New Jersey 2016

June 30, 2016

Last day in this area, so we took the opportunity to catch up on laundry and do a few errands.
Moving tomorrow to Marlton, NJ

June 29, 2016

Played golf at Stockton Seaview Golf in Galloway, NJ.  We played the Pines course, they also have the Bay Course.  It was a difficult course in that there were trees and sand traps everywhere, but it was a well manicured course and fun to play, even though it was hot and humid.

Afterwards we stopped at the Elks and had a few drinks.  Very small lodge but friendly.   We then drove to Oyster Bar out on the bay, had another drink while enjoying the view of the Atlantic (way off in the distance.



June 28, 2016

Drove to Toms River to visit with our niece Val and her family.   This is Bobby's brother's daughter and they haven't seen each other in 45 years, she was 5.   We had a great visit and caught up on all her family.   She has 3 kids, two daughters and one son.  Her son Andrew was working, so we were unable to meet him or his family.   Her two girls still live at home and were there.

Left around 2 and headed towards home.   On the way, we needed milk so headed towards Walmart, along the way found this great Mexican Restaurant, http://tenamparestaurant.com/, it was the best Mexican food we've had in a very long time.   The avocado sauce on my enchilada was the best I've ever tasted.   Bobby really liked his burrito, it has a sauce that tasted more Italian than Mexican, but he loved it.

June 27, 2016

Drove into Atlantic City again, this time to do a little shopping at the outlet mall.  The mall is actually not a mall but just stores located in the heart of the city.   They take up about 8 city blocks.   Parking is a nightmare, as you have to find a parking lot (far and few in between) or try to find street parking, which we did after about 10 min.  The cost is great, only $1 per hour. 

Had lunch while we were there at Ruby Tuesday, Bobby had a wonderful hamburger and I had the salad bar (it was excellent).

We then drove over to the Borgata Hotel, very similar to the Bellagio in LV.   In fact, Dale Chully has created the centerpiece art work, that's why we came to see this hotel.   I must say, it was packed with people, much more so than hotels in LV.  Busy obviously is great for this hotel.

On the way back to the truck, we stopped at the Borgata Bakery and had one of the banana cream moon pies, it was scrumptious.   Best one we tried so far!!!


June 26, 2016

Lazy day, so I decided to go shopping at TJ Maxx and Lenox Outlet Store.   Found a couple of things!!!

Will spend the afternoon at the pool and watching TV.

June 25, 2016


Went to Toms River, NJ in hopes of connecting with our niece Val, but when we arrived at her house, found out she works on weekends.  We did hear from here later and we'll connect later in the week.   

When she called, we were heading towards Seaside, so she told us to have lunch at the Sawmill, it's a lunch spot on the boardwalk, known for it's pizza.   We parked the car in the middle and then headed south on the boardwalk.   This area is similar to the AC (Atlantic City) boardwalk but the stores are so much nicer and have great merchandize. 

Walked to the end where the Sawmill was located and had lunch.  We shared a piece of pizza as they are huge slices.   It was good
thin crust pizza.

Headed back to the North after lunch, looking thru the shops, watching kids play games, etc.  It's a beautiful day (78 degrees) so we are enjoying being outside.

Around 2:30 we head home, then I go over to a local fruit stand to look around.  The flowers are incredible, if only I could get them home with me.    Just afraid if we go into Canada, they'd take them away.


June 24, 2016

Cape May Lighthouse

 Cape May is about an hour south of us, so we head there.   Once we find the beach, our first stop is the lighthouse area.   Here you can walk up the lighthouse, go to the beach or look around the outside of the old bunker 223 (it's from WWII era).  

WWII Tower

Next we drive to the WWII Fire Tower, this tower (similar to a lighthouse) was built in three days during WWII.  It was to defend us from a possible foreign attack, which never came.   When you get to the top, there is a gentlemen who tells you all about the tower and surrounding area.   Very informative and worth the cost to climb.

We then drove to the beach area near this tower, looked through the few shops (bought a Christmas gift for a friend) and looked at the remains of a ship called Atlantus.   It's one of 12 concrete ships built during WWII.   The gentleman who bought this ship has hopes of making it a tourist stop but a hurricane caused so much damage to it, it never came to fruition.  Today it's a fish habitat.

Shipwreck Atlantus

We then drove to the east side of Cape May, looked around and visited a fish market.   We could see the rain coming, so we headed home via hwy 9.   Had the opportunity to see some of the damage from the storm a few days ago.  

