One Step Closer To OLD!

This is for Thursday

Another beautiful day.  It was quite windy all day which made it a little cool but still very nice.  The wind should die down tomorrow afternoon.  We went to the pool for several hours.  Not very crowded, I'm thinking because of the wind, but that was great for me.  I got to swim some laps again.  Herb never went in the pool.  Got some sun but not too much.  I don't want to ruin a week or more by getting a sunburn.
After the pool we walked further into the resort than we had before exploring our digs.  We found one of the other pools, tennis courts and a bocci ball court.  Here's where we get another step to being old.  We watched some people playing bocci ball and when they finished their game they invited us to play!  We had a very nice time.  At least we haven't played shuffle board yet.  That will take us over the top!  Officially OLD.

View from driver's side of coach

As we continued to walk we came on a pickle-ball court!  Pickle-ball you say!  I never heard of it before but it sure looks like fun.  It's played on a court that looks like a small tennis court or an oversized ping pong table.  There is a net across the middle I would guess about hip high.  You play with a paddle like ping pong only the paddle is bigger and the ball looks like a wiffle ball.  It looks just like ping pong played on the ground and it looks like the rules may be similar too.  I'm going to Google it cause I really want to try it.  We'll have to wait till no one is there to watch us.  Maybe Herb can put a court in the back yard so we can practice for next year!  LOL

Our site.  The pool is across this little street.

Oh yeah, I forgot to show you what I did when Herb went fishing on Sunday.  I didn't bring a cookie sheet so I used the bottom of the broiler pan.  I was anxious to try out the convection oven in here.  Anyway, they didn't turn out the best.  I think the pan was too thick.  We went to Wal-Mart and got a small cookie sheet.  I'll guess I'll have to give it another try. 

No, I didn't make the dough - Nestle's did!

This is for Friday

Another wonderful day in Flahridah.  There was an ad on TV for a shell craft fair on Sanibel Island.  Herb agreed to go.  We also wanted to go down to the Fort Myers beaches and try and find a house we rented there about 9 or so years ago.  Herb's friend from work, that we had lunch with in Key Largo, is thinking about staying in Fort Myers next year.  We told them we would try to get the info for them on this house.  So we took the dog and headed out.

Max checkin out Fort Myers Beach

We drove for a while not sure if we had passed by the house.  It was further down Estero Blvd. than we remembered but we found it.  There were people coming out of the house and sat on the beach so we went to talk to them.  Come to find out that the Dr. that owned it sold it to this guy's brother-in-law and they pretty much don't rent it anymore.  So we decided to walk down the beach.  $2 an hour for the parking meter!  The sand is the nicest sand anywhere.  Very fine and easy to walk in.  It really brought back memories of when we stayed there.  We took pictures of some places in hopes to help Herb's friend.

Walking the beach

Da Beach

Max had a good time walking the beach too!  Good thing I brought along a bottle of water cause he tried drinking the salt

water.

Then we headed over to the crafty thing on Sanibel.  WHOA - $6 to get across the bridge!  How do people afford living there.  Of course this is a very high class area.  It's very expensive to stay here so if you can afford to stay I guess you can afford the bridge toll!  This will probably be our last time on Sanibel.

Crossing the bridge to Sanibel Island

The little shell craft fair was disappointing.  There were VERY few booths.  Maybe 3.  All the items were made with shells.  There was more to see inside the Community Center but you had to pay to get in and no dogs allowed.  So we didn't see what was inside.  So many people stopped us to ask us about Max.  He is a great conversation starter!  The thing that made this all worthwhile was that the school kids had a booth to explain the different kind of shells and the creatures in the shells.  The kids were great and it was very informative. 

When you are crossing over to Sanibel there are a couple of places you can stop and enjoy the view.  We stopped and took this picture to show the sea shells.  The island is made from shells.  I've never seen so many.  Some of them are very big, I hope you can see that, and they are really heavy.

I bought my sister Mary a little thank you gift for her taking care of the house, plants and outside birds while we are gone.  Here's a picture of it.

Ooops.  Forgot to take it out of the bag.  My bad!

Heading back.  See the bridge in the background.  Click on it to enlarge.

It's been pretty breezy here the last few days.  The wind has finally died down.  The forecast for Sunday is thunder storms.  Bring em!

ALLIGATORS EVERYWHERE!!!

This was written last night.

Well today was moving day.  We left Key Largo this morning about 11AM and drove about 200 miles to Ft Meyers Beach.  I must say that I was sad to go.  A few people stopped to say good bye and that they hoped to see us next year.  Yesterday we spoke with a couple who owns a  rental lot on the point on the water.  We talked to them about the possibility of renting it next year.  It's a shame we didn't talk to them sooner.  They were so nice and they said the same.  It's a lot quieter on the point too.  Must start saving now!  They also have a motorcycle and ride with a group from the campground.  Wish we had a way to get the car AND the bikes here.

