Picture failure

 November 3, 2020

Travel Day to Oklawaha

Travel day today as we departed Geogia and headed into Florida.  We got a smooth, early start waving good bye to Auntie Carol and Uncle Steve and traveled 3+ hours.  We had a delightful, unexpected greeting on the final leg.  A black bear lumbered across the road in front of us on NE 160th Avenue Road, about 9 miles from our final destination.  Bears don't streak across the road as deer or squirrels do.  This bear was moving with purpose at a steady pace, but not super fast.  Now wouldn't you think the person riding in the shotgun position would have grabbed his phone camera for a shot?  WRONG.  Dad was in a trance and didn't come to until after the bear headed into the brush.  

After we set up,  I was left in charge of the rig while Momma and Dad headed to the west side of Ocala for Dad's PT appointment.  Wouldn't you know the timing was perfect for the bear to lumber back across the road in the opposite direction.  Hey Dad, where's the picture?   Picture failure once again....

They were gone for quite a while as it was an hour drive each way plus an hour of PT and as Momma returned home, I could tell she was pretty tired from the long day...and disappointed as well.  You see, Dad finally had his phone camera ready for the bear shot on  the way back to the rig, but the bear never appeared.  I told Dad I could try to look like a bear and he could take my picture instead.  

I think I'm rather photogenic, don't you?  

I'm Chloe

Ouch

 November 2, 2020

As we packed up in St. Matthews to head further south, Steve donned his winter attire as it was a tad nippy out even though the sun was shining.

The trip itself was uneventful and we slid right into our sites without any issues, unlike the Class A that arrived after us.  The driver appeared to be a bit confused as he drove thru the site to our left and doubled back around the enter the row of pull thru site behind us.  Dad no sooner said, "We have neighbors."  Then he immediately had to retract that statement.  

As Momma looked out the back window of our rig, she saw the Motorhome cut the corner into his site a little too short.  Unfortunately, the picnic table was in the way of his shortcut and it latched onto the side of his rig, his wheel and and then fender as the table spun 90 degrees.  Ouch!!

That is one heavy table too, as Momma tried to lift one end of our table and discovered she couldn't budge it.  

If you take a close look at the picture, you'll notice that the motorhome is parked so close to the electric pedestal that it would be impossible to open any slides.  I guess it didn't bother him much as he left it parked right where it was for the night.

Tuesday morning we travel solo into Florida as we are heading to Oklawaha and Uncle Steve and Auntie Carol are heading to St. Augustine to help celebrate a birthday.  But I'm not worried as they will be joining us in Oklawaha on Wednesday.  I told Auntie Carol to make sure she stocks up on dog treats as I'll have all my tricks polished and be ready to perform.

I'm Chloe

Hospitality at its best!!

 October 31, 2020

St. Matthews, SC

This was the BEST stop of our whole adventure.  Not only did I get to see Gramma and Grampy,

I got to RUN and RACE all over their big yard.  Gramma even had a frisbee for me to fetch.  I caught it high..

I'd bring it back to Dad

And then I'd catch it low,

It just doesn't get any better!!

Now Momma and Dad do have adoption papers saying that Ted and Colleen adopted them, but that was at an Escapee Rally.  They took Momma and Dad under their wing...thus the adoption... at the RV Rally seeing as this was their first Escapee's Rally with this chapter. After all, Momma is 2 months older than Colleen so she really couldn't be Momma's actual Mother and my Grandmother....but she sure makes a nice Grandmother.  She has had lots of practice with her honest to goodness grandkids and grand'fur'kids.

 

I haven't convinced anyone to share 'people food' with me, so all I can report on is the way all the food Colleen cooked smelled.  

D E L I C I O U S  ribs and ham

And would you believe she even made churned ice cream .......and I didn't even get a lick.

I'm not sure which they enjoyed more, the food or the games.

While Dad and I were playing frisbee, everyone was admiring the blooming flowers around the house.

Yep, it was a fun stop but tomorrow we need to move on heading south for a stopover night in Brunwick, Georgia.

I'm Chloe

On the road again

 October 31, 2020

Sweetwater Campground

St. Matthews, SC

We were singing that song again today, "On the Road Again..."  We departed Fletcher, North Carolina traveling I-26 into South Carolina. The Welcome Center as you enter South Carolina was closed but it was too soon for a rest break anyway.  About 60 miles down the road we found a huge rest area with loads of parking and nice green grass for me to visit.  It was a true coffee break complete with molassas cookies for the guys, one of those delicious, crisp, sweet apples for Momma and cookie bones for me.  Ahhh!  We know how to travel!!

Did you notice the warm jackets?  Dad looked at the dash readout and cheered...74 degrees.....until he realized that was the inside cab temperature.  But it did make it to 51 outside and if you stayed in the sun with a warm wrap and a hot cup of coffee, it wasn't all that bad for us southerners.  

Our destination today is Sweetwater Campground in St. Matthews, South Carolina. We had just departed from a campground that had a $10 charge if you arrived too early ....before 1pm... and a site escort.  

On the far end of the spectrum, you have Sweet Water Campground.....totally laid back...with signage to greet you at any time of the day.  No reservations; first come, first served.

