Days 111-112 (Sep 4-5) – Two Rivers Campground

This was a nice little stop in Skowhegan, ME.  It is about 2 hours inland.  We stopped here to keep from driving 6 hours in one day and then stayed an extra day to wait out the rain.  Visited with a WWII vet and the girls were given some baskets by our neighbor.  Nice people.  Slow and quiet.

Day 110 (Sep 3) – Resting

Today is Labor Day and we are resting from our Labors.  That would mostly be ‘driving’.  We have traveled several days in a row and needed a break.  As busy as campgrounds were this weekend, everyone pulled out today and left this one very vacant, so it was no problem to stay another night.  We also used our KOA points we had built up to get $25 off.  Good, because this one is pretty pricey compared to most.

We had no plans for today.  Late breakfast – pancakes and bacon.  Girls played at the playground.  I took a walk and found a place to wade in the river.  Brad and I both sat “under the awning” beside the office to use wifi.  It’s the only spot in the campground that seems to work.  We ate a late lunch and took the girls to the river to wade.  Then we got set up to watch “Star Trek IV.”  That took some doing because we are right by the road, which makes it impossible to hear.  We didn’t really want to crowd into our bed this time.  Plus it was a little warm in the camper.  After trying several different places we ended up in the truck running the sound through the stereo.  It worked just fine.  It was the girls’ first Star Trek movie.  I think they enjoyed it.  I remember my Aunt Shelia taking me to several Star Trek movies, including that one.  She is quite a bit younger than my dad and was still living at home when we visited my grandparents in the summer.  It often seemed to coincide with the release of the next Star Trek movie.  I loved that she would take me with her.  Sometimes the little things make a big impression. 

Day 109 (Sep 2) – New Hampshire

Driving across NY (the northern border) took us three days and then today, we drove across Vermont and into New Hampshire.  This is beautiful country.  We have gone the scenic route – not interstate – so we keep driving though these small towns (“villages.”)  Some of the houses are so old and beautiful.  There are tons of small farms, with a few horses and cattle.  We have driven by several Amish farms and buggies.  I couldn’t really read on our 6-hour drive today because I just kept looking out the window at the scenery.  The rolling hills/mountains, lakes, cornfields, trees, houses and churches are all mesmerizing.  It is just like I thought it would be, except prettier.

The last town we passed (Lisbon, NH) before getting to our KOA today was established in 1763.  That is just amazing.  Brad and I both laughed as we saw the sign.  “Old” means something a little different out here than back in TN or CA.

The campground was offering Tie-Dye tonight at 5:00 and the girls wanted to do it.  Carmen paid for a bag and bandana, Audra paid for a bandana and I bought them each a shirt.  I have only done it once before, a long time ago.  I helped Carmen and Audra did her own.  We had fun and everything turned out really cute.  We may end up staying here another night.  We are tired of driving.

P.S.  The new Thomas Jefferson Hour is up.  Clay, David and special guest Brad Crisler!  Give it a listen!  :)

The Thomas Jefferson Hour

Day 108 (Sep 1) – Malone, NY

Drove 4 hours to Pine Ridge Park Campground between Malone and Constable.  As we pulled into Malone, we saw a sign for the Almanzo Wilder family farm.  I forgot this was where “Farmer Boy” took place.  We didn’t really have it in our schedule to see and none of us were dying to go.  I think we have “hit the high spots” as far as Little House goes.  (I will take the girls to Mansfield some day.)

This campground is funny.  We are in the country - in NY state.  I mean the backwoods country.  This is a huge campground with hundreds of extended stay sites.  There are enclosed porches with glass windows built onto the front of many trailers that probably double their square footage.  I think there are only 12 overnight sites.  I had trouble finding campgrounds for this weekend (Labor Day) and especially for tonight.  We are thankful to be here and have a place to sleep.  I hope the midnight dance doesn’t keep us up too late!  (We’re not going, I just mean I hope the music isn’t loud enough to reach us.)  Maybe we should go …

Carmen decided we would have our own holiday party tonight.  She gave us each a piece of her candy and we played games.  I fixed veggie burgers, corn on the cob and baked beans.  Carmen played party music for us during dinner.  Then we played more games and we all had to sign the guest book.  The grand finale was listening to the AL game on XM radio in the truck!  Great night!

Day 107 (Aug 31) – Wolcott, NY

Still heading east.  Drove about 2 ½ hours to Cherry Grove Campground.  Lots of extended stay sites, but we were toward the front.  Brad took the girls swimming and I went to Bob’s Grocery.

I finished “The Help” today.  Read it in three days.  I can’t remember the last time I read a book that fast.  It was so compelling.  It made me think about so many things:  how I treat people, standing up for what is right, being courageous, being a good friend, working for justice, doing things that matter, being diligent in prayer… I will be thinking about this book longer than it actually took to read it.  It is also very entertaining!  Read it if you haven’t.  (I’m probably the only one left who hasn’t read it.)