Biddeford, Maine July 17th & 18th

Walker's Point - Kennebunkport, Maine...I can't remember who lives here

The Rocky Maine Coastline

The Galitz and Mancini Families

Mr. and Mrs. Galitz

The Girls

Mary and John had a fabulous day planned for us.  We started the day driving to Head Light lighthouse area.  Wow, the Maine coastline is beautiful.  This post will be mostly pictures because a picture is worth a thousand words!  We had a wonderful lunch at a a lobster shack right on the coast.  Afterward we hung out on the rocks adjacent to the restaurant.  We ended our day with Italian subs (the kids had pizza) at Mary's house.  We hung out on her deck and talked and talked....what a wonderful day.

John and Mary's beautiful Cape Cod style house

This is a Maine Mannequin - Wow!

Maine lobster roll....yes, it is as good as it looks!

Look at the lobster prices!!

Phil and his niece and nephew

My beautiful sister-in-law and I...she is a lovely person.

Our three sweeties!!

The next day, Mary took us for a drive around Maine.  We went to Kennebunkport to see all the fabulous houses and to Walker's Point (which I seem to remember was named after some person who may or may not be famous - who knows).  We saw many sights in beautiful Maine.  We went to another lobster shack for lunch.  It was a lovely day.  That evening Mary and John took us to Old Orchard Beach carnival area.  It was so fun.  We went on some rides with the kids and the kids played in the arcade for a while.  We had pizza and pier fries for dinner.  It was another wonderful night with our family in Maine.  I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed that I did not get to see any of the overweight tourists in Speedos and black socks that Mary told me so much about.  One redeeming quality of Old Orchard Beach was the mannequins.  Wow.   The mannequins in Maine are much different than the ones in California.....see for yourself!!

Quarryville, Pa to Biddeford, ME July 16th

Phil and Mary's First Photo Together....isn't she beautiful!!

After dropping Aaron safely off with his mom, we began our journey to Maine!  As you all know, the reason for this trip was to visit Phil's Sister and family and Uncle Eddie and family in Maine.  And I have to say, it was well worth the trip!! Phil's sister, Mary, was so wonderful (and beautiful)!  The moment we pulled up she was outside with her family to greet us....it was wonderful.  They made us feel so welcome and loved.  They had lobster rolls, homemade cole slaw and all the fixings ready for us.  It was absolutely delicious!!  It was my first lobster roll and it was amazing!  Mary has the most wonderful family!  We met Johnny, Sammie, and her awesome husband, John.  They were all so gracious and kind.  I forgot to mention Sofie and Rocco, our four-legged relatives.  Wow, we could not have felt more welcome.  We were able to visit for a while but then we had to get to our campground and get set up.  John led the way in his truck and we set up camp for the night! We could not wait to wake up the next morning and spend more time with the beautiful Mary and family.

Marion, NC to Quarryville, PA July 14th - 15th

Lizzy and Momo with matching pink butterflies

Aaron, PJ and Momo...aka Ranger Smith, Yogi and Cindy

PJ and Momo with Yogi

Aaron and Pippin

Momo, Lizzy and Phil at the water park

We got a really early start this morning and we were on the road by 6:30 am.  Of course we managed to make some coffee before we set off for Pennsylvania.  It was a beautiful drive.  This is such a great country we live in.  I often think about our forebearers as we're traveling along; about how difficult and challenging it must have been for them to travel across our country.  It took us 12 hours to drive to Quarryville, PA.  We met Julie, my sister-in-law at our campground which was a Yogi Bear Jellystone Park.  She dropped off cousin Aaron and we were able to spend two nights and one full day with him.  He is such a good boy.  I wish we would have had longer to spend with him.  The kids had so much fun playing together at the water park, riding on the go-carts and mining for gems.  The first night we arrived they had a DJ party at the water park and I requested California Gurls to be played for Momo because we decided that is our summer song this year (last year's summer song was Taylor Swift's Love Story).  I am truly having the time of my life!!!!

