YOGI....not YOGA

We're on the way to Bald Ridge Corp of Engineer Park in Cumming, GA (north of Atlanta). We decided to avoid Birmingham traffic and enjoy a very scenic Sunday morning drive through several small southern Alabama towns like Cullman, Gadsden and Anniston.  It was worth it to me not to have that nerve-wracking drive through a town where everyone seems to drive 90 miles an hour, and at the same time and I don't think they know how to utilize their mirrors in a good way either.

We chose an overnight campground that beats all the Yogi Bear's Jellystone Parks we've seen in awhile.  This one has been open for about 8 years and we always passed by trying to get a few more miles down the road before stopping for the day.  This one is located in Bremen, GA and is about 2 miles off I-20.

Without going into a lot of detail, because it isn't necessary, just look at all the different animals and activities for the kids.  They have a blast.  There is even a big blue Yogi train but I don't think they will let me ride. *sigh*

As You Enter there Are 2 Resident Parrots

About 5 huge tortoises - all marked with Georgia Clay!

Ok, You've Been Warned!  You really think it makes a difference?

Same for the Alligators - look like they are made of Georgia Clay!

Chickens with Lots of Funny Feathers

Lots of Water Features - Loads of Kids...and me.

Looks like a lot of fun!

Why didn't my parents bring me here?

Ranger Rick knocked on our coach door and  thought we might be interested in visiting with him and his boa constrictor.  Boy, was he ever mistaken.  I went outside *smiling*  to be nice while  RV was looking for one of  his guns.  The snake is like a member of their family, if you can believe that.  In fact, it seems that all these animals love the attention they get.  

Ranger Rick knocked on our door with his pet boa constrictor.

We'll be out of here tomorrow morning for about a two hour trip.  Next weekend is the big one for this campground.  Imagine all the fun we're  going to miss next weekend (Memorial Day) while hundreds of children are running all over the campground.  LOL!

CHOCOLATE GRAVY OVER BISCUITS

I have always enjoyed going to different countries and enjoying their particular foods, whatever it was.  Even if it was unusual looking I felt I could at least take a bite and try not to insult anyone.  One little bite couldn't hurt you.  It's usually the thought of it that takes a bite out of you!

This morning we are making our preparations to leave Red Bay, Alabama, after a week of repairs, touch ups, modifications and a couple of tweeks here and there.  Since we are going to get away early this morning we decided a local breakfast (just a take out) would be easier than preparing a typical breakfast on the coach. 

Main Street - Red Bay, Alabama

I went to the busiest gas station/breakfast place close to us.  I've never tried their food, but there are dozens of cars every weekday morning stopping on the way to work.  The sign outside said they served fried bologna biscuits....how could I go wrong?   It was extremely slow because it is early Sunday morning, and I am deciding what to order.  RV wants something smaller - semi-healthier - sausage, egg and cheese biscuit.  I order the hungry cowgirl, er., Tammy Wynette breakfast .... scrambled eggs, bacon, grits and biscuit.  We WERE on a healthy diet/lifestyle but we'll splurge just this one meal today.  The lady behind the counter says, "Would you like chocolate gravy with that?"  I told her I had never heard of chocolate gravy and would that be like red eye gravy?  "No, she says, that is like M&M's melted with Hershey chocolate bars and served over a biscuit." I'm thinking:  Are you kidding me?  She hands me a plastic spoon coated with her chocolate gravy, and I agree, it is exactly as she described it.  I said, "Sure, give me some chocolate gravy over a biscuit,"   RV isn't going to believe this.  Mission accomplished.  

  

Cowgirl Breakfast - White Gravy

 

Just about to take my first bite of CHOCOLATE GRAVY!

 

Today, breakfast was a new experience.  About 4 tablespoonfuls of that chocolate gravy was like a sugar bomb, my heart is ricocheting in my chest, wobbly knees and shortness of breath...she even told me how to make it in the event you would like to experiment.  3 - 2 - 1.  The ratio of sugar/flour/cocoa.  It looks like this is the morning carb of choice, a stick to your ribs kind of thing.  I can see it being like an early morning birthday cake.  Fluffy biscuit/chocolate gravy.  Ummmmmmm. But not my cup of tea.

