All posts by gypsy

Five Flags RV Park, Pensacola FL

The US flag adorns the entrance into Five Flags.

Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park

Above is the newest addition to the RV park.

The flags of the United States Armed Forces and the U.S. flag fly proudly upon the entrance to Five Flags.

Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park

To pass time on a sunny day horseshoes and horseshoe pits are available.

Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park

Want to relax, you can rest on the benches or sky chairs.  A fire pit is also available.  Its a great place to join your new friends for morning coffee.  Picnic tables nearby.

Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park

Even Nala enjoyed her time on the bench swing.

A new friend, Sara, enjoyed Nalas company.

Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park

Two and Three wheel bikes available with bike stand throughout the park.

Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park

Unique laundry facilities located near front of park.  Two antique trolley cars house washers and dryers.  Laundry on honor system, $1.50 per load.

Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park

This park is very well kept up, and new things are constantly being added to make it more appealing.  Full hook-ups.  The few gravel pads at the park are being replaced with cement pads.  Picnic tables are on cement pads at each site.    Short or long-term stays available.

Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park

The beach site is unique.

Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park

This door takes you from inside the park, into the parking lot of Smokeys BBQ.  Excellent food.

Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park

This exit door takes you too the convenience store.

Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park

Golf courses are nearby.  And yes, I did take up golf.  Lonestar and I went to Osceola Golf Course.  They have a driving range, putting green, and sand traps to practice on.  That’s where I will be until I learn how to hit the ball.  The Golf Course also offers a bar and restaurant with friendly staff and good food.

Community Garden

Five Flags RV Park
Five Flags RV Park

The attribute I enjoyed was the community garden.  I miss having a garden and I can get in and get my hands dirty weeding and planting.  During our stay at Five Flags, I planted marigolds around the exterior of the garden and weeded it.  Anyone can plant what they like and anything that grows is for the park patrons to use, whether they are staying for a short time or extended stay.  Chives, lettuce, cabbage, onions, rosemary, oregano, etc.  I used some chives in a roast.  Nothing better than fresh veggies and herbs.

If you want bonfires, you need to have a covered fire pit which can be purchased at many stores or on line.  Also the park does not have public restrooms or showers.

Five Flags RV Park has an friendly staff and they are very helpful.   The park offers pull-through and back-in sites.  We really enjoyed our stay and will definitely put it on our list of parks to revisit.

 

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2017 Cedron Creek Lake Whitney

A short 2 day  trip to Lake Whitney.  We were going to look at a tow dolly.  The seller happened to live near the Corp of Engineers park at Cedron Creek Lake Whitney.   The park is well kept with gravel pads for your RV’s, water and electric.  A dump station is available.  There are also tent sites, some of which have water hook ups.

Our camp site
Our camp site
Picnic area
Picnic area
View of the RV park
View of the RV park
Charcoal grills and fire pits
Charcoal grills and fire pits

Grills and fire pits at all the RV sites

Swimming Beach
Swimming Beach

The water level was real low so the enclosed beach area was quite small.  Too cold to swim in February anyway.

Nala posing for the camera

Playground
Playground

Two playgrounds in RV park for the little ones.

Rest Rooms and Shower
Rest Rooms and Shower

Flush toilets and shower available.

Pelican
Pelican

Huge Pelican resting with some feathered friends

Pelican in flight
Pelican in flight

I had to wait forever to get him to take off.  So beautiful to see him in flight.

Rich & Nala
Rich & Nala

Rich and Nala having a snack at the picnic table

Lake View
Lake View

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2017 Benbrook Lake

It is not to difficult to decide to go camping when you hear a beautiful weather forecast.  Besides our puppy Nala turned one year old on the 5th of February so we decided to try another Corp Of Engineer Park.  Holiday Park on Benbrook Lake offers cement pads, covered picnic areas, and a fire ring.  Water and electric provided at RV sites.

Benbrook Lake RV Site
Benbrook Lake RV Site

Cement pads for the RV, water and electric hook up.  Dump station provided.

Picnic Area
Picnic Area

Cement pads and covers for picnic tables at sites.  Fire pits also provided.

Park Road
Park Road

Lots of road to bike and hike.

Rich walking Nala
Rich walking Nala

Leashes and pet mess pick up required.

Just a tree 2
Just a tree

Couldn’t get over how twisted up this tree was so I just had to take a picture.

Benbrook Lake Sunrise
Benbrook Lake Sunrise

Can never beat the gorgeous sunrise.  What a great start to a great day.

