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...

Goings On

Just have a few things to say today.  I'm looking around the Lodge and am wondering if it was my imagination in 2008 that I started selling everything in my stick n bricks and then sold my condo in 2009.  Why?  Because I still have so much stuff that came out of Somewhere and I'm trying to decide now what goes on the road with me and what stays in the Lodge.  Gosh, too many things to ponder.  Oh and do I really need that big pot that I used only a couple of times in 2 years?  I think not.  Instead of a shrimp boil, I'll go out and eat one or borrow.  Hey that sounds good, I'll just borrow.  Get ready Margie!  LOL

Home base, Deer Run RV Resort, had their Halloween celebration last weekend.  Right in the throws of getting packed & unpacked, trick or treaters!  Yep, 289 kids coming to trick or treat!  How do I know that, you may ask?  I had 11 pieces of candy left.  There were hay rides, scary dessert contests, wiener roasts, monster mash (dance) and a yard decorating contest.  It was a lot of fun and it was a beautiful weekend.  Here are a few pix of my treaters.

Hay Ride

Smurfs-there were 14 of them, cute.

Single smurf

Just a crew next door

Cute little guy

Cute little girl

1/2 of blues brothers & his sidekick

Sedona as disco dog

Hotdog, tee hee

On delivery day of the Lodge, the vent got torn from the roof.  The workers had to go back and get a new one to replace it.  In all the hussle and bussle of running in and out and strange people, Sedona goes missing.  Off I go in the car looking for her everywhere.  Neighbors go in their golf carts and then soon everyone in the neighbor hood is in their golf carts looking for her and yelling her name.  It's like a buzz of bumble bees on the roads.  My neighbor, Roger and a retired sheriffs deputy, asked if I had looked in the house.  He said that was one of the first places police were trained to look.  I said I did look at all her new hiding places but I would look again.  This time I looked in the toilet area (it has a door) and sure enough, there she was, shaking like a leaf and huddled as far back into the corner as she could get.  I thought she had run out while we were so busy.  I was so happy when I saw her, I'll have to say, my eyes leaked a little.  Another reason for a golf cart.

I have the best neighbors, Linda and Roger, yes I have another Roger in my life.  Anyway, they come on the weekends from Knoxville.  They had a rough time with the people who lived in my lot and they are just so happy that I'm here.  Roger, my 2nd house husband or is it the 3rd (so many I can't keep up), has been so helpful.  I think I told you about my mattress in The Whim being terrible, well Roger took it home with him and took it to a mattress factory in Knoxville and had a memory foam cut to go on top of it.  He has also said he will underpin and put sun screen on my windows on the Lodge.  That will be a spring and summer project.  Linda and I have a lot in common and so far, get along very well.

Had a fun time the other day, it was laundry time.  Sedona loves to go riding and off she went with me.  It was a success until it was drying time.  The driers were all not working.  I had to call the office, she sent over someone and they fixed it, 40 minutes later.  What a waste of a perfectly good day!  I see a washer/dryer in my building before long.

That just about catches you up with what's going on.  I have Direct TV connected now and I may not want to leave.  Ah but alas, I must go and I'll head out in a week or so.  The colors are so beautiful up here as is the weather.  Going to see Jonathan and Taylor before I get to Citrus Ridge.

Later...

The Lodge

Here is my new home base in Crossville.  It's a Gulfstream Lodge Series Conquest Park Model.  This was Friday when they delivered her.

Arriving

Patio Doors

Front with great windows

Sofa w/bed

Jack knife sofa & dinette

Dinette and pantry

Bedroom

Full-size refrigerator

Later...

The Whim

Here she is in all her glory.  Picked her up on Thursday and stayed in her last night.  The bed is very uncomfortable which will change soon.  It is a tight fit for me and Sedona but I think we will be just fine for a few months at a time.  She's a 21' Coachmen Freelander 2100CB, Sprinter chassis, Mercedes engine.

View with Slide out.

Building with everything from Somewhere in it.

The horrible bed, but I'm getting a memory foam topper.

The bathroom door closed.

The kitchen

AC/DC TV w/DVD arm swivels & can be seen from anywhere in the coach.

The dinette/sofa makes a bed and Sedona seems to enjoy it.

The cab over bed that you can't get in, no ladder.  Will be good storage.

From the back looking forward.

The slide

Back w/storage door open.

The Whim and Grey Goose

Later...

New Home Base

I've told everyone about buying my lot at Deer Run RV Resort in Crossville  TN.  Love it here and this time of year is just the best.  Our colors on the Plateau are beautiful and from what I hear better than the Smoky Mountains.  But you all just keep going up there and increasing that traffic from the interstate to Pigeon Forge and leave us in peace!  LOL

But I digress.  I have purchased a park model for my lot and it is going to be delivered tomorrow, Thurs.  It is a Gulf Stream Conquest Lodge Series 398DL3.  I don't have pictures yet but as soon as she gets home, I'll post many pictures both inside and out.  I'm really excited and I love this place so much that I'll be glad to call it my home base.

As if that's weren't enough changes for me, I also downsized Somewhere to The Whim!  I saw and fell in love with the 21' Coachman Freedlander 2100CB.  We worked such a deal that I'll be traveling in a much, much smaller rolling home.  It has one slide and is on a Sprinter chassis and a Mercedes Diesel engine.  It will be interesting to see how Sedona and I adjust to such a small home for a few months at a time.  Again, pictures of The Whim when I get her home.  My BFF, Debbie, suggested the name.  She said you bought it on a whim and you can travel on a whim so it just seemed to be the name for her.

