Stanlyvilles last day

The flamingos at Busch Gardens were out for their daily walk.  The handlers stopped them to let people see them up close.  These two children were timid with them, but cute to watch.  the one bird held his head up as to say, 'Take my Picture!'

Charo!  Remember Her?  Used to be with Xavier Cougat?  that is not how you spell his name.  Sorry.  Charo was the last act for the winter season.  She was good.  funny and plays an excellent guitar.  Classical music.
One of her ruffles got caught on her heel.  She did not miss a beat when it brought her to her knees.  she took the ruffle off her shoe, got up and finished her song.  Talked a few minutes and then left to change costumes for the second part of the show. Her guitar act. She had a pair of dancers that knew how to Tango and dance very well.

Here is Charo and her guitar.  She would  like to do a tour just playing her guitar.  Her manager said without the "koootchi, kootchi," she would not make any money.  She says she will just go  back to school and become a teacher.  And teach English.   With her accent, wouldn't that be fun?

A type of lizard at the booth Busch Gardens has for children to learn about the small animals. 

All the retirees are going back north so Busch Gardens closes Stanley Ville for the season.  They have about 12 weeks of "oldies, but goodies" for all the retirees that are in Florida for the winter.  And we fill the theater each week.  4 days, 3 shows a day.

Austin and Linda left this morning for Indiana.  Nikkie and Jack left last night for Clearwater.  They have Dr. appointments over there and stay in Nikki's condo.  So it is lonely here at Charlies.  We went to the Plant City Flea Market  today.  You can tell vendors know the snow birds are leaving.  Not as many vendors, bare spaces here and there.  3 vendors we talk with will be there another week or two.  One of them, a Mexican couple, live here year round and will keep working.  The other two, one from Indiana and the other from Canada.  We have enjoyed talking with them each week.  The kettle corn people, from Canada, have purchased a trailer.  He is thrilled, no wrestling that big kettle out of the truck and under the shelter.  She is not so sure.  He says she wanted it and now that she has it, she doesn't like it.  But with some adjustments it may work out just fine.  I am with him.  Much easier with the trailer, but I can see her advantages of the shelter.    the other couple just set out tables and put there wares out.  we hope to visit them this summer in Indiana.
I bought another flat of strawberries.  For $7.00.  the season for berries is coming to a close so the price is going back up.  Parksdale will have strawberry shortcake and sundaes until mid-April.  Then on the way home we saw that the u-pick near us is now open.  so next week or  before we leave I will get some from there.  We had over 3 inches of rain Monday and you could tell it in the berries.  Will have to make some jam or something.  Have a good day.  jkc

Saturday, a busy day

Bob & Carolyn, Hoosier Cruiser

Took off after breakfast for the Big Top Flea Market.  Not much new there.  while visiting with Gene, one of the vendors.  Gene is 86, wants to sell his booth and retire.  But told Ernie he bought 9 tables of stuff at the auction.  Took two days to haul it home.  Go figure!     Anyway,  while there Ernie saw friends from Indiana.  Bob and Carolyn.   We talked awhile and then went our separate ways.  We had to go get a birthday cake for Frank.  The neighborhood, (3 couples), are having a pizza party for Frank.  He will be 72 on the 27th.  And he will ride 72 miles on his bike.  He also works 16 hours a week at a casino, driving the tram for the employees.  Yuck! a bug just went down the front of my shirt.   We have tiny ants.  At least I think they are ants.  I have ant traps out, but I think they are breeding places for these tiny ants.  Or did I tell you that.     Back to the cake.  They did not have a small one so I got an angel food cake.  that will be better with ice cream and strawberries, anyway.   Strawberries------what are they?

Saturday afternoon we went down to Lazy Days and found where Bob and Carolyn were parked and visited with them.  Out to Bob Evans for supper.  A good time.  We enjoy seeing our Friends and catching up on other friends we each know.  Gene, if you are reading this, you and Phyllis were mentioned. 

Back home we stopped at our neighbors to see what they had been up to today.  And then the middle neighbor came home with his new truck.  To pull his new 5th wheel.
Will get a better look tomorrow when it is day light. 

Back up to Friday.  Out for lunch with Linda and Austin, stopped at Tom's Rv parts for Austin and then rode thru Lazy Days RV Park.  Went down the wrong lane or we would have seen Bob and Carolyn's rig.  Came home and I defrosted the refrigerator.
The freezer needed it.  Took out the dill bread I had brought from home.  Past time to eat it.  But now I have room for the ice cream for the party. 

