This Trop Rock "thing"

Many of you have wondered about all the Facebook posts I make about "Trop Rock", etc.  Here's the history.

Most of you know my history, that I was a band director, member of the Ohio State Marching Band, etc.  Connie always enjoyed live music.  One of our first dates was to Hara Arena and the Marshall Tucker Band Concert.

We've had XM Radio since sometime in the 1990's.  Then, they merged with Sirius Radio, and we got Radio Margaritaville.  We'd been listening to it on the laptop for a few years, but this was huge.  Once we became full time RV'ers, we always had a way to listen to SiriusXM.  Around 1p or so, Radio Margaritaville would always come on.  It was JD Spradlin's time slot usually, except for Fridays when Steve Huntington and Greg Dumas would do this Happy Hour show at 5p ET from New Orleans.  That was always a must listen.

Connie got diagnosed in 2013, so the trip from Ohio to Texas (and back) was about the only traveling we could do.  In the fall of 2014, there was this Music Festival in Panama City Beach, FL (called "Chasing the Sun") that was going to feature Peter Mayer (lead guitarist) on Friday, Nadirah Shakoor (backup vocals) on Saturday and Mac McAnally (guitar player) on Sunday.  They were all members of Buffett's Coral Reefer Band.  How cool!

There were a bunch of other acts, we figured to all be Buffett cover bands, OK.  We'll deal with that.  Should be a good party.

On Friday, this band called the Boat Drunks come on.  Man they were good.  Not only doing original music, but all these people knew the music.  How could that be?  I'd never heard of them, let alone their music.  Come to find out, "they were a thing" at Meeting of the Minds in Key West.

Another group that caught my attention was "Jerry Diaz and Hannah's Reef".  He said he was from Texas.  Wait. Did he just say he played in Port Aransas, TX?  We'll have to look him up.  Kind of liked his group.

That's how it all began.  We were going on a cruise out of Galveston later that fall, and stayed the night before in Kemah, TX because this Diaz guy was playing at this joint called T-Bone Tom's.  Came to learn it was "the" place for Trop Rock in Texas.  We always started catching the Boat Drunks at different venues they played.

A couple years later, Radio Margaritaville started playing this song "Coast" by The Detentions.  Connie was sure it was about Port A.  I wasn't sure.  Could be anywhere.  That February, we found out about the Pirates & Poets Songwriters Invitational was going to be held in Port A.  One of the Detentions was playing in it, Jerry Diaz was playing at Shorty's.  Let's do it.

Never been a good audience member.  Always too critical.  I listen to things differently.  I'm much more comfortable hanging back stage and shooting the shit with other performers.  All of sudden, I'm having to be a fan boy and mingle as an audience member with the performers.  All I wanted to know from this Sullivan guy was if Coast was written about Port A?  I finally got the nerve up to introduce myself as a fellow teacher during intermission.  He couldn't have been nicer.  Then I asked about "Coast".  He looked at me like I was idiot.  "Of course, it was."  Then, I felt like an idiot and got the hell out of the conversation.

Needed to delve deeper into these artists and this genre.  Subscribed to a few things.  Downloaded lots of music via Apple Music.

Since then, we've gone to Trop Rock festivals in a few different cities.  One of them was Pardi Gras in New Orleans, hosted by Jerry Diaz and his wife, Mary.  There, I met Eric Babin (and later on his wife Gina) who broadcasts these shows live on RadioTropRock.com.  Game changer.  Events we never would have known about we were listening to.

So now, as my wife literally can't travel, we can hear many of these artists, many of whom (including the Detentions) we've become friends with over the last few years.  I know Eric and Gina think they provide a great job of serving the fans of Trop Rock.  Not sure they know the joy they bring the shut ins who really enjoy this genre of music and can't get to the shows they would like to go to.

Days on the road

We traveled to our home town of Wilmington (OH) Monday late afternoon, and stayed through Wednesday morning.  Visited with Connie's dad (forgot to take pictures!!!) and also stopped by an old friend from HS that opened a new shop, the Wooden Moose.

Wednesday and Thursday were total travel days. 

Wednesday, we boondocked in a WalMart parking lot in Normal, IL  There was a Pizza Hut across the street for dinner, and (bonus) a bakery inside the WM for fresh donuts!

