North to My Old KY Home...

We left Flamingo once again – broke camp after a short bike ride and another trip to Eco Pond to say good-bye to the birds.  This time we were serious about heading north.  Most of the day was spent driving.  We were headed to Cocoa Beach to connect up with some friends.  Timing worked out well and we managed to be there in time to go to church with them.  We went out to eat and then enjoyed the evening at their beach house.  Their hospitality was wonderful.  We actually slept in a regular bed, not a air mattress for the first time in three weeks.  It was good to share time and break bread with friends.  We toyed with the idea of spending a few more days camping at Jetty Park in Cocoa Beach since there was to be a space launch on Wednesday night.  Whatever the reason we took off, it just seemed like the right thing to do.  We spend Monday night at Amicalola Falls State Park in GA.  This is where the AT begins.  Where we dropped Clair off in ’03 and Jerry off in 2010.   It was a foggy night not much to see or do but again we did have a real bed to sleep in.  Up bright and early on Tuesday brought us home by 5:00 in the afternoon, a day before the awful storms that closed 75 in GA.

It is good to be home.  We’re still moving kind of slow.  It was an awe-some trip for which we are so very grateful.  I understand the snow-bird people a little more now.

Until next time...

Doin' the State Park Hop

Yesterday morning we made one more stop at Eco Pond before leaving Flamingo State Park.  The most difficult thing we did yesterday morning was to try and find the way in to Starbuck’s parking lot – they don’t make it easy, folks.

We drove south on Rt. 1, stopping at Bahia Honda State Park to set up camp.  Campsite was wonderful, private with access to a little beach right across the road.  It was late in the afternoon when we decided to drive to the end of Rt. 1 – Key West.  The drive was about an hour.  The town had the same flavor as New Orleans just not as big.  The days have been overcast so sunset happened behind the clouds.  We ate at a very nice restaurant (Jerry had one too many rusty nails) and walked around a little before heading back to camp.

Today we packed up once again.  Jerry had signed up for a snorkeling trip but it was canceled because of high winds.  He had tried the day before also but with the same results.  So tonight we are at Long Key State Park for two nights.  Our campsite is again on a small beach overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.  Welcome to our backyard.  The sunset around the bend is vibrant.  Supper is on the grill.  It is all beyond good! 

 

1/26 Catching up

Our second day at Long Key we headed up to another state park, John Pennykamp.  Jerry got to do his snorkeling and I went out on a glass bottom boat.  We both enjoyed ourselves.  Apparently the snorkeling was fine.  I think the problem is that snorkeling in the Galapagos really spoiled us.  Seems that we started at the top.

After Long Key we headed back to The Everglades for the weekend.  We’re enjoying watching the birds, alligators, sunrises and sunsets.  We have not seen the white pelicans or manatees.  We have seen plenty of bugs.  Even the no-seeum we’ve seen.  Can’t image what it must be like here during bug season.

The sun has set, the moon is full.  It is 7:14 p.m. fast approaching campers midnight, which for me is about 8:00.  Once the sun goes down there just isn’t too much to do except swat at the bugs.

Observations- 

The sun and clouds make lovely dancing partners at the beginning and end of each day.

The variety of birds and other critters is fabulous.

Park Rangers sure do know a lot.

Many people have some very  impressive/expensive camera and equipment.

From what we have heard we managed to escape some very cold weather back home but still, home is where the heart is (and the kids & grandkids & friends & family).  Guess that answers why we might be headed north sometime soon.

Ode to the Florida Bugs...

 

Mosquitoes why do you buzz in a person’s ear                                                                                                  Causing us to swing and slap ourselves, causing you to smear?                                                                                                                            

No-seeum how can someone so tiny cause such pain?                                                                                  Why do you come out so strong after a rain?                                                                                                          

Love Bugs we’ve seen your tricks too                                                           

Flying tail to tail as if stuck with glue.                                                                                                                             

Being part of the food chain I understand                                                                                                       But I sure wish we had the upper hand.

 Did you know the bugs are so bad here in the summer that there is no charge for camping.   And apparently this year bug season has started early.  Not complaining, just reporting.

I Can Canoe, Can You ?