Good Bye Calusa

Herb had been helping the guy across from us with his motorhome.  His alternator quit on him.  He worked on it for 4 days but he ended up having to buy another one.  Herb helped him install it but couldn't get it to work.  So the guy, Joe, had to call someone to finish the job.  Come to find out you had to flash it with 12 volts first to get it to work???  Anyway, Joe really appreciated all of Herb's work and took him on a fishing charter Sunday morning.  Joe's wife has MS and we never even saw her.  I'm sure he was glad to have Herb's company.  I wish we would have gotten to know them sooner too.  They left this morning heading for Key West.  Herb helped him get his tow vehicle ready to go.

Crossing the Glades

We crossed the state on Highway 41, Alligator Alley.  You are cutting across the Everglades.  It started out like just another drive and then we started seeing alligators.  Herb saw several before I saw anything.  And then we saw them all the time!  It was amazing.  There were several places you could stop to look at them.  That's where I took this next video.  I have NEVER seen so many alligators before.  Very, very cool.  I couldn't stop looking for them.

Gators Everywhere

One thing that I saw that was totally unbelievable was signs guiding you to areas where you can put your canoes in the water.  WHAT?  This is not something I can even imagine doing.  There were SO MANY alligators in these waters I just can't understand why anyone would want to canoe here or even be allowed to do this.  You can believe this is not on my list of things to do!
Oh, before I forget, when we left this morning we discovered that the air conditioning wasn't working! Gr-r-r-rrrrr!  Thought we were done with having stuff to fix.  So we had to drive with the windows open.  When we first left it was hot.  But as we got going everything cooled off and I was glad we had the windows open.  It brought back memories of being a kid and going on trips with my parents where you can smell the smells and feel the air.  The real air!  It was very nice.  And now Herb has another project.

We arrived at the next campground to a light rain.  It seemed weird cause I don't think we've been without the sun the whole time we were in the Keys.  The rain has bumped up the humidity though.  This resort has 21 little lakes, I would call them ponds, and 3 swimming pools.  We are directly across from one of the pools, laundry and one of the rec halls and kitty corner from one of the "lakes".  As I am typing this the rain has kicked in and it is pouring out.  They can really use the rain here.
I don't have photos of this park yet.  We got here as the sun was setting, but it is very huge.  Herb doesn't think he likes it so far, we'll see how it goes.  We just got here and I wasn't too happy with the last one when we first got there and ended up liking it.  Ths place is totally different from the last one.  All of the homes and campers have skirting if they are permanent.  In Key Largo very few had skirting and it made the whole place look messy.  It looks like they have rules here and they are enforced.  It looks very clean and well maintained here and there is grass here!  In Key Largo there was no grass.  It was all gravel with cement pads for your patio area.
We  didn't get a list of the activites yet but the rec hall across from us had a Bingo game going on tonight.   The hall was packed!  With so many sites I'm sure the turnout for everything is big.  People actually drove their cars here to get to Bingo.  There is a craft fair the first Thursday of every month.  I sure wish I would have brought some stuff with me to sell :-(  I guess that means I'll have to buy something then.  Imagine that!

This was written today.

Sorry to say I still haven't taken any pictures.  I had a wonderful day though.  The temperature today was perfect with a much lower humidity and the pool here works.  We went grocery shopping in the morning and then to the pool in the late afternoon. Like I said it's just across the little road from us.   When we were at the last campground I ordered some swim goggles in preparation for here.  I waited everyone out and by 5 pm most everyone had left so I started swimming laps.  OMG.  I thought I was is heaven.  I was the last one out of the pool.  They had to kick me out when they closed at 6:30.  You can't wipe the smile off my face.  Guess where I'll be tomorrow?  You only get one chance.  I'll just have to watch the sun and cover up.  You may not get pictures tomorrow either but I will try.
The Minnesota Twins have their spring training in Ft Myers. We passed the baseball stadium when we went to the grocery store today.   We are hoping to go to one of their games.  I would also like to go to Sannibel Island one day and we are going to have dinner with the realtors that were helping us when we were trying to buy a home in Cape Coral.  They are super nice people.  So it looks like we have a few plans for the month.  We may even stay a little longer.  They have a special for April.  If you extend your stay into April it's only $12 a day.  That's hard to pass up.

Houston, We Have Manatee!

 

On Sunday, two guys that Herb used to work with at Wisconsin Electric, and their wives, were traveling through from Key West and heading to the Ft. Lauderdale area.  We met them for lunch at the same Mexican restaurant we ate at on Saturday.  We had an additional guest, a snowy egret.  He sat right behind Herb, about 10 inches, and stayed there for 10 minutes.  I have a video but I tried 6 times and couldn't get it on the blog.

Didn't do a whole lot on Monday.  Walked to the grocery store and got stew meat for the Wednesday pot luck.  Little did we know that it was going to be canceled.  Oh well now I'll make it and freeze the extra.  That is if there is any.  We'll have to see what Herb does with it tonight!

