Two issues: RV improvement and flood

Clenoa,  PA

This has been an interesting few days.

ISSUE ONE......

We've had our 2014 Cedar Creek Fifth Wheel Trailer for just a little over two years.  There is a lot we like about it, but a lot we don't.   It is more spacious than our 2009 Montana, especially in the basement/storage departments.   We like the residential fridge with ice maker, the stainless steel double full-size sinks, the sofa bed instead of an air mattress, the walk-in closet in the bedroom, the larger shower with full-size seat, the taller commode, the self-leveling system.   What we DON'T like is the way it is manufactured.  The frame is not as heavy (our fault for not checking that out).  In the last couple of months we've had to replace two tires.

This units loaded out weighs just north of 16,000 pounds.  It sits on two 7,000 pound axles.  We are told that the truck carries 2,500 pounds.   All of our weight in the rig is carried on the left side.....fireplace; stove; fridge;  storage for dishes, pots, food, etc; shower, water heater, furnace.  In measuring it, the left side sat 1 1/2 inch lower than the right causing the axles to always be in conflict with the other one.

We've spoken to Forest River and Dexter who makes the axles.  No one takes responsibility. In addition we spoke to a local dealer here in PA who says this is a constant issue.  They get new rigs into the shop leaning like this.

Our solution, change to 8,000 pound axles.  Add heavier springs.  Will solve the unnecessary wearing of the tires and improve fuel mileage.    And hopefully we will be traveling safer.  This at a cost of $4,708.

We dropped the trailer at a local frame and alignment shop on Saturday only 15 miles from the daughters where we are pet sitting. The work was completed on Wednesday.   They have agreed to keep it there until Monday when we pick it up to head to Michigan.   If ever in the Lancaster/Lebanon counties of Pennsylvania and need this type of work done, we highly recommend

ISSUE TWO...

As I've written before, daughters house was once a grist mill built in 1832.  It sits near a stream that is partially diverted under the house.  In 2011 there was a flood that reached into the main floor.

Yesterday we had rains and for a while it looked like this might be a repeat.  Daughter and husband are away in Cape Cod on a vacation.

At first the we could see the stream running faster but no sign of water in the basement or over the banks.

There is a "well" in the house.  Actually part of the floor is Plexiglas with stone work around it to look like a well.  There are lights above the steam so you look down to see the stream running by. This is in their living room.

This is how the steam usually looks under the house.  See that canoe?  Good thing it was chained as the water came half way up over the canoe.

Within 1/2 hour we saw this.  Debris stuck under the passageway.  Much, much more there today but the water is lower and the opening visible.

The water continued to rise overflowing the bank and into the yard.  The area below is a patio.  We moved the chairs and table back.   The second picture is the patio about two hours after when some water receded.

To give an idea,  this green bench sits about 10 feet from the bank.  The first picture is when we first noticed the bank being breached.  The second, about 1/2 hour later.

The ducks loved it

This is Leonard  attempting to lasso and remove some of the logs from under the house. He is right at the edge of the patio.  One more step and he would be up to the knees.

The basement was flooded.  They have a huge sump pump that has pretty much taken care of the problem.  In parts of the basement I would guess the water was 4-5 inches deep.  They have most of the stuff up on shelves but still a lot down there they will have to go through.

What we found especially nice, within 1/2 hour three neighbors came here to see if there was damage and we needed help. They all talked about the 2011 flood and was concerned we faced similar damage.  One neighbor said a few years ago the Army Corps of Engineers had done flood control upstream then ran out of funds leaving those downstream now in a flood plain.   Before that this area seldom has this issue.

What a few days!

Dog sitting /// Cat sitting

Cleona, PA

Here we are at daughter Terri's house.   She and hubby Steve are vacationing on Cape Cod and needed their animals tended to while gone.  Perfect timing for us.  Our fifth wheel is in the shop having some improvements made.   We found the perfect place to do to the renovations just 25 miles away in Ephata.   More on that in a future blog.

After dropping the rig at the shop, we arrived here Saturday morning.   Steve is a member of a local band, 2nd Chance.  They were playing that night at the nearby Thousand Trails Campground - Hershey Preserve.  We spent two weeks there earlier in the summer.

The band:

Leonard and me

The four of us:

This was perfect for us.  Band started playing at 7, done at 10.  No more can we two old people do the 10 to 2 am thing.   We did manage to do a few Two-Steps and some Country line dancing.   Got some compliments too.

Terri and Steve left on Sunday morning.  These are two of our charges.  Cane the dog and Miss Kitty a feral cat that hung around the house back in NJ for the last 9 years.  Terri trapped her and brought her to Pennsylvania when she relocated here last November.  Miss Kitty has adjusted well.

There are two house cats, but they keep pretty well hidden.

I find it very relaxing sitting by the steam that flows under the part of the house where the grist mill once was.

Signs of fall are all around evidenced by the dying of some of the flowers.  Time to plant Mums.

This was taken from inside looking out at the stream.  Cane is sunning herself on the bank. She blends in well with the rocks.

This is not a huge house, but seems so big after living in a 39 foot RV for the last 6+ years.

