We went to the coast of Maine today and drove along the water and all the little roads and lanes. There were lots of old big houses (mansions). It was a very pretty drive. Highway 1 along the coast for miles is just one big tourist area.
We went all the way from Portsmouth, NH to Kennebunk, Maine. Judy and I can’t imagine being here in the summer season with the throngs of tourist.
The narrow roads were plenty crowded even now in the middle of the week. The sun was shinning and there was very little wind today. We went back to NH by taking an inland road through Dover, NH. It was also nice to see the more rural aspect.Day 59 Wednesday October 19
We left our campsite in Epsom and took 28 South to Manchester where we got some diesel. Took I-93 South into Massachusetts. Then we took I-495 South to I-90 a toll road here. Went 27 miles on the toll road to I-84 for a cost of $1.10. We continued on I-84 until about 14 miles from Danbury, CT when the power steering on the motor home went out. Got it to the side of the road ok. Whew. Called state police and insurance tow line. The tow truck was suppose to come in about an hour but did not make it for over two hours and one half hours. The traffic was horrendous and it was raining all day. We were visited three times by state police, once by a local sheriff deputy and once by a highway maintenance man. They all put out flares for us. Very nice of them. The tow truck of course had to be one of the big ones and the guys who came were not friendly. Probably because of multiple phone calls from me and Safeco insurance. They towed us to Danbury to a RV repair place. Being 7 pm they were closed so we spent the night in the parking lot. They have not as yet charged us for taking us more than 5 miles. Judy reminded me while we were waiting that we were safe and all was well.
Drove 201 miles
Day 60 Thursday October 20
We had a good night sleep in the parking lot. At 9 am they came and got the motor home. Judy and I went to find a book store, which we did. Then to McDonalds for lunch and internet. The RV repair place called and said the power steering hydraulic pump was disintegrated inside. Later in the day he showed us the parts. He also said the problem was probably caused by a plugged filter which apparently the place I had taken the motor home to had failed to take care of. Judy and I went to the Hampton Inn to spend the night. We went to a Thai restaurant for dinner.
Day 61 Friday October 21
Well we got up out of our king size bed and went down stairs at the Hampton Inn for breakfast. Checked with the RV place at 10 am and no part. We went to get Judy a hair cut then back to the Inn and checked out. Went to Friendly’s restaurant and had a bite of lunch. The motor home was ready at 2:30 with a big bill. We took off heading West on I-84. The motor home drove very well and I think the steering was going out for quite a while. We got as far a just over the Pennsylvania border and low and behold the city had put up signs at Wal-Mart that they banned overnight camping. Instead we drove to the local information center and spent the night there.
Drove 97 miles.
Day 62 Saturday October 22
We left the Information Center in Port Jarvis, PA and headed West on I-84. At Scranton, took I-81 South to Exit 124 and took hwy 61 South. In Reading, PA took hwy 222 to Lancaster. This is Amish country and boy were we surprised as the place is a zoo with lots of traffic, miles of stores, tourist traps, etc on US 30 and all the streets around. We got to the RV park called Country Acres Campground in spite of the stop and go traffic and managed to get the last space available. The lady told us October is one of the busiest of the year, partially because of the leafs turning color. After setting up the motor home and having lunch we went to three places to look at Amish made quilts. We found a couple we liked and will check them out again on Monday. Not open on Sunday, of course.
Drove 212 miles.
Day 63 Sunday October 23
We went to church this morning. St. Mary’s Catholic church was built in 1741 only a few years after the founding of the city of Lancaster, PA in 1732. It had been refurbished recently but still retained the old character.
We stopped at Best Buy on the way back home to buy me a monitor for my computer. The monitor no longer lights up and Best Buy said it would cost up to several hundred dollars to fix. They of course wanted me to buy a new computer. Instead I bought a thin 18.5 inch monitor for $59 plus tax as this model was being discontinued. It is a much nicer screen to watch TV on compared to my old computer screen. Judy and I relaxed the rest of the afternoon. I boxed up some rocks and Judy messed around with her stuff.Day 64 Monday October 24
We went on a tour of Amish country where the tour guide told us about Amish culture and Amish-Mennonite culture.
Of course she made the stops at several shops. At one, the lady was describing the different types of quilts and when she brought up and blue and white one Judy and I both decided that it was the best one we had seen. So we bought it with three matching pillows. The design is called Boston commons and the pillows are dahlia stars.
In a way we can’t wait to get home to try it out. We drove around seeing the scenery including a covered bridge.
Day 65 Tuesday October 25
After a leisurely morning and French toast, we head off to the Mennonite Information Center and looked around. Lots of books on the Amish and Mennonites plus lots of books on the genealogy of local families in Lancaster. Some have been here since the founding of the city in 1732. Afterwards, went to the grocery store and got a few items. We had lunch and goofed off the rest of the day, sort of. I did some checking out the motor home and lubricated a few places. Judy straighten out the motor home and did laundry. It was sunny and nice today. For dinner we went to an Amish family farm restaurant that served a typical dinner family style. It was very good.
Day 66 Wednesday October 26
We got up planning to go to Gettysburg, PA to see the civil war battlefield. When the motor home started it was not charging again. Spent quite a while trying to find someone to look at the problem. Found a guy on the West side of Lancaster. He spent some time trying to figure out why there was no voltage or just a little voltage some times to one terminal of the alternator. Well it turns out that there is a solenoid that transfers power to the voltage regulator when the ignition is turned on. This was faulty. I think this may have been the problem when the man said I had to have the alternator replaced because of a faulty regulator. On the road feeling better with a fix and low price. We arrived at Gettysburg Campground and took space 177. Judy and I made a nice dinner and now are ready for the National Park visit tomorrow.
Drove 59 miles today.
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