Financial Folly?
-
Has the financial impact of high gas prices, the shrinking dollar,
joblessness and homelessness finally caught up with the Hulsebus family?
Have they now ...
17 years ago
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
Dave's Parents Arrive in Florida!
In an effort to stay current with our blog here is a catchup post. As mentioned we stayed a night at The Great Outdoors, RV, Nature & Golf Resort in Titusville, FL. In the morning the boys and I got all cleaned up. We cleaned the inside of our motorhome, did the laundry and all took showers in preparation for my parent's arrival. We even got a car wash for our Saturn Vue "pull car." It was great picking up Pop and DeeDee from the Orlando airport and welcoming them into our "home." I gave up the "master bedroom" to my folks and decided to give our new leather pull-out coach I installed the other day an overnight try. The next day, after a run, homeschool, and some business I had to attended to, we we're off. We really didn't get very far though as we decided to stay the night at the Jetty Park Campground in Port Canaveral. This location is right there where cruise ships sail out into the Atlantic. (A few years ago Pop and DeeDee celebrated their 40th Anniversary and my mom's 60th birthday by taking the whole family, 14 in all at the time, to Disney World. The vacation included a 3 night stay on Disney's cruise ship, The Wonder. It was a fantastic family vacation!)
After getting set and giving the kids a chance to climb a tree, we headed out for a bite to eat at a Mexican restaurant. After dinner we stopped by the Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach to pick up some much needed gear for Florida's playgrounds (bathing suit, flip-flops, volleyball, boogie board, skim board, etc). A little more laundry at night, then bedtime.
We had a long day of driving on Friday (Saturday Cindi arrived into Miami) so after a run on a beautiful beach we headed south. We stayed on Florida's scenic A1A and hugged the coast to get an occasional gorgeous view of the Atlantic Ocean out on the left and intercoastal waters on the right. We veered inland near Vero Beach and realized this was once Dogertown back in the day (I grew up a huge LA Dodgers baseball fan). So we took a minor detour to check out the old facilities. And that is pretty much what we found old facilities. Dodgertown is now ghostown. So we took a couple pictures and moved on. Over the last several days I had my eye on pulling through the only Blue Beacon Truck/RV Wash in Florida.., at Fort Pierce. Having been parked outside over our 7 week holiday trip to California she needed a good shower. That is exactly what she got. Then the 65mph blow dry. For dinner, nothing too exciting. We truthfully stopped at one of those rest stops with food (common back east but not at all out west). After the stop we continued south until Miami where we tried to stay a night in the parking lot of the Miccosukee Casino west of Miami. Since it was Friday night it was absolutely packed. So we do what we always do and drove to a WM near the Miami Airport.
After getting set and giving the kids a chance to climb a tree, we headed out for a bite to eat at a Mexican restaurant. After dinner we stopped by the Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach to pick up some much needed gear for Florida's playgrounds (bathing suit, flip-flops, volleyball, boogie board, skim board, etc). A little more laundry at night, then bedtime.
We had a long day of driving on Friday (Saturday Cindi arrived into Miami) so after a run on a beautiful beach we headed south. We stayed on Florida's scenic A1A and hugged the coast to get an occasional gorgeous view of the Atlantic Ocean out on the left and intercoastal waters on the right. We veered inland near Vero Beach and realized this was once Dogertown back in the day (I grew up a huge LA Dodgers baseball fan). So we took a minor detour to check out the old facilities. And that is pretty much what we found old facilities. Dodgertown is now ghostown. So we took a couple pictures and moved on. Over the last several days I had my eye on pulling through the only Blue Beacon Truck/RV Wash in Florida.., at Fort Pierce. Having been parked outside over our 7 week holiday trip to California she needed a good shower. That is exactly what she got. Then the 65mph blow dry. For dinner, nothing too exciting. We truthfully stopped at one of those rest stops with food (common back east but not at all out west). After the stop we continued south until Miami where we tried to stay a night in the parking lot of the Miccosukee Casino west of Miami. Since it was Friday night it was absolutely packed. So we do what we always do and drove to a WM near the Miami Airport.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Kennedy Space Center
A few months ago I checked out NASA's website and "discovered" (not meant to be a pun) the Discovery Space Shuttle was scheduled to launch on Thursday, Feb 12. So a few months ago I knew where I was going to be with my family on Feb 12.
Years ago, I had to conduct some business in Florida so Cindi and I were in Daytona Beach using free nights at the Hilton (with all my free points) excited about watching a shuttle launch. "8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3..." They stopped the launch due to some technical whatever. Bummer. We did get to see it go up from the Orlando Hilton parking lot (an hour + drive away) a few days later but it wasn't the same. So I was not going to let this opportunity escape. What a great experience for the kids not to mention us.
We ventured south from our oceanfront spot and ended up getting into Titusville, FL after dark so placed the RV in a Cracker Barrel parking lot for the night. For those who don't know, Cracker Barrel is a homecookin' restraraunt with a county store, almost always on a main highway. They happen to pride themselves on being RV friendly. It was about then that I discovered the Space Shuttle launch, set for Thursday, had been POSTPONED! Suck! At that point the websites stated the Shuttle would launch no earlier than Feb 22! My first thought was... we might be able to work that into our schedule... (the fact is... we really don't even have a schedule ;-) ).