Must close it is 10:30 and I am just rattling on.  See you.  jkc

Time flies when your are having a good time

This is the top of the 200 foot drop on theSheiKra roller coaster.  Some woman told Ernie that she had gone 12 times on it in an hour.  About our age.  Not only did we think she was ????? also it had to be before spring break time.  The park is really crowded the month of March.  The weather has been great the last two weeks.  70 to mostly 80 degree weather during the day.  Cool at night.  No hurry to head north before April.  

We saw Tony Orlando last week.  I knew it had been years since I had seen him on TV.   Amazing, he has put on weight and aged just like the rest of us?  50 years in show business.  And he had the crowd on their feet a lot.  Fun, sing a long, good band.  A great show. 

 

The full band.  I always enjoy the drummers.  Ernie had a video of the band and there is a good picture of the drummer.  Some drummers sit and play the drums.  Others do not sit still, their whole body moves and facial expressions are something else.  The band members all sing solos and take an active part, not just back up. 




We pass this hot dog stand each time we go to Busch.  so one day we decided to stop and try out one of these hot dogs.  They were good, Chicago style if you like, or any way you want one fixed.  But you pay more than what we want to pay for a hot dog.  The car sits in front of the diner.

Last week we bought a flat of strawberries.  $5.00.   Come home and decided to make some jam.  Since our freezer is small I made the cooked variety.  I must not have used the required amount of sugar as it still has not jammed!!!!  Guess it will taste good on ice cream.  Bought another flat this week and I knew better.   When the box dripped juice onto my shorts and socks, I should have taken it back and demanded my money.  NO, I just got a different flat.  Well, lesson learned, do not buy from that vendor.  I had to throw out at least 1/3 of the flat.
  And last week the coffee pot quit.  Ernie says it only had 129,000 miles on it.  So we went looking for another coffee pot that would fit under the cabinet.  Counter space is a premium in a RV.  No luck, came home in the afternoon and looked on the internet.  Well, would you believe that Sears had them, and that is just down the road about 10 miles from us.  New coffee pot in place and soon I will get the paper towel holder back up in a different place.
  Yesterday when we were leaving the flea market a lady wanted our parking place.  OK
Oh, you are from Indiana,  I am from So. Bend.  she said.   Well, I grew up in Syracuse.  She lives in New Paris. and her daughter lives in Syracuse.  Then we stopped at Parksdale for weekly strawberry sundae and the people sitting near us were also from Indiana.  The South Bend area.  They have lived in Florida the last 16 years.
Small world.   something else happened that I was going to write,  who knows????
add that next time.   Have a good day.   jkc

A long week

I wrote some and then Ernie put on pictures, so things may be a little out of order.  A longer posting than usual.             Jack and Nikki's new 5th wheel.  

BIG,  we have not gotten the tour yet, but I am sure it is very nice.  Will let you know.

Edna and Tom, Hoosier Cruisers and strawberry shortcake.

an archway a1t Busch.  So pretty.

The 5th Dimension.  They sang

Aquarius.  Remember?  Oldies.  but good!

And little kangaroos at Busch.  Very friendly.  You can buy some food for $5.  and feed them.  We did not.  We learned that they train the young ones to go into a carrying cage.  Let them get used to it.  And if they seem to adapt then they take them everywhere for show and tell.  Even to California.  And they get a paid seat on the plane, staying in their carrying case. 

Before I forget, the name of the CEO of Lazy Days is John Horton.  Nice fellow!   and
help me,  what is the name of the Dr. Suess book that talks about Horton    Who?
I can not think of the book, other than something about Horton.

We did go to the flea market Thursday.  The Patriot at Zepherhills.  About 30 minutes away.  Bought some tangerines and we got a buy on some silver plate.  No berry spoons, but some patterns that we look for that are highly collectible, according to our book.  Have them labeled in the book and on the computer.  Came to the last page in my latest little catalog book.  I looked at all my little books, and figured there are about
1555 entries.  Many of those entries have more than one piece of silver.   No, do not ask me what we will do with all of it,  I  do not know.  We are just having fun collecting.  the hunt is on for the hard to find patterns and pieces.  Like a sardine fork.

We also made a stop at the cookie factory.  The sales lady said on Wednesday she sold out in less than 30 minutes.  Come some other day than Wednesday.  Shirley found some sugar less cookies.  (uses sorbital, which is a sugar also.)  Then to Parksdale for a strawberry sundae and some grapefruit and an avocado.   On to Lazy Days for lunch.
While there we spotted a couple from Indiana.  Hope to see them Saturday.

