America the Beautiful!

05/03/2025

50th Anniversary and Easter, Part 3 of 3


We are finally back home! We had an amazing Easter! Being with family in church for such a sacred holiday is priceless. I was able to sit between my two grandsons and loved every second! Then the next Sunday, Bill got to sit between both boys. I didn’t get a picture but the image is forever etched in my memory.

Photo by Life Church photographer. This is part of our daughter’s family by marriage!!! So sad a few weren’t in here….So yes, my daughter is now a GiGi and my grandsons are uncles! Her husband’s son is holding her and her husband’s oldest grand and my daughter is holding their newest, a baby boy! So blessed!

What is Easter or what does it mean? Here in the United States, we take it for granted most know Easter is one of the central holidays, or Holy Days, of Christianity. It honors the Resurrection of Jesus three days after His death by crucifixion. Bill and I believe in and accept these facts as presented in the links. But the most important fact is what Jesus means to us! HE has proven Himself who He says HE is in the Holy Bible. We don’t want to participate in debates, we just live the best way we can to all HIM to use us. We are broken and sinful people so we make a LOT of mistakes….No one is perfect and we won’t be until we get to heaven….and we are banking on that!

We arrived on Friday afternoon, in time to get the boys after they got home from school. They were to spend all weekend with us, which is Easter weekend. Then during the week, we planned to help with them by taking them to and from their respective sports games and practices. Colin is into soccer while Bryce is into football. In the spring, he plays flag football while learning good skills for tackle in the fall. Both boys are athletic. It was such a JOY to watch them, cheer them on and spoil them. (Sorry to their mom but my parents spoiled her!) We squeezed in visits to the skating rink, which is great conditioning for both sports.

The bad news about our Easter was the VRBO we rented. I will not go into all the details but will say simply and it enough, the air conditioner was not working. It was a second floor apartment, above a house. So the heat rose and the sun was SHINING! Yay!!! But it was too hot for us to sleep. A repairman came out Saturday. He showed Bill what he uncovered and how to fix it if it happened again. Long story short, his repair was short lived. It had cooled down Saturday evening enough we made it through the night and all got ready for church. We went out to eat afterwards. Then returned to 80° inside. Sunny again. We texted management and they said no one could come out on Easter. We said we had to move out so we were let out of the agreement and they would reimburse us. We had to take the boys home, which ended a wonderful outing we had planned. AND then we had to find a place with a car full of our things to be in a condo, not a hotel. Well, miracles happen, so we found a wonderful place that suited us. Enough said! To God be the GLORY!

During the daytime, we had to find things to do. Since we love history and taking walks, we looked for both. We found a Civil War museum and a wonderful battlefield 2 + mile area to walk. We also visited a few other state parks to walk. We also have an old friend from our days serving in Christ is the Answer. They lived 30 miles from our daughter’s home. They have LOTS of grandchildren and super fun things to do on their “farm” so to speak. That was what we had for the boys after we ate out Sunday. We had to cancel for our grandsons. However, Bill and I visited with them on Wednesday. A great time to catch up after over 50 years!

We were asked why we’re back home early. Sadly, I said, we were exhausted. Bill agreed but he was really more anxious to return home to finish a “project.” It’s really his hobby, doing things about our home to make it more what he likes and wants. Currently, he is turning our kitchen cabinets from a “colonial” color to “beachy” WHITE! When we house hunted here in Myrtle Beach, he really wanted a white kitchen. So, six years later he is converting it and it is almost done.

So that is the end of our 50th Anniversary celebration with Easter in the midst! We are so blessed and so thankful. A few scriptures we thank GOD for as we have been blessed to enjoy our long marriage. Even if we broke it up for a year….by God’s GRACE, it was restored to stronger than ever! If you are not familiar with our divorce and remarriage story, you can learn about it on our “Marriage” website.

GENESIS 2:24

“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

MALACHI 2:14

“You ask, ‘Why?’ It is because the Lord is the witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.” 

04/26/2025

50th Anniversary and Easter, Part 2 of 3


Below is our official “on our actual anniversary” picture! We were traveling from our now favorite hiking location, Sapphire Valley (near Cashiers), NC. to one of our former favorite hiking locations – The Smoky Mountains! Click to read about our last time here, March 2019. Such a great time then but we’ve decided this is probably our last visit here. Why? What happened? Read on…

April 11, 2025, on the road from the Blue Ridge to the Smoky Mountains!

