Busch Gardens plus

At the Entrance of Busch Gardens. These guys on stilts were quiet an attraction. Children looked in awe. Very busy day, you could tell many were on vacation. We enjoy going here to see the sights. The floral arrangements are so pretty. The poinsettes are such a dark bright red. Beautiful.
Pink? flamigo's!! They were really orange looking. The pictue really does not do justice to their color.
This is where we parked at Allatoona Lake Dam, Corp of Army Engineers Park, near Acworth, Alabama. We like this park. A few miles off I-75, but so pretty and quiet. Electric and water. We like the town also.

Getting settled in Thonotosassa

The weather people say it will be cold this week end. It did not get below 60. Next week at night it might get down to 38. Now that will be cold.

Yesterday, Friday, we made a trip to Wall Mart. When we came off the interstate to come to the RV park here, a homeless man on the corner told us that our front tire on the car was low.

So we checked it when we got parked and by golly, it had a nail in it. So, Ernie put air in it and it held till we got there. A stop in the store to get milk and we started home.

I have the Christmas decorations all out. Put the small tree on the dash. I used the cushioned board I use when I play cards to put the tree on, with a manager scene and some lego angels.

I have several lego Christmas pieces. Santa, reindeer, snowmen and Christmas trees. than I pin some ornaments I got in New Mexico on the padded piece above the slide out. A few things stuck on the windows and Walla! I am done. The tree is one I made at a rally. Made of pins and crystal beads, with a string of lights in the middle. Doesn't look too bad from the street.



Today we made a trip to Ace Hardware to find some very small springs. One broke in the door lock system. So nice that Ernie can fix these things. ON our way to the store we went over the interstate. at the north and the south exits there were two men with cardboard signs, homeless, will work for food. We wondered if they knew each other and were plying folks for what ever they could get.

Later we went over to visit parents of one of our card playing buddies. We enjoy visiting with them and I like to attend their church. A Methodist Church, small, but bigger in the winter. Like ours used to have more people in the summer. Hope they have a Christmas Eve service, as that is something to go to different church's when we are out on the road at Christmas.



We found some snow crab legs for only $4.99 a pound. Very good.

Have a magazine and a book from the laundry building waiting. Later----jkc

Thonotosassa, Florida

We are now at Charlie's Campground in Thonotosassa. Pulled in about noon. Friends from Muncie were about ready to go to lunch. They got here last Friday. Come go with us. So we parked the RV and car. Went out to Taco Bell. Good visit. Got back to the RV and hooked up the Electric, water and dumped the tanks. Put the boards under the jacks and then put out the slide. Hey!! now we are set for a while. I did do a little laundry. Amazing how socks collect!.

But before we got here------Wednesday, after we left Ashburn, GA., we came on down the road. Stopped at a rest park and before leaving we did a walk around the coach. Hmmmm
the seemed to be a lot of oily--diesel stuff on the tow bar and shield of the car. So after a call to our son and Ring Power (a Cat. diesel dealer) in River view, Fla. we decided to stop at the Flying J out side of Dade City for the night. I did not hear the usual music and no.23 your shower is ready, like I usually do, and that was good. Up at 5:30 to be on the road and at Ring power at 7.
we have a fuel supply line on our dear Cat engine. Ernie says that we have put so much diesel thru it that it wore a hole. Anyway, after 3 hours and some money we were on our way again. We came back up the road to I- 4, turned at Lazy Days and on up to Charlies. Never a dull moment.

We have not seen Charlie yet, he said to park in the same spot we had last year and he would talk to us later. Not sure what the fees are this year, but I know we are not moving for awhile.
The neighbors said that Parksdale had strawberries and that the flea market at Plant City was really full of vendors. So we know what we will be doing next Wednesday.

It is getting late, almost 10. hardy har. good night. jkc

On the Road

Well, Monday was a good restful day. McKinney Campground is in Georgia, near Acworth. the town is just off the interstate 75 and the campground is only about 5 miles in, but it is a winding road, going around Allatoona Lake Dam to this campground. There are several campgrounds at this particular Corp Park.

Talked with a neighbor who was from England. 9 years ago they sold everything and bought a boat. Sailed across the ocean blue to various ports. They came to the States this fall and bought a class C -RV. Moored the boat in Fl. they have a year's visa here and will be doing this country. Interesting people.

