tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85154335921095354582024-03-13T18:13:14.583-04:00The Thomas' TrailsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-5873284156775538312011-12-05T22:49:00.001-05:002011-12-05T23:06:56.171-05:00Marines and Ruins<br />
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It was a beautiful day in SC today. Last night was mild enough to leave the windows open. It’s been awhile since we’ve slept with open windows. Today we had some household chores to tend to, but when they were all finished we decided to go for a ride. We started heading out towards Parris Island, then we saw a military jet fly over so I checked my GPS for area airports and saw that we were only 10 miles away from the Marine Corps Air Station. Follow that jet! We drove past lots of marsh land and over rivers thru small towns and then we saw it. Yea, right. I don’t know what possessed us thinking we could get on base to take pictures, but we tried. We blamed it on the GPS leading us to make a wrong turn. The MP was very nice about it and let us turn around. I was still able to get some nice pictures of old jets outside the base. We headed toward home and out toward the highway when we saw a sign for the town we’re staying in so we made a right turn down a back road with moss draped oak trees and I’m glad we did. A few miles down the road we saw a historical marker. Out of the corner of my eye I saw ruins of a large brick building. We found a place to turn around and went back and parked. It was the ruins of a church built in the 1700’s, burned by the British in 1779, rebuilt in 1826 and burned again in 1865 by the Federal Army. As you walk through the gate, it gets eerily surreal. The oak trees draped with moss with grave markers peppered throughout the grounds. The burned remains of a brick church, the altar marred with age. Charred brick along the top. It was definitely worth the stop. Pictures can say so much more than words, enjoy them. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails…until next time. <br />
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</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-2972475870583561742011-12-03T21:49:00.000-05:002011-12-05T23:07:18.985-05:00LET’S HAVE A PARADE<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hPfWyHjGEIw/Tt2Cdel9EPI/AAAAAAAADaI/xGaQ9YM4d44/s1600-h/IMG_5961%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="IMG_5961" border="0" height="207" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-82aFj2MBK_Q/Tt2CfSRpwwI/AAAAAAAADaQ/iI6RVZjlGCU/IMG_5961_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5961" width="272" /></a>On our way south we always like to stop in and see a good family friend, Mrs. Klein. Our families go back as long as I can remember. My mom and Mrs. Klein were best friends and when my mom passed away, she was there for me. Our families always celebrated holidays together and we even went on vacations together. Her daughter, Julie was in my wedding and my daughter, Chrissy was in hers, so when we’re passing through North Carolina we make it a point to stop and say hi. And when we’re coming from the north, we’re sure to bring some NY style bagels! We found a nice Passport America park just 25 min. south of her in Moncure, NC. For $15 a night it was worth it. We decided that we will stay at Dickens RV Park from now on when passing through. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RXXOqSs6ktQ/Tt2Cljo-t0I/AAAAAAAADaY/huzqsTjXh_U/s1600-h/IMG_5967%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="IMG_5967" border="0" height="203" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VKcO_47wygE/Tt2CnSFpvYI/AAAAAAAADag/WKUOeWxanJY/IMG_5967_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5967" width="269" /></a>One of the highlights while we were there was the Apex, NC Christmas Parade. Two of Mrs. Kleins’ grandsons were marching in the parade so this was a must see. We weren’t there early enough to get front row seats, but we were in the second row. People were putting chairs along the street at 8AM!!! I’m not even up that early. The parade started at 5pm so we got there around 3 and set up our chairs. We walked up and down the street to kill some time and keep warm. All the stores were decorated for the holidays and everyone was so nice. By the time the parade started the street was lined four deep with children on the shoulders of their parents so they could see all the excitement. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qOBet7ukwJ4/Tt2Cp7jM9rI/AAAAAAAADao/4QYBK2gd2qI/s1600-h/IMG_5997%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="IMG_5997" border="0" height="195" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MCcGX3REhpo/Tt2CsAoxSHI/AAAAAAAADaw/EegkYjgkk78/IMG_5997_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5997" width="265" /></a>This was some parade. It lasted almost two hours. There were numerous bands from the area high schools and middle schools, dancing troupes, boy scouts and girl scouts, jump rope teams, classic cars, emergency vehicles, etc. I was very impressed with all the participants. Everyone wishing a Merry Christmas. Afterwards, we all went back to Mrs. Kleins’ condo for some delicious chili and cornbread. It was great to visit with old friends. I can’t wait to go back and see everyone again, but the weather was cold and we were leaving the next day to go to South Carolina. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails…until next time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-61892665070940214962011-11-20T09:11:00.000-05:002011-11-21T09:13:31.691-05:00Happy 104th Birthday Aunt Marguerite<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wY0E6EPMP7Q/Tsm4La3PYbI/AAAAAAAADZI/5Ok0N4aAHRI/s1600-h/IMG_5949%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5949" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d5uQpjK1iB0/Tsm4L2kJjfI/AAAAAAAADZQ/ElNeoD0HQT4/IMG_5949_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5949" width="267" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Vt3eKa5F-50/Tsm4NBXFKUI/AAAAAAAADZY/3RJ1BCrpkeA/s1600-h/IMG_5950%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="IMG_5950" border="0" height="195" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jR_REavrqAw/Tsm4NisjmPI/AAAAAAAADZg/aLql78DXqic/IMG_5950_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5950" width="265" /></a><br />
Wow, 104 years young! Today Lenny and I were invited to celebrate the 104th birthday of his Aunt Marge. I remember four years ago when we were planning his parents 50th wedding anniversary, she told me in no uncertain terms that we were not to have their party the same day as her 100th Birthday party and here we are four years later. It was great to see family members we don’t usually get to see. And when we went to wish Aunt Marge a Happy Birthday, she looked at me and said, “I see you’ve found your way back home.” I sure hope if I live that long, that I still have all my faculties and can get around like she does. She is truly a blessed woman to be surrounded by her family, her daughter, three grandchildren, not sure how many great grands and great-great-grands, and her friends.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1rN8lC6En-g/Tsm4Oyx6sNI/AAAAAAAADZo/D9BAmASkUMs/s1600-h/IMG_5956%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="IMG_5956" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lLKDONiV6lg/Tsm4PbcrQGI/AAAAAAAADZw/VX8aGnezyDc/IMG_5956_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5956" width="244" /></a><br />
They had everyone wear nametags with your relationship. That’s good because sometimes I forget who I am. LOL. They also had some facts about the year Aunt Marge was born entitled “What Was Life Like in 1907?” For instance, a loaf of bread cost 5 cents! A gallon of milk was 31 cents. A car cost $500 and a house cost $4,500. Unemployment was a mere 2.8 percent. Oklahoma became the 46th state. Theodore Roosevelt was president and his vice president was Charles W. Fairbanks. The first helicopter flew, the famous “ball” dropped in Times Square to signal the new year. The first cabs with meters began operating in London and Jim Casey founded the United Parcel Service in Seattle. The average life expectancy in the US was 45.6 years for men and 49.9 years for women. I guess you could say that Aunt Marge is above average! Pneumonia and influenza were the leading causes of death in the US and a bubonic plague outbreak began in San Francisco. Aunt Marge shares her date of birth with the author of the Pippi Longstocking books and with painter Claude Monet. She shares the year of her birth with such famous people as John Wayne, Gene Autry, Sir Laurence Olivier and Katherine Hepburn.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iYZfeUn7yfI/Tsm4Q1V3JaI/AAAAAAAADZ4/gQdldug5J3o/s1600-h/IMG_5958%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="IMG_5958" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-S3SPidGHeBY/Tsm4ReBNAZI/AAAAAAAADaA/7nXR8cIltb8/IMG_5958_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5958" width="244" /></a><br />
She has survived two world wars, numerous other wars, the depression of 1929 and many other events in history. Aunt Marge is a wonderful woman whose home has always been open to us. We love her and wish her a VERY HAPPY 104TH BIRTHDAY!!! May we all be as blessed in our lives as she has been.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-79158821397505542892011-11-07T22:48:00.000-05:002011-11-07T22:48:50.018-05:00The Endless Road<br />
We left early today…well, if you consider 9:30 am early. It is for us. Usually, we don’t get on the road until 10:30 – 11 am and we usually pull off the road around 3-4 pm. About two hours into our drive, we pulled into a nice VA rest stop for stretching/bathroom break. We decided to have an early lunch. About 20 minutes after we got back on the road we saw Camping World so we decided to see what they have for sale. After two hours with the salesman, we decided they didn’t have anything that we could live with for the next 10-15 years so back on the highway we drove. And the hills went up and the valleys went down. The views were spectacular. A few more hours of driving and we were getting tired, the cats wanted out of their crates, we wanted out of our shoes and the dog just wanted to go out! I found a Passport America Park in Northern VA…a NASCAR RV Resort. I just can’t seem to get away from NASCAR! The price was right anyway. Less than $17 for a site. When we turned off the main road to the resort, the road seemed to go on forever. The endless road in the endless mountains. I must say, by the time we got to our site and set up it was already getting dark so you’ll have to read tomorrow’s post to see how we really like it. Tonight, it is PITCH black and so quiet you could hear a pin drop. No trains, no airplanes, no highway hum. The one thing I found very odd was that we had to sign a release that if we went “exploring” in the park at night to have fun and got hurt we could not hold them responsible. This is the first park we have ever had to sign a release at. I guess someone at sometime must have tried it. Not much else happened today. Enjoy the pictures and thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails. Until next time…<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-60026045317350817352011-11-06T19:04:00.000-05:002011-11-07T22:37:06.390-05:00See Ya Down the Road!<br />
