The Civil Rights Museum

One of the attractions not far from Graceland is the Civil Rights Museum which is located at the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. Lee and I were remembering the recent anniversary of the assassination just last month when the television stations commemorated the event with news specials and on-site interviews with those surviving friends of Dr. King.
The museum which has been built around the motel reminded me somewhat of the Holocaust Museum where images of the past to the present day are presented in a time line. In this case, the time line reflected racial prejudice against the Blacks beginning with the enslavement of the Africans. It was very emotional to once again see man's inhumanity to man.
The museum also focused on other areas in the world where civil rights are still an issue. The global picture can be quite grim but you walk away feeling hopeful after seeing what people around the world are doing to fight these injustices. Also too, having Barack Obama as our president speaks volumes about a brighter future.
This museum is a "must see".

A Day With Elvis

The weather outside was still frightful (with rain), but Lee and I braved the storm to visit the home of Elvis Presley. It was a quick walk from our campground site and we were able to get on the line for the shuttle bus very easily. Graceland looks like a typical home from the outside. Though, it is located on quite a lot of acreage, from the front nothing struck me as bizarre. Even upon entering through the front door, one felt like you were transported back in time (the furnishings reflecting the 70's). His living room, music room, dining room, kitchen, and parents' bedroom could be anyone's room back then (except for the beautiful peacock stained glass doors in the living room). You were not allowed upstairs to Elvis' private quarters (his bedroom, closets, etc). I was a little disappointed because I think the decor might have been really funky there. When the tour brought us downstairs that was when we saw very "interesting decor". His Jungle room was just what it sounds like; very unique wood pieces with animal carvings. His pool room was decorated in yards and yards of fabric. His television room was decorated in navy and yellow.
Other parts of the tour included his trophy room, racketball court, his father's office, and beautiful grounds. The meditation garden is where Elvis and his parents are buried. There is also a memorial plaque for his twin brother who died at birth and who body is buried elsewhere.
After the tour, we were able to go through numerous Elvis exhibits including his numerous cars and his personal jets. Wow. It went on and on. Not only that, every exhibit exited into a souvenir shop. By the time we finished, we were definitely Elvis'd out.

We're Going To Graceland........

Lee and I are on a roll. One of the things Lee had really wanted to do was visit the Memphis area and see Graceland. So off we went to visit the home of Elvis Presley.
As we drove down Elvis Presley Boulevard, we were immediately taken with the fact that the street looked like any other street in the USA. It had lots of fast food eateries, gas stations, Baskin Robbins, etc.; none of the glitz that one would expect. As a matter of fact, if it weren’t for the Elvis souvenir shops and the Heartbreak Hotel(I'm not kidding!), we might have passed right by Graceland without knowing it(except for the musical notes on the iron entrance gate)
We were lucky to be able to stay at a campground directly across the street from the King’s home. The Memphis-Graceland RV Park & Campground is located behind the Heartbreak Hotel and caters to all RV campers, motorcoaches as well as tents. They even have a few log style cottages.
Once we got settled in, Lee called Marlowe’s Restaurant for dinner reservations and their “Pink Cadillac” pick up service. What a hoot!! Within 10 minutes the car was in front of our site and we were whisked away for some serious barbeque.
Marlowe’s, just a mile south of Graceland is voted the Best Ribs in the South. It is home to Elvis fans around the world. So not to be different, Lee and I had barbeque ribs with cole slaw and beans. The ribs happened to be awesome and we ate like little “pigs”. (I just had to say that…ha ha ha)
Just like any other venue here, there was an Elvis gift shop which we perused so as to walk off some of the “low cal” food we just consumed. My Lipitor better be working!!!
I really feel like I am in the south!!! Yee Haw!!!

Taking Our Time

After leaving Red Bay, we decided to take our time driving back to Maine. One of the attractions not too far from us was the birthplace and home of Helen Keller.
So off we went to Ivy Green in Tuscumbia, Alabama located two miles off Hwys. 72 and 43 in Colbert County. What an historic moment!!!
We all remember the play/movie The Miracle Worker. Just think what it was like to see the famous well pump located between the main house and cottage (birthplace) which is where Helen first recognized the meaning of the sign language for water. It gave us chills.
The main house built in 1820 contained much of the original furniture of the Keller Family and hundreds of momentos of Miss Keller's life including her library of Braille books and old Braille typewriter.
During the months of late June and July, performances of The Miracle Worker is performed on the grounds of Ivy Green on the weekends. Lee and I saw the staging and performance area in the gardens.
What an amazing woman and amazing life!! We learned so much about Helen from this visit and were inspired to know more so we purchased some books at the gift shop. Lee and I were very moved by this experience.
One more fabulous journey to add to our list!!!

