Day off and Dinner out

May 31 - Bill had a bad night last night with cramps in his foot. I got up and make him an ice bag twice and that seemed to help. So I didn't get up until 8:45 and he was later. I made eggs and some salt cured country ham for breakfast. Yum! I put a load of clothes in and we got showered and ready to head out later in the day.

I had a note on our car this morning from our friends Linda and Fred who left early this morning. By the time we worked til after 6 and got home and ate we didn't get to go by and say our good byes. By that time Bill wasn't up to more crutching around!

Ray and Sue stopped by to see if we could change tonight's dinner to 6:30 at Italian with another couple that leave tomorrow. Bill called a couple of Podiatrists to get an appointment and got one for Tuesday so will see what he can suggest!

Eventually we left after lunch for Waynesboro.  I hoped to go to two used book stores but apparently they were out of business.  So then I worked on thrift stores and did get 3 books at one place that was quite unorganized and a huge mess.  Good place to find an antique or missing part!  We ended up at McDonald’s where I made some phone calls that I knew would put me on hold for a while and Bill watched a movie on his laptop.  I also worked on trying to get Directv on my 2-in-1 tablet/netbook but never did succeed. 

At 6:15 we drove across the street to Scotto’s to meet our fellow volunteers for dinner.  It was a very enjoyable evening as everyone had stories to share.  The couple next to us that is leaving told us they had a bear last night.  I heard their dog barking and that was not normal and I looked out a couple of times but didn’t see anything.  Apparently the bear was right behind their RV which I can clearly see from several windows.  So now I’ll be making a nightly watch!

The food there was very good. I had lobster ravioli with a shrimp sauce and Bill had chicken parmesan. Everyone’s meals looked delicious.  I think only Bill and one other had leftovers to bring home.  They all went to Cline’s for ice cream but we passed as I wanted to stop in at Martin’s, a grocery along the line of Publix and run into Wal-mart for an Ace bandage.  The store is huge and nicer than Publix and probably more expensive but they have everything.

 

We got home in time to watch Persons of Interest at 10.  That’s another one of our favorites that is going off the air!  Only 3 more episodes.  Soon I won’t have any thing left to watch!

Very busy day and lots of people!

May 30 - Happy Memorial Day! We hope everyone had great weather and got to enjoy family and friends at cookout somewhere! We had to work! Granted it was only 4 hours but it would have been more fun to grill out with friends.

The lake was packed

The VC was quite busy as it was a beautiful day and they had volunteers at all parking areas on radio letting everyone know who had a spot open. The front gate would radio how many cars were coming through and they had cars parked everywhere. We sold a lot of snacks and candy and even some fishing gear. Bill wiped down all the furniture out in the big hall that we are on the end of. Then I used a BIG house broom to sweep it all so it looked nice for a while.

We did have an incident where I had to call 911 but then cancelled it and then

The big hall and very heavy furniture

there was an incident with some dogs off leash but one of the other volunteers dealt with that. There were still a lot of people on the beach area when we left at 6. Then we had a guy come ask for a first aid kit so that turned out fine.

I had gone to the grocery this morning so we could have our own little cookout. I got some corn on the cob and potato salad and a zucchini. I gave Bill a choice of corn or potato salad and he went with the potato salad and I had corn. I grilled hotdogs (for Bill), brats and some Italian turkey sausage and we have enough for 2 more meals. The grilled zucchini was good and I made us strawberry shortcake for dessert. No sugar added with a dollop of cool whip. Needless to say, Bill thoroughly enjoyed his dinner.

Our neighbors Ray and Sue came over and asked if we'd like to go to dinner tomorrow and we agreed on Chinese at 5:30. We watched some TV and called it a day.

Oh no, more mice!!!!!

