GO FAST! GO FAST! GO FAST! TURN LEFT!!!

Dover Downs Nascar: The Monster Mile : Three Decades of Speed

Ok, so we all have a lapse in judgement once in a while, right? Well, mine was an EXPENSIVE one. Lenny loves his NASCAR races, I don't. Every year for the last few years, he would bid me farewell and drive off in our motorhome to the Poconos race in PA. There he would meet up with his friend Dave and they would spend five long days camping and watching live NASCAR events. You must love the sport to dry camp for that long in June. Well, last year he and Dave decided that they were growing tired of the Pocono race and wanted to see a different track. I had at one time expressed an interest in seeing a truck race, so he asked if I wanted to go to Dover, DE where Dave and his wife Crystal and the two of us could take in three races. A truck race, another race and the cup race on Sunday. "Sure I'll go, if Crystal wants to go," I told Lenny (and here is my lapse of judgement), I forgot that Crystal LOVES Nascar as well. OK, maybe not as much as the guys, but none the less, she enjoys it. So here we were planning our weekend to Dover. The four of us met up on Thursday in Delaware and drove to Dover Air Force Base. Dave is retired Air Force so he was able to get us on the base campground. The sites were great. Lightly wooded, large, full hook-ups and most important, LEVEL. I wasn't feeling that great the entire weekend, but gave it a shot. We got to the track on Friday much to early for the truck race but were able to park close to venue. Lenny thought it best if I got to my seat and just stayed there. I didn't know it at the time, but I had a 100% blockage in an artery that would be opened up upon my return home. Well, the track is like a fishbowl. In full sun, there I sat for hours waiting for the truck race to start. It was loud and hot. I never made it to see the race. Before it began, I excused myself and went to sit in shade and nap in the car while everyone else stayed. After that I vowed to never go back. My girlfriend, Crystal, didn't enjoy sitting in the sun that long either so we decided to give our tickets for the rest of the weekend to the military. Saturday, we dropped the guys off at the track and did what girls do best...shop, after all Deleware is tax free. Sunday we let the guys take the car and we stayed back at the motorhome and just chatted away the day. So much to catch up with now that we live in different states and hadn't seen each other in months. It was a wonderful weekend. Oh, by the way, did I mention the campground was at the end of the runway and the military doesn't believe in quiet hours. I'm glad these men practice day and night in all conditions to keep our country safe and free even if it means hearing a C-10 land at 3 o'clock in the morning. Well, thanks for travelling along with us on The Thomas Trails...until next time.

Camping in the Catskills

When Lenny and I first bought our motorhome, we joined an international organization for motorhome owners. FMCA (Family Motor Coach Association) is a great way to meet other people who enjoy camping and other hobbies that you share. Within that organization are sub-chapters. One that we belong to is the Northeast Coaches for Christ. It is a group that gets together during the area rally and provides daily devotions for those interested. Why they elected me president last year who knows??? Did they realize I can be really crazy? Well, I wanted the group to get together more than just once a year, so I organized a weekend we could all get together. At least those that were in the area. Four families were scheduled to join us, but due to unforseen circumstances two had to back out. We still had a great time. Lenny and I took Friday off from our jobs to make the two hour drive to Round Top, NY. The beautiful scenery as we drove north was breath-taking to say the least. It was like a painted backdrop looking at the mountains. And the clouds looked like they had been outlined in a darker gray. Shortly after we arrived at the campground, Karen and Ed pulled in. To say we had a great weekend would be an understatement. Even though there were only two of us we had a blast. Karen and Ed have alot more experience than we do when it comes to camping. By Saturday night we were cooking over a campfire. Ed pulled out his cast iron dutch oven and made salt potatoes. I had never heard of them, must be a regional thing. I had speared a white hot dog and was roasting it over open flames. Boy does food taste different when you cook like that. We had a wonderful time sharing and getting to know each other better. We all can't wait for the next Coaches for Christ outing in the fall.

See you in the fall!

