Logs- 2006

July 25, 2006- Once "Blue Moon" was hauled and stored and safe, we were ready to go. We had a DataStorm satellite dish installed on the RV in Waterboro, MD. We now have DirecTV and high speed internet anywhere we can get a clear view of the SW sky. Very cool!

August 2, 2006- Headed for Niagara Falls. Neither of us had seen it, and it was a true delight. We were really impressed with both sides, although the Canadian side seemed more commercial. The American side was mostly National Park, and quite lovely. The volume of water that flows over the Falls is astounding!

August 10- Arrived in Freeport, Maine, home of LL Bean, mecca for outdoor "stuff." We made our "contribution" to the local economy, and then enjoyed the scenery and lovely towns with stops in Boothbay, and Bar Harbor.

August 18- In Bar Harbor, Maine, just outside of Acadia National Park. Our plan is to go into the park and do some easy hikes for a few days. Tomorrow evening we'll drive our new dinghy, (see pictures!) to Southwest Harbor, to meet up with our friends, Milt and Judy Baker, for dinner. They are here on their Nordhavn 47, "Bluewater."

August 22, 2006- Spent a few days in Acadia National Park. Some pictures on the site were taken from the top of Cadillac Mountain. (We drove up--- not tough enough to hike!) But we took a few small hikes. Hiked down and then back up to/from Thunder Hole through the trees and over the rocks. Wow--- it was stunning to see! Then of course, a mile or so down the road, we saw the stairs (!) with railings, and landings to Thunder Hole! We felt pretty silly! (But tougher!)

September 15, 2006- Arrived at Moose River Campground, in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, after a beautiful drive through the White Mountains. We are getting some color from the leaves.

September 25, 2006- We're at RiverBend Campground near Middlebury, Vermont. Had dinner at a B&B, and are enjoying the scenery. Getting a few more leaves!! Our plan is to leave here tomorrow, and head for the Adirondacks. (We're hoping to see autumn before we freeze!!)

September 27, 2006- We leave Vermont, cross the bridge over Lake Champlain and head up into the Adirondacks to Lake Placid. Lake Placid was the site of the 1980 Winter Olympics, and the venues are still there. They are very interesting to see (see photo section #3) and we're especially glad that we're seeing them minus the snow!! The town is still winter-sport and Olympic-intensive all these years later.

We drove up Whiteface Mountain in the car. What magnificent views! Each turn had a scenic overlook, one more beautiful than the last. It's over 4000 feet above sea level, and the temperature at the bottom was in the 70's, and at the top it was in the 40's! We got a great picture of Lake Placid from up there.

October 18, 2006- Well, we've spent 3-1/2 months, and traveled 4800 miles in our 26 footer. Now that we know that we love it, we have decided to move up to a 36 foot Itasca Meridian diesel pusher. (The rear side bed on the Aspect got old faster than we thought it would!) We took delivery October 26th, and we're so excited! We have also decided to sell "Blue Moon." It's a sad thing for us-- she was a huge part of our lives for so long. But--- we feel it's time to move on to traveling with inland destinations! There is so much to see! We're looking for people who will love her as much as we do, and let her do what she was made to do--- cruise comfortably, safely, and with grace.

October 27- 30, 2006- We took off immediately for Sarasota to visit kids and Grandkids, and we've made reservations at RV Driving school in Ocala for December. Plan is to goof around Florida during the winter, head to DC for cherry blossoms in the early spring, then on to Alaska!

December, 2006- Ocala, Florida- We go to driving school! We are amazed at how much we learned! We were exhausted every night, but we had a terrific time. The instructor was great--- funny and very patient. (Good qualities in a person who is teaching a complete novice how to drive what feels like a thousand foot long bus!)