Storm Moon

The full moon today is referred to as the Storm Moon in our circles. Just twelve days before Ostara, the Vernal Equinox, it is a wonderful time for rebirth, fertility and new growth, both spiritually, emotionally and physically.

As the Wheel of the Year takes another turn we can expect heavy rains and grey skies to nurture the needs for the coming growing season.

WD-40 Great stuff.

WD-40 literally stands for Water Displacement, 40th attempt. That's the name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist who developed WD-40 back in 1953. The chemist, Norm Larsen, was attempting to concoct a formula to prevent corrosion-a task which is done by displacing water. Norm's persistence paid off when he perfected the formula on his 40th try.

President for a Day

President William Henry Harrison

The 9th President of the United States died on April 4th, 1841

After only 23 days holding the highest political office in the nation he expired from complications of pneumonia. President Harrison actually held many firsts as it were for presidents. At the age of 68, he was the oldest elected president till Ronald Regean. He was also the last president born before the Declaration of Independance.

How it Began

A little known organization called 'Orangutan Outreach' founded and headed by Richard Zimmerman is testing "Apps for Apes"! You may laugh right now but our grandchildren won't be. This is probably how it all started, you know........

the real story behind Planet of The Apes.

Currently Mr. Zimmerman has donated IPads, yes real IPads, to zoos in Florida, Milwaukee, Houston and Atlanta. Not really sure if they are WiFi or 3G but in the very near future (we are talking weeks here, not years) orangutans across the country will be plotting their eventual dominance of the Human Race.

John Glenn

Fifty years ago on February 2o,1962 John Glenn was the first American to orbit the earth.

Just to keep things exciting, John was also the oldest person to fly in space; at the age of 77 he flew aboard the shuttle Discovery in 1998. John was also a U.S. senator for four terms and ran for president. Finally at the age of 90 John handed in his private pilots licence and sold his twin engine Beechcraft Baron.

According to John; "It was getting tough jumping up on that wing to get in".

He has had a charmedlife for sure with only one regret he will talk about and that is he wished he had flown Apollo 11. Annie Glenn will be celebrating her 92nd Birthday this Friday, February 17th. Happy Birthday Annie!

Frisbie - Frisbee

One this day, January 23, 1957 molding machines at the Wham-O toy company began to roll out the very first batch of their aerodynamic plastics disks now known to millions as the FRISBEE. The story of the Frisbee began in Bridgeport, Connecticut where Mr. William Frisbie opened the Frisbie Pie Company in 1871. Being a supplier of pies to local universities the students would hang onto the tin pie plates and throw them at each other yelling ---"Frisbie"
Walter Morrison and his partner Warren Franscioni invented a plastic version of the disc called the "Flying Saucer" that cold fly further and more accurately than the pie tin. After splitting with Francsioni, Morrison made an improved model i 1955 and sold it to the new toy company Wham-O as the "Pluto Platter."
In 1958 just a year after the toy's first release, Wham-O changed the name to the Frisbee Disk, misspelling the name of the historic pie company.

Mr. Warren Franscioni.

Robert E. Lee

"It is well that war is so terrible - - we would grow fond of it."

On this day in 1807 Robert Edward Lee was born.

Mostly known for his role in the American Civil War Robert Lee was a life time military man. His father was a decorated veteran of the Revolutionary war and one time Governor of Virginia. Lee attended West Point and was high honors upon graduation.

When his home state of Virginia separated from the union Lee resigned from the US Army:

"With all my devotion to the Union and the feeling of loyalty and duty of an American Citizen, I have not been able to make up my mind to raise my hand against my relatives, my children, my home. I have therefore resigned my commission in the Army, and save in defense of my native State, with the sincere hope that my poor services may never be needed, I hope I may never be called on to draw my sword..."

It was a long war and no side really won much of anything when it was all done and said.