With the change in launch date I decided to change our plans as well. I decided to take the kids to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Visitor's Complex. I thought it might be crowded so I got there at 8:15 am. That certainly wasn't necessary. At 9, when they opened I think there were 9 cars (and 1 huge RV) in the parking lot. Hey, good for us though. The prices were a bit steep at $38 for me and $28 the kids but the tickets were good for 2 days. We headed first to their newest attraction, the Shuttle Launch Experience. Kind of like a Disney Star Tours but better. You basically simulate a Space Shuttle takeoff. A good start. Then we hit the IMAX Space Station 3D movie followed by the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Bus Tour. The first stop on the tour was the LC-39 Observation Gantry. We could see in the not so far distance Pad 39A&B. 39A actually already had the Discovery Shuttle on the pad ready to go (well apparently not so ready). The second stop was the Apollo/Saturn V Center with some very cool stuff (it's getting late--can you tell?). The third stop, the International Space Station Center, we didn't even go to as there was an ammonia leak. That was about all the kids could take for the day. They did enjoy the freeze dried space ice cream (Pey) and the Space Dots Ice Cream (Tan & SC). We crashed that night at one of our old favorites, WM.
The next morning I leisurely pulled into the KSC at 9 am. No big crowds. Believe it or not there were quite a few attractions we still had yet to experience. We toured the Robot Scouts exhibit, the Rocket Garden, and the Children's Playzone. One of the highlights for me was the Astronaut Encounter where we listened to a real astronaut, in our case it was Roger Crouch (payload specialist). He talked for about 30 minutes then we all got a photo with him after his presentation. There were several interesting things he said in his presentation but one thing that stuck with me was this. Someone asked if going up in space was the best thing he's ever done. I guess part of you expects him to say, "yes,' because the whole astronaut things is so amazing and so few people actually get such an experience (approx. 500), but he actually nonchalantly said he lists it in his Top 10. ?!? He went on to say that finding love and marrying his wife, raising kids, and having grand kids, rank so much higher. It really makes sense though. It is awesome to see the Earth from space and see all the stars and be in awe of God's creation but what really brings happiness is family, giving, faith, hope and love.
OK got deep there. We then lightening our day up by going to the Mad Mission to Mars (described as a Zany Kid's show). Sterling volunteered to hold Mars on stage which was fine till he started to ham-it-up and dropped Mars--good thing there are no living life forms on the planet. Lastly we caught another IMAX movie about our moon entitled, "Magnificent Desolation." To finish off the day we drove a few miles to the US Astronaut Hall of Fame. Lots of reading, plaques, articles and memorabilia. Hate to say it, but that was exactly what the kids didn't need. So we took the abridged self-guided tour of the building and called it a day.
We finally actually stayed at a RV Park, The Great Outdoors, RV, Nature & Golf Resort in Titusville, FL.
Years ago, I had to conduct some business in Florida so Cindi and I were in Daytona Beach using free nights at the Hilton (with all my free points) excited about watching a shuttle launch. "8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3..." They stopped the launch due to some technical whatever. Bummer. We did get to see it go up from the Orlando Hilton parking lot (an hour + drive away) a few days later but it wasn't the same. So I was not going to let this opportunity escape. What a great experience for the kids not to mention us.
We ventured south from our oceanfront spot and ended up getting into Titusville, FL after dark so placed the RV in a Cracker Barrel parking lot for the night. For those who don't know, Cracker Barrel is a homecookin' restraraunt with a county store, almost always on a main highway. They happen to pride themselves on being RV friendly. It was about then that I discovered the Space Shuttle launch, set for Thursday, had been POSTPONED! Suck! At that point the websites stated the Shuttle would launch no earlier than Feb 22! My first thought was... we might be able to work that into our schedule... (the fact is... we really don't even have a schedule ;-) ).
With the change in launch date I decided to change our plans as well. I decided to take the kids to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Visitor's Complex. I thought it might be crowded so I got there at 8:15 am. That certainly wasn't necessary. At 9, when they opened I think there were 9 cars (and 1 huge RV) in the parking lot. Hey, good for us though. The prices were a bit steep at $38 for me and $28 the kids but the tickets were good for 2 days. We headed first to their newest attraction, the Shuttle Launch Experience. Kind of like a Disney Star Tours but better. You basically simulate a Space Shuttle takeoff. A good start. Then we hit the IMAX Space Station 3D movie followed by the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) Bus Tour. The first stop on the tour was the LC-39 Observation Gantry. We could see in the not so far distance Pad 39A&B. 39A actually already had the Discovery Shuttle on the pad ready to go (well apparently not so ready). The second stop was the Apollo/Saturn V Center with some very cool stuff (it's getting late--can you tell?). The third stop, the International Space Station Center, we didn't even go to as there was an ammonia leak. That was about all the kids could take for the day. They did enjoy the freeze dried space ice cream (Pey) and the Space Dots Ice Cream (Tan & SC). We crashed that night at one of our old favorites, WM.
The next morning I leisurely pulled into the KSC at 9 am. No big crowds. Believe it or not there were quite a few attractions we still had yet to experience. We toured the Robot Scouts exhibit, the Rocket Garden, and the Children's Playzone. One of the highlights for me was the Astronaut Encounter where we listened to a real astronaut, in our case it was Roger Crouch (payload specialist). He talked for about 30 minutes then we all got a photo with him after his presentation. There were several interesting things he said in his presentation but one thing that stuck with me was this. Someone asked if going up in space was the best thing he's ever done. I guess part of you expects him to say, "yes,' because the whole astronaut things is so amazing and so few people actually get such an experience (approx. 500), but he actually nonchalantly said he lists it in his Top 10. ?!? He went on to say that finding love and marrying his wife, raising kids, and having grand kids, rank so much higher. It really makes sense though. It is awesome to see the Earth from space and see all the stars and be in awe of God's creation but what really brings happiness is family, giving, faith, hope and love.
