Ken-Lake State Park on Kentucky Lake, one of many on this huge lake and sister lake Barkley and the vast "Land between the Lakes" area. As I mentioned earlier Bev and I camped and fished here back in 1973 on one of our first "away from home camping trips" and had a wonderful time. Today we were going to look for a restaurant we ate at back then, and I found out before heading out from the camp office the place was called The Iron Kettle. This Iron Kettle was in a small town on the Lake call Grand Rivers, so off we went this morning with the GPS loaded with this information. We found a number of quaint little places but non called the Iron Kettle so we ended up eating lunch at Patti's which turned out to be the best place in town and just plain great homemade meals and deserts.
After getting a few post cards to send to the grand kids we went to the Post Office the get some stamps and mail our cards. I was chatting with the gal behind the counter about our 1973 trip and our wanting to find The Iron Kettle and eat some of that homemade cobbler they served but had no luck and wasn't even sure where it was at. She told me it had been right across the street from the IGA but burnt to the ground about a year ago, and since they had too little insurance couldn't rebuild. You know small towns, everyone knows everything about everybody it seems and so it goes. We weren't nuts though because after talking to numerous residents after learning what had happen they all agreed it was the place to eat before it burnt just over a year ago..............how sad we could not have that hot off the cook stove cobbler we were so looking forward to.
We drove into Paducah to a CVS to pick up some things and while driving around back and forth to Paducah and back to the Lake and around here and around there we still hadn't seen anything that jogged our memory with regards to where we camped back in '73 and had no clue as to a name of a campground or nothing. We went back into Grand Rivers to the IGA to pickup a few items and took another road back to the campground. On the way back we're talking and trying to remember anything we could, then I seen a sign that said Johnathan Creek something and I said to Bev that sounds kind of familiar to me...........Bev said no I still think it was Bear something or something with Bear in it and then all of a sudden we round a bend and see "Lakeside Campground" and both say together "this is it..........as we pass it and cross "Johnathan Creek" at the end of a finger of the Lake. Jeep turned on a dime and we went back and into the camp and right away remembered about where we camped but the grass and dirt was gone and it had been replaced with gravel for the roadways and camp sites. Many more campers in the area and not near as quaint with gravel rather than grass and dirt roads but still this was place and we both smiled at each other with a certain twinkle! Our love is stronger today than ever!
We've decided to just jet our way to Iowa tomorrow, we're actually only about 8 hours out of Davenport so I guess this end of the journey is over and now back and forth across Iowa a couple of times in the next week or two and then towards Phoenix via Texas and cousin Walt. Still alot of journey and stories ahead so stay tuned because I'll continue to blog almost daily don't ya know.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Hello Paducah Kentucky
Kentucky Lake is large and beautiful and we're up near Paducah and camping at Kenlake State Park. Came in last night and we'll probably stay for another day and leave Friday sometime heading for St. Louis or there about. Bev and I camped here way back in 1973 when she was pregnant with Lisa, can't at this time remember where we actually camped. Today we'll try and locate this restaurant we feel in love with back then, a small place with the old wood burning stove where they actually baked the biscuits and cobbler and displayed both on top of the stove as you sat and ate in the same room.
Now last time we camped here it was in a 1968 Ford pickup with a camper shell on the back, cooked on the old Coleman stove and even still have a picture of this guy flipping a hot cake in the frying pan (caught the cake in mid air in the picture). We rented a boat, got a fishing license and went out onto this massive lake trying to catch some Bass. We were laughing yesterday about when I asked at the bait and tackle shop as most of us do....."what they biting on?" and the fella said "Big O" so Mike bought a couple lures and headed out. Big O was a deep water lure so that meant the Bass where probably deep at the time or this fella had too much inventory of the "Big O's" and wanted to move a couple. A storm came up and with the Lake being so big we encountered white caps and headed that rental 5 hp motor towards shore and truthfully we just made it without capsizing the little aluminum rig we rented. Needless to say we and "Big O" failed to catch any Bass so we most likely had burgers or something like that for dinner, but memories were made and we loved the experience.
It was very, very warm and humid yesterday traveling and we both are still having a hard time getting used to this very very humid weather. At this time I'm not sure how we lived in these conditions for a good portion of our lives and look at each other wondering how and why for that matter folks continue to suffer through this crap, it just plain miserable!
I've got to get moving now, still sitting in my shorts and not showered so lets get ready and take that first of numerous showers we need on a daily basis. Breakfast in the coach and then a ride around the Lake and Paducah, Ky. By the way I've already got a couple of warnings on the "apple pie" and a couple request for sips..............I'm saving some sips for a few good men and women!
