Saturday, January 14, 2012
Ruskin to Sebring
Bud F. went to school with H and Bud S. Last summer at their 50th class reunion we found out that Bud and Nancy live down here in Apollo Beach. The town proper is about 5 miles north of Ruskin and is home to the power plant AND the manatees that keep warm in the discharged water from the plant. H called Bud and found out they live in a gated community just up the road from where EG Simmons Park is located. Like Rauch Rd in Michigan – the south side of the road is in Bedford and the north side is in Petersburg – the north side of 19th Street is Apollo Beach and the south side is Ruskin! Bud, H and Ron laughed, chatted and enjoyed their “Happy Hour” while we ladies got to know each other. Both Nancy’s are into genealogy and all 3 of us know our way around fabric and yarn. Florida Nancy’s sister was my favorite claims adjuster back when I worked for State Farm! It was fun trying to find out when and where else our paths almost crossed during our pasts.
R&N moved out of Ruskin on Thursday morning and H and I headed to Tampa’s Lawry Park Zoo! SPFB! The price of admission has really gone up but it was still a great place to visit again. The day was sunny with a touch of cool so the animals were pretty active. The baby elephant that we saw on our last visit is now all grown up! This time they had a baby rhino but we were on the wrong side of the train ride so didn’t get a very good picture. But we did of the giraffe! I love the big brown doe eyes! We saw bunches of apes, monkeys, a red wild pig and some really weird birds.
Friday we spent out on the road again – breakfast with B&N, picked up our mail from the local post office, met with dear friends from Toledo who have a winter home in Sun City Center. When our kids were growing up, Danny, Traudy and I attended the same church together. We all go to different churches now and it was fun to hear Traudy’s VERY German accent again! The Big Red Barn Flea Market was our next stop and H even spent some money! $1.25! We made a stop at Morgan’s Strawberry Farm to have our annual Strawberry Shortcake. Five miles on the bikes worked off part of those delicious calories!
Saturday, it was my turn to spend the money at a flea market – I AM a big spender – I spent $1.50. Five more miles on the bikes followed by H having to fix a flat in his tire caused by a sand burr. And an hour and a half in the kayaks followed that! The park has a canoe/kayak launch so instead of using the open spot in the mangrove jungle behind our “condo” – we tried it out. A big fiberglass dock with a shallow “v” slot for the boats to fit into and once in your boat – just slide sort of gracefully into the quiet calm water of the mangrove islands and out along the channels to the open bay that surrounds the west side of the park. Besides the fun of kayaking in Tampa Bay the highlight of the venture was seeing the Manta Rays that scurried under us in the shallow water. At the boat launch dock a big old steel boat from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania was moored overnight. This solid old lady had been trailered to Buffalo and then motored down to Florida. Her journey was not over yet – she was headed farther south to the Intracoastal and then across and back up home. I believe the gentleman that owned her said the hull was from the 1920’s and he built her from there up.
Moving day this time was Sunday and Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring was the next stop on our migration path south. Our condo was finally parked in one of the parks bigger spots and H was restless to go visit his brother at their new parking spot in Buttonwood Bay Resort just north of Lake Placid. On Monday we headed south from Sebring to just the other side of Lake Placid to visit B&C from home who are wintering in Camp Florida RV Resort. We’ve not seen them since we were at home in Michigan – last year! Their swimming pool was heated to 89 degrees and we made the best of it until it was time to get out and the cool air hit our warm wet bodies! Burrrrr! Our choice of meals on the menu that night started out to be Mexican but since that restaurant was closed – Thai was chosen. We’ve all decided that it was not our best choice!
One afternoon at the campground, I heard the soft melody from a flute and it reminded me of the new friends we had met last year at Moss Park. While doing laundry the next morning, I was yelled at by a fella passing by on his bike. This guy was bellowing that he’d recognize that behind (mine?) anywhere!!! It WAS Ron from Moss Park!!! And he and his sweet wife were parked right across the sandy dusty road from us!! Too bad we were leaving soon and heading for the Keys! Alas, so were they, but a day later and they were going further down the long chain of islands! Thursday morning arrived and the condo was packed and headed to meet R&N to caravan to the Keys!
R&N moved out of Ruskin on Thursday morning and H and I headed to Tampa’s Lawry Park Zoo! SPFB! The price of admission has really gone up but it was still a great place to visit again. The day was sunny with a touch of cool so the animals were pretty active. The baby elephant that we saw on our last visit is now all grown up! This time they had a baby rhino but we were on the wrong side of the train ride so didn’t get a very good picture. But we did of the giraffe! I love the big brown doe eyes! We saw bunches of apes, monkeys, a red wild pig and some really weird birds.
