High Point, NC

World's largest set of Chester-drawers

Tent site along the lake at Oak Hollow Family Campground

After a full day's travel, we made it to Oak Hollow Family Campground in High Point, NC.  It's a beautiful, first come, first served campground when the "Market" isn't happening.  Don't know for sure what the "Market" is, but it packs out High Point, NC for a couple of weeks.  We know from experience - we hit it last year!  Anyway, about a half dozen rigs where here when we pulled in.  In about two hours, that count probably doubled.  Definitely not a packed campground this year.

View of the lake from the marina

We're here to visit Craig & Donna Craven before moving on to Fredericksburg, VA on Monday.  I know the two Donna's have a full weekend planned.  Hopefully, some of that includes eating out!

Later, David

Stone Mounttain State Park

Serenity Park

Our campsite

We're back at Stone Mountain, Ga visiting Donna's brother and sister-in-law plus we've sneaked in a visit with Tom & Greer.  Everyone is as well as can be expected.  Turns out this week is not only warm, but prime pollen time for the area.  Take a walk and your shoe soles are green.  Tire treads are green.  Truck & trailer are green.  We haven't rolled the awning out in hopes of minimizing the pollen  

View of the lake from our campsite

sticking to the fabric.

True to my character, I've already created a scene in the campground.  We took a walk along the lake shore and found that someone left their fire still going in the campsite's fire ring.  We walked back to the trailer and got a bucket, then put about six to eight gallons of water on it.  Wasn't sure it was truly out, so we called the local, non-emergency number to let the park know that there's was an issue

Tent sites along the lake.

with an unattended campfire that while out, we weren't sure it was truly safe.  Next thing we know the fire department has arrived with lights and horns just a blaring.  They go the campsite and do a true professional job of breaking up the campfire.  Once that's done, they take the opportunity to ensure they have all the right keys and test all the gates within the campground.  This also let's them "tour" the campground ensuring all the kids get to see the fire engine.  Hopefully, a good time was had by all, and the firefighters didn't miss too much of "March Madness".  We sure felt safer after they took care of the campfire!

For those of you who may visit this campground with a larger RV, you'll want one of the premium campsites.  We've seen some wicked leveling required for the motorhome/travel trailer full hook-up sites during our walks around the campground.

Later, David

Birmingham

Walking Iris

Desert Rose

Well, all worked well on the 8th, and we've had a great time visiting Dad & Anna.  Hopefully, we didn't ruin our welcome!  We also spent a great evening with Randy and Harolda on Saturday.  The picture, above, is of Dad & Anna's Walking Iris.  Apparently the bloom only last a day.  So we got lucky and got a picture of it before it dropped off.

Tomorrow - if everything continues to work - we're off to Stone Mountain, Ga to visit Doug & Louise.  We'll be parked at Stone Mountain State Park - one of my favorite parks.  We suppose to have a premium site overlooking the lake.  We're looking forward to that.  And, hopefully, we'll blow most of the pollen off the truck and trailer on the way there!

Later, David

Last Day at Gulf Shores

Windy day at Gulf Shores

It's been a blast -  we now think of it as home - but it's time to head north.  If the hydraulics work in the morning, we'll be on our way to Pelham, AL for a week to visit Dad & Anna.  We haven't moved any hydraulics since arriving here.  So we're keep our fingers crossed when Donna hits the slide buttons tomorrow!

We've enjoyed eating out with all the folks who passed by this way.  Greg & Judy and Don & Zola were routine dining friends that provided a lot of laughs plus a lot of good insight.  As a guy who grew up in Alabama, it's just interesting that we got all our local info from folks who are from Michigan.  I guess that's how the Michibama T-shirt got started!  Speaking of eating, we somehow stayed within the dining-out budget but blew the grocery budget.  As Greg is quick to point out, we shoulda ate out more!  But based on my new, expanded waistline, I don't think so!

We'll also miss the local "liars" club - the members of our little cul-de-sac who were excellent hosts for us newbies to the Gulf State Park.  They were gracious & tolerant of all my rants about cheap water hoses and all those aggravating little water leaks that drive me nuts - just like electronics.  Marilyn & Tom, we really appreciate you sharing Oliver with us and letting us get our dog fix.  Maybe I'll be able to throw the ball better for Oliver next time!

So that's it for this season.  Hopefully, we're back to aggravate everyone the winter of 2014.

Later, David

Visitors & Commemorative Air Force

B-29 Liberator FiFi

Marti & Terry arrived safe and sound Wednesday, and they're all having a good time.  Weather is cooperating and Donna & Marti are quickly whipping Terry into shape bicycling.  Too bad they have to leave so soon.

We took a Saturday visit with Judy & Greg to meet their daughter-in-law and see FiFi - the B-29.  Several more planes were there including the P-51 "The Brat III".  For those who read  

P-51 Mustang "The Brat III"

some of the more obscure aviation news, yes, this was the P-51 that experienced a landing gear issue Sunday.  Fortunately, that got resolved and all landed safe and sound.  Didn't learn a lot about the bi-planes, but they were neat, too.  More pictures are on my facebook page.

Well, we're on our last week here this season at Gulf Shores.  Somewhat sad, but it's gettin' time to leave.  Senior & snowbird discounts are over!

Current plans are to visit Bill & Debra this weekend, then head to Birmingham, AL Thursday.  We're there for a week, then over to Stone Mountain, GA for a week or so.  From there it's off to High Point, NC for a weekend and back in Fredericksburg on March 27th.  At least that's the plan until I break something.  Later, David

Weekly Update

Another somewhat rainy and warm week at the gulf.  Mardi Gras is over, so things around here are somewhat back to normal.  Got in a couple of meals at LA BBQ & The Steamer with Greg & Judy, Chuck & Chris, and Don & Zola.  Plus we (I) survived the Verizon LTE (4G) network meltdown on Wednesday.  Still need to find Wolfe Bay Lodge.  Guys in the circle say it's great for lunch.  Next week is the last week for the snowbird meal discounts, so gotta go out there and get 'em before they're gone.

Lotsa fun coming up this next week.  Marti and Terry are due down here for a visit Wednesday.  And if all goes as planned, we'll get over to Bill & Debra's for the weekend.

Food for thought:  If the media had kept their mouth shut, would gas and diesel prices have gone up?


Later, David  

Weekly Update

Geez - another week flies by.  Three weeks and we begin our trek back to Virginia for a visit plus our annual trips to the doctors.  Stops at Birmingham, AL; Stone Mountain, GA; and High Point, NC are planned along the way.  (This is your "fair" warning.)

Donna almost made it to Ft Morgan from the campground by bicycle.  Round trip, we estimated she made a trip length of almost 36 miles.  For me, I completed my CFI refresher course in New Orleans.  Good for another two years, there. Otherwise, after a cold weekend it was just a rainy, warm week down here...and fun playing with a neighbor's new puppy.

So that's it for this week.  Later, David

Apparently, our buddy's been moved.  Haven't see it in two weeks.