DATE: July 11, 2008, 7:11 pm / MOOD: On-the-road

Well, I had intended on blogging here... but I didn't... but I DO want to share where we've been and what we've done.  I had to do it elsewhere, so my parents could follow along.  They're getting older and were upset we were going to be gone for so long, that I set up a blog for them... you can see it at:

http://www.travelindennens.blogspot.com

Enjoy! We've been many wonderful places and had lots of wonderful adventures!  See you at blogspot!

 

Cheri

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DATE: June 4, 2008, 12:02 am / MOOD: On-the-road

We have begun our trip! Thank heaven for summer. School is out and we are footloose and fancy free. Our first stop was in Apopka, Florida at the Sun Resort. It is a Happy Camper participant, and one of our favorite places to stay. Hippie was excited to go back there for a second time. He loves the pool and the miniature golf course. They have a wonderful trading post where you can get a home cooked breakfast, and various things for the RV, including grocery items you may have run short on. The people there are so welcoming and friendly, it was a real joy to return there.

We started our trip there to help wish our nephew Chris a happy graduation from high school. We took him and our other nephew Jeff to see the Blue Man Group at Universal Studios. If you've never had the opportunity to see them, you must. They have several permanent shows around the country and several traveling troupes. Catch their high energy show sometime, you'll be glad you did. Very funny, very unique.

The campground in Apopka, by the way, is close enough to the Orlando attractions to go in and enjoy any of them at any time, yet removed enough that you can leave the mayhem and chaos behind to relax and rejuvenate in between. They have free Wi-Fi service in addition to the other wonderful amenities there.

Believe it or not, we only had a one night stop over there. We got up the next morning and traveled 353 miles to Canadys, South Carolina. There, we stayed at Colleton State Park. It was a well kept state forest that overlooked the Edisto river. This is the longest black water river in the US. (Black water rivers are colored due to tannic acid that leaches out of dead leaves that fall into the river. It sometimes looks muddy, but it is really just tea colored.) We had a two day stay there, and although you're not supposed to feed the wildlife, Rudy dared Hippie to feed the squirrels a graham cracker. You know how the two of them are... one thing lead to another, and well... check out his new friend in our gallery.
 

After our second day there, we had to move on again. Vincent's sister and her husband are celebrating 50 years of marriage, and we have to get there in time for the big party. Onward to Wilson, North Carolina, where we stayed at another of the Happy Camper parks. This time, we stayed at Kamper's Lodge. I've never been to an RV park that had pet horses, goats, donkeys and chickens before! They provide you with free high speed Wi-Fi as well, and a lovely pool that appears to have been re-done. It is a very nicely laid out park that is neat and clean with pull through sites, electric/water/sewer hookups, lovely trees and a quiet atmosphere.

Unfortunately, this is another one-nighter as well. We move on to Abingdon, Maryland, where Vince hopes to talk them into becoming a Happy Camper participant. That's another one night wonder for us.

We're moving into the expensive north, where they need to belong to some kind of half price club to help out the poor travelers. We found so many parks that offer precious little but cost upwards from 40 dollars. One place in New Jersey costs sixty dollars a night... for parking in an asphalt lot that just happens to overlook lady liberty in the far distance. No amenities, just water/electric. Not even sewer... and you had to pay to dump and use the showers. Seeing the statue of liberty WAY far away, not worth sixty bucks a night, thank you. So, we opted to stay in Flanders a park that is a forty five minute drive from Vince's sister, but worth the extra ride for the price/amenities. Well, it's late and I've got to try to get some sleep before tomorrow. I just wanted to catch you up so far! Until next blog, this is travelin' Cheri the midnight writer signing off!

 

 

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DATE: May 8, 2008, 9:05 pm / MOOD: Happy

 I'm so excited.  We're going on another summer adventure! I can't wait!  Vince and I have only fourteen more days until summer vacation... and then we're footloose and fancy free... and have no deadlines or appointments we have to be home for.  We're going up north.  Vincent will get to see his family and friends again...and I'll get to go "back home" to my beloved Cape Cod... where I came from, and where I long to be so badly.  Florida's nice, but it ain't "home" really.  I miss the magic of the Cape.  I'll have two weeks to soak some of that magic up and bring home with me.  Have you ever yearned for a place so much it hurt?  From there... it's a big adventure... and I get to see where Vincent grew up!  It's exciting and we're nearly there... For now... it's bed time.  Gotta run!  OH one more thing... Rudy the Extraordinary Cat celebrated his THIRD birthday TODAY... May 8th!  He had a heaping helping of shrimp.... and is having a party on Sunday (with his brother...Misty the Magnificent Cat) and of course, Hippie!   

