We're still in New York

We left Niagra Falls this morning and have been traveling along the Northwestern lakefront of Lake Ontario. I must admit, its been a beautiful drive. Northern New York is the nicest place we've been so far (besides California of course).

Driving along the countryside and seeing all the greenery and nice homes has been a pleasure. We have perfect weather today, sunny & clear and about 71 degrees and not windy. We are now camped for the night at a private campground in Henderson Harbor on Lake Ontario and tomorrow will head into the Adirondacks. The news said that the autumn colors are at their prime right now in the Adirondacks.

Sorry, no pictures today as its been a travelin' day...perhaps tomorrow. Until then....
Jeri

Niagra Falls

Well.....we can now say "been there, done that". We went to the Falls on Goat Island and that was enough for us. They were pretty, but hard to really see as it was raining from the sky AND from the falls themselves. We were drenched to the bone within minutes and my glasses were covered in water, so I couldn't see anything.

Needless to say, we weren't too impressed. Yes, they were nice. And it probably would have felt much better had it been in the heat of the summer, not in this colder weather.

We're in NEW YORK!

I can't believe we're actually in New York. We are in a campground in Niagra Falls...but won't actually go to the falls til tomorrow.

We had to find tires today for the motorhome and found them in Buffalo, NY. So, we will be able to travel more safely, and we're $2,000. lighter!

So, today was pretty uneventful. A good observation note though....I had pictured Buffalo to be on the dirty side, but I was pleasantly surprised. Its pretty nice and its clean too.

We're in Ohio

Unfortuately, we decided not to venture into the Chicago area due to the sheer congestion and narrow road conditions and lack of places to park this bus. The closest RV park we found was in a place called Union...out in the direction of Rockford....so that was quite a ways from most of the family. Why don't you people have longer driveways???

Anyway, we continued east and are stopped for the night at a campground in Geveva on the Lake, Ohio...not too far from the Northern Pennsylvania border. It rained most of the way here, along with lots of lightening and thunder. Along with that came slippage and sliding due to our bad rear tires. We thought we could wait til we returned from the trip before buying those...but it looks like we'll be buying tires tomorrow in Erie, PA.!

One interesting fact we learned today.....Cleveland, Ohio is on the water! Neither of us knew this. It is on Lake Erie! Anyway.....we also made the observation that Michigan and Ohio look alot alike....if we hadn't sen all the road signs, we wouldn't have known that we changed states.
I guess I sound like a spoiled Californian......oh well.

One last comment on my "huge hair". Claudia mentioned this morning that while we were taking our extended "3 hour tour" yesterday and I was sitting in front of her in the front passenger seat, my hair was growing bigger and bigger and blocking her views. She had to keep moving to see "around" my hair!!!!! Oh, the humidity and mosquitos in the Midwest are such a welcoming reminder of my youth.

A long drive sight-seeing with friends in Michigan

We enjoyed breakfast with Cheryl, Phyliss, Larry & Claudia and then left our hosts to do their work and the four wayward travelers ventured on our way sightseeing. For those of you who don't know our friends, Larry & Claudia Reeder, let me give you a brief background.

C & L (Claudia & Larry), were the first people we met when we moved to Tollhouse over 16 years ago. They were our next door neighbors (5 acres away!). So, we bonded and became extended family and socialized and traveled together over the years. Sadly, C & L retired over a year ago and moved to Oregon, where their son lives. Lo and behold, they are visiting their daughter outside of Flint, MI. this week, just as we were coming to Michigan. So, we met up and got to spend some time with them.

So, back to the story....we headed out on what we thought was a "3 hour tour" and ended up getting lost. All we were trying to do was to go to Lake Huron and follow the tour around the lake.....and 5 hours later....we finally found the lake. By then we were laughed out and exhausted and headed back home. That was another 2 hour drive. I had to get back to see Dancing with the Stars again tonight...so we ordered in pizza and had a relaxing evening. Nothing too exciting, just fun to visit and laugh with friends. We don't have much to say about this part of Michigan. Actually....I do have something to say as well to laugh at. Everyone had a nice laugh today watching my hair grow wider and wider due to the humidity! I didn't see how big it was until we stopped at a roadside county park to use the bathrooms and I got a peak at my hair in the mirror! Now I see how funny I looked! Hey ladies, forget the volumizing shampoo that the shampoo manufacturers adverise....just come to the midwest and the humidity and you too may gain "volume"!

Oh, just as we were heading back home, the skies were getting darker and we expected rain.
We made it home before it started and then it kicked in, thunder storms. My dad called in the middle of the storm as he heard the LA news stating a bad storm in Flint, MI. Imagine that?
Well, it seems the storm has passed and its cooling down some...so perhaps I can get some sleep tonight. We're off to Illlinois tomorrow!

We're in Grand Blanc, MI. (near Flint)

We got to Cheryl Reeder's home and went out for Mexican food. It was OK, but still doesn't compare to Elko or Velascos. Hey, its Michigan, what can we expect. It was a good attempt.

