Wagon's ho!

Time to pack up the "wagons," punch in the GPS coordinates for Lake Magic and head south! Several "snowbirds" have already started "nesting" at Lake Magic. We've also heard from several of our Palm Tree Bikers that mid October is their planned arrival.
We've visited a few of our regular haunts and got to take care of some minor house chores before we get into the hustle-bustle when all of you return. Pat and I got a super welcome from our super Hostess, Betty, at the Wave and she asked when all of our Palm Tree Bikers will be returning. Yes, the Ruben was excellent!

We headed for Animal Kingdom and took in a show...

The Festival of the Lion King is always a good take.

Then we did something we always talked about with Buzz (of Darlene and Buzz), to go to the big Gun Show they have down here.

Talk about firearm "overload." We couldn't believe how big this show is. Florida has a huge gun show just about every month. This show was held at the Central Florida Fairgrounds located in the Pine Hills section of Orlando, just about 25 miles from Lake Magic. Pat and I attended several Florida Winnebago Rallies there so we were very familiar with the location and set-up. This show filled the entire huge pavilion building another good sized building and the fairgrounds road between them. Amazing!

Never having attended one of these shows it turned out to be really fascinating. People were carrying guns every where. People bring their guns in to either trade or sell. Before someone carrying a gun could enter a building the FL Highway Patrol checked for a firearm and ammo. The people were allowed to enter after the firearm was "secured" with a wire tie through the barrel or cylinder.We saw more than a few guys walking around with their rifles on their shoulder with "for sale" signs on them. If any attendees were carrying a gun case, the vendors would approach them and inquire about a trade or sale. Even if your not a gun enthusiast there was a lot to see and a great mix of people, men and women and Dads with their kids. Some of the collectible firearms were really fine examples of workmanship.

But, this is what we left with....

a photo of this....

My back was hurting me just looking at this thing!

I also made it a point to get back to woodcarving this year. Between relocating, settling in and working, last year is a blur. All I did was put my carving kit on a shelve and there it sat. I used the excuse that I was used to carving outside the motorhome so I didn't have to deal with dust and chips. Well, after "surfing" Woodcarving Illustrated I put together a vacuum system that allows me to carve with minimal dust.

A silent vacuum system...

The Blower is fastened to the stool and the lapboard sets on my lap. I carve directly over the opening and voila, no dust. Its configured so that I can secure the lapboard to the legs on one side of the stool making is easily portable. Now I don't have an excuse.

You guys gotta get down here so we can get back into the swing of things because this is how were getting down here....

We're here... where are you?

Well? Where are you guys? Lake Magic Resort is a "ghost town," even the parks are quiet. Now all we need is our friends to show up!

We headed out of PA Dutch last Sunday and planned a three or four day trip, right! We drove 600 miles that day. Our second day was just under 400 miles. We drove right into the 90' temps and that's where they've been since our return. You guys aren't here so what else is there to do but go out to eat. Miller's Ale House for a starter. A day or so later, Earl of Sandwich. Yeah, we're catching up.

The worst thing to contend with upon our return was the waiting... for Brighthouse to turn our TV and Internet back on from the summer shut-down. Three months is the least amount of time you can shut it off and they mean it. Do any of you have any idea of how difficult it is to go without (not only the TV) but the Internet? Talk about withdrawals!! I think those were the longest three days of my life!

We hit the Winter Garden Pizza Company for a lunch. (Do you all remember that place?) Well, lets see if you notice anything different...

Figure it out?

From there we took a "cruise"...

Here's another hint...

Nope, its not "It's a Small World!"

Pat and I had a unique opportunity to see the "Dream with Mickey" Cinderella's Castle show from an entirely different vantage point...

No, not behind bars in jail! Who said that? I want his/her name!

How about this...

Figure it out yet?

That's Pat hidden behind the object in the center of the photo.

Our host for this experience is Paul to the right of the photo.

We've been taking care of some "housekeeping" that we've put off but its just not the same around here without our "Snowbird" friends. But, we'll manage!

If you guys aren't in any hurry to get down here I'm just going to keep rubbing it in until you all give in and pack up your campers to head south....

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Here's looking at you kid!

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.....these are a few of our favorite things.