Our first trip we remember to the Smokys in 2012 was to celebrate our daughter’s birthday and our 37th Anniversary. We loved our time there and said we would return! But it was not meant to be until we returned in March 2019. We actually had reservations there while still in our RV, the fall of 2018. We each needed some minor surgery – we are getting older, after all. That caused us to cancel. That was the beginning of our decision to stop living full time in our RV. However, Bill says one time, we can’t recall the date, we meet my mom and step dad there. I ALWAYS take a photo to document such events. But I can’t find it. This was my step dad’s favorite place to visit – and he brought my mom enough that it became her favorite as well. A few random photos below of our April 2012 trip to the Smokys.

Our cabin in 2012
We love hiking to water falls.
Our daughter and her dad. YEP that’s Bill.
Another beautiful waterfall
Our daughter and I waiting for our table
Bill DOES NOT like heights. But here he is, mesmerized by the Smokys!

When something is elusive, doesn’t it make it more desirable? We started traveling using RCI (Resort Condominiums International) in September 2021. We miss our RV traveling and were looking for a new way to travel and always be in our “home.” This is a good alternative. HOWEVER, we had been unable to get a reservation in the Smoky until now, 2025! So here we are! Our condo:

A few pictures of the Condo, typical but it had everything we needed. We were told we had a view of the mountains, but a tree blocked much of it. Oh well….

We had hoped we could quickly hit the trails. But we discovered, it’s really CROWDED in April. Let me back up. We went into the Sugarland Visitor’s Center to get a map of hikes. While we use All Trails App, Bill prefers a paper version. There, we learned of one change since 2012. From the website: “A parking tag is required on any vehicle parked in the park for more than 15 minutes. Entrance to the park is free, but most visitors will need a parking tag. Parking tags are $5 for the day, $15 for the week, or $40 for the year.” We bought the weekly pass and one map. The parking tags seem reasonable for this most visited National Park in the nation. The website boasts of 12 million visitors a year.

4/12/2025 As it turned out, the map was NOT what we had wanted. While we were acclimating, we looked for something close by and not busy! We found the Trotter Bluff Loop which included the Douglas Headwater Campground. Another easy but lovely short hike. A few photos:

Bill admired this set up, but said, no can’t do it….

4/13/2025 As nice as that “warm up” walk was, we were ready to climb a mountain. Off we headed to Cucumber Gap and Little River Loop Trail. We had no idea what we were in for but it was all good! This tested me but again, Bill seemed to glide up the steep elevation. Immediately after the hike, I posted this in All Trails: “Parking was a bit of a challenge as it’s spring break season. We thought an easy four to five miles. But it turned out to be a relatively steep two mile uphill hike, return for four miles. But we could make a decision after two miles. Make it a there and back with an easy decline back down? Or go on an unknown loop? We chose the later not knowing it was five more miles back with lots of incline, decline and small rapids, well, a fast stream to cross. But we did it as we both felt like we were now back in hiking conditions after a week in Shappire valley, NC.” We inadvertently stopped the app in a few places, but this was well over 7 miles! Here are a few pictures – I was unable to take more because it really was challenging on the way “back”:

We talked a few times with another couple of hikers. The trip “back down” was not so direct. We chatted as one was reviewing directions from a book. It reminded me of our go to hiking expert (from our Shenandoah hiking year, 2003-2004). She said it indeed was one of Johnny Molloy’s books: “Top Trails: Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 50 Must-Do Hikes for Everyone.” I completely forgot I had bought it in 2019 for our return trip here. It’s been collecting dust. So off to the local book store and bought another one.

4/14/2025 Off to Alum Cave Trail to Mount LaConte. We were feeling like we were fully acclimated and ready for another challenge. Maybe it was the difficulty parking, maybe I had not dressed properly, or maybe I needed another day to recover. But I was not able to go as far as we would have liked. Here are a few pictures, in reverse!

Took a photo of our car, parked
It was 8/10th of a mile to the trailhead!
A good walk down to the trailhead
We hadn’t started climbing yet
A number of people enjoyed the cool water.
Interesting tree down!
I’m actually catching my breath and ready to wait for Bill to go get the car!
Oh it was steep!

4/15/2025 Bullhead to the Pulpit We recalled this hike in 2019. But really struggled locating the same trailhead. What we loved about it was that we were ALONE on the entire trail. That seemed to be our goal in 2019 after sharing the trail with crowds. I recalled parts of it but somehow, we didn’t find the exact trail from last time. But I do have one photo that shows we started at the same trailhead. In my opinion!!! These below pictures are from different points of view. It was a lovely hike.

