As Time Goes.........Bye!

Its Giants vs Pats…… Eli vs Tom…Gayle vs Don

2012-02-05T07:57:00.000-05:00

Super Bowl Shirt…………………………………..$40.00
Parking Downtown……………………………….$25.00
Dinner at the Irish Pub on Meridian…..$100.00
Beer after two days in Super Bowl Village…….$200.00
Tickets to the game in last row near the roof……$2850.00
Watching the game in my own home 6 miles away………..Priceless

As we spend our last full year here is Indianapolis, its fitting that the Super Bowl is here in town. We went down several days and had a great time, and spent a lot of money, but we really enjoyed our time in the downtown area…………………Indianapolis should be very proud. They have done a great job!!!!

Today I will just sit in front of the tube and soak it all in. Tomorrow I will starting putting all my efforts toward getting the house ready to sell. Goal will be to put the for sale sign in the ground by April 1st!!!!!

Go Pats…………
Here’s looking at you kid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Big Game

2012-01-31T19:05:00.001-05:00

The Super Bowl comes to Indianapolis and so do thousands of visitors.

Knowing this will probably be a once in a lifetime opportunity to partake of the festivities leading up to a Super Bowl game, we dive right in.

We head downtown to the heart of the city, Monument Circle, where the traditional Super Bowl numerals are on display. How magnificent they look on the cobblestone street in front of our Civil War memorial.

Of course, what would the Super Bowl in Indianapolis be without Indy cars. A car has been painted to represent each team in the AFC and NFC conferences. Pretty neat! We check out the NY Giants and the New England Patriots cars, the two teams facing off on game day. We also check out our favorite teams' cars, the Indianapolis Colts and the Detroit Lions, our hometown team.

Onward to visit the Super Bowl Village and all it has to offer. This is where the Zipline is at. It is 14 stories up and 800' in length. It's the longest, temporary zipline ever in the United States. A popular attraction with locals and tourists alike. We choose not to participate as we have no desire to wait a couple of hours in a line for a short lived thrill ride, even though the price of $10 is a bargain.

There is plenty to see and do. The NFL Experience, the open air bars, the food, The Huddle, Lucas Oil Stadium, souvenir shopping, the free concerts, the fireworks, and so much more.

Don and our youngest daughter, Bobbi-Leigh, sharing a brewski.

It's coming on to 9 PM. Time to head over to the Pepsi concert stage to see The Village People perform. We are actually here to see them sing their biggest hit, YMCA. Watching this mass of humanity in the street participate to this song brings to mind the Parrotheads at a Jimmy Buffett concert.

The activities come to an end for the day. It's time to make our way home. Only six more days until the big game.

Go Eli! Go Giants! Beat Brady in the house that Peyton built!

Here's looking at you kid..........

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T06:05:00.001-05:00

To all our family and friends we wish you a safe and Merry Christmas day. We hope this little note finds you well………………………….

God Bless………………..

Here's looking at you kid..................

What's the most unusual Christmas present you've ever given?

2011-12-19T19:57:00.002-05:00

I bet we can top it this year.
Don has been hard at work planning, sawing, drilling, staining and painting

What's he busy building you ask?

A rooting box! For our grandpiggy, Penelope. (Even though she hasn't been a very good little pig this year. She was snippy with her grandma while on vacation this past Summer).
Penelope is a dwarf, Vietnamese Pot-Bellied pig. With attitude! She is the only child of our youngest daughter Bobbi-Leigh and son-in-law Dennis.
Penelope is litter box trained and pretty much has free run of their house. Being quite intelligent and curious, both traits that tend to get her into trouble frequently, it was decided that a rooting box would give her something constructive, safe and fun to play with. And maybe, just maybe, keep her out of trouble. At least for a little while.

River rocks will be added later!!

Here's oinking at you pig, er, um, looking at you kid................

We did it!

2011-12-14T15:23:00.000-05:00

   One more obstacle down, one more obstacle to go.
   The ongoing process of downsizing has advanced a little further. We sold our conversion van. We had tried selling it last Sept. and Oct. We had listed it in our local newspaper, on Craigslist and Auto Trader. We had even put "For Sale" signs on the vehicle itself. It generated very little interest.
"Alright," Don says, "we'll list it again in the Spring just before families start making their Spring Break sojourns south. We'll sell it then for sure."
   I wasn't as optimistic. Don't get me wrong, it's a great running vehicle. Clean inside and out. Plenty of extras. It had received regular oil changes and maintenance, but it was 5 years old and it's mileage was beginning to creep upward. I was afraid we'd be strapped with it right up till the moment we'd hit the open road.
   Then an opportunity presented itself. A lady that Don works with was looking for a van. Not just any van. It needed to have barn doors, middle seats that could be removed, plenty of leg and head room, and be in good running condition. She couldn't afford new. You see, she and her husband had just learned that he had MSA, a degenerative disease, and he would be wheelchair bound before too long. They had found a company that would install a chair lift onto a van for them if only they could get their hands on one.