May 29 – We had more rain during the night and it was cool when we got up.  I made Sunday breakfast and also a pot of wild/mixed rice for part of our dinner.  When I went to the cupboard to get out my pancake mix I noticed a little nicked spot on the top of the container.  I asked Bill if there had been any q-tips out of place in the bathroom and he said not today, but yesterday.  Ah ha!  We are under field mice attack again, but I’m getting the jump on those little varmints!  As soon as breakfast was over I checked everything in the cupboard and nothing was gnawed through and I emptied the q-tips.  I brought in 2 packets of mice bait and put one in the cupboard that backs up to the bathroom and one in the drawer in the bath with 4-5 q-tips across it so I’ll know if they go in it.  I had to pitch so much stuff by the time we discovered them last summer!

After setting up the mice I got out the spray to do around the perimeter of the RV for ants but then it started to drizzle so I didn’t get that done.  The temps started going down a bit instead of up and I wore jeans and a long sleeve shirt to work today.  Even though we park inside a gated area that I have to open and close as we enter, they won’t let us park in the circle drive in front of the building. Now I have to drop Bill off and then go park the car.  I have 2 bags of “stuff” I carry.  We aren’t terribly busy so we take books and Bill takes his laptop and a movie and I take my netbook and of course I take some snacks and today I took prepped iced coffee with out the ice.  I carry a container of ice for it when we get ready.

We had more money in sales today but less transactions.  It was a dreary, rainy day and there were still a lot of people on the beach and grounds.  Most were day visitors but many cut their stays short due to the nasty cooling weather.  Since we now have the snacks in the VC one of Bill’s jobs is to put them out when we arrive and box them up when we leave.  While he does that I do the balancing and close out the register and the credit card machine.  We met and talked with a lot of nice people today.  One couple was very interested in how we got our “job” as they are interested in a couple of years to do what we do.

Nothing too exciting but leftovers for dinner. 

Busier day on the job!

May 28 – I didn’t feel too well this morning.  I bit dizzy and queasy for while.  My eye was more tender this morning.  After a while I got to feeling better and we wanted to run to Target. 

 

Once I showered and did a load of laundry I put granules around the RV for the giant wood ants we are getting.  I asked my neighbor to trim the tree that is touching the RV and he said he’d be happy to do it.  They are really nice people.  Their son got out of the hospital today and fortunately it was only dehydration.

We left later than we had planned.  On our way out there was a checkpoint in the park and Bill realized he didn’t have his license and of course the officer

He can cover a lot of ground!

asked for it.  Luckily the Park Police was there and said we were volunteers before the officer heard Bill so we were off the hook.  We pulled over at the entrance and I drove.  I ran into Target and then we stopped for Chick-fil-a and ate in the car.  On the way back into the park we did get stopped as the Park Officer was gone and I was able to show my valid license!  I dropped Bill off at the VC and went home for my vest and our “supplies” for the day.  I discovered that the snack machine had been broken in to and 13 items were stolen.  They used a stick up through the dispenser to knock items down.  I called our supervisor and recommended us bringing them inside where they could be sold since the machine has not been serviced.  She agreed so I unloaded them all and Bill stocked them on some of the vacant space we have in the VC.

This side is where we are, just inside those
windows.

It was much busier today!  The beach area was full and lots of cars in the lots.  We sold mostly snacks but sold a few other items as well.  We even filled 2 huge inner tubes.  I had a little trouble with my first transaction, but got it taken care of and the rest of the day was fine.  Our radio system does not work so we do have a landline phone but we miss hearing all the jibber jabber of what’s going on in the park.  I balanced fine just need to develop a system as they don’t have one.

I had put venison stew on this morning so it smelled nice when we walked in.  I had a drink and Bill had a Snapple and we chilled for a while then we had our dinner.  I took a short nap and then it was time for computer work!

Eye OK, slow first day at the VC

May 27 – My eye looked like raw hamburger this morning but feels fine. Glad it's over and they found it and nothing worse happened. I'll be really keeping an “eye” on my eye!

Ready and raring to go!

