Mule Day, Columbia, TN (by Lori...)

Been there, done that...and bought the T shirt....that would be Mule Day in Columbia, TN. Actually, Billy has the T shirt, but we agreed it was worth doing. More people than mules, but basically No golf carts....that, is certainly a good thing. If there was a parade today, we missed it, though we were arrived by 11AM. The parking for the event totally filled the lawns of both the elementary school and the high school....a good thing we'd done our daily two miles of walking! And this was a good day for wearing my Sharon straw hat.   We saw mule pulling...that was impressive, those animals moved several thousands of lbs. Dead weight, no wheels. Shared a catfish sandwich for lunch, and watched the storm clouds building. Only 20% chance of rain, that's what Diane said....so we ignored the lightning, etc. explored, found some amplified gospel singing...good harmonies, too loud. And I heard one lonely fiddler while we watched mules working.    Then...on the front of a shed porch, there it was. Banjo & bass, guitars, three lady harmony singers....perfect! Played a waltz for us to dance to, with crocs, on grass...but we did. Convicts brought us some bales of hay to sit on...this was getting Good! They even sang 4 of the songs we often do...that was Neat.     That's about the time the Deluge happened...but we weren't leaving unless the music stopped, nope! Then they invited us to crowd up on the porch with them...and watched it Hail for a half hour. Big bouncey hail, about covered the ground, then More rain. May be why we missed the parade? I stood on the porch, while Billy was inside talking to the musicians. Soooo....we got invited to go get guitar & fiddle....and play along! Got sort of soaked while walking that 2 miles again....but, worth doing! See us smile. Found out that we knew some musical friends in common....a guy named Terry whom we saw at jams in Florida. This group was from Alabama....Billy got one of their cards...so perhaps a future time. Not coming to any summertime things in the South. Nope.     Kind of tired now....guess we'll hitch up the camper in the morning. Shouldn't take long....Diane is outside, taking sunset pictures....she had a good day, with her girls....hardly noticed the stormy weather. We rather did! Oh well...ttyl....Lori

Way behind Again!

So now I'll play catch up...Tuesday we did the visiting thing with Don and Diane. Diane had errands to run, she took her friend Jan to the Doctor and such. She was home earlier than we expected. That was good. Lori and I walked around the big field. We went back to the river (possibly the Harpeth) to check on the Bluebells. We found them just where they were last year. Again they are beautiful. We took pictures, as usual. Unusually, Lori took pictures of me in the Bluebells. She also deleted the pictures I took of her. I don't know why. Diane is doing her very best cooking for us! That is Special. She baked the apple pie Jan had made for us (Jonathan Apples from Cotants in MI). Excellent! Wednesday we did some more hanging around the place with the Woerners. Lori and I drove to Eagleville. Lori wanted to walk where there was no hills and smooth ground. We covered a couple of miles. Ordinarily, when in Eagleville we eat at La Fiesta a very good Mexican Restaurant. We discovered the Eagleville Cafe in our walk so tried that. We had catfish fillets dinner with 3 sides. Meat and 3 is a staple in Southern Restaurants. We had a broccoli rice casserole, French fries, and baked apples with our catfish. We did split the dinner. Even then, we are definitely eating Well this trip! Probably too well! Well, not even probably. We played music after Lori's Essential Nap. We decided on the songs to do at Leipers Fork on Thursday. We are working on 'Last Cheaters Waltz' as an instrumentalalso. Lori is getting it down. We listened to that song a dozen times Tuesday night, by various groups and musicians. More walking Thursday, but no driving to where we would walk, just around the field here. Diane has seen 'her' Albino Deer a couple of times lately, but the only wildlife we had any contact with was Wild Turkey. We did not see any on Thursday but we heard them every circuit of the field. We did see a couple on our walk Tuesday. Then with directions from both Don and Diane we headed on our own to Lieper's Fork to Pucketts Grocery for their open mic night. We arrived just before 6 (starting time) and were act 17. We sat outside. Inside was crowded full, and we could hear the music just fine out there. Before long Lori unpacked her fiddle to play along. Of course that meant getting Bernice out of her case also. Soon we were playing music outside...jammin for whoever wanted to listen. On fellow came over and videoed us doing Storms Never Last. Pretty cool! We were well received. We learned some things. I need to learn how to adjust the sound on Bernice whe she is amped. I did not like the sound we had. Lori sounded real good. She always does! I just ignored the unusual sound of my guitar and sang. Another thing...perhaps 'the wreck of old 97' is not a good choice at open mic nights. We found our way home without a hitch arriving about 10 CDST...11 in our old world, where our bodies have remained. So exhausted, to bed...

On the Road Again!

Happy Birthday Andrew! 26 on the 26th. Lori called him and wished him Happy Birthday yesterday. Her thought was that it would be more of a surprise a day early. They had a good conversation. GRRR! Once again our McMuffin Sandwiches were translated in to Biscuits. If you want to make me all pissed off all day just screw up my breakfast! In order to make a better beginning to the day, I went next door and bought a cappuccino! That was a help. Notice the spelling of Biscuits...still I feel that Bisquits should be the proper way.The editor on this program likes either way. There was not too much dew last night, but still we needed to wait a spell for the canvas to dry. We packed up and left about 11:30. We hopped on I59, took it to 65 and followed that to 840 in TN. Lori drove for nearly two hours, so I got a rest... We arrived here just fine. It is great to see Don and Diane again. There is always a lot happening here! Somehow Lori and I seem to be about tired out, so to bed early (CDST). Even though we have been on Central time most of the time here in the South, our bodies still are on Eastern time, it seems.

