WEBSTER + STUFF PICS

OUR FIRST VISIT TO THE FLEA MARKET, PLUS A FEW CAMP PICS.

SHAMWOW - PLANT CITY STRAWBERRIES

WELL, WE FINALLY GOT HERE. 17 HOURS FOR A 12 HOUR DRIVE AND THEN 13 FOR A 10 HOUR DRIVE. BUMPER TO BUMPER FROM BALTIMORE TO SAVANNAH.

GOT SETTLED IN AT BLUEBERRY HILLS AND TODAY WENT TO WEBSTER FLEA MARKET WHILE THEY WASHED AND WAXED THE MOHO.

PLANT CITY STRAWBERRIES ARE READY. AS BIG AS HOCKEY PUCKS AND AS SWEET AS SUGAR. WE EVEN BOUGHT A SHAMWOW!!!!!!

DID A QUICK RECON OF THE AREA AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF NEW PLACES TO EXPLORE.

WE HAVE BEEN HERE 3 DAYS NOW, AND HAVE GONE TO WALMART 3 TIMES........IT IS LIKE OUR OWN PRIVATE WALLY, JUST A WALK AWAY AND OPEN 24 HOURS.

PICS TOMORROW WHEN WE ARE ON FREE INTERNET.

TTFN

FROM BLUEBERRY TO ROCKY

LEFT AT 4:15AM, AND DROVE 'TIL 3 PM. 681 MILES, EASY DRIVE. LEFT IN THE DRIVING, COLD RAIN AND ARRIVED IN THE COLD CLEAR AFTERNOON. 28 DEGREES TONIGHT.

THE GUY AT DENNY'S WAS FREEZING AND COULDN'T BELIEVE I WAS IN SHORTS.

TOMORROW, WE STOP JUST SHORT OF ALBANY, AND FINISH OFF ON THURSDAY.

WE FOUND OUR THRILL ----

--- AT BLUEBERRY HILLS

GO ALS GO

GREY CUP 2008 -----

FLORIDA STUFF

BEEN HERE A COUPLE OF WEEKS. JUST USUAL FLORIDA STUFF. BIRDS, FLEA MARKETS, SHUTTLE LAUNCH.......BLAH, BLAH.

LA FLORIDA...

WELL. WE MADE IT.

THINGS AT ENCORE ARE NOT AS ADVERTISED. THIS WINTER WILL BE SPENT LOOKING FOR A NEW PLACE.

ARIZONA IS OUT. TOO ARRID, TOO ASPHALTY.

TEXAS IS A MAYBE, MISSISSIPPI IS A MAYBE. PANHANDLE FOR A MONTH, EARLY IN THE YEAR.... ALL OPTIONS ARE OPEN.

THE LODGE IS CONDEMNED...

OH WELL, WE HAVE A GREAT LOT, DOCK AND THE POOL IS NICE AND WARM.

THE LAST DAY

IT STARTED THE DAY AFTER LABOR DAY 2007. IT ENDS NOV 1, 2008.

THE GRAND TOUR...



9 PROVINCES, 36 STATES. 13,168 MILES COVERED.

12 STATES TO GO - NEXT YEAR. THEN, MAYBE ALASKA !!!!!

WALKIN' THE BEACH - MEXICO BEACH

BETTER THAN SNOW.... MORE TOMORROW !!




WORKIN' ON MY TAN !!!

RV PARK WALKABOUT

JUST A SHORT WALK AROUND THE TOPSAIL RV PARK. ENJOY.

TONIGHT ---- 34 DEGREES - BRRRR

TOPSAIL IS TOPS...

LEFT NAVARRE AND HEADED EAST, THROUGH DESTIN. GOT TO TOPSAIL STATE PARK. THE NUMBER 1 STATE PARK IN THE USA. TOPSAIL BEACH IS RATED #1 BEACH ON THE EAST COAST.

3 1/2 MILES OF WHITE, SUGAR SAND. CLEAR WATER. JUST SUPER.

WE WALKED TO THE BEACH - 7/10 OF A MILE, BUT TOOK THE TRAM BACK.

76 DEGREES. WILL WALK THE PARK LATER.

STAYINF HERE UNTIL THE 29TH, THEN MEXICO BEACH.

CAN YA HANDLE THE PANHANDLE ????

WHEW ! MADE IT TO FLORIDA. 358 MILES TO GO TO COMPLETE THE CIRCLE.

STOPPED IN NAVARRE BEACH FOR 3 NIGHTS. NICE CAMPGROUND AND WE ARE 68 FEET FROM THE BEACH. THE FIRST NIGHT, IT RAINED AND RAINED AND THEN RAINED EVEN MORE. OVER 5 INCHES. OUR ROOF DOES NOT LEAK !!!!!

NEXT DAY WAS CLOUDY. WENT TO THE BEACH. IT LOOKED LIKE A SNOWSTORM HAD COME THROUGH. THE SAND IS SO WHITE, IT LOOKS LIKE JANUARY IN QUEBEC.

GOT THE WINDSHIELD FIXED, MONTREAL STYLE... $$$, NO RECEIPT.

TODAY WAS SUNNY. WENT TO DESTIN. JUST ANOTHER T-SHIRT TOWN. SANDESTIN, HOWEVER, IS MUCH MORE UPSCALE AND CLASSY. CAMPING ON THE BEACH THERE IS $82.50 PER NIGHT. SO, WE WILL HEAD JUST ONE MILE FURTHER, TO TOPSAIL.

RATED AS ONE OF THE BEST SP IN THE COUNTRY. WILL BE THERE 3 NIGHTS, THEN MOVE ON TO MEXICO BEACH.

CHECK IT OUT --- TOPSAIL

KATRINA AND IKE.....ONE - TWO PUNCH

LEFT NAWLINS AND WENT THRU THE CEMETERIES. ALL BUT ONE ARE OK. THEN THRU THE KATRINA AREA.

IMAGINE VERDUN, LASALLE AND LACHINE. THAT IS ABOUT THE SIZE. BUT EVEN IF THE LEVEE HAD HELD, THE AREA WOULD STILL BE WIPED OUT. THE ROOFS ARE RIPPED OFF AND THE HOUSE ARE WIND DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR.

