Keeping up with John and April

New Year 2010

John — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:10:00 GMT

When I look back on 2009, it became very evident what I should resolve to do in 2010:

1. First is to not rely on my own thoughts about what resolutions I should make. Rather I need to pray to the Lord for wisdom in regards to what resolutions, if any, He would have me make;

2. Pray for wisdom as to how to fulfill the goals God gives me;

3. Rely on God's strength to help me;

4. Find an accountability partner who will help me and encourage me;

5. I should expect that there may be some occasional failures and I should not get discouraged; instead I need to allow them to motivate me further;

6. Most importantly, don't become proud or vain, but give God the glory.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. (Psalms 37:5-6 KJV)

November 13, 2009

John — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:14:00 GMT

It was Thanksgiving 1997 when our granddaughter arrived from Colorado with a gift for grandma and grandpa, a little kitten that she had named “Rusty”. He seemed so much more “proper” than a “rusty” so we renamed him “Sabastian”

And God made the beasts of the earth according to its kind, and cattle according to its kind, and all creepers of the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. (Genesis 1:25)

And Sabastian was good. He was our friend for 12 wonderful years.

Sabastian passed away today after a very brief battle with cancer and its complications. He will be missed.

Update through Oct 2009

John — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:38:00 GMT

Well here we are in Victoria, Texas and I need to update this blog with our travels through October. I am going to try and update this more frequently, perhaps after each day trip.

We left Colorado and traveled to Fort Supply, OK where we spent a week.

Here is our campsite on Fort Supply Lake. We enjoyed a week here, right on the lake. We did little more than rest and relax.

Next we went to Buncombe Creek at Lake Texoma on the Texas-Oklahoma state line. Here is our campsite there.

This was a great site. We had views like this one of Canadian Geese landing right in front of our site.

As we traveled around Lake Texoma, where I took this picture of April at the dam.

Then we went to Lake Murray,OK and saw Tucker Tower, the former summer retreat of Governor Murray

After a week we went to Granger Lake near Taylor, TX northeast of Austin.

From here we took a day trip to Marble Falls.

After we got to Victoria we went over to Goliad. Where we saw some flooding on the San Antonio river.

On higher ground we saw the Presidio La Bahia.

And the grave of Col Fannin and his men. More than 300 men were executed by the Mexican army, even though they had surrendered.

In the city of Goliad we saw the hanging tree.

May_June 2009 Update

John — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 22:11:00 GMT

Well it has been a while since we have updated this site. For those of you that like to keep up with us or just look at the photos we are sorry for the delay.

Below is our view as we were driving to Brunswick, GA of a bridge leading into Brunswick.

Below we see April and John near the beach at Brunswick, GA

Just north of Brunswick is Fort King George. Below is the entrance to this old fort..

Below is a view from the gun tower (tall building in picture above).

Below we are inside Fort King George, north of Brunswick, GA.

And below is a view of the wooden gun tower inside King Fort George.

A memorial to the fallen soldiers of Fort King George.

Below is a photo of the remains of Horton House on Jekyll Island. Built around 1740.

Below we see the Poulain Du Bignon and Du Bignon burial site on Jekyll Island. Du Bignon was a former French officer. They became the owners of what is now Jekyll Island. The family sold the island in 1896.

We left the Brunswick area and headed to McCormick, SC. The J Strom Thurmond lake and dam (below) was the first Corps of Engineers project to be built in the Savannah River Basin. Here is a view of the dam.

Here we are below the J Strom Thurmond dam.

On one day trip we went to Lake Murray in SC (below). The water was really high. You can see how high it is on the trees. We were standing on a little foot bridge out to a small island.

This photo was taken below the R Russell Dam on the Savannah River.

We left McCormick and went over to Atlanta. We stayed at Lake Lanier. Below is a view from our RV of sailboats on Lake Lanier.

And this was a view of one of the sunsets, from our RV. Not a bad life, April and I have really been blessed.