   Don came home from work that evening and told me about their family's plight. After very little discussion, we agreed that Don would tell her about our van, which suited their needs to a tee, and that if they liked it and wanted it, they could have it for the exact balance of our loan. (Don did a nationwide online search and determined our offer was an excellent offer indeed).
   The family came out to our house, inspected the van, took it for a drive and decided to buy it right on the spot.
   We feel very good about this. Yes, originally we had hoped to make a little profit from the sale, but we are relieved that this is one more thing to have done and out of our way. We are happy that we were able to provide this family with the vehicle they needed.
Our only prayer is that the van continues to run well and for a long time for this family. Our hearts go out to them.

And the last obstacle? Well, it's selling the house. It goes on the market this coming Spring. Sure hope the economy improves by then.

Here's looking at you kid..........................

Fall on Fiesta Drive

2011-10-30T12:55:00.002-04:00

Woke up this morning and the temp was 31 degrees. The sun was coming up through the trees so Tucker and I went out for some playtime in the frosty morn.

Suite Pea is already for winter and she’s sitting on her pad next to the garage.

The backyard was full of Fall color and Tuck was having a great time with his squirrel frisbee……………

Mooch watched from the kitchen, he’s an indoor kitty and the outside world is a very strange place to him.

Maybe later we’ll head over to Craig Park, for some off leash fun…………………….

Here’s looking at you kid……………………………….

Colder than a well digger's.......

2011-10-24T19:49:00.002-04:00

My grandson Brad asked me a month ago to attend the Fall camp out with his Boy Scout troop in October. Of course haing been a boy scout myself……back in the day (1963’ish), I said yes that would be fun. So as the day neared I started putting my gear in order for the big camp out.

Friday, October 21, 2011 was the day. After work I loaded the van and stowed away my gear for a quick jaunt down to Johnson County Park, close to Camp Atterbury , where the Indiana National Guard have their joint training center.

Bradley and the rest of the troop were coming up from Ellettsville and I was to meet up with them around 6pm at the campground.

The timeline:

6:00pm

Scouts are running late and have not left yet, “Grampa, wait about 20 minutes more before you leave”.

6:30pm

Scout master running late could be another 15 minutes………………….

6:50pm

“Gramps, we just left. Meet you there”

   Ok, I headed south to JCP(Johnson County Park) knowing that we would more than likely be setting up in the dark………….ok I had been a boy scout, no problem…………………

   Things got off to a slow start but we hooked up around 7pm and started setting the tent up. It is very hard to put a tent together in pitch black darkness!

   Brad went right to work on the tent and if it wasn’t for my 13 year old grandson, I’d still be down there trying to figure out which pole went where.

   Tent up and secured, we filled it with our gear and headed over to the fire for some good ol' boy scout fellowship…………………………….Temperature starting to drop….

11:00pm

Temps are falling like rocks off a cliff. Started the night around 50 degrees but at around 11, I check my iphone and it reads………41 degrees. Ok, I had been a boy scout, no problem……….

11:30pm, the nice air mattress that my wife gave me to use is feeling a little spongy, but I have my Under Amour on and a tee shirt and all and all I’m pretty comfortable……….Brad, has his dog sled musher hat on and his Under Amour and he looks pretty comfy in his sleeping bag. We're settling in for a nice enjoyable night under the stars………………………

   12:05am, I wake up and its cold. My feet are freezing, my legs are freezing and the once firm air mattress is bowing in the center with all signs of an air leak. I get up and put on a pair of flannel pajama bottoms and slip on a wool shirt in hopes that that will do the trick to keep me warm. Looking over at Brad, he is sound asleep.

   12:45am, no doubt about it, I’m sinking like the Titanic. The air mattress, has a leak and there is nothing I can do about it. I feel like I’m laying in a freezer, it's so cold….I feel a drip of water coming off the ceiling of the tent, condensation!!!!

   1:00am, I’m shakin’ like a two dollar blender! Under Armor, jeans, flannel pjs, 3 pair of socks, t-shirt, wool shirt, hoodie, ski hat, and Thinsulate gloves……. I now look like Ralphie’s little brother , Randy, in the movie A Christmas Story, after he’s all bundled up to go outside……………………Its really cold……

   2:30am, the thought crosses my mind, how did Jeremiah Johnson do it with snow up to his keister and just as warm as you can be……………………………….

   3:15am, Brad hasn’t made a sound all night. I reach over to see if he has frozen to death. But no, he has better equipment, he has a winter sleeping bag, I have a summer bag. I can see my breath, the condensation has stopped because it has frozen…… Air mattress is just about out of air and I rummage around in my duffle looking for more clothes………..one pair of underwear. Can’t do much with that, oh, I could put them on my head, but if Brad woke up and saw me, I’d lose all my credibility………Then in the dark, quite, ice covered night they start. Coyotes, hundreds of them, yelping, screaming, howling for blood…………………………I’m getting carried away!!! They were loud. I thought they would wake up the whole camp but nobody stirred, nobody but me…………………………..

   5:00am, I can’t believe how cold I am. My cell phone says 31 degrees but it feels like 50 below. I have never felt this cold in my life…….coyotes still howling, I can’t sleep. I can’t move…. Brad, out like a light……I can do this, I had been a boy scout, and this is camping at its finest!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh crap, I gotta pee…….

