Halloween - Boo

It was a cool night and morning.  We had the heat on.  Warmed up nicely during the day.

We went to McDonalds for breakfast today and then looked at storage sheds.  We just want a small one and did find one that is not too expensive.  Then we went to Walmart for a few groceries and other stuff.

I started some vegetable soup in the crock pot when I got home.


Happy Halloween!

Maid on Monday

Clean the house day - already again!  Gets plenty dirty with just the two of us living here.  Otherwise a quiet day.  Dinner at home.

Cool Sunday

Cracker Barrow for breakfast.  Our friend and waiter for many years, Raymond, was working so we caught up on his summer.  We came home and read the papers and did some things around the motorhome.

It was a beautiful day, didn't even get up to 70 degrees!  Rain had cleared by morning.  We grilled the last of the MN pork chops for dinner and talked to our daughters in the evening.

Brooksville today

Panara in Brooksville for a bagel for breakfast and then a couple stops including Aldi for a few groceries.

 It started out to be a nice day and then clouds moved in and threatened rain.  We went out to pick up Chinese for dinner and the rain started, it rained on and off all night.

This is NOT what my dinner looked like!

Tampa travels

We went out hunting some more residential trailers in the Tampa area.  There are not many around but did see a couple possibilities.  Then we ate at Sweet Tomatoes for the first time this season.  Good as ever.  Went to Parksdale Farm for some fruit and vegetables.

Was a good trip on a beautiful day.


Looks like snow in Apple Valley, MN!

..

Farewell to summer managers

We went to Wildwood today to do some more residential trailer looking.  Found one we really like, but still looking.  We had taco salads at Steak and Shake before going home.

In the late afternoon there was a campground party to tell the summer managers farewell.  We got to see a lot of friends we hadn't yet seen yet this season.

What a nice day, warm but not hot and low humidity!



Old Yellowstone posters:

Looking begins

We went to Bushnell this morning.  Ate breakfast at McDonald's, long time since we had done that!  Then we went across the street to look at residential travel trailers.  The had only 3 but they were all nice, one we particularly liked.  We need to do more looking around.  Then to Walmart of course for our "few" things.

Stayed home the rest of the day.

Nice day, at last!

It rained some during the night, this morning is cleared off, could feel the humidity drop.  Turned out to be a nice day!  We went over for "10 AM Coffee" this morning, some friends were there - good to get caught up on their lives.

The temperatures dropped and the humidity went way down to make an agreeable day.  Hope it stays this way for awhile!

Hot Monday

House cleaning day.  Don't know why it took so long today, hate the job but it looks nice after it's all done.  Think is is mostly getting stuff put where it belongs so we don't have a mess.

It is another hot and humid day, rain on and off.  Had to run the AC all day.

We went to Beef O'Brady's for their Monday hamburger special.



Looking forward to this!

More work and some shopping

We went to Wildwood this morning for breakfast at Steak and Shake, as always a good breakfast.  Then back to Bushnell to Winn Dixie Grocery Store for their specials and to Walmart for a few things.  We read the two Sunday papers we get which combined don't equal the Minneapolis Star Tribune.  Don washed the sides of the MH in the afternoon.

We grilled ham for dinner and had corn-on-the-cob we had purchased this morning.  Also had pumpkin pic we bought at Winn Dixie, it was very good!

Talked to our daughters later in the evening.

This is always true in a campground!

Busy day

Wow, first time this trip we did not move the third day.  Good to be just parked in on spot.  Drank our coffee while watching TV and then got to work.  I did minor stuff inside and Don power washed the MH roof, needs to be done once a year.  We had some mold on top and lots of dirt. Then he waxed the roof, job that needs to be done once a year.  He then debugged the front window and front of the MH.  I did some stuff inside but hardly worked as hard as Don.

In the evening we went to our favorite pizza place, Monticello's.  Their pizza is as good as ever!

