Photo archive, part 3

George and Charlotte study the campground map.

Then to bed. The kids fit snuggly on the setee and the futton (but later the girls decide the setee is too cramped).

In the morning our campsite is beautiful (but cold!).

We are located right on the Brandywine River. The Campground offers canoeing (maybe next time).

Photo archive, part 2

When we arrive we prepare dinner in the kitchen ...

...and find places to eat. This shot is from outside through the windshield.

Then, KAPERS!

Photo archive, part 1

We arrived at Ken and Kathy's house with the RV and began to pack. Chrissy is ready to help.

Inside, Stephanie and Chrissy help Charlotte put things away.

Kathy helps toss things inside, to be sorted and stowed later.

George and Logan squeeze the beer, er, uh, the essentials into one of the compartments.

The women are ready to roll!

Our first outing in the RV - where to park??

On Thursday (4/12) we decided to venture to QVC for their studio tour. We found it quite easy to pack up the RV and hit the road. We all leisurely prepared for the day and we got out of the campground later than we had hoped but after all we are RVing and playing things by ear. Charlotte and I decided that they would make lunches for all during the ride to attempt to make the 1 PM QVC tour. The RV headed out of the slot with the kids strapped in and Kathy and Char at the kitchen counter starting to prepare lunch. George was at the wheel and we were in a pull through site. We were golden!! As George approached the edge of the site and proceeded to turn left we all yelled (two of us as we were being catapulted across the cabin!). George stopped and through Kens navigation realized that the “pull through” actually curved to the right and that was the intended route over turning left. Once we had veered right, Charlotte and I resumed our duties after picking up all the things that also flew around the cabin. The West Chester campground is very hilly and if you stay there, wait until you are on the highway before you make lunch or make it before you go. If our lunch making were on film, you could all see it on Americas Funniest Home Videos. It certainly was a balancing act. In any event, the lunches got made and all were fed. We saved a sandwich for the driver.

Along the way, we passed the entrance to Longwood Gardens. At seeing the entrance, Charlotte and I immediately decided that we were going to miss the 1 PM QVC tour. After briefly discussing the Fridays weather (it was supposed to rain) we said lets do Longwood today and QVC tomorrow in the rain!! All agreed. “George”, we ordered, “Make a U Turn!”. Ok in a 31 food RV in traffic and with construction in the area, that is not as easy as it sounds. After a mile or so, George did get the RV going in our new direction and we entered Longwood Gardens.

We pulled into the parking area to find the best spot to park our RV. It was not too crowded and we did not mind walking so we decided to park away from the cars. “Ok park over there” Ken said. “How about over there”, Charlotte said. “I’m going to pull in here” George said. “What if the lot fills up and you do not have room to pull out”, I said”. “OK – I will parallel park over there”, George said as he finally felt confident he could get out at the end of the day. “Not over there!!”, Charlotte exclaimed. “Yes over there”, I said, “we can get out there”. “What about….” Ken started when one of the kids said, “There is bus parking off to the left”. Duhhhh – The RV fit nicely in the bus lot with only 2 busses, no other RVs and about 50 spaces. I guess we have to put the kids on navigation duty.

We got into Longwood and had a very lovely day. It was bright and shiny and warm. The flowers and trees were just beautiful. The orchid room was amazing and there were Easter Lilys everywhere. When we were all through, Charlotte took the RV for a spin around the bus lot before we headed for our campground. It was a great afternoon!

Kathy

Wondering, Are We A Good Fit?

I'm sitting here by an open campfire, blogging. That seems a bit like a contradiction, but the night is relatively calm and peaceful (new trailers have rolled in for the holiday weekend, and a few kids are jibber-jabbering, and I am hopeful their bedtime is soon) and I have had a rather satisfying day.

We awoke with a purpose today. Our goal was to have an organized breakfast of bacon and eggs, get showered and dressed, and clean up and pack up the RV, as if we were heading out to the next camp stop. Instead, we headed out at about ten of noon to go to QVC and the studio tour of the premiere home shopping network. I'm hopeful that others will relate our experience (Kathy and I have been there before).

Each time we have gone out together, to Longwood gardens, or to QVC, we have passed by oldest son Adam's restaurant, Sovana Bistro in Kennett Square, an up-scale establishment where he has been a general manager for several years. As we pass, Logan or I texted him "We're driving by now", and each time he has passed our campground, going home at night or driving to work in the morning, he texted "I'm driving by now". On our way home from QVC we pulled the RV into the parking lot. One of Adam's co-workers was cleaning the front windows and saw us. She turned to Adam and said, "This is very strange. A big RV is parked out front, and I feel as if they are watching us like we are animals in a zoo!" Adam came out, very surprised to see us, but happy.

