ATLANTIS TAKES OFF !!!!!!

JUST ONE WORD......... WOW !!!!

GOT TO TITUSVILLE 2 HOURS BEFORE TAKEOFF. PEOPLE WERE STREAMING TO THE PARK WITH CHAIRS, FOOD, CAMERAS, KIDS, BBQ'S. WE MET PEOPLE FROM FLORIDA, GERMANY, ITALY, AND EVEN FROM MT.TREMBLANT.

IT WAS A PERFECT DAY, THOUGH A TAD WARM - 84 DEGREES.

PEOPLE READ BOOKS AND NEWSPAPERS, PLAYED CARDS, ATE PIZZA AND BURGERS, PLAYED UNO, SLEPT. IT WAS LIKE A HUGE OUTDOOR PARTY WITH THOUSANDS OF STRANGERS.

THEN ---

10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 - WE HAVE LIFT-OFF !!!!!

WOW - WOW - WOW - WOW - WOW !!!!!!!

SMOKE, RUMBLE AND FAST. FASTEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE.

AND THEN WE WENT HOME ---- ENJOY THE PICS !!!

THIS IS IT !! 4592 MILES - LET'S PARK IT

WHEN LAST WE SPOKE, WE WERE HEADED TO KEY WEST. NICE TOWN, A CUT ABOVE A T-SHIRT PLACE, BUT A BAR TOWN. ALSO TONS OF HISTORICAL PLACES AND HYSTERICAL PEOPLE.



ON OUR LAST DAY, WE TOURED THE KEYS. EXTREMELY NICE, BETTER THAN THE TOWN. ISLAMORADO IS JUST GREAT. A PLACE TO RETURN TO.

GOT A LITTLE FISHING IN - ( CAUGHT 2 BLACK TAILED SEA PERCH ) AND WATCHED THE SUNSET.



LEFT AT DAWN AND HEADED TO BUSHNELL. HOME FOR AWHILE.




4 WEEKS, 17 STATES, 4592 MILES........ A SUPER TRIP.

LET'S PARK !!!

HOW YOU DOIN' ???

5 STEPS TO THE GULF !!!!

I AM UPDATING FROM OUR SITE - 5 STEPS FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO !! WHEN WE LAST WROTE, WE WERE LEAVING FROM TOPSAIL AND HEADED TO BUSHNELL, OUR WINTER LOCATION. THERE WERE ONLY ABOUT A DOZEN UNITS THERE, BUT ALL 7 QUEBEC CAMPERS HAD ARRIVED. STAYED A COUPLE OF NIGHTS AND HEADED SOUTH TO FORT LAUDERDALE.



HATED THE PLACE. CAMPGROUND ( AN ENCORE PARK ) WAS BUILT BACKWARDS. ALL UTILITIES ARE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HOSES AND STUFF GO UNDER THE MOHO. SEWER AT YOUR FRONT DOOR. THE TOWN IS NOT TOO CLEAN, AND THE TRAFFIC IS HORRENDEOUS. THE BEACH WAS A MESS, GARBAGE EVERYWHERE. AND IT WASN'T EVEN BUSY!!! GUY'S HAOSE WAS NOT ONLY COMPLETELY FENCED IN, BUT HE HAD 2 BIG DOGS PATROLLING. NICE !!

WE STAYED ONE NIGHT, EVEN IF WE HAD PAID FOR 2. WE WILL ALSO SKIP POMPANO BEACH ON THE RETURN.





CAME DOWN TO KEY WEST. WOW !! AN EASY DRIVE. 30 MINUTES TO CLEAR MIAMI, AND THEN A BREEZE TO LARGO. WENT TO THE SOUTHERNMOST WALMART. UNDER RENOVATIONS. SHEEZ!!!

THE DRIVE TO MARATHON WAS JUST SUPER. I DID NOT KNOW THERE SO MANY SHADES OF TURQUOISE. OUR SITE IS JUST GREAT. WE ARE 5 STEPS FROM THE GULF. LOOK AT THE VIEW FROM THE BEDROOM WINDOW.
WENT INTO TOWN, OVER THE 7 MILE BRIDGE. T-SHIRTS TO THE EXTREME LEVEL. BUT LOTS TO SEE. GREAT SHOPS, GALLERIES AND HISTORICAL SITES.

SAW A 65 YEAR + "LADY" IN A HOOTER'S GARB AND SOME OLD DUDE WITH JUST A CODPIECE WALKING DOWN THE STREET. YOU DON'T SEE THAT ON CRESCENT STREET !! TASTED AND BOUGHT HOT SAUCES AT THE PEPPER STORE WHERE MATT LAUER ( TODAY SHOW) DID THE SAME.

