Time to Hit the Road Again

April 25th we hit the road for this year's adventures.  We left the Tampa, FL area & headed toward Pensacola, FL.  I've never been there so I was looking forward to our 2 weeks there. 

We stayed at Oak Park RV site at Pensacola Naval Air Station.  It's the home of the the Blue Angels.  That was good & bad!  They practiced every Tues & Wed mornings.  We got to see them flying, but of course they were really noisy.  Many evenings for about an hour, you would hear planes coming in.  One of the weeks we were there, it was Naval Aviation Week so they had an air show out over the  gulf.  We really enjoyed it.  I took my camera, but realized as I got ready to take my first picture, that my memory card was in the computer. 

 That was a really nice park.  We could see the beach & water from our site #48.  that was not the best of sites because we had to work around 3 huge trees getting into it.  We were able to get satellite on our spot, where #49 couldn't because of the trees.  I think 50 & 51 were probably the best. 

View from our campsite

View from our campsite

 There was a huge National Aviation Museum there.  It was very nice & free.  You could spend a day there with out any problem. 

Aviation Museum

Collins at Museum

Aviation museum

Collins enjoying Destin Beach

We also made a trip to Destin one of the days we were there.  It was very pretty. 

They had a nice gym on the base, so we got back in the every other day trip there.

View from campsite in GA

May 9th we left for the Atlanta area.  We stayed at Robins AFB, which was just outside Macon.  We stayed there because it was kind of in between several places we wanted to visit.  The camp ground was small but very nice.  There were a lot of trees so we couldn't get satellite.  We were able to get a few channels with the antenna.  There was a small lake there.









 They also had a nice gym so we were able to keep up with the exercising there.

 One day we went to Calloway Gardens in Pine Mountain.  Unfortunately, we just missed all the azaleas in bloom.  It was really hot, close to 100 almost every day the first week we were there.  The gardens were in the mountains, so it was a little cooler there.  They had a fabulous Butterfly Garden, the best we've ever seen. 

Calloway Gardens Butterfly Conservatory



This butterfly was at least 5" across

 I'm including some pics of the ones that sat long enough to photograph.  They had butterflies from all over the world.  They had Blue Monarchs, but they wouldn't land long enough for pictures.

Blue Butterfly Blends in the Plant

We also went to Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Little White House".  It was his getaway- kind of like Camp David.  There were warm springs in the town & he like to swim in them to relieve the symptoms of his polio.

Little White House

 

Guest quarters on left, White House in Center, Maid's Quarters on right

Collins guards the "White House"

  They also had a museum on the property, which was pretty interesting

FDR's Car

 

Collins went to New Jersey over the weekend we were there.  One of his nephews was having a surprise 50th Birthday Party, so Collins thought it would be a good way to see a lot of his relatives.  Doug went from Chicago & they met at the airport.  He said he had a great time, got to see places where he grew up & see a lot of family.

Paul & Suzy Hos & Collins



Collins & Paul Hos-  Paul passed away in July 2011

 P  We also had a chance to visit with one of Collins' best friends from High School & his wife (Paul & Suzy Hos).


 It's really nice to catch up with old friends.  We also wanted to go to Stone Mountain, just outside Atlanta.  We drove all the way there (just under 2 hours) only to find out there was only 1 thing open there & it wasn't worth the money to go in for that.  It was kind of disappointing & a long drive for nothing. 
May 19th we headed to Wateree Recreation Area in Camden, South Carolina.  This is a really nice campground.  It is located on a huge lake & there are lots of pine trees.  Luckily, we were able to pull all the way to the front of our site #5 & get our satellite.  Collins is a happy camper!  There is a small beach on the lake & boats for rent here, but it has been soooo hot - around 100 everyday & no breeze, so we haven't been on the lake.  There is no gym here, so we've braved the heat & gone for a 2 mile walk everyday.

