We meet David and Cecily, Corinne's brother and sister-in-law, in Philadelphia for lunch. They are in Philly for David's associate's wedding.
The deli they chose is overflowing with typical Jewish foods. We are overwhelmed and eat hugely. For the next 3 hours we walk around Center City exploring the architecture and window shopping.
We drive back to our campground, stopping to photograph the scenery in Old Pennsylvania. Tomorrow morning we leave for home!
Sadly, this is the last entry in our blog. If you want more details, call us or email us!! Farewell, blog followers, and thank you for your loyalty.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Day 119 - Friday, 10/16/09, ON THE ROAD
Corinne wakes up with a migraine and realizes that last night's experience with the rain seeming too loud was her typical phonophobia which is a precursor to the migraine.
Rain, construction and lots of trucks turns a 2 hour 20 minute trip into a grueling, 3 1/2 hour trip.
We're in PA, only 2 days from home. There are beautiful stone houses and barns.
Rain, construction and lots of trucks turns a 2 hour 20 minute trip into a grueling, 3 1/2 hour trip.
We're in PA, only 2 days from home. There are beautiful stone houses and barns.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Day 118 - Thursday, 10/15/09 - SETTLED
Dani and Gary leave for work, taking Nathan to school. We leave Danielle and Gary's home for Patapsco State Park Campground in Ellicott City.
On the way, we stop in Historical Ellicott City. There is an old Baltimore and Ohio RR Station there. The old stone buildings are from the early 1800's. Most contain curio shops, gift stores, restaurants or vintage goods. One is a 5 story building only one room wide. There are old row-houses also.
We eat a crab lunch at a Beer Emporium that offers over 100 types of beer.
There is a hidden wooded road off the highway that is quite beautiful with its fall colors.
In our boredom with the rainy weather, we decide to go to a 5:00 movie called "Couples Retreat". It is mediocre. Bob doesn't like the way that the movie makes fun of testicular cancer.
Our dinner is leftover chicken caesar salad and cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.
Corinne can't sleep for an hour because the rain is so loud on our overcab bed vent. She wishes she had earplugs.
On the way, we stop in Historical Ellicott City. There is an old Baltimore and Ohio RR Station there. The old stone buildings are from the early 1800's. Most contain curio shops, gift stores, restaurants or vintage goods. One is a 5 story building only one room wide. There are old row-houses also.
We eat a crab lunch at a Beer Emporium that offers over 100 types of beer.
There is a hidden wooded road off the highway that is quite beautiful with its fall colors.
In our boredom with the rainy weather, we decide to go to a 5:00 movie called "Couples Retreat". It is mediocre. Bob doesn't like the way that the movie makes fun of testicular cancer.
Our dinner is leftover chicken caesar salad and cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory.
Corinne can't sleep for an hour because the rain is so loud on our overcab bed vent. She wishes she had earplugs.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Day 117 - Wednesday, 10/14/09, SETTLED
Bob moves the RV to Ellicott City and plans to stay overnight there so he can have his last campfire and a couple of glasses of wine.
It rains all day. Corinne goes back to Target for rain boots and shampoo for Nathan.
Gary eats dinner with his sister Julie. Dani and Corinne split leftover pad thai. Very good for the sinuses.
It rains all day. Corinne goes back to Target for rain boots and shampoo for Nathan.
Gary eats dinner with his sister Julie. Dani and Corinne split leftover pad thai. Very good for the sinuses.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Day 116 - Tuesday, 10/13/09, SETTLED
Dani returns to work and Nathan goes to daycare. Corinne spends most of the day weeding Dani's front gardens. They are overrun with ground ivy, wild violets, prickly weeds and dandelions.
We eat dinner at the Crackpot and then Dani and Corinne go shopping at Target for a backpack for Dani's trip to Dallas this coming weekend to visit GiGi (Great-Grandma Ruth Stern).
We eat dinner at the Crackpot and then Dani and Corinne go shopping at Target for a backpack for Dani's trip to Dallas this coming weekend to visit GiGi (Great-Grandma Ruth Stern).
Monday, October 12, 2009
Day 115 - Monday, 10/12/09,SETTLED
Dani stays home from work. She still has trouble breathing, and is so weak that she can barely lift Nathan, who weighs 32 lb. We decide to send Nathan to daycare so that Mom can get some rest, since he is very clingy to Mom and cranky with Grandma. Grandma doesn't rate any more now that Mom and Dad are home.
After Gary returns from work, we order take-out Thai food. Good for clearing the sinuses. Gary is starting to feel punky, too, so he doesn't feel like cooking.
