Niagara Falls, NY

According to information, June is the busiest time in Niagara Falls for weddings. But when we went up there to celebrate our Anniversary, we only saw one couple on their way to get married. It was mostly adults and a few families. But many languages were heard. We stayed on the US side because we didn't have current passports to go to the Canadian side. But we still have wonderful view of the Niagara River, the Maid of the Mist ferrying passengers around, the Rainbow Bridge crossing into Canada and both the American Falls and Horseshoe Falls.

Sunsets on Lake Erie, PA

Wonderful thing about fulltiming is occasionally we'll have beautiful views right out our windows. These are pictures of Lake Erie from the PA side. Just steps from our Suite in the RV Park. We've been here just over a month and the Sun has moved so we get Sunsets over the water.

Mount Airy, NC

We've been at Mayberrry Campground since August. It is a newer, well-maintained CG in NC. There are so many wineries to visit within a short distance. We've only managed to go to three while the weather was nice. Unfortunately, lost pictures changing from a PC to Laptop, so won't be able to share.

Downtown Mt. Airy is interesting and you can get your exercise. With so many shops and interesting store, you can get almost anything you need in a few square blocks. Mt. Airy is the childhood home of Andy Griffith and Eng and Chang Bunker, the original Siamese twins. Go downtown and you can hear reruns of "The Andy Griffith Show" and see what inspired the town of Mayberry.

We've had three separate snow storms since December. They are expecting more snow later this week. Will only add to the piles in the Walmart parking lot.

Family time

We got news 3 weeks ago my mother had been sick with the flu. Turned out is wasn't the flu, but a spot on her lung was found. They thought she might have pneumonia. Turns out it was not pneumonia, but non small cell cancer. Not knowing the stage, we took a quick trip to Seattle to visit.

Her strength was down after 4 days of flu symptoms and a week in the hospital. She was still in the Rehab Center, but was released within days of our arrival. Once she got home, she started improving daily. We were able to take a four generations photo.

It was beautiful weather the whole week we were there. Not usually that nice in June. We took a morning to visit the Seattle Waterfront, Pike Place, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, Seattle Aquarium and waterfront shops until we decided we'd seen enough. Was nice to be "home" even though I haven't lived there in over 40 years.

HGTV Green Home

For Snowbirds

Havre de Grace, MD

We left VA and moved to MD in March. A Beautiful Spring day means it's time to see local sites. It was an April Sunday on northern part of the Chesapeake Bay not far from our RV Park. The Concord Point Light House and Lightkeeper's house are open for viewing. We walked along the wooden walkway following our noses until we came across an outdoor Grille. Watching the sailboats and other boaters is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon eating a hot fish sandwich.

Battle of Bull Run on Henry Hill

A beautiful windy winter day in Manassas, VA led us to the Manassas Battlefield. Since we were short on time, we started in the Visitor's Center watching a 45 min movie on Henry Hill and the First Battle of Manassas, also known as the Battle of Bull Run. It was the first battle between the North and South.

We had some time before the movie started so we walked around the grounds of Henry Hill. Named after the Henry family. On July 21, 1861 Mrs. Judith Carter Henry old and bedridden was killed in her home during the battle. By day's end, 900 soldiers were also killed on Matthews Hill, Henry Hill and Chinn Ridge.

The house was damaged during the fighting and later used as firewood by soldiers. Mrs. Henry's children rebuilt the house after the war. Her son Isaac and sister are buried beside her in the small family cemetary. The Memorial was built for all those who died during the 1st Battle.

Home Suite Home

This is our 2nd Suite. Here are a few views of the interior of our 2009 Mobile Suite. We customized a 38TKSB3 to a 38RSSB3 by eliminating the desk at Entertainment Center and turning the U-shape kitchen counter into an extended Island.

We had it built with a fiberglass roof which is standard on the Elites. Because we ordered, we have all the options we wanted and none of those that we didn't feel necessary to make us more comfortable. Other items including adding shelves in the bathroom linen closet.

We have replaced all the furniture with residential grade except the dinette table and chairs. David also added a few changes: silver backsplash wall behind the stovetop, shelving in 3 cabinets.

The table is now our computer table.

DRV Luxury Suites has also come out with more new floorplans for 2009 and many upgrades from earlier models.

Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA

We took a nice short drive on a sunny Saturday in early January to visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Chantilly, VA. Museum is Free, but you pay for parking. It's in the Udvar-Hazy Center near Dulles Airport. It's located near a large airport so they could fly in planes too big for the one in downtown DC.

Amazing how they can fit so many planes so close. It was more interesting than I expected. Different sections for flight eras. It was much different from the A&S Museum in downtown DC. that we went through in 2007 while in MD.

"Six for the Road"

TLC has shown a couple of episodes of the Loud family who started fulltiming in an older 5th wheel in October of 2007. It's good to see people on the road who actually choose to downsize and see the benefit of living in an RV fulltime. They homeschool the kids and can see geography and history as they study it.

I was also glad to see they upgraded their 5th wheel to a new customized toy hauler. The old one was becoming unsafe. We've upgraded our 5th wheel, too. Living in one fulltime, it doesn't take long to see the flaws of a floorplan and decide what works best for your family and lifestyle.

