Journey's End

Gene on bridge at Cherokee Landing



Sand dunes along Hwy 98 near Destin, FL





View of Apalachicola Bay from Caroline's River Dining

 We left Cloud 9 on Oct. 19 and meandered towards home.  We saw fall color in Missouri and northern Arkansas, and some in Tennessee.  Our first destination was Cherokee Landing Thousand Trails near Saulsbury, TN.  It was nice and quiet as the season was drawing to an end.  We walked around Cherokee Lake and across the bridge by Tomahawk Lodge, by the cabins and back to our campsite - about a mile - good exercise.  We met several couples from Mississippi and one from Florida.  They invited us to the central campfire and for the next three nights we shared camping stories.

Monday morning we got an early start so we could stay at Okatoma Resort again in Hattiesburg, MS.  One of Gene's "must" stops was at Donna's #6 Produce in Florence, MS for more boiled peanuts.  As I had developed vertigo the week before, I was not comfortable trying to drive, so Gene had the entire responsibility.  With stops along the way for lunch, fuel and stretching our legs, we made the trip in seven hours.  Usually much more than we like to drive in a day, but fortunately Gene was in the "go" mode.

Tuesday we made a much shorter trip to an Escapees Park, Rainbow Plantation in Summerdale, AL giving Gene a chance to rest up some.

I had a bee in my bonnet to travel Hwy 98 along the coast and Gene agreed it would be a beautiful drive.  As you can tell by the above pictures, I enjoy being close to the water.  The day was sunny and clear, the water myriad shades of blue and green and the drive was as beautiful as we had anticipated.  When we reached Apalachicola, we stopped at Caroline's River Dining.  As we ate our delicious meal in the outside dining area, we watched boats pass by.  A perfect "almost the end of the trip" experience.  We traveled on to Carabelle and stayed in a Passport America park - Sunset Isle RV Park.  Many of the lots are owned by people who also have boats/yachts at Timber Island.  There is a gorgeous swimming pool there, but it wasn't quite warm enough for me to take a swim.

Thursday morning we were both in the "go" mode - only a few hours from home.  We traveled Hwy 98 along the coast, then finally had to turn inland to go through Perry and on to home.

Gene drove the entire trip - a total of 3125 miles.  However, I did all the cooking, so I feel I held up my end of the responsibilities. 

Are we going to stay put for awhile?  No.  Thursday we will get together with our Escapees friends at the Golden Corral in Clermont.  As Orlando Thousand Trails is just a few miles down the road, we will stop in there for a few days, then over to Peace River Thousand Trails in Wauchula .  From there we will go to the Escapees Chapter 57 rally in Bushnell at Paradise Oaks RV Resort.  Then we'll come back home for the holidays and start planning next year's adventures.

So, to all our friends and family Happy Thanksgiving, a Blessed Christmas, Happy Hanukah and a Prosperous New Year. 

Watching the Leaves Change

 This week there has been quite a change in the fall leaves.  On    Monday, I took a walk with  my camera to capture some of the color.  The sun was shining on the trees/bushes and the color was vibrant.  Many of the trees are oaks, so the leaves are various shades of yellow and orange.  They are also dropping their acorns when the wind blows.  This can be hazardous if you are sitting under the tree.  There are a lot of happy squirrels though.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Monday and Tuesday night Gene made a wonderful campfire.  Monday we roasted hot dogs and Tuesday we just sat and enjoyed watching the flames dance.  It is a beautiful and everchanging sight.  

We have enjoyed playing Mexican Train (a domino game) and Scrabble.  Gene usually wins, but every once in awhile I throw him a curve ball and win.  Keeps him on his toes.  Yesterday and today he has gone to the putt-putt golf course to practice and then watches a little TV at the Clubhouse.  I am happy to sit at "home" and crochet - watching the leaves change and listening to the acorns fall.

On Friday we will leave our little paradise and start towards home.  The temperatures will be in the 30's the next couple nights and that always has the tendency to drive us Southward.

My next blog will depend on internet connection.  Until then, God's blessings to all our friends and family.                                            

Cooler Weather & Campfires





We're having beautiful days and cool nights.  Gene & I have taken a couple of hikes to enjoy the scenery.  On our first hike we walked across Foggy Ford, shown in the picture to the left, and up almost to Foggy Lane.  It was up the whole way, which made it easier on the return trip.  I would like to clarify "Fogey" vs "Foggy".  All the signs are spelled "Fogey", but it's pronounced "Foggy".  I wonder if the original speller was trying to be funny.

The second picture was taken at Wilder Springs with the morning mist.  It looked surreal.  I enjoyed sitting in my chair at the campsite and listening to the stream both at Wilder Springs & Foggy Hollow.

My thanks to Margie Woodall, who told me where to find the icon to attach  pictures.

Sunday after Chapel service, we settled in the Melody Lane campground.  Cloud 9 has about six separate campgrounds so one can choose ones close to the Clubhouse or down by the stream.  Melody Lane is close enough to the Clubhouse so Gene can take the laptop to catch up on the news, emails, etc.

We also have WiFi connection at the RV, so I can do my stuff here.

Yesterday we took another hike down an ATV trail and back around to the campsite.  It was a lovely, peaceful hike with birds singing and a slight breeze blowing.  Later in the afternoon I saw a deer by the road.  It didn't stay long enough for me to get the camera.

We met two nice folks from Indiana and they invited us to their campfire.  They are Christians also and it was wonderful to share with each other what Jesus has done in our lives.

Gene has been on a hike by himself today while I have stayed home to crochet and fix stewed apples in the crockpot to go with pork chops and stuffing for supper.  Speaking of which, it's about time to start the chops.

Until next time, God's blessings to all our friends and family. 

Life is Good

My last post said we were going to Fogey Hollow for a few days.  Well, we took the road to Wilder Springs and decided we'd stay there instead.  It's a lovely place and we parked close to an area where we had tent camped many years ago.  The water runs over a row of stones making a soothing sound.  I love to stand there and listen.

One afternoon I sat at our site and listened to the breeze blowing through the trees and watching the leaves dance down to the ground.  There is just a little fall color so far.  The temperature has been in the 80's during the day and 60's at night.

Gene made a nice fire one night and we roasted hot dogs.  They always seem to taste better over a campfire.

The only minor setback was an issue with our toilet.  It had not been holding water in the bowl for a while due to a worn seal.  I could live with that.  Then the cable that allowed the toilet to flush broke.  No living with that!  We made an appointment with E.J. RV Service in West Plains for last Tuesday and a new toilet was installed.    Russ had told me it was a "high profile" which meant it was 4" taller than our old one.  I did not fully comprehend the implications of that until Gene suggested I sit on it to see if it was all right.  I almost had to jump up on it as my little short legs couldn't navigate the extra 4" comfortably.  The extra height also caused Gene to hit his head on the above shelf.   Russ was so kind to remove it and hook our old one back up.
They ordered a "low profile" model and we had it installed yesterday.  Such little setbacks cause one to really appreciate the simple things of life.

Now, if any of you have ever watched the movie "RV", you'll remember Robin Williams had to go to the bathhouse to get a signal for his computer.  Well, here I am, in the Ladies Bathroom, laptop perched up on two sinks and typing away.  I've paid bills, read my emails, etc.  One learns how to make adjustments when on the road.

Yesterday when we came back from town we settled in Fogey Hollow right next to the creek.  Gene is fixing a fire tonight and I'll cook pork chops over it.
Truly, life is good!