Winter 2010

October 08, 2010
Left Farragut and traveled to Staunton, Va. Walnut Hills Campground.
Dick and Betty Souter came over to the campground and we had a nice visit.
October 09
We traveled on to Raccoon Valley RV Park at Heiskell TN. We met a number of people here that we have known from before. There is lots to see and do in this area. People from the area come here Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons and have Jam Sessions which are very entertaining. While here we went to Camping World and caught up on laundry.
October 19
Tuesday We left Raccoon Valley and traveled to Nashville and this time we stayed at Seven Points Corps of Engineers Park at Percy Priest Lake. This is a real nice park with 50 amp electric and water for ten dollars a day. The park is about 12 miles from downtown Nashville.

Wednesday we went in to the Opry which in now reopened from the flood damage. The Hotel will not reopen until sometime in November.
From there we went downtown and did the Honky Tonks. We were in Tootsy’s, Roberts and the Wild Horse Saloon. And listened to young singers wanting to be discovered. Most of these people are very good and a lot of fun to listen to. They make there living performing for tips. October 21
Thursday we left Nashville and got on the Natchez Trace Parkway. This is a beautiful two lane road that parallels’ the original historic trace which was first used by Indians then later by settlers who floated their goods down the Mississippi then dismantled and sold the boats and then walked or rode horses back north, which took months. This is a beautiful relaxing drive with a 50 mph speed limit and closed to all commercial vehicles. There are many pull offs along the road.
Our first nights stop was Red Bay Alabama. at the Tiffin Motor home Factory which is only a few miles off the trace. We stayed at Tiffin’s factory campground.
Friday we toured the factory which is very interesting.
After lunch we got back on the Natchez Trace and traveled on south to Tupelo MS, where we stayed at Barnes Crossing RV Park. Tupelo is the birthplace and boyhood home of Elvis Presley and we went to visit his home and museum. We saw the hardware store where he bought his first guitar.
October 24
Saturday we moved on south to Jackson MS. Where we spent the night.
Sunday we made the final length of the trace to Natchez MS where we checked into the River View RV Park just across the Mississippi. in Vidalia LA. This park is on the bank of the river and we were able to see the barges going up and down the river right from the motor home.

Monday we went out to the Frogmore Cotton Plantation. This is a 1800 acre working cotton plantation. They still have most of the original buildings from the time there were still slaves on the farm including the old cotton gin and the slaves quarters, cook shack etc.

Then you go over to the newest state of the art cotton gin. In the afternoon we went to the visitors center and got a map for a driving tour of antebellum homes in and around Natchez. October 26
Tuesday we drove across Louisiana stopping at Livingston TX and the Escapees Rainbows End RV Park. This is the Headquarters of the Escapees RV Club and we always find people we know here. We will be here for a few days before we go meet Sharon In Kerrville, TX
Nov 1 2010
We have had a great time here at Livingston socializing with old and new friends. We always hate to leave these Escapee Parks, but its time to go.
We left Livingston and traveled to Fredericksburg, TX. And the Peach Country RV Park.
Nov 2
We went into Fredericksburg and toured the National Museum of the Pacific War and the Admiral Nimitz Museum both were very nice. We then looked through the shops and had a good German dinner.

Wed Nov 3
We moved down to Kerrville and the KOA Park there. Sharon stays here full time when she is working. It’s a nice park in a country setting and not near as expensive as most KOAs.
Sharon was working during the day so we toured the country during the day and visited with her in the evenings.
Sat Nov 6
We went back up to Fredericksburg with Sharon and visited the Pioneer Museum a four acre historical village which shows the history of early German Texan pioneering.
We then toured more shops and ate more German food. There are several restaurants specializing in German dishes. Sun Nov 7
We spent the day visiting with Sharon and took a ride over to Comfort TX. Which is a nice little restored town in ranch country.
Mon Nov 8
We left Kerrville and moved down to Hondo, TX and the Lone Star Corral where we have a lot.
We are getting reacquainted with our friends and neighbors here. This is another park with more activities than you can imagine. We are busy cleaning the car and motor home. Now we have another shed to maintain too.
Thur Nov 11
The park had a great Veterans Day Program including a flyover by vintage military aircraft and the local high school band. It was a very nice program.
After the program the local Ford dealer furnished a brisket and bean lunch,
Sat Nov 12th
The park had a Flea Market, lunch and Bake Sale in the clubhouse which is open to the public.
This is a major fund raiser for the park and it was a great success.
Tues Nov 16
Mom’s Birthday! We went down to Devine, TX at Rocky’s Grill for Mom’s Birthday dinner.

