Oh Brother where art thou?

Jan 26, 2014  Warmer 70's and 50's at night, much better

Here we are in Florida and guess who texts and says "lets have breakfast?"   My brother from Ontario.  He is an independent trucker with runs once in a while to Miami and back.  This week he had a run and we happen to be 30 minutes from I75 so we planned to meet at the Waffle House in Wildwood.  He has been driving his whole life and can thread a needle with his truck and trailer.   We are sitting in the parking lot at Waffle House wondering where in the world  is he going to park his rig.......  Then all of a sudden we see him coming through the McDonald's parking lot next door - which is packed with cars.  Never in a million years would Billy drive our motorhome through that maze and here is Rudy a lot bigger and longer slowly inching by everyone.  Once he made it successfully through he parked on the side road (which was his destination).   He was laughing - said he has done it many times before but its not usually that busy!!! OMG.

Just down the street is a different type of shop - I75 Chrome shop -  but quite interesting - who knew there was such a place?  Everything chrome for trucks.  Take a look at these pics.... 

Billy at the front door

Rosey peeking thru the cab in the store

Outside and inside the store.  The guys love all this chrome!

Every thing for the dashboard

SANTA !!!!!

Jan 23, 2014  Cold here in Florida, frost warning 3 nights in a row and only day high of 60
One thing you never know is who you might meet on the camping road.
Yes, we met Santa.   We have not seen him for a long, long time - not since our kids were little:)
This is Jimmy and his wife, the camp hosts at Alliance when we registered.  I asked if I could take their picture in the lobby the next day.   Now who do you think Jimmy resembles?

That's what we thought too.   And as it turns out they are actually Santa and Mrs. Claus. SANTA!!!!    It turns out that they have been at Disney World for the last 10 years for the months of November and December.  No kidding...  here is a image of them on set at Disney.  They have their very own set, dressing room, makeup artists and costume designers at Epcot Center.  

Santa did get a chance to tell Billy that I really was a good girl :)

The Villages - Brownwood

Jan 20,21/2014
Weather - sunny and cool, low 40's and mid 60's.

What is Rosey doing?

Now where is she?

Another Rosey photo bomb....

 

Time to take Rosey home :)

We are going to be in our Motorhome Service Center all week so today we walked across the road to The Villages.  It's like walking into the Land of Oz for Seniors!!!  Someone else described it as the Disneyworld for Seniors.  Both are great descriptors.   The Villages is a preplanned community for over 55 and it encompasses approximately 100,000 people now and 80,000 golf carts.  The properties are beautiful and there are 33 golf courses available, as well as 1600 activities per week.  You do not need to be lonely or bored here:)
The community continues to expand in size and there is a new themed area open now called Brownwood.  It has an Old West - Cowboy theme.   On the entrance into the area some beautiful sculptures of Cattle and a Lone Cowboy.

Alliance Coach Inc.

Wildwood, Florida is in a cool spell so it's just as well we are at Alliance Coach for the week getting our list of maintenance items completed for the year.  We came here last year and knew this would become a yearly visit.  This place is so technically qualified you want to save things that need repair for them.  Yesterday we had a new vent put in , a new wiper seal on the one slide, a new toilet seal and one tail light repaired. Today they started on new topper awnings for two slides.  As well; we are in the body shop having our front and back caps repainted.  Always a list of things just like a house.  Yes, your right it is in fact our house on wheels!  Look way in the back right bay - that's our coach. 

Service Bays - Center in the Back is our Coach

Equestrian RV Resort

Jan 16 - 19  Sunny but very cool for Florida - 60's, low 50's during the day - 3 nights frost warning
Well we were very glad to miss the Polar Vortex the first week in January but seem to have caught a short cold front in Florida; which we feel coming in from our vacation in Aruba.  30 degrees difference!  

We wanted to stay close to our friends to visit with them and also get our coach over to Alliance Service Center for some maintenance work.  Looking around the area in central Florida we happen to spot a new RV park that opened just in November 2013 on an Equestrian Ranch in Lady Lake.  The Grand Oaks RV Resort and Carriage Museum.   It's absolutely beautiful and tranquil.   

Brand new super long pull thru sites with all the amenities necessary, beautiful clubhouse and the rest of the 450 acres have all the Horse amenities.  The property is set amid majestic oaks and gently rolling fenced pastures.  There are well-appointed houses or cottages for rent, a Carriage Museum,  special equestrian events, activities and training.  Horses are boarded here from all over the country.  Carriage rides and horseback trails are available.  There is also a restaurant bistro style and a Spa!  Sundays they have an outdoor Cowboy Church too.    We happened to stay here for 3 days but definitely want to come back to enjoy the Spa and Carriage ride. 

