Seminole State Park -- What Again?

Yes, we just returned from four nights at Seminole State Park in Georgia.  I tried to count how many times we've been there; it's been seven times in the past year.  Every time is different in some way and they have all been good.

This week the weather was perfect for camping.  It was cool and the sun was shining.  There were a number of sites available right on the lake.  This time we chose site #2.  Usually we stay farther down, but this was a pull through site and hard to resist.

After it was too late to change sites, Bubba noticed a rotten limb above our awning.  He was worried about it falling and tearing up the awning so we did not put the awning out or hang our lights -- maybe next time.

Yep, it's rotten!

With the slide fixed on our new trailer, it felt like we were camping in a mansion.  You don't realize how much space you really have until you don't have it and have to ease through a narrow opening to get to your bed.

The view is always awesome.

Bubba took his kayak and enjoyed paddling around while I sat outside and read.  We walked some, but my foot is still bothering me.  (I have a doctor's appointment Monday.)  I really miss being able to exercise on the treadmill.

Here he comes.  I bet he's looking for breakfast.

We rode into Bainbridge twice and found a new restaurant that we liked.  It had a good country cooking buffet and it was good both times.  We did some exploring in the woods.  

Wild flowers were blooming everywhere.

What can I say?

Bubba grilled some good hamburgers and sausage one night.  Another time we had grilled pork chops.  

The acres of cotton make me think of the Bible verse... "The fields are white unto harvest."

This field of sunflowers stretched on forever.  So pretty!

We figured that the fish must be biting because there were some many fishermen out this time.  Some people in a tent close to us would leave before daylight and return after dark.  We finally figured out that there was a bass tournament starting when we were awakened on Friday morning by a loudspeaker calling the boats to start out one at a time.  There were sixty entries. With the red and green lights it looked like Christmas on the lake.

Trucks with boat trailers were parked everywhere.

On the way home Friday we stopped at the truck stop in Marianna and ate Popeye's Chicken for lunch.  Yes, I know that fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and a biscuit are not diet food  --- but it sure was good.

I've decided to order adult training wheels for my bicycle.  I don't know if Bubba will ride with me, but Judy has promised that she would.  My balance is off and I'm afraid I'm going to fall so my beautiful new bicycle is stored in the barn.  Maybe this will help me gain my confidence.  I hope so.  I really want to ride in all these parks.

Later in the week I decided to Google the bass tournament to see if anyone I knew was entered in it.  It turns out that a young man that I worked with at the prison actually won it.  The prize was a bass boat with a 200 hp Evinrude motor on it.  It's a small world, isn't it?

Fall Break Georgia Style

A few weeks ago we got a call from Amy inviting us to visit during their Fall Break.  She didn't have to ask twice.  Amelia had Friday and Monday off, but unfortunately Amy only had Monday.  We were going to have to babysit on Friday.

It turned out that my cousin, Vicky, and her husband were going to enjoy a Fall Break of their own and were leaving on Saturday for the mountains.  Friday lunch was our only opportunity to see her so we met for lunch and caught up on family news.

Amelia and Paw-Paw wait outside the restaurant for Vicky to arrive.
Everywhere we went people complimented her on her hat.

Paw-Paw and Amelia always take a selfie.

After lunch she invited us to follow her home to meet her two rescue greyhounds, Taz and Mango.  These dogs were trained at a women's correctional facility in northwest florida and then adopted by Vicky and her husband.  Taz was the first adoptee and he turned out to be such a well-mannered, sweet dog that Vicky made arrangements to adopt his sister, Mango, after she had been through the same training.  

Amelia was intrigued with the dogs.  She asked Vicky, who she calls "Bebe" if she could help her walk them.  They are so well trained that she had no trouble at all leading them around on a leash.

Amelia leads with Taz.  Vicky follows with Mango.

Friday evening we had an early supper at Amelia's favorite place, Chuck-E-Cheese.  We got there around 4:00 so it was not crowded at all.  Amelia had a good time and the pizza was pretty good.

Amelia and Chuck-E-Cheese

We stopped by Barnes and Noble to exchange the books we brought Amelia for some she didn't have.
 I had no idea that there were so many "distractions".  That delayed the process somewhat.

Saturday we went to Jaemore Farms for some traditional fall activities like a corn maze, riding on a pumpkin train, sliding down a farm slide, racing ducks, shooting an apple cannon, and a hay ride.  It was fun although it was a little warm and humid.  We bought some apples and pumpkins and ate some delicious barbecue and homemade peach ice cream.  A good time was had by all.

