This is a shot of the mangrove thicket while we were cruising through the Everglades on the airboat. As you can see, even the alligators in the area take traffic safety seriously!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Gator Tales
We left the Keys & drove across southern Florida on 2-lane Hwy. 41. Didn't see any alligators, even though there was water all the way. I'm sure they were there--they were probably just aggravated with all the traffic--just like me--and probably sick of posing for everyone to take their picture--just like Terry. We got set up on Chokoloskee Island in the Everglades & about 45 mi. south of Naples. We went on a cool airboat ride & did some massive power slides on the water through the mangrove thickets (no, I wasn't driving). Thumbs up on that one. Then later we drove down a gravel road that ran along a shallow river-creek-cattails-marsh body of water(recommended by the airboat capt.) & counted 62 alligators within a 7 mi. stretch. And those were just the ones we could easily see. The 1st pic is of one just lying on the side of the road. I was only about 6' away from him when I took the picture. I thought it would've been fun to come back at night & just shine a light in the water & see how many eyes we could see, but Terry has way different ideas about what's fun (party pooper). Next day I thought I saw a shark caught in the shallows in the bay. All I could see was a fin & writhing tail. As it turned out, it was 3 dolphins rounding up their breakfast. Two of them would "herd" the fish & the other one would come in & chow down. Scads of people were watching & one man said it happens often. Another really cool thing to see. Between the gators, birds, fish, dolphins & crazy human wildlife, this was another interesting leg of our trip. As Sarasota looms before us, I'm afraid we're heading toward way too much civilization. Hope we can re-adjust............
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Key West--I'll Be Back
Our time in Key West was well spent--literally. It costs a lot to be warm in the midst of winter-- but I'd rather spend it on the beach than give it to Progress Energy any day! "It's been a lovely cruise," as 'ol JB would croon. The land yacht is serving us well & even when Trish & Stan were here, we were not cramped. (Now THEY may have a different story to tell, but when they said they'd meet us at another destination, I figure it must not be too bad.) Key West is certainly an interesting place---a veritable cornucopia of people, food, art, entertainment & scenery--and still my favorite is just sitting on the dock of my bay, watching time roll away........ Now just what does that say about me?? (now ask me if I care...........)
Oh, a couple of things I learned in KW:
1. No matter how cute the little plastic ice cubes are --you know, the ones filled with distilled water that you freeze & use to keep your wine cold, etc.,-- they DO NOT taste good ground up in the blender in a frozen dacquiri.
2. Check a calendar once in awhile (see #3)
3. Do not "bless out" the Camping World salesman for not having your fed-exed RV part there on time before he patiently reminds you that it's Thursday & NOT Friday.
4. Do not try to fix a $2 problem because "you think you can do it". You'll end up fed-exing parts, blessing out CW employees unnecessarily and paying $100 to do it.
Oh, a couple of things I learned in KW:
1. No matter how cute the little plastic ice cubes are --you know, the ones filled with distilled water that you freeze & use to keep your wine cold, etc.,-- they DO NOT taste good ground up in the blender in a frozen dacquiri.
2. Check a calendar once in awhile (see #3)
3. Do not "bless out" the Camping World salesman for not having your fed-exed RV part there on time before he patiently reminds you that it's Thursday & NOT Friday.
4. Do not try to fix a $2 problem because "you think you can do it". You'll end up fed-exing parts, blessing out CW employees unnecessarily and paying $100 to do it.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Notice how calm the water is. (pic 1) Also notice how low the tide is. (pic 2) Why didn't I remember that the wind changes when the tide changes? Why didn't we notice that we'd have to paddle way, way out in the ocean to get to deeper waters and then paddle into the wind (& now whitecaps, I might add) to get back to the other side of the island?(see the 2 specks in the other pic--that's us!) Why didn't I remember how sore your arms & shoulders get the day after you do something like that? Why? Why? Why? I'll tell you why. ...We didn't think before we yakked!---kayaked, that is. We started out so strong, -- only to finish with rubber arms. But after all, we DID make it back. And as it is with many other things, it was way more fun after it was over!! (and maybe BECAUSE it was over!)
