2nd Lazy Daze Trip - Southbound!

SATURDAY.
Jeannette awoke this morning saying, "Let's drive into New Orleans and see the status." Didn’t take long and we found ourselves on the I-10 inbound, crossing over Lake Ponchatrain, with New Orleans on the horizon. Upon reaching the southern shore, we began seeing row after row of destroyed and damaged houses/buildings. Then it became entire neighborhoods and housing projects…mile after mile… until we entered downtown and drove around the SuperDome.

We were simply flabbergasted; not prepared for the impact of seeing thousands and thousands of homes damaged/destroyed, with abandoned streets…water-logged automobiles... looking like a movie set or ghost town. And not just the ninth ward... very nice middle class neighborhoods didn't escape Katrina's wrath.

As we drove out of town, heading for Mississippi, we both commented, almost simultaneously: “New Orleans will NEVER recover….NEVER be the same….EVER!

Soon it was behind us, we turned up I-59 for the final 500 miles to home. About 40 miles along, we suddenly saw hundreds and thousands of FEMA trailers parked in fields next to the freeway. Other motorists were slowing down to take pictures also.

Meridian, MS. After stopping at the Welcome Center to get RV camp site information, Jeannette read about a stage play tonight in Meridian’s Little Theater. Not finding any attractive state parks or RV sites along the way, we decided to head on to Meridian. I exited downtown to ask directions and eventually, about 5:30 pm, we found the Little Theater on the north side of town. Sure enough the British play was on the marquee, so we headed back to town, found an eating emporium and returned early to see if there were tickets.

“Yes, we have just 4 tickets left – your choice!” said Bunny, one of the matron volunteers. She was so helpful, that I asked the next question: “May we stay in your parking lot tonight?”

“Of course…no problem” was her reply. Now… that’s good southern Mississippi hospitality. After everyone had gone home, we parked the LAZY DAZE in the back corner, under a lamp post and settled in for our 1st night of dry camping – boondocking as some refer to it when you’re totally self-contained; no hookup to anything.

The LD’s coach batteries provided for all the lights and water and we snuggled down, as a terrific wind storm blew through in the early morning hours. (Next day we heard on the radio that tornados had struck about 50 miles away but no deaths).

SUNDAY Morning...
Our 15th day on the road since driving away from our son Mark’s in Redlands. We still had 2 days available to us, so we decided to look for a midway campsite. However as the miles rolled under the LD’s wheels, the draw of getting home became too much. At 6:20 pm, we pulled into 2313 Guinevere Pkwy, home-sweet-home.

We thank the Lord for incident-free 2,835 miles, consuming 293 gallons of gas, at prices ranging from $1.99 to highest $2.35/gal (average was $2.16/gal). The LD, though almost 11 yrs of age, proved more than adequate for the trip. Each day we were grateful for those first days and all the help from Linda/Earl and Kate/Terry; don't know how we would have made it without their friendly and helpful assistance.

We quickly opened the house and unloaded just what we needed for the evening. Next was sorting through the hugh pile of mail that Rhonda, our sister-in-law had kindly collected for us during our month away. Finally up the stairs and to our waiting bed.

But you know, next morning, we both said the bed didn’t feel as good as we thought it would. In fact, the LD beds were really pretty good after all.

“When do we leave next?” was Jeannette’s question over coffee the next morning.


Feb. 25 – March 6...was a blur of to-do lists, spend time with Dad, Jeannette cleaning out her mother's things, etc. etc.-- so we could leave for the SouthEast Lazy Daze Gathering at Hanna Park, Jacksonville, FL.

TUESDAY (Mar. 6). We had decided to leave by noon a day early and stay about half way, which became Perry, GA and LONE HARBOR RV park… about 300 yards west of I-75, but still plenty close enough to hear the big trucks!

There was time for some chores, so I washed the LD rig of the road grime from now almost 3,200 miles since leaving CA on Feb. 10th. Jeannette cleaned good inside, using a neat portable vacuum she found at Target. Believe it or Not: I hadn't cleaned the windshield even one time on the entire cross-country trip. Unbelievable. Granted it was spring and mostly the desert. However, perhaps the LD’s cab overhead, plus the bugsmasher above the grill actually did the job… who knows?

We learned another lesson last night: choose a camp site that isn’t on the entry road… cause duallys and cars come/go until the late hours, and crankup at dawn.

WEDNESDAY (Mar. 7)...
We dumped tanks, took on half tank of fresh water and headed south for Hanna Park. We decided on the longer route via freeway. In fact we met up with our ol’ friend I-10 that took us into downtown Jacksonville at going-home time. Bad choice. Never again! Should have followed the directions the wagonmaster had emailed days before. (Seems like we’re learning a lot of lessons)!!

Finally, we found Hanna Park and whow… it’s like Sherwood Forest! See the pictures. We wound our way toward the back rows of RVs, where eventually some 22 Lazy Daze rigs would gather, coming from as far north as Vermont, Mass., and southward thru Florida.

WEDNESDAY night was prime-time Hamburgers by Bill and Dorothy and others, with a variety of junk food on the side table.

THURSDAY (Mar 8), and each morning, coffee and munchies were available from 8:00 am onward, at Don and Dorothy’s. They came in their van and towed trailer, because they’re ordering a new Lazy Daze, and wanted to check-out various things. They were great folks to host the mornings!

Thursday evening dinner was free time, with an ice cream social about 7:30 pm. While the afternoon had been pleasantly warm, the evening brought brisk chilly winds, whirling around our legs as we dutifully consumed gallon after gallon of Mayfield’s Ice Cream.

Then Joe Ellis introduced a dollie-covered roll of T.P. and began a naming contest for this inaminate object. Joe explained that he would hide it in someone's LD, and at the next Gathering, that couple would tell of their travels and funny happenings. Competition quickly broke out between two tables and some highly interesting names for this glorifed roll of T.P. were suggested... finally reaching a compromise on the ubiquitous moniquor of LDTP. Just how original could we be!

FRIDAY (Mar 8) - Bill Wockenfuss came to help me with our belligerent awning; it didn’t want to crank out. His experienced touch and technique, coupled with copious amounts of silicon spray (donated by Terry [Cholula Red] and voila… the awning now works. He and a few others showed us numerous “tricks of the trade” about our Lazy Daze. We learned tips we’d never heard of nor read… just one of the reasons we were glad to be here.

Friday evening was potluck dinner, with various couples bringing meat dishes, vegetables, salad and dessert. Again the chilly winds tried, but were unable to dim or dampen the fun time enjoyed by all.

After the tables we’re cleared, it was time for Helen’s Silent Auction. Mr. Auctioneer – Paul Woods- showed us all his hidden talent for bringing out the best in us all! After everyone had cast their 10 bids in the cups beside each item on the auction tables, Paul and Helen proceeded to draw the winning bid for each of the 23 items.

Now… here it get’s a little personal. The first name drawn was….. Jeannette Walker! She and I were totally shocked!! We never have won anything, anytime, anywhere! As if that wasn’t enough, the 2nd prize drawing from new slips brought the winner: Jeannette Walker! Somewhat to her chagrin, twice more her name was drawn, thus becoming the Queen of the Hanna Park SE LD Gathering SILENT AUCTION of March 2007!

There was a special item in the auction, a scale model British Spitfire airplane, molded from brass machine gun shells taken from various Spitfires, by a RAF pilot who was shot down on his 18th mission over Germany. Jeannette and I had bought this at a Rummage Sale in Oxford, in the late 70’s, from the pilot’s family member, who was saving money to visit America, rent a Winnebago and tour the USA for a month. Kathy Rawls was the Lucky Winner!

SATURDAY (Mar 10) morning – several campers headed toward the beach to watch the aircraft carrier JFK steam into port from Boston, to be decommissioned on March 23,2007.

Saturday evening was Pizza for everybody at the Clubhouse. Afterwards Jack and Dorothy, who have many years of experience, gave a most interesting overview of Florida State Parks. They ably answered scores of questions and passed out brochures and flyers.

SUNDAY (Mar 11)...
morning was our turn to provide morning munchies over at Don and Dorothy's campsite. I carried everything Jeannette had brought and said our goodbyes. We pulled out about 9am, after dumping tanks, and headed for First Baptist Church Callahan, FL, which has been a partner in the China OUTLINE Bible project for two years. So we wanted to worship with our friends.

This was also the morning that clocks “sprung ahead” 1 hour – 3 weeks early by congressional decree. Fortunately a good friend in Callahan called Saturday to alert us that the morning worship would be 11:15 “new time”, rather than the regular 10:15 am. Have to say that as we drove northwards, we began wondering if we had misunderstood Raymond on the phone. That would make church ending after 12 o’clock noon. And goodness knows, Baptists have to be out and to the restaurants, right?

Well, as we approached the church, sure enough the parking lot was full. However they found a place for our LD and we had a wonderful morning of worship. Afterwards, Brother Raymond took us to lunch, even offering us our choice, in this thriving metropolis of about 5,000 people! No Question – Our instant pick was CedarRiver Seafood…and the most delicious fresh scrimp imagineable!

After lunch, Raymond took us by his family’s Ace Hardware where Adam, his son-in-law, was working on a major computer system upgrade problem. Stephanie, his daugher and Adam’s wife were coming to help. Raymond kindly helped us with some needed tools and RV supplies, then took us back to our LD, where MIMI had been patiently waiting in the shade.

Our friends the Blackmons had invited us to visit before leaving town, so we headed out north to their place. Patick and the kids are installing a big deck area out back, with fountains and all kinds of good things. Christie and Brittany showed us their 7 little 2-week old puppies that had increased their canine count to 11, no less. And also in the backyard were two (2) burros (shades of Woody/Jean in Texas).

After hugs and pictures, we pointed our LD eastward toward the Atlantic coast… which eventfully ended in the parking lot of the Visitor’s Center – downtown ST. SIMONS ISLAND… about 75 yards from the beach and at the base of the famous lighthouse. Every state park and camp ground was full, as Biker’s Week in Daytona also ended today. I-95 was full of Harleys headed north, many of them in trailers or pickup beds.

This was our 2nd night of no hookup; i.e. dry camping. The silence was golden. We had driven around town, looking for a spot near the beach. But every site we found was posted NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING. And we didn’t feel like tempting fate! However this parking lot has no such Postings and no one said a word to us. So,,, if you wanna have an enjoyable time in St. Simons Island, 1 block from downtown, try the parking lot at the base of the lighthouse.

MONDAY (Mar 12)
Cars began arriving in the parking lot by 7am, however no one paid any attention to our tan LAZY DAZE neatly parked at the base of the lighthouse. I walked downtown and had a hearty breakfast at Dresser’s Café. While the place is small and the door is weather-beaten, the hospitality is warm, lots of locals present, and the food is fabulous. They fixed a cup of decaf for me to take back to Jeannette. Last night about 9 pm I had walked the length of Main street (3 blocks) and found a Dairy Queen, which provided a Blizzard to end the day; taking half of it back for Jeannette.

Jeannette had decided she was going to climb the 129 steps of the lighthouse, and wanted company. Actually it wasn't that bad, and the panoramic view was breathtaking in all directions. We learned this is the only working lighthouse on east coast that is painted pure white. Appartently each lighthouse was painted different color and pattern, for visual identification in the old sailing ship days.