   6:00am, I can’t hold it any longer. I unzip the tent and step out into the frozen tundra, 100 yards to the porta-pottie, I think I can make it………………………………….

   Back in the tent, I do my best to get comfortable. I start to drift off to sleep when I hear the SPL, (senior patrol leader) yell, "Everybody up!!!!" Ah, life as a boy scout.

All kidding aside, we had a great time Friday and Saturday. The boys did a fine job cooking breakfast and lunch and I think they learned a lot about cooking, which was the badge they were trying to earn.

Me I learned something too, that camping is 3 flat screens, a fireplace, and a king size bed in a 40 foot fifth wheel…………………………………..

Here’s looking at you kid,……………………………..

YELLOWWOOD STATE FOREST

2011-10-16T20:13:00.000-04:00

A beautiful day for a Sunday drive. Sunny and temps near 80 degrees. We decided to pack a lunch, grab Tucker, and head down to Yellowwood State Forest in Indiana's infamous Brown County. From research we'd done online, we knew there were 80 primitive campsites scattered amongst the trees and near the shore of Lake Yellowwood.
We hoped to find that we'd be able to maneuver our rig into one or more of the campsites. If so, we plan to utilize the area next year to hone our boondocking skills. Something we've yet to try in the Suite Pea. Most of the sites were too tight for a rig our size but we did find 3 that we think will be suitable.

The facility offers a store, a pay phone, a very nice picnic area, a playground, drinking fountains, vault toilets and many hiking trails . No other amenities that we could see. Some other pluses we liked was no road noise as it is off the beaten path, no lights at night to disturb us and Tucker could be off leash most of the time, something he enjoys.

We were very pleasantly surprised to find out just how beautiful and clean the camping area was. The lake was even more so, with fishing boats to rent. It is a no wake lake, with no homes on it, just dense woods all around. We understand the fishing here is excellent. We definitely want to test the validity of that statement!

We're really wanting to get some dry camping experience under our belts to the extent that we'll feel comfortable doing so when we hit the road full timing. We have quite a list of areas in the West, Southwest and in Alaska that we hope to visit where boondocking will be all that's available.

After checking out the surrounding forest we backtracked to the picnic area which sets atop a hill overlooking Yellowwood Lake and feasted on our picnic lunch. The crunch of dried leaves underfoot, the smell of woodsmoke in the air and a gentle breeze blowing across the water...it just doesn't get much better than this.

After bidding adieu to Yellowwood we headed to a favorite ice cream parlor, Brewster's. This is Don's favorite time of the year to sample ice cream because pumpkin is usually on the menu. Of course Tuck's favorite time is anytime. He wad delighted to find not 1, but 2 doggie bones stuck in his dish of vanilla ice cream.
We started to make our way home but I got sidetracked when I spotted the covered bridge entrance into Brown County State Park. Another photo op.

Then through a very bustling downtown Nashville, a popular artsy craftsy destination for locals and tourists alike.

Along the drive home we spotted an unusual sight, for Indiana at least, and just had to stop for a closer look. Texas Longhorns! Why, we haven't seen any of these since, well, the last time we were in Texas, 8 years ago.

Nope, not a bad way to spend a splendid Autumn day.

Here's looking at you kid............

Another Beautiful Day in Indiana…

2011-10-09T06:57:00.001-04:00

Our day started at Bob Evans with a great breakfast.
Then under a warm sunny sky, Gayle, Dennis (our son-in- law) and I jumped in the Lincoln for an hour and half ride south to Starlight, Indiana to Huber Farms……………….

We were meeting our oldest daughter and her family for our annual Fall pumpkin pickin’ party.

With temps in the low 80’s, we headed out to the pumpkin fields in the Huber hay wagon……..what a fabulous day!

Brad, Maddy, Gabby, and Ian with their freshly picked pumpkins……………

After pickin’ we went to the Huber Restaurant for a nice lunch and some great cobbler. Petting farm, fishing pond, rides for the kids, live band, bakery, and winery, filled our afternoon on another beautiful Indiana day……….

Huber Farms Pumpkin Pickin' Party

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It was a great day to spend with family. I wish Bobbi-Leigh could have come but I understand when work gets in the way.

Gayle and I having a great day with the kids!

Huber Farms is a huge Orchard and Winery, and on a beautiful day on a weekend in October, they do a huge business. Picked up some Honey Crisp apples, apple cider and some pumpkin donuts and right now they are calling my name!
Here’s looking at you kid……………………………….

Gabby’s day at Apple Works

2011-10-02T09:24:00.001-04:00

Gabby’s Day

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We had one of our granddaughters spend the night with us Friday, and the wife decided on Saturday morning that we would load up the van and head to Apple Works, an apple Orchard, south of Franklin, In.

Well, you know me, Michigan football, and the Baseball playoffs, were about to start……………Ok I have DVR on DIRECTV…… so I pushed a few buttons and away we went. Besides the spending a beautiful afternoon with a couple of good looking ladies wasn’t a bad deal in the long run. I also wanted to pick up some of my favorite apples, Honey Crisps………..

