Winter Excursion 4, Day 29

Today was moving day for Cath and I. We left the kid's house at 0900 and headed to the camper. We were all packed up and moving to our new campground by 1100. We got all set up in the new location and relaxed for an hour for so.

Nicole brought the Kiddos over around 1500. Wesley had just come from the play-day at Yeaman's and was painted up as a reindeer. 

Nicole stayed for dinner. After she left we watched a couple of movies with the Kiddos and then we all went to bed. It's been a whirl wind few days. We will all sleep very good tonight.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 28

Happy Thanksgiving!
Spent the morning and afternoon cleaning up after the party. Nicole and I took all the oyster shells to the recycle center, they have a place just for shells!
The Kiddos and I drove out to the camper just to check on it as we stayed last night at the kid's.

Brain got home early again and we started the festivities for T-day dinner. Here's Bri carving the bird.

And here's the table ready for the festing!

The meal was great as usual. AFter dinner we laid around and moaned, must be something in the turkey!

Winter Excursion 4, Day 27

We drove over to the Kid's house around 1030. Spent the rest of the morning and afternoon getting set up for the annual oyster roast. Brian got home around 1530.
The oyster roast was a big hit. We got to meet many of the new neighbors and some of the old ones. A good time was had by all. We went through 2 1/2 bushels of oysters and many other food delights brought to the party by the neighbors. We sat by the fire until midnight.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 26

We spent the morning in town doing our last minute Oyster Roast and Thanksgiving shopping. The area was crowded, heavy traffic and the stores were packed.
Met the Kiddos after school and hung out with them for awhile. Then we headed back to camp.
We had a relaxing evening by the fire. Even Kaylee enjoyed it!

We had this guy land in the tree right next to us. We have been watching this owl on and off since we got here.

All else is well in the Boss Camp. Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Winter Excursion 4, Day 25

We got up early this morning and drove up to Summerville for my post op appointment. The drive took about an hour as morning traffic around here is amazing. All went well with my appointment. We took the backroads back to camp and had a lazy afternoon.
The Camp Host (Louise) stopped by to chat and I mentioned the Camp Host job for next year. She said that the job had just been posted and if we applied for it she would put in a good word for us. We submitted the application and should hear something in a week or two. Cath and I have often talked about hosting and we may get a chance next year to try it at our favorite campground.
We had some fresh sea trout for dinner, it was delicious. A few shows then off to bed. The weather has been super!

Winter Excursion 4, Day 24

Hung out at camp this morning and waited for the Kids and Kiddos to come over.
We got all the chicken fried up on the grill to avoid the mess in the camper for our Sticky Chicken dinner. Cath made the sauce and we did a little cleaning and straightening up.
The weather was perfect and we all had a good time by the fire and watching the football games.

Here's the Kiddos with the obligatory hammock ride.

They all left just before dark, Kiddos have school in the morning and Cath and I have to drive to Summerville for my follow-up appointment. It's been a fun day.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 23

Yesterday evening and night was not as bad as I thought it would be. I think the drugs helped a lot and the fact that the pain was mostly gone. I slept like a bear and didn't get up until 0900!
We both grabbed a quick shower and then Nicole and the Kiddos arrived. They brought me some much needed supplies (soft food).
Here's a pic of Kennedy being silly!

The Kiddos tok turns pampering me until they figured out I was going to make it. Then the fun began. Kennedy raked up a pile of leaves and they had a blast!

Here they are being silly with their stools on the picnic table and their hands full of skittles and M&Ms.

Of course we had to have the obligatory hammock time.

The Kiddos left around 1500. Cath and I sat by the fire until dark, then we had a light (soft) dinner.

It's been a good day and I'm feeling much better. I'm sure by T-Day I'll be eating turkey!