We had to be at the VC at 9 for training. There still isn't a lot of inventory but we put what we had out and still expect more. There is no ice, no ice cream, no sodas and the snack vending guy came but the machine isn't working. We all left about 11:45 and Bill and I were to come back at 1 to officially open. I went to put change in the vending machine and a young man came up to use it and it didn't work, so I tried and tried but didn't see anything inside the machine that might make a difference. So I called Patty, our Eastern National contact and she didn't know how it works and said she'd call the company.

The best photo so far of my hummer

It was a pretty boring afternoon. We did have a number of guests but no one bought anything as most wanted ice, soda or ice cream. We closed at 6 and checked on our neighbors when we got home. They had to take their handicapped son to the emergency room yesterday. They now think he was only severely dehydrated so hopefully he will be home tomorrow.

I heated the leftover meatloaf to go with some orzo and mixed veggies. Then I had to do all of today's dishes and yesterdays since I wasn't feeling like it last night.

My eye is not as raw looking today and just feels a little sore to the touch.

Worst day so far!

May 26 – Well today certainly did not turn out as what was expected. We had a good breakfast and eventually left for Charlottesville. My eye had been feeling like something was in it and I made an appointment with an Ophthalmologist for this afternoon. It's my eye that I've been having issues since February with light arcing and it has to do with the aging process. The gel inside the eye liquefies as you age and that's the end. But in some cases, as in mine, as it liquefies it doesn't always detach from the retina lining the inside of the eyeball. It will take longer to detach from it and the piece that is still attached will tug on the retina when you turn your head suddenly or have a jolt and when it pulls light gets in and causes the arcing light like a rainbow off to the side. It was scary at first but then you get more used to it. Well, it was supposed to end in 2 weeks to 2 months when I first went in. It didn't so I went back the end of April and all was still OK. If you aren't careful those areas will jerk and cause a tear in the retina, which can be fixed. If you don't watch or be careful the worst case scenario is the retina will detach and that's a major ordeal.

Pirate Kelly

We thought we'd get into town early enough to do some shopping and we planned to go to a couple of used book stores but they were on the main street that is a pedestrian mall and with Bill on crutches it would be difficult to park and go, so we ended up going to the area where the doctor's office was and once we knew where I needed to be we went to Burger King for lunch. Yuck! Their salads do not compare to Wendy's or probably even McDonald's.

I was at my appointment in plenty of time and Bill went to fill the car with gas and get a car wash. Well, he didn't find anything in my eye but did a re-check on my bad eye and found a horseshoe shaped tear. He recommended I go right up the road to a retina specialist right now so I said OK. They called and got me in so Bill drove me there. Although the Dr. said they would most likely do the laser surgery right there I really wasn't sure what was going to happen. They did a whole round of tests and prodding and my poor right eye was so tired and sore. There was only the same tear that the ophthalmologist had seen and he wanted to go ahead. They numb it with a gel for a bit, then with several shots in the eye. I won't say it didn't hurt but you're afraid to move a muscle, but geez there is a needle in your eye so I didn't even want to breathe. He let that work for a while then he stuck the “probe” in my eye and seared the retina down. It took 2 times and that hurt also. I think it's just it feels like so much pressure and the probe is cold so it's like an ice burn in your eye. Believe me I never even twitched a muscle.

He said to keep a patch on it until this evening and use some ointment in it for

Nasty!

a couple of nights and it will be red for a week. He wants to see me again for follow up torture and then I'm to see my Ophthalmologist when we get home in September. He said I will probably have light arcing still but it won't be due to detachment of the retina. So I guess I'm good to go but my eye is just so tired it made me tired all over.

We made a stop at Wal-mart for my ointment and a few groceries since we are scheduled to work for the next 3-4 days. We didn't get home until 7 and I was pooped. We had leftovers and I read a while but then sleep took over.

Another painting day, ugh!

May 25 – Another great weather day, wow, 2 in a row! 