Heavy losses on both sides, hero's made and families lost. By April of 1865 Lee now Major General of all Southern Forces was forced to surrender at Appomattox, Virginia to Union General Ulysses S. Grant. Lee and Grant both holding the highest rank of their respected armies knew slightly of each other having fought in the Mexican War together. Grant arrived in his muddy field uniform while Lee was turned out in full dress complete with sash and sword.

After the war, Lee returned south to Richmond as a paroled prisoner of war. He devoted the rest of his life to setting an example for all southerners. He refused a number of offers but instead he assumed presidency of Washington College today known as Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Lee died on October 12, 1870 of heart disease.

Robert E. Lee

"It is well that war is so terrible - - we would grow too fond of it."

On this day in 1807 Robert E. Lee was born.

Dan Evins

Earlier today Dan "Danny" Evins passed. He was 74 years old and left behind a legacy many of us Airstream Folks have enjoyed for a very long time. Danny was the founder of Cracker Barrel restaurant chain opening his first in 1969.

Cracker Barrel shops are a welcome sight for many Airstream travelers as they have what we call FREE overnight parking. That's right, we spend the night right there in their parking lot.Of course being polite guests we always go in for a meal and a little shopping in their trade mark shops. With over 600 restaurants in 42 states as of today, thats is a lot of free camping.




We often base our route to somewhere via a Cracker Barrel.

Hostess going....going......

Say it ain't so!

Hostess Brands is once again going Chapter 11 to try and help save the faltering snack cake company. With competitors, Bimbo (yes that's correct) Bakeries, McKee Foods and Little Debbie chomping at their heels and Americans looking for a healthier snack, sales are down and profits slim. The 87 year old company is starting to feel it's age, and being a private held company with union workers (the only one by the way) there isn't much sugar left on the table afterwards.

Twinkies, one of the companies iconic snacks has been a world recognized food substance since 1930. Twinkies of course are the stuff of legends; President Bill Clinton put one in a time capsule and the American Society of Media Photographers recently held a photo exhibit featuring Twinkies. Tallahassee (Woody Harreson) in Zombieland made it his life's mission to find the last remaining Twinkie in the world fighting off Zombies risking it all! Jimmy Dewar who invented the Twinkie stated; "Twinkies was the best darn-tootin' idea I ever had." Not everyone agrees - "The iconic status of Twinkies is partly this perception that there's nothing real in it," say Ken Albala, professor of history at the University of the Pacific, CA.

Jennette's Pier

All along the coasts of many seaboards, fishing piers have been built and then promptly removed by mother nature. Jennette's Pier is no exception. Warren Jennette purchased 570 feet of beach front in 1939 and soon with his sons began construction of a 750 foot long fishing pier. Starting with one of his old camp buildings serving as a shower house and snack bar. Over the years cottages and a motor lodge were added. Of course the Outer Banks offers a challenge to any buildings due to weather.

As we started walking out onto the pier, we were facing a chilly 54 F and winds of 15 to 30 knots causing wonderful waves crashing the shore.

The new pier completed this year is now under the ownership of the North Carolina Aquarium Society which built the $25 million educational pier.

Hurricane Damage

On our way out for the day we stopped of at the dumpster to drop of our garbage. Sandi placed it in the dumpster even though the sign clearly said NO DUMPING.

Months after the detestation of hurricane Irene the rebuilding and cleaning up continues. There were five major sections route 12 completely destroyed. The road way is now passable all the way south.

It will be a long time before residents homes are brought back on line. These homes are totally off the grid, power, water,or driveways.

At one time this walkway connected a house to the beach. Both are gone now.

We originaly have resevations at this campground. Pretty evident why we had to find another.

Light House and Wild Horses

On the northern shores of the Outer Banks construction began on the Currituck Beach Light Station in 1873 and being completed and illuminated December 1, 1875. The light was known as a First-Order light because it used the first seven of the largest Fresnel Lenses available making it extremely bright. 162 feet tall is is composed of over 1,000,000 bricks. Unlike almost every other light house, it is unpainted in order to distinguish it from the Cape Henry light to the north and Bodie to the south.

