What a WONDERFUL DAY in the neighborhood!! The sun is shining and the air is
warm! The neighbors are great! The new ones AND the others from years
past! Fred and Barbara are
English! Deb and Bill from Indiana,
Earl and Laura from Arkansas, and Ron and Katie from Pittsburgh, Pa! They have
all aided in completing part of our Forest Bucket List – a campfire with
roasted marshmallows! The firewood was
provided by a big dead limb that hung over our driveway AND the bright blue
truck! The storm last week brought down
part of it and after that H began parking his truck in the empty drive next
door. The forestry truck finally
arrived one day to finish the job and the downed limb was just enough to afford
a very nice fire!
Part of the Annual Bucket List ALWAYS includes hunting for a
bear or deer. Both have been accomplished!
Kayaking with the manatees has been checked off as well. We were out sharing the experience with two
young ladies, one on a paddleboard and one in a kayak but we left the water
before they did. As I looked back out
over the fairly calm scene, I saw a large dark body skim the top of the water
and then saw the ensuing splash as the young lady on her stand up paddle board
lost her balance in the excitement of having a manatee surface that close. When
she resurfaced the laughter ricocheted out over the surface of the once quiet
water!! Of course, after her struggle
to regain the flat top of her board, and subdue the amount of embarrassed
laughter – I added to her situation by loudly clapping and cheering from on
shore! Always glad to help!
Last week we checked off St Augustine and this week we
checked off Daytona Beach. H squeezed the truck into a parking spot right by
the fishing pier and boardwalk. We took
our annual stroll up and back on the wide boardwalk. The sun was warm and inviting and lots of families were taking
advantage of it! H noticed the bungee
jump had been moved to the other side of the waterfront park and we went to see
what the newest ride that was with it. A huge wind generator type blade with a
2-seat bucket on each end began rotating and it was impossible to not hear the
screams from the passengers being swung up and over – and over – and over. When
that ride was over the bungee ride sent 2 other brave folks soaring way up high
and bouncing way low – over and over!
Enough! My stomach was queasy
just watching!
The “neighborhood” is filling up! The nights are now lit up with lots of sparkling Christmas lights
at most of the campsites. Part of the
added population is because it’s a beautiful weekend and some are just more
“snowbirds” arriving! Needless to say
there was a good turnout at the Christmas Party Potluck that American Land
& Leisure Company put on for the campers this afternoon! AL&L run the office and are the
maintenance folks for the Ocala National Forest Campgrounds. Bob, the elf with the big striped slippers,
has been here since the 1960’s! Aren’t
they all cute?
Christmas is coming!
Our afternoon is going to be enjoyed at Dick & Sharon’s always
lovely home in Ocala. It’ll be great to
see Rick and Terry and John again! Our pretty little Christmas tree will be
packed down, and the outdoor lights tucked away for the move down to our next
stop in our winter venture.
Until our next blog conversation, please have a blessed and wonderful Christmas Holiday. Without Jesus’ birth – there would be no reason for this or any other season!
