Thu - 9 Apr/15

Again, on the road by 6:00 a.m.

The cinnamon buns got us on our way.

The whole world was going to work for 7 a.m. Cleared up once we got out of Denham Springs.

Once again the usual routine. Stopped mid-morning for fuel at the Flying J in Baytown, TX. As in most of the USA, you have to prepay. With the Flying J card you have to "see the cashier". Charlotte went in, gave the cashier the card and the pump number and then went to Denny's (in the Flying J) and ordered breakfast while I fueled.

I waited for ten minutes and the pump hadn't started. I was fortunate to meet a wonderful couple  (and a really cute dog, AKA Radar) from Hamilton, ON who were filling in the RV lane up next to me. I asked them if they are really slow at the gas counter. They answered; "Really Slow". After another 5 minutes I went in to the gas counter. They had the card; but forgot to start the pump. It was a good thing they were even slower in the restaurant; otherwise I would have had a cold breakfast. It was just arriving at the table as I got there.

Back on the road we had an uneventful, if fast,  drive to our next KOA. Most of the speed limits were 70 - 75 mph. As we headed towards Austin, TX the highway (TX-71) was 70 mph. This wasn't unusual. What was really interesting was that it was not limited access; it had stoplights; school bus stops and house driveways that entered directly to the road. Luckily, we did not have to "slam on the brakes" for any of these reasons despite the "wall to wall" traffic. (Note: A toll road here has an 85 mph speed limit).

We arrived at the KOA in Leander, TX before 5 p.m. Set up the RV (nice 100 foot paved pull-thru's), unhooked the car, Charlotte made yummy salmon sandwiches and a little TV before we hit the sack at dusk. We are now in the Central Time Zone. Dusk in a time zone can vary by almost an hour depending on what side (E or W) of the zone you are in. It didn't get dark until 8 p.m. This is about a half hour more daylight than where we were in FL.

We will spend the weekend at the Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet, TX less than a half hour away. We are here at least until Tuesday morning. Still working on the next stage of our trip home.

Wed - 8 Apr/15

Up and on the road at 6 a.m.

First stop at Flying J - Midway, FL. Filled up while Charlotte went in and order breakfast at Denny's.

Had enough fuel so we skipped stopping at the Flying J at Gulfport, MS. The driving was good today.

Stopped for the night at the KOA - Denham Springs, LA. This is a great stop. Conveniently off I-10. Chuck and his better looking half (grin), Sadie do a great job here. Chuck guided us to our spot and filled me in on all the hook-up details.

I like their philosophy on life: "Life's Journey is not to arrive to the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting 'Holy Cow! What a Ride' ". (Keep on cruisin' on your Honda 'Trike guys!)

We then left the KOA for a quick trip to the Sam's Club two blocks away. A left, two rights and another left and we were pumping gas @ $2.039 per gallon.

Popped in for a quick supper - guess what? (Aw! you guess!) We also bought a pack of cinnamon buns to get us going in the morning.

Then. it was back to the KOA and set up the RV for the night. I was too tired to get the computer out and do all the setup to do the blog.

 A little TV then we hit the bed for the night - all before dusk.

Tue - 7 Apr/15

Clear blue skies this morning. It's going to hit 90 F today.We getting everything ready to "Hit the Road". This is like "Childproofing" a home. You have to make sure things are in a secure place so they don't break or fly about as you rumble on down the road.

The first job is to arrange the storage. Loose items inside must find a spot - inside or out.

The "Privacy Screens" that cover the front and side windows must come off so we can see where we are going. We use a "Pool Noodle" to roll the screens up  then store them behind the sofa.

Next we empty the "Black Water" (poop) and the "Grey Water" (sinks/shower) holding tanks and disconnect the water, sewer and power.

I installed the "Key Safe" in the compartment above the Propane. This compartment, by law, must remain unlocked. If anyone needs to enter the RV while we are away or if we loose our keys, we can get access using the keys in the Safe (as long as we don't forget the combination).

We then went to the office to pay the final electricity bill. Linda and Cindy are just two of the wonderful staff here at Olde Mill Stream. The OMS Staff are what makes this such a great park.

After paying our bill we pulled in the three slideouts, raised the leveling jacks and called the office. Jerry came over in less than a minute and guided us to the "Rally Area". This area of the park is set up for large "Rally Groups" to stay on their travels for a night or two. Here we can have power and water for the night. This way we won't be waking any of the neighbours as we leave (early).

