Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Pennsylvania
Penn Wood Airstream Park was our next destination. We arrived fairly early and Cam and Marcia were in several hours later. Larry did a quick tour of Clarion, the nearby town and then did our laundry.
The following day we decided to stay put, since we'd all been driving for many days in a row. We all took off for the historic downtown area and tried very hard to find some treasures to buy. I did buy some shoes, but the store that was closing down did not have anything we couldn't live without.
Back at the camp, another Airstream arrived and parked next to us. I recognized those numbers!
It was Darrell and Sharon Waters, also heading home from their Viking Trail caravan. They were introduced to Cam and Marcia and we all commented on what a small world it is.
More miles, more Wal Mart parking lots for the nights' lodging, a visit to Pioneer Village (one of Larry's favorite places) and now we're at Cabela's in Sidney, Nebraska. There's a sale tomorrow beginning at 8:00. I'll be at the door waiting for it to open. And, then, we'll once again head West on I-80. Home is getting closer. We are now on Mountain Daylight Time.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Westward Ho
Yes, I know it's been awhile. We are slowly, but steadily heading home and getting used to becoming Americans again.
After leaving Prince Edward Island, we headed for Bangor, Maine, with Chuck and Maggie Helwig. Our destination for the night was to be the WalMart parking lot. Unfortunately, since our last stay there, the store closed and reopened in another location. They found it, but we didn't. By that time, we were totally frustrated by all that traffic and commotion, so decided to head down the road to Newport and another WalMart parking lot. Chuck and Maggie left their comfortable new surroundings and joined us.
Center Harbor, New Hampshire, was the next stop. Hard to get to on country roads. They were quite lovely, though. A short shopping trip to Keepsake Quilting and Larry and I said our farewells to Chuck and Maggie and trudged on. I think that night we ended up at the Wal Mart in Chicopee, Massachusetts. More later.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Homeward Bound
The caravan is over. The ferry ride was smooth and we all gathered together in a comfortable area for the journey, bonded by our experiences and love of travel and adventure.
There were a few humorous moments. Tales of gloom and doom and rough seas had run amuk and many of our group weren't taking chances with their comfort. Cabins and comfortable chairs were rented with the hope and expectation that a good night's sleep would be the result.
Sometime later in the evening, Gracie and Al led us to an upper deck where they said we'd have more darkness and quiet - and the seats were free! I took my fleece blanket, Larry had his quilted flannel jacket - and up we went. It took some time to find comfortable positions, but we managed to doze from time to time. However, I did notice some of our buddies were seated (and laying) in rows near ours. They had paid. We did not. Were we in the wrong section? Were we going to be booted back downstairs? Nope.
The group did go to their assigned stations and attempted to get some sleep, however a man sleeping nearby was snoring so loudly, they all had to escape to the unpaid section so they could get some peace and quiet - and maybe sleep. The man's identity will have to remain a secret to protect him from further humiliation. What happens on the caravan, stays on the caravan!
After a day and night in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, 5 couples spent a few more days in Prince Edward Island - the Warrens, Murrays, Larry and Martha Jones, Chuck and Maggie Helwig, and Carol and Charlie Helm. The weather and scenery were perfect and our last night's dinner at Fisherman's Wharf was a fitting end to a wonderful trip.
Today we accompanied Chuck and Maggie to Center Harbor, New Hampshire - AND - Keepsake Quilting!!!! Maggie and I had a great time shopping there, after which we said our good-byes.
Until next year and Gillette, Wyoming, where we'll reunite and have a grand reunion party of the Viking Trail Caravan of 2009.
On a sad note, Larry's dad passed away last Thursday. We knew when we left in June that it would be a possibility that we wouldn't see him again, but chose to think positively (although we did say good-bye twice, just in case...). His life had many blessings and we know without a doubt that he's now in Heaven with Margaret and Steve and Tim. We loved him dearly and will miss him terribly.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Ferry to Nova Scotia
The caravan has ended and we are awaiting the ferry boarding to Nova Scotia.
Yesterday the final banquet was a fitting end to the fun and adventures we've had. We received our well-written caravan journals and Sue Wendt presented each of us with a disk of pictures. She took great pictures of our Screeching Ceremony in Port aux Choix. The facial expressions are truly priceless.
Donna Smith won the Mistress of Ceremonies title by default and did a fine job. Ted (her husband) wrote a song to the tune of I'se The B'Y using all our caravaners and their personalities.
He had to cut it down considerably from its original length, but when accompanied by Larry on his guitar it was an admirable performance. The whole group was wary of a performance by Ted and his Ugly Stick, but Larry explained that Donna would slap her hand down on her thigh and then Ted would thump his Ugly Stick when she did that. It worked. To the surprise and delight of everyone, Ted demonstrated a bit of - RHYTHM!
We will miss everyone terribly, but most will reunite at some point down the road.
As an extra added bonus, last night we were paid a visit by the couple of Ed and Kelli. Kelli works at Staples and met Carol Helm when she went there last week to inquire about copying the caravan journal. Kelli became an instant friend (like so many have done here) and she and husband, Ed, made a visit to our campground when we all arrived, bringing 25 lbs. of mussels to share. Ed collected two baseball caps from Larry W. and Sid and Sally and was ecstatic.
