Smokin' Hickory

Well, Dad finally did it....or should I say Momma did.  You see, every time Dad got out our grill, we would wind up with 'warm, uncooked meat' that we would finish off on someone else's grill.  Dad tore the grill apart, cleaned it up and thought now we're cookin' only to discover the only improvement was the shine to the grill...not the heat quality.
Well, the day before we left home a BIG box arrived with pieces and parts that Momma ordered.  Now luckily, the Big Brown Truck came early in the day so Dad had lots of time to create a sharp looking grill out of that mess.

Oh my, what smells come from this grill.

You see, this isn't just a grill....it also has a small tray for wood chips and a third knob for a smoking setting.  Wouldn't you know, Momma picked up some wood chips that share my name...but I KNOW I don't smell anything like those Hickory chips of wood as they are steaming/burning in the smoking tray.

I was just dying to get my teeth on a WHOLE, big, juicy burger all to myself, but alas, it was not meant to be.  Just a sample is all I was treated to, but I savored that hickory smoked chunk of meat.  I can't wait until the next time I see that grill come out of the bay storage.

Hickory

....on the road again..... 

Central Time

We made a pit stop on our way to DeFuniak Springs.  Dad was talking to a guy who was trying to 'rain on our parade'.  When he heard we were heading for Alaska, his first words were, "I hope you have lots of spare tires.  I mean more than one!"  WELL, Momma said he was probably traveling with China bombs and told me not to worry because we do have more than one spare with us. And we are traveling on GOOD tires to begin with.  She reminded me that Dad ALWAYS practices preventive maintenance. 

I guess you could look at the last mile of this leg of our trip as a preparation for Alaska.  Olgesbee Road is a dirt road with a rolling, steep grade hill midway and a posted 15 mph.  Yes, Frasier's land is considered 'country setting' and it is gorgeous territory.  Complete with wild life when they choose to make an appearance. Check out my view from my front door.

I didn't see any deer early this morning....maybe tomorrow.  I know they are out there.  I wouldn't hurt them.  Momma says I should be nice and quiet as this is their land we are visiting.

The last time we were here, Bob and Kathy were with us in their rig.  Their sewer line was a long run of pvc pipe laying above the ground.  Well, today's project is RV Site improvement.  The 'poop ride' is getting buried.

Hickory

Day 4: Great Campout

I must admit, I've got a huge smile today.  What a send off this morning!  I think I had a better breakfast than Momma and Dad combined.  They were lined up at the door of the truck to send me off with goodies in my belly.  YUM!!  I LOVE my GTS friends.  They sure know how to make a 4-legged friend feel loved and cherished.  Bring it on ladies!!!  Treats and pats on the head.   I think if I had rolled over, they would have scrubbed my belly as well but I was in travel mode and ready to roll.  Let's get the engine humming Dad.

Well, we are further north tonight, but haven't gotten on I-10 yet.  Tomorrow we arrive at Dad's high school friend's to spent a few days in DeFuniak Springs.  More good times ahead.

Now the question is, will the good times ahead be able to compete with all the great memories created this past weekend at the GTS campout?

Have you ever seen a more gorgeous array of Easter Bonnets....created on the fly with whatever happened to be handy.  As you can see, Dad was a good sport and filled in so Momma could snap the shot.  The gals loved his spirit!! 

And we can't forget the birthday celebration..........hey, I didn't even get any b'day cake.  Don't you know I LOVE cake....well, truthfully........ I love ALL people food.

And then there were all the games played: card bingo, hand 'n foot, pegs and jokers, dirty uno, unwrap the treasure ball.  They say laughter is healthy and Momma said this was a VERY 'healthy' weekend as they had too many laughs to count!!  She said it just doesn't get any better😉 

Hickory

Day 3: A busy day for sure

Well, today was a busy day for Momma and Dad and I'm a tad sad.  They began their day having breakfast with their Golden Triangle Sams friends.....and I didn't even get a sniff.
After the GTS Meeting They headed off to Florida Cracker Restaurant....and I didn't even get a sniff as no doggie bag was brought home. 
Steve even shared a bite of a delicious, warm, light, melt-in-your mouth cinnamon bun dripping with sweet glaze ....NO, not with me...with Momma and Dad.  They kept telling me how much they enjoyed it......but I just looked at them with sad eyes.

