Finding Bliss...

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

As I type this, sitting at my dining table inside the camper, I’m enjoying the warm morning and the view outside the large dining window.  There’s a cornfield on the other side of the narrow road directly behind my camper.  I think the corn has been harvested but the stalks are still standing and they’ve turned brown.  That there is “Sam’s Farm” and I’m sure Sam will hitch up his team of work horses soon and clear that field.  Every now and then I see motion from the corner of my eye and a horse-drawn buggy is going by on that road.  I’m in Intercourse, Pennsylvania, not far from Lancaster.  It’s all farmland around here and this is home to a large community of the most gentle, simple, and peaceful folk you could ever meet – the Amish.

To backtrack just a bit, our campground last Sunday night (18^th) in North Bay, NY was near Oneida Lake and I had driven along the northern part of that lake [after exiting I-81] to reach the campground.  As we got ready to leave the next morning (Monday 19^th) I decided to return to I-81 via the lake’s southern route.  In no time we were back on I-81 S and crossed into Pennsylvania.

That was not a good drive…not at all a good drive.  That stretch of interstate certainly needs a good overhaul and there was plenty of road construction here and there to testify to that.  Truck, camper, Navidad, and I were jouncing about way too many times.  And, with due respect to the essential role our truck drivers play, it seems NY/PA drivers are a breed all their own!  At one point, going at high speed, a truck hauling a wide load – half of a manufactured home – actually passed me on the left.  And I wasn’t exactly going s-l-o-w either!

That was one rough ride and, after a few miles on I-80 E, I was glad to finally arrive at the Lehigh Gorge Campground in White Haven, NY.  At my site, just as I started to turn off the motor, I felt a strong vibrating sensation at my feet.  Huh?  This is new.  This is different.  I’ve never felt anything like this before.  I then noticed that the floor on the front passenger side was unusually warm and the hood of the truck was quite hot.  My first thought – did something happen, unbeknownst to this Deaf solo woman traveler, on I-81 and I now have another truck problem?  I walked over to the office and asked the lady who handled my registration if, when she led me to my site, she had heard anything unusual emanating from my truck.  She didn’t, but when I inquired further, said that there was a garage just down the road.

Inside the camper, throughout the entire evening, I was upset, worried, frustrated, and feeling very apprehensive about starting up the motor in the morning.  I started to formulate Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan…oh, never mind, you get the picture.

The next morning (Tuesday 20^th), at my request, the nice lady came to my site and listened to the truck when I started it.  Feels perfectly tame and normal to me…I thought.  Watching her, she listened, her face a picture of concentration, and said the truck sounded fine.  Still feeling a tad nervous about getting back on the highway I asked and she agreed to call the garage and tell them I was going to swing by momentarily.  The nice fellow there listened to the truck and said it sounded fine.  At my request, he agreed to check all the fluids and said everything looked good.  At my inquiry, he said no, no charge.  Feeling somewhat better but still wondering what that vibration was, I got going.

We weren’t on I-80 E very long when I took the exit to get on the I-476 toll road.  Things were going OK and I started to relax, feeling very optimistic that the toll road was going to be a heckuva lot smoother.  It was and I eventually reached the exit for Rt. 222, drove south and, as soon as I connected to Rt. 772 E, I was in Amish country.

I loved every moment of this drive through the rural countryside.  There were farms everywhere, painting a landscape of serenity, and many old stone houses stood along the road.  As testament to the history of this area, those houses were built on their precise spots long before local and state municipalities bowed to progress, changing times, and the demand for wider paved roads.  The houses stood that close – a yard or so, maybe – to the edge of the road.

Enroute now to the village of Intercourse, I came to a stop when I saw that the vehicles on my lane ahead of me weren’t moving.  I peered ahead to see what was up and that’s when I saw the horse and buggy approaching on the left lane.  Then there was a second one, and a third, a fourth, and goodness, there must have been 50 of them!  One after another, a chain of horses – all brown or dark brown - were trotting by just feet from where I sat in my truck.  As far as I could tell, there were two people, mostly a bearded man and a woman, in each buggy, although I did glimpse a young couple with a baby in their buggy.  It was quite a procession and when our lane finally moved slowly forward we passed a large structure on the right (a barn?) where I noted this long row of parked buggies and saw a large crowd of Amish people mingling about outside.

My reserved site at the Beacon Hill Campground [in Intercourse] was waiting for me and by 1:00 p.m. my camper was set up and Navidad was tended to.  Then, for the first time since I started this trip, I retrieved my camp chair from the truck and sat outside, directly under the shade of a tree.  Being that there was a narrow [“No Outlet”] road directly behind my camper, going up a slight rise, it wasn’t long before a horse came trotting up, pulling its buggy behind him.  Later in the afternoon, some children, two girls and a boy, walked by, apparently going home from school.  That was an unexpected surprise and those kids, being naturally curious as all kids are, gawked at my camper and the other RVs on my section.  Around late afternoon I walked down that road to the barn at the corner (Sam’s Farm) to take some pictures of the barn, the barnyard animals, and a buggy or two that passed by.

Sam's Farm.

Sam's equipment.

An open buggy going by Sam's Farm.

Sam's barnyard animals.

The family laundry hung out to dry.