Anyway, that was at Fiesta Key KOA. We met some really nice people there. One thing I've found out about RVing is that people are out there cause they wanna be. And because of that, they're usually relaxed, pretty laid back & easy to strike up a conversation ('cept that annoying clown guy). Most we've talked to have come down from up north--and that in itself could be reason enough to be happy! But at any rate, this lifestyle has much to be desired. I love carrying my "home" with me wherever I go. I know I've never felt this comfortable in a hotel room. And most hotel refrigerators are not as well stocked. And I don't have to pack & unpack a suitcase at every new location. And after watching all the TV undercover (literally) investigations into hotel room cleanliness, I feel quite safe sleeping with my own personal dust mites. They love me.
Well, moving along.............we are now at MM14, right outside of Key West. We'll be here at Bluewater Key Resort until Saturday. Talk about nice. We're parked on a concrete pad surrounded by palm trees with our own Tiki hut, complete with fridge, TV, table & chairs, twinkly little lights, our own private dock, water so clear you can see 8' down (& it's warm!)
Need I say more?? Can't wait for Trish & Stan to get here tomorrow. Think that'll be a nice refrain from regular life............til then..............................Corona anyone???You want a lime with that????????????????????
Friday, February 15, 2008
Can't beat this
Check out these stages of the sunset. After the sun disappeared, the sky was still spectacular.
Reason Enough
If for no other reason, the sunset tonight was reason enough to come down here. We moved on into Long Key today at MM70, staying at the Fiesta KOA. We're right on the water & I spent an hour today just walking along the rocky wall looking down into the clear & indescribably beautiful water. I saw 7 lobsters, a puffer fish, a man-o-war, a bunch of quarter-sized jellyfish, a shrimp, sea cucumbers, anemones, a large stingray, & bunches of fish. Needless to say, the water world is teeming with interesting critters. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings..........
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Hearts
Happy Valentine's Day to all from sunny Miami--temps in mid 70's--no humidity--blue skies--gentle breeze.......no wonder people come down here for the winter. Could I become one of those.....????? Would you like to be one of those??? There's a pull-out in the RV......
Right now we're parked in a Miami Everglades campground. Great facilities including a huge round swimming pool with sparkly 81 degree water which I just had to test out today. Was nice.....real nice,--as Eddie from "Christmas Vacation" would say!
Oh, when we left Sardine City, we drove inland to Lake Okeechobee, the 2nd largest lake in the U.S. Only they've had such a drought down here, that the lake is only an average of 9 feet deep and only 4 ' in places. We were told that they weren't even allowing boats on the lake right now--just fishing from the banks. But I didn't really care, as I didn't even brang my pole! Our campground was actually out in the middle of a field. We were in sugar cane country & there were sugar factories around which emit some mighty strong odors at a certain point in the sugar processing. I kept smelling my yoga pants & t-shirt & thought it was me until I realized the smell was still there when I changed clothes. Thank goodness. Trust me, there's no room for BO in an RV!
We had some hellacious storms, lightning, tornado warnings & rain while we were there, but the highlight of our stay was the entertainment. Some "locals" come on down to the KOA every Tues. nite & bring their instruments to "jam" & sing from their hearts--I know they're singing from their hearts because what comes out of their mouths doesn't exactly translate as "singing," but who am I to judge? They were having fun. There were 9 guitars, 2 mandolins & a keyboard & we heard an amazing assortment of well--arrangements. Not everyone played in the same key, but it worked itself out in the end--9:00 thankfully! Oh I did meet a particularly annoying couple that night. The woman never stopped smiling & when I said hi, the guy said, "you know why we're so happy? We're clowns!! We start every single morning of our lives by having a pillow fight!!! We just laugh & laugh--it's so much fun!" To which I replied, " Do you ever put bricks in the pillowcase?" (I really WAS kidding) But he was taken aback & said, "No, no, no! We love each other. We would NEVER do that. We just love to laugh!" Well, what can you say to that? I moved a row away after the intermission. (yes, we stayed for the 2nd set. I felt like I'd made so much fun of them I had to. Call it guilt, self-inflicted punishment, whatever............)!
