Mike and I didn’t do anything even remotely exciting today, just hung out, walked Tal-y and got ready for tomorrow. We have a long drive tomorrow and so we got as much done this afternoon as we could so we can leave early in the morning, including cleaning the loo and disconnecting the sewer.

Mike: Ah! The life of Riley! Just hanging around pumping shit!

I managed to talk Mike into coming for a walk with Tal-y and me this morning around the park and we got to talk to some nice people that are staying here for the weekend. After we left Tal-y home and headed to Atlantic City. I was expecting something like Vegas, maybe not on such a scale but something similar none the less. I was very disappointed, Atlantic City is like a really poor mans Las Vegas. They hotels were just regular and the casinos were smoky, quite disappointing. Donald Trump seems to like this place though as his name is on almost every building. We did have a stroll along the boardwalk, among the rolling chairs, and there weren’t too many people there so it was quite nice. We ate lunch on the boardwalk at Johnny Rockets and the whole wait staff entertained us by dancing and singing along with the jukebox music – Mike went right back to his youth!

Mike: I wanted to get up and dance but Becc would'nt let me!

Took a drive south along the Jersey shore today towards Cape May. It was a nice drive through a number of different neighbourhoods, most of them really well kept with some lovely huge houses. We got to the southern tip at Cape May and took a nice wind swept stroll along the beach. It was a little bit cold but running around with Tal-y soon warmed me up, and she had a blast racing around and digging in the sand. Afterwards we took a drive past the WWII’s lookout tower and to Cape May’s state park , past the lighthouse and a huge nunnery that sits tight on the ocean.
On the way back we had a little disagreement about lunch and ended up eating nothing – I enjoyed dinner a lot tonight as I was starving! We are off to Atlantic City tomorrow to put it all on black, or maybe red.

Mike: Serves you right! How come on my day to pick the restaurant it only works if you want to eat there also?

We had to break out the ponchos this morning as it was raining when we woke up and it didn’t ease off very much throughout the morning. They are actually quite useful and help keep Mike especially dry when we have to pack up in the rain. We got hitched up without any trouble and took off to New Jersey early this morning. It rained for most of the drive but traffic was light and we made good time getting to Ocean View which is just south of Atlantic City.
The campsite is nice, it sits right on the edge of a huge lake, and even though there are quite a few people here it’s quite quiet. It should be a nice place to stay for the next few days, and there are lots of places to go visit from here.

Mike: I look very sexy in my poncho!

I took Tal-y for a walk early this morning and saw two deer just hanging out in amongst the trees. The one had a huge set of horns and when they saw us and took of running he had a long bright white tail; they are so beautiful, very gentle looking. There were also bunches of geese who are not so beautiful since they poop everywhere.
Mike and I spent today getting the trailer and the truck straight and doing lots of laundry. The bed of the truck and the storage side of the trailer has had everything just wedged into them for the past few weeks so we spent a few hours today putting everything back where it belongs. While the washing was doing I tidied the inside of the trailer, and although I got some done there’s still lots to do. At least when we pack up tomorrow morning I won’t have quite so much stuff laying around.

Mike: Ah, peace and quiet! Heading south for the winter!

A sad day all round today since mam and dad left to go home this evening. We checked them out of the rental unit this morning and got their luggage situated and then headed out around 11 as we had about a two hour drive into New York and we didn’t know how the traffic would be getting to the airport. We made a number of stops on the way to the airport, for lunch, and also to get Serenas oil changed, then we made a beeline for JFK airport.
The drive to the city was easy, and we breezed upto and through the Lincoln Tunnel which was a bit of a shock after the trouble we had getting to the airport two weeks ago. Mam and dad didn’t have to be at the airport till 6.00 but we ended up getting them there a little after 4.30; better than being late I suppose. It was horrible saying goodbye to them, but it always is when they have to leave, but hopefully we’ll see them in a few months or so. I think they had a good time while they were here, at least I hope they did, and surprise, surprise, everyone is still talking to each other which is amazing when you consider we all just spent almost three weeks in a 24 foot box. I’m going to miss them.
Mike and I left them at the airport with lots of tears, and headed home to try and avoid as much of the rush hour traffic as possible. Mike drove back through NYC like a pro, weaving in and around all the traffic – I think he just put his head down and hoped for the best. Tal-y enjoyed the trip to and from the airport as she didn’t get to come with us when we picked them up and she enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city. We got out fairly quickly, and discovered that it was good we had dropped them off early as the traffic trying to get through the Lincoln Tunnel into NY as we were leaving was ridiculous; the road was like a parking lot. For whatever reason on the way home Nell took us through Newark and not back the way we had come. It took us about 3 hours to get back to the trailer altogether so not too bad of a drive. It was cold when we got home though and I think the time has definitely come to start heading south for the winter.

Mike: I hope they don’t get dehydrated! If you saw “ Miracle on 34th” the only miracle is that I got from one side of Manhattan to the other in one piece without damaging Serena, twice!

Mike and I took Tal-y for a nice walk this morning when things got a little warm since she wouldn't go outside in her hoody. When Mike first got up we had no water, turns out something froze in the night as the temperature got so low; he got it running and had the heater blowing when I woke up, it was toasty. It looks warm outside in the mornings since the sun is shining, but it’s not so warm when the door opens.
Today was a shopping day since there is a massive outlet center just 5 minutes down the road. We went and had breakfast first at a lovely greasy spoon where all our breakfasts were served in pans, and then went and did some shopping. We didn’t buy too much, just a few bits and bobs, but it was nice to have a stroll around the stores.
Mam and I played our last game of scrabble tonight (while she got drunk for the last time) as they are leaving tomorrow – let the tears begin.

Mike: Man make fire, sit in cave and listen to woman complain and then go shopping!