Bush Gardens -  Williamsburg, VA

 

Well, this will be my last entry. We are now headed for Fort Wilderness at Walt Disney World for four days. It is not easy to add a blog at Fort Wilderness. Can you believe you have to go to the Outpost Trading Store for WiFi, or hook up an elaborate system at your site. Even so, visiting Disney is such a nice way to end each trip. I have time to mentally unwind and get ready for my normal routine. It is hard to believe we have been gone two months. Sometimes it seems fast, but when I look back at all we have done, it seems longer.

I have been to Williamsburg before and visited Historic Williamsburg, Jamestown and Historic Plantations along the James River. So this time I did something different, we visited Bush Gardens. I know we have Bush Gardens in Tampa but this is really different. I have enclosed pictures for you to check out.

I love doing these blogs and hope you have enjoyed them as much. So long for now.

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/Williamsburg%20Bush%20Gardens

 

Washington DC at Night is Spectacular!

 

Hi Everyone. Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to my blog. I took a night tour of DC, then headed out for Williamsburg the next day with intentions of doing my blog. The camp grounds in Williamsburg was very nice being, situated in a forest, but it had no wifi fast enough to blog. Hurray I back in electronic civilization.

I have been to Washington DC several times and still there were Memorials I had not seen. We stayed at a camp grounds in Maryland just off the beltway. It was so convenient. The RV park had bus tour pick up and delivery from the park into DC. With all my trips to the city I had never seen the monuments lit up at night, so I killed two birds with one stone and took a night tour with Grayline. I was able to see the Monuments I missed and see them lit up.  I thought the memorials were grand during the day but, Oh My, you must see them at Night! I was moved to near tears more than once. Attached are some of my night pictures but I am not sure they do justice.

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/DC%20at%20night

We came into DC on Saturday and no problems with traffic. I had heard so many horror stories I almost dreaded scheduling us to spend four days there. We left DC on Wednesday taking the inner loop east around the city then I 95 south toward Richmond. It was only 164 miles from DC to Williamsburg, VA so we didn't leave camp until 10am. This turned out to be a perfect time as we missed the morning rush hour. All my fears were for not. I will be down loading my Williamsburg pictures and hopefully be able to add another blog in a day or two.  I miss you all and look forward to returning home (I think). You'll hear from me soon.

Portland Head Light

Portland Head Light

 

It is hard to believe we have been here in Maine for a month. We are pulling out of here on Tuesday heading back south. We have several stops planned including D.C. and Williamsburg. We will not be home until the end of September. This past week we had an outing with Sam and drove to Fort Williams Park to see the Portland Head Light. It is the oldest and most photographed light house in Maine. We took Sam because they have a off leach area where Sam could run.

 

The Portland Head Light was authorized by George Washington and the US Congress in 1787, and was first lighted in 1791 using whale oil. About 1885 this was replaced by kerosene and subsequently by two 1000 watt lights producing a beacon which is visible for 30 miles. 

 

The historic lighthouse is located in Cape Elizabeth, Maine and sits on a head of land at the entrance of the primary shipping channel into Portland Harbor, which is within Casco Bay in the Gulf of Maine. The light station is automated, and the tower, beacon and foghorn are maintained by the US Coast Guard. The former lighthouse keepers' house is a maritime museum within Fort Williams Park.

 

 

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/Portland%20Head%20Lighthouse

 

 

As time draws near to leave, I thought, for you dog lovers, I would share with you "A day in the life of Sam."

Oh, to be a dog!

 

 

 

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/A%20Day%20with%20Sam%20Camping

Mail Boat Run, Casco Bay Portland

 

What a wonderful day on the water! Going out of Casco Bay are several different sightseeing tours but I decided to do something different. I took the Mail Boat Ferry. The mail boat is run by the U.S. Post Office and delivers everything from Hotel food supplies, building material, washers, dryers and of course the mail, to residents of several islands. A spokesman gave a narrative as we passed sites of interest.

The picture on the left is Spring Point Light taken as we left the Maine State Pier heading into Casco Bay. The picture above is of the landing on Little Diamond Island, our first stop. Other Islands we visited were Great Diamond Island (two stops there), Long Island, Great Chebeague Island, and Cliff Island.

The trip takes 3 to 3 1/2 hours depending on deliveries. The cost is $13.50 for seniors. I have attached two albums because I went crazy taking pictures. I also made the size of the picture smaller so hopefully the albums will be faster and easier to open. Let me know if it helped.

