Well that's one month (and a few days) gone and heading into month two of this journey to the southeast and beyond. We played golf again today and went for 18 holes for a change, since the last few rounds we only played 9 holes. Either we're adjusting a bit to the humidity or something, but we survived this morning in half way decent order. Sure soaking wet with perspiration at the end but to me it felt good....out with the old you know! We got a couple of discounted coupons from one of the local casino's and a normal $60 round only cost $39 including cart and all...........sweet and on a very nice country club course. Windance Country Club in north Gulfport, MS was the scene of the fun and we enjoyed the wide fairways but Bev had to reload after nine holes if you know what I mean!
Tomorrow morning we head back west from Biloxi to New Orleans for a couple of days. We will be leaving the motor home here at the RV Park and driving the car over. I called ahead to Harrah's New Orleans and booked a room for Friday night, they were happy to comp us a room....Diamond member perks are nice while on the road. It's only like a 90 minute drive so we'll leave fairly early so we can spend most of the day Friday and all day Saturday checking out the sights and revisiting some of the sights we can find from 44 years ago. After all the devastation of the past and since we honeymooned there I'm sure it will be hard to relive some things, but I'm sure Bourbon street will be basically the same. We'll be looking for one of those tour buses or trolleys or horse and buggy rides to maybe get a narrated trip around the city. So far the years have really changed Biloxi and the Gulfport area oh so much, it's hard trying to visit old stomping grounds. The coast line is the same and never seems to change but things across the road are the things needing to be rebuilt after hurricanes and storms, Gods things always go back to normal or work things out.
I'll be updating again after New Orleans, we'll be back here for the 4th of July celebrations here in the Biloxi area on Sunday and Monday. They say the weather is supposed to improve which should mean less rain and more sunshine which will equal some beach time for Beverly finally!
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
44 and 50 years later
. Biloxi, Mississippi and Keesler AFB here in Biloxi were stops on our life's journeys in years past. I was stationed here in 1966/67 for close to a year and a half and 6 years later Beverly and I honeymooned in this same area, from New Orleans to Biloxi to Mobile, Al. in 1972. We're thinking about trying to capture a few pictures of us in some of the same locations that I have pictures from 1972. So far after taking a quick ride last evening it may be tough locating some of the same locations, there have been a lot of changes over that many years......besides the hurricans that have taken tolls in these areas. There still is a lot to see and do in the area, there just might not be as much "beach time" due to the lack of sun and that will not make Beverly happy. Bev can sit on the beach reading a book and enjoying the veiw for hours, as for me.....it's a get your toes wet in the ocean/gulf, dry off and to try your damndest to get all the sand off before getting in the car!! That's the chocolate and vanilla effect.
This morning it shopping time, we have a list of a number of items we need for around the home and to replenish the fridge a bit. Sounds like a Wal-Mart day to fill everything in one stop.....or similar store of the area.
Motor home has been performing very well, and we can't complain too much about gas prices. When you get on average 7 mpg you really appreciate these prices we've been seeing as we go south, last couple of fill ups have been $1.84/gal.....$1.90/gal......and $1.95/gal......we like it.
Rain has let up now (8:05am) and Bev will be wrapping up some work so we can get out and about around 10:00am, we'll give a shot at trying to somewhat acclumate ourselves with the area a bit more once again. Adventures abound and we'll report you can be sure! Just looked at the calendar, hard to believe we've been on the road a month and two days so far, the time has just flew by. This just might be a 4 month trip for sure or at least!
This morning it shopping time, we have a list of a number of items we need for around the home and to replenish the fridge a bit. Sounds like a Wal-Mart day to fill everything in one stop.....or similar store of the area.
Motor home has been performing very well, and we can't complain too much about gas prices. When you get on average 7 mpg you really appreciate these prices we've been seeing as we go south, last couple of fill ups have been $1.84/gal.....$1.90/gal......and $1.95/gal......we like it.
Rain has let up now (8:05am) and Bev will be wrapping up some work so we can get out and about around 10:00am, we'll give a shot at trying to somewhat acclumate ourselves with the area a bit more once again. Adventures abound and we'll report you can be sure! Just looked at the calendar, hard to believe we've been on the road a month and two days so far, the time has just flew by. This just might be a 4 month trip for sure or at least!
