'21/#55 Bye Bye

       It is that time of yearto say goodbye to the old and welcome the new. Like 2020, 2021 was challlenging because of the Covid virus and all that it brought with it, but we have made it to a new year. Hopefullyeveryone reading this is doing well and taking all the recommended precautions to stay healthy and make this coming year better than the last.

     We also hope that everyone had a good Christmas and got tospend rime with family and friends in a safe and healthy way. Again, covid is dictating how we celebrate with others, but if we try we can still get together with those close to us and also enjoy ourselves.  Well I am going to make this short and wish everyone a Happy New Year from our home in Zephyrhill because....

   Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#54 What Is Christmas?

    It is that time if year when everything is all about Christmas, but what is Christmas? It is a religous holiday that is most dear to those of the Christian faiths and to some that is enough. Others look at it as a time of good cheer and good will, while some see family gatherings as the high point of the season. Some see the Christmas tree, or Santa Claus, and some will focus on the gifts while others are not sure what it is at all. 

   In this day of internet socialization we have come across a number of people who aren't sure if it is still Christmas. When the kids are grown and the wonder about what Santa has brought is replaced by knowing that someone, whether a relative or friend, has given you a gift is it still Chistmas? When the kids are out of the house and Christmas day comes to two people in an empty nest, is it still Christmas? When seniors gather in community centers or nursing homes is it still Christmas? Yes it is!

   I won't try to tell anyone what Christmas should be. I am not smart enough to tell someone else what Christmas is to them. But I would like to quote someone much smarter than me. Dr. Seuss spoke to people of all ages and I think summed it up best when he had the Grinch say, "It came without ribbons, it came without tags. It came without packages, boxes, or bags. Maybe Christmas (he thought) doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas means a little bit more."

   To me "more" is the operative word. More can be anything to anyone and can only be found by looking into your own heart. Thanksgiving is past and we gave thanks for what we have in our life but Christmas can be so much more. There is that word again. Take the time to reflect on your life. Not just the present but the past and the future also. To me Christmas is a time to give thanks for what we had, for what we have, and also for what we may have in the future. It is a time when we can give not just gifts but ouselves to others. Time is such a precious gift and becomes more so when it is shared.

   So this Christmas don't fret about how things have changed because things will always change. Remember how things were and how they have changed and look forward to how things will most certainly change in the tomorrows that come.

   So please have a Merry Christmas however you celebrate it as we celebrate it in our home on wheels in Zephyrhills because.....

     Home is where we park it,

   Frank and Mary

'21/#53 The Heart Of Snowbird Season

   It is after Thanksgiving and December first has come and gone.  That means the third wave of snowbirds have arrived and with that all the snowbird season brings. Crowded roads, crowded stores, crowded retaurants, and everything else is ... well crowded. I am not knocking snowbirds, for two reasons. 

   First and foremost we are now snowbirds. Unlike other snowbirds who live up north and travel south for the winter we started in Florida and travel north for the summer and return in the winter. I refer to us as reverse snowbirds. 

   The second reason is the good things that snowbirds bring.  They stimulate the economy during the winter months and help pay for all the infrastructure and business with their spending and the taxes they pay with that spending. 

   When we lived in Florida year round we learned to adapt to the influx of snowbirds. We shopped late in the evening, ate out after the dinner hour,  and tried to stay off the roads during peak traffic hours.

   Speaking of traffic, people who visit the Sunshine State always complain about Florida drivers. My theory is that when tourists are here during the winter months a large percentage of the drivers are NOT Floridians. These drivers are from New York, Massachusetts, Canada, and other northern areas. Each area has it's own peculiarities when it come to driving and they are used to it at home. When each area brings their habits (good or bad) and stir it into the pot called Florida traffic we get a stew of unmixable ingredients which becomes labeled "Florida drivers".

   My point is that the roads will be crowded and filled with drivers not used to the habits of others and accidents will occur. If everyone will slow down for a bit and try to be courteous on the road maybe some of those accidents will be prevented and we can all enjoy the beautiful winter weather we came to Florida to enjoy.

   So I am heading outside to enjoy this beautiful Floridian winter weather here at our home in Zephyrhills because.....

   Home is where we park it,,

Frank and mary

'21/#52 Post Thanksgiving Musings

We hope this finds everyone well. We also wish everyone a belated Thanksgiving and hope your holiday was everything you wished for. Our Thanksgiving was a quiet celebration for two. We had all the trimings and relaxed in front of the TV watching traditional holiday shows, from the Thanksgiving parade in New York to the cartoons leading up to Christmas. We may get older but we don't have to grow up! It was also a time for giving thanks for all that we have. We have our health and a wonderful life. Our family is doing well and our friend group is growing larger as time goes by and we continue to travel. So to everyone out there, know that we are greatful for having you in our lives. Now for a few thoughts not holiday related. If you follow us you know we travel A LOT! We also gather t-shirts from everywhere we go. We have so many we had a good friend Jacque make us a quilt with a bunch that would not fit in our dresser any more. We are almost at the point that a second quilt might be in our future. Let me get back to my point. We wear our shirts all the time and it never fails that when someone sees a shirt from their home area or a place that they know the question is always "Are your from (fill in the place)?". I don't know about all of you but who buys souenir t-shirts from their home town? Aren't souvenirs by default a remembrance of places visited? I know that on occasion we all will buy something locally but how many Floridians have "Florida" t-shirts. Are all the New Yorkers running around New York City with "I Love NY" t-shirts? The same goes for other places around the country. These t-shirts do three things. First they remind you of an experience worth remembering. Second, it identifies you as a tourist in the town you bought it. And third, it fulfills you obligatory gift for those at home. I might be wrong, but please stop asking if I am from the destination on my shirt, but please ask me if I visited that place and would I tell you about it. That is my pet peeve today amongst all that I am thankful for. So thank you for letting me vent and a happy and healthy holiday season to everyone from our home in Zephyrhills because.... Home is where we park it, Frank and Mary

'21/#51 Happy Birthday To Us!!

You already know that Tuesday was Mary's birthday and probably know that mine was Saturday. Well Mary wanted to do something wild and significant to mark the occasions. Her idea was skydiving and mine was to watch her from the ground. Since it was something we wanted to do a little more together we opted to go snorkling with the mantees in Crystal River. The grandkids were all excited for us so we decided to make it a family celebration. Joining us were our daughter, two of our grandkids, and one of their friends. Needless to say we had a great time. Mary was the only one of us who had ever snorkled so there was a learning curve for the rest of us, but once we got going it was a lot of fun. Our guide and boat captain were a blast and fit right in with the lunacy we call family, so we were not only seeing manatees but laughing and having fun at the same time.The grandkids said this waould be something they would always remember doing with grandmommy and granddad. That's what grandparents are for, to make memories.

