Camping Day 75

Lake Anna SP
Sunday October 21, 2007

This started out as another lazy day. Since it was a very nice day we decided to extend our stay another day and spend some time today paddling our kayaks on the lake. After lunch we headed out with a stop at the park office to pay for our extra day.

Nice to see some color.

Once we had our kayak's launched we headed down the lake with the idea that we would paddle around the point and up the cove where the camping cabins are. Well we didn't take a real good look at the map/chart and after a good hour of paddling we still had not reached the cove where the cabins are. So we headed back to the launch area to pack up and head back to the camper and see if we could catch a few laps of the Nextel Cup race at Martinsville.

After supper we watched a little more TV while Suzette knitted and I read a few more chapters of "State of Denial".

Camping Day 74

Lake Anna SP
Saturday October 20, 2007

A little cool this morning so we turned up the heat while we took showers. Cooked a breakfast of sausage, eggs and pancakes. Something about food cooked outside, even on a gas grill.

Neither of us were motivated to do much this morning so after we put up the awning and set out the mat we sat outside and Suzette knitted and I read. After walking the dog and a light lunch we left to drive to Mineral to see the museum that we had passed on several occasions while traveling on US522. Well it wasn't open and we did not find a sign for the hours of operation so we took a tour of Mineral. That didn't take long. It is interesting that the GPS shows streets that nolonger exist. I guess I will have to look into getting map and POI updates.

On our way to Mineral we stopped by the Lake Anna Winery and tasted a few and bought what we tasted. Nice wines.

We spend most of the afternoon doing more nothing, well the same nothing we did in the morning. Then it was another dog walk and we decided to take a bike ride to the waterfront on the new paved path. Since our last visit a campfire ring and outdoor classroom have been added. When we returned from our ride we started supper.

After supper we watched TV waiting for the playoff game to start. It is now the top of the 8th and it is Cle 2, Bos 10.

Camping Day 73

Lake Anna SP
Friday October 19, 2007

We got a late start today for our trip to Lake Anna arriving about 3 PM. We found that there were a number of campers already set up and more were to come for the weekend. We were told that a no burn order had been issued, not even a charcoal fire, because of the drought conditions.

We picked a pull-thru site, 32, just to make life easy. We had hardly stopped and the camp host arrived to get our name and make sure that we were going to stay at this site. We positioned the trailer about 3 times before we were satisified. Not really much of a show for the folks in the 5er across the way but they watched anyway.

We choose not to extend our awning or put out our patio mat and chairs since the forecast was for rain and high winds from a front coming thru later in the night. We did get a few minutes of rain and wind about 9 PM.

The fall colors were just starting and the maple trees were quite colorful.

Watched some TV while Suzette knitted and I started to read "State of Denial" by Bob Woodward.

Home again home again

Belle Isle to home
Monday October 1, 2007

Travel days to home don't count a camping days since we will not spend the night in the camper.

After a breakfast of english muffin, egg, ham we stowed a few items and decided to take another bike ride around the park. We went to the picnic area and enjoyed the shore along the river and watched a couple of Osprey glide on the air currents above the river. They looked like they were fishing. We did not seem them dive for a catch though.

After the picnic area we decided to ride over to the boat launch again. We watched a small sailboat tack in Deep Creek and studied the chart that was in the kiosk. We wondered if that chart/map was for sale at Camp HQ so we biked back there. They don't have that chart/map for sale.

We packed up and headed for home.

You can see all the pictures of this trip here.

Camping Day 72

Belle Isle SP
Sunday September 30, 2007

This is also our 100th day camping since we purchased the Flagstaff last June.

Today we had a group breakfast which we cooked in dutch ovens. We made Mountain Man breakfast while Doug and Athena made the biscuits. I started the charcoal inside the fire ring and started to cook the bacon but it wasn't doing very well. So I decided there wasn't enough air flow for the charcoal and moved to my standby hubcap method.

Mountain Man Breakfast with biscuits

Doug used the coals in the fire ring to do the baking. After we finished breakfast Doug and Athena along with Glenn and Sue started to pack up to leave. We had chosen to stay another day so after saying our good bye's we headed for the boat launch to put the kayaks in the water and spend a few hours exploring areas of Deep Creek that we did not do on our last visit.

As we were loading the kayaks after our paddle we noticed a class C with Vermont plates making a tour of the park. A while later they pulled in to the camp ground and choose a site several away from ours. After we finished supper we took a walk with Logan and visited with the folks from Vermont. They are from the White River Junction area and we had a good visit and exchanged information on various campgrounds. They were not familiar with North Beach in Burlington Vermont so we described it and suggested they reserve early if they plan to spend time there.

