April 16 thru 18th - 2014 Getting Warmer

After leaving Bainbridge, Ga we had to go back thru the top part of Florida and stopped for Chinese in Jay.  Food was good but observant Homer noticed the menu had a typo-dyslexic error, as the name was supposed to be Jay Garden.  When he pointed it out to me, I didn't even "get" it.  :-(

So we headed north the back-road-way and stopped for 2 nights to one of Homer's favorite spots at the Corps Park in Pickensville, Al. You have to barely cross into Miss. to to wind down into the Park in Alabama. Just like the last stop, we camped in Bainbridge, Ga - but you could only get to it from Fl.  Often the Corps Parks tend to be on state borders as they are built along the rivers which tend to be dividing lines. 

There's been a lot of rain/flooding recently, so we felt the barge traffic was down, but every time we went somewhere, we seemed to perfectly miss a barge.  But here's a pic of one going by in the evening. It just seems so relaxing, but I'm sure they're working diligently on board and watching for every bend in the River or tree floating downstream. 

We stopped to the Tom Bevill Museum and Visitor's Center nearby. I highly recommend checking this place out. The architecture is amazing, old-plantation style. I love the door closure below. They said it was designed to keep animals out, not keep them in.  And I thought I was Homer's ball and chain. 

There's also the Montgomery Snagboat alongsidethe museum, totally refurbished. It was closed for some maintenance but we had been on it before. Here's some history on it - worth the read:  

http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/Recreation/TennesseeTombigbeeWaterway/SnagboatMontgomery.aspx

Then on 4-18, headed back home on 57 northbound in Illinois, we saw a Corvette cut thru the median after being southbound. We thought what the heck does he think he's doing as he was "booking."  Then we saw the smoke! Turns out the Corvette was a nice young man, an off-duty cop. He saw the motor home smoking and was trying to get to him in case there were injuries and to stop traffic, etc.  

As we were pulled off to the left, Homer thought we had a flat, so we pulled off to the right to check the tires.  Thank God we didn't, as unpacking the Jeep to get to the jack/spare would have been horrendous - - as we're hauling a piano bench home for Libby and Jerry Teitsma and it would have looked like a moving sale along the highway shoulder. Also, the young man from the Corvette offered to help us, if it had been flat. The kindness of some people still amazes me. Seems we only read about the bad ones. 

Anyway, I have a video of the fire, as we were parked for about 40 minutes, but it won't load from my cell, or the blog doesn't allow for space reasons. We felt sorry for the horse trailer across from us, as the smoke, sirens, and heat of being parked so long in the trailer must have been confusing.  You could hear the horses were getting rambunctious in there. 

Anyway, attached is the aftermath of what was once a motor home. At one point we thought we heard an explosion of what we thought was the propane tank blowing. Praise the Lord, nobody was injured. 

So we spent a restful night in a Walmart parking lot in Mattoon, Illinois after we were on the road 11 & 1/2 hours.  It is a bright and beautiful day (57 degrees) and I'm amazed how my allergies are kicking in the further north we get. Must be things are blooming!  

As we crossed the MI line, I got Homer to  reluctantly make a short stop to Four Winds Casino so I could donate a little to Michigan's economy. :-).  Well, I was down about $40 and on the way out, I decided to try a new machine "Walking Dead."  I know nothing about the tv series, nor that game, not that I understand any of them. I went to try one machine and it wouldn't take the players club card so I moved over to my left, as a man had JUST left it. I did one spin and won $324!!!  Woo Hoo --  I unplugged, cashed out, and went back to the car.  Life is GOOD!  

Got home at 4:36 pm, 61 degrees. It's colder in the house than outside!  It will be great to sleep in our own bed. 

April 6th thru April 15th

So, our car ended up being at the dealership a total of 5 days. They never did totally figure it out but $3,000 later (ouch) we have full power! Anyway, we're lucky to have had the generosity of cousin Dave Teitsma, for what was to have been 2 days at his house turned into 5. He sold his house and bought a condo in the same time frame, so it was a pretty busy week. 

The good thing about the delay was that we then stayed for Aunt Marie's 95th birthday party. Bunches of out of town family came in and some surprised her too.  I hope to be as mently alert and physically active as her -  should I make it that long.  She is one fantastic lady and we all love her so!

When we left Marie's we parked at our friend's Strawberry-Blueberry Farm in Plant City for a couple of nights. We trekked over to daughter Kate's for a day to visit and for Homer and I to give our granddaughter - Trinity Swets - her belated sewing machine and a few lessons from Granny Kath, tho she is already taking lessons elsewhere. She's quick to learn and loves to create things, so it will be fun to watch her progress with it. 