We asked him where our appetizers were.

I reflect on our day together as I sit by the fire while Logan, Stephanie and Chrissy cook banana boats in the coals, Charlotte and Kathy clean up (their kaper duty, not my expectation of what the women folk should be doing) and George and I enjoy having just cooked and served up a perfect steak and potatoes dinner.

I am contented, camping with my family and friends. Calm and peaceful in my heart and my mind (while the world jibber-jabbers before its bedtime). And my contentment leads me to believe that if these six friends, family really, can accept me for who I am, then our two week trip this summer can be very successful, and life fulfilling.

I look forward to it.

Ken

A camping shower, much like a spa??

Well, we survived our first night in the RV and I woke up in the morning with the sunrise. It was exciting and had experienced a very good nights sleep. It was a crisp 38 degrees outside (or so). The RV is comfortable and spacious and I know that I can spend 14 days in the vehicle, rig, tin can, etc. Ken and I slept in the over the cab bunk and navigating the ladder was not bad. It makes me feel young to climb to the top bunk! So I woke up and Ken said he wanted to get up and blog. Everyone else was still sound asleep so we headed for the showers. Towels in hand, excited that the showers were clean and awaiting the hot water. I got into the shower room and sudddenly realized that it was also at most 38 degrees in the shower room as well. ugggg. I turned on the water and jumped in the shower, almost tempted to keep my clothes on but after all I was roughing it!! The water was a lot warmer than the air but the shower head was meant for a 10 year old child. I was wondering how Ken was making out as he was in the shower room next door. I took a quick shower and decided it was just too cold to shave my legs. I was on a mission to get this shower done!. Finally I decided to get out quickly, dry off and get dressed as quickly as possible. I opened the shower room door to the outside and found Ken exiting at the same time. As if we were twins, we turned to each other, looked each other square in the eyes and said "Oh My God!!!"

Kathy

Spaciousness, With A 220 Acre Garden

The RV is surprisingly comfortable for seven people. Kathy, Logan and I owned a 27 foot Hunter sailboat for several years that we often stayed overnight on, both in the marina and anchored at bay . Compared to that, this RV, at 31 feet (even considering the four feet or so removed for engine compartment) is a mansion. Kathy says that sleeping in the "cab-over" bunk, though still confining, is much more spacious and less claustrophobic than the V-berth or even the master berth of the Hunter. And considering that we must climb up and down a ladder to get in and out (i.e. make night trips), I tend to agree that this RV is quite a bit more comfortable than my beloved sailboat.

Working in the kitchen, or sitting at the setee, moving from the front to the back, we are almost never squeezing by each other apologetically. Even traveling with the "bump-out" in, there is a spaciousness to the RV that keeps us from feeling cramped.

Back in the early 1980's, after my sister and I had had moved out and on to college, my mom and dad would frequently visit Longwood Gardens. My mom loved it so much that my father bought her annual memberships. She would go there several times a week, alone or with her girlfriends, for lunch and meditative walks. I can see why she loved it so much, and was fully reminded of her durring our visit today.

Kathy and I have come here a couple of times, usually at night, and usually in winter. Our first time was one Christmas day, after dropping our younger children off for holiday visitation to their respective other parents. We walked in the snowy night throughout the Gardens, marveling at the lighted trees, and at the pointsettia displays in the Conservatory.

It is quite a wonderful change for us to see the Gardens in the spring, with daffodills and tulips blossoming everywhere, trees flowering, and fountains fountaining.

The Duthikins gathered around the carrilon tower awaiting the 4:00 chimes. When the tower rang the hour we all were pleased, and Charlotte stood and proclaimed, "I only wish they rang a bit more on the hour so that we could hear some of the variety of songs possible from the (32 bell) tower."

Promptly the bells launched into "Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail" followed by a beautiful rendition of "In Your Easter Bonnet".

Thinking she had a good thing going, I stood in the exact same spot as Charlotte as the last peal of the bells echoed in the distance, raised my arms as she had done, and also wished, "I only wish I had a thousand dollars!"

Charlotte's wish came true. Mine did not.

Ken

Neither Wind, Trucks, Nor On Ramps...

Chris was our tour guide at Roadbear. The people at Roadbear were all very nice and informative. Just on their friendliness alone I could highly recommend them, but they seem to go beyond in helping you out the first time.

As we walked through the parking lot on the way to our RV tour, Chris asked, "Have you driven an RV before?"

"No," said George and I simultaneously.

"Have you ridden in one?"

"No"

"Have you ever been in one, even to just look around?"

"Is that a prerequisite?" George asked.

"Um, no," Chris replied, before realizing he had just gotten a glimpse of George's wry humor. I'm sure he thought "God bless them. Three days of that!" Little did he know we are all like that.

