Although we didn't get to camp at the Orlando Hamcation site at the Central Florida Fairgrounds from Feb. 10-15 , we drove there each day to spend time with our friends and make a few purchases. There were lots of hugs, handshakes and conversation while we enjoyed being outside in the beautiful Florida weather, although it was chilly at times and always windy. Our purchases included a new microphone for the ham radio in the RV, and a dongel to access D-Star usage via the internet. We also enjoyed dinners each night with our friends before returning to Little House for the night. Hamcation was also the site for a WBCCI Amateur Radio Club Rally. Individuals do not need to own Airstream RV's in order to be a member of this group.
We're still at Cummins Power South in Orlando. Last week, the extended service agreement company sent an inspector twice to verify what repairs we need. Today, the approval for repairs came through, probably about $4000 worth - so it's been a good day! We needed the repairs regardless, so we had to stay here, but no work could be started before the approval was given or else the work would not be covered. Cummins hopes to get the repairs finished by tomorrow night, and we can be on our way to Milton, FL our next stop.
We've been at this location since Feb. 3rd with electric and water hookups, but no sewer hookup. Since Little House is not road-ready, today Hank arranged for a septic disposal truck to come to us sometime tomorrow to empty our black and grey tanks.
Our life on the highways and byways of America.
Monday, February 15, 2016
Thursday, February 4, 2016
FOUNTAIN, FL THEN ON TO ORLANDO!
The time spent at St. Andrews State Park looking out over the Grand Lagoon was most enjoyable. We also spent time on Sky Med Business in the area and did some exploring of our surroundings. Our stay was over on Monday, Feb.1, and we drove about an hour north of Panama City Beach to Pine Lake RV Park in Fountain, FL. There's not much to talk about regarding Fountain, FL, other than it's a little community in the northern Florida panhandle. Our two-night stay at Pine Lake with full hookups gave us a chance to empty tanks, and catch up on laundry and computer work before moving on.
Wednesday morning, we left Pine Lake at 8:40 CST for the 325 mile drive to Orlando back in the eastern time zone. That's more miles than we normally tackle in one day, but we were headed to the Cummins Power South and wanted to get signed in for service early Thursday morning.
This repair facility handles issues on a variety of vehicles with Cummins diesel engines - motor homes, fire engines, buses, construction equipment and also service Onan generators. On a few occasions, we've had an intermittent problem with restricted power from the diesel engine.. On our last trip to the panhandle, after checking with the Cummins center in Ocala, we had another occurrence when we left Perry,FL, so we'll have that potential problem looked at while we're here. This Cummins location has 4 free RV parking spots with electrical and water hookups. There's a parking lot view of all types of vehicles through our front window, but we do have a nice lake behind us that is suppose to have lots of fish in it. Work is done on a first come basis, and they are overloaded with customers. We're due to check into the Florida Central Fairground in Orlando next Wednesday for a large ham radio event, but if our service doesn't get done in time, we may have to keep Little House here and do day trips to the fairgrounds which is only a short distance away.
Yesterday was Selene's birthday, and we had a great dinner at Olive Garden to finish out our long travel day. When we arrived here yesterday, it was 79, but with a front coming through this afternoon with heavy rain, the next week is predicted to be much cooler.
Wednesday morning, we left Pine Lake at 8:40 CST for the 325 mile drive to Orlando back in the eastern time zone. That's more miles than we normally tackle in one day, but we were headed to the Cummins Power South and wanted to get signed in for service early Thursday morning.
This repair facility handles issues on a variety of vehicles with Cummins diesel engines - motor homes, fire engines, buses, construction equipment and also service Onan generators. On a few occasions, we've had an intermittent problem with restricted power from the diesel engine.. On our last trip to the panhandle, after checking with the Cummins center in Ocala, we had another occurrence when we left Perry,FL, so we'll have that potential problem looked at while we're here. This Cummins location has 4 free RV parking spots with electrical and water hookups. There's a parking lot view of all types of vehicles through our front window, but we do have a nice lake behind us that is suppose to have lots of fish in it. Work is done on a first come basis, and they are overloaded with customers. We're due to check into the Florida Central Fairground in Orlando next Wednesday for a large ham radio event, but if our service doesn't get done in time, we may have to keep Little House here and do day trips to the fairgrounds which is only a short distance away.
