Greetings to all! We had another adventure some day! We had to plan a new route due to hurricane Irene last night. It did however need some tweeking after they took route and found themselves being pulled over by the Police and pulling them off of route 7 and redirecting them to route 7A. They also discovered that the route we had planned on had some road closures too. So Mister Officer did some checking and gave them better information so they moved on to the next town and did some more investigating and mapped a different route.
Today we got to see the wrath of Irene through the Vermont countryside. It was truly a delightful day with spectacular scenery but also a sobbering day with the sights of the destruction. The power of the water and it's flooding could only be imagined after seeing the destruction first hand. We are having debates today as to if Vermont has been the best as far as scenery in all of the states we have passed thru.
The General Store seems to be a recurring theme and the roadside stands were busy prepping for the tourists and the Labor Day weekend.
We pulled into camp tonight and were pondering what the last day of our adventure would be like. All of this so bitter sweet. Anxious to accomplish what they have set out to do but sad to see it all end. It really did go by so fast we can hardly believe it. We just want to say Thanks to all of you who have been blogging and reading our blogs. It is one of the big highlights of our day too.!! We look forward to seeing everyone when we return to share the joy we have recieved out here on this journey.
Time to turn in so I can dream of tomorrow and hope the memories of this journey will linger for a long time to come!
Good Night! Julie
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
More pictures for rerouted Day 31 & all of the detours
More pictures
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| Camels, Zebra's and now Llamas!! |
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| Grandma Lou in the Adirondack chair. |
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| Pick a Flavor! Yeah right! |
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| This tops the DQ!! |
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| It's a wash out!! |
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| Avenue of the Pines! |
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| Don't fence me in. |
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| Going Up! |
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| Flood damage |
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| Which way to the beach Merle???? |
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| Cheap New Hampshire border sign while crossing the Conn. River. |
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
day 30
When I've asked advice for doing this adventure, the first response that I usually got was "be flexible". We will be flexible. It turns out most of the east-west roads in Vermont are out. Julie and Dick have been busy researching and found a way. Adding about 80 miles, we'll go across on US 4 and hit the Atlantic at Portsmouth NH. We expect we'll have lots of traffic
Today we did get to our destination, Bennington VT. We didn't get to our designated campground however; all of the campgrounds in the area are closed due to flooding and loss of electricity. So tonight we're staying at a Best Western. Julie got out of cooking duties; there's a drive-in across the street.
The roads today were hilly but much less steep than yesterday. The weather was perfect again, but the traffic was quite heavy. Today we went through areas that were more populated - particularly Schenectady. During part of the ride they had diverted traffic from I90 to US 20, the road that we were on. A constant stream of cars and simis, but the shoulder was wide. We witnessed Irine's devastation during the day. There were sideroad washouts in several areas and the rivers were thick with mud. We know we'll see alot more tomorrow.
Roe
Today we did get to our destination, Bennington VT. We didn't get to our designated campground however; all of the campgrounds in the area are closed due to flooding and loss of electricity. So tonight we're staying at a Best Western. Julie got out of cooking duties; there's a drive-in across the street.
The roads today were hilly but much less steep than yesterday. The weather was perfect again, but the traffic was quite heavy. Today we went through areas that were more populated - particularly Schenectady. During part of the ride they had diverted traffic from I90 to US 20, the road that we were on. A constant stream of cars and simis, but the shoulder was wide. We witnessed Irine's devastation during the day. There were sideroad washouts in several areas and the rivers were thick with mud. We know we'll see alot more tomorrow.
Roe
Well we will try pictures again for days 27, 28 ,29 & 30
We tried pictures last night but finally gave up so i hope we can get it done this time.
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| Grandma Lou weights in for another day |
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| Perales first child |
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| What a handsome crew at Niagra Falls |
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| Well they let us back into the states |
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| Up & down another 10% grade ALL DAY ,more than one |
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| One of many art sculptures Juls & Grandma Lou looked at |
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| Roe's new love muffin |
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| Oh what are we doing? |
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| Some of the trash from the flooding we went by |
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| The now MUDDY Hudson River |
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| Into another state |
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| Our penthouse apartment for the night |
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| No DQ but we did find a nice chocoate & ice cream shop |
Monday, August 29, 2011
Day 29
Yes everyone we really are seeing zebras and camels!! I think that is a sign we are nearing the end.
