THE FIRST 3 DAYS, BIG-E, NORMAND ROCKWELL MUSEUM

Captain’s Blog
09/27/2007
Raynham, MA 02767 (Leaving Home and arriving at the Big E)
Odometer: 9781.8

On the Road Again!!!! After working half a day, getting the final few items packed and a short Good-by visit to my Mother we finally left at around 3:30 PM. The plan today is to stop at the Big E in West Springfield. We’ve never been there and since we left home a full two days early thought we would check it out. Arrived at the Big E around 5:30 PM and secured a great campsite in the field adjacent to the Fair (car & RV for $25.00 for the night) We got into the Fair on a Senior discount and because it was a Thursday an additional discount was added – so only $10.00 for the two of us. I guess there are some benefits to getting old!!!

Because it was a weekday there were no crowds, which we love. The place is huge with lots of kiosks with items not commonly found locally. It could be a shopper’s paradise. They had some very exotic animals from all over the world. Unfortunately the battery in the camera died so we didn’t get many pictures.

Then it was on to the Circus. They had great entertainment and it was free. There were a variety of shows held at different times but we only got to the circus. This is a great place to bring the kids.

Captain’s Blog
09/28/07
West Springfield to Stockbridge MA
Odometer Reading 9893.2

Today we left West Springfield and drove to the Norman Rockwell Museum http://www.nrm.org/?gclid=CJGT35yA6o4CFTaoGgodLQR2Dw in Historic Stockbridge MA. What a great place. As an artist and illustrator he defined the meaning of the word “Artist”. His artwork is unbelievable bringing every detail to life and all of his paintings tell a story. We recommend this stop to anyone who appreciates art and even to those who don’t.
His Studio

After a two - hour stop its back on the road. The RV is acting a little weird. Hope we don’t run into any problems with it. It’s just been broken in so its possible the little quirks will start kicking in. Will be stopping for the night at a rest stop in PA.

Captain’s Blog
9/29/07
Mountain Top, PA (Rest Area)
Odometer Reading 10167.6


Spent the night in a very quiet rest stop. Slept like a rock. Got up to the first cool weather (50 degrees). Today was basically a driving day - over 350 miles today. Will be spending the night at the Bear Creek Resort Ranch in East Sparta, OH. Don’t let the name fool you, this is not a ranch or resort!!!! Tomorrow we will be visiting the Football Hall of Fame----Yeah!!!

Motorhome is Back in Service

Well, after seven weeks, multiple phone calls and a second repair we are ready to roll. Yes, I said second repair. We were told the new hitch receiver was in place, the new flap on , electrical work and paint repair completed so we went to pick it up. When we arrived at Marty’s we decided to attach the tow bar to the RV to make sure everything was in proper alignment. Looking at the receiver we noticed it was recessed significantly beyond the back of the bumper. It didn’t look right but Ron tried to attach the tow bar. Needless to say our initial fear was accurate and the tow bar could not be introduced into the hitch. Ron went to speak to the service manager asking if a piece was missing off the receiver. He was assured all of appropriate replacement parts were in place. Ron then asked if it was possible that the receiver had been put on backwards. The service manager was emphatic that the receiver could NOT be put on backwards. Well, once he looked at the receiver he meekly admitted that , in fact, the receiver had been put on backwards. We left and later that day did finally get our MotorHome repaired appropriately and it is now home ready to be packed for our trip. Amen!!!

This is what the receiver is supposed to look like!

El Frog, My Guard Frog.

Don’t Mess with my big brother that is up in the air looking at you.

Lets get that RV fixed

Have been waiting 7 weeks to get our receiver Hitch repaired at Marty’s on Warranty from Newmar, 100 calls later it looks like maybe it will be done by this weekend!!!!