Amy and Amelia did the corn maze.  I don't like them.  I can never find my way out.
That is so embarrassing.

Amy had to hold Amelia's ears while she did the apple cannon.
 It sure smelled good around there.

Right after her turn on this farm slide, Amelia slid in this red Georgia clay.  

Amelia is growing up.  She rode the pumpkin train all by herself.

The hay ride was really a "cage" pulled by a tractor.  I think Amelia enjoyed it.

While we were there, Amy and Amelia went to see Frozen On Ice which inspired a lot of dancing (Amelia, not Amy). As we left on Monday morning, Amelia had her iPad, pencil, and paper making a list of songs that she would "perform" to when we return for her birthday.

Amy and Darryl have a contract on a new house.  It did not take long for them to tire of apartment living.  If things proceed on schedule they should be moving in around Thanksgiving.  They don't need us to keep Amelia this time, but I am in charge of shelf paper.  I love doing shelf paper, but this is going to be a huge job.  The house has a beautiful kitchen with lots of cabinets.  I can't wait to get started.  I will tackle the project when we go up for Amelia's birthday in November.

Say goodby to apartment living!

Speaking of Amelia's birthday, she wants a disco ball with lights.  I'm trying to picture that in the new house.  It sounds like something her parents definitely need to okay ahead of time.  She also wants some new "glitter shoes" in a bigger size.  I feel sure we can handle that with no problems. 

It was a good visit.  Amy seems to be happy back in her old high school.  Darryl is happy in his job and Amelia is happy in her new school.  Isn't that what we all want for our children?  We want them to be happy and if they aren't, we can't be.

Eight Nights! Seriously?

We have another first in the life of Bubba and Becky.  We were gone from home eight nights in a row.  I don't know what has come over us.  Have we gotten spontaneous in our golden years?  Let me start at the beginning.

We picked up our new trailer as scheduled and immediately began the process of "nesting".  It needed shelf paper in the cabinets and drawers, pillow shams for the bed, new trash cans, towel rods, etc.  I spent two fun days shopping and furnishing the new trailer for our its maiden voyage.  We had reservations at St. Andrews State Park starting Sunday, September 28, for four nights.  I had reserved site #104 which is not the perfect site, but is on the water and very pretty.

On Saturday after loading the trailer with clothes and a lot of food, Bubba pushed the button to retract the slide that the sofa and cabinets are on and it was coming in cockeyed.  Something was definitely wrong.  Eventually we got it all the way in and after consulting the service manager where we bought the trailer in Dothan, we decided to go ahead with our trip even though we could not put the slide out.  It was a tight squeeze getting back to the bedroom and bathroom, but thank goodness I had lost a few pounds and was able to make it.  It really didn't inconvenience us too much.

We had some rain for the four nights we stayed there, but not nearly as much as the weatherman had predicted.  We went to the pier and tried our luck fishing --- caught nothing.  Bubba was sorry he didn't bring his cast net.  The mullet were jumping all over the place behind us.  I think they were mocking him....  We went out to eat one day (steak, yum!) and grilled some at the trailer.  We rode around the park and walked every evening.  We sat in our recliners and read, dozed, and enjoyed the sights on the water.

On Thursday as we were driving home, we got a call from Joe.  He and Judy were camped at Seminole State Park for the next four nights.  Bubba and I talked it over and then spontaneously decided that we would join them.  How crazy is that?  We went home and washed two loads of clothes, made some tea, and got back in the truck and headed for Donalsonville, Ga.

Joe and Judy had a beautiful spot on the water and had saved the one next to them for us.  Judy provided supper for us that night.  The next day we all went into Bainbridge to pick up a few supplies at WalMart.  Everybody enjoyed walking around in the park except me.  I'm continuing to have problems with my left heel.

Saturday we went to Dothan to eat out and celebrate Judy's birthday.  When we got home that afternoon, we built a fire, roasted marshmallows, made s'mores, and watched the Auburn/LSU game on Joe's mini iPad.

The weather was cool and pleasant.  Sunday Judy made chili and we enjoyed it outside by the lake with a campfire.  It was a good weekend.  Monday we all headed home.

We took our camper in to be fixed on Tuesday and on Thursday we headed to Atlanta for Amelia's Fall Break.  I love retirement!!!

The End!