I got one answer to the "Pasties" question and yes, it is filled with meat and potatoes...but I think there are different kinds. Kind of like a beerock, for those who know what they are.

I never thought about how the realtors get around and show/tour homes on the Island. Very interesting thought. Hmmmm....I didn't think about it...is it possible that I am relaxing? Now that I think about it tho, it must be pretty funny to walk your clients around house to house to show. Of course there's always the horse and buggy!

And...to our thoughtful reader..YEs, there WAS cell reception on the island. Hmmm, I can't get cell reception at home, yet when I go to an island, I can! Maybe I need to move to an island!

Well, I had a late night here as I had to stay up to watch Dancing with the Stars on PST, so it wasn't over til 12:30am and then I tried to sleep but it was so hot and humid....I tossed and turned all night. I'm just not used to the humidity.

Mackinac Island

Well, we had a nice morning this morning. We took the ferry to Mackinac Island. It was a short 18 minute ride. Then we started walking around town and the shops weren't open yet, so we decided to eat breakfast.

Then we checked out the horse and buggy tours around the island and just decided to walk around ourselves thru the town and up to The Grand Hotel. Awesome! I have lots of photos to download when I have a fast internet hookup but I'm sure they didn't come out as beautiful as it was in person. You must see the movie "Somewhere In Time" to really appreciate it.

Walking thru the town, where no motorized vehicles are allowed, really took us back in time. It was neat to see everyone either walking, biking, horseback riding or riding in a horse drawn carriage. The homes and buildings are beautiful too. We got a chuckle from seeing the handyman service guys walking thru town, pulling their tool cart to the job. We took a photo of it too. Quite a site! Then we saw a horse pulling a rather large trailer and discovered that it was the trash truck! It really makes you change to a slower pace.

We got tired of walking and boarded the ferry for our return trip to the mainland to load up the motorhome and head south. We must say we had the most perfect weather the past two days. A storm is supposedly on its way...perfect time for these Californians to leave. We're heading south to Grand Blanc, a town just outside Flint, Michigan, to visit some good friends of ours, Claudia and Larry Reeder. They are coincidently here visiting their daughter, Cheryl, the same time we are here. So we're heading to Cheryl's house where we will dock our home on wheels for a day or two and visit. Cheryl is here for her medical residency. She is from Fresno area too.
(A Sierra High Graduate!) We were informed that we will be going to a good Mexican food restaurant tonight.....its about time for Mexican food as we haven't had any since Elko. I'll keep you posted but probably won't have time tonight as Dancing with the Stars comes on afte we get back from dinner!!!! I have to keep my priorities straight!
See ya. Jeri

An entire day without traveling!

We actually spent our first day of not traveling and actually enjoying visiting an area. We walked all around Mackinaw City, checking out all the shops and of course, the food. So far the best food we've had on this trip is still the Mexican food in Elko, Nevada!

All thru the Upper Midwest, we kept seeing signs for "homemade pasties". Neither of us knew what these were, so Mike finally ordered one at a restaurant today. Does anyone know what one is?

We are feeling very fortunate to have hit the most perfect weather that this area has seen. It was about 78 degrees, sunny and not a cloud in the sky or any wind. It was a spectacular day. Mike talked me into going on a tour of the old, Coast Guard ship, The Ice Breaker Mackinaw, that was an ice-breaker for all the Great Lakes from 1944-2006. It was just uncommissioned a year ago and is now docked here. I have to admit, it was pretty interesting. The ship never had an accident in all of its years at work.
But as I looked off the edge of the ship, I daydreamed that I was on a cruise ship and it was moving!

Tomorrow we will take the ferry over to Mackinac Island. I especially want to see the hotel where one of my favorite movies was filmed, "Somewhere In Time". If you haven't seen it yet, rent it. Its a fantastic movie. I just bought the DVD today in case anyone wants to borrow it. The CD of the music from the film is also awesome! I'll let you know how that goes tomorrow.

Keep the Comments coming....

Well, we've been gone a week already....Keep the comments coming as we enjoy hearing from all of you!

WOW!!! Michigan already!

Well, we left Wisconsin this morning. We woke up to perfectly clear, sunny skies...I took a walk with the dog, Mike rode his new bike. We then decided to leave and head for Michigan and try to reach Mackinaw City so we could stay put for a few days.

It was an all day drive and finally arrived in Mackinaw City after driving over the long, high and scary Mackinaw Bridge. We found a campground on the lake, but arrived too late to get a lakefront spot. Most people will be leaving tomorrow, so we may move to one of those spots. Went for a late night dinner and then back "home" to relax.

What will we do tomorrow? We had planned on taking the ferry to Mackinac Island but wouldn't you know our luck??? All of the Republican Presidential candidates are there at the big hotel for some kind of function. Maybe we'll go there on Monday.