After leaving Atlanta we went over to Selma, Al. Below is the monument to the civil rights leaders. I only wish the government would spend some resources and create a fitting monument and park area for this really important and famous part of American history.

Below is a photo of the bridge that marchers went across on that bloody Sunday on their way to Montgomery.

Below is the view of the Alabama river from our RV site south of Selma. Above is our site.

Below is a picture of the dam at a Lock and Dam location on the Alabama river.

We left the Selma area and continued southwest to Rockport, TX. Below is the site we had for a couple of weeks.

Above is the Fulton Mansion, and below is the view from the front of the Gulf of Mexico. It was built between 1874 and 1877 by George and Harriet Fulton. The residence was named "Oakhurst".

One day when driving north of Rockport we came across this great statue. Not sure why it is there but was nice.

On another day trip we were able to take this picture (below) of us in front of tree that is more than 1,000 years old. The giant tree is a charter member of the Live Oak Society of America, and has been the subject of one of Ripley's "Believe It or Not" cartoons. It is measured to be more than 35 feet in circumference, 44 feet in height and has a crown spread of 89 feet.

Above we saw Padre Island without all the people. And below we are coming back on the ferry from Mustang Island. They wouldn't let us out to take pictures.

We left Texas and went north to Colorado to celebrate our grandson's graduation (high school). Below is a picture of him just after leaving the stage.

Now here is a happy mom and our grandson.

Before we left Colorado, we got this picture of the flatirons near the CU campus in Boulder.

Off we go to Missouri. See you later.

March 2009 Update

John — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:34:00 GMT

April and I left Lake Pines at the end of the year and went to Lake Seminole for a week. We had a great site and just relaxed. That is one of the benefits of retirement. Here is a picture of our site at sunset.

After a very relaxing week we left for the Pensacola area and landed at Palm Lake RV Resort in Foley, Alabama. Here are couple of views from inside the resort.

And here is the view of our site:

I took the photo of our site (above) from a spot under these palms which is our view. There is a birdhouse behind the palm trees.

And we have a view of a birdhouse.

Here we see a big moon behind the palms.

Here are some relaxed and retired RV'ers.

From Palm Lake we took a couple of day trips. First we see the two of us at Meaher State Park on Mobile bay.

Then we went to Fort Blakeley State Park. The last major battle of the Civil War was fought here.

This was very interesting. Lots to see. Here is a very old cemetary.

Next to this we saw a grave marker for eight different people. Two listed on each side.

Here is a map of the battleground.

Here is a photo of site #3 from the map above. Three people earned the Medal of Honor for actions at this site.

Then we went south of Mobile, Alabama to Ft. Gaines on Dauphin Island. Here is an aerial view.

Here is the front entrance.

Inside on the grounds of Ft. Gaines.

A view from inside a gun turret.

A view from atop the forts wall.

At a gun.

Watch for our next update.

September 2008 Update

John — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:33:00 GMT

Here are some recent photos from a couple of day trips we took. This first one is where April lived when I was at OCS, Ft. Benning. Dawn was born while she lived here.

John and April at Lake Harding in Alabama.

Here we are at a Corps of Engineer campground in Alabama.

This photo, of April, her dad, and me, was taken in front of Port Columbus, the Civil War Naval Museum

Here is one of the displays inside.

One day we went to Callaway Gardens in Georgia. April is the orange butterfly; her dad is the green one ; and John is the blue one.

Here the three of us are in front of the butterfly house.

Here are two close up photos of butterflys inside the house. You got to go here to really enjoy butterflys. Watch the video they offer.

The day before April's dad left we went to the Columbus Riverwalk and took these pictures.

The river...

The three of us at a statue of Columbus.

August 6th update

John — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 22:54:00 GMT

We are back at Lake Pines near Columbus for a few months. Here are some pictures we took on our trip from Arizona. First another trip back to Tombstone.

Next we see Heritage Hall, formerly a church, in Casa Grande, AZ.

