Gettysburg KOA (Kampgrounds of America), PA 5-31-07

Pics: 1) Unimog in the shop; 2) Gettysburg canon; 3) Gettysburg canon overlooking the Wheat Fields battlefield area; 4) one of the hundreds of Gettysburg statues.

5-31-07 - Thursday - 67562 – 000 – Gettysburg KOA, PA – Mostly sunny - low +65 - high +94

Saw a squirrel and two deer

We took the Unimog into Lancaster, PA for its recall/transmission programming update and to have some lights and other items installed. We thought it would take about one to two hours; instead it took from 1000 to 1600, or six hours. The update was well worth it - the Unimog drives and shifts so much easier. The dealership had a number of Unimogs on site as well - about seven for sale (or already bought but not picked up) and about five in for some kind of servicing. This was the first time since Germany that we saw so many in one place at a time.

Since we were late getting back to Gettysburg and the visitor center was closed, we only drove through part of the park. The official name of this site is the Gettysburg National Memorial Park and Gettysburg National Cemetery. The fields and hills where this three-day battle occurred are huge and there are so many monuments for all the states, regiments, participants and fallen soldiers. Some of the houses that were in the area at the time are still standing, some still showing where the battle's bullets hit them. This historic place, like so many in this region, deserve more time for exploring than we have right now. This will definitely be an area we want to return to soon.

Chantilly, VA 5-30-07

Pics: 1) Potomac River (from the Unimog and on a bridge); 2) a chipmunk at the Gettysburg KOA (is it Chip or Dale?)

5-30-07 - Wednesday - 67476 – 86 – Chantilly, VA – Mostly sunny - low +66 - high +95

Saw squirrels and chipmunks

We left John and Diane's today and drove up to Gettysburg, PA. We'll have the warranty work done on the Unimog in Lancaster before we start exploring the Gettysburg Battlefield area tomorrow.

We crossed from Virginia into Maryland at 1340; then crossed from Maryland into Pennsylvania at 1435. We were both surprised that we crossed the Potomac River on our route. We took our time and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. We had a leisurely dinner and evening at the Gettysburg KOA and watched the squirrels, chipmunks and a movie on the Gettysburg area and battlefield monument. This KOA also has the largest chess and checkers sets to play with (the chess pieces are waist high; the checkers are about 12" or more across). After sunset, we sat out at our site's picnic table and worked on our blog entries for the last three days - until the bugs drove us crazy. Unfortunately, some also came into the RV with us!

Chantilly, VA 5-29-07

Pics: 1) The NRA seal; 2) fully functional half scale 1866 Winchester (the guns hanging up behind are full size); 3) Winchester pre-64 model 70 with radio-circa 1950's 4) circa 1800's 20 gauge flintlock double fowler presented by Napoleon Bonaparte (emperor of France) to a general in his army; 5) a 1620's Pilgrim rifle

5-29-07 - Tuesday - 67476 – 000 – Chantilly, VA – Mostly sunny - low +59 - high +90

Well, everyone had to return to work, except us. We used the morning to track down a gunmaker in West Virginia who had made a flintlock muzzle loading rifle for the NRA years ago. We'll go see him on the way to Ohio later in the week. Meanwhile, we spent the afternoon at the National Rifle Association, in their National Firearms Museum. There were so many interesting exhibits that we could go back again and learn even more.

We saw examples of firearms and firearm technology from when gunpowder was first made through today. There was a gun the Pilgrims had used in the 1600's, arms from all the various wars (Revolutionary, Civil, Spanish American, WW1, WW2, Vietnam, Gulf) as well as examples used by frontiersmen, hunters, explorers, sportsmen and showmen (and women like Annie Oakley). There were famous gunmakers highlighted as well as many examples of their guns. There were fun things like the amusement park's moving target arcade and a 50's kid's room. There were examples of lawmakers' weapons, movie props and even fully functioning 1/2 scale guns.

The evening was fun, too. We had dinner at a restaurant called "Coastal Flats". The calamari was served with a sweet and sour sauce and was very tender, as were all the main dishes. Afterwards we walked around the blocks in the area and found an REI store. There were many interesting shops and a 14-screen movie theatre in the area, too. We finished the night with everyone enjoying the season finale of "House". We said our Goodbyes this night because everyone would be gone to work in the morning when we will be leaving. Thanks very much Uncle John and Diane for having us we had a great time.