March 2019 – Bill had to use the log bridge
April 2025 Bill tiptoed through the stream and snapped this of me crossing the same log bridge in 2019

4/16/2025 Clingman Dome, now called Kuwohi Observation Tower Trail. Of course we had to revisit! It “is the highest point in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, sitting at an impressive elevation of 6,643 feet. This stunning location is known for its breathtaking views and beautiful natural surroundings….The viewing tower at Clingmans Dome allows guests to see far and wide, often on clear days allowing visibility for more than 100 miles.” Through hikers on the Appalachian Trail make it here. I love chatting with them to hear where they are from! Here we are in 2019 and 2025, some through hikers and a few pictures of the 100 mile views!

Here we are in 2012
Now, 2025. Too crowded to ask someone to take so a selfie
It was a bit chilly!
Bill taking photos of 100 mile view!

4/17/2025 Walker Sisters Home via Little Briar Gap Trail. It turns out our wonderful top trails by Molloy wasn’t as helpful in finding this trail head. We tried the All Trails App to no avail. Talked with a Park Ranger-he was new so couldn’t help. We finally just headed up a hill – turns out it was ONE way to get to the home! It was well worth the extra aggravation parking and looking for the trailhead. Johnny Molloy’s guide book failed us on the directions. But it was one of the MUST do 50 hikes. It was definitely a challenge – and I managed without huffing and puffing! Phew, looks like my health is finally restored. We hope to spend at least another five days after Easter and family time in one other favorite hiking location! A few photos from the Walker Sister’s Home hike, which included a school house and Cemetary.

Where we parked
Mattox Cemetary, Wears County. Established mid 1800s
Hike to Walker Sisters Home

Their family story is amazing, starting in 1866. From the National Park Service Website: “With the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, hundreds of families were asked to move out of their mountain homes. Some went willingly, and others fought against it, but most families moved immediately. A select few, including the six unmarried Walker sisters, received a special lifetime lease—a chance to live out the rest of their lives in the log cabin they were raised in, even after the creation of a national park. Their incredible story is one of strength, hard work, and a love for the land of the Smokies.”

4/18/2025 This wonderful and historical hike ended our time in the Smokies. While we really enjoyed all of our times here, the traffic takes away from what we love about hiking. Solitude and a time to enjoy God’s creation. A bonus is to see glimpses into the lives of those who went before us. Those who helped settle our beautiful country and tamed the wilderness. Next stop Easter and family time. Mainly watching our grandsons play sports!

” In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.” Isaiah 2:2

Next up, 50th Anniversary and Easter Part 3 of 3

04/21/2025

50th Anniversary and Easter 2025 – Part 1 of 3


So much to share, BUT where to start??? Since we have a small family and they seem to live all over the country, we made plans to hike and visit family to celebrate. Our two grandsons are our #1 family priority, so being with them, our daughter and son in law (who has a HUGE and wonderful family) trumped going farther than Kentucky. If you would like a snapshot into a portion of our 50 years of marriage, which includes divorcing and remarrying, click here for the Table of Contents to see 26 chapters of our “marriage blog.”

First stop in our celebration was a week in Sapphire Valley, NC. 4/4-11/2025. Less than six hours from our home in Myrtle Beach makes it our closest and the BEST place to hike! Our condo was newly remodeled so was a wonderful blessing as we made it our “home” for a week. We took a short walk, but steep decline and incline back up after a little over a six hour drive. We relived all of our previous hikes so tried to figure out where to go to hike. Bill had been putting in a lot of hours and manual labor changing our kitchen cabinets (we have lots) to white. And Debbie, me, has been enduring some muscle-skeletal issues. Here is a photo of Bill outside our cabin/condo. And then a surprise waiting for us to honor our 50th Anniversary! So sweet!

4/5/2025 Bill wisely said let’s just start with a relatively easy hike around Lake Fairfield. We also need to acclimate to higher elevation since we live at sea level! The lake is in a private community. Our condo has privileges to use the facilities. It has a bit of a rough terrain, slight elevation and was a good workout for me (Debbie). Bill had to slow down a few times for me to catch my breath. We made it 3.68 miles in an hour and 40 minutes. Off this path is a route up to the top of Little Bald Rock Mountain. We have asked others in the area if they have ever been to the top. No, until this day, FINALLY we met one. She’s a very fit young lady. She it’s about the same as the steep hike to the top of White Mountain. Bill had been feeling really fit, so I encouraged him to tackle it. Below is the Little Bald Rock Mountain in the background of where we park. Such a lovely walk/hike for nearly four miles around the lake.

4/6/2025 We’re grateful our church is on-line for those who can’t make it in person. So first we enjoyed our worship service then an outstanding teaching sermon on Daniel.