After Gary returns from work, we order take-out Thai food. Good for clearing the sinuses. Gary is starting to feel punky, too, so he doesn't feel like cooking.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Day 113 - Saturday, 10/10/09, SETTLED
We are visiting Corinne's daughter Danielle Stegman and her husband Gary, along with their 2 1/2 yr. old son Nathan. Corinne is so excited to see her little grandson, whom she has not seen since Corinne and Bob's wedding 4 months ago.
Dani has a cough. Nathan is halfway through a cold, too, and no longer has a fever.
They have an overnight planned so we can babysit, and they decide to go despite the fact that Gary is starting to feel under the weather. They do dinner and a movie, and then stay at a nearby hotel. After a brief bit of crying, we distract Nathan easily with puppets and he is fine for the rest of the evening.
Dani has a cough. Nathan is halfway through a cold, too, and no longer has a fever.
They have an overnight planned so we can babysit, and they decide to go despite the fact that Gary is starting to feel under the weather. They do dinner and a movie, and then stay at a nearby hotel. After a brief bit of crying, we distract Nathan easily with puppets and he is fine for the rest of the evening.
Day 114 - Sunday, 10/11/09, SETTLED
Dani stops at a clinic on the way home from their overnight. She is diagnosed with bronchitis, and is given antibiotics, an inhaler, and cough Perles. She is pretty wiped out.
We take Nathan on a long walk with Fen, their Husky, who has been acting crazy and running uncontrollably around the house. It is the first time that Corinne has walked the dog, not to mention dog + preschooler. It works out fine.
Grandpa Bob heads to church and we walk back home, just in time for Mom and Dad to walk in the door.
In the afternoon everybody watches the Ravens. Then Gary makes a wonderful roast beef with twice-baked cheesy potatoes. He's a great cook and Danielle is very lucky. We plan to try this recipe at home - it's foolproof as long as you don't open the oven while it's cooking.
Grandma does bath and story time with Nathan to give Mom a break. It's hard for Nathan, though, because he is now very clingy after his parents' absence.
We take Nathan on a long walk with Fen, their Husky, who has been acting crazy and running uncontrollably around the house. It is the first time that Corinne has walked the dog, not to mention dog + preschooler. It works out fine.
Grandpa Bob heads to church and we walk back home, just in time for Mom and Dad to walk in the door.
In the afternoon everybody watches the Ravens. Then Gary makes a wonderful roast beef with twice-baked cheesy potatoes. He's a great cook and Danielle is very lucky. We plan to try this recipe at home - it's foolproof as long as you don't open the oven while it's cooking.
Grandma does bath and story time with Nathan to give Mom a break. It's hard for Nathan, though, because he is now very clingy after his parents' absence.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Day 112 - Friday, 10/9/09, ON THE ROAD
We are driving by exploding milkweeds and cattails. There is goldenrod everywhere. It is a dismal day, misty and windy in the Appalachian Mountains.
On the roadside, we pass by two guys loading a dead deer into the back of a pickup truck. Are the hunting laws different in PA? They're looking around as though they're doing something not quite legal.
The area we are driving through is the Penn Alps, although it is in Maryland. The valleys are carpeted with colorful trees. We see red-tailed hawks soaring overhead.
Our big moment is driving through the Eastern Continental Divide at 2, 978 feet elevation. We drove through the Western Continental Divide 3 months ago.
We meet my cousins Joe and Judy Semo at a wonderful Greek restaurant in Rockville, MD, halfway between their work in DC and our campground. They treat us to a special dinner where the waitstaff knows them so well they don't even have to order.
As we get one hour from Clarksburg, our destination, the weather clears. Hurrah!
On the roadside, we pass by two guys loading a dead deer into the back of a pickup truck. Are the hunting laws different in PA? They're looking around as though they're doing something not quite legal.
The area we are driving through is the Penn Alps, although it is in Maryland. The valleys are carpeted with colorful trees. We see red-tailed hawks soaring overhead.
Our big moment is driving through the Eastern Continental Divide at 2, 978 feet elevation. We drove through the Western Continental Divide 3 months ago.
We meet my cousins Joe and Judy Semo at a wonderful Greek restaurant in Rockville, MD, halfway between their work in DC and our campground. They treat us to a special dinner where the waitstaff knows them so well they don't even have to order.
As we get one hour from Clarksburg, our destination, the weather clears. Hurrah!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Day 111- Thursday, 10/8/09, ON THE ROAD
Rain again. We are driving on roller-coaster roads where you come to the top of the hill and can't see the other side. For my late husband, Bob, that was his worst nightmare. I can see why. You feel like you're going to fall off the edge of the earth.
