Alabama in December

December is here and it feels like winter in New England here in Alabama. It has been too cold for our taste. 30’s at night and 50’s during the day, and this is supposed to go on for a few days. We were wearing shorts, flip-flops and t-shirts and had the AC running a couple of days ago. Today, we are bundled in sweatshirts, coats and hats with the heat running. I don’t get it. So much for our plans of going to the beach again before we leave. It’s not going to happen.
We have started packing up. It is a task trying to get all our clothes and music equipment packed up into the beast (our truck). We won’t be taking the Free Spirit (our RV), which will be put in storage for a month and only because we will be staying at our condo, which has yet to be rented. And, we now qualify to stay at an over 55 resort, thanks to my hot wife, who looks awesome for 55. That’s another blog in itself.
Our drive to Holiday, Florida will begin early Saturday morning, and we kick off four weeks of performances with 11 shows throughout Pasco County. It has been a while since we put on that many shows in a short period of time. But, we are both looking forward to seeing all of our old Florida friends. It will be a great Christmas present for both of us. In a way, we miss those days, even though it was only six months ago. But, we also enjoy what we have been doing. And, we are looking forward to our next adventure when we finish up our Florida gigs.
Lulu and I watched her promo DVD that brought back some memories. If you haven’t seen any of the clips, you can see a couple on her web site at www.LuluEntertainment.com . It has been quite the change from those days. Those Florida fans really know how to party. It was rare to do a gig that people did not get up and dance. It seemed that as soon as the music started, the dance floor got busy. And, we loved the selection of music that they often asked for. Usually it was the modern pop music that they wanted, and we never objected to playing it. Check out what the St Pete Times said about one of Lulu’s shows at The Ramada Inn on her web site. The reporter was surprised to see the energy at what he called the “hottest dance night in town”.
Although we have had lot’s of fun entertaining at the different RV parks we have visited, we have not relived that same kind of energy. I think we just have not found the right group yet. Don’t get me wrong. Every place has had nothing but great comments and all have spoken highly of Lulu’s talent and our performances. We just haven’t seen the same kind of foot-work on the dance floor like we have seen in Florida. So, it is with eagerness and sadness that we pause our journey and head back to our old stomping grounds. We will miss our friends from Homossassa, after the tragic loss of The Marguerida Grill to a fire. We used to love performing there two weekends a month. We made lot’s of friends in that town, and we enjoyed working for the owners, Tommy and his family.
As for our stay in Alabama, I reiterate the post I had up before. If it had not been for a change of street names and some buildings, as well as the weather, I would have thought I was still in Pasco County. There was nothing here that took my breath away, or would tempt me to vacation here. The beaches are the best part of this area. And they are in fact as clean as they claim it to be, even after the BP tragedy. We are returning in January to do a couple of gigs, and will be staying for another four weeks. But, business is business, and we have to stick to a budget. It is cheaper to stay everywhere for a month or more, rather than staying for a few days.
It still stands that Lulu and I are very comfortable living in our 37 foot 5th wheel. It really does feel like a home, and I think we have adjusted to the smaller living quarters. It didn’t take long to get that feeling of home. We have all the comforts of a home; color TV, with all the channels, AC, heat, full kitchen, tiled floor bathroom, full shower, queen size bed, dining table and of course my magic couch and Lulu’s reclining rocking chair. The outdoor screen house really added to the space by giving us an outside room that we got to exercise, cook and eat in. We used it for the first time here in Alabama.
One major complaint is the cellular phone reception here is not very good for one of the phones that we use. It happens to be the cheapest one with the most minutes. So we had to budget our phone time. Wi-Fi has been excellent, so use of the computer has not been a problem, and I am still trying to figure out how to get the best out of magic jack and skype.
There is another thing that we miss, and that is spending the Christmas season with our family. This year will be the first year that my parents will not be returning to Florida and my only daughter is 20 and is doing her own thing up North, and Lulu’s big family also are up North. It is just another lifestyle change that we have to make. They are always in our heart.
We are off to finish packing. Putting on our winter clothes to keep warm, and hopefully shedding them off when we get further south. Our time zone will be changing also, since we have been one hour behind for two months. Florida, here we come. Stay tuned for our next post. I am sure it will be eventful.

