North Dartmouth, Massachusetts Day 8 (GA571)

Mary is no longer available for RV traveling, but we remain good friends.
Because we have 5,000+ postings, I’ve invited her to continue posting entries on this blog.

To view past blogs, scroll to the bottom of this page and use the menu.

I’m currently in my 24th year of full-time RVing and my lifestyle is changing, For more info click Here

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The motorhome is parked at Shady Acres RV Park in Yuma, Arizona. I may be here until March 4th.

 

 

 

Since my RVing life is changing (see above), I’m starting to re-visit previously visited places. So rather than constantly re-blogging past entries, I’ve decided to do something different.

  In 2011-2013, Mary and I did a 682 day, 12,679 miles in the motorhome and 8,000 miles in the Bronco, circumnavigation of the United States, which I called The Great Adventure. I called it so because other than my oldest granddaughter’s high school graduation in June in Connecticut, I didn’t know where we would be going or when we would be there!

So, unless I do something really different and unusual warranting a new blog entry, I’ll be posting entries from that trip.

This entry was posted August 6, 2013…

 

 

 

The motorhome is parked at my cousin Bob’s and his wife Donna’s home at North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. We will depart later this morning.

 

 

Yesterday was a somewhat decent day. With a light cloud cover the high temperature was 79 degrees with 63% humidity. Still too hot and humid for my liking.

 

 

Yesterday we drove the Bronco the about 15 miles to East Freetown, Massachusetts to the home of my cousin Mike DiPaola. Also in attendance was my cousin Jeannette and her husband of 60 years, Camello. She is 81 and he is 83 and a recipient of a pacemaker about eight months ago. Camello immigrated to the United States from Catania, Italy in 1948…

 

 

 

 

 

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Being a Monday, the rest of the family was at work. With their parents were the oldest Mike and the youngest of their children, Lisa…

 

 

 

 

 

Jeanette showed me a photo of the entire family…seven children and eleven grandchildren taken a while back…

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s a photo of all seven children taken a while back…

 

 

 

 

 

Mike has a wild peacock whom he calls Hobo in his neighborhood that frequently visits in his yard…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I swear, the neighboring City of New Bedford has more donut shops than any other city in the United States. Most of them are Dunkin’ Donuts shops. Mike bought two dozen. He said it was a state law that we’re not allowed to leave Massachusetts without eating a Dunkin’ Donut. I had two just to be safe…

 

 

 

 

 

Here’s Mike with a Dunkin’ Donut box…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike’s wife Ann arrived shortly after 5:00 PM from work…

 

 

Thanks cousin Mike and family for a nice visit.

 

 

 

 

 

Then back to my other cousin Bob and Donna where she had a French Meat Pie (a favorite of mine) waiting for our farewell evening meal…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had two pieces…

 

 

And they were very tasty!

 

 

This completes our visit to the New Bedford area. This morning we’ll head back to my son’s home at Ivoryton, Connecticut for a few day visit before heading out for the west coast next Monday.

 

 

Enjoying relatives and friends is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

 

 

The red dot on the below map shows our approximate location in the State of Massachusetts. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! MARY WROTE A MANY GREAT BLOGS…SO WHENEVER SHE PUBLISHED A BLOG POSTING THE SAME DAY THAT I DID…YOU WILL BE ABLE TO READ HER BLOG BY CLICKING THE BELOW LINK! DO IT NOW!

https://otrwjam.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/the-di-paola-family-in-east-freetown/

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed the photos.

Forecast for today is sunny and 64 degrees.

 

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures with low humidity most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

 

“Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, a mild season, through a pleasant country, in easy stages.” –James Madison

My current travel rig is a 2006 Fleetwood 26′ Class A Motorhome and a towed 1986 Ford Bronco II, Eddie Bauer Model. This photo was taken in the desert at Slab City near Niland, California…

On October 27, 2012, I created a two-minute video titled America The Beautiful. The music America The Beautiful is by Christopher W. French. The photos, which I randomly selected, are from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia (not shown in that order)…are mine. Yup, That’s me standing in front of the Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas…Y’all!

Click this link to start the video. Make sure you have your speakers turned on and go to full screen asap.
http://youtu.be/FfZUzEB4rM8

If you would like to see my YouTube videos, click this link… http://www.youtube.com/user/JimJ1579/videos

There are more than 600 photo albums in my Picasa Web Albums File. To gain access, you simply have to click this link… https://picasaweb.google.com/jimjrver

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

For more information about my books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

All original works copyrighted – Jim Jaillet -2019

COUSINS AND COUSINS-A REUNION

Toni Moore is my cousin by marriage. Her husband of 26 years, Commander James Moore of the Sheriff’s Department (deceased) is my first cousin. Our fathers were brothers.  But, our relationship goes deeper than that. I attended High School with Toni and introduced her to Jim. While visiting the archive, I discovered she was planning a family reunion and she asked me to join them. The afternoon of the Archive meeting, March 16th, I went with her to Costco to shop. Toni is handicapped and can’t drive. On the 17th, it was St. Patrick’s Day, she took me out to dinner for corned beef and cabbage. I think we licked the plates clean.

