Monthly Archives: January 2019

Geo. WH Bush Pres. Library

To view the Journal for JANUARY click on this link goto January Journals…or click on the “header at the top of this page, select “Journals” for the drop-down menu. If pictures appear missing, use your “refresh” button.
HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

 

 

This month’s Travel Plans:
7. Jan. 20th Willis, TX at Lake Conroe (TT) RVP x 12 nights. (190m)
8.  Feb. 1st Seguin, TX -Overnight (156m)
9.  Feb. 2nd Lakehills, TX at Medina Lake RVR (TT) x 13 nights (71m)
10. Feb. 15th Fort Stockton, TX overnight
11. Feb. 16th El Paso, TX – overnight
12. Feb. 17th Deming, NM overnight
13. Feb. 18th Benson, AZ at Valley Vista RVR(T3) x 13 nights

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The bold and italicized text below is taken from Wikipedia Web Site. For a virtual tour of the Library and Museum click on this link then go to the bottom of the Web Page this link will take you to: goto Bush Library and Museum tour

The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum was dedicated on November 6, 1997, and opened to the public shortly thereafter. It was designed by the architectural firm of Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum.

The Bush Library and Museum is situated on a plaza adjoining the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center and the George Bush School of Government and Public Service. It is administered by NARA under the provisions of the Presidential Libraries Act of 1955.

 

 

 

 

 

(This is a quote to be found on one side of the Museum wall.)

The mission of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum is to preserve and make available for research the official records, personal papers, and artifacts of President George H.W. Bush, to support democracy, promote civic education, and increase historical understanding of U.S. national experience through the life and times of George Bush.

(the entrance to the Museum and Library.)
The textual archives contain more than 44 million pages of personal papers and official documents subject to the Presidential Records Act, as well as personal records from associates connected with President Bush’s public career as Congressman, Ambassador to the United Nations, Chief of the U.S. Liaison Office in China, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. As in all NARA presidential libraries, records are housed in acid-free storage (Hollinger) boxes in a balanced humidity and temperature atmosphere. The archival storage area houses 13,000 cubic feet (370 m3) of records and the library has a National Security vault holding 3,500 cubic feet (99 m3) of Presidential Records. In addition to memoranda, speeches, and reports found in the textual collection, there is an extensive audio-visual and photographic archive.[citation needed].

Its classroom is the first of its kind in the Presidential Libraries network. The classroom can be used by student groups as a computer learning lab or as a traditional classroom. It is the Bush Library and Museum’s educational mission to inform and enrich learning for all ages about American history, the role of the presidency in general with special focus on the administration of George Bush.

(Vestibule as you enter the Museum/Library)

In 2011, the George Bush Presidential Library Foundation was given an overall score of 2 out of 4 by Charity Navigator.[1] The CEO was listed on that site’s “10 Highly Paid CEOs at Low-Rated Charities”.[2]

(Entrance to the garden area resting place for President Bush, wife Barbara and Robin, their child who died as a youngster. This is the spot, on the day of President Bush’s burial where the cameras and reporters could not enter or go any further.)

The Day the Wall Came Down by Veryl Goodnight, a 1997 statue of horses leaping over pieces of the actual Berlin Wall, stands on the plaza of the library. It depicts the fall of the wall in 1989, when Bush was president.

The museum has just under 17,000 square feet (1,600 m2) of permanent exhibit space and 3,000 square feet (300 m2) of temporary exhibit space. Permanent exhibits draw on the best of the museum collection to visually convey the essence of George Bush’s life and public service career and to illustrate historical events of this period in American history. Changing exhibits explore topics on the Bush Administration, American history, American Presidents, etc.[1]

(Below the graves and markers for the Bush family)

“Everything we were, we carry with us. 
Everything we will be, 
is calling to us, from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier


 





			

	
	



				
					


	

		
Johnson Space Center


				

			
				
			
					

			


		

		
 To view the Journal for JANUARY click on this link  goto January Journals…or click on the “header at the top of this page, select “Journals” for the drop-down menu. If pictures appear to be missing, using your “refresh” button helps them reappear.


HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING

 you NEED,

NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING


 


This month’s Travel Plans:

7.  Jan. 20th Willis, TX at Lake Conroe (TT) RVP x 12 nights. (190m)

8.  Feb. 1st Seguin, TX -Overnight (156m)

9.  Feb. 2nd Lakehills, TX at Medina Lake RVR (TT) x 13 nights (182m)

10. Feb. 15th Fort Stockton, TX overnight

11. Feb. 16th El Paso, TX – overnight

12. Feb. 17th Deming, NM overnight

13. Feb. 18th Benson, AZ at Valley Vista RVR(T3) x 13 nights


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1.28.19-Johnson Space Center-We awoke around 7am anxious for this day for visiting the Johnson Space Center. Carla is feeling a little better but still sneezing from time to time. After a light breakfast and proper clothing to counter the 37 degree weather we were on our way. Traveling through Houston was a whit-knuckle experience.



This group of fly-overs wasn’t even the biggest, felt bad we missed that shot. It had a series of 5 levels high. Below is the Houston skyline. Tragic n this shot was light, I never want to travel I-45 through the city again.





Yea, we made it. The drive here was definitely an “E” ticket experience. Carla, Abby and I were fortunate enough to experience a 747 carrying a Shuttle back to Kennedy many years ago. It was such a rare event that, many times, the 747 pilot would do his own creative flight plan before landing. Many times flying north and south along the coastline to be a little boastful.





This would be our first of several venues today, buying tickets and viewing the Space Center Museum. Below are a few shots of the inside of this venue.

  

I kind of  liked this picture below, a roadmap to the galaxy. Then another shot of the complex.

 

Below this guy is explaining the technique of going to the bathroom, you know #2, in space. It involves the use of suction. I won’t go into details on this but will let you use your imagination. Below this same guy tried to get this volunteer to drink Space Station generated water. Must I go into detail as to where the Space Station gets this primary source of water. The volunteer did not oblige the host in trying this highly purified water. Did you really think he would?



 



Above  is an animation showing a candle (on the left ) as it would glow on earth and the same candle, on the right and how it would glow on the space Station, in outer space. The question here is why! A tour of the complex by tram will be next.



 



Yes, we can thank Disney for creating “waiting stalls” even at JSC, but the line was short. These are long horn Texas steers grazing on the JSC property. I did not hear the entire story but I think they had to be permitted as part of the buy-out or lease deal on the property.



 

Some of the research buildings on the property, for got their particulars.

 

 

We’re in the last building shown above where they build stuff and the train on it. The big white drums are actually, I think, living modules for the astronauts. Below is unique. The “green” capsule, lower left corner is actually the Russian capsule that our astronauts come home in from the Space Station. Our government pays $2M for a ticket for this ride.





Pictures above and below are about the “Orion” capsule. This is the new phase of our space program. Almost feels like we’re going backwards, especially after experiencing the Shuttles. Very much like the Mercury capsules more window, but yet no bathrooms or exercise room.





Once again, these are “living quarters modules” that will some day go back to the moon or Mars.





Above at the top of the picture are the many awards students have won as they worked on actual space projects t this NASA center. Some of their achievements can be seen on the floor, mostly in the realm of robotics. Below, I know, nobody here looks very busy, I agree.





We’re off again to see what’s in the next building, the Saturn Rocket building. Below see the bikes. These are the original bikes dating from the beginnings of the Space Center. Schwinn comes in once a years and refurbishes them for the years to come.

 

On this plot of soil trees have been planted with placards in commemoration of those that have contributed greatly to the program. Below, I just liked the picture.





Some information on the Saturn Rocket. Your computer can enlarge the information.





The Saturn Rocket, the heaviest, biggest and most powerful rocket built. There’s so much information on this rocket I’ll let you Google it. One particular item, it’s 360 feet in length. Just a few pictures on this beast.

zzz

    

This is the actual rocket, not a mock-up. There are only three left; Cape Kennedy, Atlanta and here in Houston.

The Apollo Mission Astronauts:

               

Now off to the Shuttle:



Above: there was no sign that aid Do Not Touch The Space Rock, so I touched it. Below the sin read touch the rock from the moon, why not, so we did. It was in a heavily fortified case of glass and steel with an opening barely big enough for a hand to fit inside. No chance of taking this artifact.



