Day 3: A busy day for sure

Well, today was a busy day for Momma and Dad and I'm a tad sad.  They began their day having breakfast with their Golden Triangle Sams friends.....and I didn't even get a sniff.
After the GTS Meeting They headed off to Florida Cracker Restaurant....and I didn't even get a sniff as no doggie bag was brought home. 
Steve even shared a bite of a delicious, warm, light, melt-in-your mouth cinnamon bun dripping with sweet glaze ....NO, not with me...with Momma and Dad.  They kept telling me how much they enjoyed it......but I just looked at them with sad eyes.

 Then they raved about the Salmon Ruben.  What a huge chunk of flaky, tasty salmon served with sweet potato chips.

Momma said she wasn't even going to mention the bean bag baseball game.  Something about the gals being in the lead as the second inning began, and somehow they lost the lead....by a landslide..... to the guys.
Turkey was on the menu for the pot luck dinner that I once again didn't get to share in.  Not even a plate to lick.
So if anyone were to ask why I'm a tad sad today, it's because my dog food dinner wasn't supplemented with ANY people food.  Bummer

Day 2: Off to Alaska but still enjoying Florida

I kind of like this Florida weather with the wind ruffling thru my fur and the sun shining on my back.  We are at a GREAT location with lots of Oak trees overhead.  You can always count the acorns as they drop/plop on the roof instead of counting sheep, but truthfully, all I need is a good belly rub after a day of doggy treats and I sleep well.  Dad doesn't have any problem napping as well.  He's sawing a few zzz's right now (cat nap)  getting ready for the next weekend activity to begin.  I guess he is recouping from all the aggravation and stress.

Yes, even though the day began with the smell of bacon sizzling in the pan, followed by scrumptious scrambled eggs after a good night's rest and the promise of a relaxing, carefree day the aggravation began as the last breakfast dish was dried.  You see, Dad walked over to the tank sensor SeeLevel monitors to see how full the tanks were (grey gathers the dish and shower water while black gathers the toilet water) and......@#$^$$#** .  No readings/lights/numbers on the monitor.  Okay, so Dad had had the panel right below pulled out the other day and maybe he jarred a wire loose.  He grabbed his tools and the troubleshooting began.  Nope, not a wire issue.  He unplugged the monitor panel and carried it over to his computer and began research.  The next thing I knew, he was disgusted leaving a message rather than speaking with a human.  ARGGGH!!  I told him to just give me a cookie bone and chill.  No sooner than that, the phone rang and Dad was grinning.  'SeeLevel returning your call'
By the end of the call, Dad was all smiles and the lights/numbers/readings on the monitor were operating normally.  The tech suggested that the bad T-storm we had the other night might have interfered with the sensors.  His suggestion was to unplug the monitor for a few minutes and plug it back in....sort of a 'reboot' I guess.  Whatever it was, it did the trick and I got two more doggie treats as Dad sat back with another cup of relaxing coffee.  Life is good!!

The afternoon was definitely a success as Mom was on the winning team at her card playing team and Dad was on the crushing, winning team at his table.  Time for some positives.

Now I must say, I was a tad disappointed when Momma and Dad returned from dinner out at Papa Joe's with their camping friends....22 seated at 3 tables.....with doggie bags that passed by me so fast into the refrigerator that I didn't even get a decent sniff.  Must have been a good dinner.  Guess I'll have to wait until it is leftover night and use my baby, brown eyes to get my share of the leftovers.  I've had lots of practice so I'm confident I'll be enjoying Papa Joe's soon!!  But just maybe I shouldn't be in such a hurry to try out the goodies.  I heard Momma talking to Rosemary who was looking at this door in the restaurant.