Got home around 3:30, just in time as skies opened up.   Found out later, Cape May area got 2" of rain, we got less than 1/2"




June 23, 2016

It's raining so we decide to go get me a haircut at a place about 15 miles away.   On the way back, we stopped at Historic Smithville.   This area is a small community that has 50 shops that we visited.   They are your local tourist stuff.   We did buy a loaf off bread at the bakery, but otherwise didn't find anything I couldn't live without.

Got home, still raining so we did a little house work.   Later in the afternoon, we did laundry and by then sun was out so we went swimming!

June 22, 2016

Absecon Lighthouse

Being crowned M

Atlantic City is about 25 miles from us, so that's our destination for today.   We arrive around 9 and headed to Gilchrist Restaurant for breakfast.  We had some of the best pancakes we've had in a long time.   They were thin and almost like a crepe.  Bobby had plain ones, while I had blueberry.  Yum!!  While here we also saw our first horseshoe crab, looks similar to a stingray vs. crab.

We then drove down towards the water, it's the north end and honestly it is nothing like the south end (learned this later in the day).  It was pretty much destroyed and what was not destroyed, hurricane Sandy removed the rest.   All that's left is pilings. 

Atlantic City from Steel Pier

We then went to Absecon Lighthouse, third tallest in USA, but closed today.  Will come see again later in the week.

Boardwalk

Board walk is about 1/2 mile from lighthouse, so we found a parking lot ($5) and walked the 1/2 block to the boardwalk.   It's nothing what I had imagined, very long and there's three main pier off it.   We walked from the middle south to the Tropicana and then to the North to Taj Mahal and then back to the car.  That's 7.35 miles or 16,442 steps!!!!   It's hot very, close to 90 but humid, however if you catch the breeze it's very nice but the hotels block most of it, making the boardwalk hot.
Add caption

Atlantic City and beach

We went thru many of the shops along the boardwalk, most tee-shirts, beach stuff, your typical beach stores.   We are going back on Sat. to see fireworks, might by a tee-shirt then.   Had lunch at Johnny Rockets, great lunch.

The boardwalk is home to the Miss America pageant, we took pics by the statue.  Fun to imitate Miss America getting the crown.

Steel Pier

Also saw the worlds largest Pipe Organ, has over 31,000 pipes.   We will go back and take a tour on Wednesday as we couldn't today because of a show going on the hall.   We did however listen to a concert from the small organ, 4,000 pipes.

On the way home, found a geocash, so now we have NJ...Yeah.   It's 4:30, so we are done for the day!!!!   Feet hurt but had fun.

June 21, 2016

View of LBI from Lighthouse

It's raining and we are supposed to have a major thunderstorm and large hail this afternoon!  Not my favorite thing, but getting better about getting through these storms.

Barnegat Lighthouse

Around 9 we headed out to see the Barnegat Lighthouse.  It's located on the northern tip of Long Beach Island in Barnegat Light, NJ.   This is your typical beach town, exept it's spread out over 6 miles.    It has the usual stores, etc.

Once we arrived at lighthouse, we took the walk out on the walkway to look at the ocean.  It was amazing that the breeze cooled it down 10 degrees, making it wonderful.   We then headed into the lighthouse and took the 228 steps to the top for the incredible view.    It's a stunning view, looking out towards the Atlantic and up and down the LBI (Long Beach Island).

We know the storm is coming so we decide to head home after stopping for a few groceries.  Got home just in time, as around 3, the storm is here.   We'll spend the remainder of the day inside, safe and sound.


June 20, 2016

We left Stevensville, Maryland around 9:30, as we had to pickup our mail at the post office.   It took us about 4 hrs to get to our next destination, made a couple of stops along the way at the visitors centers.   On the east coast, they have incredible rest stops, they are located usually in the middle of the freeway, shared by both directions of the traffic.  They have restaurants, gas, etc.  The last one even had a farmers market!   Very nice!!

Chestnut Lake

We'll be staying at Chestnut Lake RV Park for 10 days.   This will give us time to just relax plus see all the sites, including Philadelphia, while we are here.

Once settled in, we headed to the pool....it's extremely hot with the temp and humidity.   Temps are in the 90's, but the humidity makes it feel like it's in the 100's.

Deleware 2016

June 16, 2016

Old Light Ship

It's cold and pouring outside! 68 degrees is just not want I thought this part of the country was going to show us!  It certainly will make a change in our plans for today.

We had planned to go to Lewes, DE and spend the day at the beach, but honestly it's raining way to hard for that, so, off to the outlet stores we go.   I need to return a pair of pants and of course look at all the other stores!!

Lewes, DE beach

We finish and head towards the beach so we can see the Overflash, a lighthouse on a ship.   It was once used in the harbor to mark shoals for incoming vessels.  Reminded us of George Peraults old tug, except for the light on top.