Some pictures from the space Shuttle:

             

Now off to the 747 transport plane:

     

NASA owned and operated two of these 747’s. The plane above made nine of these piggy-back trips.




“Everything we were, we carry with us. Everything we will be, is calling to us,  from the roads not travelled yet.” pjgrenier



			

	
	



				
					


	

		
Lake Conroe TT RVP, Willis, TX


				

			
				
			
					

			


		

		
To view the Journal for JANUARY click on this link  goto January Journals…or click on the “header at the top of this page, select “Journals” for the drop-down menu.

If pictures appear to be missing, using your “refresh” button helps them reappear.


 


 


HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING

 you NEED,

NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING


This month’s Travel Plans:

7. Jan. 20th Willis, TX at Lake Conroe (TT) RVP x 12 nights. (190m)

8.  Feb. 1st Seguin, TX -Overnight (156m)

9.  Feb. 2nd Lakehills, TX at Medina Lake RVR (TT) x 13 nights (182m)

10. Feb. 15th Fort Stockton, TX overnight

11. Feb. 16th El Paso, TX – overnight

12. Feb. 17th Deming, NM overnight

13. Feb. 18th Benson, AZ at Valley Vista RVR(T3) x13 nights


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01.20.19-Sunday- LEFT SULFUR, LA FOR WILLIS, TX

Very seldom do we endure a trip that continues to offer up challenges to, what should easily be, a boring two hundred mile commute. Even the campground would not cut us a break. We left at 9:30 and arrived just before 1pm, in general just about what it should have taken.  Temperatures last night dipped to 32 degrees with a feels like of 24 degrees. What was nice is that we can now let our new inverter supply the power to run the electric heat for the evening.  The challenges we incurred were mostly self inflicted. I have a tendency to just get up and do what I think is the next thing to do, you can’t do that with this lifestyle. I’ve worked hard trying to remember this axiom and in general I do abide by these rules, but I do slip up occasionally. No repercussions resulted thankfully; just have to think for a second before taking action.

From the pictures above and below, we did make it to Texas. Finding the campground directions we’re proving to be elusive. GPS, map book and map info were not complementing each other.  This was adding to the several other problems we had to deal with today.



Breakdown-lane in the picture can also be used for evacuations.



Let’s take a walk through the campground. Below is our site. It’s on two small hills. One goes left to right, and the other goes from the front to rear of the coach.





Above are rental cabins, they’re all over the grounds.



Play area and more cabins.





Basketball court and a far look of the lake area.





Office and sales offices. At the far end is a group gathering area. No picture yet since the camp was having a child appropriate movie at the time I was there.







Some pictures of the pool area.











Mini golf and tennis with pickle ball.





The gathering room building.







Registration and sales office.









Above is the entrance to the park and below is a major expansion project that’s in the works.








"Everything we were we carry with us.
Everything we will be is calling to us, 
from the roads not yet travelled." pjgrenier



			

	
	



				
					


	

		
Walmart, Lake Charles, LA-NO!


				

			
				
			
					

			


		

		
To view the Journal for JANUARY click on this link  goto January Journals…or click on the “header at the top of this page, select “Journals” for the drop-down menu.

If pictures appear to be missing, using your “refresh” button helps them reappear.


 


 


HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING

 you NEED,

NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING


This month’s Travel Plans:

7.  Jan. 20th Willis, TX at Lake Conroe (TT) RVP x 12 nights. (190m)

8.  Feb. 1st Seguin, TX -Overnight (156m)

9.  Feb. 2nd Lakehills, TX at Medina Lake RVR (TT) x 13 nights (182m)

10. Feb. 15th Fort Stockton, TX overnight

11. Feb. 16th El Paso, TX – overnight

12. Feb. 17th Deming, NM overnight

13. Feb. 18th Benson, AZ at Valley Vista RVR(T3) x13 nights


*************************************************************

01.19.19-Travel to Lake Charles, now Sulfur, LA.



