July 18-25, 2025

 

 July 18. 2025

We traveled from Andy's place in NH to Donovan's Shady Harbor Marina, New York.  When we did America's Great Loop by boat, this was one of our favorite marinas.  We called and asked for permission to stay over night in the parking lot and eat at the Dockside Grill.  Weather was perfect, food was outstanding, the setting on the water lovely, and the live music very good. In photo, our parking spot before all of the diners showed up.

July 19, 2025

Today we traveled a few hours into the Catskills to see Alice and Henry Richmond.  They were ready for us and provided a great parking spot a few doors down from their place in their son's driveway.  We had a great time catching up and getting a tour of the area in their restored 1980s Toyota truck. We even visited a farm with horses.  Can't remember the last time I got to pet a horse! Their new deck provided a great view as we ate dinner.  Not a great photo, but this is the view of the lake from their cabin.  Pic #2 was taken of this rock car on Alice's and Henry's road.

July 20, 2025

We left early so we could attend church a few miles away (8am mass).  The service was fast with maybe 20 attendees and no music.  The best story Alice told was about a Christmas eve years ago was when she, her mother and friend Bob walked to Christmas eve services at this church in the snow.  Keep in mind this was several miles of very hilly roads in NY (Catskills) in the winter.  They had to walk home, too.  Pic of the church.

We arrived in Little Egg Harbor New Jersey at Denise's and Brian's late afternoon.  Spent the evening catching up.  It had been 2 years since we had seen them.

July 21st, 2025

We took a drive to Sharrott Winery in Hammonton NJ mid-afternoon and tasted a few wines and shared some appetizers.  We stopped at an antique store where we browsed for a while.  By the time we returned to Little Egg Harbor, it was time for the prime rib special at a local restaurant.  All afternoon I felt off, but just couldn't quite figure it out. (I only had 1 glass of wine). By 11 pm I was sick with all the symptoms of gastroenteritis.  I slept most of the next 36 hours.  Thankfully, we were not traveling in the RV when this happened and I had a place to rest.  Sadly, I missed some of our visit.  Photo is at the winery.

July 22, 2025

Alex, Brian and Denise's 6 year old grandson came to stay over night, so everyone was challenged to play Lunacy card game & Dominoes Mexican train. Needless to say, the adults lost most of the time. Ron played chess with Alex & lost. 

July 23, 2025

We thought I had recovered enough to take off and head for the Cape May/Lewes Ferry across Delaware Bay.  The day was perfect with a gentle hour and a half ride.  Our intention was to arrive in Easton, MD so that we could visit a friend the next day.  We had a nice ride through mostly rural countryside and arrived at our overnight spot at Walmart.

July 24, 2025

Unfortunately, my GI symptoms returned and we had to cancel our meet up with Carol and Mike Hora.  We did not want to take a chance on my illness being contagious. What a disappointment since we had not seen each other for a number of years.  (We did participate in an HOA Board meeting via phone during the morning and then I returned to my resting spot.)  We traveled from Easton MD to Hagerstown, MD (Cracker Barrel night).  Still no appetite on my part.  Photo: a very unique stone fence with spiked rocks on top ran the length of a drainage area (maybe half a mile long)

July 25, 2025

We had a real breakfast at Cracker Barrel before heading out this morning.  We traveled beautiful winding roads through rural Maryland and Pennsylvania.  This brought us to another Cracker Barrel in Cranberry Twp, a suburb of Pittsburgh where we will spend the night.