Happy Halloween

This has been a busy week traveling. Our first stop was in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee where we saw the beauty of the fall season and you all know we would go to the Soul of Motown show at the Grand Majestic Theater. Our third time seeing the show and we loved it just as much as the first. I was a little sad that one of the guys was very sick and couldn't be there, but the show went on and it was great. 

The traveling began again on Friday stopping overnight at Fair Harbor RV Park in Perry, GA. Saturday we rolled into the Ocala RV Park in Ocala, FL where we thought we'd go do the tour at Silver Springs, but we arrived too late. Sunday we stopped at Hudson, FL where Dave and Linda will have the motorhome windows repaired. We'll see them again when we all get to Silver Palms, We continued travelling to Sun N Fun RV Resort in Sarasota, FL. We'll stay a week visiting our friends WD, Dee and Judy before we move on to Silver Palms. Betty called to let us know they will arrive in Okeechobee Thursday. 

The first face we saw upon our arrival at Sun N Fun was a very familiar, friendly one, Darlene's, and Gary was right behind her. They were working at the welcome center. The seven of us had a wonderful dinner at Lee's Crab Trap 2 Tuesday evening and last night Dee taught me some new line dances. 

Now you're caught up with our whereabouts. I'll be back to share more so check back in a day or two.

Winter Moved Closer and We are Going South!

I've been preparing for our trip to Florida for a couple of weeks. Yesterday, EJ and I transferred the clothes, gadgets and other things I had prepared and packed to the motor home. Dave and Linda stopped to meet us and now we all are rolling south on I-75. Our first stop will be Pigeon Forge, where we'll be just ahead of the cold winds blowing into Tennessee. We're looking forward to going to the Grand Majestic Theater where we'll see the Soul of Motown, again for the third time this year. I've been telling you it is the best show in town! How many times seeing the same band does it take to become a groupie? We might be getting close. 

Ahead I see clouds, but not the cold, gray, wintry sky and rain we left behind us. 

Growing

Changes can occur so quickly and quietly and in our busy lives changes can go undetected. Just a couple of weeks ago Logan would not go into the pool without his life jacket. Just over a week ago, he decided he could try. It happened just that fast. Now, he doesn't hesitate to jump in and can almost swim across the pool. Watching him grow is a joy, but I'm also a bit sad to watch him grow so quickly.

Today I watched as he lost his balance and slipped from the boat into the lake without his life jacket. Before I could get to him he popped up out of the water, then I feared he would be so scared he would panic and go under again. By the time he popped up, Brooke was in the water and behind him holding him up out of the water toward me. She sprang to action without giving a thought to the fact that she had just removed her life jacket. She is a hero! 

Logan scraped his side and his arm as he slipped over the edge of the boat. When he was comforted and stopped crying he told us the crying was because he was hurt, not because he was scared. He did spend a few quiet moments lying down beside me and looked up at me and thanked me for hanging on to him. I told him I was glad I was there to hang on and I will always hang on to him. 

In the quiet, as we were all settling down, I heard several thanks offered to God which created a more calming effect. Brooke told us that an angel had told her to go to the back of the boat and she was so glad she listened. We are all glad she listened to her angel today, even though she says that sometimes she doesn't.  I pray that everyone of us listens when an angel speaks.

Just yesterday Logan and I were talking about how much his swimming had changed in just a couple of weeks and today I was so thankful for that change. I'm sure his new skills and confidence were at work when he fell into the water today. Change is good!

The Final Days of This Adventure

We enjoyed several days in Charleston and moved north to Myrtle Beach where we spent a few days camped on the beach. Myrtle Beach Travel Park is not the largest beachfront campground, but it is a great place for families with the beach within walking distance for many, a lake, indoor and outdoor pools, a lazy river, arcade, snack bar, the general store, laundromat and Breakfast by the Sea restaurant. You wouldn't need to leave the campground, except to go feast at one of the all-you-can eat seafood restaurants or perhaps shopping at the mall or outlet stores nearby.  

 Everything was here from popups to Prevosts.

Looking south after a storm cleared the beach.

You can see how close to the beach we were. 