Yesterday was Selene's birthday, and we had a great dinner at Olive Garden to finish out our long travel day. When we arrived here yesterday, it was 79, but with a front coming through this afternoon with heavy rain, the next week is predicted to be much cooler.
Saturday, January 30, 2016
PANAMA CITY BEACH: Time to Catch UP
Our last post was from Seffner, FL at LazyDays RV Resort as two rallies were over and a third was beginning. The Fleetwood Motor Home Association rally was a big success with over 400 people attending. There were the usual seminars, vendors, flea market, bingo, movie night and lots of hugs and handshakes as old friends reunited and new friends were met. Dinners included entrees of ham and turkey, chicken and fried fish, and prime rib and salmon. Entertainment nights featured karaoke, the original Impacs, and the Marlinaires (who also performed the week before). The Marlinaires were definitely the best group. This rally was special to us because we attended at no charge since we won a rally package last year. The last night, there was a 50/50 drawing with half going to charity, and the other half to 3 lucky winners. We were the 3rd prize winners and won $142!!
We left Lazydays on Sunday, January 24 after a continental breakfast and farewells, to make a 22 mile trip to Water's Edge Resort in Zephyrhills. This is a typical older, well-run snowbird park with close sites, many permanent structures and lots of activities for residents. We were there 2 nights so we could attend a Sky Med Appreciate Luncheon in Zephyrhills on Monday. Sky Med hosts many of these events all over the USA and Mexico for their members, guests and representatives. We were happy for the chance to meet the CEO, Will Kline, who started the company over 26 years ago and continues to keep the standards high for his business. The delicious lunch included salad, fried chicken and roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, pie and drinks and was catered by Golden Corral.
Tuesday, we started our trek back to the Florida panhandle, stopping first in Ocala at the Cummins Coach center to get a code reading, and then moving to the Walmart in Perry, FL for the night. Wednesday, we ended our trip by checking into St. Andrews State Park in Panama City Beach, FL. The park is located on a peninsula between the Grand Lagoon and the Gulf of Mexico. Our water-view paved site #17 looks out on the lagoon. This is another great FL state park campground with clean facilities in a natural setting and half-price rates for us as Florida senior citizens. We're in this area to do Sky Med work and will be here until Monday, Feb. 1.
We left Lazydays on Sunday, January 24 after a continental breakfast and farewells, to make a 22 mile trip to Water's Edge Resort in Zephyrhills. This is a typical older, well-run snowbird park with close sites, many permanent structures and lots of activities for residents. We were there 2 nights so we could attend a Sky Med Appreciate Luncheon in Zephyrhills on Monday. Sky Med hosts many of these events all over the USA and Mexico for their members, guests and representatives. We were happy for the chance to meet the CEO, Will Kline, who started the company over 26 years ago and continues to keep the standards high for his business. The delicious lunch included salad, fried chicken and roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, pie and drinks and was catered by Golden Corral.
Tuesday, we started our trek back to the Florida panhandle, stopping first in Ocala at the Cummins Coach center to get a code reading, and then moving to the Walmart in Perry, FL for the night. Wednesday, we ended our trip by checking into St. Andrews State Park in Panama City Beach, FL. The park is located on a peninsula between the Grand Lagoon and the Gulf of Mexico. Our water-view paved site #17 looks out on the lagoon. This is another great FL state park campground with clean facilities in a natural setting and half-price rates for us as Florida senior citizens. We're in this area to do Sky Med work and will be here until Monday, Feb. 1.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
SEFFNER, FL: ONE RALLY ENDS, ANOTHER STARTS
The American Coach Association regional rally is officially over. During the last 4 days, we've met up with old friends and made some new ones. With free breakfast and lunch furnished by LazyDays in the Front Porch Cafe, attendees were free to visit the Tampa RV Show or see the sights in the area during the day. The evening schedules were:
Wednesday: Social hour followed by a catered Seafood Boil dinner with shrimp, clams and mussels, salad and cheesecake. Entertainment was provided by Perfect Pitch.
