May 26, 2006

I am so disgusted with this computer. You are probably getting tired of hearing me complain about it. If it's not one thing, it is another. Actually, it has not been a good marriage since the beginning. I guess I will start looking for another one. Last night I had all but completed a post when I received a phone call. The computer went into hybernation and I lost everything I had worked on. I will begin again -

Last Sat. night I had the priviledge of attending the PHHS senior prom held at the Richmond Science Museum. What a delight! Are young woman more beautiful than they ever were? It seems so. We were allowed to view the seniors as they paraded around the outdoor portico. I took photos but many were too dark. I am very proud of my grandson - proud for the person he is, his accomplishments, his steadfastness and his character. He will attend VA Tech this year. He will do the Hokies proud. I hope to camp over in Blacksburg in the fall and perhaps get into see a football game. Tickets are hard to come by.

I am slowly putting stuff away in the "basement" of Bearfoot. Sebastian and I will leave early Tuesday morning although we need to fill up with propane first. I think I will stay at a Flying J or Walmart the first night and then stop at a campground the second so I can empty my tanks in preparation for a lengthy period of dry camping.

Tonight is awards night at the HS. Grandson is receiving several. It is hard to believe that the two boys I witnessed entering this world 18 years ago are grown men. I stand in awe of them. Eldest grandson, by 5 mos., will graduate first from Otter Valley Union HS in Vermont. He will be moving to Boston to work while he decides what it is he wants to do in his life. He is a born leader and teacher.

I am getting cold feet again about driving over the Rockies. I do plan to head west but not quite that far this year. I started making a list of things to see on the trip. There are so many places to stop and explore on this side of the Continental Divide that I think I will take my time. I do want to see my friend in Grand Jct., CO but I can fly there easily. She may be moving to Austin in the near future. Austin, TX is much easier for me to get to with the coach than over those big mts. My bravery is a fickle thing.

I like this photo of the beach in SC taken on the trip up.

photos from the concert, Mothers Day

May 16, 2006

I have been scouting around this morning looking for free wi fi service since the one I have been using at the campground seems to be down for a couple of days. Lightning maybe, since we have had lots of storms. I am happy to see S. FL is getting some rain at last. Need to dampen those fires. I noted one was in Lee Co and I wonder if it was near Bonita Beach. The sun is out here today but more rain on the way apparently. I attended the play "Singing in the Rain" sat. night performed by the PH HS players. My grandson played in the orchestra. It was very well done. Quite a challenge for HS players. Sunday, I joined my family for church services and then sped back to the CG to walk Sebastian. Sunday afternoon, my grandson played in the CBS6 Wind Ensemble given at the Short Pump Mall. The rain threatened but it cleared up nicely and the music was grand. These were the cream of the crop of music students from all over Central VA. They were handpicked to join this ensemble. After the concert, we went across the street to Bertuccis for a late dinner. I drove home to Ashland in pouring rain after dark. That is something I don't wish to repeat.

Today was Botoxin shots day for my eye spasms. Now I should be good to go for another 3 - 4 mos. I am enjoying meeting old friends. Sat. night is the senior prom and we get to go to the senior walk at 10 p.m. As the month comes to a close, the need to get everything off my "to do" list increases.

Enjoy the photos. I think Bashey is saying, "When are we going on the road again?" The other pic is a shot of our home at Americamps.

May 12, 2006

We have enjoyed a lovely day today after some scary storms yesterday. The weather front came in from the west bringing strong T-storms, hail, gusty winds and tornados. I took down all my awnings and battened down the hatches so to speak just in case but all we had here in Ashland was rain. Tonight the moon is full and I am grateful for clear skys. I went to Walmart today to buy some noodles. You know those long foam tubes used in pools. I put them under my slide-out canvas since it has stretched a bit and collects rain water and all sorts of debris from the trees. The noodles lift and support the little dip in the canvas allowing the water to slide off.

My daughter has planned a very active weekend for me. Tomorrow we go to see "Singing In The Rain" done by our local HS. My grandson will be playing in the band. He is graduating this year and has received a 4 yr. scholarship to VA Tech. In addition, he received a 4 yr Leadership Award which will pay his other expenses. He is quite a young man. I am very proud of him. Sunday for Mother's Day, we are going to an outdoor concert by this same young man and then out to dinner at Bertuccis, one of my favorite places. This entire month has been devoted to my VA family activities as well as my own personal catch-up with doctors, dentists etc. I am gradually working my way through the list.

