Monday, August 24, 2009

Foggy Morning



This morning we woke up to very foggy conditions here at Elkhart Campground in Elkhart, Indiana. In looking out the front window we could not even see the laundry room door, which is usually visible all the time, or anything else out there. By 9:30 am, the sun was out and not even a cloud in the sky. Beautiful blue all around. As the day has progressed the clouds have started moving in again but it is still a nice day out.

We are dumping holding tanks, cleaning off the grill from where the rain splashed dirt on it over the weekend and just getting stuff put in its proper place for us to move tomorrow up to St. Claire, Michigan, to the Thousand Trails park there. We will be there until September 14 when we move again.

We are also going to make a Wal-Mart run to stock up on a few groceries and do a bit of bank business beings our bank is located right there.

It has been nice being here at Elkhart and getting to know the area. We are almost able to get around to all of the interesting areas up here. We have also enjoyed our visits with Nick and Terry Russell, who writes and edits the Gypsy Journal Newspaper, Ron and Brenda Speidel and Terry and Dale. All of these folks are fulltime RVers as we are.
I know it has been a very long time since I posted but just got lazy and had had my feelings hurt by something someone said but have decided that I am bigger and better than to let someone spoil my feelings and wanting to let my family and friends know what we are doing and where we are. I am making a promise to you and myself that I will write at least twice a week but want to do it every day.


Monday, May 25, 2009

What Happened?

This morning we were awake before 6 and started getting the motor home ready to travel. We had decided while at Chesapeake Bay that we would try out a Corp of Engineer Park about half way to Lockport, NY. The park is Ives Run in Tioga, PA.

We left TT Hershey about 8 am and everything looked like it was hooked up correctly. We headed west on US 322 to I 83 N and then we went north on I 81 to exit 77 to fuel up. Diesel was $2.529 at Travel Center of America. As we were getting back on I 81 S Russ noticed the car fishtailing behind the motor home. He stopped as quickly as he could and found that we had lost one of the pins and bolts to the connection to the car. It also bent one of the holding horns, broke the light connection and messed up the air connection for the breaks along with that light. We did get all of this stuff unhooked and I drove in front of Russ to our destination for today. It was about 170 miles that we came after the mishap.

Once we were all set up and had had a sandwich for lunch we took off south on PA 487 to PA 660 and found The Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. The park was awsome and we enjoyed the trails and watching the hawks that were flying all around. We spent about an hour there just looking at stuff.

We came back to the campground and Russ worked on some of the broken items and we will stop by Camping World tomorrow while up in Corning, NY and see if they can fix our mishap. Also while in Corning we will go to the museum and factory.

We will see what else we find while out.......

Friday, May 22, 2009

Pickle Ball

This morning Russ decided that he wanted a schedule of the weekend activities going on here at the park. He first went to the ranger station and they sent him up to the recreation hall to obtain one. In his adventures to get this schedule he helped in putting decorations on the tables in the rec center, talked to people at the store and pool area, then ventured out to the pickleball court. There were people who were willing to teach he and another man how to play.

Everything was going well until Russ tries to get to a shot and takes a big fall across the court. He broke his glasses completely, has a big gash in his eye lid, scrapped both knees and a knuckle. Now just remember, it has been exactly two years ago that he fell and broke his hip and had to have a hip replacement.

We are going to go down to the river front this afternoon and then tonight go and watch the Harrisburg Senators play baseball. There will also be a fireworks show after the game. Sounds like fun for me.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Covered Bridges and Intercourse, PA

This morning I woke up about 6:30 am. I watched the Today show taking my shower during some of the segments. The morning is just gorgious out and it is a perfect day for seeing more of Pennsylvania.

We left the motor home just a few minutes after 9 heading east on US 322 to Cornwall where we took PA 72 south to Manheim where we found two covered bridges. The first was off of Adele by the high school and it was a foot bridge. There were also some interesting rocks that had been moved into the park as a special project.

We then went back through the little town of Manheim to Sun Hill Road where we found a one-lane bridge that is used for vehicles. Both of these bridges were very interesting and fun to find.

Next we headed out US 72 to US 772 to Hunsecker Road where we found our third bridge to view. Again this was a one-lane bridge for vehicles. We also saw many Amish children by this bridge.