Chocolate Gravy - Sweet and Savory (served with bacon)

  Forgot to say, you need savory to go with this sweetness, so guess what, she threw in a couple more strips of bacon.  Thank you very much. This wasn't on my bucket list but I'm going to check it off anyway.  We've had a great annual pilgrimage to Red Bay this year.  We enjoyed seeing lots of old friends, (thank you to the Page's, Nabor's, Fischer's and Hutcheson's)  and made great memories that I'll document in another blog.  We'll look forward to seeing them next year, if not before.  Safe travels everyone.  

Beautiful Walking Roads in Red Bay, AL - one block from Downtown RV Campground
Red Bay, AL

 I've started a new Facebook page called Attitude Adjustment https://www.facebook.com/attitudeadjustmentclass. Please "LIKE" if you haven't already.   Attitude Adjustment is the name of a class I teach at Florida Grande, and I plan to begin teaching in some other locations in the next couple of months.  It is a way I want to communicate with people with similar interests and ideas.  You are welcome to check it out and I hope you enjoy it, or LIKE it.     

SAD CATCHERWOMAN - too windy to fish at Ho Hum!

Getting on the road and anticipating what you're going to need for about the next 5 or 6 months takes some organization.  We have a small cottage, suite, etc. at Florida Grande Motorcoach Resort in Webster, FL, and it goes through a major transition when we start storing everything we don't want to take.

Our winter residence at Florida Grande Motorcoach Resort
Webster, FL

Our back yard at Florida Grande - our neighbors are black angus cattle.

Leaving Webster, we travelled 3 hours north to Green Cove Springs, to visit our oldest daughter, Kristen, son-in-law, Harold, and our 4 beautiful grandchildren....like a pre-Mother's Day celebration. From Saturday morning until Monday morning when we departed, we attended a southeast U.S. cheerleading competition in Jacksonville,

Fleming Island Competition Cheerleaders - 2015

 a soccer game, a combined, rolled into one birthday, anniversary, Mother's Day celebration at Tree Steak House, an appointment for Kristen and I for a mani-pedi, and it seems like hundreds of other activities, all simultaneously.  It was hard for us to say goodbye on Monday morning, but getting everyone off to school on time overshadowed any tears and sad goodbyes.  I hope everyone made it to school on time.  We will be back to celebrate Halloween!

We ended a non-eventful 250-plus miles to Carrabelle, FL, at a campground we have stayed several times.  The foul weather up north has been an economic shot in the arm for one of our favorite no-frills campgrounds - Ho Hum RV Park.  It was difficult to get a reservation because everyone loves this laid back lifestyle.   I brought fish bait and a rod and reel and then the wind picked up so that the water was so stirred up the only fish biting were catfish.  I reluctantly gave my dead shrimp bait to our new friend next door who was very appreciative

Entrance to Ho Hum RV Park - Carrabelle, FL

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Front row of Ho Hum - you have a view of Dog Island

We are at Ho Hum Campground for 2 nights until we point our coach in the direction of Florence, AL, but we found a new seafood restaurant - The Pearl - not fancy but it is a pearl.   Delicious local oysters on the half shell, fried Gulf shrimp, oysters and scallops, homemade tartar sauce, hushpuppies, and slaw.  We thought we might have enough to take home for dinner.  Key word: THOUGHT. 

Nothing fancy in Carrabelle, FL

Just another Ho Hum afternoon

We usually stay at Ho Hum towards the end of late October.  Note to self - coming at the end of a successful season is a good idea.  Restaurants are still open and lots of activity and inventory are still in the shops.

Get Hooked in Carrabelle!

Carrabelle, FL Downtown

Sorry I can't post a trophy fish photo on this leg of our trip.  Maybe next stop when we're near the water.  BTW, it was explained to me by one of the local fishermen in Carrabelle that they don't fish here....they catch....thus, I am a SAD CATCHERWOMAN since I was unable to fish because of the weather.