2021/06/26 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 09 - Natchez Trace Pkwy - Next Section

 Well, again my back is not 100%, so we will go in the afternoon, so we planned to do more of the Trace.

Before getting to the Trace were we left of yesterday we stopped at Starbuck for our morning drinks.

The first stop on the trace today was at the Cowles Mead Cemetery, Next was the Clinton Welcome Center.  We did several stops along the trace - Osburn Stand, a Old Trace location, Overlook at the Trace, Cypress Swamp,  River Bend Picnic Area and then Kosciusko Information Center.  We went into town to grab some lunch (McDonald's) before doing more of the trace north.  We did some time Little Mountain to enjoy the views.  

It took about 2 hours to get back to the RV.

I was checking things, I noticed that the bike rack cups is broken so did some moving of the cups to we don't loose the bikes.

We went to the convention center to check on the square dancing.  We went ahead and picked up our packets and registered for the next few convention.  Was able to talk to several people.  The turnout was very low for this convention.

We headed out for dinner at Babalu - it was good.

Back at the RV to relax.

2019/06/29 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 09 - Exploration and Dinner Again

We got up late.  C.M. watch has not changed to ET and she thought it was strange that I would get up so early...

Our first stop was at The Joint, but the chiropractor on duty did not adjust me like the one during the week.  So I don't feel like he was much help.

We went to a different place for lunch this time, we first stopped at Jerusalem Bakery and Market but did not like the menu, so we headed over to Cracker Barrel but that line was long (a lot of people setting outside), so we headed over to Marlow's Tavern.  J.M, E.M, and Mom M went in, while C.M., A.M., and Mom D went next door to Kohl's to return a package and get something else before coming over for lunch...

Our next stop was at the Dr Martin Luther King Jr National Historic Site.  Amanda got her Jr Ranger program booklet and was able to complete it.

Now it was time for diner with our good friends, we stopped by the convention center and our friends joined us.  We headed over to Scalini's Italian Restaurant for good food and company!

We parted ways and headed back to camp to relax.  C.M. and I worked on the new mifi and the technology cupboard (just a little cleaning up)

2019/06/27 - Thursday - Vacation - Day 07 - Battlefield and New Arrival

We got going very late compared to any other time.

We stopped at "The Joint Chiropractic" to see it can help me out with my pain.

Well now it is time for lunch.

We went and toured around at the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.  Amanda was able to complete the Jr Ranger booklet and got a nice packet of items.  We drove around some more and even found a 'dirt' road that had some major potholes.

Next stop was to go pick up Mom D and C.M., so we will now have 6 people touring around.  It is so cool that we have the complete family and both moms!

We stopped at the convention center to pick up our badges and get the lay of the facilities.  Of course we paid for A.M and E.M. registration.

With my back pain I don't think we will be doing much dancing... Not very happy about that but not much I can do but try to get better...

On the way to get dinner, we stopped at Bed, Bath and Beyond, then stopped at an auto parts place, but they did not have the fuse we needed.

We had dinner at one of the location where Triple D visited and it was good.

Next stop was to pickup the amazon package from an Amazon drop box location.  On the way back Mom D started to not feel good.

Back at the RV trying to get everything situated for a family of 6 and getting ready for tomorrow.

2018/06/30 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 09 - More NSDC and Friends

I got up early and did three loads of laundry while Amanda and Cheryl slept in.

We got going to meet friends for lunch, but before heading to lunch we stopped at Walmart to get a few things.

Went to the convention center to check on a few things - we did not win anything on the raffles.

We watched the closing ceremonies and then headed out for dinner.

Our friends headed to a round dance hall while we watched the dancing in the live band hall.

Back at the RV, Turquoise must have not like the weather/rain and peed on the couch and on the one of the bench seats.  So off to do more laundry very late at night.

2018/06/29 - Friday - Vacation - Day 08 - NSDC and Friends

We got moving really late, but we all wanted some more sleep in time...

Once we got moving we left a little after 1.
First stop was at a bank to take care of a few things, then we stopped for a late lunch.

Once at the convention center, we did some dancing, meet some friends and did more dancing.

We went out for our expensive dinner today - 801 Chop House.  The place did not compare to last years Morton's dinner.

Back to dancing and Amanda got  her shoes.  Because there is no photographer at this convention Amanda found a place and took some pictures with her phone.

We went back to the RV and meet our long time close friends (F&L) that just drove up and had a great conversation.

2017/06/24 - Saturday - Vacation - Day 10 - Square Dancing

We got started late, but we made a decision last night to do lunch first before spending the rest of the day down at the convention center.

Lunch was at a White Castle (In-and-Out is way better!).

I forgot my badges so went back to the RV to retrieve them before going to the convention center.

We converted to the long form for Kansas MO convention and then paid for the Spokane convention.  We went to the vendor area to get a thing or two.  Then we watched them break the worlds record. But I have an issue with that.  Mom M, I, and plus about 18000+ other people danced in 1981 on a football field, so I am not sure what record they are trying to break!