Benbrook Lake was quite low, I’d guess at least 10 feet.  Tree stumps everywhere.  Boaters beware.  Once the water is up to its normal levels, navigating a boat through the narrow passages could be quite tricky.

Nala's Birthday Presents
Nala’s Birthday Presents

Everyone needs birthday gifts.  What do you get a puppy who has everything?  Food and toys..

Nala's Birthday Treat
Nala’s Birthday Treat

Nala’s first taste of canned dog food.  It didn’t take her much time at all to finish it.

We really enjoyed ourselves at Benbrook Lake.  Although it wasn’t as picturesque as other parks we have been to, we always love being outdoors.

 

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Lake O’ The Pines

Corps of Engineers (COE) Parks are a great place to camp whether for one night or longer.  COE parks usually consist of several parks within them.  Lake O’ the Pines Recreation Area in Jefferson, TX has three parks for RV camping.   They have cement pads, water and electric hook-ups and a dump station.  Tent sites available.  Hiking and biking and fishing are popular.  Pets welcome.  Bathrooms and showers are clean and well-maintained.  Sites can be reserved ahead of time by just contacting them at www.lakeothepines.org  or  call   877-444-6777.

BUCKHORN CREEK, Jefferson, TX

Buckhorn Creek RV Site
Buckhorn Creek RV Site

Lovely RV sites with picnic tables, cement pads, fire rings and beautiful view of the lake.

Buckhorn Creek Fishing Pier
Buckhorn Creek Fishing Pier

Great docks for fishing for those of us without a boat.

Buckhorn Creek Fishing Pier
Buckhorn Creek Fishing Pier
Buckhorn Creek Beach
Buckhorn Creek Beach
Buckhorn Creek RV site with deck
Buckhorn Creek RV site with deck

This RV site comes with its own personal deck.

Buckhorn Creek Restrooms and Shower
Buckhorn Creek Restrooms and Shower

Very well maintained and clean showers and rest rooms.

Buckhorn Creek RV sites
Buckhorn Creek RV sites

Many sites to choose from,

Buckhorn Creek View
Buckhorn Creek View

When fishing is done and fish are cleaned the birds come in for the left overs.

Buckhorn Creek Sunset
Buckhorn Creek Sunset

Love the sunsets

We really enjoyed Buckhorn Creek.

 

© 2017-2026 ArchBooks, Inc.

2016 Christmas at Blue Angel RV Park

We again decided to spend Christmas at the Blue Angel RV Park with TenPin.  Fortunately,  this time we had marvelous weather.  We were able to take advantage of disc golf, bike riding and plenty of walks through the park.

Blue Angel Park
Blue Angel Park
Park Directions
Park Directions

This sign gives you directions for the park.  If you turn to the right, you go to campground with gravel sites, and only water and electric site.

If you turn left, you go to campground with cement pads and full hook-ups.

Campground Entry
Campground Entry
Campground Entry
Campground Entry
Paintball Zone
Paintball Zone

We did not do the Paintball

Disc Golf Course
Disc Golf Course

But we did play disc golf.  Lots of fun and exercise

Camped at our RV site
Camped at our RV site

We found a nice site.  TenPin camped right next to us..  The sites are well maintained, and spacious.

We will be back again to the Blue Angel RV Park.

 

© 2016-2026 ArchBooks, Inc.

Selecting an RV Park

Many RV Parks are near interstates or busy roads.  We found they are okay for one night but for extended stays we do our research and find RV parks that are off major highways.  Often times this means a greater cost to stay there but if its a several night stay it’s worth it to find those parks.  Many critiques we have read about RV Parks state road noise as the main complaint. To check out surroundings for the RV park go to  Google maps satellite view which shows major highways and railroads.

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New Friends

We are always meeting new people in RV parks.   We make business cards to hand out to our new friends.  This way we can keep in contact with the new people in our life.

 

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Meals on Wheels

We always pre-make meals such as meat loaf, casseroles, potatoes and freeze them.  Then when you want a meal just take it out of the freezer, put in the oven or on the grill.  Quick and easy so you can have more time enjoying your vacation.

 

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All About Family

Gypsy & Ten Pin
Gypsy & Ten Pin

Family is so important.  My brother and I were adopted when we were 3 and 4.  As infants, we were sent to our Aunt & Uncles farm along with our other sister, Joanne, and left there.

