"Salem,.... you know what I'm saying......"

                         We were sad to leave the wonderful park on the water at Delaware Seashore State Park, but we had great plans in front us!

We had already scheduled a quick trip to New Haven, Conn. on Friday night, as that is where the buyer of the motorcycle lives.  We wanted to check out the campsites a few days earlier as the exchange was to take place the following Thursday.  From what I understand, (today, that is) Timmy will now rent a van from New Haven, Conn on Wed, drive to York  Pa, (which is about 5-6 hrs) to meet the seller and load the bike. I guess Big Tim wants to do a turn around and drive back to New Haven all in the same day, as the buyer leaves for Europe the following morning at 10:00. 

I thought we were going on a vacation? 

Timmy promised me after Thursday all of his major transactions should be finished.... noticed I used the word should instead of would.  I guess I shouldn't complain, these "projects"  not only provide play money, but with all the fuel receipts, our accountant says we can use the motorhome as home base and write off expenses... now that is a Good Thing!!!

 

Driving through New York at 3:00 p.m. was exciting to say the least! We got to the George Washington Bridge and the toll sign read  $12.00 for cars.... there was nothing about motorhomes listed.

We got to the  toll window and the attendant tells us the toll is $62.00!!

  Are you kidding me?  Timmy says " We don't have that much cash with us, can we use our credit card?

"Nope,... we'll take a picture of your plate and send you the bill!"

(guess they must be used to people in shock and not having that much cash for toll and installed the camera for billing purposes...

 how convenient for them!) 

After the pain of the cost subsided we decided to not dwell on it, and continued with our journey.

The park in Conn was lovely and had all the amenities.  Families were out swimming, the kids were riding bikes, and teens were  playing basketball and tennis next to the clubhouse. It reminded me of a scene right out of  "Dirty Dancing" and the summer camp.

 

We decided to go for a little evening drive so hopped in "ole faithful" jeep, and headed to the beach.  It was a 5 minute drive and we caught

 the sunset just in time.

 

Saturday morning we pulled out of the campground right on schedule at 9:00,  and everything seemed to be working fine. We pulled in front of the clubhouse so we could straighten out the RV and hook up the jeep, we say our goodbyes to everyone and you are never going to believe this ....

the motor won't turn over..... imagine that.... !!!!!

Really?!!!

Poor Timmy was out there under the rig for 3 hours, as the entire campground all had opinions on what the problem might be. 

He finally called one of the local service people and found out the soonest they could get there was Monday.  I am now officially starting to freak out as we had great plans in store for us in Salem. 

Now what do we do?

Just about the time I was thinking that  "Jane Jetson" might have to" jet set" 

 out of  here on a Boeing 747 back to Cali, ... I hear my hubby yell....

"Janis,... try the engine...."  

Big Tim saves the day again! 

Apparently the problem seemed to be some kind of "relay" wire loose, or something like that... so Timmy was using a screwdriver to start the engine.

After the standing ovation and applause from the onlookers at the clubhouse, we were finally on the road.  

( I am sure the manager was especially pleased as the motorhome was parked right in front of the clubhouse and blocking all kinds of traffic)

 

Salem Bound

 I had been following my cousin Linda Ostlund-Lipton's daughter, Callie on Facebook and her great band ..."The Dejas" these past few years. I had been warning her that someday I was going to be on the East Coast and

wanted to hear her play! 

That day had finally come! 

 I was so excited to catch up with my "cuz" Linda and

 meet her husband Fred, and one of their two daughters, Callie.

Linda and her husband Fred, are real history buffs, and were able to buy one of the original old homes in the historic part of Salem. 

This house was amazing with 3 stories and all the nooks and crannies.

This slap of cement was used back in the day for the ladies with their big "hoop skirts"  to step on while getting on and off horse carriages. This is directly in front of Linda and Freds house along with the "hitching rings" used to tie the horses.

 

 

Linda and Freds garden

 

 

Callie and her band mate Aaron were set to play with their band at the festival in New Hampshire, about an hour away, so after all the excitement, we jumped in their car and got there just in time to hear her play!