SAW SOME GREAT SIGNS AND LOTSA BARS. WENT TO MARGARITAVILLE. IT IS EXACTLY AS ADVERTISED.

CAPPED OFF THE DAY BY GOING TO MILE 0 AND THE SOUTHERNMOST POINT IN THE CONTINENTAL USA. SAW THE CHICKENS AND A FEW 6 TOED CATS. THE DAY IS COMPLETED BY A GREAT SUNSET.

HOW YOU DOIN'?

TOPSAIL IS STILL TOPS - AND MORE

TO TOPSAIL - SUPER DRIVE, SHORT AND TO THE POINT. STOPPED FOR LUNCH AT NAVARRE BEACH, DROVE TO DESTIN AND MADE IT TO TOPSAIL IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON. WE HAD A SUPER SITE, RIGHT ON THE LAKE. WALKED AROUND THE PARK. IT IS AS CLEAN AS EVER.



TODAY WAS A BEACH DAY. WENT TO THE BEACH IN DESTIN. THERE WAS A SECURITY GATE TO KEEP OUT THE RIFF-RAFF. THE CODE WAS 1-2-3-4. ON THE BEACH WE WENT.

WENT OUTLET SHOPPING AND THEN TO OUR BEACH. NO CODE NECESSARY....

THERE WERE A FEW JELLYFISH, BUT THIS IS THE OCEAN, AFTER ALL. SEE THE TRUCKGATE --- THE GUY FORGOT TO TAKE DOWN THE GATE AND BACKED UP IN THE FIFTH WHEEL .........OOOOOOPPPPSSS!!!!

WE WATCHED THE MIGRATING MONARCHS. A LONG WAY TO GO, STILL. AMAZING !!

THE FOLLOWING IS THE VIEW FROM OUR BEDROOM IN THE MORNING ....



TODAY WAS ANOTHER BEACH DAY - WALTON BEACH. PETS WITH PERMITS ARE OK. DOGS ON BYKES, TOO !!!!



FROM HERE, TO BUSHNELL FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, THEN FORT LAUDERDALE AND THEN KEY WEST......


HOW YOU DOIN'

GULF SHORES AND FAIRHOPE.

LET'S RECAP THE LAST TWO DAYS.

THURSDAY, GOT UP TO THE BEACH EARLY. NOT MANY PEOPLE THERE. CLOUDY, BUT HOT --- 86 AT 9 AM. AND IT GOT HOTTER. GREAT BEACH. THEN WE HIT THE OUTLETS. AGAIN, NOT CROWDED AT ALL.

LUNCH AT LAMBERT'S CAFE, HOME OF THE "THROWED ROLLS" . CHECK IT OUT HERE.
AND THEY KEEP BRINGING STUFF - OKRA, MAC & TOMATOES, HOME FRIES, CUKES & ONIONS, BLACK EYED PEAS..... IT WAS REALLY FUN AND THE PORK CHOPS --- YUMMY !!

TOOK SOME PICS OF THE CAMPGROUND. BEST CAMPGROUND WE HAVE STOPPED AT IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. CLEAN AND WELL LAID OUT. WE WILL BE BACK HERE AGAIN.

WE HIT THE LARGEST WALMART IN THE COUNTRY, THE "STORE BY THE SHORE" AS IT IS CALLED. THEN WE WENT TO FAIRHOPE ON MOBILE GULF. IT WAS WINDY, BUT GREAT. REALLY NICE PARK, FREE- UNLIKE CAP ST. JACQUES. THE TOWN ITSELF IS GREAT. ONE OF THE NICEST TOWNS WE HAVE SEEN - IN THE TOP 3 IN THE NATION. GREAT SHOPS, GALLERIES.

WE WILL WINTER HERE WHEN WE TIRE OF FLORIDA.

TOMORROW, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park

HOW YOU DOIN'

ROLL TIDE - ALABAMA GULF SHORES

WOKE UP TO RAIN. BACK TO BED AND LEFT LATER. GOT TO GULF SHORES. CAMPGROUND IS EVEN BETTER THAN EXPECTED.

FISHIN' LAKE, TRAIN, GARDENS, HUGE SITES, HEATED SALT WATER POOL AND SPA, AND MUCH MORE.

HIT THE POOL, THEN WENT TO THE BEACH. REGULAR BEACH TOWN, T-SHIRTS AND STUFF. GREAT BEACH.

LUNCHED ON LOUISIANA STYLE CRAWFISH. YUMMIE !!

