https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/napavalleyexpo daily 0.75 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1faae426-d5c9-4335-bb98-cf60987d38a8/M%26M_vSatui_courtyard.jpg Napa Valley Expo RV Park - Napa, CA Napa Valley Expo | 12/6/21 - 12/13/21 Napa was a vacation spot we’d been planning on for a while so we were in full vacay mode. We stayed in The Napa Valley Expo Fairgrounds which has a small RV park inside. It was close to the historic downtown area and was a great stay. More time for housekeeping. It was here that the leveling system control panel gave up the ghost, so Mike did some research and ordered a new panel to be delivered to Andy’s house (our new “permanent” address). We spent time seeing some galleries and shops in Old Napa, and our friends Ieneke and Herman came over from Marin County for the day on the weekend. Together we did some tasting at Prager and V Sattui Wineries. Thanks to Ieneke for the photos (we didn’t take many ourselves). What a really great visit with really great friends! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d8f2b2b1-a412-40b8-b3c3-548bd0e1a1d1/IMG_20211213_100108538.jpg Napa Valley Expo RV Park - Napa, CA The cats are already cool with travel days. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/57eb6144-4c3d-4b46-a007-4369fe5a4115/IMG_1907.jpg Napa Valley Expo RV Park - Napa, CA V Sattui Winery is one of the oldest in Napa https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0ba9ac2d-0b73-4924-8fb4-79079ccbdf20/IMG_1906.jpg Napa Valley Expo RV Park - Napa, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/236e11e6-a50d-4299-97f7-27f65a67d4c2/IMG_1902.jpg Napa Valley Expo RV Park - Napa, CA Prager Winery is known for its ports! Very good quality and flavors. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/80b8344f-e1e4-40b1-a234-2e7e20332878/IMG_1895.jpg Napa Valley Expo RV Park - Napa, CA Spent a wonderful day with friends Ieneke and Herman https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e1063c36-adab-4353-8ac4-26a4e50915e0/IMG_20211210_212815223.jpg Napa Valley Expo RV Park - Napa, CA Setting the Holiday mood https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9b62dbd4-d998-4dca-bca6-e7434842f6ed/IMG_20211207_130832115.jpg Napa Valley Expo RV Park - Napa, CA A record shop downtown. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d8c2e9a5-4ea2-45b7-bebf-186e8c5e7338/IMG_20211210_123430302_HDR.jpg Napa Valley Expo RV Park - Napa, CA Vinnie had too much.... https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/lake-of-the-springs-dobbins-ca daily 0.75 2022-02-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/83e64b8b-103a-481b-b8d8-785c84544375/IMG_20211204_090117808.jpg Lake of The Springs, Dobbins, CA Lake Of The Springs Resort, Dobbins, CA | 11/30/21 - 12/6/21 Because the sale of the house took us all the way through November and Mary’s work continued into December, we decided to stay in the NorCal area through the holiday season. For our maiden voyage in the RV we traveled to the Lake of the Springs Resort in the Oregon House area. It was a short trip, only 36 miles or so, but first we went west to a truck stop in Williams to fuel up with diesel and propane, and to get our RV and tow car weighed (max weight for the RV is 31,250 lbs, and with all of our fuel tanks and fresh water tanks full, along with the 2 - 5-gal propane canisters we brought for the BBQ and 4 5-gal jugs of water (because we had them), not to mention all the last-minute stuff Mary threw in the rig as we emptied out the house, we tipped the scales at a hefty 33,040 including the car. After a busy morning finishing laundry in the house and getting our final items out, to storage, or into the RV, we were about 3 hours behind schedule. It took us nearly 45 minutes out on the street in front of the house to re-figure out how to get the car into towing mode and hooked up to the RV! (this process now takes about 5 mintues). The kitties did surprisingly well on their very first journey, and Mike expertly navigated us through the truck stop. But because of our late start, we were getting near the Resort just as the sun was going down. As soon as Mary commented “we’ll get there just in time to find our spot before it’s totally dark”, we passed a turn that our phone maps were telling us to take but that the Garmin (RV-specific gps mapping) did not, so we continued up the mountain road as the sun was setting. I will interject here that I (Mary) was just learning how to be a passenger in a big rig, and was increasingly nervous on the winding, shoulderless mountain roads. Being on the far outside edge, up about 5’ higher than a car is an acquired taste! I continually reminded myself that Mike knows what he’s doing (which he does!!). After passing the turnoff and the big Thousand Trails park sign, we ended up taking a hairpin turn onto Frenchtown Dobbins Road (turns out Garmin didn’t know where we were going and had picked a different address to lead us to!) which was a narrow road with no shoulder lines. As we continued on the road became narrower and narrower, and the trees closer to the road and overhead. Mary suggested disconnecting the car and turning around but Mike felt it best to press on. Soon there was no centerline, and a few trees brushed the roof of the RV and the light of day was nowhere to be found. Then a single-lane bridge with a 22-ton weight limit (Mike had to remind me that that equals 44,000 lbs) followed by a dog leg - Mary’s tension was high but trusting, and Mike was calm and cool under pressure. Eventually the centerline returned, then the fog lines, and soon we were at Lake of the Springs, but we had to navigate the park in the dark! It was definitely trial by fire for us first timers. The campground was quiet and had lots of deer. In the end it was a great place to relax after the crazy push to sell the house, and to begin to reorganize and settle into our new home on wheels. Lake of the Springs is a Thousand Trails park. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/534cfb18-4161-4689-b145-f6da50e87538/IMG_20211201_122737116_HDR.jpg Lake of The Springs, Dobbins, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3fd60ee2-dd91-4873-8409-40d7d304269f/IMG_20211203_210220215.jpg Lake of The Springs, Dobbins, CA Carmine and Vinnie comfort each other after their first voyage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/015b8dc9-38f9-4bbd-b547-f4f5b655f41f/IMG_20211202_140702242.jpg Lake of The Springs, Dobbins, CA Lovely fall colors and good weather welcomed us https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/99e1280a-b342-4017-895b-ec63d78a2945/PXL_20211205_165437973.MP.jpg Lake of The Springs, Dobbins, CA The park deer congregated in large groups, sometimes a dozen or more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5d5ce19f-7132-48bf-9e6e-916c2d11ff41/PXL_20211205_164114508.MP.jpg Lake of The Springs, Dobbins, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e61c3bba-6620-4f2a-9b3b-423328184dfb/PXL_20211201_213439258.MP.jpg Lake of The Springs, Dobbins, CA Wifi was available only at the lodge, so Mary got some work in on the deck and unexpectedly in front of a roaring fire one chilly morning. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2b873406-11d9-4f20-9e3b-897049767c09/PXL_20211201_212253284.MP.jpg Lake of The Springs, Dobbins, CA The lodge here has not been updated since the 80s we think (check out the photos on the walls!). It was a blast from the past - reminds Mike of summer camp. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c0dcd3a1-60c2-4749-b015-517b8f8c9300/PXL_20211201_213432573.MP.jpg Lake of The Springs, Dobbins, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8a1634e2-5875-476b-be0b-866a00ec2097/PXL_20211201_212136497.MP.jpg Lake of The Springs, Dobbins, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6c22278e-878b-430e-8d29-0baf20775ef2/IMG_20211201_105033429.jpg Lake of The Springs, Dobbins, CA Vinnie enjoying some window time, adapting well to the nomad lifestyle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e1460e0e-2f98-4e62-9c89-5fd2364abed9/IMG_20211201_125204651_HDR.jpg Lake of The Springs, Dobbins, CA Snuck a glimpse of the ol' Sutter Buttes https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/lakeminden daily 0.75 2022-02-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/eb2dd3dd-d65a-4dcd-92fc-a8c0eb21311b/PXL_20211214_205920092.MP.jpg Lake Minden RV Resort - Nicholas, CA Lake Minden RV Resort | 12/13/21 - 12/17/21 After Napa, we parked it at Lake Minden RV Resort in Nicolas, CA. It is another Thousand Trails park with a large man-made lake which is stocked with fish and has a small beach. It is nothing glorious (we’ve passed it a million times on Hwy 99) but was a good stop for us while we remained in the Yuba City/Sacramento area through December. Mary was able to go into the RGA office one last time, and we made trips in to YC to unload a few things at the storage units and Andy’s house (unloaded some of those extra propane tanks and water bottles!) and pick up mail in Sutter. We enjoyed a spontaneous dinner out with Andy, Sam and Ivana. It was cold and very windy that week, and we did not do much else. With the leveling system non-operational, we were camped without jacks. We had chosen a site on the south edge of the park which gave us long views across the wide open field behind us, but sitting on the tires & suspension with nothing for a wind block, the 35+ mph winds really rocked us! Mary was frequently reminded of time on the sailboat in the SF bay. The RV really is our land yacht! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fa35bfdb-e167-430f-8d6a-6c0e35e2de55/IMG_20211216_105847574.jpg Lake Minden RV Resort - Nicholas, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/005e2810-ba4e-4026-96b9-acd53578fdb6/IMG_20211216_105741503_HDR.jpg Lake Minden RV Resort - Nicholas, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/35a29a11-7307-4b44-8f58-61972bea17c0/IMG_20211214_125232763_HDR.jpg Lake Minden RV Resort - Nicholas, CA Hello?...hum... no dial tone https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d38e99b8-dd23-419e-8383-00ec515e3a2b/IMG_20211214_124908806_HDR.jpg Lake Minden RV Resort - Nicholas, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e70598e8-ab02-41e5-bfb4-04acbf96e8b3/IMG_20211214_124702556_HDR.jpg Lake Minden RV Resort - Nicholas, CA Ok, is it just me or does R2D2 have a giant.... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/960b14e6-acd4-46a7-abe4-7b1dc6624fc8/IMG_20211214_124638273_HDR.jpg Lake Minden RV Resort - Nicholas, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e8d62aa8-43ff-42e4-bb53-f9982d61e9fa/PXL_20211214_210249475.MP.jpg Lake Minden RV Resort - Nicholas, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1334b5c5-f871-4a86-a22b-f9aa859966f2/PXL_20211214_211501174.MP.jpg Lake Minden RV Resort - Nicholas, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e021d65b-06e2-414a-a3e1-8c408fe33268/PXL_20211214_211700063.MP.jpg Lake Minden RV Resort - Nicholas, CA It seems that all thousand trails parks have a mini golf course. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/af74fa24-0eab-47f0-8884-f4103e9421ce/IMG_20211214_124627805.jpg Lake Minden RV Resort - Nicholas, CA https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/home daily 1.0 2025-10-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c36cddb1-9404-49a5-8c2a-099ba23b7a14/M%26M+Travel+Map.png home Our journey so far, starting in Yuba City, CA in December 2021 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/83e64b8b-103a-481b-b8d8-785c84544375/IMG_20211204_090117808.jpg home Lake Of The Springs - Dobbins, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/67844c3b-4cb1-4661-b83d-891e005db83c/IMG_1903+%281%29.jpg home Napa Valley Expo - Napa, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/af74fa24-0eab-47f0-8884-f4103e9421ce/IMG_20211214_124627805.jpg home Lake Minden - Nicholas, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/52c0c344-5009-4d24-95ad-385afd790848/34536.jpg home Christmas in Sutter/Biggs CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/93dd2c9c-5124-4533-8f7a-d9f70d9a1f54/PXL_20220103_224015664.MP+%281%29.jpg home Pacific Dunes RV Resort - Pismo Beach, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/405c69f1-b333-4e62-9998-5dad66c10b0b/PXL_20220107_230219131.jpg home Camp Comfort - Ojai CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0fbfce77-a807-4adf-ad31-02406ababaa4/PXL_20220112_234804833.jpg home Palm Springs RV Resort - Palm Desert, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5d677e5e-dbca-41f7-a152-96867ef546f9/azdryheat2.jpg home Viewpoint RV Resort - Mesa, AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/58999030-c3c0-42cf-a374-74502e92c067/PXL_20220128_230414142.jpg home Arizona to Texas Run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/157f967e-57d2-4256-8863-06c1386fca28/PXL_20220210_204413106.jpg home Medina Lake RV Resort - Lakehills, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3e7e8a68-b022-4828-9a65-1eff3c6a90b1/PXL_20220217_191006448.jpg home Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/830aca31-09c8-496c-8d11-07843c2131a2/PXL_20220220_203535183.jpg home VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8233fb16-d4fc-4ad6-9c44-34d951c7ed98/PXL_20220223_162547167.jpg home The NASA Space Center - Houston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/69400dda-8d0d-471f-aa63-9136d3a7c2db/PXL_20220222_225003508.jpg home Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3004097c-af6c-41c8-a8ca-0a86817f1e2b/PXL_20220228_222359936.jpg home Louisiana Stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f5d0903a-b387-41fd-9d2b-4eb0e97b465b/PXL_20220305_191531252.jpg home Mississippi and more! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/64a76fae-8067-4cb8-bde6-3e0b5c25864b/PXL_20220319_140412426.jpg home Alabama and Georgia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a07cb428-aff7-4e3b-869b-38dce5b08df1/PXL_20220325_193247540.jpg home Myrtle Beach - South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/48276831-5aae-4132-8db6-0708c6329084/PXL_20220330_184552308.jpg home North Carolina & Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c7fcde18-e15c-4332-9a92-f4d4eafc6aac/gnome.jpg home Pennsylvania & New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/daa8adff-6e40-4f69-aefe-dac97cb42652/PXL_20220430_185333186.jpg home Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Campground https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1d09671f-c1c4-464f-9950-d930b3b247fe/PXL_20220705_204034458.jpg home Massachusetts visits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/48acae2b-58c9-400d-826b-35242ea86770/PXL_20220606_200117389.jpg home Connecticut part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/15ad2dba-f990-4405-8a78-f90b8bdd1ff8/PXL_20220630_163547957.jpg home Visiting the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/de69d4c4-15f6-4817-8c11-ab19203933a1/PXL_20221211_221356287BIG.jpg home Christmas in Connecticut https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/mm-map daily 0.75 2022-07-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/18491f9a-288f-4344-9b08-297f64c30183/M%26M+Travel+Map.png M&M map https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/theholidaysinbiggs daily 0.75 2022-03-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8c193c7d-62bc-4221-a1e3-224c9ac33dc8/34536.jpg The Holidays in Biggs, CA The Holidays with Family and Friends | 12/17/21 - 1/2/22 Because the leveling system needed repair, we cancelled our planned stay at the Thousand Trails park near Modesto, and went straight to Biggs to moochdock at (Mary’s nephew) Dennis and Shelley Slusser’s for the last half of December. We figured it would be a good place to work on repairs if things got complicated, and they were kind enough to lend us their driveway, power, water and even sewer! Turns out the leveling system repair was as simple as plugging in the new control panel Mike ordered (whew!), but it was nice to have the extended time around “home” to spend with family and friends before really heading out. Mike took some time to record some more music - it’s rather an event to set up and break down the studio set up so he only does it when we’re staying put for a week or more. If you’re interested, you can listen to his newest recordings on his YouTube channel “Mike Howard Fraser” The Slussers were very busy and were away in Fresno much of the time we were there, but we did have some nice chats with Dennis, Gregg and Kirsten in the RV, and Mary had fun helping Shelley finish the last few dozen tamales for their fundraiser (the easy part!!), and hanging with their dogs and cats while the family was out of town. Thanks Shelley for the use of your mixer (mixed up a batch of sour cream sugar twists) and for giving us the brownie pan :-) It was here that we discovered that we can bake small batches in the toaster oven we brought from the house. It’s all good!! Mary was especially grateful to have a few nice visits with Mom, playing games (she still wins and still has her great sense of humor!). On Christmas Eve we asked if she’d like to play some Christmas carols on the piano and we sang along with her (she’s still got it!) Mike snatched a little video we’ll try to add to this site, such as it is. It reminded me (Mary) how thankful I am for the gift of music she raised us with. We had some more big rain while in Biggs, all-day persistent rain. The morning after the rain had stopped we discovered that the tarp over the kitchen slide-out is a little saggy and it had filled up with rain and overflowed onto the slide roof, then leak into the kitchen via the microwave hood. We had water on the counter and in all the drawers under the stove. Mike found a board to stick in between the slide roof and the tarp to prevent the sag, but it required getting out the ladder to install it. Since then we have learned to pull in the kitchen slide whenever serious rain is forecast, to prevent the water build-up. It cramps our living space a little bit but not bad at all, so for just one day of rain it is much easier than hauling out the ladder! Our family spent Christmas Day together at Andy’s house in Sutter and we got to break in his brand new stove which he got from Lowes just the day before (!). His home was very cozy and comforting, including all our christmas decorations :-) It turned out to be one of the nicest Christmases we have shared in a while, enjoying food, games, and cherishing our time together. We even had a zoom visit with Nate, Emily and Theo - so the whole family was together! We gathered one last time at the year’s end, with rousing games of darts (turns out Mike spent a lot of time in bars during his band days…), and everyone enjoyed a game of “Dictionary” that Mary had found while packing up the house. From my handwriting, I think I looked up the words and wrote out the definition cards sometime in high school, and have moved than little envelope with me from place to place all these years! I always knew it would be fun to play some day! Mary caught up with her old boss and friend Gary Underhill in YC while Mike helped Andy with some fix-it tasks in his new house, putting to use those tools Mike gave him, LOL. We enjoyed an evening visit with (Mary’s sister) Carrie, Grey and Hannah Ruth at Mom’s, as well as a great dinner with our friends Carolyn & Rob and their son Ian before the year ended. We so appreciate these visits and are grateful for the good friends we have!! Unfortunately we did not think to take any photos together, and now we really wish we had - need to make sure there’s a next time! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9f07b287-fbe1-46ab-b012-fcb1176f6207/IMG_20211227_170158867.jpg The Holidays in Biggs, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4d76911a-b26b-4a9e-86ad-96708d07a46f/IMG_20211227_170042073.jpg The Holidays in Biggs, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fa804108-802b-4074-b872-5fac8ab05d6b/IMG_20220101_200009054.jpg The Holidays in Biggs, CA Mike found a great spot to pack his music studio under the bunk bed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/073310dc-1b71-4d0a-bcb3-13d5b9c898ad/34538.jpg The Holidays in Biggs, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5700a572-6178-401e-bbb3-6f47f7792065/PXL_20211226_061608258.MP+%281%29.jpg The Holidays in Biggs, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/48d3cf89-e1b3-4ca9-b68b-5de122f58995/IMG_20211231_214229385.jpg The Holidays in Biggs, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b476e07f-5ada-4dcb-8e84-95274adb9994/IMG_20211210_212815223.jpg The Holidays in Biggs, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/56455ed4-20e7-43e1-8b85-26c00d437b6c/IMG_20211223_212505004.jpg The Holidays in Biggs, CA Christmas lights go with everything :-) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/96353995-837d-4de3-86f9-61cb53d3e525/IMG_20211218_204634821.jpg The Holidays in Biggs, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/85a0c2e9-2413-4954-8852-1a0895c7c327/IMG_20211224_105415400_HDR.jpg The Holidays in Biggs, CA I think Vinnie is a lush... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a9e6b21a-1679-4888-9643-5640ecf45e33/IMG_20220101_175148899.jpg The Holidays in Biggs, CA It was 7:00 am when we left for Pismo Beach, the earliest we have ever started a travel day. https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/pismo-beach-ca daily 0.75 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c2a82078-d681-4fd7-a62e-505f2f9a81f5/IMG_6526.JPG Pismo Beach CA Pacific Dunes RV Resort, Oceano CA | 1/2/22 - 1/6/22 Happy New Year! Our journey officially started with the start of the new year. The glorious Central Coast of California was a beautiful way to start! Our site had a full view of the dunes from our front window, and we felt fortunate to be on the upper level of the park rather than down below. We took the short drive into Pismo Beach for the pier, some seafood, and iconic California beach town. We strolled through the Monarch Butterfly Grove but saw only a few butterflies. From our campsite it was about a mile hike across the dunes to the beach and the soul-rejuvenating sea air. We found the Pismo area to be unexpectedly approachable (both the vibe and the cost of living, considering it is SoCal), and the weather was perfect. Pacific Dunes RV Resort is an Encore park in the Thousand Trails system which means we did have to pay a little extra to stay here, but it was well worth it, and we might come back in the future! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/aba8b8ba-8906-445d-9643-d52c4f46eaee/IMG_20220103_080227340_HDR.jpg Pismo Beach CA Good morning! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6bd589f1-c998-4e28-b4d9-d77e983f86ef/PXL_20220103_203317776.MP.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8ba20eea-5f0f-4fb7-8a2f-565b523f963a/IMG_20220103_123423882+%281%29.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f95d8ab5-68fe-40b4-a2ff-a15669a07eb5/IMG_20220103_124238112_HDR.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1644803457957-6P2DIFHSFLPG3CQ0X876/IMG_20220103_124007924_HDR.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/db3330cb-01d7-4615-bc53-a9dc9311dc3f/IMG_20220103_123918423_HDR.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1644797912970-SF6RQEZFCZXCHUJ93F79/IMG_20220103_131055527_HDR.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/42752d66-1054-4683-9d29-46936462397f/IMG_20220103_132049376_HDR.jpg Pismo Beach CA Bread bowl Chowder at Splash Cafe https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/837b88a2-7cef-4e8b-9136-0164c263e855/IMG_20220103_135933822.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4dcde5c3-abbf-4a61-9a9a-e63e74aedd66/PXL_20220105_031350416.MP.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/65dab9ab-68b5-4392-a0b8-138a36182f22/IMG_20220103_145203920.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3fa5f083-7041-40d4-b123-13af5aa52daa/IMG_20220103_144103524_HDR.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7cb4743e-b9f3-4d7b-b5e5-16bb1e7aabe3/IMG_20220103_143914909_HDR.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1644802999097-O6ECMDHVSNJABVG1DZKP/IMG_20220103_144150215.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/da1326f8-7299-436a-8915-fba2e6194362/IMG_20220103_144910696.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e261a7ee-6c08-4d94-bb48-68796f21fbb7/IMG_6520.JPG Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9d5b66ad-c4e0-4800-a17d-f962efc08b90/IMG_6518.JPG Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f8c1c733-126d-4905-91cc-a121596ae06b/IMG_6516.JPG Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8de66978-508f-4d7f-8f26-6d1e71cb1c7e/IMG_20220103_115716189_HDR.jpg Pismo Beach CA Happy Campers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/df4cde66-f559-41cd-b9d3-e1875833b6eb/PXL_20220105_202606533.MP.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/21a8b269-a480-45f8-b369-9855febfb781/PXL_20220105_202943103.MP.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/834027fa-6ed2-4690-9433-129c8c861646/PXL_20220105_202600741.MP.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c649ec3f-2386-4d38-83b9-d89ecaf1d0ce/IMG_6528.JPG Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/dd3db5ed-9464-4a20-a990-91aa074f7a51/PXL_20220105_203153165.MP.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/35f0fd7d-e9c9-40bf-a3f5-63b5c8bc54a6/IMG_20220105_122908752.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3f76b8c3-8b20-43db-ad79-9d04237c9a47/PXL_20220105_031525439.MP+%281%29.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/41f79114-3646-4fab-a3f7-68a1fe6ded97/IMG_20220104_191459518.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f4ee7eb2-3d16-4bfe-95ea-7ea7b21fb3f6/PXL_20220105_031732575.MP.jpg Pismo Beach CA https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/viewpoint-mesa-az daily 0.75 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/00ebbec9-03a8-410b-b0ef-c4b3e31c408a/azdryheat2.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ | 1/13/22 - 1/25/22 Mesa, AZ was our first official stop outside of the California borders. For 2 weeks we stayed at Viewpoint RV Resort in Mesa. This was an “age qualified” park for people 55 and older, and we got carded at the gate! (ha ha). It was a fascinating look into active retirees and what they like to do. This resort is primarily a (nice) mobile home park which also has many RV spots throughout. There are numerous amenities from hobby classes like ceramics and woodworking to TWO golf courses inside the park, as well as softball, pickle ball, ballroom, and multiple swimming pools and fitness rooms. There is even a restaurant at the gold clubhouse. We saw first hand a lot of “snowbirds”, people who spend the winters in warmer climates and summers in cooler climates. Some folks had RVs and some rented or owned mobile homes in the park. There were many people from Canada there, so many that the main road into the park is lined with alternating American and Canadian flags. The mobile homes ranged from $26K single-wide units from the 70’s to fancy $200K double-wides near the golf course. Some even had adobe-style walls built around them so that they looked like permanent homes. People were out everywhere - socializing in someone’s carport, walking, riding bikes with tennis racquets or golf bags in tow, cruising in their golf carts. Most smiled and waved, some introduced themselves or struck up conversation. Retired life must make folks happy! Our 2-week stay here allowed us to settle in and just Live, rather than be always vacationing. This is the first time we set up all of our outdoor items - catio, rugs, tables and chairs, shade tent, grills and table, even strung some outdoor lighting. Mike discovered that the camp grill is pretty messy and must be thoroughly cleaned before packing it back up, so we have not used it as much as we had planned. The long stay allowed Mike to set up the music studio and do some more recording. The first week we found our preferred fitness room (the park has 2) and walked there (about 1 mile round trip) and exercised every day. It felt great! We also worked on setting up the website (what would it be, how would it be laid out, etc), and taking care of some grocery and fix-it chores. We drove out to Scottsdale to see an arts & crafts fair, which turned out to be tiny and disappointing. Still, we did a little sight-seeing in that part of the greater Phoenix area. In the middle of the 2nd week we got our Covid booster shots, and similar to the 2nd dose it knocked us down, especially Mary. She was out of commission for 4 days, and fully recovered just in time to move on to the next stay. Luckily, we had arranged to meet up with Mike’s sister Jill and her husband Steve in nearby Queen Creek right after our shots, so we had a really great visit & dinner out with them before the booster kicked in. Although we had med briefly in Sacramento when Mike’s dad was in the hospital, this was the first time Mary really got to know Jill and Steve. Because the shot had Mary laid out, we only got in one more visit with them before we left. We also managed to get out on the Apache Trail, up past Superstition Mountain to Canyon Lake, which was a fun and neat trip. Mary was still not fully recovered (which is reflected in the photos, lol) but needed and appreciated the time outdoors. We saw many saguaro cacti in so many poses but did not snap the photos quick enough. Some of the poses were Gansta, some the shapes of letters - Mary thinks someone should make a alphabet photo book where all the letters are found in cacti. Fun Fact: Arizona includes a lot of artistic embellishments on their freeway overcrossings and walls. We found the freeways in Arizona to be generously sized, and seemed to be built BEFORE the development, rather than waiting until the demand is already there as is done in California. 10 points to AZ for their high quality roads! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1647981407338-9J8A795CKOVTQWYOS625/PXL_20220113_183551268.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/24f4d474-ee25-4627-ac8d-327a1943e1dd/4482.