After we got back on shore we said our goodbyes and parted ways. Mary and I found a great little cajun seafood restaurant a few blocks away and had an awesome dinner. Then we drove home talking about the day and what a great life we have. At home we watched TV for a little bit but couldn't keep our eyes open. The excitement of the day had worn us out, so it was off to bed with dreams about manatees. Well that was this years birthday celebration from our home in Zephyrhills because.... Home is where we park it, Frank and Mary

'21/#50 Mary's Turkey

I said that I will be blogging on topics other than our travels, so here goes. Tuesday was Mary's birthday and birthdays mean birthday cake if nothing else. I found this out the hard way our first year as empty nesters. Thinking that it was just the two of us there was no need for a birthday cake. When I told that to Mary she made it clear that there WILL BE BIRTHDAY CAKE! We happened to be driving past Publix so an insane turn on two wheels and a mad dash to the Publix bakery. Being so close to Thanksgiving and a last minute purchase my options were limited. I picked out a Thanksgiving cake complete with turkey decorations and had "Happy Birthday Mary" written on it. Yes, there were some strange looks but nothing like the glare from my darling wife on the possibility that there would be no cake. Since then there has ALWAYS been cake for her birthday. 

 This year Mary said she didn't need a cake. Being a good husband for over thirty years I knew the difference between need and want, so not to suffer the wrath of "no cake Mary" yet still listening to her current request I opted for a birthday cupcake. And in the spirit of that first potential birthday cake debacle I made it a turkey cupcake. She was happy, all was right with the world, and I would live to see another day. 

 So another happy Birthday to the love of my life and I look forward to many more....with cake, from our home here in Zephyrhills because... Home is where we park it, Frank and Mary

'21/#49 We Have Arrived!

Our trip has come to an end but not our journey. We will be sitting still for several months here in Florida before the adventure continues. At some point we will be on  another trip or new leg of our RV journey. I know that my blogging ebbs quite a bit when we are not on the road so I am going to try something a little different. I am going to write about things other than RV travel. It may be something in the news or a sign on the side of the road that gets me started. This will be my observations and opinions and nothing more than that. I will try not to touch on subjects that are sensitive or polarizing. They say never discuss religon and politics with friends you want to keep. Since RVing I have added the Chevy vs Dodge vs Ford debate to that list. I will still be talking about the RV life and our personal adventures but will try to blog on a more regular basis.

For now we are getting settled  here in Zephyrhills and making plans to catch up with all our family and friends. With the covid pandemic getting more under control this year we will be able to get together in a more normal fashion. I don't think that things will ever go back to the way they were. The only thing that will always stay the same is the fact that things will change. Hopefully the change is for the betterment of society and helps us all live better lives.

Being happy with my life I will sign off now from our happy home in Zephyrhills because......

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#48 Soon

Our trek south is almost at an end. A lot of you have been asking when will we be back and when can we get together. The answers to those questions is soon and soon after. We are now officially in Florida. We had plans to get some work done on the rig in north Florida but the parts did not come in so we will be back a day earlier than planned. Lets just call it a jiggle of the jello.

The trip has been a lot of fun and we saw a lot of things along the way. We also got to catch up with some friends and even found some time to do nothing but relax. Traveling in an RV, we feel, is the best way to see the country but it is fatiguing. Rest periods need to be worked in to the itinerary. We also have been compiling a list of things we want to do to the rig this winter in the interest of home maintenance. As always we will be busy this winter with taking care of our home, working in the park, and of course getting together with family and friends. We are looking forward to the ensuing insanity.

The next blog should be from our winter home in Zephyrhillls so I will sign off now. It is time to get the day started so goodbye from our overnight home in Williston Florida because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#47 Savannah and Some Rest

Our first day here in the Savannah area was full of chores and tasks and all that is life in an RV. Day two is historic Savannah. We have been here before but it was on our way south and we wanted to see it again. As we age and our bodies start falling apart we plan differently. There are a number of trolley tour companies that will take you around the city and with the "hop-on, hop-off" that comes with the tour we now had public transportation around the city. Last time we were here we did a lot of walking and enjoyed it. We know that we are not up to as much walking as we once were. 

The tour guides are very informative and most are long time locals that put their own experiences into the usual tour speech. They also pointed out a few things we either didn't know about or forgot over the past eleven years. We stopped at St John the Baptist church to see the stained glass and all that makes this church an artistic place of beauty. A walk down to the Colonial Cemetery and then over to the birthplace of Juliette Gordon-Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts. Mary thanks her for all her Girl Scout experiences and I thank her for the Thin Mints. Hop-on the trolley a few blocks over and continue the tour. 

Next hop-off was Forsythe Park. This is the centerpiece of James Oglethorpe's city plan for Savannah and remains so until today. The park is a continuous series of activities and events for everyone to enjoy.

The centerpiece of the park is the fountain that the city had installed in 1858. Funny fact, the fountain is not really unique since it was ordered from a catalog. Apparently numerous copies of the fountain can be found around the world. Here's the trolly so it is time to hop-on again.

Our next hop-off was the City Market. What once was the central market for the people of Savannah is now the usual tourist shops. Food, drink, souvenirs, and other shops. At least they have maintained the buildings and and the ambiance of the area even though it is still just a tourist trap. From the City Market we walked down to the Riverside District. It was quite an incline, paved with ballast stones from ships that frequented Savannah in the 1800's. Strolling along the waterfront we again found shops catering to tourists operating out of the preserved buildings that once housed all that was involved in an operating seaport. 

We were getting hungry and Mary found a place she wanted to try. Being the wizend old couple we are we waited a few minutes for a trolly  to take us up the incline that I'm sure would not have done our creaky old bones any good. Hop-on and and two stops later hop-off, a couple of blocks to walk and lunch was served. A great little seafood hole in the wall that more than lived up to the reviews. Another short walk to the nearest trolly stop and another hop-on.

We had seen pretty much all that we wanted, so stayed on until the trolly returned us back to the start of our tour. This would be our last hop-off. The trolley saved us a lot of steps but we made up for it by all the hopping off and on. We stopped for a few groceries, headed home, and then just sat back and relaxed. It was a great day and we would sleep very well that night. The next few days we will do next to nothing. Having been on the road for three weeks and keeping busy at all our stops is fatiguing. We would like to arrive in Florida not so wiped out that we can't enjoy being back with family and friends. So I will end this blog with maybe a nap in the near future from our home in Georgia because....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#46 Short Trip, Short Blog

Charleston is in our rear view mirror. We saw the Hunley and really enjoyed it. The next day we went into downtown Charleston. Narrow streets and difficult parking for the big truck were expected and did not disappoint. We saw the old houses and tree lined streets that the area is known for. Then we walked to the famous City Market. We have been here before and were very disappointed. Like too many places of historical value it has been taken over by commercial enterprizes. The same trinkets that are found around the country at every tourist destination that are made in China appear with some locally significant icon affixed. The same hand made sweet grass baskets that are all "unique" to the individual artist appear over and over again throughout the market. Then the same foodstuffs like jams and other local products again can be found at a number of booths with labels showing the product originated far from the South Carolina area. Our big purchase was a postcard of the City of Charleston. We then made our way back to the RV and agreed that we don't need to go back to Charleston again.

