Grandpa & Garrett at the same time 
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
Fun in the sun
All the days suddenly seem to blend together these days and time goes oh so quickly. Our grandson and his parents are here from California for a week and already its going too quickly. We don't get to see him or them for that matter very often but we are enjoying the time now. Monday we started with a pancake breakfast at the campground clubhouse which was enjoyed by everyone although Garrett preferred the sausage more than the pancakes.
We spent some time getting the kids and grandkids grocery's and settled into one of the rental units here with theirs being right on the water....a beautiful view of some outer keys and shallows right up to their door. Garrett right away found a crab that he called the "bug" in the area right in front of their place. It actually brought back many memories of us with his mother and uncle spending the times we did years ago here. Evening brought dinner and Garrett auditioning for being my new driver.
Tuesday we made the obligatory trip to Key West to see the sights and were somewhat overwhelmed by the crowds from the cruise ships in port. While the city has always had commercial interests at heart amoung other things, it still has changed alot over the years we have come down here. We again went to the famous Sloppy Joes for entertainment and lunch. They always have live entertainment and some quite well known like Pat Dailey who will be there this weekend as well as Pete and Wayne earlier in the week. Kathy and Tony are going back for a quiet dinner later in the week and maybe see the famous sunset at Mallory Square.
Below are a few pictures from Sloppy Joes and one of the ships in port.
Saturday, January 29, 2005
Sunshine Key RV Resort
Below is a picture of our motorhome and campsite at Sunshine RV Resort. Its a little difficult to see but our huge boat (12' inflatable), Marges PT cruiser and our home on wheels. We've really settled in and even had a fish fry with a group of our neighbors and enjoyed the fresh smoked and fresh fried fish that Marvin and Joann from Alabama had caught this week. You absolutely cannot beat fresh caught fish for dinner!!!! We also made the first of our trips to the Big Pine Key Flea Market and Marge stocked up on fresh vegges and we made a few purchases for the up coming visit of our grandson Garrett and his parents. We are excited to see them. Below the picture of our campsite is a picture of my favorite thing at the flea market....the fresh fried donut shop. For $1.50 you get a bag of fried sugared donuts (15) and they are sinfully wonderful! Marge usually tries to head me in another direction when we get there but I usually find a way to have at least a few.
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Sunshine Key
Well, we finally got here after wandering a little bit and it was great coming down highway 1 and following the keys down to Sunshine Key RV Resort. The views as you come down further into the keys with the beautiful aqua marine views along the way are unforgetable. We have made this trip probably close to 25 different times with the earlier years being a rush to get here and set up and then to explore the shallows with the kids as much as we could. Marge and I both think that the reason both kids graduated with Marine Biology degrees is because of the time spent here wandering the shallows at Sunshine Key. Needless to say we are both excited to be here. For years we have talked about spending more that two weeks here and soaking sun and fishing to our hearts content. This is the first year that we are planning on staying 6 weeks.
Once we arrived there is a lot of setup as most RV'ers know and we were greeted by many friends we have met here over the years. We cleaned the coach from top to bottom for the first two days and set up our boat and motor. We bought a new "attached trailer" for our inflatable and it makes it much easier to handle . Oh yes....and we sat on our .......for one day catching up and I did a little business over the internet..... it's so neat to be able to keep contact and do things with a laptop. There is a marina here where we used to rent a spot but it has become somewhat prohibitive and we have always felt a little funny parking our 12' inflatable next to all the "big" boy fishing boats. You know Marge....yes I say Marge woke up one morning a week ago talking about a new boat for us......she hadn't been drinking or anthing. Retirement has done strange things to her....did I say strange....I meant wonderful things to her. Oh, about the boat...things cleared up later and "we" have made a decision to keep what we have for awhile.
Tomorrow is Thursday already and we both are unsure where the time goes. Our friends Ross and Sue arrive Friday in their motorhome, Our daughter who has called daily arrives with Tony and Garrett our grandson Saturday and our friends the Jags and Armstrongs come sometime next week. The weather is cooperating and we are really enjoying all of this. The pictures below show just a little of what is here.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Yesterday, Friday we left Charleston, South Carolina and drove all day to get to the Fort Myers area and to meet our friends the Harris's. We made pretty good time and arrived at the Up River Campground on the Coloosahatchee River. Nice place with all the amenities on the river although a little on the expensive side for short term staying. We met the Harris's for a pancake breakfast at the Clubhouse here bright and early and then the RV Show at Lee County Convention Center. Good show and fun. Even some good dixieland entertainment.
Later we heard from the kids and about all the snow they were getting. It would seem we left at the right time. Hope your all doing well in that deep snow and cold....we are thinking about you.
