Wow, Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Holey moley, last week just flew on by!  We got to witness Annabelle's 8th grade graduation, we saw Alex drive(did we ride with him, oh, heck no!). We swam with all the grands and one of the twins, we watched Norah's gymnastic exhibition and we went to the first two games of Annabelle's basketball tournament.  We also spent a lovely evening dancing with the Fluvanna Flutterwheels, with Jack Pladdys calling.  (Hey Ashby, Ben, Keith & Brenda, it was great fun!) In between all that, we ate, we rode the roads, we ate some more and we just visited.  All in all, it was a lovely week spent enjoying the family, old friends, and new friends.

As always, the scenery was just beautiful - lots of white board fences, rolling hills, Blue Ridge foothills off in the distance, and farms dating back to 1747!  This is certainly some of the prettiest parts of Virginia, but we know how chilly (COLD) it gets here in the winter, and it wasn't really all that warm this past week, and it's JUNE!  As I recall, when we lived here, we always went strawberry picking on the last Saturday in May, then we made jam on Memorial Day, after attending the ceremony down at the courthouse. 

We did have a few days of overcast skies, and even a pretty heavy rain storm, but so far, we've not had the water intrusion we experienced down in South Carolina.  Good thing, too, 'cuz that was really nerve-wracking and unpleasant.  The porch light remains a mystery - sometimes it comes on, sometimes not.  Doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to it....just whatever strikes its fancy at any given moment.  We have called and given the Newmar factory our list of warranty repairs, and it's on the list.  It's a short list, thank Goodness, nothing like the Holiday Rambler!  We just have the porch light, the possible water intrusion, the hole that was punched in the generator hood, the gash in the bay door and a couple of minor door adjustments.  Easy peasy stuff!

I also took a couple of days for sewing - remember that baby quilt I was commissioned to do?  Well, it finally got done and all quilted up!

Turned out pretty well, considering I only have the dining room table to sew on.  Nice view though!  Eventually, Driver is going to make me a leg brace for the table and I'll be able to set the machine square on the table, giving me a little more room to the right, and a little more table to support the weight of the quilt without drag.  And to make things even easier, I ordered a magnetic hoop to alleviate some of the shifting and registration issues inherent in putting thicker material sandwiches in my current hoops.  And a hat hoop!  Don't you want a customized, personalized embroidered ball cap?  Now I'll be able to make them without difficulty. Time to place your orders!  Well, you might want to let me practice on one or two first...

So what happened today?  Thankfully, not much!  (Here's my favorite barn again, viewed through the light rain)

We left Shenandoah Crossings RV Resort, and headed south to Tanglewood Park, in Clemmons, NC.  We navigated out of Charlottesville with no problems, said goodbye to Lovingston & Lynchburg, and took a short pit stop for fuel just inside Danville.  Hit the NC border and it was smooth sailing from there on out.  Surprisingly so, because we remember Rt2 29 going thumpity thump thump for miles and miles.  Not any more - it's been well paved and is smooth asphalt most of the way.  Traffic was pretty sparse, too, so we made really good time.  And NO HIGH BRIDGES!! (thanks for the photo Gail, I won't miss it!)

Made our way through Winston-Salem, with a virtual Toot Toot as we passed Staples' and Tim's neighborhood, and easily entered the park.  We we a bit skeptical, being as we are longer than last time, but we really had no issues.  Doggie and I were both glad to get out and stretch our legs, too.

Once we were all set up ( I had to laugh when the lady in the site across the street came out to supervise; she "helped" by showing Driver which way to turn his wheels to avoid her car (which he was already well past...)) I texted Staples and she and Tim came right on out, bearing gifts of no-salt Boar's Head turkey, bread, chips and spicy guac!  They offered to bring us a half gallon of their special recipe mint julep, but we declined, as Driver is still on antibiotics for his sinuses, and I really don't drink much.  Unless there's a margarita involved, then I might have a whole one.  Maybe another half one, if it's available....

They had a previously scheduled picnic to attend, but we got in a call to Judy (of Judy & Robert fame), and we set up a few play dates for the next couple of weeks.  We'll try to attend an Advanced dance or 2 this week, and then Judy & Robert will come up and see us at Pride, during the International Camp-o-ree next week.