Thursday, we boondocked at the Isle Casino in Waterloo, IA.  They had a nice restaurant (one of four), The Brew Brothers, inside that had local craft beers, and some pub grub. 

I had some loaded fries (pulled pork, BBQ and cheese sauce) that were fantastic.  Couldn't finish it, but they were so good.  Not sure why else people go to casinos if not for the food and drinks?



Friday we rolled into Sioux Falls, SD and the Sioux Falls KOA.  Had an appointment at 5p to renew our driver's license that we just barely made due to some construction.  Our Google GPS taking us to a closed exit (thinking it was open) then having to follow a detour back to an open exit (that was what Google thought was closed).  Let me tell you, we zipped in and out of the DMV in 32 minutes.  They were the nicest DMV workers I've ever encountered.  What a pleasant experience.

After the licenses, we went downtown to a "First Friday" event put on by Downtown Sioux Falls and met our new BDM (business development manager) for Sandals (Adults Only All Inclusive Resorts) and Beaches (Caribbean All inclusive resorts for families), Monica Huether.  Great weather and company.  Talked a lot about our business, our backgrounds, ways Sandals and Beaches is growing and thoughts for expanding our niches.

Really enjoyed the small town feel of the event.  Also got introduced to Monica's friend, Julio Espino.  Great story.  Came to Sioux Falls as an engineer, noticed there wasn't an authentic Mexican restaurant in town, so he started it.  The restaurant did well, but people started wanting his salsa.  So, he started marketing his Inca salsa and sold the restaurant to his sister.  He's getting outlets at Hy-Vee, Wal Marts and working on expanding elsewhere (including H-E-B in Texas).  Fascinating conversation on the ins and outs of his business.  Was nice enough to give us some samples, looking forward to trying them.

Need a day of rest, and what better way than to watch College Football.  Weather is supposed to get crappy, so that will make it even easier to hang in the rig.

Here's my College Football Viewing schedule

Even though we're on the road, we still have a "no travel" on College Football Saturdays.

 

Thursday:

No games

Friday:

Main game:  None

Commercial Games:  Wake at Rice 8p CBSSN / Marshall at Boise St 9p ESPN2

Saturday:

Noon slot:

Main game:  UC at Ohio State 12p ABC

Commercial Games:  WVU at Mizzou 12p ESPN2 / Syracuse at Maryland 12p ESPN

3:30p ET slot:

Main game:  A&M at Clemson 3:30p ABC

Commercial Games:  Nebraska at Colorado 3:30p FOX / So Miss at Miss. State 3:30p  ESPN News

7:30p ET slot:

Main game:  LSU at Texas 7:30p ABC

Commercial Games:  BYU at Tennessee 7p ESPN / Miami at UNC 8p ACCN

In bed game:

Stanford at USC 10:30p ESPN

A reminder of some rules (or guidelines):

1.  I will have a Thursday and Friday night schedule, along with a noon, 3:30 and 7:30 (ET) Saturday slot, along with my game for the bedroom TV to put me nighty night.
2. As an alumni of The Ohio State, the Buckeyes will always be the main game whenever they play
3. The "commercial games" will be who I'm flipping to in the breaks of the Main game.

Last treatment in Ohio, First treatment in Texas all scheduled

Looking like we have an exit strategy (with our every 5th year visit to South Dakota included.)

 If we're passing through your town, let us know! <https://tinyurl.com/y59yerej>

(Well past) Time for another update ....

No posts since January.  <sigh>  I guess I hate writing just to be writing.  Blame my college professors and Sue Terrell.  (If you know who she is, thanks for your friendship for all these years!)

 The Porters and I walked the Harbor Bridge (on the left) in Corpus Christi the first weekend of February.  Was neat to say that you've done.  As slow as we did things, really wasn't that bad.  All told, I've done it.  Don't need to do it again.

Of course, after we finished, we went to North Beach for a celebratory beer.  Yes, I know it was 10:30 in the morning.  I have a problem.


February and so far in March have been incredibly rainy.  We've had more rain this "season" than the previous two years combined.  Last year was a lot of shut in time for cold.  This year has been warmer, but been shut in for rain.

