Resting, busy week ahead!!

 Thursday 20 February 2025

    A nice breakfast here. Then we made a day of enjoying Florida. Back down to Dade City to get some items we looked at last time. Hit the antique stores first made a few purchases put that stuff back in the car and walked around the rest of the town. Then Diane found us a lunch spot Soup and Sammies. And yes, we did actually get something accomplished before lunch😏.  Next was a thrift store (looking for an old/cheap spatula to work on Moho).  Diane walked in, first thing she sees is a whole cabinet of Pfaltzgraff dishes, next thing she see 50% off housewares. And poof the car is full. Never did find a spatula.

   On the way home we stopped at the Richloam General store. It is an old historic store that used to be the hub of train activity in the early 1900's.  Not much to it, outside the store the was a plaque about the area and people who owned it, it was amazing.

The Richloam General Store

   Back to the Moho.  Grilled chicken with fixin's for dinner and a wine of course.

Friday 21 February 2025

    Kind of a wasted day.  We had yogurt for breakfast and cleaned the place up a bit for the carpet people to come measure the rug again.  Then we waited some more, and more😕😠. Finally, Diane had to go on her run, including grocery store for tomorrow's dinner with Len.

    Good news Diane made the best ever chicken fajitas for dinner. Yummy

Saturday 22 February 2025

   A bit warmer today but still only in the low 70's. Busy day today.  Diane made cinnamon muffins (Keto) for breakfast. After we ate, I got busy stuffing two (the very last) deer tenderloins for dinner tonight with Len.  I'm getting better but with a small work area, two loins, two lbs. bacon, and only one cutting board the kitchen definitely needed a thorough cleaning. Put the meat in the frig and it took the two us to do dishes, wipe down counters, cupboards and even a spot or two on the floor. 😒 Then we rested with a cup of coffee. 😊 Just after lunch Diane started cleaning and chopping all the veggies.  She is much neater than I was.

    I had just started the grill 4:45 or so when Len pulled in. We talked, ate, cleaned up talked a little more before he went home around 7:30.  

    We had a nice visit and a good day.  Temperature stayed just warm enough to sit outside to eat and talk. 

Sunday 23 February 2025

   Up and a quick breakfast then off to tour the Chinsegut Hill Historic site in Brooksville.  Now when she bought the tickets the 10am tour seemed like a good idea, but this morning trying to get out the door by 9am, the 2pm tour sounded better😏.  We made it just 5 minutes late.  Turns out it really didn't

            The house on
           Chinsegut Hill

matter; we were the only ones signed up. The land was originally deeded off while Indians were still living it the area.  It grew into a 2000-acre plantation by the time the civil war was over.  It was one of very few to survive the buy outs of the carpetbaggers. Almost broke and with no way the pay the only 3 of the former slaves stayed away. Over the years the owners were all very important people and took good care of the property and the people who ran the farm.  Today the house has been restored, and 1500 acres are used by Florida State University. Very interesting and educational tour.

   Next was lunch in Brooksville at the Boondoggle Eats, it was good just split a quesadilla.  Hit a couple antique stores on the way home, no purchases. 

   Finally warmed enough for shorts and a few Farkle games 😃.  I won both of course! Leftovers for dinner. Another great day in the south.

Found this guy walking through the CG.  We've seen them all white before, but never brown and white, guess it's a juvenile.  

Monday 24 February 2025

   Cool and rainy day. woke up to 45 degrees and light rain.  Diane ate the last of the breakfast muffin that were leftover, so I made myself a turkey and onion sandwich. She says that was degusting for breakfast. YUM
  Our last chance to hit the Webster flea market and it is rainy.  Not a wash out, but who wants to walk through a flea market in wet sand while dodging rain showers.  Did a few little things around the house. Cool boring day. Pork roast in the crock pot for pulled pork sandwiches. A couple games of farkle while waiting for happy hour. 

