Saturday, December 11, 2010

The last time I wrote was 12/1.  We have been busy.  We went to the SKP lunch on 12/2 at the Golden Corral – lots of friends.  On Monday, we went to the storage unit to get organized for our booth at the Eustis flea market.  Then on Wednesday, we went back to the storage unit to load the Jeep for Thursday morning.  Other than being cold, the flea market went well, and we got rid of most of our Xmas decorations plus a few other things.  We should be able to downsize to a 5 by 10 storage unit soon.  Yesterday, I finally finished my CPE for preparing taxes next spring.  I sent out a letter saying that spring 2011 would be my last tax season, and a few clients are calling to make sure I would do theirs in 2011.  A few I will keep for 2012, but they will have to mail me their information.  Today is sunny and 69 at 3PM, but it is only supposed to reach the mid 50s on Monday.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Tuesday was exciting, we went to the bank, went to the storage unit to pick up some holiday decorations, and stopped at Publix on the way back to the motorhome.  Today, Wednesday, we had lunch at TwoJays in the Villages with Tom and Mary Ellen Banks.  Tom seems to be doing quite well considering he has had two strokes.  He come without his oxygen tank and teased Mary Ellen throughout the meal.  Mary Ellen said she thought he had some confusion due to the strokes, but, whether it was confusion or teasing, lunch was fun.  Then it was on to Verizon with questions about our plan and phones.  We also stopped at BestBuy, Sam’s Club, and Publix before going home.

Monday, November 28, 2010

Today, we left our Escapees friends at Sumter Oaks in Bushnell, FL, and moved the motorhome 36 miles to Haines Creek RV Village between Leesburg and Eustis, FL.  We will stay here for four months (we will leave for three rallies) so I can prepare tax returns for others for my last tax season.  This park is only one mile from where we used to live at Mid Florida Lakes.  Everyone here at Haines Creek welcomed us back to the park.

Yesterday, Larry Jarvis prepared a 2:00 dinner for 10 of us with hot dogs that he and Carolyn had brought frozen from Buffalo, NY.  They were good, along with the baked beans, coleslaw and pasta salad.  At 4:00 we all went up to the clubhouse for social hour.  The clubhouse doors are going to be decorated individually by different people in the park.  The picture below shows the transition from one holiday to the next, the door was decorated by Carolyn Jarvis.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Tonight, here at Sumter Oaks, we had a wonderful potluck dinner of leftovers from yesterday's great Thanksgiving dinner.

Thanksgiving, November 24, 2010

Today has been a very different but wonderful Thanksgiving.  Marilyn and I spent a quiet morning – strange without Mom and the kids.  Marilyn made a sweet potato casserole and pumpkin bread (delicious) to take to the 2:00 dinner up at the clubhouse.  The park prepared turkey for all of the tables, and those at the table brought the potluck items.  It was a fabulous dinner, and the leftovers are going to be brought to the potluck tomorrow night at 6:00 (we get to do it all over again).  After dinner, we walked around the park to wear off some of it.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Last Sunday, we had moved to site 49 at Sumter Oaks, the Escapees park in Bushnell, FL.  There we continued to spend time with our Escapees friends,  Monday, I drove to Eustis to go to the dentist, storage unit, get the Jeep serviced, and pick up mail.  Marilyn and I walked on Wednesday, and took pictures of the wild pig living with the donkeys next door.

On Thursday, we drove to Sun City Center to visit Marilyn’s 94 year old cousin, Paul Bancel and his 92 year old wife, Joan.  We returned to Sumter Oaks for a wonderful pot roast dinner followed by entertaining skits.  Frank and Maureen Halliday sat across from us at dinner.

A couple of boomers played their interesting percussion instruments to lively tunes.

Illie and Ulio sang about all of the women in their lives, and a couple joined them.

On Friday, Larry Jarvis and I went to Regions Bank to open a new checking account for Chapter 27.  Saturday, after a breakfast of French toast at Sumter Oaks, 16 of us went to the Margarita Grill for lunch – both lunch and the margaritas were great.  The first picture shows the delivery of the margaritas.