Try this recipe for Brussels Sprouts:
peel off the outer leaves and slice in half or quarters according to how large they are. Toss in a bowl with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. Bake at 375 degrees for about 40 mins. or so. Toss occasionally during the baking. They come out crispy on the outside and delicious inside. I actually like them the next day, cold with a bit more olive oil, a touch of lemon juice and a piece of crusty bread. Yummy and so healthy.

I will post some pics soon. Enjoy your springtime wherever you are.

May 9, 2006

After a day and a half of steady rain, Bash and I are ready to climb the walls. It is cold too for us here in VA. I have had the munchies all day today. Went shopping to get out of the MH. Tomorrow promises to be a better day. I have been studying maps and camping books trying to map out a route for my trip westward. My tentative plan is to leave in August. Any advice would be welcome from those of you who have travelled westward by motor vehicle.

My daughter here has just sold their home so they will be moving soon. Not out of the area but closer to the HS. They are now 45 mins or so from the school. It has been difficult for everyone since the children went to HS. This move will ease the travel time, stress and expenses.

I watched the Dr. Phil show today on child abuse in the home. I am terribly upset by the abuse that children in this age. There is a great deal of anger, out of control anger, children are the victims and used as vehicles of that anger since they cannot fight back. They are innocent, don't understand and have no where to turn. Dr. Phil can only make a difference one family at a time. Hopefully, as people see others abusing their children, they will seek help for their troubled existence. We must somehow help the innocent children of this world.

May 5, 2006

Retyping this post. Lost it somewhere. I am currently in Ashland, VA surrounded by RIR race fans who can party. After Myrtle Beach, SC during Easter break, this seems calm. I did enjoy Easter dinner with my family in Myrtle Beach however. It was lovely being with my sis and her family especially since I missed Thanksgiving and Christmas last year. I just posted some pics of Hilton Head and Bearfoot on the ferry. You can find them in the previous post under "photos". I am catching up on VA family activities while I am here. Here are some recent photos from Oriental, NC.

Photos

These are pics of Bearfoot crossing the Cherry Branch Ferry on the Neuse River near Havelock, NC, yours truly at the helm of Stars and Stripes in Hilton Head, SC. Bugs in my teeth from grinnin', and the skipper of Stars and Stripes before we left the dock.

April 10, 2006

I have reverted back to modem dial up. I have had very little success in finding wireless (free) or at least cheap wireless on the way northward. I have been able to receive email sometimes but not allowed to send out any responses. To those of you who are wondering why I haven't responded to your emails, please be patient. I think this is something to do with my firewall set up but I don't know how to fix it. I am currently in Myrtle Beach, SC parked near the ocean. The weather although clear and sunny is cool but expect the temps to go up in the 80's in a couple of days. Should be a very warm Easter Sunday. Ralph and I had a great time in Hilton Head, SC. I will attach a couple of pics of me at the helm of the old 12 meter Americas Cup racing sloop, Stars and Stripes. It was, for me, a tremendous thrill to steer this old beauty in a stiff breeze. I also got to help 3 guys hoist the mainsail which goes 95' up the mast. It is very very hard work and I was terribly sore in my shoulders for a few days. It was probably foolish on my part to volunteer. We also kayaked on Broad Creek which is the same name of the Creek I lived on in Whortonsville, NC back when. Enjoy the photos. Ralph is back at the coach baking bread, Oatmeal, I think. My dear Bearfoot is currently in storage nearby. Can't seem to post photos on this site right now but will try again later.

April 4, 2006

Photos of the interior of Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL. Can you imagine eating in this dining room.=?


Hello everyone from sunny, warm Hilton Head, SC. Everything is in bloom here. We have been biking the island and kayaking the creeks. Here are some photos:

April 2nd, 2006

These shots were taken in St. Augustine except for the one of the Budweiser Clydesdale sta tue and me clowning around. That was taken in Jacksonville, FL. Jacksonville is a lovely place to visit. I was pleasantly surprise.Hilton Head, SC. Lovely weather here and this park is one of the best I have stayed in. They now have wireless in part of the park too which makes it nice. I am sitting up by the water now online.Going kayaking tomorrow morning. Should be a good time. Went biking around downtown on the Island today and had a burger at the Hilton Beach resort out by the ocean. Bearfoot is running fine after all the repairs. Luckily, it didn't cost me a dime since it was all covered by warranty. It would have been at least a $1000 or perhaps more.

March 29, 2006

You can't keep an old teacher away from a school. Yummy, ice cream on St. George St., St. Augustine.
Jacksonville, FL - We are here to pick up Bearfoot from Caulkin Chevy where the repairs were made. I can't say enough good things about Workhorse Chassis and this Chevy garage. They really came through for me. I have all new brakes all the way around plus they did some recall work on the catalytic converter and the dashboard. We will move on Sat. up to Hilton Head SC. I am posting from a Starbuck's WiFi hot spot. I have some beautiful photos of St. Augustine which I have to download on this computer but will post them soon.

