Sunday, October 21, 2012

Joe Biden came to town

We learned on Friday evening that Joe Biden was scheduled to appear in St. Aug on Saturday. Unfortunately we were too late to get tickets, but on Saturday we headed over to the Gym to survey the crowds  -  and to hopefully get of glimpse of Joe



This is clearly Obama/Biden country.... and the turn out was terrific.  We hung around for about an hour, and then headed off to the Farmers' Market - another popular spot at the Amphitheater.





weekends

We arrived to find that most of the campground was empty.... lovely!  But, that changed rapidly over the weekend - and the campground filled up quickly.  This was a big Gator's Game weekend... and it was clear from the neighboring cheers there were many Gator fans camping around us.

Fortunately each campsite is large, and very private - surrounded with palmettos and live oak trees.
the central campground road - sites are off on either side.  The Atlantic is straight ahead



the Bay is on the other end of this road - it also has a nice beach

This is probably our favorite campground - especially this time of year when the weather is warm and it's still very quiet.  Here's what our site looks like






Friday, October 19, 2012

St Augustine!

On Thursday October 18 we arrived in the sandy NorthBeach Campground - 85 degrees and humid.  It was pretty sticky setting up camp.  So glad to be here!!!

city of St Augustine at sunset 10-18-2012

more angry birds - and other critters

what is it about cardinals and our Chevy????






maybe it's the Obama stickers.  this is a red state, after all.


Mrs Cardinal did all the attacking this time;  Mr. Cardinal watched from a safe distance
We had many other visitors -
but this one squirrel (and his identical twins) would practically knock on the door.  The Starlings were almost as bad!  Peanuts anyone?

Edisto Beach South Carolina

Finally!  4-days without driving anywhere!!!  we arrived on Sunday the 14th





We've been in the car since Sept 29th, and are more then ready for a few days of down time.  Edisto Beach is a favorite spot - about 50 miles from Charleston.  But, we never seem to make it to Charleston once we settle into the beach chairs.  And, thanks to Bertie & Bob, we have a new fancy lounge chair.


I'm not going anywhere!

tacky tacky tacky

did I mention that South of the Border is really tacky??




this gator is concrete... but there is a reptile show with real ones

North of the Border heading south

How could we not post this photo????




on Saturday afternoon we officially made it to South of the Border South Carolina!  complete with reptile farms, fireworks sales, plaster flamingos and alligators,  tacky gift shops and eateries, and a very nice, quiet, campground!



time for laundry!!!

we're officially "RVers"

Most full-time or seasonal RVers use WalMart parking lots occasionally as free, overnight camping spots.... especially when driving long distances.

We've joined those ranks..... spending the night midway on our drive to Virginia.  The high intensity lights are a bit of a nuisance, but the lots are safe and patrolled - and we have everything we need with us..... and if you can't sleep, you can always go shopping at 2am.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

RV service day in PA

On Tuesday the 9th, we arrived at Fayetteville PA for a service visit - and to drool over the new 2013 models.



We moved the RV on up to Twin Bridges campground in St Thomas PA - just NW of Chambersburg, and close to Fred's mom.  We had several days to visit with her and catch up with Fred's sister, Bertie and her husband Bob


sugar maples in full color - in front of Penn Hall where Fred's Mom lives

Fred's cousins from Ephrata/Lancaster, Pat & Jan Witmer, drove over on Thursday to visit. It was great to see them.

Thursday evening, Bertie & Bob took us to Wilson College for a talk, movie & dinner on Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Must admit, the food was strange - I really have no idea what we were eating.  But, we did have snacks before bed!

Fred's Mom, Anne Palsgrove, is doing well - and is still enjoying the company of "Baby"... now 15 years old


On to Gaithersburg

 We spent a few days visiting my parents in Silver Spring, and had a chance to spend a couple evenings with my brother, Tommy, and his wife Gayle.  It's never enough time to really relax and visit, but with everyone's busy schedule, and my parents' level of strength, short visits are the best.






We did get a couple photos of Dad with his best friend, Cleo

Lunch at Beans in the Belfry


My cousin Kathy lives fairly close to Brunswick Maryland - and offered to meet us for lunch at a wonderful spot she knows well - Beans in the Belfry!  It's a converted Presb. church right along the tracks ( like everything in Brunswick.... right along the tracks).  Kathy's daughter, Emily, was home, and joined us, sharing lots of news about her graduate program at UMd Baltimore.

It was terrific to see them both - and to have a bit of time to catch up.  Thanks for driving out to meet us  and taking us out for a wonderful lunch.

Train Days in Brunswick Maryland

We camped along the C&O canal in Brunswick Maryland - right on the Potomac River.  This little railroad town is only a few miles from the tiny church where we were married  eons ago.

It just so happened that we picked Train Days - but we really didn't have much time to do more than wander through the streets of booths.  We can certainly attest that it's a "train town"..... my brother said that there were 40-some trains daily that run through here.  and they all pass close by the campground.  I never thought to count.

Luckily, neither of us are sensitive to the sound of trains.  Fred's dad worked the PA railroad all his life, and grew up next to the "high line".  I grew up just a block away from a volunteer fire station that sounded the alarm to call firefighters at all hours of the day (and night).

fall colors on the Potomac River


Brunswick Maryland

The campground setting was lovely, and I'd stay again.  Maybe for Train Days next year!

Waterford Fair

We left Northampton and drove down to Purcelleville, Va to visit the Waterford Fair.  The last time we attended was about 27 years ago - with friends from Columbia and their toddler.  The weather has been very poor, but the day of the fair dawned gloriously!  Perfect for an outdoor event





Our friends, Mary & Walt Voskian, were our hosts and tour guides - and Mary knew all the best routes through the artisans and booths!

It's official....  Mary wore me out !!  Walt and I were ready for a seat in the shade

 It was a terrific outing, a beautiful day and our dinner at Magnolias in Purcelleville was top notch! Thanks Mary & Walt.

2nd Stop - Northampton MA


We headed south to visit our friends, Barbara Wurtzel and Bruce Sajdak in Northampton.   We became friends during the years of the Briar Rose - and have continued our summer visits each year.  We shared a couple wonderful days ... and several terrific meals, including an Oktoberfest celebration at their favorite restaurant in Springfield:  The Student Prince.  The schnitzel was wonderful, the setting was perfect (it really reminded me of the famous Hausner's in Baltimore), and the company was tops.

 Barbara had to send a photo to her daughter, Miranda.... just to rub it in
Bruce enjoyed the October Beer