OK got deep there. We then lightening our day up by going to the Mad Mission to Mars (described as a Zany Kid's show). Sterling volunteered to hold Mars on stage which was fine till he started to ham-it-up and dropped Mars--good thing there are no living life forms on the planet. Lastly we caught another IMAX movie about our moon entitled, "Magnificent Desolation." To finish off the day we drove a few miles to the US Astronaut Hall of Fame. Lots of reading, plaques, articles and memorabilia. Hate to say it, but that was exactly what the kids didn't need. So we took the abridged self-guided tour of the building and called it a day.
We finally actually stayed at a RV Park, The Great Outdoors, RV, Nature & Golf Resort in Titusville, FL.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Beverly Beach, Florida
The kids own and love watching the Pink Panther (Steve Martin) on DVD. So when we saw advertisements for the Pink Panther months ago we earmarked Friday, February 6. We went to a Cinemark Theater because we had free everything coupons from Century Theaters (Cinemark acquired Century). As with many sequels the first one was better than the second one. Actually can anyone think of a movie where the follow-on was better? I thought Toy Story II was better than the first athough I enjoyed both. Tanner says the Harry Potter movies. BTW, Tanner just finished the 7th, and final, Harry Potter book. A major accomplishment!
I just watched a beautiful sunrise his morning over the might Atlantic. We'll get back to that.
After the movie we drove south, hopefully to warmer parts Florida. Actually the warmer weather is headed into the entire state. I picked out an RV Resort right on the beach but at $85 per night it would break our high night record and since it was late we crashed in a Camping World parking lot (with the other 6 overnighters). First time overnight in a Camping World, but I bought some stuff there in the morning which help makes it OK. Then, after topping off the Monaco diesel tank we locked Beverly Beach into "Lola" (our navigation system). We paid $2.15 per gallon. OK, no one is going to get too excited about this but I sure did. Every time we're about to refill our 100 gallon diesel tank we log onto gasbuddy.com. This is a website that helps find the cheapest gas prices. Well... last week after we reloaded our motorhome with the 11 pieces of luggage, dragged on the plane, and left the Atlanta area, I needed to "fill 'er up." I found a Kroger Supermarket gas station with diesel for $1.97! This was at least 15 (where is the cents key? It used to be on our OLD typewriter when I was growing up) cheaper than any other place. But more importantly it was $1.97! I even joined there dumb Kroger Club for 12 seconds (that's how long I had their Club Card before I threw it in the trash can). (Question for our English readers? Do you call it a Rubbish Can?) By joining their club I saved an additional $.03. So I paid $1.94 per US gallon (not Imperial gallon). That is definitely a record and far from the $5.00+ I paid in Canada. OK, where the BEEP was I?
On our way to Beverly Beach we passed through St. Augustine. This cities claim to fame is --> where North America was Discovered. Alright we've been traveling for 9 months (less the 7 week Christmas break we took back in CA) and do you know how many places claim to be thee first? In Massachusuetts we learned it was the Pilgrims, but that was 1620, then we went to Virginia where the Virginians said Jamestown was settled in 1607. St. Augustine says they have the first historical site where Ponce de Leon (I remember this guy from the 5th grade--explorers) came ashore to landmark and record "for all time the first moment of our nation's history -- the Discovery of North America." Wait a minute. What about, "1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue?" He hit some islands considered to be part of North America, right? What about Leif Ericson who landed in NewFoundland in the year of our Lord 1001! Huh? ... Huh? Not to be out done we ALL know who really discovered North America though -- the North American Indians!!! Approximately 10,000 years ago!!!! Much earlier on our motorhome trip we did visit the oldest continuously inhabited village in North America. It was a Hopi Indian Village called Oraibi, settled around 1100. We have our winners!
Back to Ponce de Leon. You could say that he pretty much failed actually. He was looking for the Fountain of Youth. Fool! A fountain that keeps you young forever. He sailed all the way across the Atlantic thinking he'd actually find such magical waters. Didn't they have Bibles in Spanish back in 1513? All he had to do was read one. You know, the part that says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). Oh well, hope he eventually found that one. I HAVE! ... HAVE YOU? You all better say "yes" blogger friends. I want to see you all later.
Anyway we passed on the not so magical waters and made it to Beverly Beach Camptown RV Resort. Our RV spot was right on the beach. It was awesome! I would have loved to stay and kick back for several days but because the Daytona 500 is next weekend the 85 bucks (58 quid) Saturday rate was elevating to $115 so we just stayed for 1 night. The kids and I had a great time on the beach. Tanner favors golf, Sterling football with a little baseball mixed in and Peyton castles and digging serious holes looking for treasure. I managed to get a 52 minute run (scratch that--jog) in early in the morning after I woke up early and watched the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean and a few scattered clouds. It was beautiful. Only Cindi would have made the scenery more beautiful. It's places like this that are worth it.
(I'll try to post some pics at some point)
We are really excited that my folks, Pop and DeeDee, are flying out this Wednesday for a week to visit us. Unfortunately the Space Shuttle launch set for Thursday has been delayed but the Keys won't escape us!
I just watched a beautiful sunrise his morning over the might Atlantic. We'll get back to that.
After the movie we drove south, hopefully to warmer parts Florida. Actually the warmer weather is headed into the entire state. I picked out an RV Resort right on the beach but at $85 per night it would break our high night record and since it was late we crashed in a Camping World parking lot (with the other 6 overnighters). First time overnight in a Camping World, but I bought some stuff there in the morning which help makes it OK. Then, after topping off the Monaco diesel tank we locked Beverly Beach into "Lola" (our navigation system). We paid $2.15 per gallon. OK, no one is going to get too excited about this but I sure did. Every time we're about to refill our 100 gallon diesel tank we log onto gasbuddy.com. This is a website that helps find the cheapest gas prices. Well... last week after we reloaded our motorhome with the 11 pieces of luggage, dragged on the plane, and left the Atlanta area, I needed to "fill 'er up." I found a Kroger Supermarket gas station with diesel for $1.97! This was at least 15 (where is the cents key? It used to be on our OLD typewriter when I was growing up) cheaper than any other place. But more importantly it was $1.97! I even joined there dumb Kroger Club for 12 seconds (that's how long I had their Club Card before I threw it in the trash can). (Question for our English readers? Do you call it a Rubbish Can?) By joining their club I saved an additional $.03. So I paid $1.94 per US gallon (not Imperial gallon). That is definitely a record and far from the $5.00+ I paid in Canada. OK, where the BEEP was I?