TOMORROW, OUTLET SHOPPING, BEACH AND "THROWED ROLLS" (CLICK ON IT ) FOR LUNCH. MIGHT TRY THE PORK JOWLS.....MAYBE !!

HOW YOU DOIN'?

BILOXI REDUX

IT WAS A WET DRIVE FROM MEMPHIS. WE HAD PLANNED ON STOPPING IN JACKSON, BUT THE DELUGE WAS EVEN WORSE THAN PREDICTED. WAVE AND WAVE AFTER WAVE.SO WE WENT ON TO BILOXI.

WE GOT HERE AND IT WAS 86 DEGREES. SET UP AND 15 MINUTES LATER, THE STORM HIT. LIGHTNING AND THUNDER.
BOOM BOOM POW !!!
BUT IT COOLED IT DOWN TO 77 DEGREES.

TODAY, RUSS AND ROBIN MOVED ON TO BUSHNELL. WE ARE STAYING HERE FOR 2 NIGHTS, AND THEN MOVING ON TO HERE ( CLICK ON IT !!!! ). WE WILL STAY AT WELSH FOR 3 NIGHTS AND THEN ON TO TOPSAIL FOR 3 MORE.

TODAY WE RE-VISITED BILOXI. THEY ARE STILL REBUILDING. CASINOS ARE OPEN AND BUSTLING, SOME RESTAURANTS ARE RE-OPEN. BUT 85% OF THE TOWN IS STILL DEVASTATED. 2 MAJOR HURRICANES, BACK TO BACK.

WENT TO THE BEACH. 87 DEGREES AND THE WATER IS AT 80. THERE WERE NO PEOPLE AT THE BEACH, NONE.










HOW YOU DOIN'?

THANKSGIVING IN MEMPHIS

HAPPY THANKSGIVING. WE HAD TURKEY, STUFFING, SALAD, PEACH PIE WITH ICE CREAM. YUM YUM !!!

QUIET HOUSEKEEPING DAY. SUNNY AND WARM, IN THE LOW 70'S. WENT TO WALMART. NOW I KNOW WHERE JERRY SPRINGER GETS HIS PEOPLE FROM......

STOPPED AND PICKED UP SOME BBQ. BEST BBQ I HAVE EVER HAD. NOT THAT IT WAS ANY GOOD, JUST THAT IT WAS THE BEST OF A BAD BUNCH.

CLEANED UP. HOOKED THE CAR UP AND WATCHED GOLF AND NASCAR.

HOW YOU DOIN'?

MEMPHIS AND ELVIS ! THE KING LIVES !

IT WAS A WET DRIVE TO MEMPHIS. 122 MILES TOOK OVER 3 HOURS. WE LEFT LATE, BECAUSE OF THE RAIN AND TORNADO WATCHES. IT RAINED 5 INCHES IN 2 1/2 HOURS. I SAW A GUY BUILDING A REALLY BIG BOAT AND ANOTHER GUY WAS ASSEMBLING 2 OF EACH CREATURE HE COULD CATCH.

WENT TO GRACELAND THIS MORNING. IN THE FALL, IN THE COLD AND CLOUDY, WE STILL HAD TO WAIT ONE HOUR TO GET ON THE BUS TO GET TO THE MANSION.

A GREAT MUSEUM TO THE 70'S. IT IS AT IT WAS. QUITE WELL ORGANIZED AND INTERRESTING TO BOOT. HOWEVER, THE KITCH IN THE STORES IS UNBELIEVABLE.

YOU CAN BUY ELVIS ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF, AND ALL OVERPRICED. A "FAT ELVIS" JUMPSUIT, COMPLETE WITH CAPE AND BELT - $3300.00. IF CANADABUCKS WERE AT PAR.......MMMMAYBE???

THEN HEADED TO BEALE STREET - MEMPHIS BLUES, DELTA BLUES, RIBS AND BIG ASS BEER. THAT WAS GREAT.

TOMORROW IS THANKSGIVING. TURKEY DAY. WE WILL STAY PUT TIL MONDAY AND THEN HEAD FOR THE NATCHEZ TRACE TO JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI.

HOW U DOIN'?

I GOT A ROCK FROM LITTLE ROCK

PICS LATER !


WE LEFT FOR WARMER CLIMES. THEY ARE CALLING FOR A FLOODING STORM, SO, EAST WE GO. MADE IT TO ALMA, ARK. THE HOME OF TH AIREDALES, THE SPINACH CAPITAL OF THE WORLD. WHAT MORE CAN I SAY?

