3/23/2009 - 3/27/2009
On Monday 3/23 we left St Augustine and drove southwest to Wildwood, Florida. We took a campground right off of I75 which was about 15 minutes from The Villages. This community is one of the most unique places we have ever been. It is a 55 and older community (so we barely qualify) that has been designed to provide everything you will ever need for your retirement. It is a planned community that is currently building 300 to 350 homes per month (down from over 500 per month). The homes are different sizes and prices levels providing something for every economic level. We saw homes from $ 130k to $ 1.1 million.
The land area is about 10 square miles and the homes are build in connected individual communities. Each community has golf courses, activity centers, Tennis courts, bacchi courts, basketball, etc. etc. etc. Basically anything you can think of is there except maybe a ski slope.
Their are over 1000 clubs that you can join, and if you have an interest the doesn't have a club all yo need is 5 people and the villages will support you to form your own club. There is entertainment every night of the year with a happy hour that starts at 5:00 pm. The golf is free on the executive courses and a small fee on the championship courses. Each of the town centers has all the shopping you will ever need.
This is really and amazing concept that interests us. I played golf while Eileen and Mary Ellen looked at houses. We attended a 50's - 60's show one night and had a great deal of time to catch up with Tom and Mary Ellen Quinn who own a very nice home here.
They are from NH and many of their friends rent places during the Snowbird season. We had dinner at the Quinn's with Mel and Judy, and we were able to visit Connie and Linda other friends from the Granite State.
It was great to catch up with everyone and the hospitality and tour guiding by the Quinn's was marvelous. We are very intrigued by this entire concept and it appears the value here is very good. We have already decided that we need to explore this further.
Life just keeps getting Better. Enjoy!!
Bill and Eileen
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Saint Augustine Florida
3/20/2009 - 3/23/2009
After leaving Perry we boogied across Florida to St Augustine. The campground here was very nice. It had a small lake and all the regular amenities. I gave my fishing lures a swim but didn't even get a bite.
We spent two days touring the old town section and learning the history of what I think, is one of America's oldest cities. The Spanish ruled here for well over 200 years and you can see the influence everywhere. We went to Church on Saturday at the cathedral which happened to be a jubilee mass for five nuns and one priest. It was a very nice mass and we felt welcomed in the church community.
We enjoyed a great three days here and felt well rested for our journey to the Villages.
Life is Good!!
Bill and Eileen
After leaving Perry we boogied across Florida to St Augustine. The campground here was very nice. It had a small lake and all the regular amenities. I gave my fishing lures a swim but didn't even get a bite.
We spent two days touring the old town section and learning the history of what I think, is one of America's oldest cities. The Spanish ruled here for well over 200 years and you can see the influence everywhere. We went to Church on Saturday at the cathedral which happened to be a jubilee mass for five nuns and one priest. It was a very nice mass and we felt welcomed in the church community.
We enjoyed a great three days here and felt well rested for our journey to the Villages.
Life is Good!!
Bill and Eileen
Saturday, March 28, 2009
PIC's from FMCA - Perry Ga.
A better view. Chip
Dry Camping at Perry
Chip and Barbara Massa
The Fairgrounds
Tiffin Display
2009 Allegro Bus
Rear Bath - 2009 Allegro Bus
Coaches, Coaches, and more Coaches Over 2800 in all
The Fairgrounds
Tiffin Display
2009 Allegro Bus
Rear Bath - 2009 Allegro Bus
FMCA International Convention - Perry Ga.
3/14/2009 - 3/20/2009
On March 14th we left Hilton Head for the Family Motor Coach International Meeting in Perry GA. We spent the arrival night in a campground just outside the Fairgrounds and on the 15th we met up with Chip and Barbara Massa in the Walmart parking lot a mile from the fairgrounds.
This meeting is for all levels of motor coaches. We entered the grounds with with the Massa's following us in their coach so we could park side by side. We had always been told that this was a good rally and we were not disappointed. We were one of about 2800 motor coaches dry camping on the fairgrounds. About 6000 guests which we were told is much smaller that prior years.
There were about 300 to 400 vendor booths displaying everything you would ever need for RV'ing. There were also all the major coach companies with over 200 coaches on display. We went to seminars, toured coaches, walked through all of the vendor areas, and met a number of interesting people. Each night there was entertainment. The weather the first two days was lots of rain, even though many of the areas were flooded, we were lucky to have been parked on a small rise were the water ran off.
The meeting was very informative and we had a good time sitting by the propane fire with Chip and Barbara in the evenings. It was also very nice to be among the youngest folks at the meeting.
