WANDERING WITH THE WRIGHTS

May 13, 2018

 Let us start this blog with wishing all the wonderful Mother's we know a Happy Mother's Day.

So blessed to still have my mom - we spent time with her earlier today

 Every year we travel to Red Bay, AL on our way north for the summer.  Red Bay is where our motorhome was built and a great place to get anything you need done to it done.

We received this scratch last fall in CA - someone in a golf cart clipped us so we got that repaired while in Red Bay as well as a scratch on the back we were responsible for.  Both were pretty minor but we like keeping our "home" looking nice.

We also got the oil changed

I have seen it up  before but am always in awe when it is raised up in the air

One of the few things I have not liked about our camper since purchasing it used two years ago is the couch - it was very uncomfortable.  Jerry is sitting where the cushions go (lol) as we had it re-stuffed and are very happy with how it feels and it saved us from buying a new couch.  The man who re-stuffed couldn't get over how little stuffing was actually in it.

 Red Bay is a small town in the northwest corner of Alabama - they don't even have a Walmart!!  Population of 3,119 - So to say that there is little to do in town while you are getting things fixed is a huge understatement.  It is a wonderful town - people are VERY friendly and helpful.  When we arrived in town we missed our turn, we have been there before so knew what we needed to do but pulled over in a large parking lot to make our u-turn.  Before we had barely slowed down a car pulled up and asked if we needed help.  We truly love small town friendliness.

So one has to venture out to have new experiences when hanging in Red Bay.  One popular destination is Coon Dog Cemetery.  We drove over, about 20 minutes to see what it was all about.

As you probably guessed it is a cemetery for Coon Dogs.  There are very strict requirements before a dog can be buried there and they are taken very seriously.  It is actually a lovely place.

The statue as you enter.  We were impressed with all of the American flags at the cemetery - guess Coon Dogs are patriotic.

Note the collar

Note the dog bowl

In case you have a Coon Dog you would like to have buried there

Troop, first dog buried at Coon Dog Cemetery

 So after the Coon Dog Cemetery what does one do - well you head over to the Rattlesnake Saloon for dinner.  We had met a couple in Red Bay we became friendly with and they went with us.  We had a great time.

We are in the Rattlesnake Saloon taxi that takes you down to the saloon.  You can also walk or ride your horse down.

See why they call it a watering hole under the rock?

Horses waiting patiently while their riders have dinner

Inside the bar area

We Don't Dial 911

It is actually a beautiful setting, very relaxing

People riding the taxi back up to their cars

People riding horses up

The inside was beautiful too but most people sit outside to eat

 Four years ago while in Hondo, Texas we met Len and Phyllis East.  They have become great friends and live 2 hours from Red Bay.  As I have eluded to there isn't much to do in Red Bay during the week so you can imagine what weekends are like.  Len and Phillis invited us to come over and spend the week-end with them and we happily accepted.

Teddy was very dirty so need a bath before we went visiting

Len & Phyllis

Sure glad we gave Teddy a bath because he made himself right at home in Len's favorite chair 

 Before heading back to Red Bay on Sunday afternoon we attended church.  A delightful little church in the country.  Probably 20 - 30 regular attendees.  One interesting fact is that two of the parishioners, Len being one of them, carry their pistols.  They have received special training in case of an active shooter situation.

They live in north central, AL which is known for tornadoes.  There are many storm shelters in the area

 We finished up in Red Bay and headed north

On the way we stopped in Marion, IL by Carbondale where my nephew, Keenan, attends college.  He had a final that day and one the next and was sweet enough to come over and have dinner with us.  

 The following day we drove to Peoria, IL  My youngest brother lives in Peoria and our godson, Isaac Main, attends Bradley University

We teased Isaac that he came to see Teddy not us!!

Not a great picture, my fault, but my brother Brian

Isaac had a date that night and afterwards he and Aria stopped over.  She was delightful and we are so happy we got to meet her.

 The next morning we headed for our "new parking area" near our old home.  For the past three years we have spent the summer's in Zion, IL at a state park.  This year they wanted us to work 5 days a week instead of 3.  When we are parked there we only have electric hook-ups so have to move every couple of weeks to fill and empty our tanks.  So with the increase of 2 more mornings of work we decided to look into other options.
Up here there really aren't many places to park for extended periods of time.
I give God full credit for leading us to where we are parked in a 55+ community right near Waukegan, IL where we retired from.  I have no idea why I called them but they had one open space that is to small for todays manufactured homes and said we could rent it for the summer.  They had to make changes for the water and electric hook-ups as they are different on our rig than a modular home.  When we pulled in everything was done and ready for us.

Jerry had to climb underneath the rig to hook us up but fortunately it was a beautiful day out to be climbing around

Here we are parked and settled.  Once the trees finish filling our we will have good shade.
We have met two of our neighbors and they are very nice.

Immediately across the street is a huge grassy area that Teddy is thrilled with.

 So we are settled for the summer and we can do laundry, use the dishwasher and dryer!!

We start next week already with annual doctor appointments and the dentist.
Teddy get is yearly physical tomorrow.

This morning we attended our home church, Gurnee Community Church, first time in 8 months.  When we walked in several of our friends saw us and started clapping!!  When we are on the road we are always amazed how God sends us to wonderful churches and puts fantastic people in our lives but it is also wonderful to come home to the familiar and the people you love and have worshipped with for many many years.

We have one more VERY exciting week-end next week.  On Saturday our godson, Garrett Zenner will be commissioned into the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant and Sunday he graduates from college.  We lived next door to Garrett his entire life before college.  He and his sister and parents have been a HUGE - WONDERFUL part of our lives.  We are so incredibly proud of him.

Garrett

Our address for the summer is 3140 Jeanette Ave. Park City, IL 60085

Would love to have you visit