Star Date: 03302014, Sunday

Ten days since my last blog.  Where does the time go?  Every day seems like a Saturday. Great fun and no time pressures.  But I must keep everyone better informed and will try at least 2x a week in the future.  That way each entry will not be too long as this one turns out and hopefully you won’t throw me into your spam folder.  Since this is also intended to be a reference in the future for me, I will try a different format for dates and places.

3/21/14, Friday: Perry GA to Salem SC

About 4 hour drive to visit our friends Edda & Mike who have a 19 acre spread near Salem.  Uneventful trip except for the traffic on the Atlanta bypass which is a place to avoid next time.  I’ll never complain about Tampa traffic again.  We knew our friends lived in the country but when we arrived on a gravel road only about 10 feet wide with fences on both sides (the coach is 8.5 feet wide) and several low hanging trees I thought I was going to test my driving in reverse skills to the max.  After Mike cut a couple tree branches with his chainsaw and a failed attempt to back into a part of their field, somehow I managed to turn the rig around and backed in at a different angle.  I was so focused on getting into that space I literally had no recollection of how I did it just after I shut the coach off.  OK, so the field was not too level.  No problem since the coach has leveling jacks.  As I was putting the jacks down, Rosemary came running to stop me as the coach steps were being plunged into the ground.  We lowered the back end a little to save the steps.  Fortunately, we just made the 3 degree tolerance for the refrigerator to work.   Dinner out with Edda & Mike entailed a 30 minute drive.  Good Asian restaurant in Seneca I think.  Good visit and Saturday departed for NC.

3/22/14, Saturday: Salem SC to Henderson NC

Arrived just before noon to visit my sister Staci, bro-in-law Jon and niece Avery.  Only a 70 minute drive from Salem.  Afternoon visit to Burntshirt Vineyards for wine, nibbles and music on a beautiful sunny, cool day.  Sunday morning, rain and cold.  It cleared some in the afternoon so we visited the Triple Falls and Hooker Falls waterfalls about 30 minutes away.  Monday spent in Asheville visiting artsy fartsy stuff for the girls in order for the guys to pick the dinner spot, the Wicked Weed Brew Pub. (The weed referred to is hops).   Good beer and good bison burger.  Tuesday and SNOW!!!  Two nights straight with temps down to the low 20's.  Kept my light on in the outside water compartment to have a little extra heat on the pipes.  But no frozen pipes. Jon has a 20 amp outlet for us to plug into.  The electric heat was fine on the 20 amps at first but tripped when we discovered Jon’s electric blankie was on the same circuit.  Thereafter, we used the LP furnace for heat.  Since LP was running low and I did not want to move the coach until we depart on Wednesday, I turned the heat off Tuesday during the day.  Staci (who designed the tasting room and more at the winery) had arranged a private tour of Burntshirt with the winemaker, Mike Sterling.  We sampled 5 wines of the 2013 vintage directly from the barrels since it had not been bottled yet.  Good stuff and Mike was a generous host.  Dinner at Flat Rock Wood Room.  Good BBQ and wood fired pizza too.  When we returned after dinner, the coach was a nippy 54 degrees.  The LP furnace heated us up in no time and went to bed hoping the LP did not run out before morning.

3/26/14, Wednesday: Hendersonville NC to Perry GA

Departed 10:15.  Stopped at Flying J at mm 160 on I-85 for LP, diesel, dump and lunch.  Took exit 149 to go 441 through Athens to avoid Atlanta.  Arrived Perry just after 5:00 and checked into Fairgrounds with full hookup.  Parked right next to two Roll ‘N Rebels coaches.  Thursday, a couple seminars and dinner of mahi mahi on our gas grill (outside the coach) in the sun with a cool breeze and a bottle of porter.  Evening entertainment and door prize give-aways afterwards keeps the crowd there til the end.  Out of about 440 coaches the first number picked for a prize was ours.  A silicone spoon rest!   Just what no one needs in a coach.  The next day we managed to convince the vendor who sponsored the spoon rest to let us exchange it for a comparably priced item, a kitchen timer, so we do not have to turn on the generator for the microwave timer every time Rosemary wants to time her tea.  Friday, guess what.  More rain.  Another muddy mess.  About 30 minutes of severe winds did some damage to others with flag poles and wind socks taking flight to outer space but our coach survived unscathed.  A couple more seminars including an RV Tour company who was giving away a tablet at the end of the seminar.  Guess what?  Rosemary got her tablet.  Another device she won’t know how to use!  Saturday we played hooky from Perry and went to the Aviation Museum in Warner Robbins, admission free.  About 30 minutes northeast.  Had a good time, lots of aircraft on display inside and outside.  Dinner at the rally was by Yoder’s, a Mennonite caterer.  More entertainment and a Chinese auction by which time our luck had run out.

