As many of you know, we are FULL TIME RV'ers since Thanksgiving 2007. This blog will keep you up to date as to where we are and what we
are doing!
 15 DEC 09 - 6 Jan 10
Headed home for Christmas and the grandbabies 3rd birthdays
 25 NOV 09 - 15 DEC 09
Stayed at the RV Park at the Naval Station in Mayport FL. We've been here once before. This is the one with a social program each
day and is right on the water where you can watch the ships go in and out. Had our Thanksgiving dinner at the Naval Mess Hall. They had all the traditional foods but I ended up having prime rib and
Brad had ham. We walked the beach and collected shells on the warm, sunny days.
 20 NOV 09 - 25 NOV 09
Stayed at the RV Park at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville FL, one of our old stand-bys. Did a TON of Christmas shopping while
there.
8 NOV 09 - 20 NOV 09
Headed home for Veteran's Day where Brad is to be honored at the festivities on the reservation. Spent the night at Smithville, NC
and then on to stay overnight with friends at Pocano Lake, PA. They're coming to the Vet's Day festivities with us.
 17 OCT 09 - 8 NOV 09
Stayed at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in GA. We were right on the water and it was a lovely view each day. The weather was
beautiful. There was an area nearby that had a recording we kept hearing in the distance, "Warning, you are in a RESTRICTED area!" Guess deer must have been triggering it.
We celebrated our 36th anniversary by going to nearby historic St Mary's to visit the shops, sat on a swing overlooking the water for awhile and then went
out to dinner. I even got flowers!
 10 OCT 09 - 17 OCT 09
Stayed at the RV Park at the Charleston Navy Weapons Station in SC.
 8 OCT 09 - 10 OCT 09
Left NC, headed to SC. Got to take our first ferry ride ever. How fun! It was a 30 min crossing. Staying at the Naval Recreation Area in Moncks Corner SC.
 29 SEP 09 - 8 OCT 09
Arrived at Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation area, at Kure Beach NC. We are across the street from the Atlantic Ocean
and the weather is forecast to be in the 70's and 80's till we move on. THIS IS GREAT!
 28 SEP 09 - 29 SEP 09
Changed direction a little to head toward the coast. Stayed overnight at a KOA in Wytheville VA.
 27 SEP 09 - 28 SEP 09
Stayed at a KOA in Canton OH, heading south to warmer weather.
 17 SEP 09 - 27 SEP 09
HOME! Pretty nice weather, but got pretty COLD and rainy the last couple of days.
16 SEP - 17 SEP 09
Headed to a commercial campground as a last stop before arriving home for a visit. It's in Woodland PA.
1 SEP 09 - 16 SEP 09
Stayed at the RV Park at Fort Meade MD, which is one of our favorite places to stay. The weather kind of
fluctuated between hot and "fallish". One of Brad's Vietnam buddies died last month so he flew to Salt Lake City UT to go to the wake
with 3 other of his buddies. I stayed at the trailer while he was gone.
26 AUG - 1 SEP 09
Stayed at the Navy Recreation Center in Solomon's MD, which is one of the largest MWR Recreation Parks in the military. It is on the Chesapeake Bay.
We had a tropical storm come through while we were there (Danny), but it wasn't very severe, thank goodness. Drove to the Naval Air Station one day and it was huge. After the storm
passed, the temperature dropped 20 degrees, going from the high 90's to a comfortable low 70's.
15 AUG 09 - 26 AUG 09
Stayed at Lunga Park RV park, at Quantico Marine Corps Base. It was so hot and humid that we didn't venture outside much, except to go places. They
had the nicest military museum we've seen on our travels, the National Marine Corps Museum. We divided up our vist there between two days, as they're so much to see. There were LOTS of
deer throughout the campground and it must have been "birthing season" as there were little fawns everywhere-so beautiful to see. They must be used to the traffic as they rarely flinched
as we slowly drove by, enjoying them.
 13 AUG 09 - 15 AUG 09
Traveled to a private campground called Fox Den Acres, at New Stanton PA where we met friends who were there for their 50th class reunion. Had a nice time
visiting with them. Brad got to play pool with his friend, like they always do. Ducks walk through the campground every day and they're fun to look at.
 12 AUG 09
Traveled to a Buckeye Lake OH KOA. Along the way we stopped at a Cracker Barrel for lunch. Just after we parked an old veteran and his daughter
plowed through the parking lot, hitting two vehicles. Don't really know quite what happened but I'm thinking he mistook the gas pedal for the brake. He narrowly missed
the restaurant and went up on the sidewalk. It's a wonder he didn't hit any people. There were 3 policemen at the Subway right next door and they witnessed what happened
so they ran over to help right away. Really shook a lot of people up, but thankfully no one was hurt. The roads in Indiana were so bad that one section of our wooden trim fell to the floor in our
living room area, so Brad's got some repair work to do.
10 AUG 09 - 11 AUG 09
Spent two nights at a Terra Haute IN KOA. Went to the Clabber Girl Museum, which was interesting.
07 AUG 09 - 09 AUG 09
Drove back to St Louis, stored our trailer for a few days and spent 3 nights at our friends house. Had a nice time with them.
06 AUG 09
Traveled and spent the night at a Springfield MO KOA.
 23 JUL 09 - 05 AUG 09
Stayed at Ft Chafee in Fort Harrison AR. This is an army base that has sold most of it's property to the National Guard and to the city of Fort Harrison. There is very
little left of the army base and what is left is really run down. There are condemned buildings everywhere and there are commercial businesses in some of the old
barracks. It was really quite hot while we were there. We hit the triple digits a couple of times. A man knocked on our trailer door one day and asked Brad if he would move his old fifth wheel a few miles down
the road to an empty lot where he could put it up for sale. Brad helped him out and he gave him $50 for his trouble. We visited the barber shop museum on post while we were there. Elvis Presley was inducted at
this base so a lot of the memorabilia was about him. They had even preserved the military barber shop where Elvis got his first military cut. We had an awful storm one night and the trailer shook pretty hard. It
came up so suddenly that we still had our awning up and Brad had a heck of a time removing all our lights and hanging things from it so he could retract it. When we drove around the area later we saw tree limbs
down everywhere and even street signs floating in the gushing water. We rode our bikes some of the evenings and the bugs weren't bad but even at 8:30 in the evening the temps were in the low 80's. We were able to
order a new microwave that would fit over our stove and it came FedEx while we were there. It's nice to have one again.
