The Truck is packed

Travel Summary

Leave Wakefield, Rhode Island at 10:20am

Arrive Fredonia, New York at 7:20pm

10 Hour Travel time

520 miles

 Yes, the truck came and was loaded last night. We finished loading around 4am, not much sleep but we are ready to go. 

We have a few things to pack in the truck, including the dogs and then we will be on the road.

10:20am we are driving out of the driveway, bye bye Lisa' old house.

We filled the tank in Hope Valley and off we go.

Pretty uneventful drive, beautiful day to start our journey. The dogs behaved themselves. We switched drivers every two hours or so. We planned for a short day, drove until about 7:30, and went over 500 miles.

We are now at a Quality Inn, which allows dogs. We took them for a walk, then came to our room.

Lisa's, no spill, coffee cup spilled in her bag, and leaked through the covers of her bed. To make matters worse the dog then peed on her bed. Not the best way to end the day, but we had a good laugh, after awhile of cursing.

We made it just passed Buffalo.

Not Again

Yes, again.

Our driver got back on the road and left Virginia after being stopped by the State Police. 

They got as far as Delaware before they were stopped by the Delaware State Police.

It seems that a truck with "Alaska" all over the sides is suspicious. 

My guess is they will not arrive by 2pm.

I will keep updating throughout the day.

Update: 1:14pm EDT He is in New Jersey about 4 hours away.

Update: 4:30pm EDT They are about 90 minutes away. This means we will probably not be loading until tomorrow. My sister and I have decided regardless of the time we are leaving as soon as the truck is finished.

Update: The truck got stuck in a construction zone. What else could go wrong? Maybe my bed, the dog couch I have been sleeping on was thrown in the dumpster today.

My new bedroom.

UPDATE: The truck is almost loaded and the house is empty.

Update to the Update

Virginia police have reviewed all of the driver's records and decided that he is in compliance. He is back on the road and should arrive some time tonight.Which means we are on for loading tomorrow and may be able to leave on Thursday.

Considering how things have been going, I will, again, NOT be holding my breath.

Quick Update

 We were just informed that the truck was pulled over in, Virginia, because the Officer was suspicious of an "Alaskan" truck. Unfortunately, they were caught violating the resting rules and will now have to stop for a full 10 hours before they are allowed to proceed. That of course means will will not see the truck until Thursday.

Good news is we found a package of Trader Joe's Lava Cakes and Ice Cream for breakfast this morning.

Beyond the Twilight Zone

Nothing to do but wait for the truck. 

No food in the house, surviving on bread and water.

Hot and humid.

Stomach is still trying to return to normal. Feels like shards of glass throughout my intestinal tract, for the past three days.

Shoot me now, the truck will not be here until Wednesday. Yeah, right.

We ordered dinner, from the store that shall remain nameless, food has gone downhill. Fried chicken wings that were not well coated, if it weren't for the oil dripping off of them, I would believe the gooey mess was cooked in water. 

Cable and the internet have been shutoff, it is a good thing that I have a Hot Spot on my phone.

Please let me awaken from this nightmare in my hot tub overlooking Santa Fe.

Twilight Zone and Recap

I have come to the conclusion that there is no truck and I am living in the Twilight Zone.

It seems the truck that was coming here, "straight" from Alaska to Rhode Island. They entered the lower 48 in Montana. It then proceeded to South Dakota, then on to Washington State, wait that is not the right direction. It got stuck there for an extra day due to a customer that had to run out during the middle of unloading. Okay, so now the truck is headed here and will be here Friday. Oh wait, somehow it ended up in North Carolina, WTFH. So they were going to arrive Sunday night, Monday morning at the latest.  Sunday night they inform us that will not get here until Tuesday. At this point I do not believe there is a truck coming.

