Friday - We had plans to kayak the river with our friends we kayak with up north, but the rain that was due to come in made us cancel. Instead we went over to Swampys restaurant that is on the river and had lunch with Christina and Mike. It poured with lightning and thunder while we were there, so we were glad we were not on the river in our kayaks. Afterwords we went over to the housing development where they live and walked around and down to the river. Their association has a park that is on the river that everyone there has access to.
Saturday - Every year folks from Joan's home area get together in The Villages for a reunion. We have done this for several years, and recently some of Joan's graduating class have been there. We really enjoy catching up with them. It was a beautiful evening down by the river and Joan enjoyed the scenery while John fished. He caught a small bass using the cane pole with a small rubber worm. The mosquitos were. biting better than the fish. On the way back a beautiful barred owl landed in a tree only 20 feet from and perched quietly while we admired him(her).
Sunday - We really enjoyed the service, especially the message at Dunnellon UMC this morning. Christine and Mike came over for dinner, then we went for a walk around the campground. We were treated to a song by a family group who had just sung at a local church. The group is called the Redhead Express and they were exceptional.
Monday - Despite the threat of rain, we kayaked the Rainbow River here with our friends Debbie and Joe and their friends Ann and Pal. We first went up to the headsprings, then down to Blue Run Park. It was overcast all the time, but no rain or wind. We crossed the street and had a great lunch at Swampy's. Mike and Christine met us there.
Tuesday - We drove back to The Villages to meet Joan's high school chums at Oakwood Smokehouse. We had a great time with Julie, Barry, Judy, and Laurel and enjoyed excellent BBQ. We had a little time beforehand, so we stopped at Camping World nearby and picked up needed items.
Wednesday - We were getting a wrench and an airbag warning light on the motorhome, so we packed up and drove it to the local Ford dealer in Inverness. We were told that the airbag module was bad and they would not have the part until tomorrow. He told us to bring it back in the afternoon, so we could return to the campground and sleep in it tonight. The good news is that it is under the extended warranty from Ford because it is part of the safety equipment. It was also comforting to know that if we had to leave it there, we could stay with our friends, Christine and Mike. THANK YOU!!!!!
Thursday - We had brunch at Mike and Christine's this morning. Mike fixed great pork chops and scrambled eggs. Yum!!!! Motorhome fixed!!!! Under warranty!!! Now the weather can get nice so we can get back to fishing, etc!!! Thank you Lord!!!
Friday - The drive over to Crystal Springs took us through beautiful horse country. We enjoyed the many horse farms along US 40. We joined our kayaking friends from north Georgia and others on a trip from Ray's Wayside Park up the Crystal River towards the headsprings and back. A variety of wildlife greeted us including many entertaining monkeys. It is a beautiful river, which makes for a great paddle. Afterwards we had excellent BBQ at Fat Boys. It was great to see all our friends and get caught up.
Saturday - Our friends Mike & Christina came over for dinner. John cooked chicken & rice that Joan put together in a cast iron Dutch oven. It was a hit. We were going to have our own fire, but M&C knew about a church group that we're getting together for a fire and music. We met some very nice people who were very welcoming and enjoyed the fire and an excellent guitarist/singer.
Sunday - We picked up Mike & Christine and went to the same church as last week. Again the message was challenging, and was about the transfiguration of Jesus. The pastor used it to as the question whether we are ready to be changed. Later in the afternoon, we put the kayaks in here on the river and used plastic worms to catch bass. We managed a few small ones, the largest being 12 inches. It was a beautiful evening on the water.
Monday - John spent much of the morning on the phone with DirecTV. That Is always an experience. We were going to go over to Yankeetown and fish from shore, but while getting into the car we noticed that the right front tire was flat. John was able to pump it up with the air compressor in the envoy, and we made it into town and got it fixed. It appeared that a sharp part from somebody's RV fell onto the road here in the campground and landed just right to stick up and puncture the tire. C&M came over in the evening and we enjoyed talking around the fire.
Tuesday - Since we have decided to leave a day early, we got things together in preparation. Joan kept her appointment to get her hair cut at Missy's Country Girl Salon. We had a light lunch then did some hiking on some nice trails on the campground. We were sitting on a bench by the restrooms and had a chance encounter with a couple who flyfish in North Georgia and North Carolina. Their names just happen to be John & Jo. The promised to call us when they get back up north so we can fish together. For dinner, we picked up M&C and enjoyed wonderful burgers and pie at the Front Porch.
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