Ken and I were up at 6 and got ready to head home. I finished somethings inside while Ken disconnected the water, sewer and electric. I went out to help clean off all the cords and hoses. Everything was sandy! Headed to the front of the CG to hook-up the CRV and we were on our way by 7:30 - that was our goal and we did it!
The ride home went so well and the weather was perfect for travel. We stopped 2x's for a break, 1 for gas, and 1 for lunch. We had around 400 miles so it was a lot of driving for Ken. I appreciate his great defensive driving ability. We were home by 5,disconnected the CRV, backed into the apartment driveway and started unloading. We spent the next 1 1/2 hours making trips back and forth to unload Waldo. Tiring, but we were so happy with all we accomplished in that hour and a half. Tomorrow the work continues - wash to do, cleaning, etc. But because we moved to the apartment - no mowing or weeding! Hallelujah!!!!
Next Saturday we leave for a week in a condo at Bethany Beach with our girls and their families. Then we are home for 2 days before leaving for a camping trip with Fred and Doloris to Chesapeake Bay CG in Virginia for 8 days. While we are at the beach Waldo will be at Tom Schaeffer's RV getting some warranty work done and a few extras. We are also looking forward to 2 weeks at Sea Pines CG at Avalon where we will be camping with Fred and Dolris and my sister and her husband John! A lot to look forward to!
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Last Full Day in Lake Placid Area!
Ken and I had another good night's sleep getting up around 8. Ken cooked breakfast while I did some work on the Internet. After clean-up, both of us started to prepare for our trip home tomorrow. It is very sandy at each campsite, so major clean-up is needed after the heavy rains of yesterday. Ken had to "hose down" everything. He got the bikes clean and got them on the bike hitch. Many additional things to do outside like the rug, table covers, and all the hoses. We will disconnect tomorrow morning but they needed a good scrubbing. I worked indoors putting away all the "extras" and then vacuuming and dusting. The bathroom needed a good scrubbing too!
We left around 11:30 to meet Jamie and the gang at Whiteface Mountain, about a 1 mile drive from our CG. All 11 of us took a gondola ride to the top of the mountain. Once at the top, it was windy and 47 degrees - rather chilly. I guess it isn't cool for "men" to wear a jacket or sweatshirt, for Ken was the only 1 who wore one!
What a gorgeous ride up and the mountain and once on top, the scenery was magnificent. You could see for miles and miles. After the ride back down, we enjoyed lunch outside at the cafe. We all left there around 2:00 so we could continue packing for the return trip to PA tomorrow. All of us will be heading home.
Ken and I did more prep work for tomorrow and then he took a short nap. We left at 4:30 to go into Lake Placid to have dinner with everyone. The ladies left for The Dancing Bears Restaurant at 4:30 to have a drink before the men and kids arrived at 5:30. We were able to eat outside on the 2nd floor patio. A little cool but a beautiful evening. The food was excellent too. Then we walked downtown so the little ones could have ice cream. Ken and I left at 8:00 to go back to the CG. Had to make one more stop at Stewart's to get some Razzle Dazzle Ice Cream. It is white chocolate with swirls of raspberry and mini raspberry chocolate cups throughout - phenomenal! We were so good and only had a kiddie cone!
We were in bed by 9:15 knowing we have a long day of driving tomorrow!
We left around 11:30 to meet Jamie and the gang at Whiteface Mountain, about a 1 mile drive from our CG. All 11 of us took a gondola ride to the top of the mountain. Once at the top, it was windy and 47 degrees - rather chilly. I guess it isn't cool for "men" to wear a jacket or sweatshirt, for Ken was the only 1 who wore one!
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| It was a cool day on the top of the mountain! |
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| So many ski runs! |
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| Right before we got on the ride! |
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| Here we go! |
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| What a view! |
What a gorgeous ride up and the mountain and once on top, the scenery was magnificent. You could see for miles and miles. After the ride back down, we enjoyed lunch outside at the cafe. We all left there around 2:00 so we could continue packing for the return trip to PA tomorrow. All of us will be heading home.
