I’m retired.  Today was our day to perfect our motto.  We started the day in a slow sort of way.  Though I got up early to walk you know who, after I did that and watched a bit of the morning news I took my first nap of the day.  Barbara was not up yet so I figured I go back and join her in bed.  Ah, retirement is sweet, especially since you can choose your own pace and the things you want to do and when.

Once we were up, we were in no big rush to do a thing.  We had no plans and nowhere that we had to be today.  That would be tomorrow.  Today we just wanted to chill.  There were a couple of things I needed to do so I figured let me get them out-of-the-way:

• the bathroom fan was making a funny noise, turned out to be a simple fix
• both Graybeard and little Graybeard needed windshield washer fluid, filled
• Graybeard needed to have the power steering fluid topped off, filled
• Graybeard needed all other fluids checked, done and all OK
• Needed to update some campground records, confirm our reservations at the winery and the campground after that, done
• Began to look for a replacement campground for a stop we had planned to make that might not work out, still working on it
• Made a phone call to clarify the terms of our road side assistance service, still in progress

Barbara was busy doing several things as well:

• calling various insurance providers to update our address, done
• calling to have a stock dividend check reissued, successful
• checking on the status of refund due, still in progress

Other than these few items, we really didn’t do too much more.  Like I said, today was a day for us to perfect our motto of I’m retired.  In so many words, it was a really quiet day for both of us.  Some more pictures of the state park we are staying at.  The first is the camper cabin that is available to family’s and groups; and, to the left is the entrance to our site, site #15 which slopes downhill

This is a picture of the showers that are just behind us and off to our left.  Tomorrow

I plan to visit them and try to get some hot water to flow.  Wish me luck!

So that was our day.  Together we practiced real hard the art of being retired.  We enjoyed one another’s company and our time together.  We hope you had an enjoyable day as well.  If you had to work, just think, you are still employed and still able to pay the bills.  If you are lucky enough to be retired, hopefully, you had a peaceful and fulfilling day.  For all of us let us always remember this

GOD’S PROVISIONS ARE ALWAYS GREATER THAN OUR PROBLEMS

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

Moving Day today.  We hate to go, sort of, but new adventures await.  Up and at it a bit earlier than normal this morning because we knew on our way we had to make a stop at Camping World.  The pull-down strap had ripped off of the awning so I needed a replacement and I wanted to get and keep an extra screen door latch on hand.  The latch is only plastic and if it breaks, well, there is really no way to latch the door.  So it’s not a matter of will it break, but when will it.

By 9:30 am wheels were rolling north on I95.  Traffic was moderate, mostly trucks which is to be expected.  A couple of places things slowed down but we never stopped and never had to deal with any construction.  I’m sure that is yet to come.

So our first stop going north was at Camping World for the needed parts.  We had a quick bite to eat while we were there and then it was back on the road again.  Within a short time, we were at our exit and headed for the state park that would be our home for the next four days.  The trip had been an uneventful and a rather quick one.

As our sign says home is where we park it.

This is our site, a whole lot different then the last site we had at Crooked River State Park.  This site goes downhill, I mean really downhill!  It took all of our leveling blocks to get us reasonable level so that the refrigerator would work and we wouldn’t fall out of bed at night.  There is also no sewer hook up but the showers here at the park are clean and with reasonable hot water.  We’ll make the best of it.

By the way, if you don’t see a post tomorrow or for a day or two after don’t be alarmed, we’re having issues with the internet.  We’ll try but we can’t promise when we’ll be able to post from this point on.

Overall, we had another great day.  Our trip was without incident, we were able to purchase the parts we needed and repairs have already been made.  We’ve settled in and are comfortable with our new home.  As always, the best part best is we’re traveling along side by side taking things as they come.  Time now to call it a day, we’re both tired and ready for bed.  Hope you had a wonderful day as well.

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

Today would be a time for family, and a time to see some of the Navel Submarine Base Kings Bay.  We were in no rush this morning, not only us but Marti.  Our little furry friend actually slept until 8 am before he got me up to go out.  I looked at the clock and could not believe my eyes.  Thanks Marti it was nice to sleep in this morning.

Once awake we both made our way to the kitchen for breakfast.  Eggs, toast, juice, fried spam and coffee.  A great breakfast for the start of a great day.  This will be our last day in this area since tomorrow we move a little further north.  Hey folks up to the north, can you begin to dial-up some warm weather and have it ready for us when we get there.  Stories of snow send chills down our spines.  I really don’t need to see another snow flake, not even one, if ever in my lifetime.

Breakfast done it was time to visit with Barbara’s cousin who she hasn’t seen in three

years.  This is Walter and Barbara in the driveway of his home.  Walter is a retired submariner and now lives adjacent to the base in his own home.  He spent 23 years in the Navy and retired as a chief engineer.  Today he would be our escort and the only one who would be able to get us on the submarine base.  Into the car we piled and off we went.  This is the main gate through which all traffic passes that wants to access the base.

