Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Good Christmas
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Did You Get a New Computer for Christmas?
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Jolicloud
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Tempe Art Festival
Monday's Discussion Group
Friday, November 27, 2009
Google Wave
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Have a Good Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Chrome OS
Monday, November 16, 2009
First Discussion Session
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Our New Summer Job
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
A New Tivo Owner
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Home
Home
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Downloads
Windows 7
Multimedia Computer
Winos Revisited
Friday, November 6, 2009
Winos
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
ESPN360
Results
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Speed!
Mediacom 7
Monday, November 2, 2009
Mediacom 6
Mediacom 5
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Mediacom 4
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Mediacom 3
Monday, October 19, 2009
Mediacom 2
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
High Speed
Once we get Mediacom installed and I'm satisfied with the speed, I'll provide some information on the programs I'm using to get media from the internet. Maybe someday you won't need cable tv service! In fact, Blockbuster Video has just been added to TIVO and we can now download videos instead of getting them in the mail from Netflix (Netflix has that service, also, but the selection is slim). The price is $4 per video (a dollar cheaper than Amazon) and may be a cost-effective alternative to Netflix.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Mediacom
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Several Days after "Tomorrow"
The cardiologist wants me to have a sleep study!!! Donna and I are still discussing that. We both see our GP tomorrow; I need a prescription update and Donna needs to talk about her recent blood test. No wonder health care is so high. These doctors always want to do something. They act like they need more money.
We have the rock installed; decided to just get it done. My back is a little sore, but thanks to Don, the job went a lot quicker.
Oh, and we did get a carpet cleaner - the deck almost seems new, now. The cleaner sucked up a lot of mud from the older side of the deck - looked like it had never been cleaned.
Donna starts work on Thursday - forecasted to be the first comfortable day this summer.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Tomorrow
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Sunset
Saturday, August 29, 2009
IT IS HOT!!
What is this?
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Palm Tree Slaughter
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Hot
Monday, August 3, 2009
Day 43 (8/3/09) - Herkimer to Westfield, NY
This blog is winding down - we're getting closer to Missouri.
Today we're tooling down I90 in New York when the traffic stopped. We could see that the jam was very long, so we took the nearest exit (luckily it was right next to us) to bypass the mess. Along our detour on highway 20, Donna noticed a museum in LeRoy, the town in which Jell-O was created! We stopped. Donna was so excited she agreed to pretend to be the Jell-O girl. To learn about Jell-O history, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jell-O. It's interesting to note the inventor only received $450 for his invention. The neighbor who bought it from him, later made millions of dollars from the brand.
West of LeRoy we returned to I90 to find that traffic was moving freely, but there was a lot of it. It's amazing the amount of traffic on this road. Shortly after Buffalo, we drove for miles surrounded by vineyards. Steve commented that these must be industrial grapes, there were so many. We later discovered that Welch's has a plant in Westfield, NY (also the home of tonight's campground). That's why there are so many grapes around here.
We plan to be in Indianapolis tomorrow evening, and Desloge the next. After spending a few days with Donna's parents, we'll travel to Fort Smith to help Steve's mother move into her new apartment. After that, it's on to Arizona. We want to be home by mid-August.
Thanks for following our adventure. We are a little tired of moving around so much and are really looking forward to some quiet time in Gold Canyon before the "season" starts.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Days 41 & 42 (Aug 1-2) - Cavendish to Herkimer, NY
Friday, July 31, 2009
Day 40 (7/31/09) - Cavendish
Picture Upload Progress
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Day 39 (7/30/09) - Harrington to Cavendish
Day 38 (7/29/09) - South Central Coast
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Photo Update
Day 37 (7/28/09) - Charlottetown
Day 36 (7/27/09) - Eastern PEI, Day 2
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Day 35 (7/26/09) - Eastern PEI
Day 34 (7/25/09) - Pictou, NS to Harrington, PEI
Friday, July 24, 2009
Day 33 (7/24/09) - Baddeck to Pictou
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Day 32 (7/23/09) - Baddeck
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Day 31 (7/22/09) - Antigonish to Baddeck
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Day 30 (7/21/09) - Peggy's Cove to Antigonish
Monday, July 20, 2009
Day 29 (7/20/09) - Halifax
On Sunday we had scoped out a viewing spot for the Parade of Sails. Rumor had it that this was a popular location for viewing, so we knew we had to get their early. We left Peggy’s Cove at 7:45 am – sunny and 58 degrees. We headed for York Redoubt Park (an old artillery installation that was used in WWII, but the attack never came) just SE of Halifax. We arrived at 8:30, the second car in the parking lot, and claimed our spot.