March 26, 2006

For all my readers who are emailing me, please know that I am receiving your mail but am unable to send out replies for some sad reason. I am now in a cafe in downtown St. Augustine, FL using their wireless system but my outgoing mail seems blocked.

Bashey and I had a harrowing experience on the way up here the other day. We were enjoying the ride but I needed some lunch so I stopped at a station, ran in to get a sandwich. When I restarted the MH, the brake pedal went to the floor and a warning light came on the dash. I pumped on the pedal a bit and got some pressure back but then it went right down to the floor with a thump. Pumped on it again while I debated what I should do. Decided to try to limp along for the next 2 hours to St. Augustine since I was in the middle of no where on Rt. 20. I had an emergency stop plan if I should need it but as I moved slowly on without using the brakes except when absolutely necessary. I used the transmission more and stayed back away from others. Plus I had the car braking system. Not that those brakes would stop a 21,000# vehicle. When I got here and met Ralph, we decided to call the Workhorse Chassis people. They told me there was still a full warranty on my chassis until May and felt the brakes were dragging and then building up heat to a boiling point. They called a large tow truck and found a Workhorse certified repair shop up in Jacksonville, FL. Bearfoot is up there now and I don't know when it will be back on the road. Supposed to move up to GA on Wed. this week so hope I can go. In the meantime, we are sightseeing and enjoying this historic city. The weather is cool but sunny.

My heart goes out to my friends who have just allowed their beloved Sis to pass over to a better place. What joy Sis brought to everyone she greeted.

Congratulations to the new Great Grandparents of Boston Emory. Can't believe you all are great grand parents. Picture of babe looks like his mom.

Happy Spring!

It has been awhile since I have been able to post to this blog. I left Lake San Marino on March 13th and came to Tampa where I am having some service work done on Bearfoot. It is taken longer than I had expected which is just about always the case. Luckily, Sebastian and I having been staying about 10miles away with some friends rather than staying in the coach in a service bay. What happens here at Lazy Days is when you come for service you are allowed to stay in your coach at night only. That means that you spend the days doing something else. Most people hang out in the large and comfortable service pavillion with its numerous tv's, starbucks coffee bar, wireless internet, sofas and chairs, and clean restrooms. Dogs are welcome there too. We stayed one night in the parking lot. Sebastian's feet and legs turned dark grey from walking on the dirty blacktop all the time. He was a mess and has since had a bath. He does need another haircut though. I guess I will try to find a groomer in my next stop which is St. Augustine, FL. I hope to get out of here tomorrow or at the latest on Wed. My reservations begin Wed. on the beach in St. Augustine. I will meet my friend Ralph there too. Bashey and I are getting itchy to begin rolling again. It was sad leaving Naples and my friends and family but once I was on the road, I was ready to keep going. Everything has an ending and then there are new adventures. The weather is grand here except there hasn't been rain in 6 weeks so it is very dry. The wind is blowing today which means the threat of grass fires goes way up. We have had several bad ones. Where I am staying there are wild peacocks roaming about calling that poignant cry that sounds a bit like a cat or a baby. I haven't spotted them yet but they appear to be quite near. I will post some photos as soon as I can. Right now I am sitting on a bench outside of Lazy Days where I can receive their wireless network. Have a grand spring day, a day of renewal and rebirth. If the weather is bad where you are, go out and buy some tulips or daffodils. I have always done that in the early spring. They provide much cheer.

March 8, 2006

Our bike club, The Pelican Pete Pedlars, rode out to Everglade City yesterday south of Naples in the heart of the everglades. We saw a great deal of remaining damage from the hurricanes of last season and the year before. They have been battered pretty badly there. I did learn that we only have 25% of the everglades remaining now since our government drained much of the swamp years ago before we realized the importance of this ecosystem. Then the infringment of developers has taken a great deal of the marshland. What remains is teaming with wildlife though. At least that is what we saw but I am sure that much has been lost. We had lunch next to the tiny post office at a Cuban restaurant. The grouper sandwich was the best I have ever had and was served with some Cuban coleslaw and chips. There are a couple of charming galleries that sell local indian beadwork, paintings and pottery. The wind was in our faces all the way back and made it difficult. But as I glanced in the creek that flows along the road, there were two manatees. We had taken the boat trip from the State Park out to the Gulf of Mexico. There were many Dolphins playing around the boat. A few pelicans too. We didn't see any Bald Eagles but they are seen regularly on that trip. I will post some pictures of this fragile, battered but still beautiful area. Today I begin packing things up in anticipation of leaving on Monday. I have mixed feelings - a desire to get moving, to see my family but also sad to leave this area that has been my home since Dec.

