Thunder Beach Rally 2009

This is our second motorcycle rally in Panama City Beach. We've been here since Sunday night but the party starts Thursday. There are some bikes here, but they are expecting over 45,000 bikes by Friday. The strip is quiet right now. This gives me a chance to practice on my new harley. Dawn rides in the sidecar with me. She is quite trusting of me actually. Sometimes I have to pry her fingers from the OMG bar, but she's a good sport. I've realized my bike is easier to drive with someone in the sidecar. Everywhere we go people wave and Dawn waves back. When we stop all of the Harley riders come over to look at my bike. We are quite unique and Dawn is loving the attention.

We're in a campground about two miles from the beach nestled in pine trees. The ponds have gators so we keep a close eye on the dogs. It's a short ride to the ocean and I plan on spending some time watching the sun set and enjoying the sounds of the ocean. Today as a matter of fact. We've already had oysters and shrimp, my favorite. It's the only place I'll eat raw oysters. They're from Apalachicola, the best oysters in the world.

I LOVE MY HARLEY!!!!! It's so cool and easy to ride. Gotta go for now. Lots of riding to do. More to come.........

Wedding Gift

Some women want diamonds, some want furs. Me? I get a harley!!! This is the most incredible gift I have ever received, besides my children (including my new children), my grandaughters, and my husband. I just love saying my husband! Our lives together is one adventure after another and I want it to last forever.......

One of my favorite jobs is emergency babysitter. Poor mackenzie had strep throat and after several days of antibiotics still couldn't return to school. Mema to the rescue. Sara and I spent a quiet day playing board games and applying makeup. Then off to McDonalds for lunch. And a trip to the grocery store for a game, ice cream, and flowers for mom. Cassie was pleasantly surprised. I got to spend a couple of hours rocking Madi, one of my favorite passtimes. These girls are such a joy in my life. I'm awaiting my next job on Columbus Day when their day cares are closed.

Jamaica beaches, the perfect wedding, the perfect man, great food, and all the romance anyone could ask for at my fingertips. Did I set this up for you? We picked the perfect place to get married. We were greeted at the airport in Montego Bay and taken to the “Couples Resort Lounge” to await our shuttle. We never touched our baggage after that. We boarded the shuttle for the 1 ½ hour drive to Negril. I enjoyed the eye opening drive through the Jamaica that not many people see. The poor lined the streets hoping for a tourist to stop for a piece of fruit or a drink. Next to these shacks were elaborate homes that overlooked the blue Caribbean waters. Goat herders scurried up side streets keeping their goats out of harms way on the only highway that hugged the Jamaican coast.

Arriving at the resort, and we were greeted by a woman serving cold washcloths on a silver tray. We sat in the lobby while she served champagne and checked us into our rooms. Then we were escorted to the room to wait for out luggage to be delivered. I was already feeling like royalty and we were treated this way throughout our stay.

After unpacking we decided to explore. There were 18 acres of exotic gardens, beaches, restaurants, pools, entertainment, and people waiting to serve our every need. We had dinner at Cassava Terrace and went to the piano bar for a sing-a-long. After a few drinks were served, everyone was singing. Men began singing love songs to their girlfriends/wife’s, everyone sang silly songs together, and the piano player encouraged the silliness. The bartender even joined in on the fun. We met a couple from UK and Steve asked them to “Come and be witnesses at our wedding”. It made the spontaneity of wedding even more fun.

The best thing about the wedding was the individuality. We picked out rings we wanted, not caring if they matched. We wore what we wanted, I was barefoot and he was in Khakis. I walked down the isle (beach) to music I picked out that was very untraditional, plain white T’s, Paul McCartney, and Chris Brown. We said our own spur of the moment vows, nothing written or memorized. We had new friends from the UK, she in her best “frock” and he was in sandals and shorts. People were sunbathing off to the side, wondering what was going on. People we had met at the resort came to watch our nuptials. But most of all, it was private and personal which is just what we wanted.

The rest of the trip was all about romance. We took the catamaran ride to pirate’s cave and swam into the clear blue water up to the old stone stairs inside that led to the top of the cliffs. We snorkeled the reefs. We rode the glass bottom boat down the coast and took a brief tour of the clothing optional beaches and resorts (interesting to say the least). We ate fabulous meals in the restaurants and on the beach. We watched a steel drum band and I played with them during the audience participation part of the show. We danced to jazz during dinner. We laid on the beach and had pina coladas served to us. We laid on our floats and floated up too the swim up bar for drinks. The employees would offer us cold washcloths on a silver tray (again) to fight the heat. A worker climbed a coconut tree and carved the coconut so we could taste the fresh coconut milk. We danced the night away in the disco. We were served chocolate and champagne at sunset. We had wine and cheese while listening to a classical guitarist. I guess I could go on and on. Needless to say, it was the most romantic trip I’ve ever taken. I guess the man I was with made a difference also. Steve is so caring and understanding and I am so deeply in love. Our lives together have been so awesome so far and this was the perfect beginning to the rest of our lives. To be continued………..

