Linden's 10th trip Report

February 7th  -  The busses picked us up at 8:00 AM for an early morning treat, "Breakfast at Brennan's. 

     Breakfast started with an appetizer of southern baked apple with double cream.  An entrée of eggs Hussarde, poached eggs atop Holland rusks,  Canadian bacon and Marchand de Vin sauce.  Topped with Hollandaise sauce.  Banana Foster for dessert.  (Bananas sauteed in butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and banana liqueur, then flamed in rum and served with vanilla ice cream.) All low cal and diet food.  Ha, Ha.

February 8th  -  The morning started late, at 9:00 AM. allowing us time to enjoy a New Orleans tradition of " Coffee and Beignets".  Followed by a dinner cruise on the historic paddle wheeler Natchez.

     In the evening we were served cocktails and danced.  Dinner was followed by the Bal Masque Tableau.  We finished the evening with more cocktails and dancing. 

February 9th  -  Again we had a late start for a tour of Blaine Kern's Mardi Gras World, one of the worlds largest float builders.

     We went to the French Quarter and the Presbytere which houses the State of Louisiana's Mardi Gras Museum.

     In the evening it was back to the parade route to view Krewe of Ednymion Parade.

February 10th  -  At 8:15 AM we left for the National WWII Museum.  Very interesting.

     At 6:00 PM we headed for the Krewe of Bacchus parade which show cases 33 animated floats.

February 11th  - We toured the Krewe of Thor's Den where they store their floats till next year.  We were able to climb on the floats, look them over and act as if we were in a parade and throwing beads.

     Then it was off to the New Orleans School of Cooking for a Creole cooking demonstration and lunch.  There were buckets of beer bottles and pitchers of ice tea on the table.  Chicken and andouille gumbo and banana foster were served on paper plates and cups followed by pralines.

     Tonight we go Cajun with lots of Cajun music and dancing with authentic Cajun dancers.  Dance instructors taught us Cajun dancing.  Everyone had a good time.

     It rained all day.

February 12th  -  It was coffee, donuts and good by's this morning.  With a lot of "see you next time". 

We had met many of these people before at the Albuquerque Balloon Festival and at Pine Mountain, GA.  We'll probably see them again at other Fantasy tours.

Walt Linden

wlinden@juno.com

February Florida Get Together

Getting together is why we exist!
Our winter get together in Florida included Fingerlakers, Pen-NY Mixers, past members and guests. 42 follks showed up at the Golden Corral in Leesburg for the third year in a row.
Highlight of the day was Janet Gunkler displaying a "giant ice cube" on her left ring finger - compliments of Wes Barager. CONGRADULATIONS!
Folks began arriving about noon for the 1:00 pm start time. The Moses traveled 175 miles each way while the Shafers were between campsites and parked in a local Walmart.
We ate, told stories and with the room provided by Golden Corral were able to stay until almost 4:00 pm.

THANKS FOR COMING!!

Good Sam International - Syracuse, NY

One activity coming up this June is the GOOD SAM Rally in Syracuse. There are plans being developed for caravans into the rally. 
Ed PLaisted (Pen-NY Mixers) reported that if you belong to 3 Good Sam activities (Good Sam Club, Roadside assistance, credit card, etc.), rally fee is free!
However, he recommends - CALL. They love to talk.
Their web site is
http://therally.com/
Below is more information about THE RALLY, including the phone number for free admission.

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WELCOME TO

 THE SYRACUSE CAMPING WORLD/GOOD SAM RALLY   Gear up for good times, great entertainment and all things RV at the New York State Fairgrounds, June 13 through 16, as thousands of RVers come together for the Camping World/Good Sam Rally.
We’ve staged Rallies from Redmond, Oregon, to Daytona, Florida, but this is the first time we’ll get together in the great Northeast. Don’t miss it!

Queen of Country Thrill to country music and TV icon Reba in an encore performance after last year’s unforgettable show at the Daytona Rally!

Mr. Las Vegas Prepare to be starstuck by Wayne Newton as he brings his electrifying Vegas style and showmanship to the Syracuse Rally stage!

Visit a bucket list of destinations throughout New York and the Northeast on your way to and from Syracuse, conveniently located at the junction of interstates 81 and 90!
Great Giveaways!
Leave plenty of space in your RV for all the valuable freebies we’ll be giving away throughout the event!

Syracuse - Heart of New York

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Rally Admission with RV Parking Rates!*

• 2 adults dry camping – only $199.00
• 1 adult dry camping – only $159.00
• 2 adults 30-amp electrical hookup – $399.00
• 1 adult 30-amp electrical hookup – $359.00 *These prices are member rates and include all Rally activities as well as your RV parking. Non-member will be charged an additional $25 and will include a one-year membership to the Good Sam Club.