Now the fun has begun.  Since Sunday I have been taking everything out of Somewhere and putting it in my building.  For the next few days/weeks I'll be setting my new home up and trying to decide what to leave and what to take.  I am exhausted tonight and I'm not finished and the weather is not cooperating either.  The temps are plummeting.  Tonight is going to 39 and 35 tomorrow night.  Highs in the 50's which wouldn't be bad if the rain and wind stop.

Well that's a quick update on what's going on with me.  In addition to all of the above, we are getting ready for our Halloween party in the park Saturday night.  From what I hear it's a big deal, the campground is full and all the cabins and trailers are rented for this night.  Sure hope I have purchased enough candy.  No costume for me this year, just a little too much going on for me.  Look out next year.

Later...

Sedona's first kayaking trip

Today was an absolutely beautiful day on the Cumberland Plateau so off to "my" lake to kayak.  I decided Sedona should go too.  Her first time in the kayak on the water.  She did great!

Shoreline where the cabins are.

Colors are beginning to change.

Sedona started our sitting between my legs.

View of inspiration pointe.

Sedona wanted to get a better view and got a little braver.

Ok, so she decided she wanted to just lie on the boat and be comfortable.

Add caption

She sees something that got her attention.

This is fun!

Until she got restless and decided she could just walk off the boat.  Yep, in she goes.  Thank goodness I had her leash on her.  I have a lifejacket for her but she freezes on the land and in the water with it on.  She survived the dip in the water and probably won't try that again.  It was a great day.

A story for you that has nothing to do with Sedona or kayaking but it's funny and I have to share it.  My nephew, Roy, got a 24' travel trailer to take to Corbin KY while he worked on the railroad up there.  So he got everything set up and working.  Then he called me to say his hot water was not staying hot.  He would take a shower and the water would be warm and then turn cold.  What should he do?  We went through everything I knew to do and then he called me one day and said.  "you know that problem I was having with the hot water?"  Yes.  "Well, I hate to tell you this but the hot water was from the water hose being out in the sun and as soon as the water ran through it turned cold again."  LOL, LOL, LOL  Oh my goodness, I got the biggest laugh out of that.  As it turned out our friend a spider had built his nest in the tube and gas wasn't getting to the hot water heater.  The sun was heating the water hose and that is what he thought was his hot water heating.

A Land Barron-once again!

Yesterday I signed the papers and registered the deed for my new RV lot in Crossville TN.  It is at Deer Run RV Resort which has an owner section, RV campground and cabins for rent.

NO I'm not coming off the road.  I just needed a place to call my own and I'll be able to be close to family and friends when I come up maybe in the spring and summer/fall.  I'll still be a snow bird and travel with the sun during the winter.  It may be FL, or TX or AZ, who knows, that's why I'm not giving up my wheels.

The view from my patio to the woods, nothing will be developed here.

A 10X16 building

And the work begins...

Roy helps out on the power washing.

Left power washed-right not power washed.

Can you say clean concrete?

Yep, sure was dirty.

Getting it clean for my first party.

Almost finished and looking good.

View from the road looking at my lot.

 I move Somewhere on tomorrow and will take up residence until sometime in October.  I'll get to watch the UT-Vol games and from what I hear it's a riot at the park during the games.  Gotta find me a golf cart but not sure if I'll get it now or wait until next spring.  The only thing I don't like about the park is that it's not fully paved.  Roads are gravel but maybe someday that will be done.  It wasn't enough of a negative for me not to buy.

Everyone is welcome to come visit.  Oh, & did I say "I'm NOT coming off the road."  Catch me if you can.

Later...

Movies, Coons and Knees...

I'm back in Englewood TN awaiting my cruise next week.  What's been going on?

A group of about 9 women went to see The Help in Cleveland the other day.  I and some of the others had read the book so we decided to get together and go to see the movie.  There were tears and laughter.  The scriptwriter seemed to know when to lighten the mood from those tears to interjecting a laughter spot at just the right moment.  The movie was true to the book.  It was a fun day out with the girls.

And the coons invade...I was awaken early one Sunday morning to the sound of gun fire.  Yep, never know what's going to go on up in the holler, aka, hollow.  I went outside and Tina was standing under the awning and Roy, well, didn't know where he was but Sedona had run to her thunder/gunfire hiding spot in Somewhere.  Tina said there was a family of five coons that had gone up the steps into the attic of the garage.  So Roy gets his gun and marches up there and is trying to get rid of them.  Now there were five of them supposedly and two scamper down the steps and head out the side door as fast as their little legs could carry them.  One ran on the ledge and looked out the garage door at Tina and I and we head in Somewhere thinking he was coming after us.  Roy reloaded and began another round.  A little one falls out of the attic and tries to hide, down comes Roy and finished him off.  So we accounted for four coons living in the attic and apparently had been there for some time. 

The excitement was over and we began surveying the damage.  A shot came out of the front of the garage and if it had been a little lower it would have hit my car.  OMG, what were you thinking.  It was funny at the time and later.  Like I said, you never know what's going to happen up in the holler.

Oh I didn't tell you this revolver is a .22 and the barrell is about 9" long.  So just imagine a 6'2" guy coming down the attic steps carrying this "huge" gun trying to shoot a raccoon.  Can you say Clint Eastwood?

The pain in my knee is back and I went last week for another shot of cortisone to get me through the cruise.  When I return I'll start a series of shots, Supartz, for five weeks.  It's supposed to stimulate the synovial fluid to thicken so it will cushion the knee and hopefully suspend knee surgery for a few years, not a replacement, just surgery to clean it up/out.  So I'll be here for a few more weeks and I'll head to FL the middle of Oct.

Haven't heard from Disney yet so let's hope that I'll be working this winter.  I had way too much time on my hands last winter.

That's about all I've got to report, more will come...

...Later...