Casey Capers - USA: Vol. 22 No. 9

Loaded in Iowa and an easy trip east to deliver at Mantiowoc Crane, Inc in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania on 2 November.

A new Pennsylvania Welcome Centre on Interstate 76 at the Maryland line. Displays and history.

While we were delivering the cylinders in Pennsylvania, an Admiral agent called to ask if we wanted to load out of the same place. Yes, of course - easy, and no deadhead! Loaded and tarped crane parts for another Manitowoc Crane in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

Internet: Manitowoc Cranes is a division of The Manitowoc Company, Inc – they produce five brands of cranes: Grove, National Cranbe, Shuttlelift, Manitowoc, and Potain. Headquarters in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and Shady Grove, Pennsylvania.

Shady Grove, Pennslvania to Port Washington, Wisconsin.

We arrive mid-Sunday morning and it was extremely windy, and rain and cold! Getting a motel room in nearby Saukville was a good idea.
Delivered the crane parts Monday morning in Port Washington.

Saukville, Wisconsin.

After delivering, we loaded in the same place!! Going back to Manitowoc in Shady Grove, Pennsylvania. One track for a crane - heavy!

Port Washington, Wisconsin to Shady Grove, Pennsylvania.

Another easy load and delivery. We could have kept going back and forth, but we had to get to Buffalo area to say our good-byes before going to Australia.
35 miles over to Hanover, Pennsylvania to load a conveyor from an auction of used equipment from the Utz Quality Foods factory.

Website: We are Utz, our story began with Bill and Salie who started making and selling potato chips in 1921. Now we are the largest independent privately held snack brand in the USA. This is a reflection of Utz quality … in our facilities, in our products and in our people. Together, the Utz team has provided the very best products to an ever-growing marketplace.

Hanover, Pennsylvania to Williamson, New York.

Our lunch was at a convenience store, we got a sub sandwich and a packet of Utz potato chips; Italian Hoagie flavour - that was a treat!

Willaimson, New York is east of Rochester and a fruit growing and processing area located on the south shore of Lake Ontario. The town hosts an annual Apple Blossom Festival since 1960. Celebrating the town's (and regions) heritage of apple farming. The week long celebration is held in May at the height of the blooms. Williamson is recognised nationally for its fruit growing - specialties like apple tarts, peach pies and cherry cokes - local agriculture also includes dairy farming.
Several big companies there - the Mott's plant employs approximately 300.
On Thursday morning the conveyor was delivered to an equipment company that refurbishes equipment for resale. Deadhead to Buffalo, with a breakfast stop at Bergen Diner on the way to see our Aussie friend, Stephen.
Then to Joe and Michele's and make sure the heat worked in our camper because snow and cold was in the forecast! The snow started Friday morning.

Early afternoon, Jimmy arrived, and the snow continued falling.

Since we have had this camper - we have not been in Western New York when it has snowed. The heater worked great in it! Very toastie!

Friday, 9 November was Joe's 50th birthday and party in the evening at Bennington Lanes. Lots of family and friends there and a friends band Swift Kick played awesome and entertaining music for dancing and fun.

Saturday was snowing, and very windy! Jim had planned to replace a fan clutch in the truck, it had been sticking. There was no way he wanted to get under the hood of the truck when it was so cold - we stayed indoors and watch movies! Ventured out in the evening to Jeff's house nearby for his Deer and Beer night. Shotgun Hunting season starts the next week, and lots of hunters invite people over, to empty their freezers of deer meat and other game, to make space for the new.

Several dishes new to me: venison backstrap; Generally considered primo cuts of meat on a deer, elk, moose or other four-footed cervid. They are the cut that runs along each side of the spine, and are lean and tender. Jeff had smoked venison backstrap which was delicious; also smoked turkey.

One thing I tried that was only appreciated by a few people there - head cheese (I discovered it is known as 'brawn' in Australia). It can be made with a variety of ingredients, this one had vinegar and peppers in it.
Internet: Head cheese or brawn is a cold cut that originated in Europe. A version pickled with vinegar is known as souse. Head cheese is not a dairy chees, but a terrine or meat jelly made with the flesh from the head of a calf or pig, or less commonly a sheep or cow, and often set in aspic. The parts of the head used vary, but the brain, eyes and ears are usually removed. The tongue, and sometimes feet and heart may be included. It may be flavoured with onion, black pepper, allspice, bay leaf, salt and vinegar. It is usually eaten at room temperature.

Loaded in Lockport, New York on Monday 12th - at a warehouyse - counter tops for Florida. A heavy load, but got us to Florida after a cold, snowy few days in Western New York.

Lockport, New York to Lakeland, Florida.

The drive south was a lot of rain, fog and cold.

The counter tops delivered Wednesday, mid day to another warehouse in Lakeland, Florida, then to the house. Jimmy got to Daytona Beach on Thurday, so we took another opportunity to see him and met him for a Mexican dinner at La Fiesta in Ormond Beach.

Driving over the Seabreeze Boulevard Bridge, Daytona Beach at sunset.

It was a bit of a busy time for us - finalizing end of the year for trucking. Took the truck to New Smyrna Beach to store it at Ron's business. Then out to dinner with him. Canal Street New Smyrna Beach usually makes lovely sunset photos.

A bit of shopping to be done and the Tanger Outlets in Daytona is a great place. Neighbour and friend, Diana came with me and we had a couple of hours enjoying the Christmas/Thanksgiving decorations and sales. The tree was impressive!

Saturday evening was our last in Daytona Beach for 2018, so it was lovely to stroll along the Boardwalk, it has been a long time since we have been this late in the year in Daytona Beach. The decorations were up.