 

Almost done

After breakfast we went to the front entrance and finished painting in the yellow  It could use a second coat but really does look great compared to the faded look it had.  After returning to the RV for a short break we went to the VC.  Our neighbors brought us up  He (Randy) actually swept a lot of the ceiling in the snack/soda shed and changed the light bulbs for me.  After turning on and off quite a few breakers in various panels we got the power to all of the machines, including the lights, on.  The lights, however, only lasted about 15-20 minutes.  Will turn that problem over to the head guy tomorrow. Our neighbors left and I finished brooming the rest of the ceiling, blew out all of the snack bags lodged behind the machine and lots of leaves and dirt.  My hair was full of some nasty stuff!  That is in addition to the yellow paint I had on my forehead!

D

a 6 foot ladder and leaf blower.
lettering on the sign.

 

I wiped down all of the machines and we washed down the small garage door that closes up the building.  We also did battle with what looked like a bumblebee but since he was boring hole after hole in the door frame I know it was a carpenter beetle.  Later our neighbors went back to get the ladder and the blower.  I did some more weeding in our area and spotted 2 deer in the area behind our RV.  That reminds me I didn’t mention the 2 we saw the morning we went to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  They were on the drive to the entrance gate.  Then on the parkway we saw a beautiful pheasant. 

 

Once I got my shower we sat out and enjoyed our iced coffees and a bird Bill identified as a sparrow was on the feeder and 2 hummers were doing battle over their feeder.

 

We had leftover lasagna for dinner that I brought in the freezer and a nice salad.  The internet is being difficult tonight so not sure if I’ll post today or not.

Finally working!

Bill working on the sign and off his foot

May 24 – Today was a perfect weather day!  Sunny, no rain and we finally got to sit out and grill dinner! We also got to start doing some volunteer hours.  We were assigned to paint the yellow on the entrance sign, so we spent 2 hours working on that and then we came home for lunch.  Then we went to the visitor center and Bill opened all the windows and cleaned between the glass and the screens that were full of webs and mud daubers.  I worked out in the little building that houses the drink, snack and ice machines.  It was disgusting!  They left 101 ice bags in the freezer when they closed in the fall and some still had some water in them so it was all musty inside in addition to bird poop on the outside and so much debris.  I used ½ roll of paper towels cleaning the ice machine but didn’t start on the others.  I swept down the walls as high as I could reach and swept it out as best I could.  Think I’m going to try a blower on it tomorrow.  We spent 2 hours working this afternoon.  The plan is to finish the sign tomorrow, so we’re hoping for more good weather.

And then he cleaned windows

We chatted with our neighbors on both sides this evening.  One will be leaving the first of the month so we’ll get new neighbors next week.  Our other neighbors cut our grass and weed whacked for us.  Then Bill and I put out the awning and our chairs and relaxed a while.  It was a pretty perfect day!

A short day trip!



Bridge supporting the Blue Ridge Parkway

May 23 – It rained more during the night but cleared off by the time we finished  Bill really wanted to get out today and at least go for a drive whether it rained or not.  So we left around 10:30.  We got on the Blue Ridge Parkway and drove it for a while and stopped at several overlooks for the nice view.  We exited and drove to the town of Montebello.  The roads were so curvy it was not pleasant for someone with severe motion sickness!  I was getting rather green   It’s slow acting but was a big improvement.  We stopped at the State Fish Hatchery there where they raise trout.  Wish I could have fished from there!

The fish hatcheries

and searched around the car for some ginger and started munching on it.
breakfast.

 

We drove by the Osceola Mill Restaurant where we ate when we came here 4 years ago.  It’s a special occasion place with a limited menu.  We’re thinking of going back before we leave here.  We also saw a German Restaurant that we might try too that we passed on the road home.

 

We stopped in Stuart’s Draft for lunch at Arby’s and The Cheese Shop for cheese and 2 fried pies!  What a treat!

 

Sherando Lake

Along the trail

On the way back we drove to the other side of Sherando Lake where mostly fishermen put in.  It was so  There are a couple of nice trails along the side that go around the lake.  Then we stopped to visit with Linda and Fred who were sitting out as the rain had stopped and the sun was out.  We visited for an hour or so before heading home.  Too bad they will be leaving in a week, but they’ve been here for 2 months! 

beautiful and peaceful there.