I attended a weight and tire safety seminar and had my coach weighed which was very helpful. I would recommend this meeting to anyone who has a motor coach. It was a fun time.
Life is Good!!
Bill and Eileen
On March 14th we left Hilton Head for the Family Motor Coach International Meeting in Perry GA. We spent the arrival night in a campground just outside the Fairgrounds and on the 15th we met up with Chip and Barbara Massa in the Walmart parking lot a mile from the fairgrounds.
This meeting is for all levels of motor coaches. We entered the grounds with with the Massa's following us in their coach so we could park side by side. We had always been told that this was a good rally and we were not disappointed. We were one of about 2800 motor coaches dry camping on the fairgrounds. About 6000 guests which we were told is much smaller that prior years.
There were about 300 to 400 vendor booths displaying everything you would ever need for RV'ing. There were also all the major coach companies with over 200 coaches on display. We went to seminars, toured coaches, walked through all of the vendor areas, and met a number of interesting people. Each night there was entertainment. The weather the first two days was lots of rain, even though many of the areas were flooded, we were lucky to have been parked on a small rise were the water ran off.
The meeting was very informative and we had a good time sitting by the propane fire with Chip and Barbara in the evenings. It was also very nice to be among the youngest folks at the meeting.
I attended a weight and tire safety seminar and had my coach weighed which was very helpful. I would recommend this meeting to anyone who has a motor coach. It was a fun time.
Life is Good!!
Bill and Eileen
Pics from our Hilton Head Visit
Strelcheck Homestead "Marsh View"
Foggy Morning in Hilton Head
Pic from the house tours
Captain Steve
First Mate Kathy
The Casperina
Pic from the house tours
Captain Steve
First Mate Kathy
The Casperina
Hilton Head Visit (Kathy and Steve Strelcheck)
3/11/2009 - 3/14/2009
On March 11th we moved on to Hilton Head to visit our former neighbors from Snellville Ga. Steve and Kathy have been retired for just a short time but they have settled quickly into this wonderful lifestyle. They bought a beautiful home in the Moss Creek subdivision and Steve has been renovating almost the entire home for the past few years. What a beautiful home. They are on the marsh with a spectacular view and the ultimate in privacy. What they have done to this home is marvelous.
One day was shopping and looking at houses for the girls and a little golf for the guys. Once again the putting Gods did not shine on me but the company was great. The following day we all went on "Casperina" a beautiful 39 ft. Catalina sailboat. The seas where a little rough, but no problem for this group of seasoned sailors. Steve and Kathy have a wonderful home and a great area for the next 200 years of their retirement.
The campground we picked is an equity type park located just over the bridge on Hilton Head Island. When the people that own the sites are not there, the management company rents their space. Because the sites are owned and relatively expensive, the campground is very very nice. Some of the sites had waterfalls and many of them had numerous amenities. We took a site with a water view and the day we left I wanted to take a picture but the fog blocked our view. Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort and Marina. A nice place. There is also another larger RV park on the Island that is supposed to be very nice. This park was less than 10 minutes from the Strelchecks.
Hilton Head is somewhat crowded but the housing selections are numerous and the amenities are endless. Eileen really likes Hilton Head.
We would like to thank the Strelchecks for their marvelous hospitality. Once again we had a great time. We need to talk about another pinochle reunion after the big wedding is over.
We will see you guys in October.
How could life be better with such great friends!!!
Bill and Eileen
On March 11th we moved on to Hilton Head to visit our former neighbors from Snellville Ga. Steve and Kathy have been retired for just a short time but they have settled quickly into this wonderful lifestyle. They bought a beautiful home in the Moss Creek subdivision and Steve has been renovating almost the entire home for the past few years. What a beautiful home. They are on the marsh with a spectacular view and the ultimate in privacy. What they have done to this home is marvelous.
One day was shopping and looking at houses for the girls and a little golf for the guys. Once again the putting Gods did not shine on me but the company was great. The following day we all went on "Casperina" a beautiful 39 ft. Catalina sailboat. The seas where a little rough, but no problem for this group of seasoned sailors. Steve and Kathy have a wonderful home and a great area for the next 200 years of their retirement.
The campground we picked is an equity type park located just over the bridge on Hilton Head Island. When the people that own the sites are not there, the management company rents their space. Because the sites are owned and relatively expensive, the campground is very very nice. Some of the sites had waterfalls and many of them had numerous amenities. We took a site with a water view and the day we left I wanted to take a picture but the fog blocked our view. Hilton Head Harbor RV Resort and Marina. A nice place. There is also another larger RV park on the Island that is supposed to be very nice. This park was less than 10 minutes from the Strelchecks.