MOVED ON TO MISSISSIPPI. GULF SHORES GOT HIT BY BOTH KATRINA AND IKE. HOUSES THAT BELONGED IN WESTMOUNT WERE BLOWN AWAY, RIGHT OFF THE FOUNDATIONS. 95% OF THE HOMES ARE GONE. UNBELIEVABLE.

THE BEACH IS AMAZING, 35 MILES OF SUGAR WHITE SAND, NO ONE ON THE BEACH. THE ONLY THINGS THAT SEEMS TO HAVE WITHSTOOD THE HURRICANES ARE THE WAFFLE HOUSE RESTAURANTS.

THE CASINOS ARE ALL REBUILT, AS ARE SOME CONDOS. IT WILL TAKE A LIFETIME TO REBUILD.

MOVED ON TO ALABAMA. GO RED TIDE.

TOMORROW, THE CIRCLE CLOSES......FLORIDA.

WILL R&R IN DESTIN, MEXICO BEACH AND PORT ST JOE FOR A WEEK BEFORE HEADING TO CRYSTAL RIVER.

BIG D TO BIG EASY

DALLAS TO NEW ORLEANS. 506 MILES OF MISTAKES.

FIRST, WE LEFT LATE. THEN ON SOMEONE'S SUGGESTION, WE CAME DOWN THROUGH LOUISIANA INSTEAD OF TEXAS. EXTRA 52 MILES, GENERIC SCENERY.

WENT FOR THE EXTRA MILEAGE AND ENDED UP IN A FULL CAMPGROUND, LOW ON GAS. WE FINALLY FOUND A GAS STATION. MASSIVE WHEW!!!

FOUND A KOA, 10 MILES OUT OF NAWLINS, FULL TOO. THE GUY CAME OUT AND FOUND US THE LAST SPOT IN CAMP, BEHIND THE DUMPSTER.

WENT TO TOWN TODAY.

ST. CHARLES STREET HAS NICE STATELY HOMES, FRENCH QUARTER IS A HAVEN FOR PERVERTS. WHAT A MESS.

HOWEVER, THE BEIGNETS WERE GOOD, CAFE AU LAIT ALSO.

BBQ WAS MEDIOCRE AND THE SEAFOOD PLATTER WAS GREAT. CRAWFISH ARE NOT IN SEASON. IMAGINE THAT.

LOST THE COTTERPIN TO TOW THE CAR WITH. GOT A NEW ONE, PLUS ONE OF THE BINS LOCKS IS BROKEN. WILL FIX THAT IN FLA.

TOMORROW - BEACH ON THE REDNECK RIVIERA, THEN ON TO DESTIN.

BIG D. BIG TOWN

LEFT POST LATE AND DROVE THRU TO DALLAS. GREAT CAMPGROUND AND WE TOOK THE PRESIDENTIAL SITE. WE HAVE A GARDEN, FOUNTAINS, STATUES. NICE AND LUXURIOUS.

WENT TO DALEY PLAZA. EVERYONE IS QUIET, SOMBER AND STILL REMEMBERS WHERE THEY WERE, THAT DAY.

NEVER BELIEVED THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES....'TIL TODAY. STANDING ON THE X'S AND LOOKING AT THE WINDOW, YOU REALIZE THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF IT ALL.

THE REST OF THE CITY IS LIKE CALGARY ON MEGASTEROIDS. GLASS, CHROME AND MORE GLASS. CLEAN AND GREAT ROADS.

WENT TO A HUGE WESTERN APPAREL STORE. BLACK RESISTOL HATS START AT $149, WHITE AT $249. BELT BUCKLES GO FROM $40 TO $10,000. LARIATS COST $29 AND ARE MADE OF WAXED ROPE.

TOMORROW - LA LOUISIANE. LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER. GAUX TIGERS.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS IN POST, TEXAS

THE POST ANTELOPES MEET THE SHALLOWATER MUSTANGS...

DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS

LEFT FREEZING ( 26f ) ARIZONA AND HAD A SUPER EASY DRIVE TO TEXAS. MADE IT TO AMARILLO IN NO TIME, HAD LUNCH AT TEXAS A&M. DROVE ON AND STOPPED IN POST, TX.

OIL TOWN, FULL OF ROUSTABOUTS, NE'OR DO-WELLS, OIL MEN AND OTHER TYPES. JUST LIKE THE MOVIES. I WAS WAITING FOR THE RESUSCITATION OF JAMES DEAN.

CAMPGROUND WAS BASIC, LIKE THE TOWN.

BUT....IT WAS FRIDAY NIGHT AND THE LIGHTS WERE ON......FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS = TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.





IT WAS GREAT. OUR TEAM WERE PLAYING THE SHALLOW-WATER MUSTANGS. DAMN THEM MUSTANGS. AGAIN !!!

WATCH THE SHOW, CAUSE THIS WAS IT.

2 BANDS, MUSIC, TUNNEL FOR THE PLAYERS, NATIONAL ANTHEM, FLAGS AND HORSES.

JUST UNBELIEVABLE.

WE GOT THE BALL AND OUR FIRST PLAY - TRIPLE REVERSE, WITH A STATUE OF LIBERTY AT THE END. AND THE KID DROPS THE BALL. AWWWWW!!

NOTHING MUCH HAPPENED, LOTS OF PASSING AND A FEW RUNNING PLAYS. THEN, 3 TOUCHDOWNS IN THE LAST 58 SECONDS OF THE HALF.

BATTLE OF THE BANDS AFTER. GREAT FUN.

THEN DOWN TO SONICS FOR A CHOCOLATE SUNDAE.

TOMORROW -- DALLAS

SANTA FE - ALBUQUERQUE-MUST SEE

WE ARE PUEBLOED OUT !!

TOOK THE RIDE UP THE 14, THROUGH MADRID. REAL BAD.SAW 5 GUYS DRINKING OUT OF A PAPER BAG AT 9:30 AM.

BUT SANTA FE - GREAT.

MET JEAN JACK, WORLD FAMOUS ARTIST, SAW THE OLDEST HOUSE IN AMERICA, FIRST CHURCH, THE SOURCE OF THE RIO GRANDE RIVER, SAW A ROADRUNNER.

