& Then I Bought an RV!

Rocky Mtn. Park.......WOW!

2011-07-16T20:09:00.001-07:00

Rocky Mountain National Park......The GPS shows the facts folks.....well above 12,000 feet.
Rocky Mountain National Park....Views from every 50 feet!
The mountains still have "snow".....actually they are referred to as "glaciers" on the maps of the area.
More than 50 Elk together munching grass. But no bull in sight. He is probably in the trees watching them.
The mountains paint a different view every few feet. The weather this time was marvelous. Our last time through was 2009 and we had a blizzard at the top of the mountains....80 foot visibility....

Love this place!

Duke

Sadness Saps Us In Colorado! We Lost Our Jackie!

2011-07-14T20:58:00.000-07:00

Today we lost a cat....Our Jackie. She managed to escape the coach alongside the Colorado River....We searched, and had help. The campground is still watching, but no sighting of her. The pic is Jackie at right and Pearl, our younger cat at left.
Jackie is a truly special cat.....She "adopted" Sandra at a pet store where Sandra saw several cats. We took her home and she was always very, very needy. Attention she demanded...and if Pearl got attention, Jackie was there to get her share as well.

She loved any form of food....and got a bit chubby as she ate more and more.

When we sat at the dinette in the coach she would come up and grab your arm with her paw as if to say, "here, I am here!" She climbed on the bed in the coach at night with what I called "klumpen-kloggin" feet which felt like she weighed 40 pounds. When she jumped down from the bed or anywhere there was a distinct "thud"....

Her voice was soft, but insistent. When she saw a bird outside she mewed and wanted at it. She would stare at you and ask for attention with a mew.

We miss our Jackie.....very much!

Duke

4 by 4 - OOPS!

2011-07-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

We could not wait....off-roading in Brutus....Now, special roads for that at Arches. This 9 mile road leads to the true 4 by 4 roads which are marked by soft-sandy steep grades, and washes. We got 3.4 miles in. Then the black clouds circled, and the warning sings about rain and washes stood out.
On the road back out it poured, and the gullys and washes were soon torrents. Smart decision Duke!
Today we'll be in Canyonlands National Park. Plotting the routes as I post.

Duke

Arches National Park

2011-07-12T06:49:00.000-07:00

Moab, UT. View of the surrounding mountains and our campground from the dinette window. What a view!!!
Arches create....windows. There are many in the park.
This many-ton rock is balanced on its pedestal unbelievably.
The windows (arches) are caused by water erosion over millions of years. Here are a number of windows in the making.

Duke

Across Utah (I-70)

2011-07-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

A 2nd day of oohs and aahs as we drive up over the mountains from Richfield, UT to Moab, UT. Mountains, mesa, cliffs, viewpoints, and so much to see. Here is a typical winding roadway seeming to snake through the mountains.
A rest area with views unbelievable. You could just turn around 180 degrees and have another beautiful sight.
Climb, climb....even when the road semed to be level or dropping my GPS said we were climbing. We topped out here....
The colors in the rocks were so vivid, so strong. They ranged from this red to yellow, brown, green and blue as well as grey. It was a beautiful day.
The temps allowed us to run with open windows and no generator until later in the trip when we dropped back down to 4,000 feet to enter the road to Moab.

Duke

Richfield KOA was beautiful

2011-07-12T06:00:00.001-07:00

The campground was neat, grass was putting-green quality, trees shaded entire motor home. Nice place to stay.
Most of our fare on-the-road is simple. Sometimes Duchess cooks, but tonight was "dog night" with hot dogs, potato salad, slaw and of course a nice 12 year old Glenlivet on ice to power the chef.
Great life.!

Duke

Trip Through A Canyon!

2011-07-11T08:03:00.001-07:00

Driving from Las Vegas to Richfield, UT...our stopover on the way to Moab, UT and Arches National Park/Canyonlands National Park. It appeared we were driving into a mountain.
It was a canyon through the mountains.
The drive was more than 10 miles climbing all the way from about 2,000 ft. to more than 6,000 ft. In the canyon bottom, alongside us, was the Virgin River, flowing rapidly, and filled with silt.
The view were one-after-another and beautiful. The colors surprising.
The drive was most enjoyable and we sit now in a campground of beautiful grasses and trees.

Duke

Las Vegas!....Baby!

2011-07-09T00:49:00.000-07:00

Here we are in the "hottest" city.....unfortunately, it is July, and it is H-O-T! This is a skyline shot from the campground....
We are at Circus Circus KOA campground....a multi-block-sized campground composed of blacktop and connections. What else does one need in Vegas?
From inside the safely-cool motor home Duchess does some banking business....It is not that difficult today to keep all your business online!
We are near the end of our LV time, and planning an escape NE to Moab, UT....then off to Estes Park, Colorado for some COOL weather.

Busy times, but we enjoy them all.

Duke

No Pics, But Problems.......Temporary though they might be!

2011-07-06T23:19:00.000-07:00

We left the Grand Canyon......Duchess & I in our motor home, pulling "Brutus" the Jeep Wrangler; Bob & Lissi Little, our son-in-law's folks in their 45 foot 5th wheel pulled by a monster truck....we were headed for Las Vegas, Baby! Behind us were Daughter Teri, son-in-law Lance and two grands in their truck and trailer combo.

As we approached I-40 we would split as the kids were heading back East toward home in Dickinson, TX.

They phoned and said, "Let's do lunch at the Denny's at I-40".....Yeppers, we said OK! BIG MISTAKE. 1st, we drove all the way thru a small town trying to find the Denny's. Then as we got back close to I-40 we found our caravan on a small road leading to a golf course....Suddenly I came to a stop sign (I was leading).....Around the corner was a LOW viaduct which I knew neither my motor home nor the Little's 5th wheel could clear. We were at a corner with a gravel road, and nothing else.

What followed was a comedy (at least we will believe so after a few months). Duchess and I had to unhook Brutus so we could back up and turn around. The Little's had to await our departure before backing their 5th wheeler into the gravel and turning around. Our kids/grands did same after we all left.

No lunch; but a few hugs and waves as we split and headed to our separate destinations.

Life on the road......ya gotta love it!

Duke

Grand Canyon......Pictures

2011-07-06T23:04:00.000-07:00

Great shots of the Grand Canyon.....(editor's note....I did a bit of clarity work ont he pics as the canyon in Summer is actually quite hazy-looking.) This is a view across the 10 mile chasm of the canyon.
This is a compound picture I created. Left arrow points to a small green area on what is actually Angel Creek and Canyon. The green represents "Phantom Ranch" an overnight spot for hikers and mule riders. The green items are 100 ft. tall cottonwood trees! The right arrow is a small view of the Colorado River as it winds through the canyon. The insert is of the river section as I zoomed in...including the suspension bridge you might otherwise not see.
This 3rd pic is the small pic superimposed on the last picture, shown at normal size. I hope these give you some perspective of the actual gigantic size of the Grand Canyon.
We loved looking at the canyon, and I have many, many more pics...but will let these suffice, along with postings on the Elk we saw, and other pics from the GC area.

Duke

109 Degrees....AC Out....Whee!

2011-06-25T23:38:00.000-07:00

We drove the last hours of our trip to Brantley Lake State Park w/o AC as the generator once again died. Dash air worked, but have you ever tried to cool a 33 ft. motor home with dash air?...We got there and plugged in and 9 hours later it is cool! Here are our next door neighbors, Daughter Teri, Son-in-law Lance and grands new camper and monster truck.
Here are Roadhouse and Brutus seemingly in conversation on our desert campsite. The temps have dropped near 70 now, but back to 106 tomorrow.
Despite the heat as the sun moved lower in the West, beside our motor home we spotted these two bunnies. Soon there were four cavorting about....Neat stuff.
Tomorrow, Carlsbad Caverns. Kids headed to tour. We are exploring handicapped tour as Duchess cannot walk the caverns. We'll enjoy and hopefully be cool....

Nite all.....
Duke

My Assistants.........Love Em All!

2011-06-25T23:18:00.000-07:00

This morning Grand kids Robert and Lauren announced they wished to accompany Pa Pa & Grandma for the day! Next came seating. After a short discussion/revision, Lauren was my co-pilot. She and I sang, smiled, etc. for about 20 miles and then she slept. She awoke 3 times to ask how far we had driven, then went back to sleep!
Robert abandoned the front seat for this bucket seat (yes it has a seat belt!) where he played games for 3 hours without a break.....Kids!
At our gas/food stop as we turned onto Rt. 285 they went back to Mom and Pop as the AC was not working in "Roadhouse!"

Grand kids everywhere are a trip!

