RV information

Embarrassing and humorous situation…

/ Roadtirement / 9 Comments

This is a funny/embarrassing thing that happened a while back while we were heading south to warm weather.

It was time to head to Arizona for some warm weather. Sher and I hit the road a few days before New Year’s Day. Fast forward a couple of days and we stopped at a casino in Mississippi south of Memphis.

As the weather was above freezing it was time to “de-winterize” the RV. You know the drill: put some water in the fresh water tank and run the water through until all that pink anti-freeze is flushed out of the lines.

I turned the hot water heater on but we could only get a bit of luke warm water. Rats! That’s all we needed, a problem with the hot water heater. Electric or LP neither provided anything but lukewarm at best water temperature.

By the time we got to Tucson Sher and I were both getting a little tired of luke warm water. A couple of days after we settled in at the Whispering Palms RV Park we went to an RV service center to see about the hot water heater. The service manager opened the access door on the outside. He then came inside and took the access panel off revealing the lines and valves.

He looked up at me and then glanced at Sher with a big grin on his face. He then reached down and opened the valve that allows the hot water to flow. Yep, I had the valve closed. He was polite and did not laugh out loud. Sher, however, did. I deserved it.

At least I could wash the egg off my face with hot water.

Indiana’s Madison County Winery

/ Roadtirement / 10 Comments

Sher and I found another winery to visit north of the place where we were having our big yard sale. The Madison County Winery is, for sure, in the country. In fact without our phone navigation app I doubt I could have found it!

The winery building is a great facility, and it was set up for safe tasting with all the COVID shields.  We tasted several wines, including a couple of blueberry wines, including Blueberry Moscato. They also have one very different wine, a Chocolate Covered Pear Wine. Interesting, but not our favorite.  We ended up buying a bottle of Blueberry wine, and we also got a large Blueberry Moscato slushy to go.

Store and tasting room

This large farm site has not only vineyards, but also an RV park. Local complaints about of all things smoke from their outdoor firepits  have shut down the RV park until permitting is completed. Outdoor concerts are planned, and we look forward to visiting again when we can catch a concert,  enjoy some wine and stayover in our RV.

St Joseph Center in North Little Rock

/ Roadtirement / 7 Comments

Original 1910 orphanage

We found a wonderful and historic location in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The St. Joseph Center is a non-profit organization based on a historic building that was once a children’s orphanage run by the Catholic Church.  The impressive structure was built in 1910 and currently there are several Artist’s Studios inside the spacious old building that houses other functions.

Currently the St. Joseph Center is an educational and working farm. The grounds are really beautiful. The first thing Sher and I did was to take a stroll around the main building, enjoying the old statuary and flower beds. We also got our first look at the garden plots. Turns out that there is a large citizen garden space  where locals can come and, for a modest fee, have their own personal garden plot.

Bull, right and cow

Recently sheared sheep

 

 

 

 

 

The Farm Stand, in other words the store, offers locally sourced goods ranging from in season produce to canned veggies, jams and jellies, pickles and cheeses. Local sourced flour, grains, and even meats are for sale. We certainly took advantage of Michelle’s opening the store for us and we made several purchases including pickles, pickled green beans and peppered Colby Cheese.

Raised garden boxes

View of the lovely grounds

 

 

 

 

 

There are quite a few head of livestock on the farm. Steve directed us to pastures and pens where goats, sheep and beef cattle make their homes. The sheep had recently been sheared ready for the hot summer. I enjoyed seeing the good quality cross bred cattle. Several calves were still on their mothers and would have been fall calves. There are also chickens supplying a great supply of free range eggs.

We bought honey. This is where it was made.

Sher and I liked visiting this educational farm. Owner’s Steve and Michelle made our visit to this sustainable operation very enjoyable.   Oh, least we forget, there are two sets of beehives, and we purchased some very, very good honey, produced by the honey bees right there on the St Joseph Center.  Here is the farm website.

Pricey but worth it

/ Roadtirement / 16 Comments

Our site was about a 3 minute walk from the bus stop

Did you know that Orlando’s Disney World has a great RV and tent campground? Called Fort Wilderness, it offers a first class facility for an RV Disney experience. The RV sites are full hookup, paved and most have room for an RV and a tent. Rules allow up to ten people per site, so a great family vacation is possible. The campground is quite large, but shuttle busses run to the bus station that goes to all the Disney Parks, or to Bay Lake where you can catch a boat ride to one of the theme parks.

This boat runs the same times as the buses, and goes from Ft. Wilderness to the Magic Kingdom about every 15 minutes

Keep in mind that the sites at Fort Wilderness are pricey, to say the least. Most are well north of $120 per night. However it is a great way to “do Disney”. Walk to the shuttle, go to the bus station or Bay Lake for a ride to one of the parks. A while ago we had a nice family get together at Disney World. Sher and I stayed at the RV park, and our kids and their families were in the other hotels. Sher and I really enjoyed our vacation there. We loved taking the boat rides and sharing time with family.

Remember the Alamo… and other stuff

/ Roadtirement / 27 Comments

We’ve been to San Antonio a couple of times. Once was over New Years and was it cold! However, San Antonio is a wonderful spot to visit. The River Walk gives you a chance to stroll along the river and have a great meal. You can also take a fun boat tour of the river.  There’s lots to enjoy along the River Walk.

View of the River Walk from a pedestrian bridge

It was a nice warm day to explore downtown

The Alamo, a special place

 

 

The Alamo is just one of the many historic sites to explore and enjoy. Be advised the  Alamo is one of the most important and revered places in Texas. No pictures are allowed in the edifice. And men, be sure to remove your hat upon entering.

 

Want to visit NOLA again

/ Roadtirement / 44 Comments

We’re 15 days away from our second dose of the COPVID-19 vaccine. Shortly after that it should kick in and offer us a measure of protection from the virus.

Bourbon Street in New Orleans, known for music, food and revelry. Note the famed balcony iron work in the background

Red beans and rice with smoked sausage

The band at Bamboula’s

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are standing in front of the tomb of Marie Laveau, the famed Voodoo Queen. This is reportedly the most visited tomb in New Orleans.

We are not sure exactly when we’ll decide to travel again. But one place we do want to visit again is New Orleans. Sher and I both so enjoyed our last visit there back in 2018. We loved the food, the music and the atmosphere of this exciting  place. There is so much to see and do in NOLA.  It will definitely be on an upcoming itinerary  of ours.

World’s largest…everything?

/ Roadtirement / 18 Comments

Casey , Illinois has the world’s largest golf tee, windchimes, mailbox and other things. It is worth the side trip off of I-70 at Exit 129, about 35 miles west of the Indiana/Illinois line. These “large” items are a hoot to see.

World’s largest wind chime

March 2015

September 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, we’ve been there twice now. Had to see if that rocking chair had shown up yet.