DID SOME POTTERY AND JEWELRY SHOPPING AND WENT FOR LUNCH. FIRST TIME FOR US - REAL MEXICAN HUEVO RANCHERO. LOVED THE CHILE VERDE.

THEN WENT TO ALBUQUERQUE. THE CITY IS LIKE ALL OTHERS, EXCEPT REDDER. OLD TOWN IS VERY UPSCALE AND MET THE SELF PROCLAIMED BIGGEST SNOB IN NEW MEXICO.

REAL CLEAN TOWNS, BOTH ALBU AND SANTA FE.

TOMORROW- AMARILLO, TEXAS. YYYYYEEEEEEEYAAAAA !!

RUNNING OUT OF WOW

A LITTLE COOL THIS MORNING... 36 DEGREES.

GOT GAS - $2.99 A GALLON. WOW !

STOPPED AT PETRIFIED FOREST. WOOD INTO STONE. WOW!





DROVE THROUGH THE PAINTED DESERT. WOW-WOW !! (MORE SPECTACULAR THAN THE GRAND CANYON.)

DROVE THROUGH THE LAVA FIELDS. WOW !

WALMART IN GALLUP, NM., HAS A POLICE STATION. WOW!

THE HIGHWAY SYSTEM IN ALBU. WOW ! ROADS CAN BE PRETTY. THEY HAVE ART ALL OVER THE MEDIANS, BRIDGES, EXITS.

WOW, WOW AND DOUBLE MORE WOW !!!

GRAND CANYON IS REALLY GRAND

FEELING FIT !! HIT THE ROAD AT SUNRISE. THE ROAD TO FLAGSTAFF IS UP AND UP AND UP AND THEN UPPER THAN THAT.

7336 FEET UP. WHEW.

AMAZING HOW THE VEGETATION CHANGES OVER A FEW MILES. WE WENT FROM TALL PALMS AND CACTI TO SCRUB PINES IN A MATTER OF HOURS.

THE ROAD TO SEDONA WAS JUST TOO AWKWARD AND NARROW FOR US TO NEGOTIATE.

WE LEFT THE MOHO IN FLAGSTAFF WALMART AND HEADED TO THE CANYON. EASY DRIVE THERE, BUT IN THE SUMMER, IT MUST BE A NIGHTMARE. THE PARKING LOT AT MATHERS HOLDS NO MORE THAN 200 CARS, AND NO MH SPACE.

WE GOT A COSTANZA. 15 STEPS TO THE RIM.

WOW!!!!!!! DOUBLE AND TRIPLE WOW !!!

PICTURES DON'T EVEN COME CLOSE TO DOING JUSTICE.

BACK TO PICK UP THE MOHO, DROVE ON ROUTE 66 AND GOT OUR KICKS AT THE METEOR IMPACT CRATER.

ANOTHER BIG WOW !!!

WE ARE JUST OUTSIDE WINSLOW, ARIZONA AND CAN ONLY KEEP SINGING THE EAGLE'S SON - "TAKE IT EASY".

ALBUQUERQUE TOMORROW FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. WILL VISIT SANTA FE AND TAOS.

CAMP MESA..... NOT FOR US

TODAY WAS A CR_ _ PY DAY. LITERALLY. GOOD OLD PEPTO BISMOL, MIUM !!

VISITED A FEW CAMPGROUNDS TO SEE IF WE WOULD WINTER HERE IN 09.

FORGETABOUTIT!!!!

GREAT CLUBHOUSES, POOLS, SAUNAS, HOT TUBS, FACILITIES, TENNIS. BUT, YOUR SITE IS EITHER ASPHALT OR STONE. NO GRASS, NO TREES. PARKING LOT STYLE.

IT MUST LIKE BEING A BAKED POTATO.

OH WELL, ON TO THE GRAND CANYON TOMORROW.

QUARTZSITE? NAH ! MESA? YEAH !

LEFT EARLY THIS MORNING, WEATHER WAS GOOD, NO WIND. A COOL 47 DEGREES.

THE ROAD WAS GREAT. NO TRAFFIC. EVERYONE WAS EITHER SLEEPING OR AT CHURCH.

(NOTE: CALIFORNIA ROADS ARE IN NEARLY AS BAD SHAPE AS QUEBEC ROADS)

HEADED SOUTH, MADE GREAT TIME AND DROVE THROUGH SPECTACULAR SCENERY.

WE WERE PLANNING TO STAY OVERNIGHT IN QUARTZSITE. OVER 200,000 MOTORHOMES GO THERE YEARLY. WHY?? IT IS A WIDE SPOT IN THE ROAD, AND THEY HOLD GIANT FLEA MARKETS THERE. AND ROCK&GEM SHOWS. PEOPLE PARK THEIR MOTORHOME ON UNSERVICED LOTS AND SPEND UP TO 3 MONTHS FREE....

BUT THERE IS A BOOKSTORE, AND THIS IS THE OWNER ---


SKEDADDLED OUT OF THERE AND MADE IT TO MESA.

336 MILES TODAY, BUT AT AUTO SPEED. GOT THERE A DAY EARLIER THAN PLANNED. WILL CHECK OUT A FEW PLACES TOMORROW, TO SEE IF WE WANT TO COME BACK FOR THE WINTER OF 2009.

RIGHT NOW, 5:30 pm, SUNSHINE AND 76 DEGREES. BUT I BET IT'S GONNA COOL OFF.

LAS VEGAS CAMPING... ROUGHING IT !!!!

UP ABOVE IS OUR CAMPSITE. ROUGH, AIN'T IT?

TODAY WAS A GROCERY SHOPPING DAY, CLEANING AND GETTING READY TO GO DAY.

TOMORROW - QUARTZITE, ARIZONA FOR ROCK SHOPPING.

HOOVER DAM.......DAMN !!!

ONE WORD - UNBELIEVABLE !!!!

AND THEY ARE BUILDING A BRIDGE 230 FEET HIGHER THAN THE DAM....

I HOPE THEY DID NOT HIRE QUEBEC ENGINEERS !!!