A Vacation from Vacation - Aruba

January 1 - 15, 2014  The weather is hot, hot, hot!  84 to 88 everyday and windy (thank goodness for the breeze).

Eagle Beach in Aruba

I know it's crazy that we take a vacation from our vacation.  A few years ago we were in Aruba and fell in love with the beaches - white sand that goes for miles and very safe to walk on.  Yes we went for the free t-shirt at the timeshare meeting and ended up buying a week at the Divi Phoenix Beach Resort.  We have used it every year or banked the time and doubled weeks up the following years.  We do belong to the RCI as well which gives us access to trade and buy last minute deals.  So far it has been a good experience for us.  We bought a used unit for 40 years and we can pull weeks ahead from the back end.  Our advice is do some research, never buy a new unit and definitely do the math on going away every year and what you can comfortably afford to pay with a 'reputable company'.   Sun, surf, sand.  Doing nothing for 14 days in Paradise. 
 

Which way to Aruba, Bonaire, Cayman Brac, St. Croix, Barbados, St. Maarten ?

Rudy and Laurie took us to Windsor to catch the Robert Q bus across on Dec 31/14.  Clearing customs via the airport transportation is a smooth process.  We had a room at the Westin airport hotel and a next morning flight at 6:30 am on New Years Day.  Then a flight from Aruba to Orlando on Jan 15.  Our motorhome and trailer have been warehoused at the best place we have found - indoors, super clean, climate controlled, with power hookup and 24 hours secured.  Arthur runs a great place in Orlando right near the airport, Auto Boat Storage.  We also had it detailed and waxed before we picked it up, thanks to Mom's Christmas present.  With indoor storage we don't have to winterize it - we do clean out our fridge and shut it off, we shut off the house electrical, also we put out these moisture control pails to collect humidity called Damp Rid.   It keeps your motorhome dry and fresh while you close it up tight. 
It's so good to see our home!!!  She looks wonderful all shiny and clean.

Auto Boat Storage Warehouse in Orlando

Our Rig ready to hit the road

So back on the road in Florida we go for the rest of the winter. 

Okeechobee, Florida

November 1 and 2   
I am going back in time to record this short trip to Okeechobee.   When we went to the Good Sam Rally there were many, many, many booths for RV parks.  Every one was promoting special rates to entice you to come and stay with them.   

One such place was Silver Palms RV Resort in Okeechobee.  If you are familiar with Florida there is not much down in that area except the Lake and perhaps some warm weather, but we thought we really don't have anywhere else to be - so why not?  On the ride south from Orlando area you turn at a cross road called Yee Haw Junction.  Nothing there but a gas station so don't blink!

Our friend Don kept asking us why are we going to Okeechobee????  I know, I know but we just have to find out these things for ourselves.  "IT'S ABOUT THE JOURNEY"   I will only say the rate was super low and with the viewing on the internet we thought it looked like an exceptionally nice park for some R&R.  Once we got there we were glad it truly is a beautiful park with beautiful amenities.  The site we had was backed onto the lake, with a grass drive and cement pad.

One thing that was not so good was the no-see-ums and the mosquitos!!!  My husband never gets bothered with any insects but that is because they are munching and feasting on me.   The  park is very new and has a beautiful clubhouse and pool area.  People were extremely friendly.    Unfortunately my Dad took ill and we could only stay 2 nights instead of the month.  We have a credit sitting there to use for future camping so maybe we will get back down there again.  With the cell and the internet in about 3 hours we had flights arranged back in Orlando airport , a warehouse to put our Rig in and friends arranged to pick us up in Detroit. 

Home unexpectedly

Nov 3 to Dec 31/13

As some of you know my dear Dad passed away and we came home to be with him before it happened.  One day short of 88 years old - he taught me many things and most importantly to "enjoy life".  

This has been an awareness in a good way.  We learned that you can be on the road and get a warehouse for the coach and a flight home in a matter of 36 hours.   Everyone is so compassionate and helpful in your time of trouble. 

We will be back on the road in January till then Happy Holidays to everyone. 

Happy Halloween

Halloween Quilt  at Suwannee River Quilt Shop

Kissimmee and the Orlando area

Oct 28 - 31/13 Hot Weather high 80's to 90 - heard it might actually be close to record high !

