MARCH 31, 2011

Well today was another travel day. We left Goreville,IL and started up north in Illinois. We knew we were in IL because the road was bumpy & patched. We made it to Weldon Springs & we are at a campsite in a state park. We got here about 4:30, got hooked up & got the grill going for supper.We got settled in for the night & heard a helicopter which sounded low. We looked out a window & saw a huge fire in the park, which looked close! Richard ran outside with a flashlight (it's dark in the park at night) to check it out. By the time he walked to where it seemed to be , the helicopter must have sprayed something to put it out. It was farther away than it looked. Maybe we will find out tomorrow what that was all about.Well tomorrow we unfortunately will be on our last leg home.

MARCH 30, 2011 - WED

We found out that the Loretta Lynn Ranch was open, only the RV park was closed until April 1, so since we were only about 10 miles away we decided to go see it. It was great. We got to tour her mansion, a replica of her childhood home & a replica of a coal mine that was so realistic we felt like we were down in a mine. It was well worth the ride there. Then we got on the road toward home. We took a different route than yesterday, not hilly or winding. We crossed over the TN/KY state line then across part of KY and crossed the Ohio River which divides KY & IL. We are staying tonight in Goreville,IL at a State Park. It is at the southern tip of IL

MARCH 29, 2011 - MON

We started the day by going to the Jack Daniel's distillery. It was an hour tour, and it really was very interesting. They have beautiful grounds & visitor center. We came back to our "dinky little" campsite & hooked up the trailer & got on our way toward Ky. First we turned the wrong way out of the campsite & had to go a way to turn around (just can't turn around an RV pulling a trailer anywhere) the we stopped for gas & the turn to leave the pump was too sharp to make & the RV can't back up with the trailer attached, so I had to back my car off the trailer & Richard had to unhook the trailer so he could back up the RV. When we got back on the road, we decided to take a back road instead of the interstate to avoid Nashville, which was so congested coming down. Well the road had construction with a detour which took us into a neighborhood with a bridge we would not be able to fit under. Luckily we saw a police car & the policeman was very nice & even drew us a map with a short cut to get back on the road. We started down Rt 13 in Tn & oh my goodness it was so hilly & winding ! Richard took it in stride & did great, but I was scared stiff! Also it was already 3:30 & we had no campsite reservation, & we were in the back hills of TN. I looked in all of our books & saw that Loretta Lynn's ranch had an RV park & we were about 1 hour away, so I called & wouldn't you know it - the RV park was closed until April 1! Luckily they told us of another campsite not far from them. So that is where we are now. It's a nice campsite in Camden, TN right by the river. What an adventure today was! (The picture of us is with a statue of Jack Daniels, the one of me is outside the visitor's center & the one of Richard is inside)

MARCH 28, 2011 - MON

Today was a long driving day. We left Dothan, Alabama about 8:00 this morning and made it to Lawrenceburg, TN around 3:30 this afternoon. It was a tiring drive, very hilly and a lot of traffic through Birmingham, AL. We are staying the night at a" little dinky" campsite. There is no TV and the internet only works when it wants to (so I might not be able to finish this post tonight),so we played cards, but it was a hard drive for Richard and this was the only campsite in the area of the Jack Daniel's plant which has tours we heard were really interesting. It's about an hour away from here. The tours start at 9:00, so we plan on getting there early, then we can continue north & find another campsite for tomorrow night. (One night here is enough for us!)

MARCH 27, 2011 - SUN

Today being Sun. was a laid-back rainy day. We went to church, went shopping for some supplies, did laundry. Richard watched a race & I read my Nook. We made hamburgers on the grill in between rain. We plan on leaving early tomorrow, so we got everything ready today. Got the bikes on the car & the car on the tow dolly. Depending on the weather, we are going to try & make Tenn. tomorrow. There are some things we want to see & do there.