Right now we're parked in a Miami Everglades campground. Great facilities including a huge round swimming pool with sparkly 81 degree water which I just had to test out today. Was nice.....real nice,--as Eddie from "Christmas Vacation" would say!
Oh, when we left Sardine City, we drove inland to Lake Okeechobee, the 2nd largest lake in the U.S. Only they've had such a drought down here, that the lake is only an average of 9 feet deep and only 4 ' in places. We were told that they weren't even allowing boats on the lake right now--just fishing from the banks. But I didn't really care, as I didn't even brang my pole! Our campground was actually out in the middle of a field. We were in sugar cane country & there were sugar factories around which emit some mighty strong odors at a certain point in the sugar processing. I kept smelling my yoga pants & t-shirt & thought it was me until I realized the smell was still there when I changed clothes. Thank goodness. Trust me, there's no room for BO in an RV!
We had some hellacious storms, lightning, tornado warnings & rain while we were there, but the highlight of our stay was the entertainment. Some "locals" come on down to the KOA every Tues. nite & bring their instruments to "jam" & sing from their hearts--I know they're singing from their hearts because what comes out of their mouths doesn't exactly translate as "singing," but who am I to judge? They were having fun. There were 9 guitars, 2 mandolins & a keyboard & we heard an amazing assortment of well--arrangements. Not everyone played in the same key, but it worked itself out in the end--9:00 thankfully! Oh I did meet a particularly annoying couple that night. The woman never stopped smiling & when I said hi, the guy said, "you know why we're so happy? We're clowns!! We start every single morning of our lives by having a pillow fight!!! We just laugh & laugh--it's so much fun!" To which I replied, " Do you ever put bricks in the pillowcase?" (I really WAS kidding) But he was taken aback & said, "No, no, no! We love each other. We would NEVER do that. We just love to laugh!" Well, what can you say to that? I moved a row away after the intermission. (yes, we stayed for the 2nd set. I felt like I'd made so much fun of them I had to. Call it guilt, self-inflicted punishment, whatever............)!
Monday, February 11, 2008
FYI
For those truly curious------
The 2 most asked questions about life in the RV:
1. Is RV sex good?
2. What happens to the stuff when you go to the bathroom? (that's why this question is #2)
Answer to #1: it depends on who you're talking to
Answer to #2: In an RV there are 2 storage tanks to handle waste water---gray water, which is any water that comes from the kitchen & bathroom sinks and the shower, and then the black water, which comes straight from the twi-let ( as I like to call it). Many campgrounds have full hookups, which means you can get 50amp electricity, city water & a direct connect to the sewer. If this is the case, then you can just hook this long tube directly into a pipe that runs into a sewer. See picture #1. If there's no direct connection at your site, then the "stuff" is stored in the tank & when you leave, you go to a dump station (aptly named, I might add) & then connect to that & dump it there. You don't ever actually touch anything gross ( at least not on purpose--and that's why you wear disposable gloves & are very careful when you do this---I mean when TR does this. <>. So now I'm sure your curiosity has been satisfied. Enjoy the pics......... In pic #2, meet Ebb, the resident sewer steward. I told you this was an "exclusive" resort!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Welcome to Sardine City
I guess last you heard, we were headed for Port St. Lucie/Jensen Beach--an up & coming area in south Florida. I made reservations at a so-called "exclusive" RV resort called Nettles Island--a tiny little piece of land just 2 causeways from the mainland. I even decided to go ahead & make it a 3-night stay because it "sounded so good". That shoulda been my 1st clue. My 2nd clue would have been the 90+ year old man, bent over double trying to negotiate the sidewalk with a cane while trying to avoid the raisin-lady (skin type) in the flowered housecoat in her golfcart with her 3 precious pooches. Now I'll tell ya---we've been in some tight places & I've been rather impressed and quite proud at how TR has maneuvered our rig with just inches to spare on either side. But as we drove into this "resort," we quickly realized it was not so much an RV resort as a glorified trailer park! I mean, there are 1,216 what they call "park model homes" (what I call trailers) in this place, thus the "Sardine City" label. Every now & then is an empty space ---where we are parked--and I guess that's where the "exclusitivity" comes in. We have laughed & laughed at how we are the youngest people we've seen--except for a few grandkids running around. Now don't get me wrong---I love old people--I aspire to be one!--I've just never been sequestered on a island with so many!! And they're all so brown. Actually the place is super clean--there are rules about EVERYTHING. There's a small car and a golf cart in each driveway and it must be mandatory for every home to have at least 2 dogs. So I figure there's a population of about 2500 people & 2500+ pets. Amazingly enough, there's no dog poop to be seen or stepped in anywhere. Apparently everyone follows the rules. Enough about that!