Traveling above the protected bayous and swamp lands. This  above the water road way went on for dozens of miles. We got to leave Lafayette and headed for Lake Charles, LA, at a local Walmart. Shortly before going to church we dropped into Walmart to ask permission to stay overnight. It as, we thought, merely a formality, since we were told it would be Okay,  to our dismay, we were told NO! Boondocking at a Walmart is a privilege, need to go to plan B. 




 


We would head out to Sulfur, LA to a Cracker Barrel. It was a delightful stay and put us ten miles closer to our destination for tomorrow.


“Everything we were, we carry with us.
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier



			

	
	



				
					


	

		
Battleship Alabama, Mobile Bay


				

			
				
			
					

			


		

		
To view the Journal for JANUARY click on this link  goto January Journals…or click on the “header at the top of this page, select “Journals” for the drop-down menu.

If pictures appear to be missing, using your “refresh” button helps them reappear.


HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING

 you NEED,

NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING


This month’s Travel Plans:

2. Jan. 14th Lake City, FL Overnight (147m)

3. Jan. 15th Marianna, GA Overnight (169m)

4. Jan. 16th Robertsdale,AL-Wilderness RVP (RPI)x4 days(165m)

5. Jan. 18th Hammond, LA Overnight (183m)

6. Jan. 19th Lafayette, LA- Overnight

7. Jan. 20th Willis, TX Lake Conroe (TT) RVP x 12 nights.


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01.16.19- BATTLSHIP ALABAMA

 

The Alabama from its humble beginnings on February 1, 1940 as the keel was laid at the Norfolk Navy Yard in Portsmouth, Virginia, Battleship USS ALABAMA (BB-60) has had a remarkable career.  



She began her World War II adventures in the North Atlantic in 1943, then later that year, went to the South Pacific seas.  She ended up in Mobile, Alabama as a National Historic Landmark and memorial to millions.

Captains quarters below:



Home to a crew of 2,500 courageous Americans, this 45,000 ton gentle giant’s WWII adventure culminated with BB-60 leading the American Fleet into Tokyo Bay on September 5, 1945.  Nine Battle Stars for meritorious service were awarded the “Mighty A” during her brief three year tenure as the “Heroine of the Pacific”.

At the bottom center of the picture below shows a large metal container with a hatch door going into it… Why? It wasn’t until the end of the visit that we met with Mr. Kramer, ret. Navy, who explained that the crew virtually lives on potatoes. Potatoes come on board and are brought into this metal room and then are dropped several levels as you see in the picture below this picture.



Most American warships end their useful life after wartime, but ALABAMA was destined to live another day. In May 1962, the Federal Government announced that BB-60 and others would be scrapped, but a forward-looking group of Mobilians and other Alabamians saw a bright future in the aging warship. 



Below is a schematic of the Alabama. The luxury of a computer image is that you can enlarge the image to better view the details of this ship. 

 

Pictures above and below show Carla so all can see the magnitude of everything on this ship. The cannons below can deliver a missile over twenty miles away with amazing accuracy.



Some views below of the engine room of the Alabama.

   



They envisioned the ALABAMA as the anchor attraction of a Veterans Memorial Park to be located in Mobile.  That impossible dream came true on January 9, 1965 when USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park opened to the public.




Navigation room


More than fifteen million visitors later and a statewide economic impact approaching one billion dollars, the Park is easily the most recognizable symbol of the State of Alabama. 



 Dedicated to all Alabama Citizens who have worn the uniform of all branches of the United States Armed Forces, the Park’s numerous artifacts, exhibits, and displays all point to the fact that the Park is America’s most unique military attraction.  Come see for yourself. 

(Utilized text courtesy of the USAAlabama.com website)



 

The crane at the bow of the ship was used sea on load and off load a sea plane the Alabama carried if needed. Below is the Taylor Shop for the ship.




“Everything we were, we carry with us.
Everything we will be is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier



			

	
	



				
					


	

		
Immaculate Conception Cathedral


				

			
				
			
					

			


		

		
To view the Journal for JANUARY click on this link  goto January Journals…or click on the “header at the top of this page, select “Journals” for the drop-down menu.

If pictures appear to be missing, using your “refresh” button helps them reappear.


HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING

 you NEED,

NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING


This month’s Travel Plans:

2. Jan. 14th Lake City, FL – Overnight (147m)

3. Jan. 15th Crestview, FL- Overnight (169m)

4. Jan. 16th Robertsdale, AL-Wilderness RVP (RPI) x 4 nights (165m)

5. Jan. 18th Hammond, LA Overnight (183m)

6. Jan. 19th Lafayette, LA- Overnight

7. Jan. 20th Willis, TX staying at Lake Conroe (TT) RVP for 12 nights.


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01.16.19 Wednesday-IMMECULATE CONCEPTION CATHEDRAL IN MOBILE, AL.



Above is a bridge typical of what Boston has over the Charles, I believe. Below is a picture of the Mobile, AL skyline.

 

This is “Cathedral Square” directly across the street from the Cathedral. Below is the front of the Cathedral. This parish was established in 1702 and the first church was build in a location not far from this spot.

  

The picture above and many below are views inside the Cathedral.

      The Ornate Umbrella called the Ombrellino, is one of the two special symbols is tradition in a Cathedral to be used when the Holy Father visits the Cathedral. The other is the bell. And you’re saying what bell.




 


 


 


 


 


 


On the left side of the picture in the middle is the bell. The picture to the right is a blow-up of that item. This bell is another traditional Roman symbol called a Tintinnabulum. The Ombrellino and Tintinnabulum are used to both announce to the parishioners that the Holy Father is approaching the Cathedral and the  Ombrellino is used to protect the Holy Father from inclement weather.



A close-up picture of the sanctuary. There are the two  67 minor Basilica in the US and 4 in Rome. Each Basilica has the two important Roman Symbols, the Ombrellino and Tintinnabulum. The Cathedral Basilica has been graced with fine organs almost since its dedication in 1850. George Jardine, a well-known New York organ builder, completed the first instrument in 1858; it served admirably for nearly a century, until it was severely damaged by a fire in 1954. (Notes taken from the history of the Cathedral)

 We are now in the lower portion of the church called the Crypt. This was added to the facility a few years ago. It is not fully available to the public, thanks to a metal gate. It is here that the remains of the Bishops that serve the diocese are Encrypted. 

  


 


This is the Coat of Arms for the Cathedral.


 


 


 


 


 


 


 




This very impressive piece of furniture is solely to be used by either an Archbishop and or Bishop only. This chair has a special name. It’s called the “Cathedra.”  This leads to the reason why the church is called a Cathedral.

  

Just a close up picture of a couple of the Stations of the Cross. Below is for my brother. He mentions often that the confessional are, many times, difficult to find.




“Everything we were, we carry with us.
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier



			

	
	



				
					


	

		
Lake City, FL


				

			
				
			
					

			


		

		
To view the Journal for JANUARY click on this link  goto January Journals…or click on the “header at the top of this page, select “Journals” for the drop-down menu.

If pictures appear to be missing, using your “refresh” button helps them reappear.


 


 


HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING

 you NEED,

NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING


This month’s Travel Plans:

2. Jan. 14th Lake City, FL – Overnight (147m)

3. Jan. 15th Marianna, GA Overnight (169m)

4. Jan. 16th Robertsdale, AL – Wilderness RVP (RPI) x 4 nights (165m)

5. Jan. 18th Hammond, LA Overnight (183m)

6. Jan. 19th Lafayette, LA- Overnight

7. Jan. 20th Willis, TX at Lake Conroe RVP (TT) x 12 nights.


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01.14.19-LAKE CITY FL.  #2 on the Travel Map for 2019

Got a 9:15 start this morning and drove 150 miles to Cracker Barrel in Lake City. It’s filling up with motor coaches. We’ll take ourselves out to dinner this evening; called a guilt response for a free stay. Nothing is really free these days. Finding a spot that could fit us was time consuming but with patience and careful maneuvering we got a good spot. Right now I think there are more coaches in the parking than cars, the place must be empty. Trouble is that 4 pm is to early for dinner. Ah, Ah! We did decide to eat early, only to be turned back do to a power outage in the area. Everyone previously turned away were returning, the parking lot was full. As always we had a very nice meal.


“Everything we were, we carry with us.
Everything we will be is calling to us, 
from the roads yet not travelled." pjgrenier



			

	
	



				
					


	

		
So Longs but no goodbyes.