STAYING OVER 2 DAYS BECAUSE OF A WIND EVENT. ONE GUY SAID IT WAS LIKE TRYING TO DRIVE A BILLBOARD.

WE ARE GOING TO HEAD SOUTH FOR A FEW DAYS, FIRST TO QUARTZITE AND THEN MESA, AZ. WE ARE GOING TO CHECK OUT WINTER LOCATIONS FOR 2009.

AFTER THAT, BACK UP TOWARDS THE GRAND CANYON.

DAYTIME SIN CITY

WENT BACK TO TOWN THIS MORNING. TOTALLY DIFFERENT, BUT STILL GAUDY.

VISITED A FEW CASINOS, LOOKED AT STUFF....COACH UMBRELLA IS $92, JIMMY CHOO SHOES AT $1325, 50% OFF AT BERNINI FOR MEN AND A STATUE OF A LITTLE GIRL WITH BALLOONS FOR $9500.

DROPPED A FEW BUCKS IN THE MACHINES AND WON $38.75 AND THEN ANOTHER $50.

SO, CAME IN TOWN WITH $20 IN CASH, NEVER HIT AN ATM, PAID THE CAMPGROUND BILLS AND BOUGHT SOME STUFF AND WILL BE LEAVING WITH $130.

WHOO WHOO !!!!!

GOING TO SEE SOME REAL STUFF THIS AFTERNOON, HOOVER DAM !!

TOMORROW, BACK ON THE ROAD TO KINGMAN, ARIZONA AND REAL WORLD.

930 % RETURN ON $1 INVESTMENT

WENT TO THE BELLAGIO TO SEE THE FOUNTAIN SHOW. UNBELIEVABLE!!

STROLLED AND GAWKED. THE DOGS WERE GREAT.

THIS PLACE IS NUTS.

ON THE WAY BACK TO THE CAR, SLIPPED $1 IN THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE SLOT, BET IT ALL IN ONE SHOT AND WON $93.75......

LOST WAGES

WHAT A TRIP. FROM BAKERSFIELD, WE CLIMBED TO 3700 FEET IN THE FIRST 11 MILES. WHEW !! WE LEFT AT 6:30,BECAUSE OF THE HEAT IN THE DESERT.

THEN DOWN THROUGH THE MOST PICTURESQUE SCENERY EVER. I WAS EXPECTING TO SEE JOHN WAYNE AT ANY TIME. THEN WE WENT DOWN, AND DOWN AND SOME MORE DOWN. ALL THE WAY TO BELOW SEA LEVEL.

STOPPED AT DEATH VALLEY ENTRANCE ( BAKER, THE HOTTEST SPOT IN NORTH AMERICA ) AT 10:30. THERMOMETER WAS AT 105 DEGREES. HAD A GREAT GREEK LUNCH, AS GOOD, IF NOT BETTER THAN ANY WE HAVE EVER HAD IN PARK EX.

THEN WE CLIMBED TO 4730 FEET IN 16 MILES, WITHOUT AIR, TO PREVENT OVERHEATING. MORE WHEW ! EXCEPT THAT WE HAD TO DESCEND BACK DOWN A 7% GRADE OVER 14 MILES. WITH CONSTRUCTION ON THE LEFT AND NO SHOULDER ON THE RIGHT. TALK ABOUT A SCARY RIDE. EVEN BETTER THAN BELMONT PARK.

MADE IT TO VEGAS, GOT CONCIERGED IN. CLASSY JOINT. 2 POOLS, BEACH, WATERFALL, 9 DOG RUNS AND A PET PLAYLAND. 98 DEGREES.

GONNA SEE THE STRIP AFTER SUPPER, WHEN IT COOLS DOWN.

TTFN

LEG TWO RECAP

WELL, BOYS AND GIRLS, LEG 2 IS DONE. FROM THE CANUCKIAN BORDER TO SAN FRANCISCO. THEN THE BIG LEFT TURN.

LEFT CANUCKLAND AND GOT SEARCHED AT THE BORDER. HOMELAND SECURITY SEIZED 3 GREEN APPLES, BUT LET US KEEP THE RED ONES. WENT TO OCEAN SHORES, JUST SOUTH OF SEATTLE. GREAT BEACH, BLUSTERY WEATHER. JUST WHAT WE EXPECTED. IT WAS FANTASTIC AND STAYED A FEW DAYS.

THEN SOUTH TO MOUNT ST. HELEN. THERE ARE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT. A TRIP HIGHLIGHT.

MOVED ON TO OREGON. QUITE SPECTACULAR COASTLINE, EVEN BETTER THAN ANY PICTURES WE HAD EVER SEEN. OUR ITINERARY WAS HELPED BY A FEW ONLINE FRIENDS FROM RV.NET. WHAT A GODSEND TO GET HELP FROM PEOPLE WHO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT. GOLD BEACH IS SECOND TO NONE. PERIOD.

HIT SOME MAJOR RAIN IN KLAMATH RIVER, CA. BUT WE WERE IN A GREAT SETTING AND ENJOYED THE R&R. WENT SALMON FISHING. HAD BETTER LUCK AT SAFEWAY. BUT I DID GET TO GO FISHING.

MOVED DOWN THROUGH THE REDWOODS. MAJESTIC. I MANAGED TO AD TO MY ROCK COLLECTION BY GETTING A PIECE OF WOOD FROM A 3200 YEAR OLD TREE. SAW SOME CHEESY ATTRACTIONS. THEY LOOKED BETTER ON DISNEY 40 YEARS AGO. BUT IT WAS STILL NICE.

THE TRIP ALONG THE COAST IS FABULOUS. DANGEROUS AT TIMES, BUT STILL MEMORABLE.

PETALUMA IS GREAT. ALL OF THE OLD TOWN HAS BEEN REFURBISHED TO THE WAY IT WAS 150 YEARS AGO, AND THE PLACE IS CHOCK FULL OF ARTISTS AND ANTIQUE DEALERS AND FOOS BOUTIQUES. A GREAT WAY TO SPEND AN AFTERNOON, STROLLING AND SAMPLING.