It seems there were mushrooms in the Hunan Chicken that was ordered, spent another night with cramps

As if that were not enough, who let the dogs out. The dogs sleep with my sister and there is a gate to keep them in her room. She took the gate down to so we could remove a dresser, it did not get put back. She took the dogs to bed and closed her door. It was hot and humid, so she must have opened her door. At 1:15am, two Collies decided to join me on the couch. They sat on my legs while panting from the heat. This is just what I needed, hot dogs panting in my face and vibrating the bed. I attempted to get them to remove themselves. Then I removed myself to the office floor. This of course did wonders for my stomach cramps. At 1:44am, my sister took them back into her room, or so I thought. I moved back to the couch and promptly had a dog nose breathing in my face, again. Took the dog, in the dark and opened my sister's door to let her in, went back to bed. The dog had gone into the other bedroom in the dark, so a few minutes later, I again had a nose in my face. Turned on the light and marched the dog back to her bedroom and shut the door. By this time it is 2:45am and I can't sleep.

I arrived here, in Rhode Island, on the 10th of July, with the anticipation of leaving for Alaska within a few days. I have now been here a month.

I should be in Alaska, coming out of quarantine, taking pictures of moose, eagles and bears. 

Yet, here I am in the Twilight Zone.

Where is the Truck?

Good grief, Charlie Brown, this is getting ridiculous. The truck is driving all over the country.

Reminds me of an incident from years ago. I was dating a young girl from Los Angelas, at the time I lived south of San Francisco. Her father, a well known actor, had just received his pilot license. He decided to fly her up to my house for a visit. I was working on my license, and knew the people at the airport, so I was in the tower waiting for them to arrive. The tower was giving him directions and and he was a bit confused, as the plane was going left then right then left. When I told them who it was we had a good laugh about how it was good he played a Chief Science Officer and not the Captain of the ship.

Anyway, it seems this truck has detoured all over the country and wound up down south. They are now headed here. They are supposed to get here tonight or tomorrow. I will not be holding my breath.

Some of my sister's neighbors came by for a farewell dinner, we had a pizza dinner in the front yard to say our goodbyes. I believe that there may have been mushrooms on one of the pizzas. I ate one. The rest of the night was spend with severe stomach cramps. I am allergic to mushrooms. Great sent off.

Searching for the Pepto-Bismol and toilet paper.....

Getting Closer

Last word is that the truck is on the way and should arrive on Sunday evening. 

Trying to pack all the odds and ends. 

I mailed a bunch of stuff to my house that Lisa has given to me. This includes all of her "vinyl" 45's and 33 1/3 from the seventies and eighties. these should be a good addition to all of mine.

Yeah, my lens was ready, I went to pick it up. Stopped by Best Buy to pickup a new iPad mini for Lisa.

Had a great last Chinese dinner from Lisa's favorite restaurant. Loads of leftovers that need to be gone before we are.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail 

Wakefield, Rhode Island 

Waiting on the Hurricane, nix that Tropical Storm

Spend the day packing and organizing.

Waiting for the storm to hit, a non-event, after the build up for the week. Yes, some people got hit pretty hard due to the winds. Fortunately, we we spared most of it, we had a bit of rain and some wind. Power flicker a couple of times, never lost it. A few trees lost some leaves and a couple of small branches.

Our dinner engagement was rescheduled to today, so now we have both a lunch and dinner for today. Looks like I will get my lobster today.

Truck is somewhere, we are hoping he will arrive between Friday and Sunday. The sooner the better, as we are ready to get on the road.

Still researching the new requirements to enter Alaska. Their posting is still a bit confusing, I put a call in for clarification, expecting a return call today.

Sun is out and humidity is rising, have a great day.

Sturgeon Moon

Leatherback Turtle on East Matunuck State Beach

Wakefield Rhode Island 

Started the day at the pond, not much of a sunrise and no wildlife.

Rick came by and we went back to the Bluebird Cafe for breakfast. Great service and food.

We then went in search of shorts, everyone seems to be running low on stock. Drove out to the beach and chatted.