Prices for Early Bird Days

• 2 days dry camping – only $35.00
• 1 day dry camping – only $20.00 (Wednesday only)
• 2 days 30-amp electric hookup – $75.00
• 1 day 30-amp electric hookup – $40.00 (Wednesday only) (The Early Bird option includes RV parking.)

Passport Pricing*
The Passport option is for rally attendees that want to attend all rally activities, including entertainment and seminars, but will be parking their RV offsite. Good Sam Member rate – $79.00 per person
Day Pass Price (Does not include admission to evening entertainment) $10 per person, per day and children 17 and under are free! Available for purchase at the gate only.
Registrations start at only $199*, which includes 4 days of camping and all the festivities including invaluable RV educational seminars and an incredible shopping experience each day PLUS world-class entertainment!!
As a limited time special offer, you may be able to come to the Rally and camp for FREE!*
Call a Rally representative at 800-701-1399 today to see if you qualify; hurry space is limited.

*Early bird days and electric are available at an additional cost.

Linden's 9th Trip Report

January 31, 2013  -  Heading east we stopped at the DeQuincy Railroad Museum in DeQuincy, LA. It's a nice museum with displays rail road related things which were used when I was a kid.  That took me back to my childhood.  All very interesting.

     We arrived at the Coushatta Casino in Kinder, LA.  First things first, so we checked on our players card points.  Sure enough we had enough points for two free nights of camping.  The campground is very nice with concrete pads, picnic table, full hook ups, cable, WiFi and shuttle service to the casino.

     I donated to the cause but true to form Beryl won so we ate at casino restaurant.

     We were at the craps table and watched a black guy pull two $100 bills from his wallet.  I noticed that there were more $100s in his wallet.  Then a white couple stepped up to the table on our other side and the guy pulled out two $100 bills.  I didn't see how many more were in his  wallet.  Both guys looked to be in their 30s.  They had no trouble dropping their hundreds on the table.  Don't know what I'm doing wrong but I'm sticking to the penny machines.

February 2nd  -  Continued east to meet Ed and Sandy Miller at Wallmart in Hammond, LA.  We

stayed one night at Wallmart and the next day we moved to a campground.

February 5th  -  We went to the Fantasy Tours campground, registered and went to the orientation.  After Katrina, FEMA constructed a temporary trailer park with full hook ups on the university campus.

The university convinced FEMA to leave the trailer park intact.  Now it is used as a full hook up campground during events such as Mardi Gras and football games.

     At 7:00 PM we went to the cocktail hour and dinner, music, dancing and selection of a Mardi Gras King and Queen for our group.  They were selected the traditional way. Everyone gets a piece of cake and one peace has a little baby (trinket) baked inside.  The man and woman that finds the baby in their piece of cake becomes the king and queen.

February 6th  -  Busses picked us up at 8:00 AM for a tour of New Orleans.  We learned a lot about the history of the city and  about the effects of hurricane Katrina.  We were shown the levees that failed and the new flood gates and pumps that were installed.

     We than went to one of the cities biggest cemeteries and learned how and why the cemeteries are designed the way the are.  It was explained how and why several generations are buried in the same vault and why they must be buried above ground.

     The tour continued through residential areas and into the French Quarter with a stop at the "Court of Two Sisters" restaurant for a brunch buffet.  Food was great.

     At 6:00 PM the busses returned to take us to the first parades for the 2013 Mardi Gras.  As the first parade started so did the rain.  By the time the second parade was over we were drenched to the skin. But it was worth it.

Walt Linden

Future Southeast Area Rallies

I found the following on the RV TRAVEL newsletter -
After 15 years of holding its Southeast Area annual rally at the Brooksville-Tampa, Florida Regional Airport, the Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) may move elsewhere due to high costs and declining attendance.
Florida's Silver Springs theme park near Ocala, Florida, will soon become an official state park. The state will lease the park from October 1 through 2029. Silver Springs showcases nature and is known for headline music acts and glass bottom boats.

Bill Conway

Many of you may remember Bill Conway. Bill was Northeast Area Vice President 6-8 years ago. Bill has lived in FL the past few years.

Paul DuBois reports -

I just received a phone call from Eleanor Rizzi our Northeast Area Treasurer advising me that Pat Conway called her and said that Bill Conway passed away about an hour ago. We will advise on arrangements as soon as they are made.