Hilton Head is somewhat crowded but the housing selections are numerous and the amenities are endless. Eileen really likes Hilton Head.
We would like to thank the Strelchecks for their marvelous hospitality. Once again we had a great time. We need to talk about another pinochle reunion after the big wedding is over.
We will see you guys in October.
How could life be better with such great friends!!!
Bill and Eileen
PIC's From Pawleys Island Visit
Campsite 
Campsite Huntington Beach State Park 
Our neighbors at Huntington Beach
Pawleys Island beach
Eileen, Tharleen, and Dick
No tan yet!!
Campsite Huntington Beach State ParkMy Bride at the parks beach entrance
Our neighbors at Huntington Beach
Pawleys Island beach
Eileen, Tharleen, and Dick
No tan yet!!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Pawleys Island Visit (Dick and Tharleen Kinsey)
3/8/2009 - 3/11/2009
We stayed at Huntington Beach State Park just south of Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet SC. This is a lovely and relatively inexpensive state park that has full hookups on a number of sights and is right on the beach. A real value that the locals have discovered. I would suggest that you make reservations well in advance if your heading this way, especially during the peak seasons. This is probably the nicest state park we have been in and all of the campsites are nice.
We arrived on 3/8 and after setting up Dick and Tharleen visited us at the park for the five o'clock tradition, then we headed to Murrells Inlet for a light dinner. The next day I played golf with Dick and two of his neighbors. While my golf wasn't the best, the company was great. If you are a golfer this is a nice area to keep you challenged for some time. I forget how many courses there are in the immediate area, but it's a load.
In the afternoon Dick and Tharleen drove us all around the area to show us the highlights. If you stay south of the Honkey Tonk of Myrtle Beach this is a marvelous area. Many great restaurants and plenty of beach. The island part of Pawleys Island is old and totally developed and reminds me very much of Emerald Isle. Beautiful beach's and relaxing atmosphere. The following day we continued our touring and had a marvelous dinner at the Kinsey residence. Dick and Tharleen have a great house and a nice active neighborhood.
We were very impressed with the many amenities, shopping, and comfort of this area. I know I wouldn't want to be in Myrtle Beach, but you are close enough that you can use the shopping and dining when the mood hits you.
We would like to thank Dick and Tharleen for there wonderful hospitality. It was great seeing you guys again. Please stay in touch and save some time for a visit up north before we depart for the south. We very much enjoyed our visit.
The next two posts will be a few of the pictures we took in the Pawleys Island/Myrtle Beach area during our brief visit.
Life is Great!!!!
Bill and Eileen
We stayed at Huntington Beach State Park just south of Myrtle Beach in Murrells Inlet SC. This is a lovely and relatively inexpensive state park that has full hookups on a number of sights and is right on the beach. A real value that the locals have discovered. I would suggest that you make reservations well in advance if your heading this way, especially during the peak seasons. This is probably the nicest state park we have been in and all of the campsites are nice.
We arrived on 3/8 and after setting up Dick and Tharleen visited us at the park for the five o'clock tradition, then we headed to Murrells Inlet for a light dinner. The next day I played golf with Dick and two of his neighbors. While my golf wasn't the best, the company was great. If you are a golfer this is a nice area to keep you challenged for some time. I forget how many courses there are in the immediate area, but it's a load.
In the afternoon Dick and Tharleen drove us all around the area to show us the highlights. If you stay south of the Honkey Tonk of Myrtle Beach this is a marvelous area. Many great restaurants and plenty of beach. The island part of Pawleys Island is old and totally developed and reminds me very much of Emerald Isle. Beautiful beach's and relaxing atmosphere. The following day we continued our touring and had a marvelous dinner at the Kinsey residence. Dick and Tharleen have a great house and a nice active neighborhood.
We were very impressed with the many amenities, shopping, and comfort of this area. I know I wouldn't want to be in Myrtle Beach, but you are close enough that you can use the shopping and dining when the mood hits you.
We would like to thank Dick and Tharleen for there wonderful hospitality. It was great seeing you guys again. Please stay in touch and save some time for a visit up north before we depart for the south. We very much enjoyed our visit.
The next two posts will be a few of the pictures we took in the Pawleys Island/Myrtle Beach area during our brief visit.
Life is Great!!!!
Bill and Eileen
I'm Baaaack!!
I promised I would try to do better with the day to day on the blog this trip but it just didn't happen. We have been visiting friends since we left Emerald Isle and didn't have a decent wi-fi until we bought a verizon card at the FMCA rally in Perry Ga.
