Up a little on the late side. We stayed up last night hooked on the Olympics. We arrived at the mall at 10:00 and found out they don't open until 11:00. We found a Dunkin Donuts had a coffee and donut to bide our time. We discussed what we should do and figure out that we both have cell phones with us, Nancy goes to Best Buy, Tom heads to Circuit City.
The line for Best Buy is really long and Nancy thinks oh, no we won't get the computer. Tom calls so we know the phones work inside the building. Nancy finds a clerk and yes they have the Dell laptop, just none of them out on display. Tom calls from Circuit City asking what the Dell has on it vs. what he is finding at Circuit City. When Tom finds out that the Dell has Intel whereas the ones comparable priced at Circuit City are AMD he tells Nancy get the Dell.
Tom leaves C.C. And heads up to Best Buy arriving before Nancy is all written up. “How much time for your Geeks to set up everything for us? About 3 hours. Forget it, I can do it myself at home. So, off we go with a new laptop. We are back up and running with a great new computer an hour later, including travel time.
After getting the laptop set up we find we did not lose any of our photos as we had backed them up on the portable hard drive. Great, what a relief!!
Nancy, now you better get over here and retype your blog that got blown away when the computer went kaput. SO, Here we are!!
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Saturday August 9,2008
This is the day we have to vacate our campsite. We can't stay any longer as the campground is booked full. What do we do? I guess we head south to Syracuse and stay at Camping World until our parts come in and we get fixed. So, we must vacate by noontime. We pack up and off we go into the wild blue yonder. This is summertime in the north when campsites are reserved for days/weeks in advance. So Camping World will have to do until we get fixed.
We start to get on line and what is happening? Our computer is kaput. We frantically call Jeff and ask what to do, we need a computer to pay a few bills. We can find a library and get on line but Jeff tells us NO, don't do that.
We have nothing to do, so what the heck, we find a Best Buy and a Circuit City. The clerk at Circuit City has an open box computer, but NO battery. The manager tells him find out how much a battery costs and we can knock that amount off the price of the computer. The clerk get on line and finds the price of the battery on sale for $116.00. When the manager finds that out he decides that he won't come down for that. So, out the door we go.
We head to Uno's for a pizza for dinner, then it's onto Best Buy. The young kid greeting us at the door tells us don't buy tonight, tomorrow they will be on sale. He does manage to find a circular for the computer and price for us. We decideded to wait.
We start to get on line and what is happening? Our computer is kaput. We frantically call Jeff and ask what to do, we need a computer to pay a few bills. We can find a library and get on line but Jeff tells us NO, don't do that.
We have nothing to do, so what the heck, we find a Best Buy and a Circuit City. The clerk at Circuit City has an open box computer, but NO battery. The manager tells him find out how much a battery costs and we can knock that amount off the price of the computer. The clerk get on line and finds the price of the battery on sale for $116.00. When the manager finds that out he decides that he won't come down for that. So, out the door we go.
We head to Uno's for a pizza for dinner, then it's onto Best Buy. The young kid greeting us at the door tells us don't buy tonight, tomorrow they will be on sale. He does manage to find a circular for the computer and price for us. We decideded to wait.
Friday August 8, 2008
Today it rained all day. Sometimes hard, most of the time just drizzly. What the heck, we finally have good brakes on the Saturn, lets head on over to Canada for a ride. We leave and head east towards the nearest bridge. The 1000 Islands International Bridge. It is a bit of a wait at customs, but well worth it.
Arriving in Canada we got on the 401. Wrong road! We finally found the Canadian 1000 Islands Parkway. What a neat ride. The small towns we travel through are picturesque. We drive northeast about 75km to the next bridge before heading back to the U.S.A. The ride down the American side of the St. Lawrence River is just not as neat as the Canadian side.
When we arrive back to Alex Bay we think we will head into town for a bite to eat. Wrong move.It is the start of “Pirate Days”. The town is over run with tourists. We get back in the car and head back towards Clayton. Nancy wants to go into a Christmas shop and she she does, she checks with the locals on where is a good diner to eat lunch at. They direct her to the Kozy Korner. What a great little diner, with a good meal.
Arriving in Canada we got on the 401. Wrong road! We finally found the Canadian 1000 Islands Parkway. What a neat ride. The small towns we travel through are picturesque. We drive northeast about 75km to the next bridge before heading back to the U.S.A. The ride down the American side of the St. Lawrence River is just not as neat as the Canadian side.
When we arrive back to Alex Bay we think we will head into town for a bite to eat. Wrong move.It is the start of “Pirate Days”. The town is over run with tourists. We get back in the car and head back towards Clayton. Nancy wants to go into a Christmas shop and she she does, she checks with the locals on where is a good diner to eat lunch at. They direct her to the Kozy Korner. What a great little diner, with a good meal.