We stopped in the area to checkout a few campgrounds for the future.    The proximity to Disney World and Universal Studios is the key to the campground we are staying at this week, the Orlando/Kissimmee KOA.
It is not a very big park surprisingly but it has some of the longest sites we have ever seen in the last couple years.  They have premium pull-thru sites that are over 145 feet.  We could fit a couple of our rigs on one site with plenty parking too.   Our neighbour is staying here waiting to move into Disney's campground - Fort Wilderness.  You need to book at least 1 year in advance to camp there!!!  Well that may never happen for us I guess since we normally don't have next week planned out.  You can see he is ready to go there, check out his front window when he pulled in.  And they have no grandkids with them, so funny, he tells us he loves Mickey Mouse.

Mickey and Minnie

Another campground that is popular is where our friends like to stay Tropical Palms RV Resort.  It is right behind Old Town.  A very large park and lots of cabins too.   
October is not a busy month here and yet the roads are so congested and traffic so busy we do not feel  very comfortable on the motorcycle.    Yes we know its location, location, location and tourists, tourists, tourists:)
We also looked into the prices for Disney World and Universal.  If we have any mad money  left over in the spring we will stop back on our way home for 3 or 4 more days and see the parks.  Bring your credit card as the prices are over powering.  Yikes!

Ranch Country - Williston Florida

Oct 21 to 28   Sunny and warm each day (70 to 80) but cool at night (40 to 50)
We stopped in North Central Florida for a week for some R & R after the busy schedule we kept at the Rally.   We picked up a special price for a week at one of the booths and thought "why not, it is on our way down into Florida".   

See the Covered Bridge behind Billy?

The RV park is nicely laid out with a well established section and then a brand new area where we had a nice size pull thru.   Williston Crossings RV Resort  has a couple of unique landmarks with a Covered Bridge that you drive your rig through and some old Train cars that they are turning into a cafe and lounge maybe even an ice cream soda fountain...  Great idea! 

In this area of Florida the traffic is not so hectic mostly ranch hands and it is nice motorcycle riding through the Horse Farms from Gainesville to Ocala.   We went out everyday just taking in the beauty of the county roads.  

Loved this little shack,,,, can you imagine if you bought a Florida cottage on line and came down and found it was something like this?   That's what I was thinking when I took this pic :)

Of course when we are out riding for a few days we absolutely must stop at a local Harley Davidson dealer, and Gainesville HD was only about a half hour a way.    What a paint job on this 2013 Road King CVO!!!  And the chrome - bling!!!

One day we sat with a local couple who said we ought to get into Ocala to the Pumpkin Run Classic Car show.  Sunday was another beautiful day so we ventured down and found some beautiful old cars.

Happy Trails:) A Campers Good bye

October 21/13 Monday 
Pulling out had to be accomplished by 11 am and the power was being turned off by 8 am.  We thought lots of rigs would pull out bright and early so we did not set our alarm.  As it turned out no one was in a big hurry.   The camping/parking lot had emptied out about half on the Sunday as you can see the pockets of spots from the picture below.  

When we were doing our final pack up we heard some music coming from one of the RV'ers.  Billy was laughing and laughing; he said "you know that song right?   it's from Roy Rogers 'till we meet again'.   I bust out laughing and said "is it Happy Trails?"  It sure was.!  What a great camaraderie campers have.   That set our mood for the day.  How can you not have a great day after such warm wishes from a fellow camper?

Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here's a happy one for you.

Happy trails to you,
Until we meet again.
Happy trails to you,
Keep smilin' until then.

Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song, and bring the sunny weather.

Happy trails to you,
Til we meet again. 

2013 Good Sam Rally Atlanta Georgia

Oct 16 to 21 Wednesday to Monday   Weather was mostly sunny and 70's, two days of misty showers
All activity goes on inside the track.  All the displays, new RV's, seminars, exhibitions, shopping, shows, events, and even test driving motorhomes on the inside track..... 

Billy found his dream RV he's only short about $700,000

  Any empty area has camping for handicap and all the exhibition people.   So it was packed!  

Seminars run every day from 9 am to 5 pm.  There are 6 tents holding the seminars with plenty of seats.   We went to RV cleaning, Waste Management, Refrigerator Mtce, Caravan to Australia and South Africa, and 120 volt Electrical Safety.  There are many more subjects and the seminars are free with your camping! 

In between the seminars we did some shopping for items we had on our spare parts list.  When you have an RV there is always a list of widgets... new straps for the awnings, hydraulic cylinders, latches and more.  This was a convenient place to find the items not always available and of course they all had show special prices!

There were also lots of RV resorts promoting specials all over the USA.  Free nights, half price weeks and extreme discounts on months.  
In the really big tents there were cooking demonstrations by Bob Blumer from Food Network and a trick dog show by K9 Kings.  These dogs were so obedient, and tricky jumpers! 