Slowed down Sunday

Another 'Lyle' breakfast...but this McDonalds is not at all like the MickeyD's back in Hastings. I have ordered Sausage McMuffins twice and got Sausage Bisquits instead. Probably the buttons are close together on the screen...or the cashier is just not paying attention. Personally, I think the problem is the latter. We decided to walk around more in the State Park. We walked up to the Pioneer Frarm Village. The only place happening was the blacksmith shop. There was a young fellow there banging away on a piece of iron under the watchful eyes of the 'Master' blacksmith. I remember doing that while my Dad taught me some of the tenents of working metal. Then we hunted until we found the Grist Mill. Lori finds Grist to be a difficult word to pronounce. She is getting educated on it though. I found the Grist Mill much more interesting than anything else in the park. Most likely because I have used Grist mills before, while I have never made iron ore into pig iron. I would not want to actuallyo. That ranks right up there with being a coal miner to me! Then we returned to camp. Our last quarter of a Subway sandwich was waiting. After Lori's essential nap, we got out our fiddle and guitar and made music. The campground is getting more and more deserted. A young fellow came over, a mandolin player who Did Not bring his mandolin, and listened for a spell. He played us a song he had written,of the Christian Variety. He has a good voice, and the song was pretty good as well. He sang harmony on 'Peace in the Valley' with me. Too soon,he had to go to supper. We played for about 2 hours, working on our new songs. They are coming along. MickeyD screwed up again on our supper...No Southwest Salad. We had to make do with a Bacon Chicken Ranch salad instead. The more I try to use that store the less I like it! Well, tomorrow's breakfast will be the last we will see of that! Monday we will head to TN and Don and Diane.... BTW, Lori says Bisquits should be Biscuits....I however, am not so sure! She laughed until tears flowed....oh, well!

Satisfying Satuday

We did some more exploring Sat morning. We checked out the Ironworks Museum. It is Serious about the ancient Furnaces hereabouts. ( Stole that word from Diane!). Lori found it interesting, I was mostly not. I see faster than most people, so the tour was Way Too Slow! I cam see that they are proud of the industry...and a historical Civil War Battle was Fought here, 18 days before Lee surrendered! Which would be a Total waste of Lives and Resourses, We had been invited to a jam starting at 10, so we got Fiddle and Guitar and headed to the 'instrument makers' craft cabin. We were welcomed warmly. There were 8 musicians counting us. I know because Lori counted them up. We played music until about One, then took a lunch break about a half hour. We then played until nearly 4. I was impressed by the Psaltries Dave made. They really get the sound out! We added our music to theirs, so we all played 'new' songs. We had a wonderful time! We attended the Tannehill Oprey after another fantastic McDonalds Salad. They had two bands. The first featured a 94 year old singer-guitar player, and a teen aged fiddle player. Both were real good! Lori loved Brandon's Double Stops. The music they performed was Old Country, and really really slow! The second band, in which Brandon played electric guitar ( very well, very loudly, played newer country music, and more lively, were also very good. We stayed until after 9:30. There was no mention of Open Mic. We have new neighbors in a tent in the lot next to ours, young people, both girls and boys. There were so many campfires that the air looked foggy. It made my eyes burn as well. Still no Internet at the campground! So all our on line time is thbks to MickeyD!

A Fine Friday!

Friday! Sleeping last night was easier than the night before.  Lori did awaken plenty early anyway.  She had been thinking all night about a 'Lyle' Breakfast, a sausage Mcmuffin, no egg.  By 730 MI time, we were on our way to McDonalds for that breakfast. We decided that it had been long enough without making music.  We gathered up our instruments and headed for a pavilion, called 'shed' here in AL.  We made it before the sky opened up and the rain poured down!  We were dry and happy there.  We played music for an hour or more.  We practiced several new to us songs.   Then we packed up and headed sort of back to camp.  There were little houses there, crafters places.  One of the crafters was there getting ready for tomorrow.  He builds mountain dulcimers and psaltries.  We struck up a conversation with the woman of the duo.  She invited us to the jam tomorrow beginning at 10 AM.  Lori's 'trolling' for music paid off!   We had lunch and I decided that an ice cream Snickers would make a great dessert.  We headed to the store to get one.  We were near the forge site.  We thought that would be a worthy thing to see.  It is up the hill a little.  We found out that the 'hill' is the Southern most part of the Appalachian Mountains.  It is not high really here. The Forge is interesting, but it looks like a Lot of Work!  There was a trail leading away from it to...who knows where.  We decided to follow it.  As usual, we were following the trail in reverse.  By the time we had made it back to camp we had walked about three miles.  My hip was Sure that was Plenty Far Enough!  Lori was feeling the effects of such a walk as well. Our rug had dried considerably by the time we arrived back at camp.  Weut it back in place.  Lori went in to take a nap.  I just sat in my 'easy' chair and rested...well, I did wake up a time or two, so perhaps I slept as well.  I mostly just rested there what was left of the afternoon. MickeyD's for supper again tonight...Southwest Salad is our present favorite supper.  We decided that it made sense to park the truck outside of the campground.  Many new campers have arrived for the weekend and there is much congestion!   Lori says she caught me 'tree staring'. I don't believe that could be true.  We did however sit outside and watch the sky get dark and the stars come out!  It is 8:30 here, 9:30 MI time...Lori is in bed!  I can almost guarantee an early start tomorrow!