Duke

Traveling...Junction, TX to Brantley Lake State Park, NM

2011-06-25T23:08:00.000-07:00

I-10 from Junction, TX West to Rt. 285 N. to NM....The Hill Country gives way to larger hills, open areas, and little traffic/to see/etc. Here, however, is a sign you'll not see in Florida/Illinois, or most other states. NO, I did not. I am in a motor home pulling a 4,600 lb. Wrangler!
Here is a typical shot of our 1st 200 miles until our turn. REALLLLLY Exciting, huh folks?
Then we turned North on Rt. 285....following it through a section of nearly-abandoned Texas North to New Mexico and Carlsbad. It Got H-O-T & our AC Generator quit again. Dash Air to cool a 33 foot motor home? NOT! It was a trying final 2.5 hours!
We are working on a plan to fix the generator. More in newer posts.

Duke

Traveling.....Dickinson to Junction, TX

2011-06-25T05:03:00.001-07:00

Ah the open road.....Time for some Big Sky Country, Texas Style....The view on I-10 leaving Houston Westbound.
The Hill Country of Texas....& our 1st cactus.
Spent last night in Junction at the KOA....today we depart for Brantley Lakes State Park, in New Mexico. I'll send pics of some truly OPEN/DESERTED country. We last drove this stretch the opposite way in June of 2009. You can drive 20-30 miles on the two lane leading N. to NM without ever seeing or passing another vehicle.

Duke

Patience People!!!!!!!

2011-06-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

We are still in Dickinson, TX.....Not a lot to post as we are a) readying for trip West with daughter/son-in-law/grands...... & b) storms/etc. have left us without much in pics.

IF we get the new breaker for the gen set (GENERATOR) we will depart tomorrow morning with kids. If not, we will stay until replaced; then catch up to kids.

Will know today!

Awaiting phone call.

Duke

Branson....Oh & a Cavern....

2011-06-15T18:10:00.000-07:00

Springfield, MO. & Fantastic Caverns. The only caverns in the USA where you actually ride through the cave in a wagon pulled by a jeep. This was the entrance.

Long ago and far away.....The Branson equivalent of American Bandstand. Note the dirty window from a storm through which the picture was shot.
King Kong lives again atop the Empire State Building at the Wax Museum in Branson.
We saw the Pierce Arrow Theater show on Tuesday evening, and the Yakov Dinner show on Wednesday....plus some drives in the mountains nearby and lots of tours of the tens of theaters in Branson.

Tomorrow morning we begin a two-day tour S. through Wet Willie Clinton country (Arkansas), into Texas headed to Dickinson, TX & Daughter Teri & family.

Duke

Leaving Illinois for trip to SW

2011-06-15T18:03:00.000-07:00

Rockford, IL to Eureka, MO....The Arch!
Take me out to the ballgame, take me out with the crowd....Busch Stadium, St. Louis, MO.

Illinois roads under repair......everywhere. Actually, there are signs about work...there are yellow/orange barrels for miles. What is missing is a) Equipment and b) Workers. Illinois!

Duke

The "SAGA OF THE GRILL BRUSH!"

2011-06-13T14:46:00.000-07:00

O.K., Son Paul, III came to Jax campground for a cookout about a month ago. He took one look at me trying to clean my "Baby-Q" Weber grill and commented on how I could "afford" a new brush....I had to respond with my usual flair and tell him I was having the brush "refurbished"....
On our return to Jax 10 days ago he came to visit and presented me with a nice bag & components to "refurbish" my brush....It contained wire, tweezers and a small knife. PLUS INSTRUCTIONS!
Here is the accompanying instruction sheet!
This is, of course, the actual new brush he brought to the campground for me. Thanks Son! Guess I'll keep the refurbishing kit for next time!
See, I am not afraid to post a story making fun of myself.

Duke

Catching up!!!!

2011-06-13T14:44:00.000-07:00

O.K., I promised more frequent posts......Sorry. Rockford Campground had small mice running web power-driver. I could not get online most of the time and when on, it was overloaded by a 10 word post...no pics!

Now I am beginning posting several nice things for you all.

Duke

CRASH!....Or, why I do not park on shoulder of Interstate!

2011-06-06T13:18:00.000-07:00

Located 35 mi. from Rockford, IL we came upon this accident. Semi rear-ended parked RV with trailer on back. Drove them off highway into ditch. Lots of ambulances, stretchers, etc. Never got close enough to see much. RV & semi are at right of picture.
Truck also ended up in ditch, and cab and rt. front damage was considerable.
If you have to stop GET OFF THE INTERSTATE.....not alongside it.

Duke

Terre Haute, IN Two Day Stop

2011-06-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

Arrived after another in a series of hot days. The campsites have been upgraded at the KOA. Nice patio, table, chairs, umbrella, fire pit, and all under tall shady trees.
Our trip in saw us crossing the Ohio River between Kentucky and Indiana. Water still lays on the fields, some 14 feet above the current river. Also to note in the picture are the large bug splatters from some creature which attacked us as we drove across Kentucky. I will be busy tomorrow morning for an hour or more scrubbing them off the front of the coach.Our friends Dick and Norma are coming over and we are all off to Red Lobster for a nice meal. Tomorrow we'll be with them all day exploring and talking over times long past.

Duke

Day 2.....OK & A/C Works.....Vinery was fine!

2011-06-03T15:53:00.000-07:00

Cartersville, GA to Clarksville, TN...Nice trip here is the pic of I-24 leaving Chattanooga and heading to long climb up and then down mountains....Our 1st test of Roadhouse pulling Brutus and Brutus' brake assist helping stop the parade on a big downhill. Both passed with flying colors. ALSO.....A/C functioned normally all day!
After landing Roadhouse at Clarksville RV Resort, we took Brutus for a spin and visited Beachaven Winery and bought a bunch of their stuff. Wine Larder restocked from devastating visit to Jacksonville and Son Paul, III. This is a pic of the grape-laden vines outside their front door.
Tomorrow, off to Terre Haute, IN to see friends Dick and Norma who stood up with us those 17 years ago. Now living in the little town of Brazil, IN, we still love our visits with them.

Monday.....Off to Rockford,to see Daughter Nancy, Son-in-law Jeff, and 4 grandkids. Eldest, Jacalyn, is celebrating high school graduation, and Paul, III will join us next weekend for her party. Fun, fun, fun!

Plus some needed-RV work.

Duke

1st day.....May Day, May Day....in June No Less!!!!

2011-06-02T16:36:00.001-07:00

This day was pretty much either a fiasco or a warm up to a good trip.....The results are not in!!!1st off, the coach was hot by the time we did the 1st-ever hook up of our brake assist system, so on the road we added the dash air to the generator/central air operation. EXCEPT: The dash air blew HOT air! O.K., add that to the list of things to do in Rockford, our next serious stop.

Then, in downtown Atlanta...amid the 5pm traffic snarl, moving at 3 mph and with NO POSSIBLE way to stop...the MAIN A/C stopped...

The coach quickly went from comfortable to 90s and rising. We drove for 90 minutes to the campground in Carterville....there, flipping a switch the A/C again fired OK!

Check in....nice shaded site. Parked, leveled the coach, and then plugged into "shore power".....no A/C. I flipped switches on the one-unit/two-unit setup and soon the A/C was humming again. Now we wonder what's next.....will the A/C continue....is there a problem???? We are headed to SW USA where it is going to H-O-T!!! Las Vegas in July will be 110-117 from people who have been there.

Much to do in Illinois!
This is our location currently with me writing from inside the double windows by the dinette. Brutus hooked to Roadhouse....this is a simple sleep over unless the A/C fails again.

Ah the road life!

Duke

Three Days In Jax

2011-06-02T16:33:00.001-07:00

1st stop was to visit Son, Paul, III.....in Jacksonville. Beautiful Flamingo Lake Resort...on the lake in shade.

Saw a Suns minor league game with 20 folks from son's business.

Drank and ate well.....way too well......Today off for 1st serious driving day to Carterville, GA.

Duke

Sunday Afternoon.....7:30pm......

2011-05-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

Most everything is aboard "Roadhouse"......We have bath things we'll use tonight, and a refrigerator full of stuff to load in the AM......plus our two critters, cats Pearl & Jackie. Then we are ready to roll. Off to Jacksonville for 3 days with son, Paul, III (Lil Duke)....

Today we handed the keys to our Dukedom to a friend who lives just down the street. He and a few more neighbors will watch over our place til we return. Our alarm system is quite extensive and will carry the heavy load. You ain't gonna get in here without sounding lots of alarms. From glass-breakage to motion detection to every door and window, we are pretty well protected. Paranoia? Nope, just good common sense! The outside alarm and flashing strobe will alert neighbors that we have a problem.

Nuff said. Now for the coach and its protection. Duchess packs a mean punch....JUST KIDDING!!! We are OK....Trust me here!!!!!

Time for relax and rest before tomorrow's departure. I only have about 210 miles to drive tomorrow....all the way to Jax, FL and ....one of our faves. Flamingo Lakes Resort. We'll be on-the-water once again, and enjoying the shade of tall trees.

Pics and stories to follow as we begin a 7-10 thousand mile trip!

Duke

Sunday Afternoon.....4pm

2011-05-29T13:31:00.000-07:00

Had to take both cars to car wash.....idiot birds ate stupid blue berries and then sat in our Oak tree.....Jeep and Town Car trashed. Damn the birds.....

