Gold Club Outing at Wekiva Falls Resort

Originally the Gold Club weekend outing for April 17th -19th had been scheduled for the Yellow Jacket Campground in Old Town, FL. Due to flooding in the area and the possibility of having to evacuate the area Audrey changed the venue to Wekiva Falls Resort in Sorrento, FL.

A view of the swimming area with water slides

In the tent where we had meals and activities
Audrey serving dinner Saturday evening

The resort didn't have a building for our activities and meals so they were held in a tent. We had a potluck on Friday evening and it was great as usual. After the potluck they had a movie. I went back to the motorhome and watched the Nascar Natiowide Race.

Waiting for the cruise boat

Cruise boat coming in to the dock

Our schedule for the weekend was as follows:

Friday Night - 6:30 PM - Potluck - Tent

Saturday Morning - Coffee & Donuts - 9:00 AM - Tent

Saturday - Wekiva River Cruise - 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Cost is $10.00 (group price)

Saturday Afternoon - Poker Walk - 4:30 PM
Beer, wine and soda will be available at the first and last stop of the Poker Walk. The price is $5.00 a hand, and you can have more than one hand.

Saturday Night Dinner - 6:30 PM - Tent

Saturday Night Movie "Marley & Me" - Tent

On Saturday morning I went over for coffee and donuts. Sat around talking with other members for awhile. I was scheduled to go on the river cruise at noon. I explored the park on my bicycle for a bit and then went over to the marina. I went by the store to get a ticket for the cruise and was told I could get it at the marina. There were several people at the marina that also needed tickets. We were told that we have to get them at the store. We told them the clerk at the store told us to get them at the marina. Then I found out that this trip was full anyway because they are limited to 30 people on the boat. So I left and went by the store and got a ticket for the 2:00PM trip.

Cruise boat captain

After exploring some more and chilling at the motorhome I went back to the marina for the cruise. The noon trip had been delayed in getting started so we were late also. It was a nice trip down the Wekiva River with the lady boat captain pointing out wildlife, plants and other interesting facts about the river and the area.

Wildlife on the river, a Limpkin

Canoeing down the lazy river with a dog

The poker walk had already taken place by the time we returned from the cruise. So they did a shortened version for the people who were on the last cruise. Instead of walking to all the locations to get cards they just had the dealers go to different tables in the tent. That was great as I didn't feel like walking anyway.

A view down the Wekiva River

An Osprey nest with the chick peeking out

After the poker walk we had dinner. We had hamburgers and hotdogs with potato salad and cole slaw for dinner. It was good along with the fellowship of fellow Gold Club members. After dinner I again chose to pass up the movie in favor of the Nascar Sprint Cup race.

My spot at the park

On Sunday morning we had coffee and donuts at the tent again. After that I packed up. I decided I would stay another night but would move to the Wekiwa State Park which is also on the Wekiva River but further south.

So after securing the motorhome for the trip I motored on to the Wekiwa State Park. It is a beautiful wooded park. The camping area is located away from the day user area. They have a lot of activities. You can go here to check it out Wekiwa River State Park. Here is another LINK with information on the park. The spring's name is derived from the Creek Indian word "Wekiwa" meaning "spring of water" or "bubbling water". Wekiwa Springs is the headwaters for the Wekiva River. "Wekiva" means "flowing water".

My spot at Wekiva State Park

A view of the spot from the side

I had spot number 2 in the park. It had a good canopy of trees. I tried the satellite but to no avail so had to settle for the channels I could get on the antenna. I explored the park on my bicycle.

A view of my spot from the rear

Monday morning I looked out the window and there was a turkey outside the window. After taking a picture of the turkey I noticed a squirrel in the tree so took a picture of it. After exploring a bit more I packed up for the trip home. It was a good weekend with the Gold Club activities and then the stay at Wekiwa.

Turkey outside my window

Squirrel in tree outside my window

Slideshow of weekend

Video of cruise boat docking

GNCC ATV and Motorcycle racing at River Ranch

I went to River Ranch February 27th through March 3rd for the GNCC River Ranch. I was there in my capacity as a Field Rep for the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). I went over in the motorhome and stayed there. They have an airport at River Ranch and they close it for the event. They park the motorhomes and RV's lined up on each side of the runway.

My location for the event

Another view

A view down the runway from my spot

A view the other way from my spot

This is the kickoff for the GNCC 13 event series for off road ATV's and motorcycles. The event is sanctioned by the AMA so you have to be an AMA member to participate. I am there to sign up and renew AMA members. This is the only four day event in the series. They have sign up and practice for ATV's on Saturday and race on Sunday. Sign up and practice for motorcycles is on Monday with the race on Tuesday.

