Indiana 2016

September 19, 2016

We are still waiting for coach to get fixed, so we decide to go on the tour of the RV plant.   We've taking many plant tours, but this one lasted 3.5 hrs.   Tom, our guide, knew more about RV's than we'll ever know.  He's been working at this facility for over 40 yrs.

REV has made incredible changes in this industry, mostly having to do with the exterior, including engine, framework, etc.  Although they've listen to us RV'ers and have included many new features on the interior.

I particularly like the American Eagle, one of the most expensive, but the paint design, is so different.   If only I had an extra $500,000 in my pocket!!!

Got back to the coach, still haven't taken it in, darn, we would like to leave on Thursday at the latest.

September 18, 2016

Left Jefferson, OH and headed to Decatur, IN.   Went to plant where the REV group's headquarters' are located.   When we arrived we were told where to park (have to get a

Ohio 2016

September 18, 2016


Went into Jefferson to have breakfast, excellent diner called the Jefferson Diner.   While there, it started raining cats and dogs, so we decided to just stay home today and relax.   Think Bobby is ready to go home!!!!   Only about 2 weeks and we'll be there!!



I'm going to make something with some of the apples, fried some for dinner last night, OMG excellent.   Today, might try an apple tart.



September 17, 2016



It' pouring this morning, so we decide not to do anything for a while.   Around 11, it stopped so we headed towards Ashtabula, OH.   Along the way, we stopped at a couple of covered bridges, they are famous for them here in Ohio.



While in Ashtabula, we went to their annual BBQ festival.  Not what we anticipated, it's more like a county fair, where the BBQ contestants have a booth where they sell their products.   No sampling or watching them cook their ribs.   Disappointing for us, as we love watching and talking to the cooks.   We ate an elephant ear and a corn dog, neither was that good. 



We then drove to Brandt's Apple Orchard, there we picked up 25 lbs of Honey Crisp apples for $1 a lb...big score!!!   Sampled some of their products, including an apple cider slushy, which was delicious!



On the way home, we saw several more covered bridges, including the longest one in the USA at 613'.   Granted it was built in 2008 but still very impressive.



September 16,  2016



We are slowly heading west, feels good to know we'll be home around the 5th of October.   It's been a wonderful trip, but we are ready to be home.



We traveled to Jefferson, OH today and are staying at an RV called Millbrook Outdoor resort.   It's out in the middle of nowhere, to be exact, 6.5 miles from Jefferson.   But, it's on our way home.



Today we didn't do much, traveled and few chores, but just relaxing for the remainder of the day.

New York 2016

September 15, 2016
 
Drove into Buffalo to find the Dr Martin Home that Frank Lloyd Wright created.  Arrived at 10 and took the tour.   The house is undergoing a major renovation so there was no furniture in the house, supposed to be completed by end of 2016 but think it will be more like end of 2017.   They've already spent 54 million and honestly they need 20 million or more to finish.  

The house it very unique and is over 15,000 SF.   Like most Frank Lloyd Wright homes, it's open and stunning in the architecture that he used.   We never get tired of seeing this style.

Lewiston, NY was our next stop, we thought it would have shops, etc. to see, but it's mostly restaurants with a few shops.   Had lunch at the Brickyard Pub, excellent BBQ. 

Tomorrow we leave NY state and head to Ohio, we only have 2+ weeks before we get home, can you tell I'm excited?

September 14, 2016

Caught up with Annette (friend from Havasu) who lives in Niagara Falls, Canada.    She recently bought a home near downtown so we drove over to see her.   She has a wonder place.      She fixed us lunch and we visited for 3+ hrs.    

Got home and went to the outlet mall which is across the parking lot from us.

September 13, 2016 

Went out to Westley, NY and drove around the island.   This is the largest island that the USA owns in the thousand islands.   It only took us about 1 hour to go from one end to the other, stopping to take in the views, along the way. 

We then went to the Antique Wooden Boat Museum in Clayton, NY.   What an amazing display of wooden boats.  Bobby was drooling over their beauty.   They have the boat house that Mr Boldt had and are in a constant process of keeping it up.    Never an ending job for this 105' 3 story boat.   Took a tour, it's amazing to see the craftsmanship that went into building this.  Just beautiful.   One of the most unique features, they have a piano and a dance floor.   Also the wicker furniture on the upper deck is original, yes it was purchased in 1904.   Still looks brand new! 

There are five buildings, each filled with a different type of boat, everything from small craft, canoe, etc.   We spent over 2 hours looking at everything.

September 12, 2016 

Took the 2 nation tour today.   The boat ride first took us into millionaires row, where we see spectacular homes located on some of the islands.   They are just beautiful and when you see them, you understand why individuals summer here. 

