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  • The Wandering Walkers

2024 New England Adventure

An open-ended adventure by The Wandering Walkers Read more
  • Nashville Adventures - Day 10

    May 28, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    Beth had yet another pickleball-packed day! First up, she played coach to her friend's grandson in Hendersonville. He had a smashing time, and no, that's not just a pun! 😄 Then it was off to Fairvue Plantation for a match with the squad—old pals like Darolyn, Natalie, Ellie, Tamara, and Jana, plus some fresh faces, Catherine and Elrita. Talk about girl power and good times!

    Meanwhile, Don was busy with the most important task of all: Jack the cat's annual tune-up. Can't have your feline friend running on empty, right?

    Later, we toured our old house in Gallatin, which had a run-in with a tornado last November. Thankfully, we weren't there when it happened, but the repairs are still ongoing. The new owners are turning disaster into opportunity by finishing the attic space. And hey, at least the front landscaping got a makeover!

    In the evening, it was back to the pickleball courts in Gallatin, with Jake joining after work and Cody swinging by on his way home. The result? Beth and Cody dominating 2 of 3 games against Don and Jake. And a hilarious showdown with Beth and Jake dominating the court against Don and Cody. Despite their best efforts, they just couldn't kick butt! 😂

    Dinner? Chinese takeout at Jake's place, rounding off a day filled with fun, laughter, and a whole lot of pickleball action!

    ANNOUNCEMENT: Today is National “Jake” Day! 💕❤️💕
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  • Nashville Adventures - Day 9

    May 27, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    Who knew pickleball could be such a serious addiction? Today's adventure: six hours of pickleball marathon at Peay Park with our squad … Jake, Cody, Andrea, Carol, Sam and Chris! We even got some VIP coaching from none other than Jonny "Pickleball" Andrews himself, accompanied by his equally awesome fiancée, Kira. Turns out, the pickleball pro circuit is real, folks! And yes, he was surprisingly nice and humble—no pickle-sized ego in sight! 😄 Ended the day with dinner at Puckett’s and a friendly game of Play 9 golf... where Don somehow transformed into the Tiger Woods of card games! Who knew? 🏌️‍♂️🥒 #PickleballAnonymous #ProPickleballer #CardSharkDad

    6/5 UPDATE: Jonny “Pickleball” Andrews just signed with Engage Pickleball. Be on the lookout for his new camouflage paddle!!! So excited for him and Engage Pickleball!
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  • Nashville Adventures - Day 8

    May 26, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    Today started with Mother Nature playing DJ, spinning some stormy tracks with tornado warnings. But hey, we dodged that bullet and got to spend the morning doing the ultimate relaxation routine: checking emails, catching up on texts, and engaging in the thrilling sport of indoor RV chores.

    Then, in the evening, it was game on with The Thompson Clan! We hit up Puttshack for some high-tech mini-golf madness in downtown Nashville. Megan came out swinging, leaving Morgan in the dust with a three-stroke victory! As for us, well, let's just say our golf skills were on par with a blindfolded squirrel, but at least Beth beat Don by a whisker! 😝

    Nothing beats a night filled with laughs and friendly competition with The Thompsons!
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  • Nashville Adventures - Day 7

    May 25, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    Despite the rain's persistent attempts to dampen our spirits, the sun finally decided to crash the party. So, what did we do? Obviously, we hit the pickleball courts! Peay Park became our arena of glory, where Jake, Mitchell, Cody, Andrea, Sam, Carol, and Gwyn joined forces for some epic matches. Sam and Carol even stuck around with us into the afternoon, becoming honorary members of our pickleball squad!

    After ruling the pickleball courts, we decided to take our talents downtown with Andrea and Cody for some serious honky-tonk action! 😂 Fueling up with a feast fit for champions at The Goat in Germantown, we embarked on a legendary bar-hopping adventure. From Kid Rock's joint to Luke Bryan's spot, and finally wrapping up the night at Garth Brooks' bar, we strutted through Nashville like true country music royalty. Yeehaw and cheers to an unforgettable day!
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  • Nashville Adventures - Day 6

    May 24, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    What an awesome morning! Pickleball at Peay Park in Goodlettsville with our RP peeps … including a cameo appearance by Bob Pomerleau!! 🤣. We took up three courts and had a blast, as always, with these folks. The weather was in the mid-70s with cloud cover and 76% humidity, so some of us smelled a little ripe when we were done playing! Sorry, no action shots—our photographer was too busy slaying on the court. Guess he can’t be all work and no play! 😜

    After cleaning up, we headed to Gallatin to drop off the Jeep for a backseat repair. 👏 And, Jake kindly loaned us his truck so we could run a few errands, since we were temporarily carless. Off to Lowe’s we went to correct our flooring order. Whoops, we ordered the wrong color! Better to catch it now than live with a floor that screams, "What were they thinking?!" Getting old is quite the pickle!

