PEGGY & JOHN McDONALD…27 YEARS OF FULL TIMING COMES TO AN END:((

OUR FIRST RV SOMETIME IN THE LATE 90’S….1979 DODGE CENTURION….PHOTO TAKEN AT THE OLD WEENIE ROAST RANCH NEAR FULLARTON ONTARIO & YES, THAT WAS OUR OUR NUMBER 1 BOY MAX:))

Years ago before Kelly & I even had our first RV, we, like many other adventuress people, had a desire & a dream to travel & see this great scenic land we live in.  Kelly, in her growing independence as a young Mother (and before I knew her) had already made several daring family journeys to & from Florida.  Even living in a beach house for a time.  But, she was not one content to just sit & accept a routine & dominated housewife kind of marriage.  By the time Kelly & I met she was anxiously at a point in her life looking for a new & different lifestyle.  I sensed & admired this adventuress independent streak in her right away.  We had both met at the same crossroads of life at the very same time. (both Kelly & I were already separated before meeting)

CAMPING IN THE PINERY PROVINCIAL PARK JUST SOUTH OF GRAND BEND  & NOTICE HOW IN THOSE DAYS WE CALLED OURSELVES, ‘THE DREAMWEAVERS’:))

Having traveled to, & lived on both Canada's east & west coasts I already had some travel miles & adventures under my belt.   I had been to Florida several times & as far into the southwest as Nevada &  Utah.  Washington State as well.  And, we had both been to Puerto Vallarta Mexico, but separately.  So, when Kelly & I met, we were just two independent star crossed travelers looking for, and waiting for, a chance to break away from life's humdrum routines & RV ourselves across the country.  Kelly had never seen the Southwest but just a few years after we met we were fortunate enough to fly down to Las Vegas on a 4 day junket.  We rented a car & headed off out into the desert over to Death Valley.  That dusty desert drive sealed our destiny.  That was the beginning of our realistic RV dreams & I still well remember the excitement of seeing & doing things we had never done before.  I knew that one day we would return to travel the desert roads once again. 

OUR SECOND RV, A PROWLER TRAVEL TRAILER 
Back in those days we knew nothing about RV's, RVing, or anything to do with that kind of lifestyle.  And, at that time, that kind of a lifestyle for us was akin to planning a trip to the Moon.  We didn't have a lot of money, we didn't have the types of jobs or careers that we could someday retire from or collect fat pensions, & we certainly didn't have the patience to just sit back & accept our everyday routine lifestyle.  But, we had a dream & that's what kept our hopes alive.  We knew there was a slim chance that things might work out with a change in the future & that is what we clung to.  And, that change finally did come. 

RV NUMBER 3… A FORD CLASS C CONQUEST…TOOK THIS ONE ALL THE WAY TO BIG BEND IN TEXAS & BACK IN LESS THAN 2 WEEKS…THIS RV TURNED OUT TO BE A BIT OF A BLUNDERBUS FOR US
Maybe we couldn't afford an RV in those early day but we could afford to travel around our area to the local RV shows.  It was these RV events in London & Kitchener that were instrumental in keeping our hopes alive.  We would go through every RV the show would have on display.  Didn't matter if it was a big fancy Motorhome or the latest in pop up tent trailer design.  We were interested in seeing & learning everything we could.  We also attended some of the free seminars knowledgeable RV folks were putting on.  And, this is where we first met Peggy & John McDonald from RV LIVING.NET.

 

THIS ROCKWOOD 5 TH WHEEL WAS RV NUMBER 4 & IT CAME WITH THE WHITE CHEVY SILVERADO…I DIDN’T FEEL THE CHEVY WAS ENOUGH TRUCK TO PULL THE 5VER THROUGH THE SOUTHWEST MOUNTAINS SO WE TRADED IT IN RIGHT AWAY ON THE HEAVIER DUTY GMC SIERRA…NICE COMBINATION BUT TURNED OUT BE TOTALLY IMPRACTICAL FOR 2 PEOPLE & THREE DOGS.