FRISCO IS LIKE ANY OTHER CITY. A FEW UNIQUE SPOTS, LIKE LOMBARD STREET, PAINTED LADIES AND THE PRESIDIO. FISHERMAN'S WHARF, 39TH PIER ARE TOURIST TRAPS. IF YOU ARE IN URGENT NEED OF KNOCKOFFS ( SORRY, REPLICA), THIS IS IT. IT IS BASICALLY LIKE MONTREAL, AND JUST AS DIRTY.

THE BRIDGE IS GREAT. PEOPLE RENT BYKES TO CROSS IT BY THE HUNDREDS. SPOKE TO A COUPLE FROM MANCHESTER, ENGLAND. THEY WERE DREADING THE RETURN TRIP AND ELECTED TO TAKE THE FERRY BACK.

ALL IN ALL, IT WAS A GREAT SOUTHERN TREK.

NEXT TIME, WE WILL COME IN FROM THE SOUTH AND WORK OUR WAY UP.

SEE YOU ON THE NEXT LEG........

FROST WARNING... TIME TO TURN LEFT !!

WELL, WE DROVE TODAY. 339 MILES, THE FIRST 96 IN THE HEAVY FOG.

THEY HAD FROST WARNINGS FOR THE FRISCO AREA, SO WE DECIDED TO HIGHTAIL IT SOUTH.

WE MADE THE BIG LEFT TURN AND SHOULD BE IN VEGAS TOMORROW. WE ALSO BROKE THE 5000 MILE BARRIER TODAY.

GOOD ROADS AND WE STOPPED AT A WINERY. MIUM MIUM.

DROVE THROUGH OLIVE GROVES, ONION FIELDS, GRAPES, RAISINS, CORN, CABBAGE..... YOU NAME IT, THEY GROW IT.

DID YOU KNOW THAT THE SIKH COMMUNITY HAS COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE RAISIN INDUSTRY?

ANYWAYS, IN BAKERSFIELD, AT 5:06 PM, IT IS SUNNY AND 88.
EVERYONE IN THE POOL !!!

TOMORROW, THE MOJAVE DESERT, A GHOST TOWN, BAKER ( THE LOWEST POINT IN NORTH AMERICA- 302 FEET BELOW SEA LEVEL) AND VEGAS.

SEE YOU AT THE OASIS !!

MONTREAL ON THE BAY

FRISCO IS MONTREAL - WAY WEST, BUT BIGGER

VIEUX PORT = EMBARCADERO

JACQUES CARTIER = GOLDEN GATE

MOUNT ROYAL = PRESIDIO

STAIRWAYS = PAINTED LADIES

VIEUX MONTREAL = NOB HILL

QUARTIER CHINOIS = CHINATOWN

PLAN 3 HOURS FOR FRISCO, A WHOLE DAY FOR PETALUMA.

OLD STYLE TOWN, CHOCK FULL OF GREAT RESTAURATIONS, ANTIQUE STORES, ART AND REALLY GOOD RESTAURANTS.

PETALUMA...........CURVES AND HILLS

NOT THAT THE ROAD WAS LONG AND WINDING, BUT 2 HOURS TO COVER THE FIRST 30 MILES.... SHEESH.

THE WEATHER FINALLY BROKE AND OFF WE WENT, BRIGHT AND EARLY. NO FOG, NO RAIN, NO WIND. FRISKY AND FRISCO BOUND.

......'TIL WE HIT THE HILLS. 7 DEGREES FOR 8 MILES. THEN UP, THEN DOWN, THEN AROUND. THEN STOP FOR CONSTRUCTION...ON A SUNDAY. THEN ELK ON THE ROAD. THEN MORE HILLS. THEN TREES RIGHT AT THE EDGE OF THE ROAD.

FINALLY, WE GET A FREEWAY AND MAKE UP SOME TIME. 5 MILES TO GO, AND.......OUR FIRST CALIFORNIA TRAFFIC JAM.

BUT THE SUN IS OUT AND IT IS 81 DEGREES. NICE.

TOMORROW - SAN FRANCISCO.

J'CAPOTE A KLAMATH - PHOQUE

SITTING AT GOLD BEACH, THEY CALLED FOR HEAVY RAINS. WE DECIDED TO LEAVE AND HEAD FOR CALIFORNIA, 75 MILES TO KLAMATH.

UP AND DOWN, CRAZY HILLS AND CRAZIER FOG.

MADE IT TO KLAMATH, AND WHEN WE STOPPED AT THE PARK, A CAR PULLED UP, THE LADY ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW AND SAID " PARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS?" "OUI", I SAID. HER HUSBAND OPENED THE DOOR AND SAID, "BEN, J'CAPOTE, STIE! NOUS AUTRES AUSSI ON EST DU QUEBEC."

THEY WERE FROM MONTREAL, FLEW TO VEGAS AND RENTED A CAR TO TOUR NEVADA,ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA AND OREGON.

SETTLED IN AND WENT IN SEARCH OF A GROCERY STORE. NONE FOR 25 MILES, SO WE BOUGHT BREAD, MILK AND WATER AT SUBWAY.....

SAW A BIG PAUL BUNYAN AND BLUE OX, VISITED INDIAN MUSEUM AND BACK AT CAMP. DECIDED TO GO FISHIN OFF THE DOCK.

THERE IS ONLY SALMON AND TROUT IN THE KLAMATH RIVER. TRIED MY LUCK, GOT A LITTLE NIBBLE AND THEN 3 SEALS CAME IN AND ATE THE FISH, RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE DOCK, ABOUT 25 FEET OUT.

OUATTE DE PHOQUE.......

ON FRIDAY, IT IS A CLEANUP DAY. IT IS RAINING HARD, AND JUST WHEN YOU THINK IT CAN'T RAIN HARDER, IT RAINS HARDER. GONNA STAY HERE UNTIL SUNDAY MORNING AND THEN HEAD SOUTH TOWARDS FRISCO, MAYBE MAKE IT THERE TUESDAY.

WE SHALL SEE WHAT WE SHALL SEE !!!

Multi Videos -

Beach This

GOLD BEACH, OREGON - WOW!!!

SHORT DRIVE TODAY, 75 MILES. AND A 2 DAY LAYOFF.

