Boondocking in Northampton, PA

Bruce & Paula Smith's

On our way out of Gettysburg, we stopped by Walmart to stock up on supplies. We were pretty low, and needed a lot of things. Our outdoor mat had come apart in several places, and I had tripped on it a couple of times, so we knew it needed replacing. The old one was about ten years old, and it had served us well. They had mats at the campground store, but the prices seemed high to me. Sure enough, at Walmart we found one for half the price. After getting that and our other goodies, we were on the road. I was keeping my eyes out for a gas station so we could fill up. Just off the highway, we spotted a Sunoco. We pulled in. The gas was $3.37 a gallon. What a deal. When we went in, the fellow behind the counter asked if we had a Sunoco discount card. We do not. He said if we wanted one, it would save us ten cents per gallon making it only $3.27!!!!!!! What a BETTER deal!!!! Of course we now have a Sunoco discount card to go along with our Flying J/Pilot discount card. We filled up and it came to $156.00. That is one of the cheapest fill ups we have had. The other one was in Oklahoma. 

A bit down the road, the weather started to change. It had been muggy, but dry, and now the rain started. We pulled into a Pilot for a break. Eddie wanted to stretch his legs and eat some lunch. While there, Eddie was talking to a truck driver, and was able to pick up a very new CB radio. We had been wanting to get one to be able to check on weather, traffic etc... The plan is for him to install it while we are at Bruce & Paula's. The list of "projects" for Eddie to do is getting longer and longer!!!!!

driving by Allentown, PA

We finally arrived at the Smith's just after six. Okay all I can say is WOW!!!!! What a nice place they have. Bruce is always working on it and it shows. He had us park under a cover. We stick out the front a bit to get satellite reception. We have electric, water AND sewer hook up!!!!!! They are even letting us tap into their wifi. Now THIS is my kind of boondocking!!!!! Eddie showed Bruce the painting he did for him, and Bruce loves it. Bruce has an old saw blade, milk can and heater that he wants Eddie to paint scenes on. That is good, because I felt bad that we are getting so many amenities for free. There goes that Eddie "to do" list growing again!!! Bruce assisted us in getting settled in and hooked up. Once that was done, we were down for the day.

The next morning we were up and headed out to explore the area and do some errands. First we dropped Suzy off to be groomed, then stopped at a Wawa to get gas. This was our first Wawa experience. We were pleased that the gas price was as low as the Sunoco. I got one of their Italian sub sandwich's. They make it fresh, and the bread is baked there. It was YUMMY. Hard to believe it came form a gas station!!!! For those of you who don't know what a Wawa is....well it is a 7/11 on steroids!!!! They have a cool ordering process, and really good food. Plus everything else you would want at a convenience store. It was nice.

Wawa in Bethlehem, PA

After gassing up, we headed to Supercuts so Eddie and I could also get groomed. All three of us had been looking a bit shaggy and it was time to get trimmed up. Odessa was the gal that did my hair, and she did a GREAT job. A young man cut Eddie's hair, and he went for a different look. I went SHORT. Easier to take care of and style. Eddie even bought some product for his hair!!!!! That is a first!!!!! Once we were all pretty, we headed back to Bruce & Paula's. Eddie made us burgers for dinner, and we settled in for the night.

all pretty

even suzy was all pretty

August 22nd, Eddie went out to run some more errands. He wanted to get some paint for Bruce's projects, and canvas's to do some more paintings on. I wanted to finish up some cleaning around Freeda. The last time we did the living room slide in and out, it got some scratches on the hard wood floor. John, the previous owner, had left us some scratch repair stuff. So after everything else was done, I thought I would put it down and see how it would look. WOW, it came out GREAT!!! The wood floor looks darker and shiner. To prevent scratching, there are five little old rugs that we have to put down every time the slides go in or out. So while at Walmart in Gettysburg, we bought a "runner" and small area rug to see if we can cut down on the rugs we have to deal with. Also, the five old rugs were coming apart and made a huge mess. I had not planned on using these rugs for any thing else than when traveling. But after seeing how nice the floor looked, and wanting to keep it protected, I decided to see how the new rugs would look being used all of the time. Again, WOW. The rugs really make it look homey. When Eddie got home, he just loved it. He also thinks it makes Freeda look more like a house.

