The Adirondack Exploration Begins

We have thoroughly enjoyed our time in this southern section of the Adirondacks. From the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain to beautiful Lake George, it is all spectacular and well worth a visit. We have traveled most of Scenic New York 30, the Adirondack Trail, and encourage our readers to visit if you can!

Pictures depict our camp setting in the woods, the visit to the Adirondack Museum (a fantastic place including several buildings, telling the story of logging and the early development of the area), lunch stop at Long Lake in the quaint Adirondack Hotel, and the drive to the top of Prospect Mountain in Lake George.

Camped at Moffitt Beach Campground in Speculator, NY.

Cleveland Visit

What a wonderful time we have had with family in the Cleveland area! We met for a fun dinner Friday night at The Lake House-a restaurant that sits overlooking Lake Erie. Saturday, the troop came to visit at our campground. We are at West Branch State Campground , located near reservoir. What a gorgeous area! Tall trees, beautiful grounds, spotless bath houses (that include laundry facilities), electric hook ups and all for $30.00.

It was picture perfect Ohio days with temps in the 70's, no humidity and clear skies. We were outside all day reliving memories of our younger days. Bob and his brother have childhood stories to tell that are unbelievable! Our niece, Missy, her husband, John, and their two children completed the party. It was difficult to say good-bye.

Our final day in Ohio found us scouting out Cuyahoga National Park, only 35 miles from our campground. We lived in Ohio until our mid-thirties and never realized there was a National Park here. It is a beautiful area that follows the Miami-Erie Canal and the Cuyahoga River. The bike trail/tow path goes for miles and was full of avid bikers and hikers today. We made our way to two scenic spots: the Edgerton Covered Bridge and Brandywine Falls. Of course, we stopped by the small visitor center where I stamped my National Park Passport book.

Tomorrow we head out at first light, according to the driving man, heading for Moffit Beach in Speculator, NY. For the next week we will explore the Adirondack Mountains area of upstate New York. We will be dry camping for the first three days, so posts will most likely lag behind. It's our only 400 mile driving day for the next three weeks. My back is very happy about that!

Cleveland Visit

What a wonderful time we have had with family in the Cleveland area! We met for a fun dinner Friday night at The Lake House-a restaurant that sits overlooking Lake Erie. Saturday, the troop came to visit at our campground. We are at West Branch State Campground , located near reservoir. What a gorgeous area! Tall trees, beautiful grounds, spotless bath houses (that include laundry facilities), electric hook ups and all for $30.00.

It was picture perfect Ohio days with temps in the 70's, no humidity and clear skies. We were outside all day reliving memories of our younger days. Bob and his brother have childhood stories to tell that are unbelievable! Our niece, Missy, her husband, John, and their two children completed the party. It was difficult to say good-bye.

Our final day in Ohio found us scouting out Cuyahoga National Park, only 35 miles from our campground. We lived in Ohio until our mid-thirties and never realized there was a National Park here. It is a beautiful area that follows the Miami-Erie Canal and the Cuyahoga River. The bike trail/tow path goes for miles and was full of avid bikers and hikers today. We made our way to two scenic spots: the Edgerton Covered Bridge and Brandywine Falls. Of course, we stopped by the small visitor center where I stamped my National Park Passport book.

Tomorrow we head out at first light, according to the driving man, heading for Moffit Beach in Speculator, NY. For the next week we will explore the Adirondack Mountains area of upstate New York. We will be dry camping for the first three days, so posts will most likely lag behind. It's our only 400 mile driving day for the next three weeks. My back is very happy about that!

A Kentucky Adventure

We have spent the past two days taking in some special spots in Kentucky. JoAnn and Bill Brayshaw accompanied us to visit the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Ky followed by a tour of three distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

Ark Encounter features a full-size Noah's Ark, built to the dimensions given in the Bible, spanning 510 ft. long, 85 ft. wide and 51 ft. high. There are three levels in the Ark, representing pre-flood, during the flood, and after the flood. Displays, models and artifacts keep the visitors moving through periods of Biblical history. Whether you agree or disagree with the founder's interpretation, the Ark Encounter is indeed, a unique opportunity to see Biblical history brought to life.

