Jim and Carol's Travels

A great day in Silver Springs

2012-02-16T07:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was another perfect day in Silver Springs. Sunshine and
I started out with a stroll through the Ocala National Forest with her alertly keeping us on the right path. Later, Carol and I went to the Silver Springs Park, where we were greeted by these two beautiful birds. We strolled the banks of the river and took a glass bottom boat ride over the springs. Then we came on a great Giraffe, who gave us its profile. Next came the bears. A gigantic Kodiak was "chillin'" in a pond playing with a stick. That mamouth creature is ten feet tall! It was becoming quite warm so as we left the park we were wished a fond farwell by this beautiful orchard type flower. During Sunshine and my last stroll around our RV Park, we took one last look at the beautiful fountain in the middle of a pond. Today looks to be another wonderful day - the sun is shining, we are alive and grateful and "Who could ask for anything more?" as the song lyrics go.

WE MADE IT!!!!!!!

2012-02-05T17:16:00.000-08:00

We are finally in our Montana in Silver Springs, FL. The trip was going smoothly until I had another mental lapse and put a tank on gasoline into our diesel tank in Georgia. Just got back on I-75 near Warner Robbins, GA and the Ford began missing. It got worse quickly so we were able to get off at an exit and it died immediately after we got out of traffic. There are horror stories all over about this being a multi-thousand dollar "mistake" so we were not feeling too well. It was about 5:00PM and a tow truck took us to a car rental place on the way to the Ford dealership. The rental agency was just starting to close but took care of us. The truck was taken to the dealership and left in their yard because they had closed. The next day, Friday, we discovered that they were to be able to drain the tanks, lines, filters, etc and that no damage had been done to any of the engine. We picked it up about 3:30PM Friday afternoon and headed south. We arrived at the campground Saturday noon and the Montana greeted us warmly (it was 80 degrees). Our neighbors have welcomed us back and had been worried because of our late (over a month) return. Sunshine ran her first lap of the dog park this morning and loves lying on the grass outside being warmed by the sun. We are all enjoying the sun and warmth of both the weather and the people.

We discover tomorrow if we can leave Wednesday!

2012-01-30T03:06:00.000-08:00

Sunshine goes to the vet tomorrow for her check-up. After a swelling in her snout brought an initial diagnosis as either an infection or a cancer, she was given two weeks of antibiotics followed by one week of observation. She seems great to us (of course she always does) and hopefully she gets the clean bill of health. If so, we hopefully will leave for Florida Wednesday morning. We have another couple of inches of snow on the ground with warmer weather and rain in the immediate forcast. It is 11 degrees now and we all eagerly await the warmer Florida weather. Sunshine is missing being able to run free in the campground dog park.

Gonna stay in Michigan a while longer

2012-01-12T11:32:00.000-08:00

Carol finally had her eye surgery yesterday and she is doing great. Had her patch taken off today and the doctor was very pleased with her recovery. Her last post-op examination is next Tuesday. She is very pleased with her recovery, too. We thought we would be leaving for Florida right after this appointment but new problems have arisen. Sunshine has a swollen jaw/mouth and we took her to the Vet a couple of days ago. It was discovered that she has either an abcess or a cancer. She is on a medication for two weeks and then a reevaluation to see what is next. We would not travel with her in this condition so we will have to wait until the end of January to see what we do next. Family comes first and she is so much a part of our family now.

Man oh Man, do I ever have a great skin doctor!

2011-12-29T20:18:00.000-08:00

Got these before and after photos of my face. Was treated for skin cancer of the face. Did he do a good job or what?

Merry CHRISTmas to all!

2011-12-25T12:01:00.000-08:00

What a great couple of days this has been! Last night at daughter Richelle's family home and this morning most of the kids and grandkids at our condo. We are so blessed to have children and grandchildren that still wish to share and love with us!

And a little longer yet!

2011-12-21T17:20:00.000-08:00

The bad thing is that, since we have returned home, we have discovered that Carol needs cataract surgery and I have had some cancerous crap taken from my forehead. Now, Carol discovered that she has infection in her eyes and the surgery was put off for a week. The good news is that we have been well taken care of and will return to Florida healthy. We have a first - this year we have finished our Christmas shopping and are locked and cocked to go for Christmas Eve at Richelle's and Christmas morning the kids and grandkids are coming over here. Thank you God for these blessings!

Looks like we are staying here a little longer

2011-12-14T11:30:00.000-08:00

We were planning on returning to Florida a couple of days after Christmas and now it seems like it will be on or after January 3. Carol discovered that she will be having cataract surgery on December 28 and her last checkup with the doctor will be January 3. Two good things about this is that Carol will be able to see well again and we won't have to tow the Montana south when we leave in early January, like we have done so many times in the past. Looks like all is really well! Thanksgiving at Renee's was great and now Christmas Eve at Richelle's and Christmas morning at our condo with the kids and grandkids.

We're back home, now

2011-11-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

We left Silver Springs, FL Sunday morning and did what we don't care to do and NEVER WILL DO AGAIN, drove straight through home to Grand Blanc, MI. We only took two half hour nap stops at rest areas along the way but otherwise we were moving. We never traveled through the cotton field area in this time of year before and were amazed to see that they looked snow covered. We also were privileged to see "Fall Colors" on the trees in Georgia and they were beautiful. We were passed by a "Working Greyhound" and Sunshine smiled because she remembers how it was before she retired and joined our family. It was getting dark by the time we got to Atlanta but we were able to see the Olympic Flame once again. We were unable to see the views in the mountains of Tennessee and Kentucky because of the darkness but coming down the mountain from Kentucky into Cincinnati, we were treated to see the Cinci lights. When we left Florida, the temperatures were in the low 80s and when we got home, it was 29 - Shock to the system time. We will travel to Renee's house for Thanksgiving and then celebrate Christmas with the kids and grandkids here and then leave for Florida soon afterwords. We plan on arriving in Florida in time to see the light show at Silver Springs Park and celebrate New Years with our friends from the MOC, Helen and Bill Moll. They are the people who interested us in the park we are staying at in Silver Springs.

Tomorrow we cool off!

2011-11-19T16:25:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow, we head back to Michigan from Florida. We are planning on driving straight through, leaving the Montana here on our lot in Silver Springs. It was 72 here today and our daughter, Richelle, called today to tell us to get ready for colder, winter weather back home. We are planning on staying in Michigan through Christmas and then heading back to see the Silver Springs Holiday light presentation before New Years. We hear that the whole park is aglow during this month and we are fortunate that it lasts until December 31. Happy Thanksgiving to all - Jim and Carol

A beautiful day at Silver Springs Park

2011-11-13T17:02:00.000-08:00

Today we spent a few hours at Silver Springs Park, a tropical, water wonderland. We knew it was an interesting area when we saw the Bear Crossing sign on the highway near our RV Park. There were colorful birds, turtles, crocs, gators and a host of other wonders of nature. We took a river cruise on a glass bottom boat and went deep into the "jungle." We saw several turtles lined up on a log just like they were in a beauty pageant. The gators are pretty dormant at this time of year but we saw two where one had its head on the back of another, sorta "gator love." We saw a Muntjac Deer, so small it looked like a medium sized dog. We have season passes so we will return many times during the winter but this was a great couple of hour start and gave us an idea of what we have to look forward to. We never tire of seeing the sun shine through the Spanish Moss hanging from the trees, here as throughout the south. We return home for Thanksgiving to Christmas, leaving next Sunday.

Ocala and The Villages

2011-11-07T18:37:00.003-08:00

Ocala is horse country. There are statues all over town honoring the horse. Last weekend, The Breeders Cup series featured many horses that were bred and trained right here. It was a Marion County Weekend of racing. Down in The villages, the flowers and flowering trees are looking beautiful. It seems quite unusual for us Michiganders to see such floral beauty in November.

Ocala and

2011-11-07T18:37:00.001-08:00

This is not a bad looking area!

2011-11-03T18:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we started hearing a squeal from under the hood of the truck and discovered that the Serpentine Belt was bad. While replacing this, the mechanic discovered that the belt tensioner was frozen. Almost $200 later, we were good to go again. This was not planned for but we are OK now. The campground has two dog parks in it and Sunshine is in her glory. There are long, paved, clean streets for walking and even a Fitness Center on the property. Today our friends Bill and Helen Moll, from the MOC, took us to Silver Springs Amusement Park where we got our Annual Passes and a short intro to the park. This is where many of the original Tarzan movies were made. Many scenes from the old TV Show with Lloyd Bridges were shot here too. They have several boat tours with glass bottom boats and wild animal displays in natural settings. All included in the Annual Pass and so tomorrow we will try to return with camera in hand to see more of this wonderful place. They have regular concerts here, too, with name stars that we know. All we have to bring is our chairs. Saturday we will go to the Market of Marion, a flea market/vegatable market that seems like a real bargain. Looks like a very interesting winter coming up.

We're now at our Winter Home!

