Saturday, January 10, 2015 and Sunday, January 11, 2015
We were sorry that we had to say goodbye to Dana, Keith and Austin but our time was up and Mike had to be to work Monday morning. So after breakfast we headed out. As we were getting packed up I slammed my toe into the vacuum cleaner. It is ugly. I don't think I broke it but it is definitely sore. So no driving for me the first day. The trip home was uneventful. We stopped at Flying J in Latta, SC for the night. We heard that the weather was going to be cold in the 20's so we ran the generator all night and cranked up the heat. With the slides in we all stayed nice and toasty.
We were up fairly early and on the road at 7:30. I was able to put in another couple of hours of driving which made me happy. My toe still is sore thank goodness it was my left foot. We made it back to Virginia Beach and setup by 2:00 pm.
So our last trip before our 2 year adventure has come to a close. So we will be back blogging about our traveling adventures about April 1, 2015.
Mike will be blogging about what he has done to the coach to prepare it for this long trip. He has done a lot of upgrades over the last couple of years that he thinks may help other people do the same.
Until April ...............................pat
Mike and Pat
Us with Maximus our dog and Socrates one of our cats is in the background
Monday, January 12, 2015
January 8 & 9, 2015 Time with the Fosters
Our days started early but well worth it. Arrived at 615 am to spend the day with Austin. Had no plans to go anywhere just enjoy this little guy. Austin is almost 9 months old and a very good child.
Mike and I couldn't get enough of him. He made us laugh at the silliest things.
After dinner Dana and I sat on the floor with Austin while he opened his Christmas gifts from Aunt Michelle and Uncle Scott, Cousins Haven and Aubrey and us. Austin REALLY enjoyed tearing the wrapping that the gifts were in especially the tissue paper. After the paper he seemed to like his new toys that made noise and rolled around the floor.
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| Austin playing with Paw Paw's beard |
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| PawPaw and Austin |
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| Austin opening gifts |
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| Homemade blanket from Aunt Michelle |
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| Austin loving tissue paper |
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| Concentrating |
Some facts that I found about Key West after I wrote daily blogs
Whitehead Spit located on the Truman Annex which is just west of the Southernmost Point Buoy is the true southern most point but seeing that it is on the base which is military property and is not accessible by everyone.
The Key West Lighthouse was built in 1847.
There are some 2000-3000 feral chickens that inhabit Key West. They are probably more famous than Jimmy Buffet. They are also protected by local law. They possibly descended from fighting cocks brought to the island a long time ago.
Ernest Hemingway was given a white six-toed which he named Snow White by a ship's captain. Hemingway believed that they were good luck. The cats that now live at Hemingway's house are believed to be descendants of Snow White. These cats are not a particular breed and can appear in any breed, color, shape and size.
Iguanas that are seen all around the Keys are not native and are considered pests by over 50% of the residents. They swim in salt water and eat any type of tender plants. The accepted explanation for their presence is that they escaped from or were released by pet owners and have successfully multiplied.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
January 7, 2015. Bok Tower and Dinner with the kids.
Wednesday January 7, 2015
Happy Birthday to our Oldest granddaughter Haven. She is 13 today and we are sorry we missed her big day. She did get her birthday present before we left. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAVEN!!!!!
We got up this morning and started heading toward Eustis, Fl where our campground is located. But on the way Pat wanted to stop and visit the Bok Tower and Gardens in Lake Wales. She has seen this since she was a little girl from a distance. But today she got to get up close and personal. It was a very interesting site with a story that you must research. You can get that information here http://boktowergardens.org/.
After a couple of hours visiting the gardens and taking photos we headed up US 27 toward Orlando and stopped at a Pilot for fuel and propane. We heard that they had snow in Virginia Beach and we wanted to make sure we had a full tank of propane before we get back there. The idea that the temperature there was in the 20s today is making me rethink my retirement day. :)
Mike
Happy Birthday to our Oldest granddaughter Haven. She is 13 today and we are sorry we missed her big day. She did get her birthday present before we left. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HAVEN!!!!!
We got up this morning and started heading toward Eustis, Fl where our campground is located. But on the way Pat wanted to stop and visit the Bok Tower and Gardens in Lake Wales. She has seen this since she was a little girl from a distance. But today she got to get up close and personal. It was a very interesting site with a story that you must research. You can get that information here http://boktowergardens.org/.
