Dirt Car Nationals - Volusia Speedway Park

Weather - extremely humid, rain threatening all weekend - 70's to 80's
Have you ever went to see something and wondered what are we doing here???  Once we went to a Monster Truck Rally and that was similar to our night here at The Dirt Car Nationals held at Volusia Speedway. 

My brother is an avid race fan and stopped on his way south to hang out with us for a couple of days and to take "us" to the races.    Every year the park holds 12 days of consecutive race nights prior to the Daytona NASCAR race.  World of Outlaws Late Model Series and Big Block Modified cars ran for their season  finale.   We stopped in early to pick up our tickets and walk through the pit.  Teams were unloading their cars as you can see in the Stacker Trailers.

Late Model

Both divisions have hot laps (warming up the car) and then a time trial lap.  Based on those time trials it sets their spots for elimination races.   In those races it was about 8 cars maximum with a couple of the front guys getting a race on for the win.

After all the elimination races they get them setup for the big 50 lap finale race.  This is the race that blew us away.   There were 27 cars lined up side by side running a 1/2 mile DIRT track at 90 to 100 miles per hour.   No kidding 100 miles per hour.   It was crazy, utter chaos!  Noise and dirt blowing into the stands and sliding cars and more noise and dirt and sliding..... around the whole track.   It was nuts!!!  How they could run at that speed was incredible; these guys are the best in the Nation.  We did not see 1 car crash; although  still haven't figured out how they survived the race.  We walked out exhilarated from quite a show and filthy dirty!  What a night.   In order to make this easy we camped at KOA Wildwood - not the best place but it was super convenient for us as my brother was right next door at the truckstop.

Taking your Motorcycle with You

Feb 18, 19    Weather warm 80's, nights 60's   
We are back at Alliance Coach Service Center for two more items on our "to do" list for the motorhome.   We left here in January and once we camped for a few weeks we realized we should really get a couple more things fixed while we are so close to such a competent shop.  While we were here we ran into 3 different ways to take your Motorcycle with you on the road.  This is a personal preference for each couple.  When we made our choice we looked at the pro's and con's.   
We pull a covered 12 ft cargo trailer with no car.   We are on the road with the Harley only.   We also use it as a garage too, all our motorcycle riding gear, cleaning supplies on the door, tool storage across the front, plus our pedal bicycles strapped to each side wall.   Big advantages are that we can push it around when it is unhooked, it stores quite a bit, keeps our bike clean and safe, and we still stay at 56 feet from front of coach to back of trailer which is not too big for finding campsites.  Disadvantage to most people is that we have no vehicle.  Billy and I have not found this to be restrictive but we do have to watch the weather to plan when we are riding and preparing for down days during inclement weather days.  In big cities or places if we are not feeling safe to ride we rent a car.  For us it works as our main enjoyment is to ride.  The shelf on the door is a real organizer!  We had to special order it at our trailer supplier, we have only seen one other fellow with it and Billy had to have one after he spied it.

 One other coach had a 24 ft enclosed trailer with a motorcycle and his Jeep.  Advantage for them was they had the Jeep plus the motorcycle - best of both transportation.   Disadvantage was how long they became and he said it was a real pain to park the trailer; most times separate from the coach and then have to hook up again.  Sometimes he fit in an extra long pull through, many times not.  Only way to move it as far as he was concerned was to unload his Jeep and use it to tow the trailer around the campground.  He said it was not convenient to move around with the motorhome since the campgrounds often make you drop a trailer in a confined area.  Obviously you cannot push it, since it is just too heavy even with the bike and Jeep unloaded. 
Then there was a coach with a motorcycle lift on the back of his motorhome plus he towed a car.  Once again he had the best of both transportation.  Disadvantage which to Billy would be a deal breaker was that his bike was always dirty and not locked up at night inside.  He said it was dirty every time he got to the next campground and it smelled like engine and/or road dirt but his wife would not travel without a vehicle.   

 So every time we see others different than our choice Billy likes to talk to them and ask how they like their option.   He always comes home feeling we have made the right choice for our time right now.   Now being that we want to ride our Motorcycle when we are traveling and healthy enough to enjoy it. 

Carriage Show at Grand Oaks Resort

Feb 14, 15, 16  
Our last few days Grand Oaks Resort was a nice way to end it.   

There was a Carriage Show and it was interesting and beautiful to watch the horses and their owners/carriages perform.
We did not realize that the entire presentation is judged, the horse(s), the carriage, the performance of the horse, the costume.   Mostly we saw women in period costumes with beautiful embellished hats.  

There were a couple of booths selling the hats and as you can imagine they had a very large price tag!!!   Rosey just had to try one on.....   

 

Gotta Love this sign - Horses have Right of Way

 

Wildwood Delight

Weather - beautiful sunny warm 80, night cool still 50's

There is not much in the little town, in fact it looks like it got left behind. But sometimes you happen across the best little places.  We stopped for lunch at Cotillion Southern Cafe.  Green fried tomatoes, Train wreck, chicken 'n waffles, grits, junkyard dawg, Dixie cavier and on and on the menu goes. 

