It's Over

Our vacation has finally come to an end. Tomorrow we will be traveling back home. Hope the interstate out of Atlanta is not to bad at 9am. This will be our planned time to leave the RV park. Today we slept til 9:30, this will end as I will be going back to work on the 2nd and we will try to get up about 7:30am tomorrow. We went to the movies today and saw "Taken", if you haven't seen it, it is a good movie. Other than that we have been surfing on the internet. I have been looking at 150 psi compressors, satellites, LP leak detectors, exhaust brakes and other RV stuff. While at Wal Mart today Bridget had a craving for pizza, so we are having pizza for supper. That's it for now.

A Do Nothing Day

Today we had planned to go to downtown Atlanta but that didn't happen. I set the coffee pot for 7:30 and kept waiting to smell coffee or for Fred to get up. Nothing, finally got up and it was 9, turns out I got everything done on the coffee pot but didn't set the on time. Oh well, after I got up I made french toast. It was tasty. Other then riding around we did nothing. Tonight we will be having dinner again with Renee and her daughter Jessica and grandson Jeremiah. Until tomorrow,

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Travel Day

Today we moved from 64 degree Asheboro, NC to 48 degree Marietta, GA. I thought it was suppose to get warmer the further South you went. Oh well, it is forcasted to be 70 degrees tomorrow.
To start off this morning we were up at 7:30 to be on the road by 9am. Everything was going as planned until it was time to hook the truck to the trailer, remember all the rain. Well it was enough to turn our lot into a mud hole. At 8:30 as I started backing up the truck would start spinning and the back end that hooks to the trailer would start sliding downhill so after several attempts I went looking for maintenance to get some gravel, it was Sunday and no one was there. I drove over to a couple we had met earlier in the week (this is their home park) and asked them how to get in touch with maintenance. He sent me to the gold Georgie Boy MH to talk with Bill the manager. He could not drive the tractor and sent me to the brown 5ver across the park to see Melvin. He said they were out of gravel but came down to look at what we had, went up to the shop, got the tractor and headed off to the front parking lot and brought back a scoop full of gravel. That did the trick and we were pulling out of the park at 9:03.


The mud hole


Melvin to the rescue

We stopped for fuel and had lunch and then back on the road arriving at 3:30. Checked in and got set up, they have cable here so we watched the rest of the race, we were listening on satellite radio on the way over. I called my niece Renee and we will be meeting her at 7pm at the Marietta Diner which was featured on one of my favorite shows Diners, Drive Inns and Dives.

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Anniversary Of Richard Petty

39 years ago today our RV-Dreams friends Jim and Dee were married and on their honeymoon Jim had his picture taken with Richard Petty (Guessing Dee was taking the picture). We met Jim and Dee today at the campground we are staying in and after talking about RVing we drove over to the Richard Petty Museum in Randleman, NC. Richard Petty was there and signing autographs. Jim and Dee had their picture taken together with Richard Petty. I also bought two T-shirts and had them autographed, one for Annie and one for Bridget. I also asked Richard if he would sign my T-shirt I was wearing. Just so happens it is my BCFD, Baltimore City Fire Department. Josh Drexler works on Engine 8 and sent me the T. He used to work at RFD, Ridgeland Fire Department on my shift, great guy. If you are reading this please send me another T-shirt Josh (XXL). I must say that Richard Petty is one of the friendliest people a person could ever meet. After signing autographs he walked around talking with people and continued signing auto graphs for those coming in. After touring the museum we went to a local BBQ restaurant for lunch, not the best BBQ I have ever had. After lunch we headed back to the campground and talked more RVing. Jim and Dee left shortly after 3:30 as the weather was getting bad. When we got back to the park the maintenance crew were advising folks to take in their awning as the wind was about 30 minutes out. The wind never made it here.

Jim and Dee


Bridget and John


Richard Petty signing Dee's T-shirt


Richard Petty, Dee and Jim


Richard Petty signing my BCFD T-shirt



To Jim and Dee, we had a great time once again and look forward to meeting up with you two down the road. Wishing you a very happy anniversary.

