On 10/5 we headed out to Niagra Falls, Canada. We stayed at an Encore park over night in St Clair, MI, and arrived in Niagra Falls, Canada on 10/6. We stayed at Jelly Stone Campground. We got settled in fairly quickly as it was supposed to be the only beautiful day while we were there (rain forecasted for the rest of the days we would be there) and we headed off to the Falls. OMG...pictures do not do it justice. Kirk and I walked around and then decided to take the boat tour to the Falls. This is a must. When you go to Niagra Falls, you HAVE to do the boat ride. The boat gets as close as it can, almost to the point of feeling like you are going to get sucked in by the Falls. It's a breathtaking experience. I think Kirk's favorite part of the Falls is when we were walking around and two young Slovakian ladies (if you've ever seen a young, beautiful Slovakian lady, you'll know what I'm talking about) had us take their picture, and in return took a picture of us by the Falls. While at the Falls, we had drinks at the Edgewater, and dined at the Copacabana....our first Brazillian cuisine experience. After dinner, we took a walk by the Falls at night. Another once in a lifetime experience.
We then took off towards New York. Our first stop on the way was at the Oxbow Campsite in East Branch, NY located at the foot of the Catskills. We ate dinner that evening at a quaint little place in Horton, NY called the Riverside Cafe. The next day we arrived in Florida, NY at the Blackbeard Campground where we would be staying for 2 days. The campground offered day tours into New York City. They covered just about everything that we wanted to see, so we went that route. Here is a list of what we saw: Near Ground Zero, Times Square, Ferry Boat tour to Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street, Cathedral, Tear Drop in Bayonne, NJ (donated by Russia), Statue of Liberty, Central Park, John Lennon's apt building. We were not able to depart the boat to tour Ellis Island as the Government shutdown was still in progress.
After leaving NY, we headed toward Maine. We stayed at Wassamski Spring Campground in Scarborough, ME for 2 days (10/10 - 10/12). Kirk could hardly wait to eat Lobster. The office at the campground recommended The Ocean Garden restaurant in Gorham ME (very near where we were staying). Kirk had his first lobster or should I say 3 lobsters for $20. I don't like working for my food, so I had a prepared lobster dish. During our stay there, on 10/11 we took a drive on 1A to Kennebunkport where we saw George Bush Sr's house, and experienced our first Lobster roll. The best food we had though, was at The Fisherman's Grill (hole in the wall) where we shared seared scallops and a jumbo roll. We had drinks and appetizers in Portland at Demilla's floating restaurant. Thanks Bev for the pumpkin beer recommendation.
On 10/12 we drove to the Penobscot Observatory, and Fort Knox in Prescot, ME. I can't begin to express how beautiful the Fall colors have been this entire trip.
On 10/13 we drove to our next stop, the Holden Family Campground in Holden, ME. While there, we took a drive to Bar Harbor. We wanted to go to the Acadia National Park, but once again, we were still looking at the government shutdown. Had yummy lobster mac and cheese in Bar Harbor.
10/14 we are on the road to DC. We stopped in Clarksboro, NJ where we stayed overnight at the Timberlane Campground. The next day we drove to Stafford, VA where we stayed at the Aqia Pines Campground. This is where we stayed while we toured Washington, DC or what we could with the GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN!!. We took the Metro in Washington. Anyway, we did have a great time, and totally wore ourselves out. Kirk even distracted the guard, while I snuck up the steps to see the Lincoln Memorial. We also saw the: Vietnam War Memorial Wall, Korean, and WWII memorials, Arlington National Cemetery, the Capital Building, Washington Monument, The White House, and many, many more sights. As tired as we were, when we returned to our RV, we freshened up, fed the dogs, and let them outside for a bit, and drove to Fredricksburg, VA to visit Chuck and Kara Luman, and Charlie and Jonathan. We met Chuck and Kara when we lived in San Antonio. They belonged to the same church, Journey Fellowship (a Max Lucado church) as we did, and we all attended the same community group. They are an awesome family. When we were there, Kara was pregnant with Katherine and due in January. She has since given birth (just goes to show you how far behind I am in catching up this blog).
We drove to Roanoke Rapids, NC on 10/17 and stayed at Caroline Crossing RV resort. It was a nice park, but they didn't do Passport America as they had stated online. We had pretty good Mexican food at San Jose restaurant. We got up the next morning and headed to Georgia or Alabama. We ended up at the Harderville SC RV resort. During this past week, Kirk had been battling a sore throat/cough and it just wasn't getting any better. But, he wasn't ready to go to a Dr yet (men!!!). We did end up going to a CVS pharmacy in Savannah, GA to see the walk in nurse practitioner. That was a waste ( it wasn't until we got to Midland, TX, that Kirk got any real medicine for his upper respiratory infection. They never did tell him what he had, as they couldn't tell by the CX=ray). We ate BBQ at the Pink Pig, just down the road from our park. This place ( a hole in the wall) had been featured on the food channel, and Southern Living magazine for their BBQ. I also had Brunswick stew for the first time. We took a 4 mile nature preserve drive in Savannah, GA, not far from where we were staying, and saw one gator. It was a pretty drive though.