John & Peggy were two of the main movers & shakers in the RV world back then & still are today in there 27th year of full timing.  They were on the road 24/7 even before Tioga George began writing about & bringing attention to the RV world.  They criss crossed the county year after year putting on seminars & being an integral part of RV society.  Peggy was busy figuring out computer & phone connection problems long before some of us even had computers.  She has written for Canada's RV GAZETTE for years & both her & John have been members of Canada's EXPLORER RV CLUB as well as other RV clubs in North America.  She has written some great how-to educational books & E-books about RVing & we have a copy of her first book called, SPIRIT OF THE OPEN ROAD.  It was this book that answered many of the Newbie questions for us.  We weren’t too computer savvy in those days so we still relied heavily on books.  I believe Peggy & John, more than any other RV couple on the Planet, have been so totally instrumental in helping countless thousands of fellow RV folks in so many ways, for so many years along the RV roads of travel.

OUR 5TH  & PRESENT DAY RV BACK IN 07 WHEN WE TOWED OUR HYUNDAI SANTA FE BEFORE GETTING OUR JEEP WRANGLER IN JUNE OF 2010

We met Peggy at a Seminar in London Ontario one time & briefly met her & John again at an RV Park east of London about 6 years ago.  They have been spending their winters in the Rio Grand Valley lately & their summers in an RV Park northwest of Woodstock Ontario.  But, upon reading Peggy's post this morning.....all is not well & their many years of living on the open road have suddenly come to an end.  You can read Peggy's post here.... ISSUE 24

 

A FEW OLD MEMORIES FROM RVING DAYS GONE BY

I very coincidentally met John about 14 years ago in St. Marys Ontario one time.  It was opening day for CANADA'S BASEBALL HALL OF FAME & I was driving the St. Marys mobility bus at the time & had been called upon that Saturday to shuttle people from a lower parking lot in St. Marys up to where the ceremonies were being held.  I was sitting in the lower parking lot waiting for enough people to gather to take a load up the hill.  Kelly & I were members of the Explorer's RV Club at the time so I was reading my club affiliated RV Gazette.  A couple fellows approached the bus & came aboard.  Laid my magazine on the dash & one of the fellows spotted it right away.  He too was a member of the Explorers RV club & subscribed to the RV Gazette.  It was in fact John McDonald, a baseball fan who had traveled with his Brother-In-Law to the area that day to be a part of the Baseball Hall of Fame festivities.  It was quite a coincidence because I had seen John's picture from time to time in the magazine & here he was talking to me.  And now, 14 years later, I read  where John is probably now in for the fight of his life.  We at the Bayfield Bunch wish you all the best John................

 

A QUICK TRIP TO BIG BEND TEXAS DURING THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS 04/05

Not much happening today.  Continued my clean-up & tree trimming at one of Deer Park’s properties in Bayfield.  One more trip & I should have that job finished.  We took little miss Happy Buns over to our Zurich Vet today to have her nails trimmed.  Neither Kelly or I have ever been able to get our heads wrapped around trimming doggy nails.  Silly, I know.  Weatherman says we have a 3 day heat wave descending on us so that sounds like a few ‘inside’ A/C days coming up for this guy.  Hate that miserable humidity!!

MOTORMOUSE, MAX, & CHECKERS, THE OLD ORIGINAL BAYFIELD BUNCH GANG AT ROCKHOUND STATE PARK NEAR DEMING NEW MEXICO IN DECEMBER OF 2006…GMC SIERRA

GROANER’S CORNER:((       The McFalls were shown into the dentist's office, where Mr. McFall made it clear he was in a big hurry. "No fancy stuff, Doctor," he ordered. "No gas or needles or any of that stuff. Just pull the tooth and get it over with." "I wish more of my patients were as stoic as you," said the dentist admiringly. "Now, which tooth is it?" Mr. McFall turned to his wife Pat. "Show him your tooth, Honey."

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- Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right  now...AL.
stargeezerguy@gmail.com

A FEW THOUGHTS ON FATHER’S DAY + A FEW FINAL CANDID WEDDING PHOTOS

JUST OFFSHORE FROM SATURDAY AFTERNOON’S DEER PARK LODGE WEDDING BEACH
Luckily I remembered to close the Motorhome door, put the windows up on the Jeep, slip the Motorcycle into the car port & close both shed doors.  With a rumble, the rains came tumbling into our area in the wee hours of morning.  I always enjoy listening to the outside plant life giggling their thankful appreciation when that happens:))

SPOTTED THIS VINTAGE MGA IN BAYFIELD TODAY…RIGHT DOWN TO THE COLOR IT LOOKS VERY SIMILAR TO THE 1956 AUSTIN HEALY I HAD BACK IN THE LATE 60’S
With threatening skies & sporadic rain showers moving through the area I decided to forego my Sunday morning bike ride.  The back country gravel roads were going to be too wet anyway I wasn't too enthusiastic about getting the motorcycle all muddied up anyway.  Pheebs & I Jeeped ourselves up to Goderich for some groceries & split a roast beef sandwich from the Supermarket Deli.  After picking out the yukky pickles first that is.