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It's Here

I added photo's to yesterday's blog from the Clarion Ledger online of the tornado damage. Today we have had off and on light rain, we have only been out to Wal Mart and walk around the park with Fred. I vacuumed the trailer on one of the Bridget/Fred walks. This is a tough life with all the trips to Wal Mart and sight seeing and stuff. Tomorrow we are going to the Richard Petty Museum with Jim and Dee Walter where Richard Petty will be signing autographs from 11a-2p. We met them at the June 2008 RV-Dreams Rally in Branson. Dee is a regular in the chat room. Tomorrow will be exciting as it is also Jim and Dee's anniversary. We just grilled 2 ribeyes that we ate with a salad, potatoes and broccoli.
Marcy called to let us know that UPS man showed up to deliver the camera. After looking in the truck for 10-15 minutes he couldn't find it. She asked him what they were going to do and he said he didn't know and that this was not his normal route. She called UPS and they located it in another truck and was delivered late this afternoon. Hopefully the camera bag will not be this hard to deliver.

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Tornado's

Tornado's back home according to Clarion Ledger online. Madison damage (11 photo's). A few subdivisions West of us had minor damage. Magee was hit fairly hard, 60 or so homes damaged. Magee is about 1 1/2 hour south. Magee damage (29 photo's) Magee area (16 photo's).

Today here we have had light rain off and on, nothing major. Did make a trip to Camping World in Colfax and to Wal Mart twice. Grilled a Delmonico Ribeye on the grill we bought at CW. Bridget made potatoes and a salad. The campground is filling up, part of the park is closed for winter.

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Happy Birthday Amy Myers

Who is Amy Myers? Amy Myers worked with Bridget at TSC, we would go to lunch when Bridget was working. Amy is still with TSC and today is her birthday so lets all sing happy birthday to Amy.

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Amy, happy birthday to you.




I am sure that TSC had a birthday party for Amy. We don't have any birthday cake here so we will have to eat a chocolate chip and pecan cookie Bridget made last night, hard to believe that there are any left.
Rain was predicted for all day today but we have only had a sprinkle or two. I am sure that will change as Renee in Georgia and the folks back in MS say it is heading our way.
The camera I ordered is scheduled for delivery tomorrow at Bob and Marcy's. He called just a while ago and is doing well with his knee and purchased a riding mower for his yard. Up until this year he was behind a push mower. I am sure if he didn't have doctor appointments they would have gone with us. Maybe he will be up for our trip to Talladega at the end of April. We will be staying at a state park in Alabama for 5 days. Annie and Terry have remodeled their kitchen, dining and utility room with tile and a paint job, it looks great and they did the work themselves, Terry is a crafty craftsman. Annie ran the tile saw, she is crafty herself. We are waiting on the rain.

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The North Carolina Zoo

Up at 8:30 for breakfast of pancakes and bacon. Surfed the web, checked emails and read blogs. We decided to go to the North Carolina Zoo today because it is going to rain the rest of the week.

Hope you can tell what all the animals are, I had more pictures but you could not tell what they were, more or less blurry spots in a picture.













The North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro is well laid out, of course it is in hill country but it is not too bad. It covers enough area to be an all day event. Some of the exhibits were closed because of the cool temperatures. Temps today reached the mid 50's. Right now it is looking like the truck race will be rained out, we will know more on Friday.
We got back to the campground about 5pm after a grocery store and Wal Mart stop. We had steaks with boiled new potatoes and steamed broccoli. Sitting out on the porch enjoying the partly cloudy skies and cool temps. I look forward to coming back to this campground in warmer weather to visit the zoo again. They were building more exhibits to go along with all the others they already have. The brochure says it is "Ranked #1 zoo in U.S. for North American animal exhibits".

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Now In North Carolina

Got up at 9:20 this morning, bowl of cereal for breakfast. WPSP is a water/electric only campground. With all the showers and clothes washing and dishwasher running we had to dump the holding tanks before we left, of course with us being so close to the track we were third in line to dump. We were on the road by 11:15. Made one stop for lunch at a rest stop in NC then completed our trip.



Our Site

We were set up by 4pm, started washing the sheets and read emails. Just finished supper and about to go on a walk around the park. We're back, set out on the front porch a while.


Bridget out on the porch, Fred on guard duty.