FROM THERE, TO LITTLE ROCK. HOME OF THE BILL CLINTON LIBRARY. WHAT MORE CAN I SAY?

86 DEGREES AND SUNNY.

SAT IN THE ACTUAL PRESIDENT'S CHAIR IN THE CABINET ROOM. THE SEAT OF POWER. ASLO, IN THE CIA DIRECTOR'S CHAIR.

VERY INTERESTING DAY.

NOW, IT IS RAINING, POURING AND THUNDERING. WILL WAIT IT OUT BEFORE HEADING TO MEMPHIS FOR THE WEEKEND.

MOVIN' ON TO OKIE COUNTRY

WE ARE NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE, TOTO !! WE ARE IN OKLAHOMA, WHERE THE WIND BLOWS ON THE PLAINS, AND DOES IT EVER BLOW. TIE YOUR HAT WITH BARBED WIRE.

MADE IT TO OK, AND MET OUR FIRST SOONER BOOMER AT A REST STOP. THEY TOLD US WHAT TO SEE AND EAT. GREAT FOLKS.

VISITED THE MEMORIAL AT NIGHT. VERY MOVING EXPERIENCE.

RETURNED THIS MORNING AND TOURED THE MUSEUM. ANOTHER MOVING EXPERIENCE. 168 KILLED FOR NO SENSIBLE REASON.

AFTER LUNCH WE HEADED TO NORMAN TO VISIT OU.

NICE CAMPUS, GREAT FOOTBALL STADIUM AND SOME FANTASTIC ART ALL OVER THE PLACE. GOT INTO SOME AREA THAT WE WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO GO IN, BUT, AS USUAL, IF YOU LOOK LIKE YOU BELONG, AND DO NOT CAUSE A STIR, EVERYTHING IS GOOD.

TOMORROW IS R&R, SUPPER AT THE CATTLEMEN RESTAURANT. 3 PRESIDENTS HAVE EATEN THERE, SO IT SHOULD BE GOOD !!!!


WE'RE HAVIN' FUN ! YOU???

GET OUT OF DODGE !!!!!!!

SATURDAY WAS A DAY OFF. EVERYONE HAD A TOUCH OF ALTITUDE SICKNESS, SO WE CLEANED AND DID HOUSEWORK AND MAINTENANCE. OFF TO BED EARLY AND ON THE ROAD AT 7 AM ON SUNDAY.

NO ONE ON THE ROAD. ONCE WE TURNED LEFT AT PUEBLO, COLORADO, THE WEATHER KINDA TURNED TOO. IT WAS COLD AND DRIZZLY. NOT MUCH TO LOOK AT, EXCEPT SOME OLD AND DUSTY TOWNS, WITH OLD AND DUSTY FOLKS.

WHO KNEW THAT COLORADO HAD SUCH A HUGE HISPANIC POPULATION.

WEIRD THING HAPPENED. JUST AT THE COLORADO - KANSAS BORDER ( EXACTLY AT THE LINE ) A BROWN VW VAN PASSED US --- WITH QUEBEC PLATES.

WE SAW SOME HUGE FEED LOTS. NOW WE KNOW WHERE BIG MACS COME FROM. AND THE SMELL CARRIES QUITE FAR.

WE ARE AT THE GUNSMOKE CAMPGROUND IN DODGE CITY. WENT TO BOOT HILL. JUST LIKE ANY BEACH TOWN, WITHOUT THE BEACH. KITCHY T-SHIRTS AND THE ENDLESS VARIETY OF CRAP CONTINUES. WENT TO BOOT HILL AND SAW THE STATUE OF WYATT EARP. DOESNT LOOK LIKE HUGH O'BRIEN AT ALL.

THEN WE WENT OUT TO SEE THE RUTS FROM THE CATTLE DRIVES ON THE SANTA FE TRAIL. THAT WAS TRULY AMAZING TO STAND WHERE PIONEERS DROVE MILLIONS OF CATTLE TO MEXICO. IT SAVED THE DAY.

TOMORROW, WE GET OUT OF DODGE AND HEAD FOR WICHITA AND ON TO OKLOHAMA CITY.

GARDEN OF THE GODS

TODAY WAS A VISITING DAY. WE HEARD ABOUT THE GARDEN OF THE GODS, SO, OFF WE WENT.

THE FIRST THING WE SAW WAS A HUGE HAWK, JUST OUTSIDE THE CAMPGROUND. AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF PRAIRIE DOGS. COINCIDENCE??? BREAKFAST???

STOPPED AT CAMPING WORLD AND SPENT OUR ALLOWANCE. LOOKED AT SOME RIGS.....JUST LOOKING !!!

