Friday, August 28, 2020 - Happy Birthday Brett; Moving Day to Fort Wayne, IN - Johnny Appleseed RV Park

Friday, August 28, 2020 - Happy Birthday Brett; Moving Day to Fort Wayne, IN - Johnny Appleseed RV Park

Happy birthday Brett.  We weren't able to see him, but we will be spending some time with him and his family before he leaves on the 7th making his way west to Winnemucca, NV to begin his new job.

Dean and I were up early.  Poor Dean, he has been without coffee for several days.  I forgot to mention in an earlier post, that after doing the dishes Monday, I leaned a very small lightweight cookie sheet (that fits in my microwave) against the coffee carafe, on the draining mat.  Later I set something down on the mat.  It moved things just enough the coffee carafe fell off the counter and shattered into hundreds of pieces.  That was fun to clean up!!  At least there was no coffee in it!

I had purchased a small jar of instant coffee recently with plans to make an ice coffee drink.  I sure was glad we had it on hand, even if I did have to add Stevia and half and half to it in order to drink it.  I've been drinking it, but after the first cup Dean said no more!  We stopped at a Walmart on our way back from the Science Museum on Tuesday.  I've been wanting a combination coffee pot and K-cup dispenser, however they didn't have the one I wanted, so we just bought a carafe instead.  Well, in my defense since I didn't think I would need to buy a carafe instead of a new coffeepot I didn't bother paying attention to what brand our coffeepot was.  I thought we had a Black & Decker coffee pot.  Instead we have a Mr. Coffee so the carafe would not fit.  So far, we haven't had the time to return it, so Dean has been going over to Matt's cabin to have coffee every morning.  It's time to fix that.

We put everything away, put the slides in, hooked the RV up to the truck so we would be able to leave immediately after saying our goodbyes to Matt, Megan & the grandkids.  We had such a great time visiting with them.  It's hard to say goodbye, not knowing when we will get to meet up with them again.  

We pulled out of the park at 9:04am, only a few minutes past our planned time.  We had to stop to drop off trash and I walked our keycard they gave us upon arrival to get in the park, up to the office.  In just a few minutes we were on our way.

Less than 20 minutes later the sky opened

It let up after 5 minutes

We were glad to see it change to this 4 minutes later.

Leaving PA - we will travel across Ohio for the next several hours

Lake Milton, OH - Ominous looking!

We were glad to see a bit of light again - The sign to the right tells us we are on The Military Order of the Purple Heart Memorial Highway.

Just before 11am here it came again

We were starting to get hungry.  We found a truck stop along the Interstate with a Wendy's.  We didn't have a thing left in the refrigerator to make lunch today, so Wendy's sounded good!  We really enjoyed the cheeseburgers!

Here we go again a little after 2pm.

Seeing a rain storm like this out in an open field is beautiful to me as long as it is not bringing destruction to the farmers.

It was 3:45pm when we parked at Johnny Appleseed Campground in Fort Wayne, IN.  It continued to rain on us, off and on.  After we stopped at the office to get our site number, it started to sprinkle.  We barely got everything set up that was necessary when it started a light rain.  No more than what it took for both of us to get inside Bentley, the sky opened once again.  I'm so thankful we did not have to setup in a heavy rain.  We enjoyed resting a bit after being in the truck for 6.5 hours.  

Due to the rain, we really didn't get to explore this park at all.  It has full hookups, however we only need electric for this overnight stop.  There were very good reviews online.  I tried to make reservations to stay here before heading to Pennsylvania but there were no sites available.  I decided to try for an overnight on our return to Indiana and was surprised they had a spot for us.  It's the only campground in Fort Wayne and it was almost full when we arrived, and a few other rigs came in after us. 

