1st Cloudy Day!

Expected to wake to a rain, but it was partly sunny and we had no rain during the night, but it was extremely windy!  We played some mini golf before breakfast and later headed to North Wildwood to walk the sea wall and then the boardwalk.  By the time we finished our 5 mile walk, we had sand everywhere!

Returned to Willie for lunch and put everything "undercover" to get ready for the anticipated heavy rains and strong winds.  They even had a tornado watch in effect.  Fortunately we never had any rain until 8 PM and not very much.  The winds never got as strong as predicted and we were thankful.

Great day for reading, making jewelry, and updating Facebook and our blog.

Tomorrow should be another nice day!

This is the North Wildwood Inlet where we usually sit
on the beach when we are here in the summer.  Today the
water was almost up to the seawall.  Not much room for sitting!

Even the seagulls were waiting for the storm!

The ocean water was so rough and choppy!

Not many people on the boardwalk at North Wildwood!

What Unbelievable Weather!

We woke to lots of sunshine and mild temperatures.  Unfortunately, we discovered that our lights were dim and the refrigerator wasn't working.  Realized quickly that the charger showed that the battery appeared to be faulty.  We talked to Allen at Klines and the consensus was that we should purchase a new battery.  So off we went for a new battery.  Once installed, everything appeared to be working properly.  Time will tell if it is the converter.  Willie will go back to Klines when we return home for inspection and a check-up.

We spent the afternoon on the beach in Avalon reading and hunting for more shell pieces for my jewelry creations.  Then some mini golf at the CG and a walk around the park.  Ken cooked our supper on an open fire. 

Here are some future pendants to be made from
these "Gifts from the Sea".

The beach at Avalon was somewhat deserted today
compared to over the weekend!

Lots of pendant making possibilities for the future!

A very nice 9 old golf course at the CG that is
well maintained and challenging!

We are expecting some storms tonight and off and on tomorrow, so in with the awning, chairs, etc.  A day spent indoors has appeal to Ken and I.  We both have somethings that need our attention, such a jewelry making, rubber stamping, and writing in a journal for me, and reading, doing some work on Facebook, and some organization for Ken.  We like hearing the rain on Willie's roof!

Said Goodbye to the Martins!

 Ken and I prepared breakfast for Doloris and Fred so they could pack up for their return home!  Cooked and ate outside - it was a beautiful mild sunny morning!  After clean-up, the 4 of us played the miniature golf course here at the CG.  The women were victorious again!!!

Ken and I headed to Ocean City, NJ to check out the boardwalk and the beach.  That is where Ken went with his family and he wanted a day to reflect!  They were having an air show right over the beach, so we were entertained while reading!  We enjoyed "walking the boards". 

The beach at Ocean City NJ was very full for this time
of year.  The air show probably helped!

The boardwalk was crowded too!

Ken and I both remembered having coconut macaroons at
Ocean City, so we had to carry on the tradition.  The ones
at "George's" are fantastic!
 

A view of Atlantic City from the boards at OC!

We enjoyed watching some surfers enjoying the
large waves!

Beautiful day and evening, so we cooked and ate outside.  Then spent the evening in Willie relaxing!

Sad to see Fred and Doloris leave!  Their campsite behind us looks so deserted!  But, there is a chance they will be back next weekend, depending on the weather!  We would love spending another weekend with them!

Gorgeous Weather at the Beach!

Saturday was another perfect day at the beach.  We woke to cooler temperatures, just perfect for a long bike ride.  The 4 of us left the CG at 8 and drove to Avalon to ride up to Stone Harbor.  It was in the upper 60's with a slight breeze and plenty of sunshine.  Those areas are just wonderful for bike riding and seeing all the lovely beach homes.  We stopped at the end of Stone Harbor to walk to the point where there is a preserve.  It is a stopping point for monarch butterflies during their migration flight to Mexico.  They will probably be there in the next week or so.  Ken and I will check it out again while we are here.  Can't believe they make the long journey only to reproduce and then die!  It is the next generation that makes the return flight!  How do they know what route to follow?  Amazing!

Doloris and Fred headed back to the CG around 11 and Ken and I rode to the center of Avalon to check out the little craft fair that was on the main street.  Very small, but nice.

We were back to Willie in time to change for the beach and pack a small lunch.  Then to the beach in Stone Harbor followed by a walk to the Wine and Micro Brewery Fair the was in the main downtown area.  Fred and Doloris paid to sample the local wines!

The evening was a relaxing one with a campfire supper, card playing (the women won!), star gazing and seeing some shooting stars, and then s'mores!  What a perfect day!  We also called and sang Happy Trails to You to Sam and Kathy Frankhouser as they leave for a 17 day trip to Italy early Sunday morning!

Can't believe the Martins leave tomorrow!

Wish all roads had such great bike lanes!

The craft fair at Avalon!

The Wine and Beer Tasting Fair at Stone Harbor complete
with grape stomping!!

First 2 Days at Sea Pines near Stone Harbor!

Ken and I left home at 6:45 AM yesterday, Thursday, arriving at Sea Pines around 10:45.  The Martins checked in on Wed. and found us 2 great sites back to back. 

