Since our last post, we've covered a whole lotta territory! We filled in a lot of the great northeast - seeing New England for the first time. Since we first set sail last year on our endless land cruise, we've now seen 35 of the 50 states in our motorhome.
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| These are the 35 states we've visited so far - America the Beautiful! |
After leaving Denver on July 5th, (for our annual summer visit) we headed to Nebraska. It seemed like the entire state was COVERED with corn fields! But it actually made for a really pretty drive. We stayed in the small northeastern town of Pender, NE where we had our Blue Ox tow bar serviced. What a peaceful and pretty little town! Then it was on to Cedar Rapids, IA to see friends Don & BJ (Don being an old colleague of Steve's). We stayed in a cool place called the "Amana Colonies" which is a mostly German community with GREAT restaurants and shops. And more corn fields!
Next we headed through Illinois, past Chicago and landed in Sawyer, Michigan for a week or so on the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan. We stayed at the "Kamp Across from the Dunes" right on the lake. Wow - we really didn't know what to expect and did not have a mental image in mind. It was great!! Nice beach that almost felt like being on the ocean. The dunes allowed us to climb really high up for a great panoramic view. Can't believe I didn't have a camera for that one! Duh!!! Our VERY good friends Joe & Carolyn joined us there. Good times!
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Always ready for a good time!
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| This is Michigan??? Indeed. |
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Carolyn & Joe enjoying a nice sunset with us at the dunes
on Lake Michigan |
Next, we headed to Toledo, Ohio - really venturing now into uncharted territory - for us anyway. We visited our friends Tom & Eileen who are restaurateur's we met while in Destin, Florida. We had a scrumptious dinner at their restaurant that's been in their family for several generations. Mmmmm. Good food!! Thickening waistlines. :o(
From there, we went to Niagara Falls. It was fabulous! We've always wanted to see the falls and it most certainly did not disappoint. On the first day, we explored the American side.
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| Really close to the water! |
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| This is taken from the American side of the falls |
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The American Falls (viewed from Canada)
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The next day, we crossed the border to see the Canadian side where you really get spectacular views from across the way.
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The Canadian Falls - picture taken from the top of a tower.
You can see the Maid of the Mist (boat) getting a close up look. |
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| The view of the American falls from the Canadian side |
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| Sweethearts enjoying life! |
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| Underneath the falls - must have rain gear! |
After seeing the falls, we enjoyed a beautiful drive through upstate New York. We stayed a few nights in a gorgeous park near Schenectady (north of Albany). Next, we drove through Vermont and New Hampshire (or as the locals say... New HAMPsha) and landed in Portland, Maine. Steve had been hankerin' for some fresh Maine lobster so sure enough - we got our fill. Steve loved the seafood, but me... not so much. Never been much of a seafood lover. The RV park wasn't our favorite either but we enjoyed seeing the sites in downtown Portland.
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| Eastern Promenade - downtown Portland, Maine |
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The view from the deck of DiMillo's
restaurant (fabulous food!) & marina |
Last week, we headed down to the Catskills in New York. We stayed near the town of Catskill (apparently the name means something like "bobcat creek") and had a good time walking main street. Charming little town. Not far from Woodstock, NY.
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| The cat that ate the canary |
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| Downtown Catskill, NY |
And finally... here we are at Jonestown, Pennsylvania - near Harrisburg. All in a days' work, herding cats 'n dogs. Life is good!
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| Near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Part of the daily routine having fun with the kids - Harley, Jimi and Willie. |
Until next time... may the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields...
and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