Chilling in the motorhome in the evening

Watching the Nascar race

I had a good time at the event. In spite of a busy time signing up members I had a chance to watch the races and talk with a lot of people. It got very cold during the event. One morning I had ice on my table. In the evenings I just chilled in the motorhome watching tv. The first night I almost froze. To have power I had to run the generator. So when I retired for the night I would shut the generator down. I thought the heat needed the generator to operate. So I would shut the heat off when I shut the generator down. The second night I forgot to shut the heat off before shutting the generator down. After a bit the heat came on without the generator. So I learned something new about the motorhome. I can have heat without the generator running. It works off the 12 volt power.

Slide Show of the event

Grace's Christmas Programs 2008

My granddaughter Grace had two Christmas Programs. One was at her Pre-Kindergarten and at First Baptist Melbourne. Here are some pictures and videos from the programs.

Grace at PK Program

Rachael after the Program

Grace at FBM Program

Grace with her friend

Grace with her friends

Slide Show of Programs

Gold Club campout at Southern Palms Resort Eustis, FL

Our December Gold Club campout was held at the Southern Palms Resort in Eustis, FL December 5-7th. Of course being in December it had a Christmas theme a "Holiday Party".

Our schedule for the weekend was:
Friday, December 5

5:30 PM - Meet & Greet - Clubhouse
5:30 PM - Sign-up for Games & Making Gingerbread Houses - Clubhouse
6:00 PM - Ornament Exchange & Toys for Tots - Clubhouse
6:30 PM - Pot Luck - Clubhouse
7:00 PM - Fifty Fifty Raffle - Clubhouse
7:30 PM - Bingo - Clubhouse

Saturday, December 6

8:00 AM - Coffee & Donuts ( Sponsored by Re-Carpet Your RV) - Clubhouse
8:30 AM - CPR/AED Class - Pines Hall
9:00 AM - Horseshoe Tournament - North Side of Clubhouse
9:30 AM - RV Tips & Tricks - Pines Hall
9:30 AM - Frosting Gingerbread Houses - Clubhouse
12:30 PM - Decorating Gingerbread Houses
1:00 PM - Bocce Ball Tournament - North Side of Clubhouse
1:00 PM - Golf Scramble - Lakes of Mount Dora Country Club
6:00 PM - Turkey Dinner - Clubhouse
7:00 PM - Entertainment
9:00 PM - Trophies awarded to the winners of the tournaments
9:00 PM - Announcement of the winner for the"Best Decorated Rig"

Sunday, December 7

9:00 AM - Complimentary Coffee & Donuts - Clubhouse

Slide Show of the Weekend

It was a nice weekend. We had a good time with great food and entertainment.

Left to Right - Aunt Irene, Gayle, Jonathon, Me, Janet and Glenda

My Aunt Irene and cousins Gayle, Glenda, Janet and her son Jonathon came to visit on Saturday. We all went out for lunch. We had a nice visit. It was good to see them.

Slide Show of their visit

Katrina & Jerry's Visit at Thanksgiving 2008

Katrina and Jerry came down for Thanksgiving. It was the first time I got to see my newest granddaughter Veronica. The first part of their trip they went to Orlando and stayed at a resort and went to Disney. I met them in Orlando and we went to the Car Show at the Convention Center. We had breakfast at a Denny's and then went to the Convention Center for the show.

Savannah at Denny's

Veronica at Denny's

Me and Veronica

Me with Savannah and Grace

Me sitting in a new Corvette at the Car Show

Slide Show of Cars at the Car Show

Later we met at the Mall and the girls played at the play area. Katrina, Jerry and the girl's met me and Marilyn over at Deana and Tom's for a get together. We played with the kids and did some Karaoke.

Slide Show of Katrina & Jerry's Visit

Trip to Virginia for Communications International, Inc.

Last November I went to Virginia for two weeks to work. Communications International, Inc. had installed a new 800MHZ trunked radio system for Rockingham County Virginia. We were programming the radios for the system. We worked at the Emergency Operations Center in Harrisonburg and traveled to Fire Departments and Rescue Units to program the radios.
Me and Jerry at the Airport

At Singers Glen Volunteer Fire Company

Me programming a radio in a fire engine

Jerry working at the computer

Ready to leave for work

At Elkton Volunteer Fire Company

The crew on top of the mountain

Dick showing us the equipment

Slide show of the trip

Okeechobee Gold Club Rally 2008

Dave Mitchell, General Manager Giant Recreation World Melbourne
The 2008 Gold Club Rally was once again held at the Okeechobee KOA RV Resort in Okeechobee, FL October 24 -26th. It was an exciting and fun weekend "Spooktacular Halloween Weekend". The following activities were scheduled: Prizes For Best Pumpkin Carving, Site Decorating Contest, Costume Contest, Adult Halloween Craft Making, Kids Halloween Craft Making, Hayride, Texas Hold-em, Live Entertainment, Golf Scramble, Teen Meet & Greet, Little Diva Party, Horseshoe Tournament, RV 101, RV Tips & Tricks, Adult CPR/AED Class, Open Bar, Friday Night Dinner, Saturday Breakfast, Saturday Lunch, Saturday Night Dinner, Sunday Morning Continental Breakfast!!