2011-11-01T14:05:00.000-07:00

Today, we made our last move with the Montana for the season. We are now set up in Silver Springs, FL, at the Wilderness Town Park RV Park. Our lot is 40'X70' and landscaped beautifully. We have nice grass, trees, bushes and cement pad. The weather is beautiful, the park even has two dog parks and we are happy to be here. We even were greeted by the white bird walking in front of our truck. This is Florida so we do have Fire Ants. They even made a "Fire Ant Smiley Face" for us with one of their mounds. We do have the junk to put on their mounds to get rid of them. The view from our patio is of the edge of the Ocala National Forest and out of our back window is some great landscaping. We have friends from the Montana Owners' Club, Helen and Bill Moll, in the park. Now we will just lay back and see what the area has to behold!

Wildwood and Ocala Dog Park

2011-10-30T18:47:00.000-07:00

Today was Sunshine's day to go to the Ocala Dog Park, for the first time this season. I don't know how she knows when she is approaching a dog park but, it never fails, when we get within sight of a park, no matter where in this great country we are, she goes bonkers in the truck. Today was no exception. On the way, we saw this beautiful tree with the red flowers. We will have to try to identify it because they are plentiful around here and look great. As soon as we arrived at the park, Sunshine immediately did her usual thing - made friends quickly with the other patrons of the park. This is a very large park so she ran and got very warm. It was sunny and 77 today. She discovered these small swimming pools and plopped down and cooled off. By the time I got near enough to take a pix, she stood, shook and, now being cooler, ran to mom, who was in the pavilion watching her with an "oohing and aahing" with other dog owners. Tomorrow we will return to Wilderness Town Park, where we move to Tuesday, to assure it is ready for us to move in - water and electric turned on.

Still in Wildwood

2011-10-30T07:04:00.000-07:00

We are still in Wildwood and will be until Tuesday. Then we will move to our "winter home" in Silver Springs. We stopped by Wilderness Town Park, where we will stay starting Tuesday, a couple of days ago and it is still beautiful. Our site is concrete padded and has grass and shrubs. The lots are nice sized and well kept. We look forward to our winter there. We still plan on returning to Michigan between Thanksgiving and Christmas, sans the Montana. It surely will be nice to head south after Christmas without towing the rig through the snow and ice. It will be a first for us. Yesterday, we had a mobile detailing company wash and spray wax our rig. It sure shines like the jewel that it is and will be much easier for me to keep up outside maintenance and cleaning. The oxidation, bugs and dirt from storage are now gone and we can start over with a "new" Monty. The other day we drove the short distance to the part that will be our "winter home" to see our lot. The Wilderness Town Park is a wonderful facility with paved roads, concrete pads and much grass and shrubs and trees. Our lot is nice sized and is four lots away from the Ocala National Forest and the Oklawaha River. When Sunshine and I go for our walks, we should probably go during daylight hours and leave the nights to the gators! Today, we are going to the Ocala Dog Park. This is a huge facility where Sunshine loved running around the area unleashed last year. She met a ton of fur friends and we met some pretty nice people, too. Sunshine is pictured running to Carol at this park last year and the badge has the important word "Retired" on it making it possible for us to follow the sun in the wintertime.

Hardeeville to Charleston then to Wildwood, FL

2011-10-26T18:18:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we moved from Hardeeville, SC to Jacksonville, FL. We spent the night at a nice park, Pecan Park RV Resort in Jacksonville. We took Sunshine downtown to a really nice dog park but left after a short visit when a man brought in a Pit Bull that was wanting to play with the other dogs but was young and strong and hurt several of them. We got out of there before Sunshine joined in the "fun." Pecan Park is a new really nice RV park with concrete pull through pads and lots of grass between sites. The only negative was that it was on a flight path for Jackson International Airport and we had several large, loud jets taking off over us. Not bad, though, because there is a Naval Air Station nearby also and we got to see several frisky fighters flying overhead. Today we moved from Jacksonville to Wildwood, FL where we set up at 3 Flags RV Park. We are scheduled to be here for six nights before moving about 20 miles north to our "winter home" in Silver Springs. The photos start with Sunshine lying at the picnic table in Hardeeville when I was breaking down the rig to get it ready for travel. She was asking me "I'm ready, how long are you going to be?" Then the Georgia sign, then our farewell to Savannah. Next comes our entrance into Florida. Then there are Carol and Sunshine enjoying the Jacksonville dog park and one of the great jetliners flying overhead at Pecan Park.

Working Greyhound versus Retired Greyhound!

2011-10-24T18:03:00.000-07:00

This is where one finds a working Greyhound!

This is where one finds a playing, retired Greyhound!

Savannah, GA

2011-10-24T17:59:00.000-07:00

Today we saw one of the most beautiful, congested cities we have seen in a long time. The bridge leading into Savannah reminds us of the bridge leading into Charleston, SC and is evry bit as beautiful. The Spanish Moss hanging from the trees along shaded streets in front of some very old homes made travel from neighborhood to neighborhood wonderful. Some multicolored walkups seemed to be ancient but very well preserved. The vehicle and pedestrian traffic was very heavy but there were numerous parks (called squares) throughout the historic downtoen section making is easier for peds. There was a huge white steeple that could be seen from the bridge and, up close and personal, it looked great taken through the limbs and leaves of a gnarled, old tree. Taking a hint from our friend, Mick Giandiletti, we went to Fort Pulaski. We are semi-Civil War buffs and this trip was well worth the time. The story of the fort is interesting and the best part is "we" won! The Confederates held the fort in 1862 and the Union forces bombarded it with over 5,400 artillery shells, forcing the Rebels to surrender. The fort still stands and the holes in the walls even had cannonballs in the holes. In photo #8, look at the center of the pic and there is a cannonball. This bombardment led to the end of masonary forts because of the damage caused by rifling in the artillery giving the ammo more "oomph!". Then as we were leaving, a very large spider was seen getting ready to carry our truck away. Good thing we got there in time to save it.

Charleston, SC

2011-10-22T15:54:00.000-07:00

Today we took the "quicky" tour of Charleston. What a beautiful town! We were walking in the downtown area and apparently looked lost. A man, later identified as TG Robinson, approached us and asked if we were looking for something. Seems he is a "Street Marshall" for Charleston and handles tourists for a living. After talking a while and Sunshine batting her big, brown eyes at him, he advised us of the best walking areas and gave us two passes to the homes tour. We soon discovered that it would not be right for Carol and her knees to walk this tour and so we went to the Frence Quarter and found some other "lost" tourists and gave them the passes. We later discovered that they were valued at $45 each. We feel that they were put to good use and we just wanted aknowledge Mr. Robinson and tell you what a great spokesman he is for this beautiful city. We burned the camera up here. The French Quarter is narrow and full of history. Churches galore with fabulous spires making all look up! Many of the streets are cobblestone. All are narrow and some are nothing more than slim alleys with home and store fronts. Some of the homes were so large, they could sleep all from our campground and then some. A dark side of our history was the Old Slave Market, which is now a museum. Of course, what would a southern port city be without a cruise ship. Here was one and it was huge! We crossed the water over to Mount Pleasant and saw the USS York Town and a bejillion yachts. There was also a Cold War Submarine Memorial. Tomorrow we go to Savannah for some more beautiful history.

Lexington, NC to Charleston, SC

2011-10-21T16:45:00.000-07:00

Today, we traveled from Central North Carolona to Charleston, South Carolina. The day was sunny and mid-60s and the trees are a lot greener than up north. There was no wind and some steam rising looked nuclear on the horizon, near Charlotte, NC. We are now in a very nice RV park, Lake Aire, in Hollywood, NC. Tomorrow we will start exploring the old southern town of Charleston and decide if we will stay more or move on. There is a ton of history in this area.

Lexington, NC

2011-10-20T16:29:00.000-07:00

Today was a lay back day and all three of us enjoyed it. Carol is still trying to work out the right dosage for her insulin with her doctor and we just kicked back. Went into Lexington this evening and picked up some "Que" at the Lexington Bar-B-Que. Was quite good. Tomorrow we leave for Charleston, SC where we will spend a couple or few days before heading further south. North Carolina is a beautiful state and we have met many beautiful area residents and, if it didn't get so darn cold in the winter, would probably think of putting it on our "Where to spend the winter" list.

Marietta, OH to Pipestem, WV to Linwood, NC

2011-10-19T18:50:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we traveled from Marietta to Pipestem State Park, WV. The SP campground is a very clean, well kept park with full hookups. The trees, this far south, were full of color. The wind had not stripped most of the trees like it had further north. Today, we moved from Pipestem to Linwood, NC, near Winston-Salem. We are in the Cross Winds RV Park and it is a beauty. We are planning on being here until Friday, checking out Winston-Salem, Salisbury and area and then we must decide where to go next. We have until November 1 before we must be in Silver Springs, FL. Carol took so many photos that the battery went dead before we could record the Welcome to North Carolina sign. It rained this morning for the first half of our trip but the beauty of the leaves made the day bright and the trip light.

Parkersburg, WV and Marietta, OH

2011-10-17T19:36:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the dog park west of Parkersburg. Sunshine got her chance to run and Judy and John's dog, Rascal, got his chance to further endear himself to us all. Later, we returned to Marietta and saw a couple of barges being pushed up the Ohio River. I have turned into a real cheap date because I totally loved the day. I see my sister to rarely and she is one of my top three favorite ladies so this has been a fantastic weekend.

