Week 853 - Full Time Motorhome Travel - Part IV-B - The People - 12-18-2022
Full Time Motorhome Travel - Part IV-B - The People
Continuing with our "people", the best part of full time travel.
To learn their story use your mouse to hover over their names. On a touch screen, touch once to read, touch outside the story to close.
Hank and Ann
We spent 8 months in 2007 visiting the entire East Coast. At a stop in Carrabelle Beach RV Resort, Florida we met Hank and Ann. They just dropped in at our picnic table along with others. They had a Canadian Smart Car; we thought we might like a US Smart Car. Hank let Ellen drive it and we took it for a spin.Then they invited us to their house in Ontario, Canada. Did we go? Of course! "Don't give us your address unless you mean it." That was 3 months later and what hospitality. Ann made a very fine dinner. Hank makes home made wine and it was wonderful, especially the Ice Wine. Thank you, Hank and Ann, for being so hospitable.
Met them at a Florida RV park and stayed at their house in Canada.
Hank and Arlene
Pete's sister Donnalee gave us tickets to a tourist train in Clarksdale, Arizona. As we waited to board, a man (Hank) was trying to make phone call to a friend in town. He had no reception. Pete overheard and handed Hank his Verizon phone with coverage. Hank, called his friend and left a message.The train departed, Hank and Arlene were in the luxury car, we were in the cattle car. As the train arrived back to the station, Hank's friend called Pete's phone. We told him we would get a hold of Hank. But, alas, the luxury train unboarded first. We ran through the entire parking lot, but Hank and Arlene we gone.
Weeks later Hank called! We were in Texas headed East. He told us to visit in Evanson, Illinois. We did! We parked on his street at rush hour and knocked. Hank, delighted, asked if we would stay.
"Sure, but where?" "In the street." "No way on a narrow busy street". "In our driveway". "No, too short." "In our neighbor's driveway." "No, their tree is in the way." Hank, a 30-year retired police chief, said the house is for sale and vacant. He proceeded to cut half the tree down to make room. As a chief, he had "command" of the situation.
We backed in and as we settled, the son of the owner came home! Hank was not there, so we looked for him. He was in his back yard hiding the branches under a tarp! So much for the tough guy.
While there we had a great tour of Chicago.
Arizona tourist train visitors; stayed at their house near Chicago.
Leonard and Dreda
"Leave the stories to the professionals, don't try this at home." You don't get stories like this sitting at home. Pete met Leonard in the pool at Flamboro Family Camp, Ontario, Canada. They invited us for drinks in their trailer.Leonard is a farrier (horse shoer), Dreda grooms horses for the same owner. They shared a professional video made by a news station. Leonard's son is the owner, trainer and driver in harness racing. He was performing well in the current season, when he had an accident. Rounding the final leg, his cart got tangled and he went down. Broke ribs, broken collar bone and broken leg.
Leonard visited in the hospital. His son was sad that he could not finish the season. Leonard, a retired harness racer, offered to ride his horse. His son was so grateful so see if his horse could still finish at the top.
During the next race Leonard was rounding the final leg. His cart got tangled and went down. The ending of the film, showed Leonard in the some hospital room with his son. Same horse, same cart, same accident, same room and the same injuries. You can't make this stuff up. We saw the video, we have the proof, that's our story and we're sticking to it.
Met them horsing around at the pool in Canada. Leonard is a harness racer.
Mark and Larry
It was August 3, 2007, our 33rd anniversary. It was extremely hot and humid. We called the Cape Girardeau Elks to see if they had 50 amp service. "Yes, come on in." We arrived in minutes and were greeted by Mark, the PER, Previous Exalted Ruler.We left the large hilltop lodge and followed 1/4 mile through a card-keyed gate, across a dam to our RV spot. The 11-spot RV area had two with 50 amps. We were the only RV there. Mark plugged us in and invited us the lodge. We were on a 38 acre lake, hidden from the hilltop lodge. It was the "Garden of the Elks".