We then tour the US & Canadian portions of the islands, in which our tour guide gave us details about the islands, owners of the islands, homes owned by whom, etc.   It's a great tour and we highly recommend it. 

At the end of the tour, you have the option to get off at Boldt Island and take the self-guided tour, which we did.   Bought our tickets (separate charge from boat tour) and spent the next 3+ hours walking around looking at the castle and the buildings on Heart Island.   

Mr Boldt was building this castle for his wife Louise but 2 months before it's completion, she died and ordered all work to stop.    He vowed to never set foot on the island and never did, nor did his two children.   He died in 1916 and the children couldn't afford to maintain the house, so it was left unattended until 1977, when the thousand island bridge authority bought the property.    

To this date, they've put over 30 million into restoration and it's still not near completion.


Across from the Castle located on Wellesely Island but we took the boat shuttle, which takes less than 5 min.   Here you  get to see where the Boldt family stored their boats, of which two of them are on display.    They are just gorgeous. 

Took the shuttle back to the castle and caught a boat to the Alexandria Bay, walked around town a little and then headed home.

September 11, 2016

Left Malone around 8 and headed for Alexandria Bay, NY where we'll spend next couple of days. We arrived around 11, took a walk down to the St  Lawrence River, which divides Canada and USA.   If I still had my throwing arm, I might be able to throw a rock across the border.   Yes, it's that close to us.

Had lunch and then drove into Alexandria Bay, NY.   Decided that we'd take the boat tour to the Singer Castle, which is on Dark Island.  Even though it's called 1,000 islands, there are actually 1,864 of them, but only a handful are reachable by car.   

The boat ride provides lots of history about the islands and the river, plus some of the famous people that have bought islands.   The ride took us about 30 minutes up river to reach dark island.  Once there, you obtain a guided tour of the castle, which lasts 50 minutes.   It's a great tour but nothing like we thought since we'd seen the Vanderbilt homes in NY & RI that are also from the gilded era. 

This castle is much more like Hearst Castle, it's dark and kind of cold.  

Frederick Bourne built the castle in 1903-1905.   He was president of the Singer Sewing Machine company and original the castle was called Dark Island Castle but in recent years got renamed to Singer Castle because of his connection to the company.   While touring the castle, you see many Singer Sewing Machines.   In 1928 after his death, his daughter Marjorie stayed in the castle and added several additions to it.   Once the taxes and up keep came to much for her, she sold it to a religious facility, whom later sold it to three private investors, which own it today.

On the boat ride back to Alexandria Bay, we learned of many ship wrecks, much of the river is very narrow and if you don't know where the shoals are, you go a ground and sometimes sink.   Fishing is excellent and like the Columbia, they have Sturgeons.  

Walked around town upon departing the boat, bought a few gifts.  Tomorrow, we'll tour the Boldt Castle.




September 10, 2016



Played golf with Jim, as Marilyn is in the clubs Solheim tournament and couldn't play with us, however she did ride around with us on the first 9 holes.    Bobby had an amazing round of golf,  shot 82 with a10 on one hole, went in the water 3 times.   I played well,  98.  



It's very hot and humid today, 85 but with humidity, feels like 100+.   Tomorrow we are heading to Alexandria Bay, so we can see the Thousand Islands.



September 9, 2016

Left Burlington around 8 and headed to Malone, NY via hwy 2.   Beautiful drive that goes though the islands and around Lake Champlain.   We are starting to see more and more trees getting their color but honestly we'll miss the season, as it's time to head home. 



We arrived in Malone around 11, found the Elks lodge and got parked.  While parking, Jim & Marilyn Lusk (freinds from Havasu that summer here) stopped by to say hello.   They only live about 2 blocks from the Elks.



Agreed to meet them at the Golf Course for a tour and dinner.   Drove out to Almonzo Wilder's boyhood home (his wife was Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of Little House on the Prairie).   Went through the museum and picked some apples.



Then we headed to High Hills Falls, 160' waterfall that's a hidden gem.   Beautiful and glad Marilyn suggested it to us.



Got to the golf course  just as they were finishing their round of golf, they showed us the east side as we're playing the west side tomorrow.   What a beautiful course, green and very challenging.   Hopefully we play well tomorrow on the west side.



Had dinner at the club, we were joined by their friends Mark & Mary, great couple.   Had a wonderful time chatting with them and catching up with Jim & Marilyn.