Michigan to Ohio

2011-10-16T20:04:00.000-07:00

Friday, we traveled from Davison, MI to Wapakoneta, OH and spent the night at the Lakewood RV Park. Saturday, we traveled from Wapakoneta, through Columbus, to Marietta, OH. It was great traveling through Columbus listening to the Michigan Michigan State game on WJR. In Marietta, we are camping in a small campground on the Muskingam River, about 1/2 mile from where it flows into the Mighty Ohio River. My sister, Judy, and her husband, John, drove from Northern VA and met us here. We see her so little and it was great getting together again. Today, we had a great day of talking all day long. Tomorrow, we travel to Parkersburg, WV with Sunshine and their dog Rascal. Then we will make a walking tour of Marietta. Our mother spent her early years here and across the river in WV, leaving for MI in the 1930s. I believe that she did this in order for us to not be born Buckeyes. We are eternally grateful. Tuesday, we leave here and continue heading south through WV,VA, NC, SC, GA and into Silver Springs, FL, with a possible arrival date of November 1.

Football and Halloween - What a combo!

2011-10-08T18:43:00.000-07:00

Last night, we saw our grandson, Devin, play for Brighton High in their Homecoming game against Howell and winning 42-21. As usual, he was stellar on defense. Here he is shown sacking the Howell Quarterack. Then today we saw our youngest grandson, Ryan, playing flag football. The score was Orange a bunch and black a lot. Devin scored a touchdown. Here he is shown running a long gainer (wearing the black hat). Then, Ryan brought his sister, Sarah, and parents, Richelle and Tim to our campground. Today was our home park's celebration of Halloween. The park was full and most knocked themselves out decorating their rigs and sites for the occasion. There were activities all day long for the kids. Trick or Treating was from 5:00 to 6:30 and the streets were mobbed for the entire time. I have never seen so many people in one location celebrating Halloween. Many of the decorations are lighted and it is eerie walking the streets of the campground after dark. The almost full moon through trees adds to the creepyness and there are still many people strolling the streets enjoying the atmosphere. Screams can be heard all over the park. There were several hundred people lined up to get into the Haunted Trail, cut into the woods of the park. Since this was the first time we have been here during Halloween, we did not know what to expect but next year we will truly be ready.

We're now in our home park...

2011-09-29T19:39:00.000-07:00

...in Davison, MI until October 14. After another great Montana Owners Club Rally that included lots of rain, we allowed the wet, cool weather to follow us home. Yup, we've got rain and cool weather turning cold tomorrow. We then leave for a two week journey to Silver Springs, FL, where we will be until April 1. We plan on driving home between Thanksgiving and Christmas, leaving the Montana in FL. What a concept - driving south for the winter and not towing through the ice and snow of early January. First time in years we have done this. Our campground celebrates Halloween early and large. On the 7th, we will be joined by our daughter Richelle and her family so we will be able to watch them in a costume parade and trick or treating. Sounds like this will be a fun weekend. Tomorrow we hope to see our grandson, Devin, leading the Brighton High School defense in another victory. Thank you God - Life it good!

This is more like it!!!

2011-09-24T18:16:00.000-07:00

We are in Goshen, IN at the Montana Owners' Club Fall Rally. The people are great. We have seen some old friends and met many new ones. About 1/3 of all attendees this year are "newbies," new to the Rally. After yesterday's factory tour and Montana's showing us their new models and some prototypes, we were seriously considering getting a new rig. Soon after we got back to the rig, reality set back in and we are once again content in our home away from home. Wednesday is the day we leave the rally and head back to Michigan. We will be camped in our home park in Davison, MI for a couple of weeks and then leaving for Florida probably about October 14 or 15. We will slowly wend our way down planning on arriving at our winter destination, Wilderness RV Resort in Silver Springs, FL on November 1. We will then drive back to MI without the Monty and spend Thanksgiving and Christmas at home near our family and return to FL right after Christmas. That is the rough plan right now, anyway. We may even meet my sister, Judy, on our way down. Trying to make it happen. That would turn a wonderful trip into a great journey!

The Cure for our Hitch Itch is coming!!!

2011-09-17T06:03:00.000-07:00

We finally are about to set out again in the Montana. Monday, we take it out of storage and set up in our Home Park in Davison, MI, and get it loaded. We have to do this because we have no place to park it at our condo. We will then leave Tuesday or Wednesday for Goshen, IN and our annual Montana Owners' Rally. We are really looking forward to seeing some old friends and meeting new ones with similar interests (Montanas). Then we return to Davison for two weeks and then our annual Southbound Tour begins. We will be staying in one location in Florida this year for the first time in a long time. We will be in Silver Springs, in Central Florida. We will be taking about two weeks to travel from Michigan to Florida and are not sure which route we will take - probably put the Ford truck in Cruise Control and see where it takes us.

On turning 71

2011-08-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

I just turned 71 last Thursday and the question of the day is "What will the next 71 be like?" I do not wish to go back into my past but do hope and pray that I may learn from it so that, however far I can make it into the next 71, I can keep a good quality of life. The first 36 had been controlled by a power and force much stronger and bigger that me, my drinking. As soon as I believed and accepted this, another power and force took over - belief in God as I understood Him. I had beaten and been beaten, shot and been shot, dumped on and been dumped on, ignored and been ignored, hated and been hated and loved and been loved. Near the 40 year mark, my marriage to Carol gave my life another kick start. It has been a progression since then to my feeling that I now have a life that money can not buy. To my family that stayed nearby, thank you so much. To the family that has been extended since my marriage to Carol, thank you for making a good life even better.
What will the next 71 bring? The answer to that is totally out of my control but, with what has happened since my last drink on September 20, 1976, my life seems like a large balloon, just expanding all the time with no signs of letting up at all. It has been a heck of a ride so far and all I can say is "You are welcome to join me so come on aboard, if you wish, but HANG ON!"

Sunshine is almost a certified Therapy Dog

2011-08-12T19:10:00.000-07:00

Sunshine has passed all of her tests and observations and her paperwork has been sent in. We are eagerly awaiting the mail delivery that will bring her certificate naming her a Certified Therapy Dog. Carol and I both tested and were observed with her and either will be able to work as a therapy team with Sushine. Hopefully by the end of next week we will be good to go. She has brought so much sunlight into our lives that we only hope to share this with people who really want and need this type of interaction. We are really getting antsy to get started.

Joe's Gizzard City

2011-07-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

Had a little business in Potterville, MI today and came across Joe's Gizzard City Cafe. Had forgotten about it. This place was featured in The Food Channel's Cafes, Dives and Drive-ins a while back and we had to shoot on over and try it. Quite a novel place, so today we had to take a couple of pix just to recall old memories. Located just a few minutes south of Lansing.

Today is our anniversary

2011-07-26T19:26:00.000-07:00

31 years ago, Carol and I were married. We combined families and all of a sudden there were Carol, me and 4 girls ranging in age from 6 to 13, in a 24'X36' house with one bath. Until we were able to add a family room, master bath and dining area, it was a real test for me to use the bathroom. Many times, I had to go to work in order to take a shower. The girls made a sign for the rear of our car when we left for our honeymoon saying "It's about time, mom and dad!" We also split our honeymoon in half, taking the children with us for the second half. We went to Niagara Falls, Ontario in a small Class C motorhome. While there, we were on a tour bus and the operator asked who, in this homeymoon capital, were newlyweds. When Carol and I raised our hands, the rest of the riders looked quizzingly at us because they had been all talking and everyone knew they were ours. Today, we had a lot of laughs and great thoughts as we talked of 31 years ago. Thanks, Carol, for the past 31 years. They were great. Now we can discover what the next 31 has in store.

The end of a great trip!

2011-07-23T05:14:00.000-07:00

We have had a great two week getaway - just Carol, Sunshine and me with our Montana in Hartland, with our friends Pete and Karen and Bob and Noreen and then onto Manistee's Little River Casino Campground with our friends Jim and Bev. Sunshine went swimming in Lake Michigan and loved it. I took pictures with my camera phone of her in the water but do not know how to get them into my computer so, please trust me - she can't wait to get back to the Big Lake. The weather was very hot and humid but that is what they make Lake Michigan, AC and awnings for, isn't it? The bronze figures are at a rest area on US-10 near Claire, MI. I have seen them for years and thought it was an interesting addition to the rest area but never memorialized it before. That's Jim and Bev Schlee at their new Montana. Gonna spend another two weeks at Waldenwoods in Hartland in a couple of weeks and then the next trip will probably be to the Montana Owners Club Rally in Goshen, IN at the end of September. Probably mid-October, we leave for Florida. We will stay there in the Monty and drive back for Thanksgiving through Christmas at home and then back to Florida for the rest of the winter. This will be the first winter ever that we did not tow the Monty from Michigan south after New Years in the snow and ice. Think we are gonna like it!