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Bristol Race Day

Smelled the coffee brewing at 8am so we got up, made pancakes, got ready and headed off to Bristol for the last time this trip. We left the campground about 9:15 and 12 miles out both lanes of the interstate were at a standstill. We inched our way there and were in our seats at 1pm. Prior to seating we gave the speedway $20 for 2 cheeseburger, 2 Sierra Mists, and 1 bag of chips. This race was louder then yesterdays race so we wore earplugs. The race was great, Jimmie finished 3rd and lead some laps as well. We stayed to the very end. At that point the sold out crowd all left at the same time including us. We walked back to the truck like yesterday but had to wait forever to get out. We arrived back at the campground at 8pm. Next Saturday we will be going to the Martinsville Speedway for the truck race with Jim and Dee, that will be fun to meet up with them again. We meet them at the RV-Dreams rally in June 2008. Tomorrow will be a travel day down to Asheboro, NC.

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Camera Ordered

This morning we were up a little after 8am. Breakfast was bacon, eggs and toast with orange juice and coffee. I was looking at the pictures in the blog and noticed that it is about time to upgrade to a real camera. This morning I continued my research for digital cameras and ordered a Pentax K200D 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit w/ 18-55mm Lens from Amazon.com. About $100 less then Walmart and comes with a camera bag. I have a Pentax 35mm camera so my zoom lens will fit the new camera. I won't have it for the rest of this trip but will have it for Talladega in April. We are just about ready to head out to Bristol for the Nationwide race, starts at 2:30pm.
We are back and what an experience that was and tomorrow can only be better. It looked like Kyle Busch was going to win until the penalty they received for a rolling tire. Kevin Harvick pulled off the win. He is Sandie's driver.
We parked across from the race park and rode a shuttle in. Pictures I took today were iffy, camera said not enough memory, the only picture I have is Bridget talking to Annie.




The line to ride the shuttle back was to long so we walked back to the truck, about a 35 minute walk which was alright by me because I didn't get my morning walk in, it was 35 degrees. Kicking back in the recliner.

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Prayer Request

Fred usually gets up at 6am like clockwork but this morning woke up at 9am, he never sleeps that late. I had set the coffee pot to turn on at 8, Bridget said I smell coffee but since Fred was still asleep and I didn't smell coffee so we went back to sleep. At 9am it was 37 degrees, we went for our morning walk and then had breakfast of bacon, eggs, skillet taters and onions, and toast. Since we would be out most of the day I cleaned the carpet.



Our site at Warriors' Path State Park

















Arriving at the race park.




Walked through the back display area.




Getting closer...




At our seats



That first car you see is Jimmie Johnson 48




Jeff Gordon practicing



Jeff Gordon going to the garage





Souvenir area, Annie wanted a T-shirt from Jeff Gordon



Vendors area





One of the numerous camping areas, they were all this full.


My sister called me last night and told me my mother was diagnosed with chronic leukemia, she is going to talk with the doctor and call me back with more information. Please say a prayer for my mother.

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Travel Day

We left 70 degree Alabama at 9am CST and drove down hwy 75 into Georgia and jumped onto I-59 at Trenton. We were planning on stopping at Camping World in Knoxville by I saw a billboard for the Chattanooga Camping World. Billboard read, Camping World, I-75, exit 1. That's not out of the way. We jumped on I-75 and took exit 1, no Camping World, there was a sign for a campground pointing to the right so we went right for a mile or so then turned around and got back on the interstate towards Kingsport, TN. We were able to find the Knoxville CW and stopped for lawn chair recliners and a few other items. We also had sandwiches for lunch then continued on. We arrived at Warriors' Path State Park about 5pm EST. Temp was 48 degrees with a light drizzle of rain. After setting up we went to Walmart for stuff. That's it for today, will get pictures tomorrow.

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Lunch With James And Family

Fred after our 1 1/2 mile morning walk


Bridget and Fred on our afternoon walk


Looking at the Clubhouse from Lake Guntersville


Chandler, James, Ryland and Shelia


Bridget at Austin's Steak and Seafood talking to Annie.


This morning started off at 8am with bacon, eggs and toast. We then went on our 1 1/2 mile walk with Fred. When we got back Fred conked out on the sofa. One of the fire fighters on my shift was going to Gatlinburg for vacation with his wife and 2 sons, he called this morning and said his youngest (Ryland) had been running fever last night and Shelia was taking him to the doctor's this morning and they may not make it. We were going to meet them for lunch around 11:30. He called at 11:30 and said they were just leaving Jackson which would put them here about 4pm so we set up a late lunch/supper. We went to Walmart to pick up some stuff and went sight seeing, refueled the truck, and piddled around. James called about 3:15ish and said they were on the Birmingham bypass and would meet us at Austin's at 4pm. We arrived about 3:50 and I was programing the GPS for our trip back to the campground when a horn blew, they had arrived. We had a good visit and a late lunch during which time Annie called then they were on their way to Gatlinburg departing about 5pm. We headed back to the campground and did our evening walk and watched the sunset over Lake Guntersville. That's it for today, tomorrow is a travel day to Kingsport, TN with a stop planned at Camping World in Knoxville.