Vermont 2016

September 8, 2016

Went to see the Ethan Allen home, but it was closed, walked around the area, took some pics and then decided to go to downtown Burlington.  This is a quaint little area, so we decided to explore.  Burlington is the largest city in VT at 40,000, city more like Havasu than large city in most states!   Walked up and down Church street, main shopping area in town and close to the VT college.  

Weather is nice but rain is supposed to come so we headed home to close up the coach.   Tomorrow we'll head to Malone, NY where my girlfriend Marilyn Lusk and her husband Jim spend the summers.

September 7, 2016

Took a cruise of Lake Champlain on the Ethan Allen Boat today.   It's a narrated cruise, telling you the history of the lake, some of the incidents that have occurred, famous people that have sailed it and of course the battles that have occurred in or near Burlington, VT.   

The cruise took about 1 1/2 hrs, which was a wonderful way to spend the after noon on a hot muggy afternoon.   It's about 90 today and humidity is high, although it's supposed to cool down for the weekend.

September 6, 2016

Laundry is our first chore today, once we completed that task, it was off to see the VT capital.   This is the smallest capital in the USA, however it's beautiful.   Even though it's small, it has very interesting architecture, paintings and statues. 

Once we finished our tour, we headed back to the coach, packed it up and then headed to the town of Waterbury, where we found a place at a park to park the coach and then we took to truck to see the Ben & Jerry Ice Cream factory.   Learned about the history and how the two best friends created this ice cream company and how's it's expanded to a worldwide corporation.   It's no longer owned by the two friends but they still operate it after negiating that they'd they still have all say in the flavors, etc.   Obviously the new management agreed to their terms and it's grown in leaps and bounds since the purchase.

After the tour, we got a sample of the flavor of the day: Milk and Cookies, huge sample that was excellent.  The graveyard of the retired flavors was our next stop, fun to see funny headstones. 

The Von Trapp Family lodge was our next destination.  This family migrated from Austria to the USA in then1940's and earned money by holding performance where they sang.   Also operated a farm, that today is still in operation but is mostly a world renowned ski resort.   Because of their signing, the musical Sound of Music was created and later the movie was produced.   Very interesting to learn about them and of course see the views from their lodge.

Drove back to the coach and headed to Burlington, VT Elks Lodge, where we'll spend 2-3 days looking at this area.


September 5, 2016

Montpieler, VT is the capital of VT and our next destination.   We arrived at around noon, had terrible fog on the route up.   We traveled I-89, beautiful drive for what we could see.

Got the Montpieler Elks lodge and decided we'd play golf.  Tee'd off at 10:15 with a local couple (Mike & Lisa), great to have locals since they know all the in's and out's of the course.

Afterwards we joined them for cocktails and spent time getting to know them.


September 4, 2016

Simon Pierce Glass

The Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park is in Woodstock, VT, so that was our destination for today.  

Queechee Gorge

While driving there, we first stopped at the Quechee Gorge.   It's supposed to be the Grand Canyon of the East, believe me, it's NOTHING like to the Grand Canyon.   However it is a nice gorge.   We walked the 1/2 mile to the bottom to capture a pic of the bridge plus walked up to the bridge to get the view looking down river.

Queechee Covered Bridge

On the drive to NP, we found two covered bridges, of which we drove across one.   We also stopped at Simon Pierce glass studio in Quechee, he's a world renowned glass blower, where they make high end glassware.  We watched them make sugar bowls today.   A finished one cost $55.  


The National Park is attached to the Billings-Marsh Farm, still a running cattle farm, however we elected to spend our time at the National Park.   We watched a 25 minute film on the history of the three owners, of which George Perkins Marsh was the first.   His family bought the farm when we  was very young and he grew up there learning about the conservation of plants, in particular trees.   He was sent to Europe for his work and while there his brother sold the farm to Fredrick Marsh 1869.



Mr. Marsh was extremely concerned how the state had allowed much of the forest to be logged and now the forest was 90% gone, hence he created reforestation and conservation, plus the idea of a National Park was created.   He died in 1890 but his wife Julia and his three daughters continued with his vision of the farm.    In the 1950's, Julia's granddaughter Mary, married Lawrence Rockefeller, whom continued to run the farm.  In 1992 Lawrence and Mary gave the home to the National Park and it opened to the public in 1998.

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NP

We took the miniature guided tour of the main house.  You get to see most of the first floor and second floors, but nothing of the third floor.   The regular tour gives you more in depth but we did not want to wait the two ours to get the tour.   Our guide explained the rooms and we saw 85% of the house, which is amazing for that it was built in 1835 or so.



We then went Sugarbush Farms, learned about the maple syrup business, had samples and bought a few things.



Woodstock was our last stop, walked around town, look in the shops and caught a late lunch.