I think I have earned 'Professional Ranking"

Well, I have to admit, I'm ALMOST ready to go professional......I mean I'm really getting pretty good at self serve, help myself....even when I'm not invited.  Is there a special degree that can be earned for being a professional food thief?
My last encounter was so quick and efficient, I would have gotten away scott free if it weren't for the fact that Momma can count.  You see, Momma had made twice baked potatoes before we left home and had brought them along in our freezer.  Notice I said 'OUR' freezer!  She had taken 4 out for dinner.  They were still just a tad solid in the middle so she had them setting on the counter in a dish.  I didn't even disrupt the position of the dish when I snagged one...and boy did I have to be quick.  Momma had just stepped outside for a minute to help Dad set up the grill.  I had every morsel devoured before her feet hit the first step when she returned.  Those twice baked potatoes are to die for.  I mean they were so good I was ready to risk my life, not that anyone would ever lay a hand on me.  Oh yeah, they get loud and scold me but.....hey, in one ear ...... you know how it is.  By the end of dinner, all was forgiven and forgotten.
Wonder what they will entice me with tomorrow?
Hickory

Apples and Cider and Cool Temps...Oh my!!

What a marvelous time of year to be in such a lovely area.  We thoroughly enjoyed our Open Range Owners Forum Rally in Lancaster, Pa.

Lots to do in the area. New friends made and old friends to catch up with. Found a new love.....Apple Peach Cider.  Refreshing!!

On Saturday morning while at the OROF Rally at Old Mill Stream Resort in Lancaster, Pa, we witnessed a creative marketing technique.

The wagon arrived loaded with fresh baked pies, cookies, etc.  The Amish driver grabbed a hand bell and began ringing the announcement that he had arrived and the campers flocked to the wagon.  I was on my way to the pavilion for our morning gathering.  On my way back to my rig, the wagon was looking pretty empty.  Guess it was a good day for sales.  His shelves emptied quickly.


When we departed Pennsylvania,  we traveled south to Winchester, Va with my sister and brother-in-law to soak up some Civil War History, visit some apple orchards and play a few games of Pegs and Jokers.  This house known as Abram's Delight survived 5 generations.  It was interesting that the house contents were sold at auction.  When the house became a museum in later years, they used the excellent records from the auction to contact the owners of the items from the house.  Many items were donated back to the museum.

We parted ways with my sister this morning as they are heading on a two day travel trip heading for Florida.  Roger and I are enjoying the Shenandoah Valley. 

Today we toured Luray Cavern.

The cavern was awesome but the tour guide left much room for improvement.  She was young and very scripted....boring....and she didn't have the maturity or enough experience to deal with some of our fellow tourists.  Now I'm all for taking pictures but.....at the first awesome site it was photo time....first the kids with the neat background, then the parents, then mom with the kids, then Dad with the kids, then the oldest girl by herself.  At the second delightful site, the whole picture taking process was repeated, and at the third, and the fourth..........and needless to say, they weren't keeping up with the group so we all kept waiting for them to catch up.  And waiting for them, and waiting for them.   Now seeing as they were collecting photo memories, the couple with the selfie stick had to take their time capturing their numerous shots as well, waiting until everyone was out of the way so they could be the only people in the shots.  Our guide finally radioed for backup and another young, inexperienced gal arrived to 'bring up the rear.  Our pace didn't improve.  Finally, a gentleman wearing a security shirt arrived but by then we were finally near the end of our long, drawn out experience.  Of course we were thanked for our patience but REALLY!!!!  Some people are so inconsiderate.  They just ignored the repeated requests to stay together and comments from fellow tourists and 'did their own thing'.  Needless to say, our group threw off the timing for the following groups. 

Now the question is, will we remember Luray Caverns for the spectacular views of nature's work or the inconsiderate people who caused us to experience the caverns at a torturous pace?