Riding the pony: $ 3.00

Riding the Train: $ 9.00

Spending the Day with your Granddaughter:

You know the line…………….PRICELESS!

Here’s looking at you kid……………………….

When we lose a pet

2011-09-30T20:31:00.002-04:00

Tonight we learned of another traveling companion who crossed over rainbow bridge. Max and Checkers from the Bayfield Bunch, earlier this year, and now Whiskey from Kevin and Ruth’s travels…………It brought back very vivid memories of that day we lost our Maggie…………….I went back and looked at the web site that helped us so much get thru those days.
We now have a great new buddy, Tucker George, not really so new he’s 5 years old, and he is the light of our life. We do feel so badly for those who lose pets, they are such a very big part of our lives………..

We put in a flower garden in our back yard and Maggie is buried there. “Maggie's Garden” Her garden has grown into an awesome tribute to an awesome dog.
I hope that Mags has a new friend tonight to play with………Whiskey.

In 2006 I wrote this post on Golden Babies, a golden Retriever web site. These great folks helped us get thru the pain of loss we had. Even as I read the post I wrote it brings back memories of a golden girl I still miss today…
http://forums.golden-babies.com/showthread.php?t=493
MAGGIE MAY
Maggie our sweet Maggie. passed away Last Sunday morning of Cancer. She passed the day before her 14th birthday. It was 2am at the vet when we new it was time. We held her as she slipped away from us and our best friend was gone. Our daughters were to have a birthday party that afternoon but the guest of honor could not attend. God had other plans. They had ordered a cake that now sits in the freezer. You can imagine our girls faces when we had to tell them that the pup they had grown up with was gone.
Mags was like most of these wonderful pets that give unconditional love and ask nothing in return. She loved to ride in the truck and would haul outside in a hurry at the words "Car Ride" She loved to ride out in the country and she loved to bark at cows when we passed the farms in the Indiana country side. Why cows, not horses or pigs she just loved to bark at cows.
We have had 3 goldens before Maggie and she was the standout. She slept next to me beside the bed for more than 10 years. Waited at the door when I came home from work every day. Monday was the hardest day of my life. I new she would not be there waiting. I will miss her greatly, the house feels so empty without her. I know she is in a better place and she is free of the pain she hid so well. It broke my heart to watch her struggle to come up the stairs at night to sleep next to me. But it was something she just had to do. I just can't believe she is gone! We will burry her in back yard in the butterfly garden my wife is putting together I can see the plaque already it will read "Maggie's Garden"
We may get another Golden in time but not for awhile. Maggie, I miss you so very very much. Yes so very much!
Here’s looking at you kid…………………………….

Question of the Day………..

2011-09-29T17:02:00.008-04:00

As I dream of sunny beaches or crisp desert mornings, I was pondering this thought. Since I’m still 20 plus months away from retirement and our full time dream, this thought popped into my head. If I’m still working and living in my RV am I considered a Full-timer?

Why you might ask, We’ll put the house on the market next spring, and if it sells next year we will move into the RV. So would I be a full-timer???? I will still be a few months away from retirement.

The tough part is that we may

spend a winter in the Suite P. The wife hasn’t warmed up to the idea just yet, but I’m working on her……..

There are a few options here in the Indianapolis area so it can be done. I like Lake Haven on the Southside and its only about 5 miles from the plant. I have reminded her that the Mobile Suites is a four season 5’ver. But as of this writing she isn’t biting………………………………I still have some time…..

Here’s looking at you kid…………………….

Why, As Time Goes…………Bye!

2011-09-26T17:25:00.004-04:00

Hint……….
“Play it once, Sam. For old times' sake.
I don't know what you mean, Miss Elsa.
Play it, Sam. Play…………………… "As Time Goes By."

It is our song, we love this song, we’ve danced to this song at our daughters weddings, we’ve danced to it in our RV, we’ve danced to it in different countries, and it made perfect since to call our blog….As Time Goes……….Bye
We did change the last word to fit our new coming life style.

On our 20th wedding anniversary, Gayle and I went on a cruise, During the Captains dinner, we were asked if we would like to here a song, and there at our table we were serenaded by a Chinese lead singer and Mexican violinist   Their version of As Time Goes By, was what dreams are made of…………
It’s not that far of a stretch to know what are favorite movie is.

Casablanca won 3 Academy Awards in 1942, one of which was Best Picture.

Humphrey Bogart was defeated for the best actor award by Paul Lukas for "Watch on the Rhine."
Ingrid Bergman wasn't even nominated.

That Casablanca was voted #2 in American Film Institute 's 100 Greatest American Movies of All Time

Humphrey Bogart was voted #1 Man in AFI's 50 Greatest American Screen Legends

Ingrid Bergman was voted #4 Woman in AFI's 50 Greatest American Screen Legends

They originally wanted Ronald Regan to Play Rick, but they went with the more popular Humphrey Bogart instead. I wonder if Ron would have been president if he played the lead in this movie………………………………

Humphrey Bogart is believed to have written the lines, "of all the gin joints in all the world"... and "here's looking at you, kid"

Well that’s why we have decided to call our Blog “As Time Goes……………Bye!
So instead of me signing off tonight , I think I’ll let Rick do it……………….