Finally, we're back

2011-07-12T18:49:00.000-07:00

Now that we are back, it is time for a brief update. Carol's dad dies May 22 peacefully in his sleep when he was removed from life support. He fought a long, hard battle but in the end, the Cancer won. Carol was able to spend a lot of quality time with him after we were called home from Florida in February, and for that she is very grateful.
We are now camping at Waldenwoods Resort/Campground in Hartland, MI. This is the first time we have had the Montana out of storage since bringing it home in February. The outside of this beauty was FILTHY. Yesterday, before the sun got too high, I got onto the roof and cleaned it good. Today, I washed the outside and tomorrow will maybe wax it. Because we left the south in such a hurry, I just threw much of the "stuff" into the basement of the rig and now have to straighten it up. That will be an all day job, I believe.
Thursday, we are traveling to Manistee, MI, where we will be camping with MOC friends (and Grand Blanc neighbors) Jim and Bev Schlee at the Little River Casino and Resort. This is a really nice place in a great location for exploring Michigan's northwest shorline of Lake Michigan. The casino is really good, too. Carol and I went there in January of 2009 and saw Chubby Checker perform. I even got onto the stage and did the Twist with him. Great time. You can see the report of this visit by checking the blog entry from January 18, 2009. We will spend a week this time with great friends so it will be another wonderful adventure.
Sunshine is also having a great time on this trip. It does not take much for her to see that she has "been there, done this" before and all is well.
I hope to start posting photos again, soon, but first we have to start taking them, eh?

Blogger has been down. This is a test

2011-07-11T19:18:00.000-07:00

I have not been able to publish this blog for a while. If this works, I will try to update soon.

Carol's dad back in the hospital

2011-05-15T16:23:00.000-07:00

Carol's dad was taken from the Assisted Living apartment to the hospital on Friday when his blood work came back looking very bad. His white blood cells were rising rapidly and he was to get another transfusion. They also discoverd that the reason for swelling in his leg was that he had a blood clot. Today, his white cell count was higher still. We were advised today that the next couple of days were to be very critical. He continues to be frustrated because of his sudden hearing loss he suffered a few weeks ago. We use a chalk board to try to keep him informed about conversations being carried on around him. This seems to calm him somewhat. All we can do now is continue to love him and pray for him.

Carol's dad update #2

2011-05-10T11:54:00.000-07:00

We just got home from a meeting with Carol's dad, sister Marlene and us with his Oncologist. He took his Citoxin (sp) for a week and, while some aspects are still even, the white cells with the "bad gunk/cancer" have expanded. His treatment by pills is still not as severe as if it were injected into him but will be slowly increased for three weeks along with a few days of steroids and we go back in three weeks to see how it is working. The doctor said that the cancer is now at Stage IV, which I believe is not good. Dad is tired all the time and very frustrated after losing his hearing. At meetings, I try to keep him informed about what is being said because he is so frustrated because he knows he is being talked about but does not know what is being said. I can get him smiling upon occasion and at least once a visit he tells me "Don't get flippant!" so he is diverted a little. Any time we see him smile it is good for us all. Thank you God for the blessings you have heaped on Dad up to now and we know will be continued.

Carol's dad positive update

2011-04-15T06:00:00.000-07:00

We got great news yesterday from Carol's dad's doctor. He has stabilized in many areas and improved in some. We will soon move him from his nursing home to an assisted living apartment to see how he can do. He is quite weak from the long inactivity and illness, but moving to assisted living and having a little help may help restore some independence. He will continue with a milder form of Chemo. Thanks for all of your prayers. They are much appreciated.

Spring has sprung?

2011-03-25T05:03:00.000-07:00

It is officially spring and has been for a few days now. We have a couple of inches of snow and ice from a couple of days ago. This is not how I remember spring is supposed to be, is it? It looks beautiful out our front window - the ice crystals sparkling in the sunlight off the branches from the trees in our woods - but Sunshine slides all over the place just trying to take care of her business while we are walking (make that slip-sliding away, as the old Simon/Garfulkel song goes) outside. The temperature has risen up into the double digits in the last hour so maybe warmer days are in store? The birds and squirrels are using our feeder big time, now. Gotta keep 'em fat and sassy!

The "Big Moon"

2011-03-20T06:46:00.000-07:00

Last night the moon was closer to the earth than it has been in 18 years. This is due to the eliptical shape of the orbit that the moon has around the earth. Here are shots of this beautiful giant through the trees of the woods outside our condo. It was just a bit cloudy and this only added to the beauty of this show!

We're home

2011-03-03T05:57:00.000-08:00

We arrived home yesterday afternoon. Carol's dad is stable and has had another chemo treatment. We will head to the hospital soon. We are supposed to get freezing rain tonight and tomorrow so will take Monty back to storage as soon as the roads will allow. These long travel days take more out of us all the time. We hope for no more of these driving marathons. The distances are fine to travel, just not so many miles so fast in any given day. Last years trip through the Southwest was very long but fine because we only drove anywhere between one to four maximum hours a day.

We got snow!

2011-03-01T18:20:00.000-08:00

After yesterday's big wind/rain storm, today was a dream. We moved from Sweetwater, TN to Wapakoneta, OH is a sunny, no wind, cool day. We are starting to see snow here on the south side of ditches and in shady areas, and edges of parking lots where it is still piled up. Tomorrow morning we will head home and should make it in time for Carol to see her dad later in the day. It is 35 outside now and heading for mid 20s. Can't say I missed this weather. Carol's dad always said he loves the four seasons of Michigan. I have just a slight difference of opinion - my four seasons are Spring, Summer, Fall and Florida or Arizona!

Quita Storm!

2011-02-28T16:57:00.000-08:00

We found out that we were correct to stay one more night in Sweetwater. A storm moved through today that left us rockin' and rollin' with heavy rains, high winds and loud thunderboomers. We could imagine crossing Jellico Mountain with this whipping us - NOT!!! The storm stopped late this afternoon and we winterized the Montana. And we thought we were through winterizing! We leave in the morning probably for Wapakoneta, OH. Then it will be a short hop of less than four hours to get home Wednesday. Carol may even be able to see her dad later Wednesday, Thursday at the latest. Now that we are winterized, we have no water so have to walk to the restrooms instead of our own bathroom and toilet. Carol talked with her dad on the telephone today so that made the day even better!

We moved to Sweetwater, TN

2011-02-27T17:40:00.000-08:00

We discovered that the storm heading for the mountains is probably real so we moved to Sweetwater, TN today. We will winterize tomorrow here and then move on from further north Tuesday, when the weather is supposed to be better. This move placed us five hours or so closer to home. Since the storm will pass right over us, we will for sure know when it is done. Thanks again for all of the thoughts and prayers. Joe has another "stable" day. He is getting "antsy" to take a walk or do something other than lay in his bed. He is still hooked up and there were no PTs at the hospital today so maybe tomorrow, if he is still doing well.

We're back in GA

2011-02-27T06:26:00.000-08:00

Carol's dad is "stable" again now so we drove from Michigan to Unadilla, GA yesterday. We sure hope this is our last 15 1/2 hour trip anywhere. We used to do long drives but the numbers (age) is finally catching up. We will winterize the Montana here and then tow it back to Michigan. Tomorrow, thunderboomers and strong winds are forcast for along the route and we won't tow through the mountains in the strong winds. We will try to make the trip Tuesday and Wednesday - still long days but halved from the straight through sessions of the past week. The most important thing was that Carol and her dad were able to see each other and talk and hold hands!

Carol's dad update.

2011-02-24T17:18:00.000-08:00

Carol's dad has been up and down like a yo-yo. Yesterday, he was down and his blood platelets (sp?) were very low again. He was given another blood infusion and he came up some today. He is relatively stable now and, if he is still quite stable tomorrow, we will go back to Unadilla, GA Saturday where we will winterize our Montana and bring it back home. We then hope to be back mid-week. Your thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated by us all!

Carol's dad getting better!

2011-02-22T14:46:00.000-08:00

Carol's dad is now out of ICU and into the Oncology Unit. He took solid food last night for the first time in almost a week. Today he took a short walk with a Physical Therapist. It is still not dancing but we'll take it! He is set for more Chemo Thursday, though. We keep on praying that all involved are doing the right thing. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

We are returning to Michigan

2011-02-18T18:29:00.000-08:00

Carol's sister called last night to report that their dad was in ICU with complications with his chemo he received for his Lukemia. We brought the Montana to Unadilla, GA where we are going to leave it until we can return and pick it up. We will continue our trip the hospital in Livonia, MI in the morning and hope to arrive at least by mid-day Sunday. We can not take those long drives any more and will break it up either in a rest area or a motel for a few hours sleep. Prayers for Carol and her dad would be appreciated! Thanks in advance!

February Florida Montana Owners lunch

2011-02-16T13:38:00.000-08:00

Today we attended the February Montana Owners Club Florida lunch. Steve and Patti Emmel put it together in Haines City at T Bones Restaurant. About 40 members showed up and a good time was had by all. I just hope that I did not miss anyone in these pics.