After this bridge we headed to the town of Intercourse, PA. We headed for the Bird-in-Hand Bake Shop but found it to be closed as this is Ascention Day and the Amish do not work on this day. Back to US 340 we then headed to a Country Knives Store. It was then back into town where we stopped at Cross Key to visit Intercourse Pretzel Factory. We also checked out Stoltzfus Meats and some of the other little shops in this area. We then went to Kitchen Kettle Village where we had lunch at Kling Restaurant. Food was very good. Russ had a Ruben Sandwich with corned beef and I had a big hamburger.

We also saw many Amish families out and about in their buggies. The children are all so cute and well mannered. We also stopped to see a one room school house that was used up until 1969.

We followed our GPS directions and saw a lot of the countryside as she brought us in the back way to the campground. It was fun and we did learn a lot today.

Do not know where we will head tomorrow but know that we will enjoy it all as this area is so pretty.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

A Beautiful Day

Today we decided to stay around the campground and just enjoy the day doing what we wanted to. Russ went down to the lake and fished for a few hours. He caught 10 brim but released them all. He said that they gave him enjoyment just catching them.

I did laundry and some reading. Sitting out in the sun was very relaxing and peaceful.

I finished off the evening by instant messaging Nancy Leivas, Cliff Gruel and my niece Erin Crump. I also had on American Idol to watch the outcome on that show. Very surprising.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Chocolate World

Today we went to Chocolate World in Hershey, PA. We learned about the man who built and founded Hershey, Milton S. Hershey. He was a man who wanted to keep his employees happy.

We took the trolly tour seeing the home where he grew up, the school that he founded for under privledged boys, the hospital where he died and other interesting parts of the town. Make sure that if retired military ask for your discount along with the senior discount.

Chocolate World has a free tour that takes you through the making of chocolate. You ride along a track in a car that seats 5 and they show all steps in the process of making the chocolate. It is very interesting and really informative.

Later this afternoon we decided to go and find the Hollywood Casino in Grantville, PA. Russ played on $5 for about an hour and I lost $25 but we did have a good time and the casino is very nice. We will go back at sometime.

Monday, May 18, 2009

Thousand Trails Hershey

This morning we left Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay about 7:45 am. We traveled north on US 17 through Tappahannock to US 301 at A P Hill. We crossed into Maryland and picked up MD 3 merging onto I 97. We then merged onto I 695 west merging onto I 83 crossing into Pennsylvania. We then took US 322 east to S. Mount Pleasant Road. Total miles traveled was 259.15 and it took us just under 6 hours doing an average of 50 miles an hour.

The traffic was light to moderate all the way here. The countryside has been outstanding with all the green in the fields and trees. Flowers are showing much color also.

We arrived at the park early afternoon and found it to be a well manicured venue with nice sites and much to do in the area. We chose a 30 amp pull-thru space as the weather this week is suppose to be in the comfortable range. There were some 50 amp spaces open.

We decided to just explore the park here and have left over stew for lupper. As everyone says, the stew always taste better the second day and this was no exception. We took a walk around and will explore the area tomorrow.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Thousand Trails Chesapeake Bay

We left Pocahontas State Park on Monday 5/11/09 headed for Chesapeake Bay Thousand Trails in Gloucester, VA.

I had to have another blood test done and pick up a new prescription before we left Chesterfield so went to the walk in clinic at our doctors office. Those of us waiting for the office to open were stunned to find out that Dr. Mark Schroeder had passed away on the previous Saturday from a Brain Tumor. Russ and I had only seen him once so will now transfer over to one of the other doctors there in the office.

Russ dumped tanks while I was gone and I met him over at the Pilot Truck Stop off of I 95. We topped off with diesel and we were on our way heading north on I 95, east on VA 10, north on I 295, east on I 64 and east on VA 33 to VA 198. Total miles 69.50 A very easy drive and we arrived at the campground about 10 am.

We were lucky and found one of the free 50 amp sites open. Space D 23 one of our favorites. We got in and maneuvered enough to get 5 bars on the satellite. This worked well for most of the week. The entire week was partly cloudy but no rain until Sunday and then it rained all day.