On Tuesday we took a drive down the Keys checking for a campground for next year.  We decided it was probably worth the extra money to be assured of warm weather and I love being by the ocean.  Herb talked about going to Texas next year cause it was so-o-oooo much cheaper.  Then it snowed along the Gulf coast ;-)  We visited five campgrounds.  One way too small and they said good luck at getting in in February.  The whole campground was big gravel and wouldn't have been too pleasant  for walking.  One didn't have a pool.  Others no trees.  Of course it was the last one we stopped at that we both fell in love with.  It's on the Gulf side with lots of trees, a large pool, paved roads, a small bar and grill and even a motel.  So if you want to visit us in the Keys next year you'll have a place to stay!  Book early!  Plus the place was pretty big.  I think it has hundreds of sites.  The people there were very friendly.  We talked to a couple for over an hour.  Everywhere we walked people either waved at us or spoke to us.  Of course Max is a great conversation starter.
The name is Fiesta Key RV Resort and Campgrounds at http://www.fiestakeyrvresort.com/.

 

 

I've made our first reservation for next year!  We'll be staying at a Florida State campgrounds right on the Atlantic Ocean.  I mean RIGHT on the ocean.  The sites are up above the beach.  I really lucked out on this.  Most of the state parks here are next to impossible to get into this time of year.  It's the Gamble Rogers Memorial Park in Flagler Beach.  This picture is from their website.

 

You can only stay at the state campgrounds for 14 days so I have the last two weeks of January taking us thru the 31st.  I'm trying to book another one down here in the Keys.  It's the Bahai Honda State Park.  But you can't book until 11 months prior to your reservation.  So I will have to wait until Feb 28th at midnight and see what I can do.  This is the same type of camping, right on the ocean so it will be difficult at best to get a reservation.  But I'm gonna try!

 

Nuf of dat.  I told you I've been trying to get pictures or a video of the manatees.  I really didn't think this was going to happen.  Whenever they swim thru the channel here they don't come up long enough to get the shot.  That is until last night.  We went down to the end of the road to watch the sunset.  A manatee swam thru and there was a dolphin in the little bay but they were so fast I didn't have a prayer of getting them.  Watch the videos for the rest.

 

 

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a dolphin?

We Have Manatee!!!!!!!

Well, only a few days left at this place.  Looking forward to getting to the new one at Ft. Meyers Beach.  Sure hope the pool is working there!  It will take a walk or a drive though to get to see the gulf but shopping will be better!

 

Oh yeah!  You guys may have to take up a collection so we can get home if the fuel prices keep rising!!

 

Hey, is anyone familar with this name? talleyllama  This was a follower of the blog that I blocked.  Herb and I both sent emails to this person asking who they were and there was no reply.

No Manatees For You!

Flowers by the office.

The weather has been so very perfect. When the last "cold" front came thru the humidity went with it. The temps have been in the mid to upper 70's going to 81 this weekend. We have to turn the air conditioner on when the sun shines on the front of the coach. It really heats up in here. But we are able to turn it off at night and sleep with the windows open. We were talking about our weather yesterday and how back at home during the summer, we don't have such a long stretch of perfect weather. It's really been so nice. More of the same for next week.

Herb and Max by the Moonlight.

I think we may have lucked out this weekend too! As of this morning our noisey neighbor behind us isn't here yet. He was arriving on Thursday nights. We are very lucky cause this is a 3 day holiday weekend down here. I was kinda hoping they would be here though. They smoked meat all last weekend which drove me nuts. It smelled like the State Fair! I wanted Herb to go over and talk to him about his smokers (he has 2 of them). I told Herb if he smokes meat this weekend I would be going to Amazon and have one shipped Next Day Air!  But it looks like this won't be necessary.

Moon over Campers.

On Monday, Valentines Day, some people planned an ice cream social. Again, you know we were in line for this one. We got to meet some of the people here. Had a very nice time. They invited us to their potluck dinner on Wednesday. Every Wednesday they get together with each couple bringing a dish to pass. We had just found a new favorite spaghetti sauce, Classico Spicy Basil, so we decided to take a pot of that. We also got some Italian sausages, removed the casings, cut into smaller pieces, fried it up and added it to the noodles and sauce. If I say so myself, and I will, it was delicious! We also brought a loaf of french bread. It's a good thing we brought this cause most people brought salad things or dessert. Ours was like the only main course item. Next Wednesday I think we'll bring some tips and noodles.

Another Beautiful Sunset.

So for the most part it's been pretty normal. Get up in the morning, have coffee and watch the Today Show. Eat a bowl of cereal. Then we go for a walk, maybe sit by the water and look for manatees, sit outside and read my Stephen King and fall asleep for a few minutes (sometimes I wake up with my mouth hanging open), eat dinner, go for a walk, watch TV and go to bed. Just enjoying life warm.