The Parade of Sails was to start in the Halifax Harbor at Noon. The first ships came by us before 11am. And, by that time our secluded little spot was inundated with people. EVERYWHERE! The ships passed us, turned, and went back towards Halifax to circle the harbor. It was a long process, as they were to travel no faster than 5 knots and it seemed a lot slower than that.
We did get some good pictures of several of the tall ships, but can’t upload them until we find a better connection. I think we forgot to upload Day 22 as well. We are getting behind – too much to do.
Now, we’ll go outside and watch the sunset with a glass a wine.
Tomorrow we travel to Lunenburg, and then backtrack toward Cape Breton.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Day 28 (7/19/09) - Halifax
Day 27 (7/18/09) - Peggy's Cove (Halifax)
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Day 26 (7/17/09) – Truro – Peggy’s Cove
Scotia Pines did live up to it’s name as a Quiet, Family Campground. A very restful evening in the drizzling rain. We departed at 8:50 and 63 degrees. A little fog. Decided to eat breakfast out at a restaurant we had seen the day before. It was closed. So, it was a breakfast sandwich at Tim Horton’s (which, by the way, are all over the place – the Starbucks of Canada).
The first stop was Burncoat Head, location of the highest recorded tide in the world. On October 5, 1869, the difference between high and low tide was an astounding 54’. At the tide’s peak, extensive flooding and damage along the coast by a violent storm which became known as Saxby’s Gail. Saxby was an astronomer that predicted a high world-wide tide at that time. He was right!
There was an interesting quote by Joseph Howe, a local politician in the 1800s “brag of your country. When I’m abroad I brag of everything that Nova Scotia is, has, or can produce; when they beat me at everything else, I say, ‘how high do your tides rise?’”
We saw our first eagle of the trip, guarding his territory from a high treetop.
The on the Windsor, the birthplace of hockey. It was very exciting for Donna, the former diehard hockey fan. The Heritage Museum was closed for lunch, so we ate out meal #2 of the day.
On our way back to the RV after visiting the museum, we encountered two older, local gentlemen, one in a St. Louis Cardinals t-shirt. Steve struck up a conversation and found that wearing red on Friday was to show support for the troops. The conversation quickly turned to things like – what do we think of Obama, bailouts, war, economy, etc. Those Canadians like to talk politics.
We planned to go to a winery near Windsor, by one of the gentlemen said to skip it and go to one near Grand Pre’. Good recommendation. Good setting. Wine way pretty good, but we passed. The Grand Pre is very important to the Acadians – the original French settlers. Do a search and read all about how they were treated.
We continued through Wolfville, a charming University town with stately trees and beautiful heritage homes. They win the house prize, so far. Made a quick stop at the Fox Hill Cheese House and bought a small hunk of cheese made with milk from only Canadian cows.
Our goal for the night was the Kentville area. We went to the largest and highesst rated campground in the area and discovered an ocean of pop-up trailers and kids. Called two other places; they were full, as well. Seems every family in Nova Scotia camps on the weekend. We were not too far away from Saturday night’s reserved campground – King Neptune in Peggy’s Cover – we called them and secured a site for Friday. Arrived at King Neptune around 5:30; found a nice site real close to the shore; and were told to get to know our neighbors. Turns out our neighbors own a house in Mesa (they are from Ontario). Another couple nearby is from Tucson, and a third couple is from NJ and dreams of living in Arizona. We went to dinner with them – our third meal out of the day. We’ll be better tomorrow.
