Monday, July 22, 2013
Monday, July 15, 2013
New Friends / New Friendships
by Dianne
Last week we got a call from Dick and Elaine Leu, from Iowa. They were on their way thru Michigan to visit some of Dick's old stomping grounds and to explore the northern part of the State including Mackinaw Island and the Upper Peninsula. We first met Dick and Elaine this past season when they came to Rockport 35 RV Park for their first stay. We always invite friends to stop and visit if they have the time whenever they may be passing thru our area, and we are thrilled when anyone takes us up on the offer.
Last week we got a call from Dick and Elaine Leu, from Iowa. They were on their way thru Michigan to visit some of Dick's old stomping grounds and to explore the northern part of the State including Mackinaw Island and the Upper Peninsula. We first met Dick and Elaine this past season when they came to Rockport 35 RV Park for their first stay. We always invite friends to stop and visit if they have the time whenever they may be passing thru our area, and we are thrilled when anyone takes us up on the offer.
Their timing was great. Every 3 years the tall ships come to Bay City and Rick, Elaine and Dick got to see them come into the mouth of the river from the bay, in full sail. I, however, was up river from them at a previously scheduled luncheon date with friends. Missed it. The ships present quite the picture when under full sail, so I'm told--maybe next time.
The guys got a fishing trip in too, even though the waters on the Bay were a little choppy that day. OK, maybe a tad bit more than choppy since one rolling wave knocked Dick out of his seat. In spite of that they did catch 3 keeper walleye. Guess what was cooked on the grill for dinner that night? Mmm, mmm good.
It was a quick 2 days, but time enough to get to know each other better and to have a great time. We have found that there are a lot of nice people who come to the park from Iowa. Dick and Elaine have been added to our growing list of Iowa friends and we look forward to seeing them again this winter.
.
.
Friday, June 28, 2013
Bob Swanson Passed Away
by Keith
Bob Swanson passed away Thursday, June 27. Bob and Kathy have been active residents of Rockport 35 RV Park for several years.
Their spot near the clubhouse and swimming pool were convenient for Bob, who suffered from lung cancer. He could get to activities with a minimum of exertion. Their location also meant that everyone going to or from activities passed their home, giving a chance for a simple "Hi, Bob!" or a much longer visit.
I remember the strong support Bob gave Kathy regarding her trip to the Philippines (I believe I remembered the location correctly) to learn of her father's activities during WWII. They gave a program on her trip at the clubhouse one evening.
 |
| Bob Swanson Christmas Day, 2011 |
Their spot near the clubhouse and swimming pool were convenient for Bob, who suffered from lung cancer. He could get to activities with a minimum of exertion. Their location also meant that everyone going to or from activities passed their home, giving a chance for a simple "Hi, Bob!" or a much longer visit.
I remember the strong support Bob gave Kathy regarding her trip to the Philippines (I believe I remembered the location correctly) to learn of her father's activities during WWII. They gave a program on her trip at the clubhouse one evening.
 |
| Bob Swanson and Jeanetta Jannsen Pancake Race, February 21, 2012 |
Monday, June 24, 2013
Update from Ron and Connie
by Connie, via Keith
Hello to all of our wonderful Rockport 35 friends! Wanted to let
you know where we are and what we've been doing. We left Rockport on
April 2nd and headed to Branson to meet up with Carol and Jerry Bieglow.
Then found out that my cousin from Iowa was going to be there at the
same time and so we enjoyed time with them at Silver Dollar City. We
headed on to Kansas City, Kansas and spent a month visiting with family
and friends.
Also I got a couple of painting lessons from my daughter, Pam and jumped into acrylic painting with both feet. Attached are a couple of pictures I've painted from the photographs I've taken. I've got six paintings already. I just love it! Guess I can't say anything about Ron and his carving.
From there we headed to Livingston, Montana to visit with our friends who we worked for at the Livingston/Paradise Valley KOA. It is still the most beautiful part of the country for me. Paradise Valley lives up to its name. Also, while we were there, Ron decided he'd like to try bark carving. They had wonderful cottonwood bark at the campground, and Terry said that we were welcome to all we wanted. So we partially stripped a dead cottonwood tree. Now the back of the Jeep is full of cottonwood bark. So guys, he has plenty to share when we get back to Rockport. I've attached the two bark carvings he's done, already giving the first one away to our wonderful campground owner friends. (Well, that's the least he could do after collecting the cottonwood. ) While in Montana, we had to get two new tires for the motorhome and have the front end aligned. It had a bad vibration that continued to get worse.
Then on to Oregon. After crossing the Cascade Mountains, we had a blowout on the front left tire on the Jeep while we were towing. The good Lord was looking over us: we made it through the mountains before it happened, we weren't driving the Jeep at the time, we were in town and not driving highway speeds, a man in back of us saw it happen and had us pull over, and then a truck full of young men stopped immediately and changed the tire for us. God is so Great!!
From there we headed to Livingston, Montana to visit with our friends who we worked for at the Livingston/Paradise Valley KOA. It is still the most beautiful part of the country for me. Paradise Valley lives up to its name. Also, while we were there, Ron decided he'd like to try bark carving. They had wonderful cottonwood bark at the campground, and Terry said that we were welcome to all we wanted. So we partially stripped a dead cottonwood tree. Now the back of the Jeep is full of cottonwood bark. So guys, he has plenty to share when we get back to Rockport. I've attached the two bark carvings he's done, already giving the first one away to our wonderful campground owner friends. (Well, that's the least he could do after collecting the cottonwood. ) While in Montana, we had to get two new tires for the motorhome and have the front end aligned. It had a bad vibration that continued to get worse.
