DAY 47 - LANCASTER - WASHINGTON D.C.

Our Campsite at Washington DC.

The weather suddenly turned for the worst last night and we even debated whether we would stay another day in the Amish Country - rather than risk driving in treacherous conditions.  However it started to brighten by 11:30 and so we decided to make our way to Washington.   Don very kindly took Sue, Jan & I went to an Amish Quilt shop leaving at 8:30 - found that one of the bridges was closed due to flooding but Don quickly found an alternate route for which we were very grateful.   Lots of interesting hand made items to see - the man wouldn't let us take his picture but he was pleasant however.    Gil led the way today on our journey to Washington and other than just one pit stop we arrived at our Campsite around 3:30.

DAY 46 - LANCASTER - PENNSYLVANIA

Bob gives Abraham Lincoln some advice!

Today we all went to Gettysburg.    This was important to all of us and we are so glad we went.   Started with the 360 degree Imax presentation.    Afterwards we took an escalator up to where we saw a fabulous lifelike view of the war - Confederates against the Union.   I have attached the art work that we viewed.  I have seen some Epic movies over the years so this was particularly interesting to me.   It was a 90 minute drive home and then it was grocery shopping and pooled Nachos!    Fun!

DAY 45 - LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA

Group Picture Taken at the Amish Farm

Our Tour Buggy

Means of transport in Amish country

This is Amish Country!   Very interesting seeing people living 'back in time' driving around in horse and buggies - no electricity in their homes - really quite an experience.  We did a tour of an Amish Farm - took a Horse and Buggy ride there and as you can see by the photos - quite interesting.  Little surprised at the condition of the Dairy Farm - not particularly well maintained - however we were very glad we saw it.   The guys 'hung out' while us girls scouted out the Amish Gift Shop and then we partook of an Amish Feast.   They served us with as much food as we wanted - started off with a bean salad (which they called chow chow) cole slaw (which was excellent) - raisin bread with fabulous icing and buns.  Main course was Fried Chicken, Beef, Sausage, Mashed Potatoes, Vegetable Medley, Chicken Pot Pie  and then finished off with 'Shoo-fly pie" and Apple Crumble with Ice-Cream.  What a FEAST!   Excellent to say the Least!

DAY 44 - NEWBURGH N.Y. - LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA

Poor Driving Conditions Today!

Well we had our worst day of rain today travelling from Newburgh N.Y. to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.   Throughout the trip we have had extremely good weather - sunny and hot for the most part but today the roads were quite treacherous.   Sometimes I wondered how on earth Bob was seeing the road - needless to say I became a very unpopular Navigator!!   We travelled through New Jersey and arrived at Lancaster around 3:30.  This is Amish Country and so we are looking forward to seeing this type of lifestyle.  As we drove through Lancaster we saw a few Horse and Buggies - very interesting.   Oh...I nearly forgot...this morning we got little Max back.   He had to go to a Dog Care place while we were in New York City at the Hotel - and he was quite offended over this so he didn't have much to say to us this morning!   Just a very sad face!   However...I should add - (just so that you don't feel too sorry for him)  he is treated like GOLD by his Mommy & Daddy!!

DAY 43 - NEW YORK



Brooklyn Choir (by the way this was NOT taken during the service!)

 A lovely breakfast was included at the Holiday Inn and then we caught two cabs to "Time Square Church" for the 10 oclock service.  We got there around 9 a.m. as we wanted a good seat - and oh what a wonderful service it was.   They had a 'kids choir' which sounded very like the "African Children's Choir" and then the regular choir sang as well.   Reminded us of the old Glad Tidings Days.   Lunch at McDonalds (cause it was closest)...cab back to the Hotel to get our bags and then another two cabs to Brooklyn Tab.  (We don't let the grass grow under our feet!!).   We had a mission.....we all wanted to see both churches....and that we did.   It's quite an experience driving in a New York Cab - scary to say the least!   Brooklyn Tab was amazing!   They kindly let us leave our bags in a safe place and then sat through a wonderful service.  The 220 voice choir sang several songs and there was a real anointing in the place.   Pastor Cymbala spoke on "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice"....He expounded on "Worry" and what it causes in Christians' lives..  ....probably the best sermon I have ever heard on the subject.     Closed the service with one of my favorite songs "Peace Peace...wonderful peace"....and we all left feeling very challenged.   Two more cabs back to Grand Central Station and then the 90 minute train ride back to Newburgh.

