TRAVELING NORTH INTO GEORGIA

We finished up our stay in Bartow Florida with my last TOPS meeting and Gary's last Art Class in Wauchula Florida. Of course, we had to throw laundry into the mix also.

Wednesday, March 23rd -
We left The Good Life Resort in Bartow going north into Georgia. Our stop there was at "Walk About RV Park" in St. Mary's Georgia. It used to be King George Park back in our early days fulltiming. It took me some time to remember it, but I did, especially after we did some driving around to sight see.
It has new owners who hail from Australia.

They are a nice young couple who hosted an Easter Dinner for Sunday afternoon.  Their workampers, George and Nancy helped by doing most of the kitchen work.

Three hams were more than enough. And everyone else brought two or three things also. Oh, were we stuffed!! I sure need to go hungry for at least a week.

Thursday, March 24th -
Our stay at Walk About started with some touring about St. Mary's and a nice lunch. Our first stop was a book store, but nothing to our liking. We then went on to an art gallery, which we thoroughly enjoyed. There we stopped in a Cafe' for lunch.

This lamp shade was carved out of wood and very fragile.

The lady who makes these dishes and the knomes, must do a good business. She was getting ready to go to Jacksonville Florida for a showing. She also told us about a full timing couple who had just bought a 20 inch knome for in their motorhome at the tune of $ 350.

From their we went on to this radio museum.

We had plans to go on to the Railroad Museum and the Tall Ships the next day, but rain cancelled out those plans. After two days of rain, we decided that those sights would wait for another trip through the area. Then we will also add Cumberland Island to the list.

Friday, March 25th -
George and Nancy at Walk About Park had told us about Woodbine Opry and it sounded like fun. So we took that in on Friday night with them.

Jackson talking with his grandmother.

It was nothing outstanding in talent, except for the fifteen year old, Jackson. He was awesome and so talented! He comes with his grandparents and he sure gets the accolades from the audience. He can play any of the string instruments except the fiddle.

Jackson's grandfather is the one in the blue plaid.

He plays a mean banjo and sang as well. He has dreams of working in the music field, and has been playing with a small group.

There was not a charge for the show, but to off set the electric and such, they had a 50/50 drawing and drawings for baked goods. Guess who had two of her tickets drawn for the baked goods. Doesn't she look like she needs it??

Saturday was spent going to Walmart and fixing food for Sunday dinner. So nothing special that day, and a good thing as it rained most of the day!
On Easter Sunday (having looked up a First Baptist Church on-line) we began by going in to Kingsland for church. Wel-l-l, the Baptists changed their time and there was only one vehicle in the parking lot!! But the United Methodist Church parking lot was full and many still going through the doors. So we followed them and were not disappointed!! The choir sang many of the Easter hymns and were so enjoyable!!

We were glad that we went to the early service as it was a full house, so we can only imagine what the 11 am service was like!!

Monday March 28th - our day to move on-
We have set up at the ELKS in Charleston, South Carolina-
During the four days here we have a full day tour of the city tomorrow and will continue with follow-up the next couple days after. We are hoping that rain does not ruin any of those plans here.

ANOTHER PLAY DAY in FLORIDA!

MARCH 17th, Thursday -
While in Arcadia yesterday, Gary made plans with my great niece's husband, Michael, to visit his work place to see two Warbirds (T-28) that they got in for restoration.So Gary and friend, Bill, took off for Punta Gorda Thursday. These are toys belonging to the rich and sometimes famous!

It made Bill's day when he found out that Michael was a former Marine!!

While they were gone I stayed with Esther in their Rainbow RV Park near Frostproof, Florida.

We enjoyed 5-Crowns for a couple hours and then drove on to Frostbite Cafe' for a delicious lunch, including ice cream.

They advertise "staying back in the "50's".  Then we went back and played a couple more hours so Esther could recoup! Thanks Esther, it was great!!

On Friday, we went in to Walmart in Bartow to get my script and to finish getting the groceries that we might need going from here to SC for a month's stay, to sight see and enjoy visiting some friends.
They had forecast rain for Friday here, but then it got moved to Saturday and Sunday.  However, it is nearing noon on Saturday, but there is still no rain yet.  I can handle that. I enjoyed sitting out to read yesterday. I won't always have the shade for that.
Gary has been suffering headaches so much since Wednesday. He is thinking that it is pollen, but I wonder if it is not a sinus infection. I guess time will tell.
We don't have much more going on while here, just getting ready to move on and Gary has his last Art Class on Tuesday down in Wauchula, FL.

VISITING WITH SALEM PEOPLE HERE IN FLORIDA, AND OTHER RELATIVES

MARCH 16th, Wednesday -
We drove south and west for about two hours to Venice. Had plans to meet up with a couple of Salem friends at IHOP. Sorry to say, Barbara had to cancel because of other commitments. But were so happy to greet Marilyn who I graduated with back in '62. We would have known her anywhere, but she would have missed us!  Guess that says that we have aged!!!

