Things are looking up.

 September 30, 2022

Travel day from Pa to Ohio

Ashland RV Park site 24

Marietta, Ohio

The challenge of the day - pack up without taking a dunk in the pond.  Okay, so it really is just an inconvenient puddle of water located right by our bay door where we will be stowing all our connections.

And then there is all the mud to contend with.  They really need to widen the site with more gravel.

Rather a disappointing stop on our summer adventure.  This higher priced campground didn't have many amenities but it had mud, close sites (although the sites were empty while we were there), trains, an extra charge for early arrival and Dad's favorite....a woodchuck....close up and not viewed in some far off field. 

Now checkout our new digs at half the price.  Loads of room and full hook up.  Host said, 'Just let me know when you are getting close and I'll meet you at the entrance'.  And she even had an area information guide for us!!  Too sweet😉

Can you believe the play yard I have?  

And boy can I use it after having no where to ball chase where we were.  Come on Dad. Let's play ball...

I'm Chloe

Mission Accomplished

 September 29, 2022

Indian Brave CG site 7

Harmony, Pa (north of Pittsburg)

We arrived in New York a month ago and Dad began to search in earnest for a woodchuck.  He said they should be plump and easy to spot at this time of the year.  As we traveled the countryside roads, he felt certain he would have success on his mission....but it appeared that the woodchucks were being elusive and frustrating Dad. Lots of squirrels. Deer.  A few chipmunks.  Even some road killed raccoons, porcupine and such....but no woodchucks.

Dad said we couldn't leave until he spotted a furry, fat woodchuck.  I was thinking we might just stay here and freeze to death if 'chucky' didn't appear soon.  Only in the 50's today...and maybe we'll sneak into the 60's if we get real lucky.

And then it happened...right here at the campground.  Dad and I walked down our steps and looked over at the back row of rv's ....and there he was

right before our eyes.

Posing for a picture before scurrying off.

Okay Dad, mission accomplished.  We can depart as scheduled tomorrow heading further south.  I'll bet we'll begin our day in the 60's instead of 40's and 50's.

I'm Chloe

An different Welcome

 September 27, 2022

Indian Brave CG site 7

Harmony, Pa

We had an easy pull today on 4 lane highways and only about 135 miles.  We arrived at 12:40 and found the office locked.  The sign on the door posted hours for the weekend, but didn't list any Tuesday hours.  The sign had a phone number to call...so Momma did.  The gal answered right away and said she'd be right there.

Well, it seems check-out is at noon, but check-in isn't until 2pm so.....the gal said she had to charge us an extra $10. That was a surprise - a first time experience- and not part of their website info. I guess it was worth not having to pack up in the rain this morning.  The skies were getting pretty dark so it was time to hit the road.     

We received an escort to our site taking us to the short term area which consists of long pull thru sites.  Our escort directed us to pull to the end of the site and told Dad he could park the truck behind the rig. 

After surveying our home for the next 3 nights, and the mud along the edges of the graveled site driveway, Dad decided it might be best to back up a tad so that our entrance steps weren't in the muddy area.  

As Dad backed up, it drew the attention of a camp worker/manager?/owner?/guy in charge who was passing by on a tractor. He looped around and informed Dad he had to pull back forward to the end of the site or our awning would interfere with the neighbor's awning. They use stager parking here.  Neighbor???  There are empty sites on either side of us plus additional empty sites.  Dad told him he had moved to get our door area away from the mud.  "Hmm, someone must have laid a mat down." was his reply.  "Do you need assistance moving?"  

Needless to say, after the gal giving us the 5mph lecture (she made us feel guilty when we hadn't even had an opportunity to 'break' the rule), we really were feeling a tad unwelcomed here.  Such a negative vibe!!

The rule sheet says:

We hape your stay with us is a great memory.  Here are a few rules we want to make sure every camper at IBC knows about without overwhelming you with a huge list (we have one).

The rule stating 'no indecent exposure' made the short list.  It makes one wonder what has transpired in the past to have that rule included in the top 20 list. Maybe they had a streaker??  Skinny dippers in the pool??

By the way, no mats on grass made the short list as well. 

The rule I don't like is about not being allowed off lead (no surprise there) with no dog park to romp in.  Actually,  Dad says it is too muddy for any romping.  The short daily on again off again showers don't seem to let things dry up here.  We even had some pea sized hail join the rain shower.  I guess it'll be indoor romping for me!!  

Here's hoping for some outdoor running room when we move on.

I'm Chloe

Elk

September 26, 2022

Woodland Campground site 25

Woodland, Pa

Another day, another area to explore, a new adventure.  Today Momma and Dad ran off in search of ELK.  We are located in close proximity to the largest Elk viewing area.

