Punta Gorda, Florida

Our on site
Palm Tree

Monday 3-10, we took Rudy to the Kennel, packed up the RV and headed out.  Brad wasn't able to get into the gas station where he wanted to, so he pulled into Wal-Mart and waited on me, since I was at the grocery store.  We ended up having pizza from the strip mall for lunch and finally hit the road about 1:00, pulling in at the Alligator RV Resort about 4:00.  What a nice place with very friendly people.  We had dinner at the RV and took a hike around the CG, nice place, but a lot of permanent trailers, and few RV pads.  Brad did call Ronald Bunner, a guy he went to high school with and plans are made to meet up with him tomorrow.

 

Tuesday we had breakfast, did a load of laundry and got ready to head over to Ron's house.  What a nice place, a disappearing wall that leads out to the lanai with a small pool and hot tub and beyond that his dock with a very nice boat....he has come a long ways from Dillsburg.  We talked for about an hour, then headed out to lunch, a restaurant on the gulf, good food and good company.  After lunch we had a tour of the town, with a couple of stops on our way.  We hung out until about 4:30, 5:00, then got in our car and headed home, with plans for dinner together on Wednesday. 

 



Fisherman's Village

Wednesday we had breakfast then headed out to the local tourist trap, the 'Fisherman's Village'.  We did the Military Museum first, then hit about half of the shops, stopped for lunch at the Oyster Bar, then finished rummaging through the shops.  It was a great place to spend the day and Brad even got a few new things.  We headed back home, a walk to the lake, a little relaxing then time to get cleaned up and headed over to Ron's house again.  He got ready then we all headed out to pick up his new girl friend, Donna, then off to a new seafood restaurant for dinner.  It was a very nice evening, and again, good food and company,  being there about 2-3 hours, a lot of talking, then we headed back to Ron's, picked up our car and headed home.  One more walk to the lake, since we have to leave tomorrow and check out is 10:00 AM, ugh. 

 

Beautiful Lake at
RV Park

Thursday we got up, ok another walk to the lake, back home and a bit of a flurry to get packed up and out of here by 10:00, but we made it, only about 5-10 min. late.  We hit the road, stop for gas, another quick stop after that, then we finally head back up the road.  We stopped for a little break about 1.5 hours down the road, then back in the RV and beat feet to go pick up Rudy.  We parked at the Wal-Mart, disconnected the car, then the 2 min. drive over to get Rudy....was he ever happy to see us.  Back to the RV, he jumped right in, ran around a little, then put himself in his travel kennel.  We leave the car disconnected, since it only about 5 miles to the CG, get everything hooked up, while Rudy is jumping and jumping and jumping.  After a couple of walks around the CG, we settle in for dinner, chicken and veggies, then another walk or two and Rudy is finally calmed down and asleep on the sofa. 

 



Today was a couple of phone calls, trying to find a CG or two for the ride north, no luck.  We gave up on that then headed out to do some shopping.  First stop Shari's to pick up our new camp chairs, then off to Daily's for lunch, next to camping world for a new TV receiver and a walk through the new RV's, then off to the grocery store for just a few necessities and finally to Sparkman's for strawberries and OJ, and I wonder why shopping that takes us 4-5 hours.  Neither of us were really hungry, so we just had left overs for dinner, then just a quiet evening at home.  Brad is playing computer games and I am working on the blog. 

Diane and Brad
 

Another week in Florida

Saturday was another hang out day, nothing planned so we headed out to the local RV show.  I don't know why we go to these small ones, 2 hours of walking around and I still like mine.  I guess we're lucky there.  Dinner at home and mostly a do nothing day.

 

Sunday, we did some work around the RV, a load of laundry and a few other things, then off to the grocery store.  Burgers, hot dogs, rolls, pickles and a few other things for a cook out at the O'Donnell's this afternoon.  What a nice day it ended up being, Alice, Kevin and the boys were in Florida and came over for dinner, along with Shawna and Len.  It was a great after noon and then they headed out to visit Chris P. Bacon, while Brad, Rudy and I headed home. 

 

Monday I made a grocery list and did the grocery shopping, laundry, we made some phone call and hid out at home.  We did a lot of walking today and made some plans for tomorrow. 