In the line of RV readiness.....loading everything. Bikes are strapped inside "Brutus" ready for launch. Chain saw.....doesn't everyone carry one?.....inside scooter bay of coach. Refrigerator freezer being loaded.....clothes on board....mostly!!!!

The number of things needed is astounding......Many are CRITICAL.......Meds/batteries...lots of things need these.../computers (3 laptops)...../loaded our "ready bay"....fire wood, table covers, lights for awning, step for high location in campground, tools for grill, lighter, bug candles....etc.

We WILL be ready tomorrow morning at 10am......but we will forget something!

Duke

Saturday Early Morning!

2011-05-28T03:39:00.000-07:00

Thoughts on the trip.......this one will be run almost entirely with generator operating for 220 power.....A/C. We will not be in cool weather until N. Illinois on the 6th of June. When we leave there (13th), we'll be driving to S.W. for an extended stay....it is already hot there.

Our next cool will be mid-July when we motor across the Rockies and off to Estes Park for a few days in Rocky Mountain Park....there it will be cool.

1st test of the trip will be pulling Brutus up the mountains N. of Chattanooga, TN....followed immediately by 2nd test as we try out seriously our new brake assist in the Wrangler. It is supposed to hold "Brutus" back so he does not push "Roadhouse" down the mountains too fast. This is all just a test for the SW where the mountains are a LOT bigger.

Duke

Friday....(written Sat. Morning)

2011-05-28T03:22:00.000-07:00

Picked up coach, filled fuel tank with 20 cent lower gas. New wipers (match a semi-truck) @ $93 for a pair! Finished reading Roadmaster Brake Assist manual. Install today (Sat.)....

Living room looks like Fibber McGee's Closet (if you are under 50 you'll not understand that one). Everything from a new tower-type fan to two foldable bicycles, cases of mixers....er, soda. Dry foods, electronics (do you know how many chargers it takes for two phones, two cameras, three laptops, and assorted other pieces of equipment?...I do....2 power strips...all for two people).

Today the loading begins.....1st clean out storage bays and repack. Add new stuff. Load tools, wine, rolling booze-parlor (bar)...stocked well....all while doing laundry. Tomorrow will be loading for clothes, refrigerator (looking at small refer for underneath storage area to supplement smaller RV refrigerator which is only 17 ft). Then GPS, maps, sunglasses, hats (I take 8 in the coach plus at least three caps which are primarily for wearing in Brutus (Wrangler). Add in books, DVDs (we can watch in main area or on smaller bedroom TV), and writing pads, pens, my computer glasses.........you can see why we never have left home and found everything on board. Usually within a day or two something shows as missing. We hope for minor, easily replaced, items.

It is ALL WORTH IT the minute we hit the highway and our mandatory rendition of "On the road again!" rolls forth.

Duke

Wednesday.....Preparations continue

2011-05-25T13:58:00.001-07:00

Set up local UPS postal service to accept and forward mail during our trip. Yesterday we did final adjusting on our foldable bicycles....then took a short ride. MAN...were we shaky riders. It has been years since we rode. The bikes are also smaller, 20 in wheels, and thus shorter wheel base which makes for wobbly ride. Today received my new 9mm....Springfield XD.

Tomorrow get key for friend and neighbor who is by here 3-5 times daily and will stop and check, he'll also be 1st called if alarm sounds.

Received brake assist for the Wrangler from TX.....and reading manual I downloaded for it. Next, a dry run to set it up.

Friday we bring Roadhouse here to turn the refrigerator on and begin loading clothes, tools, bikes, 3 laptops, GPS, maps, camping books, cat food (bags & cans), and hopefully everything we'll need.....we always seem to forget from 1 to 3 items we need.

Duke

Monday - 6 Days to Go!

2011-05-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

Today "Brutus", our Wrangler got new oil, oil filter, air filter, and windshield wipers. Next is wipers for "Roadhouse", the RV....Man is she lovely in her new paint.

Foldable bicycles are assembled and now need adjustment and a few "test rides' in the neighborhood so we do not make fools of ourselves at the 1st campground!

We will bring "Roadhouse" out of storage about Thur/Fri and begin loading.....clothes, tools, equipment, food, cat stuff, maps, road atlases, GPS, computers (3, believe it or not), my hats, and lots more......

Man it is amazing....we can spend weeks preparing, loading, listing things, and EVERY trip we leave something behind.....guess that is human nature!

Excitement builds daily from this point.

Duke

Summer Tour 2011 Is just a week away!

2011-05-22T13:49:00.001-07:00

We are ready....well, ready in terms of need to get away!.....NOT ready in terms of packing, buying, etc. One aspect of preparation is almost done.....2 new foldable bicycles are assembled...now needing only adjustment & some practice rides in the neighborhood to check out brakes and shifters (6 spd).
Roadhouse, our faithful ride for more than 35,000 miles to date has a new paint job and clearcoat to keep her ready and shining at all times.
Filled tanks with gas about a month ago, but now wish I had waited....gas price dropping and soon I will be able to buy for less than I filled the coach. LOVE THAT.... at 8 mpg the price MATTERS!!!!

I'll start posting daily from this point as we prepare to face the many, many miles of Summer.......E-X-C-I-T-E-M-E-N-T abounds!

Duke

p.s. Stand by for something new this year.....HD videos of our trip in addition to my pictures! Hope it adds a lot and allows more demonstration of the scope of view in some places.

Misc. Notes.......

2011-05-06T14:22:00.000-07:00

A campfire....this one in the Blue Ridge last September....Duchess has our son (Lil Duke)'s favored statue of "Jaggie" (He lives in Jacksonville, and holds Jags season tickets)...We "stole" him for a tour of the BR....it was fun. We took pics of him with us everywhere, and then I produced a book for our son of the pics and stories of "Jaggie"'s travels. One may note that, even in Sept. Duchess was in full long-sleeved sweat jacket and long pants...The lovely Blue Ridge gets cold. This campground, I believe is at the Fancy Gap, Virginia KOA...a favorite of ours for its location, and friendly folks.
One of the things that has given me concern as we travel is camp fires! WHY? Well, in most states, and in many campgrounds, they do not allow you to bring in your own wood for campfires....despite having nice big fire pits, etc.

The reason given most times is, "BUGS!" You might transfer an Illinois bug to Wisconsin, etc. I believe I have finally solved this. I found some bagged, short-cut fire logs for my chimera in the back yard. They are "sterilized" of bugs by gas. I will simply not ask, and use them and point to the bag as proof, if questioned.

WHY? Cause the campgrounds charge you multiples of the price of firewood at most places.

No bugs will escape anyway...I BURN THEM! I am sure hitch-hikers do exist...on coach bodies, in bays, etc. But you cannot avoid this when going campground to campground.

We have had fires in lots of places from Maine to Washington.....Sometimes they are banned by drought...such as last Sept. in Natural Bridge, VA.....The rangers were out and enforcing NO-BURN rules. I understand this as it was so dry there driving on camp roads produced a giant dust storm. One spark and the entire grassland on which we camped would have gone up like a blazing match.

Common sense folks. I love campfires. A nice toddy, or a good wine and a campfire and you can almost hear me purrrrrrrrr!

Duke

Repaint is Underway......

2011-05-06T13:51:00.001-07:00

"Roadhouse", our home-away-from-home for the past 5 1/2 years is aging....not badly, just normal Florida heat and sun type stuff. The graphics on her sides are cracking, and rolling up.
The coach is now out for repairs/repaint! Here is a side shot showing the graphics cleaned, and ready for removal. They will be replaced by painted-on graphics which will fade much more slowly, and not peel.
Also, when done (Here is the rear minus some swirls and the "Damon Challenger" logo) the coach will be wrapped in two coats of "Clear Coat"; the same finish "Town House", our Lincoln Town Car enjoys.
We are excited about the outcome, and found this to be less-expensive than upgrading to a newer/larger coach. Roadhouse is comfortable to us, and the idea of spending lots more $ to upgrade does not appeal to our conservative nature! We have much better things to do with our money.....

For those wondering "How do you see out the rear?".....Look at the top of the open area of the rear and you will see a small camera...complete with sound, when I need it. Most of my view of what's happening comes from the sideview mirrors, much like a semi.....regular mirror for most views, and a WIDE view which shows me what is beside me so I do not turn into someone. Rear windows on a 33 ft. coach would be useless!

I'll be posting again next week as we go thru the process of rehab on the dulled paint and decorations.

Duke

New Exterior For Coach?????

2011-04-28T12:34:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow morning I drive by a place to consider re-paint of coach's graphics which are pulling off coach. They are vinyl and old. Looking at paint as an option.

Also tomorrow I get my new sewer system installed at Lazydays RV.....A macerator.....it chews up the black water stuff and expels it thru a 1" hose instead of the usual 3" hose. That means, basically, I empty without handling pipes, supports, etc. Mainly a quick, easy method of dealing with a highly distasteful job...and doing it much faster.

