Travels' in the 'Lead-Sled' and Beyond -

On the Fast Track

2010-07-14T01:23:00.003-04:00

Our travels have taken a different path. As most of you know I am driving as many miles as I can in a day to get myself home in time for my Brothers funeral. The days are long and exhausting, but I am not complaining... I just need to get home to be with my family! These photos were taken as we were driving through Montana and North Dakota.

Capilano Suspension Bridge & Lighthouse Park

2010-07-07T22:56:00.007-04:00

Today we went to the Capilano Suspension Bridge & Lighthouse Park in North Vancouver. First off this bridge is over 140 meters long and rocks like a small dingy on the Atlantic Ocean. If one gets sea-sick quick this is not the place to be. The more people that got on the thing, the more it rocked. J seemed OK with it and strutted as she always does, but me and Kath had a little bit more difficulty with it. The rest of the park was a series of canopy bridges that suspend from tree to tree. Next we went to Lighthouse Island. We had to walk a while and up big rocks to the viewing point, but the views were so worth it. You could see the city of Vancouver on the horizon and a huge snow covered mountain (Calgary) silhouettes behind it. Breathtaking.. Next we drove through Stanley Park and dropped Jaimie off with her bike as we toured. Tomorrow- Calgary

Vancouver British Columbia

2010-07-06T23:45:00.002-04:00

Today we took public transport (bus, water taxi, etc) to spend the day in the city. The city is beautiful. We walked to the famous Canada Place on the harbor where the docs have been built to replicate a cruise ship/cool. A few blocks west were the 2010 Olympic Games Caldron. As I stood in front of this now quiet and visibly lifeless structure I could still feel the excitement that goes along with the games. Clearly an awe-inspiring experience. .. Afterward we picked up a water taxi to Granville Island. It is nestled under the Granville Street Bridge and offers much for such a small place. The island’s anchor is the Granville Island Public Market, where locals shop for fresh produce, baked goods, seafood, cheeses, meats and more: you get the idea. It was very similar to Pikes Place in Seattle. We also visited the Granville Island Brewery for a sample of the local brew before heading towards the beaches. Vancouver offers a great deal of culture and diversity. We will spend the day tomorrow at Stanley Park.

Zombie's, Trolls, & the Space Needle

2010-07-03T16:04:00.000-04:00

Today we met up with Jaimie, Tal and Shannon in Seattle city proper. The agenda for the day was to visit the Zombie Parade where thousands of Zombies were marching down the streets. Oh, the sights.... These people spent much time and $$$ to make themselves up like this. Even the dogs had fake blood all over them. Scary yet amazing. We also saw a huge Troll under the bridge of a highway. Seattle has an ordinance where a certain percentage of road projects have to include art of some form. In this case it was a Troll under the bridge. A visit to the famous Space Needle was also in order. The day was clear and the time was just as the sun was beginning to go down. The reflections on the water along with the phenomenal views made the perfect end to a perfect day.

Seattle's Underground City & Pikes Place

2010-07-02T23:06:00.005-04:00

Today we visited the underground-original city of Seattle before the big fire of 1889 that destroyed the lower half of the city. All in 12 hours. The tour offers a vague view of the cities history past and present. The tour is offered by a private tour company that pays the businesses above to tour below each business. It some areas it is a dumping ground for some of the remains of the fire before rebuilding to the next level (which they found was not successful either as it too was at or below sea level and the tides did what water does...) Anyways, there is said to be a ghost in the bank vault there, yet I didn't feel any creepier than usual in there.
We later went to Pikes Place. They were throwing huge fish around at the fish markets. An abundance of fresh flowers and vegetables were everywhere. Reminded me of Faneul Hall and Hay Market Square but on a much larger scale - Awesome.

Olympia NP & Port Angelis

2010-07-01T21:38:00.000-04:00

Olympic National Park is where you will find Pacific Ocean beaches, rain forest valleys and glacier-capped peaks. We, however did not see much of this. The fog was so thick at one point that we couldn't see in front of us more than 10 feet. I am sure you will agree that this is a very dangerous situation when you don't know the roads. We drove as high as we could and turned around. In the photos you can see the density of the fog. All was not lost however as we were able to see some black tailed deer which are common to this mountain and got a cool shot of the fog at the opposite end of the mountain tunnel. When we got to the base of the mountain we drove through the ocean front town of Port Angelis. This reminded me of an ocean side drive on the Cape in off-season. Quaint and old.

Mount Rainier

2010-06-30T23:43:00.002-04:00

Today we went to Mount Rainier. Though located in a state with two mountain ranges, (the Cascades and the Olympic Range), Mount Rainier is known by locals simply and affectionately as, "The Mountain."It is approx. 14,411 feet high and towers 8,000 feet above surrounding Cascades peaks, such a behemoth that it creates its own weather. The mountain and the surrounding area is Mount Rainier National Park. The mountain at its base covers 100 square miles and ranks fifth in height of all mountains in the contiguous U.S..
The landscape out here is so different than that of New England. Even with the Green and White Mountains that we are so used to. In one of these photos, Jaimie is standing on the 75 plus feet of snow to see Mount Hood to the left.
Tomorrow we head off to Olympic NP...

Mount Saint Helen's

2010-06-29T23:43:00.004-04:00

Today we traveled out of Portland to Washington state. Our destination was Mount Saint Helen's. It is most famous for its catastrophic eruption in 1980, which was the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in the history of the United States. Many people, homes, Bridges, railways, etc. were destroyed. I am certain that we all remember this. The eruption caused a massive debris avalanche, reducing the elevation of the mountain's extensive summit and replacing it with a 1 mile wide horseshoe-shaped crater. As we drove up the mountain we hoped that the sky would clear so we would have a better view of this powerful mass, but visibility was limited. We saw an exhibition in the visiros center that really put hings in perspective for us.

Potland, Oregon

2010-06-28T23:09:00.000-04:00

Well, I have to admit that throughout my life I have not really been much of a "city person" so when J said that we should experience Portland Oregon, I wasn't overly enthused. Much to my surprise this city has a very unique "style" and personalty. We toured the city first by "Lead Sled" and decided it best to rent a mini car to tour instead. Much better! we saw some sights to say the least. The city is awesome and quite pedestrian friendly. There were small cafes and street side entertainment everywhere. We pulled up a chair at a local cafe and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the street. There was an entertainer right in front of us. The weather was mid 70's and a light breeze with no humidity. Does it any better than this? After touring the city we ended up at the Dechutes Brewery where they had closed off the street for the night and had entertainment and a BBQ. Good times...
The next morning we visited a "Farmers Market" on the Courthouse common. We have never seen anything quite like this. It offered fresh vegetables as expected and much more: Porchetta sandwiches, Bakery products to die for, homemade candies, etc. we enjoyed the morning sun, ambiance and aromas and made our choices for purchase and moved on. We then experienced the Chinese Gardens which were smack dab in the middle of the city, crazy.

Washington Park Rose Gardens

2010-06-27T23:25:00.000-04:00

As all of you know, I love a beautiful landscape. We visited the Washington Park Rose Gardens in Portland Oregon. I have seen many in my years but never have I seen such an an abundance of absolutely beautiful roses in my life. There were gardens of the old standby varieties and the experimental up-and-coming varieties. Acres of them... The sun was at about 4 PM so not exactly great for photos but the views and aroma were outstanding.

Canon Beach, Oregon

2010-06-26T23:06:00.006-04:00

As we continue north on route 101 on the beautiful Oregon coast, we drove through many small villages. The scenery was breathtaking and we needed to stop to stretch our legs so we parked and walked around the town of Canon Beach. The beach is recognized by its well-known landmark, Haystack Rock. This igneous rock has an elevation of 235 feet, and is accessible at low tide. Near Haystack Rock are the Needles, two tall rocks rising straight out of the water.
Downtown Cannon Beach is filled with many small businesses and happily no chain stores like Walmart etc, are allowed.
We stayed the night just outside the town and will move on to Portland for Deschutes Brewery 22nd anniversary bash in the streets. Jaimie will need a GPS chip attached for sure or the address of our campground written in ink on her forehead.

Continuing on the Oregon Coast

2010-06-25T23:30:00.004-04:00

The Oregon Coast has about 320 miles of sandy and rocky shoreline and contains a wealth of habitats such as sand dunes, coastal rocks and sand spits that provide breeding and haul-out sites for seals and sea lions. We stopped at Sea Cave on the coast where we took an elevator down to an area where we entered a cave. There were literally hundreds of sea lions perched on rocks, barking as if they were dogs. I have never seen so many of these in one place as we did here. After we left that area we walked a bit to another seaside area where the sea lions were basking in the sun awaiting for the tide to come in. They looked like a bunch of brown dogs lying in the sun.
The coastal views continue to awe us. Spending the night in Newport continuing up the coast in the AM.

Oregon to California Redwood Forest & Back to Oregon

2010-06-24T22:05:00.006-04:00

After leaving this AM en route to the Oregon coast we decided to take a detour to California to see the Redwood Forest. A couple hundred miles verses a lifetime of visions on the TV doesn't seem to make a huge amount of difference. The Redwood Trees are unlike anything that you will ever see anywhere. These things are absolutely huge. See J in the picture... After driving to the forest we drove to the coast to pick up route 101 in California and Oregon. We traveled many miles on the Cali/Oregon coast in awe of the natural beauty that the good old of USA! The coastal route is everything that all boast about and much more. What an awesome experience...

Crater Lake National Park

2010-06-23T00:39:00.001-04:00

After leaving an absolutely spectacular campsite (if one could call it that) last night we headed off toward Crater Lake National Park. It wasn't far from where we were (maybe 175 miles or so) but so worth it. I was shocked at the amount of snow that was there. It was higher than the motor home which is 12feet high! We traveled up the mountain and stopped to see the absolutely spectacular showing of nature from this volcano. Tomorrow we will detour towards the northern tip of CA where the largest redwood trees are in the US. After that... who knows...