There are many fields of soybeans in two different colors - rust and cafe'-au-lait tan. Are they using them for ethanol as well as corn?
We're not too enamored of this campground. It is dirty and the employees don't seem to care. We haven't been in one we dislike so much since Tennessee. There are not enough fire rings, the bathrooms smell, the water is odorous, and there is no sewer hook-up.
Outside our RV, there is a middle-aged woman sitting for hours hunched over in the rain on her picnic bench. We love to make up stories about people's behavior, so we wonder if she is meditating.
There are many fields of soybeans in two different colors - rust and cafe'-au-lait tan. Are they using them for ethanol as well as corn?
We're not too enamored of this campground. It is dirty and the employees don't seem to care. We haven't been in one we dislike so much since Tennessee. There are not enough fire rings, the bathrooms smell, the water is odorous, and there is no sewer hook-up.
Outside our RV, there is a middle-aged woman sitting for hours hunched over in the rain on her picnic bench. We love to make up stories about people's behavior, so we wonder if she is meditating.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Day 110- Wednesday, 10/7/09, SETTLED
We treat ourselves to breakfast at the Hueston Woods Lodge, built in 1964. There are life-size paintings of Shawnee Indian tribal games and warriors.
It is a gorgeous day. We hike to Cedar Falls. The fallen leaves in Cedar Creek resemble an Andrew Goldsworthy sculpture - glued by water in perfect patterns on the rocks.
Corinne is photographing Fall flowers when she suddenly sees something moving in her viewfinder. OMG - it's a grey snake with yellow stripes, tongue flicking a mile-a-minute. Unfortunately he scoots away before she can get a good picture of him. Good think I'm not scared of snakes.
In the evening we have a mini Itkoff Family Reunion with as many relatives as we can gather at a Chinese Buffet halfway between Cincinnati, where they all live, and Hamilton, where Harriet and Nancy live. We get representative cousins who are children and grandchildren of 3 of my Dad's 8 siblings. Pretty good turnout.
As we are driving home, we hear the crunch of hickory nuts, osage oranges, and black walnuts under the wheels of the car.
It is a gorgeous day. We hike to Cedar Falls. The fallen leaves in Cedar Creek resemble an Andrew Goldsworthy sculpture - glued by water in perfect patterns on the rocks.
Corinne is photographing Fall flowers when she suddenly sees something moving in her viewfinder. OMG - it's a grey snake with yellow stripes, tongue flicking a mile-a-minute. Unfortunately he scoots away before she can get a good picture of him. Good think I'm not scared of snakes.
In the evening we have a mini Itkoff Family Reunion with as many relatives as we can gather at a Chinese Buffet halfway between Cincinnati, where they all live, and Hamilton, where Harriet and Nancy live. We get representative cousins who are children and grandchildren of 3 of my Dad's 8 siblings. Pretty good turnout.
As we are driving home, we hear the crunch of hickory nuts, osage oranges, and black walnuts under the wheels of the car.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Day 109- Tuesday, 10/6/09, SETTLED
Harriet and Nancy have to go to work. We have heard that the rain that is predicted will not start until the afternoon, so we arrange for a horseback ride in Hueston Woods State Park.
There is a scary-looking flock of turkey buzzards perched in a scraggly naked tree at the edge of the corral. Definitely sets a mood of doom.
Unfortunately, the rain begins as soon as we get on our horses. The first horse assigned to me has something wrong with his eyes. One is very red and the other will barely stay open. He is very listless compared to the other horse. I tell the young man who is leading us that I don't feel right about riding a horse that might possibly be ill. He keeps saying "He'll be all right" and I keep insisting that as a nurse, even a nurse of humans, I know he's not "all right". Finally he gives in and gets me another horse. I ask him to promise that he will tell his boss about this horse being ill. He agrees. I hope he follows up.
I think to myself that it does not bode well for the horse with the eye problem that those buzzards are hanging around. I wonder what we will find when we return from our hour's ride.
None of us is wearing rain gear. The young man has his sleeves rolled up. Bob has a baseball cap and I put up the hood on my fleece and put on the leather gloves that I am so glad I stuck in my pocket. It is about 45 degrees out, and very windy.
My new horse, Lee, is very gentle, but very hungry. He stops way too often to eat, and I have to reign him in. When he nibbles, he falls behind and then has to trot to catch up with the leader. I'm not so good at bouncing with the saddle, and I can feel that my bottom will be sore tomorrow.
