Pictures from PA Trip

I did get to visit one of my favorite spots one afternoon while in PA. It is called "Fishermans Cove". It is located just a few miles from where my eldest daughter lives.

However ..... to get to this spot you have to cross an old leaning covered bridge that has no weight limit posted.

Hmmm.... do you think it will hold?? and can I squeeze my RV through?

Whew! Made it to the other side... without scraping the sides or falling through.
So, on to some beautiful scenery!

The water on the left down over the bank, is called "Big Sandy"

This man was about to take his German Shorthaired Pointer for a walk

...... on the bike trail/walking path that crosses the old railroad grade.

This leaf-covered bank is part of the old grade.

And here lie some deteriorated parts of the old railroad ties, covered in moss.

Here is another shot of "Big Sandy" through a growth of feathery Canadian pines.

...... and on up the road we go.

Arriving at the peaceful "Fisherman's Cove"

Mostly maintained by the preservation society.

The boat launch site is beautiful...

This is where the Big Sandy runs into the Allegheny River.


Love these tree reflections in the water.

I stopped half the way back and set up to paint but only got it half way done before getting too damp and cold, but I did get lots of pictures so I can work on some back at the studio. More pictures in another post.

More followers and an important Question

I made it back from PA on Tues evening, and have a lot to post about including pictures. First, I'd like to welcome new followers; Levonne, an RV campground host; Ron, the Old Geezer; Ferree, of the Widow's Christiane Place; and Gypsy 68, who is now re-modeling her home. I enjoy reading all these blogs, (and need to catch up soon ... whew!) and want to thank you all for following along with me.

As I need to leave tomorrow for my youngest's wedding in TX, I wanted to ask this question before I go and hope to get some answers. I was very disappointed in my RV's gas mpg and want to know what is a realistic expectation. I averaged about 7 - 7 1/2 mpg, all miles. My RV is a 21' Chevy class C, 350 engine and the year is '89. So.... if you all could let me know what your make and model, engine size and mpg, I would have a good idea if I need to trade up or stay with what I have. I am able to trade if I could get a better fuel milage to make it worth while. I plan on taking my RV to TX and possibly trading down there, or if not worth the up-grade for fuel efficiency, I would opt to drive my Trail-Blazer @ 17 mpg. Please help?

If you choose not to give this info I understand, but would greatly appreciate all who are willing to do so. Thanks!

Up-Date

About all I have been doing since arriving in PA is visiting with my kids and grands. I haven't even taken many pictures as I have been more into visiting and just forgot! Sister is coming from NY and we will spend the day visiting an aunt and cousin, an uncle, and a SIL on Wed. NEED to find a dump station tomorrow am.

Oh yes, my son, spent the better part of a day figuring out why my propane wouldn't light..... needed two new "house batteries" installed. The one had bowed out sides. Problem solved. I now have my furnace running at night when it has been in the high 40's or low 50's.

New problem today... my kitchen sink drain leaks! So that will get tackled next. I haven't taken time to do any painting. Family comes first. Also, most days have been cold and rainy.

Hopefully I can post something more interesting next time. Have a good week everyone!

KY to PA Trip

Hello everyone, from the happy state of Pennsylvania!

Izzy and I actually did not get started on our journey until 10:15 am on Friday. (I am just so much slower than I used to be) We made it to just south of Cincinnati. I was just enjoying the trip, not having to worry about tires falling apart. Pulled off in a well-lit rest area and stayed the night there. The next morning I wasn't in too big a hurry either. I was just enjoying the scenery, construction (NOT), and more scenery. Of course breaks for Izzy and me both took some time. Here is Izzy letting me know its been a while.....

We arrived at Kidron, OH about 2pm and stopped at Lehman's as I had planned. What a busy place!! I had imagined a pretty good-sized store, .... but FOUR (4) huge buildings?? Here is the main one, Lehman's General Store.

This next one is Lehman's Old Fashioned Hardware.

I did not get pictures of the others, but inside the General store I took several pictures that my interests lean towards. I saw HUGE bookshelves with all kinds on old fashion books (this is only a partial section)

Then there was the laundry soap-making supplies display, with the old wooden-barrel wringer washer and rinse tubs .......