Sun showers hit a little after 5 pm. Lasted about a minute. May have rained in the distance.

I hooked up the car. Set to leave in the morning. Just have to check the lights and start the "Brake Buddy"

We rested and watched TV for the evening. I checked on travel options that we can take after the Bluebonnet festival. Still no decision on where we will go after; but I'm working on it.

Note: Not sure when the next blog installment will be done. Depends on the Wi-Fi in the parks we stop at. Just check.

Mon - 6 Apr/15

Primarily a cloudy day with 20% chance of rain and highs near 90 F. The rain; so far, crossed Florida both north and south of us.

All that talk about maples syrup yesterday resulted in Charlotte making yummy French Toast for breakfast. Unfortunately, we forgot our "Real" Maple Syrup at home and had to settle for the regular stuff. It was still good.

I spent all day checking our trip options. I at least was able to finalize our travel plans, at least until next week. The long term destination is still just a thought; however, we are set for the near future.

Our plans are to attend the "Bluebonnet Festival" in Burnet, TX. We did this a few years ago on our "LBJ" Tour. That was a "Theme Tour" where we did things "Johnson". This included visiting LBJ's birthplace, Johnson City (founded by his family), the "Western White House" (LBJ's ranch), the Johnson Center (Mission Control: Houston), staying at Sunset Point on Lake LBJ and driving the Bluebonnet Trail (Ladybird championed planting wildflowers along Texas byways). Once again it should be a fun weekend.

Just resting and watching TV for the evening. Tomorrow will be busy prepping the RV for travel.

Sun - 5 Apr/15

Wishing All a Happy Easter.

Made our phone calls to Family this morning. All is well up north. Ground snow is gone - just the banks left to melt.

Lis, Nick and Marty got up really early (5 a,m,) to make Maple Syrup.

They got the raw sap from trees on their RV storage lot and from tapping the trees in a few friends yards. They hope to get at least a gallon. The average amount of sap needed is anywhere from 20 to 50 gallons of sap for 1 gallon of syrup. The amount depends on the sugar concentration and the final grade (colour). Modern "Sugar Bushes" use plastic pipe lines that bring the sap from the tree directly to the "Sugar Shack"

Catherine and Brianna will be driving from Ottawa to visit the "Sugaring Operation" today. Boy! I've now got a craving for real Maple Syrup. My favourite is the light amber. It is way more expensive for the real syrup; but worth it. When you consider the fuel and the time and labour, it really is still a good deal.

Canada, primarily Quebec and Ontario, produce 75% of the world's Maple Syrup.

Maple Syrup is a syrup usually made from the xylem sap of sugar maple (also red or black maple) trees, although it can also be made from other maple species. In cold climates, these trees store starch in their trunks and roots before the winter; the starch is then converted to sugar that rises in the sap in the spring. Maple trees can be tapped by boring holes into their trunks and collecting the exuded sap. The sap is processed by heating to evaporate much of the water, leaving the concentrated syrup.

In Canada, syrups must be at least 66 percent (maple) sugar and be made exclusively from maple sap to qualify as maple syrup. In the United States, a syrup must be made almost entirely from maple sap to be labelled as "maple", Vermont and New York have stricter regulations similar to Canada. Buy ON, QC, NY or VT for the real stuff..

We left for the OMS Easter Dinner in the Main Clubhouse at 12:25. Bill's Rule #23: "At an RV Park Event; being there a half hour early means you are already 15 minutes late" applies today. They were lined up to get in. I guess we should have used Bill's Rule #24 : "At an RV Park Major Event; being there an hour early means you are already a half hour late".

Olde Mill Stream RV Resort supplies the ham and potatoes while those attending bring "Potluck" items. Charlotte brought a big bowl of kernel corn.

The (self) serving of tables, selected by random number draws, began at 1 p.m. We were Table One and were called second last. We began eating after 2 p.m.; but it was worth the wait. There was still plenty left after all were served (including "seconds").

I spent the afternoon working on trip home ideas while watching (mostly listening) to hockey on TV. I am still hoping Ottawa can squeeze into the playoffs as a "Wild Card" team. They are bunched with four other teams that are tied or within a point of each other in the standings.

That's about it for today.

Sat - 4 Apr/15

A great day weather wise. No overcast clouds to burn off due to the low humidity giving clear blue skies from early morning on.

Today will be a day of rest. We are getting our reserves built up for the beginning our trip home next week. We will take 3 weeks and we still haven't decided on our route. We will start looking at our options today.

TV for the afternoon was the "Create" channel which has a variety of cooking and craft shows.

Lunch was the second half of our Olive Garden meal from Friday. Still yummy.

Worked all day on different "going home" options. No decisions yet. This will take some time.

Fri - 3 Apr/15

It was once again time again for (I hesitate to use that "dirty world") - laundry.

Charlotte helped me carry in the 4 laundry baskets then I sent her back to the RV. No use in having two of us watching the "paint dry" in a hot laundry room. Once all the washers were going I went to the office to pick up a new roll of quarters (for next time).

There was a nice article in a local paper. Olde Mill Stream RV Park residents raised $4,199.00 for the local Volunteer Fire Department by attending a OMS sponsored spaghetti supper in the main clubhouse. Despite being here for only a few months, residents consider themselves part of the local community. They showed this by their excellent support. A special thanks goes out to the park staff for their effort and help.

I moved the clothes from the 3 washers to 3 dryers as the loads finished.

Charlotte returned to help in a little over an hour to help with the clothes as they dried. I put all the dryers on high heat and remove the clothes as they dry. I did not put in certain items; but hung them on the laundry's center table rack to dry.

A few ladies in the laundry room wondered if I had "Ladybugs" for sale. They thought it was a good idea when they saw me use them to mark the machines we are using in the laundry room. All units were in use today so they came in handy identifying the three washers and later three dryers we were using as they were not beside each other. They said I should make some for sale for next year.

All done in about 2 hours. We should be able to manage without doing another laundry until we get home at the end of the month.

Our mission for today was to go to "Harbor Freight" to purchase 2 more "Captain's Chairs" for the RV. We bought 2 last year and find that quite useful. They are less bulky and easier to store than our large lounge chairs which we will replace with the new pair.

We took the "back road" way we use to get on the FL-429 Toll Road. Harbor Freight is just a few miles down the road on US-441 (Apopka) after we pass the toll road entrance. It was a good thing we went now. The sale is on until the end of the month and they were already on their last box (of chairs).

We returned by the same route - with a slight detour. We continued on through Eustis to the Olive Garden for supper. On the way we were stopped by two State Troopers. Nothing wrong - we were just first in line at the road block. Two huge (I presume: concrete overpass sections) were crossing US-441. We were on our way in less than ten minutes; however, we did get quite warm in the 90 F sunshine as we were stopped waiting.

A few blocks past the road block we turned into Olive Garden. We each ordered a Raspberry Lemonade which really was tasty and just what we needed after the "hot delay".

For supper Charlotte ordered the Garlic Rosemary Chicken (Caramelized garlic cloves and rosemary atop marinated grilled chicken breasts. Served with garlic-parmesan mashed potatoes and fresh spinach).

My choice was the Steak Gorgonzola-Alfredo (Grilled steak medallions over fettuccine alfredo tossed with gorgonzola cheese and fresh spinach. Finished with a balsamic drizzle and sun-dried tomatoes. I ordered it prepared medium-rare.) They were both excellent. The portions were large meaning we each took half back to the RV.

We took the slow road back along Lake Eustis. It was even more enjoyable as sunset approached. The resulting cooler temperatures were refreshing. Downtown Eustis was Rockin' with music. The streets were blocked off as they did for the car show. More than one stage was set up for live music and the streets were packed with folks enjoying the show. We enjoyed the music as we passed; however, we decided to continue on to the RV. The busy day was beginning to catch up with us.

We did a "once around" to see how much the RV Park had "thinned out". There were more empty sites on each street as folks head home after their winter stay. We plan on possibly starting to work our way back home next Thursday.

That about wraps it up for another busy day.

Thu - 2 Apr/15

It was a funny day today. Part of it was resting from our busy day yesterday. We didn't even go out.

Charlotte and I were busy most of the day organizing her "Presser Foot Storage" Box. We were using a box we bought for this purpose during our visit to The Container Store" in Orlando last week.

Over the past two years I had bought several sewing machine presser feet for Charlotte to give her additional sewing capabilities. They eventually got separated from their packaging. It took a few hours to match several up with their instruction sheets. Others had no sheet and we didn't really know their name or function.

I printed out numbers from 1 to 30 using our label maker. Each was then placed on a divider. Charlotte then organized the box. The first seven number locations were the first seven feet that came with the Brother Quilting Sewing Machine. The box had dividers that could be placed in slots to customize the size of each compartment. Eventually all presser feet were in the box. Associated instruction sheets were labelled with the same number as the corresponding item.

Next we had to identify the unknown items. It took all afternoon to locate each of the more than two dozen items online. Most often I would have to search sales sites for an image that matched the presser foot that we had in the box. I then captured an image for each item and stored it on the computer. I then made a custom database program for recording these items and inserted the picture images.

Next I designed a printout that showed the item number, it's name and picture. It took a while to adjust the design so that a printout would fit inside the storage case. Now all is neat and organized.

While I worked on the design Charlotte made a really yummy supper, Pork Chops in a Cream of Mushroom soup sauce over Rice.

Just another relaxing TV evening in the RV to wrap up the day.

Wed - 1 Apr/15

This will be the last blog I ever do!

April Fool!

April Fools' Day (sometimes called April Fool's Day or All Fools' Day) is celebrated every year on the first day of April. It is a day when people play practical jokes and "hoax" each other.

I always thought that you were only allowed to play jokes on folks until noon? Not sure if this is in the official rules.

Popular since the 19th century, the day is not a national holiday in any country, but it is well known in India, Canada, Europe, Australia, Brazil and the United States. I think we already have an "All Fools" day. It's called Election Day! (grin).

The earliest recorded association between 1 April and foolishness can be found in Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" in 1392.

April Fools' Day is observed throughout the Western world. Practices include sending someone on a "Fool's Errand," looking for things that don't exist; playing pranks; and trying to get people to believe ridiculous things.

My trick on Charlotte today was exclaiming that the resident of the RV at the other end of our street, who has dressed as a woman for certain main clubhouse events and dances, was walking naked down the street. April Fool! This is like an official "Made You Look!" day.

The French call April 1 "Poisson d'Avril", or "April Fish." French children sometimes tape a picture of a fish on the back of their schoolmates, crying "Poisson d'Avril" when the prank is discovered.

I wonder if this is where a gesture, popular in the '60's in (my) high school, had it's origins??? If someone got tricked the response was to place one hand (palm down) on top of the other and rotate both thumbs while exclaiming "Fish!". (Anyone else remember this?)

The popular "April Fool's" trick on TV's morning shows today was to offer someone a "Makeover". Makeup Artists would then work their magic making them up as "Werewolves" or similar grotesque creature. Their family, on removing their blindfolds, would be "April Fooled".

http://hoaxes.org/aprilfool/

The above website list the Top 100 April Fool's Hoaxes with a listing by years. I can still remember "Pasta Prices would Increase due to the Poor Spaghetti Harvest" (w/video of spaghetti being picked from spaghetti trees.)

We did a few "odds and ends" around the RV in the morning. "Winter Clothes" were put into storage, clothes were prepared for tomorrow's laundry, and I did a sewage dump. We brought the garbage and recycling to the drop-off as we left for today's daytrip.


We decided to enjoy the "Convertible" weather today as tomorrow will be even hotter with a 20% chance of rain. Plans are to enjoy the sunshine while avoiding heavily travelled roads.

Our first stop the Barberville Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts.

Charlotte went in to the office at the entrance to get information. This historical village is nestled within a moss-draped oak hammock in western Volusia County. It offers self-guided tours within their expansive campus, which illustrates life in rural Florida in the bygone days of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unfortunately, the next session with living history demonstrations would not be until their Spring Festival later in April. Today most of the staff would be occupied giving a tour to a large school group. We decided to pass on this today and return some time in the future.

The second stop on our agenda was the Welaka National Fish Hatchery Aquarium. This is a small; but interesting, aquarium containing samples of fish that the hatchery raises. The state of Florida built the hatchery in 1926, running it for over a decade. The facilities were turned over to the U.S. government in 1938, who have been in charge since then.

Approximately three miles to the south is the Beecher Unit, named after the spring that provides water for the fish ponds there. It has an observation tower with interpretive information, as well as a small picnic area and nature trail.

Their are several large fish ponds in the complex. Welaka National Fish Hatchery is a warmwater fish hatchery which means they raise fish that do best in water temperatures above 65 degrees F. Current species in production at this facility include striped bass, largemouth bass, and the threatened Gulf of Mexico sturgeon.

