Sunday, October 12th - We still needed some rest for our tired legs so we climbed in the Jeep and went exploring the countryside. H thought we should go find a restored old village in Hookstown, Pa. We did but it was only 3 little buildings and they were not open yet. We ended up north, across the Ohio River but we were still in Pennsylvania! Could not get that to register in my brain- crossed the Ohio River and were still in Pennsylvania. The Ohio River starts in Pittsburgh at the junction of the Allegheny and the Monongahela Rivers and flows north and then west BEFORE it becomes the outline of the state of Ohio!
Monday, October 13th was a shopping day! We found Harbor Freight, IKEA, and the biggest Joann Fabric store that I have ever been in! Our legs were worn out again when we finally got back to the trailer but we did manage to walk the campground loops one more time! The resident deer were out on their nightly tour of the campground also! There were 2 doe and 2 half grown fawn that nibbled their way thru the grounds each morning and evening!
Tuesday, October 14th- senior day at the Carnegie Science Center! A giant COSI! We even worked some of the experiments! The Miniature Railroad exhibit was closed for updating but we were taken on a private tour of the extremely detailed model of the Pittsburgh area as it might have been, years ago. The museum also included a tour of the Cold War Submarine, the USS Requin. Just about a mile away from the Science Center was the National Aviary. 600+ birds of 200 different species and obviously, plenty of “hands on” experiences. I had a bird eating mealworms out of my hand and H had a tern grabbing a fish out of his upheld fingers! The worms didn’t smell half as bad as that fish! There was also an educational visit with an African Penguin named Simon! Back at the State Park we finally had the strength to hike to the historic Frankfort Mineral Springs that we had wanted to locate ever since our arrival. On our evening walk thru the campground we met a fulltime couple in a 5th wheel that had solar panels on the top! Solar panels!
Wednesday, October 15th – cloudy this morning but it was 60 degrees when we got up. When we arrived at the state park last Friday, there were no leaves on the ground and this morning the ground is covered with them. We did pick the best week to be here! The rain is to arrive today so we are heading for Ohio. The color will be gone, so - - - so will we. IF we find a spot to park for the night – we will. If not – then we’ll sleep in the waterbed at home tonight. A stop at an Amish Country store for ice cream and then we headed home. We pulled into the driveway - and it started to rain.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Pittsburgh
OH NO! We’ve done it again! The trailer was loaded and the new equalizer hitch was hooked up so we left home again on Thursday, October 9th. This time we’re headed east to the Pittsburgh area with a stop in Amish Country Ohio at the Holmes County Flea Market and a night camping at Tappan Lake Park. The fall colors are out, the temps are rising into the 70’s and we think this might just be the peak color weekend!
Friday, October 10th we crossed the Ohio River at Steubenville and whizzed thru West Virginia to Raccoon Creek State Park in Pennsylvania, and parked the trailer before lunchtime. The afternoon was enjoyed by walking and exploring the park’s many winding roads, the scenic reservoir and the wooded camping areas. There were signs all over to not feed the deer and bears but we only saw one deer and no bears.
On Saturday, October 11th, our objective was to find the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. Lily the GPS was set for the address given in the tour book and off we went. HOWEVER- - the route we dutifully followed thru endless neighborhoods and up hill and down, led us to a dead end street in a quiet neighborhood! The police officers that we located parked in a small shopping center said we were not the first to have ended up in their area and gave us new directions to find the zoo - - - which took us 18 miles across town to the north. This time the gps address the officers sent us to was another small neighborhood. H’s frustration level was at its peak and we finally dug out the cell phone and called the wayward zoo!! We had left the campground before 9am and it was now noon!
The day was warm and sunny – the parking lot was full and the zoo was crowded! But what a wonderful zoo! Wondrously arranged on the top of one of Pittsburgh many mountains, the walkways led from area to area, up and down and around, from the lions to the African elephants, to the awesome aquarium and underwater walkway. We walked UNDER the polar bear, frolicking in his pool, watched the sea otters antics and had a shark swim over our heads! As we left the zoo and headed, hopefully, downtown we stopped in a neighborhood they call “the strip”. We parked and walked several blocks while enjoying an expensive Greek pastry. The old buildings and sidewalk booths reminded us of both Toronto Ontario and Progresso Mexico!