Our next destination is Savannah Georgia. Only a little over 100 miles down the road we got the wheels rolling after a late breakfast and arrived at the campground a little after lunch. The RV is all set up and we will relax here before the final legs of our south bound trek. We need to catch up on our laundry, prep a few meals and take care of some of the day to day things involved with living in an RV. We will go into Savannah knowing that the same commercial invasion will probably greet us but hope to see a few of the historical sites that have been preserved. 

Our next orders of business is showering, getting dressed, and laundry. Probably a meal out and who knows what else? So goodbye until the next blog from our home near Savaannnah Georgia because......

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#45 Crazy Travel Day

Our schedule had us leaving Wilmington NC on Sunday and arriving near Charleston SC later that day. It is not much over 200 miles and should be an easy trip. Once in Charleston the two things we wanted to do is roam around Charleston's historic district and visit The Friends of The Hunley Museum. After that we would move on down the road. Easy, right? Not the way we do it.  Checking the hours at the museum we found out that they are only open on Saturday and Sunday, and Sunday only until 3pm. This is something we really wanted to see since we saw it about ten years ago and wanted to see the progress made in the last decade of restoration. The only way we could do this was by leaving Wilmington before dawn and driving straight to the musem with the RV and then going to our campground.  Everything was all hooked up the night before and we were able to get on the road by 6am. We don't usually travel in the dark and Mary is not really a morning person but we decided it was worth the disruption to our travel routine. We usually hit the road after breakfast and get settled in before dinner. This works well for us but sometimes you've got to shake the jello.

The Hunley is a civil war submarine and the first submarine successfully used in combat. The Confederate sub sank a Union ship that was part of the blockade of Charleston Harbor. After the attack the Hunley was lost at sea on February 17, 1864 not to be found for over a century. It was found in 1995 and finally raised in 2000 and the museum and restoration project has been in operation since then.  When we last saw it in 2012 it was still an encrusted hulk and leaning on it's side 40 degrees as it was found. Since then it has been righted, descaled, and examined for for artifacts and historical data. It is amazing to see what was accomplished in 1864 and compare it to the technological advancements of 90 years that gave us the USS Nautilus that we saw in Connecticut.

Ok, after an early start, an uneventful drive, and spending time at the Hunley it was still only 1pm. Check in at the campground is 2pm so we decided to have some lunch in the RV since we had a great spot to park  almost 60' of RV right there at the museum. We then went on to the campground, checked in, set up, and decided it was time for a nap. Some dinner, some TV, and a good nights sleep and today we will head into Charleston. This time we will start our day at a reasonable hour from our home near Charleston SC because....

Home is where we park it,,

Frank and Mary

'21/#44 Moving Faster Than The Speed Of Blog

Well we are moving faster than this blogger can post. We have already moved on but I need to catch up on our travels. Our last full day in Coinjock was saved for the trip down to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. This is one of the "must see" lighthouses for Mary and other lighthouse aficionados. For years we had talked about visiting but had not made it until now. It's size, location, and history all make for an interesting story. Add to that the 1999 moving of the whole structure to save it from being swallowed by the sea and the story becomes impressive. The lighthouse and surrounding buildings was moved 2900 feet to a location that would insure that it would be protected for years to come. 

That night we had dinner again with our friends prior to our morning departure. Good food, good friends, and promises to get together when we all are back in Florida. Our next destination was Wilmington NC. 

As a child Mary's family had spent many summers out on Carolina Beach and she wanted to see it and rekindle some of the memories. As they say,"you can't go home again". Mary showed me the beach they played on and even the hotel they stayed in that has changed names and since been closed down. She pointed out where the rental cottages used to stand and the boardwalk that was home to all the arcades, snack bars, and bingo halls. These are long gone and have been replaced by souvenir shops and restaurants. There were a few carnival rides packed up and ready to travel south for fairs and such in warmer climates where the amusement park used to sit and hotels and condos dominated the landscape. Mary enjoyed walking around and reminiscing but it was no longer "her" Carolina Beach. 

Today we will relax, do a little cooking, shopping, and even napping. The RV life is fun and we wouldn't trade it for the world, but it can be fatiguing so down days are needed. Our next stop will be Charleston SC. I will sign off now and maybe take one of those naps in our home in Wilmington NC because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#43 Friends And Lighthouses

All set up in Coinjock KOA and the weather is lousy. Not pouring rain but off and on with a steady mist and drizzle to fill in the gaps. That made for a quiet Sunday of relaxing inside of our home on wheels. Our friends had to work so we made plans to get togther for dinner at the local marina. It was good to catch up and share some stories with good friends. We also made plans for later in our stay. Monday they had previous plans so we decided to go exploring.

With maps and brochures in hand we headed out. Our first destination took us through a number of very built up beach towns including Kity Hawk and Duck. It was a long tedious drive through speed trap towns with speed limits from 55mh to 25mph but did finally get us to the Carrituck Lighthouse. There were quite few people there as well as two tour buses so we opted not to wait in line to climb to the top and settled for a bunch of pictures. Again the weather was not ideal with mist and drizzle that would have made the view less than impressive. Then it was the same long drive back. Such is the life of the lighthouse hunter. Moving south along the outer banks we found Bodie Lighthouse. Again with the weather not ideal and the fact that the last climbers for the day had already been to the top we did not have a chance to see the view. Pictures of the lighthouse and of the wetlands from the boardwalk platform and we were headed home. 

We stopped for an early dinner at Awful Arthur's for and an absolutely awful meal. Just kidding, it was great. After a full day of driving and picture taking we got home and relaxed. The next day we went to Newport News with Dave and Margaret to meet up with friends Izzie and Johanna. The six of us made it a mini reunion of the Cody Wyoming workcampers of 2012. Again we had a nice lunch and swapped stories and just caught up with each others lives.

Cutting this short for now from our home in Coinjock because....

Home is where we park it,

Frank adn Mary

'21/#42 The Shortest Distance Is A Straight Line

The last blog I talked about cutting our longest day of travel into two days and we did just that. Now we needed to take the shortest route to our next destination on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. This stop had some lighthouses to see (surprise,surprise) and would take a couple of days. But the best part of this stop would be catching up with our friends Margaret and David. We have known them since the summer of 2012 in Cody Wyoming and have kept in touch since. Whenever possible we try to get together when logistics allow.

Anyway, we are leaving Salisbury Maryland near the Maryland shore and heading south. The reason we are in this part of Maryland is the mileage saving route. Instead of heading west and traveling around Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. adding almost 100 miles, an extra 90 minutes, and untold traffic we opted for the coastal route. It would also give us the opportunity to traverse the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel. This is a 17.5 mile marvel of engineering that has been on my traveling bucket list. You can look up all the wow factor statistics but driving through it, and with a 41' 5th wheel no less, is something else. The time and fuel savings, plus the experience, more than made up for the toll to cross the bay.