 Then they raved about the Salmon Ruben.  What a huge chunk of flaky, tasty salmon served with sweet potato chips.

Momma said she wasn't even going to mention the bean bag baseball game.  Something about the gals being in the lead as the second inning began, and somehow they lost the lead....by a landslide..... to the guys.
Turkey was on the menu for the pot luck dinner that I once again didn't get to share in.  Not even a plate to lick.
So if anyone were to ask why I'm a tad sad today, it's because my dog food dinner wasn't supplemented with ANY people food.  Bummer

Day 2: Off to Alaska but still enjoying Florida

I kind of like this Florida weather with the wind ruffling thru my fur and the sun shining on my back.  We are at a GREAT location with lots of Oak trees overhead.  You can always count the acorns as they drop/plop on the roof instead of counting sheep, but truthfully, all I need is a good belly rub after a day of doggy treats and I sleep well.  Dad doesn't have any problem napping as well.  He's sawing a few zzz's right now (cat nap)  getting ready for the next weekend activity to begin.  I guess he is recouping from all the aggravation and stress.

Yes, even though the day began with the smell of bacon sizzling in the pan, followed by scrumptious scrambled eggs after a good night's rest and the promise of a relaxing, carefree day the aggravation began as the last breakfast dish was dried.  You see, Dad walked over to the tank sensor SeeLevel monitors to see how full the tanks were (grey gathers the dish and shower water while black gathers the toilet water) and......@#$^$$#** .  No readings/lights/numbers on the monitor.  Okay, so Dad had had the panel right below pulled out the other day and maybe he jarred a wire loose.  He grabbed his tools and the troubleshooting began.  Nope, not a wire issue.  He unplugged the monitor panel and carried it over to his computer and began research.  The next thing I knew, he was disgusted leaving a message rather than speaking with a human.  ARGGGH!!  I told him to just give me a cookie bone and chill.  No sooner than that, the phone rang and Dad was grinning.  'SeeLevel returning your call'
By the end of the call, Dad was all smiles and the lights/numbers/readings on the monitor were operating normally.  The tech suggested that the bad T-storm we had the other night might have interfered with the sensors.  His suggestion was to unplug the monitor for a few minutes and plug it back in....sort of a 'reboot' I guess.  Whatever it was, it did the trick and I got two more doggie treats as Dad sat back with another cup of relaxing coffee.  Life is good!!

The afternoon was definitely a success as Mom was on the winning team at her card playing team and Dad was on the crushing, winning team at his table.  Time for some positives.

Now I must say, I was a tad disappointed when Momma and Dad returned from dinner out at Papa Joe's with their camping friends....22 seated at 3 tables.....with doggie bags that passed by me so fast into the refrigerator that I didn't even get a decent sniff.  Must have been a good dinner.  Guess I'll have to wait until it is leftover night and use my baby, brown eyes to get my share of the leftovers.  I've had lots of practice so I'm confident I'll be enjoying Papa Joe's soon!!  But just maybe I shouldn't be in such a hurry to try out the goodies.  I heard Momma talking to Rosemary who was looking at this door in the restaurant.

