Thursday, October 31, 2013

Final Campout for the Year and a Trip to the Hospital- Thursday, October 31, 2013

We have been out in the motorhome once again.  A week ago we left home and went to Frederick for the fall Maryland Samboree.  There were 5 units from our Traveling Americans Good Sam chapter in attendance.  Unfortunately, one of the men had to have a trip to the hospital due to some heart issues and he did not get released until Monday.  The Samboree was the usual goings on with evening entertainment which was so-so.  There was a food vendor on site that had really good crab soup and according to others great crabcakes.  Our chapter put together a picnic basket (the theme of the Samboree was "Retro Picnic") that was judged (we were first place) and then raffled off with proceeds going to local food bank (a $100.00 bought the basket).
On Sunday we departed Frederick heading south to Whaleyville, Maryland, near Ocean City.  The Traveling Americans final campout for the year is the first weekend of November at Fort Whaley Campground so rather than go home for a few days we just decided  to spend the week there.  Tuesday Tom and I drove into Ocean City and walked the boardwalk.  We then stopped for lunch before returning to the campground. It was a nice day so once back at the motorhome Tom got out some chairs to sit outside.  We were reading books when Tom said that he was dizzy.  When the dizziness did not let up after a few minutes Tom got up, moved to the picnic table and began vomiting.  At that point I called 911 for an ambulance.  He was taken a short distance to Berlin, Md. to Atlantic General Hospital.  The dizziness and vomiting continued. A CT scan ruled out a stroke.  Medication was not effective so he was admitted. More medication was given to him and by the next day the vomiting was gone and dizziness was much better.  More testing- MRI, Doppler studies on the carotid arteries and and echo-cardiogram plus an review by a neurologist were done with nothing outstanding showing up.  The final thinking that it could have been an TIA  episode.  Late Wednesday afternoon Tom was discharged from the hospital with several prescriptions.  I was glad to have Tom back in the motorhome, being alone in the motorhome is a little lonely.  Another couple from TA have also been here for the week which was a comfort.
Today, Thursday, Tom has been taking things easy and resting.  More TA folks have come into the campground, including Larry and Joanne.  We have had offers of assistance to getting the motorhome home if need be- hopefully, we will not need to do that but it is a comfort to know help is available.

Wednesday, October 02, 2013

October 2, 2013, Wednesday, Home Once Again

Leaving the campground in Ashland, Virginia we traveled northeast to Taneytown.  We were home before 12 noon, about 3 hours, 165 miles.  We were able to get around the Washington, D.C. area fairly easy- maybe the government shut down had something to do with that.  After getting the motorhome into the driveway we went to the local Pizza Hut restaurant for lunch. The remainder of the day was spent moving things from the motorhome to the house, a few loads of laundry, going through mail and picking tomatoes.  Back to house living for a short while.

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

Tuesday, October 1, 2013 Myrtle Beach

This morning by 8:45am we were in the motorhome leaving the beach, Pirateland and our friends behind.  Actually all our friends except for Art Welch were also leaving Myrtle Beach today but we would be together again in a couple weeks for the last campout of the Traveling Americans.  Tom and I wanted to get the longest stretch of the trip home completed today.  So we traveled 365 miles to Ashland, Virginia arriving about 3:30pm at the Americamp RV Park.  The temperature here in Virginia (high 80's) is higher than what we were having in South Carolina the past several days.

Monday, September 30, 2013- Myrtle Beach

Saturday morning, after our morning walk on the beach,we headed out toward North Myrtle Beach.  As we drove through the Market Commons development we saw a craft/flea market and decided to stop.  It was a benefit for a parochial school.  We walked about the area checking out the stands and the goods being sold.  I bought a cute outfit for our nearly 2 year old Gabi, a "thirty-one" organizer bag and a couple dog treats for the campground dogs.  We then continued our drive to North Myrtle Beach for another festival- Irish-Italian International Festival.  A street was closed off and vendors were on both sides selling all sorts of items.  We did buy a couple items for Christmas.  Moving on, our next stop was for lunch at a Mexican restaurant in that area and finally at Rita's for a gelato.
Sunday we drove south looking for someplace to eat lunch.  We finally ended up in Georgetown.  Several days ago there had been a huge fire in the historic section of this town so we drove to that area.  Quite a few buildings were completely destroyed and there were still some smoldering embers.  In this same area was some restaurants.  We ate at the "Big Tuna" or Old Fish House (apparently both names are used).  Tom and I had the same thing for our meal- gumbo and an oyster po'boy- which were very good.  We walked about the area after eating and just happened to find an ice cream for dessert.  The weather has been just beautiful with temps during the day getting to the low 80's and dropping to the low 60's/ high 50's at night.  Windows are open and the a.c. is turned off.
Today, Monday, our final day here began with seeing 2 couples from our group leaving this morning.  After hugs and wishes of safe travels Woody and Linda Woodruff and Ed and Barb Perry were well on their way. Tom did some outside cleaning and checking of stuff on the motorhome while I finished reading a book.  Life is tough sometimes!!  We then went out for a late lunch at River City Cafe, a restaurant known for burgers.  There are several of these restaurants in this area but we were in Surfside and the restaurant was along the beach with outside dining.  The pigeons were also outside dining.  The burgers were good as advertised.