Well.... night night for now... More from the road... starting May 31!

 Cheri

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DATE: July 2, 2007, 10:16 am / MOOD: None

Well, I now understand why some people abhor zoos.  We went the the "Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo" in Monroe.  A lovely title... I only wished it matched the actual place.  What an abomination.  Vincent and I walked outta that place SO darned depressed.  If we could have rounded up all the poor animals and taken them with us, we would have.  They are so unhappy and I believe unhealthy.  The whole zoo stunk to high heaven.  Animal environments are confined, dark, dirty, and filled with algae laden water supplies.  Animals were usually alone (except for the rats running in and out to steal their food...I've NEVER seen so MANY rats in my LIFE!)  The male lion had about 6 tumors growing on his underbelly.... and many of the animals were nevously pacing back and forth in short lines.  It was sad.  If you're in Monroe and looking for something to do... DON'T do the zoo.  DO go to the Beidenharn museum and gardens, DO go to Black Bayou... Both are beautiful. 

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DATE: June 30, 2007, 1:08 am / MOOD: On-the-road

Yippee!  What a fun time we're having.  We absolutely ADORE getting away for the whole summer... especially when you can take care of bill pay and mundane worries online and let the rest of the world melt away.  We went to Universal Studios to start off to see the Blue Man Group.  What an incredible experience for us!  What a total sensory treat.  We'd love to see them again.  We stayed in Sun Resorts in Apopka, FL for that adventure.  Nice, clean, friendly and sweet people... and close to all the area attractions. 

From there, we enjoyed spelunking at Florida Caverns State Park in Mariana.  What incredible formations.  The tour guide was perfect in the delivery of the information regarding formation and "ingredients" for making the caves.  We'd been dying to see the caverns.... and it was worth the wait and the $8 entrance fee.  The park had so much to offer and we delighted in every second.

Then we went to Mobile Alabama.  We stayed at a "Happy Camper Park" called Chicksabog Park... It had a great frisbee golf (disk golf) course (18 holes), lots of trails, swimming and boating, too.  We loved our time there, and Mobile had so much to see and do!

Cheri had never seen the Mississippi River, so off to Natchez, MS.  (Cheri's parents were there once and loved it)  The grandeur of the Mighty Mississip was in full color.  The history and layout of the city gave us another few full days of things to see and do.  (Wouldn't mind coming back to this place!  Natchez State Park was glorious!)

Which leads us to now... we're at Shiloh RV Resort (A Pierson Family campground!) in Monroe, LA.  Traveling with Hippie.... we thought he might be needed back in the office... but he's been hiding out.... doesn't seem to want to end the fun with Rudy.  (Rudy feels the same).  From here, we're off to spend the USA's Birthday in Vicksburg... looking forward to a concert of Beatles Impersonators and fireworks... and all the history and fun the city has to offer. 

We had a bit of a LEAK in our NEW rig... what a drag... but found a lovely business.... Hope's RV, right here in Monroe, down the street on Frontage Road, that were willing and able to help us out.  Knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.  All seems right as rain (pardon the pun) now....If you're ever in town and you get "stuck".... Hope's is the place to go.

Well, it's 12:07... and I should go to bed..... cat and husband are already there. 

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DATE: March 31, 2007, 9:31 pm / MOOD: Happy

Well, we went out on our first "shakedown" trip with our new rig... spent an entire week at another Fabulous Florida State Park... found a few things that needed fixin' in the rig... bad television set, finicky door, learning how to tow our car... and it all wen't really well overall.  The WORST part of the trip was when Vincent came to me and said, "Honey, take a look at the back of my leg... what is that?" and there it was. 

THE ONLY THING IN NATURE THAT FREAKS ME OUT BIG TIME...

a tick, embedded in his leg, behind his knee.  Ewwwwie.  I told him what it was, and proceeded to give my best Florence Nightingale act... but it make me shiver every time I tried to remove the little guy.  I casually asked how long he thought it was there for.... "Oh, since early last night". 