The property consists of several buildings and is all in original condition. Unfortunately the site was closed and we could not visit. We did spend time in the area and ventured out to the wetlands. Next we headed out to see the wild horses of Currituck,



As we traveled further north we ran out of road or should I say the road turned into beach.

Yes, the road is actually the beach. One of the few beaches where sun bathers are not allowed. No parking signs, speed limit signs and additional sign stating "Do not feed the horses" line the dunes. The best time to travel the "road" is low tide where the sand is smoth and packed.

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011 morning found us in a Walmart parking lot in Seaford, Delaware on our way to the Outer Banks. A good cup of coffee and a cheese danish and we are on the road heading south.

Heading South we took the Chesapeake Bridge/Tunnel which is the only way to really get to the Outer Banks without taking an addition two days along the western shore.

Coming up on the entrance to the first Tunnel of the Bay Bridge.

The roadway actually goes through two tunnels. A beautiful drive in good weather but the absolute worst in bad.

Caming on the Outer Banks is very diferent from New England and many other places we have camped over the years. Lots of sand and very few trees. The only thing than a few low sand dunes sepperating us from the Atlantic Ocean is route 12, a two lane road.

Our very own beach entrance.

As I mentioned no trees. We arrived to very strong winds for Thanksgiving but the sun was shinning and temperatures were in the upper 50's. As always we celebrating with a traditional Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, home-made stuffing, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts, cranberry sauce and home-made pumpkin cheese cake.

Happy Samhain

Happy Samhain and Halloween!

For all of those who were hoping to go out door to door this year in lower New England, sorry to hear that Halloween is postponed. Not really sure how to do that since the 31st is the only true night when the barrier is thinnest between our world and the other.

How did orange and black become the colors of Samhain? The orange represents the colors of harvest and black, the other side.

It wasn't always a good thing to be a witch.

During the Dark Times, many were accused of being witches and suffered for it. Fortunately if you were a witch you were smart and crafty enough not to get caught.So many innocent folks were drowned, burned and stoned to death. Then in New England the times caught up with the Puritans who it turned out were far from pure.

WInter Comes Early

In what experts* are calling a freak October snow storm, we received between 7 to 13 inches of snow. Not that snow is a bad thing; after all it is New England and we are heading into the winter season so mixed weather conditions should be expected.

What made this event quite serious is that the snow was a very wet heavy type. That and the fact that many, many trees still had fall foliage is the combination for a 'Perfect Storm'.

For once we were of the fortunate few that did not loose electrical power. With over 90% of Bethel without power our lights burned brightly well into the night. On the other hand we did have a tree fall. Well not exactly fall; it was more like a work in progress. Sandi had her eye on one of our cedars along the driveway for quite some time. As the heavy snow started accumulating on our trees the cedars did take on the most. While all of them did well the one of concern to Sandi did begin to lean with the weight. And then started to lean some more.Unfortunately in the wrong direction. Eventually it leaned over all the way. Or at least as far as the Airstream and truck would allow it to. Yes, as you can sort of see above, there is an Airstream and a Silverado 2500HD under all that snow and tree.

*individuals who predict local weather with the accuracy of a blind person playing horse-shoes.

Taco Bell

Every once in a while we all visit a fast food type of food establishment. Whether it is because we are on the road traveling, in a hurry to finish errands or just short of time. On an average we visit one perhaps every six to eight weeks and Taco Bell is probably on the bottom of our list even though we love good Mexican food, which of course is not available at Taco Bell. In fact we sometimes wonder exactly what it is that they serve. When we do find ourselves visiting we now park and walk in to place our order. The reason? The drive-thru never got an order correct. Well a gentleman down in Georgia finally did what we always wanted to do but would never do; he struck back at Taco Bell for lousy food. Of course is definitely going to jail for it.