Her oldest son is Kurt Moore. He and my son Ken are close in age. We raised our kids together, often camping since no one had any money in those days. We all lived on tight budgets.

Her middle son, Todd, was closest to my son Doug’s age, and the two of them were pals growing up. Toni’s youngest son, Barry recently died and everyone is still trying to heal from loss. Todd lives nearby and is indispensable, taking Toni to her appointments, shopping and helping Todd keep up the place. He has one daughter, Briana, and I somehow failed to get a picture of her and her boyfriend.

The relationships get complicated for me to keep straight. Kurt’s youngest children Teddy and Alex, with Gramma Toni are the reason for the reunion. They live on the East coast with their mother and visit twice a year. They normally come for Easter vacation and this year came early. So, Toni planned an early Easter.

Always smiling, Leslie Nolan, is Bob Moore’s partner, who is a brother to Jim.  He doesn’t like having his picture taken and ruins your picture, if he has a chance to.  You have to get one surreptitiously.

Here he is with his nephew, Teddy.

Kurt’s oldest daughter, Sandy arrived with her husband Josh.  Kurt’s son, John is serving in the Army and couldn’t attend.

Now, this is Grandpa Kurt, hauling Sandy’s two newest members of the family over his shoulder into the back yard. He knows a little about how to handle young boys. They are Caleb and Jacob ages six and four, recently adopted.

It rained off and on all day, but no one melted. The kids played bean bag toss. Emma, Sandy’s daughter teamed with Teddy and Alexandria, Sandy’s half-brother and sister, and her father Josh.

Emma gets a big jump closer because she is the shortest and youngest in the game. Cousin works as well as any moniker, and “cousin” Teddy doesn’t mind.

As the day went on, the kids turned to hunting for treasure. Caleb is trying to figure out how to get up in the tree holding an egg.

An egg hiding in plain sight, up high, gives the older kids a shot at the eggs. Some contain money, some contain candy or little toys.

Heavy competition comes with a smile as Bob and Josh pair up with…

…Todd and Kurt.

Looks like Josh nailed it. The rules are much like horseshoes.

The kids enjoyed their treasures. Emma, in Easter finery, with a full bag.

Jacob enjoyed a green chick that is special because it has a squeaker inside.

Caleb liked his rubber Easter chick, too.

After dinner, everyone enjoyed dessert. Emma looking sweet 16 instead of 12 with frosting pink lipstick.

Alexandria, kissable in blue, is a freshman in High School.

Emma with her frosting lipstick plants one on cousin Alexandria.

Caleb wanted to try my camera. A quick learner, he took a bunch of pictures and did quite well.

 

This picture by Caleb is a tad blurry. But, not bad for a six year old’s first time with a sizable camera.

This one was my favorite, where he caught his little brother taking pictures with my phone.  Maybe photography in his future, but without a doubt, a good time was had by all. HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE.

 

 

CANOEING, AND THE HIGH STEEL BRIDGE

The morning before cousin Bob arrived, Melissa invited me to go canoeing on nearby Lake Kokanee.

It isn’t a very big lake, just right sized, with smooth as glass waters.

She steered and we both paddled. I brought my small back-up camera and didn’t realize the lens was spotted.

I learned to paddle and she likes canoeing better than kayaking. She finds the stroke relaxing and easy to enjoy.

We were surrounded with beauty. The lake has picturesque little inlets.

The weather was beautiful, perfect for photos.

Kind of like an abstract painting.

We saw two boats in this quiet floating painting. Perfect. The lake does not allow motors.

Then yesterday, David and Melissa took us for a scenic drive, through Shelton, Potlach, and on to Hoodsport and above to view the High Steel Bridge.  I think we traveled, north, south, east and west. My sense of geography and direction are not to be depended upon. We stopped here,  hoping to get a glimpse of Mt. Rainer.  Can you see it?  Neither could we. It was totally under cloud cover, but what a lovely little valley.

I caught a glimpse of a little spot of fall.

We probably spent an hour on the bridge, trying for the perfect photo of this deep canyon, with a thin stream of falls to one side.

The Skykomish River forged this deep canyon eons ago.

A triple fall replenishes this portion of the canyon. On everyone’s lips, “We should come see this canyon during winter.”  Of course, the falls would be  spectacular.

We kept taking picture after picture.

But who can question mother nature’s plan.

We returned to the site and enjoyed our last meal together and said our goodbyes, with promises to meet again soon, now that we’ve gotten to know each other. And, I’m sure we will. I’m so grateful we were able to re-connect with cousins, meet Melissa and their little dog, Toby, and enjoy new adventures.

