Memorial Day Weekend

North Dakota campers have to be the heartiest group of campers in the whole world. Picture this if you will it is 45 degrees, raining with the wind blowing out of the east at 15- 20 MPH. Well that's what it was Fri.afternoon and evening and all but 3 of our registered campers checked in for the weekend, two out of the three checked in Sat. Now that is what I call dedicated to camping. Many of them were campers that were here a lot last year. It was good to see them and they all were glad we had returned. Isn't it nice to be liked and appreciated.
Sat. the weather cleared and we warmed up to 60 degrees and it is supposed to reach 70 degrees today. The rain has made these hills so green it gives you such a peaceful feeling to be nestled in them with such a perfect view of Lake Sakakawea. This morning Nancy saw a couple of turkeys come strolling by the motor home and disappear over the hill by the cabins.

Hazen Bay for the summer

Mon. morning we went to city hall to check in with the new director of parks & recreation, pick up keys, reservation book etc. The new directors name is Joe Amundson he is really young looks to be just out of college. It was sad not to see Jeff Gustafson but we knew last year when we left that we probably wouldn't see him again. Cancer doesn't care if you are young or not. We have a couple named Larry & Sharyl Roth that will be part time camp hosts with us this year. They will also help some in the c-store that is being run by the Roth family here in Hazen that has the Tersaro c-store in town. The park board is in the process of adding another 20 full hookup sites that should be ready in another month. These will be mostly occupied by seasonal campers. That will make the seasonal count around 30 campers. I think it will be a good improvement to the park along with the expanded hours that the new management plans for the c-store it looks like we should have a good summer here. Out of the 3 days we have been here we have had two cold wet days . It is around 50 degrees with intermittent rain showers as I write this. Hopefully it will clear and we can at least get the RV sites mowed before this weekend. We just saw four antelope in the drive way. This morning there was a coyote ran through by the motor home and during the day you can hear the pheasants crowing just over the hill. Every morning I have heard a pair of geese honking down in the bay which is dry at this time, they must have a nest down there. I also see fresh deer tracks in the area where the new sites are being put in.

Hazen , ND

After a nice visit Thurs. afternoon and evening with our friends Bud & Dorothy Nicholas in Rockford, Ill We departed Fri morning heading north on I-90 into Wisconsin. Driving across Wisconsin we left the fertile farm lands and went into the rolling wooded dairy lands along I-94 into Minnesota. We parked for the night at the St Cloud Campground & RV Park. There was a Monaco Coach Rally going on so they parked our Newmar Mountain Aire right between to Monaco's.
Sat. morning we were up and on the road at 8AM CST. Going west on I-94 toward Fargo, ND we left the rolling wooded hills dotted with small lakes for the flat fertile farm lands in the Red River Valley. They had received a lot of rain in the night and there was water standing in all of the newly planted fields. I sure hope they don't have to replant but it sure didn't look good. We stopped at the Flying J Truck stop in Fargo for Fuel. It was $2.86 per gallon the most we have paid to date. The lowest was $2.54 a gallon before we left Kentucky. Driving west from Fargo On I-94 we left the fertile Red River Valley and entered the gently rolling lands dotted with larger lakes and less trees of Eastern ND. We stopped in Bismarck At Wall-Mart for some supplies and the it was north on US 83 to Washburn and west on Alt 200 arriving in Hazen at around 4PM MST. It was 68 degrees when we left St. Cloud and 50 degrees when we arrived in Hazen. It seems to me as if something is wrong in this picture 85 degrees when we left Sebring 3 weeks ago and now we are coping with 50 degrees. They did tell us it was 90 here yesterday. The farmers here are planting what I imagine would be peas and canola.
We are parked at the Lewis & Clark RV Park in Hazen. We will stay here today and hopefully get the motor home washed. After checking in at city hall we will go out to Hazen Bay in the morning(Monday).