There Is No Stress In Red Bay, Alabama

•We were sorry to say goodbye to our Florida Family but are so looking forward to next season when hopefully Lee and I will be full fledged Snowbirds.
Lee and I had been compiling a list of items to be repaired/serviced at Red Bay since our last visit to Alabama. Upon the advice of our neighbors who left for Red Bay before us, we made sure to arrive sometime on a Saturday in order to get a full hookup site. I packed the coach up with enough food for about 10 days and with an equal amount of alcohol since we would be in a dry county. I am literally a seasoned veteran now that I have learned the proper preparation procedures for a trip like this!!!!
So off we went on Friday and when we arrived, we were lucky to get one of the two remaining full hookup sites(thanks Dan and Dee). Now the waiting process began. We could only be patient and hope that our number in the rotation would not keep us there for a couple of weeks. Since we had enough personal and business work to keep us busy, we were glad to have a few days at least to focus on that.
One of the many things we have come to appreciate about the people of Red Bay is that they are the most hardworking, polite and caring people. Their work ethic is so strong as well as their family values. I think that the expression, “there is no stress in Red Bay” could be a mantra. Everyone takes everything in stride. When asking some of the older gentlemen how they were doing on a particular day, the responses are so funny but true. One man said that he was happy to be above the grass than below. Another remarked that it was good to be seen than not be seen. The simplicity was very humbling. More of us should take a lesson from this.
It was a pleasure doing business with the Tiffin company’s service department. All our concerns were addressed for now and as we said good bye again, we were going to slowly work our way home; taking our time and smelling the roses. There is no stress in our motorcoach!!!!!!!!!!

Entertaining with the "Big Boys"

Well, I am happy to report that Lee and I were down in Florida long enough to enjoy one of the block parties we had heard so much about. We were delighted about our participation in this party by having our new grill used for some of the cooking. Our task was to grill up marinated boneless chicken breasts for about 40 people. We had gathered one Thursday afternoon at our neighbor’s motorcoach to discuss the food, side dishes, appetizers, desserts, table set up, etc. I was very impressed with the organization of this affair. The party was scheduled for Saturday and the guys were going to do all the shopping and cooking. (How fab is that????)
On the day of the party, picnic tables were lined up in the street. All grills were moved to a central location. As people arrived, their contributions were placed on the tables. Everyone brought their own “drink” of choice as well as some additional lounge chairs. We had a simply beautiful day for such an event!!!
All the food was incredible and very little was left over. And to top it off, there was a shuttle launch that night. The sky was clear and we could see everything.
What an amazing night!!!! We are so very blessed to have experienced such wonders on a magical evening in Florida.

Time to Entertain

Lee and I were so excited when we purchased our new Weber Grill. It is the top of the line and has far more features than the one we have at home. (Lee was very taken with the lights in the handles and knobs!!) We initiated our grill by having friends over for a chicken barbeque. One of the accessories we bought for the grill was a meat sensor which enables you to know down to the minute the precise "wellness/doneness" of your grilled meat. What a wonderful way to grill. It takes all the guess work out of cooking. Thank goodness for friends who have traveled down this road before and could offer up so many wonderful suggestions for a successful cooking experience (Beth and Bob, many thanks!!) Can't wait to use this at home!!!!
We had such a great time. We grilled vegies, as well, on the grill using our friends' veggie basket. This is definitely something I have to add to my list of purchases. Since we plan on entertaining more in the future with our new Florida "Family", this grill has made us very happy!!! Oh, I almost forgot.....we also bought a 9 foot umbrella with lights for our picnic table for evening dining. We are on a roll!!!!