To town for some groceries. We like this store, Ingles, it is only about 11 years old, but neat and clean with a nice variety of produce, meat and frozen foods. Drove thru town and then back to RV of some more R & R.

Took off this am with Ernie driving. We were going to take the by-pass around Atlanta.
We got on 285 just fine, but then I insisted that he take the right curve instead of the left, which the GPS said to take. Guess what? We were going the wrong way. so we finally got to a turn off that we could turn around and since we were both not too happy, (traffic is terrible) we got back to the I 75 exit, we took it. Forget the by-pass.
Finally got to a rest stop south of Atlanta and went in the building. Had a nice chat with the gentleman manning the booth. He and the lady are hired by the city of Macon. Not Georgia
transportation. I confessed to my error and we all had a laugh. He commented that we could laugh about it, which is good. We told him we were going south and that I wanted to take a short detour to this little grocery, filling station store across from the Georgia Veterans State Park. Oh, yes, he said. Stricklers. Have the best steaks around. And sausage and May Haw Jelly.
We did make it there, I am driving now, pulled up in front taking several parking places. (Ernie said to) and went in and got our meat and jelly. The butcher and owner laughed, oh, yes we get people from all over the country that like to stop here. He had just made the sausage that morning.
So, on down the road. We were going to stop at a particular RV park and Ernie decided to get on the internet and look up the Passport campgrounds to see if they had any new ones since the book was published last January. Yep! and it is nice. Passport campgrounds charge half price to members of Passport. They get more customers from that book than the other big books of campgrounds that charge full price all the time. Or only a 10% discount. Wanee Lake Country Club and RV Park. A 9 hole golf course, swimming pool, bar and then the usual RV needs. Full hook up, WiFi, etc. So we gave them info about FMCA. Don't we always?
Stayed in tonight, Possible get to Tampa Wednesday. We shall see. It is 64 Degrees at 8:15 pm
jkc

Alatoona Lake

Sunday evening the 13th. Colts won!



We are parked for 2 nights at the McKinney Corp of Army Engineer Campground. This is the third time we have stayed here this year. and the host and hostess remembered us!



It rained during the night and so we slept in this am. Slowly got up and got ready to move on.

the rained stopped long enough for us to hook up the car and we were off about 9:45.

Ernie driving. Stopped in Knoxville at the Flying J for Diesel. Only 2.60 per gal. 10 cents less that what we payed in October in Indiana.



We stopped about 2 for lunch and I complained that I had not driven yet. me and my big mouth! Would you believe that near and around Chattanooga there was a construction zone?
It used to happen about every other time I drove the Georgie Boy RV. but rarely with this one.
I did ok, but pulled into the first rest stop in Georgia and let Ernie take over again. Good experience, I guess, but those truckers are bigger than we are, and we are big enough!



360 miles and we are tired. Ernie was in bed by 7:30. I said lets have soup for supper and not go out to eat. (I do not do much cooking the first 2-3 days on the road in the winter.) I am glad we stayed in as I was tired also. We will stay 2 nights here, there is a neat grocery store in the town of Acworth, so we will get something for meals. We put in water tonight, which makes me
a happier camper. We always take 2,3 or 4 gallons of drinking water when we start out. Too cold to put water in the RV tanks. And we get by just fine. But it is so nice to turn on the faucet and have fresh water. We have a small water softener that filters any water and then I have one of those filter water pitchers for drinking water. We have not had many problems with bad water.


so I have been playing free cell and writing here. If I went to bed at 8 I would wake up at 1 and then toss and turn till time to get up. So I enjoy quiet time for me. Have a good night rest everyone. jkc

Mon. morning. Remember I said that it was wet and rainy last night? And that we filled the water tank so we could shower and wash dishes? And we have not been in the coach since we had all water openings open so we could use the air compressor and blow out the water!
We do not want anything to freeze and cause a leak.
This morning when we got up we did not have any water coming out of the faucet to wash. Just air! We have an indoor gauge that tells us water level. It said EMPTY TANK. Ernie said which bin do we go to, to find the leak. Everything was dry. Finally I said "did we close the valve that lets the water out?" NO So we are now filling the tank again. Live and learn! First week in a RV is rough!. Have a good day, we hope ours is better. jkc

SOUTH TO FLORIDA

THE COMPUTER IS VERY SLOW THIS EVENING. WE ARE PARKED AT WALNUT MEADOW CAMPGROUND, BEREA, KY. WHAT A DAY!