Friday, we took off for Busch Gardens.  Saw and heard the 5th Dimension sing,   always a good show.  Decided to go to Fridays for lunch.  Got our favorite waitress and enjoyed a leisure salad and soup luncheon.  As we were leaving a different couple from Indiana called.  They were at Lazy Days also.   so we went over, took them past our place and then over to Parksdale.   And of course by now you know what that means.  Ernie and I have been splitting the sundaes.  I keep paper bowls in a plastic bag in the trunk just for that purpose.  took Them home, checked to see if Alan and Karen were home,,  nope.  and then realized that Edna's purse was still in our trunk.  Back to their place.  The salesman was there and showed us a sprinter RV.  Not quite what we are looking for.  No, we will keep our good ole National RV.  finally got home about 7:15.  I took down the laundry, we rested and had a small BLT for supper.  A long day.

This picture is of Richard and Shirley, friends from Pennsylvania, that we met in Texas.

Karen and Allen from Indiana.  Hoosier Cruisers.  We got together on Saturday.  Beth and Bruce stopped by, then we called Tom and Edna and met for lunch at Ho Ho Chinese Rest.  All Hoosiers.  Good time in Florida.

Tomorrow will not be any easier.  Beth and Bruce leave Sunday, so we will spend some time with them.  and some time with Karen and Allen, we hope.  See you later.  jkc

This and That

Hi!  NO Pictures this time.  Just a few notes.  A couple from Pennsylvania called the other day.  Yesterday, Tues., we met them at Lazy Days.  Went out and thought we would see if we could see the RV with a Sprint Body .  A person with a Lazy Days tag on his shirt, came up and got on one of the carts.  We asked him where the sprint rv's were.  Hop on and he would take us.  He did and we looked, he even took us to the used RV lot.  And then said you have to see something I like.  Took us over to the Lazy Days Park to the Rally Building.  They have a new "diner"  made like a RV.  Very neat and classy.  It had just opened that day.   WOW.  Then he took us back to the "start", we thanked him and ask his name.  He is the CEO ---- Manager of Lazy Days.  Will get his name later.   My memory is not good about names.   Anyway, a nice surprise.
  Flea Market today.  a half flat of strawberries was only $4. today,   So we bought some more.  there was a recipe for Strawberry salsa in the paper today.  Beth tried it and brought us some.  Has some Rice vinegar in the recipe.  To use on grilled fish, if you like.  We have had strawberries for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  And in between.

To take Richard and Shirley to a different flea market Thurs.  Will stop by Parkdsdale for a strawberry sundae.  Did not get one today. 
We were with them this pm for dinner at Bob Evans.  I had a spinach salad with cranberries, pecans and chicken.  Rasberry Vingerett.  Delicious.
Thursday also brings a new 5th wheel RV into this park.  Our neighbors are getting a new rig and it arrives tomorrow.  We asked if we could get free tickets or at least half price when they have open house.  He knows we tease, but we have not recieved a ticket yet.  Austin and Linda are waiting for their tickets also.  Tune in tomorrow for results!!jkc

Herman Hermits

Peter Noone is always a crowd pleaser.  He knows we are all "oldies"  as he is 63.  But still very energetic.  There are severall fan clubs in attendance.  We always wonder as we talk with someone who comes just for his shows.  And follow him when he is in the States.  they hand out stringers to wave, small megaphones and also have big balloons to toss around the crowd.  22 No. 1 hits.
Just do not ask me to name them.

We walk around Busch Gardens a lot and now and then,  "Oh, look at the flowers.  I do not remember seeing these."  I am sure they have always been there, I just had not really looked at them.  These orchids are so pretty and of a variety of colors.
Linda and Larry just returned from a cruise to the Panama Canal.  They stopped at their niece's home and took her and this cute little one to Parksdale for a strawberry sundae.  so we drove over to visit a minute.  NO, we did not get any strawberries to eat that day.
but on Wednesday, I bought a half flat at the flea market for $5.00   soooo good.
Today is Saturday.  We spent half a day going to garage sales.   Maybe have of that trying to find them.  These cities that name a street and then at some intersection, name the other end of the street a different name.  GPS can get confused sometimes.  Take you the long way around.   Came home and took a nap.  Ernie worked on some pictures and then went over to talk with Austin.  so I am on the computer. 
Have a good day.   jkc

State fair ,Hoosier Cruiser dinner. Venture

And the band "Venture" at Busch Gardens.  The two men with the "red" guitars are the original members.  the Drummer is the son of the original drummer and the third guitarist (man in middle) has been with the band for about 38 years.  Good music.   They played the theme of "Hawaii 5 0

We took Byran for One last strawberry sundae. He said he had not been to Parksdale for a few years. A friend here at Charlies.  He has sold his trailer and will go home to Illinois this week.

