Thursday 29th July 2010 The Battle Begins

Slow start this morning and went to see the largest diorama in the US.
Now for the uninformed a diorama is a miniature recreation by using small caricatures’, buildings and landscape together with lights and sound effects.

This was extremely helpful in understanding the three days of battle which ultimately changed the result of the Civil War over a period of three days after two years of continual fighting., Gettysburg is also the scene of Lincolns famous address, the Gettysburg Address, der, at the time of the dedication at the funeral in November of the year the battle was decided. I think it was 1863, The Gettysburg battle took place over July 1,2,3 of that year.

So after that we looked through a few shops and Petal found a postcard with a covered bridge so after finding the driving instructions from old mate shopkeeper off we set after fueling the trusty iron steed into battle. Welllllllll of course we didn’t find it did we, but what did we find in its place, a quilt shop. Pause, get up, stretch your legs, make yourself a cup of coffee, this is going to take some time. Me I think I may have a little nap in the RV.

No, I start talking to the owners husband who, after getting through the Gday how ya going, Where you from stage, says he saw a good DVD last night. True story about a man who spent 23 days in hell and described everything he experienced whilst he was there, Very interesting he said. He had a copy of the DVD out the back of the shop that I could take for free and play in the RV as we drove along if I was interested. Took me some talking but skirted that one.

Back in the RV with some material and plans and instructions on how to sew it back into something useful.
The complete area surrounding and including Gettysburg, 3500 acres is the battlefield and is kept in pristine condition with hundreds if not thousands of monuments around which have been placed along the roads and for the princely sum of $19.98 you can buy, yes buy, not rent a DVD which you place in your vehicle and start at a certain point and it directs you around the battlefield, explaining the monuments and the battle over a three day period. This of course is not over three days, but two hours, as you would need sandwiches and a blankie but I don’t see what the point in buying it is as it won’t be much used driving around Utungun unless we have Nev’s cow do a re-enactment.


Luckily enough good neighbor Scott in the RV next door says, ”Hey we’ve got a DVD of the tour here. Take it and use it.” So at this stage off we go and take about two hours and have the battle reconstructed together with sound effects in the vehicle of cannons charging, thrusting and lancing, and dying.
Back to the campsite. Now the young girls from the next sight had been talking about Smoors the night before. Smoors is the art of preparing a wheat cracker by getting two pieces the same. On one you place two pieces of Hershey candy, (chocolate) side by side You then toast a marshmallow over the fire,(I will talk about the fire shortly) and when at the point of melting you place the marshmallow onto the chocolate, place the other wheat biscuit on top and squeeze together so that the marshmallow melts the chocolate and they start to come out the side. You then of course proceed to eat.
After dinner I give the girls some money, no I know what your thinking, and send them off for the ingredients of Smoors and we have a delightful time around the campfire building and eating Smoors, together with peaches marinated in wine and Irish Cream.

Now the campfires
Doesn’t matter that its 100 degrees in the water bottle but every camp site has its own picnic table and fire ring. Wood is sold in small bundles at three dollars a pop and you sit around the fire and occasionally throw a piece on. I did explain to them that you would be hung drawn and quartered if you did that at home during the height of summer with the temperatures, but no it doesn’t matter over here.
OK a good dasy and restful night then off towards Columbus OHIO tomorrow

Wednesday 28 July 2010 To Gettysburg

Well after a restful night we leave early and travel uneventfully to Harrisburg,(with the exception of our second bit of road kill, a racoon) the home of the largest Bass Pro Camping and outdoor sports shop, where I blissfully spend the next three hours,(and could have spent longer)
Un believable.
From there we headed towards Gettysburg, our destination for the next two nights.
Arrived at the Artillery Ridge Campground, checked in and as I pulled up the guy in the next site said, "Want a beer?" What a guy and then a firm friendship was made over the next two nights.
This family comes from up state New York, owns a lumber yard and has a cabin which can only be reached by hrs in canoe. Goes up there two or three times a year hunting.
Heard some extraordinary stories about bear and mountain lion but he was blown away when he saw my photos of old mate croc from Kakadu. About it for the day. I am experiencing problems uploading photos at this site so it may be a couple of days before they are inserted.

Tuesday 27 July ....GRISSWALDS ARE GO

Tuesday 27 July 2010

Woke early and after breakfast early departure for two block walk for our first encounter with the subway. Nice New Yorkian helped us buy our tickets and then another large young male helped Petal through the turnstile and accompanied us onto the train and told us when and where we had to change trains to get to Penn Station.