Now, THIS is a wood/coal burning stove .... very elegant with wrought metal-work. One very similar to this used to heat the old house in PA when my children were little wee.

Now, gas lights .... I always wished for a couple gas lights but never did have any. Lamp oil lights, yes, and still do, but never gas lights. A good one costs about $100 and up.

Old fashion hand water-pumps, some taller than me. I love water pumps!

Dishes ...... all types of stoneware dishes and my favorites, the speckled enamel tin-ware in all colors!

And crocks, all sizes and crockery bowls and crockery butter churns .....

Up along the tops of the walls in every room, old fashioned homesteading and gardening implements.

A child's old-fashion toy and book section that I did not get a picture of, and just so much different stuff, it would have taken me two days to get through all of it. But I had places to go, people to see, and other things to do, so I left.

On the way we met this youg lady at a rest area walking her GORGEOUS Burnese Mountain Dog. She had just taken him to a competition trials . Eight months old and 90#'s of absolutely beautiful dog!

He is very well behaved and just an awesome animal. I had never seen one before.

Anyway we arrived at my daughter Tina's in PA just as the last of the daylight faded from the sky on Saturday evening. We were 2 whipped pups! (Well, one pup and one tired elder person ;-)

The next day was spent with daughter Gwen and family and I finally got to hold and giggle with and make faces with that almost yr old grand-baby, Miss Maddie! What a doll she is! I was having so much fun visiting I forgot to take pictures! But thats alright, I'll be seeing them again tomorrow.

Hope your travels have been as pleasant as the trip was for me. Keeps the shine-y side up!!

Leaving today!

Short post ~~~~~~~ my tires are on, suspension checked out fine. Soon as I can get the RV picked up I will load what I need (not much) and be on my way to PA! Yahoo! I plan on stopping at the Lehman's Non-Electric store in Kidron OH on my way and pick up a couple things.
Welcoming more new followers ~~~ my brother, Deaf Ranger who is expecting me in the warmer state of AZ this winter; My cousin Sandy, from PA; Penny of Black Sheep Farm, a follower on my previous JPCL blog, and Whitey, who it looks like he doesnt have a blog as yet. Welcome to all!
Now I better git going... my ride to pick up my RV is almost here! You all have a blessed day!

Home Time ~ Waiting on Tires

Well, I see I have two new followers, Judy and Charlotte. Welcome to come along. If I ever get going maybe I will be able to post something that will be worth your time, LOL.

I am glad I took some time last week to "dress up" my place. I learned a long time ago to have a backup plan. This time it paid off :)

Good news! The man from the tire shop came by today to see what could be done about my situation. He decided I did have enough clearance to use the 875 x 16.5 (I had had 800 x 16.5) tires so that would save me buying different wheels for now. I will also have him check the suspension while the wheels are off.

Meanwhile here are some pictures from home..... This was the view from my front porch last week before I left Thursday morning. It seems these birds knew it was close to harvest time.

As the fields were harvested the in next few days, I went today for a ride down through the farm on the ATV for the first time since the corn was 6" high. This is what I saw ........

The fields, relieved of their abundant harvest and finally at rest.

JW's tractor with the bush-hog standing ready to trim the fence rows and water-ways of weeds.

I love the slightly rolling lay of the land......

I stopped to check the pond in the middle field where the cattle used to drink....

As I headed down through the lane to the bottom 30, I came upon this flock of wild turkeys. Can't see them?

How about now?

Looking across to the wooded area on the other side, I spotted this

beautiful deer. By the look of the body build I would bet it is a buck

Just too masculine looking for a doe, don't you think?

Then down by the lower pond where a dead tree had fallen into the water. What is that on the log??

Oh, yes.... Mr. Turtle.

As I headed back home the early evening shadows were beginning to fall.

Some may wonder why I would ever want to leave this beautiful place and galavant across the country. I don't have an answer, except that its my dream and I want to follow it.

Have a good week and thanks for stopping by!

What size tires are on YOUR RV's ???