RVing is all about being organized and staying on top of your coach/RV, etc.

Just like a boat.......Only this "hole-in-the-water" is on land!

Duke

Monday Morning Coming Down!....Home to Tampa from JAX!

2011-04-28T12:26:00.001-07:00

Great weekend. Several things learned....."Brutus", my Wrangler Unlimited, tows nicely. No problems what-so-ever. However, that said, mileage seems to have dropped by less than 1 mpg.....At 8mpg that is significant! That may be caused by the fact heat forced us to run gen-set and AC the entire trip.

Coming thru Orlando we ran into a major storm with flooding on I-4 & clouds that looked suspiciously like tornado-forming areas. None showed up, but the tension level was high!

Filled up in Space Coast area for $3.73 & felt good about it. $170 for less than 3/4ths tank! YIKES......oh well, we've warned kids we plan to slide into death sideways, burned out, out of gas and out of money! Live hard and fast. Spend it before your kids get it!!!!!!

Duke

Jacksonville....Road Trip/Test Run!

2011-04-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

1st Trip with "Brutus" as the toad behind "Roadhouse".....Off to JAX. It was perfect. Tire rotation/balancing has reduced all vibration and it was a great trip.

Flamingo Lake RV Resort, just off I-295 & Lem Turner Blvd. in Jacksonville, Is a lovely place w/lake, pool, store, on-water open-air restaurant....This is our waterside site.

Great stay...it is now Sun. morning. Our Easter dinner will be brats & potato salad and cole slaw......YUM!!!! I'll post a pic of nicely browned brats soon!

Duke

OOPS! Forgot to take pics of brats......we were too busy snarfing them down!!!!! Lovely lakeside afternoon dinner......Outside....waterside....birds chirping, brats delicious, same for other food stuffs.....LIFE IS GOOD!

NE to N to SW to W to NW.......so far

2011-04-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

Rough approximation of our planned trip beginning Memorial Day.

Still lots to do before leaving, including a test outing pulling "Brutus" behind "Roadhouse" for the 1st time. Eager to see how that goes.

Before that, some tire rotation and accounting for a couple of wheels with minor bent spots. No need to rumble down the highway on a long trip.

Also abandoning our Schwinn electric scooters in favor of foldable bicycles. Easy to store and no need to charge/recharge, and a number of campgrounds do not allow gas or electric scooters.

Duke

A New Season....The Game Has Changed!

2011-03-31T09:01:00.000-07:00

Carved on a large rock at Natural Bridge in Virginia
We are deep into planning for the 2011 trip(s). Actually we figured we'd be long gone by now, however no such luck. Family plans have rescheduled us....a grandchild graduating high school in Rockford, IL; a gathering of another part of the family for a trip to Grand Canyon and places West of Houston, their home.

Now for the game changers mentioned above. Last year we bought gas at about a dollar less per gallon than this year. Now that may not be much of a game-changer in a 40 mpg Prius....However, our 8mpg motor home, now towing a Jeep Wrangler which weighs half-again the weight of our old "toad"...a Suzuki. Those changes will give us an approximate cost for the trip from here to Northern Illinois, back down to Houston, then West to Grand Canyon (with stops in between) will set me back about $2,000 just for the fuel to get to Grand Canyon.

I'll be exploring our decision-making process and trip planning as we head toward a May 30th departure. Stay tuned!

Duke

Blue Ridge - Sept. 2010 - Part 2

2010-09-30T08:01:00.001-07:00

Some more of the color (limited) in the Blue Ridge currently.
On I-26 in SC, on the way up, we ran into this 98 minute stop for a semi which rolled off the highway. With a wrecker in place holding the semi, both lanes were blocked. We drove around the wreck in single file on the median. Took a LONG time.
AH Florida......home of Spring & Fall onsloughts of LOVE BUGS! These small black bugs join in a mating ritual for life. Then they commit suicide on the highways. A motor home is a lovely wall for them to die upon!
Yes, that is a Tampa Bay football pillow on the dash. We now find few bugs in the mountains, apparently they have succumbed to the cooling weather.

The rainy weather has prevented me having my beloved campfire. A single pack of firewood has been under Roadhouse for days...waiting. Maybe tonight.

Duke

Blue Ridge - Sept. 2010 - Part 1

2010-09-30T07:48:00.000-07:00

A few pics of our current trip. Here's our "rig"...."Roadhouse", our Damon Challenger motor home, and attached is our toad (towed) "Sideroad Suzie" This pic is in the KOA in Fancy Gap, VA. It is one of the finest campgrounds we visit. It is located with the back boundary on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
While we are early for the full color of Fall, there is a lot of color sprinkled among the still-green trees. Part of the lack of color this fall is a lack of rain in this area.
At Natural Bridge there are a lot of carvings in the rock...from George Washington's name placed when he surveyed the area, to this carved entry of a J R R Tolkein quote.
We walked the .75 miles up the gorge to see the indian village, the mystery river, heard underground, but never traced, to the falls which at this dry season was a trickle of water over some rocks.

Warm when we arrived, today in Boone, as we enjoy a down day to rest, it is in the 50s. Tonight 49 degrees.

Duke

More Cape Cod....Part I

2010-09-18T11:34:00.001-07:00

Much of Cape Cod, from the SE end turning North and gradually back West, looks like this. Sandy road thru dunes. This is especially true the further out the Cape you drive.
Another mile, another harbor full of boats of all sizes and shapes. I never got tired of seeing these.
We actually only spent one day on the Cape. It deserves much more time than we spent, and I am hopeful we'll return next year to the NE for a longer stay as we follow the leaves turning as they move South.

Duke

More Cape Cod....Part II

2010-09-18T11:28:00.001-07:00

Coast Guard Station & lighthouse South Chatham Mass.....these pics are all on Cape Cod.
A harbor near SE curve of Cape Cod...Lovely water, boats at anchor all over and a beautiful day.
Fall....Leaves turning on a tree...Still early, but the colors of those turning were awesome!
I still have hundreds of pics and will post more, however our time home has been a whirlwind of activities.

Duke

On The Road!

2010-09-03T23:05:00.000-07:00

View from the Comm.....Me at the helm (my usual post), and "Roadhouse's" control center!
Duchess has driven the coach....19 miles in 5 years! She likes my driving!

Duke

p.s. NO I am not short (6 ft), but the "butter-leather" chairs are very high backed!

Lobstah....Lobstah!!!

2010-08-29T16:37:00.000-07:00

Cooking 250 lobsters for folks is a big deal....but one comfortable to Biddeford-Saco Lodge in Maine where it is normal and annual. Duchess and I spent 5 days near here, and became enamored of the Lodge and its people. We met PGER (Past Grand Exalted Ruler for the non-Elks) Amos McCallum....what a neat guy!
We joined in cooking 250 lobsters for 125 people....yeppers, they ate 2 each....including Duchess. I had a steak.
This is what 250 lobsters look like when placed on bags of veggies.....The bags contain: an ear of corn, some "Steamers" (mussels in their shells), an onion, a hot dog, and potato... The lobsters are covered by more seaweed and then the fire lit and they "bake".....The entire meal was delicious. Everything came out just right!

They can buy lobster (1.25 lb. here for about $5 each.....

Duke

Cruise on Sea Princess

2010-08-22T04:02:00.000-07:00

A multi-million dollar mansion located in Somes Sound, Mount Desert Island, ME. We saw this from our tour boat.
The bay outside Somes Sound was hosting a sailboat race of some length.Lovely day, lovely sights. Loved Cranberry Island and its museum.
This is a shot of Northeast Harbor where we boarded the scenic boat. The craft in front is a Nordic Tug (brand, not occupation...actually a trawler live-aboard type.) Out further, in background, were some 100ft + yachts.

While hundreds of these islands were populated in the 1800s, now only 14 host year-round residents. The trades have gone away....salted fish (they had no refrigeration), ice-cutting, etc.

Duke

Name That Car!

2010-08-16T19:02:00.000-07:00

New Hampshire....White Mountains....Turning the motorhome around in a parking lot when what to my surprise should I find but this pair of oldies. The Crosley is easy (yellow!). I had a distant relative who once roamed the U. S. for most of a year in one, sleeping in the back. The 3-wheeler, I cannot recall....Anyone???

Duke

Crawford Notch on Conway RR

2010-08-16T13:15:00.000-07:00

The 5 hour trip to Crawford Notch and back was great. We climbed about 1500 feet, often on the side of a mountain. Here is the view of the notch from our dome car as we sat in Crawford Station.
A picture, on the way down, of Frankenstein trestle. The place, and a nearby mountain were named after a local resident of the time 150 years ago.
In the yard by N. Conway station was this assortment of engines and cars...including a snow plow, old engines, a steamer, and old wooden passenger cars. For those not train buffs, the circular pit with a track across is called a roundhouse, and it was used for turning trains to back them off in a new direction. They are very rare today.
Having grown up with a local rail connection behind my house, I am familiar with little steamers....This was a nice trip and a beautiful way to spend a day in the mountains.