After a couple of hours visiting the gardens and taking photos we headed up US 27 toward Orlando and stopped at a Pilot for fuel and propane. We heard that they had snow in Virginia Beach and we wanted to make sure we had a full tank of propane before we get back there. The idea that the temperature there was in the 20s today is making me rethink my retirement day. :)
Mike
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| Bok Tower |
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| Large Koi-this one came racing across the pond |
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| Sun Dial |
January 6, 2015 Heading out of the Keys.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
We got up around 6:30 am this morning and started getting the blog caught up since we have not worked on it since we left Key West. Shortly after we headed out of the Keys and headed to Frostproof to visit with Pat's second cousin Pete Mazzeo. On our way we went through Homestead and they had some interesting stonework in the middle of their downtown main road. It looked like a flower. We also passed some tractors pulling trailers full of sugar cane and the oranges were being harvested also.
Pat had said that she wanted to get more driving time in so. After we left downtown Homestead I pulled over and she took the wheel. She did a great job and logged 1.5 hours and 100 miles behind the wheel. You go girl.
We arrived at Rainbow RV Resort in Frostproof. This was an Encore Park and Pat gave it 5 stars. We get a 20% discount off of the regular $50 a night with our Coast 2 Coast membership. They were very friendly and the park is nicely laid out.
We left and headed to Winter Haven for dinner at Pete's house. His girlfriend Margaret and he provided a fine meal including after dinner Amaretto and Ice Cream for desert. Pete is a very interesting man who has had a career as a Botanist with the Smithsonian and also was involved with the National Park Service in the Shenandoah National Park. He is also a collector of Railroad memorabilia.
After dinner we headed back to the campground to get some rest for our 2.5 hour trip to Mt. Dora to visit our daughter Dana and her husband Keith and our newest grandson Austin.
Mike
We got up around 6:30 am this morning and started getting the blog caught up since we have not worked on it since we left Key West. Shortly after we headed out of the Keys and headed to Frostproof to visit with Pat's second cousin Pete Mazzeo. On our way we went through Homestead and they had some interesting stonework in the middle of their downtown main road. It looked like a flower. We also passed some tractors pulling trailers full of sugar cane and the oranges were being harvested also.
Pat had said that she wanted to get more driving time in so. After we left downtown Homestead I pulled over and she took the wheel. She did a great job and logged 1.5 hours and 100 miles behind the wheel. You go girl.
We arrived at Rainbow RV Resort in Frostproof. This was an Encore Park and Pat gave it 5 stars. We get a 20% discount off of the regular $50 a night with our Coast 2 Coast membership. They were very friendly and the park is nicely laid out.
We left and headed to Winter Haven for dinner at Pete's house. His girlfriend Margaret and he provided a fine meal including after dinner Amaretto and Ice Cream for desert. Pete is a very interesting man who has had a career as a Botanist with the Smithsonian and also was involved with the National Park Service in the Shenandoah National Park. He is also a collector of Railroad memorabilia.
After dinner we headed back to the campground to get some rest for our 2.5 hour trip to Mt. Dora to visit our daughter Dana and her husband Keith and our newest grandson Austin.
Mike
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| Flowers on the street in Homestead |
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| Pat getting in some seat time |
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| Sugar cane |
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| Oramges getting ready to go to juicing plants |
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| Margaret and Pete |
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| Sand Hill Cranes |
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| Our site |
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
January 4 and 5, 2015 Our time at John Pennekamp and Key Largo
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Today Jeff and I got up early and went down to the fishing areas and tried our hand at catching some local fish. Jeff caught a small Barracuda but I got shut out. We finished our fishing journey at 10 am and I cooked omelets for everyone for a late breakfast. After breakfast we sat around and relaxed until 3 pm when we headed over to Jimmy Johnson's "Big Chill" Restaurant and Sports Bar to watch the Cowboys play the Lions. (Both Pat and Amy are Cowboy fans). It was an exciting game and the Cowboys won so the girls were happy.