3/30/14, Sunday: Perry GA to Andersonville, GA and Tiftin GA

Depart 10:00 for about 40 minute drive to Andersonville National Historic Site, the National Prisoner of War Museum and the National Cemetery.  We spent the entire day.  Fascinating story of the Civil War prison known as Camp Sumter as well as the history of all prisoners of war.  Some 30,000 Union prisoners housed in a prison designed for 6,000, operated from February 1864 to May 1865.  No shelter at all.  Just walls around the perimeter.  13,000 died.  Afterwards headed south to Tifton where we knew a good place to stay the night as we had at the beginning of the trip, the GA Museum of Agriculture.  Arrived about 6:00, dinner at Pit Stop BBQ, then shopping at Publix so we have a full fridge when we get home tomorrow.  I have never been homesick the last 17 days and wish we were staying on the road.  But lots to do when we get home before the really big trip this summer.  Enjoying motorhome life!  Until next time, happy travels.

Star Date: 03202014, Thursday

Well, things have gotten a lot better.  Having a great time.  Two straight days of beautiful weather and softer water.  Many very helpful seminars, great entertainment and everything seems to be working.  At night we are using the gas furnace so as not to risk the electric heat blowing the breaker.  This afternoon we used the a/c.  A bonus, only one office call each of the last 2 days.  Several office emails and clients who say call them when I get back.  Nice to know I’ll still have a business after being gone for 2-1/2 weeks.

Entertainment Tuesday was Jeanne Robertson, a comedian.  She was Miss North Carolina 50 years ago.  She was very funny with a lot of jokes making fun of herself due to her 6'2" frame and her husband who she refers to as “Left Brain.”  Wednesday was the Texas Tenors who apparently won the America’s Got Talent in about 2009.  They do have talent singing country, pop and classical opera.  We have joined 3 more FMCA chapters - Tiffin Travelers, RV Diesel Club and the Shalom Roamers.  Making lots of friends.  Now have new folks to visit as far away as Ontario.  Met a couple who were members of the Revconeers at a time my parents were also Revconeers.

Today we left the rally and drove the dinghy to Milledgeville, GA, about 1 hour northeast, to celebrate Rosemary’s birthday.  Very cute little town.  We visited the Old Capital Building where GA voted to secede from the Union.  Also, the Old Governors Mansion and Museum built in 1839 and occupied by the governors until 1868 when the capital moved to Atlanta.  The mansion was restored with furnishings original to the mansion or to the time period.  We got a private tour, just the 2 of us, conducted by the museum director since it is now part of the GA College & State University and the docents were absent due to spring break.  What a gem!  If ever in the area you should go there.  Lunch at the Metropolitan Café was good, a combo of Greek and on Thursdays, Indian.  Later went to Lockerly Arboretum, an antebellum mansion including a 50 acre arboretum.

Ok, one thing that didn’t go right but then did.  We last evacuated our tanks Saturday in Tifton.  In the past we have always been within 8-12 feet of the septic opening.  I have two 8 foot sewer hoses that I use.  My coach seller threw in another 20 foot hose, brand new and still in the box.  So I figured I have 36 feet of hose.  Our spot at the rally is 35 feet to the septic drain.  Our tanks are registering 2/3 full so we are getting to full capacity and Rosemary wants to wash her hair tonight.  I figure I better hook up the hoses just in case to get ready to evacuate some waste water if needed.  Good thing I pulled the 20' hose out this morning because it was just a hose - no connectors at either end.  No problem, the vendors at the rally have everything you could ever need and much more.  I bought connectors and we are hooked up and ready to dump.  Beware, a hose without a connector has a sharp wire at each end which I found out the hard way.  Rosemary always at the ready with antibiotic cream and bandages.  I’ll live.  Enjoying life!  Until next time, happy travels.