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5096b522-d5c1-48b7-81fb-84f0796e38ca/miketredmill.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ The resort had 2 large fitness centers. Here's Mike working the treadmill. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b1fb19d8-261e-4afb-a3f8-a4559760ddd2/PXL_20220114_230827695.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ The full timers in the park all had golf carts. Some were very cool like this one. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/afab9c92-313b-4186-ad3f-547b0c901916/PXL_20220114_211829454.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/613ba4ef-d4b2-4e8a-b1ef-8ac539cb30a6/PXL_20220114_233139393.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ The common area around the fitness center we used near the golf course - the fancy side of town! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8b6ab131-5160-4ac9-a9f2-816644570b37/PXL_20220119_195007940%282%29.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ home life - making music https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a1529667-f44b-4103-b7a1-566da1a10bf5/IMG_20220119_141618827.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ wardrobe turned music studio https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ebfc6e62-477f-4844-866c-4d9f896871f2/PXL_20220119_195326646.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/bfa1f5b8-0dec-4904-abb0-4b02fbc58ab6/PXL_20220115_003008206.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ a fun border of Viewpoint RV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/bc069da7-e15c-4fd9-96ba-c72cc9e4f15a/PXL_20220115_003244382.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ed3b64c4-d69e-452f-bd5d-5543a6447bbf/PXL_20220115_003328174.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/51d00da5-b995-418d-ad7a-beb827a48d6f/PXL_20220118_004816151.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ moonrise over Viewpoint RV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/58e1a719-2469-494c-91d2-dc6f6b02c4d4/PXL_20220118_004923803.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4c5a20c2-6748-439a-89be-d062f8fe4544/PXL_20220123_221626083.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/acbf27b3-fad5-41cc-8111-babff2892ecf/PXL_20220123_220902408.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ac5e86eb-d561-458d-8eff-497c4c9ed668/PXL_20220123_214628710.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/54470ac2-4569-4ca9-96df-090fb9897bef/PXL_20220123_221441738.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4da1d2c0-8404-4614-8764-036f3bc04505/PXL_20220123_220410189.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ The saguaros were huge, some 40' or more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/381d66e9-9627-4f0e-adac-de79d7ea23a1/PXL_20220123_215527519.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/559bd594-1bd5-442c-837c-8c7085e82f68/PXL_20220123_220524727.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ stamp mill https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/56b3e9c8-1636-4c5a-ad29-59fec9cbf519/PXL_20220123_221648619+%281%29.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ Superstition Mountain https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1647979285668-DTEDOYUTKZM31NHOK0I2/PXL_20220123_221626267.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1647979352602-HYMICTE6EFR16Z0Z7O1D/PXL_20220123_220358531.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/862bf3f3-3a82-4d75-8998-73457737d6ef/PXL_20220123_221821031.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f916244b-5cc4-48e5-8299-f40250f48b6c/PXL_20220123_221700114.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d5ec939d-176a-4e54-b51f-4bf8fc6cd7d4/PXL_20220123_215040903.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ The weather in AZ in January is quite nice. The temps were in the 70s when we were there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1647980571988-ZHDFO40357EIAOPS9TAG/PXL_20220123_221501119.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1d5598b0-4b0e-417c-8c5e-ecb453b7326b/PXL_20220123_233058446.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0bcd5187-e326-4eae-935e-607f90bdc5a2/PXL_20220123_231022871.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a068a556-0b6b-40e3-b5c4-fcbdb7a8a039/PXL_20220123_231045568.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ This is Canyon Lake near Mesa AZ. It is just a 20 min drive outside of Superstition Mountain near Tortilla Flat. It's a great place for an afternoon picnic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/32e581ff-8c57-40b8-890c-36446b78b1ef/PXL_20220123_225108938.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ The water is crystal clear and deep enough for boating/waterskiing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2d093a37-b02f-4188-8114-fdc1b582c1ba/PXL_20220123_224953961.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a256028a-6cd5-4cda-ba2e-4fd29d40d994/PXL_20220123_225129250.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6027d0b8-7ac9-4ff3-8acc-fbba1012fd49/PXL_20220123_225900902.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ Lots of ducks! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8e5b85eb-056c-4dc1-baaa-138775f1ae3d/PXL_20220123_231040556.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f070dd5c-8148-4e0b-b4ff-bcc0456b3ef3/PXL_20220123_225725008.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a18b5f40-df86-499d-a5cf-9ce023085842/PXL_20220124_005211414.jpg Viewpoint RV Resort, Mesa AZ We were able to visit with Mike's sister Jill and her husband Steve. They live in Queen Creek, AZ https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/stella-mare daily 0.75 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d8da1a35-1f08-4197-a4ac-e2a19286874f/PXL_20220222_213750162.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX Galveston, TX | 2/21/22 - 2/25/22 On the way to Galveston, we stopped in one of the many, highly promoted Buc-ee’s Convenience Store (billboards al throughout Texas). Our Harvest Host at VegOut Farm told us it was a must-see Texas icon. These things are, in full Texas fashion, Massive. The Buc-ee’s in Texas City had about 100 fuel pumps - no exaggeration, as well as ice vendors for Days! Inside the approx. 40,000 s.f. C-store is a huge jerky counter, clothing and housewares departments, and grocery. We had been telling Jeff and Brenda that we had not found BBQ we loved, and they recommended Buc-ee’s for pulled pork sandwiches. We tried it and it wasn’t bad (probably Mike’s favorite of all the BBQ), but it certainly didn’t meet the Texas BBQ hype. Mike’s very large bag of chips was stuffed with paper in the bottom third so that it would look full even though it wasn’t! Sorry Texas, we’re not a fan of Buc-ee’s either. In Galveston we stayed at Stella Mare RV Resort on the Gulf side of Galveston. Nice place with many long-term RVs. The common area includes a very nice playground, swimming pool, and water fountain, with the laundry facilities up on stilts and a nice gathering area with games and various hang-out space below. Our spot was on an outside edge so we had an open view to an inland water way behind us. Galveston has a very long, flat beach on one side of the sea wall/main drive, with most of the businesses and hotels on the other side. This allows for great views wherever you go up and down Seawall Blvd. It was foggy and or rainy most of the time we were there but we still were able to enjoy the ocean and the beach. We had a really good seafood dinner at Landry’s Seafood House, and had a pretty good gumbo at Miller’s. We explored the inland side of town where the cruise ships dock, and enjoyed cocktails at Fisherman’s Wharf. The historic downtown portion of Galveston was preparing for Mardi Gras (which we avoided - we are such fuddy-duddies!). We drove down to East Beach where the fancy beach homes are. We felt really comfortable in Galveston and liked the beach town and historic buildings. Too bad it’s in hurricane area (and in Texas)! Though we really liked Galveston, it will not be a place for us to retire to. Our last day in Galveston the wind really roared through. We heard a sudden slap on our big living room sildeout, and discovered the wind was yanking hard on the tarp on that slide. We carefully brought that slide in, watching to be sure the tarp rolled up correctly. Later that day we couldn’t find Carmine, our escape artist. We hadn’t gone outside so we knew he must be inside - he had figured out how to get up on top of the slide, the little turkey! We took a whole day to go back toward Houston to the NASA Space Center - so much there we gave it its own page. Check it out! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/994f9e17-0435-4909-bf57-93653df13f8e/PXL_20220221_190105017.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX Huston skyline https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fe706a1d-ecd6-47a4-80b1-4b8c4fc6f743/PXL_20220221_191040221.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX Houston traffic toward Galveston was at a crawl. We've decided we'd rather not live around a bunch of freeways! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/eba90351-57c0-4ecd-a2a0-f8c266e4e2fe/PXL_20220221_200558717.TS_exported_7934.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX Buc-ee's, Texas City. Everything's bigger in Texas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3cc70193-72f6-42e7-adf0-4ed5b119fab6/PXL_20220221_200820649.TS_exported_33.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b22489bb-8acb-4ce4-9a51-4c9500c34dcb/PXL_20220221_201456930.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2a6b75b2-b8ff-4206-9c5e-fd83ab4e6273/PXL_20220221_201449687.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX A jerky lovers dream! Bucees has a whole counter dedicated to them, with dozens of flavors to choose from. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/64a7ef6f-a70b-4aaa-9d75-dfc93176ba82/bucees1.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1c93c13f-2124-41cc-82da-b6f16a3c2a9c/PXL_20220221_205440890.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX large bag of chips... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1c4bd28b-31f7-4d5a-8a6b-96e460b436db/PXL_20220221_205446471.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX ...bottom stuffed with another bag! What th'!? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3989ac27-9f28-485e-aa27-fd65c09cc188/PXL_20220221_203816716.PORTRAIT.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX I think one of these 2 types of birds makes the sound of a slide whistle (slow slide up from a low tone to a high tone). We heard it all through Texas. If anyone knows - tell me! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/19e35ff5-2840-419c-9ca7-d9096614730f/PXL_20220221_200558717.TS_exported_166_2.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/685ff87f-cb42-4ddb-a7b9-e200723139de/PXL_20220221_211630373.TS_exported_2766.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX Many Texan businesses fly both the American and Texas flags equally, often in the 20'-30' size. At Buc-ee's the wind was really ripping https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6908a5d8-bf72-46cd-bced-52623543803a/PXL_20220221_215127059.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX Emily told us to check out a Texas cemetery for the above-grade crypts and old headstones. this is as close as we got https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5ebbfafb-2671-442f-97c7-f8868825f462/PXL_20220221_215334812.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e555efda-5ede-4daa-9bd8-965d00a99a94/PXL_20220221_220304074.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX Stella Mare RV Resort https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2ef0f761-8638-4483-80a4-48fefeb7ffa1/PXL_20220221_220317732.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX Resort driveway https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4aa06928-eb80-43ac-81cf-c1e80ee6874f/PXL_20220221_225350307.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX the backs of these benches at each site flip up to become a table - pretty clever! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ae47995f-e54c-4f2c-929c-2e244b0296b1/PXL_20220221_222550447.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX our back yard at Stella Mare https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/bc802b30-c802-4908-9c67-05c0be1e3811/PXL_20220222_003527061.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX a fun common area at Stella Mare with corn hole, porch swings, and a bar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c3248683-2365-4e99-9e5c-78c888c70cf0/PXL_20220222_203001021.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX Gulf of Mexico https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e3a7374e-ca14-490a-9d33-94485ee2bb62/PXL_20220221_215657885.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX Seawall Blvd in Galveston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/32ff871a-da91-4e0b-a6ec-4908234ff518/PXL_20220224_202924554.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX typical homes on stilts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4726394b-98b6-4e27-9a02-3dcc1f9ae751/PXL_20220223_224448997.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/db532c9a-41c7-4f30-afe9-d298f84c6660/PXL_20220224_213020355.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b68270be-af58-4279-a920-30635a17b8f0/PXL_20220224_214259596.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/92a3a03f-434a-41e8-87d5-71ccba8aad65/PXL_20220224_213731008.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/05e65e03-0506-451e-a7af-a9784ebdf679/PXL_20220222_203014744.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/26d00bb1-f8b1-4f2f-a5f2-f8376b05ec69/PXL_20220224_213334986.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/937fff5f-c209-40c6-bbd2-21b1e1b5854c/PXL_20220222_204822657.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX Had to get a selfie with O'Mally's Pub - that's the name of the place we first met in person! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b6761864-d66d-4f49-9051-849d02bc3182/PXL_20220222_204952001.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/14104238-1b65-4669-8268-8f385d767496/PXL_20220222_204841811.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX 1894 Opera House - we didn't pay the $10 to see inside https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2566408f-5498-40db-bccf-9c373f1871e2/PXL_20220222_215357921.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX enjoyed cocktails Fisherman's Wharf in Galveston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4ffc76f3-979c-44be-a2c7-cd2a723d657b/PXL_20220222_215332370+%281%29.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1bd6a703-61b6-48e3-86c2-72c9876e143c/PXL_20220222_221603683.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5a70732e-f1f0-479c-bde2-682571821419/PXL_20220222_222325705.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b44e0fba-e228-4a70-9a77-371b1067ca9e/PXL_20220222_221854752.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX now that's a big private yacht! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1648064586712-OASN72Q9ZZ2104TPE6D5/PXL_20220222_221652079.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1648066927715-GPV77BZAB4AHH9CF6LPJ/PXL_20220222_205044256.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3cd019de-d0b8-42ce-b2eb-55693afd9d46/PXL_20220222_205052524.png Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX downtown Galveston was preparing for Mardi Gras https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d521e125-b5cc-4b2f-bc7f-a9c0987e408c/PXL_20220222_223214002.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f6b86d77-3929-4c3c-b12c-190de84363bb/PXL_20220222_225219533.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX Galveston has many mansions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b53c6eb5-7dee-4c9e-9078-a1c43552eae6/PXL_20220222_225129336.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1f84bafd-af4a-40c2-8d90-9893fbdf51f9/PXL_20220222_225003508.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/902ad27f-fe23-4ee1-b0b8-f485e5261eed/PXL_20220222_224812686.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2d08900c-9d90-4277-b4e1-630d26ad85e2/PXL_20220223_004413303.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX "best blackened sea bass dinner EVER!" at Landry's https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c9099a0e-2bf8-4a7b-a4b2-7a25a8e59477/PXL_20220224_214633827.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX this parking space was so sloped even the asphalt slid off! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/71eedca7-ec6a-4ed7-a28e-457a07872a2c/PXL_20220225_182305927.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/610fb03d-ab91-4f44-a69d-29a539f49fa8/PXL_20220224_203522372.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX pretty development at East Beach https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3db46240-e865-467b-88f9-9299c43920e5/PXL_20220225_160923437.jpg Stella Mare RV Resort - Galveston, TX you shouldn't be up there...! https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/vegout-farm daily 0.75 2022-03-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/274de09c-6d79-445e-b251-2696c068e27d/PXL_20220221_170404451.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX | 2/20/22 - 2/21/22 After leaving Austin, TX we headed southeast towards Galveston. Along the way we stopped at another Harvest Host - VegOut! Farms in Pattison, TX. The owners Jeff and Brenda Koch were very friendly and made us feel right at home. They are not only extremely sociable, but also quite accomplished and hardworking - they only have a couple of part-time workers to help them! We loved the general store and outdoor dining patio. Our favorite was Brenda’s homemade pizza - it was excellent, not to mention the jumbo cinnamon rolls the next morning! If you are in the area, do pay them a visit and check out their website: www.vegoutfarms.com for more infomation. Jeff and Brenda gave a few suggestions for our next leg to Galveston - thanks for the tips! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1fb0d6f9-4b39-4e47-9476-4fe2f2de04dc/PXL_20220220_211449035.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0ca75fff-01c8-4233-a20e-6aa49fcfe7d6/PXL_20220220_215416176.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX The best pizza ever! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c68d947d-249f-4eae-85b4-2d2b0264f471/PXL_20220221_174535014.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d5178887-aa4b-44c5-853e-6fae0cd6ac4e/PXL_20220220_221923076.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7bb5045e-f7fb-4a5e-87c3-11bbb42ccf8e/PXL_20220220_203724936.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/30049ba9-83c8-42bf-b72f-b9dcc76e6538/PXL_20220220_203708572.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3c9de77a-d66a-4016-bd79-73243f9378a7/PXL_20220220_203639201.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX a fun farm take on quilt block paintings! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/52ef4c17-799c-4750-8611-6dcdb3e286a9/PXL_20220220_203558980.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/082d9ab3-d11a-4361-b502-6f8532761c0d/PXL_20220221_174512002.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX VegOut! Farm has 21 acres of hydroponic greenhouses and produce a large variety of vegetables, including supplying all the HEB grocery stores in Texas with Butter Lettuce https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4d5d30a7-90f0-4f37-a4fa-7e2d77ba225f/PXL_20220221_174425525.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0fa0766b-0737-4ff1-9257-6c344d92c265/PXL_20220220_212219560.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/81d8c02b-0788-4c09-8ae0-b8fe7878f45b/PXL_20220220_210210592.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX We bought way to many sweets at the store - one of my favorites, Charleston Chew! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8c3ea444-23e8-4788-ae79-dfab5eda7df2/PXL_20220220_203535183.jpg VegOut! Farms - Pattison, TX https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/palm-springs-ca daily 0.75 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/09beefc7-aaae-4099-bab9-4fc016339829/PXL_20220111_201804394+%281%29.jpg Palm Springs, CA Palm Springs RV Resort | 1/10/22 - 1/13/22 Starting across the Mohave Desert towards Arizona, we stopped at Palm Springs RV Resort in Palm Desert, CA. This is also a Thousand Trails Park. We had never been to Palm Springs before and the temperatures were quite mild in January about 75 degrees at 3:00 pm every day. Mike did however talk with a resident who said that it gets up to 120 to 125 degrees in the summer! This RV Park actually closes for 6 months out of the year because of that. I cannot fathom any reason to want to live in that kind of heat! - but people do I guess… This park has over 400 RV sites over about 20 rows/streets. As Mary walked down our “street”, she noticed a couple sitting outside their rig, and a small banner out at the front of their space with their last name and hometown of Sutter CA! We did not know each other but they live down the street from Andy’s house. They come to the desert every winter to escape the gloomy weather in Sutter. As I passed back by a few minutes later, I hear their next-door RV neighbor saying that he was from Woodland CA! What are the odds! We’ve found these large RV parks to be quite sociable, perhaps because they tend to be full of long-term (retired) RVers rather than families on vacation, and the close quarters lead to more interaction. In general , seem to be friendly and more courteous of their neighbors than in the campgrounds. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c7dcfb26-8de4-4c14-8cb3-03b6a3e78e01/PXL_20220113_010320722.jpg Palm Springs, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4554e25f-9cbd-4e12-ad8d-7ff504aa633f/PXL_20220111_201754757.jpg Palm Springs, CA The main unique feature of this park is the hundreds of palm trees. It almost seems artificial because of their uniform size. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c3b228b8-7956-411b-bd34-4b80580e8656/PXL_20220112_234835107.jpg Palm Springs, CA A road runner in our campsite! Never seen one in the wild until now. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e337e078-7b56-4d90-826a-2cdc3e4e9608/PXL_20220112_234804833.jpg Palm Springs, CA Carmine asking for a handout. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6190f376-fd9b-4e2c-8e20-68d5da79d9ac/PXL_20220112_234757163.jpg Palm Springs, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/814246e5-70cf-4787-aedf-f2ab40477287/PXL_20220112_215345317+%281%29.jpg Palm Springs, CA This is actually a cell tower made to look like a palm tree. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6a07da67-3b20-4f84-8cbf-f8e5f74d0b98/PXL_20220112_215231001+%281%29.jpg Palm Springs, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/681bba5c-ad8b-4cc4-9942-ded52ed10ada/PXL_20220111_205252471.jpg Palm Springs, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0b461653-d386-4b00-aaf7-918985e1ebe7/PXL_20220111_205213043+%282%29.jpg Palm Springs, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/bd26b773-2f7b-46fc-88a3-0a93511abb9b/PXL_20220111_211945968.jpg Palm Springs, CA A good nap never hurts! https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/arizona-to-texas-run daily 0.75 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/70456cf0-be17-4781-a3ee-fc3a7cb0f6b1/PXL_20220129_184317001.jpg Arizona to Texas run Arizona to Texas in one week - Harvest Hosts | 1/25/22 - 2/1/22 For the last week of January we hustled the 975 miles on I-10 through the desert from Mesa AZ to the San Antonio, Texas area. This was our first use of our Harvest Hosts (HH) membership - a network of wineries, farms, and community attractions that invite RVers to stay overnight at no cost. These locations are “boondocking”, usually parked in the parking lot without any hookups, and guests are asked to patronize the business in return for the place to park for the night. During this trip we kept an eye on the weather, as a very cold winter storm was coming to the Southwest. Freezing ice storms were predicted near the end of the week. Our route through the desert yielded some interesting geological formations. We were surprised to find that the Phoenix area is surrounded by mountains which rise up abruptly around the desert floor. Many of these peaks were snow-capped, which presented a stark contrast to the saguaro and sand. Between Phoenix and Tuscon is Picacho Peak, a castle-like mountain which stands alone above the surrounding landscape. We passed through some interesting boulder formations near Dragoon, which might be called Sheep Canyon (perhaps all the round boulders look like sheep scattered about?). Our first stop out of Mesa was Cattle Rest Saloon and RV Park in Wilcox, AZ. Although we found the Saloon through HH, they do have a small RV park behind the saloon, and when we checked in we were offered a spot in back with hookups for $20 and we were happy to accept the 50-amp so as not to need the generator. The Saloon is located a mile or so off the I-10 and afforded wide-open scenery of the surrounding mountains and sunrise/sunset. Once a cattle auction, the Saloon is surrounded by desert pasture and the yard is decorated with all manner of western kitsch and found objects. On our way back to the freeway on the way out, we drove down what had once been the highway and main drag of Wilcox. Now it is mostly boarded up businesses and motels. Out on I-10 there are new hotels/motels, fast food, etc. After we crossed into New Mexico we encountered another interesting rock outcropping, and not long after, a large dry lakebed accompanied by a series of roadside warning signs about dust storms. The signs read out: IN A DUST STORM … PULL OFF ROADWAY … TURN VEHICLE OFF… FEET OFF BRAKES … STAY BUCKLED. That’s not at all intimidating…! Day 2 was spent at D.H. Lescombes Winery and Tasting Room in Deming, New Mexico. Here we boondocked in the parking lot along with half-a-dozen other Class-A coaches and several smaller RVs. After fielding a call from work about one of Mary’s projects, we enjoyed wine tasting inside the lively tasting room and purchased a light red blend and a shirt and cap for Mike. On the way to Deming we noticed a group of smiling young men attempting to hitch-hike. As we passed, it registered to us that at that location we were only about 30 miles from the Mexican border, out in the middle of nowhere. We wondered about the journey these guys had been through to get here, and were saddened to think that their smiling, trusting faces suggested they had no idea what aggression they were likely to encounter there inside the US. Day 3 was another winery, La Vina Winery in Anthony, Texas, in the Rio Grande valley on the border of NM/TX. We were dismayed to see the Rio Grande completely dry here. The grounds at La Vina are well set-up for large events and for HH guests. The huge parking lot had a handful of spots along the perimeter with 50a power cords, which we welcomed for $10. The winery is surrounded by an 8’ tall stone wall and inside the large lawn is ready to accommodate large functions, with a stage setup in the corner (which reminded Mike of some of the gigs he played back in the day…). While enjoying our tasting inside, we struck up a nice conversation with a couple from Minnesota who were travelling the opposite direction in a camper van they had converted themselves. Mary noticed another guest wearing a Cattle Rest Saloon t-shirt, and we met Martha and Lee from Spokane who were following the same route as us (they’d been at Cattle Rest the night after us), and were even headed to the same Thousand Trails park near San Antonio! Martha is a travelling P.A. and takes short-term assignments all over the country, then meets back up with Lee wherever he and the RV are. She had most recently returned from 3 weeks on the North Slope of Alaska! At LaVina we bought a couple of chardonnays which we enjoyed best when mixed together. Leaving La Vina, we traveled through El Paso Texas, right on the border with Mexico. Next we spent 2 nights at Saddleback Mountain RV Park, a private park located behind a Valero truck stop right off the I-10 in Balmorhea, Texas. Our expectations were very low, this dry dirt RV park right off the freeway was to be a necessary but convenient stopover. We were pleasantly surprised by the cactus gardens throughout the park and the long views to the mountains beyond. The freeway noise was really not bothersome at all, nor was the truck stop (although we were not there for a “camping experience”). Although Balmorhea is known for its large, spring-fed pools, the daily moving was beginning to wear on us and we did not venture out. The air was really quite brisk still, although the sun was warm. With the luxury of a 2-night stay, we put out the rug and outdoor chairs, and enjoyed the sunshine and view (along with our newly-purchased vino!) in this very peaceful park. Our last stop before San Antonio was another 2-night stay, at Stadium RV Park in the town of Sonora, TX. This private park is mostly permanent residents, with just a few spots for transients like us. The name is derived (presumably) from the high school football stadium located right next door. Too bad we were too late for football season - it would have been fun to experience Friday Night Lights in Texas. The owner, Mike, was out of town when we arrived but directed us over the phone to our designated spot on the edge of a gravel lot. As we were getting settled a very friendly man came by and said he helps out when Mike is away, and lives in the house right next door. With our layover day we decided to explore the town of Sonora. It was Sunday, so many things were not open, but we did drive around, found a surprising steak house for dinner and enjoyed a milkshake at the ubiquitous Sonic Drive In. We’ve noticed all through the south that in every small community (and even in-between!) there is a Dollar General, and the next national chain we seem to see is a Sonic. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d403f815-ba7d-412e-9f96-7d53b63faa0d/PXL_20220127_194534745.jpg Arizona to Texas run On the road again https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e23fa823-d7b4-4b33-b4f6-e9eb0d64e1ac/PXL_20220125_201552153.jpg Arizona to Texas run Picacho Peak, Arizona https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9d357674-629b-4a4a-8276-6de28e93b5f2/PXL_20220125_224103605.jpg Arizona to Texas run Sheep Canyon (?), AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ebf9d9f0-3e1a-4f93-9322-abfc4e1b40bd/PXL_20220125_235031392.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c8d02179-9fbf-4217-a467-ef4ce314196e/PXL_20220125_234232680.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/445363d3-3ea0-4833-9a0e-9c75bdae262c/PXL_20220125_234722571.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/cc7eb17b-4f28-4c4a-a86b-fc5e0b45123b/PXL_20220125_234910771.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/018f5acf-dd39-4594-82ff-e57cb4ebadcb/PXL_20220125_235855114.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b8b48a11-de1e-4503-b34d-068811915e8a/PXL_20220126_005155760.jpg Arizona to Texas run train at sunset, Cattle Rest Saloon in Wilcox AZ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/77894597-1b4c-4ba8-9ddb-1e2262a646d3/PXL_20220126_142204462.jpg Arizona to Texas run next morning, the cats enjoyed the sunrise with me https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/cddd83ff-1c74-44ac-9709-38fd8150d82c/PXL_20220126_005427179.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1a07696d-4297-45d0-a692-1629815ca371/theRig1.jpg Arizona to Texas run sunset over Cattle Rest RV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c43232a2-0cef-4045-b6af-87a7356f4f87/PXL_20220126_144436135.jpg Arizona to Texas run after an exhilarating desert sunrise, it's time for a nap! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/99cc4ecd-2dd3-455e-b148-755a753522ea/PXL_20220131_232328641.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/33d5cdfd-2fb5-48c9-b4ed-e7ae8223f126/PXL_20220125_224158979.jpg Arizona to Texas run In the long stretches through the desert you can always count on roadside "attraction" billboards https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2cbb653b-9e77-40a8-bc42-f834aef4adea/PXL_20220126_224357259.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3e02ea94-bb0b-434d-bb1a-f25420e06a41/PXL_20220126_205956347.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/19d2dfe8-093f-4b1a-83d2-dff888076836/PXL_20220131_210756999.jpg Arizona to Texas run Caught a pic of the wildlife near our parking spot in Stadium RV at Sonora TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2d4a2245-6071-4229-8324-54b9fd1310a1/PXL_20220131_235837257+%281%29.jpg Arizona to Texas run Sonora TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1646969819516-826BQYSU3ANMDJEPQKOZ/PXL_20220131_231602116.jpg Arizona to Texas run Enjoyed a surprisingly delicious steak dinner in the little town of Sonora TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/41e78f07-e7b4-46a9-8882-12adfa10ff17/PXL_20220131_225115864.jpg Arizona to Texas run downtown Sonora https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b45baab7-ee3e-4585-b3b4-b0137b4bd98f/PXL_20220201_002755513.jpg Arizona to Texas run Impulse-aisle appropriate? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a9414841-ed4a-4105-8d1c-cb74fc8caad2/PXL_20220130_180557022.jpg Arizona to Texas run Interesting mountain formations in west Texas. This is where the Texas Limestone comes from https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5bb8586f-870b-4269-a0d3-0520ca1af888/PXL_20220129_185608739.jpg Arizona to Texas run Crisp air allowed for views of the surrounding mountains at Saddleback Mtn RV in Balmorhea, Texas. This right-off-the-interstate park behind a truck stop was actually quite pleasant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/df289f6c-aac2-42ac-b819-e1291552bae0/PXL_20220129_185322127.jpg Arizona to Texas run We did not patronize this saloon at the Saddleback Mountain RV truck stop. It did not appear to be open, but their flags would have kept us out anyway https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b0a547b2-1966-4ac1-9987-a7951d5d093b/PXL_20220126_224405240.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4d6a5b1d-246f-4d21-8228-55ae276dfc33/PXL_20220126_224523217.jpg Arizona to Texas run Boondocking with Harvest Hosts at Lescombes Winery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/894fd06a-1017-4d36-9abb-9327ba17c320/PXL_20220126_234209807.jpg Arizona to Texas run the front yard patio at D.H. Lescombes Winery in Deming, New Mexico https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6ac08527-9dd6-4f37-a17b-2fe4a3779e69/PXL_20220127_204320263.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/69d2e42a-ec84-4fd3-b3cf-530371fad7f4/PXL_20220127_204427626.jpg Arizona to Texas run La Vina Winery is located near the Rio Grande in Anthony, which straddles NM and TX, near El Paso https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d27884e6-5d40-4e7b-b816-383733e90106/PXL_20220127_214802139.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b7419c09-677c-4fc0-abdd-b7e8026ae72b/PXL_20220127_214821190.jpg Arizona to Texas run La Vina Winery, Anthony TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/aea53096-8fa9-4e35-b0b4-5c72707e0d80/PXL_20220127_214539559.jpg Arizona to Texas run inside the stone walled courtyard of La Vina Winery in Anthony https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/de2a10b6-7d31-4290-a1e6-dd4cc5dc159d/PXL_20220128_174940289.jpg Arizona to Texas run The border "wall" fence in the foreground Mexico beyond, from El Paso https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6662057c-8b78-4118-8c82-b9bb6e496155/PXL_20220128_214945861.jpg Arizona to Texas run Though it looks arid, the sunny weather was perfect at 65 degrees in Balmorhea TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ec304031-02fa-4f45-9561-b752ca3a894c/PXL_20220129_185559240.jpg Arizona to Texas run Saddleback Mtn RV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/113e7955-f399-4d0e-b084-180ff2e19824/PXL_20220130_155554333.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4f473b0d-40f3-4689-804c-2ffc22e81acf/PXL_20220128_230855797.jpg Arizona to Texas run Enjoying our recent purchase https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d79b8d5a-66fe-450a-80db-2035de0a081d/PXL_20220128_230414142.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/05a9f2fc-5ca9-46d9-aded-85fa630edcc5/PXL_20220128_223721313.jpg Arizona to Texas run Saddleback Mountain RV in Balmorhea, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a43bb842-1dd3-487f-b4a6-e4bf7657abcc/PXL_20220129_183258814.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3ca8583d-1ea9-479c-b437-6c7f10056a9a/PXL_20220129_183506420.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f791ddde-98af-4119-bf01-3ef51f960fcb/PXL_20220129_184205115.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7e8953e3-4176-4d6d-92d3-940a83aa5aa1/PXL_20220129_183802670.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5bedb077-822a-46e3-9f8d-304009850093/PXL_20220129_185540153.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/beb0d438-9aa1-4c6a-87f3-cc04ef6d2bd3/PXL_20220129_173912866.jpg Arizona to Texas run No, Vinny didn't get strangled by his leash! He played with it, stuck his head in, rolled around, and fell asleep! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/12830fcb-6dc2-4a7d-a0a8-aa7459950778/PXL_20220130_175345219.jpg Arizona to Texas run Texas limestone in situ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d49f9791-e2e3-4028-802a-3cc9bb4255d3/PXL_20220201_000728074.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/db1290cb-c747-49c6-b80b-2c17b896601d/PXL_20220131_185521601.jpg Arizona to Texas run yin-yang https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7050ca00-6da5-4593-b3f8-1854cc6606da/PXL_20220130_234106422.jpg Arizona to Texas run The folks who pulled in behind us at Stadium RV were in the same model Winnebago as us, just a couple of years newer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7aa46321-cf39-4de9-9318-ffec38af815c/PXL_20220130_214703375.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/38653612-4060-4445-bb50-6e5c16fce3a1/PXL_20220131_203916869+%281%29.jpg Arizona to Texas run someone's been eating too much... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c87ea383-d6a6-4a78-8a4f-94485d2df082/PXL_20220131_225705254.jpg Arizona to Texas run overlooking the town of Sonora TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/48118a8c-4046-421e-8328-3cb145e03767/PXL_20220131_225604046.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d5958624-1b60-4b47-bd77-890c39e56f1d/original_619e59a5-4902-45d4-8c31-5cb61e76cdd4_PXL_20220131_225333940.jpg Arizona to Texas run some of the oak trees here were HUGE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/76a836e7-ed8b-4c58-801b-6c474f4edb53/PXL_20220126_010542664.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c11053d0-b024-422c-9a3d-acdb39667095/PXL_20220125_234116711.jpg Arizona to Texas run https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/medina-lake-rv-resort-san-antonio-tx daily 0.75 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/789ada59-1c03-402d-b1ec-ddba80f3a0f7/4962.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX Medina Lake - near San Antonio, TX | 2/1/22 - 2/15/22 Medina Lake RV Resort is a Thousand Trails (TT) park about 45 minutes west of San Antonio. We stayed for free for our maximum 14 nights. Actually, the 50-amp power (vs 30-amp) was an upcharge of $3/night, and we had some mail sent to us here which incurred a $5 charge so it wasn’t completely free. We knew we were coming in to the edge of a major cold storm, but were lucky to have beautiful weather on our travel day. It was a balmy 74 degrees when we arrived, but the next few days were going to be ice storm, so we did our grocery shopping right away so that we would not need to be out during the storm. As we were parking the rig on arrival day, Mary was watching and guiding as Mike backed the rig into the site among the trees. A couple rode by on bicycles and waved - it was Martha and Lee who we had met at La Vina! Small RV world! When the storm arrived, we kept the furnaces on, which vent also to the basement so that pipes will not freeze. With the 2 furnaces, the electric fireplace and an electric radiator we managed to stay pretty cozy inside. After the rain/sleet stopped, Mike went outside to check on hoses - but slipped on the frozen RV steps and fell to the ground. Miraculously he had no injuries! After the storm had passed completely, we went out to explore our surroundings, and do some errands at Home Depot (water jug refills) and Walmart (RV toilet paper!). We drove 30 minutes to the outskirts of San Antonio, passing through Old Helotes on the way. We decided to try some Texas BBQ and chose B-Daddy’s, right on the highway in Helotes, based on good reviews. Unfortunately, we were not impressed - there wasn’t much flavor in any of the food. As we walked out, we noticed a pathway behind the BBQ to Old Helotes, so we explored. The town was redeemed, as we found funky shops and a great coffee shop in old Texas architecture. Later in our stay we took a day to go in to San Antonio and see the Alamo and the River Walk. Mary had been there before (with Sara) to watch one of Andy’s college football games. This time the Alamo struck me - us both - differently: those who were being honored for fighting for “their” land were people (or descendants of people) who stole the land from the natives. Isn’t that how every culture history goes - what we celebrate as our victories and discoveries are almost always someone else’s losses. Also, the T-shirts and slogans all over town “come and take it” and “don’t tread on me” felt passive aggressive, rather than liberating, as if every one was ready to fight if you irritated them for any reason. Much like our very first stop at Lake of the Springs campground in California, this TT campground was a little old and tired, and full of families with kids (3 families around us were full-time RVers and home schoolers). And like Lake of the Springs, Medina Lake was nearly dry so we could not access (or even see) the water. All-in-all, Medina Lake RV park was too far from town to make exploring easy, and the surrounding area was not really hike-able (mostly private property and very dense scrubby vegetation), so we were quite ready to move on when our 2-week stay was over. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f5568c8e-c3bb-4cd7-85de-43c979979bbf/4960.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX Another TT campground with fearless deer https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1c3225a5-65db-4f8f-a19a-639841026a08/PXL_20220209_220712290.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b6c198ff-bfd8-4e7e-b1b8-bbfd7afb0bb1/PXL_20220208_162436796.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7c446622-d3ad-437e-94e5-937e9d5d257d/Screenshot_20220201-104707.png Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX It was a lovely 72 degrees when we arrived, but immediately plummeted as the ice storm came through. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/45daa26f-88dd-42ef-b4d5-0a0e6ce554cc/Screenshot_20220203-105936.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1bd923d4-b83a-4406-83ed-e0e1c6e7c649/PXL_20220204_191136784.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/faadf709-7bac-43f9-9177-7b2c680d5000/PXL_20220203_224924292.MOTION-01.COVER.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/78fce675-04cd-400b-8cf5-af55b8780ca4/PXL_20220203_224606266.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX Even the bull had icicles! Brrrrr! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e66efdd5-b318-4ac8-af76-12b9b5b93b11/PXL_20220206_214924658.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX the moss that hangs on the oak trees gets caught on the wires like little puff balls, or maybe Angry Birds? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b81bdb2c-fff9-4d9d-9885-b8480e8d059a/PXL_20220206_214420636.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX After the weather warmed back up, Mary took a walk through the woods in the campground https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8f8491a3-1d35-426b-9c3e-ae6765041f71/PXL_20220206_213755152.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/adc5bb21-7e44-441a-8a74-b42a5ed9adc6/PXL_20220206_212209255.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7d5b6961-cd6f-4d57-949d-63e93fd0e4a7/PXL_20220210_200706430.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX We went out for famous Texas BBQ in Old Helotes TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b2616f12-b9ae-4e69-893a-2d1497341ca0/PXL_20220210_203854872.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX found this funky store behind the BBQ in Old Helotes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2079ad66-a027-4131-ac06-9c225bc82d27/PXL_20220210_204041448.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX now That's a lotta Cheetah! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/75d5ddf2-a0ef-476d-ab90-b0d3baca96ef/PXL_20220210_204413106.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ad0b8415-2e28-4f7c-b5b1-359f6a5369aa/PXL_20220210_205012175.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX now that's a well-worn saddle https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/945fdcea-501c-42e1-a36b-8bee2b8422ff/PXL_20220210_205533463.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX love the Texas Limestone architecture https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0c573b95-26c5-4110-aa0a-6bbba7021149/PXL_20220210_205604452.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7665147d-b452-4fa3-abba-b0a2d0def9e1/PXL_20220210_211039613.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX the surprise discovery at this coffee shop saved the day - the affogato was A-Maz-Ing! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/644200ef-9b59-41b3-96a1-3b517977a04d/PXL_20220210_232713218.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/10b99e6b-fa2f-4d8d-ad20-7d2394bb195d/PXL_20220211_190440847.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a4f2485a-cdae-4549-a998-68123ccdf465/PXL_20220211_194351367.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ae167150-6a78-43ab-be91-bb946797b1b0/PXL_20220211_190245212.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX Alamo in the foreground, San Antonio beyond https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e1fcccfd-d4b9-4ec7-a6b9-9621ea52803b/PXL_20220211_192445240.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/453c99a0-e9dd-4e10-ab22-1d312e0d43eb/PXL_20220211_193018146.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/670a2103-08d8-4e34-acc5-c3a7da1a3c89/PXL_20220211_193008800.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/65f9dafa-9f04-4898-bbcf-5cd22fac7fd2/PXL_20220211_195102749.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9c0282eb-66dc-4cf8-8685-bd6ea714dd2e/PXL_20220211_194517300.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX courtyard at the Alamo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/bc744e8c-7b42-45fd-b3d3-757b707d8bc9/PXL_20220211_194646561.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/541cb3be-489d-4396-8fb3-1990e8245ed1/PXL_20220211_194827664.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d5e18321-b122-40e0-9448-b77439795d67/PXL_20220211_194609209.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/10a49159-472c-4fcf-86b1-ad3bb06e3919/PXL_20220211_193210887.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/40d6fe54-e2c1-450a-a914-d8283f99d7d8/PXL_20220207_174210932.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX They may look innocent, but we have to cover all the "leather" furniture so it doesn't get clawed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f9d3a217-bbd3-4222-8da5-7008040bcfd5/PXL_20220211_215246800.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX the River Walk, San Antonio TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d76e0c67-3bf2-49df-8c29-e5bbd7715fc9/PXL_20220211_200531632.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX tile mosaic at an entrance to the River Walk https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/381108f3-e51a-4a76-866a-da5ba9fa2e5d/PXL_20220211_200818340.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f778424a-7998-4b38-9fc6-ebf12d4926fb/PXL_20220211_220011625.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1647983413203-DK9FYMFPAC4T6L44VJFI/PXL_20220211_220524322.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX railing at the Hard Rock Cafe https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9c28eb71-d854-48f5-a862-2df0bbe02788/PXL_20220211_220310295.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/21199216-9bf7-4420-98f6-1e07e16491cd/PXL_20220211_201051484.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4fd59187-eb77-4c71-a481-206d98b90412/PXL_20220211_211849364.jpg Medina Lake RV Resort - San Antonio, TX https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/oak-forest-rv-resort-austin-tx daily 0.75 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/153dfec1-ee95-4a3a-b5c3-e77f451d7c11/PXL_20220217_203327247.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX | 2/15/22 - 2/20/22 We chose to visit Austin, as it is often noted as one of the up-and-coming cities in the US. We stayed at a nice park in town so that we could easily get around to see things. Oak Forest RV Resort is located within the Village Farm Tiny Home community. There were many stylish tiny homes for rent and for purchase. This park was extremely clean and peaceful, and since we were conveniently located right across from the laundry room, we took advantage of the large machines to wash our bulky bedding and rugs. In Austin we wanted to give Texas BBQ another shot, so we found a place that Guy Fieri had visited - SLAB BBQ. It had started as a food truck but is now in a storefront with an urban vibe, but Mike did not care for the food (although Mary’s brisket sandwich was pretty good, and surprisingly Mike’s green beans were the best thing there). We decided that we’re not fond of smoked food, so the BBQ wasn’t working for us. Guy, you let us down. We did have a really good lunch at Salt Traders Coastal Cooking - a seafood place in Austin. We always love seafood! We visited the Zilker Botanical Garden, which was really neat even though most things were not in bloom. It was nice to be out in the sunshine. We also found the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum which was interesting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f8985f77-510a-4934-a0e2-9a8f72fd18eb/PXL_20220215_192700688.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX passing through San Antonio, we knew we were in Texas. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9091d984-2937-467c-9367-edb0e173c145/PXL_20220218_234815103.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX SLAB BBQ in Austin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4e0fa979-6a3d-4fc7-acf9-6f344d29268e/PXL_20220218_235008909.PORTRAIT.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4a7a8140-140c-486c-872a-7d5680f73a0d/PXL_20220219_001056294.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/57c08d0c-f591-4e51-af9c-1f2230f5de1b/PXL_20220219_001142174.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX reminds me of Guitar Hero... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0efc30a0-ecfb-4c06-a5db-85ae97191f65/PXL_20220219_001119217.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX are those RR signs for Batman, or are they little hot shorts, or what?! I do like how it's the same symbol, just turned upside-down https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1647999041494-M3YON7QBY475MINW6N38/PXL_20220217_190446252%25281%2529.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/465d24fe-7ece-40d6-971b-465f2b4c501c/PXL_20220217_194511366.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/cdb012b0-16bf-4998-bf96-d7051892c693/PXL_20220217_190841971.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e7b2f59f-f11c-4c27-ae50-b8db8c77fea3/PXL_20220217_190938749.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX artist at work https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f677031d-a5c5-4408-8273-ab3c35bafa90/PXL_20220217_191006448.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2b199592-fc0e-4b5d-9f20-4ffdbe1f15c7/PXL_20220217_191631585.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX entrance to the Japanese Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d8f987d3-6a58-4ce0-9493-2b5c786f36e0/PXL_20220217_192340648.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d809463e-7378-4534-ad3d-417e7e542f63/PXL_20220217_192113132.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX view of downtown Austin from the Botanical Gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ef617c33-7bdf-4f33-bf1c-f45d80ab6600/PXL_20220217_191928058.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/49be0d8f-dde4-4fde-b58e-099be078a32d/PXL_20220217_192938995.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d9ff9a8a-d6ce-4d6e-b7e8-2253ef92b72f/PXL_20220217_192830858.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ffe8ed87-b536-4fab-8430-0434eef9ced9/PXL_20220217_193456747.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ab77cd25-8d70-42f7-be7a-c63ceac1bc81/PXL_20220217_193123444.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX Tea house https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0a7c53f3-7379-40b7-8fa9-bbf900ae5e7b/PXL_20220217_195125349.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/19d10dca-2561-4ec2-9f21-afc3e6b74e09/PXL_20220217_200654623.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX early settlers' cabin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5248bbd7-3e89-4e4f-bcb1-faf966f83184/PXL_20220217_201003946+%281%29.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/965dc310-431e-4009-ba6a-988d8bdfa154/PXL_20220217_200945036.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3b2bb01d-03c1-43cb-b5b1-5beacfce6abf/PXL_20220217_195003022.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX gate to the Prehistoric Garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f956df97-5b2c-4368-967b-d67b20cd773e/PXL_20220217_195049783.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c8e038fb-2d26-4154-9a81-bf9469797752/PXL_20220217_195118986.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1647982378493-17WIJ1HB7EZCB8X04WV1/PXL_20220217_195656222.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/cf68937d-4e43-4f0c-aabe-eb2b35ce6bc5/PXL_20220217_195223220.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX be careful...! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b918f21b-ab46-45b8-848c-a365d4379dbe/PXL_20220217_190811911.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0e57df55-b3a3-498a-98e3-35d4da6c0185/PXL_20220217_200456602.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1647981930294-3ZK78I1RSUR857ZOJ2CC/PXL_20220219_181325689.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/367ab450-542e-4095-8518-425c06645e68/PXL_20220215_221644644.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX Oak Forest RV is part of Village Farm Tiny Home Community in Austin https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b7153340-1b51-4d86-a487-9005e0f54604/PXL_20220217_175425144.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX love the road names in Texas! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8c955967-a045-4d12-9172-6ac01446e038/PXL_20220217_205104308.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/42b7d75e-0020-4763-af88-a6785fa86eab/PXL_20220217_203147803.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b48e42ca-b5f6-4a9f-8985-ddcc361c8a6f/PXL_20220217_204307534.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a8637a10-b70e-4ae5-8840-c4de5436bfad/PXL_20220217_204703873.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/38c4c3ec-cf3c-47e0-94c6-0ff4672ab0db/PXL_20220217_204918405.jpg Oak Forest RV Resort - Austin, TX https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/nasa-space-center-houston-tx daily 0.75 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b1e5e403-e011-4e57-9357-51d782f65165/PXL_20220223_205128075.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX NASA Space Center - Houston TX | 2/23/22 While we were in Galveston we decided to visit NASA Space Center in Houston. It was a great day and we enjoyed the museum and tour. The Space Center is where all the astronauts have trained all the way back to the first Mercury and Gemini missions which lead to the Apollo missions to the moon and eventually the Space Shuttle Program. The facility is massive - Over 1300 acres. The museum is 250,000 square feet (23,000 m2) and displays over 400 space artifacts, including the Mercury 9, Gemini 5, and Apollo 17 space capsules. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/05c1ca18-b485-4d3f-9d77-264099483b71/PXL_20220223_162619265.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e8d6d0ec-5414-4b1d-a99f-de92438f6316/PXL_20220223_162547167.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e0d37bcf-3cb4-45bb-abf1-376fa9b9b2ff/PXL_20220223_185619357.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX The Apollo 17 Command module flown by Gene Cernan, Ronald Evans, and Dr. Harrison "Jack" Schmitt, along with a biological contingent of five mice, orbited the Moon a record 75 times in 1971 during the last crewed Moon mission. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7a48d39d-63d2-4d88-bb9a-a7f60e50383c/PXL_20220223_211955838%281%29.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3f893732-7ce8-47c5-88ce-41d5fe0c09cb/PXL_20220223_210753814+%281%29.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX There are eight registered Texas Longhorn trophy steers that have made Johnson Space Center their home for the duration of their life. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/297d8446-c316-4e96-b1e3-468a89c21dce/PXL_20220223_214812278.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX Apollo Lunar Module (LEM) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d84fa36f-3c25-4263-841a-4ac4450bb411/PXL_20220223_220403662.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX A flown SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exhibit is now on display at the Space Center. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c8edf278-5945-4295-a1d4-20a55b6eb421/PXL_20220223_211243704.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2d267a6d-bdaf-42f4-947d-1e6e58c3a724/PXL_20220223_211053571.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX The Saturn V heavy launch vehicle was the highlight of the day! It was enormous to put it mildly. with a Height of 363.0 ft (110.6 m) and Diameter of 33.0 ft (10.1 m). It was laying on its side in a specially built custom building for viewing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/efac9cf9-1a8b-44f2-bd0c-6a86a51d582e/PXL_20220223_211002981.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ac9af1a3-26ca-4ff9-a209-c2a9ef50ac95/PXL_20220223_211522690.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/48bc7249-0c1f-45cc-b587-2c3fe35849e8/PXL_20220223_202451723.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX We took a tram to the astronaut training facility on the other side of the complex. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/151aebc5-6a95-4f36-b282-2d51f3b3cb7e/PXL_20220223_204839436.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX There is a full size low fidelity mockup of the ISS (International Space Station) for training purposes at the center. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8b8434d0-0397-494b-94db-1c2000475279/PXL_20220223_204934729.