Boise to Bend, Oregon

2010-06-22T02:09:00.002-04:00

Not much to say about Boise... There was a waterfall in the center of the city and that's about it, so we moved on to Oregon. 400 miles later and lots of mountain views and then desert until we drove into Bend, Oregon. This town is one hopping place to be with many breweries, and an abundance of hiking and camping activities year round. It is a rebuilt mill town with something to offer everyone. We arrived late at our campsite and the owner was about to close for the night and offered to take us to town to visit a pub/brewery for dinner, etc. We quickly transformed ourselves and we were off to an evening in town. We visited two breweries that were awesome: DESCHUTES and McMenamin's Old Saint Frances Pub. Tomorrow we head toward Crater Lake. Stay tuned-

Grand Tetons

2010-06-20T21:04:00.000-04:00

The Grand Tetons are located in northwestern Wyoming, The landscape is spectacular and the view is rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The abrupt vertical rise of the jagged Teton Range contrasts with the horizontal sage-covered valley and glacial clear lakes at their base, creating world-renowned scenery that is only appreciated if seen in person. I had no idea... It is just as you see on postcards. We saw more animals in Yellowstone NP, but the Tetons were absolutely awesome non-the-less. You be the judge...

OLD Faithful

2010-06-19T21:25:00.000-04:00

Oh ya, can we say that this is awesome? Yup, it is. We arrived to see the predictable and spectacular view of the famous geyser. Me, Kath and J sat and waited, and it was obviously going to do some sort of regurgitation at some point, but when was not as predicable as they say. While we were waiting a Bison just moseyed on through the area as if we weren't even there. They are humongous and, in my opinion, ugly! Spectacular to see though! After driving through Yellowstone for a couple days (with a rental car and J at the wheel) Jaimie is less than impressed with these enormous animals. They often parade down the streets and block traffic for hours. The bears were less friendly but an awesome sight. We saw: Black Bear, Elk, Wolf, Bison, American White Pelicans, Bald Eagles, Trumpeter Swans, Mule Deer and Moose. There are obviously more animals in there than that, but that is what we saw. I love nature and this park was absolutely wonderful. The high altitude was a bit challenging but worth the discomfort.

Yellowstone National Park

2010-06-17T23:39:00.003-04:00

For as many years as I can remember, I have always wanted to see the infamous Yellowstone National Park. Well today the dream became a reality. After a stop at the "Old West" type town of Cody (thanks Nanna Flash). Wild Bill Cody was well know in my generations a a gun slinging cowboy. The Irma Hotel in Cody was just that... A walk back n time. Due to the bad weather we opted to tour the hotel/cafe. Without disappointment I might add. The original bar is an extensive cherry wood bar donated by Queen Elizabeth. The place was packed at 11:50 AM. We were going to have lunch on the outside porch but the weather was like something out of the "worst of the weather channel".
We next traveled to Yellowstone: this park is enormous and absolutely naturally beautiful. We saw Bear, Moose, and a rare sighting of white Pelicans. We will return to the park tomorrow...

Rushmore, Custer, Crazy Horse, & Wind Caves

2010-06-15T22:50:00.003-04:00

We have all seen the photos of Mount Rushmore: Well the actual sculpture is a spectacular display of what man can do with a few basic tools. You be the judge... Next we move on to Crazy Horse. This is a partially completed monument carved into the mountain that was less than impressive. Possibly when it is finished, but not a place i would recommend going to for a long time. Next was Custer State forest. The experience of driving through this wonderland of nature can only be felt on a personal level. I love nature so it was an absolutely awesome sight. We saw much wildlife simply driving through the park. For example: Bison, bighorn sheep, deer, pronghorn, prairie dogs, and burrows. Many of which we were able to stop at roads side and see. As we were leaving the park one of the Bison actually was close to the exit. I got out to take a picture, of course, and the humongous thing started to quickly move towards me. RUN!!!!
Nature is so awesome....
The Wind Caves were deep and unique. They actually are an architecture that is only found in these caves called box-wood. It has a honey comb like texture to it. Very different...
Off to Coty Wyoming tomorrow, stay tuned

Badlands National Park, SD

2010-06-14T22:35:00.002-04:00

Well, all I can say is that this great country of ours never ceases to amaze me. We visited the Badlands today where people are drawn to its rugged beauty. The park’s 244,000 acres protect an expanse of mixed-grass prairie where we saw bison, bighorn sheep, deer, pronghorn, and prairie dogs. The most impressive was the extensive array of formations in which we were able to view and walk through.

Green Bay Packers and Wisconcin

2010-06-11T22:34:00.001-04:00

Today was a day of many miles of travel. Although we drove many miles we were able to visit the famous Green Bay Packers Stadium and take a tour. The tour was awesome and left us with a new founded respect for the sport of football. After visiting the stadium and the state of Wisconsin, it was quite obvious that the state was dedicated to "CHEESE". We will pursue the cheese option in the coming day as we continue across the state.

The Locks of Lake Superior

2010-06-11T22:12:00.000-04:00

Since I was an adolescent I have wanted to revisit the locks of the mighty Great Lakes. A couple of years ago me and Kath took a trip to the "Finger Lakes" and attempted to see the locks while we were there. Sad to say, we were unsuccessful.
On a good note, we were able to visit the Soo Locks from Lake Superior to Lake Huron this afternoon and a ship was ready to enter the locks. What a great site to see technology in a rudimentary way be so successful.

Mackinack Island

2010-06-10T21:49:00.000-04:00

After a day of travel we were able to get a campsite early enough to be able to get the ferry to Mackinac Island where we spent the afternoon in yesteryear. This is an island that has no cars or motor vehicles, only horse drawn buggies. We toured the small 8 mile island via buggy while "J" rode her bike around the island. The most prevalent highlight is their famous Mackinac Fudge. This is also found on our local Islands, the Vineyard and Nantucket. We had an awesome experience and loved every minute.

A Day in the Double D's: Detroit/Dearborn

2010-06-09T21:06:00.004-04:00

OK, you all know that I have owned a GM vehicle for as long as I can remember. As soon as we arrived in Detroit the GM building was obvious yet uninviting. I expected it to be somewhat more spectacular (a little disappointing) So, we took some photos and moved on. We had to go to the Hard Rock of course and then to the famous Coney Island. The experience was what one expects from a Coney Island, unique and memorable.
After visiting the city proper we drove west to the Heidelberg Project. OMG what can I say... this was shocking to say the least. See for yourself.
MOTOWN was absolutely awesome as expected. Such history and to be able to experience the same steps as so many awesome entertainers was awe inspiring.
The last stop for the day was the Ford Museum. As expected this area was huge and included so many exhibits in motor vehicle changes. I would have loved to have seen the factory tour, but we had missed the last one of the day. Ford has a huge presence here and it is obvious in all aspects of the area, both financially, socially, and physically. I think the most humbling exhibit was the exhibit of the car that the late John F. Kennedy was shot in. Sad...

Spectacular Niagara

2010-06-07T21:48:00.000-04:00

Our first night was spent in spectacular Niagara Falls. If any of you have been here before you know that pictures do not do it justice.
As we approached the border of Canada and the US (of which we had an extensive wait) we had the time on the bridge to get some photos that only depict the falls in the end of the days light. Spectacular... Anyways, after we spent the night just over the border, we arrived at the falls in the early AM to get a rare view of the falls in the morning light. The only word I can use is simply awesome...

The Lead Sled is about to Roll!!!

2010-06-03T18:03:00.002-04:00

OK, it's been way to long since the Lead Sled was on a "road trip" so we are about to embark upon our next adventure across the country. A few years ago we went cross country and "J" flew out to Phoenix to meet us. This time J will be joining us for the entire trip.
The last time me and Kath traveled approximately 10,000 miles and saw many fantastic and remarkable sights along the way. This time we hope to see the high side of the country, Vancouver and Alaska. We shall see... Stay tuned for updates.
~L

Season's End

2009-11-01T19:58:00.002-05:00

The camping season may be over, but the memories are still very fresh in my mind.
The last day of the last week of seasonal camping at Scusset is a day of sadness. We said goodbye to many good friends.
As we took a final walk down the canal road and through the campground there was but only a few campers in view packing up for their final departure as well. The vivid sadness in the air is so unassuming. We have never seen the campground so empty and quiet... So from me and Kath and the clubhouse at Club 92, we wish you all the best of the upcoming holiday season and look forward to seeing you all soon!

Hendricks Head Lighthouse

2009-09-20T18:39:00.000-04:00

Undeniable one of my most favorite lighthouses.
Located at the mouth of the Sheepscot River, near the part of Southport Island now known as Cozy Harbor and six miles from Boothbay Harbor. Every year when me and Kath go to Boothbay we have to take a trip to see this lighthouse. No matter how many times I have seen it, it always looks different. Maybe it's the light, or perhaps the level of the tide... It is picturesque, quiet, and a very relaxing place to just sit and listen to the slapping of the water against the rocks or watch the passing sailboats as they gracefully slip past us.

Beach, Drinks, Sunset

2009-07-03T14:01:00.001-04:00

After an awesome tour of Florida Inter-Coastal waterways and some of the Florida's best beaches, we settled in at Palm Shores for dinner and drinks beach side while we awaited the "Lucky Old Sun" to set. Although this was not one of it's better debut's, it was awesome just the same. The music, ambiance and food was great! Lot's of love and lot's of laughs!
This is exactly what me and Kath spend big $$$ for every year in the Caribbean. We just love this. The experience is forever etched in our memories! Thanks Bob and Lou!!!

A Grand Entrance

2009-07-02T14:23:00.002-04:00

How can we explain what happened today? After driving several hours past the Glades, we finally arrived at our destination. We checked in at the campground and quickly departed without setting up camp as we were en route to our long lost friends house. We arrived there only to find that they live in a gated community. The attendant at the gate did not want us to go in there, but after several minutes and a line of cars behind us and allot of frustration, they really did not know what to do with us... so, when they tried to move some cars around so they could go around us, and finally opened the gate for them, I took the opportunity and blew the gate! I am in... now, find the house. As we were driving through the community, I could see what appeared to be Lou's car in my mirror. When we got close to her house and parked and she parked across from us it was obvious that it was her. Now what? She got out of her car and looked perplexedly at the coach in front of her but continued about her business. Me and Kath got out our Tropical Glasses and opened the door right in front of her. She looked, and the element of surprise had been met! Awesome! We then went around back to surprise Bob and Schnoops... I wasn't sure that MY DEAR FURY FRIEND WOULD REMEMBER ME, but she did! It was so nice to be there, seeing for ourselves that they were OK. We spent a few hours catching up and laughing together as we always do, before Bob kindly escorted us back to camp for the evening, A few social cocktails and the night was sadly over. We have sooo missed them and are looking forward to spending a few more hours catching up on the last years events!

