Peace River Halloween Party/Dance

What a nice time we had tonight. Halloween celebrations started early today with fun and games earlier in the day, trunk and treat in the parking lot for the kids, and then the party and dance in the meetin' hall.

Kudos to the staff, who did a great job with the decorations and to everyone who brought so many "goodies" for the evening. 

Music was provided by many of the players who take part in the regular "jam sessions" but the leaders of the group tonight were Buddy and Diane.  Great Job you guys.  The music and singing was super!!

Below is Diane and Buddy  dressed for the night as Dolly Pardon and Cole Porter, and with the rest of the band........

Below is the Showalters - Krystal and Nate donning their Western Attire for the evening.

As for Rich and I  - we're not much into dressing up, but we  kind of did tonight; me as the spider laday and Rich as the Buck-an Ear Quarterback!

Lots of fun and dancing..............More pictures below of the all us enjoying the evening on the dance floor.

Non Stop Entertainment............

It started around 5:30 this afternoon and it didn't stop until about 7:30.  Nate, Austin, Buddy and Rich played pretty much non-stop pickleball, and drew quite a few spectators in the process.

I think I was there first, then along came Art and Hedy.   A couple I had not met before stopped to watch for a while. I think the mosquitos chased them away.  Diane showed up a little bit later, and Travis and Baxter even stopped for a few minutes.

These guys must have played a dozen games tonight - it was really fun to watch!  Enjoy the pictures.

It was Buddy and Nate...................

Vs - Austin and Rich.....

Shots that tested your flexibility and reach,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

And your quickness and eye/hand coordination at the net....

And then it was Nate and Rich.........

Taking on Austin and Buddy...........

More lobs............

And positions the body just is not used to!

And letting nothing get by........to the bitter end!

GREAT SHOW YOU GUYS!!

WHEN'S THE NEXT SHOWING??

DINNER OUT TONIGHT.

It was a nice treat tonight to catch up on summer travels and share dinner with our friends Buddy and Diane.  It was pasta night at Giovianni's in downtown Wauchula.  Great meal. Great company

Peace River Pickleball - Cont...

It was a beautiful Monday morning, and the rest of the group was out to play. 

Here's Art and Travis.......... I got It.........Who got it?
 

Barb and Mitch back this morning.......then it was hugs and handshakes to say goodbye, since they were leaving this morning.

Phil and Kappy........Phil met up with Art and Hedy this summer up in Main.  His first time here at Peace River.  He'll be heading on down to Bonita Springs for the winter.  I'm sure we'll catch up with him at some of the tournaments this winter.

Waiting to play - Art, Woody, Dave, Hedy and Mitch

Run Woody... Run.........Dave and Woody

Nice play Hedy.................with Phil

Oops!  Over the net Barb!  Playing with Woody against, Dave and Art

Keep your eye on the Ball!!!  Art and Kappy

  We played for better than two hours.  When I left Art, Kappy, Dave and Wody were still going at it.    

Our first week of Picklball at Peace River

Time sure does fly by when you're having fun.  Can't believe we've been here a full week already.  Already the pickleball players have been out on the courts either in the morning around 9:00 am, or in the evenings around 7:00 pm.

This picture was taken after playing tonight. Mitch and Barb are leaving tomorrow, heading for Homestead, FL for the winter, so I wanted to make sure I got them before they left.  Pictured above from left to right, Austin and Dad Nate, Mitch, Barb, Diane and Buddy.  Woody didn't come out to play tonight!  That's a first!!!   Heard that Art and Hedy were back in the park, so I'll probably head down in the morning  to see if they come out to play. 

Back to the ballgame now - GO RANGERS!!!

Back in Peace River

We were on the road early from The Villages on Sunday morning.  We had a wonderful time there this summer, but both of us were ready to move on.  The drive down to Wauchula was uneventful.  A quick stop at WalMart for some needed cleaning supplies and it was still morning when we arrived at Peace River.

The park is still a little slow........not too many people there yet, but the weather could have a little bit to do with that.  Here's a look from the back side of our RV.  As you can see the water is still pretty high.

 

It's still part way up the ramp and the overflow section is still pretty much flooded.  Probably be close to a month before that section is ready for any parking.  

Woody was down checking out the water level when we arrived, Buddy and Brenda stopped by a little while later.  We spent the better part of the day unpacking and setting up.  It's not like moving from one location to another pulling the RV.  After sitting all summer long there was a ton of cleaning to be done.  It will probably take us two or three days to really get settled in.

No food in the fridge yet so we headed out to Paul's Kitchen for dinner. Rich had the roast pork and I had the turkey...............and we took enough home for another meal for both of us. 

