Our Adventures with Tassie

'Twas the month after Christmas

2012-01-08T08:12:00.000-05:00

'Twas the month after Christmas...

T'was the month after Christmas, and all through the house

nothing would fit me, not even a blouse;

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I had to taste,

at the holiday parties had gone to my waist;

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!

When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber),

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared,

The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared;

The wine and the rum balls; the bread and the cheese,

and the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt,

and prepared once again to do battle with dirt,

I said to myself, as only I can,

"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So, away with the last of the sour cream dip.

Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip.

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished,

'til all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.

I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,

I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore,

But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.

Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

author unknown ~ stolen from Anni

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

A Special New Year Message for You

2012-01-01T08:41:00.000-05:00

"Believe" Believe in yourself ~ in the power you have to control your own life, day by day… Believe in the strength that you have deep inside, and your faith will help show you the way... Believe in tomorrow and what it will bring ~ let a hopeful heart carry you through...For things will work out if you trust and believe there's no limit to what you can do!
The sky's the limit, so have your happiest year yet!

All that you hope for... all that you dream of... all that makes you happy...

that's what you're wished in the new year and always.

Wishing you a year that brings good friends,

good health, good luck, good things & safe travels!

Happy New Year

A GREAT Christmas For All

2011-12-29T09:59:00.000-05:00

We are finally back from our daughters house where we stayed for the last 4 days. We had a peaceful Christmas day since our son-in-law had to work at the fire station. A letter was wrote to Santa to please come on Christmas Day eve so that the whole family could celebrate Christmas together. Santa said he would be glad to do that because he thought Fire fighters, Police, Military and Nurses all did heroic things for all.

So on Monday, after Santa had stopped by, we all woke up to a bunch of presents and daddy was home to enjoy it with everyone. All 4 boys got all they wanted and more. As you can see the twins and Cade got new bikes since they had all outgrown their old ones. Jacob got a new saxophone case since he is now in high school band and the Pinellas All County Band. Only the best in high school bands get into that program.

Dominick ~ Wyatt ~ Cade ~ Jacob & Wyatt again

The boys had a ton of fun opening their presents ~ they all got what they wanted and more

Poppy & I got a new Coffee Maker, a Hand held Vacuum, some Pandora Charms for me and smelly stuff for Poppy... a GREAT Christmas for us. Mom & Dad also got a lot of wonderful gifts ~ a watch, movies, games, Kuerrig Coffee Maker and much more....

After all the presents were opened and the paper all thrown away we started cooking our Christmas dinner; Turkey & Stuffing, Ham, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, Corn, Relish trays, deviled eggs, stuffed celery, Rolls. For dessert we had Cookies, Pumpkin Pie, Apple, Pie, Chocolate Mouse in a chocolate cup YUM!

We spent a wonderful day together enjoying family, friends good food and but most of all celebrating the reason for the season ~We are hoping your Christmas was wonderful too!
Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T09:53:00.002-05:00

We are going to our daughters house for the next couple of days and I just wanted to stop by and wish to all of my Bloggin friends and family the best of the Holiday Season....

’tis the season…to celebrate the birth of our savior, the wonder of Christmas and the joy of having a family & friends like you all. Thank you to all my followers... Your comments throughout the year has made my blogging experience a true treasure.

May the warmest smiles, the sweetest dreams, and the happiest heart

be yours at Christmas and always.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas Cookies ~ YUM!!!

2011-12-21T08:15:00.000-05:00

Today I drove up to my daughter's house and we spent the day baking cookies... It is a tradition to bake cookies & yummies for the holidays as it is at many homes... We include the kids and let them cut out the sugar cookies and decorate them. They really have a great time!

Every year we add a new cookie to our collection of recipes and this year was no different. This years featured cookie is the melting snowman and boy is it ever cute. Those are melted marshmallows on top ♥

We all had a great time baking & decorating the cookies ~ just wished my younger daughter and her family could have been here too. We will be going to visit her in January for a month so we'll do some more cooking & baking then... Hope your days are filled with fun!

Happy Holidays

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Christmas Lights and Other Happenings...

2011-12-12T09:36:00.002-05:00

It's been a busy week ~ getting things done for the Holidays, Birthdays and just enjoying the days as we count down to Christmas & New Years... This week I watch the Grandsons Tuesday afternoon and then take them to school Wednesday morning. We'll be heading from there to North Florida to visit some friends and family for a few days...

Here is a house in Van Buren Arkansas near my daughter's house

The Hodo House ~ took this with my little Nikon so it is a little shaky...

I have been busy this week getting my cards mailed, shopping and wrapping gifts...

Last Wednesday my little grandsons turned 6 ~ the time is flying by!!! They got their first report card and did excellent as did my Grand daughters in Arkansas. My oldest grand daughter made all A's and 1 B... We are so very proud of all of them.

Here are the boys with their birthday cake ~ Cars!!! Oh how they love cars...

Sunday when we went out to the Post Office to mail the cards and we took a ride down to Fort Desoto Park. It was a cloudy day but it is always beautiful down there. The campground was not full which I was surprised about... Great ride and we got to see a few dolphins which I wasn't fast enough to get their photos...

view from North Beach and the Skyway Bridge to Sarasota

view from campsite and the new Campground Store

Me & Ralph out at the point

Another video of Hodo Christmas display taken Dec 2009

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Here Come the Holidays

2011-12-05T08:40:00.001-05:00

The Holiday season is approaching rapidly ~ remember when we were kids and it took forever for it to get here. I would love for time to slow down just a little now wouldn't you? Between decorating, shopping, baking and Holiday events it seems like there is no time to sit and enjoy the season. Well regardless it is a wonderful time of the year anyways.

This was Tassie all dressed up in Holiday fashion when we were on our other lot

When we were on another lot here at Rainbow Village we had a nice long site with a grass front and decorated the area for the holiday. Now our lot is rock which is easier to set up on BUT doesn't leave anyplace for me to decorate. I did put a few things on the front and of course the inside is all a glow with decorations & small trees..

Next year we are moving our winter residence north of here and our new lot is beautiful with lots of grass and a GREAT area for decorating... tee hee! It will be so nice to be up in the country and still only an hour from my daughter... No heavy traffic and no noise!
We'll be one with nature ~ LOL

Here are somemore of our little decorations inside Tassie

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Just Hanging Around

2011-12-01T11:12:00.001-05:00

Not much happening here ~ the cold weather has come down to visit and that is a nice change from the HOT!!! When you stay in one spot for the winter in a place you grew up you forget about the beauty of the area around you. Especially when you are still recovering from total knee replacement. We haven't been doing a whole lot lately ~ I still have a little pain but not taking any pain pills and that is a good thing... I try to walk every day and or do exercises to improve the flexibility in my knee. Everyone says I am doing GREAT and way ahead of schedule but if you knew me I expected to be pain free totally by now... I think I am super woman ~ LOL LOL.

One of our favorite places in Pinellas County is Fort Desoto Park... we have been camping at this park for over 43 years and think it is one of the most relaxing campgrounds around. When we first started coming to this place the girls were very little and it was very inexpensive. We camped here at least every other month and sometimes longer. We usually stayed 2 weeks during spring break and always a bunch of our friends joined us.... We have camped in everything from a tent to our 40 MH. We have a lot of excellent memories at this park.

Beautiful Beaches

Great Campsites

Gorgeous Sunsets & Sunrises

There is a lot to do at Fort Desoto Park ~

Fishing, Biking, Walking, a GREAT fort and beautiful beaches.

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Thanksgiving Memories

2011-11-27T07:35:00.000-05:00

~Let the Holidaze begin~

Welcome to my newest followers ~ Stephen Baird at Nikon Sniper ~ a great blog about photography, Allen & Lolita DeQuay @ Allen & Lolits's RV Journey , caterina serra @ visitatori dallo spazio and also welcome Rick & Kathy Roussau, no blog. Go pay them a visit and see their adventures....

Our Thanksgiving was a wonderful one ~ we may live in Florida and not have the snow but we have Family ~ Friends ~ Delicious Food ~ and Fun times together. The day was spent at my brother Kenny's house and most of it outside near the pool and outside kitchen/bar... What fun we all had taking about Thanksgivings past and what we are thankful for today.

The kids hanging out by the pool ~ My daughter Denise & Grandson Dominick

The guys watching football ~ some outside & some inside

I am thankful for a wonderful family, my friends, good health and a husband who loves me so much... I am also thankful for the two beautiful daughters that we have and how much they have accomplished in their lives... they have given us such wonderful grandchildren whom we are doubly proud of. I am also very thankful I am living the life I always dreamt of living!!!

My SIL, Kathy cooking in her outside kitchen ~ Wyatt peeking through the leaves

My daughter Denise smooching me ~ My brother Kenny, Me and crazy daughter!

Aunt Kathy showing off her BBQ'd Turkey ~ the boys getting a lesson on how to carve a turkey

Family and friends sit down to a fabulous feast ~ YUM!!!

The only sad part about our day was my youngest daughter was not here with her beautiful family to celebrate with us ~ however they had a great day at their home in Arkansas....

I am hoping your festivities were special and full of good food too!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T07:41:00.001-05:00

On Thanksgiving Day we’re thankful for

Our blessings all year through,

For family we dearly love,

For good friends, old and new.

For sun to light and warm our days,

For stars that glow at night,

For trees of green and skies of blue,

And puffy clouds of white.

We’re grateful for our eyes that see

The beauty all around,For arms to hug,

and legs to walk,

And ears to hear each sound.

The list of all we’re grateful for

Would fill a great big book;

Our thankful hearts find new delights

Everywhere we look!

May your day be filled with Family ~ Friends ~ Food & Fun!
Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Making Cookies and Memories...

2011-11-20T15:06:00.001-05:00

Yesterday both my daughter and son-in-law had to go to work... She is a nurse and he is a Fireman/Paramedic so it was a long day for both of them.... 12 hours for her and 24 for him. So we went up to their house and watched the boys for the day to help them out. I love spending time with the boys but entertaining 2 five year old boys is not always easy... they love to eat so I knew that asking if they wanted to make some Thanksgiving cookies was the answer.... plus they love to decorate them.

Memaw frosted the cookies while the boys added decorations and sprinkles

It was a fun day for all of us
Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Thankgsgiving Day Play

2011-11-18T11:41:00.001-05:00

I would like to welcome my newest followers Mark & Chris at Mark & Chris's Phaeton Place and Traveler. Sorry no link to Traveler's blog but welcome, welcome to you both!!!!

Everyday I am getting stronger and able to do more. This week I went out for several walks, also went to the grocery store and Sam's (which I always enjoy). However I will be glad when all the pain is gone... On Wednesday we went up to my grandsons school to see their Thanksgiving Day Play. The twins are in different classes so both did not do a play. I always enjoy seeing kids preform their school plays and love how cute they all are. They are all so proud ~
Here is a little video of Wyatt's class singing a Thanksgiving song ¤¸¸.♬´¯`♬¸¸.♪.. so cute! Wyatt is the taller boy on the left with the Indian hat on...

Dominick's class made Indian shirts and sat in a pow wow while they talked about Thanksgiving and what it means to them... They are all so cute and inquisitive.

After the plays we went to the cafeteria where we enjoyed a Thanksgiving lunch with the boys and our daughter Denise, their mom.

