Second Summer - #118

We are having a second summer! It is hot during the day! We have never spent so much time in our bathing suits and the pool! As soon as the sun sets, the air cools and it has been a delightful low 60’s for sleeping with the windows open. Though we’ve has a few sporadic nights when it doesn’t drop below 75 and you really need the a/c. Luckily, ours seems to be working again! 

We’re getting our activities schedule together and there’s a lot to do. For example we go to the Silver Slipper Casino on Tuesdays and Fridays for casino free play and the 1/2 price ($8.00) buffet lunch ( which is our dinner too) Last week I received a total of $30 free play; Charlie received $20. It’s been enough to keep us happily playing at no additional cost to us; we roll our winnings over from week to week and it often pays for lunch too. It’s not for everyone but it’s something we both really enjoy!

We are definitely walking more and exercise regularly at our campground’s fitness room. We have been eating better and I’ve lost 8 lbs since we arrived. I’m really working at it now. 

We are currently signed up for a painting classes in both Diamondhead and now Waveland; we participated in our first class last week painting turtles! They came out pretty good! I’ve also been having fun working on some craft projects - the latest is my Day of the Dead skulls.

And I’ve been reading! Nothing serious but I’m on my second book already! 

We’ve been revisiting a lot of our favorite places - Ground Zero Hurricane Museum, antique and thrift stores and are looking forward to several arts and crafts shows we’ve visited in previous years. I’d also like to revisit the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum in Biloxi and there are some new places -  Maritime and Seafood Industry Museum also in Biloxi and a Frank Lloyd Wright house in Ocean Springs we plan to see this year. 

Charlie finally completed setting up his HAM radio but still needs to tweak a couple of things to get better reception. He tried a couple of different set ups and hopefully he will get it the way he wants. 

Facebook can be a really big help in finding out what events are going on in the area. There are many localized little theatre groups utilizing local talent as well as larger venues at the resort hotels. I just ordered tickets for us to see the show “A Christmas Story” which will be running for a couple of weeks at the Beau Rivage in Biloxi. We planned an overnight stay as well. I also have my eye on some smaller productions in our area.

This coming week I have a dermatologist appointment; I couldn’t get one at home for 6+ months; I had much better luck down here. 

We also finally have an appointment for a new RV tech to service our trailer. I gave up on our regular guy who could never commit to a day - despite the fact I contacted him a month before we left, and the day before we arrived to get on his schedule. Disappointing to say the least. 

I’m also been toying with the idea of redecorating the inside of our trailer - again. My main priority has always been maintaining but after 14 years, no matter how much you take care, the original design gets outdated and tired. Charlie replaced a piece of delaminated molding yesterday with the help of a friend; it looks so much better! It’s often hard to get parts for RVs in regular box stores. This “ molding” was actually threshold but worked perfectly and was just the right color!

Yesterday evening, I made a dinner inviting a few friends from the park. We had all met in previous years and they are such nice people! As luck would have it, after 3 weeks of not a cloud in the sky - it rained! So we decided to have our meal up at the pavilion, which worked out fine - just a lot more work schlepping everything over there and back! 

I’ve also been getting messages of concern from snowbirds who will arrive the end of December - about the park - specifically the new owners.  We had similar concerns before we arrived. While things are different and there will definitely be less “ hand holding”  - the park is still beautiful and many new upgrades are being made. I do agree with the disappointment - the new owners have not reached out to longtime campers- introducing themselves, talking about their vision for Bay Hide Away. But- this is all very new to them and I guess we have to give them some slack this first year. For us personally- although we do enjoy the park activities- we don’t need to be entertained and I have no issue organizing an activity myself. 

Today will be raining all day - in fact, pouring out! Typical Mississippi rain. We have a good campsite with no flooding. It’s been a long while since we’ve had rain, so we don’t mind a relaxing day. Next week looks wonderful! 

Don’t Know What It Is About This Place - #117

Today, Thursday 10/9 is mid 80’s, less humidity ( thank goodness) and beautiful blue skies! Doesn’t get much better than this! 

We arrived just about a week ago - last Friday - and spent our first two nights in the cottage at the campground. It’s such a charming-beachy little place - and oh so comfortable. Our travel south was long and tiring; we were glad to have a place to just relax. The travel trailer had been moved to our new site by the park staff but we still had a lot to do. I knew I made the right decision to stay at the cottage- giving us a couple of days to get the trailer set up and cleaned, stocked before we moved in.  But, boy - I was really glad to spend that first night in our own bed! 

