Cook Forest, Pa - part 1

A Pennsylvania rangers patrol car stops abruptly, two rangers get out with flashlights, they march up to me rather quickly and say OH you're not in any trouble we just wanted to see your vehicle.

Rewind. A week and a half ago I asked Nick you want to go camping? I called Cooks Forest in Pa they had two spot lefts. I grabbed one and made plans. I tried to rally a few people into going but you know what, I am tired of cheer leading so it was me and Nick and that's alright by me. Nicks a good traveler and never complains whats on the agenda.

In typical Carey fashion I wanted to leave by 10 am Friday but didn't leave until 2pm. But it always works out for the best. I had to do an oil change before we left. Wow did my oil look bad. Then we headed to the local gas station in Wickliffe filled her up and that's when Nick walked back to the Bus after paying and told me look under the Bus. His face told the story. I was chicken to look and kept asking what? Just look. So I did and OH no, whats that leaking? Gas! Pulled it to the side of the station, crawled under and found the culprit. The small hose from the gas filter to the gas pump was – chewed? It seemed that way to me, Nick said naww and I said yes gnaw. I have a mice problem in my garage and the GoGo Bus. They pooped all over the top of my engine and somehow got into it and pooped in my chip bowl I left in it. Didn't know mice like BBQ chips.

I am thankful the line ruptured close to home and not on the freeway.

We were making OK time but the Bus was running rough so we stopped before Youngstown at Craig Woodruffs place, he rebuilds carbs and just did mine. He gave it a few adjustments and said have a nice trip. We took notes from him of places to see in Cooks Forest and headed back to Rt 80.

We made it to Shippendale the place I thought the male strippers come from, then I realized its SHIPPENVILLE. Driving through town was a small little grocery store, Red & White. A real throw back. It had small signs in front like Burma Shave one after the other. The smoked pork chops sign was the one that got to me. The store has wood floors, mounted heads of animals, some dry goods, essential groceries, produce, and in the back the butcher counter, deli and a small room where he does the smoking and making of jerky. The smell of the place was wonderful.

The owners name is Dan Stiller. They asked if we wanted to try their Bologna, wish I would of. After we left I noticed their business card said Try our almost famous Bologna & other smoked meats. After a few laughs we left. Its a good thing I didn't listen to Nick, he didn't want to stop. Not only because we found quality meat but because we were going the wrong way. The owner directed us to Rt 66 and said head towards Leeper and we did.

One more stop before the campground at another Red & White for pop, but they are not related or a chain according to the first one.

A short distance from the campground entrance we see road flairs and a patrol car with flashers. A little bit further more emergency vehicles, a tow truck and someone directing traffic around an accident. This was a You Tube moment if there ever was one but I tell you if it doesn't come out on my vid cam I will strangle Nick. I handed him the cam because I had to pay attention to driving and said tape whats going on. He momentarily put the cam down before I could pick it back up. What do I hope came out? The emergency workers, paramedics or what ever they were stopped look up and said hey neat vehicle! Oh my gosh! I am sure the party involved wasn't to thrilled to see the GoGo Bus.

We set up camp. Nicks excited his first tent experience. He said he usually sleeps in cars. After supper I nap wake up just about to exit the Bus when a Rangers car pulls up, two rangers get out in a hurry with flash lights drawn. My mind raced, was it the wood we took, the electric hot plate I am using, Euclid coming to get me. I must of seen scared because the one said to me Oh you are not in trouble we just want to see your vehicle. But they sure must of thought I was stoned. If you don't know me its this way after a nap or just waking... silence please, coffee and then you can talk. I forgot where I was at and said you are from the NY police? Duh! They enjoyed the brief tour of the Bus and took off.

It was the first time cops asked politely if they could look in my vehicle and the first time I more than obliged.


Part Two to come, stay tuned....
Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

back from cook forest, pa - intro

Hey Gang,
Just returned from a 3 day escape to Cooks Forest. A quickly planned trip. For the most part things went well. It was a quieter trip, a trip to unclutter the mind as the camp chaplain said.

I saw things and areas that I have never been to before. And its not that far from my home, about 160 miles away. Not sure why I never went before. Maybe the high price of gas is good, its keeping me closer to home – yeah right.