Well it looked like it could rain any time so we hustled to the campground and got set up before the weather turned. David and Margaret work at this KOA and we were looking forward to seeing them. Apparently they wanted to see us also. David drove up in his golf cart as we were setting up and there were hugs all around. Margaret was tied up in the camp store and we were tired so we would see her in the morning.

Another good day of travel. Great expriences and awesome friends. Who could ask for more? So until the next blog from our home in Carrituck North Carolina because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#41 Stop And Go

This should be our only one night stay on our trip south. I said should because there is always room for jello! We found a Moose lodge in Salisbury, MD that had room for us to stay. Some of the organizations like the Moose, Elks, and others have a few RV spots on site for traveling members. They are basic sites with anything from water/sewer/electric to just a spot in the parking lot. This Moose had five full hook-up sites and there was availability for the night we needed. As members we were welcomed with open arms and only had to pay a minimal fee for the night. There was dinner and music that night but we passed because we wanted to get on the road early.

So this is a short stay and a short blog from our home in Salisbury MD because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#40 Atlantic City Slots Give Out Jello!

Not really. We are near Atlantic City and we did drive through but we were seriously underwhemed. Hotels and casinos on top of each other surrounded by slums on one side and rich beach homes on the other. Oh yeah, there is supposed to be some sort of a boardwalk but we decided not to fight for a parking spot near the casinos or fight our way out of the neighborhood slums.

Any way that was the end of our day. It started out great with a trip down to Cape May to see the lighthouse. Pretty lighthouse with a cute artsy community nearby. Neither of us felt up to climbing the lighthouse so pictures would have to suffice. Driving back we stopped and saw the Hereford Inlet lighthouse in Wildwood. Cute lighthouse in a cute beach neighborhood with lots of new condos. Pretty, but we just are not beach people any more. Then it was on to Atlantic City. I've already told you what we didn't like, but there was a bright spot. At the north end of the city, the not so good part of town, we found the Absecome Lighthouse. We didn't stay long since they were closing up for the day and we didn't want to stay in that neighborhood too long. 

We headed home for some dinner and discussion. The topic was our itinerary. Not much more we wanted to see here and the trip to our next destination was our longest of this journey. Why not leave a day early, stop half way, and arrive rested for our next extended stay with friends in North Carolina. Atlantic City didn't pay out big money but we did hit the "jello" jackpot. Yes the jello that our plans are written in. Shake the jello and get those wheels rolling. Another positive note is that we don't have to leave before the crack of dawn. 

So those are the new plans and this is the rare two blog day. This is also my second goodbye today from our home in New Jersey because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#39 A New Direction

We left Connecticut early to accommodate the traffic we would encounter on the way to New Jersey. If you look at the map you will see that just about any route will take us near New York City and involve metropolitan area traffic. Also the road conditions that are inherent around any major city. I'm talking about pot holes and the quick patches that are made to not impede the 24/7 traffic around the city that never sleeps. Having grown up near here the traffic didn't bother me. Taking our time took care of dealing with the pot holes. So everything was fine until you figure in the human factor.

The human factor is us! Everything was going fine until confusion between the GPS and Google maps confused this driver even more. Next thing I know we are on the Garden State Parkway in New Jersey. The first thing I noticed was the lack of big trucks on the road. Our rig is 57' long and 13' tall, just like a short tractor-trailer. This concerned me so we pulled into a parkway service area and asked the employees there and were refered to the map of the parkway. Yep, it looks like we shouldn't be on this route so..... We turn around, double back and get on the road we should have been on in the first place. It wasn't too far but what can I say? Another little adventure along the way.

We finally make it to Pomona NJ. We are here to see the Cape May Lighhouse, some of the Jersey shore, and maybe look around Atlantic City. Our stay here is only two days and then it will be back on the road. Anyway, the trip from Connecticut to New Jersey definitely took a southward turn so we are certainly on our way back to Florida. I will sign off now from our home in New Jersey because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#38 What's A Little Rain?

Yesterday was rainy all day but did we let it stop us? No! We slept in a bit while the rain pattered on the roof and made plans for a rainy day excursion. We had heard and read about the Submarine Force Museum in New London and felt it would be a great indoor activity.  We were right. The museum shows the history of the US Navy's submarine force and it's impact on the history of the United States. Technological developments and the people behind them were showcased as well. The sailors below the surface served in less than comfortable conditions to protect our country. 

This is also the home of the decommissioned USS Nautilus, the first nuclear powered submarine. It was built and launched from Groton Connecticut and after much debate Preident Carter sided with the local groups that it should be permanently displayed where it started it's historic journey. Upon boarding the Nautilus, and bumping my head more than once, we saw the actual living and working quarters of a nuclear submarine. Our RV living space is spacious compared to living on a submarine. Our bathroom is larger than a 6 bunk room on the Nautilus!

After the museum we drove around New London and found a of couple lighthouses. The Pequot Ave. light is on private property so can only be seen from the street or the water. The New London Ledge Light is off shore and accessible by boat only but can be seen from Pequot Ave. as well. That makes two more lighthouses on Mary's list. 

With the rain still coming down we found someplace for lunch and decided to head home for one more indoor activity....laundry. Today the weather is more promising so we will head out to Mystic Seaport after breakfast. So long until the next blog from our home in Connecticut because.....

Home is where wwe parkk it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#37 This Time The Rain Is Real

New York is behind us and we are on our way. The roads out of Itica were quite steep and curvy. The were typical mountain roads but with patience and caution we had no problems. Some of the roads could have used some repaving which we found out when we stopped and found the trailer's contents had been rearranged, but that is life on the road. We were looking for a truck wash and missed the turn off. Oh well there will be more, but that route put us about an hour out of the way. The best tool in an RVer's tool box is flexibility.

Anyway, we continued down the road through Pennsylvania back into New York and finally into Connecticut with Mystic as our destination. Mystic Seaport is a neat place we have been to before, but there are a few new things we want to see. Of course Mary will see a couple of lighthouses, but I want to the Submarine Force Museum in Groton and the restored Charles W. Morgan in Mystic. The oldest submarine shipyard is in Groton Connecticut and the Electric Boat Co. sold the navy it's first submarine in 1900. So where better to see the history of US submarines. Farther on down the road we will see the first submarine used successfully in combat when we get to Charleston. But more on that later.

This morning it is raining as it has all night which has put a literal and figurative damper on our plans. It was easy to sleep in with the patter of rain on the roof and when we get cleaned, fed, and dressed we will make plans for the day. Hopefully the rain will let up and we can start being tourists instead of hermits. Well I am ready for my second cup of coffee so I will sign off now from our home in Stonington Connecticut because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#36 Local Small Town Sights

Don't anyone jump down my throat for calling Ithica a small town. I am just referencing it to the cities that Mary and I grew up near like New York City and Washington D.C. If you follow us you know that we have been hunting waterfalls in the area and have been quite successful. 