Duke

North Conway, NH.....& Railroad

2010-08-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

Conway Scenic Railroad....5 Hour trip to Crawford Notch and back...We ate in the dining car...great meal....Here is a mural from the ceiling of the 70 year old car.
We rode most of the trip in the dome car with a marvelous view.
Duke and Duchess at lunch!

A bit costly, but really fun and a trip back in time with a guide who told stories of the mountains, the people and the events of this line. Lovely day!

West Rutland, VT...Part 2

2010-08-09T18:29:00.001-07:00

More pics of the cemetery....Just enlarge them to see details. Some are quite hard to read.
This one is labeled: "?.P.DeLand"....he may have been the 1st "Paul"...
The age of the cemetery is easily noted when one looks at the small, mostly faceless stones left by folks to honor long-forgotten family members. Such a shame that even stone is lost to us in 100 or so years.
I know at least one other family member, Rob DeLand, has also visited this cemetery.

I actually stumbled upon it after talking to a priest and a minister in the area who had no clue where it might be. I was leaving, discouraged...and returning to the main road when I noticed the small cemetery alongside the road. There my bride spotted the 1st DeLand tombstone, and then with help of grandson Scott we located a number more and the obelisk shown in another post below!

Duke

Family History.....West Rutland, VT.

2010-08-09T18:09:00.001-07:00

My family lived here in West Rutland for decades. This is the section of the cemetery where a number are buried. The cemetery is just off Rt. 4, about 4 miles West of Rutland, VT. The two stones together (Dark one on left is Rufus...light one on right is Lucy, Rufus' 1st wife) are Rufus and Lucy (Alvord?) DeLand. He was my great, great, great grandfather. He lived to age 90.
A side of the obelisk which has the name DeLand on it. This is for a daughter who died.
The obelisk. The thing celebrates Joseph A. DeLand, apparently a son of Rufus...
In all stupidity, I left my records at home which march me thru the family history. I'll flesh this all out later.

The amazing thing is to go to this little cemetery....just off a main road where it is quiet and many are resting eternally. There, in stone, is a part of my family and my history from many years ago.

It somehow is comforting to see the reality of your family history. Reaching back to my roots made me feel quite good.

Duke

Smugglers Notch and Ben & Jerrys Ice Cream!

2010-08-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

Smugglers Notch....this road labeled by sign as "Not for RVs, and NO SEMIs" means just that. At the top it is steep, winding, and less than 15 feet wide with switchbacks all over!
Then, just a few miles further on....after a LOVELY lunch at "The Shed", a microbrewery, we encountered the original Ben and Jerrys factory and stopped to enjoy some really rich butter-fat ice cream. $21 for three cones.....

Such is the life and price of the tourist!

Duke

Trying Folks.....Slow Internet!

2010-08-08T18:46:00.000-07:00

Ferry from NY side to VT (Plattsburg-Champlain Islands. Across Lake Champlain. LOVELY. This is sister ship we met during 11 minute crossing. We did round trip.
Then we looked uplake toward Canada, and there were at least 100 sailboats of mostly larger sizes on the lake....magnificent sight!

This is lovely country, and I believe we could live here in the Summer....but a bit remote. Few food places, and few shopping places.

Duke

Lake tour....

2010-08-02T19:12:00.001-07:00

In New York...Lake Owasko....One of the Eastern Finger Lakes of New York. Our Friends Bud and Mary Jane have a Summer home which is fantastic. We visited. & We went for a ride on their "Cobra" bow-rider boat. Here is friend Bud...Capt. of our venture.
Here is Mary Jane, his lovey wife and hostess who kept us entertained for our entire visit.
Here is grandson Scott on a tube...following our boat. He rode it for a long time, obviously wearing out his physical self. Then he came aboard and Bud got to do the thing all we adventurous folk do...he "opened it up" and we sped across the lake at 50 mph!!!!
Life is good, ours particularly!

Thanks Bud and Mary Jane for a marvelous overnight!

Duke

Our Friends.....!

2010-08-02T19:00:00.001-07:00

Bud and Mary Jane we met in Grand Cayman last year.... We on our 15th anniversary...they just enjoying time off. Now we went to visit their Summer home on a fingerlake in New York....This is their deck and screen room.
This is the view of their marvelous home from above in the parking area.
The home viewed from the lake where we went for a ride (pics to follow)...
Loved our time and our wonderful friends!

Duke

Rockford to East.....

2010-07-30T22:04:00.000-07:00

Rockford to Streetsboro, OH....433 miles. We traveled rough roads, and long to get here. Our cats...Jackie (left) and Pearl (right) love our couch back....(They hide during drive hours, under our couch!)
The neatest KOA we have seen in some time in Streetsboro...This is the entrance drive. They have lots of lakes, a country store, and home made FUDGE....YUM!
Here is Roadhouse with Side Road Suzie tucked behind, and our chairs, table, etc. all ready... plus a neat fire package ready for an evening fire!....
& Here is our delicious Salmon cooked to perfection to accompany veggies, fresh tomato slices, bing cherries, blackberries, and peaches. YUM.... Oh and a bottle of Tennessee Chardonnay from Beachhaven Winery. Lovely evening with temps down so low we have windows open and fans on....DELICIOUS!
What a relaxed evening. Now late and I need to go to bed....tomorrow...Pymatuning...the lake where the ducks walk on the fishes back! Pics will prove it!

Duke

ROCKFORD, IL

2010-07-26T20:22:00.001-07:00

In Rockford, with Daughter, four grands, son-in-law and added grandson from FL who flew in to travel with the old folks for a few days. Sunday we went to a party at son-in-law's family place with a lake. Grandma can still hook a worm...much to the chagrin of grandson Scott.
We traveled a few miles to Severson Dells, a preserve for game and vegetation. Here is family group shot....Grands, Grandma and Daughter Nancy.
Campground fell victim to flooding from 11 inches of rain in area in 48 hours. Luckily we were on higher ground 15-18 feet above water.We're here til Friday morning and then off to NE for a month.

Lovely weather now that rain is past. 65 degrees tonight. Coach windows are open to enjoy fresh air. Suffer Tampanians!

Duke

Probably BORING Everyone, but It IS Getting Better!

2010-07-23T14:15:00.000-07:00

Trip is underway, and 1st part, as planned, is family. Now in Rockford, and I am slowly getting better. Meanwhile family is having a ball!

Today Duchess & family at a local water park. I am still working on my cold/virus, whatever!

We are here til next Fri. AM and then off to the NE for three weeks of explore and LOBSTER.....

Pics will be coming kiddies...just allow me some recovery time!

Duke

Voyage of The Misfit Travelers?

2010-07-20T05:40:00.001-07:00

Lordy, Lordy......what a trip (to date!)

Let's see....I got the bad cold day before we left. We found 1st night out (Forsyth, GA) that we had forgotten three items important to the trip. I got worse....coughed all night. No energy, and really hard to drive all day.

2nd night out (Clarksville, TN) we visited Beachhaven Winery and bought. I had another bad night.

3rd night (Terre Haute, IN - for 2 nights) visit with friends locally. Did not occur for dinner as my cold is bad for our friend who has breathing problems. Duchess went with them to lunch and then visited their home for a couple hours. I stayed at coach and replaced remaining storage compartment hooks (holds the door open). They had all aged in FL sunshine and were crumbling.

Now Tue am and off to Rockford to meet Grandson Scott from Tampa who flies in today to meet us at home of daughter Nancy, son-in-law Jeff, and four grandkids.

Hope to feel better.

Oh yes, yesterday it stormed and flooded the campground. 30 foot limb fell off tree and landed beside Roadhouse. Have to disconnect this morning wading in flooded area......Love diconnecting 220 volt standing in water......LOL

Duke

Rollin-Rollin.....

2010-07-15T18:23:00.001-07:00

8:30am we roll. Out of Tampa and North.....Forsyth, GA 1st night.....Clarksville, TN and fave winery "Beach Haven".... Then into Terre Haute, IN, for two nights to see old friends.

I'll begin posting stories and pics tomorrow night.

Later folks

Duke

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!!!!!!!

2010-07-11T14:50:00.000-07:00

Well, soon....this Friday......We have lost two months to health issues, and are now going to begin our 2010 Summer sojourn!

We leave Friday for Indiana and friends in Brazil, IN.....We'll stay at Terre Haute KOA.....Then off to Rockford, IL for a week with kids/grands........

Then East for NY Finger Lakes....... and wineries.....then off to New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine! Back in Tampa 1st week of Sept for a week......then back to Blue Ridge!

Home in October for 2 weeks at time share and then off again....who knows where!

Love it!

RE-TIRE-MENT!!!!! Gotta Love It!

Duke

Me then....& Now

2010-05-22T09:19:00.001-07:00

1970 as News Director, WJOL...Joliet, IL
Today at installation as Trustee of Elks Lodge
Been a long trip folks!