Now last time we camped here it was in a 1968 Ford pickup with a camper shell on the back, cooked on the old Coleman stove and even still have a picture of this guy flipping a hot cake in the frying pan (caught the cake in mid air in the picture). We rented a boat, got a fishing license and went out onto this massive lake trying to catch some Bass. We were laughing yesterday about when I asked at the bait and tackle shop as most of us do....."what they biting on?" and the fella said "Big O" so Mike bought a couple lures and headed out. Big O was a deep water lure so that meant the Bass where probably deep at the time or this fella had too much inventory of the "Big O's" and wanted to move a couple. A storm came up and with the Lake being so big we encountered white caps and headed that rental 5 hp motor towards shore and truthfully we just made it without capsizing the little aluminum rig we rented. Needless to say we and "Big O" failed to catch any Bass so we most likely had burgers or something like that for dinner, but memories were made and we loved the experience.
It was very, very warm and humid yesterday traveling and we both are still having a hard time getting used to this very very humid weather. At this time I'm not sure how we lived in these conditions for a good portion of our lives and look at each other wondering how and why for that matter folks continue to suffer through this crap, it just plain miserable!
I've got to get moving now, still sitting in my shorts and not showered so lets get ready and take that first of numerous showers we need on a daily basis. Breakfast in the coach and then a ride around the Lake and Paducah, Ky. By the way I've already got a couple of warnings on the "apple pie" and a couple request for sips..............I'm saving some sips for a few good men and women!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
BMS (Bristol Motor Speedway)
Yep right here in the heart of the left turn circuit, Bristol Motor Speedway and it was and is an awesome site. Spent the past day and a half visiting cousin Darilyn and her family and she took us on a tour of her pride and joy...........Bristol. I'm talking some avid NASCAR folks, I thought I new a few of them (NASCAR folks) but I've just visited the heart and soul of this sport. Cousin Walt is a close second I'd say but not like my friends and family in Tennessee, like I said true lovers of NASCAR. Our visit was short but sweet, yep sweet like a great piece of apple pie, real cinnamon apple pie! Why apple pie.........because I had more than just one drink of something called apple pie and it was super! Let me just say for now than I'm bringing a "mason jar" of the stuff home (if it make's it that far and if not I have he recipe) and will share some of it along the way. When it comes to making it the only ingredient I might have trouble rounding up would be the main ingredient and that would be "shine"! Don't forget where I'm at folks, I'm in Tennessee and I'm not sure that ingredient is as abundant in Arizona. I'm told I could substitute ever clear but then my apple pie would be more for sissies......so I'm told.
We're starting to work our way back towards the Mid West and Des Moines and the Quads again...............amazingly enough we still have a buck in our pockets and gas money so we prayer for good weather and no problems! As far as the weather goes, even rain and T-Storms seems to be good weather if your from around these parts or anyplace east of the Missouri river or so it seems! We do miss our dry weather I'm telling no lies when I say that, humidity is for.......other than corn is all I can think of.............not much good for anything or anybody as far as we're concerned.
Spent last night in Warrior's Path State Park, very nice place and set-up as are most State parks, would surely stay here again if the chance ever arises (I think she would, surely that is). Getting ready to shower and hit the road, it's now about 9:30 am and Bev is finishing up her shower and I'm next, be on the road in about an hour I'm guessing. See ya tonight or tomorrow..........
We're starting to work our way back towards the Mid West and Des Moines and the Quads again...............amazingly enough we still have a buck in our pockets and gas money so we prayer for good weather and no problems! As far as the weather goes, even rain and T-Storms seems to be good weather if your from around these parts or anyplace east of the Missouri river or so it seems! We do miss our dry weather I'm telling no lies when I say that, humidity is for.......other than corn is all I can think of.............not much good for anything or anybody as far as we're concerned.
Spent last night in Warrior's Path State Park, very nice place and set-up as are most State parks, would surely stay here again if the chance ever arises (I think she would, surely that is). Getting ready to shower and hit the road, it's now about 9:30 am and Bev is finishing up her shower and I'm next, be on the road in about an hour I'm guessing. See ya tonight or tomorrow..........
Monday, July 12, 2010
July 12th..........Monday
Well here I sit in Birchwood RV park, Durham NC, got the Jeep all hooked up, ate breakfast, showered and waiting for Bev to get done so I can dump and hit the road. Not much news of yesterday or on tap for today, we got the laundry all caught up yesterday and then just relaxed a lot in the afternoon and early evening. Not really much to do or see in "Duke" country, the campus seems to be spread all over the place and more dumpy looking that I would have imagined. The city like a lot of the cities here in this part of the south are full of woods, trees lining most all streets and roads to the point of not being able to see much scenery on either side. Durham looks to be as old a city as it actually is, not really the beautiful southern city I had imagined.