Next week on Tuesday or Wednesday we are planning on a little road trip.  We are going to head south and take a look at several campgrounds.  We are thinking that we would like to come down here again for February and then probably to to Ft Myers again in March.  January and February can be cold down here so the further south we go the better our chances for warm weather.

We went for fish again last night to D'Hookers. We had good luck again. It was delicious. I had a Mahi sandwich and It was huge. Herb got half of it. We've not had the same good luck with our pizza, however. So tonight we decided to go for Mexican at Senor Friholes. Very good choice. The restaurant was on the water and we were there to see the sunset.

Back to the manatees. I've been taking my camera along when we go for walks during the day. I'm hoping to get a photo or video of the manatees so that I can post it. No luck yet. We've seen about 4 of them but they never surface. I'll keep trying. Some people on kayaks said the manatees came right up to their boats and they were able to pet them.

And Yet Another!

Oh, and speaking of walking. We went for a walk last night after dark. The area we were walking in didn't have any street lights and the roads in here are filled with speed bumps. Well the night before we were walking and Herb kept tripping on them in the dark. So when we got to this area again I turned to him to remind him not to trip. Need I say more? I never got a word out of my mouth. Whoooof, down I went. Never even saw it. Dropped the dog leash and Max ran forward. He doesn't like it when I drop the leash. Scares him. Anyway, no scrapes or anything. All is well.

Tonight no walking. We rented Dispicable Me. Now there's an exciting Saturday night!

Hope you are all well.  Please post comments!

One Wet Dog!

One Wet Dog!

Max, Herb and I started out the day with a walk.  It wan't supposed to rain until later in the day but the weather person wasn't right.  It started to rain, slowly at first, but then it picked up.  Needless to say, we got wet.  But it felt good!  Poured a glass of wine and watched it rain.

It's really raining out!

The last couple of days have been warm again.  I think Miami even broke a record for highest temp yesterday.  With the rain it's cooled off and we can open the windows again.  Still humid though.  It's supposed to be cool all week.  Low 70's then warming to the upper 70's by Wednesday.

We went out for dinner tonite for fish (it's Friday ya know!).  I had the best fish sandwich ever.  It was mahi mahi and very delish.  Herb had a fish dinner, he think's it was the same fish, and his was just as good.  Will have to go back to Hobo's before we leave.

Another repair this week.  We tried using the washer/drier for the first time.  There was no problem with the washer part but when the machine switched to drying, water was leaking all over in the garage (the underneath storage area).  Herb did some searching on the internet and found the manual for the machine so then he could get it apart.  Found out that one of the hoses was loose.  Pushed it back on and ta da, fixed.  Let's hope we're coming to the end of this.

Broken but now fixed washer/drier.

This place is starting to grow on me.  I'm liking it a little better than when we got here.  After my last post my friend Karen said I should just enjoy the fact that we were here and enjoy the weather.  Then the next day I read the daily passage from The Book of Awakening.  It has a reading for every day.  The passage for that day was about greed, but not for money.  It talked about the greed of time.  About wanting to be in two places at once, not happy with where you are and what you are doing now.  It was like whoa!  What, a coincedence?  I think not.  So I've taken both of these to heart.  Thanks Karen.  You were right.  It has really made a difference.

Last night, cause there was nothing on TV so we went to the Red Box and rented "How to train your dragon".  If you get a chance rent it.  It was very cute.  Only $1 from a Red Box.

A coach pulled in the other day like ours.  The owners came over yesterday to talk to us.  They just bought it in December, like us.  Theirs is a 1995 an 30 feet long.  Ours is a 1997 and 40 feet long.  They bought it from the original owners and said they were meticulous.  We told them about the Safari chat group incase they have any problems.  They went to Key West today so I hope to talk more with them tomorrow.  They're right across the street from us.  Hoping they will help to talk Herb into going as he doesn't want to go.

February 7, 2011 The Day after the Best Football Game EVER!

There's not too much to report from here.  The weather continues to be warm (low 80's) and slightly humid.  A cold front is supposed to move thru tonight with temps the next few days in the low 70's.  The thing I don't like about the humidity is that we have to keep the air conditioner on.  Hopefully we'll be able to turn it off tomorrow.
Of course there's the Packers!  I'm sure everyone will have a story to tell about watching the game.  None can be better than my brother David though.  He and Teresa went to the game.  Can't wait to hear from them!  They were in row 11 on the 45 yard line Packer side of the field.  They probably can't wait to come home to warmer weather ;-)
We had debated on going to the party here at the park or going to a bar.  We had gone to this bar/restaurant on the recommendation of someone on the chat group Herb belongs to.  It's for the owners of our make of motorhome.  Well it was a great idea.  The place was on the water - literally.  Parts of the floor had glass panels and the water underneath was lit.  You could see the fish swimming around.  Anyway, this was one of our choices.  We did neither!  Herb helped out one of the guys here with his motorhome and they invited us to come over and watch the game with them and their friends.  They have a TV that pulls out on the side of their coach but it had a small screen.  We had a very nice time watching the game outside though.  It was an absolutely great but nerve racking game.  But you all know that.  Missed being at home to watch it.

