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.
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