We don't celebrate Christmas

RIVER PLANTATION RV PARK
Sevierville, TN 37862
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Look what I got in the mail today!!!

Scanner, k-adapter, i cord maker

THIS is why we don't give presents to each other, for any occasions, unless it's just to give something unexpected.
I used to love Christmas for the gift giving and receiving. I used to love decorating the house also. I would get so excited about a gift I purchased for Scott, but then he wouldn't use it or he found something better. Sigh. And of course Scott hated the pressure of having to buy a gift or two or three. He 99% of the time did a great job.  For me, it got to the point, I ran out of ideas. All Scott wanted was a gift certificate to a computer store. BORING!!!! No fun in that.
So we no longer exchange gifts for any occasion. My gifts to Scott is that he doesn't have to think about what to get for Birthdays, Anniversaries, Valentine's Days, Christmas, Easter, and so on. He is very happy and appreciative.
And not being a religious person, we don't celebrate the Keep CHRIST in Christmas either. (Sorry, Mom, Dad, & Bro)
For a while, I insisted on still exchanging cards, but now even that has gone away. We are both absolutely fine with this arrangement. When Scott was working, his co-workers kept telling him he was a lucky man. They would dread having to find the right piece of jewelry and they would surely be in trouble if it wasn't quality stuff or if they didn't spend a certain amount.
Uh oh! Here I go! And what is it with women and "Coach" bags & granite counters?????? At least granite counters ARE beautiful, but "Coach" bags??? They are absolutely ugly! And the rustic leather look, looks like vinyl. I really hate the whole idea of the so called status of name products. And that goes for you GUYS too! What is so impressive about Harley Davidsons????? Yea, they are a nice looking bike, but so are many other brands. Made in the US? Maybe assembled in the US, but ALL the parts aren't made in the US. I would not own a Harley simply for the fact that people seem so impressed just by the name. I have a Suzuki Intruder which is a very nice looking cruiser & very reliable.
Now onto the next peeve...Granite counters & stainless steel appliances. How many home shows do you see where the home buyers insist on these products. Granite counters are beautiful, but many other types of counters are also.  I personally like the CRUSHED QUARTZ counter tops or even being a little green with the RECYCLED GLASS counter tops. Did you know that the BUTCHER BLOCK counter tops are making a come back? And how long before you ladies decide that stainless steel looks too industrial...like a restaurant?
Wow, from Christmas to gifts to a rant? Take a breath Deb. Step away from the computer for a while.
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BROWSING THE WWW:
I am a follower of LISA BORGMAN. She is a hilarious writer, with a wonderfully skewed outlook on every day life's happenings. So while she was relating a Chistmas story, she mentioned PARLOR ROLLER PIGEONS.  Well, of course with the wonderful world wide web, I had to look them up. I would never have believed this if I didn't see it on you tube. Of course everything on the internet is true, right?? Check it out. A little sad, but very interesting.
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RV LIFE:
I'm still loving our floor. I am so happy we got it installed. The RV just seems bigger, neater and cleaner.  It makes me want to keep the clutter around under some control.

Sevierville is right next to Pigeon Forge, TN, which a a very touristy town. I'm glad we're here during the Christmas season. They have the restaurants and stores decorated so nicely. Plus, it is not crowded like it would be during the Summer and loaded with kids.

At first I was going through all those coupon books for the different attractions and restaurants. After spending our first day here just sorting out all the ads, I've come to realize, that I really don't care about these touristy things. If we happen to go fine, but if not, that's fine too. Natural attractions are different. Definitely want to see our amazing USA. Pigeon Forge is like a mini Branson, MO, only more hillbilly. We have been going to restaurants though. Three out of five days here, we've eaten out for dinner. So on to the reviews...
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RESTAURANT REVIEW:
Corinos Italian Grill Sevierville, TN 37863
Our rating 4 out of 5

Walking in reminds you of Olive Garden. Corinos also has the unlimited soup & salad deal, etc. like Olive Garden.
CAESAR SALAD: Nothing fancy. Crisp romaine, with a very pleasant Caesar dressing.
BREAD: The bread was fantastic!!!! We were presented with a whole mini loaf. The bread was dense with a nice crisp crust. There was oregano or rosemary in it. Delicious. This was served with dried garlic covered with olive oil. Very nice touch. They offered us a second loaf which we accepted.
PASTA & MEATBALLS: I wasn't impressed, but my husband who is the true pasta & sauce person really liked it. He also liked the meatballs.
BOWTIE PASTA: I forget the name of the dish, but it was delicious. It was bowtie pasta, with bacon, fresh diced tomatoes and an asiago cheese sauce. Delicious and light.
TIRAMISU: I ordered this because of reading the reviews. I was so disappointed! It's a huge portion, which was nice, but it was all greasy, fake cream. What little lady fingers and coffee/chocolate flavor I did find was delicious. At $5.99 this is a lot of money for a lot of filler fake cream.
Our waitress was sweet and attentive. The music was a little too loud. Overall a good experience.
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Applewood Farmhouse Sevierville, TN 37862
Our rating 4 out of 5

What an enjoyable restaurant. It is set back from the road amid a winery, a creamery/bakery, a candy store, etc. Nice little village feel.
We were seated in a  glass enclosed porch. Although we were seated at a round table for 4, there was an actual porch swing used as a "bench" type seating. Very cute.