All good things must come to an end. Well, I don’t necessarily agree with that statement because if you look hard enough for the good in everything then it will never come to an end. You will always have good things. Today we said farewell to two very good friends, Bill and Kathy. It’s hard to imagine that six months ago we didn’t even know each other, but campers are friendly folk and when we met back in June we just hit it off. We both love wine, dogs, camping/traveling, and having fun. So, when we were headed north, they were headed south and we met up for a few days at Mayberry Campground. Did we get to everything we wanted to while we were together? NO! But that just means we have to come back and spend more time here together. While we were saying good-bye to one friend, we were becoming friends with another. <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.MaliasMiles.com">Malia</a> was scoping out the campground with a notebook when we met. I come to find out that we know some of the same people and she is a fellow blogger who also writes for Motorhome Magazine. She had done a story on this campground a few years ago and was doing a follow-up while she was passing through. It’s so exciting as we travel and meet others who live full-time in their motor home. We exchange stories, good and bad, and learn from each other. Lenny and I are still newbies when it comes to this lifestyle and we learn from so many people out there who have been doing this longer than we have. The trick is to open your mouth. Ask questions, start telling your story. That’s the way it is in life, that’s how we help each other in ALL things. We tell our story, we share our ups and downs. What’s your story, I would love to hear it. How did you get to where you are today?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final sunset in Mayberry</td></tr>
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After saying our farewells to Bill and Kathy and hellos to Malia, we went for an early dinner. I really wanted Italian, so we chose Coppolla’s. Our server was rude, inhospitable, and negligent. Our food had absolutely no flavor. When we went to pay our bill, we spoke to the owner. He asked why we didn’t send our food back and I told him because we never saw the server after he gave us our food or we would have. He did take some money off the bill but we will never return to that restaurant when we’re in Mt. Airy. And the sad part is all the reviews raved about their food and service. From there it was off to Wal-Mart to pick up a few things and then home to start packing things up. Moving day tomorrow. Northward bound toward NJ for Thanksgiving. Taking it slow and easy. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails. Until next time…Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-17655783015834236572011-11-05T22:24:00.001-04:002011-11-05T22:24:57.704-04:00Mt. Airy Will NEVER Be The Same!<br />
Oh, what a day! Today was Camper Appreciation Day at the <a href="http://www.mayberrycampground.com/">Mayberry Campground</a>. This place is great. Benny, the owner, went all out to show how much he appreciates the campers. Around noon, everyone started heading down toward the pavilion for the party. They had chicken stew, Brunswick stew, pulled pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, three different coleslaws, baked beans, mac and cheese plus all sorts of desserts. Someone also had made hot spiced apple cider over a fire. It was so good. I guess there had to be about 200 or more people there. Then to top it all off, Benny had hired <a href="http://music.yahoo.com/easter-brothers/biography/">The Easters</a>, <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hyGbTnwQpyE/TrXt3GZBg6I/AAAAAAAAC68/u6S-yM2Jrbo/s1600-h/IMG_5835%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5835" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l5_YnMf8OfE/TrXt57DCGyI/AAAAAAAAC7E/Z0zB_M7hIrg/IMG_5835_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5835" width="267" /></a>a bluegrass band from Mt. Airy. There were two different Easter bands, the original three brothers and then a younger generation. The grandchildren of the one brother. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KcbkGdrTnCE/TrXuEQKJp6I/AAAAAAAAC7M/ynlFfZBp5d4/s1600-h/IMG_5824%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5824" border="0" height="203" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5DQPFghBfME/TrXuHpMChtI/AAAAAAAAC7U/TUU8uPNool0/IMG_5824_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5824" width="269" /></a>Three hours of excellent music and mouth watering food was the perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon in the south. Later in the afternoon, we went out for a quick bite to eat with our friends, Bill and Kathy, who are on their way to Florida to spend Thanksgiving with her son. It’s hard to believe that we only met a few months ago while in the Poconos. It seems as though we’ve been friends for years. We went to Goober’s on Rt. 52, otherwise know as The Andy Griffith Highway. Our server, Cydnie, was awesome.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0c1bqJFEb6o/TrXuPScHLzI/AAAAAAAAC7c/ENjQnDpEaTA/s1600-h/2011-11-05%25252018.37.22%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2011-11-05 18.37.22" border="0" height="215" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0tGkgZMGdGo/TrXuR9CrSTI/AAAAAAAAC7k/U4-BOjNPmSw/2011-11-05%25252018.37.22_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2011-11-05 18.37.22" width="267" /></a> She didn’t miss a beat with all the NY banter going on between the four of us. We’re going to miss Bill and Kathy. They leave tomorrow, but we’ll see them again when we’re heading south and they are heading back home to Long Island and the long, long winter. <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ijKt0gY1D44/TrXuTLZEtII/AAAAAAAAC7s/Yp7y8YtXc9c/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /> We have been having fun, touring the area, eating out and all that stuff. I can’t wait for them to sell their house and go full-time along with us! We are here until Monday then we start heading north to NJ. Len has an aunt who is turning 104 and there is a birthday party for her the Sunday before Thanksgiving. We are looking forward to seeing our family and friends. I am especially looking forward to spending quality time with my daughter. Now that we only see her every few months, we make the most of it. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails. Until next time…<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yankee is exhausted!<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-62504687169320663212011-11-04T09:16:00.002-04:002011-11-04T09:17:01.678-04:00Hodge Podge Kind of Day<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another beautiful sunrise in Mt. Airy<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wow, I could really get used to this sleeping in bit. I slept until 8:30. Don’t think I’ve done that for ages! Anyway, we did all sorts of things today. Started out going to a few wineries, but two out of three were closed. Oh well, the one that was open was good. Winery #1 had a sign on the roadway saying OPEN, so we drove up the drive only to be greeted by two ferocious looking dogs and a hound dog all barking and baying. Lenny had to yell at them so I would get out of the car. The sign lied, all the doors were locked and there was not a person in sight even though there were other cars in the lot. So much for that winery. On to winery #2, The Slightly Askew, in Elkin. </span><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UEpfPG-qtKI/TrPkeJ2TvbI/AAAAAAAAC6E/RTvs7V9as38/s1600-h/IMG_5745%25255B5%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><img alt="IMG_5745" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KXD8Jq2pfRI/TrPkiE_pDaI/AAAAAAAAC6M/WYD6pTBU0o8/IMG_5745_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5745" width="267" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This looked like a fun place and it was. A whimsical wine bottle sculpture greeted us on our arrival. I tried seven different wines, then she mixed some of the wines and I tried those. Ok, I bought three bottles, one for my daughter. She directed us to winery #3 that sells organic wines in town. Off we go, well, winery #3 was closed for lunch, but there was a cute quilt shop across the street so we went in to admire the handiwork. I love quilts and a few years ago Lenny bought me an Amish quilt in Lancaster, PA. The winery was still closed when we exited the quilt shop, so we drove around looking at all the older stately homes. Making our way back to Mt. Airy, we found the cemetery where Eng and Chang Bunker are buried.</span><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JC9ramifd50/TrPkpI-Tk-I/AAAAAAAAC6U/A311EfrQyv0/s1600-h/IMG_5751%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><img alt="IMG_5751" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WQ0cQDYUeR0/TrPkrJ7Ks8I/AAAAAAAAC6c/OImJmLlivy4/IMG_5751_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5751" width="244" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> Eng and Chang are the famous </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chang_and_Eng_Bunker" style="font-size: medium; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Siamese twins</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> who lived here, married sisters, and raised their 21 children. The campground we are staying at is owned by a direct descendent. There was an older gentlemen at the cemetery sprucing up his parents graves and he took the time to give us a little personal history lesson on the area. He pointed out the farmhouse of one of the brothers lived that was a 1/2 mile away. Then he told us where Andy Griffith’s </span><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-A7NKPy9lYVo/TrPkvsQs1GI/AAAAAAAAC6k/Zrq3atA8Qq0/s1600-h/IMG_5755%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="font-size: medium; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><img alt="IMG_5755" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3uuv39vgwxI/TrPkxZ0o6HI/AAAAAAAAC6s/3h4lx-zgdTk/IMG_5755_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5755" width="244" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; text-align: -webkit-auto;">grandparents were buried in the cemetery. Thank you Mr. Kemp for your time and hospitality. Back to the RV to relax a bit before going out to dinner at the Golden Coral. Then when we got back, our friends from Long Island had finally arrived. We haven’t seen Bill and Kathy since the summer when we were in the Poconos. We sat and chatted with them for awhile, planning out tomorrow’s adventures. We got back to the RV just before it started to rain. It’s ok if it rains at night. So, all in all, it was a hodge podge kind of day, wineries, cemeteries, and friends. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails. Until next time…</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-32199592127233383152011-11-02T19:42:00.000-04:002011-11-02T19:45:13.542-04:00Pilot Mountain<br />
