Giving Back

 We have been back in Key West for two weeks now, the weather has been as perfect as anyone could hope for. Highs in the 70's and lows in the 70' for the most part. We have had a couple rain showers pass over, and the wind has blown a few days, but as long as we don't need to run the AC or a heater I'm a happy camper.

 We have found that giving back in the way of volunteering has its rewards. The main reward is knowing that we are helping some where some how, and then there is the tee shirt. Two weeks ago they held a triathlon here in KW and we volunteered to help out. It wasn't one of our better volunteer gigs and we won't be helping them again. The lack of planning and support for the volunteers on the bike ride route was as close to non existing as you can get, so we will let that one pass next year.

 Sunday they had a half marathon and the volunteers were treated right. They had a dinner for us Wednesday at the Turtle Krawal. The food was great and the beer was free and it was a great way for the half marathon staff to say thanks to us volunteers. After the race there were plenty of snacks for everyone and free beer. I really think they could cater to us that don't really care for beer a little better, but free is free so I had to have one before we finished the day. (at 10:30 AM)

 Monday the MWR, (moral, welfare, and recreation) department had a kayak trip set up that we did a long with 33 other people. For $5 you could rent a kayak, and $2 for a bus ride to Boca Chica where we put the kayaks in. A couple guides guided us around the bay and through the mangroves between Boca Chica and Stock Island. It was a tiring couple of hours, but still a lot of fun.

 Sometime this week we should rotate into full hook-ups, these past two weeks have been dry camping. That is without having the advantage of electricity and plumbing provided by the rv park, but then our rv like most rv's are set up fully self contained. We have holding tanks for fresh water, grey water, (shower and sinks) and black water, (toilet). We have an inverter that converts our 12 volt batteries into 110 electricity, and a generator that provides electricity to charge the batteries. We do have to dump the tanks and replenish the fresh water and watch our batteries so when we do rotate into full hook-ups it will be nice to be plugged in.

 Ron and Linda Fleeger arrived here in KW a couple days ago, and there was a spot right next to us open so they took it. It is always good to meet up with class of 2007 mates, but it is extra good when they are parked next to us in Key West FL where the weather is almost perfect..............

Found the Seventies at last

 Almost six years ago while driving from Lexington KY to our home in Middlesboro KY we made the decision to sell everything, buy an RV, and Chase the Seventies. The decision was made to keep me from going crazy when the temps dropped into the 60's and below because I stayed inside where it was warm so I was spending a lot of time inside the house from November through May.

 We picked a date less than six months away as a goal to start our new life style, and before the date had rolled around we had sold almost everything or had given it away, we had bought a 37" class A motor home, and had moved the mattress out of the house into the RV. Our adventure of " chasing the 70's" had started.

 We spent time in all of the lower 48 states, done the big event in Quartzsite, and spent the winters in the Southwest, Florida, and South Texas. We found out the the 70's are a lot harder to find than we thought they could be. We found the desert of the Southwest to be too cold after the sun set, sometimes there could be a 40 degree swing in the high and low and that didn't help my bones any.

 After freezing our butts off last year in AZ and CA we decided to return to Key West FL for the winter. This winter KW has the perfect weather for me, (so far), The 10 forecast shows the highs to be in the upper seventies, and the lows to be in the lower seventies, with only a slight chance of rain. So for now we have found those allusive seventies......and will be spending several weeks here on the island of Key West.......................

2013 Where did 2012 go?

 How many times will we write or say 2012 when we all know it is 2013 now? I know every year I try to not make that mistake but find myself doing it, and sometimes it happens six or seven months into the new year.

 Ringing in the new year Marcia and I found the "Etch-a-sketch" uncontrollably shaken up. The plan on it when we left the TT Park in Clermont was a quick stop at Cummins to get a new oil plug, and then for us to be south bound. But: not only did we need a new oil drain plug, we also need a main bearing seal for the motor, and a gasket for the hydraulic reservoir.