We have reserved this place for four nights. We’ll tour the area some (if the fog lifts) and see the tall ships on Sunday and Monday. Monday the Sail Away Parade and the current weather forecast is for sun!
Our internet access here is VERY slow, so update will not be current for the next few days.
Distance: 240 miles (384 km)
Driving Time: 6.1 hours
KPG: 37.2
Fuel: none purchased
Camping: $29
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Day 25 (7/16/09) - Hopewell Cape, NB to Truro, NS
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Day 24 (7/15/09) - St. Martins to Hopewell Cape, NB
We took a scenic drive up the Fundy Trail Parkway, sort of like a National Park. However, this park was very clean - almost looked new. And, there were very few people. We had some great views of ocean cliffs. We saw a single Cedar Waxwing; according to our bird book, a single bird is a rare site.
We crossed the Big Salmon River on a suspension bridge. One of the hills in the park had a 16% grade; probably the steepest we've driven Junior.
The highlight of the day was spending almost $15 doing laundry in Sussex. And, still, the towels were slightly damp. The towels haven't been dry since we left New Mexico.
As we traveled the very bad roads of NB, we found a winery that produced rhubarb and blueberry wines. Neither wine really tasted like those fruits (is rhubarb a fruit?), but they were pretty good. We bought more wine. BTW, we did a wine run in Sussex at the provincial liquor store and paid almost twice the price as stores at home.
We arrived at Ponderosa Pines RV park at 4:45pm. It's another nice spot near the beach - we can't see the Bay of Fundy from our windows, but we can hear it. Kind of sounds like interstate traffic. Tomorrow Nova Scotia!
Distance Traveled: 131 Miles (209 km)
Time Traveled: 4.5 hours
MPG: 36.7 kpg
Fuel: none purchased
Camping: $37.60 C
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Day 23 (7/14/09) - Campobello to St. Martins, NB
Day 22 (7/13/09) – Harrington, ME to Campobello, NB
Sorry for the late post, be we were camping in a dead spot for communications.
We left Sunset Point RV Park at 9:10; delayed slightly because we had to make a couple of phone calls. The park looked a lot better in the morning sun. We walked to the beach and took a few pictures before departure. Temperature was 71°.
Our first stop was the Ruggles House in Columbia Falls, ME. It is noted for it’s flying staircase; alas, it had not opened when we arrived. Next was a quick stop at “Wild Blueberry Land” for a magnet search. There was no customer service; even if they’d had a blueberry magnet, Donna is sure she wouldn’t have purchased from them. See a picture on SmugMug.
The first highlight of the day was the Burnham Tavern Museum in Machias, ME. One of 21 buildings identified as having the most significance to the American Revolution (www.burnhamtavern.com). It served as the meeting place where plans were formulated for the first naval battle of the revolutionary war, which resulted in the capture of the British-armed vessel Margaretta. It’s been run by the DAR since 1910; however, it was depressing to see several pieces of needlework (x-stitch samplers & hooked rug) being given less protection than they deserve. These were symbols of American History that soon may be lost forever. Our guide agreed with us. Photos were not allowed due to security reasons.
Next was West Quoddy Lighthouse – the Eastern most point in the United States. This Head Light was built in 1808 and rebuilt in 1858. It was there we had our picnic lunch. A very nice spot.
Lastly, we crossed into Canada on the FDR Memorial Bridge to Campobello Island, NB. Campobello was the Summer home of the family of FDR. “ From 1883, when Franklin was one year old, until he was stricken by polio in 1921, he spent most of his summers at” this 34 room cottage. This International Park is very well-maintained and displays some of the original furnishings.
We camped at the Herring Cove Provincial Park – the only campground on this island. No phone service, no internet, no TV, and our credit card does not work in the local ATM. We hope the card works better on the mainland of New Brunswick.