Here it is July already. I haven't posted anything since April and Talladega. Time passes too quickly. When we're young we count time in months, I'm 9 1/2. Then we add to our age, I'll be 16 in two months. We then turn to years, I'm 22. As we grow we count time in decades, I'm in my 50's. As we go into our golden years we count in months again, I'm 86 1/2. We come full circle. I'm still in my decade stage. Time travels fast through these years. I've managed to slow down my mind by remembering the travels of the last three years, New Orleans, Houston, Gulf Shores, Guntersville Lake State Park, Fort Myers, The Everglades, Marathon Key, Daytona, Disney world, Talladega, Dale Hollow Lake and some that I have to reread my blog to remember. After all I am in my 50's. Then there are memories my mind tries to outrun, hospitals, doctors, lawyers, and events I've successfully blocked. But they are also part of me.

This blog is important to me. It's my scrapbook. I didn't mean to go this long without writing. It's just that life happens. But life is happening to me and I need to take the time again to reflect on these events, to slow down and not let the decades slip by so quickly. So, I will begin blogging again. Since I'm back and forth between home (doctors and boring stuff) and the houseboat (not much going on but relaxing, swimming, and journeling) the blogs may not have a lot of pictures or be very exciting, but I will be blogging. It is the life that is happening to me.

Talladega

I've always wanted to go to a Nascar race but I had no idea it would be so much fun. Our reservations were messed up and they put us in a "gated community" infield. Only people staying in that area were allowed in so the crazies stayed away. We were the second row from the track between turns three and four. We could actually sit in the motorhome with the tv on the race and see the cars go by in the background, which we did when it got real hot. The cars practicing on the track would wake us up in the morning, but they did let us sleep until about 8:30. We got there Thursday night and after dealing with our reservations being messed up we got in line in the "staging area". We were put in the line that went in first so we didn't have to wait as long. We drove across the track to get infield, that was cool. Whenever it got hot we could relax in the RV, we didn't have to deal with concession stands, or sitting in the sun in seats in the stadium all day. I'm so spoiled now. I don't want to go back unless we can stay infield again, and only in that section.

It was great being there with Steve, he knows so much about Nascar. And my dear friend, Dawn, went with us. We haven't been able to hang out that much in years. And I didn't take her along to just cook, although she is a great cook.

The day of the big race we sat on the roof of the motorhome. It's like it's own party up there. The race was incredible, some said its the best race in years. The ninth lap there was a seven car wreck right in front of us. My heart jumped. It's a lot different seeing it in person. Everyone was ok, but the wreck on the last lap was close to the grandstands and seven spectators got hurt. You just never know. That's why I liked being on the second row. At least there is some protection from the wrecks.

I've been so fortunate to be able to see all of these amazing things. I savor every moment of them. Especially when I get to see them with people I love.

Tornado reflections

I ran errands today around Murfreesboro. Every corner I turned there was some affect from the tornado. Then I turned off I-24 onto Medical Center Parkway and my heart dropped. Across the street from the Avenue you can see the path of devastation. Homes flattened, utility poles laying on the side of streets, pieces of peoples homes was everywhere and so were the police and state troopers. The State troopers have set up an RV for all of the troopers. An insurance company has an rv in the Avenue parking lot.

I didn't take any pictures because I felt it was an invasion of privacy. And they don't do the damage justice. We see all of the video and pictures on tv, the internet, and from friends. That's just what they are, pictures. To see it in person has a different affect. Peoples lifes scattered across highways and in ditches and in other's yards. One friend told me her house was fine but her yard was full of debris from other homes. She even found someones divorce papers.

I have a new appreciation for nature, for life, and for what will come in my life that is unexpected. Whatever I face, things could be so much worse.

Hi ya'll from Mississippi

This has been an exciting couple of weeks. Everyone at Waverley is counting the minutes until the last morning tour Saturday morning. Of course, the mansion is open everyday of the year, but not with these pilgrimage crowds.

We’ve been in a dead zone. No internet or cell phone service in the campground. We drive to Columbus or Melanie’s to check email and make phone calls. You don’t realized you are hooked until you start having withdrawals.