Stopping off for fuel before making the 40 minute trek to the viewing visitor center, Dad was smiling from ear to ear when he spotted the $4.49 sign for diesel.  Yep, off to a good start!!

The Visitor Center was almost as enchanting as the beautiful drive  as the land appeared more undeveloped and cell service was left behind.

Viewing stations have been established around the center.  Look closely.  Can you see the Elk?

Maybe this close up shot will help

taken from a postcard.  

You see, our timing needed some improvement.  A gentleman said there was a huge male at the drive entrance....just before we arrived.  And another viewer said he returned today because yesterday he enjoyed seeing the horrendous herd that kept growing in the field as the evening approached.  But we were there in mid afternoon, and all was still and quiet.

The closest Momma got to elk was in the restroom as she gazed at the pic on the wall.

But the parking lot maples were in full color and a treat for sure.

And we didn't depart without seeing a live creature

even if it was just a fuzzy catepillar.

Taking a different route back, making it a full loop, the picturesque views were enjoyed as the winding road followed the flowing creek bed, winding around, up and down and giving glimpses of hunting cabins nestled in the woods until arrival back in Clearfield where the trip began.  

Clearfield has many offerings, including the Dairy Queen where Momma got to use her birthday blizzard coupon.  Yummy!  Of course Dad didn't let her eat alone.  And he didn't insist she share.  So he got one.  She got one.  Where is mine?   Don't tell me everyone forgot about the 'pretty little gal' left behind?  I'm not so sure a dog's life is such a great thing after all....

I'm Chloe

A difference of opinion

 September 25, 2022

Travel Day to

Woodland CG site 25

Woodland, PA

I don't have anything to complain about.  I stayed dry while Momma and Dad, who had been fozzling around this morning closing up the inside of the rig, stepped outside to disconnect cables and hoses and back the truck under ...... just as the rain began.  It was only a soft, light rain.  But it was still wet...but not in a drenching way.  Just enough to make things a tad miseable.  

I guess we are due for a bit of wet packing up.  The rain has been very cooperative most of the summer for us.  It just wasn't something that was expected and could have easily been avoided if there had been less fozzling this morning.

By the time we hit the highway....or maybe I should correctly say....country roads...there was only a drizzle to contend with.  

Momma said the first two thirds of the trip today was absolutely enchanting while Dad's take was a complete 180 opinion.  It might have had something to do with the fact that Dad couldn't enjoy the countryside views while trying to maneuver our truck with fiver attached over the country lane ...as in narrow road....on the squiggle path.  The speed limit was 40 but we didn't even get close to that speed.  

As the road wandered the shoreline of Harvey Lake, Dad really questioned if this was the best mapping route we should have taken.  Momma said the homes and views were lovely.

The last third was more relaxing behind the steering wheel and even a bit colorful the further west we headed in Pennsylvania.  

The traffic on the interstate was light and the road smooth for a change.

Our arrival was seamless and the greeting warm and welcoming with lots of great info about the area.  The campground owner gave Momma a map of the nearby area of Clearfield with all the important locations hand written on the homemade map...shops, restaurants, gas stations, etc.  

Our escort delivered us to our long pull through site and the dry skies immediately began weeping once again.  It was only fitting.  Pack up in the rain.  Set up in the rain.  Once again, it was only a light rain and Momma and Dad had their routine synchronized so zip, snap and we were right at home and settled in.

A new location with new smells, if they don't get washed away with these on again, off again showers.  Hey, it sure beats a hurricane!!  Hang in there Florida....

I'm Chloe

Steamtown

 September 24, 2022

Cozy Creek Family CG site 72

Tunkhannock, Pa

Can you believe it?  A FREE National Historic Site manned by the National Park Service, that was even more charming and informative than museums that have charged dearly to be allowed to tour. 

 Steamtown is all about 

railroading in the age of steam.

The center of the venue is the 90 foot turntable that loads a train engine and then turns it, lining the locomotive up with the tracks leading to the storage bay in the roundhouse where it will reside until it returns to the turntable to be turned to line up on the tracks leading away from the site.

The museum was loaded with information and impressively presented.  It touched on communication around the trains.  The train whistle speaks a language if you know what the long, short and repetitive blasts mean.  Different colored lanterns carried and swung in various positions sign a silent message.  And to keep the trains operating on the tracks without collision, the telegraph was used to communicate the train's location and proper train track switch positions.  There was even a verbal slang language used around the trains.  

Dad was enchanted with the exposed piping and movable parts that allowed the viewer to see how the system worked,  Water, heated by coal...not just any coal....anthracite, a hard, clean-burning coal... turned to steam that in turn made the movable parts take motion under the control of the engineer who determined the amount of steam pressure through the use of levers.

