The Best Laid Plans

Hurricane Irene may be off the major news broadcasts, but her effects are lingering still.  Because of flooding, the New York State Thruway, aka I-90, aka our route to the east, was closed for 100 miles between Syracuse and Amsterdam until 11:00 PM on Tuesday.  (That significant piece of information did not seem to make the national news.)   Well, traffic was in havoc around here for the duration, being rerouted either along 2-lane country roads or to other interstates 75 miles out of the way.  As we did not want to venture into the chaos, we elected to stay put and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Herkimer County.  Our plans were again delayed . . . we had originally intended just to be here for 2 or 3 days during Hurricane Irene, but we are now short-term members of the seasonal RV community at the Ilion Marina and RV Park.

On Tuesday we went to the Remington Firearms Museum and Store.  We were hoping to take in the factory tour, but it had been discontinued in the spring.  The museum was small, but interesting.  We also picked up some hunting gear for Frank and a t-shirt for Linda.

After that, we drove up to the Herkimer Diamond Mine.  Herkimer diamonds are faceted quartz crystals that are found only in Herkimer County, NY.  They are lovely.  You can look them up on the internet.  The mine charges $10 a day for prospecting on the property, and people can keep all the "diamonds" they find.  We did not do any prospecting, limiting our visit to the gift shop and short interviews of people as they came off the prospecting field.  We decided that when we come back next year, we will probably prospect ourselves
... actually, Linda will probably prospect while Frank visits a nearby driving range.

The Erie Canal is at a dead stop today.  It looks like a lake, not a river.  Irene's debris is still being cleaned out downstream, and it will be a few days before the water flows again.  We watch the news about the Vermont flooding with sadness.  It is such a lovely state, and we are grateful to have seen much of its beauty before the storm hit.  We will always have a place in our hearts for Vermont, even though we only spent 4 days there.

The Morning After

Irene has come and gone.  Our decision to leave Vermont for the more familiar (and we hoped, safer) environs of Upstate New York proved prescient.  We are grateful that we are not stranded in central Vermont amongst the flooding and chaos up there.  The very place where we were in Vermont suffered damage from the storm ... parts of the very roads we traveled on to get out of Vermont were flooded and washed away.

We awoke to a beautiful blue sky in Herkimer this morning.  The marina master told us the Erie Canal crested at 5:00 AM this morning, just 15 inches below the top of the wall, but was in no danger of overflowing.  We began this morning to make plans for the next two weeks or so of our trip.  We really want to "do Maine."  We want to spend a few days at our friend's camp in Bethel and do touristy things along the coast (ie, visit LL Bean and eat lobster and blueberries).  We want to go to Martha's Vineyard for a day.  All in good time.

We may have to stay here another day or so, as the New York State Thruway is closed in two places between us and where we want to go.  That's the story of this trip of ours ... two steps forward, one step back.

We are just making memories.

Irene

Decision made.  The hype and drama of the Weather Channel and NOAA notwithstanding, we couldn't afford to take chances with our safety, so we drove 150 miles back west to Herkimer NY to stay in a safe campground with full cable TV, wifi, restaurant, and laudromat.

It's ironic that we were relieved Hurricane Irene was going to miss Florida while we were gone, and so we didn't have to worry about damage to our condo, only to find ourselves in her path 2 weeks later.

So we sit, waiting for Irene to pass over.  It has been raining constantly since about 2:00 AM, but fortunately there has been little or no wind.  We are parked beside the Erie Canal and this afternoon the water turned muddy looking and a lot of plant and wood debris starting floating by.  The park manager assured us there is no flood danger.  It's a beautiful place to stay during the storm.

We almost forgot to mention the nice local couple we met in Vermont who spend their winters in Largo, Florida, of all places. They have a mobile in the Town and Country park on Missouri.  Small world.  We'll renew the acquaintance when get back to Florida.  Town and Country has bingo on Friday nights, which is of interest to Linda.  