Downtown Foley, AL Christmas in the park with man made snow.

I think this was the ugly Christmas Tree competition.

School children singing Christmas carols to us.

Gathered around the campfire during the camprground Christmas tree decorating.

Who has the prettiest ornaments? Lulu and Marie.

Now where did I put that thing??

Alabama in November

A word from AL

     This post is divided in two. The first section is mine, and since Lulu has a different writing style, her blog follows. So, don’t stop with mine because you are sure to get a laugh with Lulu’s experiences.

    We hope that you all will forgive us for not staying in touch. I have been putting off our blog for more time than I should have.  But, to be honest, there really is not that much to write home about. We are still having the time of our life, and, we are not bored with our journey. The reason for having a lack of writing material is that I have found that this area to be similar to the Pasco County area of Florida. It is very interesting to see that there is another part of the world that relies on the existence of snowbirds.

     We are in the Gulf Shores area of Alabama, about 20 minutes West of Pensacola, Florida. We are in a one-hour different time zone than our old home area and about a 12 to 14 hour drive away. If we were to go in to the waves of the beaches here and keep swimming in a Southeast direction, we would be at the shores of Hudson beach within several days. Or not, if you swim like me. Our campsite is a 15-minute drive to the beach and sits on a quiet rural road between all the action.

  If you have ever been to Pasco County, Florida, you would know that, like here, many businesses look forward to the return of snowbirds at the start of the winter season. Although the resident Floridians dread the increased traffic congestion, and the noticeable longer lines at the check-outs, it is a very important part of Pasco Counties revenue. Snowbirds spend money and give people jobs. Without the snowbirds, the area would be much different, and the residents would be burdened with having to consider alternative methods of revenue.

     We are currently experiencing part of this area’s “slow” season, as the snowbirds will start coming in within the next few weeks. Then, the area will experience the same snowbird effects that are shown in Pasco Florida. One of the effects are that the spaces in the campgrounds will be getting filled up. As it stands, there are few residents here, so activities are few. Although this gives us the area all to ourselves, it does not give us work. Few snowbirds means no money to hire outside entertainment, so work for us has been slow in emerging. We are expecting a couple of gigs later this month, but we thought we would have been a little busier.

     The closest city to us is Foley, Alabama, which hosts about 15,000 residents, and is surrounded by RV parks and campgrounds. There are the two major roads in Foley, highway 98 and highway 59, which splits the area in four parts. Highway 98 gives us access East and West and we can be in Florida or Mississippi within minutes and highway 59 travels North and South, and is our runway to the beaches. It is also the major road which has many, if not all, of our necessary outlets, grocery stores, restaurants and entertainment.  If you like to eat out, then this is paradise. There are restaurants of all kinds for miles and miles. If you know our lifestyle, this does not phase us. Although we like to try out new restaurants and experience different styles of food,  we prefer to eat in. It is not only healthier for us, but it is an important part of our budgeting.

  Driving further South on 59, we drive right in to, probably some of the best beaches we have ever seen. These beaches are miles and miles of clean, soft, white sand. Although the water is a little cold for us at this time of the year, it has its moments of calm, wading conditions, and then bold, challenging high surf, for the more experienced swimmer. Either way, time on this beach is well-spent for this time of year, especially if you prefer the quiet, open space. We have had some splendid days of catching some warm sunrays, and just laying around. I know that I would not like this place during spring break or when everyone else wants to spend his or her time here. I prefer the quietness, over the busy, radio blaring, kid screaming and volleyball competitions that we have experienced at Clearwater beach in Florida.

     At the middle of Foley, we catch Highway 98. Driving to the East on 98, passing the Lazy Acres RV park, where we are camped out for two months, we arrive at Pensacola Florida. We went to Pensacola twice, so far. The first, time, to get a pair of tires for our truck at Sam’s Club and the next time to watch the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flight squadron practice their routine. We were here during the Angel’s homecoming and Veteran’s Day 100 year of Aviation show on November 11 & 12, but we chose to not go to the actual show and settle for the practice routines that we saw. Not only was it free, but it was one of the most thrilling and unique experiences I have ever had. We also went to the museum for free,  which was a great educational experience.  As for the rest of Pensacola, can you say Tampa? Although, Tampa gets a higher rating for its’ parks and downtown. Pensacola has some catching up to do.

