Friday 18th February 2011

Awoke sometime very early, still dark, to our little camper being rocked from side to side.  Then I heard two bangs.  I realise it may have been stupid to stay at a rest area in New York, but we have done that many times.  Surely no one wants to harm us here.  I glanced over at Mike, and yes he was still breathing, so no one had shot us.  Peaked outside through the drapes to see two people just leaving the car that was now parked next to us.   Guess the bangs were their car doors.  They were really battling the winds trying to walk across the parking lot.  That explains why the camper was moving so much.   Bonus - can go back to sleep for a while.

We were up and ready to leave at 8.15 am and still the wind was extremely strong., making it difficult to keep our camper on the road.  Certainly was not at all cold.

Stayed on the Thruway to Fredonia, where we stopped for breakfast and our usual supplies.

As the wind was so strong we stayed off the Interstate for a while.

Here you can see frozen Lake Erie.  

The ride along NY 5 was very pretty,   We passed a really great looking State Park which we will be very interested in going back to through the summer or fall.

Back onto the Interstate around Erie PA..   Still extremely windy.   From Erie there was not much snow to be seen.  However, there were many huge pot oles, and we managed to find a real good one.  It left us with a lot of noise coming from under the front of the camper.   After finding several more pot holes, and the noise getting louder, we had to pull off the Interstate to try and find out what damage had been done.   Mike the Mechanic to the rescue!  However, when he looked underneath, nothing looked out of place.   So back on the road and fill up with gas.  Still we couldn't see anything wrong, and much to our surprise, the noises were not so bad.   Headed back onto the Interstate just as the rain started.

We took steady ride into VA.

Although the rain was heavy the ski hills were open and all the lights on.

It still looked really impressive.

Drove on to Wytheville VA for the night.   Very heavy rain.   Huge notice on Camp Store Door.  "Do not leave any food outside.  Bears have been sighted here."    Oh well it is raining so we will not be outside.  6.30 pm.      Mileage, 295128.

All set up, and even had Internet, so were able to chat with Natalie and Danny.  Couldn't get Vince n skype but did text.  Everyone doing good. 

Nice supper, watched some TV, did some e-mails, relaxed.

Other than very high winds (60 mph) and huge pot holes the day was good.   Today we woke up and had breakfast in NY, Coffee in PA, Lunch in WV, Dinner in VA.   Reminds us of our days when we were trucking.

On the Road. February 17th 2011

Durham, Thursday 17th February, 2011
For February in Durham, 2011, the temperature is very good - +7c.  Thank you Mother Nature.  This is a good start for our trip.                               294014

Left Durham at 2.15 p.m.  Had a really good drive into Fergus where we left Joey (the Killer Budgie) with Natalie.   With a little while to kill before Natalie actually finished work we decided to see if it was convenient to visit with our very dear friends, Andrew and Elena.  Luck was on our side and we we had a fantastic couple of hours with them.   Finally got to meet the new addition to their family, Fletcher, the adorable "Puppy".  We are actually heading to Tucson AZ to visit with Andrew's sister Allison and brother in law Norman, after we have spent some very valuable time with our family in Charlotte NC.

When Natalie had finished work for the day we all had a good visit, then I packed a picnic supper and then Mike and I headed off on our trails.

We had a good drive to the border in Fort Erie, and crossed into US without any problems.  From there we continued to the first Service area , Angola, where we would spend the night.   Arrived there about 9.30.p.m.   Had our picnic supper and retired for the night.   We hope to be able to get as far as Wytheville Virgina tomorrow evening.                                  294306

We hear Roger Whittaker singing - "I'm going to leave Ol' Durham Town"

Wednesday February 16th 2011.                                                               294014
Spent today loading up the camper ready for our trip to Charlotte NC, and then on to Tucson AZ.

As you  can see we have had a very snowy few weeks, and it really is time to try to find some warm weather.

Here I am trying to get around the back yard.

Hope the hiking trails we find when south are a bit easier than this.





Today really wasn't so bad, a lot warmer than it has been in the past few weeks, when the high was -20c.
Although overcast, it was a balmy -4c today.   Weather sounds to be good for us to leave tomorrow (Thursday 17th Feb) sometime mid afternoon.

Mike managed to get oil, oil filter and air filter all changed over the very cold weekend, so we are all ready to go.

For any of you who have been following "the famous soup can"  you can see it is doing an excellent job.   Wonder if it will hang in there for a trip of approximately 6,000 km.!








OK.  We hit the road tomorrow, and will keep you all informed whenever possible.