At the end of the post there is a slideshow of pictures from the weekend.

Motorhome Decorated for the "Spooktacular Halloween"

Another View of the Motorhome

We arrived Friday afternoon and registered and proceeded to our site and parked and set up the Motorhome for the weekend. Here is the schedule for Friday:
Friday, October 24
9:00 - 11:30 AM Registration - Convention Center Lobby
1:30 -6:00 PM Registration - Convention Center Lobby
9:00:AM - 5:00PM Parts, Maintenance & Supplies - Hospitality Tent
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM RV Display - Convention Center Parking Lot
1:30PM Adult CPR/AED/ Red Cross Certification Class - Recreation Room
4:00PM - 10:00PM - Open Bar Hospitality Tent
5:45PM Dinner - (Handicap) Convention Center
6:00PM Dinner - Convention Center
7:30PM Bob Diverde - Master Comic & Impressionist - Convention Center
8:00 - 10:00 PM Teen Meet & Greet - DJ, Karaoke & Body Art -Family Pool Area
8:30PM Texas Hold-um (must arrive on time) - Convention Center
8:30PM Hayride - Outside Convention Center
8:30PM Movie - Addams Family - Convention Center

Spooks on the Motorhome

We checked out the hospitality tent which we were very close to. Then we went to the Convention Center for Dinner. After Dinner we enjoyed the entertainment Comedian Bob Diverde. It was a nice dinner and good entertainment. We returned to the Motorhome for TV and sleep.

Saturday's Schedule:

Saturday, October 25
8:00AM Breakfast - Convention Center
8:00-10:00 AM Late Registration - Convention Center Lobby
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM RV Display - Convention Center Parking Lot
9:00-5:00 PM Parts, Maintenance & Supplies - Hospitality Tent
9:00AM RV 101 Driving Tips (sign-up at registration) - Recreation Room
9:00AM Horseshoe Tournament (trophies will be awarded) - Family Pool Area
9:00AM Bocce Ball Tournament (bring your own Bocce Balls) - Family Pool Area
10:00:AM Little Diva Party - Convention Center
10:00AM Kids Halloween Craft Making - Convention Center
10:30AM RV Tips & Tricks (sign-up at registration) - Recreation Room
11:45AM Lunch (Handicap)- Convention Center
12:00PM Lunch - Convention Center
1:00 PM Golf Scramble (sign-up at registration) - Meet at the Pro Shop
1:30PM Adult Halloween Craft Making - Convention Center
2:30-3:30PM Hayride Campground
3:00PM Pumpkin Carving Contest Picnic Tables by Children's Pool
4:00 - 10:00 PM Open Bar - Hospitality Tent
5:30PM Photographs (Handicap)- Outside Convention Center
5:45PM Photographs - Outside Convention Center
5:45PM Dinner (Handicap)- Convention Center
6:00PM Dinner- Convention Center
7:30PM Euphoria Band - Convention Center
9:00PM 50 - 50 Tickets - Convention Center
9:30PM Halloween Parade - Convention Center

Spooks everywhere
Saturday morning we went over for breakfast and came back and decorated the Motorhome with our halloween theme for the weekend. Chilled out afterward and then went over for lunch. Spent some time over at the hospitality tent chatting with other Gold Club members. Took a bike ride around the park taking pictures of the other Motorhome decorations.

Then we dressed up in our halloween costumes for the evening festivities at the Convention Center. Marilyn went as Princess Leia from Star Wars. I used my long standing costume of a Ghoul. I have gotten my money's worth out of this outfit. Using it at many halloween events and haunted houses. I usually wear a plastic mask with it. When I volunteered for the haunted house at the Henegar Center in old downtown Melbourne they didn't want me to wear the mask. So I had to make up my face to look like a Ghoul. One of the organizers of the haunted house made up my face and taught me how to do it. I was still able to use my plastic eyes that really made the masks and now my made up face scary. So for this event I made up my face. I also use a voice changing box that requires a microphone near my mouth. With my hood it is pretty much not visible unless you are close.

We had a nice dinner with the band for dancing afterwards. Then they had the costume contest. We didn't win but it was fun. Then we retired to the Motorhome for the evening.

Marilyn as Princess Leia

Princess Leia and The Ghoul

Sunday nothing was scheduled except for Donuts and Coffee. I went over for that. Came back and prepared the Motorhome for the trip home.

Here is a slideshow with pictures from the weekend. Enjoy!!!

Another great Rally. Thank you Giant Recreation World, Audrey and Chris. A great weekend. Keep up the good work.