Growing Family

On a bright but chilly morning Sandi and I found ourselves in Patterson, NY at a kennel hosting a rescue adoption day. I had found the site some time ago and would often stop in to browse the puppies and dogs looking for new homes. Featured were many wonderful dogs and a complete litter of eleven puppies form Virginia.

Well it didn't take long for us to fall in love with "OZ" and we haven't even meet him yet. I haven't owned a male dog for quite some time and OZ does come from a mixed family but with the few photos and a small bio we had to meet him.

OZ is the offspring of two different purebreds, Labrador Retriever and German Short Hair Pointer, the best of two breeds but as they say, still a mixed breed. That's the nice way of saying Mutt. In our hearts he is nothing but the Best of Show!

Yea Right

Yes, I have one of the three winning Mega Millions tickets and I hide it inside the McDonalds where I sometimes work. My name is Marlinda or Sheila or maybe I will change it again tomorrow. I am leaving the ticket hidden there till every ones heads cool down.

I can't wait to read the papers this weekend;

"Baltimore McDonalds Broken into some time between closing and opening this morning,

$105 Million stolen.

Jamestown

On April 3, 1614 Pocahontas, the daughter of the chief of the Powhatan Indians married John Rolfe an English tobacco planter. Their coming together is a rare and daring tale. It was in May of 1607 that about 100 English colonists settled along the James River in Virginia.

The group did not fair well due to famine, disease and Indian attacks. John Smith would come to their aid while exploring and mapping the area.. In December of 1607 Smith and two colonists were captured by Powhatan warriors. Smith's life was spared due to an intercession of Pocahontas, the 13 year old daughter of Chief Powhatan's. It was because of this event that she would often visit the colony as an emissary. Because of these visits she learned the language and customs of the colony.

The colony did not fair well and Smith returned home. In June of 1610 Baron De La Warr (Delaware) arrived just in time with fresh supplies. Soon after John Rolfe arrived in Jamestown and two years later started to cultivate tobacco. In the spring of 1613 English Captain Samuel Argall took Pocahontas as a hostage hoping to use her to negotiate a permanent peace with her Chief father. During this time she converted to Christianity. Eventually an accord was reached for peace but by then she had fallen in love with John Rolfe.

Grilled Cheese Sandwich Month

Who knew?

The whole month of April is dedicated to the Grilled Cheese Sandwich!

Food historians have very little to say about this food product except; "its been around for a long time". Daa......

There is evidence that early Romans would melt cheese over a bread piece but since the sandwich was not yet invented (according to a Court Hearing in Boston some time ago) this would hardly fit the bill as a sandwich. Of course everyone knows the "official" beginnings of the sandwich by John Montagu.

John Montagu who at the age of ten, became the 4th Earl of Sandwich in 1729. During his life time he held various military and political offices including, Postmaster General, First Lord of the Admiralty and Secretary of State for the Northern Department. It is said that he had once ordered his valet to bring to him some meat tucked between two pieces of bread. Over a period of time others began asking for "the same as Sandwich!" Lord Sandwich was very fond of ordering this form of food because it allowed him to continue playing Cribbage while eating and not getting his card greasy from the meat.

So we know that cheese has been around before recorded history and have a validated guess as to the sandwich actually being given a name, but what of the "Grilled Cheese Sandwich"?

The true cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich actually is not a cheese at all. American cheese is classified as processed cheese and can not be called 'cheese'. So what you are actually ordering at your favorite diner is not a grilled cheese sandwich but actually a grilled processed cheese John Montagu.

Zombies

I don't know a single person who hasn't gone bowling at least once in their lifetime. Yes, the vast majority of us have visions of childhood birthday parties, smelly ill fitting shoes, and spilt beer. Then there are those who take this bowling thing very seriously, special lanes, team league shirts and custom bowling balls.

Also, there are some folks out there who actually make a darn good living throwing their balls down shinny maple lanes.

Murrey Bowling Equipment has just introduced their new Zombie Head Bowling Balls.

This would most definitely get me to go bowling with my own head ball!

Saint Patrick's Day

Welcome to the green pastures of Ireland and Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Funny thing is, that they say everyone is Irish on this day and celebrations around the United States are filled with green beer, corned beef and cabbage and being sure to dress up in green.

So how much of the celebration is Irish and how much American?

Where do we start? Saint Patrick's Day is a holy day as well as a holiday for Ireland. It is a celebration in honor of a Christian missionary who was born Maewyn Succat some time around 385 AD to a Roman nobleman. Yes, at this time the Green Isle was under Roman rule. After his village was attacked, Maewyn was captured and sold into slavery at the age of 16. After six years he escaped to France (known at that time as Gaul). During his twelve years following he studied under St. Germain, the bishop of Auxerre. When his studies were completed, he returned to Ireland and took the name of St. Patrick, after his baptismal name Patricius. St. Patrick believed it was his calling to convert Pagans to Christianity. He was very successful in his thirty year endeavour and is credited for converting the Irish population to Catholicism. St. Patrick died on March 17th, 461 AD.


The very first St. Patrick's Parade in the United States was held on March 17, 1762 in New York City. It was organized by Irish American soldiers serving in the English military.
Corned Beef & Cabbage is not Irish but a food adopted by the Americans.
A customary meal in Ireland would be Ham or Bacon with cabbage.
In years past, St. Patrick's Day was considered a holy day and all pubs were closed.
Green beer is an American travesty, no Irishman worth his salt would ruin a good ale.
The wearing of green is also another American idea. Any real Irishman will tell you the wearing of green is not a good idea. The color green is considered unlucky in Ireland.

Blizzard of 1888

The most severe winter storm to ever hit New York City occurred on this day back in 1888. Hard to believe that 124 years ago today 40 inches of snow feel in a 36 hour period. At 4:35 on a Monday afternoon it is 61F outside.

Although the storm struck most of New England, the city was hardest hit. Hundreds of lives lost and millions in damage, the city was virtually isolated from the rest of the world.
Commerce came to a complete halt causing shortages of coal, food and making transportation impossible.

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.