22 JUL 09
Drove to Joplin MO. Stopped on I-44 to buy some things from an Army Surplus shop that we stop at every time we go through the area.
20 JUL 09 - 21 JUL 09
Granite City IL. Visited friends in St Louis MO. They invited us for supper and we visited into the
evening.
19 JUL 09
Drove to Kankakee IL to stay at a KOA overnight. Brad almost dozed off while driving. Scared me to
death when I saw his chin hit his chest! I put on some loud music and watched him like a hawk till we got to our destination.
 16 JUL 09 - 18 JUL 09
Kalamazoo MI - Brad's Army Reunion
 15 JUL 09
Ft Custer State State Park MI
10 JUL 09 - 14 JUL 09
Toledo OH
6 JUL 09 - 9 JUL 09
Cleveland OH
2 JUL 09 - 5 JUL 09
Grove City PA. Saw some nice fireworks while we were there on the 4th.
My laptop died so I had to buy a new one. I got behind in my travel blog so I think I'll just list the places we've
been and go from there.
13 JUN 09
HOME for 3 weeks!
12 JUN 09
Stayed at a KOA in Mercer PA so we're only 1.5 hrs from home. BEAUTIFUL area full of lush green trees.
11 JUN 09
Stayed at a KOA in Austin WV. No cable, No TV stations but a beautiful area. Rained soon after we got there.
10 JUN 09
Left at 11 AM and drove to a KOA in Statesville NC. Brad discovered a bulge in one of the trailer tires, so
he and a fellow camper changed the tire by putting the spare on. We had a wicked thunderstorm in the evening.
9 JUN 09
Getting ready to leave tomorrow. We'll be heading home. Brad found that some wasps had made a home in one of
our outside vents so he worked on getting them to go ELSEWHERE!
 8 JUN 09
Went shopping at the commissary to restock our fridge.
7 JUN 09
Went to CVS and then out to eat at IHOP. As we came back on base I was asked for my ID and I made some crack about
"so they only ask on Sundays?" And the female MP was NOT amused! Of all the times we went off base and came back, that's the only time I was asked for my
ID. She made a terse comment about "some people must not be doing their jobs" and I decided that maybe I'd better keep my mouth shut with the MPs from now on!
Don't want to end up in the brig! Did 3 loads of laundry afterward and one of the campers kept me company. We had a nice
long visit together.
6 JUN 09
Bought a new TV at the exchange today. The one we had in our living room was analog so we had to upgrade
to a digital. We got a flat screen and it's MUCH lighter than the other one. We'll drop the other one off at our son's when we
get home.
5 JUN 09
Brad has measured the road I take for my bike ride and we figure I'm biking 6-7 miles every day.
4 JUN 09
They have little clumps of cactus all throughout the woods here, with the most beautiful yellow blooms.
The blooms just last for a day, though and then POOF, they're gone. I missed my last two bike rides due to rain.
3 JUN 09
Cooler today. Brad went to the golf course to practice his putting with a bucket of balls. HAD to have a burger, so we looked for
a drive-in that was supposed to have good burgers. Out of business. Then we used our GPS to go to Sonic. Out of business. Settled on Ruby Tuesdays and it
was WORTH it!
2 JUN 09
Brad went on some errands and for a haircut at the base barber shop. I decorated the outside of our trailer around the awning and came in dripping wet.
I swear, I don't even know why I bother to shower. Just 15 min out in the sun just drenches you with sweat!
 1 JUN 09
Missed my 8pm bike ride because of a severe thunderstorm. It was kinda scarey because this is the beginning of hurricane season, but we
listened to our weather radio till the storm safely passed.
 31 MAY 09
Heard music coming from the park so I went to check it out. They were having church in the park, so I put my chair
outside of our trailer and listened. Afterward Brad and I went to town and did a little shopping and then to IHOP for lunch.
30 MAY 09
After my morning bike ride, Brad and I went to town and went out to eat and then some shopping. When I woke up I thought it was SUNDAY! You lose
track of time with this lifestyle!
29 MAY 09
No rain at all today. Just rode my bike every two hours and worked on my genealogy.
28 MAY 09
Brad went out to do some errands on his own this morning and I continue to do my bike riding. I really like the path. It goes
throughout the sports complex (ball fields, parks, etc) and around the perimeter is a pine forest with all the great smells that go along with that.
There are birds and squirrels to watch and wildflowers and flowering cactus and it's
pretty much been empty as I've ridden around.
27 MAY 09
Went to the base library in the morning and had quite the excitement! A poor 18 year old girl fainted and they had her continue
to lie on the floor when she came to, as they had called the base paramedics. When the paramedics arrived she had a seizure and she told them she had
never had one before. After she had been transported, we checked out our books and DVDs. Seems the head librarian made an exception to allow us to have
library cards as it usually isn't allowed for transients unless they're here on a 30 day or longer TDY. After the library we went to the Exchange and the
commissary. They have a really nice jogging/biking path that meanders all through the sports complex which is adjacent to the RV park, so I plan to
do my every 2 hr 15 minute bike ride. Made friends with the neighbors and talked with them for about 45 minutes.
26 MAY 09
Hugged our friends Lew and Amy goodbye and traveled to Shaw Air Force Base in SC. It's nice to see the
sun shining!
