Pete is a Wimp!

Hey folks, it's me, Oscar writing this entry.  Pete went out somewhere so I thought I'd hop online and tell you what an absolute WIMP he is.  This is payback for him taking me to the worst groomer I've ever had dealings with.  Payback is hell buddy . . . 

So here it is, Pete drove me to Niagara Falls, where I've been telling him to man up and go over the falls in a barrel.  He's just been hemming and hawing on me. One excuse after another.  "I have a hangnail." or "I'm afraid of heights." (says the retired pilot) I think he's just having an attack of sissyitis.

I even showed him how calm the water looked as it headed for the edge.

And how fun the slide down the water slide would be.

He'd have nuthin' to do with it, I tell ya.  He dangles me over the edge, so's I could look down and he mumbled something about rocks.

I told him not to worry, his head is way harder than any of those little pebbles, way down there.

Why he wouldn't even put on one of those red raincoats and go for a ride on The Lady of The Mist.

I think he was ascared.

Little ole Annie had more courage than scaredy Pete.

Well, after just about giving up on helping Pete find his manhood, I came across another idea.

(It worked for Nik Wallenda back in 2012)

Ya think he'll go fer it?

Notta chance . . . cuz he's a WIMPO!!!!!

Whose land is it?

Can anyone ever really "own" land?  As I cross this nation and stand amongst giant, 2000 year old Redwoods, I realize we are but a whisper passing through this place we call "our land".  Oscar and I visited one small area in "our land" which has been contested by four nations during recorded history;  Iroquois, French, British, and Americans all believed they were the possessors of this small corner of earth.

Peering over the earthen fortifications at Fort Niagara is the French Castle, built to resemble a trading house so the hostile Iroquois indians wouldn't think it was a military fort.

But when you get up close to the "trading house" you notice impressive outcroppings, not intended for guests to view the surrounding area from their penthouse rooms, or to allow Rapunzel to let-down her golden hair.  They were cannon emplacements commanding a wide view of the surrounding area for defensive and offensive purposes.

Daniel Hyacinthe-Marie Lienard de Beujeau - French Commandant of Fort Niagara 1749- 1751

His bedroom and study area was opulent for the time and place of his country's "ownership"

His soldiers did not share the same luxury.

Currently, the US Coast Guard Commander, at Coast Guard Station Niagara, viewed here from Fort Niagara, has nice a accommodation in "his country's land"

(tough duty, if you can get it)

After pondering all of this, Oscar the Smiley Dog ran into the former French Castle, scurried up the stairs to the Commandants quarters, hopped up on the bed and declared "This is MY land"

 Sheeesh

Fletchers Trailer Sales & Service, Inc.

Soooooo, where do old, vintage trailers, such as this Shasta "tin can" go for a chance at a new life?

They go to Fletchers Trailer Sales & Service, Inc. in Trumansburg, NY

Fletchers has rows of used, vintage trailers just waiting to be renewed so they might get back out on the road and give people pleasures of the great outdoors.  Here is a row from the front.

and from the back

As you stroll amongst these rolling treasures, you can almost hear them talk to each other about the places they've been and the families who have owned them over the years. Oh, the stories they could tell!  Here is a sample of the treasures to be found at Fletchers.

Avalon with cool Jalousie windows 

Serro Scotty Highlander

and his little brother, the Serro Scotty Sportsman was there also

These old fellows gathered around all day wondering who would be the next lucky one to be given a new finish and a new family to have fun with.

A very intriguing trailer was also found in this magical place. This low riding, raisable hard sided trailer was ahead of its time . . .

The COMPAK!

The Compak Keuka tows in the collapsed position for easy towing and then raises into a functional trailer for camping.  This one is serial number 002 and Fletchers is selling it, as is, to anyone who desires to return it to useful service.  What a head turner it would be.  It also comes with the original owner's manual. 

Anyone looking for a rare, classic trailer for refurbishing,  should call 607-387-5838 and ask for "Fletch"

He'll be glad to help.

Fletchers Sales & Service, Inc.


The adventure continues . . .

Saddleback Campground

We scooted up to New Hampshire so Oscar could go to his cousin, Noah's,  graduation from UNH with an MFA  in poetry.  Oscar thought Noah's readings were most excellent and is looking forward to Noah's book "Look Out Animal" being published.  He and Noah even had a musical saw, "saw-off" competition.

Being so early in the camping season, we were fortunate to find an open campground, one with friends for Oscar to tell stories around the campfire, and a crossing guard to help him cross over to the pond and go fishing.

The adventure continues . . .

A Somber Detour

Driving down the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I unexpectedly saw a sign for a National Memorial and was compelled to detour.

It is said that although the weather was mild and the sky was clear, few people were outside that morning.  They were inside, glued to their television sets watching events unfold on the morning of 9/11/2001 when they heard the roar of jet engines as American Flight 93 skimmed low overhead, disappearing beyond the rise as their small community joined New York and Washington D.C. in the fateful events that unfolded that day.

Forty people comprised the crew and passengers of Flight 93

The memorial is still a work in progress.  A solemn walkway takes visitors to a memorial wall where forty names can be found.  The field to the left of the walkway is off limits to all but family members of the departed.  

Those who look carefully can see there was a 41st passenger onboard, seated with his/her mother, Lauren.  To the right of her name, you can just make out the faint, unpainted, etching which reads

"and unborn child"

Along the walkway, overlooking the field of Flight 93's impact, niches overlook the resting place of the 41 souls and small tokens are left in remembrance .