A Little Break and Big RED Goes To The Big City

Rantoul, IL.

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Forecast =

Yeah, I know, I haven't posted for awhile, but there hasn't been much to post about. Besides that, my little paws get tired, trying to find the right keys to press, so I needed a little break! ;-)

We've had a lot of wind here lately, so Jim didn't go out much. Linda wasn't feeling real well Sunday and Monday, so she didn't feel like doing too much. Monday Jim took Big RED to the gas station and bought him a drink of that good old #2 diesel fuel and then headed down to the Farm & Fleet store on this side of Urbana.

Jim didn't have anything special that he wanted to buy, but it's a neat store and he just wanted to go. Well, he did end up buy a few things. One of the main things he found was a Coleman Deck Chair, that was in the seasonal close-out section at quite a reduced price! :-) He has one of these chairs and really likes it, but it's getting pretty old, so he's been looking for a new one.

Big RED said that Jim spent close to an hour, just wandering around in the store.

Later Monday evening, Jim cooked a ham steak out on the grill and Linda cooked some of the last of the sweetcorn-on-the-cob inside.

Yesterday, Big RED took Jim and Linda up to Naperville, IL to see Linda's sister, Nancy. Big RED said that it was a long drive up there, (about 135 miles), with lots of traffic the closer he got to the Chicago metro area,

 but Nancy and Linda and had a great time visiting and catching up on the past year's happenings. :-)

About noon, Nancy took Linda and Jim out to lunch at a family restaurant and then they returned to Nancy's apartment and talked some more. About 3:00, Big RED started the trip back down here and was surprised at how much more traffic there was on the way back. (Probably people getting off work by that time.)  They also had 2 construction areas, so that added to the traffic problem.

But, by 6:00 Big RED was pulling into his parking spot here at Prairie Pines where he rested after his trip to the big city.

Linda said that it was really good to see Nancy again. A lot has happened in the last year, and it was good to finally catch up. ;-)

Jim and Linda still haven't done the laundry. They'll have to go pretty soon, or they won't have anything to wear!!!! :-O

Did you know that The population of the Chicago CSA (Combined Statistical Area) is over 9.9 million people?

Woof!!!

A Very Nice Birthday, New Plans and A Cook-Out At Paul and Louise's

Rantoul, IL.

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Forecast =

First of all, Jim wants to thank everyone who commented, e-mailed, called, stopped by, or in some other way, wished him a happy birthday Thursday.  ;-)  He had a very nice day and all of you made it even more special.

Thank You!!!! :-)

Jim didn't do much Thursday, just enjoyed a nice quiet day and the great weather that we had. Then for dinner, Big RED took he and Linda down to the LongHorn Steadhouse in Champaign. Both of them had steaks and both said that they were excellent.  The service was also very good and they both enjoyed the experience. ;-)

Yesterday, Jim worked on a new trip plan for part of the day. He called Roland and he and Louise will still be at their home in North Carolina when we'll be passing through the area, so we'll be stopping by there for a few days. He also called a few small campgrounds near Mike's house in Apex, NC., but they were booked for the dates that we'd be there, so we'll have to settle for a larger one that  we've stayed at before or go to the Jordan Lake SRA, both not first choices, but well serve nicely.

Then, yesterday evening, Louise and Paul had a gathering at their site here at the CG. Louise made chili and cooked hot dogs on the grill along with all the "fixin's". There were about a dozen people from the park there and as far as I could tell, everyone had a good time talking, eating and sitting around the campfire. :-)

Thank you, Louise and Paul!!!!

No big plans for today. Tomorrow, Jim and Linda need to do laundry and then on Tuesday, I think Big RED will be taking them up to Naperville, IL. to see Linda's sister, Nancy and her son David. Naperville, is about 125 miles from here, so it'll be a long day.


Did you know that on this date in 1953 - The TV show "Letter to Loretta" premiered? The name was changed to "The Loretta Young Show" on February 14, 1954.

Woof!!!

We're Still Here and CG Photos

Cullman, AL. (Cullman Campground)

68 deg. scattered clouds, no wind, humidity, 90%, light fog.
Forecast =  Partly cloudy with isolated showers. Highs around 88°F. Heat index around 96°F. North wind to 6 MPH. Chance of precipitation near 35%.

As you can see, we didn't leave Cullman yesterday. The weather continued to look nasty up by Nashville, and we had rain here until just after noon. Besides that, we're really not in much of a hurry. ;-)

After the rain stopped, Jim unhooked Nora from Big RED and then he and Linda took Big Red and headed for a Drug Store. Linda needed a few items so they found a Rite-Aid Store. Then, as long as they were out and about, Jim filed Big RED's tank with #2 diesel fuel at a Shell station which is just East of I-65.