And so today, Wednesday 21^st, I’m taking a much-needed driving break and giving Navidad a much-needed chance to sleep to his heart’s content.  Around 10:30 a.m., I locked up the camper and walked the ¾ mile to the “Kitchen Kettle Village” in Intercourse.  There being no sidewalk, I walked against the traffic, all the better to see the vehicles - and buggies - coming my way.

There were a lot of tourists at the Village (yeah, yeah, I was one, too!) but this was an interesting corner spot – at the intersection of Newport Road (Rt. 772) and Old Philadelphia Pike (Rt. 340) - where many of the 40 plus specialty shops featured authentic Dutch baked goods, jams & relishes, crafts, quilts, and other products.  I went inside the Jam & Relish Kitchen where “…the locals cook up homemade Pennsylvania Dutch sweets like jelly, jam and butter, fresh baked goods like pie and cookies, and delicious canned goods like relish, salsa, and pickles…” and was just in time to watch a group of five or six Amish women cook and can the day’s special.  The store itself was quite large and full of all sorts of food products, many of which are made right there.  

Following a bite of lunch at the Kling House Restaurant, and getting a scoop of fresh ice cream from the Lapp’s Farm, I walked back to my camper where I spent the rest of the day writing, gazing at the cornfield, and watching the occasional Amish resident walk or trot by.  The Amish kids appeared again and this time they were accompanied by an older boy who was riding bareback on his pony.  They seemed to take a special interest in my camper, pointing to the truck.  Unlike the more common trailer-type of RV, hitched to and pulled by a truck, my kind of RV, ON my truck, certainly is different. 

Suffice it to say, to be here, amongst the Amish, is bliss indeed!

A young mother and her kids, passing by my camper.

What a beautiful horse and a vision of tranquility!

A parked buggy near the village of Intercourse.

Going home from school.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Gosh, has it been three weeks today since I left home?  Already?  But for those truck and camper problems, it has been a good trip thus far.  The visit last weekend with Lee-Ann Pugin and her family was, and will continue to be, THE highlight of this trip!  There are three “legs” to this trip and I’m about ready to begin the second leg!

It occurred to me, fairly recently, that I haven’t needed to turn on the heat in the camper for quite awhile now.  The nights were cold in Idaho, Montana, and Upper Michigan, but it has been pleasantly warm, if a tad humid, since I’ve reached this eastern part of the USA.

Today was a beautiful day to drive.  I wished only that I had enough time to drive south, towards Staunton, VA, on the country roads.  Since I don’t have the time, I left Intercourse this beautiful morning, taking Rts. 340 W and 30 W to I-81 S.  My countryside route before reaching the interstate included Gettysburg – both the town and the battlefield – and again I wished I had the time.

This section of I-81 was smooth going, much to my relief!  Navidad (ever patient and waiting in his carrier until we stop again!) and I crossed from Pennsylvania into Maryland and then into West Virginia.  We reached Falling Waters and got a site for the night at the Falling Waters Campsite.  After setting up the camper, my first order of business was to do the laundry!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Back on I-81 S this morning it took only two hours to arrive at the Shenandoah Valley Campground in Verona, VA, near Staunton.  I picked a nice place to stay for two nights – there’s lots of trees, a Catch-and-Release Fishing Lake, a river and waterfall, and a bunch of friendly rabbits hopping around all over.  But…now that it’s Friday, there’s also a lot of families with kids and dogs.  Unaccustomed to the kind of racket such an assembly brings, Navidad sought refuge under the sleeping bag.  Aw, gee.  It was really too hot today for him to be under there, so I closed all the windows and turned on the AC.  That helped and he seemed content to observe this circus of humanity, canines, and rabbits through the windows.

Aw, gee!  The internet here sucks!  “Mapita, you’re at a campground and there are tall trees all around you.  You want perfect internet, go to Starbucks.”

Navidad's tell-tale bulge.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

The second leg of my trip officially began today when I received my first visitor – Daphne Cox!  Daphne and I have been friends since she joined my [Alumni Office] staff at Gallaudet University in 1995.  A dedicated advocate for Gallaudet, Daphne was an exemplary employee with a keen eye and head for logistics, organization, and coordination.  I relied on her extensively for many of our programs and events – and for teaching me how to properly and more efficiently use the computer!  A Virginia girl with deep roots here in the Staunton area, she has returned home since retiring from Gallaudet.

We met up at the campground registration office at 10:00 a.m. and spent all day together.  She drove me around, showing me Staunton’s charming downtown, a couple of beautiful parks, her sister’s house where she is living until she gets her own, and her school, the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind.  We walked around the campus, which I very much enjoyed.  Earlier, we had had a leisurely breakfast and then later in the afternoon, we got some ice cream from Kline’s.  On the return to my camper, we picked up some salad for supper.

Navidad was waiting right there at the screen door when I opened up.  I’d left him alone there from 10:00 am to about 6:00 p.m.  After feeding him, Daphne and I walked over to see the waterfall.  The river there is called the Middle River and I’m guessing there is an Upper River (thus the waterfall) and a Lower River.  We had our salads inside the camper and caught up on more conversation.  It was past 9:00 p.m. when we said our good-nights and she left for home.  Truly a perfect day with Daphne!

Daphne at the entrance to the Virginia School for the Deaf
and the Blind.