The morning started early with an 8:00 a.m., 3 mile canoe trip in still waters of a mangrove forest.  I you’ve ever been in a mangrove forest you know that that can take some maneuvering.  It just reminded me on using a switch back road to get anywhere but you couldn’t see what was around the next bend.  The waters being still meant that you were constantly paddling to get anywhere.  It’s like riding a bike I like it when you can coast every now and then and now have to constantly be working.  No such break on this trip.  The wild life was scarce.  No birds to speak of.  What we did see were alligators and crocodile.  Apparently this is the only place in the world where those two co-exist.  Now seeing a 8 foot crocodile on shore and only being about 10 foot away from him – sure, that my idea of fun.  Then being in a canoe with Jerry who knows no ear just adds to the fun.

I’ll admit I was tired after the 3 hours.   We had lunch then rode to another part of the park to do a little hiking and see some more wild life.  Back at camp we started to back up for tomorrow we head to the Keys.  Jerry just pointed out the moon and Jupiter to me.  Appears that they might cross paths tonight in a few hours.  I know Jerry will be a witness to it can’t say what I’ll be doing.

Oh, I forgot to tell you what I really like about canoeing in still, croc infested waters……  

It Is Sunday Morning...

…so we attended services at Our Lady of the Skies.  The interpreter was a Ranger.  It began with a role call, a litany of sorts– white ibis, terns, great crested fly catcher, mocking bird, tri colored heron, roseate spoonbills, wood storks, cormorant, little blue heron, laughing gulls, crows, willet, red bellied woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, red shoulder hawk, gnatcatcher, warbler, other various sorts  and of course the Cardinal was there.  We heard that they have a Jesus bird, one who walks on water, but he didn’t make it this morning.

White Pelican added to the ritual, dressed in their finest white vestments, flying in formation.  There were about 40 of them at one time.

The choir consisted of all of the above.

At home we’d have Jack in the Pulpit but here they have Jack in the Bush.  He directs the liturgical dance of the butterflies.

The black vultures kept everyone in line.

The osprey shared the meal, having caught, cleaned and prepared the fish for his mate and little ones.

The whole service was presided over by the Barn Owl, very wise and serious but with a hint of love showing through his heart shape face.

I'm not an expert on Pooh but...

                                                             

I would bet Winnie would have described yesterday as  ‘Windsday’.  The wind started about 6:00 pm. and died down about 6:00 this evening.  During the night the sides of our little A frame were bellowing in over us and our beds.  I felt like a sail on a boat.

This morning we got an early start and headed up to the north end of the park, Shark Valley.  We got waylaid a little on the way there with housekeeping errands.  The wind brought with it a ‘cold front’ (yes, I know it is all in your perspective).    Anyway it was a very chilly day for FL.  Everyone said so.  We took a tram ride through a section of the park.  We saw many birds – wish I could remember the names of them all (or at least one or two).  We saw a lot of alligators.  Our guide said that normally they see more but it was just too cold of day for them and given that the sun was not out the water would be warmer than the air.

As we drove past the fields today there were many people working, harvesting the produce.  So many fields.  So many people.  Its how the food gets to the grocery shelves, I know that.  But when you see it in action...it takes on new meaning. Guess that is something else that I need to give more thought to.  How does it all work?  What does it all mean?  For the land owner, the planter, the harvester, the people doing the backbreaking work?  Just wage? Grow and eat local?    No Farms, No Food.  Buy local….and what part we as individuals play in all of that…..?

We’re attending another ranger talk tonight something like ‘Romance in the Wild’, mating practices of some of the resident animals ---woohoo.

FYI - There is no wifi connection here in the park so posting may not happen on a regular basis.

1/18

….

Ode to the Wall

Whether it be cinder block, flat board or mortar and brick                                                                                    it is really best if it is really thick                                                                                                                                 to keep the sound out is the real trick.

Well, last evening the wind blew in a flock of middle age, tremendously loud women and of course they camped right next to us.  Not much else to say except that I laid there getting ticked off at myself for getting ticked off at them.   But I you want to know what they talked about late in to the night– I could tell you.  (I know the problem might be that I am an early to bed person.)

But today started out great - I opened the zipper on the tent as noisily as I could – but didn’t disturb the flock.  It was getting light but decided I’d try a shower before the sun broke.  And the shower was warm.  What more could I ask for.  How about things I didn’t ask for but that happened.

