A blog about exploring North America in a Camper Van and a Sailboat.
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Remembering Mark Ellis
S/V Magic Paws was a Nonsuch 26 designed by Mark Ellis and built by Hinterhoeller Yachts in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada Nonsuches are Catboats, easily recognized by their freestanding mast and wishbone boom. Mark Ellis designed these wonderful boats. He passed away this year, so we wanted to add to the chorus of tributes to…
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Amphicar
Is that what I think it is? While going out to dinner with cousins near Portland, Maine I noticed an unusual looking car in the parking lot. Propellers under the bumper and the custom license plate confirmed it isn’t just a road vehicle. The owners made their escape while we were eating dinner, but I…
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Charging System Upgrade
Upgraded from a battery separator to a DC to DC charger on our Pleasure-Way Lexor RV.
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Mariposas
22 May 2025 Revisited a local favorite this week; the butterfly house at the North Carolina Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC. Scroll down for photos of butterflies and a few other creatures at the museum. note: Mariposa is the Spanish word for butterfly. Beth and I always enjoy seeing the flowers and butterflies…
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Yadkin Valley Meet-up
08 May 2025 Our first camping trip of 2025 was a fun two night stay in Jonesville, NC. We camped at Riverwalk RV Park, in order to meet-up with Beth’s sister and brother-in-law. It’s a private, full hook-up park with pull-through sites that are great for big rigs. A bluebird perched on the park road…
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Birding at Home
Backyard birds provide great entertainment when we aren’t traveling. Here are a few of our favorites from early 2025. New birds added on 26 April 2025 Dark-eyed Junco A late season snow event, unusual in central North Carolina, made our feeders very popular. A Male Northern Cardinal and a bevy of Eastern Bluebirds gathered just…