We then took the country roads back to the coach, as the rain in not letting up and I don't hae an interest in walking in the rain today.   Getting Old I guess!!!

Tomorrow we head to a new location, Stevensville, MD

June 15, 2016

Legislative Building

The capital of Delaware is Dover, 11 miles down the road.  Delaware is the first state to ratify the declaration of Independence and this is why it's called the First State.  Our first building was the Legislative Building (we'd call it the capital), it's a plain building but what did I expect from a building built to resemble something from the 1777. 

Old State Capital

They were not giving tours today, as they were having a group of high school kids practice becoming legislative representatives.  Some were in the Senate and others in the House of Representatives.  We watched them practice for a while, very impressive, sure some will go into politics.

Next was the Old State Capital Building.   This was the orginial building, it once again is very plain, wooden floors, plain walls, no fancy decorations, etc.  Nothing like the many other capitals we've seen, but it was the first one!   Most impressive thing we saw was a portrait of George Washington, first it was over 7' tall, it's a true replica of him and since he was over 6', it's huge.   We asked about the value as it's an original, but the guide didn't know.  It is electronically protected!

Dover Downs

We then took a walking tour around the area called the "Green".   It's like a lawn in front of the capital, here they held meetings, etc.  In fact the Independence of Declarations for Delaware was read here in front of the Capital Building.    We learned about the importance of The Golden Tavern (no longer a tavern), it acted like the capital while the true one was being built.  Our guide also told us about several of the other buildings and who once occupied them.

AMC Museum

Dover Downs Casino and Dover Speedway are just down the road, so that was our next stop.  The Speedway was not giving tours, due to the Firefly Event (supposed to be similar Woodstock).  They are anticipating 80,000 to attend.   We did take pics of the Monster Mile but that's all.   We then went to the casino to get a souvenir but they didn't have much for sale, few shirts.   Apparently they are changing vendors, why the actual track doesn't have a gift store is beyond me.

It's raining so we are making our last stop of the day the Air Mobility Command (AMC) Museum.   Here we had the opportunity to see many planes up close and personal.   In the museum you learn all about the AMC and how it's evolved over time and the importance it plays into today's defense of the USA.  It was fun to get inside the cockpits of the monsters!!!

June 14, 2016

Travel day, headed to Dover, PA, which is our destination for this leg.  I decided we'd take the back roads and avoid the tolls, boy was that a mistake!   We got to see the countryside but the roads are narrow, winding and not meant for this big beast!   From now on, we'll stick to the toll roads in this area.   One thing, we did cross the infamous Mason-Dickson line (border between Pennsylvania and Maryland).

We arrived at Killen Pond State Park, our home for next 3 days.  It has a pond in the middle of the park with a nice walking around it.

Maryland 2016

June 19, 2016

Last day in Maryland so we took a tour around the area to the west.   We are on an island so real there is not much here other than marina's, restaurants, beaches and lots and lots of people.  

Once we finished touring, we headed to the Blue Heron Golf Course to get 18 holes in.   Bobby played well, not so good for me.   The humidity gets to me quickly and lack of play is also part of it...OK, maybe I'm just not that good...lol.

Tomorrow we hope to travel to Port Republic, waiting for mail to catch us.   If it doesn't arrive today, we'll travel tomorrow.

June 18, 2016

Left early to get into Annapolis, heard the crossing on the Bay Bridge could be difficult, it was a breeze!   Got into downtown Annapolis, finding a parking spot was a little difficult but we finally found one near the Marina.

We were earlier to get a ticket for the parking (didn't start until 10 AM) so we went to find a geocash, so we could have Maryland in our system.   Then we walked back to the marina and looked around.  This area is filled with large yachts that are allowed to tie up and enjoy this area.  

Once we paid for our meter on the truck, we went to the Naval Academy, which is about a block away.   Took a self-guided tour.   Saw the Chapel, Museum, John Paul Jones crypt, many statues on the grounds and some of the buildings.    We were restricted on what we could go into, but still enjoyed our time at the Academy.b

We then went back to the truck, got more time on the meter and then walked up to the Capital 
Building.   Again to a self guided tour, that's all they do here.   This is a piece of history (other than being a capital) in that George Washington gave his resignation speech here.   We got to stand where he gave this speech, pretty cool if I say so myself.

We then walked across the street to see the statue of Mr. Thrugood Marshall, first black man to become a supreme court judge.

Had lunch at a local facility, just ok.  Our smoothie cost more than our hamburger!!!  Imagine that!