It really is disturbing what has happened to our dollar under this current regime. I am not sure how the rest of you are getting along but its tough for me to justify traveling, I feel as if I am just throwing my money away. Camping was always one of the cheapest things to do. Here are just a few things that had me really upset: about $132 in gas for round trip of about 400 miles - camp site $62.00 for 2 nights in a state forest – bundle of wood for 2 nights $30 and corn, always one of the cheapest things is now at $4.50 for a doz! Crazy!!!!!!

Well I am going to post my outing in segments as I wrote them. But before I do that have to tell you my dream.

The weather was quite ideal Friday through early Sunday morning when it briefly stormed then dried up and didn't rain again till we started driving home late afternoon. All days were hot and sunny perfect way to end the summer travel season. Sunday morning at 5 am I awoke from a strange dream.

A storm was gathering that turned into a tornado. At the base of this twirling funnel cloud were Batman & Robin with their arms crossed. They were HUGE. I ran inside to tell my family and they said this is no storm but a tornado, hide. Just then a loud crack and BOOM woke me from the dream. I looked out the window startled. It had woken Nick also and he said yes Carey its a thunderstorm.


Now don't go writing to me saying my guardian angels must be super heroes it was only a dream... or was it?

Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

flaaaaaaaaash back - Winter Cookout/Freezefest 2006

Hey Gang,
Well the 2006 - 4th Annual Winter Cookout/Freeze Fest went
GREAT! My quickly erected homeless shelter for the
most part stayed intact. A couple of times when the
gale force winds hit things went flying BUT we all
survived and I don't think anyone got frostbite.
About 12 showed up and it seemed like this time we
had the most food, almost to much. There was
stuffing, salad, peppers, beans, Mary's fantastic
tasting chili, grilled corn & potato's, Doritos,
pretzels, bread (real and fake), yogurt, cookies,
coffee, pop - what a feast. Of course we all grilled
something, those were just the side dishes. We never
did figure out what to do with the cauliflower Eli
brought, anyone have a recipe for grilled cauliflower?
Besides the 12 that stayed I had a mysterious drunk
guy show up, or maybe it was an angel who decided it
wasn't worth freezing just to get his wings. Whoever
this guy was he stumbled into the shelter, grabbed the
staple gun from me, helped hang up a sheet of plastic,
yelled for his girlfriend to join in and when she
didn't come he disappeared, literally. Mary and I
both were asking "where did he go"? Strange??
There wasn't enough time to decorate the place like
I usually do but I am sure glad I grabbed the bath
robe that my niece dropped off for me to give to the
Godwill on my way out the door to the cookout. (I bet
you have to read that sentence twice to understand
it!)I hung it up and everyone wanted to know why the
bath robe? Well it was one of those premonitions I
guess because as it turned out it was needed by
someone, I'll get to that in a bit.
The best dressed award went to Allen who
left a wedding reception to attend the cookout dressed
in his finest. That was a treat.
I have to go through my archives but I think that
Jeff and Rich have attended all of these cookouts,
either they enjoy it or feel sorry for me and don't
want me outside in the cold alone!
There was some rookies in attendance, Eli, Chris,
Dave who finally made it to one of these Go Go Events
- Hey Dave did you thaw out yet and will you be back
for more?, and Allen.
Once again Nancy DJ'd the event
And a BIG thank you to Mary for all the help.
OH - who wore the bath robe? Allen, he put it over his suit.
Thanks everyone that helped and attended, those
that didn't - there is always next year!!


Your Frozen Food Server Friend,
Carey
Gotta Go Go!!
www.gogobus.cc

overheard at the cookout....
Carey to Dave... Dave do you know what the best
thing about a cookout in the winter is? There is no
flies
Dave - You're right and you don't have to worry
about salmonella, its to cold for the food to spoil.

Carey to anyone - hey does anyone have a lighter to
light these matches?