Thursday: Social hour followed by a catered buffet with BBQ Chicken and Ribs, salad, side items and banana splits for dessert. Entertainment was provided by Kim and the Kadillacs
Saturday: Social time followed by a catered prime rib or talapia dinner including salad, sides, and layer cake for dessert. Entertainment was provided by the Marlinaires.
Beer, wine water and soft drinks were provided 6-8 P.M.
Friday we had an appointment at the Lazy Days Service Center to have a slow air leak in the airline to the front air tank checked out . A broken valve and fitting were replaced, and we spent the day in the nice lounge area waiting for the repair and paperwork to be finished.
This morning, there was a continental breakfast of fruit salad and various pastries available along with coffee, juice and milk as many were getting ready to hit the road.
Overnight, a band of severe storms moved through the area with high winds and heavy rain. Unfortunately, deadly tornadoes touched down south of us in the Sarasota area. Today, the Happy Wanderers chapter of the ACA starts a post-rally, so friendly visits, conversation and meals will continue for the next 3 days.
Wednesday: Social hour followed by a catered Seafood Boil dinner with shrimp, clams and mussels, salad and cheesecake. Entertainment was provided by Perfect Pitch.
Thursday: Social hour followed by a catered buffet with BBQ Chicken and Ribs, salad, side items and banana splits for dessert. Entertainment was provided by Kim and the Kadillacs
Saturday: Social time followed by a catered prime rib or talapia dinner including salad, sides, and layer cake for dessert. Entertainment was provided by the Marlinaires.
Beer, wine water and soft drinks were provided 6-8 P.M.
Friday we had an appointment at the Lazy Days Service Center to have a slow air leak in the airline to the front air tank checked out . A broken valve and fitting were replaced, and we spent the day in the nice lounge area waiting for the repair and paperwork to be finished.
This morning, there was a continental breakfast of fruit salad and various pastries available along with coffee, juice and milk as many were getting ready to hit the road.
Overnight, a band of severe storms moved through the area with high winds and heavy rain. Unfortunately, deadly tornadoes touched down south of us in the Sarasota area. Today, the Happy Wanderers chapter of the ACA starts a post-rally, so friendly visits, conversation and meals will continue for the next 3 days.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
SEFFNER, FL: Friends, Travel, Another Location
We left the Chiefland, FL Walmart at 8 A.M. this morning....a very early start for us but we had a bonus waiting for us down the road. Our ham radio/rv friends, Dave and Charlotte, live in Inglis, FL just 38 miles south of Chiefland, and we were meeting them for breakfast. It's always a big treat to cross paths with friends and together we enjoyed a delicious, liesurely breakfast at Mama Sally's.
After breakfast, we traveled via non-interstate roads to LazyDays RV Resort in Seffner, FL, just east of Tampa. We've been here before for service, rallies and meeting friends. The list of amenities can be seen at http://www.lazydays.com/RVResort/ResortInfo...and they include free breakfast and lunch Monday thru Saturday in the Cafe. The resort is part of a huge complex that includes a large RV dealer and service center, a Cracker Barrel restaurant, an RV supply store, and a Flying J Truck Stop. We're here for a 12 night stay to take part in 3 different rallies.
The first rally, the American Coach Association Eastern Regional Rally, begins tomorrow and will end on Sunday morning. The schedule will offer many events on site including dinners and entertainment, there's lots to see and do in the area, and the huge Tampa RV Show is also going on in Tampa at the same time.
After breakfast, we traveled via non-interstate roads to LazyDays RV Resort in Seffner, FL, just east of Tampa. We've been here before for service, rallies and meeting friends. The list of amenities can be seen at http://www.lazydays.com/RVResort/ResortInfo...and they include free breakfast and lunch Monday thru Saturday in the Cafe. The resort is part of a huge complex that includes a large RV dealer and service center, a Cracker Barrel restaurant, an RV supply store, and a Flying J Truck Stop. We're here for a 12 night stay to take part in 3 different rallies.
The first rally, the American Coach Association Eastern Regional Rally, begins tomorrow and will end on Sunday morning. The schedule will offer many events on site including dinners and entertainment, there's lots to see and do in the area, and the huge Tampa RV Show is also going on in Tampa at the same time.