It appears this customer ordered from the Drive-Thru an XL something or other. When he arrived home he was definitely not pleased with the amount of beef in the product, called the location to complain and was informed since they were closing there was nothing they could do for him. What was the solution to bad food and service, he went back and tossed a molotov cocktail at the drive-thru after explaining he was going to redecorate the place.

Lesson to be learned? You only get what you pay for.

Keene Pumpkin Festival

The Great Keene Pumpkin Festival Lives!
There was a lot of discussion last year as to whether the festival would continue.
After so many years and World Records the organizers were getting worn out, some things were getting a little out of hand and new gourds were needed.
Happy to report that this years festival was a big success and Sara was indeed a part of it.
As a freshman at Keene State College she was right in the pumpkin patch, carved a pumpkin and enjoyed the event with her friends. It was very difficult to get timely reports since was way too busy having fun, staying out late and sleeping in to text her dad.

Historial Inacuracy

During a lecture on American History at the Abram's Lecture Hall the professor asked his class if anyone could put into a one paragraph description the story of Roe vs. Wade.

Miss Thompson, a sophomore stood and explained, " As General Washington approached the Delaware River, he was unsure of whether to row or wade across with his troops".

Well we all know Miss Thompson was wrong in her answer but did you also know there are many faults with the famous painting by Emanuel Leutze? He composed his painting some sixty plus years after the event. On December 25, 1776, Washington along with over 2,400 troops and artillery pieces made the crossing in the dead of night (would have made for a boring painting) from Pennsylvania to Trenton New Jersey where they defeated British troops, mostly Hessians. By killing the commanding officer, Col. Johann Rall and the taking of over 900 prisoners and their weapons, Washington brought a great victory to the cause and a boost to moral.

There are actually many flaws in the painting that not only strain the existence of historical painting vs. history but also in composition. First the river; the Delaware in the dead of winter is covered with sheet ice. The Rhine River, as shown in the painting (did I mention Leutze was German?) is known for its large chunks of ice. As for the boat, it is impossible for a boat as shown in could possibly support the weight of the occupant. In addition, history tells us that this type of boat was never used in the region and in fact the side of the vessels were much taller. No horses were ever transported across the river on this campaign either. The battle was carried out on foot. The man standing next to Washington holding the flag is Lieutenant James Monroe, future president. The flag he is holding it totally inaccurate; the design of the flag in the painting was not specified till the Second Continental Congress and was specified on June 14, 1777 and first flew on September 3, 1777. Another interesting but often over looked issue is the other occupants of the craft. Take a close look at each and you tell me if they would have been there.

Betsy was a Fake

Do you know who designed the first approved American flag?

Well if you said Betsy Ross you would be wrong. In fact there is absolutely no historical evidence that she even sewed any flag at all for Washington. We do know that as a widowed upholster she had done some sewing for the army and maybe a few repairs of General Washington's uniforms when he was in town but the scene above never happened. There could be speculation that she was pressed into service to help make additional flags for the Continental Navy but that is about as far as we can trace back. So from where did the design of the "Betsy Ross" flag arrive?It is strongly believed that the flag with the stars in a circle were never before seen till the above painting when Chalres Weisgerber painted it in 1893. That sure is a lot of years after 1776. In fact the story of Betsy Ross did not become public till 94 years after the said event by one of her grandsons, William J. Canby. He was speaking at a historical society meeting and told of how his Grandmother with the help of Washington and an uncle developed the design for the first flag of these United States.

History actually supports the fact that Francis Hopkinson, a Congressman from New Jersey and a signer of the Declaration of Independence designed the first flag and it is so stated in the first journals of the Continental Congress. On November 6th, 1776 Francis was appointed by the Continental Navy Board to begin his work. By the year 1780 he had not only completed the design for the "flag of the United States", but also several ornaments, devices, checks and bills of exchange seals for the Admiralty and Treasury but also the Great Seal of The United States. The design of the first Stars and Stripes by Hopkinson had the thirteen stars arranged in a staggered pattern along with the thirteen stripes of red and white.