Jun – Sep 2017

Lowell, MA

A 66-day adventure by BurdtToGo Read more

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Trip start
June 29, 2017
Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Wednesday, June 28, 2017 at 9:19 PM
- 🌙 63 °F
- Altitude: 125 ft
- United States Duck Islands 42.643727, -71.28619842°38’37” N 71°17’10” W
Andover St., Belvidere, Lowell, MA
June 28, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 63 °F
Our home for 23 years, we've left it behind to settle down south in South Carolina. So many good friends, a wonderful church, and a vibrant community has made these years enjoyable.
TravelerIf you want to see inside, go to Zillow: https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale/house_typ…
7/9/17Reply
Traveleror just type in 501 Andover St., Lowell, MA
7/9/17Reply
TravelerSo beautiful! Is it for sale?
7/15/17Reply
TravelerYes although we have 2 full price offers. Always open to more though.....
7/15/17Reply
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 4
- Sunday, July 2, 2017
- ⛅ 75 °F
- Altitude: 1,407 ft
- United States Springfield Center 42.819461, -74.87420742°49’10” N 74°52’27” W
Cooperstown
July 2, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
On the road now, Shadow Brook Campground, in West Springfield, NY near Cooperstown, was our first stop. Dale grew up on a dairy farm near here and went to Springfield High School, with a graduating class of 22--only 3 of them girls. The campground is lovely and shaded, with our site overlooking a pond with fishing and kayaking. So nice and worth seeking it out when we pass this way againRead more
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 5
- Monday, July 3, 2017 at 11:28 AM
- ⛅ 70 °F
- Altitude: 236 ft
- United States Barnett Marsh 44.319578, -75.97561844°19’10” N 75°58’32” W
Wellesley Island, NY
July 3, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
On the border of New York and Canada, Wellesley Island is the largest island in the Thousand Islands, on the St. Lawrence Seaway. The State Park there is fantastic, with large RV campgrounds, tent camping next to the Seaway, play areas, boating, relaxing....

And....the first injury of the trip goes to Cathy, who fell off her bike. A scraped knee and jammed little finger, along with a lecture from Dale about wearing helmets.

The water level is quite high on the St. Lawrence Seaway, with a short period of rain every day. Followed by a lovely rainbow.

Dale visited the island oh, about 50+ years ago and took Dunbar and Cathy to see where he and his cousin went jumping into the Seaway:

Thursday, July 5: Voyager canoeing on the St. Lawrence Seaway! These are large canoes, with 12-19 passengers, used by the French trappers when they moved into the area. Wildlife and mansions on the islands, but my favorite are the little houses on individual islands with a single tree and the water at their doorstep. Voyager= Good workout!Read more
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 9
- Friday, July 7, 2017 at 11:19 PM
- 🌙 68 °F
- Altitude: 466 ft
- United States Glen Creek 42.383806, -76.86508142°23’2” N 76°51’54” W
Watkins Glen, NY
July 7, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 68 °F
Ohhhhhh, the Jeep has linkage problems (whatever that is) so we may be here for a few extra days. Too bad its wine country.

In the meantime, Peggy Asseo was curious about the inside of our RV. Now this is a 1996 -- meaning "vintage" --Rexhall Rexair, which apparently was well thought of in its day. They were made in California and though the company is out of business, there is still a fan club out on the web and on Facebook. But it IS 20 years old, so Dale keeps up with those small items that wear out, like air conditioner covers (see our Cooperstown footprint) and door latches. But it has the important things, like a comfortable bed, refrigerator and freezer, microwave/convection oven, a full bathroom, and an engine that runs.Read more
TravelerThe love shack!
7/15/17Reply
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 11
- Sunday, July 9, 2017 at 6:49 PM
- ⛅ 75 °F
- Altitude: 1,017 ft
- United States Watkins Glen State Park 42.368531, -76.89824142°22’7” N 76°53’54” W
Watkins Glen State Park
July 9, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
What's here? For us it was walking trails and waterfalls. And I'm talking hilly walking trails so that by the end, all three of us were worn out. There is a Gorge Walk for incredible waterfall views, but dogs are not allowed. But it is a lovely park and obviously very popular.

