DAY 7: SATURDAY , OCTOBER 31, 2020 LEAVING JAX FOR OCEAN BEACH RV RESORT IN JENSON BEACH

It is Halloween. We still have a bag of candy left from last night just in case we get a few Trick or Treaters at the next park! Our grandkids have great costumes.

Leo even looks like he has been underwater! great flippers! Our little unicorn is precious!

Aaaargh! Pieces of eight, please!

At 7:00, I worked out virtually  in Ali's class. Thanks , all!

At 9:00 am we left Flamingo Lake for Jenson Beach. 

I spent time reading Linda's texts about The Google Classroom. At times this is frustrating.

Working with high school kids virtually is snything but a piece of cake! 

The day was cloudy but warmer yesterday. I hope to run when we get to Jenson Beach. This morning it was too dark at 7 am.

I saw a  few cute cartoons I had to share:

Isn't this true???

Kids wont like this!


Sweet pups: French Fries! Lol!

Well, this is my second attempt to blog today. So, all I wrote was lost. This is now going to be a lot shorter' It is late and I am not happy 😆 with blogger'

-I had a great time at the fitness center here

- super photos from Sharon and Steph

-John picked us up for dinner 🥘 at Cathie and Jared.'s tonight.

What a great night catching up after months away from each other. We miss them in Bristol.

TODD TRICK OR TREATING WITH THE KIDS


READY SET SHOOT. HERE COMES THE CANDY

TWO CUTIES HAVING FUN



GLAD TO SEE LINDA AND CARL ARE SAFELY HOME

TOO CUTE TO BE A PIRATE

FRIENDS HAVING FUN.

SEEMS LIKE EVERYONE HAD A SAFE HALLOWEEN 🎃 

DAY 6: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020: LAY DAY IN JACKSONVILLE

An early morning run got my day started.Next, I did a 426 virtual class with Dawn. This circiit training helps hit every body part 3 times with a variety of exercises, all in 50 minutes.

We passed on breakfast today other than coffee and a banana because we knew we would be having an early  lunch with Joanne and Don.  

 We texted with John for burgers on Saturdsy night. I need to contact Cathie and Jared to invite them too. 

Chief Borges asked for a photo of Retired Chief Perrotto. I have to remember to do that today.

Another great day in Paradise. At 11:05 Don and Joanne arrived. We chatted in the Rv for a while before walking to Flamingo Outdoor Cafe by the Lake.

Lunch was delightful by the lake. The conversation and company was so relaxing! 

WHAT A FUN CREW!

OUR DINING VIEW OF THE LAKE


THE PEDAL SWANS LOOK LIKE A GREAT RIDE

Of course, we are connected to home. This is what it looks like there:

SHARON, THANKS FOR SHARING! MAKES US HAPPY WE ARE HERE

PAUL AND SHARON ARE ENJOYING THEIR TRIP SOUTH. SUNSET IN NORFOLK

CHRIS PREPARING FOR THIS : TEAM STEPHANIE AND CHRIS RACING THIS WEEKEND: GO TEAM

We cant wait to hear how you did. Paul and Sharon, how the winds die down for you to depart. A 3 Cupcake Wind

is a lot of wind!

GERI SENT THIS FROM MARATHON. THIS ON SHORE BUOY IS THE ENTRANCE TO THIS AMAZING KEY.

I called Cath and Jared. We will meet with them at their new home with John for burgers in Paradise. Group is still together, just a different venue!

We are looking forward to it. 

Connecting on Facebook with Kev and Shirlry, Katl and Linda...kept us smiling as RI has its first snowfall. We all missed this by a mere few days! 