Sunday, June 26, 2016
So long Branson, hello Mississippi...............
After leaving Branson Saturday the 6/25/2016 we end up in Tunica, Mississippi. In one day we went from Missouri, into Arkansas then briefly in and out of Tennessee while ending up in Mississippi. How can that be................well that's the way of the roads we took. Our reservations on the gulf coast are for Tuesday so we're spending our second night here and heading to the coast in the morning. Even at that we may see about checking a day early there since we're not that many hours from Biloxi/Gulfport, Mississippi. Tunica is like a little Casino oasis in the middle of Mississippi, and it hasn't been very friendly either, camped outside a few casinos and sitting in the coach watching TV, these machines are a bit tight to say the least.
We did manage to squeeze in 9 holes of golf between, shows, rain and darkness on Friday evening. Thousand Hills golf club, Branson, Mo. The best par 64 course in the world is how it's billed and that is an understatement, one very difficult course but oh so beautiful. Best fairways I've played on in quite some time and very nice greens, but way too many side-hill, up hill, down hill lies for this duffer..........wow but what a challenge! Regardless we seem to enjoy the punishment in hands out, and with the humidity we both struggle a bit but still have a good time for the most part and keep coming back for more!
We're both looking forward to revisiting some of the places we went on our honeymoon back in 1972, not sure how much things have changed but we think back to some of the pictures and would like to retake a few from the same locations. You know, like here we are in 1972 and here we are now in 2016, I believe there will be some marked changes in us if not the picture locations!
In this day of "Small houses" or Tiny houses" Beverly has lately been referring to our motor home as our "little house" and how much we really love this traveling in our little house! Hell we have roughly 450 sq. ft. of living quarters, including a kitchen, living room, bedroom, bath w/shower and a corner office for Beverly to work in not to mention a hutch and pantry with plenty of storage inside. The basement compartments are numerous and roomy, plenty of storage for sure.
The last fill up with gas was 1.99/gallon and that is making things sweet..........average for the trip so far would be something like 2.12/gallon since leaving home. That is a very good thing and we hope it continues throughout the south!
In closing Branson was worth the visit, you can either spend a lot more time there or bypass it in the future................we may vote for bypass, very commercialized to say the least but some great shows.
We did manage to squeeze in 9 holes of golf between, shows, rain and darkness on Friday evening. Thousand Hills golf club, Branson, Mo. The best par 64 course in the world is how it's billed and that is an understatement, one very difficult course but oh so beautiful. Best fairways I've played on in quite some time and very nice greens, but way too many side-hill, up hill, down hill lies for this duffer..........wow but what a challenge! Regardless we seem to enjoy the punishment in hands out, and with the humidity we both struggle a bit but still have a good time for the most part and keep coming back for more!
We're both looking forward to revisiting some of the places we went on our honeymoon back in 1972, not sure how much things have changed but we think back to some of the pictures and would like to retake a few from the same locations. You know, like here we are in 1972 and here we are now in 2016, I believe there will be some marked changes in us if not the picture locations!
In this day of "Small houses" or Tiny houses" Beverly has lately been referring to our motor home as our "little house" and how much we really love this traveling in our little house! Hell we have roughly 450 sq. ft. of living quarters, including a kitchen, living room, bedroom, bath w/shower and a corner office for Beverly to work in not to mention a hutch and pantry with plenty of storage inside. The basement compartments are numerous and roomy, plenty of storage for sure.
The last fill up with gas was 1.99/gallon and that is making things sweet..........average for the trip so far would be something like 2.12/gallon since leaving home. That is a very good thing and we hope it continues throughout the south!
In closing Branson was worth the visit, you can either spend a lot more time there or bypass it in the future................we may vote for bypass, very commercialized to say the least but some great shows.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Branson, Missouri
Let me start by saying after all these years I really never remembered or realized Missouri (at least from the Quads down towards Branson) was such a state full of "rolling hills" and not just small bumps! It was a literally a up and down ride all the way to Branson, not like Pikes Peak or the Rockies but some very long up and down grades.....it sure kept me on my toes!