On Tuesday it was pretty much more of the same.  Sorting and organizing. At about 7:00, headed down to the pickleball courts where Buddy, Nate, Krystal, Woody and Paul were waiting.  Only got to play about three games before it started raining!!!!   Great to see our friends again and so glad that most of them wil be here for the season. 

Tomorrow I have to make a trip to Tampa for a dentist appointment.  Had to break down and call today - hope it's nothing too serious. UGH!!!   Please, please, please ....  I hate the dentist so much!!!!  Extra prayers tonight will be appreciated!!!

World Series starts tonight.............GO RANGERS!!!  Sorry Den.



Does This Thing Float?

That was the message we got today from Buddy and Diane along with these pictures.

We got a call earlier today from Lee (Peace River Park Manager) that the park was flooding.  She thought that ours would be OK, that there was probably 6-8 feet before it reached our tires.

I don't think Buddy was talking about the canoe................

Rich also talked to Lee and Gerry who DID have to move their motor home before the water reached their step level.  They are parked on the corner now just across the road from ours.  He promised to keep an eye, and give us a call if he thought we'd have any problems.  Also said  not to worry, that they would move it if need be.  Just another example of how great RV people are!

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE PEACE RIVER AT ZOLFO SPRINGS * UNTIL WEDNESDAY EVENING * AT 2PM MONDAY THE STAGE WAS 17.3 FEET * MINOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND FORECAST TO CONTINUE * FLOOD STAGE IS 16 FEET * THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE RISING TO NEAR 17.6 FEET BY THIS EVENING. THE RIVER WILL FALL BELOW FLOOD STAGE WEDNESDAY EARLY AFTERNOON. * FLOOD HISTORY... THIS CREST COMPARES TO A PREVIOUS CREST OF 17 FEET ON SEP 2 2004.

A little too close for comfort................

Saying Good-Bye

Wow - how quickly good times come to an end.  The rainy weather continued all of Saturday night and all day/night on Sunday.  So being stuck inside we made it a "sports" day, watching the Bucs LOSE  and then watching the St. Louis Cardinals LOSE!!!!   We just couldn't win, no how this weekend; be it the weather or the games!!!!

But we did enjoy a great dinner of Pork Loin, baby potatos, green bean casserole and fresh made biscuits.   A little later in the evening - just to get outside, we made a trip to Ollies for a late night ice cream treat.

Den insisted on "departure" photos so  I've posted them below.
  RICH and DENNY.....................  What a handsome pair!!!

THANKS DEN FOR COMING DOWN TO MY SPACE FOR THIS ONE.... I KNOW IT'S A LONG WAY DOWN 

THE FINAL "WAVE" GOOD-BYE :(   Den is on his way to Apopka, Fl to visit with an Army buddy from Korea...............many many moons ago.

Hated to see him leave.   Only cried for a litle while.
We love you, Den

A Short Visit from Dennis

Dennis left home (Davenport, IA) early on Friday morning.  It was a beautiful day and he was making good time for most of the day.  He stopped just south of Atlanta around midnight, and was back on the road about 6:30 Saturday morning.  Unfortunately, his welcome to Florida was RAIN.  It started raining on Friday evening here and it has not stopped since.

He phoned when he was about 20 miles away and Rich and I sat on the front porch anxious for his arrival.   And FINALLY he and his SPYDER pulled in.

Fortunately he was well equipped with the proper rain gear!!!.  At least it had slowed to a sprinkle so he could unload and come in out of the cold and damp weather.

The weather put an immediate halt to any plans for the day, but it was wonderful just sitting and talking and catching up.  We did head out about 5:30 for dinner - and it was back to the Lighthouse Point Restaurant down in Sumter Landing.   A glass of Blue Moon and a great meal!!  Outside I managed to get Rich to "almost" stop shivering long enough to snap a picture of Dad and Son........

 Before heding home though, the guys decided to make a stop at Dunkin Donuts to take home some sweets!  That late in the day the choice of donuts was  VERY limited and they joked with the waitress that buying a dozen would wipe them out for the night.  They settled on just a half dozen and we laughed and lauged and lauged all the way back home as Dennis repeated the words of that waitress: " You Can't Have the Eclair"!!!!  You had to be there to appreciate it. 

Believe it or not we turned on a movie at 8:00 called 10.5.  It wasn't until 10:00 that we realized it was one of those Part 1, Part 2...... Rich made it about half way through then headed for bed........but Den and I made it till the end, then called it a night!

He'll be here through Sunday and then head to Tampa area to visit more of his family.  We had planned to meet with the group in the morning for some pickleball - but the forecast is 70% chance of rain....................

Time with the people we love is so precious.  The laughter and conversation made it so easy to forget the bad weather outside and tomorrow will be the same.