We're Home Again

Arrived home early this afternoon.

We spent last night at Boonville, MO rather than arrive home at dusk (or dark). Also wanted to avoid rush hour traffic in the Kansas City area.

It's good to be home but don't see much evidence of spring. The redbuds and bulbs have waited for us to get home this year before putting on a show!

Rain, Rain, Rain

We drove in heavy rain yesterday and today.

Stayed at Manchester, Tennessee last night and Benton, Illinois tonight. Not making very good road time but there have been many accidents and slow-downs because of the rain & flooding. Our goal is to arrive home safely.

We saw flood waters from near the Land Between the Lakes and Paducah, KY area all the way to our stop tonight. When we spent Labor Day at the Land Between the Lakes, they were in a severe drought with temperatures around 100 degrees. It was a big change to see the area only 6 months later. All of their crops burned up last year and the fields are now covered with flood waters.

I expect to see flooding all the way to St Louis and along the Missouri River Valley.

The Rally

The Rally is officially over after tonight's entertainment.

We have had a great time. Lots of RV's and vendors. Attended some very informative seminars and ate our share of Peach Cobbler.

Walt snapped these photos to give you an idea of the number of RVs on the fairgrounds. The official count was about 3,800 rigs camping. There were also several hundred RVs on display for sale.

We will be leaving in the morning. We've had fun being with the Barnes & Browns but will each be going a different direction in the morning.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Who can visit the area near Macon, GA and NOT go to Juliette to eat Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe? We couldn't resist.

As you can see everyone liked the tomatoes except Walt.!

The movie was filmed on location in this little town and the dying town was revived by the movie and it's publicity.

The Weather in Georgia

Just a note to let everyone know that we are at The Rally in Perry, GA. We arrived on Wednesday and have been having fun.

We are about 2 hours south of Atlanta. Am sure that you have been hearing about the tornado in Atlanta last night. We had cloudy, grey weather yesterday but nothing more. Looks like more of the same today.

There are about 3800 RV's here at the Georgia Fairgrounds & Agricenter. It is a nice facility.

We chose to dry-camp. For you non-RVers, we have no external hook-ups for electric, water or sewer. We are self-contained for the duration of the event. We did have some issues with our coach batteries but yesterday Walt bought and installed new batteries. We seem to be doing well conserving water. We will leave the area on Tuesday.

Had great entertainment last night. Frankie Valli was scheduled but had to cancel several days ago because of illness. His substitute was BOBBY VINTON. He put on a great show. He's still a bundle of energy.

More later. Love to all.

Plains, Georgia

This afternoon we visited the boyhood home of former President Jimmy Carter in Plains, Georgia.

It was very interesting. Pictured is the home, the store that they ran for the farm workers and one of the barns.

The Carters still live in Plains only a few miles from the boyhood home in a home they built in the early 1960's.

Andersonville Prison

This morning we visited the Andersonville National Historic Site. It was the Confederate POW camp during the Civil War. It is also the site of a National Cemetery and the POW Memorial.


The deplorable conditions, disease and death were so well portrayed in the informational film that you could feel the prisoners pain and suffering as you walked the grounds.

Bushnell and Webster

We drove to Webster where there is a big flea market -- the market is only open on Mondays. There are acres of buildings and lots marked out on the grass. Too bad we have to leave Monday morning -- looks like we will miss a big event.



There is not much else in Webster but the flea market.



We really enjoyed seeing the horse ranches (we're only 40 miles south of Ocala) and cattle ranches in the area.



Bushnell is a small town but the county seat of Sumter County. The Sumter County Court House is very impressive.

Lots of lake area to explore tomorrow.

Heading North - SLOWLY

We have been having rain at night for the last week. Today was grey, cloudy and very windy.

We left and took the newly opened Imperial Parkway north to Three Oaks and Corkscrew. Then onto I-75 and north.

The construction extending Three Oaks north of Corkscrew will probably be open when we return next year.

Couldn't resist a shot of the Caloosahatchie River. It is so impressive to cross it at Fort Meyers.

We drove into a strong wind and at noon decided we were ready to pull off the road. We had called ahead to Georgia and there is no vacancy to arrive early. Lots of RVers are pulling off to wait out the wind and maybe avoid winter storms further north.

We have stopped at Bushnell to spend the next two nights at Red Barn Campground. We'll have some time to explore the area.

Will have to change clothes -- shorts to jeans. It was mid 60's when we left Bonita Springs. It is mid 50's here with 30-60 mph winds.

Leaving Paradise

All our outdoor furniture, bikes, grill, etc are safely packed away in the shed. It's looking pretty barren around our little lot.

Grocery shopping is done and the last load of clothes is in the washer.

The soaker hose is connected to the 'reclaimed water' hydrant and the plants are thriving.

Two pallets of pavers were delivered today. Those will go on the east and north sides of the lot; the same as was done on the west in January (see Improvements 1/3/08). Walt was afraid we couldn't get a reasonable match if we waited until next year to buy the pavers.

We've had a great winter. The people in Bonita Beach Trailer Park are the greatest. One more party to attend tonight -- a Fish Fry. I'm making Jalapeno Poppers to share.

We are heading to Perry, GA where we will meet friends and attend The Rally. We went to The 2004 Rally in Hutchinson and learned so much. We're looking forward to this one.

We'll spend a couple of weeks in Georgia then head toward home. Hope it's getting warmer!!

Swamp Buggy Races

Walt spent the day at a new type of race. This Swamp Buggy Race is run three times a year and is only run at the Florida Sports Park in Naples. It has been run since 1949.


It was 80 and sunny. A perfect day to spend outside.


He took lots of photos. Here are some that show the different types of swamp buggies.


He said "It was an awesome, fun day."

You can see more at The World Famous Swamp Buggy Races.

Bird Watching

Early this morning, this flock of Ibis made it's way through the park. They found all sorts of tasty tidbits and weren't scared to let me get close to take photos.

I had seen the Ibis flock roosting in the tall pines but never saw them on the ground before.

We have also seen Osprey and Woodpeckers (Downey & Pileated).