Another beautiful day here in Mayberry! Today, we took a drive to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilot_Mountain_(North_Carolina)">Pilot Mountain</a>. Located less then 20 miles from Mt. Airy, it was a lovely drive. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HTQPNc1jYJU/TrHTnrRm-3I/AAAAAAAAC1M/h17X05hXlUw/s1600-h/IMG_5655%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5655" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZmA9AUgA0E8/TrHTpLywCII/AAAAAAAAC1U/36yKe74Bjs4/IMG_5655_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5655" width="244" /></a>When we got there it was HUGE! Being from the NYC area, I’m not used to seeing mountains that large with a huge knob on top. We decided to take a drive through the campground area and while the sites were nice, it is not something we would take our motorhome to. The roads are too steep, the sites are not level and are very small, but the view is amazing. From there we continued up the mountain. At times, I had to close my eyes. I don’t like heights and some of the drop offs were more than my heart could stand. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LKDhxLSSRiQ/TrHTsH0u_lI/AAAAAAAAC1c/m-gQMlJuvpM/s1600-h/IMG_5677%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5677" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WhyUqKasIyo/TrHTtkrgu-I/AAAAAAAAC1k/8AR7ynaT1-E/IMG_5677_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5677" width="244" /></a>We finally got to the top and what a view. Words cannot do it justice so enjoy the pictures. Len climbed to very top and took some more pictures. Enjoy the views. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-DW-bLkbKc2g/TrHTxdX5c3I/AAAAAAAAC1s/gMb0oQDVoBM/s1600-h/IMG_5662%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5662" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t81q0aga7TA/TrHTy-SORdI/AAAAAAAAC10/L1uuxBUFV3o/IMG_5662_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5662" width="244" /></a><br />
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<tr><td style="border-style: none; height: 76px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 5px 5px 5px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 76px;"><a border="0" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d0cf80321b249165&page=play&resid=D0CF80321B249165!170&parid=D0CF80321B249165!148&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=cCfb2qqJvgI%24" style="border-style: none; font-family: 'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="View album" border="0" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cCr4A9SZxJs/TrHUW5cBIWI/AAAAAAAAC4k/LdVHnQ-zs8M/172843706395E3249.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; background: none; border-style: none; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" title="View album" width="76" /></a></td><td style="border-style: none; height: 76px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 5px 5px 0px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 76px;"><a border="0" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d0cf80321b249165&page=play&resid=D0CF80321B249165!171&parid=D0CF80321B249165!148&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=cCfb2qqJvgI%24" style="border-style: none; font-family: 'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="View album" border="0" height="76" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jh_z2M20wXk/TrHUYKcI3gI/AAAAAAAAC4s/63hEr5eX1s4/11274818071538D7BA.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; background: none; border-style: none; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" title="View album" width="76" /></a></td><td style="border-style: none; height: 76px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 5px 5px 0px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 76px;"><a border="0" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d0cf80321b249165&page=play&resid=D0CF80321B249165!172&parid=D0CF80321B249165!148&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=cCfb2qqJvgI%24" style="border-style: none; font-family: 'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="View album" border="0" height="76" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Jyha7f5OPY0/TrHUZ46Pa0I/AAAAAAAAC40/JpVbMyrESnw/8092363802E34A7FF.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; background: none; border-style: none; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" title="View album" width="76" /></a></td><td style="border-style: none; height: 76px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 5px 5px 0px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 76px;"><a border="0" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d0cf80321b249165&page=play&resid=D0CF80321B249165!173&parid=D0CF80321B249165!148&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=cCfb2qqJvgI%24" style="border-style: none; font-family: 'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="View album" border="0" height="76" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e2FFmu-ty-k/TrHUcIEWEKI/AAAAAAAAC48/lcOizllG5w0/1938536388751DCAFC.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; background: none; border-style: none; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" title="View album" width="76" /></a></td><td style="border-style: none; height: 76px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 5px 5px 0px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 76px;"><a border="0" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d0cf80321b249165&page=play&resid=D0CF80321B249165!174&parid=D0CF80321B249165!148&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=cCfb2qqJvgI%24" style="border-style: none; font-family: 'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="View album" border="0" height="76" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-66UYki2JC5I/TrHUeiMcNXI/AAAAAAAAC5E/inGIs1jXUxY/11253191190E199B42.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; background: none; border-style: none; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" title="View album" width="76" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-style: none; height: 76px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 5px 5px 5px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 76px;"><a border="0" href="https://skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?cid=d0cf80321b249165&page=play&resid=D0CF80321B249165!175&parid=D0CF80321B249165!148&type=1&Bsrc=Photomail&Bpub=SDX.Photos&authkey=cCfb2qqJvgI%24" style="border-style: none; font-family: 'Segoe UI', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 8pt; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="View album" border="0" height="76" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QzXRpkAeRaI/TrHUg_dnPrI/AAAAAAAAC5M/afMCJI09TWU/-5052768315502BE3F.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; background: none; border-style: none; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" title="View album" width="76" /></a></td><td style="border-style: none; height: 76px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 5px 5px 0px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 76px;"></td><td style="border-style: none; height: 76px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 5px 5px 0px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 76px;"></td><td style="border-style: none; height: 76px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 5px 5px 0px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 76px;"></td><td style="border-style: none; height: 76px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 5px 5px 0px; vertical-align: bottom; width: 76px;"></td></tr>
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A lovely sunset<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l5PLj0GwcVw/TrHUjvZeLVI/AAAAAAAAC5U/77XOEZBaxjM/s1600-h/IMG_5729%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5729" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yniyah7Nvng/TrHUnDLawLI/AAAAAAAAC5c/d2fYUFR-7C0/IMG_5729_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5729" width="267" /></a> topped our day. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mGpzC2oI1IM/TrHUr6LaETI/AAAAAAAAC5k/EW2sprOyqO0/s1600-h/IMG_5730%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5730" border="0" height="195" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gLTTX-3WxB4/TrHUtpLM9gI/AAAAAAAAC5s/ncZSV_Hdx3g/IMG_5730_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5730" width="265" /></a>Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails. Until next time…Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-10798992958939326282011-11-01T19:05:00.000-04:002011-11-01T19:05:29.617-04:00Mayberry<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oyRaQU1koR8/TrB325slFxI/AAAAAAAACzs/6YlRy2OugM0/s1600-h/IMG_5631%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5631" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6ZdN9_Kb1s8/TrB3-ZobZ1I/AAAAAAAACz0/HAWkTRhIT8I/IMG_5631_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5631" width="244" /></a></div>
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Today we got another late start, but it wasn’t because I slept in! It was because we are having a problem with our car. Yesterday when we got here and Len disconnected the car from the tow bar, it wouldn’t start. He thought maybe he left a light on, but this morning it wouldn’t start again. When we finally got it started, (thank God for jumpers) we went to the gas station, filled up and it took FIVE minutes to get it to turn over. It’s not the battery because the clock still works, the windows went up and down, etc. so we’re not sure what is going on, but will need to get it checked soon. After dropping off some mail at the post office, we walked over to The Snappy Lunch to enjoy their <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-evpM69Tjl5g/TrB4Du917GI/AAAAAAAACz8/t3XeSCuQ8g8/s1600-h/IMG_5610%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5610" border="0" height="203" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PJi3geseMXk/TrB4GQmzfsI/AAAAAAAAC0E/HYqAd34zu4s/IMG_5610_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5610" width="269" /></a>famous pork chop sandwich. I had mine all the way (chili, onions, coleslaw, tomato), Len just had chili on his. After lunch, Len went in to Floyd’s barber shop and got an $8 haircut. No offence, but Floyd needs to retire. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V_bxqqFy8gU/TrB4SFCmtWI/AAAAAAAAC0M/Ni7s1urLvNw/s1600-h/IMG_5617%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5617" border="0" height="195" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0yeXQzIYcus/TrB4U2aNV0I/AAAAAAAAC0U/GnJauAlcMGA/IMG_5617_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5617" width="265" /></a>Len was in that chair for an hour! I walked across the street to the wine shop, tried some different wines, found one I like. I am enjoying a glass as I write this blog. From there we went into Opie’s Candy Shop and then up the street to the Ice Cream Shop and had Ice Cream soda’s. It wasn’t busy so the owner sat down to talk with us. We told him how we live in our RV and travel. We continued to browse through the shops finishing up at the music shop owned by James Easter of the Easter Brothers. We enjoy Blue Grass and Southern Gospel and talked with him for a bit. Found out he and his brothers are performing at the campground this Saturday and they are having a southern bar-b-que, so we extended our stay here until Monday. That gives us plenty of time to see the rest of the sights and tour some more wineries. We walked back to the car and guess what??? Wrong! It actually started. Who knows what’s up with this engine! We drove over to the Andy Griffith Museum </div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D1HjKXFWfCg/TrB45ZcEF8I/AAAAAAAAC0s/Ucy2uY-hp90/s1600-h/IMG_5634%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5634" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-e8SxE-G2LmE/TrB464-9GlI/AAAAAAAAC00/DCFM92eZ81I/IMG_5634_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5634" width="244" /></a>where they are doing construction on the sidewalks, so we walked down stairs, through an alley and then up stairs to enter through the back door. It was interesting, but no photography was allowed inside the museum, just in the lobby. Then we returned the same way and went to see the display on Eng and Chang Bunker, the Siamese twins whose descendants own this campground. It was a long afternoon and a lot of walking, but we enjoyed every minute of it. Look for more posts this week as we explore more of Mayberry and the surrounding area. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails. Until next time…</div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E_ZoNjQTq34/TrB49cNbq5I/AAAAAAAAC08/lYU_B5i_-Hk/s1600-h/IMG_5649%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5649" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wD9A7RylU-Q/TrB4-OYC6zI/AAAAAAAAC1E/1QTZ_PKvC7k/IMG_5649_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5649" width="244" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-65663880272451509902011-10-31T22:13:00.003-04:002011-10-31T22:13:32.943-04:00Travel Day<br />
Travel days for us usually start early, depending on how many miles we’re covering. Well, today we were traveling about 200 and I slept in! All these recent time changes has reeked havoc on my body. Well, at least that’s what I keep telling myself. <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0CmQLLQ0844/Tq9UR3o71EI/AAAAAAAACy0/q6YtYoUXCcc/s1600-h/IMG_5560%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5560" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GN3ZD0HgSSQ/Tq9UTD29DAI/AAAAAAAACy8/wgS-5biP6PA/IMG_5560_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5560" width="244" /></a>We finally left Pride RV Resort in Waynesville, NC and pointed our coach eastward then north to Mayberry Campground. While much of the fall foliage is past peak there were still magnificent views around every bend in the highway. Then came the signs. Not the “here’s your sign”, sign. No these signs would make most newbie RVer’s nervous. 6% grade ahead for four miles. 35 MPH speed limit for trucks down the other side of the Smoky Mountains. The smell of hot brakes as you near the bottom of the hill. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7nNy5dcU3qM/Tq9UYsHqiaI/AAAAAAAACzE/kqKjyAoqSdE/s1600-h/IMG_5548%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5548" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cmQSLDW2yEo/Tq9UZ08crcI/AAAAAAAACzM/I59N_a9bqQM/IMG_5548_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5548" width="244" /></a>Run-away truck ramps, not one, not two, but THREE of them as we continued down the mountain. Oh, how I enjoyed the views as Lenny drove. Oh, how Lenny gripped the steering wheel as I oohed and ahhed! I-40 is a wonderful drive across NC, except for one section that was tooth rattling. Before we knew it we were heading north on 77 to our destination of Mt. Airy, NC. For those of you who may not know, Mt. Airy is the town that Mayberry, RFD is based on…The Andy Griffith Show. Now, I am much younger than my husband, He remembers The Andy Griffith Show, I don’t. It went off the air in 1968. In 1968 I was still a toddler, not even in school yet. But I will let you know that I was out of diapers. <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-syOEilv91tY/Tq9UbF3GNzI/AAAAAAAACzU/GsY7IMfroJw/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /> It was almost 5 by the time we were in our sight and set up so off to dinner we went. A friend had recommended the Prime Sirloin Buffet up the road. Diners and workers were all dressed up for Halloween, so we told told them we were dressed up as RVers! LOL Anyway, after dinner we went for a drive through town. Tomorrow looks like a busy day, so much to see and do while we are here. It’s getting late and if I don’t get to bed, I will turn into a pumpkin, no pun intended. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails. Until next time…<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_k2dwTwn-ng/Tq9Ud7YRtII/AAAAAAAACzc/q5vKpmbGJGA/s1600-h/IMG_5579%25255B3%25255D.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="IMG_5579" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-f_QKoD9mKgY/Tq9UeybTOmI/AAAAAAAACzk/bxIKnb1eEMs/IMG_5579_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-color: initial; border-bottom-style: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5579" width="244" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset in Mayberry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-83305822620386289862011-10-30T11:39:00.000-04:002011-10-30T11:39:23.997-04:00Quick Blog Update<br />
<br />
O.K., I am really going to try and write at least once a week. Sometimes I think my life may be too boring. After all, who wants to read that I woke up at 6, had two cups of coffee, played on the computer all morning before getting ready to go out for the day? But once again I was reminded that I don’t write often enough, so let me bring you up to date. We spent a few days in Crossville, TN. A lovely RPI park for $10 a night. We knew we were in the south when we passed a beautiful home on a large plot of land flying a Confederate Flag! <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hhkNquUAC8o/Tq1u2vy4BRI/AAAAAAAACuk/svRg-OzehY0/s1600-h/IMG_5301%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_5301" border="0" height="203" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2XIiMAqS2w8/Tq1u3V-YJmI/AAAAAAAACus/0w6fqfIOZHc/IMG_5301_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5301" width="269" /></a>The scenery in the area was breath-taking. From there we were headed to Asheville, NC. We have friends here that we had not seen in years. Friday night we drove to Melanie and Vance’s to have dinner with them. They have the cutest kids. Solomon, 4 1/2 and Nathanial, 2 1/2. Although you would think there were four small boys playing including Len and Vance. They thoroughly enjoyed the Halloween cupcakes we bought them. The view from Melanie’s kitchen window was awesome. To look out at the hills and valleys, with the cows grazing. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Dg31mkT4Nt0/Tq1u5Q2JIHI/AAAAAAAACu0/GvBAI6e6eKU/s1600-h/IMG_5391%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="IMG_5391" border="0" height="203" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-nBPJ7qKYxcs/Tq1u57L4-VI/AAAAAAAACu8/bjXilRjL6G0/IMG_5391_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5391" width="269" /></a>WOW. To Melanie’s surprise, she made my most favorite meal, meatloaf, baked potato and broccoli. It was very enjoyable and the boys were well behaved and funny. By the end of the night, they were repeating everything Lenny said. It’s been awhile since we’ve been around kids like that. Saturday we went for a drive thru the town of Maggie Valley where they have a tower you can climb to take pictures. The view leaves you speechless. When we got back from our jaunt, Lenny recognized a motor home belonging to friends, Nick and Terry Russell of <a href="http://www.gypsyjournalrv.com/">The Gypsy Journal</a>. We had met them many years ago at a Life on Wheels seminar. Nick is a very prolific writer about the RV lifestyle and has even written a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00522RM48/ref=as_li_tf_til?tag=gypsjour-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B00522RM48&adid=09TH1E0JKKXHG7BY7ZZT&&ref-refURL=http%3A%2F%2Fgypsyjournalrv.com%2F">murder mystery</a> that is very good. They had gone to the Wheels Through Time museum and on their way back stopped at our coach and we chatted for a while. Today, Sunday, Melanie and Vance are bringing their boys here so they can see our “house on wheels”. Tomorrow we leave to explore more of North Carolina. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails. Until next time…Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-11775741000687794482011-10-08T22:03:00.001-04:002011-10-08T22:03:02.203-04:00Country Home<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XfSydVAa7zY/TpEAqXvSkqI/AAAAAAAACt0/J0KnE1q-PiE/s1600-h/IMG_5061%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5061" border="0" alt="IMG_5061" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T_oTboZhH6E/TpEAsWMrqfI/AAAAAAAACt4/far61fVtKuU/IMG_5061_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a></p> <p>We left Grandma’s RV Park around 10 this morning heading south on I-65. Looking at the GPS and the paper map, it was taking us in a straight line to Lebanon, TN, our next stop. The map made it look like ok roads to drive, but being unfamiliar with the area only time would tell. We exited onto a county road and would be on this road for 20 miles before our next intersection. Well, it started out ok, but went downhill from there. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3v6V3kwjP7o/TpEAuqn91XI/AAAAAAAACt8/ZXslVw1JnTM/s1600-h/IMG_5055%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5055" border="0" alt="IMG_5055" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-L2xXld9WnKg/TpEAwNYbjZI/AAAAAAAACuA/fBN4SgMAKF4/IMG_5055_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="207"></a>Literally, down hill. It was a two lane road, very pretty drive, but nerve racking. There were ditches to the right, no shoulder on either side and no where to pull over. With that twenty mile stretch behind us we turned onto a much better road. Still a two lane road but plenty of shoulder. Before we knew it, we were almost to our destination. I am still not feeling well, so I looked around for an Immedicenter or Urgent Care facility. This cold is turning into an infection and I can just feel it. On Saturday’s, the urgent cares close at 2pm. Too late for us, so off to the ER we go.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UiczLxZqxPo/TpEAyaPNjFI/AAAAAAAACuE/QMtXzc1cpDA/s1600-h/IMG_5056%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: right; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5056" border="0" alt="IMG_5056" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZAVktgWSkjo/TpEA0qNcd9I/AAAAAAAACuI/DI657Cyl5Dg/IMG_5056_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="272" height="207"></a> I was impressed. In less than two hours I was out of there with a prescription for antibiotics and was told it was the start of bronchitis. Got this nipped in the bud, from there it was off to Walgreens to fill my Rx and then home to rest. I want to enjoy the Nashville area, so tonight is a short post. We gained an hour coming here, in two weeks when we leave, we’ll loose that hour. Two weeks after that we’ll gain it back when the clocks change. I am very confused with all this “what time is it” so I think I’ll just stay put on EST! Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails…till next time.</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-49788516112208517452011-10-07T22:43:00.001-04:002011-10-07T22:43:22.402-04:00Kentucky’s Bourbon Trail<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9jSNXEGOf2I/To-wm3RQ6GI/AAAAAAAACok/jYQ2B238iTM/s1600-h/IMG_4999%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4999" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r1Ns-pA0qFg/To-wnw-BWVI/AAAAAAAACoo/vlbD6u5hlSQ/IMG_4999_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4999" width="267" /></a><br />