Record setting sleep

We must have been tired because we slept about 10 hours last night.  We went to bed early, Don said he'd be up by 3 AM  but it wasn't until 7:30.  We got a lot of things done, the big one being getting back on DISH satellite again.  We had left our dish on the tripod but after a hurricane had gone thru this area we hardly expected it to be standing let alone amined right and unharmed.  But it was, we just connected, called DISH for service and we were on.  We can't get any TV on our antenna here.

It got up to a humid 88 degrees today.  Don power washed sides the MH, after traveling in rain yesterday it was bad.  Then he put down the awnings to keep the south sun out.  AC ran a lot.  We both did a lot of little things.  Good to see friends.  Stayed home for dinner again.

Made it to Sumter Oaks

We got on the road to Florida about 7:45 AM.  We had heavy traffic most of the day and got into some rain in the afternoon.  We pulled into our campground, Sumter Oaks about 5:15 (Eastern Time) for about 9 hours on the road.  All went well with the motorhome.  We were tired and glad to get the MH up on our "perch" (concrete pad), the air conditioner running.  We warmed up some food from the freezer for dinner, did not want to get out on the road again.  My feet are swollen and painful so I just wanted to keep them up with ice.  Hate it when that happens.

Not too many people are in the park yet, this is about the earliest in the season we have come.  I'm sure in another week there will be plenty more appearing.

Krispy Kreme Time

One more thing Don wanted to do while here is go to Krispy Kreme donuts.  We had a donut and then Don decided he "needed" another, he also got me a second one which I did not need but ate!  Then we went for a ride along the Gulf shore.  There is a lot of new construction going on after years of nothing happening.  We stopped at Walmart, the clock by my side of the bed had stopped working so got a new one.  It is a really nice day, low humidity for a change.


Survivor night!

No move the motorhome day!

Cleaned the house today.  Gets bad going down the road and we are also too tired in the evenings to pick up stuff.  I washed two loads and we went into town to Walmart for a few things.  Also went to Camping World to make an appointment for tomorrow for the MH to get the new rim and hub cap and an oil change.  That means we will have to move the MH again but will be good to get the stuff done.

Sales tax at Walmart is 9%, the highest I have seen.  Good thing we didn't need much.  It surprised me to see wine for sale in the store after all summer in Minnesota where that is prohibited.

The AC ran all night on and off, still a little rain this morning and very humid but by mid afternoon the sun came out, cooled down and humidity dropped.  Don washed our very dirty car.

For dinner we went to a favorite place, Shrimp Basket.  We had grilled shrimp and it was very good almost like lobster! 



I wondered what was on top of Devil's Tower!

Motorhome day

The motorhome got it's oil changed today.  Also a new tire rim and hub cap that has been promised to us for two years and a couple small things done.  It took all morning but that was OK.  We went for breakfast at Waffle House, we had really been looking forward to their pecan waffles.  Then we went to Old Time Pottery.  Don went in and out while I shopped for about an hour although I only bought some plastic placemats that we us under the tires when we park on concrete for awhile.   Then Don went to the Tool Box and Coleman's and finally we went back to Camping World where they had our motorhome ready to roll.  We got it home and parked by 1:15.

We went back into town to eat dinner at KFC.

Landed for a few days!

We drove in the rain, on and off, all day.  Our front window was covered with dead bugs and the rain actually helped remove them where the wipers go.  We had fog inside the window at first.  Drove south to I 12, just north of New Orleans and then it turns into I 10.  One gas stop today, Moss Point - didn't want to take our Pilot card or give us our discount - finally worked.  Lots of traffic, Louisiana roads are notoriously rough, that gets tiresome.  We got to the campground we always stay at in Gulf Shores, Escapees' Plantation, about 2 PM and got set up before rain.  It is still hot, ran the house AC's full blast for over an hour.  It is also very humid, VERY HUMID.

The washer that had problems the other day, worked today.  Another self-healing problem solved.

Ate dinner at Zaxbys, a Chicken wing type place.  We need to go to Walmart which is right by Zaxbys but just too tired.  Tomorrow.

We have traveled three days straight, we never do that without a break so staying here for four days is a treat even though we have to take the MH in for repairs and oil change sometime.

