Flordia is in the Rear View

  Yesterday we left the hospitality of Cummins South Orlando, a look at the 7 day forecast was the deciding factor in when to leave. I try my best to avoid driving in the rain and the forecast gave a 40% chance of thunderstorms for everyday this week, so it was time to get somewhere for a few days in case the weather got me down.

 We had a pretty good winter in FL this year, December was cold, but the temps were really good down in the Keys Jan, Feb and March, although it was windy this year. I guess being right on the water played a big part in it being so windy.

  Last weeks we had several repairs done on the rv, I guess just like anything else in has things break and quit working. We still have a couple things that need taken care of, but maybe I will do them while we are in KY, or maybe I'll wait until I have to deal with them.

 The "Etch-a-Sketch" has us exploring the southeastern part of GA for about a week from Kings Bay Submarine Base. It is a small base, but the Fam-Camp is really nice. Concrete pads, full hook-ups, including cable tv, (that we don't use or need) and room between your neighbor. So we will see what we can find around the area to keep us entertained..............

Where does the time go?

  Just yesterday I did a blog about us hanging out in Mimms, well at least is seems like yesterday but looking at the calender I see we have been here at the Thousand Trails in Clermont for two weeks already.

  We left Mimms and went to Campers Connection to have some things repaired on the RV, (nothing major) that was two weeks ago today. They guys at Campers Connection were great, they did the inspections required for our extended warranty and told us they would call us and let us know when to bring it back for the repairs.

 Our membership with the Thousand Trails came in real handy since the Orlando TT is only a few miles from Campers Connection, so that is where we went to hang out until we got the call to take the RV back in for the repairs after the extended warranty gave their approval.

 The park is OK but not one of my favorite choices. The hot tub is nice, the two pools are heated, the weight room has several tread mills and a couple weight lifting gadgets, and the club house has a lot to offer in the way of things to keep you occupied. But a lot of the people seem to go from one TT park to the next and we have a hard time connecting with RV'ers that want a TT park to be their home. Nothing good or bad it's just not our desires.

 We got to see Jean and Dave while we were here, but I didn't get one of Jean's famous Massages. ( she is the best ) And we did meet several new friends here, Marcia played "pickle ball" a few days. Thanks to all the pickle ball players for helping her out, she is learning. I even hit a few balls with her a couple times, but it didn't take long before I knew I would be paying for it later. In any competition I want to give 110% but my medical conditions won't let do the physical parts so I end up paying the next day.

 We got our direct TV straightened out, the guy came out and checked out the KVH dome on the roof, set us up with two regular boxes and arranged for us to send the gennie back, and our monthly bill dropped almost $20. Although we are not happy with the used box he gave us trying to save us a few bucks and make a few extra bucks for himself. If we don't get it straightened out I will be doing a very negative blog about him in a couple days.

  The other day Walt and Donna drove over to visit and we went to Manny's for a fabulous steak. Walt and Donna just happen to be the very first rv'ing couple we met back in May of 2007 at a Live on Wheels rally in Bowling Green KY. While we were visiting and enjoying the good steak at Manny's we talked about some good times we have had together. One of the "good times" was at "The Oaks Bar and Grill" near Seffner FL.

 We had such a good time at the oaks we decided we would find out if they still do the all you can eat rib like they did two years ago when we all were in that area. (its about an hours drive from where we are now) Walt being the good guy that he is offered to find their number and call to see if they still had the all you can eat ribs, if it was still $10, and what night they had it.

 The following day we got the call, Tuesday nights, YES, all you can eat ribs, and YES still $10, so we got the "Etch-a-Sketch" out and made the plans for a rib devouring night. ( I might have traced over the lines with a sharpie so they wouldn't get erased by that Etch-A-Sketch).

 Yesterday afternoon as soon as the mail room here at the TT park opened we got the package to send the gennie back to direct tv. Then we were off to Lakeland FL to meet up with Walt and Donna at their new home, then Walt drove us all to THE OAKS BAR and GRILL where we pigged out on some FANTASTIC RIBS. Where else can you get all you can eat ribs for 10 bucks? Now these are some good BBQ ribs that fall off the bone when you pick them up.

 Today we take the rv back to Camping Connection to get the repairs the extended warranty is going to pay for, and as soon as they are finished we head to Cummins of Orlando to get the gen repaired, (that's a whole nuther story)..
SO stay safe and until the next time....................

Hanging out in Mims

We left KW a week ago, spent the first night at the casino where Beth (Marcia's BFF from KY) treated us to the seafood buffet. I think it was $19.95 and she got a buy one get one free coupon for signing up for the casino's players club. I'm not a sea food guy, but I do like my crab legs and shrimp. Beth and myself did a number on some grab legs that night, and I have to say they were the best crab legs I have ever had. All of them were huge legs and they had them hot or cold. Thanks again Beth...

The next day we drove to what has turned out to be one of our favorite Passport America Parks, Seasons in the Sun. It advertises as a motorcoach resort, but there are a lot of 5ers and a few tag alongs mixed in with the "motorcoaches". The park has a nice clubhouse, two swimming pools (1 heated) and my favorite, a hot tub.

 We enjoyed the sunshine at the beach a couple days before Beth had to fly back to KY. I know we always say our home on wheels entertains 8, dines 4, and sleeps 2, but there are a few people we make exceptions for, like our kids and Beth. Then we had a couple days of "bad" weather, a cold front came through and there were a few thunder storms north and south of us, but we we blessed and only got the rain and wind. When the front came through it got the better of me and I spent a couple days in bed re-couping.

 Today Ron and Elaine stopped by, they are the first Escapees we met while on the road back in 2007. We were both staying in the Lexington KY area and Marcia and I road our motorcycles to the CG they were staying at and spent the afternoon together. Tonight we enjoyed an outstanding Chinese buffet here in Mims. Thanks Ron and Elaine for a terrific afternoon and evening.

 Now we are hanging out waiting for our appointment to take the rig to a shop to have a few things repaired. The AC/heat pump we had replaced a couple years ago is making a lot of noise so we are having that checked out. Our water pump quit working a few days ago and since we bought the extended warranty we will let them change it out and pay the deductible which is half the cost of the pump, and I don't have to do the changing.

 After that we will take the Kountry Star back to Cummins and have them fix the gen that quit working just after we had them change the fuel and air filter back in Jan. I'm thinking the guy that changed the fuel filter messed up the cooling system when he was fighting with the upper fuel hose while changing the fuel filter, so I want them to fix it if it does turn out to be their goof-up.

 Depending on how long the repairs take I'm thinking we will move up to the Jacksonville area sometime next week. There are several military fam-camps in that area and I want to check them out.
 From Jacksonville we have nothing on the "etch-a-sketch" until Marcia's eye appointment in Knoxville TN the last week of May.

Sorry no pictures today, but there is always tomorrow.....