After they returned, Jim hooked Nora back up to Big RED and then got out his camera and took a few photos of the Campground.

Entrance Sign 

Entering the Park

The Office

Our Site #34

For Dinner, Jim got out his grill and cooked a nice thick juicy steak. (Boy it sure smelled good!!!) While it was cooking, Linda cooked some baked beans and made some garlic bread inside. ;-) The rest of the evening was spent watching TV and reading.

I'm quite sure we'll be leaving here today.  I think both Jim and Linda are getting kind of "itchy" to get back to the Prairie Pines Campground in Rantoul. By my calculations, we should get there either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on how Linda feels

.Did you know that today is "National Lollipop Day"?

Woof!!!

GA to AL

Troy, AL. (Deer Run RV Park)

65 deg. clear, no wind, humidity 95%
Forecast = Mostly cloudy with scattered storms. Highs around 86°F. East southeast wind 1 to 7 MPH. Chance of precipitation near 45%

Yesterday, we left Thomasville, GA. about 9:40 EDT and continued North on US 19 for a few miles until we came to US 84 on the North side of town. There we turned West on 84 and took it into Alabama and to Dothan, AL., where we by-passed the city on US 431/AL210 until we came to US 231 heading NW.  231 took us up to Troy and then on to the Deer Run RV Park which is about 6  miles North of Troy.

It was 12:50 EDT (11:50 CDT), when we pulled up to the office, so it took us about 3 hours and 10 minutes to travel the 165 miles over here.

We've been to Deer Run before. In fact, we've been coming here since 2008 and stop anytime we cone through this area. It's a little more expensive than the parks that we usually stay at, but it's really nice with pull through sites with cement pads, full hook-ups with 50 Amp electric, shady sites if you want them and very friendly owners.

When we arrived, the weather was so nice. (about 81 deg., low humidity and a nice breeze blowing), that Jim decided that he'd like to cook a couple burgers outside on his grill, so that's exactly what he did. While he was doing that, Linda got out some slaw leftover from the KFC dinner the night before, some chips and drinks.

After dinner, Jim went out and checked Big RED's fluids, checked the hitch, lubed Nora's entrance door hinges and put the grill away. The rest of the evening was spent watching TV.

Linda is doing well. She's been able to take care of most of the "chores" inside when we are arriving or leaving a park. She seems to be really enjoying being out on the road, and in fact, comments frequently how great it is to be traveling again. :-)

Did you know that the toothbrush was invented in 1498?

Woof!!!

We're Back At Highbanks

DeBary, Fl. (Highbanks Marina & Camp Resort)

59 Deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Plentiful sunshine. High 86F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.

Much to my disappointment, we didn't go to Highbanks Friday, so Saturday morning, bright and early, I was waiting by the door, ready to go. ;-)

Actually, Jim and Linda had packed up a whole bunch of stuff on Friday and taken it out to Big RED, so there really wasn't that much to do before we left the house Saturday morning.

As soon as Jim started carrying things out, I ran out to Big RED to make sure they didn't forget to take me!!!!

By about 10:30 or so, we were on our way to Highbanks. :-)  Once there, it took quite awhile for Jim and Linda to get everything carried inside and put away. In fact by the time they were done, they were both tuckered out and ended up taking naps.

Not a whole lot has happened since our arrival. Saturday evening, Jim cooked some burgers on his little charcoal grill while Linda put salads together inside. Sunday, Jim cooked a large pork chop on the grill and Linda cooked asparagus inside and got out some French Bread to go with it.

They have been organizing and reorganizing both days and there's still a tote in the back of Big RED that needs to be gone through and the contents put in boxes that are in the outside storage area of the trailer. Jim also hooked up a different water filter that he bought at Low's the other day so that we'd all have better tasting water to drink.

He had been using one of those in-line hose filters, but it wasn't doing the job and the water tasted like chlorine. :-(

I don't know exactly how long we'll be staying here this time. A lot will depend on how Linda feels and they also have to take into consideration that this Thursday, Linda has to go in for another Chemo Treatment and then, that injection on Friday. :-(

The weather has been great since we've been here at Highbanks. The highs have been in the lower to mid 80's with low humidity and there has been a nice breeze blowing. The nights have actually felt kind of cool, with lows in the upper 50's. That's going to change though, they're forecasting highs in the mid to upper 90's starting on Thursday and staying that warm throughout the weekend. And, of course, that also means much higher humidity. :-(

Linda seems to be doing better. She's feeling pretty well, the rash and the itching are gone, but now her skin is peeling, just like it would as if she was getting over a sunburn. She's very fatigued most of the time and gets aggravated when she tries to do things and can't because she has to rest all the time or ask Jim to help her. She's trying real hard to keep her spirits up though and I really think it's been good for her coming out here to the CG.