I am still working on our plans for next years adventure and still looking for suggestions on things to see & do along the east coast... Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks for visiting today ( ◕‿◕｡)

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Still Recovering and Making Plans

2011-11-12T08:15:00.001-05:00

Welcome to my newest followers: Lizzie Jack and Candice~ Sorry I do not know their blog addresses for you to visit.

Well it is now 4 weeks since my knee replacement surgery and all is going well. I saw the doctor Tuesday and he said I don't have to come back in for 3 months and I can resume normal activity. Just don't run any marathons ~ like that would ever happen...LOL LOL My recovery has been a lot smoother and faster then I had ever imagined... We are taking walks everyday as I grow stronger and stronger. Today was the first time in 4 weeks that I actually got up first and walked the dog. I was a little worried about going down the stairs holding the dog but I was fine.

Now we are starting to make our plans for next summer and I know we'll be traveling up the East Coast ending up in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. I have several stops mapped out but I am wondering what else may be along the way to see & do. I am looking for any suggestions from you all... Here is a rough draft of our trip so far...

View 2012 Adventure in a larger map

If you know of any really great places to visit close to our path of travel I would love to add it to my map. Also any RV Park information would be very valuable.... Hope to see you along the way!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Where has the time gone?

2011-11-02T16:31:00.003-04:00

It was 3 weeks ago today that I had a total knee replacement surgery on my left knee. This is the first time I have felt like sitting at the computer for along time. Sorry it took so long but it is just a little uncomfortable to sit for long periods of time in a straight chair.

I arrived at the hospital around 5:30 am and waited what seemed like forever to be wheeled down to the operating room. Next thing I knew I was waking up and the surgery was done ~ they had me pretty well drugged up so I wasn't in any pain at all and I pretty much slept off and on that whole day. The next day I was suffering from nausea from the anesthesia so my therapy was not as long as it could have been. As far as the surgery went it was a huge success and all is doing very well. I was up and walking the very next day with a walker and I even though I was a little afraid I carried on with the therapy even with my tummy being a little sick. Day by day it got easier and after being in the hospital for 5 days I was released. My biggest worry was going up the stairs of the motorhome but it was really no problem at all. I had the best of care there and the nurses were fabulous. My doctor is excellent and I am so happy that I had a doctor who was up on the latest techniques. The nurses all told me that he had the fastest recovery rates in the county.

After I came home I had a home care nurse and a therapist assigned to me. The nurse came twice a week and the therapist came 3 times a week. They also delivered a CPM machine to exercise my knee and Ice pack machine for me to use for 3 weeks. I spend about 7 hours a day on therapy so when I am not using the machines I just sit and relax which is hard for me to do since I am so fidgety. A few days after coming back home I went from the walker to the cane and then a few days after that I was walking on my own. There is some pain but everyday gets better and better. And of course I am still on pain pills and a sleeping aide to help me get rest at night. I am excited because I know every day will be a day closer to a pain free knee and I will be able to get back to my walking and hiking which I love so much.

Thank you so much for all the well wishes and I will try to get back on more often... Hard to write about just sitting around recovering... LOL LOL

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Today is the day ~ it's finally here

2011-10-12T04:24:00.000-04:00

The day has finally come for my knee replacement surgery... I know I'll be better off for it and soon I'll be running around all over the place getting into my regular mischief! I am very confident with my doctor and his staff because he is rated as one of the counties best... He uses the latest in technology and has one of the fastest recovery rates in the area. I will be in the hospital for a total of 5 days and will be returning to the motorhome after I am released. My honey will become chief cook & bottle washer and my homecare nurse... He can do it!!! Also I will have a nurse that stops in a few days a week and therapy that comes 3 days a week to the motorhome and does it there. They delivered all my equipment yesterday and I'll tell you if you think there was no room before in Tassie well it's a little crowded now for sure!

I am not taking my computer to the hospital so I won't be posting til I get back home and situated.

See ya on the flip side~
Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

The BIG day approaches ~ biting nails

2011-10-11T08:18:00.001-04:00

Welcome Welcome to Levonne @ A Camp Host's Meanderings: An RV Adventure and Rick & Orinda @ Fulltime RVing with Rick & Orinda. Thanks for coming by and joining us on our adventures. Go visit their wonderful blogs and see what they are up to on their journey.

Tomorrow is the BIG day ~ I knew it was coming but really didn't think about it much. I have had this appointment for months and it really needs to be done and I know I'll be much better after the pain of recovery is over but I am still worried. So many people have told me their horror stories and I am hoping that stories they are. Luckily for me I do have a high threshold for pain and I recover pretty fast.

I have my hospital bag packed with all I think I need. Today I am going to have my toes painted and my hair styled. A dentist appointment to get my teeth cleaned... I'll be squeaky clean from the tip of my head to my toes. Later this afternoon the rehab place is delivering the equipment I will be needing the first few weeks after I return home. Walker, Crutches, a Ice Compression machine, A CPM machine (to exercise my leg twice a day) and a portable toilet...WHAT? Portable TOILET!!! Really where am I going to put all of this stuff in our Tassie???

Well I am ready and counting down...

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Happy Thanksgiving and other stuffing

2011-10-09T09:51:00.001-04:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian Friends ~
I wish you a peaceful and filling day!

Today is a blustery rainy day and it is expected to continue the whole day. We just finished our week watching our twin grandsons (5) and I can tell you there is a reason God doesn't allow older women to have children... it is tiring. Even though they go to kindergarten during the day it goes by fast... All in all we had a great time with them and enjoyed every single moment. I miss them but glad to be home resting now. LOL LOL Here they are making mini personal pizzas for dinner one night. We made them with grand biscuits rolled out ~ Alfredo sauce ~ mini pepperonis ~ and mozzarella & cheddar cheese. They turned out so good and the kids had fun making them. It is a fun way to involve them with the cooking~

We have been really busy getting caught up on doctor appointments, shopping, visiting friends, watching the twins, and getting ready for my surgery on October 12th. I will be having a total knee replacement and it seems like every Doctor I have ever went to needs to see me and release me for the surgery. Cha~ching! I will try to keep you updated on my knee surgery while in the hospital for the 5 days ~ if you are on FB my family will be updating my progress. Just send me a friend request in the next 2 days and I will add you to my list on Facebook.

Last night we went to our favorite Chinese restaurant for dinner ~ We love it there because not only does it have a wonderful buffet but a Mongolian grill which we really like a lot. When we arrived back home there was a beautiful double rainbow... it was hard to get a great picture but you can see where my pot of gold lies... Life is Good!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Back at Our Home Park

2011-10-06T14:27:00.002-04:00

First I want to say welcome to my newest followers Susan, Gypsy Boho @ and Debbie, Duane, Bo & Laska @ See Ya When We Get There. Thanks for coming by and visiting our adventures. Hope I hear from you often....

We have been home for 2 weeks and we are back at our home park Rainbow Village in Largo, Florida. We spent the first few days with my daughter and the grandsons and then back to the park. We are accustom to this park ~ know a lot of the people ~ love the pool and activities at the park but we would rather be in a not so congested area. Don't get me wrong this is a great place (Pinellas County) for a visit but we just like a little less people and traffic. However we have been coming back to this park now for 7 years.

This is where I have lived all my life and it has beautiful beaches and fun things to see & do. Also it is centrally located to visit many of the GREAT places around the state which I will be posting all about for you to see. I have changed ~ not my hometown ~ my family lives here and that is definitely a plus. As a matter of fact we are watching our twin grandsons (5) for a week while my daughter and her honey go to Vegas. That will be fun but exhausting ~ LOL

Now that we are back we are catching up on all of our doctor and dentist appointments. On October 12th I will be having Knee Replacement Surgery at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater. My left knee is really bad and I decided to get the surgery now not waiting til I am older and can't get around like my dad did. We love to hike and walk and it has really been interfering with that. So next year when we go on our trip up to Nova Scotia I will be able to hike anywhere I want!

Hope you all are doing well and having fun!
Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

One Short Stop and Then Back Home

2011-09-25T11:23:00.000-04:00

We left Cedar Key and headed towards Crystal River to Rock Crusher Canyon RV Park... What a great park it is and we have decided we liked it so much that we may stay there next winter (2012).

While there we had some friends come and meet up with us... Great fun ~ the first day we went to Crackers to eat, it's located right on the river, and we all had the Grouper Sandwich.... and the guys had a few beers.... It was a great time for catching up and enjoying the atmosphere.

The next day we headed out for a late lunch at Red Lobster ~ it's the Shrimp all you can eat extravaganza.... YUMMO!

After we ate we went back to our motorhomes and played Hand & Foot ~ It had been a long time since we played and we really had fun....

Great Food ~ Great Friends ~ Great FUN!
Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Got Clams!!!

2011-09-19T20:43:00.004-04:00

Cedar Key ~ Florida is the #1 Clam Producer in the USA and they have the sign to prove it. Whenever we are camping near here with our friends or by ourselves we come to Cedar Key to buy clams... 100's of them. We cook them in soup, steam them or eat them raw and they are so good. We are here for 4 days and I am looking forward to some great food and to visit some really good friends who we haven't seen in a long time. We are staying at Cedar Key RV Resort and if you would like to know more about it there go over to my review site and check it our by clicking right here.

So sit back and enjoy my little slide show on the reflections of Cedar Key.

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

A Visit to a Great State Park

2011-09-19T07:50:00.000-04:00

Torreya State Park ~ Bristol, Florida

We headed out early in the morning to visit this state park and look for some waymarks in Bristol... High bluffs overlooking the Apalachicola River make Torreya one of Florida's most scenic places. A lot of artifacts have been found on this site. From the early Seminole Indian Wars to the Civil War.

The park is named for an extremely rare species of Torreya tree that only grows on the bluffs along the Apalachicola River. Developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, Torreya is popular for camping, hiking, and picnicking. Bird-watching is also a popular activity. Over 100 species of birds have been spotted in the park.

Forests of hardwood trees provide the finest display of fall color found in Florida. The main campground offers full-facility campsites and a YURT (Year-round Universal Recreational Tent). We took a few pictures of the camping area which is very rustic.

On the grounds of this State Park is the Gregory House, a fully furnished plantation home built in 1849. The Gregory House, built by planter Jason Gregory, was part of a prosperous plantation before the Civil War. It originally stood across the river from the park at Ocheesee Landing. In 1935, the CCC moved the house to its current location. We took the tour of the house with Ranger Rob Crombee who did an excellent job explaining the history of the home and stories of early plantation life.

It was a fun day and we spent it all there in the park... We even enjoyed a picnic lunch there that I had packed up before we left ~ and I got another stamp in my Florida State Park Passport Book.

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Historic Bainbridge, Georgia ~ Part II

2011-09-17T07:51:00.000-04:00

Warning this post is mostly photos: I just had to share these wonderful buildings with you ☺

Our driving tour of Bainbridge consisted of over 50 historic homes and churches so you can easily see how I had a hard time trying to decide which ones to share with you. It truly amazes me how many historic homes are in the small towns especially in Georgia. Who knew ~ not me. These following homes are all well over 100 years old. We just love the architecture of them and I never tire of looking at them. There must be some money in this town too. I wonder if they have Coca~Cola stocks too... lol

Here are just a few of the wonderful old buildings in the area ~ the little town is so warm & friendly.