Second train very crowded and not helped by the homeless gent who took up an entire seat and most of the floor space surrounding him with his life carried in a number of shopping bags.
Successfully reached Penn Station and had to walk across undergroung to Grand Central for a train to South Amboy to pick up the RV. Talked to the local NYPD boys for a while and was surprised by the amount of security between them and the Marines, (HEAVILY armed) They assured me it was just another day on the job. Train to South Amboy uneventful and met by the rental mob and driven to the depot.

Turns out that we are in luck and have a Sunseeker MH complete with slide. For those uninformed a slide is when you pull up for the night or lunch and press a button and the complete side of the van expands outwards giving you much more space inside. This is also equipped with a gas remote operated generator so by the flick of a button inside you have instant mains voltage.

After instruction on its use we are off on the freeway, wind in our hair, Libs anyway wreeking havock on other unsuspecting motorists. Destination OCC or Orange County Choppers and Paulie Senior 70 mile north of New York in Orange Count. On the way we visited Wal Mart and Shoprite and stocked the RV with goodies.

The travel through Orange County was magnificent being heavily wooded and would be a sight in Autumn.


Got to OCC about 3.30pm and watched them filming an episode of the show, saw Paulie Senior and others and took photos of all the theme bikes.



Purchased a couple of shirts and decided to depart with our intended destination Quakertown Pennsylvania. After travelling about 40 kms we entered a state recreation area nd decided due to the time and the beautiful scenery that we would have our first night in the RV in the Park. Early start tomorrow and we can make up the 50 or s mile not done tonight.

I suppose the biggest mistake I made was to point out to petal the sign saying that you shouldn’t feed the bears. WRONG decision. Turns out the last sighting was three weeks ago when one was seen munching on garbage that hadn’t been placed in the dumpster correctly.

Apart from this, great place in heavily wooded area and it gave us the time to sort out all the places for things in the RV for the next four weeks.

Its 6AM now and I am sitting at the picnic table typing this in the lovely morning weather with the sounds of the bush enveloping my soul. Ah feel the Serenity. Think this is Bonnie Doon.

Also saw some waskily squirrels

Must away we are hitting the road to the Bass pro shop and the Civil war fields today.

Monday 26 July 2010

Bit of a lay in and breakfast before having to return the rental car.

Had a bit of time so we went for a drive to Venice Beach but unfortunately the weather was overcast so none of the beautiful bodies were on display. Saw the canals of Venice.







We then returned the vehicle and caught the shuttle to LAX were we caught the flight to New York. Good flight and got into JFK at 10pm. We then thought it best to catch a taxi due to the short distance, about 6 miles to the motel as we pick up the RV tomorrow.

Old mate was pissballing along the expressway when I thought he hit the curb and the old yellow taxi fishtailed down the expressway. As it turned out the rear tyre which appeared to be in good condition had a blow out. Crossed ourselves grabbed what we could and kissed our asses during the precision driving demonstration.

Old mate got the tyre changed as well as the colour in his face and we arrived at our destination with no more surprises. He had turned the meter off and said that he had had enough for the night and was going home. Gave him twenty bucks and he was on his way.


The motel at Queens is good and we are booked in here for six nights after the motor home. Near the subway for easy access to the city so all should be good.

Sunday 25 July 2010

Not much to report today. Left the Casino about 9am and due back in LA. Detoured via the LA Harley dealership where Petal said all I did was walk around shaking my head and mumbling to myself. Why wouldn’t you. Current model Ultra 20k, 2008 Screaming Eagle Ultra with 8000 miles fully blinged for $26k Probably 50k at home.





Left there and travelled with thousands of other back to LA On the was the outside temp hit 118 degrees. Called into the diner on the way back and then detoured past the Marine training Depot in the desert for the boys going to Iran etc.





Knew we were in the desert when we saw old mate rolling along the road.




Detoured and travelled along Route 66 at Barstow before landing at the Airport Motel at about 6pm. Chinese then bed as long flight to NY tomorrow.

Saturday 24 July 2010

Gday to everyone downunder.

Well up late for me and off for a walk whilst the Petal has a rest. Back at 10am and downstairs for brekkie. Then hit the slots and have a net profit for the day of $160. By this time a bit peckish and decide at 1.30pm yo have the buffet at the casino $14 for the Alaskan Crab Leg Smoked Salmon and Champagne Buffet with everything else you could imagine including Oreo Cake Desert. Hey Scott that only works out at $2 per plate. Might have to ring Delta and see if their aircraft have wide entry doors.They don’t do thing by half over here. The roast beef was half a bullock layed out and being carved. Must have been cooking it for 24 hrs.

