Sunday Storm

Over the past weekend a large part of the country was devastated by a series of storms. They were fast, strong and damaging. We have 20 minutes of incredible winds and little rain. If you look at the tree in the center of the photo above, when the winds were somewhat calm, and then the photo below of the tree bending to the winds you get an idea of how strong the storm was.

We had a bit of damage but nothing like some people had. We had a large part of a maple tree come crashing down onto the barn. No damage to the barn but it did take me a few hours to cut it up and get it off the roof. The hardest part was getting so that the trunk didn't crash through the roof as I started cutting off the limbs.

The second hardest part was realizing I wasn't 28 years old any more!

Magnetic Hill

Canada, Oh Canada. What a wonderful view as we crossed over the border. Actually it looks just like the view we had on the other mountain top except we needed passports to see it.

Not sure, didn't research it but it is pretty cool! Just over the line we came upon this really cool stained glass like monument in the middle of a picnic area.

OK, we have been to a lot of (well maybe more than just a lot of) tourist type spots in our travels but this is one you gotta check out. Actually there are several "Magnetic Hills" all around the world. But this is the one we were looking for. To be honest, traveling north we completely missed it!

The sign says it all if you read the left side of the sign. This is definitely a low cost attraction!

The circle and arrow show where the sign above is located and the horizontal line is where we started. We followed the instructions as posted and sure enough! 8 MPH going backwards, 9,200 pounds going backwards up hill! Very cool, we did it twice. It doesn't take much to entertain us.

Quechee Pittsburg Bound

We spent most of Thursday at a trade show in Springfield and were happy to finally start our mini vacation for Memorial Day Weekend in New Hampshire. Just checking email and stuff before we become completely detached from the rest of the world.

We ended up at a KOA for the one night which gave us full hook ups for the night. We had a nice site and enjoyed watching the sun set.

Across the street from the campground was one of those places you only find in the middle of no where. A general store which had 24 flavors of soft ice cream, beer, wine, groceries and gas. Oh yes, they had maple syrup and gifts along with post cards.

Cinco de Mayo

I personally don't get this whole CINCO de MAYO celebrating in the United States of America. I don't see any pubs or bars with "BASTILLE DAY" Banners flying on July 14th offering discounted wine to its patrons. In 1861 Benito Juarez decided he no longer wanted to pay the loan interest Mexico owed to France. Jerk! If I stopped making payments to my bank they would foreclose on us. Upset that Mexico stopped its payments France decided to go get what was theirs, and so it went. A year later France did occupy Mexico but later left after pressure from the USA.

If you do feel the urge to celebrate today, do me a favor, order a Guinness of a Palm! Or better yet, a nice glass of French wine.

Now a history report from Sandi: Hellmann's Mayonnaise - Most people don't know that back in 1912, Hellmann's Mayonnaise was manufactured in England. In fact, the Titanic was carrying 12,000 jars of the condiment schedules for delivery in Vera Cruz, Mexico, which was to be the next port of call for the great ship after its stop in New York. This would have been the largest single shipment of mayonnaise ever delivered to Mexico. But, as we know, the great ship did not make it to new York. The ship hit an iceberg and sank, and the cargo was forever lost. The people of Mexico, who were crazy about mayonnaise, and we eagerly awaiting its delivery, were disconsolate at the loss. Their anguish was so great, that they declared a National Day of Mourning, which they still observeto this day. The National Day of Mourning occurs each year on May 5th and is known, of course, as....

Sinko De Mayo

Spring in Salem

Winter Island Park, Salem, MA before the season opens. We had the place pretty much to ourselves except for one other site. Drawback, they lock at the gate a dusk till dawn. Friday we walked into town and stumbled back much later.

Next Door to one of the potion and herb shops is a wonderful shop that custom blends all natural oils for perfume, bath oils and body soaps. Sandi found a wonder scent and I am sure we will be visiting again this year.

The beach at Winter Island is probably one of our most favorite hidden jewels. Since we are always in town before or after the beach season we have the spot to ourselves. This is the best sea glass beach we have ever found. We always collect several pounds each visit.

Oh yes, the name of the beach!

The seaport was quite busy this weekend also.

