Apr 26, 2012 - Around West Chester PA

Everybody slept late after yesterday's adventures. The pups didn't make a sound until after 9 o'clock. We drove into West Chester and had lunch at the Ram's Head Tavern. The filet mignon cheese steak sandwich was wonderful. One of the windshield wipers on Arvy had lost the cap on the end that kept the metal inside the wiper....not too good when the wiper looks like it is coming apart while in the midst of a downpour. We found Stoltzfus RV and Marine (related to the family who owns the restaurant in Lancaster). A tiny cable tie wrapped...

Apr 25, 2012 - Philadelphia

Everyone got up really early this morning. We dropped the pups off at Toby's doggie day care about 8 o'clock. Then we drove to the SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority) station to catch the 8:54 train into Philadelphia. The ride train stopped at lots of little stations, some only a couple of miles apart. The ride into the Market East Station took about an hour. We walked several blocks to the Independence National Historic Park. Our first task was to get two free timed tickets to take the tour of Indendence Hall. We got...

Apr 24, 2012 - Philadelphia Zoo

Today we drove toward Philadelphia and visited the zoo. Driving distance was only about 45 miles, but like all big cities the last 5 miles took the longest. The Philadelphia Zoo was chartered March 21, 1859, but opening was delayed by the Civil War to July 1, 1874. When the zoo opened it had 1,000 animals and the admission fee was 25 cents. Today the 42 acre zoo has 1,300 animals and cost adults $18.00 plus $12.00 to park. The zoo is well known for its successful breeding programs. The first big cat birth was a litter of lions in 1875....

Apr 23, 2012 - Valley Forge/King of Prussia

The rain kept up all night, but by morning had eased up to a drizzle. We decided to explore the area by car and avoid walking around. First we drove into West Chester and found a doggie day care for Tammy and Bitsy on Wednesday when we plan to take the train into Philadelphia for the day. We had found Toby's on the internet and went by to meet the owner. We were pleased with him and his attitude. He has a large building with concrete floors. The space is divided into two areas by 4 foot wooden fencing. Usually the big dogs go in one space...

Apr 22, 2012 - On the road to West Chester

We had steady rain all night, left the campground in rain, and drove in the rain to the KOA campground near West Chester. There we unhooked the jeep and hooked up Arvy in the rain. We are now sitting in Arvy watching a movie....in the rain. The drive over was though beautiful countryside. We have been amazed at how many really old buildings still exist in good shape and are being used as homes and businesses. All the dogwoods, redbuds, tulips, and azaleas are in full bloom. That's all the news from here for now. The rain is heavier and...

Jan 1, 2011 - 2011: Lighten the Load and Hit the Road

We begin the New Year with a sense of excitement and exhilaration, if not in trepidation. As we prepare for the year ahead we know that there is much to do before we launch for good in August. We have several smaller trips planned for research and planning purposes. In March we will attend the FMCA Rally in Perry Georgia with a warm up rally with other Newmar owners. Our goal there will be to put the finishing touches on some of out travel support systems. In the meantime I am becoming an e-Bay regular, as well as a regular on FreeCycle, in...

Oct 22, 2010 - OMG, We did it!

Just when we thought we were being sensible, we go and buy an RV! Not like we weren't planning to do it, we just compressed the time line a bit. We LOVE it! As a result, life has taken on a whole new context called "Will it fit in the RV?" We have begun to create our "Road Adventure!" Next week we are taking a little bitty trip to check out the fall foliage AND our new RV. We had a practice run in a rental RV last week and we had a blast, so I'm sure our next trip will be fabulous. Yoshi approached the RV with some trepidation, but was...

Jul 1, 2009 - Got the Van man

HERE WE GO !! Well after a shaky start ( Bouchon means traffic jam and I had beaucoup bouchon in the taxi on my way to the rental office but I got there by about 1030am and was dan le route by 12 ish Its funny the instructions say "you will be given a 10 minute video in english to acquant yourself with the vehicle operating systems " NO WAY !! The shop manager who spoke zero english and I who can't master English or French went through various pantomimes with the gaz bottles , how the fridge works , how the sink/shower water fills and is...

Jun 30, 2009 - Sleeping with Jennifer Cruz

Ha ! thought that headline would catch your attention AND its true. We met in the First Class Lounge at JFK -- It was very quiet there at about 11pm Monday night -- I had amtraked it up from West Chester everything went smoothly but your not even interested your speed reading to get to the SEX .... There that stopped your eyeballs in their tracks. Pen and her even more beautiful companion (Looked very Spanish as well ) were looking for places to plug their macbooks and phones into and I graciously pointed them out -- So nods of approval...

Jun 27, 2009 - Apple Mac -- On the fritz

Well after loading some great sites as favorites on to my toolbar and finding that MCDonalds have free WiFi and generally getting technically prepared my blooming Macbook has crashed -- ie will not boot up luckily David my nephew was down here to "look after"" the Merc while I'm away and he confirmed what I thought -- It looks bad. So its off to BestBuy to purchase the last Dell Netbook they had (they had others but this is teh one I preferred , still I got $50 off the listed price) So back home and quickly trying to recapture all the...

Jun 26, 2009 - Preparation (not H )

OK the realization that this trip is ON has now sunk in -- So in untypical fashion I've swung into list making mode trips to REI to pick up items I didn't even know existed and having to consider what is allowable through Airport Security and what I can buy when I get over to France. I have GPS Garmin Nuvi with built in US and Europe maps - Sony Video Camera - Power Convertor ( To power the mac from the cigarette lighter since I'm not sure what the power situation is in teh mother ship -- I have a light for my head and mosquito repellant...

Aug 5, 2008 - Betty to the Airport

Today we traveled back to West Chester, PA to the Holiday Inn where Betty would be picking up the shuttle to Philly Airport. We had a delightful meal at Brennigans and also had a gentlemen there fix my computer which was off wireless. For a couple of days I was unable to get onto the internet. After finishing our meal we went to Holiday Inn and waiting for the shuttle which came right on time. Off Betty went and off we went back to Woodbine, MD.