Biltmore House & Gardens

We just got back from touring the Biltmore House & Gardens. The house is three stories with 260  rooms with a basement and recreation area. It has six gardens and a bass pond all on 8,000 acres. The house is truly amazing. This is most deffinetly a must see.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Last week we were in Sevierville TN. While there we visited Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg  and Townsend. Here are some photos of the park,in some of them you can see the road we traveled.

Bourbon Trail

Here we are in Georgetown KY. just north of Lexington. Well we did the Wine Trail in the Finger Lake area of NY. and in Michigan so now in Kentucky it's the Bourbon Trail. We only visited the Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort KY. It was a very informative tour with a great tour guide. The Bourbon barrels are stored in large brick buildings. The higher the barrels are stored in the building the faster it ages. The barrels are only used once for Bourbon and then sold to other liquor distiller's and wineries.

Mackinaw Island

Our visit to Mackinaw Island was awesome!
 We took the Ferry from Mackinaw City (on mainland MI) about a 20 min. ride to the Island.  The island does not allow motorized vehicles of any kind, not even golf carts.  The only mode of transportation is horse, horse drawn buggies, or bicycle or feet..  Even all the trash pick up and mail delivery and UPS...all done by Horse.  The Horses in the pictures are all huge "Bavarian working horses", and they can pull a lot of weight, they average 20 hands high.

First thing we bought on the Island was a couple of sweatshirts, we left the RV at 8:30AM and it was chilly, but we thought it would warm up with the sun, NOT, it was probably 60-65 deg. Needless to say after lunch we didn't need them anymore, so they are  just a souvenir at this point!

The Island is also home to "The Grand Hotel" which has the longest enclosed porch in the World, there is a photo of it posted.  It is very upscale and expensive and even has a dress code, you  have to pay $10.00 p/p for the privilege of walking around the Hotel and grounds.  We skipped that one!!!  There are plenty of cute shops to explore and lots of places to eat...there are 17 Fudge shops on the Island (Fudge is pretty big all over up here) We have not bought any yet and don't plan to, but I'm pretty sure we've gained weight just smelling the stuff being made, the air is so sweet you can cut it with a knife.
Still having fun!

Mackinaw City MI.

Well we made it to Mackinaw City. Although it was only a four hour drive it was pretty rough ride. The wind blew the whole day from the north at about 20 mph and gusting higher and it was on the nose all the way. We drove across the 45 parallel which is half way between the equator and the north pole. Campground is nice, sites are good size and some of them are facing Lake Huron.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

After our bike ride we drove over to Sleeping Bear National Dunes Lakeshore which is on the northwestern shore of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. We drove the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This 7.1 mile route has views of Sleeping Bear Dunes, Glen Lake, and Lake Michigan. Some of bluffs/dunes are as high as 460 feet. We did not climb the dunes but it was still quite exciting. It was a really neat drive, even though we drove along the coast the route took you through dense forests. I'm glad we went early it was nice and cool with clear skies and light traffic. When we were leaving there was a lot of traffic heading into the park and about twenty cars at the entrance.

Traverse Bay RV Resort

We got to Traverse Bay RV Resort yesterday at about 2:00 P.M. got the MH all hooked up and then rode the bikes around the resort. Here are a few pictures of the resort. We are in Traverse Bay MI.

Sunnybrook RV Resort

Here are some photos of Sunny Brook RV Resort in South Haven MI where we stayed for a week. It was a very nice resort with large sites and with a  concrete slab to park on. There are about 15 sites on their lake but they were all taken when we arrived. Today we are leaving for Traverse Bay RV Resort in Travers Bay MI., it should take about 4 hrs. to get there.

South Haven, MI

These photos are of South Haven, South Haven Pier & Lighthouse and their beach on Lake Michigan. This is another great town of the many in Michigan.

Port Huron MI.

The freighter is coming from Lake Huron past the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, Michigan's oldest working lighthouse under the Blue Water Bridge into Port Huron then down the St. Clair River through Lake St. Clair and possibly into Lake Erie. It can dock any where along the route on either side ( Canada or US). There are parks all along the river allowing picnicking and viewing of the blue water in this river. I have never seen water this blue, it is just beautiful.

St. Clair River in St. Clair MI.

