A Little "Road Trip", Some Sad News but A Very Nice Visit

DeBary, FL.

80 deg. partly cloudy, SW wind @ 5 mph.

Forecast tonight = Mostly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.


Tuesday, Jim had his last Radiation Treatment. He's very happy to have them over with. Going in every weekday was really the worst part of it. 

Tuesday was also the day that Jim suggested that he and Linda go on a "Road Trip" and take Lily and head over to Wildwood, FL to go to the Russel Stover's Candy Co. Store and stop and see Donna and Monte, (Rving friends since way back in 2001). 

So, Jim called Donna and asked if they'd be home on Wednesday? Well, then came the surprise. Donna told Jim that Monte had passed away!!!!!! :-(  Yep, you read that right!!! Donna told Jim that Monte had passed away last November the 20th!!!! 

Donna apologized for not letting Jim and Linda know, but she's been very busy trying to get everything straightened up since his passing. Well, Jim told her that they'd still like to come to see her for a few hours in the afternoon, if that would be alright. 

She said it would and that she'd really like to see them. 

So,  ,  ,  ,  , about 10:30 Wednesday morning, Jim and Linda took Lily and drove the close to 60 miles over to Wildwood. First they went to Stovers and then went out to eat at a Wendy's Restaurant. After that, (about 1:00 by this time), they headed over to see Donna. Parts of this visit were very sad as Donna told about Monte, but other parts of the visit were very nice and I'm sure Jim and Linda will be going back to see Donna again. 

It was late afternoon by the time they returned here to the house and by the time they came into the house, Jim was pretty beat! For supper, they just had sandwiches and then Jim took a nap. 

Both Jim and Linda said that Donna seemed to be doing pretty well.  She's strong and has a good attitude about the future.

Oh, and by the way, Lily did very well and provided a very comfortable ride for both Jim and Linda. ;-)  

Now, Jim and Linda are starting to get ready for a visit from Mike and his family, this coming Saturday!! They will be heading down to the "attractions area" for a 1 week vacation and are planning on stopping by both on the way down and the way back to North Carolina.

I sure hope they'll be able to stop for a few hours, It seems like ages since we've last seen them.


A Quote to Ponder : "The Language of friendship is not words but meanings."

                                   Henry David Thoreau


Woof!!!

Moncure, NC to Roanoke Rapids, NC

Roanoke Rapids, NC

50 deg. foggy, no wind.

Forecast = Partly cloudy skies. High around 75F. Winds light and variable.


Yesterday morning, (Wednesday), we left Goodwin's RV Park at about 10:25 in the morning. We took our time because we had decided that we'd only go as far as Roanoke Rapids and stay at a CG there for a couple days and see what's happening with the power outages in Virginia Beach.

From Moncure, we took US 1 up to Raleigh where we turned off on I-40. 40 took us around to the East side of the city where we turned East on US 264 and followed it to US 64 which brought us to I-95 at Rocky Mount. Following 95 North then brought us up here to Roanoke Rapids and The RV Resort at Carolina Crossroads .  Jim had called the CG to make sure they had a spot for us, so when we pulled in at 12:25, they had a site waiting for us.

So, it took us almost exactly 2 hours to travel the 117 miles over here. A nice short day. ;-)

We had never been to this park before but some good friends of Jim and Linda's (Gin and Syl),  had stayed here many times and really liked it.

Speaking of Gin and Syl, you can imagine our surprise when they pulled up along side of Big RED while Jim was checking in at the office!!! And, another surprise was that our site ended up being right next to their site!!!! What luck!!!!

We pulled into our site and Jim and Linda got Nora set up. Then they headed next door to visit with Gin and Syl for awhile.  The visit ended all too soon as they had to leave because Gin's mother was ill and they had to head over there to help out.  In fact they will probably be staying there for a few days, so it's doubtful that we'll be seeing them again before we leave here. :-(

It sure was nice to see them again and we're hopeful that we'll meet up again sometime in our travels.


Today, Jim is planning on calling a few parks over in Virginia Beach to see if they have electricity and have a site for us. If they do, we'll be leaving here tomorrow and heading over there. I hope they do. Linda is getting real anxious to see Joe and his family.


Did you know that the word “hurricane” comes from Hurican, a name for the god of evil on some islands in the Caribbean?

Woof!!!

Jim's 75th, Leaving Rantoul and The First 3 Days Of Travel

Waynesville, NC

55 deg. clear, no wind.