View from our RV

View of our Campsite

View from our campsite

We acquired a new member to our family this week.  Yes, we got a dog!  She's a 10 lb poodle/shih tzu.  Ever since we started RVing, we've watched people walking their dogs around the park & gotten the itch.  Our biggest holdup was what to do when we went to Punta Cana for the winter.  We can take her on the plane with us there.  She's very well behaved & has been no trouble at all.  She's very lovable, so we named her snuggles.  So far all is good.  She's housebroken & sleeps in a crate.  She seldom barks, but does when a stranger comes in the door.  Right now she's on her back on the couch with Collins scratching her belly.  She loves to be petted.

Snuggles

We'll be here thru Memorial Day.  We've been told this place gets packed with tents in every bare spot.  Right now, it's very peaceful.
Made it thru Memorial Weekend without much inconvenience.  There weren't as many tenters as usual because we had Thunderstorms Friday night.  it rained a lot.  I would not have wanted to be in a tent.  We went to the beach for awhile on Sat, but it was so hot we only stayed about an hour then came in. 
Our new dog has been great.  She's very quiet & well behaved.  Hardly barks at all.  She does like a lot of attention - getting in our laps & being petted.  She's so small & quick about it, she's there before you notice.  She does make us smile, tho.
Tomorrow we're off to Camp Lejuene Marine Base near Jacksonville, FL for 2 weeks.  The campground is supposed to be very nice & on the beach.  Hopefully, we'll get to enjoy it.

ON TO NEW PLACES

Sun Rise



Sun Rise



Sun rise in Punta Cana




 Three months in Punta Cana flew by this year.  The weather was beautiful the whole time.  I think we only had 2 days that were cloudy all day.  Most of the rain occurred at night or in very early morning.  Our weather was mid 80’s & breezy the whole time.   It didn’t get humid until about the last 10 days. 

Beautiful Colored Water

On my last blog I left off the day our son Doug arrived.  It was nice having him around & he & Collins enjoyed many games of Chess while he was there.  As he was leaving, daughter Pam & her husband Aaron arrived.  They also spent a couple days at a nearby all- inclusive, enjoying a little together time.



Doug & Collins



Doug, Pam, Aaron & Collins

 

Pam relaxes on the beach

Aaron relaxes at the pool

 We had a 3 week break & enjoyed more socializing with our increasing group of friends. 

Karen, Sue, Collins & Joe out for a night at the Casino

Relaxing around the pool with friends

Some of the group were Irish so we had a St. Patricks Day celebration.  Some even took part in a parade around the pool.   



St. Patrick's Day Parade around the Pool



March 19^th brought the arrival of daughter Collina & granddaughter Lexi.  They enjoyed the pool & beach & took a couple excursions. 



Lexi enjoys the pool





Collins & I joined them on a trip to Saona Island.  We took a couple hour bus ride, then a 1 ½ hr trip on a catamaran to get to the island. 

 

 The water colors were beautiful.  After a few hours on the island we took a speed boat back.  On the way we stopped in a shallow water area with absolutely clear water.  There were jellyfish in the area, along with other sea urchins.  That was the only excursion Collins & I took while there.



Saona Beach



Beautiful Blue Water

   

Karen, Collins, Collina & Lexi



The day after Collina & Lexi left, daughter, Paula & her husband Dave arrived.  They enjoyed a week of relaxation, including a couple days at the all-inclusive where Pam & Aaron stayed.

Paula enjoys a fruity drink

Dinner with Paula, Dave, Collins & Karen

Dave, Paula, Karen & Collins

Hopefully, they all went home more relaxed than when they arrived.  After Paula & Dave left, we started packing to go home. 

Views of our complex

 We left April 4^th & headed to IL.

We spent 2 weeks in IL, mostly freezing.  I think there were 2 days in the 70’s & 80’s. the rest were mostly 30’s & 40’s.  The day before we left, we had snow flurries & the kids said they had snow the week after we left.  We just aren’t cold weather people any more.  While we were there, we did have a chance to visit with the kids & grandkids.  One night we rented a hotel room in a place with an indoor pool.  We had all the kids come there & the grandkids had a ball swimming.  We bought pizzas & Kentucky Fried Chicken & had birthday cake to celebrate Becca (13) & Aaron’s (40) birthdays.  It was a fun evening!!  We were very lucky & were able to stay with my brother Rob & his wife Lisa while we were in IL. 