Exploring the Boubon Trail is fun for bourbon lovers and even those, who choke on very sip! The tours are very informational, the countryside is beautiful,and the accents of southern folk is delightful! 

We stopped at three of the ten-Wild Turkey, Four Roses and the leading seller -Jim Beam.
Bourbon production keeps the Kentucky farmers in business with the huge demand for corn. Yesterday alone, Jim Beam had produced 6228 bottles of bourbon (by 3:00) ready to ship out all across the country and the world! They are building a new barrel room (for aging) that will hold 55,000 barrels. What is so astonishing is that it will only take a month and a half to fill it. 

By the way, the bourbon ice cream was excellent!

Food

In leaving California and heading east on I-80 or I-70, we look forward to pulling into a Cracker Barrel for some comfort food. Last night we enjoyed a favorite meal for each of us: chicken and dumplings for Bob and meatloaf for me. With mashed potatoes and gravy plus well-seasoned green beans, we were in "hog heaven!"

Tonight we hit a family favorite-in fact, a family business on my mom's side-Mama DiSalvos. Yes, Italian food just like mom used to make. Sounds like this is an eating vacation!

Birthday Bash

What a wonderful way to celebrate turning 70! It's the year that most of us from the Tippecanoe Class of 1964 will turn that milestone year and we chose to celebrate together with one big party. My Ohio classmates are some of the best people in the world and they will forever have a special place in my heart. I was too busy visiting to take pictures, but thanks to the one who did!

OHIO

We made it to our home state this afternoon! The visits with family and friends has begun. Tonight was dinner with my brothers, sis-in-law and niece at Sam & Ethel's Restaurant in Tipp City. This was our family restaurant for many years. The tradition continues with the new owners, much to our design and appreciation.

Tomorrow begins with breakfast with classmates followed by an evening party where we will all celebrate our 70 birthdays!

A Day at Rocky Mountain National Park

Day 3: Pulled into camp about 11:30 am and immediately headed over for a day at Rocky Mountain National Park. The skies threatened rain but held off for a grand day. We had a wonderful lunch at Poppy's along the River Walk in Estes Park. Then started our day in search of Elk and the grandeur of one of the best National Parks in the country.

The annual fall Elk Rut as only just begun, but we were able to spot several herds. As is our nature, we decided to be adventurous and take the old Trail Ridge Road up to the tundra and the Alpine Visitors Center. It's  a dirt/gravel road with many switchbacks. Scenery is to die for! It's also a one-way road, so the easier paved route back down was smoother and an easier drive-duh!

We made it back to camp as the sun set and settled in for a rainy night.

Camped at River View Campground on the banks of the Big Thompson River. Bob was ready to send me off to Ohio on my own, while he enjoyed fishing!

Having problems with posting pictures! Hope to get it straightened out soon.

Day 2: Somehow we agreed on a 500 plus mile drive today, out of Nevada, across Utah and half way through Wyoming. The wind was in our favor while driving-a nice tailwind gave us great gas mileage. But trying to get the door open against 35mph wind gusts was tough! We are settled in Rawlins, Wyoming at Desert Rose Campground. Tomorrow, it's a short 3 hour drive to Rocky Mountain National Park. Hoping to see many elk!

Day 1: The long trek east has begun. We are in Elko, Nevada for the night, heading to Rawlins, Wyoming tomorrow. Had planned on enjoying a local basque dinner tonight, but decided to enjoy one of my made-ahead meals. We were simply ready to crash for the evening without disconnecting from the truck. Now we are set for an easy out in the morning.

Staying at Double Dice RV in Elko, NV

Time to Hit the Road Again!

It's been nearly a year since the last entry for Two B's on the Road, but in 5 days we're off for a New England adventure. Can't wait to share this next trip with our friends who like to travel vicariously with us. So stay tuned and follow along.