Camping Day 71

Belle Isle SP
Saturday September 29, 2007

52 and clear when we got up this morning. Turned the furnace on to take off the chill. We visited with the group over coffee before returning to cook breakfast. We cooked pancakes, sausage and eggs on the outside grill. The rest of the gang brought over their breakfasts and we ate and visited.
After all was cleaned up we biked over to the car top boat launch to check out the water condition since it was blowing pretty good. There were no white caps since the wind didn't have much fetch in the little creek/bay.

We decided to go to Morattico to visit the General Store museum. We encountered a large number of bikers on our way over. Once there we found that the museum was a stop on the "Bike Virginia" route. The museum is very interesting with 3 floors of of stuff from the area. The ground floor was the store and is pretty much as it was when it closed some years ago. The upper two floors have a wide variety of displays and pictures from those bygone days.

Once we completed our tour it was off to Capt. Tom's Seafood in Bertrand. Almost at the end of VA 354. It was a long trip because we kept having to slow for the biker's. All of us bought some seafood. By the time we got back to camp it was about 2:30. Suzette and I decided to just kick back since we were to get dinner started about 4:30 or so. The rest of the gang went on a marriage encounter, well really a canoe paddle up Mulberry Creek.

While they were gone on their canoe trip Bob and Flo from the Springdale that was camped near by came over to take a look at our Fox. They were quite impressed. Bob told me they wanted to put a slide topper on their unit but there was nothing to bolt it to. They also wanted to install an entry assist handle but again there was no structure to fasten it to.

We got supper preparations organized and went to the launch are to get pictures of Glenn, Sue, Doug and Athena as they returned. Their marriages survived intact. They had a good time paddling in Mulberry Creek. At the canoe launch there was a couple that were camped a few sites from us with their Nash. I didn't get the model but it looked to be about a 25 footer.

Supper consisted of a great salad, chili-mac and corn bread prepared in dutch oven's, with pineapple upside down cake also baked in a dutch oven. We had way more food than the 6 of us could eat. As I was putting up some of the left overs we saw folks from a near by campsite arrive. They hadn't eaten so we invited them over to help us out. So now we have new friends Dave and Dottie from Gretna Virginia. We had a nice time visiting with them and they were very happy to have dinner with us.

Doug set up his telescope so we could look at start, planets, and the full moon. When the batteries went dead and we had seen enough of the moon we had another campfire at the Lilly's.

Camping Day 70 back to Belle Isle

Belle Isle SP
Friday September 28, 2007

We had pretty much packed the camper on Thursday so we could get a decent start. That was a good thing because we had 1.48" of rain overnight and it was damp with light showers this morning. However the skies were clearing by the time we left at 0910.

The trip down was uneventful and we arrived a little after noon. We decided on pull thru site 9 which would allow our friends to pick sites on either side of us. After we got setup we had lunch and relaxed that afternoon. We did use the awning tie downs since the wind was somewhat gusty. I had to add rope extensions to the tie downs since this trailer sets about 6" higher than the Flagstaff we had.

We got a call from Glenn and Sue and talked the directions over with them. We expected them at about 1730. When it got close to their arrival time we decided to ride our bikes to greet them as they came in. We rode, waited, rode some more and managed to miss them arriving. We had gone out the "back exit" of the camp ground when they had already made the turn to come in the entrance drive. So much for the escort service.

A little after 1800 Doug called and said they were leaving from Bealton. An electric fuel pump gave up the ghost. It took Doug some time to find the problem and get things in order. He was able to run on the mechanical pump.

About 2045 the Barth arrived carrying Doug and Athena.


After they got set up we had a campfire and sat around and talked for some time.

Camping day 69 - Shakedown IV

Belle Isle SP, Virginia
September 19, 2007

After breakfast we took a bike ride to the boat launch area of the park and then on a trail that follows the shore and passes by the new visitors center. It looks like it will be a nice center. It should be open a little later this year.

After returning from the ride we had a light lunch and took Logan for a walk. We did see the camp hosts today as they rode by in their gator. They waved but in all of the dog walks we have not seen them outside of their camper. I guess when you have satellite you just stay inside.

Our afternoon consisted of exploring Mulberry Creek. We were nearing high tide so we were able to go a long way up the creek. Along the way we found a sunken boat. It looked like an old wooden flat bottomed row boat based on what we could see in the muddy creek.

