The drive to Vermont from Jackson was stunning. We spent the morning wrapping up last minute details before hitting the road at 12:30 pm. Strargazer handled the road like a pro and we got to Lincoln, Vermont late afternoon. On the way we drove past Joe’s Pond (Bill and Debbie!!!), Stowe Mountain (the trails looked ready for skiing), and Ben and Jerry’s (Otto was sad we did not stop for a treat). Lincoln, Vermont is where Larkin Brown (Suzzy and…
On Friday, November 5th, Stargazer heads back out on the road. We will be traveling to and across Vermont’s Lake Champlain, throughout New York’s Adirondacks, to Clinton and Syracuse to visit college friends, then to the Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls, followed by the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia, next up the Smoky Mountains National Park, and ending up in Asheville, North Carolina. In Asheville we will be celebrating Thanksgiving with Tori and Chris Masaki, COVID pod…
Today Melinda, Otto and I head back to Jackson. We have had a wonderful road trip, but we are looking forward to getting home to hiking, biking and multiple yard projects. Hopefully the black fly season will be short! The past two days we have been in Rhode Island visiting with Greg’s 90-year mom, Jane. We started our trip visiting Jane and ended up back in Rhode Island. We also spent time with Greg’s brother Keith. A great way to…
We had a terrific time visiting with the DC Gang over the weekend. Lots of Ralph time, as well as chores, eating, and celebrating. Being with Katie, Brendan, Kim and Cory is so much fun. We are both so very lucky. Katie and Brendan cooked/grilled an amazing Easter dinner. The weather was 70 so we sat outside for drinks and dip before heading in for dinner. Melinda and I learned a great deal about organic wines and will be purchasing…
The trip back to DC from Sanibel had many highlights. Most important we spent one night in Ormand Beach, Florida with Jan and Larry Nelson, Kim’s parents. The four of us had a great time getting to know each other better. Their hospitality was A1, Second to None! From Ormand Beach we drove upon the Florida and Georgia coast ending up at Skidaway Island National Park. Had a Barred Owl spend the night over Stargazer, learned about old time distilling,…
Tonight is our last night with Ann and Greg. Monday we head back out on the road and Monday night will be visiting Kim’s parents Jan and Larry. Sanibel Memories: Finding shells on “butts up” beach. Enjoying great meals. Especially after a visit from George and Tony. Swimming in the ocean. Also kayaking. Learning about 3 pm days from Clay Pepe. Bike riding, especially though Ding Darling. Ann taught us lots about birds. Many good stories and laughs. Melinda and…
We have been in Sanibel for a week and we are having lots of fun with Ann and Greg. Otto is getting lots of walks and we have had beach days and bike riding days. Today we are going out kayaking. Next to the house we are staying in is an osprey nest where we have been watching the birth and care of baby ospreys. We watch from a deck on the top of the house where we have also…
Late Wednesday afternoon we arrived in Sanibel and are staying with good friends Ann and Greg Baker-Pepe. The last two days included lots of driving and we continued to learn about the states we were visiting and Stargazer. In South Carolina we saw lots of Dollar Stores and Baptist Churches. In Georgia we learned about Georgia peanuts and peaches. In Florida we saw many signs for personal injury and divorce lawyers. In Florida we staid at Flagler Beach in a…
Yesterday was a great day on the road. We left DC and drove through Virginia and ended up in North Carolina at the Carolina Beach State Park. Some highlights: The first BBQ we saw advertised was Ralph’s BBQ. A good omen. The first and only blossoming trees we saw were ornamental pear trees. Sadly we saw a lot of trash along the road. It is hard to wrap one’s head around why people throw trash out of their car. If…
Over our life together, Captain Melinda and I have been big sailors. Melinda is the rock star sailor while I do what I am told (which is important when it comes to sailing). Along with Brendan, Cory and Jason, we have had many fun and sometimes exciting trips. Now we are switching from our sailboat, Starbird, to our RV, Stargazer. Although some might think the size of Stargazer is cramped, we find it luxurious. We have a queen bed! We…