Maine Lobster

So it was time to go to Maine, and visit friends Rick & Pam. The drive up was very nice, but much like Michigan, all you see is trees! They are only about 3 miles from the ocean, just south of Portland, ME.

While there, we drove out to Old Orchard Beach, which has the amusement park, beach, and pier out into the ocean.

At a nearby Chocolate store, Laura met a new friend!

And, of course, there was the "Lobstah" dinner! 2 lobsters & all the fixings for $21.99. Yes, we split the meal - Hmmm, good.

Eating Across Texas

One thing you find out as you travel the USA, you just never know where you will find a good place to eat. On our trip East, after going through El Paso on Sunday, we needed some lunch. Not much in that part of Texas, we pulled into Sierra Blanca, a small town that had seen better days, many boarded up buildings. On the far edge of town (actually had to turn around at that point), we see Michael's. Doesn't look like much, but Oh, the Food was GOOD.

The next day, as we approached Big Spring, TX, saw a billboard for "Hog Heaven BBQ House". Ok, we are hungry, and like BBQ. Again, doesn't look like much, but BUSY. The BBQ brisket is to die for - so tender & tasty. Turns out they have a Party Barn across the street & do catering. So we can recommend either place for any one traveling on 10 or 20 in Texas.

Oh, and as a little add-on, here is a picture of Rich & Leslie, as they set off on Leslie's first ride on the motorcycle!

I'm Tired, etc.

I got 2 email forwards from friends yesterday, that I just CAN'T ignore. Both quoted a retired Massachusetts State Senator's blog posting from Feb, 2009. It still applies today. Here is the link to his blog, http://tartanmarine.blogspot.com/2009/02/robert.html

Memorial Day Weekend was hectic, park was full, lots of activities going on. Pretty quiet now, should be until the kids are out of school. Then the summer FUN begins. I am primarily doing the gate, and some Ranger patrols, Laura is working mostly in the Store.

Still haven't done any sightseeing, but will soon.

Pine Acres Family Camping Resort

So we have completed our 1st week of work in MA, now looking forward to the Mad-House of Memorial Day Weekend. To see where we are, check out this link: http://www.pineacresresort.com/

In all honesty, I have to say this area is NOT what we expected. Thought Pine Acres would be a little oasis surrounded by a Metro Area. Not even close. Thousands of acres of wooded land, lots of lakes & streams running through, mixed in with several small villages, towns. Most of the Villages show established dates early to mid 1700s, and MANY big old homes, along with village squares, etc. NO big housing developments that we have seen. Roads are mostly narrow, winding, 2 lane - with 30 to 40 MPH speed limits. Takes 3/4 of an hour to go 15 miles.

Nearest grocery store, 7 miles, 15 to 20 minutes. Wal-Mart and like, near Worcester (Woo-ster), 3/4 of an hour drive.

We LOVE it!

More later!

Happy Mother's Day Laura

Gee, to think I have been married to the "Mother Of The Decade" for 51 years! That's pretty Special. Check out this link.

http://news.cnnbcvideo.com/?nid=7dnLGwtN7mS81o3Hzu6u3DgzNjcwMjA-&referred_by=17714953-I0rLBx

Now In Indiana

Our time in TX just went too fast. Deb took a couple of days off work, and Mom & daughter went "shopping"! Sat John cooked ribs for dinner, Mmm Good. Pattie & Domenica drove up and we had a Great visit. It was sooo good to see them.

We managed to watch Deb & Sara play soccer, Jason play softball. John got the hot tub running, and Sat night saw about 6 people enjoying it after dark. Pictures will follow.

Sunday we visited Crossroads Winery. Deb had attended a private party there, and helped bottle some wine. It was located in a warehouse, boy did it look different on the inside. Wine was pretty good too, we stocked up on some of it.

After that, we drove to McKinney to visit fellow Chesaning grad Harold Mitas & wife Sue. They have spent the past 5 years developing Mitas Hill Vineyards, the grape vines are really looking great. They are NOT planning a winery, are really interested in the growing of grapes. A Great visit, real education, look forward to seeing them again in the future.

Monday saw us back on the road. Stop overnight in N Little Rock, in sight of Clinton's Library & Museum, no we did not visit. Arrived at Cindy & Joe's in Marion, IN yesterday, just over 1000 miles in 3 days. Time to rest!

Yay! On The Road.

Where does the time go? My last post talked about less than 2 weeks of work left. Since then, I have completed my work, Rich had a nice going away BBQ for us, we made a visit to Death Valley, and 2 weeks ago today, we pulled out of Las Vegas. Hopefully, you have seen some of the pictures Rich posted on Facebook.

After a night in Bullhead City, AZ, we reached Camp Verde, AZ, to meet up with friends Rick & Pam, Jerry & Karen. 4 days & nights of eating, sightseeing, visiting, playing games, and, Oh ya, drinking. What fun!

Monday, the 12th, we stopped in Chandler to meet Harrison friends Bill & Maryann for lunch, then on to Benson, AZ.

More friends. Jerry & Sherri who run the RV Park; Bob & Betty who we 1st met at Valley Vista 2 years ago, again near Denver in Sept 08; Ron & Doris who we met in Rockport, TX winter of 2005! One day we drove to Green Valley to visit Long Lake friends Jim & Betty, another day of getting caught up with "all the news".

Apr 17 we stopped overnight in Deming, NM, a chance to visit with former Long Lake friends, Bob & Sharon, and have dinner. So good to see them again.

4 days on the road, and we arrived in Lewisville, TX, and after getting settled down, able to have dinner with Deb, John, Sara & Cami last night. Like their new house. We are here for 6 days, so a chance to relax after covering over 1500 miles. Hopefully, I will find time to post some pictures soon.

Sad news: Over the past 8 years, we have had a chance to meet up with Cousin Jim & LaVon, and spend some time camping with them. We have visited Quartzsite, Organ Pipe Cactus Nat'l Monument, Casa Grande, and St David, AZ., also met up with them in Michigan the summer of 2008. Good times. Sat, the 10th, we drove to Payson to visit, Jim had just come home from the hospital, was on oxygen. We had a Great, but short, visit. Tuesday, we received word that Jim had passed away. Our hearts go out to LaVon, and the family. Jim will be sorely missed.

That's all for today, stay tuned.