Daphne and me.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Waking up to a rainy/misty morning, I looked outside and noticed that the weekend’s campers were packing up, one by one, and heading out.  I got ready to do the same and was soon on my way, via I-81 S, I-64 E, and Rt. 20 S, to the KOA in Charlottesville, VA for a rendezvous with my next visitor – Chris Krentz.

Chris was a baby-faced 23-year-old deaf Yale graduate when I first met him in my office in “Ole Jim” [at Gallaudet] in 1990.  He had just been hired for a position in the Development Office and his boss told him to go meet with me and learn about our alumni.  That first meeting, even though Chris hadn’t yet learned ASL, led to an extraordinary and fun-filled four-year work experience -- and to a warm friendship as well.  We worked closely together on various projects and traveled extensively to meet with alumni groups around the country.  Our trips weren’t without some funny adventures and those memories I will long cherish!

Chris left Gallaudet in 1994 to pursue his Doctorate Degree at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.  He found his niche at this most esteemed university and is today Associate Professor of English and ASL.  A long-time bachelor, he is now married and he and Michelle have a three-year-old son, Daniel.  It’s been 11 years since we last saw each other.

As with Daphne yesterday, Chris agreed to meet up with me at the KOA registration office at 2:00 p.m. and as soon as we saw each other through the screen door, we both had nothing but huge grins.  I simply couldn’t stop hugging him!  We went inside my camper and there we sat, catching up on all that’s been going on with our respective lives.  Around 4:00 p.m. we enjoyed a snack of fresh bagels/cream cheese and slices of pear that he had brought with him.  Since he didn’t live far from the KOA, I accepted his invitation to go to his house and meet Michelle and Daniel.  That was such a sweet meeting!  I’m so happy this get-together worked out so well!

Chris.

Chris and me.

Making it to Canada...and for a very special reason!

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13   

After a two-day stay at the KOA in Cloquet, MN (near Duluth), Navidad and I were ready this morning to aim our sights on Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.  I had plenty of time at the KOA to plan the route from here to there and pick out the RV Park stops along the way.  The plan is to cross the border into Ontario at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan - tomorrow!  The primary purpose of this trip has been a long time coming – a visit with Lee-Ann Pugin and her family, whom I have never met!  I’ll get to that momentarily… 

Heading out, we got back on I-35 N towards Duluth and then got on Rt. 2 E which took us through Wisconsin into Upper Michigan.  After several hours of driving, I stopped in Michigamme, MI and got a site at the Michigamme Shores Campground.  It was cool and cloudy but I did have a partial view of Lake Michigamme.  Navidad didn’t even notice but other sounds outside did get his attention for awhile.

Inside the camper this evening, I quickly deduced, based on recent observation, that something was definitely amiss with the camper.  It’s been just a little over a week now since the mechanical problem with my truck [in Nevada] and I’m now apparently having some sort of problem with the camper’s batteries.  This is quite concerning because the batteries are essential to overall camper function and both of mine are brand new.  At the last two RV Parks, I had noticed, immediately after plugging the camper to shore power, a distinct “burning” odor coming from beneath the kitchen sink.  I texted David, who sold me my camper (Galaxy Campers, Ontario, CA – wonderful guy, fantastic staff!), about the unusual odor, which did dissipate after awhile both times, and he suggested that I keep an eye on it (or, rather, my nose).

At my site tonight, there was no odor, BUT the status monitor for the batteries indicated battery power to be “weak,” even while plugged to shore power.  Pretty soon, the panel on the camper’s fridge continuously flashed “Lo DC” and other stuff started happening, such as dim lights.  After more texting with David, he concluded that the camper’s charger unit (which is indeed in the vicinity of “that odor”) had quit working and I should go to an RV repair place.

It was late, 10:00 p.m. or so, and this ole gal was tired, but I got on my iPad, did a search, found an RV dealership and service facility (Christie’s RV) in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and sent an email announcing that I was going to be there around 1:00 p.m. tomorrow.  Then I went to bed.  Battery problems notwithstanding the heat worked fine, fortunately! 

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14

I got up this morning at 6:30 a.m. with a great idea.  Since Christie’s RV had a toll-free number I texted David and asked if he could please call them and give them a heads-up that I will be there around 1:00 p.m. today.  That he did.  It was still dark outside but I was ready to go.  Navidad begged to differ – he really doesn’t like spending hours in his carrier in the truck.  As soon as it was light enough we left the RV Park, turned back onto Rt. 2 E and encountered -- fog!  I couldn’t see anything in front of me and could just barely make out the yellow divider lines on my left.  I can’t remember when I last drove in thick fog but adrenalin and determination - and probably a bit of a Taurus attitude - all kicked in and…soon… the fog lifted.  Visibility was nice and clear for that four-hour or so drive to the border. 

We made good time, reached Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan via I-75 N, stopped for fuel, and then took the International Bridge across the St. Mary’s River to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada.  The lady at the border was satisfied with my Passport and Navidad’s rabies certificate and I was told to go and enjoy my visit.

It was 12:30 p.m. when I walked into the Christie’s RV service unit and met Kevin, the guy who received and responded to my email and who also spoke with David earlier that morning.  Learning that the techs were all at lunch at the moment, I took that opportunity to transfer Navidad from truck to camper so he could use his litter box and have access to some water and dry food.  Ralph, my tech, soon came for the keys and as he drove the truck around to an empty bay I thought, ooops, the sensation of that unrestrained motion inside the camper must be weird for Navidad!  Before Ralph got to work I put Navidad in the bathroom and closed the door.

