The "Rainbirds" have landed!

We had intended to spend another night on the Lazydays lot in order to get little things corrected, but in my mind, just to relax a bit after 5 days of putting the deal together and moving things over!  Whew!  But after breakfast Sunday morning, I decided maybe we should just head out!  So we packed up, pulled in, and set out on the last three hour leg.

"no worries"

Clem had disappeared during the process, and I finally found him chatting with the couple in the next coach.  We  discovered that they travel the country entering BBQ competitions as a hobby, and were picking up their new coach, which was a 2008, in pristine condition.   They came over to wish us well, as we fired up with the "psshhhh" of the air breaks releasing!  Wow....just like the truckers!  I was dying to blow the air horn!  The ride was smooth and quiet, and I was actually surprised when Clem announced only 20 miles to go!  Good decision!

We caused quite a stir when we drove into the neighborhood to unload!  Folks came out with tons of questions and wanted to see inside.  Needless to say, the unloading took a bit longer than anticipated!  But always fun to show it, and get folks reactions.  As a light drizzle started, we took it to its storage spot where it will wait for us to take it  to the Keys in a couple of weeks.

 Who knew when we rented that RV last fall that it would open up this whole new world for us!  There is so much to see in this country.....and this is such a neat way to see it, taking the house along, always assured of a clean room to spend the night, and a place to get a good meal.   We have encountered lots of fun and interesting people, including full timers, retirees, hikers, fishermen, foreigners, craft people, and young families.  In fact, the family accepting the coach right across from ours  had 4 kids!  The dad pulled out  very early Sunday morning, and I would venture to guess that the kids were still asleep.  I remember many times my Dad would wake my sister Kathy and I and tell us it was late and we had to get moving, only to find once  dressed and on the road that it was only 5AM!

It has been another great adventure, and I  have enjoyed your company...thanks for following along!  

Moving Day

 Well, THAT was a job and a half!!  They delivered the coach to our site Friday night, and we worked several hours transferring a good portion of "the house" over, putting things away, making the bed , and then spent the night.  Saturday morning I told Clem we should finish up, then go to Tampa.  Well, that didn't happen!  We started early moving the rest of the house, and then the basement, and a tech came and walked us through all the systems, and before you know it, it was 4:00, and we collapsed!   At least we didn't have to mover furniture.

We are both just blown away by how comfortable and roomy this coach is. We enjoyed our last one, so we are amazed that this one is so much more comfortable.......even sitting still!   I threw some laundry in last night to make sure that was in order ( and get some out of the way, of course), and we sat in the easy chairs and watched a movie.  Quite comfy and very homey.   I bet Clem will even be content to stay out longer now......I hadn't figured that into the equation!

The New Coach!!

JUST kidding!!!  An oldie but goodie that we spotted coming in for service, then ran into again at Camping World.  Glad to catch a photo, as I missed it the first time.

This sign is featured inside Danny's, in addition to a stencil painting over the outside door saying  Guy Fieri ate there, and the Food Network insignia.  (should have gotten a picture of that, too.)  Truly a hole in the wall, with seating only outside on picnic tables, and something I might have just driven by, had I not known, and had there not been a line up of  cars in the lot!  Not the best area in town, if you know what I mean!   Burgers were good.....that was the featured item.  Named after ball players like the Roberto Clemente and the Babe Ruth,  and came "with bases loaded", which referred to all the toppings.  Wish I had tried the roasted pork. They also have Cuban sandwiches in a tip of the hat to neighboring Ybor City, famous for hand rolled cigars made in the 1880's, where they produced 300,000 a day!    They had ice cream, too, but who had room?!?!?  It is nearly 4 in the afternoon, and I am still full!!  No dinner tonight!  

We had intended to tour today, but it rained this morning, we went out for a bit, and then it started raining again, so we decided to spend time  "at home,", after a couple of busy days, just catching up.  We should have the new coach in the morning, when we will set to the task of moving things over!  

Oh..there is the stencil, bottom left, real small!

