What will you find here ?

#1 Don’t mind the date at the top… 
it’s dated that way to keep these first two entries always on the top.

Newest entries – Just scroll down

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A good sense of humor helps.

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Shelly also has a blog… Generally a bit more focused than mine…

 www.SharingDreamz.blogspot.com 

( After all… you never know what I’m gonna post)

Questions or Comments…

Email: RvCampingToday@hotmail.com

Some photo’s are not my own and may come from unknown sources…

so Thanks to the unknown contributors.
(This is a non-profit site)

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What will you find… here on my blog…

Now that’s a good question…

Could be almost anything…

UPDATES ON WHAT WE ARE DOING

All about Our Current Adventures

FLASHBACKS TO WHAT WE DID

Pre Blogging or just catching up

RARE SERIOUS MOMENTS

Rare being the key word !

NOTHING BUT THE FACTS

(don’t believe that)

FAVORITE THINGS

No explanation needed

RAMDOM THOUGHTS

This covers a wide area

FLIGHTS OF FANTASY

An even bigger topic area

THINGS THAT STRIKE ME FUNNY

or just amusing

GAMES WE PLAY

Too much time on my hands

TRAVEL MEMORIES

Too good not to Share

INFO ON RVing FULLTIME

A Life on the Road

PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

It’s good to have a Plan.

DEFINING INSIGHTS

Thoughts of the Day

All Kinds of “STUFF”

Could be anything!

(this is actually a painted hand)

TRIBUTES TO MY HEROES

#1 will always be “Walt”

THE MEANING OF LIFE

As seen through who's eyes!

(now that’s Scary)

WHAT WE EAT

Seafood!

WHERE WE EAT

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company

NEW PLACES

Anything Tropical & Warm

OLD PLACES

Gone but not Forgotten

(Titanic Staircase)

SCARY PLACES

Keep your distance

Florida Everglades

EXCITING PLACES

Beyond Wow!

Epcot Fireworks

RARE SIGHTS

Always have the camera ready

OLD FRIENDS

Getting a little wet.

NEW FRIENDS

He’s kinda quiet

TOUCHING MOMENTS

aaahhhhh !

LIFES QUESTS

Last One Left…

and it’s All Mine

GREAT IDEAS

Dozens of them!

(now this is a BIG Maryland Blue Crab)

AND BURNING QUESTIONS

LIKE…

… ARE WE ALONE ?

Individually – sometimes

Emotionally?

Spiritually ?

Physically – No

Cosmically – No

YA JUST NEVER KNOW !

well… you never know.

But there is one thing for sure…

If I ever write something that should hit a nerve or offend… it’s not intentional or meant to be mean or hurtful… it’s just a moment of levity gone a rye or simply misconstrued. Apologies in Advance.

Some entries will be limited in scope in and effort to simply peak your interest...

( additional information available on the internet for you to check out )

Route To MTL

Seems like 90% of the staff here in Texas is migrating to MTL.

It’s a winding road to MTL.

(Sure isn’t like I-95 from Maryland to Florida)

Here’s how we are planning the trip…

TRAVEL DAY 1 & 2 …. 290 > 6 > (Novasota) > 90 > (Madisonville) > 45 > (Buffalo) > 79 > (Palestine) > 19 > (Athens) > 19 > (Paris) > 271 > Indian Nation Turnpike > 69 > 40 > Gore

 

TRAVEL DAY 3 & 4 ….Gore > 165 > 69 > 44 > (Lebanon) > 5 > (Camdenton) > 54 > 19 > EE > J > Harbortown Rd > MTL

 

We are doing 4 days of travel at about 250 miles per day. Three stops along the way.

If yall have any suggestions … let us know. But that’s our plan. 

World Order…

THOUGHT OF THE DAY…. The world today. I just can't understand why people just can't get along. Live and let live! Why do some people or groups always want to force their beliefs or philosophy of life on others? Why do we as a society put up with greed and corruption by voting for a candidate of "their" choice. Pretty much all religious beliefs of all societies and cultures all over the world... since all time... believe that a supreme being or "God" will someday return... and straighten it all out. Now isn't that a nice thought? If, or when this happens... I suspect there's gonna be a lot of unhappy people.

