Saturday - 16 Apr/16

We had breakfast, pulled in the slideouts, hooked up the Del Sol and were on our way before 10 a.m. this morning.

Our destination was Twin Lakes RV Park in Cumming, GA. Rather than follow a shorter route as laid out by the GPS I backtracked through Cordele, GA which got us on I-75 much more quickly. I-475 let us bypass Macon, GA and saved us several miles yet brought us back to I-75 towards Atlanta, GA. I-675 to I-285 was a bit longer; however it allowed us to avoid the heavier traffic through Atlanta.

The traffic was heavy all day yet there was a steady flow. The only slow down was when a dozen police cars, lights flashing, pulled out immediately in front of us and brought 6 lanes of traffic to a halt. We at first thought there was an accident ahead; however soon realized it was a funeral procession.

We arrive at the park just before 2 p.m., unhooked the Del Sol and set up the motorhome at our lakeside site. We are right at the dam so we have water on two sides.

The reason for our stop here was because we have tickets for tonight's Bryan Adams "Get Up" Tour Concert at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Alpharetta, GA which is less than 15 minutes down the highway from the RV Park.

We departed to arrive at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre for the 6 p.m. Parking Lot entrance opening time so that we could get a close spot in the Handicapped Area. We got the second spot in Parking Lot "A" right near the West Gate Entrance. We put down the windows, tilted the set backs and relaxed and listened to the band as it tuned up.

 

We joined the entrance line a few minutes before the gates opened at 7 p.m. After entry we succumbed to temptation and picked up a Nachos w/Queso, Beef and Black Olives (to share) along with a couple of soft drinks as a snack.

 

 

We then headed for our seats in the center section - second last row. (Note: Seating for 7000).

 

When Charlotte rose to bring our empty nacho plate to the garbage can in the aisle nearby, the lady in the next seat generously offered to bring it to the garbage for her. We thought that was so thoughtful - everyone hates having to squeeze past others in theatre rows.

 

 

Soon we were in conversation with Betty and Pete. One of the most enjoyable things about RVing (travelling, in general) is the interesting people we meet. They were such a delight to talk with while waiting for the (late) start of the show.

 

The 8 p.m. show started at 8:40. This wasn't really a bad thing. It gave the sun a chance to set; otherwise we would have had the brilliant sunshine in our eyes for the start of the show.

 

 

Bryan Adams raspy voice sounds as good as it did in his best years. He also looks great for his age (56). (Unlike many old rock bands singers). Bryan played all his hits - and some that soon will be. He didn't disappoint. No fireworks or laser lights though the visuals were excellent and "right on". The show is based on good music performed by seasoned musicians that displayed their excellent skill set without flaunting their talent. The capacity crowd readily sang along with the classics, stood and cheered several numbers and danced when the spirit moved them.

 

In a few words...It was awesome. 

 

P.S. Our Favorite concert moment: "Summer of 69"....when we were married! 

Friday - 15 Apr/16

The cloudy skies and off and own light showers continue today. We were up and on our way to our first destination 2 hours away in Warm Springs, GA after a minor delay.

A very friendly local cat that we had already met yesterday ran right into the motorhome as soon as Charlotte opened the door.

Today's first destination was FDR's Little White House.

It was an easy drive as the winding roads through the rolling hills of mid-Georgia were good and the traffic was very light. We, as predicted, arrived at 11:30 a.m.

The Little White House was the personal retreat for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the President of the USA. He first came to Warm Springs for polio treatment, and liked the area so much that, as Governor of New York, he had a home built on nearby Pine Mountain. The house was finished in 1932. Roosevelt kept the house after he became President, using it as a Presidential retreat.

The self-guided tour entry was through the service porch door where the Ice Box resided. Thanks to FDR's efforts to electrify rural America there was electricity at the residence.

Charlotte would really like a walk-in pantry like this one.

The fireplace brought to mind the "Fireside Chats" FDR had on the radio as he brought the nation through the tough times of the recession and then WW II.

All rooms were of a modest size and comfortable in nature.

Of course, there is an excellent view of the surrounding wilderness through the expansive rear windows bordering on the large, elevated, rear deck.

Russian portrait artist, Elizabeth Shoumatoff, was painting FDR while he was at The Little White House when he suddenly became ill and died. This "Unfinished Portrait" hangs near a finished portrait that the artist completed from sketches and memory.

