Oklahoma - New Mexico - Sun City

 0628-2925

I fueled up in Dodge City, did not run into Marshall Dillon or Wyatt Earp. Then headed SW towards the Oklahoma state line. There was a corner virtual cache called Coloklakan where Colorado, Oklahoma and Kansas all connect. It was located on a farm road the went right along the border of Kansas and Oklahoma. After finding and logging I continued SW through the pan handle and stopping at another road side park in Felt OK. Overgrown parking lot with a vault toilet and picnic tables. I parked in the far corner and made some dinner.  I was the only one there for about an hour, then 2 car campers arrived. This made me feel better about a Sheriff showing up to tel me to leave. It rained pretty hard before the sun went down, there was some nice rainbows. It rained again overnight and I was the first to pull out about 7am. 

I targeted another corner virtual cache called Texhomex where Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico all connect. This farm road was very muddy from the rain, half of the road was flooded so I was careful not to get stuck. After I left this one, I found another cache on the northwest corner of Texas. The drive from here was to Albuquerque starts out as rolling grasslands that lead you into majestic mountain cliffs then ending in the Alamo River valley through Santa Fe. I stopped on I-40 in Albuquerque for Fuel, then headed west. By the time I made Grants, I was only 5 hours from home, but I did not want to break my rule to drive only 5-6 hours, I decided to find a space at Pinon Cliffs Campground. There was only 2 tents sites available but I squeezed into #19. An hours later it looked like all the spaces were full. The weather was real nice, 72° F  7,434 elevation. 

In the morning I dumped my grey water tank, but did not fill my fresh water. I was within 6 hours of home, so I did not plan to camp. I stayed on I-40 until Winslow, then took the scenic route through the Forest that the Mogollon Rim is located, then through Camp Verde, on the I-17 pulling into my driveway about 1500. Home again. 

Here is a link to Oklahoma - New Mexico photos.  So what's next? 4th of July weekend in San Diego then take off north to Washington.   

to be continued.........

Thanks for reading my blog. 

Iowa City - Kansas

 0625-2625

After a couple nights free parking, I looked for a campground with facilities so I can get a shower. I have

heard good things about the Army Corps of Engineer campgrounds, they are well maintained and cost less. I was able to make reservations at one of these camp grounds on the Iowa River near Iowa city. I did pass the worlds largest truck stop on the way to Iowa, but I didn't stop. I got to the campground early and the checkin booth was closed, so I went ahead and found my spot then rode my bike back to the gate and checked in, I really enjoyed riding around the camp grounds and learning about the Devonian Fossil Gorge  After my bike ride it was hot with high humidity so I went and took a long shower. I had shore power connected so I closed all the windows and used the AC which worked pretty well. I think I am understanding the difference between RVing and van camping. My time at the West Overlook campground was short but very productive, a shower, dumped the gray tank and filled up with fresh water. All for $20. 

The next day I headed west. I realized that the farther west I go, the farther away from the midwest heat wave. I continued through Iowa and into Nebraska. Looking for a a target geocache, I came across the geographical center of the United States in Lebanon Kansas. So about 1/3 into Nebraska, I turned south towards Kansas farm lands. The center monument was easy to find, but the small cache that was hidden in the BBQ stand was a pretty tricky hide. I was far away from any freeway rest stop or Walmart parking lot. So I felt fortunate to find a roadside park on the Campendium app in a farm town called Smith Center.  I had Subway tuna for dinner. The park was next to corn fields and the feed supply building. All I had was the app review that said overnight parking was allowed. I waited for the Sheriff to run me off, but no one came. It was a very nice and quiet place to sleep. I was on the road by 0700 heading south towards Dodge City, then onto another free camping spot in Oklahoma.  👀photos of Iowa - Kansas 👀 Thanks for visiting. If you have a google account, you can leave a comment below. 

Back in the US Michigan - Indiana

 0623-2425 

I got an early start out of Bedrock Campground, after dumping and filling and stoping at the ranger station for camp stickers.  Right away I was on the highway, 110 kph, heading SW past Toronto, 5 hours to the US border at Port Huron, then just a few miles to Port Huron Michigan Welcome Center where I aim to park for the night, The traffic was thick, but moving down CA 401. The line of trucks at the border was immense, luckily GPS routed me through Sarnia to the car lane.  From there it was about a 30 minute wait. I made sure I cooked all my eggs before crossing the border.  