Milestone…

Hit a milestone today. Even thought it was a slow month and we have been busy too... >>> My blog hit 10,000! <<< It's my very own little bit of fame. 10,000 hits... lets see... 10,000 seconds... comes to about 2 hours and 45 minutes of some kinda fame... in some small degree. Thanks to my readers near and far... family, friends, and the many people that I don't know from all over the world... hope you enjoy what I write... and I hope that it at least brings a smile to your face. Or gives you some insight to the Rving Lifestyle or someplace you've never been... or maybe knowing that others are having similar situations just like you... and you're not alone... perhaps even a bit of insight or a different way to see something from a different perspective. So "Thanks Again" for reading. Always enjoy your day... and make the most of every moment.

Houston Workamping

Another chapter comes to a close… workamping adventures in Texas. We were mainly in the Houston area about 25 miles north west of the cities outer sprawl. Close enough to be able to drive a bit and get anything you want, and far enough away so as not to have to put up with the daily mess of the city… traffic and congestion. Locals say the traffic and congestion here is second only to LA. I’m not a big city guy… not even a little. Big cities are a necessary evil if they have what you want, and you can’t get it anywhere else… can yall say… “internet”! I’m sure there are many sights and many great places that we haven’t seen… all I can say for sure is that I am certainly “Houstoned out”. We have traveled to the Texas gulf coast… not impressed… in fact the locals say they travel to Mississippi, Alabama, or Florida for a coastline vacation. Houston, like any other city… it has stuff, but entirely too big, too congested, and full of unfriendly folks… and holds little or no appear for me. One bright spot on our Texas adventure was San Antonio and the “River Walk”… certainly an experience not to be missed. Texas is pretty much flat and after a season of drought… browned out scrub grass, scrub bushes, scrub trees, and just nothing pretty about it even for someone who can usually find a something to appreciate as a nature lover. Growing up in the Mid Atlantic states and enjoying lots of “green” everywhere, beautiful hills, rivers, lakes, ponds, mountains, and the ocean… well… it’s everything that Texas isn’t, at least the parts we have seen. So as we prepare to depart we’ll leave with good memories with friends and coworkers, and a few special places, but all in all…there’s not much that we will miss. I guess part of the whole Texas thing is that it is so big and spread out, which makes everything in it spread out. Kinda like the dessert when looking for a oasis… few a far between. Like any big city… Houston has a lot… but if you’re not city folk… it doesn’t hold very much magic… and usually just the opposite. I won’t say we’d never come back… but it definitely falls into the “Been There, Done That” category. As soon as spring break is over, we’ll hit the road heading north for the summer. Destination… Missouri. Then back to Florida for the next winter. So it’s… “So long to Houston”… real soon! So what do I remember the most? Mainly what we had a bit too much of… okay, way too much of… too flat, too hot, less than beautiful scenery, and more then their fair share of folks that are self centered, only caring about what they want, and think that rules… any rules… don’t apply to them. Don’t get me wrong, there’s lots of good folks here, but the highest percentage of argumentative, complaining, unappreciative, “I want everything my way” people I’ve ever experienced anywhere. YES…ANYWHERE! In defense of long time locals… they say it’s the people that have migrated from the north and have moved to Houston over the last 30-40 years… and that may be true… but it doesn’t change how they are collectively as today’s Houstonians. When they can’t get their way, despite any rules, they only want to complain and argue, and spread discontentment and negativity upon anyone around them. It’s a shame that’s this is what I remember the most about Houston. They have an over inflated opinion of their self worth and that they feel they are above everyone else. Another note… I have yet to have one person… not one person for the 10 months we have been here, give a “thank you wave” when letting them out onto traffic… not even one! Yep…. been there… done that… no plans to return to anyplace even near to Houston. When speaking to native Texans… they express the same feelings… there’s something wrong with the city folk from Houston… and in their words… I shouldn’t judge all of Texas based on the people from Houston. Guess that’s how most country folk feel about city folks. So that’s it… I call it as I see it… and relay it as I hear it. So if you are from Houston and take offense… you’re no doubt part of the problem… cause the good folks from there know what I’m saying and just what I’m talking about! So how do the rest of last summers staff feel about returning here to work… love the campground, managers, and coworkers…they can even deal with the heat… but will not return to endure the abusive nature of the people from Houston. It’s called a “One and Done!” park by the staff. Not coming back! … too many other places to see and experience… where you can work and be in a friendly atmosphere around guests that appreciate your helpful efforts of hospitality… and have consideration and courtesy towards others… amen to that. Those self righteous people from Houston also have a problem with the fact that the park is staffed by over the hill retirees. Maybe they don’t realize that no one ( and certainly they wouldn’t either) … that no one locally would do what we do… for what the job pays… and have to put up with their abuse. Many of the staff work just for site and no pay… and the one’s that work for pay don’t make a lot… just a little extra spending money. Perhaps in their perfect world the park would be staffed with a more career oriented staff age 25-40, that would be more to their liking… and those people would be viewed as more desirable help. Well… no one in a “career age” status would do this job for the money. Without workamping retirees there would be no staff, since we make up 90% of the work force…. and the camp would have to pay more, much more pay for locals… if they could even get them… and guest prices would go up dramatically. They just have to hope ( but I’m sure this is oblivious to them)  that there is an inexhaustible supply of retiree workampers that are willing to come here to staff the park. This seems less likely since this is a “One and Done Park”. The outlook… Great for the “One & Dones”… we’re off to somewhere else and a better work environment where we are appreciated. But Houston,  I see staffing issues… no one would want to work here… not for this compensation… and to have a negative guest experience by people that believe that we are “here to serve them and bow to their every wish” and endure their Houston attitudes. Again, there are a lot of good folks here… but who wants to endure the 15-20% that want to make you feel like dirt beneath their feet. “Yessa Master” days may be long gone… but lives on in the hearts of some Houstonians with a holier than thou attitude. Glad my home has wheels. But that’s one of the great things about Rving… easy to hookup and move.            

