Paws and Friends

We left Elkhart, IN, July 19, Thursday morning, through a downpour, the first rain they had received since March 3, for Joliet, IL. While in Joliet, we met an old college friend of Lindy's, Ruth Hunt Mendius and her husband Larry. We had a great time chatting in the motor home and continuing the chatter over lunch! From Joliet we traveled through Iowa, spending one night in North Liberty then across the state the next day to Shelby, IA. Monday, July 23 we traveled 99 miles to Pender, NE, to the Blue Ox Campground (VERY nice! and free to Blue Ox owners and Escapees!)  on site at the Blue Ox factory and service center. We bought our tow bar for the jeep in February 2008, and we had never had it serviced. We had an appointment, and about an hour before, a young gentleman knocked on our door, picked up the tow bar, and delivered it for its servicing. About 2 1/2 hours later he returned with the tow bar, helped us get it back in the hitch on the coach, and explained a li

June 27 we drove down the Maine Coast (as close as we could get!) to Kennebunkport, specifically to view the Elder Bush Compound. We wanted to see if we could see Barbara! Sadly, we did not spot her! We did enjoy the view however! From Kennebunkport, we continued along the coast to the southern tip of Maine, historic Fort McClary. This site has been used for nearly 275 years to protect the approaches to the Piscataqua River.  The site was manned during five wars:  the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I. But, it saw little conflict. It was named for New Hampshire native Major Andrew McClary who died at the Revolutionary War's Battle of Bunker Hill. The array of buildings , walls and earthwork reveal military history and are evidence of changes in military architecture and technology. Granite was used to build walls, beginning in 1808. But, with rifled cannons which could penetrate these walls, these plans were susp

Saturday morning, July 14, we moved on down the road from Beechwood Acres Camping Resort early (for us!) to Elkhart Campground, in Elkhart, IN. We traveled 283 miles...a long day for us. We traveled a mix of Interstate, state roads, and once again, a toll road! Our route: / View Larger Map We got fuel just before entering the Indiana Toll road at Fremont--stopping first at a Pilot/Flying J--where the truck islands did not accept the Flying J credit card (Lifetime Good Sam membership receives an 8 cents discount on the cash price at all Flying Js...!); we had to go to the RV island in front.... As we were driving out, feeling a little frustrated as the RV island is usually not too friendly to our outfit with jeep attached, we noticed a Pacific Pride across the street! We have a card for Pacific Pride, through Pioneer Fuel, which we really like as the locations are cleaner than truck stops, they are not manned, and usually we have it all to ourselves! It took us a little bit of tim

We enjoyed Maine! Did we already say that?! On June 22 we drove up, that is to say we drove down east, to Camden Hills State Park, just north of Camden.   We followed Ruth and her brother David. View Larger Map At the park we drove up Mount Battie, overlooking the Penobscot Bay.  The view was tremendous! We observed a tall ship leaving the harbor! It is said that Edna St. Vincent Millay visited often, enjoying the view, which inspired her to write the poem "Renascence ". View Larger Map Our park was just across the road from the  Eastern Trail , 65 miles of the East Coast Greenway, a trail ultimately going from Southern Florida up the East Coast to the tip of Maine. We rode the green section of this trail from Biddeford to just past the marsh at Scarborough a couple of times, first going north, or down east, then upwind, or south. (Downwind is a sailing term, indicating the wind is at their backs, and upwind--going up to Boston, they are sailing against the

During our stay at the Minuteman RV Campground (very nice, by the way! We shall return!) in June, we visited the Minuteman National Historic Site where we rode bikes visiting the area where the opening battle took place of  the Revolutionary War April 19, 1775. It was a beautiful day to travel back in time to 1775. As we rode along with our two Corgis, viewing spots where British soldiers were killed, we remarked on the fact that here we were, with the "Queen's dogs", along this trail!  They enjoyed it, and never thought about their British--well Welsh--Heritage! Our site at the Minuteman RV Campground. As you might guess, we do enjoy history, and this time-travel experience was rich! Roving Riders

We left Maine Sunday July 8 after 19 fun-filled days! We have much to share about those 19 days:  visiting friends after 36 plus years....playing ball on the beach with the dogs early in the mornings....visiting Maine scenic sights....and eating lobster:  lobster rolls, lobster tails....crab salad...and did we mention lobster?! We traveled almost due west across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and into New York. The country was very different from New Hampshire through Vermont, with Vermont more mountainous and twisty, curvy roads--then we entered "civilization" as we drove across New York...and had to pay tolls to do so--over $50!!!!  The view "opened up" as well--less mountains. In Ohio, we encountered farm land--fields of corn mostly. We currently are near Blanchester, where Mike's dad was born. We have visited a couple of cemeteries and taken pictures to share of the Irvin clan! On our stops the Bitty and Rupert show attracted a following, as usual! Little