On our way to Beverly Beach we passed through St. Augustine. This cities claim to fame is --> where North America was Discovered. Alright we've been traveling for 9 months (less the 7 week Christmas break we took back in CA) and do you know how many places claim to be thee first? In Massachusuetts we learned it was the Pilgrims, but that was 1620, then we went to Virginia where the Virginians said Jamestown was settled in 1607. St. Augustine says they have the first historical site where Ponce de Leon (I remember this guy from the 5th grade--explorers) came ashore to landmark and record "for all time the first moment of our nation's history -- the Discovery of North America." Wait a minute. What about, "1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue?" He hit some islands considered to be part of North America, right? What about Leif Ericson who landed in NewFoundland in the year of our Lord 1001! Huh? ... Huh? Not to be out done we ALL know who really discovered North America though -- the North American Indians!!! Approximately 10,000 years ago!!!! Much earlier on our motorhome trip we did visit the oldest continuously inhabited village in North America. It was a Hopi Indian Village called Oraibi, settled around 1100. We have our winners!
Back to Ponce de Leon. You could say that he pretty much failed actually. He was looking for the Fountain of Youth. Fool! A fountain that keeps you young forever. He sailed all the way across the Atlantic thinking he'd actually find such magical waters. Didn't they have Bibles in Spanish back in 1513? All he had to do was read one. You know, the part that says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). Oh well, hope he eventually found that one. I HAVE! ... HAVE YOU? You all better say "yes" blogger friends. I want to see you all later.
Anyway we passed on the not so magical waters and made it to Beverly Beach Camptown RV Resort. Our RV spot was right on the beach. It was awesome! I would have loved to stay and kick back for several days but because the Daytona 500 is next weekend the 85 bucks (58 quid) Saturday rate was elevating to $115 so we just stayed for 1 night. The kids and I had a great time on the beach. Tanner favors golf, Sterling football with a little baseball mixed in and Peyton castles and digging serious holes looking for treasure. I managed to get a 52 minute run (scratch that--jog) in early in the morning after I woke up early and watched the sun rise over the Atlantic Ocean and a few scattered clouds. It was beautiful. Only Cindi would have made the scenery more beautiful. It's places like this that are worth it.
(I'll try to post some pics at some point)
We are really excited that my folks, Pop and DeeDee, are flying out this Wednesday for a week to visit us. Unfortunately the Space Shuttle launch set for Thursday has been delayed but the Keys won't escape us!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Jacksonville, Florida
I went outside to take a run early this morning and there was FROST on the ground. This is FLORIDA people! It's supposed to be warm... isn't it? Well it is early February. At least were still not back in Ely, Minnesota where it was -5 degrees the other day. I'll take Florida. Plus I see some 80's in the near future.
OK, we're back on the road and I need to keep up with this blog thing. After briefly touring Savannah, Georgia we headed south through some rain and into Florida (our 37th state!). We crossed the boarder and took the Visitor's Center exit. It was closed but we decided to shut it down for the night and hang out with all the other RV'rs. (See this trip isn't always that glamorous and exciting). In the morning, after getting free orange juice, in the Visitor's Center we headed further south to Jacksonville. Anyone see the Denny's commercial during the Superbowl, "Free GrandSlam Breakfast to everyone in America... really." We weren't kidding ourselves, we knew it would be packed but we thought we'd swing by anyway. It was crazy. Like a downtown soup kitchen on Thanksgiving. Free food draws out the multitudes. We thought about standing in line for a couple seconds but then I figured with 5 large orange juices (don't think those were free) and a huge, generous tip it would have cost about the same as going a different day. Maybe we'll just go on a birthday and get one free meal. But then again, maybe not. I don't think I've ever actually done that. Do they still give you a free meal on your birthday?
We planted the RV at the Flamingo Lake RV Resort. Sorry no pictures. We spent 3 nights here just getting back into the grove. Taking homeschool seriously first and foremost, stocking the refrigerator and cupboards with food, doing laundry, getting organized, and all the other fun stuff. Cindi had a flight out Thursday early. She has a show in Palm Springs then heads off Sunday to Hawaii. That must be tough. Actually in her defense she doesn't get to see the outdoors much. So for the next 10 days it is me and the kids and I'm looking forward to it. It will be work hard (school) and play hard (serious fun). OK that's it for now--just trying to get something logged here so I don't fall behind. Chow!
OK, we're back on the road and I need to keep up with this blog thing. After briefly touring Savannah, Georgia we headed south through some rain and into Florida (our 37th state!). We crossed the boarder and took the Visitor's Center exit. It was closed but we decided to shut it down for the night and hang out with all the other RV'rs. (See this trip isn't always that glamorous and exciting). In the morning, after getting free orange juice, in the Visitor's Center we headed further south to Jacksonville. Anyone see the Denny's commercial during the Superbowl, "Free GrandSlam Breakfast to everyone in America... really." We weren't kidding ourselves, we knew it would be packed but we thought we'd swing by anyway. It was crazy. Like a downtown soup kitchen on Thanksgiving. Free food draws out the multitudes. We thought about standing in line for a couple seconds but then I figured with 5 large orange juices (don't think those were free) and a huge, generous tip it would have cost about the same as going a different day. Maybe we'll just go on a birthday and get one free meal. But then again, maybe not. I don't think I've ever actually done that. Do they still give you a free meal on your birthday?