Once we returned to more of the bay/river area we decided to paddle on over to Morattico and look at the town and condo's from the water. It sure gives a new perspective. We returned after about 3 hours of paddeling and both of us were quite tired.

That evening we readied things for our departure tomorrow.

Pictures of our day's at Belle Isle are here.

Camping day 68 - Shakedown III

Belle Isle SP
Tuesday September 18, 2007

It was a bout 46 this morning and the heater kicked on a few times over night. One day that new smell will be gone, won't it? When I was up for a nature call I could hear owls calling near by. Neat.

After breakfast we were visited by one of the rangers and we had a nice talk. We asked about seeing the Mansion, a 1942 farm house and guest house. They can be rented, week at a time in prime season and a 2 night minimum at other times. It is a nice house and well furnished. The view over the Rappahannock River is fantastic.

After our tour we took a ride to Morattico to see the museum which is only open on weekends. We wanted to check it out so we could let folks know about it on our next trip. Looked really cool. I think we will tour next time we are here, oh, that is two weeks from now.

We took a long bike ride, well a couple of miles, and enjoyed that. I had broken my shifter so I was stuck in one gear on the rear but could change the front chain ring.

We cooked the meat portion of our dinner over a wood fire. So I guess we are really camping now.

Well that's about all for now.

Camping day 67 - Shakedown II

Belle Isle SP
Monday September 17, 2007

Campsite 10, pull through

Overnight the temperature got down to 44. Why didn't we "burn out" the furnace before we left on this trip? Well we now know it is a new system. After coffee we are about to take showers but no hot water in the shower. Hummm hot water in the galley sink, hot water in the bathroom sink. What could be wrong? Let it run a while. Hummm, DW is not happy. I'm not happy. We didn't check this at PDI. Damn.

I turn on the COLD water and walla hot water. Some turkey at the factory reversed the hot and cold water lines in the shower. Clean and happy we prepare breakfast.

With breakfast eaten and cleaned up, the dog walked we head out to Reedsville to visit the Fishermans Museum. Only $3 for seniors. We can do that. A nice little museum.

Suzette and the Docent discuss the organ. Just a little over $25 when new. It still works.

The sewing room

The skipjack Calud ?????

We have lunch at Cockrells Creek Seafood and Deli, Eat-in, Eat-out Take-out. We had stopped there about 10 years ago when we took a motorcycle ride to Reedville. Good food. We were glad to find it again. Funny the folks behind the counter didn't remember us. Well we didn't remember them either. They served us anyway.

As we made our way home we stopped in Kilmarnock to pick up a few grocery items. Then we made a stop at Capt-n-Toms seafood and bought a pound of fresh sea scallops. We will enjoy those a little later. Tonight it is left over stew and baked rolls. Might as well try out the new oven.

Camping day 66 - Shakedown

Belle Isle State Park
Sunday September 16, 2007

This is our first trip with our new 30U. It was about a 130 mile tow mostly on rural roads. I was quite pleased with the way the rig handled. Of course there was no cross wind and I did not have any big trucks to deal with.

We are the lone fox in the park. Actually there is only the campground host and a tent camper here with us.

Tonight we cooked a great stew in our dutch oven. Now we have enough leftover to last a couple of days. We really enjoy our dutch oven cooking but most recipes feed 8 or more. Maybe tomorrow we will make a peach cobbler.

Another travel day

Promised Land to home
Saturday September 1, 2007

We got a good start with clear weather. We did a good rinse of our holding tanks and were on the road and home by 2:30 or so. Suzette mowed the lawn twice. It rained a little since we had left so it was a tall mess. We removed food and dirty clothes from the camper and went for supper at Red Hot 'n Blue in Warrenton. Desert was at Carousel ice cream then it was to kick back and watch a little baseball and NASCAR.

Look here for all the pictures of our trip.

Now to get ready for our next trip.

Camping Day 65

Bonnie Brae to Promised Land
Friday August 31, 2007

We got a good start and work our way via US20, I90, I87 to I84 and into Pennsylvania and Promised Land State Park we registered and went to site 339. We had electric but no water. After we were setup I took the 5gal can and put some water in our fresh water tank to get us through the night. Since this was the beginning of the holiday weekend there were folks arriving at a fairly consistent rate. We went Fox hunting but didn't find any.