 Spartan Chassis is covering the costs on the gasket and drain plug since the leaks started shortly after they serviced the coach, and the extended warranty we purchased back in January should cover the main seal with us only having to pay the deductible.  I said "should" cover the cost, as it turns out they will be sending an inspector out to check the seal.

  The Holiday has caused us to be put on hold while everyone celebrates, which is no real problem, Cummins is providing us with a very nice place to park with water and 50 amp service so we adjusted our plans.

 New Years eve we drove back to the TT park and enjoyed an evening with our friends Dave and Jean. The park threw a big party with live entertainment and we had a table with Dave and Jean and two other couples that are friends with Dave and Jean. It was a good way to ring in the new year.

 New Years day we headed east, as far east as we could drive, and then we walked a couple hundred yards across the dunes to the Atlantic Ocean. What better way to spend New Years Day than basking on a sunny beach watching the waves roll in? The water was a little too cold for us to get wet, but the sun had the sand feeling really good.

 Yesterday we found out we might be here a few more days. Spartan sent the gasket we need by UPS Ground and it won't arrive until Friday, and the extended warranty insurance company will be sending an inspector out to check the leak, and then he has to file a report and send it back to the adjuster assigned to us. Then he will decide what is covered and how much $$ is allowed for the repair. I'm not sure I'm happy with that investment or not.

 I also called my brother Chuck yesterday, he recently took a job at First Southern Bank and his office is in Orlando. When I told him we were camped out at Camp Cummins he figured out that he has their travel trailer parked about 1/2 mile from us. We were able to get together last night for a few hours, and it is always good to spend time with my older brother.

 That brings us back to Cummins and the waiting game, we will hang out here waiting on the parts to get here and the yea or nay from the insurance company. The repairs can be done in a few hours, but the approval has been a six day wait so far. Just another reason I dislike holidays.......

Cummings South Orlando

 We left the Thousand Trails Park Friday with the "etch-a-sketch" showing a quick stop at Cummings to get an oil drip from the drain plug fixed, and then south to warmer weather. I guess the road was a lot rougher than I though because the :etch-a-sketch got shaken up pretty bad.

 Back in Aug. we had taken the rig to MI where the chassis was built to have it serviced. I though that since they built it they would be the best to service it, but I was wrong again. I noticed an oil drip around the drain plug back in November so I called Spartan and complained. The guy at Spartan was really nice and said to take the rig to any Cummings dealer to have it fixed and they would cover the costs.

 Everyone knows I'm a little slow at some things and it took me until yesterday (Friday) to get it to a dealer to have it fixed. Once the mechanic looked it over he found not one, not two, but three leaks. The oil drain plug, the hydraulic reservoir, and the main seal. From no leaks last year to a visit to Spartan for service, and now three leaks???? Spartan is taking care of the costs on the oil and hydraulics, but won't cover the main bearing. We do have an extended warranty so it should cover the main bearing and we won't be out much $$.

 All three leaks could be fixed in one day if (mighty big word for just two letters) they had the parts on hand, and they hand the go from the insurance. Spartan has to send the gasket for the hydraulics and that could take a few days and because New Years Day and the weekend we will be here until Monday, Maybe even Wednesday if they don't get the part and the OK Monday AM.

 So now the "etch-a-sketch" has us sitting here until all the work is finished. We really don't have a problem sitting here, Cummings does have 50 amp service and water set up in a nice area in the back corner of their lot. Behind us is a nice large pond, (they called it a lake) and then past the pond is a golf course. There are four sites here, and tonight there are three rigs, the property is all fenced in and we have the code for the gate so it doesn't get much better.

 This does put the brakes on us heading south, but the weather isn't going to be as cold as it has been so we will be A O K..............

