Where Have The Days Gone?

Wow, I have  been very derelict in keeping up with this blog, sorry about that!!  We headed south from Fairbanks along the Parks Highway.  The weather was overcast and rain threatened for the next couple of days.  We knew we would not be able see Denali (Mt. McKinley) and didn't really feel the need to take the bus trip back into Denali Park in that kind of weather.  Eleven years ago we had perfect weather and were able to see and photograph the mountain in all her glory.  We decided to stop for lunch in a rest area just outside the entrance, along the river.  We ate our lunch while watching a group set off on a float trip down the river.  We were still able to see the lower, closer snow capped mountains - spectacular!! 

We saw a couple of moose on the trip south - Chuck caught sight of one when it lifted its head with good sized antlers and I spotted the other one as it peeked around a stand of little birch trees.

We checked into Riverside Camper Park in Houston - between Willow and Wasilla where we had camped in 2004. Monday was a lazy day - finally got moving and went into Wasilla for gas and groceries later in the day.  Sadly we didn't bump into Sarah while there.  Darn!!


On Tuesday we headed for one of our favorite spots, Hatcher Pass.  It is an old mining road that goes up through the mountains and comes out over toward Palmer.  We found out that the road over the summit does not open until July 1 so we knew we would not be able to all the way across.  In 2004 we were there later in the summer so went all the way across and picked blueberries up there.  One of our favorite photos from that trip is one that my Dad took of us by Summit Lake.  We started up the road, amazed at all the cabins that have built up that way in the last 10 years.  We got about 10 miles up (its about 50 miles across) and came upon trucks, road graders, and a water truck working on the road.  Ok, I give up, end of that trip!! So we back-tracked back to the highway and headed for Talkeetna - our second destination for the day.  Talkeetna is a funky little town that is kind of off the beaten path but is home to artists and adventure lovers - hikers, climbers, dog sledders, and kayakers.  Lots of the climbing groups for Denali use Talkeetna as their jumping off point.  We walked through town and wandered through the shops. 

Had lunch at the Talkeetna Road House - great food and wonderful ambiance.  After lunch we meandered our way back home and got ready to head further south the next day.  Pasties (salmon!!) and blueberry pie, yum!!!


Wednesday we headed south through Anchorage to the Kenai Peninsula . . . ahhhhh!! Gas and a few things from Fred Meyers in Anchorage and we head south along the Turningan Arm - mountains on the left and water and snow-capped mountains across the water on the right.  We are heading toward the Russian River/Kenai River where the first run of Red (Sockeye) Salmon is about to begin.  There is a huge parking lot along the Kenai River and near its confluence with the Russian River.  They run a ferry there to take fishermen (no vehicles) across the river.  We parked there on Wednesday night and Chuck did some scouting, visiting, and got the lay of the land.  You can park there for $15 for 24 hours (1/2 that if you are an "old fart").  He decided we would need power to plug in the freezer if he was going to start fishing so he scouted out a campground back about 3 miles and made a reservation for four nights there.  We moved on Thursday and he headed out to fish.  It wasn't too busy and crazy on Thursday and even Friday but Friday night they started pouring in - the poor younger folks who are still working M-F!!  The place was jammed over the weekend.  My cousin Mary's oldest son, Matt, lives in Anchorage and he came down on Friday with a friend and they stayed in the same campground.  Chuck had a great time fishing with Matt - Matt let him use his fly rod so one day he caught all three salmon on that - FUN!!

Matt headed back to Anchorage on Sunday and we stayed that night and headed further south on Monday.  I had a great time - sitting outside in the sun and reading, listening to music, stitching, and looking at the mountain - that never gets old!

Through Soldotna, Sterling, Ninilchik, etc. down to Homer, my favorite place in Alaska (and very possibly in the world).  Spectacular views of the mountains, an artsy little fishing village . . . love it here.  Chuck booked a halibut charter on Monday afternoon with a charter that Matt recommended out of Ninilchik. You can only get two halibut per day on a charter - one must be under 29" and the second can be any size.  He came home yesterday with four BIG fillets and four little fillets and the cheeks.  We spent the next couple hours portioning the fish and vacuum sealing it for the freezer.  The freezer (a little 3 cu ft one) is about half full.  They went out at 7:30am and got back about 3pm. Today he booked a second charter for Friday morning out of Homer - they cannot take halibut charters out on Thursday - government regulation!! So, the freezer may get full yet!! He also stopped by the Homer Spit fishing hole today and found out he can fish for king salmon there - soooooooo, I know where he will be tomorrow and Friday evening, and Saturday morning!!!  I'm taking him down to the hole tomorrow and to the boat on Friday so I can have the truck to check out some of the places in town!!

Today we walked the shops along the spit - art galleries, souvenir shops, etc., drove through town, and took a ride out East End Road - it goes about 20 miles east out of town and gives you spectacular views of Kachemak Bay. 

At the very end it becomes private property and goes through a small Russian community - we went until the pavement ended and it became private property.  Need to go back out that way either tonight or tomorrow night closer to sunset when the sun will be behind us and shining on the mountains!!  Of course the sun won't set until after 11:30pm!!