Thursday August 7,2008
The Saturn has bad brakes and we know it needs a brake job. We made an appointment with a local service station and this was the day to get the brakes done. Tom awoke early and headed into town. Chris, the owner, brought Tom back to the motor home. We sat and waited. Nancy thought this would be a good day to check into what Camping World found out about the jacks and the steps.
Calling two times to Camping World and not getting a return call she calls a third time. This time Nancy gets connected to Chuck. Chuck explains that he has not heard from Kwik Step, Power Gear or Evenbrake. Nancy takes the bull by the horns and asks for the telephone number of Power Gear and Kwik Step. She gets the number and finds out the Power Gear and Kwik Step are the same company. She makes the call and after numerous different voice prompts get a real live person. This person informs her she can't help, but offers to take Nancy's number. I tell them if I have not heard back by noontime I will call my lawyer. Wow, within 20 minutes I receive a call back. If Camping World will tall with them....well they will call me back.
The guy from Power Gear calls back and tells me he has faxed paperwork to Camping World and when it is returned he will send out the repair parts. I remind them if they had returned the call on Monday the 4th. That Camping World would already have the parts. Well, if Camping World sends the faxed paperwork back then they would drop ship the parts for us.
Nancy calls Chuck back, and he has already faxed paperwork back to Power Gear. When it comes in they will call us. “How long for the work to be down?” Well, about 2 hours. “Do, I need to make an appointment for the work to be done?” No, just come on in.
Great, we have accomplished a couple of things today.
Jeff (the mechanic) shows up and the Saturn is done. What a great day this turns out to be.
Calling two times to Camping World and not getting a return call she calls a third time. This time Nancy gets connected to Chuck. Chuck explains that he has not heard from Kwik Step, Power Gear or Evenbrake. Nancy takes the bull by the horns and asks for the telephone number of Power Gear and Kwik Step. She gets the number and finds out the Power Gear and Kwik Step are the same company. She makes the call and after numerous different voice prompts get a real live person. This person informs her she can't help, but offers to take Nancy's number. I tell them if I have not heard back by noontime I will call my lawyer. Wow, within 20 minutes I receive a call back. If Camping World will tall with them....well they will call me back.
The guy from Power Gear calls back and tells me he has faxed paperwork to Camping World and when it is returned he will send out the repair parts. I remind them if they had returned the call on Monday the 4th. That Camping World would already have the parts. Well, if Camping World sends the faxed paperwork back then they would drop ship the parts for us.
Nancy calls Chuck back, and he has already faxed paperwork back to Power Gear. When it comes in they will call us. “How long for the work to be down?” Well, about 2 hours. “Do, I need to make an appointment for the work to be done?” No, just come on in.
Great, we have accomplished a couple of things today.
Jeff (the mechanic) shows up and the Saturn is done. What a great day this turns out to be.
Wesnesday August 6, 2008
Today was sort of a drizzly day. We headed northeast to Alexandria Bay about 14 miles from camp. We drove around town, and the bad weather was leaving so we decided to take a boat tour. We got to the end of James St. (the main drag) and there was one of the boat tours. We parked the car and purchased tickets. We thought we would take the two nation tour.
We have about an hour to kill before our boat leaves, so we shop along the main drag. We purchased absolutely NOTHING!!! Heading back to the docks we decided to sit and wait for the boat. We got on the 11:30 boat and out it goes. The 1000 islands area has many old homes built on the islands and a lot of them were build by millionaires during the 20's, 30's and 40's. Stately grand old homes. This area is called the “Millionaires Row”. The ride takes us southwest, then turns and heads northeast before heading north into Canadian waters. The tour guide is very informative and interesting. He is a young college kid and and ad libs a lot.
After about 2 hours on the boat tour, we arrived at Boldt Castle. The castle was started about 1900 by Mr. Boldt, as a gift to the love of his life, his wife Louise. Well the story goes, that Louise got sick and the construction was stopped just hours after her death because he was so overcome with grief. Anyhow the castle sat abandoned for 76 years before the state of New York purchased it for $1.00 and started restoring the castle. It is something to behold and well worth the extra money to see.
After spending as much time as we wanted at the castle, we caught a return boat to the mainland and headed back to camp.
We have about an hour to kill before our boat leaves, so we shop along the main drag. We purchased absolutely NOTHING!!! Heading back to the docks we decided to sit and wait for the boat. We got on the 11:30 boat and out it goes. The 1000 islands area has many old homes built on the islands and a lot of them were build by millionaires during the 20's, 30's and 40's. Stately grand old homes. This area is called the “Millionaires Row”. The ride takes us southwest, then turns and heads northeast before heading north into Canadian waters. The tour guide is very informative and interesting. He is a young college kid and and ad libs a lot.
After about 2 hours on the boat tour, we arrived at Boldt Castle. The castle was started about 1900 by Mr. Boldt, as a gift to the love of his life, his wife Louise. Well the story goes, that Louise got sick and the construction was stopped just hours after her death because he was so overcome with grief. Anyhow the castle sat abandoned for 76 years before the state of New York purchased it for $1.00 and started restoring the castle. It is something to behold and well worth the extra money to see.
