Christmas Dinner at Adelaide Shores RV Park

Christmas Day was  beautiful here at Adelaide Shores RV Park.  The weather was typical central Florida weather, sunny and 75’.  I must say, for Christmas I prefer colder weather.  Judy and I joined about three hundred other park guest and friends at the clubhouse for Christmas dinner.  The park owners provided the turkeys for the meal.  The turkey and dressing was cooked by volunteers on the dinner committee, Guest were asked to bring a dish. Judy took a Banana Split pie and a vegetable dish. Like last year there was more than enough.  It was sooo gooood!  All guest provided their table setting and beverage, making cleanup much easier on the volunteers.

Socializing before the meal                          Dessert Table

   

Our Table (I told Judy not to bring wine)

Even a simulated fireplace

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: Thurs

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate it and Happy Holidays to those who celebrate other religious or non-religious events. Judy and I have a much subdued Christmas celebration now that we are empty nesters (for quite sometime).  Having said that, we always celebrate the true reason for the season. We attended a lovely Christmas Eve service with our park neighbors, Gary and Barb at the Avon Park Baptist Church.

This week’s goings on;

Sunday Lunch at the Jacaranda Hotel (it was quite the place back in the day).

    

A drive through  Sebring Village to be amazed at the lights and their community spirit!

   

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next blog: four or five days.

Adelaide Shores Update: 12-21-13

Judy’s visit with the orthopedic specialist revealed she had stretched the meniscus in her right knee. I guess that is what happens when you play tennis after a 30yr break. She was informed not to play tennis for at least four weeks.  By the end of the week she reports that her knee is getting better but she is going to take the doctor’s advice. 
I pulled a muscle in my back doing nothing, which seems a little unfair. Maybe I aggravated it when I waxed Judy’s CRV. The injury kept me close to the RV for five days but has improved enough that I did play shuffle board on Friday.
The park had its annual Christmas Parade Friday afternoon.  Many of the folks decorated their golf carts for the occasion. Below are a few pics.

     
   



 

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: Fri or Sat

Adelaide Shores Update 12-13-13

This week Judy has been sidelined from playing tennis as a result of a pulled muscle or strain. She has decided to go have a “specialist” take a look at it today.  That is why I play shuffleboard, not much physical exertion! 
We went to “pizza night” at the clubhouse last evening. It was a good opportunity to see a lot of people that we had not seen yet. Jim and Dee along with our new neighbors, Dave and Ricki joined us.
Nice Sunset

Wednesday night about 2:00 AM someone drove a truck through the back perimeter vinyl fence (8ft high) near the maintenance shop. Even though our lot is close by, Judy and I slept through it. The police were called and they think the culprits got spooked when the burglar alarm went off and they panicked and drove through the fence.

Judy and I received a heads-up email from the “Parks Coordinator” for the campground we are looking to work at this summer that the official position notification was posted.  He also included the link to the online application so we have now officially applied. We are interested in the campground near Madras, OR. on Lake Simtustus. There is also another CG about 35 miles from Portland that would also work for us. Maybe we will know something within a week or two. 
That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by:
Next blog: 4 or 5 days

First Week at Adelaide Shores RV Resort–Getting Settled In

Judy and I have been getting settled in here at Adelaide Shores RV Resort this week.  This is our second season here at the park so we know the basic routine. We decided to stay an additional month this year, so we will be here until the second week of March. The park is extremely well maintained and the owners and their staff work hard to insure all guests have an enjoyable experience. Most of our friends are already back at the park but a few will be returning after celebrating the holidays at home with their kids and grandkids. 

We have settled into our activities schedules.  Judy has joined the Tennis group, foregoing the shuffleboard group. She had planned to alternate between the groups but she quickly discarded that plan, so the shuffleboard group is stuck with only me. We also play cards at least three evenings a week.  Judy has not gotten into her walking routine yet but I am sure she will soon. I am enjoying relaxing in my favorite reclining patio chair and reading my kindle under the awning in a gentle breeze and warm temps. I’ll soon begin my truck&car and 5ver maintenance program. I like to use any extended “sitting” time to take care of the things I’ve put off while traveling.