ITCHY FEET

January 8th 2011

Another bright, sunny, cold day and our little camper was looking very sad not being out on the road, so we took the lovely little thing out for a drive.  Over the last few weeks Hiker Mike changed hats and became Mike the Mechanic and got down to some "camper maintenance".  With such a nice day it seemed a good time to take the beast out for a trial run before we head south.  One thing did not need any maintenance - guess what that was?  You got it!  The soup can IS still hanging in and working like a charm.

Here we are looking out over the snowy fields as we drive along into Hanover Ontario.

Take note of the brilliant blue sky.

Now you will see the very snowy country road as we head into Southampton Ontario.

We do enjoy going to the Southampton Market and always manage to come out with a treasure or two!

The beach at Southampton.



Time to head home on the snowy road.



For those of you who haven't seen inside our little camper we will try to do our best to show you.  Must also mention, we did remove the VERY old TV and replaced it with a new LCD TV.

The dining room. which also becomes the bedroom.



Our entertainment centre.



The Kitchen



The Galley

We will try to get some more updated inside pictures.

Now for "Mike the Mechanic"

We drove the h***  (heck that is) out of poor old camper when we took the two lanes through PA so now was a good time to spend some money on it.   Front shocks,  brake rotors,  brake pads and front tires pretty much looked after the front end.  For the rear end we found on e-bay, a pair of new rear air shocks with all hoses etc.  We put them on,  installed an air compressor underneath with a control switch and pressure gauge on the dash, then new Goodyear Wrangler tires on rear.

On our last trip down to PA we had a knocking noise you could hear and feel through the floor.   When we got back,  after further investigation,  we found the transmission mount was trying to depart and go it's own way (on left of picture), new one on right, now installed and guess what, no knocking. We also installed new universal joint on drive shaft.  Other than the shocks and tires everything was purchased from Ed McGowan at West Grey Auto Parts in downtown Durham (good guy)

All set to go south and west in February weather permitting.   May pack another soup can,  just in case!




DECEMBER 25th 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all.

OK! So we are not really camping at this time, but we did take a ride to the beach on December 25th.  The brilliant day was too much to waste away, so after Brunch we bundled up and headed to the beach in Port Elgin.  Of course we could have bought the camper and had BBQ lunch on the beach, but then this is not exactly Australian weather.  Which I must add, according to Andy,  was far too hot to be on the beach Christmas Day there with +40c.

The ride to the beach was really quite picturesque with all the fluffy snow hanging on the trees.

Have you ever seen a beach so quiet?  It really was very peaceful.

You can just about see the waves that have begun to freeze.

There was a cold breeze off the lake, but the sunshine was fabulous.

Here is Natalie, Elijah and Grandad trying to keep warm hiking the beach.  Elijah really did think it was VERY cool to be on the beach Christmas Day.  Not sure which COOL he meant.

Mike walking on water. 
Who does he think he is?
You can really see the ice building up along here..

Port Elgin beach

Here we are walking the pier heading back from the beach.

May be a good time to think about moving on now as you can see the clouds forming over the lake.  This could mean snow!

Before leaving the beach some of us have to have more FUN!

             The snowy, icy marina.    Look forward  to taking this same picture 6 months from now.

Here I am enjoying a moment with my Grandson.



This has been a perfect way to spend Christmas Afternoon.  Could become a Tradition!!!

All that exercising hiking over snow banks and ice makes you rather hungry - so here we are back at home, very refreshed and ready for a feast.  CHEERS.

We all hope you had an enjoyable Christmas too.
And all the Very Best for the New Year to one and all.

Now have to start planning our trip to North Carolina and Arizona.

By the way, for those of you who have been following us all year, you may be interested in the progress of the SOUP CAN.

Guess what.   It is still hanging in just fine.  May be Campbell's should know their soup can has managed 6,230 km. so far.

November 2010 - MacGregor Point

Sunday October 31st 2010 - 293506.   12 noon

After spending a lot of time with reno's in the house we decided to take a break and head back to MacGregor Point again.   This is the closest Park to us that is open all year.  It was a nice morning, although a little cool at +2c, but sunny.  We did wake to a dusting of snow.   It was a good drive into the Park, and this time our favorite site was already taken, so we had site #49.  It was an OK site too, but the people next to us at #51 were very noisy.        293594

     

After getting all set up and having lunch we headed off to the Turtle Pond and Shore.   There had been a lot of gale force winds through the week and we could see that the park had not been spared from the downed trees.

The birds really did not seem to mind about the weather or the fact we were walking along the trails.  There were many of them following and singing to us.  They were not afraid to let us know they were there.

There was a very cool wind along the Shore Trail.  However it was still really nice.

Back out at our site we got the campfire going and sat out until we did BBQ about 7.30 p.m.