So we hit the road into wine country, going up Rt 414 along the eastern side of Seneca Lake and heading to Ovid, NY. Why Ovid?--that is where Dales's maternal grandmother, Anne Louise Clark, was born in 1908.

Below, one of the wines from Coyote Moon that we bought at a farmers market earlier in the week.Read more
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 15
- Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 10:30 AM
- ☁️ 72 °F
- Altitude: 1,112 ft
- United States Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church 42.603458, -76.18094742°36’12” N 76°10’51” W
Cortland
July 13, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Cousins, Goats and baby calf

Dale's cousin Jackie and her husband Mark, both teachers, also own a farm in Cortland, NY. Visiting for an afternoon, we hung out with the goats and a new calf born yesterday. One of the kids had been rejected by its mom, so Jackie is hand-feeding it. Mama goat didn't care--she had another one at the same time and obviously hadn't learned that mom's must treat kids equally, even if one bugs you a bit. Hmm, analogy to real world?

The calf was born in the pasture but Jackie and Mark brought it and its mom into the barn. Mama cow did NOT like Dunbar.Read more
TravelerNice analogy! Can't imagine how that relates to you in real life
7/14/17Reply
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 15
- Thursday, July 13, 2017 at 10:41 AM
- ☁️ 72 °F
- Altitude: 866 ft
- United States Halseyville 42.527692, -76.63463242°31’40” N 76°38’5” W
Taughanock Falls State Park
July 13, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Beautiful falls, and a round up of other pix from upstate NY.

Next stop: Virginia
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 17
- Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 9:46 AM
- ⛅ 79 °F
- Altitude: 823 ft
- United States Longs Airport 38.820399, -78.56513438°49’13” N 78°33’54” W
Edinburg, Virginia
July 15, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
At Creekside Campground in tiny Edinburg, Virginia, we're camping next to the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. Quiet and peaceful, although its the start of the weekend so things might liven up.

https://www.facebook.com/creeksidecampgroundva/Read more
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 18
- Sunday, July 16, 2017 at 8:34 PM
- ⛅ 79 °F
- Altitude: 784 ft
- United States Luray 38.666114, -78.46213138°39’58” N 78°27’44” W
Luray, Virginia
July 16, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
What's here? River Hill Distillery, co-located on a lovely horse farm in Luray, Virginia. While Dale talked the chemistry of distilling with the owner, I drank Peach wine (delicious), Dunbar had a major run in with an old gray cat, and I admired the beautiful horses and scenery.

"Friendly, personal, very small operation and if you want to get up close and personal, this is the place.", says Dale. He bought 100% Corn Bourbon Whiskey and 100% Corn Whiskey. Saving some for his buddy Paul for when we meet up in S. Carolina.Read more
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 18
- Sunday, July 16, 2017 at 8:45 PM
- ⛅ 75 °F
- Altitude: 1,857 ft
- United States Red Spring Gap 38.84068, -78.45938438°50’26” N 78°27’34” W
Fort Valley, Virginia
July 16, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Lovely morning on horseback through the mountains, riding a Spotted Saddle Horse named Jessie. We had a good time together.

Date-night type dinner at Joe's Steakhouse in Woodstock, VA.

On to Floyd Virginia tomorrow; hope to hear some good music while I'm there.Read more
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 20
- Tuesday, July 18, 2017 at 8:17 PM
- ⛅ 72 °F
- Altitude: 2,569 ft
- United States Culvert Headwall 36.914134, -80.20981136°54’51” N 80°12’35” W
Chantilly Farm, Floyd, Virginia
July 18, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
New Age with Pork and Grits:

Floyd, Virginia, a small town with a big bluegrass influence, is set in southern Virginia and has a new age/aging hippie vibe along with music, centered around The Floyd Country Store where there are concerts for $5 every Friday night. Along with this, Chantilly Farm hosts large bluegrass concerts during the year as well as offering camping.

Highlights of this short trip include Cathy getting lost in the country-side while following the GPS (she was driving the jeep separate from Dale) while encountering single lane roads, bridges and a fighter jet that flew at a low altitude over her (Huh?); cows, cows, and more cows; checking out the mixture of rural life and new age shops; and for Dale and Dunbar, engaging in the ritual of sitting in front of the country store just watching people go by.