Its time to leave Amish Country. We visited with our Amish friends, Abner and Becky and their two wonderful daughters. We shared lots of memories, dessert and even a pizza. We frequented the shops and tasted lots of samples. And so we leave with thoughts refreshed of ... a few of our favorite things..... 

A Kitchen Kettle "Hatfield" hot dog!

...a lot of rain!

...a few "locals!"

...the view from our window.

...great shops.

...Amish farms.

...the Amish ingenuity.

...Amish rope sausage... yummy!

...watching Deb make fudge. (Just poured hot chocolate fudge on the right waiting to cool for "folding" into a loaf.)

...yummy!

...a younger "Deb" in a nostalgic photo.

...Kitchen Kettle entertainment. The banjo player has been there for many years.

...Jam and Jelly.

...and samples.

...and a lot of serenity.

Got Stuff?

We headed out of MA yesterday and got to share over 400 miles of road with a gazillion other drivers and "Lee!" (No not the "Lee" of Pam and Lee however, the Tropical Storm "Lee" is just as antagonistic as the other Lee.) "Lee" (T.S. to be accurate), dogged us even into the next day of travel. We typically drive to Lancaster, PA in one day. Pat wanted to drive in early in the morning on the next day so we could enjoy an afternoon in this beautiful (even when raining) area. While discussing with Lee and Pam where we might stop-over, they suggested Cabelas in Hamburg, PA just off Rt. 78. What a great place for a stop-over. Cabelas, welcomes RVers and provides water and a dump station to boot. The massive store is set on a hill that overlooks a great eclectic group of stores that one can take advantage of if they quit early after driving for the day.
We set up camp and headed into the store. We felt like we walked into a huge auditorium!

Click on the above "stitched" photo to see it full size. A new window should open. Place your cursor on the photo and it should change to a tiny magnifying glass with a "plus" on it. Click the photo and it should enlarge it and you can "scroll" from side to side to see all of it. It is taken from the second floor... like the title says, "Got Stuff!"

Lee and Pam prepped us for what to expect but you've still gotta see it to believe it.

We made a quick tour of the store, headed back to the coach for a really quiet evening. We planned an early morning sojourn in the store with a coffee from their second floor restaurant and scour the place.

Yep, the prop is even spinning!

There were at least half a dozen of these "stuffed" animal scenes. Nearly all of the animals are in "motion."

No expense was spared to reality when it came to positioning each animal as it would be in their own habitat.

Any one who fishes would be impressed with the well stocked aquariums on the first floor.

So, you can learn all about the inhabitants of the great outdoors and outfit yourself with anything you need to be part of the wilderness experience. You can also enjoy a breakfast or lunch buffet or just a sandwich while you enjoy your "stop-over."

http://www.cabelas.com/

Thanks for the "heads up" on a great place to "take a breather" Lee and Pam.

Hamburg, PA was just about forty miles to our destination, Intercourse, PA and the Beacon Hill Campground. Both the motorhome and HHR looked like we've been "muddin'" with the best of them.

We set camp, freshened up and naturally, had to get something to eat.

(As all of you know, most of our "Blog Friends" know we don't have any problem finding a place to eat.)

We headed for Angela and Bill's favorite eating establishment.... "Dienners!"

http://www.dienners.com/

"Dienners" is not your average restaurant. If you take a minute to scout the area you'll see some of Amish Country's most unique long-time tourists spots...

Along with the "Dutch Haven" there are a couple of other establishments that just don't quite fit the Amish "motif"...

"Jakey's Amish BBQ" and the"City Dump!"

and

The "Outhouse!"

Even after our lunch buffet at "Dienners" we still had to head to the "Kitchen Kettle"

 http://www.kitchenkettle.com/index.asp for... what else...

We also stopped by to visit a real sweet friend (literally) at "Kitchen Kettle," "Deb" busy at work in her fudge shop.

http://www.kitchenkettle.com/members/pepperlanefudgeandsweets.asp 

As you can see our long-time travel companion, "Gnorm the Gnome" is no stranger to "Deb's" fudge!

In spite of slow going traffic due to rain, the two day drive to PA went really well.

And thanks to Lee and Pam, we know where to get lots of "stuff" and we won't be going hungry here in Amish Country!