Marilyn, it was awesome and hope that we can do it again when we come back south!

After the visit with Marilyn we drove on to Arcadia/Port Charlotte area to spend the afternoon with my niece, Tina (from Indiana) and her two daughters, Becky and Amanda and their husbands, Jeff and Michael; along with the ten grandchildren! Tina, you have such a lovely family and we love connecting up with them in Florida, Arkansas and Texas. That is what makes our life style so much fun! The children was so active that it was hard to say if I got pictures of everyone. We should have lined them up and taken a group picture. Next time, remind me!!
We had a great time visiting while the children were in the pool and also when we had a weenie roast!

Then the men had to go to the back forty looking for alligators to the worry of us ladies. It was hard to keep the kids up front though since they were through in the pool.
Pool time was fun. I thought about getting in the hot tub at the other end, but figured that I would have ten more for company. So I refrained!

I think that Gary found a sweetie!!

She was born long after our last visit with the family (Amanda and Michael) and the other family (Becky and Jeff) have moved out into the country since our last visit also. They have also adopted two children since our last visit.
Now it is time to bring on the hotdogs and marshmallows!!

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Where are all of the adults??
Some of the children went off on bicycles and to climb the only tree in the immediate back yard.

Before the mommys got home from getting groceries and the daddys finished work, they were quiet in their school room.  They are all home schooled.

It was a long and tiring day, but oh, so much fun!  Tomorrow there are more plans, but will put them in a separate Blog.  So stay tuned!!

HELLO AGAIN FROM BARTOW FLORIDA

March 9th, Wednesday
We finally got to move the motorhome back to The Good Life RV Resort! Got set-up and then Goodchild's stopped by for a visit. While Gary and Bill visited, Esther and I played a few rounds of 5-Crowns. Esther was disappointed in the outcome though. It was a good thing that Gary and I had practiced the day before, since we almost forgot how it was played! Next time Esther??
March 10th, Thursday
We had not thought that we would go to Plant City for the Strawberry Festival, but when we were asked to join a group from the First Baptist Church that we attend to go in their bus group, we jumped on the band wagon! Especially when they said leave the driving to us!
It was worth it for the strawberry shortcake and hot sausage sandwich!! We stopped by Parksdale Farms booth to see my new TOPS friend, Jean Disney, much to her surprise. She steered us to the church booth across the isle for the shortcake!

She was right on! The line was so long that we had to go outside to get in the line. But it moved fast. 

See, we are there already!!

We got to make our own - you can see that Gary loaded up on the home made whipped cream while I loaded more with berries! I had to be so careful that it did not spill before we finally found chairs outside. I almost forgot to take pictures as we were in such a great hurry to taste!!

After walking around some more, we decided that we still had to make room for a hot sausage sandwich. So we bought one and split it. Can't say we didn't have one! It was so-o-o good!
March 11th, Friday -
We decided to stay home and clean, Gary the underbelly compartments and I did the kitchen! It sure needed it after all of the dust in the garage lot!!
March 12th, Saturday -
We drove to Frostproof and picked up Bill and Esther for a trip to Wauchula. We wanted to show them the small Escapee park that we are on the waiting list for. We hope to set up our permanent winter home there. But it might be another three years on that list! After the tour we drove into town and stopped for dinner at Nicholas' Greek Restaurant. We had been there before so knew that Bill and Esther would like it. They serve you so much that I had the salad and soup bar with a roll which came witht the dinner, and took my liver, onions and baked potato home for two more meals!

We then stayed at Bill and Esther's for a while and Esther got her revenge with 5-crowns!
March 13th, Sunday -
Was the usual, church and SS class. Though the time changed, we made it on time. In the afternoon, I talked with our grandson and learned that he had been a passenger in a friend's car when she was in an accident on Friday. I think that the car was totaled, so we are so thankful that they only had bruises!! I think that she must have pulled out in front of a pick-up on Rt 224 at Dunkin'  Donut.
Monday, March 14th  -
began with breakfast in our park. With TOPS in the evening for me, I had to go light. But Gary did not worry!! He needed the energy to wash down the motorhome later! Haha. But he did get it done, roof and all, before the rain hit. I also got the laundry done and back home before it hit. I sure like their prices here better than some we have seen of recent!
Tina and Becky, I had to take a picture of this wrap-around porch that I saw across the street while I waited for time for TOPS. I would love it too!

It has been such awesome weather here! And I have been able to sit out some to read. We don't have the awning out, but the neighbor's motorhome gives enough shade later in the afternoon.

Another week gone by and we are getting closer to our movin' on!  And Gary has his Art Class to teach in Wauchula on Tuesday. I will bake a cake while he is gone to take to my great nieces for a weenie roast on Wednesday. We are looking forward to all of that, even the ten kids! We will also be checking in with a couple friends from Salem, who moved down here about 18 years ago. Looking forward to seeing them! You all take care now and I will let you know how the outing goes tomorrow.