Wild Duck Campground

Wild Duck Camground is located in Scarborough Maine.

A small campground with about 70 site we were very fortunate

to have secured the three site out in the middle of the sea-marsh.

Please don't get any silly ideas, "Adult Campground" means no

guests under the age of 18 years old!

We were able to 'spy' Robin & Richard heading in.

You have to drive a small roadway between the march and a pond to

get into the actual camping area

With all three Airstreams parked and set we are now ready for

a nice long 4th of July Weekend.

We had discussed the plans for the long weekend and they were quite simple: Relax!

Each morning we stepped out of our Airstream and were greated

by a wonderful view of the marsh, birds and wildlife.

Water Pump

We spend a lot of time boondocking [no hook-ups] when camping and we become totally dependant on what we can carry into the campground and out. For the past few trips the water pump had seemed to become louder and louder. It worked fine but our Airstream was begining to act like a 110 year old house. We know, we own one.One of the things that always amazed me was the mess in my mini basement. Pipes, wires and connectors everywhere. I ended up removing the water pump, organizing the basic wiring and wrapping it all in flex-tube. Back to the pump, I built a foundation out of EPS, remounted it and added soft pipe extentions.
As you can see the result is a little bit more organization of the rats nest wiring but most important, a perfectly silent water pump!

Galillee

We went for ride today to visist some of the local spots and one of our stops was Point Judith Lighthouse. It is still a Coast Guard Station and a popular spot. Still a working lighthouse. This is actually the second lighthouse, the first a wooden structure destroyed in a storm in the late 1800's.

We all have heard a fog horn at one point or other but this is the first time I was actually able to get close to one. Something you really don't want to do for more than a minute or two. Compact in size but very loud!

The point is surrounded by a pebble beach on one side and breakers on the other. A very nice spot to just sit and relax and enjoy the sea breezes.The town of Galillee is a working seaport with a wide range of seagoing vessels. From small one man lobster boats to deep sea boats brining in a vast array of harvests.
Lobsters along with clams are two of the most popular visitor fares for a great meal.

Our host for this visit was Monica who came back out east to share time with friends and family who did not get out to Colorado for her wedding to Kurt. We had a wonderful visit and Sandi and Monica had time to catch up. Monica's Mom has a wonderful little house out on Great Island just outside of town. A supper little island filled with a variety of nice homes and great views.

Ocean Side Weather

While most of the area at home has been suffering a heat wave and pasing thunderstorms and high humidity we have been very lucky here in Narragansett.

We have had to close our windows and fans at night before going to bed, enjoyed late day bike rides and temps in the upper 70's.

We went into town this afternoon to met up with Monica, her new husband Kurt and the rest of the family. Monica's brother hosted a wonderful luncheon at George's right on the channal. The food was very tasty and it was nice meeting some of Sandi's friends from before Rick Era.

Saturday In Narragansett

It has been a bit windy out here at Fisnermen's Memorial but we were able to fly

our wonderful Wedding Flag.

We sepnt a good part of our Friday Shopping at the REI Store. We had a shopping list of about three items but left with two bags and two new bikes. We have been considering new bikes for the past three seasons and finally made the move. So many of the areas and camp grounds we camp at are bike friendly and after three hours we had the two bikes best suited for us and our needs. Once we returned to the campground we spent the rest of the late afternoon exploring on our bikes. On thing we discovered is that my front derailer is not properly agligned and we will need to take another trip back to REI and have it properly adjusted. This afternoon we have a party to go to being held in honor of the marrage of one of Sandi's High School friends. It should be fun for Sandi to catch up with old friends and I guess I will be making a few new ones. The weather has been cool and overcast so far but promised to break this afternoon.

Narragansett, RI

This weekend is our First Anniversary Celebration.
Officially it was on Monday and we camped last weekend with our
good friends Rich & Eleanor but this weekend is for us.
We arrived at Fishermen's Memorial around 7:30 and got the
Airstream all set up. It was then that I realized no cable for the Nikon
so you will have to wait till tomorrow for photos, sorry.
Time to start dinner on the grill.

Hyde Park, NY

We made plans with Rich and Eleanor to met up in Hyde Park New York for the weekend. Rich and I had a bit of magazine stuff to go over and Sandi and Eleanor had a great time catching up. We had never been to this part of New York so it was a treat for all four of us. Emma was kidnapped by her grandparents so it was just the four of us.