Shortly after noontime, we crept slowly out of town (25 mph enforced), back to I-95, and headed for Savannah. As Jeannette began calling State Parks, they were all full. Reading the travel books, she came across TALL PINES RV park near Townsend, GA. A quick phone call got us a reservation and we arrived about an hour later. We had chosen a campsite with WiFi, as it had been more than a week since we could check email. However, our site was too far from the antenna; couldn't get a strong enough signal.

TUESDAY (Mar 13)
Savannah was today's destination, less than 2 hour drive @ 58 mph LD-speed. However as my eagle-eyed navigator was reading the brochures, she came across TYBEE ISLAND - the furthermost east you can go, before getting your feet wet in the Atlantic. After calling RV Shores Campground and getting a reservation, we toured this quaint, historic beach community, including a restful hour at the Atlantic beach, watching sea gulls and sea birds glidding effortlessly in the breeze...watching the water below for lunch.

Jeannette remembered that her hairdresser had come here often on vacation. So she calls him and asks for a dinner recomendation: THE HUNTER INN - by reservation only. So we arrived tonight for our 6:30 pm date. Jeannette had a scrumpuous lobster and scrimp dinner, while I ordered the Atlantic salmon. Both were gourmet exquisite and melt-in-your-mouth. We shared a piece of key lime pie to complete our date evening and drove back to #49 RV site.

The Florida Amateur Radio Club is holding their RV rally in this park this week. Several of the RV's have ham radio antennas pointing skyward. As I walked amongst them, it brought back memories of my 17 years using ham radio everywhere we lived in Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica. It had been our life-line many times to the outside world, plus keeping in touch with our families and friends via "phone patch" connections. Everywhere, I built cubical quad antennas from bamboo - and Jeannette planted rose bushes. We left them behind for those who came after us.

Jeannette is grumbling: What is this interference on the TV... messing up her favorite program THE CLOSER! Ah.... ham radio! Still causes TV inference, when those RF waves radiate outward without appropriate filters.

On a different note: tonight we prayed for our dear friend Dr. Chung, Chairman of AGI with whom we volunteer in the China project. Tomorrow, he flies to China with modified and updated digital files, for the first printing of 10,000 Chinese OUTLINE Bible volumes. It's been over a year since the official license to print was granted by the Chinese government. Barrier after barrier has been thrown in the way. However, at last, we're trusting the actual printing will begin soon.

Tomorrow - back to Savannah..and then westward... one day at a time.

2nd Lazy Daze Trip - Southbound!

SATURDAY.
Jeannette awoke this morning saying, "Let's drive into New Orleans and see the status." Didn’t take long and we found ourselves on the I-10 inbound, crossing over Lake Ponchatrain, with New Orleans on the horizon. Upon reaching the southern shore, we began seeing row after row of destroyed and damaged houses/buildings. Then it became entire neighborhoods and housing projects…mile after mile… until we entered downtown and drove around the SuperDome.

We were simply flabbergasted; not prepared for the impact of seeing thousands and thousands of homes damaged/destroyed, with abandoned streets…water-logged automobiles... looking like a movie set or ghost town. And not just the ninth ward... very nice middle class neighborhoods didn't escape Katrina's wrath.

As we drove out of town, heading for Mississippi, we both commented, almost simultaneously: “New Orleans will NEVER recover….NEVER be the same….EVER!

Soon it was behind us, we turned up I-59 for the final 500 miles to home. About 40 miles along, we suddenly saw hundreds and thousands of FEMA trailers parked in fields next to the freeway. Other motorists were slowing down to take pictures also.

Meridian, MS. After stopping at the Welcome Center to get RV camp site information, Jeannette read about a stage play tonight in Meridian’s Little Theater. Not finding any attractive state parks or RV sites along the way, we decided to head on to Meridian. I exited downtown to ask directions and eventually, about 5:30 pm, we found the Little Theater on the north side of town. Sure enough the British play was on the marquee, so we headed back to town, found an eating emporium and returned early to see if there were tickets.

“Yes, we have just 4 tickets left – your choice!” said Bunny, one of the matron volunteers. She was so helpful, that I asked the next question: “May we stay in your parking lot tonight?”

“Of course…no problem” was her reply. Now… that’s good southern Mississippi hospitality. After everyone had gone home, we parked the LAZY DAZE in the back corner, under a lamp post and settled in for our 1st night of dry camping – boondocking as some refer to it when you’re totally self-contained; no hookup to anything.

The LD’s coach batteries provided for all the lights and water and we snuggled down, as a terrific wind storm blew through in the early morning hours. (Next day we heard on the radio that tornados had struck about 50 miles away but no deaths).

SUNDAY Morning...
Our 15th day on the road since driving away from our son Mark’s in Redlands. We still had 2 days available to us, so we decided to look for a midway campsite. However as the miles rolled under the LD’s wheels, the draw of getting home became too much. At 6:20 pm, we pulled into 2313 Guinevere Pkwy, home-sweet-home.

We thank the Lord for incident-free 2,835 miles, consuming 293 gallons of gas, at prices ranging from $1.99 to highest $2.35/gal (average was $2.16/gal). The LD, though almost 11 yrs of age, proved more than adequate for the trip. Each day we were grateful for those first days and all the help from Linda/Earl and Kate/Terry; don't know how we would have made it without their friendly and helpful assistance.

We quickly opened the house and unloaded just what we needed for the evening. Next was sorting through the hugh pile of mail that Rhonda, our sister-in-law had kindly collected for us during our month away. Finally up the stairs and to our waiting bed.

But you know, next morning, we both said the bed didn’t feel as good as we thought it would. In fact, the LD beds were really pretty good after all.

“When do we leave next?” was Jeannette’s question over coffee the next morning.


Feb. 25 – March 6...was a blur of to-do lists, spend time with Dad, Jeannette cleaning out her mother's things, etc. etc.-- so we could leave for the SouthEast Lazy Daze Gathering at Hanna Park, Jacksonville, FL.

TUESDAY (Mar. 6). We had decided to leave by noon a day early and stay about half way, which became Perry, GA and LONE HARBOR RV park… about 300 yards west of I-75, but still plenty close enough to hear the big trucks!

There was time for some chores, so I washed the LD rig of the road grime from now almost 3,200 miles since leaving CA on Feb. 10th. Jeannette cleaned good inside, using a neat portable vacuum she found at Target. Believe it or Not: I hadn't cleaned the windshield even one time on the entire cross-country trip. Unbelievable. Granted it was spring and mostly the desert. However, perhaps the LD’s cab overhead, plus the bugsmasher above the grill actually did the job… who knows?

We learned another lesson last night: choose a camp site that isn’t on the entry road… cause duallys and cars come/go until the late hours, and crankup at dawn.

WEDNESDAY (Mar. 7)...
We dumped tanks, took on half tank of fresh water and headed south for Hanna Park. We decided on the longer route via freeway. In fact we met up with our ol’ friend I-10 that took us into downtown Jacksonville at going-home time. Bad choice. Never again! Should have followed the directions the wagonmaster had emailed days before. (Seems like we’re learning a lot of lessons)!!

Finally, we found Hanna Park and whow… it’s like Sherwood Forest! See the pictures. We wound our way toward the back rows of RVs, where eventually some 22 Lazy Daze rigs would gather, coming from as far north as Vermont, Mass., and southward thru Florida.

WEDNESDAY night was prime-time Hamburgers by Bill and Dorothy and others, with a variety of junk food on the side table.

THURSDAY (Mar 8), and each morning, coffee and munchies were available from 8:00 am onward, at Don and Dorothy’s. They came in their van and towed trailer, because they’re ordering a new Lazy Daze, and wanted to check-out various things. They were great folks to host the mornings!

Thursday evening dinner was free time, with an ice cream social about 7:30 pm. While the afternoon had been pleasantly warm, the evening brought brisk chilly winds, whirling around our legs as we dutifully consumed gallon after gallon of Mayfield’s Ice Cream.

Then Joe Ellis introduced a dollie-covered roll of T.P. and began a naming contest for this inaminate object. Joe explained that he would hide it in someone's LD, and at the next Gathering, that couple would tell of their travels and funny happenings. Competition quickly broke out between two tables and some highly interesting names for this glorifed roll of T.P. were suggested... finally reaching a compromise on the ubiquitous moniquor of LDTP. Just how original could we be!

FRIDAY (Mar 8) - Bill Wockenfuss came to help me with our belligerent awning; it didn’t want to crank out. His experienced touch and technique, coupled with copious amounts of silicon spray (donated by Terry [Cholula Red] and voila… the awning now works. He and a few others showed us numerous “tricks of the trade” about our Lazy Daze. We learned tips we’d never heard of nor read… just one of the reasons we were glad to be here.

Friday evening was potluck dinner, with various couples bringing meat dishes, vegetables, salad and dessert. Again the chilly winds tried, but were unable to dim or dampen the fun time enjoyed by all.

After the tables we’re cleared, it was time for Helen’s Silent Auction. Mr. Auctioneer – Paul Woods- showed us all his hidden talent for bringing out the best in us all! After everyone had cast their 10 bids in the cups beside each item on the auction tables, Paul and Helen proceeded to draw the winning bid for each of the 23 items.

Now… here it get’s a little personal. The first name drawn was….. Jeannette Walker! She and I were totally shocked!! We never have won anything, anytime, anywhere! As if that wasn’t enough, the 2nd prize drawing from new slips brought the winner: Jeannette Walker! Somewhat to her chagrin, twice more her name was drawn, thus becoming the Queen of the Hanna Park SE LD Gathering SILENT AUCTION of March 2007!

There was a special item in the auction, a scale model British Spitfire airplane, molded from brass machine gun shells taken from various Spitfires, by a RAF pilot who was shot down on his 18th mission over Germany. Jeannette and I had bought this at a Rummage Sale in Oxford, in the late 70’s, from the pilot’s family member, who was saving money to visit America, rent a Winnebago and tour the USA for a month. Kathy Rawls was the Lucky Winner!

SATURDAY (Mar 10) morning – several campers headed toward the beach to watch the aircraft carrier JFK steam into port from Boston, to be decommissioned on March 23,2007.

Saturday evening was Pizza for everybody at the Clubhouse. Afterwards Jack and Dorothy, who have many years of experience, gave a most interesting overview of Florida State Parks. They ably answered scores of questions and passed out brochures and flyers.

SUNDAY (Mar 11)...
morning was our turn to provide morning munchies over at Don and Dorothy's campsite. I carried everything Jeannette had brought and said our goodbyes. We pulled out about 9am, after dumping tanks, and headed for First Baptist Church Callahan, FL, which has been a partner in the China OUTLINE Bible project for two years. So we wanted to worship with our friends.

This was also the morning that clocks “sprung ahead” 1 hour – 3 weeks early by congressional decree. Fortunately a good friend in Callahan called Saturday to alert us that the morning worship would be 11:15 “new time”, rather than the regular 10:15 am. Have to say that as we drove northwards, we began wondering if we had misunderstood Raymond on the phone. That would make church ending after 12 o’clock noon. And goodness knows, Baptists have to be out and to the restaurants, right?

Well, as we approached the church, sure enough the parking lot was full. However they found a place for our LD and we had a wonderful morning of worship. Afterwards, Brother Raymond took us to lunch, even offering us our choice, in this thriving metropolis of about 5,000 people! No Question – Our instant pick was CedarRiver Seafood…and the most delicious fresh scrimp imagineable!