    Our stay at Lazy Acres has, so far, been a satisfactory experience. We have not had any problems or issues that would give them any negative reviews. The site itself is roomy, clean and trouble free. Due to the lack of residents, there have not been many activities, which we are told will change within the next few weeks. They already have started up bingo, which is one of Lulu’s passion, and an occasional football game tailgate party. Lulu will be doing a performance here later this month, as well as at Magnolia RV Park on the other side of Foley, which is where we will be staying at when we return to this area in January.

     We have been to a few restaurants, which I will not bolster about, only because it is not my thing, and we have been to several festivals, which we enjoyed. The Foley Heritage Days Festival, Elberta’s German Sausage Festival and Gulf Shore’s Shrimp Festival are just a few that we attended. The entertainment was entertaining and the food was abundant. Mostly festival junk food that you would expect at every outdoor festival you see. Fried dough, seafood, soda, hot dogs and hamburgers are just not something you can brag about.  And, as for the craft shows, if you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. They are usually the same folks with the same stuff, or someone that has similar talents, selling over-priced trinkets that we really don’t need.

     Have you gotten the hint yet? We love the beaches. And, we could stay living on one, if we were allowed to. But, around here, the closest you can get to live on one, may be a very pricey campground, a few miles away, that we would never pay what they ask for. As for sightseeing, there is nothing like the breath-taking views of mountain ranges and valleys that we have seen up North. And it may be because we have lived in Florida for the past six years that we are not surprised at what we have found around here. It is pretty much the same thing. In fact, if we were to switch out the people, we would feel like we were back in Pasco County. The weather sure beats the cold of up North, but it is slightly cooler than the warmer climate of Gulf Coast Florida, which we would prefer.

     One last thing that we seek out everywhere we go is a church that we can attend. It is nice to know that we have a wide variety of churches we can pick from, especially being a Christian. However, it becomes challenging when we look for one that is uplifted, energetic, positive and has a pastor that not only knows how to speak well, but knows what he is talking about and can back it up with references to the Bible. We love hearing and praising with modern Christian music, and prefer to see a church that celebrates with singing, clapping and dancing. Not one that people think they are in a library or one that they sulk, complain or are afraid to praise with joy and happiness, which is what the bible tells us to do. We have been fortunate to always find such a church, even though it may take us a couple of tries before getting there.

     We are still happy to be doing what we are doing. There is still nothing like opening your front door and looking at a different front yard every month.  We still enjoy the peace and quiet of the campground atmosphere, and just having that freedom to pick up our home and moving it, if we don’t like our neighbors. Which is something we have yet to encounter, and hope we never do. We have met nothing but very nice folks, who are always willing to offer a helping hand, if we need one. They are also full of great advice on how to go about living a stress-free full-time RV life. And we have been running in to more and more people doing the same thing, all of whom have not had any regrets doing it, as do we.

     Another month, and we will be placing the “Free Spirit” in storage for 4 weeks, and we will be taking that 14-hour drive to Pasco County Florida to do our Christmas season gigs. We look forward to seeing all our old friends that have been a very important part of our lives. They have played an important role in Lulu’s singing career. Had it not been for those folks, we could not be doing what we are doing now. So, in a few short weeks, Lulu and I will be entertaining back in the town that gave us that big break and opportunity.  We will see y’all real soon. I will be emailing out a schedule very soon. Stay tuned!!

Gulf Shores Beach in Alabama during Shrimp Fest 2011

Food, food and more fried food. Can you say, plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh what a relief it is?

The cotton picker at work. Just like shoveling snow.

Blue angels jet. Not the pilot in front.

The Free Spirit's screen house.

A peaceful , deserted beach.

