Early July 2008

To access each photo album, here are the links. The top one is the most recent.
http://picasaweb.google.com/arthur.croasdell/HarpersFerryToLastCamp
http://picasaweb.google.com/arthur.croasdell/Blog11Pics
http://picasaweb.google.com/arthur.croasdell/Blog10
http://picasaweb.google.com/arthur.croasdell/Blog10Pics
http://picasaweb.google.com/arthur.croasdell/Blog9
http://picasaweb.google.com/arthur.croasdell/Blog8
http://picasaweb.google.com/arthur.croasdell/AlbumThree
http://picasaweb.google.com/arthur.croasdell/AmericaTwo
http://picasaweb.google.com/arthur.croasdell/ArthursAmericanDream?authkey=FS5NEtjb6tk



Here at Harpers Ferry, we are almost at the end of our time in America.
The USA has been fun so far, as we expected it would be.
The American people have always been well mannered and courteous, everyone has been most honest, and crime of the street nature, the kind we are used to, has been non existent.
Fourth of July approaches and the celebrations are increasing as the date gets nearer. Just to remind them, we have dug out the union Jack and contemplated where we will mount it when we get to our next stop in Amish country. It could all be good fun!
The place seems to be going mad with the sale of fireworks and a couple of times we have heard events that the Spanish would rank among the very best of Mascletas. I wonder what will happen as the week wears on.
Moving day tomorrow but we are not welcome at our new home till 3 pm so we will stay for another swim in the morning and then cover the 140 miles later in the day.
We had a ride along the disused canal towpath this morning and by the time we returned, half the residents had left for home to dry out from the previous night’s heavy storm, leaving behind lots of wood for the fire pit. OUR fire pit. The truck is well loaded with wood, and in terms of fires and flags we are all set to take on the Yanks on their own territory when we get to Pennsylvania.
Lancaster County
Into Amish territory now and on the way to the campground we saw the Amish Ladies weeding the crops by hand, but they all seem happy enough.
Our new site is described by the campground owners as “A Red Carpet Site.” We have to admit that it’s much larger than normal and it’s level and quite well equipped with cable TV etc.
The shine was taken off it a little because I had a medical problem that required me to spend a night in hospital that involved lots of laxative and cameras.
This was not an experience anyone would want and I did wonder if I should mention it, but a woman would and why should men be so shy about life? I am a lot better off healthwise than many of my friends so it was a small but unpleasant set back in the greater scheme of things. I was very pleased to have my daughter not too far away to advise me and show me how things work in America’s health system.
I spent my time at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia and was impressed with the attention given by the young staff (they are all young at my age!) and the modern ideas. When I get back to England and see my doctor wearing his shorts and sandals with brown knee length socks (honest!) I do wonder what he will think.
Back on site and tomorrow is 4th July so we have already hung out the Union Jack and in the best American tradition, we had the camp fire this evening. Tomorrow should be fun.
Did I mention that the Americans do not wear sandals? They seem to wear either flip flops or trainers. That’s it. Only rarely do they wear sandals.
Our truck has been much admired (are you paying attention Vince?). The various web sites dealing with issues like “your choice for your new truck”, normally come up with colours like “Black, man it’s just gotta be black“. I have spent enough time in the motor (Auto) trade to know that at the end of the day red will always win especially if the truck is loaded with chrome so that’s what we have!
We have over 5000 miles on the clock and the thing just runs like a train, dead reliable (just in case Vince is wondering!).
Gas and the price of it is on everyone’s lips at the moment and Diesel in particular has gone from about $4.20 per US gallon when we arrived, to today’s purchase at $4.89 but we have seen it at over $5.
The car of the moment that the press are all raving about is the new small Saturn. It is actually a Vauxhall/Opel Astra! The road test reviewer loved it’s crisp handling but berated it for firm suspension. Make your mind up time bud, you don’t get both!
We have been constantly glad of the ability to make phone calls over the internet; communication is very much part of modern life and the net has been great for staying in touch with all of you for minimal cost. The ability to make a call to an English, Spanish or Swiss mobile for less than two cents per minute has been great. Also the ability to receive the many e-mails from you, straight to our mobile house, has been terrific. Another good reason to have it, is that often there is no service on my cell phone, and having Skype means I can still make phone calls.
Saturday July 5th
Independence day was yesterday but the celebrations will go on for the rest of the weekend.
We have an on-site out door disco at the moment, (midday). I hear them playing “John Browns Body” but would that work in any other country? We doubt it, but having been to Harpers Ferry we have a much better understanding now.
Today we have a competition on the camp ground for the best decorated golf cart!!! I have posted a video at the top of this blog.
We wish that the Brits could have the pride in their country that the Americans have, it would be a better place. To achieve that, we would need some very serious changes to our political scene.
Today we have been to lunch at “The Shady Maple” Smorgasboard.
http://www.shady-maple.com
We have been on a previous occasion, all you can eat for not a lot. The trick here is to check out all the food that is on offer first, because it will all be superb and you could easily pig out on the first course. We will have to exercise a little restraint!
A quick count at Shady Maple tells us that it really does seat over a thousand bums on seats, and seats are continually re-filled as fast as they become empty! This place is astonishing. Perhaps part of the reason is that we paid eight pounds per head for all you could eat and that included all the drinks. It wouldn’t work in England because there are no alcoholic drinks available.
In a mad moment, Freda (she has lots of mad moments) bought a CD for $1.
It’s totally American and on the disc is a track called “My Country Tis of Thee.” I think I need a little help from my friend Vince on this ‘cos most of you would identify it as our national anthem “God Save the Queen.” It would appear it is a patriotic hymn.
The RV (fifth wheel goes back to the supplier tomorrow for minor warranty claims and the storage for the summer.
More in a few days.
Arthur and Freda