Star Date: 03172014, Monday

Sunday we slept in since no events until 1:30 orientation for first time attendees.  Rain all day made a muddy mess of the fairgrounds.  Cold front coming through so temps not going above 60.  Our water is becoming hard so I figured time to add salt to the water softener.  This is the first time since we bought the softener that it needed attention.  Instructions very cryptic, must have had a Chinese translator.  Added salt in the cold rain wearing old shorts and tee shirt with bare feet so as not to get my sneakers soaked.  The ground felt as though I was walking on crushed ice.  Back into coach to warmup.  Had lunch and lost electric.  Fairgrounds circuit breaker was tripped.  Tried to reset breaker without success.  Called for repair but told nothing doing until rain stops.  Finished lunch with generator power and off to orientation.  A short break in the rain and back to coach at 4:30. Found repairman looking at the wrong electric post and brought him to correct post.   He tested breaker and said needed replacement.  A short while later all fixed he said.  Started dinner and lost electric again.  I reset breaker to find that instead of replacing with a new breaker we got a different not so new looking breaker.  Sigh.  Off to the Boomer Bash, a party for all members under 60 and spouses.  Well at least the forecast is for rain to end and good weather rest of week although a little chilly for a couple days.  After party, we showered with hard salty water.  I’ll try another interpretation of instructions tomorrow.

Monday up early for 8:00 seminar.  Sun did not make an appearance.  Rain all day again. A messier muddy mess.  Hopefully it will dry out before our Friday departure or I can foresee lots of rigs stuck in the mud.  First seminar was located in the “Sheep Barn”.  It was cold, dirt floor and smelled like well, a sheep barn.  This seminar was not all that helpful, should have slept longer.  Three later seminars were more useful and did not smell like a barn although not heated.  We went out to dinner in downtown Perry.  Tried to go to the Perfect Pear which had rave reviews but alas, it was closed Monday contrary to the web.  Ate at Rusty’s Grill and Bar by accident since it was right where we parked our car on the street intending to go to the Pear a few doors down.  The web indicated Rusty’s was a burger joint but surprise, it also had apparently merged with Angelina’s Alley and we had a very good Italian meal with leftovers for tomorrow.  Back to the coach and the softener and recharged again this time after backwashing it.  Cold, wet and now dark too.  Rosemary had hot chocolate waiting when I finished.  I think I’ll keep her.  Electric failed 2 more times this evening the second time seemingly without any load.  Showers not fully soft yet but at least it wasn’t salty.  Hoping for some sun tomorrow.

Star Date: 03152014, Saturday

Departed Tampa Thursday about 2:00 for our first extended trip  - 18 days.  Also, first outside of Florida.  Arrived in Lake City to meet our close friend Tim, who now lives there, for dinner.  Nice Italian meal, good visit and overnight stay at Walmart.  We were joined by 3 other RV’s and several semis.  Friday slept in until about 9:00, hit the road and finally escaped Florida and entered Georgia.  Stopped in Tifton at mile marker 63B to visit the Georgia Museum of Agriculture and Historic Village.  I experienced my first senior (darn) discount (yeah) with $6 admission.  Very neat place with buildings dating from 1870 to 1910 including Mr. Tift’s house built in 1887.  Most buildings were hosted by docents in period costumes.  The doctor’s house had the “doctor” explaining the herb garden outside and how each herb was used to cure various specific ailments.  Other buildings included a blacksmith’s shop, printing shop (where Rosemary actually got to use the antique equipment to print a sample) and a gristmill where corn was ground into either cornmeal or grits powered by water wheel.   Asked if we could park overnight in their parking lot and not only could we park there but they pointed out the water and dump station for Rvers.  We were joined overnight by another coach who was also headed to the Perry rally.