Everglades NP

2009-07-01T13:53:00.003-04:00

How can one ever describe the expansive and natural beauty of the Everglades? This is definitely something that one has to experience to appreciate. Being that it is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. There are rare and endangered species of wildlife everywhere. Although we were only able to see a few by car we were abundantly aware that they were there, especially the alligators. We stopped at the end of the glades to take an air boat ride and as we were waiting for the boat, I turned my head and there was a gator looking right at me! I was not more than 4 feet away. I thought because it didn't move, it may have been a fake, but careful observation of this massive beast revealed his nostrils moving. REAL! OK, I was behind a fence so I felt relatively safe. Then three more showed up. I then felt as if I was their dinner waiting to be attacked. RUN!

North Carolina & Outter Banks

2009-06-23T19:27:00.002-04:00

I think some the most beautiful areas of the USA are our Federal Parks and National Seashores. We departed early again today en route to Ocracoke Island and Cedar Islands (ferries). Ocracoke reminded us so much of Martha's Vineyard without the "attitude" and Cedar Island was absolutely naturally beautiful. This is also the island where the "wild horses" were known to run the beaches. They have been contained on a 100 acre reserve ever since the roads were built in late 1959. We considered staying the night on Ocracoke but all of the campgrounds were federal and we did not make any ICE for the night... So, off to Cedar Island where we were able to get a campsite in a marina for the night. The island is well known for it's fishing industry. The sounds and smells of the ocean are welcoming and relaxing.

Chesapeake Bay & Cape Hatteras

2009-06-22T21:24:00.000-04:00

Day two was a beautiful trip. We traveled over the Chesapeake Bay bridge of approx 23 miles. The day was beautiful and the ocean was calm. We were in search of Cape Hatteras Light. The lighthouse is the tallest in the nation and the most famous symbol of North Carolina. We got there at sunset hence able to view it in a rare light.
Me & Kath have seen this light before, but it had just been moved to it's new location and incomplete. The sun light setting on the west side of it also brings out a unique beauty.

First Day

2009-06-21T20:55:00.001-04:00

For those of you that get a laugh at the things that me and Kath do, I will try to update as often as I can -
First day started by us having to return to both of our houses to get stuff that we forgot. Kath's medicine and my extra set of keys. So after we retrieved our "stuff" we headed for the pike.
Our first day we spent following the coast(that's our goal here)to Cape May where we got the ferry to Delaware. This took some time, and a few more gray hairs for me as I drove onto what seemed to be a "small" ferry. Upon leaving the ferry we checked out the area a bit and found a state campground in which we set ourselves up for the night. This is where it gets interesting... Before I start, you have to understand that we were very limited to our choices as it was late. OK, we registered, got a site and then after trying to find the electrical box that I found out didn't exist, set up camp for dry camping. This is really not a problem because we are self contained and have enough battery backup to keep us going for the night. The night was quiet and uneventful until the sun came up. I went to go out of the MH to check out the area only to find out that the stairs did not go out. Strange... I know what causes this. Battery failure. So, I think to myself,we have two brand new ones under there. OK, now what? It didn't take time to realize that the engine battery was the problem. This shouldn't happen, I said to myself... Well, it did because we had the electric cooler plugged in all night. OK, figured that out. Get the room in and ready to move, turned the key: dead. What the F...???? Had to get out the battery charger, put an extension cord through the window, start the generator, and hope the hell that works. Did I mention the keys issue? Well the keys that I had left at home had the engine key on it so it was really great that we went back to get them. Got the coach going and we were off for the day.
Oh, one of the most distressing issues was the inability to make ice in the ice maker. Thank God for generators.

Summer Travel Preparation

2009-06-19T20:56:00.003-04:00

Well, it's officially summer as of this weekend and the GD heat is still on in the house and the rain keeps coming down. Me and Kath decided that we should take a trip to, where else, but find the sun! We are preparing to depart very soon. So stay tuned!
- L

"Marine One"

2009-04-20T16:33:00.002-04:00

Dwight Eisenhower was the first President to fly on Marine One, in 1957, while on vacation in Rhode Island. Soon after, Marine and Army aviators were landing on the South Lawn of the White House for regular lifts, linking up with Air Force One.
Marine One's distinctive paint job dates back to the Eisenhower Administration. At the time, the helicopters did not have air conditioning, so to make the cabin more comfortable for the President, the Marines painted the top of the aircraft white to deflect sunlight.
The other picture is of "THE FIRST LADY" in front of Marine One...

Sun Rise - Sun Set

2009-04-19T16:23:00.002-04:00

A perfect day to veg out and enjoy the weather (76, low humidity, and gentle breezes) and the ambiance. These are photos taken from the patio at sunrise and sunset. A beautiful day!

Destin - The Emerald Coast

2009-04-18T15:40:00.001-04:00

Last year me and Kath drive toward Destin, Fort Walton and Panama City beaches. Known for its emerald waters and white sand beaches. We were told that the sand on Destin's beaches is some of the whitest in the world. (I bet that this beach was on NatGeo's "Most Beautiful Beaches of the US") The sand comes from the mountains and is made of finely ground quartz crystal. It almost looks like sugar, but with a finer texture.
As you enter Destin, you are immediately impressed with the friendly warm harbor-side town. Me and Kath enjoy having a cold one by the entrance to the harbor while we appreciate the warmth of the sun on our face. If you look closely at the photo, you can see me and Kath on the left side.

Crab Trap for Lunch with Friends

2009-04-17T21:47:00.002-04:00

This year when we got to Pensacola, we were so warmly greeted by someone who has become a good friend and partner in crime... Dave Woods. He arrived at our front door and invited us to a day of touring the Pensacola area and lunch. Well, I can tell you that the day was wonderful. We stopped at several landmark areas and establishments and ended our trip with lunch by the water-side at the Crab Trap in Pensacola. The food was great, the weather was mild and the sun was inviting, especially after the long winter we have had in MA. The ambiance was awesome, gentle breezes and the food was good. I had my first bowl of real "GUMBO" and I was impressed!
The company was what we live for and appreciate! Thanks Dave!!!! The day was full of all things good...

Joe Patti's Famous Seafood

2009-04-17T21:21:00.001-04:00

OK, we all have to be into seafood in order to get this. Well, I have to admit that I have never seen such a huge selection of absolutely fresh seafood in my life. This includes Joe's seafood market on the Cap Cod canal! This place had everything, I mean all types of fish including "red shrimp" of which I didn't even know existed! What a sight to see. There was no odor and you could watch the fish get unloaded from the dock beside the market from a "Thompson Trawler" (well known fishing boat on the Gulf coast).
I am not a huge fish eater, but I was tempted to purchase a few pounds of the red shrimp and/or Mahi Mahi for dinner, but being in Florida, one would have to be close to home or have a cooler close by.

Blue Angels on the Tarmac

2009-04-15T21:07:00.001-04:00

Well, I have to say that it has been more years than I want to admit since I have seen the Blue Angels. Friends that have a very special place in my heart used to take me to see them when I was very young and I haven't seen the Blue Angels show since. Sad to say...
They haven't lost a step... They are as spectacular as I remember them to be!
After a long day of travel and finally arriving at a friends castle, we awoke early to get a good spot at the airshow. This show was at their home base at the Pensacola Naval Air-station. It lasted approximately 45 minutes and was absolutely spectacular!
While watching, we thought that they had just gone by when another appeared out of nowhere... We almost lost our shit....

April 2009...

2009-02-23T13:04:00.000-05:00

Spring Break 2009 - Maybe a little time away at a good friends castle? Can you recognize these pictures?

Mumm's the Word!

2009-01-10T20:30:00.000-05:00

After a warm afternoon at the beach, we were back at our room to wash off the sand and enjoy a cold beverage while we took in a spectacular view.
This worthy exemplar of richness and finesse that epitomizes “Only the Best” was a gift from someone very special - Thank you "J", we enjoyed every drop!

A Spot with a View

2009-01-07T20:24:00.001-05:00

This is definitely one of my favorite photos. Close your eyes and imagine yourself sitting in one of these chairs listening to the surf hit the golden sands while you appreciate the gentle breezes upon your sun kissed skin... ~ LJg

Entertaining

2009-01-06T21:12:00.002-05:00

The past couple of years at the RIU had dynamite entertainment every night,(not me and Kath). This place had very poor entertainment nightly, so we made our own. You be the judge...

Grand Bahia Principe

2009-01-05T20:51:00.001-05:00

The past couple of years we have gone to Jamaica because it is close and offers warm water and sunshine at a time when we usually have had enough cold.
The hotel that we stayed at was the Grand Bahia Principe. Last year we dropped off a few people at the resort on our way to ours and thought that it looked grand. It had just opened. We both said to each other that we should have considered staying there. Well this year we did.
The grounds were impeccable and stylishly designed. Palms and tropical flowers everywhere. The beach was expansive with grass huts all over the place. Calm surf, powder white sands, and gentle tropical breezes. If I close my eyes I can still feel the sand between my toes and the smell of the salt air and feel of the sun embellishing my body with vitamin D. Ahhhhh, that was the life... That is until we got into the room and found that there were a few things that we hadn't planned on. For example, the "mini bar" that was supposed to be stocked with our favorite beverages had the following in there: 2 beers, 2 small bottles water, 2 cokes, 1 diet coke, 1 orange soda, and 1 sprite. That was it! We wandered where the vodka was??? Now I ask you, do you think that this would be a problem? We asked to have more water put in the room and that really never happened. So guess what, we had to drink the other stuff from the bar that looked like water. Kath is so smart, she said there had to be water in there at one time or another. We had to hydrate... Anyways, after the hotel running out of vodka two days in a row, the shower head falling off on Kath's head, no towels in the room, the electronic key system erratically locked us out of the room... We still had a good time.

