May 26_Playing Catch-up from Grants Pass

Ok, time to play catch-up. We left Klamath, CA on Tuesday, as we had made an appointment with Henderson up in Grants Pass. Since we were heading close to there, I asked if we could swing by and get e new Bell Crank installed. I had been wanting the Henderson for a few years now and this seemed to be the best time. I saw that the online price was $430. Not the price I wanted ($380), but close enough. 

Our appointment was scheduled for Wednesday (May 27), but we were able to arrive earlier then expected. We talked with Adam and he was able to get us in.

Sean was our tech for the installation and quickly removed the old one and commenced to installed the new one.

Now don't get me wrong, the hydraulic system on the coach is very powerful, and I doubt if anyone can tell when the original one would go bad. I certainly thought mine was good.  Well you guessed it, once it was out and I had a chance to look at it and try it.  I could tell the bearing sleeves were bad and causing the shaft to bind.

So it was out with the old and in with the new one.

They completed the job around 5 ish, Susan arrived back from Medford, OR, Costco run and by 5:45 we were heading out, a little further North on I-5 for the night.

I know you are going to ask....................Can you tell any difference in the drive...............really? You're asking me something as simple as that?

Well since you asked, the answer is, it is hard to tell.

Safe Travels & Journeys

from DaGirls         "Della                     &                Tilly" 

Da Girls RV 1st Year of Retirement

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Bandits Roost COE at Wilkesboro NC

It's been a while since we have logged on. Our current location is COE Bandits Roost CG, located west of Wilkesboro, North Carolina. This one of the few national sites (Corp of Engineers) that is still open and is expected to close on Oct. 11.

On our way south down thru Va. (Oct. 4), we encountered a north bound traffic backup of over 5 miles. We noticed the department of public safety works the same as Arizona. THEY DO NOT DIVERT TRAFFIC OFF THE FREEWAY EARLY. If they had worked on this diversion, the backup and subsequent traffic jam would not have been so disruptive.

This COE CG  does not have volunteer campground hosts. They have 2 sets of gate attendants, 4 days on, 4 days off.

While here we attended the Brushy Mountain Apple Festival in North Wilkesboro.

On Sunday, Susan & I ventured out in the kayaks on the reservoir, this is a very large lake and makes for long kayak rides. Sunday night brought in over 1 inch of rain to the area, which brought the lake up over 1 foot. Susan retied the kayaks to a higher point.

While we were out in the lake Susan spotted a bald eagle flying over our heads and landing in a tree.
The last (2) days brought about low temperatures at night which leads to fog and mist arising from the water in the morning.

Anyway Susan and I are heading to town for supplies, we have to admit, this is a relaxing atmosphere. We have become accustomed to the quietness during the day.

We also identified 2 problems areas on the rig: 1 is the living room slide awning. It was mounted 1.5 inches too low. I will have to relocate the awning rails. The other is the Atwood door, shims were not re-installed correctly. This one will take a little thinking before I do something to it.

Links:
Brushy Mountain Apple Festival

Bandits Roost COE CG


GPS: 36.12313, -81.24525
WiFi: Verizon 3G
Cell Phone: AT&T
Paw Friendly: Yes, except for the beach
Sites: Big Rig friendly

Satellite: Some sites heavily wooded

TV: NBC, and independent. 

On the Way to Hershey Chocolate

On our way to Hershey, Pa., we dropped down to New Haven, Ct. Timing was just right which allowed us to see Pat and Gina. We met them in Mesa, Az., at the Stramiello's wedding. They are such a fun loving couple. We new we couldn't leave Ct., without at least trying to get together.

We left Connecticut, by way of I-84 heading thru New York, sorry Jackie, we did not know where we could stop and visit you. Eventually we dropped down to PA-209 near Milford, Pa. With the National Forest Parks service shut down, we drove thru the Delaware Water Gap National.

We stayed at the Gifford Pinchot State Park. This would have been a nice park except for two items:
 1) Not Paw Friendly - Pets have to stay within a certain area.
2) Stink bug infestation - Seems the spring type weather brought out a major infestation. The nasty buggers are everywhere.