runner on the nicely polished floor

area rug

Eddie got home about lunch time, and after eating, we went looking for a RV store Bruce had told us about. There we picked up items to fix the geni, replace the electrical cord, and new tire straps. The electrical cord has a burn area by one of the prongs that is getting worse, and has been a concern of Eddie's for quite some time. The tire straps are being held together by knots and prayers!!!! They have been a worry for me every since the one totally broke. This time we got heavy duty straps!!!! Safety, safety, safety!!!!! They didn't have the awning rails we need nor the stove knob, but they can order them in. Like I said, Eddie's to do list is getting longer and longer!!!!
The weekend we mostly hung around the coach. Eddie worked on the drawing he is going to do on the saw. Saturday we did a quick run to Home Depot. Eddie needed a tool. Right by Home Depot, there was a White Castle. I had never been to one, so we stopped there for a bite to eat. It was pretty good. MUCH better than the frozen ones you can get. Sunday I Skyped with Becca. We made plans for us to visit their place for the long weekend. We are going to leave on Friday, and stay until Tuesday. I am EXCITED!!! Bruce had already told us we are more than welcome to leave Freeda here so we can make a quick trip in the Cruiser.
Monday, August 25th Eddie started painting the saw blade and I did laundry. It was a bit warmer, but at least not muggy. Three of Bruce and Paula's daughters were around, and they all ohed and ahed at the painting as it was being done. Bruce's grandsons helped him raise the American flag, it was SO cute!!!!

Eddie painting the saw blade

raising the flag

Tyler and Suzy

Tyler, one of Bruce's grand-sons, came over to see the painting. Suzy went right up to him, and when Tyler sat in a chair, Suzy jumped up to be next to Tyler. His mom, Kelly, told me Tyler has been very wary of small dogs ever since one nipped at him. But Suzy had decided that Tyler was her buddy and warmed right up to him. Tyler was so sweet with her. The two of them were ADORABLE!!!!

our spot at the Smith's

backyard

the pond

Eddie finished the Saw blade, and Bruce already knows where he wants to hang it. He is going to put it in their Fifth wheel. That way they always have their home with them wherever they travel to.
On the 27th, we drove over to Bethlehem, PA to check out the "Steel Stacks" it is an old steel mill that is now more of an artsy fartsy place. They have a stage there, and do concerts and the such on weekends. 

Steel stacks and part of the stage

old steel mill building

We also visited an art center called the Banana factory. It was kinda like Emily Carr on Granville island in Vancouver. So I was bored and Eddie was in 7th heaven!!!! We drove around the area some more, and then stopped at a little place to eat. They had the BEST fajitas I have had in a long time. Both of us enjoyed our lunch, then we headed home.

Horseback police officers in Bethlehem, PA

Thursday the 28th I cleaned Freeda, including touching up the paint on the bedroom walls. The paintings had scratched them up a bit. Eddie worked on the projects for Bruce. We then headed out to Walmart for meds and supplies. The brakes were making a HORRIBLE scraping noise. Seeing as how we were to drive to New Jersey the next day, we figured we better get them checked out ASAP. We found a Meineke right by the Walmart. They were AWESOME. They got us in and fixed the brakes in no time at all, and all without an appointment!!!!! It did set us back a bit, but the brakes were shot, and HAD to be done. Once back home, we got things ready for our mini trip to Becca and Andrews. We are excited to see them and their home!!!
This is a good place to go ahead and post. I am a bit behind and want to get something out for you all. Be safe and be good to each other always. 
Eddie, Darlanne & Suzy.