The CEO Marcus Lemonis did a special event where he gave away prizes.   You could also stand up and tell him a beef about Camping World/Good Sam or praise.   He would make it right for you.   He also gets crazy giving away things.   One couple won a BBQ and he said "what would you really like?"  They said "a trip to Hawaii".  He said "OK".  The crowd went wild,,,, and he did give them a trip to Hawaii!!!

Good Sam Mascot and Marcus beside him

He was an excellent speaker too, some of you might see him on the "Celebrity Apprentice" or his own show "The Profit".  
So we head back to our RV every night and then the entertainment begins.   Live in concert each night a different venue.... The Beach Boys, Vince Gill and The Vogues.   And Fireworks.  We definitely enjoyed the entire 5 days and will be watching for the next Rally.

2013 Good Sam Rally Atlanta, Georgia - Getting There and camping

 Oct 16/13 Wednesday - Weather is beautiful, sunny and 70's
We staged our overnight stay so we would have about 1 hour to drive to enter The Rally.  Our entrance was posted for the p.m. which could be anywhere between noon and 5 pm.  We also planned on passing through Atlanta using the west bypass by 10 to 10:30.  Traffic was not so bad, mostly trucks and it worked great. 

Bypass around Atlanta

Getting off I75 at exit 218 for Hampton which is about 30 miles south of Atlanta we pleasantly spotted a grocery store with access for our size so we made a quick stop to replenish our Corona supply and a few food items.  Ten miles up the road we came to the signs to follow right into the Atlanta Speedway parking lot.  870 acres...... wow!   

Atlanta Motor Speedway Map

 

Atlanta Speedway in the distance.... What is waiting around the corner?

Coming to the gate we could see some campers already setup - Wow when did they get here??? We came in on an early bird day thinking we would be avoiding the crowd.  Ha Ha so that means all these campers came in on Tuesday or Wednesday morning....  Keeners!

First lot of campers we came upon

 
The volunteers were so well organized and they just kept signalling us with flags to move.  On the inside  front of our window we placed a large barcode and color coded entry form. 

Volunteer guiding us to our spot

 They had us pulled right up to the Speedway wall lot and hooked up to 30amp power in about 10 minutes.  No water or sewers but we did pay extra for the 30amp power, $240 for 5 nights (price includes all seminars, events, entertainment, camping).  By the time we put out our slides and looked around we were swallowed up by the coaches and trailers!  We had never been to any parking for a concert or game event that was so well controlled.

The Bourne's Rig setup in front row of parking lot with power

We put out our chairs and had a refreshment to congratulate ourselves on getting here, getting setup, and enjoying the excitement of camping with 2,600 other campers:)

Front of our site

Before the end of the afternoon we caught a shuttle to the Registration hut inside the track.  There we picked up our goodie bag and name badge lanyards that must be worn around our neck for the entire Rally to get in all the events.

On the Road Again..... to the Good Sam/Camping World National Rally

Oct 13, 14, 15  Beautiful Fall weather 

Our Canadian Thanksgiving weekend was a final visit with our family and then on the Sunday morning we pulled out and headed to Ohio for our first night.  The road to the Ambassador Bridge is quite the construction zone..... hope someday it will be across the Detroit River and not the bridge to nowhere???

It is becoming a good habit to stop and see our Buckeye friends near Van Buren, Ohio.   We first met them years ago in Aruba and we love to stop and see them and talk about our favorite island.   Even had a couple of Margarita's - right Beth & Bill?

Quaint little campground close to them is Pleasant View Recreation  Fall leaves were beautiful.
Next day we drove to Corbin, Kentucky and pulled into the KOA which has some nice long sites set in a nice treed area.  Tuesday we drove just to the north side of Atlanta to another KOA Cartersville there were many campers in tonight headed to the Rally tomorrow!!
So far only 710 miles from where we started and 3 easy days on the road.  We sleep in and pull off the freeway early.  All 3 days were good warm weather and putting us in a perfect spot to head into the rally tomorrow which is on the south side of Atlanta.  It is being held at the Atlanta NASCAR speedway.   We received a package a month ago with lots of info.  There are tours and seminars and entertainment at night and exhibitors and new motorhomes.  So much to do and see so we better get our walking shoes ready..... we will definitely have a few blog notes from this event in the next few days.     Take a look at the link to this event  The Rally
I know we have a few friends and my brother who love the Bluebird Wanderlodge coaches..... had to snap a couple of shots of this beautiful older coach while we were in Cartersville.

Scene of a Marina on the back!!!!