				

			
				
			
					

			


		

		
To view the Journal for JANUARY click on this link  goto January Journals…or click on the “header at the top of this page, select “Journals” for the drop-down menu.

If pictures appear to be missing, using your “refresh” button helps them reappear.


HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING

 you NEED,

NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING


This month’s Travel Plans:

2. Jan. 14th Lake City, FL – Overnight (147m)

3. Jan. 15th Marianna, FL Overnight (169m)

4. Jan. 16th Robertsdale, AL – Wilderness RVP (RPI) x 4 days (165m)

5. Jan. 18th Hammond, LA Overnight (183m)

6. Jan. 19th Lafayette, LA Overnight

7. Jan. 20th Willis, TX staying at Lake Conroe (TT) RVP for 12 days.


******************************************************************

01.12.19-SAYING SO-LONG FOR NOW TO OLD FRIENDS

It’s not as emotional as when I was twelve and just spent a week at Camp Squanto with many of my scouting friends, but similar. Reminds me of that 8 by 8 foot army tent that, prior to my arriving, was inhabited with mosquitoes the size of silver dollars! But it is, once again, the last couple of days of a very relaxing stay here in Orlando.



Today we began our so-longs by revisiting the Russell’s. One of the nicest families we know. Vanessa, Scott and Kora. That’s a close-up picture of Kora to the left. She’s a little chatter-box but her communication skills are awesome; definitely a product of home schooling. They were also planning to leave Orlando just after us but their plans got messed up a bit and they’ll be remaining here for a little longer. Then we drifted over to revisit Randy and Pat Hill, a blossoming author with another soon to be best seller, The Vigilante, waiting for you to purchase it. What we did not know is that Randy and Pat had left the park but were not that far away, thank you Walmart. We met up with them at our local Olive Garden and had a very enjoyable evening. As Carla mentioned earlier this evening, “it’s refreshing to be apart from friends for months at a time, and then once your back together again, it just like old times again.



It was only a few days ago that we were fortunate enough to join up with Ann as well. For the future, at least six months of the year, we now know that she’ll be enjoying the Three Flags RVR in her new camp-style home.



Lastly would be my brother Dennis. He hopes to close on his new home in just a few days. Turns out the Christmas-Boat-Parade will be parading directly in front of his new condo. Guess who plans to be in Boynton Beach next Christmas? We were fortunate to have been able to visit with him a couple of times during our stay.



 I’ve prayed every day for months that his everyday experiences might some day take a new course, and for the first time, I’m optimistic that HE may have finally answered these prayers. All in all it’s been a fun stay; even had a chance to wax the HHR, first time in two years. A couple of days ago we met Joel ands Lucy Swapp. They’ve lived and vacationed in Utah extensively so we were very anxious to pick their brains for their input on everything Utah since Utah will be our state of interest in just a couple of months.


 


“Everything we were, we carry with us.
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier



			

	
	



				
					


	

		
Ann’s new home


				

			
				
			
					

			


		

		
To view the Journal for JANUARY click on this link  goto January Journals…or click on the “header at the top of this page, select “Journals” for the drop-down menu.

If pictures appear to be missing, using your “refresh” button helps them reappear.


HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING

 you NEED,

NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING


This month’s Travel Plans:

2. Jan. 14th Lake City, FL – Overnight (147m)

3. Jan. 15th Marianna, FL Overnight (169m)

4. Jan. 16th Robertsdale, AL – Wilderness RVP (RPI) x 4 days (165m) 

5. Jan. 18th Hammond, LA Overnight (183m)

6. Jan. 19th Lafayette, LA Overnight

7. Jan. 20th Willis, TX staying at Lake Conroe (TT) RVP for 12 days.


******************************************************************


01.10.19 ANN CUNNINGHAM’S NEW HOME

We last spoke of Ann way back in October of 2018. She has never been a full-timer as we are, but she would travel for six months in general. Her daughter and other family members have expressed concerns of her RVing life. This is not, in general a dangerous way of life, but I can understand their concern.