AND THIS IS WHAT SATURDAY’S WEDDING TENT LOOKED LIKE WITH FURNITURE IN IT
Way back in the 80's I recorded myself a whole pile of music from CD's to cassette tape.  Didn't have a CD player back in those days but I did have several Cassette Players.  I still listen to those tapes every day in the morning.  A Boombox sits in our washroom & while I am in the shower I have the likes of, Hagood Hardy, Stephane Grapelli, Blue Guitar, George Shearing, Segovia, Wes Montgomery, Hoagy Carmichael, George Winston, Will Ackerman, Dan Gibson, Manheim Steamroller, Pat Metheny, Glen Miller, Alex DeGrassi, Michael Hedges, Japanese Melodies, Lee Ritenour, Mark Knopfler, Phil Coulter, Larry Carlton, Radio Days, Alan Stivel, Celtic Memories, Andreas Vollenweider, Coyote Oldman & Steven Halpern just to mention a fraction of my cassette library.  You may notice a common thread running through the majority of this music.  All but a few are instrumentals.

   
DEFINITELY NO KIDS AT THE WEDDING, BUT THERE WERE A COUPLE DOGS:))

THE BOYS
Here on the computer, my daily music comes from SOMA FM & it is the ‘Groove Salad’ station that I am always plugged into.  No commercials, just one great piece of modern instrumental music after another.  I love electronic music because it is so innovative & chalked full of quality, imagination & inspiration.  Constantly playing through our living room stereo system via cable television is a channel called, The Chill Lounge.  Again, no jarring noise here, just non-stop cutting edge inventive new age type music.

SHOES OPTIONAL AT THIS WEDDING
  
 
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER,VIDEOGRAPHERS & MUSICIANS AT WORK… LIKED THE PINK TIE & SHORTS IDEA:))
In the Jeep & in the Motorhome we have SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO.  I dumped agonizing commercial radio years ago & have never looked back.  Don’t care how much it costs because I am happy to pay the annual fee to be surrounded by the type of music I prefer & love so much.  There are many great channels on Sirius but the two I prefer are, 068 ‘The Spa’ & 004 or ‘Forties At Four.’  The latter is Big Band Music.  Another one of my favorites.  Yes, & on occasion I still trot out my library collection of old Fav’s including Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, Santana, Emerson-Lake & Palmer, Pink Floyd, America, The Eagles, & Creedence Clearwater Revival just to name a very few again.  Oh, & how about the Bee Gee’s Saturday Night Fever soundtrack.  Could go on forever with music preferences but I think that is about enough music talk for another day.  Music is one of my all time favorite things so I do get a little carried away sometimes talking about it…….:))
 
MAYBE JUST A LAST FEW MINUTES OF NERVOUS ANXIETY HERE
  

A LAST HUG FROM DAD & THEN IT WAS DOWN THE AISLE
 
AND THEN IT WAS ALL OVER

AND PERHAPS A LITTLE SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE WITH
And, just a few words about Father’s Day.  I never did get to know my Father real well.  My Mother & Dad were divorced when I was about 6.  My Dad & I did manage to spend a little time together over the years & I probably saw more of him in the final few months of his life than in all the 48 years before that.  My own Son is over 40 now but I never went through the Fathering process with him.  His Mother & I were never a part of his growing up years & the folks that did bring him up turned out to be excellent parents.  They did far more for him than his Mother or I could have.  His Mother & I were a product of the turbulent times in the late 60’s,  So, Fathers Day is always a void.  Doesn’t bother me but I do realize I might have ended up a much different person had I had the experience of not only having a Father, but being a Father as well.  It’s just one of those things in life that turned out to be the way it is…………

FELLOW BLOGGER JUDY SOMETIMES WRAPS HER BLOG POST UP WITH A ‘THE END’ PHOTO, SO FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER,  I HAVE DECIDED TO DO THE SAME THING HERE…NICE FIRST TIME I’D SAY:))
GROANER’S CORNER:(( 
Today, Father’s Day is much different than back in the 1900’s.  Fathers didn't have it nearly as good as fathers of today, but they did have a few advantages:
In 1900, fathers prayed their children would learn English.
Today, fathers pray their children will speak English.

