A Military Experience

A Military Experience.

On the last few days of February we visited with Geni's parents, Gil and Phyllis in Columbia Georgia.

We arrived on Sunday, February 26^th at Lake Pines KOA RV Park www.lakepines.net and settled in before the visit and after Phyllis got back from feeding her horses Gil made us a light lunch and we sat around the kitchen table until 8:30pm talking. They live in a large home, just 2 miles from Lake Pines. We noticed that the addresses were placed on the curb in front of homes! We were greeted warmly by them and their dog, “Rag-a Muffin”

The next day started with a light rain, and a temperature of 12ºC. We took it easy early in the morning, had breakfast before going over to Phyllis and Gil's home. Each morning Gil goes to a Fitness Centre and Phyllis drives to a farm not far from their home to feed them her two horses. We were invited to go with her to see them.

Before we left, however, Phyllis wanted Randal to show some computer things. Geni gave her an old lap top and she is just trying to understand it.

She drives a little Ford Ranger truck. She takes Rag-a-Muffin with her when she goes to the farm. The dog needs a step stool to climb into the front seat. There is an old barn with a few other horses in the pasture. Her horses, Butter Cup and Av Bas Nova, were in a penned area that was locked with a chain.

Phyllis has the stalls decorated with pictures of her riding over the years. Her love for horses goes back to her childhood when a cousin of hers got a pony and she did not! She was a good horse woman however does not ride them now due to her recent stroke and heart condition. But for a lady of 82, she is doing really well.

Randal helped to clean up the horse manure and dump it out side of the pen. Rag-a-Muffin likes to eat it and Phyllis has to call her off from doing that.

When we returned to the house, she took us to see the back yard and her three hens, who lay green eggs. There is a law against raising chicken in the city, but she does it anyway. Phyllis has a very artistic way about her and she loves nature. She has fall coloured leaves, drift wood and sea shells decorating the house. She has also done very good sketches of her children when they were young. She has drawn horses as well.

Gill was home, making dinner. He has quit a flair in the presentation. He made chicken breast, greens, beans, onion rings, toast with melted cheese and salad. He served white wine with the meal. It all looked very nice but he apologized that he does it from the freezer or cans, to the stove, to the table. .

He told us about his army days and then we were shown some pictures of their youth, his football career and travels in Europe.

During the night we heard the train go by a few times and woke up to the sounds of the Military Base artillery shooting off. It is just over a fence near the Lake Pines Campsite. We went for a walk and saw signs saying US Property No Trespassing

On Wednesday Gil took us to the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center, Columbus Georgia, www.nationalinfantrymuseum.com .

We met Sgt. Major James Lee, a retired Infantry comrade of Gil's and a volunteer, who gave us a tour. We spent a couple of hours looking at an amazing display of the Wars the United States have been involved in.

The last day of our visit Gil and Phyllis came to our RV for lunch. The corn muffins, salmon loaf, rice, and stirred fried veggies were well received. Randal showed them some pictures of what Leon has been doing.

It is so nice to spend time with new people. The visit was very rewarding, indeed. 


Until next time "Discover It and Live It"