Waiter was very, if a bit overly friendly. Kept calling us "brother" and "sister" and "boss. Patting us on the back. He added to the southern farmhouse charm and was very efficient.
The meals at first looked expensive. $15.00 for meatloaf? But ends up the price of the meal includes, apple fritters, a small fruit julep, soup or salad, mashed potatoes and another side, the main course and desert.
APPLE FRITTERS: These were served as the bread along with apple butter. Absolutely delicious! They didn't need the apple butter. The apple butter was good. Tasted more like a very sweet, cinnamon apple sauce.
MASHED POTATOES: Home made and very good. Tastes like there might be a touch of turnips mashed in also.
MEATLOAF: Large thick slab and was very good. Moist and tasty.
FRIED OKRA: Good but seemed to have been sitting around under some heat lamps instead of being fried to order.
COBBLER: Very good, served warm. Not overly sweet. Did not taste like fresh apples, but canned. Still good.

I hate roller coasters!

VILLAGE OF TREES RV RESORT 

Declo, ID 83323

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We had a very busy day today. 

4 wheelin

Out to lunch

Mountain Man Rendezvous

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PETS:
We made plans to go 4 wheelin' in our friend Don's jeep. Big decision, do we let Don take our life in his hands? Just joking of course. We had to decide whether to bring our dogs along or keep them in the RV. That would mean 8 hours alone in the RV. Poor Devin would be crated that whole time. Lyla would be fine, but after a while, I think she would get antsy and start barking wondering where we are. We rarely leave them for that length of time.
1st decision made...we'll bring the dogs.
Another decision, do we take Lyla on the ride with us or leave her in a strange house and hope she settles? Devin will be crated so no problem.  Lyla NEEDS to see us leave or she gets very upset.
2nd decision made...

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SIGHTS:
Don & I got to know each other in 2002, over a 2 week period, while in a training course in Oklahoma for the Post Office. We are walking down the hall and Don asks, "Where are you from?"
I say, "New Jersey"
Don: "Ohhhh, New Joisey?"
I turn and look him in the eyes with that welcoming look a Jersey girl can look, and say...
"DID I SAY JOISEY? THAT'S NOT HOW I TAWLK!"
Well, so much for making friends. We ended up "stuck" being class partners. After 2 weeks, 7 hours together daily, and then meeting for happy hour, then dinner together with other classmates, we did eventually become friends with many happy memories gathered.
We've kept in touch via email for 10 yrs. Scott & I have planned our full time lifestyle for 6 yrs, so I kept promising Don, someday we'll be in Idaho during our travels. Someday has arrived.
Don has sent me multiple photos of his travels through beautiful Idaho. We are now able to experience this beauty in Don's special way.

(Soapbox alert) We hop in his jeep with all the windows and roof taken off. Don decides to take us to CHINK'S PEAK renamed Chinese Peak. Oh boy now you've got me started again. I guess I should keep my thoughts on this to myself. I'll just put some links HERE ABOUT OFFENSIVE GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES. Let me say just one thing...
If you consider yourself "African-American", not "Black" nor "Negro", well, hell, then I'm "European-American", not "White", not "Caucasian". On last year's Census Bureau survey, I listed myself as "Other-European-American", because they listed "African-America", which is ASSumed to be "Black". There are "White" people who are "African-American"! I'm so disgusted with not offending anyone. Life is hard and we all have to learn to toughen up our thin skin. Let me get back on the main subject, 4 wheelin'.

Don was very reassuring, that it is safe...mostly. We make a left onto a dirt road and I assume we'll next be going straight on the dirt road, oh wait, Nooooo! We're heading left on that bumpy, boulder strewn, pot holed "walking" trail! So my favorite phrase for this ride up to the 7000' high peak was...

"Oh Crap, OOOOhhhh, CRAP, OH! CRAP!!!"

It was quite a bit of fun. Lots of rocking and bumping & laughing. There was only one spot that was really scary. As we neared the peak, the ascent became very steep, and rocky. It felt just like when you are ascending that highest, steepest part of a roller coaster ride, only there were no chains keeping the vehicle attached to a rail. Oh crap! We're going to flip backwards! Don is laughing with, well really at me, Scott is doing the same. Well I later learned he was quite nervous on that part also.

