We're here!

Thurs, Jan 15

After a non-eventful drive, we've arrived at our destination, Upriver RV Resort, in Fort Myers. Florida.

We spend the rest of the day settling in, removing the bikes and kayaks from the cars, getting everything in place and ready for a comfortable month of balmy temperatures.

We dropped by the B's, who are located a few miles South in a new resort.  It's nice.

Fri - Sat - Jan 16-17

Friday was overcast and cool - 70 degrees.  Ugh!

The B's came over for dinner.

I'm checking out the little fitness center here at the Park - a few machines and free weights.  I'll get use to it.  The pool is a short one, but it's still swimmable.

We're getting all the groceries and supplies, working on little issues with the motor home - bulbs burned out, etc.

We made the mistake of driving into Ft. Myers and quickly remembered the worst part of being here. The traffic in Ft. Myers is still among the worst that I have ever experienced.  We quickly learn that we should stay East of I-75 (where we are located) if we don't want to be frustrated with traffic issues.  We're finding grocery stores and other needed commercial businesses on the East side that are much more accessible that on the West Side.   Any trip into Ft Myers will be well planned and for a specific purpose, with plenty of time and patience.  Otherwise - NO GO.

Saturday, the weather is perfect and we have a very casual day, meeting people and getting acclimated.

As it should be in January

Friday when we got back to our motor home, we had a card on our door to contact someone who had dropped by and wanted to meet us and see our motor home.  Turns out that Wilbur and Carolyn King from Kinston have a home in Morehead City.  So we get in contact and they drop by.  Turns out that Wilbur's family started King's Barbeque in Kinston.  Kings has been a icon in Eastern North Carolina for decades.

It's going to be interesting living in one spot for as long as we've planned.  We've never done this before and it takes a different attitude.  Instead of looking forward to the excitement of a new destination every few days, we're now looking forward to learning more about the people around us and community we live in.

Settled in at Upriver.  I love our location.  We can keep our car, bikes and kayaks behind the motor home.  We're only a few steps from the recreation center, office, post office and pool.  Perfect.

It is very easy to meet people here in the resort.  Most are much like us - escaping a cold winter, although many of them are from much further North and experience much colder winters than we do on the NC coast.

The temperatures are much like some spring days in Beaufort, comfortably warm in the day and pleasantly cool at night.  It is just so great not to have to worry about bundling up just to go outside, especially in January.

Sun, Jan 18

We've been in contact with Brian and Joey Gurl, friends we met in Spruce Pine during the summers.  Brian is a professional musician and entertainer whom we've enjoyed his many performances.

In the winter, they live near here, and we had received an e-mail from them that Brian would be providing one of his Champagne and Ivories performances in a friends home near where they live in
Venice, Fl which is about an hour North of where we are.

So we made arrangements with Bill and Jan and all of us drove up to Venice today to see his show. And we certainly weren't disappointed.  He was his usual outstanding self.  And it was great to be able to get with them again and share some memories.  We all hope to get with them again and perhaps see another of his shows.

Brian is a truly great performer and pianist

The show was held in a beautiful private residence 

Mon, Jan 19

Yesterday was a great experience.  And today, we are once again headed the hour North to Venice for another day of culture.

Downtown Venice

Today we went to a show at the Venice Theater in downtown Venice.  Yesterday while there, we had seen an ad for a show by a group called The Capitol Steps.  Bill and Jan had seen them some years ago and really enjoyed their show.  So back to Venice we go.

The Capitol Steps began in 1981 as a group of Senate staffers who set out to satirize the very people and places that employed them.  As there brochure tells the story, "The group was born in December, 1981 when some staffers for Senator Charles Percy were planning entertainment for a Christmas party.  Their fist idea was to stage a nativity play, but in the whole of Congress they couldn't find three wise men or a virgin.  Do, they decided to dig into the headlines of the day, and they created song parodies & skits which conveyed a special brand of satirical humor".

This actor is portraying Obama.  They show no mercy to any party or any political correctness

Our seats were in the balcony and we thought we would have a hard time seeing the performance, but it turned out that they are among the best seats in the house.

And hilarious they are.  All us were hurting from laughing through the 2 hour performance.

The part that was the funniest was an incredible performance that started somewhat like this.

"Well ladies and gentlemen, for over thirty two years, the Capitol Steps have been scrutinizing the news and the wold of politics, only to find out it is  mostly a pack of lies from a bunch of squalid politicians who act like they have been bumped on the head.

Kind of like you're acing now...stunned and silent.

Let me try that again. Gadies and lentlemen, for over yirty two thears, the Stapitol Ceps have been nutinizing the screws and porld of wolitics, only to find out it is mostly a lack of pies from a bunch of polid squaliticians who act like they have all been humped on the bed....."

