Canada & Beyond - El numero dos!

Oh my goodness! There was so much to do and see in New York. Beyond that, we had to do a part II just to fit in all the highlights.

Joe and Kim were great hosts and treated us to some special places around upstate New York and the Adirondack mountains. We stopped for a great lunch at the Adirondack hotel on Long Lake. 

We also visited Lake Placid NY, site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. This is the site where the "Miracle on Ice" took place. I'd tell you what that is but you might find it more interesting to look it up. We also took an elevator ride to the top of the ski jump. Obviously great views from 400 feet up! 

                             Standing at the top of the jump looking down...That would take some guts!

We also were able to visit property owned by relatives of Joe & Kim located near a beautiful waterfall. We stopped at an Amish market and produce stand where I came across a true-life Napoleon Dynamite - he was there on a school trip. He eagerly agreed to let me take his picture too!  I only wished he would've smiled, revealing his braces... a true doppelganger!

As we said goodbye to Joe & Kim, their treehouse, and New York, it was time to head south to see more friends and family. First stop was Scranton, Pennsylvania. The fall colors and gentle hills made for a wonderful drive down Interstate 81 through NY and PA. There is no shortage of trees in the eastern US!

 We met Bobby and Carmel (Noreen's cousins) at Coopers Seafood House (coopers-seafood.com). This restaurant is a must-stop if you get the chance to spend any time in Scranton, PA. It's more of a time-gone-by museum from the entertainment industry which, also had great food! Bobby and Carmel drove 45 minutes to intersect our route and visit for a couple of hours. A real unique time meeting family for lunch on the other side of the country!

Next stop, Durham NC and a visit with nephew DaMiko, Anessa, and their new, beautiful baby girl Leila! We enjoyed a couple of days, several meals, and sweet times of fellowship; no sightseeing, just a great time together. And, it was a pleasant surprise when they invited us to extend our visit an additional day. DaMiko had already made an arrangement (with the apartment complex manager) for allowance to park the motorhome on the property's parking lot - just a hundred feet from their apartment. Y.O.L.O. (our motorhome's name) must have felt top-of-the-line parked in this lovely apartment complex. Yes, Noreen's heart was quite heavy as we had to hit the road the following morning.   

                                

                                                                    

From North Carolina it was on to Clarksville, Tennessee. A dear friend of Noreen's lives just across the border in Elkton, Kentucky. While Noreen spent a day with Rasha, I located a much needed hardware store and enjoyed a riverfront park on the Cumberland River. I also enjoyed lunch at a local taco shop. On this drive, I learned that Austin Peay University is in Clarksville. Austin Peay is a four-year, doctoral level university.

Austin Peay Governors.

Well, that wrapped up all of our visits with family and friends and it was time to head back home to Tucson. We spent a couple nights at Cracker Barrels and two nights at an RV park in Pecos, Texas. Now, let me tell you sump'n pardner, I can't think of any good reason why someone would want to visit Pecos, Texas. That place is just a flat, dusty piece of Texas! Hmm, well now, perhaps for work, visiting family, or Mexican eating...maybe Pecos can provide a pleasantry! It just happened to be a good resting point along the interstate for a couple of nights.

Here is some info on Pecos: According to American folklore, Pecos Bill's legendary exploits are said to have occurred. Perhaps, you have lots of spare time on your hands and want to read the following. BTW, I like cantaloupes!

So we left Priest Gulch campground on Sep 29th and arrived in Tucson on October 25th. Twenty six days and 5400 miles. It was a great trip! 

One final addition: Noreen's favorite season is Fall. While visiting our NY friends, she learned how to make ornamental Pumpkins for gift giving. By the time we had reached Texas, her count was at 40!

 

Thanks for coming along with us on our blog! Until next time then...