Rainy Monday

The Three Musketeers Back Together...Brina Lawhead, Jeff Clark and Dusty

A typical evening at our "Summer Estate..aka "Party Central" Charleen, Margaret McNutt, Lois and Jerry Custer

A look at our Patio..waiting for friends

We all love the fire..especially on cool nights...OK any night!!

Well you can tell we are back in Indiana...sunny one minute...rainy and storming the next..and we even had quarter size hail for a minute, long enough for Dusty to get bonged on the head by some.  We had been doing some puttering around the campground and he had planted a lot of hosta's thanks to Angel and Derick and we were sitting outside having a beer..when we saw the sky darken and I said we better go in before it starts lightning..I hate lightning..and before he could get things closed up..boom it hit!!  he tried to get a picture of the hail but it happened so fast it had stopped before he got the camera out.  We just both read til it was time to go to Jenni and Brian Lawhead's for Brian Philips birthday.  We had a nice time visiting with their family and friends here from the park..but poor Jenn the rain had made things very soggy!!  Since we all live in trailer's it is hard to have get together's inside..but we have done it!!  When it comes to getting together we find a way..just like the mailman..through rain, sleet, hail and snow...we find a way to get together!!

Jenni getting swing read and Brian

The summer season begins!!!  Jenni and Laura Wilson

Just a little something to keep you warm

Yep..we're having fun now!!

Ahh...Elana Serres and Betty Boop!

I am back!!!

I would like to thank those who have missed the blog.  My time in Washington State was very busy but I had a good visit with my dad, mom, sister , brother-in-law, niece and her boys.  We had a lot of family details to take care of but we also found time to just sit and enjoy a glass of wine and get caught up.  I hadn't seen my sister in two years and I really enjoyed our time together.  My niece and I had lots of fun getting caught up and my great-nephews are a hoot.  Besides the wonderful meals I was treated too my sister took my niece and I to a Spa for the night.  We got into our robes (you know those big white fluffy ones) and had our massages, facials and just ordered room service and sat by the fire and enjoyed each other.  Thank you so much Jan, it was wonderful.  Even tho my mom and dad are not doing well when it comes to their health and this is one of the main reasons I went home, it was a good time.  I know there is family members that will be disappointed that I didn't call while there, but this was strictly a important family time.  My dad has lung cancer and a bad heart and my mom's diabetess has destroyed her liver.
I returned to Indiana where I caught up with Dusty here at Indian Springs campground.  He had spent time with our friends in Florida, then drove up here.  I never had to worry about him eating because our friends took real good care of him and thank you to those of you who took pity on him!!  LOL
It took me a couple days to get on eastern time but I am good now.  We went to Larry and Traci's house last Wednesday, poor Larry had another kidney stone and had surgery and it took more time to recover then it did from his first one.  If any family members are reading this and know of any other family members that has this problem could you please let me know.  Eric came up for a little visit between jobs and we cooked hot dogs on the fire.  Tomorrow we will go out with Sarah and Lori for a dinner to celebrate Sarah getting her Master's in Business and Lori graduating from her Surgical Technician school and yes also my 61st birthday.....oh how it hurts to see that number in print.
Then there is the reuniting of our friends here at the campground!!!  It is so nice to have this group of good friends and you never know what will happen.  We had a fire and drinks around our fire pit on Friday, then enjoyed wine and conversation on Saturday.  There is always things going on and some things can't be put in print...right Jenn.
So most of the blog will be on our activities here at the campground and sorry that for now it won't be as interesting as our trip to Florida..that in case you didn't pick it up..WE LOVED.  After working in CA this winter I believe the winter of 2012 will find us in Florida.  I hope to keep this interesting for you and thanks for reading!!

Busy Busy Busy

Well my time is coming to an end here in CA.  And if you ever had to deal with insurance adjuster's you know how it can be a full time job.  I start right after I take Tina to work and don't stop even after I pick her up.  But I have to leave here at 3 am in the morning and go on to my next project, so today is to finish up all the loose ends that I can.  But I did take a day off and treat Tina and I to a massage on Sunday for Mother's Day.  She has no time off from work available and even tho she wasn't hurt bad in the accident, thank goodness, she has been stiff and sore.  And my neck and back were very sore from being on the phone all day...forgot my blue tooth and believe me it would have come in handy.  I used a Groupon Coupon and got us a wonderful 90 min. massage that was preceded by time in a rain forest steam room, the we were served ice cold water as soon as we opened the door to come out and then we had our massages in the same room...oh it felt so good..I told my guy that if I wasn't already married I would ask him to marry me and he said he would have said yes...Aah....then Dylan said of course he said that he wanted a bigger tip, ruined that thought!!  Then we soaked in a Japanese deep tub...Hey Dusty remember those from Japan...room for one with your knees to you chest and it had a rain fall shower, not sure I was crazy about the water falling on my head but with the candles and hot tea to sip while in there made it very peaceful.  So a much needed day and Tina said it made her feel rich and she loved it and was so thankful.  Then yesterday back to the phone calls and that is what I must do know.  Dusty should be at Indian Springs Campground in Indiana today...whoops wonder where our gate passes are????  Hope you got in Honey.  I will be going to WA state to see my folks for a few days while I am so close, they are both doing poorly and I haven't see them in a year. Hope everyone is doing well and sorry I haven't kept this up daily but not allot to write about.