We get to the peak, get out of the jeep for some beautiful views and to make sure our legs have turned from rubber back to solid. Don notices that his jeep is leaking coolant. Oh crap. We've got to head back. We won't be able to go on some other mountains as planned today.

Hallelujah!!!

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RESTAURANT REVIEW:
We certainly built up an appetite after our wild ride. Glad we didn't eat before hand. We would not only be checking out Don's coolant leak but also cleaning his jeep after getting sick!
Don & Marsha go to this Greek Restaurant just about weekly.  We all ended up ordering the same thing. Delicious.

Our rating 4.5 out of 5

Being from NJ, we wondered if Idaho would ruin what we know as a Gyro.
Tables are closer together than I'd like, so I would suggest a booth if you can get it. Very casual outside dining, covered for shade.
We arrived on a busy Saturday afternoon. They were either short staffed or didn't expect a crowd. We could see our waitress was frustrated with having to be not only seating hostess, cashier, waitress and then back up waitress for the only other waitress temporarily missing in action. She did a great job, kept a smile on her face and apologized for any delay.
GYROS: We had the regular gyro with feta cheese added. I've never had feta cheese on a gyro before. What a great addition. The gyro was excellent. Sometimes in NJ at fairs, the food truck gyro is made with ranch dressing. The gyro at Grecian Key was authentic, made with a cucumber sauce.
Pita was soft and fresh. Meat spiced nicely and delicious. My only negative was I would have liked a little more onion (just my taste).
FRENCH FRIES: We ordered a basket of steak fries. Average.
I would love to return, but probably won't be back to Pocatello until next year.

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And we're STILL not finished with our activities today. When living in NJ after I retired, the joke at my "What's the Scoop" knitting group, was that I didn't like to do more than ONE social thing a day.  Today I'm already past my quota.
We now head off to Port-Neuf Muzzleloaders Mountain Man Rendezvous. This is a gathering where the group re-create life of the Mountain Man. Tents, cooking in cast iron pots over an open fire, knife throwing contest, muzzleloaders shooting competition, etc. Very nice event.

While walking around with our setters, checking out all the tent set ups, one of the pioneer women came up to me and said they have an English Setter. So off we go talking about English Setters and how difficult they can be as youngsters, but then turn out wonderful and it's worth all the work. We spoke for quite a long time. Talked about our RV adventure. Very nice couple. They live in UT and invited us to set up overnight on their property if ever needed. Thank you REX & MARISA & ANNABELLE.
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RV LIFE:
So, after this busy day already, I set myself outside with my knitting, put my feet up and trying to figure out where I left off.
Not 5 minutes into my knitting a couple come walking towards our site.
"Are you Debbie?"
"Yes"
"We read your blog!"
So, the tables have been turned. While in Santa Fe, I burst onto a campsite and said sort of the same thing to Brad & Suzanne of RVING & TRAVELS BLOG.
Now we are the "celebrities"! So we met Dave & Teri of FLIP FLOP VECTOR BLOG. I really have a terrible memory and I am currently subscribed to too many blogs. I had to start a spreadsheet to try to keep track of who is who and what they do, etc. I had to admit I didn't know who they were. They said I follow their blog and left a comment also. I did recognize their blog name, but couldn't place any specifics. We had an easy, enjoyable conversation for almost an hour. Too bad they were leaving in the morning.
After they left and I gave up my knitting because it was now getting late, of course I had to power up my computer and "snoop" around their blog. Oooohhhh, of course! These are the new full timers who have a great blog and Dave is a hilarious writer!!!! I can't get through a post of his without laughing. Their blog is a very good read!
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WINE REVIEW:
While in Santa Fe, we visited Don Quixote Distillery & Winery. (post of 4/21/12)
Don Quixote Te Amo SANGRIA
My rating 3 out of 5

Just an average Sangria, smooth red wine with just a touch of fruitiness and sweetness. It was refreshing served over ice on a hot day.
Would probably not buy again.

Pick up your dog's poop!!!!

VENT: Having two dogs, we really appreciate the campgrounds that not only allow dogs, but provide a dog park and poopy bags.  While walking the dogs today, of course I had to pick up their poop. We always carry our own bags even though there were poop bag stations along the way.  So while getting a bag from the dispenser kindly provided by the campground, right there in front of the poop bag dispenser was a small pile of poop. Geeze! I was so frustrated!!!!! All there needs to be are a couple of complaints and bam, dogs not allowed.  This was right in from of the FREE POOPY BAGS!!!!! So of course, I picked it up.
I will admit that I am very predjudiced about little dog owners. Yes, I am generalizing, so if you are a good, responsible little dog owner, then I'm sorry for throwing you in the same group I'm venting about.
Owners of little dogs usually are very lax in discipline and training of their dogs.
Small dogs should be taught obedience and manners.
The little dogs yip, yip, yip at everything.
The little dogs jump, jump, jump.
The majority of poop I see not picked up are little piles.  A pile whether big or small is still SHIT! and should be picked up!!!!

