And We're Home

The last few days at Cloud 9 were beautiful, almost fall days.  We had enough rain Monday to have the fire ban lifted, so Ron and Carolyn had a campfire Thursday night complete with s'mores.  Rose, Maggie and Noah came Friday afternoon for a visit.    Saturday it looked like rain again, so we took down the screen room, brought in the chairs and took the tablecloth and seat covers off the picnic table.  Gene rode up to the Big Top with Ron and Carolyn for the Chili Cook Off and Employee Appreciation get together.  After that they packed up and left for home.  We were the only campers left at Wilder Springs 2.

Sunday, Rose picked us up for the Chapel service - such a blessing to us.  After church we said our good-byes.  It's always a bittersweet time.  That afternoon I started the "getting ready to travel"  rearranging.
On Monday morning, 8th, we left Cloud 9 and met Rose at the Dollar General in Caulfield.  Maggie had lined a picnic basket with red and white cloth and arranged fruit, cheese and crackers in it.  Noah had made delicious cookies and added them to the basket.  Such a thoughtful gift for snacking as we travel.  Again we said our good-byes and headed down the road.

That night we stayed at Memphis South RV Park in Coldwater, MS, Tuesday we traveled to Okatoma RV Resort in Hattiesburg, MS with a stop at Donna's 6 Produce in Florence.  They have delicious hand dipped ice cream and it's become a tradition to stop there for a treat.  Usually we spend two nights at Okatoma, but we were in the "go mode", so traveled on to Florida Springs RV Park in Bonifay, FL and met my sister, Faith and brother-in-law, Len in Tallahassee for lunch on Thursday.  They gave us a good amount of venison for ourselves and to share with the family.  All of us appreciate it so much.

Thursday afternoon we were back in Ocala.  Gene felt it a good idea to get an oil change as we had been 8400 miles.  I would have preferred coming straight home, but he was driving, so we stopped.  Finally reached our driveway at 5:15 and the unloading/unpacking began.  It takes several days to get everything put back in it's place - I'm still working on it.  Brad had mowed, trimmed, cleaned up our yard and it looked great.

Yesterday we had a joint birthday party at Brad and Candy's for Jennifer (daughter), Gene and me.  It was wonderful to spend time with our family.  Methinks we won't take a three month trip again - I really miss being with them

So, that brings to a close the trip blog for this year.  We had a great time visiting the sights, meeting new friends, and seeing old friends.  Until next year, God's blessings to all our friends and family.

We've Been Relaxing

It has been a nice 2 1/2 weeks here at Cloud 9 Ranch in Caulfield, MO.  Usually we move from campground to campground, but this time we have stayed at Wilder Springs.  Gene set up my screen room, put out the awning and we have stayed put.  My view has been of the little meadow, the section of the creek where the ATVs cross over, birds, butterflies, a deer sighting and even the groundhog showed himself a couple times.  The weather has been hot and only on Monday night did we get rain.  Hopefully enough so the burn ban can be lifted and we can have a campfire.
Our new friends, Ron and Carolyn, enjoy the fishing here.  On Monday, 18th, we joined them for a grilled fish dinner.  It was great getting to know them and we've spent time visiting back and forth.  
Our friend Rose invited us to her home on Sunday, 24th, with other friends, for a delicious meal and fellowship.  She homeschools her teenage children, Maggie and Noah, and they are all a blessing to be around.
On Wednesday, 27th, RVs started pulling in for the Labor Day weekend.  By Thursday evening, the ATVs were out in good number and the rest of the weekend was pretty noisy from before dawn to after midnight.  The bright spot of the weekend was the Elmores concert at the chapel Sunday morning.  They sing a variety of Southern gospel and inspirational songs and it was most enjoyable.
Today we drove into Caulfield, about 6 miles, ate lunch at The Hitchin Post, and bought some groceries  at Dollar General.  Since we were out and about, we stopped at the Clubhouse so I could check my emails and post my blog.  Gene has walked up to the Clubhouse several times to watch the US Open and has been able to get wifi at the bathhouse at the other end of the Wilder campground.  I have not been that ambitious.  I have enjoyed sitting in my screen room, reading and generally taking it easy.
We plan to leave Cloud 9 Ranch on Monday, 8th and take our time traveling home.  My Mommy, Grammy, Great-Grammy heartstrings are being pulled upon and it's time to go home to see everyone. 
So, until my next post, God's blessings to all our friends and family.