Lori, on Tannehill

  Counted up all of the places we've set up our camper on this trip....five different locations. This is probably the last, until May? Some places we will definitely return to, Florala is one of those...some we won't. Lake Rousseau, not...and probably Fort Meade, not. We will return to Sebring, but might stay at the nearby State Park instead of Buttonwood Bay. Just be 'back door visitors' with Kim and Joe. Plan to stay at the Three Flags campground near Wildwood....and will time those two weeks to include the nearby tractor show at the Paquette Museum. That location has Possibilities! Next year will still be towing camper and exploring. But eventually, we will rent, for a month or two, at a couple places. Leave our camper in MI for our summer fun stuff! And might get a smaller traveling vehicle.   Tannehill? So far, hasn't earned any points with us. As might be expected, with so many kids....very noisy last night! Eventually, it quieted down so that we could hear the waterfall...and it's of course, quieter this morning. But...an even bigger hassle....the bathrooms are Locked Up at night...poor Billy had a half mile search at 2 AM. It seems that 'registered campers' are given a key? We weren't. Something we need to discuss with the officials today.   Tannehill is a pleasant place, otherwise. Interesting historical features...its the location of an ironworks foundry, actually 3 of them that predates the Civil War. Seems that all of the raw materials necessary for smelting iron are in these 'mountains' this is the very tail end of the Appalachians. There are a cluster of old cabins, a farm site, church, cemetery that date back to the 1850's or earlier. We plan to walk around those areas today....not sprinkling yet! T storms predicted, but not the windy sort, we hope. Cooler this morning.  Drove to an Iron Skillet for breakfast this morning...tomorrow we're going to drive just a bit farther...better value at McDs! Music? Sigh...nothing, so far. We found the location of the Tannehill Opry House, but nothing advertised until Saturday. We'll be there, then....and tell you all about it! Ttyl....Lori

Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday

Well, I am way behind again...so, here is three days in one blog. Monday! We found Florala State Park to be just beautiful! It is small, clean and Quiet! The ranger is real friendly, as well. We walked to the Huddle House for Breakfast, about a mile or maybe more away. Our path followed the shoreline of Lake Jackson. It is a beautiful lake. The walk was really nice. The walk both ways and the eating of breakfast sort of shoots the heck out of 2 hours. We did some necessary shopping while 'in town'. We took out our guitar and fiddle so we could do some new music, songs we are in the process of learning. In no time at all we had an audience! We played music in the evening at another campsite...Leo and June. They live about 20 miles away but camp in Florala for 6 months every year! I find that amazing...and very u unusual. Lunch and supper was a Subway...one sandwich cut in quarters, split two ways, twice! Trying to do better about eating So Much! Tuesday we did the walk to Florala twice again, once for breakfast and again about 3 PM to get a pizza for lunch And supper. We played music again in the afternoon. We are getting some of our new music learned, but we have a ways to go on 'Ya'll Come Back Saloon'. No one seemed to be stirring at Leo and June's so we just sat around our campsite and played music. Several people said they will miss our music when we leave...that is always nice to hear! Wednesday we walked to the Huddle House one last time. After Breakfast we packed up the camper, hooked up and headed North. Tannehill State Park, our destination! We checked the map and I thought I had the route firmly in mind...but we missed a turn off somewhere around Montgomery, which added a half hour to our drive! When we stopped for fuel and potty break, and to check things out...we were 30 miles past, we had to take an alternative route. We did make it though. Spring Break! Tannehill is Not a Quiet campground! Hundreds of kids, thousands of bicycles! Our camper and our campsite are made for each other...both are small! There is a 10 foot drop from just under our rear pullout to the creek! Lori (and I) made doubly sure the wheels are securely blocked, all three of them! We did some exploring around the park just before dark...the park is dedicated to Civil War Ironworks. We will do more exploring later. We sat in our 'easy' chairs and watched night fall...then to bed! Did I mention this park is Not Quiet?!

Sunday, not a Day of Rest...but not too bad either !

Slept in some...then a leisurely breakfast with Jan. we played her one last concert, then hit the road about 10AM. We took 351 to Cross City where we took 19/98/27 North. From there we took 20 East about forever through Florida's panhandle. Then 331 North to Florala AL. We arrived around 4. We set up camp and were sitting leisurely around by 4:30-4:45! I thought the first order of business should be a shower, while Lori got in her 'essential' nap. We accomplished both. I took a trip down the road for Ice for our drinker, and about Sundown we walked the mile from the campground to the Lake House Bed and Breakfast where we stayed on our way down to Florida. We had dinner of breakfast at the Huddle House. I got good pictures of the Sunset over Lake Jackson...then we turned in for the night! Pretty drive through Florida, with no incidents of travel to mention. That is always a plus!

Friday a little out of order...

Last night I thought I posted about Friday. I spent an hour Typing away like a good Dooby. Alas! Somehow I fat fingered something and all my hard work just disappeared! I was sure I could find it somewhere in the Ether, but could not. So I will begin again. I had decided to let Lori blog about Saturday and copied and pasted that Just fine...so now Friday will come after Saturday. We spent Friday just being Lazy at Jan's. Lori and I took a two mile walk in the morning...or just before noon. I wanted to get a picture of the herd of cows that live in the field behind Jan. Lori was sure that I was standing way too close to that Bull. There was a fence between us...and I have closer to Bigger Bulls. Still Lori was worried. We had stopped at Dixie Music in Old Town earlier in the week. Dottie the owner, with her husband, told us of great music at Rock Bluff on Friday, with an open mic part of the festivities. We made our minds up then to check it out. We were told to get there early, the place fills up. We arrived about 5:15 for the 6:30 show. The place was nearly full then! We had been told that the menu would feature corned beef and cabbage in honor of St. Patrick's day. Not so! We had to settle for Shrimp! But we made the sacrifice. The band started at 6:30 band time, which is not the same as clock time, as anyone who has ever been in a band can tell you! The music was Real Good! Dottie was the bass player, on a 5 String Bass. After about 45 minutes they started getting the open mic folks up. I had raised my hand when the leader asked if there were any new players out there. He called on us second! We had to get our instruments so we went third. Before us was a young man 15-17 age who has a phenomenal voice! Just amazing! JR was all they named him. Scary to see that much talent. We were next. I asked the crowd, 'How did they like my Grandson!?' They really Did. JR gave me a funny look, but didn't seem offended. Lori and I did four numbers. Mountain Railroad, Maggie, Would you Catch a Fallen Star, and finished with Danny Boy. We were well received! We were feeling real good still later that evening. Sleeping with that much adrenalin in our system was difficult. I am not sure Lori slept at all!