Branson literally has 96 (that I counted) theaters/attractions to visit from music to comedy, singing and dancing and all with "Faith" and "Patriotism" in most underlying themes. We plan on only 4 shows in our three days here, and it is and was a very hard decision to make as to which ones. Just might have to return one day.
We weren't in town 6 hours before we were set up on our camp site and getting ready for the first show, the Showboat Branson dinner cruise on Table Rock Lake. The upgraded tickets were well worth the few extra bucks, from front row mezzanine seating to a top shelf dinner. It stead of the mundane run of the mill chicken dinners with iceberg salads and a piece of cake, we had either Prime Rib, Trout, Mahi Mahi and grilled Pork chops. Very much impressed with the entire evening and with my beautiful best gal. If you're ever visiting Branson we both recommend this cruise and the upgraded seats and meal.
Today it's the Haygoods family (72 sellouts in a row) www.thehaygoods.com and #1 Hit's of the 60's and 50's at the Americana Theater. Tomorrow it will be the Comedy Jamboree and New Jersey Nights (Four Seasons Show). A number of great looking golf courses in the area, but I don't think we'll have time to fit one of them in, only because we have made advance reservations on the Gulf coast beach at Biloxi, Mississippi. With the 4th being during that week we felt we would need the reservations to get a spot anywhere near the beach! I played golf on the USAF base (Keesler AFB) in Biloxi back in 1966/67..........wonder if they'll let me on the give it another go 50 years later?
Looks like maybe rain late today and tomorrow.........got the umbrella out just in case!
Branson literally has 96 (that I counted) theaters/attractions to visit from music to comedy, singing and dancing and all with "Faith" and "Patriotism" in most underlying themes. We plan on only 4 shows in our three days here, and it is and was a very hard decision to make as to which ones. Just might have to return one day.
We weren't in town 6 hours before we were set up on our camp site and getting ready for the first show, the Showboat Branson dinner cruise on Table Rock Lake. The upgraded tickets were well worth the few extra bucks, from front row mezzanine seating to a top shelf dinner. It stead of the mundane run of the mill chicken dinners with iceberg salads and a piece of cake, we had either Prime Rib, Trout, Mahi Mahi and grilled Pork chops. Very much impressed with the entire evening and with my beautiful best gal. If you're ever visiting Branson we both recommend this cruise and the upgraded seats and meal.
Today it's the Haygoods family (72 sellouts in a row) www.thehaygoods.com and #1 Hit's of the 60's and 50's at the Americana Theater. Tomorrow it will be the Comedy Jamboree and New Jersey Nights (Four Seasons Show). A number of great looking golf courses in the area, but I don't think we'll have time to fit one of them in, only because we have made advance reservations on the Gulf coast beach at Biloxi, Mississippi. With the 4th being during that week we felt we would need the reservations to get a spot anywhere near the beach! I played golf on the USAF base (Keesler AFB) in Biloxi back in 1966/67..........wonder if they'll let me on the give it another go 50 years later?
Looks like maybe rain late today and tomorrow.........got the umbrella out just in case!
Monday, June 20, 2016
Monday 6/20 Columbia, Missouri
Got out of Davenport and Thompson's Trailer and RV service center by 10:15 am this morning. Had an appointment at Thompson's for 8:15 to have some wiring checked out between coach and tow vehicle. There was a short and some corrosion in both the 7-way and the 4-way connections, an hour and a half later we hooking the car up and getting ready to head south on Hwy 61. Highway 61 is what we took last year up to Superior, Wisconsin and now this year heading south on the same road departing Davenport. Hwy 61 to Hwy 24 to Hwy 63 and here we are for the night in Columbia, Missouri at the Cottonwood RV Park. Shouldn't be more than about 3 hours into Branson, Missouri tomorrow, no place picked out to stay yet just hoping for a good spot in a clean RV park.
These secondary and state highways are in some ways nice and in others not. Stop and go in all the small towns along the way, but usually some good sights in each place.........real Americana if you know what I mean. Then again the rest stops and almost non-existent for the most part and usually difficult in and out for a rig like ours. Gas dipped to $2.01 around Monroe, Missouri but back up to $2.15 here in Columbia, we'll see what going further south does tomorrow. To this point we've traveled 1946 miles since leaving Phoenix (holy cow batman...I was born in 1946) and we're only getting started, Bev keeps adding places to stop.
Just happen to think, I feel like Paul Revere or Ben Franklin and the like sitting here drinking from my new copper mug, Ice water, coffee and oh yes Moscow Mules are all good in the copper!
Started raining and storming shortly after we got set up here at about 7 pm and the storming has subsided but the rain continues, ought to be some good sleeping tonight with the pitter patter of rain drops hitting the roof. We could us a few good night sleeps after 3 jam packed weeks in Iowa and all the visiting and activities we took part in, it's always great fun filling those 3 weeks with new memories and thoughts of those of times gone by! We sincerely thank all our friends and family for the hospitality we're always shown.
Our last visit with Mom was a good one, she did at first remember both of us and the again on and off while we were visiting, we made that our last visit wanting to remember her remembering us as best she could. It's very emotional seeing your Mother like that and just talking with my sister Nancy about her causes us both to feel sad, it's just so hard.
TV is back on the storm and rain must be letting up a bit, got an old western to watch, my favorite thing to do don't ya know!
These secondary and state highways are in some ways nice and in others not. Stop and go in all the small towns along the way, but usually some good sights in each place.........real Americana if you know what I mean. Then again the rest stops and almost non-existent for the most part and usually difficult in and out for a rig like ours. Gas dipped to $2.01 around Monroe, Missouri but back up to $2.15 here in Columbia, we'll see what going further south does tomorrow. To this point we've traveled 1946 miles since leaving Phoenix (holy cow batman...I was born in 1946) and we're only getting started, Bev keeps adding places to stop.
Just happen to think, I feel like Paul Revere or Ben Franklin and the like sitting here drinking from my new copper mug, Ice water, coffee and oh yes Moscow Mules are all good in the copper!
Started raining and storming shortly after we got set up here at about 7 pm and the storming has subsided but the rain continues, ought to be some good sleeping tonight with the pitter patter of rain drops hitting the roof. We could us a few good night sleeps after 3 jam packed weeks in Iowa and all the visiting and activities we took part in, it's always great fun filling those 3 weeks with new memories and thoughts of those of times gone by! We sincerely thank all our friends and family for the hospitality we're always shown.
Our last visit with Mom was a good one, she did at first remember both of us and the again on and off while we were visiting, we made that our last visit wanting to remember her remembering us as best she could. It's very emotional seeing your Mother like that and just talking with my sister Nancy about her causes us both to feel sad, it's just so hard.
TV is back on the storm and rain must be letting up a bit, got an old western to watch, my favorite thing to do don't ya know!
Sunday, June 19, 2016
Sunday a.m. 6/19 Happy Fathers Day
Happy Fathers Day to me (and all the fathers out there), one of the downer's to being on the road and away from my family on this day. I miss my kids today and really miss my grand kids today! Maybe I'll get a surprise face time call or phone call later (we are two hours ahead here in Davenport and it's now only 7:00 am.
After a week full of golf, yes we played 3 time this past week and are very thankful the weather has cooperated so well this year, now we gear up for the next venture down the road tomorrow morning. We will be heading toward Branson, Mo. in the morning and even though it's only like 10 hours south it will probably be two days travel for us.
The weight loss plans we have been on since the end of February have taken a bit of a hit these past 3 weeks in Iowa, but in a way we kind of expected that. Now on the rest of our journey we can do more of our eating in the coach and not restaurants with family and friends. Bev has been afraid to step on the scale, but I have and this 3 weeks cost me 7 pounds of the 31 I had lost before leaving Phoenix. Better meals and maybe a little more golf and walking and we will get back on track for our goals!