Did you know that May is "National Salad Month"?

Woof!!!

We're Camping!!!!!

DeBary, FL.
Highbanks Marina and Camp Resort

66 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Sunny skies this morning. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing during the afternoon. High 86F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.

Tuesday morning, Jim and Linda started gathering more things to take over to the trailer at Highbanks. I figured that they were serious about staying for awhile in the trailer when Linda gathered up all her medicine, Jim took the pillows off of the bed, they packed up changes of clothes and they started packing up food, like bread and lunch meat that they need every day.

By early afternoon, they were locking up the house and we were all packed up and on our way. ;-)

Once they had everything put away, Jim opened the awning, got out the lawn chairs and grabbed his camera.

From the vacant site next to us.

He took this photo from the rear. I don't know if you can tell or not, but the slide-out room is quite deep on this RV. it extends about 32". The slides on Bobbie T were only 18" deep and on Emrys 24"

We must be staying awhile, Jim put out his flags. :-)

While he had the camera out, he snapped this photo of Big RED too.

Yesterday, was spent just relaxing and re-organizing some of the "stuff" that they brought to the trailer. Laura stopped by for awhile in the morning to visit. Jim took a nap in the afternoon and then cooked burgers on the grill while Linda put salads together inside.

Today, Linda has an appointment at 1:00 to see to see the chemo doctor, (Dr. Saferali ). At that time she'll find out when she'll start treatments again. :-(  After the doctor's visit, they want to stop by the house to pick up the mail and a few items, and then stop by the store to buy milk and a few other things.

I don't know how long we'll be staying here at Highbanks. The site rent is paid until the 14th of May, so the trailer can stay here until then, but we won't be staying out here in it the whole time.

Oh Wow!!!! I just looked outside and it's getting very foggy here by the river. I wonder of it's foggy all over this area?

Haven't heard anything on TV about fog.

Did you know that the "Hamburger hall of fame" is located in Seymour, Wisconsin?

Woof!!!

I Forgot and Waiting

DeBary, FL.

72 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Partly cloudy with a chance of rain, then thunderstorms and rain showers in the afternoon. High of 90F. Winds from the ESE at 5 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.


Really hasn't been much to post about. In the last post, I forgot to tell you that this next Tuesday, Linda has to go over to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach to have some x-rays and some blood drawn.

Right now, it's wait, wait, wait, so nothing much has gotten done around here. Linda did a couple loads of laundry. As she was doing the first one, the washer quit. It went through the wash cycle but then wouldn't drain. Jim called an appliance repair service and they came the next day and found that it was only the lid switch that had broken, so it was a quick, fairly inexpensive fix.

The freezer door gasket on the new refrigerator has been leaking air into the freezer compartment, so Jim called GE. They sent a repairman out Friday and he worked on it, but by Saturday morning, the frost was reforming again. He tried to call GE but of course they don't make appointments on the weekend, so he'll have to call again Monday.

The freezer is keeping everything frozen, but there is a frost build-up along the bottom of the door.

Thursday evening, Jim and Linda went to Gram's Kitchen for dinner. Linda had breakfast and Jim had their chicken pot pie. Then Friday evening, Jim cooked some burgers on the grill.

Well, I guess that all I have to report. The "unknown" is wearing on both Linda and Jim. Hopefully in a couple weeks, they'll know more.

Did you know that George Washington is the only man whose birthday is a legal holiday in every state of the U.S?

Woof!!!

The Weather Puts A Brake On Solving The Brake Problem

Rantoul, IL

76 deg. clear, S. wind @ 8 mph.
Forecast = High temp. 91 deg. partly cloudy, 30% chance of rain, SW wind @ 15 to 20 mph.

Because of off and on showers, Jim didn't tackle the slideout brake problem yesterday. Instead, he did some work on the computer and took Linda over to Walgreen's so that she could get her prescriptions refilled and then went to the Post Office to pick up the mail.

Everything went smooth at Walgreens, but of course, they didn't have enough of one of her prescriptions, so they'll have to go back again, either this afternoon or tomorrow. : (

For dinner, Jim cooked part of a ham steak out on the grill to make sandwiches. While he was out there cooking, it started clouding up to the West and soon after he and Linda were done eating, we had quite a storm go through this area.

Don't know the exact figures, but there were reports of winds over 60 mph. and we had some heavy rain! The wind was strong enough that Jim brought in Bobbie T's bedroom slideout because the slideout awning was flapping so violently that it was shaking the whole RV. There's some small branches down here in the park, but I haven't seen or heard of any major damage in the area.