LAST NIGHT???

YOU MEAN IT SLEPT WITH US

 IN BED?!?  YUK! 

I got the whole thing out in one piece.... and I Never want to go through that again.  It was a peaceful, serene and beautiful setting, though. 

Next weekend, we're taking Hippie on a work kamping episode to the Palms and Pines in Punta Gorda for Easter Weekend.  It's a long weekend for us, and P.G. is really close by.... so, we figured, make Hippie earn that Easter Basket! 

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DATE: March 12, 2007, 9:49 pm / MOOD: Happy

Well.... the day has finally come!  We have our BRAND NEW RV!!!!!!  Our class A Hurricane has "Hit" the Dennen home.  (Funny name for an RV in Florida!)  We are now planning our Spring Break Trip to O'Leno State Park and perhaps a short stint at Casa D'Angela's Artist Retreat... Then the BIG plan comes... OUR SUMMER TRIP!  Up north through LOTS of states.... Look out ANNE!  We're coming to get ya!  With Hippie and Neebles and RUDY THE EXTRAORDINARY CAT!!!!  Ha ha ha!  Everyone sing.... "On the road again.... just can't wait to get on the road again.... the life we love is makin' music with our friends.... we just can't wait to get on the road again...."

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DATE: January 30, 2007, 7:58 pm / MOOD: Stuck at home

 Well, we called the dealer today.  We said we want a NEW one, from the factory, and we want it before spring break for us arrives at the end of March.  We are paying the same contracted price for it.... which is great.... so long as they are keeping up their end of the deal THIS TIME... there shouldn't be a problem.... I hope.  I can't deal with the stress.  The RV is the ONLY place Vince and I get to relax, de-stress, unwind and look like.... well, this:  Napping and drooling are good things. 

Being a middle school teacher of grade 6 science can be, well, stressful... and being a security guard of a middle school can be... well... stressful.... and we need to RELAX!  I think if we had the owner of the dealership trade places with us for even a day, they'd totally get down on their knees and BEG for forgiveness! 

So, this was today's strategic move. 

Wish us  Luck!

Cheri

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DATE: January 29, 2007, 7:51 pm / MOOD: Stuck at home

Kind of crummy for our first blog... but what a DRAG!

On January 21 we went to an RV show in Tampa, FL hoping to buy a new RV.  (Not that we don't love ours, we were just hoping for more fun than the usual standby game of "What part will fall off next??) After spending HOURS there, and nearly near closing time, we found the RV that seemed to be made for us... a great class A... A Hurricane (by FourWinds) that was the spitting image of our Fleetwood Flair.  The price was great, the unit was sublime, and our spirits were so HIGH.  We were going to get a new, 2007 RV!!!  Summer was fixin' to be a real adventure... then, the bomb dropped.... The dealer (DREAM RV IN BRADENTON, FL) hadn't been calling, hadn't let us know about delivery, hadn't done much other than take the 2000 dollar deposit.  Today, Vincent called them to see what was going on... the OWNER didn't even have the courage to deliver the "news".... gave the job to the warantee woman.... who said: "Well, there seems to be a problem and you can't have that unit, because we sold it to someone else.  Apparently it was sold before we sold it to you.  Yada, yada, yada.  She said that they would give us a brand new, factory direct, 2007 unit for the same price it costs the dealer (FUNNY.... that is EXACTLY WHAT they SAID WE WERE GETTING ANYWAY....)  Several lies, omissions and disappointed feelings later, we are going to call tomorrow and say "Yes, do that"... but I am now EXTREMLY suspicious of the company, the dealer and the people who work there.  Goodness only knows what's in store for us now.... Earliest possible delivery now is SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS!!!  All I can say is:  Better be here in time for my spring break, because I had some great plans for those days off!  GRRRRRRRRR.

Both Vince and I are wanting to get into our "trusty mare" and go riding off into the sunset.... I'm going to need it to calm down!  Vincent is such a prince... handles it with such cool, calm and reserve.  I don't know how he does it.  I MUST take a lesson.  I'll let you know how (IF?) it turns out!  Thank GOD for Vince....Rudy....Hippie... Neebles, because without these guys, my head would have exploded by now!

 

 Cheri

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