The setting looked inviting with the lake on the right and long back in spots on the left marked by the electric/water posts.  Sorry, no sewer here.

As we walked down the driveway, we came to the campground owner's home 

And the promised red box to the right of the campground sign, to leave your money for your stay .

As Momma walked back up the driveway toward our rig, she looked off to the right behind the campsites and noticed the locals.  A couple of donkeys.

And one proceeded to put on a great show scratching his back on the sandy ground.

"Ahhh, that felt so good!!"

One of the reasons, well, really the main reason why we chose this campground was the close proximity to our friends Ted and Colleen.  

More about that in the next episode of our adventures....

I'm Chloe

Brrrr

 October 30, 2020

Rutledge RV Park

Fletcher, NC

Our adventure was intended to take us north for some cooler temps...note I said cooler.  What we found were some COLD temps, at least Dad says 38 is COLD.  Momma had been watching the weather for Crossville, Tennessee and mentioned that the temps would be dipping into the 30's the week after we were to depart.  She failed to take a peak at the night time temps for Fletcher, North Carolina though.  Surprise!!  Breezy and cold.  At least we weren't towing on the windy day.  

Steve and Carol headed out to visit some friends who are now living nearby.  I got to go with Momma and Dad to explore the nearby Camping World.  I chatted with everyone I saw.  Momma kept telling me to 'hush'.  At least I wasn't barking.  I think I have an intersting voice and I try to make my sounds sound like what the 2 legged speak.  The people were very friendly.

Would you believe even though we had the fireplace glowing and the heat pump humming, Dad heated up his rice bag to take to bed with him?  I'll just bet I could have provided more warmth than that old rice bag.  I would make a good bed buddy.

I'm Chloe

Travel Day

 October 29, 2020

Travel Day

It's travel day which means emptying tanks and hitching up.  Dad said he didn't want to pack up in the rain so right after he got up, the rain had slowed to just a mist. He quickly took care of dumping the tanks and putting away the sewer hoses. One less thing to deal with. By the time we were buttoned up and ready to hitch up, we had a light mist once again so no one got drenched.  Yeah!!  Now that doesn't mean the feet stayed dry.  Puddles, puddles, everywhere. 

We drove in that light mist for about the first 30-40 miles and then...it looked like it hadn't even rained. Another Yeah!!   No more dealing with passing truckers raising the water off the road onto us.

And then we actually found some blue sky and sunshine!!

It was a pretty ride 

With lovely mountain views. 

I'm afraid taking pictures through the windshield cuts down on the full effect.  It was much more impressive up close and personal!!  Even though the leaf color is past its peak.

I really don't understand the big deal about mountains and color.  I can squat on leaves, grass or stones.  Makes no difference to me!!  All I care about is room to run and chase a ball...and that aspect has been lacking in this trip.  Maybe the next stop will be more promising.

I'm Chloe

You can still have fun in the rain

 October 28, 2020

Crossville, Tn

So what do you do on a rainy day?  You have two choices.  Choice 1:  Huddle down inside your rig or Choice 2:  Dash between the drops to the Ram and head out for an Apple House.  Well, I was stuck with choice  #1 while the two-leggeds took choice #2.  It was about an hour drive on some scenic roads to an Apple House in nearby Pikeville.  Momma said this apple house was as far on the other side of the spectrum that you could get from the square building housing bags of apples in Crossville.  Oren Wooden's Apple House has crafts,

a bakery counter,

a lunch cafe

and of course...apples. 

A real bonus was that the food purchased from the cafe was delishious, home cooked like anyone's Mom used to make (if they were a good cook) with items like squash casserole, mashed potatoes, mac n cheese, Italian green beans, cider cooked ham slices, salsbury steak, corn bread, biscuits...you get the idea I'm sure. 

It was decided the trip wouldn't be complete without a sampling from the numerous choices from the bakery.....apple selections of course:

Apple caramel pie

Yummy😊😋😉

Apple pie pockets/hand held pies

And apple cake

Momma skipped right by the items that came from the oven and enjoyed a glass of cider slush.  Over the top delicious!!!

But the day's adventures didn't end there.  The next stop was Country Cupboard, an Amish shop with plenty of stock to choose from.

And we all purchased treasures to consume....cheeses, cider, flour, beets.....as well as gifts and housewares.  What a neat shop!!

And the day came to a grand finale with a scrumpious birthday meal.  Steve and Dad manned Steve's grill to turn out an excellent, done to perfection, tender pork tenderloin accompanied by sides of corn pudding, roasted seasoned potatoes, sweet potato casserole, fresh salads....am I making you hungry?

As it was Tina's birthday, Carol whipped up a delicious birthday cake that was presented complete with song and lit candles.

 

And if you know this group of friends, no night would be complete without a game or two.  Tonight it was Pegs and Jokers with 8 around the table.

Tomorrow we bid Tom and Nancy farewell as they will be staying in this park for two months.

And we bid Tina and Steve farewell as they will be heading on to their new Tennessee home.  

Dad is hoping the rain stops by morning so we won't be hitching up in rain.  On to Fletcher, NC for our next adventure.

I'm Chloe