished.  We scurry over I put Rudy and groceries in the moho while Diane pays the bill. The parts weren't bad but at $218 a hour labor it added up in a hurry.
    I headed north in the moho and Diane went back to the Shirk's for a couple days of dog watching and Nana time with the grand kids.

12 November 2023

    Diane returned home while Rudy and I have been hunting on and off for the past few days. This afternoon just as Diane was parking the car I shot at a buck and hit him.  But I think I hit a branch just before the deer.  I tracked it until 4:30 but couldn't find him. 😒 Back to the Moho, dinner and made a plan for Monday morning.  I went to bed and around 11pm Diane wakes me up, ...Oasis heat is not working. 😡 It is 18 degrees! Well, this is just great! 😖 We turned on all the electric heaters we have and went to bed.  In the morning Diane went to the dentist and I went back to track the buck. I did find more blood and tracked him until lunch when I lost blood trail.

   Back to the Moho, time to fix the furnace.  We got on the internet found a couple of post about the same error code we were getting on the Oasis.  Following the internet instructions (gotta be true it's on the internet) I remove the cover and tapped on the fan. And poof we are back online.  All happy I hustled in turn up the furnace and enjoyed some heat.  No good deed goes unpunished.  I forgot to move the sewer hose and when I went back out it was melted. 😞 But we have heat.

14 November 2023

   I made a run over to Ives Run picked up our kayak, stopped at the post office, gas station and garage. A tire pressure sensor went out on the truck.  It took all morning just to get all that taken care of. Lunch was homemade pot pie, Yum. I Hunted in the evening, nothing.  Back to the Moho for fish for dinner. Yum.

Fall catch-up!!

Sunday 8 October 2023

  I forgot to report on one important happening on the last post.  It is not November and it wasn't the Edmund Fitz Gerlad, but on their way to Dillsburg from Ives Run we had the wreck of the 'Jenny Greg Trailer'. Just a few miles from their destination a careless driver cut them off. Greg swerved to missed them but as he went back to his lane the 5th wheel rolled over onto its side. The truck started to go but fortunately the trailer separated from the truck preventing it from rolling over. Everyone including Blue was OK. 😅
   Now a week later the 5th wheel is in the salvage yard the truck is awaiting a final decision from the Ford dealer. Jen, Greg and Blue are hanging in there at Caire's house.  It just shows you how your life can be changed in a split second.  On the road full timing having a great time one second and poof, the next second you are homeless. Everything they owned scattered along the highway.
   More to come as we hear from them.

  The rain stopped last night and we have a cool breezy day here at Ives Run.  I took Rudy out this morning and to my surprise there was a rainbow, no rain but we had a rainbow.  After a really nice Indian summer last week we are back to reality today, 45 degrees this morning.

  Diane is on day two of hosting using the EV(ATV) which has no heat or wipers. The wind continued all day long and it did eventually rain late in the afternoon. I made it down to my hunting spot and put up my stand.  The first week of archery deer is over and I haven't been out yet.

A quick overview of the rest of October

  We went down state on the 13th to attend Ben's daughter's wedding on the 14th. It was a cold, rainy day with temps just around 45 degrees.  The ceremony was beautiful despite the weather. We returned home on the 15th. Diane went back to work Monday morning.

  The 19th Lorin, Ben and his two boys came up for muzzleloader/senior bear and doe season.  On Thursday Ben shot and hit one on the back side of Blue Run but couldn't find it. He called in a tracker guy with a dog and we looked most of the day on Friday but no luck.

   21st October....Another sad day.  Kenny Mann passed away in the morning; he was 52 years old.

  Lynne and Rick came up on the 18th - 23rd.  We had a good time with campfires, Mexican train, good food and even went into Wellsboro to watch the Penn State game on Saturday.

  On the 25th poor Rudy went to vets for a teeth cleaning.  They ended up pulling 9 teeth. the poor thing now has a lopsided smile. 😁

    Ives run closed the 31st of Oct.  Diane worked the last few days including the first of November cleaning fire pits and getting the place ready for winter break.

Let's jump ahead to November (month of appointments)

Nov 1st, I had a Dr's appointment, the 6th Diane had a Dr's appointment, 8th we took the Moho into the Cummins dealer for service, 13th Diane has a dentist appointment, 17th Diane another apt, 20th I had dermo apt. Plus haircuts and the normal stuff. Trying to get everything done before we head south.

November 3rd, we moved from Ives Run to the Rusty Cayon Motel (campground). Not much to talk about but it has full hookups for $20 a day (monthly rate).

 Saturday 7 October 2023

 We are back in the world of technology!😁

Current location is the host site (45) at Ives Run, Tioga County Pa.  Yesterday Diane called about our hot spot (it needed rebooted) and we now have cell service and internet. We are so happy.

                                                                                                                          

I must dedicate this post to my niece and our number one follower.

JULIE ANN METZGER (McCurdy)
 6-14-1966    8-19-2023  

    Besides being my niece Julie and Dave were avid campers and race fans.  Julie enjoyed reading our stories of  adventure/misadventure.  We so enjoyed camping we them on and off over the past few years. She always had a smile on her face and a story to tell.  She will forever be missed!

Dave and Julie
at a winery we
visited!!

____________________________________________________

      Diane is filling in as a camp host here at Ives Run and I'm helping with volunteer maintenance. It's fall and the leaves are turning with brilliant display of fall colors. It make you want to go outside and work. We should be here until the end of October when the park closes.