Mary - this food is still cold
Jeff - it all is

Chris to whoever was listening - when I was in gym
class, we were outside and a little dust devil
appeared like a little tornado, I went in it and it
was warm, and I got dust up my nose and on my clothes

Lost in the shuffle

Hey Gang,
Fiiiiinally getting back to the weekend trip with Dov and Lisa we took a few weeks ago. What you didn't know I escaped? Well you should be checking on the message board and you would of.
I can and will be writing about where we went and what we did but I want to start with something more important first, some of the fine people we met while on our excursion. After all, life is all about people, ain't it?
Their names were Bob & Linda, our heaven sent angels, Ron, who dropped in on our Sunday supper, and Jason Keeler I met outside of Covered Bridge Pizza in Kingsville, Ohio. There was other friendly people on the trip, the gas station attendant, who actually still pumps gas, the greeters at the camp ground, and the toll both lady.

But I'm running late to pick up tickets for McCains visit so guess what? You still have to wait, sorry I'll try to hurry back.
Gotta GoGo!!
Carey

Weekend of the 16th and Lisa's message

Hey Gang,
I'm slowly getting caught up to date, this is about the weekend of the 16th.
Have you ever planned something and have everything just click and go smoothly? Have you ever wanted to share something with a friend or loved one knowing how wonderful or good it would be for them? I experienced both the weekend of August 16th.
I sent out an email asking who wanted to go camping or possibly a beach outing. The beach plans fell apart but Mark called asking if I wanted to go to Salt Fork and camp with his family. I agreed but was reluctant and just not really into it. In fact it wasn't until late Friday I finally told him I was going.
But before then, about mid week, I was talking to Lisa trying to help her through a rough time, a lot of changes going on in her life. I can't write all what we discussed but this is a very shortened version, and yes Lisa I need to put the part where I was stern with you. I told her what your problem is you don't want things to change, you are going back to your problems. So what was my finally advice to her? You need to go camping this weekend with us! Most people would of said lets meet at the bar so we can talk, or lets go to church, not me - lets go camping. It sort of reminded me of when I met Shirl and took her camping but thats another story.
Maybe some of you don't understand but to me camping is thee best place to clear your head and do some serious thinking. Especially late at night going for a walk, the air, the stars, the night sounds of the insects and animals, its so serene and beautiful. I just knew this would do Lisa wonders to be away from everything for a few days and wanted so badly for her to experience this. Plus the clincher was Lisa has children close in age to Mark & Becky's, it would be perfect for everyone. I love Mark & Becky's kids, had to throw that in. And it did turn out as I envisioned. Even though we never went on a hayless hay ride everyone had a blast and Lisa was able to have some quiet time to put things into perspective. I want to thank Mark & Becky again not only for the invite but also for the hospitality, allowing us to be part of their family and extending a helping hand to a friend in need. Thats how Mark & Becky are, though they never met Lisa
they accepted her and her children as one immediately.
NOW the really good part. Lisa had a miracle if you would call it that. You know what, instead of rewriting her words she said I could forward on what happened when she got home. So here's Lisa's story.

"I drove home full of all sorts of things to go over in my head. Thinking and worring and laughing and crying. I was sort of worried about the money I spent and thought I'd figure out something later. I had to go on this trip. I'm praying on it all the way home along with tons of other things thanking GOD for you and for the way my kids enjoyed themselves and such. I come home to my darling Emily she runs out to greet us I pour the coffee she made me and start to tell her all about our adventure. As I am talking to her, I check the mailbox. I received two very very important pieces of mail the first one I recognized immediately! The second letter was from St Luke's School. I figured it was a bill...tuition payments start soon. It was a check! A check, not a bill. Do you believe in miracles Carey? I do. The check was enough to cover what I spent this weekend with $20.00 left to get a few things we are out of here. I called my mom
immediately. Hi mom...I'm home safe....wanna hear a story. Proceeded to tell her about the wonderful weekend I had and why I HAD TO GO and then broke down sobbing when I got to the part about the check! It was like a sign from GOD that going this weekend was the right thing, the only thing,(the predestined thing??) to do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He had my back all along. The check was mailed before I decided to go. He just had you help my decide to go. I still cry now thinking about it."

You just can't plans things like that, you just have to follow the inner voice in you and all will go well.



Now I am caught up, I guess I could write about last weekend in Presque Isle which was a blast but the holiday weekend is upon us and I need to take off to kentucky to drive Millard back home. Hope everyone has a terrific holiday.

Your Friend Always,
Gotta GoGo!!
Carey


Gotta GoGo!!
Carey