Saturday evening we stopped in very briefly to say hi to the Gierharts who have a place down here thats quite nice with access to the river and close to town. They stay the winter down here and enjoy it very much.
Tomorrow we go to our spot in the keys..it will be nice to settle into one spot and clean the coach and relax
Thursday, January 20, 2005
This is just one of the fantastic views that we saw in Charleston today. The weather has turned a little and we were wearing sweatshirts instead of winter coats. What a beautiful place with the architecture of the homes being at the forefront....that along with their cost today, but all in all just really neat to see.
All of these houses as well as the commercial areas are realtively low rise. The city has made it code that no building can be taller than the highest church steeple in town. Commercial enterprise is intermixed with the alot of the area and you really wouldn't know! One other fact was that a great number of houses are just not square and its obvious that they lean...all do to an earthquake some years ago.
We also toured the area and found Folly Beach which is a beautiful area with more of the beach idea....from shag clubs (dance clubs-a beach thing) to vacation rentals and beaches that stretch forever it seems. The attorney's office right downtown says it all about the community! This would be an ideal place to rent a spot for family and friends. A really pretty area
Tomorrow we are heading South again to what we hope will be even warmer weather. Marge is beginning to think the cold is following us where ever we go. We hope to meet the Harris's and do something we just hate ......go to an RV Show. We have owned seven motorhomes and enjoy them thoroughly as you all know and its always fun seeing whats new. On a last note, we also wanted to get out of town before the pigeons as shown on the car found us.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Brick Forum Time
Marge was introduced for the first time to the Brick Forum and a little over 1000 brick salespeople in one place. Past friendships were renewed and new ones made which was great fun. This meeting has been a forum for networking since its inception and this 20th year of getting together was no exception. All the latest gossip was exchanged and the sharing around the displays along with a tad bit of libation proved fun for all. We ate dinner at an excellent returant (George K's of Greensboro) and enjoyed the company of some people we have known for a long time.
On another note, its supposed to be warm in Greensboro....this is the south right? Marge and I have been at the motorhome mostly just to sleep, however with the temperatures hovering between 10 and 20 degrees at night, it has been a little nippy!!!! We finally after about two seconds of discussion and the threat of more cold and snow to boot, have decided to move on further south. We set up our GPS and followed its directions St James County Park in Charleston, South Carolina. Its warmer here (45 degrees) but much better than before.
Tomorrow we will pursue exploring the area and let you know what we find. I aslo hope to work with the photos and their insertion in the blog. Learning how to do all the different things has been a challenge.
Monday, January 17, 2005
Spencer, North Carolina
The pictures above are from a little town called Spencer, North Carolina that now houses North Carolina's Transportation Museum but was also the original Spencer Railroad Locomotive manufacturing facility and later Southern Railroads shop for various rail repair. Unfortunately, they were closed but we were still able to "sneak" a peek at some of the equipment, the roundhouse, the old station, and some older cars and equipment. I had been there before and will stop back again as we are in this area every year but to the railroad buff its quite a place. I would recommend anyone with an interest in rail history to stop and see it if given the opportunity.
Tomorrow starts the reason we are here...The Carolina Brick Forum... a collection of almost all of the brick salesmen in the US and as the manufacturing facilities are substantially foreign owned its almost international. Having been in the business many years it will be interesting to hear this years tall tales (Have I worded that delicately enough?) I will be sure to keep everyone up todate on the latest in the brick world....world of brick? Maybe I've been in the business too long!
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Auspicious Beginnings?
Well as you can see we woke up to snow and more cold. We thought we would take a little tour around the Horse Park but drove a few feet an realized we had a front flat tire. I can't tell you my first thought, but was pleased in the long run that we didn't have a problem while we were rolling down the road. Apparently, it was a slow leak as we were able to put enough air in and get to a Walmart (the only thing open on Sunday) where we decided that it would be smart to put two new tires on the front considering everything with towing the vehicle. Nice start Huh? Lets see, first visit ever to a walmart for me and I was impressed ....althought no one was camped in the parking lot. Prices were reasonable and I even got a free coffee at "seniors discount" although I am not sure about that yet. Further pictures will have to wait. Once we finally got on the road the snow was so bad that there were accidents at most bridges when people for whatever reason put their brakes on as soon as they saw snow and lost control...no major injuries from the looks of things. Be glad they don't live in Michigan. We arrived two minutes past closing at our campground in Greensboro but someone waited for us and the temperature is above freezing ....first time since leaving. As above, Auspicious beginnings!
Saturday, January 15, 2005
On the road!