Duke

Spring is In The Air....Can A Trip Be Far Behind?

2010-03-28T20:57:00.000-07:00

Nope. "Roadhouse" is currently at Lazy Days having brakes fixed, and some minor stuff taken care of.....

May 15th the wheels roll as we head out for 2-3-4 months...who knows!

1st off to near Rockford, IL (with a stop on the way in Jacksonville and then Terre Haute, IN to see son and then friends. Rockford is home to daughter, son-in-law and 4 grands....We'll be there a month. Driving "Sideroad Suzie" off on jaunts into Wisconsin, Chicago, etc.

Then off to the NE....Have not seen most of it.....

Planning, making reservations, checking places to see.....

More as we get closer...

Duke

& Karnak The Magnificent was also There!

2010-03-19T13:40:00.001-07:00

What a fun evening we had as I "roasted" all the celebs present!
Duke

How About That St. Valentine's Massacre?

2010-03-19T13:02:00.001-07:00

Ganster Duke & his flappers...Duchess on Rt., friend Les on left.It was fun, fun, fun

Duke

St. Pats Party

2010-03-19T11:36:00.001-07:00

Duke heads for Elks Lodge in costume as Leprechaun!
Too Funny....

Wonder if they have green beer!

Duke

On The Road Again! - Well In One Month...

2009-11-18T20:53:00.001-08:00

Duchess and I will be Christmasing in Texas with Daughter, two grands, son-in-law & his wonderful folks at the folks newly-remodeled and somewhat remote log home.

Meanwhile, I have been engaged for the past two plus months in building a dollhouse for granddaughter Lauren in Texas. It will travel in the back of "SideRoadSuzie", our toad....It won't fit through the RV door.

To see as it is built, go to my site where I an tracking construction.

HERE!!!

Duke

Fidel Murphy's, 7 Mile Beach & To Hell & Back!

2009-09-16T14:13:00.000-07:00

7 Mile Beach on Grand Cayman is known widely for the beautiful sand, and blue waters. It is actually just under 6 miles long, and is lined with condos, restaurantsd, shops, etc. This is one of the few open spots accessing the beach from the nearby roadway.
On a suggestion from a regular visitor to the diving paradise of Grand Cayman Duchess & I visited Fidel Murphy's Irish Pub for lunch. What a neat place for good food...and one of the few reasonably-priced restaurants on Grand Cayman.
Oh & Bianca sez Hello! (Thanks Glenn for the tip!)
When on Grand Cayman, a short drive North of the beach is a small place called Hell!
The place even has a Post Office...
Note to those who heard me speak of driving on the left...it is not bad. In fact the folks here are quite friendly as drivers, and nothing so far has been a problem...well, except for the multiple times early on I turned on the windshield wipers instead of the turn signal (They are reversed on right hand drive cars!).

Lovely place, Grand Cayman.

Duke

Sting Ray City #3

2009-09-16T13:59:00.001-07:00

Included in the string ray visit was a snorkeling stop along the edge of the reef that surrounds most of Grand Cayman. The view underwater was tremendous with colorful fish and even a small ray or two.Notice the light blue/green of the shallow water inside the reef, about 10-15 feet deep. The darker water outside the reef drops off quickly to 3-6,000 feet deep.
There were about 40 aboard, and almost all went in, exploring the reef.
Duchess hit the water among the first, and stayed to the bitter end. She had not had the opportunity to snorkel since our 10th anniversary cruise to Barbados.
The waters around Grand Cayman are simply gorgeous!

Duke

Sting Ray City #2

2009-09-16T13:39:00.001-07:00

Sting Ray City....friends told us to go....we booked from our resort (Morritt's Grand) & took the catamaran trip aboard "Spirit of Cayman"....partially by sail, and partly under power.
As one can plainly see the vessel was nicely equipt!
After the stop for snorkeling (in story #3) we stopped on the Sting Ray sandbar...They were numerous! The larger ones, ranging up to 4 plus feet across, are the females. The males are usually no more than 18 inches across & much more shy than the females.
Duchess got up-close-and-personal with one of them.
Back on board I couldn't help but notice the unique patterns of some of the swimsuits.
It was a nice day with perfect weather, and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

Duke

Sting Ray City #1

2009-09-16T07:49:00.000-07:00

Sting Ray City Day....We drove from East End, where we're staying, to Rum Point. Our Catamaran, Spirit of Cayman.
At Rum Point the fabulous views were everywhere.
Also at Rum Point, The Wreck Bar & Grill where we sampled some delicious chicken deep fried and coated.
The road to Rum Point is also home to this little hole-in-the-wall place, Over The Edge Cafe which is a favorite of the locals. Food was excellent here.
Next post I'll actually do the pics from our trip to Sting Ray City....a great outing.

Duke

Sun, Warmth, Glorious fun!

2009-09-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

Another great day in Grand Cayman...Here's our sunrise balcony view...
Infinity Pool, beside our building...the bar has underwater seats, and they serve grilled chicken, 1/2 pound burgers and 1/4 pound hot dogs for lunch...plus a long list of island drinks.
From the water in front of our building (bathtub warm) a view of Mimi's Grill & Bar on the water (had a nice party there last night) & the big building is the main reception center with David's Restaurant on-the-water.
Today we're off to Sting Ray City on a catamaran....Tomorrow George Town and then Cayman Lobster at David's...

Marvelous!

Duke

Grand Cayman - Online

2009-09-14T08:06:00.001-07:00

Finally, online from Grand Cayman's Morritt's Grand Resort.....East End.

Lovely place......Above are Shamua & Rose, our Flight Attendants on Cayman Airlines. They, and the ticket manager heard me tell someone we were on our 15th anniversary trip and they advanced us to "Business Class"....big wide seats, only three of us in the class. They served us champagne, snacks, and even though they don't serve food, they shared their meal with us...Very nice people Cayman Airlines should be proud of!

Flight time was 1 hr 40 min....not bad.

View from our room....

And, looking around the edge of the balcony, you can see some of the Horizon Pool, complete with bar in the middle, and underwater stools....man, what comfort.

Now, if I had just avoided the sun....got a nice red back!

Duke

Grand Cayman

2009-09-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

No pics yet kiddies.....

Morritt's has PCs of their own and you rent time in 30 minute blocks....$1.25 per (CI Money) US is about $.30 higher in cost.

Flight was marvelous with "anniversary" upgrade to Business Class. Rose and Shamua took darned good care of us....Treats, champagne, food...all on a 1 hour 40 minute flight. I have their pics for posting when we drive back to George Town and I get a wifi signal.

The horizon pool is great.....spent hours in pool and at in-pool tiki bar yesterday. I got burned in spite of blocker, hat, etc.

Met a NY (Rochester) couple, Mary Jane and Bud, and hit it off...spent day and evening together talking, drinking, eating, drinking, and drinking.

Today (Sun) the entire place shuts down. No groceries, shops, etc. Most restaurants are open.

We are all four headed to George Town tomorrow and off to see "Hell"....some other places, possibly sting ray city with some snorkeling.

Visiting middle of three pools today with bar and grill in the water.

Prices are what you'd expect.

Lovely time!

Duke

FRED Shows Up.....Wrong Track is The Prelim Report!

2009-09-08T10:52:00.000-07:00

Grand Cayman beckons....FRED is approaching hurricane status.

BUT...The final line of the weather channel story tells it all.......

"Fred is not expected to threaten any land mass."

With Grand Cayman nestled S. of Cuba, and NE of the other major islands, it should be OK, and I am feeling confident we have dodged the storm bullet as Duchess and I did in the 2004 celebration of our 10th anniversary via Princess and the Southern cruise of Barbados, Antigua, St. Thomas, etc.

Friday we fly.....excitement permeates the household.

Duke

Tropical Weather.....4 days out!

2009-09-06T14:10:00.000-07:00

MAR-VEL-OUS!

Love it....nothing organized.....just storms...normal.

Time to pack and time to organize.....Grand Cayman awaits.....

15 year celebration is underway.....

I love my Duchess!!!!

Duke

13 Days.....Hope We Are Free!

2009-08-30T13:35:00.000-07:00

We are in touch and ready for the Grand Cayman vacation/Anniversary!

Love it, and KEEP THE scenarios of hurricanes OPEN & Without storms until the 18th or later.....

Duke

30 Days & Watching!!! - Grand Cayman in Hurricane Season!

2009-08-12T20:00:00.001-07:00

All is quiet so far, and reports are still secure....By this time some years we have had more than 1 storm named.

Hope it stays quiet for our anniversary trip. Sept 11-18

Duke

Rain Pics Details!

2009-07-23T19:33:00.001-07:00

On the road again....out of Tampa and on-the-way to the Blue Ridge where the temps are COOL and we can relax.

The road, as always is fun and we simply enjoy our time in Roadhouse.

There is a relaxed, low-key feeling as we travel. Our speed is usually a bit slower than those in automobiles...partially a fact of the size of our rig, and partially a fact of the comfort level of travel in Roadhouse!