A few words from Lulu

I write these to give you a few laughs, and as promised to keep you up to date on what is happening. Today I’ll be telling you about our current location at “Lazy Acres RV Park” in Elbeta, Alabama. Are you familiar with the saying, “If the shoes fits, wear it”? If you are and are a little creative, then you could probably put together a catchy country tune that would tell our story that I am writing about today.
Here in the Gulf Coast area of Alabama, we’ve done a little fishing. The park has beautiful little pond that is speckled with old tree stumps and turtles that love to sun bathe. If you are ever in the area, you can still see the fluorescent shiny fishing lure that my husband cast out and got imbedded on to one of the tree stumps. I actually got a few bites, but, not from the fish. It happened that I was standing on an anthill and the resident fire ants were not too happy. So we are not destined to be fishermen. We would just have to get in the truck get our fish from the local seafood market.
Driving out in to town, I thought we were in Pasco County Florida, except not on Highway 52 and 19, but rather, highway 98 and 59. There were restaurants upon restaurants and gas stations galore. There were plenty of fast food joints, but to my dismay, not one Dunkin Donuts. How disappointing. But, this is a quaint little town with lots of thrift shops, flea markets and yard sales. Nearly every weekend there is some kind of festival. In fact, we did the polka at the Elberta German Sausage fest. Yes, a real live polka with a real live polka band, which we waltzed to the beat of the three-piece oopa-loopa band. (Not their real name).
The weather has been beautiful here in New Port Rich…… I mean Elberta. It has been so nice that we get to stay outdoors as much as we can. Every day, I frequent this spot, surrounded by pine trees in the middle of the park that has a swing set, with my I-pod and rehearse to my music. I will sit, swing and sing until my legs go numb from lack of circulation. It seems that these swings were designed for 5-year-olds and not 55-year-olds. But the saying goes, it’s not over until the fat lady ”SWINGS”. Which reminds me of another outdoor activity that I can tell you about.
We are trying our best to stay healthy. Some of you may know that Al used to teach spin and fitness classes before we started our journey. Well, we brought along a heavy- duty spin bike that my husband promised to sell if we used it for a clothes rack for more than a month. Although Al has set up the bike inside the screened in patio and has been peddling away, I, on the other hand, decided to unchain my “real” bicycle and take it for a ride down the dirt road out to highway 19…….., I mean 98. Here is where the country song chorus comes in. About a mile from the RV to the main road, I’m peddling along, riding by “Hampton the Pig”. I wave at the folks sitting on the porch of the country store and I see Lynx and Frank the cats rolling around on the dirt road, maybe getting ready for their cat-naps. Just outside the camp grounds, I’m on a paved street, with a corn field on the left and a cotton field on the right. About a half a mile up the road, sits a country farm- house that has a big black Labrador retriever who decides that he wants to make my rubber tire on my bike a giant chew toy. I’m scared, but I yell out, “Go away Emma”. Because I learned her name from the owner yelling, “no, no , Emma!!”. Needless to say, that was the end of my bike trail journey until we find a real bike trail to go on.
Whatever happens, and no matter where we go, it always seems like we are on a real vacation every day, but, we don’t have to worry about packing up to go back home. Our home IS the “Free Spirit”. (In case you didn’t know, Free Spirit is our RV’s nickname).
We are heading to Florida in December and will be doing several performances while there. We can’t wait to see you all then. Until then, God Bless you all and have a blessed Thanksgiving Day!!

How to RV full time

Our campground was host to “Spaghetti Fest 9”, a 3-day music event, which was attended by hundreds of mostly college aged hippy style fans. The music was really quite eclectic, with sounds of blues, funk, rap, indie and some other stuff that I really was not sure of what they fall under. It was a very cool experience, kind of a modern day Woodstock, but without as many people. The kids were very well behaved; most of them stayed in tents on the other side of the lake, and didn’t keep us up all night. What was interesting was that it was nothing like a festival from up north. There were no police, ems, blocked roads and other types of red tape and bureaucracy that you would expect from something as large as this.

Our campground host Dennis with dog Joey and Lulu doing her housework in the RV.

This blog is dedicated to answering questions that we get about our journey. I was surprised by how many people did not know how we are getting this done. Although I did a lot of research before we embarked on our journey, I assumed that most people knew how full-time RVing is done. I was wrong. In fact, many of the questions asked are usually the same one by different people. How can we afford to do it? How do we get our mail? How do we know where to stay? And some other very good questions.