Prior to the establishment of Bainbridge, the Oak City Cemetery site had long been home to an Indian Village. It was established as a cemetery in 1853 when William H. Peabody was buried there. His grave is located next to the powder house, where gun powder was stored during the Civil War. In 1878, the west section of the cemetery was deeded to Temple Beth-El and became one of the first Jewish Cemeteries in South Georgia.

So that is the rest of our day in Bainbridge ~ a beautiful old southern town.

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

A day visiting Historic Bainbridge, Florida ~ part 1

2011-09-16T07:59:00.000-04:00

Yesterday we went off to visit Bainbridge, Georgia looking for more Waymarks and to spend the day exploring the area. It never fails to amaze me how much history is in so many small towns across the country... I just love wandering through places that most people just fly by and never stop. While visiting this little town I saw so many incredible homes & buildings all over 100 years old ~ can they build them today that will last that long? As for the people in these towns they are so proud and friendly ~ it made it a fun day that's for sure.

County Courthouse ~ Built in 1901

Our first stop on our day was to find the L&N 2132 Coal Locomotive and Caboose. We got a little lost but soon ran into the Chamber of Commerce. We not only got better directions but also the very friendly women working there gave us a lot of information of other great things to see & do. If you ever visit this town it should be the first place you go to ~ it is in the Earle May Boat Basin Park. We took a winding road through the woods and by the river and soon came to our destination and to our surprised there was an area fenced off that held so many animals. Goats, Donkeys, and hundreds of Emu. They were all so cute and very friendly. Then there was the object we were seeking ~ the old train. It was huge and pretty well protected under a roof that was built over it. After spending a long time checking it out we took a walk on the mile long trail next to the river built just slightly above where the animals were. GREAT fun!

This is the park where the Chamber of Commerce is ~ also the train display.

These animals were all so cute but look at donkeys ears... I think I spooked him! lol

These next 2 photos are of baby emu ~ aren't they so cute!

I think they could have painted the caboose to make it look better but other then that, this was an impressive display of a train and a lot of equipment used during that time period. You can see how big it was just by Ralph standing beside it!

In the middle of town was a cute little town square where they have events and many tributes to veterans and major citizens of the past in their community. Just Across from the park is the County Courthouse.

We had a great day is this little town and there is so much more I wanted to share to share with you but I will save it for the next post. Historic homes & buildings... I know I have a hard time on deciding which pictures to share and that is why there are so many ~ LOL

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

I Have Discovered Waymarking & it is FUN!

2011-09-14T08:00:00.000-04:00

While looking up Geocaching places around here I found out about Waymarking. I was instantly attracted to the idea of hunting down landmarks and I can't wait to find something unique to add to the site. I wrote down all the ones in this area and off we went. The first thing we looked for was a sign about the Old Spanish Trail. Not much luck but after going back home and researching it more we thought we might have better luck. Sure enough we found it... the coordinates in the log was wrong so I took my picture and put in the right one. Old Spanish Trail US Highway 1 Beginning at St. Augustine and Extending Northerly to US 90 in Jacksonville and Westerly on U.S 90 to the Florida-Alabama Line then all the way to California. Designated by 1955Legislature of Florida.

The second one was a sign telling about the Site of the Ellicottes Observatory. At the end of the American Revolutionary War in 1783, Florida was returned to Spain after twenty years of British control. Controversy soon arose over the exact location of the boundary between Spanish Florida and the state of Georgia. In 1795, Spain and the United States signed the Treaty of San Lorenzo, an agreement fixing the boundary in question at the thirty-first parallel and providing a survey to be made to determine the exact location of that line. In May, 1796, President George Washington appointed Andrew Ellicott, a mathematician and experienced surveyor, as the American Commissioner for the survey. After much delay, work got underway in June, 1798. A party of Spanish and American surveyors carrying with them a large accumulation of apparatus required for making astronomical and land measurements began the task of determining the exact boundary line. By August, 1799, the group had reached the Chattahoochee River. On August 23, they selected a site near the mouth of the Flint River as a campsite. Near this marker, an observatory was set up. Here Ellicott made his calculations until difficultly arose with Indians residing in the area. On September 18, 1799, Ellicott abandoned the camp and departed for East Florida to complete the survey. These landmarks were right where they said it would be ~ Yay!!!

Then right in the middle of the town of Chattahoochee we found two more ~ at Heritage park. A train caboose ~ This Caboose was once a member of the Soo Line Railroad which was "the primary United States railroad subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), controlled through the Soo Line Corporation, and one of seven U.S. Class I railroads." This Static display of this caboose is a landmark of the Town of Chattahoochee,Fla. The Park is a historical dedication to riverboats and the Apalachicola Northern Railroad Greensboro Depot Est. 1907 which once was the main source of commerce for this small town and The Fountain of the Living Water ~ while we were there I had to also include a mural painted on the wall and an old wagon....

Also there were 2 Woodsman of the World grave Markers at Mount Pleasant Cemetery right outside of town. We found them both right away with our GPS. The first one was Charles B. Johns Sr (1869 -1923) and the other was J.W. Shaw (1861-1926). To find out more about Woodsman of the World Grave Markers click here.

It was a fun day looking for these things and we really enjoyed the ride in the country looking for them. Begin having fun waymarking by registering at Waymarking.com.
Now this is something my honey & I will really enjoy....

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

The town that loves Coca~Cola ~ Quincy Florida

2011-09-12T08:10:00.000-04:00

The other day we went on a drive that ended up taking us to Quincy, Florida... We have been here a couple of times but never did look at it in such depth. We knew there was a lot of millionaires here and here is the story about how that happened.

Quincy Florida is a small town of about 7,000 people that is the county seat of Gadsden County. It is about 20 miles west northwest of Tallahassee.

The town is a good example of southern architecture from the era before the Civil War and during the Victorian period.

Several buildings and places in Quincy are on the National Register of Historic Places, including the E.B. Shelfer House, the John Lee McFarlin House, the Quincy Library and the Soldier Cemetery.

Quincy is a Florida Main Street community, and has a beautiful downtown area loaded with old historic buildings, restaurants and shops. The beautiful old Gadsden County courthouse is right in the middle of everything.

There are quite a few "Coca Cola" millionaires in Quincy. Once upon a time in the late 1800's Quincy was the richest town per capita in the United States of America. Coke money built a town cultural center, sent many local kids to college, and even today - in 2010 - gives Quincy an advantage that not many small Florida towns have. The Coke story started with the town banker, "Mr. Pat", Pat Munroe. In the 1920's and 1930's Mr. Pat told everybody in town to buy Coca-Cola shares, and to never sell them. He would even lend money to depositors so they could buy the stock.

Mr. Pat noticed that even during the depression, people would spend their last nickel on a cold Coke. He thought that was one of the things that would make it a good permanent investment.
He was right. A share of Coke went for $40 in 1919, and with splits and dividends that share is worth millions today. Income from Coke dividends saved this farm town in the Great Depression of the 1930's, and in every recession since then.

People all over the world like Coke. They really really like it in Quincy, Florida.

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Never Forget ~ September 11th, 2001

2011-09-11T08:29:00.000-04:00

“On September 11, 2001, 2,980 people lost their lives at the hands of homicide terrorists…

Among the 2,752 victims who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center, 343 were Firefighters along with 60 Police Officers from New York City and the Port Authority.

184 people were killed in the attacks on the Pentagon along with the Passengers and Crew of Flight 77.

44 Passengers and Crew died on Flight 93 in a field at Shanksville, PA.

911 was one of the most pivotal events in world history. Its impact will be felt for years to come. God Bless Our Country, The Firemen, Policemen and protect the young men & women fighting for our freedom. Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage!

God Bless Us All

Historic Florida State Hospital ~ Chattahoochee, Florida

2011-09-09T08:12:00.000-04:00

The very first thing I want to do is say hello to my new followers ~ you don't know how much it means to me to have you tag along with us on our adventures. Please go visit these great folks and see what they have been up to lately: Shirly @ Our Second Childhood ; Kyotesue @ The MoHo and Other Traveling Tales; jld52405 (Can't find their blog); Paul & Marti Dahl @ R Sanity RV Travels; and Mike Mills @ Mills Travels . Thanks again for joining up!!!

When I was a little girl my brother & I were so active that we, according to my mother, would drive her crazy. She would always say you're going to drive me to Chattahoochee ~ so I knew there was a mental hospital there. It scared me for years and when we drove by it I would hide. To this day it gives me a strange feeling. However staying here I ended up going over and driving around the hospital. It is huge with many many buildings and a diverse history.

The hospital was originally the site of the Apalachicola Arsenal built in the 1830s and named after the nearby Apalachicola River. The hospital's current Administration Building is the original Officers' Quarters of the Arsenal and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It served as a supply depot during the Seminole Wars. The first engagement of the American Civil War in Florida took place here on January 6, 1861 when a Confederate militia unit from Quincy overcame Union soldiers at the Arsenal.

The water tower & building where steam was generated in the old days to heat the buildings

In 1868, Florida Governor Harrison Reed made the arsenal property at Chattahoochee into Florida's first penitentiary. Florida's first recorded inmate was Calvin Williams, incarcerated in Chattahoochee in November 1868 for the crime of larceny and sentenced to one year. By 1869 there were 42 inmates and 14 guards. In 1871, the prison was put under civilian jurisdiction. Malachi Martin was appointed as warden, gaining a reputation for cruelty and corruption. He used prison labor for his personal benefit to build houses and tend his personal vineyards, amassing a huge fortune. The book, The American Siberia, was written in 1891, portraying the Chattahoochee prison as a place of relentless barbarity. The prisoners were relocated in 1876 to a prison at Raiford, Florida and the prison became a state hospital

In 1876 the prison was refurbished as Florida State Hospital for the Insane, Florida's first mental institution. The hospital has been the focus of investigations over the years for allegations of mistreatment of patients. Many of the patients are criminals who have pleaded insanity or found insane by the courts. They are evaluated there and treated so they can return to prison to serve out their sentence or go to death row.

The hospital was featured in a 1989 movie, Chattahoochee, starring Gary Oldman and Dennis Hopper

building where they keep patients

That's my story & I'm sticking to it ...It still gives me the creeps but I didn't hide this time ~ lol

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Jim Woodruff Dam ~ Chattahoochee, Florida

2011-09-07T08:02:00.000-04:00

Right across from our site is the Jim Woodruff Dam. We can see it plain as day and was happy it was there when we got the outer bands of TS Lee the other day. I wasn't afraid of flooding that is for sure.

The Jim Woodruff Dam was built on the Apalachicola River to create electricity for the region and to aid with flood control. The resulting lake was named Lake Seminole and it borders both Georgia and Florida, has 37,500 acres of water and over 18,000 acres of surrounding land. Extending up the Chattahoochee River 30 miles and up the Flint River 35 miles, Lake Seminole has 376 miles of shoreline.

The dam was named in honor of James W. Woodruff, Sr., a Georgia native who recognized the extraordinary beneficial impact that improvements of waterways would have on the Chattahoochee River Valley. An engineer, financier, businessman and philanthropist, James Woodruff already had achieved a level of success few individuals can claim in a lifetime when he envisioned the transforming effect that could be achieved by waterway management in the Chattahoochee Valley.