Today didn’t start out too well. I have a really bad cold working on me. Must be the drastic changes in temperatures. What with going from Northern Indiana to Kentucky with a rise in temps of 20+ degrees, coupled with allergies! But my woes are nothing compared to those on I-65 south this morning. Two tractor trailers and a car. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5uWBHmX8JVE/To-wpHFkW_I/AAAAAAAACos/fu0EQ-LrL6E/s1600-h/IMG_4970%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="IMG_4970" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MFCiyNDAzgk/To-wqvn6LZI/AAAAAAAACow/mNvVPnVQL4A/IMG_4970_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4970" width="244" /></a>One of the trucks ended up in the ditch, the car ended up under one of the trucks and at least one fatality, so I’m not complaining about my cold. More vitamin C to take, orange juice and hot tea with lemon and honey will do the trick.<br />
With all the traffic and me not feeling well, we decided to stay put in KY and move to TN tomorrow. Later in the day we headed out to the Jim Beam distillery. It’s about 6 miles from the campground. This was one of the places we wanted to visit anyway. What we didn’t know was that today was the start of the Kentucky Bourbon Race. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dRg4x_wiGPA/To-wsHt8rYI/AAAAAAAACo0/8J_uc_pla8A/s1600-h/IMG_4985%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4985" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rr_Q6NJ011M/To-wtCYo9ZI/AAAAAAAACo4/nE0VKXtgsaI/IMG_4985_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4985" width="244" /></a>These people have teams of 12 and they each run 8-12 mile legs over two days, totaling 200 miles for each team. Wow, I can’t even run one mile and some of the hills they had to run were pretty steep! Now, picture this…two grey haired fat people in a station wagon with a handicapped placard hanging from the rear view mirror. We pull up to an attendant and she asks us if WE ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE RUN!!! Really??? Are you serious? Do we look conditioned to run that far? I really wanted to say something, but figured I would just keep quiet and let her tell us where to park for the tour. We made our way around hundreds of runners and vans and found a place to park. We enjoyed touring the facility and listening to the band and then we were greeted by one of the descendants of Jim Beam or whoever started the company. We saw thousands of barrels of bourbon and oh the aroma. Finally, at the end, I decided to try some. I’ve never had bourbon and I can truthfully say, “How can you drink that stuff?” All it did for me was numb my throat for the afternoon.<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0HKB5xaRerg/To-wuJh5tUI/AAAAAAAACo8/apI89z0DQpg/s1600-h/IMG_5031%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="IMG_5031" border="0" height="203" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yZGLR1-Inqw/To-wvGCgVSI/AAAAAAAACpA/ctgYtNo87Bo/IMG_5031_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_5031" width="269" /></a>There was another distillery not too far from Jim Beam, so we went to check that one out too. As we approached Heaven Hill Distillery we saw more runners. Ouch is all I can say as we watched them make their way up that hill. This was a nice place too. They had samples of different sauces and jams that they make with the bourbon. It was nice to be able to try them out before buying them. We didn’t spend too much there, but did buy a few more Christmas presents. That is one nice thing about traveling…we can get Christmas presents from all over that our daughter and other loved ones would never find back home. There are four other distilleries on the Bourbon Trail, but like I said in the beginning, I wasn’t feeling well, so we came home so I could rest some more before heading to Tennessee tomorrow morning. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails…till next time. <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jmthomas29/BourbonTrail?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCP3_sdTsq_-3_QE&feat=directlink">Click here to see the rest of the pictures.</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-4727898803950285312011-10-06T21:24:00.000-04:002011-10-06T21:24:15.000-04:00Horses and Baseball Bats<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n5ihXjDj8vE/To5PRIrdKrI/AAAAAAAACoI/d-Wh2HW3yJQ/s1600-h/IMG_4888%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4888" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bNoBgo0P-54/To5PSByOOwI/AAAAAAAACoM/AiSra7Rb_Dw/IMG_4888_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4888" width="164" /></a>Today was a fun day. It started pretty late but that’s ok. We slept in until about 8:30 which is very late for us. We had some mundane business stuff to attend to, but by noon we were on our way. I’m not much of a sports fan but was looking forward to seeing the Louisville Slugger Factory and Museum. The tour was about a half hour long and no photography was allowed in the factory. <img alt="Sad smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WyY0UxgTTtk/To5PSq1mWOI/AAAAAAAACoQ/AVzE7lyCpjc/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /> They were making bats for the Yankees today. It was interesting to learn that they only use ash or maple for all bats and that wood comes from northern PA and southern NY. It used to take a person 30 minutes to craft a bat on a lathe by hand, now they make one in 30 seconds with machines. And baseball players are soooooooooooooooooooooooo picky! It’s not uncommon for them not to use a bat because something is off by 1/100th of an inch. They store the players preferences in a computer so when they need more bats, they enter the model number, put in the wood and poof! 30 seconds later a bat is born! Most players use about 100-120 bats per year. <br />
The streets of downtown Louisville reminded me of NYC, they are one way streets, 4-5 lanes wide and BUSY!!!, but with a southern hospitality spin to them. Yup, they actually stop at red lights. And the artwork is pretty cool too. Buildings with pink penguins on them, a car body with feet under it and horses lying in the streets. <br />
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From there we drove to Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s8W93mE7lzI/To5PUuWoUPI/AAAAAAAACoY/R4IK3YHf6QA/s1600-h/IMG_4939%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="IMG_4939" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PdinsMH7hlQ/To5PVky8r1I/AAAAAAAACoc/oM6fzpb_Eqk/IMG_4939_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4939" width="267" /></a> It was getting late, so we skipped the tour this time and just did some Christmas shopping and took pictures outside. It gives us something to look forward to when we come back this way. <br />
No crazy drivers on the interstate tonight so we had an uneventful drive back to Grandma’s RV Park. This is a nice quiet place and we will definitely return when we’re in the area. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails…till next time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-11940837000224352512011-10-06T20:22:00.001-04:002011-10-06T20:22:17.103-04:00Elkhart, IN to Shephardsville, KY<blockquote>
</blockquote>
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h-A5D_Nhvjw/To5A6mD8GbI/AAAAAAAACl8/lQ7Z04wSm5g/s1600-h/IMG_4865%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4865" border="0" height="164" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fbOvxdyUSAY/To5A7bCrYrI/AAAAAAAACmA/jGcubpoJO08/IMG_4865_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4865" width="244" /></a><br />
Wow, we have been busy driving and sightseeing. We left Elkhart on Monday and drove to Anderson, IN. We only stayed one night at this campground, but there was a store we wanted to visit in the area. Len enjoys Southern Gospel and Quartet music and wanted to check out the Gaither Family Store in Alexandria, IN. It was just like any other Christian Book Store, they just featured all their musicians. We asked the clerk for a good place to eat and she suggested The Lemon Drop. She told us it was a local place that could be featured in Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives because it was, well, a dive! But let me tell you, the food was fantastic! We both ordered the “onion burger”, their signature dish, we shared an order of onion rings and an order of fries and topped everything off with a chocolate milk shake. Man, I haven’t eaten like that in a while. If you know my doctor…please don’t tell him. LOL. It was a cute place with counter seating, some booths and a train circling overhead. We would definitely go back there to eat. <br />
Most campgrounds are near railroad tracks and this one was no exception, however, it <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_U8JpjoJ0bo/To5A8dCO9GI/AAAAAAAACmE/VlS76JLqW8c/s1600-h/IMG_4848%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4848" border="0" height="199" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oNzcgvlMUbk/To5A9Xrb5iI/AAAAAAAACmM/hsAUnmvbrSY/IMG_4848_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4848" width="267" /></a>was also near an airport. Not a major airport, but boy were they flying low over our heads. The next day we continued on to Kentucky. A new state for us! As we neared the border of the Indiana and Kentucky traffic began to build. We had to cross the Ohio River and I felt like we were crossing the Hudson. The traffic was horrible, the only difference is we didn’t have to pay a toll. Driving down I-65 we saw the craziest thing we’ve seen yet. The pick-up truck in front of us was being held together by bungees! Now I know you wouldn’t believe it, so I took a picture. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wwqSrRNNqEU/To5A-R4zrwI/AAAAAAAACmQ/DtXwygZHYGU/s1600-h/IMG_4871%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img align="right" alt="IMG_4871" border="0" height="195" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IbfUdhpROb8/To5A_KkgrSI/AAAAAAAACmU/iq3ciDoS-C0/IMG_4871_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; float: right; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_4871" width="265" /></a>But wait…that wasn’t the craziest thing I saw in KY. I had to go to the store and on my way back to the campground I was on a four lane road. Coming towards me, in the middle of the road was a man on a tricycle (the pedal kind) being powered by, YUP…A LAWN MOWER!!! This one you have to take my word on because I was alone and driving and it all happened so fast. But alas, I will not say I’ve seen it all yet because there are still so many states to visit and back roads to drive, you never know what will be coming down the road. Enjoy the <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jmthomas29/RecentlyUpdated?