A little more drama

 Thursday 13 February 2025

   A nice day today, sunny 77degrees.  We went to the cemetery stopping on way for lunch of course.  Stopped at Bree's restaurant in Noble. Nothing fancy, we shared a chicken cheese wrap and fries. Out to the cemetery, spent 1/2 half hour or so headed home.  The National Cemeteries are so awe inspiring with everything neat, clean and especially how all the markers line up every direction you look.
   Back to the Moho and just kinda hung out the rest of the day.

Friday 14 February 2025      HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

    A busy day today.  After breakfast I returned all of Len's tool and chatted a bit with him.  It was a workday, and he had a dog on the table doing a c-section, time to chat was short.  Heading home I stopped at a yard sale, I think it is there year-round, things kind of sit outside all the time. However, I did find a nice salt & pepper set for 2 bucks.  On my way through Bushnell, I see a carpet store and thought I would stop and see if they knew anyone who works on campers.  Turns out they do.  So, the guy came down around 2:00 to measure the Moho for new carpet. Ours has started to come apart "a lot", I had to tape it just so we didn't trip.
   Anyway, it is Valentines Day!  We broke out a good bottle of wine, grilled up some NY strips, baked tater and mushrooms. A yummy meal. And great Valentines Day.

Saturday 15 February 2025

    A nice sunny warm day! A good day to enjoy the warm sun and do a little antiquing. 😀 We headed south to Dade City a cute little town with several restaurants and antique stores.  Had lunch at the Florida Cracker Diner, ate way too much.  So, we "walked" up and down through town stopping in at least 8 stores. Some clothing shops and some antique stores.  Spent 4 or 5 hours walking around.  Then back to save Rudy.  Needless to say, we just picked at leftovers for dinner.

Sunday 16 February 2025

   The day started out like any other.  Diane put a roast in the crock pot and headed out to do grocery shopping.  But then, while she was gone, I decided to tear out the credenza so they could put new carpet under it.  Turns out I couldn't get it loose from the wall.  Diane returned, we put the groceries away.  She took a glass of iced tea outside to enjoy the sunshine.  All I had to do was clean up my tools (and the mess I made).  I bent over to pick up the screwdriver, as I stood up, I wailed my head on the cupboard.  It knocked me to the floor and blood started running down my face. 😖Diane got the bleeding under control rather quickly but the swelling not so much.  She didn't want to spend money on me, so I had to go to a vet. Just kidding of course! We did go to Len's, he washed it out good, cut off some skin that was loose and sent me home.
   Good thing we had dinner in the crock pot. We ate, I took some pain killers, sat around with an ice pack on my head.  Diane changed the bandage twice before going to bed and I slept on the sofa! Oh my, what a day!!

What a difference one day makes!!

Monday 17 February 2025

   We were supposed to go to the Webster flea market this morning but decided to stay home and put the shelves back in the credenza, every time I bent over my head started to bleed again. So, I stayed home and rested. Diane went to the drug store for more bandages, the carpet store to see if they had an estimate for us.  They did not have it done...we need to pick carpet first.  Back home she made fish for dinner, changed my bandage.  By now the swelling has gone down and doesn't look near as bad.  Down to just band-aides (large ones). Another night on the sofa.

Tuesday 18 February 2025   Shawna's Birthday

   Starting to feel almost normal (don't laugh). Another nice day! Started with breakfast on the grill, up to the carpet store picked up some samples and the lady talked so much we just couldn't get away. Finally, we were out the doorway, way after lunch time.  Stopped at the first decent restaurant, then off to check out a new campground on our way to flower shop.  Picked up some flowers for the cemetery picked out nice ones for her birthday.
   Finally, back to the Moho! Exhausted emotionally and physically!  Made us a couple bloody-Mary's (oh yeah) sat out in the sunshine.  Burgers for dinner.  A nice day.  I was allowed back in bed.

The flowers were beautiful...

                                           The Bloody Mary's were wonderful!!

