Another Hike around Naiatic

Another Hike in Naiatic 

Saturday August 12, 2023

We got up pretty early this morning, got ready for the day and walked up to the KOA office, and asked about getting a courtesy shuttle into town.

 In a few minutes they picked us up right at our site. We couldn't believe it was just after 9:30 in the morning, and we were up and out the door, looking for fun..

 We were the only ones, the driver gave us a lot of info and dropped us off in town at a local credit union that was closed. Then we walked, and walked Etc.

Great walk along the boardwalk.

We had a great walk along the boardwalk, kept watching the drawbridge go up and down. Till we finally got close enough to see it.

Then we walked back on the sidewalk on the bay side. 

We were given a few recommendations for lunch, as we were looking for lobster rolls. 

First place was Dad's, was so hot where you order, and the inside seating area, or sit outside in the sun. The Umbrellas didn't give you much shade, but one matched Jim's shirt. 

Jim couldn't take it so we went down to the next one called Skippers. 

There we were able to order inside,  in air conditioning. Sat in a booth and enjoyed this wonderful lunch. We shared a large lobster roll and seafood combo platter.

 Wish it wouldn't have been all fried. But it was quite good. 

By this time the skies were darkening. I walked up towards our pickup spot. Passed a lot of cute shops 

went into this one Bakery. It was fun to look, such beautiful things, but narrowly escaped. I said quick let's get out of here. 

Then we called the driver and he had just picked up a family and I think was already heading back to the campground. But they came back for us. We chatted with them a bit. It was cool to hear locals chatting, never realized their accent was so different.

We got back to the RV, Jim was totally pooped. 

After he rested awhile we went out in the truck to fill with diesel. Jim noticed the truck turn signal was not working. It was doing that quick flashing. He said have to fix that before we leave. Which she did later.

Later I got dinner together and we ate outside. 

But there was also a liquor store right next door within walking distance. We made a little walking trip over there. It was the cutest store.  I found my new favorite thing Fresca, but this one's spiked with tequila.

Then I walked down to the pool later to check it out, but too cold to go in. 

Once I returned we got a little bit of rain after we went to bed.

Sunday August 13, 2023

Today we leave KOA in Naiatic Connecticut to Georgia Washington State Park in Road Island.

To be continued....

Unexpected snags in the plans are coming....

Official Start of the Main, Maine Trip

Official Start of the Main, Maine Trip

Wednesday August 9, 2023

Very weird start to the day, knowing we're leaving the cabin/house.

This has been the Main trip I wanted to do ever since we went full time 6 years ago. 

We packed up had breakfast over in the house. David brought us two pans of scrapple, two packages of a precooked Wild Turkey, all chopped and ready to add to something and six packages of moose Burger. Fantastic.

It was about noon till we said our final goodbyes and pulled out.

10 minutes after we left there was a deer on my side, right at the edge of the road. The one time I was looking away, I saw it in the side mirror, it startled Jim, so glad it stayed there on the side of the road.

 Then we made our one and only stop at a rest area on 84. We also had lunch, I pre packed.

We arrived at Rondout Campground, Thousand Trails, near Accord New York.

We got set up. Later we walked around the campground. Had dinner relaxed for the rest of the night.

Thursday August 10, 2023

This morning after breakfast, since Jim works for me now, :)  he did a few chores outside. He happily cut a piece of plexiglass to fit the window,  so we can put our YouTube stickers on it. Then he cut a couple strips of wood, that we will use later for my bedroom curtains. 

Then later in the morning we went out to do some errands. First we stopped at Dollar General, I forget why, well I wanted travel dinner paper plates. We bought some other crap too. Then we went to the liquor store found some fun stuff. More mudslide margarita mix and pina colada. 

Then we filled up the truck with diesel.

Then we went to a Kelder's farm that we passed on the way in yesterday.

Thought it looked fun, not so much. Great place if you have kids, a lot of outdoor activities nice snack bar, high priced produce Etc. 20. To 25.00 per kid.

Then we stopped at Jim's favorite, his Main thing he wanted to do today. 

There was a store hw found that sold pierogies.

 They said all the proceeds benefited Ukraine. They had pre-cooked pierogies all different flavors and kabasi. That was what he had for dinner that night and they were pretty fantastic. The price for a dozen was 

12.99. 