We found the Duquesne Incline which dates back to 1877 and took some great pictures of downtown Pittsburgh and the 3 rivers that divide it- the Allegheny to the north, the Monongahela to the south and the Ohio to the west. The water in the large fountain at the point of the 3 rivers is flowing pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
After a long day on the road and walking thru the zoo and exploring downtown, we finally found our way home, after dark.
Friday, October 10th we crossed the Ohio River at Steubenville and whizzed thru West Virginia to Raccoon Creek State Park in Pennsylvania, and parked the trailer before lunchtime. The afternoon was enjoyed by walking and exploring the park’s many winding roads, the scenic reservoir and the wooded camping areas. There were signs all over to not feed the deer and bears but we only saw one deer and no bears.
On Saturday, October 11th, our objective was to find the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. Lily the GPS was set for the address given in the tour book and off we went. HOWEVER- - the route we dutifully followed thru endless neighborhoods and up hill and down, led us to a dead end street in a quiet neighborhood! The police officers that we located parked in a small shopping center said we were not the first to have ended up in their area and gave us new directions to find the zoo - - - which took us 18 miles across town to the north. This time the gps address the officers sent us to was another small neighborhood. H’s frustration level was at its peak and we finally dug out the cell phone and called the wayward zoo!! We had left the campground before 9am and it was now noon!
The day was warm and sunny – the parking lot was full and the zoo was crowded! But what a wonderful zoo! Wondrously arranged on the top of one of Pittsburgh many mountains, the walkways led from area to area, up and down and around, from the lions to the African elephants, to the awesome aquarium and underwater walkway. We walked UNDER the polar bear, frolicking in his pool, watched the sea otters antics and had a shark swim over our heads! As we left the zoo and headed, hopefully, downtown we stopped in a neighborhood they call “the strip”. We parked and walked several blocks while enjoying an expensive Greek pastry. The old buildings and sidewalk booths reminded us of both Toronto Ontario and Progresso Mexico!
We found the Duquesne Incline which dates back to 1877 and took some great pictures of downtown Pittsburgh and the 3 rivers that divide it- the Allegheny to the north, the Monongahela to the south and the Ohio to the west. The water in the large fountain at the point of the 3 rivers is flowing pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
After a long day on the road and walking thru the zoo and exploring downtown, we finally found our way home, after dark.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
The Last Post is Always Late!
The last post to this blog is always late! When you return home from a trip the first thing that has to be done is empty the trailer of all the dirty clothes and then fill it back up with clean stuff so you are ready when the road calls the next time! We’ve been home several days now. The laundry is done, the pantry and linens are restocked and the Aerolite is covered and parked in the backyard. The yard is mowed and weeds are pulled. Now, I can download pictures and finish up our tale! I’d better hurry because Harry says in 15 days – that’s the limit – we’ll be on the road again - - - going somewhere!!
Sunday September 14th, we left the rain soaked Upper Peninsula of Michigan and headed south across the mighty Mac Bridge – looking for cheaper gas. The tank was on empty and the dash light was glaring! Gas in St Ignace had gone from $3.98 on Friday morning to $4.09 and then to $4.29! Once the tank was full we parked and walked the town to see if there were any end of season bargains. None that we needed so we turned the windshield wipers on again and moved on down the wet pavement to Carp Lake and to spend a wonderful day visiting with Mel and Donna! The guys grilled pork loins to perfection on the charcoal grill while we ladies tried to catch up on our girl talk that was way over due! The downpour of rain continued as the evening crept closer and we hugged them for one more time and we continued down Rt 31 to Burt Lake State Park. We needed a good nights sleep and thankfully got one.
