Addendum from Fort DeSoto

After a winter of stellar weather and very little rain the skies opened up in St. Petersburg the last couple days we were there we were hit with all the bad weather pent up for the past 4 months. On our last day, we were hungry for some activity. Don checked the hourly weather forecast on aol (second only to Tom Skilling for accuracy, right?) and decided it would not rain until 1 PM. So about 10:30 am we went out for about a 1 hour bike ride. (Kind of like the 3 hour cruise of Gilligans Island). When we arrived at the farthest most point on the island from our campsite, the sea was raging with the oncoming storm which had already left a lot of wind and tornado damage behind just to the north of us in the early am. It looked like dark skies were definitely headed our way, but Don kept reminding me it was not going to rain until 1:00. Well after we decided it might be coming a little sooner, we took off for home at the same time the wind kicked up and the torrential downpour started with a little hail thrown in for fun. The good news was that the wind was at our backs. As we approached the visitor center where we would have to turn into the wind, we decided to take shelter.

So we were welcomed in by the two rangers on duty and watched their computer radar until it looked like maybe the worst was passed. One of the rangers offered to throw our bikes into her truck and drive us back, but I am married to the nicest man in the world and he would never dream of putting them out like that and especially messing up her truck with our soaking wet clothes. We also remembered about now that we had left our windows open.

Well we needed to get moving so out into the tropical storm we ventured. Thank God there was no lightning threatening us at this time. The problem was that now the wind and rain were pelting us broadside and as we rode over a bridge crossing  a small inlet, I was praying that the sharks had enough sense to get in out of the rain before I was swept away into the ocean.

Unbelievably, we made it back that last mile with a lot of "Hail Marys" under my breath. We spent the next hour wringing ourselves out and mopping up our house. The storm continued with the same ferocity way past 1PM and into the night nonstop.

Greetings from Fort De Soto

At this point in our winter sojourn, I generally start to question whether I want to continue. I am in the mode to return to the jeans and sweatshirts of our northern spring climate and the place we fondly call home.

However, the first evening we were here we rode our bikes in the early evening down to the fishing pier, enjoying the warm sea breezes and watching a pair of dolphins feeding so close to the pier you could almost reach down and touch them. I am not  a fan of aquariums, as those close to me know, and have been to more than anyone should have to as those I am related to think they are great. Seeing sea creatures romp in their own environment however gives me a thrill beyond expression. God's world is a magnificent place and the variety of life inhabiting it are what makes it so special.

Where Has All The Polyester Gone?

We just had our annual visit to Florida National Cemetery where my parents rest in peace. While they were alive, my father would have said "don't bother, what's the point?" but mom would say "you were in Florida and didn't come to visit?" Anyone who knew my mom knows this to be true. There is a certain comfort in knowing they are there and feeling their presence.

This connection to the past  reminds me that we were not always the older generation. In fact, we were once the youngest generation. As time passes one generation cedes to the next their traditions, politics, and faith in the knowledge these will change and the hope that the best you had to offer would remain the same.

I looked around in church today, as I often do, to see what people are wearing. Not to judge, but to see how I measure up in the "dressed like a dowdy old lady department". I was amazed as I realized that the polyester double knits are suddenly vanishing. This is a bittersweet realization because along with the itchy, sweaty fabric an entire generation is vanishing. The World War II generation which grew up during the depression and learned that if it still works you don't replace it. So, if you are a member of that generation, wear your polyester with pride as a badge of survival in some of the most difficult times our country has had to face.

Here's to you Mom and Dad and, by the way, they said to say hi to all of you whose journeys do not take you to the gulf coast of Florida.

The Comings and Goings at Sanlan Ranch



Our Sanlan Campsite



We are quickly coming to an end of our time in Sanlan RV Park. We have spent so much time here this year that it is actually beginning to feel like our home. Of course it helps that we have been literally surrounded by friends and family the past 10 days or so.

It started with the arrival of our friends the Russells. We have missed them so much this winter as it is the first winter our of the past 6 that they have not travelled every step of the way with us. We had them for a few nights in the coach. Nancy was so delighted to be inside the RV experience once again she didn't even notice that it wasn't her own Baby.

Jacob enjoying a slice of birthday cake



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Robbie too

They vacated the coach to make room for the arrival of Bob and Gretchen and their twin boys, Robbie and Jacob. Fortunately they were able to stay on in Lakeland with Larry and Sue for a few more days joining us for the big events of our winter; Robbie and Jake's first birthday party and our annual St. Pat's Day Corned Beef Dinner.

The birthday celebration was enhanced by the presence of our Woodridge friends. They didn't seem to mind that all of the guests at their birthday party were grammas as long as they brought presents wrapped in krinkly paper.