Punta Gorda Murals

2011-02-15T17:18:00.001-08:00

Today, we moved from Punta Gorda to Wauchula, FL, a short hop of one hour north up US 17. We are at the NACO Thousand Trails Peace River Campground. I hope to do some panning for sharks teeth sometime during the week that we will be here. Yesterday, we walked downtown Punta Gorda and saw some of the beautiful murals that abound around the town. Some were painted on walls and some were tile inlays on walls. We did not see all of them so we will have some more to explore when we return, maybe next winter. The work that went into the tile inlaid murals was fascinating. We were fortunate to see them in the sunshine and they had water falling from top to bottom and catching the rays from the sun. Tomorrow we go to Haines City for a Montana Owners Club lunch and get to see some old friends and meet some new ones. Maybe this weekend we will have time to pan the Peace River. Many years ago, Florida was covered with water and that is why the sharks' teeth are here. A story around every turn! We were told by a man photographing the birds that these white birds are called Iron Heads, because of their grey heads and necks.

Great to see my old partner again!

2011-02-11T16:35:00.000-08:00

One of my partners from the old days in the Detroit Police Department drove up from their home in Fort Myers today with his wife, Mary. What a wonderful day it was. Sat around a table an Italian restaurant in Fisherman's Village and swapped lies for a couple of hours and then came back to our Montana to continue to see who could tell the best one! I always knew he was a winner and it was proven out today when Sunshine put her "paw of approval" on both Roy and Mary. Tomorrow we are going to a Greyhound Meet and Greet in Punta Gorda and then to another dog park, close to the Gulf of Mexico. It has been wet and cloudy for two days, now, but the sun has told us that it will shine again, starting tomorrow. Sounds like a plan!

Punta Gorda at its best!

2011-02-10T06:14:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we were visited by friends from Brighton who stopped by for the day. Rick and Karen Rupp came up from their condo in Naples and we all went to Fishermen's Village, on the Gulf of Mexico. The temperature was in the mid 70s, it was sunny and there was a cooling breeze coming in off the Gulf. Fishermen's Village was once a fish dock/processing area that now has added shops and live entertainment to the mix. We wandered around there a while and then came back to the Montana for a late lunch/early dinner on the patio. Once again, Sunshine was the perfect hostess for our guests. Great friends, great conversation, great weather - I could get to really liking retirement!

Bird Brains!

2011-02-07T09:21:00.001-08:00

Yesterday, we went for a drive and came onto a "dish" that the State of Florida places on top of power poles for Ospreys. Here, mama Osprey is keeping her chicks warm waiting for pop to return with some food. Here he is, looking like an Eagle up there soaring. Then, this morning, a small bird sat on the roof of a shed just behind our Montana looking at itself in the reflection of our rear picture window. It must have thought that it discovered its soulmate because it danced in the air looking at the reflection, perched on the sills and preened itself of the rear ladder. When it pecked at a window, I pecked back hoping to thwart its insistence on pecking on our window. It must have thought that it was being pecked back by the reflection because, instead of being shooed away, it got more excited - finally leaving after being unsuccessful in meeting the reflection "up close and personal!"

Saturday in Sunny Florida!

2011-02-05T17:53:00.000-08:00

The big birds were plentyful around the park today, hunkering down preparing for the rain that was to arrive in the mid-afternoon. The temperature went up up the mid-70s and we took Sunshine to a do-it-yourself dog washing place called U-Dirty-Dog and gave her a bath. She is all soft and fluffy, now, and told us she wanted to show it off to someone/thing special so we took her to a Clermont Greyhound Meet and Greet. She immediately mingled, sniffed and was sniffed by about a dozen other Greys. She really believed that she was in heaven. She has slept pretty much ever since then. Carol and I went to the campground's weekly Ice Cream Social this evening and I really believe that I may never eat another drop of ice cream ever - I can't even write this with a straight face. IT WAS GREAT!!!! I sure am full, though. I will wait until at least tomorrow before indulging again, I promise!

It's Friday Already!

2011-02-04T05:54:00.000-08:00

Since retirement, time doesn't mean the same thing that it did when I was younger and hustling and earning. I don't recall ever working a five day operation. When "coppin'," I worked a seven day schedule and when in business for ourselves, we could not have the pleasure of vacation days, comp days, personal days or sick days. When a client would call and ask for something, I would say "I can do that!" Then had to figure out how to shuffle time and projects around to answer the latest call. Now it seems like there are six Saturdays and one Sunday each week. This makes it great for traveling - don't have to rush somewhere so that we can enjoy it quickly and then rush back, thinking all the while about the project that was put on hold for a day or two and now we were up against a wall again. Loved it, though. It is now Friday here in Central Florida and we know that because tonight is the All-You-Can-Eat fish dinner at the on site restaurant on the campground. Tomorrow and Sunday is a huge art festival in Mt. Dora. Think we'll go and walk the town for a while and then to the beautiful Mt. Dora Dog Park and let Sunshine let off some steam. Then again we may either just go to one of the huge flea markets around here or just stay around here. See, it is tough decision time again!

I see we missed the big "Snowout!"

2011-02-02T06:20:00.000-08:00

I rationalized for years how I loved all of the four seasons of Michigan while shoveling and later snowblowing the snow that amassed at our doorstep. That made it easier to cope with the stresses of long, slippery drives and piling the snow alongside the driveway and sidewalks. Rationalization made it easier to cope with. Now, I am really glad to listen to and watch the birds outside our Montana and walking Sunshine as we explore the woodsy/marshy area around the campground. We just missed seeing an Armadillo this morning. Some neighbors were all excited and running around with their cameras looking for it to return. Carol and I worked hard for many years and now are enjoying some of the rewards of doing so. We would much rather see reports of the "Blizzard of the Century" on television or in the newspaper (yes, I still read the newspaper) than have to deal with it directly. Think I'll go take a nap under the patio awning.

It just gets better!

2011-02-01T17:05:00.000-08:00

Today, the sunny day got to almost 80 - quite the contrast to what our friends and family are facing back home. We went to Haines City and visited with MOC friends Steve and Patti Emell and Dennis, Sharon and Jennifer Maisen. Had a nice lunch at a little diner just down the road from their RV park and then back to the park for great conversation under the awning out of the directs sun. We are looking for a park to bring the Montana to next winter, from right after Thanksgiving through March or so. We really like 3 Flags in Wildwood, Wilderness in Silver Springs, The Bees in Clermont and the one we visited at today, Westview Ridge RV Resort. Sunshine is turning into a real lady when we travel. She stayed quietly in the truck while we ate, and then was the perfect guest at the Emmel's Montana.

Sunshine in Mt Dora Dog Park and birds back at our RV park pond

2011-01-30T14:38:00.000-08:00

Today we went to Mt. Dora, FL, a quaint little village near our campground. We were going to take Sunshine to a new dog park and then go walk the town. We did it backwards, though, because Sunshine did her usual 20 second sprint at top speed, went to the other fur friends for support and then to each of the people in the park for patting and love. When she is running at top speed, all four feet are off the ground at once about 80% of the time. Mostly, though, she is our 45 MPH couch potato. By the time we got to town, Sunshine was exhausted! We will try it again during the week and do the town first and then the dog park. The rains the other night have brought back the birds in droves to the pond across from our Montana. It is loud all day long as they play in the water and shore and talk about it very loudly. Montana Owners Club friends, Steve and Patti Emmel came by yesterday and we went to a late lunch at Friendly's and then some great conversation under our RV awning. We have so much around us and we are enjoying it all so very much. Being cheap dates, these things are even more grand!

New RV Door Handle Helper

2011-01-27T12:22:00.000-08:00

Those of you that know me know that I am the unhandiest person around when it comes to mechanical functions. Last week we visited with Bill and Helen Moll, in Silver Springs, FL, where they have their Montana for the winter season. Bill had installed a "Handle Helper" to the outside entry door to their Big Sky. That little item made it so much easier to open the door. We had to put our fingers inside a hole and behind the opener to open our door and it sometimes caused problems when our hands were cold or the latch would stick. We located one at Tweety's RV Supply, on-line, and ordered it. It arrived today and I had it installed in about five minutes. Never thunk it could have been done by me so quickly and properly. Now our door unlatches so easy that it is surprising. After so many years of RVing, I am FINALLY getting handy. Whodathunkit?

Yesterday's storm brings joy today!

2011-01-26T16:52:00.000-08:00

The birds are ecstatic around here. The dump of all that water in last evening's thunderstorms turned a dry pond that was just a large mud hole into mostly a water filled pond again. The cranes are strutting around in it and the other birds have been singing happily since before sun-up. The ground no longer crunches crisply when we walk across it. The squirrels are prancing around with their tails held high. The temps were a cool lower 60s today but the sun was bright. It will be slowly warming up now, into the 70s by the weekend. The weather we traveled down here to enjoy is finally on its way for good (we hope.) We had forgotten that January is the month that, if there is going to be cold and wet down here, it will be this month. We have absolutely no complaints, though. I always figure that, if I wake up in the morning, there is nothing that God and I can not handle!