They are an incredible band and she sounds like an angel!

With all our traveling lately, and all these New England states so close together, it was the first time in my life I actually had to ask...

"What state am I in?"   :)  

 

The "Jetson's" were tuckered out when we got home and we decided to retire to the " Jetson" mobile. We were fortunate as Linda was able to secure a pass for us to park directly on her historic street and I am certain, there has probably never been a motorhome

 parked on these streets before.

 Fred and Linda wanted to check out our new digs, so as we were walking to the motorhome, I looked up at the house directly across the street from Linda's, and I looked up at the window and saw a big figurine of some kind in the window, with a few small candles burning around it. (it kind of took my breath away and to be honest, at first glance I was

immediately creeped out) and I asked..."What is that?" 

Linda nonchalantly says..."Oh, that is where the most famous witch in Salem lives...."

GULP

 

I wanted to peek in the window, but was afraid I might see her staring back at me, and I might have a heart attack, so I kept my distance.

Linda explained to me that this witch is still active and is a "good" witch, practicing magic in a little shop near the harbor.  Apparently she does readings for $60.00 which I have no way of comparing if this is expensive or not, as I have never sat down with a witch before,

 at least, not one who practices magic and spells.

 

Linda and Fred were given the tour of the "Jetson" mobile and Linda and I plopped ourselves on the bed, while jazz music played, and Timmy served us a little white wine as us girls continued to tell ghost stories in front of the witches house.  Callie and Aaron showed up after their concert and joined us, and Callie found a comfortable place on the bed and

we continued with our scary stories.

 

(what are the odds that our motorhome lands

 in front of the most famous witch in Salem?)

 

The next day, Linda had more great plans for us.  Linda and Fred had lived in California years ago, and while teaching, they both had the opportunity of teaching the son of  Joan Baez. Time passed, and Linda and Joan continued to be great friends. It just so happened that Joan Baez was scheduled to play with the "Indigo Girls" at the famous outdoor theater 

called "Tanglewood",  just outside of Boston.   

My dear cousin Linda got us tickets and a BACK STAGE PASS for Joan Baez and the Indigo Girls!!!

SWEET!!!!!

 

  

okay... I admit.... I am star struck, 

 but we are talking about Joan Baez people!!!!

 

After we hung out with Joan   :) 

 it was time to head back to the car, where Fred and Linda had prepared the best picnic of chicken-cranberry salad, and shrimp salad, along with fresh breads from Salems finest bakery.

We sat on the blanket, on the hill overlooking the theater and it was  the most enjoyable day I think I have had in a long time!!

 

I was emotional to say goodbye to my dear cousin and her family,

as we had such a delightful time.

Everything seemed perfect during our stay...and although

we almost didn't make it...

 even the most famous witch couldn't have kept us from

"Salem.....

you know what I'm saying....."

 

 

 

 

The "Falls" are calling......Niagara/Tonawada

 

We had big plans to see Niagara Falls, and I had made reservations for 2 nights in a little town called North Tonawanda, which was about 7 miles from the falls.  We got into town later in the afternoon, and were pleased with the campsite, and paid for our tour of the Canadian side for the

 following morning. 

 As we pulled in, we set up camp, and it seemed like we got all set up in 30 minutes instead of 40 minutes.... George and Jane Jetson are starting to get the hang of this afterall!!

My dear ya ya friend Amy, had given us 2 bottles of fine white Lulu wine and I had marinated some pork chops in a zesty garlic sauce all day, and before you know it, we were enjoying a great dinner in our new home! 

 

 

We needed to get a few things at the store so we jumped into our jeep and as we were heading home with some ripe avocados and cold Fat Tire, I hear Timmy say..." we've got a problem...."    REALLY??!

I CAN'T BELIEVE IT, NOW, WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE JEEP?!

I respond..."what kind of problem, is it serious?"   He says  " No,... we just need to make sure all the lights stay green and we don't have to stop... and hopefully we don't have to many turns, and we might make it...."