We were to leave Wednesday or Thursday at the latest. Huh! Mother Nature changed our plans. Wed. and Thur. were very windy days. And cold. Neither one of us wanted to drive the RV in the strong wind, let alone get it packed and ready to go. Sooooo
Friday, we loaded and this morning we drained the water out of the pipes, put antifreeze down the drains, in the house, and then put the final stuff in and left at 11:30.

First stop was Greenfield, for lunch. We were to go south to I 74. Ernie drove to Greenfield and then I took over after lunch. When I took off, neither one of us thought it strange when I turned north instead of south. Just as I turned on to I 70, oh no! Hey, Ernie, this isn't 74, is it? Yes, oh no it isn't. So on to S.R.3. No where to turn aroundon I 70! So I drove to Greensburg to I 74, on down the interstate and to the first rest stop. Ernie took over the driving and we came on down the road without further problems. The wrong turn was not really a problem, just added a few extra miles.

When we come down I 75, we like to stop at this RV park for the night. They are passport, so it is half price. $12. for full hook up. We do not have water in the holding tanks yet, and they usually park us right next to the shower house. They have worked on them in the last year and they seem cleaner. But still cold. And still no paper towels! Next time we come thru I will ask the person in charge to come with me to check and see if there are paper towels in the rest rooms! enough already!!

Our one restaurant that we liked, closed last year. So we went to the other place. Called the
Dinner Bell. A popular, good cooking place, not expensive, clean. We had roast turkey breast, dressing and 2 sides. plus hot rolls or cornbread, and small cranberry sauce. I brought home a
"doggy bag" Just too much. (there are the usual places, like Bob Evans, etc., but we like to try the local fare.)

Alan called. Found a bee hive in a tree today. Will check with a friend that has hives to see if they can save the bees. Lots of honey, too.

Long day, will turn on the electric blanket, use the electric heaters and hope to sleep well. It is quiet here so should get a good nights sleep. We will save using our furnace for when we are not hooked up to electric.

Have a good night. jkc

November

Hi! It is November 20th. I just today put the peat mulch around my miniature roses. I wait as long as I can, until just before freezing temperatures. All day cold. It has been so pretty the last two days. I have washed sheets and bed spread and hung them outside. They are cold when I bring them in, but are dry when they warm up to house temp. I do miss my out door dryer when we travel. But now all the outside work is done. My roses are the last items to be taken care of. My Aunt gave me a small miniature rose bush several years ago. And then when we dug up the old oil barrel I divided the bush, hoping at least one would live. They all lived and now I have a row of roses. Pretty as they bloom all summer.

Hopefully we will take off in about 2 weeks. or less. Will go to Florida again, maybe go West this summer. Talk to you later. jkc

Winchester Speedway

Saturday October 3rd, was a windy day. We started the day by going to an Ethanol plant in Union City. A very interesting tour. the amount of corn they used daily is amazing. and they run 24/7. Not that many people to run the facility. We had "Mike" lead our tour. He is their maintenance chief. When ask if this was state of the art and could they build more just like it, He answered, "Remember, I am the person in charge of maintenance, yes, I would make some improvements first."

The Hoosier Cruiser had a great "pitch In" lunch. Good cooks in our group.
A lazy hour or two and then off to the Winchester Speedway. it was old timers week end.
They had on display several old race cars. From the 30's on up thru the 60's. They took laps around the track in between the main races. Fun to see those old cars go. No roll bars, cigar shaped cars.
The sprints with the winged top, ran qualifying 10 lap races. 2.06 minutes. 1/2 mile track five miles in 2.06 minutes. Fast! We missed the last two races. And that was ok. It was windy and
cold. so we stopped at McDonald's for a hot drink and burger.

Sunday, coffee and donuts, a short hymn sing and devotions. A good way to go on our way back
home. Via Flying J. to load up on propane, diesel fuel and dump the tanks. Getting ready for
winter.