WE ARRIVED AT THE GARDEN OF THE GODS AND WERE ASTOUNDED AT THE BEAUTY AND MAJESTY OF THE PARK. IT IS HUGE, MILES SQUARE AND FREE. TAKE THAT, CAP ST. JACQUES WITH YOUR $5 FEE !!!

BALANCED ROCKS, WALLS OF ROCKS, CAVES IN THE ROCKS. COWBOYS RIDING AROUND, HIKERS HIKING. IT WAS AWE INSPIRING.

WENT TO THE TRADING POST AND GAWKED AT THE INFINITE CHOICE OF STUFF AND CRAP. BUT THE PARK IS FREE, SO THEY HAVE TO FUND IT SOMEHOW.

WE HAD COFFEE AND SNACKS AT THE OBSERVATION CENTER. ALL THE WHILE, A HUGE MULE DEER ( 6 POINTS ) WAS MUNCHING ON THE LEAVES OF SOME BUSHES, LESS THAN 100 FEET AWAY.

THEN WE VISITED MANITOU SPRINGS, GATEWAY TO PIKE'S PEAK. AN ARTIST COLONY THRIVES THERE AND WE SAW SOME AMAZING CRAFTS. BOUGHT A MUSIC BOX. LUNCH IN A REAL HOMEY BAR. BUFFALO BURGER WAS SUPERB. ENDED THE DAY BY GOING FOR A WALK AND GOT A PICTURE OF A BUNNY.

TOMORROW, THE AIR ACADEMY.

HOW YOU DOIN'

4 DAY UPDATE - LOTS HAS HAPPENED !!!

WELL, FROM CORN PALACE TO PIKE'S PEAK. WHAT A COUNTRY, U.S.A.!

WE LEFT MITCHELL, AND HEADED WEST TO RAPID CITY. YES, THE FAMOUS RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA. THE WINDS WERE UNBELIEVABLE. WE SAW A HOUSE THAT HAD BEEN BLOWN OVER ON IT'S SIDE. WELL, IT WAS ONLY HALF OF A MANUFACTURED HOME, BUT IT HAD BEEN FLIPPED OFF THE TRUCK AND LAY ON IT'S SIDE.

WE CROSSED THE MISSOURI, AND IT WAS C.C.C.COLD. 34 DEGREES. DROVE THRU THE BADLANDS AND ENDED UP AT WALL DRUGS, IN WALL, SD.

THE BIGGEST TOURIST TRAP EVER BUILT. MAKES PEDRO LOOK LIKE A DEPANNEUR. PEOPLE ACTUALLY COME HERE AS A DESTINATION AND LOOK AT THE INCREDIBLE MASS AND ACCUMULATION OF USELESS JUNK EVER COLLECTED IN ONE PLACE. BOUGHT SOME FUDGE ( IS'S BECAUSE OF THE FUDGE...). LOOKED AT ORIGINAL WYETH PAINTINGS. AMAZING.

RAPID CITY IS FANTASTIC. ART ON EVERY STREET CORNER. WE THOUGHT THE CAMPGROUND WAS NEAR TOWN. IT WAS 29 MILES AWAY, AND THE GPS SENT US ON A WILD GOOSE CHASE, AGAIN.

CAMPGROUND WAS GREAT. IT USED TO BE A RANCH. GENERAL CUSTER STAYED THERE. I WENT IN A BUILDING THAT WAS USED BY CUSTER. WOW !!

THE STONE PRESIDENTS ARE AWE INSPIRING. MET A GUY WHO WORKED ON THE PROJECT. HE WAS SELLING A BOOK AND WAS UNBELIEVABLY SURLY. I ASKED HIM WHY THEY HAD SCULPED THE PRESIDENTS. " TO GET PEOPLE TO COME TO SOUTH DAKOTA. AND IT WORKED." WENT TO SEE CRAZY HORSE, AND BECAUSE OF EXHORBITANT PRICE ($27 ) WE DID NOT GO IN BUT LOOKED FROM THE ROAD.

A STORM WAS COMING. THE GUY ON TV SAID THAT IF YOU COULD GET OUT OF TOWN, GO !!!!!! COLD AND SNOW ( 8 INCHES ) AND WINDS TO 65 MILES PER HOUR. SO, WE WENT.

THE GUYS AT THE CG GAVE US A GREAT SHORTCUT AND WE HEADED SOUTH, 406 MILES, 25 MILES SOUTH OF DENVER, COLORADO.