MARCH 26, 2011 - SAT

Today we went to a park that had a 4.6mile bike trail which we went on. It was paved but hilly. A good work-out. Then we went to a park called Landmark which had an old time village with the original structures. We also went on the nature trails there. One trail had a raised boardwalk through the park.That was neat. Alabama is known as the peanut capital. There are peanut things all over. There are statues of peanuts as different people. We had our picture taken at the visitors center with an Elvis peanut. In the evening we went to a show.

MARCH 25, 2011 - FRIDAY

Today was a travel day. We are starting our trip back home. We left Florida, crossed the state line into Georgia, then crossed another state line into Alabama. It was about a 6 hour drive. We are staying at Pecan Point, an RV campsite in Dothan, Al. we stayed in on our way down. After we got all hooked up into our campsite, we decided to find where a Catholic Church was, since it was Fri. & lent we thought maybe they would would be serving a fish fry & we were right. The church was only about 10 min. away. They served a delicious dinner. Being the South, instead of serving baked potato or french fries with the meal, they serve grits. (which were very good, I thought - Richard doesn't care for them). Everyone there was very friendly. We will be here the weekend. We haven't decided yet where we will go from here. We are taking our time making our way back North.

MARCH 24, 2011 - THURSl

Since today is our last day in Fl., we spent the day at Daytona Beach again. Another beautiful day. Richard is getting good with his detector - today he found a key, a bracelet. 6 quarters & 2 pennies. Some guys on the beach made a turtle out of sand. It was so neat, I'll post a picture of it.We heard about a lighthouse that you can go up into further down the beach. We got there at about 5:15, but the last tour was at 5:00. We were disappointed but at least we got a picture of it.Tomorrow we start heading North to Alabama.

MARCH 23,2011 - WED

Since we were sunburned from yesterday at the beach, we didn't want to be in the sun today. So we decided to do some sight -seeing. We even saw signs saying to watch for bears! We didn't realize that there were bears around Fl. Then we went to the Daytona Racetrack. We went on a tour of the place. That racetrack is huge. It is where the Daytona 500 race is held.We even got to go on the racetrack. The incline is so steep, it is amazing the cars can stay on it without tipping over. It's the speed the cars are going, that keeps them on the track. We saw signs saying boiled peanuts since we have been in Fl, so we had to try them. We stopped at a roadside little shop to get some. well--- they were terrible! The fellow at the shop said it is a southern thing.The peanuts are hot & mushy---we say yuck!!!

MARCH 22, 2011 - TUES

Well we are both a little sore tonight. We spent the day at Dayton Beach again today. Great weather, Richard found 22 cents & a pair of sunglasses with his detector. We had a good time, but a little too much sun. We both got sunburned, we forgot to use suntan lotion today, and we were there from about 11:30 a.m. till about 6:00 p.m., I don't think we will make that mistake again. Thank goodness for Noxzema!

MARCH 21,2011 - MON

We are at Wilderness RV Park in Silver Springs, Fl. Another extremely clean campsite. We spent the day at Silver Springs's Nature Park. We took a tour on a glass bottom boat & saw,fish,turtles & alligators! The water was so clear we could see down about 40 ft. It was amazing! We saw many alligators from baby ones to HUGE ones. We also saw many exotic birds we have never seen before, even flamingos! We also went on a "lighthouse ride" which went up 88 ft. & slowly turns to see a neat view of the park. We did a lot of walking too. We are 62 miles from Daytona Beach, so that's where we are headed tomorrow.

MARCH 20, 2011 - SUNDAY

Today was a laid-back Sunday. We went to a little catholic church, St.Jude. We could tell it was a poorer church. They had no pews only chairs and no kneelers. All races were represented & everyone was friendly. Richard spent the day watching a race on T.V. and I went to Walmart, which was down the street for some supplies.(just like home) It was very warm around 85. Later we did our laundry - fun! The RV park does have a very nice laundry, but expensive $1.75 for washers & the same for dryers. Tomorrow we are leaving here for another campsite which is closer to Daytona Beach. We had such a good time there, we decided to spend another day there before we start heading North toward home.