Chantilly, VA 5-28-07

Pics: 1) Jeff, Uncle John, Diane, Gina and family dog, Norman; 2) Uncle John and Diane; 3) Gina and Jeff: 4) Uncle John and Uncle Mike making pirohy; 5) Diane playing with Norman.

5-28-07 - Monday - 67476 – 000 – Chantilly, VA – Mostly sunny - low +64 - high +91

MEMORIAL DAY - Thanks for all those who have served, and sacrificed, for our continued freedom.

Today was a day for treats. For breakfast, we had "puffs". These were a traditional donut made in Diane's household for years (and popular in this area) and they turned out to be very similar to what our mom made us as well. In the afternoon we did a little more shopping at L.L.Bean's and a new (to us) sporting goods store, Dick's, then went to lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant. We all enjoyed the spring roll appetizers, then John and I had a beef soup, called pho, while Diane had black pepper chicken and Roxanne had curry. All the dishes were very good.

Diane and Roxanne enjoyed watching a movie while John and I made pirohy to go with dinner. Jeff and Gina returned to the house and we all had a great evening visiting, watching TV and relaxing before everyone had to return to work the next day.

Chantilly, VA 5-27-07

Pics: 1) Gina and Jeffrey; 2) the family dog, Norman, enjoying some corn on the cob; 3) the Chantilly thunder, lightning and rainstorm.

5-27-07 - Sunday - 67476 – 000 – Chantilly, VA – Mostly sunny, with a thunderstorm late in the day - low +63 - high +97

We enjoyed visiting with John, Diane, Jeffrey (their son) and Gina (Jeffrey's girlfriend) today. We did some shopping (LL Bean) and Diane made a low-country boil for dinner, with shrimp, Kielbasa sausage, corn and red potatoes. Even Norman, their dog, enjoyed some corn on the cob. We also caught up with our laundry and blog entries.

Early in the evening, we had a thunderstorm come though Chantilly, with thunder, lightning and heavy rains. It finally cooled down but it was very muggy again.

(Note: Jeannette, John and Diane's daughter, lives in Richmond and couldn't make it up to Chantilly this weekend. We are also going north after this so won't be able to visit with her this time.)

Shenandoah KOA, VA 5-26-07

Pics: 1) The Unimog at the Shenandoah KOA; 2) the Big Meadow in the Shenandoah National Park (about mile 50 on the 103 mile road); 3) Roxanne and Michael with the "Iron Mike" statue, dedicated to the10,000+ Conservation Corps workers at Shenandoah National Park between 1933 and 1942.

5-26-07 - Saturday - 67323 – 153 – Shenandoah KOA, VA – Mostly sunny - low +64 - high +97

Saw: 1 squirrel, 1 rodent (mouse-type) and four deer

We left the KOA park at 0900, and started through the park by 1000, trying to have as much time in the Shenandoah National Park/Skyline Drive as possible. The maximum speed limit on the Drive was 35 mph, with many 25 or 30 mph limits along the way. The sky was very hazy so we didn't get as many scenic shots of the surrounding hills as we wanted. We only saw a squirrel, a rodent and four deer while we were in the park. There were also many bicyclists that we had to go around and there are no bike paths in the park, just a narrow two lane road. We were starting to run late so we left Skyline Drive at Route 211, about 30 miles from the north end of the park.

We arrived at Uncle John (my younger brother) and Diane's (his wife) home in Chantilly, VA, about 1600 and they were preparing for a cookout. They ended up with 19 people at their party and we enjoyed lots of good food and conversation.

Statesville KOA, NC 5-25-07

Pics: On the road to the Blue Ridge Plateau

5-25-07-Friday-67081 - 98 - Statesviille KOA, NC – Mostly sunny - low +65 - high +93

We left Stateside KOA at 1030 and crossed into Virginia at 1420. In Troutville, NC we stopped at a truck wash and got the Unimog and the motor home washed but I will have to do a detail job on the Unimog when we get to Ohio. Our camping spot for the night was Shenandoah Valley KOA which was full so we had to dry camp in one of their fields. Tomorrow we will head up the Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park.