Tuesday we went to Wal-Mart to get my prescription filled and just for the ride into town. We had to wait 2 hours as they were having troubles with their computer system.

Wednesday was spent at the campground just enjoying it. Russ went fishing in the river but did not catch anything. He was a bit upset about not catching anything but tried again later in the week. We also stopped at a Holiday Rambler Motor Home that was parked a couple spaces down from us because they had a 400 Club sticker on their coach. It was the Lind's whom we had met in DuQuoin, IL. in 2007 at the rally. They are headed to the Maritimes for the summer.

Thursday I went back up to Chesterfield to see my family before we leave for the summer. I was also in the hopes that I would get the results of my blood test that was done on Monday. This was also the day that my brother's house was to be auctioned off in foreclosure. There had been a realtor that wanted to buy it but was not going to give Lin anything to help get him out. After talking to our cousin Ken Walker, he decided that he would try to get the house and help Lin out. My brother-in-law Roy and I met Ken at the court house and found out that Lin's sale had been cancelled because of the realtor. Lin happened to see him in the parking lot and talked to him. The realtor has dropped all interest in the house so now Ken is working on getting it. Time will tell as to what is going to happen. I just feel so sorry for Mama in not being able to do anything at this point. She has already put up a lot of money and Lin being hard headed lost it.

It was back to the campground and I watched the finale of Grey's Anatomy. The weekend was good.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Baseball, Sea World and Busch Gardens

From the title you can see that this has been a pretty busy week for us. Last Sunday afternoon we took a ride down to Disney World and the sports field where the Atlanta Braves have their spring training. We found out just to get in the area it was $12.75 per person. The ticket seller gave us a program book with all of the teams listed, where they play, what the cost of tickets per game and parking price. We decided on Monday morning that we would go down to Kissimmee and watch the Houston Astros practice.

On Tuesday, it was our weekly trip to Frostproof, visiting with my mother, using her washer and dryer for a couple of loads of clothes while we were there. We had also taken our grill and some steaks down for our lunch. I think Mama really enjoyed the steak as it has been a while since she had one. That night we went to Bingo. Mama and Nancy each won a game and Russ and I will have to wait until next time. We have won many of the nights so we could not complain.

Wednesday, we went to Lakeland to watch the Detroit Tigers and Atlanta Braves play baseball. It was a very good game and the Tigers won 4 - 3. It was fun being out in the sun and watching one of the best sports around.

A couple weeks ago I found tickets to SeaWorld/Busch Gardens at the childrens price and you can go to these parks as many times as you want in a 14-day period. We used our first day on Friday going to SeaWorld and really enjoying just walking around the park and seeing some of the shows. We went to Busch Gardens on Saturday and had a great time. We got to see the Osmond Brothers Show which was outstanding. Russ went on a couple of the rides and I really enjoyed going in the avery. What a day!!!!

Today the weather took a turn with heavy winds, rain, and much cooler temperatures. Late this afternoon the sun did shine but the air is very cold out. Hopefully our wonderful weather will be back soon.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Trip to Frostproof, Florida and Bingo

This morning we awoke at about the same time as usual, Russ 6 am and Patty 8 am. Showers for both of us and then we were on the road headed to Frostproof to visit with my mother for the day. Her campground, Southern Pines was having a Health Fair today so we went over for checks for skin cancer, an adjustment to my neck and shoulders, blood pressure and blood sugar checked.
We then went to Four Seasons at Sun Ray for lunch and the was very good. Russ had country fried steak, Mama had fish and I had pork chops.

From there it was a trip to Wal-Mart for groceries for Mama and then home again. At 5:30 pm we went to the clubhouse for Bingo and hot dogs. I won the first game for $42. No one else in our group won anything tonight. Mama missed out 6 times needing only one number. Better luck next week. We all have done very well at winning this year and we hope that the luck continues with us.

We hit the road about 9:10 pm for Clermont and arrived back at our home on wheels just after 10 pm. Shortly after 11 we were both sound asleep and await tomorrow adventures.