Here’s looking at you kid…………………..

13,870 Days

2011-09-24T08:18:00.001-04:00

I was sitting here this morning wondering how many days total 38 years. When I multiplied 365 x 38, I was taken aback, 13, 870 days. That is a lot!

38 years ago today, September 24, 1973, I walked into Detroit Diesel-Allison as an 18 year old snot nosed kid, and never left.

I think of all the stuff I’ve been thru, all the moves I’ve made, its been a life time of ups and downs. I have been so blessed to have been able to stay with one company for all these years. I see the kids we are hiring today knowing that they have had many jobs all ready and may still work for many companies, in the future. I met the love of my life at Allison, she put in her 30 years and has since retired. We have 3 beautiful daughters, 4 grandchildren and one on the way. Its been a good 38 years………………….

The best there is…………………………

I have been able to work for Allison for 38 years, but I have seen many changes in those years.

Hired in 1973 as an hourly employee. In 1985 I married a beautiful young lady who worked in the Unitizing Department. In 1988, Detroit Diesel Allison’s year of transition, we were sold to Roger Penske.

But General Motors wanted to keep the Allison brand, so Roger bought the diesel side of the business and the Transmission side stayed with GM.

No dump trucks, fire engines or motorhomes were damaged during this film!!!!

That meant a move for us…………………..

Detroit to Indianapolis

Allison’s headquarters were in Indy. Wife: “Lets go to Indy, its better than being laid off………….”, Husband, “No way I’m I going to Indianapolis, there is nothing there but corn!”

Long story short…………………………. we moved. So, we sold our home in Michigan and moved to Indy. We moved down here with 30 employee’s that came along.

In 1990 they offered me a salary job that I could not refuse. 2 years later, I made Area Manager of Plant #2. In 1995 I became Operations Manager of PDC North. Then we built a new PDC on the south side of Indy which became Plant #17.

Not Again…………

In 2000, GM decided to sell us. Poop, not again. However this time we became a stand alone company, “Allison Transmission Inc.

So today after 18,370 days, I’ve hit the clock, no matter where Allison has been. I do love my job, but I’m ready for a new adventure. Change is not a stranger to Gayle and I. We’ve stayed with a great company, but have faced the unknown many times in the moves we have made.

So loading up the “Suite Pea” and selling everything but what we need, is not that frightening.

2013 is just around the corner…………………..40 years sounds like a good number to me!!!!

Here’s looking at you kid…………………………….

Meet my Son

2011-09-22T19:18:00.000-04:00

Meet Tucker George.......our traveling buddy. Tuck is 5 years old. He of course is spoiled rotten. He is the son I never had. 3 daughters but no sons.

All the men in the Pietz family have the name "George" in their name, either first name or middle. I could not get the wife to name one of our daughters Georgia so Tucker became the son I never had.................

He goes everywhere we go. He loves to travel and is always ready to hit the road.

His daddy was a Canadian Champion and he loves to pose for pics...........

I am not a muzzwaum!

My campin' hat

He does have a traveling companion, Mooch the Cat, we'll talk about him soon enough..................

My bonesuzes!!!!!!

My wife, Gayle and Tuck on the sand in Michigan

He loves to take baths but does not like lakes or anywhere he can't touch bottom..............

My Boy

Here's looking at you kid.................................................................

New Lisbon Family Campground

2011-09-21T18:51:00.000-04:00

We had our Escapee’s Indiana Chapter fall rally at New Lisbon Family Campground this past weekend. For being just over an hour west of us off I-70, it was surprisingly nice. We never knew it was there until we received our information on this years fall rally.

There were at least 20 gravel pull thru sites with 30amp full hook ups, all pretty level.

It has a very nice club house that held all our events through the 4 day soiree………..

Of course you have Indiana’s smallest park. Carl Park, one bench, one flag pole, and one trash can.
The front of the camp is mostly seasonal sites and in the back of the park is the pull thru sites. There is a very nice fishing pond and they also have a camp store with propane available on site.

Free WiFi, that is excellent . A basketball court, a playground and a beach for you sun bathers.

They offer Passport America and Escapee’s discounts……

All and all it was very nice park and we will visit again some time in the future………………..

Here's looking at you kid..........................................

Rally was fun and sad too!

2011-09-19T16:37:00.001-04:00

Rally ended yesterday morning with the hitch up breakfast. Most of the club showed up around 8 ish and said our good byes over coffee and donuts. Most of the club members are snowbirds and were getting ready to start heading to their winter haunts. I’m jealous because I am one of the few that still has to work……..Yes I said it, the 4 letter word, work, work, work.

I love staying in the rig, it just feels right.

I keep dreaming of the day when we'll wake up in our own bed and can be anywhere we want to be and still be home! I kinda get sad when I have to go back to the S & B and leave the rig, even though its in the drive. The house is too big, and Rig is Just Right!!!!!