DROVE THRU THE NATIONAL GRASSLANDS AND THE BLACK HILLS. WE SAW HUNDREDS OF DEER AND ANTELLOPES, AND DID NOT HEAR A SINGLE DISCOURAGING WORD. SAW SOME BUFFALO AND FOXES. STOPPED IN CHUGWATER FOR LUNCH. YES, CHUGWATER...

WYOMING AND THE PEOPLE ARE TOUGH AND INDEPENDENT.

MADE IT TO CASTLE ROCK. CG WAS DESIGNED MOSTLY FOR PEOPLE ON HORSEBACK, WHO LIKE TO TENT, OR CURL UP IN A YURT. IT IS WITHIN 50 FEET FROM THE TRAIN TRACK. BIG, LOUD TRAINS CAME THROUGH THE NIGHT. THEY HAD BBQ GRILLS AMDE OUT OF OLD CAR WHEELS.

TODAY, WE CAME TO KOA IN FOUNTAIN, CO. WE WILL STAY HERE FOR 3 NIGHTS.

HOW YOU DOIN'?

UPDATE - NORTH TO SOUTH ???

LOTS HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST FEW DAYS. WE WENT TO MOLINE AND LOOKED AT SOME ROCK ISLAND LINE ROLLING STOCK, CROSSED THE MISSISSIPPI 4 TIMES AND VISITED THE JOHN DEERE MUSEUM.

ROCK ISLAND LINE IS A MIGHT FINE LINE, AS THE SONG GOES. WE SAW A REFURBISHED CABOOSE AND SOME INTERESTING STUFF THERE. WE ALSO VISITED A "AVENUE OF HEROES" MEMORIAL.

THE JOHN DEERE MUSEUM IS AWESOME. WE SAW SOME REALLY BIG LAWN MOWERS. $1,000,000 GETS YOU A COMBINE THAT CAN CUT AND MULCH ENOUGH CORN IN 1 MINUTE TO FILL A DUMP TRUCK. JOHN DEERE IS AN EXACT TWIN TO JOHN WAYNE.....MMM? COINCIDENCE?

WENT TO A NATIONAL CEMETERY, BUT WE COULD NOT GET IN. IT IS ON A MILITARY BASE, AND AS WE ARE NOT U.S. CITIZEN, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO GO THROUGH A SECURITY CHECK BY THE FBI. IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN OVER AN HOUR - INTERVIEW, PICS AND FINGERPRINTS. POST 9-11 SECURITY.

WENT TO A CASINO AND MADE ENOUGH MONEY FOR A TANK OF GAS. WHOO-WHOO!!

SAW A "STEP-BAND" AND SOME DRUMLINE KIDS PUTTING ON A GREAT SHOW AT A HUBCAP DEALER. IT WAS FANTASTIC. BOOM-BOOM POW !!

DAWN SUNDAY, DEPARTURE FOR OMAHA, NEBRASKA. SAW THE BIGGEST TRUCK STOP IN THE WORLD. 1200 PARKED TRUCKS!
THERE IS NO SMOKING OUTSIDE AT THE REST AREAS IN IOWA. OUTSIDE......IMAGINE THAT, FOLKS.

WE HAD UNBELIEVABLE CROSSWINDS, 30 TO 40 MPH GUSTS. IT WAS LIKE DRIVING A BILLBOARD. THE CAMPGROUND WAS A GENERIC KOA. BUT, FOR A PIT STOP, IT WAS OK. LEFT OMAHA EARLY AND HEADED NORTH TO SOUTH DAKOTA. HENCE THE HEADLINE.

STILL WINDY, JUST AS WINDY AS YESTERDAY. AND COLD. WINDCHILL IN THE 30'S.

WE MADE IT TO MITCHELL, SD. AND VISITED THE ----- CORN PALACE. A HUGE ARENA/THEATER COMPLEX, COVERED WITH EARS OF CORN. I REPEAT --- A HUGE ARENA/THEATER COMPLEX, COVERED WITH EARS OF CORN.

HERE ARE SOME PICS, MORE TO COME. I NEED A FREE AND FAST CONNECTION, SO, MAYBE TOMORROW.

HOW YOU DOIN'??

From Shipshewana to Iowa......well, near there !!!

WELL, AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS VISITING AND EATING EVERYTHING AMISH, WE SET OUT WEST TO IOWA. WE LOOKED AT THE MAP AND DECIDED THAT I80 WOULD BE TOO BUSY AROUND CHICAGO, SO WE OPTED FOR THE 30. NICE DRIVE THRU GOSHEN, SAW THE BRONZE FOUNTAIN OF ZEUS AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF TRACTORS.