Fort Mill, SC 5-24-07

Pics: 1) squirrel; 2) Unimog and RV in campground

5-24-07-Thursday-66983 – 98 - Fort Mill, SC – Mostly sunny - low +65 - high +90

Saw lots of squirrels, blue birds and cardinals

We arrived at Fontaine Modification about 1030 and the Unimog was way in the ‘back 40’. The battery was dead (the dome light was left on) so needed a jump. After moving two other vehicles, charging up the battery, and finding there were no owner’s manuals in the truck, we gathered all the necessary paperwork (ownership, insurance, temporary tag) and were finally on our way. We were able to get owner’s manuals from David Looney, the Unimog Field Service Manager, about 45 minutes away, in Cleveland, NC. David went over the entire unit with me and answered many questions. He also cleared an error message code about the alternator (because of the dead battery) and is setting up an appointment in Lancaster, PA, for an update/recall on a transmission circuit board/programming.

We have settled in at the Statesville KOA, about 30 minutes away from Lowe’s Motor Speedway and the site of a big, annual Memorial Day race, and we’ve had many campers and race fans stop by to see the Unimog already. Yesterday was the last day of blending in with the regular camping crowd.

Knox Hill RV, AL - 5-23-07

Pics: 1) Smoky haze in Alabama; 2) clear skies in Georgia; 3) the billboards here are so high!

5-23-07-Wednesday-66498 - 485 – Knox Hill RV, AL – Mostly sunny - low +67 - high +94

Saw 1 deer and 2 turtles

There was a smoky haze at our Alabama campsite when we got up due to the forest fires in Georgia and Florida. The wind is blowing a bit so hopefully it will clear out soon. As we drove north, the sky cleared of the smoke and was mostly sunny, with some scattered clouds for most of the day. About five miles into South Carolina, we ran into a little rainstorm that didn’t last very long. We were surprised by the billboards - they are extremely high, to tower over the larger trees. Some of the sights we passed today were Talladega Speedway, where the Olympics were held in Atlanta and the turnoff for the Cowpens Battlefield, site of a bloody Civil War battle.

We left our campsite in Alabama at 1130 and crossed into Georgia at 1526; crossed from Georgia into South Carolina at 2000; from South Carolina into North Carolina at 2145 and located Fontaine at 2230. We didn’t see the Unimog from the front fence so we will have to wait until morning.

After we left Fontaine for the night, we looked for an RV park nearby. Following the GPS’ suggestion for a campground/RV park, we ended up in a mobile home park instead. From now on, if the GPS suggestion does not include “RV Park” in the description or we can’t find it in our campground locator book or KOA book, we won’t go there. Since this happened and we knew a KOA was fairly close, we decided to go back to Fort Mill, South Carolina (just south of Charlotte, where Fontaine is located), crossing back into this state at 2330. This KOA office has an Exxon gas station (and gas was decently priced compared to the surrounding area) and a pizza stand. We caught them just before closing so had a pizza for dinner instead of making dinner at midnight.

Hammond, LA-5-22-07

5-22-07 - Tuesday - 66213 - 285 - Hammond, LA - Sunny & warm - low +68 - high +92

We left Dave and Grace's house about 1230. We had a very nice visit and enjoyed Gracey's down home cooking. After picking up a few groceries, we "Proceeded On". The state of Mississippi entered our travels at 1630 EST; we lost another hour. We said goodby to Mississippi and Hello to Alabama at 1930. Another hour down hwy 59/20 at mile 52 we pulled the reins and stopped at Knox Hill RV resort. Knox Hill is very nice, with a concrete pad to park on, clean bathrooms with a stool to sit down on, free WiFi, and, for the first time since our journey began, free washer and dryer. Thanks Dave and Grace for sharing your home.

Hammond, LA-5-21-07

Pics: 1) Cliff and Laska; 2) Grace and Dave.

5-21-07 - Monday - 66213 - 000 - Hammond, LA -Sunny - low +63 - high +91

We stayed over another day to visit some more with Cliff and Laska (Dave and Grace's friends). They had gone out fishing yesterday, catching a red fish and a sheephead fish. Besides cooking these two types of fish up, they also cooked all of us some shrimp, trout and venison sausage. What a good visit and great food!

