We got a late start this morning (11:30) because we were watching CBS Sunday Morning. We’ve been on US 301 most of the last two days. It is much more interesting than an interstate and we don’t get as tired or bored with driving; yes, yes, we do slow down through the towns along the way but we also read the AAA book that points out highlights of the area. Today we stopped at South of the Border (You’ve gotta love that place just for its ability to stay open how many years!) http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2211, drove through the town with an Ava Gardner Museum http://www.avagardner.org/ , followed roads near Sherman’s march to the sea and read those highway plaques http://www.sonofthesouth.net/leefoundation/shermans-march-to-the-sea.htm , didn’t get to stop at a Tobacco Museum or a Mill http://www.johnstoncountync.org/listings/?linkcode=2.5.E because it’s Sunday and they were closed, and passed old train depots in all states of repair – or disrepair. BTW, it has rained on us each day since Friday. BTW, stopped at a campground tonight so we can see Lost: The Final Transmission.

First day on the road: 240 miles, 7 hours, along US 319 through wonderful Georgia towns, along pecan farms and fields of sweet potatoes and Vidalia onions. Regina is really getting spoiled with the iPhone: checking email, facebook, weather, and finding the nearest Walmart, cheap gas, etc. We stop every few hours for gas, snacks, and walking breaks; it is not as convenient with Cruiser since we can’t stop and just walk to the back of a motorhome but it is MUCH more convenient to stop almost anywhere along the road or a shopping area or any gas station. What a great life.

Up at 6 am - that was a feat! Took Rachel to airport; doing laundry now; one more doctor today then we cross the border into Georgia tomorrow. Looking forward to five months in Cruiser - so much to see, so much to do!

At Tallahassee Elks for a week. Friends are forever. The two couples we saw in Winter Garden and Clermont are doing fine and enjoying life with children and grandchildren nearby; both have pools, boats, and are staying plenty active. In Tallahassee our first meal was a gathering of four retired Latin teachers and spouses; it is so great that one of them gathers us together when Paul and I show up in town. Everyone is keeping active and enjoying the good life. We will see several more friends in the next few days. Rachel is canoeing on the Ecofina River this weekend; she is almost ready for her “acupuncturists without borders” trip to Haiti. Paul has a few handyman jobs at her house; he’s already cleaned off the second load of those really annoying lovebugs and tar from road construction as we’ve traveled north. We’ll do our six-month visit to doctors during the week. Oh yes, it is warm in Florida; we keep checking the weather.com – do you know that it is consistently in the 60’s further north?

Clermont

Lovebugs! Driving up to Clermont from Palm Beach County those buggers covered not only the front of GiMmyC but also Cruiser. We kept washing them off at our gas, lunch, and rest stops but it still took a scrubbie and soap washing at our campground to get all the bugs and their acid. We are at the Clerbrook Golf and RV Resort, an Encore property that takes Passport America this time of year. Yes, it is still hot and humid – this is Florida after all.

We've just spent a wonderful week visiting and driving our moms around Palm Beach County - and a trip up to Stuart to visit our friends Patty and Tony. Mothers Day was a joy; we saw brother Dave and family, too. Paul's sister and her three girls and families get together for celebrations that are events to be remembered. It is difficult to get pictures of five kids under the age of ten, though.
We'll spend a few days here catching up with RV friends who have retired to this area; we may check out the RV resorts and see what they have to offer - but then again, it gets a bit colder here than Sarasota County.

Today Paul's mom drove down to my mom's (who doesn't drive and never has) and we went shopping at Kmart just down the road. Paul stayed at mom's and fixed the shower. The moms both use the shopping cart to steady them; after an hour everyone was finished (or tired) so I called Paul and he met us at IHOP for lunch. It was a good day. Paul's mom headed home; we left the moms to rest and put their feet up and then went to visit Ellen, my sister. She had some repairs that needed an extra hand so Paul helped out; I watched. She bought an inversion thing to help with her leg pain; it looks very, very interesting. Ellen and her late husband did a two week motorcycle trip to many of the places we are going this summer. I am SO glad we have time on our side to see all those places; life is good.

Today was the beginning of our 2010 Summer Travels. We are at John Prince CG in Lake Worth, our home base while we visit moms and siblings for the next week. It is warm and humid but we have a waterfront lot to enjoy. This was the last 200 miles of driving at 50 mph with GiMmyC pulling Cruiser; now our travels will go much quicker.