    With our errands done, we headed back to the Jeep dealer to pick up our ride. 😩 The seat is STILL not fixed. Apparently, the tech broke a bolt and they don’t have a replacement in stock! Are you kidding me?! Now we’re stuck in limbo until they can order a new one. Really?!

    We capped the night off having dinner at Jake’s! Beth made taco salads and nachos for dinner and for dessert we had Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream! 😋 What a great night!
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  • Nashville Adventures - Day 5

    May 23, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌩️ 70 °F

    Wouldn’t you know it … more rain this morning! 🌧️

    Perfect day to catch up on some to-dos, including taking the Jeep in for repairs. The double back seat refused to fold down, and after some deep dives into forums, we learned it’s likely a cable issue. So, off we went to Jake’s, where we hung out all morning like true regulars. The verdict? Yep, it was the cable, and they have to order a part. Ugh! This means another thrilling visit tomorrow!

    In the afternoon, we headed to Lowe’s to order flooring material for the RV. Beth is over the moon! We’re swapping out the carpet for some fancy engineered hardwood flooring this fall. And since we were in the area, a visit to the new Costco in Hendersonville was a must. Shockingly, we escaped with our wallets mostly intact—under $50! A true miracle!

    The best surprise of the day? Jake texted asking if we were up for some pickleball tonight. I think he’s officially hooked! Beth’s excitement was off the charts! With the sun now out, we dashed off to Gallatin, hoping to snag a court. Huge shoutout to Beth’s friend Cathie, who joined us on a moment’s notice! Fun times ahead! We had a blast on one of the dedicated (albeit a bit worse for wear) pickleball courts and played several games until it got dark. Thankfully, no lights were needed since all the pickleball courts on the tennis courts were packed.

    What a day! Rain, repairs, flooring, Costco adventures, and pickleball—life’s little surprises keep things interesting! 🌧️🚗🏓
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  • Nashville Adventures - Day 4

    May 22, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌩️ 72 °F

    Beth decided to cut her hair for the summer and went to her long-time friend and hairstylist, Carmen, for her expert recommendation. What do y'all think? Meanwhile, Don seized the opportunity to detail the RV wheels until they sparkled like diamonds 💎💎 before a storm rolled in! (We all blame him for that!)

    Next stop: Two Rivers Campground for Happy Hour with the RP crew! Despite the stormy, wet day, this crew knows how to turn any weather into a party. We huddled on the office covered porch, transforming it into our appetizer and friendship haven.

    After happy hour, we headed to Darolyn and Doug’s for dinner (again!) and the Survivor finale. Bonus: Delaney (Darolyn & Doug’s daughter) and Reese (recent newlyweds) joined us too. As usual, Doug didn’t disappoint! He whipped up pork chops with fried rice and grilled pineapple – YUM! 😋 And it wouldn’t be complete without ice cream for dessert!

    Watching the Survivor finale with our “super fan” friends was a blast – they even do a family pool! For Beth, the fun was doubled by Don’s endless stream of questions about the show that he never watches. 😂🤣😂
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  • Nashville Adventures - Day 3

    May 21, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F

    Today was a whirlwind!

    Beth spent the morning playing pickleball with a high-level group of ladies at Charlie Daniel’s Park, where she got some fabulous, challenging games in.

    Then she made a beeline for one of her favorite spots, The Chocolate Covered Strawberry, to catch up with Chris, her former mixed doubles partner and coaching buddy, and to celebrate his birthday. 🍰🍨 Talk about a sweet reunion! Chocolate, strawberries, and old friends—what more could you ask for?

    While Beth was in pickleball paradise, Don decided to tackle the great outdoors on his mountain bike. 🚵‍♀️ His adventure at Cedar Hills was more like Cedar Swamps—too muddy. So, he headed to Lock 4, where he had to push his bike under a tree and crawl on his stomach to the other side. Yep, Don reenacted his own episode of “Survivor” just for fun.

    Coordinating our escapades with just one vehicle is like playing a game of logistical Tetris, but we always manage to make it work. By late afternoon, we reconvened and headed to Cages Bend Park for Happy Hour with our RV friends, Roger and Bonnie, who scored a primo spot with a lake view. Cheers to that! 🍷🥃

    Of course, we had to fend off a few overzealous cicadas who clearly didn’t get the memo about personal space. Nothing says "Happy Hour" like ducking dive-bombing bugs between sips!