Memphis, TN to Marion, NC July 12th - 13th

We left Memphis early and were on the road after a night of a heavy thunder and lightening storm.  The rain was coming down so hard that I couldn't even sleep.  There was such a large thunder clap that Roxy jumped up on the bed shaking like crazy.  She ended up sleeping under the covers between Phil and I...she looked so cute.  We had quite a drive to Marion...more than 12 hours.  Let me just tell you that the drive was well worth it.  Such beautiful country.  We thought Tennessee was the most beautiful state we'd seen until we saw North Carolina.  Our campsite was about 15 feet from a beautiful lake.  The kids and Phil fished, the beautiful fireflies came out.  It was like something from a postcard.  Just gorgeous.  We had one full day there and spent two nights.  PJ caught two fishes, little beauties.  Merit swam in the lake ALL DAY and she was so exhausted that both Phil and I had to check if she was breathing.  She had a little limp afterward, I think she must have pulled a muscle or something.  She is going on a diet when we get back from our trip.  We all need to!

Our Days in Memphis, TN July 10th and 11th

Wow, we had a very busy day in Memphis.  We got up early and had biscuits and gravy....very tasty!!  We toured Graceland and Elvis's airplanes and his movie museum...it was very interesting.  The kids actually really enjoyed it.  I was very proud of them....they were very patient.  Phil really had a great time. It is his brother, Ed's, birthday today and he is a huge Elvis fan so I told him we went to Graceland in honor of his birthday.  We also went to Sun Records and had a tour.  It was very interesting.  So much history.  Phil got to touch a microphone that was used by Elvis (and every other artist) that recorded at Sun Records over the years.  We then went to see the historic Beale Street....it reminded me of New Orleans a bit.  Very touristy and a little dirty.  All in all it was a great day....oh, and yes, that is a picture of the famous Jungle Room at Graceland!!

Adventures in Little Rock July 9th - 10th

Phil's comments:.

We made another 10 hours of driving (or maybe 11 hours...all blurring out on me) to Little Rock, Arkansas.  So nice not to drive in the desert.  A lot of rain, but it didn't slow us down. In Oklahoma City, we did stop off to drive by the memorial at the bombing site.  When I turned up the street and I saw the large black stone gate that through it you can see the other gate with the large reflecting pool between them, sent chills and put a lump in my throat.  I can't believe that horrible event was 15 years or so ago.

On happier note, we did arrive in Little Rock.  We stayed at a beautiful camping site.  Poor little Lizzy is starting to look a little like a Chia Pet.   Humidity is not her friend...but a cool beer does take away the bite from the sticky weather.   I would like to report the motor-home AC works like a charm.

In Little Rock we stopped off at the Clinton Presidential Library.  A very impressive and beautiful structure.  I read that it is the largest of the presidential library.  Lizzy is a huge fans of his.  I have no idea why...but she is letting me go see the King in Memphis....I will make the quick comment that this vast presidential library structure, it seemed more  a monument to a middle of the  road president than a library.   Fitting for the man's ego I guess.  I am sure I will be in trouble with Lizzy after that comment!!!!!  I live dangerously!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From the Democrat with her head on straight!!

He just couldn't help himself!!!!  The Bill Clinton library was a religious experience.  It had many interesting documents and so much information on what a great president Bill Clinton was.  It was not like the Reagan library in Simi Valley, CA near us that mostly just showcases Nancy's freaking size two dresses....you'd think it was the Oscar De La Renta Library....anywho....

We had a wonderful time in Littlerock and I got a Madeleine Albright pin and a few trinkets to remember my visit.  We stopped at the Littlerock Nature Center which was very interesting.  There was a wonderful Farmer's Market just a block from the gift shop and we got some beautiful blackberries, peaches, watermelon and a vine ripe tomato.  The blackberries were the size of a lime.  They were delicious and didn't last long.