A short spin on the bike to Eco Pond to see so many birds (we’ll know the names by the time we get home) - a quick pop tart for breakfast (sorry Clair) – an early morning 2 hour boat ride in the backwaters – brunch of bacon and eggs about 11:00 –followed by a short nap – followed by a bike ride to the marina to see a nature display – saw a while pelican – split an ice cream bar – sat for about 45 minutes and watch manatees bobb  up and down – now we are sitting grilling hamburgers preparing for dark, hoping to take in the ranger talk again tonight.

For these and all the many gifts, we give thanks !

1/19

So many...

... languages, so many colors, so many shapes, so many sizes, so many different ways expressing one’s uniqueness.  And then there are the people…

As a wildlife report we’ve seen Ospreys, a Bald Eagle, a Great Horned Owl, Shore Birds of all shapes and sizes, tiny lizards, and raccoons.  Did I tell you about the campground raccoons?  I don’t know what they do at night but they sure are noisy.  It sounds like they are taking down trees.  I just happy they are not beaver.  Oh, and a couple o days ago we saw a Florida Red Fox.  Unfortunately it was dead in the road.  Jerry wanted to get a better look at it so…You know you’re from KY when…A couple of U turns later Jerry was moving it onto the side of the road.

Yesterday, Monday I think, was spent with a morning bike ride around and through the park.  It is really a wonderful place, clean, scenic, and a lot of water.  The afternoon we took a drive through the surrounding cities.  It was like most beach towns I have seen.  Condo after condo, gift shop after gift shop, restaurants, all kinds of places to spend money.  It was an activity that we could have done without.

Today, Tuesday, I think, started out with a sunrise at East Beach, followed by a breakfast of eggs and sausage at North beach, followed by some reading time on the beach, followed by a bike ride for Jerry and laundry time for me.  It’s all good.

We took a few minutes to plan our next night as we will probably be leaving F t. DeSoto tomorrow, Wednesday I think (1/15).

1/16

Pulled out of DeSoto after another sunrise on the beach.  Went in to St. Petersburg to the Salvador Dali Museum.  It was  strange, wonderful, unique, scary, profound.  What a strange guy he must have been and such an artist!  He is one topic I want to pursue when I get home.

We left St. Pete and headed south.  It is always a little tense when you don’t know where you’re going to stay that night.  There is that freedom involved but the sense of security is lost.  I can’t begin to imagine what it is like to be homeless.  We were headed for Collier-Seminal State Park.  We had stayed at the museum longer that we had expected.  We arrived at the park about 20 minutes before the ranger was leaving.  The tent camping part of the park was full.  There were only a few sites open amid all the giant RVs.  Park Ranger explained that they filled up early because of the holiday.  Jerry and I just looked at each other – holiday?  We’re lucky we know what month it is.  But now we know Monday is MLK Day.  We found a teeny-tiny site just big enough for our little tent – don’t know of any size RV that would have it in there.  Got through the night – up early and back on the road headed for the Everglades.

 

1/17

After a long day of driving and road construction we made our way to Flamingo, FL.-  the very most southern point of the Everglades.  During the next couple of days we’ll explore the area.  We reserved the site for 4 nights because of the holiday.  The area seems to be highly agricultural.  Fruit, vegetable and plant stands everywhere.  Made me a little home sick or Genesis Farm.  There are a couple o wineries down the road.  Perhaps tomorrow….   

We’ve been gone for a week now.  Anyone who might be reading this now has the obligation to remind me when I get old(er) and crabby (ier) of the many wonderful opportunities I have had and the fact that I have so much to be thankful for.

I’m typing this in the car because the wind is blowing so very hard at the moment.  Here’s hoping our A frame makes it through the night.  Taking in a ranger talk in a few minutes on the migration of birds in this area. 

May I should have kissed him...

…it would have been interesting to see if anything would have happened.  Last night when I crawled/fell into bed I reached up to adjust my pillow and there he was.  Cold and wet.  A little frog about the size of a dime decided he wanted a tenting experience but we had other ideas.  Jerry managed to catch him and throw him out in to the cold.  I do hope he survived the throw.  Even if I had kissed him he probably would have only turned in to a pint-size prince.  And besides who needs a prince when I have Jerry.

We broke up camp early this morning and headed for Ft. De Soto Park, about 91 miles south of where we were.  It took a couple of hours to get there and we did not have camping reservations so we weren’t even sure we’d find a site.  But things worked out and all is good.  We have a site facing the water, surrounded by palm trees, a table, a grill and each other.