Til next time, have a great day.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Taking an Airboat Ride




I know it has been a while since I last posted but we really have not been doing that much as the weather has been so cold out. We continue to go to Frostproof on Tuesdays to see my mother and I go down again on Fridays to take her out to eat and to the grocery store or wherever she wants to go.
Thursday, February 5th, Nancy Leivas and I went to Arcadia to their Red Hat Queens Council Madi Gras luncheon. I left Thousand Trails just after 6 am and the temperature at that time was 22 degrees and as I traveled south I saw much ice around the orange trees.

Today we decided to take an "Airboat Ride." We went to Boggy Creek Airboat Tours down in Kissimmee and really enjoyed the 30 minute ride. We were able to see many different birds, a bald eagle and an alligator in the reeds. The air was a bit cool but the ride was very delightful and fun. Yes, I would go again and hopefully see more critters.




Sunday, January 18, 2009

The Rest of the Rally and Back to Thousand Trails Orlando

Friday was another cold day at the Florida Super RV Rally but that did not stop us from still enjoying looking at the new RVs and visiting all of the supplier booths. We talked with the people who sold and serviced the KVH Tracvision Antenna and had them come and see why we were not getting a good picture on our TVs. The wiring that was put in here originally was not correct so they fixed this problem for us. We also got the Blue Ox tow hitch serviced and we are good for another year on that.

We received a phone call from RV Connection that the other refrigerator door is in and they are coming to our campsite on Monday to install it. They are also going to check out the front door awning as it is not working at this time. It is still under warranty so let's get it done now.

We went to entertainment on Friday night. They were three guys playing brass instruments and they have been together for 40 years. They were very good and we enjoyed them very much. I'm sorry I cannot remember the band name.

Saturday morning we got up and the Leivas' and us decided to go to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. It was really good and we all came away stuffed. We headed back to the fairgrounds and a lot of the Buccaneers had decided to leave today. Russ and I also decided that we would leave after lunch as we needed fuel at the Flying J and did not want to fight the crowd that would be there on Sunday morning. We left about 1 pm and arrived at Thousand Trails Orlando around 2:20 pm.

This morning Russ fixed us egg sandwiches for breakfast, then I did a load of laundry and went to CVS and Walgreens to pick up a few things that we were out of and needed. For lupper, I fixed a pizza while we watched the Eagle/Cardinal football game. When that was over, we went up to the rec hall for entertainment, Dyn-o-Mite Stompers from Leesburg. The dancing was very good but the music was way to loud for my liking.

Another great couple of days. Until next time, take care.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Florida Super RV Rally, Tampa, Florida

On Tuesday morning we leisurely left Thousand Trails, Orlando, heading for the State Fairgrounds in Tampa, Florida. It took us about an hour and fifteen minutes to get here and that included a wrong turn but we were able to find a large church parking lot to unhook the Honda from the motor home.


In taking this wrong turn as we got back on the correct road, Russ hit a large pothole which caused the motor home to lurch to the left. The linen closet came open and all the can goods that were stored there hit the floor along with laundry detergent and fabric softener. What a mess!!!! We cleaned it all up and went on with what we were suppose to be doing. Having Fun with the SMART Buccaneer Camping Club that we belong to.

Just after we got set up and cleaned up, the rains began. It rained most of the afternoon. We went with Nancy and Jim Leivas over to the Hard Rock Casino. We first went to the buffet as none of us had really eaten anything and it was 2:30 pm. The food was really good and there was a very good selection. We then decided to play the machines for an hour. I lost but Nancy came out ahead for the day. Congratulations!!!

We got back from the Casino in time to join the Buccaneers for "Happy Hour". At 5 pm some of he group went to a Steak House for dinner but with us just having eaten we decided to forgo this meal.

On Wednesday morning, our host had a continental breakfast consisting of fruit cups and muffins along with coffee. We all enjoyed this very much. After breakfast the Super show was on and everyone headed over to look at new RVs and to purchase items for their RVs. We walked around for about 3 1/2 hours and by then I was warn out. We came back to the RV and started our dish for the potluck to be held at 5 and rested for a short while. Dinner was great. Nancy and I decided to go back over to the casino and try our luck again. We held our own and just had a lot of fun in doing so.

Today when we got up it was very cold out. Russ was not feeling well so I went over to the pavilion for coffee and donuts. People were slow getting moving today but before 9 donuts were just about gone.