Overnight parking at a rest stop is not camping. Everything you do has to pretty much be done inside the vehicle. So, after going for a walk and finding 2 geocaches, I went into town and had dinner at Cracker Barrel. 

I was off early the next morning heading west towards Flint, then south to Indiana. I believe it is a point of pride to pay $0 for camping, especially for full time van lifers. So while I was looking for a campground or another rest stop, I cam across the RV Hall of Fame & Museum at Elkhart Indiana. If you pay for the museum entrance fee, you can dry camp for free. They also have electrical hookups for $40. With Military discount, it cost $15 for the museum, plus I spent $10 on stickers. But I camped for free! It was pretty hot when I got there so I took my time in the museum. I think the one I liked the most was the 1928 Pierce-Arrow Fleet Housecar . THe parking lot was vast, plenty if places to park. There was also 3 pretty good geocaches.  I going to leave it here for this post. Thanks for visiting. Here are the Michigan - Indiana photo share. 

Quebec - Ontario Canada

 0620-062325

During this trip I try to stay on the country roads and avoid the speedways as much as possible. So it was no different when leaving New Brunswick. At first the GPS did not suggest alternate routes to the Casino parking lot on the border of Quebec but right around Moncton, GPS alerted that she has found another route that would save me 8 minutes! Why ever should I question the GPS, but I did check it against another app and it had the same results, so I took it thinking I would see more of the countryside, which surely did. The route through Northumberland turned out to be one lane logging road, mostly dirt, or in my case mud! Basically I went over the mountain rather than around. When a logging truck came by, I had to pull way over to the side, almost in the ditch, to let him pass. I didn’t time it, but I doubt I saved 8 minutes.

I arrived at the Grey Rock Casino just before 9pm. When in the casino and had a burger for dinner. Coincidentally, the couple I parked next to left Murray Beach this morning as well. Kelvin and Kristy are headed  home in North Ontario, 30 minutes east of Thunder Bay border crossing. I told them I had considered going that way, but I’m not sure I have the time. In the morning, they were already gone and they left a note on my windshield inviting me to there property. I pinned the note to the vizor and thought I can decide when I see how the next couple days go. 

Heading northwest, the drive into the Quebec province was very beautiful. The ridge line road followed a long skinny lake, Lake Témiscouata,  winding through small logging towns with colorful building and vistas showing thick timber and green meadows. 30 miles past the lake the road turned 90° to follow the banks of the St. Lawrence river  I earned the Quebec Souvenir by quickly finding a cache off the hwy witha scrabble up a nice trail. I picked another one near the river with a pier.  When I arrived St-Jean-Port-Joli, the church bell was ringing as I parked right next to the wharf.  I walked around, gathered the information for the cache, jumped back in drivers seat to log the cache. I looked up and there was man standing in front of the van giving me the thumbs up. He came around to the window and Louis and I talked about vans, he called them trucks. We went into the cafe across the parking lot and had he bought lunch and beers.  I followed Louis into town and on to his house/workshop so we could see his his van. We shared numbers and I told him to follow me on this Blog. 

It took the rest of the day to get to the maple farm, Aux Petits Plaisirs (To the Little Pleasures) in Warwick, the owner was waiting for me when I arrived. Part of the deal with Harvest Host you are expect to shop during your stay, so the owner was there to make sure I could shop. I bought maple candy, butter and some sausage made with maple. There was another RV there, a senior couple from Quebec. They were there to watch their Granddaughters soccer match in the morning. Our conversation was short because I do not speak much French and they did not speak much English. Once I got RAMVAN some what level, I took a walk around the farm. The road side geocaches both had Did Not Find (DNF) logs so I let them go. The weather that day was wonderful, sunshine all day. When I left in the morning, it was raining pretty hard. I hoped that it did not ruin the soccer match. 