I respond..."You're kidding, right?" 

Seems, we lost the power steering control, or something like that.

 I felt like a kid on a bike hoping the light stays green, and you don't have to stop and start  your momentum all over again... as we luckily slowed down enough as to time it just right, through 8 lights to our campsite.

Again, I thought it might be easier to just pull over and call AAA  but that idea didn't go far.  As we got to our campsite... I watched my husband yank as hard  as he could on the steering wheel  as he makes a hard left, and  we continue to coast into the camp, and land right in front of our Jetson mobile.. 

I am thinking... "well that was exciting...heaven forbid we have a day without some kind of challenge"  

Of course I am all worked up now, and Timmy assures me it is something that can be easily fixed, but it sure didn't seem that way, when we were maneuvering the stop lights!

Timmy made arrangements to have the jeep picked up the next day and I was actually shocked that he had not decided to fix it himself....

hhhmmm.... it made me concerned a bit, that maybe he wasn't feeling well, or might be coming down with a bug or something.

 

The next morning we were so excited for our tour of the falls, and we woke up to rain! But we were determined to take the tour, and enjoy the day. We had the sweetest little old lady as our tour guide, and because everyone else wimped out  due to the rain, we had our own private tour!

We took the Canadian side tour and was fascinated with the walk behind the falls, where you can stand and watch the water " fall " in front of you, but the  thunderous sound of the falls is what is really impressive.

When we were finished with the walk, we had signed up for the famous boat ride "Maid of the Mist" which is a great way to see the Canadian Horseshoe Falls... as the boat literally takes  you right up to the falls.

While on the boat, it was raining so hard, you could barely open your eyes. This caused everyone to shift to the other side of the boat, and while everyone was getting some rain relief, I saw one of the boat assistants come down and start yelling at everyone to go back to the other side, as the boat was tilting too much and my first thought was... "maybe he should just tell half of the people to go back to the other side...."

...just sayin....

 

We saw more sights of the famous area of Niagara, and headed home to camp. While waiting for the jeep to be fixed, Timmy couldn't stand not working on something and getting his hands dirty, so he decided to put my bike together.  He had ordered a really cool 7 speed bike for me, and even ordered a pink one... now  that's love!

 

The jeep "problem" was fixed and the service people delivered the jeep a few hours later.  Cool!!

Since it had rained most of the day, we decided to take advantage of the sunshine that peeked out after 6:00 and went for a drive back to the falls.

 (less than 10 minutes away, why not?)

We walked the American side this time, and it was absolutely beautiful.  

Look at that mist coming up from the falls... looks like a smoke stack.!

 

Our next days journey was to head south to Bull Run RV Park outside of Centreville, Va near D.C.   My twin brother, Johnny and his wife Beth live there and their youngest son, Michael was graduating from High School.

 

As we were heading into the D.C. area and trying to find the Bull Run State Park, my husband informed me that he had a "deal" cooking, and a buyer for one of his clients, who was selling a 1912 Indian motorcycle.  The seller lives in  York Pa, and the buyer lives in Conn, so Timmy decided to make a little extra cash, and agree to transport the Indian from York to Hamden. I earnestly asked him if we were going to tow it behind the Jetson mobile,...and he said...."No, I think if I take the wheels off, it will fit right in here in the motorhome,,, maybe set it on the sofa!!! 

OMG!!!

"Are you serious Timmy?"....

"yes, it is only for 4 hours"...

this was my first moment of realization.....

"I'm  trapped and I can't get out... somebody  help me...."

I knew at this moment that my best skills of negotiating needed to step up to the plate.  I came up with several reasons why this was not a good idea, ..like

*the smell of old bikes and the gas and oil that comes out of these machines is often times hard to get rid of... (trust me, I know this first hand)

* the time it would take to tear the wheels off, as opposed to just renting a small uhaul trailer for the day

* plus  the u haul trailer is equipped and  has the points to connect the tie downs....(unless I am mistaken, I don't see any places inside the motorhome to "tie down" a motorcyle....  )

* and not to mention, it is my home for the next 3 months....

