Back to Virginia

I have been back in Virginia since March 19th to help care for my sweet Aunt Joyce.  She was diagnosed with meningitis and moved to UVA Hospital in Charlottesville, VA the day after Ardell and I left.  My cousins and I have rotated shifts so one of us can be with her while she is treated for meningitis.  Charlottesville is about 40 miles over the mountain from Staunton so I have driven that route in all kinds of weather - including snow and sleet.


While I have been to Staunton many times, I had never visited Woodrow Wilson's Birthplace or Presidential Library so I spent a day visiting those sites.   Woodrow Wilson was president at the end of WWI.  It seems I have been exposed to a lot of WWI history lately via Downton Abbey and the book "Fall of Giants" by Ken Follett.  Also, my grandfather, B. Bruce Lamond, was a chaplain during that war.  The 19th Amendment was passed during Wilson's presidency.  I like that one!!!

Gypsy Hill Park is a short drive from my aunt's house so that is where I have been doing my walking.  It's a great park with a  1.3 mile loop and it is hilly!  My calves are getting pretty muscular!  Weird when your pants get too tight in the calves!!

My original walking buddy, Donna Foster, and I met for lunch one day in Lexington, VA.  She now lives in Roanoke, VA.  We used to live down the street from each other in Sugar Land and Janet, Sarah and her daughter, Amanda, were in kindergarten together.  Donna found me on FB several years ago and we met for coffee when I was in VA several years ago.  This time we had time for a much longer visit.  Great fun!

Virginia Visit

My aunt's house was built in the late 1700's.

Our cousin, Bruce, made major points
by plowing the drive and shoveling
the walks!  

Ardell and I went to Staunton, VA to visit one of our favorites - our Aunt Joyce Lamond last week.  We arrived in Staunton the day after they had a foot of snow!  We are the Texas connection - we don't normally do snow.




My aunt has been ill and we spent time visiting her at the rehab center - we even joined her in "group therapy" one day.  She had been doing great but has had a relapse of sorts and is back in the hospital with meningitis.  We are all hoping she does well in her recovery.  She is such a sweetheart and is loved by all.  I will be going back to lend a hand to my cousins.

Group Therapy!

Aunt Joyce - biking!!!

Sue and Aunt Joyce

Speaking of cousins - we don't get to see each other nearly enough and had a great time catching up.  Between my Mother's six and her brother's six - there are 12 cousins!  Ardell and I entertained them with our tales of getting lost, etc.  Suzanne celebrated her 60th birthday on March 12th.   We had a birthday party at the hospital on Sunday, March 10th for her so Aunt Joyce could be there.  We enjoyed lots of eating, talking and laughing in between visits to see Aunt Joyce.

My cousin, Brian, and his two girls
Lily and Ella with me.

Bruce, Sue, Cheryl, Joyce with Ardell & I at the piano.
Totally staged - this family is not known for their singing:)

We spent an extra day in Staunton with my aunt since she had a bad night Sunday.  Tuesday morning we went to Charlotte, NC to visit cousin Brian and his two daughters.  We arrived back in TN Wednesday night after lunching with a friend of Ardell's in Asheville, NC.

Back to Tennesee!

Renaldo's RV Park

I'm back in Tennessee! After the birthday activities, I packed up and headed back to Tennessee and am planning to be here until sometime in mid-April or so with a couple of side trips.  I am staying at the Renaldo RV Park - in reality behind the house of good friends, Cathy and Ted Renaldo.  Excellent service - Ted even backed up for me:)  How many people do you know with full hook-ups in their backyard??    I'm hoping to help Cathy a couple of days a week in her quilt shop and do some of the cooking to earn my keep.

This was a two-day trip towing the Casita.  I spent the night at Roosevelt State Park about 30 miles east of Jackson, MS.  It was just a couple miles off the interstate so that worked really well.

It's winter in Tennessee!!  Its been cold at night but beautiful during the day.   Cold weather and rain are predicted for next week.  Of course, all my winter clothes are out of reach in storage.  Obviously, I did not plan on this lifestyle when I packed:)  The reality is I don't have much room for any more clothes so I'll make do - and winter will be over in a month:)

Best spot in the park:)

Happy Birthday to my Grandson!!

The Birthday Boy with his Mom & Dad

Cousins Lily & Holly with Christie
(their mom) and Nana

I spent two weeks in the Houston Heights parked in my son's driveway again - great accommodations:)  Caden's first birthday was February 19th and this Gram wanted to be there for all the festivities.  Doug and Leigh Anne hosted a birthday bash for him the Saturday before his birthday.  It was also the first time many of their family and friends saw their new house.  A fun day!