The whole day was pretty much overcast and our time was taken up with traveling, setting up camp and exploring the park.  We stopped at a bench and had a short glass of wine, then visited one of the beaches.  A walk on the beach brought the sun out just in time to watch it set. Once again it was breathtaking.  I asked someone to take our picture with the sunset in the background and as luck/blessings would have it he was a photographer.  Needless to say the picture turned out very well.  We hung around with him for a while and took, oh so many pictures, of the colors.  He would predict what the sky would do next and what colors we’d see.  I would bet you could compare it to watching the Northern Lights, without the cold.  This lasted for about 30 minutes or so then the moon smiled at us from behind the clouds.  What beauty!!  He also took some pictures of us and said that he would post them on his face book page (“God’s Beauty – cause” )  So from the name of his page we could tell that we were both on the same page.

We’re back at the campsite.  It is 7:30.  Jerry is fixing himself a brat and chasing raccoons.   I’m still in awe that we are here and doing this.  May each of you (or maybe it is both of you, who read this) have the same opportunities as some point.   

It is Sunday evening.  Truly a day the Lord has made and it would be hard not to rejoice in it.

1/13/13

What do you call it when...

...-you have the opportunity to head out on an adventure, no expectations, no time table (and with someone you love)

-you have a cozy A frame tent to sleep in

-when you can manage to get up off the ground in the morning without too much trouble

-the restroom is close by in the middle of the night (and clean)

-you wake up in the morning to a heaven full of stars

-you have breakfast on the beach watching your world grow light (raisin bran never tasted so good)

-you are able to visit a state park / a place where wounded animals are nursed back to health, a place where the staff and the volunteers are knowledgeable and friendly (on the trip to the island the boat driver filled us in on the park and it’s wildlife and anything we saw along the way, on the way back he invited us to enjoy the ride in silence, another person while talking about the manatees was asked about their intelligence the ranger’s answer was something like ‘by who’s standards are you judging?)

-you see so many different types of birds, fish and also otters, alligators, and people

-you enjoy a simple picnic lunch

-when you have supper on the beach watching the sunset show

...Whatever you call it, it springs from a sense of awe, wonder and gratitude.

 1/12/13

Oh, My Heavens...

…the heavens are aglow with all the stars of the night competing for attention.  It is breathtaking!

A couple of firsts today -

-kayaking with the manatees – Jerry of course could not confine himself to the kayak so he got up close and personal, as much as you are allowed.  We were out for about 2 hours.  Also saw a couple of herons, a turtle, fish and an osprey – wow.

-to retain what little sanity I have left I got a hair cut at a barber shop.  It was handy and the price was right.

-we grilled supper on the beach and watch a wonderful sunset.  This is what fairy tales are made of.

Not bragging - just reporting

 1/11/13

Ah, the joys of camping...

1/10

…ah, camping, one of the joys of life. 

(First of all let me explain that the F key is sticking on the laptop.  Has been for a while now.  So you may need to use a little imagination if either the spell check or I don’t catch it.  i.e. life turned in to lie in the sentence at the beginning – just bare with me.  Thanks!)

So, we survived our first night in the mini-tent.   It was cozy to say the least.  But it worked.  As I lay awake this morning waiting for the first light of dawn I realized a little shift in the mattress pattern might help things out.  Well, at the moment it seems to be okay.  We even have room for a few extra things. Simple pleasures.

The day was a good one.  We managed to survive a close call in the car when a giant camper with and elderly gentleman driver literally ran us of the road.  Thank God – literally -there was a usable shoulder.  Jerry did a great job of controlling the van.

Jerry drove first this morning while I did some chores.  First charging the phones, then charging the kindle, then charging the laptop.  I thought we were getting away for all of this.  Oh yea, Tom tom needed a charge also.   Then there was the map to look at since neither of us have a smart phone – thank goodness.