His wife died 2 or 3 years ago and it is not the same with out her in Florida.  Makes you wonder where you will be when you are 86 years of age.

Martha, from Mobile, Alabama.  Good friend.  a treat to take someone over to Parksdale for strawberries. 

Florida State Fair.  and the animals in the exhibit building.  A quiet bull.  But I would not want to mess with that guy and those horns, no matter how tame the owner said he was!

Some Hoosier Cruisers at Sun and Fun RV Park, Sarasota, Fl.  A good time visiting. We meet once a year.  This idea was started by Charles and Suz Snow.  Past members of Hoosier Cruisers.  We would meet at the Sugar & Spice Restaurant in Sarasota.  A lot like Essen House, as it is run by an Amish family.  But Rick was able to get us in to Sun and Fun, with a buffet and a time of 11 am to 3 pm.  Plenty of time to visit and enjoy catching up with each other.

A panoramic view of the Hoosiers.

I have been neglecting my computer duties while I was reading a book.  Beth brought over some books she had gotten at a garage sale and wondered if I wanted to read any of them.  so I just read the book "Swiss Family Robinson"   No, I have never read the book or seen the movie or TV series.  I found it quite interesting.  At first wondering why the family was so knowledgeable about plants, trees and animals.  Then as  you read, the ship had been outfitted to take people to start a new colony and had much equipment, books and other supplies to start in a new place.  Therefore the passengers would have been selected because of their education and abilities to be in a new environment.  As Ernie said when I start a book, I can not put it down until I am done with it.   So everything either doesn't get done or very quickly.  The book is done so I am now finishing the blog I started a few days ago.   Have a good day.  jkc

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011

The 'copters have been buzzing around above us for about 15 minutes.  We could not see that they had on search lights, just a big red light on the bottom?  They had to be looking for something or out to bug the people on earth?????
We went to the AT&T store on Monday afternoon.  To see Sabrina and ask questions about our phone.  She is one of the nicest sales persons you would want to have answer your questions.  She answered and explained how to use the system Ernie had installed on his phone.  And explained the charges for that system.  Great!!!
  Tuesday we took the Tampa Bay Commercial Harbor Boat tour with Bruce and Beth.
A beautiful day, no wind, sunny, not hot, just a nice two hour ride.  Ernie has pictures of that and more pictures too!
  Wednesday we went to the Florida State Fair.  Senior citizens day.  Crowded---
similar to ours, seemed like more food vendors,  more spread out, as they did not have a race track to go around.  Enjoyed the day, but tired.  Even I went to bed before 9:30!
   Today we went to Sarasota, with Beth driving.  Bruce, Ernie and I just enjoyed the ride.  It was the Hoosier Cruiser Luncheon for any Hoosier Cruisers, past and present, that just happen to be in Florida and near enough to come over to the Sun and Fun RV resort just East of Sarasota.  Rick and Sandy stay there and had arranged to have a room for us from 11 to 3.  And a buffet meal.  A good meal.   time to visit with several Indiana friends we had not seen for awhile.  I know Ernie has pictures for this also, so I will  make  more comments when he gets the pictures on the blog.
   Tomorrow it is  over to Busch Gardens,  maybe Saturday we will stay home.  We shall see.   Take care and good night.   jkc

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

Happy Valentines Day from the flowers at Busch Gardens!  Aren't they pretty?









I like tall men!  These guys are a part of the Kareebu Jungala section of the Gardens.  There are these tall men and other larger than life creatures. 










 Do you remember Paul Revere and The Raiders.  Paul does not do that much singing any more.  But was funny with his comments and jokes.  The lead singer was good and the band helped make the show a good one.Since our Grandson David played the drums during school I like to watch the different drummers.  I always wonder why the drum heads are not broken as hard as some of them play them. and this drummer had facial expressions like he was beating the devil out of his drum set.
Would you like to walk with the flamingos?  I did just that.  We could not believe that these "keepers" were walking these birds!  so I ask the person if this happened often.  Usually first thing in the morning we open the gate and the first few that come out get to walk the circle of the park.  And they acted as tho they knew where there were going.  No nonsense, it is walking time!!!