After lunch, Raymond took us by his family’s Ace Hardware where Adam, his son-in-law, was working on a major computer system upgrade problem. Stephanie, his daugher and Adam’s wife were coming to help. Raymond kindly helped us with some needed tools and RV supplies, then took us back to our LD, where MIMI had been patiently waiting in the shade.

Our friends the Blackmons had invited us to visit before leaving town, so we headed out north to their place. Patick and the kids are installing a big deck area out back, with fountains and all kinds of good things. Christie and Brittany showed us their 7 little 2-week old puppies that had increased their canine count to 11, no less. And also in the backyard were two (2) burros (shades of Woody/Jean in Texas).

After hugs and pictures, we pointed our LD eastward toward the Atlantic coast… which eventfully ended in the parking lot of the Visitor’s Center – downtown ST. SIMONS ISLAND… about 75 yards from the beach and at the base of the famous lighthouse. Every state park and camp ground was full, as Biker’s Week in Daytona also ended today. I-95 was full of Harleys headed north, many of them in trailers or pickup beds.

This was our 2nd night of no hookup; i.e. dry camping. The silence was golden. We had driven around town, looking for a spot near the beach. But every site we found was posted NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING. And we didn’t feel like tempting fate! However this parking lot has no such Postings and no one said a word to us. So,,, if you wanna have an enjoyable time in St. Simons Island, 1 block from downtown, try the parking lot at the base of the lighthouse.

MONDAY (Mar 12)
Cars began arriving in the parking lot by 7am, however no one paid any attention to our tan LAZY DAZE neatly parked at the base of the lighthouse. I walked downtown and had a hearty breakfast at Dresser’s Café. While the place is small and the door is weather-beaten, the hospitality is warm, lots of locals present, and the food is fabulous. They fixed a cup of decaf for me to take back to Jeannette. Last night about 9 pm I had walked the length of Main street (3 blocks) and found a Dairy Queen, which provided a Blizzard to end the day; taking half of it back for Jeannette.

Jeannette had decided she was going to climb the 129 steps of the lighthouse, and wanted company. Actually it wasn't that bad, and the panoramic view was breathtaking in all directions. We learned this is the only working lighthouse on east coast that is painted pure white. Appartently each lighthouse was painted different color and pattern, for visual identification in the old sailing ship days.

Shortly after noontime, we crept slowly out of town (25 mph enforced), back to I-95, and headed for Savannah. As Jeannette began calling State Parks, they were all full. Reading the travel books, she came across TALL PINES RV park near Townsend, GA. A quick phone call got us a reservation and we arrived about an hour later. We had chosen a campsite with WiFi, as it had been more than a week since we could check email. However, our site was too far from the antenna; couldn't get a strong enough signal.

TUESDAY (Mar 13)
Savannah was today's destination, less than 2 hour drive @ 58 mph LD-speed. However as my eagle-eyed navigator was reading the brochures, she came across TYBEE ISLAND - the furthermost east you can go, before getting your feet wet in the Atlantic. After calling RV Shores Campground and getting a reservation, we toured this quaint, historic beach community, including a restful hour at the Atlantic beach, watching sea gulls and sea birds glidding effortlessly in the breeze...watching the water below for lunch.

Jeannette remembered that her hairdresser had come here often on vacation. So she calls him and asks for a dinner recomendation: THE HUNTER INN - by reservation only. So we arrived tonight for our 6:30 pm date. Jeannette had a scrumpuous lobster and scrimp dinner, while I ordered the Atlantic salmon. Both were gourmet exquisite and melt-in-your-mouth. We shared a piece of key lime pie to complete our date evening and drove back to #49 RV site.

The Florida Amateur Radio Club is holding their RV rally in this park this week. Several of the RV's have ham radio antennas pointing skyward. As I walked amongst them, it brought back memories of my 17 years using ham radio everywhere we lived in Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica. It had been our life-line many times to the outside world, plus keeping in touch with our families and friends via "phone patch" connections. Everywhere, I built cubical quad antennas from bamboo - and Jeannette planted rose bushes. We left them behind for those who came after us.

Jeannette is grumbling: What is this interference on the TV... messing up her favorite program THE CLOSER! Ah.... ham radio! Still causes TV inference, when those RF waves radiate outward without appropriate filters.

On a different note: tonight we prayed for our dear friend Dr. Chung, Chairman of AGI with whom we volunteer in the China project. Tomorrow, he flies to China with modified and updated digital files, for the first printing of 10,000 Chinese OUTLINE Bible volumes. It's been over a year since the official license to print was granted by the Chinese government. Barrier after barrier has been thrown in the way. However, at last, we're trusting the actual printing will begin soon.

Tomorrow - back to Savannah..and then westward... one day at a time.

2nd Lazy Daze Trip - Southbound!

SATURDAY.
Jeannette awoke this morning saying, "Let's drive into New Orleans and see the status." Didn’t take long and we found ourselves on the I-10 inbound, crossing over Lake Ponchatrain, with New Orleans on the horizon. Upon reaching the southern shore, we began seeing row after row of destroyed and damaged houses/buildings. Then it became entire neighborhoods and housing projects…mile after mile… until we entered downtown and drove around the SuperDome.

We were simply flabbergasted; not prepared for the impact of seeing thousands and thousands of homes damaged/destroyed, with abandoned streets…water-logged automobiles... looking like a movie set or ghost town. And not just the ninth ward... very nice middle class neighborhoods didn't escape Katrina's wrath.

As we drove out of town, heading for Mississippi, we both commented, almost simultaneously: “New Orleans will NEVER recover….NEVER be the same….EVER!

Soon it was behind us, we turned up I-59 for the final 500 miles to home. About 40 miles along, we suddenly saw hundreds and thousands of FEMA trailers parked in fields next to the freeway. Other motorists were slowing down to take pictures also.

Meridian, MS. After stopping at the Welcome Center to get RV camp site information, Jeannette read about a stage play tonight in Meridian’s Little Theater. Not finding any attractive state parks or RV sites along the way, we decided to head on to Meridian. I exited downtown to ask directions and eventually, about 5:30 pm, we found the Little Theater on the north side of town. Sure enough the British play was on the marquee, so we headed back to town, found an eating emporium and returned early to see if there were tickets.

“Yes, we have just 4 tickets left – your choice!” said Bunny, one of the matron volunteers. She was so helpful, that I asked the next question: “May we stay in your parking lot tonight?”

“Of course…no problem” was her reply. Now… that’s good southern Mississippi hospitality. After everyone had gone home, we parked the LAZY DAZE in the back corner, under a lamp post and settled in for our 1st night of dry camping – boondocking as some refer to it when you’re totally self-contained; no hookup to anything.

The LD’s coach batteries provided for all the lights and water and we snuggled down, as a terrific wind storm blew through in the early morning hours. (Next day we heard on the radio that tornados had struck about 50 miles away but no deaths).

SUNDAY Morning...
Our 15th day on the road since driving away from our son Mark’s in Redlands. We still had 2 days available to us, so we decided to look for a midway campsite. However as the miles rolled under the LD’s wheels, the draw of getting home became too much. At 6:20 pm, we pulled into 2313 Guinevere Pkwy, home-sweet-home.

We thank the Lord for incident-free 2,835 miles, consuming 293 gallons of gas, at prices ranging from $1.99 to highest $2.35/gal (average was $2.16/gal). The LD, though almost 11 yrs of age, proved more than adequate for the trip. Each day we were grateful for those first days and all the help from Linda/Earl and Kate/Terry; don't know how we would have made it without their friendly and helpful assistance.

We quickly opened the house and unloaded just what we needed for the evening. Next was sorting through the hugh pile of mail that Rhonda, our sister-in-law had kindly collected for us during our month away. Finally up the stairs and to our waiting bed.

But you know, next morning, we both said the bed didn’t feel as good as we thought it would. In fact, the LD beds were really pretty good after all.

“When do we leave next?” was Jeannette’s question over coffee the next morning.


Feb. 25 – March 6...was a blur of to-do lists, spend time with Dad, Jeannette cleaning out her mother's things, etc. etc.-- so we could leave for the SouthEast Lazy Daze Gathering at Hanna Park, Jacksonville, FL.

TUESDAY (Mar. 6). We had decided to leave by noon a day early and stay about half way, which became Perry, GA and LONE HARBOR RV park… about 300 yards west of I-75, but still plenty close enough to hear the big trucks!

There was time for some chores, so I washed the LD rig of the road grime from now almost 3,200 miles since leaving CA on Feb. 10th. Jeannette cleaned good inside, using a neat portable vacuum she found at Target. Believe it or Not: I hadn't cleaned the windshield even one time on the entire cross-country trip. Unbelievable. Granted it was spring and mostly the desert. However, perhaps the LD’s cab overhead, plus the bugsmasher above the grill actually did the job… who knows?

We learned another lesson last night: choose a camp site that isn’t on the entry road… cause duallys and cars come/go until the late hours, and crankup at dawn.

WEDNESDAY (Mar. 7)...
We dumped tanks, took on half tank of fresh water and headed south for Hanna Park. We decided on the longer route via freeway. In fact we met up with our ol’ friend I-10 that took us into downtown Jacksonville at going-home time. Bad choice. Never again! Should have followed the directions the wagonmaster had emailed days before. (Seems like we’re learning a lot of lessons)!!

Finally, we found Hanna Park and whow… it’s like Sherwood Forest! See the pictures. We wound our way toward the back rows of RVs, where eventually some 22 Lazy Daze rigs would gather, coming from as far north as Vermont, Mass., and southward thru Florida.

WEDNESDAY night was prime-time Hamburgers by Bill and Dorothy and others, with a variety of junk food on the side table.

THURSDAY (Mar 8), and each morning, coffee and munchies were available from 8:00 am onward, at Don and Dorothy’s. They came in their van and towed trailer, because they’re ordering a new Lazy Daze, and wanted to check-out various things. They were great folks to host the mornings!

Thursday evening dinner was free time, with an ice cream social about 7:30 pm. While the afternoon had been pleasantly warm, the evening brought brisk chilly winds, whirling around our legs as we dutifully consumed gallon after gallon of Mayfield’s Ice Cream.

Then Joe Ellis introduced a dollie-covered roll of T.P. and began a naming contest for this inaminate object. Joe explained that he would hide it in someone's LD, and at the next Gathering, that couple would tell of their travels and funny happenings. Competition quickly broke out between two tables and some highly interesting names for this glorifed roll of T.P. were suggested... finally reaching a compromise on the ubiquitous moniquor of LDTP. Just how original could we be!

FRIDAY (Mar 8) - Bill Wockenfuss came to help me with our belligerent awning; it didn’t want to crank out. His experienced touch and technique, coupled with copious amounts of silicon spray (donated by Terry [Cholula Red] and voila… the awning now works. He and a few others showed us numerous “tricks of the trade” about our Lazy Daze. We learned tips we’d never heard of nor read… just one of the reasons we were glad to be here.

Friday evening was potluck dinner, with various couples bringing meat dishes, vegetables, salad and dessert. Again the chilly winds tried, but were unable to dim or dampen the fun time enjoyed by all.

After the tables we’re cleared, it was time for Helen’s Silent Auction. Mr. Auctioneer – Paul Woods- showed us all his hidden talent for bringing out the best in us all! After everyone had cast their 10 bids in the cups beside each item on the auction tables, Paul and Helen proceeded to draw the winning bid for each of the 23 items.

