County Parks

Our county has a wonderful park system which has 18 parks. In Ohio, if it is 50 degrees (10 celsius) it is a good day for hiking.
And yesterday was that.  It is monocolor but still gave me what I needed:  exercise, being outdoors, solitude, and finding photo opportunities. 

RIP Camry

Wow, when I looked at the last time I posted, I realized I could do better.   When we visited RM at Thanksgiving, our car, with 260,000 miles decided it was time to quit.  We were two hours out of DC when the transmission went out on the toll road.  Fortunately we found a man near us in Ohio who transports cars for a living. He drove four hours to load our car and take us home.  It was an interesting ride home riding four hours in a tow truck. (Don't tell him, but it was tiring listening to him talk nonstop.  But I should not complain because he did do us a big favor) We can drive it on short trips but wouldn't trust it for long ones.  So we are car shopping in earnest. 

Today we had invited friends over for a brunch.  Earlier they had left a message that the wife was sick and they could not come.  We did not learn that until the meal was about ready.  It turns out that we have friends next door who were willing to help out. 

Pots and Pans

Although G doesn't cook much, he has been very frustrated with the pans we have.  I do have a set of heavy stainless steel which cook evenly and then several "non-stick" pans.  The later are the cause of the frustration.  They are not "non-stick" and don't clean well.  A kitchen store near us is going out of business so we stopped in.  He found a small skillet, brand  Blue Diamond.  After using it a couple times he returned and purchases the last full set.  He was impressed when he fried an egg and it just slide off when he tipped the pan.

However there now is the  problem of an over crowded pan shelf.

We will use some in the camper, but still there needs to be some editing.

Lake Hope State Park

Gerry and I have left behind the unending list of projects at home.  We have embarked on an  adventure living in our camper.  At the campground there is no phone coverage and of course no WiFi.  To write this we had to go a nearby Lodge on the campground. 

Lake Hope State Park is located in the southeast part of Ohio. The campground was build in 1937.  There are about 200 camping sites but most are for very small campers or tents.  We were able to find one large enough for our large camper.  There is a shower and some flush toilets  and  we do have electricity at our site.  Since it is the end of October, there about a dozen campers.  We are at the end of a road so it feels like we are out in the woods by ourselves. Needless to say, it is quiet. 

I did some hiking by myself.  That is NOT Gerry's thing.  I hiked about four miles in the forest and did not see another person. It is not mountain terrain but sometimes I almost had to go on my hands and knees up the side of a hill. And for anyone who has hiked, the coming down is worse. Leaves are colorful and falling, covering the path. It would have been treacherous if not impossible if it were wet from rain.

I would have liked to post pictures of our camper, the trail I was on, and deer that stood at the side of the road as I passed by.  Sadly the internet here is too slow to upload the pictures. 

Joy of owning a Triumph.

Yesterday and today, Gerry and I joined nine other people from our Triumph club. A ride was scheduled for about 200 miles through great scenic and twisty roads.  I think it as a greater thrill for the drivers than the passengers. The drivers took the curves and hills like a race driver would.  Pretty much pushing themselves and the car to the limit.  I know the drivers would not agree to that but the wives would.  We did take a scenic drive.  The leaves had not turned yet, but still beautiful. 

I enjoyed having a smaller group.  It was an opportunity to get to know the people better.  Just attending club meetings does not lend itself to that. 

Travelogue 2

My last post told of my drive through Chicago.  When we were in Minnesota we stayed with G's nephew in Delft, MN. I was going to say "town" but it is an "unincorporated community".  No stores, post office or any other commercial establishment.

As I drove from Delft to Mountain Lake, a town of 2,104 I experienced this.

Travelogue

Gerry and I have started our two week trip visiting family and friends in Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota and Illinois.

The first day of travel was on my birthday.  Gerry and I take turns driving. My turn is when he is tired and sleeping.  My luck of the draw was the route around Chicago.  For two hours I drove on a four lane highway with bumper to bumper traffic.  This time it was not stop and go traffic.  No, all traffic was travelling at least 15 mpg over the posted limit.  So at 60 we were going 75, at 65 it was 80.  I had no choice but to go as fast as the flow.  Once I counted numbers of semi trucks in my view.  Around 25. I wonder why my neck was so stiff!  It is a memorable birthday.

We spent two days with G's sister and husband in Hayward, Wisconsin and are now in Brooklyn Park
visiting another sister and husband.

 Here the two ELF owners spent the entire day discussing their common interest, the ELF. Not only discussing but repairing.

I just remembered I have never posted a picture of Gerry's ELF.  This is from several weeks ago when granddaughter was visiting.