  I'll try to go over the high lights of the last few months:

July

     After coming back from out camping trip with Shari's family I went over to Ben's cabin to mow grass and as I pulled in I notice something was out of place.  OH CRAP.  A tree had fallen on the side of the cabin. Damage didn't look to awful bad considering.  I mowed the grass and return to the camper.  I went back the next day with chain saw in hand.  Remembering my safety training I tied a rope to myself and the other end to the saw, with two sections of my tree stand stacked firmly on some wet rocks I climbed up the tree and started limbing it up. All went well.  I came down had some lunch and went to start a fire. I was breaking twigs (that's right twigs) went a piece flew up and hit my eye. I got up went to look in a mirror and sure enough I had blood running out of my eye ball.  I call Diane, she calls Kate for a ride to the hospital.......Three hours later were are on the way home. I tore some meat lose but fortunately it missed the cornea.  Three trips to the optometrist over the weeks and I am back to   normal.

            The tree on the cabin,

              and Brad a little later.                                       

                             

Lynne and Rick came up camping for a weekend. A lot of fun as always.

We worked our normal schedules, several doctors appointments and dentist appointments. Just gotta love getting older.

August

 Finally got the moho inspected.  It is now licensed in our names and inspected. We are legal.😊

  We took a week off to go visit Ashley in Burlington Vt.  We had a great visit, went to lunch with Ash two days.  For a skinny little thing she can put away the food.  
   Just a note for Moho repairs it rained the whole drive up and we found the wipers only work on high speed.  Another item on the list.

   More work and more doctor appointments.

September 

  Tompkins campground closed on the 5th, and we headed to Maine for two weeks camping with Lynne and Rick.  I left with the Moho while Diane shopped her way up to meet Rudy and I in Owego NY.  It was only 75 miles, but we were underway.  Next morning we were off to Benington VT for a two night stop. We had been there before but had no problem visiting the area again.  After stocking up on cheese and wine we headed to Lebanon ME. Just overnight then off to Boothbay Harbor.
  And wouldn't you know it, our luck lobster was at an all-time high price. 😦 We sucked it up, paid the price and enjoyed our share of lobster, after all that is why you go to Maine.  The two weeks went by so fast.  Lynne and Rick each worked a few days the first week, but we still enjoyed a fire almost every night.
  Hurricane Lee came by at the end of the first week.  We watched the weather and the storm headed north and we decided to stay and ride it out.  To pass the day we went to rec hall, played cards enjoyed some light snacks.  The electric went out, but we had enough light to keep on playing.  Then my phone rings, it was the campground manager she said someone is blowing the horn in the Moho.  That is not possible I say no one is there.....except for the DOG.  Rick and I walk back to the Moho and sure enough Rudy was on the driver seat jumping up and down on the (air) horn. We all laughed, but not the manager. I bungeed some cardboard to the steering wheel and we were back at the card game.
   The storm pasted.  We had a few nice sunny days one that we spent at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. We were worried it was to late in the season and there wouldn't be much to see. Boy, were we wrong.  We spent the entire day there only taking a break to eat lunch. The place was amazing. I would certainly recommend it to anyone in the area.
    The rest of our time there we enjoyed eating lobster, playing Mexican train, antique shopping, a trip to Portland and did I say eating lobster.

Downtown Boothbay
Harbor!

Trolls at the 
Botanical Gardens

All good things come to an end.  We headed home on the 23rd of September stopping at the same place in Benington VT.  The 24th we toured some covered bridges and visited a revolutionary war battle memorial.  We never knew there was an important battle fought there, very interesting.
  

The war memorial!

  We arrived back at Ives run Monday the 25th.

     

Yes we are alive!!

 Happy 4th of July to one and all.

July 4th 2023

   We are in Reading Pa and have spent the last 2 days having breakfast with Shari, her new grandbaby and the rest of the crew who are in for a visit with the Weirs. Diane and I went out last night to the Coastal Grille.  It was very good, I had the broiled seafood platter, and she had the Seafood Fra Diavolo.  The service was quick, we were seated, ordered and done within a hour.  A little rushed for us but the food was great.

A little tight, but
we did just fine!!

               

They had a decent
supplied store!!

  We made it to our volunteer spot the beginning of May and to our surprise internet service is actually worse than it was last year. We have been working our shifts and settled back into the routine. It started off very warm and dry for most of May and that produced the worst outbreak of Gypsie moths ever. The moths have completely defoliated the campground.  And the caterpillar poop rained down on our camp site for weeks, to the point we will probably have to throw our canopies away. They are just so gross.
   Diane has made it out kayaking twice and down to visit Chase once.  I've been mowing the yard at Ben's camp and trying to get my tree stand and camera set up on Norman's hill without much luck.  I did get the roadway cleared out just a bit and will continue to work on that.
   We are heading back up to Tompkin's campground tomorrow the 5th July, Diane will be heading back down to visit Chase on the 10th. The second half of the season is filling up fast. Besides working, I have 3 dentist appointments, we want to get up to Vermont to visit Ashley sometime in August, we have to get the Moho inspected and finally another visit with Chase and the new baby in late August.

   I will try to keep the blog updated at least monthly if I get anywhere that has service. We already are planning our winter trip south.  I cant believe how fast the summer has gone. We are planning a trip to Maine right after Labor Day then hunting and then headed south and hopefully back to some fun adventures.

  Next big hurdle is getting the Moho inspected.

  Check back in often.