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/Casco%20Bay%20Mail%20Boat%20Run

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/More%20Casco%20Bay

 Sam thinks he is a small dog and lays on the dash watching everyone walk by.

Below is a rub down.....Who's spoiled? Hey, where's mine!

     This is the RV Park we are staying in while in Maine. OK...... don't get excited, "Adult Camping" means no children NOT NUDIST! We are not getting risqué in our old age. The RV Park is located in the middle of Maine Audubon's Scarborough Marsh. It is the states largest salt water marsh.

This is a great location. We are 3 miles from the beach and 20 minutes from Portland. We love it here so much, that we have reserved our site for July and August of next year. Several of the Campers, two legged and four legged, are Seasonal residents. Some live close enough to come up on weekends from their home.

The seasonal campers know Sam by name. As we walk, someone is always calling out his name.  Do they know my name? Probably not, I'm Sam's "mom". As we take our walks, he has regular stops he makes to get treats. Talk about being spoiled!

Here are some additional camp pictures:

 http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/Wild%20Duck%20RV%20Park

Ogunquit, ME 

This is another charming town on the Maine Coast and just as crowded as Kennybunk. But is worth fighting the crowds to come here have lunch and walk.

 

OK I know, I know all I do is EAT. Weight Watchers here I come, AGAIN.

Suszanne and I had another "girls day" on Monday. We ate at Jackie's Too overlooking the water. After lunch we took a mile long walk on the Marginal Way path. It is a beautiful walk, along the rocky coastline in Ogunquit. I have attached additional pictures.

This place is an Artist's dream.


http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/Siteseeing%20in%20Ogunquit

Maine

Why I'm in Maine        

Here we are in Maine and loving it! The weather has been perfect. We have had sunny days, with temperatures in the mid to high 70's and nights low in the 50's (which is great for sleeping). We have only had one rainy day and maybe one tomorrow. On our first full day here, we went to Old Orchard Beach to have our steamed lobster. The next "must have" food was a Crab Roll, which we had the following day. For those of you who have never had one, I can only say "I'm sorry!" It truly is a MUST eat item.

Kennybunkport, ME

 

Wonderful place to visit.

George W H Bush has his summer home here. In fact this is where he parachuted on his 80th birthday landing on the property of the Episcopal Church close to their home. You will see pictures of the church and his home in my link.

The town is very crowded, but well worth the time to visit. There are great places to stay with beautiful historic B and B's, not to mention the great coastline views and a Franciscan Monastery, St. Anthony's located here. Attached are additional pictures.

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/Kennybunkport

 

 My next adventure is to Ogunquit. Chris's sister is here and familiar with the area so I am getting some "girl days" and Chris is getting a break. With someone as quiet as I am he really doesn't need it!

 

 http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/Kennybunkport/Fun%20With%20Suzanne

Quechee Gorge, VT

Quechee Gorge

Earlier this week Chris, Sam and I hiked 3/4 of a mile down 163 feet into the Quechee Gorge. It was a beautiful hike until......we had to hike out! I must say, it was a big help, having an 86lb. lab pull you up the trail. This Florida Girls legs are getting a work out! After the hike we treated ourselves to lunch outside at Dana's by the Gorge. The owner took Sam's picture to put on face book to promote a "dog friendly" restaurant. We now have a celebrity in the family. Chris and I recommend the Rubin but Sam voted for the Hamburger.

 

I have just started downloading pictures on photo bucket, so if you like open the link to see more pictures. 

http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/Quechee%20Gorge

 

 

Windsor Covered Bridge, VT (longest in US)



Today I visited the longest covered bridge in the US. It connects VT and NH crossing the Connecticut River. It has a span of 204.6 feet. I also visited the Quechee Covered Bridge and had lunch at the Simon Pearce Glassblowing Studio and Restaurant.

 

This has been a wonderful area to visit. We stopped by the Sugarbush Farm and sampled 14 different kinds of cheese and 4 types of Maple Syrup.  They had a little Chapel on the Farm where couples can get married. Here is another link with additional pictures. Tomorrow is moving day and we are off to Maine.

 

 http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/parisijudy/library/Covered%20Bridges

Hersey, PA

We have had a wonderful time in Hersey, PA. We visited Hersey World and road on a cute ride telling the story of how the coco bean becomes a yummy chocolate bar.  Free samples were enjoyed and welcome! Chris and I did not go into Hersey Park, which is a large Amusement Park much like Six Flags. It did look like a great place for families to visit.