Now we are looking for some man made attractions. We left western New York after the Appleumpkin Festival and traveled east to central New York and like the area we left it is apple season. New York agriculture is well known for the variety of apples that are grown here so of course there will be local festivals and farmer's market showcasing the local produce as well as the crafts that are made by the local talent. Yesterday we went to the Ithica Apple Festival at Ithica Commons. Streets were closed and booths were set up for everyone to buy and enjoy all that this time of year brings. There was pumpkin pie, sausages, fries, cotton candy, and of course everything apple. There was apple pie, apple butter, caramel apples, candy appples, apple cider, apple chips, apple wine, and of course bins and bins of apples of all kinds. Everything looked so good but we couldn't buy it all. We did get some cider, pumpkin bread, apple cinnamon bread, and of course a few apples. 

 We drove onto Cornell University's campus to find two more waterfalls but the roads were tight, twisty, and almost vertical. That and the limited parking was not big truck friendly so we called it a day. At home we made plans for an excursion to a farm and craft market on Saturday. And now we are caught up. 

 The temperature is almost up to 50 degrees so we will start getting ready to head out to explore and shop some more. Tomorrow we will be leaving the Finger Lakes region and heading farther east. Our next stop is Connecticut, but for now this is so long until the next blog from our home in Trumansburg, NY because..... 

 Home is where we park it, Frank and Mary

'21/#35 Water, Water, Everywhere!

 

We are spending a few days in the Ithica NY area in search of waterfalls. There are rumored to be at least a hundred of them nearby and we will try to see as many as we can in the next couple of days. Waterfalls are right below lighthouses on Mary's list of things to see and I also find them some of Mother Natures greatest creations.

It turns out one of the falls is just a few minutes from our campground so we started there, at Taughannock Falls. We were able to drive right up to the falls with only a short walk from the parking lot. This turned out to be the norm for most of the falls we saw.

Our next stop was Robert Treman State Park. There we would find the Lower Falls and Lucifer Falls at opposite ends of the park. Entrances at either end allowed us to drive in from both sides and limit the hikes to comfortable strolls. The lower falls look like a cross between a fountain and a wedding cake. Apparently it is a swimming area but not for us. Mary stuck her finger in the water and commented "BRRRRRR".

Smiling and why not? 

Lucifer Falls was more of a hike but the trail was pretty level with steps and bridges blending into the scenery for easy access. I'm not sure of the origin of the name but going over Lucifer Falls will not end well. Again it was an easy stroll with plenty of view points to observe the falls.

The next two falls were right in the town of Ithica. Buttermilk was right off the main road with another cold swimming area and Ithica Falls was in the middle of a neighborhood. Ithica falls was used to power local industry in the 1800's and the residential area grew around the job market it created.

With a good amount of walking and lots of fresh air we called it a day. A little shopping on the way home, some dinner, a bit of TV time and we were done. It was an early night and we slept well. Today we will head out to Watkins Glen State Park to see what it has to offer. We are getting ready to go so this is goodbye from our home in the Finger Lakes Region because....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#34 Always An Adventure

 In life a little rain must fall and also in the life of an RVer. We left Corfu and took the scenic route instead of the super slab known as I-90. Yes, I have my EZ Pass for that but why look at miles of concrete when we can see America the Beautiful? State road 20 took us through farm land and small towns that have been established since the late 1800's and gave us some ideas of things to do when we come back. The scenic route only added about 30 minutes to our drive and still got us to our destination well before dinner time.

Now the "rain". Turning south between Lakes Seneca and Cayuga our multiple route planners had us on SR 96a. It was a pretty road running along the Lake Seneca shore. The only thing that ruined the scenery was a sign saying "12'10" bridge". That is a problem since our trailer is almost 13'6"! We pulled into an empty lot and started to check maps, GPS, Google Maps, and our atlas and soon found a way to our destination. That meant turning 57' of RV around, doubling back about 10 miles and cutting accross to route 414 and then, route 96 (not 96a!) and head south again. 

Except for that little hiccup we were able to get to our campground and get set up in time for dinner. It wasn't that long of a day, but it was our first day on the road in months and it took it's toll on us. After dinner and a little TV time we called it a day. Wednesday we will search for waterfalls.

So until the next blog goodbye from our home in Trmansburg because....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#33 Touchdown! Game Over

Game over and a new clock starts. We are on the road again and headed south. We will be back in Florida in about a month. The next month will be sightseeing and visiting friends.

We are starting in the Finger Lakes so I will say goodnight from our home in Ithica NY because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#33 Third And Inches

 This will be brief. The past two days we got everything stored away and ready for the road. The holding tanks were dumped and flushed and all of the assorted hoses have been stowed. The tire pressure monitoring system was activated and checked while Mary's plants all found homes in the basement. We are just about ready to leave. 

While all this was happening we also managed to find the time to go to the Appleumpkin Festival in Wyoming, NY. Our supervisor lives there and was all excited to show us her town in all it's fall splendor. It was also an opportunity for a last goodbye. We have made some really good friends while staying here at Darien Lakes.

With nothing to do but put away the electric cord and hook up the truck I will call this third and inches with only seconds to go on the clock. The next time you hear from us we should be moving on to our next adventure. 

So this will be one of our last goodbyes from our home in Corfu, NY because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#32 Second Down And Only Yards To Go!

 Just a short blog to keep everyone updated. We spent the last two rainy days cleaning, organizing, and packing things away. We also did a big laundry including all the throw rugs from around the trailer. All of our work clothes were shrink wrapped except for what we will need the next two days and uniforms for today and tomorrow are laid out.

This is all progress so let us call it short yards gained, second and goal, and the clock is ticking. We can see the goal line and it is within our reach. So close yet so far.

 There are two more days of work with a concert in the park on Saturday. I really don't expect that big of a crowd with the weather getting colder and the ground so wet from the recent rains. They are scheduling us to be open late as if people are going to leave the concert to come to the General Store. The concert ends by 11:00 and we close at 11:00. Management at their finest! Oh, by the way did I mention that this big crowd they are expecting is to see the Jonas Brothers? What do I know? I'm just an old fart and a work camper at that.

Well I am going to relax before it is time to go to work, so until the next blog this is so long from our home at Darien Lakes because .......

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#31 First And Goal!

 It's getting down to the wire now and the excitement is building. Only seven days until we are back on the road. The past few days we started putting things away outside the rig and prepping the trailer and truck for travel. All twelve tires (yes twelve!) are aired up and checked for safety. We brought the slides in and the landing gear up to make sure all the hydraulics were working fine after sitting for almost five months. All is well and ready for the road. Laundry is done and some last minute shopping was taken care of while the check list is getting shorter.

Like I said, only seven more days. To stay with the sports analogy it is first down and goal. That means two days off, two days of work, two more days off, and then the wheels start rolling. It is raining today and more is forecast for tomorrow so we are prepping the inside of the trailer. Cabinets are organized and secured for travel, and everything is getting a good cleaning. Tomorrow we do our last big laundry and a last stop at the grocery store for anytthing we may have forgotten.

