2009-Oct. Travel Journal

2009-2010 Travel Journal

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 – overcast with periods of sun

From this mornings Gazette newspaper: “the night and early morning temperatures have dropped below freezing every day since Oct. 14^th. There’s ice on the windshields and a glaze of frost on the lawns.”

It’s been a busy time leading up to our leaving today for the winter. Luncheons & breakfasts with my girlfriends – last minute “garage sale” excursions – and of course, the family. We went to my sister Lois’ in Fort Edward, NY for a 1^st year anniversary Mass for our brother, Ken. It was followed by a wonderful dinner at the house. Lois’ husband, Jaime, did all the cooking, as Lois is recovering from pneumonia My sister Jeanne came from Utica, but my sister Eileen was sick and couldn’t attend.  Left to right – Alice, Lois and Jeanne .

Maureen and Wayne over to our house on Monday. She was such a big help in loading the motor home for our trip. Kayla had a half day off from 2^nd grade and she also helped with the chores. As a big treat – Don ordered the hot, spicy Shrimp from Xin Fu on Rt. 7 – it was delicious!

We left at 7:30 am this morning, after kissing Kayla & Erin goodbye as they waited for the school bus. Starting mileage for this trip is 43.016. The weather was very good for driving, as we headed west on I-90 – stopping for a bagel & cream cheese at Dunkin Donuts on the Thruway. ( I perked my own coffee.) Gas is $2.68 a gallon.

I especially love the ride along Lake Erie in western New York. Miles of vineyards – probably Niagara grapes – are at the height of harvest.

Don drove 322 miles and we’re parked at a Super Wal-Mart in Fredonia, NY. It was a very good stop – EZ on/off – flat and quiet.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

It was an absolute beautiful day for traveling through Ohio. The leaves were brilliant reds and yellows  and the weather was much warmer – in the low 70’s. One thing though – I never saw so many “road kill” deer as I did today. (No photos, please!)I’m glad that we have our new “deer whistles” on the motor home 

We were going to the Cracker Barrel in Richmond, Indiana at the end of the day. It’s always a little tricky finding the way into Cracker Barrel, but since there were no signs, we realized too late that we went down a “no outlet” road and had to unhook the car to turn around. One of the “joys” of our lifestyle. To top it off – it was noisy and we didn’t sleep well.

Thursday, October 22, 2009 – Sunrise in the South – a mighty big cross!

We ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel and when we came out – at 7:15am_ it was still pitch black out – way too dark to travel. I’m glad that we don’t live in this time zone! We met 2 older couples that were going “ 4 wheeling” in West Virginia – very interesting.

Driving across Indiana was cornfield heaven – very flat with miles, and miles, and miles of cornfields! As we crossed the state line at Terra Haute, IN into IL., we came into the Central Time Zone – my favorite! Now the TV programs will be earlier – on “senior” time.

Traveling south on I-57, we stopped at a Vanity Fair outlet for a little shopping. We’re now parked at another Cracker Barrel at Marion, IL – hopefully quieter than last night. We’ve learned that the big Federal Prison is here in Marion and that John Gotti’s family often came to this Cracker Barrel. Other famous inmates were Woody Harrellson’s father, who tried to murder a Federal Judge – and lot of infamous folks featured on TV shows.

Friday, October 23, 2009

It was a fairly quiet night at this Cracker Barrel here in southern IL. We ate breakfast here and had a very pleasant waitress. We’re slowly adjusting to Central Time.

As we traveled south on I-57, the land was very flat and we saw miles and miles of cotton fields. We crossed the Mississippi River at the Illinois/Missouri line – and here’s a photo of the old bridge over ‘ol Mis.

As we traveled into Arkansas, we saw lots of “kudsu” – the plant that ate the south.

After another 300 plus miles, and 4 days of driving – we finally arrived in Little Rock, Arkansas and are parked at the Riverfront RV Park – cost $23.00 a night. We have a “riverfront” site with full hookup and free wi-fi. We really need a break from driving and traveling and this looks like a good stop. Don loves to sit in his comfortable lounge chair and watch the Arkansas River flow by. Directly across the river is the Clinton Presidential Library, and the River Marketplace. Two blocks from our park is the Verizon Convention Center where (Hold your breath, Nicole, Kayla, Darby & Sage) Miley Cyrus is performing tonight! Big doings in Little Rock! Here’s photos of the view from our motor home.