Liquid Breakfast for Two, Please

2009-01-03T20:42:00.000-05:00

We departed for our annual winter reprieve on Friday. Upon our departure the Boston temperature was 17 degrees. A little cold to say the least, but 4 hours later, we were enjoying the balmy tropical heat and breezes of Jamaica.
Our trip this year almost didn't happen. We had decided that we were not going to go in January, but last minute Kath said "let's do it."
Good call Kath! The photo to the left is during the plane ride. Liquid Breakfast for two Please...

Our Chairs Await...

2008-12-30T22:12:00.003-05:00

As you can see, these chairs are awaiting their occupants... Me and Kath!
Stay tuned - we will update from the Caribbean!

How Many People Can You Fit in a Coach?

2008-10-09T20:00:00.001-04:00

As most of you know, I love the ocean, the sand, the sound of the waves breaking on the beach, the clanging of the rigging shackles on the boats and the smell of the salt air.
Last week we spent our last weekend for the season at our favorite camp ground. We were able to get our favorite site as well. We were facing the ocean with a view of the Cape Cod Canal. Does it get any better than that?
The weather was absolutely wonderful for one of the weekend days, but seasonally cold the other. The good news is that we had many friends around that kept us warm with friendship and laughter!
Willie usually pulls his lobster pots from the canal, and we indulge in a decadent lobster or two freshly boiled by Willie himself (as many places we have enjoyed lobster, none have ever tasted as sweat and delicious as those from the canal). We try to have a clambake before the end of the season; however the weather was not cooperating with us this time, so we only had the lobsters (thank you Willie)! Ok, so what did we do? We had a fry-all… We had a commercial fryer and cooked, ate, drank, and laughed for hours. The fried asparagus was to die for. The onion rings were awesome as well. Oh, yes, and how can we leave out the clam cakes? They were better than the ones we have gotten anywhere in New England.
We went to the fish market and asked to purchase the batter. They’ll sell anything these days. It was soooo worth it, though. I can’t wait until next year to try them again. You are probably asking why we have to wait until then; because that crap will kill us.
Saturday night we had over 16 people in the motor home. I say we could still have gotten a few more in there... The sounds of joy and laughter could be heard throughout the campground. Thank God the season was at its end and not a single Ranger was to be found! Can we say party time?
The sadness came with the reality that all good things must come to an end. And yes, this too shall become a memory to get us through the winter months in NE.
Friends, stay safe and healthy - Until we meet again…

Brown's Wharf, Boothbay Harbour

2008-09-22T20:25:00.003-04:00

When you see the gigantic yellow statue of The Old Lobster Fisherman out front, you know you've arrived at Brown's Wharf. Me and Kath have been going to Brown's for over 25 years and we never get tired of relaxing on our deck, enjoying a panoramic view of the harbor dotted with lobster boats, yachts and pleasure craft!
The family owned and operated hotel is friendly, warm and inviting. We always get a big hug and warm greeting from Mrs. Brown herself. It's nice to be remembered for good things... After we settle in, Kath pours the juice and we find our way to our chairs on the deck outside of our room or move to the docks. Whichever we choose, the ambiance is guaranteed to please us. The sounds of the gulls and the clanging of the rigging's on the boats as they toss to-and-fro in the calm bay waters is something that I personally enjoy tremendously.
The sunsets in the fall are brilliant red and orange and are ready for you to take all the photos your camera can hold.
If the weather turns cloudy, there is always shopping. Boothbay Harbor offers galleries, antique shops and specialty stores. Some of which have been there for centuries.
The restaurants are abundant as well. But, me and Kath are partial to just a few. The one we love most is 93 Townsend (formally the Daily Catch). They have award winning fried asparagus and we can't wait to have some every year. There too, we are remembered from year to year. The owners remember us from their beginnings. They used to sell chowder and clams in a small storefront off the beaten track. They now have a large restaurant rated as number one in Boothbay by Down East Magazine. A long time coming, but worth all of the accolades.
The memories are awesome and the friendships are valued! We cant wait to see them again soon. ~L

My Favorite Photos

2008-08-11T20:58:00.007-04:00

Prince Edward Island (PEI) is Canada’s well-tended and inviting back garden. The weeds and wilderness have been tamed to create a pastoral green patchwork of rolling potato fields, tidy gabled farmhouses and seaside villages.
The entire island is rimmed with miles of vivid red cliffs, sand dunes and fabulous beaches. If you have been following our trip thus far, you have been able to see some of the sights that we have been fortunate enough to experience. One area in particular (other than the harbours of course) sticks out as simply beautiful. This was at the east end of the island (East Cape) just before you turn towards the west. The shore drive was so beautiful... The potato farms were different here. The flowers on top the plants were yellow. No other place on the island did we see the plants like these. Simply breathtaking and awe inspiring. We later found out that the plants were "Rustic" potatoes, and as you can see in the photos (which do not do depict the actual beauty) were yellow and green as far as the eye can see... AWESOME!

The Bottle House

2008-07-31T20:49:00.000-04:00

One building has over 25,000 recycled bottles. Truly an amazing sight!

West Point Harbour & Light

2008-07-31T20:36:00.001-04:00

The only lighthouse on the island that is black and white. It's unique because it is a working light as well as bed and breakfast/restaurant. We camped right on the beach beside the lighthouse for the night.

Tip to Tip, PEI

2008-07-30T21:16:00.004-04:00

"Where the mighty tides of the St. Lawrence and Northumberland Strait meet to create a show of nature’s force”.
We did it! We traveled the entire east coast through the island to the west coast. The trip was one that is unexplainabley beautiful. The rolling hills, the colors of ecological life, and the scent of the ocean. A trip we all would appreciate.
North America's largest natural reef is accessible from here. The waters are unbelievably warm and the sand was soft and red. In the foreground you can see the sea lions perched on the sandbar, baying in the warm oceanic air.
Elephant rock is located at the extreme tip of the point and is easily accessible at low tide, and North Cape Light stands tall and bright. Well worth the drive!

"One Particular Harbour"

2008-07-29T20:13:00.001-04:00

Quaint, picturesque, and inviting...
Rustico is quite well known as having by far the best lobster grounds, with the biggest catches of anywhere on the island. "Fisherman's Wharf Lobster Suppers" and the "Blue Mussel Cafe" are popular places to enjoy the fresh seafood of Prince Edward Island. We opted for the Blue Mussel Cafe where we enjoyed local mussels, a lobster roll, and chowder. The mussels were sweet and tender. They also tasted a bit milder than those found on the Massachusetts shores. The lobster was good, but we like the lobster in the Cape Cod Canal (Willy's) much better. It' sweeter and much more tender.
We sat outside and took in the welcoming sights of the calm and warm waters while listening to the faint bustling of tourists strolling the boardwalk. The small harbour was lined with small shacks, shops, restaurants, and of course a lighthouse and beach where we "off roaded on the beach" with the Lead Sled!

Charlottetown & the House of Green Gables

2008-07-29T20:00:00.000-04:00

Home to a third of Prince Edward Island's residents, Charlottetown is a small but lively and historic city. It is also the home of the infamous Lucy Maud Montgomery, world renowned author of Anne of Green Gables. Throughout the many miles of driving, Kath and I listened to the audio book version of Anne of Green Gables and were keenly aware of the story and the attributes of it's author. Upon our arrival we found that 2008 is the 100Th anniversary of the book, so they were in the midst of celebrating. The tour of the house that was the center of the story was just as the story depicts. We both enjoyed the home, the gardens and the infamous walk through the haunted forest.

The Sands Sing in Souris

2008-07-28T19:43:00.000-04:00

Close to the eastern tip of P.E.I., just northeast of Souris, there’s a spectacular golden sand beach that the locals say sings or squeaks when you walk on it. Although many consider this to be the best beach on the island, we were unable to hear the squeaks because it was had been raining. The quartz in the sand along with it's shape enables a high pitch sound to be emmitted while rubbing the gains of sand together as when you walk on it. However, it has to be dry for that to happen. We did however enjoy the beach and all of the activities that abound there.

East Coast-Prince Edward Island

2008-07-27T19:14:00.002-04:00

Upon the early morning sunshine, Kath and I arose with direction and determination towards the days travels.
Location #1 was Brakely Beach PEI. Our first impression is that the water was WARM and that the sand was red. Totally different from the ocean we are accustomed to.
The remainder of the day we encountered several lighthouses and rolling hills of potato fields and farms. Green, every place you looked. What a warm and welcome sight.
Onward tomorrow...

Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island

2008-07-26T18:57:00.001-04:00

The Confederation Bridge joins the Provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. It took us about 15 minutes to cross it and the sights of PEI were enticing. We can't wait to experience the PEI culture!

Low Bridge to Hopewell Rocks

2008-07-25T18:32:00.002-04:00

Well, as you know, we are on a trip to New Brunswick & Prince Edward Island. We traveled down narrow isolated roads that were the worst I have ever driven. Obviously stress was beginning to mount as we encountered a very low covered bridge, AND I MEAN LOW. It was wooden and said that the clearance was 5.3 meters. What the Hell was this in feet? At this time I was in no mood to do any conversion!!! Kath was very quiet. I said "you decide, I am not feeling good about this". Kath being the person she is said, "Let's go for it". It reminded me of Thelma & Louise! So obviously we made it, but it was very close, and we are still rolling!
The Bay of Fundy's Hopewell Rocks at Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick — also known as The Flowerpot Rocks — are the single most popular tourist attraction in Canada's Picture Province, New Brunswick, and the site of the higest tides in the world.
Twice each day the highest tides in the world (up to 46 feet) flood the beach, and twice each day you can explore the floor of the Bay of Fundy at low tide! Created over thousands of years by the Bay of Fundy's awesome tidal forces, these rock formations are a natural wonder we all should put on our list of "things to see before I go"!
We arrived in time to walk the ocean floor around the rocks at low tide and then we found a campsite close by so we may go back to see the rocks at high tide. unfortunately, the next morning during high tide the place wasn't open early enough and the tide recedes so quickly that we were not able to see it completely. Absolutely spectacular though. -L

Saint Johns, New Brunswick

2008-07-24T21:05:00.003-04:00

It was raining most of the day, but we moved on toward Saint Johns, NB as our next stop. The town is the oldest ship building city in North America.
Saint Johns has unspoiled natural parks(one of which we stayed the night)with a view carved by the Bay of Fundy. Steep (reminded me of San Francisco), history lined streets simply bustling with the maritime charm that I love so.
We strolled around the city for a while and checked out the City Square witch is similar to our Fanuel Hall. The roof of this building is made from a very old ship of the early 1800's. There is not a great deal of excitement here, but non-the-less an experience... ~L

Saint Andrews, New Brunswick

2008-07-23T20:49:00.001-04:00

After a long day traveling and going through customs, it was very welcoming to stop at a campground in Saint Andrews by the Bay of Fundy for the night. It was still early enough, and we had a campsite right on the ocean. We set up camp and sat by the waters edge for the rest of the night as we planned our next days agenda.
Stay Tuned...