As you have probably heard, there are several fires burning in Alaska.  The biggest one is up by Willow - between where we stayed in Houston and Talkeetna.  There are a lot of dog mushers in that area as the Iditerod starts in Willow.  Their association had an evacuation plan in place and they put it to use when the fire broke out - they evacuated over 500 dogs in about 2 hours!!  There are a couple of smaller fires down here on the Kenai Peninsula - one near Cooper Landing where we stayed while Chuck fished the Russian River.  We are keeping up to date with them in case they close the Highway back to Anchorage.  At this point we plan to head back that direction on Saturday.  I promise to update you after Chuck gets back from fishing on Friday!!

Fairbanks

We arrived in Fairbanks about noon on Wednesday, June 3.  Stopped at Delta Meat & Sausage Co. just outside of Delta Junction and picked up some breakfast sausage - reindeer and yak!!! Neat family business - all USDA approved.  We settled in at the Tanana River Fairgrounds and Campground.  Small, quiet, and off the beaten path.  Did a lot of reminiscing as today was my Dad's birthday - he was with us in Fairbanks in 2004 and those memories came flooding back - glad we have those wonderful memories!!

Thursday we packed a lunch and headed north of Fairbanks for the day. We drove about 70 miles north - as far as the pavement went on Hwy 2, The Elliott Highway. We saw several stretches of the pipeline where it goes above ground and one where it came out of a hillside.
We stopped at a Trading Post and visited with the owners (originally from Wisconsin!!!).

 On Friday we spent the afternoon at the Museum of the North at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. This is a WONDERFUL museum with so much interesting information and so many wonderful displays.  We had visited

the museum in 2004 but it has been expanded greatly since then.  One of their "treasures" is Blue Babe, the mummy of a 36,000 year old steppe bison. They have a wonderful art gallery also.  If you are ever in Fairbanks, this is a "must see."

Today we had lunch at Big Daddy's Barbeque, on the list from "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives."   Great food!!  We walked the downtown area and wandered through some of the gift, souvenir, and artsy shops.  We then headed to Pioneer Park, which started as The Alaska Exposition in 1967, later became Alaskaland, and in 2002 became Pioneer Park.  They have moved a number of old log cabins from Fairbanks and surrounding area to the park to save them from destruction and some have little shops with handmade Alaska items like beading, diamond willow, burl items, carvings, etc.  There is a nice little pioneer museum, the first milled lumber home in Fairbanks, an Alaska aviation museum, the last riverboat to operate on the Tanana River, as well as playgrounds, bocce courts, a mini golf course, a small art gallery, etc. etc.  And there is no charge for admission!!  A wonderful park!    We went to a nice little family restaurant for dinner - The Cookie Jar - also on the list from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!!! Had a yummy Stromboli.

Rather than sit around in the evenings, staring at each other, we decided to hunt down a bingo game in the area.  We were headed for Downtown Bingo and made a mistake and ended up next door at Fairbanks Area Youth Sports Bingo.  It was a great mistake!!  They were so welcoming and friendly when they found out we were visiting from Wisconsin.  Wednesday night they gave us free daubers and about the second game, one of the gals came with a tray with popcorn, sodas, Drumsticks (ice cream), keychains, bookmarks, etc.  Tonight the caller wished us safe travels and sang "Happy Trails." And tonight they came with a tray with chocolate layer cake, sodas, hats, keychains, huge
foam #1 Fingers, etc. etc.   One of the workers is from Wisconsin originally and just retired from 20 years in the Air Force and a young couple sitting by us was from Wisconsin - he is stationed at Eielson AFB.  Fun way to spend the evening with a bunch of nice, fun people!!

Heading south tomorrow - no definite plans!!  We may wander, but we are NOT lost!!

The Long and Winding Road . . .

On Sunday, May 31, we hit the road from the Sikanni River Campground about 8:45 a.m.  Beautiful, scenic drive today although a little more challenging around mountain lakes and mountain vistas.  Stopped at Tetsa River Lodge for yummy cinnamon buns.  We stayed here for two nights in 2004 and had it marked to go back to.  They only have a satellite phone and a huge gas generator.  They make their cinnamon buns and bread from scratch and the buns put Cinnabon to shame!!  Ate our sandwiches in the parking lot with a warm, gooey cinnamon bun for dessert (plus another for breakfast tomorrow - shhh!! don't tell anyone!).  Gray and drizzly today but still beautiful.  Good viewing day: 2 moose standing in a little lake alongside the road, lots of buffalo, 9 stone sheep in and near the road in a winding mountainous area - they hop over the guardrails with great ease!!, and one lone caribou.  Got into Liard River Hot Springs Provincial Park at a decent hour.  After dinner we braved the drizzle and headed down the boardwalk to the hot springs.  As beautiful as we remembered and felt just as good!!! You can choose your comfort zone from REALLY hot to bathtub warm - natural gravel bottom - amazing!!  40 degrees, a light rain, and beautiful naturally hot water!

 

It was a wonderful day, Tetsa River cinnamon buns and Liard River Hot Springs!! Slept like a baby!

 

Monday we hit the road again at about 8:45 (we thought that was the time); between changing time zones, no internet, and no cell phone service, it leaves those of us without wristwatches a little uncertain about what time it really is.  Oh well, who cares!!  Spectacular views again today - rivers, mountains, lakes, and wildlife!!! Saw a total of 20 buffalo, a porcupine, and three black bears - one all alone and the other two fairly close together - all were just trucking down the grassy area alongside the road.

Snow on the mountains but none on the roads!!

 

 

We stopped for lunch at a rest area with a spectacular view (see below).  We spent the night at Hi Country RV Park in Whitehorse. Gave the truck and trailer a scrub down before parking and setting up.  It was filthy!!

