We found our new favorite pizza in Berlin

June 12, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 1 Comment

Before you think Sher and I have headed to Germany, the pizza is in Berlin, Maryland. We had just pulled into a Walmart to pick up some groceries including tonight’s supper when Sher saw a pizza place in a building in front of the Walmart.

Off we went to Piaza. Neither of us had heard of it, but the price seemed reasonable, the place was clean and decorated very nicely. The pizzas we had were outstanding! Sher had a veggie topped Mediterranean and I had BBQ chicken with added bacon. They are thin crust brick oven baked and you may pick your own combination of toppings.

The owner of the restaurant is David Crocetti. David is a personable and friendly man who took the time to talk with us. This establishment has been open for a mere two months and has already been nominated for “Best Pizza”. He explained to us that he uses only the finest ingredients that are prepared daily. He has another restaurant in Baltimore with several more planned for that area.

The Piaza is across the parking lot from Walmart in Berlin, Maryland

The Italian made brick oven in action.

The brick oven is from Italy and can prepare a pizza in three minutes. From the time we ordered and watched our pizzas prepared to pick up ready to eat a mere 5 minutes had passed! No 15 to 20 minute wait for your pizzas at Piaza. The menu also includes salads and grilled piadas.

David has a real love of the business. His determination to satisfy his customers with a great dining value is obvious when you talk to him. He shared that he has already aquired sufficient amounts of material to open several more stores with the same decor.

Fresh ingredients await your order!

Sher and I agree that the pizzas at Piaza are the best that we have ever had. This is an up and coming chain of restaurants that will be sure to be successful. The menu is varied enough for anyone’s taste. The quality of the ingredients is obvious when you taste your order. That brick oven really puts out a great pizza! Check out the Piaza website for more information, menus and the location of the facility now open in Baltimore.

If your travels take you to the Ocean City and Berlin, Maryland area be sure to stop at Piaza. Their motto of “Fresh, Fast & Fiery” is a spot-on description. The store is across the Walmart parking lot off Highway 50 near Berlin.

A close encounter of the buzzard kind

June 11, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 2 Comments

On our way to Chincoteague Island the other day we had an interesting wildlife viewing. We were on Highway 13 heading north out of Cape Charles, Virginia on the Delmarva Penninsula.

I noticed a buzzard (actually the correct name is turkey vulture) soaring over the road. He was big like the one in the picture below that I took some time ago. As he started down over the road I could tell he was heading to the ditch on the right side.

These guys have a 5 to 6 foot wingspan

The next thing I know his buddy buzzard took off from the ditch right in front of our motorhome! Whack! The next thing I see is the tail of this huge bird getting hit by the top edge of our vehicle’s hood. Sher let out a screech as the loud sound of the impact startled her to say the least. It sure scared me as well. Mr. Buzzard flew off to the left after he tried to clean the front of our hood with his tail feathers.

After our next stop we checked and luckily there was no damage to the front of the motorhome. However I know that somewhere on Hghway 13 there is a big buzzard with a sore butt.

Virginia’s Eastern Shore aka southern Delmarva

June 9, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

Looking back towards Va Beach from the first tunnel island.

Today we headed north from Virginia Beach across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnels to what is called the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The spit of land that forms the east side of Chesapeake Bay is also called Delmarva because it is made up of portions of Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

The Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel was amazing to cross. This is a toll bridge: it cost us $19 in toll one way for our motorhome. There are actually two tunnels and miles of bridges crossing the water where the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay meet. There are two bridges wth two lanes each direction merging into two way traffic in the tunnels. It has been called one of the engineering marvels of the world. I have to say the construction of the thousands of concrete piers supporting the road decks is a marvel to see.

The trip north up Highway 13 this morning was quite an eye opener. The rural nature of the area was immediately obvious. There were huge wheat and corn fields as well as lots of smaller fruit and vegatable plots. Both Purdue and Tyson had massive chicken processing plants and there were many farms that had chicken finishing buildings.

We checked out a few different campgrounds on our way and have ended up in Tom’s Cove Park campground on Chincoteague Island, Virginia. We’ll probably be here a day or two. It is hot this afternoon so we will take a walk down to the water later when things cool off a bit.

There are supposed to be wild ponies on this island somewhere. We’ll do some looking into them while we are here.

Lighthouse at Fort Story as seen from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel

Fishing pier at the restaurant stop on the bridge

Our coach parked at a “Scenic viewpoint” on Fishermans Island National Wildlife Preserve just at landfall from the CBBT

Hit the Virginia Beach beach

June 9, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

Surf was too high here to swim

We made a quick trip to the Coatan Beach south of the main drag next to the boardwalk. The surf was so heavy here that no swimming was allowed, only surfing. Swimming was allowed further north up the shore line.