Miles: 92 (146 km)
Diving Time: 3.5 hours
KPG: 31.5
Camping Cost: $24.50 Canadian
Fuel: none purchased
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Day 21 (7/12/09) - Shelburne NH to Harrington ME
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Day 20 (7/11/09) - Colchester, VT to Shelburne, NH
Friday, July 10, 2009
Day 19 (7/10/09) - Lake George to Colchester, VT
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Day 17 (7/8/09) - Lantz Corners, PA to Lake George, NY
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Mini - Post
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Day 16 - West Branch to Lantz Corners, PA
We took off for Pennsylvania. Donna saw on the map, several days ago, the Great Blue Heron Sanctuary near Greenville. We looked for more information online and through the AAA function of our GPS, but found little about the place. It was mentioned in various web sites. Red Flag No. 1!
As was we got closer to Greenville, we saw no signs directing us to the sanctuary. Red Flag No. 2!
We continued to follow the map and found the location which, obviously, hadn't been used in years. See the pictures on SmugMug. Donna was bummed!
Onward.
The next point of interest we had selected on the map was DeBence Antique Music World in Franklin, PA. It did not disappoint. This is a see and hear museum that presents an extensive collection of old-time mechanical musical instruments (http://www.debencemusicworld.com/). Mechanical music is defined as any music produced by other than human hands - player pianos, nickelodeons, carousel organs, and music boxes. From a web site -
" This collection was begun about 50 years ago by Mr. and Mrs. Jake DeBence, then dairy farmers in Grove City. Although neither of the DeBences were musicians, both loved the music produced by these wonderful mechanical marvels. After retirement in 1960, the DeBences moved to the Franklin area and kept their music box and antique music machine collection in their barn a few miles outside of town. After Jake passed away, the museum became a non-profit organization and relocated to historic downtown Franklin."
It's the second don't miss-it location we've found; we're glad we had to reroute our trip. And then we ate out. We're spending the night at Foote Rest RV Park. The office was closed when we arrived, so don't know for sure how much this costs. The park is filled with tame rabbits (the large pet variety).
Distance: 188 miles
Driving Time: 4.6 hours
MPG: 24.3
Camping Cost: ??
Fuel: Did not purchase
Monday, July 6, 2009
Day 15 - Bluffton, IN to West Branch State Park, OH
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Another Update to Today
Update to Today
Day 14 - Petersburg to Bluffton, IN
Gibson City we stopped at another city park to stretch our legs. This little park had just completed their installation of a small campground for RVs! Probably 10 sites. Very nice; water and electric for only $10 a night. Consider it if you're in the area!
We ate lunch in a city park in Watseka. We hit the Indiana state line at 12:25 (central time). At Monticello a Wal-Mart stop and a stop at the Whyte (this is the correct spelling) Horse Winery - a nice setting, but the dry white wines were about $25, so we moved on.
That was on to Peru, home of Cole Porter. AND, the Circus Capital of the World (we've noticed that a lot of places are "The Captial" fo something). We tried to visit the Circus City Festival Museum, but because it was Sunday, they were closed. However, there were workers preparing for next week's 50th Anniversary Amateur Circus Festival offered to show us around. The museum was locked, but he took us into their performance arena. Each year approximately 200 young people, ages 7 to 21, supported by a tremendous number of adult volunteers, present 10 performance during an 8 day period in July. Some were practicing in the arena at the time. We wanted a refrigerator magnet, but because the sales cases were locked, our nice guide gave us a name badge sticker with the festival logo that Donna will make into a magnet in the Fall.
We're spending the night at a brand new KOA in Bluffton, IN. The park isn't completed, but it is in a very nice and quiet location near the Wabash River. Glad we stopped here. Tomorrow is Ohio.