The tour was very thorough and after we had signed all of the proper liability waivers we were on our way, George driving. It was good for us two men to take our first drive without the fretful "navigators" making comments. This way, also, they wouldn't know of our mistakes, like missing the jughandle and having to turn around in a tight little parking lot, or like heading North on the Parkway instead of heading South. That is, they wouldn't have known if George hadn't enthusiastically filled them in on all the little details.

"We hit every possible condition," he announced. "Trucks, construction cattle shoots, on-ramps, windy roads..."

"Snow?" Logan asked. "Hurricaines?"

"Tornadoes?" Kathy and Stephanie chimed in together.

They're all such a wise guys.

There was plenty of room to store our things (which is good, because we only had three days of things to pack, and will have fourteen days of things to cram in for the long trip) and everyone worked hard to get us on the road as quickly as possible.

I drove to the campground, and was suprised at how easily you become accustomed to handling the big vehicle. Wide turns, staying to the right as much as possible, not panicing or fretting, all come easily. The wind and the draft from tractor trailers are the most stressful issues. We could easily do 55 or even 60 MPH on the turnpike, which will help us to accurately calculate travel time on the big trip. It is fatigueing though, and on the long trip we will have to spell drivers every two hours or so.

We pulled into the campground at dusk, with just a few minutes of light left, but, surprizingly, we were settled in and set up (hook-ups and all) before the sun set completely.

Kapers! Well, everone did their jobs and we had a nice dinner, played some games, watched "American Idol" (the cable reception is crystal clear), and settled in.

I'll find out in the morning if my snoring kept anyone awake!

Ken

I'll Need A Vacation From Vacation

Approaching a vacation, certain preparations must be made. These are critical to one's peace of mind and the ability to relax and enjoy the seperation from the daily grind.

At work, one must wrap up loose ends, put finishing touches on projects, leave detailed lists of emergency procedures for your subordinates and coworkers, finalize reports and, in short, prepare for your absence, knowing that the office cannot survive without you, though hopefully they will inadequately trundle through until your return. If you are lucky, you can even straighten your desk, and do the few strategic things that will more easily launch you into the work world when your holdiay is over.

At home, one must prepare the homestead for your absence. Mail must be stopped, the newspaper suspended. The lawn should be mowed to give the appearance that you are still at home. There are arrangements for kenneling the dog, and the timers on the household lights are to be set. In order to avoid major diaster while away the thermostat must be set to keep the house at a survivable temperature, and the washing machine spigot is to be turned off to prevent an accidental bursting of the hose while no one is available to stem the problem.

And personal packing care must take place; washing and folding enough underwear and socks to get through the absence, charging phones, iPods and razors, selecting the appropriate wardrobe items to get you through any weather (and dining) eventuality. Toiletries must be replentished and packed, shoes polished, and diversionary reading materials found.

I've done none of this.

I'll be up late tonight.

I hope I don't have first duty driving the RV.

Ken

Shopping lists have been distributed!

So my assignment was to document the menu that we decided upon at our last meeting and to make a shopping list and assign the items to each family. I made a fancy spreadsheet, all organized and sent it off to the crew. Well Charlotte needed the list in alpha order, or better yet to the aisles of the Giant in Morrisville. So cute she is. :0 I am going to spend 3 days with her this week. We'll see how it goes!!

Kathy

Weather For The Trip, So-So

In checking out the 10 day forecast for West Chester (I won't give a link to weather.com, because it will be useless to the reader in a few days) it looks as if we can expect typically Spring-like conditions.

Wed Apr 8
Partly Cloudy
High 52° - Low 37°
20% chance of percipitation

Thu Apr 9
Partly Cloudy
High 58° - Low 40°
10% chance of percipitation

Fri Apr 10
Showers
High 57° - Low 45°
40% chance of percipitation

Sat Apr 11
Few Showers
High 55° - Low 37°
30% chance of percipitation

I am remembering one particular Duthikin trip to the Pocono's for Easter, where we walked along a beach shoreline of the local lake, through snow.

"Through all kinds of weather
What if the sky should fall?
Just as long as we're together
It doesn't matter at all"
(Side by Side by Harry MacGregor Woods)

Personally, I'm packing foul weather gear and lots of sweatshirts.

Ken

Oh we ain't got a barrel of money
Maybe we're ragged and funny
But you travel along singing a song
Side by side

Oh we don't know what's coming tomorrow
Maybe it's trouble and sorrow
But we'll travel the road sharing our load
Side by side

Through all kinds of weather
What if the sky should fall?
Just as long as we're together
It doesn't matter at all

When they've all had their quarrels and parted
We'll be the same as we started
Just traveling along singing our song
Side by side