Forecast = Some clouds this morning will give way to generally sunny skies for the afternoon. High 83F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph.


Saturday, September the 17th, Jim and Linda took Big RED and headed to the Longhorn Steakhouse down in Champaign. You see, Sunday the 18th, was Jim's 75th birthday, but neither Jim nor Linda wanted to go on Sunday when it would be much more crowded at the restaurant. They both had very good steak dinners and really enjoyed themselves.

Then, on Sunday, Louise and Paul, (the campground hosts), had Jim and Linda over for a Pork chop farewell dinner, ( Louise didn't realize the it was Jim's birthday). The meal was great and the conversation even better. :-)

By Wednesday morning, Jim and Linda had everything packed up and ready to go, so after hugs and handshakes, we left Prairie Pines CG and headed East towards Indianapolis.

After following I-74 into Indiana, we took I-465 around to the South side of the city where we pulled into the Lake Haven RV Park. It took us about 2 hours and 15 minutes to make the  135 mile trip over there. After arriving, Jim took a little nap and then he and Linda headed over to Linda's cousin's house for a visit.

It had been a year since they had visited with Mike and his wife, Sandy. Both Linda and Jim really enjoyed seeing them and hopefully they'll see them again next year.

Thursday, we left Indy and took I-465 the rest of the way around the South sided of the city where we picked up I-74, heading SE towards Cincinnati. Just before the city, we turned off on I-275 and followed it around to the South side of Cincinnati where we turned South on I-75. We then took 75 all the way down to Berea , KY where we pulled into the Walnut Meadow RV Park.

It was a long day for us, but Jim did well and by the end, we had traveled  235 miles in about 4 hours and 5 minutes.

The reason for coming to Berea was to stop and see Linda's other cousin, Rick and to meet his new friend Barb. Rick went through a nasty divorce a few years ago, and everyone is really happy that he found someone he really seems to enjoy being with.

Anyway, Jim, Linda, Rick and Barb went to the local Cracker Barrel Restaurant where they all enjoyed the good food and the great conversations. Then, after the meal, Rick took everyone back to his apartment where he surprised Jim with a belated Birthday cake and ice cream for desert!!!

Afterwords, they all sat around visiting and catching up on what has been happening the last few years since they last saw each other. It was good seeing Rick again and he seems much happier now that he has met Barb, who seems like a very nice lady.

Yesterday morning, we left Berea and continued South on I-75, down to Knoxville. Just North of Knoxville, we turned East on I-640. We followed it around to the East side of the city where we picked up I-40. 40 then took us first East and then South down here to Waynesville, NC where we turned off on US 276 and followed it a few miles here to the Creekwood Farms RV Park.It was about 12:55 by the time we arrived and so we had traveled another 223 miles in about 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Another long day for us. :-(

Today the plan is to head down to Forest City, NC to visit Jim and Linda's very good friends, Roland and Louise. Long time followers of this blog will know that Roland and Louise have been very good friends for many years and they always enjoy being together and catching up on what has happened since their last meeting.

We'll be staying at their place, out in the country, for 4 nights before heading to the Raleigh area to see Jim's son  Mike and his family. 

Did you know that on this date in  1977 - "The Love Boat" debuted on ABC-TV?

Woof!!!

2 Nice Surprises

Rantoul, IL.

70 deg. clear, lite fog, no wind.

Forecast = A mix of clouds and sun during the morning will give way to cloudy skies this afternoon. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds light and variable.


Yesterday morning, the phone rang and it was Mike Young. Jim and Linda met Mike and Terri years ago at an RV Dreams rally and have been friends with them ever since. They were at the RV-Dreams reunion rally this spring and at that time they said that they may be coming through this area sometime this summer.

Well, they are and they should be getting here to the Prairie Pines Campground sometime this afternoon!!! :-) I don't know how long they'll be staying, but Mike said that they'll be here for a few days.

It'll be great to see them again and be able to visit with them to catch up on what's been happening lately.

Then, about 11:00 yesterday morning, the phone rang again and this time it was Dave. Dave and Dee Dee are part of the "Illinois Bunch" that Jim and Linda meet up with whenever they can. Dave said that they were up in Kankakee, (which is North of here), and heading home, (they live South of here near Neoga, IL). and were wondering if it would be OK if they stopped by for a visit?

Jim told Dave that they'd be here and were looking forward to them stopping for a visit.

