Winter Excursion 2, Day 121

We slept in a little and had a lazy morning.
The weather is really nice so we decided to take Kaylee for a walk at Moss Rock Preserve. We had been there last year, but had not made it this year. Kaylee really likes it as the dogs can be "off leash". With all the rains we've had the streams were full which means the waterfalls were worth seeing.
Here's a small one on the stream.

And the larger one up the hill a little.

Here's the latest in my geography shirts. Nicole says these are the only kind I wear. I wear them so I can remember where I've been (old age you know).

I did some more fishing in the afternoon and then back at camp we had a fire. Weather was perfect today.but it's going to rain again tonight. Leftovers for dinner, a movie, and then hit the rack.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 120

Erich and Jacob left this morning at 0600 after another rainy night. It was good to see Erich, we will see him again on the family reunion trip in June. Jacob will be back on Thursday evening and will spend Thursday and Friday night with us.
I was able to do some fishing this morning. Here's a few views of the lake.

I caught about 20 of these little Breams (we call them sunfish). I didn't keep any as they are only a little bigger than my hand. I'll try some more during the week, I'd really like to catch a few Crappies.🐟

We got some clear weather later in the afternoon and left camp at 1630 to go to a local Mexican restaurant (Margarita Grill). The food, margaritas, and service was good. We will go there again next year.
Another Star Wars movie then off to bed. It will be really quiet tonight.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 119

It pretty much rained all night. Sometimes it was really hard. We awoke to another flooded campsite. This has been the strangest weather this winter, but a least we are not knee deep in snow.
Erich took Jacob to Sunday School and they got back around 1100. Cath made a nice breakfast of a blueberry pop-up and bacon.
We all spent the day in the camper as (you guessed it) it rained almost all day.☁☂
Erich and Jacob took us to dinner at a sushi joint. It was really good and I forgot to get some pics. Jacob loves his sushi and had to show us all how it is served and how to eat it!
Erich is leaving in the morning and Jacob has school. That will make for an early morning, so we were all in bed by 2030. Of course we are expecting more rain tonight.😧😦😩

Winter Excursion 2, Day 118

Another nice weather day, but rain is forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Jacob spent the day in and out of the campsite, playing with new found friends and playing Beyblades with Erich.

Here's a clip of the game

And here's the two contestants.

Cornish hens on the Egg with all the fixins' for dinner. A Star Trek movie then off to bed. The rain on the roof will insure a good night's sleep.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 117

Erich was up early and took Jacob to school. Then it was car wash time again. This time it was my truck. Washed, waxed, detailed, and cleaned up the Kaylee/Jacob mess in the back seat.

Erich left to pickup Jacob and stopped for groceries on the way home as the two of them are making dinner. We had shrimp tacos and they were excellent. We stuffed ourselves!
Spent the rest of the evening by the campfire as the weather has been really nice with temps in the upper 70s.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 116

Erich and I washed and detailed his car today. It was in pretty rough shape after the Michigan winter. We washed, vacuumed, waxed, and cleaned the interior. It turned out really nice. Black cars can really shine.

Erich picked Jacob up from school. He is staying with us until Monday. Cath made a nice Flank Steak meal for dinner and we even got Jacob to dry the dishes!

He thinks he's funny!

Early to bed for all as Jacob has school in the morning.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 115

Up early and off to BBB (Big Bad Breakfast). Erich recommended this place and it was really good. I'll pick up some of their smoked sausage before we leave here.
From BBB we headed to Talladega Speedway to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame. The museum was really nice but the tour of the track was the best! This is a multi-million dollar speedway but it is only used two times a year!
Here's the museum.

Here's the best display; Dale Earnhart's #3.

A view of the track.

The bank turns are 33 deg! Doesn't sound like much, but under 90 MPH you will roll over.

Back at camp, Schnitzel and Spatzel for dinner, a movie, and off to the rack! It's been a great day with Erich.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 114

It made it to 80 deg today!
We left camp this morning and headed to Sloss Furnaces in Birmingham (a National Historic Landmark). This iron factory was built in the late 1800s - 1950s. It received many renovations over the years. You can actually just walk around this old, rusted plant.
Here's the entrance.

The old furnace.

Looking down the row of smelters.

Even Kaylee was interested in this place.

