In the hills of PA

Well, we've made it back to where we began our nomadic lifestyle nearly 17 years ago. We've changed and so has the old home place. We're presently parked at Alparon Park, our local fairground in Troy, PA off US Rte 14 & US Rte 6. We're on what we call "pipeline alley" along with the 5the wheelers working in the newly discovered natural gas fields. This strike is considered one of the largest in the country and should bring prosperity and problems for years to come. The area won't be the same and that's the way change happens, I guess.

Had a good trip north along US I-95 to greater Washington area. A quick trip to TraderJoes, and a dinner with Nancy's cousin, a quick visit to her parents graves and on through along I-81, US 15 then US 14.

We're looking forward to a month or so in the area visiting our ever-dwindling family and making the rounds with old and new friends. There are a couple of weddings on the agenda, music and the annual Troy Fair, along with some visits to far away and exotic places like Ithica, NY and Moosewood to perhaps some camping and even kayaking. There's lots of water here and more comes almost every day! I'd forgotten about this area's summer rains, even though Ms. Nancy has reminded many, many times. Happy trails...

Achieving escape velocity

Well, looks like we're on our way again after nearly 6 weeks in the Miami area we're northbound. Hard to leave the food and all those mangos behind, but it was time. Plan to be back in September anyway, so great opportunity to enjoy the rain and cold of NE Pennsylvania.

Made it as far as Cape Canaveral where we hoped for an opportunity to observe the rescheduled shuttle launch. We found a great RV park at Manatee Hammock County Park located just across the causeway from the Kennedy Space Center and only 8 miles or so from the launch pad. Great location and open view across the Indian River to where it was all happening...or at least scheduled to happen. The launch was scheduled for 5:35am, 17 June and we were ready. Early to bed, alarm set...then a phone call at midnight. Wrong number from Phoenix! Back to sleep, sort of. Finally, no sleep and back up at 3am to check countdown status via the internet. Oh no! Mission scrubbed as hydrogen leak again detected. Great Scott. Back to bed and sleep again. Well, not to say the whole trip was for naught, enjoyed the Space Center, tour, exhibits and museums. And another launch the next day of the Lunar Recon Vehicle so why not stay another day? And we did. Nice time to explore scenic downtown Titusville and environs as well as return to the Space Center. Clouds were building throughout the day and a nasty thunderstorm was building from the west...even some lightning and a bit of rain. Great! Well the short of the story is that the Atlas V rocket eventually did go, on the last launch window of the day. It wasquite an experience as we saw the ship lift off with large plume and flame, and about 30 or so seconds later came the roar and rumble. We've been told that the shuttle launch would have been many times more powerful. Wow! Now, there's the small matter of schedule and how to get there again.

As for now, we're well along the road north. Tonight near Richmond, VA and tomorrow on to the Washington, DC metro area on the VA side for visit and dinner with Nancy's cousin, a quick visit to TraderJoe's and on to PA for doctor's visit for Ms.Nancy. Her injured achilles tendon has not improved over the past 8 months and has become quite painful and debilitating. Time to deal with it and hopefully we'll be able to attend it well while visiting our old home area of Troy, PA. More later on ... Happy trails

And it's still raining

Please don't get the idea that we're obsessed with the rain. We try not to be, but it appears our days revolve around a little sunshine in the early morning, then wondering how much and when rains will begin. Even now our little Prius is still at the Toyota dealership "drying out" and having seats and carpet removed after we were flooded out yesterday afternoon after 9" of rain fell in 2 hours out on Miami Beach! We were at Bill's apartment with car parked out on the street when it hit= the lightening and thunder, the winds and then the rain. We had just arrived when the storm hit with now reported over 100 lightening strikes in that short time. Sounded like bombs going off everyplace. Quite a freaky event...very intense.

BTW, the picture above is after the rains had stopped and the water had gone down. I had to go barefoot, pants rolled up to get my "rain sandals" and camera from the car. Actually, water level was above door bottom, and the not so water resistant doorseal.

