Settled in at Citrus Ridge

After a strike out day at the Daytona Beach Flea Market, I began my journey to my winter home, Citrus Ridge in Davenport, FL.  It was a great drive down and when I hit downtown Orlando on I 4 I just knew I would run into traffic but it was not to be, everyone must have been shopping.  I just breezed through to my exit.

I got here and Liz came down to give me a hug.  She said she wouldn't get in my way just wanted to welcome me and Sedona back.  Next Mel came by and helped me get backed in and set up and to welcome me back.  Wow, it sure felt good to be back.

I love my site.  It's right on the water and though I won't be here as long as I originally thought, it will be a great place to just chill, have fun and visit friends.  I've decided not to pursue working at Disney this year.  There has been too much going on and I just want to have fun.

My welcoming committee

There's plenty of room for the Whim.

Here's my new Buffet addition, looks like a perfect location.

Added Santa hats to the mirrors on the Whim.

Here's a pair of Sand Hill Cranes, I understand there are 3 couples this year.

View from my patio

Buffet and the flamingos wonder if this is a relative.

The Whim from the road.

A night scene-fountain gets turned off at 9:39 p.m.

I'll tell you a little funny on myself...see the nativity scene in color?  First day here I looked across the lake and saw all these "people" and thought they were having a meeting.  Then I saw a couple of men walking around the gazebo and they left.  The other folks were still there and I just thought it's a long meeting.  I rode my bicycle over there and guess what???  Yep, not people, it was the nativity scene.  OMG, how crazy is that, so much for a meeting.  It's okay, you can laugh at me, I did.

I'm beginning to get used to the Whim.  I'm thinking I should probably have gone to 24' instead of 21' but jury is still out.  I love driving it and when I came from Jonathan's to Davenport I got like 16.4 mpg so the more I drive the better I get and yes, that's towing.

I hear it's snowing in Crossville TN so yes, I'm glad I'm here even though its windy and getting a little cooler.  No complaints here.

I found a dermatologist locally that I can get in to see on Thursday.  I sure hope I can finally get some relief from this itchy rash but most importantly what it is and why it has lasted since middle of September.

Donna (Squawmama) I now stay at my son's house in his driveway, however 1st year out I stayed at A Big Wheel Park in St Mary's and was very pleased.  Liked the location and the owners were very good.  Across the street from Crooked River State Park.

Later...

Thanksgiving 2011

It's been a great few weeks with Taylor and Jonathan at Kingsland Ga.  I enjoyed a Camden County High School Swim meet held at the Kings Bay Base pool.  For an early Christmas present Jonathan had my windows tinted on the Whim.  Great until Jonathan realized they missed one window on the slide.  Oh well, Ill have to get it fixed when I go back to Kingsland & Stylin' FX window tinting.

We took the easy way for our Thanksgiving meal.  We ordered from Publix and then all I had to make was mashed potatoes and green bean salad.  Taylor made the brownies.

Jonathan and I went to the firing range and shot our weapons so that Jonathan could clean mine before heading out.  I had forgotten how much fun it was to shoot at a firing range.  Taylor says she will go next time.

I'm now at Port Orange FL in a Carefree RV resort and they let me have a pull through site at Passport America price of $23.00 plus they have cable and free wi-fi, however I don't have cable long enough to go from the connection to the front of the Whim.  That's the only place I have found for a connection so during daylight hours, I'll look further.  I got 14.76 mpg on the way down to Daytona so I guess I'm getting the Whim broken in or I'm driving better.

After the Daytona Beach Flea Market tomorrow I'll head to Citrus Ridge where I'll be spending a couple of months. 

Later...

I want my Monopoly back!

In a song Jimmy Buffet says it all, "I want my Junior Mints. where did the Junior Mints go in the
Movies. I don't want a 12 lb. Nestles Crunch for 25 dollars. I Want Junior Mints."

This is exactly the way it was when I sat down Saturday night to play a simple game of Monopoly.
 