In addition, for some strange reason I keep sliding to the right in my saddle and I must constantly pull on the horn of the saddle to straighten myself out. So my right hand is getting very tired.
Bob doesn't seem to have any problems. The woods are beautiful and still, except for the raindrops plopping off the leaves, and the slupp, slupp of our horses' hooves in the mud. The colors are vibrant, even in the mist.
When we return to Hamilton, we treat Harriet to dinner at The Texas Roadhouse, which used to be one of my Mom's favorite restaurants when we'd take her out on pass from the nursing home where she was in assisted living.
After Harriet goes home to get ready for work the next day, we see a bad Bruce Willis movie called "Surrogates", about cloned humans in the future.
On the way "home" we see what we think might be a white mink (or an albino skunk?!) running into the woods from the roadside near the campground.
There is a scary-looking flock of turkey buzzards perched in a scraggly naked tree at the edge of the corral. Definitely sets a mood of doom.
Unfortunately, the rain begins as soon as we get on our horses. The first horse assigned to me has something wrong with his eyes. One is very red and the other will barely stay open. He is very listless compared to the other horse. I tell the young man who is leading us that I don't feel right about riding a horse that might possibly be ill. He keeps saying "He'll be all right" and I keep insisting that as a nurse, even a nurse of humans, I know he's not "all right". Finally he gives in and gets me another horse. I ask him to promise that he will tell his boss about this horse being ill. He agrees. I hope he follows up.
I think to myself that it does not bode well for the horse with the eye problem that those buzzards are hanging around. I wonder what we will find when we return from our hour's ride.
None of us is wearing rain gear. The young man has his sleeves rolled up. Bob has a baseball cap and I put up the hood on my fleece and put on the leather gloves that I am so glad I stuck in my pocket. It is about 45 degrees out, and very windy.
My new horse, Lee, is very gentle, but very hungry. He stops way too often to eat, and I have to reign him in. When he nibbles, he falls behind and then has to trot to catch up with the leader. I'm not so good at bouncing with the saddle, and I can feel that my bottom will be sore tomorrow.
In addition, for some strange reason I keep sliding to the right in my saddle and I must constantly pull on the horn of the saddle to straighten myself out. So my right hand is getting very tired.
Bob doesn't seem to have any problems. The woods are beautiful and still, except for the raindrops plopping off the leaves, and the slupp, slupp of our horses' hooves in the mud. The colors are vibrant, even in the mist.
When we return to Hamilton, we treat Harriet to dinner at The Texas Roadhouse, which used to be one of my Mom's favorite restaurants when we'd take her out on pass from the nursing home where she was in assisted living.
After Harriet goes home to get ready for work the next day, we see a bad Bruce Willis movie called "Surrogates", about cloned humans in the future.
On the way "home" we see what we think might be a white mink (or an albino skunk?!) running into the woods from the roadside near the campground.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Day 108- Monday, 10/5/09, SETTLED
We help Harriet and her partner Nancy clean out their garage. Nancy's Mom has recently passed away and they are cleaning out and rearranging things in preparation for settling the estate.
For dinner we get Skyline Chili takeout, 4-way. When I was growing up in Cincinnati, I led such a sheltered life that I didn't even know that Cincinnati was famous for their chili! It wasn't until my Mom was ill and I came here every 2 months to assist in her care that I found that out. I love chili with spaghetti, beans, meat and cheese. 5-way would add onions.
After dinner, Harriet follows us back to our campground for a campfire and s'mores. It's a beautiful moonlit night with lots of stars out.
For dinner we get Skyline Chili takeout, 4-way. When I was growing up in Cincinnati, I led such a sheltered life that I didn't even know that Cincinnati was famous for their chili! It wasn't until my Mom was ill and I came here every 2 months to assist in her care that I found that out. I love chili with spaghetti, beans, meat and cheese. 5-way would add onions.
After dinner, Harriet follows us back to our campground for a campfire and s'mores. It's a beautiful moonlit night with lots of stars out.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Day 107- Sunday, 10/4/09, ON THE ROAD
Corinne likes waking up in the morning to see what's going on in our campground "village". Most people are leaving. Their activities are all very similar - washing down their camper, packing up the rugs and outdoor gear, shaking out inside mats, sweeping the stairs, hosing out their pipes.
Camping is very much of a playing field leveler. No matter who we are in real life, we are all pioneers here, charting new territories, packing up the wagons, hitching up the mules, and off we go to our next destination.
No matter our income, our sexual preferences, our age, our politics, our occupation, our gender, our family status, our ethnicity, our national origins, our home state, our religion. We all wave in friendship and we are equal in our enjoyment of our freedom and the outdoors.