To Errr is human, to Arrrr is pirate!

But alas, as I said, some of us are still working so in our case, we headed home to Greenwood and parked the rig in the driveway. Started taking things out of the Suites. We may go out one more weekend before we winterize and park it on it’s pad next to the Garage for the up coming winter…………………and maybe not.........)&a*@;)^%%%$#^&!!!!!!!

New Officers for Chapter 51

Nuts!!!!!!!!!!!

Coffee and Conversation………

See ya next year at the spring rally…..safe travels everyone!

Here’s looking at you kid……………………

Carl’s Park, Indiana’s smallest Park

2011-09-16T20:52:00.001-04:00

I was up at 6am this morning to put the coffee on for the Chapter's “Coffee and Conversation”. It starts at 8am every morning of the rally and I've been elected to make the Java........

. After breakfast and showers, Gayle, Tucker, and I headed to Hagerstown to the Abbot Candy Co. to sample some homemade treats that they’ve been making since 1890. After picking up a few goodies, $90.00 worth, we headed to Richmond for some fish at that great fish restaurant, The Cracker Barrel. Came back to the campground and took a nap.

Took Tucker for a walk around the lake here at the park and found Carl’s Park. Indiana’s smallest park. One flag pole, one bench, and one trash can.............What a hoot. Here are some pictures of it.

At 4pm, we went up to the club house and had a great time making paper airplanes and trying to fly them thru a target for prizes. We each got 4 tries and I tied Maurice for a Fly off, which I lost.

Had a great meal made by Betty and Stan. Meat ball sandwiches. Had a lot of fun with some super friends

Here’s looking at you kid……………………

Escapees Indiana Chapter 51 Fall Rally up next!

2011-09-14T22:31:00.001-04:00

Well we arrived at the Lisbon Family Campground tonight and was directed to our pull thru site. Very easy to get to and close to I-70, ten miles east of New Castle, Indiana. Betty and Stan Bober invited us to the club house for some awesome spaghetti and meat balls.

Maurice and Shirley Rust and Dave and Marilyn Wheelock, rally hosts, also joined us for dinner and we had some great conversation.
It has started to rain tonight and I hope it will clear off before our golf outing in the morning. I’ll put some pics in tomorrow, gotta get some sleep so I can be ready for David and boys for a robust round in the morning……………….
Here’s looking at you kid

Garage Sale success, fall coming, my favorite season!

2011-09-13T04:47:00.001-04:00

The Friday, Saturday garage sale is now over. The neighborhood did not participate like usual. The weather was a little wet and cool. But I think that 2 neighborhood sales a year might be bit much. You only have so much stuff to get rid of…………….

Looks like today is the last day of summer, 90 and hot today but the temps drop off dramatically starting tomorrow. I like the cooler weather so I;m excited to see the leaves start to change.

Getting the rig ready for our fall rally. Pulled the Suites out into the driveway and Gayle is putting all our stuff in so we can head out on Wednesday afternoon. More on that soon……………..

Here’s looking at you kid………………………

Mountain Driving……………Not sure about this one!!!

2011-09-10T08:50:00.001-04:00

I’m an avid RV Blog reader, I read the blogs like the morning paper. It keeps me living vicariously thru my fellow RV bloggers while we are getting ready for our launch day. This morning I was reading, THE BAYFIED BUNCH, and a comment Al made about his annual route to the southwest……. He’s thinking about traversing the famous “wolf creek pass”. So being the kinda guy I am I started researching it. 7% and 8% grades. OMG…….Not sure I’m ready for that……

Wolf Creek Pass

Sooner or later I’ll have to face my fears and take the Suites over the mountains if I want to see some great views and enjoy the west like so many folks do, but for now I’ll just sit here and watch, Earl and Al do it…………………….

Are you ready for some football??????

2011-09-09T16:22:00.001-04:00

Ok, I have to say I’m a Michigan fan. I live and die with the Wolverines. I’m really excited to see that they did get a new coach, Brady Hoke, someone who played under Bo. Game on kiddies………………….3 yards and a cloud of dust, in your face, kick the door in, hide the married men, kind of football is back! Tomorrow night, its Notre Dame in the big house with the lights on. First night game in history. Well we are 3 point underdogs and That just ain’t right. But I’ll be in front of the tube ranting and raving………………. Go Blue……………
Here’s looking at you kid!

Reading Blogs and dreaming’

2011-09-07T17:43:00.001-04:00

Been reading blogs today, and dreaming what will it be like to leave the home we’ve raised our girls in and where we’ve lived for over 20 years. Tree’s that are now 25 feet tall that we planted when they were 5 feet high. Beloved pets lay buried in the backyard. Graduations, wedding rehearsal dinners, holidays & grandchildren visiting. Lot’s & lots of memories. Yes the girls have all left the nest and now have lives of their own. Their bedrooms are empty but the memories remain. I’ll miss this home, that’s for sure.