We have drained the water tank and Wednesday when the sun is supposed to be out we will
get out the air compressor and blow out the lines. Drain the hot water heater and do other
maintenance to prepare for heavy frosts. We hope to be gone before snow. We shall see what
November brings. Have a good day. jkc

Randolph Co. Fairgrounds, Hoosier Cruisers

Friday night, October 2nd.

We arrived early on Thursday, here to help greet each coach as it arrived. When we weren't talking to those that had arrived. Happy hour was great if you did not mind standing under an umbrella every so often. New recipes to taste and want the recipe. maybe we should have a Hoosier Cruiser Cookbook.

To the chicken Shack for dinner. Ernie and I had chicken gizzards. We know, they are not good for you cholesterol. But they were delicious. Home and to bed by 9.

I am wearing a short boot on my left foot because of a torn muscle on the bottom of my foot.
Not bad, but tiring. Even get to wear it to bed for 3 to 6 weeks.

Friday, after hearing it rain most of the night and at breakfast the clouds cleared and the day was dry. Windy, but dry. Half of us went to Workhorse Custom Chassis factory in Union City, Indiana to go thru the plant. No workers, which in a way is a bummer, not seeing the actual work being done, but nice as we could hear our guide and really look at the various stages of putting together a chassis.

And when you are located near Winchester, Indiana, a stop is required at Mrs. Wicks Pies and restaurant. We had the special for the day of a toasted cheese sandwich, a cup of vegetable soup and drink. And then a piece of pie. I had black raspberry, slightly warmed and Ernie had butterscotch. Both delicious. And then we went back to the store and found two "damaged" pecan pies. (crust broken) and a good sugar cream pie. Mrs. Wick's sugar cream pie is supposed to be Indiana's State Pie.

After lunch and a pit stop at the RV it was on to the Ghyslain Chocolatier Company in Union City. Oh, My, you should see the chocolate sculptures that were displayed in this company. We had a taste test between Hershey's chocolate and Ghyslain's. I like them both, but I guess Gjyslains was smoother and more chocolaty. any way------- then we were shown how they make some of their chocolates, some of their molds and a video about the history of the company. they also have two restaurants and you can have a lunch during your tour if you like.
They do all of the food prep at the Union City facility. croissants, breads, meats, desserts, etc.
they ship all over, have trucks that go a 450 mile radius. they had seconds for sale. Flavored
chocolates and turtles. Mama turtle was full price. she had almonds in her hollow tummy that were her eggs!. The small turtles, 12 in a box, 6 different nuts in their tummy's, and each type a nut a different color on the back of the turtle. Pretty and neat. We were told we could take the boxes home, wrap them in saran and freeze them for 3 months. defrost for 12 hours in refrig and then enjoy. We will!
Back to the RV and I said I needed to do a Wall Mart Run. Ooops, we were ready for some R & R, but realized that when we got home from there it was time to line up for supper. We had an early time to avoid the crowds. This time we went to the Randolph Grill in Winchester. Had a choice of steak, chicken breast or tilapia. I had the tilapia and Ernie had the steak. We had a salad and a baked potato. and then came a mini dessert. Just a small amount of chocolate with a dab of whipped cream and raspberry flavor in the bottom of a tiny cup. Some were oreos and some were apple. Just a nice touch to a good meal.

And then when we got home I decided to write on the blog. I could not get the pass word right.
Ernie finally bailed me out and had to create a new password. This happens to me every now and then. They do not always ask for you to sign in or to give the password and I forget the password. Woe, is me.
Have a good day Saturday. We will! jkc

Later

It is a week since our rally. thought I better finish telling about it. Saturday, we went to

Carolee's Herb Farm. Site seer, you should have been there. Acres of gardens and herbs. Gardens for the butterflies and humming birds. Do not put a garden or food out for other birds near a butter fly garden. The birds will eat the butter flies. A children's garden and a faerie garden. And all kinds of plants. A kitchen garden also. She had a variety of spinach that can grow on a vine. Doesn't wilt during the summer. Looked good. She has a book and several small booklets. Tea pots and fairy houses. A nice morning trip.