Today, Saturday January 15th we are finally on the road south and not really soon enough. The weather while sunny is hovering in the high teens as we leave and while the coach is built for inclement weather it still gets chilly as the furnace cycles. Our first stop, is Kentucky Horse Park where we have stayed on winter sojournes before and it is quite comfortable. We arrrived as the sun was just setting and the bright setting sun on believe it or slightly green grass with the picturesque fields and horses was beautiful. We went to dinnner at Sams, a local small resturant that caters to locals and has excellent food. We found it some years ago and its one of our favorit spots to stop. Tomorrow we will take some pictures of the park here for you all to see.....that on the assumption it doesn't snow too much.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
First picture post
I mentioned yesterday about "Big Al" being fond of his grandchildren and great grandchildren and thought I would try posting a picture for the first time. He is awfully proud of them as are we. He continues to improve and looks like a go for Saturday. Will post again after our day on the road.
"Big Al" with grandchildren and greatgrandchildren
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Murphys Law
Once again while we plan our dreams, things seem to happen. My last post mentioned the loss of our friend Jim Taylor and needless to say we have become more sensitive to those around us. True to form, Murphys Law has reared up again and now Marge's Dad affectionately referred to as Big Al (behind his back!) has had a setback and has been hospitalized. He is going to be 90 this next year and is as independent as anyone....still driving his neighbors around and running errands for everyone. Truly a generous and kind man. He is in good spirits and will be going to rehab tomorrow to continue improving as he has done this past week.
Our planned start of this adventure was to be this weekend and he wants us to go. With his improving, we are still hoping to start our trip ......We'll see!
On another note the beast, or motorhome ( ah yes, the beautiful beast.... I, we are almost ready) is fueled, no water yet (we decided on waiting to get to a little warmer area before we fill) clothing is almost in and Marge and I are both making lists of things yet to go. I have the last of the antenna connections for the computer and phone in and ready to go. The toad is being checked tomorrow. Thursday is updating of legal things should anything happen and that should about cap things off the todo list. But Murphy is still out there!
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Going for it!
Making our decision to travel in the motor home has been a dream for a long time and we have been most anxious to pursue that dream. Unfortunately time waits for no one. We have lost many friends over the years and it always seems too early when as soon as one retires something terrible happens. Sadly, we are suddenly again aware of how short our individual time can be. These past weeks and days have been spent hoping and praying that one of our friends (just 60 years old) would survive a septsis infection that hit out of the blue. Jim, our son’s father in law and a friend, has now passed and provides us with another of many instances that confirm that you must pursue your dreams as soon as you can and not to waste time. He was a fine man and good grandfather and husband among other things, but most of all he was too young to leave. He was a special man that many loved and appreciated. We will miss him. This happening is one more instance that confirms to us that you do have to pursue those dreams that you have put off for whatever reasons…before you can’t. In 25 days we leave for the beginning of our travels ….Don’t put off yours!
Friday, December 10, 2004
Communicating with everyone
One of my concerns more than Marge's, is to have an ability for contact with business and friends via email....at least some sort of daily connectivity to the internet. I use a program called efax (www.efax.com) that has been very handy that allows for sending and receiving FAX messages over the net. This has proved very useful in the past and have used it without problem when on the road. This year however, we have to moved to a new base (Condo as opposed to home) where we subscribe to Comcast with a cablemodem. After much thought and investigation however, we will be cancelling that service shortly. Comcast unfortunately, does not have any contact numbers or means other than paying for another service or finding wireless availability to connect with your account. Big disappointment!! For that matter, I am very disapointed with their TV plans and format after having had DIRECT-TV via satelite for so long ( We still have DIRECT-TV on the road) My connectivity plan, is to go with telephone wireless connectivity. As long as I am in a digital wireless area, which is expanding all the time, I can connect for the same amount of money, and still work from the privacy of the motorhome. I will have the wireless connectivity as a backup. Cingular services now with At & T has a data connect service that is reasonable for use on the road and at the base condo that should be more than adequate and with equivalent speeds. With the consolidation of the two companies its my understanding that coverage now exceeds those of the competition. Prior to our planned adventures coming up, I had installed a Wilson antenna and a phone mount attached to it for greater abilities to pick up voice signal. It has worked well for us particularly when weve been in fringe areas for the phone. By putting a splitter on the antenna line I should have adequate contact for our planned excursions for the first year anyway. After I win the lotto however, I would certainly like to have the Datastorm unit installed!!! or perhaps maybe even go with Starband for computer and TV connectivity. Besides the computer hookups we both have cell phones...mine more for business use now with cingular and Marges, just in case, Verizon. Both Phones have the external antenna hookup if needed and that with the new 3 watt signal booster should resolve most problems. Perhaps you may want to comment on my choices or for that matter have questions....email me any time.
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