Inspiration…

Inspiration! It comes from many things. Good and bad… positive and negative… for me, mostly positive influences… places, people, things, happenings, memories, events, conversations, and sometimes when you least expect it…  and in the most unusual places. And it’s like the old saying… if you are looking for good, you will find it! New places… old places… relaxing places. Adventures new and old. It starts with an upbeat outgoing outlook on life… and little things just “pop” in to inspire you to think, draw, create, write and share with others. Sometimes just a photograph. Lots of things inspire me… foremost my life with Shelly and all the things we share together [ makes me smile and have a warm feeling all over ]… and naturally my Grand daughters [ priceless ]… which we are currently too far away from to visit [ sad face ]. Places… ah, yes… all the places we have been. Mountains, beaches, lakes, oceans, all the different vistas that nature has to offer… sunrises, sunsets, and warm gentle breezes with your toes in the sand [ love cool sand between my toes on a warm day ]. Walking along the beach just looking for shells.  Yep, inspiration is everywhere… even the smallest things… watching hummingbirds at the feeders… or having dragonflies land on your hand… the perfect beauty of natures flowers… and the smell of honeysuckle. The warmth of a nice campfire and toasting marshmallows. Yep… inspiration is everywhere… sometimes ya just need to slow down and stop to smell the roses… and look for the little things. Go through old photos… refresh memories of good times with family and friends. Inspiration and imagination… they’ll keep you young at heart and always feeling good in spirit. I find the things that have inspired me and elevated my sense of well being and happiness. Hope you have the same likes and influences in your life that bring a smile to your face and warm your heart. So there’s your happy thought for the day… sometimes the simplest things bring the best feelings of happiness. Have a great day… and keep looking for those small things… oh… look… a squirrel !  