So, last night while Sid and Sally and Larry and I were playing our last caravan games of Joker in Carol and Charlie's motorhome, Ed and Kelli showed up with CD's of 20 favorite songs - for everyone on our caravan! They didn't have time to burn the last 4, so over we went to Dennis's and Karen's trailer. Of course, Dennis could come to the rescue - as he always can. We now all have another wonderful souvenir and memory - and two more lifelong friends.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
St. Johns Continued
Now it's Monday night. The other caravan is in and we talked to several of them. They'll be leaving the island 2 days after we do, so don't have as much time here as we've had. Although, they'll probably have better weather.
Bev and Bill Mantell were headed for Dairy Queen when we talked to them. A DQ! I haven't seen one of those since Corner Brook - and we didn't even go there. I still hadn't had my Bilzzard for August, so off we four went. Took awhile to find the place, but we were determined. Chocolate ones of varying recipes all around! Worth the wait!
Tuesday - left early with - who else but Maggie and Chuck for the downtown area. We shopped around for several hours and then made our way to Quidi Vidi and the Brewery Tour.
After that, it was off to Costco again and then Dominion for some groceries. We've been eating as much of our fresh fruits and veggies as possible to avoid problems at the border. They're pretty expensive up here, anyway. Takes the fun out of shopping, that's for sure.
Tomorrow is our final banquet and Larry is helping Ted by accompanying him. Yes, Ted wrote a song. The rest of us wrote on a recipe card about our favorite part of the caravan. Ted wrote something like an 8 verse song! What he lacks in rhythm, he more than makes up for with enthusiasm. Whatever are we going to do without our new best friends and neighbors????
Close Inspection to see how it's done
Monday was another day. Chuck and Maggie took us with them for a trip around the Irish Loop, the peninsula south of this location.
First we had to stop at the convent to see the Veiled Virgin. It's an amazing marble sculpture of the Virgin Mary and looks as if she has a veil over her face. All made with one piece of marble.
Just an awesome piece of art and it's probably priceless. It's believed to be the only one like it in the world because no one could find the other one that was supposedly like it.
Our first (and only) stop while driving the loop was at Ferryland, where we had lunch with a wonderful view of the Atlantic ocean. Larry even saw a whale jump and we saw the resulting splash. The rest of the trip was kind of bleak compared to that.
The only highlight (after Ferryland) was a little miniature village made by someone next to their house and little canal. Little houses, boats, ducks, etc. See the picture. It's really darling.
St Johns
Our last stop of the caravan. We arrived shortly after 1:00 on Friday and found that there is a Costco near the campground. Off we went with Chuck and Maggie! Larry had truly been going through withdrawal, so we just soaked it all in. This is one huge store!
Upon our return it was time for Happy Hour at Susan and Jamie's with Cam and Marcia. Our St. Pierre reunion, even though we just returned on Thursday. French wines, cheese, bread (olive from Costco, thanks to Shirley Williams who rationed it out) and bread we'd purched on St. Pierre. Susan said Jamie took a 2 hr. nap after we left. They'd been on the parking crew and it's very very windy.
Saturday we all hopped aboard a tour bus to see the area. It included Cape Spear, which is the most Eastern point of North America. Our guide said we could turn our backs and moon the continent from there, but it was way too cold and windy for that! I was thinking that if we'd had a small child along, I'd tie him or her to a large rock as an anchor. It was that windy!
Signal Hill was another stop. This is where Marconi sent and received signals, hence the name.
Upon our return, Larry and I headed for the Railroad Museum. We'd already learned that the "Newfie Bullet" was misnamed. It was actually extremely slow. Now there are no running trains in Newfoundland at all. And, another trip back to Costco.
Sunday we took off early for Canadian Tire to have our rear passenger tire looked after, as it was slowly losing air. Got there an hour early. Cleaned out the glove compartment, console and back seat of all excess garbage. They could find nothing wrong, so sent us on our way.
We drove around awhile and still the sensor on our pressure pro system showed low air in that tire. Back to Canadian Tire. By the way, I had a very nice visit with their service manager, Ed Harris. Politics, immigration, education, etc. Well, we were there a long time... this time they switched out the tire with our spare and again sent us on our way.
The Rooms was our sightseeing destination for the afternoon. It's a modern art gallery and museum, quite controversial in its architecture for the area, but we really loved it. After our visit (during which St. Johns was experiencing a horrific rain and windstorm) we made our way to the truck. Larry's Harvard umbrella turned inside out and I can't remember a heavier windstorm that I've experienced. Flat Tire!
Larry put on his yellow slicker and braved his way back to the museum so he could call a tow truck. Finally they arrived and it was back to Canadian Tire. Ed decided then to think outside the box and was able to diagnose the problem. Broken o ring on the pressure pro sensor. It was causing the valve stem to leak out air. Took it off and we've been full of air ever since.
Cam and Marcia had joined us by now in our turmoil and we all went off to the movie in Mount Pearl - Julie and Julia. Dinner was popcorn and soda. For us, that is. They'd eaten at The Rooms. Not exactly the best movie to see on a hungry stomach, but we thoroughly enjoyed it.
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