After spearheading the establishment in 1935 of the Chattahoochee Valley Chamber of Commerce, Woodruff subsequently devoted the remainder of his career in work that promoted a navigable Chattahoochee, Flint and Apalachicola waterway and that provided needed flood control, power and recreation for millions of citizens living and working in this area. His educational background in engineering, his invigorating influence among commercial leaders, and his skill in navigating the Washington D.C. governmental structure culminated in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint Project.

The Project resulted in the construction of major dams along the Chattahoochee that provided hydroelectric power generation, flood control, and navigation. Appropriately, the first dam built under this project was the Jim Woodruff Dam which was dedicated on March 22, 1957.

There is some creatures in that there lake ~ I'm not going in...

It is a beautiful dam as far as dams go ~ Hope you enjoyed the little bit of history on it.

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Off to Eastbank COE Park in Georgia

2011-09-04T08:29:00.000-04:00

We headed out from the Florida Panhandle beaches yesterday to the Eastbank COE (Corp of Engineer) Park in Georgia just north of Chattahoochee, Florida. We have been enjoying the Northwest coast of Florida for the last 2 months and it was a little sad leaving ~ however with the Tropical Depression Lee coming it was a good thing our time here was over.

Flags ~ Purple designating dangerous marine life and Yellow means medium current & rip tide. Dunes at dusk....

Sand dunes with old fence & young couple having engagement pictures taken... so sweet.

As we pulled away from the beaches it was a little sad for me ~ I truly love Oceans, Lakes & Rivers. Ok ... so I love everything ~ LOL Soon we were headed over another long bridge and a goodbye to the beautiful & graceful Pelicans.

We traveled down long country roads ~ Through small towns

Finally arriving in Bainbridge, Georgia at the Eastbank COE Park

Eastbank COE Park sits on Lake Seminole. We checked into the park and headed to our site... They told us the park had a lot of ants so before we set up we sprinkled comet all around the tires and jacks. Did you know that comet would stop ants from clinbing up into your coach... well it works!

Tassie is all set up once again and we are enjoying sitting down by the lake behind her...
Enjoying "Happy Hour"

So no more sunsets at the beach but on to the next beautiful sunset & adventures

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Magnolia Cemetery ~ DeFuniak Springs, Florida

2011-09-01T07:52:00.001-04:00

Welcome to my newest followers: Susan at Beach Bummz , Meowmomma @ Cathouse Adventures and Rick & Elaine at E & R's Travels . Go visit them and see where they have been and what they are up to.

While in DeFuniak Springs we drove by the huge cemetery and just had to go in and visit. We love looking at headstones and seeing the very old ones. It is amazing how old some of the people lived way back when ~ and on the other side how many died so terribly young. I guess it had a lot to do with yellow fever and many other diseases that they had no cure for back then.

Also in our visits and research on old cemeteries we have found that many of the old headstones and the design on them have meaning. Also did you know that most headstones are suppose to face the east. That according to folk lore is because when the second coming of Jesus is suppose to happen....he is to come from the East. So when the person rises from the grave he will rise to see Jesus.
Visit here to see some really interesting information about headstones.

"Historic Magnolia Cemetery on Highway 90 East was established in 1884 and is the final resting place of many notable DeFuniak Citizens including Sidney J. Catts, the 20th Governor of the State of Florida, and Wallace Bruce, the first President of the Florida Chautauqua." (see precvious post about DeFuniak Springs) Magnolia Cemetery is located in the charming city of DeFuniak Springs in Walton County, Florida, USA

There are over 1,500 graves in this cemetery ~ it is huge!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

A Day Trip to Historic DeFuniak Springs, Florida

2011-08-31T07:59:00.000-04:00

We went for a ride to explore the surrounding areas and about 30 miles north of our campground we came upon DeFuniak Springs... A cute little town with some beautiful historic homes, built in the late 1800s and Historic Downtown. Located in Walton County, DeFuniak Springs emerged in the 1880s as a railroad stop. This Northwest Florida city is centered around a completely round lake, Lake DeFuniak. and is home to the Walton-Defuniak Library, the oldest library in Florida still serving the public

DeFuniak Springs is a small city of around 7,000 located off of Interstate 10 between Tallahassee and Pensacola. The city is the county seat for Walton County, Florida. DeFuniak Springs is home to many interesting historical events. Another point of interest is Lake DeFuniak, said to be one of only two perfectly round natural lakes in the world. Folklore has it that the lake was formed by a large meteor crashing to earth centuries ago. The circumference of the lake is 5,280feet, which makes a pleasant mile. Their major industry is agriculture, which is growing all the time, if you'll excuse the pun. The cattle business, timber (especially pine), and poultry farms are primary resources.

County Seat Courthouse built 1871 (est) & St. Agatha's old church was founded in 1890 and finished in 1896. It is the oldest in the city and the stain glass windows are of interest. St. Agatha's was the first church built in DeFuniak Springs

In 1881, a railroad surveying party consisting of W. D. Chipley, W.J. VanKirk, and W.T. Wright came to the area seeking a route for the L&N Railroad. After stopping on a hillside overlooking the beautiful, naturally round lake, Colonel Chipley exclaimed, "Here a town shall be built!" The traditional Victorian bracketed Louisville & Nashville railroad depot in DeFuniak Springs was first built in 1882, and then enlarged in 1909

They planned a town named after Fred R. DeFuniak, who held many high offices with the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, including that of General Manger. The Florida Chautauqua Association organized in 1884 and held its first assembly in DeFuniak Springs in February of 1885. This assembly made DeFuniak Springs one of the cultural centers of the southeast until the late 1920s.

The Walton~DeFuniak Library is the oldest structure built in 1887 as a library and is still in operation today. Also The Hotel DeFuniak built in 1920 is now operated as a B&B filled with many antiques of the time period.

Numerous Victorian era homes encircle little Lake DeFuniak, and it's at times difficult to tell the old homes from the new ones built in the same Colonial Revival and Queen Anne styles. The town has around 200 historic buildings surrounding the lake, 40 or so which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Small towns are always a fascination to me even ones that do not have anything to do because they always have houses and buildings that were built long ago. I often wonder what was this town like in it's heyday. DeFuniak Springs is one of those towns that are desperately trying to hold onto their historic district in hopes of drawing tourist. It is a nice little town!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

On Our Way to Grayton Beach State Park, Florida

2011-08-28T07:34:00.000-04:00

We were up early this morning getting ready to pull out of Gulf State Park in Alabama and was headed towards Grayton Beach State Park back at Santa Rosa Beach in Florida.
Goodbye Gulf State Park we had a GREAT time here ~

It wasn't a long drive just about 198 miles but we needed to stop at Carpenter's Campers in Pensacola. The recall we had fixed a year ago on our Norcold fridge had gone bad and they told us there was a recall on the recall (LOL) so there would be no cost to us. That is always a good thing and these people were awesome. Friendly and fast, since we told them we were on the road. Lucky for us we had called and they got the part in while we were at Gulf Shores. It only took them 1 hour from the time we pulled in til we pulled back out on the road. If you ever need work done while near Pensacola Florida they are the ones to go to.

Back in our home sate of Florida and look at the huge flock of Pelicans we saw

Soon we were back on I 10 and we headed through Pensacola Florida with ease. Over long bridges and pass neat rest areas with a Blue Angels Jet right out front.

We finally arrived at Grayton Beach State Park ~ and after checking in got set up on our site #39. Nice site thank goodness with FHU 50 amp. For my friends who are not RVers FHU means full hookups ~ water, electric & sewer.

It is a very nice site and there is a little lake right behind us. As soon as I put my bird feeders up we had a bunch of birds... little chick-a-dees and cardinals. But also an unexpected guest ~ a young raccoon who wanted some of the bird seed. Thankfully he couldn't get to it but it was sure fun watching him try.

For a review on this State Park click here. Another view of beautiful Sunrises and Sunsets

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

We arrived at Dauphine Island, Al. by Ferry ~ Part II

2011-08-24T09:21:00.000-04:00

After we got off the ferry we had to go check out the fort we saw from the ferry. Fort Gains was another southeastern fort built to defend our country. Sadly it's biggest action was the Civil War. OK ~ I know another fort but we love historic forts and the history they hold inside.

Fort Gaines (1821-1946) - Construction on this Third System masonry fort began in 1821 but construction and funding problems prevented completion and a redesigned fort was started in the 1850's. Designed by Joseph G. Totten and named after Gen. Edmund P. Gaines in 1853. The fort was still incomplete in 1861 when the U.S. Civil War began. The fort was occupied by Confederate forces in 1861 and they finished the fort in 1862. Abandoned after World War I and reactivated during World War II it was abandoned after the end of World War II.

At the beginning of the U.S. Civil War in 1861 the Alabama State Militia seized both Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan from Federal troops. Fort Gaines remained in Confederate hands until 8 Aug 1864 when it was surrendered after the Battle of Mobile Bay to a Union fleet commanded by Adm. David Farragut. The Battle of Mobile Bay was the occasion for Adm. Farragut's famous order, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!", referring to torpedoes (mines) strung across the channel into Mobile Bay.

After we checked out the fort we got back into the car and headed towards the USS Alabama. Now we have passed the USS Alabama many times and we decided this was the day we were going to go tour it... BUT and it's a big one... while walking around Fort Gains, Ralph's leg behind his calf was in a lot of pain.

We think he hurt it a few weeks ago at the beach but it was feeling a lot better. When we got to the Battleship Memorial Park and we saw the ship we decided it was to much walking up & down for his leg and perhaps my knee. So we spent some time looking around at the planes & tanks in the park and once again decided to come back another time.

On the way out we stopped at the Meaher State Park only 4 miles down the road, to check out the campground for when we come back... it is FHU (full hook up) with 50amp. Very nice park!!!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Ferry Ride Across Mobile Bay in Alabama

2011-08-23T07:52:00.000-04:00

We got up early with good intentions of what we were going to do for the day. We had breakfast and headed out early to take the ferry from Fort Morgan to Dauphine Island ~ then head over to the USS Alabama in Mobile ~ then go check out a State Park near there that we would like to visit another time. We made it to the Mobile Bay Ferry and lucky for us it was there and loading up. We were the last car to make it on, good we didn't have to wait at all! It is a small ferry that holds about 28 cars. I couldn't figure that out because there were about 20 on and it seemed crowded to me.

Only a little while after we pulled the car onto the ferry it began it's departure from Fort Morgan to Dauphine Island. It was a beautiful day and the waters were very calm and that was good thing.

As we chugged along we saw a lot of Natural Gas Rigs in the bay and surrounding areas. There was a big ship making it's way towards us... but it really didn't get that close!

We passed the other ferry and some fishing boats

Pelicans & Fort Gains... where during the battle at Mobile Bay in 1864, Rear Adm. David G. Farragut said the phrase "Dam the Torpedoes, Full Speed Ahead!!"

We traveled peacefully across the bay and finally reached out destination Dauphine Island

It was a fun trip and as we were waved off our plans for the day changed... to be continued!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Angels in Flight

2011-08-20T12:09:00.000-04:00

We have been to Pensacola many times and have always wanted to see the Blue Angels practice show. The Pensacola Naval Base is their home base and they are here a lot but we always seem to miss them. You can look up their show & practice schedule here.

The show is at 8:30 so we got up early and headed out because we wanted to get there early enough to get a good seat in the bleachers. You can also bring your lawn chairs if you want to. There are volunteers there that narrate the show and answer any questions you might have.