Our ticket to the caverns also included entrance to a car museum and collection of historic items used by our fore fathers in an olden days village format....blacksmith shop, farmhouse, etc

The cars were early 1900's mostly from the teens and twenties and all restored to shining glory.  Quite an interesting collection....and we saw them at a very comfortable pace...as it was a self tour.  No waiting for inconsiderate, self centered people.  (sorry...couldn't resist)

 

Yesterday, we visited the Virginia Museum of the Civil War.  Personally, it is not as well done as others we have visited.  The movie of the reenactment was okay and shared the battles in the area.  The other displays consisted of plaques that shared the same battle info.  The highlight for us...and we just happen to be there on the right day, as it is considered a special event....was the musicians who were at the farmhouse on the property.  There were all in period dress and willing to entertain with old time tunes on a fretless banjo, guitar and fiddle.  

The trip to Luray Caverns from our campground in New Market took us over some roads with gorgeous views.  I kept trying to picture the green mountainside as it will appear in a few weeks...loaded down with color as the leaves begin to change from summer green to colorful autumn tones.  The second week in October has been slated for peak color viewing.  We are just a tad early.  Oh well, maybe we'll find some color in Tennessee in October???

Sharon

Here we are at Cherry Park Resort ... the closet RV park to Washington, DC even though it is in Maryland.  I told them to take me with them as their service dog and I would keep them straight but......they took off on their own to see if they could master 'public transportation'.  The goal was to get to the SW corner of Constitution Ave and 15th Street NW to meet up with their DC on Foot Tour guide.  
What confidence they had.  After all, they had attended the special tips session held at the campground.  They had purchased their 'Smart Cards' that they would load with money at the Metro Station in College Park, Md.  The card would allow them to travel the Metro into Washington DC where they would have just a short walk to the meeting spot.  Now being a senior has some great advantages.  The Senior/yellow Smart Cards are only $2.  The yellow card allows them to travel at 50% off....just $4 for the round trip into DC and back.  But....as I said, you have to load money on the card at the Metro Station.  All you need to do is tap the card on the white circle (thank goodness for the tips presentation; sure wouldn't know to do that by the directions on the machine!), chose add funds which defaults to $20, use the + - keys to raise or lower the amount, choose your payment choice and slide the credit card in the slot.  Piece of cake....with card #1.....and then it all went south.....  The machine tried to load more money on the first card...cancel.  Then just as it appeared everything was going as planned....out pops a white, paper ticket.  WHAT???  Now it was explained at the tips session that you could use a paper ticket but you would be charged FULL rate.  It seems they give excellent training and lots patience to Metro employees.  "No, problem.  Let me show you how to transfer this paper ticket money onto your smart card." And all with a smile!!
The trip in was without event as they got on the right Metro, heading the right direction and they exited at the right stop.  Just a couple of blocks to go and they were at the intersection by the Washington Monument with time to spare.  
Several monuments were on the tour and the delightful tour guide, Carolyn was loaded with info and stories to share.

Carolyn is a graduate from the University of Maryland where she majored in architecture. After 5 years working in her area of training, she came to the conclusion that she was much happier talking about architecture structures and is now a full time tour guide.  She is affiliated with Free DC on Foot Tours.  She is not paid by DC on Foot but her salary comes from tips....the only fee for the tour is pay the guide what you feel it was worth.  Interesting concept.  Motivates the tour guide to be at the top of her game ....and she was!!

The World War II Monument is well done.  The view of the Lincoln Memorial is preserved...in the center.  All the states are represented with the vertical pieces you see.

And the veterans feel ownership by slipping in to carve their symbol that was used to let other soldier know their comrades had been there.

Yep, Kilroy was here...... (don't know why this rotated...just tip your head to view)

The Vietnam Memorial is more than just the wall of names.  By the way, the design that was selected for this wall/memorial was created by a student who was completing an assignment from her professor.  Can you believe she only got a B+?  Maybe the fact that her professor submitted a design that didn't even survive the first cut has something to do with that??

 

There was lots of controversy over that fact that the memorial is just a list of names, organized by year.  As a result, two additional pieces were added: a statue of 3 females displayed in the center of 8 trees in memory of the 8 females who lost their lives; and 3 soldiers to represent the comrades.

Carolyn shared that there is something a bit unique about the Lincoln Memorial.  

If you look closely at the back of Lincoln's head, you can make out the profile of Robert E Lee, Lincoln's nemesis.

