11-08
Leaving from New Jersey on the Explorer of the Seas, the Butauds and Fishers enjoyed ten days cruising in the North Atlantic and the St Lawrence Seaway while visiting three Canadian Provinces. The Explorer Of The Seas, our home away from home, is one of the largest ships in the Royal Caribbean line. One of the unusual features of the ship is a skating rink where an ice show is performed. But, more on that later.

The cruise departed from Cape Liberty in New Jersey and headed for the first stop in Sydney, Nova Scotia. While many side trips were available, Connie and I elected to “build our own” day in Sydney. We walked the city and took in the local sights and sounds. The Fishers were off on one of the side trips offered by the ship.

Our next port of call was Prince Edwards Island. We docked at Charlottetown and, once again, elected to do it on our own. All of us walked the town and a delightful town it was. I commented that I could easily spend three or four weeks in the area one summer. We had heard about a couple of good restaurants and set out to track them down. As a result we had some of the best clam chowder I have ever eaten. Following that we set out for the next restaurant which was a seafood place. It was noted for lobster and we found out why. If you have never seen Gene Fisher eat lobster you don’t know what you are missing. Strange sounds normally associated with pure joy kept coming from his side of the table. He does know how to eat lobster - including that “green stuff” which he said was delicious. I would say that Charlottetown is high on our list of favorite places to visit.

Next, we headed for Quebec City. As we proceeded down the St Lawrence Seaway we detoured down the Saguenay River to see if we might spot some whales. Some folks said they saw whales. I did not. But then I had not been drinking.

Quebec City was as impressive as I remember it the first time I was there in the 70s. Chateau Frontenac is still a beautiful place. On this day we split up and headed in different directions. Connie and I, along with our cruise directors, took a ferry to the non-tourist part of Quebec City. We were treated to a beautiful and quaint part of Quebec and got to meet several of the locals. Our mission was to find a famous chocolate manufacturer. After about 1 1/2 miles of walking almost straight up we located the shop. It was well worth the walk. Rather than walk back we cheated and took a taxi back to the ferry.

After leaving Quebec City, we headed for Halifax, Nova Scotia. Once again we all elected to tour on our own. Halifax was especially important to Connie because many of her ancestors on her Mother’s side of the family came from here when thousands of Acadian families were split up and deported. Once again we found (yep, you guessed it) a great place to eat.

Once back on the ship we cruised back to Cape Liberty, New Jersey where we caught our flights back home. This was a great trip. The seas were unbelievably calm. The entertainment on board ship was some of the best I’ve seen. The ice show was absolutely spectacular. The food, I must say, was in my opinion just OK with the exception of two notable evenings. On one evening, our table group elected to go to the ship’s restaurant. The service and the food was stupendous. We dined in a beautiful setting for almost three hours. The ship itself is something to behold. The center of the ship is a huge mall with merchandise shops, eating places and bars of all descriptions. All in all a great cruise in a beautiful ship. Till later, drive supremely and safely.

Lou Butaud

10-16-08
After our Vidalia Balloon Rally was canceled because it didn’t make, Joe & I decided to go on our own. Turns out we had an impromptu, unplanned "Gathering of Traveling Supremes Friends" at the Balloon Festival in Vidalia, LA. The Bayles’s, Moore’s, Wellock’s, Rickles's, and Mary & Bernard Lang all showed up and had a great time. Additionally, other members showed up Saturday afternoon for a nice visit. Those coming Saturday during the day were Betty & Larry Jurisich, Les & Ida Cook, Connie & Lou Butaud, and James & Gail Smith.

There were well over 200 RV's there, all sites full, and several in a "no hookup" overflow area. In addition to the balloons, there was a flea market & carnival on the North end of the park. Since our last rally in Vidalia, the city has added a new Super Wally World and a new Mexican Restaurant, so we were well served with the necessities. Joe and Sue Moore

9-19-08
We are finally home at "Cove" (Baytown) after spending such a short time in Colorado, total of 13 days. Hardly worth the money spent for diesel! However, IKE took a toll on our building which was the Bruce RV Park. Here are a few pictures that were taken by a friend of ours before we got home.

We still have no electricity, water, or sewer access as of today, Sept. 18. Mike & Christine suffered NO major damage, just trees, limbs, etc. Also, lost about 5 panels of screen over the swimming pool. The cleanup for that is tremendous. Thanks to the ones who have called to see how we fared. We still plan to attend the sponsor's rally. We haven't heard if the park in Rayne was affected by the storm.

Linda & Jack Bruce

9-9-08
Hi Y’all, K & I are here in Traverse City doing just fine. We really enjoyed the Northwest Michigan 4-H Fair. I wish there was a way to get all of our young folks involved in 4-H. It was a very rewarding experience to be involved with such an industrious, polite group of kids. We had a ball.

Our campground was full for the week. It was nice to have so many neighbors for a change. We met some fine folks and also had some challenging times. For the most part things went really well. One of the new things this year was that there is now a set of campground rules. These folks aren’t used to having the usual rules we have come to expect at the facilities we frequent.

After the fair we had some welcome visitors. Ken and Anne Marie Wellock decided to help out local fuel retailers and come over for a visit. They spent three days with us and took time to visit friends in the area. We enjoyed spending time with them. Our second “Paying” customers were the folks from Trailer Life Campground Directory. They came in to evaluate our facility and generate an advertisement for next years’ directory. Ben and Betsy seem to think we can get some folks to use our facility because we are the lowest price facility in the area. It’ll be a good thing if we can generate some income for the fair association.

We awoke to mid 40 degree temperatures this morning. Tomorrow we expect to see mid 30’s with a frost warning. It’s time for us to start south. We have really enjoyed the area and folks here. The fair board has invited us back next year… I guess they are satisfied with our effort.

I talked with my knee guy the other day and scheduled my right knee for the 19th of November. It’ll be nice to walk without a limp and not in pain. Hopefully the experience will be as pleasant as the last one. I plan on attending the year-end rally.

Travel safely and supremely,
Henry and Kay

10-08
John and Romola Laninga – John and Romola own a 40’ Travel Supreme motorhome. They are from Livingston, Texas. They are retired and are full timers.

They lived in the Dallas area until 2001. John had developed and built a specialty computer company, which he sold to a Fortune 500 company. They moved him to North Carolina to run the new organization. Romola, an RN, retired at that time, and John retired in January 2008.

In 2007, they had bought a fifth wheel and diesel pickup. That year, they lived in it for 110 nights. So, when they got a chance to buy a Travel Supreme in January 2008, they jumped at the deal. Sold the fifth-wheel and pickup, and decided to move back to Dallas. They suddenly realized that it didn't make sense to buy a new house, so they got rid of all their "stuff" and hit the road full time.

Bill and Marcia Bestor – Bill and Marcia are from Scottsdale, Arizona and spend the summer in Alto, New Mexico. They own a 45’ Travel Supreme motorhome. They are both retired and between them like to golf, hunt, cook and spend time enjoying foreign travel.

Ray and Sandy Wenig – Ray and Sandy keep their home in Hilton Head, South Carolina. They own a 45’ Travel Supreme motorhome. Ray enjoys Angel Investing, RV touring, boating and biking. Sandy enjoys painting, photography, RV touring, boating and biking. Both have been involved with RV tour management.

8-08
Dea and Yvonne Wiseley - Dea and Yvonne live in Treasure Island, Florida and own a 36' TS 5th-wheel with 3 slides.

Volunteer now and let us get your rally on the books for 2009. All I need at this time is the date, place and host name!

Wagonmaster, Marie Moreau