Keeping Busy at Adelaide Shores
       
       
Something for most everyone
     

This is only a few of the many activities here at the park. I’ll highlight others in future posts.

That is all for now. Thanks for stopping by.
Next blog: Wed

Checking out Park Models

Avon Park, FL.
Judy and I are nowhere near purchasing a park model for the park, but it was interesting checking some out.  At Adelaide Shores RV Resort approximately 60% of the residents have a park model. Most of these residents initially came to the park as RVers and eventually decided to opt for a park model. Today when Judy and I went to the office to pay for our three months stay we found out a few new park models had been set-up and were for sale.  The office manager let us have the keys to them so we could check them out.  Dee and Jim also joined us.
Here are a few Pics

    
Thanks for stopping by.  That is all for now.
PS
Welcome to new followers Steve and Joan.

Sunny and 75

Judy and I woke up to very chilly 25’ Thursday morning and the prospects of an even colder 23’ Friday morning our scheduled travel day. Neither of us looked forward to that.  So after a short 30 second discussion we made the decision to head south after Thanksgiving Dinner with her sister and her family. After getting our morning routine out of the way we got the RV ready to travel.  Of course I had all of the outside task and Judy took care of getting the inside ready, in the warmth of the RV.  Once the Cardinal was hitched to the truck I stopped by the dump station and we left the park. I parked the truck and RV in a church parking lot near her sister’s home. We drove the CRV over to her sister’s home.

We enjoyed a very good Thanksgiving dinner with Sheila and her family and Mike, Judy’s brother and his son.  We were very grateful for being able to join them for the holiday. The meal was soo good.

That is Judy’s extremely full plate!!

Judy and I left at 2:15 PM. We knew we would not drive straight through and planned to stop along the way.  The traffic was very light on I75S. Judy and I pulled into a rest area just south of Gainesville, FL. at 7:45PM. It had a few RVs and big rigs already parked. We slept in the Cardinal until 3:00 AM and left for the remaining 180 miles of the 420 mile trip

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I pulled into Adelaide Shores RV Park in Avon Park at 7:20. The office was closed so we went to our RV site and set-up. While we were getting settled some of out friends stopped by to see us and invite us to that evening’s card game. We just relaxed the rest of the day until it was time to play cards.  I think we are going to get use to this “Sunny and 75” weather.

First Card night at Adelaide Shores !

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: Wed.

Cleared for Travel

Judy and I had our last scheduled Doctor appointments Tuesday, our annual physicals and I also had to visit my urologist. I must give Dr. V. (that is what patients call him because we can’t pronounce his Russian name without great difficulty) a “shoutout” because he rescheduled my Dec, 4th appointment so I could keep my travel plans intact. I did feel a bit guilty when I arrived at his office and not one car was in the patient parking lot. In general I don’t use this blog for political speech but I must say that Obamacare is going to ruin the best health care system in the world. How do I know, some may ask.  I lived under National Health Care when I lived in England, and it is not pretty.  Sounds good but it is not good in reality. I love my Dr’s., and hope I do get to keep my doctors like the President said, I am sure he would not lie about that. That is all I have to say about that.

The weather is very wet and it is getting colder each day. By tonight the temps will be in the low 20’s and the rain will be clearing out. I have been surprised at the increase in campers here at the park. Two Rvs pulled in last night after 9:00PM and set up in the dark and rain. These are not just over nighters, must be here for the holidays. 
Judy and I are looking forward to having Thanksgiving with her sister and family. Sheila always has a “Thanksgiving” dinner to “write home about”! 
Judy and I thought about getting on the road Thurs. afternoon but we would only have a couple of hours of daylight and I don’t like to pull the Cardinal after dark.  So a cold and early departure Friday will most likely be the plan.  I will make an overnight stop possibly in Chiefland, FL. or maybe near Lake City.