Wednesday 19 February 2025

    Things back to normal!  Diane went to carpet store, needed a check so back home then back to town to make a deposit at carpet store, drug store, grocery store, gas, and even Wal-Mart.  I spent the day deep cleaning the grill, tore it all apart and back together without incident. Diane was so proud of me.😁😁 She made shrimp gumbo over rice for dinner.  It was a prepackaged thing just add sausage and shrimp; it was good but a little watery.  My head is healing nicely!

Saw this while getting gas!

Time to enjoy the sunshine

 Friday 7 February 2025

   First day just parked.  After breakfast I reinstalled the mud flap, mostly just to get it out of the way. Started some research on the toilet.  Several issues: won't hold water, and it won't fill using the foot pedal.  We spent most of the day calling looking for parts and help, didn't find either. After hours of research no one would guarantee the parts would fit our 11 year old toilet so I guess it will be a new toilet in our future.
   We got cleaned up and went to The Fishermans Restaurant. for dinner.  We love this little place; food is always good and the service nice.  Don't feel rushed and don't need to go find a waitress.  Just a nice place.

Saturday 8 February 2025

   Started looking for a new toilet as soon as breakfast was over (about 9😃).  I went to the local RV dealer, nothing in stock but they can order us one.  Next was new wiper blades for the car, picked them up on my way to Len's.  Talked to Len for a while, picked up our mail and borrowed a bunch of tools I thought I might need.
   Back to the Moho, picked up Diane and went to check out our site in the next campground.  A bit tight but we think we'll be able to get the Moho parked.  Went to the Florida Cracker Restaurant for lunch then back home. Tried to install wipers but they are wrong kind! Back to auto parts store picked up right ones. They were twice the price but fit.😔
   Diane found a toilet "in stock" at CW in Ocala. So we have a plan for tomorrow!

Sunday 9 February 2025   Supper Bowl

   A quick breakfast and we are off toilet shopping! 😐 Doesn't sound all that nice, does it? My kind of shopping trip, they only had one toilet that fit our Moho!! Done and out the door! Next was lunch at Campo Azul, oh my, the food was great even had freshly made, at the table guacamole. 

Fresh guacamole, yum!

    Lunch is over.  And "I" got a new toilet. So, to even things out we hit TJ Maxx, Bealls and Rosses shopping for clothes. Not my kind of shopping! 😏 Another stop at the ABC store and we were done. Back to Moho, grilled ham steak for dinner.

Monday 10 February 2025   Yeah Eagles

   Started work on the toilet.  Removed old toilet, no problem took about 30 minutes.  Took it outside and noticed half of the flange had broke off and was stuck to old toilet.  Now I have a problem!! I need a new flange.  Called Newmar... the flange is "glued" to the pipe and goes directly into black tank.  My two-hour job just went to crap! 😏 Long story short picked up new flange and pipe (2 different hardware stores) only to find some of the wood rotted. Had to remove the panel in the wet bay to gain access to top of the black tank. It was hot, dirty and stinky!😟 I was sweaty, irritated and it was wine time.  We had no toilet or water at all!!  No showers. No dishes, nothing... Diane was not happy.  But we had some wine, showered at bath house and ate off paper plates.  Not a fun day.

Tuesday 11 February 2025

   Day two!  Trying to get the right thickness of flooring proved to be the biggest challenge.  I made a trip to Len's for plywood scraps and several items lying around the campground, too thick to thin just couldn't get there!   Then Diane solved the problem, her plastic cutting board was just right. 😆  It was almost happy hour time again before the toilet was in place and water turned on. I still had to seal sewer pipe into the black tank then reassemble the wet bay. 
   It was a long day, but we have to move tomorrow. Had to reschedule out appointment at Cummins from the 12th to the 27th. I can't wait to get rid of the check engine ding.

Wednesday 12 February 2025

   Time to move already.  New campground is just down the road 20 mile or so.  I took the long way just to run the engine and get fuel.  Didn't need fuel, but we won't take chances anymore. We arrived at the campground and Diane was guiding me in just like always with lots of trees on both sides.   Apparently, the "guys" didn't think she could do it right.  Before I knew it three guys were giving directions along with Diane. It was very very tight, but we made it.

Tight but we made it!!