Winter Excursion 4, Day 22

Today was not our favorite kind of camping day. I was up most of the night nursing a toothache. Thanks to Brian and Nicole, I was able to get an emergency appointment this morning. The Doc took one look (Xray) and said that thing has to come out. The whole left side of my face was swelled up and the pain was not a lot of fun. He referred me to the oral surgery office down the street and by 1430 the tooth was out. The novocaine or lidocaine they used to numb me up felt great.
Drove back to camp and Cath started pampering me! No drinking, soft food, nothing hot, and take your medicine!
I'm sure when the numbness wears off it will be an interesting evening.
The dentist did say I'd be able to eat Thanksgiving dinner!🦃

Winter Excursion 4, Day 21

We did our grocery shopping this morning, got everything put away and headed to the Kiddos.
Walked back with them from the bus stop, listened to some reading, and then got ready to go fishing.
We didn't catch any fish, bur the Kiddos were netting little shrimps. Here's Kennedy kissing her shrimp. She learned this from a fishing show she watches.

Wesley had basketball practice at 1730, so Cath and I headed home. I have a bit of a toothache, so we will see how that goes.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 20

I was a the dock fishing by 0800. The fishing was actually terrible, but I did get to watch the porpoises playing. Cath brought lunch over at noon.

Finally around 1300 I hooked this little fish. It was the only biye I got all day!

Threw in the towel and headed back to camp around 1500.
The sunsets here make the marsh grass glow, it's really great to see. 

We had a nice dinner and sat by the fire for awhile. Later we were invited over to the neighbor's. We all sat around the fire and yakked until 2200. Another nice day!

Winter Excursion 4, Day 19

We hung out at the camper until around 1100, then headed into town. Did a few errands and washed the truck.
We got the dimmer switches installed and all are working good.
Met the Kiddos at the bus stop and the fun began.
Bri got home early to take Wesley to basketball practice and Nicole left for a tennis match. Cath and I took care of Kennedy. After Brian and Nicole got home we drove back to camp. I''s been a fun day.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 18

We got over to the Kiddos house around 1030. Cath is doing laundry and I went over to Lowes to get some dimmer switches for Nicole.
I picked up Brian from work and we went Christmas light shopping at the Air Force Base PX. Then we headed to Evo's for some lunch. The pizza was good as usual and the beer was even better. Took Brian back to work and I went over to Foster Creek to get some CG reservations straightened out. All went well.
Back at the Kiddos, Wesley and I worked on his new puzzle. It's hard to tell from the pic. but this thing is about 4 feet long. Wes and I got half of it done and Kennedy and I finished up the rest.

Nicole left for a tennis match and Bri got home around 1700. We had a nice Chicken Tetrazzini dinner. After dinner, Kennedy and I headed to basketball practice. It is a hoot watching the little girls practice and play.

Nicole got home from her match and Cath and I headed to the camper for a good night's sleep.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 17

Woke up to sunshine this morning! Here's a pic of our site at Buck Hall, USFS CG just north of Mt Pleasant.

The Kiddos got up around 0730 which is sleeping in for them. Here they are in the morning.

Here's a pic of Kennedy when she found out there were no marshmallows for her hot chocolate!

The Kiddos did some "trap" building (in other words destroyed our bedroom). We went for a nice walk, the tide was super high. Brain and Nicole showed up around noon, We cooked some brats and hotdogs on the grill and had a nice lunch outside.
Fishing was next.

Here's Nicole bundled up as it is still a little chilly and the wind never quits.

Here's Bri and I waiting for dinner sipping a little AB!

Cath made a great spaghetti and meatball dinner to end the day. The Kiddos headed home and Cath and I collapsed! It's been another great day!

Winter Excursion 4, Day 16

Woke up this morning to rain again, but a least it's not a travel day.
We left camp around 1100, picked up subs for lunch and headed to the Kiddos' house. After lunch Nicole and Kennedy headed to a girl scout meeting. I dropped Cath and Wesley off at a birthday party at Sky Zone. I drove up to Foster Creek and did a few errands.
Here's a pic of Wesley showing off his cut lip from a fall on the trampolines. He is just fine!

We all meet back up at the Kiddos house and got the kids packed for a night in the camper.

Bri got home from work and we headed to Seewee Restaurant for fried seafood feast. After dinner Bri and Nicole headed home and we headed to camp with the Kiddos. Let the fun begin!
Skittles, M&Ms, popcorn, and a movie then off to bed. We were all asleep by 2200 and the rain finally stopped. It's been a fun day.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 15

It rained hard almost all night, but we got lucky this morning. We were able to pack-up, hitch-up, and dump during a brief break in the rain. We were on the road by 0900. The drive was not fun, it rained almost the entire trip. SC Rt 701 was particularly bad as the rain was pooling on the road, so hydroplaning was a problem.
We made it to Buck Hall USFS CG and the rain had stopped! We were able to set up and keep dry.
By 1500 we were at the Kiddo's house and the fun began! Got a tour of the new house courtesy of the Kiddos, got to see all the new animals, and checked out all the recent art projects. Here's a pic of Wes and I after he messed up my hair.....he thinks he's funny! 