Shake down cruise

What a wonderful weekend. Our friends recently purchased their first motorhome and asked us to join them on their first outing. Who are we to resist a camping trip. Sure we'd be happy to oblige. We didn't want to travel too far being this was their first trip out and they wanted to get the hang of things. We made reservations for Mahlon Dickerson Reservation in Jefferson Township, NJ. What a beautiful county park and only $20 per night. They have about 18 RV paved sites. About half of them were in a staggered row with no one in front of you and no one behind you. All you saw was the beauty of the forest. Their tenting area is just as nice with platforms and fire rings with grill tops. As nice as they were though, I DON'T DO DIRT! I condo camp. The park encompasses 3,200 acres of near wilderness and recreational areas, with over 20 miles of multi-use trails. Friday night we enjoyed hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill. It got pretty chilly so we had to turn our ceramic heater on. Saturday the weather was just perfect. We just chilled out all day. That evening, Lenny grilled some chicken, I made mac 'n cheese. Yes, I cooked. Saturday night the weather turned and we listened to the rain on the roof. For those of you who think it's romantic...it's NOT. I told the guys it would start raining overnight, so they both decided to put the awnings back and bring in what was outside. Hey, they finally listened and I was so right. Sunday morning was cold and wet. There wasn't much else to stow before we left, but once Lenny gets in "let's go home" mode, there is no stopping him. He was ready to leave by 9:30am even though we didn't have to leave until noon. We enjoyed one last cup of coffee with our friends before we all left the campground and went out seperate ways. Their dog Casey was so worn out, she's still sleeping. Or so I've heard. We plan on going back in the fall when the leaves are at their peak. Thanks for travelling along with us on The Thomas Trails.

Spring has sprung

It has been the winter of my discontent. So much snow, so much cold, not very conducive to camping. This weekend those thoughts have completely left me. Lenny left Thursday and drove our motorhome down to Lake and Shore campground in Cape May. I had to work a half day on Good Friday, so I didn't leave till then. It was perfect, our sight was on the lake. The only thing between us and the water was beach. Friday night we decided to drive out to the ocean and find a seafood restaurant on the water. Perfect, The Boathouse in Wildwood had just opened that day for the season. We asked for a table outside overlooking the water. How peaceful. We watched the sun set over the bay. Vibrant hues of reds and yellows glistening off the water. Saturday morning I had so wanted to sleep in, but woody woodpecker had other ideas. He's not just in cartoons folks. He is alive and well at Lake and Shore in a tree on MY SITE I BELIEVE! That's ok, I must have slept soundly anyway and enjoyed the sunrise over the lake. Saturday we decided to explore west of Cape May to find a lighthouse we had never seen before. East Point Light on the Maurice River at the mouth of Delaware Bay. It was closed, but we were still able to take a few pics outside and meet some nice people who were letting their dogs run into the river and others who spent the morning fishing. From there we drove north to Milleville, NJ and the Wheaton Arts and Cultural Center. We watched as artisans made glass rabbit figures. It was interesting as they handled the figures on the end of long poles and shaped and colored them. We met Ed, an 83 yr young wood carver. I loved the outhouse he made, complete with a man reading inside. He creates ornaments out of something as little as a lemon seed. It was a long day and being up so early, I wanted to take a nap so back to the campground we headed. Easter Sunday morning we wanted to go out to eat, so my cousin's husband recommended Marge's Diner down the road. I love the sign. Wanting to see the ocean again, we drove back down to Exit 0 and enjoyed the architecture of Victorian Cape May. We parked the car at one point and found a place to sit and enjoy the waves on one side and Victorian Bed and Breakfasts on the other. From there we drove to the Wildwood Naval Air Station museum in Cape May. Lenny was in his glory. He is very into WWII Navy/Air history. I think he took over 100 pictures there alone. It's been a long five months but we're on the road again and loving every minute of it. Hope you enjoy the pictures and the writing. Till next time...travel along with the Thomas' on the Thomas trails.

Victorian Cape May New Jersey

VICTORIAN CAPE MAY

It was a beautiful November weekend. My cousins were celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary and invited us along on a camping adventure. For the last four years we have been trying to plan to get down to Cape May and for one reason or another had not made it yet. We were staying at the Lake and Shore Outdoor World campground. Wanting to get an earlier start to the long weekend, we drove down to their house Wednesday night after work and parked in their driveway. It's great to have relatives and friends whose driveway can accomodate a 32 ft motorhome. People in NJ drive crazy, but people in Northern NJ drive even crazier. Before we had even gotten to the Raritan Bridge we saw two cars spun out. One in the Bloomfield area in the fast lane and one down in Edison off the shoulder. Other than that, the drive to Toms River was uneventful and DARK.

Thursday morning we continued to South Jersey to the campground. Lake and Shore is a beautiful campground which I'm certain we will be returning to again. The sights are large, there is a large lake that has a beach area and boating area. The water park was closed for the season, but from the looks of it seems very inviting.