Seeing as we are going to be here for a while I went on half.com and ordered a bunch of Stephen King books to read.  Love him!  I've got about five books on their way.  I've been sitting outside and reading.  I've also been scratcing the hell out of my ankles.  Scratching them to a bleed.  They are full of bites.  One of the guys at the football game has the same problem.  He sat there scratching for quite a while.  They don't bother his wife nor do they bother Herb.  I've got bites on my feet,ankles, legs, arms and even on my head.  So today we went to get some Off.  I had the same problem when we went to Jamaica.  My feet and ankles were full of very itchy bites that lasted for weeks.  I hope these don't last that long!
After the store we drove to the key called Islamorada.  We came here a few years ago for a wedding.  We looked for the resort and found it.  Todd and Becka, hope you get to see these.

Holiday Isle, Islamorada

Herb & Max at Holiday Isle

Here's a couple of pictures of the sunset tonite.  Very lovely.  People go down to the end of the road every night to watch it.  It's the best thing about this place.

 Not too happy that I booked it for a month.  It's not quite what I had hoped for.  The pool is being worked on and won't be up a running for a VERY long time.  This seems to be a place that people come to on the weekend like we would go up north on the weekends.  It also seems to be very cliquish(clannish, clubby, snobbish, snobby).  It's very quiet here during the week and not so quiet on the weekend.  Lots of kids on bikes and riding around on their golf carts, lots and lots of golf carts.  But it was still quiet after 11PM.


Here's a picure of my boys.  Not too often they are sitting together!

Well the front must be close.  It's getting very windy outside.  Herb is rolling up the awning. 
Ta ta for now.

Sailin Away to Key Largo

Well we made it!  We are in Key Largo but let me backtrack here first.
We left the campground at around noon on Sunday.  Stood around talking to a guy who stays and works at Frog Creek.  He said he works for them 2 days a week and in exchange gets to stay there rent free.  He said he was working while we were standing there talking to him!  So not to strenuous.
We went about an hour or so down the road and stopped for peanut butter sandwiches.  We were in no rush.  After about another hour or two we arrived at a Wal-mart in Clewiston.  Went inside, made a few purchases, then I came to find out that the commander had decided this was to be our campsite for the night.  At first I was not too pleased but came to agree with him.   Our site had a lovely view of a pond and a sugar cane field, as you can see in the photos.

There was even an occasional visit by some cranes and herons.  As the evening progressed we were joined by other campers and truck drivers.  So it's a good thing we arrived early because we had the prime campsite ;-).
The next day, as we are getting ready to leave, Herb called me to the window and said look at this!  Here was a couple who had just pulled in, hauled out their chairs and were camping away!  We had to laugh.

As we weren't due to arrive at our campsite in Key Largo until Tuesday we were discussing whether to find another Wal-Mart or go to a campground for the night.  We stopped at a Wal-Mart in Weston and they had a sign "No Camping".  Herb had the idea to call our reservation and find out what it would cost to arrive a day early.  They said it would be included in the monthly rate!  Oh Yea!  So we headed for Key Largo.
When we pulled the motorhome to our site the guy that was guiding us didn't think Herb would be able to back it in.  How silly is he!  It was backed in like butter.  The roads aren't very wide, but he did it.  When I first saw our site I wasn't too impressed.  But the more we are here the more I like it.  It looks like something that belongs in the Keys.

There is a path on one side of the site.  That's a golf cart going thru.

The sites here are individually owned and they are all different.  People can decorate them as they please.  And they sure are all different.  This one needs a little work, palm trees need trimming and a little raking.

 As you can see it has a cover for the car too.  If You turn your head just so you can see the channel behind us.

If you look really hard, you can see the water.  Can you see it?  Can ya?

 I bought a hanging plant at Wal-Mart for $7 to hang outside.  There are quite a few stites for sale too.  There is one on the Gulf for $350,000.  But some that aren't on the water are asking $60,000 and up. I was disappointed too because there isn't a beach here and the pool isn't working!  Yikes!  We got a 10% discount cause of the pool.  Also, because they are individually owned not everyone is here.  The site next to us is vacant.  Maybe they'll show up later.  Kinda nice and quiet but then you don't get to meet people either.

This was taken on the path looking back at the site.  Click on any photo to enlarge it.

It was very warm and a little humid today, about 76 degrees, but breezy.    Had to turn on the air conditioners.  I am very sorry to say that.  I really mean it.  Please everyone, stay safe these next couple of days.  It would be cool to be there to see the storm.  Herb and I love all kinds of storms.  But we aren't there, so again, please take care.

The Horns Blow...

