One left, three to go.

Addison, Vermont
10 Acres Campground

This morning Sherry and Dave pulled out headed to New York to meet their son, daughter in law, and grand daughter. Tomorrow the rest of us will all be leaving heading in opposite directions.  

This afternoon Bill wanted to top of the diesel so we decided to ride over to Middlebury and visit the Sheldon Museum while we were there.  

The Judge-Harris three story house was built in 1829 at a cost of $7,885.  Henry Sheldon was recorded as living there with 12 other men and five women in the 1830 census.  It is believed that the house was used as a boarding house.  Henry Sheldon bought the house in 1850.

There were six fireplaces with rare black marble mantels in the home  which came from Eben Judd's nearby marble quarry. 

I thought this was an interesting table.  It could be used to block drafts from the fireplace in this position or pivoted to make it into a table.

Fairy Bicycle ca 1920

There was a special bicycle exhibit.  I wasn't sure what to expect and I'm sure we probably wouldn't have searched out a bicycle museum but I must say it was interesting.

Hanlon American style velocipede ca 1869

Crypto geared front driver 

Bicycle Gun ca 1880

This was called a Kangaroo bicycle.  We couldn't figure out why it had two sets of pedals.  They had some notebooks with information and we read that the top footrests were used to put your feet on while going down hill.

There were a lot more, but you get the idea of how extensive it was.  

The museum was very well done and there were some beautiful pieces of furniture.

In 1856, Henry Sheldon joined the Freemasons and remained an active member his entire life.

In the 1880's there were 165 members in the Freemason Union Lodge #2.  The Middlebury chapter was formed in 1794 and still exists today.

It was a beautiful day so we decided to walk around town.

It just goes to show you can't just drive through a town.  We had no idea that John Deere was an apprentice in this little village.  

It's such a beautiful little town.  There's walking trails everywhere.

Can you see the waterfall from the main street?

There were families fishing and enjoying the water.  

We walked back up on Main Street.  This was the best day to walk as through the week it was difficult to find a parking place.

Here's a view from the top of the falls.  

As we were heading back to the RV park, Bill pulled into Goodies ice cream.  It was packed and he had to park in the last row.  We waited in line and there were about 10-12 people in line ahead of us.  I stood there for a while and then decided I really didn't want anything that badly.  

We returned home and had some left over birthday cake.

Tomorrow we are moving a little ways south to Rutland.  

Turtle Safely.......

8/10 of a Century

Addison, Vermont
10 Acres Campground 

Today is a very special day for Bill.  He turned 80 years old today.  His idea of a perfect special birthday was to watch TV by himself.  It just so happens that today is Saddle Up Saturday.  

Anyone that knows Bill knows how much he loves watching his old cowboy shows.  It doesn't matter if they are in color or black and white.  For those of you who watch Direct TV it's channel 364.  

Polly, Sherry, Luella and Carolyn put together a nice cookout dinner for Bill.  Sherry ordered a cake that had "Happy 80th Birthday Bill".  I have to thank them all, they planned everything.  

It was so nice to share it with friends.

Here's the four fifth wheels parked where we are looking out at Lake Champlain.

I think he was surprised.

It was a great day and it was made even greater with the smile on Bill's face.  

I love you, Bill.

Turtle Safely.......

It's Over

Addison, Vermont
10 Acres Campground 

It's officially over.  What a blast the Escapade has been. 

We walked over this morning for the hitch up breakfast.  I couldn't believe how packed the expo was.  Everyone was saying good by and making plans to meet up again.  

We pulled out a little before ten and had no waiting to exit the exposition grounds.  Bill and I were happy to see that there was no waiting also at any of the constructions sites along route 7.  

Carolyn and Craig Mills arrived a short time later and no sooner than they were set up, Polly and Vern Fogler arrived.  Sherry and Dave arrived a little later.  

Last winter we made reservations at this RV park to meet up.  The location was close enough to Essex Junction that we would arrive before 2 pm when the parking closed.  It made since that we also made reservations after the Escapade here until the weekend is over.  With 692 RV's trying to find a RV park the day the event is over, we felt comfortable that we had these reservations.

Vern and Polly had their RV weighed before they departed. Vern spent some time trying to figure out how he's going to shed about 1,550 pounds.  

I know Bill and I were exhausted and just didn't want to do anything.  

I haven't had time to be on the computer so if you've sent me anything I hope you understand.

It's going to be a couple of days of rest before we're close to normal.  

But it was soooo much fun.

Turtle Safely......

56th Escapade--Essex Junction--closing ceremony.

Essex Junction, Vermont
Champlain Valley Exposition

How do I go about telling anyone how much fun this week has been?  You just have to experience an Escapade if you've never been before.  

Yesterday we finished manning the Volunteer/Lost & Found Booth.  I was amazed how many wallets were turned in.  We packed up the supply box and turned it in.  It's all ready for the  57th Escapade that will be held in Tucson next March.

