2020 Travels

2020:  A year for the books:

Our travels this year were limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We had to cancel a month long trip to Alabama, and a 10 day Alaskan Cruise.  Who would have thought that a Flu virus could shut down the entire country/world.  I guess that's the global society we live in today.  We only did one true road trip this year, and that was to Maine, considered a safe state at the time, to visit High School friends Chris and Nava.  And even then, we only met outside, and on top of that, it was a true adventure.  More about that later.

Other than Maine, we made several trips to the Whiteface/Lake Placid KOA which is about 2 hours from us. The outings were usually with our camping buddies, Judy's sister Sue and husband Al.  That's pretty much our germ pool during this pandemic.   We felt that RV'ing is a reasonably safe way to travel because you are completely self contained.  No shopping is required.  So here's a summary of our short and very limited travels this year.

Monday June 15 -19: 4 nights at Whiteface/Lake Placid KOA,  Wilmington, NY:  

Four nights at the Whiteface KOA with Sue and Al.  We have decided to try to camp during mid-week this year to avoid crowds as much as possible.  This campground is one of our favorite spots.  It is strange this year because there are usually a lot of Canadian campers, but there are none now because of the travel restrictions at the border.  Miss our Canadian neighbors.

Site M-27 with our Reflection RV.

Sue and Al's Cougar RV in the foreground on site M-28.

The Zoeys favorite spot.

Campground pedicure.  

Dinner on the deck at the Hungry Trout Restaurant.

After dinner drinks while over looking the Ausable River at the Hungry Trout.

Monday July 7 -20:  3 nights at the Whiteface/Lake Placid KOA,  Wilmington, NY

This trip was by ourselves.  Sue and Al had other plans.

Site D-4, our favorite site.

Beautiful view of the Ausabe River that borders the campground.

Monday August 31 - September 3: 3 nights at the Whiteface/Lake Placid KOA, Wilmington, NY:    

Sue and Al joined us for this trip.  Still no Canadian visitors.  In spite of that, the campground is pretty full.  It appears that more and more Americans are camping this year.

Site D-4 again.

Morning coffee by the campfire.

After dinner drinks with Sue and Al overlooking the beautiful Ausable River.

Maine Trip:

As you know, our RV adventures have been limited this year due to COVID.  We decided to at least get a mini road trip in.  So camping buddies Sue and Al joined us for a week long New England trip.  All the New England states are considered safe, at least for the present.  In August, Judy and I traded campers and bought a 2022 Grand Design Solitude 310 GK.  At about the same time, I traded trucks for a 2021 Silverado High Country.  This will be our first outing for both vehicles.

Solitude and Silverado.

Saturday September 26:  Quechee KOA, Quechee VT

Quechee KOA entrance and registration.

One of the beautiful patio sites on the lower loop.  Sue and Al were parked next to us.

Sunday September 27 - 30:  4 nights at Baley's RV Resort,  Scarborough ME

 On the way from Quechee to Maine, we stopped for a visit with Judy and Sue's cousin who lives in Merrimack, New Hampshire.  Mike Hoover and his wife Jane are a really fun couple to visit.  We had lunch on their deck and stayed a couple hours.  It was a really nice stop.

Cousins Judy, Mike and Sue.

 As you also know, with RV traveling comes adventures and misadventures.  Today turned out to a misadventure one.   We were traveling on Interstate 95 in Maine and I was leading.  About 10 miles from the Maine campground, Al called me and said he was pulling over because he had a smoking tire.  Long story short, he had a wheel bearing overheat and catch on fire.  Some good samaritan apparently called 911 because the fire department showed up a few minutes later.  Since we were so close to the campground, the fireman thought we could limp in to it by traveling really slow so as to not overheat the remains of the wheel bearing.  They suggested I follow him with my flashers on and watch his camper wheel.  Judy noticed that the wheel was starting to tilt.  About 2 miles from the campground, the wheel fell off!!!  In fact, I ran over it, but no damage.  He finished the last 2 miles on one left rear tire and the other axle a bare 1 to 2 inches off the pavement.  The campground had an on site repairman who hopefully can get it repaired in the next 2 or 3 days.  On a brighter note, the Fall colors driving through Vermont were stunning.  Never a dull moment when RV’ing.  :-)  

Site 64B

Sue and Al parked next to us on 64C.

Al's damaged wheel bearing and axle.

When on the coast in Maine, fresh seafood is a must!!  Maine friends Chris and Nava stopped and picked up some lobster for a fabulous campground dinner.  It was as good as any five star restaurant.

Campground lobster feast.

Portland Head Lighthouse, purportedly the most photographed lighthouse in the world.

As it turns out, the mechanic has to order a new axle and wheel hub for Al's camper.  So it will take a couple weeks to get the parts.  Sue and Al are driving straight home from here, while we will take two days and stop at Quechee on our way home.  We ended up having a slight misadventure too, although not as serious as Al had.  A dead tree limb fell on the awning of our brand new camper and punctured three holes in it.  UGH!! 

Quechee KOA, Quechee VT:  Thursday, October 1 and HOME on Friday, October 2

In Quechee, we had to set up in the rain, and break camp the next morning in the rain.  No pictures.  So after a week, we arrived home Friday safe and sound.  Sue and Al still have to go back in a week or two and retrieve their camper.  Even the misadventure or two didn't really dampen the spirits of the trip.  Plus,  I'm sure it will be a great story to share in the future.

Thursday October 8 -13: 5 nights at the Whiteface/Lake Placid KOA,  Wilmington, NY:

Judy's daughters Terri and Suzi, along with Suzi's sons Mason and Jaxon, met us this weekend.  They tented across the street from us.  This weekend is Mason's birthday.

The boys "roughing it" in our camper.

"Chef" Mason helping prepare scrambled eggs.

Birthday Boy Mason serving his scrambled eggs.

Terri and Mason during a brief rain shower.

Adirondack colors.

Monday October 18 - 23: 5 nights at Whiteface/Lake Placid KOA, Wilmington, NY

In late October we spent five nights at the Whiteface KOA , including 3 with Sue and Al, to finish out the camping year.  Still no Canadian campers yet.

Dinner at The Hungry Trout for the last time in 2020.

So here we are at the end of a very strange 2020.  We had some fun trips this year, despite the COVID pandemic.  We just had to be very careful, wear masks, and avoid crowds.  All dining out this year was on outside decks or patios.  It looks like vaccines are on the way.  Let's hope the future brings better times.  So for 2020, only 26 nights camping.  Stay tuned for 2021.