A look at Montezuma Castle near Sedona, AZ.

Our view while eating lunch at the Grand Canyon.

April and me at entrance to Grand Canyon. (I know it would have been better to be standing on the left side of the sign.)

After seeing our great grand son and taking a picture of 5 generations it was time to leave Denver heading to Georgia, again.

We'll send more later.

Five Generations

John — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:19:00 GMT

Here is our first picture of five generations.

The star of the moment is Ethan Sean Weins in mom's (Ashley) arms. Proud daddy (Sean) is to Ethan's left. In the top middle is Great-Great Grandpa (Sam). To Ethan's far right is Grandma (Tam) and Grandpa (Scott). And of course to Ethan's far left is Great-Grandma (April) and Great Grandpa (John).

Still In Arizona Mar 2008

John — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 17:57:00 GMT

April and I are enjoying our travels in Arizona. Here are some recent photos.

This first one from Ajo, AZ is a painted on a building. April and I had been joking about this place being the end of the world, we stopped for gas and saw this.

South of Ajo we went to Organ Pipe Cactus National Park.

Then to Tucson and a vist to my sister Pat and her husband Dale.

From the floor of the desert we drove to 10,700 Mt. Graham and found ice and snow.

Before we went to St David, Az we visited Lake Patagonia.

Here a few pictures from St David AZ. The first is the two of us in front to the clubhouse.

In front of a fun spot in the campground.

Our campsite.

Sunset at St David.

2008 New Year's Message

John — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 04:00:00 GMT

A New Year's message to start 2008

We are blessed by God with the beginning of a New Year.

Recently I sent a Bible study to a friend where I commented that I find that I often treat prayer like a Christmas list, asking God for the things that I want and that I think I need in my life. I have found that God may not give me what I really need until I let go of a few old habits and make more room. Maybe some of you feel the same way.

Matthew 6:33 tells us "...seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, an all these things shall be added to you."

The beginning of the New Year offers us the opportunity to make resolutions that matter - an opportunity to pursue a new beginning, to transform our commitment and words into conviction and action, and to put our spiritual households into order. Not only for the coming year but for the rest of our lives. Perhaps we should start this New Year by listing some of those old habits that, with God's help, will be eliminated from our life.

I'll confess a couple of things I resolve to eliminate in 2008.

A focus on a need to have a lot of money:

Luke 16:13 tells us that God and money cannot both have first place in our lives. Other scripture warns against putting too much value on possessions. Remember, if you put God first, then...

A worrisome attitude:

Jesus tells us not to worry, because life is more important than physical things. He gave us several illustrations to prove His point. The birds of the air (Mt. 6:26) are fed by the heavenly father, and the lilies of the field (Mt. 6:28) grow in such a way that their splendor is greater than even Solomon's.

Of course your list may be different (i.e. to be number one, to fit in, to be attractive, or to be strong).

We need to resolve to change our minds, our hearts, and our lives, resolving to discern not our own wills and desires, but the Lord's. These resolutions should not be something that is restricted to the beginning of a new year.

Remember, God is the giver of all good things.

April and I want to take a moment to wish you and your families a Happy and prosperous New Year, good health, warm friendships, and above all the blessings of God.

December 18th Update

John — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 04:56:00 GMT

After a week at Hidden Valley Ranch north of Deming it was time to leave and head toward Arizona. We took our time and saw some sites. Here are a few photos.

North of Deming about 30 miles is a unique site. An outcropping of rocks pushed up that gives the appearance of a small city. Thus the name City of Rocks. To give some perspective of thier size. The small white objects to the left of April's right shoulder (to her left as you look at the picture) is an RV park.

About 150 miles west from here we got to Tombstone, Arizona. Here is historic downtown where the gunfight at the OK corral took place.

They re-enact the gunfight throughout the day. Here are some of the characters roaming the streets.

In the 1800's if they were bad actors they would end up in the tombstone courthouse. This the actual courthouse where you can find the sherifs office and jail.

