FL 4-13-15
As we near the end of our winter get away we decided to spend a few days unwinding. Yesterday we took a drive over the mountain to Culpepper VA. It was another beautiful blue sky day. The views from the mountain were spectacular. The balance of the day was spent at our CG enjoying the 70 degree weather.
Today we traveled over the mountain again to have lunch with another Bradford neighbors. The Marshall's were in Virginia visiting Judy's sister Karen and her husband Mike. When we f
2-28-15
Just had the best 7 hours in a very long time. I met with 3 of 7 others from our SEAL support team in Viet Nam 1970/71. Until about a year ago I had not spoken with any of them. One found me and I found the others. Last Oct. we scheduled a reunion in Corpus Christi for today.
Now this is one of the things retirement and a motorhome give you the freedom to do. It's not all about escaping cold weather or sight seeing. Although those two are near the top of the list, visits like today don
FL 4-10-15
Lately the days have just whizzed by. Friday we took a long drive to see Thomas Jeffersons Monticello. I suspect it gets fewer visitors than Mount Vernon due to the location. However, it certainly is worth the effort. Much like Biltmore, Monticello is well hidden. Even after you park your car, purchase a ticket, and board the shuttle bus, the main building is nowhere in site. After climbing a steep winding road it finally presents itself. Make one wonder why a farmer choose the top o
FL 4-5-15
Quite a bit has happened since my last writing. After 2 days of rest we moved from Lexington SC to Asheville NC on Friday April 3rd. The drive was of little note until the last 10 miles or so. For some reason it's always those last few miles in the day that present the most stress. As we entered metro Asheville the traffic really picked up. We didn't see any reason other than heavy volume. The slower speed itself isn't much of an issue until it comes time to exit left or right in four
6-25-14
Our trip down from Bar Harbor to Wells included getting struck in a Denny's parking lot. We missed the first entrance and should have passed by the second. Not enough room to turn around without backing up. That meant unhooking disabled Lucy and pushing her uphill to a parking space so we could turn around. Oh well, we had a good breakfast, hooked up Lucy and continued on.
One piece of advise, if you think taking Rt 1 will be a scenic coastal drive, forgot it unless you plan on several
FL 3-15-15
Today we are in Wildwood FL. Nothing really planed for today so I began by just tinkering a bit. The Toad wiring needed more tape where it had chaffed against the safety cables. Easy fix in less than 15 minutes.
While I was outside, I got in a conversation with my neighbor. He's a retired pharmacist traveling by himself in a 38 foot motorhome. A very friendly and quite interesting fellow. Frankly, it's hard to find a jerk in this lifestyle. We're nearly all retired and spending down
3-12-15
Today we are staying at caverns state park in FL. What a change from Texas. This AM when we stepped outside our air conditioned living space the humidity was intense! The temperature was a pleasant 80. MAYBE IF YOU WERE NECK DEEP IN A POOL.
In spite of that we came here to see the caverns, so off we went. Our drive through the park was lovely. Spring has arrived here and trees were bursting their buds along with several varieties of wild flowers in bloom.
Once the Burb was parked we s
FL 3-26-15
Today we woke to a weather report for 80 degree temps. Without hesitation we began to plan our day. First a 20 minute drive to Fort McAllister state park to check out the camping facilities.
This is a very well preserved area with large trees and spacious camp sites. Big rigs and fifth wheelers do NOT fit in all sites and the park is frequently booked. We knew that yesterday when we attempted to reserve a spot. As with most State parks the campsites only provide electric and sewer h
FL 2-21-15
When I watched this mornings weather I decided the best use of today's warmer temperature was to visit a few more things in Galveston. Plan B was to go to the Space Center. That is now on Tuesday's agenda.
Once I remembered I had picked up a stack of brochures at the Texas visitor center my task became easier. The Bishops Mansion peaked my interest so I did some further research on the web. Feb. 21st is a special guided tour from attic to basement at 11 AM. Oh, that would be today
6-4-14
Up early and watch the news while I set up new GPS. Sorry Jenn I took the one from the burb. Use Waze on your phone.
After coffee and a raisin bagel we went for a walk about. Then I mounted our plates "Castle3". Kind of a dreary day, so we'll watch a movie after lunch. First cooked meal in the Castle was spaghetti, yum yum.
6-5-14
No WiFi in Maine and cell service was intermittent so my version hot spot only worked for one up date.
Today we got underway at 11 AM after a fillup of pro
Woke up well rested today to 70 degree weather and blue skies. After morning coffee, Ruth choose to hit the laundry mat. Yes we have a combo washer dryer on board, but this way she says it's done in 1 hour.
That gave me some time to tinker, so I attached the tie downs to the awning and figured how to put the sunscreen over the windshield. The hardest part was figuring out the folding ladder. All done just as Ruth returned.
We packed the car and took off for Acadia National park. ( less than 10
FL 4-9-15
We left enchanting Asheville NC Tuesday morning. I felt brave after reading a few reviews concerning I 26 to Tennessee and off we went. Yes, there are at least three 6 or 7 degree grades to negotiate. Gracie's 350 Cummins did just fine, even with the Burb in tow. Two of those grades slowed us down to 35 mph but we still made them. Water and Trans. temperature Both stayed in the normal range and between the Exhaust brake and the Burb's brakes at work downhill, I was able to keep Gracie
FL 4-6-15
Today was a return to Biltmore. We just had to see the gardens before we left. It's early spring here so blooms were limited. However the landscape itself is worth the trip in any season. Rolling hills, winding paths and majestic trees all blend together for visual overload.