We planted the RV at the Flamingo Lake RV Resort. Sorry no pictures. We spent 3 nights here just getting back into the grove. Taking homeschool seriously first and foremost, stocking the refrigerator and cupboards with food, doing laundry, getting organized, and all the other fun stuff. Cindi had a flight out Thursday early. She has a show in Palm Springs then heads off Sunday to Hawaii. That must be tough. Actually in her defense she doesn't get to see the outdoors much. So for the next 10 days it is me and the kids and I'm looking forward to it. It will be work hard (school) and play hard (serious fun). OK that's it for now--just trying to get something logged here so I don't fall behind. Chow!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
WE'RE BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN!
Cue the music... "On the Road Again..."
You think we would take it nice and slow as we enter the motorhome life again, but noooo... we jumped right back into a crazy pace. We're supposed to be slowing life down not speeding it up. Well on Thursday, January 29th the 3 boys and I managed to make it all onto the same United flights from Sacramento to Atlanta (Thank God--long crazy story but when you use free mileage you're at the mercy of the airlines. Originally, all I could get was the 3 kids on Thursday and me on Saturday. By the way Cindi had a Get Motivated Show in Huntsville, Alabama so she had flown back East a flew days earlier). Anybody confused yet?
Well we arrived back into Atlanta Thursday at midnight. We were so glad to see mommy and the pillows at the Hyatt Park Hotel just south of the airport. We all slept in then grabbed some "free" breakfast downstairs. Our friends Papa Aaron and Silvia graciously picked us (and our 11 pieces of luggage) up and brought us back to the 38 acres they live on near Bowman, GA where our Motorcoach and pull car (a 40' Monaco Diplomat and a Saturn Vue for those new to our blog) had been stored for the last 7 weeks.
On Saturday morning Silvia cooked us a fabulous breakfast with eggs, bacon, waffles etc. They were such great hosts. We thank God for them and their giving hearts. After some target practice with some 22s and a hand gun on the property we said our thank yous and good byes and headed out. Honestly, we weren't even sure where we were headed...honestly, just somewhere warmer. So we placed a target on the closest beach... Savannah, Georgia. The drive was, for some reason, way longer than we thought it was going to be and we didn't arrive until after 11:00pm. We decided to stay at the River's End Campground and RV Park on Tybee Island. Off to a nice exhausting pace!?!? I know, nothing too exciting or funny and no photos but at least we have a new post. YEAH!!
HAPPY belated NEW YEAR to everyone! 2009!! Everybody enjoy USC's dominating 38 to 24 Rose Bowl victory over Penn State? SC finished #3 in the AP Poll and #2 in the USA Today Poll. For those really keeping score the mighty Trojans are on a phoenominal 7 year run. Between 2002 and 2008 we have finished each season with the following National AP ranking of #4, #1, #1, #2, #4, #3, #3. Gotta LOVE that!
You think we would take it nice and slow as we enter the motorhome life again, but noooo... we jumped right back into a crazy pace. We're supposed to be slowing life down not speeding it up. Well on Thursday, January 29th the 3 boys and I managed to make it all onto the same United flights from Sacramento to Atlanta (Thank God--long crazy story but when you use free mileage you're at the mercy of the airlines. Originally, all I could get was the 3 kids on Thursday and me on Saturday. By the way Cindi had a Get Motivated Show in Huntsville, Alabama so she had flown back East a flew days earlier). Anybody confused yet?
Well we arrived back into Atlanta Thursday at midnight. We were so glad to see mommy and the pillows at the Hyatt Park Hotel just south of the airport. We all slept in then grabbed some "free" breakfast downstairs. Our friends Papa Aaron and Silvia graciously picked us (and our 11 pieces of luggage) up and brought us back to the 38 acres they live on near Bowman, GA where our Motorcoach and pull car (a 40' Monaco Diplomat and a Saturn Vue for those new to our blog) had been stored for the last 7 weeks.
On Saturday morning Silvia cooked us a fabulous breakfast with eggs, bacon, waffles etc. They were such great hosts. We thank God for them and their giving hearts. After some target practice with some 22s and a hand gun on the property we said our thank yous and good byes and headed out. Honestly, we weren't even sure where we were headed...honestly, just somewhere warmer. So we placed a target on the closest beach... Savannah, Georgia. The drive was, for some reason, way longer than we thought it was going to be and we didn't arrive until after 11:00pm. We decided to stay at the River's End Campground and RV Park on Tybee Island. Off to a nice exhausting pace!?!? I know, nothing too exciting or funny and no photos but at least we have a new post. YEAH!!
HAPPY belated NEW YEAR to everyone! 2009!! Everybody enjoy USC's dominating 38 to 24 Rose Bowl victory over Penn State? SC finished #3 in the AP Poll and #2 in the USA Today Poll. For those really keeping score the mighty Trojans are on a phoenominal 7 year run. Between 2002 and 2008 we have finished each season with the following National AP ranking of #4, #1, #1, #2, #4, #3, #3. Gotta LOVE that!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Home for the Holidays!
The Hulsebus Family Dream is continuing, however, we are back in California for the holidays! In a strange way it almost feels like we are on vacation (everyone can roll their eyes). We flew back on Tuesday, December 9th into Sacramento to stay with my folks in Granite Bay. Over the next month we will be staying at the Rancho Las Plamas Resort in Palm Springs (a place Cindi and I vacationed 15 years ago), my grampa McDonald's 1927 cabin in Big Bear (I love this place), Palmdale (to spend Christmas with Cindi's sister and parents), LA (to attend Cindi's family's Chanukah party), the OC (to stay with the always hospitable Baker family in Ladera Ranch) and then back to Granite Bay for a week with my family and lots of our hometown friends. We are looking forward to spending some much needed time with missed family and friends. Well try to catch up on the blog as well. Merry "Christ"mas and Happy Holidays!