Let me start off by telling you what we have. The “Free-Spirit” is our previously used RV which is a 37- foot long 1997 Holiday Rambler Imperial Deluxe 5^th wheel has three slides that gives us about 12’ wide when opened. “Free Spirit” totals about 300 square feet and has a queen bed, washer and dryer, oak cabinets throughout, tiled floor bathroom with a shower, 8-foot countertop kitchen with stove, oven, fridge and microwave. We have a 4-person dining room table and an 8x10 living room with reclining loveseat and chair, 19” color HDTV in an entertainment center with a working fireplace. It also has two 10,000-btu air conditioners, a hot air furnace and an 8-gallon hot water tank.

Our rig is self-contained which has a 45 gallon waste holding tank, another one for fresh water, and two others for gray water, such as kitchen and shower. We have a solar panel, two-rechargeable batteries, two-30lb. propane tanks and a 3,000 watt generator. So, although we stay in campgrounds that provide full hook ups, we can stay just about anywhere for about a week, before having to empty out and refilling fresh water. Our RV is made for 4 people, but only holds 2 and a dog. Get it?

We pull our rig with “The Beast”, also previously used. It is a 2004 Ford F-350 diesel dually, with a tow package. It had 84,000 miles when bought nearly a year ago, and we are now approaching 101,000. She still runs well and loves to pull our 14,000 pound RV.

The most common question asked is; how do we get our mail. Although there are several different companies, we use RVMail.com. Before leaving, I changed my mailing address over to my new RVMail address, which is in Florida. You can even use it as your residential address, since it is a privately owned mail forwarding service and not a post office box.

RVMail works quite simple. All mail goes to our box and they can either hold it or forward it to me, wherever I may be. I decide whether I want it sent on a steady basis and I control how it is done,  either by calling them, or by going on-line to their web site. There I can see what I have in my mailbox, and decide whether to forward it or shred it. They list all my incoming mail, by return address, on my secure web site account. I can even ask that they open it up for me, scan it and email me the contents. I can also chose how I want it sent to me, such as first class, priority, over-night or fed-ex. The price is reasonable, about $10 a month, plus postage, which I add every once and a while, depending on how often my mail is forwarded.

Another question we are asked is; how can we afford to do this. Doing this is actually cheaper than living in a home, which is the secret behind this entire endeavor,  we had to give up our home. Although some people can, we could not afford to keep a home and do this at the same time. In fact, we took a cut on our income of about $4,000 a month.  But, we also cut lose a home, a second car, paid off most of our debt, including car payments and credit cards. We also made some major changes to our lifestyle, which included how often we dined out, how we spend our money and how and where we buy our groceries. In other words, we have become much more frugal with our money. We don’t have much room in our RV, so we don’t buy many THINGS any more. And, since we don’t go to a steady job any more, we don’t need to keep buying clothes. We also have to be more selective in grocery shopping, by looking for bargains, shopping at discount stores and only buying what we need.

Although my pension is enough to get by, we continue to find ways to make additional income. Lulu continues to entertain, which I play a big part in by being the promoter, sound engineer and road crew, but we no longer do this four nights a week like we used to in Florida. We do offer entertainment in exchange for free rent at some of the campgrounds we stay in, but not all will do this. But when they take us up on the offer, it helps us out with rent, and will get us some other gigs too.

We continue to look for other ways to make some extra cash. We have tinkered with Ebay, buy buying items at yard sales or thrift shops, and reselling them on Ebay. Our latest item was a talking ALF doll from 1986 that we bought for $5.00 and sold for $36.00. Not a huge sale, but if we can do this a few times a month, we can add a few hundred dollars to our budget.

There are other opportunities out there that we know about, but have not gotten involved in, yet. There is workamping, which is where campgrounds will hire you to do various tasks in exchange for free rent. There are hundreds of opportunities across the country, and I constantly keep an eye on them by subscribing to the web site at www.workamper.com. And there is also the caretaker opportunity where you can stay at someone’s property for free while they are away. So, there are many ways to make ends meet, should you decide to do the journey.