Here are a couple of shots of Palmer Park on the St. Clair river. You can walk along the world's longest freshwater wooden boardwalk and watch freighters pass so close you can almost touch them. The Palmer Park is home to the St. Clair Art Fair, July4th fireworks, River Classic Car Show, Riverfest and the famous Offshore Powerboat Race. Looking across the water is Canada.

Back in the U.S.A.

This is the Blue Water Bridge that connects the USA and Canada. We came across it on Mon. July 30 back into the US. There were 13 lanes after crossing the bridge on the US side. We were about the 15th car in line. There was a lady walking around directing people, she came up to us and said that we could cut across and go to line no. 13. Mind you that lanes 10,11,and 12 are cars only, I said will we have room to get MH through and she said oooo yes. So we cut across and were number 3 in line. The customs agent only asked where were we from, where are you going and what did you buy in Canada ? Then we were on our way it only took 20 mins. total time. When we got to the campground I was talking with the people next to us ( who are from Florida) and they told us that last year when they went to Canada they got their MH searched going in and coming back to the US and they looked in every compartment.



   

 

Niagara on The Lake

Today we drove up to Niagara on The Lake which is on Lake Ontario in Canada. A very nice small town with loads of flowers all over with nice shops etc. Getting there you drive along the lake and the houses are just unreal. This is a very upscale area. We watched some of a sailboat race from a park along side of the lake. I could not get a good close up of the race.

Niagara Falls Ontario Canada

Crossed the border into Canada on Friday July 27 with no problems. The customs agent only asked a few questions and we were on our way. We had all the paper work for the dog and a list of things we had on board and they never asked for anything. So here we are in Niagara Falls Ontario Canada. The photos are of both sides of the falls ( U.S. and Canada sides) the weather wasn't the greatest as it was overcast and drizzling during the boat ride. The boat ride on the Maid of The Mist lasted about a half hour it got up close to the falls the current was a washing machine effect and of course windy. The rest of the town was just like Vegas minus the casinos.

Good day to fly

John called this morning and asked Clare if she wanted to go flying but she said no thanks Gary can take my place, of course that is not a problem I was ready to go flying again. We had a great flight, it was nice and clear. Later in the day we took Abby up to the cabin for her last swim and running around off leash. What a great day. Tomorrow we get ready to leave on Friday for Niagra Falls Ontario Canada. 

Another day on the wine trail

Today was another beautiful day on the Finger Lakes. We went to some wineries on Seneca Lake and had a great time.

Hammondsport Antique Boat Show on Keuka Lake

Yesterday it rained a slow light steady rain  just about all day. I'm glad it rained itself out yesterday because today is the Hammondsport 30th. Anniversary Antique Boat Show on Keuka Lake. It is a beautiful day on the lake for the show,the lake is nice and calm and it is only about 80 degrees. This lake is crystal clear. Here are some shots of a few of the boats and of course what would an Antique Boat Show be without a few old Woodies on display.

Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport N.Y.

We almost did not go to this Museum that surely would have been a mistake. This museum contains some of the old motorcycles, planes and boats and engines that he either built or designed plus a lot of other items. When Curtiss was in his twenty's he started building bicycles and racing them. By 1902 he had three employees and was making the Hercules motorcycles. In a measured-mile run at Ormond Beach Fla. on Jan. 23,1907, Curtiss's V8 powered motorcycle was officially clocked at 136.3 miles per hour, making him the fastest man on earth. Can you believe that!!!  In later years he started building engines for planes that started his aviation career. I also learned that he left the aviation business in 1921 to go down to Florida and with friends developed the Florida cities of Hialeah, Miami Springs, and Opa-Locka . In 1903 he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Miami for his many contributions to the development of the Miami area. This is just a small bit of information on what he accomplished in his lifetime.

Watkins Glen State Park

We went to Watkins Glen State Park yesterday. The park is about 776 acres with a small campground, picnic areas and other facilities. We took the Gorge Trail which follows Glen Creek past water-sculpted rock and 19 waterfalls. There are over 800  stone steps in the gorge. From the lower end of the gorge to the upper is a mile and half. Clare only made it about a quarter of the way because her fear of heights. I continued  on the grueling stone steps. At one point you go under a small waterfall. The path is narrow. Instead of going back down all of those steps I opted to take the South Rim Trail along the top of the gorge. It was just a trail through the woods and not marked very well. One side of the trail had a fence along it so no one could get too close to the gorge. I walked that whole trail and only saw one person going up the trail. There are some photo of the trail through the woods in the slide show. 