Today was a gorgeous ride thru NY. The hills and the hilltop panoramic views were truly spectacular. The guys have come up with theory that each state is a pageant contest and that Miss New York is winning for the fabulous roads, scenery and weather! Not to mention the fresh NY baked apple pie and ice cream that my mom and I picked up at a roadside stand. There were many along the way.
We stopped tonight and are camping in the Cooperstown KOA campground we are on Dimaggio Drive. A fine facility which also supplied a breath taking sunset! No I didn't get a photo. I am bummed about that!
Well Dave made it out of surgery today with a metal plate and 8 screws in his clavical. He will be coming home tomorrow. His sister Penny will be bringing him home and spending the night so he will have to behave for at least one night anyway.
We ran into our first glimpse of Irene today when a road was closed due to flooding over the road. It wasn't much but we are seeing more signs of her ahead of us for tomorrow. Dick was looking up road closures on the route to see if we can keep moving forward.
Well we hope to have more stories tomorrow of our travels if the travel gods allow!
Julie
Day 2 in New York showed us more of the beauty of this state. None of us were prepared for the hills!!! Most of the day was spent crawling up 9-10% grade several mile-long hills. Seemed to be a lot more ups than there were downs. We all agreed that this was the toughest day. We still made 120 miles by 4:30 including a detour for flooded highway.
Tomorrow will prove interesting since there has been much reported flooding in the areas of Vermont where we are heading. Also rumored that the bridge over the Hudson has been closed, but is to be opened again in the morning. Weather is reported as good for the next 3 days.
Dick
Today was a gorgeous ride thru NY. The hills and the hilltop panoramic views were truly spectacular. The guys have come up with theory that each state is a pageant contest and that Miss New York is winning for the fabulous roads, scenery and weather! Not to mention the fresh NY baked apple pie and ice cream that my mom and I picked up at a roadside stand. There were many along the way.
We stopped tonight and are camping in the Cooperstown KOA campground we are on Dimaggio Drive. A fine facility which also supplied a breath taking sunset! No I didn't get a photo. I am bummed about that!
Well Dave made it out of surgery today with a metal plate and 8 screws in his clavical. He will be coming home tomorrow. His sister Penny will be bringing him home and spending the night so he will have to behave for at least one night anyway.
We ran into our first glimpse of Irene today when a road was closed due to flooding over the road. It wasn't much but we are seeing more signs of her ahead of us for tomorrow. Dick was looking up road closures on the route to see if we can keep moving forward.
Well we hope to have more stories tomorrow of our travels if the travel gods allow!
Julie
Day 2 in New York showed us more of the beauty of this state. None of us were prepared for the hills!!! Most of the day was spent crawling up 9-10% grade several mile-long hills. Seemed to be a lot more ups than there were downs. We all agreed that this was the toughest day. We still made 120 miles by 4:30 including a detour for flooded highway.
Tomorrow will prove interesting since there has been much reported flooding in the areas of Vermont where we are heading. Also rumored that the bridge over the Hudson has been closed, but is to be opened again in the morning. Weather is reported as good for the next 3 days.
Dick
Sunday, August 28, 2011
day 28
Back in the USA!!!! They let us back in!! Who'd a thunk it!! Well we took our last look at Niagra Falls this morning as we crossed the Rainbow Bridge back into the USA! They started down the street Main Street USA!
It was nice country roads rolling and winding thru the country side much like in MN. We came along a country road that was canopied with trees and ran along a stream. When what did we see but a Zebra peering thru the trees. So we had to stop and check it out. I went to take a photo of it and a man was walking down the driveway so I asked him if it was ok? He said yes and invited me to see his sculpture garden in his yard. As it turned out he and his wife were both artists and had the whole yard set up as their Gallery. They gave tours in the summer months!