Now… here it get’s a little personal. The first name drawn was….. Jeannette Walker! She and I were totally shocked!! We never have won anything, anytime, anywhere! As if that wasn’t enough, the 2nd prize drawing from new slips brought the winner: Jeannette Walker! Somewhat to her chagrin, twice more her name was drawn, thus becoming the Queen of the Hanna Park SE LD Gathering SILENT AUCTION of March 2007!

There was a special item in the auction, a scale model British Spitfire airplane, molded from brass machine gun shells taken from various Spitfires, by a RAF pilot who was shot down on his 18th mission over Germany. Jeannette and I had bought this at a Rummage Sale in Oxford, in the late 70’s, from the pilot’s family member, who was saving money to visit America, rent a Winnebago and tour the USA for a month. Kathy Rawls was the Lucky Winner!

SATURDAY (Mar 10) morning – several campers headed toward the beach to watch the aircraft carrier JFK steam into port from Boston, to be decommissioned on March 23,2007.

Saturday evening was Pizza for everybody at the Clubhouse. Afterwards Jack and Dorothy, who have many years of experience, gave a most interesting overview of Florida State Parks. They ably answered scores of questions and passed out brochures and flyers.

SUNDAY (Mar 11)...
morning was our turn to provide morning munchies over at Don and Dorothy's campsite. I carried everything Jeannette had brought and said our goodbyes. We pulled out about 9am, after dumping tanks, and headed for First Baptist Church Callahan, FL, which has been a partner in the China OUTLINE Bible project for two years. So we wanted to worship with our friends.

This was also the morning that clocks “sprung ahead” 1 hour – 3 weeks early by congressional decree. Fortunately a good friend in Callahan called Saturday to alert us that the morning worship would be 11:15 “new time”, rather than the regular 10:15 am. Have to say that as we drove northwards, we began wondering if we had misunderstood Raymond on the phone. That would make church ending after 12 o’clock noon. And goodness knows, Baptists have to be out and to the restaurants, right?

Well, as we approached the church, sure enough the parking lot was full. However they found a place for our LD and we had a wonderful morning of worship. Afterwards, Brother Raymond took us to lunch, even offering us our choice, in this thriving metropolis of about 5,000 people! No Question – Our instant pick was CedarRiver Seafood…and the most delicious fresh scrimp imagineable!

After lunch, Raymond took us by his family’s Ace Hardware where Adam, his son-in-law, was working on a major computer system upgrade problem. Stephanie, his daugher and Adam’s wife were coming to help. Raymond kindly helped us with some needed tools and RV supplies, then took us back to our LD, where MIMI had been patiently waiting in the shade.

Our friends the Blackmons had invited us to visit before leaving town, so we headed out north to their place. Patick and the kids are installing a big deck area out back, with fountains and all kinds of good things. Christie and Brittany showed us their 7 little 2-week old puppies that had increased their canine count to 11, no less. And also in the backyard were two (2) burros (shades of Woody/Jean in Texas).

After hugs and pictures, we pointed our LD eastward toward the Atlantic coast… which eventfully ended in the parking lot of the Visitor’s Center – downtown ST. SIMONS ISLAND… about 75 yards from the beach and at the base of the famous lighthouse. Every state park and camp ground was full, as Biker’s Week in Daytona also ended today. I-95 was full of Harleys headed north, many of them in trailers or pickup beds.

This was our 2nd night of no hookup; i.e. dry camping. The silence was golden. We had driven around town, looking for a spot near the beach. But every site we found was posted NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING. And we didn’t feel like tempting fate! However this parking lot has no such Postings and no one said a word to us. So,,, if you wanna have an enjoyable time in St. Simons Island, 1 block from downtown, try the parking lot at the base of the lighthouse.

MONDAY (Mar 12)
Cars began arriving in the parking lot by 7am, however no one paid any attention to our tan LAZY DAZE neatly parked at the base of the lighthouse. I walked downtown and had a hearty breakfast at Dresser’s Café. While the place is small and the door is weather-beaten, the hospitality is warm, lots of locals present, and the food is fabulous. They fixed a cup of decaf for me to take back to Jeannette. Last night about 9 pm I had walked the length of Main street (3 blocks) and found a Dairy Queen, which provided a Blizzard to end the day; taking half of it back for Jeannette.

Jeannette had decided she was going to climb the 129 steps of the lighthouse, and wanted company. Actually it wasn't that bad, and the panoramic view was breathtaking in all directions. We learned this is the only working lighthouse on east coast that is painted pure white. Appartently each lighthouse was painted different color and pattern, for visual identification in the old sailing ship days.

Shortly after noontime, we crept slowly out of town (25 mph enforced), back to I-95, and headed for Savannah. As Jeannette began calling State Parks, they were all full. Reading the travel books, she came across TALL PINES RV park near Townsend, GA. A quick phone call got us a reservation and we arrived about an hour later. We had chosen a campsite with WiFi, as it had been more than a week since we could check email. However, our site was too far from the antenna; couldn't get a strong enough signal.

TUESDAY (Mar 13)
Savannah was today's destination, less than 2 hour drive @ 58 mph LD-speed. However as my eagle-eyed navigator was reading the brochures, she came across TYBEE ISLAND - the furthermost east you can go, before getting your feet wet in the Atlantic. After calling RV Shores Campground and getting a reservation, we toured this quaint, historic beach community, including a restful hour at the Atlantic beach, watching sea gulls and sea birds glidding effortlessly in the breeze...watching the water below for lunch.

Jeannette remembered that her hairdresser had come here often on vacation. So she calls him and asks for a dinner recomendation: THE HUNTER INN - by reservation only. So we arrived tonight for our 6:30 pm date. Jeannette had a scrumpuous lobster and scrimp dinner, while I ordered the Atlantic salmon. Both were gourmet exquisite and melt-in-your-mouth. We shared a piece of key lime pie to complete our date evening and drove back to #49 RV site.

The Florida Amateur Radio Club is holding their RV rally in this park this week. Several of the RV's have ham radio antennas pointing skyward. As I walked amongst them, it brought back memories of my 17 years using ham radio everywhere we lived in Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica. It had been our life-line many times to the outside world, plus keeping in touch with our families and friends via "phone patch" connections. Everywhere, I built cubical quad antennas from bamboo - and Jeannette planted rose bushes. We left them behind for those who came after us.

Jeannette is grumbling: What is this interference on the TV... messing up her favorite program THE CLOSER! Ah.... ham radio! Still causes TV inference, when those RF waves radiate outward without appropriate filters.

On a different note: tonight we prayed for our dear friend Dr. Chung, Chairman of AGI with whom we volunteer in the China project. Tomorrow, he flies to China with modified and updated digital files, for the first printing of 10,000 Chinese OUTLINE Bible volumes. It's been over a year since the official license to print was granted by the Chinese government. Barrier after barrier has been thrown in the way. However, at last, we're trusting the actual printing will begin soon.

Tomorrow - back to Savannah..and then westward... one day at a time.

2nd Lazy Daze Trip - Southbound!

SATURDAY.
Jeannette awoke this morning saying, "Let's drive into New Orleans and see the status." Didn’t take long and we found ourselves on the I-10 inbound, crossing over Lake Ponchatrain, with New Orleans on the horizon. Upon reaching the southern shore, we began seeing row after row of destroyed and damaged houses/buildings. Then it became entire neighborhoods and housing projects…mile after mile… until we entered downtown and drove around the SuperDome.

We were simply flabbergasted; not prepared for the impact of seeing thousands and thousands of homes damaged/destroyed, with abandoned streets…water-logged automobiles... looking like a movie set or ghost town. And not just the ninth ward... very nice middle class neighborhoods didn't escape Katrina's wrath.

As we drove out of town, heading for Mississippi, we both commented, almost simultaneously: “New Orleans will NEVER recover….NEVER be the same….EVER!

Soon it was behind us, we turned up I-59 for the final 500 miles to home. About 40 miles along, we suddenly saw hundreds and thousands of FEMA trailers parked in fields next to the freeway. Other motorists were slowing down to take pictures also.

Meridian, MS. After stopping at the Welcome Center to get RV camp site information, Jeannette read about a stage play tonight in Meridian’s Little Theater. Not finding any attractive state parks or RV sites along the way, we decided to head on to Meridian. I exited downtown to ask directions and eventually, about 5:30 pm, we found the Little Theater on the north side of town. Sure enough the British play was on the marquee, so we headed back to town, found an eating emporium and returned early to see if there were tickets.

“Yes, we have just 4 tickets left – your choice!” said Bunny, one of the matron volunteers. She was so helpful, that I asked the next question: “May we stay in your parking lot tonight?”

“Of course…no problem” was her reply. Now… that’s good southern Mississippi hospitality. After everyone had gone home, we parked the LAZY DAZE in the back corner, under a lamp post and settled in for our 1st night of dry camping – boondocking as some refer to it when you’re totally self-contained; no hookup to anything.

The LD’s coach batteries provided for all the lights and water and we snuggled down, as a terrific wind storm blew through in the early morning hours. (Next day we heard on the radio that tornados had struck about 50 miles away but no deaths).

SUNDAY Morning...
Our 15th day on the road since driving away from our son Mark’s in Redlands. We still had 2 days available to us, so we decided to look for a midway campsite. However as the miles rolled under the LD’s wheels, the draw of getting home became too much. At 6:20 pm, we pulled into 2313 Guinevere Pkwy, home-sweet-home.

We thank the Lord for incident-free 2,835 miles, consuming 293 gallons of gas, at prices ranging from $1.99 to highest $2.35/gal (average was $2.16/gal). The LD, though almost 11 yrs of age, proved more than adequate for the trip. Each day we were grateful for those first days and all the help from Linda/Earl and Kate/Terry; don't know how we would have made it without their friendly and helpful assistance.

We quickly opened the house and unloaded just what we needed for the evening. Next was sorting through the hugh pile of mail that Rhonda, our sister-in-law had kindly collected for us during our month away. Finally up the stairs and to our waiting bed.

But you know, next morning, we both said the bed didn’t feel as good as we thought it would. In fact, the LD beds were really pretty good after all.

“When do we leave next?” was Jeannette’s question over coffee the next morning.


Feb. 25 – March 6...was a blur of to-do lists, spend time with Dad, Jeannette cleaning out her mother's things, etc. etc.-- so we could leave for the SouthEast Lazy Daze Gathering at Hanna Park, Jacksonville, FL.

TUESDAY (Mar. 6). We had decided to leave by noon a day early and stay about half way, which became Perry, GA and LONE HARBOR RV park… about 300 yards west of I-75, but still plenty close enough to hear the big trucks!

There was time for some chores, so I washed the LD rig of the road grime from now almost 3,200 miles since leaving CA on Feb. 10th. Jeannette cleaned good inside, using a neat portable vacuum she found at Target. Believe it or Not: I hadn't cleaned the windshield even one time on the entire cross-country trip. Unbelievable. Granted it was spring and mostly the desert. However, perhaps the LD’s cab overhead, plus the bugsmasher above the grill actually did the job… who knows?

We learned another lesson last night: choose a camp site that isn’t on the entry road… cause duallys and cars come/go until the late hours, and crankup at dawn.

