2026-27 Trip to the Southeast, Day 000 (Getting Ready)

October 5:

Another Fall, another get ready for escaping the Oswego winter. Last year I went to Arizona and had the best weather I've had there over the last 8 years. Still, I have started doing Arizona one winter and northern Florida the other. So, it is Georgia/Florida/Alabama this year. I have already made reservations since I like to stay in state parks, Corps of Engineers parks, etc, and while they (at least in the panhandle area) are likely to have available sites during the week, weekends are often completely booked. I plan to attend three rallies during the winter, the Hungry Mother rally in Virginia in October, the Florida Egg Rally & S'More in January, and the Green Eggs & Ham rally in March.

The trailer is ready with repacked wheel bearings, checked brakes, inspected for $9.00 and registered for next year for $62.00. No major work on the trailer other than the usual Spring wash & wax. The truck is also ready at 105,000 miles with an oil change & a new set of rear brakes.

Lots of doctor check ups over the next two weeks to be sure I'm also ready to go. 

October 15:

I made it through all the doctor appointments with no one telling me I had to stay in Oswego, so I printed my 4 page check list and started moving things into the trailer. I have almost finished everything but the day-of-leaving stuff. I checked and filled the truck & trailer tires since the cooler temperatures dropped the pressure a few pounds. 

I spent some of the morning mowing the leaves since rain is predicted over the next couple of days. Even snow is a possibility on Friday night. The maples have just about finished dropping their leaves, but the large oak in the back yard is still green. I cut back the asparagus & the butterfly bush, pulled the tomato plants and planted the garlic for next year.

The Oak Tree

The Maple Trees

I'll try to update this on Sunday before I leave.

Until Next Time -

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 14

We got a late start out of the campground, which was a good idea because there was a bike race that closed the parkway. By the time we said our goodbyes and packed up the trailers, the race was over.

An easy crossing back into the US where I separated from the Guidos. I crossed to Rt 104 at I390 in Rochester and had a quiet trip home. I unpacked only those things that I'll need over the next 3 weeks since the plan is to leave October 19 for the Hungry Mother rally, then on to the south for the winter.

Dinner was a Amy's Chile Relleno Bowl.

Until The Next Trip - 

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 13

Another cool night but again the predicted rain held off, both for the pot luck dinner last night and overnight. While cool, cloudy & windy today, no rain.

We watched 3/4 of the trailers leave throughout the day, but otherwise sat around reading. During the afternoon we put away what could be put away, preparing for leaving tomorrow morning.

Dinner was lasagna provided by a friend of Lorraine, left over pork loin, and blueberry pie. Lots of fruit & vegetables.

Until Tomorrow - 

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 12

Cool enough that the electric heater came on a couple of times throughout the night & cool enough that I didn't have a problem with leg cramps.

I checked the Scamp I left the 10 amp charger on overnight & it showed a full battery. Replaced the 20 amp fuse and it didn't blow. I don't know if it is the original wiring, but it looks like #12 wire with a 20 amp fuse near the battery. The converter is rated at 35 amps. If the battery is low the converter is going to put out more than the 20 amp fuse. I'd increase the wire size & fuse to at least 40 amps.

After that I went for a walk, and made breakfast. After breakfast I dropped off some stuff for the free tarp, ended up throwing away the window & the pillow covers. I took a few photos of the trailer tours, did some reading, and set up for the pot luck.

There are a couple of panoramas of the pot luck on the 2026 Niagara Wine Rally page.

Dinner was the pot luck. Great food as usual, but a smaller crowd - I made 3 pies and had 3/4 of one left over, a first for a rally.

Until Tomorrow - 

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 11

A little cooler overnight and comfortable sleeping if I wasn't having leg cramps. In any case, after my morning walk & breakfast I started making three blueberry pies. Blueberries from my garden. A little less than average year but I managed to pick 6 pies worth of berries.

By 3:00 all three pies were out of the oven.

I did some troubleshooting on a Scamp and decided that there is something wrong with the wiring between the battery & the trailer. Either that or the battery is so far down that the converter is putting out more than the 20 amp battery fuse can carry. I fired up my portable 10 amp battery charger & we will try again after the battery is full.

After that I made a round of the campground with the camera.   More photos at today's page at LakeshoreImasges

Dinner was a grilled pork loin, Bush beans & applesauce. 

Until Tomorrow -