Monday. January 5, 2015
Jeff and I had been planning on going out on a boat to fish and we made reservations for 9 am this morning to go out on the Captain's Choice party boat. This is a first for me but we had a good time. It did start a little slow. I got the first hit just a couple of minutes after putting the bait on the bottom and was hauling it in when something big decided he wanted it more than I did. I didn't get another bite but the Captain moved to another spot which wasn't much better and then to a 3rd hole. This time we stared hitting and the whole boat was catching fish. We ended up with 8 fish and Jeff filleted them and we had them for dinner.
While we were fishing the girls went down to feed the Tarpon at Robbie's about 25 miles little further down the keys. They had a great time but not sure who got the most fish the Tarpon or the Pelicans.
We all met back at the camp site and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing. We do enjoy our time with those two. I'm glad that we do get along so well because starting in May we will spend 3 months together travelling.
After our fish dinner (which Jeff and Pat prepared) Amy and I did the dishes and then we played Spades. The girls against the guys. We split the two games 1 win each. We said our good nights and headed back to our RV. We spend more time at their RV than ours because Jeff is allergic to our cats.
We also said our goodbyes because tomorrow we separate with us heading up to Frostproof, FL to visit with Pete Mazzeo, Pat's second cousin. After that we head to Mt. Dora to visit with Dana and Keith and our newest grandson Austin. I can't wait to see the little guy (and Dana and Keith of course). And Jeff and Amy will spend one more day at John Pennekamp and then head back to the cold of Virginia Beach.
Mike
Today Jeff and I got up early and went down to the fishing areas and tried our hand at catching some local fish. Jeff caught a small Barracuda but I got shut out. We finished our fishing journey at 10 am and I cooked omelets for everyone for a late breakfast. After breakfast we sat around and relaxed until 3 pm when we headed over to Jimmy Johnson's "Big Chill" Restaurant and Sports Bar to watch the Cowboys play the Lions. (Both Pat and Amy are Cowboy fans). It was an exciting game and the Cowboys won so the girls were happy.
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| Mike ready to catch some fish |
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| The boyz are acting crazy |
Monday. January 5, 2015
Jeff and I had been planning on going out on a boat to fish and we made reservations for 9 am this morning to go out on the Captain's Choice party boat. This is a first for me but we had a good time. It did start a little slow. I got the first hit just a couple of minutes after putting the bait on the bottom and was hauling it in when something big decided he wanted it more than I did. I didn't get another bite but the Captain moved to another spot which wasn't much better and then to a 3rd hole. This time we stared hitting and the whole boat was catching fish. We ended up with 8 fish and Jeff filleted them and we had them for dinner.
While we were fishing the girls went down to feed the Tarpon at Robbie's about 25 miles little further down the keys. They had a great time but not sure who got the most fish the Tarpon or the Pelicans.
We all met back at the camp site and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing. We do enjoy our time with those two. I'm glad that we do get along so well because starting in May we will spend 3 months together travelling.
After our fish dinner (which Jeff and Pat prepared) Amy and I did the dishes and then we played Spades. The girls against the guys. We split the two games 1 win each. We said our good nights and headed back to our RV. We spend more time at their RV than ours because Jeff is allergic to our cats.
We also said our goodbyes because tomorrow we separate with us heading up to Frostproof, FL to visit with Pete Mazzeo, Pat's second cousin. After that we head to Mt. Dora to visit with Dana and Keith and our newest grandson Austin. I can't wait to see the little guy (and Dana and Keith of course). And Jeff and Amy will spend one more day at John Pennekamp and then head back to the cold of Virginia Beach.
Mike
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| Our fishing boat |
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| Mike |
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| Jeff |
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| Catch of the dday |
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| Tarpon waiting to be fed |
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| Some interesting looking chairs |
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| Amy in her new hat ........REALLY enjoying the view |
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| Young pelican |
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| Small stingray |
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| Pelicans hanging out together |
January 3, 2015 Heading to the Upper Keys
Saturday January 3, 2015
We packed up this morning and headed out of Trumbo Point and over to Sigsbee to fuel up. After running the generator for 104.8 hours for the time we have been here we average 0.42 gallons per hour and that was with the air conditioning running most of the time. Not bad .
We then headed up the keys to Key Largo and arrived at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The drive was uneventful and traffic was light until about 5 miles from the park and then it was bumper to bumper. We arrived at the park at 12:45. So it was a 2.75 hour trip.