Main Street is filled with shops and restaurants, so we walked up and down that street.  This put us back at the marina, so we took another walk up and down.   They were having a Corvette Cruise-In, so of course we looked at the cars.

Got home around 3:30 and now just got home from Dinner at the Crab Shack, which is about 3 miles up the road.  Food was great and inexpensive compared to Annapolis.   We've been without Internet for over a week, so I apologize for not posting sooner.   Lots to catch up on!  Sorry but intenet is not working so I'll have to post pics later.

June 17, 2016

Left Dover around 9 AM and headed west towards Annapolis, MD.   We are staying at the Kent Island Elks Lodge in Stevensville, MD.  It's about 30 min west of Annapolis.  

Once we got settled, we went into town to find the Post Office as our mail is being sent here.   Found it and then we went looking around.   We had a strap that broke on the drivers side awning, so we looked up a local canvas place and they were able to fix it quickly, plus they didn't charge us anything.  So very nice of them!!!

We then took a look around the marina, lots and lots of very expensive boats but nice to look at!   Hemingway's Restaurant is at the end, so we walked out to look at the menu and see the view.   Great view of the Bay Bridge.

On the way back to the coach, we stopped at several other spots to take in the views.

Went to the Elks Lodge for their Friday night Chicken Parmesan special.  It was good.   Then we drove back to the Marina to take in the sunset.   It's bright orange by the time it sets!   With the Bay Bridge behind it, it's specular.

Pennsylvania 2016

June 6, 2016

This is our last day in SW Pennsylvania so we went to see Fort Ligonier.  It

June 5, 2016

Fallingwater

Busy, busy day today.   Started off by driving to Fallingwater but it didn't take us long to arrive, so we continued onto Ohioplye State park and found a Farm Market, place to have breakfast.

Back of Fallingwater

We then toured Fallingwater, the infamous home that Frank Lloyd Wright built over a waterfall.   I saw it back around 2005 when I came to Pittsburgh for an NAIW conference.   The entrance and visitors center has been updated, but otherwise it's still the same amazing home it was plus they don't let you take pics of the inside as that's a separate tour.

It's amazing that Mr. Wright had the vision in 1935 to build the home over the waterfall vs. overlooking it.  The owners, Mr. & Mrs. Kaufmann (owners of a department store in Pittsburgh) had him build this for their weekend home (they used it from 1937 thru 1963).   All of the family members including their son Edgar are buried on the grounds. 

Patio at Kentuck Know

Cucumber Falls

Mr. Wright had many ingenious ideas, some of which included the furniture being built into the walls, windows that had no supports, very few internal walls and loved to use natural items (boulders, etc) as part of the homes.   When the son gave the home to the Pennsylvania Conservancy, it included the home, original furnishings (many created by Mr. Wright) and the artwork.  I loved it, Bobby was not as enthralled.  Ceilings are low: 6'4" and floor are stone.  This house cost $150,000 (2.5 million in todays dollars) to build.  The owners thought it would cost around $10,000....way over budget!!!!

Next we toured another home Mr. Wright built, called Kentuck Knob.  It is totally different than Fallingwater and Bobby loved this one.   It gave you a warm fuzzy feeling.   It was built in 1953 and cost $90,000, it's considered a Usonian house (it's Mr. Wright's invision to control costs by having no attics, basements and little to none ornamentation).  It does have an attic, but was added after Mr. Wright had designed it.

Fort Necessity

Braddock's Grave

If I owned it, the only thing I'd change was the kitchen.   Very small and no stove, Mrs. Hagan (original owners) used hot plates, which are still in the house.  The deck off the main room has skylights without covers, so that light can shine into the house.   Very unique and beautiful home set in a rustic location (it's inside Ohioplye State Park).  Also they have a huge collection of outside artwork, so we took the 1/2 mile walk from house back down to the visitors center.

Artwork at Kentuck Knob

We then drove to Cucumber Falls, it was specular, as they've had so much rain this spring.

Next stop was Fort Necessity, stopping first for a late lunch/early dinner at Pizza Hut.   Fort Necessity is where the shot heard around the world occurred.   Here George Washington lead a group of British soldiers to confront the French soldiers, a confrontation occurred and their Commander Mr. Jumonville was killed, which started the American Revolutionary War of 1775.  

Mr. Washington was a 21 year old and later promoted to Colonel, knew the French would retaliate and built Fort Necessity. The Indians knew it would not support an attack and abandoned the British.  Eventually the British surrendered but Mr. Washington had to sign a letter saying he was at fault for killing Mr. Jumonville.