 

HE DIDN'T HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON

After all the fuss, he has worked out a way to handle the "situation" but it keeps changing, so next week, it will interesting to see what happens...

never a dull moment with Big Tim!!

 

 The day of the graduation, we decided to do a little sightseeing and visited some of the old battle grounds of the civil war days.

The history in this area has been well preserved, for good reason,... and luckily our country remains a country where civil war will be no more.

 

The Graduate....Michael Ostlund

so handsome!!

 

Our last night  at Bull Run and Timmy and I decided to hang out in our new outdoor rocking chairs for one glass of wine before we hit the rack,....

as we sat outside at our "camp", we noticed it was particularly dark.

We had met the "Camp Host"  Glenn, and his wife Emily,  and he was walking his dog and stopped to chat a few minutes.

Thirty minutes later after he shared some great tips, he was nice enough to tell us the best tip is to go to Home Depot and buy some powdered "sulphur"  and pour a circle around your camp and it will guarantee to keep the snakes out.....

SAY WHAT!!!!!!

(I slowly retracted my relaxed and out stretched legs and pulled them up in a yoga position, but that didn't  seem to work in a rocking chair, so I quickly excused  myself and retired to my safe little bedroom. )

Snakes don't go around motorhomes,... just tents, right?

Anyway, we are set to make a stop at Home Depot within the next week, and this might be at the top of our  shopping list every week, right up there with toilet paper, premium blend coffee and Fat Tire.

 

Our journey the following day was to head out of D.C, toward the coast of Delaware.  I had remembered a quaint little town called Lewes, we had visited a few years earlier and had  taken the ferry to Atlantic City. 

The reservation was at Cape Henlopen, Delaware, just a few miles from Lewes, so we set up camp,, and headed into this cute little fishing village for dinner.

Timmy was thrilled to find Clams and Linguine on the menu.

just caught the sunset

 

The next morning, was our first day to try our new 7 speed bikes. Timmy specifically wanted bikes with low gears for hills, as opposed to me, who is used to just riding my ole beach cruisers.  Timmy was right.

Our paths along the beach were hilly and followed the dunes amongst the evergreen trees!  It was a delightful ride and we found some old Army lookout towers that were used in World War 2. 

We took the spiral staircase to the top and had a magnificent view.

 

We had strawberry ice cream on the pier and rode back to camp, as we had to be out by noon, and our next stop was just a few miles south at

Delaware Seashore State Beach.

This park is really cool and sits on a narrow strip of land with the Atlantic Ocean on one side and Indian Bay Harbor on the other side, both waters about 500 yards from our campsite.

The RV camp was located under the bridge and at night is all lit up with blue lights. 

As we were heading home from the happy hour at the marina we caught the sunset.  

 

It was wonderful to know we had another night here at this great park.  Timmy and I got up early and decided to ride our bikes and explore the area.  We checked out the beach which was a stones throw away from the campsite.  These beaches are pristine and so  peaceful!!

From there we decided to head over the bridge to the Hammerhead Bar at the Marina.  So we set off across the bridge and 5 minutes later we were ordering Bloody Mary's and breakfast on the bay.

 

 

The Hammerhead Bar at the Marina

We sat there and enjoyed the beauty surrounding us, and the discussion of the transport of the motorcycle came up again... (I was seriously thinking of ordering another Bloody Mary, double at this point, but decided I needed my biking skills going over the bridge so decided against it.)

 

Seems the U-haul people won't allow a motorcycle in the trailer....

now what to do we do?

The way it's looking, I might be able to turn this into my advantage...

throw a mattress in the U-Haul, some direct T.V. and a fan... and I can ride in the U-Haul...

could probably work out a nice deal with Big Tim...

maybe a sweet tennis bracelet...or diamond earrings...something simple...

but being the loving wife that I am....

just steal me flowers for the motorhome now and then and I am happy!!