Nicole and I took Kennedy to basketball practice and picked up pizza on the way home for dinner. Kennedy is doing well, I could see a big improvement over last year.
Bri made it home from work around 2100 and we yakked for awhile, then Cath and I headed for the camper. We were sound asleep by 2300. It;s been a fun day.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 14

Today was an absolute do nothing, lazy day! We slept in a little then had some oatmeal for breakfast. Spent the rest of the morning just chillin', but Kaylee did get a little walk. Played some cribbage in the afternoon and walked Kaylee again.
Late afternoon we went into town, got gas, a few supplies, and picked up dinner at Bojangles!
Forecast is for heavy rain and high winds starting tonight and all day tomorrow. It should be a fun moving day, but we get to see the Kiddos!😃

Winter Excursion 4, Day 13

Woke up this morning to some "bay effect snow". The weatherman talked about this last evening and sure enough we got some. but just flurries. The cloud reminded us of the lake effect bands we get at home.
We were on the road by 0830. Had a nice ride through a ton of NC backroads, We arrived at Cedar Point USFS CG around 1400. This is a really nice CG, but the host has something to be desired. We pulled into our site, got all leveled and set up. Then I walked over to the water spigot as there is no water at the sites. The spigot is within easy reach of our hose, so I figured I'd fill out tank from there. Well there was no hose fitting on this spigot. I drove around the CG and all the spigots are the same no fitting! I asked the camp host about it and he said that other campers had taken the fittings and he had giving out all the extras he had, but those also had been taken! I was amazed! I ended up filling our 5 gallon water bags and filling our tank by hand! In all the CGs we've been to we have never seen spigots like these, what a PITA. Needless to say next time I'm at the hardware store on of these fittings will find it's way to the camper. These fittings probably costs about 75 cents each.

Other than the water and host issues this is a really nice campground.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 12

It was 64 deg when I got up this morning. By 1200 it was in the 40s and the cold rain started. Cath went over to the PX (NEX) and spent some time browsing. The NEX here is really big!
Back at camp the rain continued and we played some cribbage.
There is a freeze warning for tonight. We'll put some water in the FW tank and put the hose away.
Off to Cedar Point Forest Service Campground, NC tomorrow. Hopefully the weather warms up a little, we don't come south to see snow!
Another full moon tonight.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 11

Another perfect weather day here, temps in the high 60s. Back home there is a winter weather warning. They are going to get 9 - 14 inches of heavy snow.
We took a morning walk on the beach and were the only people out there! Kaylee was off leash the entire time.

You've got to check out this video we got on the the walk. We call it "Surfing Dolphins". We were watching them almost the entire walk.

One of the other campers saw Kaylee and said 'Hey is that a Viszla, we have one too'. Their Viszla is 11 yrs old and just turned gray this past year. Here's a pic of the two of them. 

Cath did laundry this afternoon and Kaylee and I hung out at camp. Weather is going to turn for the worse as the front comes through tomorrow.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 10

We had a nice derive today. The weather was perfect and traffic was very light. We got to see a lot of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia's backroads. Most of the trip was on RT113 and RT13. The highlight was crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel. It is almost 18 miles long! The two tunnels are 100 ft deep!

Got to Sea Mist Campground at Oceana Naval Air Station around 1330. Got all set up and then went of to the PX and Commissary for a few supplies (mainly booze and wine)!
Here's a pic of the campsite, full hookups!

We are looking forward to Friday as we get to see the Kiddos!

Winter Excursion 4, Day 9

We hung out at camp this morning, had a nice breakfast, and set off for a walk. The temps are still in the low 40s, but the wind has died down and the sun is out.
We walked over to Ft Miles which is right next to the park. Ft Miles was a coastal watch station during WWII. Some of the old buildings and ammo bunkers are still there. All the original guns (cannons) were cut up and used for scrap after the war. All the guns displayed now are from decommissioned ships. Here are a few pics, there are lots more to see.