Set-up went well, but then we realized that our refrigerator did not want to stay running.  The battery seemed to be losing its charge so even the gas wouldn't keep it cold.  After trying several things, Ken placed a call to the serviceman, Allen at Kline's RV.  He is always so helpful and patient.  He suggested we purchase a battery charger/maintainer to help "diagnose the problem.  The Martins left for the beach at 1:30 while we went on a mission to find a charger. 
After checking at some auto parts stores, we ended up at the old faithful, Wal-Mart and found success!  By 4 we joined the Martins on the beach at Stone Harbor and what a gorgeous day.  Plenty of sunshine, low humidity, and around 79.  Only left the beach at 6! 

Once we were back at the CG, Ken and Fred spent time hooking up the charger.  After several hours, the battery was fully charged and the frig was working fine.  Obviously the problem will be addressed when we get back home, but for now we are thankful. 

Fred made a great campfire and we enjoyed eating outdoors.  Played a game of Haus and the women won by a huge margin!  Go Ladies!!

Today is a very special day - Ken's 62nd birthday!  Wow!  We can now get our $10. Senior Citizen Pass for the National Parks.  Makes turning 62 abit more acceptable!  It was another beautiful day for the beach with plenty of sun and mild temperatures.  We had an extremely relaxing morning, only eating our omelet breakfast around 11:00.  Fred and Doloris left for the beach around 1:15, but Ken and I took time to make some additional reservations for our Florida snowbirding trip.  He also had phone calls from our daughters and granddaughter singing Happy Birthday to him.  How special!  We got to the beach at Avalon around 2:15, after being detoured away from Stone Harbor.  Not sure what was going on.  So, we were on the beach in Avalon and Fred and Doloris spent the afternoon on the beach in Stone Harbor. 

We had bid on and won a free lobster and steak dinner from Fred and Doloris when our Sunday School class had a benefit auction at Christmas time.  We decided to "get our gift" while we were on this camping trip, so we enjoyed some good eating tonight!  Ken hasn't had lobster for so long and it certainly was a treat!  Since I am not a seafood lover I thoroughly enjoyed my filet.
We surprised him with a birthday cake complete with candles.  It was a fun night even though the men won the card game!

This is one happy birthday boy!!!

A Hectic Few Weeks!

I'll begin by saying that my jewelry display at Curves was a total success.  I sold so many pendants and pairs of earrings - way beyond my expectations.  Guess I have to make a " business trip" to Florida to get more shells!  It is a great hobby to take on the road with me.  It requires so little inventory and "stuff" compared to many of my other crafts - scrapbooking, rubber stamping, etc.

Our youngest daughter and her family moved to a new home about 2 miles from the townhouse they owned previously last Friday.  Ken was their agent and of course he wanted everything to go smoothly for his daughter!  Put some extra tension on him, but all went well.  It was an interesting transaction.  Our daughter and her family actually bought the home of the folks who bought their townhouse.  That can cause some additional challenges, but again, it seemed to go smoothly!  Jamie was amazing during the preparation for moving.  They only had 2 weeks from the time the mortgage was approved until settlement, so not much time for packing and she has 2 daughters ages 3 and 5.  The incredible part was that they started moving in at noon on Friday, and she invited us for dinner on Sunday evening with all the boxes unpacked, the garage totally organized incl. tools hanging on the walls, and the storage area totally completed.  Ken and I spent a lot of time helping on Wednesday evening, Friday, and on I helped again on Saturday.  They are going to love the house and the great location!

Yesterday Ken and I spent the afternoon with my parents to celebrate their 64th wedding anniversary.  What a milestone!  We played pinochle with them and they are so mentally sharp.  What a blessing for them and us!!!

Today we spent 6 hours at the RV Show in Hershey.  Always go there to make our reservations for Florida in Feb. and March.  We think we may head to Florida in November for about a month, so we did make a reservation for the Royal Coachman, probably our favorite spot!  Unfortunately, that CG was already booked for Jan, Feb and March, so November will have to work for us!  We will spent 2 weeks in Pine Island CG, 2 weeks at Manatee near Bradenton, and then on to Flagler Beach for another 2 weeks.  We appreciate the great deals we get with Encore!

Tomorrow morning we are leaving for a 2 week stay at Sea Pines near Stone Harbor NJ.  We are looking forward to a relaxing, slow time.  The Martins, Doloris and Fred, 1 of our summer camping friends arrived there today and we leave on Sunday.  We are looking forward to spending time together.  Also plan to see Richard and Bonnie Waltman while we are there - they live about an hour
away from the CG.

We are anxious to be on the road again!

Adjusting to Being Back Home!

The weekend was a typical one after returning from being away for a week!  I spent numerous hours getting ready to display the jewelry that I make at our local Curves.  Every 2 weeks a different member has the opportunity to display their crafts/hobbies so the women are aware of the "talents" of fellow members.  I was amazed at all the work required to get ready for today's set-up.  Fortunately some of my "Curvette" friends were there to help and give me ideas. 

 Here is the display when it was completed - 

I could not believe how many pairs of earrings and pendants I had made over the last 8 months, considering that I had sold many of them before this display.  I really enjoy making these pieces, so I hope I can found a good outlet for the finished products.