 



Reminded me of Maine

Tuesday we made a trip to Cedar Key, about a 2 hour drive, but a very enjoyable place to visit.  We had lunch on the water front, after walking along the water front shops and then out on the pier after lunch.  We then headed into town parked and did a little stroll, coffee from the coffee shop and then a trip to find the beach area.  It was a little to chilly to walk along the water, but it was worth the drive to Cedar Key, an enjoyable day for us.  Oh yes, in the mean time, we took Rudy to the doggie day care, where they said he did well, but when we got there, he jumped right into the car and would not get out until we were at the RV.  Dinner was in the crock pot, then off to bingo for me and clean-up for Brad.  No money won, but I had fun. :-(

Lunch Time View on
Cedar Key

Wednesday we headed to the Cabinet store, trying to get a panel for the hole where the bed room TV was.  Brad is hoping to be able to mount a flat screen TV but need something to cove the hole first.  We then had lunch, after stopping at 2 places that weren't open, and were we did eat, well as they say, been there, done that, don't need to go back.  We picked up a flat of strawberries, dropping most of them off at Shari's and a nice visit.  After that we head home and Brad made dinner on the grill. 



Thursday was a rainy day, so I planned on going to the Villages to do some shopping.....Brad decided to go along, he just wasn't allowed to moan and groan about all the stops.  I managed to get through most of my stops, but the last one or two are on the other side of the Villages (5-6 miles, ha, ha) and he thought it was awfully far to go, since one was just a Starbucks stop.  I gave in and didn't make him do those runs. Back home, put every thing away and we just had left overs for dinner. 

Friday the weather cleared up, but it was still cool, so we decided to take a ride to Brooksville.  We  checked out another dog kennel as we are hoping to leave Rudy at one while we head out to Punta Gorda on Monday.  No luck, the place was nice, but it is spring break and they are booked full and so was the place beside them.  Back home, get cleaned up, then off to the Villages for dinner.  We are meeting the kids and there are 13 of us to seat, so Pappy and I head up an hour early to put our names on the waiting list, no reservations available.  The wait wasn't bad and we had many people to talk with, including the hostess, but in the end, there were only 11, Shawna and Gabe weren't able to join us. :-(       It ended up being a very nice dinner and it was good to see all that we did before we left.

Soccer Game

Saturday Brad got everything ready to wash the motor home, then we headed out to Wildwood to watch 3 of the O'Donnell girls play soccer, the other 2 played earlier, we just couldn't make it to their games.  After the games we headed back home, took the laundry down and Brad washed the roof of the RV, oh how dirty.  We stayed home, had burgers on the grill, and worked on what we are going to do for the trip out west.  Oh well, at this time only time will tell. 



After a tough day of
washing the RV

Sunday Brad decided to wash the rest of the RV.  I stayed out of his way and about 1:30, headed down to play bingo, no winning again, I'm beginning to think I should quit, but I do enjoy the people I sit with.  When I headed out, Brad and Rudy were there to meet me for the walk back, how nice.  Back home, clean up the mess Brad made, clean up Brad and out to dinner, I was hungry for Mexican so we went to Coyote Rojo, yea.  Back home, finished cleaning up, trash out, dishes done and so is the Blog.  Not much for excitement, but it was our week in Sumterville and I'm ready to move on.

Diane and Brad

 

 

Back in Florida

Well, I survived my trip to PA.  It was a bit chilly (cold), but I managed. 

I arrived on Wednesday, with dad picking me up at the airport.  I stayed with him that night, then left on Thursday,  Aunt Dot was coming down and staying the night, then on Friday Scott was bringing Cathy home from the hospital and she is headed over to their home.

Not a bad weekend, Saturday morning Lynne and I headed to Baltimore, antiquing and shopping our way there, what a wonderful day.  We finally get there, find our hotel, then head out on foot to find the water front area.  We did some shopping, people watching, then stopped at 'Dick's' for a glass of wine and maybe dinner.  The place was very interesting, but a bit loud, so we left after a glass of wine and headed off to another place.  This time we stopped at 'Phillips', nice place, a lot nicer, so dinner and wine, what a wonderful time.  We then headed back to the hotel, do we walk or take a cab, that was the big question....but there are police officers on every corner, so walk we did.  It was a beautiful night, and a great time, sorry it was over so fast.  The next morning we got ready and headed out about 10:30, off to G & M for a crab cake brunch, how delicious.  After that we did more antiquing on our way home, we had no agenda.  We get back to dad's about 5:30-6:00, chit-chat for a while, then Lynne headed home.