The show is about an hour long so be prepared ~ bring hats and a drink! We haven't seen the Blue Angels performed in about 10 years. The last time we saw them we were having lunch in the Seattle Space Needle and ended up having a birds eye view of the show! I will never forget that!

The Museum of Naval Aviation at NAS Pensacola has a viewing area for visitors to watch the team practice. The team visits the museum to answer questions and sign autographs after Wednesday practices.

We really enjoyed our time at the show and if you're ever in the area go see them and don't forget to visit the Museum of Naval Aviation too!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

♖ Yet Another Historic Fort ♖

2011-08-19T07:01:00.000-04:00

Fort Morgan State Historic Site ~ Fort Morgan, Alabama

Construction began on the fort in 1819 and was completed 1834. The large brick fort serviced the Civil War, Spanish-American War and both world wars. It played a major role during the Battle of Mobile Bay (1864). The Museum details the fort's history.

We spent the morning walking around Historic Fort Morgan and visiting the museum which is small but very informative. Located at: 51 Highway 180 West, Gulf Shores, Alabama it is a great place to visit. To see a full history of Fort Morgan visit here. Fort Morgan is a Third System Coastal Defense Fort. Like the other forts it was built after the War of 1812 when Congress realized The need for stronger fortifications along the eastern & southern coastlines.

The cleared ground sloping up to the fort walls is called a Glacis. It helped protect the fort, and its occupants, from gunfire. You will normally see seven flags on display near the entrance representing the groups that controlled the area: France, Great Britain, Spain, the United States, the Alabama Militia, the Confederacy, and the state of Alabama. The postern is the connecting tunnel through the glacis to the inner fort.

First you enter through what they called a Postern which is a long tunnel through the Glacis. The entrance into the interior of the fort is gained through a doorway called a Sally Port. Sally Ports frequently have intricate designs that set them apart from the utilitarian design of the fort itself. The date the fort is commissioned is usually placed over the Sally Port. This is a fine example of a Sally Port The date is not when the fort was completed but the date it was named after General Daniel Morgan.

These arched rooms known as Casemates designed as protected gun positions for the forts cannon but few cannons were ever mounted in them. Mostly the were used for storage of food and equipment.

We enjoyed our day so much and the fort was full of history... If you would like to find out more click here.

After a full day of sight seeing we headed over once again to Lambert's "Home of the Hand Throwed Rolls". There are 3 in all ~ one here in Foley, Alabama and two in Missouri. I truly believe it is a must go & see kinda place. Voted #1 on the food network countdown of a place to visit. Click here to go to their website! The fried chicken is to die for ♥♥♥

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

㊅ From One Beach to Another ㊅

2011-08-17T06:32:00.000-04:00

We are heading out today from Gulf Breeze, Florida to Gulf Shores, Alabama.
On our way to Gulf Shores State Park...the drive is only about 39 miles so it will be a nice short drive along the beaches again. So through a few coastal towns, over some more bridges and on to our next adventure in Tassie.

I wasn't long before we crossed the Alabama State line and was getting close to our destination. It was not a very busy drive since school starts soon here in Alabama.

We finally passed Guld Shores State Park on the beach side and was soon at the campground just a wee bit further down the road

Soon we saw the check~in booth and stopped to get our site. The women inside were really friendly and told us to drive around the park and pick out a site. It wasn't busy at all and with 493 siteas to choose from we soon decided on #291 on the canal. It is a great pulthrough with FHU. To see a review of the park go to our reiew blog by clicking here.

Another GREAT campground and a beautiful sunset right from our site

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

♧ A wee bit of Irish in your day ♧

2011-08-14T07:52:00.000-04:00

While visiting Gulf Breeze, Pensacola we heard a lot about McGuire's Irish Pub. It was the place to go for good food & fun! And they were so right.... from the minute we pulled into the parking lot we were smiling. I wanted to go back but we never made it!

The outside of the place just screamed come on in and have some fun ~ so in we went to see what it is all about.

One of the unique things about McGuire's is that the ceiling are covered with 1.2 million $1 bills... Can you even imagine that? It all started when the wife of McGuire, Molly, stapled her first tip to the ceiling and a tradition was born.

Our family sat down and checked out the menus... there is a huge selection of food ~ from traditional Irish fare to around 25 different burgers and also some yummy steaks. They are known for their great steaks!

We started out with some really great appetizers. Ralph went for the Bean Soup which they sell for 18 cents with your order of a meal. I had the best French Onion Soup I have ever had and the kids shared Irish Potatoes with a blue cheese sauce and Ruben Eggrolls which were featured on Food Network. Also "Big Daddy" from the food network has a burger named after him from when he visited.

Then for dinner Ralph ordered the Corned Beef & Cabbage and I got the "Ruben". I was really excited and ate half of my sandwich before I remembered to take a picture.

Our family really enjoyed the food and atmosphere here at McGuire's Irish Pub and highly recommend you visit there as soon as you can.

I hope you enjoyed this restaurant review because we sure did enjoy being there

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

๑۩๑ Fort Pickens ๑۩๑

2011-08-12T17:06:00.023-04:00

A heartful thanks to my newest followers... Michael Ultra at RV0777 and Pamela B. Go on over and check out Michael's blog and welcome him to the Fulltiming lifestyle. Sorry I didn't know Pam's blog address ~ Thanks again for following my blog!

We went over to check out Fort Pickens ~ what a great place to spend a few hours exploring the past. The cost to visit the Fort is the entrance fee into the Fort Pickens Gulf Islands National Seashore which is $8 dollars a car unless you have the national Seniors pass then it is FREE. Fort Pickens was used during the Civil War and from 1886 to May 1887, the famous Apache Indian Geronimo was imprisoned in Fort Pickens, along with several of his warriors. As you enter the park you’ll drive past some of the battery locations. You’ll want to stop and check it out but keepdriving to the visitor center and get all the self-guided information and brochures first.

The peaceful surroundings--white sugar-sand beaches, clumps of golden sea oats, and the soothing sounds of coastal waves pounding on the shores of a long barrier island contradict the serious purpose of Fort Pickens, located on Santa Rosa Island in Florida. One of the largest brick forts built in the United States, Fort Pickens provided the setting for a serious effort by a small group of men to avert or at least postpone the outbreak of the Civil War. Months before the firing on Fort Sumter, the Southern forces at nearby Pensacola, Florida, worked to find a way of seceding from the Union without initiating bloodshed.

Fort Pickens and nearby Fort McRee, Fort Barrancas, and Advanced Redoubt today lie within Gulf Islands National Seashore. They provide an intriguing setting for the important events that occurred in the Pensacola area just prior to and during the Civil War.

Fort Pickens is one of the many old forts we have visited and we highly recommend going on the tour provided by the park service. Ranger David P. Ogden was full of historic information about the fort and was willing to answer any questions you might have. He is also author to several books about the forts in the area.

To read more about Fort Pickens go to:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Pickens
Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

-~’¨¯¨’•~㊅ Fun at the Beach ㊅~’¨¯¨’•~-

2011-08-09T08:16:00.000-04:00

The Florida Panhandle has many miles of the most beautiful beaches with the whitest sands. There are many areas you can go and have hardly anyone there and it's like having your own private beach. Our daughter Denise, her husband Franks and the grandkids came up to spend a week with us but they stayed at the beautiful Margariteville Hotel. We spent a lot of time at the beautiful beaches & pool at the hotel everyday while they were here.

The kids enjoyed playing in the sand and splashing on the edge of the water

We bobbed around in the water which was the perfect temperature.

As you can see there is hardly anyone on the beach and it was nice to enjoy the day in the water and lounging around without the crowded beach...

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

✈Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum ✈

2011-08-06T14:06:00.001-04:00

We visited the Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum , located inside the Pensacola Naval base, with my daughter, Son-in-Law and grandsons. What a great day we had looking at all the types of aircraft on display from Presidential helicopters to fighter jets to space mission history. If you're fortunate enough to be there on the days that the Blue Angels practice it is a GREAT show. Sadly they were not there the day that we visited. Check the Blue Angels site for details and days they practice.

This is our third visit to the is fabulous museum and we still enjoyed it as much as the first time. We wanted to take our family to the museum and them all the hundreds of aircraft on display. Our little grandsons really enjoyed looking at all the different planes and helicopters.

This museum has it all and will entertain and educate aviation enthusiasts, history buffs and even those interested in space exploration history. This isn't your typical museum with the exhibits behind velvet ropes. You can walk up to and around all the aircraft. There is also a recreation of "main street" during WWII showing a slice of how life may have been on the homefront. A recreation of an aircraft carrier and blimp.

There are even aircraft that are cut away so you can see the interiors. There are a couple of the simulators rides and also an IMAX theater. We really enjoyed the IMAX featuring the Blue Angels tremendously.

Also there is a bus tour that will take you out to the flight line. On this tour you'll see additional aircraft and also hear how they find them and rebuild them to the condition they are in the museum. You can view the guys working on the old planes.

All of this is absolutely free and the only extras are the IMAX theater and simulators. There is even a restaurant inside which is pretty good for a bite to eat. We enjoyed a sandwich. We spent the entire day here as there was so much to see & do.

There are enough hands-on things for younger kids that you may have to drag them out at the end of the day. Bring a camera because you will have the opportunity to get in cockpits of several aircraft. If this picture looks like a duplicate...you're not seeing doubles ~ it's the twins...lol lol

Hope you have enjoyed this ~ sorry it's so long but I took over 300 pictures so you can imagine my trouble choosing photos.

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

㊅ Fort Pickens Wow Weeeee Wow ㊅

2011-08-04T08:30:00.000-04:00

First I would like to say thanks to my latest followers... Sam & Donna Weibel at 5th Wheel Vagabonds, Diane at Lavender Dreams, and Jim & Sandie at Where are the Dixons Today. Go over and check out their wonderful blogs.

We are now staying at the Gulf Islands National Seashore in the Fort Pickens Campground. For a complete review of the campground click here and go to my RV Park review blog.

The Fort Pickens Campground is located on Santa Rosa Island, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico! There are so many fun things to see & do here not to mention the beautiful beach not even 1/4 of a mile from our campsite. You can go to Historic downtown Pensacola, the Pensacola Naval Air Station and Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Lighthouse and other historic sites. Campsites are within 1/4 mile of the beaches of the "Emerald Coast" of the Gulf of Mexico and Pensacola Bay.

The Fort Pickens area is South of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze, Florida. It offers many activities, from touring historic Fort Pickens to enjoying the unique white sand beaches of Northwest Florida. Fort Pickens and the Visitor Center are located one mile away from the campground.

It is said that these are the whitest beaches in the world and they are surely the whitest I've ever seen. And the reason it is called the Emerald Coast is because when the sun is up high and shinning on the water you will see the most beautiful shades of green... There is a lot to do her Swimming, Birdwatching, Trails, The fort and many activities put on by the rangers.

For beautiful sunsets and relaxing in the Florida sun this is definitely the place to come!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

♒Ride to Gulf Islands National Seashore ♒

2011-08-01T07:55:00.001-04:00

Well it is time for us to move on out of St. George Island State Park and we are heading over to Pensacola Beach and staying at Fort Pickens Campground at the Gulf Islands National Seashore. We had a lot of fun exploring St. George Island and surrounding areas and highly recommend it to you all to come and visit. Especially if you love the beaches.

We headed out around 9:30 ~ passed the beautiful beaches on the Island and then headed off the Island taking the LONG 4 mile bridge. We were glad the weather was so nice.