This was our last full day at Frog Creek.  It was warm and sunny, not a cloud in the sky.  Kinda sad but looking forward to seeing and staying on the Gulf.  I will plant my chair in the sand and read and crochet all day!  This is heaven to me.  If there is no shade will have to find a Walmart and get a beach umbrella.    Can't do too much sun.  Herb will continue to work on the motorhome.  I asked him what he will do when he runs out of things to fix and he said he won't.
Speaking of this, he has been trying to fix his air horns.  They didn't blow....!  He posted a question on the Yahoo forum set up for owners of this make of motorhome looking for help.  Don't know what we would have done without them and our friends Karen and Steve from Oconto, who have the same motorhome - a 1996.  Both have been invaluable to us.  He got an answer to his question which said that the compressor for the horns was not in the front of the rig but in the back by the motor.  Never would have guessed this.  Anyway, to access the motor you must lift the bed, as you can see in the photo.

Herb was working on it and left the area for a minute.  Max came into the bedroom and did what he always does, jumps up on the bed.  Only the bed wasn't there!  I saw what was going to happen, I was sitting on the chair in the bedroom, I yelled, but too late.  He landed on the motor in the hole.  On the left side. See photo.

Thank God I was in there.  Don't know what he would have done.  I don't think he had enough time to be afraid, I picked him out so fast!  He is fine(Mary).
ANYWAY, now the horns blow...!  I'll probably have to listen to them all the way to Key Largo.  There had been a wire hanging down there and Herb didn't know where it belonged.  Now he knows.  It was the power for the relay for the compressor (whatever).
I have been passing this Fifth wheel every day when I walk.  I always think of our friends Phil and Diane.  I took pictures of this for them.  I think they should purchase one like this for our trip to Alaska next summer.  You need to start getting ready!  Hurry.  It sure is purty.

One last picture.  Max is not a morning dog.  When we get up in the morning, no matter what time, he is not ready to get up.  If I sit in my chair he has to crawl under the afghan and go back to sleep.  This was him this morning with his santa squeeky toy.

Just click on any photo to enlarge.

(As a reminder for us in case we come back next year, request a site down the third road.)

Now You Can Post

I have changed the way people can post comments.  Sorry to say I just stumbled on this.  Now anyone can post and they can do it anonymously or you can choose Name/Url.  If you chose anonymous please put your name in the body of the comment so we know who is posting.  See what Herb did below. If I start getting a bunch of garbage with no names I will have to change it again.  I can make it so the posts have to be approved before they appear on line but I don't really want to do that.

Not much to say about the last two days.  The weather is cool.  You have to sit in the sun if you sit outside.  But when I go for my walks it's just fine.  This was one of the things I was looking forward to doing here, taking the dog for walks in the warmer weather.  So I guess I can say that I am doing that.  Herb is still working on the motorhome.  Trying to fix the horn today but no luck.  He did get one of the driving lights working.  Now they both work.  We really need to get a taller ladder.  That will be our next purchase.
We went for a fish fry tonite.  It's Friday and we're from Wisconsin!  We went to a place called the Oyster Bar which was recommended by a couple here at the park.  When we got there you had to wait in line to get in the parking lot.  Knew it must be good.  It was.  $7.99 for fish and chips all u can eat.  We sat outside.  The wait to eat in was 45 minutes to an hour.

We will be leaving here Sunday morning and heading for Key Largo.  Our reservation is for February 1 so we will have two days to get there.  The people we met at the window place suggested going to Lake Placid.  They said that most of the buildings in town have murals painted on them.  Sounds pretty cool but I'm worried about where to park with the motorhome when we get there.  If we park on the street we'd have to pay for 6 parking meters! LOL

Anyway, Herb took this picture and said I had to post it.  Me making one of the afghans for the motorhome.

Two Steps Forward, Two Steps Back

Yup, that's what I said, "Two steps forward and two steps back".  Remember when I said that Herb got two things fixed yesterday?  Remember when I said it was raining out?  We actually got 1 1/2 to 2 inches of rain.  Ok can you add that up?  Let's say it all together - LEAKS.  Yup, yup, yup.  We have two leaks.  There is a sky light in the shower.  Good thing or Herb would be showering on his knees!  One leak there.  He looked at it and said it will be easy to fix.
When we bought the motorhome the folding antenna was sealed down with silicone.  It would not crank up.   We thought that was strange as the salesman and the booklet for it said it shouldn't leak.  So Herb removed the silicone.   Ooops, second leak here!  This will be a project for our return home.  Herb's not sure he will have the correct tools to do the job, plus his ladder isn't tall enough.  Learning!  Two steps back.
It was a cool and breezy day with blue skies.  Had to wear a sweatshirt.  Max and I got several walks in today.  The little gas grill we bought yesterday needed to go back to Lowes.  It had a faulty regulator.  On the way back we found a small orchard with a store so we stopped.  They had a much better orange juice.  The guy said it was because it's not pasturized.  I think we may stop there before we leave and put some in the freezer.   We bought a few of the best oranges I have ever had.  They are called Honeybell.  The guy said that they are tangerines or a tangerine cross or something like that.  If you can find them they are worth whatever you have to pay.  They are very sweet and VERY juicy!  They have a few seeds in them with a thin skin which made them easy to peel.  Look for them now because they have a very short season and this is the end of the season for them.
Well I don't have anything else today so I'll just show you our desert.