Heavy rain and high winds were expected in the area tonight, but it looks like it's going to be a nice, but chilly, night ahead.  With all the technology available, why is it so hard to accurately predict the weather now-a-days?  

Up until yesterday, we had an appointment for early Monday morning, in Mocksville, to get our Magne-shade and invisible tire screens installed.  What are they, you're asking?  Well, they are sunscreens for the windshield and tires, but specially made for our coach and tires.  The windshield screen will have magnets sewn into pockets (that's the Magne part of the name) and corresponding magnets glued to the inside of the windshield.  There will be a long metal rod to push/hold the screen up, and once the magnets get close to each other, they are supposed to snap together and hold the screen tight to the windshield.  It will allow us to see out, but no one can see in, and even more importantly, it should help keep out some of the heat and UV rays once we arrive in Phoenix.  Being as we are going to be facing West, it's really going to come in handy!  (No, it is absolutely NOT for use during travel) The tire screens are a new style for us - we've always used the kind that drape over and around, or on the old bus, we had flat screens that snapped to the body of the coach and just hung straight down.  We didn't think either of those styles would be aesthetically pleasing on this behemoth, so we opted for the invisible ones.  What's that gonna look like, I'm sure you're wondering.  Well, we don't really know yet.  We know they are donut shaped, and supposedly the same size as our tires (soooo, BIG), and wired edges, so they fold up similar to the way a car's sunscreen twists and folds flat.  I dunno, we'll see.  They called us yesterday and suggested that we wait until Wed or Thurs to bring the coach in for installation, due to the expected inclement weather. Maybe we can use our new-found spare time to find a pet store and get a couple of new bowls for Bailey.

Yeah, you read that right.  We've had Bailey for about 9 years now....and we've taken her and her bowls all over the country for all those years.  And yesterday, we lost said bowls.  Don't ask - I don't know.  I have a hunch, but since it involves a restaurant that is now a couple hundred miles away, it really doesn't matter.  Suffice it to say, we came home with her can of food, bag of dry, the plastic spoon, and her water bottle and its holder.  No bowls.  Luckily, we have others she can use, but they don't fit the wire frame that holds them in place on the floor.  New ones are definitely in order.  

We have started looking into our current reservations and travel schedule, and we found an extra day, unaccounted for.  That's gonna matter!  It's not like we can just go anywhere and fit in, so we have to start looking around for spots to park.  We have our eyes on a Harvest Host produce farm, down the road from Pride, so I'll call them tomorrow.  Plus, I'll want to confirm our next Harvest Host winery spot, down by Commerce, GA, on the way to the National Convention.  I can't remember if I've made that reservation or just picked out the spot.  (old age kickin' in, I suppose)So I guess we've got a plan and The Great Food Truck race has started (airing, on TV).  Who knew they kicked off on the beach, right by the Ferris Wheel in Myrtle Beach?!  How did we miss them?  Guess we don't follow the right peeps on Facebook and weren't there at just the right time...  Oh well, it'll be fun to watch anyway.  After I go get the laundry out of the dryer!  (I love this coach!)

Y'all stay well and dry till next time!

Whirlwind Road Trip

Living on the road, as we do, we don't get to witness our friends' or family's adventures or accomplishments often. Grandkids are growing like kudzu (you know that means they're jumping up a foot a day!), participating in basketball, soccer, gymnastics and other school activities, kids are going through life's ups and downs, friends are getting married and traveling, and every now and then, we find ourselves missing out on "normal" things.  Well, being as we are currently camped in Chesapeake, we thought it would be neat to go on a 4 hour road trip to attend our granddaughter's 8th grade graduation ceremony, since we were "in the neighborhood."

We had coordinated with our daughter, so we could just ride up to her house, visit a bit, let the dog get comfortable (and fed!) then all head over to the middle school and watch the ceremony.  Then we'd spend the night in their guest room and head back today.

So, here's what we saw on the way UP to Charlottesville...