Our trailer did great over the summer! Much better than sleeping through a New England winter where is was always invaded by ants and assorted critters- always a mess! The inside was practically pristine and Randy, former park host, thoughtfully ran an ozone machine inside -which gets rid of any lingering odors- there were none! While I do think our covering the camper helped to protect it, it was a little dirty underneath- but it wipes right off ; I’ve been gradually cleaning the outside.  

We are also really loving our new location within the campground. Our front door faces a big green area and beautiful live oak tree; we are at an end and a very short walk to the pool and all amenities. It feels very private. It has been hot and humid here; we’ve really enjoyed using the pool several days already. We’ve also gotten into a routine exercising in the fitness room as well. We are making a concerted effort to get stronger and in better fitness. We both have trouble walking; Charlie from his diabetes and me, arthritis in my left knee. I used to love doing laps around the park; I just can’t do it anymore - at least for now. I’m working on it  

The park is currently filled with mostly locals participating in Cruisin’ the Coast - a week long antique car event spreading from Bay St Louis to Biloxi. They had record registration of over 10,000 vehicles parading through the streets, on display, taking part in events - such as “ burn outs”.  We did not see as much as we planned - but we’re okay with that. Our neighbors at the campground are very friendly, talkative and kind.  There are a handful of regulars who live in the park year ‘round and it’s been great reconnecting with them. We are the first of the “ snowbirds” to arrive; others will gradually be making their way here. 

 

We like the new park owners very much and they are working hard, trying to do a good job. So far, so good. We will definitely miss Randy and Lea but happy for them as they move on to a new, exciting phase of life.

No one deserves it more!

Of course, with all the good and fun stuff going on - we have a couple of problematic issues. Firstly, repairs needed on our trailer. We knew we wanted to get a new awning, have our outdoor shower disconnected and capped as it leaks ( we don’t use it) and have our thermostat checked; we have some funky stuff going on. This was all stuff we knew about. When I was cleaning, I discovered the cold water faucet in our shower would not turn; it was totally frozen. And we tried everything! So that now needs to be replaced. ( we just shower in the bathhouse )None of these things were a big deal until last night; we were eating dinner inside with the a/c on and all of a sudden we heard a loud “clunk” - and the air shut off. Lucky for us, last night was cooler temps and a/c wasn’t needed; we’re okay for the next few days. The RV tech will be coming sooner. But boy, if it had happened a day or two before- it would have been stifling inside our trailer.

 

We are looking forward to continue to visit a lot of or favorite restaurants, venues, casinos and check out some new places. It’s going to be a great winter!

On The Road- #116

We departed Monday, September 29th. To friends and family we were not able to get together with before heading south again - our time home was shorter than usual and I apologize for not reaching out. But here’s a thought (and invitation) come visit us on the Gulf Coast!

Today, Wednesday, October 1st, we’ll be slightly more than halfway to Bay St Louis, stopping later today in Knoxville, TN. We will arrive at our destination on Friday. 

It’s been an uneventful trip so far. Sounds a bit boring but always a positive. Basically just driving and overnighting in a hotel. While it is much easier driving without pulling the trailer and our gas mileage is about 6-7 mpg better, I do miss some of the good perks of having our house with us.

Sometimes, we encounter fun things while driving down the road that just make us smile. 

As we drive from state to state, I am reminded of all the different areas we have stayed and visited over the past 4 years. While I am glad on this trip to “just get there”, I do miss taking our time and exploring a little along the way. It is difficult to do having Minnie with us. We’ve been sneaking her into the hotels. She’s very good but has been a little vocal in the mornings so we’ve had to sneak her out and put her in the truck, while we have breakfast and check out. She’s pretty chill while driving. 

             Minnie after a hard day driving.

Driving

We’ve been staying at Tru Hotels. They are part of Hilton, one of their newer brands. I highly recommend if you’ve never stayed. I brought food with us; usually I prepare pbj sandwiches for lunch on the road at rest stops, although today I made bagels with cream cheese from the breakfast buffet. Tonight, we’ll be having soup or tuna salad for dinner. We keep it very simple. After 6+hours on the road, we just want to relax. Little cats can get anxious in new surroundings so we don’t like to leave her. 

Charlie and I both started wearing compression socks during really long travel. While we’ve never had any circulation problems to date, we figure better safe then sorry. So many days in a row, so many hours.  However, we do have various aches and pains from traveling and sitting so long. We’re getting to be a pair of old coots. At any rate, it won’t be long now! Gulf Coast see you soon!