Canadian Customs

2008-07-23T20:10:00.001-04:00

Yup, you guessed it!!!!! We approached the Canadian border and as we got into the inspection area and after they checked our passports, of course... That's when the excitement happened. They asked us all of the questions that they usually would ask, such as how many people, pets, etc. and then they asked about alcohol. We told them that we had two bottles in there. They asked how big and we thought it best to be evasive, so when she said 1.2 liter we said probably. She waved us on through the first station and we thought great!!!! Not so fast, as when we approached the real border the "Men with Guns" came out. They asked us to get out and they went in. I was crapping my pants because I knew full well that we had more vodka than we should have.
So, trying to be optimistic, I thought maybe we could offer them a cocktail... maybe act stupid and say we had no idea that was in there. Maybe they wouldn't find it all.
What an idiot I was! This is what they do for a job, they are trained to find this shit. And, find it they did. They came out after twenty minutes and casually strolled over to us and said "Ladies, do you realize that you have more alcohol than you declared"? We shockingly looked at each other and then back to them and said really????? Yes, they said we could confiscate it, but since this is your first time, we will only give you a warning". I gratefully said thank you AND said that I could drink it right NOW if they would feel better. They smirked and then said that won't be necessary, Ma mm.
Off we went and found a place as soon a we could to change our undies. We will be certain to drink it all before we go back.
~L

The MOORINGS, Belfast Maine

2008-07-22T19:37:00.002-04:00

OK, by now you have figured out that we have gotten ourselves ready and we have made our departure. We departed a little late as both me and Kath had business to attend to before we left. Once we got on the road however we were headed towards a campground that we have been trying to get into for 4 years. It is small but right on Penobscot Bay. We checked it out a couple of years ago when a dear friend(Queenie) found it on the Internet. While we were in Maine visiting a couple of years ago, we decided to drive to check it out. It was off season, but it was easy to see what a wonderful spot that would be to take the Lead Sled!
OK, so now that we have been able to have the opportunity to get there, we called ahead and asked if they had any sites. They did, Yahoo!!! We were ready, and off we went. The site was not right on the bay, but one row back. It was wonderful. Me and Kath enjoyed a leisurely stroll down to the water and sat by the ocean until dark. Sweet!
In the AM we were off to Canada, but before we went, we had to take a few pictures of the bay and a huge Coast Guard vessel just off the shore. The fog was light as it often is by the New England coast. Just enough however to entice you to return.

Off to Price Edward Island

2008-07-20T18:44:00.005-04:00

A couple of years ago, me and Kath thought we would plan a trip to Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. We did the research, but it just wasn't in the cards for us to take that trip at that time. So, we are thinking about it this summer.
We are readying the Lead-Sled and making plans. Almost ready to go... A couple more "service checks" and we will be off. Stay tuned for updates on what we expect to be a fantastic scenic trip of a lifetime.

Boston for the Weekend

2008-05-27T21:57:00.001-04:00

Memorial Day weekend, Kath and me went to Boston to attend a wedding for Kath's nephew. We were invited to the rehearsal dinner the night before so we stayed in Boston for the weekend. We had a corner hotel suite close to the top floor with windows on both corners. We were actually facing the Charles River. The scull row boats were in the river and there was a marathon early Saturday morning that we were able to have a "bird's eye view" of. Simply engaging to watch.
We didn't have to go to the dinner until late afternoon, so we spent the day "hanging out" in the city. We went to Castle Island for lunch and walked the beach for a bit. The Queen Elizabeth II was docked at Falcon Pier, but we could not get very close to it.
Later, while we were on our way to dinner we walked around Faneuil Hall prior to dinning at the Union Oyster House. Later, after we returned to the hotel, we spent a couple of hours sharing drinks with a few friends.
The next morning after the wedding, several of us drove to the North End where we enjoyed the aromas of the Italian heritage. What would a trip to Boston be without a trip to Mike's Bakery? Certainly, we were compelled to go and indulge!
Boston is so close, but we never think to spend time there. The traffic on the weekend is light, and the city has soooo much to see...

A Mother's Day to Remember...

2008-05-11T17:35:00.017-04:00

Mother's Day 2008 is one that will last a lifetime... Jaimie asked me to take a ride with her to Boston for the day. Fenway Park was opened for a tour of the grounds on Mothers Day. This is a very unusual opportunity as the park tours do not allow access to the "Green Monster" and the Team dugout. The day was absolutely beautiful. The grass was green and the trees were all in bloom. The Park was manicured to perfection as it would be for a game. The only thing missing was the Team!
After touring the Park, we walked through Boston Gardens and all of it's spender. The gardens were bright and colorful an abundance of tulip beds planted in a mass color theme. The swan boats were casually drifting about the pond, and the flowering trees were all in bloom. What an absolutely beautiful sight to be seem.(Certainly and inviting opportunity for Jaimie, as she used to love to climb trees - So, up in the cherry tree she went. Only thing missing was the baseball hat and she would have looked the same as 25 years ago.)
Once we got to the other side of the Gardens, we of course had to stop at the Bull Finch Pub for lunch and beverage. Good stuff!
Again, a Mother's Day I will remember for a lifetime! ~ "Thanks J!"

Pensacola - FLA

2008-03-18T19:43:00.002-04:00

A new adventure for me and Kath... We were presented with an awesome opportunity to visit a dear friend's home in Pensacola for a few days. What a beautiful place we stayed in; warm, immaculate, all the comforts of home, and a picturesque view to enjoy.

We arrived early afternoon, picked up the rental car and headed toward PCOLA Baby! Upon our arrival we found an absolutely pristine home with all of the comforts just awaiting us to indulge. We dropped off the luggage and Kath pored the juice. I found a couple of chairs and out we went the waterside for a few cocktails, a sunset, and a few rays of the Florida sun. It had been so long since we felt the warmth of the sun that even though it wasn't all that warm, we enjoyed it non the less. The temperature by day reached maybe 74, and by night it would fall off to the mid to low 50's.

The next day we drove over to Johnson Beach where we saw the purest of beaches we have ever seen. The sand was so white that it looked like fresh snow as far as you could see. It was still cool though, so sitting on the beach was not an option. We walked the beach some and moved on to Perdido Bay where we drove the boulevard to the end, simply beautiful! On the return drive we went to Orange Beach where we enjoyed lunch at a local seafood restaurant where I stupidly ate crab claws and experienced an allergic reaction... what an idiot!

The next day we decided to drive to Mississippi to see Sandy (Kath's son) because it had been rainy all night and it looked as if it was not going to be a good beach day anyways. It was rainy throughout Alabama and into Mississippi until we got to Biloxi. We met up with Sandy (he didn't know we were coming, we just arrived with lunch in hand and said, HI) and enjoyed his company for a few hours before returning to FLA around 7:30P.

The next day we traveled toward Gulf Beach, Destin, Fort Walton, and Panama City. The weather was foggy and cool with the exception of the hour that we spend enjoying the sun in Destin. Seeing as the weather was getting worse, we returned to PCola for the night.

Today we spent the day on the Pensacola Navy Base. The security was tight, but we were allowed access to specific areas, such as Fort Baranckas NP, Pensacola Light and the Naval Museum. It was a great experience.

Pensacola Beach was our last beach destination and it includes a huge part of the National Seashore. Part of which (Fort Pickens) is not accessible after the most resent hurricanes. It too included miles of pure white sandy beaches that simply take your breath away.

OK, most of you know that Kath is as Irish as they come. So, I was thinking about taking her to an Irish pub for dinner. A friend had suggested going to McGuires Irish Pub. He said it had awesome food and of course the legendary Irish beverage. Most of you also know that I get lost very easily, so I ditched the idea for the time being. As we began to drive toward home, low-and-behold, there it was, right in front of us. There were Leprechauns running all over the place! Green hair, hat's and you name it. I took a hard right and hit the parking lot. We were ready for some real Irish hospitality and a couple of Irish beverages. The food and drinks were great, and the live Irish band and the atmosphere were awesome. This pub was more of what we would expect to see in Ireland itself (as a matter of fact it was better than when we went to Ireland). We had to cut our visit short however, because we were still a distance from home at this point and drinking and driving never mix (CRAP)! So home we went.

We unfortunately had to prepare for a very early departure and an extremely long flight home (eleven and 1/2 hours). Tornado's and heavy rain storms were cropping up all over the south, so I guess we should have been happy to get home, but... you guess the rest!

Can We Say "Mierda" & Coconuts?

2008-01-08T21:06:00.000-05:00

We're back from Jamaica and sunny it WAS NOT!

I was sick for many days during the trip... (sorry Kath!). So what happened? Well, it all started on the plane on the way to the island, and quickly went downhill from there (the First Class bathroom will never be the same. Now we know why we Coach class are not allowed in there, HA). The all inclusive became the all bathroom, as I had to quickly become aware of where all of the bathrooms were. On a couple of occasions they were not quite close enough: read between the lines, close your eyes and you can imagine the horror and despair, not to mention the visual disbelief when one's sees such a thing. I think it would be safe to say that we all would have a disgusting look on our face and our noses all wrinkled up!

"No Food For You, You Poop Too Much." For several days all I ate was rice, potatoes, and a little pasta. As for the drinks... well let's just say that I wasn't able to consume much the first half of the week, and if I did drink, I skipped the juice and went straight for the alcohol (thought it would kill the bug). I even tried coconut juice, as you can see. But, the bartenders thought I would be better off with their own special concoction in there. It was good, but a little too sweet!