Next, Rich Coppens shares a margarita with his wife Mary.

And of course, we needed a picture of the aftermath.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

I know it has been a whole week since I last published on this blog, but Marilyn and I have been very busy at the Chapter 15/27 combined rally at Paradise Oaks RV Resort in Bushnell, FL.  It was a great rally, but in some ways it is good that it is over.  Marilyn and I have been doing nothing but eat wonderful meals since we left Escapade in September.  This rally was no different with breakfast and dinner every day, from hobo stew to last night’s thanksgiving dinner.

After dinner, some of us stayed to dance to music provided by Lynn and Becky Lundy.

Including the Macarena above, and the chicken dance below.

The night before we had our own chili cookoff.  Wally and Wanda, Sumter Oaks managers, were our judges, and they picked Pete Petersen’s chili as the winner because it tasted good and was spicy.

Pete had all of the chili cooks stand in front of their creations.

On November 11th, many of us went to the Bushnell National Cemetery for their wonderful ceremony.

Of course some have to Ham it up.

We have moved 8 miles to the Escapees Sumter Oaks park in Bushnell, FL, site number 49.

I guess that is enough for now.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

One more 39 degree morning and 66 degree day. I guess we will move to FL we will move to FL. I Bushnell tomorrow i is at least supposed to get into the mid 70s.

Yesterday, I signed up for my tax id number to prepare returns.  IRS is now charging $65 per year for the number.  Glad this is my last tax season.  Then we worked on getting the chapter registration paper work done.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Good day!  Marilyn saw the Dr. this morning for a follow-up, and he said she was doing well.  Then we stopped at the banks, had a wonderful lunch with John & Mitzi Hull, followed by dinner at the Eagles Club where Pete Petersen was putting on rib eye dinners for $10 – they were delicious.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Monday, the 1st of November, we arrived at Ocala Freightliner to find out that we could not stay on their property, so we checked in to Wandering Oaks Campground nearby.  Tuesday morning we checked back in to Ocala Freightliner for work on the motorhome.  Then we drove to Leesburg to get some stuff from our storage unit, and go to the dentist for checkups.  When we got back to Ocala Freightliner they said that they had eliminated the noise in the front wheel (said it was a popping hub cap), the brake grabbing was eliminated with some anti-seize lubricant, but they found that the motorhome pulled to the right, so they wanted it back Wednesday morning.  So it was back to Wandering Oaks for the evening.  Wednesday morning I rode with another tech, and he said he did not think the pull to the right was worth working on.  I think new tires and an alignment next spring will eliminate any problem.  About lunchtime, we moved to Lake Waldena RV Resort in Silver Springs.  Two free nights of camping plus visiting with Pete & Dixie Petersen, and Bob & Vickie Prater.  Thursday, the 4th we all drove to Clermont for the first Escapees luncheon at the Golden Corral.  Great visits with friends both old and new.

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Friday morning the 29th, breakfast was eggs in a bag – good as always.  We sat around and yakked most of the day.  Dinner was an interesting potluck – the chapter provided baked beans and ham, while everyone else provided desserts.  Yum, yum.  Saturday and Sunday, we started out with continental breakfasts of sweet rolls and coffee.  However, Saturday afternoon we all dressed up in Halloween costumes which we even wore on into the evening.  We did not win with our upper and lower G.I costumes, but it was fun.  Sunday, after hitches, we drove along US 98 to Ho Hum RV Park in Carrabelle, FL.  The views of the Gulf of Mexico along 98 are always great.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Escapees Chapter 26 rally started yesterday.  First there was a happy hour at 4:00, followed by an interesting dinner – everyone brought their own meat to cook on grills along with potluck sides.  After dinner, we all sat around a nice big campfire.