 





 

Today we made the last leg of the trip in Yukon Territory.  This section has the most roadwork, frost heaves, and short gravel stretches.  The ground is permafrost and is very unstable so they fight a constant battle to keep the road in as good a driving condition as possible.  You just have to slow down a bit, pay attention, and drive for the conditions.  Saw one bull moose today, he was up to his chest in water/weeds and looked up or Chuck would have missed him.  He had a pretty nice rack of antlers.  We got through Customs with no problems and are settled in Tok, Alaska for the night. We are about 2 hours from Fairbanks and we will head there tomorrow.  It is nice to have Verizon service and have use of my jetpack for wifi.  We do get spoiled, don't we??

 



Making Good Time.

Well at about 11:00 Wednesday night Chuck sat up in bed. It scared me and I finally got out of him what was wrong--he had a toothache!! Of all the things I was prepared for, that was not one of them. Gave him an Aleve and he had some Ambesol in his kit so finally got to sleep. At 8am I was on the phone while he unhooked the truck. We ended up walking into the office of one of the three dentists in Glasgow. The gal at the desk was very nice and helpful and they did an immediate --ray and determined that it was a tooth that he had broke years ago and they had done a crown. Then a few years later they had to drill thru the crown to do a root canal. The filling had pulled away from the crown and it was infected. The doc slipped him in bbetween appts and cleaned it out and refilled and gave him a prescription for antibiotics.  We had lunch and got on the road about noon. Thank goodness he was able to get it taken care of so quickly!!

We got across the border thru Sweetgrass--smooth crossing with no inspection and just the routine questions. Stayed at Park Lake Provincial Park just north of Lethbridge. Had to call to make a "reservation" even though we were already there. No self registration and no on-site registration!! Weird! After supper Chuck took a walk down to the lake so guess he is feeling ok.

Great four lane roads all the way to Edmonton today. Saw a bad accident just before we stopped for the night inGrand Prairie. It was on The southbound lanes and traffic was backed up at least a mile. Squads and rescue and ambulance were just arriving.  We stayed at the Lions Club Campground on the edge of town.

Today was drizzly but pretty scenery. Saw a dead moose but so far no live sightings. We are now into British Columbia in a small campground on the Skianna River with a view of the river and towering lodgepole pines across.  We have been reading my notes from our trip eleven years ago. Fun to compare and jog our memories.   Will be back again when I have Wi-Fi!!

are we there yet???

We have two days under our belts and not much to report. Not much of interest in Minnesota, North Dakota, and eastern Montana.  I told Chuck today that I wished we could have put the rig on a railcar and rode the train as far as Havre MT.  Sooo many miles of nothing!!!  Heavy rains on Tuesday on I-694 through the Twin Cities and again today around Williston ND. We saw lots of traffic there in the way of sand trucks and oil tankers and lots of wells pumping. Also saw lots of "man camps" of every description for the workers in the oil boom. We are in Glasgow MT tonight and will cross into Canada tomorrow. Planning to get to Calgary area tomorrow. We are travelling at a safe and sane pace so as to enjoy the trip!!

On the road again . . .just can't wait to get on the road again!

I have promised so many friends that I would keep in touch, post pics, and keep everyone updated on our whereabouts as we embark on our latest road trip that I decided to revive this blog that I started several years ago and then let languish as we built our new home, moved, unpacked, settled in, and etc.  We will be heading out on Tuesday across Minnesota, North Dakota and most of Montana before we turn North to Alaska!!  We sold our motorhome two years ago but with the road trip bug biting at our ankles, we bought a new 18 ft. travel trailer that will nicely serve our needs for this trip and hopefully a few others. We wanted a fairly lightweight unit  with a bed centered so each could get out of bed without crawling over the other (too old for that!!), a full refrigerator (some small units just have an under the counter model), a decent shower, and accessible storage. We are packing very carefully to keep weight down - we have found that we don't have to take everything we own along for the ride!!  I will update as we  move along, with possible breaks through Canada - not sure how much sufficient data will cost through that stretch.  We will travel north from Havre MT through Calgary, Edmonton, etc. via the Al-Can Highway to Tok.  We plan to go north to Fairbanks area first then travel to Denali and south to the Kenai Peninsula and probably spend about a week in the Anchorage area before we leave Alaska near the end of June.  We will head east, southeast through Canada and have reservations for five days near Banff - one of my "Bucket List" items.  We will soak in the fabulous scenery we have seen pics of and heard so much about, drive our hearts out in the area, eat some good food etc. before we head east across Montana, North Dakota and Minnesota so as to arrive back in Wisconsin with a few days to spare before the Hall Family Reunion that is planned to be held at our place on July 18!!!  No moss growing on this rock!

 

Where did the winter go?

Wow, it's the middle of March and we're only two weeks away from beginning our journey home to Wisconsin for the summer. It was a cool and wet winter in the Coastal Bend area of Texas as compared to the previous winter which was quite warm and VERY dry. When we left Woody Acres last March, the shallower two ponds were almost completely dry . . . only the deepest one still had any water. The day before we arrived here in November they had eleven and a half inches of rain which filled up the ponds quickly . . . we have continued to have quite a bit of rain over the winter so now instead of a drought, farmers are having trouble getting into their fields because they are so wet . . . seems to be no happy medium!