 25 MAY 09
A bird had built a nest in our hitch mechanism on the trailer so Brad had to take it all apart. Poor Birdie! Just trying to
make a nest away from all the RAIN that's been going on! Did 5 loads of laundry today in preparation of leaving tomorrow. This is the last free laundry
we'll be seeing till we get home! It was actually nice and sunny today. I layed our rugs out in the sun to dry after washing them.
24 MAY 09
Rain again today and the lizards are taking shelter wherever they can find it. We went out to dinner with Lew and Amy to Panera
Bread. We LOVE that place. Saw a snake in the culvert when we left the gas station today. First one we've seen in Florida but I know that they ABOUND here.
23 MAY 09
Rain again today. The RV park is almost like one big lake! Haven't done much exercise here, as a result.
22 MAY 09
Just sprinkling off and on today but very dark and cloudy. I got all my meds refilled on base. When we got back to the trailer
Brad didn't notice that he stepped in an area of fire ants and they had swarmed his ankles before he knew it! OUCH! He's peppered with little swollen
bites.
21 MAY 09
Still raining. Some areas have received up to 18" of it. Lots of flooding everywhere. I've mostly just been on my computer but
we did go to lunch at Olive Garden. Used gift cards my daughter had sent me for Mother's Day.
20 MAY 09
Rain still coming down in buckets all day long. It's enough to drive you crazy! Went for a ride to Target to shop in the
afternoon, just to get out and then over to our friend's trailer in the evening to visit. Amy makes jewelry and she sat there and made me two pair of
earrings while we visited. VERY PRETTY!
19 MAY 09
I got up and did five loads of laundry in the morning and then my friend Amy and I went clothes shopping for her. STILL
raining! Brad took me to the commissary and got one of my meds refilled and I went back to the trailer, turned the HEATER on and sat on the heating pad!
This cold damp weather plays havoc with my back! And here it's 67 and SUNNY at home!
18 MAY 09
Left Patrick AFB about 10:30, headed for Jacksonville Naval Air Station. We had quite a few complications. FIRST, we took a wrong
turn on the base and had a HECK of a time backing out of a tight spot to turn around. Next, we stopped for gas along the way and the place was CRAZY busy
and big diesel trucks were coming in at all angles. I was SO hungry that we decided to eat at Arby's there and Brad had to back up into a narrow truck
slot and THAT seemed to take forever. THEN, we ran into a BLINDING rainstorm--quite possibly the worst I've EVER seen. People were pulled over to the side
of the freeway everywhere you looked and we saw FIVE accidents, one right after another. God kept us safe, though and we arrived safe and sound at the
airbase about 3pm. We met friends there-we're staying right next to them, so the guys got the trailer all situated while we girls chatted. Later on the
four of us went out to dinner together.
17 MAY 09
Still riding my bike every 2 hrs. I am going to MISS this place! Brad has started dismantling everything for our take-off tomorrow.
16 MAY 09
When I was riding around the airfield today, these big airguns started going off and it kind of alarmed me. Asked someone about it
later and they said it's to keep birds from the runway.
15 MAY 09
Today I got to see a C130 dropping paratroopers out of the sky into the water. Practicing landing in water, maybe?
14 MAY 09
Went to the base library and got some genealogy books. Got to see 2 big old C15 take off today from the airfield on my bike
ride. The vibration from those engines was awesome and they
hardly needed any run down the runway before it lifted off at an angle. EXCITING! Then I also 2 of them LAND. We have new neighbors today.
13 MAY 09
The RV park sure has thinned out. So many have left. I guess they are going to slightly cooler climes. During my bike ride
around the airfield, a helicopter took off and flew right over my head. Brad went to the hardware store to look for things to start a new project he's
working on.
12 MAY 09
The RV park really filled up yesterday due to the shuttle launch and the manager told us there would be
a mass exodus once it was
over and sure enough
RVs poured out of the park today. Went to the beach in the afternoon to walk and get more shells.
 11 MAY 09
We were excited to be able to view the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis STS--125 as it lifted off from launch pad 39-A at the
Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. We viewed it from the Blockhouse Officer's Club which had a patio on the beach. It was AWESOME! We had never seen
a spaceshuttle launch before. I viewed it with my binoculars and Brad took pictures. There was a bright trail of fire as it blazed upward and it could
be seen for quite a distance. We heard the separation of the solid rocket boosters about two minutes into the launch, but we weren't able to see it as the
shuttle was in the clouds at that time.
Atlantis is on an 11 day mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. There were seven astronauts on board. It rained a little in the evening. This
area really needs rain.
10 MAY 09
Went to town in the morning to pick up a few things we needed. Saw a plane take off from the airfield as I biked alongside it this
afternoon.
 9 MAY 09
Brad and I walked the beach at the campground in the evening. It's the beach along the banana river and it's not really much of a
beach, per se. It's only a thin strip of sand, barely wide enough to walk on, but the water was nice and shallow and WARM and it was pretty clear too.
 8 MAY 09
Busy day. Did 5 loads of laundry then went to the beach which is right across the street from the main gate at the Air Force Base.
They had LOTS of nice shells so Brad and I beachcombed for about 1.5 hrs and then I remembered that I only had sunscreen on my face! Not to worry though,
only the back of my neck was burned and around my shoulders and not too bad at that. Guess I've built up quite a base tan! Went to the library afterward
and got a couple more DVDs and about 15 VCR tapes from the free exchange.
7 MAY 09
Was awakened this morning by the sound of a group of airmen doing their PT through the campground. Our microwave has gone out,
which is a real pain. It didn't work when we bought the unit, we had it repaired and now it's already dead. Of course, the warranty has expired now.
6 MAY 09
I rode my bike around the perimeter of the airfield several times, hoping to see some action, but no planes or helicopters were in sight.
 5 MAY 09
Went to the library on base and got library cards and checked out some DVDs to watch. They even have a free book exchange area, so I
picked up a couple of books. The librarian was friendly and gave us lots
of info about the area. Next we went to he exchange and commissary and then I did my two hourly walks throughout the day. Went to dinner with our new
friends, Mack and Sylvia and we talked into the evening about anything and everything. Checked out the catfish that were in the water next to the outdoor
eating area and there were TONS of them! We were told that they liked coleslaw, so Brad threw three small bowls to them in succession and you would have thought
they were piranhas, with all the action!