Getting the house ready to sell is a slow process but one that all full-timers take to go from sticks and bricks to a life on wheels. The girls have all claimed what they want, and we will sell everything else. Next Spring we will put the house on the market and we'll have the “Everything must go Sale”, after that, what’s left will be given to Goodwill or tossed!

The neighborhood garage sale starts this Saturday and we will be active participants in it. The trick now is what to sell that we won’t need in the coming year.

Making progress one trinket at a time.
Here’s looking’ at you kid……………………………..

Old Blue is on the Block

2011-08-31T16:27:00.000-04:00

Our family van is on the block. Its taken care us for the last 5 years but it can't go where we're going. It surely will make a new family happy. She's a good truck and its on our sell list. Lets see how long it takes to sell her.

Next is the neighbor hood garage sale. I'll be busy this week end bring out tables for the better half to get ready. We'll probably have one in the spring too, before we have the "Everything Must Go Sale" after the house gets sold. Lots to do. Time is getting short.

Here's lookin' at you kid..............................................

Hurricane Irene hits the East Coast

2011-08-28T07:38:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Irene has landed in the New England area, wind and water at break neck speed. These conditions are not compatible to the RV world. But when your home is on wheels you just load up and move. I follow many blogs out there and I know there are a few that are in the storms path. Stay safe my friends........................

Yesterday we made a little more progress toward launch day. Gayle has been attacking the attic. We moved all the trophies out and Bobbi-Leigh came over and took the tags off. A lifetime of softball tournies all over the USA. It was fun to see these beautiful trophies that our teams won over the years. Travel ball and high school ball has been fun, have devloped some great friendships and we have seen a lot of country because of this great sport.

We are making progress

Here's lookin at you kid....

Stuff Stuff Stuff

2011-08-24T09:56:00.000-04:00

Looking at the whole picture of getting ready to head out is over whelming. I have to take it one day at a time. There is so much to do to get ready that I'm wondering if we have enough time to get it all done. I seen this picture before, many fellow RV'er have traveled this path as they began their journey. Get rid of Stuff. There is stuff everywhere. Stuff in the garage, stuff in the add a room, stuff in the attic. Stuff, stuff, stuff.......where did we get all this stuff. Some stuff is going to the kids, some stuff is going in the garage sale, and more stuff is just plain being thrown out. Sell the van, sell the house, sell some stuff. If the stuff don't go in the RV then the stuff is sold, given away, or thrown out!!!!

But I love my Stuff.......................................................

Here's lookin at you kid.............

Sitting in the back yard, wishin'

2011-08-21T10:35:00.000-04:00

We are slowly getting the house ready to sell. Though we won't put it up till March, I can't wait to get out there. This morning I was watching the garden and all the birds and bugs that visit. We have lived here along time and I'll miss these mornings, but this house will make another family a good home. I feel we will leave it knowing its a great place to raise a family, we raised ours here......................................

Rally in Bremen

2011-07-03T08:02:00.000-04:00

Well the 2011 camping season has started for us. We took a week and went to the tri chapter rally for escapees. After that we stopped at the factory for some work on Suite P. The Factory was great. Did a great job and fixed all the little things we needed fixin'. We stopped in a little campground in Howe called Grandview Bend. Was very nice

Escapade 2010

2011-01-24T15:38:00.001-05:00

It's been 3 years since we made the decision to become full time rvers when we retire. It's been 3 years since we joined Escapees RV Club, the #1 organization for rving. However, this was the 1st chance we've had to attend an Escapade (an Escapee National Rally). It was both exhilarating and tiring at the same time.
The rally offered us a great opportunity to meet others with the same mind set as ourselves. We met new to the lifestyle full timers and long time road gypsies who offered us advice, encouragement, and support for our endeavor.
In the past 3 years, I have retired. Don will need to hang in there until 2013. Since attending the Escapade though, he has been chomping at the bit. I may have my hands full trying to rein him in. We are both pumped and ready to vigorously attack our stick and brick abode, whittling down our "stuff" and getting the house ready to put on the market. Will keep you posted on our progress.

Angel Tree in South Carolina

2011-01-23T16:41:00.001-05:00

View Full Album

Gayle and I loved this area

We're Famous!.......Well, kinda

2010-11-18T15:01:00.000-05:00

Our "infamous" Christmas card picture has been published in the Nov./Dec. 2010 issue of Escapees Sharing the RV Lifestyle magazine. We've started getting feed back on it. Here's the
photo in case you missed it.

We've tried to come up with ideas to top this one but have never quite succeeded.

LET ME EXPLAIN IF I MAY

2010-11-17T18:30:00.000-05:00

   Some of you have viewed the new addition to our blog, the U.S. map showing the states we have visited, & have raised questions.
Old friends want to know why we are showing only 3 states when they know that we have traveled to several states, Canada & Mexico.
   New acquaintances want to know why the states between Indiana & South Carolina are not colored in; surely we passed through others to reach our S.C. destination.
   Here's where the 'splainin' part comes in to play. We have criteria that each state must meet in order to be colored in on our map. We feel that passing through a state or even resting ones head there overnight just doesn't count as having visited the state. We feel we must spend at least one week seeing the sights in any one state for it to be designated on our map. Now in response to our "old" friends, we must be in the "Suite Pea" when we do it. "Suite Pea" is only 2 yrs. old & hasn't traveled extensively yet.