We've not done much the last few days.  A couple of trips to Walmart.  Len washed the truck this morning.  Our grandson who lives in Philadelphia might drop in for a visit.  Later in the week we will drive down in Maryland to our daughter Amy's house.   Gotta get some Abby and Charlotte time in before heading to Michigan next Monday.

I'm thinking the truck washing was exhausting.  I hear the TV on but the snoring is drowning out the volume.

Old Church and Birds

Sea Pines TT Campground
Cape May Court House,  NJ

Here we are back at Sea Pines.  Just for another couple of days, pulling out early Saturday.

As is our usual practice, we look for the nearest United Methodist Church to the campground.  This one I've been curious about for many years.  Sunday seemed the perfect time to stop in.

Methodism was founded in the late 1700's by John Wesley and his brother Charles who were members of the Church of England.  Francis Asbury was an itinerant preacher to America.  He rode horseback starting new congregations and local Meeting Houses.  Look in any hymnal sometime.....you would be amazed at the hymns written by Charles.  O For A Thousand Tongues to Sing;  Arise, My Soul Arise; Jesus, Lover of my Soul; A Charge to Keep I Have; I Want a Principle Within; Love Divine All Loves Excelling; Hark! The Herald Angels Sing;  Christ the Lord is Risen Today and thousands more.

 What I found especially interesting are these two gravestones.

My paternal grandmother's maiden name was Ford.  I know much of the family settled along the Mullica River in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, about 35 miles from here.  However, one of her sisters lived in nearby Avalon.  Also, my mother always told me that my grandmother wanted me to be named Rachel, an old family name.  The names on these stones?  Charles Ford and Rachel Ford. Curious.

Now for the birds.  Driving down near the bay is this a common sight.  Egrets nesting.

Here in the campground it's the Rusty Blackbirds

And while driving around Granddaughter Abby spotted this fellow.  No idea what it is.  Judy?

A Beautiful Day

Clarks Landing Yacht Club
Delran, NJ

Last night we attended the wedding of our great-nephew Branden.   Here he is standing in the center of his groomsmen:

What perfect weather and perfect location.  

The ceremony joining Courtney and Branden:

The main dining room.

Their dance

Cutting of the cake

Father of the groom, my nephew, JR, with his other son Ryan and fiancee Vadra

The grandfather of the groom, my brother Norman

My sister-in-law (grandmother of the groom) Nora, with friends Billie Ann and Richie

Russell, a cousin of the groom with my niece Jill and my sister Debbie

The grooms sister, my great-niece Tori.  I realize now I did not get a picture of the grooms mother, Kristy who has been a splendid mother to two delightful young adults Branden and Tori.

The dance floor was rocked.  That's my daughter Terri of the far right.  Oops, didn't get a picture of son-in-law Steve either.

Floor must have been shaking during this dance.  Just had to get that shot of Richie.

Yup, special night and we are glad to have been a part of it.

This and that

Turtle Run Campground
Egg Harbor City, NJ

While we were still at Circle M in Lancaster, PA we started having issues with the LED lights over the bed.   Look at the flimsy button to turn on and off.

First one broke then the other one over the bed appeared to have blown out. The next morning the one in the closet didn't work.   So we went to a near by RV dealer to buy replacements.  Each of these lights cost $24.00.   We really did not like them due to the one button switch had actually fallen off.  Instead we replaced then with the old-fashioned type at a cost of $11.00 each.

We got back to the rig, Len started replacing the lights and realized the problem with the three that did not work (in addition to a broken switch) was the fuse!  Oh well, we like these better.


This was our site at Circle M.

Along with an outside pool, they have an indoor pool and a water park.  Granddaughter Abby visited for a couple of days and enjoyed all three.

We like this park where we are now.  The owners could not be nicer.  Having a family wedding to attend next week, Len needed his suit cleaned.  We found a cleaner in nearby Mystic Island.  He hasn't worn a suit in....gosh, can't remember when.

While out and about we took a short ride of the area.  I've always loved the more remote areas of the Jersey Shore.  This road leads to the Great Egg Harbor where it dead ends.

At the end is what a "think" is a Coast Guard complex

In the distance is the Atlantic City skyline.  Got to really squint to see it?

 I find this house and property interesting.  Every time we pass this,  it seems there is more to see on the privacy fence

Now I bet you never thought your see this combination hanging out together.  Lady Liberty, A transformer and Jesus!

So many others.  Gotta wonder.  WHY?

Speaking of hanging out.   Judy, what type of Goose is that hanging with the Canada geese on my header?

Haven't forgotten ya!

Turtle Run Campground
Wading River
Egg Harbor,  NJ

Yesterday we moved from Circle M campground in PA to this small family owned campground.  We were here two years ago this same week..... how time flies.

My Verizon Internet does not connect here.   And the only strong connection to the campgrounds system is by the pool.   Not a problem but the sun makes it difficult the see the screen.  Hence a very short post and hello.

This afternoon Len has a dental appointment to clear him for knee replacement.  A dental cleaning is required pre-surgery.  Never heard of that before.

I do hope all is well with each of  you.   I will get on various blogs I follow soon.  I promise.