Did get a visit from Bethany and James for a couple of days in early March.  Connie and Vickie were able to take her shopping for Baby Davis while I took James golfing.  On the right is James retrieving his drive on #18.

We've been able to meet with our Heartland friends about once a week for a meal and some good conversation.

This last week of March is when the Winter Texans will start flowing out of the Coastal Bend.  Always seems to happen around this time.  Then they all get home and whine about how cold it is there.  Duh.

We met with Connie's oncologist last week and started mapping out our exit strategy.  She's going to do on more treatment in March (next Tuesday the 24th), another in April (on the 14th) then a final one in Texas tentatively on the 5th of May.  Between the 14th of April and 5th of May she'll do the scans and tests and we'll have those results read on the 5th of May.  Whether or not those show progression of the disease will determine how we proceed.  From a health standpoint, she's been very tolerant of these treatments.  Lose the night of the treatment, but that's about it.  No nausea, her weight has held pretty steady and other than some balance issues, has been going about life great.

Speaking of going about life, we decided to take a last minute cruise on April 5th.  Life's too short.

After we hear what the oncologist has to say on the 5th of May, we'll start figuring out a run to South Dakota (have to spend at least one night there every five years), then on to Ohio.  Want to be loose and free with our plans, at least to South Dakota, so that we can play the volatile weather in the Plains during May.  Do hope to be back in Ohio by the Monday after Memorial Day.

That's about it for now.  Treasure every day and the people you spend it with.

Connie gets a 2nd month vacation!

Got the call yesterday from our Ashtabula Doctor, that Connie isn't going to have to be seen until late October and can keep on the same pill regimen for a treatment.  Whoo-hoo!

That means we don't HAVE to be anywhere medical for almost two months!

So we looked at a bunch of different options and have come up with the following itinerary (you can click the links to see where we're staying):

Monday, September 1st:  Leaving Ashtabula and heading to Wilmington
Tuesday, September 2nd:  Leaving Wilmington and heading to Lake Cumberland.
Wednesday, September 3rd:  Leaving Lake Cumberland and heading to Chattanooga
Friday, September 5th:  Leaving Chattanooga and heading to Atlanta
Monday, September 8th:  Leaving Atlanta and heading to Columbus, GA
Tuesday, September 9th:  Leaving Columbus, GA and heading to Panama City Beach, FL
Tuesday, September 16th:  Leaving Panama City Beach and heading to Foley, AL (Gulf Shores).

Its college football season, so we have a "no travel Saturday" rule in effect.  We'll be able to visit with the Ohio State Alumni of Atlanta at their game watch on the 6th for the night game against Virginia Tech.  Stoked about that.

Secondly, we were looking at some of our favorite performers and started seeing "Panama Beach" show up a bunch.  Turns out there's a "Chasing the Sun Music Festival" there starting on Friday the 12th.  Uber cool!  You can read about it by clicking this link.  Going to be a blast!

Connie and I are super excited!  Check back often as we'll be updating along the way.

Results from today's consultation

Both of us were a little leary of what the doctors were going to say today, since this was a "got to see you today" type of urgency.

Didn't help the stress level that the first Doctor was 2.5 hours late (had a 2p appointment, finally saw him at 4:30p).  We kept the rig hooked from the morning and I found a parking lot at the Cleveland Playhouse that was perfect!  Girls and I chilled waiting on Connie to let us know if we were heading "east" back to Ashtabula, or "west" to the Heartland RV Rally.

Basically, though, they were both pleased with the way the radiation treatments she did in Texas in late March/early April were working.  Things were shrinking, not growing which is good.  Very good.

With that news, we were "free" to go to the National Heartland RV Rally, although we left the Cleveland Clinic at 5:45p.  Driving by Progressive Field on a night the Indians were home at 6p with a 37' fifth wheel in tow is not that much fun.

Stopped at the first travel plaza in Indiana on the toll road, should be into Goshen tomorrow morning.

Why are these people leaving?

First about Connie:  pretty easy day today.  Run into Corpus for a brain radiation (her last one until Monday), and hasn't seen any side effects (knock on wood).

Then there's these people at the park.  What is up?  70's here for the weekend and most of next week.  They're all leaving to go "back home" north where it's 30's and 40's.  I don't get it.  I just don't.