We traveled through beach towns that had very little traffic but mostly we traveled through a LOT of traffic and Ralph was really worn out by the time we got to Pensacola Beach.

We passed a couple of Military Bases

We went over many bridges where the water was a beautiful color and people were enjoying the day out on the water ~ a little crowded for me!

It was only 185 miles but the traffic had my honey all tense, because of the traffic, so when we finally reached Pensacola Beach he was happy because we didn't have to much further to go.

We rounded the bend and saw the hotel, Margaritaville, my daughter Denise & her family will be coming to stay at while we are here. They LOVE Jimmy Buffet!

We are finally on the road with very little traffic and beautiful beaches

Here we are entering the park ~ Yeah!!!

We traveled 4 more miles and came to the place that we check into. So we'll be here at Fort Pickens Campground which is on the Gulf Islands National Seashore for 2 weeks. I can't wait to visit the fort and see the beautiful beaches with their sunsets. I don't see to many sunrises! LOL

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

۩ St. George Lighthouse ~ Florida ۩

2011-07-30T08:36:00.000-04:00

As you know we are staying on St. George Island at the state park here. One of the main tourist spots is the lighthouse on the island but it has had a very sad lifetime so I wanted to share the history of the St. George Lighthouse.

The Cape St. George Lighthouse stood at the southern-most tip of “Little” St. George Island in the Gulf of Mexico. The island is 8 miles offshore of Apalachicola in the Florida Panhandle. Built in 1852, this 153-year-old veteran of hurricanes, wars, and erosion collapsed on October 21, 2005.

Its light was turned off during the Civil War so not to aid Yankee ships and it was not until August 1, 1865 that lighthouse keeper James Reilly relit the beacon. The lens suffered some damage during the war, but was replaced in 1888. In 1949, the Coast Guard installed an automated light, and by the 1950s lighthouse keepers were no longer needed, although the keeper’s house and oilhouse remained on the island.
Beginning in 1992, storms and natural erosion had once again placed the lighthouse in peril. 1992's Hurricane Andrew pulled a major part of the beach area surrounding the Cape St. George Lighthouse back into the Gulf. The Coast Guard, realizing that the lighthouse might be lost, deactivated the light in 1994.

Before nature could build the beach sand back up around the lighthouse, Hurricane Opal struck in 1995. The resulting powerful tidal surge swept around the lighthouse, forcing it to move from its foundation. As the lighthouse settled into the sand, the iron circular staircase inside was torn from the walls, and the tower developed its lean. The oilhouse and the keeper's house were also severely damaged by Hurricane Opal. Photos of the Cape St. George Lighthouse, listing drunkenly at over 7°, became the unofficial graphic of the island. The entry door was boarded over, and “Danger!” signs were placed on the lighthouse. For a long time, this historical Florida Lighthouse seemed doomed.
Around 1995, Apalachicola Times editor John Lee began the "Save The Light" campaign. Contractor Bill Grimes, using a backhoe, slowly excavated sand from around the base of the lighthouse on one side. After many days, the lighthouse settled into a vertical position. With the lighthouse level, he then drilled through the four-foot thick concrete walls at the base, inserting fiberglass reinforcing bars. A corrugated ring was placed around the base, and filled with concrete, forming an island around the base. But storms and erosion once again surrounded the Cape St. George Lighthouse with the Gulf of Mexico's swirling water. By Spring 2005 the lighthouse sat 20 feet out into the water, completely engulfed and the concrete platform Mr. Grimes poured had begun to see the effects of the wave action. On October 21, 2005 the lighthouse finally collapsed into the Gulf of Mexico.

Hurricane Dennis struck the Florida Panhandle on July 10, 2005 as a Category 3 hurricane. As the storm was compact and fast-moving, damage was less than had been predicted. Cape St. George Lighthouse, located roughly 100 miles from where Dennis made landfall, survived the storm intact. 2005 was a record year for hurricanes, but as no other hurricanes came close to the Cape St. George Lighthouse, it seemed the tower would survive another hurricane season. However, on October 21, years of stress on the leaning tower apparently became too much, as the lighthouse toppled into the gulf at 11:45 a.m. This dramatic photograph, taken the following morning by Debbie Hooper, shows the partially submerged tower.

The St. George Lighthouse Association, established in 2004 to "rescue the light", worked with the State of Florida DEP to salvage the pieces of the fallen light. The lighthouse was rebuilt at the center of St. George Island and opened to the public in December of 2008.

We had a great time exploring St. George Island and all the surrounding areas. I highly recommend you to come to this wonderful part of the Florida Panhandle and enjoy the beautiful beaches, gorgeous sunsets/sunrises and incredible food!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

۞ The World’s Smallest Police Station ۞

2011-07-28T09:44:00.000-04:00

Carrabelle is a small fishing village located on the eastern side of the panhandle.

Carrabelle has one claim to fame ~ it's home to the world's smallest police station. Sure, it may look like a phone booth, and the truth is, there's not even a phone in it anymore. But, no other town can claim to have had its police force operating out of a 4-square-foot office.

Up until 1963, Carrabelle's police officers would answer calls, using a call box that was hanging on the side of a downtown building. It wasn't a very good system, because the officers would get wet when using the phone during bad weather, and at other times, civilians would use the phone to make long-distance calls, on the city's dime. When the phone company replaced a phone booth in town, the phone company gave the old one to the police, and moved the call box into the phone booth. Their biggest problem was people sneaking in and using the phone until they removed the dial so they couldn't call out It also happens to be right down the street from the restaurant we had read about and wanted to go to.

"The Fisherman's Wife"

We had read about this place, so decided to give it a try after a long day of sightseeing. We had read that the place was actually one of those food trailers, but it is permanently parked on a lot on the water across from the Worlds Smallest Police Station. . Well the business had grown so popular and busy that they have opened a restaurant across the street and down the road from where they were. It use to be a house at one time and they have even attached the Big Red Food Trailer to the building and still cook in it. The food is simply amazing. We had the best fried fish we have ever eaten -- and we've eaten a lot of it! The portions were huge and it came with cole slaw, cheese grits, french fries and hush puppies. We also ordered a side of Fried green tomatoes which was served with a yummy buttermilk ranch sauce. The owners really are the wives of fishermen and they are a hoot! They'll cook your food then come out and chat with you. If you're looking for excellent food and some local color - this is your place. Great food, huge portions, and good conversation ~ what more could you ask for!

Crooked River Lighthouse

For 116 years the Crooked River Lighthouse has stood as a beacon, guiding timber ships as well as local fishermen and oystermen through the treacherous pass between Dog and St. George Islands, along Florida's Panhandle. Built in 1895, this iron and steel structure replaced the lighthouse on Dog Island, which was destroyed by hurricane in 1873.

In 1995, the Crooked River Lighthouse was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard which four years later, despite its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, had plans to surplus the lighthouse and auction it off to the highest bidder. It was at this time that the Carrabelle Lighthouse Association (CLA) was formed by a dedicated group of local citizens with the goal of preserving, restoring, and opening the lighthouse to the public.

It was another fantastic day of exploring the area we are in right now!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

㊅ What's on Cape San Blas???? ㊅

2011-07-23T09:43:00.000-04:00

Welcome to my newest follower Rebecca Bany @ Memories of Me & Mine Go visit her and read about her day to day adventures.

Cape San Blas is a narrow spit/finger of sand dunes, palm trees and sea oats extending into the Gulf of Mexico just west of Apalachicola, Florida. Less than a mile wide at its widest point, and more than 15 miles in length, the Cape separates the waters of St. Joseph Bay from the Gulf. Inhabited primarily by wildlife for hundreds of years, this pristine area became the home of St. Joseph State Park in 1967.

Washed by the crystal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the sand on Cape San Blas beaches is some of the whitest in the world, and has a much finer texture than the coarse sand found on the Atlantic seaboard. Its beaches have been voted in the top 10 beaches. In fact, in 2002 Dr. Steve Leatherman (aka Dr. Beach), author of America's Best Beaches, awarded Cape San Blas as the best beach in the entire USA.

Incredibly beautiful in its own right, the bay side coastline is much different than its Gulf side counterpart. Pine trees and salt marshes, calm, shallow waters with swaying turtle grass, small islands, fishing docks, kayaks and fishing boats, all blend to create an atmosphere of total relaxation. In late summer, visitors snorkel the shallow waters of the bay in search of the succulent bay scallop.

Also on Cape San Blas is a lighthouse... Ralph & I both love to visit many things on our travels and Lighthouses is one of them. Here is a little history on the Cape San Blas Lighthouse: In 1847 Congress appropriated $8,000 for a lighthouse. Two years later a conical brick tower was completed. The signal from the 85-foot high structure could be seen for 10 miles offshore. During a storm in 1851, this structure was destroyed.

Construction of the new lighthouse tower was not without its problems. The ship bringing the prefabricated tower to the Cape sank. Fortunately, the water was so shallow that the structure was salvaged. Finally, by June 1885, the 96-foot high, iron skeleton lighthouse was placed in service. Around this time, two wood-frame dwellings for the keepers were constructed. The two keepers' quarters are identical. They are two-story, wood framed cottages on low concrete pier foundations, each with two brick chimneys. The interior of each residence contains two main rooms on each floor. To avert another disaster, in 1919 the Bureau of Lighthouses moved the Cape San Blas lighthouse inland and the keepers' quarters to their present location.

On our drive back to Tassie I saw this cute little store on the side of the road. I fell in love with their beach chairs but alas I have no room in Tassie for them...LOL

Hunger struck us on our way home so just a short ways further we stopped at the Seafood Cafe and had dinner... I had the best Haddock, lightly battered and fried up just right (here my arteries clogging) and Ralph enjoyed a juicy half pound burger.

The day came to a close with another fabulous sunset...
Hope you enjoyed our day as much as we did.

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

㊅ A Day Visiting Apalachicola, Florida ㊅

2011-07-20T13:54:00.000-04:00

Apalachicola or “Apalach“, as it is known by locals, is far from a typical tourist town. Established in 1831, it was once the third largest port on the Gulf of Mexico.

This unique city is noted for having some of the finest oysters, its bay oysters having a pure, mild, briny flavor that has been recognized by top chefs throughout the country.

Apalachicola harvests over 90% of the oysters sold in Florida and 10% of the nationwide supply. Smaller open bay boats, moored or trailered each day, tong for oysters in the many shallow areas of Apalachicola Bay

Apalachicola’s vibrant history and rich maritime culture can still be seen on its working waterfront. Fishing vessels displaying proud patinas of years of service line the waterfront and regularly net fresh local shrimp and fish.

Wide, tree lined streets are still graced by picturesque homes from the nineteenth and twentieth century that show the wealth and craftsmanship of its early days. Apalachicola has over 900 historic homes and buildings listed in its extensive National Register District. We did the walking tour that you can do to see a lot of the historic buildings & homes.

After so much sightseeing we were very hungry so we went to Papa Joe's Restaurant on the Apalachicola River. We sat next to the window so we could watch the boats go buy. A lot of people pull their boat right up to the restaurant so they can come in and dine.

On the way back to the campground we pulled over and saw about 20 porpoise in a feeding frenzy... I couldn't even catch them all with the camera but here is the disturbed waters when they fed and the other picture is some swimming around to get fish.