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX astronaut craft table https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e6f9bcdd-41bb-46a6-816c-f98c0ae29875/PXL_20220223_205128075.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX Orion (officially Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle or Orion MPCV) is a class of partially reusable crewed spacecraft to be used in NASA's Artemis program. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f9fee40e-c417-4a59-8a60-5a6918946a44/PXL_20220223_185658731.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX Lithium Hydroxide Canister - Apollo 13. This is the actual canister the engineers at ground control assembled for the Apollo 13 crew to duplicate. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e78b61e8-b629-4f12-91e5-71e4d6d434ea/PXL_20220223_191639482.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX Some actual moon rocks from the Apollo missions. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/94c7f497-b848-46ae-a76f-af00b5f91f0a/PXL_20220223_191653092.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e1792bf6-a18c-4417-a68f-1c3cfbc6d39a/PXL_20220223_192614788.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX Remember Skylab? There was a full training version on display at the center. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/bee63910-0806-448c-afec-553090c2a6b9/PXL_20220223_201033069.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX The space shuttle that is attached to the 747 is the Space Shuttle Independence, formerly known as Explorer, it is a full-scale, high-fidelity replica of the Space Shuttle. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7a0f32cb-60a8-4c98-b2ae-c1a38704a8cb/PXL_20220223_205524194.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX you can follow the progress of the Valkyrie robot at #NASAValkyrie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e5728ac9-66cd-4be5-a53d-2a2a3c5ae33d/PXL_20220223_204957037.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d443d10d-5a01-4626-b1ac-72596609a569/PXL_20220223_195136007.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7cda6eeb-8e03-4543-bbf0-77b8ac387b33/PXL_20220223_194130827.jpg NASA Space Center - Houston, TX https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/louisiana-rv-stops daily 0.75 2022-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/80fbd734-e719-4529-bff9-84587fa91b49/PXL_20220227_195801401.jpg Louisiana RV stops Natchitoches, LA | 2/25/22 - 3/2/22 While trip planning in Galveston, we found that things were pretty booked up around New Orleans due to Mardi Gras, and we were growing weary of killing time and were eager to check out some communities where we might potentially settle for the next phase of our lives. Mary had been scouring internet lists of great villages and small towns across the US (Booneville CA made one list of 50 Most Beautiful Small Towns in America, lol), cross-checking against demographic and climate data on Bestplaces.net (thank you Bert and your team!), and mapped out some stops between Galveston and Atlanta, where we were scheduled to visit with family. So instead of continuing on the standard southern route of I-10 along the Gulf Coast (the seafood corridor - sorry we missed that!), we turned north at Lake Charles, LA and headed inland in Louisiana to visit Natchitoches (pronounced “NAK-uh-tush”), a town with a National Historic Landmark District and several Plantations to visit. Sticking with our “under 4-hour travel day” preference, we stayed one night near the halfway point, and found Whispering Meadow RV Park in Westlake, Louisiana, just outside of Lake Charles. As we left the Galveston/Houston area skirting around Trinity Bay on Hwy 146, we passed huge oil refineries and processing plants, a reminder of what it takes to support America’s (OUR) lifestyle of driving everywhere. Along our drive we saw 2 Massive trailers, each with 18 axles per side, apparently quad axles, meaning 4 tires at each axle, each side of the trailer, so we calculated 144 tires per trailer (guessing they can carry approx. 360,000 lbs based on commercial loads!). At Westlake LA on I-10 you find many above ground (oil?) pipes crossing the roads, presumably heading out to the Gulf via Calcasieu Lake. It is a very industrial look - definitely not on the Most Picturesque lists! Whispering Meadow RV Park was clean and easy access, a great spot for an overnight stay. In the morning it was raining as we headed north on LA 171 toward Natchitoches. At Leesville we continued north on LA 117 through the forest and state parks. This road was terrible - both lanes full of potholes, some more than a foot deep, and tire grooves that filled with water for some hydroplane hazards- for about 45 miles. Near the end of it a warning came up on the RV dashboard: Water in Fuel! At that point we were only 6 miles from our RV park, so we continued on. Soon after, the rig was jerking as if we had a blowout, but our Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which covers both the RV and the car, showed all tires normal. We found a spot to pull over and everything looked normal, so we pressed on and made camp at Nakatosh RV Park. We think the jerking was due to the car readjusting on the tow kit, probably from hydroplaning on the wet road, because we had a similar experience at our very first truck stop in Williams CA after the car jumped the curb as we pulled out of the parking lot. Natchitoches is the oldest settlement from the Louisiana Purchase - the original French colony in Louisiana established in 1714- and has a beautiful Historic downtown district and developed river front along the Cane River. We learned that Natchitoches is world-famous for its Christmas Festival, as well as the filming of the movie Steel Magnolias. The District is filled with shops, art galleries, and B&Bs of various architectural styles, including Queen Anne, Italianate, Spanish Revival, Federal, Victorian, and rustic French Creole. We were taken with the architecture, the river front, and the amazing old-growth trees with their own ecosystems of ferns and mosses. We explored the nearby residential blocks for homes for sale, found one neat Victorian for under $300K and began imagining how friends and family could visit. Then we ventured only a couple more blocks away from the historic district and were shocked by the stark juxtaposition of absolute poverty for the rest of that side of town. Rundown houses on brick or even wood piers with sagging porches and ancient paint jobs, no driveways or sidewalks, let alone landscaping. People sitting on their porches or steps, standing around in the front “yard”, walking down the middle of the narrow streets - reminded us of the photos from the Great Depression. After having JUST passed the large Antebellum mansions on beautiful grounds, it was a very unsettling to see this all-black part of town without even a gradual blending zone. On the other side of the river is the bulk of the town, with houses and shopping from the 2nd half of the 1900s. We found typical sprawl strip malls and fast food joints without any thought toward landscaping or design guidelines. The grocery stores were blah and fresh produce was lacking. So although we loved the historic part of town, we could not picture having comfortable real-life living here. There are several plantations near Natchitoches, and we visited Oakland Plantation which is part of a State Park. Unfortunately we were not there on a day of interior tours so we were only able to see the grounds. Again, the TREES! Just stunning! This particular plantation house was not as grand as we normally associate with southern plantations, but we learned that actually it is not atypical. We say many grand Antebellum mansions, mostly in the towns, in Louisiana and Mississippi, but this is the only Plantation we visited. On the day to leave Nakatosh RV Park, we stowed every thing, including the cats, and Mike drove the rig out around the park and into the adjacent truck stop so we could hook up the car. But in this short move the dash warning came back on “Water in Fuel”. We had forgotten all about that episode! We were in a good safe place along the side of the truck stop, so Mike did some research and found the fuel filter should be replaced, and this was not a repair he could do himself (due to accessibility). He called around and no one locally could change it for us. Eventually he found a mobile RV repair guy who would come - from Texarkana Arkansas! It took him 2.5 hours to get to us and about an hour to confirm the issue and replace the filter. By then it was after 5pm, so we called the Nakatosh RV park and asked for our spot back, then called our next stop and dropped a day in that reservation. When the repair was done we turned the rig around in the truck stop and went back the 100 yards to our campsite. Gotta be flexible in the RV life! Fun Fact: Mary (doing most of the mapping) noticed that there are different versions of the name Natchitoches throughout the south, including Nacogdoches (na-kuh-DOW-chuhs) TX, which is considered one of the most historic towns in Texas, and Natchez MS (another town we visited). A little research tells us that Natchez was named for the Natchez tribe, while the other 2 names come from the Caddo Tribe, and in the Caddo language “Na” means “place”. Various myths about the name origin agree that a Caddo chief with two sons sent one east and one west, travelling equal distances, to establish new villages. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2e5217ac-b8b6-4d05-8964-36507d0e539c/PXL_20220225_202326666.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/defccf8c-d031-4861-9271-963d2dbf08a6/PXL_20220225_202341143.jpg Louisiana RV stops petroleum processing in Baytown, TX near Houston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fcdd4ee6-3e14-4179-b7b0-2d7bc46f561e/PXL_20220225_202427579.jpg Louisiana RV stops incoming cargo https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4d72a028-2726-4609-ad44-7cecb278e01a/PXL_20220225_202418986.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d3003206-08f3-46af-adc3-ced682f57d07/PXL_20220225_214046344.jpg Louisiana RV stops a familiar sight! But this is long-grain rice https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1fb19e02-6bc2-44da-9400-d30792c2c12f/PXL_20220225_222902829.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2c01d4b0-9821-4a4f-813d-9e057444cc8f/PXL_20220225_204806963.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8b473885-57c3-4c44-a868-b119ff24c309/PXL_20220225_224759822+%281%29.jpg Louisiana RV stops Lake Charles, LA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/76cac7a0-9afa-4970-818e-5da9d37f5b08/PXL_20220225_224950794.jpg Louisiana RV stops on I-10 at Westlake LA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ac4f3d14-be6e-4276-8bb3-2cf323f6bb50/PXL_20220225_225018683.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e4b5947b-68a9-4920-920c-9ce86a380cea/PXL_20220226_170710401.jpg Louisiana RV stops Whispering Meadow RV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/daf9387c-c109-48d5-b8ff-226686fd1603/PXL_20220226_170621875.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/eef8023d-3b14-4e08-aa5d-cf44f7053679/PXL_20220226_174131459.jpg Louisiana RV stops our first bayou, Louisiana https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6f923b9b-47c7-42cd-8419-12b6036c65b0/PXL_20220226_174128788.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/678e42ad-bab4-41c8-b9bd-1ec45404355f/PXL_20220227_185439602.jpg Louisiana RV stops Nakatosh RV Park at Natchitoches LA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ed7a33eb-56ea-479f-85bd-9ae4f4d554ae/PXL_20220227_200002528.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1648163499985-GCTKKMFBNRF0VWQS2310/PXL_20220227_190652461.jpg Louisiana RV stops Natchitoches is home to Northwestern State University https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/925a83e1-3af7-4936-928c-cfb23849110e/PXL_20220227_200009066.TS_exported_2467.jpg Louisiana RV stops the Cane River https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fd0b7353-de6a-47ed-b44b-3ffce98c5100/PXL_20220228_213710286.jpg Louisiana RV stops Front Street, Natchitoches https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7f0c91dd-72c4-4d8d-a75c-0e1b52261544/PXL_20220228_222155210.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b1a14a30-51ab-46aa-b4e1-57b138028bd4/PXL_20220228_213541594+%281%29.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/df2ba689-bea9-4a92-92b9-5f267decccdb/PXL_20220228_220345063.jpg Louisiana RV stops This General Mercantile is the oldest store in Louisiana and dates from the Louisiana Purchase https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/587c6e91-de59-46f6-9956-9423b76e21a1/PXL_20220228_220356224.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f9abc096-00c9-490c-b272-4e792d983bc0/PXL_20220228_220727584.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/60da6914-439f-4560-ad42-255479be9c69/PXL_20220228_220550392.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1c34279b-4e34-4828-a7ca-e85e6d80a6ad/PXL_20220228_220808481.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/97fd4184-6987-4e37-92ab-ca39008c6b53/PXL_20220228_220933854.jpg Louisiana RV stops inside the General Mercantile https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/578b15d3-0536-44c0-b3c7-0196d4bbc2e1/PXL_20220228_212916708.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/be3b16bc-0f47-4325-990a-f6d31521dae2/PXL_20220228_222036386.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/770c74a7-056f-4480-aebe-2def86fc64ea/PXL_20220228_213530722.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/104248a2-4399-4e4c-a611-8287d2ed60af/PXL_20220228_222359936.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fcb55897-5ab3-490b-be87-b595bd3a80e0/PXL_20220228_223059609.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/84035718-7f8b-4c8e-9149-64c47f1f9953/PXL_20220228_212842192.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/249f92d6-fda4-431c-81b8-a0fb95271c96/PXL_20220228_223206563.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ff59bcf8-6e82-40d9-8114-bf8cf149bde6/PXL_20220228_224005154.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d56aa3ae-af3d-442f-b66c-d2f266da17a8/PXL_20220228_223006655.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/687eccfd-f6e1-47b5-b808-cc14466e41b5/PXL_20220228_223244251.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6a9429a0-61a6-45cb-b6c9-6bf29e21cb05/PXL_20220228_223506856.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1648161135831-L5IEZTYMWN9GHNHMF8LC/PXL_20220227_201652780.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f0f5c469-585b-4458-b5bf-ce20f73f859a/PXL_20220227_201727121.jpg Louisiana RV stops where Steel Magnolias was filmed https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a069ae0f-1e1d-4dfb-a0b5-c90ac83f8220/PXL_20220228_192710721.jpg Louisiana RV stops front "drive" of Oakland Plantation main house https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/58affe78-786a-4459-8143-ae6dbbb14b62/PXL_20220228_193328322+%281%29.jpg Louisiana RV stops at Oakland Plantation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/20d646f8-5716-4017-aa20-02696cafd36b/PXL_20220228_192237427.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5a71ec03-188a-4516-b1f1-405e26c96c59/PXL_20220228_192500794.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d43c3371-2bce-4282-ac89-8ecc67c758d5/PXL_20220228_192246608.jpg Louisiana RV stops Oakland Plantation main house https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c1a473b9-e6aa-40f9-9d30-67b02e87d634/PXL_20220228_192149701.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/22322f67-f0a6-4e87-ac7b-f8605d1f43f7/PXL_20220228_192931511.MOTION-01.COVER.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e76667b4-5dc7-4264-ad1b-e8041d65b3c6/PXL_20220228_185702896.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ffbe0a45-43fb-4d67-9374-31493656bbca/PXL_20220228_193207355.MOTION-01.COVER.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0c2bc14f-5914-4527-8169-362207156d63/PXL_20220228_193106941.MOTION-01.COVER.jpg Louisiana RV stops pig houses behind the main house https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b6fe2a66-2aa7-4f0b-a601-3dc0cfcc794b/PXL_20220228_185727896.jpg Louisiana RV stops pigeonnier - one of 2 pigeon coops for the squab https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ac45e65b-6091-487b-9d8c-d99eac82312c/PXL_20220228_191944469.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3122a78e-b1dd-4255-ac96-a52b6333c3d9/PXL_20220228_190508260.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/56180135-0ac4-4e84-bc59-918644b0457e/PXL_20220228_190247754.jpg Louisiana RV stops Overseer's Cabin, Oakland Plantation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/874d5cf2-056a-4147-9d01-feefe340c6ec/PXL_20220228_190309530.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c696e8da-1e95-40d9-ae09-0d909f723fab/PXL_20220228_190927634.jpg Louisiana RV stops Slave quarters, Oakland Plantation https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/34ab2387-a1f7-47bf-b8d8-c6dd13e0fa14/PXL_20220228_190543741.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2853047d-82ce-4d7e-8c9d-fbcb2d6049c3/PXL_20220228_191555662+%281%29.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/15ae8c2e-5b30-43c4-82f6-bfc1767059ef/PXL_20220228_191146593+%281%29.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/87ebce00-95b3-4850-a196-541e05c06aad/PXL_20220228_184357956.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/73a891ca-1331-46cd-a3ae-c474f6dcdd0a/PXL_20220228_184443526.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7a66f2aa-1e64-43a2-805f-69e776ec8819/PXL_20220227_191533584.jpg Louisiana RV stops We gave Southern food a try here... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/44917f55-9186-416b-af0a-c96b33dc037e/PXL_20220227_193242663.TS_exported_5733_1648156850716.jpg Louisiana RV stops ...Fried Okra - we both said simultaneously "zucchini." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e89a54ae-1d6d-4d69-b7de-3606e8c6a9c2/PXL_20220227_190749471.jpg Louisiana RV stops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/465bae04-5eb7-44d9-ba6e-718bc728b5a6/PXL_20220227_190843982.jpg Louisiana RV stops this building does not look suitable either for making nor consuming frozen Daiquiris! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8e835ca1-e0d9-4ac0-a5d2-3571e54399cb/PXL_20220228_174442978.jpg Louisiana RV stops had a decent meal at the Mexican restaurant right next to the truck stop our RV park was behind https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7f71fc64-9e03-4abd-913c-e53249c4317f/PXL_20220228_174518670.jpg Louisiana RV stops a group of young construction workers came in, and made Mary do a double-take for a second, thinking it could be Andy, lol https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3f833012-16cd-4fe0-bc84-83e28b33c0c1/original_a364a163-6c2c-4358-bfcd-4f434f03dfb4_PXL_20220228_181513211.jpg Louisiana RV stops good idea...??? But it made me think of you Mom! https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/natchez-ms daily 0.75 2022-05-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/988a8ba3-d1dc-493a-8b7d-99c74b0afacd/PXL_20220303_230444404.PORTRAIT.jpg Natchez, MS Mississippi and more | 3/2/22 - 3/8/22 Our next picturesque village of the deep south was Natchez, Mississippi, 3/2/22 - 3/4/22. Natchez sits on the banks of the great Mississippi River, and River View RV park is on the Louisiana side, in Vidalia, LA. Natchez is the oldest town on the Mississippi and has a much bigger antebellum district than Natchitoches, but again we found a great economic and racial divide - this time the line was drawn at the Mississippi River. Vidalia, at least the section we saw between our camp and the bridge, was full of worn down and boarded up homes and businesses. Except, that is, for the churches. They were always well-kept, regardless of the condition of the homes right around them. The Mississippi River is (as expected!) huge. The RV park is right on the river’s edge, so we had a great view of the immense barges going up and down the river. The barges are the freight trains of the Mississippi, but the barges are blocked together rather than strung end to end. We counted a barge convoy 6 barges wide by 7 barges deep - 42 full-size barges being pushed up the river by one tugboat! Natchez has many beautiful & historic homes. We stopped in on Stanton Hall mansion but tours were booked until later in the day so we looked around outside and proceeded on to brunch (as our tummies demanded!) The downtown has many shops and restaurants, etc, and there seems to be a revitalization happening in the area. We saw a film crew and catering set up on one beautiful street, and at our brunch stop at The Little Easy we noticed that the warehouse across the street is home to a film company. We’re beginning to see a theme of movies from the places we stay - maybe we need a page for that! We did look at a couple of beautiful historic houses for sale in our price range, including one a few doors away from Stanton Hall Mansion, but decided that the overall area really isn’t a good fit for us. While in Natchez we also visited the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, which is home to a reconstructed Natchez house and three ceremonial mounds. These mounds once had structures built on them, as documented by French explorers of old. We chose to visit Natchez for 2 reasons: 1) the historic town, and 2) its proximity to Laurel MS, the location of the HGTV show Home Town, which we enjoyed watching when we were back in Sutter. After our Natchez visit we moved to Laurel, and stayed at Sleepy Hollow RV Park, 3/4 - 3/8/22. We were surprised to find Mississippi to be heavily wooded, rather than agricultural. Laurel is a much larger town than is portrayed by the TV show, and much of it is typical mid-century American sprawl, strip malls, etc. The effects of the massive popularity of Ben and Erin Napier and the Home Town show were evident. The downtown Laurel area was bustling with tourists. It was fun to see some of the businesses that had been featured on the show, but as seems to be typical throughout the South, many businesses were closed on Sunday, which was our only rain-free day there. The businesses that were open were the 2 owned by Ben & Erin (commercialism never rests!) so we visited Ben’s workshop-turned-souvenir shop, The Scotsman General Store, which was PACKED with other tourists. Like good tourists, we bought a few t-shirts and a magnet for our refrigerator. After driving through the nearby residential areas looking for houses from the show, we had to wonder what this area will be like once the show’s popularity inevitably wanes. Yes, they’ve brought in tons of energy and demand for shops and homes now, but will it stick after the stream of tourists thins out? The locals we spoke with are dubious. We are coming to the conclusion that the South is a beautiful place to visit, but probably not the place for us to call home. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1535f55b-b836-43a4-955e-e246364fde5a/PXL_20220302_173653220.jpg Natchez, MS found in a Louisiana truck stop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9027ab0f-349e-42ad-b0c6-f1d7b102ffa7/PXL_20220302_184355623.jpg Natchez, MS Louisiana ag land https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/329e6c9d-e713-45a4-bc8a-57aabfec8135/PXL_20220303_230316606.jpg Natchez, MS our view of the Mississippi River from River View RV Park in Vidalia LA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1651259177319-TXVWVDO1XH5UEX5GYKFG/PXL_20220304_170230787.jpg Natchez, MS on the Vidalia side of the bridge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1651259057143-MXPMXJIUNAVBHV9RA6CG/PXL_20220304_170416994.TS_exported_466.jpg Natchez, MS crossing the Great Mississippi https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8d650084-0fb8-4d46-ba0f-7ffc7de472b0/original_0cb3a0dc-03e0-448e-9fbe-a1db9102894b_PXL_20220304_170416994.TS_exported_30569_1647581254014.jpg Natchez, MS The Natchez side https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/370c18c5-e344-4577-8068-dce377152a7b/PXL_20220303_162059290.jpg Natchez, MS the Natchez Historic District is dotted with these "trail maps" providing background on the prominent historic buildings. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d0ef8cb1-4493-42e6-acc9-7f16367fdace/PXL_20220303_162333185.jpg Natchez, MS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1648766876011-RQD1OCINND6L6016XHGO/PXL_20220303_162109969.jpg Natchez, MS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/208e4b65-7445-4184-97ad-d9a5e1df6896/PXL_20220303_164113319.jpg Natchez, MS Stanton Hall Mansion circa 1857 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/51894b77-d895-45fa-b21c-89378bc9c5a3/PXL_20220303_163847279.jpg Natchez, MS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/407da325-db54-4e51-a46e-82aca3df5b11/PXL_20220303_163828174.jpg Natchez, MS Original iron railings at Stanton Hall Mansion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/81ebdf57-6445-49cc-9f58-0bbc5e1a865f/PXL_20220303_163730405.jpg Natchez, MS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/25fb6be2-53e3-464e-a13c-597a00918d1e/PXL_20220303_165902611.jpg Natchez, MS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1648767156891-7XNOIVD9C1BMWHOQXVOO/PXL_20220303_170032715.jpg Natchez, MS Photogenic spot next door to the Little Easy, just a block from the river in Natchez. No longer a grocery store but a bar which was not open til later, but looked like a fun place. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/446e4763-36ac-4195-be2a-b1a7a37cdd9a/PXL_20220303_165939369.jpg Natchez, MS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/27f6d3de-0eac-4e1a-8c52-f6d320fb1d13/PXL_20220303_170134964.jpg Natchez, MS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/156f816a-b9e3-4faf-b69b-58f38b73ac54/PXL_20220303_172158072.jpg Natchez, MS Brunch at The Little Easy. Mary's cheesy Gritbody Waffle with savory cheddar cream sauce was pretty good https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/663aa7e2-5934-42e2-bcad-479eb4c83c24/PXL_20220305_202442593.jpg Natchez, MS Loungin' in Laurel, MS. Vinny is getting too big for his perch... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d7c9dcfc-e657-48b5-af0d-5fb7d867225e/PXL_20220305_191531252.jpg Natchez, MS didn't see Ben or Erin, but got some T-shirts! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7bc91ef4-d12b-45fa-bd82-65f3b5252d6b/PXL_20220305_191656097.jpg Natchez, MS https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/alabama-georgia daily 0.75 2022-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2d661aee-1e28-46b7-9f6e-d44568308139/PXL_20220319_140412426.jpg Alabama and Georgia Alabama and Georgia | 3/8/22 - 3/19/22 En route to Atlanta, we had a stay in Alabama. We were surprised to find Alabama to be cleaner and more scenic than Mississippi. It seems that after leaving Texas, each state of the Deep South was a little nicer than the previous. Spring was beginning to show in flowering shrubs along the highways, and the landscape was becoming less swampy and scraggly. As we drove through Birmingham AL the city appeared to be fairly clean and modern. We chose the Lakeside Landing RV park & Marina in Pell City, AL, about 45 minutes outside Birmingham. We were able to get a spot right on the lake, and had a really beautiful view for our stay. The park was pretty quiet - many long-term residents. On the dry days folks came down and fished from the docks and in boats across the lake. Our campsite was a lovely setting for a bit of yoga and stretching! The morning sunrise revealed a peaceful mist across the lake. Could this be the area for the lake house Mary had thought about? Alas, no. The community was lackluster, and the shopping and dining opportunities were bland. One interesting find when we went out to eat was the BottomsUp tap system used at Dock’s Bar & Grill in Pell City. The plastic cups have a hole in the bottom and a metal washer. the cup is filled from the bottom and a magnetic disc is dropped in to seal to the washer. This is reportedly the most efficient tap system. The magnets have the added bonus of being a game piece, as well as a magnet to take home. Kind of fun, and definitely unique. Be careful you don’t press your finger onto the bottom of your cup and break the seal though!! These magnets from our beers turned out to be the only souvenirs we have from Alabama. From Lakeside Landing we travelled into Georgia and to our campsite at Stone Mountain Campground, just outside Atlanta. Here we wad a wonderful week visiting with Mary’s cousins Becca (Kramer) Fiscal and Michael Kramer and their families. We spent some time together (mostly dinners - THANK YOU!!!) every day of our week-long stay. Stone Mountain Park is only about 20 minutes from Becca’s house, so she popped by our campsite after work as we were still getting leveled and set up. She witnessed our most complicated setup to date, and the very rare tension it caused! The campground (not RV park) has very narrow roads with tree roots pushing up the asphalt, so on our way to our site we actually had to ask a guy to move his truck, and then retract his camper awning so that we could maneuver the coach around an 18” high bump in the one-lane road. Our campsite was not level and was barely long enough to squeeze the car in crosswise in front of the coach, in which the rear of the coach (with the tow hitch) was right up against the hill behind our site, so it took 3 tries to get positioned with blocks under the front tires. The last try was when Becca arrived - sorry Becca! lol. She watched us set up the hoses, unpack the household, and assemble the catio before she had to leave. The 2nd day we had dinner at Michael and Jennifer’s home in a cool neighbor hood of Atlanta about 40 minutes from our camp. We saw the great renovations they had done to their home, and enjoyed a delicious dinner and lively conversation with them and their younger son Jonas (about 21). Hard to believe it had been 20+ years since I had seen Jennifer! The next day, Becca had us to dinner at her house and we enjoyed a great meal and getting to know her boyfriend Chris. On Thursday we met up with Becca again for dinner, this time in downtown Decatur, which is near her home. She showed us around and we had a fun dinner out. Friday was the great party - all the family together, including Mary’s Aunt Toppy who came in from Black Mountain NC, Becca’s previous husband Armando Fiscal and his friend Hortencia, and Becca’s older daughter Olivia and her partner Kian. Everyone gathered at Becca’s for an early dinner before attending the live high school performance of Mama Mia, in which Becca’s younger daughter Kory sang and danced. What a great performance, and a fun night!! Saturday morning was our travel day, but most of the gang came by our campsite in the morning for coffee, bagels and donuts, and to check out the RV, before they set out for a hike in the Park. We had neglected to get a group photo Friday night when we were all together, but we mustered up a pretty good group shot at the lake :-) We were so happy to have such kindred spirits to share the week with. They made a hard sell for us settling in Atlanta, or at least Georgia!