Sweet home......

Cullman, Alabama

We left Branson on Saturday, July 8.   Our intent was to stay there until July 10 but we did all we wanted to do and all us of were anxious to get to Alabama.   We left around 8 am with the intention of taking two days to get to Cullman.   However, we were past Memphis between 2 and 3 pm.  As there was less than 200 miles to home, why not?   So on we drove.

We arrived in Cullman about 7:30..... still light out.   Oh my, the lawn.   It had been raining almost continuously since we left for this trip two months ago.  Son Lennie and DIL Lois came a couple of times to cut the grass between rain showers.  There are sections of the property that were bush-hogged earlier in the year.  With all the rain, no lawn mower can get through it now.   The weeds and grass in the future pond area is as high as when we moved in.

On Sunday, Lennie and Lois came to the house, with Lennie helping Len by weed whacking.  And we've mowed twice in the week we've been home.  It is getting a third mowing as I write this.

Now we see more of what is growing on the property.

The grand-daughters have had a few day trips with Aunt Lois .... one day to a water park and another day to the library.   It gave these exhausted grandparents a short rest.  Thank you Lois.

Did we rest?   Well not really..  We worked each day removing EVERY THING from our Open Range Fifth wheel.   This rig is 15 months old.  So far two spring hangers have broken, causing damage to tires, a crack formed in the fiberglass under the bedroom slide.  It's been fixed twice.  It's split again.  The batteries to the residential fridge/freezer will not hold a charge.  It's been worked on 3 times, at three different dealers.  The overhead track on the shower door lost the screws, causing the doors to be inoperable, the heater has been worked on twice (we think that issue is solved,,,but do we really know as it's in the 90s out) and now the flooring in the kitchen and into the living area is soft and sinks when walked upon.  The area is getting larger almost daily.  Obviously flooring is rotted.  We've talked to both the local Open Range dealer and the manufacturer Highland Ridge in Indiana.  Arrangements are being made for Highland Ridge to pick it up and take to Indiana for repairs.  Fine.... make the repairs.  We don't want this rig anymore.  Fix it and we will sell it.

The yard is now looking good.   Still there are things that need to get done.  But so peaceful having morning coffee on the front porch and watching the darkness gather at night while listening to the tree frogs and crickets.

Until next time......

Branson days

Turkey Creek RV Park
Hollister,  MO

We left Nebraska Tailwaters COE park on July 2 and drove to White Cloud Casino in White Cloud, KS.   This is a small Iowa Tribe casino with 6 RV sites.   Here we had full hook up 50 amp service at $5.00 a night.   This is our 2nd stay at this casino.  We were here back in 2012 for 5 nights.  However, this was a one night stay.   We went into the casino and ate at their small buffet.  We came out smelling putrid.  Those of us not used to the smell of cigarettes do notice!  All clothes went immediately into the washer.  All 4 of us took showers.  All heads washed.  Ah,  we smell better.

On July 3 we arrived at Turkey Creek, an Escapees Park.  Normal charge is $101.00 a week for members plus tax.  However, we wanted 50 amp so add on $2.00 a night.  Also the fee is for 3 people. So another $1.00 a night.  Still, Escapees membership is well worth the $39.95 a year.  Rained most this day.

July 4.... Fireworks.  After another day of rain.  Earlier in the day there was a Pot Luck dinner in the club house.  The girls enjoyed the variety.  Especially the Little Smokies wrapped in bacon.  Could not get enough.   At dusk, campers here pull their chairs up to one area of the campground for great viewing.  Lucky us, right outside our door.

Those sitting there for the view are our Granddaughters and a friend they met at the park.

On July 5 we went to the afternoon show of a group of 5 young men called Forever Young.  All sorts of music and dance as they told their stories of being friends in HS, going their separate ways and re-connecting years later to now do what they love .... perform.

July 6......The highlight of the day was Charlotte and Abby meeting Debbie and Gordy.  Last year when Len and I were here in Branson to attend the NOMADS annual meeting we went to a Tribute to George Strait show starring Debbie and Gordy.  We purchased two sets of CDs.  The girls fell in love with one disc and kept it and played it over and over and over and over.  So.... as a treat.... they met Gordy and Debbie.

This is a dinner show.  How cool!   Our assigned seating was right in front on the stage.

Abby meeting  Gordy

They know several of the songs this couple sing.   Two were in the act...... I Want a Cowboy and You're Looking at Country.   I think Debbie was impressed that these two sang right along with her.  I know all the people surrounding our table sure were.

BTW, now the girls have their own set of CDs.

That brings us to today, July 7.   We did the Duck Ride.

First around Branson  on land, then into Lake Taneycomo.

Each had a turn "captaining" the boat

An older Duck Tour Boat, no longer in service.

From there we went to a fish hatchery.  Feeding the fish.

By this time it was lunch...  So BAR B Q it was.  Then back to the campground and remaining inside with the temps outside 96.   Tomorrow we head back to Alabama, with an overnight stop to be determined, somewhere mid way.

Until next time

South Dakota ... Revisited

Nebraska Tailwaters COE
Crofton, NE

So..... how many of these landmarks do you recognize?

Lots to do.....   As their motto says.      Great Places...Great Faces.

Until next time.