Tue - 10 Feb/16

Sunshine will gradually return today and remain for several days with no chance of rain. It will; however, be cool. Temps will be in the mid to high 60's F except for Friday which will drop into the 50's. At least it won't be raining.

We are residing under the huge Oak Trees on the right. The lots here begin at the size that most parks don't even reach (40 x 60) and ends at (50 x 100). The park is immaculate!

There is an Olde Mill Stream RV Resort (OMS) residents meeting this morning. "Newbies" meet first at 9 followed by a general meeting for all at 10 a.m. At the meeting the procedure for making reservations for the upcoming year is explained. The local bylaws are strange to say the least. Technically they prevent the park from being a year long residential area. Even the "Park Models" that look solidly in place must keep their wheels on and be ready to move out within 3 hours notice. The longest rental term is 6 months, referred to as a "6 x 6". Later bylaw adjustments allow for staying any 6 months in an 8 month period. A few park folks (managers and staff) I presume stay all year. My guess is that this was put in place to prevent the park from ending being a  "Trailer Trash" Ghetto. Actually, the opposite is true. This is one of the few "High End" parks in the area with fees and amenities to match. No tents, pop-ups, pickup campers or derelict RVs are allowed. Every unit is top notch even if not brand new.

Whooo stays here, you ask? (grin) The majority are folks (Snowbirds) from the northeast and southeast USA as well as Ontario (Canada). The highest number, I believe, are from Michigan followed by Canadians at about 20% of the park.

This is a "55 Plus" community although "The Kids" can visit for a certain number of days per year. Many come in the Fall and return home in the Spring every year.

The over 400+ sites during "High Season" (J/F/M) are virtually SRO (Sold Right Out). There is a long "High Season" waiting list. The reservations for the upcoming season begin on the 3rd Monday of February for the "6 x 6" residents. The 4/5 month rentals start on the following Wednesday. The Next Monday is when the 3 month rental reservations begin. I presume, if there are any spots left, they become available starting on the first Monday in March.

Unlike most other area parks, OMS is gated for security.  This also includes a "Night  Host" for times when the office is closed. This is a family owned and operated park and it shows. The management team (Wally and Linda Medley).and staff are the best we have encountered anywhere - bar none! They are beyond friendly (maybe it's time we coin a new and better word?). Members of the staff are trained in all aspects of the park duties which includes CPR! The service received here also requires a new superlative.

Beyond the staff are the residents. Like most RVers, they go beyond friendly and helpful. Long time residents, like Pearl are known and loved by all.

The lack of sunshine, dampness and cool temperatures forecast a day of  R and R (Rest and Recharge). That also makes it a good day for comfort food. I decided that "Shepherd's Pie" was in order.

Shepherd's Pie originally was called "Cottage Pie" in the late 18th. century as the potato was introduced as an affordable edible crop in the U.K. for the poor workers that lived in humble cottages. Originally i twas a pie made with any leftover meat that was placed in a pie dish lined with mashed potatoes which was also used to make the top crust. A variation, "Shepherd's Pie" was made in the same fashion using lamb rather than a cut of beef for the filling. The differentiation still exists today in the U.K.; however in Canada and the USA "Shepherd's Pie" usually refers to a meat pie topped with mashed potatoes. There are numerous variations using almost any vegetable filling. Some include a gravy similar to a "Pot Pie". My version, made quickly and easily, avoids a pastry bottom. My vegetable of choice is corn with a little chopped onion and salt to taste. I over-indulge using 1/2 lb of butter and whole milk to make the mashed potatoes really creamy. Mmm...Good!

The main story on the noon news was whether or not the county councils will pass regulations requiring day cares to have traffic stopping structures (like the ones in this photo) placed in front of their buildings.

Last year a 4 year old at day care was killed and 15 hurt when a car crashed into the building. Naturally, it was a hit and run (literally, a run) as the car had to be removed from inside the building. The driver, as in most hit and runs, was in custody 2 days later. Stats indicate a vehicle hits a building in this area at the rate of three times a week. Wow! (Day Care workers charged with assaulting children under their care is a weekly occurrence.)

By 4 p.m. the sun broke through and since we were rested and recharged enough we took the top off of the Del Sol and headed to Fort Sumter Landing in The Villages and the Mardi Gras Festivities at the Landing Square. It almost looked like a Shriner's Parade, there were so many clowns around.

Although Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday is next Tuesday, The Villages got a head start today.

The Villages were celebrating their Mardi Gras Festival from 4 - 9 p.m.

We never thought to bring our beads from home. We have over 10 pounds that we "caught" as they were thrown by "Krewes" in a real Mardi Gras Parade a few years ago. We bought some at a both today to get into the spirit of the festivities.

The Lake Sumter Landing Square will be filled with Food Vendors,

We indulged here. Powdered Sugar, Cinnamon and Maple Syrup - OK! Ketchup - I don't think so!

Bar Kiosk  were open on each corner of the Square. Good thing as the lines were half a block long at each and stayed that way until late in the evening. "Laissez les bons temps rouler!" Let the Good Times Roll! as they say in New Orleans. There were a lot of Happy Folks by the time the sun went down.

Stilt Walkers strolled the square.

...and then there were the dogs. Can you sat "Bouvier des Flandres"?

Various Villages Festival Performance Groups performed their Mardi Gras routines. The Village Twirlers and Drum Corps are living proof of the Peter Pan Principle. You may get old; but you never have to grown up!

Fabulous Fat Tuesday Tunes were emanating from the Pavilion (Zydeco)

and from additional stages. (Cool New Orleans (NOLA) Jazz and Blues). Love that "Wailing Sax". Tonight just reminded us how much we miss New Orleans.

We finished the evening at Rocking Johnny's on the square. We each enjoyed a Philly Cheesesteak supplemented by a Root Beer Float for Charlotte

and a Strawberry Shake for myself.

It was a fun evening in The Villages. We missed Jeopardy this evening; however we did make it back in time for NCIS, NCIS NOLA and Person of Interest on TV.