Our Aunt and Uncle had three children, we made six; an unexpected addition.   The heartbreaking decision was to give my brother and I up for adoption with the condition we would be adopted together. Our sister Joanne, the oldest, stayed with our Aunt and Uncle.

When we were in our early thirties, we found out the location of our sister, Joanne, whom we had never known and the fact that there were eight more siblings we had never met.  We all had the same mother but the oldest siblings and  youngest sister had different fathers.

With the passing of years some of our siblings are no longer with us including our sister Joanne. Being blessed with the opportunity to travel, we are now able to connect with our remaining siblings and even cousins.

Florida

In March 0f 2016, we were able to visit our sister Donna and her husband Chuck.

They have two airplanes and live in an Air Park, something I had never heard of.  Everyone in this park owns an airplane and the runway in right in the center with houses on both sides.

Donna, Chuck, LoneStar, Gypsy
Donna, Chuck, LoneStar, Gypsy
Donna & Chucks other Plane
Donna & Chucks other Plane

 

Donna, Chuck, Ten Pin & Gypsy
Donna, Chuck, Ten Pin & Gypsy

We had a great time visiting.  We did not get a ride in the planes but plan on it next time we visit.

Orlando, FL

After visiting my sister,  we went to Orlando, FL.  We met my daughter Tammy, her husband Guy and my twin granddaughters, Kate & Meg  there.  We stayed in an RV park and they stayed in a hotel.

Tammy, Meg, Kate & Guy
Tammy, Meg, Kate & Guy, Ten Pin, Gypsy

We visited the Aquarium in Clearwater, FL.  The twins love to visit places that have to do with animals.  The aquarium was on the top of their list of things to see.

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Kate (L), Meg (R)
Kate (L), Meg (R)

The twins really enjoyed our time together.  We get together at least once a year.

Phillips, WI

Our sister Judy and her husband Howie live in Phillips, WI. Judy was the youngest of the first seven kids,  She became the  driving force that helped to find all the siblings, as most were split up by adoptions and foster homes.

Gypsy, Ten Pin and sister Judy
Gypsy, Ten Pin and sister Judy

It was great to see our sister Judy.  She wanted to show us some sites around Phillips, WI.  Our first stop was the Wisconsin Concrete Park.  Amazing statues were built with rocks, cement and broken glass.

Wisconsin Concrete Park
Wisconsin Concrete Park
Gypsy with horse
Gypsy with horse
LoneStar with horses
LoneStar with horses
Indian Chier
Indian Chief
Team of Horses
Team of Horses
Mother and baby
Mother and baby
Horses & Wagon
Horses & Wagon
Horse Team
Horse Team
Iwo Jima
Iwo Jima

This Iwo Jima statue was one of my favorites.  What artistry.

It was an enjoyable time and if you ever get to Phillips, WI go check out the Concrete Park.

Judy told us they had little to pick from for showing us places but she found this really cool park, Big Falls County Park in Price County, WI.

As we walked through the woods the sound of rushing water became louder and louder.  The walking path was beautiful.

Big Falls Country Park in Price County, WI
Big Falls Country Park in Price County, WI
Big Falls Country Park in Price County, WI
Big Falls Country Park in Price County, WI

Then we arrived at the rushing waters edge.

Judy, Ten Pin, Gypsy
Judy, Ten Pin, Gypsy
Big Falls Country Park in Price County, WI
Big Falls Country Park in Price County, WI
Big Falls Country Park in Price County, WI
Big Falls Country Park in Price County, WI
Big Falls Country Park in Price County, WI
Big Falls Country Park in Price County, WI
Big Falls Country Park in Price County, WI
Big Falls Country Park in Price County, WI
LoneStar & Gypsy
LoneStar & Gypsy

Ten Pin, I and LoneStar enjoyed this hike and the beauty of nature.

Wouldn’t mind going back there again sometime.

MINNESOTA

In August of 2016 we went  Kandiyohi County Park #2, Lake Lillian, MN for a family reunion with LoneStar’s family.

Our campsite
Our campsite
Jeanne, Gypsy, Ten Pin & Nancy
Jeanne, Gypsy, Ten Pin & Nancy

As I said earlier we got to meet some cousins we never knew.  Before the reunion, we met Jeanne & Nancy.  Their grandfather was our uncle.  That probably makes them 2nd or 3rd cousins.  I could never figure that cousin thing out.   It was great to meet them.

Some of LoneStars  relatives were camping there also.  So we were able to hang around campfires and catch up on 16 years of family.