I set the GPS for directions to a city park Virtual cache in Montreal, the second-largest in Canada. The

Title of the cache is called Moi, mes souliers (Me, my shoes), about Félix Leclerc, Author, composer and performer. he is considered the father of Quebec song, as a literary and poetic genre. His songs celebrate the imagination of childhood, nature, the country, love and the world of ordinary people, still close to their pioneering origins. (GC9P6D4) It also says that with his influence, Félix Leclerc was help Quebec maintain as a French speaking country.  There is a youtube video if him singing Moi, mes souliers  To get credit for the cache you have to locate the information panel nearby and answer 3 questions. Then you need to take a picture of your shoes with the Félix Leclerc bigger than life size statue. I love these interactive virtual caches that have you learn about influential

people and culture. After uploading and logging my find, I took a nice long walk around the park. I sensed a feeling that people were eger to get out in the sunshine. Many joggers, walkers and bike riding. There numerous activities for children, duck ponds and play grounds. Really it was pretty much like any city park. I enjoyed my visit.  I arrived back to RAMVAN and found no ticket, it was Sunday so I assumed like most places there is no fee for parking, but everything was in French so I was not sure. When I got in I had to leave quickly because there were others waiting for me to leave. The route out of Montreal to Bedrock Campground in Ontario took through a really long tunnel under the St. Lawrence River, fascinating!  Soon I was out of the city and back in the countryside. 

I had decided to stay at a provincial campground because I wanted to dump my grey water, refill fresh and

most importantly take a shower, in a shower. On my way, right after crossing the border into Ontario, I pulled off and found a quick cache at the entrance to a truck stop, thus earning the Ontario souvenir!   I arrived Ferris Provincial Park, Bedrock Campground just before 5 pm and got all set up. I checked for geocaches in the area and was please to find some along a over grown trail along the bank of the Trent River. It was about 85° felt like over 75% humidity so I figured geocaching first, then shower. Honestly, the hunt on this trail was a little creepy, lots of bugs and I was sweating like a horse. I found 3 traditional, a letterbox and a Multi all in good shape and well hidden. Evidence the local Cacher's are keeping an eye on things.  When I got back to camp, I was soaked through, muddy and thirsty! I pulled my cold water out of the fridge and got ready to take my shower.  Tomorrow I will be driving past Toronto and out of Canada. Not sure how the traffic will be and I do not plan to go into the city. I decided not to travel to Northern Ontario, I feel I have enough time to slowly make my way home.  Northern Ontario can be it's own adventure in the future.  Here is a link my shared photo album for Quebec and Ontario, thanks for reading my blog. 

Plage Murray Beach - Provincial Park

 0618-2025 46.17747, -63.97891

You should have seen the custom officer's face when I told him I going to visit "Saint" Edwards Island while I am camping at Murray Beach. I made it to the At the Canadian border. He asked so many questions, he didn't even give me time to correct myself! Maybe if I would correctly said "Prince" Edwards Island, he might not have made me itemize the contents of my refrigerator.  Looking at me hard, the officer said "Where did you get the eggs?" "Roaring Acres Farm in Connecticut" I responded. He told me to park the van and go inside. Entering the building, looking for the group W bench, I thought the next question will be do you now Todd Thedell, but the pretty lady at the desk just asked my name and said I was good to go.  
So I entered Canada, jumped on Hwy 1 and headed east. I stopped in Fredericton for lunch at Tim Hortons, in Canada Tim Hortons is as popular as McDonalds is in the US, but they have good coffee. After lunch I found a Micro cache in the parking lot and earned my New Brunswick Souvenir. 

I arrived at Plage Murray Beach - Provincial Park and checked in at the office. Site 101 was right on the edge of the loop, only a short walk to the beach and the North Atlantic. My spot for the next 2 days. The view out the van door pretty nice. 

In the morning I packed up and drove to Cape Jourimain and took the 7 mile bridge across the bay to Prince Edwards Island (PEI), there was a virtual cache and a couple traditional caches in the park at the end of the

bridge, Earning the PEI souvenir, I paid the toll and went back across the bridge then headed to Nova Scotia. Just across the province line, I found a peanut butter jar cache in a tree behind an old church.  

I visited a nearby park, right near the water, found 2 small caches and walked  around enjoying the beautiful weather. 

It was still early afternoon by the time I got back to site 101 and set up. Plenty of time for a long walk on the beach and in the ocean. Although I was looking forward to visiting Quebec, I could have stayed here for a week. 