We also drove up the strip and were surprised at all of the new stores and hotels that have been constructed since we were here last a couple of years ago.

A few surfers enjoying the waves

Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake

June 6, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

This structure is a drawbridge

Today we drove around the area going to some yard sales. We had good luck finding things that will sell at some of our shows later this summer.

We also had a great time driving around the Norfolk and surrounding areas. Our son drove us so Sher and I could sit back and enjoy the scenery.

We really had a great day.

One of the large cargo ships

A couple of “Tall Ships” in the Norfolk Harbor

Enjoying our time with family at Virginia Beach

June 5, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 2 Comments

We are enjoying our time with our son, daughter-in-law and our grand-daughter. We are parked on the street next to their house.

Today is supposed to be the last day of rain for awhile. There has been tons of rain the past few days which has led to flooding of some streets. A couple of boys were out in the rain yesterday with their boogie boards having a great time in the half a foot of water in the next street.

Off to Virginia Beach

May 31, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 2 Comments

Maj finding a gold ring on one of the first times that we went detecting.

We are in our RV relaxing and watching tv after taking a nice walk around the campground. It rained a little today, but the temperature was wonderful. We have had the windows open all day and a nice breeze is blowing in the fresh mountain air. We almost wish we were staying longer, and we know we will be back. Everyone has been so nice here and it is just a nice quiet relaxing place.

We are anxious to see our 3 year old grand-daughter. In the morning we will be leaving here and heading towards Virginia Beach to visit with our son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter.

We have our metal detectors and plan to do some detecting. We want to go treasure hunting on the beach. We tried searching on Vanderbilt Beach in Naples but we were still learning how to use the metal detectors. We are still learning how to tell what the different sounds mean, so far I’ve only found pull tabs from cans. Maj has been luckier than me and found a gold ring and some coins.

Traveling West Virginia

May 30, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

Remember Danny Hiser

We found this place by accident and are so glad we did. It is really true that you want to go where the locals go. Totally awesome place! We are in the mountains of West Virginia in a field turned campground. Very peaceful, nice breeze and live Blue Grass music! Campground is Shady Rest RV Park, we’ll have photos up later. Now I’m back to enjoying the campfire and music.

UPDATE:

Here are some photos from our night of Bluegrass music at the Shady Rest RV Park. We were lucky to pck this weekend as our time to visit. The campground was having its fourth annual memorial concert to honor the memory of Danny Hiser, one of the best banjo pckers in the country.

Ths site is just beautiful, the people are as nice as can be and make you feel at home. The Shady Rest RV Park is not fancy: no swimng pools or elaborate club house. But there is always a warm welcome and reasonable rates for full service hook-ups. Steve and Sonja Garten are perfect hosts. Here is the link to the Shady Rest RV Park.

Fabulous Bluegrass musicians pickin’ and playin’ together to honor Danny Hiser.

Owner Steve Garten, center, chattng wth guests: a portion of the beautiful RV sites are in the background.

“Peter Pan” opening at Beef and Boards

May 15, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / Leave a comment

Jeff Stockberger and his bumbling pirates. Photo courtesy B&B media

The 2015 Family show at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis is the beloved musical “Peter Pan”. The show opened May 14th and will have 58 total performances.

B&B favorite Jeff Srockberger will play the role of that evil Captain Hook. The casting of Peter Pan will be by newcomer to B&B Phobe Taylor. This high flying show should be one of the best family shows yet.

Sher and I are thrilled to be able to take one of our grand-daughters to see the show with us. We’ll report back after we have seen the show.

Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre also puts on a great family friendly buffet with items that kids will love. Chef Odell Ward knows how to please the kids! Check out the B&B website for details, including discount ticketing prices for kids aged 3 – 15.

Check the dryer first

May 9, 2015July 2, 2022 / Roadtirementvintage / 1 Comment

Yes, those are leopard sheets…

There is something about coming off of a long weekend festival and heading to a campground for a little rest, relaxation and doing some laundry.

The campground was nice, great roads, only 15 bucks with the Passport America discount and the laundry was only about seven sites away. Ok, it was small, two washers and two dryers. One dryer had an “Out of order: does not spin” sign on the door with the coin slots taped shut. Ok, I got that. A couple of loads won’t be bad, waiting for the one dryer.

Two loads started, no sweat. First load into the dryer: coins in, heat level set for high, start buton pushed. Well, 30 minutes later the laundry is still wet. Long story short, this dryer had no trouble spining. It just didn’t provide any heat. The result was turning the Four Winds 22E into a clothes line.

When checking out that campground laundry, check the dryers first.