MARCH 19, 2011 - SAT.

Today was super! We spent the day at Daytona Beach. It was about 1 hr 45 min. from our campsite. Richard got to walk the beach with his detector on his 66th birthday!! He was thrilled.( By the way, he found 52 cents today!) The beach is fantastic. You drive your car right on the sand! The water was great, the temp. was about 84. We had a great time.

MARCH 18,2011 - FRI

We made it to Ocala, Fl. it was only about a 3 hr. drive from Port Richey. We are at Ocala Sun RV Resort. It's extremely nice. After we got all set up we biked to the pool which is super. Richard did some swimming & I relaxed by the pool with my Nook. In the evening we took a walk around the campsite. There are a lot of really big fancy RV's here, but our "old girl" is just fine for us.Everyone is friendly.

MARCH 17, 2011 - THURS.

We had a fun day today. In the morning Richard & Jim went kayaking. It was a new adventure for Richard. He enjoyed it, but was tired because they were rowing against a current. We spent the afternoon at" Honeymoon Beach" with Jim & Terri and friends of theirs. It was a beautiful sunny day. Richard found 1 nickel & 1 penny with his detector! I walked the beach looking for pretty shells and managed to trip over a rock & fall flat on my stomach! I didn't get hurt only bent my baby toe, but I sure was covered with sand - leave it to me! We also saw dolphins playing in the water & pelicans catching fish. The water was pretty warm, it was gulf water. Leaving tomorrow for Ocala, Fl. for the weekend.

MARCH 16,2011 - WED.

Well we made it to Suncoast RV campsite in Port Richey. It was only about a 3 hr. ride from Orlando.Jim & Terrie's site is just across from us. The campsite is completely filled. After we got all set up, we went with them for a bike ride down by the Gulf. The water was beautiful & WE SAW OUR FIRST ALLIGATOR!!! It was a baby (about 3 ft long). That was neat. They also told us to spray ourselves good with bug spray because teeny,tiny black bugs called" no-see-ums" which bite & leave a large welt & itch, are here. They are so small they can fit through screens & they come out at dusk. So we closed up the RV & put on the air conditioner. We played cards with Terri & Jim and learned a new game called"threeies". Weather is great low 80's & sunny.

MARCH 15,2011 - TUESDAY

Today was another laid-back day. Jack & Jan were leaving to go home today, so we spent the afternoon down by the lake, getting in our last boat rides around the lake. It was warm, again low 80's & the water was a little chilly, but Jan braved it to get in one last water ski. We took them to the airport and came back to their house where we are staying the night. Then it is off to Port Richey tomorrow.

MARCH 14,2011 - MONDAY

Spent the day at Epcot Center at Disney World. That place is amazing! It is huge. Can't believe how many people were there. We did "A LOT" and I mean "A LOT" of walking. There were so many colorful flowers in bloom & the park is kept so clean. We rode the monorail & visited all the different country exhibits. We ate a huge turkey leg for lunch & had fried ice-cream. We were there till closing which is 9:00 after the fireworks, which were majestic! We were beat after all that walking, but it was a beautiful day low 80's with just a little breeze.

MARCH 13, 2011 - SUNDAY

Today was a laid-back day. Went to church & back to J & J's and spent the day at their lake. Weather was beautiful, sunny in the high 70's. Did a lot of boating and soaking up the sun & Jacey, their daug. & grandkids did a lot of water skiing. Richard's back was a little sore so he didn't want to strain it skiing. Oh, also saw my first little lizard ( gecko)! They are very common down here, but I sure don't like them !!! Going to get a good night's sleep because tomorrow it's off to Epcot Center at Diesney Land.