With the threat of T-Storms the next few days throughout this region and on into the Mid West the humidity has become unbearable. Bev and I were just miserable yesterday before during and after doing the laundry, we actually long for some dry weather days like Arizona (Phoenix) and can't ever remember feeling this bad when we lived in the Mid West years ago. We're thinking this humidity may be just unusually brutal right now, but whatever it sure is not they way we would prefer living. I know in the past I've jabbed at the Mid West weather compared to that of Arizona, winter, summer etc. but being totally honest......................this weather sucks! How do you ever get used to being ringing wet all the time, I changed T-shirts 4 times yesterday because each was soaked with perspiration!
OK, I'm off to dump this mornings showers and dish washing stuff and hit the road...........hope today and tomorrow are more exciting! Bristol here we come!
With the threat of T-Storms the next few days throughout this region and on into the Mid West the humidity has become unbearable. Bev and I were just miserable yesterday before during and after doing the laundry, we actually long for some dry weather days like Arizona (Phoenix) and can't ever remember feeling this bad when we lived in the Mid West years ago. We're thinking this humidity may be just unusually brutal right now, but whatever it sure is not they way we would prefer living. I know in the past I've jabbed at the Mid West weather compared to that of Arizona, winter, summer etc. but being totally honest......................this weather sucks! How do you ever get used to being ringing wet all the time, I changed T-shirts 4 times yesterday because each was soaked with perspiration!
OK, I'm off to dump this mornings showers and dish washing stuff and hit the road...........hope today and tomorrow are more exciting! Bristol here we come!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Leaving the East Coast
For a number of reason's we've decided to start heading back to the west and for go a few things we thought at the last minute we might do. We never did plan on visiting New York City and didn't even though we were pretty close and we drove right past Washington DC today and Baltimore. When we left Iowa we hadn't really planned on visiting those places but thought as long as we were that close we might just take the time...............we we've decided against it.
We woke up to rain this morning in Gettysburg and it rained most the way toward DC and we actually planned on finding a RV park and spending a couple of days in the area. Bev spent from the time we left Gettysburg until we hit DC suburbs trying to find and calling numerous RV parks without any luck. Frustration stepped in and before we new it we decided we've had enough history for now and just wanted to head away from the freaking mess in and around that area. We've got about a week or so until we want to be back in Des Moines to visit family there and figure we'll find things to do heading west through NC, Tennessee and Missouri.............hell I'd much rather see Graceland that the White House based on who is living there now. No desire to see the house the puppet Obama resides in for the short time being, very short time being you can take that to the bank!
So tonight it's a Wal-Mart parking lot with a few other RV's and some trucks.............yep, slides out generator on and things are find for now. Tomorrow Durham, NC and who knows maybe run into Crash Davis or Nuke Laloosh while we're in town doing laundry. At least a few picture of where the boys played ball I'm sure.
Oh yes, one other thing, I-95 into Richmond, what a joke.............it's Saturday morning a light rain is falling and there's 6 to 8 lanes of traffic heading toward Richmond and then the Belt Way. The traffic was from a crawl to a stand still to a crawl for literally miles upon miles, I'm talking at least 30 to 40 miles of this, a few hours past and this is the way the traffic was on a Saturday morning! We're stopped at times and moving very slow at times and I'm talking to some of the locals out the window as we crawled down the road. I asked more that one or two folks as we were crawling, "hey...do you travel this route (root) often?" all replies were: " Yes" Then I would say "is the traffic always like this?" and the reply from all was the same........"Yes", then I would say "then why in the hell do you come this way?" then I'd get a weird look and they would move up! What a joke, it's like that all the time and they still punish themselves!
We woke up to rain this morning in Gettysburg and it rained most the way toward DC and we actually planned on finding a RV park and spending a couple of days in the area. Bev spent from the time we left Gettysburg until we hit DC suburbs trying to find and calling numerous RV parks without any luck. Frustration stepped in and before we new it we decided we've had enough history for now and just wanted to head away from the freaking mess in and around that area. We've got about a week or so until we want to be back in Des Moines to visit family there and figure we'll find things to do heading west through NC, Tennessee and Missouri.............hell I'd much rather see Graceland that the White House based on who is living there now. No desire to see the house the puppet Obama resides in for the short time being, very short time being you can take that to the bank!