Rockford, ILL

Mon. morning around we bade our friends Paul & Mary goodbye. We will see them again in the fall. We continued west out of the mountains and onto the farmlands of Indiana. Mid afternoon we arrived at Charlie & Almeda Gant's near Anderson, Indiana. Charlie & Almeda live just 4 house down from us in Buttonwood Bay. We set up between the horse barn and their house. They live on the same acreage that their daughter & son-in-law live. We had a nice visit with them. They showed us around the Anderson area. Anderson used to have many manufacturing facilities that were connected to the auto industry they are no longer in operation. They also took us to the headquarters of Bill & Gloria Gaither. They do not offer tours of the recording studio or grounds but they do have a rather large gift shop where you can buy their Cd's, DVDs and much more. Anderson is just a few miles northeast from Indianapolis.
We departed their place around noon on Tues. and went about an hour west to Lebanon, Indiana were our friends Ray & Ida Vanausdall live. While there we set up in their drive way right next to their house. Ida fixed a delicious ham loaf supper for us and we played eucker all evening. Wed. morning we went to Judy's cafe for breakfast and then drove about an hour northeast to Kokomo, Indiana. In Kokomo we took an tour of the Kokomo stained glass factory. It was a very interesting tour as we saw them pour the hot glass from the kiln onto a table where it was turned with an iron fork 2 or 3 times. It then went through a roller that resulted in a sheet of hot glass about 3ft. by 6 ft. It then went through a cooling oven where it is cut into 36in.X32in. pieces ready for shipment. We also saw a 2 people blowing glass. They were making roundells about 15 in. across. After leaving there we drove about 15 miles northwest of Kokomo to the farming community of Galveston. Several people we know from Buttonwood Bay live in that area. We stopped at the farm Bob & Mary Ketchel. Mary wasn't home but Bob was. He took us a nice tour through the farming area there. We stopped at Dan & Barbara Ketchel's and visited them for a few minutes. We then went into Galveston where Bob bought us lunch. After lunch we drove around some more and went by Grissom Air Force Base. The end of the runway is about 1&1/2 mile East of Bob & Mary's farm. It was then back to Lebanon for another meal and more eucker practice.
This morning it was up and on the road by 8:30AM. West into Ill. on I-74 and then north on I-39 to Rockford where we plan visit with Bud & Dorothy Nicholas before heading on toward Hazen Bay in the morning. Since entering Indiana we have seen some very nice farm land. We have not seen corn bigger than six inches. however. They say things are a little behind this year. Bob Ketchel's corn was the best we have seen. He said they finished planting soybeans a couple of days prior to our arrival. They had a nice rain through much of the area on Wed evening so we have not seen anyone in the field since then.

Zanesville, Ohio

Tonight finds us at Wolfies Campground in Zanesville, Ohio. Yesterday We didn't do alot We went to the grocery store and restocked the fridge. On the way back we stopped at Deiners for one more home cooking buffet. I hate to guess how much weight we may have gained this last 5 days. Back to Roamers by mid afternoon where we took it easy. We enjoyed listening to the whistle of the steam train next door and watching them do some dirt work with some old construction equipment, some of which was steam powered. This morning we left Kinzer around 9AM . Went north west on 283 to Harrisburg where we got on the PA Turnpike then onto I70. We went across the Appalachian mountains and then the Allegheny Mountains. We went through 3 different tunnels through the mountains. I would guess that each one was a least 1/2 mile long. We sure do enjoy seeing the Amish in Lancaster county and watching them go about their olden ways of living while co-existing with the modern way of life.

Lancaster County

As you can see from the picture we are still in Lancaster county PA. Wed. we spent most of the day in Intercourse, PA. The ladies enjoyed the shopping. We had a buggy ride at
Arron & Jessica's located at Plain & Fancy between Intercourse and Bird-in-Hand. While there we also saw a 45 minute show called the Amish experience. Thur. We went to Strasburg where we enjoyed the National Toy Train Museum. I didn't know that there were so many toy trains in existence. We had lunch at Isaac's. We were surprised when we went in as we expected an Amish restaurant but found an ordinary restaurant & deli where the dining area looked like you were in a train car. The food was very good. After that we went to the Sight & Sound Theater www.sight-sound.com to see if we could get tickets for In The Beginning. They did not have any but told us to wait over by an angel and if any became available they would send them over. Well we got tickets however they were individual tickets so no one got to set together. The couple that we got ours from said they had purchased theirs in Jan. and they were hard to get then and that they were afraid they would be stuck with the extras that they had. Lucky us and lucky them. In the beginning is a 2 hour production that starts with the creation of earth and goes thought the death of Adam. They us live animals and have an amazing stage set up. It is a very moving show and is very sound in its interpretation. It does give you some things to think about that you hadn't really thought about such as the number of children that Adam & Eve had. The theater must hold at least 2500 people and they do 2 shows a day and three on the weekends. If any of you ever have a chance it is a must see. Be prepared so spend $40 plus for the tickets however. They will be opening another theater in Branson Mo. in 2008. Fri. was a day for shopping at the Tangier Outlet and then we went to the Green Dragon flea market. It was huge. On the way home we stopped at Good'n Plenty for supper. It featured family style dining. Just like at a buffet you eat to much. We sure haven't goon hungry while we have been here.
The farmers are busy preparing fields and planting corn. The alfalfa looks to be ready to cut as soon as they finish planting. I am told that the farms average 45-55 acres in size. I have been told that the land will sell for $100,000 per acre just for farming. It is hard for farmers to buy land as developers are paying up to one million per acre. This area has a lot of people you will be driving along in a metropolitan area and then you are in an area of the most beautiful Amish or Mennonite farms and the right back to metro.