All trucks making delivers on the base also have to go through a huge x-ray machine.

The base is really a world onto itself.  Totally self-contained it has everything one needs.  It has several recreational fields, a huge gym and a bowling alley.

These are some of the quarters available to the enlisted personal who live on base.  Not quite like the barracks that I once lived in when I was in the army!  In addition, there is also a subdivision of duplex houses assigned based on rank and the size of your family.

This is the Trident training facility.  This is where future submariners come to learn how to be submariners.  Within this facility are actual sub simulators that the instructors can

use to create almost any possible scenario from an attack on the sub, to a fire on board, to a rupture in a water line and the flooding of the sub, and the list goes on.  Those who

graduate from here are highly trained and highly organized.  They are the best of the best.  There are two crews – the blue and the gold – for each sub. Typically, one of these teams will patrol for around 3-months and then come back to port where the sub is resupplied and the other crew goes directly back out to sea.  What it means is, these subs (with the exception of re-supply time) are operating underwater year-round.

Here is one of those submarines from the naval base making its way on the surface.  Naturally they are a lot quicker under water then when they are on the surface.  There are a total of 18 of these Ohio class submarines packing one whale of a punch.  Take a look, there are 24 missile silos that make up the back of the sub.

Where does the crew sleep?  In among all that firepower.  When a commander was once asked how many subs it would take to eliminate all the hostile territories in the Middle East he was said to reply just one.

These 18 Ohio class subs are also known as Trident subs because they are part of our nuclear triad.  That triad consists of our bombers capable of delivering a nuclear payload

and land based Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs such as the Minuteman III

The Biggest Change Yet in our lives occurred today.  It came out of the blue, was not something we were actively pursuing but it was too good to pass up.  More about that in a minute.  First, we want to wish one and all a very blessed Easter.  A day to remember

Off to church we went this morning.  We had discovered a church that looked inviting

and offered a contemporary service.  What can we say about this church?  We enjoyed the music.  We enjoyed the atmosphere.  But it was not an Easter service, unfortunately.  It was a time for the three pastors to play team tag sermon which means sitting and listening for over 2 hours to each of the three of them take turns doing a Sunday school lesson.  Sad.  Opportunity wasted.

Service finally over we went in search of a place to eat.  This time we scored big time.

A simple all you can eat country kitchen offering such fare as southern fried chicken, delicious baked ham, home cooked cabbage, and so much more.  For dessert there was a wonderful peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream.  We ate enough for two, maybe three meals.  What was even more interesting were the plaques that they had hanging on the walls with such sayings as:

Men, coffee, chocolate, the richer the better

If you want breakfast in bed, sleep in the kitchen

Men are proof that woman can take a joke

You might be a redneck if your house is held together with duck tape

After this it was off to the local wishy washy to do our laundry before moving out on

Tuesday.  Funny, Barbara said she had so few clothes of mine she wanted to know if I was ever going to change on a daily basis.  Hey, if it doesn’t run away in the morning then I put it back on!

Now for the biggest change in our lives.  What do you think of our new rig?

The upgrades completed at the factory on the original build sheet include upgraded Penguin heat pumps, Whirlpool washer and dryer, Hi Definition TV cables,  microwave, central vacuum, Navigation system in dash, 32” front TV, Sirius radio, Sony surround sound, residential fridge, Winegard in motion satellite, hide a bed sofa, pillow top mattress, 7.0 upgrade ONAN Generator, halogen ceiling lights, rear ladder, auto motion window shades, laminate plank, winter package inc heated tanks, extra rear and kitchen window and weather pro power awning.The owners had the dinette table system installed as well as two lunge recliners after purchasing. There were new tires installed all around in Sept 2017.  How sweet it is.

Arriving home in the late afternoon we found all the campsites around us deserted.  Guess a lot of folks just come for Friday through Sunday.  It is, though, such a different feeling especially after always having someone either next to us or behind us at Sumter Oaks.

So, we once again had a great day together.  We enjoyed every minute of the day that God had blessed us with.  We hope you made the most of your day as well.  Night has now fallen and we are getting ready for movie night since it is Sunday night.  If today was not the best for you just remember God has a brand new day waiting for you tomorrow.  Make the most of it.

OH, by the way if you haven’t tumbled to it yet,

                                APRIL FOOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We’re still very happy with Graybeard and looking to many more years and miles traveling with him.

As always,  if you are coming to the end of your day with concerns and worries let me suggest that you turn them over to God.  After all, He is going to be up all night so why not let him handle them for you.

Time now for our evening prayers and some shut-eye.  Till tomorrow.  Thanks again for sharing our day with us.

These are the voyages of  Graybeard and it’s occupants, four paws and two humans.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before