Maine-Summer 2010

Mon Aug 2nd
We left Farragut and traveled to the J & J Campground in Mexico, NY
Tues Aug 3rd
We traveled on north to International Campground in Massena NY.
While here we went over to the Eisenhower Locks on the St. Lawrence Seaway and watched large grain and ore carrying ships pass through the locks. These locks raise and lower the ships 40 feet as they make their way to and from the ocean.
There is also a power plant and wildlife refuge here.
Thur Aug 5th
We left Massena and traveled east round Lake Champlain and across Vermont as far as Concord where we stopped at Alpine Valley RV Park.
Fri Aug 6th
We traveled on east to Hermon ME and the Pumpkin Patch RV Park.
This is a great park that we stayed at when we were here before. The owners are RV ers and they built and operate the park to satisfy RV ers.
While here we took many side trips to the coast including Bar Harbor, Belfast, Fort Knox and one highlight was the Penobscot Narrows Bridge which was completed two years ago and is the highest bridge observatory in the country. Its 420 ft. observatory give you a great view of the surrounding countryside.
While here the Escapees Chapter 3 had their annual Lobster Fest at the park. We had a great feast of Lobster, Clams and Sweet Corn.
Sun Aug 22nd
Don, Connie and Andrew Hepburn stopped by to see us. They were passing through on their way to the Presque Isle area to hunt bear. We had lunch and a nice visit with them.
Mon Aug 23rd
We took a ride up to Moosehead Lake and had lunch and from there got on the lumber co. road and went up to Millinocket. These roads are owned and maintained by logging company’s and are open to the public, but you have to watch for the log trucks. We didn’t see any moose on this trip, but we did stop at Peletier’s Restaurant and had some ice cream.
Wed Aug 25th
We left the Pumpkin Patch and went down to Kennebunkport and the Red Apple RV Park. Sandy’s nephew Rick and his wife Heather came over from their home in Berwick ME We had dinner and a nice visit.
Thur Aug 26th
We took a ride around Kennebunkport and stopped at the beach and had lunch. We then continued around the coast where we saw many large beautiful homes including the first Pres. Bush’s summer home.
In the evening we went over to Rick and Heathers and they took us down to Portsmouth where we went on the Harbor Cruise. They were very good guides pointing out all the landmarks and the Portsmouth Naval Base where there were two submarines in for repairs. It was a beautiful night for a cruise.
Fri Aug 27th
After a nice visit to New England we left Maine and returned to PA to see our doctor and dentist for our annual checkups.

Winter 2009-10

Monday, Nov.9
We left Farragut and headed for Texas with stops at Staunton VA and Raccoon Valley, TN where we spent a few days visiting with friends and enjoying Jam Sessions.
Sunday, Nov 15
We moved on west to Nashville and did the Opryland Hotel and the Christmas decorations. We do this often and enjoy it every time.
Monday Nov 16
We traveled on to West Memphis AR. Tom Sawyer RV Park right on the Mississippi River where we can watch the barges go up and down the river. We also went out for Sandy’s birthday dinner.
Wed Nov18
We moved on to the Escapees RV Park at Livingston, TX where we met more old friends. Did lots of visiting and card games while here.
Sun Nov 22
We left Livingston and traveled to Kerrville, TX Take It Easy RV Park where Sharon is staying. We had a nice visit with her and her friends in the park.
Wed Nov 25
We left Kerrville and moved south to Hondo where we have a lot at the Lone Star Corral

Thur Nov26
Thanksgiving Day at the Corral clubhouse. Sharon and her friend Mike came down to have dinner with us. We had a great day.
Sat, Nov 28
We drove up to Bandera TX and met Sharon and her friends for lunch and country music at Arkey Blues Saloon. A great time was had by all.