Today, started with a pancake and sausage breakfast.  The ladies did some line dancing; one of the members gave a photography class on basic composition; some competed in Mexican train in the afternoon; at 3:00 one of the members (sheriff) entertained with jokes and country music; adoptions and door prizes followed; a barbeque dinner was provided by the Farmer’s Opry; and we ended with another campfire.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Back again.  We had a wonderful visit with Doug.  His friend Sean came over Saturday night for a cookout of burritos with carne asada and chicken.  They were so good, we had them again Sunday night.  Doug gave me a 32 gig iPod Touch for my birthday.  I love it.  Monday night we cooked a beer can chicken for dinner with grilled vegetables – another great dinner.  Of course, Tuesday morning came and we had to leave Columbus to continue our way south.  This afternoon, we arrived at the Farmers Opry and Campground in Chumuckla, FL.  Tomorrow starts the fall Escapees Chapter 26 rally – should be fun.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Today, we drove from Fort Chiswell, VA to Pendleton, SC, a nice Corps of Engineers Park – Twin Lakes Campground.  It is a beautiful park.  Had Coach Net come out and change the passenger side tire on the jeep – a screw.  The driver’s side wheel is making noise on the Phaeton.  I called Frank Hinman for a discussion.  He thinks it might be brake related, but not dangerous.  We have an appointment with Freightliner in Ocala for 11/2 to get it fixed.  Tomorrow we head for Doug’s in Columbus, GA.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

We moved over 200 miles down I-81 from Front Royal, VA to Fort Chiswell, VA.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Yesterday was our last day of touring Washington DC.  Some went to the Smithsonian museums for the day, and others of us toured some of the monuments as well as one of the Smithsonian’s.  Marilyn and I saw, in the daylight this time, the World War II, Lincoln, Korean and Viet Nam memorial.  We also spent two hours in the American History Museum.  Viet Nam was still too depressing, so I only took pictures from the ends.

Today, we had a great Continental breakfast, said our goodbye’s and drove to Front Royal, VA where I took a nap, and we started on paperwork, etc.

This one was taken out the windshield of the bus.

The Washington Monument taken from the World War II memorial.

The Jefferson Memorial as taken from World War II.

This is he Pacific entrance to the World War II memorial followed by one from inside,

Next we went to the Korean War Memorial

This is the Lincoln Memorial

And of course the Viet Nam Memorial

Monday, October 18, 2010

We toured Mount Vernon.  George Washington’s home is still impressive today.  Lunch was at Martha’s place at Mount Vernon, where we had wonderful chicken pot pie along with cherry pie for dessert.  After lunch we went to Arlington Cemetery, where we saw the Kennedy graves, the changing of  the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier, and the RE Lee mansion before heading back to Cherry Hill.

Monday Morning, October 18, 2010

It isn’t even 7:00 AM and we are getting ready to catch our bus to Mount Vernon today.  Last night we joined 19 of our DC HOP members on a GreyLine tour of DC at night.  The bus left Cherry Hill at 5:40 and returned after our bedtime at about 11:00.  They did a nice job of showing DC with its lights on the monuments and buildings.

Marilyn and I, and our friends Ray & Sharon Powell in front of the Jefferson Memorial

Of course we needed a picture of the Lincoln Memorial

The White House looked great with the Washington Monument behind it.

October 16, 2010

The DC HOP is going well. Good weather for Friday's Capitol tour and Ford's Theater presentation. Saturday we had another great tour guide for Gettysburg.  Topped off the evening with ice cream at the Cherry Hill Cafe.

A view of the DC Capitol building

Marilyn and I in front of the White House

Learning how to fire a canon at Gettysburg

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Received final changes fore DC tour from bus company.  Delivered final goody bags to attendees in the rain.  Social hour at 4:00, with announcements, schedule changes, VCR report and a wonderful Salisbury steak dinner put on by the park.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Today Marilyn filled the HOP bags to give out to the attendees with the welcome letters, etc. Then we shopped at Sam's and WalMart. When we returned, we had a happy hour before cooking porkchops on the grill for dinner.

October 12, 2010

We left the New Jersey shore, and drove to College Park, MD (Cherry Hill Park). Some of the others who will be on the Washington DC Escapees HOP gathered for a social hour.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Today was a good sightseeing day.  We started by driving to the Absecon Lighthouse in Atlantic City.