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOfM47-3p_XSNw&feat=directlink">pictures</a> and thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails…till next time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-76014974737850840012011-10-03T20:23:00.001-04:002011-10-03T20:23:17.667-04:00RV Hall of Fame<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fmWp5Vwb8lg/TopRzcwmTII/AAAAAAAACgA/2NCnXMlgHYk/s1600-h/IMG_4661%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4661" border="0" alt="IMG_4661" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AZ1GNd1uKv8/TopR0XPi1zI/AAAAAAAACgE/llU_XdR1MTU/IMG_4661_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>What a beautiful day here in Elkhart, IN. We’ve met a few folks here at Elkhart Campground who were at the Gypsy Journal Rally last week in Celina. It’s always fun seeing people we’ve met along our travels. We treated ourselves to breakfast this morning at The Golden Egg Pancake House. Not much to speak of, a bit pricey. Our waitress reminded us of Len’s niece in Florida, and she had the same name! Wow, must have been her evil twin. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-laughingoutloud" alt="Laughing out loud" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JiLl_hufwGk/TopR1JmMvMI/AAAAAAAACgI/vuees7gJnRc/wlEmoticon-laughingoutloud2.png?imgmax=800"> I say that only because she didn’t write our order down correctly so we didn’t get our food the way we wanted. I should have sent it back, but it was too much of a hassle so we enjoyed what we had. Then it was off to the <a href="http://www.rvmhhalloffame.org/">RV Hall of Fame</a> in Elkhart, IN. WOW! Words cannot do this place justice. So many RV’s, and all in great condition for their age. I won’t even try to express in words, I’ll just post the pictures <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/jmthomas29/RVHallOfFame?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLKV-NGs96ilkwE&feat=directlink">here</a> for you to see for yourself…and mind you, the lighting was not the greatest, so not all the shots came out great. We found more Elk Art there<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-f8q3vB0-KWs/TopR2stuueI/AAAAAAAACgM/bwo2SIflihk/s1600-h/IMG_4827%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4827" border="0" alt="IMG_4827" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OITq_jHfNFw/TopR3sMWX0I/AAAAAAAACgQ/Qa_LlyICnsw/IMG_4827_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="199"></a> and later in our day. It’s becoming a game for us. There are about 30 of them around the area and I think we’ve found about 6. We leave tomorrow, so I doubt we’ll find any more. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t3EozOBmDHg/TopR4WfWHMI/AAAAAAAACgU/mOCKybsoHII/wlEmoticon-sadsmile2.png?imgmax=800"> It is funny to see Lenny try to get into the left turn only lane from the right lane when I yell “ELK” and throw my hand in front of his face pointing in that direction! <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" alt="Smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GOwYAu3JtVI/TopR5EnWI5I/AAAAAAAACgY/aBUhMZHQeYk/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800"> After the RV Hall of Fame, we drove into Michigan to see our friend, Michele Henry of <a href="http://phoenixpaintinc.com/default.aspx">Phoenix Commercial Paint</a>. If your motorhome, 5th wheel or travel trailer needs a new paint job…this is where you want to come. She does a top notch job at an affordable price. We met her through <a href="http://www.gypsyjournalrv.com/">Nick Russell</a> and she gave us advice over the phone about our class c. This year, we finally met face to face at Nick’s rally last week. Her place is five min. away from the campground we are staying at so she invited us to her shop to see her operation. We’ve seen a couple of her jobs. She’ll even repaint your car to match your rig! We’ve already sold our class c to friends, so I can’t wait to get my A, so I can come back here and have Michele paint it for me. Are you tired yet??? I am. After we left Michele’s, we went RV shopping. Well, what else would you do in the RV capital of the world? Actually, there are not as many dealerships here as there used to be, thanks to the economy. We didn’t find anything that wowed us, so we’ll keep looking. We’re on our way to TN and I’ve found a few on line I’d like to see in person. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails…till next time.</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-43884503279672447872011-10-01T09:46:00.000-04:002011-10-02T09:48:02.454-04:00Baby, It’s Cold Outside<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7U2P2wLxXTI/TohrZ5k37DI/AAAAAAAACUw/_Phs26tqN-4/s1600-h/2011-10-01%25252016.58.55%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011-10-01 16.58.55" border="0" alt="2011-10-01 16.58.55" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-spYnQFnV4n4/TohraijUQUI/AAAAAAAACU0/VYExg3_0WBg/2011-10-01%25252016.58.55_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a>We left Celina, OH about 10 am today. It started out cold, windy and overcast. We took it easy till the wind calmed down. We drove alongside acres and acres of corn and<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xmeZ8b4KqCo/TohrbwddJAI/AAAAAAAACU4/RgZmVnaB1vM/s1600-h/IMG_4571%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4571" border="0" alt="IMG_4571" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wkV9WBtTHo8/TohrciN7AzI/AAAAAAAACU8/vr0YJ92yon8/IMG_4571_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="260" height="187"></a> soybeans. Then finally, we come across a whole different kind of farm! Yup, we did! A windmill farm. Dozens of windmills peppered amidst corn stalks for miles. Those things are huge! Before long it was back to seeing corn and soybeans. Then we saw a Christmas tree farm. It was a very easy ride. There wasn’t much traffic and the sun finally came out. About 155 miles later we were pulling into Elkhart Campground. Once we got all set up we decided to explore the area. At one traffic light I told Len to turn left and he did, but it was on the wrong side of the concrete curb divider! Thank God there was no oncoming traffic. He pulled into a parking lot and made his way around to the right side of the road. We saw some really cool Elk statues on corners. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6kOc5lUP0BE/TohreGLzAYI/AAAAAAAACVA/AIEegHBpAvA/s1600-h/2011-10-01%25252017.13.00%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011-10-01 17.13.00" border="0" alt="2011-10-01 17.13.00" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TfJe0NCUCAM/Tohre9B-aqI/AAAAAAAACVE/_ks4rxUUNmY/2011-10-01%25252017.13.00_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WCQijDuKl9c/Tohrgb3_fwI/AAAAAAAACVI/YQEBUudhy6M/s1600-h/2011-10-01%25252017.13.36%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011-10-01 17.13.36" border="0" alt="2011-10-01 17.13.36" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--dl017jobwc/Tohrg_FQf-I/AAAAAAAACVM/bmmS0QJK-xY/2011-10-01%25252017.13.36_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a>They were painted in various designs. I have read in other blogs about cities named after animals that have these types of statues around the town, but have never seen any. Now I can check that off my bucket list. We also decided to drive into Michigan. After all, we were only five minutes away and I wanted a picture of the welcome sign. <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zXGvpgIb1-U/TohrikwaryI/AAAAAAAACVQ/lsTTJ7j3bbw/s1600-h/2011-10-01%25252016.54.32%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2011-10-01 16.54.32" border="0" alt="2011-10-01 16.54.32" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nffXgHZCTJY/TohrjVYlUKI/AAAAAAAACVU/LssK7jbrUws/2011-10-01%25252016.54.32_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="215"></a>Another state checked off my list, but we will have to return and camp there because we only add stickers to our map if we have slept there in our RV. This year, we will be adding the states of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee so far. We’re still not sure how far west we’ll be going this winter. Lenny wants to get to Texas, but we have two babies due in Florida. Lenny’s niece is due in February and my cousin is due in March. We want to be there to welcome the new additions to our family. Also, my cousins husband was just diagnosed with a terminal illness and given about six months to live. Please remember them in your prayers. On a cool note, it’s supposed to drop into the LOW 30’s tonight and our winter coats are in storage back in NJ. At least I have my winter jammies with me…I just have to get them out from under the bed, open the space bag, then after taking them out, close the space bag and put it back under the bed. That sounds too much like work, but hey, at least I’ll be warm at night! Tomorrow, we’ll do some more exploring around the area and go to the RV Hall of Fame on Monday. Not too much is open here on Sunday’s. <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-acpIGbKvMdo/TohrkOWAaCI/AAAAAAAACVY/nJe7PP12gMw/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"> Have a great day everyone and thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails…until next time.</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-58180191577746749342011-09-30T20:45:00.000-04:002011-09-30T20:57:29.664-04:00Goodbye Celina<p> </p> <p>Well, the <a href="http://www.gypsyjournalrv.com/">Gypsy Journal Rally</a> has come to a close<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8nGrIET1w8g/ToZlYqeGGRI/AAAAAAAACUY/8MRdwOPsBz4/s1600-h/IMG_4559%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4559" border="0" alt="IMG_4559" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yRD3nV4BeUM/ToZlZsZxf4I/AAAAAAAACUc/-S4y6eOsvqc/IMG_4559_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="267" height="199"></a>and now our travels will take us farther west before heading south. We had a wonderful time here at the Mercer County Fairgrounds in Celina, OH. Two nights we had won door prizes, one for a restaurant in the area and the other was a CD of 7 different publications from Nick Russell. It is amazing the power of Facebook. We finally met in person a few friends we had made because of different contacts on Facebook. There were very many interesting people we met. The man parked next to us is an 82 year old retired pharmacist. He and his wife are so sweet. Another couple we had finally met are from TX. He used to work for NASA and his wife’s name is Jan. I follow <a href="http://ourrvadventures.wordpress.com/author/ourrvadventures/">Greg’s blog</a> too. He gave a couple seminars on computer security and what not to do with your computer. You can never learn too much. It was also nice to see people we knew. Santa was there with his wife. We had met them this summer at Timothy Lake. And it was great to finally sit in on some seminars given by <a href="www.geeksontour.com">Geeks on Tour</a>. Jim and Chris have been teaching computers for over 28 years, now they teach in campgrounds and rallies. There were so many different seminars available. Lenny sat in on one seminar about RV History. The weather this week pretty much sucked, but we were told we would not be charged extra for the now, lake front views. LOL. This morning as people were preparing to leave, some had to be pulled out by tractors and heavy duty tow trucks. We decided to stay an extra night and go sightseeing today. Thanks to Nick, we found out that Annie Oakley is buried not far from here.