What no paper money?  No, here is your ATM card and it's preloaded with $15 million dollars.
What no Boardwalk, Marvin Gardens, Park Place Ave, Oriental Ave?  No Railroads anymore?  Replaced with airports.  The utilities are now cell and internet service!  What?  What?
Pass GO...collect $2 million dollars-not $200.
Oh, want to get out of jail?  $500,000
And my game piece?  A segway!  Yep, no shoe, hat or dog.
Oh no, I want my old Monolopy back! I'm mad as heck and I'm not going to take it anymore!


Okay, I'll admit I liked the banker with the ATM machine.  I enjoyed the game but I'm sure Jonathan and Ali got tired of me saying, "What?" "This is just wrong!"

Later...

Tybee Island, GA

We used to meet every October in Pawley's Island, SC.  There were about 10 +/- a couple each time.  We have lost 6 of our beloved friends and now there are four of us.  This was the first time we have gotten together at the beach in several years.

Tybee Island GA

First card pulled of the week.  Transformation...

Anne B finds the snake reading.

A penny for your thoughts, Ernie.

Getting ready for a feast at Sundae's Cafe.  Sherry joins us.

The beach was shrouded in a thick fog.

Strangely eerie.

Dare & technology?????

Beach Art

Just chillin

My week cards-present is the whale.

And that means what???

From the balcony of our condo

Stained glass all around

Taking a stroll looking for treasures.

Ok, Ernie, a quarter for your thoughts.

Someone had left this message on the beach.

Primordial scream...

The lighthouse

Reflection on the desolate beach just a swanging...

It was such a great renewing time with friends.  We laughed, cried, cheered and remembered our loved ones.  I had all our pictures on the computer from visits past and we realized we began this trip in 1992.  My, my how we have mellowed.  We would spend all day and some nights on the beach, this time we would take walks and then hibernate into our cocoon of the condo.  We philosophized about what's going on w/the world, w/our lives, where we are supposed to be and where we are.  We brainstormed ideas for a new business and calculated retirement for Dare and Anne. 

Before going, I wondered how I would feel since I am retired and they are now.  Alas, it didn't matter, our friendship supersedes "work" and it was a terrific feeling to know that.  Well, I knew it, it was just confirmed.  I loved the week and am so grateful for the opportunity to reconnect.

Our other friends were with us and we each said hello to:  Theda, Rick, Eddie, Larry, Deano, Wynn.  You were each such an important part of our lives and are still doing your thing.  Love Ya Mean It!

Later...

Kingsland, GA in November

Well, I made it to Jonathan's in Kingsland Ga.  It was a tough start which consisted of a stop in the Freightliner in Knoxville.  My engine light came on as I was going to leave on Saturday morning.  Talked to the Sprinter hot line and they advised to wait until it could be checked out.

Freightliner of Knoxville is a nice place and nice people.  Their RV lounge area had wonderful recliners and a TV BUT, they are not pet friendly.  So Sedona and I had to wait outside in the car for the entire visit.  I was able to get checked out and on my way around 2 pm.  Everything, including hard to find windshield wipers, was fixed and all I had to pay was for the wipers, the original warranty kicked in.  Yippee, good news.  Let's see ERG valve (Margie diagnosed), turbo resonator and a couple of other things.  Runs like a dream.

We head down I75 and by the time I got to Cartersville GA it was beginning to get heavy traffic on the interstate so I pulled off at the Walmart and checked to make sure I could stay there, bought a few items and settled down for the evening.  MY FIRST time staying in Walmart.  I had thought about it a couple times before but just never did.  I woke up about 3:30 am and decided to hit the road.  I wanted to stay out of traffic, however I feel more comfortable in the Whim navigating through traffic.

I'm heading up to Tybee Island for a few days to stay with my friends from TN and will be staying in their condo.  Whim will remain in Jonathan's driveway, which fits so much better than Somewhere.  Then Jonathan, Taylor and I have decided to enjoy Thanksgiving together and then I'll head on south to Citrus Ridge.  Too bad that I have to pay for the month of Nov at Citrus Ridge but that's the deal I made with the owners of the lot and I stick to my word.

Later...