Went to visit another friend, while the house was being shown.

I was dropped off at Sheila's house, she and I went to East Matunuck State Beach to see the moon rising.

Came across this Leatherback Turtle in the surf, looks like it was killed by a boat propeller.

The truck is somewhere in Montana on its way here.

Documenting our Adventure

Went out to the pond to take some pictures of the sunrise, I was not disappointed.

Alex, the videographer, who is doing a documentary on my sister, met me out there. He has been filming a piece about my sister, Lisa, for a potential series on women scientists. I was interviewed for this a few years ago.

He, now, wants to incorporate my mazes into the documentary, so he came out and filmed me starting a maze, which I will continue to draw as we drive to Alaska.

He will, also, be setting up a camera on the truck to film us on our trip. Lisa and I will be filming using our cameras, this will also be used.

This could be very interesting.

When I got back to the house, Lisa, was preparing blueberry crepes for breakfast. We were joined by our friend, Kate. They were very good.

More packing, fixing the house and preparing for our adventure.

Getting ready to Leave

Today, we went to Warwick to drop some items at Saver and picked up snacks at Trader Joes.

We had pizza for lunch at Frank Pepe's Pizza, very good, thin crust with light sauce, just the way I like it.

Came home and met with more of Lisa's friends, who wished her well on her retirement. She is now officially retired. 

Had tamales, from Texas(???), well we have to use up all of the food before we leave. They were one step above Hormel canned tamales, need to have a good New Mexican tamale to get the taste out.

More of the same tomorrow as we wait for the truck to arrive.

Hurricane or tropical storm is supposed to reach us on Tuesday or Wednesday, more fun. 

Dragonfly at Worden Pond

Wakefield Rhode Island 

The Truck is Truckin"

The truck is officially on the way. How long it will take is the next question. He will be sending us updates.

We have been putting things in order to make a run to Savers and the dump. Saturday we will get some supplies from Trader Joe's for the trip.

Had a great dinner of shrimp, a potato and bacon dish, as well as,  corn casserole, very delicious.

Weather was a bit cooler today. We are now waiting to see what the hurricane is going to do.

More to tomorrow.

Good News

Went to Worden Pond for the sunrise, this morning, very foggy. Mommy duck was out with her brood and they moved very close. I was able to grab some good pictures.

Hot again and tempers flared, a bit of a blowout with my sister. We resolved the issue.

Rick, picked me up, we went to Hope Valley to have lunch and mailed a package at UPS.

I had bought a charger for my camera batteries and it did not work, so back it goes.

Ordered an inverter for the car, instead. While mailing my package, Rick, turned off the car and when he tried to start it, it was dead. Asked a Lady if we could get a jump, she kindly helped us and in a few minutes we were on our way.

The truck is fixed and is leaving and on its way here. They are driving 24/7 and should arrive on Wednesday. So, now final packing and arrangement are being made. We now HAVE to get a covid test before we leave, change in the requirements to enter Alaska. Ugh, not looking forward to that. 

So, yes, we are headed for Alaska, my sister, her three dogs and myself in a truck for 12-16 days of driving. We will drive across the top of the US until Montana and then a straight drive through Canada to Alaska. 

Missed a Day

On, Tuesday, I went up to Warwick to take my camera in for a new focusing screen, a cleaning and tune-up. I, also, left my macro lens to have them repair the Auto-Focus. Mid State Camera is a great place if you need repairs, very knowledgable and friendly. 

By the time I was back home they called with an estimate on the lens repair and that my camera would be ready in an hour. Quick and efficient, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Prices are very reasonable and they ship anywhere in the country. I will be using them again.

So, I drove back up and got my camera. Feel so NAKED without it. (inside joke) With all the running around I didn't post yesterday.

Picked up a new faucet for the kitchen and installed it. Just a few minor adjustments to make it work.