The most boring day so far!

May 22 – We woke to early morning rain – surprise, surprise!  I got up at 7:30 and rousted Bill at 8:30.  I made our normal Sunday breakfast with pumpkin spice pancakes as the starch of choice today.  We settled into a gloomy day again.  I put a load of laundry in and we read for a while.

 

My birdfeeders

To our surprise Natalie came by around 10:30!  Apparently Eastern National is not be best run company as they “thought” the money from the end of the season last year was left in the safe in the VC.  No, it was not and to get more money is has to be “mailed” from Ashboro, VA.  Then due to the training lady’s schedule they won’t train and open until Friday!  Had we known we’d be sitting here for a week and a half we’d have stayed in Florida another week or so!

 

We literally never went outside all day.  The rain just made it so depressing.  We both read a lot and I did some crocheting.  I ordered crutch covers for Bill.  Such a boring day!

Dinner and a Movie

May 21 – Another bleak looking day out!  This is getting old!  Still no word from Natalie.  By lunch time we were going a bit stir crazy with cabin fever so we left around 3 to go to Waynesboro to see a matinee and go to dinner.  On the way out we got to see Kelly, the head of maintenance and our prior supervisor as campground hosts.  We had a nice chat with him and asked if Natalie was around.  She was off today, so that meant we still didn’t know anything.

 

We went to see “Money Monster” which was really good.  The Senior rate was $8 which wasn’t bad but the food prices were ridiculous.  Soda was $4.50, $5.50 or $6.00.  We always share so I got the $6 large with free refills.  We didn’t need a snack since we were headed to dinner after.  As least it wasn’t raining out and we had a gift card for Out Back, which is one of Bill’s favorites, so that’s where we went.  Either they felt sorry for him on crutches or there was no wait while I went to park.  Dinner was good.  Bill always gets Alice Springs Chicken and I had a small steak combo with coconut shrimp.  YUMMMM!  I do love coconut shrimp and 4 nice sized ones were perfect. 

 

A wing nut fell off Bill’s crutch so we stopped at Lowes after the movie and got that and then tried CVS and Rite-Aid for sheepskin crutch covers with no luck.  No Walgreens in town or medical supply so will try to order online.

 

It started raining on the way home but at least no downpour.  Will see what tomorrow brings!

Finally we can watch TV

Creek at the entrance

May 20 – We woke to sunshine for the first time since we got here.  It really has been a pretty day out.  I pulled weeds in our “yard” space and put out my hummingbird feeder and the neighbor’s son came over and weed whacked our grassy area.    Later in the day I drove to the front gate and put mail out in the box and saw my first snake of the season.  It was a black racer sunning itself on the concrete abutment of the bridge at the gate.  On the way back I stopped to visit Linda and Fred but she was not feeling well and lying down so I sat out with Fred for a bit.

Not sure where he got the pole from

The TV guy was due from noon to 4 and he called at 4 to say it would be closer to 5.  At least he called the right number but Bill didn’t ask if he was in FL or VA!  5 o’clock came and went and I started on dinner.  I was just about ready to put our grilled chicken, sautéed asparagus and   Hallelujah, but now we would eat a cold dinner!  He could not use our old dish and had what we needed with him but not a pole to mount it on.  I drove down to the work center and saw there was PVC outside and then to see if Fred would come up and root about the work center with me.  He checked the PVC and it was the right size and length.  So the young man went to dig a hole in the area near where our neighbors have their portable dish.  He said it would get 3 satellites and we ended up having to run the cable through the window as the dish requires power and we also couldn’t figure out where to screw in the cables as the wonderful instruction manuals that came with the RV don’t actually tell you that!  So, we can live with the cords and at some point I’ll contact Winnebago and ask.  I put tape over the crack in the window so we are good to go.  We were surprised to get ABC, NBC and CBS so that was good!    I gave the guy a nice piece of cake as he had another call to go to and it was 7 by the time he left.  He was very appreciative!

butternut fries on the table when Directv arrived.