One of those days!

On every trip there always has to be one of "those" days where everything goes south.  Our first gas station, again did not have an RV lane but it was a big, new place so we had plenty of space at least.  Then it got warmer and warmer up to 90 degrees with the sun coming in the front window, even our new, repaired air conditioner couldn't keep us cool.  We suddenly realized that the place we had reserved a camp site was further down the road than we thought, after our Jackson, Mississippi gas stop we always make.  This station has RV pumps and no one was hogging them!  Got our gas, set the GPS for our campground and it led us down roads that got more narrow with each turn.  Finally we saw a church parking lot and pulled over and called the campground.  After some very bumpy roads we finally got there.  (My phone had the correct directions but Don didn't want to follow that GPS)  We were exhausted from the drive and the heat.  Got the house ACs on and decided to have BLT's at home for dinner.  The front light panel would not work, it lights up the kitchen area of the MH and controls the fan, step, etc.  Don checked the fuses, etc. and could find any problem.  We said good thing we are going to the repair place in a couple days.  After dinner Don went by and it was lit and working, self healing I guess. 

Going to bed early tonight to get an early start tomorrow to beat the heat!

Friday the 13th

Another day on the road.  We got to Sikeston, MO and easily found our reserved campground.  It is a big parking lot but serves the purpose.  Got a nice pull-through site.  Decided to pick up sandwiches at McDonalds and fix a salad using some of our tomatoes from home.  The McDonalds was the slowest place I have ever seen, it was not busy at all.

We got an email saying the place we had requested camping reservations for in Little Rock did not have a space.  Don started calling other places and there was nothing available.  Change in plans - we are going straight south. 

To Champaign

Back on the road today, some really bad roads in need of repair and some new roads and plenty of construction.  I hate the bouncing around on the rough roads.  Lots of truck traffic but then we passed just to the west of Chicago.  Got to Champaign, IL to a small campground right off the interstate.  Nice little campground by a lake.

Again we stopped for gas at a Pilot and no RV lane, we blocked on end to get gas at a car pump.  Wish they would advertise when they have an RV lane.

We went out to find something for dinner, couldn't find anything.  Finally did what we should have done to start with, use the GPS.  We found a Jimmy John's near by so took home sandwiches.

Wisconsin Dells Boat trip

We planned to eat breakfast at Paul Bunyan's but they were closed, settled on Perkins.  Then we got tickets for the Dells Boat Ride and drove around looking at the place until time to load the boat.  There are plenty of tourists here now but it must be a zoo in the summer.  Many water parks, kids stuff, etc.  Tons of eating places and hotels.

Our boat was probably half full.  We had taken this ride we figured about 40 years ago.  It is a beautiful area but would have been nicer if there was some sun, no rain at least.

We ate dinner at a Mongolian Grill called HoHot.  It is part of a chain and supposedly coming to the Twin Cities! 

On the road again!

We drove the motorhome to Wisconsin Dells today.  All went well but it was cold, about 35 degrees getting the motorhome ready for the road.  We had ice on the slide-out toppers.  Only problem we had was getting gas.  We pulled into a Pilot station which normally has a RV lane but this one did not but we did to a car pump and filled up.  Then as we were about ready to leave a passenger bus pulled up right in front of us making it impossible for us to get out.  The people got out to go eat.  Don finally asked the bus driver to pull ahead or back up, at first she said that was impossible but finally did back up and we got out of the place.  We got to our campground which is nice but big freight trains travel fast on a track right across the road about every 30 -40 minutes.  No horns at least!

It was still cold and raining in the evening.  We went to Cracker Barrow for dinner and came home to watch TV.  Good cable here, took awhile to get the TV's changed from air to cable but when we did all worked.  We are spending a lot of time just trying to find what we need and than where to put it
away.

A little hard to tell but this is a real Corvette on a wall in the Dells.

First morning in the MH is cold!

It was a cold morning in the motorhome, we keep warm in bed but then have to get up and turn on the heat.  We went to the house to clean the house and refrigator and pick up a few more things.  Also took back some things we didn't need.  I am sure I will forget something important and it will be all my fault.