Karen & Brother Rob

It was fun being with them.  We also had a chance to visit neighbors & friends.

April 17^th we headed for FL.  It was 38 when we left IL that morning.  The next  afternoon  we were arriving in FL to high 80’s.  We also discovered our AC wasn’t working, not a good surprise!

 Larry & Deanna, my brother & sister-in-law were gracious enough to allow us to stay with them while we got the RV ready for travel again.  It also gave me time to spend a few days with my mom, who also lives in FL.  Larry & Deanna had a big gathering for Easter dinner, which was really nice.  Everyone brought a dish so we had plenty of great things to enjoy.



Larry, Karen & Mom



Larry & Collins





Lexi, Collina, Karen & Collins



 Aaron, Pam, Doug, Collins & Sue - Dinner at her house



Pam, Aaron & Doug at the Casino



Life In Punta Cana

Our Beach

We arrived in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic on Jan 1 to temperatures in the low to mid 80’s, some blue skies &  rain every few days. 

More of our beach

Collins Enjoys the Beach

The latter is typical for the first half of Jan and then turns to consistent blue skies & gentle breezes.  About half of our North American friends were already here when we arrived & the rest arrived over the following 20 days .  We celebrated Collins Birthday jan 6 with our friends Joe & Sue.  We had planned to eat at our favorite Thai Restaurant.  However, it decided to POUR that evening, we got drenched & ended up at another restaurant. 


Collins, Karen, Joe & Sue



They still had the Christmas Decorations at the Casino

After that we made our first trip of the season to our favorite casino for a few drinks. 

Karen & Joe test a drink at the bar

 With most everyone now here, we decided to have a steak cook out at the pool a couple weeks ago, with some 26 attending.  This is a great crowd, & although we spend a lot of our time with Sue & Joe Radice, there is continuous interaction amongst all of us.  Between going to the beach, pool & restaurants, plus dinner parties at various units, time flies by & we can hardly believe we have already been here almost 6 weeks.

Pizza Party

All set for Turkey Dinner



Pasta dinner for 13



Collins enjoys the pool



Collins takes a nap





Our Pool



Our apartment



One day we went to a large town, called Higuey,  about 40 minutes from here.  They have all kinds of stores there.  It's very unique.  There are all kinds of places that sell meat, just hanging there on the street.  There are also a lot of fruit stands. 

Fresh Meat Anyone?


Fresh Fruit

Our friend Sue from TX arrived a couple weeks ago, she left Friday.   It was great having her here.   We've been friends since 8th grade.   While she was here we had a Turkey Dinner at Joe & Sue's apartment.  There were 14 of us.  We all brought a dish to pass & Sue made the turkey on their BBQ.  No one here has a stove big enough for a turkey.  It was delicious & we all had a wonderful time. 

Joe & Collins



Sue & Collins





Sue, Karen & Sue







Karen, Collins & Sue



We're talking about having a pasta night in the next couple weeks.  No one would believe it, but we go out to the Casinos at 9:30 or 10 at night. 

Hard Rock Casino

 We go over to one of the nice Casinos that is close by, listen to their music & drink their liquor.  They serve top shelf stuff & don't care if you gamble or not.  It's really fun.  Every time we hear the weather report from the US we're very glad we aren't there!!  

Today our son Doug arrived.  We're looking forward to spending time with him.  About every other week we have, each for a week,  our 4 kids & their spouses, but only one grandchild.  At least for this year it was decided this was to be an adult recharging the battery time.  Then before you know it, it will be April 4th & we head back to IL for a few Doctor appointments, see the grand kids.  We'll leave for FL on April 19^th, at which time we pick up the RV & start this year’s  journey up the east coast to as far as Port Edwards Sound, British Colombia.  Life is good.