Tonight in the resort, Trick or Treating will be from 6pm-7pm. We bought lots of Peanut Butter cups. We knew they wouldnot go to waste if they werent given out to costumed chikdren.   Weare ready for them:

A GHOSTLY PIRATE AWAITS AT THE DOOR

HAPPY EARLY HALLOWEEN 

 Many little ones came by Trick or Treating. They are so cute. My favorite was the Cat in The Hat costume. Nothing beats the Isle of Hope in Savannah Halloween Celebrations. The streets are closed. Police are there to protect the kids. Every house is decorated. I wonder if this year is the same?

Time to prepare for tomorrow's departure to Ocean Breeze in Jenson Beach, Fl. 

DAY 5: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020: LAY DAY AT FLAMINGO LAKE RV RESORT

I was up at 6:30 to go for a much needed run. This park is perfect for a run with its beautiful lake and treed lots. 

As I ran I thought about Muriel and the texts messages we sent back and forth yesterday. Her little GIPHY IMAGES are adorable! I smile just thinking about them. She is a special, caring 9 year old!

Grandpa and Grandma could be her Pirate Parents. Our clothing matches!!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, MURIEL!

Happy Anniversary, Todd and Em!

I love these photos! We were happy to be  able to wish them a ver Happy 9th Anniversary. We wish them a great day and a year filled with love, peace, and many wonderful experiences. XOXO

Em sent us one of Leo's first writings. He is in K and ready and excited about learning.

He is actually writing and not using a Chromebook! Yeah, It is a story about Pumpkin  picking with his family! Love the illusrations! 

It is 6:50 pm as I sit to work on the blog. I do it because somedsy I will want to remember all we did, places we went, and people we met and connected with. I almost guilty when I don't right. Silly, I know but that is just the way it is. 

Okay, where did our day go, what did we do?  After a run and shower, we  headed to Green Cove Springs to take care of our Florida licenses, check on our Absentee Voting Ballots, request the title of our Holiday Rambler Navigator, and find out info about Tom's license to carry permit. We did this all within 45 minutes. That is incredible! In RI this could have taken weeks. Florida prides itself on completing tasks such as these quickly and accurately. We didn't need a reservation. We walked in , after stating our business with the security guard, and were seen immediately. No waiting. No lines. No nonsense. 

It was only 10:30. Of course, there are always errands to do: CVS, Dollar Tree, and a few groceries, namely, bananas. Yet, we managed to lose the day. It was 4:00 before we knew it. We chatted with Todd and Em. Texts were exchanged with Steph, Sharon, Michael, and Joan. I finally was able to talk to Shirley in Annapolis. It has been weeks, We were worried about her not answering her phone but this time she did. We feel badly that she doesn't feel well.

Joanne and Don are visiting us tomorrow. We have not seen them since February.  Because of health ; they won't be returning to Long Key. 

Dinner was "whatever leftovers are in the frig" omellette.

LEFT OVERS OMELLETTE. ADD AN ENGLISH MUFFIN= DINNER

After reading a while, I felt like moving again. I tried the 426 Fitness new website where we can do a class that was recorded within 3 days of being held. I did Ali's Total Body Workout. Tomorrow, i think I will do Dawn's circuit. I'm loving these classes. 

This is a great book by Vanessa Lillie who lives in Providence. it is keeping me on the edge of my seat.

I have a few craft projects I want to get done but they will wait until another  day .

Time to say Good Night.  I see an early run in my morning. 

DAY 4 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2020: DEPARTED HOME STAY CAMPGROUND, ORANGEBURG, SC FOR FLAMINGO RV RESORT, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA

At 5:45 am , I was up to do Sherry's  Cardio Barre class. Athough the class was done live ladt Monday, I was able to access it from 426. Super workout! 

By 7:50 we were on the road to Jacksonville. The air was humid and the temperature 72 degrees. 

Last night I took a photo of the pool at Home Stay. One day we will actually use that pool!

IN THE SHADE OF A CANOPY AND LIT WITH BLUE LIGHTS


JUDY AND ME AT ONE OF OUR LAST RACES TOGETHER. 