So,  ,  ,  ,  about 12:30 Dave and Dee Dee arrived. They were able to stay and visit for about an hour and a half. :-) It sure was good to see them again, and if everything works out, Dave and Dee Dee and Denny and Bev, (more of the "Illinois Bunch"), are planning on coming here to Prairie Pines sometime in September to camp for awhile! :-)

The weather guessers are saying that it's supposed to be quite hot and humid here today, so Jim and Linda are thinking that maybe Mike and Terri would like to go out to eat someplace instead of heating up one of the RVs to make a meal. They'll have to wait until Mike and Terri get here to see how they feel about the idea.

Did you know that on average, there area 333 squares of toilet paper on a roll?

Woof!!!

Where Are They?????

DeBary, FL

43 deg. clear, W. wind @ 3 mph.

Forecast = Sunshine to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 62F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.

Yesterday morning, Jim and Linda took Big RED and headed over to the hospital for Linda's radiation treatment. In about an hour they were back here getting a bite to eat. I knew something was in the works because they were doing a lot of talking and planning. I didn't think too much more about it because nothing seemed to come of their conversation as they were just sitting around, watching TV and reading. 

Then, all of a sudden, (About 3:00), they talked some more, got up from their chairs, went out and got into Big RED and drove away!! Now, I didn't think too much about it, but 5:00 came around, then 6:00, and then 7:00, and they still weren't back!!!! 

Now, I'm starting to get worried and am beginning to think something is wrong!!! 

Did they get into an accident or something????

Did they have trouble with Big RED????

Did one of them get sick????

Are they in the Hospital, injured or sick???????????????

Well,  ,  ,  ,  ,  about 7:15 I heard Big RED backing into the driveway and shortly afterwords, they came in the back door. They seemed OK. Big RED sounded normal when he backed in, neither one of them had any bandages or anything to lead me to believe that they had an accident, but they were carrying an envelope that had the words, "LaMesa RV" on it!!!!!!! 

Well, I knew it was coming, but I really didn't think it would come this soon. But, they got a good price, made what they think is a good deal and Traded off Bobbie T for a brand new Heartland North Trail Travel Trailer!!!!!! 

Yep!!!! You read that right!!!! A new travel trailer!!!! It's a North Trail NT 26 LRSS, it has one large slide that holds the couch and dinette, it has a rear living area and a front bedroom with the kitchen and bath in the center.

I don't know when they'll be picking it up, probably not until the first part of next week.

Being that it was so late when they finished at the dealer's, they swung by the Steak N Shake and picked up a couple burgers to bring back here to the house. After they finished eating their sandwiches, they watched TV until bedtime.

Today, Linda will be going to another radiation treatment and she and Jim will need to stop by Walgreen's to pick up a couple prescriptions and a few other items, but I don't know of much else happening.

Did you know that today is Manatee Appreciation Day?

Woof!!!

Dinner With Laura And Lindsey and A Surprise

DeBary, FL.

68 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecasts = Partly cloudy. High of 93F. Winds from the SSE at 5 to 10 mph.

Not much happened during the day yesterday. Jim's been fine tuning the temperatures in the new refrigerator, getting both the fridge and the freezer set the way he wants them. Linda did a load of laundry and they both took naps in the afternoon.

Then, about 4:40 Jim and Linda took CLT (Cute Little Truck), and headed over to the Texas Roadhouse Restaurant for dinner, getting there a couple minutes before 5:00. About 15 minutes later, Laura and Lindsey arrived. Friday night probably wasn't the best night to go there because even though it was fairly early, the place was packed and very noisy!!!

Eventually they were seated and I was told that everyone enjoyed very good dinners. :-)

After dinner, they all came back here to the house, since plans had been made for Laura and Lindsey to stop by and visit for awhile. Well, when Jim walked into the house, one of the first things he saw was a birthday cake sitting on the kitchen table!!!

You see, just after Jim and Linda left to go to the restaurant, Laura and Lindsey stopped by and dropped off the cake and some ice cream. Of course I was in on the plan because Linda didn't want me raising a fuss when Laura and Lindsey came in. ;-)

Laura took this photo of Jim and Linda with Jim's camera.

After getting off work, Ashley also stopped by to join the party. This photo is of Ashley, Laura and Lindsey after everyone had their cake and ice cream.

So, as far as I could tell, the whole evening was a great success. Everyone had a nice dinner and Jim was pleasantly surprised when they returned here to the house.

Don't know of any plans for today. Probably just normal day to day stuff.

Did you know that more people celebrate their birthdays in August than in any other month? The two other months in which birthday rates are high is July and September.

Woof!!!