Monday, January 11, 2016
CHIEFLAND, FL: A Walmart Overnighter
This morning, we left the Geronimo RV Resort about 10:30 A.M. Today's journey from Miramar Beach, FL to Chiefland, Fl took 6 hours plus a fuel stop on non-interstate roads with little traffic. The weather was clear but chilly. Tonight we're parked with at least 6 other RV's and one semi at the Walmart in Chiefland, FL on Hwy. 19. The overnight low temperature is forecast to be 27. Are we really in Florida?
Sunday, January 10, 2016
MIRAMAR BEACH, FL: Staying Busy in the Florida Panhandle
We had a wonderful Christmas visit in central Alabama with all of our children and their families, and meeting up with friends over the Christmas holidays. The time went by quickly. The weather was very bad on Christmas Day including a tornado touchdown in southwest Birmingham in the evening. Flooding rains also accompanied the storms. But Little House endured the bad weather and we enjoyed the good times.
We left central Alabama on Jan. 2 and drove 5 hours on mostly non-interstate roads to beautiful Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville, FL on the shore of Choctawhatchee Bay. We were on site 35 with a lake view through the trees in the heavily wooded campground. Hookups included water and electric, but no sewer, although the very clean bathhouse was close by. Most of the sites are large. This link http://tinyurl.com/h98krjy shows pictures of the campground and surrounding park. Our daily rate was only $8 with our Florida resident senior citizen discount. However, the closest route to the gulf shore was via a toll road and bridge, and after a few days of making that daily journey for business chores, we decided to move 13 miles to the Destin area.
Geronimo RV Resort is in Miramar Beach, but has a Destin address. It's a small park two blocks from the Gulf of Mexico. The rates definitely reflect the tourist area pricing, and the the park is small but has reliable Wi-Fi, cable TV, close sites, full hookups, and clean surroundings. It has definitely been more convenient for the activities we've had planned, so we moved there on Jan. 5 and have enjoyed our visit. We're on site 2.
The last week has been devoted to our Sky Med business. We've put on presentations, and scouted out future events, as well as having a special assist from Sky Med's southeastern director, Rob and his wife Sherry. It's been a busy and profitable time and we look forward to returning here in a couple of weeks.
Tomorrow, we'll raise the jacks on Little House and get the wheels moving on our two-day journey south to Seffner, FL which is just east of Tampa. Cooler weather is headed toward northern Florida, and we'll be looking for warmer temperatures in our new location as well as meeting up with many friends over the next two weeks.
We left central Alabama on Jan. 2 and drove 5 hours on mostly non-interstate roads to beautiful Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville, FL on the shore of Choctawhatchee Bay. We were on site 35 with a lake view through the trees in the heavily wooded campground. Hookups included water and electric, but no sewer, although the very clean bathhouse was close by. Most of the sites are large. This link http://tinyurl.com/h98krjy shows pictures of the campground and surrounding park. Our daily rate was only $8 with our Florida resident senior citizen discount. However, the closest route to the gulf shore was via a toll road and bridge, and after a few days of making that daily journey for business chores, we decided to move 13 miles to the Destin area.
Geronimo RV Resort is in Miramar Beach, but has a Destin address. It's a small park two blocks from the Gulf of Mexico. The rates definitely reflect the tourist area pricing, and the the park is small but has reliable Wi-Fi, cable TV, close sites, full hookups, and clean surroundings. It has definitely been more convenient for the activities we've had planned, so we moved there on Jan. 5 and have enjoyed our visit. We're on site 2.
The last week has been devoted to our Sky Med business. We've put on presentations, and scouted out future events, as well as having a special assist from Sky Med's southeastern director, Rob and his wife Sherry. It's been a busy and profitable time and we look forward to returning here in a couple of weeks.
Tomorrow, we'll raise the jacks on Little House and get the wheels moving on our two-day journey south to Seffner, FL which is just east of Tampa. Cooler weather is headed toward northern Florida, and we'll be looking for warmer temperatures in our new location as well as meeting up with many friends over the next two weeks.
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