Time with Miss Hailey

A Grandparent's Dream
What a pleasure to have the chance to watch Hailey for a few days. She was so much fun. Abby had her puppies and we had many new experiences.

Olde Philly - Liberty Hall

Our New England Tour 2009
Our last stop before heading home was outside Northeast,MD at Elk Neck State Park. This is a great park at the headwaters of the Chesapeake Bay. While there we decided to go see Liberty Hall, The Liberty Bell and other historic sites in the building of our country. After exploring Boston we needed to see Liberty Hall. The following Smilebox shows many of the historic locations, as well as our travels through the Pennsylvania Wilds.

New York City

Our New England Tour 2009
We joined a Good Sam's tour for a wild week of exploring New York City. Fifteen hours a day of excitement and enjoyment. We experienced famous restaurants daily, toured iconic landmarks, took harbor boat rides, and walked through the different parts of Manhattan learning many interesting facts about the history of the city. Three of the nights we saw Broadway shows. It is a wonder we survived all that. The weather was warm and sunny. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect week or more friendly people with whom to share all the fun.

With so many pictures to share we made a part I and a part II Smileboxes. Part I has about one hundred pictures & videos. It is large so it will load slowly. Yet, the slideshow goes quite fast. Remember you can pause the pictures and view at your own pace.
New York City part II
Liberty Island, Ellis Island, Greenwich Village, Wall Street, Battery Park, and Chinatown.

Mystic, CT Seaport

Our New England Tour 2009
Take a trip back into the history of the sea by visiting the Mystic Seaport in Old Mystic, CT. Many activities were happening when we were there including a weekend of rowing competition, festivals, ship restoration and visiting village attractions. The weather was perfect for stepping back into the era of the sailing ships. If you are ever in New England make a point to visit Mystic. This is the first Smilebox where Mike plays the music on his dulcimer. The recording isn't great, but it is a start.

Massachusetts

Our New England Tour 2009
Gloucester & Rockport

While in Massachusetts we visited with our new T@B friends Earl and Janet. They were kind enough to show us some of the famous local towns. Gloucester and Rockport were such historic and picturesque towns. In fact, if you have seen the new movie, "The Proposal" you will recognize many of the following pictures as scenes in the movie. Earl and Janet took us to their cottage to enjoy the quiet beauty of their lake. After being in our little T@B trailer for a month this was just what we needed. If you see the movie, "Grown Ups", coming in late June 2010, you will recognize this view from Earl's cottage deck as a setting in the movie.
Visiting Salem
Exploring Cape Cod
One could spend a lifetime exploring Cape Cod. Different landscapes, ocean views, dunes, small quaint villages, large expansive homes, and yes light houses. We spent a day in, and around Provincetown and on the Cape Cod National Seashore. The landscapes were breathtaking. Sure Norene had to see one lighthouse and get in the ocean. We hope to return to Cape Cod next summer to spend more time exploring the other areas.

Plimoth Plymouth as we know it
A stop by Plymouth Rock is a must if you are in Massachusetts. It was a cool and windy day when we arrived at Plymouth Harbor. The Mayflower II was there to greet us. Watch the Smilebox and share the sights.

Boston Freedom Trail

Our New England Tour 2009

Boston is one of Norene's favorite places. For years she has wanted to walk the city again sharing the excitement of history with Mike. The weather was perfect, the tour guide entertaining, and our energy was high. This was our 'big walking' day with over seven straight hours walking or standing as we walked the Freedom Trail, and many parts of the city. On the way back to our campground in Salisbury, MA we viewed Boston at night before entering the 'big dig'. Mike loved it and is ready to return.

Vermont

Our New England Tour 2009
After leaving Maine we moved on to southern Vermont and the Green Mountains. Staying at the Winhall Brook park at Ball Mountain gave us the chance to roam through the mountains, walk through the forests, play in the streams, and visit the ski areas of this part of Vermont. The trees had not yet turned with color, the only regret Norene had about visiting this area when we did. View the Smilebox to see some of the sights.

Southern Maine Coast

Our New England Tour 2009
From New Hampshire we moved on for several days along the southern Maine coast. Staying in Freeport in time for the L.L. Bean music festival. In a matter of two months we attended the Lands End Blues festival and the L.L. Bean music Festival. Are there any other major outdoor catalog festivals we missed?

In Maine we stayed in the desert, yes, just like the dunes of Lake Michigan, visited harbor towns, went whale watching on the Atlantic, and admired lighthouses. The weather was outstanding the people were friendly, and the exploring exciting. Norene even got to have her Maine blueberries. You can't get better than that. Watch the pictures in the Smilebox. It will take some time for it to load. Lots of videos and pictures. Remember to click on the pictures to enlarge them.

