NATIONAL AVIATION MUSEUM

April 26, 2013
We went to a beach access early (7:00 A.M.). Ron walked on the beach and I watched!  Too windy and cold for me! We watched some kayak and paddleboard guides teach some men how to kayak fish in the water. Very interesting! Then we broke camp and drove to Pensacola, FL. We went to the National Aviation Museum in Pensacola. Very enjoyable afternoon. The campground for tonight is one that we found using an app on the iPhone.  The campground is Citronelle Lakeside RV Park in Citronelle, AL. The Park Ranger Pete is 89 years old and patrols and takes care of the park himself. Beautiful lake site 12 but the water smells like fish and there are large mosquitoes and lots of them!

We spent the afternoon in the Aviation Museum. Also, they had lots of displays that showed the culture, activities, and objects from each period of history.

This object was displayed in the kitchen. Can you help us identify the object and explain its purpose?

A SHRIMP SUNSET

April 24-25, 2013
Topsail Hill State Park, Florida, Site 8. We had to move to another campground as we could only get one night at Grayton Beach. We did have full hook-up including cable and internet. However, we had to ride a tram to the beach and the tram ran to-and-from the beach on the hour. So once you were at the beach you had to wait an hour before returning to the campground. After arriving at the beach tram stop you still had to walk a short distance to get to the actual beach. We sought shade but still got lots of sun!

At the campground, our next door campers were from Texas. They were driving a large RV and pulling a jeep. We enjoyed visiting with this couple.  Since it was inconvenient going to this beach from the campground we drove and parked at some beach accesses and walked on the beaches. Thursday night we drove to Seaside, Florida, walked in the town and visited the shops. (Seaside is a planned community and is the town featured in the movie "The Truman Show").

We ate at the The Shrimp Shack in their pavilion on the beach. 

The sunset was beautiful!

THE BUBBLE LADY

April 23, 2013
Grayton Beach State Park, Florida. Site 55. This was a nice and clean campground. We did have electricity, water, and sewer connections but no cable or internet. The site was near the bath house and laundry. However, it was not a very private site as people walked behind and/or beside our camper to get to the bath house! We enjoyed this campground as we could drive to the beach. The beach was beautiful! The sand was very white and fine looking almost like sugar and flour!

On Tuesday afternoon we walked on the beach and I took my bubbles and wand. I enjoy seeing the bubbles blow along the beach.

While we were watching the bubbles we met a young family with twin girls who were about 4 years old. They were from Tuscaloosa, AL. Ron and I played bubbles with he girls while the parents loaded the car with their stuff from the beach. The girls started referring to me as "The Bubble Lady". We saw them later at the campground and also on Wednesday morning at the beach. Every time we saw them the girls gave us hugs and said, "There's the Bubble Lady"! Great family fun.

MEMORIES

April 21-22, 2013
We stayed at Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Pine Mountain, GA, at site 206 (good site).  While in the campground, we met Roy and his wife from Columbia, SC. Good campground with very nice bath houses. We ate breakfast at the Country Store near Callaway Gardens where we had eaten 37 years ago while on our honeymoon! 

Later we visited Callaway Gardens—highlights were Butterfly Center, Memorial Chapel, Horticultural Center, and Azalea Bowl.

Large butterfly on tree trunk

Flowers along sidewalk

Chapel

Azalea Bowl

Later in the afternoon, we visited Dowdell’s Knob where a FDR Sculpture is located.  Dowdell’s Knob was special to FDR. He would ride to the top of the mountain in his open-air car where many of his family and friends would follow him. FDR’s car seat was removable and the men would remove the seat from his car. Then he would enjoy a picnic with everyone. He even had a brick grill built at the top of the mountain. It is said that FDR was so spoiled that he had his household staff bring silverware, silver serving pieces, crystal, china, and fine linens to the picnic. The sculpture is FDR seated and looking toward Warm Springs which is where his Little White House is located. While in the campground, we met Roy and his wife from Columbia, SC. 

Marker

We are discussing the books which have been written about him.

Looking toward Warm Springs, GA, and the Little White House



Just thinking

On this trip we traveled through Rome, GA, where Ron's great-great grandfather's cabin has been moved to the Visitors Center. It is hard to think that 9 people lived in this one-room cabin. When you have the opportunity to visit places like this then it gives you a greater appreciation of family history and family stories.

Boswell Cabin Sign

A family of nine members lived in this one-room cabin.



WE HAVE A WINNER!

April 18-20, 2013

We began our 2013 camping experiences to Tremont Outdoor Resort Campground in Townsend, TN, where we participated in an Eggshell Rally. At the campground, sites A28, A30, and A32 are good sites. 

We met friends Barry and Susie from Oak Ridge who have purchased a Lil’ Snoozy. We met new friends Chuck and Linda from GA. Barry and Susie provided all of us with a campfire with s’mores on Thursday night and all the campers participated in potluck meals followed by music each night. There was a variety of weather for the weekend as it was hot on Thursday night and we woke up to rain on Friday morning. Later on Friday night it turned cold. Ron visited college friends in Maryville, TN. Additional new friends include Sandra and Bruce who have renovated a UHaul trailer. We took several drives that included touring Cades Cove and did a a short hike.

We attended the Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival at the Townsend Visitor Center. Ron won a large handmade basket filled with various yarns, threads, kits, and clothing items.