Post #20

 Saturday, December 20, 2025

Even though the temp was 6 with 15 mph winds we had a good time with my siblings.  We all met at a Mexican restaurant had great food and drink.  Many laughs and updates on each other's families.  Pictured below left to right:  David, Gary, me, Cheryl and John.  Sister Marsha is missing, but she's nice and warm at home in Florida.

Sunday, December 21, 2025

Travel day to Jordan, MN

Monday, December 22, 2025

Went to Greg and Beth's house for Christmas.  Jenna and Luke were missing cuz their poor little Mack was sick with a bad cold/cough.  Eric and Sophia had to work, but stopped in later. We had a lot of good food and the best time with the grandkids and great grandkids.  

 Pictured Bottom Row: Layne, Thomas, Joan, Amanda

Second Row:  Leah, Beth, Greg, Nate.

Pictured: Jax, Layne, JP, Rory, Joan, Cece.

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Travel day to Houston, Minnesota to have Christmas at Layne's parents.  They prepared fantastic meals and snacks.  We had a great time visiting all day on Christmas Day!  

Merry Christmas to all!

L

Layne and his parents, Gordy and Judy

 December 27, 2025

Travel to La Crescent, Minnesota to have Christmas with Rachel and Ryan.  The grandkids Tyler and Brett were there with their families.  We ate a lot, opened gifts, played games, and played with the kids.

 Pictured left to right:  Ryan, Rachel,

Me, Layne.

   

 Pictured left to right:  Layne, Tyler, Me, Brett.

Pictured bottom row:  Ayla, Amelia,

Creed. Middle row:  Ivie, Cooper.

Top Row: Layne and Me.

  

Early evening Layne looked at the weather forecast and noted to upcoming bad weather so we decided to leave for Crystal Lake, IL. We thought we may stay in Madison, but decided best to keeping driving.

So now, we are in Crystal Lake having a nightcap before getting a good nights sleep.

Happy New Year to all!

Later  

Post #19

 December 19, 2025

Monday morning was bittersweet.  We hated leaving Gulf Shores, but happy to soon be with family. We drove as far as Greenwood Springs, Mississippi and stayed at R & R Winery.  We had a fun time visiting with the owners and of course we did a wine tasting.  After a few hours of tasting and chatting, we left with a few bottles to add to our collection.

Tuesday was a nice drive.  We saw either cotton fields or lots of pine trees and traveled as far as Altenburg, Missouri.  It's getting colder!  It's also nearly impossible to find an open campground.  Thankfully, we have several apps that allow us to find approved overnight stays that are not campgrounds.

Wednesday was a beautiful sunny day and a great day to be traveling.  We ran into some heavy traffic in East St. Louis but otherwise all was good.  We encountered our first signs of snow as we approached northern Missouri, about an hour south of  our next stop.  We stayed at the Terrible Mark Twain Casino in La Grange, Missouri.  We ate at the restaurant, but didn't gamble as it was too smoky - too bad many casinos still allow indoor smoking - or maybe we saved some money.

Thursday we woke up to rain and wind.  We drove as far as Cedar Falls, Iowa and parked at Camping World.  Many Camping Worlds allow Good Sam Members to stay overnight for free and some (like this one) even include electric hook-ups and a dump station.  Thank goodness we had electricity.  The temp dropped to 4 with 20-30+ MPH winds.  We had a few snow flurries, but it stayed nice and toasty in our 4-season RV.

Friday, was a cold (single digits and teens) day so we decided to stay in Cedar Falls another day.  We did our laundry, completed a few RV-life tasks and started to pack up for tomorrow's travel to Delano, MN to meet my siblings for an early Christmas Dinner.  

Merry Christmas to all!

Later 

   

Post #18

 Sunday, December 14, 2025

Tomorrow we start our trek to Minnesota for Christmas.  We are excited to be with family and enjoy the Holidays with them.  At the same time it's hard to leave here with the warmer weather.  The last couple of days the temps were in the 70's, but we never did put our toes in the sand.  However, tomorrow when we leave, the temps will be in the upper 20's.  Yup, we are under a freeze warning for tonight in southern Alabama!

This is a pic of the park view across the road from us.  

 

 

A couple of days we visited the park across the road from our RV park and one day the Blue Angels were practicing smoke circles.  

We also enjoyed several evening campfires.

Time to start packing up.  

Later

Post #17

December 6, 2025 

Hello from the Gulf Shores!  The first couple of days the temps were in the 70's with sunny skies and we were loving it, but most days since it's been in the 50's and 60's.  The last three days it's been raining all day long.  

When we first arrived we did a lot of exploring of the area. One day we ended up having lunch at the popular Flora-Bama which is on the border of Alabama and Florida. 

Since it's been raining we haven't done much but hangout and watch TV.  I finally put out some small Christmas decorations the other day.  I have another bin of decorations somewhere, but can't find it in the RV.  Layne?  Many of the other campers at this park have their RV's decorated with lights and outside decorations.  It's very festive here. 

  This next week the weather is supposed to be in the 70's again, so hopefully one day we can put our toes in the sand.

We are looking forward to our travel back to Minnesota to be with family for Christmas.  Can't wait to see everyone!

Later