WEDNESDAY (Mar. 7)...
We dumped tanks, took on half tank of fresh water and headed south for Hanna Park. We decided on the longer route via freeway. In fact we met up with our ol’ friend I-10 that took us into downtown Jacksonville at going-home time. Bad choice. Never again! Should have followed the directions the wagonmaster had emailed days before. (Seems like we’re learning a lot of lessons)!!

Finally, we found Hanna Park and whow… it’s like Sherwood Forest! See the pictures. We wound our way toward the back rows of RVs, where eventually some 22 Lazy Daze rigs would gather, coming from as far north as Vermont, Mass., and southward thru Florida.

WEDNESDAY night was prime-time Hamburgers by Bill and Dorothy and others, with a variety of junk food on the side table.

THURSDAY (Mar 8), and each morning, coffee and munchies were available from 8:00 am onward, at Don and Dorothy’s. They came in their van and towed trailer, because they’re ordering a new Lazy Daze, and wanted to check-out various things. They were great folks to host the mornings!

Thursday evening dinner was free time, with an ice cream social about 7:30 pm. While the afternoon had been pleasantly warm, the evening brought brisk chilly winds, whirling around our legs as we dutifully consumed gallon after gallon of Mayfield’s Ice Cream.

Then Joe Ellis introduced a dollie-covered roll of T.P. and began a naming contest for this inaminate object. Joe explained that he would hide it in someone's LD, and at the next Gathering, that couple would tell of their travels and funny happenings. Competition quickly broke out between two tables and some highly interesting names for this glorifed roll of T.P. were suggested... finally reaching a compromise on the ubiquitous moniquor of LDTP. Just how original could we be!

FRIDAY (Mar 8) - Bill Wockenfuss came to help me with our belligerent awning; it didn’t want to crank out. His experienced touch and technique, coupled with copious amounts of silicon spray (donated by Terry [Cholula Red] and voila… the awning now works. He and a few others showed us numerous “tricks of the trade” about our Lazy Daze. We learned tips we’d never heard of nor read… just one of the reasons we were glad to be here.

Friday evening was potluck dinner, with various couples bringing meat dishes, vegetables, salad and dessert. Again the chilly winds tried, but were unable to dim or dampen the fun time enjoyed by all.

After the tables we’re cleared, it was time for Helen’s Silent Auction. Mr. Auctioneer – Paul Woods- showed us all his hidden talent for bringing out the best in us all! After everyone had cast their 10 bids in the cups beside each item on the auction tables, Paul and Helen proceeded to draw the winning bid for each of the 23 items.

Now… here it get’s a little personal. The first name drawn was….. Jeannette Walker! She and I were totally shocked!! We never have won anything, anytime, anywhere! As if that wasn’t enough, the 2nd prize drawing from new slips brought the winner: Jeannette Walker! Somewhat to her chagrin, twice more her name was drawn, thus becoming the Queen of the Hanna Park SE LD Gathering SILENT AUCTION of March 2007!

There was a special item in the auction, a scale model British Spitfire airplane, molded from brass machine gun shells taken from various Spitfires, by a RAF pilot who was shot down on his 18th mission over Germany. Jeannette and I had bought this at a Rummage Sale in Oxford, in the late 70’s, from the pilot’s family member, who was saving money to visit America, rent a Winnebago and tour the USA for a month. Kathy Rawls was the Lucky Winner!

SATURDAY (Mar 10) morning – several campers headed toward the beach to watch the aircraft carrier JFK steam into port from Boston, to be decommissioned on March 23,2007.

Saturday evening was Pizza for everybody at the Clubhouse. Afterwards Jack and Dorothy, who have many years of experience, gave a most interesting overview of Florida State Parks. They ably answered scores of questions and passed out brochures and flyers.

SUNDAY (Mar 11)...
morning was our turn to provide morning munchies over at Don and Dorothy's campsite. I carried everything Jeannette had brought and said our goodbyes. We pulled out about 9am, after dumping tanks, and headed for First Baptist Church Callahan, FL, which has been a partner in the China OUTLINE Bible project for two years. So we wanted to worship with our friends.

This was also the morning that clocks “sprung ahead” 1 hour – 3 weeks early by congressional decree. Fortunately a good friend in Callahan called Saturday to alert us that the morning worship would be 11:15 “new time”, rather than the regular 10:15 am. Have to say that as we drove northwards, we began wondering if we had misunderstood Raymond on the phone. That would make church ending after 12 o’clock noon. And goodness knows, Baptists have to be out and to the restaurants, right?

Well, as we approached the church, sure enough the parking lot was full. However they found a place for our LD and we had a wonderful morning of worship. Afterwards, Brother Raymond took us to lunch, even offering us our choice, in this thriving metropolis of about 5,000 people! No Question – Our instant pick was CedarRiver Seafood…and the most delicious fresh scrimp imagineable!

After lunch, Raymond took us by his family’s Ace Hardware where Adam, his son-in-law, was working on a major computer system upgrade problem. Stephanie, his daugher and Adam’s wife were coming to help. Raymond kindly helped us with some needed tools and RV supplies, then took us back to our LD, where MIMI had been patiently waiting in the shade.

Our friends the Blackmons had invited us to visit before leaving town, so we headed out north to their place. Patick and the kids are installing a big deck area out back, with fountains and all kinds of good things. Christie and Brittany showed us their 7 little 2-week old puppies that had increased their canine count to 11, no less. And also in the backyard were two (2) burros (shades of Woody/Jean in Texas).

After hugs and pictures, we pointed our LD eastward toward the Atlantic coast… which eventfully ended in the parking lot of the Visitor’s Center – downtown ST. SIMONS ISLAND… about 75 yards from the beach and at the base of the famous lighthouse. Every state park and camp ground was full, as Biker’s Week in Daytona also ended today. I-95 was full of Harleys headed north, many of them in trailers or pickup beds.

This was our 2nd night of no hookup; i.e. dry camping. The silence was golden. We had driven around town, looking for a spot near the beach. But every site we found was posted NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING. And we didn’t feel like tempting fate! However this parking lot has no such Postings and no one said a word to us. So,,, if you wanna have an enjoyable time in St. Simons Island, 1 block from downtown, try the parking lot at the base of the lighthouse.

MONDAY (Mar 12)
Cars began arriving in the parking lot by 7am, however no one paid any attention to our tan LAZY DAZE neatly parked at the base of the lighthouse. I walked downtown and had a hearty breakfast at Dresser’s Café. While the place is small and the door is weather-beaten, the hospitality is warm, lots of locals present, and the food is fabulous. They fixed a cup of decaf for me to take back to Jeannette. Last night about 9 pm I had walked the length of Main street (3 blocks) and found a Dairy Queen, which provided a Blizzard to end the day; taking half of it back for Jeannette.

Jeannette had decided she was going to climb the 129 steps of the lighthouse, and wanted company. Actually it wasn't that bad, and the panoramic view was breathtaking in all directions. We learned this is the only working lighthouse on east coast that is painted pure white. Appartently each lighthouse was painted different color and pattern, for visual identification in the old sailing ship days.

Shortly after noontime, we crept slowly out of town (25 mph enforced), back to I-95, and headed for Savannah. As Jeannette began calling State Parks, they were all full. Reading the travel books, she came across TALL PINES RV park near Townsend, GA. A quick phone call got us a reservation and we arrived about an hour later. We had chosen a campsite with WiFi, as it had been more than a week since we could check email. However, our site was too far from the antenna; couldn't get a strong enough signal.

TUESDAY (Mar 13)
Savannah was today's destination, less than 2 hour drive @ 58 mph LD-speed. However as my eagle-eyed navigator was reading the brochures, she came across TYBEE ISLAND - the furthermost east you can go, before getting your feet wet in the Atlantic. After calling RV Shores Campground and getting a reservation, we toured this quaint, historic beach community, including a restful hour at the Atlantic beach, watching sea gulls and sea birds glidding effortlessly in the breeze...watching the water below for lunch.

Jeannette remembered that her hairdresser had come here often on vacation. So she calls him and asks for a dinner recomendation: THE HUNTER INN - by reservation only. So we arrived tonight for our 6:30 pm date. Jeannette had a scrumpuous lobster and scrimp dinner, while I ordered the Atlantic salmon. Both were gourmet exquisite and melt-in-your-mouth. We shared a piece of key lime pie to complete our date evening and drove back to #49 RV site.

The Florida Amateur Radio Club is holding their RV rally in this park this week. Several of the RV's have ham radio antennas pointing skyward. As I walked amongst them, it brought back memories of my 17 years using ham radio everywhere we lived in Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica. It had been our life-line many times to the outside world, plus keeping in touch with our families and friends via "phone patch" connections. Everywhere, I built cubical quad antennas from bamboo - and Jeannette planted rose bushes. We left them behind for those who came after us.

Jeannette is grumbling: What is this interference on the TV... messing up her favorite program THE CLOSER! Ah.... ham radio! Still causes TV inference, when those RF waves radiate outward without appropriate filters.

On a different note: tonight we prayed for our dear friend Dr. Chung, Chairman of AGI with whom we volunteer in the China project. Tomorrow, he flies to China with modified and updated digital files, for the first printing of 10,000 Chinese OUTLINE Bible volumes. It's been over a year since the official license to print was granted by the Chinese government. Barrier after barrier has been thrown in the way. However, at last, we're trusting the actual printing will begin soon.

Tomorrow - back to Savannah..and then westward... one day at a time.

2nd Lazy Daze Trip - Southbound!

SATURDAY.
Jeannette awoke this morning saying, "Let's drive into New Orleans and see the status." Didn’t take long and we found ourselves on the I-10 inbound, crossing over Lake Ponchatrain, with New Orleans on the horizon. Upon reaching the southern shore, we began seeing row after row of destroyed and damaged houses/buildings. Then it became entire neighborhoods and housing projects…mile after mile… until we entered downtown and drove around the SuperDome.

We were simply flabbergasted; not prepared for the impact of seeing thousands and thousands of homes damaged/destroyed, with abandoned streets…water-logged automobiles... looking like a movie set or ghost town. And not just the ninth ward... very nice middle class neighborhoods didn't escape Katrina's wrath.

As we drove out of town, heading for Mississippi, we both commented, almost simultaneously: “New Orleans will NEVER recover….NEVER be the same….EVER!

Soon it was behind us, we turned up I-59 for the final 500 miles to home. About 40 miles along, we suddenly saw hundreds and thousands of FEMA trailers parked in fields next to the freeway. Other motorists were slowing down to take pictures also.

Meridian, MS. After stopping at the Welcome Center to get RV camp site information, Jeannette read about a stage play tonight in Meridian’s Little Theater. Not finding any attractive state parks or RV sites along the way, we decided to head on to Meridian. I exited downtown to ask directions and eventually, about 5:30 pm, we found the Little Theater on the north side of town. Sure enough the British play was on the marquee, so we headed back to town, found an eating emporium and returned early to see if there were tickets.

“Yes, we have just 4 tickets left – your choice!” said Bunny, one of the matron volunteers. She was so helpful, that I asked the next question: “May we stay in your parking lot tonight?”

“Of course…no problem” was her reply. Now… that’s good southern Mississippi hospitality. After everyone had gone home, we parked the LAZY DAZE in the back corner, under a lamp post and settled in for our 1st night of dry camping – boondocking as some refer to it when you’re totally self-contained; no hookup to anything.

