HAPPY NEW YEAR - WELCOME 2011

Another year has slipped on by and though 2010 seemed to go by rather quickly when I look back on it Andrea and I enjoyed so many things.  While living in The Villages we enjoyed playing golf, a fun game called Pickle Ball, lots of different card games, joined a bowling league, spent lots of time with my brother Jim and Caren, and made some really good friends (Dian and Ken). 

As much as we enjoyed all of these fun things there was something missing for us.  It dawned on us that we missed traveling.  To us travel is the adventure of discovery.  So with the travel bug in our hearts we decided to sell our home, buy an RV and fulfill our desire for travel and adventure.  Our timing was not the greatest as far as weather is concerned.  We left Florida during a very cold Arctic cold front and the weather for the most part has either been cold or rainy.  In spite of the weather we have really enjoyed ourselves.  We have met some fellow travelers who too are following their desire to explore what our great country has to offer. 

The temperature has warmed up so it is so nice not to have to wear those heavy jackets, gloves and hats, but rain has replace cold.  Hopefully when we get a little further west we will see a change for the better.  At least we are comfortable in the coach no matter what the weather is doing outside.  For that we are thankful.

We leave Pontchartrain Landing RV Resort tomorrow and will be staying at an Elks Lodge just west of here.  We are there for one night then on Monday morning we take Elaine to the airport, hook up the car behind the RV and head for Beaumont, TX for one night, and then onto Houston.

One of the things that New Orleans is famous for is great food.  Sometimes it is at a fancy restaurant and sometimes a diner.  The Camellia Grill is not fancy, but the place is always packed and the food is really good.  Another great place was Pascal's Malale.  Today we are going to Commanders Palace where I have to wear a sports jacket (no jeans) and dress pants.  Oh the things we must do to enjoy a good meal.  What a way to start the year.

Happy New Year.  Until next time, miles of smiles,

Charlie, Andrea, and Angel

NEW ORLEANS, LA

As you can see by the pictures it has been rather cold here.in New Orleans.  We are seated outside of a restaurant called The Coffee Pot.  Of course the area we sat at did not have heat.

The narrow streets make for interesting driving downtown, but once we park and begin walking the sites are really worth it.  The people watching has been fun and the food incredible.  New Orleans should be a destination for everyone as there really isn't any other place like it.

Last night Andrea and I took a ride to Harrah's Casino downtown and we managed to contribute to the area economy.  We will try our luck in a few days before we head off to Texas.

It has been working out fine with our friend Elaine staying with us in the coach.  She leaves for New York next Monday, and we leave for Beaumont, Texas as a stopover as we head for Houston.

I am not sure if I will have time for any updates before the new year so just in case we want to wish everyone a happy, and most importantly a healthy New Year for 2011.  We hope you can find what it is you are looking for in 2011.

Until next time, miles of smiles,
Charlie, Andrea and Angel

WE ARE IN BILOXI, MS

We are staying at a campground directly across from the Gulf of Mexico.  We can only wonder what this area was like before Katrina.  I say that because there is so much open land along the beach as well as across the street.  Plenty of property for sale but no takers.  Insurance is high and it seems that no one wants to make the investment or should I say gamble.  Andrea and I (and of course Angel) have taken long walks along the beach and what really strikes us is that there is just no one out enjoying the beach and water view.  The area has no life to it.  Guess we are so used to seeing so much activity by the beaches in Ft. Lauderdale where there is always activity between walkers, runners, bikers, and roller bladders.

We have been trying to help the local economy over at the Beau Ravage Casino by contributing our fare share into the slots.  We gave the Hard Rock Casino a chance as well and as expected the results were no different.

Tonight we will give the casino's one last chance before we move onto New Orleans tomorrow. 

We wish all a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

Until next time, miles of smiles.

Charlie, Andrea, and Angel

THE WEATHER OUTSIDE IS FRIGHTFUL (not really)

We really should not complain about the weather.  There are many areas of the country that due to really cold temperatures and snow would prohibit the traveling we are enjoying.  So, no more complaining.  We have the clothes for just about any type of weather.  In fact we have so many clothes we could set up a road side boutique, but we won't do that.

Right now it is a chilly 39 degrees, but will warm up to the mid 50's which is fine.  Rain is not in the forecast for the next few days so we can set up our chairs outside to spend a little time outside of the coach.  We might even take a bike ride later after we walk.  We are fortunate that Angel really enjoys our walks.  Our feeling is that is what is keeping her youg and healthy.  She is 10 years old and when we meet people they can not believe she is 10.  However, no one doubts our age.  Hmmmm.

Tonight we plan on snuggling by a campfire and doing some star gazing.  Who knows, maybe we will buy some marshmellows and toast them or better yet make smores.

My brother Jim and Caren are coming up to the area today and will spend a few days near here and then we all head to Biloxi, MS for 3 days.  They are staying at the Beau Rivage, and we are at a campground just up the road.   

Until next time, miles of smiles,
Charlie, Andrea, and Angel

Sunset at Grayton Beach State Park

The weather today was off and on rain, but in spite of this we managed to get in a 3 mile walk this morning with Angel on a bike trail that runs parallel to the beach.  There is not much else to do when the weather is lousy other then to go to Walmart.  So that is what we did.  Yeah, I know not very exciting.

The highlight of the day was sunset at the beach.  Just beautiful. 

Until next time, miles of smiles,
Charlie, Andrea and Angel

Grayton Beach State Park - Santa Rosa Beach, Florida

We finally feel like our journey of travel and adventure has begun.  What a great first stop (I don't consider Tallahassee more than a resting spot) is this wonderful Florida Park.  This is one of the most beautiful works of Nature, and man working together to create this beautiful space.  The park consits of 2200 acres, and a mile long white sugar sand beach. 

From our very spacious, and private camp site we can hear the roar of the Gulf.  The sound is so invigerating as nothing beats the sound and feel of being near the ocean. We are close enough to walk by the beach.  As you can see in the picture the sand looks like snow and of course Andrea looks like she is ready to trod through it.  The temperature later in the day warmed up to 68 degrees so off came the jackets.


There are hiking trails all around the park.  Today we (Angel included) hiked one of the trails and enjoyed it very much.  There are also lots of biking trails that we will also be checking out.

We took a car drive on a Gulf frontage road to explore some of the sea side communities in the area.  All I can say is WOW.  Some of the houses and communities that have been developed are just amazing.  Real Estate here is expensive, but you can really see why.  We drove through Sea Side, and Water Colors just to mention a few.  We are here for six days and will be doing much more exploring.

Thats it for now.

Miles of smiles,
Charlie, Andrea and Angel

WE ARE ON THE ROAD, FINALLY

What is with this crazy weather???  We woke up this morning to pack up for the start of our trip and it was freezing.  One of the water hoses was actually frozen solid.  The winters sure seem to be getting worse every year.  How far south do we have to go?

The day started early for us as we were anxious to get started so we were on the road about 7:15 and headed for Tallahassee for a stop over at the Elks Lodge.  They have an area set up for RV's for traveling members of the Elks.  It is a really nice set up.  'This works out nice for us as a stop over before heading on to Grayton Beach State Park near Ft. Walton Beach tomorrow.  The temperature is supposed to drop to 19 degrees tonight.  BURRRRRRR!!!!

We will have more tomorrow once we settle in at Grayton Beach State Park.

Until then, miles of smiles.

Charlie, Andrea, and our faithful traveling companion Angel