The nights were cold and blustery. Thursday evening we put the awning back in because wind gusts were forecasted to be about 25-30 mph. It got extremely cold. We went thru about 1/3 of our propane even with the electric heater running. Thursday, after setting up our camp, we drove out to Margate to see Lucy the Margate Elephant. What a sight. That evening we enjoyed a seafood dinner in Ocean View, NJ.

Friday, we were going to go on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, but it was too windy and thought the ocean would be too choppy to enjoy the 80 minute ferry ride. We would forgo that trip till the following day. Still wanting to enjoy the day, we drove to Cape May to take in the scenery. The architecture is fascinating. All the bed and breakfasts so eloquently designed. Some with vibrant colors of pinks and purples, others more subdued in beige's and soft greens. We went shopping at a pedestrian mall lined with shops selling everything from knick knacks to fudge.

We saw lighthouses, boats, a six story elephant, quaint victorian houses. We did alot this weekend but felt relaxed and refreshed by Sunday morning when we would leave the shore and return to reality.

There is something to be said about stepping back in time to another era. A life on the sea, the sound of the waves hitting the beach, the smell of salt water. I can't wait to go back.

With winter soon approaching, it's time to put "Aggie", our trusted motorhome to sleep for awhile. We are not sure when we will be out again. If it is a mild winter, I'm sure we'll do some travelling, but if it's a wet and cold winter we'll be staying right here in Clifton. So until then,

Thanks for riding along with us on The Thomas' Trails.

Lighthouses & The Cape May Ferry

So on our trip to Cape May, Lenny promised to take me on a cruise. Ok, more like a ferry ride or as we put it...a three-hour tour. It was up and out early Saturday morning so we could catch the 11 am ferry to Lewes, DE. During the off-season, the ferry doesn't sail as often so we needed to get there for the second one. The day was cool, but the wind had died down. We found a seat in the sun for the 80 minute trip to Delaware. I have a new found love for the water. The gentle rocking of the ship, the quietness of being on the open sea was almost enough to put me to sleep. Upon our arrival in Lewes, we got off the ship to purchase our souvineers, after all Delaware has no sales tax and we had 20 minutes to kill before the return trip to NJ. Boy that 20 minutes went fast. And we were the last ones on the boat. The return trip was just as relaxing, sitting in the sun, rocking with the waves. Maybe I should buy a waterbed? Nah, maybe just one of these ships. After getting back into NJ we picked up a bite to eat at a local pizza place near Sunset beach before driving over to the Cape May Lighthouse.

The lighthouse that stands there today is not the original one. The first lighthouse was built in 1822 and lit in 1823. It was a 70 foot tall brick tower with a flashing light. It was too close to the waterline and by 1847 the tower was waterlogged and soon toppled into the ocean. A second tower was built further inland and was lit from 1847 to 1859 but that one also disappeared into the waves like the first tower. The site chosen for the third tower was even further inland and two keepers' houses were added. There are 199 steps to the top. NONE of which I climbed.

After spending some time there we ventured down to Sunset beach, the southern most point of NJ and saw the concrete ship Atlantus that ran aground there in 1926 and has slowly been disappearing ever since.

I really wanted to see the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse in North Wildwood, so up the coast we drove. Simply beautiful scenery as we drove. The lighthouse was closed, so we were only able to walk around the outside. Most NJ lighthouses are simple towers, but the Hereford property is of Victorian Stick style and the only one of its kind standing on the East Coast. More than 170 plant varieties and thousands of flowers thrive on a half-acre site that had previously been nothing more than sandy, empty lots. Hereford is a much easier climb of only 44 steps broken up by two floors of the home. Something I'm sure I can handle.

Thanks for travelling along with us on The Thomas' Trails. Till next time...

I LOVE LUCY

It started out a beautiful fall day. Our drive to South Jersey was uneventful. After checking in at the campground and getting set up, we decided too drive east to see Lucy the Margate Elephant. Lucy is the world's largest elephant overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Margate, NJ. She was built in 1881 by a real estate speculator who owned many parcels of open land at the Jersey shore. He built Lucy to attract visitors and potential buyers as a novelty amusement. During her history, Lucy has survived floods, hurricanes and even a fire accidentally started by some inebriated party-goers when she briefly served as a tavern. She stands six stories high, has spiral staircases in her legs and a museum in her belly. What fun to climb those narrow winding stairs up to her howdah and see the 360 degree view. A week before we got there, Lucy's tail broke from being hit by a flying canopy during a wind storm. She is a National Historic Landmark in the US. If you are ever in Margate or passing through, stop by Lucy and say hi. The view is spectacular.

Thanks for riding along with us on The Thomas' Trails.