A bad winter here is still better than a Wisconsin winter! Light jacket, sandals, and always a card game somewhere. I played lots of bridge and cribbage and we both played Texas Hold'em. Between Christmas and New Year's we went up to San Antonio with Becky and Roger for three days. We took a boat ride on the Riverwalk to see all the Christmas lights there, went to the Mexican Marketplace, had lunch in a great Mexican restaurant, and shopped our way through the outlet malls at San Angelo. We went back to San Antonio in February for an overnight with Kathy and Bryan to the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. Had a great day walking through all the vendors and enjoyed the rodeo and Trace Adkins. The next day we went back to the Mexican Marketplace and had lunch at the Buckhorn Saloon. At the end of February we enjoyed a Texas treasure IN Texas - we took in a Willie Nelson concert at an outdoor amphitheatre in Corpus Christi. Vintage Willie under a huge Texas full moon with the Texas flag as a backdrop - doesn't get any better than that! Then there was a quilt show, a pottery show, a few estate sales, Oysterfest, . . . .a good winter.

Now spring is coming to the Coastal Bend; the redbud trees are blooming, the wildflowers are blooming (thanks to all that winter rain!), and temps are in the 70s . . . and we're almost ready to leave . . . go figure! The cemetary in Rockport is a riot of color . . . black-eyed susans, bluebonnets, phlox, etc. - see photo. We will head up to Roundtop area for Texas Antique Week We will be there from March 28-April 4. We will be on the road for a couple of days and roll into Branson MO for a couple of weeks . . . how long we stay there will depend on weather reports from Eau Claire. My favorite Native American band, Brule, is now performing regularly at a theatre in Branson so I'm looking forward to seeing them while we are there.

See you all back in Wisconsin in just a few weeks!!

It's been a long time . . .

I last posted after we arrived back in Wisconsin last May! Now it's December and we're back in Texas for the winter! Where did the months go? Chuck and I both drove airport shuttle this summer for Chippewa Valley Airport Service - as I always say, "it's my fun, summer, part-time job." Chuck did a few projects for friends, family, & some of his old customers. We enjoyed a visit from brother Jon - he and Chuck got in a little fishing, played in the dirt down at our land by Neillsville, and made our annual cheese run. We enjoyed a visit Up North to see friends George & Georgia while their daughter Brenda and her twin were visiting from California. It's always fun to see how the kids have grown over the past year. We made a second brief trip up there to take in a concert by our favorite Native American band, Brule.

We also attended a concert of the Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra with guest artist Geoff Keezer (jazz piano). Geoff's proud father is my cousin (Ron and Mary Keezer) and we always try to catch his concert when he's in the area. Just learned that his latest album has been nominated for a Grammy. Wow, I know (and am related to) a Grammy nominee!! We also made a trip to the Minnesota State Fair and had the opportunity to see and hear the daughter of another cousin - Allison Hall (daughter of Tom and Sue Hall) is a founding member of and plays trumpet with the "Copper Street Brass Quintet." They were one of the featured groups on the stage at the Minnesota Public Radio building - promoting their new demo album. So many talented young people for relatives!!

My annual trip with friends Loris and Georgia took us to Chicago where we took in a taping of the Oprah Show (Loris won the lottery!), enjoyed the first half of the Broadway play "Jersey Boys," survived a bomb scare which emptied the theatre and our hotel (both in the same building!), enjoyed an architectural history boat trip on the Chicago River, visited the Shedd Aquarium and the Field (natural history) Museum. The bomb scare moved us to the Chicago Hilton for the rest of our stay including the first night in a two-bedroom, FOUR-bath suite on the 22nd floor overlooking Lake Michigan!! Sweet Home Chicago!

We finally got our butts in gear and got moving on our forty acres near Neilsville. We got our driveway put in (all 1200 feet of it . . . NO, it's not blacktop!), got electricity run back to our building site, and got a garage/pole building built. Decided to bite the bullet and just do it! The building center in Neillsville has our plans and will turn them into blueprints and we will get a bid from the builder who did the garage. If all goes well, it's full steam ahead next spring. Our house in EC will go on the market as soon as we get home from Texas. Exciting, but a little scary. Mostly exciting!

Now we're back at Woody Acres in Fulton TX. Cribbage, bridge, Texas Hold'em, bingo, needlework, fishing for Chuck (when it quits raining!), wine parties, etc. It's a tough life, but someone has to do it. Plans include a trip to San Antonio to enjoy the Christmas lights on the Riverwalk with friends Becky and Roger. Merry Christmas to all our friends and families.

We arrived back in Wisconsin just in time for the spring turkey season. Chuck went out on the opening day of his week before the sun was up and was home by about 10AM with a 24 lb bird. I haven't figured out if he's that good or if he is just very lucky. The average percentage kill is around 25% - he's right about 80% so I guess he know's what he's doing!!

We are both back at work driving airport shuttle for Chippewa Valley Airport Service. We drive from the Ramada Inn in Eau Claire to the Minneapolis Airport.

The weather hasn't been too bad - a little on the cool side for my taste but I'm still in sandals so it's not too bad! The rhubarb is growing by leaps and bounds and is ready to start picking, the crabapple trees are in bloom, and the dandalions are blooming (those little devils bloom when nothing else does!). The moving van is coming tomorrow to pack up our neighbors (across the street). They have retired and are moving to Racine to be closer to most of their family. We hate to see them leave but are happy for them that they were able to sell their home and can live where they choose. I think we will be contacting realtors next week and possible listing our house - if we can get our price it will give us the push we need to get off the dime and start building on our land near Neillsville. Neither of us really like living in town but we, too, will miss our neighbors and I, especially, will miss living close to my friends in Eau Claire. Hopefully they will come to visit and will let me come back to EC to visit them!

