On the road
This is my first chance to do my blog, and only have a short time, so just copied some entries that I had written up in the RV. We are having a ball...2 days on the road and so far all going well.
July 8
Well we are finally on our way, and at last can forget about planning, and start our holiday. It was a long day, setting off from Tarawera at 9 am. Lucky Molly dog, was off to the Gemmell’s at Onewhero for a farm holiday, our first stop…with lunch and a wine in the sun!
All the family were at Dean and Janine’s to say goodbye…little Ella will be so much bigger when we get home in 3 months. Craig and Nicky took us to the airport, and the highlight for the kids was dinner at McDonalds!
Our flight left at 9.30, and we were both feeling pretty jaded, so pleased to snuggle down after dinner and managed a reasonable amount of sleep, Felt bright eyed and bushy tailed when we got to LA, and customs was so quick, we were at the Westin Hotel 1 ¼ hours after landing.
A very excited Nicole (our niece) was there to meet us, it had been 4 years since we last caught up with her in Atlanta, so it was a great reunion, with lots of laughing and talking. We were so grateful as she had organized a cellphone and plan for us to use while we are traveling, just need to learn how to use it! After a quick freshen up and change of clothes, we were off to see a bit of LA, Nicole zipping around the freeways and road with ease…and the help of her GPS. She took us to Santa Monica, a really trendy casual area, and we sat on the pavement at an Italian restaurant, enjoying a great meal and wine, watching the world go past.
The olds were starting to feel the effects of the trip, so Nicole has us back at the hotel mid evening, where we crashed.
July 9
Succesfully negotiated our way through LA airport for a 4 hour flight to Chicago. Changed planes for the short hop to Fort Wayne, a very hot start as the air-conditioner on the plane wasn’t working, and we sat on the runway for 45 mins waiting for take off!
We landed just before 7pm, and finally got to meet Marge, who was there to meet us. After all the conversations over the last 6 months, we felt we already knew her and got on so well. Huge excitement to finally get to see RUAKIWI…and she is all we imagined…even bigger! Everything is so comfortable, and there is a heap of storage. We talked and talked, and after a beer and great meal, fell into bed…exhausted. Marge has made us feel so welcome.
July 10 Hoagland
I spent the morning unpacking our bags into the van, while Ian was inspecting how it all worked. Made a shopping list and Marge whisked us into town to buy linen, kitchen utensils, outdoor chairs etc…great fun. The stores are huge, so much to choose from, and great prices. It was so easy having a guide! We had a tour of Fort Wayne, and the surrounding area. It is all flat cropping land, growing mainly soy bean and wheat, and overall looks very prosperous.
Lunch stop was at the “local”, the 9 mile restaurant, everyone so intrigued to meet these Kiwis who had traveled half way round the world to buy the RV. Had a typical meal of salad, baked potato and chicken and ribs….whew, better not keep this up! Ian drove Marge’s vehicle back, and had no problems. Yet to take the RV out though!
Washed and dried all the linen, made up the bed, and ready to head off on a shakedown tomorrow.
July 11 Hoagland to Oubache State Park
Both feeling quite refreshed after a good nights sleep. Marge and Ian went over all the heating, electricity etc with the RV, while I finished the packing. We took it out for the first time…a trip around the block with Marge….drives like a dream . Set off for a shakedown trip about 10, first stop the supermarket at Decatur to stock up. A real eyeopener and seemed to take ages as the products were all so different. Had a few issues getting the fridge going as their seemed to be a bit of an airlock in the hoses, but eventually, after finding a friendly man in an airconditioning van, it was all functioning! Onto Berne, where there is quite an Amish community, fascinated to see all the horse and buggies around, with families in traditional garb going about there town chores...the locals don’t even seem to notice them. Found a coffee place with wifi, so hooked up for the first time…took ages as had some wrong settings, but think we are on the go now.
Headed to the State Park at Oubache for the night, which is very nice, nestled into the trees…but oh so hot, and there were no power sites left so couldn’t run the aircon. Ian got the generator going and used that to run the aircon and cool the van down, and run the convection oven to cook some chicken for tea. Spent the rest of the evening outside, having a few beers as much cooler, although we couldn’t manage without bug spray…mosquitoes everywhere.
Well we are finally on our way, and at last can forget about planning, and start our holiday. It was a long day, setting off from Tarawera at 9 am. Lucky Molly dog, was off to the Gemmell’s at Onewhero for a farm holiday, our first stop…with lunch and a wine in the sun!
