New Home

Our new home has a new home. After spending several weeks in the driveway at Vickie and Steve's place, the New Rig is now residing even deeper into the American countryside thanks to Bert and Linda. We will probably remain mostly in this location over the next few months as we continue to prepare for more extended trips. Cabinets, basement and other storage areas are becomming more occupied, in some cases just with empty containers as we try to get a better handle on just how much space we have and what will go where.

A Visit to Strasburg

First Class Parlor on the Strasburg Railroad

We had a great weekend & kids had a real nice time at the Strasburg RR (well, adults did too). We had a very comfortable 45 minute train ride to Paradise and back (very scenic and relaxing) and generally explored the RR area, visiting shops and taking pictures, etc. They've done a fantastic job in restoring some of these old engines and passenger cars and it is quite an operation compared to what I saw in a brief stop I made there some many years ago now.

Unfortunately, even though we passed by a favorite ice cream shop several times, it was never an appropriate time to stop (and I doubt that we'd have found a place to park the RV anyway). That was a bit disappointing but there was plenty else to enjoy. We stayed at an RV park about 4 miles or so to the South of Strasburg on what is reportedly the highest elevation in Lancaster County - a very nice place. Deb made dinner and the weather was perfect for eating at picnic tables right alongside the RV. We also had a campfire, roasted marshmallows, drank some wine and beer and otherwise relaxed. We got to enjoy some very nicely performed 'blue grass' music in the center of the grounds where we took the kids to ride on swings and sliding board - not my typical musical choice, but it was really quite good.

Sleeping did not go particularly well, but considering it was the first time that Sisi and Ben were ever away from their own beds for a night - it certainly could have been worse. I think the twins and Nicole probably got the most sleep of anyone.

Sunday we stopped by some of the outlets for a short while and had a meal at Jenny's Diner before heading for home and proceeded directly to Mike's place for a (day late) celebration of Jessica's 11th birthday.

We had a few little snags with the RV along the way, but we expected to have some such things & it is one of the reasons for doing some 'shake-down' trips this Summer. It is a very complex piece of equipment so there is plenty to need adjustments, etc. (not to mention, a whole lot of things to learn about); however, we are still thrilled to have found this one since, in many respects, it is not even broken in yet!

Photos of the Strasburg visit have yet to be uploaded but I will send and invitation to view them when they are ready.