Discovery Shuttle Launch

We stood  2 1/2 hours atop this bridge, February 24th. -------

To view the following ---------------------------------------

IT'S OUR PICTURE AND THE EXPERIENCE WAS ONCE IN A LIFETIME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WORTH EVERY SECOND !

This is Discovery's last scheduled mission and there are only two more manned US space flights left.

Annual Get together at Osaka's Steak House, Leesburg

Walt and Beryl Linden arrived from Texas this week and it didn't take them long to arrange a get together of 17 folks at Osaka's Japanese Steak House in Leesburg, FL.
It started by gathering in the parking lot and talking. Then having a great fun dinner in the restaurant and, finally, gathering in the parking lot to talk.
One of the accompanying side dishes at Japanese Steak Houses is their "white sauce".  We  consumed lots of it and then wondered how it is made.  A little research found the following web site link that prides itself in cracking recipes.

http://www.japanese-steakhouse-white-sauce.com/white-sauce-recipe.htm

No Politics in our blog - well maybe

Those of us who live in the Rochester/Buffalo region find ourselves without a congressman.  CHRIS LEE, the congressman from our district somehow thought that no one would notice if he answered an ad on Craigslist.com for a man. Chris is married with children, but chose to send a picture of himself to the solicitor.  Now, he has resigned over the scandal.
Those of us who don't realize it, when you press 'SEND' you open a window to ONE BILLION people.
We hoped our congressman was smarter than Bret Farve, Venessa Hudgens, Britney Spears, Lindsey Lohan and a host of others whose judgement is questionable.
If you don't want your spouse, mother, children or boss to see an email, don't press "SEND".

Interesting experiences at the Southeast Area Rally

Last Thursday, February 3rd, we visited the SEA Rally in Brooksville, FL - about a 1 hour drive from where we are in Leesburg.  Arriving about 10:30, we were greeted at the gate and directed to the day use parking area where we paid $7.00 per person for a day pass.  For the record, day pass visitors get:
... A very distinctive sticker signifying DAY PASS
... Access to the vendor tent
... Access to the motor home displays
... NO access to seminars
... NO access to the entertainment

We visited the vendor tent and made some notes about what would pick up on our way back to the car.  Then, we visited the coach displays.  They were more extensive then we recalled from the last time we were there.  About 3:00 pm, we decided to wander back to the vendor tent and purchase the items we had ear marked.
Approaching the entrance to the tent, we were stopped and told the tent was "CLOSED".  If we wanted to buy anything, we should return the next day.  We explained we were DAY PASS and not coming back the next day.  They told us there was going to be a parade, and vendors were CLOSED.
If I were a vendor, I would have been seriously angry.  As a potential customer, we weren't too happy either.
Last time we went with the motor home, there were about 2000 families.  Now it's about half.  I can understand why attendance has dropped.
There is some anecdotal evidence that other visitors were disappointed with the hospitality of the rally volunteers. Hopefully, they will realize there are opportunities for improvement.

Wal-mart Parking

Recently, there was a note on the FMCA blog about an idiot from Florida suing Wal-mart because they had opened their door of their camper to a potential intruder.  Their case is that Wal-mart is responsible for their security. 
This type suit has the potential of ruining a privilege afforded RV'ers.  Since we feel no one should be responsible for our lunacy except ourselves, we sent a note of appreciation to Wal-mart for their gracious hospitality.  
Below is a copy of that note.  Feel free to use any part should you feel like writing.

...  Copy is 'ctrl' + "c".  

...  Paste is 'ctrl' + "v"

-----------------------------------------------

Walmart Home Office
702 SW 8th Street
Bentonville, Arkansas 72716-8611

Dear Sir or Madam:

The purpose of this note is to thank WALMART and its employees for your warm hospitality as we travel the roads of North America in our motor home.

Recently, on our annual trip to Florida, we encountered snow from upstate New York to middle South Carolina.  Most campgrounds were covered with snow and inaccessible.  On two occasions, we stopped in WALMART, asked permission to park overnight and were warmly welcomed.  Since most items in the motor home were not ready for use due to winterizing, we used these occasions to stock up.

We stay in WALMART on various occasions each year.  We always:

·        Ask permission (as there may be some zoning restrictions)

·        Ask if you want us to park in a specific spot.

·        Don’t stay more than overnight.

·        Try not to look like we are “camping”.

·        Use the visit to “stock up”.

We believe parking in WALMART is a privilege, want to thank you for that privilege, and hope you will continue to grant it.

Best Regards,

Tom and Sharon Roule

Past President, Pen-NY Mixer Chapter, FMCA

March, 2011 FMCA Rally

FMCA has announced that the 85th annual rally at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, GA will welcome "towable" RV's including trailers and 5th wheels.
Obviously, this is a major departure from their bylaws and constitution and places FMCA in direct competition with Good Sam. Ed Hoag, NEA vice president tells us the Northeast Area of FMCA plans the same thing.
The discounted sign up deadline for Perry is February 7th.
The dates of the rally are March 14th to 17th.
Watch our blog as caravans from Florida to Perry are planned.  George & Millie Worden will be leading these.