Sidetracked !

Yes, that is the dashing man we all love and no he didn't choose that dress by choice. Bob had emergency surgery Friday for a ruptured hernia. He is already home and doing well. Contrary to the belief of some , he didn't do it to get out of a day of golf but none the less his activities will be curbed for a few weeks. It is good that this happened in sunny Fl because if he had been in PA , with that white stuff, he would be impossible to live with for weeks of recovery. We will keep you informed and take care.........................

We've Been Moused!!

Finally, a few days to catch everyone up on our activities. Shortly after getting set up in Arcadia , we packed up again and made a journey to the Enchanted Kingdom of the Mouse. My youngest daughter , Katrina, husband Mike , my four grandsons (Jared , Zak ,Tyler , & Nathan), Nanny Kjersten and Emma ,their 130 lb Bernese Mountain dog ,met us at Fort Wilderness . What a great campground and we were lucky enough to camp next to each other, although Bob and I were happy they had their own trailer. I had forgotten how chaotic camping with children could be. There were so many things to do at the campground that is was hard to find time to get away to the many different parks. The Magic Kingdom was just that---MAGIC-- it didn't take me long to start "searching" with the boys for different characters so they could get their autographs (neat marketing gimmick, ie selling autograph books). It seemed like there were thousands of little "princesses" running around, all dressed up in dresses, gowns, tiaras and glitter. I couldn't convince any of my grandsons they would look good in princess garb (no, Katrina this doesn't mean I have to have a granddaughter!). I was thoroughly entranced by the shows and the efficiency with which Disney World runs the place, from moving thousands of people around, minimizing wait time in lines and feeds (good eats) bunches. Bob, who was totally overwhelmed by the number of yelling, cheerful children, chose to sit out most of the days by the quiet creek behind our motorhome. After several days following the boys around the park I , myself was wishing for a few quiet moments watching the ducks swim by. Halfway thru the week my Dad and Mom came from Apollo Beach area to visit with all of the great-grandchildren. It was good to have four generations together. We rented a golf cart to run around in while they were there and I think the two youngest grandsons enjoyed playing on it as much as some of the park attractions. Sadly, all good things must come to an end so Sat the PA bunch headed back to the cold North and Bob and I came back to Arcadia to just " hang out" in the sun. Activities here are just getting started but already it seems like we run out of time. To all of our friends up North, start packing your bags, it's great down here but we can always make room for one more at "happy hour". Take care........

HAPPY TRAILS TO YOU.............................UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

Welcome to Florida

It took us two days to drive from LA to Florida, and we spent one night (our first!) in a rest stop with all of the truckers. We survived and arrived at our winter home on Tuesday afternoon. The sun was shinning and it was warmer than PA or LA. Bob was a happy man !!!! We were greeted by several of our friends and everyone wants to help you park the motorhome and get set up. (That's because the whole process of setting up is really a relationship-breaker and they want to see if you survive).









As you can see we did get set up and soon my Dad and Mom came down for a few days visit to catch up. We went to some of our favorite eating places and checked out the changes in the community. On Friday we played Bingo for the first time and as usual just contributed financially to the cause.








We will slowly get back into the swing of Florida living. Yes , Keystones Winnies that's our Kathy Plant, she is a snowbird-in-training and doing a fine job. We have already been to the flea market in Ft. Myers and she caught on real fast, acquiring several bags of goodies. Bob and I have ridden our bikes several times and the old bodies have let us know that we are putting them under stress. PA friends , we miss you and hope to see some of you soon as the weather turns colder up there I know we won't have to encourage you to migrate. Take care...



Happy Trails to You....Until WE Meet Again

Rally Time

On Friday morning the La State rally began. There were around 108 motorhomes camped at Rayne's civic center and we were lucky enough to have electric and water hookups. This is where you can meet up with many of your friends and make many new ones. Of course we talk about our trips, family and catch up on the latest RV news. The schedule is pretty much jammed packed with activities and by the end of two days we are pooped!! There were two couples from our PA club (Keystone Winnies) there also and since we seldom see each other in PA we caught up on "home " news. The weather has been perfect but just a little chilly in the early am. Yes ,we must go further south so we won't need the furnace, period. Here are a few photos of us playing as hard as we can... WE SING......... WE EAT.......... WE PLAY.........










Tomorrow (Monday) we head east again, this time for Arcadia, FL. It will take us two days but we are getting anxious to meet up with our winter friends. Ya'll take care...................and..... Happy Trails to You.............Until we meet again

Rayne,LA

We arrived in Rayne, LA on Tuesday. It is the FROG capital of the world and they have alot of frogs everywhere. Frogs and Rayne have a long history that dates back to the 1880's,when a gourmet chef named Donat Pucheu started selling, juicy delectable bullfrogs to New Orleans restaurants. Word of Rayne's frog delicacies spread like wildfire and so it goes...... There is no longer a viable frog export due to growth of population & change in field irrigation. So now you know!!!!

This is St. Joseph's cemetery, listed in Ripley's Believe It or Not! Bucking Christian tradition, the graveyard began with the graves placed in a north-south position rather than the traditional east-west position. You would like this one ,Lorry.

We spent a day touring Crowley- "where life is Rice and Easy". Saw a rice/crawfish plantation and learned that after the rice is harvested thet use the same fields to cultivate crawfish. Great use of the land. Also visited the Opera House, a huge restoration project that will be very nice when finished.

On Wednesday we took a "swamp " tour of the Atchafalaya Basin in Henderson,LA. The weather was a little drizzly and the wind was cold! The cypress trees are one of nature's true art forms and I was surprised to learn that they are endangered (too much water). These trees were about 90 years old.

One interesting thing during the "Swamp" tour was passing under I-10. The bridge is 18 miles long and took six years to build. It was weird to be in a "natural" environment and have thousands of vehicles pass overhead. Ah-h-h progress is a wonderful thing??

We are now ready to start the LA State Winnebago Rally so we will be very busy for a few days sooooooo Happy Trails to you........Until we meet again..

Biloxi, MS Final Days

We had to try our luck at the casinos and after winning then losing several quarters, we ate our way thru the buffet, which was much more satisfying.

In spite of a little drizzle, we took a "shrimp " boat into the gulf. The whole trip was to show us how they harvest those delicious little critters we like to dip in cocktail sauce.

On Saturday we went to our first ever Mullet festival in Gautier (Go-shay), MS. They actually do have a mullet tossing contest. All sorts of crafts, community service presentations, antique cars and of course all sorts of food including fish and "cracklins". Lot's of fun.....................

On Monday we said goodby to Mary Anne, Lucky and Happy and headed West towards LA.

Happy Trails to You..............Until we meet again

Biloxi ,MS

We left PA on Monday and headed south for warmer weather. On Wednesday we arrived in Biloxi, MS to visit with Carole's sister-in -law. She fortunately had a place for us to park ,with electricity, so we will stay for a few days ( I bet she will think twice before she installs utilities anyplace else on her property!). Plenty to do around here.....golf, casinos,boat rides, fishing (her house is right on the river) and just "hanging out". So little time!!

Happy Trails to You...............until we meet again....