Blue Water Key in Key West

Bluewater Key
A Luxury RV Resort in Key West, Florida
(Disclaimer: we did not travel in our RV when we visited this resort, so we did not experience first hand the experience of staying in the resort)
Lee and I had occasion to visit this Resort on our way back to Port St. Lucie. Even though we were driving our rental car, we took the opportunity to speak with the gal in the office to learn more about the resort. She was just wonderful. She took the time to show us the lists of current sites for sale. She also discussed the rental fees.
The resort is located about 10 miles from Key West (mile marker 14.5) and has 81 sites. About half of the sites boast of waterfront views, boat dock, and thatched hutch (tiki hut)sitting areas. All sites have full hook-up amenities.
This is really the only RV resort close to Key West where you can enjoy the outdoors especially if you have a boat.
The resort has a minimum RV length of 26 Feet. They accept class A RVs and fifth wheels. The lots are basically gravel except where the owners have landscaped and put pavers or concrete for their pads. The water view lots with the Tiki-hut like areas are quite nice. If you want a water view, it is beautiful.
The resort lacks the consistency of uniformed landscaped lots which is something we look for when we travel. I am sure that weather wreaks havoc on the grounds. Between the salt water, hurricanes, heavy winds, etc., it must take a lot to maintain.
One of the things that troubled me was the gate in front of the resort. It was not very inviting (rusty and in need of cosmetics). The owners were presently involved in a fundraiser to purchase a new gate. Also the office was located at the end of the park rather than being one of the first buildings you see. The office was located in the Club House area which had the Owners Lounge, and Laundry. The lounge faces the pool area and has a TV and a couple of couches. It is meant to be more of an area to watch TV or to possibly read. There are no kitchen facilities.
The prices of these sites range from mid $400,000 to $1,000,000.
The rental prices range from $78-$138 in the summer season to $118-$183 in the winter season.
I think that if you are traveling in your RV down to the Keys, this is the place to be. As far as purchasing a lot, you would have to consider your lifestyle, the traffic, and the surrounding amenities.

On The Road Again

Everglades Isle
A World Class Motor Coach and Yacht Retreat

This new and upcoming resort (still under construction) is located in Everglades City, Florida in a small fishing town boasting of no traffic lights and golf cart friendly.
The developers are looking to the sophisticated motorcoach owner who would appreciate living in a tropical setting with a boat slip affording direct access to the Gulf of Mexico or the back country of the 10,000 Islands.
Their 8500 sq. ft. Clubhouse has a Light House Observation Deck and includes such amenities as Concierge Services, Movie Theatre, Library Reading Room, Sports Bar with kitchenette, Treatment Salons for Manicure/Pedicure,Massages, Ladies’ and Mens’ Lounge with showers, Laundry Facilities, and an outdoor Pool, Whirlpool, and Chickee Bar. The quality of construction was amazing with on-site fabrication of the Cyprus wood which is throughout the structure. Very impressive.
There is dry dock storage and toy box storage. There is a full service marina and wireless internet service.
The sites are all landscaped with pavers (of your choice) and tropical plants.
They have thought of it all.
However, this town which boasts of about 500 residents is in a state of transition. Looking at the town, one feels that it is depressed . There has been condominium development but they are void of residents. Who and where are the people coming from to fill these vacancies????
There are no little shops or boutiques. The restaurants are limited though the area is widely known for the stone crab industry. There is still commercial fishing in this town but as development continues, who knows how long that will last.
One impressive thing we encountered is that generations of families still live here. They love their community and have mixed feelings about embracing the 21st century. My husband and I were very moved by this. You really feel as if you have gone back in time which is not a bad thing at all.
The price points for the motor coach sites were very reasonable. They varied from $300,000.00 for an interior lot to $680,000.00 for a waterfront lot.
I just wished that it had the shopping and restaurants closer so you didn’t have to travel to Naples or Marco Island. But that’s just me.
It will take some time before this development takes off but it will eventually. I think that the developers have deep enough pockets to sit on it for a while if the lots don’t sell when it has a grand opening.
I am looking forward to coming back with my motor coach and rent for a few days. I really hope that they are successful and can enhance the community with its tourism while keeping the flavor of area.

Visiting Other Resorts in Florida

Cypress Woods RV Resort in Ft. Myers, Florida
Cypress Woods is a gated community with onsite clubhouses, tennis courts, heated swimming pools, fishing lake, and spa. This resort is located on exit 139 off of I-75.
They are busy expanding and presently have over 200 sites . You are greeted immediately at the gate house and their offices are located to the right of it in one of the two clubhouses. You have a very welcoming feeling upon entering this community.
You can avail yourself of a choice of lakefront or lake view lots. Each lot has a stylish 10’ x 12’ store unit which is a real plus for storage or an additional living space. We were very impressed with this feature.
We took a tour of this property and noticed that in addition to Class A RVs , there were fifth wheels on the lots. Also, from the vantage point of uniformity, there were less lots landscaped than I care for and minimal “lushness” of tropical palms and other plantings which we enjoy so much at our resort in Outdoor Resorts.
The property is well maintained and not far from the big box stores and franchised restaurants you find in most communities. It is about 15 minutes from the airport in Ft. Myers which is a plus if you are commuting back and forth like we are doing right now.
The waterfront lots were very nice. I must mention, too, that the lots themselves were quite large (46’ x 90’ with many up to 75’x90’). Another feature of this resort is the capability of building a home with RV port on some of these sites which enhances a full timer’s experience. This was a very interesting feature.
In addition, they have an RV and Boat storage area onsite.
I would definitely recommend this resort for either rental or purchase. It really depends upon what your needs are and what will fulfill the lifestyle.