 

 

Lake Cushman, Washington – Day 4

The motorhome is parked at Mary’s cousin’s recreation lot at Lake Cushman near Hoodsport, Washington. We will depart on tomorrow.

Yesterday was cousin reunion day. At 10:30 AM, Mary and Melissa headed out to go canoeing…

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

Shortly thereafter Dave took his dog Toby for a walk. While he was gone, at 11:30 AM cousin Bobby arrived. Shortly thereafter Dave and Bobby went to view the lake. Melissa and Mary returned at 12:30 PM. Melissa had never backed a trailer before. Shortly thereafter they gave it up and Melissa drove around the block and came straight into the driveway…

While Melissa, Mary and I were unhooking the canoe trailer and maneuvering in to its storage place…Dave and Bobby returned from the lake. It did not take the three cousins long to get into family discussions…

Mary is the oldest, Dave (right) the next in line and Bobby (center) the youngest. Up until two days ago Mary and Dave had not seen each other in over 60 years. Dave and Bobby had not seen each other in over 50 years. Mary saw Bobby about three months ago. Earlier there had been a 34 year separation. They had a lot of catching up to do. Later in the afternoon we enjoyed an afternoon outdoor salmon feast…

Rain threatened…but never did come. Later they all gathered around Mary’s computer to look at lots of old family photos. Bobby left at 6 PM after they all had a grand day together.

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE PHOTOS.

Yesterday was a cloudy day at 68 degrees. Forecast for today is cloudy/sunny/showery and 72 degrees.

Enjoying nice weather is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows our approximate location in the State of Was. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures with low humidity most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

On October 27, 2012, I created a two-minute video titled America The Beautiful. The music America The Beautiful is by Christopher W. French. The photos, which I randomly selected, are from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia (not shown in that order)…are mine. Yup, That’s me standing in front of the Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas…Y’all!

Click this link to start the video. Make sure you have your speakers turned on and go to full screen asap.
http://youtu.be/FfZUzEB4rM8

If you would like to see my YouTube videos, click this link… http://www.youtube.com/user/JimJ1579/videos

There are more than 500 photo albums in my Picasa Web Albums File. To gain access, you simply have to click this link… https://picasaweb.google.com/jimjrver

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

For more information about my books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2014

GOODBYE TO FRIENDS

Wednesday afternoon, the river beside the motor home was less busy, but watching the floaters is compelling. I want to do it some day.

Just as the sun was setting, another group floated by. It’s been a pleasant stay, but we packed up for Thursday morning’s departure and the last chance to meet with area friends.

We had lunch in town on Wednesday with Al Penta. We often listen to Sirrius XM and put on music from the 50’s. Al gave Jim, two discs, one of music banned from radio in the 1950’s for being too risque, such as Annie Had A Baby.  Pretty mild stuff compared to today’s music. And, another of their 50th High School Reunion. Al was the singer in their group and can still recite the words to most of those old songs we heard on the raaa-de-o.

I skipped down the street for a massage after lunch and caught a picture of “the bankers dog.  It wasn’t a bank, but doesn’t he look like a banker’s dog? It was an insurance office.

We drove from Monroe to Lacy, Washington, Jim’s old hometown, and had lunch with Jan and Larry Seaberg, another old friend. On the road, you catch your friends when and where you can. Then we pushed on to Lake Cushman Park where my cousin has a campsite. David and Melissa Moore will arrive around noon, today. Labor Day Weekend should be quiet here, and, apparently rainy, but exciting for me since I haven’t connected with David since we were kids, a reunion of sorts.

 

 

THE LEARNING CURVE

Meeting a cousin, Bob Moore, his poosslq, Leslie Nolan,  (or her poosslq depending on your point of view) and Leslie’s mother, Marilyn. at a coffee shop yesterday was so much fun, I forgot to take pictures. We talked about family members current, as in my sister suffering from brain cancer showing an improvement after a scary malaise from the radiation, to Bob’s wedding, so many years ago, how his brother Jim, met his wife, to other cousins, aunts, uncles and surprising stories in our family genealogy. Grandma Moore had her fist baby at age 15?  Did Uncle Leonard really take the first tank across the bridge at Remoggin, during WWII?

We don’t know all the answers, but aging gives a great perspective of the past. And I KNOW you are wondering about that poosslq word.

I worked the census for many years and during the 1970’s that word was used to describe …persons of opposite sex sharing living quarters.

Isn’t that a hoot?  Now we accept the normalcy of significant other. As, in my significant other, Jim Jaillet.

Later, I cooked a turkey breast so we could enjoy one of the best part’s of the feast, turkey sandwiches.  I must thank the Earl of Sandwich for that great repast.

Note:  working on a new computer after wirelessly loading every thing from my motor home computer and my home computer, to this one. It took forty-eight hours. Glitches are in store. It will take time to work them out but…I made the page.

ciao