Sat. Oct. 24 – a nice day – Little Rock, AR

We went for lunch at US Pizza – a very thin crust, sausage & vegetables – one of the very best pizzas that we have ever had. We had a cold pitcher of beer while we waited for it to be cooked. A great place!

Back at the RV park, we took a walk – actually a 3.2 mile walk – along the river, on the bridge over the river and back. They were celebrating City Fest – live music, a car show, a Farmer’s Market and we sat in the market place to rest before starting back. Here’s photos of the Submarine Memorial and the staircase on the bridge.

Sunday, October 25, 2009 – another sunny day in Little Rock

We watched the tugs push the big barges up the river this morning. For lunch, we went to Cheeseburger Cheeseburger that is in a shopping center on the west side of town. The place was packed with young families and we had to wait for a table. They have 5 sizes of hamburgers – up to a ONE pounder. (if you eat it all, they take your picture) . You order your burger with one choice of 8 different cheeses and any/ or all of the 29 different toppings We also had a delicious basket of fried onion rings. The décor and music was 1950’s, and it was great fun along with super food.

I needed a walk after that, so we went to Mac Arthur park! I didn’t even know that there was a real Mac Arthur park – and I looked for the “cake left in the rain” but I couldn’t find it – because that one is in San Francisco. (But it is dedicated to Gen. Mac Arthur, too.)

Anyways – there’s a big lawn, a playground, a Korean Vets War memorial and the big building that was built in 1823 as part of a Military Compound. Gen. Mac Arthur’s father was the commander here and baby Gen. MacA. was born in this building. It is a free museum with Arkansas War memorabilia dating back to the Trail of Tears and the Civil War. We saw a movie on Mac Arthur’s life.

After that, the GPS found Sam’s Club for us and we bought milk, orange juice, bananas and salad greens. Back to camp for the evening.

Daytrip to Vermont

Every fall, Don and I like to take a ride in the car to see the colorful leaves.  He loves to drive his Honda Accord on those winding, country roads and I like the idea of taking photos and going out to lunch!

Heading East on NY RT. 7, we turned onto the Tomhannock Reservoir Road.  My Mother was born on the Fitzgerald (Brewery owners) farm and lived here on the reservoir until she moved to Albany, NY at age 16.  The farm is long gone, but the drive along the shoreline was beautiful.

We continued our drive east along NY RT. 67 and came to Eagle Bridge – home of artist Grandma Moses.  We stopped and bought corn at the Moses Farm.  Here’s another photo of the farm and the beautiful landscape.

It was also on NY 67, just east of Walloomsac, NY that we saw the sign for the “Bennington Battlefield”.  We’d never been here before!  This is a famous 1777 Revolutionary War battlefield which is set on the “high ground” – and was eventually won by Vermont’s “Green Mountain Boys”.

We were hungry after our history lesson and headed to Bennington, VT – where the “Painted Moose” are on display this fall. 

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Finally, I’ll close with a colorful, typical fall scene.

Summer is ending – and it’s finally nice weather!

It’s hard to believe that the whole summer has slipped by so quickly.  It’s been the 3rd wettest summer on record.  The “late blight” ruined mostly everyone’s tomato crop – the same blight that caused Ireland’s Potato Famine.  But… our flowers did well. 

 

 

 

 

 

We’ve spent most weekends going to Garage Sales and selling some “finds” on E-bay and Craigslist. 

The Family and the Grandchildren were a wonderful part of the summer.  Kayla Burns turned 7 and had a “Water Party” with a grass water slide, water balloons, etc.  Here’s all her friends in the latest swim wear – they were so cute!