After supper we sat in and listened to Game 4 of the World Series.   Once again S.F. Giants beat Tx Rangers.  This is not looking good for Texas.

It turned out to be a great day and fun evening.

Monday November 1st. 2010.

A little cloudy in the morning, but forecast for sun the rest of the day, although still cool.

Campers at #51 still very noisy, good job we hike most of the day.

Turned out to be a real nice day, sunny and much calmer than yesterday.   Once again there were lots of Chickadees along the boardwalk by the Turtle Pond, and they seemed to think we should have bought bird feed with us.  Must do that later.   The Turtle Pond had far more water than the last time we were here.

Sorry Sandy, we did not see any Turtles today.

Where do they go in the winter?

We headed towards the Marl which was very interesting and very different to anything else we have seen in the park. 

The vegetation was very different to anything else we had seen in the park, and there were carnivorous plants growing there.

We took a leisurely walk back to the site.   Guess what?   The neighbours were still being noisy.  It looks as if they were building a house out of their old trailer.   Roof trusses were erected on top of the trailer roof and wooden walls were around the door area, which looked like it could become an enclosed porch.   Guess they will be staying for the winter.   It was like camping in a construction site.

It got quite cloudy while we had lunch, late again, but by 3.15 the sun was shinning and it had even warmed up, so we headed off hiking again.  This time fully equipped with bird food!   The Chickadees and Nuthatches were very happy with us and just kept following  and eating right out of our hands.  It was incredible!

Chickadee

Nuthatch eating, Chickadee waiting in line

Once again we had the beach to ourselves.  This is so nice.

We lit the fire when we got back to site, still noisy, but they did leave to go into town for supper about 6.15, so finally some peace and quiet at the site.   They managed to frighten all the birds and squirrels from the site. Once again we sat out around the fire until we BBQ supper about 7.30.  Spent a nice evening playing dominoes and listening to the radio.   Another great day at MacGregor Point Provincial Park.

Tuesday Nov 2nd 2010 - 293594
Another cool sunny morning.  Have to pack u and head back home to do more sanding walls and renovations.   Once again it's been great.   Look forward to the next visit - soon we hope!

October 2010 - MacGregor Point

Monday October 4th 2010 -  293315 - 11.am.

After spending all week and all weekend working on bedroom renovations the fabulous fall weather got the better of us and it was time for a bit more fun.  We had a really good weekend even though it was a very busy one.  Natalie and Elijah came for a visit, which is always good.  But now was the time to throw a few things in our little camper and head back to MacGregor Point.  Bonus!  Our favorite #57 site was available.  All set up and had our lunch by 1.15 p.m.     293400 

 The weather was great even though there was a cool breeze along the lake shore.  We were in brilliant sunshine.  Very few people around at this time of the year, making it extremely peaceful. 

 We had a good hike along the Shore Line and Huron Fringe Trail. 

 One point along the Shore Line trail showed evidence of bears,  The print was huge, not to mention the poop!

Decided it may not be a good idea to hang around here today!

From there we hiked around the Turtle pond where it was sheltered from the wind, very calm and warm.

We did not see any Turtles this time, but the Merganser were swimming around the pond, thoroughly enjoying the weather.

Next stop was the beach, which we had to ourselves. 







 Back at camp it was quite shady so we lit the fire and sat around chatting and enjoying the birds singing to us.  We did see a Golden Crowned Kinglet and many Chickadees and Robins.

About 6.45 p.m, the fire had died down so we headed back to the beach to watch the sunset.  We almost missed it.  However it was still very pretty and different to previous sunsets we had seen here.

It got quite cool out at this time, still a wonderful calm clear evening.









Headed back to camp for supper, which we ate sitting around the fire, keeping toasty warm.  No raccoons joined us this time.

We sat out around the fire until about 11 p.m..  We had a really great day here again.

Tuesday October 5th   -                           293400

Unfortunately we have to pack up and head home later today.  Work for Mike tomorrow.  We really must win the lottery. W.O.R.K. is a four letter word!

Another great October day, clear blue sky and lots of sunshine and quite warm.   After breakfast we hiked the Deer Run Loop Trail, always a fun trail to be on.  Quite a few people out on their bicycles.  We did not see any Deer or other animals, but there were a lot of birds out enjoying the weather, just like us.  

Back from hike about 1.15 p.m. then got packed ready to leave.   On our way from the Park we stopped at a beautiful quiet beach we had found in Port Elgin.  The lake was a bit choppy, but still nice to look at.

        

From there we headed into Owen Sound to do a bit of shopping.  Once again we needed more wood trim for the renovations,  Then Home Again!

We had a really relaxing time and are now ready to face work and hopefully completion of the bedroom reno's.

Catch you next trip.