A couple of more electrical parts to replace and the house should pass any inspection.

Went to Worden Pond for the sunrise, here are some shots I got.

Still no word on the truck and now Alaska is changing their Covid requirements, effective on the 11th of August. We are waiting to see what we will need to enter the state.

Working on the House

It was hot and humid, again. 

Mostly sat around and talked. Kate came in the morning and Cammie in the afternoon. Between, them we ran to the hardware store, the ATM and went to see turtles. None of the pictures came out to my satisfaction. 

Upon returning home we fixed the items in the house.

Still waiting on the truck, it seems they  need a new gas tank, it has to be shipped to Alaska. May be here for awhile.

For the past two weeks, and the foreseeable future, I have been sleeping on an old lumpy, soft, dog hair and smelly couch that is, eventually, going to the dump. Since, the TV is in this room, Have rarely gotten to bed before 11:30. I am tired, so tired.

Heard there was a torrential downpour back home. Waiting for word from my house sitter about the repairs I made to the roof before I left. I have had some leaks in m bedroom that I have been attempting to locate and repair. I left before it rained after the last repair. Keeping my fingers crossed that the roof didn't cave in.

Meeting with Friends

Had to be out of the house for a couple of hours today. My friend, Rick, picked me up and we went to the Bluebird Cafe for breakfast. Good food, social distancing and masks worn by all.

We then went to check on a car repair for a friend of Rick's, not ready. Drove out to the beach to deliver the news.

Spent some time at the beach near the Pt. Judith Lighthouse. After that we searched for some bird on the rivers nearby. Where are all the birds?

Later, my friend, Sheila called and we went out to Ninigret Park and Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge. We took a long walk and chatted while searching for birds. Came across Swans, Osprey and Herons, though they were a bit distant and the fog was coming in.

Headed into town to get a Del's Frozen Lemonade, then came home for the evening.

Update: the Pet Carrier has been repaired, doesn't do us any good. Still waiting for the moving van to get fixed .

Kayaker on Tuckertown Pond Wakefield Rhode Island

Maizy James off Pt. Judith in Rhode Island 

Osprey at Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge

South Kingston Rhode Island

Pt. Judith Light House in Rhode Island

Speedboat at Ninigret Park

Charlestown Rhode Island

Picnic Lunch at the Beach

Today, my sister and I, went to Crazy Burger and ordered take-out. We went to the beach, in Narragansett, where we met our friend, Sandy and her 8 month old daughter, for lunch.

We were sitting in the shade chatting after lunch, when we heard the distinctive sound of an Ice Cream Truck. I got everyone's order and took off to get our treat.

Called my friend, Rick, to arrange to meet for breakfast, as, we have to vacate the house for an inspection.

I, did a load of laundry, finished a book and worked on the computer the rest of the day.

As the sun was setting, I, once again headed out to Worden Pond to see up for the Neowise Comet. It was a beautiful, clear night and the comet shined bright. Except, you have to hav binoculars to find it. Fortunately, from previous night viewings, I was able to find it quickly.

Neowise over Worden Pond in Wakefield Rhode Island

July 21, 2020

Some shots from our picnic

The Clouds Parted

Today, again, was hot and humid, just hung around attempting to remain cool.

Worked on the internet and read for most of the day.

Went out to the Worden Pond, public boat ramp, after dark to catch the Neowise Comet. There were clouds on the horizon and it looked as though it was going to be another night with no pictures.

I stayed out and then the clouds parted. I was able to get a couple of pictures. Tonight, I will again attempt to get some more.

Cloudy Again

Went out, again, found the perfect spot to photography the comet, unfortunately, the clouds covered the horizon blocking the view.

Still awaiting word on the repairs to the truck. They were supposed to get the part Saturday and install it today. Fingers crossed.

Hot and muggy, so just kicked around the house.

Bacon wrapped scallops for dinner, yum.

This is "Lola" my sister's beagle.