We ran a few errands and ate at Curvers before going to the house again.

Off to the motorhome

We went out for breakfast and then came home to get to work.  Don cleaned up the tomato plants and other vegetation on our deck.  I cleaned the kitchen and bathrooms, washed sheets and towels.  Also did a number of other mundane things that have to be done.

In the afternoon we took the refrigator/freezer stuff to the motorhome.  We had planned on one trip but it took two.  Glad the campground is only 10 minutes away!

Sheila and family invited us for a goodbye dinner, Brenda and Becca were also there.  Good to see everyone but sad that we will we gone for awhile.  Afterward we went to the house to do some more stuff, watched some recorded TV and then went to spend the night in the MH.


As if I had a potato masher, but I know how this feels!

All but last minute stuff in MH

Took the last load of stuff that is not "last minute" to the motorhome - in the rain again.  Then we cleaned the inside of the motorhome.  Don cleaned the refrigator really well.  Then we made the bed which is a challenge to make a king size bed in a room designed for a queen size.  We were in dire need of a nap!

We got ordered online from Panda Express to use a coupon, when we got home with it one of the two entrees was missing.  Called and they were going to give us a $3 credit for both meals combined.  I protested and got $8, still wasn't enough.  Guess they aren't anxious for our business.

The rain finally cleared and the sun was out!


Yellowstone Park yesterday:

More yet motorhome packing

This motorhome packing is getting old fast.  We are getting tired.  Two loads today.  Went to Target in the evening for some Honey Crisp Apples, our second bunch.  They are so good.  I also needed something which was way across the store, seemed like I walked miles to find it and then they didn't have what I wanted.


Just what we need:

More motorhome packing in the rain

Don wanted to get right to the MH this morning but we really needed groceries and some other stuff so we went to Walmart, CVS and HyVee.  The best part of the morning was gone by then!  I did pack stuff in the afternoon and we took it to the MH.  I got that and stuff from yesterday put away.
We have had a cloudy day with rain off and on which makes it a bit harder to get the job done.

Loading the MH

Don went to the motorhome this morning to replace the "house" batteries.  One was having charging problems which met all four had to be replaced.  I stayed home and got one big tub of stuff loaded to take to the motorhome.  I have a full tub in the motorhome, so me work in loading the place is cut out for me.  First the cupboards and closets need to be cleaned.

It was hard to figure out where to put stuff, can't remember where it was before so have to just stash it somewhere.

Survivor tonight!

Motorhome

Today was the day to get the motorhome out of storage after being there for 5 months.  We had checked on it monthly so were sure it was ok but not sure it would start and move.  The storage place is adding on and redesigning the lot so I am sure they are glad to so us go as our MH was sitting out in the middle.  All went well.  We brought it to our house and Don packed most of the outside stuff.  I took all the dishes inside and washed them in the dishwasher and repacked.  Then we got air in the tires and took it to a nearby campground where it will stay for a week while we finish getting it ready.

We were already tired so got some reuben sandwiches from Arby's for dinner.  Sheila came over later in the evening for a visit.

Shooting in Vegas

We got up at 4:30, a quick dress and off to get Brenda to take her to the airport.  The airport was busy!  She has prepass and evidently got through security in good time.  She is on her way to Florida for a conference (and some well deserved fun).

After we let her off we drove back and stopped at Denny's for a 5:30 AM breakfast.  There were more people than I thought at Denney's - all men but me.  We brought a cup of coffee home and watched the aftermath of the Las Vegas shootings on TV.  What a tragedy.  When will us supposedly civilized people ban the assault riffles?  What does it take???  I feel for the families of the dead and injured.

October

We went to Cracker Barrow for breakfast, first time for awhile - good as always.  Then to Fleet Farm, Don was going to buy motorhome batteries but surprise - they no longer sell that type of batteries.  Now he needs to check around some more.

Came home and read the Sunday newspaper.  It started to rain right after we got home and rained on and off all day.