We also had a good game of cards going:

Then last night, the morning if the 15th we got up at 3 a.m. to watch the total eclipse from the edge of our friend's blueberry/strawberry farm. Very cool, but the pictures don't do it justice so I won't load any.  I'm sure you saw it on tv and such. 

We headed out again this morn. and stopped by for a quick visit with brother Ken Teitsma at Zephyrhills. Always good to see family when en route.  

An hour or so later, I gave Homeboy a couple of sticks of gum while he was driving and it pulled out a crown near the front of his mouth.  I'll spare you the picture, but he looks like a true hillbilly when he smiles :-!  At least it doesn't hurt.

Of course lots of rain and wind went thru Florida and we had planned on camping at Newport, but they were without electric and the grounds were flooded so we booked on thru to a Corps of Engr. Park in Bainbridge, GA.  We've been here before and they have beautiful views with high ground, so not much flooding going on here. The sunset was great but it's stinking cold!  It's supposed to get down to 43 tonight. Guess we have to get used to it sooner or later as we heard it's still snowing back home. 

Being we take the road(s) less traveled, who knows where we'll be tomorrow. 

Headed Home April 4, 2014

I've not updated this blog due to the fact that it just takes time (and thought) and I haven't had much of either.  Being in the Keys is paradise but I figured I'd save the Blog for being on the move. 

We spent a good week packing, cleaning, and boat storage stuff and were exhausted by the time we left. The night before pulling out we had a great time with friends, and I've been deemed as the social director for a weekly girls night out next year.  Many had already left for home so we were down to a few girls and made the boys sit elsewhere. 

Our rental next year will be a couple of blocks away from this one.  The landlord decided that he wants to use the house for his family next year - can't blame him as the place is fantastic and we were blessed to have had it for a season.  I must admit a smaller place to clean is looking advantageous. 

God willing --  We're to go down next year in late Oct. or early Nov.  We have made many new friends and have old friends too (old is your perspective of it) and half of Michigan seems to be down there anyway.  

So, right now we're camped right next to the water at the Pt. St. Lucie Locks in Fl and will take our time going home.  Homer is out kayaking and looking for gators. I did see a good sized snake during my walk on the trails and he was more scared of me than I was of him. 

We've had some car trouble and are trying to get that remedied. The Jeep runs but has no "get up and go" and the dealership thinks it's an EGR valve, but didn't have one on hand.  We're headed to Aunt Marie's for her 95th birthday and will figure it out then. Luckily Florida has no hills or mountains. 

I'm working off my cell, so forgive any typos. :-). Will update on later adventures. 

Nov. 28 thru Dec. 7th, 2013

Geese, I apologize but my last post stayed in never-never land and didn't post.  The internet connection was waffling and it must have never gone out. 

So, we did go to Kate and Shawn's for Thanksgiving and got to meet their new addition "Ridley."  He's an Australian Shepard and will bring years of fun and enjoyment to their family, I'm sure.

As always it was great to see everyone again and we even got to bake an apple pie together.  Had a whole bunch of great food and lots to be THANKFUL for, as we weren't even sure if we would be able to go to Florida this year.

Funny thing, we left the next day and went to a nearby mall for some walking around and to have lunch at one of our favorite taco places "Moe's."  As we went thru the line and I went to pay the $14.82, the clerk said a gentleman left $10 to be applied to our bill.  I said "You sure about it going to us?"  She said, "Yup, the man said for the gentleman in the cap."  Homer had a plaid dapper Ivy-type cap on that is like none other that we've seen down here (see pic above).  We're ASSUMING it was a random act of kindness/pay it forward type of thing.  How neat, unless we looked old and destitute and he felt sorry for us.  She said the man that paid had a sweatshirt with a hood and there was nobody around dressed like that??? It's one of those things we'll always remember.

Then we headed to Aunt Marie's (and hit some terrible rain en route) and spent a glorious few days by her.  She feels like a mother to me and I'm always amazed at how well she does for 94.  Heck, she's like Homer -- keeps you on the move and she's mentally very sharp.  I hope to be that healthy and alert at that age.

Also, Homer's watch quit on the way down (just a battery thing).  Uncle Norm always used to tell him to take his watch off when he got to Fl, and to relax a little (Homer sleeps with his watch on).  Well, a few years back during Norm's funeral, Homer's watch quit.  Now it quit again. Hmmmmmm, coincidence?

On Dec. 4th, we finally got to our rental.  It's twice as big as last year and in pristine condition.   Weather has been fantastic since we got here, low 80's, and so far one quick rainstorm.  We're digging around the kitchen trying to find various utensils and get familiarized with things.  Trust me, I'm not complaining, we are BLESSED to be here.