Our 1st night out, as mentioned in the post below, was a total deluge. This pic out the windshield of Roadhouse gives the impression of just how intense the rain was.
This pic, while seeming a pic of rain falling and a flooded RV park road, is actually evidence of the "kneeling" awning we recently installed. When rain begins to fill the awning, it simply drops down at one end and dumps the water.

This was, by far, the most rain we have ever experienced in Roadhouse. All-in-all, it was still a good experience. The RV was sound and leak-free. We weathered the deluge with no problem....well, except for the clean up the next morning as I had to clean pine needles and leaves off the entire coach and our "SideRoad Suzie!"

Fun on the road.

Duke

Let It Rain, Let It Rain, Let It Rain! - & So It IS!!!

2009-07-20T16:37:00.000-07:00

South Savannah, GA - KOA

Left Tampa this morning loading our final items in light rain. Beautiful drive to Savannah, and now we sit here in a deluge! A HUGE deluge. I'll post a pic or two later. We managed a great dinner at Steamer's...seafood and wonderful appetizers. Then home just minutes before the rain began.

Now the campground is afloat. We actually enjoy the sound of rain on the coach roof. Peaceful and comfortable.

The rain came so hard a few moments ago that the place flooded. Across a row or two from our site a group of youthful tent campers (church?) were flooded out and had to load into their white vans and leave or at least go somewhere dry.

Water in our driving aisles is 4-6 inches....our new "kneeling" awning, installed in Madison, WI in late April, works fine. When it begins to collect a large amount of falling rain, one end is equipt with a hydraulic device and it slides down a few inches, effectively dumping the water from the awning.

The rain continues, and I'd guess the last 30 minutes has produced 2-3 inches already.

Glad we're inside, and dry.

Life on the road is great, and it is funny how one day out of Tampa our stress level is down...we're really happy on the road again.

Duke

STAND BY FOR BLAST OFF!!!!

2009-07-17T13:38:00.000-07:00

It is TOO HOT in Tampa.....

We are off again in "Road House"......The Blue Ridge.

We depart July 20th and return end of July. Gotta find some cool air!

We love the Blue Ridge as followers know. This time near Boone to begin...then who knows where......Cool nights, a fire, and a nice swimmin hole are ideals.

COOL is 1st.

Duke

So, Where'd Ya Go?

2009-07-08T21:10:00.001-07:00

Several friends have inquired about our actual 9,750 mile trip and where we went.

Let me list it in nice neat order.....if I can:

Tampa
Terre Haute, IN (Friends)
Rockford, IL (Kids/Grands)
Madison, WI (New awning)
Albert Lea, MN (Great Elks Lodge)
Badlands of SD (Two great days)
Hill City, SD (Custer Park, Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Bear Country, Bumpin-Buffalo Bar)
Billings, MT
Spokane, WA (Great Elks Lodge!)
Grand Coulee Dam
Bremerton, WA (Stayed at Elks Lodge RV Park - Beautiful View!)
Sequim, WA (On Olympic Peninsula)
Hoquiam, WA (On Peninsula)
Portland, OR (With friends for 5 days)
Pocatello, ID (Stayed to avoid Memorial Day crush!)
Yellowstone (ALL we or anybody else ever imagined!)
Grand Tetons/Jackson, WY (Three magnificent days of sights, rafting, food, etc.)
Rocky Mt. Natl. Park ("Roadhouse" cleared 12,200 ft - with huge effort)
Las Vegas, NM (NOT Nevada)
Dickinson, TX (Kids/Grands for a week)
Jacksonville, FL (Son for two days)
H-O-M-E!

April 20th til June 17th

Marvelous time.....wish we had taken 4-5 months.....we had plenty more to see/do!

Duke

Exam Done; Surgery Scheduled....Ready for Blue Ridge!

2009-07-08T21:02:00.000-07:00

The "C" on my face even concerned the surgeon ( whom I trust implicitly) and is probably stage 2... that is Squamous cell....not simply Basel cell as are most of mine. The next level after Squamous is Melanoma......YOU (& I) Do NOT want to go there!

At any rate....I get another round of doc visits to say I am OK for the anesthesia....and then after our return from Blue Ridge, off to dreamland August 13th.

That should allow enough time for recovery before the Sept. 11th trip to Grand Cayman!

Love it!

Duke

ROADHOUSE READY!

2009-07-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

Duchess and I are suffering from a similar malady......."Lack-a-Travel"....

The 10,000 mile trip has worn off.....Roadhouse is ready and so are we!

BUT there is "cancer-cutting" on my face, neck, etc. The cancers are not serious (one would hope), but need to be eliminated, and Duke has a system which flushes local anesthetic in 15-20 minutes....Thus I get to be off in dreamland while they excise the "C"....

Actually that is not all bad.....I go to sleep and wake up done. Exam this next week or two....then surgery in August. Recovery and off to Grand Cayman in September (Lord willing and the Hurricanes Stay AWAY!) Meanwhile, in the last part of July we'll be in the Blue Ridge! COOLER there than in Tampa.

Duke

R & R.....

2009-06-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

That can mean lots of things.

Here it does.....We are recovering from the many, many miles and "Roadhouse" has been in the "RV Hospital"....our fave mechanical team here in Tampa....a small garage owned and operated by a fine couple who, along with their fantastic mechanic, have helped us with vehicle repairs, maintenance, etc for 20 years.

If you are ever in Tampa and need some work....See "Butch's" on W. Hillsborough. They are fantastic.

"Roadhouse" now sports a repaired grill, new front brakes (The Rockies took their toll) and new oil and filter...plus some smaller jobs.

Ready to go again? YOU BET!

In fact the last half of July seems good. Last Doc appointment is July 14th for both of us. Then we will be off on our next adventure.....finding COOL!

This, for a short trip, means Blue Ridge time. Probably Fancy Gap (at the NC/Virginia state line, and alongside the Blue Ridge Parkway). Cool nights, several good restaurants nearby, and a cool pool. Nights here in July still mean a fire alongside "Roadhouse".....In fact last Summer in July I remember well Duchess in sweat jacket, and blanket beside the fire....& Mornings bring the chance for deer in the woods adjacent.

Tampa heat is de-press-ing in the Summer. Speaking of which I need to arise early tomorrow and mow before the yard reverts to a complete jungle.

Duke

More On Grand Cayman!

2009-06-23T18:43:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I surprised Duchess with a week in Grand Cayman in September for our 15th anniversary.

Now the fun begins......airlines.....This is possibly the most stupid use of computers I can imagine. The engines some of these sites use must be Model-Ts. I have so-far found Cayman Airlines most reasonable at about $430 per person, round-trip and non-stop from Tampa! I checked American airlines as a comparison and one of the options was a two-stop out of Tampa to Dallas Fort Worth, then back to Miami and then to Grand Cayman.....three airplanes and a total of 9 hours with a ticket price about $30 higher than the Cayman Air tickets. The Cayman flight is about an hour plus.

Also, must rent a car, and of course drive it on the LEFT side of the road. I am sure the driving part will be little trouble. However, the turning part is going to tax me for a few turns at least. Finding nice restaurant suggestions from several folks.

Trips are fun.....particularly flying. I prefer the motor home, but the bridge to Grand Cayman, over Cuba, has not been completed as of this writing.

Duke

HOME!

2009-06-17T06:09:00.000-07:00

9,750

That is our odometer mileage total as Roadhouse backs into its home port. Our trip is finished (while the posts, pics are not!).....

There is a lot more to post....a lot to discuss, and now plans for work on the tired bus and rest for its tired occupants.....however, there was a sadness about seeing our trip end. It would have taken little to turn us around and send us into the Blue Ridge or Northeast!

More on that later. For now....collecting my pics and thoughts for final posts. Great night's sleep last night which had been much needed as our last two road days were in Jacksonville with Little Duke and we partied a bit too much.

Diet time kiddies!

Duchess off to water aerobics this morning, which she missed perhaps as much as anything here at home. I'm unloading.

Cats CJ & Jackie have returned to normal in the house in a matter of minutes.

More later folks!

Duke

Happy Anniversary......Happy Anniversary......

2009-06-12T18:43:00.000-07:00

One tries to surprise one's m ate for major anniversary events.....
Sometimes One FAILS!

I have been working to surprise Duchess for our 15th anniversary for MONTHS!

We both loved Grand Caymen......

Then when the return call of an availability came it was at lunch with Duchess, and entire Texas family......I had to reserve with her watching.

Oh Well!!!!!!!

Sometimes one cannot surprise another......We are booked, and I am now planning flights.......Love it...

Happy, Happy Anniversary my beloved Duchess!

Duke

High-In-The-Sky Thrill Ride!