David’s initial diagnosis was spot on – the camper’s power converter (charger) was burnt out and I needed a new one.  Being that Christie’s sells Jayco trailers and services large RVs, it was extremely lucky for me, according to Ralph, that they had just one of my type of power converter in stock.  New converter in place, Ralph said that my batteries should fully charge overnight after I plug the camper to shore power.  I thanked Ralph and Kevin for assisting me – especially since I didn’t have an appointment – drove just a few miles to the Glenview Cottages & Campground, got my site, plugged into the shore power, and felt like I had hit on some good fortune and could finally relax.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

With the heat on during the night (set on low 68), Navidad and I were fairly comfortable.  Then, in the wee hours of the morning, a squirming motion from Navidad woke me up and I saw that he had found a way to get under the sleeping bag.  “Great discovery, Baby Boy!”  He sure was warm to the touch when I reached for him under there.   

Around 9:15 a.m. I was ready to get going, get on Hwy. 17 E (the Trans-Canada Highway), and put another four-hour drive behind me, heading for Sturgeon Bay.  By chance this morning – or by Divine Grace, most likely - I stowed away the shore power cord before realizing that I had forgotten to close the slide-out.  Not a problem…battery power will do it.  It’s a bit of a stretch for 5’1” me but, standing on my tiptoes, I can just reach the slide-out “in” button and when I pressed it, nothing happened.  I stood stock still, on my tiptoes still, and tried again.  The slide-out remained where it was.  I turned to the status monitor panel only to find all the lights were not lit up in any of the assorted green, yellow, orange, and red colors.  The little green “on” light for the fridge wasn’t lit up either.  Nothing was on inside the camper!  The batteries!  They’re not working!  Why??

Divine Grace again – I had picked an RV Park just a few miles from Christie’s RV and they open at 9:00 a.m.  Moving quickly, I plugged into shore power again, closed the slide-out, stowed the cord again, and went straight back to Christie’s, to Kevin, to Ralph.  I had to wait for maybe 15 minutes but Ralph soon came out, looking all puzzled and concerned.  Within five minutes, he found the problem.  The two batteries, which rest on a sliding tray, are located inside a compartment on one side of the camper.  There’s a push-in/pull-out knob inside that compartment that activates and deactivates the batteries.  When Ralph slid that tray back in the compartment yesterday, he accidently pushed the knob to the off position.  Pulling it back out, he tested everything again and said all was good.

Finally on our way by 10:30 a.m., we didn’t arrive at the Sturgeon Falls KOA until just before 4:00 p.m.  We drove through a string of small towns and encountered several road construction delays, the longest wait being around 20 minutes.  Before getting on Hwy. 17 earlier this morning, to make sure I stayed within the posted km/h speed limits, I jotted down on a piece of paper the mph equivalents.  I didn’t see any wildlife (despite moose and deer warning signs), but I did see, just a little bit ahead on the shoulder of my lane, a horse-drawn open buggy (Amish or Mennonite?).  Drawing closer I saw the horse, the reins, and the couple on the seat.  At the last moment, as I slowed down and veered to the left, I was surprised to see the faces of the two little boys strapped to the lower rear seat.  That must be quite a view they have from there!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Navidad has decided that he really likes to sleep under the sleeping bag…and I don’t blame him!  After I fed him this morning, he squirmed right back under, hoping to hide, too, I’m sure.  With apologies to this dear boy, I uncovered the layers covering him, picked him up, gave him his medication, put him in his carrier, and carried him out to the truck.  I closed the slide-out and then went back outside to unplug the shore power cord.  Did the batteries recharge overnight as they’re supposed to?  Checking the monitor -- they did!  Seems everything is hunky-dory now!  Thank you, Divine Grace!

Needing fuel first, I took care of that and then, by 9:30 a.m., we were back on Hwy. 17 E heading for Renfrew, Ontario.  We made excellent time and arrived at the Renfrew KOA just before 1:00 p.m.  I spent the afternoon updating my travel records and reviewing my route for tomorrow.  Tomorrow is the highlight of this trip – the day I finally meet Lee-Ann Pugin!  And her family, in Gatineau, Quebec.  Lee-Ann and me, this is our story -- 

Some seven or eight years ago, I received an email from Lee-Ann.  She introduced herself and said her husband’s name was Richard Pugin and that they lived in Gatineau, Quebec.  She found my name and email address and expressed interest in finding out if my family might be related to Richard’s. 

I forwarded her email to my older brother Welby, who was then, and still is now, the sole researcher of our family’s ancestry [on the English side].  Although I understood at the time that we were unable to confirm any kinship with Richard Pugin, Lee-Ann and I continued to stay in touch, exchanging birthday/Christmas greetings and sharing family news. 

Despite DNA testing, between Richard and Welby, and later between my brother Bill and Pierre, one of Lee-Ann’s sons, there is still no conclusive evidence that we are related.  The Pugin name, from both the French (theirs) and British (ours) lineages, is rather uncommon and it is a long story how we could and might be related. 