A few hours before we got here, we pulled off at a rest stop for Mike to take a "rest". He opened the door and let lincoln out for a "rest" too. Well, before we realize it, he took off, apparently following a scent and we couldn't find him! It took alot of running around and calling him to finally find him just before he reached the highway! Needless to say, he was spanked and reprimanded and thrown in the motorhome. Now he is grounded! What a brat!

Stay tuned!

We're in Wisconsin already!

Hi everyone! We left the No. Dakota/Minnesota border this morning, Friday, drove all the way across Northern Minnesota and across Northern Wisconsin.

Minnesota was rather flat with lots of trees. Enter into Wisconsin and there's still alot of trees, but also some small hills. We went further north and drove along the coast line of Lake Superior when we ended up at a campground on the lake. Its warm.....in the 60's this evening, but very windy. It rained off and on earlier today.

I don't want to hear anyone complain about gas prices in California as we haven't found lower prices since we left Madera where we filled up. Its been more expensive everywhere we've gone! No. Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin prices are really high.

Tomorrow we'll venture into Northern Michigan where we may linger a little longer. We'll keep you posted. And hopefully take more photos.
Jeri

We're in Minnesota already!

Well, we drove all the way thru South Dakota today and went north, crossed the river at the border and are now in East Grand Forks, Minnesota. We found a great campground along the river and in walking distance to restaurants. Its nice and green. Its pretty warm too...probably warmer than at home, so we hear.

Mike said he needs a back rub from all the driving he's been doing. I followed up with the comment that my upper back needs rubbing too from laying on the couch all day! He didn't like that comment very much. I guess I won't be getting a back rub tonight!

Tomorrow we'll journey further east. We've been traveling pretty ast thru the flat-lands and waiting to slow down when to come to territory that we like. I'll keep you posted.
Jeri

Going East

Well, from the middle of Montana on into North Dakota, the scenery was kinda blah. Flat land that looked dry and brown with small hills here and there. We stayed in a small town near the Montana/No. Dakota border last night, called Glendive.....a dive of town and NO internet...thus no blog entry. To demonstrate our boredom last night....Mike played 3 games of Yahtzee with me! I won 2 out of three....I had to add that. Anyway, for those of you who know Mike, that's pretty desparate!

Almost as soon as we entered No. Dakota this morning, it got greener. How weird that they are so close but it got greener as soon as we entered No. Dakota. Its much more pleasurable to drive along when its green rolling hills to look at. However, the hills come and go....but its still green. We're just leaving the big city area of Bismark, No. Dakota and heading east...so I'll keep you posted.

Jeri

Best Mexican Food?

Hey, I forgot to mention a highlight of the trip on Monday. We stopped in Elko, NV. to go to the grocery store. Well, wouldn't you know that in the same shopping center was a Mexican restaurant called Dos Amigos. So, we shopped (and found great prices at the Smiths Market) and then went over to eat. We both ordered the chile rellenos and WOW! They were by far, the best we have ever had! (And we try out chile rellenos at almost every Mexican rest. we go to. ) Anyway, if anyone is ever traveling thru Elko, stop and eat there. It was wonderful. If anyone is looking to move to a desert town, Elko didn't seem too bad.

Right now its Wednesday morning and we left Bozeman and are on our way east. We'll go thru Billings, Montana and then on our way to North Dakota. We plan to stop in Bismark at a Monaco dealership to get some parts Mike needs to do some minor repairs. Having the internet on the road is awesome.

Don't forget that you can add your comments at the bottom of the blog....so feel free to write!
See ya,
Jeri

Mike & Jeri's road trip

Well, we've completed day 3 and are in Bozeman, Montana.
Thank goodness we're out of the deserts! Altho Mike thoroughly enjoys the desert, I do not. I got alot of reading and sleeping done, however.

We then entered the Western Edge of Yellowstone Nat'l Park in Montana and all of a sudden, the beauty kicked into gear. Then we came into Big Sky, Montana and....WOW! Talk about beauty! Awesome beauty! It continued til we hit Bozeman and we decided to stop for the night. We're afraid once we drive another 90 miles or so, we;ll be in the flat countryside....but who knows? We'll keep you posted.

OH, very important discovery today after 4 years of owning this motorhome. I discovered a very guilty pleasure!!! It may seem silly to you non-RVers, but I couldn't stop laughing at how guilty I felt.

Here goes....I've been laying on the couch as Mike drives since the front seat is uncomfortable to me. So, as we entered Big Sky and I wanted to see every second of the views, but the front seat was blocking my views from laying on the couch!!!! So, I all of a sudden realized that the front passenger seat turns around, therefore, the back of the seat would be completely out of my views. I quickly got up & out of my relaxed position, turned the seat and WOW! There it was. 100% views from my reclined sofa position. I laid there feeling like I was laying in my bed at home and the room was moving thru the views! Awesome! I started laughing uncontrollably as I looked at Mike, hard at work driving while I was laying down enjoying the comfort and the awesome views. He didn't see the humor in it, but even as I write this, I can't stop laughing. This truly is a guilty pleasure!
That's it for now....
Jeri