COOS BAY WAS LIKE THE BEACHCOMBER TV SHOW. RUSTIC AND A LITTLE RUNDOWN TOWN, NICE SCENERY.

THE DRIVE DOWN HERE WAS DOWNRIGHT DULL.........UNTIL THE LAST 25 MILES. THEN IT WAS WOW, DOUBLE WOW, DIDJA SEE THAT, LOOK AT THAT.

STOPPED AT A HOME MADE JAM PLACE. PEACH BUTTER !! yUM yUM !

WE HAD LUNCH ON THE BEST BEACH WE HAD EVER SEEN. MILES LONG, HUGE WAVES, MAYBE 10 PEOPLE IN ALL. THE DOGS RAN AND RAN. THEY LOVED IT.

CAMPSITE IS REAL NICE, MOUNTAIN ON ONE SIDE, OCEAN ON THE OTHER. WALK TO THE BEACH. HUGE WAVES.

GONNA BE HERE 2 NIGHTS AND THEN ON TO KLAMATH, CALIFORNIA.

COOS BAY, OREGON -

LEFT THE NICEST CAMPGROUND YET. BEST CLUBHOUSE OF ANY, SO FAR. NICE GROUNDS AND PERMANENTS HAVE NICE GARDENS, WITH TOMATOES AND MELONS. LOTSA NUT TREES, ETC.

ROAD WAS UNEVENTFUL AND KINDA BORING, UNTIL WE TURNED OFF AT EUGENE. WE TRAVELED ALONG A RIVER, THROUGH TUNNELS, UP AND DOWN HILLS.SAW A HERD OF ABOUT 50 ELK, CROSSED OVER A HUGE BRIDGE AND INTO COOS BAY/NORTH END.

THE TOWN IS LIKE A MARITIME FRONTIER TOWN, WITH TONS OF WEIRD, LOST SOULS.

THE CAMPGROUND IS ---------PAVED !! 100% PAVED !!

WENT ON TOUR. UP AND DOWN THE COAST. FOUND A GREAT BEACH. NO ONE THERE. DOGS LOVED IT. WENT ON AND FOUND UNEQUALED VISTAS AND VIEWS. STOPPED AT SIMPSON'S REEF AND SAW THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF SEALS, SEA LIONS, BIRDS, ETC, ETC......

UNBELIEVABLE. GONNA TAKE 2 DAYS TO WANDER DOWN TO KLAMATH, CALIFORNIA AND THEN STAY THERE FOR THE WEEKEND.

SH! IT'S BROKEN .........

LEFT OCEAN SHORES AFTER 4 DAYS OF BEACHIN. BUT BEFORE LEAVING, WE HAD TO CLEAN OUT THE TANKS. SET UP, PUT EVERYTHING IN PLACE, AND SHHHHHHHHHHH, IT BROKE AND STUFF WAS FLYIN' ALL OVER. SHUT IT DOWN, CLEANED THE MESS ( AS BEST WE COULD ), AND HIGHTAILED IT OUTTA THERE !!

A LITTLE FOGGY FOR AWHILE, BUT BY THE TIME WE GOT TO MOUNT ST. HELEN, IT CLEARED UP. AND WARMED UP.

84 DEGREES AND SUNNY.

DROVE UP, AND UP AND UP AND S'MORE UP ALL THE WAY TO 9400 FEET.GOOD THING WE LEFT THE MOHO DOWN THE HILL AND TOOK THE TOAD UP. NEARLY TWICE AS HIGH AS ROGER'S PASS. WINDY.

AND THE SCENERY IS UNBELIEVABLE. NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE IT. TWISTED TREES, 50 FOOT PILES OF ASH, BROKEN TREES. LOOK AT THE PICS AND IMAGINE THE DEVASTATION. VEGETATION, AT THIS LEVEL, GROWS ABOUT AN INCH A YEAR.

SOME THINGS MUST BE SEEN TO BE BELIEVED. THIS IS HIGH ON THE LIST.

WE ARE NOW SOUTH OF PORTLAND, OREGON. GREAT CAMPGROUND. TOMORROW, THE COAST BECKONS.

PLAN ON A 3 DAY TRIP TO GET TO SAN FRANCISCO.

TTFN

PACIFIC SUNSET

WENT TO SEE THE SUNSET..... 8 PEOPLE THERE, 4 DOGS.

WE ARE RESTED AFTER 4 DAYS HERE, HEADING OUT TO MT. ST. HELEN'S TOMORROW. WILL STAY THERE OVERNIGHT. HOPE IT DOES NOT BLOW AGAIN....

FROM THERE, THE OREGON COAST AND THEN CALIFORNIA.

JUST LIKE PLATTSBURGH BEACH ....................

OCEAN SHORES, WASHINGTON. WHAT A PLAGE !!! DROVE A MEASURED MILE, PARKED AND STROLLED.

WE SAW 2 OTHER PEOPLE WALKING. THE GUY HAD A GOLF CLUB TO WHACK SHELLS BACK IN THE WATER.

DOGS RAN ALL OVER THE PLACE. LULU LIKED CHASING THE WATER. WAVES WERE ABOUT 5 TO 6 FEET HIGH, AND WHEN THE SUN CAME OUT, IT WAS FANTASTIC.

GOING BACK THIS AFTERNOON, FOR ANOTHER MILE WALK.

OOOOOPS< FORGOT VNCOUVER

Nice trip, hilly like you would not believe, 5600 foot climb, followed by 5600 foot drop.

Van is Toronto's rich uncle. Not for the Vertically Fearful.

Great parks and beaches. Saw some ships bringing more crap from China.

Check out the kids on the beach in snowsuits.

Ocean Shores Washington - Quelle Plage

Finally got here. We were 1/3 of a mile from the border at Blaine. Got there, waited 15 minutes ( 3 cars ) and got questioned. Was yellow tagged and sent over to the right. Homeland Security guided us in and told us to go inside. We were met by an inspector. Questioned again and told to hand over the keys. 2 agents boarded the Moho and seized ............3 GREEN APPLES !!!!!

Headed south and found a huge mall. Went to Best Buy and got a brand new Aircard. We can now Internet anywhere, anytime, on the road and off the road. Whoo-Hoo !!