Then, Bill tackled the Little Bald Rock Mountain trail! It reaches 3,780 feet elevation, but not sure what the elevation the lake registers. He accepted the challenge under the threat of rain and lightening! Did I mention there was a lot of rain during our first few days which limited our drives to trails. This was close by and we knew it could only be but so muddy. We walked 1/4 of the trail around the lake. Not bad, so he decided to go for it while my task was to go back to the car and figure out how to get it close to the trailhead. It was indeed a task but I made it while he continued to climb and feel challenged!!! He did it and it was so encouraging as to his level of fitness. Below is at the trailhead but I didn’t get the actual “sign” – which doesn’t say much. This blue sign does warn to “hike at your own risk.” So we knew there was something challenging about it….He went a total of 4.3 miles and how an elevation gain of 1,014. He was “moving” nearly two hours! So proud of him!

4/7/2025 Due to a lot of rain, back to Fairfield Glade Lake. BUT what a HUGE improvement for me, Debbie! I knocked 20 minutes off of our time around the lake! No stopping and no huffing and puffing. Oh how I have been feeling so much older. A tidbit on our 50 years together. Bill has always stayed in shape by physical labor – like chopping up cords of woods from our property in Virginia. Debbie, by running, started in college, then chose a career where staying in shape was mandatory. I had my own gym equipment set to using gyms to stay in shape. Bill sort of mocked “gym rats” but guess what? He now is one!!! As he ages, he now sees how beneficial it is….And he now can run circles around me. Below is a screenshot of the hiking trail around the lake with our “vitals.”

Screenshot

4/8/2025 Returned to a favorite, Rainbow Falls. Again, due to the rain, but thought this would be OK no matter. And it was! Clearly, I’m still trying to get back into shape. We were here a year ago. I caught a virus so stayed home the last 4 days while sending Bill off to max himself in hiking. He does have to go slower for me. All that to say, he had no problem on this a year ago. It is a pretty steep decline and then incline. I was fine the first time we hiked it. BUT this time, I had to stop and sent Bill on after a little over half way! It took me about 15 minutes, but decided to start hiking towards him. What a laugh as I made it to the waterfall, where he was enjoying a nice long chat with another couple! I was fully recovered and we made it back to the car without too many stops! Here is my view as I hiked up to the actual falls! Note, Bill never meets a stranger!

4/9/2025 Off to the main attraction that brought is here initially in 2019, Whitewater Falls. Bill read “Upper Whitewater Falls is not only the tallest waterfall in NC, but the highest waterfall east of the Rockies, though some may disagree with that title. Regardless of where you stand on that dispute, there is no denying the beauty of this massive 411-foot waterfall. Protected by Nantahala Forest, this waterfall is accessible by a short hike that leads to a viewing platform.” Our first time here, we not only did that short hike, we went on and on and on….via the Foothills Trail. Sadly, this hike was not saved in our All Trails app. But it says it is about 7.8 miles We may not have gone the entire route bit I know we did most of it. I never had to stop – then. This date, we did the shorter hike from the parking lot, to the observation tower, then down to the Foothills trail and back up to the parking lot. I never needed to rest but was ready to call it quits once we got back to the top – and parking lot! First is the view of the upper falls, from the parking lot. Then we walked down 1/10th of steps to the overlook. The young lady who took the picture asked if we wanted to show the falls….not sure why we didn’t take the hint! But I thought the view of the upper falls was sufficient!

4/10/2025 Back to our faithful Fairfield Lake. Again, rain rain go away, come again another day! Another test of my endurance and it looks like I’m ready to tackle the Smoky’s!!! This photo below is from All Trails app that shows a bit of the topography of what became our favorite hike during rainy season!

4/11/2025 Our official anniversary date!f And our travel day from what we say is one of our favorite nearby hiking areas to our “other” favorite area, the Smoky Mountains. Afterwards, we now say our go to and favorite place to hike is here, in Sapphire Valley. But all was not lost. Part 2 of our celebration coming up next!

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

03/16/2018

Alabama in our 2018 Winter Travels – Part Two of Four


Site 32. Nice corner site. I’ve circled our old-fashioned Satellite TV antennae in red. It was an easy set up here.

On February 26, 2018, we drove from Gunter Hill US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) Campground to Foscue Creek Park COE, Demopolis, Alabama. It was an ideal distance, just under 100 miles and only took two hours 15 minutes. It was ideal, State Highway 80 in rural Alabama.