Went garage sale-ing yesterday and today, along with the giant flea market to stock up on misc. junk that you just can't live without.  I saw something along the road yesterday at a distance and my girlfriend Glenna and I couldn't imagine what it was.  Ha, it was a pot bellied pig!  At the garage sale I mentioned to the young man that there was a wandering pig down the road.  He wasn't concerned, he knew who it belonged to and said the pig was a "traffic smart pig."  So there ya go, the pig is probably more traffic smart than a lot of the people down here.

It's pretty sad that I put more pic's of a pig on the blog than I do of family (you can see those on Shutterfly).  Also, Homer and I saw a Key Deer yesterday, again with one horn (or is it half rack?) but I didn't get close enough for a picture.

Here's a Dropbox link to pictures so far: 

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ffamca0g3w53bav/IpCfl2-aPk

I probably won't update this blog again til closer to the holidays and seeing I'm not doing Christmas Cards any more -- HAVE a SAFE and HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON!!!!

Love, Kath & Homer

Nov. 21st thru the 27th, 2013

We left Homasassa to kill a few days of doing nothing. We ended up 8 miles east of LaBelle at the Ortona Corps of Emgr. Campground.  There were ample sites left ($12 a night with senior pass), so the price was right.  Unfortunately there was no boat ramp on our side so we never got to put the kayaks in. The boat ramp was on the other side of the river which was 26 miles one way by road!

Neat coincidence tho, was that the construction all around us on highway 80 was headed up by my favorite son-in-law (and only one too) Shawn Swets, Project Engr. for Aim Engineering. When he realized the general area we were in, he asked if we noticed his project.  Well, for once I couldn't complain about road work.  Very odd to be so far from home, yet so connected to his work. 

Anyway, were told they recenly had seen a panther, bobcats, armadillos and manatees at the park.  We caught a glimpse of a manatee going thru the lock and we saw armadillos twice at night.  They kinda resemble a possum, or is it opossum?

So, you know how Homer loves water and boats, and we saw plenty. He's amazed how many expensive boats go thru and they don't "get it" on how the locks work. The water level goes up 8 feet going one way, or down 8 eight feet the other way.  If you're going to drop 8 feet, it's not a great idea to lock-tie the mooring line to the cleat.  We watched a "hundred plus some thousands of dollars" boat almost get string up by his hind quarter because he couldn't undo the line.  Luckily he ran inside the cabin and grabbed a knife out of the galley and in one swoop cut a line that had lots of pressure on it.  We all watched from behind the railing -- and just shook our heads. 

Anyway, here's a few pictures:

I found a neat App. called "Near Me."  I keyed in in on my cell and found the Florida Ridge Air Sports Park between Clewiston and LaBelle.  It turns out Groupon was having a special for $69 that you could take a tandem hang glider ride. They tow you up, release the line and within ten minutes it's all over from start to finish.........but if you buy the pictures and video, it becomes $249 real quick. Needless to say, we just watched.  Notice there's one person on top of the other.  The bottom guy is in a zipped up bag.  The person on the side just makes sure the tow line is straight and I'm sure she manages the money/paperwork. :-)

Right now we're parked out in Plant City at a strawberry/blueberry farm of Pat and George Sprouse.  They have become good friends that are distant relatives thru marriage on Homer's side  They've been a godsend in our travels as we sometimes need a little plot of land and an extension cord for a couple of days of zig zagging between family and friends. 

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and we'll be headed to my daughter Kate's (married to Shawn the engineer). We'll be spennding a night there so I can spoil the grandkids for a day and then we head out to Aunt Marie's in W. Palm Beach area. I won't have another internet connection until Dec. 4 so have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving -- Drive Safe!!!!

Nov. 15, 2013 thru Nov. 19th

Please excuse typos and such as this is being done on my Ipad.  

We started out this year's journey at 6:15 a.m. and drove (I should say Homer drove) til 8:15 p.m. sleeping at a Cracker Barrel parking lot.  The next day Homer surprised me by getting off at an exit to Micapony Fl. as a friend had sent me a link to it --micanopychamber.com -- so rich with history and turn of the century homes. Well it was late Sat. when we pulled off and the gal told us at the exit that most everything would be closing so we back-tracked to the nearest Walmart to spend the night.  Meantime my nose had been telling me that I was smelling whiffs of radiator fluid and Homer started watching his gauges closely.  My nose knows, for sure enough we were losing small amounts of fluid.  He kept adding water every so often after that, until we could get to the Jeep dealer in Homosassa.

