Alva, FL: Bingo!

One of those lazy, clouds overhead type of days where you figure you might as well get some of your chores done so you can enjoy the sunny & beautiful weather when it happens. That's what today was and that's what we did.

A little shopping at Sam' Club & a Super-Walmart; those stores appear to be just about everywhere we have gone so far. Can't be as many of them out West but we'll find out later this year I guess. We moved all of our medications to Walmart so we can get them re-filled whenever & where ever. Even though Walmart's pharmacies are notoriously slow and crowded, they do all use the same prescription tracking system.

Also hit the Post Office to send some stuff we don't need or have finished with back home. Have to stay on top of the stuff or you'll be paying good money to cart around a lot of stuff you don't need. MLA's getting real good at programming the GPS to find these types of stores and services and the GPS usually gets us there without too many problems.

Spoke with my sister Kim today. Her family along with my Aunt Joan and Uncle Wayne are headed to the Caribbean on a cruise. They are all so excited. My Uncle Wayne and Aunt Joan are a stitch and a lot of fun to be around. Can't wait to hear some of 'their' travel stories.

As for us, we are simply enjoying the warm, if cloudy, weather. And of course enjoying this special campground MLA found.

Campgrounds come in all shapes and sizes although there appears to be three basic types. Think of it as a triangle. You have your basic 'Camping' campground. Lots of people, in tents, campers, pop-ups, Class A's, Class B's, and Class C's enjoying nature and truly camping. That includes really living outside and having a campfire whenever it makes sense.

Another end of the triangle is the Motorcoach Resort. These usually only allow Motorcoaches (Class A's) and even then, the motorcoaches must be less than 10 years old. Lots of amenities: pools, spa's, shuffleboard, boccie (sp?) ball, and all types of classes: water aerobics, walking, bus tours/trips, cooking, etc. etc. etc.

The last point of the triangle is really a mixture of the two that can and usually does include long term park residents. People who make their living nearby and live & stay in the same park full-time. Plus some folks who work 'on the road', living in one campground after another. The mix of RV's is usually mostly Class A's, Class C's, some trailers, and lots of 5th wheelers. A 5th wheeler if a special trailer with a 'gooseneck' that requires a big truck to tow. Very spacious and a lot like a home, except of course, smaller.

We are currently in a motorcoach resort and trying to enjoy every last minute and sample all of the amenities. Not to mention what appears to be a contest by the long term resident on who has the most outlandish golf cart. We have seen golf carts with Mercedes front ends, Hot Rod front ends, Rolls Royce front ends, etc. Leather seats and wood dash. Of course all come with excellent air conditioning (just hit the gas/electricity pedal and feel the wind in your hair).

They are having Winter Olympics with lost of fun activities & a few sports competing for prizes. Of course there is an 'Opening Ceremony' this Friday with, you guessed it, and Olympic torch and Golf Cart Parade. Too much. I'll be sure to get pictures.

Oh, how could I forget Bingo as one of the amenities? One of MLA's favorite games and last night she won $22 while playing nine cards. Told you she is a pro. She paid $12 dollars for the cards so a net gain of $10 dollars.

Tonight, we ate at a small diner called the Alva Country Diner. Food was great and only cost $26 dollars including tip. This place was just what you would expect at a small out of the way diner that's been serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner for generations. With MLA's winnings it only cost us $16. Notice I have no problem using 'her' winnings for 'our' expenses; years of middle management taught me how to use other people's money without shame or embarrassment. A very handy skill to have. Now if I can only get her to win larger Bingo pots I can get those new place mats we need for the dining table .....

See Ya!