*<|(;-O}> Ho Ho Ho!
*<|(;-O}> Ho Ho Ho!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
BACK POSTS
Just wanted you to know that we added a back post...Fort McHenry...We just added it, but you will have to go back a few posts to find it.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Washington DC, Virginia and North Carolina (catch up blogging)
After Baltimore we headed south to Washington DC area. Since we had taken a week long trip last year to DC we just spent acouple days here. We stayed north at the Cherry Hill RV Park. We only went into DC one day and after driving past some of our favorite sites we parked and we into the "kid's portion" of the Holocaust Museum. With Cindi's Jewish family blood we wanted to give the kids a lighter dose of this incredible world tradegy. We ate that night north of the OMNI Hotel in North DC where we had stayed a year and a half before. We remembered this burito place beacuase the California is in its name and I tried the hottest hot sauce on their wall of options last time and almost died. I think its called Dave's Gourmet Insanity Hot Sauce.
The next day we pulled out and went to Mount Vernon, George Washington's house. We missed this on our previous trip to DC. We saw the entry movie and then toured the house and the grounds. The newer museum at the end of the tour was very impressive and informative.
After a night in a WalMart and some shopping at some outlet malls. Then headed to Richmond, VA
The next day we pulled out and went to Mount Vernon, George Washington's house. We missed this on our previous trip to DC. We saw the entry movie and then toured the house and the grounds. The newer museum at the end of the tour was very impressive and informative.
After a night in a WalMart and some shopping at some outlet malls. Then headed to Richmond, VA
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
It was the 3 kids and me once again experiencing the Hulsebus Family Dream. We dropped Cindi off early at the Florence, SC airport and made our way to probably once of the largest RV parks we've visited yet. It's called PirateLand Family Camping Resort and is located along the coastline in Myrtle Beach. We got the best spot in the entire park right in front of the Atlantic Ocean. Considering it is late Novemember / early December though this place is a ghost town. Anyway we love our "pull through" spot. We wish the weather was a little better though. We decided to plant it for a while, 7 nights to be exact. The better part of the first 2 days we stayed inside as it pretty much rained nonstop. This gave us lots of inside-the-motorhome time... just what we needed.. haha! Actually the kids have been doing some good reading. Last week Tanner finished the 870 page "Harry Potter Order of the Phoenix" (5th book) and this last week he started AND FINISHED the 6th book, "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" (652 pages!). Sterling and I read "Football Genius" by Tim Green a few weeks ago. Then he read another football book. Now he's reading Football Double Threat by Matt Christopher. There is a theme here with Sterling that is quite obvious. He LOVES Football! Peyton is our reader in training. He is starting to read and is doing a great job. He is beginning to read all sorts of starter books primarily the ones that are part of his Sing, Spell, Read and Write homeschooling kit.
As the weather got better we were able to get out more and exercise, play on the beach, and feed the seagulls. 
On the third night we drove into the city of Myrtle Beach. We found a nice shopping/restaraunt/entertainment area called Broadway on the Beach. We decided to catch a bite to eat at Senior Frogs. I know, it sounds like a place your supposed to visit when you go ashore on a Mexican Cruise. Actually, I think I've been to one of these places in Mexico... uuhh...anyway, if I have, I don't remember ;-) Well it was very calm inside as we were pretty much the one ones eating dinner in the place. We were going to walk around after dinner but it started to rain so we dipped into an "It's Candy" candy store. Funny thing is we didn't even need to buy any because the samples they were offering were these huge (biggest samples we've ever gotten) chocolate, marshmellow blocks that they easily served as our dessert. The next day we got some sun so we tried to spend a decent amount of time outside after our homeschool. Peyton and I built a rocket back in Minnesota and had yet to launch it off so we decided the time had come. Now, there were signs saying no fireworks, but a rocket is not really a firework (...right?...) so we set up the lauching device next to our motorhome and started the countdown.... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BLASTOFF! Peyton got the honors to push the launch button. Now we knew there was an easterly breeze but we didn't really know how high this rocket would travel. We were absolutley amazed how high this rocket shot into the air. Sterling, who was on the beach hoping to catch it, had no chance. The rocket went so high that it made it into the gulfstream. The parachute deployed properly and begin to float down but the breeze carried it out over the ocean and gave our rocket a realistic Apollo splashdown in the Atlantic. "...There were no survivors." Eventhough we only got the chance to shoot it off once the kids thought it was awesome. We need to buy another rocket. We decided we liked the powerful engines tough.That night since we hadn't swam in the indoor pool we made it a priority. Nothing fancy just a rectangular heated pool and a hot tub. We played, swam a few laps and I got to assume my normal pool role of kid-launcher. The kids had fun stacking themselves 3 high, Peyton on Tanner's shoulders and Tanner on Sterling's shoulders. Lots of laughs!