After this a quick visit to TGI Friday once more and a Margaita for Petal and a couple of cleansing ales for moi. Back to the room for a nanna nap as its still to hot to go out and leave at 6pm for the strip where a fair amount of people watching takes place and later in the night a couple of beers at the Harley Davidson Cafe and purchase of the obligatory shirt. Think I now look like the King of Queens on his bowling night but my personal style guru like it so that’s all that counts. Saw the fountain display outside the Bellagio Casino and a number of Elvis’s along the street together with Marilyn Monroe, a Transformer and Osama.

We’ve now returned and its about midnight and I am sitting with the world largest haszlenut coffee and tapping on this thing. Petal is out reinvesting some funds with the hope of a return on investments.

Not known at this stage what is on the agenda tomorrow other than we are leaving Vegas and visiting the Harley Dealer as we leave. Probably book back into the same motel at LA and spend Monday morning kerb crawling before we leave the vehicle and get on the plane for New York

Friday 23 July

Early start today as we both didn’t sleep that well. Early breakfast then out to Hollywood and a visit to Mulholland drive but unfortunately smog was that bad we couldn’t see the Hollywood sign, so drive by the ritz and Universal studios and then it’s off to Brisvegas, sorry Los Vegas,
Interesting to see the display showing the outside temperature slowly through the 80s 90s and finally finishing at 111 degrees as we reached Las Vegas.



Had brunch at a 50’s roadside diner. Just ordered the breakfast and it came with two pancakes the size of truck rims. Lib had Mom’s cherry pie and ice cream.





The trip was interesting crossing desert and mountain with a 3 to four lane highway each way. Constant traffic with a vehicle LA bound on fire and their side blocked for miles. Must have a slow car as we were sitting on 80mph and passed by everything on the way.

Warming up to this country as every second radio channel is country so they can’t be half bad.
Anyway off again and got to The Orleans Hotel and Casino at 2pm. Booked in and to the room and decided we should have a cooling ale due to the outside temp. First bar we found was Thank God Its Friday with happy hour. After settling her thirst with a JD Petal decided that the Margarita Special of the day at $5 a throw seemed the sensible thing to have. Anyway it comes out and it’s that big that two seagulls landed and used it as a bird bath. After consuming its contents Petal thought she should have another Mararata hic., so a second was ordered and promptly downed in between a plate of Buffallo Wings and a shrimp cocktail. The shrimp cocktail consisted of a Margarita glass full of ice holding a bowl of sauce with a doxen prawns hanging of the rim. Both the wings and shrimp not bad value at $3.50 a hit. . I had to put a piece of string on Petal when she went to the loo so she could find her way back. In her absence, I got talking to old mate, who was a regular and a construction worker and he set me straight on a couple of rules and strategies on baseball as we watched it on the gazillion inch tv. After resuming our seat, on Petals return, the bartender informs us that old mate had shouted a round. Seems he was from New Mexico and was appreciative of me sending Luke Longley over to play basketball for them. Whatever.

By now it 5pm and off to the shuttle bus to the strip and walk and visit just about every casino. Couple of wagers and net profit of $250 for the afternoon. Lovely country this.

Don’t worry about the dress code for any of the casinos, there isn’t one. Everything from eager men (and women) on the footpath trying to sell you company for the nught, should you be lonely to gondolas being navigated along canals within a building by an Italian singing helmsman for $64 US a pop.





Just thought I would put one in for the boys. Please note the marvels in engineering in the construction of the replica Eiffel Tower. Bloody marvelous



Visited Ceasars, the Pink Flamingo, Wild Bills, The Venetian to name a few and finished off the night with a Clam Choder before jumping the shuttle back to the Orleans. Back at about 11pm.
I have a complex brought about by our Casino/Motel being filled by college basketballers who are here for a national tournament. I am the shortest person here and I’m only talking about kids 18 years of age. To the room and check the weather forecast and it appears that both Saturday and Sunday are going to be a balmy 111 degreees.
Ok it nighty night time and hope everyones well.

The Big Bird

Well the day arrived.

Had to travel to Newcastle to get traveller cheques and US cash prior to departure,then back home and run into Gaylord being domesticated and shopping for bedclothes at Lakehaven.

Al picked us up and took us to Warnervale, caught the train to the airport and got their early enough to get the rear two seater row in the big bird, After some airport lunch and getting through immigration and customs pretty quick got the compulsory duty free alcohol and settle for a short period before getting on the plane.

OK VAUSTRALIA what are our thoughts. Don't think I can find fault. Plenty of room in the seats, great staff, good meals and plenty of entertainment from individual consoles on each seat, Discovery History Tw Channels, Best of Greatest Catch, games, radio, and CD's.