Oh, I almost forgot, we received an email from a prospective workamper employer yesterday. The job will take us to the Madras, Oregon area. More on this if it firms up.

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.
Next Blog: After we arrive at Avon Park, FL.

Movie Day - " Catching Fire"

Judy and I are just marking time until we head south on Friday. We both have a couple of more doctor appointments over the next few days.  I have one in Macon and another one in Milledgeville on Tue. She only has one more on Tue.  We are looking forward to being with family for Thanksgiving. 

Friday we had a movie day with Judy's sister and John Mark our nephew.  We went to the early IMAX showing of "Catching Fire", the second movie of the Hunger Games trilogy. I enjoyed the first movie so much that I added the three books to my kindle so I could read them before the other movies came out, I think reading the books contributed in my enjoyment of the movie . I also recommend watching "The Hunger Games " movie again before seeing "Catching Fire". The movie was AWESOME.  I am ready for the final installment but I am going to have to wait until it is released.

Catching Fire Trailer    

Today we have been lazing around watching college football all day and have no plans for anything else.  Tonight winter temps are going to be creeping into the area. I am not a big fan of  temps in the thirties.

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.
Next Blog: Wed

Week one at Lake Tobesofkee- Macon, Ga

Judy and I have been here at Claystone CG on Lake Tobesofkee near Macon, GA. for a week.  The park is located near I75 & I475 and is a good stop over for campers headed to or from Florida traveling I75.  Judy and I are using it as our base for two weeks as we get our annual Doctor appointments in and seeing family before heading to Adelaide Shores RV Resort the 29th of November. There are only three other RVs here. The facilities are adequate and include paved pads, seven or eight sites with sewer. 
Site # 12

I have made some friends, they follow me when I walk, glad they aren’t buzzards!

Truck repairs – replaced Fuel Pump (warranty), fuel filter and injector service ($435.00) 

 

I dropped by my favorite coffee hangout while in Milledgeville after a Doctor appointment. I was happy that the barista “still knows my name.”

 

This week we tried Steak N Shake based on Mike and Terry's recommendation, MMM.
 

 



Welcome new followers, Neil and Nancy, and Tex and Susan.

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.
Next Blog: Sunday

A Little Further South

Lake Tobesofkee, Claystone CG, Macon, Georgia

After a three days stay near Eatonton, GA. at my sister and brother In-law’s home we have moved 55 miles South to Lake Tobesofkee.  We had a great time visiting with them. On Thurs. night we had the kind ox excitement we could have done without. We were driving back to their home when a BIG Buck ran out in front of my Brother In-Laws car. Yep we hit it. We could have done without that.
It could have been worse!



Friday AM Judy and I went up to Wal-Mart and retrieved the truck and Cardinal from the parking lot where we had left it (with permission) for the past three nights. After checking all connections and pins to make sure nothing had been tampered with we headed to the CG in Macon.  We will be here until the day after Thanksgiving. Judy and I will be taking care of our scheduled annual doctors appointments during this time and visiting with family and friends.
Saturday we shared in our nephew, John Mark’s birthday celebration along with other family members. We all had a great time.

John Mark and Grand Mother
     
You never know what you will see out the window of an RV.  I looked out the window Sat. morning and saw these!

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by.
Next Blog: Thurs

RV Service and a Travel Day

Eatonton, GA.

Judy and I arrived at RV World in Buford, Ga. at 8:15 AM Tuesday morning for a service appointment. It was a short fifteen mile drive from the campground. The drive was complicated by the workday traffic but we made it safely.

Once there we checked in with Cody, one of the service writers. He wrote up the work order and took the required info from me. The work included “running” another line from the roof mounted SAT dish to the rear TV dvr; replacing a faulty toilet flushing valve, repositioning the home entertainment receiver to the top of the cabinet from which the TV retracts into, and rerouting the associated tangle of component wires.

