Home at Alton

Up early and off the ski mountain for a short trip home. We stopped and topped off the Bus with fuel once we got into NH. It was down to $2.96/gallon and that was better than what we saw on the NY Thruway at $3.25. Overall with camping and fuel we spent around $850 for our trip. That's not bad considering we dragged our car, two kayaks, and all our clothes and stuff we had to live 6 months in the Keys. We were on the road since May 5th and traveled 1850 miles, across 11 states.

Our house was fine. We were so pleased to see our neighbor Fred and Ginny across the street had mowed our lawn for us. We dreaded doing that first thing to be able to park the Bus. I called and thanked them for that and will pick up a gift card for Olive Garden Restaurant.

As I sit here typing I'm OK with being home after all and thinking about our next outing. Of course I do have the three weeks to work down in the Keys first but hopefully that will go by quick. When I get home we will take the Bus to Maine to our friends Steve and Mellisa for a party at their home.

Well signing off this post for now. Hope somebody read it but if not we will have it to look back on. Love you all

David and Lynda

In the Mountains of Vermont

After a short trip this morning from the Catskill Mountains in New York we are now atop one of the Green Mountains in Vermont. Greenwood campsite our old favorite stop as we pass back and forth through this state. It is just so beautiful up on this old ski mountain. Ann and Ed the owners greet us and if they can they set aside site 24 for us. The main lodge is also a hostel and young folks from all over the world stay on occasion. Although that part of the business hasn't been that good for them lately.

We hike the long beautiful ski trails with Charlie and feel right at home. The thought of our real home has been nagging at our minds. We wish we could sell it and keep traveling for a few years in our Magic Bus. What started out a bit bumpy has now gotten into our blood and it seems so natural for us to be living the gypsy life. We do very well in the coach and each new place we arrive at is an adventure of new sights and people. The big change of parking this RV and starting to work on our old house is not something we look forward to. We would like to try and sell it or at least rent it so we can explore both coasts of our country and Canada. This will be our goal this summer.

Great visit at the Jersey Shore with Sis Jackie, Catskill NY

We had a wonderful visit with my sister and her children and grandchildren Jill, Lil Jack, and Tiffany. We are heading for the Catskill Mts. in New York today and I will post about our visit at the Shore tonight at the Elks were will be staying. Cheers

Ok in the parking lot in back of the Catskill NY Elks.

The past few days were very nice for Lynda and me. We so enjoyed our visit and seeing family. My sisters home, in the pictures above, is a very historic place in the middle of a historic town, Port Republic. Such a beautiful setting and she lives to make the grounds so nice. In the back yard you can sit on her porch and watch the many many different species that feed on her many feeders. Lynda would love a garden spot like this as our New Hampshire latitude and altitude don't favor growing much of anything. We were invited to my niece Lil Jack's new condo overlooking the water across from Atlantic City. It is a really nice home and she made us a great meal. My other niece Jill came to visit from her new home in Philadelphia bringing my niece Dodi's daughter Tiffany. We missed staying at Jill and Michael's house were we stay many times during our past visits so it was nice to at least see Jill. They have sold their home for a high rise condo in Philly and spend the rest of their time in their condo in St. Martin.

The trip up to Catskill NY was great. Everyone gives Jersey such a bad rap but let me tell you the drivers are so much better and not as rude as many areas we have driven in. Miami for one is a nightmare. We just cruised up the Garden State Parkway to the New York Thruway and then of exit 21 and a few miles to the Elks. This is our first time here and the members were so unbelievably nice. We are out back by their picnic pavilion with electric and water. The best is it is for FREE! We went in the bar for a bit and bought a couple of drinks and the hospitality overflowed. Love the Elks!!!! Lynda and I have thought about moving to this area as it is really nice and New York doesn't tax my pension or social security.

Tomorrow off to our old favorite campsite in Woodford VT on top of an old ski mountain.

New Jersey Shore

Well we made it up to Lewes Delaware to Camp Henlopen State Park with no trouble at all. We have stayed at this site a few times and really like the lay out. During the weekends in the summer it will get crowded but we were almost alone and it was great. There are wonderful trails to walk along the shore and although only water hook ups big nice level sites. Best of all was that we were within a short distance from the Cape May Ferry to NJ. We got up early and went down to the ferry and lucked out as they put us on an earlier one that the one we booked. It was a nice cruise with dolphins swimming next to the boat and plenty of room for the Bus as it's a huge ship.

We drove a short distance to Galloway NJ and Shady Pines Camp resort just a few miles from my sister Jackies home. It was a passport america member and we only paid $19.50 per night for full hookups in a big wide quiet site.

Through Virginia

So the KOA at Virginia Beach was a rip off. When we got there the computer put us in a small, muddy site with a large tree stump. Also none of the sites were numbered as they just painted them. So after trying to squeeze in and driving over the sump I went back to the young French girl that sent us there and was pretty mad. It wasn't her fault as she just started and they have yet to walk her around and show her what the sites look like. I voiced my complaint with the manager, whats new, and got an upgrade to a site that looked more like $45 even though it normally goes for $55. The other thing was we filled up with propane and that cost around $4.50/gallon, ouch. The rest of the night was fine and in the morning I headed over to the local iHop and had pancakes and a egg sub omelet, the best. Lynda didn't come as "She can't be bothered". Ha.