👀 NB-NS-PEI👀

New Hampshire - Maine 2025

 0615-1825 

Just across the bridge over the Connecticut river, I found a quick guard rail cache to earn the New Hampshire souvenir. I set the GPS to the Home of Yankee Magazine and The Old Farmer's Almanac in Dublin NH where there is a Webcam Cache.

It was Sunday, so they weren't open so I was able to park in view of the camera and take a screenshot. 

The rest of the drive through the country side went by way to quick and I stayed off the turnpike. Before I knew it, I pulled into the Maine Welcome Center rest stop where I earned the Maine souvenir finding the 3 rest stop hides. One of them was a quick puzzle where the final was a little bird house inside the Welcome Center mounted on a post 

The campground I stayed at was north of Portland near NAS Brunswick, where I was stationed in 1984 - 1986.  The base is no longer in service, now it is an Executive Airport. I drove by the hospital where Danny was born then headed to Winslow State Park.  

My space right by the water and there was a nice winds coming off the sound.  After setting up I walked down to the cache hidden at Stockbridge Point. Sat for a while enjoying the sea breeze and the watching the sailboats return to port. Most of the spaces that were full had seasonal campers, people that reserve the space all summer. But the row I was on were by the night. 

The next day I rode Jaguarundi into town, found a nice trail by the YMCA. Locked the bike up and hiked to the end of the trail which reminded me of the trails in the NW where they use treat planks to maintain the trail. After that I rode down the main street to a roadside stand and had la lobster roll for lunch.  

When I first planned this I was going to go all the way to Canada after 2 days in Maine, but I decided that would be too far to drive on one day. So I booked Peaks-Kenny State Park for the next day. It was only 2 hours away and closer to Canada.  

I arrived in time to hike down to the lake and hunt the geocaches there. The lake had a beach that was full of families enjoying the niice weather. 

Making to Maine means that I have found a cache in all 50 states.  Instead of turning around and go back, I will get to work on the Canadian Providences, I already have British Columbia, but that is it. My route takes me to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edwards Island. Then instead of going back through New England, I will go through Quebec and Ontario. That leaves Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Yukon. These will take more planning and maybe a few trips. 

I you are enjoying these post or if not, you can leave a comment below the post. 

👀 NH-ME photos 👀

MA-CT-RI -VT 2025

 0613-1425 

Friday morning I left Glimmerglass State Park angling down New York.  Found my first cache "Hancock Hijinks" just across the state line in Massachusetts  at a small parking area. 

Continued SE entering Connecticut and checked into the Roaring Acres Farm, but didn't set up. I proceeded into town (Windsor CT) to Nifty Laundromat and did a load of cloths. Found my first CT cache while waiting for the dryer.  Shopped at the nearby grocer and returned to the farm. 

My night at the farm was very peaceful. This is the only place so far that I lit a fire using the portable table top fire ring. I was able to visit the Alpacas and when the sun went down they all gathered near the fence. Im the morning I bought a dozen eggs.  

I really did have a plan for Rhode Island, just get in, find a cache and get out. I do not want to get too close to crowed cities. Hawkins Pond just over the state line on highway 44 where I had a nice walk around the pond and found a nice ammo can cache to earn the RI souvenir. 

 A few minutes later I was back in Connecticut heading north towards Vermont where the plan was to stay at the Guilford Northbound Welcome Center Rest Area. I made good time and was in the RV parking area by 1300 and found the biggest Trackable Hotel right there in the rest stop. 

  There was also another regular cache and a adventure lab with a bonus cache. Geocaching complete, I hunkered down for an evening in a parking lot. In the morning I waited until after 7am to leave, into New Hampshire and onto Maine.  Photos 4 in 2 days

 

Glimmerglass State Park - Cooperstown, NY

 0611-1325 42.78672, -74.86205

I arrived with plenty of time to set up in campsite 37, a space off by it's self across the road from the main campground, them go see the covered bridge and try to solve the field puzzle cache. Next thing I knew, I was bushwhacking my way to a Letterbox cache in the woods. There was more, but I decided to save them for next day after my visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

The next morning I took a really nice shower, but on my San Diego Padres gear, packed up and drove the 8 miles south to Cooperstown.  I parked at the trolly ride lot, but found out the trolly does not begin until Saturday. Good opportunity to get some steps in, it was about 3 kilometer walk to the museum. The first thing I noticed is the town was much more humble looking than I expected. I was prepared with MLB influenced hoopla and hype. There was banners for the upcoming inductees, but not a lot of MLB extravagance. The town has been kept small, historic and simple.