White Chocolate Mocha

Secrets… life’s all about little secrets… and life’s little pleasures. Some we hold for others and never tell… some we keep for ourselves… and some we share. This one falls into the “share” category. Now I not a big fan of Starbucks Coffee as a whole… except for one thing… Espresso – White Chocolate Mocha. I tried for years to develop my own so I could enjoy my favorite gourmet coffee right at home. Now I don’t have an espresso machine… so this was no doubt a major set back. But just using the trusty old microwave I tried and tried, again and again without success. UNTIL NOW!  Our daughter bought a packet of White Chocolate Cocoa Mix… I found it… and the wheels started turning. SUCCESS!

Now here’s what you need…

she gets them at her local Wal-Mart
( where else ! )
look for it in the hot cocoa section

and here’s how you do it…
simple and easy!

Heat milk in the microwave to the desired temp…
(I use 2% milk for a richer flavor and full body texture)
I also use my favorite mug… it adds to the pleasure.

Add a spoon (to taste) of Folgers Instant coffee
(works in place of the espresso/machine)

Add a spoon of sugar (to taste)

Add ½ a packet (or the whole if you desire) of Arctic White Hot Cocoa Mix

Stir well…. sprinkle a bit of ground Nutmeg on top ( if desired )
BTW: Once available at Starbucks… but no longer… must be the cost issue.

Smell…. ahhh…. sip…. ahhh…. ( repeat, over and over ) and enjoy!

That same great taste at home, whenever you want,  for about 75¢ verses $4.50.

It’s like drinking dessert… plus gives you a warm feeling all over on these cold days.

I sometimes don’t like sharing my own little secrets, especially since this product is sometimes hard to find… but since I have a sufficient supply of my own… which I will refrain from sharing ( I like to say I’m sorry, but I’m really not )… I thought the least I could do was to share the recipe so to speak. Give it a try… hope you enjoy it.   

  

Houston Rv Show

We have been to lots of Rv Shows over the years as guests, but never actually did an Rv Show representing a campground or company. This week it all changed. So here’s to another new adventure. Because of the long hours each day… the drive times and the show hours… we shared hosting the booth with two other workampers ( Jim & Dave ) from here at Lone Star Yogi. We left the campground at 7am on Wednesday to drive to the south side of Houston, the Reliant Center, setup the booth, and do the opening day of the show. All four of  us stayed for the entire day… returning back to the campground shortly after 9pm… long, long day! Glad the show only runs 5 days… Wednesday to Sunday. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday we’ll split the shifts… two opening and two closing… and Sunday, all four of us all day. Here’s a quick breakdown so far…

From Day One: ( written the next morning after)

Doing the Houston Rv Show for the campground... day 1 behind us... lots of previous Yogi guests visited the booth... lots of positive comments… they can’t wait to come back!  Lots of potential new guests... they say they have heard good things about us… and we give them a friendly invite to come visit with us. Was a long day yesterday... left campground at 7am... got back after 9pm... tired and sore. Surprising how Rv shows have changed... or maybe it's just this one. Lots of less expensive vacation units. Not really any Full time Rv units... certainly none I trade our for... and the big expensive units, well, they looked good on the outside but too much seemingly cheap glitz on the inside... like the song said..."That didn't impress me much". Overall... some new ideas and looks... but generally... not impressed at all with anything… from the stand point of a full time rver. The  Rv Show food really bites the big one... yuck! $9.40 for a burger ( cold under cooked meat, stale bun, soggy tomatoes) and $5.50 for a coke... you'd think for those prices the food would be the outstanding... brown bagging the rest of the week!