On the third night we drove into the city of Myrtle Beach. We found a nice shopping/restaraunt/entertainment area called Broadway on the Beach. We decided to catch a bite to eat at Senior Frogs. I know, it sounds like a place your supposed to visit when you go ashore on a Mexican Cruise. Actually, I think I've been to one of these places in Mexico... uuhh...anyway, if I have, I don't remember ;-) Well it was very calm inside as we were pretty much the one ones eating dinner in the place. We were going to walk around after dinner but it started to rain so we dipped into an "It's Candy" candy store. Funny thing is we didn't even need to buy any because the samples they were offering were these huge (biggest samples we've ever gotten) chocolate, marshmellow blocks that they easily served as our dessert. The next day we got some sun so we tried to spend a decent amount of time outside after our homeschool. Peyton and I built a rocket back in Minnesota and had yet to launch it off so we decided the time had come. Now, there were signs saying no fireworks, but a rocket is not really a firework (...right?...) so we set up the lauching device next to our motorhome and started the countdown.... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BLASTOFF! Peyton got the honors to push the launch button. Now we knew there was an easterly breeze but we didn't really know how high this rocket would travel. We were absolutley amazed how high this rocket shot into the air. Sterling, who was on the beach hoping to catch it, had no chance. The rocket went so high that it made it into the gulfstream. The parachute deployed properly and begin to float down but the breeze carried it out over the ocean and gave our rocket a realistic Apollo splashdown in the Atlantic. "...There were no survivors." Eventhough we only got the chance to shoot it off once the kids thought it was awesome. We need to buy another rocket. We decided we liked the powerful engines tough.That night since we hadn't swam in the indoor pool we made it a priority. Nothing fancy just a rectangular heated pool and a hot tub. We played, swam a few laps and I got to assume my normal pool role of kid-launcher. The kids had fun stacking themselves 3 high, Peyton on Tanner's shoulders and Tanner on Sterling's shoulders. Lots of laughs!On Wednesday we homeschooled, beached then drove inland 1 hour to Florence, SC to pickup mommy. We were glad to get mommy back to PirateLand because we all really liked being right on the beach. It somewhat reminded us of the place we stayed in Cape Cod (also right on the beach).Thursday was the best day yet. Sunny and 67 degrees but a little breezey. Not bad considering it now is December. Cindi and I got runs to the piers to the north in and the kids really enjoyed the sand and the beach. We also went to Johnny Rockets for Dinner and back to It's Candy for a little treat. We spent the next day playing on the beach and Peyton had a great time burying Sterling. Their favorite activity was making forts and then bombing them and then building another and then bombing it again. We love the beach!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Sorry Nothing Too Exciting To Write About
As the title says, some days are just put in the "nothing too exciting happened today" category. On Wednesday we homeschooled and recessed at the 'resort" playground between subjects. After school we experienced our RV park's Battle of Gettysburg Diorama, an 800 square foot model recreation, with about 20,000 hand painted soliers, horses and buildings brought to life with a light and sound show. We were treated to a free private showing. It actually was pretty cool and there were tons of Gettysburg collectibles and artifacts owned by the RV parks Civil War buff owner. After the diorama I then treated the kids to something "they" really wanted to do... see the just released movie, Madagascar 2. The theater was probably the nicest one I've ever been in and the movie... it was OK. Kids liked it.
On Thursday we homeschooled then after 4 nights at the Artillery Ridge Camping Resort we took off an drove southeast over the Mason Dixon Line. More history. This line was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in the resolution of a border dispute between British colonies in Colonial America. It forms a demarcation line between four U.S. states, forming part of the borders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia (then part of Virginia). Mason-Dixon Line symbolizes a cultural boundary between the Northern United States and the Southern United States (Dixie). Doesn't quit feel like were in the South yet. Anyway we were in route to Baltimore, Maryland to pick up Mommy. Yeah!! THAT actually IS exciting! Well for us it is. After the hugs and kisses we drove to a WM in Columbia outside Baltimore and checked in for the night.
On Thursday we homeschooled then after 4 nights at the Artillery Ridge Camping Resort we took off an drove southeast over the Mason Dixon Line. More history. This line was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in the resolution of a border dispute between British colonies in Colonial America. It forms a demarcation line between four U.S. states, forming part of the borders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia (then part of Virginia). Mason-Dixon Line symbolizes a cultural boundary between the Northern United States and the Southern United States (Dixie). Doesn't quit feel like were in the South yet. Anyway we were in route to Baltimore, Maryland to pick up Mommy. Yeah!! THAT actually IS exciting! Well for us it is. After the hugs and kisses we drove to a WM in Columbia outside Baltimore and checked in for the night.
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
On Sunday afternoon we pulled into the The Gettysburg National Military Park. To say we are getting our "money's worth" out of our $80 US National Parks Pass is a gross understatement. We seriously use it all the time! The kids, and Cindi and I, are getting amazing history lessons each week. Needless to say we do not have history books for homeschool this year--they are getting a huge dose of the real thing! What an incredible experience! There are times we just stop and thank God that we, or He, has created this unique opportunity for our family.
We started, as we normally do, with getting the Junior Ranger Program materials (this is where the kid's groan, primarily because it is Sunday). As part of earning another Junior Ranger badge/patch they got (had) to listen to a ranger talk entitled, "Civil War Soldier." It was very interesting but butt-chilling as it was cold outside. 
We then headed inside to watch a great film on the Gettysburg Battle called, "A New Birth of Freedom." We then went upstairs and enjoyed the Gettysburg Cyclorama which is a 360 degee painting that lights up with narration as the 3 day battle is retold. We then toured the museum. All very interesting and enough information to complete their Junior Ranger requirements.
Here is the quick summary: The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory in the summer of 1863 that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Confederacy," it was the war's bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties (that is just unimaginable). It also provided President Abraham Lincoln with the setting for his most famous address, The Gettysburg Address... "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war..." OK, that did not even come close to doing Gettysburg justice so for more information visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Gettysburg.