Lee-Ann, having followed my camper travel blogs over the past several years, asked me when I was going to head up their way and visit.  What a great idea and a most heartwarming invitation!  So, that’s tomorrow! 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

It started to rain when Navidad and I left the KOA at 11:00 a.m.  I took Hwy. 17 back west to the town of Pembroke where we then got on Hwy. 148 E and crossed a couple of bridges over the Ottawa River into Rte. 148, Quebec.  Despite the rain, it was a nice hour or so drive through the countryside, with glimpses of the Ottawa River on my right.  Being that Quebec is a French-speaking province, all the road signs were in French but I knew to stay straight on Rte. 148 until it ended in the Aylmer section of Gatineau.

I soon arrived at the home of Pierre, Lee-Ann Pugin’s son.  He came outside just as I parked on the street and we greeted each other and exchanged hugs.  He then directed me as I backed in to a grassy space behind his driveway.  And then there was Lee-Ann!  She came up to me and gave me a warm hug, a warm welcome, and we both were just so delighted to finally meet each other!  After taking a few minutes to plug the camper into an exterior outlet and transfer Navidad from truck to camper, I entered the home where I met Pierre’s wife, Sylvie, Sabina, their 18-year-old daughter (I later met Marianne, their 12-year-old), Merlin, their Australian Shepherd, and Tasha, their cat.  Pierre showed me a framed wall photograph of him astride Tuff, his pure Canadian horse.  I would have loved to meet him, too!

Sitting at the dining table, we all began to get to know each other.  Lee-Ann and I had much to talk about and the family vibe sure felt very strong.  Feeling very comfortable with each other, the conversation flowed easily.  Although French is their primary language, Lee-Ann, Pierre, and Sylvie all speak fluent English as well.  Every now and then I’d have to ask them to repeat themselves or, since I came prepared with notebook and pen, they’d write down whatever I wasn’t understanding. 

I told Pierre that I thought his name was pronounced “pee-ree” and when I said it that way in a conversation with my sister Evelyn earlier this summer, she corrected me and said it’s like “pea-air.”  I learned from Pierre that Marianne’s name is not pronounced like mine and that the French and English pronunciations of the name “Pugin” are also not the same.

Lee-Ann’s husband, Richard, the patriarch of this family, passed away in 2014.  They had five children – Michel, Denis, Rachel, Pierre, and Lynn.  Denis and Rachel also live in the area and they soon arrived with their spouses, Helene (Denis) and Alain (Rachel).  Michel lives in Florida and Lynn passed away also a few years ago.

It was a lively family affair at the dinner table and I found it interesting to observe everybody interact and converse with each other.  I’d been taking pictures and video throughout the day and took a few more after dessert.  By 8:00 p.m., we all called it a night and I went back to the camper. 

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

I joined the family for breakfast and lingered for a while longer so I could continue my visit with Lee-Ann.  We talked about her family and mine.  Marianne was interested in my background as a Deaf person and while she was tinkering around with her mobile, she found an image of the hand alphabet.  That led me to tell them about the historical significance of Laurent Clerc, the Deaf Frenchman, and how Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet met him in England and brought him to America.  

Soon it was time for me to leave.  We said our “good-byes” and I told Lee-Ann that I was very hopeful we will meet again. 

Crossing a bridge over the Ottawa River, Navidad and I were back in Ontario.  Some miles later we reached the border and crossed into Ogdensburg, New York.  After a few hours on I-81 S, we arrived at the Oneida Pines Campground in North Bay, NY.

Lee-Ann Pugin, you are a most endearing and lovely lady!  I am so happy and honored that I have finally met you and your loving family!  Thank you for your warm hospitality!

Denis, Lee-Ann, Rachel, and Pierre.

Back - Denis, Pierre, and Alain.
Front - Helene, Sylvie, Sabina, Lee-Ann, and Rachel.

Helene and Denis.

Alain and Rachel.

Sylvie and Pierre.

Lee-Ann and me.

Pierre and Merlin.

Tasha.

Lee-Ann is holding a page from People magazine.  The
picture on the bottom right show my brother Bill
interpreting for Elizabeth Taylor.  This was taken at
Gallaudet [College] in the late '70s and this is where
Lee-Ann first saw the name "Bill Pugin" and realized
that there was another Pugin family.

So far, so good...

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12   

As I type this we’re at the Cloquet/Duluth KOA in Cloquet, Minnesota.  We arrived yesterday, I registered for a site, after which I dumped the grey/black tanks at the dump station, and then we settled in.  We’re staying put today because I need a driving break, Navidad needs a driving break, and I want to get this blog posted today.  

When I travel in my truck camper, unless there’s really no choice, I generally avoid driving on the interstate.  Our beautiful country is best seen from state, county, and rural roads.  Over the years that I’ve traveled in my truck camper I’ve found it to be nostalgic fun and fascinating to drive through the small towns, checking out the old buildings, the downtown stores, the movie theaters, the local residents, the architecture of their homes, and, more often than not, the old cars and pickup trucks still on the road. 

For this trip, however, the interstate system has been my friend.  Since the incident with my truck in Fernley, NV, I’ve driven mostly on the interstate and that has helped me keep a steady pace and get the miles behind me as I now aim for Gatineau, Quebec.

Last Tuesday (6^th), Navidad and I got back on I-80 E and made good time driving from Winnemucca, NV to Wells, NV, where we then got on Rt. 93 N and headed for the Twin Falls 93 RV Park in Twin Falls, Idaho. 

