October 31st - Laurel Falls & Halloween

October - Gatlinburg, TN

Great Smokey Mountains National Park here we come!

                                                                                                                                                                           

                                        There is many fabulous entertainment options in Pigeon Forge & Gatlinburg area.

We hiked almost to the top which is 1487 feet elevation change 1.75 miles. You can no longer hike the last .25 mile because of the fire in November 2016 that was started by 2 teenage boys.

We sat on a ledge & had our lunch while looking out at Mount Leconte.

October - REV in Indiana & visit with family in Cincinnati

We enjoyed meeting new friends during our short 5 day stay at the REV repair facility in Decatur, IN. Our 1st night there we had munchies & drinks with several of our new neighbors. Then 8 of us went out for dinner at a Mexican restaurant, men sitting at a table and us women at a table across from them. Fun group of people from all over the USA.

Bill and his 3 new buddies.

We were at REV much shorter time that we had allowed for. This freed up time for us to spend in Cincinnati to visit my sister and her family.

My sister Laura, my niece Layla & Great, Great Niece Aunestie. 

My great niece Tesslynne, Andrew, Great, Great Nieces Luv & Serenity.

We're all at Ault Park in Cincinnati.

May great neice Baylee & her boyfriend.

          My great nieces Caseia, Rayne, Aunestie & Baylee.

We're all at Devou Park in Kentucky.

My great nephews Dameion & Ramsey with their Grandma.

We met at Duncan Doughnuts in Fairfax, OH.

September >> October 15th

Return from Mackinac, preparing for trip south and also for parents 60th Anniversary Party

Updates yet to be posted.

August-family parties, Mackinac Bridge, etc

Updates yet to be posted

June & July in Michigan

Settling into our new home. We relocated our storage room to a climate controlled. Also we sold our road bicycles, a generator and a few others large items.

Fun times with family and friends, old and new.

Pictures yet to be posted.

May 2017

Ramblin Pushers Rally

Updates yet to be posted

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Our new home at Alice Springs RV Park, Ionia, MI

Updates yet to be posted

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April 2017 - Gulf Shores, Huntsville & REV - Indiana

We stopped overnight at a peaceful little campground west of Tallahassee. We enjoyed meeting Bills cousins, Howard & Barb for dinner. They live in Sopchoppy, FL. I forgot to take a picture.

We made it to Gulf State Park, AL where we were able to camp near our friends from Michigan, Lori & Jim. We went to dinner with them a couple times and did a little biking.

                                          We had a nice site on Racoon Road.
                                                                          

We were able to bicycle on the 20+ miles of beautiful trails throughout the week we were there. Biked out to see Lefty - a must do. He lost an arm in an accident before Gulf State Park rescued him.

We drove to Fairhope, AL where we were able to visit friends, Bob & Val. They had recently purchased a house there and sold their house in New York. We had met them the previous year at Gulf State Park while bicycling with FOS. We had dinner out then walked out on the pier.

                                                                              

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We spent Easter Sunday with my Nephew, Matthew and his family in Huntsville, AL. We played Frisbee Golf followed by scrumptious dinner at their home. We had woke up too late for church.

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We drove to REV Repair Facility in Decator, IN where we spent 2 difficult weeks. Although they accomplished many repairs for us. 

Myakka River State Park, Robinson Preserve, St Patricks Day, etc., March 30th update

We are focusing on heading north next week. We plan to be in GulfShores, AL on the 8th for a week.

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March 29th we hiked again at Robinson Preserve followed by dinner at the Rod 'N Reel Pier Restaurant on Anna Maria Island. We didn't take any pictures as we have already been there and posted pictures.

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March 22 we drove to Port Charlotte and to Boca Grande Island to explore the area. We had lunch at South Beach Grill at the southern tip of the Island.

South Beach Grill, dining on the beach.

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St Patricks Day we passed on the corned beef n Cabbage at the club house and went to Old Town Bradenton for the celebration on Main St. There was a pipe band and also a Raggae band. People were dressed in green and some were dancing. It was very festive. Before that we had dinner at Pier 22 on the Bradenton River.

Main Street, Bradenton

Dinner at Pier 22

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We finally made it out to Myakka River State Park on March 16th. It's east of Sarasota about 20-25 miles. There is miles of hiking trails and biking on the roads through the park. There is a raised board walk in between two viewing towers.

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March 15th we went for a walk at Nathan Benderson Park. It's a nice place to get a brisk walk in around a lake. This is where they have the row boat racing teams. Kinda fun to watch while we walk.

Row Boat Racing teams

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March 5th our friends, Jeff & Deb came over to visit and tour Pleasant Lake RV Resort. We then had lunch at Pier 22 in Bradenton. Afterwards we golfed at River Run. After hours in the sun we were all hungry again so we went for burger night at Geko's near our home. 