So tonight it's a Wal-Mart parking lot with a few other RV's and some trucks.............yep, slides out generator on and things are find for now. Tomorrow Durham, NC and who knows maybe run into Crash Davis or Nuke Laloosh while we're in town doing laundry. At least a few picture of where the boys played ball I'm sure.
Oh yes, one other thing, I-95 into Richmond, what a joke.............it's Saturday morning a light rain is falling and there's 6 to 8 lanes of traffic heading toward Richmond and then the Belt Way. The traffic was from a crawl to a stand still to a crawl for literally miles upon miles, I'm talking at least 30 to 40 miles of this, a few hours past and this is the way the traffic was on a Saturday morning! We're stopped at times and moving very slow at times and I'm talking to some of the locals out the window as we crawled down the road. I asked more that one or two folks as we were crawling, "hey...do you travel this route (root) often?" all replies were: " Yes" Then I would say "is the traffic always like this?" and the reply from all was the same........"Yes", then I would say "then why in the hell do you come this way?" then I'd get a weird look and they would move up! What a joke, it's like that all the time and they still punish themselves!
Friday, July 9, 2010
Gettysburg, Pa.
We left Brandy Wine battlefield yesterday at about 9:00 am and arrived Granite Hill camping Resort outside of Gettysburg at about 12:30 pm. That sure was quick going from the Revolution to the Civil war in a matter of hours, oh the lives that were lost in those hours for freedom. Yes freedom from a king and freedom for a race of people, the history of our country is amazing.
Bev and I both have developed back problems, she wrenched hers a couple of days ago and it just isn't getting any better. Mine is sore and stiffens up after sitting but once I get moving it only hurts to bend over and things like that. Aleve helps but not completely, it's more of a bumper for Bev than me since I seem to be able to bear it more. Oh well, maybe we'll feel better in a couple of days!
Today we decided to pay the price and take a guided tour of Gettysburg and the main or highlighted places and events, this way we can see and do it all in a matter of hours and not get lost. Just the fact that we'll have a educated guide that knows all the facts and points of interest will help immensely. So much happen around here it amazing, just in a short time yesterday afternoon you wouldn't believe all the homes and businesses that are still in building used and occupied during the Civil War. One thing we did notice also was the number of homes, Civil War homes that are for sale. Can you even imagine living in a building that once house Confederate soldiers or Northern soldiers or Abe Lincoln for that matter. Yes, we seen the man's home where Lincoln stayed the night before his famous speech, amazing, just amazing.
Now that's not to say other parts of the country have no history, we love the fact that Cowboys and Indians roamed the lands we occupy each day out West. There is history abounding in this country of ours and we're just enjoying some we haven't had a chance to see yet........no administration will change that, they've tried in the past and this country has remained free and independent!
Bev and I both have developed back problems, she wrenched hers a couple of days ago and it just isn't getting any better. Mine is sore and stiffens up after sitting but once I get moving it only hurts to bend over and things like that. Aleve helps but not completely, it's more of a bumper for Bev than me since I seem to be able to bear it more. Oh well, maybe we'll feel better in a couple of days!
Today we decided to pay the price and take a guided tour of Gettysburg and the main or highlighted places and events, this way we can see and do it all in a matter of hours and not get lost. Just the fact that we'll have a educated guide that knows all the facts and points of interest will help immensely. So much happen around here it amazing, just in a short time yesterday afternoon you wouldn't believe all the homes and businesses that are still in building used and occupied during the Civil War. One thing we did notice also was the number of homes, Civil War homes that are for sale. Can you even imagine living in a building that once house Confederate soldiers or Northern soldiers or Abe Lincoln for that matter. Yes, we seen the man's home where Lincoln stayed the night before his famous speech, amazing, just amazing.
Now that's not to say other parts of the country have no history, we love the fact that Cowboys and Indians roamed the lands we occupy each day out West. There is history abounding in this country of ours and we're just enjoying some we haven't had a chance to see yet........no administration will change that, they've tried in the past and this country has remained free and independent!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
New Jersey, Atlantic City
We just got back this morning from a couple of days in Atlantic City, New Jersey. We left the motor home here at Brandy Wine campground outside of Philly and drove the Jeep over to the Shore. The "Shore", let me address the Shore before I go any further. The folks around these parts go to the Shore like say us in Arizona head over to San Diego on weekends and especially holiday weekends. Or for my family and friends in other parts of the country, it would be like those of you in northern California heading up to Tahoe or for those of you in Iowa like heading to the Islands (you know, like Rock Island, Credit Island, Big Island and all those local Islands) for some R&R. Well in these parts it's heading to the "Shore", the Jersey shore not the Beach, but the Shore, not the coast, but the "Shore".................as you can see I'm having a hard time with that one! Anyway Bev and I went to the "shore" for a couple of days, specifically Atlantic City, yes the home of Monopoly. That is what I enjoyed the most of my trip to the Shore, driving on the Monopoly streets and doing the Board Walk. Why you might ask is Board Walk so expensive when playing Monopoly, don't ask me because is looks just like Baltic or Mediterranean in my opinion! Maybe at one time it looked better to Penny Packer whatever you call the dude, but now it's pretty much a dump.