Are you aware that the reflection pond is too short to reflect the whole length of the Washington Monument?   Oops 

Now why is this program flipping/rotating the pic?  It was rotated and saved but it keeps reverting.  Oh well, you get the idea!  Just another glitch in our week full of glitches....but that's another story.....
Hickory

Bikes galore but none to ride

I told Momma and Dad that they had better stock up on dog food or I was going to refuse any more guard duty for the rig.  They decided to head for Ashland, Va as it had a Walmart where they were sure they could grab a BIG bag of my favorite blend.
Well, when they got back, Momma was trying to distract me with all these pictures of bicycles.  I don't know what the big deal was.  You couldn't pedal or ride any of them.  See for yourself...

 There is a cycle event coming up in nearby Richmond, so the town got into the spirit of the event.
You could however ride the train that travels on the tracks right through the middle of Ashland. 

The old train station is now the Visitor's Center and doesn't even sell tickets.  But if you wait outside the building, the train will stop and pick you up.
And then, out the corner of my eye, I caught Dad coming in with my BIG bag of dogfood.   What?? That's not a big bag.  That tiny bag may last a week if they skimp.  No wonder Momma was trying to distract me with colorful bike pics.  They had better leave dog food on the shopping list. 
Hickory

I've got rhythm....

Well, I would have had rhythm if they had taken me along.  So much for this family togetherness.  Would you believe they all ran off and left me in the rig?  
It seems that Santee was holding a Bluegrass event so they grabbed their chairs and hopped in the car leaving me behind.  

Maybe if I had my own chair, they would have taken me along?? 
Hickory

Grandma's House

Many of you are aware that Momma and Dad decided to attend a Rally several years ago in Bushnell, Fl.  Not, knowing anyone and being 'first timers' with the group, they were adopted.  Yep, they have pictures, birth certificate and all.  The couple who adopted them turned out to be SUPER parents and grandparents, although Momma still marvels over the fact that her adopted mother, Colleen is actually 2 months younger than she is.
Yesterday we arrived at Grandma Colleen and Grandpa Ted's house and we were welcomed with open arms and warm hugs....yep, even me.  I even got to join everyone inside the house.  Now that's what I call a loving, sharing Grandma!!
Now it gets even better.  As you know, my Momma knows how to stretch out a birthday.  And wouldn't you know, this is her birthday month (but her birthday isn't until the 27th) ....and the celebrations have begun with homemade White Texas Cake and fresh churned Peach Ice
Cream.  Colleen and Ted have started the birthday month festivities!!

Happy 'Almost' Birthday to Momma!!
And of course a night wouldn't be complete without several hands of Pegs and Jokers.

Hick

Well, I've been following Momma and Dad back and forth and back and forth from the house to the 5er all week and FINALLY we hooked up this morning and headed north.  Dad said that he needs to get me a saddlebag so I can carry my own stuff.
We headed out about 9 am with Dad behind the wheel.  By the time we crossed the Georgia State Line, Momma was behind the wheel.  I'll take a turn at the wheel.  I've seen pictures of my furry friend Penny behind the wheel.
 We didn't experience any of the effects of Erika at home, but it seems Georgia did.  When we pulled up to our site, we decided it would be in our best interest to ask for another site...a little bit drier site....

There were lots of empty sites available.  
When Momma and I were out on our walk, we chatted (okay, so Momma chatted and I listened) to a gal who said that they had a really hard rain last night.  I think it was a good idea as we had a little more rain this evening adding to still standing puddles.  I have to tell you, the rain didn't even come close to the dynamics of the flashes and booms that roared out of the sky.   
We picked up a few hitch-hikers on the road...of the love bug variety.  

One of the first tasks was to clean our nose....well, the Open Range nose....and that is when Dad discovered the first thing we forgot to pack.  He went to reach for the car wash bottle of soap and ......ooops....left it home.  Not to fear, there was a Walmart down the road.

Dad won one of those hoses that grows when it fills with water at the Coming Home Rally.  He has sure put it to good use.  It packs up small but it does a dynamic job when called upon.
As day 1 draws to an end, I'm happy to say....we're on the road again!!