OK, If a fever, diarrhea, and vomiting wasn't bad enough, a tropical depression moved in for 5 days. This caused us to experience wind gusts of up to 65MPH, rough sea's, and rain. The locals say that this is very unusual at this time of year, and thought that it would subside quickly. It didn't! But that did not hold us down. We found our own entertainment and provided some for others as well (no surprise, right?). We met some wonderful people from Toronto (Trixy and Roxy, Keenan and Ryan) and quickly became best of friends. We shared many stories and laughs throughout the week and look forward to getting together with them in the future. Thanks girls for the laughs and remember to be on the lookout for "New England Clam Chowder."

The picture above is of Kath and her "new knee" getting up on the pool bar with Levi, the bartender. He was dancing up there with her! It was really funny, too. She is a "pisser" my friend Kath! You go girl!!!!

All was not lost however, because we did get to spend 2 full days at the beach. Thankfully so as it turns out, because I was taking antibiotics and that made my skin photo-sensitive. Of course we figured that out afterwards. Good thing I like RED!

All in all, we had a good time and look forward to next year.

- LJg

Jamaica for the New Year

2007-12-27T18:42:00.000-05:00

Again we find ourselves returning to an island that we never thought that we wanted to go to, never mind return too. Next week we will embark on our annual winter reprieve where we will bask in the sun and bath in the warm tranquil waters of the Caribbean Sea.
- I will update the site when we get back!
- LJg

A Furry Visitor for Christmas

2007-12-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

We had a "Furry Visitor" for Christmas this year. Her name is Schnooooops. Some of you may have already been greeted by her on occasion this past year. Her Mom & Dad shared Christmas with family and we were given the gift of a little excitement for Christmas morning. She was one excited pup when she figured out that she was allowed to destroy the wrapping paper to find toys inside. At the end of the day she was soooo tired that she made herself a bed in the middle of the sea of wrapping paper to sleep in.

In the picture above, she is investigating the one present that soon became her favorite for the day.

We hope all of you had a safe and happy holiday, and have many good memories!

- LJg

VINCENT's

2007-12-24T21:03:00.000-05:00

For a couple of years now, Jaimie, Rockets, Jason, Monti, Ethan and others have been trying to get me to go to Vincent's in Worcester. No way, I said I can't go in there (after seeing the outside). Well, Christmas Eve J said "there will not be many people at Vincent's tonight Mum, we are going, just you and me." OK, I gave in. I thought if we go early, we can get a famous meatball sandwich, have a drink and be done with it. Well, three huge drinks later and a close encounter with the porcelain goddess, I can honestly say that "I have BEEN toVincent's." Guy's, you were right, Vincent's is awesome!

Blue Tours & LL Bean

2007-11-23T18:40:00.000-05:00

So, what does Thanksgiving mean to you? Eating and drinking too much, spending time with friends and loved ones, enjoying a day off, or possibly shopping.

It has become a Blue Tours annual tour to go to LL Bean's the Saturday after the holiday (this year, SHA will officially become a Blue Tours member). We travel up to Freeport, Maine and spend the day shopping and enjoying the sights. After a long day of travel and shopping, we spend the night at a local hotel where we can unwind, laugh a little and rest up for the next days excursion... This entails many stops and stores from Freeport to the Massachusetts border. If any of you have traveled route 1 from Freeport, you know that it is a shoppers paradise. Every factory store and anchor store that you can possibly imagine is in that stretch of road.

Last year we had Kath's trunk so full that it was like watching clowns get out of a Volkswagen in a circus when we started to take the items out. Good times!

Will update after the trip.

- LJg

OK, here's the update: Freeport was decorated with true country Christmas tradition. The tree's that lined the streets were perfectly lit with tiny white lights and large colorful balls mimicking the ornaments on a tree. These balls however were completely comprised of lights. The huge blue spruce that is in between the buildings on the L.L. Bean's property was again perfectly lit as well, with multi colored lights and fish ornaments. Yes, I said fish... Where else but L.L. Bean? As we went from shop to shop we could here the sounds of people laughing and bells that were attached to the Belgian horses that pulled the horse drawn carriage that L.L. Bean uses to take patrons for a ride around Freeport. Last year RA really wanted to take that ride, so this year we made the time to do it. It was nice and was in the true spirit of the holiday.

So, how many shoes did RA buy this year? I think she bought at least 4 pairs. This was down from last years 5 or 6 (we really don't care, but we like to tease her about it) however, this year to save space in the trunk, she had the store put them in a bag and throw the boxes out. Genius she is... A good time was had by all, and Blue Tours is looking forward to our next excursion.

BoothBay Bound

2007-10-27T16:51:00.000-04:00

As most of you know, we travel north to Maine every fall for one last glimpse of our brilliant New England foliage, the abundance of shopping availability in Freeport (L.L. Bean's), the comforting sights of the ever changing coastline, and of course Booth Bay harbor.

This year, our good friends Willie and Queenie joined us at Brown's Wharf. We were in room 312 and they were in room 212, just below us. For many years we have frequented Brown's but always at different times. This time however, we scheduled our vacations so we could go together... GOOD TIMES!

We got there first... wanting to do something to welcome them back to Brown's, we hung a can of Bud Light over the railing, down to Willie's room. This was our welcome mat! That night we shared much laughter with good friends, enjoyed the wonderful sights, sounds and ambiance of the harbor, and finished the night off with dinner and drinks at Brown's.

The next day, we began the day by stopping for breakfast at Moody's Diner in Union, Maine. The experience is always worth the trip. Breakfast was good as always, and Queenie bought half of the place to take with us on the ride. - Go Figure -

The weather was not cooperating with us at all that day, so we only went up to Camden and walked around a bit.

Upon our return to Booth Bay we enjoyed dinner at the TownsEnd and finished the night with cocktails (what else) on the upper deck, while enjoying each other's company.

OK, so while Willie and Queenie were on their way downstairs for the night, we hung a present (a skeleton) over the railing to great them. HA! We finally got you guys for all of the pranks you pulled on us all of these years!

The weather on our last day was stunning! Bright blue skies and mild temperatures. Seeing as the ocean was calm, we were able to take a ride over to Southport to Hendricks Head Light, this is one of my favorite lighthouses of Maine. After a short drive, we continued on to Ocean Point for our annual drive around the ever inviting Linikin Bay. Absolutely one of the most beautiful areas in New England!

After a brief reprieve in "our" Adirondack chairs overlooking the bay, we returned to Brown's to bid farewell to our dear friends, as we returned to Massachusetts for another year.

Willie and Worm - Thanks for the memories, the laughter, and most of all your friendship!

Kath - You are STILL the "Ballerina Girl!"

- LJg

Cape Cod Here We Come

2007-10-13T17:54:00.000-04:00

After a short recovery time for Kath, we finally were able to get in the "Lead Sled" and go to the Cape for a couple of weeks. The weather was hot by day and quite comfortable by night. No rain in sight... just one cloudy day. Awesome... Certainly can not ask for anything more than that.
The picture to the left was of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy Training Ship the T.S. Enterprise. This vessel is where the Cadets do their 180 days of "at sea" training while at the academy. If you look closely, you will see the decks lined with all of the Cadets in full dress blues. What an impressive sight!

After a short time home, we were able to return for a weekend or two to join our beloved friends Willie and Worm in laughter, good food and many drinks (it was hot... hydration).

As in years past, the memories will have to last until spring when we hope to return again.

-LJg

Snoopy Goes to the BEACH

2007-10-04T17:28:00.000-04:00

As most of you know, I miss taking Zoey to the beach to run and feel the freedom that a dog should feel. So, I asked a friend if I could take their dog Snoopy for the weekend. They thought I had lost it because people don't usually invite dogs to go on vacation, they usually want to leave them home. Well, Snoops came to the beach and she had an awesome time, as did I. We walked the Canal road several times a day, socialized with many other dogs (and people) that were at the Campground, and simply enjoyed the new experience.

Snoops had never been to the beach or felt the sand between her toes, so when I let her off the leash to run in the sand, she was so excited. She ran in and out of the waves and up and down the beach. Stopping only to see if I was watching. I was not only watching, I had the camera going like mad. I know, no surprise to those that know me, but she was really so funny. The last couple of shots that I got, I wasn't paying too much attention to the water and a huge wave came and nailed us both... we were soaked, and it was a little cool (October). It didn't seen to phase Snoops, but I certainly wasn't too pleased to have soaked jeans, shoes and oh ya, the walk back up to the path through the sand was nasty. We were both covered in SAND! Needless to say, that was the end of the beach for the time being. Maybe next year we will do it again. Till then Snoops, thanks for the laughter and the memories!

- LJg

Bald Headed Man with Loafers

2007-10-03T19:17:00.000-04:00

During our last days of the season at Scusett Beach, a strange little man appeared mysteriously at Willie and Worms campsite. They called it the "Bald Headed Man with Loafers." Well as you can see the very well dressed ugly Bastard showed up in the evening while we were all enjoying dinner on site 92. Willie saw the guy first as he rounded the corner to the camper, and almost crapped a brick because the thing talks and lights up in the night.

No one has any real idea where this thing came from or who put the Mother on Willie and Worms camp site. Hopefully one day we will all know who the culprit is. Until then... good joke!

- LJg

Kath's Got a New Knee

2007-06-30T17:38:00.000-04:00

June 19th-2007
Kath has a new knee... Yup we have been home bound for a good part of the summer because Kath needed a knee replacement.
She is doing great and getting around on her own only two weeks after surgery.

What an amazing women my best friend is! I wish her even better days ahead.

Stay tuned at the end of the month as the Lead Sled will be on the move!
-LJg

FENWAY Park

2007-05-19T11:43:00.000-04:00

OK, you are probably wandering why we added Fenway Park to our Lead Sled site. Well, although the Lead Sled did not take the trip we certainly did! I have not been to Fenway, but once when I was in High School and Kath has never been. Jaimie got us some tickets and it was great! We sat in the first row looking at the Red Sox bull pen. While we watched the game go on, we could also watch the "warm-up" of the pitchers and catchers. Up close and personal...