Weather has been beautiful--in high 70's or mid-80's. We played golf with a lady who was actually born in Florida & still lives here--not many of those around. Every time we pass someone when we're walking, we give'em a big southern "Hey or Hiiiii" & we get "Hoy" (northern for hi.). Last night & today was REALLY windy. The RV was a rockin' last night & it wasn't because TR got lucky. I've heard ya'll had strong winds in Asheville, too.
Even though Nettles Is. wasn't exactly what we had expected, it's actually nice. I've found that we can adapt to most anything. We've settled into a little routine and so if we don't return, know that we just morphed into little old brown people. I think we'll call ourselves the Raisinettes! More to come........I just gotta figure where we go from here.
Weather has been beautiful--in high 70's or mid-80's. We played golf with a lady who was actually born in Florida & still lives here--not many of those around. Every time we pass someone when we're walking, we give'em a big southern "Hey or Hiiiii" & we get "Hoy" (northern for hi.). Last night & today was REALLY windy. The RV was a rockin' last night & it wasn't because TR got lucky. I've heard ya'll had strong winds in Asheville, too.
Even though Nettles Is. wasn't exactly what we had expected, it's actually nice. I've found that we can adapt to most anything. We've settled into a little routine and so if we don't return, know that we just morphed into little old brown people. I think we'll call ourselves the Raisinettes! More to come........I just gotta figure where we go from here.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
some pics for your enjoyment??? or !!!
TR giving the traditional WeaverVegas wave as we pull out of the parking lot. WHO'S driving????
Blog Buster
Oh me, oh my---who knew that you had to have an internet connection to use your laptop on the road in the rig??? I'll tell ya, it only took me 6 days to figure that one out!! I was stopping at Starbucks & drinking coffee things I don't even like so I wouldn't feel guilty using their wi-fi only to find out today that the reason it wouldn't work is that you have to purchase a T-mobile or ATT card in order to get on the net. So today I have solved that problem. I now have a thingy that you stick into the side of my laptop & so I can have service anywhere I have cell phone service. Who woulda thunk it?
ANYWAY, now that I'm so connected, I gotta fill you in on what's been hap'nin:
Day 1 - Ya know that commercial that says "Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go, gotta go" ? Well we were riding down the road between Spartanburg & Columbia & TR hada go! There was no rest area, no stations, etc., so he pulled off on the side of the road. He figured he couldn't be seen--after all, we're drivin a 40' RV with a tow car. But he opened up an outside compartment anyway just for added cover & proceeded to pee away------------when much to his surprise a SC State Highway Patrolman comes walking around the end of the big RV & says, "Sir, don't you have a bathroom in that thing?" To which TR replies, "Well, we don't have any water in it & I was about to bust, so I pulled this thing off the road & that thing outa my pants." The guy in the funny hat then says,"Do you know you can get arrested for being a sex offender by exposing yourself like that?" TR---shocked look on face---says, "You serious???" The funny hat guy says, "Oh yeah. If you had pulled off on a ramp, it would've been ok, but you can't stop on the side of the interstate to pee. You could be arrested and then labeled as an offender", to which TR replied with "object" still in hand, " I don't think this little thing could offend anybody!!" The guy in the funny hat was still laughing as we pulled back on the road. No ticket, by the way. WHEW!