  All settled in with time to spare before happy hour.  Burgers on the grill.

We still have a camera set up at the house and at first glance this looked like a 2 headed deer, oh my!!

I'll try to update again tomorrow!

Off to a warmer spot!

 

Rudy gets all comfy in his new home....
and the next day we hit the road.  The poor dog doesn't know what to think!!

Wednesday 19 February 2025

    Ok so it is well past the end of January. But, I have good reason for being so late!!😂 So here goes!!
We were planning to leave around the 20th of January.  But as we were packing Diane received info that her Aunt Belle had passed away, so we delay departure until after her services.  Within a week more bad news, her Aunt Lorretta had passed away.  So we delay until after her services. But a snow storm prevented us from attending. So Sunday the 26th the Angeli girls all went to Mt Carmel to visit the family. 
   Out new departure date was Tuesday the 28th.  Monday evening, I broke but yet another tooth off down below the gum.  It just flopped around; I finally got the tweezers out pulled it out.  Good news it had a root canal and didn't hurt, just the gum was sore.  I looked up several dentists and wait until morning.  Tuesday morning came the pain wasn't too bad and the temperature was 40 degrees. We threw the last of the items into the Moho and hit the road.  We are out of here! 😊 Heading south!
   Late leaving we only made it to Walnut Hills in Staunton VA.

Wednesday 29 January 2025

   We awoke to a wind advisory for high profile vehicles.😦 Diane beat feet down to the office and signed us for another day. We rearranged or schedule making days longer trying to make up the lost day.  Diane picked up BBQ for dinner along with lunch meat etc for quick meals on the road.
   And just as side note the check engine light is going on and off the whole time we are traveling.

Thursday 30 January 2025

    Time to burn up some mileage.  Destination today is The Moose in Rockingham NC, 280 miles. A long day for us. The day went fairly well.  We arrived around 6pm got settled and started making plans for another long day tomorrow. Hooked the car up for a quick get away in the morning.   Then..... I get a text from Shari and they are in the air heading to North Point NC for Mathew to tour a college and attend a soccer camp, they will be 75 miles from us.  So we rearranged our plans, once (we would meet half way for brunch), twice(they would drive down to us) and the third time. Trying to meet up with them somewhere convenient for both of us.  Off to bed.

Not even gone a week and the deer moved in!!

Friday 31 January 31 2025

     They wanted to go to the beach, so we meet them at the intersection of I95 and I74 a place called Roy's Country Corral.  Words cannot do this place justice.  Just google it, and add 10 sheriff's deputies, 5 electric trucks, and 3 four wheelers along with the Moho parked in the lot you'll get the idea. Shari went to use the restroom... two guys came out!!😕 The good news; the food was great, and we had about a 2-hour visit.  Hugs kisses and we were on our way again.

Great visit with the kids!!

   We still had a long day ahead of us.  Jumped on I95 heading to Lotts Island by Savannah, 200 more miles to go. We made good time through NC not much traffic just the check engine light dinging on and off the whole time. Then the DEF gauge started to ding I was low on DEF.  I can't pull up an engine code unless it shows when we stop, but it goes out as I slow down.  Go figure! Called Freightliner several times no help until we get the code.  We hit SC and holy crap the road was terrible!  We hit holes I swear they had to dig out with a back hoe.😩 I decided not to get fuel today and hold out for Buc'ees tomorrow and save time today.
   It was after 6 and almost dark when we pulled into Lott's Island. Diane managed to get us another  night.  Need a little recovery time.

Saturday 1 February 2025

   A recovery day. I wanted to get the blog updated but the battery was low!!! Can't find the cord!! Forgot it!  Then Diane discovered we did not bring her container of summer clothes, and she will have to buy new.😚😏😁  I went to Tractor supply and got 2 jugs of DEF.  Diane went to Beals, TJ Max and got three bags of clothes.  Seems almost fair! But we did find a nice seafood restaurant (O.D's seafood).  It was a much-needed recovery day.  Still need to make up some time!

Lott's Island, a great place
to relax for a while!