From Day Two: ( written the next morning after)

Houston Rv Show... day two (Thursday) ... very slow day. It was like they closed down the access roads at 6pm. Wednesday was busier due to opening and senior day and what seemed like "free ticket day" ... but today (Thursday) was very, very slow. Friday daytime I was told will be slow too... but Friday evening, and Saturday & Sunday will be a mad house and make up for it all. I'm not sure what makes you more tired... long hours, standing on concrete floors, not moving around much (small confined area), or just being bored when it's slow. Oh... I know... I know... all of the above. Plus to make it worst (little inside joke)... there's no water to play with! But then again, it is raining today... and if it continues, all day today may be another slow day... but I could always go outside for a short walk... to play in the rain! (water...water!) I'm not one for "slow boring time"... so I'm looking forward to the weekend rush... lots of people, lots of kids and 10 hour days won't seem like 20 hour days. ... I hope. Have done a little walkabout to check out the Rv's... and as a Fulltime Rver, and already having the Rv of our dreams... I gotta say... I'm not impressed very much with the Rv's at the show. 90% vacation units, and the few bigger boys... well... not impressed there either. Just like everything else... they found a cheaper way to make Rv's... much cheaper way... and for those that know the difference... just not impressive. But I guess you play to the current buying public's wants and needs. I like a good hamburger too... but given the choice of living with steak or hamburger everyday... I'd opt for the steak! ... it’s the "filet mignon" of Rv's for me. So unless this changes someday... I know, I'll keep what I have... for a long, long, long... long time.

So that’s the Show so far… looking forward to a busy weekend where time goes by quickly!

On a short note: Walking around the show and observing others booths and the dealers… I’m surprised that almost no one greets the guests / customers as they walk by. It’s almost like… “Yeah… I’m here… you’re here… what do you want… why are you looking at me?.” Somewhat shocking way to convey to guests that you are friendly (or NOT)  and have them want to learn more about your product or campground. Guess we’ll get the upper edge on that one. The one that does the best job giving the guest a friendly welcome and sells the fun experience and wonderful memories that they will share with their family at Lone Star Yogi… well… that’s who gets the business! So maybe it’s a good thing that the competition has a “devil may care” attitude. We’ excited about the good times at our resort… and it shows!  

Profound Message…

Well… that’s for you to decide for yourself…  it’s all a point of perception, attitude, frame of mind, and outlook on life.

• So just stop… and slow down… slow down.
• Find some quiet moments
• Close your eyes
• Take a deep breathe… breath in and out slowly and deeply
• Relax your body
• Think of a peaceful and calm place, or better yet go there. 
• Flex your muscles and then relax
• Relive a fond memory
• Breathe and relax
• Think of all the good things that bring you happiness and joy
• Just breathe and relax

You can lie back or lie down… or be a kid again… go outside and during a quiet time and lie down on the ground looking that the clouds in the sky… or better yet at night gazing at the moon and the stars. Think about the calming effect that the moon has had on people since the beginning of time… calming, relaxing, and almost mesmerizing. Take a walk in the woods looking for all the smallest things… interesting little creatures of all sorts… colorful plants, trees, little wild flowers… the simple beauty of and acorn. Watch the squirrels, chipmunks, or the birds gathering food or twigs for nests. Take a walk along the beach looking for the smallest of treasures. 

Just find you own little space to just get emotionally lost for a while and let reality fade away for a while.  Pretend you are as a child seeing it all for the first time… everything is new and interesting… see it, hear it, and smell it through a child eyes. Smell the scents of nature, the wild flowers, the honeysuckle… listen to the sounds of the winds as it moves the trees and leaves… listen to the song birds… and find out what every little sound is… you’ll be surprised what you really can hear if you only stop to listen. Nature is always a good place to start… completely away from anything connected with modern reality. Try not to see anything but nature… no buildings, no cars, no people… go someplace away from it all or just get a view point where you can’t see it… only nature. The wondrous things in nature.

Sometimes I just find a vantage point where I just lay back,  relax, and wonder off in spirit while looking at the moon and stars… the silhouette of the trees framing the scene… the clouds gently sliding by… wondering how someone was on this very spot gazing at this same moon and sky… hundreds or thousands of years ago… thinking the same thoughts as me… how beautiful and peaceful. What they might have been thinking or feeling… how they lived… and what brought me and them to this same place… ions apart… to gaze at this same scene that has played host to all of us for thousands of years. Just find your own little place to escape to… if only for a little while… every couple of days or so. Refresh your mind and soul… and in finding and being one with nature… you just may find a bit more of yourself that has been somewhat lost to the reality of today’s busy world.