Monday was an early escape and run for the southbound I75 to the Roscommon exit for breakfast at another “favorite” breakfast spot where we ALWAYS have potato pancakes. They did not disappoint! Another favorite camp spot is #25 at Grousehaven Campground in the Rifle River Recreation Area. Once set up the Jeep headed west and north of Rose City and “Lily” the gps guided us up and down and around some great 2-track roads and some rocky, steep ORV trails! The skid plates earned their keep again and Ron’s towrope was not needed. Back at the campground, the canoe went in the water and the lures went back on the poles. It was windy and had no bites, but it was still good just to be experiencing the sunny warm day. As the afternoon settled down and the winds decreased, the reflections on the peaceful, pristine little lake grew and grew, showing duplicates of downed trees in the water and towering pines reaching for the sky-the one in the water and the one above it! The white birch trees showed up starkly against the golden flowers and deep green foliage on the bank. With a sigh, we called it quits for the evening and closed the door behind us on our mobile motel.
Tuesday, September 16th was our travel day home but thankfully – not straight home! We HAD to stop at Frank’s Sporting Goods store on Rt 13 just north of Bay City. And we can NEVER go thru Standish without shopping at Norman’s or the Dollar Store. And an extra treat was Birch Run Outlet Mall near Frankenmuth. Harry goes to the Coleman Store and this time I was looking for windbreaker jackets to replace my very warn blue patch jacket so I shopped at several places. Home in time to see if Fall had beat us there! She hadn’t but she is close!
Sunday September 14th, we left the rain soaked Upper Peninsula of Michigan and headed south across the mighty Mac Bridge – looking for cheaper gas. The tank was on empty and the dash light was glaring! Gas in St Ignace had gone from $3.98 on Friday morning to $4.09 and then to $4.29! Once the tank was full we parked and walked the town to see if there were any end of season bargains. None that we needed so we turned the windshield wipers on again and moved on down the wet pavement to Carp Lake and to spend a wonderful day visiting with Mel and Donna! The guys grilled pork loins to perfection on the charcoal grill while we ladies tried to catch up on our girl talk that was way over due! The downpour of rain continued as the evening crept closer and we hugged them for one more time and we continued down Rt 31 to Burt Lake State Park. We needed a good nights sleep and thankfully got one.
Monday was an early escape and run for the southbound I75 to the Roscommon exit for breakfast at another “favorite” breakfast spot where we ALWAYS have potato pancakes. They did not disappoint! Another favorite camp spot is #25 at Grousehaven Campground in the Rifle River Recreation Area. Once set up the Jeep headed west and north of Rose City and “Lily” the gps guided us up and down and around some great 2-track roads and some rocky, steep ORV trails! The skid plates earned their keep again and Ron’s towrope was not needed. Back at the campground, the canoe went in the water and the lures went back on the poles. It was windy and had no bites, but it was still good just to be experiencing the sunny warm day. As the afternoon settled down and the winds decreased, the reflections on the peaceful, pristine little lake grew and grew, showing duplicates of downed trees in the water and towering pines reaching for the sky-the one in the water and the one above it! The white birch trees showed up starkly against the golden flowers and deep green foliage on the bank. With a sigh, we called it quits for the evening and closed the door behind us on our mobile motel.
Tuesday, September 16th was our travel day home but thankfully – not straight home! We HAD to stop at Frank’s Sporting Goods store on Rt 13 just north of Bay City. And we can NEVER go thru Standish without shopping at Norman’s or the Dollar Store. And an extra treat was Birch Run Outlet Mall near Frankenmuth. Harry goes to the Coleman Store and this time I was looking for windbreaker jackets to replace my very warn blue patch jacket so I shopped at several places. Home in time to see if Fall had beat us there! She hadn’t but she is close!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Tuesday Sept. 9th
Tuesday morning we pulled out again and headed east on Rt 28 to Newberry- The Moose Capitol of Michigan. Our whole trip was to “Hunt Moose” and we’d only seen the big fiberglass ones in St Ignace and the tiny little ones in the gift shops! Now we should see some! Our first item to accomplish was to locate moose! We traveled up Rt 123 to Tahquamenon Falls State Park looking for them and saw none. But the Falls were still magnificent! The walkways to the falls have been greatly improved since our last visit and the sun shining on the tea colored water rushing over the rock steps of the lower falls still took my breath away. Searched the marshes that we passed on the way back and scanned the fields as we trekked across the back roads, but still no moose!
