Showing posts with label Green Eggs and Ham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Eggs and Ham. Show all posts

3/15/14

Fun, Food and Friends! The 2014 GE&H

IMG_0191

WHERE:  We are just west of Montgomery, Alabama on the Alabama River at a COE park, Gunter Hill.

WHO:   Between 70 and 80 fiberglass trailers, mostly 17 foot Casitas.

WHAT:  The fourth annual rally of the Green Eggs and Ham, a St Patty’s Day event.

It’s Saturday morning and the campground is still asleep; everyone resting after a very busy week of activities.

This rally has more scheduled activities than any of the others we attend.  For example, this week we can pick from a craft class, an Alaskan trip talk, a Dutch oven cooking class and a Casita maintenance class.  And that is just during the day!   Each night at the pavilion there is food and music.

Yesterday we squeeze a paddle in just before the cooking class and it is way too much for this gal.  Right after dinner I head back to the trailer, too tired to have any more fun!

We arrive on a balmy, 73 degree Tuesday afternoon finding the park full of little white trailers.  Pleased to see our good friends, Jerry and Wanda, are right across the road in a beautiful waterfront site.  Our site, while not on the water, is private and nestled in the woods…no need to pull the blinds on the back window. 

It’s exciting to walk around and find old friends scattered around the park.  Friends from Georgia, Maureen and Todd, offer us sandwiches, leftovers from feeding others at lunch, and we are grateful not to cook.   That night the warm weather ends with rain and we watch TV in the camper.  Our first night of camper TV viewing since 1/5/14!  The joys of a full hook-up!

The next day there is more visiting and greeting old friends as eggs are arriving regularly all day.  The rally starts today, Wednesday, but campers have been arriving since last Thursday.

While Larry performs some minor repairs we visit with Texas friends at our campsite.  Later, the chili coalescing affair, (the chili dump), takes place at the pavilion.  This involves two large pots and lots of contributions from homemade chili to store bought.

IMG_0132

It’s cold, the wind cuts like a knife, and while hubby stays for the music, I opt for the warmth of the trailer.

Thursday, the sun is out and even though it’s too cold to kayak, I find other ways to have fun.  This trike belongs to a friendly couple from Pensacola who we had previously met at this same park last year.

IMG_0148

IMG_0155

Lots of fun and a good workout…one makes it go forward by leaning side to side!

I try to find something pretty to photograph but the drab water and winter landscape is uninspiring.  On my bike I spot these trees, a promise that spring is coming!

IMG_0138

IMG_0147

That night we are back visiting with friends.  This is Wanda and Melanie laughing in spite of the smoke.

IMG_0157

IMG_0162

IMG_0163

Donna’s strawberry cobbler did not last long!

IMG_0164

Everybody is full of cobbler and brownies!

IMG_0167

View from our dinner site!

IMG_0165

Alabama sunset….made me miss Arizona!

IMG_0171

Picking’ at the Pavilion.

Our boats look forlorn while we wait for the temperature to rise.

IMG_0161

IMG_0176

IMG_0178

A friend joins us and we head down the creek to the Alabama River.  We do nothing strenuous, just poke along.  First time in our boats since returning from Florida one year ago.

Our buddy, Donna from Florida, asks us to be a part of the Dutch oven cooking class.  Could not say “no”, especially after learning it would be fun.  David prepares his specialty, “dump cake”.

IMG_0181

We have a blast doing this!  And everyone gets a small taste of all the different dishes!

IMG_0180

IMG_0184

IMG_0187

 

IMG_0188

IMG_0190

Everyone waits patiently for the food to be done.

As the cooking class ends, the gumbo begins!  Another lovely couple, Bob and Pat host the gumbo night.

IMG_0196

Our neighbor, Lora from Virginia, takes a turn stirring the gumbo!

Even with the erratic weather, really having a good time.  Lots of fun, making lots of memories! 

We enjoy having Mike and Gerri of Happytrails  camp next to us and meeting Bob and Sharon from Illinois.  Always special to run into other bloggers, and more special when they know who you are!

This our last day and it’s overcast. Hope the rain holds off until tonight so we can paddle and cook another meal in the Dutch oven.  Another day to visit and eat……

IMG_0193

3/11/14

Jennings Ferry, Home and a Rally

DSC_6878

We manage to get home after spending two more nights on the road.  The first night is at Antique Village RV park, on I-20  half-way across Louisiana, a Good Sam’s park in the woods.  We forgot to ask about the antique village and left wondering if it related to the ancient trailers in the park?

Our last night on the road we find a COE campground, Jennings Ferry, in Eutaw, Alabama.  As you can see from the picture above, it is just what we need.  The deck overlooks a creek and the temperature is in the 70’s.  I am thankful that it’s warm!

DSC_6887

This guy is welcoming us back to the south.

DSC_6894

We grill, (David grills), and watch the waves lap the shore.  I wonder what’s next in our life?  Are we really going to sell the house and move into the duplex?

DSC_6896

Home is another 6 hours up the road.  The sun is still shining as we pull into the driveway and I say a prayer of thanksgiving for arriving safely…..another incredible multi-month trip!

Our daffodils greet us!