MARCH 12, 2011 - SAT

Today we went to a festival in Clermont, Fl called "Pig on the Pond". Jack & Jan's grandson won the 1st place award in an essay contest sponsored by the Rotary Club. He won a HP Laptop computer! He was to be announced & given his award at the Rotary Club Tent.We also saw a live pig race! ( I guess pigs are big down here because they have a lot of BBQ pork, which by the way is delicious)We came back to J & J's & went out on the their boat & their daug. & grandkids went water skiing. We then had a cook-out. After all the sun & water,we were beat & made it an early night because we have to get up for 8:00 mass.(Will post pictures tomorrow - Richard is too tired to put them on the computer & I don't know how)

MARCH 11, 2011

Today was spent doing necessities, laundry, groceries. Then we went for a ride on Jack's fishing boat. Their house is on a lake. Later we went to their daughter Jacey's house. She lives in Clermont,Fl., about 45 min from Orlando. They live on a few acres of land & have 1 daug. & 3 boys, & several "boy toys" such as go-karts, motorcross bikes, & 4 weelers, so Richard enjoyed that. We had a nice dinner with them.

MARCH 10,2011

Woke up to a rainy day, so Jack suggested we go to the NASA Space Center. Had a great day, it stopped raining shortly after we got there. That place is amazing! You can't imagine how huge those rockets are until you are next to them.We went into a simulator which let you feel what it would feel like going up into a real rocket, it was very realistic! We also got to see the Orbitor (from a distance) & the launch pads. Richard actually got to touch a real moon rock. There was so much to see, we were there until closing.

March 9, 2011

Today was a driving day - to Jack & Jan's in Orlando. We figured it would take us around 6-7 hours & we would be there around 4 or 5. Well that didn't happen! We hit a lot of heavy rain with lightning & winds. I wanted to pull over and wait it out, but Richard said we would just slow down & take it easy. It ended up taking close to 10 hours, in the dark (Richard has never driven the motor home at night), that was scary! But we were in phone contact with Jack & they were waiting outside for us when we finally arrived. Jan had a nice dinner prepared for us. We will get a good night's sleep & relax our nerves & be fresh in the morning.

DAY 8 - 3/8

Spent the afternoon at the beach. Weather was perfect, sunny with a breeze. Richard found 21 cents & some bottle caps with his metal detector, I found some pretty shells.We came back to our campsite about 2:30 p.m. to find a note on the door of our motor home stating according to their records our reservation was up & check out time was 1:oo. We checked our conformation receipt & sure enough, they were right. We thought we had the site until tomorrow morning, when we planned to leave. So we went to the park office to pay for another day & were told that our site was already reserved for today & the people were already here waiting to pull into it, but that they could give us another site. So we had to disconnect our water & electricity & move the motor home, my car, trailer & bikes --- right across the street! Leave it to us! Oh well at least we didn't have to spend the night in the parking lot. After we got all our things moved, we went to Paul & Maryjo's for dinner, bid them goodbye and thank them for a fun week. We are off to Orlando tomorrow, which is about a 6 hour drive, but rain is on the forcast so it will probably be a longer drive.

DAY 8 - 3/8

DAY 7 - 3/7

It was warmer today, in the 60's no rain. We went on a bike trail that led to a nature walking trail. It was pretty, but we only went about 1/2 way, because we realized we had to walk back to our bikes, but we made it! We invited Maryjo & Paul to our campsite for a cook-out. Richard made a campfire & we sat around it & even toasted marshmallows on a tree branch & watched the boats and the ducks on the water. It was very relaxing.

DAY 6 - 3/6

Happy 20th Birthday to our grandson Christopher Richard! It was cold & windy today.Not a good day for any outdoor activities. According to the weather, it should be back in the 70's by Tues. Being Sunday we went to church first.In the afternoon we went to Maryjo & Paul's so Richard could watch the NASCAR race on their big T.V. & I could use their washer/dryer to do our laundry. We had a nice dinner with them & played spades. Naturally us girls were partners & won! When we were coming back to our campsite, we just turned into the park & a police car's lights were behind us - the officer said Richard did not make a complete stop at the stop sign.Being that there are a lot of "spring break kids" down here now, there are also a lot of police. We think after he saw that we were "old folks" he was very nice & just gave us a warning ticket.