Sure hope this answers y'all questions!

2010 Heading in the right direction

2010-09-11T17:44:00.000-04:00

Well its been 2 years now. We have been to North Carolina, and South Carolina. Been back up north a couple of times. And today we have arrived at our first Escapade in Goshen, Indiana. Tomorrow will be opening ceremonies, then we will start learning what we'll need to know so we can begin our new life style. We are getting more and more comfortable in our 5th wheel. We should leave here with more information to help that dream happen.

On the Property

2008-11-07T23:16:00.000-05:00

After some work we finally got her in a nice little spot on the property in Kalkaska, Michigan. We had a great 2 weeks. All the Suite systems worked perfectly, and the weather was fabulous!

WE HAVE OUR WAGON!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-22T09:06:00.000-04:00

A lot of time has gone by since we last posted. Our truck came in, followed by our coach. It has been sitting at the Walnut Ridge Campground for the last six weeks where we are camped. We are now the proud owners of a 36 ft. RSSB3 Mobile Suites. We love every inch of it. What a great coach! Everything has worked just like they said it would. We did have one small leak but the techs came right over and fixed it.

After leaving the coach out at Walnut ridge for over a month, last Wed. June 18, 2008 we brought her home. My first time pulling anything this big. I think I did ok, the Trailair system was very good. Even to a Newbie like me. Backing it up into the yard was a trip in itself. But I took it slow and now she sits along the garage waitin' for our next adventure. I can't quit staring at it.

MEET MOOCH

2008-03-23T13:01:00.001-04:00

"Hi my name is Mooch, I'm a Treat-a-holic. I can't stand to see the pantry door being opened. It drives me nuts! I know there are bags of the "Good Life Recipe" treats in there and I need them, I NEED THEM I TELL YA".........
Yes, we are embarrassed to admit it, but our 15 lb (and growing),tabby, has an addiction and we are his willing enablers.

MEET TUCKER GEORGE

2008-03-23T12:47:00.000-04:00

"Hi my Name is Tucker, I keep hearing that I'm moving but I ain't seen anything pull up in the driveway yet! Dad, says were moving into something called a fifth wheel. "What the heck is a Fifth Wheel?"

Tucker's our year and half old Golden Retriever, who doesn't know that he's adopted. When you meet him please don't let on that you know. He supports and practices "the family bed" theory (and the family table theory too, now that I think of it.) Tuck's motto, "I get dibs riding shotgun."

The Truck is In

2008-03-16T19:10:00.001-04:00

The salesman said the truck would be here in about 10 weeks. That changed on Friday when after 2 weeks, Stacey, from the local Ford Dealership called and said, "Monday the truck will be in......" "Stacey, it ain't been 10 weeks." Well, with the way the economy is, they are completing truck orders a little quicker. I was shocked to say the least. Now I'll own 3 trucks. I take delivery at the end of the month. Gayle wanted auto start and they have to do the bed liner. I'll put the hitch on and maybe add some graphics to match the Mobile Suites. I wonder if the Suite is coming along quicker too?????

Gayle, retires after 30 years at Allison Transmission, Leaves for Florida, Don Stays home!

2008-03-07T07:53:00.000-05:00

Yes, its true. Gayle has left the building. After 30 years she has called it a career. I can't knock the smile off her face. She retired on February 29th and headed for Florida the next day. Ah, that was planned. She and her girlfriends from the old softball team are doing an early spring getaway. Hope she is having a good time cause its snowing here!

Well the Wagon has been ordered

2008-03-07T07:36:00.001-05:00

After months and months of looking, we have settled on a fifth wheel. It's funny because this was one of the first ones we looked at back in the Summer of 07'. We have looked at many motorcoaches and 5'ers. Mobile Suites by Doubletree, came out on top. Lots of storage, lots of room to move around in! We ordered it from Walnut Ridge in New Castle, Indiana. What a dealer. Jake Davis walked us around on a Saturday last summer and we stayed in contact with him throughout the winter. As I said we looked at lots of RV's and talked to many dealers. There are some very good dealerships out there with great products. But in the end, Mobile Suites won hands down.

MotorHome vs. Fifth Wheel

2007-12-01T06:56:00.000-05:00

   The battle has been waging for months now. What kind of RV will we travel in??? MotorHome.....Fifth Wheel, Hmmmmm................

   We looked at Mobile Suites, very nice. Montana Big Sky.......nice also, Heartland Landmark......very nice too!

   Motorhomes, Winniebago, Fleetwood, SportsCoach, and Newmar all very nice.
   Gayle, pick one!

Are you NUTS???!!!

2007-11-16T07:53:00.001-05:00

"Sell the house and all your stuff and live in an RV? Are you Nuts?!" This was our youngest daughter talking to her mother.
Yeah, we're nuts.We plan to load up that wagon and head west, er, south. Follow the sun.
"Ah, dear, we don't have a wagon."
Well then we have some work to do!