Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Wishing this Summer was over.....

Hi Everyone,

Well this Summer is going down as one to forget. I was trying to get out onto the road to continue my Walkabout. It's been one delay after another this year!!

The weather this Spring and early Summer was bad (tornado's & flooding)- so I had to wait on getting on the road. In June, I found out I needed to have some work done on SUV before I could go. Got the work done- then on June 28th, my beloved Miss MayMay (my dog- she was 8yrs old in May) passed away unexpectedly.

On July 6th, I was finally able to start out. I basically drove straight through to Michigan, with night stops in Ohio and Indiana. I was able to see a lot of southern Michigan- into Indiana.
I camped at the National Dunes Park in Indiana for 3 days. Went to see Lake Michigan which was about 5 mins away from where I was staying. I enjoyed my time there though it was very hot.

On July 11th, I was back on the road heading to Illinois to get a copy of a marriage certificate for my Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather for the family tree.
While I was heading there, a strong thunder storm came raging through. It left a lot of damage. Many trees and telephone poles snapped off and littering the roads. Personally I think a micro-burst came through. It covered all of upper Illinois and lower Wisconsin. Many areas were without power and the corn fields were flattened.

During the evening of Monday (7/11), I was heading for the Dells in Wisconsin and looking for a place to spend the night- when my check engine light came on. I found a Walmart that had an auto center. They told me it was a transmission component slippage, I stayed in the parking lot for the night not wanting to risk any damage.

The next morning I drove to a local GMC dealership and they checked it out for me.
Indeed the transmission was getting ready to go (even though I had no indications that there was a problem other than the light).
I asked if I could make it back home with it. The service manager said he didn't know- but to get as close to home as I could. He strongly suggested taking Interstate & not to go over 55 mph, so as to have the least amount of miles to cover and not to put extra stress on the engine.

So on Tuesday (7/12) @ 8:30 A.M. I was on my way home.
I was really disappointed- but tried to look at the bright side I got 2 more states done....so now only have 11 to go.
I was nervous about getting stuck out on the road so I pushed it and practically drove straight home (which my back has made me pay for since LOL). I arrived home 11:45 P.M. on Wednesday (7/13).

I am grateful that I wasn't out further and that I was able to make it home safely.
I am now currently waiting for parts to come in, in order for the transmission to be repaired.

I may take a short trip to Maine in November and a quick trip to NC in December- but we will see.

I will try again next year to once again head west and get my last 11 states done.

I have some pictures to post- but it will have to wait until tomorrow.

Hope this posting finds everyone doing well. Take care until we chat again. Hugs Donna,




Friday, April 1, 2011

Waiting for Spring to arrive!!

Hi Everyone, It is April Fools Day! And we got snow to start the month off!! It has been a long and snowy winter. I had prayed for a lot of snow and boy did we get it. We had over 80 inches from mid December until March. But now I am ready for Spring, like everyone else. I am starting to prep for my next journey. If all goes well, I will be heading to Alaska by the end of May- beginning of June. I have 13 states left to go to reach my goal of seeing all 50 states!! I hope to be able to finish this goal with this next trip. I have a new trailer. My brother Wade bought it for me. It’s a toy hauler that is being overhauled starting this weekend, by Wade and my son Dave. We are setting it up to meet my needs for the road. I have my maps and passport ready to go!! So check back and see how the travels are going. I will post often. Have a great night- Hugs Donna See Pictures in Album # 185: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880

10/2/10 - 11/14/10 Trip to FL with Mom

October 2, 2010 - November 14, 2010 Trip to Florida with Mom

Mom and I made a trip to Florida to see her brother Danny and his wife Judy. We took our time going down and made several stops both on the way down and back to visit with family and friends. We had wonderful weather - only rained 2 x’s in that 6 week period. We drove 6,315 miles in the 6 weeks. We took close to 9,000 pictures, after taking out all the bloopers ended up with 4,719 pictures in the end. We had many great adventures…so come along and see some of the things we got to experience. Hope you enjoy the pictures.




10/2/10- Spent the night in Scranton, PA




10/3/10- Spent the night in Westminster, MD. Visited with my friends Debbie & Barb and their families. We had a nice visit and enjoyed a nice dinner together.




10/4/10- Spent the night in Statesville, NC




10/5/10- Stopped at Chimney Rock in Asheville, NC


See Pictures in Album # 174: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880




10/5/10- Arrive in Crossville, TN at the home of our friends the Worricks




10/6/10- The Worricks took us to see a 7 story tree house. David Worrick and I climbed to the top floor, but I decided to stay out of the crows nest!! LOL We also visited a gourd farm and a local Farm stand.


See Pictures in Album # 175: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880




10/7/10- Mom & I headed back out heading south to GA. We were on Signal Mountain (Rt 27) in TN, when we saw a spaceship shaped house. I felt like I was in an episode of “Lost in Space” LOL We spent the night in Macon, GA


See Pictures in Album # 176: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880




10/8/10- We were now in Jacksonville, FL. There was a motorcycle rally going on across the street from where we were staying- a lot of bikes where there. 10/9/10- We arrived in West Palm Beach. We were visiting Amy and her family. Amy had just had a baby boy (Steve) so this was my first time meeting him.