I know there are some that have obligations, even (gasp!) work.  But, for the most part, another week or so here isn't going to change anything.  Just amazing.  Saw it the last two years:  Easter is the get home time.  Period.

Have a great weekend everyone.  And, for those of you traveling, safe travels.

Wow? Two Weeks to catch up........

We've really got to applaud those that can keep a regular blog going. Putting it off a day, then another day turns into a week, etc.

The second thought is that we've been so busy, we just don't take the time necessary to sit and record what's gone on.

We said our goodbye's to Sea Breeze RV Resort.  There are some great people there.  Capped the festivities off Tuesday night with some "Apple Pie" moonshine.  Hooch with apples and cinnamon sticks.  Really good.  Really powerful.

Didn't leave without Sloopy leaving her mark.....literally.  She took a snip at Daisy, a beautiful bloodhound, that required a run to the vet to close up the gash at her nose.  Instant reputation, word got around instantly.  Felt horrible.

We finally got to Fajitaville with the Heartland Owners Group of the Coastal Bend on Friday the 8th.  Food is still terrific, view is still spectacular.

The 13th was a travel day to the Sweetheart Rally put on by RV.net in Kerrville, TX.  Buckhorn Lake Resort is wonderful, a hidden jewel.  Finally got to put faces to names from the Heartland Owners Group forum, learned how to play Mexican Train, and ate.  Very.  Well.  The king was a 32 oz Porthouse for two dinner.  Terrific.  It was cold, though.  A real downer.  Like lows in the 20's cold.


Our friends Fred and Vickie made the trip down from Dallas, but, unfortunately, had a friend pass away that they had to turn around and roll right back to Fort Worth.  It was good seeing them, if only for a night.

Had to cut things back a day because Connie had a doctor's appointment on Monday.  Both of us are worried about Uncle Charlie returning.  She'll have tests Friday and another appointment on Monday.

We settled at Copano Bay RV Resort on Sunday.  Love it.  Tremendously friendly Winter Texans abound.  Concrete everywhere.  Some would whine that there are no trees, not us.  More sunshine the better.  We actually at Kerrville decided to flip sides as the girls were freezing with the sun on the driver's side in the evening.  Great choice.  We've got an "obstructed bay view" out the back and the passenger's side windows.  Getting to know the shortcuts into Rockport and Fulton, activities are abundant.  The last two nights we've huddled with different neighbors for Happy Hour.  Very happy.

It's Been Sooooo Long.....

Slow internet is a terrible thing.  Awful.

New Smyrna Beach RV Park was BY FAR the slowest our Verizon Mi-Fi has been.  Because of that, there was just no motivation to keep waiting, and waiting, and waiting to upload pictures, blog, actually much internetting (is that a word yet?) of any kind.

Not that there wasn't a lot to blog about, my goodness.

 First, we had a wonderful short cruise on the U.S. inaugural of the Carnival Breeze.  That review will be here when we are finished with it.  Had dinner one night with our friend and VP at Carnival Mike Julius, along with senior cruise director John Heald who writes a terrific blog for Carnival Cruise Lines.  Thanksgiving Night on a cruise ship was wonderful -- no preparation time, and no dishes/cleanup afterward!  Eating on a cruise is a main factor.

 Also on this sailing was our friend Ron Pass in the piano bar.  He's a terrific entertainer, and by far, the best in Carnival's fleet.

We spent Saturday with the Ohio State Broward County Alumni Club to watch the Ohio State/Michigan game.  We were there a few years ago (during another inaugural for another cruise line) and met some great folks from Jefferson, OH.  We've kept in touch and sat with them this year.  Great time, great win!

Sunday through Wednesday we spent at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter at the Walt Disney World Resort.  Disney is magical this time of year.  Not all the decorations were up, but enough to give a great holiday kickoff.  Loved the theming of the French Quarter Resort, did some good recon on some things that had been updated or added since the last time we were at Disney.

The eating from the cruise continued at Disney with the Disney Dining Plan.  Some great dining experiences and a great value.

Returning back to New Smyrna Beach, we got the girls from their vacay (they were exhausted!) and pretty much hung out till getaway day.  We did get an opportunity to go to Toni & Joe's, our favorite place we've been to have a beer and watch the ocean.