Once the Cardinal was moved into the service area, I met with Rodney the shop foreman to discuss the details of the work to be completed. The toilet job was a straight forward repair so there wasn’t much to discuss. I was interested in “the plan” for the routing of the DVR line from the SAT dish. We both agreed the line would best be run aft from the SAT dish to the end cap and down into the cabinets inside the rear of the RV and on down to the DVR on the entertainment cabinet.  I know a pic would be helpful here but I did not think to take any.

RV World Buford, GA.

       Judy and Rodney inspect the completed work

 

At 1:30 Judy and I was informed that the work was completed. Rodney escorted us back to the service area to the 5ver and he went over all the completed work. Judy and I were very pleased with the work.  This is the second time we have had service work at RV World. We went back in and Judy took care of the bill ($577.00).

We were surprised the work was completed so early. We decided to drive a short 100 miles to the WalMart in Eatonton, GA.  My sister lives nearby so we are going to stay at her home until Friday. I received permission from the Wal Mart manager to park the rig there for a couple of days. We are going to move to a campground on Lake Tobesofkee near Macon on Friday. We will be taking care of our annual medical appointments while in the area. Our families live in the area so we will not leave until the day after Thanksgiving.

That is all for now.  Thanks for stopping by

Next blog: Sat

Travel Day–ACOE Suwanee, Buford, GA.

ACOE Suwanee Campground on Lake Lanier
Buford, GA.

Travel days are always early days for us, even if we are only traveling a short distance.  I know short distance is a relative term. Any distance less than two hundred miles is a short distance for us. By 8:30 I had taken care of business so to speak at the dump station and we were on our way.

The route I selected included no interstate HWY miles and very little traffic except for the last twenty miles. Buford, Ga is twenty miles or so east and south of Atlanta. The campground is part of the ACOE’s Project on Lake Lanier. We arrived at 1:45 PM.

This campground is operating at reduced staffing until next April.  The gate shack is unmanned so campsites are first come first served. Payment is on the honor system. I thought things would be a little confusing but the directions posted were very clear. A site map displays all sites and each are color coded to indicate the price. The site we chose was color coded RED  (50 Amp Elec/water) so the price was $32.00 per night. However, using our Senior Pass # the price was reduced by 50%. We selected our site and then went back and deposited our fees (Check or Cash only). 

After driving through the park we chose site 36. It was easy to back into and it is deep enough that we could park the truck and the CRV in-line The site is paved and level. It was covered in leaves but I blew them off once we got set-up.

Site 36 before I took care of the leaves!

 

We moved over to this park to be close to RV World RV Center for a service appointment scheduled for Tue.  I am having a second SAT TV coax cable “run” from the roof mounted SAT dish so we can watch TV and record another channel at the same time. Presently with the one cable we can use the DVR to record but are limited to that channel during the recording period.  We are also having a minor problem with the toilet but minor could become major at anytime and that would not be good.

That’s all for now. Thanks for stopping by.
Next blog: Thurs.

Petersburg Campground Wrap-Up

Judy and I have used much of today (Sat.) to prepare for our departure from here Sunday morning.  Everything is ready to go except unplugging from shore power and hitching-up.

We stopped by the J. Strom Thurmond visitor center  just across the dam and got acquainted with the history of the project. The center was very informative and the staff were friendly. We even were present when a Ranger poured minnows into the fish tank. Let us just say we were witnesses to quite a feeding frenzy. 

View from Visitors Center                           Lots to see in the center

       

       

We met with Mike and Terry, who were also up at Huntington Beach SP last week with the group and who are volunteers in nearby Modoc, SC. They have been workampers at the J Strom Thurmond project before and will be here through Jan. unless they extend.  They suggested a local Mexican restaurant and it sure was good, but the conversation and visit were better. Judy and I look forward to seeing them in future travels

We even ran across the Wiener Mobile

One bit of sad news, Merle and Keith reported that Bridgette, the stray dog from Blanton Creek Park, they took in has passed.  She had heart worms and was just too weak to survive the treatment.  Merle and Keith certainly made her final couple of months  comfortable and gave her a loving environment. Here is the Link to my original blog about Bridgette.

That is all for now. Thanks for stopping by.

Next Blog: Wed