All the family were at Dean and Janine’s to say goodbye…little Ella will be so much bigger when we get home in 3 months. Craig and Nicky took us to the airport, and the highlight for the kids was dinner at McDonalds!
Our flight left at 9.30, and we were both feeling pretty jaded, so pleased to snuggle down after dinner and managed a reasonable amount of sleep, Felt bright eyed and bushy tailed when we got to LA, and customs was so quick, we were at the Westin Hotel 1 ¼ hours after landing.
A very excited Nicole (our niece) was there to meet us, it had been 4 years since we last caught up with her in Atlanta, so it was a great reunion, with lots of laughing and talking. We were so grateful as she had organized a cellphone and plan for us to use while we are traveling, just need to learn how to use it! After a quick freshen up and change of clothes, we were off to see a bit of LA, Nicole zipping around the freeways and road with ease…and the help of her GPS. She took us to Santa Monica, a really trendy casual area, and we sat on the pavement at an Italian restaurant, enjoying a great meal and wine, watching the world go past.
The olds were starting to feel the effects of the trip, so Nicole has us back at the hotel mid evening, where we crashed.
July 9
Succesfully negotiated our way through LA airport for a 4 hour flight to Chicago. Changed planes for the short hop to Fort Wayne, a very hot start as the air-conditioner on the plane wasn’t working, and we sat on the runway for 45 mins waiting for take off!
We landed just before 7pm, and finally got to meet Marge, who was there to meet us. After all the conversations over the last 6 months, we felt we already knew her and got on so well. Huge excitement to finally get to see RUAKIWI…and she is all we imagined…even bigger! Everything is so comfortable, and there is a heap of storage. We talked and talked, and after a beer and great meal, fell into bed…exhausted. Marge has made us feel so welcome.
July 10 Hoagland
I spent the morning unpacking our bags into the van, while Ian was inspecting how it all worked. Made a shopping list and Marge whisked us into town to buy linen, kitchen utensils, outdoor chairs etc…great fun. The stores are huge, so much to choose from, and great prices. It was so easy having a guide! We had a tour of Fort Wayne, and the surrounding area. It is all flat cropping land, growing mainly soy bean and wheat, and overall looks very prosperous.
Lunch stop was at the “local”, the 9 mile restaurant, everyone so intrigued to meet these Kiwis who had traveled half way round the world to buy the RV. Had a typical meal of salad, baked potato and chicken and ribs….whew, better not keep this up! Ian drove Marge’s vehicle back, and had no problems. Yet to take the RV out though!
Washed and dried all the linen, made up the bed, and ready to head off on a shakedown tomorrow.
July 11 Hoagland to Oubache State Park
Both feeling quite refreshed after a good nights sleep. Marge and Ian went over all the heating, electricity etc with the RV, while I finished the packing. We took it out for the first time…a trip around the block with Marge….drives like a dream . Set off for a shakedown trip about 10, first stop the supermarket at Decatur to stock up. A real eyeopener and seemed to take ages as the products were all so different. Had a few issues getting the fridge going as their seemed to be a bit of an airlock in the hoses, but eventually, after finding a friendly man in an airconditioning van, it was all functioning! Onto Berne, where there is quite an Amish community, fascinated to see all the horse and buggies around, with families in traditional garb going about there town chores...the locals don’t even seem to notice them. Found a coffee place with wifi, so hooked up for the first time…took ages as had some wrong settings, but think we are on the go now.
Headed to the State Park at Oubache for the night, which is very nice, nestled into the trees…but oh so hot, and there were no power sites left so couldn’t run the aircon. Ian got the generator going and used that to run the aircon and cool the van down, and run the convection oven to cook some chicken for tea. Spent the rest of the evening outside, having a few beers as much cooler, although we couldn’t manage without bug spray…mosquitoes everywhere.
Comments
That RV looks huge...were you usinga wide angle?? Or what? How long is it??
Thanks for your comments, great to hear from you all. Having a blast. Will get some photos of the inside of the van for the next blog...need to do the housekeeping first!
Casey...a contact in Toronto would be great..perhaps you could email me.
So glad you got there safe and sound, and love the pics. Pete c loves the horses and me the amish fascinate me too.. Keep the pics coming its brilliant to see the places you are visiting. Em and I have just returned from the UK well worth it to see our beautiful grandson kwill try and post you a pic soon. Well take care both of you and enjoy.. Love Chrissy, Pete and Em.