Her answer to their concerns will be her  ending her travel plans and settling down at the Three Flags RV Campground in one of their camp model homes. She will now be enjoying a considerably larger living area while, at the same time, still enjoying many of the RV lifestyle of RVers and friends.

 

Her best friend, MO,  should enjoy the new lifestyle as well. We enjoyed a very delightful afternoon with her, not to mention an excellent dinner she hosted us to, and the new direction her life will be moving in.  We make Three Flags RVR a regular stop in our travels so we will be keeping tabs on her on a regular basis.

We wish Ann every happiness in the decision she’s making.


“Everything, we were, we carry with us.
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier



			

	
	



				
					


	

		
Dennis’ Boynton Beach Condo


				

			
				
			
					

			


		

		
To view the Journal for JANUARY click on this link –> goto January Journals … or click on the “header at the top of this page, select “Journals” for the drop-down menu. If pictures appear to be missing, using your “refresh” button helps them reappear.

HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING

 you NEED,

NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING


This month’s Travel Plans:

2. Jan. 14th Lake City, FL – Overnight (147m)

3. Jan. 15th Marianna, FL Overnight (169m)

4. Jan. 16th Robertsdale, AL – Wilderness RVP (RPI) x 4 days (165m) 

5. Jan. 18th Hammond, LA Overnight (183m)

6. Jan. 19th Lafayette, LA Overnight

7. Jan. 20th Willis, TX staying at Lake Conroe (TT) RVP for 12 days.


01.06.19-Visit to Dennis’ Boynton Beach Condo

Today we visited Dennis’ Boynton Beach Condo. So we got on the road at 7:30 and did not get home that evening till about 5pm, with 30 minutes for a McDonald’s lunch and then spending about 45 minutes with Dennis at the condo.View from the back of his condo.





Above is his kitchen. Marble counter tops, about 2.5 inches thick; awesome! Even the back splash is covered top to bottom with marble.





The condo is not as big as what he has right now but this is plenty big enough for him. It  has two bedrooms. The master actually looks out onto the Intracostal Waterway.



Pictures up and down are the views from his balcony looking North and South at the Waterway.





The most awesome part of this condo is its location. All serious boats and yachts must stop and wait for the bridge to open making it a great visual 

experience for Dennis.




 


 


 


 


 


I’m sure you’ll agree Dennis is really going to enjoy his new lifestyle. I might be wrong but I’m certain his caregiver, Camille, will enjoy the location as well.




“Everything we were, we carry with us.
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier


 

			

	
	



				
					


	

		
Bob’s Welding-RV Services


				

			
				
			
					

			


		

		
To view the Journal for JANUARY click on this link  goto January Journals…or click on the “header at the top of this page, select “Journals” for the drop-down menu. If pictures appear to be missing, using your “refresh” button helps them reappear.


HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING 

you NEED,

NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING


This month’s Travel Plans:

2. Jan. 14th Lake City, FL – Overnight (147m)

3. Jan. 15th Marianna, FL Overnight (169m)

4. Jan. 16th Robertsdale, AL – Wilderness RVP (RPI) x 4 days (165m) 

5. Jan. 18th Hammond, LA Overnight (183m)

6. Jan. 19th Lafayette, LA Overnight

7. Jan. 20th Willis, TX staying at Lake Conroe (TT) RVP for 12 days.


****************************************************


Our home had a booboo. On most times when the slide came in or out we would hear a very loud bang; made us think we might have problem. We had our carpet man from “Recarpet Your RV” business. He came back and made a small repair for which he was nice enough not to charge us for. This fix did not take care of our problem, however it did made the slide work nicer. 




He recommended “Bob’s Welding.” I know, why would Bob’s Welding have to do with an RV slide? Thing is this is a three generation family of RV repair specialists. The founding patriot of the business was just that, a welder. RV’s needed some welding services from time to time in his day. His son spent fourteen years working for an RV dealership, Alliance I think, that was his education. This business does not market itself at $150 an hour. The fix on our RV came as a result of our replacing the carpet and adding vinyl planking in place of carpet in many places. The fix, for us, mandated that they had to retool a twenty foot floor-plate. They counter-sunk the screws that were tearing up our underpad and creating our problem. When the under pad failed the slide would be snapping the screws that secured the  plate to the coach floor, thereby creating that loud bang. After three and one-half hours in which we had as many as four workers on this job, the slide was fixed. I hate to think how much Alliance or LaMesa would have charged us for this job! The price averaged less than $100 an hour, a bargain for us.