After his FDR's death The Little White House was opened to the public as a museum in 1948.

The relatively new museum area houses an excellent exhibit that chronicles both FDR and Eleanor's life and accomplishments.

Included in the exhibit are two (convertible) autos that were outfitted with hand controls (designed by FDR) that he drove (himself) when visiting Warm Springs.

Once again, after viewing the history of another President Charlotte and I both had the same thoughts and we certainly hope America doesn't play the "Trump" card (grin) in the upcoming presidential election. Call us "Old Fashioned"!

After the gift shop we headed for destination #2: Andersonville (Prison) National Historic Site. Located near Andersonville, GA, Camp Sumter (aka Andersonville Prison) was a Confederate POW (Prisoner-of-war) Camp in southwestern Macon County.

The current site contains the Andersonville National Cemetery and the National Prisoner of War Museum as well as the area once occupied by the prison. Visitors can walk the 26.5-acre site of Camp Sumter, which has been outlined with double rows of white posts. Two sections of the stockade wall have been reconstructed as well as the north gate and the northeast corner.

The site is an iconic reminder of the horrors of Civil War prisons. It was overcrowded to four times its capacity, with inadequate water supply, reduction in food rations, and unsanitary conditions. Of the approximately 45,000  Union prisoners held at Camp Sumter during the war, nearly 13,000 men died. The chief causes of death were scurvy, diarrhea and dysentery. POW's formed friendships that provided care, food, and moral support for others in their social network. This helped prisoners survive the deplorable conditions that existed at the site.

The National Prisoner of War Museum on the site mirrors the horrors of American POW's that included those of Andersonville through to the current day.

Two excellent (about 30 minutes each) films shown in the theater, one on Andersonville Prison and the other on American POW's throughout other conflicts, give a chilling view into the horrors of being a prisoner-of-war. The exhibit has articles, memorabilia and reproductions from all of these eras with comments from those who managed to survive and some who did not (via diaries). It is an excellent (and sobering) insight into the realities of life as a POW.

On leaving the museum we took a quick driving tour of the massive cemetery.

During the Civil War there was no official system in place to document missing or dead soldiers. As the war ended Clara Barton, the "Angel of the Battlefield" who had achieved fame as a nurse (and went on to later found the American Red Cross) during the war, took it upon herself to fill this void.

She began to receive letters from family members trying to find out the fate of their loved ones who had not returned home. In June of 1865 a young clerk named Dorence Atwater contacted Barton and requested copies of her lists of missing soldiers. Atwater had been a prisoner at Andersonville and had been paroled to work in the hospital, where he diligently maintained a copy of the death records. At Andersonville in July and August of 1865, Atwater and Barton poured through the letters she had received, and began to search for these missing soldiers in the Andersonville Death Register and captured hospital records. While laborers worked to erect headboards in the cemetery, Barton wrote dozens of letters informing families that their loved ones had died at Andersonville. At the end of the expedition, Barton was given the honor of raising the American flag for the first time over the recently established Andersonville National Cemetery.

After returning from Andersonville, Barton set up the Missing Soldier's Office in Washington in 1865. She hired numerous clerks, including Dorence Atwater, to respond to the more than 60,000 letters that she received. By the time the Missing Soldiers Office closed in 1867, Barton and her staff had identified more than 20,000 missing soldiers, including nearly 13,000 who had died at Andersonville Prison.

Today the cemetery also an active military cemetery with regular burials of deceased veterans.

Returning to the motorhome I took a slight jog through Americus. GA. We stopped at Walmart for a restock (water, milk, etc.) and I filled the Del Sol with gas.

We stopped at Krystal for supper. It has been a few years since we had eaten at Krystal. As you can see the burgers are really the size of sliders. They have been made this way since Krystal started in 1932. I'm sure the depression had something to do with their size. You need 3 or 4 for a meal; but they taste great!

FLASHBACK MEMORY TIME: Krystal reminded me of "Ma Lalonde's" burgers. "Ma" ran a small eatery (only large enough for a counter) on the East side of Pitt St. in Cornwall, ON. It was next to Miller's Junk Yard between Fifth and Sixth streets. It was directly across from the Canadian Tire Store (previous to it's current location). The entrance was a few steps down from the sidewalk. The burgers, like Krystal's, were small. Today they would be called "Sliders". It was common to order a dozen burgers from this "Greasy Spoon" to share with a friend. As I said, they were tiny and at 10 cents each - affordable.

As a teenager I was in the hospital with an ear infection. The antibiotics meant nothing - even liquids - wouldn't "stay down". Once I could eat again my Dad filled my request: we shared two dozen "Ma Lalonde's" in the hospital room! Mmmm Good! What a treat!

Another Lalonde in Cornwall ran a French Fry wagon. All the kids would come running to the street with their nickel when they heard the "Bell" ring.

Their 5 cent piece would buy a cone shaped (Solo) water cup full of fries. If you had another nickel a soft drink could be bought (2 cent deposit for the bottle). As Archie Bunker would say: "Those were the days!"

It was a busy; but interesting day!

Thursday - 14 Apr/16

We were in not hurry so we slept in until 9 a.m. I went up to the office to pay for the 3 nights we will be staying here. I discovered that the park is separated from the golf course. Only golf cart roads connect both. I had to travel to the park exit, go down the highway and turn in the golf course entrance. This made it a mile rather than a block drive.

About 11:30 we headed out to Plains, GA. It was about a 20 minute drive from the RV Park. We are in for mostly scattered showers for our stay; however, we will be visiting museums which helps a little.

Our plans for today involved a trip to Plains, GA to visit the U.S. National Parks Service Jimmy Carter National Historic Site; however we decided to stop first for lunch.

On the first try I drove past the restaurant. I previously looked up places to eat and knew what the restaurant (Minnie's Diner) looked like.  The sign said "The Cafeteria" so I kept going down the street. When we passed Jimmy Carter's personal residence I knew we had gone too far. Since Jimmy and Rosalynn live at this residence in Plains, GA it is under the protection of the United States Secret Service and not open to the public. I turned around and backtracked. When I checked the address I realized I was right the first time. The restaurant just had a new name.

As we entered the restaurant the door was held for Charlotte and I by a Secret Service agent. I could see his "ear bud" and assumed he just came for lunch. I was wrong. He was "On Duty".

Technically, we had lunch with Jimmy (39th President of the USA) and former First Lady, Rosalynn Carter (grin). (They were just sitting at a different table in the restaurant.) There were 6 in their "official" party (including the Secret Service agents; but not us.)

Charlotte and I decided on the buffet which was a "Soul Food" treat. Charlotte chose baked chicken, salad, collard greens and lima beans. I decided on the breaded pork chop, mac and cheese collard greens and lima beans. All came with corn bread. We both had peach cobbler for dessert. The portions were large, the taste was great and the dessert was warm (a great way to end the meal).

Both Jimmy and Rosalynn stopped on the way out to talk and shake hands with locals. I was behind Jimmy (who certainly doesn't look to be 91 years young) as he paid the tab - for all 6 in the party. They all climbed into the usual big, black Chevy (not sure of the model - they used to be called "Suburbans".) and departed.

We had the pleasure of talking to Jody after our meal. It turns out that Jody is the new owner of the restaurant. (No wonder I didn't see the Minnie's Diner sign). The Carters have been regulars for lunch since she opened less than a week ago. Now if that isn't an endorsement for how good the food is - I don't know what is!

After leaving "The Cafeteria" we turned right at the next corner and arrived at the museum just a short distance down the street. It is housed in the former Plains High School which both Jimmy and Rosalynn attended.

There is an exact replica of Jimmy Carter's presidential desk where Billy (no, not Jimmy's brother - grin) is sitting. Replicas of his 2002 Noble Peace Prize, official White House portraits of both Jimmy and Rosalynn, several of Jimmy's paintings (including a self portrait) and other interesting memorabilia are spread throughout several (former) classrooms. The auditorium has been restored to replicate the era when the Carters attended the school.

 

 

The Carters returned to Plains in 1981. Jimmy still teaches Sunday School at the Maranatha Baptist Church a few times a month, helps build a house for Habitat For Humanity on a yearly basis and remains an active member of the community and, as we can verify, eats out locally on a regular basis.

After watching the excellent short video on his life both Charlotte and I had the same thought: Donald Trump doesn't come within a "Country Mile" of being the gentleman Jimmy Carter was (and is). We hope America comes to "It's Senses" - 'nuff said!

A stop at Walmart in Americus, GA on the way back to the motorhome. As usual we found what we needed and a few extras, as well. We crossed the road to Lowes as I wanted to seek out a way to hold the new slide out panty in place. I thought it would stay put yet sharp turns at speed had it sliding open. Unfortunately, the items I purchased are 1/10 of an inch too large and will not fit. I will seek either similar; but smaller items or another solution.

The rain that had let up returned heavier and steadier after supper. As usual, TV to end the day.

All in all, the day turned out to not only be interesting; but had an extra memorable experience we hadn't expected.

Wednesday - 13 April/16

Pulled in the final 2 slideouts; disconnected the power, water and sewer hookups; hooked up the Del Sol to the towbar; tested the trailer light connections and were on our way before 10 a.m.

We took our usual route (CR-42) as if we were going to The Villages via US-27 except we turned right instead of left as  if we were going to Camping World or the Marion (Flea) Market. A left on CR-484 took us right to I-75. This saved going through the heavy traffic of Ocala, FL.

Thankfully I-75 is 6 lanes (3 each direction) as the traffic was heavy as usual.

We pulled off at Lake City, FL for lunch at the Cracker Barrel which has a large RV parking area large enough for motorhomes (towing).

The next stop was at the Flying J at Lake Park, GA to fuel up.

We turned off I-75 at Cordele, GA (The Watermelon Capitol of the World) and took US-280 to Americus, GA. We arrived at Brickyard Plantation RV Park (and Golf Club) just before 5 p.m. The procedure is to stop at the registration area and contact the Park Host. They weren't at their site so we dialed the park phone number. Soon we were met and guided to our lot.

Small World Item: In conversation with the person who guided us to our site I mentioned we had come up from Umatilla, FL. He said years ago he used to pick up oranges in Umatilla until the trees died in a freeze. That was when the groves were converted and Olde Mill Stream RV Resort, our snowbird home, was built on that site. What are the odds?

I unhooked the Del Sol and then hooked up the motorhome to power and water. We just relaxed with local TV. Here the aerial brought in a large choice of TV stations: ABC or PBS.

The stormy weather coming in from the Gulf of Mexico brought dark clouds and a light rain mid-evening. As it was closing time at the office we will go tomorrow to register and pay then start exploring the area attractions in the Del Sol. We are here for 3 nights.

Thankfully, it was an easy travel day.

Tuesday - 12 Apr/16

Today is prep for departure day. We will be heading north tomorrow.

Charlotte worked hard organizing and giving the wood and lino tile floor a clean and polish. We organized and pulled in the large slideout. We will pull in the other two slideouts tomorrow morning as we do final prep for departure.

I went to the carwash area (one of two that are free) to use the "Shop Vac" to clean the oak leaves out of the car. The trunk is now neat and clean and repacked with a little room left for shopping purchases on the way home.

I removed the (black) front windshield and side window privacy screens, rolled them up and packed them in their usual storage spot behind the sofa bed.

After Jeopardy we made a quick evening stop at Advance Auto Parts in Eustis, FL for a quart of Mobil One to top up the engine. Next we crossed the road to Publix where Charlotte checked our PowerBall Ticket (no luck) and bought a magazine. Then across the parking lot to BK (Burger King) for our last "5 for 4" Meal of the season.

Back at the motorhome it was a duo of NCIS programs to end the evening before hitting the sack for our last night's sleep at OMS (Olde Mill Stream RV Resort) before heading home.

We will take a week or so to get back home. Hopefully we will avoid the severe weather that has been spawning tornados and baseball sized hail on the way back.

I will try to continue the blog on the way home; however, it will depend on the availability and the quality of the local park Wi-Fi.

That's it for today.

Monday - 11 Apr/16

Another lovely day that is a repeat of the past few days except with perfectly clear skies in the morning and clouds later in the afternoon.

Again a day of rest as we prep for departure.

I checked the mail and since I received the letter I was waiting for today I went to the office and handed in the mail box key. I also paid the electricity to cover until we leave. All we have to do now as far as the office is concerned is hook-up the car and depart on Wednesday.

In the early evening we made a few phone calls home to let family know our travel plans.

Just the usual Monday TV evening to end the day.

Sunday - 10 Apr/16

CBS Sunday Morning as usual to start the day. Another nice day similar to yesterday with a few small clouds in the sky, a strong breeze and mid-70's F.