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kjQPNcCUGW8/ToZlayF5HQI/AAAAAAAACUg/opfpkIY3uzA/s1600-h/IMG_4537%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4537" border="0" alt="IMG_4537" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q_wp261yAs0/ToZlbqkOZuI/AAAAAAAACUk/Zl6rsP2CWiw/IMG_4537_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a> The more I researched it, the more in common I found with her. Our birthdays are the same, separated by only 100 years, give or take a few years. OK, so that was the only thing we had in common. I’m not a sharp shooter, or world traveler. We drove down Rt. 127 to Greenville, OH to see her grave. On our way there, Lenny saw a sign pointing to the Eldora Race track. A dirt track owned by Tony Stewart (some NASCAR driver), so of course we had to go find it.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IGIiTKcEjSY/ToZlcyScarI/AAAAAAAACUo/vcaxdZT-P5A/s1600-h/IMG_4552%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4552" border="0" alt="IMG_4552" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yc3dUkoS8y0/ToZldyO39_I/AAAAAAAACUs/IL_3jxRdQ8I/IMG_4552_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="210"></a> I sat in the car while he walked around and took pictures. Tonight, we went out with two other couples from the rally to a local VFW hall that was having a fish and shrimp fry. The food was good and the company was great. Tomorrow morning we will drive to Elkhart, IN for a couple of days and finally get to see the <a href="http://www.rvmhhalloffame.org/">RV Hall of Fame</a>. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas’ Trails…until next time.</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-21455559656215882332011-09-24T22:35:00.000-04:002011-09-24T22:35:59.886-04:00GO WEST, YOUNG MAN, GO WEST!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFZUSzqF1pj-Xqtz_aPmRYkOAq8wS2se3Du8E7NItTHbolxD1tlVrY29TrKgToEgu9KXKjElGtMwyBSdroWwSklQ1XOHfMJbt2n9ilSwu4xDsydOtzyOtIkLAkubUPlnWOKmHO7qyCNE/s1600/IMG_4430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFZUSzqF1pj-Xqtz_aPmRYkOAq8wS2se3Du8E7NItTHbolxD1tlVrY29TrKgToEgu9KXKjElGtMwyBSdroWwSklQ1XOHfMJbt2n9ilSwu4xDsydOtzyOtIkLAkubUPlnWOKmHO7qyCNE/s320/IMG_4430.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLlgtxnYs4En_N_xQnUnGPUELKyFaSt6MsOa7GSzzkXn0zcsXbCAzJ8bdgqSKBKsj3oyXV9iALGs51XzrHY_8ayiRnISFqP7IEjvbTR7NcDw3h0iVBo9Q__WOnhRcNiBo_75SZmmHoxg/s1600/IMG_4422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLlgtxnYs4En_N_xQnUnGPUELKyFaSt6MsOa7GSzzkXn0zcsXbCAzJ8bdgqSKBKsj3oyXV9iALGs51XzrHY_8ayiRnISFqP7IEjvbTR7NcDw3h0iVBo9Q__WOnhRcNiBo_75SZmmHoxg/s320/IMG_4422.JPG" width="320" /></a>It was another long day. I woke up at 5:30am and decided it was way too early to put my feet on the floor! So, I did the next best thing...I rolled over and an hour and a half later my other half is waking me up! Me, who is usually up by 6am was actually sleeping in and he had the nerve to wake me up! Well, we did have a 323 mile drive ahead of us. We left the laurel highlands of PA by 10am and started driving west. An hour later we were entering West Virginia, ten minutes after that we were in OH. We probably picked up speed going down a 6% grade on the highway. LOL. For some reason, I though Ohio was mostly flat. Today I found out differently. We drove up hills and down hills. I-70 was a nice drive then we took 470 around Columbus. Both of us decided, we really don't like that highway. Before long, we were on Rt 33 headed straight towards Celina, OH and the <a href="http://www.gypsyjournalrv.com/">Gypsy Journal</a> rally. We met Nick Russell years ago at a Life on Wheels four day conference in PA. He and his wife, Terry, are full-time RVers who publish a bi-monthly newspaper on their travels. He holds two rallies a year. One in the east in the fall and one in Arizona in the winter. This is the first time we are able to attend one of his rallies. We subscribe to his publication, have read many of his books and religiously read his blog and that of his alter-ego Bad Nick. We have been looking forward to this rally for months. As the afternoon dragged on, I contact a friend here at the rally to see how late we could arrive today and still be able to get a site. The rally itself doesn't start until Mon., but we wanted to arrive early so we could see old friends, make new friends and just chill out before it begins. I found out that as long as we were here by 5-5:30 we'd be good. It was getting close. The GPS kept telling us we would arrive at 4:59pm and for once she was right. It was a long day on the road, but we had finally arrived and I'm glad we're here. We said hello to Jim and Chris Guld of <span id="goog_1972043411"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Geeks on Tour<span id="goog_1972043412"></span></a>, found a site and got settled in. Tomorrow, I'm sure we'll see more friends and explore the area a bit. I'll be sure to post some of the funny things that go on here this week. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas' Trails...until next time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dZB068EiH9F6ezPZRzqZMP0wuDqN3EFOG_ck3wD_G4NGOQjtrMu23qEeguHzixsIWJdhTA1l_4-gDH9Nh0xq5HBeSoj-GQVai_sc0aJFeo0Grin0wwDnyMmZUFWiy0lHicxV_6p9zRM/s1600/IMG_4456.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-dZB068EiH9F6ezPZRzqZMP0wuDqN3EFOG_ck3wD_G4NGOQjtrMu23qEeguHzixsIWJdhTA1l_4-gDH9Nh0xq5HBeSoj-GQVai_sc0aJFeo0Grin0wwDnyMmZUFWiy0lHicxV_6p9zRM/s320/IMG_4456.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-38743438090216273952011-09-19T09:26:00.000-04:002012-09-11T07:11:02.345-04:00Flight #93 Memorial<span lang="EN"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LkMOnMzEna-XTMgwLbxnmdQEpdx2qVUIw2swbvLFynfox77Qz0mRSHMJCeXUPB6hyphenhyphenPECYgEX1do3F98FAGCkeJbUJVyT2hbIJa78XE6DIjjRif9hawkrx0MuhK4J_x62oSOv1toEB00/s1600/IMG_4275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LkMOnMzEna-XTMgwLbxnmdQEpdx2qVUIw2swbvLFynfox77Qz0mRSHMJCeXUPB6hyphenhyphenPECYgEX1do3F98FAGCkeJbUJVyT2hbIJa78XE6DIjjRif9hawkrx0MuhK4J_x62oSOv1toEB00/s320/IMG_4275.JPG" width="320" /></a>Today started out overcast and cool. We went to a local restaurant for their Sunday brunch. Then we hopped on the PA Turnpike towards Somerset, on a quest to find the Flight # 93 Memorial Chapel and National Monument. Well, we followed our GPS so far, then started following the signs. You know how that goes, YUP! We ended up on a gravel road going over a ONE LANE covered bridge. You guessed it…on the other side was more gravel road! Less than a half mile later we were back on black top and headed toward the chapel. It was very somber. We were supposed to be here last week when they had the dedication service for the 10 yr. anniversary but thanks to Tropical Depression Lee flooding the state of Pennsylvania we missed it. That’s ok though, because I really don’t like crowds. Today we were able to take our time, looking at the memorials and remembering the sights 10 years ago. The memorial chapel was a beautiful memorial to those who gave their lives that day to save others. From the chapel we headed towards Shanksville to the National Memorial. Words cannot express the sanctity you felt stepping out of your car and gazing at the vast expanse of land then laying your eyes on a boulder in a field where flowers and flags had been placed. This is the crash site we were told and only immediate family members are allowed to walk there. The rest of the general public walked along a path along a black stone fence to a wall of white granite engraved with the names of the passengers and crew of UAL #93. If you are ever in the area this is a MUST SEE. Click on the link below to see the rest of our pictures. I tried to embed a slide show but it wasn't working. Thanks for traveling along with us on…The Thomas’ Trails. Till next time.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-84931759909456310102011-09-05T08:27:00.000-04:002011-09-05T08:27:55.344-04:00Westward HO!!!Where has the summer gone? It seems like yesterday we were arriving in the Pocono mountains of PA to spend our summer close to family and friends. Now, we are packing up to journey west and then south. It's been great spending time with our daughter, our friends and family members, but we live in an RV for a reason. Our wheels are round and we are getting hitch itch. Eager to see more of this country, we will be spending a couple of weeks in western PA where we plan to attend the 10th anniversary of <a href="http://www.nps.gov/flni/planyourvisit/index.htm">Flight #93</a> memorial services in Shanksville, PA as well as seeing some other interesting sights. From there we are scheduled to attend a <a href="http://www.gypsyjournalrv.com/">Gypsy Journal Rally</a> in western Ohio. I enjoy reading <a href="http://gypsyjournalrv.com/category/nicksblog/">Nick's blog</a> every morning with my cup of coffee. Our plans include seeing the <a href="http://www.rvmhhalloffame.org/">RV Hall of Fame</a> in Elkhart, IN before traveling south to TN for a couple of weeks and then some cave exploring in KY. We'll be coming north in November to spend Thanksgiving with family and friends in NJ before we travel further south to FL for the winter. I know it's a short post today, but I still want to thank you for traveling along with us on The Thomas' Trails...till next time.