2009-06-08T07:09:00.000-07:00

This day was spent largely crossing Northern Colorado via Rt. 40, and then the enjoyment of our trip across The Rocky Mountain National Park to Estes Park, CO. We were into the park by only about a mile when we spotted this magnificent Bull Elk laying on the grass.
If one wondered why the bull was needing rest, they only had to drive on a few hundred yards to see the object(s) of his affection/exhaustion! An entire herd of female Elk.
The 48 mile drive across the park is a variety of scenes, views, and climbs. Switchbacks, loops, and narrow winding roads. Near the top...The Continental Divide...
The divide is not, of course, the actual top of the mountains...It is the place where rivers flow East on one side and West on the other. We climbed on, and on, and on...Clouds descended, rain then snow and sleet began to fall and visibility dropped to a couple hundred feet...all this along a road with small boulders as the only buffer keeping one from driving off into the drop of thousands of feet. Our top out....12,200 feet above sea level. The "Roadhouse" was down to 16 miles per hour on the final steep climb. Scary drive...and no view because of the clouds.
When we topped out and descended we stopped for the night in Estes Park, CO at Mary's Lake RV Resort still at 8,000 feet.
As twilight settled on the campground, Duchess looked out the window and found 5 yearling bull elks feeding on the grass beside our coach.It was a wonderful day...in spite of some anxious moments atop the Rockies.

Duke

Jackson, WY to Vernal, UT

2009-06-07T07:38:00.001-07:00

The section of our Grand Tour that took us from Jackson, WY to Vernal, UT is one of those "you have to go somewhere else before you can get to the goal" type days. We left the Tetons, Jackson, et al and were bound for Rocky Mountain National Park. The trip was too long for a single day, so we made a mid-point stop. The supposed driving day became much more as storms crossed our path...
Along a lake we passed this building resembling some sort of ship...
Then the final piece...about 50 miles North of Vernal. One of those signs of a truck going downhill...with an attached description: "9% Grade next ten miles with 10 switchbacks" Yoicks! I had seen lots of 5%-6% and even 7% grades. NEVER a 9%. Then throw in a set of 10 switchbacks???
It was all the sign proclaimed. I used low gear for much of the descent, and also my brakes. Both transmission and brakes were HOT and screaming by the time I got to the bottom. Whew.....

Duke

Texas Break!

2009-06-07T06:19:00.000-07:00

Posting will continue as I sort through and edit posts for Vernal, UT; Carlsbad, NM; Rocky Mountain Park (at 12,200 feet); and the trip across West Texas (Yawn)....
Butun for now, we are landed in Dickinson, TX near home of kids/grands & today going to Cleveland, TX to visit with Son-In-Law, Lance's folks Bob & Lissi at their log cabin. They just purchased this "ranch" and are in process of complete rebuild of the cabin. Should be a fun day!

Later,

Duke

OOPS! - That Dxxx Bird!

2009-06-04T15:58:00.000-07:00

Roadhouse took a hit today as we entered Texas, and motored to Junction, TX for the night.

I was on Rt. 285 & saw two large black birds (crow/whatever) devouring roadkill out in front of me. i let off the gas, and hit the horn.....They flew to my left, and as I slid by one darted back to the right dead in front of me.....and i mean dead.

Roadhouse does not have her nice smile currently!

The aluminum grill behind the front bumper/radiator protector is bent badly and sagging.

I'm going to have some work to do at home to restore her good looks! Pics to follow, and the intervening days as well in Vernal; Rocky Mt. Park; and Carlsbad, NM.

Duke

Jackson, Tetons, etc.

2009-06-03T21:02:00.000-07:00

Below are four posts encompassing our Jackson/Jackson Hole/Tetons visit.

The place deserved a much longer visit. We'll be back one day!

Duke

The Grand Tetons!

2009-06-03T20:33:00.001-07:00

Although this picture is from South of the primary peaks these are the three Tetons....Grand at right and then middle and smaller Tetons.
This, from straight on, is The Grand Teton.
Lake Jenny, located along the base of the Tetons is supposedly the result of a melting glacier or glaciers thousands of years ago. It is beautiful.
The shoreline picture shows how clear the icy-cold lake is.
As Duchess found, the quiet of the park near Lake Jenny provides a place of contemplation.
The Tetons are the only mountains in the entire chain not limestone. They are composed of granite, thus providing a clue as to their stark, sharp-cut features.

Ignoring their geological history, they are simply breath-taking in their beauty. Some of the few mountains lacking row upon row of smaller mountains. They are just THERE!

Duke

Good Food & The Arches are NOT Mickey D's

2009-06-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in an earlier post some of the foods of Jackson, WY.

An up-scale dinner was ours at The Gun Barrel....A combo of Elk chops, Buffalo prime rib, and Venison Bratwurst! A fine meal and served in a restaurant entirely decorated by huge wood beams. Great place.
Outside Jackson, just North of the airport was Dornan's. A combination clothes shop, fine wine store, and restaurant/bar. The restaurant has two stories...the upper one a deck on the roof in full view of the Grand Tetons. The fare? Excellent pizza with the nice crispy crust of home-made!
Not a restaurant, but the city square in Jackson has elk-antler arches at all four corners.
We really enjoyed Jackson, and could spend more time there....in spite of the most-expensive campground to date.

Duke

Rafting the Snake River!

2009-06-03T19:44:00.000-07:00

Before anyone begins to think Duchess and i are finally round-the-bend....We went for a "Scenic" 13 mile rafting trip....opting out of the whitewater trips also available.
Our guide was Joseph....in his early 20s as are most of the guides here. He was relaxed, funny, and an intelligent young man.
The trip was not without some concerns as we were at the peak of the Spring runoff, and the water....flowing at 4-5 million gallons a minute in August, was now clicking along at 18.5 million gallons per minute and a speed of 7-8 knots. We launched and passed under a bridge within seconds.
Downstream we saw many fine homes, some animals we did not expect in the mountains of Wyoming....pelicans! Thinking of them as Florida birds we were surprised to know they live year round along the Snake River.
One of our guides snapped this shot of Duke and Duchess in their required gear. (OK...I was in a nautical mood and added the U.S. Coast Guard cap as a final touch! & YES, the bottle has WATER in it...nothing else.)It was a fun trip, although we'd have been much more happy if we'd seen more animals.

Duke

National Museum of Wildlife Art - Jackson, WY

2009-06-03T19:14:00.000-07:00

Little-known but fascinating is the National Museum of Wildlife Art near Jackson, WY. The place is built of native stone, and built into the side of a mountain.
The entrance is a huge demonstration of logs and statuary.
The museum, identified by a large sign from each direction, is marked at the entrance road by this sculpted display of a bull Elk and four does.
At the entrance to the parking lot, buffalo captured in sculpture.
From the cafe inside this picture of a reclining bear sculpture outside with the local mountains behind it across the plains of the National Elk Refuge.
Unfortunately, the inside is not open to cameras, but the art is amazing.

Another unplanned and marvelous surprise on our trip.

Duke

South of Yellowstone, On The Way to Jackson....

2009-06-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

Out of Yellowsotne, and on the road to Jackson. This river was falls on one side of the road bridge....
and a beautiful downstream picture which could grace any post card.
When I stopped to picture the bear (in the post below) I turned to return to Roadhouse, and found this view of the Grand Tetons behind the motor home.
Our Tetons adventure was underway.

Duke

Leaving Yellowstone.....

2009-06-03T16:55:00.001-07:00

Animals in Yellowstone; a delight to see and spot.....sometimes a delay!

As we left West Yellowstone, the city, and entered the park for the final time leaving for Jackson, WY & The Grand Tetons, up popped the buffalo....en masse! They were, in fact, being moved by park rangers to new feeding grounds....down the park road. We waited....
As we entered the Tetons area we finally saw our first and only bear. The animal was feeding on plants in a small grove and, using 10X zoom, I managed this picture.

Duke

New Picture......

2009-06-03T16:52:00.000-07:00

I did away with the formal picture, and replaced it with a pic taken at Badlands National Park on our current trip.

Hope you like it......

Duke

Misc....Food...Thoughts, etc.

2009-06-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

This point in the blog...which, of course, does not match the current location of Duchess and I (We're about 5 days ahead of my blogging...) Provides a switch and a chance to comment on things.

NEXT UP: Jackson, Jackson Hole, Grand Tetons.....all-in-one! Grand indeed!!!!!

First though the Yellowstone to Jackson trip which took one short day, but provided lots of interesting views, experiences, pics, etc.

Food....I'll be posting pics of two faves in Jackson, WY......Dornan's....where one sits on a rooftop platform and views the Tetons (French for.....er, Breast) while embibing in marvelous local brews (I once again found the lovely heavy Moose Drool) and their fantastic pizza! The other, Gun Barrel Restaurant and Pub....We dined on a quite unusual combo of Elk Chops; Bison Prime Rib, and Venison Bratwurst! YUM!

Well, there it is folks a bit of a teaser.....stand by for lots of pics and stories this evening.....we're in Las Vegas......WELL, actually Las Vegas, New Mexico! and I have a couple of hours, and a fine new Vodka......44 North....made in Oregon and flavored of Huckleberry! On-the-rocks is F-I-N-E!

Later folks.

Duke