I was fairly tuckered out after we settled in.  Navidad had again woken me up several times during the night, calming down after I gave him some food and, being that it was quite chilly, turned on the heat (no sense trying to be conservative with my supply of propane, ha!).  I had also been a bit tense during the drive, wondering if the truck was going to act up again.  It performed as it should --

The truck is okay

  And so I pray

    Please, please

      Stay that way!      

At 9:30 a.m. [on Wednesday 7^th] we were on our way, Navidad curled up in his carrier right next to me.  I had a better night’s sleep and I think Navidad did, too.  He woke me up only once, around 3:00 a.m.  I was toasty warm, having added my sleeping bag to my layers of blankets the evening before.  It really wasn’t cold in the camper, but Navidad wanted to get real close anyway.  At one point he even rested his head on my cheek!  Talk about being tickled by whiskers!

Around 2:15 p.m. we arrived at the Countryside RV Park in Dillon, Montana.  Our route this day: Rt. 93 N / I-84 E / I-86 E / I-15 N.  Oh, Idaho and Montana, you are gorgeous!

It seems to me Navidad and I have our camper travel routine down pat by now.  He has caught on to the steps I take in the morning before I’m ready to retrieve his carrier.  He resists the carrier, best he can, but that’s to be expected – he’s a cat!

He also, per routine, wakes me up sometime during the 3:00 a.m. hour.  Right on schedule the wee hours of Thursday 8^th, he pawed me awake.  As I turned on the overhead light, I found Purple Bear and Mousey right next to me!  Awww, what a sweetheart Navidad is!  To grasp one in his mouth, hop on the bed, deposit it next to me, and then hop back down to get the other one.  What goes through his mind when he does this?  I’d love to know!

Moving on from Dillon later that morning, we continued on I-15 N and then connected to I-90 E, driving steadily along up and over one mountain pass after another.  As I came down one pass, the truck camper that had been behind me pulled alongside and the fellow in the passenger seat held up a note letting me know that my camper’s brake lights were out.  As I gave him a thumbs-up thank you I let out an “Aw, gee!” groan.  David, my guy at Galaxy Campers and I checked those lights after the camper was loaded on my truck last week.  Looking for a gas station anyway at that point, I filled up and then checked both front and back lights.  Right and left turn blinkers – okay.  Hazard blinkers – okay.  Headlights – okay.  Not able to check the brake lights by myself, I spotted this young fellow hauling trash bags in a mobile cart and waved him over.  Standing behind the camper, he gave me the thumbs-up when I pressed the brake pedal.  All’s good.  So did my brake lights work or not driving up and down that mountain?  I’ll never know but I probably should check those lights every day now.  We eventually reached Billings (MT), got a site at the Yellowstone River RV Park, and I was glad to call it a day. 

From Billings [on Friday 9^th], we were on I-90 E for about five miles before we connected to I-94 E.  As the Rocky Mountains gradually fell behind I was looking ahead at eastern Montana’s beautiful rolling hills.  The grass that carpeted these hills was a blend of amber and green, which would probably have been a lot more bright and colorful had it been a sunny day.  The weather, incidentally, has been great, good, and acceptable.  I finally got rained on today.

I haven’t been taking any pictures, mainly because I haven’t been stopping to visit anything.  I did take this selfie this morning, just as we were getting set to leave Billings –

"Ready to head on out, Navi?"

On the approach to North Dakota I could see, in the distance, the range of the unique geological rocks and buttes that formed North Dakota’s Badlands.  Crossing into ND we drove through the gorgeous South Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and, after driving for five hours on this day, arrived at the North Park Campground in Dickinson, North Dakota.

The next morning (Saturday 10^th) we were back on I-94 E, heading for Casselton, ND.  At one point during the drive, Navidad hopped out of his carrier through the unzipped top flap and laid down on the flannel shirt I’d tossed onto the passenger seat.  I thought, since he didn’t poop at all during the night, he was telling me that he needed to use his litter box.  Deciding to go ahead and get fuel, I stopped at a station and put Navidad inside the camper’s bathroom while I filled up.  He still didn’t go – but we had to go and so we did.

I traveled the northern part of North Dakota several years ago and I was intrigued then, as I am again now, by the hundreds – probably thousands – of rolled bales of hay that are haphazardly scattered everywhere on the fields along the roads.  What are they for and why are some bales even placed on the other side of private fences, fairly close to the road?  While many of these bales appear fresh, there seems to be an equal number of bales that look like they’ve been left on the fields for a long time, exposed to all sorts of weather.  Is rotten hay still good for something?  I’ll have to research this someday.

We spent the night at the RV Park section of the Days Inn in Casselton.  Nothing spectacular about the place but, on my return to the camper after getting some dinner at the Country Kitchen restaurant, I noticed that the dome of the Casselton water tower had lit up.  Thought I’d take a picture, standing just outside my camper’s back door –

North Dakota’s I-94 runs a straight 350-mile stretch through a landscape of agricultural land, cattle and crop.  Bismarck, at the 161 milepost, and Fargo, at the eastern state line, are the two largest towns along that route.  Reaching Fargo [on Sunday 11^th] and crossing into Minnesota, I decided to ditch the interstate and take Routes 10 E & 210 E through the Minnesota countryside towards Duluth, MN.  This made for a longer drive, timewise, but it was so good to morph from North Dakota’s vast openness to Minnesota’s abundance of trees and lakes.  Soon, we arrived at the Cloquet/Duluth KOA, in Cloquet, for our two-night stay.  We’re closer to Canada now and I’m looking forward to meeting, for the first time, Lee-Ann Pugin and her family!

