Sunday, Jul 11 (Moccasin Creek SP, Clayton, Ga) - Today's trip was short, since this is getaway day and we have to pack up the MH and close up the 5th wheel. We made it here in about 1 1/2 hours and were set up by mid afternoon. When we arrived, they had signs that they were full. We went to the office anyway and the volunteer confirmed that they were full. However, the lady behind the counter said that a site had opened up and we could have it. We paid up and took site #1, which is on the creek and a prime site. After we got set up, walked around and had something to eat, we took the fly rods down to the creek and fished for awhile. This creek is well stocked with trout, since the fish hatchery is right next door, but is open only to old people like us and children under age 12. We caught several fish on various flies. It seemed that they would tire of a fly after awhile, and we would have to change to something else in order to gain their interest again. Fun! It rained in the night, which made us really appreciate having the MH. Getting back on the road was much easier.
Monday, Jul 12 - Tuesday, Jul 13 (Rock Creek National Recreation Area, Erwin, Tn) - This was a longer stretch, but very doable, with several 7% climbs and descents, which the MH handled very well. We were accompanied by rain, some heavy, most of the way. This time we called ahead to make sure there were sites available. There were several, but the campground is much busier than it was when we were here two years ago. Our host friends, Vicki and Bob, were not here anymore, but we were greeted by Teresa instead. The sites here are excellent, but not as immaculate as before. The main feature here is the huge trees, mostly hemlock, oaks, and poplar. Many must be over 200 years old. We got settled in and enjoyed a walk around the campground, along the creek, and around the swimming pond, which has several large trout (for viewing only).
Wednesday, Jul 14 (Claytor Lake SP, Va) - We got an earlier start this am and arrived here about noon. We got set up, had lunch, and walked down by the lake. It sunny and cool, with a georgeous breeze.
View Pictures:
http://picasaweb.google.com/johnjoanW/ClaytorLakeSPJul14#Thursday, Jul 15 (Creekside Campground, Edinburg, Va) - Change of plans. We had planned to stop at Matthews Arm Campground on Skyline Drive near Luray, Va, but it is quite far off I-81, and for only one night it hardly seemed practical. Joan got on her I-Phone and found this campground which had good reviews on www.rvparkreviews.com, except one, so we went for it. The owner was very nice and put us on what he called his best site. It has a full deck and is in the shade right on a trout stream. John is having a problem resisting, but since we have no Virginia fishing licenses, we are grounded. It is warmer here, but with fans going, we are quite comfortable. We may turn on the ac in order to sleep tonight, but we would miss hearing the babbling creek.
See pictures:
Friday, Jul 16 - Saturday, Jul 17 (Pine Grove Furnace SP - Gettysburg, Pa) - This is a very familiar campground, and we stop here whenever we are traveling on I-81. Joan's Son came on Saturday and stayed overnight with us. It was nice visiting with him and getting caught up with his life. It rained very hard here on Friday late afternoon and we got wet coming back from our hike. We have poor phone service here, but the Verizon Air Card works a little.
Sunday, Jul 18 (Lackawanna SP - Scranton, Pa) Another quick overnight stay. We got set up, ate dinner, then walked down to the lake. It was a very beautiful evening to enjoy the lake view.
Monday, Jul 19 - Wednesday, Jul 21 (Windhall Brook COE Campground - South Londonderry, Vt) A change of plans today. We were going to stop at Gilbert Lake SP in New York, which is about half-way to Windhall for the night, but decided to press on and have three days to rest up and enjoy one of our favorite places. We are set up about 20 yards from the creek, which is quite low now. It has threatened rain, but so far only a couple of drops. We have no cell service, and can't seem to get the satellite to pick up through the trees, but the Verizon Air Card seems to work.
Tuesday, Joan cleaned the inside of the MH while John cleaned and lubed the bikes. It looked like it could rain at anytime most of the day, but we braved it and took a bike ride and two walks around the campground. Pictures soon.
Thursday, July 22 - Friday, July 23 (Camp Hayward - Ascutney, Vt) We are sitting in Hayward's yard with his Daughter, Cheryl and Son-in-law, Bruce. Cheryl was married to Joan's late brother, John. Hayward lives in our RV park in Florida. John & Bruce fished in the pond nearby and John caught about a dozen nice bluegill. Bruce was going for bass, but came up empty. On Friday morning we hiked over Mt. Wilgus to the state park with the same name and explored the park and along the Connecticut River. It is still nice and cool here, but reports predict that it is going to get hotter and more humid.
Friday, July 23 - Saturday, July 24 (Camp Nick-Kit - Heartland 4-Corners, Vt) We first drove Cheryl and Bruce's truck over to see if we would be able to get the MH into their driveway, which proved successful. It was great to see Joan's niece and nephew and thier three girls, Jaden, Kayla, and Rylee. We drove over to the local farmer's market and had dinner with them. The girls have really grown since we saw them last. On Saturday, we drove over to a local farm where they have maple syrup, cheese, and many other products to sample and buy. We got some cheese and John's favorite mustard.
Sunday, July 25 - Monday, July 26 (Camp Dave-Marty- New London, NH) We packed up once again and headed over to NH to visit Joan's cousins Dave and Marty. They have a wonderful home that includes their own trout pond. John tried fishing it, but was not able to get a bite or even a show. Marty fixed a delicious pork roast dinner and we enjoyed a trip to try to find moose and some ice cream. We were successful on the latter, but not the former. On Monday, Dave drove the four of us to Portsmouth, NH, and we explored the Strawberry Hill Museum. The name was what the colonists at first named Portsmouth, which was soon changed to fit the image of a successful port city. We had a nice dinner at a restaurant just into Maine, and then tried to find bargains at the Kittery Outlet stores. It was a great outing. We vastly enjoyed our time with them.
Tuesday, July 27 - Thursday, July 29 (Back to Camp Hayward - Ascutney, Vt) Our friends, Julie Barry, Judy, and Laurel came over in the afternoon, then we went out for pizza for dinner. John & Joan split a calzone. It was delicious. On Wednesday, Joan's niece and grandniece Gina and Mabel came over from NH to visit. We had lunch and chatted. Mable has grown a bunch. Wednesday - We spent a quiet day here today beginning with a nice walk over Mt. Wilgus to the State Park. John did some rearranging of the storage bays and we sat at the table and talked. The breeze was wonderful and the humidity dropped after the rain in the evening.
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We only saw one medium sized alligator that mostly ignored us. It was a beautiful day to share with good friends with only one mishap, a turned over canoe while getting in to come back. Clothes were dampened, but not spirits.