Flying

Today I went flying with John. He has a Cessna 172 made in 1956. This plane is in great condition. It will fly two up front and two small people in the back. We flew from a small grass landing field where he keeps the plane under cover. We flew for about 1 hour all around the mountains. As we were flying over the lake there were a couple of sailboats sailing around. I got a shot of his cabin and the RV at the park where we are staying. The last shots are of the grass landing field. What a great morning. Looking forward to another flight. Clare Gail and Gwen went shopping.

Wine Trail

Today we visited a few Wineries along the Finger Lakes NY. Here are some photos of the wineries and of some of the vineyards over looking Keuka Lake. We had a great time. 

Day trip to John & Gail's cabin

     




Clare Abby and I took a day trip up to the cabin so that Abby could do some swimming.

  

 

John and Gail's Cabin

We arrived in Bath NY. on Wednesday June 27 2012. These are a couple of photos of our friends John and Gail's cabin. There grandson Douglas is in the kayak. Abby was in the water in no time.

                           

Campground Oneonta NY. June 25, 2012

These are just a couple of shots of the campground we stayed at while in Oneonta NY.

Cape Cod ( Provincetown) June 20, 2012

Today we drove up to Provincetown on the North end of Cape Cod. On the way we stopped at Cape Cod Natl. Seashore. The lighthouse is Cape Cod Lighthouse. The picture is from the water. Provincetown is very similar to Key West. While we were there about four tour buses came in and dropped off a load of people to explore the town. It was quite busy but not over bearing . We had a great lunch at the Mayflower resturant.  

Cape Cod Lighthouse
 

Downtown Provincetown
 

 

 

Dennis Port ( mid Cape Cod MA.)

We just got here today at 12:30p.m. Can't wait to check out the area.These shots are the view out our front window of Nantucket Sound.  Very windy day today about 20 knots.                                                                                                                                                  

Beach on the sound is right across the street from us.

 
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Pathway to beach.

 

 

Stonington CT. June 18, 2012

 Stonington is a small town east of Mystic on the Connecticut side of Long Island Sound. The town has very narrow streets making it very hard for two way traffic to drive on. The Main Street leads down to a beach and the Old Lighthouse Museum.

                                             

 

 

The quaint - looking tower and attached keeper's house were built in 1840 using stone from an earlier lighthouse threatened with erosion from sea water. It has not been service since 1925.                       

 

You can climb the circular stone stairway to the top of the tower.

    

The stairway stops and then there is a straight steel ladder attached to the side of the walls. There are about seven rungs on the ladder, then you have to go through this small opening to the top.  I just did get through.      

The following photos were taken from the top.

 

 

 

Mystic CT. June 16 - June 19 2012

Old Mystic, CT is a beautiful historic river town with many restored homes and businesses from the 1800's.

The second picture is of the bridge that runs across the river in the  middle of the historic downtown shopping district.

The old tall whaling ships at the Seaport were very interesting.  Having beautiful weather as you can see.  Loved Old Mystic, CT.

  

 

 

 

 

Gettysburg Pa. June 13 - June 15 2012

While in Gettysburg we toured some of the battlefields and the Historic downtown. The Historic area of downtown is much larger than we thought it was going to be. There were plenty of people visiting everything but it did not seem that crowded. Tour buses came and went. As you tour the battlefield there are monuments all over. These photos are just of Soldier's National Cemetery.

 

Road side repair June 13, 2012

When we left the Winchester campground we met with Royal RV Mobile service to have the motor replaced. It took him 40 mins. and we were on the road.                                                                   





 

 

Winchester, Va June 10- June 13

When we left Williamsburg Va. we had a slide that would not retract. It was Sunday morning. I was able to locate a mobile RV Repair service to come out and look at it. It turned out to be a bad motor and gear assembly. We were able to get the slide in and proceed to Winchester VA. Monday morning I was able to to order new motor from Fleetwood RV. and have it overnighted to campground we were at. Made plans with Rv Mobile service to meet me on the road and replace the motor. Explored Winchester and saw some historic sites.

Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown Va.

June 5- June 9, 2012. We vistied Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown Va. The weather was great for walking the towns. It got a little crowded with the kids being out of school, but we managed to see everything we wanted to.    

Governor's House

They had quite a few carriage rides.







The rest are just some photos.