The Kids visit Mickey

 We moved from Sumter Oaks last week to the Orlando Thousand Trails Park so we could be close to Disney World while Corey and his family were in town. We arrived a couple days early so we could be well rested for the busy week Jennifer had planned at Disney.
 We spent the weekend resting up and Monday the kids arrived. It was pure pleasure seeing them and the little Miss Jaelynn was the icing on the cake. Her smile with that long curly red hair had me wanting to squeeze her tight.
 They went to their morel room after diner and we returned to the RV. The plan had been set for the next day, I was taking Marcia to Shades of Green to get the tickets at a discount using our military I D card. Then we were to meet the kids where I would drop Marcia off so she could go with the kids to Disney while I returned to the rig to wait for a call to pick Marcia up.
 Around 6 pm I started towards the "Mouse"s House" to pick up Marcia while the kids did a late night thing lasting until midnight. I was about a mile away from the pickup point when I got a call to pick Marcia up. I thought I was doing good until they ask for McDonald's hamburgers. One hour later I was almost back to the pickup site with burgers, fries, and a Mickey Dee's Sweet Tea. I won't get into where the GPS sent me to find a McDonald's, only that it took me an hour to get back to where I was.
 All the kids had fun at Disney, Marcia included. I was wore out from the two trips I made and could only imagine how tired they must have been after walking all day fighting the crowds, and standing in lines. I decided I would just wait at the RV the rest of the week and let them have their fun.
 They all spent four days running around the Mouse's House and then Saturday morning Corey Jennifer and Miss Jaelynn had breakfast with Mickey and his friends. Miss Jaelynn wouldn't eat her waffle because it had Mickey's Face on it, but she had no problem eating the Mickey shaped pancake Sunday morning the Marcia made for her.
 We had a good day together Saturday at the CG. Even though it was on the cold side for FL we were still able to play a round of putt-putt. Miss Jaelynn did really well for her first time playing. Later the kids gave Marcia and myself a surprise birthday party. Since we are almost never anywhere close to the kids on our birthdays they felt it was a good time to give us a little party. Thanks Kids!!!!
 The kids loaded up and left out this am, it was great that they were able to visit and everyone had a good time. Now that nothing else is planned we are free to head south anytime. We have the reservations here until Friday and haven't seen much of Nick and Terry, or Dave and Jean so getting in some visiting is on our list before we head deeper south chasing the 70's and trying to avoid the cold nights........

Time for an Up-Date

When I looked at my blog last night I noticed it had been a long time since I made a post, so today I will will bring everyone up to date.

While at the Thousand Trails park in Wauchula we got the chance to visit Walt, (Donna was visiting family in VA). Walt and Donna was the first couple we met as full time rv'ers. We met at the Life On Wheels rally in Bowling Green Ky back in May of 2007. Walt is the type of guy that has to be doing something all the time, and I guess that had something to do with him failing retirement 101. But we had a good visit at their new home in Lake Land FL, and we hope to see them more while we are in FL.

 After our two weeks had passed we headed  S L O W L Y  towards Clermont where we will spend another two weeks starting tomorrow. Corey, Jennifer, and Miss Jaelynn will be visiting us next week. They have big plans while they are here, Mickey and Minnie and all that stuff. I will babysit the rig and Leo while they run around.

 We spent a week at a small park near Tampa resting up from the long drive from Wauchula. (about 60 miles) The resting up didn't work out too well for me, we played corn hole and another game the had me bending way too much and that got my back aggravated. Add in the cold front that came down and I wound up spending a couple days in bed trying to get over the pain.

 Now we are at Sumter Oaks with many friends that we have met in the past five years. We always feel "at home" here because we know so many people here. When Marcia was a "host" with the Escapees we spent four months here and a lot of the same people keep returning to this park.

 Our friends Wanda and Wallace are managers here now, and any time we are around them we have a good time. A couple days ago "The Maine-e-acts" pulled in from Maine, three rigs full of-em. It had been a long time since we had seen them, and it is always good catching up with them.

 Tonight the park is having their weekly "dine in" and they will be serving meatloaf and mashed tatters. It will be our last night here so we will saying our good byes to everyone tonight. Tomorrow we will make the long drive to Clermont, ( about an hour drive ) I think I'll be able to drive it in one day. There we will rest up while waiting for Miss Jaelynn's visit Monday.