Sullivans Island and Mt. Pleasant

We drove over to Sullivans Island to see what was going on there today and stopped at Fort Moultrie. There was a short video about the history of the fort, then we toured it and I got some photos.  Our other stop today was at Mt. Pleasant where we went to the Charles Pinckney National Historical Site, where we learned about the politician and signer of the  U.S. Constitution.

A restored farmhouse on the portion of Pinckney's Snee Farm operated by the National Park Service.

Overlooking Fort Moultrie

A view of Fort Sumpter from Fort Moultrie

East Bound Today

Our time at Mountain Falls RV Resort came to an end, but before we left there was time for breakfast at the Country Cupboard then down the road to the Bear's Den to pick up our little black bear cub Eddy Hoots carved from a log with his chain saw. I named it Hooty! Eddy put the finishing touches on Hooty yesterday so we could pick him up this morning before leaving beautiful Lake Toxaway. We headed east and are now near Charleston at Oak Plantation Campground where we'll stay until Tuesday.

Sightseeing Day in the Mountains

We began the day meeting Bob & Wanda at The Country Cupboard for breakfast where plans for the rest of the day were firmed up. Sightseeing along the Blue Ridge Parkway, lunch at Pisgah Inn and grilled trout for dinner.

Before heading out for the Blue Ridge Parkway we had to stop at the local store, The Barn,  to get the trout for dinner and drop it off at Bob & Wanda's.

 

 

The first photo stop of the day was this waterfall.

 

Here we are at the Cradle of Forestry overlook.

 

This is one of my favorite pictures of the day.

 

Then back to Bob & Wanda's for a delicious meal!

We had a very good day with wonderful friends!

 

North Carolina

We just passed a road sign warning...winding road next 16 miles 50 mph safe speed. We've made it beyond the curvy road and now I can see the sun shining and blue skies in North Carolina! We still have about an hour to drive until we reach Lake Toxaway.

Lake Toxaway, Here We Come!

It has been another rainy morning in Pigeon Forge, but it did stop for a while and we were able to break camp, get the truck hitched and get on the road.  Next stop should be Lake Toxaway to visit Bob & Wanda! Bob said it was 65 degrees there yesterday. Sounds a bit cool to me! 

Our Last Day in Pigeon Forge

Monday began with rain, a good day to finish the laundry and get some cleaning done before we leave Tennessee and head for North Carolina. The rain ended by late morning and the afternoon was beautiful. For our last evening in Pigeon Forge we went to Jim's Seafood Buffet for dinner where they serve all-you-eat crab legs. Yes, Ray had crab legs. 

Soul of Motown!!

WOW! This was the best show we've seen! Six very talented people came together only three months ago to create this outstanding tribute to the music of Motown. Every one of them was an excellent entertainer and seemed to enjoy themselves throughout the evening. At one point they asked all the women who were a "Brick House" to join them on stage. Several ladies joined them to dance to the song Brick House originally sung by The Commodores. Everyone in the theater had a good time during the entire show. Many audience members had previously been to this show, so they must agree with us that Soul of Motown is an awesome show!  The young woman in the group was not on stage when I took the pictures below. 

The "Brick House" at center stage is 85 years old. 

Smoky Mountain Opry

Friday was a beautiful day in Pigeon Forge! Since our last trip to the Smoky Mountains, there have been some changes on the parkway. One new entertainment venue is the Smoky Mountain Opry, where we saw an amazing variety show with singing, dancing, acrobatics, juggling, a tribute to Broadway and even feats of magic! The emcee, T.C. Barnette, opens the show riding a motorcycle on stage and the entertainment continues throughout the evening! We recommend you see this show the next time you're in the Smoky Mountains. 

June 13

Tuesday evening we met Roger and Pam for the Tuesday night car show at Bruster's to benefit JDRF.

Wednesday we called a serviceman to check our air conditioners because there was water dripping when they turned off. The problem turned out to be the Beech Bend Family Campground was having trouble with low power, probably due to being nearly full and the temperature reaching 96 degrees. We switched our power to the generator and no more leaking. 

We went to Lost River Cave which was interesting, we learned a little more history. Later we met  Roger and Pam; we went to dinner at Harper's Restaurant in Scottsville where the guys had the all you can eat catfish. I wish I had taken a picture of the plates of catfish the waitress brought them. Neither of them ordered more. 