For a better look, click on the photo!
Hey David, we got you a jar of Tangerine Marmelade.

Nice Day, Then Thunder Storms

Today was a perfectly lovely day.  It was a little humid, but it was still very nice out.
Max and I took a walk to get some pictures to post.  Boy it is sure tough to take a walk here.  You go about 50 feet and someone stops to talk to you, especially if you have a dog as cute as Max.  The people are just so friendly.    Here are some shots of the grounds.

This is a picture of the creek.  Dah.

With these two I am hoping you can see the moss.  It's everywhere here.  So very cool looking.

This is a shot of our site.  Herb had at least two people stop again today and ask if the motorhome is new.  It has to be the fact that it's so clean and shiney.  The finish on it awesome. 

We went to an orchard today.  When we pulled into the parking lot Herb said that we had been here before.  Couldn't believe it but we came here two years ago when we stayed in St. Petersburg with friends.  Got some samples of fresh orange juice and bought a gallon of it.  It was on sale for $5.00.  Stopped at Publix to get some strawberries.  Won't be shopping there again.  Too expensive.  It will have to be Walmart. 

When we got back we figured it would be a good idea to bbq the brats.  They were predicting big thunder storms at about 4PM.  They were right.  The storm rolled thru but not the 60 mph winds they said would be here.  Very grateful for that.  But the rain was lovely especially cause you can hear it on the roof. 
I started to crochet one of the two afghans for the camper.  Trying not to do too much or the wrists will get sore.  Boy, I sound like an old person!
Anyway, that's it for now.  Not sure about tomorrow.  I think it's supposed to shower a little.  Maybe find the gulf.  We shall see.

Frog Creek Campgrounds

Let's see how much I can remember. 
First, here is a photo of the passenger window with the lovely cardboard.  This is how they filled the holes when the windows were removed.

Our windows are in and they look fantastic.  We are very pleased with the job these guys did.  On top of it the cost was $200 less than the price they quoted.  Free camping and lower price, can't complain about that!  Below is a video of the finished project.

With the new windows and the clean rig.  We have had two people ask if it was new.  If they would have looked closer they would have seen the dings and scratches.  But it is shaping up nicely.  Very shiney and clean.   Herb fixes something everyday.  Today the ice maker is working and he fixed the passenger side rear view mirror.
We left Sunday morning (after the frost melted off of the car!) and headed for our reservation at Frog Creek.  It was sad to leave Bud and Ann.  They were headed for Disney.  When we go to Ft Myers Beach in March their campgrounds will be across the street from ours.  We got to talking to them about Alaska.  They took a motorhome there about ten years ago.  They said it was an adventure. Guess what, we are thinking about doing this next summer (2012).  Who's up to coming with?  Phil & Diane, this gives you plenty of time to get ready!
We were using the gps on Sunday.  That thing may find it's way into the Gulf of Mexico.  It kept wanting us to get off the expressway and take a highway with stop lights.  No matter what I did I couldn't make it stop.  This place is not easy to get to.  So when we go shopping we need it.  Will have to wait to put it out of my misery.
This place looks really cool!  There is moss hanging all over.  I'll get you pictures tomorrow.  After we got the rig parked, about 1 PM, we needed to get ready for the big game.  Found out that the clubhouse had a big screen TV and there would be an ice cream social there at 3 pm, when the game started.  For those of you who know me know that this is heaven for me!  We watched the first quarter there while eating ice cream.  Chairs weren't too comfortable, plus there was a Bear's fan there, so we left.  Just can't believe they won.  I had to walk away for the last minute and balled like a baby when they did it!!  My brother Dave and some of his family were at the game.  Wondering where we will be for the Super Bowl.
Went to Lowes today for a little gas grill.  We will be bbq'ing tomorrow.  Also went to the laundromat today.  Now there's a highlight!  $9 to do three loads of clothes.  There is supposed to be an orchard near by.  May go there tomorrow for strawberries, oranges and fresh squeezed juice.  The weather today was very nice.  Not too warm and not too cool.  We are expecting thunder storms tomorrow night.  That should be fun.  The animals won't like it though.
There are itty bitty little sand burrs here.  OMG are they sharp!  I can't even tell you how many I've stepped on with my bear feet.  It's like stepping on a needle.  Max had one stuck in his paw yesterday.  Oh, this place is on a very cool little creek (hence the name Frog Creek).  There are warning signs about alligators.  I spoke with someone on Sunday and he said that they aren't here in the winter.  Happy about that one.
We have our reservation for February.  Not up to moving every couple of weeks so we booked for a month.  We are going down to the Keys.  I figure next year we may not be coming to Florida and even if we do we will probably stay in one place the whole time. You save money by doing it that way.  So we are splurging this time.
Here's a picture of Max for Mary!