Hey, that was only about 2 hours out of Asheville. We ended our 1st day by settling in a campsite 50' from the beach on Hunting Island, a SC state park near Beaufort, SC. All we could see out the front window was pines, palms & ocean. At the campfire one night I saw 3 deer just walking through the park & later saw a huge racoon ambling down the road. You can ride horses on the beach (we didn't have time) & there's a pier & lighthouse & lots of hiking & biking paths to explore. There's no residential areas in this 5000 acre park & at night it's so dark that you can see billions of stars. Anway, thumbs up for this place. Temps around 70.
Day3 - We left there & went to Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island, FL----different, but interesting. We stayed on the river side, but there are also sites on the ocean. Lots of hiking paths through the woods with huge sand dunes & live oak trees. Oh, & a big fort, too. Temps in low 80's.
Day5-Then it was on to Flagler Beach, FL. I swear we just drove the big rig right to the edge of the seawall. We see nothing but water. This morning we woke up to whales & their calves playing around right out front. One lady said they stayed around for about 3 hours the day before. That was way cool. We drove into Daytona Beach to find the local Best Buy (which was easy with my new nuvii GPS ). That's where I got my computer thingy. Anyway, it was directly across from the racetrack, so we went in & watched practice laps & drove around the infield & while we were having lunch, the Space Shuttle was launched. Now tell me, how much redneck karma do 2 people deserve??????????????
We're heading further south in the a.m. towards Port St. Lucie & Nettles Island. Will keep you posted.............now that I'm able.
ANYWAY, now that I'm so connected, I gotta fill you in on what's been hap'nin:
Day 1 - Ya know that commercial that says "Gotta go, gotta go, gotta go, gotta go" ? Well we were riding down the road between Spartanburg & Columbia & TR hada go! There was no rest area, no stations, etc., so he pulled off on the side of the road. He figured he couldn't be seen--after all, we're drivin a 40' RV with a tow car. But he opened up an outside compartment anyway just for added cover & proceeded to pee away------------when much to his surprise a SC State Highway Patrolman comes walking around the end of the big RV & says, "Sir, don't you have a bathroom in that thing?" To which TR replies, "Well, we don't have any water in it & I was about to bust, so I pulled this thing off the road & that thing outa my pants." The guy in the funny hat then says,"Do you know you can get arrested for being a sex offender by exposing yourself like that?" TR---shocked look on face---says, "You serious???" The funny hat guy says, "Oh yeah. If you had pulled off on a ramp, it would've been ok, but you can't stop on the side of the interstate to pee. You could be arrested and then labeled as an offender", to which TR replied with "object" still in hand, " I don't think this little thing could offend anybody!!" The guy in the funny hat was still laughing as we pulled back on the road. No ticket, by the way. WHEW!
Hey, that was only about 2 hours out of Asheville. We ended our 1st day by settling in a campsite 50' from the beach on Hunting Island, a SC state park near Beaufort, SC. All we could see out the front window was pines, palms & ocean. At the campfire one night I saw 3 deer just walking through the park & later saw a huge racoon ambling down the road. You can ride horses on the beach (we didn't have time) & there's a pier & lighthouse & lots of hiking & biking paths to explore. There's no residential areas in this 5000 acre park & at night it's so dark that you can see billions of stars. Anway, thumbs up for this place. Temps around 70.
Day3 - We left there & went to Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island, FL----different, but interesting. We stayed on the river side, but there are also sites on the ocean. Lots of hiking paths through the woods with huge sand dunes & live oak trees. Oh, & a big fort, too. Temps in low 80's.
Day5-Then it was on to Flagler Beach, FL. I swear we just drove the big rig right to the edge of the seawall. We see nothing but water. This morning we woke up to whales & their calves playing around right out front. One lady said they stayed around for about 3 hours the day before. That was way cool. We drove into Daytona Beach to find the local Best Buy (which was easy with my new nuvii GPS ). That's where I got my computer thingy. Anyway, it was directly across from the racetrack, so we went in & watched practice laps & drove around the infield & while we were having lunch, the Space Shuttle was launched. Now tell me, how much redneck karma do 2 people deserve??????????????
We're heading further south in the a.m. towards Port St. Lucie & Nettles Island. Will keep you posted.............now that I'm able.
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