The museum is 3 stories of a lot of memorabilia with the plaque room on the first floor. I started on the 2nd floor, watched a 17 minute introduction film, then wandered through the many exhibits, finishing in the plaque room. The plaques are arrayed, grouped by years, so I started at the beginning and took my time, stopping at Tony Gwynn's remembering how he evolved into "Mr. Padre" in which there will never be another like him.  I spent 2 hours in the museum then went to find the various hides. 

There was a real nice Adventure Lab with a puzzle bonus cache. Now this is was I really like about geocaching, it takes to some spots that you might never have a reason to go and see. The bonus took me almost out of town to a really cool stone bridge. The cache was a baseball bat hollowed out at to top. 

That left me on the opposite side of the tow, so I had a nice stroll back to the RAMVAN, where I made a sandwich and a coffee before I went back to the campground. 

I stopped at the park entrance to get the first stage of a 2 stage multi-cache.  The first stage was a small Tupperware painting to blend in with the block wall right in front of the office window. What I found was a laminated written note " go inside and ask for the final." Inside I showed them the note and the reached under the counter and handed me a ammo box.

I signed the log and the ranger gave me a cool coin trackable. Apparently there was a cache challenge in the area and this was the last of the challenge. So you win a coin. 

I had the whole afternoon left to get on Jaguarundi and go after some more hides.  I rode as far around the park as the trails would take me. Returned to camp to plan the next days journey. Not all who wander are lost 😃

GGSP Cooperstown shared album

Sterling State Park - Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York

 0608-1035 41.92143, -83.34221

I stopped at the Welcome Center rest stop just across the state line, but could not find the cache. But I did complete the questions about Michigan Rocks and got credit for a Earth Cache to get the Michigan souvenir.  I arrived at the RV Park, which was all open and rows of RVs. Most were trailers with boats.  I did not set up, I took off to find the geocaches on the beach,

which turned out to be a real long walk and I could not find either of the caches. No worries, there are three more on the bike trails, but I later found out that area was closed. I went in through the barricades but was run off by a guy on a earth mover. 

When I got back to the van it was covered with these big mosquitoes looking fly which turned out to be Mayflies.  They were really not a bother, they didn't bite, but there was so many. I put up the mosquito net across the door to keep them out of the van.  I got them off all the bins I took out of the van and got everything inside.  In the morning they were still there, but they were not alive. It's like they just dried up. I was up early and went and took a well needed shower, when I returned most if the dead ones had blown off replaced by new ones. 

 I spent the rest of my time planning my trip east through Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York. 

I found a place on the Pennsylvania coast called Presque Isle State Park. There is a monument about the Naval battles in Lake Erie. I Had a good time taking the walk getting all the answers to the Virtual cache questions about Capt. Oliver Hazard Perry. 

Not knowing how far I was going to drive, I continued east into New York through Buffalo andI plan to stay the night for free at a rest stop or another Crackle Barrel.  The first "Service Station" , not really a rest stop, there is a gas station and a Dunkin Donuts but there was a sign saying no overnight parking 4 hour limit. So I headed down the road and found another one. This one was partly under construction, but there was no sign so I decided to stay and see if someone tells me to leave. Soon there was another Van, a truck and camper and semis parked for the night. 

The next day I decided not to pay the turnpike tolls and take the scenic route through the Finger Lakes. I stopped at Canandaigua Lake, Seneca Lake and Skaneateles Lake. Passing Farms and small towns, just enjoying the drive. Before I new it I was pulling into Glimmer Glass State Park (Otsego Lake) - Cooperstown, NY. 