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In 1900, a father's horsepower meant his horses.
Today, it's the size of his SUV.

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In 1900, if a father put a roof over his family's head, he was a success.
Today, it takes a roof, deck, pool, and 4-car garage. And that's just the vacation home.

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In 1900, a father waited for the doctor to tell him when the baby arrived.
Today, a father must wear a smock, know how to breathe, and make sure the iPhones camera is working.

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In 1900, fathers passed on clothing to their sons.
Today, kids wouldn't touch Dad's clothes if they were sliding naked down an icicle.

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In 1900, fathers could count on children to join the family business.
Today, fathers pray their kids will soon come home from college long enough to teach them how to work the computer and program the TV remote.

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In 1900, fathers pined for old country Romania, Italy, or Russia.
Today, fathers pine for old country Hank Williams.

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In 1900, a father smoked a pipe.
If he tries that today, he gets sent outside after a lecture on lip cancer.

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In 1900, fathers shook their children gently and whispered, "Wake up, it's time for school."
Today, kids shake their fathers violently at 4 a.m., shouting: "Wake up, it's time for hockey practice."

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In 1900, a father came home from work to find his wife and children at the supper table.
Today, a father comes home to a note: "Jimmy's at baseball, Cindy's at gymnastics, I'm at adult-Ed, Pizza in fridge."

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In 1900, fathers and sons would have heart-to-heart conversations while fishing in a stream.
Today, fathers pluck the headphones off their sons' ears and shout, "WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE.."

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In 1900, a father gave a pencil box for Christmas, and the kid was all smiles.
Today, a father spends $800 at Toys 'R' Us, and the kid screams: "I wanted an iPad!"

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In 1900, if a father had breakfast in bed, it was eggs and bacon and ham and potatoes.
Today, it's Special K, soy milk, dry toast and a lecture on cholesterol.

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In 1900, a Father's Day gift would be a hand tool.
Today, he'll get a Smart Phone.

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In 1900, fathers said, "A man's home is his castle."
Today, they say, "Welcome to the money pit."

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In 1900, a happy meal was when Father shared funny stories around the table.
Today, a happy meal is what Dad buys at McDonald's.

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In 1900, a father was involved if he spanked the kid now and then.
Today, a father's involved only if he coaches Little League and organizes Boy Scouts and car pools.

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In 1900, when fathers entered the room, children often rose to attention.
Today, kids glance up and grunt, "Dad, you're invading my space."

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In 1900, fathers threatened their daughters suiters with shotguns if the girl came home late.
Today, fathers break the ice by saying, "So...how long have you had that earring?"

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In 1900, fathers were never truly appreciated.
In 2012, fathers are never truly appreciated.
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- Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right  now...AL.
stargeezerguy@gmail.com

AND, YES IT’S TRUE……I AM A WAFFLER:((

A NICE SPLASH OF COLOR AT TODAY’S WEDDING ON THE BEACH AT DEER PARK LODGE

Spent a couple relaxing hours on the the bike this morning.  First stop was Jerry Rader's in Zurich for my annual turkey salad sandwich.  For anyone in the area, here is something you might like to know....Every Saturday morning at Jerry's it is free coffee & pie.  Being on a weight loss kick at the moment I did forego both the pie & the coffee.   Also Saturday mornings there is live music outside in a very pleasant setting.  I sat there at a picnic table chowing down my sandwich happily listening to a great honkytonk piano player setting up his equipment.  How many times in my life I have wished I could play piano, & especially tickle the ivories like those honkytonk piano players.  My music interests are wide ranging & listening to a talented & energized honkytonk piano is right up there with the best of my many musical preferences.

  
WEDDING ARBOUR AWAITING THE CEREMONIES

AND THIS CEREMONY WILL HAVE MUSIC ON THE BEACH PLUS A VIDEOGRAPHER

Toured back around through Bayfield & down the main street.   Sidewalks were abuzz with people.  Nary a spot to park a vehicle, not even a motorcycle.  I'm sure all the merchants did well today.