 

We ate our cold dinner and later watched a movie! 

Nice weather day with a trip to town!

May 19 – There was no rush to get up and dressed since we still had no word from Natalie about opening the VC/Beach Store.  We’re getting a bit bored and with Bill on crutches we can’t do a whole lot of “activity”.  I tightened a few cabinet handles that were loose and did a load of laundry.  The sun was out and no sign of rain.  What a nice day!

 

I checked my email and had a confirmation from Directv but they gave our home number as the contact number.  They have a bunch of idiots working for them.  She asked what is the BEST number to reach me.   I explained the previous person put in the wrong address, so I was surprised to see my home number listed.  I called while in Waynesboro and hope I got the point across!

 

Since we hadn’t heard anything by lunch, we went to Waynesboro after lunch.  We stopped at ACE, Wal-mart, Aldi’s, Goodwill and Sharp Shopper.  I love Sharp Shopper.  It’s one of a small chain owned by Mennonites and they are a bulk/regular store with lots of Pennsylvania Dutch meats and cheeses.  Lots of items you buy in bulk by the pound or ounce.  I make a lot of crisps so I got a big bag of whole oats.  Bill finds it much easier getting around on his knee walker.  I put it in the car and that’s much easier for him but a pain to get in and out.  He only went in the one store.  It was 66 in town and got to 62 at the campground.  No jacket needed and back to capris!

 

Still no word when we got back so I baked a gingerbread bundt cake with a rum glace.  I cut a chunk for our nice neighbors and one for our friends Fred and Linda.  Then I made dinner and cleaned up.  I’m really working on keeping Bill off his foot so I won’t let him get up for a drink or anything.  I’ve become a slave!  Ugh!

 

The TV still isn’t really working too well.  Hopefully the tech tomorrow will show up and get us on track.  We watched HGTV and then read.  We’ve learned a lot about remodeling houses for the market!

Friends left, tv guy didn't come -- overall crappy day!

May 18 – Well Tom and Betty left this morning.  They were not comfortable with the reliability of the cell service in the event one of their children called with an emergency and with how an emergency would be handled here.  We are 15 minutes or so from rescue and as we get older that is a viable concern.  It was sad to see them go and we hope they do some other travelling since they had planned to be gone for 2 months.  So, we’re on our own but we know another couple here and we’ve met 2 of our neighbors in our volunteer loop so we’re good. 

 

Our contact Natalie came by this morning and she gave us a key to everything and told us she wasn’t sure when we’d be starting in the VC.  It’s mostly a beach store and being run by Eastern National and they control the inventory and money and the rep for here has been ill.  So maybe tomorrow.  In the mean time I put out one bird feeder and will make some ‘juice’ for the hummers and hope to get my share of them!  I put the tire covers on and got the cable ready for the Directv guy so will hope for the best!

 

Later I received a call from the Directv tech and he was in FL.  Cripe!  They sent him to our house but my confirmation said for him to come here.  So I called in and rescheduled for Friday afternoon.  Our neighbor Randy came over and asked if we’d seen the guy yet and I told him the story.  He offered to put a splitter on his satellite and run it over.  So he got out a 50’ cable and attached to our cable and we had to run it in the window to bypass our satellite.  It runs right into one of the receivers and we could get some channels, so at least we have something for the time being. 

 

It was a bleak day and we never left the RV.  I did a couple of things outside and the rain seems to have finally faded.

Tom and Betty Arrive!

Our spot for 6 weeks

May 17 -  We woke to rain and reports of it being 100% all day.  We were to meet with Natalie at 9 at the Work Center so headed over after breakfast.  No one there!  Later called her office and she was off today and expected us yesterday. I guess she and Kathy don’t communicate very well.  We changed to one day later over a month ago.  So all of the rangers were in classes or off so we just got more organized and waited for Tom and Betty to arrive.  They were here about noon and he did an excellent job of getting their huge 5^th wheel into the only possible spot.  Of course Betty and I were paramount in his success with our backing directions!