While here at the Lone Star Corral we took part in Park activities including baking cookies and packing cookies and candy for the kids at the local elementary school here at D’Hanis.
We also organized our shed and cut down an orange tree which had lots of oranges that were too sour to eat.
When we leave here we will be traveling to Florida with Sharon who will be spending a few weeks traveling with us.
Fri, Dec 18
We left Hondo and traveled east to Columbus TX where Sharon will meet us tomorrow .
Sat Dec 19
Sharon arrived from Kerrville and started east and traveled as far as Dusan, LA the first night and Sunday we moved on east to De Funiak Springs, FL.
Mon, Dec 21 We traveled on to Bushnell, FL and the Escapees Sumpter Oaks RV Park where we will spend Christmas with our Escapee friends. While here we will show Sharon some of the local sights including the Manatees at Homosassa Springs, the gulf coast and the Webster Flea Market. Sat Dec 26
We left Bushnell and moved south to Zolfo Springs FL and the Escapee Florida SKP Resort. While here we toured the attractions in this area including the wildlife refuges, Bok Tower in Lake Wales with its beautiful gardens and another day we went to see the Lipizzan Stallions at their winter training ground. We got a good up close look at the horses as they were not open that day, we just stopped in and the family welcomed us to watch them practice and go through the barn. Wed Dec 30
Sharon left this morning and headed back to Kerrville, TX and back to work. We miss her already.
Thur. Dec 31
We went to the clubhouse for New Years Eve Party and dance where a good time was had by all.
Fri Jan 1
HAPPY NEW YEAR! We went to the clubhouse for New Years lunch.
Mon Jan 4
We left the SKP Resort and moved up to Avion Palms at Bowling Green, FL where we will spend the rest of the winter.
After spending January through April at Avion Palms where we took part in the park activities including shuffleboard where Sandy received an award for being the most improved lady on the team. We also took several day trips to Venice, Tampa and Lakeland.
We had a great time, but it’s time to move north.
We arrived at Farragut on May 3rd for a reunion with the kids.
.

Winter 08-09

Tuesday, Dec.30th
We left Snow to Sun and traveled to the Lone Star Corral at Hondo, TX.
Thursday, January 1st.
Happy New Year! We went to the clubhouse for Black eyed Peas and Cornbread and had a nice time with the Escapees at the park
Wed, Jan 7th
We left Hondo and started to Florida with overnight stops in Beaumont, TX, Hammond, LA, and arrived at Escapees Rainbow Plantation at Summerdale, AL. on Friday Jan. 9th.
While here we played lots of card games and toured the Battleship Alabama in Mobile Bay. We always have a good time while here.
Wed, Jan 21st
We left the Plantation and traveled to Sumpter Oaks Escapees Park at Bushnell, FL.
We always meet people we know at the SKP parks and this was no different. We had lots of card games and Jam Sessions while here.
Mon, Jan 26th
We moved on south to Avion Palms in Bowling Green, FL where we will spend the rest of the winter.
This is a very nice park with great people and lots of activities including shuffleboard, jam sessions, crafts etc. We also did a lot of sight seeing. We went to the Florida Fly wheelers tractor show nearby. There are many things to see and do in this area and it’s only an hours drive to the gulf coast.

Thursday, March 26th
Sandy’s brother Bill is not doing well. We left for PA in the car and got to Steves on Friday.
Bill passed away April 1st and the funeral was April 5th .
Mon Apr. 6th
We started back to Florida and got back to Avion Palms Tuesday.
Sat Apr25th After enjoying more of Floridas weather and the activities at Avion Palms we started back to PA with stops in Florence, SC and Falling Waters, WV arriving in Farragut on April 27th.

We spent the summer in Farragut enjoying family and friends.

Mission, TX to Hondo, TX

Saturday we took a ride to Mission and checked another RV Park (Bentsen Palms) that we have heard about. It’s a beautiful park, but we just don’t care for the Mission end of the valley as much as the eastern end. After we got back to the park Sandy and I played shuffleboard for a while.

Monday we put our Christmas decorations away and got things ready to leave Weslaco and move up to Hondo TX and the Escapees Lone Star Corral RV Park.

Tuesday we had a nice leisurely trip three hundred miles north to Hondo where we will spend a few days. Hondo is in the Texas hill country and we have been here several times and know some people who live here, so it’s nice to see them again.

Wednesday we went to Grocery store and then to the 4 o’clock social. We then went to the New Years Eve gathering at the clubhouse.

Thursday New Years Day we went to the clubhouse for black eyed peas and corn bread.
In the afternoon we took a bike ride and then had our own pork and sauerkraut at the motor home.

We have had a good time here at Hondo. There are a lot of nice people here and make you feel very welcome. We have done some sight seeing and taken part in the activities in the park.

Wednesday January 7, 2009 It’s time to leave Hondo. We will head east stopping in Summerdale AL and finally end up in Bowling Green FL. Today we got as far as Hidden Lake RV Resort in Beaumont,TX.

Texas Winter 08-09

Friday Oct 31st after a great visit with family and friends and taking care of Doctor and Dentist visits we are on the road again. We will be traveling with our daughter Sharon until Christmas. Sharon is in the process of becoming a traveling nurse and will become a Texan when we get to the Escapees headquarters at Livingston TX. She will change her address, drivers license, vehicle registration, nurses license etc. our first night on the road was spent at Staunton VA.

Sat Nov 1st we left Staunton and traveled to the Escapees Raccoon Valley RV Park at Heiskell TN. We enjoy this park and the bluegrass jam sessions held at the club house.

