Fun times with Granddaughters

Gettysburg,  PA

On Tuesday we took a ride to the outskirts of Gettysburg to Adams County Winery.  We remember this winery from our last visit to the area.   After sampling a few, we picked out two we enjoy - one red, one white.  Leonard says the red wine reminds him of wild muscadine grapes that he used to pick and eat in Louisiana.

On Wednesday we drove the 59 miles from Gettysburg to daughter Amy's house over in White Hall, MD.  After having dinner with the family, we brought Charlotte back to the campsite with us.

Thursday we were a little disappointed.  We had told Charlotte we were taking her to the Boyds Bear store.  We rode around and around and could not find it.  We had been there twice before.   So, I called daughter Terri who was at work.  I had her search on her computer.  The store closed January 1, 2011!   What a surprise.  When we had been there it was always crowded and seemed to have a good business.   I need to remember to Google it and get the scoop.

After dinner we drove over to the camp playground.

Shortly afterward, a group of riders came back to the stables from their ride through the battlefield.

On Friday Abby had her two-year old doctors appointment.  We had made arrangements to meet Amy and Abby over in Hanover after the appointment to bring Abby back to the campground until Sunday.

This is Charlotte on the lookout.

In the afternoon we all took a dip in the pool.  In the evening it was back to the playground.

Today we got up early and took a walk around the campground.   The girls got to pet lots of dogs also out taking their owners for a walk.

Then we went to The Land of Little Horses, right outside Gettysburg.

The big attraction was the resident donkey who appears to have free run of the place.

Charlotte volunteered and was part of the act in the Arena.  She assisted in leading one of the horses around to meet the crowd.

It was a busy morning and all was exhausted.    Abby fell asleep in the truck on the short drive back to the campground and took her one hour nap.  Charlotte is napping now.  

Here is wishing each of you a great weekend with mild weather.

Back to Gettysburg

Gettysburg, PA

One of our first camping trips when we got our first RV was to Gettysburg, PA about 7 or 8 years ago.  We don't remember!   At that time we stayed at Artillery Ridge Campground, where we are staying again.

This is a Passport America campground that also gives a 10% discount to Good Sam members and 50% off to Escapees members.   The literature says the 50% discount is not in effect for Friday and Saturday.  We are  staying 11 days which includes one weekend.  They gave us the 50% discount for the entire stay.  Yippee! We seem to remember they did the same when we stayed here years ago.   I suspect they only maintain the weekend full price policy when people stay only for the weekend.

This campground is only about a mile from Gettysburg National Park.   One of it's draws is they have horseback tours of the battlefield.  We did this when we were here before.    The campground is larger than we remember it.   There are a lot more stables and pastures.   We pass several on the way of our site.

We are way at the back of the campground with very few other rigs in the area.   That is fine with us.   But we realize all this will change come the weekend.  That is our rig on the left.

For the next two days we are just going to relax.   When we arrived yesterday after only a 155 mile trip, we were exhausted due to the 98 degree temp and high humidity, so went out for dinner at the local Perkins.  

I love the settings of Gettysburg and the nearby towns of Abbottsville and New Oxford.   Route 30 (Lincoln Highway) passes through the town squares of these towns which are lined by old buildings such as hotels, restaurants, shops, etc.  This is the Gettysburg hotel.  

I got up early this morning and had my coffee outside under the awning before the heat set in.   Leonard joined me about 1/2 hour later.  Ah - this is a fine life!

Oh yes, welcome to Judy from Travels with Judy and Emma.    Good to see you here as our 70th follower.

It's an annual thing

Upper Deerfield Twp,  NJ

For the past three years we have taken granddaughter Charlotte to Storybook Land in Cardiff, NJ.

I remember well taking my own girls there when they were little ones.   We also would take our grandson Justin, who is now almost 24.    So  -  I suppose this has become a family tradition of sorts.

This year we also took Charlotte's little sister, Abby and our great-niece Siani.    What a great idea to take Siani as she took the girls on some of the rides while Leonard and I sat and watched.

Charlotte has become afraid of some of the rides.  However, Abby usually has no fear.   This one was the exception.  See her holding on tight to Pop Pop.

When asked if she watned to go on it again, her answer was a resounding NO.  Her sister didn't even give it a try.   Instead she looked at the Snow White and Seven Drawfs animated scene.   And had me take her picture as Doopy.

A favoite Mother Goose character is Little Bo Peep and her sheep.  There is one of her sheep, begging to be fed.

If you are ever in the Atlantic City area and have grandkids with you, make a side trip to Storybook Land.   This small  park is ideal for the little ones, up to about 10 or so.    The rides are geared to them, making some of them a tight fit for us more mature folks, in age and body.