So I went to get my mom out of the RV and we spent a good 45 minutes visiting with him and taking the tour. She was an art teacher at a deaf school and he was a professor at RIT. He had written several books and one was just published a few weeks ago called the " Good Teacher" It was quite interesting and truly the highlight of the day.
Well the day was a treat for me!! Julie
Niagara Falls NY to Phelps NY - 123 miles. We're still on schedule! We understand some of our followers were betting we wouldn't make our destination today. We have been so fortunate with the weather! With rain apparently all around us, we didn't get a drop. We had cool temperatures today with a brisk wind from the north; we were happy to be wearing long sleeves. We have been in our own little world, pretty isolated from the rest of the world. We do occasionally check the day's weather when we can. It looks like the weather for the next few days will be favorable.
Again, Julie selected a set of great roads. Nice country roads with little traffic and a nice smooth surface. The road signs made it easy to navigate and the Garmin was working flawlessly. As usual, the sights were interesting. To me, the morning was a visit of oddities - a pet camel, two farm houses with big Greek columns. The highlight of our day was Oatka Trail, a twisty turney road along Oatka Creek. Woods on both sides of the road, the road that Julie and Mary Lou got their tour of a sculpture garden. The wildflowers bring color to the ditches. We have fun checking out all of the rustic old barns. We passed many little roadside tables, selling sweetcorn, tomatoes, cukes, etc.
It's hard to believe we're closing in on the Atlantic. Only four days of riding left! We're looking forward to the sights of the next few days. Tonight we're staying in the Cheerful Valley Campground. We're cheerful and always anxious to start the next day.
Roe
It was nice country roads rolling and winding thru the country side much like in MN. We came along a country road that was canopied with trees and ran along a stream. When what did we see but a Zebra peering thru the trees. So we had to stop and check it out. I went to take a photo of it and a man was walking down the driveway so I asked him if it was ok? He said yes and invited me to see his sculpture garden in his yard. As it turned out he and his wife were both artists and had the whole yard set up as their Gallery. They gave tours in the summer months!
So I went to get my mom out of the RV and we spent a good 45 minutes visiting with him and taking the tour. She was an art teacher at a deaf school and he was a professor at RIT. He had written several books and one was just published a few weeks ago called the " Good Teacher" It was quite interesting and truly the highlight of the day.
Well the day was a treat for me!! Julie
Niagara Falls NY to Phelps NY - 123 miles. We're still on schedule! We understand some of our followers were betting we wouldn't make our destination today. We have been so fortunate with the weather! With rain apparently all around us, we didn't get a drop. We had cool temperatures today with a brisk wind from the north; we were happy to be wearing long sleeves. We have been in our own little world, pretty isolated from the rest of the world. We do occasionally check the day's weather when we can. It looks like the weather for the next few days will be favorable.
Again, Julie selected a set of great roads. Nice country roads with little traffic and a nice smooth surface. The road signs made it easy to navigate and the Garmin was working flawlessly. As usual, the sights were interesting. To me, the morning was a visit of oddities - a pet camel, two farm houses with big Greek columns. The highlight of our day was Oatka Trail, a twisty turney road along Oatka Creek. Woods on both sides of the road, the road that Julie and Mary Lou got their tour of a sculpture garden. The wildflowers bring color to the ditches. We have fun checking out all of the rustic old barns. We passed many little roadside tables, selling sweetcorn, tomatoes, cukes, etc.
It's hard to believe we're closing in on the Atlantic. Only four days of riding left! We're looking forward to the sights of the next few days. Tonight we're staying in the Cheerful Valley Campground. We're cheerful and always anxious to start the next day.
Roe
day 27
Rest day at Niagara Falls Canada. We decided to stay two nights at the Niagara Falls KOA. Today we had a leisurely breakfast of blueberry pancakes and relaxed in the morning. We then took a bus to town to visit the falls. We enjoyed the falls last night with the lights but the daytime viewing of course was spectacular. Some of us even got a nap in in the afternoon. In the evening four of us went to a dinner theater next door and saw a performance of OH CANADA. It was a musical with a cast of six excellent singers. A little hokey for my taste but the music was enjoyable. Again, the rest day was nice but we're ready to hit the road again.
Roe
Roe
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