The past couple of years we have started getting ready earlier than usual. The last minute rush to get things done was insane and we both had had enough. Now we start sooner, at a relaxed pace, and take breaks as needed, both physical and mental. In fact I am on a break right now and it seemed like a good time to blog, but break time is over and back to the check list we go.

So until the next blog, that I guess will be soon, goodbye from our home in upstate New York because.....

Home is where  park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#30 BANG! And The Timer Starts

 It is that time of year for Darien Lakes Theme Park. The season is winding down and they are only open on weekends. That means we are down to our two day a week schedule. WOO HOO! That woo hoo is not only for the extra time off and more time to have fun, it is also because we are that much closer to getting back on the road. Like I said before, this our is two minute warning on the workcamping season.

We already have plans to visit a winery, some cider mills, a peach festival, watch the leaves change, and go to the Apple-Umpkin Festival. Yes, Apple-Umpkin is a real thing that happens every year in Wyoming, NY. It is also the home town of our boss at the General Store and she is so excited that we will be there to share it with her. That will be our last adventure before we depart Corfu,NY.

Now this whole time will not be all fun and games. If you have followed us for a while you also know that there is work to be done before we leave. The truck needs to be checked, all the tires need to be aired up, things that have been out while we lived here need to be stowed for travel, and a whole list of things that are part of the RV lifestyle. That will also be squeezed into our five day weekends. "Five day weekends". Sounds like every workers dream and it is part of our life. We are living the life, aren't we? 

This year at Darien Lakes has been different from years before like everything else during the pandemic. Organized gatherings for the workcampers is something that HR usually does but was put on hold because of restrictions due to Covid, staffing, and time constraints. One of the workcampers decided to take it on herself to organize a dinner for the workcampers at a local restaurant and we got to meet and talk to a lot of people we have seen around but just didn't have the time to get to know. We now have new friends that we may see on the road, in Florida this winter, or even back here in New York next year. 

Yes, we are seriously talking about coming back. There  is a lot we haven't seen yet and we hope that next year we can go visit Canada. We also enjoyed spending time and working with the new friends we have made during this adventure. But that is next year and we haven't got the "jello" mixed yet alone set.

Well today starts our next three "two day" work weeks, which is the official start of the two minute warning, so I have to get ready for work. Until the next blog this is so long from our home in Darien Lakes because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#29 Tick, Tock, Tick, Tock

 Well here it is the end of August. The heat in western New York has been rediculous. This is the kind of heat that made us leave Florida in our rear view mirror! At least it cools down some at night. We have one month to go before we hit the road and as I mentioned in my last blog we are now in the fourth quarter. The park is open for one more full week and then they go to weekends only. That means we will only work two days instead of three or four. To add to the sports analogy, that will be our TWO MINUTE WARNING!!

With five days off we will be able to do more exploring around the area and watch the seasons start to change. It will also give us plenty of time to get the rig ready for traveling. Our trip south will start on or about September 28th and will take a month, with a number of stops along the way, ending at our winter destination in Florida. As much as we have enjoyed our time in upstate New York the travel bug is getting to us and we are developing a case of "hitch-itch".

On another note, we recently took an extra day off to drive over to the Syracuse area to visit an old friend. We grew up together and have known each other since we were two years old. We connected about 25 years ago and decided it had been too long. We had a great visit with Linda and her husband Marty, catching up on old times. We even had time to go to the New York State Fair. Because of the short time to organize because of Covid restrictions there were not a lot of vendors and the crowd was smaller than expected. I assume that many state fairs around the country had similar situations and hopefully things will get better for  everyone.

Fourth quarter or not the laundry still needs to get done, food needs to be prepared, and bills need to be paid so I will sign off for now from our home at Darien Lake Amusement Park because.......

Home is where we park it, 

Frank and Mary

'21/#28 The Fourth Quarter Nears

 It is that time of the season again when attitudes change and looking forward occupies our minds more and more. It is the approach of the fourth quarter. Our workcamping season, and it seems most other workcampers also, can be broken down  in quarters with certain changes inevitable.

The first quarter is when we arrive at a new place and a new job. Everything is new. The people we work with, the job, the area, the weather, and the activities we plan while we are here are all new. It is exciting and challenging and time filling to say the least. Time does fly by.

The second quarter is when we become good at the new job and get to know our coworkers. We develop friendships, start to spend time out and about, find the stores and restaurants that we like in the area. It is starting to feel like home.

The third quarter is when the job becomes routine. These are part time and temporary jobs so it doesn't take long to get so good at it that it starts to seem like you are in a rut. This is also when we really get to know the people we work with. Friends stay friends but others start to get on your nerves and you find yourself not liking them very much. This is also the time that thoughts about the end of the season creep into conversations. What route are we taking, what do we want to see on the way, and most important what RV parks will we stay at along the way. Parks will fill quickly with the snowbird migration in full swing. AND we will talk about the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter is the most difficult to deal with. This is when we start asking "why can't we leave now?". This conversation is just one big pro vs con list. Do we want to get to Florida this early? Too hot. If we leave early can we still use this job on our resume? Prrobably not. Do we want to give up the commitment bonus for staying through the season? Not if the incentive is worth the stay. And finally do we want to leave the friends we have at work in the lurch by leaving early? Definitely not!

Well it is the end of the third quarter and we are having these conversations again. We still have plans with our friends here and the end of season bonus is substantial though not enough to stay through October. We have started making plans and reservations for the trek south and are looking forward to seeing some of the sights along the way. We will also get to see some of the friends we have made over the years while we take a relaxing trip to our winter home in Florida where we  will see more friends an family.

So for now the clock is ticking in our home in Corfu NY because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#27 Friends From Home Wherever We Roam

 It is back to work after a crazy 4th of July weekend and a trip to Pennsylvania. The holiday weekend involved lots of campfire wood and tons of ice. That alone was a full time job but then everything else that goes into running the General Store also needed to be done. Fortunately we have a good crew that works well together and the weekend went off without a hitch. Maybe a few minor hitches but nothing all of us couldn't deal with.

We were looking forward to our days off because we had plans to see a very good friend near Erie, PA. Terry is a friend we made during our time in Zephyrhills and has move back to his home state of Pennsylvania to be near family. We are happy that he is doing so well. When he knew we were coming he made plans for us to check off a few more lighthouse from Mary's list. These were places near his home of many years that he had never been to. It takes a visitor to get you to see things in your own backyard sometimes. 

Three lighthouses, some good food, and most important great company. And we got to catch up, briefly, with Terry's son Dustin. All in all a very good trip that could happen because we were "in the neighborhood". 

Arriving home at a reasonable hour allowed us to do some laundry, get groceries, and relax before we started another weekend in the General Store. The rest of the summer should be steady but not crazy until the park goes back to weekends only. We will make plans and see more of what Western NY has to offer and share it in the blog and on Facebook.

