Easter With Natalie & Family

Natalie, Omoni, & kids Maile, Max, Margie & Mason arrived Friday evening from their long drive from Va Beach.  I built a campfire at our site in the park and we had us a marshmallow roast.

At the "Eggs in the Park" event on Sat morning, Max, Margie, Maile & Mom, Natalie getting ready for the egg hunt.

Omoni & Margie hunting eggs...

And here is a pic with all the Grands & Nat just before the hunt..

Margie & Max getting their eggs for the spoon race from Miss Kristin.

After the hunt, a little fun on the swings in the park...

I know I can fit in this seat, if I could only find a place for this foot.  Poor Mason!

After an exhausting egg hunt, Margie was ready for a little relaxation back at the Microtel pool.

It was a beautiful day for the pool.

Easter morning & time to get to the baskets and the goodies...Margie & Maile

Max is a little excited about his remote operated monster truck.

Mason getting into his basket.

It is amazing how little it takes to get such wonderful reactions.  We enjoyed their visit with us.

Mason playing with his "Mutyangs".  (His term for Mustangs.)

And back at the park after church services in Dade City, our Grands with Mom & Dad take a spin around the park in the Ez-Go gator.

Well, this wraps up our blog on sharing Easter with our Daughter and Grands & Omoni.  Again, it was so nice sharing our time making memories for them, and us as well.  We made a trip to Disneyworld a few days later, and that blog will be written in a day or so.  For now, Joe & Nancy say so long till the next blog.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eggs In the Park

It took 6 volunteers and two rangers to hide (and that term is used very loosely) 2000 eggs in the park, Dade Battlefield Historic Park.  It was the Saturday before Easter, and we had a beautiful day for the hunt.  We had approximately 300 kids from toddlers to 14.  We set up 3 different hunts for 3 different age groups, and were conducted simultaneously.  It was uncontrolled chaos, as you might imagine.

All are waiting for the start of the hunt.  Did I say Chaos?  It was fun chaos though.

Miss Kristin explaining the prizes inside some of the eggs, and the table in front of her are the prizes.

Park Manager, Bruce, Nancy, Kristin and other volunteers before the arrival of the "hunters".

Volunteer Terri putting a "Florida Panther face" on volunteer Scott.  We had several animals dress out for the occasion.

Dimitri, our "Mad Russian" volunteer, volunteer (name unknown), Nancy and Park Manager Bruce.

Manatee, Eagle, and Panther passing out free pizza coupons prior to the hunt.

The hunt begins.  This only one.  The other two are beyond the trees & behind me here.

Our volunteer clown (Judy) passing out coupons.

My daughter Natalie & her Son, Mason looking for eggs.

Ranger Jim handing out prizes for numbers in the eggs.

Clown and some happy "hunters";

And here are the lucky first, second and third place winners in each age group who found the most eggs.

And of course, the egg (raw) toss.

I did say uncooked!

Everyone was involved it seemed, on the 2-4 age group hunt.

And of course the old egg in the spoon race.

And of course the young lassies in their Easter finery, posing for their time in the lens!  How nice is this?

Volunteer Darryl (Eagle) and Scott (Panther) picking up their unbroken egg.

Miss Kristin, our volunteer coordinator at the Park, handing out coupons to the contest winners & runners-up.  Miss Kristin is a real dynamo in the park.  She plans & conducts and sets up many events in the park throughout the year.  She really enjoys her work.

Well, this wraps up our blog for now, so till the next time, Joe & Nancy, the RVing Beach Bums from Bushnell, FL.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WW II Re-enactment at DBHP

It was a cold weekend for the annual World War II re-enactment at Dade Battlefield Historic State Park.  Of course it was our first experience and we were surprised by the turnout, both of the participants anr the audiences, in spite of a cold, windy and cloudy weekend.  The re-enactment lasted for about a half hour and was performed each day.  In addition, the companies performed live fire (blanks) of several period weapons, and was quite interesting.

It was a 2-day event and brought out more people than I thought in spite of the weather.  The re-enactors come from all over and they perform several throughout the years in various locals.  Some are local volunteers of the Park.  Steve Kent (retired educator/principal) played the part of the German officer, and did quite well.  He also performs in the Seminole Wars re-enactment every year as well.  He also did a skit on Sat night in the lodge as Abbott (Abbott & Costello).  The skit was "Who's on First" baseball.

Steve is on the right above.  A local high school (Bushnell) jazz band performed throughout the evening.  The skit went well and they both remembered all their lines.

Above, one of the encampments of the companies over the weekend.

Above, park volunteers & the Park Manager setting up a WWll period mess hall tent.  It was not easy!  Below is the tent assembled, 3 hours later, and after assistance from one of the re-enactors who has experience.

Here are a few pics of the re-enactment and the folks who attended the event.

Above, an innocent French citizen lies mortally wounded by the Germans after helping the American GI's.

Germans outnumbered, finally surrender, with little casualties.

Above, Park Manager, Bruce Whiting and volunteer Chris.

Above, one of the several WWll vets who were able to attend the event.  Thank you for your service gentlemen and welcome home.  My Father served 2 years during that war.

Sat night was full of skits, singers, period music and finger foods available for all to enjoy.  A fun time for the participants and volunteers.

Above, Kristin Wood, one of the Park Rangers (and our coordinator) serving cookies & brownies. Note her period dress.

Dimitri (our "Mad Russian" volunteer) and Kristin at the Park's tent selling crafts & media of the history of the Park.

Above, volunteers Scott & Nancy "manning" the gate.  So ends another day & event at Dade Park in Bushnell.  I am still behind several blogs, but will attempt to catch the closer we get to leaving here in about 3 weeks.  It has been a fun & challenging at times period in our RVing adventures.  So, until the next blog, Joe & Nancy, RVing Beach Bums.