Lots of long, flat road leaving the coast

Going over the James River, west of Richmond

Always our first view of the Blue Ridge Mountains

I'm not a big fan of putting children's pictures out on the web, but, trust me, she was beautiful, poised, and honored to have the highest grade point in her Science class, and we were very proud grandparents.  The ceremony was exactly what you'd expect - in a gym, hot, rowdy, and a little bit chaotic at times. Then there was the aftermath party, you know, where everyone stands around congratulating each other and taking pictures & posting to Instagram.  All very much 8th grade normal.  We got back to the house around 8:30 and were fed a lovely taco dinner.  Watched the end of an OLD movie (Mr. Brewster's Millions, circa 1986?) and retired early.  You know, all very much grandparent normal.  This morning came early, 'cuz we wanted to try out a new route back to the campground.  It's one we hope to take out when we're ready to leave.  And there was a bridge tunnel involved, so we have to make sure it's passable.  By the camper and the campee (me!).

But, on the way out of Charlottesville, we passed my very favorite barn (this is for you, Barbara!)

And one of my all-time favorite-ever estates (I know, it's really hard to see, but it's circa 1800's and VERY stately). And, being where it is, there is likely some rough and not very pleasant(nor politically correct) history behind its walls. But is sure is a pretty place.

Back at the coast, as we approached the bridge-tunnel, we saw mounds and mounds of coal.  Whoever told us no one used coal anymore lied.  Flat out lied.  There were acres and acres covered with the nasty stuff and they were actively loading it into RR cars for transport somewhere. 

 This was taken as we passed Norfolk Shipyards.  I have no idea what's happening here, whether it's a ship being built or repaired, but, obviously there was a ship in the yard.

 And now we are approaching the tunnel part.  I missed the photo op of the sign that advised all Haz-Mat carriers, RV's and trucks to pull over for inspection.  I am sure, even though we are all electric now, we will still need to pull over and have them verify that for us.  Lord knows I don't want them chasing us down through the tunnel (G-d forbid, they CATCH US and MAKE US STOP!).  Oh, my poor heart is having palpitations just thinking about that! Yes, yes, I think we'll stop and let them know we are safe.  No propane on board. Nothing noxious or flammable.  We'll be sure not to eat beans the night before.

 At least it's well lit inside.

Thankfully, the tunnel part was short, much shorter than the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (yeah, the very one that had a truck jacknifed into its side for 8 HOURS last week).  That's the alternative, and more usual route, and that's why we're trying to find another way.

Once out of the tunnel part, we got to go over the bridge section.  It's loooooong, but it's not too high.  Seems like I remembered a REALLY REALLY high drawbridge here, but apparently, that's not on this route.  Suits the heck outta me!!  I can do this one, I'm fairly sure.  As long as I'm not driving.

Once we got this far, it was a piece of cake and I could relax and enjoy the scenery.  Apparently, it's a good day for boating.  Nice, flat water.

We arrived back at the campsite with no further complications, and, boy, did it feel good to be home, in our own home!  The coach is really beginning to feel like HOME, and it's where we both want to be, when we're not out gallivanting.  We opened the sides back up (we'd pulled them in, in the event of storms & wind), started the laundry and put away the VA Diner peanuts (yum!) and BBQ (double yum!!) we had purchased while we were out.  

I'm actually in the middle of making a baby quilt for a lady who does childcare in her home.  We've been collaborating for a few years now, and I've made her several pillowshams and a few houseware items (curtains, mixer cover, aprons).  These are the fabrics, and this is what I've made so far, so now we're to the point of selecting thread colors for the embroidery.  She wants a birth announcement with all the usual stats, and I've got an orange-face, similar to what's been fussy cut in the squares, to add to it, so there are lots of options to add color.

What do y'all think?  I know there's yellow in the backing fabric (polka-dots, shown all the way left, above photo), but does it go with the front?  Personally, I'm not a fan. The bottom row of thread cones will all be used in the embroidery & quilting, it's just the top row in question, for the name & data.  Suggestions, anyone?

So, tomorrow is Saturday, and it looks like the very same granddaughter will be traveling down to Virginia Beach for a basketball tournament, so we get to see them all again!  This time, our travel time will only be about a half hour, so yaay, for that, and YAAAY for no tunnels!  And only ONE bridge!  In the meantime, the laundry beckons. 

Y'all stay safe!