Friday we spent out on the road again – breakfast with B&N, picked up our mail from the local post office, met with dear friends from Toledo who have a winter home in Sun City Center. When our kids were growing up, Danny, Traudy and I attended the same church together. We all go to different churches now and it was fun to hear Traudy’s VERY German accent again! The Big Red Barn Flea Market was our next stop and H even spent some money! $1.25! We made a stop at Morgan’s Strawberry Farm to have our annual Strawberry Shortcake. Five miles on the bikes worked off part of those delicious calories!
Saturday, it was my turn to spend the money at a flea market – I AM a big spender – I spent $1.50. Five more miles on the bikes followed by H having to fix a flat in his tire caused by a sand burr. And an hour and a half in the kayaks followed that! The park has a canoe/kayak launch so instead of using the open spot in the mangrove jungle behind our “condo” – we tried it out. A big fiberglass dock with a shallow “v” slot for the boats to fit into and once in your boat – just slide sort of gracefully into the quiet calm water of the mangrove islands and out along the channels to the open bay that surrounds the west side of the park. Besides the fun of kayaking in Tampa Bay the highlight of the venture was seeing the Manta Rays that scurried under us in the shallow water. At the boat launch dock a big old steel boat from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania was moored overnight. This solid old lady had been trailered to Buffalo and then motored down to Florida. Her journey was not over yet – she was headed farther south to the Intracoastal and then across and back up home. I believe the gentleman that owned her said the hull was from the 1920’s and he built her from there up.
Moving day this time was Sunday and Highlands Hammock State Park in Sebring was the next stop on our migration path south. Our condo was finally parked in one of the parks bigger spots and H was restless to go visit his brother at their new parking spot in Buttonwood Bay Resort just north of Lake Placid. On Monday we headed south from Sebring to just the other side of Lake Placid to visit B&C from home who are wintering in Camp Florida RV Resort. We’ve not seen them since we were at home in Michigan – last year! Their swimming pool was heated to 89 degrees and we made the best of it until it was time to get out and the cool air hit our warm wet bodies! Burrrrr! Our choice of meals on the menu that night started out to be Mexican but since that restaurant was closed – Thai was chosen. We’ve all decided that it was not our best choice!
One afternoon at the campground, I heard the soft melody from a flute and it reminded me of the new friends we had met last year at Moss Park. While doing laundry the next morning, I was yelled at by a fella passing by on his bike. This guy was bellowing that he’d recognize that behind (mine?) anywhere!!! It WAS Ron from Moss Park!!! And he and his sweet wife were parked right across the sandy dusty road from us!! Too bad we were leaving soon and heading for the Keys! Alas, so were they, but a day later and they were going further down the long chain of islands! Thursday morning arrived and the condo was packed and headed to meet R&N to caravan to the Keys!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Ocala to Ruskin
They broke! And I am heartbroken with them! What you say has caused such sad emotions? My beautiful, fabulous, but obvious delicate Amaryllis with her TWO buxom, frilly, obviously very top-heavy multilayer blooms! Was that enough adjectives?
Before we left Michigan, I bought 2 Amaryllis bulbs - a bright red one for a gift and a white and coral one for me. Over the years, I had already gathered several bulbs that have multiplied and now live in one big pot that spend the winter in the basement under a dark cool table. When we return home in the spring the pot is brought out and within a month we have a big splash of giant red flowers that grace our enclosed front porch. I planted this new bulb and both H and I watched her sprout a thick round stem that was topped with what promised to be a future dinner plate sized bloom. At Salt Springs she grew from a stub to over 10 inches in less than a week! As the days progressed, we watched her reach for the sky and in the warm sunshine at Ross Prairie she produced not one but 4 buds, 2 of which were branching out and showing color. Each evening we would bring her inside for protection from the cool night air and possible varmints. By New Years day, her 2 ruffled blooms were wide open like a Spanish dancer’s wide flowing brightly colored skirt in full dance mode! She was BEAUTIFUL! Then we moved. Big-busted women do not travel well in the back of a bouncing buckboard – if you know what I mean. These Florida roads are not as bad as our Michigan roads, but even in the back corner of this condo – it’s bouncy. I should have known better. Both blooms were on the floor when we arrived in Ruskin. Each is now resting comfortably in a dish of water on the dinette in front of the big window where the Christmas tree had been sitting. We will still enjoy their beauty while we can. The other 2 buds are just now showing color and when we must move again this weekend – she will get protected better in a less bouncy area of the condo!