Almost finished

Well we are still waiting on the windows but from what we hear of the weather at home, this is not a big problem. I feel so bad for all of those left at home. But this is why we bought the motorhome - to leave winter behind. I am greatful that we are able to do it. The weather here isn't super warm. It's been nice, foggy at times and it stormed a little last night. That was cool! Little bit of rain this morning but the sun came out this afternoon.
Several of our windows have been installed. They are working overtime tomorrow to finish. The ones installed look wonderful. What a differance.
With our time sitting here, I've gotten things put away inside and Herb has gotten the rig washed. At our next stop we will probably get some wax on the outside and get the wheels polished up. It's all starting to come together. With this stop the cats are getting more relaxed too. I feel sorry for them when we move again tomorrow. But we won't be going very far. We need to get settled in and find some place to watch the game on Sunday. I've got a place picked out and it's just over the Sunshine Skyway bridge. About a 2 hour drive.
Here is a link to the site. http://www.frogcreek.us.com/about.html . It looks kinda rustic. We'll check it out. Not sure how long we will stay.
We have a reservation for the month of March. We will be staying at Ft Meyers Beach. I found them surfing the web. They have a special for those who have not stayed there before. $850 for the month including taxes but not electricity. Here is the link for this one.
http://www.sunrvresorts.com/indian_creek/gallery_image?id=1
This link is for some photos. The beach is 2 miles away.
My links didn't work. You'll have to cut and paste them. Sorry.
Now we will just have to fill in the middle.
Thats it for tonight. Hopefully on the road tomorrow. Have a good night and stay warm.

Lazy Day

Day four has been very laid back.  We had less than 200 miles to go to get to Hudson, Fl where we will have our windows fixed.
Took our time leaving the Cracker Barrel campgrounds.  Ate breakfast and then on our way.
Another first today!  My first shower at a truck stop.  Wow, now there's something for the grandchildren.  Good thing we don't have any!
Gas prices in Florida are sky high.  I've seen regular for $3.21 a gallon and diesel for $3.60.  May have to leave the motorhome and fly home!
Made it to Suncoast Designers early and got ourselves a site.  Very close together.  I am amazed that all of the rigs here are clean.  Then we pull in.  I feel like we are the Beverly Hillbillies.  The cardboard window didn't help either.  The rigs here are huge and new.  Lots of money here.  The one I really love is on the video.  They are all having windows fixed.

The first thing I did was wash the car and vacuum the inside.  Herb hooked up the water and turned on the hot water heater.  These were things we couldn't try at home .  Too cold.  There was a minor leak which he thinks is fixed.  We have a problem with water pressure.  Herb knows the pump works cause he tried it at home.  Project for tomorrow.  At least we now have running water.
We met the people on either side of us.  Very nice.  Bud and Ann are headed for Ft Myers which is where we may land.  It was foggy and cold when we got here so people didn't stay outside too long.  Hopefully a little warmer tomorrow so we can talk some more.
So tomorrow AM they will be here to remove our windows.  We are having all but one large and the tiny kitchen window done so 6 alltogether.   Here is a before picture of the passenger window.

If you look at the top of the photo and then the bottom right you can see the snakey mess that will be removed.  Can't wait to have these fixed.
I think we may be here through Friday.
Almost forgot!  Went towards town looking for something for dinner and stumbled on a pizza place called Mama Mia.  Mary, maybe you can get a job here!!
Hi Helen.  Glad to see you following!

Ah-h-h-h Palm Trees!

Well we made it to Florida.  We are spending tonight in the parking lot of a Cracker Barrel in Lake City Florida.  We spoke with a manger and got his permission.  It's pretty nice here.  Lots of trees and stuff.  Almost makes you feel like you are really camping.  We were tired of eating at the Denny's restaurants at the Flying J's.  They have a limited menu and everything is fried in some way, shape or form.  So this is working out very well. 
I promised a photo of flowers.  Here it is. 

I made sure I got the snow in there too!
I also got a photo of the commander.

He made me do it!!! He is the commander of a very dirty rig.  I am embarassed to have anyone see us climb in.  My car is just a disaster.  I don't think you can really see just how dirty it is by the picture.  The back of the car is almost black!  The motorhome isn't much better.  We were hoping for rain that never came.

A lot of firsts today.
First time we looked out the window and NO SNOW!
First time we saw people on motorcycles.
First time we opened the window while driving.  Ah fresh air.
First time we saw trees with leaves on them.
First time I was able to take Max for a walk and NO COAT!

It's pretty warm here tonight.   Don't think we will need the furnace.

Here's a video of the Florida Welcome Center.

Oh, and one more first -
Ah-h-h-h-h Palm Trees!