Spring in Salem

One of our must stops is REDS for Sunday breakfast. There is always a line but well worth the wait. We were happy to have Kevin with us for most of the weekend. We had just a few rules for the weekend, be happy, well fed and good drink.

REDS is located in one of the many old and historic building in Salem. So many visitors focus on Witches (not that I can blame them) but there is so much great history in this town.


The Old Salem Prison has sat empty for so long, it now has a new owner and is undergoing a major restoration. When we looked at the property is was down to $600K. Very tempting but there were a lot of stipulations. The complex will be a combination of apartments, museum and restaurant with a small park.

This is the inside of one of three units we would consider if they were to sell them. Tall ceilings, a great room with attached kitchen, two full baths and two bedrooms. It would be a major life style change for us but what a great location.

The view from the master bedroom of one of the units we liked.

Herkimer 2010

We finally decided to visit Howe Caverns. We have been to many caverns along the Eastern corridor and it is definitely the most commercial cavern. It has been in operation to the public since 1928.
Here we see the very first guides who took the public down into the caverns during that time.

Here is a photo of the main entry room which is undated but very much the same as it is today.

The caverns are very large and open, something we are not used to. Here you can see Sandi along with our group.

A photo showing the ceiling of one of the sections, Winding Way.

The formations in the caverns are familar but always amazing.

Marconi Beach

One of our most favorite beaches along the Cape Code National Seashore is Marconi. It was hit really hard by the two storms of recent weeks and the long stairs leading to the beach were gone causing the beach to be closed till further notice. As you can see, the erosion was quite severe.

The waves are one of the many notable natural features of the beach, that and the fact that Marconi has his wire antenna array at the top of the cliff.


Where there were once dunes all is now flat, and you can see the extreme damage done. This is where the long stairs leading down to the beach used to be.


The end of the trail! This is the last section or walkway left before the 40 foot drop from the top of the dunes to the beach.

Saturday

We certainly didn't need to be out in a boat to see the whales this weekend.

Spent some time in town visiting the shops that were open and tried to help the economy a bit, but not too much.

Out at Herring Cove we did a bit more relaxing, reading and kite flying.

And of course, we had our hearty breakfast as on every trip out.

Friday in Provincetown

Sort of like a set from a James Bond Movie. Sunken Skulls in the wastelands of the bog.

When they said there was flooding along the inland water, they weren't kidding. Behind me are the tent sites at Coastal Acres.

We spent a part of the afternoon out at Race Point, flying kites, reading, enjoying the ocean and...

Did some whale watching right from the beach. Sandi and I took turns with the camera and Sandi captured the first whale.

Easter Weekend Thursday

Flooding in lower New Englnd has been a big problem in the last several days and Rhode Island was hit the hardest. I-95 in Warwick, RI was completely shut down and we had to detour on our way to Cape Cod.

Boys and their toys; We were very surprised when we came upon the closed I-95 section and our GPS actually showed a road closed symbol.

What a surprise! Yes, sections of the campground we are staying at are underwater, including the entrance.


Home Sweet Home for the next four days. Wonderful campground, especially since no one else is really here.

Easter 2010

A new Easter Tradition: Find as many silk ties as you can, take them apart and cut them into squares. Must be 100% Silk for this to work.

You carefully wrap an uncooked egg with the silk finished side towards the egg, tie it off with a wire tie, then wrap it again with a piece of white cotton cloth and tie that one tight.

Place your wrapped eggs in a non-ferrous pan, cover eggs with water then add 1 cup of white vinegar. Bring to a boil and continue to cook at a slow boil for 20 minutes.

Cool your hard-boiled eggs and unwrap! Some patterns will work and as you can see some won't. But you get a very different type of Easter Egg. You can polish them with a bit of vegetable oil when completely cooled. Can you eat them? As long as the shell didn't crack enjoy your Easter eggs as usual. You can sew the small left over tie pieces together to make some really different designs.

Spring 2010

It's easy to tell when it is Spring around our house.

We start getting the Airstream ready for the camping season.

All systems are flushed and cleaned and gotten ready for anothe

fun season of camping. We will be hitting the road for our first

trip our April 1st!

An annual event is always polishing the tanks.

It is amazing how dull they get over the winter.

And of course you can't forget Sandi's gardens.
The Primrose are blooming promising yet another great year

of blossoms.