Ocala FL.  Went to the Villages to look at retirement communities, homes and life styles.  There are several communities in the Ocala area and a very interesting type of retirement.

While in Ocala we went to Sunrise Labradoodles.  Our friends Ardel and Maureen's daughter is breeding Australian Labradoodles  and she has a new litter so had to see.

How cute.

She does a live feed on her website of new litters if anyone wants to see.  We took Brandi along she was more interested in the cat outside.  It was like been there done that.

Karen has a beautiful set up for breeding puppies.  Ardel and Maureen had not left Minnesota when we were here but we did get to visit on our return trip.  We got to see the puppies again and Maureen and Karen made a great dinner and we got to catch up.  Ardel and Dennis were in Mayo at the same time waiting for their heart transplant.  Ardel got his a little more than a year before Dennis. After his transplant Ardel sailed around the world in a 25ft sail boat by himself to promote organ donation.  They are a great couple.

From Ocala we were off to Hudson FL a little north of New Port Richey.  Love this area.  We looked at more retirement communities and met up with our friends Bev and Tom Lee.  Bev worked with Dennis at Molex and they retired to this area about a year ago.  They showed us a great time.  Took us to local restaurants and bars.

Lots of fun places.

Their favorite places are on the river or the gulf, how can it be bad.

They took us to parks and the inter coastal water ways and showed us old Florida which is how I want Florida to look.

See the dog on the jet ski?

Loved these trees.
They took us to Tarpon Springs where they bring in all the sponges.  Neat area but I forgot to take pictures.  I did get more restaurants and bars though.

We had a great time here and can't thank Bev and Tom enough for all their time.  Thanks guys.

After two fun filled weeks in Red Bay we were on our way to Talladega AL.

The winners.  We did not get to go on track because they were doing time trials but we did get to see the track.

From here we went to the Hall of Fame Motor Sports.  We had a great time looking at all the vehicles in the Hall of Fame and the history of all the racers.

Red Bay AL.  The mother ship for Tiffin Motor Homes.  We stopped here to have a check of the wet bay and a general inspection of the RV.  What a surprise we had the big three.  Wet bay floor need replaced, large slide floor need replaced, and rails need replaced, so our two week journey at Red Bay AL began. We had a spot on site because of Dennis's foresight (hate to admit that) to make a reservation.  They have 50 spots with water, sewer, electric,  and a lot of dry camping, maybe another 50.  They have 50 bays that have some sort of repair going all the time.  We had major work done and even though we bought the coach used they covered it under warranty.  WOW.  Tiffin Rocks.  Not the prettiest place to be but what a deal.

We made a side trip to Tupelo MS

Elvis's birthplace.

The bedroom where he has born.

Elvis's first home.  It was an interesting.  I learned a few things I never knew about his first few years and how he came back and donated the park.  They moved in the church where he first sang.  That was and interesting show in the church. 

Me and young Elvis.

Another interesting place was the Coon Dog Cemetery. They had the festival while we were there.  It is back in the woods and you can here the banjos playing.  Really.

Quit the place and and only Coon Dogs and be buried here.

Ryman Auditorium-Mother Church of Country Music.  When I was a kid we listened to the Grand Ole Opry every Saturday night.  So glad they didn't tear it down.

Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum one of the Gold Record Walls.  I thought it was an impressive collection of old and new artist.  They have a theater, interactive exhibits and traveling exhibits.

What's a trip to Nashville without going to the Grand Ole Opry.  We saw Carrie Underwood, Trace Adkins, Bill Anderson, another guy I thought was really good can't remember his name and of course lost the program and a couple of other guest (fillers) artist.  Have some video of this but still can't get it to work.

Carrie Underwood photos not very good but I have good video!

Went downtown one night and enjoyed the street scene and went to Ernest Tubbs record store.  Got to listen to a couple of good bands.

Had a good time.

It's been a while and a few miles since my last post so I am going to try and catch up.

Our firs stop after Lexington was Bowling Green, Ky.  Went to the General Motors Assembly Plant and saw the production of the 2015 Corvette.  Was going to order two but couldn't get my color so guess I will wait.  It was a very interesting tour.  No pictures!!

From there to the National Corvette Museum.   For those who don't know we sold our 1978 Silver Anniversary for a John Deere. Tractor.  May have been a mistake.  Anyway The Museum has increased the number of visitors since the sink hole destroyed several vintage vettes.  I read an article since we left there that they were going to fill in the hole.  Sounds like a mistake to me.

Sad thing is these were on loan.  GM says they are going to restore the ones that were damaged but I am not seeing it here.  Had a video of the hole but can't get it up upload.

One guy owned a dozen or more that were on loan.

On to Nashville.