Another Gem

August 25 - 26
Have you ever been to Archbold, Ohio?  Momma got a real deal for the weekend!  She purchased the 'package' from Sauder Village which includes our campsite in a nice RV park, two entry tickets to Sauder Village attraction (more about that coming up) PLUS two $15 vouchers to use at the Barn Restaurant.  

Now you notice I said '2' tickets to the Village.  Yep, left home on guard duty once again.  Momma said they wouldn't be gone long but it turned out to be the WHOLE day.  There was more to see than she expected.  She said there were more buildings with docents than what Williamsburg had to offer the last time they went because most of the Williamsburg buildings were closed.

The cooper was a terrific docent with a great presentation on barrel making using hand tools.

 The tinsmith shop had many interesting items

 The woodworking docent was very apologetic.  She was 'filling in' during a lunch break and said she was sorry she had such limited knowledge of the surroundings and made such a poor fill-in.  She was delightful to chat with!  

Momma always gets caught up in the glass works.  She said they made a return visit to see the glass worker in action later in the day. 

 You could tell the broom maker loved her job.  She was bubbly and entertaining as she wove a handle for this broom.

And there was a blacksmith, school, church, doctor, and the list goes on.

The farm area was complete with farm animals as well as buildings and even a covered bridge.

Dad spent extra time in the Sauder museum

while Momma spent extra time in the quilt shop.

While at dinner at The Barn, Momma and Dad chatted with a group of Good Sam RVers who were enjoying dinner together.  The Ohio chapter wasn't hard to recognize with their matching light blue shirts and name tags.  Several members said they winter in Florida ever year.  Some as close to us as Lady Lake at Recreation Plantation RV Resort. 

This might be a bit a of a haul for our Good Sam Chapter, but it would make an interesting caravan camping week!!

Dad did say that his coffee break at their bakery wasn't up to the caliber of his Yukon bakery experiences.  They may call their confections cinnamon rolls, but they sure forgot the cinnamon.  It was all roll dough with just a hint of cinnamon. He said I wouldn't have enjoyed it at all....but he never gave me a chance to check it out first hand.  You KNOW how much I love bread and rolls.  I'm sure I would have licked my lips and not complained a bit.

Hickory

.....on the road again

Family time

Labor Day Weekend
Upstate NY

It's a bit early for the gorgeous fall colors that paint the treed mountains, turning the views into a showy splendor.  But there are a few brave souls who are sharing a hint of what is in store in the coming weeks.  Just a tease of what's to come.  The colors are even more vibrant when viewed without peering through the windshield.

We were on our way to Oscar's Smokehouse in Warrensburg

to fill up our freezer with goodies from the Meat Market.  No, they didn't all make it to the freezer.  The blue cheese burgers went on the grill right away and the smoked porkchops lasted until the next night.  Fresh corn on the cob and it's a meal that will make anyone smile.

We are 'camped' in Aunt Janice's (Momma's sister's) driveway.  Cousin Ciar, the black lab is here to romp with.  He likes to play in the corn fields around the house.

Aunt Janice has been doing a bit of babysitting with the grandkids as school doesn't begin until after Labor Day.  

We arrived in time for Momma to join Aunt Janice at Ethan's PreSchool Graduation Party. Lots of parents attended the cookout, celebrating the end of preschool.  

Aunt Janice has another grandson who is starting Kindergarten this year, while his sister will stay at home with her Mom.

And wouldn't you know, the day the whole gang gathered together was the day it rained.  No outdoor play.  Just a full house.

Needless to say, I stayed in the rig that day while they filled up the house!  

Momma called Hick's Apple Barn and found out that they were making early cider, cider donuts and had some early apples for sale.

Dad thought this goat play area was interesting.

I'll bet they would have let me play with them if I had been in the truck that day.

Well, today we left Fort Ann and traveled to St Johnsville.  Aunt Janice texted Momma to say we departed just in time as they had hail after we pulled out.  Her back deck was covered with an accumulation of small balls.  All we got into was a few sprinkles.  Of course the timing challenged setting up the rig, but Momma and Dad have the routine down and they were quick about it!

I patiently waited in the dry truck.  Life is good!!

Hickory

......on the road again

unusual night

August 9-10
Shipshewana, Indiana

It was a night like none I've never experienced.  I just couldn't believe it.  Momma said I would just spend the day with them and be back in my 'home' by nighttime.  Well, let me tell you.  That's NOT what happened.

We went back to the factory to pick up our rig and the next thing I knew, Dad was loading up the back of the truck with a few bags of items Momma had packed in a hurry.  Then we wound up in this strange smelling room with a bed, TV and a bathroom.  I had to eat my dinner right there on the floor next to the sink.  I thought that was rather strange, but I sure was hungry so I filled my belly.  

Then the scary part took place.  Momma and Dad took off and left me there all by myself.  So I explored.  Well, I located my favorite rug that is usually in my home.  I checked out my surroundings and by that time, Momma and Dad had returned with a pretzel.  Come to find out, they went to Ben's just before closing and they were selling the leftovers at a reduced rate.  Okay Momma, let's rip into that soft, big pretzel.  Ahhh!!  delicious for sure!!  Hey, can you believe it?   She actually shared her pretzel with me! This is turning out to be a REALLY different night.