Water tower.

One of the newer cooling (air) turbines.

The new turbines replaced the old steam driven fans.

One of the fans, this thing is at least 25 ft high and there was 20 of them.

Another view.

The place was really interesting. We spent a couple of hours there and still did not see it all.
Stopped at the store for a few groceries and then back to camp for some cribbage, a fire, a nice fish dinner, and then a movie. It's been a good day.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 113

Erich took Jacob to school this morning, then Cath, Erich, and I went to breakfast on the way to Tannehill Iron Works State Park. Cath and I had visited it last year, but Erich wanted to see it. It was a beautiful day, sunny, with temps in the mid 70s.
Here's a shot of the old furnace.

Here's one of the sluice that feeds the Grist Mill water wheel.

And the Water Wheel.

Erich & I picked Jacob up from school and headed to Karate to drop him off. We then headed to the Beer Hog for a few brews.
Back at camp Cath made some super Steak Sandwiches, we had a fire, and played cribbage until 2300. Bed will feel good tonight.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 112

Up around 0800 and had sou vide soft boiled eggs, we won't do that again. The eggs came out really runny and it took 45 min in the sou vide. We can do it in less than ten on the stove...LOL
Erich and Jacob took a long hike long this morning. They found some other kids and water and we all know how that mixes!

Here's the raft they built to float down the stream.

I washed the truck and ran a few errands. Cath kept the camper clean and organized which is a chore with all the goings on.
Here's Erich and Jacob getting ready to go to scouts.

We had a nice pork loin for dinner with all the trimmings. Then off to bed as Jacob has school in the morning. It's been a fun day with the two of them around.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 111

Everyone slept in a little today after a fun afternoon and evening yesterday. Cath, with Erich's help, made some yummy banana pancakes for breakfast.
Here's three Bosses waiting for breakfast!

Jacob was in and out of the campsite as he found lots of other Kids to play with. The campground is full as it is the weekend. It will clear out tomorrow.

Played games, took some walks and just generally relaxed today.
We Sou Vide salmon for dinner, it turned out good.

We all watched a movie and were in bed by 2200. It was a good day and it was great to have us all together.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 110

Erich arrived around 1030. It is great to see him. He will be with us for 10 days.
The three of us went to lunch at McAlister's, a really good deli. Afterward we went to the Beer Hog and tried a few craft beers. We will be going back to that place.
Cath and Erich picked Jacob up from school at 1500, did a little grocery shopping. I stayed in camp and started the prime rib on the egg. The four of us had a great dinner.
Erich is a little tired from his drive here and is also trying to get on days as he's been on nights for awhile. He slept like a bear!

It's fun to have three generations all in the same camper. We are looking forward to the next ten days! Pics and stories of our adventures to follow in the next few days.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 109

Today was clean up the camper and general camper maintenance day. We are getting ready for Erich! Can't wait to see him it's been a year and a half.
The weather is cooperating a little, temps in the 70s and no rain.
The campground is pretty much empty. The staff is saying they are getting lots of cancellations due to the rainy weather, I'm sure it will fill up some for the weekend

Venison Sloppy Joes for dinner (Thanks Jeff), a little TV and then off to bed. Erich will be here in the morning.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 108

Happy Valentines Day! 😍
Back to rainy and cloudy.
We ran a few errands today and as usual spent the afternoon watching the Olympics.
Cath made a super dinner for V-day. Brian & Nicole called with a video chat. They were having a good evening on the porch with their new outdoor furniture. It was fun to hear from them, but the Kiddos were in bed so we didn't get to yak with them.
Tomorrow is clean the camper, truck, and get ready for Erich. We are looking forward to his visit. It will be a fun weekend with him and Jacob at camp. Hopefully the weather cooperates.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 107

I was up early and drove to Bessemer to get my new ID card. Everything went well and I headed back to camp. Amazingly the sun came out! We had forgotten what it looked like! Here's a pic, check out the shadows....LOL

Although the sun was out the place is still a swamp. I took Kaylee for a well deserved walk on the Light Trail. As you can see she had a blast and ran her legs off. 

We spent the afternoon outside. It was sunny and in the low 70's. We both need to work on our summer tans.

Left camp around 1600, ran a few errands, and headed to Karate school to watch Jacob test for his next belt. 

