Central West Florida

PS. from the last blog: While in Orlando area, we played a couple rounds of putt-putt golf. I had never played or even swung a golf club before. It was quite fun. had to give up on one hole as we both kept losing our balls in the moving water after trying to go up a ramp and over a ditch to land on the other side. Al finally got his, but I had to give up! Our scores were not good (par 40...I got 70, Al got 60, on 1st course, (and on the water challenging one, par 41...I got 66, Al 56). Perhaps we should take lessons? But we had fun, and the weather was wonderful. If I can find a picture of the course, will add it later. Much better than the little one that used to be at Spring lake!!! Complete with rivers, ponds, volcano, etc! We were also going to go to "Wonderworks" and see the building upside down, but realized when we got there, that it is just an amusement park, and didn't want to spend $30 to go watch others do the rides. Shopped in the little mall instead and enjoyed the weather.

There is also this photo I took at a Wal-Mart lot showing how inconsiderate people can be. There were more carts lined up along the parking strips than there must have been inside the store. Had trouble finding that photo this morning, too, but in the process, learned how to enlarge them a little to look at.. When I tried to find the pics they were about 1/4" wide, and I couldn't see what they are on the blogger image search. GRRRRR! Will try to figure out how to fix that! also, I thought that by lightening the photos on Picasa they would stay that way, but see that these are dark! More learning! I also learned that by putting a caption on the pic when I upload it, it will be on the little prints when I search.
On the bus trip from the Rally the last day, Al found this beautiful mermaid in one of the booths, so naturally, I had to get his picture with her! Poor thing was really sweating in that suit in the sun!
Ok. So after the Rally at Brooksville, we ventured to Tarpon Springs. Al had heard about it at the TS Chamber of Commerce booth and it sounded interesting. He had been told about a parking lot in town where we could stay for $10 a night. Luckily, he was also warned about the parking attendant called "Talkie". When we drove up, he motioned for us to keep going by. A grumpy-appearing old Greek. We stopped, and he said to keep going. We said we were told we could park there and he said "who said". I told him Sue, and he said, "but you've got that car following you". I said we could unhook it. He said, "it will cost you $10, you know!". We said ok, so we pulled in. Al took him a bottle of cold water and asked if he would like me to fix him lunch. He declined, but thanked us. He still was a grumpy old man on the outside, but we think he really had a soft heart. We stayed 3 nights, each day asking if it was ok and paying him. Very colorful community.

Tarpon Springs is known for its natural sponge harvesting since the late 1800's. The 1st Greek to arrive there was John Cocoris, in 1896, and hired expert divers, equipment, etc. There soon were over 200 sponge boats in the little harbor. In the late 1930's, I a red tide wiped out the sponges, and the industry was destroyed. Eventually, they grew back, and today, it is one of the major sources of these animals. I think there are only about 6 sponge boats there, now. We went out on a 1/2 hour excursion boat to learn more. We watched the diver get into his gear. He wore several layers of regular clothing under the rubber suit, which he had to have help getting into. It is not insulated, and once into it, he would wear it all day. There is no porthole, so he would have to prepare his metabolism to not have any eliminations. The suit was bolted onto him with a neck piece, the shoes weigh 12 pounds each, and the suit, 72. Then the helmet, hose, etc., total weight 172 pounds! He was 6'5" and in VERY good shape. The narrator said the other diver they have is only 5'8", and they both share the same gear! We watched as he jumped overboard, the bubbles came up showing he was getting air, and he walked underwater til he found a sponge and brought it up. On a real dive, they go out miles and he is way under the surface. The only communication is a system of tugs on the line. A VERY dangerous occupation. He said he sleeps well at night as it is very tiring. A young, good-looking man, too! What a life!
While in Tarpon Springs, we enjoyed the shops in the little village, and had dinner at one of the Greek restuarants (Hellas). It was good, but much too rich for me, so was a one-time deal! Al went back for one of their bakery desserts to go, and enjoyed it for 2 treats. We also shared a dish of NF SF ice cream from one of the shops, which was an experience neither of us will forget in addition to the effects of the non-fat additive.
Driving around the area, we came upon this old mansion for sale. The Edward Newton Knapp House, circa 1886, a historical landmark. There are many such beautiful homes.
"Talkie" had told us where to find the Bayou, and that we may be able to spot manatee in the water. I had to look up on the internet to see what we were looking for...up to 10'mammal, closest relative to the elephant. We were disappointed to not see any. Evidently, when the weather is nice, they move out to the ocean. since it is cooler today, we may have seen them if we were still there! Oh, well, walked on the ocean beach and watched the birds and people. These 2 birds were particularly funny, carrying on quite a conversation which I tried to join in. They were definitely conversing to each other, and it appeared it could have been argumentative.Sorry I didn't take a video!
From there, we went to Holiday to have the new antenna checked, and they determined the satelite box had been blown out (probably when the cable converter box was connected in Portland), so had to get a new one. Also, found out the new antenna Al had bought at the Rally got fewer channels than the old one, so took it off. Then, drove to Dunedin, FL to park at the Elks. Al tried to get Satelite TV, and now it only works on the small bedroom TV, but I can watch network stations like ABC on the living room one. So, when we leave here, will go back too Holiday and get that fixed, probably meaning we will need to install another converter box for the other TV. Always something. At least we are not far away this time!

