Monday Morning - Announcement Number One /  by Dave Hileman

It is not the most important announcement, however, it does affect the blog. I have sold the Oliver Travel Trailer. It has gone to a really fine man in Oregon, Jay, a former National Park Ranger. How fitting since the trailer was a major component of why I could visit and photograph so many parks. He arranged the transport from my house to Oregon with the fellow driving the pickup in the photo as the Oliver left my house. It did not go too well, sadly. It was not delivered in the same shape that it left Raleigh. While the story does not make sense the gist of it is that the solar panels did not arrive, at all! Are we know they did not “blow off.” Insurance is pursing an answer and I hope Jay gets all he deserves and some for the aggravation he has dealt with and dealt well with grace and good humor.

This is the end of a great season for me. The Oliver has been to 49 states - many more than once, and several provinces and territories in Canada. I towed it about 130,000 miles. It also allowed me to visit and photograph over 360 National Park sites. Am I giving up on the last ones? No. But the travel will not be weeks at a time nor limited to the US. I do still plan to reach over 400 parks.

In the eight years I owned Oliver, it was lived in about 28 months. The temperatures ranged from 13 to 98 and i was (mostly) comfortable. Meals were cooked and eaten, showers taken and card games played many times. Cindy and I stayed in commercial campgrounds occasionally but most often in state or National Parks. We also used Harvest Hosts extensively and boondocked at Cracker Barrel and Cabella’s frequently. We were more travelers than campers, two campfires in 8 years does not qualify you for any Scout Awards. And I am not counting the one that Rusty and I tried to start and could not until a lady nearby fixed it.

Great memories, lots of photos and the end to an amazing season of life. I wish Jay many happy miles.

Blooming /  by Dave Hileman

Just a tiny fraction of the flowers in the camellia gardens at Longwood Gardens near Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Hmmmm, what might the announcements be about??

Water Lily and Friend /  by Dave Hileman

At the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh is a reflection pool. I took this shot a couple of weeks ago on a walk on the grounds and liked the serenity of the scene. Plus a dragon fly! UPDATES start on 07/29

Lots of stories here... /  by Dave Hileman

…but I don’t recall exactly where “here” was. I was off the beaten path and a bit lost but what a well-maintained and beautiful building where I expect people have found ministry, hope, comfort and guidance for generations. Rumor is that TLT will have several news items next week, stay tuned.

Winter Kayak /  by Dave Hileman

This determined paddler was heading with the current on the Silver River in Silver Springs State Park, Florida. If you like to kayak on a beautiful river, no rapids, just great scenery and maybe a monkey or 30, manatee and abundant bird life, this park comes highly recommended. Remember next week announcements that shake up Two Lane Touring. Yes multiple announcements. I think CNN might cover.

And Your Guess is? /  by Dave Hileman

This is an abandoned building along Route 231 in Madison County, Virginia, one of my favorite roads. I bet you have some favorites roads, right? Please I hope someone else has such things! Anyway, what might this have been: store, house, post office, school, service station — thoughts? By the way, big announcements coming next week.

Wax Beans /  by Dave Hileman

A summer staple in my house growing up. I was fine with green or yellow beans, tasted the same to me. This is at a famers’ market in Clermont, Florida.

Meet a Real Cowboy /  by Dave Hileman

This man has actually riden the range, worked off a horse to round up cattle in the spring and much more that I thought was only done long ago. He now works for the NPS at the Korr Ranch in Montana, a NPS property that was given to the park service intact after being a working ranch (once with 3 million acres) for more than 100 years. It is simply an amazing place. The newest building if I recall correctly was about 1902 but most of the ranch buildings dated from the 1870s. A must stop if you are near Glacier or Yellowstone.

Colonial Williamsburg /  by Dave Hileman

Mostly called CW by the locals, it is a wonderful place to catch a glimpse of the history of what made this country unique. This is just a fence and one out building from dozens of 18th century homes and businesses.

Real Pebble Beach /  by Dave Hileman

Not the golf course, of course, but a pebble beach in the midst of a rock outcropping where you can only go at low tide along the shore of Acadia National Park. Just look at the colors!

Serious Sign /  by Dave Hileman

This is located on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Monument. We are talking a 40 plus story building, no elevator, no escalators and you are walking in sand. Be careful.