WE EACH CAME IN FIRST FOR OUR AGE GROUP.  WILL WE EVER BE ABLE TO GRACE AGAIN?

I am registered for the Annual Key West 5K \ Half Marathon in January 2021. I don't  know how that one can be held 5,000 plus people from all over the country run in that one. Whew!

At 12:02 pm , we arrived at Flamingo Lake RV Resort in Jacksonville, Fl. We traveled about 4 hours and about  240+ miles.. It is wonderful to arrive early. 

FLAMINGO LAKE: SO BEAUTIFUL


SOME DAY WHEN WE ARE HERE, THE FLAMINGO BOATS WILL BE ABLE TO BE USED

It feels good to be settled in here where we will spend a few days. We will be taking a ride to Green Cove Springs where we have to check on our Florida licenses. On Friday we will see Joanne and Don. we are looking forward to that visit. We were hoping to see Carl and Linda also, but we found out today that last Friday their RV was rearended and totaled. We are so happy they were not hurt. Photos were awful. Impact was incredible. 

Today we chatted with Michelle and hope Muriel feels better. Miss them all already. 

Michael called to say he had been to our house. Our neighbors texted to say there was a van in our driveway. All good, it was our insect company. 

Our neighbors are the best!

We connected with Stephanie who has settled into her Fl home,  and Sharon who is traveling south by boat. Keeping in touch is great. 

We look forward to seeing them all.

Today we made reservations for the Indy 500. Hopefully, hopefully, we will be able to go, snd the race is actually held. We will be csmped side by side with Steph and Chris. It is truly something to look forward to. 

After dinner we took a walk around the entire park. We saw many interesting Halloween decorations. 

WE TGINK THIS GUY HAS BEEN ROWING HIS BOAT TOO LONG.

The walk felt good after a long day of sitting. A run was not posdible with a temp of 80 humid degrees. I will try in the morning.

That is all for today!

Big day tomorrow: Emily and Todd's 9 th Wedding Anniversary!!! 

DAY 3: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2020: TODAY WE LEAVE MAYBERRY CAMPGROUND IN MOUNT AIRY , NC AND HEAD TO ORANGEBURG, SC HOMESTAY RV PA

Today I did my first 426 Zoom class with Ali at 6:00 am. Judy and Jane were in the class. I am so happy to be able to work out with them from a distance. The class was great. Kristen said the class will be stored on the 426 site for 3 days so I can do it again.  This is a wonderful addition to 426 because now I don't  have to put my membership on hold, I can see everyone, and , of course, work out with my groups. 

THE MAYBERRY CAMPGROUND HAS A GREAT PLAYGROUND AND BEAUTIFUL SITES

At 9:00 am , as we listened to WPRO and Tara Granahan , we departed Mayberry Campground for Orangeburg, SC Homestead RV Campground. Listening to home makes me feel closer to family and friends. Works for me but I think Tom gets a bit sick of hearing it all. 

ON THE ROAD AT 9:00 am ENJOYING THE FOLLIAGE

BEHIND A HUGE LOG TRUCK

After 5 hours of driving 241.4 miles, we reached our destination : HomeStay RV Park in Orangeburg, SC.  Hope was here to meet us and directed us to a lot beside her home so we could plug in. These people are incredible and will do anything to make a stay possible. 

OUR HOME FOR TONIGHT.

THE GROVE



THE FISHING POND FOR CATCH AND RELEASE

THE GRATEFUL DISH FROM JUDY HAS MOVED FROM HOLDING A PUMPKIN BREAD TO BECOMING A FRUIT DISH

LOOKS GREAT ON THE TABLE

MA T HAD THESE GREAT PHOTOS OF NANC IN HER WALLET.

THANKS TO SISTER SUSAN FOR SHARING THEM.WE HAD GREAT TIMES TOGETHER. 


THE BELLO' S SENT US THIS PHOTO OF OUR SITE IN OUTDOOR RESORTS, LONG KEY.