Thanks for all your well-wishes and prayers for a wonderful vacation. and before I get started here let me just say , God is still good!

My trip was cut short.... very short!

I left in the afternoon on Thursday and got a whole 20 miles down the road. Something started vibrating... flapping... slapping. I pulled over and checked but didn't see anything. Got back on the road for another mile and it just got worse .... louder. so I pulled over again. The outside dual tire on the drivers side had come apart, tread off and belt showing..... WHAT? Got to a tire place that was still open, had the spare put on and asked his opinion about the other tires and continuing on my journey. He looked them over and said it was "probably a fluke, happens once in a while. Other tires look real good".

Okay, back on the road..... just breezing along so smoothly. Another 50 miles ..... vibrating, flapping .... oh no! not again..... Yes, again! I limped along to the next exit and pulled off into a station with a tire shop. Looked at my tires and the other dual, same side, had come apart. So much tread had come off on this one that it bent a metal frame (maybe for holding a mud flap??) up over the tires. The station attendant took a crow bar and bent it up out of the way so it would be off the tires. They didn't have any tires the size I needed. He gave me directions on a local route to get up to the Love's truck stop a couple exits further on. So I drove, very slowly. It was after dark by this time and all I wanted to do was get there and hide between 2 semi's for the night, which I did . I was never so glad to see that truck stop come into view!

Next day ..... Loves had no tires my size, and sent me across the overpass to a near tire shop. Manager there was not very hopeful. He was however very helpful. He explained to me that my problem was dry-rot, and that the tires on my RV, although having lots of tread, were in dire need of being replaced! He also explained that the size tire I had was about obslete!!! 800 x 16.5 very hard to find but he would do his best to find some. He called all over western KY and came up empty. He advised that the best thing to do would be to change out to 16' wheels so tires would not be a problem. He explained that when rv's only get used a few times a year the temp changes and constant sitting caused dry-rot. Typical especially in this situation where I had an '89 and it had only 30,400 mi on it when purchased. Well, I was at least getting an education! I assured him that if I could get this situation remedied, my little rv would not be "sitting" much.

I went back to the Loves not knowing what else to do. I felt so foolish, even wondering what I was doing thinking I could just get an rv and go. (hey, I am being real here... ) I broke down crying thinking I had messed up so bad, maybe I hadn't listened to the "Boss" closely enough. I needed to talk to someone so I called one of my daughters and asked if she thought I had been foolish and broke down crying again. She was appalled and said "Mom, this is just a bump in the road. We are so proud of you and your courage!" Well that cheered me up a bit. I called my neighbor (I have been blessed with some neighbors who really care about me) being they have all kinds of big, little, and in-between equipment they use on their farm, and asked where he recommended for tire repair . I filled him in on what was happening. He directed me to call his brother (they together own the farms next to mine) who loading equipment for a sale the next day. He called back 20 min later and told me to sit tight; he would get the sale items unloaded and go back to get his low-boy and come get me, but it would be towards evening.

He got there about 5 pm , loaded my rv up and I climbed up into the semi with Izzy, and we rode back, having a very good conversation. He gave me his advise, which I greatly take to heart, about what to do about tires and wheels. Getting to my place he took Izzy and unlocked my door for me and proceeded to unload my rv. I tried to give him some money to at least cover some of the fuel but he said I would hurt his feelings by offering. So feeling very humbled, I just thanked him.

These two brothers were very well respected and some of the best friends of my husband, talking farming and buying and selling cattle together. They, and the man who leases our fields have really watched out after me. The Lord has been so good to provide such good friends. I was reminded once again of the scripture the Lord impressed on my heart shortly after losing my husband. Isaiah 54:1b (NAS Bible)that says "for the sons of the desolate one, will be more than the sons of the married woman". I believe these are 3 spiritual "sons" the Lord has provided a to be His hand in helping provide for me in ways that I cannot provide for myself. And in turn I am praying that the Lord will mightly bless their lives.

Yes, my trip to PA is delayed. Am I giving up? Not on your life. Like my daughter said, "Mom, its just a bump in the road" :-)