Here he is "sparing" with another student, his friend Lily.

After the test we all went to Chow Town (Oriental Buffet) and had dinner.
Back at camp a look at the Olympics (I think we are addicted) and then off to bed. It was wonderful to see the sun today, hope this weather holds.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 106

I'm beginning to think we are in a Rain Forest. It's been another rainy, wet, muddy, dreary, day (is that enough adjectives?).😣😭
We went to the store to pickup a few things and stopped at a local Mexican food store. We got some tamales and some delicious nacho chips. Guess what we're having for dinner.
It's been another Olympic viewing day. It's actually fun to watch all the athletes and NBC is doing a good job of coverage.
We heard from our camping friends we met here last year. They are going to come camping on 1 Mar. We will have a fun reunion with them.
I'll be sure to get some pics up tomorrow as we are going to Jacob's Karate test.
Off to bed, I'm getting up early to get my new retirement ID card.
All else is well in the Boss Camper. 

Winter Excursion 2, Day 105

Another rainy day!
We hung out in the camper this morning and then went for a drive around 1100. We checked out the Birmingham South RV Park, but were not impressed. When in Birmingham we will continue to stay at Oak Mountain State Park. I dropped Cath off at the Galleria Mall (it's huge!) and I drove over to Bessemer to find the ID card place at the Naval Support Activity. I have an appointment Tuesday morning.
Back at camp we watched more of the Olympics and played some cribbage as the rain continued.
We did a pizza on the egg during a thunderstorm, thank goodness for RV awnings. The rain finally slacked off around 1900. A little more of the Olympics and then off to bed.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 104

As forecast it rained almost all night and all day. The campground looks like a swamp with streams running all through it. We were able to walk Kaylee in between the downpours. I ran a few errands in the morning, but we stayed in the camper all day. We played a little cribbage and binged watched the Olympics most of the day and evening (thanks to satellite TV we have four Olympic channels).
I was able to BBQ some chicken for dinner under the awning.
All in all just a quiet, rainy day.
We are missing Jacob, it gets exciting around here when he's with us.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 103

We took advantage of the last day with no rain forecast (for a week) and drove the back roads to Oxford, AL. Visited the Camping World while there. We did not find anything we could not live without.
On the way home we saw Wesley's place and had to take a few pics.

This is right across the street from Camping World.

We stopped at an antique and country store and found this metal sign. It will go good in the camper.

I've been meaning to relay this story, but keep forgetting. So here goes:
We gave our friends Ronnie & Carol some homemade jams and jellies we made this past summer. In return Carol gave use a case of Ball jars which I put under the back seat in the truck. Once we got to northern Alabama and encountered hills and small mountains the jars started to "pop" every time we have a change in altitude. At first we were puzzled, but got a good laugh out of it once we figured it out.
Back at camp we enjoyed a nice warm late afternoon and evening. Sous Vide steak for dinner, watched the opening ceremonies of the Olympics, and then off to bed.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 102

Took Jacob to school this morning and then headed back to camp. Stopped at the lake on the way in and got this pic of a couple Canadians. They are standing on a submerged dock at the lake, we have had that much rain!

Here's a view looking down the lake. The campground is at the very end of the lake.

Went over to our favorite firewood supplier from last year. His supply of firewood is almost gone. The weather here has been so cold he says he cannot keep up with the demand. I did manage to get a little, but the qualiyt is not like last year.

We did fried rice for dinner. Here's the egg set up with the Wok and all the fixings for the meal.

And here's the finished product. It was really good!

A little TV and then a movie. We will sleep good tonight.

Winter Excursion 2, Day 101

Woke up this morning to a full blown thunder storm. Lots of lightning and that means lots of thunder. The rain on the camper roof is loud and it lasted for hours. The campground is once again like a sponge, interspersed with lakes and streams that are not normally there. We have been looking for some warmer weather, but now we're looking for some drier weather.
Cath did laundry today and we just hung out in the camper as the rain continued throughout the day.
Picked up Jacob from school at 1530. Back at the camper he finished the last of the Super Bowl Food (Grandma's dip). You can see some of it on his lower lip.

He is spending the night and I'll take him to school in the morning.
A nice homemade soup for dinner, a little TV, and then off to bed, 0500 comes early.