 Maybe I will post more often, but I guess that will depend on the weather, the weather I do it or not........

Headed to the Mouse's House

We finished a month in Key West and started our   s l o w   journey to visit Mickey Mouse. Our first stop was at the Biscanyne National Park near Homestead FL. Marcia got her National Park Stamp and we filled out applications to volunteer there in the future.

Our next stop was at the casino at the junction of 41 and 997 just outside of Miami where we planned on spending a couple nights. We went inside where Marcia got our pass to spend the night and I started making my donation to the slot machines. It was turning out to be a pretty good night as I was up several hundred dollars.

 We then took advantage of their 24/7 steak and lobster for $9.95, one of the best deals you can find without having the discount coupons the casino mails out. After eating we went back to the slots, Marcia was still just making a donation and I was up and down, so we decided to call it a night and I was up about $400. Marcia wasn't telling how much she had donated.

 The next morning it was a little cool and the wind was kicking up some but I wanted to see South Beach. South Beach was listed in the top ten beaches of the world and I wanted to see it so we made the drive. Because of the weather there wasn't very many people on the beach but I got to see why it is in the top ten beaches of the world.

 The road running along the coast in that area is lined with condos and hotel high-rises. With all the buildings comes all the people that dwell in them so needless to say it wasn't for me. Each of the condos and hotels on the beach side had a little shack on the beach where people staying there could get cabanas or lounge chairs. Some even had small bunker like areas carved out in the sand for the little kids to play in. I guess it is a good way to keep the kids in an area so someone could keep an eye on them.

 Back at the casino we went back inside. I had already put most of my winnings up in the rig so I wouldn't donate it all back to the casino. I was a bit shocked when I found myself up about $200, and then the real shocker came. Marcia found me sitting at a slot machine, she came running up hitting me in the shoulder screaming, "I just won $1200" "I just won $1200". She was so excited! That was enough of a win that the attendant had to come and get all her information so they could send her a 1099 for taxes. I was happy that they didn't take the taxes out on the spot.

 The next day we continued our trip north, ( I know, wrong direction) we made it to Immokalee FL where we spent the night at another casino. This casino wasn't as giving as the one we had just left so we made it an early night. At 8 am they were knocking on our door telling us we had to leave because they were having some hog fest going on over the weekend. Charlie Daniels was playing Sunday and they had others for Friday and Saturday.

 We were gone from the casino by 10 am, long before the noon deadline they had given us. We drove to the Peace River Thousand Trails Preserve near Wauchula FL. We are trying to use the membership we purchased a couple years ago, so we plan on spending two weeks here. The sites are plenty big enough, the hot tub works, and we have 50 amps so L I G. (life is good)

 Heinze and Anne-Lise came over this week and spent part of the day with us. It was really good seeing them again, and we had already washed all the salt off the Kountry Star so it was looking pretty good when they came. Heinze and Anne-Lise is the couple we bought the Kountry Star from almost three years ago, and we try to visit them every time we get close to Sebring where they bought a park model.

 The weather is not as good as I would like it, and I told Corey tonight not to plan another trip to FL in Dec and expect us to meet him. He is bringing Jennifer and Jaelynn down to Clermont in Dec and Marcia is going with them to Disney World, ( or Land which ever one is in FL ). I will guard the rig while they go stand in the lines.

 We did have an excellent dinner Thanksgiving day, the park provided the ham and turkey and everyone brought a side. It really didn't look like there were as many sides as there were people, (not even half allowing for couples) but there was plenty food for everyone. We got really tickled at one guy that had a serving platter for his plate, and after his third trip Marcia said she was glad she didn't have to cook for him. There was enough left that they told everyone to take some ham and turkey home with them, so all was good.

 We have another week here before we inch a little closer to the Mouse's House, we have reservations (oh how I dislike reservations) for the 14th of Dec at the Thousand Trails Preserve in Clermont FL which is really close to the Mouse's House so we won't be rushing.............so until the next time.........