Sunday May 23, 2021

Temperature Low, 79 Degrees; High, 91 Degrees

The Long Road Home

We had a two hour road trip on the docket today. We were going to attend worship at our home church, The Colts Neck Reformed Church, in Colts Neck, New Jersey. We were also going to see two really good friends of ours that we had not seen for some three years. However, to make church on time we needed to be on the road by 8 am. Oh so early, but we deemed the benefits out weighed the sacrifice so we were up and out bright and early.

Despite a few blips along the way we made it with forty five minutes to spare. So, we made a quick stop at our every Friday morning bagel shop when we lived in this area. Yes, not only did we have bagels for breakfast but we made sure to bring some home to put in the freezer. Done with bagels we were back on the road.

No more than three minutes away was our church. This is the Ministry Center and Office Building.

This is the Educational Building at the other end of the parking lot. We spent many wonderful hours here after church at coffee hour making friends, and sharing and encouraging one another in our faith.

Moving to the worship center/sanctuary

Standing at the front looking toward the back and the main entrance. The pipe organ is up in the choir loft. Several years ago they had to make drastic changes and improvements to the loft because it was beginning to collapse.

I’m now standing at the back looking toward the front. The church is decorated for Pentecost Sunday. The two banners on the wall in the front were made by the ladies quilting club. Standing here this morning there were so many memories that came to me, of being nurtured from God’s Word, of good times with good friends, and of learning how to grow as a disciple of Christ. A lot of beautiful memories did indeed come washing over me as I stood here this morning.

This is David and Maggie Tripold. David is the organist and senior choir director. Maggie is The Director of Worship and Music Arts. They are definitely two of God’s beautiful people. It was so great to see them again and spend some time just chatting about old times and what’s in store for the church in the coming months.

This is the nerve center for virtual worship which Maggie is in charge of. In preparation for streaming of live worship in September she shared with me that they have now also mounted several cameras in strategic places in the sanctuary. I’m so glad that even though they are returning to live worship they have also made a commitment to continue virtual worship. The virtual worship is a blessing for us as we travel about.

Our Senior Pastor, Scott Brown and myself. Scott has been a friend like no other for over twenty years. It was great to see him again and to catch up on old times. He has been senior pastor for thirty years but he shared with me that he’ll be retiring in about five years. It will be difficult to replace him. Scott is what I call a Pastor’s Pastor. He knows how to deliver a great message, but even more he lives what he shares from God’s Word. What really sets him apart though from so many other pastors is his ability to relate to people in a down-to-earth, deeply caring way. I am honored to call him my Pastor and even more importantly my friend.

But the day had just begun. After church

we were able to visit with two of our dearest friends from years gone by. This is Allen and Peggy. Allen and I used to ride our motorcycles, side by side, through one state after another all over the East Coast. We both also belonged to the Polar Bear Club, a group of motorcycle riders that rode throughout the winter. Thinking back to those days we must have been crazy. A motorcycle ride on a thirty degree day even with all electric clothing was a bit chilly, no make that down right cold!

Barbara and Peggy have been like sisters. They have shared the good times and the bad times together. They were always there for each other. They’ve laughed together, and cried together. Still today they are no more than a phone call away.

After church the four of us decided to have a bit of lunch at Huddy’s Restaurant. This was once just a bar, then it became a small restaurant, and today it is the restaurant of choice in the Colts Neck area. It has a large banquet hall and an indoor and outdoor eating area. Not to mention the food is always the greatest.

Minutes turned into hours as we caught up on old times and shared our dreams for the future. However, all too soon we had to part. We had a two hour ride in front of us and we were anxious to get back home. Once again we didn’t say goodbye, oh no, we said as we always do until we meet again.

We had one more stop, actually a drive by, to make.

This is where it all began some four years ago. Our old homestead. I can’t say I really miss it. It was a part of our past. A closed chapter. Yes, life here was good, really good. But our life now is on the road and at our new home in Florida. And when you come right down to it, isn’t that what life is really all about, change and growth.