Texas Update

It has been too long since I have updated my blog. Don't quite know where the time goes . . . just too busy playing cards, reading, relaxing, etc. I guess!

Sort of house bound today as it is finally raining here in Texas. It is so desperately dry here that it is a very welcome occurrence. Other than a few (truly a very few) sprinkles, it has not rained since we got here in November and it was already very dry when we arrived. More rain is predicted tomorrow - all is welcome. It will not solve the drought but every quarter of an inch helps. It is also COLD - yes, cold. It is actually 48 degrees here right now - the very same temp as in Eau Claire!! Of course it will be back in the high 70s by Monday. We were in the Valley (Rio Grand Valley - Weslaco, Donna, Harlingen, Brownsville, etc.) on Tuesday and Wednesday and it was in the 90s then.

When we arrived back from Florida in January, we drove down to Nuevo Progresso MX since we were already down in McAllen. Picked up a couple of things (like Bailey's Irish Cream) and headed out. You are allowed two bottles each without paying federal tax and prices are really good. This time we went down with Roger and Becky & Bryan and Kathy. We stayed overnight and did Mexico on Tuesday and the Donna flea market and fruit market on Wednesday. Motel had a pool and that was enjoyed by all after a hot day in Mexico.

Since I last updated my blog, we've been to the 2009 Clay Expo and Bountiful Bowl Pottery Show. This brings potters from all over Texas to Rockport. In addition to the show and sale, they do a silent auction of pottery items to support the Aransas Co. food pantry and meals on wheels programs. Chuck and I & Kathy and Bryan went up to Lamar to their LaMardigras. We played in their "casino" for fun and tickets to use to enter raffles. Chuck won a 1/2 day whooping crane boat trip which we plan to take next Tuesday. Kathy won this last year so it will be the same group of six - Chuck & I, Becky & Roger, and Kathy & Bryan. Supposed to be a nice day so should be fun. We went with several couples from the park on a bus trip to the San Antonio Rodeo and Stock Show. After the evening rodeo session which included bull riding, roping, the kids' mutton busting, barrel racing, etc., the entertainment was Billy Ray Cyrus. He put on a good show. Becky, Betty, and I went to Robstown to the Gem and Mineral Show and Becky, Kathy and I went to Robstown to the Peddler Gift Show. Last weekend was Oysterfest here in Fulton. We worked with Becky and Roger on Thursday evening in the t-shirt booth - they solicit volunteers to help sell t-shirts, beer, pop, and oysters. The whole thing is put on by the volunteer fire department and money made supports their needs for equipment, etc. We went back on Friday night to hear a local band called Riptide. They play mostly 50s and 60s music - the good stuff!! Every other Saturday they hold Belt Sander Races at the a local bar called the Pickeled Pelican. Roger raced one for the first time last Saturday . . . has a little work to do on it but hey, gotta start somewhere (see pictures above).

Chuck has had his boat out a couple of times - I threatened that he couldn't bring it next year unless it got wet this year. He's also been out with his metal detector a couple of times . . . no big finds, just a few pennies and quarters, a cheap ring, washers, etc. I keep busy playing cribbage, bunco, bingo, bridge, euchre, and spades. We both play Texas Hold'em on Saturday night here in the park and occasionally on Tuesday nights at a local bar called the Sugar Shack. On Sunday nights we play Pegs and Jockers with a group of friends. Two weeks ago I won the first blackout game of bingo at the Texas GI Forum for a nice size pot.

Our plan is to leave Fulton on Thursday, March 26. We will head up to the Roundtop area and have a reservation at the Dixieland RV Park in Carmine. On the 30th we will help George and Mary set up their booth at the Carmine Dance Hall. This will be their last show as the spirit is willing but the body is telling them to hang it up. We enjoy helping them . . . for those of you who don't know, George and Dad were Marine Corps buddies. We will help them tear down and then the next day head out for Branson. Will be there at least two weeks . . . will see what the weather is doing back in Eau Claire.

Greetings from Sunny Florida!

On January 8th we hit the road very early for McAllen TX. We made good time, had good directions to the airport, and arrived with time to spare. Our flight was a little late departing but we made up some time in flight. It was a smooth flight and Jon and Phyllis were waiting for us when we arrived at the Sanford-Orlando Airport. We jumped in the rental car and made our way to the condo on International Way. Even though I had printed out a mapquest, we evidently came out of the airport on a different road (even though there seemed to be only one road out) and we had a few false starts, u-turns, etc. before we got our bearings and got headed in the right direction.

We got checked in to the Hilton Grand Vacations condo with no problems. The resort is very nice - it is in a Tuscan theme. The main pool area is spectacular and there is a second pool area at the far end - slightly smaller and less spectacular but perfectly nice. There are six buildings spaced around a lake with a bridge across in the middle. We are in building 3 Villa Franconi. The condos are very nice - king beds with down comforters, screened balconies/patios (we have a patio since we are on the first floor), granite countertops, jacuzzi tub, etc. We had dinner on Thursday at a seafood restaurant.

We've done some sightseeing but mainly have been relaxing, enjoying the condo and our time together. We have gone to a couple of the flea markets in the area, the outlet mall adjacent to the condo. Last night Jon, Chuck and I played Texas Hold'em here at the resort (the activities department has different things going every day). There was no cost and the prizes were: 3rd place, $10 Hilton money to be spent in bar/snack bar/marketplace on the property; 2nd place, $20 Hilton money, and 1st place, $50 Hilton money. There were 7 players and I was the only woman. Jon took 2nd and I took 1st!!!! Chuck took a couple of bad beats and had to sit and watch us finish. This afternoon the four of us played bingo by the pool (activities department again). They played five games - Jon won one, I won one, and Phyllis won two!! Prizes included t-shirts, mugs, wine, sunglass cases, Hilton money. Phyllis won a bottle of wine, $10 in Hilton money, a mug, sunglass case, two ice cream sundaes. Jon a bottle of wine, $5 in Hilton money, and a t-shirt. I won a t-shirt, $5 in Hilton money, and a sunglass case. Poor Chuck was skunked again.

We have plans to go to Tampa to an RV show on Friday, go up to Leesburg to visit neighbors of Jon and Phyllis on Sunday, and to Epcot on Monday. They are having some cool weather this week - but of course that is cool by their point of view . . . . not by the standards of our family and friends up north. Sixty some degreees is cool for Florida but if the sun is out it's darn nice. Jon and Phyllis are enjoying their respite from Ohio weather. They have been buried in snow and experiencing bitter cold . . . based on reports from Phyllis' daughter, sister, and mother. Hope they can find their car when they get back to Ohio on the 22nd!

Ho Ho Ho and Happy New Year to y'all

Well, we hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that everyone is looking forward with great hope and enthusiasm to 2009 - despite the rather bleak economic outlook. Keep in mind, it's just money - unless you don't have any!!

We had a nice Christmas season here at Woody Acres.

My friend Kathy and I ran the gift exchange here at the park. Those participating bring a wrapped gift in the $5-10 range. Each person got a number when they arrived. The gifts went on tables in the center of a large circle of chairs. This year we had 67 participants - up from about 40 last year. We ran it last year and everyone had so much fun that the word spread this year. Then we drew number to determine who selected a gift first. They opened their gift and displayed it to everyone and had to keep it in sight in front of them. The second person did the same and so on. At any point a person could choose to "steal" a gift that is open rather than to take one off the table. A gift could only be stolen twice - the first time it got a green DOT - green for GO. The second time it got a red DOT - red for STOP. At that point it belonged to the person who had it and was no longer in play. When a person's gift was stolen, they then got to either take another gift off the table and open it or they could steal a different gift. Lots of wine, candies, nuts, salami and cheese were popular gifts and made their way around the circle until they got their red stickers. There were lots of laughs, lots of good-natured whining and teasing, and all-in-all everyone had a fun time. Let's face it, a $5-10 gift is just for fun since none of us in RV's have room for or NEED anything!

We were invited to Becky and Roger's for spaghetti on Christmas Eve. After we played a few games of pegs and jokers, we headed out to Keith and Cheryl's (Minnesotans) for their Christmas Eve open house. They used to be in the park but a few years ago bought land and built a home here in Fulton. They open their home to friends from the park as well as other friends from their church etc. - there are usually at least 40-50 people - on Christmas Eve for Tom & Jerrys. Everyone brings some goodies to share - lefsa, cheese and crackers, cookies, other snackies, etc.

We had Christmas dinner at the clubhouse. We pay $4 each and the park provides roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, as well as coffee and iced tea. Everyone brings a dish - vegetables, salads, desserts, deviled eggs, relish trays, etc. etc. Certainly no one went away hungry. Then, at 5:30 we all went back and had an instant replay of leftovers. There were bread and rolls for those who just wanted a turkey sandwich but there were still salads, potatoes, stuffing, and gravy, vegetables, etc. Good food and lots of fellowship. When we walked home after lunch, we were pleasantly surprised to find a rosy spoonbill in the pond by our "house." A spoonbill is a pretty pink bird that is in the area but not too common so it's fun to see one up close - see picture above.

Friday morning at 5:30 a.m. four of us gals (Becky, Cheryl, Kathy, and I) headed to Corpus Christi for the after Christmas sales. Macy's opened at 6am so we headed there first. Cheryl decorates her main tree with crystal ornaments (Waterford, Sarovsky, etc.) so she was on a mission. We also hit JC Penney, Dillards, Stein Mart, Tuesday Morning, and had lunch at Macaroni Grill. Back in Fulton, we made a stop at a wonderful store called "Shop the World." Each of us found a few things but Cheryl came home with the mother lode - she will have lots of new Christmas decorations for next year - haven't heard what Keith had to say about her purchases . . . .

Saturday was, as usual, pizza with the group and then poker in the evening. It was a good night for both of us. I held pocket aces on the final hand and they held up so I padded my lead and ended up first. Chuck cashed in at third so it was a good night for both of us. It's always fun to play but it's more fun to win!

Finally getting this posted! Been too busy having a good time to sit down at the computer and finish what I started a week ago!!! We're leaving tomorrow morning for two weeks in Orlando FL = meeting Chuck's brother Jon and his wife Phyllis. Taking the computer along so will be "connected" while there.

Keep warm - more later . . .