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| What a great group of supporters for Dane's Ironman! |
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| We could view Lake Champlain from the top of the mountain! |
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| Bria, Cali, and Ethan enjoyed the gondola ride and the top of the mountain! |
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| What a backdrop for a picture with our special "friends!" |
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| We all wore these shirts, abd (another best day) at Dane's request for the Ironman. He didn't want shirts with "Team Dane" or anything like that! Just a positive message! |
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| They all left the mountain right before Ken, Sue, Dan and me! |
Ken and I did more prep work for tomorrow and then he took a short nap. We left at 4:30 to go into Lake Placid to have dinner with everyone. The ladies left for The Dancing Bears Restaurant at 4:30 to have a drink before the men and kids arrived at 5:30. We were able to eat outside on the 2nd floor patio. A little cool but a beautiful evening. The food was excellent too. Then we walked downtown so the little ones could have ice cream. Ken and I left at 8:00 to go back to the CG. Had to make one more stop at Stewart's to get some Razzle Dazzle Ice Cream. It is white chocolate with swirls of raspberry and mini raspberry chocolate cups throughout - phenomenal! We were so good and only had a kiddie cone!
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| Great restaurant, great food, and great family and friends! |
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| Bria is growing up so quickly! |
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| What a smile!!! |
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| Where did everybody go!!!! |
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| This is their version of chicken pot pie. The crust was like a croissant! Delicious! |
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| This was Dan's turkey burger! |
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| What a perfect way to end a day - ice cream! |
We were in bed by 9:15 knowing we have a long day of driving tomorrow!
Monday, July 28, 2014
Day After Ironman - A Day to Take It Easy!!!
Well, the Ironman Competitors needed rest for sure, but so so the supportive spectators! So, Ken and I slept in and had a fantastic night's sleep! We woke around 8:00, but read and only got up at 9. It has started raining during the night and rained steadily all day! Quite a "washout"! A good day to just relax and enjoy the slow down! So, we had a late breakfast and spent time on our computers and just chatting. Talked to Jamie and they were taking the kids to a movie around 1. We decided to go to their house in Lake Placid by 4:15.
What a crazy evening! 3 other couples (2 of the men had competed in the Ironman) came to visit and were there about 1 1/2 hours. 2 of the couples live in Lancaster County, the other in MD. It was fun getting to know them and a good time was had by all. After they left, most of our group ordered dinner in, but several of us decided to eat the good leftovers - a delicious pasta mixture and grilled chicken. We had been on the porch the entire time we were there and the fun just continued. After all the anxiety of the Ironman Competition, a night of "being loose" and silly was in order and we did it well!!!! At 10:30, Ken and I decided it was time to get back to Waldo. What a blessing to have such a good time with family and friends
What a crazy evening! 3 other couples (2 of the men had competed in the Ironman) came to visit and were there about 1 1/2 hours. 2 of the couples live in Lancaster County, the other in MD. It was fun getting to know them and a good time was had by all. After they left, most of our group ordered dinner in, but several of us decided to eat the good leftovers - a delicious pasta mixture and grilled chicken. We had been on the porch the entire time we were there and the fun just continued. After all the anxiety of the Ironman Competition, a night of "being loose" and silly was in order and we did it well!!!! At 10:30, Ken and I decided it was time to get back to Waldo. What a blessing to have such a good time with family and friends
Sunday, July 27, 2014
And the Ironman Begins!
Dane and Dan were up at 3:30 this morning and left the house around 4 to head down to the Mirror Lake for the 1st part of the Ironman - the swim! The rest of the house was up by 4:15 and out the door by 5:10. It was 67 degrees but very cloudy! Jamie, Sue and Dan went to talk to Dane and he seemed to be very ready for the day!
The 1st group of athletes were in the water by 6:20 and everyone (2700 people) were in the water in a little less than 30 minutes. Amazing!!! We all stayed there at the lake until Dane had completed the 2.4 mile swim. They had to follow the course around the lake 2X's coming out of the water for a few steps. He had finished the swim in 1 hour 4 minutes. It started to rain about 1/2 way through the swim. Some of our group saw him leave the transition area on his bike for the 112 mile ride on the road through the countryside! Ken and I headed back to the house to make breakfast and it was pouring by the time we got there. Our rain gear helped, but our pants and shoes were soaked. The rest of Dane's "support team" were back by 8. All athletes were wearing a "chip" so their progress throughout the day could be followed by their families and friends on their phones, i-pads, or computers. Unfortunately, and without us knowing it, they were having problems with the connections and we were all concerned when we did not get any progress reports throughout Dane's bike ride! Jamie was so emotional, worrying that he had an accident or a major problem with his bike. So, we all headed to the midway point of the bike ride and felt better when we realized the problem with the monitoring system. Dane was fine and doing very well.
Back to the house to have lunch before it was time to report back to the finish line of the bike race to see Dane when he passed by. He completed the 112 miles in 5 hours and 59 minutes and was smiling, waving and looking great. On our way back to the house it started to pour again. We dried our clothes and shoes and Ken and I stayed back while the little ones took a nap. The rest of the group headed to the 1/2 way point of the run to see Dane one more time before the finish of the Ironman. Some people say the day is hard for the athletes but also extremely hard for the spectators and support people. You spend most of the day waiting, cheering, and spectating and only see your competitor for a few seconds!