 

Monday morning at 7:30 AM is my Dr. appointment to get my hip check, all is well and now it's time to get it stronger and get rid of the cane, yea.  Breakfast after the doctors, stop at dad's storage unit and load up some things in the car, get Aunt Lida's coat and drop that off, then a trip home.  After that I decided I needed to go to Kohl's, a little shopping then off to see Shane for a short time, then a pedicure for me and a manicure for Lynne, what a bush day. 

 

Tuesday was another busy day, we did some running, then I made a ham and noodle casserole for Scott, Aunt Dot and Frankie, while dad some running around he needed to do.  Then he dropped me off at the Farm Show building where I met Mel, over to house, picking up Taylor then off to her volleyball practice in Chambersburg.  Wow, what a change in her level of play.  She finally dropped me off at dad's about 10:00. 

 

Wednesday dad had therapy then out to breakfast and a trip to the casino.  What a lucky day, every machine we sat down at we won, not big, but we both walked out ahead.  Back home and time to make a lot of macaroni and cheese.  Karen and the girls came up for one  bowl and we backed the other bowl full.  Lynne came over for dinner and then Brit and Aly came back with our girl scout cookies.  What a great visit....if it weren't so cold I might have been tempted to stay. 

 

Thursday morning was pack, breakfast, a wasted trip to the bank, then the long flight home.  Harrisburg to Newark for a 3 hour layover, then a quick flight to Orlando, where Brad did find me.  We stopped for dinner and got home about 8:30....yea and  59 felt warm. 

 

Friday was a run around day first a load of laundry, then a trip to the post office, a stop for lunch, off to the kitchen place to order a door/panel, a trip through a very large RV park, a quick stop (ha ha) at the RV show and then our last stop was the  grocery store.  Burgers on the grill and a lazy evening at home.  Saturday was breakfast on the grill, a load of laundry, hair cut then out for lunch.  After that we headed over to Dade Battlefield to check out the WW-II re-enactment.  We spent a few hours walking around there.  We had missed at the demonstrations, but looked at all the displays and watched a movie about WW-II.  It was a very enjoyable day.  So finally we got home, did some little things around here, dinner on the grill and work on the blog.  I'm sure while I was gone Brad visited the girls and did some other things, but since I do the typing, that didn't make it in here :-). 

 

Diane

Warming up

Taking Kita out for her
evening walk! :-)

Friday we had planned to go to a flea market, but it was a miserable day, so we went shopping instead.  At least in the stores you don't get rained on or cold.  We still have animal duty and were hoping to see the Lucero's, but no luck, they are going away for the weekend.
 

Saturday is the day, much nicer, so off we go to the Renninger's extravaganza(flea market).  I have never in my life seen so much stuff for sale, I swear it went on for miles.  The funny thing was, that a lot of the people there selling stuff that we recognized were from PA.  We walked around there for a couple of hours, then headed back into Mt. Dora to hit a shop or two.  After that a trip to Lowe's to get what we need to put the weather station stuff together.  We finally got back home about 5:30, walk the dog and head over to the O'Donnell's for animal duty.

The Flea Market

Sunday I did a load of laundry (I'm liking my drying rack), grocery shopping, then headed up to play bingo.  I didn't win, but had a nice time, may Tuesday I'll hit one of the $250 jackpots (ha ha).  While I was gone, Brad but together all the weather station components and talked with the neighbor.  After that we just stayed home, enjoying the nice weather and having chicken on the grill for dinner.  I talked with Mel and Lynne and ended up calling it an early evening. 

Rudy watching Brad
cook on the grill.

Monday was an unplanned day.  A load of laundry, then off to the drug store.  Well while we were out we went to lunch, stopped for coffee, then off to the strawberry patch for fresh strawberries.  We got back home about 3:30, had some strawberries, then packed some up to take to the O'Donnell's when we did our last animal run.  We walked Rudy, then Brad headed over to the O'Donnell's, me, I worked on the blog.  After that we had pork chops for dinner and then a stroll around the park.  After that Brad turned on 'Heart Break Ridge', but he went to bed, so I turned on 'Castle' instead, yea, then off to bed. 