We got back to the RV later, and went for a walk around the park. They're doing a lot of tree removal in the back.

 Lot of logging going on and easier to get free firewood back there.

Friday August 11, 2023

Today leaving 

Rondout Valley Thousand Trails in New York to a KOA in the Naiatic, Connecticut. 

We had a leisurely morning left about 11:00 a.m.

Jim had to pull out of our site and make a hard left, with a telephone pole right at the edge of the road. We talked to the neighbor behind us with a fifth wheel, he had a F-350. Jim made it look easy, of course he was watching. He couldn't believe it. As I was watching Jim I told him go to a dealership and test drive one, it's amazing. But I still want an HDT. Don't like to say it around the truck.

Today was supposed to be a two and a half hour travel day. Jim had the Garmin RV on and his phone. It said an hour delay was added to your trip, then it said 20 minutes was added to your trip. OMG what's going on. 

Cool travel pictures though.

So we trusted the Garmin RV and took the alternate route. Which was great and took off almost hour. 

We arrived between 1:30 and 2:00 in the afternoon. 

I went to the bathroom while Jim checked in. When he came out I said did I miss all the fun. Yepp, So he went up to the bath house, which was right there by the pool. He came out the guy that was going to escort us to the site said, he changed our site. He found us a better one that was level and thought we might like it better. John the guy that took us to our site, he was super nice, but reeked of booze.

 They had a French drain and a sewer hose already there for gray water. Jim didn't even have to take ours out. Glad we dumped last night.

As soon as I could get in the RV, I started to prep lunch. After we ate we got ready and went across the road. There was a path, drunk Ranger John told us about to get to the ocean. 

It was all through the woods, I was afraid I'd get too much sun, but it was great.  It took us 20 minutes,it was a fantastic walk, BUT the mosquitoes were horrible. 

Once we popped out the view made it worth it. It was beautiful.

 We were there a few hours, we kept sitting in different locations to get a different perspective. 

The building was so cool.

From a different angle.

It was really lovely view not alot of people either, you think there'd be more.

We walked back to the RV and that took about a half an hour we went a different path back. Again horrible mosquitoes Jim couldn't even stop and rest for a minute. He figured out later we walked probably three and a half miles total.

We worked up a powerful appetite, and I heated up leftovers for dinner eventually. We watch some TV before bed.

Going HOME

Going HOME 

Saturday August 5, 2023

We got up this morning with no sense of urgency to start packing up. We enjoyed are coffee, I made Jim breakfast. 

Neil and Nancy stopped by unannounced to say goodbye. She even commented that it didn't look like we were packing up to get out of there. We did have reservations to stay until tomorrow, but we are ready to go back to our fifth wheel home.

 We said goodbye to them and started getting ready.

 Still is amazing how quick it is to pack everything up in the motorhome. 

We pulled out about 11:30. Then we went to get gas. Our official departure was 12:12.

 We didn't stop till we got to the Buckhorn and I went into Aldi's. 

On the way out this guy that was so chatty in the store I kept noticing. Actually he stopped and talked to Jim, he said he was jealous and always wanted to travel in an RV. They talked for a few minutes, he was asking Jim a million questions. I put groceries away.

 I pulled out turkey burgers to heat up for lunch with a few things I bought. We did try to turn the generator on to heat them up. David said it worked, but it wouldn't keep running. So we still enjoyed our cold turkey burgers and macaroni salad from the store.

As we continued on our travels to the cabin, I always wanted to stop at this Lake. Weiser Forest District 

I thought it would be a great place to Boondock back in here, with a view of the lake. To my surprise Jim actually pulled in, we walked around the beautiful Lake and unfortunately there's no overnight camping allowed.

They just word it weird, NO motorized camping.

 After 30 years of driving by, now we know. He stopped in the motor home but never would have pulled in with our Big wheel.

 Then we left and arrived at the cabin house close to 4:30 p.m. so much stuff to carry in, Jim and I took turns. I spent most the night putting everything away. 

Later we both took showers and I made salads for Jim and I, Drew had some chicken he smoked in the fridge we also ate. Haven't seen David yet. So excited to sleep in our own bed tonight.

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday 

August 6, 7 and 8

We did not do that much. Nothing really worth writing about, blah blah blah. We packed up, put golf cart in and worked on curtains, boring stuff like that. 