On the way here we went through Crescent City which claims the title "Bass Capital of the World". They probably owe this to the Welaka Fish Hatchery for keeping the local lakes well stocked. Florida is recognized as the "Fishing Capital of the World" based on the number of freshwater and saltwater anglers, amount of time spent fishing, economic impact, diversity of recreational species, international fishing records set here and tourists their resources. Approximately 35 % of all International Game Fish Association records in the U.S. come from Florida. There is nothing "Fishy" about these facts, folks!

Our next stop was Ravine Gardens State Park in Palatka, FL.The park has two ravines up to 120 feet deep with steep banks at 45 degree angles. Unlike common gullies, trenches or sinkholes caused by temporary flooding, the steephead ravine is a permanent feature with a spring-fed creek that never dries up, called Whitewater Branch. The underground water bubbling up cuts into the bank and carries the sand and soil downstream to the St. Johns River. Over thousands of years the ravine has widened and deepened to what you see today. In 1933, this ravine was transformed into a dramatic garden by the federal Works Progress Administration. Much of the original landscaping still exists as formal gardens and an extensive trail system.

A 1.8-mile paved road winds around the ravine, offering motorists and bicyclists a view of the gardens. The Ravine Loop is closed to vehicle traffic one hour before sunset, but remains open for pedestrians, bicycles, and wheelchairs.

The garden's peak flowering period is azalea season, late January to April. The park is part of the annual Florida Azalea Festival the first weekend in March, when the nearly 100,000 plants that the WPA planted decades ago bloom. Not many left today. We will have to return earlier in the peak season next year.

Numerous picnic sites, equipped with tables and grills, are available to visitors. They had a kid's playground as well as an small park with exercise stations as part of a "Parcourse". A Parcourse
consists of an outdoor path or course equipped with obstacles or stations for exercising.

There is even a suspension bridge; but not one that "Wobbles". We did not do the bridge. We have always been leary of things that "Wobble". We have avoided these since our experience at the Capilano Suspension Bridge in BC (British Columbia, Canada - not BC, as in pre-AD - we're not that old!) (Grin).

All was well crossing the Capilano Suspension Bridge (above picture). The return trip was fine until we got to the middle. As if on cue, a tour bus full of teenage Japanese school kids unloaded. All made a running beeline for the suspension bridge. We just hung on as it bounced and swung back and forth for about 10 minutes, maybe more, until they all passed to the other side. Several even stopped in the middle and purposefully rocked back and forth. Maybe next year we will cross the Ravine Bridge which is much more stable.

Our final stop was for lunch at Corky Bell's for seafood. They don't need a big, fancy sign because of their popularity. It was after 2 p.m. and there were at least 100 vehicles in the parking lot.

I dropped Charlotte off at the entrance so she could get a head-start on securing a seat for lunch. I went twice around the huge parking before I managed to find a parking spot (in the shade).

Corky Bell’s is located at beautiful Gator Landing located on a part of the St. John’s River known as “The Devil’s Elbow” in East Palatka, FL. 

Although there are several outdoor decks with great views, we decided to remain inside as it was beginning to get hot and humid.

Charles “Corky” Bell has been serving crispy fried, broiled, blackened, or grilled fish and shellfish since he opened his first restaurant in 1979. Additions include specialty dishes from Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Creamy Seafood Alfredo’s, Corky’s Stuffed Fish and Swamp Treats like Gator Tail and Frog legs.

Charlotte and I both ordered the 1/2 and 1/2. These were platters of Shrimp and Scallops. Charlotte had her selection broiled while I went with fried. Our sides were coleslaw, applesauce, baked potato and collard greens. All orders come with "Hushpuppies" which were excellent. We were stuffed; but it was so good!

We crossed the "Memorial Bridge" over the St. Johns River (from E. Palatka to Palatka). Completed in 1976, the four lane bridge is 4,020 ft long and has a vertical clearance of 65 ft. Public parks lie at both ends of the bridge. 

There are also "Soldier" statues perched on rocks at both ends of the bridge as part of it's "Memorial" function. After making a few turns in Palatka we were soon on SR-19 which is a straight shot back to the RV Park. Less than an hour later we were back in the motorhome.

Since we were still "stuffed" from the late lunch, Charlotte made "Ritz" snacks for supper. Her "Ritz" snacks are ritz topped w/cheese, pepperoni and pickles. Now, that's a treat!

They were devoured while watching evening TV.

I guess we can mark this up as another interesting day?