We had been told that we really should take a drive to Tybee Island, which we did. We took a walk on the beach and then ate at Sting Rays, where we had a waitress with an attitude...really? The next day, 10/20, we drove over to Hilton Head and golfed at the Hilton Head Lakes in Harderville. Afterwards, we ate at the Crazy Crab, and from our table, saw dolphin in the grassy bay.
On 10/21 we were on the road again, heading West. We stayed at the Pelican Palms RV park in Milton, FL for the night. The next day, we were up and heading West again. During this time, we were hoping to have heard from my recruiter about a job assignment, as we wanted to be in Florida for the Winter. Just nothing was coming up, and it wasn't looking good. By now, I was getting ready to be back to work. So, with nothing in FL, we decided to head to TX. Our next stop was at the Palm Coast RV in Beaumont, TX. It was a very nice place, but very noisy from the highway traffic. Fortunately, it was just for the night. My next assignment was going to be in Midland, TX. Definitely not somewhere we wanted to go, but God must have wanted us to be there ( as we find things usually work out for a reason). So, off we went. On 10/23 we stopped in San Antonio, TX, to visit our old neighbors. We stayed at Stoney Creek in Schertz just off I35. We had a great visit with Dave, Karin, Ava, and Dylan. Ate at Chuys with them. Also visited with Bill and Jan. Kirk saw the Thews, and Keith and Melissa and kids. We also talked with Pedro.
On 10/24 we left SA and headed to Midland. This was the end of one of our most wonderful adventures up to this point as husband and wife. Happy 10th Anniversary Kirk!!! Now back to work!
On the boat going through Soo Locks in Sault St Marie, MI
More of the Soo Locks
Entering Canada in the Motorhome
The Slovakian Girls took this one at Niagra Falls (reason for Kirk's big smile)
More of the Falls from the Canadian Side
Boat tour to the Falls. We got kinda wet!
Beautiful view of the Falls from the boat.
Felt like we were in the Perfect Storm when we got this close.
Our first experience at a Brazilian restaurant.
George Bush Sr's house in Kennebunkport, ME. They don't let you get too close.
Kirk is no longer a lobster virgin. Can you tell he really enjoyed it!!!
Yummy Pumpkin beer in Portland, ME
Penobscot Narrows Observatory.
Having lobster mac and cheese in Bar Harbor, ME
Sand Bar at Bar Harbor. Better leave before high tide comes in.
Oxbow Campsite (literally in someone's yard) in East Branch, NY at the foot of the Catskills. Gorgeous area!!
The Pink Pig BBQ in Hardeeville, SC. Featured on the food channel.
Golfing at one of the Hilton Head courses makes you a better golfer :)
View from the top of Penobscot Narrows Observatory in Prospect, ME. Beautiful fall colors.
4th line from the top
Vietnam War Memorial
Kirk took this panoramic pic of the Capitol Building
What we ran into most of our trip.
Kirk's dad, George was a WWII veteran
Saw this couple taking this WWII veteran through the Memorial. Very humbling!
My dad, Rudy was also a WWII veteran
WWII War Memorial
Another view of the Vietnam War Memorial
The White House
Crazy, busy, wonderful New York City
They don't tell you a tip is required until AFTER you take the pic. It was worth it though.
If you look close, you can still see the black char on the entire building from 9/11
Piece of the Twin Tower made into an art display.
The Tear Drop Monument donated by Russia in memory of the Bayonne, NJ victims from terrorists attacks in 1998 and 9/11
Thinking about all those at Sandy Hook, as we pass by.
This pic does not do the colors justice. On our drive back to Holden, ME from our day trip to Penobscot.
The Washington Monument
Korean War Memorial
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
What happens when you leave the dogs at home all day while you are sightseeing!
One of the Cathedrals where survivors were taken, and also where those helping were able to rest during 9/11.
The Freedom Tower, built in place of the Twin Towers.
Alongside one of the buildings in New York City.
Ground Zero
The Station near Ellis Island where Immigrants awaited passage into the United States
Statue of Liberty. Never got tired of seeing this.
Fort Knox near Penobscot Narrows Observatory in Prospect, ME