4 MAY 09
The only thing we dislike about the Tampa area is that you have to watch which streets you go down with an RV because of the amount
of trees with low lying branches. We held our breath until we finally got onto the expressway. We arrived at Patrick AFB near Cocoa Beach about 1:45 pm.
We're right next to the airfield which has lots of activity; planes and helicopters and we're about 75 feet from the firing range. We're right on the
Banana River and not too far from the Atlantic occean on the other side of the base. Found the friends we
had made at MacDill AFB and it turns out we're right across from them. It was so hot when we arrived that I got kind of sick from the
heat and had to sit inside in the A/C for awhile to recuperate. Did 3 loads of laundry in the evening, when it was cooler.
3 MAY 09
It was nice and windy today so I flew the kite after our walk on the beach and it really soared! Met a new
couple on our way back from our walk. We talked with them for quite a while and it turns out we're BOTH leaving for Patrick AFB in the Cocoa Beach area tomorrow. We
promised to look each other up while there. I'm going to miss this place. I've made up my mind to start exercising more so I've been walking or biking
for 15 min to a half hour EVERY TWO HOURS. I've been doing it for several days now and I'm not dead yet but at times I've felt like I was GOING to die!
Saw an armadillo on our evening bike ride.
2 MAY 09
Brad ate at our neighbor's BBQ today. He invited both of us but I preferred to stay at the trailer on my computer.
1 MAY 09
Went to the commissary today and WHAT was I thinking? It was MOBBED being the 1st! Saw a bunch of tiny crabs today - only
about an inch long. They were in a stretch of shallow water at the side of the jogging path. There were ZILLIONS of them. Guess it was mating time
for THEM. Amazing to see the cycles of different creatures. Brad and I took a walk on the beach in the evening. Walking up the beach was fine but coming back
we were attacked by sand fleas that swarmed over us. It felt like we were in the movie THE AFRICAN QUEEN! We noticed that everyone that WAS there at the
beach seemed to be gone as we came back, so they must have noticed it before we did and left for that very reason. GREAT! The sand fleas had only US
to devour!
30 APR 09
Lazy day today. Spent a lot of time on my computer doing my new genealogy project.
29 APR 09
The horseshoe crabs are about gone now. Only a very few left on an isolated corner of the bay. Brad
continued his fun with the metal detector and in the course of two days he found $1.15 in change. Not a real lucrative hobby!
28 APR 09
Attempted to fly a kite on the beach in the afternoon but it wasn't windy enough to keep it aloft for long. Brad dug out his
metal detector and I joined him for a while, searching for treasure on the beach. It is still in the high 80's every day and after awhile I began to feel
weak and dizzy, so back to the A/C in the trailer I went!
27 APR 09
Checked out the horseshoe crabs again. They are larger in number. Took several walks and made a quick trip to the commissary.
26 APR 09
The horseshoe crabs are back! I've been walking the beach every day and this is the first I've seen
of them. This is the way they
started here last year,
a few appearing, then more and more each day and then POOF, they're gone to wherever it is that they go after mating and laying their eggs.
25 APR 09
Lost power at the campground for about half an hour today. The trailer heats up pretty quickly with no
air conditioning! This
is the first time this has happened to us, but thankfully it came back on and we cooled off again.
24 APR 09
Did 5 loads of laundry today. Got a kick out of two other couples in the
laundry room who were bickering back and forth. Must be
the heat, or is it the AGE we are now?
23 APR 09
I have a new passion! I've signed up at Ancestry.com and I'm having a BALL researching my family's
geneaology!
 22 APR 09
Really hot today - high 80's, but I'M not complaining! Watched some of our VCR tapes, got our mail from home and then we walked
along the beach. Brad got the bikes ready and he went bike riding later on this evening. The "skeeters" were out in full force, so I stayed at the
trailer!
21 APR 09
The thrift shop on base has closed. We were disappointed as it was the best one we had come across. BUT we went to the base
library and both of us got cards. They have a very generous checkout policy and a HUGE selection of DVDs and VCR tapes. Even a free book area. We'll
be returning there every few days for the two weeks we'll be there. We went to the commissary for a few things and then I took a walk on the beach.
PERFECT weather - SUNNY, WARM and LOW HUMIDITY.
20 APR 09
Arrived at MacDill AFB RV park around 12:45 pm. We love this place. We got a campsite right on the bay.
It's nice and toasty here! Hit the clubhouse for the magazine/book exchange area. Brad got his long overdue military haircut and we went to the BX and
did some shopping.
5 APR 09 to 19 APR 09
Left Monticello FL at 10:30am with overcast skies overhead. Cold front is coming in. Just our luck! Traveling to our destination, Odessa FL,
where we'll be for the next two weeks with Derrick and his family. Had a great time with the kids. Went to the beach, went out to eat, went shopping, swimming
in the pool, golf cart rides.
I was sick on Easter and for a few days after. Chills, headache, vomiting, diarrhea. NO FUN.
4 APR 09
Left Milton FL at 10:30am. Weather is absolutely beautiful. Stopped at a rest stop and made lunch for the both of us.
Arrived at KOA campground in Monticello FL in the early afternoon. Birds chirping everywhere.
3 APR 09
Left MS at 11:30am, drove through AL, stopped at a Walmart to stock the refrigerator and then on to FL.
Stayed at a KOA in Milton FL.
The weather is PERFECT--high 70's, sunny and blue skies. I was MADE for this kind of weather.
2 APR 09
Drove from AR, down into LA and picked up our trailer at the storage area at Barksdale AFB and drove to a KOA
at Meridian MS. The peepers were croaking in full throng. Long day but the next three days will
be shorter drives as we near our destination in FL for Easter vacation. Had a nice time during our visit home but it's nice to get back to sun and warmth.