Suffern, Florida

What is in Suffern?  Well, it is just outside of Tampa, and includes the State Fair Grounds, and the Ice arena  where the Tampa Bay Lightening practices.  Tampa/ St. Pete also has a wonderful new museum of Salvador Dali works, the building itself being reason enough to visit, and a Dale Chihuly Museum.  We visited both of those last winter, and they were wonderful.  But of interest to us this trip was Lazydays RV.   I have been "hinting" to Clem that I think we really need a diesel RV, rather than the gas operated one we purchased, which , while very nice, does drag a bit on those mountain passes.  Diesels also provide a cushioned air ride, and come with air brakes, both giving a better ride, and better stopping, and provide hours of fatigue free driving.   Well, Clem totally surprised me several days ago when he asked if we should go to Atlanta, or go down the coast of Florida and drive a diesel and see if it really made that much difference!  Wow!!  I figured MAYBE by January he would agree to at least go take a drive!  Well, we looked at them when we arrived, and drove one yesterday morning, and put the deal together yesterday afternoon!!  After a long day today of signing papers, being greeted, and moving into our delivery site, we now await our new coach!!  It means another couple days here waiting for them to go through everything to make sure it all works, and us moving things over.  It has some really nice upgrades to the interior, in addition to the bigger engine, and we are both very excited to get it.  I snapped a couple of photos this morning before they whisked it off to the repair bay, so will include them.  We will have a couple of days to do a little exploring now while we wait.

We liked this option of two chairs instead of the second couch.  And the bathroom is at the rear of the coach, behind the bedroom, with a second half bath "midship."

Our coach had three slides...the new one has four.
Tile floors and a residential refrigerator are really nice additions!

Look who Clem met today!!

One park had ice cream shop!  Clem was a happy camper!

Loki enjoys looking out the little window on the passenger side.....while we are stopped, of course!!
Hey!!  Who's out there?????

Breakfast this morning

We drove maybe three hours south, and hit the beginning of that sub tropical weather that we come to Florida for.  Last evening we walked around and it was warm and balmy, and this morning we had breakfast at the picnic table!  This park actually left us a newspaper!!  That was  a first!
We have also hit a couple of parks on this trip that  provided a continental breakfast, which was pretty neat, too.  Also affords a chance to chat with other RV ers, which I always enjoy.  Last night, the cable channel we wanted to watch was snowy, so we went into the club house to see if we could get it there, and watched our show, and chatted with a fun couple.  Going to spend another day here, maybe check out the area, do some laundry before the last leg.

Stephen Foster Cultural Center and State Park

As luck would have it, when we left the RV park, heading back to the highway, the GPS took us on a different route, and we passed the sign to the site I missed.  Ok, Clem grumbles.....if you really want to go.  We drive 10 miles out of our way, and encounter this building under these big gorgeous live oak trees , where when I stop to take a photo, I lose Clem!  Here I am, he calls, sitting on the front veranda under the big columns, with his hands behind his neck, looking for all the world like he is waiting for his mint julep!  As I start to hustle, he tells me to take my time, and enjoy....it is beautiful!  Hmmmm....maybe not such a bad idea?

Inside we are treated to a huge open area with dioramas depicting some of the 280 songs he has written, accompanied by his tunes.  280!!!  Of course, we are soon humming along to Camptown Races, Swannee River, etc.   When I asked where he had actually lived, the park ranger said Pittsburgh!  And it cannot be proved that he even visited here!  Apparently a talented author/poet, he needed a river name that rhymed, took out an Atlas, and chose Suwannee, and changed the pronunciation!  As the park ranger said, "we crackers don't know how to talk anyway!"  The song brought so much interest in Florida, they decided they should pay tribute to this man, and this place was created in the 1950's.  Each year they choose a "Jeanne".....no doubt with light brown hair!!

Clem said, well, this time you were right.....good stop!  THIS time????  :-)

Way down upon the Suwannee River..........

Ok, I goofed!  All this driving cuts into my researching, and we drove right past the Stephen Foster Cultural Center......and I was even singing as we crossed the river!!  Add it to the list!

Also to add to the list is the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, which is a bit out of our travel route for today, closer to Jacksonville.    Love the name!  It covers an area of 300,000 football fields and offers wildlife viewing in addition to boat rides on the swamp, and the experience of living as a "swamper."