Our yard decor

I came home and made us some lunch while they set up and had lunch also.  I had to balance my checkbook and prepare some paperwork for work and set up my expense spreadsheet for the summer.  It was still drizzling all afternoon and we made plans to pick Betty and Tom up and we headed to Stuart’s Draft.  As we approached town there was a dog in the road in front of the car ahead of us.  That dog refused to get off the road and just strutted along in the center of the lane.  Several cars stopped and tried to coax him off the road and into a car as it had a tag, but that dog was having none of it.  Traffic was backed up both ways and it finally went over to the other lane and we got through.  Hope he went on home and let everyone else go too. 

We got in just at closing at the Cheese Shop.  Yum!  I got Lebanon bologna and some Colby jack and of course Bill and I each got a fried pie, mine coconut!  Double yum!  Betty got a bag of stuff also and then we headed on to Waynesboro.  We completed our stop at Wal-mart and it was dinner time.  It was clearing off by now but getting colder out.  I saw a Pizza sign across the lot and knew they all liked pizza and calzone so we headed there.  Betty and Tom’s medium pizza was huge as was Bill’s calzone.  They all raved about their food.  Knowing there was a coconut pie waiting for me I went with an antipasto salad which was also good and much better for me. The place was only open for 3 weeks, New Adventure Pizza & Italian Food on Tiffany Drive.  I'm sure we will be going back.

I was shocked that I could get on the computer using my one bar for a hotspot.  Maybe it’s a fluke!  Anyway, I managed to get a couple of days posted and some photos uploaded so maybe I can get on track now.

In addition to the rain it’s still cold out and the rain makes it seem even colder.  It’s supposed gradually get warmer this week.

What a long day!

Poor chickens on their last ride to your table!

May 16 – Boy did I sleep good last night!  We were on the road at 8:30 and had a nice clear day for driving. We got off I-95 only 6 miles up the road and took some 2 lanes no stress roads NW until we got on US 29 which was 4 lane all the way to I-64, then we were 40 minutes or so away from Sherando Lake.  We did get in a couple of pickles with the RV but managed to get out without any problems.

Scenic road today

We stopped on the road into Sherando and unhitched the car.  I parked the RV while we drove up to scope out the sites.  There were only 3 and one was way too small or us or the Gorskis.  We took the shorter of the 2 remaining and stopped and asked our friend, Fred, to help get us in.  We volunteered with him and his wife Linda last time we were here.  He got us in perfectly!  Not much space for the car but we’ll manage.  It was pretty chilly out and Linda was wearing gloves and a sweatshirt over a shirt and said how cold it had been.  Hope it warms a bit but not like at home!

 

We met our one set of neighbors.  Didn’t get much set up outside as we were tired and hungry.  I really enjoyed a bowl of my clam chowder from Tony’s and Bill happily consumed the leftover chicken and dumplings.  We had to have some veggies so made small salads.  

 

We got a few things set up for the 6 weeks, but no TV.  We were pleasantly surprised that we each had 1-2 bars on the phone and sporadically can get and make calls and texts.  That will be really nice!  I took advantage by calling Directv to come out Wednesday and see if they can get us with a signal on the mobile dish.  I may give it a try myself tomorrow and cancel if I have success.  We are among the trees but most of the volunteers a dish or a dome so there’s hope for us.

Actually on our way north

I-95 gridlock

May 15 – The goal was to be on the road by 8:30 and we were only a couple of  Everyone gathered to hug and say good-bye.  It wasn’t the best travel day we’ve ever had.  We crawled along in traffic on I-95 for 2 hours due to work on a bridge and merging 3 lanes into 1 along with all the on ramps funneling in for miles and miles.  Tom and Betty passed us and waved.  They are making the trip to VA in 2 ½ days instead of 2.  So we were late, 7:00 getting to our campground in Florence, SC.  The office was closed and they left our reservation on the door.  The space was unlevel and too short so we moved to a different one that was much better. 

minutes behind.

