Into the Great Wide Open

Left in snow and ice.  Was surprised that snow on the ground had all melted by Portland and was gone even in Haverhill that had gotten close to 2 feet of snow.  The drive was long and it was a constant battle to keep the camper between the lines with the high winds.  We arrived at Spring Gate Farm and Winery, Harrisburg, PA in the dark but from what we could tell it is quite the complex.  One of our stops to get gas was at BJs and I ran in to buy Virgil a blanket to cover his mattress and he was much happier.

My first draft somehow got deleted due to operator error.  I will attempt another but much briefer.  We walked from the hotel to where we thought the tour group was to meet but spent some time figuring this out.  Our tour guide Momo was quite a character, very engaging and personable. He gave a brief history of the palace and off we went by golf cart to explore the surrounding gardens and fountains.  There were four fountains depicting the four seasons.  Back in the time of the king there were whistle boys whose job was to turn on the fountains right before the king arrived and then run on to do the same for the next one the king would come to.  All the water used in the fountains and such had to come via aqueduct from Paris.  It was all very impressive. We then moved on to the bicycle portion of the tour that explored the outer regions of the palace grounds.  This included Marie Antoinette's getaway compound including her home, extensive gardens ...

After much research by Scott, we boarded the right train to start.  The train was very crowded and it was difficult to determine which stops were being called out.  We got off at the right stop but the next challenge presented itself.  As I stayed with our luggage Scott went off to try and find someone to help us get through the gate.  There were many that were confused as to how to get through gate, speaking French too.  Scott was gone a long time, and I was getting concerned.  He was experiencing one of the many French who went out of their way to help us get to where we were planning to go.  Another found a person to unlock one of the restrooms when I was greatly in need of one.  Restrooms here all require payment to enter and the one in question required ticket and w...

The flight was uneventful.  Not much turbulence.  Our first test of the day is figuring out the train schedule.  Scott says he is pretty sure of which train we will be taking.  We will have to change trains at some point. My first experience with trying to order coffee went as well as could be expected with neither of us understanding the other.  I thought she kept asking me which tea whereupon I would say no, would like 2 coffees.  We eventually got it right.  What she was saying was taille which means size.  Fortunately there was someone that could help translate.  Phew...

It was hard dropping Virgil off this morning but he got the penthouse suite.  Felt especially bad because there was no Shady to keep him company.  Developed an eye infection, that required antibiotics.  They had sent the prescription to Naples Walgreens.  I got there at 9 sharp only to find out that new hours starting today was opening at 10.  So ended up going back home to take Virgil and leaving straight from there to Portland bus station.  It all worked out, just a bit more stress.  Ate at Legal Seafoods in Logan airport and now sitting in gate area with hour to kill before boarding.

Got an early start headed out from the campground. Fortunately the travel was uneventful. The scenery through the Poconos was spectacular. Arrived at around 1:30. Steven and Michele were already here.  Had a wonderful time catching up with every one.  Steven and Michele are leaving for Colorado on Monday.  We stayed up well in to the night (at least for me) talking.  Virgil had eaten a piece of succulent we had bought and ended u p vomiting his dinner in the camper. He is fine this morning as I write this.  It is a beautiful community where Ruth and Rod live. In the 25 years they have lived here, this is the first time I have been here.  Scott, Jeff and Melissa have visited once for Rod's 60th birthday. On to Indiana.