Grandma and Papa with their favorite little guy!
(Leigh Anne's Parents)

Sitting in his new chair reading his
truck book.

Leigh Anne had lots of things to do leading up to the big day, so I got lots of one on one time with the little guy.  He is at that stage where he walks half the time but crawling is still faster.  And, he is fast - way fast!  Lots of fun to spend time with him.  I will admit to being exhausted a few times - one day was even a two grandma day:)

Leigh Anne and her cousin, Shelley.
Shelley made Caden's cute cake and
ALL  the  cupcakes.  Great job!!!

The Chance Siblings - Walter, Maynard,
me and Ardell (Barbara was sick
and couldn't be there)

The day after - he didn't want to have anything
to do with his cake the day of the party!  Too many people
watching:)

Casita Mods

When I left Florida, I headed to East Texas via Jackson, MS.  I spent two nights at Lefleur's Bluff State Park.  Nice little park overlooking a lake.  There was nothing I really wanted to see in Jackson, so I spent the day cleaning the Casita and doing some other chores.

Shot taking while I was walking around the
park.

Sunday morning I packed up and drove to Tyler State Park for two nights.  There is a trend here!  Setting up, etc. is a lot of work for one night.  It hasn't taken me long to figure out it is much easier to stay two nights. Monday I spent a day in Tyler getting a mani, pedi and all that fun stuff:)  A girl's got to do what a girl's got to do!!!

Larry working on my Casita.

Tuesday morning I headed to Little House Customs to have some mods done on the Casita.  Since I am living in it full time, it will make it a little easier and more comfortable.  The big deal is a receiver hitch on the back so I can use a bike rack.  Putting my bike in and out of my car is doable - but not fun! It also takes up a lot of space I could use for other things.  Larry is also "remodeling" the  bathroom, adding a thermostat. etc., etc.  I'm also getting some lessons on how to do stuff:)  It was great fun meeting Larry and Debbie as well as another Casita owner, Mel, who lives close by.

Next stop:  Houston for Caden's FIRST Birthday!!!  He is such a cute, happy little guy.  He has both sides of the family wrapped around his little finger!

My favorite little guy.  Is that a
happy face or what???

There's Something About the Beach!

Sunset my first night.

Growing up on the Gulf Coast and spending lots of time in Galveston, there is just something about the beach.  It is good for the soul!   I reserved a spot at Henderson Beach State Park from Saturday, January 26th through Friday, February 1st.  Pure bliss!

Windy and rough water!

The first couple of days the weather was beautiful but then turned cold and rainy.  One day it was just plain scary but I have my emergency plan worked out - get a hotel room!!!  I didn't have to do that but I did watch the weather closely all day.  The wind was really blowing and the red flags (danger) were flying.



Each day I enjoyed long walks along the beach; rode my bike one afternoon; ate lots of seafood (boiled shrimp and fresh oysters!); and did major damage at the mall one rainy afternoon.  I think I am a throwback to my gender - I just don't like to shop!!!  Didn't seem to have much trouble this day, though.

Oysters on the Half-Shell
I watched them shuck these - and
they came from Galveston, TX!

Portugese Man of War I saw on the
beach - I can remember getting
stung by these when I was a kid!
Not fun!!!

Ardell joined me for one night on her way back to Houston.  We ate at "The Back Porch" a seafood restaurant that Peg and Dave recommended.  It turns out our little brother and several other friends had also eaten there.  I had the Grouper Destin - grilled grouper with shrimp.  No complaints!!!

Sunset the night before I left.

Orlando, Disney and Other Fun Stuff

In Orlando, Ardell and I picked up Ann Hughes Nolen at the airport.  (she grew up across the street from us in Glenbrook Valley and she and I were childhood playmates).  That was the start of a fun week!

Token Mickey Shot

We sat around the pool drinking mojitos and catching up on all the news since we saw each other last. Ann had just gotten engaged so that was a main topic of conversation.  I'll be going to her wedding in Dallas in June.

It's A Small World

Monday, our first full day in Orlando, we headed over to Disney World.  When we planned this trip, the MLK Holiday never entered our mind.  Needless to say, Disney was super crowded but we managed to get some fun rides in and see the sights.  I still love It's A Small World:)  Of course, you can't get the tune out of your head the rest of the day!