Friends had highly recommended it since it has full hook ups and is only $13/night with our America the Beautiful pass. (NOTE: the price went up $1 on March 1 and they expect another price increase soon.) Bill took a look at the map and decided it would help get us in a better position to drive up to Red Bay, Alabama. See our map in our last post here to see our route. Continue Reading

03/12/2018

Alabama in our 2018 Winter Travels – Part One of Three


The drive from Fort Pickens to Gunter Hill Park was  179 miles and took approximately 3 1/2 hours drive. Then to Foscue Creek Park, only 90 miles, taking about two hours due to the speed limits. The drive up to Red Bay was 173 miles and took just under four hours, again, due to speed limits!

Last winter, we discovered Gunter Hill Park, Montgomery, Alabama, an US Army Corps of Engineers Campground (COE). It met all of our basic requirements for a long stay, so it was tentatively penciled in for this winter. It depended on the weather and our hopes to make it up to Red Bay, Alabama. The weather turned out to be good enough for us to make it happen. We’re glad we have been “winterized” as we’ve adapted to a cooler winter than most “snowbirds” seek when they head to Florida or Arizona for the winter.

We departed Ft. Pickens on 1/16 and stayed at Gunter Hill Park for 10 days until 1/26. Friends highly recommended Fescue Creek Park, it fit our route nicely. We were there from 1/26-3/1/2018. The distances and times are in the caption of the map, which were all about perfect for how Bill prefers to drive. And it’s really about all my body can stand as well! We both have the common age-related lower back aches but it seems to bother me more than Bill – or else I just am more vocal. I can at least get up and move around a little while he is driving.   Continue Reading

02/23/2018

Midway Into Our 2018 Winter Travels (warning: Cute photos overload)


Continuing our journey, now along the Florida Panhandle and along the Gulf of Mexico. First stay was at the Topsail Hill Preserve State Park, Gregory E. Moore Campground, then onto Fort Pickens Campground. While it was only 65 miles, it took nearly two hours due to construction, stop lights and general traffic along Highway 98.

Wow, it’s been a month since we last updated our winter travelogue! As we said in an earlier post, click here if you missed it, we really weren’t sure what our travels plans would look like this winter – so we’re glad we didn’t set any expectations. This past month has been a whirlwind.

We love the beach and knew we wanted to spend a month on the beautiful beaches off of the Gulf of Mexico. This much we knew and planned back in July. My mom lives in the panhandle with my oldest sister so we knew this was a primary destination in January. To get good sites for the two weeks in each location, you have to reserve six months ahead. First stop is Topsail Hill State Preserve Park Gregory E. Moore RV Campground.

Our first day here! It was a cool 51 degrees with a nice breeze. This is the walkway over the sand dunes from the campground to the beach. It’s nearly a mile walk from our campsite. They do run trolleys from the campground to the beach – but we aim for walking 5 miles every day.

This year, we arrived on January 16 and stayed until January 30, 2018. Two weeks is allowed per camper in the Florida State Parks. Once I get as old as Bill, we can stay for a month here, two weeks under his driver’s license (proof of Florida Residency and our age) and two under mine. But no rush! LOL

Here is a slide show to put things in perspective a bit:

Putting our winter in perspective. We fled Fredericksburg on December 26, 2017. The cold seems to have followed us!
Love the tide charts for the Gulf of Mexico.
We wanted to see it all, so here is our route from our campsite, to the beach and then around the lake and on the nature trails.
Isn’t this beach beautiful!!!

So now you may see why this is a favorite destination for us! We fell in love with it our first visit in March 2015. We talked to a couple there who were work campers. It sounded like something we would like to do. My mom would only be an hour or so away so we could spend a month or two or three here! We interviewed for the job and it looked like we were in….but then the Ranger who “hired” us (it’s a volunteer job with free “rent” in exchange) ended up changing jobs before we could cinch the deal. We’ve pretty much decided it probably wouldn’t have worked out for us….😢

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park beach on the Gulf of Mexico our second day here.

This year, we had a real treat – something we have wanted for a while, to bring a grandson on another road trip! We had our oldest grandson, Colin, with us for ten days in Myrtle Beach soon after his brother, Bryce was born. We wrote a little about that wonderful time here, in case you missed it.  We cherished that time with him and look forward to another journey with him. Our decision to go get our youngest, he’s nearly 2 1/2 years old now, was a bit spontaneous. We had to have a luxury car just for situations like this. So the biggest downside of Topsail for us is it’s a LONG way from our grandsons (and their beloved parents)! So this month, we drove our car 2,300 miles to get him and return him, taking us 36 hours of driving time! But it was so worth it. Both of our grandsons also love the beach so we look forward to many more fun travel days ahead!