The LD’s coach batteries provided for all the lights and water and we snuggled down, as a terrific wind storm blew through in the early morning hours. (Next day we heard on the radio that tornados had struck about 50 miles away but no deaths).

SUNDAY Morning...
Our 15th day on the road since driving away from our son Mark’s in Redlands. We still had 2 days available to us, so we decided to look for a midway campsite. However as the miles rolled under the LD’s wheels, the draw of getting home became too much. At 6:20 pm, we pulled into 2313 Guinevere Pkwy, home-sweet-home.

We thank the Lord for incident-free 2,835 miles, consuming 293 gallons of gas, at prices ranging from $1.99 to highest $2.35/gal (average was $2.16/gal). The LD, though almost 11 yrs of age, proved more than adequate for the trip. Each day we were grateful for those first days and all the help from Linda/Earl and Kate/Terry; don't know how we would have made it without their friendly and helpful assistance.

We quickly opened the house and unloaded just what we needed for the evening. Next was sorting through the hugh pile of mail that Rhonda, our sister-in-law had kindly collected for us during our month away. Finally up the stairs and to our waiting bed.

But you know, next morning, we both said the bed didn’t feel as good as we thought it would. In fact, the LD beds were really pretty good after all.

“When do we leave next?” was Jeannette’s question over coffee the next morning.


Feb. 25 – March 6...was a blur of to-do lists, spend time with Dad, Jeannette cleaning out her mother's things, etc. etc.-- so we could leave for the SouthEast Lazy Daze Gathering at Hanna Park, Jacksonville, FL.

TUESDAY (Mar. 6). We had decided to leave by noon a day early and stay about half way, which became Perry, GA and LONE HARBOR RV park… about 300 yards west of I-75, but still plenty close enough to hear the big trucks!

There was time for some chores, so I washed the LD rig of the road grime from now almost 3,200 miles since leaving CA on Feb. 10th. Jeannette cleaned good inside, using a neat portable vacuum she found at Target. Believe it or Not: I hadn't cleaned the windshield even one time on the entire cross-country trip. Unbelievable. Granted it was spring and mostly the desert. However, perhaps the LD’s cab overhead, plus the bugsmasher above the grill actually did the job… who knows?

We learned another lesson last night: choose a camp site that isn’t on the entry road… cause duallys and cars come/go until the late hours, and crankup at dawn.

WEDNESDAY (Mar. 7)...
We dumped tanks, took on half tank of fresh water and headed south for Hanna Park. We decided on the longer route via freeway. In fact we met up with our ol’ friend I-10 that took us into downtown Jacksonville at going-home time. Bad choice. Never again! Should have followed the directions the wagonmaster had emailed days before. (Seems like we’re learning a lot of lessons)!!

Finally, we found Hanna Park and whow… it’s like Sherwood Forest! See the pictures. We wound our way toward the back rows of RVs, where eventually some 22 Lazy Daze rigs would gather, coming from as far north as Vermont, Mass., and southward thru Florida.

WEDNESDAY night was prime-time Hamburgers by Bill and Dorothy and others, with a variety of junk food on the side table.

THURSDAY (Mar 8), and each morning, coffee and munchies were available from 8:00 am onward, at Don and Dorothy’s. They came in their van and towed trailer, because they’re ordering a new Lazy Daze, and wanted to check-out various things. They were great folks to host the mornings!

Thursday evening dinner was free time, with an ice cream social about 7:30 pm. While the afternoon had been pleasantly warm, the evening brought brisk chilly winds, whirling around our legs as we dutifully consumed gallon after gallon of Mayfield’s Ice Cream.

Then Joe Ellis introduced a dollie-covered roll of T.P. and began a naming contest for this inaminate object. Joe explained that he would hide it in someone's LD, and at the next Gathering, that couple would tell of their travels and funny happenings. Competition quickly broke out between two tables and some highly interesting names for this glorifed roll of T.P. were suggested... finally reaching a compromise on the ubiquitous moniquor of LDTP. Just how original could we be!

FRIDAY (Mar 8) - Bill Wockenfuss came to help me with our belligerent awning; it didn’t want to crank out. His experienced touch and technique, coupled with copious amounts of silicon spray (donated by Terry [Cholula Red] and voila… the awning now works. He and a few others showed us numerous “tricks of the trade” about our Lazy Daze. We learned tips we’d never heard of nor read… just one of the reasons we were glad to be here.

Friday evening was potluck dinner, with various couples bringing meat dishes, vegetables, salad and dessert. Again the chilly winds tried, but were unable to dim or dampen the fun time enjoyed by all.

After the tables we’re cleared, it was time for Helen’s Silent Auction. Mr. Auctioneer – Paul Woods- showed us all his hidden talent for bringing out the best in us all! After everyone had cast their 10 bids in the cups beside each item on the auction tables, Paul and Helen proceeded to draw the winning bid for each of the 23 items.

Now… here it get’s a little personal. The first name drawn was….. Jeannette Walker! She and I were totally shocked!! We never have won anything, anytime, anywhere! As if that wasn’t enough, the 2nd prize drawing from new slips brought the winner: Jeannette Walker! Somewhat to her chagrin, twice more her name was drawn, thus becoming the Queen of the Hanna Park SE LD Gathering SILENT AUCTION of March 2007!

There was a special item in the auction, a scale model British Spitfire airplane, molded from brass machine gun shells taken from various Spitfires, by a RAF pilot who was shot down on his 18th mission over Germany. Jeannette and I had bought this at a Rummage Sale in Oxford, in the late 70’s, from the pilot’s family member, who was saving money to visit America, rent a Winnebago and tour the USA for a month. Kathy Rawls was the Lucky Winner!

SATURDAY (Mar 10) morning – several campers headed toward the beach to watch the aircraft carrier JFK steam into port from Boston, to be decommissioned on March 23,2007.

Saturday evening was Pizza for everybody at the Clubhouse. Afterwards Jack and Dorothy, who have many years of experience, gave a most interesting overview of Florida State Parks. They ably answered scores of questions and passed out brochures and flyers.

SUNDAY (Mar 11)...
morning was our turn to provide morning munchies over at Don and Dorothy's campsite. I carried everything Jeannette had brought and said our goodbyes. We pulled out about 9am, after dumping tanks, and headed for First Baptist Church Callahan, FL, which has been a partner in the China OUTLINE Bible project for two years. So we wanted to worship with our friends.

This was also the morning that clocks “sprung ahead” 1 hour – 3 weeks early by congressional decree. Fortunately a good friend in Callahan called Saturday to alert us that the morning worship would be 11:15 “new time”, rather than the regular 10:15 am. Have to say that as we drove northwards, we began wondering if we had misunderstood Raymond on the phone. That would make church ending after 12 o’clock noon. And goodness knows, Baptists have to be out and to the restaurants, right?

Well, as we approached the church, sure enough the parking lot was full. However they found a place for our LD and we had a wonderful morning of worship. Afterwards, Brother Raymond took us to lunch, even offering us our choice, in this thriving metropolis of about 5,000 people! No Question – Our instant pick was CedarRiver Seafood…and the most delicious fresh scrimp imagineable!

After lunch, Raymond took us by his family’s Ace Hardware where Adam, his son-in-law, was working on a major computer system upgrade problem. Stephanie, his daugher and Adam’s wife were coming to help. Raymond kindly helped us with some needed tools and RV supplies, then took us back to our LD, where MIMI had been patiently waiting in the shade.

Our friends the Blackmons had invited us to visit before leaving town, so we headed out north to their place. Patick and the kids are installing a big deck area out back, with fountains and all kinds of good things. Christie and Brittany showed us their 7 little 2-week old puppies that had increased their canine count to 11, no less. And also in the backyard were two (2) burros (shades of Woody/Jean in Texas).

After hugs and pictures, we pointed our LD eastward toward the Atlantic coast… which eventfully ended in the parking lot of the Visitor’s Center – downtown ST. SIMONS ISLAND… about 75 yards from the beach and at the base of the famous lighthouse. Every state park and camp ground was full, as Biker’s Week in Daytona also ended today. I-95 was full of Harleys headed north, many of them in trailers or pickup beds.

This was our 2nd night of no hookup; i.e. dry camping. The silence was golden. We had driven around town, looking for a spot near the beach. But every site we found was posted NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING. And we didn’t feel like tempting fate! However this parking lot has no such Postings and no one said a word to us. So,,, if you wanna have an enjoyable time in St. Simons Island, 1 block from downtown, try the parking lot at the base of the lighthouse.

MONDAY (Mar 12)
Cars began arriving in the parking lot by 7am, however no one paid any attention to our tan LAZY DAZE neatly parked at the base of the lighthouse. I walked downtown and had a hearty breakfast at Dresser’s Café. While the place is small and the door is weather-beaten, the hospitality is warm, lots of locals present, and the food is fabulous. They fixed a cup of decaf for me to take back to Jeannette. Last night about 9 pm I had walked the length of Main street (3 blocks) and found a Dairy Queen, which provided a Blizzard to end the day; taking half of it back for Jeannette.

Jeannette had decided she was going to climb the 129 steps of the lighthouse, and wanted company. Actually it wasn't that bad, and the panoramic view was breathtaking in all directions. We learned this is the only working lighthouse on east coast that is painted pure white. Appartently each lighthouse was painted different color and pattern, for visual identification in the old sailing ship days.

Shortly after noontime, we crept slowly out of town (25 mph enforced), back to I-95, and headed for Savannah. As Jeannette began calling State Parks, they were all full. Reading the travel books, she came across TALL PINES RV park near Townsend, GA. A quick phone call got us a reservation and we arrived about an hour later. We had chosen a campsite with WiFi, as it had been more than a week since we could check email. However, our site was too far from the antenna; couldn't get a strong enough signal.

TUESDAY (Mar 13)
Savannah was today's destination, less than 2 hour drive @ 58 mph LD-speed. However as my eagle-eyed navigator was reading the brochures, she came across TYBEE ISLAND - the furthermost east you can go, before getting your feet wet in the Atlantic. After calling RV Shores Campground and getting a reservation, we toured this quaint, historic beach community, including a restful hour at the Atlantic beach, watching sea gulls and sea birds glidding effortlessly in the breeze...watching the water below for lunch.

Jeannette remembered that her hairdresser had come here often on vacation. So she calls him and asks for a dinner recomendation: THE HUNTER INN - by reservation only. So we arrived tonight for our 6:30 pm date. Jeannette had a scrumpuous lobster and scrimp dinner, while I ordered the Atlantic salmon. Both were gourmet exquisite and melt-in-your-mouth. We shared a piece of key lime pie to complete our date evening and drove back to #49 RV site.

The Florida Amateur Radio Club is holding their RV rally in this park this week. Several of the RV's have ham radio antennas pointing skyward. As I walked amongst them, it brought back memories of my 17 years using ham radio everywhere we lived in Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica. It had been our life-line many times to the outside world, plus keeping in touch with our families and friends via "phone patch" connections. Everywhere, I built cubical quad antennas from bamboo - and Jeannette planted rose bushes. We left them behind for those who came after us.

Jeannette is grumbling: What is this interference on the TV... messing up her favorite program THE CLOSER! Ah.... ham radio! Still causes TV inference, when those RF waves radiate outward without appropriate filters.