Tornados, 60MPH+ winds, thunder & lightning, hail

2011-01-25T15:27:00.000-08:00

Too many coppers shot in the last little while. A majority of my adult life were spent in Detroit and Green Oak and I still feel the kinship with the working cop. May God bless you, my friends in Blue! We were hearing about a large storm heading for Central Florida from The Gulf of Mexico and wanted to get out of Wildwood and set up in Clermont before they arrived. We were set up in Clermont, The Bees RV Resort, by noon and around 4:30 or so the storm hit. We got it all and were concerned about how Sunshine would handle it. She was great. She seems too nervous to eat but is sleeping on the couch and has not moved for a long time. We hear the stories of how Greyhounds are terrified of thunder but she went through the loud boomers and severely rockin' and rollin' Montana when the high winds hit us. Just heard of 100 MPH winds just east of us. We still have rain and thunder but the winds are less and the tornado warnings have been lifted. There was a touchdown in Bushnell, just west of us, and Helem Moll reported a fatality near Ocala to someone who was on the road. Weathering this type of storm in a Montana is not our idea of something fun to do. We are safe now and thankful to God to be so. It was really wicked a little while ago.

Our last day in Wildwood

2011-01-24T05:21:00.000-08:00

We leave 3 Flags RV campground tomorrow for The Bees RV Resort in Clermont to spend a couple of weeks. It is only a few miles from here but, since it is an Orlando suburb, it is a completely different living experience. It has a restaurant, The Honeypot, that has great all-u-can-eat chicken dinners on Tuesdays and fish on Fridays. It is not too far from Disney, but I don't think that I will work there again this year. It is also near where many Montana Owners Club members are situated and they have monthly lunches. Will be nice seeing some of these friends again. Sunshine is looking at me with those big, brown orbs asking to go for her morning stroll so guess we'll do that now.

The days just keep getting better!

2011-01-19T12:46:00.000-08:00

The weather is getting consistently better. Yesterday and today were sunny and mid 70s. Since we have been to this park before several times, we have no need to go out "touristing" so we have been staying around the park working or playing around the rig and going to Ocala for shopping and the great dog park. I am going to start using my new Silver Sneakers membership soon and hopefully working out with a Senior Fitness advisor to help. Our friends from the MOC, Bill and Helen Moll, are coming over tomorrow for a late lunch/early dinner. We saw them last week in their campground in Silver Springs. We are looking in the area for a campground where we can return to for several months at a time starting next year. We are talking about bringing the rig down right after Thanksgiving and then leaving for a couple of weeks in December for the holidays and then returning here. That would save driving through the snow or just ahead of the snow and ice like we have been doing. Much better!

Ocala, FL Millinium Dog Park

2011-01-15T15:59:00.000-08:00

Had to get in one last shot of the beautiful trees in the Suwanee River Music Park Campground with its Spanish Moss from earlier in the week. We are now in Wildwood, FL at the 3 Flags RV Resort. Wednesday, we went to Silver Springs and met with our MOC friends, Bill and Helen Moll. Great lunch and conversation with some really fine folks. They stay here every winter and we really like their park. We are considering bringing the Montana down to Florida in October or November next year, driving home for the holidays, and then back down, leaving the Monty here. It would really be nice to tow it south BEFORE the snow and ice. We are looking for a park in Central Florida to do this at. Today, we took Sunshine to the Ocala Millenium Dog Park for the second time since we arrived here last Tuesday. She really loves it here. The park has two sections, large and small dog. One could fit several football fields into the large dog portion and the small portion is probably a little over half size of the the large side. Sunshine does not want to leave here when we are here. It, like the nice park in Valdosta, GA that we were at a week ago, has some great features. I also joined the group Silver Sneakers at the Ocala YMCA. My Medigap insurance covers the cost and the organization has facilities all over the country that I can use. The Powerhouse Gym in Fenton, MI also honors this. It will be nice working out with instructors aiming at Seniors all over the country. I look forward to doing this. I am getting excited because I am wondering what tomorrow will bring!

We're finally in Wildwood, FL

2011-01-11T18:11:00.000-08:00

It was 62 and sunny when we pulled into 3 Flags RV Park in Wildwood, today! The next few nights are supposed to have low wind chills and the days into the low to mid 50s but we can handle that. Tomorrow we are going to Ocala to try a new (to us) dog park with Sunshine. We will be here for two weeks and, since we have been here several times before, we will probably stay close to home and just enjoy each other and the weather.

'twas a great day in Valdosta, GA

2011-01-10T09:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we had some shopping to do and also had found a dog park in Valdosta on a website that locates dog parks throughout the US. The park was beautiful. We forgot our camera and wish we had had it with us. This is a large, fenced in park with areas for small dogs, large dogs and all dogs. It is grassy and treed. Very clean. Sunshine met a half dozen or so fur friends and a bunch of two legged friends that she leaned up against and was patted in return. She ran, romped and, in general, really enjoyed herself. We will return here when we come through next time. Today it is raining but 45 degrees right now. We are not complaining at all because so much of the south, even the areas we just passed through last week, have a heavy snow cover now. Supposed to clear tonight and be sunny and warm for our travels tomorrow to Wildwood, near Ocala. We will veg and do inside work today.

Toe is tired from heavy tappin'

2011-01-08T18:46:00.000-08:00

My leg is tired from all the toe tapping that I did in the "Pickin' Shed" tonight. There was a fine array of pickers, grinners and a really appreciative audience. Makes me want to learn how to play guitar. If anyone is wondering what to get for me for St. Patrick's Day, a guiter would really be appreciated. 60 and sunny today with mid 50s and sun for tomorrow. Tonight, though, has a freeze warning but I'll just sleep through that and go out when the frost has left. We have not a complaint in the world, though, after looking at the Grand Blanc weather report. Tomorrow, we are going grocery shopping in Valdesta, GA. They suppopsedly have a dog park, too, so Sunshine could become a happy puppy.

We made it to Florida!

2011-01-07T16:24:00.000-08:00

We pulled into the Spirit of the Suwanee Music Park, in Live Oak, FL, this afternoon and it was 60 and sunny! What a concept - beautiful days in the middle of the winter. One of the signs that we are really south is starting to see palm trees. A sign that we look forward to seeing is the Spanish Moss. It begins in Southern Georgia and continues on into Florida. The white fluffy "stuff" makes for beautiful trees, much like the white cottony substance on some Christmas trees. We will be here until Tuesday enjoying the park and people. We are camped approximately 100 feet from the "Pickin' Shed" so look forward to hearing some sweet sounds very soon. While they will be a pickin', I will be a grinnin'.

Almost to Florida!

2011-01-06T17:53:00.000-08:00

We traveled from Adairsville, GA to Unadilla, GA today, passing through downtown Atlanta on the way. Traffic on I-75 in Atlanta during the day is difficult and around rush hours, almost impossible. We discovered several years ago that the By-Pass is not the way to go. All trucks get shoved onto the By-Pass and whenever there is a collision there, the back-up can get miles long and this is a regular occurrence. Between the rush hours, one can usually travel at a steady 45 MPH. We passed the Olympic Torch, from a few years ago when Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics. We are now at Unadilla, GA in a campground located abutting a horse farm. This was a real magnet for Carol and Sunshine so we sauntered over and the horses trotted right up to us. Carll was in "Horsy Heaven!" The temps were in the low 50s and it was sunny. Last night was the first night we have spent above freezing. Tomorrow we move to Live Oak, FL, where we will spend four nights. We will be at the Suwanee River Music RV Campground. We will have several days and nights of country, blue grass and blues along. We are looking forward to some good pickin', here. Temp is supposed to be in low 60s tomorrow. Sounds like a plan.

We're in Adairsville, GA

2011-01-05T12:50:00.000-08:00

A short, two hour trip, from Sweetwater, TN and we are in Adairsville, GA, at the Leisure Time RV Park. It is raining (at least we don't have to shovel it) and were met by the 84 year old owner/manager, George Adams, when we arrived. He led us to our site and stuck around until he was sure that we knew what we were doing in setting our rig up. This is a very clean, well laid out Passport America park and I highly recommend it, for those traveling I-75 in Northern Georgia. We have full hookups and cable so we are good to go. George told me that they have Gospel singing/music playing Jam Sessions once a month or so. They also feed the spectators at these sessions from a pot of stew and a pot of chili. We will surely stay here the next time we travel this way. The rain is supposed to quit tonight and they are calling for sunny and upper 40s here tomorrow. We head to Unadilla, GA tomorrow and they say 55 and sunny. Looks like another good travel day.