Lori's turn

   Had a lovely, lovely day at White Springs, Florida...the Azaela Festival turned out to be located at the Stephen Foster Memorial State park....that was a surprise to us. So we got that cultural/historical aspect as well. The way I understand it, SF just chose the name Suwannee River from a map, because he liked the sound of it, fit his song...and spent little or no time there. But...very impressive museum still,in his honor.    The azaleas were a little 'past' but there was plenty to see & do anyway. Yes music! Several local groups performed in different places...including one neat story teller. We wandered through the quaint shops....and heard fiddle music! A tiny music store...pretty blond lady, a little younger than myself, playing with a recorded background. There was another fiddle just setting on the couch beside her....I so wanted to pick that up, it could have  worked for me to play along...but didn't ask. Not quite brave enough...and the moment is gone forever. Sigh.   But, another first...it was Billy's choice...we had fried alligator tail for lunch! White meat, very tasty, but chicken is Cheaper! Found another little souvenir....a tiny colorful magnet that says...In a fiddler's house, everyone dances! I like that.     Back at Jan's place...essential nap, and our last night here. Promised her a dozen songs, for the lovely spaghetti dinner she fixed us! Came up a thunder shower, glad to not be camping, Jan was Gad for the Rain...Florida's water table is very low, and no northern snows to replenish it. She actually had to have new well dug....not good.    Another souvenir for Billy...an antique double jawed gear puller. Impressive, huh. Jan is sorting out some of her husbands tools....Charlie passed away about 7 years ago. She had no idea...Billy recognized it immediately. Said he liked that design better than the triple jawed gear puller....so she gave it to him, to add to his antique collection.  Well,by this time tomorrow we will have said 'good bye' to Florida....til 2013. But I am already collecting ideas, making plans. I sent Ann, our hostess at The Lake House in Florala...the promised little note, about having a musical get- together with local folk there???  We'll see! Tell you all about it. Plan to stay at least 3 nights there...then a bit farther north, to Tannehill State Park, also in Alabama. We don't want to get ahead of spring, do we. Nope! Ttyl...Lori

Thursday...around Old Town

Could Not get to sleep last night, tossing and turning all night like in the song. I finally got up and read until about 2. Lori brought me the book I had begun about midnight. I guess she wanted to Sleep! We had watched a movie earlier 'August Rush' a music movie, and had a delicious Homemade Pizza...perhaps several cups ofo coffee and a Diet Coke just before bedtime is a bad idea? So no early risers this morning...but rise we did. After breakfast, we headed out to Ichetuknee State Park about 20 miles away. We stopped at Fowler's Bluff to check out where the music is on Friday evening. Ichetuknee is a wilderness park where there are several springs feeding a river. The spring water is crystal clear...just beautiful. The park was pretty much deserted on a Thursday morning. We opted for the 2 mile walk. The trails are well marked and easy to follow. We, of course, trekked them backwards. Lori had a map and read to us about each stop. It was a pleasant morning and the Ecto systems were mostly woods, with an occasional burn mixed in. We saw a million butterflies, hundreds of trees over 100 ft tall, huge pine cones and lots of other wild life. I took a video of a very large turtle. I must have been sleepy because I slept most of the way home! After Lori's essential nap and another exceptional dinner, we walked the road again, about two miles total. We were going to watch a movie again, 'Walk the Line' but only the jacket could be found...the actual DVD was missing. Lori and I played some music...trying to decide what we will play tomorrow at Fowlers Bluff. I finished the book I began last night 500+ pages. Another wonderful day in Florida!

Wednesday, so far...

We got up almost early...7:30! We were on the road with Lori's cousin Jan around 8:30 to Ocala. We met Jan's college roommate and her husband at Bob Evans for brunch. They are Michigan folks. Jan and roommate Lori had a terrific time catching up. We enjoyed listening and a fine breakfast. Lori and split as usual...which is our token resistance to all the eating we are doing here in Florida! Ocala is not a long distance from Leesburg where Paquette's Farmall Museum is located. We had a guided tour around the premises, by a fellow that was real knowledgeable about Farmall Tractors. I posted some pictures on Facebook of that. I really enjoyed the museum...and Jan and Lori seemed to as well. We travelled the same roads that we took last week to the jams with Steve, Susie and Dick, ironically. Jan wanted to stop in Ocala on our way back at Paddock Mall. My cell phone has not been holding a charge even one day, so we stopped at Radio Shack. They did not have battery for that old of a phone. There were several kiosks around that were selling cases/covers for cell phones. The guy asked if we wanted to buy one. I told him I was looking for a battery. He had those as well, even the correct one! So problem solved, hopefully. Of course I noticed the Coldstone Creamery shop as soon as we went in. So we Just Had to Have Some! See what I mean about token resistence? It was delicious! BTW, Lori and I split that as well! Now we're are home recouping...we will see what this evening brings! Oh yeah, we stopped at Home Depot this morning as well...Lori got me out of there with only something in each hand! Things we need, Really!