That leads us to our banking. My pension check is automatically direct-deposited into my bank account. So, I never get an actual check. In fact, my money is usually available a day or two sooner than using a regular check. We chose a bank that has free on-line banking, so I take care of my bills on-line. I have not written a check, or been inside a bank lobby in a very long time. Deposits and cash withdrawals are made at ATMS and any bills are paid automatically by the bank on the dates that I tell them to pay. I just go to my secure web site and fill in the payees info and the bank sends them a check. I can even have them pay the same amount every month. Most of our purchases made are on a VISA check card, so it is the same as cash. And whenever we need cash, I just get it at my bank’s ATM when possible, to avoid fees.

I have also signed up with PAYPAL, which allows me to shop on-line, and not have to put in my credit card information. PAYPAL also allows other people to send me money, without having to get involved in credit card transactions. It is a great system for buying and selling things on EBAY or AMAZON. It’s like having my own yard sale, but not having to lug things outside.  And the buyers will usually pay the shipping. I also find better deals on line, so I don’t have to drive all over town looking for something I can have delivered to me in a couple of days.

My final topic is how we choose where to stay. This is also budgeted. I try to stay at places for a month at a time, since it comes out much cheaper than if I were to stay for a few days or weeks. I find these deals through different camping clubs that we belong to, such as, Passport America, Recreation USA and CampClub USA, to name a few. Through them, and the help of the internet, I can find several locations to stay that are within my budget of $300 to $500 a month. Most places have full hook ups, swimming pools, rec halls, and beautiful scenery. And, the price usually includes all that plus sometimes cable, electric, water and sewer.

We have decided to head South from New England, and take the I-78,  I-81 South route. We will end up in Mississippi  in December, and then head West to Arizona, New Mexico, etc… I just look for places that are about 5 hours distance from eachother. We try not to drive longer than that.  An example of our first trips were Christmas Pines Campground in Auburn , PA,. exit 29 off I-78. Our next stop was Stoney Creek Campground in Greenville, VA. Located off of Exit 217 off Rte 81. I haven’t booked the next stops quite yet, but you get the idea. About every 250 miles or so, is a stop, whether to stay for the month, or get some shut eye before moving on, is usually the game plan.

There are many other topics to full time RVing. Such as getting our medication through the mail, satellite TV that goes with us, internet through a cel phone, and the list goes on. It could take a book to write. In fact, there are many great books already written, and I have read a few. www.RVBookstore.com has more information than you can handle. www.RVNetlinx.com and www.rv.net are also great places to get lots of information.  You just have to do the research according to your budget and lifestyle.

It is not an extravagant lifestyle, but, we both have been there and done that, and it really does not make you any happier. In fact, less is best!! And, of course, having God in our life surely makes things easier, because we know that we are blessed and that God will always guide us down the right path. We pray daily and we read the bible and attend church whenever we can. We also try to live the way Jesus would want us to live. To be kind, to respect ourselves and others, to love everyone for who they are and whenever we can, to take care of those that are less fortunate. We don’t decide if the person asking is really in need or just being lazy, we give what we can, and when we can, and let God deal with that person’s needs and honesty. And more people should be this way, taking care of our poor. Our country would be in better shape.

I hope I answered some questions, or at least put some ideas in your head. Good luck to you. Lulu and I hope that you may find happiness in whatever you do and that your life is filled with love, joy and good fortune. Don’t forget, you reap what you sow, so be sure to spread your love, joy and fortune and you WILL get it all back in abundance!!  Just do it willingly and unselfishly. Don’t keep it all to yourself. And lighten up. There is plenty of good in the world. Stop reading the newspapers, watching the news, and ABOVE ALL, don’t believe everything you read on the internet. There are a lot of people that spend a lot of time digging for things to write about that will stir up controversy, gossip, rumors and hatred. Instead of adding to the problem, do something about what you believe in. Get out and physically do it. It will make you feel better, and maybe you have the answer to an underlying problem that we cannot figure out.

See you all very soon.

LIVE , LAUGH and LOVE!!

Lulu and AL

Shenandoa Valley, Virginia

Our front yard this month.

Our back yard.

This was at a Visitor Center off the Blue Ridge Parkway, showing how folks lived around these parts in the early days.

Aaaahhhhhhh!!!

Look closely!

Same location as above, zoomed in.

Look closely.

King of the mountain!!

Shenandoah Valley

Blue Ridge Parkway

"Don't bother me, I'm meditating"

"This must be what doggie heaven is like."