Welcome to our newest follower Pidge!   So good to "meet" you,

On a side note, I downloaded Google Chrome yesterday and I still can not post on blogs that do not have the option of Anonymous posters.  If you are one of these, that does not mean I don't check in on you, I just can't comment.

If you don't see a comment

Upper Deerfield Twp,  NJ

To fellow Bloggers - just because I do not comment on your blog, does not mean I don't read them.  I read several a day.     Blogger will let me leave comments on some.  On some will only let me leave comments under Anonymous.   And it some cases, I can not leave a comment regardless of what I do.   It puts me though a series of loops where I have to sign into Google over and over again, never getting anywhere.

I know, lots of us are having the same issue.     Some day they might fix this problem?  I just don't know.

Singing and dancing on the 4th

Upper Deerfield Twp, NJ

Even in hot and humid weather such as we felt today, the Fourth of July Celebration goes on.

Son-in-law Steve sings with the Sherry Lynn Band.  Sherry is the star of the act, but Steve is the featured male singer.   Today they performed along the river in nearby Millville, NJ.

Steve's turn at the mic.

Always the line dancers.  That is daughter Terri in the green.  I joined in for one dance - sorry too hot for this old lady.

After two shows, it was back to the house.   Lots and lots of good food and good times.

Later in the evening Steve entertained their friends,

while his friend Ron (a fulltime Rver) took on the dirty dishes.

It is now 10:45.  I can see people are still over in the house. (we are "camped" in their side yard).  Sorry, too late for these old folks.   Time to jump in the shower and call it a night.

I hope each of you had a great 4th and always remember the real reason for the celebration.

20 years for Donna and Ken

Upper Deerfield Twp,  NJ

When we got back in town three weeks ago, we stopped over to see our friends Gene and Kathy.   They told us about a surprise birthday party to be held today for our mutual friends Donna and Ken Branch.   We met these fun people when we joined a Good Sam Club Chapter a few years back.  We have camped with the group numerous times and greatly enjoy their company.  So, of course we wanted to be part of the surprise.

And surprise it was.   It was held at Ken and Donna's home given by their various children.    They spent the morning and early afternoon over in Delaware at a casino.  Ken knew there would be a party - BUT he thought it was just their children who would be at the house when they got back.    WRONG!    Imagine their surprise when they pulled into their yard to a yardfull of cars and people.  

Donna with Ken refusing the pose for my camera.

On this one I called to Ken and he turned around.

Members of our camping club.

From left - Joy, Mark, Susanne, Bob, Kathy, Gene and Leonard

It was a hot day but an enjoyable one.   Many more anniversaries - Donna and Ken and we are glad we were there to help celebrate.

Kathy and Donna - you tell me you check the blog but can't leave a comment.   Try signing in as anonymous and see if that works.  Love ya!

Enjoyed the day!

Bridgeton,  NJ

As is our usual practice, one of the first things we do when we visit a town, is find the local Methodist Church.  To our delight, Zion Methodist in Freeland, MD was right around the corner from the campground.  On Sunday morning we were warmly welcomed and asked to tell them about NOMADS.  No one there had heard of the group, not surprising even though it is a mission of the United Methodist church.

Late in the afternoon, Amy, Scott, Charlotte and Abby came to the campground for dinner. Leonard grilled some great pork steaks.  We also had fresh green beans and potatoes and corn on the cob.

Charlotte was our guest for the night.   On Monday we took her to Dutch Wonderland in Lancaster, PA.

At first she was timid about going on any of the rides.   We finally convinced her to try the log ride.

This is a very mild ride.   Later we rode the log flume.  I guess she thought it was like the other log ride and she patiently waited in line until our turn.  It was not until she realized we would be going up two inclines and come down rapidly with a big splash that she cried to get off.  Too late!  So she hid her head in Grandpa's lap.  Wasn't so bad after all.

Surprisingly her favorite ride was the Sky Ride - a cable ride.  We went on it twice.  

Dutch Wonderland has lots of rides for the little ones.   She managed quite well on the little train where she had to propel it by turning the wheel.  By the end of the track, her little arms were getting tired.

Like a lot of 4 year old girls, Charlotte thinks she is a Princess.   This is a shot of her with the resident Princess.

When we got back to Amy's house, sister Abby was so glad to see us.

That all changed when we left.   We believe Abby thought she was now coming with us.   As we drove off, both girls were crying.    We will see them again in about two weeks.   We made a promise - next time we take them both of Storybook Land down near Atlantic City.

After stopping at a local restaurent for dinner, we headed back to the campground and crashed!   I was asleep by 7:30 while Len fixed himself in front of the TV.

This morning we packed up and left the campground by 8:30.

We mostly drove through heavy rains for the entire 103 miles, arriving back at Terri's shortly before 11.  The rain let up enough to let us partially set up.  About on hour or so later it ceased and now the sun is shining brightly.    We are still crashing!