Jim did go with Drew to pick up a quarter of a steer he ordered. They were gone for hours. So mommy had a lot of quiet time but she enjoyed it. 

The only other major thing we did to get ready to leave was I tried on some dresses. It was Major for me anyway.

I have them stored here in the house.

 The one was my mother's dress we're guessing it's 60 to 70 years old. 

Also my wedding dress, 

and a green one that Jim saw first. He totally forgot a picture. I want to donate the green one and 1 other ones. I will try the green one on and get a picture before I do. I tried my mother's dress a year ago and not even close to fitting. I never saw her thin. Never realized how small she was back then, until I tried on that dress.

 Wednesday is travel day and we leave the cabin. We'll be sad to say goodbye to my brothers. But we are ready to start traveling so looking forward to Maine.

Trying to celebrate MIL Birthday

Trying to celebrate MIL birthday 

Wednesday August 2, 2023

This morning I got up first Jim and I had breakfast together.

The class C across the road this morning pulled out. She saw our door open and came over said her name was Janet and her husband Steve. They were leaving for the day but it's their only vehicle so they come back later. They had problems with people moving their stuff thinking they forgot it. But they don't have a car either. I told her she needs a site occupied sign. We chatted for a minute and they are doing the same thing we are. They have 40 ft Class A motorhome and just bought a smart car. And they're using the Class C motorhome with one slide having a little holiday away too. I explained our situation and said oh we should chat later. There's a picture of them leaving.

 We enjoying the morning, and before we knew it it was noon. Neil came over to take us over to my mother-in-law. Jim was half afraid to call her because she's being weird about borrowing the car for the last time before she returns it. Trying to figure out what we're going to do is difficult. 

Then I was trying to figure out how to get Mia. I ended up talking to her mom and we're going to pick her up tomorrow and surprise her with the motorhome here. We will be able to keep her overnight.

 So while Jim and Neil chatted, I called Brigitte. I just told her he was in the bathroom and when he comes out our friend is bringing us over for a visit. She said okay and everything was fine. Yesterday she said she didn't want to go out she's making it very hard to help celebrate her birthday. So we left with Neil arrived at Brigitte's house she came out we sat out in front of the garage on chairs. 

I signaled to Jim to ask her if she wanted to go for a drive somewhere. To his surprise she said yes so we all jumped in the car, took a long drive went out to the Fort Indiantown Military Reservation, where my father-in-law was buried. After all these years living here, they are finally making it so you can't drive right through the base anymore.

 Talked about going to Taco Bell, she wanted a taco salad. Later we ended up going to Moose's LZ in the Gap and had a wonderful lunch together. Then we took her back home.

 I ran into the drugstore and then we went in to get beer. Came back to the campground. Later I heated up some of John's chicken parm and lasagna soup I had brought for dinner. Jim sat outside and listened to music while I watched my new favorite show on my phone. Really liking the YouTube TV and I can watch it anywhere. Albeit on my small phone, but better than nothing.

Thursday August 3, 2023

This morning we slept in late again. After our leisurely breakfast and coffee,  we went up to RV Value Mart next door to the campground. Jim found a faucet in there that the motorhome needed outside shower area was leaking. After he bought that we headed towards Womelsdorf to pick up Mia. 

After we picked her up we took the back  roads home and told Jim to drive past work.  I said wow this would be a good time to pop in and visit my former place of employment with Mia. 

So to my surprise, he pulled in I texted Terri and she said we could come in. Didn't take any pictures except for this beautiful new mosaic tile decoration they had hanging.

 This is a nursing home and we visited with all three of my former supervisors. I saw a few former co-workers, as Jim waited in the car. 

Then we went back to the campground, Jim got out the Ninja and we heated up the last of John's chicken parm. Had our chicken casserole that I had Frozen we finished that. 

After lunch we went for a walk to the mini golf. Mia got two holes in one. Then we stuck our feet in the pool but it was very cold. Mia and I went for a little walk and picked raspberries and huckleberries which she loves. 

We came back to the motorhome and it felt like it was going to rain. But it never did,  so we started dinner a little after 5:00 p.m.. she was dying to make deviled eggs, so I put three in the instant pot with some potatoes. She totally made the deviled eggs on her own. 

Then we grilled turkey burgers and made roasted olive oil and garlic potatoes on the Ninja.