12 MAR 09
Still really cold today and rainy. Stored our trailer here at Barksdale AFB in LA and then headed HOME for a visit.
Will stop in Memphis, Ft Campbell, Ft Knox, Wright-Patterson AFB in Ohio, Akron and then HOME for a two week visit. Will pick up our trailer here on April
2nd.
11 MAR 09
BIG change in the weather today. Yesterday was near 80 but a cold front came in during the early morning hours and now it's in
the 40's! Went off base and had breakfast at the IHOP and then went to a nearby mall to walk. Got the trailer ready for departure tomorrow and packed
our things for a visit home. Did two more loads of laundry late at night.
10 MAR 09
Arrived at Barksdale AFB in LA around noon. They had several spaces available. We went to the exchange and then back to the
trailer to rest. NICE WARM WEATHER! Did two loads of laundry in the evening.
9 MAR 09
They're expecting bad weather in the area. We got a late start because we slept in later than usual. Left about 11am for
Texarkana TX. Drove through Indian Territory and paid through the nose on their turnpike. We almost ran out of diesel before we finally found a station
in Antlers OK. WHEW! Diesel is cheaper than gas - only paid $1.89 a gallon. It's been a LONG time since we've seen diesel cheaper than gas!
Spent the night in a KOA at Texarkana TX. Nice and warm here.
8 MAR 09
Woke up to a large earthquake this morning. It only lasted for a few seconds but it was a big one. Mama Guffey made us
breakfast and then Brad, Jesse and I went for a walk. Later we went out for a Sunday drive around the lake and watched some remote control planes flying
around. Gayle made us a homemade country dinner and then more of the family came to the house to meet us. After that, we gathered up our things and
drove back to a trailer to get a good night's sleep for departure tomorrow.
7 MAR 09
Mama Guffey and her daughter, Gayle made us a big breakfast. Then Gayle took me to get a pedicure. She secretly paid for it and when I was done the owner told me that
pedicures were FREE for New Yorkers! We went to a family birthday party and then Gayle and her husband Jesse took us all out for chinese for supper. Spent the night with Mama Guffey again.
 6 MAR 09
Left Amarillo TX at 10:45am headed for Tinker AFB in Oklahoma City OK. DELIGHTFULLY WARM weather in the 70's!
Parked our trailer at the RV park at Tinker and then drove to Mrs Guffey's house. Her son was KIA and served with Brad in Vietnam. "Mama Guffey" took us out
to eat at IHOP for supper. Spent the night at her house.
5 MAR 09
Left Albuquerque NM at 10:45am and arrived at a KOA in Amarillo TX in the late afternoon. It was so warm we had to use our air
conditioning in the trailer for a while. The wind was FERROCIOUS when we arrived but it died down in the late evening. Saw three jackrabbits at the
campground.
4 MAR 09
Left Gallup NM around 10am and arrived at Kirtland AFB RV Park in Albuquerque NM before 1pm. Fortunately a full hook up spot was available as they
don't take reservations. This is a nice large base. We took our trailer to the auto hobby shop on base and they replaced our shackle (the second we've
had to replace). We didn't even have to wait--they got us right in. Drove around the base and went to the commissary and exchange.
3 MAR 09
Left Seligman AZ around 10am. Saw snow along the side of the road for quite a ways around Flagstaff AZ, but the temps were in the
50's and the roads were dry. Stopped at a Safeway market along the way and I fixed burritoes for Brad and I. We arrived at the Gallup NM KOA around 3:45.
We're in Navajo territory.
 2 MAR 09
Left the Marine Corps Base around 11:30am. Brad wanted to get a haircut before we left and we walked over to the thrift shop
before that and got some VCR tapes and magazines. Stayed overnite at the KOA in Seligman AZ. No cable or TV reception so we watched VCR tapes till
bedtime. There were train tracks right
next to the KOA so we heard
trains come and go all night long!
1 MAR 09
Left my sister's today around 10am, headed for Barstow CA Marine Corps Logistics Base. It was the first
time we'd been warm in CA since we came! Temps were in the 70's. Got the last remaining full hook up site at the RV park. It was a quiet, peaceful place.
28 FEB 09
Mama made stew and cornbread and Karen and I both made desserts and we had a family supper at Paul &
Karen's as a farewell.
27 FEB 09
Did some laundry during the day and then Paul & Karen took us out to eat at Cattleman's for
supper.
26 FEB 09
Mama, Karen and I went to Reedley and poked around at the thrift shops and then we went to the care center
for lunch - Daddy's treat.
25 FEB 09
Had chinese food for lunch. Karen and I sang a duet at Wednesday night church at the care center.
24 FEB 09
Just vege'd out in the morning, then went to Mama's & Daddy's for a soup and pie fundraiser supper at
the carecenter and then to their house to practice for tomorrow night's duet. Then watched a movie together in the evening.
23 FEB 09
Karen & Paul, Brad & I drove to Crystal & Doug's house for the day. Watched Hayley at gymnastics practice
and then we all went
to dinner together.
22 FEB 09
We all went to Karen & Paul's church and then Daddy treated us to brunch at Country Waffles.
21 FEB 09
Karen took me to a strip mall and we shopped till we dropped. Karen & Paul took us out for mexican food for
supper.
20 FEB 09
SUN again today and it was warm enough that I could open the trailer up to get some fresh air circulating. Did some cleaning in the
trailer. Had a birthday dinner for Bryan in the evening. We'd already had his "party" last Saturday night so this was just a chance for us all to get
together for a spaghetti dinner cooked by Karen.
19 FEB 09
SUN again today! Paul had a medical procedure today, so my sister, Brad and I went along for moral support and
then out to
breakfast afterward. Then it was back for a nap and then out to dinner together in the evening at Claim Jumper. YUM!
18 FEB 09
FINALLY the sun is shining today! Supposed to have a FEW days of sun before another rainstorm coming on Sunday. Brad and Paul
worked on the trailer and I organized and cleaned inside. In the evening Brad
and I went to my parent's care center church and I sang a solo during the Wednesday night service.
