The Rain in Maine stays mainly in Maine

Ruth has been brushing up on her stalking skills. It had been a while and I was beginning to think her gaydar was malfunctioning. And then, and do I dare I use the analogy “raining” lesbos? Having set the record for wettest June in Maine’s history, even the locals are grumpy. And while I’m on the subject, I don’t get this “we” thing. I hear on TV that “we” set the record for the afore mentioned record. I’m not sure I should be included… I am only a seasonal resident or seasonal tourist (depending how you look at it) Is it just Mainers that are included in that “we”? Even if I am included… how did I influence the rain? Ruth didn’t do a dance or anything… I think Mother Nature may have a little more influence than I. I know, I know the global warning and all that. So what’s the action – reaction timing? If I throw away my Sunday paper will it rain on Monday? If I use it to start my campfire rather than a chemically induced starter do I get partial credit? Or are we paying for the sins of our fore-fathers? Like, all the Campbell’s soup cans your mother pitched during your childhood made it rain on my Birthday… Jeez, another thing to blame our parents for. Note to self: recycle more.

Once again I digress. Stalking lesbians was the original subject wasn’t it? It seems to have taken the 4rth of July to rain gyrls and Ruth was Johnny on the spot. Two by two they drove up to our registration office. I have to say, it does made it a little easier for Ruth when they come to you… to registration that is. Regardless, there were 3 couples that joined us for the holiday and the 10 percent rule seems to be in effect. That would be 3 out of 32 campsites rented. And the diversity is also evident. One couple was retired Wimbledon watching women from Florida. Another was a couple was of 30 somethings, city dwellers with all the camping toys and a four legged child in tow. The last was a young family unit with a young son from Maine eking out a family vacation in a tent.

As usual Ruth, she managed to befriend each of them before they made it to their campsite … kind of a dyke concierge. It’s fun to watch her work… and then I can just sit back and write about it later. Lol. That is not to say her customer service is any less to the hordes of heteros … it just doesn’t have quite have the same personal Lezbakistani touch.
And I suppose since this blog is public, I should make it clear. By the word stalk I don’t mean that that any inappropriate or unwanted attention was involved. Nor did she don camouflage darting from tree to tree following anyone, (although that’s a pretty cool picture in my head), and clearly as anyone that has tried to reach us knows, there could be no harassing cell calls cuz we don’t have fr@#%kin cell service. In this context, stalk is a euphemism for:

“Sistah! Come have a drink, we’re building a deck this afternoon - it’s byo_casserole dish and power tool”

or perhaps more appropriate to our current circumstance…

“Sistah! Martinis and Dos Equis are served fireside at dusk - byo_seating and Sapphire, limes provided.”

I hope as I write this that the spring rains may finally be over. It is July after all.

Sign of the day: On the lawn of a drug rehab center said: “Keep off the Grass.”

Peace, Luv, and Muck Shoes,

barbie

Shenandoah Mountains, Virginia

May 2009

I am not back into the swing of this… I will try to just recap in order to get caught up. That is if I can control myself. You know how verbose I can be. Lol.

I believe I missed telling you about the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Although it was short lived it was beautiful.

The 105 miles of Skyline Drive laces the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Unlike most national parks previously, this park was created by a campaign of land donations, purchases, and acquisitions of previously farmed, hunted and worked land. Over 465 families had to be relocated and quite a few mountaineers were able to just live out their days and eventually their cabins were converted to park buildings, some in the near-backwoods are rentable for vacationers …. Very cool.

RVers note: Although no hookups, most of the campgrounds were accessible and could accommodate us. (37ft motorhome)

Although the “relocation” sounds a bit controversial it really wasn’t. Most people moved volunteering to avoid the construction and influx of people to the area. The real controversy didn’t come until the park was completed and the Park Deputy Director suggested that accommodations should be created for “colored guest” in 1932. It took another 15 years of struggle for “separate but equal” accommodations… sort of… but by 1950 Shenandoah became the first desegregated national park in the country… not separate but complete access.

The day we was gray and dreary, we were able to drive about ½ of it and stop in some of the visitor centers. The sun did peak out here and there and "Spring" would just jump out at you.

Sign of the day: On a semi-truck on the highway, 2 Guys and a Truck Movers (and a Woman to make sure they do it Right)

After a day we received a call from my family to come to Cleveland. My brother David had passed and our visit was cut short. We have every intention of revisiting this Park in the future, but until then this is all we have.

Ohio

We came across a great find in Berea, Oh. The Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds is open for RV camping when not in use with other events. We drove through the historic rod iron archway hearken back to by gone days. We camped next to the Grand Stands with the remnants of last year’s Halloween Haunted Houses as our neighbors and an Alien as our night watchman.

Ohio was all about family of course (see pictures) followed by a short visit to the Amish country and more pictures. Most amazing to me was the incredible craftsmanship of the Mennonites and Amish, whether it is wood, leather, cheese, or quilts. It was also good to visit with Sam, Stan, and Jess.

New York

No blog would be complete without a golf game. Applegate in NY was a nice break from the road. My game, as well as the gentleman Vince that we were paired up, provided quite a few laughs.

Sign of the day: Fresh Eggs from Dick's Chicks

In the next blog we are onto New England and our home for the summer Bar Harbor Maine.

Until then... Peace, Love, and all the Hope the Spring can bring.