March 4, 2006

Ok! The secret is out. This is what I do while in FL. I want to share a poem I wrote about the ocean. It is, I think, what would be classified as an environmental statement actually. There has been much said lately on our local tv about the debris along the roads. It washes down into the streams that flow out to the Gulf and then the Gulf spits it back up on our beautiful beaches.

I call it Restless Ocean--

Knocking on the shore
Berms, dunes, fences, grasses
A wall built by man
to keep her visits to
a minimum.
She comes to her shore
like an unwelcome relative.
She comes to claim what is hers.
Man opens windows
to allow her to come in.
She comes, she claims
every twelve hours.
She drags it back with her
As she spits out
plastic bottles, cans - debris,
flotsam, jetsum -
Sort of - except
it doesn't come from the Ocean but from
shore; from her visits
through those open windows.
Gifts of welcome?
I think not.

Hope your weekend is safe and pleasant.

March 3, 2006

We went down to the weekly Thursday celebration on Third Street last night. On the way there, we took some shots of the sunset on the Gulf of Mexico. I want to share those with you. We ran into a rather energetic group from Lake San Marino, joined them and ended up dancing to lively trio on the street. The evening ended with ice cream cones all around at the Gourmet Scoop. I got up this morning to clean my grill. I want to begin to pack my things back in the MH and the grill was pretty nasty. There are roofers here putting a new roof on the house next door to me so it is rather loud. Enjoy these photos.

March 2, 2006 Photos

Grand kids watching a Gopher Turtle in it's nesting grounds at Bearfoot Beach preserve in Bonita Springs, FL. Treking along the trail at the Audoubon's Corkscrew Wildlife Preserve with guidebook in hand. Little Blue Heron preening in a tree.

February 28, 2006

Have I got some great photos to share with you? You bet! Plenty of activities here around Bearfoot in the last couple of weeks. My daughter and two young children arrived a week ago. We were happily crowded into this motorhome with baggage stowed up under the steering wheel, beds had to be converted to eating and sitting areas during the day and wet towels hung around until taken out side and hung over the awning supports. We really looked like gypseys. Bash loved having the kids to play with although sometimes he grew tired of it and growled. I must admit there were times when it would have been a relief to growl but we managed to have a good time. We beached it, pooled it and visited the Audoubon Nature Reserve which is 1000 acres of wildlife walkways, as well as Manatee Park in Ft. Myers. We ate lots of pizza and shared a birthday dinner with my sister at Boca de Beppos italian family restaurant. We didn't bike because it would have meant renting a bike with training wheels for my granddaughter. I developed bronchitis, yes, again, at the beginning of their visit. Now they are gone and I am finally better. I did bike 20 miles today with a minimal amount of coughing. Computer will not load photos tonight so will try tomorrow. Ciao!

February 17, 2006

Summer weather here once again. Beaching tomorrow at Lover's Cay near Ft. Myers. Fun luncheon yesterday at Sneaky Petes for the Pelican Pete Pedlars bike club. 72 people attended. I will have a photo of the group soon. My sis and bro-in-law, me and my partner went to the Bay House Restaurant the other night for early bird specials. What a lovely view they have. I have attached a picture. Also there is a picture of Sebastian and me sitting beside Bearfoot. I have a young nephew in Hartford, NY who requested a photo of Bashey and me so it was taken. Company is coming. Yippee!

Recent photos

February 15, 2006

Guess who the manatee is?????
Happy Valentine's Day, one day late. Bike yesterday in the very unusually cold temps for this part of FL in February. But by mid-day it was up in the low 60's. I received some delicious hand made chocolate and a lovely card. Bought myself some red tulips that I am enjoying right now. They are in a vase in front of one of my windows. I really like them. I have been watching the Olympic Games each night and then taping the late night show so I can watch it the next morning. What beautiful scenery! I enjoy watching all the young athletes from around the world too. Many surprises as always. The skating and skiing are my favorite events. Tomorrow our biker group is dressing in red and biking to a local restaurant for a Valentine luncheon. The spouses will be meeting us there. Last time I heard there were 72 of us. My sis and I attended a fashion show luncheon yesterday. It was a nice lunch with many other women in the park. Got us all fired up to go buy some new duds. I liked the models they used. They were all women who were built pretty much like us not skinny. I sat in the sunshine today with Ralph at a beach restaurant where we had a burger for lunch. It has been cool for so long, the warm sunshine was most welcome. Both my sis and I are preparing for children and grandchildren to visit next week. Should be fun!