We also received the final package today and we'll be heading for North Carolina tomorrow morning.

Hammond, LA-5-20-07

Pics: 1 & 2) plants around Hammond, LA

5-20-07 - Sunday - 66213 - 000 - Hammond, LA - Sunny and warm - low +60 - high +86

I worked on the rig today, painting the rims and house step and repacking the RV so we can continue our travels. We should have the last package we are waiting for from UPS tomorrow and we'll leave after we get it.

The last three days have been sunny and warm but not muggy since it hasn't been raining. The crickets are noisy at night but the bull frogs are not noisy when it has been a dry day. Even the geckos have been out of sight the last two nights. The lot across from Dave and Grace's subdivision is heavily wooded and the plants are thick (examples of the plants are above). I wonder what other critters make their home in there?

Hammond, LA-5-19-07

5-19-07 - Saturday - 66213 - 000 - Hammond, LA - Sunny and comfortable - low +61 - high +71

We ran some errands today and were going to go over to Cabela's in Gonzales (about an hour away), but we discovered the store is just now being built and won't be open until this fall.

This evening Cliff and Laska, friends of Dave and Grace's, came over for a nice long visit. I had met Cliff and Laska a few years ago when I came to visit Dave and Grace so it was fun to catch up with them. They are expecting their first grandchild any day now, too.

We had mufalato sandwiches, an area specialty that has different meats on the bottom, cheeses on the top and an olive salad in the middle, all surrounded by, and heated in, a special 12-inch diameter bun. Even though Roxanne and I don't care much for olives, the sandwiches were very tasty and we had seconds.

Hammond, LA-5-18-07

Pics: 1) House on Lake Maurepas; 2) Dave and Mike at the shooting range; 3) the shooting range shooters; 4) Marathon Refinery on the Mississippi.

5-18-07-Friday-66213-000-Hammond, LA-Sunny and warm - low +65 - high +82

Dave took Roxanne and I to Nick's Firing Range about a half hour from their house in Hammond. We traveled across another long bridge across swamp land, passing Lake Maurepas on the way. It is a very large lake and is connected by a water channel to Lake Pontchartrain, a much larger lake, and the one where the levees failed after Hurrican Katrina.

We had a great time at the range, shooting the Anschutz Model 1717D, 17 caliber Hornady Magnum rimfire, with a Burris scope. Roxanne thinks the accuracy on this rifle is wonderful since she was shooting at broken clay pigeon remnants and empty shotgun hulls at 100 yards with no problems. Dave shot his 22 magnum rifle and 9mm Khar pistol. One of our shooting neighbors had a 6.8 caliber rifle, similar in style to an AR-15. It was topped with an Aim Point style sight. He let Roxanne and I shoot this rifle and we both produced very tight groups.

One of Marathon's oil refineries was on the way to the shooting range as well. It is located on the Mississippi river, which is on the other side of the refinery from where the picture, above, was taken.

Hammond, LA-5-17-07

5-17-07-Thursday-66213-000-Hammond, LA-Sunny, Lt wind, hot - low +71 - high +92

We ran some errands today and looked at some cargo trailers, metal carports, and storage buildings. I reboxed the Argo top so I wouldn't have to tie it to the top of the motor home any longer. I also made a couple of rain gutters for the side of the motor home above the driver and passenger doors. Roxanne worked on the website.

Hammond, LA-5-16-07

Pics: 1 & 2) Geckos

5-16-07- Wednesday -66213-000-Hammond, LA-Rained, hot, muggy, +71low-+91high

It rained (poured!) again today and it is still muggy. We have been working on the website, visiting and taking it easy. We are enjoying the bull frogs songs after the rain and the geckos that are always in the front entryway at night.

Hammod, LA-5-15-07

5-15-07- Tuesday -66213-000-Hammond, LA-Over cast, hot, humid-+72low-+91high

Dave and I went for haircuts today. This is the longest I have ever gone between cuts, which is 2 months. We stopped at a gun shop on the way back to Dave's house. After picking up Grace and Roxanne, we went to look at some cargo trailers, stopped at Camping World, had a barbeque lunch at a converted gas station, and stocked up on some goodies at the bakery next door to the restaurant. I washed the motor home and did some maintenance while Roxanne is working on the pictures for this web site.