Ken and I woke Bria and Cali at 4:30, gave them a snack, and then heading towards tent city and the finish line to watch "Daddy" as he finished his long day of competition. We met the rest of the group there and enjoyed seeing many athletes finish the race. At 6:25 Dane crossed the finish line with Jamie and girls waiting to put the medal around his neck. It was a touching moment. I can't begin to express how proud Ken and I are of Dane and his accomplishment and Jamie and their girls for all the support, work, and patience that they have possessed during these 8 months of preparation. It really is a "Team" effort and everyone has to be on board if it will be a successful adventure! Dane and his "team" did a great job and I think everyone was so happy that it is now over and life can return to "normal". Jamie isn't sure they remember what "normal" is.
Around 7:15 we all headed back to the house so Dane could soak in a tub and change clothes. We all sat on the porch and ordered pizza for dinner. The little ones enjoyed playing on their parents I-Pads. It had been such a long day for them starting at 4:50 when we woke them. All day they walked from here to there just to catch a glimpse of their daddy. Ethan was quite the trooper too! He thinks of Dane as his uncle and he did amazing throughout the day as well. Fortunately they all took about a 2 hour nap in the afternoon when Ken and I stayed back with them. Ken and I headed back to the CG around 9. We were tired and wanted to check on Waldo since we hadn't stayed in the CG last night. The rest of the group, except for Dan and the little ones, headed back to the finish line around 9:30 to cheer for the athletes still trying to complete the Ironman before the cut-off of midnight. Ken and I experienced that at the Louisville Ironman and can be so emotional. So hard to see them "racing" to get to that line before 12, but some just miss it!
So, today was a very special day - Dane became an Ironman for the 2nd time and Sue had her 61st birthday. Her celebration will be on Monday or Tuesday - too much happening today with Dane and the Ironman!
The 1st group of athletes were in the water by 6:20 and everyone (2700 people) were in the water in a little less than 30 minutes. Amazing!!! We all stayed there at the lake until Dane had completed the 2.4 mile swim. They had to follow the course around the lake 2X's coming out of the water for a few steps. He had finished the swim in 1 hour 4 minutes. It started to rain about 1/2 way through the swim. Some of our group saw him leave the transition area on his bike for the 112 mile ride on the road through the countryside! Ken and I headed back to the house to make breakfast and it was pouring by the time we got there. Our rain gear helped, but our pants and shoes were soaked. The rest of Dane's "support team" were back by 8. All athletes were wearing a "chip" so their progress throughout the day could be followed by their families and friends on their phones, i-pads, or computers. Unfortunately, and without us knowing it, they were having problems with the connections and we were all concerned when we did not get any progress reports throughout Dane's bike ride! Jamie was so emotional, worrying that he had an accident or a major problem with his bike. So, we all headed to the midway point of the bike ride and felt better when we realized the problem with the monitoring system. Dane was fine and doing very well.
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| 5:45 AM on Mirror Lake waiting for the swimming part of the Ironman to begin! It was cloudy, but not raining! |
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| Dane waiting for the swimmers to take their place! |
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| Can't imagine the anxiety, but he is ready and has his "game face" on! |
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| His good-byes to Bria, Cali, and Jamie! |
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| So many swimmers waiting for their time to get in the water! |
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| The best swimmers are in the water and more groups are about to begin! |
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| Everyone is in the water in less than 30 minutes! |
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| Looks like bird wings flapping in the water. So many bodies so close together! |
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| Dane gets help taking off his wetsuit when he gets out of the water! |
Back to the house to have lunch before it was time to report back to the finish line of the bike race to see Dane when he passed by. He completed the 112 miles in 5 hours and 59 minutes and was smiling, waving and looking great. On our way back to the house it started to pour again. We dried our clothes and shoes and Ken and I stayed back while the little ones took a nap. The rest of the group headed to the 1/2 way point of the run to see Dane one more time before the finish of the Ironman. Some people say the day is hard for the athletes but also extremely hard for the spectators and support people. You spend most of the day waiting, cheering, and spectating and only see your competitor for a few seconds!
