Saturday, October 31, 2015

Chincoteague Refuge

Hi All,

Early on Friday we hiked along the wildlife loop at Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. We were too early for the masses of ducks and geese but we saw quite a few different birds.

We also saw about 20 of the famous Chincoteague ponies.


Like most barrier islands, Assateague has a great lighthouse.

At the local museum we found the original 1860 1st order Fresnel Lens imported from England for the lighthouse.

The local "watermen" harvested huge quantities of oysters. This museum exhibit displayed many of the different brands of canned oysters.

The museum also included this 1880 Howe Hand Pump firefighting apparatus .

Another part of the fire fighting exhibit displayed this quote
It reminded us of our friend Geno Farnam , for many years a firefighter in Nashua, NH. If you know a current or retired firefighter, give them a hug!

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Friday, October 30, 2015

South to Virginia

Hi All,

Yesterday we drove south to Chincoteague Island. Along the way we stopped at the Wallops Island Flight Facility.

Started as a Navy test facility in 1945, Wallops transferred to NASA in 1956. They launch orbital and sub-orbital research rockets and manage the high altitude balloon program ( usually launched from Antarctica).

From the observation deck we saw this big array of satellite antennas.


This test article validated the Mercury Program launch abort system.

This is a Nike-Cajun sounding rocket.

After Wallops we settled into the campground on Chincoteague Island. Sitting out on a 70 degree evening

and enjoying a lovely sunset.
Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Delaware Wildlife Refuges

Hi All,

Our trip south began with an uneventful 350 mile drive from Bellingham, MA to New Castle, DE. On Tuesday and Wednesday we visited two of the major wildlife refuges along the Atlantic flyway.

It is still early for the bulk of the waterfowl migration but Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge had thousands of shorebirds, mostly dunlin and semipalmated sandpipers. Still some beautiful foliage colors from a distance.


Millions of fiddler crabs occupy the mud flats. Every hole in the mud is someone's home.

Close up foliage is striking as well.

The past two days have been raw and damp but we saw enough different birds to make our visit worthwhile.
Tomorrow we drive to the premiere Atlantic flyway refuge, Chincoteague. Lots of birds and ponies too!

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Sunday, October 25, 2015

Night on the Town

Hi All,

We rode the MBTA into Boston late Saturday afternoon. We walked around Downtown Crossing, past the Old South Meeting House (now surrounded by modern buildings).



In the new Boston Public Market we discovered Boston's Official Pumpkin, all 1,020 pounds of it!

Elliot had a coupon so we ate at Fillipi's . This turned out to be the same building where Roberta celebrated her sweet 16 party- 50+ years ago.

Among the local memorabilia were three seats from the old Boston Garden.

After dinner we walk past the Old State House
on our way to the Orpheum Theater to see the AGT touring show.

The show included comedian Taylor Williamson, magician Smoothini, singer Emily West, dance/graphics by Blue Journey, comedy/strength pair Kristoff Brothers and ladder/trash can drummers Recycled Percussion. A great show.

Monday we head for Florida.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Visit with Jean & Geno

Hi All,

Jean & Geno are friends from when we all lived in Hudson, NH. When they retired they bought a beautiful home close to Lake Winnipesaukee in Moultonborough, NH.

We drove up to see them and spent a wonderful day enjoying a great dinner and catching up on events during the year since we last saw them.

As we walked along the lake shore in Meredith, a passing stranger offered to take a picture of the four of us.


Still a bit of foliage color along the lake.
Thursday will be our last day of medical appointments (Yay), then we prepare to head for Florida for the winter.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Catching Up

Hi All,

It has been almost a week Since our last email. Here's what we have been up to:

Halloween celebration on the Disney Cruise. Some of you may have seen this photo on Sandy's Facebook feed. Garrett (16) on the right and Wyatt (14) on the left. Wyatt's monkey suit was a big hit.


Last Thursday evening Roberta and Elliot took us to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in Providence, RI. Hard to believe these are all hand carved!
Thousands of pumpkins

including the Taj Mahal

and Mt Rushmore.

Friday we relocated the coach to Brookline, NH to facilitate visiting NH friends and doctors. Nice foliage around the campground fishing pond.

Monday we both had our annual physicals. Our primary care physician, Dr. Peter Hacker has had this knick knack in one of his examining rooms for as long as we can remember.
Dr Hacker marked our records, "RV in April". Carl got excited believing our Recreational Vehicle was now a medical tax deduction. Sadly, this "RV" stands for "Return Visit"😖.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Monday, October 12, 2015

50th Reunion

Hi All,

This weekend the Girl's Latin School Class of 1965 celebrated their 50th reunion. Nearly 70 women attended.

Sandy enjoyed the luncheon get together yesterday and today we both attended a brunch at the home of one of the alums.

It was a fun gathering and we will see many of them again since a lot of them winter in Delray Beach, FL area.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Saturday, October 10, 2015

Back in the land of the Lobsta

Hi All,

Less than 24 hours after arriving, Sandy had a new iPhone 6S and lunch.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Thursday, October 8, 2015

Almost There

Hi All,

We stopped for the night in Austerlitz, NY about ten miles from the MA border. Normally tomorrow would be a rest day but since we are  only two hours away we will finish the trip tomorrow.

The only campground in this area was a bit off the beaten track but check out the sunset view from our site!

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Wednesday, October 7, 2015

RV Museum

Hi All,

Our second rest day on this trip was in Elkhart, IN. Frequent sightings of horse drawn carriages reminded us we were in Amish country. 

Elkhart is the epicenter of the trailer and RV industry. It is also the home of the RV Museum.

The oldest known RV; a 1913 Earl Trailer pulled by a Ford Model T.


A snug interior but a start.

Moving up to a Ford Model A, here is  a 1931 Ford Housecar.

Larger interior with more amenities.

Crank-up tent trailers evolved in the post-war era. This 1955 Ranger is the first known RV with a "Slideout". Note also the mid-50's Ford tail lights.

Check out this 1931 Mae West Housecar.

"Come on up and see me some time".

Finally, this 1928 Pierce Arrow Housecar, one of only three built. Note the clerestory windows on the roof, like the roofline of a trolley
Getting closer to home.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Saturday, October 3, 2015

North Platte, NE

Hi All,

As many of you know, our usual travel plan is to drive 350-400 miles each day for two days then take a rest day. Two days drive from Grand Teton brought us to North Platte, NE. 

Researching things to do in town revealed Fort Cody Trading Post, the county Historical Museum and the Lester Larsen Tractor Museum.

In the end we decided to visit the rail yard. Not any rail yard mind you, but the largest in the country-Union Pacific's Bailey Yard. 


This aerial photo does not do the place justice. Thousands of rail cars, 150 trains a day. But, without an airplane how can one get a sense of the place?

Build an eight story observation tower-The Golden Spike Tower.

This panorama is about 25% of the yard. There are four trains in motion!

This is the diesel shop with hundreds of locomotives being serviced or repaired.

On the south side of the tower is a more typical Nebraska landscape-corn as far as the eye can see.

After the tower we found a movie playing the Martian. We both enjoyed it and Carl said it was very close to the book.
We continue east tomorrow. Our next rest day is in Elkhart, IN.

Love,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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