The Wedding and A Quote

Orange City, Fl
71 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast today = high temp. 85 deg. becoming cloudy with a 60% chance of afternoon t-storms, SW winds @ 5 mph.

Yesterday morning and afternoon were spent watching TV, washing clothes, ironing a few items, and getting ready to go to Anna and Chris's wedding. About an hour before the wedding, Jim and Linda took CLT and headed to the church, which is about 10 miles North of here, in Deland.

Of course I wasn't there, but by all accounts, the wedding was great, the bride was beautiful, the groom was handsome, and all of the parents, grandparents, and friends were there to witness the happy union.

The photo below is of (from left to right), Chris, Anna, Laura, and Lindsey.
After the wedding there was a reception at the LPGA Clubhouse in Daytona Beach. Jim and Linda must have enjoyed themselves at the reception because it was almost midnight by the time they came back here to the park.

I came across this quote the other day, and I have no idea who said it, but I thought it is very timely right now. See what you think.

"We cannot discover new oceans unless we have the courage to lose site if the shore."

Anna and Chris are discovering that ocean. They are leaving everything that is familiar to them and heading into uncharted waters. What's out there for them? Only time will tell. Will they have smooth sailing? Probably most of the way. They are willing to take the risk of exploring those uncharted waters because of their love for one-another. I wish them well.

Going full-timing in an RV is kind of like that too. We leave everything behind and take off down the road to explore, (to us), uncharted roads and places we have only heard about. Will the roads be smooth? Probably not. Will there be giant pot-holes in the road? More than likely. Can we overcome those bumpy roads and pot-holes? Only if we really have a strong desire to continue on.

Don't wait for calm seas or smooth roads. There will always be waves and bumpy roads. If you really have the desire, do it, and don't look back, because the sea or the road to return, may be rougher than the one you are on.

Did you know that the reason the wedding band is worn on the 4th finger of he left hand is because the ancient Egyptians thought that the "vein of love" ran directly from this finger to the heart?

Oh, that hurricane? It's headed our way. I think we'll try to get out of here tomorrow, right after Linda's doctor appointment. If I can't post on this blog for a few days, it will because of the storm, or an area we might be in with poor cell service. Already, there seems to be a lot of traffic on the Internet down here, (I had trouble getting connected), and I expect it to get worse in the next few days.

The Big Day and A Hurricane Coming?

Orange City, FL.
72 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast today = high temp. 88 deg, partly cloudy, with a 50% chance of afternoon showers and t-storms. SW winds @ 5 mph.

Today is the day we've been waiting for. Tonight at 7:00 pm Anna and Chris will say their vows and become husband and wife. It couldn't happen to a nicer couple, and I'm sure I'm speaking for both Jim and Linda in saying that we wish them only the best.

Jim's planning on taking a lot of photos, so I'll be sure to post a few of them here, so you can see the bride and groom.

It was pretty quiet here at the park yesterday. Laura and Anna were busy taking care of last minute things for the wedding, so Jim and Linda just hung around here and watched TV, worked on the computers, and took little naps. Then about 5:00 they decided to go to the Pier 16 Fish House for dinner. Pier 16 is one of their favorite restaurants in this area, and they wanted to make sure they went there before we leave. As usual, the food and service was very good.

I suppose most of you have heard that there may be a hurricane headed for Florida. Well, if their computer tracking forecasts are right, it will be hitting the middle of Florida Tuesday or Wednesday. Now, Jim is trying to figure out what is the best plan of action to take, to avoid the worst of it. We have to stay here until Linda sees her doctor Monday morning, but after that, we could leave. In fact, we should be able to get out of here before noon on Monday if we wanted to.

I guess we'll just have wait to see what path the storm is going to take before any real plans are made.

Did you know that the word hurricane comes from the word Huracan, the god of big winds and evil spirits that was once worshiped by the Maya people?

Lots Of Company, The Test and The Mechanic

Orange City, FL.
70 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast today = high temp. 92 deg, partly cloudy, 30% chance of afternoon t-storms, W. winds @ 5 to 10 mph.

I had company yesterday! Not long after lunch, Laura stopped by to see me, (and of course Linda and Jim also), and then Anna and Chris came over too! Everyone was talking about the wedding and filling Jim and Linda in on the details of the upcoming event. From what I could catch of the conversation, it sounds like it's going to be really nice.

After they left, Jim and Linda took CLT and headed over to the CVS drug store to pick up a few things, then they went to the Publix grocery store and picked up some much-needed items there. By the time they returned, it was dinner time, so Linda cooked some TV dinners, (that they had just bought) in my Microwave oven.

Not long after they finished eating, Ashley called and said that she would like to stop by for awhile, and also bring Jim and Linda's mail that has been sent to Laura's these last couple of weeks. Ashley was also talking about the wedding, but she also told Jim and Linda all about her new Boyfriend. It sounds like he's a real nice guy. I'll try to find out more about him after Jim and Linda meet him at the wedding.

Whew!! I haven't had that much company in a long time!!! It sure was good to see all of them again!!!