THE HIGHWAY WAS A MISTAKE. WHO THE HECK PUT TRAFFIC LIGHTS ON A HIGHWAY. WE LOST A GOOD 2 1/2 HOURS, TRICKLIN' THROUGH ILLINOIS, THE LINCOLN HIGHWAY, CHICAGO HEIGHTS AND A WHOLE BUNCH OF OTHER PLACES. WE DECIDED WE HAD HAD ENOUGH AND WOULD LOOK FOR A CAMPGROUND.

THE ONE WE FOUND LOOKED GOOD ON THE BOOKS. IT WAS A SHORT DRIVE FROM THE HIGHWAY, NEAR THE 74. 40 FOOT PULL-THRUS, ETC. THERE WAS NO TRUTH IN ADVERTISING.

THE PLACE HAD NO PULL-THRUS, TONS OF TREES, NOT A LEVEL SPOT BIG ENOUGH FOR US AND WORST OF ALL, CHOLIFORM IN THE WATER. THEN WE GOT ATTACKED BY TURKEYS. FRIGGIN' BIRDS !

HIT THE ROAD, GUYS.

BACK TO THE 80. A FEW MINUTES LATER, WE SAW A NICE CAMPGROUND, RIGHT ON THE RIVER. WE TOOK THE EXIT, TURNED THIS WAY AND THEN THAT WAY AND ...........STOP!!!!!!

THE BRIDGE HAD A CLEARANCE OF 12'2". WE ARE 12'6" AND 13'1" RESPECTIVELY.

PEOPLE STOPPED AND HAD SUGGESTIONS. LOTSA HEAD SHAKIN' GOIN' ON. YUP, LOTS OF PEOPLE HIT THAT BRIDGE. YUP, THE BRIDGE WILL BE RAISED NEST YEAR.

WE WERE 500 YARDS TO THE CAMPGROUND, AND WE COULD NOT GET THERE.

WE LOOKED AND LOOKED,DISCUSSED, TALKED, SPIT ON THE GROUND AND LOOKED SOME MORE.

THEN, I MANAGED TO TURN THE MOHO AROUND, WITH HELP FROM THE NAVIGATORS. I WENT AHEAD AND SLOWED TRAFFIC, WHILE RUSSELL BACKED UP..... FOR OVER A MILE. SLOWLY, I MIGHT ADD.

PHEW, THINGS DONE. WE HAD A CROWD OF CAMPERS. THE CAMP DIRECTOR OVERRULED A CAMPER WHO WOULD SHOW US THE WAY. THE DIRECTOR WAS THEN OVERRULED BY THE CAMPGROUND OWNER. SO, WE DROVE TO THE CAMPGROUND.............. 12 MILES TO GO 500 YARDS.

THE CG IS GREAT. RIGHT ON THE RIVER, IT IS CALLED LUNDEENS LANDING.

( http://www.lundeens-landing.com/ )

WE WERE OFFERED A FREE STAY BY THE OWNERS. THANK YOU.

THE NEXT MORNING, IT WAS POURING AND WE DECIDED TO STAY. WE SLEPT 12 HOURS. I GUESS WE WERE TIRED. IT CLEARED UP IN THE AFTERNOON AND WE SCOOTED INTO TOWN, GAWKED AT THE MISSISSIPPI, GOT SOME NICE BIRD PIX.

THEN WE WENT TO FAREWAY. RECOMMENDED BY THE GOOD FOLKS ON RV.NET. THE BEST, BY FAR, RIBEYE STEAK WE HAVE EVER HAD, BAR NONE !!!!!

THIS MORNING, GOT SOME FISHING IN. A FEW BITES, BUT WE WILL HAVE TO HAVE OUR FISH AT LONG JOHN SILVER'S !

WILL VISIT THE JOHN DEERE MUSEUM LATER AND GET READY TO TREK TO THE NEBRASKA BORDER TOMORROW, THEN NORTH TO SOUTH DAKOTA.

WHAT ARE YOU DOIN????

SHIPSHEWANA, INDIANA

TODAY WAS A DAY OF REST, RELAXATION AND CLEANING OUT STUFF.

WASH DAY AND ANOTHER VISIT TO THE FLEA MARKET. GOT SOME FLEAS.

AND SOME BAKED GOODS, YUM YUM !!!!!

PICS ARE UP ---



SEE YOU TOMORROW, IN IOWA .........

3 DAY REPORT- Fall 2009 Trip - THE INNER 12

THE FALL TRIP HAS BEGUN. LEFT MOOERS FORKS, NY, AT SUNRISE. UNEVENTFUL TRIP ON RT 11, UNTIL THE 81 MERGE. REALISED THAT THE BATTERY ON THE TOAD WAS NOT DISCONNECTED AND IT WAS DEAD.

