8/7 Tuesday Today was a great day as we heard from good friends in Houston that God had answered several prayers that day. They were given news that her medical tests were clear, the auto insurance company made a settlement they could live with on a wrecked car and he found a CD he had taken out many years ago that had matured yesterday answering prayers for the money they needed to cover some bills. Yes, God does answer prayers!
We drove from Shelburne, NH to Tunbridge, VT to attend the Vermont Good Sam rally. The drive over was pretty going through the mountains and through many towns. I am sure the rig will have some poor fuel mileage with all the hills, but the drive was enjoyable, well, most of the drive. As a traveler in these parts, most of the better roads run north and south because they are running parallel with the mountains; we were running west so we had to go over and through the mountains. Coming into East Berre, VT and picking up SR-110 to head south into Tunbridge, it all got really ‘exciting’; the wife had another description. That road has large sections without shoulders, but no worry about running off the road as the rock faces of the cuts made for the road just beyond the edge of the asphalt will not let you wander off the pavement. Leigh was bracing for a crash or scrapes most of this part of the trip.
We arrived in Tunbridge to find the rally was on a small community fair ground primarily designed around agriscience activities. There were many buildings to house animals, a large show barn and a covered arena. Unfortunately the camping there was more like tent camping in rigs with wheels. The Vermont residents are apparently tougher as the temperature pushed 950 with humidity about the same and no wind as we were deep in a valley. With no power and no use of the generator allowed, we decided to head out in the morning.
8/8 Wednesday As if yesterday lacked excitement on the road, today turned out to have its own challenges. We headed for the interstate following our GPS route down this winding 2-lane road when we saw a sharp curve with reduced speed. I slowed and then saw the sign announcing the bridge height ahead was 12’-1” and we are more than a foot taller. Stopping in the road, we had to disconnect the car to get turned around. I am sure a few drivers failed to appreciate our antics.
Later, going through a town, the road was not marked, so we missed the turn. Circling a few blocks trying to get turned around, we attempted to make a sharp turn at a “Y” intersection, but a sign was in the way. We learned that it is possible to back a rig a short distance with a toad if you have a driver in the toad. Another crisis averted, we were on our way again. We have learned in places like Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, they do not post highway route signs and street signs like most other states and certainly what we normally rely on.
Driving down the winding roads in VT, we pulled into a town that had a cell signal just in time for Sherrell in Florida to call and inform us that the State of Florida had suspended my driver’s license for failure to have automotive insurance. She wanted Leigh to take over the driving immediately. On these twisting roads with frequent narrow clearance, that was not an option. After all, the license had been suspended in April, so what was another 100 miles or so? Seems Progressive Insurance notified the state I had cancelled although they knew the unit had been sold and had given me a refund on the unused portion of the policy. Then the State erred and recorded the insurance cancelled even though they had been notified the unit was sold. Sherrell went to the local driver’s license office in our home county and cleared up the problem and stood at the counter while the clerk completed the paperwork. Life does have its twists and turns. If you don’t believe this, read tomorrow’s blog notes!
We arrived at Lake George, NY and settled into a park. They have a slightly crazy Wi-Fi system here. They advertise it is free and it is, but it times you out after 30-minutes the first use, then you can get four 15-minute log-in numbers a day. The system is apparently a satellite system, but it is slow. Again we are finding cellular phone service is available only in parts of the campground. Given this area and the money here, this is surprising.
Tomorrow is Bolton Landing investigation day. Having worked north of there in 1960, I want to see what has changed knowing it will be a lot as the whole area has become very commercial. Just driving down Route 9 today, there is hardly a spot that does not have a building on it of some description, most of these being businesses.