Dinner after departure, sleeping pill and woke about 2 hours out of LA for breakfast served at 3pm US time.

Relatively short wait through immigration by a very nice native Incanian if there is such a nationality.(from Inca) then guided through customs.

Walk short distance to a shuttle for the rental company where about 10 mins and have a nice Dodge Charger given to us and then THE BLOODY FUN STARTS.

Some funny bastard has put the steering wheel on the rong side of the cr and everyone else in this country is driving on the wrong side of the road.

Had to drive to our motl; which I think was the worst 900 metres of my life. Anyway arrived there in one piece apart from SWMBO splitting her sides from laughing.

Here is account from Petal:-

well as john said good flight and I even slept which is nearly a first for me

Well the car thing funniest thing I've seen in a long time, L.A. traffic, John at the wheel, on the wrong side, don't think I took a breath, apart from laughing, the other cars I think they knew just to keep out of our way. Found motel, but of course then we had to go out in the car again for tea, thank god for a GPS or we could have been in Canada. On the road out into the desert tomorrow to Vegas, 8 lane highway to face,shit........ will tell you all about that tomorrow, Love Libxxxxxxxxxxxx




OK time to get a phone so plugged in the trusty GPS from home which guided us to the nearest Radio Shack and bought a Go Phone from AT&T with thirty dollars phone credit for $58 in total, 25c per minute call anywhere in the US so have 120 mins calls available at the moment. Bargain. you with the number should you need to contact us. Will email From there went to a local Pizza joint, not a chain, and had a great feed with doggy bag for 20 bucks.

Back at the motel and might have to go through the 138 channels to see if there is anything of interest until tomorrows adventure to the great Las Vegas. The others may have realised to drive on the correct side of the road by then

The time has come the walrus said,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Its now tuesday night and throwing some things together to leave tomorrow,

Plan is to leave mid morning and travel to the Central Coast, have an overnight with Scott and Kathryn and then catch a train to the airport on thursday for the departure overseas.

Early morning dump run to empty the bins.

Had to update the travel wardrobe so I outlaid $25.98 for two designer custom fit Bonds blue singlets to enhance my vast wardrobe. OK, I know that they're not made in Australia any more but they fit in with the style of my other clothes.

Anyway, most of the myriad of electrical leads and required connections found with the exception of one major item. The new bloody compact camera. Now where is it? I remember recently having it in the front pocket of a jacket or shirt. Do you think it can be found. No way. Spent about 4 hours looking already and will probably keep on going but may have to give up in disgust. Have the heavier SLR and may have to buy another on the way. Will see what happens.

Just checked the weather forecast for Las Vegas over the weekend 38-42 deg. May just have to find a cool Casino if there is one available. Just got an email from the rental car company saying the silver horse has been fed and is ready to be let loose from the corral. Funny bloody conditions. Full tank of fuel and return empty. No refunds for fuel not used. May have to siphon what's left into a jerry and bring it home for the quad,

All for now have to be vewy vewy quiet and sneak up on a wascally camera somewhere.

The motorhome leg

Here is the trip
Trip from 2017 State Route 35, South Amboy, NJ 08879-2065 to 2017 State Route 35, South Amboy, NJ 08879-2065

The trip starts here.

Well its 3.19 am with a fortnight to go and here I am checking for emails from the states regarding bookings for our trip.

What's happening?

As part of the 35 year celebration of our marriage we have decided to trip of to USA for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, Lib has had a desire to visit the birthplace of the first love of her life in Memphis and I gave the undertaking some time ago that one day we would achieve that goal.

I have never hidden the fact that I really had no desire to visit the USA (I have in fact stayed in Miami for a couple of nights whilst transiting to Caracas in Venezuela) but apart from that I have had no other experience. I now must admit that I am looking forward to this trip and it has grown on me as the organisation gained momentum.

OK so what's the go.

On the 22nd July we board VA1 VAustralia for LA overnight then drive to Las Vegas for a couple of nights before returning to LA overnight. Off to New York where we grab a motor-home for 30 nights whilst touring Philadelphia, Tennessee, Carolinas, Georgia before back to Philadelphia and return to New York before flying home on the 2 September.

The idea ofthis blog is at the request of a couple of friends and relatives so they could keep an eye on us whilst we are away. Never having blogged before we will see if it is successful and will try to commit to daily postings to record our adventures and keep all informed.

Amyway email checked to find that confirmation of booking into Stone Mountain Park Georgia has been received. We are here for three nights whilst we go to a Major League Baseball Game on the 13 August. Atlanta Brave v Los Angeles Dodgers.

All for now 3.45am and off to bed. CYA

John
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