Hampton Beach, NH

Still alot of wind, but we were lucky. Although that sunday evening, the wind was worse and listened to many things hitting the camper, mostly branches I suspect. John checked the roof of the RV the next morning and no damage thank goodness. 600K people in MA lost power and lots of flooding in MA and Vermont, again, we were luckier than those poor souls. Many houses, and businesses in MA and VT were lost and boats along the cape were destroyed.

Hampton Beach, NH

Sunday afternoon was still quite windy even though the rain had stopped. We could not get access to Salisbury beach near where our campground is located. Police were turning people away, beach was closed.

outside Fanuiel Hall, Boston

John with cousins David & Scott. Rain started ealier than expected on saturday from Irene. Right after this pic. was taken, it was a torrential downpour the remainder of the day and into Sunday afternoon. After 2 days, my shoes are still drying out. Made our way back to the orange line and back to Sullivan sqare where we parked. There was a small leak in the seating of one of the cars. The rest of our day in the city was a "wash out".

Quincy market, Boston

Quincy market is an area I take people who have never been there. Lots of vendors inside and outside in the open square. My cousin and I got clams of course (whole fried clams, not the strips). If you were to ask for clam strips, you would be insulting the eating establishment and they would not be able to provide them, anyway.

Haymarket Square, Boston

Haymarket square is an open outdoor market I like to visit when in the city. There are at least 30 or 40 vendors selling fruits & veggies for low prices. 5 red sweet peppers for $2.00? wow... also you can get a deal on fish and other seafood.

Plaque outside RRHF

This plaque is dedicated to the beginnings of rock and roll, esp. Alan Freed whose ashes are kept inside the museum in a glass case. Pretty cool! and how appropriate..

John @ the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

In the lobby of the RRHF. You're only allowed to take photos or video within the lobby area. The guitar is a replica from one of the music artists but both of us forgot to look at the sign next to it! If I had to make a guess, Def Leopard? I don't Joe Elliot played guitar, looking at it, the bassist perhaps?

Overlooking Lake Erie

Sitting outside at the RRHF cafe overlooking Lake Erie. It was a beautiful warm, low 80's clear day.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Here we are at the RRHF in Cleveland, OH. This is my 2nd visit and John's first. 6 floors of exhibits, so plan an entire day if you want to see at least most of it. It has a nice cafe inside and outside as well. The museum covers the beginnings of "rock & roll" from its bluegrass, gospel and R&B roots and presents artists from early R&R (50's) to Motown (yeah!) to Metal, Punk,Alternative, Grunge, etc. This visit is definetly worth the time as you absorb history blurbs and small bios about many of the artists. And, on the plus side, you'll be listening to lots of muisc as it's piped thru each level of the museum....

Overlooking the Cumberland river, Nashville

We met a friend (Mary Graham) who happens to be living 2 hrs. south of Nashville. We're sitting at a restaurant overlooking the Cumberland river.

HRC Nashville, TN

Of course, I had to collect yet another pin for my collection!

Nashville, "Music City USA"

John, myself & Mr. Ed! outside a restaurant on 2nd Ave. in Nashville, TN. Nashville is a vibrant and fun city. People are friendly and polite and the establishments and street corners are filled with amateur musicians trying to become discovered and make it to the big time.

Wyoming I-80

More strange sedimentary rock formations driving along I-80 in Wyoming.

Wyoming

Driving along I-80 in Wyoming reveals some strange looking rock formations, mostly made of sedimentary rock. Great for fossil hunting!

Waterfall

Here is a waterfall located at "The Gardens" in Salt Lake City. The entire garden is beautiful and features a number of different plants and flowers.

A close up view

Here is a close up view of the Mormom temple. Quite impressive. We were not allowed inside though, people were very polite about it. Would have loved to get pics. of the inside of the temple, but were not allowed to go inside even if we didn't take photos... I bet it would be beautiful.

The Mormon Temple

this is a pic. of the Mormon Temple take from an adjacent rooftop. Quite impressive.

Mormon tabernacle choir. Salt Lake City

this is a pic. of where the Mormon Tabernacle choir does their thing so to speak. They were not in session or performing the day we visiting the Mormon temple complex which consisted of many bldgs. in which this was just one.

Entering Utah

This is not a mountainous beach. These are salt flats (not sand) upon entering Utah prior to reach Salt Lake City....

Rest stop in Nevada desert

You mean, I can't let the sheep & cattle get out and stretch their legs??

A Dino named Bambi

This dino was named after Bambi... You can see it at the Museum of Ancient Life in Lehi, UT

Fennet Island in Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

In the middle of Emerald Bay, there is a small island called Fennet Island. A scandavian woman built a small castle on the island and called it Vikingholm. One can only reach the island by boat.

Emerald Bay, Lake Tahoe

This pic. doesn't do it justice. It's best if one can stand there overlooking the entire bay within Lake Tahoe.