Our campsite is outstanding. We have a stone patio, swing, standing fire pit, gas grill and wonderful shade trees. The temperature has been in the low 60's at night and low 80's in the day. With humidity being a lot less than in FL, we have left the air off and windows open. Great sleeping weather.

Today was a day of exploring the Lancaster Co countryside. I visited two covered bridges built in the 1800's. Pictured is Forry's Mill Covered Bridge.They are also known as "the kissing bridges," who knew?
There were big beautiful farms growing everything from corn to tobacco. I stopped at a road side stand and bought the most beautiful fruits and vegetables. The tomatoes are gorgeous, the inside is as red as the outside and talk about firm and sweet, yum. Tonight we are having chicken on the grill, corn on the cob and sliced tomatoes. Oh, did I mention sweet juicy peaches for dessert? This is a beautiful part of the country.

Tomorrow is moving day and we are headed to New York. We are staying a couple of days in the Newburg area. Stay happy and well! Judy signing out until next time.

             

 

CALL OF THE WILD

 

                                                                  
We continue to travel through this beautiful country of ours and are currently staying in the middle of a Virginia Forest near Fredericksburg. It is very lush and green, as they have had plenty of rain. Last night at dusk we had a visitor at our camp site. A wild turkey came walking through our camp as if she owned it. (maybe she does). Other things came out at dusk, no not just mosquitoes, Lightening Bugs! Remember when we were kids and we caught them and put them in a jar? How simple life was then. We just don't see lightening bugs in Florida any more. I often wonder if spraying for mosquitoes has killed them off?

 Each morning and night, Sam and I go for walks. The other morning there was a loud bellowing sound echoing from the forest. Being a city girl I was clueless as to what that sound was and Chris told me it was a male deer calling for a female. Men, they always are a little noisy.

We visited downtown Historic Fredericksburg yesterday morning. Our stops included the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, Rising Sun Tavern and Mary Washington's House. They have done a nice job of preserving our country's heritage. This area is filled with so much history, both Colonial and Civil War. Something for every history buff!

Tomorrow we break camp and head for Hersey, PA. Yum! I normally don't care for chocolate but somehow a Hersey's Chocolate Bar is different. Especially fit between gram crackers and toasted marshmallows over an open campfire! Stay tuned for more travels.

Three days traveling and the weather has been perfect and so has Sam, almost. We are in Raleigh for a couple of days. This gives Chris a break from driving daily.

Now guys I think you need to be a little worried about me.  You know the commercial where the mother tells her teen she cannot wear an outfit because what will the neighbors think on how silly she looks. The next seen is the mother on her hands and knees in front of a bush making bird sounds trying to get the cat out; all the while the neighbors watching. Now I should tell you Sam is a dog of habit, and he only likes to go in HIS back yard at home. This is a problem as we can't take OUR back yard with us. So here I am, a grown woman following my dog saying "Sam potty, Sam potty, Sam potty, SAM POTTY!," while holding a plastic bag in one hand and doggie treat in the other. I say this so often I may have to SHOW him. Just Kidding.

Tomorrow we will be in Fredericksburg and I will be taking pictures and having more interesting topics to discuss.

What do the old people do? Talk about their potty problems.........I am soooooo in trouble!



  2006 Monaco 40' Diesel                                                                                                                                                                

NEW
ADDITIONS
TO
THE
FAMILY

  

Meet Samson "Sam"
1 year old and 86 lbs.
Black English Lab

Sam has been on short camping trips with us, but the real test is just about to happen. We will see how a 1 year old, full of energy, very active, into everything Black Lab does traveling over 3500 miles.

 On our way to Maine we are scheduled to visit, Fredericksburg, VA, Hersey, PA (and me on weight watchers), and White River Junction, VT. We Plan to arrive in Maine the 1st of Aug. staying for a month. I'm not sure what all that butter on my lobster will do to my weight, but I am about to find out! I am looking forward to eating cold water fish, exploring the fishing villages and quaint little towns along the coast of Maine. Sam loves the water so we hope he can take a dip in the Atlantic.

We are taking our golf clubs along to take advantage of hopefully cooler golfing weather. Watching the weather and this "heat wave" who knows....... I am sure I must have some Gypsy in my sole, because I love exploring this wonderful country of ours.

Stay tuned for more - Judy