The Minnesota Chilsons arrived without incident for Spring break. Bob immediately removed his socks from inside his sandals, a fashion fopaw he was ridiculed for by one of Tampa's finest as he emerged from the airport terminal. They fell right into motorhome life unloading their gear which included  two pack and plays, a double stroller, and two high chairs. All we needed was the couch and washing machine in the front yard to complete the picture.



Our early St. Pat's celebration



It took the twins a day to adjust to the time changes and unusual sleeping arrangements and it was smooth sailing after that. Gretchen and Bob both got an opportunity to explore our beautiful trails by bike and  our favorite place here, the Circle Bar B preserve. Robbie and Jake enjoyed the swimming pool and exploring the inside of our Bertha and rearrange my kitchen drawers.

It seems that as soon as they all began to arrive, it was time for them all to begin to depart. Once again we are alone in our little house on wheels enjoying the last lazy days of our summer (er winter) in Florida,

As much a I enjoy our travels, it is always great to click the heels of our shoes together and chant "There's no place like home. Wherever we wander we still have our roots firmly planted in Woodridge.

I will miss a few things about this place though;

• The grand Live Oak trees adorned with mysterious Spanish moss
• The hiking trails. I have been clocking 5.5 miles on my pedometer on most days.
•  The exoctic birds which have been gracing our backyards and their hooting at their mates.
• The sandy dry golf course which allows even a missed hit to travel forever, with berns which steer a wayward  ball back into the  fairway, and  beautiful of  plants and wildlife.
• The friendly neighbors
• The bike trails which we have now discovered lead to the Circle Bar B preserve.
• The Circle Bar B bird sanctuary.
• The Auburndale Flea Market
• Cocktails on the patio while watching amazing sunsets.



The view from our patio





Move Over Jimmy Buffet

That's me in the doorway of our cottage

Well here we are at the end of our recent excursion to Key West. One of the best things about Key West is the time. Everything runs in slow motion - even the motorcycles. It's easy to fall into the easy going casual atmosphere here as soon as you park the car and take to the streets.

Each evening, the sun puts on a spectacular show for free and we took it in on our first night there in Mallory Square. This is also where I discocvered that marvelous concoction called a mudslide. It is made of Irish cream, kahlua and vodka. Yummmmm.

Duval Street was alive with a wonderful variety of people young and old, dressed everywhich way but formal. It is impossible to differentiate the millionaires from the paupers by appearances. The noise and music from the open air bars and restaurants drifts into the street keeping pace with the rhythm of life.

Only in America can a magnificant theater like The Strand become a Walgreens.

This is where Ernest Hemingway came to write when he wasn't fishing or drinking at Sloppy Joe's. It's the place where shipwrickers and especially Mel Fischer, became millionairs, where Harry Truman had his vacation White House, and where roosters roam freely along the streets and occasionally into the restaurants.

The architecture is unique and inviting and the palm, banyon, and kapok trees are abundunt and lush.

And sometimes it is even difficult to tell what is real and what is not.

Only 70 miles away, and accessible only by boat or seaplane lies the Dry Tortugas National Park.

 We took a high speed cagtamaran out to the island which includes both breakfast and lunch on the boat. First we toured Fort Jefferson which was  built as a Civil War fortification and later used as a prison. It was here that Dr. Sammuel Mudd spent his days of confinement under the most severe conditions. This was his reward for following his hippocratic oath setting the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth after he assasinated President Lincoln.

 Most of this park is underwater where coral reefs attract a myriad of sea creatures.

It was very hot in the sun which made it easy to hit the water after lunch with the snorkel gear. We were warned that the Man of War Jellyfish population had recently increased and to stay clear of them as their sting can be devastating. I was able to take in some brain coral, and abundance of plant life and a large baracuda, or two or three before giving up trying to allude the jellies.

The water is extremely clear and, thanks to a recent series of calm sea days, many of the local residents were visible with the naked eye from above the water along the moat wall of Fort Jefferson. Walking along the moat wall after my swim was a lot more rewarding. Don't ask me to name what I saw, you just have to take my word that I saw a great deal of marine life in its natural habitat.

We finished our trip with a delicious dinner at a waterfront restaurant where I indulged myself with Key West Pinks (shrimp) caught that day in the very waters we had just traversed.

 So anytime you have an opportunity to travel down to the point where Highway 1 begins and ends don't miss it. I guarantee you'll have an adventure worh the trouble.

We sure did.