UNEVENTFUL TRIP DOWN THE 81, UNTIL WE GOT TO OUR DESTINATION CAMPSITE. LEISURE LIVIN CAMPING AND RESORT - NICHOLS, NY.

IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE DUMP. WORST CAMPGROUND IN OUR 3 YEARS OF CAMPING THROUGH 36 STATES AND 9 PROVINCES.

WENT ON TO BATH, NY. HICKORY HILLS FAMILY RESORT. SUPER NICE. GREAT WEATHER, GREAT SCENERY.

BEST SIGN - GANDOLFO CEMENT COMPANY - CONCRETE- IT'S NOT JUST FOR SHOES ANYMORE !!

ON DAY 2, WE MOVED ON TO SANDUSKY, OHIO. CAMP SANDUSKY WAS AS GOOD AS LAST YEAR. THE TOWN IS JUST GREAT. REMODELING IS ONGOING. LIKE STEPPING BACK IN TIME. BARBERSHOP STILL HAS WILDROOT AND THE THEATER IS AS IT WAS IN 1918. JUST FANTASTIC LANDSCAPING IN ALL OF THE PARKS. A DEFINITE JEWEL. MET A HAM RADIO OPERATOR AT THE LAKE ERIE SHORE.HE IS IN HIS 90'S AND HAS HAD THE SAME CALL LETTERS SINCE 1939. EXTREMELY INTERESTING.

DAY 3 BROUGHT US TO SHIPSHEWANA. SOUTH CAMPGROUND IS AS CLEAN AND TIDY AS EVER. FLEA MARKET IS JUST GREAT AND THE ESSENHAUS HAS THE BEST BROASTED CHICKEN AND CHOICE OF 31 PIES ANYWHERE. AMISH COOKING, MM MM GOOD. BAKERY ON SITE........SHOO-FLY PIE IS A MUST TASTE.

PICS WILL BE UP TOMORROW.

Brick and Sticks ----- Colour us Gone !!

Things done ! House is SOLD !!

We are now FULLTIMERS !!

Now, we will empty the house and make all of the moves that need to be done.

Fulltiming on August 1 ---------

Stand by for News.

REVIVAL IS COMING

WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF SELLING THE BRICK HOUSE AND BECOMING FULL TIMERS.

WILL BE UPDATING AS WE GO ALONG.

THIS YEAR'S BIG TRIP IS TO THE "INNER STATES". WE WILL BE VISITING THE FOLLOWING -AT THE END OF THE WINTER 2009-2010, OUR VISITED MAP WILL LOOK LIKE THIS -




SO, TAG ALONG FOR THE RIDE, THERE WILL BE THOUSAND OF PICTURES, VIDEOS AND MAYBE EVEN SOME CREATIVE WRITING.

FROZEN SUNSET

EVEN THE SUNSET LOOKS COLD !!!!

MIGHTY COLD THIS MORNIN'!!!

IT WAS 26 DEGREES AT 6 AM. GOING UP TO A NICE 63 LATER ON. BRRRRRR!!

GONNA MAKE SOME SOUP.

HOW YOU DOIN'?

GOLF VERSUS SNOW SHOVELING !!!

WE WENT GOLFING YESTERDAY. GREAT WEATHER, 72DEGREES, SUNNY AND A SLIGHT SOUTHERN BREEZE.

WHAT DID YOU DO?

A WALK AROUND CAMP - BLUEBERRY HILLS

NOT MUCH SNOW HERE..........

THERE AIN'T NO FLEAS ON US

WENT TO THE FLEA MARKET AT WEBSTER. GOT OUR VEGGIES, CAME BACK AND DIPPED IN THE POOL.....

IT SURELY IS A HARD DAY

Dog Day Afternoon

We went out to Wildwood to get Royal Canin Yorkie food. That is where the website said 2 dealers had some. Guess what.... they didn't. We knew there was some in Crystal River, so off we went.

Once there, we had lunch and went to the beach. Just a few people there, as it was a cool 74 degrees !!!

Stopped at Crystal Isle and visited with some people. The park is in bad shape, needs a major upgrade. Nothing seems to work properly, and needs cleaning, painting or replacement.

Back home at 5 pm..... 8 hours and 76 miles to get dogfood.

How was your day???

2009 ---------------------------

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!

2009 IS GONNA BE A GOOD ONE !!!!!

HAPPY TRAILS TO ALL !!!!