Distance Traveled: 286 miles
Driving Time: 6 hrs 30 min
MPG: 23
Camping: $32
Fuel: $44.99 (17.3 gal at $2.60 gal)
Day 13 - Rainy 4th of July
That afternoon Jim cooked a pork loin, potatoes, fresh corn on the cob, green beans, and rolls. We must say that Linda helped, too, and also made a great fruit salad. Afterwards, Jim and Steve made ice cream ... at least they sat and watched the freezer turn!!
A very good weekend in spite of the rain.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Day 12 - Desloge to Petersburg, IL
Just watched the fireworks show at Jim & Linda's place outside of Petersburg. They paid $500 for their lot a few years ago; their monthly fee for everything except electricity is $45. What a deal.
Internet access is slow here, so I can't add much more. We'll leave here on Sunday - Day 14.
Miles Driven: About 195
No other information available.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Day 10 - Ft. Smith to Desloge, MO
Departed Ft. Smith at 8:45 - Humid and 84° F. Camping near the river in that weather is a little different than Arizona! It's almost like living in ... Iowa.
We met Steve's niece for lunch in Bentonville. She used to be a blond, so it was a shock to see somebody else.
As we've said before, interstates are the pits. And this day was no different. We don't think we've seen as many trucks as on this day's travel. We believe more than half the traffic is freight. What would we do if the trucks stopped??? A small construction project (one side of the road for only a 100'), tied up traffic for about 45 minutes. The delay was caused, in no small part, to people refusing to merge until the last possible moment.
We found a nice city park with swimming pool in Cuba, MO. This is where we had our dinner sandwich. Very nice. We hope the city parks continue to make themselves available.
At Donna's parents today we worked. Donna has been washing and ironing (and helping Steve). Steve has been caulking the roof and trying to provide support under the shower to eliminate further plastic flex. Donna was successful; hoping Steve was, too.
Tomorrow morning it's on to Jim and Linda's place with a stop at Costco in St. Louis for some supplies (the grape kind).
Miles Driven: 398
Travel Time: 7.9 hours
MPG: 20.5
Fuel: $52.25 (20.9 gal @ $2.50/gal)
Camping Cost in Ft. Smith was $36 for two night.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Day 8 - Ft. Smith
Didn't stay in Junior last night (applied glue to a cracked shower floor - had to let it set), but, rather, slept on the floor in her apartment. This evening we have moved to the state park campground about 8 miles from her place.
We expect to leave here Wednesday for Donna's folks in Desloge, and leave there on Friday to really begin the trip.
It was very difficult to find a campsite for Friday or Saturday of this week. Luckily, Jim and Linda will be home and offered us a campsite at their place for those two nights. They spend the Summers just North of Springfield, IL and have an extra RV site for guests. Jim says we'll get to see a large fireworks display on the 4th. Jim and Linda usually spend some of their Winters in Apache Junction. Some of you may have remembered them from a couple of years ago when Jim workamped at Gold Canyon. Thanks guys - see you Friday.
This will change our trip slightly; we'll cross the country a little further North in IL, IN, and OH, but expect to miss the major cities and return to the original plan in NY.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Day 6 - Amarillo to Checotah, OK
Friday, June 26, 2009
Day 5 - Raton, NM to Amarillo, TX
Each summer at Capulin Volcano a new generation of ladybugs participates in a passive, or wind-carried, migration and takes up residence at the highest points of the volcano. After feeding all summer, they hibernate through the winter on the volcano. Surviving beetles then catch a warm current off the volcano in February to the south to reproduce. Since the wind carries the ladybug in its migration, it has a hard time controlling its destination and may go to aphid-infested fields near the volcano or maybe to aphid-rich wheat fields in Texas.
During a lifespan of a few months, the females lay up to 500 eggs on leaves and twigs. The eggs hatch and the larvae engorge themselves on the aphids. After the larvae clear the area of aphids, they pupate. Since the larvae usually clean the area of their favorite food, aphids, the adults migrate back to Capulin Volcano to await the opportunity when they too can go back to these aphid-rich areas and lay their eggs.