Now the thing that bothered Rosemary was the fact that all the food trays were coming out this door.  Yep, that sign above the door really says 'Restroom'!  Hmmm.....
Hickory

Day One: Off to Alaska...we hope

The title says 'Off to Alaska' which may make you wonder why in the world Dad headed south on I-75.  The explanation is quite simple.  We are spending the weekend with our Golden Triangle Sams camping 'family' in Brooksville, Fl.  Anyone who knows us is well aware that Momma and Dad always meander to our ultimate goal.  The travel along the way is part of the enjoyment of the trip with lots of adventures, places to see with terrific new smells, new friends to meet and dog bones to collect.  This is really day one of many days to follow as the house has been closed up for a few months while we go make memories.
Speaking of memories made, today was definitely one of those memorable days that we will remember and talk about for a while.  Call it a "stumble start."  It all began when Momma pushed the button to pull in the slides so we could hitch up the 5er and hit the road.  The last slide didn't sound right so she stopped and let Dad investigate.  Well, after a bit of investigation, I heard him on the phone having a technical conversation with a service tech.  It seems the layers of the door side slide flooring were separating, causing the middle of the slide floor to hang low and catch on the nylon glide as the slide came in, pulling the center section of the glide loose.  Take a [peak at the floor separation

Well, after crawling around on the floor for most of the morning with the assistance of son, Todd (he's my two legged brother). .......

The slide flooring layers have been drawn together with screws, the glide repositioned and the slide slid into the closed position.  ROAD TRIP TIME.  Now don't get too excited.  It's only a temporary fix.  And the slide will not be fully deployed until a more permanent repair takes place.  When will that happen you ask?  Momma and Dad would love the answer to that question as well.  The answer hinges on the busy schedule of the repair techs.  Another story for another day.

Okay, so the morning began with a glitch.  Followed by another incident.  Have you ever tried to fill a coffee cup that has been turned upside down? Yep, that's what Dad did in the middle of his trying morning.  He loaded up the Keurig with water, pushed the buttons and walked away not noticing that the coffee cup was....yep, upside down.  He made 'counter coffee'...a whole cup full all over the counter.

I napped my way to our arrival at the campground and was shocked when I saw how small our site was for our rig.  Mmmmm....what's up with this?  Oh well, it's been that kind of a day. So our rig is hanging off the paved pad.  At least it is level!!   And then they wouldn't let me out of the truck until they had dealt with the fire ants right at our front door.  Okay, so give us a break already!! 

Happy Hour was in progress when we pulled in but I told Momma, there was no way she was running off without giving me my dinner.  If they were going to enjoy snacks with friends, I could at least have my bowl full of vittles.  So there she was, trying to make Dad's coffee, feed me and grab her goodies to share when I heard her yelp, "Oh no, I forgot the cup!"  Yep, the second time today that the coffee has missed the cup.  I really think she did it just so Dad wouldn't feel bad about his fiasco earlier today.

Day one has been a challenge.  I wonder what Day 2 will be like?
Hickory
happy to be on the road again with my vagabond parents

The Kentucky,Tennessee, Virginia Mountains

Well, Momma is FINALLY catching up on her pictures.  I just couldn't believe this shot.  Can you imagine??

It's called a wave machine.  Ladies would get their hair all hooked up to this gadget to add curls and waves.  It looks more like something out of the Frankenstein movie.  
We spent some time at a really nice RV park in Pikeville, Ky.  It was a public park with full hookup.  All the sites were paved and well maintained.  This area was unique as they literally moved a mountain to reroute the area and cure the flooding issue. You can see the layers of rock removed.

Momma and Dad went out into the viewing cage to get some picturesque shots but the protective screening got in the way.

They tell me we are in bear country but if it hadn't been for this picture, I wouldn't have known it.  This is Hatfield and McCoy area.  In downtown Pikeville, they have a bear project with colorful bears throughout the town.  But these two bears are a reminder of the feud that took several lives of the Hatfield clan and the McCoy clan.

The next location was the National Park at Cumberland Gap.  All I kept hearing on the GPS was state border ahead.  I guess the poor GPS was getting flustered with 3 states Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia coming together.  Traveling from one state to another was made quick and easy with this fantastic tunnel. 

There is a drive you can take if you aren't longer than 20 feet.  It winds up and around and around and up to The Pinacle so you can view all three states. Too bad we couldn't add some fall colors to the scene.  We did have a very colorful view on the GPS of all the twists and turns.

Would you believe the stink bugs were even up at the pinacle? 

The are EVERYWHERE!!  Thank goodness they don't bite.

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