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!!!