It's Just Magic

Last week we had an opportunity to experience Disney close up and personal again thanks to our niece, Lindsay, and two dear friends Lynn and Becky. Lindsay managed a few days vacation to spend in Florida with a firm desire to visit Disney World. Lynn and Becky work there and when they found out about Lindsay, they generously offered there guest passes for our use. Not only were the passes for two whold days in the park of out choices, they included 5 more guests. So we took all of the Woodrigians who were in Florida at the time along on Lindsay's adventure. Our party was 9 in all and our wheel chair friend afforded us a few more perks along the way.

Lynn and Becky hosted these people they had never met before plus ourselves in ways one would reserve for family. Their generosity of spirit in acting as knowledgeable tour guides in spite of their own fatigue and pain, was beyond the call of duty. Their guests were appreciative beyond words. Now all of our friends are friends too.

A day at Epcot and one realizes that the magic is still there. We were watching the show and fireworks display in the evening with two little boys who were trying to figure out how the world floats on the water. After they expounded many implausible ideas, I told them the truth; "it's just magic." They both responded simply "yeah".

The second day we were in the Magic Kingdom where Lindsay and I waited 2 hours to ride Splash Mountain. We reached a point where we were ready to give up but there was no way out so we stuck it out and it was so fantastic that we almost forgot what it took to get there. We made up for it later in the evening when the lines shorten by riding Big Thunder Mountain three times.

The greatest sight of the day however, was the electric light parade. I wonder if Thomas Edison has any idea of the beauty wrought by his simple invention, the light bulb. Why not just sit back for a moment and enjoy the parade?

Pete's Dragon is my particular favorite

We concluded the evening with a family style dinner for 8 at the Liberty Tavern where I consumed a syrupy sweet Buzz Lightyear punch in order to get the light up clip of Buzz Lightyear for a certain grandson who is nuts for Buzz. So guess what's coming to you next time we meet Drew?

Birds and Alligators and Panthers Oh, My!

Well we just arrived back in Lakeland after a week in the Everglades. We met up there with our good friends Ed and Judy there. It was such a treat to connect with someone from home after being on our own for a month.

We camped at Collier-Seminole State Park south of Naples and a stone's throw from Marco Island. The campground is lush with trees and history. We were lucky on our campsite. It was very large and the trees were adequately spaced. It was amazing how some RVs were wedged between two trees. Those guys had to be real pros to get into them with out scratching.

A scene in the Everglades

There was an antique piece of road equipment called the Bay City Road Walker. It was made in Bay City, Michigan and used to make the Tamiami trail (also known as US 41) over the swampy land of the Everglades. Yes, this is the same US 41 known as Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.  It always amazes me what Americans were able to do back in the days with the limited technology available both in not only in their equipment and, but also their clothing; and I don't even want to think about the mosquitoes they had to battle. My had is off to the workers who made such projects happen and happen with engineering that would last a century and still going.

Down the street from the park entrance is a bird sanctuary called One Thousand Islands. We took a nice little hike through it and saw a few interesting creatures including a very impressive alligator.

We took an air boat ride, a first for this adventurer. I was pleasantly surprised at what great fun it was. He makes 90 degree sudden turns and you hang on to keep from falling off then barely even feel the centrifugal force. I surmise it is the lack of friction as the boat is actually flying in the air. Apparently these boats only need water to get started, after that they can pretty much go anywhere, which was evidence by the dry mud bars we sailed over and never even got splashed. We saw some more alligators and birds, but more important got a real feel for what the Everglades are like up close and personal.

Meet Buster

When we disembarked from our ship, the woman who owned the company had a few alligator pets which she offered up for us to handle. It took a few strokes with my fingers and a lot of goading from her and Ed for me to get up the nerve but here is the proof. Yes, it felt just like holding and alligator purse.

The next day we took our bikes over to Sanibel Island and rode through the bird sanctuary "Ding Darling". This may sound like a lot of bird watching, but watching them in their natural environment is real eye candy. Besides it is a place to hike or ride our bikes and just enjoy being outdoors.

Our biggest thrill was having a Florida Panther cross our path on the road to Marco Island. We have always heard about the creatures and there are panther crossing signs along all the highways with the same frequency you see deer crossing signs in Wisconsin. However it rare to actually see one. It was a magnificent grey cat with huge biceps and quadriceps. Not a likely candidate for house pet.

We spent a day at the beach in Naples with Ed and Judy, got a little sunburned, and added many games to the longest Pinochle tournament in history.

It was sad to leave our friends in Naples and return to the north but we were warmly greet by other friends from home, Larry and Sue who will be company for us until we leave Sanlan Ranch.

I was able to hit the trails for a 5.5 mile hike after church and we had great fun at our own Superbowl party. Everyone was happy with the outcome. Now I am ready to get back to my golf game.