Jason Varitek was warming up and I got a great photo of him looking at me taking his picture. Jonathan Papelbon, Kyle Snyder, and Okajima were also in the bullpen warming up. The game had gotten rained out the night before so we had a day game (double header) the next day. RA was with us as well, but couldn't get the day off for the make up game. We had a Fenway frank and beer for her. Have no fear RA, the Blue Tours WILL travel again soon... It was an awesome experience for us all!

-L

Sunny Jamaica

2007-01-07T17:05:00.000-05:00

Jamaica 2007 - We arrived in Jamaica on New Years eve day, tired and travel weary. The plane flight was relatively short, but the bus ride from the airport to the hotel was 2 hours in length. It was bumpy and unsettling at the very least. By the time we got to the hotel, it was dark and we hadn't eaten all day. We just wanted to get to our room and unwind a bit.

Our first impression of the island from the air was good. The view from the plane had turquoise green waters and numerous reef ridges surrounding the island. Upon arrival at the airport however, we had a totally different feeling. The "shuffle" from the plane through customs, etc. was long and drawn out.

We then went from the airport to a small bus behind the airport where we waited for the "locals" to decide when to bring us to the hotel. "Hurry up and wait." We then watched the drivers literally throw our luggage through the bus windows and told us to get in. The driver was pleasant and said that we would stop halfway for a "water/bathroom break." The roads are horrendous at best. It appears as though they are redoing the roads to prepare for a Cricket match some time in the spring. The roads were so bad that on the way back to the airport, Kath almost vomited!

Our room was really nice. Ocean front with a view of one of the two sprawling Infinity pools. What a welcomed site after a long day of travel! We quickly changed our clothes and headed out to the check out one of the many bars on the sprawling complex of over 900 rooms. Of course we did not have to go far! We sat awhile and just took in the gentle warm breezes and a refreshing cold vodka and grapefruit (of course)!

New Years eve was well organized and pleasant. We had met several wonderful people and shared space with them at "our hang out bar" on a regular basis. Just before midnight, the numerous staff of the hotel handed out bags with horns, hats, banner string, etc., and of course glasses full of champagne. At midnight the band counted down the minutes and the entire hotel of over 2500 people yelled happy New Year! After the toast to the New Year they had a bon- fire on the beach, with a band as well. It was different and fun.

Every night the hotel had a different entertainment theme. It had several different themes and was always an enjoyable experience.

The last night we were there, the hotel had a Tribal Dance theme with fire, etc. on the beach. We choose to watch from "our" bar, which was located just above the beach. Prime viewing without the sand.

The week was full of sun and relaxation. An hour or so on the beach, and then cool off at the in- pool bar with cocktails.

The island does not have much to offer in the way of entertainment though, and one is advised not to wander to most areas. One day we took a tour to Ochos Rio, the town closest to us and where the cruise ships come in. The bus driver warned us where to and not to go. We checked out the "local wares" from the Jamaican flea market type area and were ready to go back to the hotel in a hour or so. Another day we took the bus to Dunn's River Falls where we walked beside a huge waterfall that others were climbing up. Not an adventure that Kath and me were interested in taking. There were also many little huts surrounding the area where, once again, the locals were pedaling their wares such as local wood carvings and the like. A little intimidating, but fairly safe none the less.

All in all it was a great vacation, a welcomed and enjoyable vacation. The hotel was clean and new, the food, drinks, and entertainment were good, the sun was always warm and inviting, and of course my best friend helped make the experience memorable.

~ LJg

Gearing up for our Winter Reprieve

2006-12-24T18:49:00.000-05:00

OK, I know it's been a while since we last posted, but, we haven't been anywhere to write about.
On January 29, 2007 Kath and me will embark upon our annual winter solace to the Caribbean.
This time we are going to Jamaica. A little concerned about the crime rate there, but if we stay in the resorts, we should be OK.

Will update when we get back. Later!

The Last Hurahh

2006-08-22T21:21:00.000-04:00

The summer is almost over and we were able to get some time at the Cape. As most of you know, Scusett Beach is where we love to spend most of our time. We will be back and forth throughout the last couple of weeks of the month, so if you would like to spend the day relaxing by the canal, and sharing space, come on down. Be sure to call first to make sure that w are there. You know the numbers.

When we come home we will update the blog with all of the details.

It's my hope that you are able to enjoy the remainder of the summer as well...

Later -LJg

2006-08-15T21:26:00.000-04:00

It's still summer and we are going for all we can! Today we embarked on a week-long vacation at Block Island. We had never been here before, and are pleasantly surprised at the relaxed atmosphere and natural beauty of the island. Of course we had to take a ferry over, but once we got to the island and oriented ourselves as to where we were and had to be, we asked some people at the hotel where we should rent a vehicle. Yup, you probably guessed it... we rented a motorbike and toured the island for a few hours. Kath was a little nervous at first, but we practiced a little before we went out and voila, we were off and riding. (Kath could not get her own bike because they were out today, but there is always tomorrow)! As for what we saw of the island today, lets just saw that it is nothing like what we had expected. What a gorgeous island. Clean, quiet (on the outside of town) and quite picturesque. Jaimie joined us for the day and she enjoyed it as well, even though the island name does not have a foreign country origin. She had her bike and we had ours, we had a ball. After riding around and exploring the island, we stopped at a very busy restaurant in town where we enjoyed lunch (because of the ambiance and the company, not the food. That sucked). The view was beautiful and the temperature today was just perfect for touring. High 70's and sunny. Caught a few rays by the beach before calling it a day. Will update as things change. Chow! -LJg

Back to the Cape and Missing our Partners in Crime

2006-08-10T18:16:00.000-04:00

OK, as most of you have figured out, we were at home in the last photo. But, we are on the road again! Yup! Back to the Cape and loving it. We miss not being able to just pick and go to Scusset when we want to. We had become so spoiled over the years we almost forgot to really appreciate what is in our "own back yard."
Well, we got reservations for just a few days, so we were determined to make them count. Our partners in crime that we usually spend time there were not able to get in, so we were all alone and missing their presence! Miss you Willie and Worm!!!!!
Arrived on Sunday afternoon. The weather was absolutely great! Mid 80's and a light off shore breeze. Monday AM we were off to Connecticut to pick up J. She has been away for two months and it was great to have her home. We returned to the Cape later that night to enjoy the next two days of low humidity, mid 80's, and off shore breezes. We enjoyed these days more than I can express in words.
Back home to reality and thought you would appreciate the picture we took of us enjoying our mini-vacation.
Stay tuned for more entries and excitement toward the end of the month.
-LJg

The Picture You Have Been Waiting For:

2006-07-28T17:06:00.000-04:00

Sorry for the delay, but here it is... This is our most resent camp site. Will update as we move and the scenery changes.

Kath Wants a HARLEY

2006-07-27T16:38:00.000-04:00

Well, it's been several days since we have been able to post information for you. I will have a resent picture of our location coming soon (have to take one).

We have been busy looking for an addition to our "Sled." I wanted to buy Kath a motor scooter. She doesn't really want one, but indicated that she was interested in a motorcycle. My first impression was that she means a mini-bike type thing. Nope, she wants a real motorcycle to tow behind the "Sled," that we both will ride. Crap! Better make certain that the medical insurance coverage is paid and up to date.

We looked at a few and this is what we are thinking about. What do you think?
-LJg

Figure Out Where We Are Now...

2006-07-22T19:40:00.000-04:00

I bet you can't figure out what the next picture and location is going to be. Try and guess...

Here's a hint taken through the windshield (Kath is getting better with the camera).

Sorry for the lag in communication... The Mexicans don't like Lead Sleds in their territory.

July 25 - Stay tuned, new photo of our location coming soon.

Where, oh Where is the Erie Canal?

2006-07-17T17:27:00.000-04:00

OK, since we have seen much of what we set out to see, we decided not to go over the border into Canada for a couple of reasons. There was an average 2+ hour wait to get through customs, and we had too much booze on board the "lead sled." (Kath must not have been drinking as much as anticipated)

So since we were not going the Canadian route, we thought maybe we would follow the Erie Canal and see some "working locks." Not!

We followed that GD route for miles and miles and never saw a lock, just an occasional muddy river view. Now driving for several hours, through that tremendous heat and humidity we started the task of finding a campground that we could stay in for the night.

Now, several days ago it rained like Hell in NY and the campgrounds were flooded, SO we were limited as to where we could go and whether we would sink into the mud. Shit... That would not be funny!

After an exhausting trek through mountainous back-roads country, we finally came across an information sign on the road... Stopped in, asked questions and we were directed to go XYZ for about 15 minutes up the road. Well, let me tell you, we never found the _____ places that this moron was directing us to, and it was now 4+ hours and many miles later. We could have driven home!

We got back to the main highway. Kath found a site in the Woodall's book, called it and they gave us directions. As it turned out it was about 45 miles away, but it was getting dark and my Buddy was hot, tired and hungry. Oh, and of course thirsty.

Got into the site hooked up, thought all was well and turned on the air conditioner. Brown-out!!! Went out to ask the owner about the power voltage and he told me that the power company cuts back the power and sends it to NY city especially when it's so hot. He said that they only had 104 volts coming into the campground and that was all we could get. "Shut off the air and open the windows." I had already converted the refridge to gas, but it was 92 degrees out and very humid. Kath needed air conditioning!!!!!

The campers next to us were not there, so we used the generator to cool down the house and cook dinner. Decided that the rear air is only occasionally used so we will take a chance with that one. Cooled it down to maybe 85 for the night. And a long night it was.

Alexandria Bay and the 1000 Islands

2006-07-16T15:54:00.000-04:00

After leaving that wonderful campground on the island, we were convinced that we were never to find a site that we would enjoy as much. True, but we found one almost as nice. On an island in Alexandia Bay, just over the bridge to Canada called Wellesley State Park.

Since we wanted to spend the day in Alexandria Bay and the 1000 Island area, we got on the stick to find a campsite first, then we were off to play.