See Pictures in Album # 177: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880




10/10/10- We drove to Juno Beach and the Turtle rescue sanctuary. For more information please see: http://www.marinelife.org/


See Pictures in Album # 178: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880




10/11/10- 11/5/10 - Mom and I spent this time in Hudson, FL at my Aunt & Uncles home. We would make many trips to the Hudson Beach, also had a family gathering (Mia & Bob, and Denise & Michael). We took a trip to Citra, FL to meet my cousin Betty’s family (from my Dad’s side of family). I was also able to meet up with my friends Sue & Warren Wing. On the 4th I met up with my cousin Mia and we spent a “girls day out”. We had a lot of fun checking out Dunedin, FL (pronounced dun-e-din [not] doon-did) LOL - then we went of and had lunch at the Greek Fishing/Sponge Village in Tarpon Springs, FL.


See Pictures in Album # 179: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880  




11/5/10 - Mom and I headed back to East coast to Lantana, FL. We were picking up Amy’s girls the next day and heading to Key West.




11/6/10- Off to Key West we headed. We 1st made a stop at the Coral Castle in Homestead, FL. It was a very interesting place. A man back in early 1930's made a castle (home) out of coral. For more information please see: http://coralcastle.com/


We then head to Key West. Everyone was impressed with the 7 mile bridge and the beautiful waters. We took a tour of the Key West area, then had a relaxing dinner. After dinner we all walked down to Mallory Wharf to watch the sunset. We got the girls back home at midnight- what a long day!


See Pictures in Album # 180: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880




11/7/10- Mom and I were starting to make our way back home. We stopped once again to visit with Betty and her family- then spent the night back in Jacksonville. 11/8/10- We arrived in Savannah, GA. Mom & I took a trolley tour of the city and then spend a few hours down on the Riverfront. This is a great place. It reminds me of Boston in some ways. It’s a very busy area. Lots of shops and restaurants. There are paddleboat ferries that you can ride there too. While we were there- they were making a movie. It was fun watching the stars and extras doing their thing. The name of the movie is “ABC’s Always & Forever” It stars Sara Rue and Barry Watson- we saw them.


See Pictures in Album # 181: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880




11/9/10- We were now in Myrtle Beach, SC. After checking out the area we went over to Florence, SC to spend the night.


See Pictures in Album # 182: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880




11/10/10- We arrived at my friend Barbara Holland’s in Concord, NC.




11/11/10- This was a rest day and boy did we need it !! LOL




11/12/10- The 3 of us went to Lowes Motor Speedway. We took the tour of the speedway- which includes A ride on the racetrack. Everyone had a great time. After a relaxing lunch- we took a drive Down to Charlotte, NC- so Mom could see the city.


See Pictures in Album # 183: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880




11/14/10- Mom and I headed home- we decided to drive straight through- we left around 5:30am and arrived Back home approximately 10 pm. It was a very long day- and we were glad to be home. See Pictures in Album # 184: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880




I have listed several photo albums that show you our trip- just click on the link provided and look for corresponding album listed for that date. Have a wonderful day and I’ll be back in touch soon. Hugs Donna      

Summer 2010

Summer 2010 This summer was very hot. Not a lot of things happening. Made a few trips to the beach and local pond to get pictures of sunsets. We also had a visit from a colorful turtle, got some good pictures of him. Enjoy looking at some of my summer pics. See Pictures in Album # 173: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880

Spring 2010 trip to Maine

April 2-5, 2010 Trip to Maine Mom and I made a trip to Maine to visit with friends. We took Miss May with us. It was a beautiful stay. Very lively- lots of people in and out, kids riding motor bikes and quads. There is 5 dogs up there already and Miss May to the mix and oh boy!! LOL It was funny to see May interact with the pigs and horses (especially the big horses). The weather was great- sunny and warm! Check out the pictures from our visit. See Pictures in Album # 172: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880

Saturday, February 26, 2011

Graphics Creations

Hi Everyone,



In March 2010 I started an online graphics class. Here I am learning to make "tags".
Tags can be used for wallpapers on computers or cell phones, or be added to emails as stationary or signature cards. Tags can also be used to make business cards and many, many more things.

I use a Print Shop Program, photos, and different other elements and fonts to make my creations. I am really enjoying this new adventure..... I am hoping to one day use a lot of the pictures I have taken on my walk-about to make many wonderful things.

I have decided to post a copy of the different tags I have made. As I make new ones I will add to this album. So check back to this album to see my newest creations.

I hope you will enjoy looking at my tags, as much I enjoy making them.

Have a wonderful day.....take care until next time! Hugs Donna
See Pictures in Album # 171: http://picasaweb.google.com/Pandadmd5880