We went to Tillamook for a week to visit the wonderful cheese factory. (We won't need cheese for awhile.) Also other interesting places there. Then we drove down to Bandon on Hwy 101. . We will be here for probably 3 months. (It hasn't hit 70 yet.) But it is beautiful and it's good to be back here. Ron's been carving and I've been painting and doing my Swedish weaving. We found a carving group for Ron and some painting classes for me, so think we'll be busy while we're were here. We're looking forward to visiting the beach and Old Town Bandon, smoking some more tuna and seeing all of you again in Rockport. Take care, we miss all of you!
Blessings to ya'll!
Ron and Connie
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Princess Kate Flips Pancakes
by Keith
Apparently word of the Great 35RV Pancake Race got to England, as this morning on Good Morning America I saw Princess Kate in a pancake race!
She had just christened the ship Royal Princess. Then they filled a bit more time by showing clips of her most important outings since she married Prince William. One or two seconds were devoted to her during a pancake race.
Remember the great times we had at them? People lined the streets to view the process, ably announced by Tom, blow by exciting blow!
Carole (red blouse) and Ron are among the spectators. Both passed away later last year.
Actually, this event was introduced to the park by Pam, who is originally from England and now lives in Canada with her husband, Prince Geoff. It's therefore entirely possible that Princess Kate knew about Pancake Races even before she read the report of them on this blog.
We had lots of "Princesses and Princes" at Rockport 35 RV Park. Even those who don't enter the pancake races are royalty! To the right, Pam demonstrates proper form, learned during years of practice internationally. She's flipped in three countries, at least: England, Canada, and USA. Who to better learn from!
Here we see Prince Ron in deep concentration, trying to make certain the pancake ends up in the middle of the pan.
This story proves, if nothing else, that you can never tell when a picture will come in handy! That's why I took quite a few. It's good to look through them and remember the times we had with great people.
In fact, I'm going to put two more pictures here—just because I can!
Enjoy remembering the great times!
Apparently word of the Great 35RV Pancake Race got to England, as this morning on Good Morning America I saw Princess Kate in a pancake race!
She had just christened the ship Royal Princess. Then they filled a bit more time by showing clips of her most important outings since she married Prince William. One or two seconds were devoted to her during a pancake race.
 |
| Pancake Race at Rockport 35 RV Park February, 2012 |
Carole (red blouse) and Ron are among the spectators. Both passed away later last year.
Actually, this event was introduced to the park by Pam, who is originally from England and now lives in Canada with her husband, Prince Geoff. It's therefore entirely possible that Princess Kate knew about Pancake Races even before she read the report of them on this blog.
 |
| Princess Pam, trying to win for her team. |
 |
| Prince Ron, Concentrating! |
Here we see Prince Ron in deep concentration, trying to make certain the pancake ends up in the middle of the pan.
This story proves, if nothing else, that you can never tell when a picture will come in handy! That's why I took quite a few. It's good to look through them and remember the times we had with great people.
In fact, I'm going to put two more pictures here—just because I can!
 |
| Nurse Bev, the Princess Nurse |
 |
| Denins, Our Menace Prince! |
Monday, June 3, 2013
Helen Making Her Way Northward
By Helen, via Keith
Admissions:
The weather was beautiful today, but I can not take credit for it.
Admissions:
- I received this well over a week ago.
- I didn't post it right away.
- I ---ah, er--- forgot about it. (Sorry, Helen.)
* * * * *
Helen Fahlsing here.....started my trek north
in my little trailer on Monday May 20. Spending some time visiting with
friends in central TX and will head on to Iowa June 10. Have
reservations at Shady Oaks Campground in Marshalltown IA -- same place
as usual, kinda like 'going home!" Just thought I'd let you know you
have until then to get that Iowa weather straightened out!
This being the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln
Highway (and Shady Oaks in right on the old Lincoln Highway) I'm
looking forward to the caravan of vintage vehicles making the trip from
Times Square in NYC, the starting point of HWY 30. They just finished
loading a freighter in Sweden with vintage cars from around Europe, to
make the voyage across the "pond" to join the trip. Just can't wait to
see all of those amazing vehicles.
Hope all is well with you and your family. Missed you last winter.
Helen
Parked the 5th Wheel in Rockport TX
Forest River Surveyor - my summer home for Iowa!
* * * *
The weather was beautiful today, but I can not take credit for it.
Helen mentioned the Lincoln Highway. That is US-30 and runs E-W across Iowa, roughly 25 miles north of I-80. It was the way across the country before Interstate highways.
I'm no familiar with the topography of her campground, but it is entirely possible that it might have been flooded. It is near the Iowa River, which was filled to overflowing in that area last week. In any event, it should be ready to welcome Helen when she arrives.
And, Yes, Pat and I are doing fine. And we certainly missed all our friends at Rockport 35 RV Park last winter!
Keith
.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Julee's Contribution
by Keith
We just returned from the Memorial Day program in my hometown, Lime Springs, Iowa. Waiting for me was an email from Julee with a link to the video below.
I thought it especially appropriate, so am posting it for your enjoyment and thought.
As far as I know, neither Julee nor I have any relationship to the speaker, but I wish I did. He sounds like a level-headed person who clearly appreciates what he—and we—have in this wonderful country.
We just returned from the Memorial Day program in my hometown, Lime Springs, Iowa. Waiting for me was an email from Julee with a link to the video below.
I thought it especially appropriate, so am posting it for your enjoyment and thought.
As far as I know, neither Julee nor I have any relationship to the speaker, but I wish I did. He sounds like a level-headed person who clearly appreciates what he—and we—have in this wonderful country.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