We did do some dancing in the Mainstream Hall.

We walked to Morton's for some very good and expensive food for dinner.

Back at the convention center, we paid for the 2021 convention that will be in Jackson MS.  We went and watched two demonstrations and then headed to the youth hall to see how the turnout was.  Based on the numbers I seen, things look good.

On the way home, it took me a trip around a few blocks, but finally was able to go over the "John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge", in fact we drove over it three times.

Back at the RV we got a few things put away to get ready for travel tomorrow!

I think we all had a good time at this years convention!

2017/06/23 - Friday - Vacation - Day 09 - SQ, Wet, & Race

Got somewhat of a late start for the morning, but we finally made it to the convention center for Square Dancing Convention.  We did some talking, walking, shopping, and more talking.

Now it was time for lunch, so we headed outside for a "short" walk.  During lunch the rain started up. So for the return trip we tried to use the Sky Walk.  We crossed the street and went into that building to start to use the Sky Walk.  But that ends about half way back, so back outside we went into the pouring rain.  Once on the next section, about half way again, it had you find a very weird path to continue into the last section of the Sky Walk before finally getting to the Convention Center.

We did more walking and talking.

Now it was time for going back, changing, and getting dinner.  It was pouring down with Flash Flood Warning (Alerts came over our phones...).  Several time driving back to the RV, I was splashing big time through some very deep water.

Back at the RV Mom M discovered that the cab over part had lots of water.  We spent the next hour with towels to soak up all the water and trying to determine where the water was coming from.  Several towels are now hanging in the shower to drip dry.

We got ready and headed out for dinner on the way to the convention center.  After the long time at dinner the group decided that we will just return back to the RV.

Back at the RV the rain had almost stopped so no new water spots and we might have found where the leak is coming from (driver side window up in the cab over.)

Amanda, Cheryl and I headed out for some night time photo shots.  We came upon a bicycle race.  Amanda took several shot for the next two hours.  One of the racers wife also noticed Turquoise and she stop and talked with us for the last hour.

Back at the RV the moms were almost ready for bed.  We got most of the things put away and we left the section to dry out some more, so that meant Mom M to sleep on the floor using the half of the over the cab cushion.

2016/06/24 - Friday - Vacation - Day 08 - Dancing

The three usual people slept in a little bit today while the other three got up early like usual.

Before getting to the Event Center, I had to go find Starbucks for Cheryl, so she would be happy.  We finally made it to the Event Center to dance a few tips.

For lunch we went across the street to Buzzard Billy's.

Back to the Event Center to dance and drop off a book for a caller (one of Cheryl's co-workers wanted a book to be delivered to a caller)

For dinner we left and went back to the RV, made sure the dogs were taken care of and then headed out to go eat at Twin Peaks.

Once back to the RV, Mom D and Eric stayed back while the rest of us went back to the Event Center to go dancing.

While we were dancing Eric did a few loads of laundry for us which was very nice of him.

After dancing, we headed back to the RV, we put the clothes away and got a few things ready for departure for tomorrow.  I went ahead and processed the necessary records for work...

Notes:  I had to fix my red neck rain gutter, I had to add another towel to help wick the water better, the humidity has been high.  So far this has stopped the water from dripping out and socking the ceiling and floor (I guess I really should take a picture of it so other may see my so called fix...)

2016/06/22 - Wednesday - Vacation - Day 06 - Arrived

 Before we started to head out on the road, I noticed that the pin for the tow dolly is missing, which means that sometime yesterday I lost the pin.  So I found something in my storage to somewhat fix the issue.

We got going about 9:00.

So we changed plans again to find a Camping World and the next town had one.  Amanda changed the route and we headed for it.

When I passed it on the freeway, I noticed that it looked to have a very small parking lot.  So finally I was approaching the location via the frontage road, I stopped in the middle of the road to check out how I would be able to turn around. No such luck, so I opted to not to pull in and stop (so for anybody else wanting to go to Camping World of Kansas City and they are flat towing or tow dolly do not stop you will have to unhook!)

Next stop Flying J's for the necessary juice for the RV

I did stop at lunch time at one of the rest stops.

Once we got close to Des Moines another stop for Gas at Costco - this one had nobody waiting!

We have arrived at Timberline Campground to spend the next 3 nights here.

With the van, we went into Des Moines to find where the National SQ is located and the parking is going to be like.  We also delivered the CA State Council display so it can be put up by somebody that know how to set that thing up.

We picked up our packets and paid for AM and EM and got a program.  We will have to pickup the kids badges when we go back in tomorrow.

We returned back to the RV for dinner prepared by Amanda and we also relaxed.

Mom M did a load of her laundry, while I did my work,

For the internet we had to use our Mifi because the campground wifi is really bad.  Most of our devices could not get to the internet using the campgrounds wifi.