Brad and Diane
and Rudy

Crazy Weather here, there, everywhere

OK, not to complain too much, but we had a week of rain and didn't see any sunshine until Sunday.  We did our normal grocery shopping runs, off to the RV store just to look, again and get some light bulbs, no big deal.  I think it was Thursday 2-6 I was going stir crazy so I headed to the Villages to do some shopping stopping at  a minimum of 6 stores, the last being 'The Fresh Market' before I headed home.  We did go to the O'Donnell's for dinner on Friday, which is always a fun visit.  Sunday was bingo and then back to the O'Donnell's for dinner where Len joined us, since Gabe and Shawna were both sick.   

 

Finally we got out and about on Monday heading to the Webster Flea Market, but we ended up getting side tracked at the Beville's Corner Flea Market.  We spent a couple of hours there, buying a stylus for Brad to use with the I Pad, but other than that no other purchases, we were both amazed by the amount of guns for sale and enjoyed watching all the people.  We headed home, finally getting to cook on the grill again and spent a nice evening on the patio, enjoying the nicer weather.

 

Tuesday was a stay at home day, doing laundry, replace light bulbs, and then a little excitement as we got a call about doing some work camping out west, no decision made on our part yet. Brad made dinner on the grill again and I ran out leaving him with the dishes, to play bingo, I didn't win, but they are now up to 3 winning pots of $250.00 for Sunday's bingo on the 16th.   

 

Brooksville, passed on the ride home
from John's.

Wednesday was another run around day, we headed to Weeki Wachee, to visit with John and Ellen for the day.  We talked and talked, then headed out to lunch and talked some more.  They did have plans to take us to Homosassa Springs Park, but the weather wasn't cooperating.  So after lunch, back to the house for more talking.  What a great day, we were there until about 5:30-6:00 then had to head home to tend to Rudy.  As it was, lunch was late, so no dinner, just some cheese and pretzels for a little snack.  A little TV, Brad and Rudy off to bed and I followed a little later.

 



Kita the house pig

Today is another day.  There is already one RV that has lost his awning and we are sitting here listening to ours flap and clang, but are half afraid to take the tie down's off of it to try put it up.  We did't have any more rain today, but the wind is almost frightful.  Shari and Matt and crew left this AM to go to NC, hope they make it safe and sound, but now Brad has animal duty.  Lu is at the kennel, but Kita and the other animals still need tended to.  He went this AM, but it was so cold, Kita wouldn't go outside, so he is headed back to the O'Donnell's to let her out and feed the farm animals.   

Week old Farm Animals

Diane and Brad
 

Florida

Thursday and Friday 1-30/1-31 are what Brad refers to as 'shelter in place' days.  It's been cool, not cold, but cool, gray and rainy.  It just makes for some ugly damp weather.  We did manage to get out Thursday to the local hardware store where Brad bought the stuff to make a clothes rack to hang off the RV ladder.  Then we stopped at a local restaurant for an early dinner (pretty good food).  Friday we headed up to the Alliance RV to get the light bulbs we ordered, only to find out they were hung up in Atlanta by the winter storms.  After that we stopped at the Publix grocery store for something to go with the meat in the crock pot, but our selection ended up not being that great.  Back home, have dinner, watch Bones and a lazy evening at home.....it is still raining, but the temperature is climbing. 

 

Laundry Rack

Saturday started out gray and rainy, but as the day progressed it just remained gray.  The rain quit, so we headed outside to build a clothes line rack.  It took us a couple of hours, but mission accomplished, and it is pretty sturdy.  We were planning on dinner with the Lucero's, but Len and Chris P. Bacon had a film crew at the house and then the vet calls took over.  Dinner got postponed, hopefully lunch on Sunday.  We just had chicken on the grill and enjoyed the weather getting nicer.

 

Rudy watching another
dog walk by

Sunday morning I did a load of laundry and hung it on my new wash rack then we got ready for lunch.  Brad had talked with Len, in between his vet calls, and scheduled lunch for 1:00 at Sonny's BBQ Pit.  Well it ended up just being 4 of us, Shawna was home sick, but we had a nice lunch with Len and Gabe, it was good to see them.  We were on the way home to get Rudy for his "operation" when Dr. Len called.... he had an emergency call, Rudy gets to remain a boy for two more days. We hung out at the house had dinner on the grill and just relaxed enjoying the warmer weather.