  

THIS HONKYTONK PIANO PLAYER HAD THINGS ROCKING TODAY AT JERRY RADERS IN ZURICH ONTARIO 

Headed for home & traded the bike for the Jeep.  Headed for Deer Park Lodge straight away to position the Jeep at the bottom of the steep hill adjoining the beach.  I had once again volunteered to transport any of the wedding party members & guests back up the hill if needed.  The beach wedding began around 1:30 & I spent my time taking photos for the Deer Park Archives.  I enjoy taking these kinds of candid photos because there is no stress involved.  Not like the stress an actual wedding photographer has.  And, I know all about that kind of stress, having done a few weddings a very long time ago. 

AND NOPE, HIGH HEELS & SAND JUST DON’T WORK

Nice ceremony except for a couple guys on noisy jet skis a couple hundred yards off the beach.  Transported one lady up the hill after everything was over & then watched the Videographer guy make two unsuccessful attempts to get his front wheel drive VW back up the hill.  Before he took his third & longest run I slipped up the hill ahead of him & parked the Jeep.  Figured if he could get anywhere near the top & hold his position I could maybe hook a rope on him & pull him up the rest of the way.  Luckily, it didn’t come to that.  On his third attempt I think he had that little VW wound up to about 349mph as he charged up that hill with gravel flying & engine just a revving.  Because of the speed, his rapidly slowing momentum was just enough to put him up & over the brow of the hill.  Whewwwwww:))   In Sunday’s blog I will post a few more ‘candid’ photos I took today at the beach wedding:))

THE WEDDING PARTY PATIENTLY WAITS TO ENTER THE BEACH AREA

 

THE BRIDESMAIDS & MASCOT HEAD FOR THE BEACH & A FEW LAST MINUTE ADJUSTMENTS

AWWWW GEEEZZZZZ DAD, YOU STILL GOT THAT BIG MUSTARD STAIN ON YOUR JACKET

Lots of folks are into buying & selling stuff & I have always found it easier to buy something than to sell something.  I'm generally pretty good at making up my mind if there is something out there I need or want.  I can generally rationalize a situation out & make a decision.  But, when it comes to selling something, well, that is a whole different ball game for this guy.  I am a Waffler!!  Doesn't seem to matter what it is, I can't seem to easily part with things & especially if it involves having to sell stuff.  Doesn't matter what it is, could be a set of golf clubs, a motorcycle, a pair of old socks, my favorite Teddy Bear, a car or a house.  Makes no difference, I am a Waffler!!  It's almost easier for me to give something away rather than selling it.  Guess that is why we only ever had one garage sale ever.  That is not a day I look back on with fondness & there is stuff I sold that day I wish I had now!!  No, I am not a hoarder, I am just a Waffler.  But, I don't want to get myself side tracked on the mentality of bartering or bickering or wheeling & dealing or whatever it is or why it is the human mind has to play that silly little back & forth game over a nickel!!  I'll save all that for another post.  So, back to Waffling. 

 

 

MIGHT NEED A LITTLE WD40 TO GET THAT RING ON HIS FINGER

I do not believe in Astrology, but it is interesting how my Zodiac sign for my October birth date is the double weigh scales.  That just happens to fit my mind to a T.  And therein lies the secret to my Waffling.  When it comes to getting rid of something, the scales are generally evenly balanced with just a little tip on one side quickly balanced by a little tip on the other side.  Back & forth the scale goes, back & forth, back & forth.  First a definite decision on one side followed by another definite decision on the other side of the scale.  Waffle-waffle-waffle dammit!!  These scales serve me very well in many other areas of life but they sure can be a nuisance when it comes to selling something.   Just cannot clearly make up my mind with any conviction.

 

When we bought the house in Arizona there was some waffling there too alright, but it was only one sided.  It was a straight 'buying' waffle & we had no 'selling' waffle to worry about.  Kelly is actually a Waffler at times too but I am for sure the very much most worsest Waffler of the two of us.  (ya ya I know about the grammar) I am in no need or desire for a different Motorcyle but I sure have Waffled back & forth a few times when I thought I might like to sell it.  Same with the Motorhome.  Same thing with other vehicles & the same thing with our house.  Waffle, waffle, waffle.   And no, I don't care how much you offer me for my favorite Teddy Bear, it's not for sale!!   Well, wait a minute now........

A FEW BEERS FOR THE BOYS AFTER THE CEREMONIES

GROANER’S CORNER:((  And remember, A good wife always forgives her husband when she's wrong.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Tourists see the world, travelers  experience it.
- Home is where your pet is:))
- The only thing better than right now will someday be the memories of right  now...AL.
stargeezerguy@gmail.com