Paul DuBois

Northeast Area VP

Linden's Trip Report #8

January 18, 2013 - Time to head north to Austin, TX and visit Beryl’s son and granddaughter. We weren't on the road fifteen minutes when we ran into a monster traffic jam. Three lanes of expressway and two lanes of service road were shut down. Never did find what the problem was. Later in the day when we arrived in Austin we ran into rush hour traffic. That's why we like traveling regular roads.
There's usually an alternate route or a place to turn around. Had a nice visit with son Mike and randdaughter Jenna. Went to dinner at a Chinese restaurant that is run by Indians from India. The food has a definite Indian flavor. Customer can specify how spicy they like their food. The food is a little expensive but good and plenty of it. Also, there are vegetarian selections on the menu which worked out good as Mike is a vegetarian.
January 21st - Went to the our favorite restaurant, the Texas Cafe in Hutto, TX. We found out that it is closed on Mondays. We a should have been suspicious since at lunch time there were parking spaces nearby. We ended up at a restaurant next door. We watched as people got out of their cars, walked to the Texas Cafe, then came into the restaurant where we were eating. The food was good but had a little to much mesquite on the pork chops to suit my taste. Here in Texas they put mesquite on everything.
January 22nd - Arrived in Houston to visit Beryls sister-in-law. They are having a good time together shopping and all. Beryl’s brother died a few years ago and his wife Sharon lives alone. Being by herself she doesn't get a chance to prepare big fancy meals very often. Guess who's suffering from that problem. She's a good cook.
There seems to be plenty of work here in the Houston area. Construction of all types is everywhere. From commercial building to housing developments and infrastructure work. Traffic is heavy and we noticed a lack of smart cars in the area. Mostly pick up trucks and SUVs. Every year that we come here we see more and more new developments with pricey homes and condos.
Beryl bought a blouse at Cracker Barrel while in McAllen. The clerk forgot to remove the anti theft prevention device. We had to go to a Cracker Barrel here in Houston to get it removed.
Gas prices in Houston range from $3.03 to $3.15 per gallon.
January 25th - Drove to Conroe, TX, which is about 50 miles north of Houston to visit some of Beryl’s friends and coworkers from when she used to live and work here. We spent a few nights at a Walmart/Sams Club/Lowe's complex. Very nice accommodations.
January 28th - Moved further east to Liberty, TX, where we will visit more of Beryl’s friends. Time is running short and before we know it we'll be meeting Ed and Sandy Miller in Louisiana on our way to Mardi Gra in New Orleans.

Walt and Beryl Linden

February Get Together

Our third annual Florida winter get together is planned for the Golden Coral In Leesburg, Florida. 
Date: Feb. 16, 2013 (Saturday)
Time: 1:00 pm
Location: 
Golden Coral
US 441
Leesburg, FL

Last year there were 50 New Yorkers, former New Yorkers and welcome guests. Above you will see a tab to the information. Click on it or click on the link below for detailed information.

http://fingerlakers.blogspot.com/p/february-get-together.html

Linden's 7th travel report

January 8, 2013 - Went to H.E.B. (a grocery chain) this morning. Every Tuesday they invite "Winter Texans" to the store and give out coupon books. The store we went to plays a form of bingo. Winners get different prizes. Beryl won a coupon book with coupons including free bacon and a dozen eggs.
She also won a $5 gift certificate. The game was played in Spanish. It was a lot of fun.
There are no snow birds in Texas. We are "Winter Texans" and they are glad to see us. Many stores and restaurants give Winter Texans discounts.
The campground where we are staying is $213.00 for 2 weeks with full hook ups, Internet and a full activities schedule. Every Monday a local farmer comes to the park with two wagons fully loaded with fruits and vegetables.
No wonder more and more northerners are coming to Texas instead of Florida. You don't hear "Yankee go Home" around hear. Brownsville, TX. is about 50 miles east.
The weather man is predicting high winds, thunder storms and possibly a tornado or two.
January 11th - Beryl and I went to Mexico for an eye exam and new glasses for me. Could have got the cheap ones for $135.00 but opted for an up grade to $213.00. In Avon, for the same package but with better frames Beryl paid $700.00. When I pick up my glasses next week we'll see if I got a deal.
Picked up a 10 pound bag of navel oranges for $5.00. They are sweet and very good eating. Gas prices have jumped to $3.10 to $3.15 a gallon. Mostly around $3.13 a gallon.
January 12th - We went to Heywoods RV Park where the park residents serve an all you can eat breakfast with everything from juice to eggs your way to waffles.
January 14th - …we went to"Willies", a restaurant that specializes in baked potatoes and pulled beef and pork. We had the largest potatoes that you ever saw. Loaded with butter, sour cream, cheese, pulled pork, broccoli and more. The drinks come in quart containers. No refills.

Walt & Beryl Linden
wlinden@juno.com