17 FEB 09
Rain again today. Karen took me into Selma and we went shopping at several area gift shops. Then the four of us went out to
dinner together and to my parent's house for a visit.
16 FEB 09
Rain again today. Brad and I went to my parent's house. I cleaned the kitchen and prepared a pot roast supper for all of us and
then made roast beef hash for leftovers the next day and more for the freezer.
 15 FEB 09
Rain again today. Karen, Brad and I went to our parent's church and then out to dinner afterward, treated by our Daddy.
 14 FEB 09
Rain again today. VALENTINE's DAY and we had a party at my sister's house to celebrate Brad, Bryan and Doug's birthday. Lots of
yummy food and a great time visiting.
13 FEB 09
Karen had a medical test scheduled for today so I went with her. Then we went shopping together,
ate at the Cheesecake Factory and I had a haircut and pedicure at her salon. Then it was back to my sister's house and I did some laundry.
 12 FEB 09
Paul fixed our trailer heater that had stopped working and then Brad and I went to town to do some errands
and shopping. It's been
raining just about since we got here and rain is forecast for the next week as well.
11 FEB 09
Got our trailer issues fixed. My brother in law, Paul had suggested a trailer repair place that he knows
about and he was able to
pinpoint the problems and fix them in short order. Went to church at my Mama and Daddy's continuous care center in the evening.
 10 FEB 09
Left Seal Beach CA around 11am and arrived at my sister Karen's, in Selma CA in the late afernoon. My Mama
and Daddy took us all out to
eat at a mexican restaurant for supper.
9 FEB 09
Rain again today. We drove to Manhattan Beach to see yet another one of Brad's Vietnam buddies. His wife made us a nice lunch of
chili and salad and rolls. We brought Vietnam home movies to show him (of their time in Vietnam together). In the evening, Brad and I went to Coco's
restaurant to celebrate his 61st birthday.
8 FEB 09
Rain again today. Did two loads of laundry (free laundry at this RV park). Then Brad's
friend came to visit us again. We had a nice long chat with
him.
7 FEB 09
Rain today and it's supposed to stay that way till we leave on Tuesday. Drove to my brother's house in the
morning. We had a nice
visit with him, his wife and their son and then they took us out for barbeque at lunch. Another one of Brad's Vietnam friends came to visit us
at our trailer in the afternoon. He brought his 15 year old son with him.
6 FEB 09
We got our money back for our campsite that had been double-booked and after breakfast, we were on our way to Seal Beach CA. The traffic
on ther freeway was gridlocked most of the way even though it was only lunchtime and Brad and I are SURE GLAD we no longer live here! Arrived
at the Naval Weapons Station in Seal Beach CA in the early afternoon. Our battery was still dead and even shore power wouldn't power our trailer on so Brad had to attach
his jumper cables from the truck to the trailer battery to get everything going. It only held the charge for a short while. We're thinking the inverter has
gone bad. WHAT A BUNCH of stuff we've had to contend with lately! We're both just
exhausted but this RV park is REALLY nice. It's quite cool and rainy but we're hoping it will get warmer before we leave on Tuesday.
5 FEB 09
We paid for our full hook up site, but when 12:00 rolled around (check-out time), a trailer was still parked in our spot and there
was no one inside. We called the office and they said the man worked on base and they had called his unit to get him to come and move the trailer. We told
the worker that we were going to San Bernardino to visit my aunt and he PROMISED us the site would be vacant when we returned. Returned at 10:30 pm and I'll
be DARNED if a NEW camper was in our spot! We knocked on their door and it turns out THEY paid for the site too! So it was BACK to dry camp for the THIRD
night in a row! Our brand new battery had run down so we lost everything in our refrigerator.
4 FEB 09
We had been promised a full hook-up site, but the people in the office said we arrived to late (9:30 am) and they'd given the last
one away, so it was back to dry camp again. Our trailer battery died. We hadn't realized it was a wet cell battery that had to be kept full of water and
it went dry and got ruined. SO, we bought a new battery and made sure it was a NO MAINTENANCE one this time! We drove to Brad's sister's place in Hemet CA
and visited with her for the day.
 3 FEB 09
Brad's friend took us for a ride in his convertible and drove us all around town to see Country Clubs and multi million dollar homes
while we waited for the tire to come in. Once it did, we were on our way to Riverside CA. Arrived at March AFB in the evening and had to go to overflow
(dry camp) because they didn't have any campsites available.
2 FEB 09
Got the new tire ordered for our trailer and Brad's friend took us out for breakfast, lunch and dinner! It was so nice to sleep
in a nice comfy guest room and take a bath in Brad's friend's BEAUTIFUL house.
1 FEB 09
Left Benson AZ at 10am, headed to visit one of Brad's Vietnam buddies home in Palm Desert CA. Got almost to the CA border and some guy
drove by us honking and wildly waving his arms. Turns out we had a blowout and didn't even KNOW it! Click HERE to see what's
left of the tire! Brad was able to get it changed (over an hour of hard work!) and I stood guard and handed him tools, etc. We were both filty and had
sand in our teeth by the time we were done, standing out in the desert with the wind blowing! All we can say is that God is watching over us! This is the
THIRD tire that has gone on the trailer but the first time it's happened to us while we were ON THE ROAD. Arrived at Palm Desert in the evening and went
to a Super Bowl party at Brad's friend's neighbor's house.
31 JAN 09
Left Van Horn TX, headed to Arizona. It's been awhile since we've driven through the desert. Spent the night
in Benson AZ. It was in the high 60's when we arrived so I took a walk around the grounds before it got dark. Sun and warmth, AT LAST!
 30 JAN 09
We didn't disconnect the water last night and it froze. Bummer. So no shower in the morning and Brad had to hang the water hoses
on the back of the trailer secured with bungees until they defrosted along the drive. Lots of
desolate country but at least we're on the interstate. We had intended to drive to El Paso, but the Fort Bliss RV Park, where we intended to stay, was full.