For every type of load to be transported whether it was live animals, heavy minerals, items to be kept dry, needing to be kept cool, needing air, or confining liquids, there was a special train car designed for ease of loading, transporting safely and unloading.

And of course, let's not forget the necessary train tracks needed.  

There was hard labor in many positions to keep the freight and passengers moving from one location to another safely and efficiently.

This museum is a delightful glimpse of transportation prior to 1925, when the diesel engine made its appearance and phased out the steam locomotives. 

Well worth the trip over the dreadful entrance/exit road of the campground. 

I'm so glad they returned safely to me, left sleeping ...oops...I mean guarding our home on wheels.

I'm Chloe

Memorable entrance

 September 23, 2022

Cozy Creek Family CG site 72

Tunkhannock, Pa

Dad, are you sure this is the right way?  It's getting so dark heading down this heavily treed lane that your headlights just came on...in the middle of the day! 

Watch out Dad.  That's a pretty big pothole. 

ooouff...  I saw you turn the wheel to go around it .....only to dive into another one.  I sure don't see anything that resembles a campground yet.  Momma's going to be upset when she sees all the load shifting that is being created.  How long is this entrance?  It must be at least a mile or more. It feels like several miles at this crawl speed.   Whew!!  I can hardly wait to do that again on the way out....NOT!!

Let me know how it is when you head out to Steamtown with just the Ram to visit the Steam Train Museum.  It certainly better be one super duper museum to make it worth traveling that entrance/exit road!!

I'm Chloe

How cold??

 September 23, 2022

Travel Day

Marathon, NY to Tunkhannock, Pa

I'm not sure I can type with these chilly....okay...nearly frozen...paws.  I woke up to 44 degrees and that makes for some chilly ground on my paws.  I did wait a while to go out, but that stubborn thermometer wasn't budging!  At least last nights rain has ended and the sun is peeking out among the clouds.

Today is travel day.  Lucky for us, it is a shorter pull today with around 90 miles heading into Pennsylvania.  I say lucky,  because with such a short trip, there is no need to rush.  We can get on the road in late morning, giving the sun a chance to work on that stubborn thermometer.  

See that, it's 10:35 and the temperature is slowly rising...a whole 4 degrees.  

Maybe I should just put my paws down firmly and refuse to step outside until it is at least in the 50's? ! ?  

Of course, it is always cozy in the Ram as Dad doesn't like the cold at all.  He even heats a rice bag to keep his tootsies warm at night between the sheets.  Hey, now that's an idea.  I'll just use a warm rice bag on my chilled paws.  And I think if I have one or two of those warm from the oven peanut butter cookies that Momma just baked, my belly will feel just right.

Okay Dad, I've got it all figured out.  I'm ready to brave the chill.  Maybe it will be just a tad warmer where we are going.  After all, we are heading south on I-81.

I'm Chloe

1890 House

 September 22, 2022

Country Hills CG site 26

Marathon, NY

Chester Wickwire has been deceased for over a century, but is still remembered for his creativity.  Chester ran a merchandise shop.  In 1873, he received a carpet loom, 2 dozen dog muzzles, 3 dozen egg beaters and 2 rat traps as settlement/payment for some plant stands. Enjoying tinkering, he set the loom up on the second floor of his store and creatively adapted it to weave wire,  producing wire cloth, which he sold to customers as fly screening.  

He soon outgrew the store and built an ever expanding factory in Colgate, NY with an expanding collection of wire products such as popcorn poppers, wire baskets, soap holders, etc.

This led to the need for more workers than were available in the area so Chester Wickwire would travel to New York City to offer imigrants jobs.

On one of his trips to New York, he chanced by a home that took his eye.  He boldly stopped and inquired about the structure and discovered the home belonged to Bailey of Barnum and Bailey Circus.  Bailey shared the name of the architect and Chester hired him to draw up plans for a mirror image of the stone home to be built in Colgate.

The guided house tour gave an impression of wealth with parquet floors, stained glass, elaborate woodwork, silk wall coverings and raised painted wallpaper.  

Attention to detail was viewed throughout the home.  Even the drawer pulls were designed with a woven wire design.

Chester shared his wealth with the community donating money for community improvements such as the hospital that he built.  

Unfortunately, the last relative to live in the house passed on in 1973 so the items in the house were sold off only to become the project in later years of trying to recover those objects to take their places back in the home which is now toured as a museum.

Momma said it was an interesting morning activity, traveling back into a earlier period of time.  She wished the trip to Colgate would have been more colorful, but it is still too early for Mother Nature's colorful fall display.

With the temperatures in the 50's today and off and on rain showers, there is no desire to stay in the area much longer.  The warmer temps of the south are calling, but we will only travel as far as Tunkhannock, Pa tomorrow.

I'm Chloe