This area in northern Florida, just over the Georgia border, is so different in topography, with a bit of hilliness, and deciduous treed forests.  We have never actually been in this corner of the state, which is ripe with state parks and recreation areas, and folks with a southern drawl.  We will have to explore a bit more.

During yesterday's travel, we started seeing signs for peaches, peanuts and pecans......Georgia's bounty!  I pulled off at one place that had a HUGE sign that looked like a giant peach , exclaiming Peach World, or something to that effect.  (now, why didn't I take THAT photo?)  , and maneuvered my way into what turned out to be a strip mall of outlet stores!!  I never did find the place that the billboard announced  had peach cider, but did find one with tables full of pecans, and all the fun goodies that one can make from them, like pralines!  I do love pralines!

Another stop of the day for gasoline , resulted in a visit with the proprietor, Mr. Philip Beamer, since I am sure he was afraid I would take out his pumps, or at least the protective bars around them, when I pulled out.  It has happened, he told me!  He chatted away while I cleaned the windshield.  (that , and filling the tank, take a while!)  Seems he has just purchased an Airstream...you know, the silver bullets of the RV world?.......from a gentleman who, now 91, purchased it when he was 85!!  Says he has been waiting for his wife to get better so they could go again, but figured maybe he should sell it!  Nice man, Mr. Beamer, but he stood right there while I carefully swung my way out and around the building, making sure his property was intact.

At one point he mused he was keeping me from the windshield by talking, but I assured him part of the fun of this type of travel is getting to meet and chat with nice folks like him.  Sweet, southern, low key.....he owned the BP station, attached Arby's, and at least another station somewhere else, which I gathered from our conversation.

We stayed the night in Lake City Florida, at a park called Oaks 'N Pines, and indeed, we are in them!  The woman proprietor led us to our site driving a cart, and holding a tiny dog, named "Bear."  As she entered our site, she just stepped out of the cart, and it continued along its way, while she guided me in!   Then she stood and chatted with us about how Bear got his name (her husband was on a hunting trip, and she went and got the dog without telling him), and said just holler if we needed anything.

Morning coffee with our Halloween mugs! 

We are nearing our destination.....  off to another days adventure.

still on Lookout Mountain!

We also visited Rock City on the mountain, where I was constantly torn between not liking the commercialism, and being amazed and amused by the creation of the garden and paths around the through the rock!  The views at the top, where you can  see seven states on a clear day, and the many areas where you come out to the edge of the ledge were beautiful.  One could spend a great deal of time taking the many trails and bridges  through the garden pathways, that sported names like Fat Man's Squeeze and Goblins Den.  

The next trip  INSIDE the mountain was a bit disappointing, except for the actual waterfall, which was  deep  inside.  There was a natural opening to the cave at one point in time, actually used as a hospital during the civil war, but became too dangerous to use when a railroad was built. A project was undertaken to drill another way into the cave, when the waterfall was discovered.  An elevator takes you down some 250 feet, and then you walk through to the waterfall.  We have been in several caves and caverns, and although it has a few small stalactites and stalagmites, it lacks the large colorful structures that we have seen in others.  But the waterfall was interesting, and two out of three aint bad!

We opted for another night of BBQ, and this time went to the restaurant that was recommended, hoping they might still have ribs.  Sunday more quiet night for them, and we got to the little hole in the wall with worn stair treds and cafe curtains that could have used a good washing, and were greeted by a friendly guy who told they did indeed have ribs tonight.  While we waited for our dinner, we heard him greet customers by name, and banter with his wife in the back.  Well, the ribs were the best I have ever eaten!  We enjoyed our meal, and some bantering with our host , and spent some time chatting with both of them before leaving, as we were the only ones left in the restaurant by then.  A fun evening to end a nice day.

Once atop the mountain, we walked three blocks, and visited the Chattanooga and Chickamaugua National Military Park, the scene of the Civil War Battle that was the turning point of the war.   

The visitors center had a magnificent painting that was commissioned to represent the battle, known as the Battle Above the Clouds, due to the phenomenon of a cloud layer forming and stopping halfway down the sheer slope, as it did the morning of the battle.  It was incredible to see plaques showing the staggering number of injuries and casualties.  

This monument is thought to be the only one showing a Union and Confederate soldier shaking hands.  