What a week no, two weeks we have had.  First the week of the Brooksville Rally and then -----  back to Charlies on Sunday.  Monday we took off for the Webster Flea Market.  It has rained and was misty.  But we went to meet our 4 friends from Alabama.  I found 1 good teaspoon.  Martha and Anita were looking at everything.
The sun did come out, but late and almost the whole field was empty of vendors.  Usually the field is full and busy.  We ate at the Butterbean diner.  A good simple buffet.  The fried chicken was very good and we polished off the meal with a strawberry sundae.  What else?     Tues.  we stayed home, but did go out for supper with Merrill and Martha at Bob Evans.  Oh, We also  had lunch with Austin and Linda and stopped by the Seffner YMCA to check out their facilities as Linda needs to excercise that new knee she got the last of January.
Wednesday we took Merrill and Martha to the Plant City Flea market and then to Parksdale for our treat of strawberry shortcake or sundae.  When we took them back to Lazy Days we walked in to get a cup of coffee and met Steve and Nancy from Muncie.  They were surprised to see us.  They were there for repairs on their RV.  We took them to see another campground and stopped by Charlies to see our site.  Back to Lazy Days and a few last minutes with Merrill and Martha.  Have enjoyed seeing these friends from Alabama and will miss them until the next time, down the road, when we meet again. We enjoyed their friends Anita and Cubby.
Thursday was a full day at home.  I did laundry and we both did those things that need to be done.  Friday we headed for Busch Gardens and Saturday Ernie hopes to get new batteries for the RV.  That will be 6 that he has purchased this year.  In January it was 4 for the "house".  Sunday will be a day of rest and then the whole busy schedule starts again on Monday with a trip to the Florida State Fair.    So we shall see how often I keep you posted on our activities.   Have a good night.   jkc

Brookville Rally, South Eastern Area

Brookville Rally Parade, 2001.  this is "Flakey" the Clown, sponsored by BLUE OX PRODUCTS.  We first saw him at the  Great Lakes Area Rallies.  He is a fun guy.  You point your finger at the rabbit and say bang and the rabbit falls over.  Flakey says "I guess I will have to make rabbit stew and the rabbit hops upright.  The fur in Flakey's arm is what is left over from supper, so he says. He also hands out small crosses made of pearl like beads.  He has a story to tell about them,  What the cross has meant to different ones he has given them to on his travels.                                                The Frustrated Maestros, Band and Chorus.
This is a group of persons interested in singing and playing whatever instrument they played in earlier years.  They get together at these rallies, practice 3 days and then perform.  They do quite well.  Every morning during coffee and donut time and at other functions during the rally.
The City of Brookville had a BASH for us.(they continued their Saturday Farmers market thru the day and a bus took us downtown to enjoy the market.   It was fun and Ernie went fishing.  Forgot the pole.  We all said the mermaid should have had an empty bait bucket for donations to some worthy cause, as it was chilly and when not taking pictures she had a heavy jacket over her shoulders. 


Remember you can double click on the pictures to make them bigger, then hit the back arrow button to go back to small size.














the SEA Rally is held at the Hernando County Airport.  It used to be used during the war and for about 2 weeks they close off these two runways for the rally.  This is just part of the motor homes parked on the West runway.  Way off, about a mile and a half there is a hanger that was rented for our entertainment facility.  They used to rent a tent for $100,000.00.  This hanger was only $30,000.  We enjoyed seeing persons we only see here or at other big rallies.  Catch up on what is going on.  And everyone is having a good time.  This year we are all glad we are here instead of our permanent homes.  Nothing better than traveling in an RV.  Have a good night.  jkc

More Brooksville

Just a quick note.  We now count 7 coaches from Indiana here.  OR at leasts were once Hoosier Cruisers.  And Yesterday our friends from Alabama arrived.  Hurrah!  I made a bracelot and We have been to seminars.  good time.   Entertainment was good,

Kieth Longbotham.  good music and some decent jokes.   JKc

SEA at Brooksville, Florida

S.E.A. is South Eastern Area of Family Motor Coach. They have a rally in February and that is where we are located now. Always a good time, sometimes a cold time. We have already seen 2 couples that we have not seen for over a year. We are parked in the HNE Handicap non electric. Dry Camping. We had gotten parked and not set up yet, I walked out to the road in front of us and coming down the road on their bikes were two former Hoosiers, now from Augusta, GA. Got a hug from Lowell and Joan. The only reason that Augusta did not have more snow and ice was because of Global Warming. At least that is what those people are saying.
The second couple are Hoosiers and have a winter home here. We had not seen them this past year, well, maybe once. So we enjoy seeing Laurel and George when we can. Looking forward to seeing other friends. Today is a pre-day, with a few things scheduled. Wed. It officially starts with Coffee and donuts and the Frustrated Maestros band will play and the chorus will sing. And they do practice!!!! Time for breakfast, my tea is getting cold. More later. jkc