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

雪 From White Springs to St. George Island 雪

2011-07-18T08:15:00.000-04:00

We headed out around 9 am for our journey from White Springs, Florida to St. George Island, Florida. I was anxious to be going to a new location since we have been in this general area for around 2 months. The trip isn’t very long at 181 miles but the weather looks as if we might run into rain. So off we went down Hwy 136 to I75 then down to I10 toward Tallahassee.

When we travel we use Microsoft Streets & Trips as our GPS on our laptop. We have used it for several years now and it is by far my favorite to date. We have also used our little MIO and Co-Pilot (which is another program for the laptop) but neither of them are great. They are not horrible but I really love Streets & Trips!

When we were about 50 miles out we could see the rain in the distance. It wasn’t too long before we were right in the middle of it and it rained on & off almost all the way to St. George Island.

We traveled to US 19, went south where we got onto US27 which took us to the outskirts of Tallahassee. There we picked up US98 and stayed on it to our destination.

It wasn’t long before we started to see the Gulf of Mexico and what a nice scenic coastal ride it was. I just love the Oceans, Lakes and the Gulf of Mexico.

Soon we came to Island Drive in Eastpointe and turned left to head to the Island. You could see the old St. George Island Bridge and the new one. They took down the old bridge when it was deemed unsafe and the new one built in 2002.

First thing we saw was a lighthouse which we will go back to explore during our stay here. Then we started seeing alot of the homes that are built on the beach side and are mostly rentals. Some of them are really huge and all of them are beautiful and colorful.

After about 6 miles we arrived at our destination St. George Island State Park. Nine miles of undeveloped beach, pristine shoreline, majestic dunes and bay forest, sandy coves and salt marshes. A series of hiking trails, boardwalks and observation platforms great for hikingmor a leisurely stroll through the marshes or beach. Not to mention magnificent sunsets.

We arrive at the campground after about a 4 mile drive and got Tassie all set up in her new spot for the next 2 weeks... We are staying at St. George Island State Park. Watch for a review of campground in a few days. Life is Good!

We are looking forward to our visit here the next two weeks.

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

●☆● A Day of FUN! ●☆●

2011-07-17T08:05:00.001-04:00

Again Thanks to my newest followers.... Debbie & Rod from Keeping up with the Kendals and MidLiFe CrUiSeR. Thank-you so much for becoming followers.

We loaded up the car with our daughter, grandsons and headed out for a day of exploring and fun. The very first stop was at the Aunt Thelma’s Gift Shop right here in the park. We looked at many items made by the Artisans who visit the park and teach or display their crafts

We then made a stop at the Riverside Cemetery in White Springs. Now some of you may think that is not a great place to explore and gruesome to visit but we LOVE going to them and looking at the different styles of headstones and the dates. It is amazing reading the very old headstones and seeing that a lot of people born in the 1800’s or before did in fact live a long time.

Soon we were on the road again and came upon some horses in a pasture that the boys and my daughter wanted to see… so we stopped and did the horse whisperer with them and then back on our adventure!

We rode and rode down the road and before long we came to an old church that we just had to pull into and explore. Falling Creek Methodist Church was built in the 1800’s as a log structure and in 1880 they replaced it with the present wood frame. When first built it was a Baptist Church but in 1866 it was change to a Methodist Church. The church continues regular church services today and is open for visitors to see.

Right behind the church was a cemetery which had headstones from the early 1800’s…

Just down the road a little further is one of Florida’s fabulous but little know waterfalls called Falling Creeks Falls. On a short walk is a spectacular root-beer colored cascade, which plummets more than 10 feet over a deep lip of limestone and flows away over limestone boulders at the bottom of a ravine. Falling Creek is the site of the first settlement in this area. It has a short boardwalk through lush forest which offers easy access to the falls. There is also a longer trail which extends your walk in the woods past rapids in the creek and where you can see more of the local vegetation in this area. Falling Creek is a hidden treasure which has old building to explore, nature trails, picnic tables and a children’s play area.

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

★Stephen Foster Cultural Museum ★

2011-07-13T17:36:00.001-04:00

Welcome to my latest followers Merri & Steve from Jammin' Along and Lady Dyna Ryder at DnD 2015. I love it when I meet new people! Go visit them and tell them I sent you!
We went over and visited the Museum and Bell Tower while my daughter and the boys were here. It is such a wonderful memorial to Stephen Foster's Music. It is located right here at the Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park where we are camping. Click here to visit my campground review on this park.

Located only a short distance from the boundary separating Florida and Georgia, Stephen Foster State Folk Culture Center fulfills two purposes. Appropriately situated on the Suwannee River, the 247-acre center honors the memory of Foster, whose song "Old Folks at Home," memorialized the picturesque stream. It also serves as a gathering place for those who perpetuate the crafts, music and legends of early and contemporary Floridians. Foster apparently never saw the Suwannee River, but he made it famous nevertheless.

The 1935 Florida Legislature designated "Old Folks At Home" also known as "Suwannee River" the official state song. Foster wrote more than 200 songs, including "Oh! Susanna," "Camptown Races," "Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair," "My Old Kentucky Home," "Beautiful Dreamer," and many others familiar today.

The first piano is a Paul Von Jinko Cir:1882 and the second was used in 1850 when Jenny Lind sang.

There are many Dioramas which depict scenes described in some of Stephen Foster's most famous songs are housed in the Stephen Foster Museum and Carillon Tower along with rare pianos and priceless musical instruments.

CARILLON TOWER
The Carillon Tower is also home to the world's largest tubular bell instrument constructed and installed by the J.C. Deagan Company in 1957. The carillon at White Springs, is the largest and the last system to be installed by Deagan, consists of three full sets of 32 bells with a scale range of C to G, chromatic, plus a fourth high G bell. Three bells sound in perfect unison for each note to produce a strong, resonant tone response. Regular programs of many of Stephen Foster's compositions, which number more than 200, are played by specially trained carillonneurs and at other times from the automatic electric player installed with the carillon. The Bell tower chimes on each hour (between 8am & 6pm)and plays a Stephen Foster Song everyday. It is really beautiful to listen to.

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

♥ A Day with Aunt Mary & Uncle Tuck♥

2011-07-13T09:10:00.003-04:00

Mary is my cousin but we have always been as close as sisters... We both only have brothers so we became very close as kids and continued up through adulthood... My kids consider her their Aunt and her daughter considers me her Aunt... That being said we went over Sunday to spend the day with her & Uncle Tuck (Mary's husband)... her daughter Christal along with her family, My daughter Denise, and the twins. They live out in the Osceola National Forrest near Lake City and it is definately Country Living at its best!

The boys had so much fun ... First they got to feed the fishes in the pond, then they went & checked out the grapes on Uncle Tucks grapevines (he makes a yummy wine with them), Then they went to the chicken coop to gather eggs. Aunt Mary gave them the eggs so we could have them for breakfast the next morning and we did ~

Aunt Mary cooked us the best dinner ~ Tempura Shrimp, Buffalo Chicken Balls, Chicken Nuggets for the boys along with mac & cheese, Potato salad, Cole slaw & Macaroni salad... For dessert we had Angel food cake with fresh strawberries and whip cream...

It was outstanding to say the least!

It was a GREAT day and we all had a GREAT time!

Thanks Aunt Mary & Uncle Tuck ♥

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

☁ ☂ A Cloudy Day ☂ ☁

2011-07-08T16:31:00.001-04:00

We have been here a week today and had to go to the dump to clean out the Black (sewer) & Gray (shower water) tanks. Even though they are big tanks and they weren't filled, we don't like letting them getting to high. The day started out really overcast and we thought we'd get rain at any time.... so we kept putting off dumping of the tanks. But we soon we realized the rain was kinda stalling and we decided it was now or never. Since my daughter will be here tomorrow with her two boys we knew we couldn't put it off any longer. It doesn't matter if you're going .5 miles or 500 miles the routine is the same. Put everything that could fall off or roll around away, Clean off all counters and secure the cabinets, put down the antenna, bring in the rooms, and take up the jacks... Unhook the water & electric.

Drive over to the dump, drain the tanks, rinse them out, drive back to the site and set up the coach. Same as preparing it to leave but in reverse. So that's our excitement for the day. We are still very cloudy & dreary but no rain... Guess it's a great afternoon for reading and watching old movies. For my honey it would be Gunsmoke reruns!!!

We had tacos for dinner and pretty much still waiting for rain...

Where did it go???
So there you go... a day in the lives of Rvers'
Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

•☆.•´¨`••♥ Date Night ♥••´¨`•.☆•

2011-07-07T09:53:00.001-04:00

Yesterday my honey & I went to dinner, the movies and stopped for dessert...

We started our evening going to one of my favorite restaurants in Lake City Florida, Gondolier Italian Restaurant on Highway 90. Our dinner started with a toss salad with an Italian vinaigrette ~ Then I had Fried Chicken Carbonara which was a super rich, classic 'bacon and egg' spaghetti dish with peas. Ralph had the Tour of Italy which had Mancotti, Veal Parmesan, Lasagna and Spaghetti with meat sauce. Both of these dishes were really yummy! We could only eat about half of our meal so we pack the leftovers up into doggie boxes and took it home to have for another meal. We didn't want to feel to full since we were going to the movies too

I am a huge fan of the Marvel Comic Book Super Hero's so my choice for the movie of the night was the Green Lantern starring Ryan Reynolds (again YUM). All I can sat is that I loved the movie and they definitely left it open for a sequel but you must stay through the credits to see how I know this. So many movies now give you added scenes after or during the end credits and it is amazing how many people leave and miss them. The funny thing that happened while we were in the movies is a HUGE thunder storm came and it poured so hard you could hear it on the roof of the theater. But the isn't what was funny or should I say weird. The roof leaked and you could hear it pouring into the theater during the show. I am sure glad I wasn't sitting where it was coming in.

After we left the theater Ralph swung in to McDonalds and h e got a vanilla cone and I had the Rolo McFlurry... YUM!!!

So that was our evening and it was really a great one!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

☜♥☞ I Survived the 4th ☜♥☞

2011-07-06T09:53:00.015-04:00

We had a Wonderful 4th of July and even a GREAT 5th!!!

Our 4th of July started out with a great BBQ at my cousin Mary's house. We had the typical 4th of July BBQ... Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Potato Salad, and Baked Beans... with a Brownie Sundae at the end of it... YUMMO!!!

Then after our BBQ we headed off for the Lake City 4th of July Street party and fireworks... We had such a great time and really enjoyed the whole day. They had entertainment, food booths, vendors selling their 4th of july goodies and free watermelon. This is before the crowds got here~

I stayed overnight at Mary's and the next day Mary, her daughter Christal, and I headed out for a day of retail therapy... We went to Hobby Lobby, Kohls, Paddock mall in Ocala and Dunken Donuts for their yummy coffee. Great day for all of us and we each came home with bags of goodies we found.

I hope you all had a safe & fantastic holiday

★•.•´¯`•.•★ HAPPY 4th of JULY ★•.•´¯`•.•★

2011-07-04T08:24:00.000-04:00

May your day be full of fun, family and good food....

Enjoy the fireworks!!!

