Prime Timers Weekend

We had a great time!  FYI – the Prime Timers is the senior group at the church I attend.  We all met at the church early because we were leaving at 9:00 a.m.  The church has a bus and we all rode the bus which was driven by Scott.  Scott and Linda are the directors/organizers of the Prime Timers.  There were fifteen of us.  Kevin drove me to church so I would not have to leave my car parked there for three days. He also planned on changing the oil in my car. We headed out at exactly 9:00 a.m.  The first thing they did when we got on the road was put a cassette (yes, I said cassette) in the cassette player and we all sang ON THE ROAD AGAIN.  They consider this their theme song. 
 

Next came food.  I could not believe the amount of snacks we had to eat while travelling.  Linda even made up goodie bags for each of us.  We had donuts, cookies, candy, etc., etc., etc. 

 

Scott is real good about stopping every 45 minutes or so.  Everyone gets off the bus for a short walk and a potty stop.  The first stop we made was at a gas station.  It was one they had stopped at before, so they knew where it was.  We all got off the bus and headed inside for the potty.  And guess what – the ladies restroom was out of order!  So, we all used the men’s room.  It was stinky, but we survived.  They guys thought it was funny and they actually stood guard outside.

 

Then, it was back on the bus for more snacks and drinks.  We also played a few games.  Bingo was one of them, and I actually one!  I never win at games.  After going thru Atlanta it was time for another potty stop.  So, we stopped at another gas station.  This time the restroom was outside and we needed it a key.  By the way, it was unisex J  Again, there was a long line.  This time it was not as stinky.

 

Next on the agenda was lunch.  We were going to stop at Wendy’s, but it wasn’t where it was supposed to be (according to Google).  We ended up eating at Burger King.  Which was fine.  Okay, lunch is over so it’s back on the bus.

 

According to the plan, our next stop was supposed to be the grocery store in Blue Ridge.  However, we started having technical difficulties with the bus.  It kept bogging down.  A couple of people on the bus had phones with internet so they all started looking for a Ford dealer.  One was found and we stopped.  Luckily someone was there to help us.  After much looking under the hood, etc. it was decided that it could be major or minor.  Scott thought it was water in the gas tank.  After spending about an hour there it was decided we would continue on.  Out next stop was the grocery store.  By this time our four hour trip had taken seven hours (kinda sounds like Gilligan’s Island right?). 

 

We were divided into four groups (this had been done before the trip) with a group leader.  Each group was responsible for one meal.  Each group was given $70 to buy their groceries.  We then headed into the store for our supplies.  The group I was with had breakfast on Sunday morning.  (I forgot to mention we left on Saturday morning and planned to return on Monday.)  We made a breakfast casserole and muffins.  Three of the four groups stayed under budget.  One went over.  The three groups that stayed under  gave them some of their money.  It was only $5. 

 

Next stop was the cabin.  We all stayed in the one cabin.  It was beautiful.  It was in the mountains, and we were surrounded by farmland and woods.  There were cows, horses, sheep and goats.  Beautiful trees.  The weather was great.  Had a fireplace and a deck.  By this time it was getting late and the Saturday supper team fixed supper.  They fixed spaghetti and meatballs, salad, garlic bread, sweet tea, and we had plenty of dessert.  Didn’t stay up very late.  We were all tired.  There were four married couples and they got the separate bedrooms.  Three sisters shared the bunk beds (it was a double on the bottom), one lady took the futon, another took the couch upstairs and Janet and I shared the bedroom downstairs that had two double beds.  It worked out just great.  Three of the bedrooms and two bathrooms were on the main level, the rest was on the lower level.  There was also a pool table in the rec room downstairs.

 

Sunday morning we had Sunday School after breakfast, had a great lunch and supper.  We also watched the Georgia football game Sunday afternoon.  In between we played a variety of games.  To keep the teams even, I was the scorekeeper/judge.  Grandma (Evelyn who everyone calls Grandma) kept trying to get me to cheat because the team she was on was losing.  Anyway, we laughed a lot and really had a good time. 

 

After breakfast Monday morning it was time to head out.  The Monday morning breakfast team fixed biscuits and gravy, eggs, and grits.  I think that was the best biscuits and gravy I have ever eaten.  Then it was time to load up the bus and head back to Phenix City.  We didn’t eat as much going back, and a lot of us took naps.  Sunday night we had grilled chicken so Linda used the leftover biscuits and chicken to make sandwiches for us on the bus.  They tasted really good.

 

The trip back was uneventful.  No out of order restrooms.  And, since it was raining we ate our lunch on the bus in a WalMart parking lot.  We took a scenic route back so it took a little longer than four hours, but it was much prettier. 

 

Kevin and Renea picked me up and we headed home.  I had a great time!