Typical Day on the Road
September 2003
<- August 03 - September 03 - October 03 ->
September 1
Packing up the garb and getting ready to head back to modern times. We had a fun weekend stepping back in history with our friends (the ones who met up with us in Missouri back in July). But time to head back to the real world. After dressing in our "mundane" clothes and leaving the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism) event we stopped by the Museum of Family Camping at Bear Brook State Park. A small non-profit museum with displays of camping gear and several trailers you can tour. We liked reading about the "auto gypsies" (as campers were called back in the Twenties) and seeing photos of their "RV's". Also a museum of the Civilian Conservation Corps, which used to have a camp at this location. (These two museums are housed in a former CCC barrack.)
September 2
We are in New Hampshire visiting our friends. All of the kids are doing homeschool work. The house is next to a lake with a beach, but nobody is swimming or boating on this chilly, drizzly day. Looks like summer is finally over, at least in New England.
September 3
Moved to Massachusetts today but are still hanging out with our friends. The kids are attacking their schoolwork or else being attacked by it - not sure which. Staying in a farmhouse built in the early 1700's. They don't even think about making them like this anymore.
September 4
Still in Massachusetts. Dennis is taking a piecemeal approach to re-painting the trailer.
September 5
Drove into Boston and toured the State House (hmmm... since Mass. is a Commonwealth, shouldn't it be called a Commonwealth House?). The tour guide taught us about the architecture, statues, history, customs and how a private citizen (even kids) can propose a law (which MUST be considered by the legislature). We learned that the ladybug became the official state bug when a group of 2nd graders proposed it. Also returned to the Museum Of Science, which we visited last year. Dennis took a long solo stroll along the waterfront and through the historic streets of "Beantown". We stayed at the museum very late, because there is an observatory on the roof. And after standing in line about 90 minutes, we finally (at 11:00 p.m.) got a decent view of Mars.
September 6
Still in Massachusetts. Kimberly took the kids (Zephyr and friends Kiaya and Chris) apple-picking.
September 7
Went to see the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean", which we all enjoyed. Especially amused to see all the references to the ride of the same name at Disneyland (and Disney World) which we've ridden many times.
September 8
Drove into Gloucester hoping to go whale-watching, but learned that the excursion had been cancelled due to choppy seas. Quite a surprise, since there was almost no wind inland. Took a walking tour of the shoreline, and saw the site of the first seaport in the U.S., established here in 1623.
September 9
Whale-watching cancelled again.
September 10
Up at 6:00 to drive into Gloucester and catch the morning whale-watching trip. Had to wait on a bus-load of Junior High students from New Hampshire who were caught in traffic. Finally we were underway, and we started seeing dozens of whales (or the same 3 or 4 dozens of times) as soon as we were out far enough. They included Sei Whales, which are endangered and rarely seen in these waters. The tour guide said this is only the third time she has seen them in 10 years. Guess it was worth the two-day wait!
September 11
Back to work today. We kicked off our fall schedule in Goshen, Ct. Flags flying at half-mast everywhere today.
September 12
Drove down to New Milford, Ct. to examine a van for sale. Spent the evening in the Borders Bookstore in Danbury.
September 13
Checked into the Nelson Family Campground in East Hampton, Connecticut, one of the most pleasant campgrounds we've stayed at.
September 14
Visited a Kinko's in Hartford, Ct. It's across the street from our favorite tea shop, Tisane. All kinds of exotic bulk teas available, and trying to pick one (or two) to buy is almost as fascinating as actually drinking them. They also serve hot tea and coffee (and food) in their cafe, which is rather nice itself. They have a wonderful little catalogue listing their teas and coffees, and a web site as well (www.tisaneonline.com). Dennis went across the street to buy some tea, and didn't surface again for nearly an hour.
September 15
Performed in Andover, CT today. At night, we were trying to get through Fairfield when a state trooper pulled us over and gave Kimberly two tickets---one for going 70 in a 45 mph zone (she wasn't doing 70, although she probably did surpass 45 in trying to pass a truck---but most other vehicles were going much faster than us), and one for being in the "wrong" lane, whatever that means (We saw no signs that would have excluded us from the left lane.). Total cost $300. Police make honest mistakes sometimes; the problem is, the only way you can contest it is a personal appearance in court, on a day of their choosing. What a racket.
September 16
Stopped in Marlton, NJ to stock up at Trader Joe's. Saw a Sprint store, so went in to browse and walked out with a new cell phone! We've been without one for a couple of months now, looking for a new plan and a good deal, and we found one by chance!
Spent 3 hours at a Wal-Mart in New Castle, DE getting an oil change - Unreal!
September 17
In Delaware, performed at the Wilmington Library for school kids this morning.
It is difficult to comprehend that this area is declaring a state of emergency tomorrow. The skies are clear and bright, with hardly a breeze stirring. We are mapping out an escape route to avoid Hurricane Isabel (which hopefully won't hit with as much force as they are predicting). Our plan is to head north past Philadelphia. Oddly, the path of the storm seems to be veering away from the coast as it progresses north.
September 18
Stopped in Plymouth Meeting, PA to check the weather on the internet (no TV puts us out of the loop). We've been checking in on our new web-enabled phone too. Looks like we'll be heading up to Scranton to stay high and dry (more or less). We're concerned about the heavy rains because the van and trailer both have been leaking.
September 19
Watching the news and are happy we decided not to go to the Baltimore area as we originally planned. Swimming with our friends in Wilkes-Barre is more fun than trying to swim across the street.
September 20
Now that Hurricane Isabel has blown over we are heading south to get back to work in Southern MD by Tuesday. Concerned about the state of affairs there.
September 21
Back in Delaware. Still looking for a new vehicle.
September 22
Started the day in Millersville, MD - just outside of Annapolis. So far haven't noticed too much Isabel damage - other than a few downed trees (nothing like the tornado damage we saw on the Pennsylvania/New York border in August).
September 23
Performed in La Plata, MD. The kids and teachers appreciated the ad lib we did about the storm in the story of "The Golden Pitcher" being named "Isabel".
September 24
Performed in Bel Air, MD.
September 25
Celebrating Zephyr's Birthday in Maryland. Took him to see "Pirates of the Caribbean" (again) and then to visit his scout friends in Millersville (ones he went to Scout Camp with in July).
September 26
Performed in Reedsville, PA. Drove on to State College, hoping to visit a Kinko's to catch up on some business. But there was nowhere for us to park anywhere near Kinko's, which is next to the campus of Penn State---people buzzing around everywhere in preparation for a football game.
September 27
Drove to Niagara area today. On the way up the van suddenly died at a red light in Bradford and wouldn't go again. After spending an hour pulling the engine cover off and prodding the engine, we tried to put gas in the tank. Eureka! (The gas gauge wasn't working.)
September 28
Kicking more tires today in the Buffalo, NY area. Think we may have a couple of possibilities -- keep your fingers crossed.
September 29
More tire kicking today (still trying to find a touring vehicle). Our new cell phone is coming in real handy, since we can take photos with it and upload them to the web. Then Kimberly's parents in Nevada can review the photos and discuss the options. Isn't technology great!
September 30
Found our van!! Wouldn't you know, it was the last one we looked at. We've been searching for at least 5 months, looking at vans, small motorhomes and everything in between.
Now we just have to wait for licensing and other paperwork - hope to be moved in and rolling by Thursday.
<- August 03 - September 03 - October 03 ->