The answer to our dilemma should have been solved when we stopped at the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday morning to pick up our “moose map” that was to show us where the best places for sighting moose were. The woman at the Chamber was of no help and didn’t have a clue as to finding real moose. She had never seen one! Oh well, off we went via more back roads to Seney Wildlife Refuge where perhaps the elusive moose were hiding. No luck but we sure did enjoy the wandering trails that wound in and out of marshes and ponds that held swans, ducks, an osprey AND an eagles nest. Closer to the campground we stopped to gather firewood for our pie iron supper of pizzas and blueberry pies!
Thursday morning came too quickly because Ron and Nancy had to head back downstate and their home. We packed up and also headed down state but just to the Little Brevort State Forest Campground and set up home and finally put the canoe in the water to fish. The lake was pretty but was full of weeds and no motors allowed. The sign in area posted no “senior” rates so Harry called and was told that thanks to our governor- there were no longer senior rates in the Michigan State Forests. We hooked back up and left. Just a few miles east we came across the Brevort Lake National Forest Campground - - with senior rates and parked in a good spot – wooded but yet right on the water. No electricity but the generator worked just fine and the temps dropped only down into the 50’s that night.
Friday September 12th. We would have liked to have stayed longer and fished that lake with canoe and motor but it rained again so on we went. Breakfast in Naubinway and we parked in the Straits State Park in St Ignace. It was just a short walk to the beach and a great sight of the Mackinac Bridge. We had heard of a car show that was to be in town but NO ONE up in the U P had heard anything about it. Well – it was an Antique Tractor/Big Rig Truck / Car / Flea Market Show! There was even a parade across the Mighty Mac Bridge and right thru town of 563 antique tractors and we were there to see them enter the Guinness Book of World Records! The longest parade of antique tractors!
Saturday morning we checked out town again as it had filled up overnight with huge fancy semi tractors and their matching trailers. At the flea market Harry even picked up an LED light for the motorcycle at a very good price. The rains came again during the afternoon so we caught up on our blogging and reading! Now off we go to post this and to find ketchup for our supper of hotdogs! Tonight there is to be a Lighted Parade of the trucks! But it’s raining.
The answer to our dilemma should have been solved when we stopped at the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday morning to pick up our “moose map” that was to show us where the best places for sighting moose were. The woman at the Chamber was of no help and didn’t have a clue as to finding real moose. She had never seen one! Oh well, off we went via more back roads to Seney Wildlife Refuge where perhaps the elusive moose were hiding. No luck but we sure did enjoy the wandering trails that wound in and out of marshes and ponds that held swans, ducks, an osprey AND an eagles nest. Closer to the campground we stopped to gather firewood for our pie iron supper of pizzas and blueberry pies!
Thursday morning came too quickly because Ron and Nancy had to head back downstate and their home. We packed up and also headed down state but just to the Little Brevort State Forest Campground and set up home and finally put the canoe in the water to fish. The lake was pretty but was full of weeds and no motors allowed. The sign in area posted no “senior” rates so Harry called and was told that thanks to our governor- there were no longer senior rates in the Michigan State Forests. We hooked back up and left. Just a few miles east we came across the Brevort Lake National Forest Campground - - with senior rates and parked in a good spot – wooded but yet right on the water. No electricity but the generator worked just fine and the temps dropped only down into the 50’s that night.
Friday September 12th. We would have liked to have stayed longer and fished that lake with canoe and motor but it rained again so on we went. Breakfast in Naubinway and we parked in the Straits State Park in St Ignace. It was just a short walk to the beach and a great sight of the Mackinac Bridge. We had heard of a car show that was to be in town but NO ONE up in the U P had heard anything about it. Well – it was an Antique Tractor/Big Rig Truck / Car / Flea Market Show! There was even a parade across the Mighty Mac Bridge and right thru town of 563 antique tractors and we were there to see them enter the Guinness Book of World Records! The longest parade of antique tractors!
Saturday morning we checked out town again as it had filled up overnight with huge fancy semi tractors and their matching trailers. At the flea market Harry even picked up an LED light for the motorcycle at a very good price. The rains came again during the afternoon so we caught up on our blogging and reading! Now off we go to post this and to find ketchup for our supper of hotdogs! Tonight there is to be a Lighted Parade of the trucks! But it’s raining.
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