There has been some kind of excitement during each tour. Melanie had an allergic reaction and became violently ill ten minutes before the first tour. Steve sat in the kitchen with her as she lay on the kitchen floor in her mother’s 40 year old pilgrimage dress. Steve tried to get her out of it but she was a dish rag. The both of us finally got her changed and home. Steve babysat and the rest of us covered her part of the tour. She recovered that night and figured out she is allergic to her hair dye. Isn’t that weird? Then a woman fell off the front porch and broke her ankle. We had to call an ambulance for her (caution, lawsuits may occur). You never know what people are going to do. Melanie’s niece saw the woman taking a picture while she was walking down the stairs, not paying attention to anything. One day there was a terrible storm with tornado warnings with lightening and thunderstorms. The tourists were stuck in the house so we had to entertain them with stories. Then the lights went out. Melanie, with her wonderful sense of humor, said “Let’s give ghost tours.” One day it was so cold we wore pants under our dresses. Of course, who would notice? We’ve had nice people, rude people, small children, school field trips, and lots of senior citizens on tour busses. People have come in from all over the world, but my favorite couple was from Franklin, Tennessee.

We tell stories of Colonial Young that built the mansion and his family, masked balls at the mansion, the civil war, and the Snow family’s restoration of the home. The antiques that furnish the mansion are incredible. Our tours depend on people’s interest. Some just want history and some just want to know about the antiques, and some just want to talk about the gardens (five acres of formal gardens).

I have only worked the pilgrimage tours, which are four hours a day three days a week, but it has been exhausting. We’ve spent our spare time just hanging out at the campground or with Melanie. Sara and Keith did get to come for a couple of days and seemed to have a good time. Sara loved the azaleas and Melanie filled her room with fresh cuttings in vases. Melanie spoiled them.

We spent one whole day installing an antenna on Melanie roof for her TV only to figure out her rabbit ears worked better. So, we uninstalled it. Steve was so tired. We’ve run errands for Melanie’s father, Mr. Robert, and for Melanie. We’ve helped to cook food for Waverley. Mr. Robert likes to feed all of the tour guides after each Pilgrimage tour. The West Point Air Force Base spouses volunteer each year to help at all of the houses. Some tours we will have six or seven volunteers. One lady told me sixty people volunteered from the Air Force Base this year. There are about 15 different tours for Pilgrimage. Most of these homes are not open the rest of the year.

We’re going fishing today on Mr. Robert’s pond. It’s supposed to have all kinds of fish, including some rather large catfish. I’m hoping to have fish for dinner. We’ll see. I could go on and on about all of this. I’ve been here two weeks and there’s so much to tell. Maybe I’ll start blogging some of the Waverley stories we tell. They’re fascinating.

Until next time, this is Diana the Traveler signing off.

Its been raining for a couple of days. That's fine. It gave me a couple of days to catch up on paperwork. Now I can feel the warmth peeking through the clouds, telling me to go to the beach. This is not as easy as it sounds. Its spring break. In Panama City Beach spring break lasts six weeks. I don't know how the locals do it. But the locals love it. This is a time to make their money.

We went to Walmart and saw young college men with baskets full of chips, Ramon noodles, and lots and lots of beer. We dared to drive down Front Beach Road (the main strip) one afternoon. Kids stumbling across the road, drink in hand. Cars full of screaming girls. So many 150 scooters which you don't have to have a license to drive. And they don't wear helmets here. It scared me that this is our future. Then I remembered my youth and forgave them.

I did find a small spot at the far end of the beach. Tomorrow its going to be sunny and 80 degrees. I plan to spend our last day here at the beach sitting in my chair, journeling, and listening to the water.

Nastame

On the beach, sort of

We're back in Panama City Beach. We stopped here on our way back from Disney World while we were waiting for the snow to melt in Nashville. We found an RV Park on Back Beach road that is quiet. Yes, it's spring break here, but the campground is away from the beach. I'm looking at one of the small lakes and enjoying the breeze through my open window. It's supposed to rain today, but that's ok, its 70 degrees. I plan to spend the day writing, reading, or maybe catching up on some paperwork. We spent yesterday running errands, so we both need a day to rest. Yes, life goes on, even on the road. I needed new glasses to replace the ones I lost at Disney. We bought some groceries. We went to a boat store to look for stuff for the houseboat. And of course, we went to Buddy's Seafood Market to buy fresh shrimp for dinner. I think I keep coming back here for the seafood.

Maybe I'll get out today and take some pictures around the campground before it rains. I know I'm going to the beach Monday or Tuesday when it quits raining. I'll go early in the morning while the spring breakers are asleep. Who knows, maybe I'll find a few laying around on the beach that never made it to their rooms. That could be some interesting pictures.