Since Brad was tired, we just pulled into a KOA in Van Horn TX to spend the night. Had another hard freeze during the night so we're glad we disconnected
the water this time.
29 JAN 09
Left Doc's at 10am, headed for Kerrville TX. We see more cactus the further west we travel. Lots of flat land with scrub brush
and trees. Cattle ranches dot the landscape. Lots of mistletoe in the trees, which Doc explained to us is a parasite that can actually kill the tree if
it takes over. It's a LONG WAY across the state of TX. Over 800 miles of I-10.
28 JAN 09
We took a ride out to Victoria TX together to see the ranch where Doc holds his army reunions and we saw more of his cattle
there. We've had a good time visiting. Much colder today. Heard coyotes howling in the evening. Said our goodbyes about midnight as Doc is leaving for
a trip to Austin early in the morning.
27 JAN 09
Staying at Doc's until Thursday. He fixed us hearty meals both yesterday and today. Another nice day in the 70's. We watched
him feed his bramas and then I walked on his dead end road. He lives in a fairly desolate area. Very dry and lots of land. The wind can be fierce!
We have our trailer parked
in his yard. I did up all our laundry at Doc's and then we went for a drive into town and he pointed out sites of interest.
26 JAN 09
Left Houston TX headed for Bonnie View TX to visit one of Brad's Vietnam buddies, a medic. Arrived in the early afternoon and had a good
time visiting for the rest of the day. Weather is in the low 70's. Nice to have a decent day!
25 JAN 09
Left Baton Rouge LA headed for Houston TX. Spent the night at a KOA campground that was right off the
interstate. COLD.
24 JAN 09
Woke up to sprinkles and cloudy skies. Left Pensacola Naval Air Station at 10am and got to Baton Rouge LA in
the
afternoon. Got lost looking for our KOA campground. Ended up in a tight area where it was difficult to navigate, but we made it. While we were trying, a
begger came up to our window wanting money for GAS. Sorry, bud. Then we ended up on a residential street and TWO men came out of their houses along the
way
HELPING us to get where we were going. Friendly bunch with THICK cajun accents! When our GPS works, it's GREAT but sometimes it sends us on Mr Toad's
WILD RIDE! We saw lots of
devastation left over from hurricanes in this area. Had supper with one of the guys in Brad's army unit (he was in Vietnam later--in 69). They lived only
a
short distance from the campground we were staying at. They lost their home in the hurricane and had a new one built and it was JUST BEAUTIFUL! We first
met
him and his wife at one of the reunions and they're real fun people. She made us a wonderful spread of Louisiana favorites. Had GUMBO, salad, wonderful
bread and then apple pie and coffee for dessert. Sent us home with a CREAM CAKE which is famous in this area. Has a little doll baked in the cake and
whoever finds it is supposed to have good luck.
23 JAN 09
65 degrees and sunny today! Now this is more like it! Took another long walk on the beach while Brad
started storing everything
for our departure tomorrow.
 22 JAN 09
AT LAST, a nice day. 61 degrees and sunny. Tomorrow is supposed to be even nicer. Brad changed the tire and I walked to the
lighthouse and back. Later on, both Brad and I took a two hour walk on the beach. Saw lots of jellyfish at the water's edge. Saw fighter pilots practicing
overhead. Saw barges, sailboats and speedboats. Watched the Coast Guard practicing water rescue. Brad always brings along a sack to pick up trash and he got a heap this time!
21 JAN 09
Another COLD day. Brad picked up our new trailer tire at the tire place. The new inner tube in the old one wasn't fixing the problem.
Took a couple of short walks but mostly watched TV, read magazines and worked on my computer. Brad spent time organizing his stuff.
 20 JAN 09
Watched the Presidential Inauguration on TV today. Spent some time reading magazines and taking a couple of walks. VERY cold
again today. Only got up to 50 degrees and it is supposed to be the same tomorrow.
19 JAN 09
Went to the Naval Museum on base to watch an IMAX movie but we'd seen everything that was playing.
We'd been to the museum the last time we were here but the IMAX theatre
was on the blink. It was almost as warm as yesterday, but quite windy. Brad took our trailer tire in to a local tire place, to be repaired. They ordered
an inner tube for it. Went to Wal-mart and got a pedicure and did some grocery shopping.
18 JAN 09
It's warmer today. Rained in the morning but warmed up to the mid 60's by afternoon. We
decided to take a long walk on the beach after we got back from a trip to town.
17 JAN 09
Woke up this morning to another flat tire on the trailer. A different one this time. Again, we're glad it didn't happen while we
were driving. Brad changed the tire while our neighbors watched and visited with us. Turns out they had a no-show last night so we have a spot through
the 23rd. Had to move, but that's ok. We hadn't even unhooked last night. Made an awesome pot roast and we decorated the outside of our trailer, since
we're going to be here for awhile. I also did some cleaning inside the trailer.
16 JAN 09
Left Jacksonville NAS in FL for Pensacola NAS. It isn't any warmer here, in fact, it's much colder. We've stayed here before.
Only staying one night. In the central time zone now.
 15 JAN 09
Did 4 loads of laundry. A lady not that much older than me was in the laundry room and kept asking me the same questions over and
over again. A little warmer today but a hard freeze coming tonight.
14 JAN 09
The sun was out but it didn't even reach 60. Used our last Christmas restaurant gift card today.
13 JAN 09
It rained all throughout the night and most of the day, so it was a good day to stay inside, watch movies and read. Went to dinner
in the evening at Buca di Beppo restaurant. Our first time there and it was delicious!
12 JAN 09
Arrived back to Jacksonville NAS in FL yesterday and it was a blissful 73 degrees, but true to our luck, today it is back in the 50's
and that's where it's due to remain until we leave on Friday! Our trailer battery had died while in storage so Brad had a dickens of a time hooking the trailer up to
the truck. Today was spent putting things away from our long time traveling to and from home.
