Lorraine’s in California, Chuck’s in Tennessee

 

Sunday, April 11, 2010                                                                                                          Lorraine’s report

Hello, from the cooler bay area, Sunnyvale, CA. I arrived here on Wednesday evening, leaving Nashville, TN around 1:45 pm. Upon arriving in San Diego, we had to disembark the plane, leave the secured departure area, to go through the whole terminal, through the check in area and security again, to go to my other departure gate. The entire flight out from Nashville to San Diego was sold out-not a single seat left. The plane from SD to Oakland was three seats shy of a full plane.

This past week was busy for me. I am not one to wait to pack my bags the last minute. I started pulling stuff out last week, cleaning as I went, to get to the stuff I wanted to take. We were still in Tunica, MS last Sunday.

We spent a nice day Easter Sunday, with me working in the coach. I cooked a ham dinner for us, and on Saturday evening, I dyed a dozen eggs for us, since it wouldn’t be Easter for me without dyed eggs. The day was nice and sunny, with temperatures in the 70’s to 80’s.

Chuck had decided we should stay an extra day in Tunica, since we would have had to find a spot for Monday night, and we were in a really nice park, Sam’s RV Park there in Tunica. Chuck took me over to the outlet mall there for a few last minute gifts. We then checked out the machines at Harrah’s Casino, with not much luck.

Tuesday we headed out to Hohenwald, TN, which is about 45-50 minutes out of Nashville, to a Thousand Trails RV Park. That day was our first 90 degree plus day for over a year. Since we had only 30 amp, water, and sewer, we could only run one air conditioner. Chuck had to put on shorts; his 1^st time for the year!

Wednesday we drove about 90 minutes to Nashville, then I flew 4.5 hours on the first leg of my flight; followed by a 45-50 flight into Oakland. Waiting at the baggage claim area was my very excited, granddaughter, Kaitlyn and her mommy, Susy. It was all Susy could do to keep Kaitlyn from crossing the red line to run to meet me.

Since then, I have spent most of my time with Kaitlyn and Susy. I watch Kaitlyn from around 8:15 am to 6:30 pm or so. We play, read, do art work, eat, rest, and just enjoy each others company. She has been sleeping in bed with me each night, and when she wakes, we start all over again.

Saturday was her 5^th birthday party with her friends from school at Pump It Up, a bouncy house place. She had a blast, as did her class mates; and the parents enjoyed meeting each other.

That has been my week. I would like to wish Brad, Brian and Gilbert, Chuck’s brothers a very happy birthday. Til next time……Lorraine

4/11/10                                                                                                                                  Chuck’s report

We made the decision to stay in Tunica one more day, have to stay somewhere and this place was pretty nice.  Most people were only staying for a day or two, on their way home and just stopping for a quick rest. 

Tuesday we drove from Tunica to Hohenwald.  We had a good travel day, weather was nice, sunny and warm.  Actually the roads were pretty good, we stayed off the interstate and traveled the “blue” roads (that’s their color on the map) and state highways.  I need to get a picture of the underpass getting into this place but it says “11’ clearance”, we are 13’4” high!  Luckily there is a small dirt bypass alongside that is supposed to be 13’6” so we took it and made it ok.  Didn’t even hit the antennas on top so I think it might be a little bit more clearance than that. 

We drove through Hohenwald on the here, its bigger than I thought, not big enough for a Wal-Mart or such but more than I saw last time.  Looked it up on the web and Hohenwald is German for “Large Forest” or something like that.  We are just over an hour SW of Nashville so if I needed anything, it isn’t that far away.  But Lorraine left me in pretty good shape, don’t think I need to go into town for anything until she gets back.

Wednesday morning we drove into Nashville to the airport.  I dropped Lorraine off for her trip to California to be with our grand daughter for her birthday.  Lorraine is e-mailing me her report for this blog, she will probably talk about her trip but I do know she made it ok although it was a long day for her. 

That night we had another lightening, thunder and rain storm.  This one started about 2:00 AM and lasted just under an hour.  I don’t know when the rain quit as I went back to sleep.  But since then and for this week’s forecast, its sunny, clear and warm.  Each day is forecast to be a few degrees warmer than the last, getting up to mid 80s by Friday.  Yea,spring is here.  I’m glad it gets back down to the high 30s, low 40s at night however, makes for better sleeping temperatures.

I’m here in this 1000 Trails park with not much to do.  There are over 400 sites here, maybe 50 rigs are here, mostly snowbirds heading home.  The park is very secluded, quiet and far from anything.  The stars are bright at night however, lots of birds and squirrels.  I heard a tornado went through here two years ago, caused lots of damage and blew down lots of trees.  They have cleared up the damage and logged many trees, really opened the area from what it was last time we were here. 

There is a lake on site, I see people fishing in the early hours but haven’t tried it myself yet.  Guess you don’t need a license as it’s on private property, that’s a good thing. 

I have spent some time working on and cleaning the rig.  I’ve been toying with the idea of waxing the coach but think I will hold off for a few more weeks due to the painting we had done at while in Red Bay.  Besides. I’m sore enough just washing the thing; being old, fat and out of shape is probably the real reason I don’t plan on waxing it, ha.

This upcoming week should be more of the same.  Lorraine is going to fly back on the 18th so I’ve got one more week to amuse myself here before she gets back. 

Besides Kaitlyn having her birthday on the 15th, I also have three brothers who are having birthdays this week.  Gilbert’s is also on the 15th, Brian and Brad have theirs on the 17th.  Happy Birthday to all of you. 

After Lorraine gets back, I’m thinking we may make a quick trip back to Red Bay.  I would have liked to go back this week while she is in California but the repair guy we need is not there this week, bummer.  We are going to replace our satellite antenna, the one we have now doesn’t support Hi-Def TV and that seems to be wave of the future so if we are going to change, it makes sense to do now while we are here.  We haven’t had too many problems with our current set up, hope the new one works as well or better. 

Our plans for the remainder of that week are still up in the air.  I haven’t talked with Lorraine about it yet so guess we will just ‘wing’ it as usual. 

No pictures to add this week.  Lorraine took a few on the drive over but I can’t find them.  She also took the camera with her so I can’t take any around here either.   Oh well, just imagine lots of oak trees starting to leaf out, green grass starting to thicken up and a nice lake.  Spring is here and I’m enjoying it!

Thanks   Chuck