Houseboat

We've been home for a few weeks, can't even remember how long now, trying to leave again. Steve has had a desire for a houseboat. He spent hours on the computer looking, studying, hoping to come across the right one. But it had to be on, or moveable to, Dale Hollow Lake. So, this past Sunday we drove up there once again, looking at houseboats. You would be amazed at some of the junk people are trying to sell. Then we walked up to Barefoot and Topless. From a distance I saw her and thought "Is this it? Could it be so beautiful?" Its sleek like a cruiser, now square like a houseboat. Then we boarded her. We were instantly taken in by her, trying not to show our enthusiams to the boat realtor. As we stepped inside we knew this was the one. She is 32', actually smaller than the motorhome inside. But there are several stories of living. The bridge, the galley (I'm learning the terms), a bedroom under the bridge, a party deck (yes it's really called this) with a bimini top is above the galley, then a sun deck is a short climb from the party deck. Steve made an offer, then counters were involved, and now Captain Steve is the owner of a new houseboat.

The name, he wants an original name. Barefoot and topless is cute, but its someone else's name. It's a boat thing. We've been tossing around ideas. He has decided on "The other woman". I thought that was appropriate because if he's not with me he will be with the other woman. It will take a couple of weeks to finalize the details, test drive the boat, and exchange money, but we are planning an "open boat" or "boat warming" in early June. We want to wait until the weather warms up.

Speaking of warm weather, its suppose to sleet here and be cold, so we're leaving this afternoon for Panama City Beach. We stayed there on the way back from Orlando on this last trip and found a great campground that doesn't allow spring breakers. It's that time of year. We'll stay there until the weather warms up.

Try to keep warm and I'll think of you while I eat oysters and shrimp.

Diana

Haiku

Disneyworld was fun.
Imagination galore.
My feet are hurting.

Disney World Again!!!!

We hadn't planned to come back to Disney, but a great opportunity came up. My nephew, Taylor Casey, was going to Disney to audition for a performance role. We decided to take him there in the RV. Sara came along and Keith came down a few days later to meet us. Now here's the good part. It was an open singing audition. About 200 people turned up. Taylor was in a group of about 30 and he was one of three that got the yellow paper. He said he felt like it was American Idol. People kept coming out without the yellow sheet and he was getting very nervous. He was called and sang for them. He sang for them and the head casting director loved him. He asked him to come back March 4th for a second audition. He told him he wanted him to audition for the part of boy one (1st tenor) in High School Musical (which he performed in local theatre). They are emailing him the music and a video of the part they want him to perform for them. They even asked him to sing a second song and videotaped it. When I picked him up from his audition he was beaming! I hate to brag (no I don't) but I've always known he was great! I'm so proud!

Oh yeah, I'm at disney world. I haven't been to any parks and I don't plan to go to any. Sara and I took Taylor to Downtown Disney the night of his audition. He was so tired he slept most of the next day. He had to get up at 6:00 eastern (5 our time, yuck) to get to the audition early. I took him so I had to also. That night we went to the Animal Kingdom Lodge and ate dinner. It was one of the most incredible meals I've ever had. And the atmosphere was fantastic. They specialize in South African wines so I was in heaven with my wine tasting. Then yesterday Sara and Taylor went to the manmade beach in the campground, Steve worked on the RV (one of his favorite pastimes) and I just enjoyed being here.

Today Taylor, Sara, and Keith are going to Magic Kingdom. It's Taylor's first visit to disney so I'm excited for him. I might lounge by the pool, or maybe take a walk to the dog park, or maybe go horseback riding, or maybe fishing, all of that without even leaving the campground. I'm glad we have several days here to enjoy it all.

We're leaving Friday morning for ??????? We'll see where the wind blows us next.

Finally on the road again

A new year, new adventures. The winter was longer than we expected, but it is finally over. We have great plans for 2009. Another year following our hearts and souls. We never know where the wind will take us. We make plans, but sometimes life has its own plan. So we've learned to be flexible. The farther south we get, the more relaxed I become. Is it the warm sun? Or maybe the ocean? Or maybe my soul knows its free again.

Life can be tough. The challenges we face everyday are difficult. Sometimes its good to just step away and re access a situation, to take a deep breath and let life happen. There are so many things we can't control. But, it can be hard to let go. I have to wonder, am I running from or to a better life. I'll never know. What I know is I can move forward. I can live life. Isn't that what we're supposed to do?

I'm blogging again. That means I'm writing again, and that's a good thing. I'm looking forward to writing about the many experiences ahead of me. So, here I go.......