There is one difference: This pioneer woman likes to have heat and hot water when she can.
BOB'S PROFOUND SAYINGS: The sun is bright.
The full moon is round.
On our arrival in Hamilton, my sister Harriet cooks us quesadillas with turkey and cheese. Yum.
Camping is very much of a playing field leveler. No matter who we are in real life, we are all pioneers here, charting new territories, packing up the wagons, hitching up the mules, and off we go to our next destination.
No matter our income, our sexual preferences, our age, our politics, our occupation, our gender, our family status, our ethnicity, our national origins, our home state, our religion. We all wave in friendship and we are equal in our enjoyment of our freedom and the outdoors.
There is one difference: This pioneer woman likes to have heat and hot water when she can.
BOB'S PROFOUND SAYINGS: The sun is bright.
The full moon is round.
On our arrival in Hamilton, my sister Harriet cooks us quesadillas with turkey and cheese. Yum.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Day 106- Saturday, 10/3/09, ON THE ROAD
Moving on to Illinois. Winding down. We're really starting to feel like our honeymoon is coming to an end. Bittersweet.
We are fortunate to have gotten a space at this campground. We get the last slot.
When we arrive, it is raining and we have no Wi-Fi. Fortunately the campground office is renting DVD's for $3. We watch a Cuba Gooding thriller called "A Murder of Crows" on our portable DVD player. Not your typical Cuba Gooding comedy, but compelling drama.
We are fortunate to have gotten a space at this campground. We get the last slot.
When we arrive, it is raining and we have no Wi-Fi. Fortunately the campground office is renting DVD's for $3. We watch a Cuba Gooding thriller called "A Murder of Crows" on our portable DVD player. Not your typical Cuba Gooding comedy, but compelling drama.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Day 105- Friday, 10/2/09, SETTLED
Today we have a nice lunch with Nate's parents Nels and Julie Agen, with indefatiguable Grandpa Jerry, the mechanical wizard.
Tonight is Game Night, for demos of Nate and Beth's All Games for Fun business of family games. We spend 2 1/2 hours loading up and setting up at a local nursing home. While we are waiting for people to come, we play a very complicated game involving sheep. It takes us 1 1/2 hrs. to take everything apart and deliver it to Nate and Beth's house at the end of the evening. Whew! Kezi is very helpful but at age 9, exhausted by the end of the whole thing.
On our way back to the campground, we see more roads that make us puzzle about how the WI roads are named with those letters. There is a DDD, and then a CG. We thought before now that they only went up to ZZ and that all the letters had to be dupicates. Now we're really confused. I don't think I'd be able to figure this system out if I lived here.
When we return to our campground, the normally quiet place with just a few RV's is now packed with vehicles fully decorated for Halloween. Kids are running everywhere, lights are on, campfires are lit. The owners told us this would be a big weekend, but we had no idea that so many people would show up. Apparently it is a very popular local event.
Tonight is Game Night, for demos of Nate and Beth's All Games for Fun business of family games. We spend 2 1/2 hours loading up and setting up at a local nursing home. While we are waiting for people to come, we play a very complicated game involving sheep. It takes us 1 1/2 hrs. to take everything apart and deliver it to Nate and Beth's house at the end of the evening. Whew! Kezi is very helpful but at age 9, exhausted by the end of the whole thing.
On our way back to the campground, we see more roads that make us puzzle about how the WI roads are named with those letters. There is a DDD, and then a CG. We thought before now that they only went up to ZZ and that all the letters had to be dupicates. Now we're really confused. I don't think I'd be able to figure this system out if I lived here.
When we return to our campground, the normally quiet place with just a few RV's is now packed with vehicles fully decorated for Halloween. Kids are running everywhere, lights are on, campfires are lit. The owners told us this would be a big weekend, but we had no idea that so many people would show up. Apparently it is a very popular local event.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Day 104- Thursday, 10/1/09, SETTLED
Beth and Nate go to work today. We take Kezi out for hot chocolate at the neighborhood cafe' while we have breakfast. Then we buy a few groceries and take a walk around the neighborhood.
While Kezi goes to her Grandma's for more home-schooling in the afternoon, we work on this blog. Finally we are caught up. Photos and more details will be added next.
We bring Subway sandwiches in for dinner and then take everyone to our campground for a bonfire and s'mores for dessert.
While Kezi goes to her Grandma's for more home-schooling in the afternoon, we work on this blog. Finally we are caught up. Photos and more details will be added next.
We bring Subway sandwiches in for dinner and then take everyone to our campground for a bonfire and s'mores for dessert.
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