Today we are on the road, our destination is River Plantation RV Park, Sevierville, TN. We'll stay there through the weekend. 

The Historic Railpark & Train Museum and Dinosaur World

My friend Debbie told me a couple of years ago about her family trip to this area and one place they enjoyed was Dinosaur World, so this morning we went there. As you can see, I was almost dinosaur breakfast and Ray narrowly escaped with his hair.

 

 

Following the excitement at Dinosaur World we headed for the Historic Railpark & Train Museum. We enjoyed a personal tour of RPO #1107, the Railroad Post Office car was built in 1921 is one of the two original 18 L&N RPO cars still in existence; Duncan Hines Dining Car built in 1949 by the Pullman Standard Company; Towering Pines Sleeper Car which was one of 22 luxury sleeper cars built and operated by the Pullman Company in 1953 for the L&N and Presidential Office Car L&N #353, the oldest surviving intact car of the L&N, built in 1911, upgraded in 1942 and used into the 1960s.

 

These tourists had a good day today. I love learning  the history and the L&N was an important part of my family history with my grandfather and uncle both being L&N railroad men. And our 4 year old grandson says he will be an engineer for RJ Corman Railroad when he grows up.

 

 

 

 

Mammoth Cave

Even though Ray and I have lived in Kentucky only 2 hours from Mammoth Cave our entire lives, neither of us had ever been there, until today. We decided to begin our 2013 Summer Adventure at this National Park /  World Heritage Site. The visitor center was bustling with experienced hikers & spelunkers as well as the novices. We chose the Historic Tour,  a 2-mile/2-hour excursion. Stops along the way included the saltpetre mines, which remain as they were left almost 200 years ago, Fat Man's Misery and Tall Man's Misery. I was able to snap a few pictures as we trekked through a portion of the world's longest cave.

The Historic Entrance

Saltpetre Mine

Ray made it through the Fat Man's Misery

and the Tall Man's Misery, too!

 

It is Finally Spring in Kentucky!

This morning the sun is shining in Kentucky! The cool morning air will soon be warmed by the sunshine and we are so ready for spring time. It is late in coming to us this year. We've been teased by a warm day or two at a time, but this could be the real thing. The trees and flowers are displaying their beautiful, vibrant colors! Just in time for Derby Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Last night was dinner and dance night at Silver Palms RV Village. The line dancers put on a performance following the St. Patrick's Day dinner. Enjoy the show!

Stealing the Best - Irish Jig
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ela6i0ityBQ

Irish Stew
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KmBK7vmQ7g

Captain Daniel and Gator Bob!

Captain Daniel, took us out on his boat to find some aligators to photograph. We had a beautiful afternoon for gator hunting and boat riding. Daniel is an awesome captain who knew exactly where to find some large gators.

 

 Most of them were swimming out in the middle of Lake Okeechobee, which made them difficult to get a close picture. They would go underwater when the boat would get close.

 

Captain Daniel also took us to meet Gator Bob. What do you think of him? He allowed me to get a few shots before he went into the water. Thank you Captain Daniel!

Great Day for a Pool Party!

Winter in south Florida has been very nice during January & February, and yesterday was a great day for a pool party! Hamburgers & hot dogs on the grill, music and friends, what could make this party any better? Only the friends who aren't here with us. 

 

 

 

January Update

It's hard to believe it has been a month since my last post! We've been pretty busy here meeting new people and getting reacquainted with others. Ray has been fishing a few times, I go to line dancing practice, ride my bike, go to high tea and I'm learning to play Petanque.

I've been learning some other new things, too! We decided to put a washer & dryer in the cabana (shed), so it needed a floor covering and a hot water tank. Last week we laid a linoleum and put in the water heater. I trimmed the linoleum and ran CPVC to connect the water heater. I could be a handyman's helper soon.

We have new neighbors from Wisconsin across the street who have the same model motorhome we have and what would be the odds that we bought them from the same dealer in Lexington?

We attended the Tampa RV show on a cool rainy day. I wish we had stayed over for the next day because it was a much nicer day. No, we didn't trade ours for a new one.