Photos of Michigan 

Photos of Michigan to New York

Miami Whitewater Forest Campground - Harrison, OH 45030

 060725 39.257210, -84.749373

I cached my way through Kentucky, stopping in small towns and earning a new souvenirs. Northwest into Indiana briefly then arriving late into the Miami Whitewater Forest Campground north of Cincinnati OH.

Campground was crowded, being the weekend and the sites, a mix of tents, truck campers and RVs were close to one another. Still it was a nice park with plenty to do and they had geocaches in the park. I was up early in the morning and went on a wonderful rainy hike and found 3 Ohio caches. 

After my coffee, I took off heading into Indiana quickly finding my first cache and then on to a nice graveyard virtual cache about Vivian's Doll house, Sad but well done. It was in small town Connersville IN. To get credit for the cache you have to name at lease one thing inside the doll house. I answered; Coal/wood stove, Tricycle and wagon with Vivian on the side, Bed, Chest/trunk, Baby doll and lady doll, Portrait and Tea set. 

I continued on north back into Ohio en route the shores of Lake Erie in Michigan. 

Additional Photos.

Panther State Forest - West Virginia

 060625 37.44775, -81.87643

Heading north through North Carolina and Virginia, on course for the Virtual Cache HBC..Who? just over the border where the 77 freeway ends near Bluefield WV. After driving all day I had a nice walk around the campus of  BLUEFIELD STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE which earned me the West Virginia Souvenir. Todays camp is Panther State Forest, a remote location some 60 miles in back country road that winds through coal mining communities. 

"Take me home country roads" Narrow tree covered, sometimes only one car wide roads along rivers and creeks where in some places the asphalt has been washed away. I finally arrived and check in with Ranger Sam at the camp office. Sam proceeded to had me a pile of magazines, brochures and flyers, oh and a map. He said he would bring
some fire wood up when he closes the office. The campground the was just a row of about 7 sites just off the road nestled on Panther Creek. I got set up and Sam stopped by with the wood. It was very peaceful with the sound of running water and thousands
, millions of Cicadas. 

After I ate dinner, grilled chicken with salad, the sun fully set, the fire flies came out. Hundereds of them dancing through the air, it was quite the show. Just as I was wishing I was staying more than 1 night, the rain started and it was a down pour! 

It rained all night through the morning. Having no internet, I packed up and headed to the camp office. I wanted to see if the rain would stop long enough to hike the overlook trail. But Wifi was down and the ranger on duty said the rain will last all day. So I headed back out the way I came in until I got a cell signal and mapped directions to Pikeville Kentucky to earn my next state souvenir. 

👀photos

Kings Mountain South Carolina

 0604-060625  35.14947, -81.34722

I had an uneventful drive from Alabama to South Carolina "In my mind I'm going to Carolina ....." -JT a state I have never been before.  I was able to get the State Souvenir at the South Carolina Welcome Center Rest Stop in Fair Play SC. Only 12 more states to go! The campground was not very full, and the ranger station was closed when I arrived. There was nice tree cover at my site that let in just enough sun light and break the wind, which was picking up. 

The light rain turned into a down pour over night and it was rainy for the rest of my stay. Everything got wet, but I figured I need this in preparation for camping in Washington later this summer. So I went on with my adventures. I was up early the next morning, broke camp to go get a North Carolina cache. I was real close to the border, so I looped around and pulled into the North Carolina I-85 Welcome Center Rest Stop and earned the NC State Souvenir! Returned to the campground and checked in to the office.  After getting set up again, I pulled out my NW rain gear and set off for a bike ride to the

Kings Mountain National Military Park, about 3 miles down the road. The virtual cache at the park, called Furgeson's Folly, has you take the 1.5 mile walk around the battle site and answer 8 questions about the battle between Patriot Forces commanded by Col. William Campbell and the British Forces, commanded by Patrick Furgeson who fell in the battle. Ever wonder if Furgeson had won? 

I returned to camp and hunkered down in RAMVAN. The rain continued until the next morning when I set off for West Virginia. Until then, I leave you with a link to photos of Kings Mountain. 

 

Pell City, Alabama

 0602-060425

Moochdocked at Carla's for 2 days. I was able put a dent in the local cache population, catch up on Laundry and spend time with my daughter and her special someone! 

Thanks for cooking me a hot meal and the father's day card. 💛

Photo's of my visit