Made it to Sweetwater, TN

2011-01-04T15:32:00.000-08:00

Left Berea this morning with sun and upper 20s and arrived three hours later in Sweetwater, TN to sun and mid 50s. Beautiful day! The Alberta Clipper is heading south and the rains from the south are heading north and the news just said that they should collide over mid Tennessee late tonight or tomorrow. We should get out before the rain turns to snow, though. Next stop is Adairsville, GA, north of Atlanta. It is only a 2.5 hour jaunt through beautiful country. Sunshine is getting used to the travel and really enjoyed being out in the sun and warmth today. (So did I)

We're in Berea, KY

2011-01-03T16:20:00.000-08:00

We started out about 6:30 this morning and made it to Berea, KY. The campground had several inches of snow a few weeks ago, then inches of ice and today we discovered that the grassy sites were frozen ponds with grass. Sunshine did not like this day at all. It was a long drive and then she stepped into several frozen over puddles and went through the ice skim, freezing her paws and lower legs. Not a happy camper. When we set up, we found that we have been visited by mice. So far, we have not located anything that has been chewed but they sure left their droppings scattered around, both the basement and living room of the Montana. Then the refrigerator would not work. No lights, no nothing! I called Camping World in Knoxville, TN, where we were traveling through tomorrow anyway, and made an appointment. A couple of hours later, it clicked and started running. Leave well enough alone, I think, and we just hope it was just frozen and thawed. Tomorrow's jaunt will be less than 200 miles so can finish unpacking what we have stored in the rig and clean up the rest of the mouse dung that we find. Hopefully I soon will locate where the little buggers came in. Oh, oh - while making the bed we just discovered that the mouses or is it meeces found a warm spot, underneath the bed spread on the mattress. Once again, no signs of chewing. It's been a long, cold day so I am heading for bed soon and I don't believe that Carol will be far behind.

We leave in the moanin'

2011-01-02T17:04:00.000-08:00

The truck and Montana are just about loaded. They are hooked up and rarin' to go. So are we. Sunshine is really confused after trying to figure out what we have been doing all day, loading the rig, etc. She will feel much better, as we shall too, when we begin our latest journey. Alarm set for 4:00 so we can get an early start. Temps are back to mid teens at night so we want to get to Berea, KY on our first day which should be out of the snow and ice. Then we can start taking our time with our 2-3 hour daily jaunts and some 2-4 night stops along the way.

Truck fixed! Looks like we leave Monday!

2010-12-31T11:50:00.000-08:00

We got our truck back today and it seems to be in great running condition again. It is raining today but supposed to be clear tomorrow so then is when we will pick up the Montana from storage and bring to the condo for loading. If all continues to go well, we shove off early Monday morning. Hopefully we will make it to Berea, KY in the afternoon to spend our first night. That will be the last of our long days driving. We don't care to drive over 200 miles or 4 hours in a day, whichever comes first. Sunshine is getting nervous because things are different daily around here with breaking down after Christmas and getting ready to travel. Once she spends her first night in the 5th wheel, she should be fine. She was last year and we only had her for three weeks before we left for the Great Southwest.

It's been a Very Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T12:21:00.000-08:00

Last night, we and all of the kids and grandkids went to Richelle's for Pictionary and fellowship. Today, the mob was all at our house. Now it is nap time and then we go to Carol's brother's where we also will see two of her sisters and her soon to be 90 year old dad. Another great Christmas. It is so very great to be able to share it with so much love. Last Christmas, Sunshine had only been with us for two weeks when the whole mob came over and she spent the day hidden in her crate. This year, she showed that she is finally part of the family. She wandered around assisting all with the opening of their presents and only asked to be loved (and she was!) Merry Christmas to all!

Lunar eclipse on shortest day of the year

2010-12-21T07:19:00.000-08:00

Today is the shortest day of the year. I had the alarm set for 1:25AM this morning so that I could see the total lunar eclipse on the shortest day of the year - something that last occurred 500 years ago. The weather forcasters were calling for clouds but this is Michigan, so who knows, right? The eclipse was to begin at 1:33AM. The first photo was taken about 1:35AM and the sky was quite clear. The second pic was taken about 1/2 hour later and the clouds were coming in. The last shot was taken about 45 minutes into the eclipse and then the clouds took over the sky. I am a sucker for this type of event. If the next eclipse will be on the shortest day of the year again it may be another 500 years and I will be ready then. Just wonder if the camera will last that long.

Time to get out of here!

2010-12-13T06:47:00.000-08:00

Woke up this morning to about ten inches of snow and 7 degrees. Supposed to "warm up" to 11 today. Sunshine said she would rather play with her toys inside where it is warm than go out. I wanted to go out. And they call dogs "dumb animals." Christmas in less than two weeks, kids and grandkids galore - Scheduled to leave for Florida three weeks from today. I LOVE this time of year!

I'M BACK!!!

2010-12-07T05:32:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my knee was scoped and now the recovery process is on. Can finally put my full mind(?) to the process of getting ready for the holidays and heading south right after the first of the year. I continue to realize just how blessed that I am and am so grateful to be surrounded by so many friends and family. Merry Christmas, all, and now to go on and really enjoy the season!

The trip is still on!

2010-12-02T09:02:00.000-08:00

I have been having problems with my knee for a while now and it got so bad that we were wondering if we would be able to travel south this winter. Just got back from the doctor's office with good/great news! We remembered Carol's long, painful recovery from knee replacement surgery and were concerned that this may lead to the same. Found it was "only" a shredded meniscus and am scheduled to have it "scoped" Monday. Doc says that recovery should be quick and travel first of January should be fine. FLORIDA HERE WE COME!!!!! I continue to be so blessed!

Great Thanksgiving!

2010-11-26T07:39:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we celebrated Thanksgiving at our daughter, Renee's, home. A wonderful reminder of what we have to be thankful for is a house full of kids and grandkids. Dan, the turkey was exceptional, as were the pies. Being surrounded by smiling faces, as we were yesterday, leads to a long time of great memories. We will be heading south right after New Years and will then use Skype to keep in touch with our large, great family. Now it is on to preparing for a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

It's "Hitch Itch" time of year again

2010-11-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

Mid-November again and am really getting "Hitch Itch" bad. The truck and the Montana are making noises like they are more than ready to get together again SOON. With temps in the 30s, I started the truck today. It turned slowly but started and ran great. The truck's grill got a big smile on it when it thought we were going to pick up Monty. Thinking of getting an electric oil dipstick to assist when the weather gets colder, as an assist in cold weather starting. This is a Texas truck so it does not have a block warmer built in. This is not how it is supposed to be. We are supposed to be heading south about now, where it is warmer. We really do have the best of all worlds, though. We see the family for Thanksgiving and Christmas and then leave for warmer climes in early January.

Our winter Journey!

2010-11-02T11:01:00.000-07:00

It is getting closer to departure for Florida! We will spend the holidays at home and leave as soon after New Years as we can. We will stop in Crossville, TN and visit friends and then Fair Play, SC for another visit. From there, we will head to Wildwood, FL, 3 Flags Campground, where we will spend a couple of weeks. Then to Clermont, FL, The Bees Resort for a couple of weeks. Any further plans will just have to wait until we get closer. We are planning on coming home up the East Coast, this year. We will go to Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, where we will see my sister. From there, probably head west back to Michigan. Should arrive back home Mid-April or so. Haven't yet decided if I am going to work at Disney again this year or not. If so, we will stay in Clermont for the duration of my work with Mickey Mouse.

I was hacked!

2010-10-06T12:12:00.000-07:00

My Hotmail and Facebook accounts were hacked and emails sent to my contact lists asking for money, saying I had been robbed in London. I will no longer use Hotmail and maybe also Facebook. The computer is now supposedly clean and I am using email addresses other than Hotmail. I feel bad for anyone who received the message asking for money thinking we were in trouble.

Goshen, IN to Pentwater, MI - Great sunset!

2010-09-30T08:59:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we left the Goshen Fairgrounds campground and, after stopping at the Keystone Service Center for some minor tweeks to our Montana, moved up to Pentwater, MI, the Mears State Park campground. We are camped right on Lake Michigan. Having grown up (I know that there are some who dispute this) along Lake Michigan, I found that I really missed the lake and it's beautiful sunsets. As the sun began to fall, Jim Schlee took off ahead of us with Sunshine and headed to the pier. What a spectacular show we got when the sun sank into the horizon! We will be here until Monday morning and then will return to SE Michigan. This has been a very good journey and it is being capped by a stay in a wonderful, small town along the Big Lake.

Double Rainbow, Good Omen?

2010-09-28T15:14:00.000-07:00

Last night, during the pot luck dinner,the sky suddenly darkened in the southwest and a big, beautiful double rainbow formed. It was difficult photographing the second rainbow but, if you look hard enough, you will find it just to the right of the main arc. That was a wondereful capper to another great day at the MOC Rally. Tonight is the final night. We are preparing to go the ice cream social and tomorrow morning we will stop at the service center and get a few minor adjustments done and then it will be on to Mears State Park in Pentwater, MI, on Lake Michigan, for a few days with Bev and Jim Schlee. Probably be home next week sometime.

MOC Fall Rally Campground

2010-09-26T17:02:00.000-07:00

We are having a great time at the 2010 MOC Fall Rally in Goshen, IN. The Montana Service Center took care of some minor issues in our RV and then we moved on to the campground. This campground is located on the Elkhart County Fairgrounds and is a nice park. We have full hookups and there are, I believe, 86 Montanas in attendance. It is beautiful seeing several streets in this park filled with Montanas and Big Skys. We have met some great new people and renewed friendships with old friends. The seminars are full of info and the food is great - well, you know how RVers eat! Last night, we went to a Mennonite Restaurant/ shops for window shopping and dinner. They sure know how to cook! This morning, we manned the griddles and flipped pancakes for the Pancake Breakfast. A great way to spend the morning! We will be here until Wednesday and then we will move up to Pentwater, alongside Lake Michigan for a few days before returning home. Looks like our next journey will be about January 3, when we leave for Florida.