Made it to Ocean Shores and we are parked until Sunday Morning. Went to the beach and there were ZERO people. Then 1 guy came. Too crowded, so we left.

Visited the area, met a sculptor, took some pics and back home. The sun looks like it is coming out, so we will return to the beach.

TTFN !!!!

CALGARY - WHERE ARE THE COWS ?

WHERE ARE THE COWS??? Calgary is completely new, most of the buildings were not there 5 years ago.

Clean, spiffy and thoroughly modern, Millie.

Frederick took us around and around and around. Great tour guide.

Put this town on your To-See List.

Tomorrow ----- Nothing.

LAKE LOUISE IS COLD.........

WE LEFT EARLY FOR LAKE LOUISE WITH FREDERICK AND TASH. I DROVE, EVEN IF FRED INSISTED. HE WAS A GREAT GUIDE AND TOOK US ON LESS TRAVELED ROADS.

SPECTACULAR.

GOT TO LAKE LOUISE AND FOUND A GREAT PARKING SPOT. WALKED UP AND IT CAN BE DESCRIBED ONLY WITH ONE WORD.

MAJESTIC.



THERE WERE NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE AND THE WEATHER WAS FANTASTIC. TOOK A TON OF PICS.

I TOOK MY TRADITIONAL FEET IN THE WATER PIC, AND WHEN I WENT TO RETRIEVE A ROCK FROM THE WATER FOR MY COLLECTION............ I FELL IN.

JAPENESE PEOPLE WERE AGAHST! HINDU SAID TO ME .." IS THE WATER COLD?" GERMAN GUY HARUMPHED. IT WAS HILARIOUS .

THE WATER IS FRIGID.

WENT FOR LUNCH, ( 4 HAM SANDWICHES, 2 COOKIES, 4 DRINKS=$42). THE LOOK ON THE JAPANESE TOURISTS LOOKING AT ME EATING ON A WET SEAT --- PRICELESS.

MOVED ON TO BANFF - LIKE LAKE GEORGE ON STEROIDS. OVERPRICED RESTAURANTS ( $54.95 FOR MONTREAL SMOKED BUFFALO SANDWICH ) AND A MILLION T-SHIRT STORES.

ALL IN ALL, A PERFECT DAY. TODAY, WE WILL VISIT DOWNTOWN CALGARY.

BIG SKY COUNTRY......WOW!!

TOOK THE DOGS OUT THIS MORNING, AND WITH A FULL MOON IN THE WESTERN SKY, THE HOWL OF COYOTEES AND THE TRAIN WHISTLE IN THE BACKGROUND, IT FELT LIKE BUTCH CASSIDY WAS GONNA DROP BY FOR A CHUCKWAGON BREAKFAST.

THIS IS LIKE LIVING IN A MOVIE.



TOOK A DAY OFF THE ROAD AND CLEANED UP THE RIG, CLOTHES AND US TOO...

BEFORE WE LEFT, WE TOOK THE DOGS FOR A WALK. LINDA POINTED AND SAID " WHAT IS THAT?" LOOKED UP AND IT WAS 3 WOLVES, NO MORE THAN 50 YARDS FROM US.

WE HUSTLED BACK TO THE MOHO, AND LINDA FELL WHEN SHE STEPPED INTO A PRAIRIE DOD HOLE. NO INJURY.
TOMORROW, CALGARY. YIPPEE KYO KYAAY !!

MONTANA - BUGGY

We left at the crack of dark. We left at 6:30 and 10 minutes later it was 5:40. Go figure.

Great road, fantastic scenery. We were gonna do 300 miles, but when we got to Havre, we found the campground was 10 yards from the highway, 10 yards from the railway tracks and 10 yards from the grain elevator.

So we kept going and finally stopped at Highway 15, 35 miles from the Canuckian Border.

Great scenery and a million bugs. Internet is slow, so no pics tonight.

Ya'll come back, ya hear

NORTH DAKOTA IS A GAS.

WHAT A FANTASTIC STATE.



STARTED OFF BY FEEDING THE BUFFALO, WATCHING THE BIGGEST FULL MOON EVER DROP IN FRONT OF US, WHILE THE SUN CAME UP BEHIND.

UNBELIEVABLE SCENERY. YOU CAN LITERALLY SEE FOR OVER 20 MILES IN THE DISTANCE, ALL AROUND YOU. UNBELIEVABLE. WE SAW A POWER PLANT COMING OVER A RISE, AND IT WE MEASURED 27 MILES BEFORE WE GOT TO IT.

WALMART SELLS LIQUOR. WE SAW A COWGIRL, RIDING A HORSE, TALKING ON HER CELL PHONE. STRANGE. SPEED LIMIT IS ---- NO LIMIT DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS, 75 AT NIGHT.

STOPPED AT THE LEWIS AND CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER. MAJESTIC 12 FOOT STEEL STATUES. WOW.

DROVE THE BADLANDS, SAW COAL MINES, OIL WELLS AND MORE UNBELIEVABLE SCENERY.

WILL MONTANA BE EVEN BETTER? WE WILL SEE TOMORROW.

GO WEST PEOPLE, GO WEST !!!!!

HEADED OUT EARLY, IN THE RAIN. THE WEATHER RADIO SAID IT WAS SUNNY IN FARGO, ND. WE PUT THE HAMMER DOWN AND DROVE THE BUS HARD.




WE FIGURED FARGO WOULD BE A COW TOWN. FORGET ABOUT IT. IT IS A BUSTLING, FAST MOVING, HIGH TECH COLLEGE TOWN. THEY HAVE A CELEBRITY WALK OF FAME THAT WAS FUN. PUT MY HANDS IN ART LINKLETTER'S DEAD HANDS...

ST. CLOUDS IS A MONTREAL CANADIENS FARM TEAM, THERE ARE HAB SIGNS EVERYWHERE. MET A KID WHO HAD CANADIENS STUFF IN THE CAR. WE TOOK HIS PIC, WITH FUNKY MONKEY.