Photos above are of this month’s back yard at Stoney Creek Campground in Greenville, VA. We are up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, just South of the Shenandoah National Park, which is he home to Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Appalachian Trail, which can be taken all the way to New England, on foot!!

 

The photos here are the entrance road into the campground, our site and the view we have. We kept Lulu's Florida tag "4U-ISING" and use it on the RV.

We are on the edge of Sengers Mountain Lake. We are not fishermen, but we have been giving it a try, but with no luck.

The other photos are from different over looks along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Located just East of I-81 near Waynesboro, VA. These are just some amazing sights that God has been so gracious to allow us to enjoy. We are blessed to be able to enjoy this beautiful country. Man could not make places so beautiful and enormous as these. But we can destroy them in no time at all.

We also have the blessings of Molly, who just loves to meditate at these serene locations!!

Happy September

These are some recent photos. Not in order, but here is a picture of Molly making new friends, Al at work on the laptop, the Red church at the bottom of the road, hence the name of Red Church Road, a photo of a small town we drove by,an old house, me on a hay ride, the drive-in at the mall parking lot, and our RV with the modern technology, satellite TV!!

It is no surprise to anyone, I suppose, that we had lost electricity due to hurricane Irene. In fact, 72 hours later, the only thing we really missed was mostly a hot shower and of course, “America’s Got Talent” on Tuesday night TV. But, guess what? My talented husband Al gets my vote for preparing his gadget, self-made, working generator that he hooked up ahead of time in Massachusetts, “in case of an emergency”. All we needed was a few tanks of propane, to use sparingly, for the most important tasks of showering and cooking. But, we made it through Wednesday morning, when all things went back to normal. The “Free Spirit” will always pull through for us, and as always, so does a little prayer.
I was sitting by the pond today, ingesting the beauty and serenity of Christmas Pines Campground, and was reading a book that my wonderful and gracious friend Linda and her husband Brad had given to us as a going away gift on our journey. The “1,000 Places to Visit before You Die” sounds a little scary, but we really need follow our dreams, so we can see them through before we hit the pearly gates. I want to share something that I read in the acknowledgements. The author thanks her friend for telling her that you can judge people by the way that they handle the tangles Christmas lights or lost luggage. I made up my mind that I will laugh at lost luggage, wrong turns and canceled flights and reservations. The author said that there is no such thing as a “bad trip”.
So, we continue this magical carpet ride to Virginia on Monday, September 5th. But, before we embark to our new back yard and begin another adventure, we still have to do our twice cancelled show at the pavilion. We are lined up to perform this Saturday night, which turns out to be the busiest weekend of the year for the campground. I can’t wait to kick off my flip-flops and pull out the rubber band from my piggy-tail, and give them my best.
I surely miss everyone in Florida and all of our venues. You were not just an audience or paying customers, you are our everything, great company that we always looked forward to being with, socializing with and sharing stories of our crazy lives. That is why I am doing this blog and still trying to share with you, without the benefit of being with you in person. I really appreciate what we had in Florida, having met all of you wonderful people along the way. Six years of four days a week of laughing and crying and caring for the same group of friends may take a lifetime to ever happen again, so I truly mean it from my heart that we miss you all and we look forward to seeing you when we visit in December.

Sightseeing in PA

These are photos of a small village called Molino, PA just off the main road to and from our campground. I thought that the old style and the way the town is set up is really cool. Had to take the pics. The place reminds me of some of the villages in the Azores.

We took part of a walking tour of Hawk Mountain. About 1500 feet up and about a mile of rock "scrambling". The most beautiful view of the Appalachians and got to see hawks migrating south from New England to Florida.

Not sure what I was looking at, but the binoculars were a great tool to have on this hike. (Thank you Linda & Brad), besides the lunch in my backpack!! 

Lulu's favorite hangout. On the porch of the country store at the campground.

And, now for the show. Didn't take long for the folks here to hear about Lulu. Her first gig at a campground will be this Saturday. Of course, that is if hurricane Irene don't change those plans.

There is no need to dress fancy this Saturday. Lulu will be performing right in here!! Free A/C and lighting.

And of course, let's not forget the camping dog. Molly is adjusting quite well to this lifestyle. "I love camping with moma and popa."