The casino's are for the most part very nice, but why not they take in all that cash and don 't pay much out..........about as tight as our Indian Casino's! Now we stayed free for a couple of nights at Harrah's and that place was top shelf as far as casino's go, we got two night comp'd and free buffet's so the diet suffered a bit but it was nice to see they new of us and gave us $230 rooms on the house! Now I remember when Vegas went "family" and the kids and strollers started invading the town, Vegas went family and the kids and strollers where all over the place. Vegas hasn't been the Vegas of old for some time now, but Atlantic City tops Vegas by a long shot. New York and New Jersey folks and the families and I mean whole families where in a abundance. Now I will say I could listen to some of these guys and gals talk for hours or should I say "dee's guys" and "dee's gals" but holy shit dey got one hell of alot of kids! So many Tony's, Vinnie's and Johnny's and Sal's you woodet believe it............. No offense mind you, I enjoyed being in amoungst them for a couple of days, "don't see it on the menu..........fo get about it, just tell em what chew want and dale make it up!
Can you believe Obama is making an appointment which would otherwise not be made while Congress is on recess? Dude is going behind their backs to make a special appointment of yet another Czar! And Oh by the way heard on the radio yesterday that Geno of Geno's Cheese Steaks in Philly is having a drive to raise funds to send to Arizona for our defense fund! I may not have thought his steak sandwich was the best, but this guy has it right when it comes to country! Did I mention he has a sign out front of the order windows (you may have heard or seen this on TV already) Place you order in English or don't order...................maybe another soup Nazi thing!
Bev wrenched her back yesterday a bit so not sure if we'll make it to a Philly's game tonight or not, but I guess we'll be heading out tomorrow for Baltimore, Fort Meade, DC and that area! One thing the East has, and I mean from Cleveland to the Shores and that's Toll roads! They charge through the nose to drive on some pretty bad roads, and I don't mean a dime toll here or there, we're talking many dollars, like $6.50 here, $1.65 there, another $3.25 here and so on.....What a joke!
The casino's are for the most part very nice, but why not they take in all that cash and don 't pay much out..........about as tight as our Indian Casino's! Now we stayed free for a couple of nights at Harrah's and that place was top shelf as far as casino's go, we got two night comp'd and free buffet's so the diet suffered a bit but it was nice to see they new of us and gave us $230 rooms on the house! Now I remember when Vegas went "family" and the kids and strollers started invading the town, Vegas went family and the kids and strollers where all over the place. Vegas hasn't been the Vegas of old for some time now, but Atlantic City tops Vegas by a long shot. New York and New Jersey folks and the families and I mean whole families where in a abundance. Now I will say I could listen to some of these guys and gals talk for hours or should I say "dee's guys" and "dee's gals" but holy shit dey got one hell of alot of kids! So many Tony's, Vinnie's and Johnny's and Sal's you woodet believe it............. No offense mind you, I enjoyed being in amoungst them for a couple of days, "don't see it on the menu..........fo get about it, just tell em what chew want and dale make it up!
Can you believe Obama is making an appointment which would otherwise not be made while Congress is on recess? Dude is going behind their backs to make a special appointment of yet another Czar! And Oh by the way heard on the radio yesterday that Geno of Geno's Cheese Steaks in Philly is having a drive to raise funds to send to Arizona for our defense fund! I may not have thought his steak sandwich was the best, but this guy has it right when it comes to country! Did I mention he has a sign out front of the order windows (you may have heard or seen this on TV already) Place you order in English or don't order...................maybe another soup Nazi thing!
Bev wrenched her back yesterday a bit so not sure if we'll make it to a Philly's game tonight or not, but I guess we'll be heading out tomorrow for Baltimore, Fort Meade, DC and that area! One thing the East has, and I mean from Cleveland to the Shores and that's Toll roads! They charge through the nose to drive on some pretty bad roads, and I don't mean a dime toll here or there, we're talking many dollars, like $6.50 here, $1.65 there, another $3.25 here and so on.....What a joke!
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