It only took us two hours to get to Memphis.  It was a beautiful drive, so green and lush.  We ate at the famous Neeley's BBQ Restaurant.  It was delicious.  We ordered two sample platters that came with pulled pork, pork ribs, beef, turkey, BBQ beans, and really good cole slaw.  Wow!!!  Good BBQ!  Our campground is just across the street from Graceland and just behind the "Heartbreak Hotel."  Phil took the kids swimming after we arrived.  Tomorrow - Graceland......it will be a religious experience for my husband.

Holbrook, AZ to Amarillo, TX July 8th - 9th

Lizzy:
Well, one thing is for sure.  I don't like Houston and I don't like Amarillo...I don't think I like Texas at all!!  It is soggy here.  Apparently it rained 10 inches here early this morning. What the shizzle is that about?  It doesn't rain ten inches a YEAR in beautiful California!!!  Wow, I now understand what my parents were talking about when they said "dry heat" does not feel as hot.  It's true.  Humidity is not good for my hair and you don't mess with my hair!!!!  Wow, I sure rambled on about that!!

We left Holbrook this morning at 7:30.  The kids were still asleep in their bed all covered up.  Phil and I got up and showered and made coffee and took off.  By the way - my hair LOVES the dessert heat!!!  I didn't even have to straighten it!!  We had my homemade apricot bars for breakfast and the kids had Entenman's Doughnuts.  We stopped in the middle of New Mexico for lunch and stopped for fuel twice today.  Phil says we are getting about 9 miles to the gallon in our motor home which is better than the previous day's 8 miles to the gallon.  This campground isn't all bad.  It has a doggy play yard.  Merit ran laps playing with Roxy and, of course, Pippin did not lower herself to the status of other dogs by playing with (dogs)!  One funny thing did happen, we took the dogs over to see the cows who are grazing about 50 feet away from our campsite and guess who "strutted" right over near a cow completely ignoring the electrified fence?  You guessed it, the 7-pound chihuahua!!

Phil brought me a present today!!!  Three signs for the window of the motorhome.  Photo is attached.  The kids are out playing at the playground working out some of those wiggles.  I am going to go take them out some glow sticks to share around the camp and put on the dog's collars before dinner.  I brined some chicken breasts tonight and I've made a pilaf with dried mushrooms and shallots, grilled asparagus with parmesan cheese will finish out the meal.  Tomorrow we drive to Little Rock, Arkansas!!!  It will be a long day!!!  My wonderful husband is already asleep beside me.  Bye Bye 

Phil's Corner:
OK, I was way too tired to post last night, so I am tardy with this.  The drive through Arizona and New Mexico's desert was beautiful.  I am having a couple of kids issues!!!!  My son PJ loves to sit in the co-pilot chair (Just for your info, Lizzy won't let PJ drive the 31' motorhome so I can take a break...she says he can't cuz he is only 9).  The first day,PJ was excited every time we saw a train.  We would talk about the train and what it could possibly be transporting or going.. real bonding here.  On the second day, I spotted a train on the driver's side and told him I saw a it.  He was doodling in the copilot chair.  He didn't look up so he must not of heard.  I told him a little louder about the train.  He paused his art work,  let out a big breath like I was bothering him. He looked out the passenger window in the opposite direction of the train, and said, "Cool." Then he quickly got back to his doodle. Lesson learned.

Later in the day, we were passing over the Continental Divide!  I was so excited about it.  PJ was again in the passenger seat.  I told him that we were approaching the Continental Divide.  No response from him, nose down doodling again.  He must not of heard me, said it louder.  He looked up at him....I had his attention!!! I then explained about what the Continental Divide was while we were driving towards it.  Silence when I was finished, I looked over at him and he was looking down work on that damn doodle book.  He doesn't care!!!!!  Has to be someone in this RV that cares.  I called for Lizzy, no answer.  I called her a little louder cause she will think this is a great moment.  She answered me from the back (she is reading her Kindle, of course).  I was excited and told her what was coming.  She responded, "Cool." and went back to her kindle.  Lesson relearned

I love my family!!!!

Pics info: No explaining needed for top pic, middle pic is in New Mexico at their welcome center, and the last are the kids with some cows in Texas