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| 1,209 miles - 18 hours 15 minutes |
Greetings. Today is an incredibly beautiful day and one that prompts me to get back into writing my blogs. It's mostly sunny, a slight breeze and the temperature at a most comfortable 73°. The magnificent assault on the senses provide colors I'm lucky enough to see along with perfumed aromas that fill the air. The trees are the fresh, clean looking, soft green hue we so readily identify with spring. And to top it all off, a cardinal is chirping its heart out in a nearby tree. It's one of those "it just doesn't get any better than this" scenarios. I chuckle as I write this, however. In my mind, I'm hearing folks with teary eyes, running noses and raspy throats sneezing again and again as they go through boxes of tissues cursing it all. Sorry 'bout that.
My last blog was started April 24, 2018, when I expected to finish describing my terrific winter adventure down through the south where I enjoyed the wonderful friendship of relatives and friends. As you know, it was rudely interrupted in Georgia with an engine fire that totaled the RV and cost me plenty in terms of time, money and angst, some of which continues through today; What remains is the "origin and cause" of the fire which is still being investigated. What can/will Mercedes do for me to ease my financial burdens? Only time will tell. My philosophy on such things is to expect nothing. If you get it, you've lost nothing for trying and aren't disappointed. If, indeed, something comes of it, then it's icing on the cake. "A positive anything is better than a negative nothing"
The two-page blog I decided not to continue and post went on about the Friday the 13th saga that began with renting cars, driving white-knuckled through an Iowa blizzard in a Japanese made vehicle that competed with the Smart Car (you know them...coffins on wheels?), being snowed in at South T motel in Spencer, IA, having my laptop rendered useless because of a crashed hard drive, being snowed in again at The Lodge in Forest City, IA with another 8" snow storm, and finally, to add insult to injury, scraping one of the basement doors of a brand new RV on a concrete stanchion after a fuel filling in Indiana. I'm told my cursing was heard as far south as Buenos Aires.
So? Who needs to rehash all that? Big deal. So Friday the 13th bit me in the ass this year; it's a first. Change mind set: "It's Water under the bridge." "Let bygones be bygones." "Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again." "Don't look back just keep moving forward" LOL. I bet you'd have a bunch to add; do so in the comments below. So much for the power of positive thinking.
I took possession of Winnie II with only one mile driven, the distance from where it was manufactured at Winnebago Industries to the dealership. It's now in "storage" until my next outing June 8th with 1,375 miles under its (fan)belt. The return trip allowed me to acclimate myself to and appreciate the new features of the 2018 model. From the improved dashboard/steering wheel controls to the improved on-board Rand McNally RVND 7720 GPS driving became more 'satisfying.' Yes, I'm aware that it's a Mercedes engine. Hey, what are the chances? (Shh, that was just a joke). The coach itself is basically the same (floor plan) but with greatly reduced storage in the galley area. Drawer space for all my junk is basically gone forcing me to 'improvise' what and where things are to call home. Otherwise, as I hope you will one day see, the living area is beautiful and most comfortable. I'll bore only those who ask about the new features if and when I'm able to give you a personal tour. As a courtesy, below I've listed my 2018 Summer Itinerary when I'll "be appearing at a campground near you." So far, it's a 58-day season. I hope I can fill in some of the gaps by meeting up with camping friends when time permits. So, stop by. Tickets are free, beer is cold, food and snacks are unhealthy and get to know what a Happy Camper looks like.
My last blog was started April 24, 2018, when I expected to finish describing my terrific winter adventure down through the south where I enjoyed the wonderful friendship of relatives and friends. As you know, it was rudely interrupted in Georgia with an engine fire that totaled the RV and cost me plenty in terms of time, money and angst, some of which continues through today; What remains is the "origin and cause" of the fire which is still being investigated. What can/will Mercedes do for me to ease my financial burdens? Only time will tell. My philosophy on such things is to expect nothing. If you get it, you've lost nothing for trying and aren't disappointed. If, indeed, something comes of it, then it's icing on the cake. "A positive anything is better than a negative nothing"
The two-page blog I decided not to continue and post went on about the Friday the 13th saga that began with renting cars, driving white-knuckled through an Iowa blizzard in a Japanese made vehicle that competed with the Smart Car (you know them...coffins on wheels?), being snowed in at South T motel in Spencer, IA, having my laptop rendered useless because of a crashed hard drive, being snowed in again at The Lodge in Forest City, IA with another 8" snow storm, and finally, to add insult to injury, scraping one of the basement doors of a brand new RV on a concrete stanchion after a fuel filling in Indiana. I'm told my cursing was heard as far south as Buenos Aires.
So? Who needs to rehash all that? Big deal. So Friday the 13th bit me in the ass this year; it's a first. Change mind set: "It's Water under the bridge." "Let bygones be bygones." "Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start all over again." "Don't look back just keep moving forward" LOL. I bet you'd have a bunch to add; do so in the comments below. So much for the power of positive thinking.
I took possession of Winnie II with only one mile driven, the distance from where it was manufactured at Winnebago Industries to the dealership. It's now in "storage" until my next outing June 8th with 1,375 miles under its (fan)belt. The return trip allowed me to acclimate myself to and appreciate the new features of the 2018 model. From the improved dashboard/steering wheel controls to the improved on-board Rand McNally RVND 7720 GPS driving became more 'satisfying.' Yes, I'm aware that it's a Mercedes engine. Hey, what are the chances? (Shh, that was just a joke). The coach itself is basically the same (floor plan) but with greatly reduced storage in the galley area. Drawer space for all my junk is basically gone forcing me to 'improvise' what and where things are to call home. Otherwise, as I hope you will one day see, the living area is beautiful and most comfortable. I'll bore only those who ask about the new features if and when I'm able to give you a personal tour. As a courtesy, below I've listed my 2018 Summer Itinerary when I'll "be appearing at a campground near you." So far, it's a 58-day season. I hope I can fill in some of the gaps by meeting up with camping friends when time permits. So, stop by. Tickets are free, beer is cold, food and snacks are unhealthy and get to know what a Happy Camper looks like.
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Tue
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Catskill
Adventure Resort
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From
85 miles - 1¼ hrs.
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3
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Sat
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Sat
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1000 Islands Campground
42099 State Route 12
Alexandria Bay, NY 13607
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From
325 miles - 5 hrs 8 min
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7
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Sat
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Letchworth State Park
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From
215 miles - 3½ hrs.
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7
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Sat
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14
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From Croton-on-Hudson
190 miles - 3¼ hrs.
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7
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Sun
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Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA
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263 miles – 4½
hrs
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1
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Sat
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Moorings Oceanfront RV Resort
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From
121 miles – 2+
hrs
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6
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Mon
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Saco/Old Orchard Beach KOA
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From
122 miles - 2+
hrs.
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2
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Mon
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Fri
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From
185 miles - 3
hrs.
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4
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Fri
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Thu
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From
Narragansett, RI
161 miles - 2¾
hrs.
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7
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