That was our really long day on The Road of Retirement. It was a day that we will cherish for a long time to come. So many beautiful memories were made again today. Today was a reminder of what life is all about. Not things. Not how much stuff do you have. Not who has the most expensive toys. Life is all about family and good friends. Those individuals who have both are truly the richest in the world. And so we consider ourselves to be the richest of all for we do indeed have both.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

Saturday, May 22, 2021

Temperature Low, 69 Degrees; High, 87 Degrees

We Decided to Support A Local Business

A Few More From Old Spokes

What to do, what to do. We both were trying to decide what to have for breakfast. Ms Barbara was willing and able to make whatever I wanted to have for breakfast. Then, I had a thought, I was going to borrow a page from the play book of two good friends – go find a local diner for breakfast.

Some quick investigative work on the restaurants in the area, and we came up with Letterman’s Diner on Main Street in Kutztown. It is not a big place, if you blink you will drive right by it. The diner is that little building with the steps and railing to the left, and no it does not open up into the red building on the right.

Entering you find out just how small it really is, it has one long counter and four tables opposite that. Sit at the counter and you can even watch them make your breakfast.

What a menu! Can’t find what you want?

Then maybe you would like one of the daily specials?

Ms. Barbara had the Alayna Omelet. Yes, it is as big as it looks. She will probably get three meals out of this.

I had the Stuffed Hashbrowns. Oh yes, the size of a plate! Sorry to say I could not finish it. I’ll also get a couple of meals out of this one.

That was breakfast and it was oh so good. We’re so glad we went and that we have leftovers for the next couple of days.

How about a few more Hudson’s from Old Spokes? Just a few. Yesterday we toured the Maxwell Building. Today, we’re in a restored Ford Dealership that is across the street from the first building.

A really nice 1954 Hudson with a straight six.

A 1956 Hudson with a grille that demands attention.

When whitewalls were really whitewalls. I was told that, in reality, the rubber that tires are sourced from is a milky white color, but carbon black is added to the rubber as a stabilizing chemical compound and makes the tire black. Now how about that, I learned something new.

This is a 1928 Hudson. Take a close look at it and then compare it to

this 1928 Essex. Can you guess which is the more expensive car?

If you said the Hudson you would be correct. It has chrome on the radiator shell, the light bar and the spot light mounts.

The Essex on the other hand has a nickle finish on the radiator shell, the light bar and the spot light mounts.

There are of course more cars, a total of 72 total, but trying to show all of them is just not possible. Maybe someday you’ll be in the area and have the time to see them all for yourself.

So much for our day on The Road of Retirement. We went out this morning and supported a local business. Ms. Barbara got caught up on the laundry. I took care of a few odds and ends that needed attention. Then we sort of hunkered down inside with the AC on. It was a nice, easy day which is just the way we like them.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

Places We Have Called Home In 2021

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1W9TVAzcRDw1ydJEmJZwEbd2XTtZohCeH&usp=sharing

Friday, May 21, 2021

Temperature Low, 62 Degrees; High, 84 Degrees

Solo Trip to Old Spokes

Well, this was a first for both of us. We both woke up at 5:30 am and neither of us could get back to sleep. Not that we didn’t try but it was no use. So, we turned the coffee pot on and grabbed a double chocolate chip muffin and sat back in our chairs and just chilled. Coffee and muffin finished, and at least one of us was finally able to fall asleep,. No, unfortunately it wasn’t me!

Speaking of first’s, I was going solo sightseeing today.

Ms. Barbara discovered that Old Spokes Auto Museum was only four minutes away. Did I want to go? You bet! She, though, had no interest in going. As she said All auto museums are the same to me. I guess I’ve taken her to one to many in the past.

Strictly speaking, this is not a museum but rather as its website states: it is the world’s largest Hudson automobile collection. The collection is owned by a Doctor in Manhattan and managed by a local resident. Tours of the collection are by appointment only. My appointment was for 11:30 am today.

The collection is housed in two buildings. The first building is where your tour begins.

This is the Maxwell Building which was at one time a Maxwell Dealership. This building houses the main Hudson collection. Let me show you a bit of what is inside.

I got a real laugh when I saw this picture. I guess RV’s are not the only thing that breaks down!

There was a nice collection of miniature cars.

Two Hudson Woodie Wagons from the 1940’s.