Pete went to pay $10 for the 1-day stay. Mark bought him a drink. Then another Elk member bought a drink and then a third. Pete said "You must stop, my wife is not here".
The park was so lovely, we stayed 5 days. Each morning Ellen went fishing in our kayak. Pete did his computer work in the coolness of the MotherShip. Mark told us to come to dinner as they had a 5-star chef. It was raining, we had no car, so we waited for the rain to stop. Before it stopped, Larry, another member, came in his car to get us. We went to the lodge, ate a wonderful meal that Larry bought and then brought us home.
Departing after 5 days, we received a phone call from Mark and Larry, every 3 months, asking when we might return! We did return in 2011 and will stop in whenever we are close. Truly, the Garden of the Elks.
Our incredible hosts at the "Garden of the Elks" in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Paul, Carra and Kevin
Ozarks Luxury RV Resort is beautiful. This is our favorite ownership resort as it is a natural setting on Table Rock Lake. We vised for four days in 2006 and if it were not in Arkansas we would own a lot.A second visit was in 2008. We rented a lakeside lot next to Kevin who we met in 2006. And we met Paul/Cara and others. On our fourth night Hurricane Ike came through, downgraded to a tropical storm. Foolishly, we had less that 1/4 tank of diesel. If we lost our power service, we couldn't use the generator. So, we bid our friends goodbye the next morning.
They were having none of it. They said "If the power goes out, we'll head to town and get diesel for you. And we'll pay for it!" We could not accept their generosity until they said. "How about tomorrow, we take a couple boat loads of folks on the lake to Branson for lunch?" They had us at "lunch". We stayed two more days, did not lose power, but lost amazing friends as we departed. All we can say is "Wow".
Lot owners and "givers" at Ozarks Luxury RV Resort on Table Rock Lake, Arkansas.
Diane and Dennis
Have you taken your own river trip, not a paid-for ride? You must drop off your kayaks upstream and leave your vehicle downstream. This can be tough. In August 2008 we kayaked the Snake River in Wyoming.Ellen stayed with the kayaks. Pete drove the MotherShip to the end. The plan was to unload the scooter and ride to the start; kayak down; drive the MotherShip to the start; load the scooter and done!
Ellen in place, Pete drives to the end. As he was unloading the scooter, he noticed a SUV full of women pulling a trailer with a raft. Behind was a lady in another car. As the lady got into the SUV it was obvious they were heading to the start. Pete asked if he could ride along? Of course! Thus he met Diane, a generous woman who peppered him with questions.
Diane asked where he and Ellen would park the MotherShip for the night. Pete said they would find a place in Jackson. "No you won't, not during the summer", replied Diane. But, you can stay on my property, seven acres bordering the Grand Tetons National Park.
Pete mentioned that if he informed Ellen, she would say "Diane did not mean that". Pete asked Diane to ask Ellen. She did, we did and we spent two days at Diane and Dennis's mansion! They had a dedicated RV site with power. And when we arrived in the evening, Diane told us breakfast would be in 9am!
We never embellish our stories, we don't have to!
You'll have to wait to hear how we were blessed by these folks.
Ed and Diane
In August 2008 we once again visited Motorcoach Country Club Resort in Las Vegas. We parked about 2pm and set off for one mile walk around the resort. We made it 20 feet and the three couples next door invited us to visit. The all know each other and none knew us. But by 10pm we knew each other well.The men "talked about the weather" and the women "talked about old men!" Truly, Pete and Ed and the other men shared. But, Ellen, Diane and her friends shared at the deepest level. This must have been an appointment from God as it was just what Ellen needed. (Note in 2008, there were issues with our children. Today, we are happy to report there are none. Praise the Lord.)
They interrupted our one mile walk after 20 feet to invite us in.
With love, Pete, Ellen and Mandy
Photos from 2007 to 2008
The Full Time Motorhome Living Guide
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