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_056Vaa9opnPs8XwZezZ44wMUKQfolIypiuLVqbqAXgq2dg7-O57LYmtqlui9YciXupmmAeFv4YIXBG_YUvXR0098bCrNhOhuJ4YHD9gyRd3f4CVOzw-oMYHkPQYHxgQ7A3RUtU8NWk/s1600/IMG_4116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC_056Vaa9opnPs8XwZezZ44wMUKQfolIypiuLVqbqAXgq2dg7-O57LYmtqlui9YciXupmmAeFv4YIXBG_YUvXR0098bCrNhOhuJ4YHD9gyRd3f4CVOzw-oMYHkPQYHxgQ7A3RUtU8NWk/s320/IMG_4116.JPG" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-52902538829349275192011-08-29T15:54:00.000-04:002011-08-29T15:54:15.157-04:00We Survived IRENE!!!All last week we listened to the reports of Hurricane Irene. Where would she go, how strong would she be when she made landfall? We figured being in the Poconos that we were far enough from the eye of the storm to be safe. As Irene grew bigger we still thought we would just get the edge which shouldn’t be too bad. Then it looked like she was making a right turn and would make landfall closer to the middle of Long Island and not New York City. A fickle woman she was and kept changing her mind. All day Saturday our eyes were on Irene. At 2pm we got a notice from the campground that they were closing and we were being told to evacuate to a safer place. At this point it would take us too long to pack up and be out by 4pm, let alone drive a high profile vehicle in high winds on a highway in the dark! So we opted to stay and stick it out…but with friends. We have made some real nice friends at this campground and one who used to work here lives a block away. They invited us to stay at their house and pets were no problem. We put the cats in their crates and got the dog leashed up and drove the block away to stay with Tina and Rob. Rob’s family owns a funeral home back in New Jersey so when we got there I just had to ask him if the spare bedroom had caskets to sleep in? His reply was right in step…“No, but I have two in the shed I use for Halloween if you feel more comfortable sleeping in them.” Our pets have been living in the RV with us since January so it took awhile for them to get re-adjusted to a large home. Shiloh was great, giving the kids kisses. Sammy, our older cat didn’t want to come out of his cage. Eventually he did and went under their hutch. Munchkin, our little girl, well, let’s just say she went exploring. That night when we were all in our beds, Len and I heard a sound that didn’t sound good. Oh, it wasn’t Hurricane Irene…it was MUNCHKIN!!! It seems she found the FISH TANK! Yikes. Poor Haley (Rob and Tina’s 3yr old) would be crushed if she woke up and found her pet fish eaten by guests. So there was Len at 1am building a fortress out of pizza boxes from dinner and stuffed animals to keep the cat away from Fred and Bob. Yes, they survived the night and Munchkin went hungry. Sunday morning, Rob cooked up a delicious breakfast of bacon, sausage and French toast. It was wonderful. Len rode up to the campground to check things out before we packed up the pets and came home. He came back with the all clear to return. The rest of the day our camper rocked with each gust of wind that blew. It was kind of freaky, but after dinner, things finally began to settle down with gusts only in the 30 mph range. We drove around our campground and the one a mile up the road. WHAT A DIFFERENCE! The one we stay in had a few small branches and limbs down, a couple of folks lost their screen rooms and a few satellite dishes were blown over, but at the other campground, WOW. We saw numerous trees down, some just missing trailers and cabins, one was not so lucky. The tree went right thru the cabin, rendering it unlivable. Thankfully, no one was inside. Both campgrounds are closed until the end of the week to give them time to clean up the mess. We lost electricity for about 24 hours, but we have a generator, so we didn’t suffer too much. The road going down the mountain was cleared by Monday morning, so we’re once again able to get to the store although it was a drive before we found one with electric that was open. All in all, it was an exciting weekend and I’m glad we are all ok. We are here until Labor Day weekend when we start traveling west. Thanks for traveling along with us on…The Thomas’ Trails. Until next time.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Yup, 18 years ago I turned 29 and I haven't aged a bit since? OK, maybe I have aged somewhat, but I don't worry about the numbers. I gave that job to my doctor. What a beautiful day I have had. My dear husband, Lenny, knows how much I love bagels so he was up and out early and brought home fresh bagels and cream cheese. Then we drove up Rt 402 to Lake Wallenpaupack in Northeast PA. We've never been there and saw that they offered boat tours of the lake. Now, I've been on boats before and NEVER had a problem. This is a lake, how choppy can it get? VERY!!! With all the other boats and wave runners creating wakes everywhere, I was getting sick. Thankfully it was only a one hour tour. We saw a campground right on the lake and they only charge $26 a night, so we decided that next year we're going to spend a few days there and explore the area further. Down the road on Historic Rt 6 we found the Antler Ridge Winery. I just had to stop. I love going to area wineries and tasting the local wines. I found two that I liked so I bought a bottle of white and a bottle of red. Well, ok, that was present three from Lenny. From there we continued on a drive through the country along Rt. 6 west to 191 south. A lumber yard in the town of Hawley had a large sign on the side of the hill that said HAWLEYWOOD. How clever is that. I "wood" have taken a picture but as usual, Lenny thought he was qualifying for NASCAR. Before long we were back on I-84 heading east back to Rt 402 south. We enjoyed an early dinner at Pub 570 on Rt 209 in Marshalls Creek. When we got home, one of our camping neighbors gave me a red velvet cupcake from "The Cake Boss". After Lenny sang Happy Birthday, I cut the cupcake in half and shared with him. It was a beautiful day in the Pocono Mountains of PA...now it's raining with thunder and lightening. I LOVE STORMS so I guess this is God's present to me. Thank you to all my family and friends who called me and who left messages on facebook. I am truly blessed to live the life I live and share it with so many people. Thanks for travelling along with us on The Thomas' Trails...till next time.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-M3FpSd4BU7zFMbyZ80acOxz7rySAVtd2MMeBjXnftwvRuGPSCgx2LypnVtBXmzC7fj3bqXII1SGZVML2VfBnuEofZVg9JuZS3ZK1F5LxA_XnYwcA-0IpZHwHWQpLthSbHa6s1zsgOY/s1600/IMG_4010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-M3FpSd4BU7zFMbyZ80acOxz7rySAVtd2MMeBjXnftwvRuGPSCgx2LypnVtBXmzC7fj3bqXII1SGZVML2VfBnuEofZVg9JuZS3ZK1F5LxA_XnYwcA-0IpZHwHWQpLthSbHa6s1zsgOY/s320/IMG_4010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-28194400737917912432011-05-09T07:21:00.000-04:002011-05-09T07:21:08.316-04:00Finally...an updateI apologize for being neglectful in writing this blog, sharing our adventures with you. Let me bring you up to speed. We left Florida in late March because Lenny got a job working at campgrounds. We now move every two weeks. The end of March and all of April were spent in Virginia. First Williamsburg, then Richmond. We were able to do some sightseeing on his days off which was fun. We went to Norfolk and toured the USS Wisconsin museum. They had a boat tour of the naval yard that we sort of enjoyed. It was a very windy day and the boat was bouncing around alot! Len was outside at one point and almost fell overboard. That's when the captain made the announcement to hold onto the rails when walking around outside. He got some great pictures, but it would have been a shame if he had gone over the side with my Cannon Rebel DSLR! <br />
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In Richmond, we toured the Holocaust Museum. That was a sobering experience. We went on a canal ride and toured the Aviation Museum. We also went to the Federal Reserve building to see an exhibit on money. Too bad they were not giving any away. The campground we stayed at there was right across from a Bass Pro Shop which was fun to shop in.<br />
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I am very thankful we took the advice of friends and purchased a weather alert radio. It is a godsend and a curse! Especially when it goes off at 2:30 in the morning with tornado watches. We were able to monitor the storms that came thru and while we were safe, just miles away a tornado did touch down and created massive damage.<br />
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The end of April, our friends Dave and Crystal joined us for a weekend, Dave and Len always attend at least one NASCAR race a year and this year was the Richmond race.After not having seen any friends in over a month, it was nice to get together. While the boys were at the track, us girls went shopping and out to dinner.<br />
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Currently, we are parked back in New Jersey at Mahlon Dickerson County Reservation. We are spending our time visiting with friends and family and of course doctor appointments.While I did not miss the traffic and congestion here, I am really enjoying my daughter's company. For Mother's Day, Chrissy, her boyfriend, Don, and Lenny took me to the Atlantic Manor for dinner. It was wonderful. We are here for a few more days, then it is off again for about 7-8 weeks before we are back in the area for another visit. I won't promise I'll write often, but I'll try not to let it go so long next time. Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas' Trails...till next time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8515433592109535458.post-36902492414759026432011-03-22T08:07:00.000-04:002011-03-22T08:07:28.525-04:00Webster Flea MarketWhile we didn't get as early a start as we wanted to, we decided to go to the Webster flea market in, where else, Webster, FL. It was about a half hour from our campground. When we got there I felt like I was in the parking lot of Willowbrook Mall at Christmas time. There was no where to park and people were rude. We found a gentleman who was leaving as soon as his wife finished her shopping, so we waited patiently in that aisle. While we were waiting, another couple came along and said they were leaving and we could have their space. Great! On went the blinker. A FL car then pulled up from the opposite direction and put their blinker on for the same spot. So much for "southern hospitality", it was more like southern hostility. (Must be a transplant from the north. LOL) She was not about to let us have the spot, so I graciously got out of my car to insure we would get it. We had been there for almost 45 minutes looking for a parking space. After spewing some vulgarities from her car, she decided to leave and look for another spot, which she found in the next row. <br />
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Now onto the good part...this flea market is HUGE! It is the largest and oldest flea market in Florida. So big that it is impossible to see everything in one day. It sits on 40 acres of land. There were vendors everywhere. Fresh fruits, vegetables and baked goods. New items of every kind and old "junk". T-shirts, hand painted dresses, you name it, they had it. The good part about getting there later is that prices were dropping. We didn't buy anything at first, just walked and looked around. Around noon time, we decided to take a break and have some lunch. We got some huge hamburgers and a couple of drinks. Sat down at a picnic table and enjoyed our burgers. It was fun discussing the weather up north with some people who were from upstate NY. <br />
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Continuing on our quest to conquer this flea market, we found an orchid stand. He had just dropped the price from $3 an orchid plant to $2. I told Len, we should really get one for his mom. She loves orchids. The only problem is so do our cats. Where would we keep them. Would they make the trip back north, knowing that we wouldn't see her until Mother's Day. My arguement was it's only $2, so we bought two of them. If they die, we buy her another gift. So far they are still alive. While we're in Florida, I'm keeping them outside. At this point we were both getting tired, so we started to head back toward our car. On the way back is where the money started to get spent. After all, I just couldn't pass up fresh canteloupe, string beans, broccolli tops, Florida sweet onions for one dollar each. And let's not forget the croissants and baked goods either. All in all, it was a good day for walking around and taking in the sweet aromas of the food vendors.<br />
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Thanks for traveling along with us on The Thomas' Trails...until next time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02626571064949209419noreply@blogger.com0