This is a 1918 Essex Limo with a novel twist – it has a

bathroom of sorts. That funnel in the floor pulls out and then you, well, you get the idea! I sure would not want to be behind this car when it is in use.

A 1920’s Hudson Dr’s Coup. The right front seat is a jump seat that folds forward so that a patient could be put in the back.

This is a 1923 Essex Barrel Truck that was commonly used in the wine country of California.

Because it was often far from any filling station it carried an extra can of gas and oil on the running board.

This is a Hudson Teraplane but with an unusual twist.

When it was discovered it was so far gone that the cost of restoration would have been prohibitive. So, they made a resto rod out of it. It has a small block Chevy, a Mustang Two front end, a Ford nine inch rear, and a two inch chopped top. The gentleman who showed it to me testified to the fact that it really, really gets up and goes!

This is a 1938 Hudson straight eight police interceptor.

So, those are some of the cars in the collection in building one. The amazing thing is, every car in the collection runs and is driven on a periodic basis. My guide who has the privilege of driving these cars says his hardest decision is which one to drive when. I can identify with that because I would have a hard time deciding also.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement. Once again even in the middle of nowhere I found something to visit close by. I will say that my first solo trip felt a bit odd. We’re used to going together hand in hand from place to place. I believe from now on we will continue as in the past – unless of course I find another auto museum!

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Temperature Low, 50 Degrees; High, 84 Degrees

Travel Day

First, Amanda showed up. Bless her heart she left work last night and drove an hour just to spend one more night with us. It was great having her for supper, and of course breakfast. An early morning breakfast, I might add, since she had to be in Baltimore no later than 8:30 am. and she had an hour drive ahead of her. Breakfast over, we hugged, and hugged some more and than said as we have been until we meet again. We come back through Williamsport on June 8/9 and I’m sure she will be spending at least one day with us.

Amanda had been gone no more than thirty minutes and it was Adam’s turn. He had just gotten off of work, went home for a quick shower and then came over for one last visit. It did cost me my last double chocolate chip muffin! We visited for about an hour than it was time for us to finish packing up and get on the road. Once again we said until we meet again. Despite the loss of my muffin I will always cherish this hour. We absolutely enjoyed our time with Amanda and Adam these last three weeks. As someone said When we lay our heads down on our pillows at night so many beautiful memories come flooding back.

Time now to finishing packing up and attend to SEW – which translates to sewer, electric and water. All too soon the slides were in, all utilities were disconnected, the jacks were up and we were ready to roll. I had been having trouble with the left directional on the car when hooked up. Yesterday, I took a small gun brush and cleaned the connector that plugs into the car. Well, that did the trick! All lights now work which is a big plus when dealing with all the traffic out here on the East. Thanks Sis for the idea.

The first part of the trip was on I-81 North. I was surprised that it went as well as it did. The road for the most part was in good condition. Traffic, though heavy, kept moving with only two or three slow downs along the way. Very quickly we were leaving Maryland and motoring into Pennsylvania.

Next, came I-78. Thankfully, this was the shortest part of the drive because this road is the worse so far. It was uneven, sunken in sections. and very narrow for one eight mile stretch. Not the kind of road one likes to be on in a Class A.

I was oh so happy when we exited and were headed to our new home.

The entrance sign to our new home for the next five days.

First stop was at the front office to pick up our welcome package.

Around the corner and down the road we went to our

new home. It is hard packed gravel; of course it isn’t level but the jacks did their magic; all utilities are right where they need to be; and, we have both some shade and still a clear view of the southern sky so our DISH antenna has located and locked on to all three satellites.

We will be here for five nights. We plan on making a trip from here this Sunday to attend worship at our home church in Colts Neck, New Jersey. To my way of thinking it is far better to go over by car rather than trying to take the rig. As of now we have no idea what else we might do. I do know of a car museum I would like to visit.

That was our day on The Road of Retirement. The last three weeks have gone by in a blur and have been full of so many beautiful memories that we will cherish for a lifetime. But the time has come to move on and make even more beautiful memories so onward we will go. God has been good to us and continues to shine His favor on us. We are two of the most blessed and fortunate people in the world.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!