LoneStars niece Kim and her husband Ron  took us out on their boat for fishing and relaxation.  Ten Pin fished the whole time.  We actually caught enough fish for supper.

Family boat ride/fishing
Family boat ride/fishing

As you can see the lake was nice and calm.  More of the family enjoyed the water in the distant boat.  It was a very pleasurable day.

LoneStar and Sisters
LoneStar and Sisters

Before the reunion we were able to go visit Elaine’s (R) home, LoneStar’s oldest sister along with Karen (L).

The reunion happened on Saturday, August 6, 2016.

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Ten Pin & Gypsy at Reunion
Ten Pin & Gypsy at Reunion

It was about 16 years since the last reunion.  Hopefully now we will be able to make this visit more frequent.

WESTON, WI  October, 2016

With the meeting of another cousin, Mavis, who lived in Weston, WI, we were able to visit the farm where we were dropped off at as infants.

The Farm
The Farm

 

The Farm
The Farm

Notice the build date, ‘1898’

Before all the family was brought together, I had a repetitive dream.  It was of an older lady in white standing on a side porch.  This dream kept repeating itself for years when I was in my early teens.  I had no idea what it meant but that dream was etched into my mind and I never forgot it.

In 2014, we had a small reunion with three of our sisters and our brother.  Judy brought us a book with photos of our birth parents and other pictures of family.  As I paged through it at the reunion, I turned the page,  and my mouth fell open and tears filled my eyes.    Before me was a photo of my dream!  Yes, the porch, the woman in white. Although she was sitting there holding me, it was her.   The photo shows my Grandmother, Amalia, holding me as an infant.  This photo taken right before we were given up for adoption.  I have been told by my cousins that Amalia love us deeply and it broke her heart to give us up.

The porch in no longer there  but here’s that proof that some dreams are reality.  The photos were scanned from the original taken sometime in 1951.

Amalia
Amalia

I am not sure of my exact age here but I was under one year.

Amalia
Amalia

It really is an unbelievable story, but true it is.  Me and my Grandma relaxing in a rocking chair.   I will see her in heaven and I can’t wait to give her a hug.

 

 

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Critter Camping 2016

Fresh from the Groomer
Fresh from the Groomer

Hi my name is Nala.  Gypsy and LoneStar love to take me camping.

Most every campground we go to people have their pets with them.  All the parks we have visited have several rules that must be abided by:

All dogs on leash

No dogs left outside camper unattended.  Must be tied or kenneled.

Clean up after pet

Noisy and out of control pets are not tolerated.  All dogs bark to communicate but nuisciance barking is annoying to all others in the campground.

Nala's First Kennel-8 weeks old
Nala’s First Kennel-8 weeks old

I was only 8 weeks old here and stayed in my kennel while we traveled.  I even slept there at night.  As long as I had toys I was happy.

Nap Time
Nap Time

They put a soft cushion between the seats and that’s where I lay while we were on the road.  I matured real fast and no longer needed the kennel along on trips.

Nala Making Friends
Nala Making Friends

I like to go camping and meet new friends.   So far, most dogs I met  in RV parks  are friendly but my Gypsy always asks the pet owner  if their dog is friendly towards people and other dogs.  Never assume, just because they have their dog in an RV park, that he/she is friendly.

Nala with Life Jacket
Nala with Life Jacket

I am not sure about this.  They put this vest on me.  Little did  I know it involved me going in the water.  I was only 10 weeks old here.

Click this link to watch my video, I did pretty well for my first time swimming.

 

Nala--Bath Time
Nala–Bath Time

No body told me I would have to have baths while we were traveling.  Kate keeps me warm in a towel and dries me off.

Nala & Hook
Nala & Hook

Ten Pin always brings my cousin Hook camping.  I love playing with him even though he is quite a bit bigger than me.

Nala & Hook
Nala & Hook
Nala & Hook
Nala & Hook

Hook is such a gentle giant.

Click on this link to see Hook and I playing

Nala and her stick
Nala and her stick
Nala
Nala

Ever since I can remember, I love to play with sticks.  As I grow, so do the sticks (logs) I try and conquer.

Nala & Buddah at Little Sand Lake
Nala & Buddah at Little Sand Lake

Yes, I even like cats, although they don’t like me very much.  All I want to do is play.  This is Buddah.  We are up at the Albee’s Little Sand Lake Resort II.

Click on this link to see us play.


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