Anyway Micanopy was nice, but not nearly as big as I pictured and being we were there on Sun. morning, most things didn't open until 11 or noon.  People were so friendly tho and there are plenty of antique shops in the area.

We are camped at the Chassahowitzka River Campground.  Looks like we'll be staying longer, as the Jeep needs a new radiator and the one ordered was the wrong one.  Ours is diesel and I guess someone missed that small detail.  Of course it's more expensive too.  While everything is ripped apart, you may as well get all new hoses and such.  Cha Ching, cha ching.

I had forgotten about the Florida smells, sounds, birds, flowers and SUNSHINE!!!  I also forgot about the no-see-ums.  :-(  I guess with everything in life, there is a price to pay.

At the river they were doing some video for some rock star out of Nigeria I believe.  I missed it, but Homer said it didn't look all that professional, but what rock video does?   Anyway, they were in the water with this mermaid suit on.  As it was drying I asked if I could have my picture taken with it.  It was very heavy.

I wonder if the mermaid thing had something to do with the manatees?  We've been told that some of the canals are closed to boats as the manatees are now mating.  They need their privacy too you know!

Here is a pic. of a VW bus tent.  I told Homer this is the closest he'll get to owning a VW, as he has enough toys.

Below is a ship made out of match sticks at a local Manatee Pub.  Amazing!  The whole bar counter top is made with them too!  

And last but not least, Homer was caught monkeying around at Homosassa.  I love the name Homer--Homosassa in the same sentence.  :-)

Food around here is very reasonable and as Homer often gets tired of my famous one liner....

"I Could Live Here!"

Oh ya, did I mention it was warm and sunny?  I love the birds around here.  

Friday, March 15--2013

Lots has happened since the last entry, but lately things have been in the slow mode.  Weather has been unusually cool and windy, but still better than back home! 

We've done little fishing on our own, although our friend Win did take us out once to show us the "hot spots" and nothing was hot that day, tho I did have a big one get away.  Apparently you have to jump to the bow and "pull up and reel down" (and my balance and bi-focals are "iffy").   I've had none of this type of fishing from my paddle boat back home.  Oh well, the line broke and it wasn't meant to be, probably a shark anyway.

Homer has had a couple of great plane rides with Dave Cook--our friend from Colorado who is helping build the airplane across the canal.  Everything looks so beautiful and clear from the sky, just amazing!

 

Glenna and Dave's Plane.

Picnic Island above.  Folks like to party and it has one of the few beaches around.

 



The Paddle Wheeler has seen better days.  I think she's there permanently, as she hasn't moved in ages.

 

Through connections of Dave, we were able to tour the Fat Albert control room and staging area.  It looks like the Blimp will be staying in service after all!   Thank goodness, it's such a part of the Keys.  Fat Albert is held down by a cable that's less than an inch thick which is strong enough to survive an airplane hit.  Unfortunately, this has happened.

 

 

Perspective of the above pic. makes the cable look much bigger.  :-)

 



 

North is sooooo hard for me to figure out around here.  Normally, I'm good with directions, but not here -- as the north/south road is usually east/west! 

 

 

John and Julie Maring visited for a few days, and we did the usual tourist "stuff."  We suggested they stay a day longer and then could overlap with my sister and brother-in-law as they hadn't seen each other in years.  We had a great time and I had more reasons to go off my diet.  

 

 

 

Then while Nancy (third from the left) was visiting, we got together at Boondocks with the Cougar's Group.  I believe we ended up with 17 that night (3 tables' worth).  I was the youngest until Hilda's daughter came along later.  The oldest in the group is 85.  Who said old people can't have fun?  We might not remember it tho and have to do it all over again and again!  :-) 

 

 



 

 

Our friend John from downstairs is pretty much a self-taught musician and we have followed him to a couple of open mic(rophone) nights.  He is very good and I admire his lifestyle.  He once lived on a boat for 22 years and also has a place in Wisconsin.  He's following his dream and doing very well at it. 

 



 At the Looe Key Tiki Hut

 

Yesterday Homer's first-born daughter Jean had her 50th birthday and she thought we were old when we turned 50.  HA!  Also, my son Nick has the same birthday and turned 36.  What are the odds that both our first-borns would have the same birthday, one in 365?  :-)

 

I clearly remember turning 36.  I took the kids to Cedar Point and had my caricature drawn with a birthday candle in it.  Wowser, then I don't remember any until my 40th. 

 

Homer's brother Jerry and sister-in-law Libby will be coming next week and that will pretty much take us through to the "time to clean and pack for home" phase.  If I don't update during then, I'll try to do it along the road. 

Have a Blessed and Safe Easter!