We are back east now and spent about six weeks in Georgia for dental and doctor appointments. G's total knee replacement surgery is scheduled for the end of August. It was great being back with long time friends and being able to attend our church with the folks that have become family.
We chose a "premier" site on top of "heart attack hill" for a bit a privacy but soon realized that it was not altogether ideal. The trees created too much shade, and it was always dark inside our rig, and they were shedding debris on the roof and slides of our 5th wheel. Two nearby roosters crowed non-stop during the day and didn't quiet down until dusk. Then the neighborhood dogs would start barking in the evening. We were pretty much alone up there with no friendly RVrs to mix with. The hill was so steep that I only wanted to attempt it once per day. After we witnessed the police arrest a fleeing man who ran out of the woods and into the RV park, we decided to move off the hill to another site.
We chose a site in the "circle of wagons" down by the twin lakes. Satisfied that we had plenty of sunshine and company we stayed there for the remainder of our time in Georgia. The only downside was that we had no TV reception off the hill, but it was bliss with no crowing roosters or barking dogs.
From Georgia, we drove to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The drive was uneventful except for the 18-wheel truck driver who drifted over the line into our lane while he was passing on our left. As it was happening, G exclaimed to me that the truck was inches from our rig...almost touching us. The incident unnerved him. It wasn't until we arrived at our destination that we found a series of scrapes on our 5th wheel.
We chose a "premier" site on top of "heart attack hill" for a bit a privacy but soon realized that it was not altogether ideal. The trees created too much shade, and it was always dark inside our rig, and they were shedding debris on the roof and slides of our 5th wheel. Two nearby roosters crowed non-stop during the day and didn't quiet down until dusk. Then the neighborhood dogs would start barking in the evening. We were pretty much alone up there with no friendly RVrs to mix with. The hill was so steep that I only wanted to attempt it once per day. After we witnessed the police arrest a fleeing man who ran out of the woods and into the RV park, we decided to move off the hill to another site.
We chose a site in the "circle of wagons" down by the twin lakes. Satisfied that we had plenty of sunshine and company we stayed there for the remainder of our time in Georgia. The only downside was that we had no TV reception off the hill, but it was bliss with no crowing roosters or barking dogs.
From Georgia, we drove to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The drive was uneventful except for the 18-wheel truck driver who drifted over the line into our lane while he was passing on our left. As it was happening, G exclaimed to me that the truck was inches from our rig...almost touching us. The incident unnerved him. It wasn't until we arrived at our destination that we found a series of scrapes on our 5th wheel.
I called our insurance company and opened a claim. A body shop in North Carolina will repair our paint job.
Meanwhile, we are absorbing the sunshine and beach atmosphere. Myrtle Beach doesn't compare with the beautiful beaches on the gulf coast, and I realize I have become a bit of a beach snob. Since walking on those snowy white beaches and gazing at the lovely aqua water I realize this beach will never come close in comparison.
Most days here are windy and often too windy to enjoy sunbathing or swimming. We finally had a day with a mild breeze and everyone flocked to the shore. It was a hot, sunny day, and nearly everybody took at least one dip in the sea. I had my first look at a jelly fish...a dead one. It washed up on the shore and was missing all of it's tentacles. I picked it up to see what it felt like, and kids of all ages flocked to me. They took turns touching it and saying, "Eew!"
Ocean Lakes RV Resort is an expansive place with permanent beach homes, as well as RV campsites. Most folks tool around here in golf carts. We ride our bicycles.
We purchased a basket for my bike so I could take Duncan with us on our rides. I wasn't certain if Duncan would get the concept of riding in the basket, but Westies are an intelligent breed, and he took right to it. However, his presence adds 16 pounds of weight to my handle bars which makes for interesting balancing and turning.
It's a good thing that some acts of clumsiness go unwitnessed. One day, I was returning to our rig after an early morning bike ride. Duncan was not with me; he was taking his morning nap. I dismounted and stepped into a hole. Off balance, I tipped over backwards and landed solidly on my backside in the wet grass clear of my bike. My neck did the "whip-lash" thing as I stiffened in order to keep my head from hitting the ground. It was so typically uncoordinated of me, and I laid in the wet grass and laughed at myself. After picking myself up, the first thing I did of course, was to glance around to see if anyone had witnessed my debacle. Not a soul was in sight! I was free of humiliation!
There are several small lakes or ponds at this RV resort filled with resident ducks and a single swan. It's not unusual for a pair of ducks to come waddling around the various rigs looking for handouts when they smell meals being cooked.
The park provides daily trash pickup at all sites, but before it is picked up Grackles come to try to peck their way inside for an easy meal. G and I were sitting outside when a Grackle came and attempted to invade our trash. G picked up a rubber band and tried to hit the Grackle with it and missed. I took the last rubber band and shot and hit the Grackle who flew away startled.
G calls me "Dead Eye" because of my good aim. He gave me that name while in Yuma, AZ when we were target practicing in the desert with my brother and two other guys. That was a good day of shooting and hitting tin cans. I outshot all the guys except for my brother who is the original "Dead Eye." I guess it just runs in the family.
We moved on from Myrtle Beach and headed to Salisbury, North Carolina to attend my niece's wedding. The first order of business was getting our rig into the body shop for paint repair. The body shop owner examined the scrapes and was able to confirm our story of how they came to be there. He told us that our rig had held steady because the 18-wheeler had touched us over our axles. We were homeless for two days during the repair and had to hole up in a hotel for the duration. Once the paint repair was completed we picked up the rig and settled in to await the wedding festivities.
Meanwhile, we are growing in grace and peace and remembering to acknowledge God in everything. His help and guidance have never been so apparent as now. We cling to Him since we are so very needy. We have gained a lot of knowledge about RVing full-time and have taken to the nomadic life. G and I are experiencing more peace in our relationship since we have adjusted to this gypsy lifestyle and have really begun to enjoy traveling around the USA and living in our fifth-wheel.