Are we staying here ALL night.  Yep, and then today I got to load up in truck again and tour more of the area today.  

Now it is evening and I am FINALLY back in my 'home'.  I must admit I feel much more comfortable in my own surroundings.  And I know Momma and Dad are feeling better too because we have a new floor on our slide.  It's better than new.  

We will actually be here at this campground for over a week.  Now that is unheard of for us.  We are always 'moving on'.  But we are expecting 140 other owners of Highland Ridge/Open Range RVs to arrive by Sunday night for a week of rally activities.  Sounds like lots of gabbing, hugging and laughing in the near future.

Hickory

......on the road again

Neighbors...the BEST

August 6- 8
Howe and Middlebury, In

Our last two campsites have had terrific neighbors.  They even enjoyed petting me.  No dog treats though...just pets.

At Grand View Bend, we were backed up to a corn field.  What a lush view from our window.

Our friendly neighbors called us 'The Shadow' because we are big enough to offer them shade.

Not only were they our neighbors in Indiana, but they reside fairly close to us in Florida.  Small world for sure!

We said good bye this morning, but who knows, we may cross paths again some day in Florida??  Nice couple!!

Tonight we are 'camped' in the factory repair parking lot.  Tomorrow morning at 6:30 am they will begin replacing our damaged slide floor.

Once again we have friendly neighbors who not only own an Open Range 5th wheel and a Dodge Ram, but they also like dogs.  I guess you can say they have great taste.

Speaking of taste, Dad has been enjoying Rise n Roll donuts since we arrived in the area.

OOOOhhh what a mouthful!!  He said he just had to eat it all because he was enjoying it for Colleen.  Today he had one for himself.  I suppose that means tomorrow he will be enjoying one for me .....and I won't even get a crumb 😕  Now tell me, does that sound fair?

Tomorrow I get to spend the whole day with M & D while my 'home' is in the shop bay.  I'll get to see more horse and buggies for sure. 

Hey, maybe I can talk Dad into sharing a pretzel from Ben's Pretzels with me.  I KNOW Momma won't share as she just LOVES Ben's goodies.

Hickory
.....on the road again

Green Thumb

August 3-4

Menomonie, WI

Momma has a cousin who lives in Wisconsin and seeing as we would be 'passing' by near the area, it made sense to drop in and catch up.  Her son graduated from high school and is gearing up for college this fall. 

Sounds like empty nest is on its way.  Thank goodness Murphy will be around to keep the nest from being totally empty.

Now Murphy sure has the life.  He has loads of land to explore and run on because it is farm land.

Cousin Missy loaded us up with farm fresh produce.  Yum!!

Check out the purple beans above and huge cabbage heads.

Don and Dad enjoyed the fresh air.

Missy's green thumb goes beyond the editable produce.  There are colorful flowers everywhere.  My lab cousin, Ciar tried to get in the middle of it all but he was told to mind his manners while visiting.  No dogs allowed in the gardens.  Hey, there certainly isn't any lack of land to romp in!! 

Wisconsin is known for its outstanding cheese so Cady's Cheese Shop was a 'must'.  Fresh, squeaky cheese curd and numerous flavored cheeses to choose from.

Before we departed the area, Momma hit a grocery store and about went into shock....especially after just experiencing some of the Alaskan food prices.  A dozen extra large eggs for 50 cents!!  She brought home 2 dozen.  How can you pass up a deal like that?  And a pound of butter was less than half what she had paid on the trip.  It's a good thing she only had a limited time to shop or she probably would have grabbed a cart full of items just because the prices were so low!!

Hickory

.....in the road again

Wild Times

July 30 - Aug 1
Custer, SD

Everywhere we look, we see bikes. Why you ask?  It's getting close to the time for the Rally in Sturgis.  There is a high saturation of bikes as you can see above.  This is the main street of Hill City, SD. Many have loaded their possessions on their bikes. Some are towing small trailers with their bikes. And there is huge presence of toy haulers.   Custer is also highly bike populated, but there is still room for us to enjoy the area and all it has to offer.

Our home for 3 nights will be Custer's Gulch RV Park located right outside the entrance to Custer State Park, near the wildlife loop.  We are a perfect position for daily wildlife viewing.

Ooops!  This painted bison isn't the wildlife I was referring to...nor are the 'wild' two legged pictured above.

This is definitely a wild looking purple pig, but his job is just a greeter for the Purple Pie Place offering up home baked pies and ice cream along with lunch and dinner.

 Now here is the TRUE wildlife, as viewed in their natural environment in Custer State Park.

I guess I need to tell you that I am glad I wasn't with Momma and Dad when they finally made it to the place that they had been anticipating and dreaming about.  It seems the menu has changed and probably the chef is different as well.  Alpine Haus used to serve fantastic prime rib at a very reasonable price along with other German selections.  No longer the case...and the meal they had was disappointing.  DON'T bother to eat at Alpine Haus in Hill City.  There are much better, tastier places for sure!!  I didn't even ask about a doggie bag from this place.

Hickory

....on the road again