By now, we were both getting hungry, and Dean needed DEF for the truck, before we leave Fort Wayne.  He looked online, and found an Auto Supply store less than a mile away.  In the meantime I was researching something quick to eat.  We were tired, and just wanted to pick someting up and bring it back to Bentley.   We decided to try Rally's for chicken and fries.  We've never tried this fast food restaurant before, but we will definitely go back.  For just over $5 for the two of us, we each had a nice sized container of some very good french fries and more chicken bites than we imagined, plus our drinks.  When we placed our order and she gave us the price, I asked her about the size of the meal.  I did not imagine we could get enough food for that price and satisfy our hunger - but it did!  

We returned to Bentley to eat our meal.  Afterwards I worked on the blog and Dean enjoyed some TV.  We were both tired after 7 full days of being on the go - driving two long days and being on the go with family.  It was a great time and we are so glad we were able to meet up with Matt & family.  It was worth being tired!!  LOL!

Tomorrow we head to Illinois - check out where we stop in the next post.

Wednesday, August 26 & Thursday, August 27, 2020 - More Adventures with the Grandkids at Jellystone Park, Harrisville, PA

Wednesday, August 26 & Thursday, August 27, 2020 - More Adventures with the Grandkids at Jellystone Park, Harrisville, PA

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

We enjoyed our meal so much at Family Tradition Restaurant, we decided to have breakfast there this morning.  It was very good.  

Afterwards, we found a small local park so the kids could play.  Megan and I pushed Sarah and Sam in the swings, then watched them play on the nearby slides, while Papa and Dad (Matt) let Josh practice his batting.  He plays on a ballteam at home, and he still has one game left when they return.  We had hoped to make it up there to see them this summer, but it just didn't work out.  

I don't believe I have mentioned that Dean's son Brett, recently accepted a position as EMS DIrector in Winnemucca, NV.  We are happy for Brett and Emilee, although we will definitely miss them and the grandkids.  However, it means we will now be traveling from one side of the country to the other every other year so we can see Brett & family one year, and Matt & family the next, unless they make a trip to see us instead.  As of now we plan to visit Brett & family next year.

Josh and Sarah enjoyed playing this game when we returned after having our breakfast.

After two full days of fun, Nana must be tired, because I seem to have fewer and fewer pictures. 

Later in the day, Matt and Megan took the kids back to the playground area here in the park.  Each of them had a slushy type drink from the park's store and this is what they looked like afterwards.

Afterwards, they boarded this wagon to take a ride around the park.

After the ride, I asked them to post for a picture of them with Yogi Bear.

I told them to make a funny face - Matt evidently didn't get the message - lol!

We decided to roast hot dogs, followed by smores for dinner this evening.  Poor Josh, fell on the rocks.  You can see his pain, poor guy.  He recovered pretty quickly though.

We had an enjoyable evening around the campfire.

A good family picture around the campfire!

Thursday, August 27, 2020

Matt, Megan and Dean enjoy playing golf.  We have enjoyed going to Top Golf with them more than once.  Even I enjoy taking a swing when we are there.  We made an appointment at the Top Golf south of Pittsburgh for this morning around 11.  Matt and Megan brought their golf clubs but they needed to borrow a set from Top Golf for Josh.  Soon after we made it to our cubicle - our server stopped to make sure we were set up in the computer for play.  All of the adults and Josh played.  Megan brought a couple of tablets so Sarah and Sam could watch a movie, which kept them occupied pretty well.

We've always enjoyed the food at Top Golf and today was no different.  You definitely pay for the experience though!!  We had fun, and I surprised myself by hitting the ball so well since I haven't played a game of golf in at least 3 years.  Not that it was great but I at least hit the ball every time.  We had a great time.

Josh taking a swing.

I had never heard of Carvana https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carvana- have you?  Check out the link to learn more.  We passed this Carvana location on our way to Top Golf.  It's a very interesting idea!