If they got this far they may end up in this courtroom. The actual courtromm complete with original judges bench and attorney benches, rails and seats.

Of course if it didn't work out well for the defendants they would end up here. (seven were hung here).

Here are some famous characters from then.

Well it was off toward Casa Grande. Here is a photo near old Tucson. It is interesting to see the different types of vegetation you can see in the desert.

December 1st Update

John — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 01:00:00 GMT

We left Castaways RV Resort on Lake Conroe near Willis, Texas on 11/28. We stayed at a great RV park in Fredricksburg, Texas that night and went on to Hidden Valley RV Resort just north of Deming, New Mexico. You can tell from these photos the big change in scenry. April and I are really enjoying this first year of retirement. We will be here at Hidden Valley until 12/5. We plan to take sometime and see the area, then off to Arizona. Enjoy these photos.

Our site at Castaways:

Here are a couple of pictures of April and me at Lake Conroe:

Notice the water because it will be missing in the following pictures of our view at Hidden Valley:

That was our view and here are a couple of the local residents who share it with us:

A rabbit

and a roadrunner:

November 12th Update

John — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:08:00 GMT

Well we spent a week at Golden Pond RV Park near Shirley Arkansas. Golden Pond was really a nice quiet place, beautiful scenery and nice weather. We left Golden Pond on 11/6 to go up to Branson to meet April's dad and celebrate his 83rd birthday. In Branson we stayed at Fall Creek resort. We had a very nice site and Branson was fun. We are leaving Branson 11/13 enroute to Houston area. Again we have taken some pictures to share with you, take a look.

The entrance to Golden Pond RV Park.

Our site was a pull-thru in the center of the park. We had great neighbors and enjoyed this stay.

April and John on Golden Pond.

Greers Lake was just 10 minutes away where I took this photo of April.

Then we drove up the road a couple of hours to Branson. This is looking west down the strip just after you come into town.

Here is a scenic overview of the campground (near center of picture) where we stayed. Yes that is a golf course just to the right of the campground. We backed right up to a green.

And the entrance to the campground. The hills in the background was where we took the previous picture.

Our site, with a golf course right behind us.

One day while we were driving around we found this great photo site with Table Rock lake in the background.

April's dad, aunt Sylvia, a niece Roberta, April and John

A night photo of the Veterans Memorial Museum marque.

And the Branson Belle

Sunset at Table Rock Lake

October 26th Update

John — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:43:00 GMT

We took some time to go up to FDR's Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia.

This is the main entrance to the grounds:

Here is a close-up of the historical marker:

Here is a map of the grounds:

In this next photo, the Little White House in in the background behind the servant's and guest's quarters:

Just before we left Lake Pines the entire staff and their families had a dinner. Following is photo of everyone.

We had to have a picture of the owners, Connie and Kenny. They were really great people to know and associate with:

We left Lake Pines on the morning of October 22nd:

Arrived at Mountain Lakes Resort in Northern Alabama 7 hours later:

They have a large lodge:

Here is a view of the resort from a pier extending into the lake:

We will be here until the morning of the 29th:

Then we are off to Mempis 10/29; Shirley, Arkansas 10/30- 11/5; and Branson 11/6-11/13.

1st Blog

John — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 17:42:00 GMT

Hi, this is our first blog.

We are the Deets’ – John and April. We have been married 42 years, raised two children, and have eight grandchildren. We retired and our home now is a 1997 37’ Pace Arrow Vision with a Saturn VUE in tow. Traveling with us are our two house cats, Sebastian and Snuggles.

We are currently hosting at a campground north of Columbus, Georgia. We have been here since July 1^st and we plan on leaving October 22^nd.After we leave we plan to work our way to Branson, Missouri to meet April’s dad and celebrate his birthday.

We plan to use this blog to keep you updated with our travels and what is going on in our lives. So watch for updates and whatever else I can place on this blog.