A New "Camper Adventures" Journey!

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Greetings from Lone Pine, California!  Yup, I’m on the road again – and with Navidad! 

I’ve got the same truck, a silver 2006 Ford F-350 Dually.  And the same camper, a 2005 Lance 1121.  They’re both older, a tad worn here and there, but they continue to function fairly well.  I’m also older (66) -- and it remains to be seen how well I’ll function during this trip!  Navidad is 11 and this is his second trip with me in the camper. 

I had initially planned for this to be a three-month trip, leaving home on August 1^st.  That changed when, around mid-July, Navidad developed an IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) condition and, during subsequent check-ups, a heart murmur and slightly elevated blood pressure were also detected.  To get him stable and adjusted to medication and prescription cat food, I decided to cut the trip short and postpone our departure to today.

The camper was loaded up yesterday with clothes, food, and other essentials.  Leaving home at 9:30 a.m. this morning, we headed for Rt. 395 N by way of the famed California interstates - 10, 215, & 15 – and arrived at the Boulder Creek RV Resort (Lone Pine, CA) within four hours.  Shortly after setting up the camper and doing some organizing, I noticed that Navidad, who had been trying to hide under the pillows on the bed, was panting.  Yup, it was indeed too warm inside the camper so I closed all the windows and turned on the air conditioner.  Closing the windows also muffled the outside sounds that Navidad wasn’t used to and that helped him calm down and relax.  We had our suppers and called it a night as soon as it got dark! 

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Navidad did some looking around inside the camper after I fed him.  I think he remembers a thing or two from his first truck camper experience with me last year in Arizona.  He seemed content and comfortable while I continued to reorganize and put things in their places.

Navidad, relaxing with Purple Bear our first morning in the camper.

Unlike my past truck camper trips, there will be very little, if any, spontaneity during this trip.  This time I have a planned itinerary and a schedule to follow.  I’m heading for the East Coast and will be visiting friends and family along the way.  Earlier this summer I set up visitation dates and, to ensure that I have a place to stay at each location, made reservations (17!) at various RV/State Parks and campgrounds.  Knowing that I have those advance reservations does give me some peace of mind.  I just have to make sure I time my travel so that I arrive at each destination as scheduled.

My first visitation is today!  Navidad and I left Lone Pine around noon and continued 100 miles north on Rt. 395 to the gorgeous Mammoth Lakes area.  As soon as we were set up at the Mammoth Mountain RV Resort I contacted my friend Sally to let her know we had arrived.  Living just a few blocks away, Sally and Bear, her sweet, gentle, and loveable dog, walked over to my camper to welcome me and Navidad to Mammoth Lakes. 

Sally is a beautiful soul and a wonderful friend to have.  It was my lucky day when she sat down next to me at the Camelot Theater during the Palm Springs International Film Festival back in January 2013.  She spoke to me and when I told her I was Deaf, she then started fingerspelling and we communicated with ease until the movie started.  We ran into each other in the line for another screening a couple of days later and it was just meant to be that we would become friends.  And I just adore Bear!  Avid hikers both, Bear now has to take it easy and Sally fills her days with her music, her friends, her daily walks/hikes, her love for movies, and her joy in mastering Spanish! 

After visiting for a short while in the camper, I told Navidad I’d see him in a little bit and then left to walk with Sally and Bear to their home for a delicious and most satisfying stir-fry dinner that she prepared.  Neither of us was too full to top dinner off with a piece of triple-chocolate cake!  Sally then told Bear she’d see him in a little bit and we both walked back to my camper to play a game of Scrabble.  She won (again!). 

Sally and Bear.

Sally and me.

Posing with Bear.

With Bear at his home. (Photo by Sally)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3

It got cold during the night but I was fine under the covers wearing socks and a flannel shirt.  Navidad was restless all night -- he woke me up about seven times, wanting to knead me, wanting to snuggle on this side and then on the other side, and at one point he plopped down on my chest/torso -- all 18 pounds of him.  He gets hungry, too.  We have a routine back home where I will get up in the middle of the night and tend to his needs.  Not a problem since I have to go to the bathroom myself anyway (ah, the joys of growing older!).  We don’t yet have a routine in the camper but we’ll get there.

Shortly before 8:00 a.m. I walked over to the nearby Good Life Café to join Sally for breakfast.  As he was yesterday at my camper, Bear was content to snooze outside the cafe.  Sally and I had the exact same thing – pancakes and scrambled eggs.  The three of us walked back to my camper, said our good-byes, and Navidad and I were soon back on Rt. 395 N.  Bless you, Sally and Bear – thanks for a lovely visit!

This section of Rt. 395, heading towards Lake Tahoe, is a scenic drive – a winding road with views of gorgeous mountain peaks everywhere.  I crossed into Nevada and, not wanting to take the route through Reno/Sparks towards Fernley, I was looking for the connection to Rt. 50 E at Carson City.  Spotting the signage for “Rt. 50” I got on that road.  Something in my gut protested and said, “Yo, MAP, the sign didn’t say E or W.”  I responded to myself, “Not to worry, MAP, there will be a fork up ahead, one going 50E and the other going 50W.”