On a different note: tonight we prayed for our dear friend Dr. Chung, Chairman of AGI with whom we volunteer in the China project. Tomorrow, he flies to China with modified and updated digital files, for the first printing of 10,000 Chinese OUTLINE Bible volumes. It's been over a year since the official license to print was granted by the Chinese government. Barrier after barrier has been thrown in the way. However, at last, we're trusting the actual printing will begin soon.

Tomorrow - back to Savannah..and then westward... one day at a time.

2nd Lazy Daze Trip - Southbound!

SATURDAY.
Jeannette awoke this morning saying, "Let's drive into New Orleans and see the status." Didn’t take long and we found ourselves on the I-10 inbound, crossing over Lake Ponchatrain, with New Orleans on the horizon. Upon reaching the southern shore, we began seeing row after row of destroyed and damaged houses/buildings. Then it became entire neighborhoods and housing projects…mile after mile… until we entered downtown and drove around the SuperDome.

We were simply flabbergasted; not prepared for the impact of seeing thousands and thousands of homes damaged/destroyed, with abandoned streets…water-logged automobiles... looking like a movie set or ghost town. And not just the ninth ward... very nice middle class neighborhoods didn't escape Katrina's wrath.

As we drove out of town, heading for Mississippi, we both commented, almost simultaneously: “New Orleans will NEVER recover….NEVER be the same….EVER!

Soon it was behind us, we turned up I-59 for the final 500 miles to home. About 40 miles along, we suddenly saw hundreds and thousands of FEMA trailers parked in fields next to the freeway. Other motorists were slowing down to take pictures also.

Meridian, MS. After stopping at the Welcome Center to get RV camp site information, Jeannette read about a stage play tonight in Meridian’s Little Theater. Not finding any attractive state parks or RV sites along the way, we decided to head on to Meridian. I exited downtown to ask directions and eventually, about 5:30 pm, we found the Little Theater on the north side of town. Sure enough the British play was on the marquee, so we headed back to town, found an eating emporium and returned early to see if there were tickets.

“Yes, we have just 4 tickets left – your choice!” said Bunny, one of the matron volunteers. She was so helpful, that I asked the next question: “May we stay in your parking lot tonight?”

“Of course…no problem” was her reply. Now… that’s good southern Mississippi hospitality. After everyone had gone home, we parked the LAZY DAZE in the back corner, under a lamp post and settled in for our 1st night of dry camping – boondocking as some refer to it when you’re totally self-contained; no hookup to anything.

The LD’s coach batteries provided for all the lights and water and we snuggled down, as a terrific wind storm blew through in the early morning hours. (Next day we heard on the radio that tornados had struck about 50 miles away but no deaths).

SUNDAY Morning...
Our 15th day on the road since driving away from our son Mark’s in Redlands. We still had 2 days available to us, so we decided to look for a midway campsite. However as the miles rolled under the LD’s wheels, the draw of getting home became too much. At 6:20 pm, we pulled into 2313 Guinevere Pkwy, home-sweet-home.

We thank the Lord for incident-free 2,835 miles, consuming 293 gallons of gas, at prices ranging from $1.99 to highest $2.35/gal (average was $2.16/gal). The LD, though almost 11 yrs of age, proved more than adequate for the trip. Each day we were grateful for those first days and all the help from Linda/Earl and Kate/Terry; don't know how we would have made it without their friendly and helpful assistance.

We quickly opened the house and unloaded just what we needed for the evening. Next was sorting through the hugh pile of mail that Rhonda, our sister-in-law had kindly collected for us during our month away. Finally up the stairs and to our waiting bed.

But you know, next morning, we both said the bed didn’t feel as good as we thought it would. In fact, the LD beds were really pretty good after all.

“When do we leave next?” was Jeannette’s question over coffee the next morning.


Feb. 25 – March 6...was a blur of to-do lists, spend time with Dad, Jeannette cleaning out her mother's things, etc. etc.-- so we could leave for the SouthEast Lazy Daze Gathering at Hanna Park, Jacksonville, FL.

TUESDAY (Mar. 6). We had decided to leave by noon a day early and stay about half way, which became Perry, GA and LONE HARBOR RV park… about 300 yards west of I-75, but still plenty close enough to hear the big trucks!

There was time for some chores, so I washed the LD rig of the road grime from now almost 3,200 miles since leaving CA on Feb. 10th. Jeannette cleaned good inside, using a neat portable vacuum she found at Target. Believe it or Not: I hadn't cleaned the windshield even one time on the entire cross-country trip. Unbelievable. Granted it was spring and mostly the desert. However, perhaps the LD’s cab overhead, plus the bugsmasher above the grill actually did the job… who knows?

We learned another lesson last night: choose a camp site that isn’t on the entry road… cause duallys and cars come/go until the late hours, and crankup at dawn.

WEDNESDAY (Mar. 7)...
We dumped tanks, took on half tank of fresh water and headed south for Hanna Park. We decided on the longer route via freeway. In fact we met up with our ol’ friend I-10 that took us into downtown Jacksonville at going-home time. Bad choice. Never again! Should have followed the directions the wagonmaster had emailed days before. (Seems like we’re learning a lot of lessons)!!

Finally, we found Hanna Park and whow… it’s like Sherwood Forest! See the pictures. We wound our way toward the back rows of RVs, where eventually some 22 Lazy Daze rigs would gather, coming from as far north as Vermont, Mass., and southward thru Florida.

WEDNESDAY night was prime-time Hamburgers by Bill and Dorothy and others, with a variety of junk food on the side table.

THURSDAY (Mar 8), and each morning, coffee and munchies were available from 8:00 am onward, at Don and Dorothy’s. They came in their van and towed trailer, because they’re ordering a new Lazy Daze, and wanted to check-out various things. They were great folks to host the mornings!

Thursday evening dinner was free time, with an ice cream social about 7:30 pm. While the afternoon had been pleasantly warm, the evening brought brisk chilly winds, whirling around our legs as we dutifully consumed gallon after gallon of Mayfield’s Ice Cream.

Then Joe Ellis introduced a dollie-covered roll of T.P. and began a naming contest for this inaminate object. Joe explained that he would hide it in someone's LD, and at the next Gathering, that couple would tell of their travels and funny happenings. Competition quickly broke out between two tables and some highly interesting names for this glorifed roll of T.P. were suggested... finally reaching a compromise on the ubiquitous moniquor of LDTP. Just how original could we be!

FRIDAY (Mar 8) - Bill Wockenfuss came to help me with our belligerent awning; it didn’t want to crank out. His experienced touch and technique, coupled with copious amounts of silicon spray (donated by Terry [Cholula Red] and voila… the awning now works. He and a few others showed us numerous “tricks of the trade” about our Lazy Daze. We learned tips we’d never heard of nor read… just one of the reasons we were glad to be here.

Friday evening was potluck dinner, with various couples bringing meat dishes, vegetables, salad and dessert. Again the chilly winds tried, but were unable to dim or dampen the fun time enjoyed by all.

After the tables we’re cleared, it was time for Helen’s Silent Auction. Mr. Auctioneer – Paul Woods- showed us all his hidden talent for bringing out the best in us all! After everyone had cast their 10 bids in the cups beside each item on the auction tables, Paul and Helen proceeded to draw the winning bid for each of the 23 items.

Now… here it get’s a little personal. The first name drawn was….. Jeannette Walker! She and I were totally shocked!! We never have won anything, anytime, anywhere! As if that wasn’t enough, the 2nd prize drawing from new slips brought the winner: Jeannette Walker! Somewhat to her chagrin, twice more her name was drawn, thus becoming the Queen of the Hanna Park SE LD Gathering SILENT AUCTION of March 2007!

There was a special item in the auction, a scale model British Spitfire airplane, molded from brass machine gun shells taken from various Spitfires, by a RAF pilot who was shot down on his 18th mission over Germany. Jeannette and I had bought this at a Rummage Sale in Oxford, in the late 70’s, from the pilot’s family member, who was saving money to visit America, rent a Winnebago and tour the USA for a month. Kathy Rawls was the Lucky Winner!

SATURDAY (Mar 10) morning – several campers headed toward the beach to watch the aircraft carrier JFK steam into port from Boston, to be decommissioned on March 23,2007.

Saturday evening was Pizza for everybody at the Clubhouse. Afterwards Jack and Dorothy, who have many years of experience, gave a most interesting overview of Florida State Parks. They ably answered scores of questions and passed out brochures and flyers.

SUNDAY (Mar 11)...
morning was our turn to provide morning munchies over at Don and Dorothy's campsite. I carried everything Jeannette had brought and said our goodbyes. We pulled out about 9am, after dumping tanks, and headed for First Baptist Church Callahan, FL, which has been a partner in the China OUTLINE Bible project for two years. So we wanted to worship with our friends.

This was also the morning that clocks “sprung ahead” 1 hour – 3 weeks early by congressional decree. Fortunately a good friend in Callahan called Saturday to alert us that the morning worship would be 11:15 “new time”, rather than the regular 10:15 am. Have to say that as we drove northwards, we began wondering if we had misunderstood Raymond on the phone. That would make church ending after 12 o’clock noon. And goodness knows, Baptists have to be out and to the restaurants, right?

Well, as we approached the church, sure enough the parking lot was full. However they found a place for our LD and we had a wonderful morning of worship. Afterwards, Brother Raymond took us to lunch, even offering us our choice, in this thriving metropolis of about 5,000 people! No Question – Our instant pick was CedarRiver Seafood…and the most delicious fresh scrimp imagineable!

After lunch, Raymond took us by his family’s Ace Hardware where Adam, his son-in-law, was working on a major computer system upgrade problem. Stephanie, his daugher and Adam’s wife were coming to help. Raymond kindly helped us with some needed tools and RV supplies, then took us back to our LD, where MIMI had been patiently waiting in the shade.

Our friends the Blackmons had invited us to visit before leaving town, so we headed out north to their place. Patick and the kids are installing a big deck area out back, with fountains and all kinds of good things. Christie and Brittany showed us their 7 little 2-week old puppies that had increased their canine count to 11, no less. And also in the backyard were two (2) burros (shades of Woody/Jean in Texas).

After hugs and pictures, we pointed our LD eastward toward the Atlantic coast… which eventfully ended in the parking lot of the Visitor’s Center – downtown St. Simon Island… about 75 yards from the beach and at the base of the famous lighthouse. Every state park and camp ground was full, as Biker’s Week in Daytona also ended today. I-95 was full of Harleys headed north, many of them in trailers or pickup beds.

This was our 2nd night of no hookup; i.e. dry camping. The silence was golden. We had driven around town, looking for a spot near the beach. But every site we found was posted NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING. And we didn’t feel like tempting fate! However this parking lot has no such Postings and no one said a word to us. So,,, if you wanna have an enjoyable time in St. Simon Island, 1 block from downtown, try the parking lot at the base of the lighthouse.

MONDAY (Mar 12)
Cars began arriving in the parking lot by 7am, however no one paid any attention to our tan LAZY DAZE neatly parked at the base of the lighthouse. I walked downtown and had a hearty breakfast at Dresser’s Café. While the place is small and the door is weather-beaten, the hospitality is warm, lots of locals present, and the food is fabulous. They fixed a cup of decaf for me to take back to Jeannette. Last night about 9 pm I had walked the length of Main street (3 blocks) and found a Dairy Queen, which provided a Blizzard to end the day; taking half of it back for Jeannette.