Sunday 2 February 2025   Finally made it to Florida

   We are Florida bound today.  Less than two hundred miles to Camp Blanding in Starke Fl.  What a nice day it was, into the high 60's.  We hit I95 south, next stop the Florida welcome center.  Right around lunch I hear a "ding" from the console.  No, not the check engine light not the DEF light fixed that yesterday, so what now!!  It is the low fuel light.  It dings about every 6 miles, along with the check engine ding, it sounds like a musical in the cockpit!!  Buc'ees is 78 miles away 30 cents cheaper, we can make it.  Finally, Diane couldn't take it anymore and we stopped for fuel.
   Back on the road. Just the check engine light dinging now.  We pulled into Camp Blanding around 3pm. Office is closed we went to our site and settled in for our two night stay.  Steak and shrimp to celebrate being in Florida. 

Monday 3 February 2025

   Another much needed recovery day.  I started washing the Moho trying to remove the PA salt and winter filth.  Diane went to CW to get an entrance mat and other things we forgot. Picked up some shorts at Khol's since it was on the way.😁  Temperatures in the low 80's. Oh, life is grand. Grilled sausages for diner.

Tuesday 4 February 2025  

   A great day to travel temps in the low 80's, sunny and nice.  Diane went to fill up with fuel at the exchange while I unhooked the electric.  As I pulled out of the site, I hear a loud dragging noise. I walked around the Moho; it appeared the rear mud flat was dragging.  I meet Diane at the office, and she got out of the car the Moho's ass was dragging. We had a little pow-wow and decided to remove the big mud flap, drive separately and hope we make it to Countryside RV Park. I made it exactly 3 mile and pulled over, just couldn't control the Moho. 
  So now parked along a 4-lane highway just outside of the base we start making phone calls. It appears we lost air pressure in the rear air bags. Called Freightliner, roadside assistance, tow truck, Freightliner again, Freightliner of Jacksonville.  $1200 to get towed. Ouch! Nobody could help us.  5 hours sitting outside the gate we decide to return to Camp Blanding for the night. Now amongst the confusion of the day I realized the check engine light stayed on and we got the code. Oh YEA.
   Back to the campground. After 4 and 1/2 hour we were parked, traveled 7 miles. One truck service I called could send a truck out in the morning, so we made diner and settled in for the night.

Wednesday 5 February 2025

    After a restless night's sleep, we had breakfast and watched for the repair truck to show up.  At least we are in Florida and the weather is warm. In the 80's again today. The repair truck showed up around 9:30.  Two guys one spoke no English at all, the other very poor English but between words and hand gestures they got the job done. Phew!! Just under $500 ($25 for part $475 labor) and we are back in action. 
    I finished washing the Moho after scheduling an appointment at the Cummins dealer in Ocala. We now know it has something to do with #3 injector. Can't wait to see what this one will cost.  Diane made another trip to the grocery store and had to stop at the new Beals outlet in Starke.

Thursday 6 February 2025; The trip down in finally over.

    We were up, moving and ready to go by 9:30. We only have 100 miles to drive so we piddled around until 11am before pulling out. And having learned my lesson I was sure to fuel up! 😁 We took an extra-long lunch break at the rest area.  Then headed to our final stop The Countryside CG in Lake Panasoffkee. We pulled in around 2:15, parked, hooked up water, sewer and electric. I had to put the awning out and the sun screen up right away.  Temps in the 80's and sun shining on the side of Moho, the ACs couldn't cool the place down. Walked around said high to some old friends, grabbed a glass of wine and had burgers on the grill.
    So good to be parked!

We were to be here (made reservations March 2024) for the 10th of January for a month.  Changed to the 20th because of house. After that Diane kept pushing the date back almost daily. Instead of the 5 days we planned to travel down here it took us 10. Bad weather, meeting Shari and crew, and the break down in Starke. Now our month-long stay has been cut down to 7 nights.  But we made it safely and weather is great.

I'll try to get the blog caught up completely tomorrow. You know you can't make this stuff up!!