Summer and our time in New England is dwindling

A quiet weekend catching up with friends George and Judy was a welcome break. However, the picturesque weekend on Lake Sunapee belied the wrath of hurricane "Irene" making its way north. Expecting "Irene" to knock on our door on Sunday all of us cut the weekend short. We reluctantly spliced our reminiscing and "imbibing" with great conversation, good food and storm preparations. Although, we did get to take a ride in "Judy's" sports car.

Judy's bright yellow Mercedes "Kompressor" is a real "standout!"

George needed an excuse to take this little beauty out for a ride... to fill up the gas tank!

Now bear in mind, this is Judy's ride....

I'm beginning to wonder just how much Judy actually gets to drive this "eye catcher." The four cylinder engine responds to the supercharger with gusto and each time George puts the "peddle to the metal" he comes alive with that youthful spirit that hails him back to the '60's and his Buick Grand Sport.

Like all kids, we have to come back to reality, put Judy's toy away and take care of business, after all a massive storm was already spreading it's arms over New England.

Pat and I rode out the storm in our motorhome in Lee and Pam's back yard. Lee and Pam literally "chased" "Irene" up the east coast as they headed home from the NASCAR race in Bristol, TN. The trailing southern edge of "Irene" bumped them about and dumped some rain on their rig but they made it home safe and sound. Our generator was ready but fortunately we only lost power for several minutes. We were on the "kinder" eastern side of the eye of "Irene."

The wind blew in gusts and our weather radio was going off continually. As you all know by now the western side of "Irene's" eye as she cut a line right down the middle of New England was pummelled by the wind and heavy rain. As Pat and I watched "Irene" plot her course north we (and many others) are thankful we didn't have to take a second "hit" from "Irene." You may recall the first path "Irene" was plotted for took her right over our house in central FL. Our hearts, sympathy and prayers go out to all those who weren't so lucky.

Now it's Labor Day Weekend. Lee and Pam headed to a campground in north central MA and here we sit in their "campground." After our final doctors visit and a lunch to celebrate Bill and Angela's Anniversary (at 6:00p.m.) we headed back to our "cando."... and this is what greeted us....

A juicy tomato from Pam's garden. Given that Pam has nurtured her tiny garden plot in a shady spot all summer, and is loaded with a bunch of green tomatoes, seeing this gem on our step is a success story all by its self and a welcome surprise. Thanks Pam.

Pat and I are itching to hear all about Lee and Pam's weekend campout. When we returned to their yard we noticed they didn't take their Jeep with them. With a little investigating I found out they had other plans. This is going to be a weekend of "cruising!"

Their new25th Anniversary red 1978 Vette is not in the garage!

(Sorry, Pam didn't want her photo in the blog. She hates to drive her new set of wheels without the appropriate "attire.") So, if you're in central MA route 2 area this weekend watch for a red Vette. You'll be able to pick out Pam at the wheel. She'll be wearing dark shorts, red racing shoes, a white sweater, black leather racing gloves, a red Beret and a long black scarf! 

 It appears that either Lee or Pam made plan to drive the Vette behind the motorhome for a real "cruising" weekend!

My guess is Pam drove the Vette... and she ain't following Lee in the motorhome!

Our Labor Day weekend will be quiet and restful. We'll begin tucking things away in our bays and cabinets for the trip south... thank God we don't have a larger camper!

Shhhhhhh, don't tell Pam!

Our time up north just got a lot more exciting. Who'd ever think cutting the grass can be so much fun. I offered to cut Lee and Pam's grass while they were away. I also told Pam I wouldn't use her (yes her) new John Deere X300 lawn tractor. You see I don't think anyone else has been "allowed" to drive it. Pam wouldn't even let Lee back it off his pick-up when he brought it home for her! So, I trimmed and cut a portion of their lawn with their (ugh) walk behind power mower but each time I passed the garage door, I couldn't help looking at that sweet looking "green" machine just sitting there. I confess, I put the power mower in the shed and made a bee-line for the garage... and Pam's tractor.
What a beauty! Once I figured out how to work all the pedals and "safety" switches, I started it up and made my way to the lawn. It purred over the lawn cutting with scissor precision and I was lovin' it!
After cleaning it up to "hide the evidence" I just couldn't bring myself to park it without seeing what this beauty can do. I "tweaked" it and headed for the local Lawn Tractor Pull!