Jeannette had decided she wanted to climb the 129 steps of the lighthouse, and wanted company. Actually it wasn't that bad, and the panoramic view was breathtaking in all directions. We learned this is the only working lighthouse on east coast that is painted pure white. Appartently each lighthouse was painted different color and pattern, for visual identification in the old sailing ship days.

Shortly after noontime, we crept slowly out of town (25 mph rigorously enforced), back to I-95, and headed for Savannah. As Jeannette read the travel books, she came across Tall Pines RV park near Townsend, GA. A quick phone call got us a reservation, and we arrived about an hour later. We had chosen a campsite with WiFi, as it had been more than a week since we could check email. However, our site was too far from the antenna; couldn't get a strong enough signal.

TUESDAY (Mar 13)

Savannah was today's destination, less than 2 hour drive @ 58 mph LD-speed. However as my eagle-eyed navigator was reading the brochures, he came across TYBEE ISLAND - the furthermost east you can go. After calling RV Shores Campground and getting a reservation, we toured this quaint, historic beach community, including a restful hour at the Atlantic beach, watching sea gulls and sea birds glidding effortlessly in the breeze...watching the water below for lunch.

Jeannette remembered that her hairdresser had come here often on vacation. So she calls him and asks for a dinner recomendation: THE HUNTER INN - by reservation only. So we arrived tonight for our 6:30 pm dinner date. Jeannette had a scrumpuous lobster and scrimp dinner, while I ordered the Atlantic salmon. Both were gourmet exquisite and melt-in-your-mouth. We shared a piece of key lime pie to complete the evening and drove back to #49 RV site.

The Florida Amateur Radio Club is holding their RV rally in this park this week. Several of the RV's have ham radio antennas pointing skyward. As I walked amongst them, it brought back memories of my 17 years using ham radio everywhere we lived in Mexico, Colombia, and Costa Rica. It had been our life-line many times to the outside world, plus keeping in touch with our families and friends via "phone patch" connections. Everywhere, I built cubical quad antennas from bamboo - and Jeannette planted rose bushes. We left them behind for those who came after us.

Jeannette is grumbling: What is this interference on the TV... messing up her favorite program THE CLOSER! Ah.... ham radio! Still causes TV inference, when those RF waves radiate outward and upward.

On a different note: tonight we prayed for our dear friend Dr. Chung, Chairman of AGI with whom we volunteer in the China project. Tomorrow, he flies to China with modified and updated digital files, for the first printing of 10,000 Chinese OUTLINE Bible volumes. It's been over a year since the official license to print was granted by the Chinese government. Barrier after barrier has been thrown in the way. However, at last, we're trusting the actual printing will begin soon.

Tomorrow - back to Savannah..and then westward... one day at a time.

Where Did This Week Go?

Saturday -
Our 3 days at ROCKHOUND SP with Kate and Terry exceeded any and all expectations. Several times after Kate had done another "show & tell" of LD modification or enhancement, I would remark I felt like a fire hose was turned on me!! How in the world to absorb so much! Fortunately, her website http://www.cholulared.com has extensive pictures and documentation.


Last night, we decided to drive into Deming for our last dinner together. After squeezing all four into their Geo Tracker, we we were off like a herd of turtles to town. Suddenly Kate reaches under the driver's seat, pulls out and plops on the dash their Garmin Street Pilot. She clicks a few times and selects ADOBE DELI that was already programed. When we came to the main road, it had us turning AWAY from town, out into the blackness of a dark desert night.

After a few minutes Lady Garmin instructed us to turn right on a road we couldn't see. But sure enough, there it was and we slowly but surely turned south. Soon we saw lights ahead, twinkling against the black darkness. Finally there was this ramshack of a building, with 3 big dogs sniffing at everyone entering through the back patio.

Sure enough, inside was this western restaurant with lots of ambiance...but no tables. The waitress asked, "You have reservations?" RESERVATIONS .... for this place out in the middle of nowhere! Yep. Sorry. So we kinda looked at one another dumbly and while discussing our alternatives (none), the waitress re-appeared with good news - a couple had volunteered to give up their table and eat at the bar in the back. NOW...that's real New Mexico hospitality. The speciality of the house was 10 oz western rib eye...and friends, I'll tell you... it was fantastic...cut it with my fork....though Jeannette's piece had a little more fat than she bargained for.


We drove home sassy and satisfied after a most interesting experience.

This morning we left "paradise" behind and continued eastbound, stopping for gas in El Paso ($2.29/GAL), taking the loop around athe city and arrived at PARKVIEW RV Park in Ft. Stockton, TX for the evening hookup. This place is about a mile south of "town" (and I use that term guardedly) and has all the look/feel of being a set right out of movie: American Graffitti. You would think it's been there forever...and no paint in the past 40 years or so. That night the northwest wind blew cold and the Lazy Daze heater clicked on often during the long night.

SUNDAY.
After a quick breakfast of dry cereal and fruit, we joined I-10 to roll some 375 miles through the endless hills of West Texas. Near Sonora, much to our surpise, we came into view of huge windmills generating electricity... just like the ones near Palm Springs. However there were hundreds and hundreds, all on the north side of I-10, sitting on top of flat mesa mountains and every one of them whirling. This contuined for about 35-40 miles no less.

We stopped for gas in Sonora ($2.09/gal) and were treated to see some working cowboys filling up their steeds (dual wheely with horse tailer); these guys looked just like the Marlboro Man, down to their spurs!

About 5 pm, we reached Boerne, west of San Antonio and our friends Stan/Wilma Williams. We had been in same church and Sunday School class for last several years. Last August they moved to be near their son Paul and his family, and have a lovely new home; we parked on the street in front and ran our long chord to their front porch electrical outlet.

MONDAY.
For first time, we left the surety of I-10 and took Hwy 46 toward Austin. The picturesque drive took us by ranch after ranch, most had fancy rock/steel tube gates and entrance, with big American and Texas flags flyintg in the strong southwest wind. As we reached New Braunfels, our LD clicked over 3,000 miles so we found a Penzoil for oil change and to get Texas Safety Inspection, since our rig still has Texas tags. 35 minutes and $68 later, we were underway. This included new airfilters, the inspection paperwork...and the oil/filter.

About 3:30 pm we arrived in Austin at the offices of WORDsearch Bible Software. Randy and Mike have been good friends for over 10 years, having done all the software for the OUTLINE Bible materials we were publishing. They ran the umbilical cord out their shipping door, and we dry camped in their parking lot. Randy's wife Eilene joined us for dinner at Austin's THREADGILLS (http://www.threadgills.com) country restaurant for a sumptuous dinner and lots of fellowship.

TUESDAY.
We're now into our 10th day of RVing in a LAZE DAZE. Things are beginning to feel comfortable and fall into place. The odometer shows 1,484 miles since leaving Redlands, CA. Our 10 yr old rig is performing like a champ, far easier to drive than I had imagined.

From Austin, we back-tracked to Evergreen RV in San Marcos for butane. During 10 days and 10 nights with the heater on, we had consumed 5.4 gals of propane ($14.28) which seemed reasonable. Pulling out of their lot, we headed southeast toward CUERO, Dewitt County seat, and our longtime friends WOODY & JEAN BLACKBURN. We had first met in late 1961; Woody worked in a camera store in Fullerton, CA and helped us with camera and film before the birth of our first child in January 1963 and then our departure in February, flying a MAF Cessna to southern Mexico.

Eight years ago, after Woody had undergone multiple bypass surgery from 3 heart attacks... and God had miracleously spared his life, they sold out, packed up, and moved to Cuero and began a new life...buying 10 acres, buildiing a house/barn, and beginning a burro breeding ranch. YES, you read right, B U R R O. You should see the 4 four-legged brown bundles roaming around their 8 acres.

WEDNESDAY.
Thus far we had avoided all the big cities; now that all ended as we headed to Houston, and the worst traffic we have encountered thus far. Mile after mile of I-10 was just like I-10 between Ontario and San Bernardino in CA. Darkness overtook us about half hour before reaching our dear friends DOC & BETTY WILSON in Dayton, TX. We have known them since 1965 when made contact via ham radio while we were living in Xocempich, Yucatan and flying the MAF Cessna. Doc & Betty visited us there, and a few years later in San Cristobal Las Casas, Chiapas. Doc is a recognized amateur expert on Maya/Lacandon life, archeology and anthropology. His exploits have been written about and published by the University of Texas, including exploring an ancient Mayan ruin I discovered from the air in 1964. His personal library is more extensive than most universities on the Maya.

We spent hours recounting and reliving our shared experiences over the past 41 years, recalling both funny as well as hair-raising times together.

THURSDAY.
We hugged goodbye, with tear-soaked eyes, and drove eastbound on Hwy 90 then 770 to Hull, TX, where BERT & GAIL SHIVERS live. Bert flew as MAF pilot in Chiapas, then they returned to the oil fields of East Texas to raise their son Gil and daughter Penny, both now married and with a total of 7 children.

Like with the Wilsons, we shared years of pictures and experiences until late hours, and again this morning. Gail prepared Texas sausage and biscuits for us, before she left to teach her 8th grade class nearby.

I walked along the the 1,900 ft. grass airstrip behind their house, where years ago, Bert let me fly his ultralight and his Boeing Sterman biplane. His succinct words of wisdom before taking off in the ultralight were:
• This is 3rd engine in this ultralight; the others have failed before 4 hours of life. This engine now has 4.6 hrs, so
suggested I stay within gliding distance of the grass strip, should #3 fail as they others had.
• When landing the ultralight, with my bottom almost dragging the ground, do NOT to put my feet down to
stop, since there were no brakes. He assured me that would guarantee a broken leg..and maybe more!
• He advised that everyone else he had ever let fly the Stearman had ground looped it. He urged me to "break the string"
and bring it back with all the paint still intact. Fortunately, he got his wish.

FRIDAY.
After Gail's breakfast, we hugged, said our so-longs, and headed east on Hwy 90 for Beaumont, where we once again joined our faithful friend I-10 eastbound - now across the Cajun State of LA. There was more rough and bumpy highway today than we've had thus far. Our LD moaned and groaned at the potholes and cracks; however everything seems to have held together.

Jeannette searched through mutliple brochures, seeking a quiet site for tonight. . . and she found LAND OF PINES Family Campground, north of Covington, LA. And here we are, stopping early today.

I'm able to catch up via TengoInternet; our first experience with this fast-spreading network in RV parks and campsites. $4 gets 24 hours and they have various packages up to an annual for about $225.00. Of course Kate, Andy, and all those with sat. dishes have their internet 24/7 off their dishes, for about $70-$80/month, plus cost of equipment - ANYHWHERE they are!

Nighttime has fallen over about 45 RV and camping trailers. With the coach door open, but screen closed to any early mosquitos, there isn't a single man-made sound to be heard.... except the soundtrack to THE NOTEBOOK dvd that Jeannette is watching in the back bedroom! Our toy miniature poodle MIMI is curled beside her, sound asleep. Life in good in a Lazy Daze!

Our email INBOX had several emails from SE Lazy Daze members, with final plans for the Gathering March 7-10 at Hannah Park, near Jacksonsville, FL. We'll have a week at home full of business, then we'll load and head south to join some 20 plus other Lazy Dazers coming from far and wide.

All is at rest...and tomorrow we say goodbye to our faithful I-10 concrete ribbon, and take I-59 for the final leg to Chattanooga.