That afternoon, we went to a quilt shop and then back over to the Minnetrista grounds. They were having a green space/idea fair. Interesting. Back to the campground for some visiting and then a big party. We had seen a cd the night before of all our members. Not your studio pictures, but at least we can look up a picture to see who we are talking about.

Tonight was a free catered meal and than a Magician. He was good. And the audience was super. He was having a good time, because we were also. I think it is obvious when a performer is doing well and has the audience right with them. Makes it more entertaining.



Sunday, after coffee and donuts we had a devotional period. Our leader had us singing several of the old time hymns and then had a short message.



We got home, got the essentials out of the RV and called our daughter. It was her birthday and we planned to take her out to eat. No, she wasn't up to that, but we could order a pizza and come over. So we did, along with a German Chocolate Cake, courtesy of Pepper Ridge Farms.

I added some star shaped candles and we had a party.



Monday, we crashed. Did very little. Tuesday, we got a call from our son, On Wednesday he

was scheduled for a heart catherization in Anderson. so we spent most of Wednesday at the hospital. His heart was clear and in good condition. So now it is to a G.P. to find out what is causing the chest pains. But a big relief that it is not his heart.



Thursday, was the start of a neighborhood garage sale. I had very little, I took it over to our neighbor and helped her all day. In a drizzle. And back and forth to the RV to help Ernie with changing the oi in the transmission. Today, my nose is very stuffed! Is it my allergies or do I have a cold. We shall see. So, now you are caught up on J. and E. See you later.

September Rally

Friday evening. good two day. Yesterday we just enjoyed seeing everyone. One couple had not been to a rally in several years, so they were quite welcomed. Ernie finally found the quarts of oil he had been hunting for the last two weeks. Sat and talked and then went out to supper to the Texas Roadhouse. There were 11 people and it took 32 minutes to get a table. Actually 2 tables. It was good, Ernie and I shared a rack of ribs. We had a campfire (courtesy of Dick S. and his portable fire pit) and we were all there for an hour or so.

Friday, This am we took a tour of the Minnetrista/Ball Mansion. This was quite interesting. The Minnetrista is an organization that has preserved the Ball Brothers Homes and surroundings. They have beautiful gardens and various activities through out the year. The exhibit this month has been memoribilia from t 1968. Do you remember what happened in 1968? The home we went through was the wood built home. Has a secret passage to a porch.
Not really furnished, but interesting in the number of rooms in the home. Smaller than what you would think for a "mansion"

Ernie and I called friends that live in Muncie and went out to Arby's for lunch They came back to the fair grounds with us and we had a good visit. Then the best tour.
At PAWS! The Jim Davis Art Studios. The artist for Garfield. They do not give tours at this facillity. But our Presidents wife knew a lady that had worked there for over twenty years and we were able to get a private tour. After working hours. Our guide was a gentleman who had retired from business and then came to work for Jim Davis. for another 20 years. He was only 88. We heard how Davis got started with Garfield, from the comic strips, to getting in the newspapers, and merchandising. He was with National companies and then bought out his Garfield business from these companies and does all of this from his own complex. They had a very large room with articles that "veners" come in to see and decided what they would like to have in their stores. We saw his 4 Emmy's and many other awards. We could even touch the emmys. Just a great tour that we were privileged to be able to do this trip. More later,
time for supper jkc

HOOSIER CRUISERS

Thursday, Sept. 17,2009

We arrived around 10 am. Got a good spot to park, not far from the building we will be using for meals etc. there are to be 41 coaches here for this rally. It is the 35th year for the Hoosier Cruiser Club. Many things are planned. So we shall see what unfolds.

Ernie had a torn muscle in his right leg (calf) last month and so his varicose vein surgery has been postponed. But we have managed to take down the shutters (6 pair), strip the paint off of
those aluminum things, prime and paint. They do look so much better. Back to the dark green that they were many years ago. Have done a few other chores also. Bleached out the fresh water tank in the RV and I have started polishing the outside. Have both ends and the passenger side done. Anyone want to help get the other side done?

Another chocolate thought I got on the e-mail. Earth is the only planet with chocolate!..
don't go to the moon if you need a chocolate fix.

Don't go to the moon if you need your chocolate fix.

see you later. jkc