Saturday morning after cleaning our tanks and topping off our water tanks, we headed for Perry, about 70 miles north.  All going great until traffic virtually stopped at about mm 107.  After creeping for a 1/2 hour, started the generator so Rosemary could make herself some tea.  A few minutes later, Rosemary hit the head.  After some more time, I needed to hit the head but there was nowhere to pull off stuck in the traffic in a construction zone with concrete barriers on both sides.  So Rosemary jumped into driver’s seat so I could head to the head.  I told her to just keep coasting and brake when getting close to the car in front which we had been doing for the last 45 minutes.   That driver safety course Rosemary took was looking like time well spent.  As I was just finishing up Rosemary exclaimed “we’re falling behind!”  Just then I could feel her accelerating.  That was scary but thank goodness not scary enough to send me back to the head.  I quickly jumped back into the driver’s seat as the traffic was about to clear as we came upon the 4 car wreck that caused our delay, about 50 minutes to go 2 miles.  Cops standing idly by everywhere but none at all directing traffic.

Finally arrived at Perry.  Had the coach weighed with each wheel independently so I can get a more accurate psi setting for the tires.  Although we paid for an electric only site, we ended up in a full hookup site fairly close to all the action.  Sweet.  Happy hour at 4:00 with the Rebels.  Rebels went to dinner at Longhorn but we declined and went to Georgia Bob’s BBQ.  BBQ.  Sweet.  Fried okra yum!  I could really get to enjoy this retired life - if only I was retired.

Star Date 03012014, Saturday

End of February and our second non-Rebel rally.  This time with the Allegro Club at the Sarasota fairgrounds.  250 coaches all manufactured by Tiffin.  New 2014 Tiffins on display.  Prices up to half a million.  Our model now goes for about $250k.  I think I’ll keep ours awhile.  Good thing it’s comfortable and meets our needs.  Who needs a heated tile floor.  Ok, so Rosemary does.  Just add that to the list of things she’s not getting.

Rally has no water hookups but does have 30 amp electric or so it was claimed.  First night we killed the circuit twice meaning a trip out in the cold in my pajamas to plug into another circuit, next night only once, but then again in the morning.  Oh wait, I don’t wear pajamas.  Did I mention it was cold.

This is our first trip since we got a new rear a/c heat pump unit and a new thermostat.  Thermostat has a mind of its own and back to the repair shop it will go.

More helpful seminars and found out more stuff I should be doing for maintenance but have not.  The service techs were available for up to 3 minor repairs.  We got them to fix a storage bin that would pop open when driving and also the door awning that would stick on one side when opening.  We had three electronic techs attempt to get the TV to recognize our laptop through an HDMI cable but no luck as we stumped the chumps.  I was not optimistic since the all knowing Wise one, Aaron, could not get it to work when he was home in December.  Forgot in earlier blogging that we did go to Boynton Beach in early January with Aaron and with Lorna who went kicking and screaming.  Dropped Lorna at Howie and Susie’s new beautiful big house.  Visited with Claire and also all got together for dinners a couple nights.  Mom’s close friend, Marlene, also joined us for a dinner.  Lorna admitted she had a great time and even that the bed at Susie’s was very comfortable.  She still insists she won’t travel again.  We’ll see.

 We have had some time to see some sites in Sarasota today.  Found a quirky little place, The Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy, right on Tamiami Trail that was interesting and fun but it was no largest ball of string (that’s a place that Rosemary insists we will never visit)!  She was the one who actually found the museum and wanted to go.  Then we walked around St. Armands Circle and picked up some of my favorite salsa and a free hot sauce at the Pepper Palace for declaring out loud that the place was AWESOME.

Tomorrow we head home.  After 4 days still have not used even half our water (yes we do bath daily) so the hints about water preservation really do work.  Also, wastewater tanks not even half full.  This is good preparation for what will be our first extended trip, 17 days which is in about 2 weeks.  Until then, happy travels.