 

Mt Dora

Monday another load of laundry hung out, grocery shopping done and cleaned up and ready to go.  We headed out for the afternoon to a little town called Mt. Dora, full of antique and craft shops, oh and I can't forget the candy shop.  We walked around there until about 5:30, as all the shops were closing, then found a little restaurant for dinner, it was a nice time.  After dinner we window shopped for a while then did a little drive around town before we headed out.  We have since decided that we have to head back another day, since there is a lot of shops I didn't get to walk through.   Back home, tend to Rudy and little TV and off to bed. 



 

Today was Rudy's day, off to see Dr. Len, and while there he implanted a chip, no losing Rudy now.  After dropping him off we went out of breakfast, then headed home to pay bills and take care of some things that needed done.  We needed some legal sized paper to print out some documents (and yes it had to be legal sized), first Shari didn't have any, none at the office here at the CG.  Off to Winn Dixie, none, CVS, none Wal-Mart none....now what.  Believe it or not, I actually found somebody at Wal-Mart that could help me and found a box of paper in back....yea. Back home, print out the documents, sign and get ready to send off.  This time Brad headed out to the post office then stopped at the vets office to see about getting Rudy a cone to keep him from licking his stitches.  Well they had one, but Rudy was having nothing to do with it, we were afraid he would hurt himself trying to get it off. so off with the cone.  I managed to get a little painting done, made spaghetti for dinner and then headed up to play bingo, leaving the mess in the kitchen for Brad.  I didn't win, but I sat with a fun group of people and had a good time.  Back to the RV, a glass of wine, a little TV, finishing the blog and now it's time for bed. 

Diane and Brad








 

Bi Polar weather

Sunday morning Brad headed over to Shari's to pick up our mail and some other things, while I got ready to play Bingo.  We sorted through the mail and about 1:15 Brad and Rudy walked me up to Bingo, where I actually won.....yea.  It was over by 4:00, so back to the Moho and work on finding something for dinner.  It is a nice day out, so we are having sausages on the grill and an enjoyable evening at home.

 

BBQ stand across from the
produce stand
(can you say red-neck)

Monday we stopped at Shari's to stop off a loaf of bread (bogo item), then headed out to Brooksville.  We stopped at a little place called the Main Street Café for lunch, which ended up being a pretty good find.  After that we stopped at the Withlacoochee State Park Office to discuss work camping, only to find out that they have very few positions and the people doing them now, have been in the position for years and just keep coming back.  It's a nice area to work, so we can understand why.  After that we found a day use area and did a drive through there, beautiful drive and we even saw two deer while there.  We headed back home, stopped at the old man's produce for strawberries then picked up Rudy and headed over to Shari's for dinner.  We had pot roast, which was delicious, and a nice visit.  We were there until about 8:00-8:30, then headed home, relaxed a little then off to bed. 

 

Tuesday is the $2.99 Fresh Market special day, so we plan our day knowing that will have to be a stop on the way.  We headed out, stopped at Alliance Motor Coach for a light bulb and to get a document notarized, then we stopped for lunch at a 'Woody's BBQ', I thought it was ok, Brad really liked it.  We then headed up to the Fresh Market in the Villages.  The place was packed, and I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that they were running out of meat.  I got the last 2 pieces of chicken, and the last of the breakfast sausage links, but at $2.99 a pound, we did some shopping, got burgers for the grill and headed home.  We ate early and once again, Brad and Rudy walked me up to play Bingo, no winning tonight.  Back home and we sit outside until about 10:00, enjoying the evening and avoiding the State of the Union on TV. 

 

Wednesday 1-29 was a rainy cold day, so it was a stay at home day.  I ended up cleaning, scrubbing and doing laundry, while Brad ripped things apart.  Not really, the shower was draining slow, so he took off the vent grate in the front of the shower, tore apart the trap and cleaned it out.  Seems to have worked, so no more foot bath while you shower.  We did some computer work that needed done, mailed off some documents and stayed inside as much as we could.  Dinner was at Coyote Rojo, I was hungry for Mexican, back home and Brad had to walk Rudy in the rain.  The rain never let up, but needless to say Rudy went out, and came right back in. 

Diane and Brad