We were on site #66. Bryce felt right at home!

We really weren’t sure how Bryce would travel.  Thankfully, he did great as long as we let him out to stretch his legs every few hours. He’s potty trained so it helped us make sure he got his exercise. He is also a GREAT sleeper, needing 2 to 3 hour naps and he sleeps 10 to 12 hours a night. So we got the rest we needed as well.

This one pictures says it all!!! It was a bit cold, but so sunny and this kid loves it!!!

Bryce’s response when he realized we were leaving the beach for the day!

But he was easy to get back on track! He loved riding around the park on his trike

There was a playground near our site so of course, Bryce had to go every chance he got!

Bryce wanted to “touch” every dog he saw! He made lots of friends as he learned how to safely approach a new dog! He’s probably a dog whisperer…

What little boy can resist climbing a ladder? He loves helping his papa!

Bryce was actually only at this location for one week. Bill and I had a week here by ourselves when we decided to go get him. Then it was time to move closer to see my mom and sister, only about 65 miles away, still on the Gulf of Mexico.

On January 30, 2018, we moved onto Fort Pickens Campground on the Gulf Islands National Seashore Park. We stayed here last year, but didn’t discover it until near the end of my time with my mom. We wrote about our time in the Florida Panhandle – when we discovered this treasure – written about here.

I drove Bryce in the car and we left ahead of Bill so he could disconnect everything without a little “helper.” If you know what we mean! Bryce and I stopped in to see my mom, sister and her dog Ruby before we met Bill at the campground. Bryce is my mom’s 7th great grand child. It was time she met him.

Bill and Bryce checking out our new homesite. We thought it was longer than in reality. We just fit. And now having Bryce on a blind corner will mean he must not be out of an arms length. Thankfully, the speed limit was 5 MPH and most every drove very slow.

We arrived here in Fort Pickens on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Our reservation was for two weeks, ending on February 13. My mom saw Bryce twice, but fortunately it was before she was contagious. Mom wasn’t feeling very good our third day there, so I went to see her alone. Sadly, my mom had contracted the flu and was hospitalized that night. The hospital was close by, so I spent two days visiting her there – and then I came down with it! What a miracle neither Bill, Bryce nor my sister caught it.

Our walking here was on the nature trails. This entrance was right by our site. Bryce enjoyed our nature walks and especially all the dogs who were also out for their exercise.

Bill is compelled to walk at least five miles every day. Bryce accompanied him everyday, by giving Bill an “extra” good workout once Bryce’s legs needed a break.

This campground had lots of doggies! So of course, Bryce got to meet each and every one!

Boys will be boys! Bryce managed to break the kitchen sink sprayer connector, just being a boy! Thank goodness for Amazon, we found the replacement part and Bill repaired it quickly. While Bryce was napping!

Bryce loved riding around the campground, checking out the other vehicles. This one sure caught his attention!

Bryce kept asking to go to the beach. It wasn’t as convenient from our campsite to get to the Gulf of Mexico. But this trail was close by to the sound. It was sandy, so he was happy!

We were just exploring so we didn’t know what to expect. Bill took him back another time with his bucket and shovel

There wasn’t a playground at this campground. But we found something just as much fun. A hill of pebble gravel when it was too cool for the beach.

But he asked daily to go back to the beach. He loved playing in the sand.

The water was crystal clear on the sound side as well. Much calmer, too.

So how did I get sick while Bill and Bryce were OK? As soon as my symptoms started, I saw a doctor and was put on Tamiflu – was told to rest for a week and wear a mask. It was recommended Bill get on it as well, so his doctor got him started. And then I wore a surgical mask to keep the germs to myself. I also wore it in the hospital, but I must have contracted it before she was in the hospital. (Do you think I rested? Oh how I wanted to….)

Ugh, the first time I’ve had the flu in decades! So this was how I kept from spreading it.

Bryce had to get into the act and copy his MeMe! He was so funny wearing it and it helped him not be afraid of me!

We arrived here in Fort Pickens on Tuesday, January 30, 2018. Our reservation was for two weeks, ending on February 13. She had two days to see Bryce, but fortunately it was before she was contagious. Mom wasn’t feeling very good our third day there, so I went to see her alone. Sadly, my mom had contracted the flu and was hospitalized for five days. The hospital was close by, so I spent two days visiting her – and then I came down with it! What a miracle neither Bill, Bryce nor my sister caught it.