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| Waiting for Daddy at the end of the bike ride! |
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| Here he comes and he's looking good! |
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| What a gorgeous setting for this amazing race! |
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| Happy that Daddy is starting the 26 mile run! |
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| Waiting at the finish line for Daddy. The girls were so good and patient, because it was almost a 1 1/2 hour wait! |
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| Cheering on the athletes as they crossed the finish line! |
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| Yeah for the other "guys" but where is my daddy??? |
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| I wonder how much money is sitting here ?????? |
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| Daddy should be here very soon, so waiting at the finish line to give him his medal! |
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| He's just about ready to enter the track at the stadium! |
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| What a joyful time and such a relief that Dane is safe and healthy! |
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| Kisses for his special girls...... |
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| and the supportive wife who makes it all happen! |
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| One proud mother!!!! |
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| An equally proud wife! |
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| What special friends, Mat and Nicole Stradling, who took a weeks vacation to support their neighbor and good friends, Dane and Jamie! |
Around 7:15 we all headed back to the house so Dane could soak in a tub and change clothes. We all sat on the porch and ordered pizza for dinner. The little ones enjoyed playing on their parents I-Pads. It had been such a long day for them starting at 4:50 when we woke them. All day they walked from here to there just to catch a glimpse of their daddy. Ethan was quite the trooper too! He thinks of Dane as his uncle and he did amazing throughout the day as well. Fortunately they all took about a 2 hour nap in the afternoon when Ken and I stayed back with them. Ken and I headed back to the CG around 9. We were tired and wanted to check on Waldo since we hadn't stayed in the CG last night. The rest of the group, except for Dan and the little ones, headed back to the finish line around 9:30 to cheer for the athletes still trying to complete the Ironman before the cut-off of midnight. Ken and I experienced that at the Louisville Ironman and can be so emotional. So hard to see them "racing" to get to that line before 12, but some just miss it!
So, today was a very special day - Dane became an Ironman for the 2nd time and Sue had her 61st birthday. Her celebration will be on Monday or Tuesday - too much happening today with Dane and the Ironman!
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Another Fun Day in the Lake Placid Area!
Ken and I took our time getting up enjoying some reading time. We only got out of bed around 9! That was great! Ken and I both spent time going through the photos on our camera and then we started getting clothes, etc. ready to take for staying overnight with Jamie and friends. It would be impossible to get into Lake Placid tomorrow morning, the day of the race! They are closing down many of the surrounding roads and we would have to leave the CG by 3 AM to get there before the start of the race. So staying overnight in town makes more sense!
Ken went to get Bria and Cali around 11:30 and I stayed at the CG working on the blog, cleaning up, etc. Ken returned with the girls around 12:15 and we had lunch. Then we checked out the store before walking back to the playground, a nice one for older kids. Bria learned how to climb up a knotted rope after many tries and they enjoyed seesawing, something they had rarely done. Then the girls played the miniature golf course at the CG followed by a return trip to the playground. By then it was 3:15 and time to get back to their rented house in Lake Placid!
Sue and I played some Skip-Bo with Bria and then we all sat on the porch talking about tomorrow's race schedule and what time we should get up and be on our way to the beginning of the course. The swim begins at 6:30 so we all plan to leave the house at 5:00 AM. Dane and Dan will leave at 4:30. It will be a long but exciting day!
We had spaghetti with lots of veggies that Jamie and Sue had made, chicken Ken had grilled, and Italian bread for dinner and ate on the porch! After clean-up, Jamie put Ironman tattoos on the back of the kids legs and then the little ones went to bed. It will be a short night for the little ones and the adults.
Ken went to get Bria and Cali around 11:30 and I stayed at the CG working on the blog, cleaning up, etc. Ken returned with the girls around 12:15 and we had lunch. Then we checked out the store before walking back to the playground, a nice one for older kids. Bria learned how to climb up a knotted rope after many tries and they enjoyed seesawing, something they had rarely done. Then the girls played the miniature golf course at the CG followed by a return trip to the playground. By then it was 3:15 and time to get back to their rented house in Lake Placid!
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| PaPa wanted to be part of the fun! |
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| By the time we left the playground, Bria was able to climb up 3 knots! |
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| There was a guy making pulled pork sandwiches at the CG! We loved his Pirate cart for making the pork! |
Sue and I played some Skip-Bo with Bria and then we all sat on the porch talking about tomorrow's race schedule and what time we should get up and be on our way to the beginning of the course. The swim begins at 6:30 so we all plan to leave the house at 5:00 AM. Dane and Dan will leave at 4:30. It will be a long but exciting day!
We had spaghetti with lots of veggies that Jamie and Sue had made, chicken Ken had grilled, and Italian bread for dinner and ate on the porch! After clean-up, Jamie put Ironman tattoos on the back of the kids legs and then the little ones went to bed. It will be a short night for the little ones and the adults.
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