We will be here until tomorrow, then back to our original itinerary.  We are determined to keep Maine on our destination list, as well as Martha's Vineyard.  While sitting in the rain today, Linda figured out the convection oven and made cupcakes.  Frank made his signature sausage and chipotle burritos, too.  Yummy.

It's good to have a slow day and just watch the world and the rain go by.  We'll be rested for the move tomorrow.

A Lovely Day In Vermont

We spent another day in Vermont, taking in some sights and watching the weather reports on Hurricane Irene.  The day was absolutely gorgeous so we took a big circle tour around the area.

We went to Calvin Coolidge's boyhood home, then on to Woodstock which is a quaint skiing/tourist town with a nice yarn shop.  Of course, Linda had to buy a couple of skeins.  Berocco Alpaca Light, if you must know.  Then back to Quechee Village to pick up a couple of souvenirs we passed up on our first visit there yesterday.

As we watch for and wait on Hurricane Irene, we are reminded of how little impact we humans really have on the world.  Certainly we can pollute small areas; we can over plant fields and cut down too much lumber in places.  But do we really have the ability to change the planet?

Stopping hurricanes would be a fine place to start ... a hurricane is really not all that big, considering the size of the whole earth.  But ... but ... but, you say, scientists have been trying for years to stop hurricanes or find a way to lessen their size or their impact, and haven't been able to.  Precisely the point.

The earth is God's creation and has an amazing ability to heal itself.  It goes through cycles and seasons, most of which we don't understand fully.  Much of mankind is bent on bringing God's great universe down to something they can understand.  God says, "My ways are not your ways, and my thoughts are not your thoughts."  Call us naive, but we don't need to know more.

Tomorrow is decision day on our destination for waiting out Irene.  Tonight we have meat loaf, salad, and memories of a lovely day in Vermont.

Style and Timing

Back in my middle-management days, I told my staff that most company problems were either the result of (or could be solved by) style and timing.  'How' and 'when' mattered as much as 'what.'

Now we are in a predicament. We left New York, headed for Maine.  Unfortunately, Hurricane Irene is also headed for Maine.  Sigh.  We are currently parked in a decent campground in Ascutney VT, waiting for (1) a non-hurricane related thunderstorm to pass over us late this afternoon, and (2) updated news on the path of Hurricane Irene.  Only time will tell if we must scurry back to the relative safety of Utica, New York, or whether the storm will be far enough away to let us camp amongst the trees of Bethel, ME - a juxtaposition of Irene's style and our timing.

We took in some local sights today, driving through backwoods roads and shopping at some souvenir shops.  We got Cabot cheese, and homemade ice cream.  We stood at the top of Quechee Gorge.  Breathtaking.

And, every house, every church, every barn in Vermont is beautiful or striking in some way.   There was no point in taking pictures ... it all looks like the post cards.

So, tonight I am knitting and Frank is puttering and we are both awaiting the 8:00 am NOAA update on Irene. 

Friends and Fines

Have you ever thought much about Utica, New York?  How about Herkimer?  Probably not.  But these places are dear to us now, and there really are many interesting things to do. Our connection with the area began in 2006 when we moved our son into the dorm at Herkimer County Community College in the middle of winter.  Quite a change for the Southern California boy who was raised on the beaches of the Pacific Ocean.  But he thrived here, found out that he loved the area and the change of seasons, and best of all, he met the woman he will marry next summer.  So, yes, the area is now precious to Frank and Linda, too, and we're getting to know it better and better.

We have visited local sights and renewed friendships with people we met during our son's time at HCCC - fellow parents whose sons also played baseball for the Generals.  One day we took an interesting trip on the Erie Canal, complete with going through a lock.  One day we hunkered down in the motor home during a long thunderstorm.  One day we went to see one of Matt's friends play softball.  One day we met up with Coach Razz.  We thank God for His blessings of good friends, especially the Allens who have let us stay in the parking lot of their business.