Using FaceTime, Bryce spoke to and saw his mom, dad, brother and his doggie, Ollie, every night. He especially was excited to talk to Ollie and kissed him good night! He really loves dogs. All good things had to come to an end, so it was time to get him home. Since I was still sick, our daughter decided to fly to Atlanta and we meet her there to return him. Bryce enjoyed the airport and was so happy to see his mom. He wouldn’t let go of her for a minute – except to hug us good bye! We loved our time with him in spite of me being sick.

We knew we needed to extend our time here so I could see my mom more. Sadly, this very popular campground was booked, but miraculously we found a really good site back in Campground A – where we stayed last year. At first, only two nights were available – then we checked it the next day and managed to get three nights in a row on the same site.

We stayed on this site from 2/13-16/2018. It’s in Campground A, site #16. It’s a smaller campground as you can tell. Our neighbors had moved out. We have more room on the right because the nature trail path is there, but not shown in the picture. The dump station, dumpster and bath house are only a few hundred yards from any site. Very convenient, but smaller sites and the trees can interfere with your parking.

Mom was finally feeling good enough for a little outdoor time. So I brought her over to see our new campsite.

There are a few of downsides to Fort Pickens. Mainly, it only has water and electric, no sewer. Last year in Campground A, we were close to the dump station, so Bill just carried a five pound bucket of gray water over each day. And we were right by the showers. But in Campground E, we were as far as you could be from the dump station. So he broke down and bought a blue tote tank. Sadly, the weather was so cold here our first week or so, we didn’t use the bathhouse – besides it wasn’t that close to us either.

This is a National Park, so they honor the “America the Beautiful” Passes. We didn’t mind only paying $10/night last year, but the price doubled this year. And it’s really a drive to go to the grocery store. But there are a few restaurants nearby. We haven’t tried them, but others said they were good. Here is the link to the campground for more information and reservations:  Recreation.gov< strong>After that whirlwind of a month, we headed Montgomery, Alabama. We stayed here last year and decided we would return for 10 days on our way to the Tiffin Service Center for a few minor repairs to our home.

Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly….Proverbs 17:6 

04/01/2017

Final Post of COE Parks, Eastbank (Winter 2017 Part 9 C)


Next stop and to our final US Army Corps of Engineers (COE) campground was an easy drive, just over 85 miles to Eastbank Campground, 153 Eastbank Road, Bainbridge, GA  39819, telephone number (229) 662-9273. We were there from 3/14 until 3/16/2017

We enjoyed our time in southwestern Georgia. It’s very rural, but the road system is really nice. Thanks to Jimmy Carter a local Georgian told us! After last summer in rural Kentucky, we made sure of our route the night before we traveled. The directions were not crystal clear on the website, so we called and talked with one of the camp hosts. She said to call them when we were just about 5 miles away so she could “talk” us in as many people end up at the dam! She didn’t seem to think the signage was very good, but if you have a passenger who focuses on the signs, there were more than she said. Anyway, here are a few pictures of our journey there:

It just doesn’t get prettier than this! Our drive through Bluffton, Georgia. Note the nice state road, well marked and even a shoulder!

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03/28/2017

Second Post of COE Parks, Cotton Hill (Winter 2017 Part 9 B)


There is just something special about the sun setting on water! This view is of Sandy Creek, which flows into Walter F. George lake. Picture from our campsite in Cotton Hill.

Originally, we thought we’d just write one post about the three back to back stays in the US Army Corp of Engineer (COE) campgrounds. There was so much similarities about them, but as I began to write, the words just kept flowing. WOW, we did more than it seemed at the time….

After our camping experience in Gunter Hill (click to read our last post if you missed it), in Montgomery, Alabama, our expectations were pretty high for our next stay in Cotton Hill. Coupled with the fact friends we made in Fort Pickens really liked this campground a lot! It did not disappoint, except we were sad to learn they had a contract dispute with the county over the sewerage so the sites this year were not full hook up sites. But had 50 amp and water.  Continue Reading

03/20/2017

US Army Corps of Engineer (COE) Parks, Gunter Hill (Winter 2017 Part 9 A)


Our trip from Davis Bayou (click to read), Ocean Springs, Mississippi, to our next destination was just over 200 miles. It was an easy trip and we arrived around 12:30 pm.  We knew we might be a little early, but we learned that COE park check out times are 3:00 pm! Little did we know….