2013/06/29 – Saturday – Vacation - Day 09 - Dancing, Friends, Last Day!

Another day of dancing was planned for today!...

We made it to the convention center about 10:30 and for being a Saturday, of course parking was no problems this time.

Yep, we talked, danced, and watched and before we knew it was time for lunch.

For lunch we went across the street and when they first seated us there was a bad whistle, but the manager was able to solve the issue.  Lunch was good.

Came back we did a seminar and did more talking and watching and now it was time to go back to the RV and change.

Once back to the convention center we did more watching and talking before we knew it was dinner time again. 

 But this time we added two more to our ground and our friends joined us for dinner.  We did have to wait about an hour before we got seated.

Back to the convention center, we did dance, talk and watch – YES WE HAD FUN!!!   And then we had to say our goodbyes.

We made a detour and dropped of the CA State Council show case of ideas to the couple that is taking it back to CA

Now back to the RV and hopefully get up in time and hit the road for the rest of vacation.

2013/06/28 – Friday – Vacation - Day 08 - Dancing

I found out that Turquoise work up Mom D so he could go out EARLY so he could do his thing…  What a way to wake up.  As for the rest of us, we slept in!

We got up later than normal, but we did get to the convention center at almost 11 this morning!  But again the parking lot under the center was FULL.  Not happy about not able to park; that why we got the parking pass so we could park at the center

We had lunch at a place in the convention center called the Blue Line.  The food was ok, but Cheryl did not like the salad.

We did some dancing, talking, and watching for the afternoon.

Time to head back to the RV, but first we stopped to get a few things for the RV (dog food and other items).  I was able to take a short nap.

We left to go find food, but the first stop stated the wait time was three hours, well no to that place.  We went back to the center and then walked over to a restaurant to have dinner before dancing.

We did get our group shot, so I was happy with that.  We have been doing that for many years now.

More friends, dancing, and watching – Fun times!!!

One of our longtime friends finally made it to the convention this year so we closed out the place getting caught up with them before heading back to our respective end of day locations.

2013/06/27 – Thursday – Vacation - Day 07 - NSDC - Dancing

I had agreed to work this morning, so got in time to get things review and prepared for the meeting.  Held the meeting and processed the records that I needed to process.

Now we had to get everybody ready to head in to town.  When we arrived at the convention center the parking was full, but an outside parking area had few places left.  Now it was time for lunch.  We went to an Italian place and had a good time.  Our waitress was a square dancer but did not know that the Nationals were being held here this weekend.

Back over to the convention center to dance, talk with friends and enjoy the activities.

Now it was time for dinner, we went and picked up from the youth hall and headed out to find a place, after wondering around town, we finally found a place.

Back at the RV, I took a short nap while everybody else got changed, then I changed and then we headed back into the convention.

We did more dancing, talking with friends and again enjoyed the activities.

Today was a good day and yes we did get some dancing in!!!

2013/06/26 – Wednesday – Vacation - Day 06 - Setting Things Up & Friends

We got up at a reasonable time to today.

The “Redneck A/C Rain Gutter” worked last night, no more A/C condensation dripping on the floor, the gutter worked, directing the water into the sink instead.

We got moving at the time we needed to get to the convention center on time.  We arrive shortly before 10:00.  We were able to setup the showcase of ideas for the CA State Council and the CA Youth with the help of friends.

We walked over to a Mexican restaurant and it was ok, we will not be returning.

Cheryl and Amanda was drafted to attend a meeting that started at 1 while Eric, Mom M and I went and picked up Mom D. from the airport.

We returned back to the convention center and waited for Cheryl’s meeting to finish.

We went exploring, so our first stop was at the Bombing Memorial and walked the grounds.  We was able to talk to a ranger and got a lot of information.  Amanda was also able to do a JR Ranger program.  This now makes it her 50^th completed program.

Now it was time for dinner.  So headed to the stockyards to find one of the famous eating locations, but our first attempt to find it was a miss.  I drove all around the location.  I finally turned at the correct location and found the stockyard and then found the restaurant.  There is a guy that gives a free wagon ride to the front of the restaurant.  The food was very good, I would go back anytime!

We returned back to the RV and all looks good.  The wetness by the door was gone and the “Redneck Rain Gutter” work perfectly!

Mom D was done for the day and of course that gave an excuse for Eric to stay behind, the rest of us returned to the convention center. 

We have converted for next year convention and we have also paid for the RV site and a program for next year. 

We also talked with the some friends and enjoyed the evening.

On the way back to the RV, we stopped at the memorial again and took more photos.  I do like how they have set things up for the daytime and the nighttime!

I did have to do some work tonight to get ready for my meeting tomorrow, so as you can guess, I have to run my meeting tomorrow morning, so that means a late start to get to the convention, but that is what is required…