“Everything,we were, we carry with us.
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier



			

	
	



				
					


	

		
Dinner and great friends visit


				

			
				
			
					

			


		

		
 




01.02.19-Dinner and great friends visit.

Today would be Wednesday and wash day. On our way to the Laundromat we thought we’d try to find Randy and Pat Hill. We had a good idea of where they would be staying, we just had to  find them. We haven’t seen them in over two years so we were anxious to catch up. They now have a 2017 Holiday Rambler. It took us a couple of tries  then there it was, but they were gone. By the time we’d taken the clothes out of the dryer and folded them they had returned to their coach. We had  very nice visit with both of them; so much to talk about. Just after we had finished dinner we had a knock on our door; Pat and Randy! It was a little cramped since we had not extended the Driver’s side slide in anticipation of a repair to the slide, but even with the limited space we enjoyed a great evening of talk and rehashing our travel experiences. There’s just no substitute for good friends. You, most likely, remember my talking about them in a previous old blog. Randy Hill is a published author. He was nice enough to drop off his latest novel; The Vigilante by W. R. Hill. I’ll talk about it just as soon as I read it myself.


This month’s Travel Plans:

2. Jan. 14th Lake City, FL – Overnight (147m)

3. Jan. 15th Marianna, FL Overnight (169m)

4. Jan. 16th Robertsdale, AL – Wilderness RVP (RPI) x 4 days (165m) 

5. Jan. 18th Hammond, LA Overnight (183m)

6. Jan. 19th Lafayette, LA Overnight

7. Jan. 20th Willis, TX staying at Lake Conroe (TT) RVP for 12 days.




mm

			

	
	



				
					


	

		
New Years Day 2019


				

			
				
			
					

			


		

		


To view the Journal for JANUARY

click on this link goto January Journals …

or click on the “header at the top of this page, select “Journals” for the drop-down menu. If pictures appear to be missing, using your “refresh” button helps them reappear.


 


HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING

 you NEED,

NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING


This month’s Travel Plans:

2. Jan. 14th Lake City, FL – Overnight

3. Jan. 15th Marianna, GA Overnight

4. Jan. 16th Arrive in  Robertsdale, AL – Wilderness RVP (RPI) x 4 days  

5. Jan. 18th Hammond, LA Overnight

6. Jan. 19th Lafayette, LA Overnight

7. Jan. 20th Willis, TX staying at Lake Conroe (TT) RVP for 12 days.


*********************************************************************

01.01.2019 NEW YEARS DAY

Carla and I wish friends, family and everyone we know and all those, around 2800 readers, who visit and read this blog every month, a Very Happy and Healthy New Year. In 2015 readership, quite honestly, averaged in the low teens. Now back to the day at hand. Yesterday we traveled from the Riverside RV Park in Arcadia, FL. Currently we’re back in Clermont, FL at the Orlando Thousand Trails RVP. We’ll be here for fourteen nights. It will be from this campground we will jump start our travels for 2019. Our travel schedule for the next four weeks. To see all our planned travels go to the top of this blog and click on the “TRVEL PLANS” title.

2. Jan. 14th Lake City, FL – Overnight

3. Jan. 15th Marianna, GA Overnight

4. Jan. 16th Arrive in  Robertsdale, AL – Wilderness RVP (RPI) x 4 days  

5. Jan. 18th Hammond, LA Overnight

6. Jan. 19th Lafayette, LA Overnight

7. Jan. 20th Willis, TX staying at Lake Conroe (TT) RVP for 12 days.



On another note my brother Dennis has been looking for new home. If all goes well in the next week of so he might actually close on a condo in Boynton Beach, FL. More to follow on this topic. On a dumb note yesterday, on our trip back here, we saw a Carvana Vending Machine. We had plenty of quarters with us, but I doubt we had enough to purchase any of the cars available.










“Everything, we were, we carry with us.
Everything we will be is calling to us,  
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier