2009 Bedford Fall Foliage Festival

[NLOVNIT]

Awwww, you took delivery on Valentine's Day . Dave & I took delivery of the 5-r on Valentine's Day 2004. On a related, but off-topic note, I don't remember the day we took delivery of the coach, but I do remember it was snowing in April 2006 when we did!

Lori-

[Frank P. Martin]

Hmmm... I just looked at my E-ZPass charges since August and noticed that with the new (and heavier) truck, I am now getting charged as a Class 3 on the PA Turnpike. I was always (except once) a Class 2 previously.

I plan to lose a little weight arfer Friday as I've had a Rubbermaid tub full of firewood that's been riding around in the truck's bed for the last month and a half. Between that, eating the Cheetos and not bringing the cat, maybe I'll be light enough on the trip home that I'll be a class 2.

[NLOVNIT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank P. Martin ...I plan to lose a little weight after Friday...

Somehow, I don't see where eating the Cheetos will get you to this goal.

Lori-

[Joe-K]

On the subject of EZ pass toll classes, I'm sure the Ohio residents are glad to hear that the Ohio turnpike has finally implemented the EZ pass program

As I was looking over some of the Ohio literature, they describe eliminating the weight based classes for calculating tolls and relying only on an axle based system. The article also states that Pennsylvania will be doing the same elimination of axle weights.

Personally, I havn't studied the toll charts carefully enough to determine the effect of that yet, but I suspect it's going to increase tolls for RV'ers. For example, I have 5 axles (same as a fully loaded 18 wheel truck) and wonder with this new system if I'll be charged at the same rate as an 80,000 truck.

With the old weight sytem, there wasn't such a large penalty when towing a light weight car behind the motorhome.

I did find though that with the old system, the cutoff between weight classes would vary with our rig similiar to what Frank is seeing with his new truck. One one trip in to Ohio, I found that I received a class 6 rating when I had a full fuel and water tanks, but on the return trip with empty water tank and only a quarter tank of fuel, I received a class 5. I suppose the new system will eliminate that, and just charge the higher tolls all the time

Ohio toll road info

[Joe-K]

Our Bedford trip is screwed........

Due to the inability of our local school board and teachers union to come to a contract agreement, our kids have just returned to school yesterday after the second consecutive year of a teachers strike. So not only has their education been disrupted by nearly a 3 week strike for the second time, they also announced this morning that Monday will be a regular school day rather then having the day off.

So without having Monday off as planned, we'll be pulling out of the campground on Sunday. With only having 2 days instead of 3, we definitely won't be doing the train ride.

On a more positive note, it's going to be chilly this weekend so Shelly is making a big pot of chilli for Saturday evening. They'll be plenty for everyone who wants some.

[Frank P. Martin]

What? They're not going to be too sick on Monday to go to school? Even if they weren't sick, doesn't the school district have "educational travel"? You planned this trip almost a year ago without any knowledge of what the future would bring.

Well, I guess "you gotta do whatcha gotta do". Sorry you have to make an early departure.

If it's any consolation, the wait at the dump station will most likely be the same either day as not everyone has Columbus day off. It's just too bad you've paid for that night and I doubt that you'll get much, if anything, back if you cancel it.

[NLOVNIT]

What a bummer, Joe. If it were me, I'd send a bill for your canceled reservation to the school board. Like Frank said, ya probably won't get any monies returned for a late cancel. Not your fault those idiots can't get their act together. Maybe, since it's only their 3rd day, seeins as school started so late, what could they really miss? I'm w/Frank, call 'em in sick.

On the other hand, if ya have to have them in school, at least Shawnee has a late check out & you only being about 2 hours away, you could stay as late as possible before heading back home Sunday. At least enjoy the majority of the day with the group.

Dave & I brought the coach home last night (since we're heading NW, easier to load from our home instead of hauling everything to his Dad's where we store it), so I'm taking out the summer clothes & loading up with winter ones & putting in extra blankets. MI doesn't look to be any warmer this wknd or next wk than where you folks will be. And YES, I'm taking my electric blanket/throw & plenty of extension cord to reach to a fire ring. Plus, we've got a full propane tank this year. We learned our lesson after that one yr when we left Shawnee where it was in the mid 70's & went to Canaan where a cold front came thru dropping temps to the 40's. Our tank was on empty & we did't think we'd need it with only a few days in WV. Motto: never camp in Oct without plenty of propane!!

Have a good time & stay warm.

Lori-

[Superslif]

Sorry to hear that Butler Schools were on strike yet again. They had all year to come to terms and failed. Robert too has school on Monday, but has that Friday off. I'll leave Wed. for West Branch, and Diane will drive out Thursday for the Halloween campout weekend.

[Superslif]

Diane (me) says 1 week in... it's all review and getting to know each other. I say stay til Monday morning leave early, and check them into school later that day to grab any homework assignments. They're still in school, but just not there right away!

I have no problem pulling Robert when it will benefit him as a whole, and we can do the work on the road with no problems. We do it during ski season, and he carried a 4.023 GPA for the winter quarter, and straight As for the year. Keep in mind this is middle school work, and not babysitting work as in his other school. He has real homework now - sometimes hours of it.

[Frank P. Martin]

Sunday proved to be the better of the two days for attending the festival. It was breezy, but when the sun wasn't hiding behind a cloud, we were quite warm.

All I can say is that I have this big bag of Cheetos that Chris and I will have to consume before next spring. Everyone retired rather early Saturday night (Besides, who was hungry for Cheetos after all that food?) and Sunday night, we were all by ourselves.

However, I'd like to thank "Santa Claus" (or was it the "Easter Bunny"?) for the wood left at our campsite. We made a nice fire with it Sunday afternoon and cooked some hamburgers on it for dinner. The wind was rather uncooperative, though. It kept changing directions and no matter where we put our seats, it would eventually come in our direction and smoke us out.

The next time I go to Shawnee, I'll have to remember to go US-30 instead of PA-31/PA-96 to the park so I can climb that infamous grade.

[George Miklas]

We ended up not going anywhere to camp for the weekend. Still hopeful to get the camper out one more time you know..... Who knows, maybe there we'll get some global warming of sorts.

[NLOVNIT]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank P. Martin The next time I go to Shawnee, I'll have to remember to go US-30 instead of PA-31/PA-96 to the park so I can climb that infamous grade.

Yeah, now that you've got that burly new truck, it should take that itty bitty hill with ease. Why'd everyone bail on you? I thought Joe was the only one that had to go back early. "?"

It's been pretty cold over here in MI this week - day temps in the 40's & lows in the 30's. Although, we timed it right for peak leaf color. It's very pretty, at least when the sun comes out. Lakefront sites at Sunnybrook (we're 4th coach from the left)...

Lori-

[Frank P. Martin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLOVNIT Why'd everyone bail on you? I thought Joe was the only one that had to go back early. "?"

I don't know. I must have picked up some new, objectionable smell since I cured my "diesel odor". I guess it's either that, leprosy, fear of me being a carrier of H1N1 Swine Flu, B.O. or B.B... Take your pick.

[Joe-K]

We did end up bailing early on the weekend since the kids actually wanted to go to school (man...what's wrong with kids these days) Since the campsite was paid for for Monday, I didn't plan on paying any attention the check out times, so we spent a good bit of Sunday at the campground before leaving.

As planned, we went to the Hawk Watch and enjoyed seeing some birds, but although the weather was perfect, the wind was from the wrong direction to get the birds in close. From what the bird watchers told me, an East wind is desired to bring the large quantity of birds in to close viewing range. We did see several hawks, an eagle, and numerous other birds of which I can't remember their names . After we came back from the Hawk Watch, the kids and I rode around the lake again and then we did hit the road.

Next year for sure, we'll be sticking around until Monday regardless of any strikes.


BTW....speaking of sneaking around, Frank and that new truck managed to arrive in the campground Friday night without us hearing him drive in He's operating in stealth mode now.