One of our main goals today was to make it to Crystal River (ele.4’) and to find a place to stay for the weekend.  It is a challenge when you don’t know where you are going or what you’ll find when you get there.  A couple of phone calls found us a few vacancies but nothing that called our name.  We visited one campground out in the middle of nowhere that was just a field, a no shade anywhere horse field.  No thanks!  All the places we called were $32.-$40. per night.  All we needed was a place to put our tent – mini at that.  We drove for a while hoping for the best.  Finally we found it – the best.  ‘Pine Valley Campgrounds.  Camping $16. 55+only’.  So here we are in our tent after another day of a lot of driving.  Hoping to hang here for a couple of nights, depending on how tonight goes.  We ate at Mama Sally’s (I mention that for my niece.) 

Another challenge of camping at this time is that the darkness comes around so soon and stays late into the morning.  When there is nothing to do after dark – no fire rings here – except crawl in to the tent it makes for some very long nights.  Not complaining – just reporting.

So, if it is three strikes and you're out...

1/9/13

….does strike 4 negate 1, 2 & 3?

The 6:00 a.m. Angelus Bells were ringing as we were putting the finishing touches on packing up.
ROAD TRIP !

We were headed south on I- 75, actually to the very end of I-75.  A quick stop in Richmond to drop o some things that Christy forgot to take back with her to EKU.  While at her apartment Jerry realized that he forgot to pack the little grill.  Christy to the rescue…!  She let us take her grill, cheeseburger stains and all.  A little later Jerry remembered he forgot the grill basket that we use over open fire cooking.  No Biggie.   There was something else he mentioned that we forgot – again, no biggie.

Richmond brought with it rain, heavy at times that lasted all the way through KY, TN, and the northern part of GA.  Thinking of my BFF’s favorite camping mantra ‘I see blue sky’.  Tried as hard as I could I could not in all honestly say it.

I ended up driving through Atlanta.  At least it wasn’t raining at that point.  Can’t say I saw anything if the city except the white dashes that are suppose to keep cars in their proper lanes.  At least it wasn’t hush hour.

I had found a couple of state parks in GA close to the expressway.  We chose High Falls State Park.  So  National Parks have wonderful senior citizen rates why not state parks?  Hmmm..?  Okay $25. for a tent site.  At lease it is not crowded and we’re not hemmed in by RV Giants.  There is even a hiking trail of a little over a mile long that lead to – High Falls.  But first we need to set up the tent so we’re not doing it in the dark.  Got the external ground cloth down.  Got the tent out of the van.  Open the bag and then…realized that we had brought the wrong tent.  No?   Really? 

Yep !  We have this great 9x9 tent that fits us to a T.  Room for 2 air mattresses and a place of a lantern and our duffel bags.  We can even stand up in it – great or changing clothes.  That tent however is home in our basement at the moment.  What we have is a much/slightly smaller tent – it depends on your mood at the moment.  So we did manage to get the 2 air mattresses in sideways.  However, that took up all the floor space.  But believe me, after you are use to using air mattresses They are the last thing you want to give up.  (Being old might have something to do with it also.)

Okay, I believe in the simple life – and I thought tenting defined that fairly well but I guess Someone had other ideas and wants us to really concentrate on simplicity.  Okay, yeah, I know…we’re headed south to where it is warm, we’re out on the open road, free spirits….  I’m really not complaining just reporting.

It is now 6:00 p.m.  I’m not hearing the Angelus Bells.   I’m really not hearing much of anything, no traffic, no voices only darkness.  So this is what darkness sounds like!

 I’m thinking sleeping bag, head lamp and book – at least of 20 minutes or so….

The holidays are over...

…and we’re left with only memories of 2012.

-Jerry hiked the John Muir Trail.

-I visited and worked at Lott’s Creek School in Cordia, KY.

-the grandgirls continued with basketball / did very well in school.

- spring break with the grandkids at Natural Bridge State Park / a lot of hiking/ a lot of looking at rocks, arches, flowers, stars, streams, bugs /cooking together/sitting by the fire/ good times.

-saying goodbye to our good, faithful and loving dog of 13 years.  

-good times with family and friends.

-watching the lights from our Christmas ‘tree’ dance as they were reflected in my cup of tea.

-volunteering at our neighborhood school a couple of days a week / enjoying the kids tremendously.

-a weekend at Wood’s Hole Hostel in VA / a very interesting and enlightening experience.

-camping in the Shenandoah’s with long time friends.

-blessed with good health / joined a gym.

-reconnected with old friends.

And so at the end of 2012 I am extremely grateful to all our family and friends who shared the year with us and to all who crossed or walked the journey with me.

Onward to 2013….