The Incline Railway

After a leisurely breakfast and the Sunday paper, we set out for our first adventure of the day, the Incline Railway.  First used in the 1800's, it has been rebuilt, and takes passengers on a one mile trip up over 1200 feet to the peak of Lookout Mountain.  It achieves a 72.8 % grade as it nears the top, making it the steepest passenger railway in the world.  When we boarded, the seats are angled, and yet at the top, you feel like you are facing a bit downward.  It gets a bit spooky as it hits that grade, and folks gasp, and little girls squeal, and everyone gets out their cell phone cameras!   A glass dome was created in the new train so you can appreciate the astounding view.  

This last shot gives you an idea of the pitch at the top.

Little Rock to Chattanooga

We discovered there is no direct route, and the GPS took us to the south, then back up, which took us through 5 states, crossing the borders sometimes more than once.  Fields of cotton were everywhere as we crossed Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and into Tennessee.  No photos today, but one I wish I had gotten, when we  came upon a small  horse trailer being towed by a car, which  had a huge neon orange sign attached, hand written, stating....

"  Young Driver following Old Driver.  Please don't get between us."

In front of the young lady hauling the horse trailer  was an old RV with a similar neon orange hand lettered sign......

   "  Old Driver".  Very cute.

My singing for the day ( yes, I do that often) switched from The Tennessee Waltz to Chattanooga Choo Choo.  But I was disappointed to discover that the  Chattanooga Choo Choo never existed, despite the fact that a sign on the highway announces its approach.  A Holiday Inn has added a bunch of railroad cars to the hotel, that apparently  you can  request to sleep in.  The woman at the RV park wrinkled her nose when I asked her about it, so we skipped it.

Our site on Sauturday night was on the grounds of a civil war battle, and had a monument that was erected after the war.  The Park Service provides information and a film at the park, no doubt purchased before anyone thought to preserve the land.  Thankfully the monument was preserved.

After a long day of driving, we settled in, and got take out BBQ from a spot recommended by the park manager.  They had sold out of ribs, but I had chopped....not pulled......pork, and Clem had fried cat fish, both of which were delicious.  Nothing like BBQ in the south!  

Groom, Texas

On Rt 66, the largest stainless steel cross in the western hemisphere, standing 19 stories tall, and weighing three ton!  

And very near it, a leaning water tower!  ??

The kitties treats from the staff at RV park, and a few shots of them in their daily life on the road.  All the comforts of home!  

I have a great wifi connection tonight!

A few photos of the descent down the original pathway off the mesa at Sky City.

more photos from Acoma Sky City

clay ovens used for baking

The mesa in the distance was the first home of the Acoma people. 

Kokopeli

Snapped this shot as the sun set in Albuquerque.  As I mentioned, I really like this little guy, and then one of the Native Americans told me he was about fertility, and I almost tore the sticker off the RV!!  While it is true that married women not able to conceive prayed for him to come, he also assured a good harvest.....fertile!  And he represents different things to different folks....mischief to some, good luck to some, but always the traveler.  So I left the sticker..... And bought a magnet!

The "Natural State"

Travel day, as we have decided Chatanooga will be our next stop. We just pulled into our site in Little Rock, pleased to be among the trees, and it smells so good!! That earthy, woodsy smell that soothes the senses. The crickets are chirping, and last years leaves are crunching underfoot. That's my only disappointment of the day. The leaves are still green here! A bit of a turn but not much. Arkansas has rolling hills and many lakes and parks, one with the name Toad Suck Park! After being alerted to the homes of country western stars in OK, this was pretty amusing. We stopped at a rest area to stretch and the grass was covered with butterflies! It was so neat! Wonder if they are migrating. Another amusing thing today. We suddenly heard some banging, and decided it must be the latch that holds the door open banging in the wind. It seemed to stop before I got a chance to pull over, so I was not worrying about it. Then I put the turn signal on and saw something flapping in the side view camera. Clem leaned out the window to investigate, as we could now see it in the side mirror, and came back in with a piece of plastic that apparently had worked it's way loose from the awning strut! Now, maybe you had to be there, but I was in hysterics, driving down the road at 65 mph!!

Hmmmmm........

Sticker on pumps....must be they have a problem!  

