We’re Heading North – sort of

It’s September and time to head north, but we had to take the camper for a few adjustments, so we headed west to Indiana before we went north.


After the camper was fixed we did head north, and stopped in Erie, PA.  We were really lucky, because there just happened to be a parade of tall ships that weekend, and the ships were just awesome.


We navigate using our GPS unit, but these ships had none of that.  Compasses and sextants were more their style.


See this guy?  He’s actually a U.S. Marine!  He demonstrated his rifle loading skills and gave a little talk.  He told us when and where the Marines were founded, but I already knew that compliments of my favorite former Marine! 



Aren't they beautiful?


So many ropes!  It all looked so confusing, but I bet it’s fun to sail on one of these beauties.

There’s not much head room down here, and those bags held all the sailors' possessions.  The storage space here isn't as efficient as in our camper.

After we left Erie we headed to Niagara, New York, through Pennsylvania wine country.  I guess the winds from Lake Erie are good for grapevines.




Bob had been to see The Niagara Falls before, but this was my first trip and I loved them.  They’re so beautiful, but the current was fast and I couldn't even imagine wanting to go over in a barrel!!!


The Maids of the Mist were busy the day were were there, but I was not interested in riding a little boat near those massive waterfalls.


We just happened upon Prince Harry shaking the hand of this young lady.  He seemed rather stiff to me!


Unfortunately we forgot our passports in the camper so we couldn't see the Canadian view of the Horseshoe Falls. 




While continuing north we spend a few nights in New Hampshire. The people of the tiny village of Dixville Notch vote in this hotel and record the first election results in the presidential election.  I guess it’s not that difficult with 12 people in the town, but the hotel was beautiful.


We finally reached Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.  There are always cruise ships in the bay.


We had a nice site in the campground, with a bay view, and the moon was bright and beautiful. 
We love Bar Harbor, and had fun with Jaime and Conner here last year.  This year we were lucky enough to have two more visitors, and we’ll tell you who came to see us in our next post.

Summer 2013

Our summer was busy this year.  Bob decided that the old hog shed needed to be refurbished.  No, we’re not getting hogs, but it’s a nice shed and we hated to see it fall down, so we replaced the siding and the roof.  Fortunately, Jaime and Ron came to visit and Ron helped Bob with the hard part:  the roof.


Some of Jaime’s friends from high school and college came to say Hi when she was home, and it was like old times again. It was great seeing Hilde, Alex, and Holly again, but we all missed Missy.  Maybe next year Missy?


Jaime found her old prom dress and modeled it for us.  Or is this Hermione Granger??


The old roof was cedar shake, but Bob decided to replace it with a steel roof.   It was a hot, heavy job.


Jaime and Katie watched what everyone was doing, but Conner was  excited this day!  Really excited!


What five year old boy wouldn't be excited to see this bulldozer come to work on his Pappy’s farm?


Billy Smith came to do some work with his bulldozer and backhoe, and Conner kept a close eye on everything he did.


Billy asked Conner if he wanted to ride in the backhoe, and he didn't have to ask twice!


It was a dream come true for Conner.




He loved every second of the time he spend in that backhoe.  I think it was better than a trip to Disneyworld.


He stayed in there all day and he’s hoping he can do it again next year.  


Billy and Conner emptied the pond.  We'll let it drain, and next summer Billy will take more of the ground out and we’ll refill it, add some fish, and we’ll have a nice pond again.  We hope! 


After Conner was finished helping Billy he decided that his Pappy needs some help on the tractor. 


Katie preferred riding in Grammy’s jogging stroller, and Grammy was glad she did.


There they go again.  They did this every day and they were both very happy.


Katie liked the little table and chairs her mommy and Aunt Beth had when they were little, and she asked her Pappy to keep her company.


I got the old dollhouse down from the attic for Katie, and she liked her mommy’s old Barbies too. 


Bob and Ron are starting to put the roof on the back of the hog shed.  If Ron wouldn't have come it would have been my job to help.  I’m SO glad Ron came!


Conner is in every picture I took of the guys at work.  He didn't want to miss any of the action.

 
We made ice cream and both Conner and Katie really liked helping Pappy with this job!


Katie loves her Pappy, and she showed him all her little animals. 


Pappy took Conner to see Logan’s calves and he wasn't afraid of them at all. 



He really liked letting the calves suck his finger!


Logan asked if Conner wanted a ride on his big tractor, and you know what the answer was:  YES!!!


It’s a big tractor, and Conner was thrilled with the ride.  He asked if he could go back to see Logan every day.


Conner and Katie love their mommy almost as much as I do!


Katie likes to play the games on her daddy’s laptop.


I love her blond, curly hair.


Grammy time!


I forget what I was baking, but it must have been good!


Katie liked to ride on Pappy's tractor too.


Pappy had to leave for a while, but the kids wanted him to stay home with them.


Conner and Pappy together again.


There was a parade in Blain for the 250th celebration, and Conner really like the tractors in the parade.




It was a fun parade.


Before they left for home Conner had to run through the flower bed one more time.  The hog shed got a new roof, Conner and Katie had lots of fun on the farm, and Grammy and Pappy can’t wait to see them again .