View from the fort looking north toward Cape May, NJ

The old lookout tower at the fort. You can still climb it!

Even Kaylee enjoyed the walk. She spent the rest of the day sleeping.
Here's a pic of our campsite.

This afternoon was cleanup as we are leaving tomorrow for Sea Mist CG near Norfolk, VA.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 8

After a quick breakfast we ran a few errands and then took a drive. We went south on the Delaware coast on RT1 and into Maryland.
Stopped at a really good pizza (Italian) place and had a nice lunch of pizza and calzone.
We drove the "strip" in Ocean City, MD and ran into this hotel in the old part of town. My parents used to take me to this hotel when I was 3 or 4 with my Grandparents on Dad's side. I don't know how, but to this day I remember the name. I slightly remember the staircase and porch, but I really remember the pickled watermelon we used to get with breakfast. I looked it up on the internet and it has 2 stars now. According to reviews the rooms are small and could be cleaner. I figure the place is at least 75 years old, what would you expect?

Drove the inland backroads on the way back to camp. When we arrived the camper inside temp was 54!. Seems we've used an entire tank of propane in 8 days, but the weather has been cool and we've been running the heater constantly. So off to the propane filling station I went!
All is well in the Boss Camp!

Winter Excursion 4, Day 7

Got up this morning around 0630 and we were on the road by 0730.  The ferry from Cape May, NJ to Lewes, DE leaves at 1430. It's only 200 miles or so from West Point, NY, but we are taking no chances of being late due to traffic. If we miss it, it adds almost six hours of driving!
The traffic we encountered on US17, I87, and the Golden State Parkway was bad, but not as bad as I had anticipated. We arrived at the ferry at 1130. We only had three hours to kill! There is a restaurant and bar here, but as it's not tourist season it was closed! We grabbed some warmed up burgers and chips for lunch. Here's a pic of the ferry terminal, really nice place.

Here we are in line at the ferry, notice we are first! We were the only ones here for about an hour.

Here's Android Auto with our ferry route.

And here's our view on the ferry. Yep, that's a class A in front of us, we can't see a damn thing! The ride is only 1 1/2 hour long!

Cape Henlopen State Park, DE was only two miles from the ferry landing in Lewes, DE. We got into camp and were all set up by 1700. 
We decided it was too late to start a big dinner, so I ran over to the little camp store in the park. We could not believe they had RAPA Scrapple! I grew up eating this brand and we always seek it out when we are in Pennsylvania.

It's been a long day, I think both of us will sleep well tonight.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 6

We had a nice sunrise this morning.

We spent the morning at the camper, had a nice breakfast, and relaxed.
Early afternoon we headed back to West Point to hit the PX, Commissary, and Gas Station. Cath wanted to drive around the Academy again, so we spent a little while checking out the place again.
Back at camp we got everything ready for travel tomorrow. I'm a little anxious as we will be driving south next to New York and surrounding area. I'm sure the roads will be a zoo! The plan is to stick to the Interstates (which we never do), but I think that will be the safest with less local traffic. Tomorrow's blog will tell.
Off to bed, as it's early to rise.

Winter Excursion 4, Day 5

We had a fun day in the lower Hudson Valley.
First I wanted to post a pic of the campsite. It's a nice place but could be a little better, typical government stuff. Here's a pic of our campsite. I meant to post this yesterday. There is only three of us in the campground. They turned off the water today for the winter, but our tank is full.

We went exploring today. First stop Brotherhood WInery.

This is the oldest winery in the USA!

Here's Cath by one of the old wine barrels. We picked up a few bottles and will share them when we get to the Kid's.

After the winery we went passport stamp hunting.There are many historic sites in this area. We saw villages that were founded as early as 1685!
First stop was the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site.

Next was the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site. 

Nice digs!

Last but not least was the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site.

Back at camp we took Kaylee for a nice "off leash" walk. She loved it. Here's a view of the lake below us where we walked Kaylee. You can see the roof of the cabin just behind our camper.

This whole area is really historic, but a PITA to navigate. The roads are narrow, hilly, potholed, and just plain bad! We are looking forward to getting south again.