I could start by whining about the weather here - we have had a couple of cold and windy days - but since I have already had a phone call and an e-mail complaining about the weather in Wisconsin, that probably wouldn't be well received! People in Wisconsin would be out in t-shirts if the weather got back up in the 40s!! Anyway it's 60 here now and supposed to be in the 70s the next few days and back up to 80 by Monday.



Not much new here at Woody Acres - cards ( I was high score at bridge on Tuesday among 4 tables - whoo whoo!!), bingo (both Church and I won Monday night for a grand total of $12.50 - neither of us won on Wednesday night). Yesterday morning the clubhouse kitchen was open for cookie baking - the park provided flour, sugar, oatmeal, eggs, shortening, salt, baking powder, baking soda, etc. etc. We just had to bring the "special" ingredients for our particular recipe. There is a group going caroling around the park tonight so they made up bags of cookies for the shut-ins - the elderly people in the park who can't get out much due to illness and disabilities. They are having turkey soup after caroling then a small Christmas program and cookies in the clubhouse. So filled the bags, left trays and containers of cookies in the clubhouse for tonight, ate a few (had to try each other's recipies), handed out a few to all the men who trooped through stating "it smells good in here", and brought a few home. Good way to bake since neither of us needs to have a whole batch of anything sitting around to tempt us!



Well, we've been here two weeks and we're already planning to go somewhere else! Chuck's brother Jon and sister in law Phyllis had been talking about going to Florida for a week or two to escape Cleveland's winter. We offered to meet them and use our Hilton points for a condo. I started looking for cheap airfares and checked on Allegiant Air which we flew last year from Duluth to Las Vegas. Found that they fly out of McAllen TX - a bit of a drive but doable. Got tickets to Orlando for $29 per person each way - YES, $29!! Our total round trip for the two of us with taxes and fees is $170. Got on the phone to Jon and they are also flying Allegiant out of Toledo OH for $59 per person each way. Then got online and reserved a two-bedroom Hilton condo on International Drive for two weeks. Don't know what we will do while there - may just play it by ear. I'd like to do a day at Epcot - haven't been there in over 20 years, and maybe an airboat ride through the Everglades

Last night we were watching the National Finals Rodeo on tv from Las Vegas and decided to talk with friends Kathy and Bryan about taking a bus trip to the San Antonio Rodeo and Stock Show in February. We have never been to the rodeo there and Billy Ray Cyrus is performing the day of the scheduled bus trip. Would be a new experience!

Well, stay warm and keep repeating, "Spring will come, Spring will come."

Winter Texans

We made it! We arrived in Fulton TX about 4:15 p.m. yesterday. We headed straight to Panjo's to meet the group for pizza. No problems on the trip down - just some rain and a few crazy drivers. After pizza we headed to Woody Acres to park the rv and head over for Texas Hold'em. Chuck took 3rd and I took 4th so we both made a few $$ - good beginning.



We had a good last few days in Branson - another day at Silver Dollar City with great weather and a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at 76 Country Buffet. I can't believe they can prepare and serve such delicious food for SO many people. Turkey, ham, prime rib, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes with pecan praline topping, green bean casserole, beef stroganof, barbequed chicken, catfish, carrots, fried okra, corn, etc. etc. and to top it off, pumpkin pie, apple pie, warm blackberry cobbler and warm pecan pie cobbler. They were open from 11am to 8pm and the line was huge all day but moved steady. My hats off to the cooks and staff!



Today we are getting set up. Last night we just parked and plugged in the electricity. Today we straightened up, leveled, hooked up water, sewer, etc., got the grill out and set up, the DISH TV set up, and I worked inside: setting up the computer table and the computer and printer, putting up Christmas decorations, arranging all my STUFF, and making my grocery list for my first trip to HEB (a big Texas grocery chain).



It's always fun to get back with our Texas friends - we call them Texas friends even though they are from Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Minnesota, British Columbia, etc. Tuesday night is the free fish fry that Fulton-Rockport puts on to welcome back it's "Winter Texans." Becky and Roger got us tickets and volunteered us to work with them again last year. It's more fun to "work" than to just go and eat. Tonight is game night - we play a game called Pegs and Jokers with a group, tomorrow afternoon is cribbage and tomorrow night is bingo here at the park - etc. etc. We've been "officially" welcomed by our friendly geese - Clyde a grey goose and his/her pal, Little Goose, a white goose - they were over this morning begging for bread. Yes, bread is on my grocery list!



As I just told Chuck, DISH TV is up and working, wireless internet is up and working - LIFE IS GOOD!



Keep in touch

Linda and Chuck

Branson, Missouri

We hit the road for the winter on Saturday, November 15. After final packing, a last-minute check of RV tires, and readying the house for winter without us, we hit the road. We went as far as Osceola IA. We intended to stay at a RV park near a casino just outside of Des Moines but found that it had closed for the winter (it used to be open year-around) so they called ahead for us to make sure the one at Osceola was still open. We made it to Branson the next day and settled in at Treasure Lake RV Park.

I found out that Danny O'Donnell was performing here - we have just missed him several times - so I called immediately to see about tickets. We were able to get tickets for Tuesday and absolutely loved his show. He is an Irish singer who has done several programs for public television. He is very charming and has a beautiful voice. He had a female Irish singer performing with him - Mary Duff. They will be taping a new show for public television this coming Monday so I would urge you to keep watch on public television for him.