I like to buy books by local authors when I travel, and will be digging into "The Curious Case of the Conjure Woman" and "Floyd County Moonshine".

Next stop: Lake Norman, North CarolinaRead more
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 22
- Thursday, July 20, 2017 at 8:52 PM
- 🌙 82 °F
- Altitude: 817 ft
- United States Mundy Creek 35.572306, -81.02430435°34’20” N 81°1’27” W
Lake Norman, North Carolina
July 20, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 82 °F
What's here: Boats, Lakeside, and lots of fun

A Dale-selected layover at Lake Norman has proved to be inspired. We have a lovely view of the lake (Lake Norman RV Resort), a resort with a lakeside bar, and all the entertainment of watching this boat culture set in the middle of North Carolina.

Lots of building going on and with the lake having a maze of inlets and coves, almost everyone has a lakeside home--usually largish with a dock and a boat waiting to play with. We went to the Blue Parrot for dinner (dog-friendly) and enjoyed watching the 20-somethings pull up to the dock on their jet skis, and older groups in their boats and pontoon boats come alongside to have dinner at the bar and hang out. Inevitably one of the jet skis would capsize--are they really made for 3 or 4?--while their buddies took off down the lake. We could just envision Glenna and her buddy Arielle loving it.

My idea of local food is biscuits and grits, but Dale was brave enough to try livermush for breakfast. As its name implies, its a combination of pigs liver, cornmeal and 'head parts'.Read more
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 24
- Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 9:39 PM
- 🌙 75 °F
- Altitude: 2,162 ft
- United States Biltmore Village 35.559423, -82.54562735°33’34” N 82°32’44” W
Biltmore Village... in Asheville, NC
July 22, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 75 °F
We liked this town when we visited a few years ago, so.......we're back! There were NO RV sites available (this is the busy season) so we treated ourselves to a weekend at a dog-friendly Hilton.

Our 20-year old RV chugs up the hills pretty slowly, even though Asheville is only about 2100 ft. It hangs out in the slow lane with other RVs and the occasional truck but we will have to give serious thought before taking it on a mountainous route. Old Rex (for Rexhall) is having a rest this weekend while we luxuriate in the hotel.

Biltmore Village is next to the Biltmore Estate and was built to house workers on the estate. Charming and great to walk around, we found the Well-Bred Bakery as one of our favorite places to eat. It has outdoor dining so Dunbar did well on those accidental crumbs that were dropped.Read more
TravelerAre you coming to Charleston?
7/24/17Reply
TravelerOur next stop is in Tabor City, NC for the month of August. Then we have some traveling and eventually ending up somewhere near north Myrtle Beach near Dale's parents. We have a busy few months ahead of us! But, that puts us about 2 1/2 hrs from Charleston!
7/24/17Reply
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 26
- Monday, July 24, 2017 at 7:13 PM
- ☀️ 82 °F
- Altitude: 1,093 ft
- United States Mountain Lake 35.067117, -82.62275835°4’2” N 82°37’22” W
Solitude Pointe... in Cleveland, SC
July 24, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 29
- Thursday, July 27, 2017
- ⛅ 82 °F
- Altitude: 1,404 ft
- United States Long Mountain 34.952265, -82.64452834°57’8” N 82°38’40” W
Solitude Pointe... in Cleveland, SC
July 27, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F
Friends, Mountains, and Bourbon

Up in the SC mountains near towns such as Pumpkintown, Cleveland, and Travelers Rest, is a small jewel of an RV and cabin resort called Solitude Pointe. Quiet, nice spots, spotless showers and 5-bars ATT cell phone service--can't ask for more.

Our friends Sandy and Paul joined us for a few nights, renting a cabin across from our RV site. Paul and Dale are bourbon buddies from way back, starting before we were married 36 years ago and surviving through a 5 day Kentucky Bourbon Trail trip. Armed with 1792 Bourbon, Corn Whiskey, and the tools of BBQing, Paul and Dale have produced steak dinners and great hamburgers. Sandy and I roasted marshmallows.

