We finished the first two days of our trip. Day 1 took us from Hastings to a Wagon Train Campground near Lincoln. I was very disappointed in Ms. Garman. She could not find the park. Gordon spent hours updating her maps. We had to stop for directions. We barely had time to set up before it was time to leave for Father's Day supper with David and Bridget. They had quite a spread. They ordered food from Famous Dave's. It was sooo good! We left their house with enough for food for Monday dinner and half a pie. We left early Monday and we are spending the night in the Illinois State Fairground in Springfield, Illinois. There are 300 sites here, but not very many people. We are in a large, flat parking lot area. Tomorrow we expect to get to West Liberty, Ohio. We will spend a few days there doing genealogy. So far, we have no camping reservation.
June 18-20
We researched in Logan and Champaign Counties for information about Henry Long and his parents. Found nothing we did not already have. Could Henry have came to Ohio with a married sister after his parents died? Who Knows? I was very tired and very frustrated after our two days.
June 21-22
Very, very long, rough ride from campground in Logan County, Ohio, to campground near Rochester, New York. We left at 7:00 AM and arrive at 4:30PM. I hate stopping for gas. It is so hard to find a place with easy access and exits for a large RV's. We decided to spend two nights near Rochester and see the Erie Canal. It was overcast during the cruise which made it almost pleasant. We did not see the part of the original canal. The part we were on was rebuilt to replace an aqueduct in downtown Rochester. One of the interesting facts I learned was that the canal was only 4 feet deep. It crossed over rivers and deep valleys on an aqueduct above the river or valley. We tried to see the jello museum in Leroy, N.Y. Unfortunately, we arrive as they were closing. I decided to do a couple of loads of laundry, since I seemed to stain everything I have worn so far. Hope I do not have to go shopping for new clothes before we join our group in Maine.
Reproduction of one of the old bridges
Erie Canal
June 23-24
Spend two days a Swansey Lake Campground near Keene, New Hampshire. What an experience it was getting to the campground. We took a wrong turn and ended up entering a low maintenance road (which is what we thought we were on already). Had to back into a driveway and turn around. Then we had one lane roads and lots of trees. Had a couple of more incidents of backing up to make a turn or negotiating around trees. The park was nice once we were in our site. Lots were really large and surrounded by trees. We rested mostly. We did some sight seeing to look at covered bridges built in the 1860's.
Cresson Bridge Thompson Bridge Ashuelot River
Combs Bridge Slate Bridge
June 25-30
We arrived at Hermon, Maine on the 25th. Shortly after we set up we met our wagon masters Bert and Shari. Our orientation meeting is June 30 at 2:30 p.m. We are hoping to do some sight seeing in the area.
Gordon wanted to make sure we would make it here in time to make trip. Fortunately, we had no trouble and have lots of time.
First impression: it was way warmer here than I expected. I decided to buy some short sleeve shirts (which I did). Then it was rainy and overcast and much, much cooler. Makes me think I should buy some long sleeve shirts.
We did not do much sight seeing. We contacted a couple that were volunteers at Mission the year we were there. They were so helpful when Gordon was sick (took care of the dogs, drove us to the airport, etc). They took to us a lunch and their house on Wednesday and then we went to the coast together on Friday. The rain and fog were too thick to see much. We had lots of fun visiting with them and exchanging RV stories. Thursday and Saturday are/were restand laundry days. I need to make one more run to the grocery store. It may get up to 70 today. So far it is still cloudy and cold, but no rain.
Mke and Jerrie Shaw, Camden Point, Maine
Tomorrow is our official tour start day. We have orientation at 2:30 p.m. We will meet our fellow tour members. At 4:30 p.m. navigators meet for a briefing with the wagonmaster. We will a meeting like this on the afternoons before a travel date. After that meeting, we have supper together. Monday is a travel day. We will spend our first night in Canada in Quebec City.