Big mistake!  There was no East/West split on that road!  I was on Rt. 50 WEST, a winding mountain road heading directly for Lake Tahoe!  I couldn’t turn off anywhere right away and when I finally found a road on my left, I turned there, parked, consulted my map, saw where I erred, chewed myself out -- and started laughing! 

This just proves something I had told Sally yesterday.  When I showed her my planning materials, including my total estimates for expenses and miles, she noted that I estimated a total of 9,000 miles for this trip.  I told her my arithmetic actually came out to around 8,000 but I tacked on an additional 1,000 miles “…because I get lost sometimes.”  

My mistake here also reminded me of something else I told my friend Penny when we were talking about my camper travels not too long ago.  I told her of a quote I’d seen many times before – “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”  In this case, the silver lining in my “wasted time and miles” on this road is that I got to see a portion of the gloriously blue Lake Tahoe.  And, being the water-lover that I am, that view did my heart good!

Back at Carson City I eventually found and got on Rt. 50 E and then took Rts. 95 alt / 50 alt to Fernley, where I had a reservation at the Desert Rose RV Park, located on E. Main Street.  Noting that I was on W. Main Street, I declared “Hey, Navidad, we’ll be there in a few minutes!”  I made that declaration before I saw the one traffic obstacle that I absolutely detest – a roundabout!

For the second time today, I got lost.  Well, confused is more like it because the street sign for the road that I thought had to be directly opposite E. Main Street from the roundabout no longer said Main Street, E or W.  After several attempts on that friggin’ roundabout, I finally pulled into a shopping center, whipped out my iPhone (and this will make my friend Greg very happy!), typed in the RV Park’s address, and followed the directions.  As it turned out, I was on the correct road in the first place after all!

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 4

Mindful of the distance I need to cover before my next visitation – September 17 in Quebec, Canada – I decided last night to head for Wells, NV, an approximately 300-mile, four-hour drive via I-80 E. 

On our way shortly before 10:00 a.m., I wanted to fuel up first at one of the two truck stops near the I-80 ramps.  As I approached Love’s, my truck lost acceleration and it felt like it was about to lose power.  I made it to a pump, filled up, and just stood there feeling totally dismayed.  What gives?  Why did this just happen?  I had my truck serviced three weeks ago.  I told my advisor at Ford I was gonna be on this two-month, 9,000-mile trip and to please make sure my truck was good to go.

I started up the motor, Navidad, in his carrier right next to me, so quiet, so patient, so trusting, and made my way towards the I-80 E ramp.  My truck would not accelerate and then the engine warning light came on.  I just barely made it to a parking space at the Pilot Travel Center.  Now I was really dismayed, worried, upset…and pissed off!

I went inside and inquired if there was a mechanic on site.  There wasn’t but this very courteous young lady (Laura, I think her name was) was only too happy to help me call a 24-hour mobile auto repair service.  Being that this was the Labor Day Weekend, they wouldn’t be available to assist me for some time.  I then asked Laura to call AAA, thinking that it would be better to have my truck towed back to last night’s RV Park where Navidad and I would at least be comfortable and the staff there could assist me.  Laura then suggested somebody else, a fellow named Henry, who might be able to determine the problem and fix it.  I said OK and went back to the camper with Navidad to wait for him.

Henry arrived within a few minutes and, using his computerized device, diagnosed the problem to be the EGR valve.  He left to get a new one, and with assistance from one of Laura’s co-workers, removed the old and inserted the new.  Showing me the old valve, he pointed out the accumulation of black gunk which had hindered the valve’s function.  I took it and will show it to my Ford guy when I get back home.  I asked Henry to test-drive the truck and he did so with me in the passenger seat and Navidad between the both of us.  He got on I-80, drove at high speed, observed the rpm needle, stopped at his facility to reset the engine warning light, and drove back to Pilot.  I had already paid for the new valve, of course, but Henry didn’t include labor – and he wouldn’t accept a tip from me when we got back.  Laura and the co-worker were standing outside Henry’s car and as I spoke to Laura, complimenting Henry and thanking her for recommending him, I learned then that he was her husband!  I thanked them both profusely and gave everybody a hug.  It was, by then, 1:00 p.m.

On our way on I-80 E, my emotions got the best of me and I allowed myself a brief cry.  The truck was running well and I told myself I had much to be grateful for.  Not only for the help I got from both Laura (making the phone calls) and Henry (doing the repair), but for the fact the stalling problem happened this morning.  Had the truck stalled on the mountainous roads I was on yesterday, or the day before…

Due to the late hour, and feeling the stress of the day, I decided to scratch Wells and stop at the KOA in Winnemucca.  I have a view of some hills and a field of tall grass.  This region of Nevada is rather barren...but I’m glad to be here.  The journey continues and I have to hope and trust there won’t be any more CAMPER ADVENTURES of the mechanical kind.   

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 5

Happy Labor Day!  We’re staying put today.  Time for me and Navidad to take a driving break and for me to work on my blog and for him to catch up on some quiet rest.

Taking it easy in his makeshift box with Purple Bear and Mousey for company.