The task today is to rest in preparation for the trip home. Charlotte continued knitting (socks) and I worked on planning the trip home. We are tentatively departing this Wednesday with a 3 day stop at Brickyard Plantation RV Park in Americus, GA.

Our second (2 Day) stop is planned for Twin Lakes RV Park in Cumming, GA on Saturday and Sunday.

All, of course, can change depending on the weather changes.

 

With very little on TV we turned to our movie collection and decided on "The Package". Johnny Gallagher (Gene Hackman) is a sergeant guarding the peace negotiations (end of the cold war era) in Germany with his men. They get ambushed by a well organized group. He becomes the scapegoat. He is sent back to the USA with a prisoner, Sgt. Walter Henke, ("The Package" played by Tommy Lee Jones) who isn't who he is supposed to be. The (pretend) Henke is part of a plot by senior military personnel on both sides to kill a very high-ranking world figure in order to sabotage the arms control talks.. Henke escapes at the airport in the U.S. with the help of accomplices. Gallagher is framed for the murder of the real Henke's wife and is restricted to base arrest. He enlists the help of his wife (Joanna Cassidy) and old friends and soon others who get involved are killed off. A little bit of a stretch on reality; however, it was entertaining as are all Hackman movies.

Second up was another Hackman Movie - "Heist". Hackman plays the brilliant leader of a jewel heist gang  that pulls off complicated heists for a despicable fence (Danny DeVito). After stiffing the gang on a jewelry robbery De Vito forces the gang to go after a Swiss gold shipment and to use his nephew in the crime. No one trusts anyone and every step is shaded with the unexpected.

TV finished our day of rest.

Saturday - 9 Apr/16

I guess 9 a.m. can be considered "Sleeping In"!

Another beautiful day - with the "Cool Spell" equalling  - 10 F below normal which makes it the Mid-70's F. for a high. Perfectly clear skies and a good breeze means a light jacket this morning until it gets out of the 60's F.

During the morning Charlotte worked on a pair of folding tablet holders.

Another really neat project well done.

After dinner we headed for a day (and evening) in The Villages. We were lucky to get a parking spot on the square near the Van Heusen store. That's a rare occurrence as it is usually always packed. The store was really busy. Charlotte had to wait 10 minutes for a fitting room even though there were 4 in use. It was worth it - she found some more nice pants and tops for spring.

Our next stop was the Savannah Center for (Leo Anthony ) Gallagher's "The Jokes On You" Comedy Tour.

Our kids (and their friends) used to watch all the Gallagher videos when they were young. Along with the comedy they enjoyed when he used the "Sledge-O-Matic", a giant wooden mallet, to splatter the crowd with debris from watermelons and other concoctions he would create.

To honor them we bought tickets right up front on the aisle - and dressed accordingly.

Comedian Artie Fletcher opened the show and was joined by Gallagher after several minutes. Gallagher's still sports the same "Bald and Big Hair" style from 20 years ago, except now it has all turned grey. 

His comedy style has changed (no longer kid friendly) as he pokes "Right Wing" fun at gays, world cultures, America and old folks. Although he majored in chemical engineering his minor in English Literature shows through in his penchant for finding unusual logic in the use of words. George Carlin would be proud of his humour.

As they created plates full of items to smash Gallagher explained the method in his madness in order to get the maximum "Splash per Smash". The mixtures included everything from cream corn to pumpkin filling and all sorts of other squishy stuff.

Being up front and on the aisle we got sprayed by all sorts of splatter.

The splatter disperses so quickly there is no time to duck which is part of the (warped) fun. We (and most others in the front few rows) had to visit the washroom (after the show) to wash off the excess that got past our protective plastic "Haute Couture" wardrobe.

Nothing works up an appetite like being pelted with food. After the show we headed to the new Texas Roadhouse that had recently opened in Lady Lake, FL. There was a long line so we signed in, got a beeper and waited in comfort in the car while eating a bag of their (in the shell) peanuts.

We enjoyed our usual meal (8 oz. Dallas Filet) in peace and quiet (NOT!). The meal was excellent; but the continuous "Hub-Bub" of the packed-to-capacity crowd would make airport takeoffs seem quiet. We were stuffed and headed home with our baked regular and sweet potatos "To Go".

Another busy and varied day. I suspect we will be glad to relax tomorrow morning while watching CBS Sunday Morning.