RODMEY SAID IT IS READY FOR US. WE SHOULD BE THERE NEXT WEEK.

FROM SHARON: LIBERTY LANDING, NYC


CHRIS WASHING BIG BLUE IN SARASOTA

FROM SHARON: 

6 am at World Trade Center. 

Lots of Trump signs on boats. 

Paul saw a whale. They saw lots of dolphins too!  🛥

What a beautiful dawn photo of New York from the Liberty Landing area. I look at it with awe. Thanks for sending it, Sharon. Love the fact that you saw a whale and dolphins!!

We are so happy to be connected by text until we are all in Florida together. Everyone is doing fine. 

Today we also connected with Geri, Joan, my sisters, Michelle, Chan,  and Michael. This keeps us sane. People have to agree to disagree and accept what we can not change and change what we can.  We do our best to be the best we can but it is all we can do. 

Great to get here early and have time for a run! Feeling great!

DAY 2: MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2020 : DEPARTING FROM HERSHEY, PA TO HEAD TO MOUNT AIRY, NC: HOME OF ANDY FROM MAYBERRY

At 5 am, the alarm sounded. At 6:15 am, we were on the road to Mount Airy, NC. The weather was damp, dreary, and blah! The temperature was 48 degrees. I really would love to run outside. The drive was without issue. We like those CFDs : Crisis Free Days. By 8 am we were in West Virginia. 

Ugh, spoke too soon. The tire alarm started blasting. The tire we had repaired on our last visit to Hershey showed to be blank on the screen. What?? Then Tom told me he never put  the new tire pressure gauge on! Why, I asked? I just didn't. Then why did I buy it? Later, I guess!

THE HAPPY CAMPER

By 8:23, we were in Virginia. That was a fast state to pass through on Route 81. Traffic was fair, but not horrible.

By 10 am, I texted with Jane, Judy, and Jane, Geri, Sharon, and Stephanie. We chatted with Michael. I did some Christmas shopping and had the boxes sent to RI. well, it is a good start. 

We passed Gettysburg. Last year spent 3 days here learning about the Battle of Gettysburg and tbe historical sites by private tour. I am so glad we did it last year!  

BATTLEFIELDS OF GETTYSBURG



Rick continues to send us funny cartoons . Love these! Ha!!

LOL THANKS, RICK AND CAROLYN

Today we traveled 346.3 miles today from Hershey, PA to Mount Airy, SC, otherwise known as Mayberry, lol! We arrived at 1:45 pm to a beautiful day at 70 degrees and little humidity. It was a perfect day for an outside run. I needed to run after sitting for many hours two days in a row. 

I do have some photos to share from today:

WE SAW BEAUTIFUL GREEN COUNTRYSIDE AND MOUNTAINS AS WE TRAVELED THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

BEAUTIFUL FALL COLORS

LOVELY


THEN WE HIT THE VALLEY:

SOCKED IN WITH GROUND CLOUDS: FOG

I LITERALLY  THOUGHT WE WERE ON THE ICW RATHER THAN ROUTE 81.

NO, NO WINE. I TIPPED THE PHONE


WELL LAID OUT MAYBERRY CAMPGROUND

HERE IS THE FIRE PIT

Today we had a bit of sadness. Ma T, the mom of my best friend growing up, Nancie (since grade 5), passed away. She lived an amazing life. She had an infectious laugh and a memorable smile.  She is now with Pa T and Nancie in heaven. Nancie passed away when we turned 60. We made so many memories together.  Before she moved to Maine where Susan took care of her, I would visit Ma T often. We would share Portuguese sweetbread, which she loved.  We had moments of laughing  and crying as we talked about Nanc and me growing up together. We didn't give her all her gray hairs, her other 4 kids helped. 

      REST IN PEACE, MA T 

STAY STRONG



A BEAUTIFUL REMINDER THAT LIFE IS TOO SHORT