I am going to rest and have a little something to eat before we go to work at Darien Lakes near our home in Corfu because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#26 Lots Of Jello

 

I have talked about how Jello intrudes on our travels so it was appropriate to visit where all this Jello business started. I was all excited when we got there to see that Jello comes from cows but Mary set me straight. The museum was all things Jello. From how and who invented it to the original marketing to it's current place in our society. Needless to say, but the jello behaved itself while we did some of this exploring.

Jello Jello everywhere!

Jello through the ages.

Hope his Jello didn't get shaken!

One of the reasons we went to the Jello Museum was because of friends. Yes our friends have found us again. Wendy and Charlie are friends from our days in Zephyrhills and are also RVers so it didn't surprise us that they were in the area. We never pass on any opportunity to catch up with friends wherever we are. After the museum and a history lesson about LeRoy NY we went out for a good lunch with great company. Who could ask for more?

The rest of our time off was relaxing and getting things done around the house (on wheels) and in town. Then another three day work week and now we are in our three day weekend. We are working an extra day because of the Fourth of July holiday and expect to be busy.

Well I will sign off now so we can get on with our days off in our home in Corfu, NY because...

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#25 More Lighthouses

The last blog talked about lighthouses on Lake Ontario. The next day we went west and saw some on Lake Erie between Buffalo and the NY/Pennsylvania border. The first was the Barcelona Lighthouse in Westfield NY.  This lighthouse is one of the more rustic we have seen so far. It was completed in 1829 and it shows the creative use of the materials at hand. Though it is no longer used as a navigation aid it is still lit and on the US National Historic Register.

Just a few miles up the coast we found Dunkirk Light. This light is almost as old but was constructed with more, shall I say refined, materials.

The property also contains a museum and a number of artifacts about the light, the people who manned it, and the history of navigation on the Great Lakes. As is expected there is a gift shop but Mary tried to get her own souviner.

It was time to head homeward so we planned on stopping at one more light house in Buffalo. It turned out that the Buffalo Main Lighthouse was on Coast Guard Station property and the gate was locked. Our disapointment was soon washed away. I saw what looked like a flock of birds flying in fomation as birds are known to do, but the sun was reflected off one of them. That is when I realized that they were not birds. Way off in the distance the Navy's Blue Angels were practicing for the weekend show over the Buffalo waterfront. The planes flew straight at us and practiced their routine right in front of us as we joined hundreds of others who had pulled their cars over for an impromptu and seemingly private performance just for us. No crowds, no jostling for position, and best of all no ticket needed. It was the perfect end to another perfect day.

With a great time on our days off it was back to work for the weekend.  It was another busy couple of days but as usual we had fun with our coworkers and the campground guests. This is our life here in western New York. Adventures, exploring, work, and having fun doing it all.

Until the next blog this is goodbye from our home at Darien Lakes because,

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#24 A Little Light(house) Hunting

 Mary is feeling much better so we are back to doing what we do. That is exploring the area we call home for the season. Since we are near Buffalo NY we are also near two of the Great Lakes, Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. We have all seen the maps and learned the geography and heard the stories but until you see it in person you may not realize how big these lakes are. They are more like fresh water inland seas. Since they are all connected and lead to the St Lawrence River and out to the Atlantic it is a major shipping channel.With major shipping, great expanses of water, and weather that can make travel hazardous there was a need for safety along the shores which led to the construction of lighthouses. The Great lakes has over 200 active lighthouse and many more that are now defunct or nonexistant. 

This all leads me to Mary's fascination with lighthouses. There is a certain awe in their construction and their location in harms way of the weather. To many, including Mary, there is a certain romantic quality to them and respect for those who manned them in the days of lighthouse keepers. Therefore, whenever the opportunity arises we visit these sentinals of the shoreline. 

This week we took two days and went lighthouse hunting. Day one we drove along the shore of Lake Ontario and found Oak Orchard Lighthouse and Braddock Point Lighthouse. Driving through rural and rustic Northwest New York reminds us that there is more to New York than New York City.

At Oak Orchard Light we got a good taste of a beautiful summer day on the shore of Lake Ontario. Yep, we ran back to the truck to put on jackets. The sun was shining , the wind was blowing, and no matter what the locals said, it was cold!

Moving on down the Lake Ontario State Parkway we found Braddock Point Lighthouse. It has been turned into a bed and breakfast but was closed when we got there so we took our pictures where could. This is one of the prettier lighthouses we have seen as it was restored to be more than a functional navigation aid. Maybe we can get back when it is open. 

On the way home we stopped in a few stores in Rochester. We had a hankering for some treats and found a kosher market and an Italian bakery. Mmmmm!!  Mary has posted some of the pics on Facebook. 

I will continue later on since it is time for me to get ready for work. So until the next blog this is goodbye from our home in upstate New York because....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#23 Life As Usual

 This week we had all kinds of plans to go exploring but..... You know what they say about the best laid palns. Like I have said before, we are not on vacation. This is our lifestyle and like everyone's life a little rain must fall. I am talking about metaphoric rain since the weather was absolutely perfect for sightseeing. This "rain" I speak of is an ear infection that took all the adventure out of Mary. Now don't get excited! It was not Covid! It was just an ear infection like the many Mary has had over the years. 

So this week was trips to the urgent care clinic, the pharmacy, and the grocery store. Lots of fluid and rest was the order of the day and I took advantage of the down time to get some rest myself. Mary is feeling much better and after four days of concentrating on getting well she is up to going back to work. Well there is always next week.

On another note, we did put a bird feeder right outside our window. It has been entertaining and something we can enjoy from inside. Not only did we have an assortment of birds but a couple of chipmunks also decided to partake of the buffett we set out. This was a dollar store purchase but now that the chipmunk is taking more than his share we have gotten another bird feeder that should (HAHA) keep him out. We also bought a 20# bag of bird feed. So much for keeping it a cheap dollar store purchase. Oh well, it is now part of our entertainment budget.

It is time for me to have something to eat and get ready for work so this is goodbye until the next blog from our home in Corfu, NY because......

Home is where we park it, 

Frank and Mary

'21/#22 This Is Why We Do What We Do

 

I last talked about how busy we were and how much work we did on Memorial Day weekend, but there is more to our life than work. Retirement allows us not to work and working allows us to do more in retirement. As much fun as we have working with and meeting new people we look forward to our days off even more. Also with a work schedule it helps me remember what day it is. HAHAHA!!

On our days after the holiday we took care of our usual chores in and around the house. We also set aside a day for just us. We took a drive up to Lake Ontario and Old Fort Niagara. We learned a little about the history of the area and stood on ground that at different times was claimed by the Seneca indians, the French, the British, and America. The bloody battles fought over control of travel and commerce are as old as man and continue in other parts of the world to this day. In spite of the violent history the area is quite beautiful and serene as we walk around the restored fort. 