Spent 3 hours at dealership today as all commercial water removal companies failed to return our calls. Must be they were busier with bigger deals than our little Prius. We're really concerned about mildews and molds since those are Nancy's known allergens, and no amount of my shamwow activity was getting at the water underneath the carpet liner. Dealership was pretty busy, but with regular weekenders getting general service work done. Interesting was the mix of technological activity in the waiting room ranging from books & big screen tv to IPhones, texting, IPods and even free wifi...but the free coffee wasn't that great!

Can't pick up car until Monday. Thankful that it looks like it will work out well inspite of the $$ and hassle...check out http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/1084607.html if you want to see some of the other storm happenings about 4 blocks from our location. We're really begining to miss the desert southwest! happy trails, tom and nancy

Still raining in Miami...

Rain...every day it rains from late morning until late afternoon. We'd somehow forgotten about this small fact of life in subtropical southeast. But given there has been such a drought here for so long, everyone, it appears, is grateful and even excited. Sure could use some of this water in SoCal and AZ, but looks pretty dry out that way. We're still doing well with just a little mold noted between the toes...it grows slowly on this dried-out hide:)

Have enjoyed some sightseeing at the MetroZoo and Seaquarium. Hope to get to a few museums and beaches this week along with helping set up Bill's new apartment. Tom managed to try out his aqualungs this week with a pool review of his scuba skills after over 10 years on terrafirma. Now to get out to a reef for a little diving.

Mangoes are still falling from the trees. We've even managed to freeze a few packages. Starting to O.D. on all that fruit, but such a wonderful treat it's been. We enjoyed fresh citrus in CA and AZ and now this...hope to enjoy some peaches as we move north through GA and on to PA for some sweet corn, blueberries and later apples. We do seem to travel with our stomachs driving the bus. Happy trail from along US 1 in south FL...tom and nancy

Live from Miami

(Roadside phox and other signs we are in Florida; beautiful springtime roadshow across I-10 & FL)

Woke up this morning, looked out the window and realized that we're no longer in the southwest! A coconut palm out one window and playful squirrels in the live oak tree out the other. There's even a mango orchard next to the entrance here at the Thompson County Park in southwest Miami. Ajusting to the humidity and temps is the big challenge. Second is getting used to the kamikaze drivers around who apparently haven't learned benefit of turn signals or lane integrity! Yes, folks, I'm becoming that geezer I've been practicing to be for some time. Anyway, have already managed to find the Barnes & Noble cafe and partaked of our first lechon asado marinated roast pork), moros y cristianos(black beans and rice mixed) and fried bananas and the first of probably many Cuban restaurants. We begin our explorations today of the city and area after a nice bike ride in this very beautiful county-operated RV park adjacent to the Metro Zoo. Quite appropriate, really.
We're also experiencing intermittent issues with the satellite internet system and may not have regular access as long as the sun is shining and the humidity is high...we think everything has dried out to point that any moisture screws up the transmitter...too much time in the dry desert southwest. Happy trails for now...

Tampa area...

Well, we continue to progress down towards our Miami destination but decided to take a day off from driving and stop in the Tampa area at a small RV park Lake Como. Our first day in more than a week of no motorhome driving. But, a large part of day was spent on the phone with Hughesnet Tech Support! Stopped long enough for the satellite internet modem, transmitter or something to malfunction. Fortunately we have wifi access in the park...so we're cyber connected still. Quite an admission of dependence on this new technology even in the simpler, mobile lifestyle. Anyway, not sure how long we'll be offline, but will keep you posted. Our reservation in Miami is for Sunday, so hopefully we'll be up and going then. Until then, happy trails...

Into the land of GREEN!

We crossed the 100th meridian yesterday near Junction, TX, left the west of dry air and blue skies and entered the green lands of central Texas near San Antonio. We'd forgotten the many shades of green available in a watered landscape, like the shades of brown in the desert southwest. We noticed the relative humidity double from 17% to 35% as we made this transition, and now nearing Houston we're at 66% with overcast and drizzle. It's also how we now have all our clothes, linens etc. transformed into "laundry". Time to find an RV park and laundromat. We've enjoyed the many roadside parking overnight spots we've encountered along and near I-10 here in Texas. Today it's on through Houston to Louisiana. Happy trails...