New Hampshire

Our New England Tour 2009

After leaving the Lake George T@B rally we crossed Vermont to the eastern side of New Hampshire staying in Epsom, NH. During our stay we visited the White Mountains, several lakes, and beaches of Hampton, NH. We actually visited Hampton Beach a few weeks later in our trip while we were staying in northern Massachusetts. The drive north from Hampton along the coast was fantastic with large beautiful homes, ocean surfers, and the bluffs of southern New Hamphsire. We walked trails, climbed bolders, and looked for the fall color. Norene found her first tree color in New Hampshire.

T@B Lake George Rally

Our New England Tour 2009
August 21st we left for our last trip of 2009, a tour of New England states. Our first event was the T@B Lake George Rally. We saw many friends from past rallies and met many new T@Bbers from the east coast and Canada. We had a great time exploring the Lake George area, taking a boat ride, swimming in the pool, and catching up with the T@B news. This could be a trip of 'firsts'. This was the first time I have seen Norene swimming in 65 degree weather. She liked it!

Spring Green, WI July 09

So many wonderful things to see in the Spring Green area of Wisconsin. On our way to Wisconsin we stopped at Sugar bottom campground in the Coralville, IA corps of engineers park. We saw hot air balloons to boating to visiting the University of Iowa while we were there. So many nice people in one of the best parks we have stayed in.

From Coralville we moved on to Spring Green, WI where we visited the House on the Rock and all the amazing collections from ships to circus wagons. The house was built on rock outcroppings at the top of the hill which gave it a surreal view. The infinity room, jutting out from the house into the sky above the valley, is a place we both would have liked to stayed for days to experience the changes in the view. The Smilebox will show you some sights, but this place has to be experienced in person over several days.

For Norene's birthday we went to Frank Lloyd Wright's home. She is a fan of his buildings and there are several in the Spring Green area. It was a stormy day, but we did get to experience the outside and inside of the house.

Madison is the state capitol and the home of the University of Wisconsin. On a perfect summer day we toured the capitol and State street while exploring into the university. Such a perfect day.

Before heading home we stopped in Dodgeville, WI for the Blues Festival spending a sunny day listening to bands and watching the people. Watch the Smilebox for a few examples of what fun we had.

This is a large Smilebox so it will take a little while to load. Just wait and it will have all the pictures and video ready for you. You can enlarge the pictures by clicking when you see the + sign while moving the cursor over the picture.

T@B 3rd International Rally

In July Mike and Norene traveled to the Quad Cities to enjoy the T@B trailer experience with other T@B owners from all parts of the country. What a sight so many T@Bs, and one T@DA, made in the campground. We were able to visit with friends while making new friends. All types of entertainment, meals, and seminars kept us busy all week.

Back to Our Teens

As if retirement wasn't enough to deal with, we decided to learn, or relearn, something new - riding bikes. After finding bikes we could carry in the little T@B trailer we are now in our practice phase. And I thought keeping financial stability was difficult. Staying on these little bikes is much more difficult.

Make a Smilebox postcard

Huntington Beach State Park SC

In May 2009 we treated ourselves to a week at Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet South Carolina. The sun was hot, the beach cool with breezes, and so many fun things to do at this wonderful park. Murrells Inlet is located south of Myrtle Beach and we happened to arrive just at the start of 'Bike Week'. The beaches and bars were rocking and rolling with all the motorcycles and bikers. So we had the roar of the waves and the cycles through the warm evenings.

We spent lots of time on the beach, and doctoring our sunburns, yet we had time to watch the wildlife. Alligators were all over and fun to watch. We had a chance to kayak through the salt marsh at high tide. Later Mike saw an alligator in the salt marsh. Good thing that was after kayaking or Norene would not have gone. A thunderstorm developed as we were out on the salt marsh so we had a new kayaking experience... paddling in a downpour for half an hour. This was the first time Norene had gotten wet kayaking. However, Mike did get thrown over last May.

The Brookgreen Sculpture Garden is a fantastic place to visit. We spent two days enjoying the flowers, grounds, the art, rice plantation, and the history of the area. As you view the Smilebox you can enjoy some of these sights.

Hailey is walking

Upon our return from our Carolina trip we discovered Hailey was walking. The following Smilebox shows us seeing her walking for the first time. There are pictures and a video where Hailey picks out her favorite outfit from some new clothes.

Enjoy watching her walk.

Blue Ridge T@B Rally 09

Sharon & Becky hosted a great rally at the Creekside Farm RV Park in Waynesville, NC April 29 through May 3, 2009. We met many new T@B friends and learned a great deal about fixing our T@B. It was fun seeing all the custom changes different people had made to personalize their trailers. The weather was a little rainy at times but the sun did shine, the days warm, and the activities enjoyable.

Ashlyn & Zach - May 09

Grandma LuLu loves to visit her grandbabies. We enjoyed several days in Charlotte with Laura, Lee and the kids. You never get enough time with the kids. Watch the Smilebox to see some of the fun things grandma did with Ashlyn and Zach.