 Neil and Nancy stopped by for a minute we chatted they are having a campfire later. After dinner we went down to the fire and enjoyed their company.

 Mia was watching some TV inside while we all sat out at the fire. After we went home after 9:00 p.m. Mia and I went up to take showers before bed.

Friday August 4, 2023

Mia kept us up late last night so Jim and I woke up in like 9:15. She popped her little head out at almost 10:00 a.m.

 I made the breakfast. 

Her and I got ready when she went to the bath house. And then we left to go to Giants to get his mom a card and flowers for her birthday today. We arrived at her house about 2:00 in the afternoon. 

She was just eating some leftover breakfast. We chatted for a while then went to Taco Bell she wanted a taco salad. We met Travis there and ate and then we took it back to her house we all visited for quite a while. Thomas showed up about 6:30. 

We had a nice visit with Brigitte. We took off about 7:30 saying goodbye to Travis and Mia. Then Thomas took us back to the campground so we could leave his mom's car there. 

I grilled chicken on a Ninja. Yellow rice in the instant pot and some mixed vegetables in the microwave. We had a nice dinner with Thomas. He stayed until about 9:30 or so. He looks fantastic and said he lost another 5 lb. It's a wonderful day when I can see both my kids.

Enjoying D'Orazio Estate's

Enjoying D'Orazio Estate's 

Monday July 31,2023

We had a great night in our friends Pam and John's D'Orazio driveway. It got down to 57° last night. Glad she gave us an extra blanket.

 We woke up about 7:30, had coffee in the motorhome. 

Then we went into the house. Sat and chatted a while. John has a doctor appointment today.

 We ended up having breakfast together. We all decided we were going to stay another night.

 Chatting some more and sharing recipes. John is such a great cook and has such a green thumb. I was looking at the flower beds. Beautiful daisies

and nasturtiums. Beautiful, you can eat them. Crunchy and at the end you get the very distinct flavor of pepper.

He asked if I ever ate one. So I did. I liked it, great in a salad or as a garnish. He couldn't believe all the different colors red, yellow, green, and pink. 

 They got ready to leave about 1:00 1:30. After they left Jim and I went into the pool had a lovely dip, the water was 86°. 

WE are so lucky to be here and enjoying their home with them. Then we made tuna melts in her kitchen. After lunch we took showers. And waited for their return out on the back deck, later this afternoon.

Later when they returned John made chicken Parm for dinner. 

Went out had a fire, and he got his guitar out again.

We never run out of things to talk about. So many great memories with them.

Didn't stay up quite so late tonight, but close.

Tuesday August 1, 2023

Thinking of my Dad today, as always,  but it would have been his 90th birthday today. 

He woke about 6:30, not me.. after 8 or so. After coffee we went into the house. Chatted with Pam and John she made a lot of bacon in the oven.

 Later I made Jim a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. She shared a whole bunch of food with us to take, leftover chicken parm from last night, etc.

 We hated to but we finally said our goodbyes at almost noon. Doesn't take long to pack up the motorhome.

 We pulled out and got gas shortly after. We were only about an hour and a half away from Lebanon County.

 First stop upon arrival was pick up Mary Kay that came in for us. Then we went to Walmart. I ran in very quickly and grabbed a few things. Of course two things I really wanted they didn't have. Geez 

Then a stop at Hoss's for a very late lunch. We just had the salad bar but I did hit the dessert pretty good. 

 We headed to the campground, PA Dutch right at the turnpike entrance.

 Got situated hard to get level. 

Ended up moving to site next to it.. D32. Jim fixed our one chair. 

 then  Neil and Nancy came over for a quick visit. He's going to take us over to visit his mom tomorrow afternoon and hopefully get the car and use it for a while. She's about to make the final  return of it. She leased the car for quite a while. 

 Then went for a walk around the campground. First we walked down to RV Value mart . The phone said they were open till 8:00 . They weren't just the sales office . Ended up looking at a couple Class C motorhomes just for the fun of it . 2022, 80k at 31' wow, Jim really liked it. I did too, but not that much. We are NOT " switching it up" that much.

We walked a little more and saw people we new, like Carla and Glenn chatted with. He is recovering from quadruple bypass heart surgery. Glad he is doing well..

I made another big loop around myself. 

Came in showered chilled and watch TV the rest of the night. Enjoying the Great internet and water here.