 14 DEC 08 - 11 JAN 09
Left Jacksonville FL at 12:30, headed to Columbia SC to spend the night. Next night will be spent
at Morgantown WV, then home on Tuesday to be with the kids and grandkids for Christmas and the babies 2nd birthdays. Will be leaving home on 5 JAN 09 and
slowly heading back to Jacksonville FL where we have the trailer stored. Will be arriving there on 11 JAN 09 as we plan on a couple of stops on the way back
to visit friends.
 13 DEC 08
Cool again today. Watched the news and it's supposed to be in the high 70's all next week. JUST OUR LUCK! Finished my Christmas
cards, packed all of our clothes for the trip home and tidied up the trailer for our departure tomorrow.
 12 DEC 08
Worked on Christmas cards and got all of our Christmas packages mailed. Brad continued to pack the truck with what we'll need on the
visit home. Did 6 loads of laundry in the evening.
 11 DEC 08
Rainy most of the day and high winds in the evening. We went to the Avenues Mall and have just about finished our Christmas
shopping. I got a pedicure and we went out to eat at Carrabba's Italian Grill. Came back to the trailer and wrapped presents, getting them ready for the
mail tomorrow.
 10 DEC 08
In the eighties today! I was out in it a little, even took a short walk, but most of the day was spent getting our Christmas gifts
together and organized to take back home. Brad cleaned out the truck and I took the presents out to him and he packed them in, getting ready for our
departure on Sunday.
 9 DEC 08
It was a BEAUTIFUL day in the mid seventies so we decided to drive to the beach at Ponte Vedra; about a 40 min drive. We walked on the
beach for about 2 hours and collected sea shells. There are fabulous homes right on the beach. Can't imagine what they must cost.
 8 DEC 08
Went to Target and did some more Christmas shopping. As we were checking out, an older lady in the checkout next to us, slunk to the
ground, passed out cold. It caused quite the excitement. Her husband didn't want an ambulance called, so I assume she was ok after she came back around.
 7 DEC 08
Walked to the base chapel. Expected to hear the black chaplain that we like, but the alternate chaplain was speaking today. He is
good but we like the black chaplain better. It was cold. Wore a sweater AND a velvet jacket over my blouse.
 6 DEC 08
It's rather cool today. A good day to stay inside and work on my computer project. Brad worked on
addressing Christmas cards.
 5 DEC 08
Went to the Avenues Mall and had a late lunch at TGI Fridays, did some shopping and that watched TWO movies at the theatre.
Our GPS gave us a bum steer and we ended up WAY off base coming home, but we finally made it back.
 4 DEC 08
Went to pick up my meds on base and for some reason, they didn't have them. I had ordered them online and even got a confirmation,
but no meds. They said they'll have them ready by Monday and that will be fine. Had a massage at the base gym. Felt great!
 3 DEC 08
Went to the Orange Park Mall and did some shopping.
2 DEC 08
I did 5 loads of laundry in the morning and walked a bunch of laps around the RV park while they were washing and drying. I had
saved the majority of our laundry to do here because it's FREE here. We went to the BX next but didn't find anything. I made an appointment for a massage
later this week and then went back to the trailer for a nap while Brad did some shopping on his own for a couple of hours. Put our little Christmas tree
up in the trailer. It's only about 1.5 feet tall and it has little tiny ornaments and tiny lights and it's just right for the trailer.
1 DEC 08
Left the KOA in Monticello FL around 11am and arrived at Jacksonville Naval Air Station in FL at 3:30pm. This place feels like
home to us. We really like it and have stayed here more than any other campground. Both of our neighbors came over to talk to us and they're both really
nice people. It's awfully cold but it was cold here the same time of year last year. Went to Super Target which is nearby and bought another heater, like
the good one we've got. Our little old space heater wasn't working well and it was noisy and we really need one for the bedroom AND one for the living room
when it's cold like this.
 30 NOV 08
Left the Maxwell Gunter Recreation area in Niceville FL around noon. We're now in the Eastern time zone so we lost an hour. Made it to the KOA
in Monticello FL (near Tallahassee) around 5pm. It's between a graveyard and the interstate! We didn't even unhook the truck from the trailer as we
plan to leave tomorrow morning. It must have poured here too last night, as there are huge puddles of water everywhere. Brad rented some VCR tapes from
the KOA office and I've gone back to my computer project.
29 NOV 08
Brad drove out to Eglin AFB to return the DVDs and he puttered around a bit on base. I worked on my computer project. Rained
like crazy all through the night. You hear the rain MUCH MORE in a trailer than you do in a home.
28 NOV 08
Today was warm enough that I opened up some of the windows and the door and turned the fan on. Brad worked on the outside of the
trailer, trying to get everything organized and I cleaned up a little in the inside. We'll be leaving here on Sunday.
 27 NOV 08
Had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner. I made roasted turkey breast, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, parkerhouse rolls, green
jello w/pineapple and berry pie for dessert. Then it was time for cleanup and working some more on my computer project. Today was our YEAR ANNIVERSARY of
being "on the road"!
 26 NOV 08
It was back to Eglin AFB today to get two more DVDs from the library and Brad washed the truck on base. Watched the movies when we got back and started some of
the dishes for tomorrow's Thanksgiving day meal.
 25 NOV 08
I continued to work on my computer project and Brad drove to Eglin AFB to get more DVDs from the library.
24 NOV 08
Drove to Eglin AFB again and got two more DVDs from the base library. Then we checked out the base campground. It is much
larger than the campground we're at and nice, but we're happy where we're at as we're right on the water. It's just been too cold to ENJOY it lately.
 23 NOV 08
Drove to town to get our Sunday paper and shopped at CVS, then back to the trailer. I am working on a computer project for the
B-2/501st website so I spent most of the day doing that.
CLICK HERE to go to 22 NOV 07 to 22 NOV 08
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