All I can say is WOW......

Oh man, there ain't nothin' like it! What a ride.

(Yep, that's your's truly at the controls!)

Whew, I got Pam's pride and joy all cleaned up (again) and put it back into its "parking spot" like it was never touched. ....as they say, "Nothing Runs Like a Deere."

I needed a change of pace after all that excitement so we were looking forward to an evening with friends Laura and Chuck's (park owners of our home in NH) house for pizza and some visiting with their family. We got to catch up with Chuck and Michelle (their son and daughter-in-law) and their son, Ian, and Heather (their daughter) and her daughter, Brooklyn. To say the least Ian and Brooklyn are the "light" in Laura and Chuck's eyes. We had a very special evening with them.

Ian, is the little boy who drives his Granpa "Umpa's" construction equipment. Well, he's recently set his sight on BMX riding. He's jumping and riding over any hill or whatever he can find on their property.

Tonight was a very special night. Just ask "Umpa!"

Family and Friends

Since we've set up "housekeeping" here in MA it seems that all we've been doing is driving. As you know we're camped in our friends Lee and Pam's back yard. They live just north of Lowell, MA and Pat and I are from the area north of Boston, MA which is known as the North Shore. You may have heard of a few of the towns that tourists visit such as; Salem, (the Witch City http://salem.org/ ), Gloucester, (http://gloucester-ma.gov/ ) and our home town of Peabody, (the Leather City http://www.peabody-ma.gov/ ). If you care to visit MA in your future travels an Internet search of the area will provide you with a colorful history of these New England towns. Yes, many of the best seafood restaurants can be found along the cities and towns of the North Shore of Massachusetts.

We spent a great weekend with our best friends George and Judy at their cottage in Sunapee, NH. Their son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Candice provided us with a super tour of one of New Hampshire's popular lakes, Lake Sunapee. http://lakesunapeenh.org/

George and I got to spend a couple of hours under the clear New Hampshire sky for some "star gazing." Clouds slowly shortened our session however, the highlight of the evening was sighting the International Space Station. Its south to north pass-over allowed us the opportunity to manually "track" the bright object along its path with our telescopes. I was lucky to make out shape and definition of the ISS in my 110mm refractor.
New England may well have "legendary" winters but the other three seasons make New England one of the most beautiful regions to visit.

Our Aunt Ruth invited her daughter Angela, Pat and I, our Aunt Evelyn and Uncle Joe for a lunch at one of the fine eating establishments in Gloucester, the "Azorean." http://www.azoreanrestaurant.com/ The city of Gloucester is known for its fishing fleet and is rich in European/Mediterranean ethnicity. Before heading out for lunch we sat for a time to catch up with family news. (Photo thanks to Angela.)

Our family gathering took up the afternoon as we talked and dined on a delicious lunch. Our lunch took up much of the afternoon. No one seemed to be willing to make the first step to leave.

Seated left to right is; Angela, Pat, Ruth, Evelyn, Joe and yours truly.

Between trips to our doctors for annual check ups we've played "catch-up" to note any changes to the area that we've missed over our first year as Floridians.

Many of you know Bill and Angela, well we headed for their house for a family BBQ.

Let's see, we got there around noon and Angela and others set the table for some "munchies" prior to "firing up the barbie!" For the next two hours fourteen of us couldn't stop picking at all the goodies. When it came time to grill we were trying to figure out if we actually wanted to eat. ....well, we did!

Then, we couldn't resist the desserts. Ashley baked a yummie blueberry pie, Angela baked a pineapple pie and Bill and Angela presented a cake to Debbie, Pat and Ashley for returning to school and for birthdays.

Unaccustomed to eating so much (uha), the kids hit a local park and the adults (most of them) took a much needed walk. I stayed back to watch the food, er house!

A good friend of Bill and Angela's family, Roy, dropped in and touched all of our hearts with his four Pekingese "mops!"

Have you noticed the sun is setting earlier? Yes, days are getting shorter and school begins next week and I've gotta rub in it! Now that I'm retired from teaching oh how I love this time of year!!!

Unfortunately, its also the hurricane season and it just so happens "Irene" is setting sights for Florida.

I think I'd rather be waiting for a good ole Nor 'Easter!