I can't remember where I left off but think it was when we were over-nighting in a Wal-Mart car park in Harrisburg, please excuse me if I have missed some time but think I am OK! After Harrisburg we drove onto towards Ohio through the most amazing countryside on a route through the Appalachian mountains, passing through tunnels cut deep into the mountainside. Spring is just starting to reach this area and the trees are beginning to turn that brilliant lime green you get when the leaves are just starting to appear.

Enroute we stopped in at a big service Plaza alongside the Interstate so we could fill up with diesel at $2.75 a gallon (£1.83 a gallon - your heart out UK motorists!), and whilst filling up the truck (which has three tanks and holds a total of 70 gallons), a State Police vehicle cruised up alongside and asked Tony "Is this your rig sir?" There is always that heart-stopping moment when all your previous sins race before your eyes and you try desperately to think if you have done anything wrong! Luckily enough the policeman was just a fellow ‘toy-hauler' owner and wanted to know what Tony thought of his new Raptor (the make of the RV). Let's hope this is the only time we brush with the law in the US!

We were determined to have a peaceful night and succeeded when we found this great campsite nestled into the mountains alongside two beautiful lakes fully stocked with bass - a return trip must include this venue - with only the sound of Canada geese to disturb our rest. We met up with a great guy called Jim, from South Virginia, who called me ‘ma'am' and made me feel like a genteel lady from the Southern states! Jim is working on the gas pipeline and told us that last year he only spent 13 days at home!! He provided us with heaps of dry logs which enabled us to have our first fire in the fire pit alongside our RV site and Tony took some snaps of us enjoying the pitch black night and roaring logs.

Next day it was ever onwards toward Columbus, passing from Pennsylvania, through the very northern tip of West Virginia, and on into Ohio, but not without stopping briefly to visit Cabellos, a sportman's outfitters of world renown. Andrew, the son of Kerry and Nancy Gingrich who own the warehouse in PA where we hold our stock, had told us that we should not miss the opportunity to visit this store. Well, it was unbelievable, Tony was like a child in a sweet factory, and took lots of pics. Needless to say we did buy a few vital items (sorry Janice!) that we just had to have for our BBQ kit and camping regalia!!

Cabelo's - sportman's paradise!

Then it was back to reality and on towards the Ohio State Expo/Fair Ground which we reached at 5.30 on Tuesday evening. We were welcomed with open arms by one of the staff who, despite being due to clock off, got onto his golf trolley and showed us where we could park up for the duration of the show. What a difference from the sort of reception we have come to expect in the UK when a man in a hi-viz waistcoat tells you on arrival that "you can't park here mate" and makes you feel like a b****y nuisance, rather than one of the countless people who are contributing to their wages. Some of the larger venues that we have exhibited at in the UK over the last 20 years could certainly learn a thing or two about customer service from these people who run a large site not only efficiently but courteously. Still, enough of my moaning!

A good start to building the stand!

Today found us setting up the stand in the Celeste building and we have hired a golf trolley for running backwards and forwards from the campsite to the venue and for restocking each evening. The stand looks good (pics to come) and we are lucky enough to have Tommy Garland's booth right next door to us. Tommy is a natural horseman who has used Hilton Herbs products for some time now and we will be speaking to him over the next few days to arrange to link up with him to help promote our products through his natural horsemanship programme. See Tommy's website www.tommygarland.com.

Hilton Herbs at the Equine Affaire, Columbus, OH

The show starts tomorrow lets hope it's good and we get the opportunity to meet and speak to lots of horse and dog owners interested in using herbal products for their animals and pets

Hilary Herb power!

Hilary and Tony