Stephen Foster & 4th of July

2011-07-03T09:37:00.001-04:00

We spent 3 days at Lee's Country Campground and really enjoyed it there. The owners are a very nice couple and really keep this park clean and relaxing. But now we have returned to Stephen Foster Folk Cutural Center State Park which we just adore. The sad thing is that it has been so dry up in this part of Florida that the Swannee River is very low and I don't think you could even boat in it. We have had some rain but no where near enough! It is ashamed that so many areas around our country either have too much water while others do not have enough. I was concerned that all the birds that were coming to my feeders would not come back but as soon as we put it up they were back. Also finally one little lone hummingbird has shown up. This morning when I got up there were several birds and a couple of rabbits outside. I just love nature and wildlife!

On the first Saturday of each month here at Stephen Foster there is a night when people come from all around to share their wonderful talents at the Nellie Bly Kitchen. You have everything from Barbershop Quartets to Old fashion story tellers. It is really an enjoyable evening with a lot of very talented local people. It is something you shouldn't miss if given the opportunity. Sorry I forgot my camera so no pictures.

I wish you all a very safe & fun 4th of July weekend. Keep safe as you celebrate our country's independence... and enjoy your families ♥

♥ Happy Canada Day ♥

2011-07-01T09:55:00.002-04:00

To all my Canadian friends I wish you

a Safe & Happy Holiday

Just a Ways Down the Road!

2011-06-29T13:39:00.001-04:00

We have been at Stephen Foster Folk Cultural State Park in White Springs Forida for the last 2 weeks and had to leave for a few days before we could go back for another 2 weeks. So just 3 miles down the road on SR 136 is Lee's Country Campground (Click to go see my review of the park). We decided to stay here as it looked like a very nice & clean RV Park. While here we'll do some heavy duty cleaning and since they have sewer we'll get all of our wash done. That is one of the cons of staying in beautiful state parks and Corps of Engineering parks. The majority of them have no sewer

Tomorrow my honey is taking me to see the movie "Green Lantern" and out to a nice Italian Restaurant in Lake City. I am looking foward to that very much!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

~Bloomin Onions Anyone??? ~

2011-06-26T09:57:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I went to Mary's to spend the day with her and Christal... We sat around just chatting for the longest time when Mary said "HEY! How about we make some Bloomin' Onions?" We I have had Blooming Onions from Outback Steakhouse and loved them so I right away jumped up & down saying yes, yes, YES!!! So off to the kitchen we headed to make Bloomin' Onions!!!

First thing you do is to buy a couple of very LARGE Vidalia or Sweet Onions and this GREAT mix that is over on the right in the picture ................ ☞

First you peel the onions and then leaving the root on cut them into 12 equal sections

soak them in ice water for at least 30 minutes or longer and then dust with dry mix

After that you dip them in the batter making sure all your petals are covered

Dust them in batter once again and then deep fry them for 5 minutes

and Walla!!! One delicious Bloomin' Onion

Thank you so much Mary for making these delicious Bloomin' Onions BUT I think I'll continue to buy them at Outback or Chilis' ~~~ That's a lot of WORK!!!

And as you all know I am retired and allergic to work!!!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

~Hey RVers Come Visit my Other BLOG~

2011-06-24T08:07:00.000-04:00

I went to Laurie & Odel's campground review blog the other day and was so impressed with it that I emailed her and asked if I could copy her format and start one of my own.... To go visit their campground review blog click here. What a wonderful way to share information on RV Parks & Campgrounds around the nation!

It is just under construction now and I only have a couple of locations entered but I intend to add as many of the ones that we have visited over the past 7 years of fulltiming as I can. I hope that you will become a follower and add my blog to your favorites. Please let me know what you think about it! Thanks for coming by!

Click here to go visit my new blog Tassie's Campground Reviews

I will still be maintaining both of my blogs .... Adventures with Tassie to tell you what we see & do and Tassie's Campground Reviews for what we think about the RV parks we stay in around the country!

Have Fun & Travel Safe

Donna

A tour of Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

2011-06-20T09:02:00.002-04:00

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

Situated on the banks of the legendary Swanee River, this center honors the memory of American composer Stephen Foster, who wrote "Old Folks at Home," the song that made the river famous. The museum features exhibits about Foster's most famous songs and his music can be heard emanating from the park's 97-bell carillon throughout the day. In Craft Square, visitors can watch demonstrations of quilting, blacksmithing, stain glass making, and other crafts, or visit the gift shop. Hiking, bicycling, canoeing, and wildlife viewing are popular activities here. Miles of trails wind through some of the most scenic areas of North Florida.

Here is a little video about the park that I found on the internet.

It will let you know more about the park.

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

๑۩۞۩๑ Happy Father's Day!! ๑۩۞۩๑

2011-06-19T07:51:00.002-04:00

However you spend it, here's hoping your day Is one that will bring lots of pleasure your way --- And then, when it's over, here's wishing you, too, Enough of life's good things to last all year through! Happy Father's Day and Happiness Always

Have a Super Day all you Dad's

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

2011-06-15T13:30:00.001-04:00

Tassie all set up in our campsite

We have made it to White Springs, Florida where we are staying at the Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park Campground for 2 weeks, then out for a week and back for 2 more weeks. It is one our favorite state parks in Florida and this will be the longest we have ever stayed here. The campground has about 45 sites with electric & water... Almost all of them can accomodate large rigs but due to the trees it is very hard to get TV in a lot of them without a portable dish. Both AT&T and Verizon phone service works well in the park and our Verizon Air Card is working great!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

★•.•´¯`•.•★ Busy Week ! ★•.•´¯`•.•★

2011-06-11T08:15:00.001-04:00

We headed down I-75 about 230 miles from Lake City down to my daughter's house and stayed with her for 4 nights... We had 2 graduations, a birthday and while there we thought we'd hit a few Doctors and do some errands. So it made our visit very fast moving...

We arrived Saturday on my daughters birthday. We went to lunch down in Historic Dunedin at the Broadway Cafe'. I had a yummy Reuben which was really good but did not compare to Carnegie's in NYC! LOL We then went to Jarred's where my daughter bought me a beautiful charm for the Pandora bracelet she got me for Christmas. I bought her a Pandora for her birthday so now we'll be able to have fun buying charms for each other on special occasions.

Inside Broadway Cafe & my dinner at Olive Garden (so yummy)

Sunday we attended a BIG Graduation party for my nephew Ryan who graduated on Saturday from High School. My sister-in-law outdid herself with a great meal of Pull Pork sandwiches, Cowboy Beans, Coleslaw and a lot of yummy appetizers... then a Congratulations cake!

Monday we took the twin grandsons to daycare and then our daughter & us went to IHOP for breakfast... had my favorite MultiGrain Pecan Pancakes. After that I went and had my eye exam so I could get some contacts. They changed a little but not to much and he said my itchy eyes were from allergies in the air. We went back to her house where I did some laundry and then it was time to pick up the kids... That evening we played WII.

Tuesday we had a really busy day... Took Tiffy to the groomers and after 4 weeks out in the woods she needed it badly. I have been having a lot of pain in both my knees so I called my Ortho doctor and begged him to see me. He took xrays and told me my left knee was really bad and the right one is beginning to go too. So he gave me Cortisone shots in both knees and is scheduling a knee replacement in the left knee in mid-October. They are feeling much better since the shots... Then we were off to pick up a new C-Pap machine for my honey and to the drugstore for prescriptions... Whew!!! We went home and picked up my daughter and took her to our favorite Mexican place for lunch!

Wednesday was the twins graduation and what a nice party the school threw for them after they graduated. With a pizza party & ice cream after... They sang songs and showed us all their art!
After that we all went to Sonny's Real Pit BBQ for lunch... GREAT day!

Wyatt & Dominick (our 5 year old twin Grandsons)

Memaw, Poppy & the boys and the boys with their diplomas

That afternoon we drove the 230 miles back to Lake City where all was well with Tassie our motorhome. They did tell us that Monday they had a really big storm and a small tornado went down 90 a short ways which took some trees down. Thank goodness no damage at our place!

Yesterday I went to my cousins house and we made body lotion and soap in the same scent we did the lotion. I had a lot of fun doing that with her and her daughter Christal.

WHEW!!!

So now we are chillin and resting up after 5 full days of activities... We need it!!!

Have Fun, Travel Safe & Stay Healthy!!!

Our Adventures with Tassie

'Twas the month after Christmas

A Special New Year Message for You

A GREAT Christmas For All

Merry Christmas

Christmas Cookies ~ YUM!!!

Christmas Lights and Other Happenings...

Here Come the Holidays

Just Hanging Around

Thanksgiving Memories

Happy Thanksgiving

Making Cookies and Memories...

Thankgsgiving Day Play

Still Recovering and Making Plans

Where has the time gone?

Today is the day ~ it's finally here

The BIG day approaches ~ biting nails

Happy Thanksgiving and other stuffing

Back at Our Home Park

One Short Stop and Then Back Home

Got Clams!!!

A Visit to a Great State Park

Historic Bainbridge, Georgia ~ Part II

A day visiting Historic Bainbridge, Florida ~ part 1

I Have Discovered Waymarking & it is FUN!

The town that loves Coca~Cola ~ Quincy Florida

Never Forget ~ September 11th, 2001

Historic Florida State Hospital ~ Chattahoochee, Florida

Jim Woodruff Dam ~ Chattahoochee, Florida

Off to Eastbank COE Park in Georgia

Magnolia Cemetery ~ DeFuniak Springs, Florida

A Day Trip to Historic DeFuniak Springs, Florida

On Our Way to Grayton Beach State Park, Florida

We arrived at Dauphine Island, Al. by Ferry ~ Part II

Ferry Ride Across Mobile Bay in Alabama

Angels in Flight

♖ Yet Another Historic Fort ♖

㊅ From One Beach to Another ㊅

♧ A wee bit of Irish in your day ♧

๑۩๑ Fort Pickens ๑۩๑

-~*’¨¯¨’*•~㊅ Fun at the Beach ㊅~*’¨¯¨’*•~-

✈Pensacola Naval Aviation Museum ✈

㊅ Fort Pickens Wow Weeeee Wow ㊅

♒Ride to Gulf Islands National Seashore ♒

۩ St. George Lighthouse ~ Florida ۩

۞ The World’s Smallest Police Station ۞

㊅ What's on Cape San Blas???? ㊅

㊅ A Day Visiting Apalachicola, Florida ㊅

雪 From White Springs to St. George Island 雪

●☆● A Day of FUN! ●☆●

★Stephen Foster Cultural Museum ★

♥ A Day with Aunt Mary & Uncle Tuck♥

☁ ☂ A Cloudy Day ☂ ☁

•☆.•*´¨`*••♥ Date Night ♥••*´¨`*•.☆•

☜♥☞ I Survived the 4th ☜♥☞

★•.•´¯`•.•★ HAPPY 4th of JULY ★•.•´¯`•.•★

Stephen Foster & 4th of July

♥ Happy Canada Day ♥

Just a Ways Down the Road!

~~~Bloomin Onions Anyone??? ~~~

~~~Hey RVers Come Visit my Other BLOG~~~

A tour of Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

๑۩۞۩๑ Happy Father's Day!! ๑۩۞۩๑

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park

★•.•´¯`•.•★ Busy Week ! ★•.•´¯`•.•★

-~’¨¯¨’•~㊅ Fun at the Beach ㊅~’¨¯¨’•~-

•☆.•´¨`••♥ Date Night ♥••´¨`•.☆•

~Bloomin Onions Anyone??? ~

~Hey RVers Come Visit my Other BLOG~