February 6, 2013

"Smallest Church in 48 States"--seats 12
Horse Shoe Run, West Virginia

Our Lady of the Pines
Built in 1958 by a Lithuanian immigrant, Peter Milkint.

This quaint little church measures 24 ft. x 12 ft.
Rudy measures 27 ft. x 8 ft.!

February 5, 2013

Art is often found in very unexpected places. Can you identify these intriguing abstractions?

Rudy's amazing snow adventure begins today. Hope we won't need to put those winch lessons to the test. Stay tuned...

February 4, 2013

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything."  Plato

Another snowy day in Pittsburgh. We're staying at the Hyatt (Steve has a presentation tonight) but we're eating all our meals in Rudy. It's so nice having our own little bistro. We really prefer being in the Roamer to a hotel. The only bonus is a nice leisurely soak in a steaming tub!

Steve was asked by a woman if that was our RV with Montana license plates parked in the hotel parking lot. Steve acknowledged that indeed it was. She asked, "Where do you live?" Steve answered, "In the Earth Roamer."  She said, "No, I mean what is your street address?" Steve answered, "Wherever it's parked." "You mean you don't live in a house," she asked in complete disbelief? "No," replied Steve, "we live in the Earth Roamer. People say to the two of us all the time...wow...you must really like each other!"
Some people just can't wrap their heads around that!!!

February 3, 2013

Pattern pandemonium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

 From Wally World...

...to the Hyatt. Culture shock for Rudy! 

February 2, 2013

Sylphs for sale--$5.99
Westminster, Maryland

Rudy goes to college.
McDaniel College
Westminster, Maryland

Stopped by to see our friend Walter Calahan at McDaniel College where he teaches photography. Tonight we're camped in snowy Uniontown, Pennsylvania. On to Pittsburgh tomorrow.

 Picking up odd jobs along the way to keep Rudy in diesel.

February 1, 2013

Antietam National Battlefield
Near Sharpsburg, Maryland
It's nearly impossible to fathom the carnage that took place on these beautiful rolling fields. We both got choked up as we wandered through the site of the bloodiest single-day battle, not just in the Civil War but in American history--23,000 dead, wounded and missing.

February roared in...raw and blustery! Before we headed out for our next adventure, we needed to refill our fresh water (85 gallons will last us about 10 days.) It's not always easy to find a water fill station in the winter. The park staff at Lake Fairfax Park has taken a shine to Rudy so they sent us to the maintenance shed for a fill-up.

Steve enjoyed hanging out with Ferlin and the boys...I think he could get a job!

January 31, 2013

Smile
Lake Fairfax Park
Reston, Virginia

 Winching 101
Today was our first lesson in recovery. We decided that it would be wise to be prepared for anything when we go off-road. Recovery expert Justin Green, who works for BCDS (Back Country Driving School), spent a couple of hours with us going over all the basics--winch extension cables, snatch blocks, tree savers, kinetic ropes, shackles, recovery straps, etc. You don't mess around with 18,000 pounds!!!

January 30, 2013

Soft rain in the woods on a winter's day reawakens Mother Nature's wondrous palette.
Reston, Virginia

70 degrees and raining in Virginia... in January! A good day to plug in and get some things done before we head out again for new adventures.

January 29, 2013

A walk in the park...67 degrees in January!
Fairfax Lake Park
Reston, Virginia

Roamer Tour--Custom back seats
Whatever you can dream, the crew at Earth Roamer can build. They're amazing!

January 28, 2013

Found on a walk at Lake Fairfax Park
Reston, Virginia

Roamer Tour-Workspace #2
We removed the Ford rear seats and customized the back to create another workspace.

January 27. 2013

Sunset at Lake Fairfax Park
Reston, Virginia

Josie...missing her master, Rudy 

We're back in Virginia after saying our goodbyes to family and friends. It feels good to be back in the Roamer. Rudy's spirit will always be with us as we travel the planet in "Rudy." That's a very comforting thought...

January 26, 2013


Crossing the Bar
     By Alfred Lord Tennyson

 
Sunset and evening star,
     And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
     When I put out to sea.

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
     Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
     Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
     And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
     When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
     The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
     When I have crossed the bar.

***

A beautiful memorial service was held for my dad in St. Louis today as friends and family gathered to celebrate his life.
"Crossing the Bar" was a poem he memorized as a child and it remained one of his favorites.

We head back to Virginia and "Rudy" tomorrow.

January 25, 2013

Mother Nature's canvas
Early morning ice on Rudy's hatch.
Reston, Virginia

Frigid temperatures and a dusting of snow in Reston, Virginia

We're off to St. Louis today for my dad's memorial service tomorrow. Sadly, Rudy has to stay behind. 

January 24, 2013

Lonaconing Silk Mill
Lonaconing, Maryland

Rudy at the old Lonaconing Silk Mill. Closed due to a strike, it has been described as "the only remaining silk mill in the United States with its machinery, company records and workers' personal effects remaining unchanged from the time that the factory ceased operations in 1957." There have been attempts to preserve the interior as a museum but sadly, it has deteriorated almost beyond salvation due to lack of funds and state initiative.

January 23, 2013

Bullfrog Road Bridge
A rare steel Parker through truss bridge (1908) that crosses the Monocacy River.
National Register of Historic Places
Frederick County, Maryland

Roamer Tour
Camper control panel

As you can see, it is truly a work of art!!!

January 22, 2013

Gradient
Doug Hill Road
Green Ridge State Forest
Maryland

Roamer Tour--Work space #1

 

January 21, 2013

Fording the stream
Green Ridge State Forest
Maryland

The Roamer tour continues--Rudy's private parts:

January 20, 2013

Potomac River Overlook
Green Ridge State Forest
Maryland

Did Rudy make it through the tunnel?

We had to lower the air ride suspension as low as it would go.

It was close...but Rudy squeezed through without destroying his satellite dish!!!

January 19, 2013

Rudy meets the Paw Paw police
Paw Paw, West Virginia

We decided to take a mini road trip this weekend. Rudy got pulled over for doing 45 mph in a 25 mph zone in the thriving metropolis of Paw Paw, West Virginia. Naughty boy!!!
The police chief was blown away by the Roamer soooooo...Steve got a warning and the chief got a tour!!! Everybody loves Rudy!!!

After conferring with our new friend from the PPPD, we decided to camp at the 15 Mile Campground at C+O National Park. Will Rudy fit??? Stay tuned.

January 18, 2013

"True morality consists not in following the beaten track, but in finding the true path for ourselves, and fearlessly following it." Mahatma Gandhi
Lake Fairfax Park, Reston, Virginia

Looking toward the rear of the Roamer. Exit door is to the left of the drawers. Bathroom is to the right of the closet.
We added the shoe organizer as a catch-all for shoes, slippers, gloves, scarves, flashlights...things we need to access quickly and often.

We each have 3 drawers, 15 inches of hanging space and a shelf for clothes and shoes. You wouldn't believe how much you can fit into that amount of space!
We have everything we need.

January 17, 2013

On the road...
Detour, Maryland

Many of you are curious about what the Roamer looks like inside so I will be posting some interior shots of Rudy over the next few days. This is shot from the rear of the camper looking forward. The truck cab is behind the black drape. We keep it closed off when camping for warmth and privacy. As you can see, we're not really roughing it too much!!! The workmanship is extraordinary--every little detail is attended to, every square inch of space is utilized in the most efficient way.
(In the spirit of full disclosure, the interior images were not taken with my iPhone. They were taken with my big-girl camera and a very wide angle lens.)