2-14-15
We decided to celebrate Valentine's Day by going to the Mardi Gras parade in Baton Rouge LA. Following good advice we got going early and left for downtown by 9AM for the 12PM start time. Our directions were good, taking us right by the LSU Tigers stadium, then straight to the action. Dumb luck landed us in a parking lot adjacent to the parade route.
As we pulled in we passed many spots already in party mode. Tailgates were down, tents were raised and drinks were flowing! After parkin
FL 1-27-15
Today Oscar went to Doggy Day Care for the first time. Since Ruth and I wished to see some sites that were not dog friendly, we webulated for dog care. One popped up between us and the place we wanted to go so we decided to try it.
Turns out it was quite the place. The Pet Corral Resort, located in Cape Coral, had two large outdoor fenced exercise areas (one for large and one for small dogs). It also had grooming and veterinarian services!
With Oscar settled in Pamperville, we too
6-13-14
The only exciting thing that happened yesterday was paying over $5 a gallon for fuel as we drove from Halifax to Baddeck.
Today we ventured out to the Alexander Gram Bell museum. I. Learned enough trivia to win Jepordy. However,I was disappointed by the meager display of inventions and prototypes. I had also anticipated taking a tour of his home here, but that is privately owned by a Bell descendant and not open to the public. Oh well, the view of lake Bras d-Or, was quite pleasing to
FL 1-29-15ia
We were up early today to start our day. Well 7 AM is early for a retired couple. By 8 the Burb was headed for doggie day care. Oscar got another day in Pamperville while the rest of us went SW on route 41.
That took us trough Naples. Ruth and I still can't believe we traveled 30 miles and never ran out of stores. Everything from furniture to Wendy's. Who buys at this many stores?
Once we passed Tin City, In Bonita Springs, several restored warehouse type buildings that were onc
After many frantic phone calls this AM we did find an inspection place. All is well. No problems found and new sticker on windshield. Also got two new front tires. Old ones had 12 years on them and still looked great. Even the inside was inspected very closely. Oh we'll, peace on mind as we take off for Canada.
FL 2-2-15
Today was moving day. 224 mile north to Alliance RV in Wildwood. We have service scheduled tomorrow. New Koni shocks. That should improve our ride a bit. The place is Huge and Mega busy. Glad I scheduled 10 days ahead. They have their own CG with about 50 slots and let you stay for free while service work is being done. Nice spacious sites, water and elec only. I'm sure they have a dump station somewhere on property.
As we were in leaving Pine Island this morning and George, the GPS,
6-15-14
Now that we've be traveling for two weeks, it was time to name our Monaco Windsor coach. Melvin decide on Grace after Princess Grace of Monaco. What else? After all the plate reads Castle3 !
Sunday (Father's Day ) was a total rain out. Ruth began our day by making blueberry pancakes for breakfast. The rest of our day was spent relaxing and watching movies.
6-16-14
We woke up to rain again. But it was a travel day, so we broke camp and headed out. Just after the causeway leaving Cape
6-15-14
Now that we've be traveling for two weeks, it was time to name our Monaco Windsor coach. Melvin decide on Grace after Princess Grace of Monaco. What else? After all the plate reads Castle3 !
Sunday (Father's Day ) was a total rain out. Ruth began our day by making blueberry pancakes for breakfast. The rest of our day was spent relaxing and watching movies.
6-16-14
We woke up to rain again. But it was a travel day, so we broke camp and headed out. Just after the causeway leaving Cape
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
6-7-14
Today started off by wakeing up to partly cloudy skies. Ruth and I had breakfast and set about securing everything for our next leg to Halifax. I learned you can't put the front side in if one of they storage doors are open. 5 minutes of panic before I figured it out. Hooked up Lucy and off we went.
Today's driving lessen was all about strong cross winds and very bumpy roads. I did a bit of zigzagging before I got use to it. Ruth however had a tough time. Her brake peddle did not work a
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
11-24-14
In just a week we have gone from electric blankets and furnace heat to just sheets and AC. Today's temp was 79 and a bit humid. Sure glad Joey helped me repair the rear unit this summer.
About noon today we went back into St. Augustine. What a lovely city! It's well laid out, clean, and full of things to do and places to see. We took a leisure stroll through the market. Interesting shops and loads of eateries.
When we returned to Gracie we took a few minutes to clean things up and th
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
FL 2-7-15
Today it was a mere 67 degrees with lovely blue skies. The morning was spent doing a few errands. Once it warmed up we headed for the beach in Navarre. It only took about 40 minutes.
Here's a travel tip. If you want to visit the greater Pensacola area, Milton is a great place for home base.
Now back to the beach. Navarre is another white sand beach on the Gulf. This one goes on for about 30 miles. When we arrived today we were told we had missed the Mardi Gras parade. We would have
12-5-14
Last night ended with being trapped in our new recliner. No matter what I did I could not get the foot rest to go down. So I finally climbed out. Not a great move for a bad back. So, my plan was to drive back to CW (camping world) early this AM.
When I stepped out of Gracie this morning our CG neighbors for the past week were packing up. Skip and his DW Karen are long time campers but as I am, rookie owners of a DP (diesel pusher). In fact they just bought it this week. Anyway we che
1-13-15
Actually got a great nights sleep. Up at 8 and ready to go by 9. We hit the Waffle House on our way back to the highway. Just as I started up the Burb, I realized I didn't try the Waffles! Oh well my eggs and hash browns were just fine.
Drizzly rain and more fog today. Slow going, but we hope to make Jacksonville.
Nothing exciting on the road today. Made Jacksonville about 7 PM and we were beat. However it was eat a good supper night. We found a stake house and I had a wonderful file
12-8-14
We were up at 8 and getting Gracie ready for a 5 week sleep as we return to NH for the holidays. All went on schedule and we were waving goodbye to Gracie by 11 AM.
Another oranges for sale sign caused us to stop in before we left FL. Ruthie found a bonus while waiting to be checked out. Pecan Pralines!!! They are a weekness of mine and she bought both plain and chocolate. Oh happy day. Only fresh pecans can satisfy my craving. Trust me, fresh makes all the difference.
After Ruthie ha
FL 2-5-15
We woke up to a rainy day. After raining hard most of the night it stopped by 9 ans we began getting ready for our move to Tallahassee. The site was muddy and by the time I completed the outside work so was I. We were parked in a difficult site with trees everywhere and a narrow street in front of us. But with Ruth's guidance I was able to pull out in one attempt and didn't hit anything. In a few minutes we had the Burb hooked up and were on our way.
I-75 is an easy drive and the new
2-17-15
Today began by waking up to 60 degrees inside Gracie. Our space heater didn't keep up with the 30 degree temp and strong wind. At 6AM I turned on the furnace and by 7 it was a toasty 74.
My morning chore was to change fuel filters before we left. The last hundred miles Gracie was bucking a bit and the ATC light flashed anytime the engine was pulling hard. Mostly on on ramps and passing. The last time that happened was in Canada and fuel filters was the fix. The instant I put my brand
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
2-8-15
Today we decided to drive to Dustin FL. It's about 50 miles from our CG in Milton. This city is also on the "Emerald Coast" highway. Compared to Navarre it is much more developed. Many McMansions and hotels/condos the size of Las Vegas casinos. Public Beaches are either private or smaller and hard to find with even harder to find parking.
If you need things to keep the kids happy, or like bar life then this may be a good choice.
We were interested when we saw many party boats for rent
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
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
