Memorable Gifts We Received

In Boise Idaho, The Secretary of Veterans Affairs was visiting the VA hospital the week before we arrived.

Jeff Middlemas, who arranged our visit had posted our press release on all the bill boards.

When Secretary Shinseki was visiting, Jeff pointed out our pictures and explained what we were doing and asked if there was anything he could give us. On the last day of Secretary Shinseki's visit as he was leaving, the Secretary left a coin for each one of us.

In Pocatello Idaho, We were presented by Wade Pierce of POW*MIA Awareness Association, National Head Quarters,

the below coin

The Greater Pocatello Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee presented us the below coin.

Jeff Middlemas, who works for the Dept of Veterans Affairs Police gave us this patch

Dave received champagne and this note 

Note says,"thank you for all that you've done for our wounded soldiers!"

Erik, Sarah, & staff, The Captain Jefferds Inn

Day 55 Manchester NH to Portsmouth NH

How sweet it is! A cool dip in the Atlantic Ocean completes the trip

We first reach the Atlantic at Hampton Beach south of Portsmouth

We ride 10 miles north on 1A with views of the Atlantic and east coast beach towns where we see the RV pulled off to the side with family and friends cheering us on. With no traffic, we spread out across the 2 lanes and all arrive together in one line.

Dave is all smiles as we complete this journey. He is most happy being reunited with his wife Dale behind him.

Share a champagne toast and shower

Ed has a reunion with his Daughter Julie, and her son Matthew and Daughter Sarah

No DQ here, but this ice cream truck pulls in like on queue, for  a last ice cream treat

Jim, with Rex Burbage and wife Kathryn. Rex is Ray Burbage's brother, friend of Jim,  who was killed in Vietnam February 1968. Jim dedicated this ride to Ray, and Rex and his wife greeted Jim at the finish.

In Portsmouth on the way to Radici's Restaurant for a celebration

The whole group at dinner sharing stories

Click the Photo tab and find the album for day 55 for more pictures and captions.

In the days coming, I plan to do a post on some special gifts received on our journey, and some pictures taken as we travel home to CA.

Day 53 August 10 2013 Bennington to Brattleboro VT

Leaving Greenwood Lodge on a foggy morning

Vermont Scenery

Day 53 August 10 Bennington To Brattleboro VT: Top of Hogback MT. Motor cyclists heading home after visiting Maine.

Day 53 August 10 Bennington To Brattleboro VT:  Crossing Mt stream, from left Tom, Dale, Jim

The Incurable Romantic in Brattleboro

Hogback Mt Vermont

Dale, Jim, Ed, Tom

Alan of Vermont RV Sales, Brattleboro, working on our RV

Tom, broke a spoke from a branch he ran over that got caught in his rear wheel. Luckily we were only 1/4 mile from this bike shop. Local rider stops by to say hello, She qualifies to be a 6 over 60.

In KOA of North Brattleboro, Dave befriends a group of New England Army recruiters who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
From left
Pat, Ed, Jim, Jake, ?, Rambo, Jerome, Dale, Tom.

Ice Cream Social at North Brattleboro VT, where KOA staff raised donations for us

Day 52 Latham NY to Bennington VT 08-09-2013

Day 52 August 9 2013 Latham NY to Bennington VT

And it was raining cats and dogs most of the day. We finished the ride with an 8 mile climb from Bennington to Greenwood Lodge and Camp Ground located at the top of the mountain next to the Prospect ski area.

We had to  use the RV to transport us out of Latham and Troy downtown, due to dangerous traffic and rain. Parts of the road into Vermont we could not ride because of high traffic, including trucks, and no shoulder and heavy rain.

We had hot chocolate and cookies at the Crazy Russian Girls Bakery

Catamount art work

Each year city picks an animal and makes statues that students and local artists paint. At end of summer, the art is auctioned off.

Dave, in matching outfit

Bennington downtown

Our destination Greenwood Lodge and Campsites

I was concerned about the amenities of this smaller RV Park and was pleasantly surprised.

The lodge had a homey feeling and was perfect for our stay on a rainy day. The upstairs had hostel dormitory rooms. Four of us slept in the hostel, which gave  us access to the full kitchen where we cooked  dinner and breakfast.

Texas Hold-M in the lodge, Tom was the big winner.

Our Gracious hosts and owners of Greenwood Lodge, from left Chris, Ann and Ed Shea

Day 55 August 12th Portsmouth NH WE MADE IT!!!!

We arrived today at 12:30 to a group of friends and relatives greeting us. 

Not only did we dip our wheels into the Atlantic Ocean, we dipped our bodies as well!

I will update the blog for Days 52 - 55 when I return home after August 14th

I will provide updates on Bennington VT, Brattleboro VT, Manchester NH, and Portsmouth!

Day 51 August 8 Herkimer to Latham

Day 51 August 8 Herkimer to Latham

Hmmmm...  Does he know we are not drilling for oil

Old bridge in Erie canal area

We past Fort Klock built in 1750, originally 600 acres, includes fort, town, school house. Jim and Tom, pictured with a volunteer who is a direct descendant of the Klocks

Summer children's program, here learning how to make rope

There was a train accident, causing this road closure on NY 5E, which resulted in us getting lost trying to follow the detour.

This fireman, from Schenectady area, got us back on track.

Day 50 Oneida Lake to Herkimer NY August 6 2013

Day 50 Oneida Lake to Herkimer NY August 6 2013

Sunrise on Lake Oneida

Left to right Ed, Dale, Fran manager of RV park, Jim.

Fran served in the Air Force as a baker.

Dave faithfully supporting us

Small NY town photo op

We stumbled onto this great spot for lunch near Herkimer. 

Great Italian sandwhiches, check out Tom's Calzone

Terry and Alice Berkson, who we met at the Pizza Plus restaurant. From Brooklyn, they summer in this area. Terry is a writer and has a web site
www.terryberkson.com.

Terry and Alice, thanks for you donation.

No we did not have an accident, no Dale is not hurt. Dale decided to lay down, after wandering the hills above Herkimer Diamond Mines. Our route, after winding us through hills so far off the beaten track, that we saw one car, led us to a closed private street at which point we gave up and called Dave. Dave had to follow our route sheet to find us since Google couldn't navigate to where we were.

River along Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA

We had dinner across the street from the Herkimer Diamond Mines KOA at the Crystal Chandelier Pub and Grille.  

The owner of the Diamond Mines, and his son the owner of the Crystal Chandelier, were having dinner at the restaurant. They came over to congratulate us on  what we are doing. 

From left Ed, Tom, Rudy Scialdo I, Pat, Rudy Scialdo II, Jim, and Dale

The Scialdo family lost one of their own serving in Afghanistan, Staff Sgt. Marc Anthony Scialdo  July 22, 1981 - March 11, 2013.

The Scialdo family and the Herkimer Lions Club have an annual golf tournament in his honor.