Our first experience in a COE was last summer. We stayed in the Land Between The Lakes (LBL) COE “Canal Campground,” click here to read about our fabulous time there. It took three posts to write it up since there was so much to do and we hope to return there one day. As I am writing this, we now have stayed in three, back to back stays, this winter. I had hoped to write about all three in this one post, but we did so much in the Montgomery, Alabama area, it needs its own post. Continue Reading

02/27/2017

Welcome to Mississippi: Davis Bayou Campground (Part 8 Winter 2017)


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Florida route started in (green dot) Jacksonville, to (b) Dunnellon, then (C) Zephryhills, to (D) Micanopy, to (E) Sneads, to (F) Navarre, to (G) Fort Pickens, to (H) Holt, then crossed over into Alabama, (I) Robertsdale, then to (checkered dot) Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

The Davis Bayou Campground is our 10th RV park/campground since we arrived in Florida on January 6, 2017.  We were in this National Park from February 19 to 26, 2017. It is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore Park. We discovered it when we were in Fort Pickens, Pensacola (Part 6 of our winter travels), Florida. It is a continuation of the Gulf Islands Seashore! Since we had such a wonderful time in Fort Pickens, we thought we’d go farther west than we had originally planned and try it.

The Lure of the Islands in the Gulf of Mexico
What is it that entices people to the sea? Poet John Masefield wrote, “I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied.” Millions of visitors are drawn to the islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico for the white sandy beaches, the aquamarine waters, a boat ride, a camping spot, a tour of an old fort, or a place to fish.

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02/18/2017

Fort Pickens, On a Barrier Island (Winter 2017, Pt. 6)


Our travel from Three Rivers State Park, to Emerald Beach, to Fort Pickens.

Our travel from Three Rivers State Park (green dot), to Emerald Beach (B) in Navarre, to Fort Pickens (checked dot).

When we started our winter travels from Virginia on January 4, 2017, to stay somewhat warm, we really had no idea how our travels would turn out. We are still a bit gun-shy, so we don’t like to make reservations until we are on our way to a particular RV park/campground. We’ve had four family emergencies in our three years on the road where we’ve had to cancel our reservations, turn around or set aside our travel agenda for a time. When we started this winter series, I wasn’t too optimistic about coming up with a way to label our travels. So if you have been following along, you can see I have modified our titles, which means things are getting a bit more exciting!

We are now in our eight RV Park/campground since we left fled the snow in Virginia. We know reservations in the warmer parts of Florida between January and March are tight, slim, and expensive. Thus, we have been bouncing along, not staying anywhere too long. Although, we have not paid the high prices we thought.  Anyway, we had planned to spend a month in Gulf Shores, Alabama with friends we made last time we were at the Tiffin Service Center in Red Bay, Alabama. We called the couple a few days before we made the reservations in Fort Pickens. They said they would have the scoop on where we could stay….only to learn the husband had just passed away. 😢 You know, it just puts life into perspective! So our plans have again changed, but then, we really didn’t have any plans set in stone.

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07/06/2016

Mammoth Cave National Park, June 28 to July 6, 2016


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Mammoth Cave National Park, A World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Preserve

Finally, Bill got me here to see the world-famous Mammoth Cave National Park in south central Kentucky! I talked about our anticipation to visit here in our last post, Caves or Caverns.

We made our reservations to Cave Country RV Campground a week or so ahead since we knew this was the 4th of July holiday weekend.  We knew we couldn’t get into the campgrounds in the park, so we didn’t really explore them. Soon after we arrived, we decided to add a day on to our stay. We loved the warm welcome we received and all the brochures we were handed to help us make the most of our time here. There was so much to do in this area, but first, let’s check out Mammoth Cave National Park, which is part of the America the Beautiful pass program. Our tickets for the tours were half price! Continue Reading

07/02/2016

Canal Campground, Grand Rivers (Part 3 and final)


Patti's Restaurant and Mr. Bill's Dining Room

Patti’s Restaurant and Mr. Bill’s Dining Room from an article in “The Lake News” dated June 18, 2015, announcing they had been awarded the “Certificate of Excellence Award” from TripAdvisor

Let’s continue with our time travel from our “Part 2” last post, which you can read here if you missed it.

Patti’s 1880’s Settlement Fine and historic dining in a casual atmosphere! If we heard it once, we heard it a dozen times, we had to eat at Patti’s Restaurant, especially the pork chops! We rarely eat out, saving it for special occasions, family times or when Bill just needs a break from cooking!  We had the opportunity to eat here with our new friends and former neighbors at Columbus-Belmont State Park. They recommended we stay in Canal Campground and gave us lots more pointers. And they also recommended we eat here. They live in Paducah, so it wasn’t too far for them to come join us. And now, of course, we will have to visit them in Paducah on our next trip to Illinois.  It’ll be on the way.

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