Our accommodations were within a cannon's shot away from the battlefield, at the Artillery Ridge Camping Resort. Cindi decided to work another Get Motivated show, so early Monday morning we all jumped in the car (actually I carried each sleeping kid into the car) and headed south through Maryland into Virginia to deliver Cindi to Dulles Airport. Then headed back to Gettysburg with the kids sleeping almost all the way back. After homeschool, the boys and I ventured out on a self guided tour of the battlefield. We took a couple hours driving around, stopping along the way at numbered stops that highlighted key battle locations and monuments. It is amazing that this battle took place only 150 years ago. Can you believe that? It seems like it should be so much further back in history. Fortunately the Union prevailed and we were on our way back toward reuniting the nation and more importantly moving in the right direction toward, all men being created (and treated) equally. (music starts...) "God Bless America. Land That I Love..." Sorry couldn't help myself breaking out in a little patriot singing :-)Monday, December 1, 2008
Hershey (Chocolate), Pennsylvania
We have talked about visiting Hershey many times since we started this adventure, primarily since Cindi has fond memories of this exact place when she visited here years ago with her grandparents. Bummer that Cindi couldn't go with us but the kids were excited to visit "The Sweetest Place on Earth." So after school we drove an hour north to Hershey, PA to visit "Hershey's Chocolate World." The first thing we did was go on the ride called, "Great American Chocolate Tour" where we briefly learned about chocolate from "bean to bar." It was an entertaining "Disney-type people mover" ride through a pretend factory. A real factory tour would have been much more interesting--I'm not sure if they even offer such a tour anymore. The ride was mildly entertaining and a free sample at the end made it worth it. So much so that we went twice. We passed on the 3D movie as we heard it wasn't worth it. We did shop though. I gave the kids 5 bucks each to buy whatever candy they wanted in the large store on site. The last thing they needed was more candy after Halloween but after all we were at Hershey World. The kids were surprised how many different types of candies Hershey's actually makes. In addition to the Hershey's bars and kisses, they also make Reece's (Sterling's favorite), Kit Kat, Whatchamacallit, Almond Joy (surprisingly Peyton's favorite), Mounds, PayDay, 5th Avenue, Heath, Rolo, Skor, Milk Duds (loved those as a kid... and now), Take 5 (Cindi's favorite), Whoppers, Zagnut, Zero, York Peppermint Pattie, Jolly Ranchers, Good & Plenty, Twizzlers, Bubble Yum, Ice Beakers, Breath Savers, Moana Loa, and fine chocolates called Cacao Reserve.
On the way back to Gettysburg we drove around Pennsylvania's capitol building in Harrisburg. Not too exciting. It's days like these that we are glad we have a pull car. We leave the 8 miles per gallon 40' monster behind and take our 20+ mpg Saturn on day excursions.
On the way back to Gettysburg we drove around Pennsylvania's capitol building in Harrisburg. Not too exciting. It's days like these that we are glad we have a pull car. We leave the 8 miles per gallon 40' monster behind and take our 20+ mpg Saturn on day excursions.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Delaware (the First State)
The great thing about this trip is that we really don't have a time schedule. We truly don't have to be anywhere at any particular time. With that said, the last minute decision to fly to Arizona for a week set us back a bit. Not a big issue but it is cold still being this far north. Before we leave this part of the county we definitely wanted to see Gettysburg and Hershey, PA home of Hershey's Chocolate. But wait, I'm getting ahead of myself. While in the Philadelphia area we were going to take a "road trip" to Atlantic City but based on time, we decided to blow that one off. Plus I've been there and quit frankly, "it sucks!" I paid it a visit maybe 10 years ago as part of a business trip during my Hewlett Packard days. I just remembered the casinos being average at best, and very smokey. The only redemming quality to Atlantic City is the fact that it is on the beach. I'm more of a Vegas man I guess.
As we see this great country of ours over roughly a years time span we've decided to touch all 48 states. Well, on our way to Gettysburg we took a minor southerly detour with the sole purpose of touching the rather smaller state of Delaware. We literally drove into Delaware, caught a glimpse of Willmington, Delaware's largest city, then headed back northwest. Before we leave Delaware though, and never mention it again in our blog, let me give it a little credit and say that in 1787 Delaware became the first of the original 13 states to ratify the United States Constitution. As we were departing Delaware I commented to Cindi that the state's northern border is the peculiar shape of an arc. Upon further investigation I discovered that the definition of the northern boundary of the state is in fact, "highly unusual." Most of the boundary between Delaware and Pennsylvania is defined by an arc extending 12 miles from the cupola of the courthouse in New Castle. It is referred to as the Twelve-Mile Circle. This is the only true-arc political boundary in the United States. How about that? You all are getting such interesting facts by reading the Hulsebus Family Dream blog.
After entering and exiting Delaware to keep our "48 goal" a possibility we journeyed westward through the southern part of Pennsylvania past the town of... well... "Intercourse" ...OOOKaayyy?! Just another interesting fact.
As we see this great country of ours over roughly a years time span we've decided to touch all 48 states. Well, on our way to Gettysburg we took a minor southerly detour with the sole purpose of touching the rather smaller state of Delaware. We literally drove into Delaware, caught a glimpse of Willmington, Delaware's largest city, then headed back northwest. Before we leave Delaware though, and never mention it again in our blog, let me give it a little credit and say that in 1787 Delaware became the first of the original 13 states to ratify the United States Constitution. As we were departing Delaware I commented to Cindi that the state's northern border is the peculiar shape of an arc. Upon further investigation I discovered that the definition of the northern boundary of the state is in fact, "highly unusual." Most of the boundary between Delaware and Pennsylvania is defined by an arc extending 12 miles from the cupola of the courthouse in New Castle. It is referred to as the Twelve-Mile Circle. This is the only true-arc political boundary in the United States. How about that? You all are getting such interesting facts by reading the Hulsebus Family Dream blog.
After entering and exiting Delaware to keep our "48 goal" a possibility we journeyed westward through the southern part of Pennsylvania past the town of... well... "Intercourse" ...OOOKaayyy?! Just another interesting fact.
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