Then desserts - pies and cakes and bread puddings so beautiful to look at and better to eat!  There goes the diet!  Food was definitely a 5 out of 5.  

Bud & Weiser

Weather Sunny mid 70's, night low 60's

 

The Clydes at Sunset having their supper

If you pet one you have to pet the other, they are so tame

Bud & Weiser  or is it Weiser & Bud?

There are two new friends we have made at The Grand Oaks Resort ......   Like gentle giants.
Perfect names - Bud & Weiser!   These Clydesdale have just come to The Grand Oaks and will be doing carriage rides in the future.   Did you know that the breed is a draught horse derived from the farm horses of the Clydesdale area in Scotland ?  In the 1970's the breed was actually considered vulnerable to extinction.
 

Senior Discounts

If you haven't seen this list you will be surprised at how many different places offer discounts!                  RESTAURANTS:
Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+)
Chili's: 10% off ( 55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members ( 55 +)
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee ( 55+)
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter ( 55+)
Gatti's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off ( 55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off ( 55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+)
Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations ( 55+)
McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney's: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off ( 55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Whataburger: 10% off (62+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+)
                     RETAIL & APPAREL :
Banana Republic: 30% off ( 50 +)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month ( 50 +)
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +)
Big Lots: 30% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+)
Clarks : 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 20% off ( 55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 40% off (Wednesdays only) ( 50+)
Kohl's: 15% off (60+)Modell's Sporting Goods: 30% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday ( 55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55 +)

                       GROCERY :
Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday ( 50 +)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 60% off every Monday (60+)
Fry's Supermarket:free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday ( 55 +)

Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday ( 50 +)
Publix: 15% off every Wednesday ( 55 +)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 15% off (62+)

                        TRAVEL :
Airlines:
Alaska Airlines: 50% off (65+)
American Airlines: various discounts for 50% off non-peak periods (Tuesdays - Thursdays) (62+)and up (call before booking for discount)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Rail:
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Bus:
Greyhound: 15% off (62+)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+

                         Car Rental:
Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Budget Rental Cars: 40% off; up to 50% off for AARP members ( 50+)
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off ( 50+) Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members

                      Overnight Accommodations:
Holiday Inn: 20-40% off depending on location (62+)
Best Western: 40% off (55+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Waldorf Astoria - NYC $5,000 off nightly rate for Presidential Suite (55 +)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 40% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 25% off (62+)
Motel 6: Stay Free Sunday nights (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 30% off ( 55 +)
Quality Inn: 40%-50% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 40% off (60+)

                         ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT ;:
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +)
Bally Total Fitness: $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $13 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off Massage Envy - NYC 20% off all "Happy Endings" (62 +)
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 50% off Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket ( 55 +)
SeaWorld, Orlando , FL : $3 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)

                           CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS :
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $19.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service ( 50 +)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).

                             MISCELLANEOUS:
Great Clips: $8 off hair cuts (60+)
Supercuts: $8 off haircuts (60+)

 

Such a "unique" RV park setting

Jan 24 - Feb 16/2014  Weather - first week unseasonably cold then 3 days of rain and dense fog; 2nd week unseasonably hot - 3rd week - who knows????   it seems Florida is being affected by Polar Vortex as well.   Gosh we left Canada and it still follows us!  We went from having the heat on to air conditioning.  No in between. 

There are some wonderful places you can not get enough of:)  The three days we stopped here in Lady Lake at Grand Oaks Resort & Museum were just a taste of a beautiful setting; so when we left Alliance Coach in Wildwood we both thought let's go back there for a couple weeks.  It seems many other campers have not stumbled across this place yet and we feel like we have the whole place to ourselves.  There are 4 of us in the 45 sites currently.   

BIG  Rig

Our neighbours are quite interesting campers - they have a 45 foot trailer behind their Freightliner truck.  When they are in transit the trailer has living quarters, a smart car, a golf cart, a horse carriage and their horse Stormy......  amazing!  When they take everything out and they camp, they spread out the living area to use it all.  This couple and their beloved horse come from Illinois to Florida for the winter and this Ranch is ideal for them.  Everyday they take their horse and carriage out for a drive.  How cool is that???

We have decided to stay for a bit and let this tranquility soak in.  You cannot find a more beautiful and unique setting when looking out your motorhome or sitting on your patio at day break and sunset.   While enjoying coffee the other morning we watched the carriage riders go by and one fellow was blowing his horn....   You know that "away to the hunt" tune - Dunt duh duh da!

Our view while having coffee in the morning

See his horn?

While biking around the 450 acre ranch we also came across a different looking donkey in one of the paddocks.  We chatted to this fellow petting her,  who told us she is quite a find. 
A Poitou Donkey from France.... Apparently there are not many in the world!  Her name is Nicole and she is big with curly long hair and huge ears!  She makes me laugh when I look at her, ha ha.

French Donkey named Nicole

Look at those ears - Makes you want to smile

Funny Girl

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.