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Little Mountain Marina and Camping Resort

Little Mountain Marina Camping Resort, Our site on the corner



Lake Guntersville, Campside Sunset



Lake Guntersville, Sunset



Lake Guntersville, Morning Fog



Lake Gunterville, Boathouse Fog


Bridget has checked the smoke detector and it works, she was toasting bread for bread crumbs to put in her meatloaf which now happens to be in the oven. Last night we were tired so we went into town and ate at a great restaurant called Wentzells Oyster House, I had the bacon wrapped shrimp, salad and baked potato and Bridget had the citrus honey glazed chicken with rice, salad and steamed broccoli. Deb, if you are reading this we actually slept til 10am, could not believe it, usually up by 7am. Today turned out to be beautiful after a foggy morning, sun shining with temps in the upper 60's, may have hit 70 and not a cloud in the sky. We did make a run to Walmart to get stuff that was left at the house. This morning we walked around the park which has over 300 full hook up sites. The sites are far apart from each other which is nice. After supper we are going up to the clubhouse to check it out. This is the list of amenities at the park: Clubhouse, Laundry, Indoor and outdoor swimming pools, Teen center, Mini golf, Playgrounds, Boating, Boat ramp, Fishing, Water skiing, Horseshoes, Marina, Picnic area, Exercise room, Basketball court, Tennis court, Indoor and outdoor spa, Shuffleboard, 500 seat amphitheater, Arcade, Non-denominational Church services every Sunday, Live music once per month.

Pictures are taken with my cellphone camera, a Palm Treo 650. Looking at digital SLR cameras for future purchase.

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Finally Made It

Thanks to me not checking the directions on the Rams GPS we ended up going 60 miles out of the way. Turns out that Murphy Hill Road and Murphy Hill Drive are not the same street so after stopping for directions I receive a history lesson that at one time they were the same until the TVA came in and did something that separated the road. Long story short we left at 9:30 this morning and arrived at 4:30. Going to find a Walmart for the stuff that is at the house on the counter waiting for me to load it in the trailer. Oh well, this stuff happens.

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Reroute

After chatting with Dee in the RV-Dreams chatroom we have rerouted our trip and will be going to the truck races in Martinsville with Jim and Dee March 28th. That will be fun as it will be our first truck race. We look forward to it and hope that it doesn't rain that weekend.
Finished up an employee evaluation, other then that not much going on here. Still waiting on clarifications on the truck specs so that will be waiting when I get back to work on April 2. See you in chat.

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Rain, Again, Still

Rained this morning until 10'ish. I went down to the PO to mail some stuff to my sister, then by the drugstore to pick up Bridget's prescriptions for the next 2 1/2 weeks and then to WalMart. After I got home we had leftovers for lunch. It had stopped raining so I pulled the trailer out and was going to wash the front and back but didn't realize how dirty the rest of it was so ended up washing the whole thing except the roof. We should be ready to roll out Monday morning when I get home from the FD. It started raining again about an hour ago and is going to continue on into the night. They say tomorrow will be partly cloudy, we will see. Working the mall on the 3-11p shift, it is slow with the rain. Renaissance is an outdoor mall.

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Rain Continues

Still at it, hope to have the spec review done on Sunday. It is raining and has been raining non-stop since late last night. Only good thing about the rain is the pollen has been washed off everything. Hopefully tomorrow I can pull the trailer out without getting stuck.

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Rains A'comming

48 hours at the FD, I have been reviewing specs today and will continue tomorrow, almost 200 pages. Usual FD day, EMS calls mainly. Rain predicted thru Sunday, Saturday my off day I will pull the trailer out, hopefully I won't get stuck.

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The Mall

Posting from the mall. Slept in this morning, got up watched TV and surfed the blogs. Not much going on here, it is getting cooler with temps in the 50's for highs and rain through Sunday. Hopefully it will be dry enough to get the trailer out of the backyard. Bridget took our taxes down to our tax lady. I have the FD tomorrow and Friday, back to the mall Saturday 3-11, FD Sunday then on vacation until April 2.