Grandson Luke Gibson graduated from High School and we had a big, family party to celebrate! Luke is on the right in the photo.  Mark(15) is on the left with his 3 biggest fans – Kayla 7, Sage 5 and Darby almost 7.  Next is Molly 16, Nicole 11, Trevor 13 and Luke 18.  Sorry that Jack 19, was working at the AAA that day.

 

 

I took care of Sage and Darby, during the day, for a week this summer.  It was such a joy to get to know them better and as you can see they enjoyed it too!  They are my son Dan’s girls. Pictured below are Mark and “his girls” – he often baby-sits for them – and they vie for his attention. 

  We met up with Lorraine and Alain from Montreal at Lake George.  They ride their Gold Wing to the  Americade Festival each June and we have a tradition of getting together for lunch.  Always a pleasure

This is a photo of me and my three sisters, taken at Lois’ house in Fort Edward, NY.  My sister Jeanne, the nun, got hit by a car and broke her arm.  Left to right: Eileen, Lois, Jeanne, Alice (the eldest).

That about wraps it up for the summer.  It’s now Labor Day weekend – and the first time that we haven’t spent it camping in many, many years.  I’m preparing for our 25th Annual Neighborhood Garage Sale, which I co-ordinate each year. 

Salisbury Beach – 2009

We have a beautiful campsite, again this year, #A-46.  We can watch the ships on the Merrimack River as they head to/ or come back from the open Atlantic Ocean.  Three of the “Tall Ships” are docked here this week and this photo was taken out the front window of our motor home.  That’s Don watching the ship as she turns around to dock.

We had to have breakfast at “Pat’s Diner” and she if Pat was still running the old place.  She’s 79, still going strong –and doing a brisk business.   The diner itself is one of only 2,000 original “silver diners” left in the USA and is registered in Washington, .DC. For entertainment, it has a Juke Box with 45rpm records!

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Photos  are from: Stormy Day at Salisbury Beach!

Busy at Home

One of my bigger tasks this spring was taking our old 35 mm slides – from the 1970’s – and scanning them and saving them to the computer and to CD’s. It was fun to see “the way we were” and make copies for my children. The girls even used them for their photos on Facebook!

Yes, that’s me, Alice, with Dan, Maureen, Tom & Erin, circa 1970! How time flies.

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We had our annual luncheon with our friends from Montreal during the Americade Bike weekend in Lake George, NY. We always enjoy getting together with Alain & Lorraine Gemme.

Dixie and Frank Proulx were here to visit and “camped” in our driveway in their 40’ motorhome. We kept Dixie company while Frank flew back home to California for a graduation. We had fun going to garage sales and showing them the area. Eating lunch at Slick’s Tavern was a “huge” experience.

Mother’s Day – Niskayuna, NY

My daughter, Erin, had a beautiful Mother’s day Brunch at her house for all our Family.  She had a “sit down” with beautifully decorated tables – candles & flowers – Mimosa drinks – marvelous food. 

Here she is with her daughter, Kayla, before we ate. 

 

 

 

Never enough photos of my beautiful grand daughter, Molly!

    

  Don remembered his Mom by placing flowers on her grave in Albany Rural Cemetery.  This cemetery is one of my favorite places and where my brother and I used to play when we were children – growing up in Menands.

This is the Cemetery “Gate Keeper’s House” with the spring flowers in bloom.

Celebrating Easter at Home!

It always takes a while to get settled back into a house after living in the RV for the winter.  We got home just in time to celebrate Easter with my family.  Here’s the Bunny cake that Erin made and the Easter egg hunt at Tom and Patti’s house.  Great Fun!

Of course, seeing my grandchildren after a long winter away, was the greatest joy.

Here’s Sage 4, Kayla  6 (in Brides dress) and Darby 6.   They are my youngest grand daughters

Here’s cousins, Molly 15 and Nicole 11.  Now that’s the five girls.

Jack Cody Gibson – he just turned 19 and is completing his first year at Schenectady Community College.

Brothers, Mark 15 and  Luke Gibson 17– these are Maureen 3 boys. Tom & Patti’s son, Trevor, 13 – completes the pictures.  That’s my 9 grandchildren and they all came to the Easter Party and to welcome us back home.  What a happy day!