We had another rain storm today as well, keeping the tempurature high and the humidity up - MUGGY!

Hammond, LA-5-14-07

Pics: 1) Dave and Grace; 2) Louisiana rain shower.

5-14-07- Monday -66213-000-Hammond, LA-Hot and humid-+71low-+91high

We are staying with Dave and Grace Bumgardner. Dave and I used to work together at the Ohio Edison Power Plant in Stratton, Ohio back in the late 60’s. We also hunted together with both rifle and bow.

Today was a rest/visit day as we didn’t get to bed until about 1 am last night/this morning. During the day, we had a thunder/lightning storm come through and the sky just opened up. Boy, is it muggy here and the bull frogs are really loud, especially after the rains!

Tomball, TX-5-13-07

Pics: 1) Harvey and his son, Danny; 2) the Atchafalaya Swamp.

5-13-07-Sunday-65867-346-Tomball, TX-Sunny-+72low-+92high

Saw 2 deer

We had a great visit with Harvey and his son, catching up on what we have been doing as it has been 15 years since our last visit. We also visited with Harvey’s Dad, who is now 86 years old, and two of Harvey's sisters. They were all a delight to talk to.

We had a long drive after we left Tomball as we drove onto Hammond, LA, to visit with my friends Dave and Grace Bumgardner. On the way we drove on the longest bridge system we had ever been on that is built over the Atchafalaya Swamp. This swamp covers many hundreds of acres and supplies the Gulf area with many species of fish, amphibians and reptiles. There's also stories about people going into the swamp and never being seen or heard from again.

I-10 Rest Stop in Texas-5-12-07

Pics: 1) I-10 through Texas Hill Country; 2) flowers in bloom; 3) river running through Kerrville, TX

5-12-07-Saturday-65498-369-Interstate 10 rest stop in Texas-Partly sunny-+65low-+92 high

Saw 1 gopher (clearing out a hole just outside our RV at the rest stop), 2 deer, 1 rabbit

We traveled through the Texas Hill Country, the hills are very lush, (more available water) near San Antonio, then through some farm land along I-10. We ended up north of Houston in Tomball, TX to see Harvey Sterling and his son, Danny. Harvey is one member of a small group of close friends that was in Viet Nam with me.

We stayed at the Country Side RV Park in Tomball, TX.

Carlsbad, NM-5-11-07

Pics: 1) Michael talking to the bartender in the saloon at the West of the Pecos Museum in Pecos, TX; 2) the price sheet of the attached Orient Hotel around the early 1900's; 3) one of the many windmills, for pumping water, and corral along the way; 4) one of the many oil rigs in the area (also called grasshoppers); 5) Texas speed limit sign for this part of I-10 in west Texas.

5-11-07-Friday-65224-274-Carlsbad, NM-Sunny-+63 low-+94 high

Saw 2 whitetail deer, 2 jack rabbits

We left Carlsbad, NM, after we mailed a few boxes (of mostly winter gear) home. Driving south on US Hwy 285, we passed through Pecos City, Texas and stopped at the “West of the Pecos Museum”. Built in 1896 by R.S. Johnson, a former Texas Ranger, the first floor was a saloon with bedrooms upstairs. In 1904, the three-story Orient Hotel was added. Each room had a big rug, an iron bedstead, two chairs, a washstand with a large white bowl and pitcher, and dresser with mirror. There was a “wash room” on the ground floor and one large complete bathroom on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Water was supplied by an artesian well behind the hotel. The pressure was great enough to take water to the top floor. This building was used as a hotel until the mid-fifties. Also, on the property was a replica of Judge Roy Bean’s Saloon and a jail. The colorful and eccentric Bean (known as the “Hanging Judge”) was appointed as a circuit judge to enforce the law west of the Pecos River, which included Pecos. Every few months he would leave his headquarters in Langtry, TX, 180 miles south of Pecos, and come to Pecos and hold court a few blocks south of the Museum. The Original saloon is still standing in Langtry. One other item that was interesting was the grave of “Clay Allison”, a notorious gunfighter in New Mexico and respected local citizen in Pecos. He was known to have said, “NEVER KILLED A MAN THAT DIDN’T NEED KILLING”.

We spent the night at a rest stop on Interstate 10 in Texas.