Again today we went looking at displays and I did buy a coffee table for my mother and a new heater for the motor home. They had put these heaters on sale for $15 and they were flying out of the door. Camping World was even delivering your purchase from them to your rig. What a deal.

Tonight we went to entertainment. As we entered the arena the Rally group served ice cream and coffee. Rick Arnold performed rock and roll along with country music and then there were door prizes given out. We did not win anything tonight but there are two more night when we can.

We had another good day and look forward to tomorrow.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Updating from Christmas until 1/12/09

Sorry that I have not been faithful in updating lately but will try once again to get everyone caught up with our doings for the past couple of weeks.

When I left off we were in Chesterfield, Virginia, enjoying the holidays at my sister, Betty, and brother-in-law, Roy's house. We also visited their two daughters houses with much going on at both.

Lori and Dave Schuelke had just moved into their new house. Dave has been building on this project for two years with Lori's help when she was not working for Dominic Power. Dave did all of the wood (cutting, stripping, and finishing). Pictures of the ongoing work and finished project are in my photos on picasa.

Dana and Brian have also had a busy year. In January, 2008, Jenna Nicole, was born. She is so cute and full of vim and vinegar. They also moved into a new house in March and had to contend with the slow housing market to sell their old house. Luckily they were able to accomplish this mission and are very happy in their big, wide-open house in Woodland Pond sub-division.

On Saturday, the entire family went to my Aunt Blanche Ladd's house for lunch and game playing. Her son, Rob, and his friend Penny along with his daughter Ashley were there. Also my cousin Tommy and his wife Pam from Ohio and Fred from Atlanta were also there. We all had a great time and a wonderful meal. Thanks Aunt Blanche.

Card games again started with everyone having a good time. Russ and I just could not get the right cards so did not win at all in all of the games played.

On Sunday, Russ and I went to Wilson, N. C., to visit with his family. Ms. Sarah has been having some health problems (back and eyes) so we called a family meeting and let her know that it was time that she seek other living arrangements. She is unable to care for her apartment in the way that it should be done. Sarah, Russ, his sister Susan and nephew Connor, went out on Monday to look at assisted living places and to talk with a counselor about what to do to get her into one of these. They were able to obtain much information so we will see what will take place in the near future.

We returned to Chesterfield on Tuesday afternoon and that evening went to my cousin Mary and Harry's house for a pasta dinner. She also had her mother, our uncle Bryan, her son, Brandon and brother Lewie. Another great meal and wonderful visiting amongst all of us.

On Wednesday, New Year's Eve, we returned to Florida. During the week Russ and I had decided that he would come back to TT and move the motor home into a spot and I would go down to Frostproof and stay with Mama for a few days. One she had come down with a bug and we were watching it to make sure that she did not go into pneumonia. We discovered when we got to the car that we had left both sets of keys to the motor home at Mamas house. We did stop at TT and get a space then continued to Frostproof so that Russ could get the keys and come back and move.

On Thursday morning Russ got up and searched out the campground for a space that he would like better as we had put in for the extended stay program here. He found a space that he liked better than the one that he had overnight and went up to register at the office. Once moved again he spent the afternoon and evening watching the bowl games on TV. On Friday morning, he had to take the motorhome over to RV Connection to have the refrigerator doors replaced. They had called and said that the doors were in but only one had come and the other is on backorder. They did replace the one and did the inspection that needed to be done to have the warranty extended for another year.

That afternoon he came down to Frostproof and picked Mystee and I up. We were both glad to get back to our own home. We continued to get our space fixed up like we want it and to meet some of the neighbors and people around us.

Over the weekend we continue our set up and watched the play-off games on NFL football. We have gone swimming some, sat outside and just enjoyed the sun, gone walking and bike riding the rest of the time.

On Tuesday we went to Frostproof as this is the night that they have Bingo. On the way down we picked up a few things for Mama and just enjoyed our visit. Russ and I both won at Bingo and felt very good about it.

Today, we went to Camping World and our second bike had finally come in. Now both Russ and I can ride together.

Tomorrow we will be going down to the Tampa Fairgrounds for the Big RV Show and SMART, Buccaneers campout. We will be down there until Sunday.

I will report from there.

Until next time, take care.