My, how time flies when you're having fun!
Linger Lodge, Bradenton, FL
I cannot believe it's been 10 days since the last writing, but computers don't lie, do they!?
New Year's was quiet at our house — we spent the night making smoothies with fresh-picked (by us!) strawberries and frozen yogurt and playing Dominoes with Mike & Brandi, the other host couple. There were fireworks at the speedway at midnight, but we watched the stars, instead. The night was just barely chilly and beautifully clear. The next day was warm and we stayed busy around the campground. No need to go out on the roads with the rest of the crazies!!
We've started exploring the dance clubs in the area, and boy, did we get a surprising welcome. NOwhere EVER have we found such unfriendly (bordering on rude) dancers than we did last week. The first club was ok, just so-so, but a couple of dancers told us about another club, gonna dance the next night. OK, we thought, so off we went. The caller had given us explicit and good directions, so no problems there. We pulled into the RV park, and it looked nice. Walked into the dance, and it was the 3rd tip before anyone even SPOKE to us. And then, it was not the familiar and usual, hey-how-are-you-welcome-to-our-dance-so-glad-you-could-make-it that is so often heard. Oh, noooooo.....this was, "you're not from here are you." It was not even a QUESTION!! Dick answered, no, not really. And that was the last time anyone spoke to us. Squares were formed before people even got on the dance floor, and Heaven forbid, you try to join one. It was obvious that we were breaking up their parties, so we only stayed for one more tip, and at the first opportunity, we hit the door. Rather, we didn't let the door hit US, on the way out.
It was just as well, tho, 'cuz the very next day, we had to be up EARLY (for retirees, early is like 7 am) to set up for the Thunder-by-the-Bay motorcycle rally due in at 9 am. We hosted over 1000 riders and 700+ choppers in a poker run. We were stop #2, so they were pretty wired!! Then we fed 'em coffee & pastries, and they roared outta the park. Dunno WHAT the armadillos & bobcats must have thought!!! Cutest one (imho) was the Jack Russell terrier in leathers, sitting in front of his dad, dressed in matching leathers. Have pics, and want to load them, but the camera's out of battery (and in the closet, out of sight!!), so, no tellin' when they'll make it out.
Since then, we've danced at yet another club (MUCH friendlier and more welcoming!!) and been to the beach twice. There are only 3 beaches that allow dogs, so our options are limited, as they're ALL far away and SMALL. Sunny is happy to go along with us, tho....she sleeps all the way out, sleeps the whole time we're on the beach, then sleeps all the way home. Must be a tuff life she leads!!
We have met a couple of couples that geocache, too, and they are recycling their pages for us. Should save us a bunch of paper & ink!!! Besides, should weed out some that are either too easy, too hard, or just not very fun. Staples & Tim are due to come down in a couple of weeks for Winterfest (a BIG dance up in Lakeland), so hopefully, we'll get some caching in with them again. That and the dance should be lots of fun!! We'll see how well we remember our A-level and see if THEY remember THEIRS!!
We're looking forward to seeing and dancing with them again, as well as Gene & Kerry and Rodger & Inez. I'm trying to convince Nancy & Joe into coming down with Barbara & Wilbert and Carla & Roger, and then, hey, hey, the gang's all here!!! Not sure they could pull that off on such short notice, but, boy, Lakeland wouldn't be the same, ever again!!!
Well, the laundry has finally finished (that's where the Linger Lodge comes into play- you've GOT to check this out http://www.lingerlodgeresort.com/
, and now, Dick's chomping at the bit, as it's his turn on the air card. We haven't figured out how to make one pc the modem for the other, yet....but, I'm SURE there's a way. Tho, as bad & slow as the connection is, maybe it's not such a great idea....
We wish you all a safe & happy (and prosperous) 2008, and we look forward to seeing you sometime real soon!
Y'all take care!
Love,
k
I cannot believe it's been 10 days since the last writing, but computers don't lie, do they!?
New Year's was quiet at our house — we spent the night making smoothies with fresh-picked (by us!) strawberries and frozen yogurt and playing Dominoes with Mike & Brandi, the other host couple. There were fireworks at the speedway at midnight, but we watched the stars, instead. The night was just barely chilly and beautifully clear. The next day was warm and we stayed busy around the campground. No need to go out on the roads with the rest of the crazies!!
We've started exploring the dance clubs in the area, and boy, did we get a surprising welcome. NOwhere EVER have we found such unfriendly (bordering on rude) dancers than we did last week. The first club was ok, just so-so, but a couple of dancers told us about another club, gonna dance the next night. OK, we thought, so off we went. The caller had given us explicit and good directions, so no problems there. We pulled into the RV park, and it looked nice. Walked into the dance, and it was the 3rd tip before anyone even SPOKE to us. And then, it was not the familiar and usual, hey-how-are-you-welcome-to-our-dance-so-glad-you-could-make-it that is so often heard. Oh, noooooo.....this was, "you're not from here are you." It was not even a QUESTION!! Dick answered, no, not really. And that was the last time anyone spoke to us. Squares were formed before people even got on the dance floor, and Heaven forbid, you try to join one. It was obvious that we were breaking up their parties, so we only stayed for one more tip, and at the first opportunity, we hit the door. Rather, we didn't let the door hit US, on the way out.
It was just as well, tho, 'cuz the very next day, we had to be up EARLY (for retirees, early is like 7 am) to set up for the Thunder-by-the-Bay motorcycle rally due in at 9 am. We hosted over 1000 riders and 700+ choppers in a poker run. We were stop #2, so they were pretty wired!! Then we fed 'em coffee & pastries, and they roared outta the park. Dunno WHAT the armadillos & bobcats must have thought!!! Cutest one (imho) was the Jack Russell terrier in leathers, sitting in front of his dad, dressed in matching leathers. Have pics, and want to load them, but the camera's out of battery (and in the closet, out of sight!!), so, no tellin' when they'll make it out.
Since then, we've danced at yet another club (MUCH friendlier and more welcoming!!) and been to the beach twice. There are only 3 beaches that allow dogs, so our options are limited, as they're ALL far away and SMALL. Sunny is happy to go along with us, tho....she sleeps all the way out, sleeps the whole time we're on the beach, then sleeps all the way home. Must be a tuff life she leads!!
We have met a couple of couples that geocache, too, and they are recycling their pages for us. Should save us a bunch of paper & ink!!! Besides, should weed out some that are either too easy, too hard, or just not very fun. Staples & Tim are due to come down in a couple of weeks for Winterfest (a BIG dance up in Lakeland), so hopefully, we'll get some caching in with them again. That and the dance should be lots of fun!! We'll see how well we remember our A-level and see if THEY remember THEIRS!!
We're looking forward to seeing and dancing with them again, as well as Gene & Kerry and Rodger & Inez. I'm trying to convince Nancy & Joe into coming down with Barbara & Wilbert and Carla & Roger, and then, hey, hey, the gang's all here!!! Not sure they could pull that off on such short notice, but, boy, Lakeland wouldn't be the same, ever again!!!
Well, the laundry has finally finished (that's where the Linger Lodge comes into play- you've GOT to check this out http://www.lingerlodgeresort.com/
, and now, Dick's chomping at the bit, as it's his turn on the air card. We haven't figured out how to make one pc the modem for the other, yet....but, I'm SURE there's a way. Tho, as bad & slow as the connection is, maybe it's not such a great idea....We wish you all a safe & happy (and prosperous) 2008, and we look forward to seeing you sometime real soon!
Y'all take care!
Love,
k
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