The skies cleared and we took a tour of the park. We found the museum which focused on the CCC and the construction of the camp. After we returned to our campsite we took Logan for walks and met several other campers as well as the camp host, a PE teacher from NJ. Earlier on a walk with Logan her pit bull, Susie had broken her leash and Suzette retied her.

Camping Day 64

Bonnie Brae, Pittsfield MA
Thursday August 30, 2007

Trust your GPS and use a little common sense. That is what we did to find a way around Pittsfield MA to get from the campground to Hancock Shaker Village. We arrived about 10 minutes before they opened at 10AM. We looked around the entry complex and then bought our tickets and watched the short video about the Shakers and the village.

We took in the talks at the brick dwelling where up to 100 Shakers lived.

Then we went to the round barn to learn how it was built, why it was round. Being round had nothing to do with evil spirits hiding in corners. It was round to make efficient milk production. Hay was stored in the center, cows were more easily fed and the hay wagons could deliver their cargo by going around the second floor and unloading into the center storage area. Really neat. Remember they didn't have bailers at that time.


We learned that the Shakers were all about efficiency and were early adopters of technology that made their life easier. They used a water turbine when others were using water wheels. We talked to ladies, "sisters", in the weaving area and discussed how yarn was made, dyed and woven into fabric. I was able to take a picture of the distaff assembly that would go on the wool wheel that we have. Maybe we can make Logan yarn.

Across the road, US20, there are more buildings. We went to the sisters basket making area and met JoAnn Catsos who also knows a friend of ours that lives in Manassas, Sandy Anastasio. We had a long visit and learned several things about making baskets and using forms.

On the return to the campground we stopped for diesel and found a little store that had fresh corn so we picked up a few ears. After supper the thunder storms started and continued on and off throughout the night. A great visit.

Camping day 63

Burlington VT to Pittsfield MA
Wednesday August 29,2007

Got things packed up and out of the site by 0917. We basically followed the GPS route which took us down 22a and 22 and ...
Well we were to make a left on NY2 but the trusty GPS had the turn in the wrong location and we missed it. So we just kept going until we reached US20 and then basically followed our nose to the campground.

We must have taken an hour to get set up. The site angle and curve in the road gave me fits. We finally called it parked. The tounge jack had to go all the way up to unhook and all the way down to level front to back. A lot of cranks.

After a light late lunch we decided to find a farm stand and buy some corn and maybe a few other things. Long story short. We drove a lot before we found one on our side of the road. We also took a side trip to Mt. Graylock and the visitors center. The summit road is closed until 2009 for repairs.

Back to the camper and fixed supper.

Camping day 62

North Beach Park Burlington VT
Tuesday August 28,2007

Great day!

After breakfast we went to the office to inquire about making reservations for 2008. We are in. Our first camping reservation is North Beach for 9 nights starting 8/20/2008.

We rode our bikes to the Burlington Waterfront to meet Glen Finholdt on his gaff rigged Friendship sloop for a 2 hour sail on Lake Champlain. The winds were light and there were 12 other customers on board. I assisted with sail handling and had an opportunity to be at the helm and tack the boat. We did have to use engine power on some of the trip but we had a great time.

We got back to the campground about 2:30 or so and called Ann to set a meeting time and place at the Champlain Valley Exposition. After arriving at the fair we made a quick stop for food because we didn't have a lunch. We walked around and looked at several exhibits, ate Al's french fries, onion rings, and cheese burgers. We watched the fair parade, it only took a minute or two to pass by. Then off to the pulling ring to watch the draft horses pull a few ton. Boy they want to pull. As soon as the hook up device was close to the sled they were digging in. They reminded Suzette and I of the sled dogs we saw in Alaska.

Back to the main fair grounds and more building walking. Then ICE CREAM from the dairy barn. Good stuff. After a last pass thru the grandstands we said our good bye's and headed for North Beach.

Camping day 61

North Beach Park Burlington VT
Monday August 27,2007

Took the kayaks and rack off the truck and stored almost everything from the truck bed under the camper and loaded up the bikes. We were off to meet with Wally and Ann to take a bike ride on the fill. This is the old railroad fill that defined Mallettes Bay. The railroad is long gone and the fill had been made part of the Burlington bike path some time ago. We never rode it when we lived here. Now was the time.

Earlier we had called Ann and she told us how foggy it was in Essex. It was clear over the lake. So we decided to meet at Mills Point. Wow what a neat ride. We saw the lake and bay from an entirely new vantage point. We had sailed near here for years always looking from the lake to shore. It was just a beautiful day.