The larger breed dogs are usually better trained and quieter.  It may be partly because of the type of breed, but it is also because if a large dog is not trained, it can be too much to handle, where a little dog even with bad behavior is "cute", at least the owners think so.  I find it totally annoying and irresponsible!

Little dogs should be TAUGHT/TRAINED to not yip, yip at everything that passes near it's space, which seems to include a wide area.
If a large dog barked (since they don't yip) at every passing being, there would be a complaint put in and possibly the large dog would be considered vicious.
Same rules should apply to the little ones.  Your yip/barking is very annoying and will sometimes get even a well trained dog riled up.
Little dogs should be TAUGHT/TRAINED not to keep jumping on people.  At least keep the little dog under control with a leash. It's just bad manners.  Even a little dog can dirty someone's pants with their dirty paws, or put a run in a woman's stockings, etc.
Large dogs are USUALLY taught to not jump and if not, the owner has a good grip on the leash to prevent the jumping.  Yes, this is not only for good manners, but a large dog jumping can cause more damage also.
And lastly, how difficult is it to pick up your little dog's LITTLE poop??!!!???  Little dog poop is so small, you can just seal the bag and stick it in your pocket if you want.
You would think that the large poops would be left since they are more difficult to pick up in one bagful and then we have to carry this 1/2 - 1  pound bag around with us.
If you are a dog owner, whether a large dog or small, there is a responsiblity with that ownership.
TRAINING, LOVE, CLEAN UP, HEALTH CARE, COMFORTABLE SHELTER.  If you can't fulfill what dog ownership entails, don't get a dog! Visit a friend who has a dog, or borrow your friend's dog to get your dog "fix".
Of course, if you have the time, money, and discipline to be responsible for a dog, then save a dog that needs a home. Go to PETFINDER & search for a dog that would fit nicely into your household & lifestyle. Of course there is the rescues I volunteer for:
ABOVE & BEYOND ENGLISH SETTER RESCUE
ADOPT-A-SETTER, IRISH SETTER RESCUE OF NJ
HAVE-A-HEART GUINEA PIG RESCUE
There are rescues for all kinds of animals and yes, pure bred dogs & cats also.
Research the breed first, so you know what to expect.  My heart is with the older dogs.  They are usually much calmer, and just want you to love them in their final years.

RV: Tomorrow we are leaving to our next stop 3 hrs NW.  We're going to another Florida State Park. We've been very happy with FL State Parks even though there is no sewer.  The sites seem to be close together, but yet, it is still quiet & peaceful.
I can't say I'll miss this River Lodge RV Resort. Not a bad place, just forgettable...that is until a a vehicle stopped us while walking our dogs and asked about our setters. They then pointed to the back of their vehicle and in the crate were two BEAUTIFUL BENCH SETTER 4 month old PUPPIES!!~!!! One orange & one blue. What are the chances of that?? More on that under "pets".

RECREATION: We didn't spend much time outside at this place. Weather was fine, but a lot of "no see ums" which are nasty little gnat sized bugs that BITE!!! Plus this wasn't a very scenic area either.
Today, we did finally take a bicycle ride along the WITHLACOOCHEE BAY TRAIL At the Felburn Park Trailhead.  Paved all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Very nice ride. Rode about 12 miles total.
Along the ride I saw my first LIVE Armadillo! The only Armadillo I've seen previously was a road kill in Oklahoma years ago.  And then, we saw another one!  I'm not sure what their enemies are, but they sure didn't seem to be fearful of us until we were very close to them. Then they just kinda shuffled into the brush.  They are cute in an ugly-cute kinda way.

At the end of the bike trail was the Gulf of Mexico. Another first! Scott braved, the no see ums, the sand crabs, and the potential for alligators (sign posted), to be the first of us to wade in the Gulf of Mexico. I was content to be the photographer and wait for a more civilized area to test the Gulf.

PETS: Good news & Bad news:  The good news is yeah!, Devin has two young dogs to play with at the dog park that has been empty all week except for us.  The bad news is we're leaving tomorrow.
We did all meet at the dog park in the center of the RV campground. And yes, they all played and got tired out.

What a difference in the personalities of the two puppy siblings.  The female orange belton (like Lyla) is very mellow, while the male black belton is outgoing and playful.

Eventually even the shy female started joining in playing with the group.

We are still amazed at meeting not just 2 English Setters, but 2 BENCH English Setters, & puppies! What fun while it lasted.