It's been a fine time here, except for that little matter of the NY State Trooper pulling us over on that treacherous stretch of 5s.  No way Frank was driving 70 in a 55 zone.  The trooper ended up being a kind-hearted soul and only gave Frank a ticket for "ignoring a traffic indicator" and not for speeding -- yet one more indication that God is really looking out for us on this trip.  At least there will be no speeding points on Frank's license, but we still don't know the amount of the fine.  We pray that the Magistrate will be lenient.

In our window to the outside world, we are relieved that Hurricane Irene will not be going over our house, and that there was not much damage from the earthquake in Virginia.  Personally, we are used to 5.8 quakes; in fact we generally sleep through them.

Now on to Vermont and Maine.  Yummmmm.  Maple sugar and lobster.

The Empire State

The Chambliss Express is on the road again.  We got to New York without incident, unless you count paying tolls for traveling on a US Interstate.  I-90 in New York is the old New York State Thruway, tolls and all.  The tollbooth workers are humorless sorts.

The highlight of our stay in Upstate New York revolved around the Annual Woodsmen's Field Days in Boonville. The NY logging industry puts on a show of educational seminars, equipment demonstrations, chainsaw competitions, log rolling, greased pole adventures, arts and crafts, and all things associated with the logging industry.  Raelyn's stepdad works in the logging industry and is heavily involved in the Field Days.

Liberals misunderestimate the heartland of America ... people who actually work for a living and don't feast at the public trough.  I saw a bumper sticker there that sums it up pretty well:  If you don't like the logging industry, try using plastic toilet paper.  Paging Sheryl Crowe.

The day was capped off by a lovely cookout put together by Raelyn's family at the absolutely idyllic woodland home of her aunt which sits next to a beautiful creek. We had a great time and are looking forward to more time with our new extended clan.  We've also been able to visit with friends we made when Matt was going to school at Herkimer.  It's all good.

Historical sites beckon us now ... we're always fascinated with the people and places that made this country great.  We are in the Mohawk Valley which played a pivotal part in the Revolutionary War.  We have seen the Erie Canal while here, and taken in various historical parks and markers as well.  There is more to be seen, and we'll be spending a few more days here just being shameless tourists with sunglasses and a camera.

And BTW ... go Bolts!  Nice win over Dallas.

He Has Our Attention

We say goodbye to new friends in Hillsboro, OH, and head up Rt. 62 toward I-71 with brakes fixed and wheel bearings repacked.  Linda's knowledge of the area helps us zig when the rest of the world zagged at a major traffic snarl near Grove City.  Our late start allows us only to get as far as Ashland, but we are happy to be moving again, until . . .

Ten miles from the night's campground we blow a tire on the Geo Tracker.  Frank changes said tire, only to discover the spare is flat, and we have no way to inflate it.  While we are pondering our predicament, a man in a new Mercedes pulls up, says he has an air compressor and inflates our tire for us.  Turns out he is a Christian.  He leaves us his business card and a small tract which says, "Our Father, help us to lift our eyes above the disquieting things around us.  Help us to center our thoughts on you."

Do you have goosebumps yet?

Let's review.  In each of these instances, we initially had no idea how to confront the situation and get appropriate help.  We prayed.

1)  Autopark brake fails in Georgia.  Out of a totally unknown set of possible repair shops, one in particular pops into our head.  We go there, and they are a Christian establishment.

2)  Regular brakes fail in southern OH.  Tow truck driver is Christian.  He tows us to a shop run by a Christian family and we stay there for 5 days.

3)  Tire blows on the freeway.  Almost immediately a Christian man stops and helps out,

4)  We purchase 5 news tires for the Geo the next morning at the local WalMart.  The store clerk asks if we are Christian, and says she'll take care of us and pray for our safe journey,

As we resume once more, Frank and I look at each other and say, almost together, "I think God wants our attention."   We resolved there and then to be ready to do whatever He might have in store for us, knowing that we may be being led into something completely different than what we now know.

Stay tuned.  The journey is still being written.