If you don't get it, the actor is turning letters around and creating a hilarious dialog.  He did it for about 5 minutes with out any notes or props, which in itself is remarkable

A couple of examples of changing the letters:  President Reagan becomes Reisdent Pagan, Bill Clinton becomes Clill Binton , political genius becomes -- well you get the idea.

Of course I am by no means smart enough to have remembered this.  They had a handout with a small portion of this dialog from which the above was copied.

A great day of fun.

And tonight, we are heavily into Season 3 of Downton Abbey.  We have finished Seasons 1 and 2, have 4 in the wings, and Season 5 should be delivered soon.  We've found that binge watching all the past seasons to the current season is the only way.

Tues - Wed, Jan 20-21

Tuesday, Bill and I visited a sailboat charter company in Cape Coral. Southwest Florida Yachts.  I have seen their ads for years and had talked to them about potentially chartering while we are here.  My primary interest is that they have a couple of older (like ours) Island Packets in their fleet.  Our basic impression is that they are a first class company.

Wednesday I spent a good portion of the day getting some work done on the CRV.  I've been having trouble with keeping the car charged while traveling - it should be keeping the battery charged from the motor home and it doesn't.  After some work, I thought we had it solved, but when I got back to the motor home and plugged it in, it's still not right - so back to the repair shop with both the motor home and car.

This afternoon we walked down the street to the "projects" at the "mayors" house where a couple of musicians were playing guitars and singing.  Everyone brought their chairs, drinks a refreshments and we all enjoyed an evenings entertainment.

And tonight, we went to "Fun Night" at the rec center.  Now, there was some unusual fun.

"Adults" playing kids games, and having a blast!

Thurs, Jan 22

Another RV show.  Just down the road a couple of miles, there is a local dealer RV show.  However, after the big show in Tampa, this one did not hold our attention very long.

A "must have" purchase at the RV show.

However, after the show I needed to pick up a part at a local RV dealer, and before I know it, I glance up at one of the used motor homes on the lot and there sits Clara in the drivers seat looking like she owned the thing.  The next thing I know, she's talking to a salesman.  By now, I start getting nervous.
She's looking at a 2012 40 foot Tiffin.  First of all, she's always said I don't even want to look at anything over 35 feet, and secondly, about 6 weeks ago, we decided we were through looking and we are going to be happy with our great little 33 foot motor home.

She's really excited about this one, even after we got back home.  She spent the evening on the Internet looking at all the specs.  And tomorrow she wants to go back and drive it.  Watch out!!!!

Fri, Jan 23

This morning we had signed up for a kayak trip with a group from the resort.  So off we go bright and early (9 am) to a local park about 8 miles from here.

Kayaking with a mask.  I recently had to have some stuff removed from my face, so now I'm the masked kayaker.

 A great group of people enjoyed the three hour kayak trip.

We had a great morning meeting people and kayaking along a lovely river.

Then, this afternoon, she's hot to go back to the motor home dealer and drive the coach she got excited about yesterday.

We pick up Bill and Jan and we go look at the motor home.  After about an hour of looking, she decides she's too tired to drive, but I decide to take it for a spin.

Wow!  It sure is nice.

But now she's beginning to have second thoughts.  She actually found a couple things she didn't like about it.

So, I don't think we're interested.

It's hard to believe we've already been here a week.  We fell like we're home!!!

Heading South for the winter

Mon, Jan 5

Well, we're on a new journey for the new year!  Heading South to familiar territory from last year. We stayed in a nice RV Resort, Upriver RV Resort, for a few days and liked it, so signed up for a few weeks there this winter.  Sure hope it works out.  We've never stayed in one place for more than a few days, and this time we're planning for a month to a month and a half - or more.  It kinda depends on whether it stays warm enough.  If it doesn't, we'll head down to Key West.   All we really want it to be warm.

This afternoon we left Beaufort for a pleasant drive down to Wilmington.  We have some work scheduled on the motor home tomorrow.  Then if things work right, we'll start meandering down to Hilton Head for a couple days where we'll meet Bill and Jan.

All packed up and ready to leave Belle Air Street.  The car is loaded down with kayaks, bikes and chairs for us to enjoy in Florida.

Tues, Jan 6

Last night we stayed in a Wal Mart parking lot in Wilmington.  It's always interesting staying in a parking lot, but it was a bit noisy and neither of us slept very well.  It takes a couple of nights to transition to sleeping in the motor home.

This morning we had some routine maintenance done on the chassis of the motor home and this afternoon we drove an hour or so on down to Myrtle Beach State Park.  We stayed here last year and find it to be one of the nicest parks we've stayed in.

