WE'RE OFF!!!

The months of planning, the test drives, the hitching and unhitching, the shopping, it's all come down to this. We are off. Monday, November 3rd has FINALLY arrived and bright and early we are ready to get in the truck and pull that Fifth-wheel on the first leg of our adventure. Our check list, meticulously prepared by way of spread sheets by Erik, was produced and followed to the letter. And let's get real here, there is a lot of stuff to check off and make sure is working. Through the check list we went, making sure what was supposed to move did and what was not supposed to move didn't. 

It's a stunning part of the St. Lawrence River that we live on and share with New York State. Just beautiful and a wonderful place to return to in the spring. But for now, we are going south. Through upper New York and on down through Pennsylvania to our first RV Park while on the road.We were excited to see what these parks were all about and if they were as good as they looked in their websites. Being a Realtor I know all about beautiful pictures of disappointing subjects.  It was great to get off the highway and turn down beautiful country roads, hills on each side of us, and drive up to the gates of Twin Pines.

We were not disappointed.

 Unhitching and setting up the Fifth wheel wasn't exactly a 'piece of cake' but we are pretty efficient at it as we have Erik's valuable and easy to follow check list of things to do to follow upon ARRIVAL:  Unhitch, Outside, Inside. This campsite had something for everyone. Doggies had loads of places to be taken for walks and there was even a fenced in dog park where they got to unwind a little. Waking up the next morning there was no rush, just leisurely breakfasts, walks with dogs and then the flip side of the check list, DEPARTURE:  Inside, Outside, Hitching and we were off to our second destination, Shenandoah Valley Camp Ground in Virginia.

Day Two: much more of the same; driving down the I81 through the rest of Pennsylvania and then briefly through the tips of Maryland and West Virginia. The scenery, even from the freeway, was beautiful. Pennsylvania is very hilly but gave way to more rolling countryside in Maryland and West Virginia with the mountains on each side. Virginia is one of the prettiest States, in my opinion. Can't exactly say why, it just appeals to me. It's a mix of beautiful topography, interesting towns, big cities and steeped  in American  history. Today, our first day in Virginia, we spent in a small town called Mount Jackson, just a few kilometers from our RV Park, buying a few groceries and generally getting ourselves acclimated to the WARM temperature. Did I mention it was a balmy 74F?

For anyone concerned about the comfort of the dogs (you know who you are) please be assured they are quite comfy in the back seat on their beds. Even little cone head has plenty of room

One thing I have noticed while driving south, besides the great scenery passing us by, is the number of Ontario and Quebec license plates I see on the roads. and it makes me wonder: Who is running the country while I'm away?

Third Day: as we leave Shenandoah Valley we will be heading more toward the coast for a three night stay in Anvil Campground near Williamsburg, VA. This place is pure history. 

Here we are. Wasn't that quick. Awww, the wonders of the internet. Our trip from Shenandoah to Williamsburg was purely magical. We crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains via I64 and saw some of the most beautiful scenes possible. Sadly, I have a fear of heights and spent most of the trip looking straight ahead or with my eyes closed so was unable to take great pictures. Again, thanks to the wonders of the internet I have been able to download pictures taken by souls braver than I could ever be. Seriously, it was stunning, the vistas, the colours of autumn that are about a month behind ours in southern Ontario, the sheer magnitude of the mountains that make it seem as if there is nothing else out there, only the mountains. No civilization, no towns, no cities. Nothing. Just nature.

We are now happily ensconced in our little home away from home just outside of Williamsburg. Weather is lovely, we've had a barbeque, a couple of glasses of wine, doggies are fed, walked and happy. All is right with the world. Tomorrow will be a visit to historic Williamsburg and I'm sure it's going to be very interesting and fun.  

Day Four: Good morning. Note to self. Talk to Kaede and Freddy about the time change from Daylight Savings Time - 5:30 is just too early. Next installment, Williamsburg and points south. Stay tuned.