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/dfd2046c-05d1-4a97-a2fd-473ee310793a/PXL_20220308_183633308.jpg Alabama and Georgia spring is beginning to emerge! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/82279a3d-5edf-4ce9-b1d4-1fb57f2bf629/PXL_20220308_183855219.jpg Alabama and Georgia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/501f6685-efeb-4ef4-b2de-cb8b614b6674/PXL_20220311_204531230%281%29.jpg Alabama and Georgia Lakeside Landing in AL https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3bc191ff-f30d-4a9b-afd1-af3f82c718f8/PXL_20220311_204430254.jpg Alabama and Georgia The lake was low but still a lovely view https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/25ff7a64-ac4d-4098-b008-243bebdf24cd/PXL_20220310_185633309.jpg Alabama and Georgia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5fe0e78b-ef14-45d5-8c05-dc23e25e5e19/PXL_20220310_230128049.jpg Alabama and Georgia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/65dc1676-c8d8-4740-ab8e-a8f45621ed43/PXL_20220311_192830033.jpg Alabama and Georgia great spot for a little yoga and stretching! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5229397c-5bcc-4ee3-8373-8c4824677b04/PXL_20220314_121542002.jpg Alabama and Georgia frosty morning https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/26a2e0f8-a843-4c76-88bf-0c98351a05e7/PXL_20220308_230134870.jpg Alabama and Georgia Bottoms-up tap https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/27922438-b694-4329-9329-ae20f42afb65/PXL_20220308_230146747.jpg Alabama and Georgia can you figure out the phrase on the magnet? Mary remembers playing these kinds of "rebus" puzzles in the '80s! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/81db19a6-0b2b-464c-83c0-e0c0b656c694/PXL_20220310_185838929.jpg Alabama and Georgia "where have you guys BEEN? It's dinnertime!" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d847bb6f-45b3-495b-972c-f0a89d2397e0/PXL_20220314_121317413.jpg Alabama and Georgia misty sunrise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0b115177-0f1b-4387-a5ed-bc6841171c81/PXL_20220314_121309458.jpg Alabama and Georgia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/11c24518-a228-4905-ae57-805ba38637f0/PXL_20220314_121442234.jpg Alabama and Georgia serenity https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/26a3a090-ad72-4c53-a7fa-98c49614db64/original_f545ce12-5bc2-49ba-9db2-02f912b7aeae_PXL_20220314_173522218+%281%29.jpg Alabama and Georgia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d349a45d-2819-4ae0-b744-0c91a463ea16/PXL_20220309_001531856.jpg Alabama and Georgia drive-thru shopping cart sanitizer! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/91035dcc-50c6-4aec-8af4-1fc64aaac43e/6572.jpg Alabama and Georgia Really wonderful visiting with Jen & Michael (and Jonas) - thanks for your hospitality! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fd1edb56-d1ac-434b-9c28-b8285bebc0c2/PXL_20220318_165336355+%281%29.jpg Alabama and Georgia rainy day at Stone Mountain Campground https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/019cb4a4-4ba4-4b66-97a4-7eb115ca1659/original_adc29763-f3db-4ca1-aefd-2364885e2938_PXL_20220318_051359877.jpg Alabama and Georgia Carmine beginning to yawn with his paws dangling https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ed3fc619-56ec-4bb8-81db-c32ba5e29124/PXL_20220317_212535841.jpg Alabama and Georgia Mary and Becca in Decatur GA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8b253d17-43f4-4196-9be8-2dfcdeaac469/PXL_20220317_212548576.jpg Alabama and Georgia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0c82af24-954b-42a5-8f2b-6f69aa1d66b4/IMG-7020.jpg Alabama and Georgia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/af25cef6-8200-4982-bf1c-108e3d539cb6/PXL_20220317_220328534+%281%29.jpg Alabama and Georgia Becca Fiscal and Mike in downtown Decatur GA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/32dce25b-5e3c-4770-acd3-f50b5658507e/IMG-7024.jpg Alabama and Georgia Aunt Toppy enjoying the Taco Bar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/62063cc6-716c-40dd-b988-461d8c2171e6/IMG-7026.jpg Alabama and Georgia really enjoyed getting to know Becca's boyfriend Chris (center) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/28a056d5-5732-42f0-b706-a8dc18a85651/IMG-7023.jpg Alabama and Georgia pre-show dinner at Becca's house included Atossa (Toppy), Armando Fiscal and his friend Hortencia (who brought great guacamole and salsa!) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e2fa4f70-d840-4425-a13c-9d257bfb6133/PXL_20220319_134804246+%281%29.jpg Alabama and Georgia siblings Michael and Becca and their mom Atossa visiting us in the RV https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1648924486143-D97QFDBJDYJOJIFO4VU9/PXL_20220319_140331489.jpg Alabama and Georgia gathering for a group photo, which we had forgotten to do earlier in the week! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c7131f30-592d-4427-80a3-2a05613a31a6/PXL_20220319_140348105.jpg Alabama and Georgia Kory, Kian, Olivia, Jonas, Michael, Toppy, Mary & Becca, with Stone Mountain in the background https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1648925100139-6NNW1GUEZ6N8CJB3O8LU/PXL_20220319_140439734.jpg Alabama and Georgia cousins! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f3f00663-2dc7-4b75-b2bc-0fed0f4f67eb/PXL_20220319_140441974.jpg Alabama and Georgia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1648925355000-UP8CG12X62BK18GTX9K4/PXL_20220319_140428490.jpg Alabama and Georgia Olivia, Jonas, Kory, Michael, Toppy, Mary, Becca and Mike https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/04553abe-25a1-4293-8059-4e1830a8fc12/PXL_20220319_140227223+%281%29.jpg Alabama and Georgia we enjoyed the view of Stone Mountain just across the road from our campsite https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/south-carolina daily 0.75 2022-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2b95035a-cc30-49c3-a284-55dd60ca2abd/PXL_20220326_162831158.jpg South Carolina Myrtle Beach, South Carolina | 3/20/22 - 3/27/22 After visiting with the family in Georgia we headed east into South Carolina. We spent one night in the back parking lot of the Cracker Barrel in Columbia, SC (don’t need to do that ever again!), and the next day finally arrived at the Atlantic! Mike had never seen the Atlantic ocean and it was on the bucket list for sure. We arrived on March 20th and stayed at Briarcliffe RV Resort in North Myrtle Beach, which was very clean and comfortable. Myrtle Beach is a well established vacation destination and was quite lovely, colorful, and quirky. Briarcliffe had a walking path to the nearby development of Barefoot Landing, which has great shops and restaurants around a lagoon. We did some sightseeing and shopping and enjoyed some good seafood. All up and down the main drag you see the same recurring businesses: Miniature golf extravaganzas, multi-story beachwear shops, massive seafood buffets with kitschy lobsters or ships out front, over and over, literally on every block. We wondered how many tourists must come in the summer to support all these businesses!! There were dozens of mini golf courses - it is a thing in Myrtle Beach I guess (see pictures below)! We played an exciting round at the Peter Pan-themed mini golf in South Myrtle Beach before a seaside dinner and stroll on the beach. There are MILES of broad beaches in Myrtle Beach (and all along the mid-Atlantic coast) but unlike Galveston, the ocean is rarely visible from the street because of all the huge condos and hotels built along the beaches. The beaches were level with the water and very clean and white, We still had to bundle up however because the temperatures were still in the 60s. Our travels were keeping us at the front edge of spring as we moved along! After enjoying a relaxing week-long visit, we were ready to continue our journey north toward New England. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/89d239ad-2f53-4fee-80db-e2aa97cf69da/PXL_20220320_125825848+%281%29.jpg South Carolina You can actually stay overnight in a Cracker Barrel Parking lot for free but it feels like you are homeless! (ha ha) Mary noticed the sweet smell of wisteria, which was growing on the slope above the retaining wall next to us! So not all bad ;-) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d303c0cd-ef52-4046-a1c7-945f4785923a/PXL_20220320_130006965.jpg South Carolina Had breakfast at the Cracker Barrel - their breakfast is a bit better than lunches. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/87a06817-bf66-4396-af50-3626ce5d532e/PXL_20220320_125942562.jpg South Carolina Harvey (our RV) can be seen in the background, behind the Cracker Barrel. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ef9ca0c6-0dc1-491a-9292-8a0f5802e1f3/PXL_20220320_130638135.jpg South Carolina Mike thinks this is the last time he is eating at Cracker Barrel...(never did master the peg puzzle on the table - the best we managed was 3 pegs left) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1651277531737-AP8OXWO7VKU71F0Y599Q/PXL_20220321_191941055.jpg South Carolina First time entering the beach area to see and feel the Atlantic Ocean! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/08314035-4b26-4e60-992d-124695bb131e/PXL_20220325_213126600.jpg South Carolina The Atlantic Ocean!! We've come a long way!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0da95b59-2b61-457a-9e75-9af185c09a27/PXL_20220321_200450721.jpg South Carolina Mike at Mega Tsunami beach wear store, typical of every mile of Myrtle Beach https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0d98db14-bb43-4e3c-976f-aefead05745c/PXL_20220321_181818544.jpg South Carolina fun photo op at Barefoot Landing shopping area https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/98f61dc2-93ca-4201-b95a-4aeabd07d3cb/PXL_20220321_181922337.jpg South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d2149964-2a1e-47a6-ad9d-7afcf3dcf7ce/PXL_20220321_180537002.jpg South Carolina Bocci court at the Crooked Hammock at Barefoot Landing- we played! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ad6f9465-8b89-4ff5-8d07-90f3ecdb2fd4/PXL_20220321_181727531.jpg South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4d489591-66d8-45cd-80aa-a4e74c9e8877/PXL_20220321_181421788.jpg South Carolina from Barefoot Landing, North Myrtle Beach https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e70f3338-6958-49c5-888b-3c7906ca78b8/PXL_20220321_181401600.jpg South Carolina extra large chess and checkers games on the grass...the checkers pieces were about a foot wide. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/12409158-8c2b-48d0-b264-f140fd9d5121/PXL_20220321_181407500.jpg South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/33676ae2-0f0a-40fb-a4d4-fd6860fa070e/PXL_20220321_192321764.jpg South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/77b889ea-3960-40f3-bc2a-ea1963677404/PXL_20220325_194349924.jpg South Carolina The mini golf courses were very complex and we wished we could have visited more of them. Myrtle Beach has 50 mini golf courses! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c668f262-c078-4f7f-8845-ba7bad01b130/PXL_20220325_192936676.jpg South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3a1a71b2-900f-4815-a3a5-7a66ff055226/PXL_20220325_192926628.jpg South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c5b858f6-c978-43ac-8c78-c031bf4303c7/PXL_20220325_194634785.jpg South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0854df76-0713-41cf-b0b0-c7d3f75df422/PXL_20220325_193026515.jpg South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c08e0b88-1817-485c-8045-fdd1376ca64e/PXL_20220325_193132241.jpg South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a263cc0e-e77d-491a-819f-6cf1d9be11f6/PXL_20220325_193247540.jpg South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d9c803b3-8860-4318-9d1b-399b8abefc81/PXL_20220325_201328705.jpg South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/99ca3da7-9a47-4344-9a78-97144c3b1f35/PXL_20220325_201339590.jpg South Carolina good seafood dinner with a view of the Atlantic, at the Sea Captain's House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8c69970f-28be-4024-9278-4419973d753d/PXL_20220325_212450762.jpg South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/226c3b16-619a-4392-81ef-3ffbc72711ce/PXL_20220325_213320166.jpg South Carolina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/09987cac-08e1-471e-b23c-53a752e52ffc/PXL_20220327_143906235.jpg South Carolina one of the many elaborate miniature golf courses https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/bed8fd34-a4c2-4667-ac33-c8b650e0891a/PXL_20220327_144031154.jpg South Carolina another staple of Myrtle Beach: SUGAR! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b42ee142-4a9c-4a30-a8bc-9d1d3c663927/PXL_20220326_162726110.jpg South Carolina sometimes the rv spaces where we camp require us to park sideways - it can be tight. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d305d751-f04f-4b74-81b1-1446d3818884/PXL_20220326_162547342.jpg South Carolina https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/ojai-ca daily 0.75 2022-04-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/405c69f1-b333-4e62-9998-5dad66c10b0b/PXL_20220107_230219131.jpg Ojai, CA Camp Comfort - Ojai, CA | 1/6/22 - 1/10/22 After Pismo Beach we ventured inland to Camp Comfort and the artist community of Ojai, CA. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d57652d5-c053-4bf5-8c54-93116b134cd9/PXL_20220107_223557489.jpg Ojai, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/91de0a36-488b-42e7-b541-77eac64f6583/PXL_20220109_221245799.jpg Ojai, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/454360b9-ae3b-4851-94e7-83a17cdeb599/PXL_20220107_202450188%281%29.jpg Ojai, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/968ce6b1-e99a-40bb-a08a-f760161138e9/4036.jpg Ojai, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e2a56186-a58c-4c05-8567-85724e832768/comfort-park-sign.jpg Ojai, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d78f924c-cfed-4fd1-b2b5-24b72325623e/PXL_20220109_222116617.jpg Ojai, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4a6365ef-34c7-4b2b-893f-61144bf71efb/PXL_20220107_214136059.jpg Ojai, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c24fe956-cb5b-44f7-a082-4b7689033e13/PXL_20220107_223911963.jpg Ojai, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fee7ffe3-d3da-4c39-af56-3fbd36df964f/PXL_20220109_221015800.jpg Ojai, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c1a9238f-b15a-4707-8d35-3ca6f39170f6/PXL_20220109_221142745.jpg Ojai, CA https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/north-carolina-to-new-york daily 0.75 2022-05-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/70714a7b-d865-4604-83ff-b29d2e0ebc1e/PXL_20220330_184552308.jpg North Carolina & Virginia North Carolina and Virginia | 3/27/22 - 4/1/22 After our stay in Myrtle Beach we wanted to get up to Connecticut asap to look at real estate there. Our experiences so far, combined with internet research on various data points including cost of living, climate, landscape, architectural styles, politics, and social/cultural amenities, continually directs to Connecticut as a good place for us. With spring emerging, and realizing that we only had a few months before we need to head back west for Sam’s wedding (!), we felt an urgency to fast-forward through the Mid-Atlantic and get up into New England to have time to really explore and get a feel for the area. Plus, travelling around in a RV isn’t free! So we planned short stays in Roanoke Rapids, NC - Winchester. VA - East Stroudsburg, PA and Accord, NY. We stayed 2 nights at The RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads in Roanoke Rapids, NC first, 3/27 - 3/29/2022. It was a no-frills park that catered to large RVs with its wide, clear driveways and easy pull-thru sites. It was a good choice for the short stay there, although there was not much to do in the area. We did go to a Logan’s Roadhouse which had really good food and huge portions. Our waiter asked if we wanted more rolls for our doggie bag, and did we want to take our (recently refilled) beverages. Had we known he’d send us a full basket fresh rolls and 2 new cups of sodas, we could have ordered differently - I think we got two full meals with the leftovers! After North Carolina we entered Virginia - which was the moment we felt the New England charm take over. As we traveled to our next campsite, Candy Hill Campground in Winchester VA, we saw beautiful farms and ranches, as well as several interesting steel bridge structures and overcrossings, along the highway. Virginia has preserved much of the colonial architecture from the 1700s and 1800s so 200+ year old buildings are very commonplace. On our free day we explored the town of Winchester, which has great civil war history and a nice walkable downtown. We ate at a tiny vintage diner and drove around the area. We were scheduled for 2 nights at Candy Hill, but the weather on the 3rd day was forecast to be stormy with possible lightening and very high winds - not great for driving a big metal bus down the highway! - so we asked for an extra night. They had someone else coming in to the spot we were in, so we had to pack up and move across the campground to another spot. We took the short move as an opportunity to get the RV propane filled up at the park office so we wouldn’t have to do that on our travel day. Our added day at Candy Hill was stormy with hail, but produced a magnificent full rainbow, and the sun breaking through lit up the blooming forsythia just like a pot of gold. 3/29 - 4/1/22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4d84b3d9-2e00-49e4-97c9-7e3edd252cc4/NC+sign.jpg North Carolina & Virginia from SC into NC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2648497e-c117-4e9e-8c79-8b26515d66c2/PXL_20220329_144254690.jpg North Carolina & Virginia North Carolina has some nice freeway landscaping https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7787bca7-6366-49ed-9eaf-348a5a4a3849/PXL_20220329_164643177.jpg North Carolina & Virginia the white trunks of the birch trees stood stark against the evergreens, and reminded me of charcoal and pencil drawings from my college days (this is not a drawing) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2aa6e135-3995-4547-90d9-08dd3852621e/PXL_20220328_155330777.jpg North Carolina & Virginia RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads, NC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fb7c0526-5af4-43d7-b9ee-b2b16632b78f/PXL_20220328_155222280.jpg North Carolina & Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9c33a467-67fc-4108-9fc9-766151af5ff9/PXL_20220329_172029244.jpg North Carolina & Virginia Mike assures me that the company knows it's not "yellow" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/db860212-db3b-4bf3-b339-37f4de7f1d35/original_89155351-9113-4510-af31-34d63e3b35be_PXL_20220329_144538973.jpg North Carolina & Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/504450f8-5d05-482e-bb59-30f131cd0735/PXL_20220329_153047284.jpg North Carolina & Virginia reminder that we are still in the South https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4724efdc-d478-46a0-a296-9c2983d9c3e1/PXL_20220329_154215993.jpg North Carolina & Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/67d088b5-a5b2-4788-87da-6dbb1533e30e/PXL_20220329_155535580.jpg North Carolina & Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f9945340-071b-4e82-bb6c-f9ba89a0ebad/PXL_20220329_161731351.jpg North Carolina & Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1652122886643-CCY5XG5KH92Q2DGP2CAY/PXL_20220329_162215270.jpg North Carolina & Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8f208675-90ec-4756-b47e-418cb5690fd1/PXL_20220329_161437612.jpg North Carolina & Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/96d5adaa-0f40-4698-99c7-e295efff9aa8/PXL_20220329_181259140.jpg North Carolina & Virginia forsythia seems to be the first to bloom https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c7b04f35-8f99-4ef6-9c9e-0a7bf8d65cc7/PXL_20220329_180612145.jpg North Carolina & Virginia yellow daffodils are the icon of spring up here! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1652148728142-YCHWO2X843HG7JK9GNGP/PXL_20220329_171018685%25281%2529.jpg North Carolina & Virginia The Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg VA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4581b5ee-bdbe-47c6-b690-9f5294daf04e/PXL_20220329_173728683.jpg North Carolina & Virginia almost immediately upon turning inland from Fredericksburg the landscape changed from coastal cypress and pine forest to rolling hills and farmland. Mike and "the guys" were very happy! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6726d50f-dff3-466f-9b9f-c374590542a6/PXL_20220401_151430706.jpg North Carolina & Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7d74b904-ca28-40e2-8699-3423265d17ae/PXL_20220329_180124437.jpg North Carolina & Virginia Spring in Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3110ed23-9712-4ae3-979e-cacfa277e639/PXL_20220329_180650572.jpg North Carolina & Virginia The lovely rolling hills of Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f3a50692-3733-4a69-87d7-b5fd0f4f489e/PXL_20220330_165502640+%281%29.jpg North Carolina & Virginia a stately home in Winchester VA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ba45b92e-7553-47b3-9a81-e665c48856cb/PXL_20220328_122741148.jpg North Carolina & Virginia sometimes the cats sit with their front legs just hanging https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c3e12233-220c-41ae-8333-19a717ffe7c1/PXL_20220329_190654403.jpg North Carolina & Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/58adac8e-ff41-4b0d-9a90-144f4eb44048/PXL_20220329_190740800.jpg North Carolina & Virginia Candy Hill campground in Winchester, VA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1651950840808-G8WD4SNRWKLVP1ZLXRPI/PXL_20220330_221127865.jpg North Carolina & Virginia We've never seen these before!....This is a robot that traverses the supermarket floor and scans for spills. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7f670050-aab6-44e6-9ef4-eb1727f26866/PXL_20220329_202641530.jpg North Carolina & Virginia Candy Hill is a place RVers can stay to go to the SHENANDOAH APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/76eb6962-80e0-4ec8-9307-22ce3cbd3672/PXL_20220331_131557085.jpg North Carolina & Virginia saw my first Cardinal in person! weird to see an all red animal! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/54d4c907-9fd4-4843-83b0-9dc169b69ef1/PXL_20220330_174052183+%281%29.jpg North Carolina & Virginia The Amherst Diner felt like we were walking into the 1950s or 60s. The food was pretty good . It was so small! maybe 5 tables and the counter seating. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1e4d3550-0e42-4321-a298-0129a844397d/PXL_20220330_170841944.jpg North Carolina & Virginia the Amherst Diner decor... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7e162591-8651-4d14-a402-342eb79a13ae/PXL_20220330_170838534.jpg North Carolina & Virginia you could hear every conversation! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b30df1b7-e7e9-4845-a73a-7b8110be6dc3/PXL_20220330_175856535.jpg North Carolina & Virginia downtown Winchester VA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f12a94a0-d9be-44c2-80a5-afdf45645e8d/PXL_20220330_184700707.jpg North Carolina & Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0bcbc1b7-2ca4-4c1f-9e06-8931b32dc9a5/PXL_20220330_184756431.jpg North Carolina & Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1652148601609-2VAPQR19XS1UNSVWGWV3/PXL_20220330_180942823.jpg North Carolina & Virginia https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8d91b9b1-4d84-4533-9706-cce953728749/PXL_20220330_184403503.jpg North Carolina & Virginia cozy coffee shop corner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e5610669-92b7-49fd-a7b9-749e6c224c18/PXL_20220330_182444823.jpg North Carolina & Virginia We found a new way to drink espresso....with ice cream! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b6ffc80a-9402-4a8c-8812-1bd39102d68e/PXL_20220330_184413714.jpg North Carolina & Virginia Old Town Winchester https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/045e1953-fbef-4e75-a33a-b766f82d444a/PXL_20220330_200738688.jpg North Carolina & Virginia many homes in Winchester VA have these stone walls with pointed rocks as their top cap - why? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/944dbe0a-a873-4eb5-88f5-8e1e502ffd70/PXL_20220329_130719864.jpg North Carolina & Virginia Carmine helping pack up on move day https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1651950992167-R171KL4KRFYSDTQMDA3A/PXL_20220331_224042299.jpg North Carolina & Virginia gorgeous rainbow on our final (added) day in Virginia https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/pennsyvania-to-new-york daily 0.75 2022-05-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/37a18c2f-6ace-4e27-8755-b736fe6e3f42/PXL_20220404_192209098.jpg Pennsylvania & New York Pennsylvania to New York | 4/1/22 - 4/8/22 Our next 2 stops after Virginia were both Thousand Trails parks. From Winchester VA it was off to Timothy Lake Campground South in Pennsylvania, by way of a 5-mile jaunt through West Virginia and another 45 minutes through Maryland before crossing the border into Pennsylvania. We had never realized that these states overlap in this area the way they do! Timothy Lake Campground is located in the Poconos area of Pennsylvania. It was our least favorite stop on this leg to Connecticut., but we stayed at no cost for 3 nights, 4/1 - 4/4/22. As seems to be typical of TT campgrounds (versus RV parks), it was a tired facility and the grounds were not maintained very well. Even the Pocono area along the Delaware River seemed dated. But it was not yet the summer season so maybe a different time of year it could have been better. Things were just beginning to open up for the season so hikes, for example, were still closed due to weather. (we got a hailstorm not long after we set up camp). Fun fact, many of the waterfalls and hikes in the area are privately owned, not state parks. From 4/4-4/8/22 we stayed at Rondout Valley Campground and Resort in Accord NY, which is another Thousand Trails Park. Roundout Valley Resort is situated at the union of Mill Brook and Rochester Creek, which was a lovely setting for camping, and we scored a campsite right along Mill Brook. From the campground we could easily venture out to the nearby Catskills area and explore the countryside and villages near the Hudson River. We loved the old stone buildings and New England architecture, the string of villages with Ma & Pop businesses, small farms, etc. We particularly liked the towns of Stone Ridge and New Paltz. But because of the rivers and the mountainous topography it seemed that everything is situated along a busy 2-lane highway, and all the traffic was funneled onto the same roads. Our stay at Rondout began with a lovely sunny day, and we set out the lawn chairs by the brook, and Carmine asked to be let outside. So we set up the crate near the water and let Carmie have some time on leash in the mossy grass, then into the kennel to lounge in the sun. Day 2 we set out exploring the area to the north toward Kingston NY. The next day it began to rain. As we always do prior to travel day, we checked the weather forecasts and began planning our route in the RV. The forecast for our last day in NY was for the rain to continue all day and all night without a break. By noon we could see a noticeable rise in the brook just 10 feet from our rig. With a slight let-up in the rain, Mike decided to disconnect all the hoses and stow them away, to allow a quick get-away if needed, and since the next morning was our scheduled travel day anyway. Mary began casually cleaning and stowing for travel day. By 5pm it was clear the brook had risen quite a lot in the 12 hours of continuous rain, and we were expecting at least another 12 hours of rain. Mary called the campground after-hours host to ask whether they were expecting flooding and what action was being advised. He assured her that the brook was not going to overflow, and that it would have to rain a lot more for that to happen. “If it gets too high, I’ll be knocking on your door - don’t worry!” Mike was unconvinced. We discussed leaving the campground immediately and asking the Connecticut campground if we could come in early, but that would mean driving the rig in this rain, and if our brook was high it was likely that others might be also - we wouldn’t want to be stranded on the road in the RV with flooding rising! The bank of the brook across from our campsite was slightly lower than our side, so Mary figured the flooding would go that way before breaching on our side - maybe the camp manager knew what he was talking about. We walked to the campground bridge which was the only way out. The water was about 3 feet below the underside of the bridge. By 7pm, as dark was nearing, we decided to pull out of our site and drive across the bridge up to higher ground near the camp entrance - better safe than sorry, and better in the light than in the middle of the night. We found a fairly level spot to park the RV along the main road in the staging area, telling ourselves that if the campground didn’t like it we would be leaving first thing in the morning anyway. We parked so as to allow other rigs to get around us into the staging area if/when they needed to. We put out the slides and turned on the generator. Within an hour or so, the large trailer that had been our neighbor was pulling up across from us. They parked on a steep hill, and we were glad we had been the first out to get the best spot. And still the rain continued. Although we were quite concerned about the water level, Mike needed to sleep so that he could drive the next day. Mary stayed up and kept vigil through the night and Mike did his best to get some rest. Another hour or 2 later our other neighbor was across the bridge looking for a place to park. Mary showed them that on the other side of us was quite a lot of room in the staging area, so they moved in just beside us. These folks were from Louisiana and had lived through Hurricane Ida. They were very stressed about the rising water. By 1am the camp manager was driving around, back and forth. Mary walked out to the bridge and sure enough, the sweet little brook was now raging and roiling, just below the underside of the bridge. In the light of the flashlight she could see that the road leading to the bridge was flooded across. folks were wading through, making trips back to their campsites to retrieve more items, in the rain in the dead of night. One by one, other rigs came across, through the flooded driveway, and the camp manager was lining them up in single file along the circle drive up the hill behind the staging area. Those folks were parked on all kinds of slopes. We were SO GLAD we didn’t wait until the middle of the night to move!! By 4 am a couple of backhoes and trucks with trailers were moving around in the campground. The rain had all but stopped, but the waters continued to rise for at least a couple of hours. Mary went to bed for a few of hours and Mike was up at 6 and got some photos in the morning light - most of the section we had been camped in was flooded with rushing muddy water. When we did set out on our move to Connecticut, we learned that some of the roads to the south of us were flooded, so we took a route to the north, up to Kingston, and then back down I-85 to cross the Hudson River at Newburgh. After nearly 5000 miles of traveling, this was our first (and hopefully only!) real safety issue. We called ahead to be sure that Branch Brook campground was not flooded, and they were not. Thankfully, the move was a short one - only 133 miles even with the flood detour- and the sun was out again, so we were able to be leisurely about the schedule. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/75915c3e-f4dc-4086-983d-2025b9b41113/PXL_20220401_140233289.jpg Pennsylvania & New York The ubiquitous sign found across the US https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7073dfde-5e2d-40df-8025-bc06b430c233/WV+sign.jpg Pennsylvania & New York a brief jaunt through WV... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1652648440877-Q7IKBALQIDGT2QIJM7FE/MD%2Bsign.jpg Pennsylvania & New York ...and MD... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/05648da2-40c6-4265-ba2a-c2521e3ab87c/original_fcd8f50e-458c-4d29-b050-0f7163072435_PXL_20220401_143947347.jpg Pennsylvania & New York ...and into PA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/43fce3a9-467e-4978-b882-865348bf3341/4statesmapcrop.jpg Pennsylvania & New York We hadn't realized that MD and WV overlap between VA and PA the way they do! Our route is the white line. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8dadf6b6-2ac5-47c2-b8a7-ee2cfaf29af3/original_5f8b464e-eba4-43aa-9b28-1f01b57699b5_PXL_20220401_150505385.jpg Pennsylvania & New York A full size truck and trailer was used to make this sign! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3b70e070-dd67-493f-a2a6-96470224a4e8/PXL_20220404_160810802.jpg Pennsylvania & New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b858c869-475c-4bb2-a343-50587c496322/PXL_20220404_160620749.jpg Pennsylvania & New York so close to the New Jersey border, but we did not actually enter NJ https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1652646106105-SHYWRTEHQ1BEQ3ESZBHO/PXL_20220401_184213360.jpg Pennsylvania & New York huge golden Buddha near Timothy Lake Campground in Pennsylvania https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/66bc3e4e-4911-4c43-b9a1-45676a46504c/PXL_20220402_173303040.jpg Pennsylvania & New York it was chilly at Timothy Lake Campground https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1db9154e-be5e-48b9-be54-d807c1838278/PXL_20220401_213547368.jpg Pennsylvania & New York not many folks at Timothy Lake Campground, PA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/64051b3c-cac1-4eaa-9c22-7434e42e1bb6/PXL_20220401_213755053.jpg Pennsylvania & New York Hail! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5aefc112-85df-461c-8140-605a0199ae9d/PXL_20220405_193244982.jpg Pennsylvania & New York This was a Chase Bank! It was designed to blend in with the older buildings in town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3118b6ef-f613-4a5b-9979-eeb216fbbf85/PXL_20220403_140528914.jpg Pennsylvania & New York ok, maybe "helping" to pack on travel day is a miscategorization... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/23a91b04-68a0-4082-8e04-010a1fa350bb/PXL_20220405_195807222.jpg Pennsylvania & New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c4788db2-8bef-4a81-b3e7-6f7fe41f50f1/PXL_20220404_162141222.jpg Pennsylvania & New York The Delaware River at the PA-NY border https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1651951133371-Z3ITHYLSYHG78W1FXBBV/original_e59ed5ac-6639-4394-9240-f40846fe3c53_PXL_20220404_162242469.jpg Pennsylvania & New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/db9c8eb3-9f5d-4822-abe1-e091860fb875/PXL_20220404_162237169.jpg Pennsylvania & New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4350dad5-e64f-4e09-83e2-6e4f9b55875b/PXL_20220404_172602462.jpg Pennsylvania & New York Cemeteries are EVERYWHERE in New England. Many more generations to be buried than in the West. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f013ca20-d329-459d-9b51-fa3d479b4e7d/PXL_20220404_173448692.jpg Pennsylvania & New York Remember Gulf gas stations from the 1970's? It's still common in New England https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ed99ec4b-2152-40be-a724-9fc6d861bad0/gnome.jpg Pennsylvania & New York just outside Accord NY is Gnome Chompsky, the world's largest garden gnome, at Kelder's Farm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1654009430129-2S4IEZ4WJJJ79GGL6746/PXL_20220404_174008100.jpg Pennsylvania & New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ec0f58bc-337c-4781-80a5-7d5f51101228/PXL_20220404_192121847.jpg Pennsylvania & New York our campsite at Rondout backed up to the sweet Mill Brook. We welcomed the sunshine after the freezing hail we had in PA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d521a4b4-d9b7-414b-9080-570b45c0ee60/PXL_20220404_192209098.jpg Pennsylvania & New York Carmine got do to a little exploring outside in the sunshine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3d76b829-f088-420e-8b59-0759a991bd3f/PXL_20220405_155838166.jpg Pennsylvania & New York we loved the stone homes in the Stone Ridge and Marbletown area of NY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ebba2eba-f552-4183-a083-1e197b520365/PXL_20220405_193335064.jpg Pennsylvania & New York The college town of New Paltz, NY reminded us a bit of Nevada City, CA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3f50aba0-940a-4056-8706-52e650292358/PXL_20220405_192557440.jpg Pennsylvania & New York New Paltz NY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/07fd536e-aa51-48f2-b98a-4ab62e9103a3/PXL_20220405_191113897.jpg Pennsylvania & New York New Paltz https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/244c8bb3-7d88-40e7-8535-dbb55bf6078a/PXL_20220405_193954701.jpg Pennsylvania & New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0fb3248c-51c9-4eba-8dee-f0294c0a3af6/PXL_20220405_191047947.jpg Pennsylvania & New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8a1f36b8-74af-408c-af7c-dbd8e2b91011/PXL_20220405_192727763.jpg Pennsylvania & New York This must be the world's smallest convenience store, about 20' x 30' total. They had a little bit of everything, including a well-stocked deli and meat market in the back (the coolers on the left had large cuts of meat) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f9e80cf5-8be5-42b5-adbf-ca2737f67e51/PXL_20220405_180728746.png Pennsylvania & New York Mary's aunt Vonnie's clan live here at the Bruderhof community of Woodcrest, which is now in the Rifton area of NY. we just happened to pass by it during our explorations https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/52c946bf-3751-4b78-b640-b35ea8563fb9/PXL_20220404_201512437.jpg Pennsylvania & New York the creek before the flood...Mary looks nervous! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3d826977-802c-4e59-83e3-1697a55e8a62/PXL_20220404_201457925+%281%29.jpg Pennsylvania & New York the calm little creek....before the storm! (note the surface hose in front of Mike's feet, for reference in later photos) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5d155c50-5bea-43b4-a08d-9ff54e1a2369/PXL_20220408_123706538.jpg Pennsylvania & New York The creek at Rondout RV Resort in Accord, NY overflowed during our stay due to heavy rains https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f4db6710-4851-420c-a5fd-bac498bd1eef/PXL_20220408_124106545.jpg Pennsylvania & New York The height of the flood occurred during the wee hours of the night, and had already receded at least a foot by the time there was enough light for photos. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/75d6cb8f-e572-45c8-95c3-2c8953936330/PXL_20220408_103511630.jpg Pennsylvania & New York we narrowly missed being under ankle deep water at our campsite. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1ea03e1b-d67f-4d32-9f24-636bab91410f/PXL_20220408_123841745.jpg Pennsylvania & New York In this picture from the bridge the creek is to the right and the campsites are on the left - pretty severe flooding! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1654010410821-6G1FRUN6JVW24NIDHL1K/PXL_20220408_123954657.jpg Pennsylvania & New York if you can zoom in you might see the other creek in the center background roiling up in a wave/rapid a couple feet high (on either side or the power pole)! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/38f3f5ea-b82c-4c37-b984-6962379a5e36/PXL_20220408_103254944.jpg Pennsylvania & New York https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/073fb040-9366-4bac-bd8f-9cc3e3011dba/PXL_20220408_124258140.jpg Pennsylvania & New York our campsite the morning after the storm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1651278253230-B3A43T4GDTYRWT3GYHV6/PXL_20220408_151832793.jpg Pennsylvania & New York This was our first toll station on a New York Turnpike - its all automated now, they send you a bill in the mail. (too bad we don't have a mailbox! haha) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0bebc260-ce52-4302-b7e8-f17e6adabf58/PXL_20220408_124504516.jpg Pennsylvania & New York refuge on higher ground - note the other rigs lined up to the right of us - so glad we snagged the first spot and had an easy exit in the morning! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/73e6b408-201c-48ef-bf4b-1fe11b302594/PXL_20220408_152311901.jpg Pennsylvania & New York Crossing the Hudson River https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/13ba2e2e-ae2c-4c33-8ed6-3b0a804b27e7/PXL_20220408_152305696.jpg Pennsylvania & New York Hudson River https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c85c6afa-7fe3-426c-8952-1b643eaae768/PXL_20220408_152329360.jpg Pennsylvania & New York Mary likes bridges :-) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c86d3702-27af-44e8-a6fa-8277f4c0e403/PXL_20220408_152359961.jpg Pennsylvania & New York the Hudson https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6513c7b3-9917-44af-b397-7401474bf3c4/PXL_20220404_164626158.jpg Pennsylvania & New York Ran into heavy traffic in NY east of the Hudson heading toward CT. Reminder that we are close to the higher population density of NYC https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5c4f7a79-9644-483a-9078-729cdef88b2f/PXL_20220408_154159657.jpg Pennsylvania & New York heading east toward CT, the views opened up quite a bit https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/connecticut-part-1 daily 0.75 2022-07-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/86856996-74c7-41e3-9c98-c60197df1b48/PXL_20220430_185333186.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Connecticut stay #1: Branch Brook Campground | 4/8/22 - 6/1/22 We entered Connecticut and made our way to Branch Brook Campground in Thomaston. We were given a spot right across the drive from the large pond area of Branch Brook, and we had a full view of the pond through our front window. We arrived the day after a big rain storm and the water was pretty high in the brook, but not threatening to flood. A pair of geese live at the campground and spent most of each day there at the pond. Each evening they did a low fly-over through the park and across the adjacent woods, honking. What goes through the minds of a pair of geese? We noted they were not unlike us, spending every minute of every day together, hanging out, doing the routines of life. We had decided to stay at least 2 weeks in Connecticut to give us time to explore the state and the housing market. We had in mind that we might stay all summer. We narrowed down our choices to 2 campgrounds: Branch Brook in Thomaston and Grandview in Moodus. Grandview doesn’t open for the season until April 15, while Branch Brook opens on April 1, so we booked a site at Branch Brook for 2 weeks. When we arrived in early April, nearly all of the trees were still bare. We were able to see through the woods and get a feel for what is beyond the roadside. This also allowed the sunshine to warm the rig, as it was still pretty chilly overnight. We drove out to explore several times a week, and as we did we noticed that each day there was a little more green on the trees. Connecticut is a small state so from Thomaston we could get out to any part of the state within an hour and a half. In California terms, at only 70 miles tall by 110 miles wide Connecticut is like a swath from Sacramento to Modesto, from the coast to the Sierra foothills! The reason we even began looking into Connecticut as a potential place to resettle was that Essex CT appeared on several of the online lists of Best Villages in the US. Then as we checked all our other criteria, CT began to rise to the top of the list. The southern edge of the state borders Long Island Sound and is sheltered somewhat from the Atlantic storms by Long Island, which parallels the CT shore (that’s the term they use out here for “coast”). This coastal exposure tempers the climate quite a bit from what most of us Westerners think of as New England, and we are both drawn to the quaint coastal seaports. There are 3 main river inlets along the CT shore: the Quinnipiac River/New Haven; the Connecticut River/Essex; and the Thames River/Norwich. The Connecticut river comes right down the middle of the state, originating all the way up at the Canadian border in the northeast corner of New Hampshire. It constitutes much of the border between NH and Vermont. Our first 2 weeks in Connecticut were like scouting trips - quick passes through each area to get an overview and see where we’d want to spend more time visiting. We used real estate listings to help direct our routes. This had the benefit of getting us off the main freeways and onto the minor highways and roads, through the more rural areas and towns. Just about everywhere we went we were oohing and aahing over the scenic settings, the historic architecture, the old stone walls and rolling hills, and the WATER! Even with all the trees bare - and there are trees everywhere in CT - we still had the feeling of greenery and lushness. We appreciated that what we most often encountered were small towns/villages with all the necessary businesses and eateries in converted houses or new construction built in the historic vernacular. Only in the larger burgs do you get the huge parking lots in front of strip malls and big box stores - but those are always within an half hour drive when those services are needed. It took us a while to understand that Connecticut Towns flow one into the other, just like Counties do in CA. A Town may consist of other Villages, for example UCONN (University of Connecticut) is located in Storrs which is a village within the Town of Mansfield, but there is no land that is only County and not within a Town jurisdiction. This may conjure up the image of a typical California metropolis - towns merging together, but the difference in New England is that the average residential lot size is .75 acres (versus .14 ac in the West and .25 ac in the South), and most of the land is wooded and feels like nature, rather than like development. We love that each town supports its own local businesses and small farms. It feels that life here is about Living rather than about Consuming; about Nature rather than Development. Preferring that is probably blasphemy coming from an Architect!! (disclaimer: our impressions may be skewed somewhat by the fact that we are living in campgrounds and not going out to a job every day) I would have expected that, having 200 years more of western civilization than the West, the East would be more over-developed and exploited, but we are feeling just the opposite. Perhaps it’s 200 years more time for nature to fill back in? For sure the ample water plays a big part - the undergrowth fills in very quickly in the spring. If you look away it might take over your property! We spent most of April and into May driving around Connecticut and looking at houses for sale. The more we looked, the more we were sure we didn’t need to go to other states to find our next home. There were hundreds of nice homes in our search parameters of price, lot size, and home size. And we found places we loved all over the state - we were not limited to a certain area. We met a realtor at an open house, and when we found a property we wanted to see we called her to show it to us. The first place we fell in love with we dubbed the “serenity house” in Mansfield. It sat on 6.8 gently sloping wooded acres with a pond, and was a modest original-owner mid-century ranch house with finished basement. Only a kitchen remodel and cosmetic upgrades would be needed to make it perfect. Everything about it was serene. The house had wonderful picture windows looking out over the property and down to the pond, and an open floor plan and 5 bedrooms meant there was plenty of space for family & friends to visit. However, we had not yet met with a lender, and once we did we learned that without a current income flow we were limited to all-cash offers. Unfortunately this house was clearly going to go for more than we were willing to do in cash, and it ended up selling for $40K over asking. It did help us focus our search for a bit of property with that wow-factor that made us fall in love with CT: natural landscape, old stone walls, in or near a thriving town; a house with character but not too much of a project. The next house we loved was in Glastonbury, not far from Mansfield. It was an antique Cape Cod style house originally built in 1760 (classic CT house), which had been renovated by a contractor in the 1960s. It was a little small but had great charm and wonderful attention to detail. The 2 acre property included a huge barn also from the 1700’s and the surrounding neighborhood was just gorgeous. We put in an offer with escalation up to our cash max comfort, and were told there was another offer almost identical to ours, so they asked us both to resubmit our “highest and best” offer. We went back for a second look to help fine-tune our counter offer, and we decided that the location on a busy corner was just too noisy, and the neighboring high-end residence construction included drainage mitigation that made us a bit uncomfortable, and so we withdrew our offer. The housing market in Connecticut is HOT. The good houses are in contract within a week, and go for well over ask. Next we found a wonderful original-owner ranch house on 2.35 acres in Tolland (another village east of Hartford) which had a 3-level barn and wonderful natural grounds. (gentle wooded slopes, natural granite outcroppings, plus nice stacked stone retaining walls and terraces near the house, and even an old apple orchard and berry bushes). We again submitted our cash offer with escalation to our max (above asking), but were told there was a higher offer more in line with the price the seller was really wanting. In the end we were fine with that because this property was also on a fairly busy corner and the adjacent property was zoned commercial, which were issues of some concern for us. That house recently closed at $20K over our max offer. We decided to slow down, narrow our search, and focus on properties that would really work for us (just say no to busy corners!). We figured we had all summer to find that perfect home. We extended our stay at Branch Brook, but also wanted to get down to Grandview Campground closer to the shore. Grandview was fully booked for the Memorial Day weekend, so we paid for a spot for the month of June, and extended Branch Brook thru June 1. The original site we were given at Branch Brook was already reserved for the summer season beginning May 1, so we had to move to a different spot in the park, away from the brook but in a lovely shaded spot. We soon found, however, that looking at properties on Zillow can be addicting (!) and each week there was a new inventory of homes on the market. After touring several homes that were wrong for one reason or another, we decided to drive by properties first before bringing in the realtor, and we used open houses as a framework for our drives. Our original “sweet spot” had been the triangle between the Quinnipiac River/New Haven and the Thames River/Norwich, from the shore up to about Middletown. Mike dubbed it the Golden Triangle, bordered by highway I-91 to the west, CT-2 to the east, and the shore along the southern edge. We chose this area for the moderate coastal climate and multitude of scenic riverside villages, but we found that we could get more for our money up higher in the state and that some of those areas still had a more moderate climate than Massachusetts, so we kept our options open. We saw a few homes in the Simsbury/Avon area which is west of Hartford, and we really loved that area. By early May, Mother’s Day to be exact, we found ourselves at an open house in Unionville, a village of Farmington (which neighbors Avon). This home is on a couple of acres on a private drive serving just 5 homes. We pulled of the road onto the driveway and felt we had entered a park. The ranch house/cape has a lovely open yard with natural woodlands around the perimeter, giving it a feeling of privacy yet having neighbors close by. The living room captivated us with is huge picture windows on both walls looking over the parklike property. The partially finished basement and attic provide extra living space that is not reflected in the reported square-footage, and so the house is simple and well-sized for the 2 of us, yet able to accommodate guests within the home and the property. The detached garage has a full unfinished room above with ground-level access (the garage is set into the hillside) which lends itself to a project room/studio and additional guest spaces. The house needs some upgrades we can manage but is also move-in ready. Farmington is outside of Hartford, so has easy access to ample job opportunities, the airport, and any major shopping we might need, yet retains its village feel. There are several state parks and walking trails nearby, and the Farmington River is natural and lovely. We decided to put in an offer that day. After a couple of days we got a call saying that there had been “a bunch” of offers on the home, and one was well above our max, but the seller decided to go with our all-cash offer! They asked for a closing at the end of July because their daughter was going off to college out of state and they were moving there also. We already had reserved our camping site through July so that was acceptable to us. We went through our inspections and negotiations, and we are buying a house in Connecticut!! Memorial Day weekend (which is also our anniversary) was fully packed at Branch Brook. Our new site was right across from the pavilion and pool, and someone had booked the pavilion for a kids birthday party. There were at least 20 kids there, and all the family to go with! They had a roaring party all day and into the evening! That weekend was also the warmest we had experienced yet: forecast mid-90’s with high humidity. We were thankful that the RV has 2 AC units which work really well, and the tree-shaded spot we moved to helped greatly to keep the temp down in the rig. We planned activities in air conditioned businesses such as the movie theater, just in case the heat was unbearable in the RV. As it turned out, the temp only reached the high 80’s and though it was muggy it definitely was not that “step outside and instantly wet” humidity that we Westerners are always told about East Coast heat. So far, so good! On June 1 we packed up the rig, left Thomaston and drove the hour south and east to Grandview Camp for the month of June. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1654011086142-F8IGPI4530PY0VPKQ0J2/PXL_20220408_161401811.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b566caa1-59a4-48ec-a8a9-0e3d43653a09/PXL_20220518_151745357.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook We were able to extend our stay at Branch Brook Campground through the month of May but had to move to a different spot. Although we did not have the water views, we appreciated the filtered shade at this spot. The spring leaves are finally appearing! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/742788a0-8f19-4432-94d5-da536a1a7af9/PXL_20220408_163427099.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook our first glimpse of the iconic New England town of old Americana paintings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6d25ee9f-90ce-4194-bce3-53ef78cada43/PXL_20220517_194308634%281%29.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook the bank behind our 2nd campsite at Branch Brook helped maintain a sense of space and privacy from the upper campsites, even when the campground was filled, which was pretty much only on weekends https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/97091827-92da-4129-9c72-b4a286f48d25/PXL_20220408_164311387.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook near Middlebury CT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e2e1d542-a779-46cf-a96d-7875eab5d487/PXL_20220517_195326817.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook love the way the light filters through the leaves! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b3301202-f456-48fd-8457-a4baee5d72db/PXL_20220408_164924658.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook industrial-era town of Waterbury is near Thomaston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1d9adf40-223d-4fef-a451-9ee2fdf07dda/PXL_20220429_172324846.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook basking in the spring sunshine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/21a5d627-f674-43b1-8237-e72186e057c8/PXL_20220510_154600358.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook seen in Waterbury https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2423c307-4295-4838-81e7-2963e5a9bdb6/PXL_20220522_144329145.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook so much Green! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/50c9a429-9b38-4e5d-8743-bfd3b484545d/PXL_20220408_173739557.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/695f1efd-a267-4f02-98f9-4a4a82edce56/PXL_20220521_222519001.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/414e9bc5-cf1e-41ec-9957-7e2e822bcae0/PXL_20220409_182511985.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook also near Waterbury https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/38b001e5-cb48-4c5b-8825-1764c17e751e/PXL_20220521_222432483.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/eed477f2-f668-46b9-ba27-3d11a0166199/original_3bfeca60-3cea-4881-9148-c3aecd297f3f_PXL_20220410_011306622.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2c9ec3ef-1c05-43a8-b23c-e0ee17590557/PXL_20220521_184558543%281%29.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook by May the leaves have fully filled in on the Connecticut hillsides https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1657822884004-BED4H1F1IU69C45INN43/PXL_20220409_193140299.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook loving the lower gas prices here! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/48113092-67d2-4666-aaee-d179b67d35d8/PXL_20220511_194939827.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook our soon-to-be new home town! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2bed42d7-76dd-4496-a815-5acea4e91e06/PXL_20220511_193145341.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Blue Back Square in West Hartford is a nice shopping area with stores like West Elm, Crate & Barrel, and Cheesecake Factory. It's about 15-20 minutes from the Farmington house https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/61834837-29f7-43f5-8b72-aaf3abc437ca/original_ad87d620-e1d2-41d6-8374-4f93a7cbc2b7_PXL_20220702_162711130.