Ike's tail and other things- overdue update

We were last heard from while we were in northern Michigan on the Leelanue peninsula but we fially had to say good-bye to our friends in the area and head south. We look forward to returning next year prior to a trip out west.

From northern MI, we went south to the Kalamazoo area to visit with Linda's mother and brother Mike. Mike was kind in allowing us to park the RV in his drive and hookup to his utilities for a few days.

Next we went east back to western PA for Labor Day and to visit with Terry's mother and brothers during the holiday. Brother Dan flew in from Las Vegas and brother Tim came over from north central PA. We spent Labor Day trimming trees and other yard work.

Next Linda and I moved the RV to Hershey, PA to attend the "largest RV show" as they bill themselves. We stayed in the Highmeadow campground where we were packed in like sardines.

On the Tuesday before the RV show we drove to Gettysburg to see the new visitors center at the battlefield. The center is very nice but we missed seeing the new cyclorama section of the center which does not open until Sept 27th. The next day we attended the RV show and found it to be large but definitely not to the scale of the Tampa RV Supershow that is held every January.

When we departed Hershey, we attempted to go north into north central PA to the Foote Rest campground. There are few campgrounds in north central PA that appeal to us but we have been to the Foote Rest before and liked it. However, I could not get in contact with them by phone. No one answered the phone and they did not return my call even though their message said they would. Oh well, we went elsewhere.

So we ended up at the Kalumet Campground near Cooksburg, PA. Kalumet is a vey nice campground but we had no cell phone service or internet connection. We stayed a couple of days and headed back to the Mercer KOA.

During Hershey trip we developed a problem with our electric steps that are on the RV at the entry door. The steps normally extend or retract without incedent. Now the steps only partially extent or retract and make a very loud grinding noise. I believe the gears are out of alignment. I'll tackle that problem after we have finished with Ike's problems.

Eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania suffered the effects of the tailend of hurricane Ike as it pasted through the area. The big problem was high winds knocking down trees and taking out power lines. By Florida standards this is a small event. But by their standards (or lack there of) this is a big time event here that has left thousands without power. The lackluster emergency respone to restore power and help citizens would never be tolerated in Florida.

Anyhow, we have been out of power since Sunday along with thousands of the locals. My (Terry's) mother also has no power and has been bailing out her basement subpump by hand so that the water would not flood the basement. It took a couple of days to locate a generator, but our friends Lyle and Sandy Johnston (of the Johnston;s Apple Castle) were kind to lone their generator for my mothers use. Good thing, as there are no generators available in the area.

Well that is the catch -up for now. Sorry for no pictures. Will change that in the near future.

Signed- powerless in PA.