 

We had a good dinner of all leftovers:  corn on the cob, broccoli salad and a brat and a chicken breast.  Since we had a quick skimpy lunch it was delicious!  We couldn’t get the local channels on the antenna or the satellite since we’re out of our range until we call in our new destination.  We could get the high channels so we got to watch “The Good Witch”.  I did up the dishes and caught up my typing, now to find time to post it!

Great day with great friends!

Kishka and scrapple!

May 14 -  What a great day!  It started with a group breakfast and no one left  There was bacon, ham, scrapple, kishka, potatoes, eggs, fruit and caramel rolls.  Of course conversation followed the meal and once we cleaned up Bill, Paul, Jean and I went down to the river so see the sturgeon jump.  Nope, not this morning!

hungry!

 

Then we went to Live Oak to Wal-mart to pick up Bill’s script and a few other things.  We ended up seeing 2 of the other couples there.  Then we stopped at Dairy Queen, I thought for ice cream but 2 had lunch and 2 had ice cream.  Paul came over to help me with trimming the mud flap and putting the reflectors on it and to see about mounting the new lights I ordered.  Gradually we had the whole group and lots of talking and laughing going on.  The lights are not the same as the ones I have so didn’t do them but we did get the mud flap done.  Bill and I hooked the car up for tomorrow.

 

It's hard to spot a sturgeon when you're texting!

Serious lookout!

Caught the splash!

Everyone was on their own for dinner tonight so we had chicken and dumplings and emptied the container of leftover green beans.  Jean provided some of her leftover dessert then she and Paul and I walked back down to the river and we got to see 3 sturgeon jump.  The first one was huge, over 2 foot and at least 20 pounds.  The second was smaller, about 12-14 pounds.  Then there as a small one.  I tried to get a photo but they’re not in the air that long!  I got the water when one went back into the water. 

  

Everyone was packing up and getting ready to head out in the morning.  It’s been a fun few days and it was nice meeting Bob and Cindy and spending more time with Bruce and Sharon and Tom and Betty and it’s always a good time with Jean and Paul.  The group invited both couples to come camping with their group any time, what a nice gesture!

Day tripping

May 13 – We left today with Jean and Paul at 10:30 for Steinhatchee.  Bill  wanted to go to a restaurant there that he and I had eaten in years ago and get a new plastic glass.  Geez!  So we checked out the town and Bill rescued a turtle from the road.  Bill thought the restaurant was Roy’s and I didn’t think so. We went to look at a campground as Jean and Paul might want to come down for a weekend.  The first place was a private campground for seasonals.  They sent us a bit further down the road where there was a small place with a pool and 15 spaces.  It’s under new ownership and they are just starting to make some improvements. It would be fine as long as we/they parked in the first half of the spaces as it would be difficult to put our RVs in the spaces in the back. 

 

I googled a list of the restaurants and decided the one we were looking for was Fiddlers.  So we went there and Bill didn’t recognize it at all.  Jean, Paul and I enjoyed the fish ponds at the front entrance and we all enjoyed our lunch.  Bill was very happy when he saw the water glasses and it was the glass he was looking for!  The waitress, Bessy, gave us a small stack of them to take with us!

 

The guys decided we were only 40 minutes from Cedar Key and Bill wanted to see the RV park that we girls had stayed in and see if it was possible for our camping club.  The park is really nice but they don’t have rallies in the months we need so it was a no go.  We went into Cedar Key so Jean and I could get some of the famous Tony’s Clam Chowder.  We each got a quart to go.  Yum!!!

 

Tom was hanging with the ladies!

Bill was tired so I drove home.  We got back at 5 and we were to grill out with  I had to finish making my broccoli salad.  Everyone brought what they wanted to grill and side dishes.  Everything was very good: corn on the cob, potato salad, pasta salad, and Jean brought 3 kinds of dessert.  The food was great but the camaraderie, laughter and friendship was even better.  We disbanded at about 8:45 as everyone was anxious to watch the 2 episodes showing of Hawaii 5-0.

everyone starting at 5:30.