We start tomorrow!!!

2010-09-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we pull the Monty out of storage and set up at Waldenwoods in Hartland, MI. We will load it up while camping there and then Wednesday it is off to Goshen, IN for our annual Montana Owners Club Rally. Today was a busy day with Sunshine. We started out at the dog park in Frankenmuth and then to the Octoberfest Greyhound Meet and Greet, also in Frankenmuth. Many interested people stopped by and, after gazing into Sunshine's and the other Greyhounds' eyes, several were very interested in adopting one for themselves. I hope some do. The tracks are still sending out large numbers of retired racers and hopefully they all can find their forever home. Sunshine then talked me into one more long walk, this time at the wooded trails at Genesys Hospital. She is now sleeping at Carol's feet and absorbing Carol's loving cooing and stroking with a smile.

HITCH ITCH!!!!!!

2010-08-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

Do I ever have "Hitch Itch!" Haven't been in the Montana in a couple of months and really miss it. Looks like our next journey will not be until late September when we head to Goshen, IN for the MOC rally. Hope to add someplace else to this destination but, who knows? I went to the storage lot the other day to get some tools from the Monty and believe that I heard her saying "Please, please, take me out of here!" Do you know how difficult it was to explain to a 5th wheel that we would not be living in her for another month? I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

I made 70!!!!!!

2010-08-19T13:54:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I turned 70. What a great day it was! Got Sunshine's stitches removed in the morning, had lunch with two former high school classmates, one who I have not seen since graduating in 1958, yes 1958, then to the dog park with Carol and Sunshine for Sunshine's first visit there since she was injured and then dinner with Carol. I have been able to have lunch monthly for a year or so with Dale Hietanen and Art Levy moved to New York City after college and this was the first time I saw him since early 1958. I never thought that I would make 40, let alone 70. I am so blessed - great family, retired and in good health, great group of friends! That makes me so rich!

Sunshine Update

2010-08-10T07:57:00.000-07:00

Sunshine is doing better today. She ate her supper last night and breakfast this morning. We took a five minute walk last evening and she really liked that - a far cry from the morning when she had trouble standing and walking straight. Got some advice today to try her muzzle instead of the large plastic cone to keep her from licking her wounds and drain tube. She has had it on for a few minutes now and seems to be doing better. That other collar was banging into everything when she walked and she could not put her head down very far when she laid down to sleep. Now she is lying on the floor with her head down as she likes it. Tomorrow she gets her drain tube removed and hopefully this will pick her up even more.

Sunshine Injured

2010-08-09T07:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Sunshine was romping and running with her fur friends at the dog park and hit the fence with her side, taking a large hunk from her right side. Got her to the Animal Emergency Hospital in Burton at about 12:30 and was advised that the vet was in emergency surgery and, after a quick scan by the vet, was advised to bring her back in a couple of hours. Returned at 2:30 and was advised that the vet was still in surgery and to return later. After calls, finally got her in about 8:00. About 11:00, Sunshine was led to us, very groggy and not responsive to us at all. She was wearing a plastic cone collar to keep her from licking her wound. After a lot of coaxing, we were able to get her into the car and, once home, a lot of coaxing finally got her out of the car and into the home. Last night, Carol took the collar off Sunshine and stayed awake with her while she slept, so that she could finally get some sleep. This morning, she is still very stiff and groggy but is getting more responsive to us. Seeing her so drugged and non responsive is so difficult but probably not as difficult as what she is feeling and going through.

Sunshine running all out!

2010-08-06T03:53:00.001-07:00

Sunshine finally started running all out as only a racing Greynhound can do. About a month ago at the Frankenmuth Dog Park, she started her visit out with a run and has started each visit out since then with a run. She will run for 20 seconds or so and then just play with her fur friends after that with no more running. The people at the park with their pups all look forward to her showing up and running. Finally got a few shots of her heading out full speed. Sunshine is beautiful just standing still but running, she is gorgeous! 0-40 in three strides, they say, and it sure looks that way here!

A Great Day!

2010-07-26T06:13:00.000-07:00

Today, Carol and I celebrate 30 years of marriage. On this date in 1980, we were married and joined our families. I gained three beautiful daughters and Carol gained a daughter and a son. Carol had been widowed and I divorced and we talked what seemed like forever before we were wed. We discovered that we not only loved each other very much, but also really liked each other! What a concept, eh? The more we communicated, the better it got and the deeper the feelings became. Like life itself, it has not always been easy but always has been good. The right thing always happens. We now have nine grandchildren that fill our home and Montana with photographs and drawings. Our refrigerators are full of their art. The good times make us happy wondering how they will just get better and the difficult times teach us that nothing that is good is free - we have to work for it. Thank you, Carol, for the last 30 years and I can only smile as I wonder what the next 30 will bring.

What a great three weeks it has been with family and friends!

2010-07-23T07:21:00.000-07:00

Starting out, we spent several days with Richelle and her family in NW Indiana at the Indiana Dunes on Lake Michigan. A week or so later, they joined us here in Hartland, MI in our Montana for a great day of swimming and fun. Jim and Bev came by a few days ago and we burned some hamburgs and hot dogs and talked for hours and yesterday Brandon and Meagon spent the day with us and swam and fished. Seeing and playing with four of our wonderful grandchildren, ages from 5 to 16, is something that makes life truly beautiful. Now, we can't wait to see them again soon and the rest of the "mob of nine" grandkids. Carol and I are truly cheap dates - give us our kids, grandkids and friends and we are truly satisfied.

Thunderboomer time!

2010-07-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

We just had a relatively short but severe thunderstorm pass through. The Montana was rocking and rolling in the wind and the thunderclaps were loud and booming and the lightning flashing but Sunshine just went into the bedroom, lay down between the bed and cabinets and appeared to be doing well. There were reports of hail and the wind was quite strong but all is now well. It "cooled off" to 75 and is very comfortable outside now. We had heard many stories of fearful Greyhounds in thunderstorms but Sunshine was a champ during this one. I see on The Weather Bug another is coming soon, just a few miles away.

Indiana and Hartland, MI

2010-07-12T10:18:00.000-07:00

Carol is surrounded by love in Indiana, being surrounded by Sarah, Ryan and Rocco. Of course, Sunshine had to show us that she could sleep in any position in our daughter's family cottage. We set up Saturday in Waldenwoods, in Hartland. Yesterday, the weather became dark, to add to the heat and humidity leaving us with the question - was this a tornado or a water spout we saw, just north of the campground? Musta been water spout because we heard no reports of touchdowns around here. I am surrounded by the best of all worlds here - my dog, by Monty. my truck and the photo was taken by my best friend, my wife. I feel that I have it all. Been doing some modifications to the Monty. The table would meet us when we first came into the rig and closed up tight to the counter when the slides were in, barring access to the refrigerator when we were on the road. Also, the reclining, swivel rockers had their backs to beautiful rear picture window. We moved the table to the window, one rocker to the area that the table had been in, and got rid of two of the table's chairs and a rocker. Now the Monty feels more "homey" and we have full use of the picture window. The rocker is now at a large side window and has a great view with good light. We are going to replace the table chairs with two more comfortable ones in the near future. Sunshine's couch will remain in its original location. The small chest freezer we just got and the ice maker should fit nicely at the end of the counter near the table. Now that this is done, we have some other ideas for mods and will start on them soon. "So much to do and so little time to do it!"

'twas a great day!

2010-07-09T05:31:00.001-07:00

Yesterday we "puppy sat" with daughter Richelle's dog Rocko and Sunshine and Rocko had a great time together. Rocko is probably a little smaller now because Sunshine kept nibbling at his food dish. Sunshine wolfs her food down and Rocko nibbles - ergo the difference in who eats Rocko's food. It was another very hot day, so after Rocko returned home, we went to Bubbles Ice Cream and Pie Parlor in Michigan City, IN and had some wonderful, handmade ice cream. The place is pet friendly and they even gave Sunshine her own small dish of vanilla ice cream to eat on their shaded porch. Gotta try their home made pies next time - unless it is stifling again and then ice cream will be in order again then. Took another spin to Lake Michigan and really enjoyed the sights. Next trip I hope that we remember to bring the cable to upload the photos from the camera to the computer.

Whew!!! It's Hot!!!

2010-07-08T05:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, with the high temperatures and humidity, we did NOTHING! We did pick up Richelle's dog and puppy sat but that was a pleasure and not a chore. We all stayed inside and let the air conditioner do its thing. I have a list of modifications to do on the Monty and did not a one. When I got up this morning it was raining. Does that mean that this vicious heat will be abating? Hope so. Hopefully today will see the dropping of temperatures and the completion of some of our mods - nothing drastic but desired because, once done, we will have an even more comfortable Montana.