Lancaster, PA

Sun. morning we went to early church with Paul & Mary and had brunch at the Huddle House. We along with Paul & Mary were on the road by 11:30 AM headed toward Lancaster, PA. We stopped for the night at Flatwoods, West Virginia in the Appalachian mountains. Mon. morning we were up and on the road by 9 AM Went further north and then east across the top of Maryland through the Chamberlain Gap and over the eastern continental divide. At Hagerstown, Maryland we turned no. into PA and then east on US 30 arriving in Kinzer, PA about 5:15. I had the GPS set for the shortest route so we came right through downtown Lancaster instead of around US 30 like we should have. Oh well I guess the GPS can't read my mind about what I really want to do. Our friends Carl & Jackie Zimmerman called by the time we had arrived they met us and all six of us went to Millers for supper. It was O-so good but as usual at a buffet no matter how hard you try I seem to over eat.
They then took us to their sons nursery where they have their motor home parked and we arrived back at the campground around 9:30AM. This morning we met them at their motor home around 10 AM and they took Nancy & I and Paul & Mary all around Lancaster county today. We went to an Amish farm that is open to the public they have a store there that sells all kinds of Amish crafts quilts etc. Then we stopped in Ephrata at The Udder Choice for ice-cream at noon. Both Carl & Jackie were born and raised in this area. We went to a Pretzel factory and then to an Auction where they were selling all kinds of stuff. Carl & his brothers and sisters meet every there Tues. We stopped at a chocolate factory. Then we went west of Lancaster to the farm place that Jackie's brother lives on. It is nearly 200 years old. What a neat place. WE ate supper at Friendlys and then arrived back at Roamers Retreat about 7:30. I had no idea we were going to get a tour like we had today. I never thought but maybe that was my birthday present. It is so nice to have friends all over the country. From our 7 years at Buttonwood Bay We have friends from Nova Scotia to Minn. and south. I am sure after this next year and 1/2 we can claim fiends all the way to Calif.

Derby Day

Today was Derby Day in Kentucky. The weather cleared and they had a fast track for the running of the Derby at 6:15. Mary had a derby party this afternoon. Mary's mother Mrs. Hoag and Mary's brother Perry as well as Mary & Paul's daughter Shannon her husband Dennis their children Diamond, Brandon & Brianna as well as Nancy & I attended. The picture at the left is of the women with their derby hats. I fine looking group of ladies I must say. We had chicken wings and derby pie as well as to much other food. We all drew a horse out of the hat so that we all had a horse to root for. Diamonds horse won. After the race it clouded up and we had another good shower of rain.Mary & Paul's family make us feel as if we are part of them. Tomorrow after church Paul & Mary and Nancy & I will start on our way to Lancaster County PA for a week. The picture of the rainbow is a perfect end to our stay in Campbellsville with our friends Paul & Mary.