The Whatchit

This morning, after learning that the repair parts would NOT be coming today, we decided to hit the road, go to Columbus, check out historical archives, and make the best of the situation.  God blessed us with an incredible mechanic here in Hillsboro, a good Christian man, and he is on the job solving our mechanical problem.  We have no choice but to trust him, and so we decided rather than sit around in a funk, off we would go for another adventure.

It's going to be hard to top this day.  Really.  Just when you think it can't get any better ... yada, yada, yada.

In the midst of picking up obituaries from the library, an old marriage license from the county office, and traipsing through cemeteries, we got a call from the mechanic.  He said, "I located maybe the last whatchit east of the Mississippi, and it happens to be in Columbus.  Can you guys swing by the supplier while you're there, so we can get you fixed up first thing tomorrow morning?"

Screech.... (That was the sound of the Geo Tracker making a u-turn heading out to pick up the coveted whatchit.)

So, after a long day on the road, we made it back 'home' with tales to tell, copies of interesting documents, dozens of digital photos, and the ready-to-be-installed whatchit.

It just doesn't get much better than this.

A Nearly Perfect Day In Southern Ohio

We decided to see more of the local sights today. 

Those repair parts won't arrive until tomorrow, and the weather was glorious, so we headed out for a drive to see some local history.  Linda's childhood memories of family reunions and school field trips in this area came flooding back as we cruised over the narrow back country roads.   The scenery along the way was absolutely beautiful ... proof that God does not make junk!

We headed first to Serpent Mound, then over to Fort Hill, then to an intriguing antique shop in Bainbridge, and finally to a place that sells "Possibly the World's Best Cheesecake."    Back in Hillsboro, we consulted the Garmin to find a local grocery store and we saw a Super WalMart right around the corner from where we're staying.  Who knew?  Well, we know now.

Are we ready for this?

Well, we are on our way, kind of.  Now if only the equipment would cooperate.  So far, we've spent 2 days in Georgia on one problem, and then another 4 days in Ohio waiting for parts to fix the brake/wheel problem we already paid big $$$ to fix when we first bought the motor home.

We are learning rapidly that one of the signs of full-timing in an RV, or even taking a long trip, is flexibility.   While we have been able to do what we want, see what we want, and be where we want to be ... boy, is the the timing way off.   No sense in getting frustrated ...

And yet there have been multiple blessings alongside the frustrations.  We have met wonderful people and have had the chance to visit some family places we didn't think we had time for originally.  We are learning to be content, no matter our circumstances.

The Journey Begins

What is Pooh II, and why would we blog about it? There was once just Pooh ... a 1987 Winnebago motorhome that we bought in 1988 to give our kids the camping experience, and to take them on trips around this great United States of America.

And how we traveled.  We saw San Francisco, the Redwood Forest, the Rocky Mountains, Mt. Rushmore, the Field of Dreams, the Gateway Arch, Lincoln's Tomb, the Indy 500, the Baseball Hall of Fame, Niagra Falls, Boston, Martha's Vineyard, New York City, Washington DC, Chesapeake Bay, Mt. Vernon, Florida, New Orleans, Texas (all of it), New Mexico, Arizona, and more weekends at the beach and tailgate days at Qualcomm Stadium that I can even count.

We kept this Winnebago for over 20 years, and it became part of the family ... a fixture in our driveway.  She was used to haul entire Little League teams to practice and she served as a dressing room for girls getting ready for the "big dance."  She was a guest house for visiting relatives, and she was even our favorite spot for hiding Christmas gifts.  The children knew not to enter the camper after October 1 without asking permission first.

And because she was a Winnebago, we called her "Winne the Pooh."  We even found a magnet of the real Winnie the Pooh and placed it on the overhead rearview mirror housing.   Eventually, the old motorhome became known as just "Pooh."

So when we retired, we wanted to continue the RV experience on a longer basis.  We wanted a larger motorhome that the two of us could live in for weeks or months at a time.  After 2 years of constant searching, we finally found one we loved, and could afford.  It was another Winnebago.

What else could we call the new rig but "Pooh II?"