This morning, Jim will have to wake Linda up "at the crack of dawn", so they can go and get her blood test for her doctor's appointment next Monday. It's one of those test where you can't eat anything before they take the blood sample.

Guess what I have to do tomorrow? A-Hah! I thought you had forgotten! If you remember, my water heater started leaking way back when we were in Rantoul. Well, Jim and Linda have been heating water on my stove, washing with cold water, and taking showers in bath houses ever since. Well, tomorrow is the day I have to go to the "Mechanic" to get it replaced. Now, usually I get all upset about going to see the mechanic, but this time I know that he is only going to be working on my water heater, and not messing around with my vital parts.

That's a big difference!

Did you know that in Florida, there is a law that states that if you leave your elephant tied to a parking meter, you have to pay the parking fee, just as you would for a vehicle?

Catching Up and Arrival At Orange City

Orange City, FL.
72 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast today = high temp. 94 deg. partly cloudy, W. winds @ 5 to 10 mph.

It wasn't 2 minutes after I posted yesterday, that I lost the Internet connection, and couldn't get it back. I guess I was lucky that I got anything at all posted. We've had that problem before, around Old Town, and I guess AT+T just doesn't have any towers in that area.

Anyway, The Original Suwannee River RV Park is kind of neat. There's lots of trees with Spanish moss hanging from them, and there is a canal, from the river that runs right along side of the park. Our site was right next to this canal, and we had a nice view of the water. Like I said, neat.

We left Old Town just before 10:00 AM yesterday morning and continued South on US 19 until we got to Chiefland, where we turned SE on Alt. 27. A little ways past Williston, we turned off on Rt. 326 and took it around the North side of Ocalla. 326 curves around to the South and ends when it gets to Rt. 40. Heading East on 40 brought us to Barberville, and US 17, where we turned South and followed it down here to Orange City, and the Orange City RV Resort. We pulled into the park just before 12:30, so we were on the road for about 2 1/2 hours and traveled 129 miles.

Those of you who have been following my travels since I started this blog thing, know that this is the park where we spend a lot of our time during the winters. It's close to Laura and Lindsey's, (about 15 minutes), they offer the Passport America rate during the summer, a fairly good monthly rate in the winter, the people in the office know Jim and Linda well, and it just kind of feels comfortable. We will be centrally located here for all of Anna's wedding activities next Saturday. Their house is about 15 minutes SW of here, the church is about 20 minutes NW of here, and the reception is about a half an hour to the East.

Did you know that today is S'mores Day? All of you out there that have a camp fire going, have one for me!! :-)

GA to FL

Old Town, FL.
74 deg. clear, no wind
Forecast today = high temp. 92 deg. partly cloudy, W. winds @ 10 mph.

I'm going to make this real short this morning because I have a very weak Internet connection. I'm not even sure I will get this posted.

We left Thomasville about 10:15 yesterday morning and continued S. on US 19 into Florida. By 12:30 we were pulling into the Original Suwannee River Campground, here in Old Town. We were on the road for only about 2 hrs and 15 minutes and traveled 125 miles.

I'll tell you all about this park when I get a better connection.

Today, we will get to Orange City, where I will stay until after Anna's wedding.

Did you know that today is National Garage Sale Day?

Has anyone found that hour that I lost? I still can't find it!!!

Saying Good-bye and Heading South

Lake Delton, WI.
59 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast today = high temp. 85 deg. clear, NE winds @ 5 to 10 mph.

Yesterday morning was kind of sad for Jim and Linda. Everyone that was staying at the lodge had to check out by 10:00 AM, so the plan was to meet at Howie's Restaurant at about that time. Howie's is a restaurant that has been around for years and years, they're known for their great breakfasts, they're only open for breakfast and lunch, and then close about 2:00 PM. It has become kind of a tradition for the whole family to get together one last time there, before heading home.

After they finished eating everyone went outside and then, there were the hugs, handshakes, and kisses before they all got into their vehicles and headed for home. Jim and Linda will more than likely not see most of them again until the next reunion.

Like I said, Kind of a sad time.

After they left the restaurant, Jim and Linda came back here to the RV Park and just relaxed for awhile. Then, about 3:00 they took CLT and headed into the Dells to try to find some moccasins for Linda. They were successful, and bought 2 pairs. On the way back here to the park, they stopped and bought a few groceries.

Today, we'll start heading back towards Florida. Anna's wedding will be on the 16th, but I need to get Linda down there about a week before that, so she will have time get a blood test and get the results before going to her doctor on the Monday after the wedding. I actually have 9 days to get her down there, but I think we're going to try to make it in 7 so that Jim and Linda will have more time to visit with Laura, and of course, help with the preparation of the wedding in any way that they can.

Did you know that on this date in 1876 Wild Bill Hickok was murdered in Deadwood, S.D.?

Weather and Change of Plans?

Hollister, MO.
68 deg. clear, E winds @ 6 mph.
Forecast today = high temp. 89 deg. partly cloudy, S. winds @ 10 to 20 mph.