Shaker Town

Thur. May 4th. we awoke to the sounds of thunder and then rain. Mid morning Paul & Mary and our selves went to Harrodsburg , KY to visit the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill www.shakervillageky.org. It is located about 25 miles south east of Lexington, KY or about an hour drive northeast on rte. 68 from Campbellsville. After a very delicious lunch in their restaurant we spent the rest of the afternoon touring the restored village. The Shakers were a religious group that believed in celebit communal living. Their big movement occurred in the 1800's. Being celebit the only way for them to continue existing is by recruiting new members. As a result their are only 3 Shakers in existence today and they live in Maine. The Shaker village at Pleasant Hill at its high in 1840 to 1850 had 500 members and owned 5000 acres of land. The restored village is run by a non profit foundation. They have acquired 3000 of the original acres and restored many of the buildings. The last Shakers to live in the village moved into town in 1923 and turned the land over to the town in return for taking care of them until death. Many of the buildings were used for business purposes and the land was farmed by individuals for many years. A very interesting place and they have done a very good job of restoring the buildings. The tour guides and people stationed at each building and exhibit were very knowledgeable. Pictured is the centre family dwelling i believe thy said this building was about 40000 square feet. This is where they lived the men on one side and the women on the other. Their buildings were very well constructed as they built their buildings to last for a thousand years. The weather had cleared and it was a very pleasant afternoon. On the return trip it clouded and we drove back to Campbellsville in rain. It is very green here and the cattle grazing on the hill sides and in the valleys make this very pretty area.

Sun. found us visiting Rock City near Chattanooga, Tenn but actually in GA. It is located atop lookout mountain. It is said that the person that started it thought the rock formations resembled buildings. There are paths through the formations. You pass through narrow crevices, across a bridge (you have a choice either swinging or rock span) from rock to rock and even a cave that tunnels under and out the other side. In this cave are many nursery rhyme displays. From the observation point you can see seven states. It was a very interesting place and I even went into the cave and enjoyed it very much. The above picture is of the falls that fall from the observation point.
Mon. we had planned to go to Ruby Falls but after finding that it is in a cave we decided not to go. We went to Camping World and bought a few things for the motor home and made an appointment to have some HD converters installed on the TV's Tues. morning. The rest of the day we enjoyed relaxing and reading at the camp ground.
Tues. morning took the moterhome to Camping World to have the work done and a 30 minute job turned into a 31/2 hour job. I had expected that as I had checked the wiring and accessibility and knew it was not a job I wanted to tackle. When he quoted me a price of $35 per unit for installation I jumped on that. When we were hooking the car to the motorhome in the parking lot a couple asked us about the cover we use over the front of the car and after a nice conversation we exchanged cards. Thanks to Nancy's outgoing personality we now have 2 more friends that are also just starting to full time. From Chattanooga took I-75 northeast to Clinton, Tenn just north of Knoxville. We arrived there around 3PM and stayed at Fox Inn Camp Ground. After setting up we went about a mile to the east to the Museum of Appalachia www.museumofappalachia.com as we wanted to go through it. After talking to the people at the front desk due to the heat (90 degree's) and the time needed to go through it we decided to wait until Wed. morning .
Wed. morning we were up hooked up and had moved to the Museum by 8:30AM. The museum is a series of old buildings that have been moved there. One of them has two floores of artifacts and things from families native to the area. They are very well displayed and many have stories that tell of the original person associated with them. Another building was a church setting that had religious collections and stories from people in the past from the area. We spent around 4 hours there and were really impressed with it. Picture below shows some of the buildings.

We left there traveled no. on I-75 then west on Rte 63 north on US27 west on the Sam Nunn Parkway and no. on US55 to Campbellsville KY and our friends Paul & Mary Osborne. We set up on the asphalt between their office and garage. Due the rain they have had the ground under the asphalt was wet and we sunk into the asphalt some. I really feel bad about it but Paul says not to worry as he had sunk with his 5th wheel and was planning to remove the asphalt and put a rock base under it. Paul & Mary are among our closest friends. We met them two years ago at the Samboree in Myrtle Beech. It was good to see them.
Thur. Nancy had a hair appointment and I helped Paul mow lawns at his rentals and took care of some things on the moterhome. In the evening they took us too Liberty, KY for supper. We at at the Bread of Life Cafe. It is run by the Galilean Home www.galileanhome.org. The Galilean Home is run by Jerry & Sandy Tucker. They take in children that have no place else to go, children born of mothers in prison. They have taken in over 800 children including nearly 500 500 newborns since it began in 1984. Their family includes 2 of their own and 27 legally adopted ages 14 to 44. They have received 2 presidential awards. The cafe is staffed by many of their children. It is a great place to eat. It is a good old home cooking buffet.