STOPPED FOR THE NIGHT 100 MILES WEST OF FARGO, IN A 1 BUFFALO TOWN. JAMESTOWN HAS 2 TV STATIONS AND THE WORLDS BIGGEST BUFFALO. NO INTERNET, SHEESH.

GAS WENT DOWN TO $3.54 A GALLON, ABOUT 0.90 A LITRE.

WISCONSIN IN THE RAIN

IT RAINED SO MUCH, WE SAW A GUY BUILDING A BIG BOAT AND HE HAD TWO OF A WHOLE BUNCH OF ANIMALS. IT WAS A DISMAL DAY.

WE DROVE THROUGH THE RAIN, DOWN THE ROAD THROUGH AMERICA'S DAIRYLAND. STOPPED AT A CHEESE STORE AND BOUGHT ABOUGHT 5 LBS OF CHEESE. GARLIC CHEDDAR IS SO YUMMY. CHILE PEPPER CHEESE CURDS, MMMM-MMM GOOD. THE GUY HAD NEVER HEARD OF POUTINE, SO I TOLD HIM HOW TO MAKE IT. HE WILL BE THE HIT AT THE NEXT COW-DANCE.

STOPPED AT THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND TOOK A DIP......FEET ONLY. HAD TO EXPLAIN ABOUT FUNKY MONKEY TO SOME LOCALS.

PASSED AN OVERTURNED TRUCK AND DECIDED TO STOP AT MINNEAPOLIS. ENOUGH RAIN FOR THE DAY.

LOMBARDI TIME - WISCONSIN ROAD TRIP

Green Bay. The city on the Bay. Cold,snow games. Without football, this town is not worth a mention. But it is Titletown, USA.

We did stop in Oskosh and saw the world famous airport. There were a few people practicing. Hit the Outlets and the dogs stole the show.




We then headed west again and drove in the rain all day. Stopped at Hudson and walked to the Mississippi River. Majestic. Tomorrow, North Dakota.

...AND THE TRIP CONTINUES......

We left Sandsky, Ohio (home of the world's largest roller coasters) and continued on to Elkhart, Indiana. Elkhart, Indiana is the home of most of the motorhome manufacturers. We arrived Elkhart on Sunday, Sept. 7th and met with the Four Winds customer service department the following morning at 6:30 a.m. OMG, what a spectacular reception we received, this by far the greatest Customer Service unit we have ever dealt with.

Luckily for us while they were putting some valve extenders on our tires which we ordered they found liquid leaking from the axle to the brakes. They arranged immediately for us an appointment with Ford Truck division and we had this repaired. Thankfully this was noticed as we could have been on the road, in middle of nowhere,have a major brake problem on our hands with no assistance available. The service guys also noticed that there was a problem with our automatic levellers. An appointment was made with a specialist to evaluate the problem and then the problem was repaired. Simply a sensor that was malfunctioning, yeah! This industry is worst than the medical field, there are specialists for everything....!!!!

Well, I bet you are all wondering what we did while our motorhome was getting pampered. Yes, yes, we went to Chicago, shopping, then to Shipshewana (home of the largest Amish Flea Market) shopping. Linda tells me that any time we have to have repairs we are coming back to Elkhart as she thinks it is the greatest area in the world (naturally shopping goes to her head!!)

We were lucky and got on a Four Winds plant tour and they allowed us to bring Lindy and Lulu along in their stroller (what can we say we have little Angels.) The tour actually takes you through each step and development of building a motorhome, from the chassis arriving from Ford and then the building of the walls,roof and all the interior mechanisms. Wow, no wonder these units cost so much....details...on everything.....just miles and miles of wiring for all the electronic requirements.


Because we had so much time, we did a ton of touring. What can I say about Notre Dame University. So much history... you can feel Lou Holtz and the Four Horsemen, you can hear the trees whisper - Rudy, Rudy, Rudy.



We followed that with a trip to Chicago. Al Capone, Mayor Daley, Oprah..... Super city, clean as a whistle. Driving under the El is a gas. Very easy to get around and it was fun to see so many things that we had seen in the movies. Nearly fell over looking up from the foot of the Sears Tower.

Grand Tour 2008 Begins

We left Mooers Forks at 6:30 sharp. Nice sunrise, full tank and an interminable drive to Watertown. Finally got to the 81 and headed towards Lockport, NY. GPS sent us on a country road for the last 26 miles. With a GREAT piece of driving, we crossed a One-Lane bridge built in 1921. Had to necotiate a 90 degree turn to get on it. I thought I would have to undo the Toad to make it.

Niagara Falls is great. The US side is much more scenic, but not as spectacular. The Canadian side is all about Casinos, T-Shirts and stuff, while the US is about parks, picnics and families. The town, however, is kinda nasty. Campground rates a 5




We then headed to Sanduski, Ohio. 2 Day stop here. The drive was rather windy from Gustav and hit a little rain.

Bypassed Cleveland. Besides RockNRoll Hall of Fame, it did not seem to deserve a stop.

Sanduski is a nice old town, refurbished to it's glory days.

However, the area is dominated by Cedar Point Amusement. So, it is kinda tacky. And Very Expensive.

Campground is $27, with discount. See the cabins....$70 per night.

Thanks Paul......

> > Gentle thoughts for today.

> > > Birds of a feather flock together and crap on your car. > >

When I'm feeling down, I like to whistle. It makes the neighbor's dog run to the end of his chain and gag himself. > >

A penny saved is a government oversight. > >

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. > >

The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight because by then your body and your fat have gotten to be really good friends. > >

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement. > >

He who hesitates is probably right. > >

Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are ' XL.' > >

If you think there is good in everybody, you haven't met everybody. > >

If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame. > >

The sole purpose of a child's middle name is so he can tell when he's really in trouble.
> >

There's always a lot to be thankful for if you take time to look for it. For example I am sitting here thinking how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt .> >

Did you ever notice: When you put the 2 words 'The' and 'IRS' together it spells 'Theirs?'> >

On Aging: > >

Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it. > >

The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for. > >

Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know 'why' I look this way. >

I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved. > >

When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra. > >

You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks. > >

One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young. > >

Ah, being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable. > >

First you forget names, then you forget faces. Then you forget to pull up your zipper. >