As we were arriving in Atlantic City, we saw that they were getting some of their electricity from wind power.  (Marilyn took the picture through the windshield as I was driving.

Of course, after visiting the lighthouse museum, we walked along the Atlantic City Boardwalk.  The boardwalk is actually made of wood, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Casinos, junk shops, food concessions, and restaurants.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Today, our friends, Lynn & Bill, headed back to Long Island about noon.  After lunch, Marilyn and I drove down to Tuckerton Island Seaport.  It is a recreation of a village, and the Tuckerton Island Lighthouse.  Both the island, and the light were washed away.

Last night we enjoyed our cocktail hour around the fire pit.

Saturday, October 9, 2010

On Thursday, the 7th, we worked at getting paperwork together for our DC Tour.  In the afternoon we found a Post Office, and drove out to get a picture of the Barnegat Lighthouse.

Friday the 8th was a nice quiet day here in Barnegat, NJ. In the morning Marilyn did laundry, and we found a Bank of America for a notarized signature. Then our friends Lynn & Bill arrived for the weekend to stay in a cabin. Relaxed all afternoon, campfire with cocktails and steak for dinner. It doesn't get any better.

Of course they brought Toby and Pepper with them.

October 6, 2010

Well, it has taken a while for me to get around to writing again. 
That is because we have been busy hosting he NYC HOP (tour) for the Escapees RV club.  On Monday, September 27 we left Pier-Lon and headed East to Godeffroy, NY with an overnight stop in Milton, PA.  Wednesday and Thursday, we checked in all of the people attending the HOP – 50 rigs, and 98 people.  Friday was the first day of the tour, and, after a 2.5 hour bus ride, we drove through the Lincoln Tunnel, and picked up our tour guide in the Battery.  We took the boat out to Liberty Island to view the statue.

We also went to Ellis Island, ate lunch where we could see Ground Zero, then went to the top of the Rockefeller Center for the view.

 

On Saturday, we drove around upper Manhattan, stopped at St John the Divine Cathedral, and went to see the Lion King.  Sunday was a free day, and we went to an apple orchard for cider and some MacIntosh apples.  Monday found us with more rain, but we persevered.  Our tour took us to Greenwich Village, Wall Street, Trinity Church, a ride through Brooklyn, lunch choices were China town or Little Italy, Tuesday we toured West Point Military Academy and had a boat ride on the Hudson.  Awesome.  The West Point chapel was most impressive:

Today, Wednesday, the 6th, we left our friends at the NYC HOP, and moved on to Barnegat, NJ to relax, meet Marilyn’s high school friend and get ready for the Washington DC HOP.

September 28, 2010

Finally getting around to writing again.  Since leaving Warsaw on the 23rd, we drove across IN and OH in the wind.  Bernie’s awning tried to unroll, but we got it tied back down in time.  In Medina, OH we camped at Pier-Lon for the weekend, and got to see Allan (as Bernie calls him, our pseudo son).  Great visit, out to breakfast on Saturday, and we all helped Bernie & Carole celebrate their 51st anniversary at Steve’s Dakota Grill for dinner.  Barb & Jack Nittle were also at Pier-Lon, so everyone had a good time visiting.

September 22, 2010

Quiet day today.  Bernie & I met with VCRs to discuss computer problems at 10:00, at 1:00 I had a presentation on gmail and picasa.  Social again at 4:00 followed by a potluck dinner at 5:00.

Monday, September 20, 2010

We had pancakes and sausage for breakfast  cooked at the VCR rally.  Apparently we will have more of the same tomorrow.  Lunch was leftovers from Friday night out to dinner at Bob Evans.  Susie had a seminar for us after lunch, and at social, Brenda passed our door prizes.  For dinner tonight 10 of us went to Applebees – lunch tomorrow also.  Most of my pictures are unposed, so here are a few:

Kellie Gunn was caught not looking at the camera.

Carol Hill was blowing bubbles our of her door prize.

Then there are our new VCR kids – Tom & Debbie Abernathy

Till tomorrow.