Dunbar was not allowed in guest cabins so he supervised from atop the dashboard of our RV.Read more
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 31
- Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 9:06 PM
- ⛅ 68 °F
- Altitude: 2,684 ft
- United States Little Rich Mountain 35.131982, -82.59891335°7’55” N 82°35’56” W
Waterfalls and Mountains
July 29, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
Lots of looking at waterfalls and mountains over the last few days. Some of our pictures.
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 32
- Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 8:51 PM
- 🌙 73 °F
- Altitude: 1,076 ft
- United States Slater 35.034443, -82.50108235°2’4” N 82°30’4” W
Burly Bill's BBQ... in Marietta, SC
July 30, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 73 °F
Dig the Pig.

Its BBQ day and we couldn't have picked a better place: Burly Bill's BBQ. Only open Friday, Sat., and Sunday, its a food truck like setup next to Rte. 11 in Marietta, SC.

Beef Briskit, Pulled Pork, baked Beans, slaw, and of course Dr. Pepper. Oh my goodness, it was great.Read more
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 56
- Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at 8:53 PM
- 🌧 79 °F
- Altitude: 72 ft
- United States Skeebo Branch 34.13401, -78.85515434°8’2” N 78°51’19” W
On Break from Travel: Tabor City, NC
August 23, 2017 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 79 °F
House hunting, RV troubles, and hot weather

On arriving at our campgrounds, we found that the hydraulics used to set up need replacement. Good Sam insurance found us a mechanic but still working the issue.

Meanwhile, its been hot and steamy in the low country--typical for August. Getting used to it but loving the 2 air conditioning units in our RV.

And, after looking at many houses, we found a house in Little River. Very excited, pictures after we close on it in mid-Sept.Read more
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- Day 62
- Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at 1:33 PM
- ☁️ 73 °F
- Altitude: 56 ft
- United States Charleston AFB 32.884442, -80.03695932°53’4” N 80°2’13” W
Charlston, SC
August 29, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
On the road again

While Dunbar attends "summer camp", Dale and Cathy are heading for another road trip, this time to Branson Missouri. Not by a direct route--that would be too easy. No, first we drive 2 1/2 hours to Charleston for our flight, then we do a day of house closing business in Lowell, THEN we drive to Branson to celebrate my mom's 90th birthday. This drive is 20 hours, followed by 16 hours back home to Little River, SC.

But we also get to see our daughter, Glenna.

First stop after TSA was a beer for Dale.

More to come.Read more
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Traveler Lowell, MA
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- Day 63
- Wednesday, August 30, 2017
- ⛅ 66 °F
- Altitude: 92 ft
- United States Northern Canal 42.648501, -71.31436942°38’55” N 71°18’52” W
Back to Lowell .... for a day
August 30, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
House clean out to finish, pick up my car, new tires, hug Glenna, get up date on Arielle and Ania's new boyfriends, sign papers for house closing, and dinner with our friends Ann Ludlow and Dave Kuzara. On the road after about 24 hours in Lowell.Read more
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- Day 65
- Friday, September 1, 2017
- ☀️ 57 °F
- Altitude: 997 ft
- United States Pond Six 40.161744, -80.05586340°9’42” N 80°3’21” W
Lititz, Pennsylvania
September 1, 2017 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F
Lancaster County, PA for a taste of countryside. When I say taste, I mean we had some excellent food such as Tomato Pie (at Tomato Pie Cafe in Lititz), great breakfasts (see chocolate bacon pix), pretzels and so on. Truly a wonderful area to visit.

Our Airbnb hosts had converted an old chapel into a home and Airbnb stop and shared stories of their conversion from a chapel with outhouse into an open feeling home with repurposed stone floor and fireplace, as well as stained glass windows. They did most of the work themselves, in between their work as church leadership trainers in places like China and a daughter in Botswana (other grown kids as well).

Other stops included the Green Dragon farmers market (very big), a trip to Intercourse PA to see some miniature horses, and of course covered bridges. This area has a tremendous amount of religion, including numerous Mennonite, Methodist, Lutheran and unaffiliated churches, even more than South Carolina with the many Baptist churches. The Amish don't have formal church buildings; their farms are lovely, the children are adorable and watching them plow the fields with their mules makes me realize what hard work it is.Read more
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Trip end
September 2, 2017