Lill Margaret's Blue Grass Festival Leonardtown, MD

Since I'm attemping to play/learn the banjo again I thought I would go to this local Bluegrass Festival. It is on Willie Goddard's family farm in Leonardtown, MD. I spent about 90% of my time with the pickers around the campers instead of watching the groups on the stage down the hill. Pickin' going on everywhere! Click on image for a larger picture.











My motorcycle camper trailer pop-up tent setup. It looked liked rain so I used my truck to bring it over to the festival. I was quite the oddity amongst all the nice rv's that were there. Most folks thought it was pretty cool though, especially seeing me riding away with the trailer behind the motorcycle. There are some pics with the camper and motorcycle in blog posts below this one. That is a soybean field in the background. They harvest soybeans only after they completely dry out.



My Washburn B-10 Beginner banjo. I think I paid $189 for it with the case in 1983. Bought it in Elizabeth City N.C. while attending USCG Aviation Survival School. After being around all those pickers this weekend I want a better banjo! Banjos may come and go but I will never part with this Washburn. Not because it is inexpensive but because it started and rekindled my spirt in bluegrass.

EDIT: August 23, 2110, bought a used (1 1/2 year old) Recording King RK-80 banjo from the banjo hangout forum classifieds.

Susquehana River State Park, MD

Somke on the water. Paddling the mighty Susquehana River.

Click on images for larger picture

Tried out Susquehana State Park, MD, last weekend. Only this time I towed the Roll-A-Home behind my truck so I could cart my kayak down to the river. The camp site here is not close to the river and I can't carry it that far. But... It Rained!!! It rained hard. The rain started Saturday morning about 6 am and was still raining when I packed up and left at 4 pm. First time to experience rain the ROH and found two seam leaks. I will put some seam sealer on those. Oh well, I did get the new kayak in the water for a few minutes. Deer creek joins the Susquehana River at the kayak/canoe launch site and it was swollen and brown from all the rain (see pic below). Once the boat was in the water I noticed a wall of rain coming down the river. I had left the camper open to dry out the tent since I thought the rain had ended. So, I quickly paddled back to the shore and got back just in time for some more rain. The park has a lot of nice history with a working waterwheel and a museum. The Susquehana river is wide and beautiful. I want to try it again sometime. This park is closing August 8th for restroom renovations and they need it. Seems they would do the work later in the fall. Oh yeah, I used the small window unit air conditioner for the first time on this trip and loved it. Except that I forgot to tilt it backwards. You guessed it, my feet got wet and I was wondering why!!! Won't happen again. I am booked for Jane's River State Park (electric site) for Labor Day weekend. It is one of the best east coast water trails for kayaks... Here are a few pics from last weekend...





Just a few pics of the camper setup. Since the river is 2 miles from the camp site I had to use the truck so I can cart the kayak to the river.



The kayak/canoe put in spot where a creek (Deer Creek?) joins the Susquehana River. My new 9 ft. recreation kayak. This spot just happens to be under an old rail road bridge. The trees to the right in this picture are on an island. This river is very W I D E ! !



Deer Creek joins the Susquehana River. It had been raining all night and day so the creek was muddy and flooding somewhat.



Finally! Paddling the mighty Susquehana River! Awesome...

Rocky Gap State Park, MD

Took the roll a home out to the western Maryland panhandle to this state park. It is a large state park with plenty of amenities. I enjoyed my stay quite a bit. Next time I take the mountain bike along.

More images at www.cathydavid.com/Rollahome032010

Click on image for a large picture

Memorial Weekend Trip 2010

Took the Roll-A-Home camper out for three days and two nights. Took a new route across southern Virginia to Willville motorcycle camp near Meadows of Dan VA. Then went north up Int 81 to my buddies West Virginia Property for a night. It was a great ride. About 900 miles. The Roll-A-Home towed flawlessly even up to 80 mph. It is a joy to setup and take down vs. setting up and sleeping in a tent! At Willsville Motorcycle camp a small crowd gathered around me before I could set up the camper. They all wanted to know what it was. After watching me set it up and seeing all the room inside with the slide out bed one couple remarked that they had just ordered a different brand camper and I think they regret it now. Click on pictures for a larger image.

Click on image for a larger picture



Brought along my banjo. Here is one song. I am re-learning songs after 20 years of not playing the banjo I bought in 1983. I think I picked it up again two weeks ago. This a very simple two chord version. Plus, I've a few "beverages"....

West Virginia Hootenanny

Took the camper to my buddies place in WVA.
He had some friends over.
One of them brought a guitar.

Click on pictures for a larger image.







http://www.cathydavid.com/Rollahome032010.html

Winchester VA camping instead of Astronomy trip

Decided that my workload at work dictated that I work Monday so I'm not going to Pettigrew State Park in N. Carlina. Check out their website, Native Americans used to submerge their canoes for winter preservation and are still there and are four thousand years old!!!

Heading to Winchester this weekend instead if my Harley gets out of my local indy shop in the morning...

see ya

Going riding and camping this weekend

Some astronomy buddies want to go down to Pettigrew State Park in N. Carolina this weekend for some stargazing. Since my back is hurting I will only take my refractor or binos.

Report to follow soon

Motorcycle Forums I posted my Roll-A-Home on with comments

I have posted and received several comments via these forums if interested:

http://www.hdforums.com/forum/hacked-triked-and-trailering/482385-bought-a-roll-a-home-pop-up-motorcycle-camper-trailer.html

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2775

First Roll-A-Home Camping Trip

Click on picture for larger image.

Took the camper out on March 20th. It was just an overnight trip so the load was light. I have a buddy who lets me camp on his property in West Virginia. It has a small storage shed with a toilet and best of all, a creek running through it. The camper towed very well behind the motorcycle. No fish tailing or anything. I was very happy with that. To be honest, once I was rolling down the road I could hardly tell the camper was back there even though I have the 340# model with the slide out bed. Of course you know you are towing a trailer and should be aware of the change of braking required and learn that cornering will change too due to the trailer wanting to go it's own way. I slept well with the standard mattress and had PLENTY of room inside. What a treat this trailer is going to be. I can't wait to use it again!! Here are some pics if interested: http://www.cathydavid.com/Rollahome032010.html

My wife Cathy and I visited the property last fall and quickly took our first ATV ride. Here are some videos...

Picked Up My Roll-A-Home Camper

Picked up my camper and towed it home behind my truck (no hitch yet on my motorcycle). I had to take the tailgate off so I could see the camper behind my truck. Hooked up the hitch and wiring harness. It is a MCHitch which was simple to install. The wiring harness has an isolator unit to separate the trailer from the motorcycle in case the trailer has an electrical problem. Once I got it set up I took it for a ride.

Note: the receiver was too high initially. The receiver was set up for a motorcyle that was lowered. I installed the original receiver and it leveled the trailer out as it should be. Actually, it should be just a bit lower at the tongue.

Here are some pics if interested:

http://www.cathydavid.com/ROH.html

New Roll-A-Home Camper

Bought a new motorcycle camper trailer. I have many hobbies/interests, motorcycle camping being one of them. I camp fairly often, especially with my astronomy pursuits. I also like to camp while riding my motorcycle. I decided I wanted a pop-up trailer camper for my motorcycle. I researched all of the current manufacturers available. After reviewing many comments about all the trailer available it came down to two requirements for me.

1. Off the ground dressing area, &
2. Lots of storage.

There are a few models that offer off the ground dressing area but not many that also include lots of storage.

I finally decided on a Roll-A-Home camper. It is a very attractive camper trailer. I also like the capability of storing a few items on top of the camper too.