Later we made the short trip to Bill and Mary's over the Bay Bridge tunnel. It was really rough out in the water and the wind was blowing hard. The Bus is amazingly fine in that stuff but I find it a bit tense going down into the tunnel parts doing 55 miles per hour with peeps coming so close next to me heading the other way. Was quite glad when that ended. We pulled into B & M's drive way and set up for the night. Perfect hosts had some refreshments ready and after a chat we headed out to see their new shop.

I couldn't believe how nice the place was. Some how I pictured it to be just a small shack but it's not. Real nice location on the water with plenty of room for retail sales. We wish them the best as they deserve it. After that we dinned at a Greek dinner (Lynda says it was Turkish but they had Greek food) that was cheap and tasty. We rented some movies and headed back to the bus to watch them on the big iMac hooked to the bus stereo. Great night with great friends, we love you Bill and Mary.

Next morning

The Outer Banks of North Carolina day two

Justin adding a picture of Lynda's Bear cane.

We have become spoiled having a winter in the coach with full hook ups. Now that we had to dry camp we missed some of those luxury's. Having to deal with campers all around us that came in tents to party and with no AC to run at night to drown out their noise was a bummer. At one end of our row of campsites was a bunch of college kids just having a ball. Then at the other was a whole group of what I think were Cub Scouts. As I was a leader for a few years I could relate to the carrying on. Anyway we did run our generator to get some AC during the hot day and to enjoy our iMacs. I doubt we will stay at this Federal site again but do love the outer banks and all it has.

We visited with Nancy and Galen, Justin's wife Lindsay's parents. We went out for a nice dinner after seeing their lovely house. The next morning they came by our campsite and took us to see a couple of Kitty Hawk kites stores where Galen works as a buyer. Lynda and I got some nice T shirts and then we had some lunch. After it was off for the big adventure, hang gliding. Galen got me a comp and also one for himself and we entered hang gliding school. We both were issued helmets and harnesses then trekked up the steep dunes to our fate. Galen being a veteran at this sport was very happy with the stiff winds and all. I was more cautious after signing a lengthy waver and off course all the safety bits they give. After all I'm in good shape but wary of Lynda driving us home with me hanging in traction in the back bedroom. I got through it and it wasn't that bad at all. I wish the fellow in front of me didn't get tangled on the metal cable when he landed and have such an ugly scrap on his leg, but he was positive and kept going. I got a little tense after seeing that.

After doing five flights we headed down to get our certificates and then off to dinner. All and all it was a great experience and I thank Galen for the chance. They dropped us off at the campground and we relaxed until bed.

We are now near Virgina Beach at an overpriced KOA campground and will head over to the Eastern shore of Virgina to our friends Bill and Mary's house tomorrow.

David

South Carolina to North Carolina and Outer Banks

Left South Carolina for North Carolina and headed towards the Outer Banks. We booked the ferry en route and couldn't get the 10.30 one as it was full for large vehicles. So we had to book the 7.30 am ferry. The night before our crossing we stayed at Driftwood Campground at Cedar Island. We had stayed there a couple of years ago and it was
very handy for the ferry - just 1 minute away! Best thing about the area is the pure, unspoilt beach where you can walk the dog unleashed and there are no signs at all telling you what you can't do. It seems like a place that no one else has discovered and Charlie just went crazy racing around and splashing in the water. The ferry crossing from Cedar Island to Ocracoke was perfect. Sun, not too hot, nice breeze and front-seat views of the water, PLUS, my dear husband made me a mimosa! Because of our early start we got the 10.30
ferry from Ocracoke Island to Hatteras island so made our final destination - Oregon Inlet Federal Campground - by 12.30. That was good as it was first come first served basis. We had stayed at this campground too in the past, but what both of us "oldies" forgot was
that there were no hook-ups. Luckily we had a tank full of water so we should make it with a quick shower. For $10 per night (one of the advantages of being oldies) we couldn't complain. Later we will hook up with Nancy and Galen, Justin's in-laws.

Lynda

Wish I could arrange the pictures they just go where ever they want when I upload them. The one above of the sunrise was this morning at Cedar Island just as we were packing up to get to the ferry at 7am. It was nice there and the crossing on the ferry was great also. It's a tight fit putting our rig on and inches is all that seperated the bus from the ferry walls.

We drove a bit and then got on another smaller ferry to the main part of the outer banks. from there it was a straight shot to the National Park Campground. As Lynda stated above we forgot they had no hook ups so I had to carry some water from the spigot to put in our tank. We went over the dunes to the beach and Charlie and I went for a wade. Shame that they let pickup trucks carve up the beach but poor Charlie has to stay on a lead. Small minds at work. That is one part of the outer banks I don't like, all the ya hoos driving on the beach crushing baby sea turtles and chasing nesting birds. But the ocean is great and I felt like going for a swim, maybe tomorrow.

David