Easter in Chagrin Falls

We went to Brian and Melinda's for Easter. Grandma got to do all the fun things with the boys. We even went to a ball game in the COOOOL weather. What a fun weekend we had.

2009 Southern Ducimer Tour

We departed South Bend on January 20th bound for Florida, Mississippi, and Louisiana dulcimer festivals. During the next sixty-three days we hope to find some sunshine, see new sights and play music.

Upon digging out the T@B we hit the road for Kentucky. Our first night was spent outside Louisville, and the temperature dropped to ten degrees. It was so cold all the moisture in the T@B froze around the window and door seals. We stayed warm, but we had to thaw the ice on the door to get out. That was the coldest night we have spent in the trailer.

The next night in Birmingham, AL was warmer. A whopping twenty-two degrees! The third night in Colquitt, GA was fifty degrees. We were so happy. So happy in fact we forgot to check the propane level and when the temperature went down to forty degrees the second night in Colquitt we about froze when the propane ran out. Needless to say we filled the tank there.

The fourth night we spent in Tallahassee, FL. Most of the people were cold in the sixty degree weather, be we were very happy. On January 25th we rolled into St. Joseph Peninsula for our first week of sun, fun, and relaxation.

Norene’s sister Patti and husband Ken stay at this park during the winter. That week was a great time for the two sisters to spend time together. We enjoyed the beach, the people and the wildlife. The weather was great and we soaked up the sun by day and enjoyed the fires at night. We had a great campsite just off the beach. The sand dunes and Gulf were just what we needed after the -19 degree weather in South Bend.

By Sunday, January 31st the cold weather had caught up to us and we were moving to our next stop, the Stephen Foster State Park in White Springs, FL. The sun was shining again, and we were anticipating exploring this northern Florida state park. Enroute to the park we passed an ominous sign. Perhaps this was foretelling what our next two months was to be like. Norene thought all expeditions with Mike might be classified by this sign. Someday we have to return to take one of these kayak trips.

The first day at Stephen Foster was cold and rainy. Not what we were trying to find. The next day the sun came out, but that nasty cold front which had been chasing us since November arrived again. Night time temperatures in the twenty’s and hard freezes. Again the little T@B kept us warm. Again we were dressed much like we were at home. Again we were looking for that nice ‘Florida’ weather. Where is it?

This park is dedicated to Stephen Foster and his music. It is a wonderful park where Stephen Foster music floats from the bell tower several times a day. Arts and crafts were demonstrated in the folk village. We enjoyed the trails and the music. This was the perfect place for Mike to learn many songs on the dulcimer.

After Mike recuperated from his case of the hives all was fun. I guess Mike was ‘itching’ to explore during our week at the Stephen Foster State Park. Now how can we find warmer weather?


The warmer weather returned as we rolled into Mount Dora, FL. on the Sunday of the Daytona 500 time trials. Going through Daytona was interesting and SLOW with all the race traffic. We stayed at the Weikiva RV Park on the Weikiva River. A wonderful park with much to do at the river and surrounding areas. The dulcimer festival was held in the town of Mount Dora, Florida's 'mountain'. A towering 184 feet. This is a very friendly and quaint town. We have decided to return in the future and stay longer.

The dulcimer festival was great. Norene and Mike enjoyed psalty lessons as well as mountain and hammered dulcimer lessons. We made many new friends and got many new 'tricks' to use in our playing.

On our way to Hattiesburg, MS we decided to see some of Florida's state parks. The first stop was Manatee Springs where Norene saw manatees, deer, and lots of Turkey vultures. It was the first time we were NOT the smallest trailer in the park. A 'Tiny Trailer' chapter had a rally just before we arrived and one was still there. Surprisingly the people were from Indianapolis. We enjoyed a night of talking and exploring 'little trailers'. Our next stop along the gulf coast was St. Andrews State Park in Panama City Beach. There was much to see and enjoy. We moved on to Big Lagoon State Park in Pensacola. We visited the Naval Air Museum and enjoyed the nature. Then to Hattiesburg to participate in the dulcimer festival. What a great group of people! We had the most fun at this event. Not to mention Norene getting to see her first rodeo. The weather was warmer but again the cold found us in Mississippi. One day was 83 the next was 40. Oh MY!!! What a shock!

After leaving Hattiesburg we spent some days resting along the Mississippi coast. We explored Biloxi and Gulfport for a week seeing what the hurricanes had done to the area. Then we moved on to BatonRouge, LA to visit with Andy and Kirstin and attend the Port Allen dulcimer festival. We had a great time with Andy and Kirstin as they showed us their town and took us to see New Orleans. At last we had to come home. We had found the warm weather at last. Norene was sure warm weather would be at home by this time. NO SO. After a week home it snowed again. Next year we will stay in the south longer.

We did get to spend a few days watching grandbaby Hailey when we got home. That was wonderful. You can see all the fun in the following

The tree sculptures created after the Katrina storm along the gulf coast are in this Smilebox.

Make a Smilebox slideshow