If you look closely, you'll see an alligator behind me in the pond.

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March 4th we hiked at Robinson Preserve. It has over 4 miles of trails, some paved & leads to Manatee Rd which will take you over the bridge to Anna Maria Island.


The Tower

 View from the tower looking west over the Gulf.

If you closely, you'll see the huge bridge in St Petersburg.

Sarasota Circus on Valentines Day, Biking Ft Desoto, Ringling Museum, February 28th Update

Our friends Roger and Kathy from Michigan were in the area visiting. On February 27th we spent the day at the Ringling Museum followed with dinner at Barnacle Bills. It was so good to see them. Bill and Roger have bicycled many, many miles together over many years.

Special memories.

More pictures yet to be uploaded.

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Our friends, Sue and Richie from Michigan were staying in St Petersburg area so they came over to visit us Wednesday afternoon. We had a great time catching up and playing a game of Euchre. I forgot to take pictures. It was so good to see them.

A picture of the 4 of us tailgating at the MSU Spartan football game in October 2016.

Go Green!!!

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On Tuesday, the 21st we met with our new friends, Jeff and Deb from Wisconsin at Ft Desoto county park. It is on an Island off St Petersburg. There is 10-15 miles of paved biking trails, as well as a Historical Fort with a museum, a campground and a few beaches.

We biked 10-12 miles and toured the Fort followed by dinner at another Billy's Seaside (Seafood) restaurant.

More pictures yet to be uploaded.

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Our friends,Ted and Kathy from Michigan were staying in the area. We had a nice visit with them at our home followed by dinner at The Beachhouse. It was so good to see them.

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We had wonderful seats for the Sarasota Circus on Valentines Day.

Such amazing talent and strength. This was one of the best circus we've been to. Although I missed seeing the elephants & tigers.

Pictures yet to be uploaded.

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Greek Festival, February 12th update.

The Greek Festival at St Barbara Orthodox Church was fun & interesting. We enjoyed Gyros, blakliva & chocolate cake while watching the Greek dance performance. We went to the church tour where the priest described the history, beliefs and symbols of the Greek Othodox religion.

                  Inside the church.

                  Looking up at the ceiling.

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Sunday, Feb.12 we biked around the neighborhoods near our home.

We came across a cool little nature park called Jiggs Preserve along the Braden river. They rent kayaks & cabins & have a boat launch open to the public.

Lipazzaner Stallions and February 11th Update

We were finally able to watch the Lipazzaner Stallions practice this morning. 

They travel the USA performing from New York to Sanfransisco.

They are natural entertainers and thrive on pleasing people . . . and carrots & sugar cubes.

The are so beautiful and intelligent.

Max, one of the Stars who's in competition to be the new "Alpha" Stallion.

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Tonight, Friday, we walked to the deck viewing area of the lake to watch the Lunar Eclipse. The full moon light glistening across the water was beautiful.

We try to get a walk or bike ride in daily. Yesterday we walked 2.5 miles at Nathan Benderson Park. They have Row Boat Races there.
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Tuesday, Jan.31st, we went to practice golf at the driving range near us. They have a unique setup; you hit your ball over a pond. (I hit mine into the pond)

Tuesday evening Tom and Marci came over for a casual dinner with us. We had our 1st campfire since we've been here. We had a nice visit with them before their departure the following morning. They are going to an RV Resort near the everglades. We'll miss them. I forgot to take pics.

We finally made it to Mixon's Market. They have fresh local oranges, grapefruit, lemons & limes. Many other food and gift items available.
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February 2nd we went hiking trail at Herons Nature Park in Lakewood Ranch. Very cool trail with spanish moss and tropical trees. 

We attended the 1st Friday Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch. Saturday we went back to Lakewood Ranch Main Street's Grand Ovation; a demonstration of dance and music from the college's in the area. 
I didn't take pictures.
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Trying out the TV with a campfire.

There are many resident birds at Pleasant Lake RV Resort.

   Monday, Feb.6th we drove out to Treasure Island to meet our new friends from Wisconsin, Jeff and Deb. Bill and I explored the Island before meeting them at 2 for golf.

Beautiful Madiera Beach

Johns Pass shopping and restaurant area. 

Many hungry Pelicans on the docks at Johns Pass.

We had a blast golfing with Jeff and Deb at Treasure Isl Golf and Tennis with beautiful views of the bay.

Afterwards we had a delicious dinner at Sloppy Joe's overlooking the beach with a beautiful sunset. 

 We spent a few days on our "to do's". Bill worked on our taxes while I did household chores and took my 1st dip in the pool here. We made a seasonal reservation at Alice Springs RV Resort near Ionia, FL for this summer. We're exploring other places for next winter.