We returned to the park between 2:30 or 3:00.  Dean and I went to the RV to rest a bit and I believe the kids took a nap and had some downtime with Mom and Dad.  Shortly before 4:00 Matt & Megan took the kids up to the pool to swim.  We were on our way up there to watch them when there was a huge clap of thunder.  We were getting ready to cross the road to the pool, when we seen them coming towards us.  Yep, the pool had closed due to the lightning.  We returned to the RV and they went home to change.  In the meantime the sky opened and it poured for quite awhile and then the electricity went out.  Matt and family came to the RV since we had lights (it's so nice to still have some comforts during a power outage), water and our bathroom still worked.  The park is on a well, with no backup power supply when the electricity is down.  It was midnight before the lights came back on, as well as the water service.  Dean and I did well, and even though Matt and Megan did okay too, it wasn't quite as easy as it was for us.  Imagine you flush your stool and after that no more water to flush it again!  Ugh - I know, not a pretty thought.  Approximately 8 hours with no water!  Of course our tanks had water, so we were fine!  

It was probably 6 or so when we decided to drive to nearby Grove City, hoping they might have electricity, to get ice cream.  First of all - Grove City had electricity AND Katie's Korner had the most amazing ice cream.  Dean and I both chose the Salted Caramel.  There was a lot of caramel swirled in the ice cream.  It was well worth the drive.  Everyone enjoyed their choices as we drove back to Jellystone Park. 

Dean started a fire and we enjoyed our last evening together outside until about 8:30 or 9.  It's hard to believe our time has flown by so quickly.  We've had such a good time with Matt, Megan and the three grandkids.  Dean and I want to be on the road early tomorrow as we have another six hour drive ahead of us.  It was a bit warm in the RV, so we opened the two bedroom windows by the bed.  Fortunately we were able to get an hour or so of sleep before the rains started again and we had to close the windows.  At least it remained cool the rest of the evening.  I woke up around 1 to use the restroom and realized the lights were back on.  Megan told us later it was 12:05am when it came back on.  They still had some lights on, so it lit up the cabin when it came on.  

What a great 5 days it has been!

Salted Caramel Ice Cream - it was better than yummy!

Monday, August 24-Tuesday, August 25, 2020 - We Have Been Busy - See What We've Been Up To

Monday, August 24-Tuesday, August 25, 2020 - We Have Been Busy - See What We've Been Up To 

Monday, August 24

Matt let us know when everyone was up, so we gathered up the pecan sticky buns and doughnuts we purchased at Rise and Roll yesterday morning before leaving Shipshewana, IN.  The kids enjoyed their doughnuts while the adults enjoyed the pecan sticky buns.

We talked about a number of things we might do today.  We finally decided to visit Keystone Safari at Grove City, PA - a short ride away from our park.  It was a two part visit - one was a walk through zoo where we saw a number of animals, and the kids had the chance to feed them and see them up close, followed by a drive-thru to see several other animals.

This lion turned and posed for me!

The bird looks quiet stately, does he not?   This is an East African Grey Crowned Crane!  

The kids loved feeding the reindeer

Colorful

It was a cloudy, but warm day.  The kids enjoyed running back and forth through this mister.

Camels

Isn't this an interesting guy? I forgot to take a picture of the sign telling me what it is.  Do any of you know what it is?

Sarah - a Peregrine Falcon....Sam just wanted to be like Sarah!  At 2 he wants to micmic big brother and sister - and he thinks he can do everything they can do too!

Josh - a Peregrine Falcon

They were ready with their lettuce when it started to rain - who knew, that giraffes head for shelter when it rains.  We had to wait until it stopped before they would return for their snacks!

The kids loved feeding the giraffees.  They stick their tounge out, and roll it around the lettuce and pull it away.  It was interesting to see!

Dad and Sam   Sam is 2.  If you ask him his name, he says Hi, my name is Mam.  He hasn't quite got the S sound figured out yet.

It was starting to rain a bit heavier so we made a beeline for the gift shop, where each one of the grandkids ended up with a stuffed animal, thanks to Mom and Dad.  