Stopped at an information area just before the Bay and booked tickets for a Bay tour and stopover at the Boldt Castle. We had about one half hour to park the "lead sled" and get our butts on to the docks for the boat. It was hot as Hell! But, once out on the Saint Lawrence Seaway it was comfortable and quite scenic and enjoyable. The boat tour was about 2 1/2 hours in length departing from Alexandria Bay, through international waters with views of historic and scenic wanders in both the Canadian and American sections of the 1000 islands (actually over 1700 islands) before it dropped us off at Heart Island where the Boldt Castle is.

The Castle: bought by George Boldt in September of 1899, to build a castle for his wife and present it to her on Valentines Day. This was to be a gift of love, but his wife died suddenly from a heart attack just 18 months prior to it's completion.

It has an indoor swimming pool, rises six stories in height, and the castles 120+ rooms were served by an elevator. The Castle itself was modeled after buildings of the 16th century, with classical details applied to the towered, medieval forms, combining traditional elements with such modern features as large, plate glass windows and extensive wrap-around porches. The castles massive granite walls were ornamented with decorative details of cast terra cotta, and roofs were tiled with the same material.

The day after Mrs. Boldt's death, George Boldt sent a telegram telling all of the workers to stop construction and the island stayed as it was at that moment.

For 73 years, the castle and various stone structures were left to the mercy of the wind, rain, ice, snow and vandals. When the Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the property in 1977, it was decided that through the use of all net revenues from the Castle operation it would be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations.

Since 1977, several million dollars have been applied to rehabilitating, restoring and improving the Heart Island structures.

Truly a beautiful tribute and a awesome tour.

One to Enjoy

2006-07-14T22:43:00.000-04:00

This is by far one of my favorite pictures of the trip so far. It was taken from our campsite.
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. -LJg

Lake Ontario Area

2006-07-14T15:13:00.001-04:00

Today we continued driving around the Lake Ontario area.
We drove in and around several small harbor towns. Nice drive for a car... NOT a house though.

Found a campground located on an island just off of Henderson Harbor in the 1000 Island area of Lake Ontario. The island is accessed by a 1300 foot causeway.

Originally owned by a utility company (National Electric Light/Lamp) many years ago for training and retreats. In the late 1950's it was donated to the YMCA for the development of recreational programs and the like.

Sold by the YMCA to the non-profit group called the Association Island Recreation Group, in 1973, and was used for national renowned sailing regattas.

In 1999 the Island became privately owned and operated and remains such today.

What a wonderful place to camp! The waterfront campsites are absolutely great. We lucked out by finding this place. We stayed a couple of days. Enjoyed the facilities, live entertainment, wading in the refreshingly cool water, sunset and moonlit views from our camper, and cocktails by the fire. Even on the hottest of days (94) there are light breezes off the lake.

We will definitely go back, and invite those of us that have facilities, to join us. Maybe next July???

KEUKA Lake

2006-07-13T02:19:00.000-04:00

Today we began our trip around KEUKA Lake in the Ontario county area. We began at the south end of the lake with a goal of seeing "a working tour" of a winery at the northern end of the lake. This winery is the only "working winery" in the state and has been owned and operated by the Hunt family since the early 1900's. Wines and champagnes are bottled under the name of Hunt Country and Foxy Lady.

The tour was personal (just me and Kath) and educational. From the vines in the fields to the bottling plant.

Upon it's conclusion we sampled several of the wines and were on our way, again. This time we are heading north towards Lake Ontario, Canada.

The scenery in the upper lake country was enjoyable. After many hours of countryside touring, we found a campground in Bluff Point (close to the Canadian border) where we stayed the night.

Off to the lake tomorrow.

Wednesday and Time for Wineries

2006-07-12T23:56:00.000-04:00

Ok, after a rainy night last night, we finally decided to just go for it and see what we could find. Rain or not.

Headed toward Watkins Glen at the south end of Seneca Lake. What spectacular views of water falls on the side of the road in Montauk. I guess people whom live here just take it for granted, but we were in awe, to say the very least. We had to drive through some really small, narrow, hilly, and crowded areas that were a little stressful, but well worth the time and effort overall.

Due to the rain, we decided to stop in the town (after finding a large enough space to park the lead-sled) to have coffee and whatever. It was a quaint village Italian bakery/deli. It was absolutely wonderful, and we got to view the lake from here as well. A nice way to start the day!

Moving on to the next lake region where we wanted to find a couple of wineries to tour. Thought it would be a good day for that, since it was rainy and all, but we really do not need to have a reason, right?

Headed toward the township of Hammondsport. A great place to visit and do a walking tour, BUT, not to drive a house through. Of course we found that out after the fact, bit certainly would not change a single thing. Stopped over for a bit at the lakes-side, to evaluate the map and decide where we were to go next, when Kath goes out to ask a couple of "OLD GEEZER'S" sitting in their car at lakeside, how to get to Pleasant Valley Winery. They sat back, looked at her, and said "that's a pretty big THING to be way down here". Then they gave her directions...

Off to the winery. Small winding hilly roads, and not a lot of space for a house, but we made it to the winery.

Pleasant valley Winery is the oldest winery in the US. It's trade-named wines and Champagne are classically known as Taylor Wines, Great Western, and Pleasant Valley.

The tour was informative and interesting. Kath kept on slowing down by the wine barrels. She said she was just resting, I think she was smelling the fermentation process, which was very pungent. Of course, the best part of any tour is the tasting part on the end.

Kath had to taste ALL of the champagne's (me too). They were excellent and embellished by the two of us to the very last drop. Afterwards, we were able to purchase some, but found out that we can only have so much "BOOZE" in the coach if we go over the border to Canada, so we only bought 4 bottles of champagne. We figure we will maybe be able to drink these before we get to the next winery, then buy some more. EDUCATION... That's what we are doing here, folks. Educating ourselves.

Met up with a couple in the winery that were staying in a nice campground close by. Since we now had spent much time in the winery, we thought that we would stopover locally and have a fresh start in the AM.

More wineries tomorrow, and heading toward Lethchworth State Forest, close to Canadaiuga Lake.

Will post again when we get internet access.

Stay tuned.

LJg

Well... We made it!!!!

2006-07-11T18:35:00.000-04:00

Yup, we finally made it happen. After much to-do with the coach, etc. We finally are off and on the road.

Today we drove through MA and into NY.

Finger Lakes Region of New York:
Drove up the coast of Lake Cayuga, through Auburn, NY; Seneca Falls; Waterloo (the birthplace of Memorial Day); Geneva; and down the west coast of Seneca Lake, almost to the base when we finally stopped for the night (369 miles).

The sights from the coach were absolutely breathtaking and fantastic. Being up higher than a car gives us such a better panoramic view.

We had no idea how beautiful the landscape was, so close to "home". We saw miles and miles of green valley's, corn fields, and grape vines. Such a relaxing and scenic ride.

Stopped over in a corn field for the night. It rained like "A Rainy Night in Georgia", with thunder and lighting that would rock even the most soundest of sleeper (except Kath) out of bed. The first roar, I actually thought that Kath fell out of the bed... She was OK!

Plan to do Watkins Glenn at the base of Seneca Lake and Montauk Falls tomorrow.

I will update again soon.
LJg

Almost there...

2006-07-10T10:05:00.000-04:00

Ok, It's Monday and we had Joe the Guru put the new power converter/charger in the coach yesterday, and guess what? The thing actually works! The batteries are charging and the power is being converted. Yahoo!

I am beginning to think that the converter has most likely been the route of all of our problems. Including the slide-room, because that will not work without 12 volt power. If the converter was not working, consequently we had no 12 volt. In retrospect, I can see that we have probably been experiencing intermittent issues with that thing for probably a good year. Should have had Joe fix the coach in the first place. Then it would have been fixed a long time ago.

So, maybe we will leave for a trip tomorrow... Have been reluctant to fill the refridge etc, but the vodka stash is up to par! We really don't need much more than that. Well OK, maybe some ice.

Hope that tomorrow will be the day. Will keep you updated.
LJg

Closer to the Road

2006-07-10T08:03:00.000-04:00

Well, it's time. We are about to embark on our trip to the Finger Lakes of New York, possibly up to Canada and down the east coast.

I invite you to come along for the ride because you know that it will be a memorable one. Wish us luck.

LJg

Oops!

2006-07-08T10:43:00.000-04:00

Well, I thought we would be on the road again... Motorhome is rebelling, so we are still home a week later.

After getting it all cleaned up and serviced (slide room), the service center said "the batteries are very low, you need to charge them". OK, so we did. Great! Ready to go... No, not yet!

In the drivers seat and ready to move the coach. Put on the dash air and NOTHING! It apppears that the service technicians blew out several fuses while looking for the relay to the slide room. Meanwhile, Rich is out in the street waiting for me to move, and I come out and wave him in to check out the air (I could see him talking to himself). Two hours later and the location of a couple of blow fuses, still no resolution. Phone call to a freind who fixes just about anything and owns his own coach. He arrives and finds that both fuses go to the air and they both have to be replaced at the same time. Go figure! He puts relays in to hold us until we replace the 25 amp fuses. So... move the coach to Shrewsbury.

Wednesday - Fuses in and working. Ready again? A last minute check of the batteries (just to be sure) revealed that something is drawing them down. We can not even consider going to unknown destinations without battery back-up. Back to the drawing board and yet another phone call to Joe, the Guru. He checks things out again and finds that "somehow" the power converter/charger was not functioning. No one has the part, except a place in Bridgewater. Rich to the rescue from work gets the part and it is here and ready to be put in the coach.

We will try to leave again on Tuesday... will keep you posted.

LeadSled on the Road Again

2006-07-04T18:31:00.000-04:00

Finally... on the road again.
As most of you know, we did not do any "road trips" last year for a variety of reasons. Consequently it was a really long winter. This year however, we were bound and determined to go somewhere.
Our first thoughts were to take a trip across the country, again. This time it was to be on the high side, around the Great Lakes and back through Canada. We got delayed for a couple of weeks by the high gas prices and most importantly the repair of the slide-room (again) which kept us grounded longer than anticipated.
We then changed our itinerary to the Finger Lakes of New York and possibly some of Canada.
Time is the issue. Health issues and work has kept us both grounded, so we need to squeeze some time in for a some good times!
Stay tuned as we will update the site as often as we can get internet access.
Please feel free to comment at any time as we look forward to sharing our trip with you!
LJg