A large conservatory anchors the entire maze of gardens. Inside were hundreds of species of plants and flowers, most in full bloom! Several areas had striking arrangements with benches, making the perfect picture
1-22-15
Today we took a 60 mile drive to Fort Meyers. Nothing to talk about along the way, but plenty when we got there. First we just meandered through downtown and then headed South along the shoreline. Well, as close as we could get. We admired all the lovely homes a a string of McMansions. Including Henry Ford's and his friend Thomas Edison's.
While searching for a dog friendly public beach, we stumbled upon a Perkins and stopped in for lunch. In just a few more miles we found the beach fo
6-14-14
We were up early today and off in Lucy by 8:30. The weather on the web had forecasted a cold rainy day, but as we woke there were patches of blue sky. So we took a chance and drove to Englishtown so we could take a boat ride to Bird island. Sometimes we just make really good choices. Within 10 minutes of leaving the pier, we spotted an eagle. Then the first mate threw a fish into the water. Almost at once the eagle swooped down and grabbed the fish. GREAT photos of that and about 5 more
12-4-14
Yesterday was a whirlwind. For starters it was the second day in a row that I had not slept a wink. So when we returned from the days activities I was spent. No energy left to write. Even so, last night made it 3 nights in a row without enough sleep. Although I did manage about 2 hours sleep from 5 to 7 AM. If it wasn't for " Ask a nurse" I doubt I'd have gotten that. I called my sister Bonnie (She's the retired nurse. I also have our daughter Christine that's a nurse) to discuss my ail
12-2-14
Today was driver confidence day at the Lazydays learning center. We began with a light breakfast then gathered in the classroom. Our instructor, Bob Bergeron, is a New Hampshire native from New London. He has held his CDL for many years and at one time thought state employees how to run highway plow trucks. Bob not only possessed real experience, but knew how to pass his knowledge on to us in an interesting manor.
Each student regardless of their personal experience learned something n
FL 3-31-15
Well five days have passed by in a hurry since we left Savannah. We are now in a suburb of Columbia SC in the town of Lexington. The name of our CG is the Barnyard, but don't be confused by the name. This is at the top of our list for having all the amenities important to us. The lots are very spacious and level pull throughs with gravel landings and concrete table areas. Lots of grass and a few ornamental tress occupy the rest of the area. Very quiet and very clean. When we walk Osc
6-6-14
Woke up to another day of rain and news they caught the cop killer. Moncton is open for business again.
Ruthie and I were getting cabin fever, so we left Melvin on the sofa as I unhitched Lucy and we took off for Alma NB ... Sweet little fishing village...about 80 miles away. Many wonderful views and vistas of the bay of fundy along the way.
At the end of Rt 114 (the road to our home has the same #) we had lunch at the Parkland Village Inn, Ruth had a lobstah roll and a bowl of seafoo
1-15-15
Out last night in a motel gave us good reason to appreciate owning a motorhome. From the time we entered until past midnight, we had to listen to slamming doors, shouting voices and moving furniture. (No, I didn't ask what that was all about). As a result Ruth and I woke up tired and ready get out of there.
We arrived at our CG about 11 to get Gracie out of storage. With fingers crossed, Ruth entered first. Oh happy day. No musty smell and no sign of critters. I checked the battery mon
2-23-15
Today we toured the Johnson Space Center. Had I known the 90 minute tram ride was more an open air ride than stop and visit, I would have gone a couple days ago when it was much warmer. Silly me, thinking today was perfect for an indoor activity.
In spite of that, Ruth and I had a pretty good day. The three tram stops were very interesting.
First was mission control for the flight of Apollo 13. Being in electronics my whole career, I was struck by how primitive the equipment looked.
11-27-14
I took a day off from writing yesterday as it was my birthday. Thanks for all the good wishes. Now I have lots to say today.
We decided the best plan for enjoying the Turkey Run was to spend the afternoon scouting out Daytona.
So into the Burb with Oscar and off to the speedway. Very easy to find and only 20 miles from our CG. I knew it was BIG but it looks even larger in person, and they are adding on to it. We drove through the main parking lot and found the entrance so we know whe
2-15-15
We woke up to a dreary day today. On and off drizzle and gray skies. It was a good day to sleep in a bit and have a mid morning breakfast.
Cabin fever set in about 1 PM so we decided to take a drive south. We followed the levy for more than 30 miles and never saw the river. We did spot a couple places one could scale the levy on a bike and rid the top. We finally walked up one of those only to find out we were still quite a distance from the river. Our view was blocked be trees and den
12-6-14
After seemingly spinning our wheels getting acclimated to this new life, we finally decided it was time for a Lazy Day on the beach. We did a bit of webulating and selected St. Petersburg.
By the time we climbed in the Burb, the ski was all blue and the temp was up to 82!
In less than one hour we arrived at our destination. Out with Oscar, a couple towels, and the lawn chairs and down the boarded walk we go. At the last turn, just as we could see the white sand, we slap saw a sign st
Today was all about me. Ruthie drove me to the speedway and dropped me of at the main entrance after searching over an hour for a parking place closer than Miami. Since she had little interest in looking at rust, the smell of grease, or walking who knows how far Ruth choose to spend the day with Oscar.
If you're a car nut, this is the place. But, bring your walking shoes! The entire infield was consumed by vendors, cars of all sorts for sale, and show cars. I walked for 3 hours to get through t
