Busy,Busy Week

It has been a good but hectic week for us. Last Saturday we had "Casino" night in the park. You could get $500 play money for five dollars and play a number of games of chance. As you can see Bob choose to be a blackjack dealer and by the look on his face I think he enjoyed taking other people's money. We had a lot of fun and at the end of the evening there was an auction so we could spend any money we hadn't lost at the tables. Because everyone had plenty of leftover money it was a very interesting affair. I bought a real neat clothespin bag for $1900. I really wanted the box of chocolates but they went for $1200 and I didn't have that much left. On Monday Bob had his first Chemotherapy and I'm happy to say all went very well. No adverse problems all week so he will be ready for tomorrow's session. Also upon the Doctors recommendation he will get radiation therapy to his right hip so he can get faster relief of the pain he has in that area. The good news was that he can get those treatments right here in Arcadia so we don't have a two hour drive each day.





We had a big pig roast and luau last night . The weather has finally warmed up and with all of the decorations we could have been in Hawaii. As you can see from this picture Bob did have "some" body changes, maybe Chemo won't be so bad after all. Today has been quiet, great weather and I have been taking advantage of Bob's "quiet time" and taking a little nap. It has been good today, and we thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. Until we meet again................Bob & Carole

The Journey continues.......

I know it has been some time since you have heard from us and I apologize . Bob recovered from his hernia surgery but an incidental finding while he was in the hospital has required us to travel a different road. After numerous tests and a biopsy we have been told he has lung cancer. While reviewing his options and giving us time to tell our families, we went home for Christmas. In spite of the news we thoroughly enjoyed the excitement of the holidays with our families. Our last morning home we had breakfast with Bob's family(it was very.early in the morning).

We arrived back in FL (much warmer) in time for the New Year's celebration and joined up with many of our "winter families". So my dear friends ,we are embarking on a new and somewhat frightening "Journey". Bob's wish is to stay where it is warm and he can enjoy the beautiful blue sky, sit in the sun ,play horseshoes, golf and ride his bike. We ask all of you to keep us in your prayers and we will try to keep you informed via the "blog"................until we meet again................Bob & Carole

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..