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8e10b718-9a2d-46f3-af6f-13347e4745da/PXL_20220409_214500153.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook We booked this campsite across from the pond at Branch Brook for our first 2 weeks in CT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8c57500a-95ec-4d06-bd4a-900f02eb226d/10247.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook after attending our home inspection, we asked the seller for lunch ideas and he recommended Wood N Tap in Farmington, on the Farmington River. Our realtor joined us and we had an excellent lunch and enjoyed the vacation-style setting that will become our home neighborhood! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5938d9bb-a3cc-4b7f-a3f6-ac1e08577a95/PXL_20220409_214540654.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d0e2a049-f42c-4212-b411-51ecb4f367a1/10245.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Our realtor joined us at Wood N Tap and we had an excellent lunch and enjoyed the vacation-style setting that will become our home neighborhood! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/cc113a1c-8b07-4429-b6ad-c8b2353eec57/PXL_20220409_214635435.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/66b8a5d5-639f-4314-88b2-80e14a8534a8/PXL_20220529_195238035%281%29.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5a2d8406-ab2d-4bf5-b4a3-1a7151a848e4/PXL_20220409_214643306.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Branch Brook, early April https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/841d2060-635e-4dd9-9aa6-4043fd37b63a/PXL_20220529_195527393.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Nepaug Reservoir in Canton is a water supply, so there is no access to the water, but there is a trail around it and nice views at the dam https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/bfe12ece-70da-4614-901b-e508b24e978b/PXL_20220409_214706643.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook early April https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/869431bf-75c1-47e9-aeea-bdf554b76ca7/PXL_20220529_195523310.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d4b27523-3e69-4315-a59f-a14e94864e59/PXL_20220409_214732489.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook love the way the lawn is mossy and lime green https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/09f22c45-5fab-4d15-b269-6f329c6a9e3f/PXL_20220529_195225414.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d06cfb24-d60f-4a40-9b71-706e0437fc54/PXL_20220409_214808881.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook looking back at our campsite https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/734d842d-348a-4d77-8796-0e2ab78ab8ab/PXL_20220529_194156405.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a57c8f41-4630-4695-88d8-e2d253184389/PXL_20220411_221910243.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook one of the pair of resident geese at Branch Brook Campground https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/de7b02c5-8c05-4dbe-bfc8-d49f14d66286/PXL_20220529_202001784.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook an example of a local market with fresh produce and local foods and crafts inside, this one in Canton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2c0314b6-febe-4b3a-84f9-713d0d9fced2/PXL_20220524_133358139.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook this cat... https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9e0b3499-6563-4aa6-9e17-a355b7b09d9f/PXL_20220523_173743085.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Stone church dedicated in 1856, in Collinsville, Canton, CT. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a99697e8-acc9-4ee4-833b-fa95044f19c8/TownsbyCounty.png Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook this map illustrates how the Towns connect one to another, rather than being isolated areas within the county https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/bd4baa52-17b5-4663-bfb5-aa69392381ae/Collins-Mill-in-Collinsville-CT.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook This former axe factory building, located on the Farmington River, now houses antiques shops and many artisan workspaces and galleries. This photo is from the internet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1cb91f28-ca80-4afb-8a2a-6d40dc8aab67/CT+on+LA.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook found this illustration comparing the size of Connecticut to the Los Angeles area, with the coast lines aligned https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/802de4de-dcc0-428d-8354-8048f5590418/9287125725_ddc460d5cc_b.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook A beautiful photo from the internet of the Old Collins Company Axe Factory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d654248d-f5ae-4538-833a-1b6467ff55c6/PXL_20220420_224534220.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook while shopping in Waterbury near Thomaston, we wondered if this might be the Branch Brook pair of geese, warming up on the sunny asphalt? Funny sight either way! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7b9696cf-5870-465a-8a02-c3d63f1080c9/PXL_20220523_171711133.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook a funky find at Antiques on the Farmington, located in the Old Collins Axe Factory https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4164d54d-7519-454b-a76a-804dcd989cc4/PXL_20220409_200508699.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook crossing the Quinnipiac River at New Haven CT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5662aba9-1057-4b94-a328-9111880ee312/PXL_20220529_204856149.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook We came to Collinsville in the town of Canton to check out the large antiques store, and to our delight we also found a vibrant village with artist studios, antiques, eateries and boutiques sited in the beautiful historic buildings https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1654974335368-K775QX24VFNEKKS94J7E/PXL_20220409_195402744.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Granite Bay in Branford CT. This area is very upscale, there was no public parking, only private residences on narrow roads. We parked just long enough to get some photos, then moved on to find a public beach. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c0cc3af9-6099-49ee-92dd-55d8f3e959cc/PXL_20220529_210551368.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/932bc20a-8611-444f-9fef-8f6207e5b6ec/PXL_20220409_195422057.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Looking out toward Long Island Sound, the Yale Corinthian Yacht Club is on the right. Yale University is in New Haven CT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/df93f000-1103-4717-a9fe-3d1eac1d3793/PXL_20220529_210607048.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook cute little nook for the kiddos in front of Mamabear Organics https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5647d5b8-f305-45da-ac0b-c5a59cc25335/PXL_20220409_202921758.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Bradley Point Beach in West Haven https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c5eeef2f-1ac3-4498-ada1-584ef9921ad7/PXL_20220529_210502194.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook the name of this shop, "The Findery - gathered goods for life and home" sounds like something David Rose from the show Schitt's Creek would have come up with ;-) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/706a3d06-7412-49cd-bafa-b296ab8d66b3/PXL_20220409_202937156.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook We found a public beach with expansive views of Long Island Sound, across the inlet to the west in West Haven. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/01dd3250-4765-4130-bab8-ca6478c5888b/original_6ab3c67c-b544-4209-bdbc-3489db1ecc2f_PXL_20220529_210536094.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook this view down a side street/alley reveals the Canton Town Hall (brick building with the white pediment porch) - very out of the way! Maybe this helps illustrate what small towns these villages are https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ecf42a09-9b8a-4519-ae80-7815c65dabc5/PXL_20220409_203400256.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook a view of Sea Bluff Beach, West Haven https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4cf7849c-df5e-4acb-89ad-16fcb9be3b32/PXL_20220529_210706248%281%29.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook this building has been converted to condos. It sits across the street from the town green and just down the block from the boutique shops and galleries https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4f7c933e-89f8-44f4-b879-5873df6140fc/PXL_20220409_203803728.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook The weather in CT is changeable. Our short time at Bradley Point started out overcast and gray.. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/741c2c00-2952-4d24-8d3a-ca6a2285cd2b/PXL_20220512_222803366.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Mr. Cool for the glamour shot https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a6e52ca8-31de-48e3-91c6-4b8a47867e39/PXL_20220409_204032652.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/10a8739d-8895-4aec-93f8-15b23f0f1e52/PXL_20220529_180718044.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Rozzi's is just down the road from Branch Brook Campground and quickly became one of our favorite places to eat. All of the staff is always friendly, the food is good, and there is a diverse clientele that always seems cheerful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ed7287e2-57ed-4ab8-a8db-34c0ceaeb11d/PXL_20220409_203941318.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Bradley Point Park, West Haven https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fde1c38a-4da6-41c0-aca2-ab3ffd4e5a72/PXL_20220529_172520650.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Rozzi's lobby https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4a9ff1b1-c35c-4805-b402-077d8dbd30d6/PXL_20220409_204342440.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook ...and ended up sunny and bright https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e3feb038-11ee-49df-a504-dfdae4f54b07/PXL_20220529_172511889.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook "Did you say exercise? or extra fries?" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b3fe0b47-ebe0-4233-99c3-5056a5b1da10/PXL_20220416_174127323.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook maybe this is Witch-Hazel rather than Forsythia blooming brilliant yellow.? Very common shrub in CT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d09ec632-fdce-437e-81c6-51cb7b16ffaf/PXL_20220529_185905072.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Thomaston CT was home to a clock maker, and there are several clocks and clock towers around the small town. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b1c1d40d-752b-41f5-967a-d2acb0aa66ae/PXL_20220419_192028783.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook the pond at the "serenity house" in Mansfield. The light green house is in the center background, up the hill. Too bad the timing wasn't right to buy this one! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/31a07e43-7e58-426e-b60f-f0edc7573e11/PXL_20220529_190238142.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Thomaston town square. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/871ae3ac-5f3c-4828-91a8-c0169266c29d/PXL_20220425_133717350.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook The early 1700's barn at the Glastonbury house we considered buying https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f020a579-318a-4da8-86e7-911b47ccdbb1/PXL_20220529_190119428.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook my favorite flowers - peones - en masse in the town square (and many places around CT) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ec9e161e-b267-4446-8480-86c55b2e24d0/PXL_20220529_185835807.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fa8206d0-feaa-4f33-b508-8e531eaa17c1/original_0c149468-64bc-46b2-a4c7-90080b88d170_PXL_20220410_190445884.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Goodspeed Opera House on the right and Gelston House Restaurant on the left, along the Connecticut River in scenic East Haddam https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ab64c281-d08f-438f-b03a-76548f3683f8/PXL_20220529_184941251%281%29.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Thomaston Opera House shares the building complex with Town Hall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d5b5a840-db7f-4893-8b6f-831161a95f53/original_3d08de0f-8f7d-44de-bc80-159799f54076_PXL_20220410_190451312.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Goodspeed Opera House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6617144f-e190-47a7-b7b2-0f576dd4dccf/PXL_20220410_200217608.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook another chilly April day at the shore, this time in Old Saybrook, where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3ed5bc05-55d5-4149-ad7e-4201d35f8c0a/PXL_20220529_185431951.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a2988a03-c311-4833-ac8c-a3807dda8dac/PXL_20220410_200200112.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Saybrook Point Marina https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4f8139c1-c45e-4593-a5d0-af8cc83e71c8/PXL_20220529_183951614%281%29.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Clock Company factory building https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8fc83ca6-8395-4806-8326-654c952211b6/PXL_20220410_200013293.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook We had a very nice seafood dinner at Fresh Salt at Saybrook Point. The tree stumps all around the parking lot had been carved with various nautical themes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3c402237-548c-4455-891c-13e6969e9fe2/PXL_20220529_185946417.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/784a6b0f-352b-42f2-b8ed-45a78c77e761/PXL_20220417_172640496.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook mid-April snow/hail storm https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/00881f6b-4674-4950-892f-297f93e77365/PXL_20220529_185440683.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Here's a great example of a newer shopping center (on the right) designed to tie in with the historic vernacular (on the left). The strip mall includes a wide variety of businesses, including bakery, a dentist, and an Edward Jones office. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d54591d3-9dbe-4683-80b7-012ad9e49866/PXL_20220417_172654564.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook hail build-up https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/cb4cc6ab-9754-4357-aff2-70002863a308/PXL_20220529_184006439.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook The Seth Clock Company building is being converted into businesses such as Clocktown Brewing Company and a couple of fifitness centers, as well as several manufacturing companies. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0699cf15-2271-437c-9a0e-000c12edc1c0/PXL_20220425_115522559.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Carmine has Vinny's head completely smothered! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f9403f23-7b89-418d-be3b-21e53fb2e0b0/PXL_20220529_162233121.png Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook inside the Clocktown Brewery in Thomaston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/80961f1d-a5f1-45b6-99ad-813d0ad4f20d/PXL_20220430_173223612.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Our first try at seafood shack in Mystic was completely disappointing - Mike didn't even eat most of his. But the scenery was great!! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e2a96ec9-4ef5-4537-9fcc-725d36d4fdfa/PXL_20220529_162833770.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook They paid good attention to the interior design of the Clocktown Brewery inside the old clock factory building. Unfortunately, we had a terrible experience with the service. We waited literally an hour to get our wood fired pizza, and then it was only because Mary got up and told the staff. At that point they told us they'd been having problems with their pizza oven all day (would have been nice to have been told at when we ordered the pizza!). When it did come out a few minutes later Mike's pizza was BLACK. not just the bits of char you expect with wood fired oven pizza - the whole thing was charred. So disappointing. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/55744519-a447-460a-a3b4-9ce98b801910/PXL_20220430_173835286.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook views of the Mystic River from the Seafood shack on a glorious day at the end of April https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/536ba1ba-fe3e-4470-88db-ffe983a968b2/PXL_20220529_184344953%281%29.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook St Peter's Trinity Church founded in 1869, right next door to the Thomaston Opera House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7f40a09c-23c0-47d1-b3f4-3c029a7cc07c/PXL_20220430_180042824.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Mystic River https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f3611837-9d48-4257-84db-4621ea0fb5b6/PXL_20220529_185623926.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook downtown Thomaston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/33d5571a-3db4-40b8-940f-a6232ae3a68a/PXL_20220430_183355098.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ebdd6dc9-c843-45d1-8338-bca030291be1/PXL_20220529_185733263.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Small hardware stores actually exist in Connecticut like this one in Thomaston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d7645565-a095-47cd-a9de-7ad5123d6b8b/PXL_20220430_183520503.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook looked around the grounds of the Mystic Seaport Museum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8af38037-4e06-43ca-be26-d634f158cfa1/PXL_20220529_183951614%282%29.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook We loved the clever name, but never tried Sushi Q Japanese Restaurant in Thomaston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0d47a523-9c5d-40e3-bfb2-8684571d75f8/PXL_20220430_183609345.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4c6bb319-36a3-430c-a21b-d618ada84556/PXL_20220529_191008468.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook we enjoy the unique architectural detailing on the homes, these ones in Thomaston https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/38569f87-faea-4de0-a613-a72f82b9e66c/PXL_20220430_183632152.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Mystic Seaport https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ff97b862-91fc-49b1-8518-fab161c66b28/PXL_20220529_181152759.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook "where'ya been?" https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/37b80eed-3a71-4e7b-bd60-de176f450a79/PXL_20220420_180245454.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ff5f7a0a-e574-4b4d-99ac-01fe7e088c5c/PXL_20220529_215200266.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook the Memorial Day weekend birthday party at the pavilion directly across from our campsite was well-attended! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b8be0bf3-07e6-444d-bc3d-6cba0701ea3f/PXL_20220512_172733656.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook it's a hard life for a cat https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ed356d09-4cd5-48df-b093-c8fa70cf1fe6/PXL_20220522_154738310.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook Branch Brook in May https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e8210da0-130f-483c-a01f-905ec2ab7485/PXL_20220522_154750386.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/eecc79da-b143-4dae-a8d1-440f4d32b7e9/PXL_20220522_154529071.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/eace3d66-be6e-4f54-8f10-d8bf3abf76ac/PXL_20220521_222831497.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fbc7fc3d-63e7-4117-9072-14c4d4cf1401/PXL_20220530_144154823.jpg Connecticut Part 1 - Branch Brook https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/massachusetts daily 0.75 2022-12-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9df7984c-f352-4596-b1c7-9e404337a89d/PXL_20220705_204452726.jpg Massachusetts Massachusetts visits | May & July Mary’s Uncle Loren and his family live in western Massachusetts, just a couple hours from Thomaston. In May we were able to arrange a trip to visit them. Loren and Pam met us at Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation near Deerfield, where we had a lovely picnic they brought (thank you!) and fabulous views of the Connecticut River valley. It happened to be graduation day at UMass (Amherst) and we saw several newly minted grads up there getting photos with the university in the background. Pam shared some of the local indigenous history and Loren shared some Kramer family history of early settlers in the area. Then we explored a bit in Historic Deerfield, which has a lot of living history. We arrived just at the end of the day and so missed the activities of their annual spring event “Sheep in the Street”, showcasing the historic sheep breeds of the area and various wool and sheep activities. Looked like it would be a fun thing to do. It seems that Uncle Loren is locally famous, because each place we went someone recognized him :-) ! We then travelled north about half an hour to Greenfield where Loren and Pam live. Pam showed us some of the recent rehabilitation projects in the area, and talked about some of her work in the community. It was inspiring to see the historic buildings being re-envisioned and given new life, thus bringing up the surrounding existing neighborhood, rather than being leveled for new development. We ended up at their home and enjoyed more visiting and dinner with Pam’s son Daniel who lives with them and prepared the dinner - thanks again, Dan! Darn it- I think we failed once again to get a group photo with Dan. Did you know that Massachusetts is the home of Yankee Candle Company? They have a massive giftshop complex along the freeway in Deerfield, and manufacturing is based in nearby Whately. We have not yet stopped in to the giftshop, but it is probably one of those must-do Our second visit to Massachusetts came the first week of July. Loren’s daughter (Mary’s cousin) Becca Fiscal and her family were up from Atlanta to visit Loren & Pam, as well as other family in Mass., and we were invited to join them for a day. We first gathered at the house in which Becca et al were staying in Greenfield, which is sited overlooking the Deerfield River. A very dramatic setting! We swung by to pick up Loren & Pam, then traveled about 20 minutes west to scenic village of Shelburne Falls. The historic downtown is filled with beautiful boutiques and eateries, but the stunning draw to Shelburne Falls is the Bridge of Flowers, which is reflected in a mirrorlike section of the Deerfield River which has been dammed just above the Salmon Falls and its Potholes. The beautifully arched concrete bridge was constructed in 1908 for trolleys to move raw materials across the river to nearby factories. By 1927 the trolley bridge became obsolete due to the advent of motorized vehicles, but the cost to demolish the concrete bridge was prohibitively high, and the bridge supported the water pipes that serve the town of Buckland. According to the website bridgeofflowersmass.org, a woman whose home overlooked the bridge, “gazing on the weed-infested structure” had the brilliant thought “if weeds can grow on that bridge, why not flowers?” In 1929, the Shelburne Falls Women’s Club brought in 80 loads of loam and lots of fertilizer, and began planting the bridge with flowers. Shelburne Falls is also home to the Salmon Falls Gallery as well as Lamson Knives Factory Store. After sight-seeing, we enjoyed a dinner in honor of Loren’s birthday. Another day of great visiting with family! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/507688af-c3d5-465a-bd50-db8a1ecc56e3/PXL_20220513_163133533.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f52175ae-a0fb-488c-bd7a-5d0731629118/PXL_20220705_203527333.jpg Massachusetts The village of Shelburne Falls, MA is very small and in a rural mountain setting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c639e907-81b5-4ca3-86c7-ba5df0a374ce/PXL_20220513_172121975.jpg Massachusetts Pam and Mike survey the scenery https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a228e9b2-a0c2-4857-be6c-69d911cdf351/PXL_20220705_203555504.jpg Massachusetts McCusker's Market community coop https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a5ac6cc8-843a-41cd-8659-450eb4d1ce65/PXL_20220513_172235344.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/19600879-a64f-445e-bc48-ce0e31c94e88/PXL_20220705_204034458.jpg Massachusetts Pam & Loren, Becca & Chris, Kory, Olivia, Mike & Mary at the entrance to the Bridge of Flowers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/00a39690-808c-4a20-9ba8-fc54485cd8aa/PXL_20220513_172549590.jpg Massachusetts Pam and Loren https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/66884861-5f5c-4fd1-ad34-204218250180/PXL_20220705_205400702.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/cfc39129-cabb-4459-8e49-b3d90a9cea3f/PXL_20220513_172552847.jpg Massachusetts overlooking the Connecticut River valley from atop Sugarloaf Mountain in MA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/37d8f9bf-2d52-475e-ae2f-f614ed8f5790/PXL_20220705_203748283.jpg Massachusetts Bridge of Flowers, Shelburne Falls, MA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fd624fb1-ffa5-4d9d-b025-62367200aff0/PXL_20220513_172112865.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/95c0e0cb-3a24-438e-b68b-9ea63ebe5ac1/PXL_20220705_203809874.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5de8c34a-4cb5-4d13-a169-27a369d185bf/PXL_20220513_172841526.png Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/160900c3-4492-48c7-89fd-9b8a07d7b0eb/PXL_20220705_203852593.jpg Massachusetts atop the Bridge of Flowers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f178c7d1-9b76-4552-8f99-9f24221c6b76/PXL_20220513_172631704.jpg Massachusetts Uncle Loren https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f3986902-a520-45dc-a355-9f4c75509a84/PXL_20220705_204149264.PORTRAIT.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e291b44b-af46-41d7-bf20-b74a836ba9ea/PXL_20220513_183038928.PORTRAIT.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/60bf65d9-cbc3-4bc4-af5d-481d65ff68ba/PXL_20220705_204056407.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b8116733-9e1c-4ced-9e1f-468eeba80922/PXL_20220513_172901251.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/61fba79b-07bc-4d82-99b4-e2bd481586ab/PXL_20220705_204447245.PORTRAIT.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f1df62d6-8658-4605-8681-d75c4da04b1f/PXL_20220513_173229536.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2160288e-38d5-4866-bcde-fe263bc7b575/PXL_20220705_204930677.jpg Massachusetts perfect mirror reflection! would make a great jigsaw puzzle, no? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a295183f-0a26-4cb2-8d9f-0660832238da/PXL_20220513_173401690.jpg Massachusetts love the Dogwoods blooming all over! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d2f0a114-2869-48ac-b220-cc8b90df8ca7/PXL_20220513_173650745.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9a511015-4b4a-44c3-80e1-66c7065314b8/PXL_20220705_204523742%281%29.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/945b4862-e3ab-4656-aebc-91bd7b242d66/PXL_20220705_204546654.jpg Massachusetts awesome old Wisteria vine https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3dc28971-a41e-4e18-8f67-83ae2f983b8c/PXL_20220513_191503887.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/34399d0e-d3cd-4df5-a07b-96b77604fb1f/PXL_20220513_191904850.jpg Massachusetts Apprentice's Workshop in Dwight House in Historic Deerfield. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/368309f2-3e31-41e6-89ac-1efbf62017d8/PXL_20220705_204322258.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8a73f525-7fed-4025-8856-d1f782ac8ec8/PXL_20220513_194828708.jpg Massachusetts the Deerfield Inn in Historic Deerfield, MA https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/493fa370-5662-4a55-ae44-043c8593b385/PXL_20220705_204132411.PORTRAIT.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/46a31043-43ab-474a-8a5c-c14b111d7c11/PXL_20220513_194834685.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/11520ea0-9ecb-4708-8c6f-4e24b9136287/PXL_20220705_205229183.PORTRAIT.jpg Massachusetts inspiration for our new home garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fc524a24-1599-43c8-8715-9e9000395b5a/PXL_20220513_194838718.jpg Massachusetts historic Deerfield https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/79825d50-2db7-48d2-80ec-3d7bd1dc2a3f/PXL_20220705_205723578.PORTRAIT.jpg Massachusetts reminded me of Holland! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/20259911-3b20-421e-b0a0-855a683110c2/PXL_20220513_212506882.jpg Massachusetts Loren and Pam have displayed in their home these 2 wood carvings that Mary's grandfather Kramer (Loren's father) carved and inlaid. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d590abf1-d691-4240-bd18-dd43f6bdb322/PXL_20220705_212738739.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a46c2e4f-f039-40e6-8ac4-0274b032d0d7/PXL_20220513_212541956.