One More Mile

A much shorter drive today, not to far past Nashville, Tn. to Hurricane Mills (Loretta Lynn's Ranch) stayed in the family campground. Charleen and I have stayed here before it is always very clean friendly & quite.

site #13

     







Activities also include motorcross races in August a number of concerts even a small western town or just relax an enjoy the rolling hills. rates are $36.50 daily or Passport America rate of $18.25. When traveling thru the area this is for sure a stopping point.

                                    email: campground@lorettalynn.com
                                         website:www.lorettalynn.com

campground cafe

         Rent a canoe or golf cart, take tour of  Loretta Lynn's home or coal mine.

One More Mile

site #14

After driving all day (Clermont Fl. just outside of Orlando) I made it to Manchester, Tn. not far past Chattanooga before I had enough and wouldn't you know it the only game around that I saw was a KOA "oh well" I paid the price and stayed. Now don't get me wrong they are nice but a bit more than I wanted to spend just to get off the road for the night. !

Dusty & I go our Separate Ways!!!

Yes after 32 years we have gone our separate ways......he is in Florida and I am in California.  So if you are from the eastern part of the country please remember the 3 hour time difference...thanks in advance ( it is 3 hours earlier here).  You see this is how it happened.....Tina our youngest daughter has bad luck, when I say bad luck, I mean rotten luck..like a BIG black cloud follows her!!  A week and half ago her apartment was broken into and things were stolen or ruined....then on Sunday a Taxi driver here in Sacramento ran a stop sign and plowed into her and her car is un-drive able.  It was a good thing she wasn't hurt more then just being sore and achy, but she is a single mom and makes little money and all of this to happen in less then two weeks was way too much.  Mama to the rescue....that's what mom's do...right?  So I am here helping her try to get all these claims taken care of and to get to work.  See Dusty and I didn't "break-up"  but are taking a "break" from each other.  It was a sad way to end a beautiful trip to Florida and I was very sorry that we didn't get to spend time with Joe and Connie (see Joe..I do like you) and Jim and Linda, but so happy Tina wasn't hurt any worse.  Dusty went on to their winter home and said it is very nice and I know he will be well taken care of.  But we really really loved Florida and all the sun and water...our kind of place...but not ready to settle down just yet..there is lots to see out there.  Dusty will travel on up to Indiana after making a few stops along the way.  Unfortunately the shuttle launch was put off til maybe May 8th, but at least I got close and that is better then never being there at all.  If you ever go to FL and don't go to Kennedy Space Center you are missing a real treat and I am glad Brian Lawhead had told us how much he enjoyed it and helped me put it in my memory bank!!
Now Dylan our youngest grandson was so excited that I have come and wishes I would stay here until June and we could travel back to Indiana together.  But as it is I will only be here til May 10th then I will move on to some other business that needs taken care of and then on to Indiana May16th, (I get in way later folks so see you May 17th!!.)
I have been on the phone most of day with claim adjuster's and lawyers (for Dusty's meds...yep..problems again).  The weather is great here so I continue to enjoy the sunshine...will miss it when I get to Indiana..maybe I will bring it with me there...sure hope so.

One More Mile

Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort

I arrived at Clerbrook Resort, in Clermont, Fl. today our plan was to spend a little time with our friends Connie & Joe and Linda & Jim also new friends Ron & Peggy all from Indiana where we spend our summers. Alas Charleen had to make a special trip to Sacramento Ca. so I"m visiting by myself.
I was amazed how big this place is, I'm told the golf course is quit challenging some day I guess I'll just have to give it a try. It has three swimming pools clubhouses and just about anything you can imagine so if you get bored its your own fault !!

site #1016

Yes the site number is correct Clerbrook has 1249 sites, and in the winter season I'm told this place is hoping with people, activities and golf carts (so don't get run over) current rates are from $27.00 to $43.00 per night I stayed using Passport America and spent $16.50 per night, got to love Passport.

our friends Connie & Peggy

glimpse of golf course

Joe's just relaxing

                         

Here fishy fishy.........