While at Hershey we learned that Mr and Mrs Hershey started a home for children. All of th eirfortune went to the home. Hershey is run by Trustees who sole purpose is to fund the Home. The town is extra clean and  a wonderful stop.

Founders Hall Entrance

Can you say CHOCOLATE

Chocolate Town

Once we left Gifford SP (Glad we did), we headed on down to the Elks Lodge is Staunton, Va. This is a wonderful small lodge. We hated to leave such an area rich in History, but our goal was to reach the COE camp-ground near Wilkesboro, NC. We learned that they would remain open till the 11th of Oct.

Our current location is at the Bandits Roost COE campground near Wilkesboro, NC. And yes, we are still fighting the nasty little buggers. However we seem to be winning. This morning we have only seen 5 of them.

GPS: 36.122858, -81.24541
Paw Friendly: Yes
AT&T: Yes
Verizon: 3G
Sites: Big rig friendly.

I will update our post later with links to our album once we are back in a 4G area

Saugus, Ma

We left Bangor and did a straight run to Saugus, Ma Elks Lodge, except for a liquor stop in NH. Seems the no-state tax along with low prices make for a wonderful resupply area. Along the way we refueled with $3.86 per gal Diesel along I-95 / I-295. Susan did most of the driving, and I did the driving into Saugus and to the Elks lodge

Location: Elks Lodge #642 in Saugus, Ma.

Date: Sept 28, 2013

RV: Electric and water is available if needed, as we are self contained, we choose to dry camp.





The members are really extra nice people, if you stop in, say hello to Brian / Lisa Bar Tenders. But a special hello to Bill, retired Lobster fisherman.

We woke to early Sunday morning fog.

On Sunday we drove the car into Boston, and started from Bunker Hill Monument. Yes we walked the 294 steps to the top for the view. From there we followed the Liberty Trail (red line) cross the river into Boston. 

Susan and I made it to the top,

We saw the many  sites and special  places related to the revolutionary war. There are many  opportunities for taking tours, both walking and riding. Transportation is easy to arrange.

Along the way we took some very interesting photos, including a motorcycle group dressed in suits, including one man driving a motor scooter. 

Later Sunday afternoon we went to the Saugus Iron Works, this was the start of the iron revolution in the US. Among the photos are Susan and I in front of 2 very large bellows. They were powered by water wheels to inject air into the fire to create the high temperatures needed to turn the Iron bog into molten metal.

Anyway enjoy the photos;

Link to Picasa Photo Album

Boston

Saugus Iron Works

We hope you enjoy the photos along the way.

Safe travels Dale

Bangor, Me

We left Dolly Copp NF on Thursday, Sept. 27th. We traveled the 150 miles in about 4 hours with a stop along the way, next to the Kennebec River east of Skowhegan. Skowhegen, Me.

While there we met Rita and Roy,  traveling in their RoadTrek Rv, I love this compact unit. This is a great boon-docking vehicle. R&R are from Iowa and traveling around before going down to Fla. to stay for part of the winter months. The neat thing is they were coming from Acadia NF and going to Dolly Copp while we were coming from Dolly Copp and heading to Acadia NF. Of course, we exchanged emails and looked at each other rigs.

We are staying at the Elks Lodge while in Bangor. We are planning a family outing to the Acadia NF for the day along with the girls. Staying at the Elks is not for the faint of heart as it sits a across the street from the Airport. Open time is 5am to 11 pm. So it does get noisy.

Our outing was great, we spent all day in the Acadia NF. The forest, views of the Atlantic Ocean, and Sandy Beach. I think everyone enjoyed the beach to the fullest.

Susan and I have decided that we would like to come back to spend at least a week at the NF CG. The hiking trails along with the beach area is a lovely place to spend time. This is an area that deserves extra time. We think the best time would be the off season, even though it does get chilly.

Picasa Web Album

Happy travels along your life

Dale