In the hills of PA

Well, we've made it back to where we began our nomadic lifestyle nearly 17 years ago. We've changed and so has the old home place. We're presently parked at Alparon Park, our local fairground in Troy, PA off US Rte 14 & US Rte 6. We're on what we call "pipeline alley" along with the 5the wheelers working in the newly discovered natural gas fields. This strike is considered one of the largest in the country and should bring prosperity and problems for years to come. The area won't be the same and that's the way change happens, I guess.

Had a good trip north along US I-95 to greater Washington area. A quick trip to TraderJoes, and a dinner with Nancy's cousin, a quick visit to her parents graves and on through along I-81, US 15 then US 14.

We're looking forward to a month or so in the area visiting our ever-dwindling family and making the rounds with old and new friends. There are a couple of weddings on the agenda, music and the annual Troy Fair, along with some visits to far away and exotic places like Ithica, NY and Moosewood to perhaps some camping and even kayaking. There's lots of water here and more comes almost every day! I'd forgotten about this area's summer rains, even though Ms. Nancy has reminded many, many times. Happy trails...

Achieving escape velocity

Well, looks like we're on our way again after nearly 6 weeks in the Miami area we're northbound. Hard to leave the food and all those mangos behind, but it was time. Plan to be back in September anyway, so great opportunity to enjoy the rain and cold of NE Pennsylvania.

Made it as far as Cape Canaveral where we hoped for an opportunity to observe the rescheduled shuttle launch. We found a great RV park at Manatee Hammock County Park located just across the causeway from the Kennedy Space Center and only 8 miles or so from the launch pad. Great location and open view across the Indian River to where it was all happening...or at least scheduled to happen. The launch was scheduled for 5:35am, 17 June and we were ready. Early to bed, alarm set...then a phone call at midnight. Wrong number from Phoenix! Back to sleep, sort of. Finally, no sleep and back up at 3am to check countdown status via the internet. Oh no! Mission scrubbed as hydrogen leak again detected. Great Scott. Back to bed and sleep again. Well, not to say the whole trip was for naught, enjoyed the Space Center, tour, exhibits and museums. And another launch the next day of the Lunar Recon Vehicle so why not stay another day? And we did. Nice time to explore scenic downtown Titusville and environs as well as return to the Space Center. Clouds were building throughout the day and a nasty thunderstorm was building from the west...even some lightning and a bit of rain. Great! Well the short of the story is that the Atlas V rocket eventually did go, on the last launch window of the day. It wasquite an experience as we saw the ship lift off with large plume and flame, and about 30 or so seconds later came the roar and rumble. We've been told that the shuttle launch would have been many times more powerful. Wow! Now, there's the small matter of schedule and how to get there again.

As for now, we're well along the road north. Tonight near Richmond, VA and tomorrow on to the Washington, DC metro area on the VA side for visit and dinner with Nancy's cousin, a quick visit to TraderJoe's and on to PA for doctor's visit for Ms.Nancy. Her injured achilles tendon has not improved over the past 8 months and has become quite painful and debilitating. Time to deal with it and hopefully we'll be able to attend it well while visiting our old home area of Troy, PA. More later on ... Happy trails

And it's still raining

Please don't get the idea that we're obsessed with the rain. We try not to be, but it appears our days revolve around a little sunshine in the early morning, then wondering how much and when rains will begin. Even now our little Prius is still at the Toyota dealership "drying out" and having seats and carpet removed after we were flooded out yesterday afternoon after 9" of rain fell in 2 hours out on Miami Beach! We were at Bill's apartment with car parked out on the street when it hit= the lightening and thunder, the winds and then the rain. We had just arrived when the storm hit with now reported over 100 lightening strikes in that short time. Sounded like bombs going off everyplace. Quite a freaky event...very intense.

BTW, the picture above is after the rains had stopped and the water had gone down. I had to go barefoot, pants rolled up to get my "rain sandals" and camera from the car. Actually, water level was above door bottom, and the not so water resistant doorseal.

Spent 3 hours at dealership today as all commercial water removal companies failed to return our calls. Must be they were busier with bigger deals than our little Prius. We're really concerned about mildews and molds since those are Nancy's known allergens, and no amount of my shamwow activity was getting at the water underneath the carpet liner. Dealership was pretty busy, but with regular weekenders getting general service work done. Interesting was the mix of technological activity in the waiting room ranging from books & big screen tv to IPhones, texting, IPods and even free wifi...but the free coffee wasn't that great!

Can't pick up car until Monday. Thankful that it looks like it will work out well inspite of the $$ and hassle...check out http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/1084607.html if you want to see some of the other storm happenings about 4 blocks from our location. We're really begining to miss the desert southwest! happy trails, tom and nancy