IMG_0118

IMG_0119

IMG_0125

IMG_0126

Lenten Roses

IMG_0128

Lenten Rose

Our yard looks barren except for these few flowers.  The two huge gardenia shrubs, my rosemary and one azalea looks dead!  The gardenias have been here for decades before we bought the house 14 years ago…..what a winter we missed!!!!

Since returning, we are catching up with all the little undone things…and some not so little like applying for Medicare.

This is the first time I’m packing and unpacking at the same time as we are going to a big rally in Alabama, the Green Eggs and Ham (in honor of St Patrick’s Day).  This time the boats are going as we will be on water at another COE, Gunter Hill, near Montgomery.

IMG_0129

As much as I disliked leaving the desert, it does feel nice to be home.

One last desert picture……

IMG_0112

3/26/13

Spring Snow: Ten Good Things!

 

DSC_4984

I’m sitting at the kitchen table watching the snow flakes meander through the back yard.  I can’t believe my eyes but, outside, the bitter howling wind tells me it’s real though it’s been spring for a week.

Surely Mother Nature had something positive in mind when she refused to admit Spring!  Can I think of anything good about this?

  1. Lovely to look at, snow contrasting with new green grass.
  2. My fuzzy new winter coat will get to be worn.
  3. This dose of winter will make us appreciate the warmth when it comes…if it comes!
  4. Can’t wash the Casita!
  5. Lots of time to prepare the taxes as there is no desire to go outside.
  6. Can look forward to a tasty meal of Wendy’s chili tonight….chili is better when it’s cold outside.
  7. The cold will help kill the bugs…..(heard this all my life and hope it’s true).
  8. Reminds me why I am glad to be a southerner.  Can’t fathom 14 inches…(better you than me, Carla!)
  9. Lesson learned!  If you are somewhere warm, stay there until April!
  10. And, the best thing, it will be gone soon!

Desperately clutching at straws here!

One more wintry day before the temperature starts climbing toward the 60’s.

BACKTRACKING……

Last Monday night, while still at Miller’s Ferry, a huge storm hit us with lightening, rain, wind and hail.  The new antenna was lowered and we hunkered down, watching the hail pile up outside and weathering our first storm in a long time. 

A few days later we are heading to the fiberglass egg rally at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, AL. 

DSC_4977

 

This is a great place for a rally!  The park had electric, water and sewer hookups, an enclosed pavilion with a fireplace and was located on a lake.  Sounds like a great egg gathering!

But it was 26 degrees Thursday morning and we wimped out, leaving after 24 hours of fighting the brutal wind.  I was ready to be home, out of the cold. 

DSC_4979

Florence, Alabama friends’ egg.

No plans to travel for a few weeks…it’s time to work around the house and yard…..when we can!

 

3/18/13

Five Fast Days! The 2013 GE&H

 

Can’t believe that it’s over!  I’m talking about our first trip to the Green Eggs and Ham rally that’s held at Miller’s Ferry in Camden, AL.  This is a fiberglass egg celebration with a St Patty’s Day theme.

On arrival last Tuesday we are disappointed to have reserved a campsite so far from the central hub of activity.  The letdown did not last long as a bitter cold wind is blowing across the lake forcing those with the prime lakefront sites to huddle down in their campers.  Meanwhile we are basking in the warm morning sun, the wind blocked by the thick foliage.   Our site is on an inlet, far from the river, and it’s situated so we can slip our kayaks into the stream.

DSC_4917

This is our view from back window.  Alligators were reported to live here but none are sighted.

DSC_4949

IMG_1256

It appears that we are all alone…..and we are!

Peaceful, quiet, spending our time watching the egrets and turtles.  But this is not why we drove 275 miles!  We came to socialize!

On Friday, with the temps rising into the 70’s, we found ourselves moving to a river front site, closer to friends, but still private.

DSC_4956

DSC_4957

We are feeling like we’re in a brand new campground…with morning sun and afternoon shade.

This is the unopened pot from the chili dump, my first night of overeating.

IMG_1244

If there is a complaint about the rally, it is that the food is too good and too abundant!  The first night started with chili, progressed to gumbo and ended with an unbelievable pot luck.

IMG_1245

Eating and socializing pavilion.

IMG_1251IMG_1253

Morning tech talk led by Ray.

Friday’s egg parade…(where everyone got a chance to show off their camper.)

DSC_4967 Little Snoozy

Primary occupant of the Little Snoozy

DSC_4952

Our Texas friends with their Escape.

DSC_4959

 

Kentucky friends!

DSC_4964

The sites are so spacious, some trailers double on a single site.

More of the Texas Casitas.

DSC_4966

 

DSC_4953

Sunset from site 21.

IMG_1257

Bridge over Alabama River and hubby in kayak.

 

DSC_4968

Our new walmart TV antenna and painter’s pole mast…..works great.  Good Morning America!

Yesterday the masses left and it seemed like a good time to host a dinner party for a few old friends.  Not experienced in camp entertaining, we opted for burgers and dogs.DSC_4970

Hubby tending the charcoal.

DSC_4971DSC_4972

Guests arrive!

Lovely evening…note to self…must do more of this!

Today finds us alone again with the last egg pulling out this morning.  And we are dug in for a few days until it’s time to head to another rally in Alabama at Joe Wheeler State Park.

Any one want to join us?