Monday into Tuesday

We got up early, as is Usual with Lori. The camper was still wet from the rain Sunday, and the overnight dew. Lori walked about a mile or more around the campground. Eventually Steve and Susie got up and around. We met Dick Reed T the Citrus Grill for a 'farewell' breakfast. DST had started Sunday so the time and the sunshine are No Longer in Sync. That Makes it even later before the canvas dries enough to pack. But we found that things had dried enough by Noon! It doesn't take long to break camp, so we were on our way before one. It is an easy drive from Crystal River to Old Town FL. We arrived around Two, called Janet to get directions to her place, and were soon there. Janet lives in the rural area of N Florida...very pleasant. As soon as we got situated Lori needed her essential nap. That must have been Really Necessary,she slept until almost 5, when I woke her. There is a path/nature trail to the Suwannee River nearby. Janet suggested that we walk that...Lori was real happy to agree. The trail goes for miles but we only walked a mile or so of it. We got to see the Real Suwannee River! Pretty neat. Janet fixed us dinner, ham with pineapples and cornbread. We had strawberry shortcake for dessert later. Oh, my, delicious! We are definitely eating well! Today we did not get up early! It is easier to sleep when it is really dark out! Janet fixed us a wonderful breakfast of blueberry French toast! Later we went to Cedar Key, so Lori could dunk her toes in the Gulf of Mexico! It was sunshine and warm there. Cedar Key is sort of gentrified. It has lots of arts and crafts shops. Oh, yes, and restaurants! We stopped at Tony's which is 'World Renown' for its clam chowder! Just ask them! It Was Very Good! Lori has had in mind what she wanted for a souvenir, something to take the place of the old sun catcher dangles we have. She found it! A 'boot jack', (palm frond stem) with a lighthouse painted on it. On the way home, we stopped at Dixie Music in Old Town. They told us of an open mic night not to far away Friday afternoon! We will check that out for sure!

Lori's Birthday!

Happy Birthday Lori! We celebrated by staying around the campsite, playing music. While we opted to Not go to Church with Steve and Susie, we did play several gospel songs. We got several positive comments about our music. Steve had been planning a Big Jam for several weeks for today. The rain held off until just before the jam was to begin. It would not rain enough so we could decide to move the venue...just spit a little then almost stop. Finally we moved from the fire pit to th other Rec hall. So we were a little late in starting. There were about 15 musicians. This was an electrified Jam, with amps, mics and the such. One musician was a steel player. He was good and Not overpowering for a change. Steve and Dick's son Bill had made arrangments so Dick could see his granddaughters who live here in Florida, whom he had not seen for over 30 years! They came in as Dick was singing 'Who Left the Door to Heaven Open'. There was not a dry eye in the house! Dick was pretty shocked but pleased. They all left to do some catching up at Steve's camper. I was the first musician to follow that. Singing was difficult. We broke for lunch and some of the musicians left along with some audience. We remaining people played another hour or more. It was getting dark by the time we got packed up and back to the campsite. Lori felt that her birthday was well celebrated! I had paid for one week of Internet. We knew it would expire sometime Sunday afternoon. It had by the time we got back. I gave Lori another birthday present of one more day online. She was able to get all the birthday wishes emailed to her! She had a big smile on her face! This has been a great week with Steve, Susie, Little Susie and especially Dick! I am so happy that we stopped here.

The Friday Florida experience

Another beautiful day at Lake Rousseau! We had breakfast here at camp...I think! The highlight of today was our trip to Homossasa Springs Wildlife Park. I thought it would be an Alright trip. I did not expect to enjoy it so much. We left the campground and headed out. I was again following Dick, Steve and Susie, Dick was driving. We stopped for a second breakfast at Sally's on US 19/98,which was pleasant. Then we drove on to the Park. We did not know what to expect, and our first stop was at the gift shop. I purchased a T shirt. Then we got on the Boat( yeah, a Boat on the water!). We had a guided tour down a little River to where the park itself is located. The Manatee show was about to begin. Never have I seen Manatee before. They are Huge! They look like big submerged rocks until they Start to move. Then they look like moving huge rocks! I was impressed, boulders that can swim. Every once in awhile they wouldl poke their noses above the water to breathe, not often though. They can stay submerged when at rest up to 20 minutes. They mostly are at rest! The Show consists of feeding the Manatee heads of lettuce, they prefer Romaine! But they also eat cabbage and just ordinary lettuce. Their feeding frenzy was Not Frenzied at all. We went down into the observation area, where we could see them under water (Yeah, Underwater!). We did not stay long there. We wandered around the park and looked at all the birds, cougars, bears and others wildlife native to Florida. The only animal there not a native is Lucifer the Hippopotamus! He is allowed to main because the one-time Governor of Florida made him an honorary citizen of Florida. He had lived his whole life in that park and was a popular attraction. We stopped for ice cream, Dick got Fritos instead. A small squirrel came up on Dick's lap as bold as could be. Dick accidentally dropped a Fritos. Bang! The squirrel had that chip and was gone! But it came right back. Dick held another one out and squirrel took right out of his hand. That happened couple times, then Dick was out of Fritos. Susie was eating her ice cream cone so she broke a small piece of cone and the squirrel took that. All at once he was back! He grabbed Susie's ice cream cone and off he went. The whole cone! He jumped down under the table, tipped the cone over and ate the waffle part. Steve got pictures of the squirrel eating from Dick...but no one expected Squirrelly to steal the whole cone! The birds were beautiful but they made me sneeze. The cougar and bobcat looked muscular. The bears were bored as we're the wolves. There are several injured Bald Eagles in the park. All in all a wonderful day. We got back to camp around 6 or so... Steve grilled burgers, after Susie and Little Susie got back from school and Walmart. The burgs we good and we still had a lot of visiting to do...even though we had visited all Day. We came home plenty tired and almost ready for bed. Lori got up around midnight and took a shower and emailed. I slept.