Went to Clearwater Beach, Pier 60 the 1st night at Dunedin. (Clearwater is just a few miles from Dunedin). The beaches are beautiful with gorgeous white sand that looks like snow. We walked along the dock lined with vendors, then along the beach for an hour or so, just about sunset. Gorgeous!
Next morning, went to Dunedin Green Market. A wonderful produce and locally made booths like our outdoor market in Tillamook. We got some wonderful fresh vegies! Then, we walked out to the waterfront onto a fishing pier and found the beautiful brown pelicans just sitting on the railing and the dock. We walked right up to them (didn't touch them), and they didn't seem to have any fear. They are amazing birds!!! I could have watched them all day, and we did for quite awhile. Then, looked in the shops and enjoyed the fresh air. Also they had a nice veterans memorial showing most states, but not Oregon! That night, it rained, and was a day to catch up. Went to laundromat, Costco, and got hair cuts, and a meeting at night. Temps are getting cooler for a couple days. Down to 30's at night, and below 60 in the daytime, but it will warm back up soon. Pretty hard to take this weather!!!

Well, since I have been sitting here in my robe for several hours working on this blog, I will call it quits for today. Love to all of you. We hope you are having fun and enjoying life as best you can. We are learning more and more how short life really is, and how much there is to see and do while we are able.

More on Kissimmee

I have been so intrigued with the Spanish Moss that hangs from all the huge oak trees. We saw one small tree while walking that looked like it was encased in a caterpillar tent with the moss. I think I sent a pic of flower pot character before, so here is one made of tin cans here in the RV Park. The black "ducks"? Someone said they thought they were "Turkey Vultures"? wander through the park, under and around the RV's. Pretty interesting to watch. The kitties didn't know what to think!

FromKissimmee, we went to RV Rally at Brooksville, FL. We decided not to do all the Disney stuff at Orlando , having so much fun doing lesser tourist stops. Did go to Downtown Disney and wandered through the shops. LegoLand was fun to see some of the creations done with Legos! Then, we had lunch overlooking the lake on the deck of one of their restaurants.

The Mystery Dinner Theater was fun. Quite a comedy, and the food was good (Prime Rib). Again, no pictures allowed until curtain call.

Then, we went to"Arabian Nights" Dinner Show, which was in an arena, and featured beautiful mostly-Arabian horses, so amazingly trained, and their trainers, riders. We had special pricing from a friend we met here, and got VIP seating and tour back in the horse stalls, etc. Also, a belly-dancer who played with fire, (quite amazing, sorry pics didn't turn out) with h'ordeurves before the show and great steak dinner!

Then, one day while "walking our kitties" in the RV Park, a lady walked by and asked if we knew how to get to the airport. Al was able to go online with his phone and get directions. She was very amiable and appreciated, from Alabamba, and said they'd give us tickets to the car show when they got back from Arizona. We weren't sure what car show they were talking about, and really didn't expect to see her again. sure enough, a week later she showed up with week-long passes for both of us (value $90 each) to the Mecum car auction! It was being held nearly across the street, so we went, not knowing what it was. What an experience!!!! Everything from 1919 Vintage autos to Street Rods, Race Cars, RV's,. boats, tractors, etc. being auctioned, and they were also selling old signs, gas pumps, you name it. One car was auctioned every 5 minutes for 6 days! There were over 2000 cars! Never really having been to a real auction, we were amazed with the process, and really enjoyed all the tricked out beautiful automobiles. The most impressive auction we saw had $100,000 opening bid and sold for $850,000 for a 1963 Hot Pink Shelby Cobra Dragon Snake 289 CI. There was one boat, 1929 GarWood Miss America VIII Twin Miller V16 that had high bid of $700,000, but the reserve of $1.2 million had not been met, so it was still for sale.