DAY 42 - NEW YORK



One of the views from Empire State Building





At the Empire State Building




A stroll through Central Park




A view at Central Park



Whew - where do I start!   Left the Holiday Inn at 9:00 a.m. and what a wonderful day we had.  Walked first of all to the Empire State Building and thankfully there was virtually no line-ups and we all were able to get to the top quite quickly.   A little foggy view at first - but then it began to clear and we got some good pictures.   Stopped for lunch - and then made our way to Central Park via the Subway.  It's always an experience catching the Subway but due to the efficiency of the guys we always made it OK.   A lovely walk through Central Park as you will see from the photos and then caught the Subway back again to as close to Macy's as possible.  I nearly got left on the train as a very large woman in front of me refused to let me by - however Bob had my hand and pulled me off with the lady screaming profanities at us!!   Us girls explored Macy's for a couple of hours while the guys went back to the Hotel and watched golf!  Macy's was wall to wall people - and very large.  Have never seen so many shoes in my life!   Back to the Hotel to change and then caught two cabs to Broadway Joe's restaurant for dinner.  Unfortunately Sue broke her little toe back at the Hotel and it was very painful and swollen.  She was a trooper however and ventured out in her flip-flops instead of the lovely black shoes she had chosen for the dinner and show.   It was difficult getting two Cabs - but finally we hailed them down and had a lovely dinner - then made it to the show for 8 p.m.   We went to the Jersey Boys and thoroughly enjoyed the music.   Don was successful in arranging a Limo for our return to the Hotel and this was so great particularly as Sue was finding it difficult walking.   All are very tired but excited to meet at 8:45 for Times Square Church and then Brooklyn Tab in the afternoon.

DAY 41 - NEW YORK





Bob at Ground Zero

  


Gil did an excellent job as Tour Guide!

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Sue & Ted share a joke!

  







Arrival in New York City

  


Time Square At Night

 



Our day started early as we had to catch the train from Newburgh to New York City and this was a 1 1/2 hour trip.   So excited to see signs that we were nearing Manhatten as all of us were anxious to arrive and begin our stay.   It was about a 2 mile walk from the Train Station to the Holiday Inn but we all made it pulling our carry-on bags!   Checked in and then began our own walking tour designed by Gil who has been to New York many times.   Walked past Maddison Square gardens then caught the subway to view the Statue of Liberty, Stock Exchange on Wall Street and then to the church set up for the Memorial of Ground Zero.   What a change is taking place there - By 2013 all 4 buildings will be completed.  Bob & I had visited there with Doug & Ruth a few years ago - however it was Marg & Ted's and Don & Jan's first visit.   It's always a sombre feeling down at Ground Zero..reading all the notes and cards written - so sad.   Decided to eat at "Little Italy" where Bob & Gil had taken their daughters (Tania & Teri) a few years back and what an experience that was.  Don thought it should be called "Big Italy"!!   A delicious Italian meal looking out on a sea of people wandering around.   It was extremely hot today - in the 80's and at times we thought we should get a cab...however one sees so much more on foot and although it was very hot - the walk was certainly worth it.   After dinner we caught the Subway to 59th street - saw the Rockefeller Centre, Radio City and the electrifying sights of Time Square.   Another 1/2 hour walk back to the hotel - still very hot - and although exhausted extremely very happy with our day. 








DAY 40 - NEWBURGH - NEW YORK



KOA CAMPSITE



After our normal time of prayer we left for Newburgh - New York.  NOW we are getting REALLY close to New York.   Of course we would have to be crazy to drive our Rigs into the heart of Time Square (I think we might even be considered terrorists and arrested!) soooo we will be leaving our Rigs here til Monday and tomorrow morning catch the train into New York City.   I won't be able to keep my blog up to date Friday - Sunday ....but will promise to catch up when I get back Sunday evening.   Our plans are to do all the highlights of course - but then take in David Wilkersons church on Sunday morning and Brooklyn Tab - Sunday afternoon.  We are excited to say the least.   Am attaching a few more scenery pictures and some of our Campsite KOA.