After spending as much time as we wanted at the castle, we caught a return boat to the mainland and headed back to camp.
Wesnesday August 6, 2008
Today was sort of a drizzly day. We headed northeast to Alexandria Bay about 14 miles from camp. We drove around town, and the bad weather was leaving so we decided to take a boat tour. We got to the end of James St. (the main drag) and there was one of the boat tours. We parked the car and purchased tickets. We thought we would take the two nation tour.
We have about an hour to kill before our boat leaves, so we shop along the main drag. We purchased absolutely NOTHING!!! Heading back to the docks we decided to sit and wait for the boat. We got on the 11:30 boat and out it goes. The 1000 islands area has many old homes built on the islands and a lot of them were build by millionaires during the 20's, 30's and 40's. Stately grand old homes. This area is called the “Millionaires Row”. The ride takes us southwest, then turns and heads northeast before heading north into Canadian waters. The tour guide is very informative and interesting. He is a young college kid and and ad libs a lot.
After about 2 hours on the boat tour, we arrived at Boldt Castle. The castle was started about 1900 by Mr. Boldt, as a gift to the love of his life, his wife Louise. Well the story goes, that Louise got sick and the construction was stopped just hours after her death because he was so overcome with grief. Anyhow the castle sat abandoned for 76 years before the state of New York purchased it for $1.00 and started restoring the castle. It is something to behold and well worth the extra money to see.
After spending as much time as we wanted at the castle, we caught a return boat to the mainland and headed back to camp.
We have about an hour to kill before our boat leaves, so we shop along the main drag. We purchased absolutely NOTHING!!! Heading back to the docks we decided to sit and wait for the boat. We got on the 11:30 boat and out it goes. The 1000 islands area has many old homes built on the islands and a lot of them were build by millionaires during the 20's, 30's and 40's. Stately grand old homes. This area is called the “Millionaires Row”. The ride takes us southwest, then turns and heads northeast before heading north into Canadian waters. The tour guide is very informative and interesting. He is a young college kid and and ad libs a lot.
After about 2 hours on the boat tour, we arrived at Boldt Castle. The castle was started about 1900 by Mr. Boldt, as a gift to the love of his life, his wife Louise. Well the story goes, that Louise got sick and the construction was stopped just hours after her death because he was so overcome with grief. Anyhow the castle sat abandoned for 76 years before the state of New York purchased it for $1.00 and started restoring the castle. It is something to behold and well worth the extra money to see.
After spending as much time as we wanted at the castle, we caught a return boat to the mainland and headed back to camp.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Early morning calls us. We want to be on the road early this morning. We are up and at 'em at 7:00 a.m. We are heading towards the 1000 Islands of New York State, on the St. Lawrence River. We arrive at Merry Knoll campground in Clayton, NY about noontime. We decide not to do anything until we drive back into Watertown and purchase lumber and perhaps some scissor jacks.
Off we head towards Watertown. It is much further down the road than we thought it would be. We find a Walmart, Lowe's, Target and much more. Then we find a place to eat. Nancy does not want to do Chinese, and that is what we find lots of. Well, oh up ahead, what is that? Why it's a Greek restaurant and that is where we go. Good food, nice decor and we are full. From there we head back towards all the shopping. Nancy heads into Target just to shop. Tom decides to sit in the car, knowing that makes Nancy hurry.
From Target we go to the Lowe's. Tom finds lumber and has some of it cut. He will need to make wooden ramps. And we find scissor jacks at Walmart. We are ready to return to campsite and hopefully make our campsite a little more level and the motor home not so rocky.
We arrive back in Clayton and start work. Tom makes wooden ramps and we drive the motor home up and it is still not level, but we are up about 3 inches on one side and 3 ¾ on the other side and it still was not enough, but we would have to make do.
So we raise the new sissor jacks and make ourselves at home.
Off we head towards Watertown. It is much further down the road than we thought it would be. We find a Walmart, Lowe's, Target and much more. Then we find a place to eat. Nancy does not want to do Chinese, and that is what we find lots of. Well, oh up ahead, what is that? Why it's a Greek restaurant and that is where we go. Good food, nice decor and we are full. From there we head back towards all the shopping. Nancy heads into Target just to shop. Tom decides to sit in the car, knowing that makes Nancy hurry.
From Target we go to the Lowe's. Tom finds lumber and has some of it cut. He will need to make wooden ramps. And we find scissor jacks at Walmart. We are ready to return to campsite and hopefully make our campsite a little more level and the motor home not so rocky.
We arrive back in Clayton and start work. Tom makes wooden ramps and we drive the motor home up and it is still not level, but we are up about 3 inches on one side and 3 ¾ on the other side and it still was not enough, but we would have to make do.
So we raise the new sissor jacks and make ourselves at home.
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