Dawn breaks on another early day ( but isn't this so worth getting up for?)

"Here comes the sun" do you remember that song??

I can't say how many mornings have started at 4 am during this "vacation"!! Yesterday was one of them.  But we had no problem getting up knowing we were going to be spending 10 hours on the Atlantic Ocean and the day was going to be beautiful.  We arrived at the dock at barely dawn and other people had just arrived and were jumping on the boat to mark their fishing spot.  This was what they call a Party Boat and could hold up to 110 people but we were lucky and there were only 26, which was plenty enough to get your line tangled in theirs especially when you had a fish on and it was running.  We took off from New Smyrna Beach which is just south of Daytona Beach.  We had a beautiful ride for 2 and a half hours to get to our 1st fishing spot.  Unfortunately this became the first of many fishing spots.  But at the 1st one people started catching fish, including Dusty and we were happy.  We had bought into the boat jackpot of who ever caught the biggest fish got all the money (no splitting with boat), and we were on our way.  But within moments the captain said we were leaving...we could see the school of "Jacks" there and couldn't understand why.  Some men had caught some nice" Red Eye" fish which is good eating, kind of like red snapper.  After that all we seemed to catch was "Sea Bass" and some pretty big ones, but they aren't in season until June 1st so they all had to go back in the ocean.  Some big Red Snapper were caught but you can't keep them either so back in they went...one after one..fish were being thrown back into the ocean and it was a sad sight to see.  Sometimes we would barely get our line completely out when the captain would say "pull them up", needless to say there was allot of grumbling going on.  We did enjoy the ocean air and the beautiful day and every time we did have a fish on we hoped it wouldn't be a Sea Bass.  Once a shark followed my bait all the way up to the boat and that caused a little excitement.  Two men had large fish on but they both had brought their own fishing poles and hooks and lost them both...we never did get to see clearly what they were, but one of the mate's thought one was a Grouper for sure.  So we jumped from spot to spot all day.  One gentlemen who was 79 and had been a captain and professional fisherman sat beside us toward the end of the day and told us that the reason we left the 1st spot where we were catching "Keeper" fish was that because his friend had caught some big ones with his own rod that someone went to the captain and complained it wasn't fair(he also won the boat jackpot).  Now Al said, he is a paying customer and you have the right to bring your own equipment, he also said that here in Florida that many of the captains on Party Boats move around because they say tourist don't want to catch allot of fish (they have no way to take them home).  Now if all this is true I don't know, I just know that we would have liked to do more fishing and caught something we could keep.  As it turned out only the on "Jack" Dusty got was a keeper, but had it been June 1st we would have had some fish to put in our freezer.  It wasn't the fishing experience I had really wanted but it was a beautiful ride and for $50 a person, was quite a deal.  Will just have to save  our pennies and go on a smaller boat for bigger fish in the Keys next time.  Well I will take you through the day in pictures, that will be easier to explain the whole day.  Oh I know I forgot to write about last Saturday...well Dusty went to a Flea Market and I had to go to town and other then that we just chilled.  One last thing before the pictures...The shuttle Launch has been put off til at least May 8th, I know the safety of the crew is more important them my disappointment  :(

Dusty ready for a day of fishing.....

Lighthouse at Daytona Beach

All the fishing poles saying "Here fishy fishy!"

Daytona Beach from the water

Still waiting to go fishing.....

Didn't get picture of 1st keeper...but this Sea Bass and many more had to go back in.....  :(

Sure take a picture of my little one!!!! (Really I caught some bigger bass...really I did)

Al the "Old Captain"  four fish at one time!!  All Bass..

Beach area coming back in from fishing

WE do love the ocean...any large body of water!!

Isn't life rough for them????

Show off's!!!

Dusty waiting for his "Keeper Jack"

Kind of cool to see the draw bridge from this view

Finally our fish

See the little bag in my hand..after it was cleaned this is all we have to show for it (yes I have a sweatshirt on..the wind was chilly it was 7 pm)

Dusty eating his "big catch" of the day (they cooked it for you)

He finally gets to see Daytona Beach

This beach was nice and sandy..it is amazing how all the beaches in Florida are so different, depending on where you are



FYI..when you drive your car in the ocean you can only go 10 MPH!!!



The sun sets on another beautiful day in Florida