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/430d98ed-750c-4df0-8d7d-24036928ebad/PXL_20220705_212830732.jpg Massachusetts what a brilliant idea to plant the bridge with flowers. Not only did it improve the scenery for the locals, but now it is a tourist draw which has led to revitalization of the old downtown https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f144ee9c-dfff-454c-b94a-ffe86999269d/PXL_20220705_205812200.PORTRAIT.jpg Massachusetts so picturesque! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/66a778fc-5e26-4080-ac51-f15483a9b486/PXL_20220513_214754469.jpg Massachusetts Uncle Loren's dining room https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1658001333596-RYVLAZ98994E53JE1JQI/Yankee%2BCandle%2BPage%2B001.jpg Massachusetts Yankee Candle's massive gift store in Deerfield (photo from Google) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/21c2102b-f1dc-40b3-bb88-27d99d6c3af4/PXL_20220705_205740498.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c083bea2-2534-495e-8a29-74733d032f85/PXL_20220705_210920205.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c01d03f2-ea98-4f33-9bfb-d9fb80c63cc4/PXL_20220705_210330004.jpg Massachusetts Shelburne Falls Potholes are uniform cylindrical holes formed in the rock by glacial activity about 14,000 years ago. Becca says she used to play around on these rocks in her youth. Now the area is blocked off for safety. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1658504651517-2664PQHNWHRAF4LY239Z/PXL_20220705_205604542.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5cea05fb-bd89-47a0-8b88-7e8374f56d30/PXL_20220705_210003649.PORTRAIT.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/51644453-c4ad-4cde-b4e7-0c2e9a9816b2/PXL_20220705_212247000.jpg Massachusetts pretty boutique with beautifully curated planter boxes https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c339da92-5312-4ccd-aaec-e9f233fb74b1/PXL_20220705_201239564.jpg Massachusetts Salmon Falls Gallery represents over 90 local artists. This fiber art reminded Mary of the embroidery her sister Sara used to do in her teenage years :-) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/000c7fab-0768-413d-9b82-9783009162dd/PXL_20220705_213048471.jpg Massachusetts https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/bc2bbb93-2b28-41d5-824d-d462fa08da0c/PXL_20220706_001320382.jpg Massachusetts Chris, Becca, Kory, Olivia, Mary, Loren, and Dan at the river house they were staying in. It was still scenic, even in the evening rain. https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/connecticut-part-2 daily 0.75 2022-12-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/95dfbd4d-a817-47f1-bdcf-23bef1e9a447/PXL_20220610_180159126.jpg Connecticut Part 2 Connecticut stay #2: Grandview Campground | 6/1/22 - 7/2/22 For the month of July, while we waited for our escrow period to pass, we moved down to the southern area of Connecticut to be nearer to the shore and river port towns we wanted to visit. We stayed at Grandview Campground and Cottages, a large hillside site in the area of Moodus, in the town of East Haddam. This area is more rural than the Thomaston area, and cell service was really poor - we had trouble carrying on phone conversations from our campsite. This was problematic because our internet is also based on our cell service, and we use the internet for our TV watching also. Luckily, we had plenty of options for things to do. Since we had no other particular agenda, we began a daily routine of exercise. The campground is quite spread out, with small groupings of a handful of sites or cottages with driveways all around, as well a a large grassy hill up to the ridge behind the grounds. This provided a great place to walk, with plenty of opportunities for hill climbs for extra exertion. We also set up the shade with a couple of privacy walls for Mary to do some workouts. From Grandview we took excursions to East Haddam, Colchester, Hadlyme, and Old Lyme along the eastern shore of the Connecticut River, and Haddam, Chester, Essex and Old Saybrook on the west side. We journeyed 45 minutes over to New Haven to check out Yale University and eat at the famed Modern Apizza. On our way home from errand shopping in Norwich (we had to drive 40+ minutes to find a Walmart for our RV toilet paper!) we stopped by the Devil’s Hopyard State Park which had been recommended to us by a very friendly young man we met at Two Wrasslin’ Cats coffee house. Here we discovered Chapman Falls, which was a very popular spot for photo ops. The origin of the name Devil’s Hopyard is uncertain, but one story is that the Devil made the potholes as he angrily hopped down the waterfalls. That trip inspired us to check out other waterfalls in the area, so on another day visited Wadsworth Falls in Wadsworth State Park near Middletown. Fun Fact: we see pizza places EVERYWHERE. Turns out the state with the most pizza restaurants per capita is Connecticut with 3.65 pizza restaurants per person! There is a large Italian population in CT so there are many Italian eateries around. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/90b30e44-9b14-4c15-ac7f-f3e6adc0f3b7/PXL_20220606_195906199.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2fe0d668-3108-46e5-a4f5-69f1782cefcd/Grandview+Camping+%26+Cottages+-+Google+Maps.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c6af5d3a-d422-4a36-b1bd-ddc8676772db/PXL_20220601_201448407.jpg Connecticut Part 2 Our arrival at Grandview Campground and Cottages in Moodus, East Haddam, CT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/604a4c34-2183-4604-b8c8-ec4ebbcfefc8/PXL_20220606_200207244.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/17b0bea8-a3c2-407f-96e3-8151091f7097/PXL_20220606_195831402.jpg Connecticut Part 2 Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, The Comstock Bridge, also known as the Comstock Covered Bridge is one of the three remaining covered bridges left in the state of Connecticut. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/af8ecd8a-98aa-4cba-9aeb-e535cfbbf0cb/PXL_20220602_174910289.jpg Connecticut Part 2 the view across the road was bucolic (even some horses grazing) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/90195ef5-2c95-45fe-a834-f238f66c5a99/PXL_20220602_180926173.jpg Connecticut Part 2 our site and this grouping of 6 sites sits up above the rest of the campground. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/bf168e51-fa09-4f5d-bf52-95908b238961/PXL_20220606_195914542.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/adb26fd8-1545-4101-a3b2-2bebc7f82218/PXL_20220602_180839295.jpg Connecticut Part 2 our site was in the very upper corner of the campground with no site behind or to our left. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c7206218-11b0-418f-8054-fb2ed8ccc3a5/PXL_20220606_200117389.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/559e040d-5e07-4d5d-82e3-5324e994ef03/PXL_20220621_201506244.jpg Connecticut Part 2 lucky for us, the site next to us was vacant most of the month. The large building in the background is a hall for wedding receptions, etc. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d3cba93e-b17f-4a81-98eb-93ba949d7224/PXL_20220606_200450535.jpg Connecticut Part 2 Originally built in 1785, the bridge was a simple uncovered, structure. The Comstock was used for traffic to pass over the river en route to church services, business ventures, and general pedestrian needs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a300a675-fe1b-455d-be5f-1251a9097aa4/PXL_20220606_201647618.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c5bd7e5b-f8b0-4c72-b74a-7ae326839019/PXL_20220602_174525459.jpg Connecticut Part 2 There's an altar in the lawn for outdoor weddings. Our first weekend there was a big wedding that lasted most of the weekend. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/472bab0f-b558-427e-b92a-b9c97f9477bf/PXL_20220602_174719097.jpg Connecticut Part 2 some of the many cabins, with some (vacant) camping spaces in the foreground https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1cc0e7de-d4b3-452c-9a50-894bc83d48a0/PXL_20220606_200544912+%281%29.jpg Connecticut Part 2 notice the chisel marks in the granite foundation stones https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ab1a7d5d-41eb-4455-b845-c8fccd8dc74c/PXL_20220602_175955476.jpg Connecticut Part 2 We are parked to the far left. This property had previously been a resort. The building in the center is an activity room; in front of that is the pool and pavilion. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8264590a-170b-4637-8d27-6e25389f318b/PXL_20220606_195929453.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f783188c-6ad9-4c10-9d71-4d05c017112c/PXL_20220531_170553337.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1658876994946-A3CMKNK6FALCDPAPHAF9/PXL_20220606_200841196.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/27aa96a9-301c-4d5f-a9db-04e3b40bf25c/PXL_20220602_180158364.jpg Connecticut Part 2 the view from the very top of the hill behind our sites. It was a great place to begin our exercise routine of daily walks, with plenty for driveways to walk and lots of hills! Behind me here the hill drops down to a golf course, so 360-degree views https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8912435d-8aa5-414a-b56b-d11efb90e087/PXL_20220606_181202019.jpg Connecticut Part 2 a delicious salad from The Plum Tomato in Colchester. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/6baaf24d-2ddb-4161-b4b0-32525bb8c237/PXL_20220606_184006379.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0cf4d420-5235-4dc8-9468-26da47edd290/PXL_20220610_142933799.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/187b71ac-993b-428a-8788-e12a9030b8de/PXL_20220610_142751817.PORTRAIT.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/86bec758-397e-4caf-8cdc-73594933d357/PXL_20220610_142726536.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5c2a24db-b55b-431c-8cf4-c4eb7d3e2452/PXL_20220610_142608709.jpg Connecticut Part 2 Lovely garden next to a stream at the Two Wrasslin Cats Cafe https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1658872020939-Y38N8KVHJ8SSOSXRO74G/PXL_20220610_142818719.jpg Connecticut Part 2 We stopped at Two Wrasslin' Cats for coffee and pastries, and because we HAD TO! The owners were so friendly, as we have found nearly everyone we've had occasion to talk to in Connecticut. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/af5b1ab2-cd5f-478f-95c9-b4ff954d9709/2wrasslincatsPic1.jpg Connecticut Part 2 It was a bit of sensory overload in Two Wrasslin Cats! Just about everywhere we looked there was something interesting and funny. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f4bb9fdc-c3e0-4c73-a615-cf413ebd392a/PXL_20220610_142503519.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9e6eb4ae-f927-43a1-8533-b75b50e38e6e/PXL_20220610_142206012.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a2e228ea-4373-4546-9571-b0c8b5ed46a3/PXL_20220610_142951099.PORTRAIT.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2970cba7-f5fd-4e67-910c-20a33bd875e8/PXL_20220610_142148867.jpg Connecticut Part 2 The garden at Two Wrasslin' Cats Cafe was quirky and fun. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/dbba13fe-fc16-4dac-b3a8-12642902a89b/PXL_20220616_185904568.jpg Connecticut Part 2 Mary enjoying the scene at Modern Apizza in New Haven. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c3809cf3-4eb4-4659-9112-e02615a7a126/20190901_151327.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/14f6e81d-92bd-4494-92ac-6d47649fad14/PXL_20220616_185857582.jpg Connecticut Part 2 The pizza was pretty good at Modern...but honestly, we don't know what all the fuss is about. I mean, it pizza- no big deal. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a93b9c74-e1d7-441b-b9dc-f3bbddaefc78/PXL_20220616_185900669.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/06c534a0-da8e-477d-aeaf-bd698aa21f49/PXL_20220619_212320807+%281%29.jpg Connecticut Part 2 Chapman Falls at Devils Hopyard State Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0249aff4-7509-43f4-a2e0-4e1615b8c603/PXL_20220606_183954748.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/27223976-0706-4f19-ac26-340871ac600e/PXL_20220619_212217728.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/365b5d10-bd98-46ae-9132-92fa3bbefea4/PXL_20220619_212143195.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/06a61b2d-75b7-4b14-9a45-bbccf7d0d3af/PXL_20220629_195425784.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/be771e15-c5a4-44e2-b5c5-69a677c697a3/PXL_20220629_192510723.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b09a75e3-031a-471b-be14-d9e435cf95c0/PXL_20220629_192238719.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1f9f4109-9715-4434-b5db-f7002ebe4a06/PXL_20220629_192117305.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f16d5d1e-c5b5-482e-85ee-191dc0d7d85c/PXL_20220629_200121863.PORTRAIT.jpg Connecticut Part 2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5fb38b97-04c1-44be-bf72-a2c6b5864343/PXL_20220607_184529751.jpg Connecticut Part 2 An old headstone in a small cemetery of East Haddam. This is the Ackley Cemetery which was established in 1726. Connecticut is dotted with many "neighborhood" gravesites probably just for the locals of that area or town. https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/florencegriswoldhouse daily 0.75 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/15ad2dba-f990-4405-8a78-f90b8bdd1ff8/PXL_20220630_163547957.jpg Florence Griswold House Florence Griswold Museum - Old Lyme, CT | 6/30/22 On Mary’s birthday we decided to visit The Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT. Here are some things we learned, gleaned from the website and other published information. Florence Griswold was one of four children of a ships captain, born on Christmas Day, 1850. She was raised in the finest house on the main street of the thriving Connecticut town of Old Lyme. A center of shipbuilding and commerce, Old Lyme was established in the early 1600s and counted the Griswolds among the town’s oldest families. Their Late Georgian-style mansion, built in 1817 on a twelve-acre estate, was purchased by Captain Robert Griswold for his bride Helen Powers in 1841. To survive financially after the Civil War, the family turned the home into a school and boarding house. By the late 1890’s only Miss Florence was left to maintain the family homestead. In the summer of 1900 a boardinghouse for artists began operation in the quiet shoreline town, and the Griswold House was the perfect place to settle. Conveniently located between the cultural hubs of Boston and New York, it offered features found in the influential art colonies of France and Holland: a stimulating environment, artistic camaraderie, inexpensive lodging, and picturesque scenery. Woodrow Wilson and his family visited Old Lyme several summers, staying at the Florence Griswold House. In the summer of 1903 Childe Hassam stayed in the house, and the following year he returned with 10 other artists. For the next two decades Miss Florence Griswold’s house on Lyme Street was home to one of the most famous art colonies in America and critical to the development of American Impressionism, and Miss Florence was the very soul of the Colony. The House is noted for its collection of American Impressionist paintings throughout, many depicting Miss Florence and the property. In 1993 the house was designated a National Historic Landmark. The site encompasses 12-acres of historic buildings, grounds, gardens, and walking trails. There is a very nice cafe and plenty of onsite parking. The admission was only $10 per person and we felt it was a great value for what we were able to experience on our visit. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b9c438fa-576d-490b-85d1-70560b0cb4fe/PXL_20220630_155106910.jpg Florence Griswold House The main parlor was used as a meeting place - music and lively conversation were the preferred entertainment. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5e7a7271-edd3-49a5-bde0-aabc78e3389d/PXL_20220630_155338556.jpg Florence Griswold House Some guest bedrooms were also personal studio space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7a401692-21f0-40a2-8b0c-a1037a0d0ef4/PXL_20220630_155645541.jpg Florence Griswold House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c5e7ed27-03c3-4549-9cb1-d048c03bfd9b/PXL_20220630_155700636.jpg Florence Griswold House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e0cce4e9-28ee-402f-aeb6-ecce32d05657/PXL_20220630_155930473.jpg Florence Griswold House Many of the artists whose paintings are on display were not very well known or did not ever achieve notoriety in the art world. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d54b90bf-8605-43fc-89eb-84a4a0427bc8/PXL_20220630_160525035.jpg Florence Griswold House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e369599b-eb78-47b9-a697-6867137d5514/PXL_20220630_161506688.jpg Florence Griswold House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/71c8c277-ef9e-42dd-84cd-49774600195a/PXL_20220630_162029360.jpg Florence Griswold House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/73343a1c-996a-4214-9f60-be57ac47872d/PXL_20220630_164140059.jpg Florence Griswold House The lawn overlooking the Lieutenant River https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1c717032-1c9c-401c-ab1b-2764af4884c6/PXL_20220630_162623654.jpg Florence Griswold House We estimated the total size of the main house was between 5000 and 6000 square feet https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f9e785f9-ed8e-4ca3-8323-9e323f8b8160/PXL_20220630_154351019.jpg Florence Griswold House The surrounding gardens are just lovely, with many different types of flowers https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/62257d2f-348f-4fcd-a350-706f3c388ede/PXL_20220630_154239123.PORTRAIT.jpg Florence Griswold House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/c51d0803-87a3-470e-80ef-ac8cade6a5de/PXL_20220630_164236724.jpg Florence Griswold House No Mary is not standing in front of a painting! This was a sitting area overlooking the Lieutenant River near the cafe. It was really breathtaking! and one of the many reasons we love Connecticut! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7e179066-875c-4cb3-a3ae-6662aa8bf78a/PXL_20220630_154803279+%281%29.jpg Florence Griswold House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1658865927028-Y01L8MYQCEWZHZJF5M66/PXL_20220630_154937036%2B%25281%2529.jpg Florence Griswold House Artists were encouraged to paint the door panels in the house! Many are very detailed and quite beautiful. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0832c117-b707-4f82-a094-13b49a3735d7/griswoldbarn.jpg Florence Griswold House https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/83657936-c8d2-4df3-b3dc-48fc824884a3/Florenceingarden.jpg Florence Griswold House Florence in her garden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/35db8846-43e7-4b68-8e14-1dde428ad1db/The_dining_room_of_the_Florence_Griswold_House_in_Old_Lyme%2C_CT.jpg Florence Griswold House This was the main dining hall displaying the many painted panels. photo By Altoemily - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=99268420 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/ccabb524-b693-425d-9d6b-2f9a81671b3a/PXL_20220630_154523613.jpg Florence Griswold House https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/christmas-in-connecticut daily 0.75 2022-12-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/76654de9-cfb1-4d22-99e4-380f8d0c5a36/PXL_20221211_221445535.jpg Christmas in Connecticut Our First Christmas in Connecticut and the End of a Very Transformative Year | December 2022 It has been a while since we posted anything about our travels on our website. Much has happened since last summer, and we’d like to finally give all of you a recap on what’s been happening with us, so we have included several new pages of adventures to share. First of all, we’d like to wish you a Merry Christmas and hope everyone is well and enjoying this holiday season. An interesting note regarding the above photo of our front yard area that Mary took last week when we got some snow. The stone bunny survived the 3000 mile journey from our porch in California and is now happy to greet visitors as they drive up to our new house here in Unionville. He has proven to be a very sturdy character! We did get substantial snowfall last Sunday but sadly it has melted away, and now, as I write this on Christmas Eve, it’s been very cold (about 13 degrees) outside but there is no more snow - so we won’t have a white Christmas after all. When we set off on our trip last December, we had no idea what would happen or where the journey would take us ultimately. We only knew that we had a unique opportunity to see parts of the country we had never been and it was a novel experience to travel in the motorhome like that. As I recall, we originally thought we would do a lap around the country, and be back in California for Sam and Ivana’s wedding with the motorhome. But as we got closer to the halfway point, we realized that we were going to buy a house in Connecticut and it would be logistically impossible to drive the motorhome back. So our intended trip around the country got cut short after all. Perhaps we may resume some travelling in the RV at some point, but for now it is parked in the driveway. If any of you ever have the opportunity to travel like this, I would encourage you to do so! We loved the freedom and convenience of taking our home with us where ever we wanted to go. And it was great to not need to pack a suitcase as we traveled from place to place. Once we got the hang of it, the RV lifestyle was a lot easier than we first thought. Mary has a new job with a firm in Glastonbury and I’ve decided to hang up the truck driving and am in the process of getting a forklift certification and will look for warehouse work to keep busy. Mary has found a new choral group that she already did one holiday performance with and I am exploring songwriting and may eventually try to start a group or join one. I have been volunteering at the Farmington Food Pantry at the request of our neighbor for the holidays. We absolutely love living in Connecticut and especially love New England in general. For us, it is a new and different way of living than what we were used to in California. It amazes us how our surroundings and the people we interact with can really give a different perspective on our own life and the life that we have lived so far. Living here reminds me of those old Norman Rockwell paintings which I’ve always admired. There is a feeling of Americana that I’m sure is just me, but is refreshing in some way. Mary and I moved here to experience the next part of our lives and to live with gratefulness and sense of wonder. We have barely scratched the surface exploring the area - there is so much yet to see and experience. We have had visits from Hanna Ruth and Steve and Lori so far and look forward to having anyone who would like to visit us - so just let us know! We would love to have you. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9e13ca61-adbd-484c-b50b-f60b940fc1e7/original_86e81a0a-d753-438a-bf7c-c7a7c3a1bfb1_PXL_20221209_212527935.jpg Christmas in Connecticut Window shopping in Essex, we had dinner at The Black Seal Seafood Grill https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7ab90e3b-7304-4f18-9306-655180e0a5a1/PXL_20221206_113441794_2.jpg Christmas in Connecticut Carmine likes to gaze out the big window https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/57d37854-bdd0-4851-893c-5ca170ae495d/PXL_20221201_005708998.jpg Christmas in Connecticut Carmine loves Christmas lights https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/8e5a07f3-4b3f-4226-868c-fb349a23f9ce/PXL_20221209_224403081.jpg Christmas in Connecticut https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d7606b03-71ce-42ff-a81d-5b840632c3df/PXL_20221209_230652626.jpg Christmas in Connecticut The town of Essex has a real life "Polar Express" called The North Pole Express ! Its a 90 minute train ride with real actors that entertain both kids and adults. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/35da7fd5-7b7e-4454-9b5d-e1c572812540/PXL_20221209_230223026.jpg Christmas in Connecticut https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/a2933f80-d7b3-4d3a-8c2f-076fe027a117/PXL_20221209_230306482.jpg Christmas in Connecticut https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2ec5916f-73e3-4893-877d-123a0fba64ae/PXL_20221209_230458827.jpg Christmas in Connecticut "Polar Express" leaving the station in Essex https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5b9979a7-78d7-4b6b-ac22-295f20dd20a1/PXL_20221211_180521729.MP.jpg Christmas in Connecticut First signs of snow fall https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2e49ed0e-cfef-4758-8daa-7d33214a0048/PXL_20221211_180541400.MP.jpg Christmas in Connecticut Mike gets a new/old truck finally! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d6233bc3-1960-4a43-a181-22e66c4f1d1e/PXL_20221211_202436831.jpg Christmas in Connecticut We got a good 4-5 inches of snow but ultimately it all melted away by Christmas https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0356392f-7d2e-4afc-8496-87323fafc518/PXL_20221211_203619224.MP.jpg Christmas in Connecticut https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/1926a82a-56bb-49e5-9f06-011a7e33d22f/PXL_20221211_221345494.jpg Christmas in Connecticut https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/48bf386a-94f9-4e1b-b5ae-8e8b0e559bd6/PXL_20221211_221356287BIG.jpg Christmas in Connecticut It's a winter wonderland! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/2c862e75-8b00-45d6-8081-387c74a063de/PXL_20221212_142210821.jpg Christmas in Connecticut Our neighbor Danny was kind enough to plow our driveway after the storm. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/afc8b067-9f1e-4697-b308-72a5f0668ef7/PXL_20221212_142354421.jpg Christmas in Connecticut https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/7a814f34-5d6a-46b1-a7fe-5a70586bee19/PXL_20221212_141906398.jpg Christmas in Connecticut The snow looked like cotton on the trees https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/cbf84227-3c9c-428f-9852-18ca0d1f2515/4726.jpeg Christmas in Connecticut First fire of the year in the basement fireplace https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/98bd1a56-8eb7-4018-aed9-6c1521c30abc/15271.jpeg Christmas in Connecticut We got this new rug just in time for the holidays! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/4971bd79-06a3-4bdf-8569-987b5d1055cd/PXL_20221030_020742782.jpg Christmas in Connecticut Vinnie loves a good nap https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/77d34f28-42d7-4ee8-8d22-a7e6e63d49f2/PXL_20221207_215927315.jpg Christmas in Connecticut https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d078a4b6-4032-47d4-a72d-32126f7e9b6c/PXL_20221120_210039218.jpg Christmas in Connecticut Mary's new choral group in Southbury https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/61f03b3f-4032-4140-8852-dec10f172281/PXL_20221120_210052458.jpg Christmas in Connecticut https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0fde4c4a-6723-4b4f-8533-88de59258555/PXL_20221116_032920218.jpg Christmas in Connecticut It's like a Thomas Kinkade painting! https://www.maryandmikestravels.com/trip-to-idaho daily 0.75 2022-12-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/fac7ff08-fce2-4b92-8c74-f32ad2d6d66b/PXL_20221016_194105391_2.jpg Trip to Idaho Hello Evelyn! - Nate and Emily’s newest addition | 6/12/22 Nathan and Emily had their second child in June - Evelyn Rosalie Fraser! She is now 6 months old and has been a happy and healthy baby. We flew to Spokane in October before Sam and Ivana’s wedding and spent about a week in Post Falls, Idaho where Nathan and Emily live. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/52403538-0396-49e1-9e4e-9df5ebedc71d/PXL_20221013_214919555_2.jpg Trip to Idaho Evelyn waking from a nap. She is a very happy baby! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/cf7b4dd7-2349-4475-819c-322f9f991d19/3979.jpeg Trip to Idaho https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9d7fc60b-7925-4a8e-8a72-3e728d09dc57/12934.jpeg Trip to Idaho Enjoying dinner at Wolf Lodge Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/50af8e6c-f36d-4178-9312-315b2a7f14b8/12938.jpeg Trip to Idaho Enjoying a hike in Coeur d'Alene https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/e171e7c0-6a37-4b55-9a02-c9c1447f1a62/12942.jpeg Trip to Idaho https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f9de3bff-5195-4912-90f0-ac7e792fa8ab/12944.jpeg Trip to Idaho https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/b07cd2bd-3b73-49ce-92d9-7cd2b43d3374/PXL_20221013_214918097_2.jpg Trip to Idaho https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/9b856237-31c8-43f9-9259-e2ebe722bbbb/PXL_20221014_001545943_2.jpg Trip to Idaho Theo has his own chair in his room. He is now 3 years old. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/5973f49d-f5c6-4e29-aa40-b0a0b0c45f93/PXL_20221015_181729714.jpg Trip to Idaho https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/84778c1a-1b0c-4a4e-9a85-b549d2bdb8b8/PXL_20221016_004241459_2.jpg Trip to Idaho Some rustic decor at Wolf Lodge Inn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/0dee84da-b5cb-4721-9e3b-60169b4ff1ed/PXL_20221016_194103294.jpg Trip to Idaho https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/d9cfc2d9-391b-489a-9cfd-d118326fc44a/PXL_20221016_201840311.jpg Trip to Idaho https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/f49610c5-dfd2-431c-833d-3cba2fe32996/PXL_20221016_231716667.jpg Trip to Idaho https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/564b4158-be6d-45a6-a839-f0e9df9cb522/PXL_20221016_232426675.jpg Trip to Idaho You're looking more "dad" like Nathan! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/3a44a3a9-0fd1-4769-9ee8-c693f04e5172/PXL_20221017_192611041.jpg Trip to Idaho What's wrong with grandpa's stomach? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61d5cc977576fe600e7f3fe7/99dbd2a8-21be-4420-a604-31895fdf7691/PXL_20221017_221920773.jpg Trip to Idaho