Wed, Jan 7

After an enjoyable morning in the motor home, we went for a nice long walk on the beach and then took the car and drove around for a while.  Myrtle Beach is certainly quiet (and nice) this time of year.  We've been here in the summer and it is extremely crowded - just the kind of place we don't like.

It was cool on the beach.  Tonight the temperature is supposed to drop into the upper 20's as a arctic blast hits the South. 

The pelican seems to be giving me the once over.

All of the birds seemed to have bundled up for the cold weather.

Thurs, Jan 8

A big drive day - over 4 hours.

We are at Hilton Head Island Motorcoach Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC.  This is indeed an upper end RV resort.  Bill and Jan had been here earlier and highly recommended it.  It certainly meets their description - and some.

Our motor homes are getting together for the first time since Why, Arizona when we parked in the desert.

The Big House and the Little House get together again.

The last time the "Big House" and the "Little House" were together was in Why, Arizona

Clara's working on supper 

Fri, Jan 9

We went out for lunch at a marina, and dinner tonight in our motor home with Bill and Jan.

A cold front caught up with us last night and the temperature dropped below freezing.  I would assume that's rather unusual for this area.  The rest of the East is supposedly really cold.  Kinda reminds me of last year when we kept going South until it got warm.  That's when we got to Fort Myers - where we are headed now.

Sat, Jan 10

We packed up and again headed South this morning,  However, not before a little scare from Clara. She woke up this morning and thought she had Pink Eye.  After reading a little about it online, we quickly got her to an urgent care facility in Hilton Head.  Turn out that all she has is an allergy.  So we could continue our journey without concern.

We had a quiet pleasant drive to a place we fondly remember from an earlier trip.

The day after we purchased this motor home (which was in St. Augustine, Fl), we spent our second night here at Pelican Roost RV Park at Mayport Naval Station in Jacksonville.

This is one of the more beautiful RV parks we've stayed in.  It is right on the river where it meets the ocean.  We often see Navy and civilian ships transiting the river to the ocean.

The cold is holding on, and here just off the beach, the wind is howling tonight.  The forecast is for rain and a little warmer this week as we make our way further South.

Sun, Jan 11

We had hoped that a site would open up at Pelican Roost this morning, but it didn't.  We would liked to have stayed another day.

We got the washing done (free laundramat - a most unusual perk), then headed Southwest toward Tampa.  We had picked out a State Campground about 3 hours away, but about an hour down the road, we saw a sign for Gold Head Branch State Park and decided to see if they had something available - and they did.

This turns out to be a pretty neat place.  The primary feature is a deep (maybe 75 feet) ravine that is fed by natural springs.  There are some lakes around and lots of hiking trails.   The campground has large sites with electric and water - and boy, is it quiet and dark.

We can finally break out the swing and chairs because it is WARM!

I took off this afternoon on the bike and did some biking and hiking.  It's an interesting place with lots of wildlife - I saw 4 deer and numerous other small critters.

Moss Man

We would like to stay another day or so, but we are now on a schedule.  We want to go to a big RV show in Tampa on Wednesday, and are supposed to be at Upriver Resort on Thursday.

Mon, Jan 12

Now that we're warm, we're happy!

We head further South with a general idea of going to Hillsborough River State Park.  Jan had suggested this when we were discussing getting together again.  I called and they were full, but I was told that they would likely have some first-come first-served.  I checked on-line and found that there was one spot available, so I went ahead and reserved it.  On the way down here, we ended up traveling with Bill and Jan and we both arrived at the same time.  When we arrived at the park, they didn't have any first-come first-serve sites.  We insisted that Bill and Jan take that site and we moved on down the road to a private park, which is nice enough and mainly they have a good swimming pool.

This afternoon after I got in a good swim and then it started raining.  So we're settled in for the evening.

Tonight there was a show here at Camp Lemora RV Park where we are staying (in the rain).  Steve Jeffris, Guitarist, Vocalist, Entertainer (www.stevejeffris.com) played a great 2 hour show.

We've also connected with Brian and Joey Gurl, great friends in the mountains, and a fantastic entertainer whom we have heard play piano many times at their former home in Burnsville and at The Orchard.  We plan to go to one of his shows this coming Sunday.

Tues, Jan 14

This morning, Bill and Jan came over from their campsite, picked us up and we drove to downtown Tampa.  We had no idea what to expect or what we might find, we just thought there might be something enjoyable for a couple of hours.

This first thing we saw across the river from the high rise building part of town were several spires sticking up across the river, so we used those as a navigation point and headed toward them.

We end up at the Henry B Plant Museum.

The Henry B. Plant Museum is housed in the 1892 Tampa Bay Hotel, now a National Historic Landmark.  During the 1880s, Henry Plant was building an empire of railroads, steamships and hotels.