After a Mexican feast last night we will be going to a BBQ at niece and nephew John and Katheryn's place just like last year, only like I said the kids won't be with us this time. It still will be nice to be with family today and we thank them for the hospitality and thoughtfulness. I would like to see my Mom once more before we leave, not sure if that will happen though. Our second visit with Mom at the Lutheran Home was a bit more enjoyable, she actually for the most part remembered who we were and that was good. It's emotional seeing her like that, but this place is so nice and they really all love her there and take great care of her..........she seems really happy! Until you are in this situation of your Mother not knowing who you are you can't imagine how sad it make you. It has to be the worst, but she continues to smile and we wonder what she is really thinking inside. Not sure she new who we were when we left the other day, but upon greeting her she said "Michael" and that was so nice the hear!!!
Well I need to start putting the outside things away, like chairs and grille and get ready to dump sewer etc. so we can be all set to head out in the morning. I make it sound like a chore, and it is, but really just a routine we have gotten into and it's not all that bad. It the bending down that gets me the worst but that comes with age I guess. I've stocked up on Boetje's (pronounced Boat-Chee) stone ground mustard made right here in the Quad Cities and some Jim's Rib Haven BBQ sauce. The Boetje's is a Five time worldwide award winning mustard!!!
Next blog will most likely come from Missouri and the Branson area.
After a week full of golf, yes we played 3 time this past week and are very thankful the weather has cooperated so well this year, now we gear up for the next venture down the road tomorrow morning. We will be heading toward Branson, Mo. in the morning and even though it's only like 10 hours south it will probably be two days travel for us.
The weight loss plans we have been on since the end of February have taken a bit of a hit these past 3 weeks in Iowa, but in a way we kind of expected that. Now on the rest of our journey we can do more of our eating in the coach and not restaurants with family and friends. Bev has been afraid to step on the scale, but I have and this 3 weeks cost me 7 pounds of the 31 I had lost before leaving Phoenix. Better meals and maybe a little more golf and walking and we will get back on track for our goals!
After a Mexican feast last night we will be going to a BBQ at niece and nephew John and Katheryn's place just like last year, only like I said the kids won't be with us this time. It still will be nice to be with family today and we thank them for the hospitality and thoughtfulness. I would like to see my Mom once more before we leave, not sure if that will happen though. Our second visit with Mom at the Lutheran Home was a bit more enjoyable, she actually for the most part remembered who we were and that was good. It's emotional seeing her like that, but this place is so nice and they really all love her there and take great care of her..........she seems really happy! Until you are in this situation of your Mother not knowing who you are you can't imagine how sad it make you. It has to be the worst, but she continues to smile and we wonder what she is really thinking inside. Not sure she new who we were when we left the other day, but upon greeting her she said "Michael" and that was so nice the hear!!!
Well I need to start putting the outside things away, like chairs and grille and get ready to dump sewer etc. so we can be all set to head out in the morning. I make it sound like a chore, and it is, but really just a routine we have gotten into and it's not all that bad. It the bending down that gets me the worst but that comes with age I guess. I've stocked up on Boetje's (pronounced Boat-Chee) stone ground mustard made right here in the Quad Cities and some Jim's Rib Haven BBQ sauce. The Boetje's is a Five time worldwide award winning mustard!!!
Next blog will most likely come from Missouri and the Branson area.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Thursday 6/16/2016....relaxing day scheduled
Today Bev will start with a little work, it usually has to wait a bit due to the time change being two hours difference from here in Iowa. We got caught up on laundry yesterday, hair care is on today's schedule and then my sister Nancy has plans for us to accompany them to the "grand opening" of the new Rhythm City Casino just off of I-80 and I-74 junction. The old river boat casino will now be dry docked north of Davenport rather than on the Mississippi. Hope we have a bit of luck tonight while gaming at this new landmark in the Quad Cities! http://rhythmcitycasino.com/
I will be doing some window washing this morning and general cleaning around the motor home today..........always a little house keeping even on the road!
I will be doing some window washing this morning and general cleaning around the motor home today..........always a little house keeping even on the road!
Journey of 2016 begins......