We returned to Tallahassee on December 8th to the Elks Lodge for a quick overnight.  When we got up the next morning, we noticed a drip coming from the basement of our Fifth Wheel.  Not good since it hadn't rained.  Crawled inside, took off a panel and found out that the check valve from our hot water heater was leaking.  That took the morning, we got a piece to work without a check valve and got on our way since the system wouldn't be pressurized while we rolled.  I hate plumbing.  Hate it.

Got to Foley, Alabama and the Gulf Coast Elks Lodge which has a campground.  Yesterday was a run to Lulu's at Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores.  Lulu's is owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister, Lucy.  Enjoyed their Honey Ale "Crazy Sista" as we sat along the Intercoastal Waterway, then headed to the beach for a drive.

Today will be tear down day, then getaway day will be Wednesday.  We'll be off for an overnight in Louisiana before a few nights in Houston at the Houston Elks Lodge.

Must be how it happens...

We've always noticed on cruises we've been on, by Day 2 or 3, you suddenly realize who has the same tastes as you, likes, etc.

With us, we were heading to a "Social Hour" at SeaBreeze RV Park for the first time in December.  Nobody showed.  Supposed to be at 4p, we were there at 3:45p.  By 4:15p we were leaving.  As we were leaving, we see a couple coming up the walkway.  He had a cooler, she had a wine glass.  "OK, we'll stay."

FOUR HOURS LATER, we're saying goodbye to our new friends Fred and Vickie Porter.

They left Sea Breeze the first of January and moved out to Port Aransas and Gulf Waters RV Park because they didn't have a reservation at SeaBreeze for the January through March season which is their peak.  We went out there, they came in to see us.  The mutual interests just kept us together.

Fast foward to today.  We're in "their house", Dallas, TX, where their only daughter lives, all their friends are, etc.  They pull in to the RV Park, and here we go......

From such humble beginnings must be how RV friends come to know each other, travel together, meet up, etc.  Nobody plans it, nobody expects it.  It just happens.

And we're damn glad it did.

Cheers!

Day Trip to Ft. Worth

The week has been kind of crazy here.  We were getting ready for our busy weekend. First up, Carmen goes to the vet Friday to get spayed.  Saturday, after college football, of course, we head out to the Zac Brown Band concert.  Can't wait!  And, last but certainly not least, Sunday, we will be going to Galveston to check out Carnival's newest cruise ship - the Carnival Magic.  We'll be sure to share our experiences at the concert and the ship, so be sure to check back next week.

Even with us trying to get ready for all the hubbub, we were able to slip away for an afternoon to Ft. Worth.  Anyone staying in the Dallas area should make a visit to Ft. Worth.  There is something for everyone.

Our first stop was a quick visit to the TCU campus.  The football stadium was getting renovated with a lot more seating.  The campus was very scenic and quaint.

After that, we made our way to the downtown "Districts".  They have three - Cultural District, Sundance Square District, and the Stockyards.  The Cultural District is home to the Will Rogers Memorial and several museums.  The Sundance Square is a nice shopping and eatery area.  Some of the merchants will even validate your parking garage ticket with a purchase.

Our favorite area was the Stockyards.  There are a host of restaurants and pubs located within a couple of blocks.  The streets are all brick and the atmosphere takes you back to the wild west days.  There is even a free Cattle drive daily (11:30AM and 4:00PM).  If traveling there, you must go in and check out the hotel too.  The decor and artwork inside are truly amazing.

We would have liked to have stayed longer in the Stockyards and enjoyed some dinner.  However, we had to get back to "the girls" so we stopped long enough to try a Buffalo Butt beer - brewed locally exclusively for the hotel bar.  It received two thumbs up!

Better get back to making sure we have everything in order for the rest of the weekend.

See ya down the road....

Homecoming!

Our time here in our hometown (Wilmington, OH) is winding down.  Tonight is the Homecoming game and annual Chili Supper.  It has been almost 30 years since we last attended this event.  We are looking forward to seeing some of our high school friends!

While we have been enjoying our time with family and friends, the weather is reminding us why we chose the full-time RV lifestyle.  There is a chill in the air and the rainy season seems to be upon us.  We are ready to begin our journey south on Sunday in search of warmer, dryer weather.

Have a great weekend everyone.  Go 'Canes!