He wanted that empire to have a palace and that grand palace was the grand, Moorish Revival style Tampa Bay Hotel.  Plant invested $2.5 million to build the impressive luxury resort and an additional $500,000 to furnish it.

It took three years to build, covered 6 acres, was a 1/4 mile long and boasted all the modern technologies.  All 511 room were completely electrified connected by a telephone system, and had access to private bathrooms.

It is a very impressive building and many of the original furnishings were displayed in the museum portion of the building.  However, most of the building now houses the University of Tampa.

This evening, the B's had dinner with us and we were able to sit outside in the evening in shorts.

Wed, Jan 14

Bill and Jan drove their motor home over to where we are this morning and set up beside us. Then we all went to the RV show in Tampa.

Today was a full day at the biggest RV show in Florida at the Florida State Fairgrounds.  There were several hundred RVs of all shapes and sizes, and many suppliers and vendors.  We must have walked 10 miles - or at least my feet felt like that after 6 hours.

After looking at all types of motor homes, we are both very satisfied with what we have.  I think the most impressive RV in the show of the type we'd like was a 28 foot Tiffin.  We had gotten real serious about a 32 foot Tiffin a couple months ago, but again, when returning to our 33 foot, we found that we have all we want for now.

Tonight we had burgers with the B's in their motor home.

The "Big House" and "Little House" team up again.

Tomorrow we're off to our new home (for at least a month) in Fort Myers.

Christmas

Dec 22 - 26

Anthony deserved some time off, so Clara and I drove to Nashville and stayed with Dad until the day after Christmas.

Dad celebrates his 99th Christmas

Dec 26

This morning we left Dads and drove to Cary to help the kids (big and little) celebrate Christmas.

 That is Evan holding MY CHACOS CAUSE I GOT CHACOS FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Anna and Evan came back to Beaufort with us for a week of fun.

Saturday, Dec 27

The weather is very cooperative, so we go over to Morehead City for a supposed "ice rink" that has been set up downtown.  It turns out the ice rink is just plastic panels laid on the ground and kept slick with soap.  However, the kids were able to stand up - most of the time.

We were 'ice walking' cause it was pretty hard to glide on wax. At least we can say we did it!

Sun, Dec 28

Another nice weather day - the last of 2014 and we're out kayaking.  We had tried earlier to take the power boat out, but the engine wasn't running well, so we abandoned that idea.

 Mimi and I are wearing our matching Beaufort sweatshirts!

 This is Evan being a total idiot and deciding 'Hey! It's below 50 wanna hear a great idea? Lets jump in Taylors Creek!' Then he had to kayak home wet and cold.

Later that night Mimi took Evan and I to the light show where we got a little boy to go under the arch and dance with us!

Tues, Dec 30

Mimi and the kids take an art class.

We decided that art was not our field of expertise, but it was still fun

Scottie and her son, Matt came over after the light show and we watched Despicable Me, this was the first cartoon/ movie that Papa has managed to stay awake during!

Thurs, Jan 1 2015

Anna and Evan decided this morning, after a lot of thought (and trepidation) that they are going to take the "Polar Plunge".  The "Polar Plunge" is a fund raiser held on Atlantic Beach where you pay money to jump into the ocean when the air temperature is 44 degrees and the water temperature is 50 degrees.

It turned out to be quite an event, with what seemed like hundreds of people participating,  split about evenly between people who took the plunge and people who watched people take the plunge.  Clara and I were among the latter.

Evan and I were not so sure about actually jumping in on the motor home ride over after feeling how cold it was outside, but once we got to the beach and saw all those people so excited there was no way we were backing out. 

We each went deeper our first time in... all the pictures Papa took were of our third time in and by that time we were COLD! Notice that both Evan and I have wet hair because we went all the way under!

Ohhhhh!  This is cooooollllllddddd!

You couldn't think. I forgot to look for the camera or anything. Your legs feel like you're laying on needles, your head is throbbing and you'll find that breathing is very difficult.

There were seemingly hundreds of people who decided to take the plunge.

They ended up raising over 6000 dollars, we guessed there were 300-400 people at the event!

 Evan and I were in some SERIOUS PAIN here.

After the plunge, we went back to the motor home, which was toasty warm, took showers and had hot cocoa

Then, as a special treat, we went to El's  (where the motor home seemed to take up all the parking lot) and had a special treat.  We were now getting warm - finally.

No. Papa is getting warm. Evan and I are still chilled tonight at 8:00. I don't know if I'll ever be warm again *cue dramatic music*

Just for the record- this was my 3rd time in so yeah. I didn't go up to my shoulders as I had the first two times cause I was COLD. I put my head under the first time, went up to my shoulders the second time but by the third time I was in some serious pain and decided to not freeze my lungs. You can see the pain on my face as the time in the water goes on!