Let me begin by saying we left Phoenix on May 27th this year, a few days earlier than normal and now it's the 14th of June so I have some catching up to do. I decided today to do the blog again this year, not that it's being brought back due to popular demand but because I enjoy it. Let's do some quick catching up, we arrive once again at Adventureland park, Altoona, Iowa just outside of Des Moines. We have family in the Des Moines area in the way of Bev's brother and his family, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who we love visiting. Once again it was a great week of visiting the Ackelson, Carico and Ahrendsen families. Bev took in the famous "Farmers Market" downtown Des Moines, we both played a little golf too! Bev and I played Copper Creek and then I played Bright-Grand View with Bob and Mason, missed playing with Steve this year which is always a pleasure and something I look forward to. We did get two VIP passes to the Principle Senior golf tournament while we were in town, yep... from Steve and as good as a round of golf. Box seats on the 18th green with all the food and drink you wanted, too bad Bev and I have been on weight loss plans we could have really chowed down! It was a great day of watching some of the pros we are more familiar with, including John Daley and his road show! A very enjoyable day and we thank Steve for being so thoughtful.
The Des Moines area was once again a week full of fun and family, from soccer games to birthday parties, to golf, horse racing and dinners and morning coffee. Despite everyone still working when we visit we seem to always cram in as much time together as humanly possible. We sure appreciate all of them taking the time to help entertain us visitors from the far West while in their neck of the woods.
We arrived in Davenport on the 6th of May and parked the motor home at West Lake park once again this year. We do enjoy parking at West Lake for a number of reasons, close to friends and family, close to just about everything but of course there isn't anything in the Quad Cities too far from wherever you are. We attend both the Anderson and the Ackelson reunion the second weekend of June each since getting the motor home. The Anderson reunion has only been revived since I believe 2008 when I asked my sister Nancy to try and get something going that first year we drove the motor home back to our roots. It's been well attended ever since and it's always good to see family if for only once a year.
After our 10th day here in Davenport Bev and I have played 3 rounds of golf (9 holes each) and I must say in this humidity it feels like 18 holes when we finish. We will play our last round on Friday with brother Russ at Duck Creek golf course, a shorter, easier course for Bev's game and she has enjoyed playing it for the most part. The rest of the week here looks good weather wise, sunny and mid 80's and we can take that. We did have our rain days this year as always, but it's only been for 3 days so far. It's about this time each year after about 3 weeks in Iowa we're ready to continue on our journey which will be a new direction for a change.
Weather, storms and heat may change the plans, but for now it's the journey heading to Branson, MO. onto the gulf coast and Biloxi, New Orleans and then east towards Florida then turning north into the Carolina's, Virginia back towards the west and Tennessee and who knows from there on........I will try and keep up this year and make this blog interesting at the same time letting the readers know where we are have been and what we're up to. Hope you enjoy.
The Des Moines area was once again a week full of fun and family, from soccer games to birthday parties, to golf, horse racing and dinners and morning coffee. Despite everyone still working when we visit we seem to always cram in as much time together as humanly possible. We sure appreciate all of them taking the time to help entertain us visitors from the far West while in their neck of the woods.
We arrived in Davenport on the 6th of May and parked the motor home at West Lake park once again this year. We do enjoy parking at West Lake for a number of reasons, close to friends and family, close to just about everything but of course there isn't anything in the Quad Cities too far from wherever you are. We attend both the Anderson and the Ackelson reunion the second weekend of June each since getting the motor home. The Anderson reunion has only been revived since I believe 2008 when I asked my sister Nancy to try and get something going that first year we drove the motor home back to our roots. It's been well attended ever since and it's always good to see family if for only once a year.
After our 10th day here in Davenport Bev and I have played 3 rounds of golf (9 holes each) and I must say in this humidity it feels like 18 holes when we finish. We will play our last round on Friday with brother Russ at Duck Creek golf course, a shorter, easier course for Bev's game and she has enjoyed playing it for the most part. The rest of the week here looks good weather wise, sunny and mid 80's and we can take that. We did have our rain days this year as always, but it's only been for 3 days so far. It's about this time each year after about 3 weeks in Iowa we're ready to continue on our journey which will be a new direction for a change.
Weather, storms and heat may change the plans, but for now it's the journey heading to Branson, MO. onto the gulf coast and Biloxi, New Orleans and then east towards Florida then turning north into the Carolina's, Virginia back towards the west and Tennessee and who knows from there on........I will try and keep up this year and make this blog interesting at the same time letting the readers know where we are have been and what we're up to. Hope you enjoy.
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