Wednesday was a beautiful, warm day so we headed out to Silver Dollar City. We never did go to the truck for our jackets - it was in the mid-60s most of the day! We headed right down to see their production of A Dickens' Christmas Carol. It was an hour-long musical production with special effects, beautiful costuming, excellent voices - really well done. We also watched a cute stage show that gets the little ones involved - Frosty the Snowman. We browsed the shops, watched the evening light parade and watched the music and light show including a five-story Christmas tree on Main Street. We will probably head back out there again on Wednesday to see a couple of shows that we didn't get to last week and buy our season tickets for 2009.

Yesterday we headed up to Springfield and stopped at a big antique shop and spent some time at the huge Bass Pro Shop. We got gas on the way home for $1.58 9/ per gallon - the lowest we've paid so far.

I think we will go downtown today and walk through Branson Landing. There are lots of bus tours in town this time of year to see Ozark Mountain Christmas and to shop at the outlet malls.

More later . . .
Linda

AppleFest Weekend

Friday, October 3
It's AppleFest Weekend in Bayfield, WI! Friends Karen H, Pat S., Phyllis N., and Judy F. left on
Friday morning (unfortunately Carol J., Pat J., and Alice P. were not able to join us- we will miss them). Our first stop was Bargain Bill's in Rice Lake, then on to Spooner for lunch and a stop at Dahl's Furniture and Gifts. From there we continued north to a quilt shop in Trego, Simply gift shop, wonderful fabric and yarn shop in Gordon, nice gift/yarn shop in Solon Springs, and the Bunkhouse Shop in Iron River. We visited Karen's friend's farm to feed carrots to her horses - they were a bit wary at firest but soon were pushing each other aside to get more than their share. We then headed to the cabin to unload our STUFF before it got dark. On Bark Point Road we encountered a flock? of ten orphan ducklings - Karen had been watching the family for the past two weeks so knew the mother duck had been hanging out with the little ones on the road near her cabin. Apparently the mother had been killed and and the little ones had been rounded up at least once and taken back to the farm but probably were looking for Mom - so sad! Well, Karen hauled out a cardboard box from her trunk and she, Phyllis, and I (mostly Karen) rounded up the little ones, put them in the box, and Karen took them back to the farm
from whence they came. The guy gave her a small jar of honey as a token of thanks!

After unloading and staking out our beds, etc. we headed back into Port Wing for dinner at a local bar/restaurant. Fresh Lake Superior Whitefish, pork tenderloin and shrimp, nice soup and salad bar - a very good dinner. On the way back to the cabin, Karen was driving slowly and carefully since this is deer and bear country. Suddenly in the middle of the road was a BOBCAT! Because weren't racing down the road, he was able to get out of the road in time. How exciting - none of had ever seen a bobcat in the wild before. Back at the cabin, we had a great time relaxing, talking, laughing, and eating yummy Crumb Cake for dessert. A fire in the stove made for a very cozy, warm setting. Finally, we gave it up and headed to bed to be ready for Bayfield tomorrow.

Saturday, October 4
No one is in a big hurry to get moving this morning. Coffee drinkers need their morning fix - I'm satisfied with a nice cold Diet Coke! There are yummy muffins and caramel rolls for breakfast. Mid-morning we finally get moving and head to Cornucopia for stop at the harbor to see if Leonard is there with his rustic tables, lamps, and coatracks. He was there! and I think he was looking for us. Karen bought two tables and Pat bought one. They loaded them up and headed back to the cabin to drop them off. Meanwhile, Judy, Phyllis and I headed up the road to a thrift sale at an old motel and from there to the coffee shop. I had French Vanilla Chai tea and a yummy brownie while waiting for Karen and Pat to return. From there we headed toward Bayfield, turning around to stop at a booth just outside of town with baskets, wild rice, and carved wood items. They were very nice people--she is from the Bad River tribe and he appeared to be Norwegian. She made the baskets and he did the carving. Several purchases later we were on our way into town. We parked close (thanks to Judy's handicapped parking permit), and headed to the gazebo. We split up and headed out to do our own them at the craft show, etc. Karen met up with friends from Owen and had lunch with them. We met up at the appointed time and hit some of the shops. The highlight?!? was when Phyllis located the type of purse that her daughter had given her and we had all been admiring (aka coveting!). We all descended on the little shop and after endless consideration, discussion, reconsideration, etc. we each chose our particular style and color and left satisfied with our purchases. The ladies in the shop were thoroughly entertained with our selection processes! Deep fried cheese curds, fish kabobs, carmel apples, apple dumplings were just some of our "treats" from the many street vendors. Satisfied and exhausted, we headed back to the car and back to the cabin. Dinner was Phyll's hotdish, Karen's barbeques, Linda's pumpkin roll - good comfort food. Another evening of conversation, laughter, and sharing with good friends.

Sunday, October 5

Summer in Wisconsin

July 2008
This weekend was Family Reunion - my father's side. It was fun to see cousins and cousins-several-times-removed (our grandfathers were brothers - not sure what that makes us!). Good times and good foor. We had been Up North picking wild blueberries earlier in the week so I made my mom's blueberry coffeecake with butter sauce for the reunion. Wild blueberries are SO much better than the commercial ones - no comparison.

Also this week we had the first home-grown sweet corn of the summer. What a treat! Two of my very favorite summer things - wild blueberries and sweet corn - in the same week!! It just doesn't get any better than that. Oh, yes, and the first ripe tomato from the garden. As you will come to see, I travel on my stomach. lol . . .