We also took a stroll down by the beach. For anyone who has not seen any of the Great Lakes it makes all lakes you previously know look like puddles. It was a sunny calm day this time but I have personally witnessed winter storms that produced six foot waves freezing as they crashed on the shore and that was considered an average storm. I did not want to be there when a bad storm arrived. You can't see it in the pictures but the city of Toronto is just barely visible accross the lake and only because of the 1815 foot CN Tower. Also as Mary points to Toronto she had to check, and the water temperature is BRRRR, yet people were still wading into the water. Just a bit too cold for us transplanted Floridians.

Well it is time to get ready for work. We are planning another excursion up to Lake Ontario but this time we will head east and time permitting check out the city of Rochester... or maybe next week. As I said working gives us  the time and the means to do and see other parts of the country at our leisure and as extensively as we want.

So until the next blog so long from our home in upstate NY because....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#21 They're Back!

 Memorial Day is the official start of the summer season and with people starting to come out of their winter as well as their Covid cocoons Darien Lakes amusement park was in full swing. That coupled with short staffing made for a hectic weekend. The weather didn't cooperate the first day but cleared up to salvage the rest of the weekend. 

We work in the General Store attached to the campground so our busy times were early in the day and late at night. Mornings are when everyone wants to rent golf carts, scooters, and wagons. These rentals are all handled through our store. During the day the people traffic is steady with campers looking for forgotten essentials, and the deli counter has a rush around lunch time as guests and employees come here for sustenance. Inventory is checked and filled while the store is maintained to prepare for the evening rush. 

The store is open for one hour after the park closes so everyone heading to their campsite will stop in for something. It could be something to eat after a long day on the rides or one to eight bundles of firewood to keep warm by their tent or RV. We can't forget the ingredients for that campfire treat, S'mores! Of course the kids want candy or soda or plush souvenirs. The parents are trying to talk them out of some or all of it with varying rates of success all while looking for some rest after a long day of fun. It's what parents have done for kids for generations and what kids don't appreciate until they are parents themselves. And the cycle continues.

We were exhausted at the end of the weekend but it felt good getting back to work. I personally have become sedentary, which is a fancy word for lazy, over the past month or so. I have some sore muscles that haven't been used in a while but I am feeling better already. I like to think of it as going to the gym and getting paid for it. Whatever motivates me works.

That is enough for now. I have more to share but that will come in the next blog from our home at Darien Lakes because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#20 A Down Day Due To Weather And More Weather Talk

 So many people follow us and see our lifestyle and comment on how they would love to do what we do. I will tell you that we feel very fortunate to be living this real life adventure and sharing it with all of you. Sometimes though reality slaps us upside the head and reminds us that this life comes with all the ups and downs that come with life. I have talked in the past about the routine of cooking, cleaning, and maintenance that everyone needs to deal with. We also have to deal with mother nature just like everybody else.

Today we have a storm front coming through so it will be an inside day. That makes it a good day to blog. I woke up to some light rain and now the sun is shining but the weather forecast is for more rain with a possibility of severe storms. Being in an RV we are more susceptible to high winds than a stick and brick house. We do have the option of leaving if the forecast is for catastrophic weather unlike a permanently anchored home. Now don't misunderstand. We don't run every time it rains but we do use common sense to decide if the weather is something we can safely ride out or not.

Ok, enough about the weather. Mary wants me to tell you about her first day working in the park. She was assigned to Splash Town Water Park at the cabana rentals. Needless to say the first open day of the season didn't bring out a lot of people for the wet and wild, fun in the sun activities. Mary was bored and was reduced to people watching, which was eye opening and also eye squinting. The locals who did come to the water park in their bathing suits definitely had been suffering from cabin fever. Dealing with the winter weather up here they either stayed inside or stayed bundled up against the cold. Mary could not believe how white (untan) everyone was. The glare was blinding. Mary considers herself fair skinned but felt cocoa brown around these bathers who haven't seen the sun in months! 

In addition to Mary's water park observations we have noticed that the locals also dress differently than us Florida Snow Birds. Temperatures in the 60's and 70's had us in jeans and tee shirts while the locals were in shorts and tank tops. My friend Linda who lives not far from here has already teased me about turning on the heat in the mornings to take the chill out of the RV. The 70-80 degree range in Florida is the cusp of heat vs A/C weather while up here they are talking about how hot it is.

Oh well, as RVers we have to be adaptable to all the changes that come with our ever changing locales. I'm getting hungry so it must be time for lunch so I will forage in the fridge for something to eat here in our home in Corfu, NY because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#19 Welcome To Darien Lakes

 

Darien Lakes theme park is going to be our home and work place for the next few months. As you can see we are working very hard. Seriously we are getting to work while we also are having fun. That is the joy of workcamping, at least the way we do it. 

We aren't working down at the beach. Instead we are working at the General Store in the campground. Days one and two had us working at several different places around the park as part of our training. We also got to meet more people who work here and also live in the area. They will be great sources of information for our adventures this summer.

We have heard that this weekend we are going to be busy. People are excited to be able to get out and about as things from the pandemic start to get better. On top of that, it is Memorial Day weekend which is the start of the summer season. The campground is booked to the capacity that is set at this time and will ensure plenty of foot traffic through the General Store.

We both have been vaccinated and are still using common sense when dealing with the people we come in contact with. We wash and sanitize hands often, keep distanced, and wear masks when in crowded areas. Step by step we are getting closer to a sense of normalcy and hopefully the progress continues.

Well it is time for dinner so I will sign off from our home at Darien Lakes because....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary

'21/#18 And So It Begins

 I am sitting here all alone, having some lunch, and contemplating life before I start my first day of work. Mary went in earlier in a different part of the amusement park so we will compare notes later. We figured it would take until our training is done and the park is going full tilt until our schedules sync.

The past week was fun and productive. We are finding our way around, picking our favorite stores, and seeing some of the sights. Our time will mostly be spent between Buffalo and Rochester along the I-90 corridor. 

Parts of the interstate system up here are toll roads as more and more around the country are becoming. Traveling with a truck and trailer can get expensive on these roads. With the old RV we had a total of five axles and now we are down to four axles. On the principle of things I have always tried to avoid toll roads since I am paying taxes through my tags, license, fuel, and any other way that the government could dip into my wallet. I have also resisted purchasing a toll transponder for the same reason plus the fact that many states use different transponder systems. I didn't want a row of transponders across my windshield so I could travel about the country.

Well I finally broke down. Florida dinged me on a surface road in Tampa that apparently is part of the ramp to the toll road. By the time our mail was forwarded to us the toll was late and had accrued late fees more than doubling the actual toll. One of the things to consider when fulltime RVing. Not knowing the roads around north west New York I wound up on a bridge that was a "toll by tag". Having to take care of it by phone pushed me to buy an EZ-Pass. At least EZ-Pass is accepted by most states in the north east  and is working its way down the east coast. Florida, as backwards as they are, is actually accepting EZ-pass on some of their roads. I held out as long as I could but finally gave in.

I am going to sign off now beacuse it is time for me to get ready for work here at our home in Darien Lakes because.....

Home is where we park it,

Frank and Mary