Giraffe - Safari Ride at Animal
Kingdom (we did this early and
saw lots of animals)

Tuesday we headed to the Animal Kingdom for a couple of hours and spent the rest of the day at Epcot.  Epcot was by far my favorite.  Not near as crowded and we rode some fun rides (without a long wait) and strolled around until evening.

Karla and I

Wednesday we headed to Cocoa Beach and ate seafood on the coast.  Lots of fun!  Our last day together we shopped and looked at wedding dresses, etc:) before taking Ann to the airport.

Ardell, Ann & I at Cocoa Beach

Ardell was starting her 65th Birthday Celebration on the 24th with a bike ride with Senior Cycling.  I hung around and stayed an extra day so I could meet a friend - finally!

Karla Kizer and I have been emailing each other for about 10 years.  She is another friend I made on Pattern Review.  Turns out she is about three weeks older than me and my girls are about three weeks older than her daughter.  We have shared many stories and worked together in our quest to duplicate Express pants for Laura and Janet.  It was so fun getting to meet her "in real life".  Too bad we live so far apart!

After dinner with the Senior Cycling crew, I headed to the beach for a week.

Crystal River Roundup

One day while I was at Rock Crusher, Vickie and Waid (friends I made while working at Yellowstone NP) drove over to see and my little Casita.   They are working at a park in Florida for the winter.  We then drove around looking for a good place for seafood.  Amazing how many restaurants around here are closed on Monday.  It was great to see them again!
Vicki even brought me oranges and grapefruit from her uncle's trees.

Waid and Vick

My sister, Ardell, met me at Rock Crusher Canyon on Friday, January 18th.  We were headed to Orlando for several days and then she went on a bicycle trip with Senior Cycling to celebrate her 65th birthday.  If I didn't mention it, she is my OLDER sister.  I must admit, I am jealous of the whole medicare thing:)

Daavae & Peg with their shrimp.

Peg, Dave, Ardell and I went out for one last seafood dinner.  Our choice was The Freezer - great steamed shrimp.  This was a repeat for Peg, Dave and I.  It was th

at good!

Sunday morning we packed up to head to Orlando.  I decided to store the Casita for the week so I wouldn't have to tow it around Orlando.  Smart move.  Of course, I thought I knew where I was going - but no.  We definitely took the scenic route.  I kept telling Peggy and Dave I could get lost going around the block.  I think they may believe me now.

After getting the Casita parked, Ardell and I took off for Orlando - about 1.5 hours away.

Kayaking - I May Be Hooked

Monkey Island - that's a monkey on the
USS Primate

Dave and Peg on their
inflatable kayak.

Peggy and Dave have an inflatable kayak called a SeaEagle.  Perfect for RVers because it rolls up into a small package and is easy to transport.  This was my first time to go kayaking and I loved it.    We have been twice in the last week.  (lots of places to rent kayaks in the area)  Our first trip was on the Homosassas River back to the state park in hopes of seeing manatees.  No luck!  The weather here has been too warm for them.

Dave & Peg passing through the poles - tight fit for them.

Dave sent me a video a few days after I left Rock Crusher - they had been kayaking at Three Sisters again and saw lots of manatees.  I was so jealous:)

Yours Truly (pic taken by Dave White)

Our second trip was to Three Sisters Spring.  We started bright and early and were one of the first ones on the river.  Very peaceful.  This was another beautiful area known for manatees.  Unfortunately, there were none there the day we went.  We did see a lot of beautiful birds.  Peg and Dave just made it through the posts with their kayak. (I assume these are here to keep larger boats out).   They visited and were photographed by a former National Geographic photographer who was there taking photos for an e-book.

Another pic taken by Dave.

Withlacoochee Rails-to-Trails Bike Rides

Withlacoochee State Trail

The longest rails-to-trails in Florida is the  Withlacoochee Trail in Inverness at 46 miles.  We have loaded up the bikes on two occasions and gone for a ride along the trail.  Both times we have started at the trail head in Inverness a short car ride from the RV park.

Peggy and Dave

Ferris Groves - home of fresh strawberry shakes and Florida Fruit

Fresh Strawberry Shake - our
reward for 15 miles on the
bike.

We drove back to Ferris Groves so we
could buy oranges and grapefruit.

Our first ride we headed to the small town of Floral City.  It is a great paved trail and very easy to ride.  We rewarded ourselves with a fresh strawberry shake at Ferris Groves in Floral City.

Our second ride we started at the same rail head in Inverness but rode

the opposite way - about 10 miles roundtrip.  We had lunch

in Inverness before heading back to Rock Crusher.

Stop along the river.