After the ride we returned to the camper to have lunch and give Logan some time. After lunch we put the kayak rack back on the truck and loaded the kayaks. We went to the boat launch near Biscayne Heights near the mouth of the Winooski River. With the kayaks launched we headed for the broad lake. We had a nice paddle and most of the area is quite shallow, 1.5 to 2 feet deep. We paddled north into the wind and had a nice paddle and drift back to the rivers mouth. We went up river past the launch about a 1/2 mile before returning.

Back at the camper we freshened up, fed Logan and headed for Breakwaters Cafe which is near the ferry dock for dinner. For desert we decided to go to Al's for ice cream before returning to North Beach to see the sunset. We missed the sunset but Logan had a good time chasing wavelets.

Camping day 60

North Beach Park Burlington VT
Sunday August 26,2007

Jim arrived for breakfast so we mixed up pancakes and added blue berries while they were cooking. I also fried up the left over steak and potatos from last night and eggs. Good breakfast. Jim said he had to get back to finish his chores before his work week started tomorrow. So after a short visit we said our good by's. A little later I called the Hamel's to get an idea what time they would be arriving, about 1300 they said. Good enough time for Suzette and I to paddle around the bay/beach, so off we go. No sooner do we get the kayaks launched and the clouds darken. We paddle to rock point and notice a squal line moving from North West to South East. We round the point looking for the Champlain Thrust. The weather doesn't look to inviting so we turn back. In the shadow of the point we are safe from the wind and only get a very light sprinkle. We notice that the squal has moved down the lake so we headed back around the point. We did see the fault but the wind had picked up quite a bit. After bouncing around in the waves we decided to return to the beach.

About a half hour or less after returning to the camper the Hamel's arrived and we spent the rest of the day visiting, cooking, eating, cooking, eating. Oh Jerry and I had a few beers too. We looked at their Alaskan vacation pictures. We showed them pictures of our new camper as well as our James River trip.

A good visit.

Tomorrow the weather should be very nice and we will play some more.

Camping day 59

North Beach Park Burlington VT
Saturday August 25,2007

After breakfast Suzette sent me to the store to get milk. We didn't notice that we needed any during yesterday's grocery run. I also got a for sale sign for the camper. I talked to Jim and he said he would arrive for lunch. Suzette and I had lunch because we were hungry even though Jim had not arrived. About a half hour after we finished lunch Jim pulled in. We fed him and he just wanted to rest. The day was gray with storms on the New York side of Lake Champlain so we talked and kept an eye to the weather. We heard an alert on the commercial radio station and wondered why there was no alert on our weather alert radio. Well I had it set for multiple counties in Virginia. Changed the setting so we would get all counties that the NOAA station covers. Jim and I also removed the awning lights and lowered one end of the awning.

Just before supper we did get a little downpour but not much wind. The storms had went south of us. After supper the weather cleared so we decided to launch the kayak's for Jim and I to play while Suzette and Logan watched. We had fun trying to surf the boats on the small waves. Then Jim decided that Logan needed a ride in a kayak. Logan had been biting at the waves so he was already quite wet. After getting him in the kayak, head facing the stern, Jim paddled him out about 100yds. On the return trip Logan turned around so his head was facing the bow. He did not look like a happy camper.

I decided that Logan needed another ride so we got him in my kayak, this time he was facing the bow and I took him out about 100yds before returning. He seemed a little more at ease but he still thought he should get out before we reached shore. We made it all the way back and he jumbed out when the boat beached.

Back at the camper we visited for a little and I gave Jim and dry shirt for the drive home. Jim said he would be back for breakfast at 0800.

Camping day 58

North Beach Park Burlington VT
Friday August 24,2007

Shopping day.
We loaded one of the propane tanks and the laundry and set off. First a to the bay and then to Brigantees for locally grown stuff. Next stop was Stevens Gas to fill the propane then Essex Discount Beverage to return empties we had collected in VA for the last year. Now out thru the North Williston Road and the Christmass Tree Shoppe. I had wanted to get a Magic Hat mixed 12 pack for the neighbor that has been taking in the paper and mail for our last few trips so we stopped at the brewery. They only sell one style of bottled beer there now so we headed on to Tuesday Morning where we bought a blanent for a bargin price.

We had talked about going to Al's for lunch but decided on the Shandy near the ferry dock. We went back to the camper to unload our treasures and check on Logan. Then off to do laundry and get some other groceries for the weekend and some screws and screw covers to make a minor fix.

Put things away and relaxed the rest of the day.