Monday we left Raccoon Valley and traveled to the Woods RV Park in Montgomery, AL

Tuesday, Nov 4th we traveled on to Summerdale AL and the Escapees Rainbow Plantation RV Park.

Wednesday we took Sharon and went to Gulf Shores and Pensacola beaches and walked on the beach. In the evening we went to Lamberts Café the famous “home of the throwed roll” for dinner. We had a good time with the waiters and their practical jokes.

Thursday we went to Magnolia Springs and Fairhope on a sightseeing trip.

Saturday, Sharon left for Livingston TX to begin the process of becoming a Texan. Sandy and I decided to stay here for the weekend and went into Foley and Heritage Harbor Days where there was lots of entertainment with country and bluegrass bands and the US Navy Band of Alabama performing.

Sunday we returned to Foley to enjoy more entertainment and food at the Harbor Days.

Monday Nov 10th we left Rainbow Plantation and started for Texas, We stopped for the day at Frog City RV Park at Duson, LA

Tuesday we traveled on to Livingston TX and the Escapees Rainbows End RV Park where we got back with Sharon and will be here for a couple of weeks while she takes care of business. We also met up with Lloyd and Bert Christiansen from Iowa who are volunteering at the Care Center here.

While here in Livingston we always meet people we know from before and meet new friends so there is always lots to do and see. We attended breakfasts at the clubhouse, ice cream socials, bon fires etc. We also like to go in town where there are some nice shops and restaurants. One we like is the Out to Lunch Café where they have excellent food.
We had a nice visit with Lloyd and Bert Christiansen before they left for Arizona for the winter.

Sunday Nov 16th was Sandy’s birthday and Sharon took us to Florida’s Restaurant for dinner. This place is out in the country and very busy with good food.

We had a really nice Thanksgiving dinner at the clubhouse. The park furnished the turkey and gravy and every one took a dish. It was a real success. There were some great dishes with about 140 people there.

Thursday Dec.04th we left Rainbows End and headed south stopping at the Lazy Longhorn RV Park in Victoria TX.

Friday we moved on to our destination of Snow to Sun RV Resort at Weslaco TX. where we got a good deal for the month of December.
We found there are quite a few Escapees here at Snow to Sun.

We have been doing some sightseeing with Sharon including So. Padre Island, Santa Anna Wildlife Refuge and Brownsville.

The weather has been very erratic with a couple days in the 80’s then a couple in the 50’s and windy, but we take the bad with the good.

Thursday Dec 18th we went across the border to Progresso, Mexico. where we had a good time browsing through the stands and shops. We didn’t buy too much but we had a good lunch and enjoyed bargaining with the peddlers selling their goods.

Saturday Dec 20th we went to Park Place in Harlingen to Dave and Nancy Crosmun’s, fellow Escapees we met at Weslaco. They were having a get together and invited us to join them.

Monday Dec 22nd we went down to Hidalgo in the evening to see their Festival of Lights.
They have three miles of lights throughout town. This is one of the largest and nicest displays of lights we have ever seen.

Wednesday we had lunch with Chris and Judy Garrett from Iowa. After lunch we went back to their park (Ranchero Village) with them to see the park and their home.

Thursday Christmas day we had a very nice dinner at the park with 450 other residents.
The park furnished the turkey and everyone brought a dish. A good time was had by all.

Friday Dec 26th Sharon left on her way to Pasadena and the Rose Parade. She will spend a couple of weeks in California and then go to Quartzite, AZ the third week of January. After Quartzite she will be ready for her first assignment as a traveling nurse.

End of Wyoming Trip

Thursday Sept. 4th we left Des Moines and traveled east to Davenport IA and the Interstate RV Park.

Friday we went across the Mississippi River to Moline IL and the John Deere Pavilion and world headquarters where they have not only their latest tractors and equipment on display but also a lot of their early equipment restored and displayed.

Saturday we moved on east to Elkhart IN and the Elkhart RV Park.

Sunday we ran into Bob and Marie Smith who are at RV Master Tech having some remodeling done on their motor home, we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse with them.

Monday we went down to RV Master Tech to see if they would do an alignment on our motor home and set up an appointment for Tuesday. Master Tech does all kinds of work on RVs from collision repair, full body painting, inside remodeling including cabinetry, flooring, furniture etc.

Tuesday Sept 9th we went to Master Tech and got our alignment taken care of and it made a great difference in handling.

Wednesday we left Elkhart and headed for Farragut with an overnight stop at Mercer, PA.
Thursday Sept 11th we arrived at Farragut and the beginning of a nice visit with family and friends.