We were treated by Rich making the reservations for us on this trip. We had several options including inviting them to spend time in our driveway which we had discussed but since Sandi and I will travel anywhere anytime we opted for the camp ground.

Well whenever there are two or more Airstreams in one location you have to take a photo.

We went out on Saturday to visit the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park which happens to be the smallest Vanderbilt mansion. Actually our Ranger was a really great guy but I just had to post this photo, gives the appearance that he didn't like the question the visitor asked him.

The grounds are just beautiful even this early in the season. We weren't allowed to take photos inside so that you would buy the many books available in the gift shop. The story of how the mansion became a National Park is very interesting and the interior a perfect example of the Gilded Age.

One of the only plants that were blooming were the Tulip Tress.

Of the many gardens, I think the Pool Garden is my favorite, but another trip will probably change my mind. The rose garden is probably incredible.
Eleanor and Sandi walking the grounds. We were treated to an overcast day and the rain held off for the most part. After leaving the park we stopped at Duncan Donuts for good conversation and some coffee, they had the local radio station playing and we heard the National Emergency Alert and it wasn't a test!
We ran back to the camp ground with the threat of 65 MPH winds, ground stricking lightening and hail a very strong possibility. We fired up the laptop and tracked the storm.
It didn't take long for the sky to turn that very strange green-black color and we had some very intense lighteneing and thunder. As we stood outside watching the storm move north we counted our lucky stars that it tracked exactly seven miles north of us.

As many of you may know, Sandi and I love diners and Rich and Eleanor are of the same mindset. We hit paydirt in Hyde Park! The Everyday Diner is a must stop. Fair prices, great service, large portions and very good food.

I wasn't kidding about the amount of food either. Happy Campers.

We haven't come across many Diners with Mascots, but here is Ed!

Memorial Day 2008

Memorial Day weekend at Housatonic Meadows is always a great get-a-way.

We were joined by our friends Tony and Nikki. They packed their tent for the weekend

and we had a great time. Tony brought along his best cooking gear

and Nikki supplied her hand-tied flies.

It was really great to be back on the river again, now with the river flowing

naturally the water levels are perfect for the fish. I had forgotten how slippery it can get out there

and it took a while to get my "river legs" back.

Nikki had a good time out on the river also. She had never fished the Housatonic before so it was a great weekend for both of us. It was enjoyable to have someone else out on the river with me.

We both had several hits and we each landed a fish at one point during the weekend. We made sure we got into the river each day. It was tough to read the river and we really had to experiment with our flies to see what would work.

We were provided with gourmet meals three times a day by our great chef friend Tony. Each meal was perfect, we are trying to figure out how to get Tony and Nikki into an Airstream so they can follow us around; Nikki and I fishing and Tony cooking!

It was a wonderful weekend eating and fishing. Oh... Tony taught us this evil dice game that Nikki seems to win every time. Weather was perfect, food was wonderful and the friendship welcomed.

Sturbridge, MA

Sara and I had fun doing some shooting.

She is really starting to shoot some good stuff!




Of course you will have to decide who shot what....








Most of Sturbridge is the same but it is different with each visit and each season of the year.



There is always a good composition everywhere you look.





Sara was getting really creative with shadows and colors.





We had a really good time and look forward to our next visit and photo shoot.

New Season - Sturbridge, MA

Hurray! The camping season is here.


Sara and Donal out in front of the campground with Yogi Bear.











It sure is nice to have the two trailers back out again. It has become a familiar sight see them parked side by side.








The newest member of our Camping Family; Bodhi, Donal's new puppy.






Sara, Donal, Amanda and Sandi coloring Easter Eggs in the Argosy.










Yes, I was there too!








Donal and Sara, camping together for seven years.










Amanda and Don enjoying Easter morning beverages.

Salem, MA 2007

Richard, Robin & Sandi decorating for the weekend.
With the downpours on Friday we ended up inside for the night.
Flying our now traditional Witch Flag in Salem.
Monsters of Salem.
Happy Birthday Richard!
Donal in his awsome King Tut costume.
Here I am playing African Drums with Kevin.