Thursday Update

We sort of hung around camp most of the day. Lori wanted to do laundry, but there was a quarter shortage issue. I got some quarters later in the afternoon. We played some of our new music (new to us)and just relaxed. Lori got her essential nap early, before Noon. I confess, so did I! Lunch was my Chili augmented with some of the ribs Susie gave us yesterday. In the middle of the afternoon we went over to Steve's and Susie's. Dick Reed had already arrived. He is looking reall tired, but seems pretty happy. As soon as Little Susie got out of school, we headed out to another Jam. Steve knows just where the music is around here. Unfortunately it is not close around here, but usually 50 miles away. We stopped for supper at a Mexican Restaurant. Steve had been wanting to try it out for some time. The food was great, the service right up there...then they brought the Bill! The policy (law of the restaurant, in the cashiers terminology)was that the tip was added to the bill for large parties... Evidently 5 adults and one child is a Large party. That little, or not so little incident, spoiled the whole experience! I had intended on leaving the tip, and I would have left $15...more actually than Steve was charged! Still if just Lori and I went back we would probably like that restaurant. We just have to remember that 5 is a large party! We arrived at Three Flags RV park plenty early...a little after 6. Even so,we were just in time to be the last musicians in line! We have been hearing about Florida time; everything starts a half hour Before it is scheduled. People in Florida have nothing but time so they get there early! We had a good time and were well received...especially Lori! One of the numbers we did was 'Home to Me is Anywhere You Are'. Lori sings with me on that song! I was real proud that she did that with me. She is making Big progress! Singing in front of a group of Strangers! Yay Lori! We left the Jam about 10...arrived here about 11, ready for Bed! Of course, we had to attend to the emails first! Sort of PS....Lori awakned about 4 in the morning Friday...and promptly headed to the laundromat! Laundry was done by 5:30! She also got her emailing done...I however prefer to sleep when it is Dark out. Syncrocitity don't you know! Not a whole lot of That at 4AM!

Laid Back Day

We broke our rule about no Cooking While Camping today. We got groceries last night, so Lori cooked Breakfast! I cooked up a pot of Chili later. We met Steve and Susie, along with Dick Reed at the Front Porch restaurant for a second breakfast. It is terrific to just visit and relax. I started the Chili as soon as we got back here. Then...jammin' at Steve's! We jammed until around 2, then all came here for Chili and BBQ ribs. We then jammed until around 6. We just soaked up Dick's Music! What a wonderful time! Lori was desperate for a Nap by then...so she came home and Crashed! I had thought the rest would make her a Cheery Camper, but then she was in the midst of a Chocolate Crisis! We decided that a MickeyD hot chocolate would solve that, so into Donnellon we went! We stopped at Wallyworld for ant traps first. Alas McD's was cleaning the hot chocolate machine...Lori had too settle for a hot fudge sundae. She coped... We walked in the light of the full moon for a bit...then this day is over. Just another great day in Florida!

Terrific Tuesday

This is more like I think Florida weather should be! It is 8:45 PM, the temperature is around 70 degrees. It's has been a sunny balmy day. It almost reached 80 degrees today. Steve has told me repeatedly that if you are from the North you Lie about the weather. It did get over 75 though. Lori was awake early...5 or before. She decided that would be a good time to shower. She left and I went back to sleep. I awakened about 6. Lori was still showering. I tried to go to sleep again, but the birds started to make an awful racket. The sky was totally black, and they are just cooing and chirping, just generally making a whole lot of noise! I got up. Very reluctantly, but I got up. This was no time for a retired person to be up and especially up and thinking. Lori got back so I decided to hit the shower. I trekked there to discover that the soap and shampooa were left in the women's shower. I came back and got Lori to rescue them. Up, showered, so before 7 we are breakfasting. I had turkey breast and cheese sandwich, Lori peanut butter. As the sun rose higher it started to warm up. We sat outside in our comfy chairs and watched the park come alive. About 9:30 we followed Steve and Susie to Donnellon where we picked up Dick Reed. Steve took us to the best place in Florida for doughnuts, the Sunshine Donut Shop. We had coffee (water for Lori) and an Apple Fritter. They Were real good. Then we hit the road around 11, heading to Busnell to a jam. We arrived a little after Noon, the Jam started at One. We played music for nearly 3 hours. Everyone got two turns. They really like Lori and her Fiddle, they'd don't think I am too bad either. Several of the musicians were the same people we played music with last night. In fact, most of them were. Busnell is around 50 miles from this campground. We were at the Dogwood RV park. Home again, well, to Donnellon, where we transferred Steve's equipment to Dick's car. Then we headed down the road a block or so to the Blue Gator which is a fishing,motel bar and restaurant. The food is very good. We sat outside on a deck overlooking a river or cove. I didn't spend much time looking at the water. Lori and I liked that place a lot! I treated the gang to supper. Lori and I split a huge salad which had blackened shrimp. The dressing was Spicey Ranch...the emphasis is on Spicey. Very very Good! We said good by there and headed to Walmart. Tomorrow we(I) will try our hand at cooking while camping...something that has never happened before! Walmart is Walmart everywhere! It does make a good bank though. The balmy weather continues this evening. Lori and I walked around the campground a half hour or so. The moon was Full and it was such a great evening for a walk. Lori has gone to bed...the better to be able to arise again at 5AM, I suspect. I will check FB again, then join her.