The evenings entertainment was the Ham-O-Rama.  It's amazing how many very talented people are here.  

The Xscapers was formed last year at the Escapade.  It's still part of the Escapees but is geared at younger families.  During the week there was a first ever Kidscape.  These kids all got up on stage and did a cute little skit.  I wish I had taken photos of them.  They were so cute and everyone enjoyed the program.  

I have to say there was so much going on that I really failed to get photos.  

The highlights for today were the pet parade.  Some pets were in costumes.  

The chili cook-off was an another event after the parade.  

We were entertained by a jammer group and a great singer.

The closing ceremony had a huge crowd.  I think knowing that there was a HOP (Head Out Program) to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl parade and an Adventure Caravan trip as grand prizes had something to do with the crowd.  

How do you like the Escapade shirts for next year?  The Tucson logo has a kokopelli on them.  

There has been a nice cool breeze everyday but since I told Sarah last night that I'd bring my kite out and she could fly it, there was no breeze at all.

Besides my turkey fat neck that Sarah likes to stroke, she's also talked to Bill a lot.  She said she wouldn't touch his neck.  I guess she doesn't like beards.

He also agreed, he's going to miss her.  

It's our last Paul Evert sponsored happy hour.  

It was well attended even though it was clouding up. Bill and Polly were watching a seagull.

I think they are just warming up for tonight's entertainment.

Carolyn and Craig Mills are members of Chapter 45 and hopefully we'll be able to spend more time with them at the MOC rally.

Ray and Luella also are newer member of Chapter 45.  We might see them again when we travel west.

We managed to cram a lot of people around one table.

No one wanted to leave even though it was sprinkling.

Everyone was having such a good time, no one left.

After Happy Hour we went out to eat with L C and Marilyn.

We went to a Mexican restaurant across the street from the Greek one we went to earlier in the week.

L C and Marilyn bought dinner for us to celebrate Bill's 80th birthday on Saturday.  

Tomorrow morning there is a hitch up breakfast and people will begin heading in different directions.  

Turtle Safely......

56th Escapade, Essex Junction--Tuesday

Essex Junction, Vermont
Champlain Valley Exposition 

We were out the door this morning by a little after 8 this morning.  When we arrived at the Expo center, the line dancers were going strong.  They start at 7:30 am and there was a large turnout.  I understand one man who was dancing was 88.  

We spent a few minutes talking with friends and then went over to our booth.  We only had two positions available for volunteering left to fill.  It didn't take long before we had the volunteers.

It's amazing all the items that are turned into the lost and found.  The rest of the time was spent handing out their volunteer pins and entering them in the special drawing.  

I did attend the Geeks on Tour seminar on blogs.  The seminar covered how to set up a blog.  I was looking for hints on the comment section and other things.  The class was only an hour long so there wasn't time to cover those areas.  

The booth closed at 3 today so we took a break in the hospitality room.  Molly and Bob came by with ice cream bars for the staff members.  

You just never know what you are going to see here.

It had been so long since I sat on Santa's lap that I had to get a photo.

Of course, my lap also was occupied by Sarah.

Bill and Dennis had some time to discuss interesting places to visit.

Happy Hour was packed today and I have to say I'm surprised because so many chapters had social hours planned.  

Sarah took this photo of Bill.  She has so much personality for a seven year old.  My sagging neck still draws her attention and she loves touching my "turkey neck".

Since we weren't interested in bingo or board games we thought this would be a great night to go out for dinner.  Marilyn and LC were in charge of picking the place.  LC pulled up yelp and we found a Mediterranean Cafe nearby.  John drove his truck and the six of us were able to fit in one vehicle.  

We found this little small place that had two sets of tables for six and two pub tables.  It turned out to be a Greek restaurant. 

When the waitress came to our table, she apologized for only having 5 menus.  There were no other tables occupied.  
Bill and I ordered a Greek Salad with beef and lamb.  It was delicious.  They had Stella on tap which made  this little hole in the wall a great find. 

 Oh, yes, if you wanted anything else to drink, you were told to pick it out of the cooler.  

 It sounds kind of strange, but the food was great.  

As we were walking back to the truck we noticed this little home on wheels.

Marilyn, who is an excellent cook, invited us back to their home for dessert.  

Karen and John gave Bill a beautiful early birthday card.  He had tears in his eyes when he read it.  

I have no musical talent whatsoever, but I tried Marilyn's psaltery.  She bought it while in Florida.  It is beautiful but doesn't sound so great when I play it.

  I wish I had a close up of the instrument.  It is beautiful and came in a nice case and with a music book.  

Well we'd been gone 12 hours since we left this morning and I was ready to get out of my shoes and put my foot up for awhile. Reluctantly, we left the fun so we could rest up for tomorrows fun.  

Turtle Safely......