DAY 6 /5

Today we went on a bike ride down to the beach on the other side of the park where we are staying. We walked along the beach & watched many surfers & para-surfers. The waves were big & there was a red flag stating" swim at your own risk," but that didn't stop the surfers. Spring break has started for some schools, so there were a lot of college kids.. It was really neat to watch them. Maryjo & Paul took us out for dinner to celebrate Richard's birthday( 3/19) at" Sammies Restaurant" for delicious bar-be-que ribs. Then we went back to their place & played cards & Maryjo had a cake for Richard. A storm came up & there was actually a tornado warning. (we felt like home) The waves on the water from their balcony were really hitting the shore & a lot of lightning. In fact we are back at our campsite & it is 11:00 & it is really pouring, thank goodness we don't have any leaks. Hope the rain clears up by tomorrow.

DAY 5 - 3/4

It was a beautiful sunny day, around 72. Maryjo & I went shopping around & Richard spent the day with his metal detector on their white sand beach, looking for treasures, he found a couple of bottle tops & a penny! But he enjoyed it & is a little sore tonight from sunburn. Maryjo made a delicious pork chop dinner & we played some cards & watched fireworks from their balcony in honor of marti-gras. (sp.?)

DAY 4 - 3/3

Well we made it! We are at ST Andrews State Park in Panama City Beach. We hit a cross wind on the way here, which slowed us a little, and Richard got a work-out steering . We have a real nice campsite, right by the water & a beach is on the other side of the park which we can ride our bikes to. We had supper at Maryjo & Paul's condo, which is super nice. It has 3 bedrooms & baths & their balcony looks over the Gulf of Mexico & a beach with white sand. They are on the 20th floor of a 23 story building. We watched a beautiful sunset, but it got dark faster than we thought & we had to get back to the park ,which we weren't sure how to get back (especially in the dark) & made a wrong turn. When we made it back, the park gate was closed & we remembered that when we checked in they gave us a code to get in after closing, but we left the code in the motor home! We knew it had 7's in it & thought it was 1707, then we couldn't see where to put the code in. Luckily there was a truck coming out on the other side of the road. They told us the code & where to punch it in - we were in the wrong lane & the code was 7707.

We can laugh about it now,but it wasn't so funny at the time in the dark, but we chalked it up to an adventure.

DAY 3 - 3/2/11

Well we drove the length of Alabama today. Everything still going A.O.K. We see a lot of new huge motor homes pulling cars going by, but we are doing just fine going about 50-55 miles. Didn't realize there were so many hills in Alabama! We'd go up to an elevation of about 800 or 900 then down to 400 or 500, but our 'ole girl is making those steep climbs just fine. We are in a very nice campsite in Dothan, AL called Pecan Point. We are about 100 miles from the Florida state line, then about 50 miles to Panama City Beach. Talked to Maryjo last nite she said temps are in 70's, but humidity is high. We will try to send some pictures soon.

In Alabama!

Well here we are in Elkmont,Al. Everything went smooth again today, a little "hairy" going through Nashville.TN a lot of traffic, but Richard handled it like a pro!Drove about 400 miles today.( The picture is from when we left yesterday- had to call Jacob to see how to post it) Aud We also learned how to de-winterize our water system-also learned the hot water heater has to have air bled off as your filling so all the air is gone-going through nashville five lanes wide good thing i had my big boy pants on-worst than chicago-We'll continue tomorrow heading for Dothan Al another 400 mile day-It looked like we'd average 8 to 9 MPG but with the big hills it's looking more 7 1/2 to 8==gas is been around 3.28 a gallon-their grass is already turning green-we had frost on the car this morning and I was in my tee shirt by evening-should see 70's tomorrow!