Monday in Dunnellon

I forgot to mention the dance we attended with Joe and Kim Saturday night. We had a terrific time. The entertainer was a one man entertainment center. He did a real good job, singing songs of the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's. He sure was worth whatever they paid him! We had a wonderful time. We also had tired legs and feet, but a little ibuprofen handled that just fine. Lori was up typing away on email Way early this morning. She had four in the Outbox when I woke up. People got multiple copies...but at least we are connected. We followed Steve, Susie, and little Susie into Donnellon. Little Susie went to pre-school. We picked Dick Reed up at his motel and went to Breakfast at the Citrus Grill. We had a well deserved, and needed breakfast. Steve and Susie are regulars there. Excellent time was had visiting, and the food was good also. We returned to camp, everyone else went to Crystal River for the day. We waterproofed our camper... The Sun was out and the wind was light. We put down our awning as well. Then we just hung around resting, tree staring, and being lazy all afternoon. We took out the guitar and fiddle and worked on some new music. We got quite a large audience in a very littl while. The rest of the crew arrived around 3:30... So we left again to attend a jam in Inverness. There were many musicians there and they were pretty good. Lori and I did a couple numbers each. The jam was over before we got another turn. Lori declared it to be Fun. I had a good time too. I played Barre chords on most of the songs I was playing in the background. It was a a perfect opportunity for that. The jam was probably 35-40 miles away from this park. Steve says that all the jams are quite a drive. The good news is that there Are jams! The jam ended at 9PM. We arrived back here just about 10... It has been a long day but a good day!

Sunday on the Road

Lori did not get a lot of sleep last night. The wind became quite ferocious! She was sure we were going to become airborne. I slept through it all barely aware that the wind was blowing. I did get up once and close the door...the wind shook the trailer enough that the door came unlatched. Then about the time I decided that there was not going to be much rain, the came the Deluge! So much for having the trailer dry when we packed up camp! It didn't take too long breaking down the camper and hooking up. We were ready to go by 8:30. Kim called, inviting us to ao 'real' breakfast. She and Joe were concerned that we figured on stopping at MickeyD's for that. We had a great breakfast, and it was good to have the final visiting before we moved on. That delayed our departure somewhat, but we are on Vacation, so who cares? I had a struggle getting the camper lights to work when we hitched up. But they were working fine when we left for the Bennett's. I realized that they were not working again before we got to the Highway, Thank Goodness! Once again I fought with that adaptor. Finally I just took that out and hooked the camper direct, sans adaptor. That solved the problem. There is some thing faulty with that adaptor. A problem to be solved later, when we get home. We headed North on US 27. Traffic was not too bad. From Sebring to Crystal River is 3 1/2 hours according to the Maps App. We stopped at two McDonald's to see just where we were in the big picture. And once to help the Arabs and the Republicans out (gasoline). We made it in a little over 4 hours. We called Steve a couple of times to get directions...and pretty much made it right there OK. I navigated a left turn on the wrong road once, and Lori got forced into a right turn lane we didn't need to be in. Otherwise no problems. I was quite antsy, because I had no real idea how long we needed to stay on 27North. A long long time it turns out. Lori might have been getting tired of my questions! Steve, Susie, along with Dick Reed were sitting on the tailgate of Steve's pickup waiting for us when we arrived! We were met gladly, to say the least. Susie made a run to town, while we set up camp. Dick and Steve sat in lawn chairs and watched our choreography. Steve Grilled brats for supper and we watched Ohio State beat MSU, while we ate. Lori was a big hit with Susie's grand daughter, also Susie. Lori and I did a walk around the campground and headed home to catch up on the email...and so on. We got a text that our Mei inbox was full, so I fixed that. This campground has the same Internet that Buttonwood Bay had. Here it works really well though. So I sprung for the $15 and we have Internet access! Will wonders never cease!

Saturday ....for Sure!

We both had a hard time sleeping overnight...we had such a good time at the dance it was hard to settle down.  We both were pretty sore from all the dancing.  My knees throbbed.  We both had taken pain pills before we went to bed.  We both took more before we finally got to sleep. Morning arrived same as usual.  We were up around 6:30.  There was a community breakfast at 8.  We walked down and met Joe and Kim about 7:45.  Breakfast was pancakes or French Toast, scrambled eggs and sausage, ham, potatoes, and biscuits and sausage gravy, along with coffee, juice, or tea.  We again had way too much to eat.  That seems to be how it is here. Kim let us use her laundry facilities, so we started a load of wash.  We hustled down to the park to play music at 10.  Today we the only musicians today.  We did have some audience though.  We broke about noon.  The wind has picked up.  Gusts of 20-30 mph or maybe more.  The forecast is for rain over night and much cooler tomorrow.  We decided to take down the awning today while it is still dry.  That was a difficult endeavor.  It is Done now.   I have greased the wheel bearings on the camper.  We are as far South as we will get.  We are half way on the driving miles, or nearly, so it is time to do some maintenance...  We will head to Crystal River Tomorrow. We are going to the dance tonight. I am actually caught up on my blogging.... Unbelievable!