King's Beach, Lake Tahoe

I took this pic. sitting on the shoreline of a section of Lake Tahoe called King's Beach.. Beautiful.. The mts. all around almost look surreal.

Interesting mall

I thought this semi outdoor mall in S.F. was intersting, it's called the Galleria and has 3 levels. It is open on either end to the outside, pigeons tend to fly in and out and roost of the light fixtures..... Just be careful if you eat lunch at one of the several eating establishments.

Lost & need to use the facilities?

I found a few of these in S.F., esp. the Union Square area. So if one is lost and has to use the bathroom, no problem! Except this part. one was out of order..

Chinatown

We spent one day in Chinatown in S.F. Had lunch at the Cathay house, was excellent! I highly recommend it if one goes there.

Fisherman's Wharf

We spent the day on Friday 7/8 @ Fisherman's Wharf & Pier 39. Hasn't changed all that much since I was here 15 yrs. ago, it's still a busy place. Great shops and food!

A tip from the seal lions

Looks like John took a tip from the lounging sea lions on pier 39 (San Fran.)

Just lounging @ Pier 39

Some lazy sea lions lounging @ pier 39 in San Francisco.

Taking a break in Elk

Jeff & Bryan Payne & Mike Dobrick taking a rest along the Californial costal hwy in Elk, CA. They've nearly completed their ride from Seattle to San Francisco raising money for "LiveStrong".

Almost there!

Jeff & Bryan Payne, & Mike Dobrick riding thru Elk, CA. 3/4th of the way thru their ride from Seattle to San Francisco. Raising money for "LiveStrong".

Sasquatch!!!

Sasquatch was very cooperative and posed for this pic. among the redwoods of N. California... Such a nice hominid...

Small bay, Oregon & Calif. border

Pretty rock formations along the OR & Calif. border.

Hwy 1 N. California

Driving along Hwy. 1 in N. California @ sunset... beautiful... Very windy narrow road though or at least it seems that way when driving a Chevy 2500 and pulling a 35ft. trailer behind it! Good having a diesel engine...

Definitely a small town

A little town along the Oregon coast. This store advertises as you can see, Liquor & Gifts, an Herbal apothecary and also serves as the visitor center! I just had to go inside and see for myself. And, yep, it was all there inside a 400 sq.ft. area... I even bought a used book from a book shelf!

Sunset over the Pacific

Seems I've seen these before.. but with one word changed

Yep, ok Virginians and other east coast residents.. where have we seen these before? only one word has changed.. gee, wonder what it could be?? Seems it starts with an H.... Found these all over the Oregon coast and some on the WA coast...

Somewhere along the Oregon coast

We are traveling along the entire Oregon coast while serving as the "pilot vehicle" for Jeff and Bryan on their ride to San Francisco. Lots of fog and rain until yesterday (finally)..

Canon Beach, OR

Oregon has some beautiful coastline, some of it reminds of New England, felt like I was home again. But some of the topography is alien, such as these cliffs just sitting in the ocean. Beautiful and unusual...

The begining

Here they are.. Bryan Payne, Jeff Payne & Brian M. at the start of their journey from Seattle to San Francisco! Brian M. rode with Jeff & Bryan the first day and Jeff and Bryan continue to finish their ride in order to raise money toward cancer research and prevention. They will participate in the annual Lance Armstrong ride in Davis, CA on July 10th. Check out their website www.QuestForPayne.com

Original starbucks, seattle, WA

We got to see the original Starbucks or as I call "Mecca" when we spent a couple of hrs. in Seattle. Any Seattle sightseeing was cut short because of the repairs that had to be made, leaving us to dwell in S. Tacoma for a few days.. Oh well, There's always next summer.....

s. Tacoma, WA

Not much to report today, the last couple of days we've been staying i (in a motel) waiting for the RV to have some repairs. We missed visiting friends on Whidbey Island near Seattle :O( The cats are not happy either. <:O(

Digging in the mud and clay

John shot a pic. of me in a mud pit digging for garnets. I was pretty much covered in mud and clay when we hiked back to our truck.

me at the sluicer

Showing off my bag of garnets. A few of them are real keepers....

John at the sluicer

After two loads of mud, clay and rock, John had about enough but found one or two decent garnets. Somehow, he managed to stay cleaner than I did. I think he really did have fun.

Garnets in the rough

Some of the garnets we found today when gem mining in Clarkia, ID. They've been washed but not scrubbed.

Kimiak Park, WA

Hiking along a trail in Kimiak state park, Pullman, WA

bird in his house. WA

Unidentified bird coming out of his home. He was not too happy with me standing nearby and takng his picture.

Deer watch

Along our ascent, there was a doe about 50 yards checking us out from the safety of the heavy brush. We just quiety stared at each other while I took this pic. We were both just as curious about each other.

stopping to check me out

this mt. chipmunk wasn't too sure of my presence and why I would take residence on one of "his rocks". He soon warmed up to me.