Mt Washington Tavern

During the film you watch at the Visitors Center, you learn about the National Road (now hwy 40) and how it came about.  It was original called Braddocks Road, named after Mr. Washington's general who was killed and they buried him in the road, then walked over his grave to hide it from the Indians, so we would dig it up.  Along this original route, Mt. Washington Tavern was built, which was built as a stagecoach stop.   You can see the rooms, etc.

Our last stop of the day was General Braddocks grave site. 

June 4, 2016

The park that we are staying is allowing everyone to wash their rigs if the so desire, so we took advantage of this opportunity to give her a bath.   She was extremely dirty and certainly need sprucing up.   We also gave the truck a bath.  

Next we caught up on some much need house work, has we had done any deep cleaning since we left plus I worked on my Classie Ladies tournament stuff, so it can be mailed on Monday.

The park has breakfast on Sat & Sundays, so we took advantage of that.   Visited with the General Manager, great crew they have here.   They were testing cookies that they'll sell, so they let us try them...yum.

We thought about going to Fallingwater, but all the tickets were sold out, so we made a reservation for 10 AM tomorrow.

Got finished with our chores and my tournament stuff around 3, so we decided to play36 holes of putt putt golf, wouldn't you know it, Bobby won!!!  They have a nice little 18 hole course here.   Thought about going to the Olympic size pool, but decided nay!


June 3, 2016

Memorial Wall at crash site

 Laundry need to be done, so we headed to Someset to the closest laundromat.  Then we drove to the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, PA.  This is a brand new facility created by the National Park System.  It's very impressive and displays that events that lead up to that horrible tragedy that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001.  

They've done an incredible job of showing the timeline, along with the individuals that were killed and how they tried to overtake the hijackers.  It's very difficult to listen to the recordings that some of the passengers left for their loved ones via cell phones. 

Once you visit the visitors center, you can walk out on the platform that allows you to view the crash site.  They've created this memorial down by the site, that lists they passengers/crew that lost their lives that horrible day.   This memorial is in the direct path that the plane took just before it struck the ground.

If you're ever in this part of PA, I highly recommend visiting this facility.

Looking at Visitor Center from crash site

We then drove back to Somerset, had lunch at a great little restaurant called Summit Diner.   We tried their specialty dessert, burnt sugar cake with maple cream filling.  I liked it, Bobby didn't.

On the way home, we stopped at Hidden Springs Golf Course, might play it on Monday.

West Virgina 2016

June 2, 2016

Jackson Mill location

On the road again, heading to Weston, WV.   I wanted to see a couple of things in this town, however most were closed, who know why, as the store hours showed they should be open.  

Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Aslyum

Our first stop was the Appalachian Glass Company, they are a well known glass blowing company in WV.  We were too early to see them blowing so just looked at some of their products.

Next stop was the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum.  It used to be a psychiatric hospital.   Was supposed to house 250 but had 2,400, obviously very offer crowed.  This is the hospitals main building is one of the largest hand-cut stone building in the USA and 2nd in the world.  It didn't open until later this afternoon, so we just took pictures.

We then headed to the Museum of American Glass.   This part of the country is famous for all types of glass that has been created, but this museum displays glass from every state.  They had some very unusual pieces, of which some were for sale.  

Glass Museum

We stopped by the Mountaineer Military Museum, again it was closed but the building used to house the Weston Colored School. 

Colored School

Our last stop for now, is the Farmstead at WVU Jackson's Mill, once again it's closed but this gentleman was nice enough to give us a map, so we did a walking tour.   All we could see was the outside, as buildings were locked.   This is the boyhood Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.  It was owned by his uncle, he lived here until he went to West Point. 

We decided that we'd skip Morgantown, home of WV University and head to our next stop, Roaring Run RV in Champion, PA.  We'll arrived at 3, got settled in and will spend the next 5 days.  The weather is raining and very humid.   Temps are in the mid 80's.

June 1, 2016

Warning light is still on, will just have to accept that, drives me crazy though!

Arrived in Charleston around 11, staying at the elks lodge.   Had lunch, then drove to the capital.  Did a self guided tour, as they were busy giving tours to young children.   Must say, after seeing Frankfort Capital, this was nothing spectacular but it did have some interesting features, one being the chandeliers.  They were so striking. 

Across the lawn is their History Museum, very impressive.  It takes you through West Virgina's history and important individuals.   They were also having a quilt show, so many talent people.

We then drove to the Capital Market, it's an outdoor market, mostly plants, but they did have some vegs.   There's also an indoor section, similar to Pikes Market in Seattle, but on a much lessor scale.  The plants were amazing, huge and beautiful and only $15.  Which I could have brought several back but could not get them into Canada.

Drove down by the river, not much to see plus it's very hot, so we drove home.