Our travels have taken us to Myrtle Beach/Pawleys Island area to visit Dick and Tharleen Kinsey (a former Bard colleague and his lovely wife). We then moved on the Hilton Head to visit former Snellville Ga. neighbors and world class pinochle players (Steve and Kathy Strelcheck).
We then moved on to Perry Ga. where we attended The Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) International Convention with Chip and Barbara Massa (RV friends that we met last year in Salt Lake).
After Perry we spent three days exploring St. Augustine Fla. before we moved on to "The Villages" in central Florida to visit former neighbors from Amherst NH (Tom and Mary Ellen Quinn) who own a vacation home in this marvelous place.
Today we moved on to Ft Lauderdale to reunite with Chip and Barbara for some fun on their home turf. When I get the time I will post some pictures from each of our visits and give a brief outline of the campgrounds and the areas we visited.
It has been marvelous rekindling old friendships and getting to know our new friends. We have also been using this trip to explore other areas of the East Coast that we might consider for our retirement home. We love Emerald Isle but we owe it to ourselves to check other areas out. With our wonderful children on opposite ends of the country we could live almost anywhere.
I will start tomorrow with an overview of our SC visits. It is great to be away from the cold I wish we didn't have to go back.
Lovin Life!!
Bill and Eileen
Our travels have taken us to Myrtle Beach/Pawleys Island area to visit Dick and Tharleen Kinsey (a former Bard colleague and his lovely wife). We then moved on the Hilton Head to visit former Snellville Ga. neighbors and world class pinochle players (Steve and Kathy Strelcheck).
We then moved on to Perry Ga. where we attended The Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) International Convention with Chip and Barbara Massa (RV friends that we met last year in Salt Lake).
After Perry we spent three days exploring St. Augustine Fla. before we moved on to "The Villages" in central Florida to visit former neighbors from Amherst NH (Tom and Mary Ellen Quinn) who own a vacation home in this marvelous place.
Today we moved on to Ft Lauderdale to reunite with Chip and Barbara for some fun on their home turf. When I get the time I will post some pictures from each of our visits and give a brief outline of the campgrounds and the areas we visited.
It has been marvelous rekindling old friendships and getting to know our new friends. We have also been using this trip to explore other areas of the East Coast that we might consider for our retirement home. We love Emerald Isle but we owe it to ourselves to check other areas out. With our wonderful children on opposite ends of the country we could live almost anywhere.
I will start tomorrow with an overview of our SC visits. It is great to be away from the cold I wish we didn't have to go back.
Lovin Life!!
Bill and Eileen
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Winter Beaches in North Carolina
We are hearing from the residents here in Emerald Isle that this is one of the coldest winters they have had in many many years. Even though it warmed up to the low 70's last Friday it is expected to be in the twenties tonight and inland NC is going to get snow. Maybe even a dusting at the beach. It has been raining for two days but it doesn't matter. We both have good books and a beautiful view.
The pictures in the next post are the beach during the 70 degree day. We took a walk late afternoon. It had already started to cloud up but the temperatures were still in the 60's. You can see that the beaches are relatively empty this time of year, which is marvelous. I have also included a picture of the home on stilts and the mobile home. We leave next Sunday for Huntington Beach State Park near Murrells Inlet SC. just south of Myrtle Beach and just north if Pawleys Island SC. We plan on visiting with Dick and Tharlene Kinsey friends from my former Bard life.
During our short time here in Emerald Isle we have had a battle with at least a 1000 migrating robins. They have been eating the berries off my conifers and leaving a considerable amount of their waste on my house decks and all over the roof of the RV. I will never look at robins as a bird of interest again.
Enjoy the PIC's.
Life is Great. Don't miss a minute!!!
Bill and Eileen
The pictures in the next post are the beach during the 70 degree day. We took a walk late afternoon. It had already started to cloud up but the temperatures were still in the 60's. You can see that the beaches are relatively empty this time of year, which is marvelous. I have also included a picture of the home on stilts and the mobile home. We leave next Sunday for Huntington Beach State Park near Murrells Inlet SC. just south of Myrtle Beach and just north if Pawleys Island SC. We plan on visiting with Dick and Tharlene Kinsey friends from my former Bard life.
During our short time here in Emerald Isle we have had a battle with at least a 1000 migrating robins. They have been eating the berries off my conifers and leaving a considerable amount of their waste on my house decks and all over the roof of the RV. I will never look at robins as a bird of interest again.
Enjoy the PIC's.
Life is Great. Don't miss a minute!!!
Bill and Eileen
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