A couple of imposing rigs parked here.  HUGE!!
We actually saw a couple of the "buses" like the first photo at the park in Moab.  This one had two slides on the opposite side, which many don't have.

The Jelly Belly RV!

Now, we have seen some unusual RV's, but this one takes the cake!  Or, the Jelly Bean!  We were walking around the park after dinner, and this one pulled in.  When he saw us, he stopped and asked if we had had our vitamins today, and handed us two little bags of jelly beans!  They work for the company, and were told they would be paid for the diesel fuel if they would drive this, and hence.......  gotta love the tow car!!

The National Cowboy Museum

Wow.....were we impressed!  We had actually skipped this the last time across, doubting it would be much to see.  Were we wrong!  It is huge and informative, and fun.....what more could you ask for.  Traveling exhibits included amazing bronze and stone artwork, and a black and white photography exhibit of Georgia O'Keefe country.  Permanent exhibits of the life of the cowboy, how he came to be, the hundreds of different types of saddles, cavalry riders.....amazing.  Plus a great collection of western movie stars, and a great film showing clips of the old westerns, and their evolution.  Made us want to watch one!  There was even an entire western town set up inside where you could walk the streets and go into the various shops and saloon.  John Wayne was on the board, and his son succeeded him.  Definitely a worthwhile stop.

Titled "Sunset", I caught him just a bit early.

Gorgeous statue in entry

We learned how "vaqueros" came to be known as "Buckaroos" in the plains, as midwesterners joined in the cattle rush to Nevada and Oregon.   I was pleased to see exhibits on the plains Indians as well.  On the ride from Texas, I had started pondering the differences in the Indians I had always thought of , and the Pueblo Indians we learned much about in the New Mexico.  With the plains, I saw the beaded work and feather head dresses to which I was more accustomed.   At the end of the exhibit there was a map with all the nations, which was truly fascinating.  So many tribes!

....and into Oklahoma

We left Shamrock, Texas, where we stayed the night, and traveled a stretch of road from the campsite that was the old Rt 66, where we bounced along about three miles and came to one of the most iconic images on the old road.  An Art Deco Conoco gas station, and the "You Drop Inn".  I stopped for a few photos before getting back on the new Rt. 40 to head to Oklahoma.  I would love to have taken the old route from there, as we passed half a dozen towns that boast landmarks of the old road, but Oklahoma City was the goal for the day.  Clem and I had a little discussion about this......he said he has spent his entire career being goal oriented, and he has this drive to achieve the goal.  I agreed that we could not see it all, and must choose what we will see on any particular trip.  But later, I did remind him that life is about the journey, not the destination!  haha!

We passed a sign for a town called Yukon that declared we would love it, and it was the Home of Garth Brooks!  Clem figured he wasn't there.  Another sign let us know that we were crossing the Chisolm Trail!  I learned later that the trail was named after a trader who set up a post in Oklahoma City.  We also learned that Shamrock, with St. Patrick's  Catholic Church, and various other Irish named pubs and businesses, was most likely Irish due to the huge number of Irish cow hands.....ie, cowboys!!  Who knew!!

Our campsite is amazing!  One of the best we have stayed in, with sites wide enough, and angled so that you have lots of space between your neighbors, swimming pool and all the amenities, plus a work out room.  And the office/store even has pizza and popcorn, in addition to grocery items and RV supplies.  The couple who checked us in were quite accommodating, and gave us directions to the museum we wanted to see, and information about the area, including the fact that the city was so torn up with construction, we did not really want to go there!  Good tip!  We chose this location because of its proximity to the museum, and it was our main goal, so we set up and set out.

The kitties adventures

Sas was quite interested in the cows in the adjacent field when we got up.  Especially when they all headed out, apparently for breakfast, at quite a clip!  They always  enjoy the view out the windows,like here, where they were watching the dogs being walked in Albuquerque....and most likely the birds and bunnies scooting about!   

But they tuck themselves away when we are driving, like here in the closet.  We had just stopped, and I opened the doors completely ( I keep one open a crack for them to get in ).   They look comfortable, and of course it is nice and cozy.  I have, of course, made beds of towels for them wherever they like to snuggle.  I told them it would be a smoother ride if they would join us in the front, but they don't listen!  :-)