Most of the Fulltime RV population is older, retired and don't have anything interesting enough to make a television show about. But having 4 children, Mom, Dad and two dogs being able to move around at will, you're going to have different more exciting experiences.

Hopefully, the episodes will continue, will improve and encourage those who want to do this someday!

Go LOUD Family!

Happy Thanksgiving

Another Turkey Day up in Virginia. It's a little harder cooking a big feast for just two, but it helps keep the RV warmer!

This is our second winter in a row in Virginia. We arrived earlier this month after spending time in the south. Since we were in Birmingham doing a project, we could take a few weekends to visit with our kids and grandkids. Now we're in colder part of the US and have already experienced some snow days in the last two weeks!

I think we missed out on fall this year. The leaves were just turning in AL by the time we left on November 7. The nights had finally cooled off. The ride up through GA, SC and NC the trees were brilliant colors. But once up into Central VA, the trees had already lost most of their leaves.

This weekend, we moved into an RV Park that is one mile from jobsite. We're doing our part for Global Warming and keep the price of oil down!

Happy Holidays to all.

RV/MH Hall of Fame

We had some time to stop in and see the RV museum inside the RV Hall of Fame. They moved to their new much larger building. It was our first time in Elkhart, IN, so it was the first time viewing the various Motorhomes, Travel Trailers and Pop up Campers on display. After looking at what's new and current, they had many interesting older versions on display. Some brought back memories and some looked pretty innovative for as old as they were.

I would definitely recommend it. It's a great self-guided tour showing the Evolution of camping. Upstairs has a fairly large Library of manuals and materials to browse through. It's in a good location at Exit 96 on Interstate 80/90. So if you're headed that way, stop in.

DoubleTree Factory Tour

Up until now, we thought it wouldn't be worth trading off our 5th wheel for a new one. After all, we have one of the best insulated ones out there. It's taken us through snow days and below freezing weather. And of course through some hot humid summer days.

We took a few days to drive up to Howe, IN on the 4th of July weekend to take a tour of the DoubleTree factory.

They were busy in production , so it was a little noisy. Many other factories were taking time off during the slow time. DT has already been producing some new 2009's. While we saw some on the floor of the plant in various stages of production, we didn't see any finished units. It was too close to the first of the month and they had all left the plant.

We do know the floorplan we have is great, but are looking at one of their others next time. We will try to custom order with a few special features. By the time we order, they may have turned some ideas into an Option. RV dealers are constantly upgrading as they get Customer feedback.

Just a few of What's New for 2009.

New Trailair levelers

Frameless windows

Water softener

Hanging pendant lights over kitchen island/sink

Short shag carpets in darker colors

New darker kitchen flooring

Increased insulation with Arctic package.

A-Pak includes 2 furnaces and tank heaters

We were glad we had the time to check out the Factory from the Inside Out. Quite the place. We had also gone through another brand's MiniTour the day before. Big differences in building structures. We came away knowing DT is still one of the better 5th wheels made.

Eat Mor Chikin

This is what David has been building the last few months. Those are Union picketers at his jobsite in WV. There's a first time for everything. He sent the Cow out to help them think "Happy Thoughts".

The Wilds in Cumberland, OH

The Wild's is a 10,000 acres conservation area reclaimed from strip mining the SE Ohio area near Cumberland, OH. Mostly endangered species that can be traded around from zoo to zoo for breeding. The area is mostly grassland. Quite beautiful compared to what it used to be.

We chose to ride the Open Air Safari rather than the enclosed bus in the first picture. Some animals came quite close to the bus, while others were off near water. There were unusual animals, like the Sichuan Takin and two different types of Rhino's. The standard White and one that prefers water. The Cheetah's were added in 2007.

It's quite an enjoyable trip and takes a few hours to go through the park. Stops are included so you can get out and walk closer to some of the animal exhibits. It's much different than the Wildlife Safari in Winston, OR where we could drive our own vehicles. In Ohio, the animals are enclosed in sometimes a series of gates. The buses use a clicker to open to allow us to go through and then they are closed behind the buses.

Dangers of RV

The dangers are real. This morning, I opened our back curtains to see firetrucks nearly in our backyard. One of the campers behind us had caught on fire and the firefighters were already trying to put it out. It seemed to be centered on the refrigerator area.

No one was home and another RV owner was walking his dog heard a pop and spotted the flames. It is a seasonal camper and the owners aren't there very often. But with highly flammable propane on every camper, it could have had serious consequences for the other campers or those in their RV's like us.

We've seen multiple RV's on fire on the road from overheated engines or in accidents. This is the first campground fire we've seen. Not the best way to wake up in the morning!

Amish Country Winery near Dover, OH

A few miles East of SugarCreek is one of the many winery's of Amish Country. The Breitenbach Winery is quite colorful. It's in a beautiful setting of green hillsides. This is the view from the winery heading back to main road, Old Scenic Route 39.

Amish Country of SugarCreek, Ohio

This part of Ohio is just one areas of the country that has a high population of Amish. They are easy to spot because of the traditional clothing . Some were working in the Restaurant. It was interesting, some came using a Horse and Buggy parked in the grassy area near Customer parking lot. Another Amish woman arrived to shop in the Gift Shop in an SUV.

Cemetary view is from the parking lot of the Dutch Valley Restaurant.