A 1958 Chev Bel Air convertible 283/283 HP Automatic sold for $200,000 after $1ooK opening bid! Just blew our minds! We went 2 days, and it was almost addictive to watch.

Feb 1st we headed to Brooksville, FL (78 miles) to an FMCA Rally at Hernando County Airport, where we have been parked on the runway for 5 days. The kitties have been watching small planes and heliocopters take off and/or land not far from us for the time here. (We have to be moved by noon tomorrow, so we will move to a different spot here so we can watch the Super Bowl and relax. We have been looking at RV's and all the accessories in the vendor booths, plus attending seminars on maintenance, driving hints, cooking, health, etc. Entertainment every night has been good, but poor acoustics. First night was a theater group performing numbers from "Chicago", but we couldn't hear the words of most the singers. 2nd night was a Lucy & Ricky show, they were truly amazing in their looks and actions, and the voices when we could hear and understand them. Last night was a 17 pc big band with lead singer with fabulous voice, and we got to dance (rough concrete floor, wearing tennis shoes, but what the heck)! Tonight's entertainment was to take bus into the main street of Brooksville to their "Bash", which was 2 blocks long with vendors. They did have a pretty good band, and Al and I got to do a couple rock and roll dances on the sidewalk, even if we were the only dancers and got some funny looks! It was fun, but we didn't stay too long in town and came back to the RV where I am doing this while Al is napping before dinner, which I should get to fixing since it is after 7 already!

From here, we will go to Tarpon Springs (not far away) to spend a couple days, then on to Tampa area where we will both attend a driving skills class as a refresher (won't get to do the actual driving class unless they have a cancellation, as that part was booked. Weather has been perfect, but it is supposed to rain some for the next 2 days, but temp should still be about 80.

Bye for now!

Florida, Phase I

Upon crossing into Florida, we looked at the map and decided about the distance we wanted to drive that day was to St. Augustine, and there was an Elks club there. What a treat! Didn't know it is the Christmas capital of Florida!!! We went on a tour of the city during the day, and on the Christmas light tour in the evening. Really a fun city filled with history and beautiful old buildings! Right now I am not finding the photos we took of the old buildings!

We are currently in Kissimmee, FL (close to Orlando). We parked for the last 2 weeks of 2011 there at Mill Creek RV Park, as it was close to the airport, nice people, but it was not the greatest park we have found. I flew to Seattle area to see all 3 of our kids, all 6 grandkids, brothers, neices, nephews, and ex-mother-in law who is 90 years old. Had a great trip. Al stayed in the RV with our kitties and kept busy puttering around and acquainting himself with the area. Before I left we went to a fun Al Capone's dinner show.

The month of January, we are booked into Ponderosa RV Park at Kissimmee (Al moved us while I was gone. Much nicer park, and closer to stores, etc. This week, Al had a tooth pulled, and got fitted for a replacement tooth. Happily, he did not have lot of pain ! There are so many things to do and see around here, and we need to make a plan to do them! Met and talked with the owner of the show, "Arabian Nights" (horse show), and he gave us 2 highly discounted VIP tickets, which we are anxious to take advantage of. We have reservations for Thursday, Jan 24, and are excited. Tuesday this week, we are taking our neighbors here at the park to a Mystery Dinner Theater to thank him for helping Al figure out how to install the new Satelite and get the Direct TV box hooked up, so we are grateful and looking forward to that night as well.

The RV Park had a spaghetti dinner last night, and we went, (not the greatest meal, but it was only $4 each). After, we talked with the neighbors for awhile then watched the results of the South Carolina GOP vote. Should be a very interesting election year! Not sure what to expect!

When we leave here Feb 1st, we will head for an FMCA RV Rally in Brooksville, FL for 4 nights, then on towards Tampa. From there, who knows! People tell us we HAVE to see the Florida Keys, and that it will get progressively hotter as the season goes on, so we will probably go after Tampa. Also, people tell us NOT to take the RV there, as the streets are very narrow. So, we will try to take a tour trolley or bus and see the area that way. Time will tell.

We finally got our bikes out of the RV and are riding a little most days then enjoying the pool. My knees are not sure about the bike, but think it is getting better each time.

We understand that you all in Washington and Oregon are having storms, wind, rain and snow! I will be very much relaxed when Jan gets back to Seattle safely, as she is driving her convertible with her cat! Jim is waiting Dr's decision as to what to do about his hernia surgery that never healed right last year, and Brent was in Milwaukie last we knew. hard to be so far away from loved ones. I am so grateful to have seen all the family over the holidays, and Al seems to have fared well in my absence.

Sorry not big exciting things to share, but wanted to check in.

Big hugs to all,

Al & Sylvia