    To wrap up our action-packed day, we had dinner at Double Dogs with our long-time friends, Jeffrey and Patricia, before they head back to Oregon. It was a night of good food and even better memories.

    Whew! We are exhausted!
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  • Nashville Adventures - Day 2

    May 20, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌩️ 84 °F

    Today we spent a leisurely morning catching up on the news, e-mails, and all those memes we missed, then headed off to Jake’s to wax the Jeep and tackle the ever-exciting task of laundry. (Yes, he lets us use his facilities in exchange for some light house cleaning … just kidding, we bribe him with dinner!)

    Beth was thrilled to discover that the sign she secretly left for Jake last year, which reads “OMG my mother was right about everything,” is still proudly displayed in his kitchen. Clearly, Jake appreciates good humor (or he just hasn’t noticed it yet).

    In the evening, we headed off to see our great friends Doug (an amazing chef) and Darolyn (an awesome pickleball player) for some epic conversation and a dinner that would make even a food critic weep with joy. The evening kicked off with a delightful spread of goat cheese drizzled with figs, goat cheese drizzled with spicy honey, and crackers. Yes, we double-dipped in the goat cheese department because, why not?

    The main course was a drool-worthy pork loin with mango chutney, risotto with basil, asparagus, and bread. Seriously, our taste buds are still doing a happy dance. And for dessert, we indulged in Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream Bars. Because who needs self-control when you have Haagen-Dazs?

    All in all, a perfect day of catching up, cleaning up, and eating up!
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  • Nashville Adventures - Day 1

    May 19, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    Our Nashville escapade kicked off with a bang – or rather, a pickleball paddle slap! Spending the day with our grown-up kiddo, Jake, is always a blast. Whether we're conquering mountains or just Netflix-chilling, it's always a riot. But Beth nearly burst with pride when Jake declared his love for pickleball! So, off we went on a pickleball extravaganza, joined by a squad that could rival the Avengers: Jake, his buddy Ryan, and our partners-in-crime, Cody and Chris. Five hours of pickleball later, we were questioning if we had signed up for a tournament by accident!

    But wait, there's more! The afternoon took an unexpected turn when Beth's shins decided to stage a rebellion, leaving her floored – literally. As she writhed in agony, Jake whipped out his phone, not to call for help, but to consult the oracle of Google on how to cure sudden pickleball-induced cramps. Laughter echoed through the room as Beth contemplated a future as a human pretzel.

    Our day of adventures wasn't over yet! We capped it off with a culinary quest at Cheddar's, where the food was as thrilling as a lukewarm handshake. Then, like detectives on a mission, we cruised through our old stomping grounds to check on our former abode, courtesy of a tornado that had the nerve to crash the party last November. From the outside, it seemed like our old haunt had gotten a facelift – walls repaired, roof patched up, and the landscaping looking spiffy. Now, all that's left is to schedule a rendezvous with the new owner and snoop around to see if they've kept our old hiding spots intact!
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  • Settled in Nashville

    May 19, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌩️ 70 °F

    Here for a couple weeks, catching up with friends and family!

  • Nashville road trip woes!

    May 18, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Packed up between storms and finally hit the road. Naturally, the universe decided we needed a good rinse, so we drove right into a monsoon! We managed 80 miles before a kind soul flagged us down to inform us that the driver's side window of the TOAD was down. Perfect for that indoor pool vibe we were going for. 🤦‍♀️

    And as if we weren't wet enough, Beth’s watch decided to go rogue for a little drama. It hit her computer on a bump near our destination and went bonkers, calling 911 and messaging her emergency contacts! Nothing like a little tech-induced panic to keep things interesting. 😳🫣😳

    But hey, we made it safely and snagged our favorite spot at Grand Ole RV Resort!

    Once we got settled in, we met Cody for pizza to catch up. And before calling it a night, we got to see Jake! Wahoo!! He stopped by with his friend, Ryan. 🥰

    Now, if anyone knows how to get these cicadas to zip it, we might actually get some sleep tonight!
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  • Shenanigans in & around Red Bay, AL

    May 17, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    Today is all about keeping things running smoothly in the RV! 🛠️

    Kicked off the day with a visit to Bay Diesel to replace an air filter. What a mind-blowing experience! We thought it was the size of a dog house and the cost certainly made us howl like we were in one! 😂. Turns out, our engine's appetite for clean air comes with a hefty price tag!