We were able to check in early since our site was open and we backed into site 36 which was a little tight but was really not a problem. There was a tree in the back middle of our site which kept us from pulling all the way to the back but we could still park the car across the front. No satellite available and at first we only got 2 over the air channels which were both in Spanish but after I tuned the Jack antenna a little better we got 20 channels and only half of those were in Spanish.
Jeff and Amy arrived an hour or so later and after they set up we visited awhile. We took the bikes down and road around the park. The lay out is pretty nice. They have a small aquarium, a dive center, rental boats and a glass bottom boat. They also offer snorkel trips and dive trips out to the Reef. This State Park has something for everyone. I would give it 5 stars and I will visit it again.
After our bike ride we ate dinner with them and had a great homemade Chicken Pot Pie. Jeff really did a good job on it. After a short visit after dinner we called it a night and headed back to walk our dog Max.
Mike
We packed up this morning and headed out of Trumbo Point and over to Sigsbee to fuel up. After running the generator for 104.8 hours for the time we have been here we average 0.42 gallons per hour and that was with the air conditioning running most of the time. Not bad .
We then headed up the keys to Key Largo and arrived at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The drive was uneventful and traffic was light until about 5 miles from the park and then it was bumper to bumper. We arrived at the park at 12:45. So it was a 2.75 hour trip.
We were able to check in early since our site was open and we backed into site 36 which was a little tight but was really not a problem. There was a tree in the back middle of our site which kept us from pulling all the way to the back but we could still park the car across the front. No satellite available and at first we only got 2 over the air channels which were both in Spanish but after I tuned the Jack antenna a little better we got 20 channels and only half of those were in Spanish.
Jeff and Amy arrived an hour or so later and after they set up we visited awhile. We took the bikes down and road around the park. The lay out is pretty nice. They have a small aquarium, a dive center, rental boats and a glass bottom boat. They also offer snorkel trips and dive trips out to the Reef. This State Park has something for everyone. I would give it 5 stars and I will visit it again.
After our bike ride we ate dinner with them and had a great homemade Chicken Pot Pie. Jeff really did a good job on it. After a short visit after dinner we called it a night and headed back to walk our dog Max.
Mike
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| Picture of one of the beaches |
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| Group of Ibis |
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| Finally saw an Iguana |
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| Our campsite |
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| Jeff and Amy's site |
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| Glass Bottom Boat |
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| Group of ladies getting ready to go scuba diving |
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| Canoes and kayaks |
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| Aquarium that is on the premise |
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| Another beach shot |
Saturday, January 3, 2015
January 2, 2015 Glass Bottom Boat Tour to Reef-Last Sunset in Key West
Friday, January 2, 2015
Slow morning as we got ready to ride our bikes to the docks to catch our boat tour to the reef.
It was a 45 minute ride out to the reef and 30 minutes or so slow moving around part of the reef and then back to shore. I was hoping to see some playful dolphins but no luck this time.
After our boat ride we went to see if we could see the tarpon at the boat docks and we did. They look big through the water.
After getting back to the RV Mike started to put things away outside as we will be traveling to Key Largo tomorrow bout a 3 hour ride north.
We then decided to go back to the Truman Annex pier to see our last sunset in Key West and this wasn't a disappointment. It was beautiful. Great way to end our last night in the lower Keys. I know that we will be back.
See ya tomorrow.....pat
Slow morning as we got ready to ride our bikes to the docks to catch our boat tour to the reef.
It was a 45 minute ride out to the reef and 30 minutes or so slow moving around part of the reef and then back to shore. I was hoping to see some playful dolphins but no luck this time.
After our boat ride we went to see if we could see the tarpon at the boat docks and we did. They look big through the water.
After getting back to the RV Mike started to put things away outside as we will be traveling to Key Largo tomorrow bout a 3 hour ride north.
We then decided to go back to the Truman Annex pier to see our last sunset in Key West and this wasn't a disappointment. It was beautiful. Great way to end our last night in the lower Keys. I know that we will be back.
See ya tomorrow.....pat
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| Pictures of fish & coral from glass bottom boat |
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| Crazy looking truck |
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| Last day in Key West---Sunset |
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