Now the thing that bothered Rosemary was the fact that all the food trays were coming out this door.  Yep, that sign above the door really says 'Restroom'!  Hmmm.....
Hickory

Day One: Off to Alaska...we hope

The title says 'Off to Alaska' which may make you wonder why in the world Dad headed south on I-75.  The explanation is quite simple.  We are spending the weekend with our Golden Triangle Sams camping 'family' in Brooksville, Fl.  Anyone who knows us is well aware that Momma and Dad always meander to our ultimate goal.  The travel along the way is part of the enjoyment of the trip with lots of adventures, places to see with terrific new smells, new friends to meet and dog bones to collect.  This is really day one of many days to follow as the house has been closed up for a few months while we go make memories.
Speaking of memories made, today was definitely one of those memorable days that we will remember and talk about for a while.  Call it a "stumble start."  It all began when Momma pushed the button to pull in the slides so we could hitch up the 5er and hit the road.  The last slide didn't sound right so she stopped and let Dad investigate.  Well, after a bit of investigation, I heard him on the phone having a technical conversation with a service tech.  It seems the layers of the door side slide flooring were separating, causing the middle of the slide floor to hang low and catch on the nylon glide as the slide came in, pulling the center section of the glide loose.  Take a [peak at the floor separation

Well, after crawling around on the floor for most of the morning with the assistance of son, Todd (he's my two legged brother). .......

The slide flooring layers have been drawn together with screws, the glide repositioned and the slide slid into the closed position.  ROAD TRIP TIME.  Now don't get too excited.  It's only a temporary fix.  And the slide will not be fully deployed until a more permanent repair takes place.  When will that happen you ask?  Momma and Dad would love the answer to that question as well.  The answer hinges on the busy schedule of the repair techs.  Another story for another day.

Okay, so the morning began with a glitch.  Followed by another incident.  Have you ever tried to fill a coffee cup that has been turned upside down? Yep, that's what Dad did in the middle of his trying morning.  He loaded up the Keurig with water, pushed the buttons and walked away not noticing that the coffee cup was....yep, upside down.  He made 'counter coffee'...a whole cup full all over the counter.

I napped my way to our arrival at the campground and was shocked when I saw how small our site was for our rig.  Mmmmm....what's up with this?  Oh well, it's been that kind of a day. So our rig is hanging off the paved pad.  At least it is level!!   And then they wouldn't let me out of the truck until they had dealt with the fire ants right at our front door.  Okay, so give us a break already!! 

Happy Hour was in progress when we pulled in but I told Momma, there was no way she was running off without giving me my dinner.  If they were going to enjoy snacks with friends, I could at least have my bowl full of vittles.  So there she was, trying to make Dad's coffee, feed me and grab her goodies to share when I heard her yelp, "Oh no, I forgot the cup!"  Yep, the second time today that the coffee has missed the cup.  I really think she did it just so Dad wouldn't feel bad about his fiasco earlier today.

Day one has been a challenge.  I wonder what Day 2 will be like?
Hickory
happy to be on the road again with my vagabond parents

The Kentucky,Tennessee, Virginia Mountains

Well, Momma is FINALLY catching up on her pictures.  I just couldn't believe this shot.  Can you imagine??

It's called a wave machine.  Ladies would get their hair all hooked up to this gadget to add curls and waves.  It looks more like something out of the Frankenstein movie.  
We spent some time at a really nice RV park in Pikeville, Ky.  It was a public park with full hookup.  All the sites were paved and well maintained.  This area was unique as they literally moved a mountain to reroute the area and cure the flooding issue. You can see the layers of rock removed.

Momma and Dad went out into the viewing cage to get some picturesque shots but the protective screening got in the way.

They tell me we are in bear country but if it hadn't been for this picture, I wouldn't have known it.  This is Hatfield and McCoy area.  In downtown Pikeville, they have a bear project with colorful bears throughout the town.  But these two bears are a reminder of the feud that took several lives of the Hatfield clan and the McCoy clan.

The next location was the National Park at Cumberland Gap.  All I kept hearing on the GPS was state border ahead.  I guess the poor GPS was getting flustered with 3 states Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia coming together.  Traveling from one state to another was made quick and easy with this fantastic tunnel. 

There is a drive you can take if you aren't longer than 20 feet.  It winds up and around and around and up to The Pinacle so you can view all three states. Too bad we couldn't add some fall colors to the scene.  We did have a very colorful view on the GPS of all the twists and turns.

Would you believe the stink bugs were even up at the pinacle? 

The are EVERYWHERE!!  Thank goodness they don't bite.