Oh, and this morning on TV, they're forecasting more of the same this afternoon!!!! : (

Today, Jim's hoping to get out there and check out that slideout brake. He and Linda also need to do some shopping which will mean a trip down to Champaign.

A Point to Ponder : The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right time, but also to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

The Cookout

Rantoul, IL.

62 deg. Partly cloudy, SE wind @ 4 mph.

Forecast = High temp 81 deg. partly cloudy with a 60% chance of T storms this afternoon, SE wind @ 10 to 15 mph.

Yesterday turned out to be a very nice day, weatherwise. One of those "Chamber of Commerce" days when everyone is sitting outside, enjoying the sunshine, the very comfortable temperatures and a light breeze that was blowing, just enough to keep the bugs away. ; )

In fact, it was a perfect day for the cookout that Paul and Louise had planned.

I guess it was around 4:30 when Jim and Linda headed over to the cookout. When they arrived, Louise was getting some "adult beverages" ready and bringing food out of their RV.

While Louise and Linda were talking, (far left in the photo below), Paul was relaxing and enjoying the great weather.

Sometimes when Louise and Paul have a cookout, she invites a lot of people, but this time it was a small gathering, which was nice. In the photo below, you can see Gary back by the grill, Mary, walking and Linda sitting at the table.

Gary took on the "cooking duties", and grilled up some very good boneless pork chops, Mary brought a pasta salad, Louise made some deviled eggs and potato salad and Linda took some sugar free desserts that she had made during the afternoon.

Both Jim and Linda said that everything was delicious and everyone seemed to have a good time visiting.

Thank you Paul and Louise!!!!

I think it was about 7:30 or so when Jim and Linda came back over here. After getting the leftover dessert and a couple pork chops, (that Louise sent along), put away, they watched TV, read and played with the computer until bedtime.

I don't think that there's anything planned for today. Bobbie T needs some cleaning inside and the freezer needs to be defrosted. Both Bobbie T and CLT still need to be washed, but they're forecasting T-Storms for this afternoon, so I doubt if that will happen today.

I guess I'll just have to wait and see what happens. ; )

A Point to Ponder : A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

A Kick-Back Day and Florida To South Carolina

Yemassee, SC.

61 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast = Today: Mostly sunny with areas of fog. Highs around 81°F. South wind 5 to 13 MPH, gusting to 19 MPH.
Tonight: Mostly clear with patchy fog. Lows around 64°F. South southeast wind 3 to 12 MPH, gusting to 17 MPH.

Being that everything went smoothly on the segment from DeBary to Callahan, there really wasn't much to do Monday except to just kick back. ; ) And, except for going to lunch at the Cedar River Seafood Restaurant in Callahan, that's exactly what Jim and Linda did.

After returning from the restaurant, Jim snapped a few pictures of Bobbie T. and Kelly's Family CG.

Yesterday morning, we left Kelly's about 5 minutes before 10:00 and continued North from the RV Park on US 301. Following 301 took us into Georgia up to Jesup where 301 joined up with US.84. 84 took us over to Hinesville/Flemington, where we turned off on GA 196 and followed it over to US 17. 17 then took us up to Richmond Hill, where we turned North on I-95.

I-95 took us up past Savannah, up into South Carolina, and to The Oaks At Point South RV Park at the junction of 95 and US-17. (Exit #33).

note: The traffic on I-95 was very heavy and in the future, we may try to find a route around this section of road.

This park is part of the Encore / Thousand Trails system, but the rent sites to the general public and they honor the Passport America discount.

It's an OK park for an overnight stop, but it's surely not worth the full price of around $38.  For about $24, including tax and other add on charges, it's not too bad though.

I'ts an older park and most of the sites are really close together, but they're fairly long and fairly level.

The last time we were in this area, Linda noticed a shop where they were selling all different flavors of cider so after they had Bobbie T all set up, they took CLT and headed for the shop.

At the shop, Linda bought 2 gallons of cider. : )

For dinner, Jim cooked some brats on the grill while Linda got out some slaw, buns and some Pecan Pie that she had bought at the cider shop.

Mmmmmmm!!!! Good!!! ; )

Oh, I almost forgot, when we pulled off of I-95 we pulled into a gas station and bought Bobbie T a drink of 87 octane before coming here to the park. It was 1:25 when we pulled up to the office, so we stopped for gas and traveled 149 miles in 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Today, we'll head up to Myrtle Beach where Jim has made reservations at a park that's supposed to have sites right on the ocean. From past experience there's usually a sand dune in between the sites and the ocean though and you may or may not be able to see the water from your site.

Did you know that Dr. Seuss invented the word "nerd"?