DAY 39 - COOPERSTOWN - NEW YORK

Awakened to some surprising rain which we have hardly experienced at all on this trip.  Fortunately as the day unfolded the weather brightened and we had another exciting day touring Cooperstown.   Gil, Bob, Ted & Don were especially enthralled with the `Baseball Hall of Fame`.   Us girls joined them - and even found it interesting for us as well.   It`s very well presented and I especially enjoyed the Abbott & Costello movie!!    The guys had hoped to see a Corvette Museum and drove to what was supposed to be the location - only to find out it had been moved.   We all visited the `Farm Museum` dating back to 1840 and we girls found the `spinning lady` very interesting.   A lovely meal of Fish & Chips - and now laundry - in preparation for tomorrow`s journey to Newburgh - just out of New York City.    We will be staying in Newburgh one night in our Rig and then catching the train into New York City where we will be in a Hotel.  (A Bath - YAY!!)... 

Don & Jan's Rig is Called "Silver Fox"

DAY 38 - BOSTON TO COOPERSTOWN - NEW YORK

Picture doesn't do the colour justice - however it was beautiful!


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Beautiful Grounds of Shadow Brook Campground

 Another beautiful drive took us to Cooperstown.   The leaves are certainly changing quickly and I was able to get some better photos.   Some excitement on the way as we approached a very low over-pass!   We figured Don made it by 6 inches, we made it by 3 inches and Gil by 1-2 inches!!!   Nerve-racking to say the least!!  But then again my blog does need some excitement!   I`ve been told we will be going back the same way so that should prove interesting!!   Stopped at a Trucker`s restaurant for lunch as we couldn`t check in at the Shadow Brook Campground til 2 p.m.    Gil & Ted were put in one area of the park - and Don and us in another.  Very beautiful here - but no Wi-fi or Rocket Stick availability!!   (Serious withdrawal!!)    Bob & I had everyone over for dessert and Marg & Ted supplied the movie & popcorn.   We all enjoyed the `Long Long Trailer` very much - lots of events we could relate to!!!

DAY 37 - BOSTON

Well we are at the half-way point for Bob & I.   Not for Don & Jan and Gil & Sue though - they will be going for another 2 weeks after we leave ending up in Phoenix.   We will be missing Texas and for that I am sad - however we will still get to fly to Phoenix to be with them all at our new place.   Today the guys continued their golf tournament - Gil has 4 points - Ted has 4 points  and Bob & Don each have 2 points.  Congratulations Gil & Ted - (not that it is over of course  Bob says)!   Afterwards the guys needed to do a lot of 'catch-up' with washing trucks etc. etc.   There hasn't been a lot of time for this so it was important today to get this sort of thing done today.  With the first day touring Boston and the next a long drive to Cape Cod it was time for a 'work afternoon'.    We girls went to a Mall today - a Macy's was there!   Yay!!

Sue presented each of us with bags and you will see from the photo we enjoyed this immensely!   Tomorrow we head out to Cooperstown - hard to believe that in a few days we will be in New York.  As much as I love the time spent in one place - I can't help but admit that surprisingly enough I love the driving days very much!

DAY 36 - BOSTON

Well today was very interesting for me - but probably won't be for my readers because basically the guys just golfed and the girls shopped!   We girls found a great Outlet Centre about 15 minutes south - and we had a wonderful time there.   Super bargains and sometimes no tax!  Awesome!   We decided to all eat together tonight - everyone contributed and it was great!  Marg made Cherries Jubilee with ice-cream - one of my favorite desserts!   No photos today. 

DAY 35 - BOSTON



Coffee Break at Cape Cod!  (Max accompanied us today!)









Janice gathers rocks for the grandchildren!



What a Beach!

What a wonderful day we had today!   We left at 9:30 for Cape Cod and took the scenic route - another beautiful drive with many times trees overshadowing the road.   We stopped at a quaint little restaurant for coffee and then continued driving for another 1 1/2 hours until we reached the very tip of Cape Cod - A town called Provincetown.   This is where the pilgrims first landed in 1620.   (There is a misconception that they landed in Plymouth but this is not correct)  We stoppped at a Craft Fair - went to a couple of beaches and as you can see by the photos all of us enjoyed dipping our feet in the 'Atlantic'.   A gorgeous beach - and a quaint little town took our attention.   Bob quickly enquired as to the best Lobster Restaurant in town and believe me we found it.  It was called the 'Lobster Pot'.   A long drive home awaited us - but we all agreed it was WELL WORTH THE TRIP!!