Woodridge, New York , to Marcellus, Michigan

October 13, 2011, Elkhart, Indiana

I doubt that I could have had two better, or prettier travel days to Elkhart. The colors are really turning now, and the weather remained clear and warm until this morning.

There was a considerable amount of road construction along my 690-mile journey from the Catskills. Traveling by day made it a minor inconvenience. I rather dislike road cones at night on single-lane thoroughfares. The top photo was taken on Martinfeldt Rd, just past the campground, when I stopped to put up my mirrors, which I forgot to do before pulling off my site. (That was the only thing I forgot, not bad!!!)

 The photo on the left shows part of my House on Wheels and the Ranger Station, where I worked. Oliver, the wire-hair dachshund, belongs to Michael's daughter, Ivy, who came to visit for a few days a week before we closed. It was a special visit for her as she was able to see the area where her dad used to enjoy his summers with his parents. She enjoyed sharing some of the memories with her aunt by phone who had not realized just where her late brother spent two recent summers.

My timing was great for arriving at Elkhart Campground. Bob gave me a great rate on my site through my departure date. There was plenty of time to set everything up, tidy and sweep the inside and even take a leisurely shower before heading to Marcellus to watch my grandson, Miles, play soccer for the first time. He's become quite an aggressive soccer player, not inhibited at all by taller, older players on other teams! For awhile it seemed that he was having more fun playing INSIDE the opponent's net when they scored! He's one of the few who is short enough to stand up in there. In the bottom right photo, sister Annika passed out treats when the game was over. Combos and Orange Minute Maid. Miles was a happy young man.

Miles ran over to me for hugs as soon as he saw me, mindless of cars pulling into the lot. Scared the dickens out of me. At 6, he's still a cuddler.  Annika, now 8, has reached the point of 'you-can-hug-me-all-you-want-GrannieMonster - only-NOT-out-in-public. That's just too embarrassing'. I knew that time was coming . . . she did let me sneak in two hugs anyway - and gave me bunches more after we got to her house, with the two of them happily riding in my big black truck with their Aunt Becki!

It was a fantastic first night back!

Time to get Rolling

Right now, I'm 629 miles from Elkhart Campground in Indiana. Everything's close to being ready to hit the road tomorrow morning - Tuesday. I just finished organizing the inside, and took care of most of the outside yesterday - other than checking my lights and hooking up.

At 2pm this afternoon, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park in Woodridge, New York, was officially closed for the 2011 season. One Workamping couple was gone by 2pm, leaving two other couples and me. Ralph and Val, our housekeepers, will be leaving in their motorhome about the same time as me tomorrow. They hooked their car up tonight. Carol and Boyd, who celebrated his birthday today, will leave on Wednesday, so they can have a bit more quality time with Ron and Jean, who they often travel with in the Fall and Winter. We've all been here three years, but Carol and Boyd have decided to go to Wall Drug in South Dakota next year. They bought a new, 4-season Stone Ridge fifth wheel - all season - so it will handle the hot summer months easily.

Closing today was a bit bittersweet. James, our amazing cashier, who was here for his second summer, is returning to school next year. After weeks of cold and rain, the temperatures broke this weekend. Cold nights and warm days brought out the Fall colors. Just 4 days ago, on my last day off for the year, I drove up twisty windy Rt 97 past Hawk's Nest, hoping to see some color - only the merest titches of color were visible. Now the colors are bursting, and I'm hitting the road. Hopefully I'll capture some of the colors at rest areas on my way to Indiana.

Even James admitted that the sudden turn in the weather made today feel like we should still be open. The three-day weekend finale was a HUGE success, with many of our guests reserving their spots for the Columbus Day Weekend, 2012, including a large number of first-time visitors.

Owner, Michael Zalkin, was so pleased with the way our season ended that he came to dinner with all of us who are still here, bringing his charming wife, Martha. We all went to the Rock Hill Diner and thoroughly enjoyed our evening together. The Zalkins truly appreciate their Workampers, and our core group has been one of his favorites, as he admitted this evening. We already knew that in the way he stands behind us. We don't feel as much that we work FOR the Zalkin family, as that we work WITH them. It's a great feeling to be appreciated this way.

It's close to midnight and I want to be on the road at a decent time tomorrow. I have to be in Marcellus, Michigan by 5 pm on Wednesday to watch my 6-year-old grandson, Miles, play soccer. I've missed my children and grandchildren and am looking forward to spending 3 weeks with them before heading to Kentucky to work at Amazon for their online holiday sales. Another new adventure!