PS.  We are now fully “teched” out.  Using our smart phones as a mobile hot spot so can post blogs on the road to keep you informed in almost real time!!

Star Date: 02282014, Friday

Well it has been awhile since I last blogged.  Sorry, fans.  Lack of blogging began last May.  We were having a great time with the Roll ‘N Rebels at the Dunedin, FL, rally.  During a side trip to the Tarpon Springs sponge docks the call came.  Our long time friend, Robert Dammous (my “Lebanese Brother”), had passed.  Thus, we left the rally early to meet his daughter at the funeral home.  No time to blog.  May was the last rally of the season until October.  We did make a trip to Boynton Beach in July to celebrate the 90th birthday of Rosemary’s step-mom, Claire.  Stayed at our usual John Prince Park campground on a beautiful lakefront lot.  Ro’s sister and husband came in from Massachusetts too.  So all of our time was occupied and no time to blog.

We did plan to attend the October Rebel’s rally in Bradenton even though it was scheduled the weekend before our Tuesday departure of our trip to Israel (via El Al, not motorhome).  However, I got sick.  Bradenton canceled so I could hopefully get better for Israel.  Monday came and still sick.  Trip to the doctor for help!  Told him of travel plans for the next day.  Got a super shot in the butt.  Fixed me right up by the next day except for a very sore cheek on an 11 hour plane trip.  However, the codeine cough syrup allowed me to sleep on a plane for the first time ever.  Since this is a motorhome blog I will not discuss the Israel trip other than to say you must go there, it was fantastic.

Missed the November rally since it was the day after we got back from Israel.  The December rally was at our usual place, LazyDays in Seffner (That’s basically Tampa - 16 miles from home).  Among the seminars offered was a driver safety course.  We signed up and after the classroom part we all piled into a 36' diesel pusher (fortunately supplied by Lazydays, not our coach which is also 36') and each took turns driving.  I went first and the “student course” was a piece of cake.  Next up Rosemary, the one who always professed too much fright to ever drive something that big.  Well, she did great.  No panic, no collisions.  I think she actually enjoyed it.  Fortunately, when one couple finishes the test drive they are allowed off.  So we got off and went on our way.  Much later we witnessed others test driving for the first time and it was scary watching from a distance.  Thankfully we did not have to experience that as a passenger inside the coach.  The Rebels have a Yankee gift swap at the December rally.  Everyone picks a number out of a hat and then chooses a gift (everyone brings one wrapped gift which vary from worthless junk to some pretty nice stuff).  We go in order of the number picked.  The best number is the number one, who gets the first pick but also the last.  See, at everyone’s turn they can pick a wrapped gift or a gift that someone else has picked (a gift is opened when picked).  In 2012, I was number one and picked up a nice binoculars.  I picked the first number and you guessed it, I picked number one.  Got a very nice large flashlight.  Never played Yankee gift swap before the Rebels but I think I like it.

Missed the January Rebel rally due to a change in dates that conflicted with a prior engagement.  However, end of January was our first FMCA Southeast Regional rally in Brooksville, FL.  Rally had over 300 coaches.  Many useful seminars helping us learn more about our coach and motorhome travel in general.  It was our first test at dry camping meaning no hookups.  Four days, no problems.  Did not run out of water nor fill our gray or black water tanks.  Rosemary even shampooed her hair which uses mucho water.  Thursday and Friday were unusually cold, highs only in low 40's.  Seminars in big unheated tents were a challenge to stay warm.  Entertainment Friday night was a northern based comedian who was looking forward to visiting Florida in the winter.  Many jokes about the weather being colder than up north.  What a turn around Saturday which was near 80 and a/c required all afternoon and evening.  Saturday night left the rally to have dinner with our “second family” the Liguori’s in Brooksville.  Very nice time and great to catch up with everyone who we had not seen in awhile.  Curses to the hectic pace of the information age that seems to keep us from spending time with those we care about.  Sunday headed home with some great hints to enjoy motorhoming more and also several new products such as LED lights which drastically reduce energy usage and heat.