May 6, 2010 Thursday PM
Well, we got on the road about 11AM Wed morning. Stopped at Fredericksburg for gas. Used our Giant points and go it for $2.59/gal. Felt pretty good about that. Grabbed a Subway sandwich, hit BJ’s for some last minute stuff and we soon heading into the mountains. Got to the park entrance on Rt 33 and no one was on the gate. A ranger poked his head out of the office and said we were good to go. Then noticed a sign that said pay on the way out. We have a Golden Access pass so we have free admission anyways. What a great program. Got the pass several years ago for $10 and have used it many time for admission to National Parks and COE rec areas. Back on the road to Lewis Mountain, which wasn’t even listed as being open when I researched it online a few days ago. We had planned to go to Big Meadows but pulled in to Lewis Mountain just to see what it looked like and as we were making the loop through the small campground, noticed a Roadtrek. Decided it can’t be too bad and it looked fine. There must be about 30 sites here. There’s a bathroom, water spigots, a pay shower at the camp store. Quiet, rustic and you have a view off to the east and west from this 3200’ elevation area. The campground host was nice. The folks in the 200 Roadtrek Versatile Dodge were in their 80’s and have been camping in theirs since 2000. They got it used with 80,000 miles on it and now have about 150,000 miles. They were heading from their home in CT to a relative’s college graduation in Chapel HILL, NC. Out next door neighbors were tenters from down in the vally nearby.
We had a great night learning how to live in our new home. Didn’t cook last night; just had the Subway sandwich. After chillin’ with some salsa and beer. After dinner, watched ‘The Abridged Complete Works of William Shakespeare’ on the portable DVD. Couldn’t make it play through the TV for some reason. We’ve decided to take the TV and videotape machine out and replace it with a HDTV with DVD built-in. $200 at BJ’s…. Will need a mounting bracket for it. That will free up a cabinet for my HF ham radio and power supply.
Made an omelet this morning after a great night’s sleep. The stars were brigth last night and the temperature was just right. No noise except the wind. NO traffic at all overnight. NO noise from neighbors. We are nearly level but not exactly. Learned a lesson about the griddle I brought along instead of the frying pans. The griddle is too shallow and has 2 holes on one edge to prevent it sliding on the camp stove it was designed for. Well, the eggs ran to the low side and right over the side and into the burner and down into the bottom of the stove. And the griddle is too large to get to the range knobs well, too. So, it stays home with the camp stove. Will bring a teflon frying pan or 2. Might end up investing in a camp cook-kit that nests and is non-stick. Oh, tore the range top apart and gave it a real good cleaning. It needed to have some old crud removed along with the new egg mess. The hot water heater does a great job. I turned it on for about half an hour and got really hot water for dishes and my cleanup job. The refrigerator is doing a bangup job, too. Turned on the gas yesterday evening after we settled in and the fridge lit up easily. The water heater was amazing, I just turned on the switch and in a second or three I heard the burner kick in. This is really nice having a sink and hot water and a range and a toilet all within a step or two.
Everyone moved out of the campground loop this morning. Our new neighbors are a mother and son. She’s in a van and he’s on a motorcycle. They’re from Frederickburg. Lila and the mom are having a good time talking. There’s also a couple here from the Netherlands who started 5 days ago in Washington, DC and are on a 3 month trip to Portland, OR. They are biking down the Skyline Drive to Waynesboro then heading west.
Set up the Buddipole and rigged a 2 meter antenna up to my Yeasu VX170. Was hearing a lot of QSO’s but not making them hear me. Wasn’t trying too hard, though. Just was enjoying the beautiful afternoon. One of the QSO;s was mentioning the AARC repeater near Annapolis on 147.105 since that was the freq they were on. Couldn’t get them to hear me.
The temperature up here must be abut 80 tops. Was listening to NOAA Weatherradio and hearing temps down below around 90. We have had sun most all day and a light breeze. A few flies and gnats, one tick so far. Put up the screen door and that has kept most of the critters out. Put up the awning this afternoon, more to air it out and blow the dust off than anything. Found the roadtrek designed storage area for the awing crank and rafter yesterday, too. They have clips in the door of the driver side long storage compartment.
It’s been a nice relaxing day and we will make tuna salad and have a green salad later. Enjoyed my PB&J with milk and a banana for a late lunch. Was messing around with the installation of the CB and scanner and think I might have that figured out. Now if I can just power them from the house battery rather than from the engine battery, I’ll be happier. And then figure out how to get the generator going and install some solar . . . . . Lots of stuff to mess with.
Until later…
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