What's up with this weather?? I know it's spring, and it's supposed to rain some, but this is getting to be too much. Maybe it's because a lot of SE part of the US was very dry last year, and now it's replenishing that moisture, but enough is enough!

Not much happened around here yesterday. Jim did take some photos, and I'll try to get a few of them posted on this blog in the next few days. Today, I think Jim and Linda will be going to a grocery store. I don't think they've been grocery shopping since Virginia Beach, and they're getting low on some things.

Oh, some of our travel plans might be changing for this summer/fall/winter. Like I've said before, Jim and Linda's plans have always been done in pencil, and It looks like Jim is may be getting out that big eraser. We were originally going to head out to Portland Oregon to see Jeff and Heather, after Anna's August wedding down in Florida. Now, this would mean that we would be traveling from a Family Reunion up in Wisconsin, down to Florida, out to Oregon, and then back to Florida by March of 2009 for doctors appointments. An awful lot of miles.

Anyway, yesterday, Jim called Jeff and suggested that maybe he and Linda could send Jeff and Heather money for plane tickets for them to fly to Mike's house in Apex, NC this fall, and we would go there to see them. That way, Jeff would get to see his brother again too.

Now, we still want to go to Portland to see Jeff's and Heather's new, (to them) house. It just would be better if we could go next year instead of this year. We would probably save between two or three thousand miles of travel, and that translates into almost $2000 in fuel savings alone!

Jim has not used that eraser yet. If it won't work for Jeff and Heather to fly to Apex, we may go back to plan A, or maybe there will be a plan C.

I'm sure glad Jim and Linda don't make their plans in ink!

Did you know that Captain Kirk never said "Beam me up, Scotty," but he did say, "Beam me up, Mr. Scott".

Saying Good-bye and Getting Ready

Orange City, FL
58 deg. clear, no wind.
Forecast today = High temp. 87 deg. mostly sunny, SE winds @ 5 to 10 MPH.

OK, lets go! I'm ready!!! What's the holdup here? So what if it is still dark outside? I've got lights! What? We probably won't be leaving until about 10:00? Bummer!!!!

Well, If we're not leaving until the day is half gone, I guess I have time to tell you what happened around here yesterday. First of all, Jim sprayed some more of that stinky stuff on my awning. He said that the directions on the can said that 2 coats were necessary. Phew! I'm glad that's done.

What? He needs to do my window awnings sometime in the near future? Oh joyous occasion!

About 11:30 Laura stopped by, picked up Linda, and took her over to the Mall in Sanford. They ate lunch at a Bennigan's Restaurant, and then went shopping for a few clothes for Linda. They found a pair of Jeans and a couple of tops that she liked. After they came back here, Laura stayed and visited for a couple of hours. That was nice.

Then it was time for her to go home. Saying good-bye is always hard because it's usually almost a year between visits. Although this year, we'll be back down here for Anna's wedding in August, so it won't be as long as usual.

After Laura left, Jim went out and drained my holding tanks and put away the sewer hose. Then he rolled up all my awnings, checked my tire pressures, and checked out my generator.

This morning, about all that's left to do is unhook the water hose and TV cable. Oh my itchy tires, I don't know why I have to wait until 10:00 to leave!

Did you know that Hacky-sack was invented in Turkey?

Thinking about you, Louise.

Lunch, Wedding and Travel

Orange City, FL
71 deg. clear, S. wind @ 2 MPH
Forecast today = High temp. 85 deg. 40% chance of t-storms this afternoon, S. winds @ 10 to 15 MPH.

Laura called yesterday morning and asked if Jim and Linda would like to go to lunch someplace. Jim wanted to watch some NASCAR stuff on TV, so Laura came and picked up Linda and the two of them went to a little restaurant in Deland. Then, they drove over to Daytona Beach, so Laura could show Linda where they were considering having Anna's wedding reception in August. Linda said the place was really nice.

I can't remember if I mentioned Anna's wedding on this blog or not. Well, anyway, Anna is getting married on the 16th of August, and it is my job to get Linda and Jim back down here for the wedding. Actually, I will need to get them down here almost a week before the wedding, so Linda can go to her doctor on the 10th. Now, this is not going to be as easy as it sounds.

First of all, we'll be up at the Wisconsin Dells, WI, from July 25th through the 30th, for the Potts family Reunion. From the Wisconsin Dells to Orange City is is about 1400 miles. Now, being that Jim and Linda only like to travel about 150 miles a day, that means that the earliest we would get back down here would be on the 9th. OK, so now you're asking, "What's the problem?" Well, Jim and Linda always like to have a few extra days scheduled into their travel plans to allow for bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Oh well, we'll work it out.

The garbage truck just came back into the park!

I don't know what's happening today. I don't think either Jim or Linda have anything planned. I guess I'll just sit here, trying to ignore my itchy tires, and watch the other RVs come and go.

Did you know that every 2000 frowns creates one wrinkle?

Roland and Louise, we're thinking about you.