Photo by The Joneses Here we are, along with Gretchen, of course, at the Lakeland dog show. — — — E-mail Gisela — — — SLIDE SHOW: We sure had fun in Lakeland
ARCHIVES: You wouldn't believe how beautiful Canada is! Wouldn't change a thing Who knew there was so much to see in South Dakota? Time is flying by — but at least we're having fun! I (heart) Hart Ranch, South Dakota Rallyin' in Goshen, Indiana A special day From friends to work to warmer temps, we're still having fun in Florida Traveling to Texas Finally, we're in Alaska! On the way to Canada Boise sure has changed a lot Escapees Rally in Wyoming Bittersweet trip through the southeast From Boy Scouts to ‘Stars on Ice’ Michigan is full of treasures Arriving in Florida Earning our ears Celebrating Christmas and New Year's in Florida and the Disney Parks Down in the Lowcountry Making our way through Minn., Wisc. and Ill. The holidays in Florida Our time in Lakeland has come to an end Couldn't have had a better time in Omaha! Arriving in Charleston A day with friends from Frederick 'Life is good' in Lakeland, Fla. Leaving Florida, and heading north Our final days in Kentucky Into the Keys Out of Charleston and off to Indiana Dreams come true in Vermont You never know what you'll see or who you'll meet in Alaska Leaving Indiana, but not before taking some of the state's best sites Idaho is full of natural treasures — and moon-like craters, too It's all about the theme parks From prairie country to beautiful views to grand 'ol Yellowstone Thunderstorms, flooding, tornados and a visit with the 'Duke' And so it begins ... Moving days for Greg and his family The gang's all here! Happy to be in Florida again Strawberries, and more strawberries 'The RV Capital of the World' From the beautiful Maine coastline down to southern Connecticut Training for our jobs at Disney World Chillin' out at 'Camp Monaco' Under the weather Back in Florida At long last, back in the area Lots to see in the 'Show Me' state With family and spectacular sights in Hailey, Idaho Look back, look ahead Back in the Lower 48 The cold weather is hitting Florida From Dallas to devastation Back on the road again Leaving Idaho and heading east Beautiful Alaska A memorable visit to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula Watch out for flying dinner rolls

We have been to TT Orlando several times before. Some of our full-timing friends, e.g. Erma and Bill, will be there also. This park is sort of the last get-together for us before we go our separate ways for the summer.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our stay here at the Lakeland resort and have already made reservations for next winter. Not only is it conveniently located between our kids (Rich and family) in Tampa and our work at Disney, it is also close to all type of stores, a mall, restaurants, hospital and doctor’s offices, etc. And it is the friendliest park we have ever stayed in.

We noticed that right away when we drove in, everybody says hello and greets each other. In these three months we have made many new friends; friends who we will keep in touch with during the summer and will meet up with again next winter.

Almost everybody is also leaving this week. There are a few full-timers here, but most of them are "snowbirds" from the northern states.

Two weeks ago we had a Variety Show with a lot of great performances — the choir sang, individual singers performed, there were skits, etc. It was a lot of fun and I was amazed how many talented people we have here.

Our line dancing group also performed. We did a dance to "Reggae Cowboy" dressed in cowboy outfits, including a black cowboy hat. We looked quite spiffy. Unfortunately, the pictures Ralph took didn’t turn out.

Our Red Hat group had a luncheon a few weeks ago. We went to a beautiful tea room in an old Victorian-style house. The food was wonderful and we had so much fun — I sure will miss these ladies.

Carol, who was our line-dancing instructor, also conducted dog training classes during the past three months. Last week she had a dog show with the "students" showing off what they learned. Other dogs, including our Gretchen, also attended and were presented by their owners.

Gretchen loves it here, and everybody loves Gretchen. In fact, most people know us by being "Gretchen’s Mom or Dad."

Every morning when Ralph takes her for a walk they stop at the office for a treat, as well as a few other places where people give her treats. And, believe me, she knows every coach or trailer and won’t go home until she has received her goodies.

There was some more excitement in the park, too.

On the little pond, two Sandhill Cranes built a nest and hatched two cute little cranes. They look like little orange fur balls — they are so cute! Mom and Dad are very beautiful and graceful birds.

I guess the reason why I really liked it so much here was because of the involvement with other people.

As much as I love our lifestyle, at times I miss being part of a group and involved with activities and friends. In Frederick I had my church activities, the Frederick Sister City Association and Chocolate Gala, bridge group, to name a few.

So, down here, I really enjoyed being involved with many fun ladies in: water aerobics (great exercise ) — Joyce, our instructor, was very knowledgeable of the various exercises and made the class a lot of fun; — line dancing (also great exercise and fun); bridge (great exercise for the brain), and Red Hatters (just for fun). Ralph enjoyed the golf group and chatting with the guys.

We are also finished with our work at Disney. We enjoyed our work there just as we did last year. There was much hugging and a few tears when we said good-bye and a promise to come back again next season.

However, we will have to ask for a different schedule. We worked Tuesdays and Thursdays this winter and when we had the earlier shift I couldn’t play bridge and Ralph couldn’t get out on the golf course. We certainly cannot let our work interfere with our social activities!

We are all packed and ready to leave in the morning and look forward to get together with our friends at TT.