From there we worked our way to the drive through part of the Safari.  I didn't take many pictures here.  Dean and I set in the very back of Matt & Megan's van, so it was a bit of a challenge to get good pictures.

This guy was giving this small a bush a work out as he moved it around his antlers.

• Taken from www.Quora.com:  Every year male deer regrow their antlers and when the new antlers come in they are covered in a skin-like membrane called velvet. It is soft and fuzzy - hence the name. The antlers on these deer are still in velvet: Around July through September they will rub this velvet off by scraping it on trees.

And this little one was doing the same thing - except he could not shake the tree.

It was approxiately 1 when we left the Safari.  By then we were all hungry.  On our way back  we stopped at a local restaurant "Family Tradition Restaurant".  The food was delicious and we decided we should come back one morning for breakfast as well.

As we left the restaurant I spied this old wooden water tower.  

When we returned, we headed to Bentley.  Sam was tired and needed a nap before we took on another activity.

It was a little after 4, when Matt let us know they were going to take the kids swimming here in the park.  We enjoyed watching them.  So as not to overload you with all the pictures we took, here are a few.  The kids had a blast.  Sam did not want to leave!!

We headed back to our sites.  Megan, Sarah and I headed to a grocery store in Grove City.  When we returned we had sandwiches and chips for dinner.  

Dean and I returned to Bentley for a short time, and when we came back, the kids were in their pj's, watching a movie together.  The adults enjoyed playing a game of Hearts, before calling it a night.  We sure enjoyed our first full day together.

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

Yesterday Megan and I discussed things we might do this week.  Last night I went online and found information on Carnegie Science Center.  I sent her the information to look at.  Her and Matt both thought it sounded fun, so she went online and made an appointment for us at 2:00 this afternoon.  It's about an hour and a half away in Pittsburgh, PA.  

After breakfast we spent sometime at the playground here in the park

Peek-a-boo 

The two younger grandkids really enjoyed this!

They all loved the bounce area

Josn and Yogi together!

He sure is a tall bear!

After the playground, Papa, Dad and Josh walked down to an area where Josh could practice baseball, throwing the ball and hitting it.  Unfortunately, where the activity field was on the map - was full of brush.  

Sam on his scooter.

After lunch, we left for Pittsburgh, PA for the Science Center.  It was located right down town and we were thankful Megan did the driving to and from.  Right across the street is the Pittsburgh Steelers Football Stadium.  

We all enjoyed our time here, approximately 2-2.5 of fun.  It is a great place for kids of all ages.

Josh loves to shoot baskets and this is where he wanted to be most of the time!  HAHA

Sarah and Nana

Star Wars was on display with several other robots, including the Robot from Lost in Space.  It was my favorite show when I was about 12.  Back then I loved reading magazines about different young stars and had a huge crush on Bill Mumy, who played young Will Robison, so of course, Lost in Space was my favorite TV show to watch!  LOL! 

All of the robots talked, and I loved hearing the Robot say "Danger, Danger Will Robison".

I didn't realize until later I had taken a video of "The Robot", rather than a picture.  I have yet to figure out how to include a video in the blog.   I had to improvise and take a picture from the Internet.

Another room we all enjoyed was a full fledged train village.  I am only including a couple areas. I am fascinated by Frank Lloyd Wright's houses.  We've seen a few in different places, so I was intrigued by this one on display as part of the train village.

Grandson Jaxson loves blimps so I had to take a picture of this one that celebrates aircraft.

As we left the Science Center, we passed the Pittsburg Pirates Baseball Stadium.  

We were hungry when we left the Science Center.  Matt selected Burgatory, an upscale burger place.  Matt and Megan filled out a special form they give you to choose their burgers, Dean went with the standard cheeseburger and I chose a salad.  The kids had hot dogs.  The food was very good.  

By the time we returned it was getting late.  Dean and I returned to the RV and rested a bit before heading back to Matt and Megan's cabin to play cards.   It was another great day!