Wednesday - October 14

 We are HOME!!!     Arrived at CT around noon and it is HOT!    But so happy to be here and done traveling for a bit.    Patience was in order today traveling from Ocala with I-75 busy as ever but especially around Sarasota where traffic went from 4 lanes to 2.    I stopped in Venice to get Ruby some gas and an iced coffee at Black 'n Gold Coffee Roasters.   We got Flo settled on our lot and then left for Cracker Barrel and a nice lunch before tackling our stuff.

First in order was getting Joe and Joan's mini cricket out of the she shed.    Got that and our bikes on back patio covered.    Lots more to do, but just so hot decided to work inside and just cool down.

Till tomorrow...

Tuesday - October 13

 Started the day getting diesel for Big Red ($5.29) and then on our way by 8:05.

Highway 301 is great thru Georgia and then Florida - Georgia had very little traffic.  We passed many pine tree farms with all sizes (maybe some were Christmas trees) but Georgia is big lumber country so these very tall trees will be cut down (passed a few big loads of logs) and eventually at lumber yards for building supplies.   Also passed some pecan and peach trees.  We stopped in Folkston, GA for coffee at Elliano's (neat place but only drive-thru or walk-up).   At 10:42 we were crossing into Florida!!!

We arrived at the Ocala Sun RV Resort in rural Ocala (big-time horse country) around 1:15.  We hit 90 degrees today.

We drove to Swampy's for dinner along the Rainbow River to meet friends Ross and Carly from Hernando.    We met them in Okeechobee several years ago in their RV at Water's Edge.    What fun to be together - last time was this past April 16th.    We loved the ambiance of "Old Florida" at Swampy's, watching the folks kayaking or on their boats.   Food was excellent and so much to catch up on.    

Pat and Carly

Mark, Ross, Carly, Pat

Monday - October 12

 We left LJ at 7:30 and stopped in Marion for gas for Ruby ($3.39)!    Then to pick up Flo and Big Red in Candler at Buddy and JoAnn's property.    By 9:10, we were on our way.

Stopped in Clinton, SC at Waffle House for late breakfast/early lunch and back on the road.  Arrived at the Parkwood RV Park in Statesboro, GA at 3:15.    Mark remembered we had been here before -------------(2016 and 2018) WOW....his memory blows me away as this place did not ring any bells for me!    Ha...

Looking forward to seeing friends Ross and Carly tomorrow for dinner.    And after settling back into CT, we'll be off to Orlando Sunday/Monday to hang out with Michael, Brooke, Brady and Blair.    We'll also have lunch Sunday with my brother Ron and Vicki in Lakeland.   The Nomads are on the go.....

Mark picked up a pizza from "Blaze" a few miles away, I made a salad and that was supper!   Then a walk around the park (not very big) - felt good to stretch the legs.   

We remember Mark's sister Sue who died so unexpectedly 6 years ago today.   

Sunday - October 11

 Lots of heavy rain overnight - 4.8" at this point.    Michael picked Mark and I up for 11:00 Mass at St. Margaret Mary in Swannanoa.    Today is the 90th anniversary of the dedication of St. Margaret Mary (October 11, 1936).    It[s a small church and they are in the midst of a huge capital fund raising campaign to put on a $4.5m addition.   

After mass we went to Veranda for lunch - favorite for all of us and very good as always!   On home.    We took a nap, packed, did some laundry, ran the dishwasher, etc.

We made the rounds to say good bye to Erin, Ryan and Graham; then Michael, Brooke and Blair and finally dinner at Annette's.   

Ryan, Graham, Grandma, Grandpa

(Erin wasn't feeling well....she was photographer) 

So neat that we got to see all of our grand kiddos the past 2 weeks; but no Philip.    Hopefully he'll be home for Thanksgiving?

Annette made her wonderful enchiladas for supper.    We played more cards with Mark and Annette tying and me, FINALLY winning a game.    Maeve entertained us with a little fiddle concert and then said our good byes!

Maeve playing her fiddle

Annette, Luke, Maeve

Luke, Grandma, Maeve, Grandpa

Tomorrow we are "back on the road again"!!!  FIVE weeks and we'll be back!

Saturday - October 10

 Rainy weekend here in NC all coming from Isaias.    

I went over to Annette's to visit and watch her make little cream cheese/jalapeno yummies for football party we're going to this afternoon.

Yesterday Maeve had a field trip with her 5th grade classmates to the Waldensian Heritage Museum in Valdese, NC.    Annette was a chaperone.   So I learned all about the Waldensians!

Played "Sounds Fishy" and "Pass the Pigs" games with Luke, Maeve and Annette.   

Delicious appetizer

Maeve and the pigs

It was such a yucky WET day that Mark and I decided not to go to the football party....good to stay home with a nice fire and watch football (Notre Dame and/or IL), read, whatever!    We always enjoy seeing our kids friends though.

I watched Iowa for a little past 1/2 time last night beat Washington and then fell asleep.    The game didn't start till 9 PM eastern time.

Mark and I went to Michael's to watch some football with he and Davis after they left the party.   

Played euchre with Annette - she won 2 games and Mark won 1.    The rain continues!

Better picture from Blair's 8th grade recognition at the football game October 7th.

Brooke, Blair, Michael