Almost sure...Friday

Friday, what a great day!  It appears that we should have booked longer here.  Buttonwood Bay is such a welcoming place.  We had no idea what we would find here when we started out.  Ever since we hit Florida, things have been terrific. We had a breakfast that was real similar to lunch, turkey breast sandwich with cheese.  I got coffee from the crystals packages we had brought.  It is better, but not great, when the coffee is added to the water, rather than water added to the crystals.   10 o'clock was the j am session.  Lee the fiddler arrived and we started playing.  Joe brought his banjo as well.  Lee knows so Many Songs!  I have a little trouble figuring out just what he is playing however.  They sort of all start the same.  Usually we got it figured out (all of us!) and we sounded good. We broke for lunch at the Cafe by the Lake again around noon.  Crab ales or chicken breast sandwiches, 3 dollar.  No one wants to pay much for anything here.  It is a good deal.  Lunch comes with a drink and chips.  All the lunches are put on by volunteers, which helps on the costs. We started playing again at 1 o'clock.  Our audience had grown over time.  About 3:00 a lady came with her bagpipes...Lee went home immediately!  He said you can't play with her at all.  He was correct.  The bagpipe is tuned to Bb, but at 478 Mh.  Guitars and other strings are tuned at 440Mh.  Even when I played Bb I was no where near.  It didn't matter much...no one could hear anything but the bagpipes.  They are loud!  Understatement!  I thought I would go deaf!  I tried and tried but there is no place on a guitar that even comes close to that pitch.  I know...I tried them all.  The key of E was closest, but not real close. We quit about 4.  It was time to Pee (Maybe that should be in all Caps!). Lori needed her nap, and a shower sounded good.  In order to maintain some kind of fitness regime, we walked to the park carrying our instruments. That meant we carried them home walking as well.  That would be about a half mile walk in total.  We made plans to meet Joe and Kim at the Square Dance at 7:30. We walked down to that as well. Square Dancers are very friendly folks.  We felt welcomed immediately.  Kim and Joe know lots of people, and they had friends among the dancers.  We were introduced to the caller Nelson.  He was pleased to meet another caller, even a retired one like me. Dancing in Florida is low key compared to MI.  Short tips, slower music and long breaks.  I have done little dancing in years.  But we kept up just fine.  At the end of the dance, Nelson asked me to call one tip.  He had music to 'Will the Circle be Unbroken', so I went with that.  It went pretty well.  I got oodles of compliments!  People were even telling me what a great job I had done while we were walking to the Comfort Station!  I was pleased to be so well received. But there very best thing came after the dance was over...a couple were standing near.  He mentioned that he had many relatives in Hastings, although he was from Aurora OH.  Did I know Rolly Oaster?  He's my cousin.  - Yes I do, Marilyn, his wife is my cousin. - No Way!  She is my cousin, too!  - Well then, you must be my cousin too.   His name is Ron Martin...and I know little else about him.  He is about my age, my height, and my build.  Kim noticed right away that we resembled each other in skin tone, the shape of our eyes and noses.  I hope to see him again tonight, but I am not sure I will. Pretty amazing....

Thurs day...maybe?

Well I was right!  Lori was awake typing away several hours before daylight.  I woke up enough to notice, but went right back to sleep.  We arose about 6:30, or at least I did.  I sleep very well here. We went to the breakfast in the Rec Hall.  This morning it cost a dollar, because there was no speaker.  Joe Sprung for that...Thanks Joe!   Different musicians came for the 10 o'clock jam.  We had a pretty good jam.  We were exposed to several Irish songs, some I had heard before and some completely new.  We learned that the Irish songs about women, we're actually patriotic Irish songs.  Singing songs about Ireland would get the Irish arrested and jailed.   There was a fiddler Lee, who knew all the old fiddle songs and the old Irish songs as well.  He was Good, and he wanted to show Lori everything he knew.  He knew a lot.  Lori will remember it, and add some skills, I am sure. Kim bought us all lunch at the Cafe by the Lake, sloppy joes.  Then we went back to playing music.  We played until 3:30 or so.  Kim was going to a 'slow jam' then.  She thought we would be bored by that.  We wouldn't have been, but we had done plenty of music by then. Kim took a turn, playing Amazing Grace...she did fine.  I sang it so she could get it going.  Her comment, 'Man that was fast!' she kept up fine.  Later on another song I said 'Go Kim!' and she did.  She took my advice to not think and just play.  She kept up and sounded fine.   We did some grocery shopping and went to another McD's...got all caught up on the news from home.  We came back to the campsite and watched the stars come out again.  I sat out in the sunshine while Lori took her nap earlier.  Did I say it is Warm down here?  

Tuesday...written Wed...posted Thur

Tuesday.... We started the day with a trip to town to catch up on email and so on.  We had our usual MickeyD breakfast.  I have been drinking all leaded coffee on this trip.  It was foggy when we drove to town,    Lori and I went on a nature hike.  Kim was hiking as well, but we didn't meet her.  We walked some farther than yesterday perhaps three miles all told. Lunch was at the camper, then we just vegged in our reclining chairs.  I fell asleep, perhaps so did Lori?  Kim had made arrangements for a jam near our campsite. She drove up and we all went over to Jim's.  The venue had been changed to Darlene's close by.  We met several good musicians and real nice folks. We jammed for about 3 hours.   At 4 we went to another house where even more musicians were waiting.  Dee our hostess, had invited us to stay for supper.  Fried chicken and all the fixins.  We played music for about 2 hours first however.  This has been a fantastic day of music.  Even Lori  felt that we almost had done enough!   We came home around 8 and sat out under the stars for awhile before we went to bed....a very satisfying day!   I am beginning to think we should have figured on two weeks here at Buttonwood Bay...Next year?!