[A/S] First trip in 1.5 years

[Mike Keith <mkeith@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Well we are back from our first trip out in 1 and 1/2 years.  The reason 
for the long delay between trips was I have had Esophageal Cancer and have 
just started getting my strength back after surgery a year ago.  We left 
home on the 27th of May to go to Marianne's Mother's house for her 75th 
birthday.  First day out we stopped mid way at Grandpa's Farm in the east 
most part of Indiana. It's a quaint and small campground off the beaten 
path, yet in easy reach of the highway (I-70).  We didn't have reservations 
and I was worried that being the holiday weekend that we might have 
problems, however, the folks in charge managed to fit us in with no 
problems.  A very friendly place and highly recommended.
The next day we made it on in to Washington PA, where we were to stay for 4 
nights before starting home.  We stayed at the Washington KOA.  IF road 
noise does not bother you then this is a viable campground and the rates 
were not too bad for a holiday weekend.  For us coming in from the country 
and not being able to see our nearest neighbor it was simply to noisy for 
us.  It is located right at the confluence of I-70 and I-79 so the road 
noise comes from two directions.  On the bright side while we were in the 
area we scouted a small older campground that is off the highway and in the 
country that we will use the next time we go in.
On Wednesday we started back for home with a three day stop planned for 
Dayton OH and the Air Force Museum.  Here we stayed on the Air Base (we're 
both retired military) at the Fam Camp.  If you can stay there we highly 
recommend it as well.  For me the highlight of the trip is always the 
museum as I get to see some of the projects that I worked on while in the 
AF and learn that I can actually tell Marianne what I was truly doing all 
the days spent away from home. If you like aviation or the military in 
general you really need to see this museum.  Plan two days, three if ones a 
Friday would be even better.
On a final note up until this year we had been pulling with a F-150, after 
upgrading to a F-250 with a Powerstroke I find that I am much more relaxed 
driving.  Seems the truck rides better and is more stable, not to mention 
has scads of power.
Lessons Learned:
1.  No matter how many lists you make, how hard you try to  remember what 
you took last time you will forget something important.
2.  The tools you carry are not the ones you need.
3.  check the band clamps on the drain hose _before every_ dump.  If you 
don't that will be the time the clamp was loose.
4.  Hook up the night before you leave, it makes leaving so much easier and 
you don't start out tired.
5.  Make sure you have all your discount cards (Good Sam, KOA, Flying J and 
your ERS card) with you.



Mike and Marianne Keith
WBCCI 4503, Greater St Louis 3rd VP
New Florence, MO
75 Argosy 26' center twin rear bath
96 Ford F-250 Powerstroke