    Next, Ashley Harrington paid us a visit @ Red Bay Acres to service our AquaHot. Thanks to her, our boiler is hotter than the Purdue Boilermakers! 🔥

    We took a swift jaunt to Lowe’s in Tupelo, MS, on a mission to scout flooring materials for our RV upgrade. Spoiler alert: the flooring section is still the most exciting place to debate whether "Rustic Oak" or "Urban Chic" is the way to go.

    Dinner was a culinary first! We tried Takumi Ramen Japanese Noodles, and our food was delivered by a robot. We didn't catch his name, but we're pretty sure he’s a close relative of R2-D2. The food was great, though we’re still pondering if tipping a robot involves spare batteries or a software upgrade.

    We wrapped up our journey in Belmont, MS, visiting the dazzling duo Roger and Bonnie. Their coach was so shiny after its ceramic coating, we had to bust out our sunglasses just to say hello! 😎✨

    Stay tuned for more shenanigans as we roll on! 🚐💨
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  • Adventures in Red Bay, AL

    May 16, 2024 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 70 °F

    What's on tap for today’s shenanigans?

    First thing on the agenda today: drop off the RV to fix a little "owie" (don’t worry, just a minor boo-boo). Then off to hit the parts store for some maintenance goodies and a swing by the Allegro Club to see what’s new. Spoiler alert: No smoking deals this time! ☹️

    At lunchtime, we grabbed an early bite in Belmont, MS with our party ninjas (Roger & Bonnie) before heading off to the pickleball court where, naturally, the gals absolutely schooled the guys. 💪😂 (Sorry, fellas, better luck next time!)

    The rest of the day was a whirlwind of activities: vetting vendors for potential coach upgrades, a pit stop at Happy Hallow—a place so massive, you could get lost in there and emerge in the next season's fashion trends. It’s got everything from frilly frocks to hunting & fishing gear! 👗 🎣

    Stay tuned for more escapades from Red Bay! 🚐💨
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  • Red Bay, AL

    May 15, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    🚐 We rolled into Red Bay for our annual RV tune-up—time to give the ol’ beast a spa day!

    First stop: Fowler Detailing for our RV weigh-in. 37,600 pounds! Up about 1000 from last year, but under the magic 40k mark. Our RV is now officially ready for its modeling career—Van lifers, eat your heart out!

    Then we cruised over to Red Bay Acres to set up camp for the night. We snagged our favorite spot—woohoo! It’s like the VIP section of the RV world.

    And the cherry on top? Guess who popped up in Red Bay? Roger and Bonnie! These two are like fun ninjas, appearing out of nowhere to sprinkle joy and party vibes everywhere they go! 🥳
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  • Overnight Stop

    May 14, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    Stopped at Peach Queen Campground in Jemison, AL – because who can resist royalty-themed camping? Next door, at Bones Backstreet BBQ, the BBQ was so average, it should win an award for blending in. But hey, at least the portions were big enough to feed a kingdom! Leftovers for days. And don't worry, next time we'll remember to take photos before we devour everything. Promise! 😂Read more

  • Travel Day Selfie

    May 14, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    We're back on the road! After patiently waiting for the storm to clear, we're setting off on our trek north. Fingers crossed for clear skies and calm winds for a smoother ride ahead. Hopefully, Jack enjoys the late start as much as we do!Read more

  • Loggerhead Run/Bike Trail

    May 12, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    Enjoyed the day riding the Loggerhead Run trail starting from Salinas Park/Trailhead (which had some nice pickleball courts!). We rode a total of 27 miles that curves around St. Joseph’s Bay on the Cape San Blas peninsula where we reached the farthest point on the peninsula. Beautiful beaches, amazing homes and the St Joseph Peninsula State Park was fantastic! We’ll be back!

    Interesting fact: We learned during our morning stop that Loggerhead is a type of turtle very common in this area!
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  • Turtles Everywhere!

    May 12, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    Today’s adventure started with a stop at the Forgotten Coast Turtle Sanctuary. Port St. Joe is a huge nesting area for these guys and they do a great job advocating for the safety of sea turtles. Learned a lot about these creatures!Read more

  • Arrived @ Port St. Joe, FL

    May 11, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    Explored the boutique town, had dinner and watched the sunset from the beachfront RV park.

  • We’re off!

    May 11, 2024 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    To start our 2024 summer adventures, we head to the beach! Our first stop is at a small historic town of Port St. Joe. A quiet, Gulf coastal town on the "Lost Coast" of Florida for a few beach days.

    Trip start
    May 11, 2024