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The Ram

No calls last night, got home and surfed the web. Blog reading to catch up on the Kerrville activities, looks like everyone is having a blast. Took the Ram in to have the tires balanced and rotated, that took a while. After I got home it was time for a trip to WalMart for groceries. Grilled hamburgers this evening for supper, they were some of the best I have made so far. Relaxin in the recliner.

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NASCAR

Boy the time change throws my body clock all out of whack. Bridget got up at 4:45 this morning to get Sandie to the airport for her flight back to Jacksonville. We stayed up last night to about 10 playing domino's, Bob and Marcy came over. Turns out I will be getting tickets to the Talladega race in April from some friends that can't make it. I have made reservations at Cheaha State Park in Alabama for April 24-28. That's about it for now.

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Visiting Day

Today Annie and Terry, Robert and Kelsey, Mom, Sandie, Mary Lee, Stephanie and her boyfriend Alex were at the house visiting after a busy day yesterday. Mary Lee, Mom, Stephanie and Alex headed back to Byhalia about 4:30 this afternoon. Robert and Kelsey have taken Nipper with them, we are downsizing to one dog for our travels. Finished watching the race and can't wait for the Bristol race, my sister brought the tickets down yesterday.

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Busy

Saturday was a busy day which ended with friends and family at Bob and Marcy's 50th anniversary party.

Nothing Going On Today

Quiet day at the FD, usual paperwork and stuff. Had dinner with Bridget and Sandie at Hamil's, always yummy. Tomorrow is the big party.

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I Think I Am Tired

It's a late post, master bathroom is done as far as repairs. I still have a little painting left on the cabinets and remounting the towel holders and whatnots. This morning started off with sealing the paper with a clear sealant. While this was going on Bridget and Annie went shopping and picked Sandie up at the airport. Her flight out of Jacksonville was delayed so she missed her connecting flight out of Atlanta so she waited for the next flight which was 2 hours later. They called me when they left the airport so I jumped in the shower and when they got here I took Sandie's luggage out to the 5ver for her stay, she will be flying back Monday. After lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, Annie headed home, Bridget and Sandie went to Walmart and then took the dogs to the vet for there shots. I finished putting the sealer on. While the walls were drying I worked on getting the wifi up and running. Fast forward, since Sandie was on Florida time they rang the dinner bell and we went to a deli up the street. When we got home from that the walls were dry enough to start installing the commode, we went back with a hi-rise commode so I had everything but the water supply line, as I was pulling up to Lowes at 8:50 they were taking in all the stuff that is out front so I asked if they were closed, "not yet, we close at 9". Ran inside and back to the house, commode is now operational and I am tired and will be going to bed soon. FD tomorrow then on Saturday the BIG 50th wedding anniversary for the in-laws, their actual anniversary date is today but wanted to have the party on Saturday so more people could make it, should have about 70 folks there. Happy Anniversary Bob and Marcy!!

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Master Bathroom

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Before















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Before

















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Before
















After




Got home to a breakfast of an egg sandwich then to work on the master bathroom. I was scheduled to work the mall today and tomorrow but took off to finish the bathroom and pick up my sister-in-law Sandie. She is flying in tomorrow for Bob and Marcy's 50th wedding anniversary, my brother had to work and couldn't make it, we will miss him. So tomorrow on the agenda is to seal the walls, reset the commode, finish painting the cabinets and pick up Sandie.

Fires

The FD has been quiet so far this shift other than a few EMS calls. Jackson FD has had 2 working house fires and a working apartment fire today. Been catching up on blogs and an about to head to the chat room for some up to date happenings in Kerrville.

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Bridget's Birthday

Today is Bridget's birthday, we got up at 7:30 and I read blogs to catch up on the Kerrville gathering. After breakfast we got started on the master bathroom project. (pictures later) Wanted to complete it today but ran out of time and supplies. Should finish by Wednesday night, will be at the FD tomorrow and the mall 7-3 Wednesday. Left here at 3pm to meet with the caterers then to Cerami's for Bridget's birthday dinner. Annie had never been to Cerami's and went with us, we had a good time. That used to be my fathers favorite restaurant. About to head over to the in-laws for cake and ice cream.

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Water

Worked the mall 11a-7:30p, Apple store had a broken water pipe right at 7p so I ended up staying around long enough to get the water turned off. Bridget has a birthday tomorrow. We will go to one her favorite restaurant's, Cerami's.

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