Clam Pass Beach and the Eagles at the reserve

Fun at Lake San Marino and Bashey

Homosassa Springs State Park Refuge

February 8, 2006

Here I am again. I went north to Homosassa Springs FL for two days and then south to Brooksville, FL which is 40 miles north of Tampa to a Family Motor Coach Rally. The weather was superb the first two days but when we moved south, it turned very cold and windy. Then the rains came - thunder and lightning constantly for 2 days bringing a total of 7" of rain to the area. There was lots of flooding in and around Brooksville/Tampa. We were parked on a runway of the Hernando Co. Airport and felt lucky to be out of the mire although the wind was fierce. I didn't bring the proper clothing. I guess since it is FL and Feb., I thought it would be warmer but did I ever have a realty check. I put on everything I had with me and borrowed warm socks. The assoc. provided shuttle service to the vendors and entertainment but since it was a wagon pulled by a pickup truck, it was colder than walking the half mile to the big tents. One night it was raining so hard that we didn't even leave the coach. It can be claustrophobic when one is confined to a motor coach for over 24 hours. Now the rain on the roof can be very romantic and causes cuddling but when it is pounding and mixed with hail, reading is about all one can do. Watching tv is a hearing challenge - it is essential to have a good book or two. We are both avid readers so we came prepared.

Back to Homosassa Springs State park - it is a place of refuge and healing for animals of all types. We saw many manatees as well as numerous other animals, fish and birds. The flamingos are fascinating and came as a visual, colorful feast for my eyes. The bald eages were sad because they were in confinement but at least they were safe. We took numerous pictures and made a video tape. I will post a page or two of some of the photos just for fun.

Stopped in Tampa on the return trip to visit with some good friends and then back to Naples on Monday this week. Biking came early on Tues. morning. Our group is larger than ever. We now have 4 groups of 20 each. We rode almost 19 miles on monday. We stop at points of interest such as the beach, a great gourmet food store and a fast food place. It is great fun. As I looked in my rear view mirror I watched the long line of riders, all seniors, in their safety glow green shirts. I wish someone would take a video of our long line. We have a valentine ride with luncheon for non-riding partners/spouses coming up. So far almost 80 people have signed up.

We are also taking ballroom dance lessons on monday evenings. Some of the dances are theme dances to prepare us for the upcoming dances to be held here at the resort. There will be a valentine dance and a western theme dance soon along with a street dance. No moss grows on anyone around here.

I am finally beginning to organize my coach basement. There is a yard sale this weekend at each rv site and I want to take this opportunity to rid myself of some of my junk. I hope you are all enjoying a mild winter and will soon be seeing the change in light that occurs each Feb. up north. The winter will soon be over. We have actually had a cool, windy but dry winter for the most part. I finally spent a few hours sprawled on the beach the other day but that was the first time since arriving here Dec. 3rd.

Watch for the photo postings-
Blessings to all

February 8, 2006

My loyal readers, please bear with me. I have been away and since returning, have been overwhelmed with laundry, mail etc. Tonite I hope to post here and also download some GREAT
photos I took while I was traveling. More later-----

January 23, 2006

Yours truly at Cambier Park for the sunday band concert and the concert. Jazz - Great! What incredible weather we are having. Biked today for 16 miles through some of the lovliest neighborhoods I have visited. We are a growing bike club and were 50 today divided into three groups. We rode in the middle group because we like the leader and the pace is brisk but manageable. We may move back up to the fast group when my friend is better conditioned. We stopped at Calistoga's today for some great coffee and pastries. It is rather like Panera Bread for those of you who are familiar with that sort of coffee/bread shop. My sister and I went to Bonita for haircuts today. When I got home, the sunset was beautiful so I grabbed the camera and Bashey to head for the Lake here for a super shot. Well, we got there just as the color disappeared so will try again. Sunsets here are time for celebration and people all around the area go to the Gulf to watch the sun set. Happens every single day without fail. (the celebration is what I mean). Some bring a drink and toast the setting sun while others just stand in awe. Reminds me of being in the Carribean Islands where we always celebrated the sunset sometime more enthusiastically than others. We always watched for the green flash but few ever see it. I saw it twice but I also had drank a few rum punches.

Bashey and his little minnie poodle cousin, Rose are going to Doggie Beach near Lover's Key this week then we will bathe them after. Here are some photos for your enjoyment --