Sunday, August 31, 2008

Boston Freedom Trail

Wow! We did some walking today! We went into Boston again, this time to walk the Freedom Trail.

This is a 2.5 miles but they don't tell you, that is only one way! It was a great day though; not to0 hot, in fact it was really breezy.

We started the day at Boston Commons, then quickly walked by the State House and on to the cemetary where Paul Revere and Samuel Adams are buried. Walked by Paul Revere's house and on by the Old North Church with the steeple where Paul Revere warned that the British were coming.

We then walked across the Charles River to see the USS Constitution then on to Bunker Hill.

After walking back over the Charles we did finally find a T station and found our way back to the car. We were exhasted but had a great time!

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Plymouth, Mass

Today we took a drive south to Plymouth. Interesting little harbor town.

We could not see the rock. They are building a canopy around it so we could not get a picture of it.


We were able to go aboard the Mayflower II. It was built in the early 1950's and actually sailed from England to Plymouth, Mass. It is still seaworthy and is sometimes sailed to Boston for exhibit there. Doesn't seem possible that 102 pilgrims along with 30 crew members we aboard
this small ship. The Mayflower was a cargo ship that carried cargo up and down the English Coast. The pilgrims hired the ship. They were originally to go the mouth of the Hudson River. They were a little off course. With the bad weather setting in they decided to settle in Plymouth.

We also went to a Pilgrim Plantation that had a working Wampanoag Indian village. They also had a working English settlement. They lived close by each other for over a year. Each very careful and weary of each other. The pilgrims were not the first English to be in this area. John Smith had mapped the coast line several years before. They had kidnapped some of the male Wampanoag Indians and took them to England has slaves. So what we learned in history as the thanksgiving was actually over a year later.
Oh..the things we are learning!!

Friday, August 29, 2008

Boston Duck Tour and Cheers

Today we went into Boston to take the Duck Tour. It's called the Duck Tour because it goes on both land and water. After touring parts of Boston on land, we then found ourselves on the Charles River. It was a really fun tour.
We then walked about a mile to get to Cheers. I had to go there.
Of course we went inside to have a beer. Norm wasn't there today. And Carla wasn't our waitress. Oh well it was fun anyway.
We got back around 7:00pm and we of course are watching the Red Sox play. Love this town and cable tv!!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Salem, Massachusetts

Today we left around 10:00am to drive to Salem, Massachusetts - the Witch City. Salem is known for the Witch Trials that took place in 1692. During this histeria, 19 innocent people were hanged. We went through the Wax Museum and the Witch Village. This really was not worth the time and money spent.

I did learn an interesting fact though. Nathaniel Hawthorne, author of the 'Scarlet Letter' and 'The House of Seven Gables', had an ancestor who was a judge during the witch trials. He was so ashamed of this fact that he added the W to his last name to seperate him from his ancestors.
Tomorrow we are off to Boston!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Made it to Massachusetts



We took off this morning around 10:00am.

Drove over on the Mass Turnpike.












Some of the trees have already started to turn.
Seems real early. Hope this isn't a sign of the winter they will have.








Arrived at the campground around 1:30pm.














This is our set up for the next week. We will be doing alot of sightseeing for the next week.

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Motorhome is finally fixed

We finally have the motorhome fixed. We spent 2 nights in the parking lot of Camping World in Amsterdam. We now have a new door awning and a digital converter box for our TV. Nothing much exciting happening so I thought I would post some more pictures of my family.


This picture is of me and my Uncle Ron. He is in an assisted living home for Alzhiemer's. He says he is in Stage 2 Alzhiemers but he knew us and seems to remember everything from the past. He is the one who gave me the inspiration for this kind of life. He has crossed this country many times in his motorhome. He traveled with my aunt (she passed over 10 years ago) and alone. He seems happy where he is.
This is my cousin Patrice and her husband Roger.

This picture is of Barbara Hall (she was my mother's cousin) Uncle Vern (my mother's brother), and Aunt Pat (she was married to my mother's other brother).
We are on to Littleton Mass outside Boston for the next 7 days. Hope to have some good pictures and interesting things to post.



Saturday, August 23, 2008

Family Reunion 2008


We arrived at the reunion location on Friday afternoon around 1:30pm. Ron (my cousin) was already there. Others started to arrive. Even though the reunion is Saturday, there are some that come from out of town so some start early.

After cooking hot dogs for everyone, we sat outside and listened to Ron and Roger play some bluegrass music. Later Roger and Ed played and sang some old 50's songs.





Not everyone can say they have a family reunion with the past as well as the present family. Yes that is a cemetery in the background.
Saturday morning began with everyone having breakfast at the Hot Biscuit Diner. This diner is very popular in town so if you ever find yourself in Ticonderoga New York, it is right down from the circle. This diner is owned by my cousins so I am a little bias, but it really is very good.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Arrowhead RV Park and Marina


Woke up this morning to temps in the 50's. Wonderful sleeping weather. Took off this morning to go see my uncle and find the UPS store to have our mail delivered. Should be here by Monday or Tuesday.

This is the view from our front window.

Thats the Mohawk River. It is part of the original Erie Canal. It runs from Lake Erie to the Hudson River.


Below is the campsite we were given. Lots of trees around here. Very beautiful place. Very quite.

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Finally New York

Quite a day today. After neither of us slept much, we were on the road this morning at 7:00am.

Guess we need to get used to the WalMart thing.

This picture is of a wall along the highway in New Jersey. They make blocks, looked to be about 2 foot square, of what looked like chicken wire and filled with rocks.



Finally the sign we were waiting for. We arrived at the Arrowhead RV Park and Marina around 1:00. After getting set up, we took off to find the Camping World where we have an appointment on Monday to get some things taken care of. We found it. We also purchased some things we knew we were going to need.

Tomorrow I hope to get some pictures of the park to post. We are also going to see some family in the area. Also will find a UPS store to see about getting our mail delivered.

Monday, August 18, 2008

Our journey began today

This morning we left Virginia and started on our journey to New York and the family reunion.
We actually ended up driving further that expected. We knew we would be stopping at a Wal Mart. Ended up here in Phillipsburg, NJ. Wanted to stop in Allentown, PA but there was a lot of construction in the area so we kept going another 30 miles. So here we sit. Went to Ruby Tuesdays for dinner. It's here in the area so we could walk to it. This is all for now. Lets see what tomorrow brings!

Friday, August 15, 2008

We finally made it!

Today was our last day of work. We are officially retired. Mixed emotions when I left work today for the last time. Tomorrow is the new beginning we have waited for. We are on our way.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Let the countdown begin!

We only have 3 more days of work!! So hard to believe that this is actually happening. We have looked forward to this day for so long.