During our stay at Ross Prairie, we were lucky enough to visit and get to know friends from Toledo who had moved to a new, gated community in Ocala, not far from D&S’s, Oak Run. John and Nora welcomed us into their home - once we finally found the right street and the right lovely home! I am looking forward to visiting again - now that we know how to find them! In the campground we made more new friends also! Donna and Wendell, originally “Uppers” are now from down in this area and love to mountain bike the trails in Ross Prairie! Their trailer is new to them also, so the guys chatted and discussed trucks and trailers! New Year’s Eve, D&S joined us one last time for steaks on the grill! It felt good to be able to provide a meal for them after all they have done for us when we’re in their neighborhood!
On New Year’s Day, H and I headed for K.P. Hole Park – the county park where we launched the canoe last year. On Christmas AND New Year’s day the park is officially closed but the launch areas are open and minus the $5 per person charge! The kayaks slipped into the water more gracefully than we did “slipping” into them! Paddling upstream in those bright orange bubbles was a lot easier than H had expected, especially since the currant is quite strong in some areas due to all the springs that flow along the way. We made the mile and a half to the headsprings and when the time came to come back downstream, the going was much easier. We saw a Bald Eagle, along with the neat assortment of wading birds and various ducks. On the list were also turtles and a water snake slithering by H’s bubble. With the kayaks it was fun to pivot quick and then almost catch up to it! When we came to a small shallow cove amongst the jungle trees on the shoreline, the wetsuits were yanked on and the kayaks tied together so we could finish up our adventure viewing it from under the crystal clear water. Bass of all sizes, curious bluegills, mullet, catfish and others swam ahead of us thru the waving sea grasses or darted away as we crossed the top of their water filled canyons! However, even with the wetsuits on – we were way cold by the time we paddled up to the launch area! That big towel that had grown warm in the back of the parked truck sure felt good around my shivering shoulders!
E.G. Simmons in Ruskin is now our home for the week. We pulled in and parked about noon on Monday and R&N arrived about 4 30pm. They FINALLY came and parked next to us when the Michigan State football game reached its final fevered finish! They had been watching the last nail biting minutes at the entry gate to the park but managed to get just barely parked and plugged in before joining us for the exciting overtimes and the joyous outcome of the game!
The brothers are being brothers and Nancy and I are enjoying some female conversations and such! Of course, H and I are blaming them for bringing down the cold air with them! When it’s cold tho, the manatees are up in the channel at the Power Plant in Apollo Beach! Last year it was warm when R&N were here with us and there were no manatees! Manatees got viewed and we hustled back to the truck for warmth and the next stop was for groceries. We did NOT need them because in the afternoon, we headed for Ellenton and H’s FAVORITE seafood eatery – Anna Marie’s Oyster Bar. Shop till you drop – we hit the outlet mall next for good measure!
Tuesday night was supposed to be the coldest night and this day is now sunny and getting warmer with very calm winds! Monday night none of us slept well due to the 50 mph winds that howled and raged thru the palm trees and around the corners of this 3 story tall condo and R’s trailer sitting next door. Sunny and warmer days are promised for our future!
Before we left Michigan, I bought 2 Amaryllis bulbs - a bright red one for a gift and a white and coral one for me. Over the years, I had already gathered several bulbs that have multiplied and now live in one big pot that spend the winter in the basement under a dark cool table. When we return home in the spring the pot is brought out and within a month we have a big splash of giant red flowers that grace our enclosed front porch. I planted this new bulb and both H and I watched her sprout a thick round stem that was topped with what promised to be a future dinner plate sized bloom. At Salt Springs she grew from a stub to over 10 inches in less than a week! As the days progressed, we watched her reach for the sky and in the warm sunshine at Ross Prairie she produced not one but 4 buds, 2 of which were branching out and showing color. Each evening we would bring her inside for protection from the cool night air and possible varmints. By New Years day, her 2 ruffled blooms were wide open like a Spanish dancer’s wide flowing brightly colored skirt in full dance mode! She was BEAUTIFUL! Then we moved. Big-busted women do not travel well in the back of a bouncing buckboard – if you know what I mean. These Florida roads are not as bad as our Michigan roads, but even in the back corner of this condo – it’s bouncy. I should have known better. Both blooms were on the floor when we arrived in Ruskin. Each is now resting comfortably in a dish of water on the dinette in front of the big window where the Christmas tree had been sitting. We will still enjoy their beauty while we can. The other 2 buds are just now showing color and when we must move again this weekend – she will get protected better in a less bouncy area of the condo!
During our stay at Ross Prairie, we were lucky enough to visit and get to know friends from Toledo who had moved to a new, gated community in Ocala, not far from D&S’s, Oak Run. John and Nora welcomed us into their home - once we finally found the right street and the right lovely home! I am looking forward to visiting again - now that we know how to find them! In the campground we made more new friends also! Donna and Wendell, originally “Uppers” are now from down in this area and love to mountain bike the trails in Ross Prairie! Their trailer is new to them also, so the guys chatted and discussed trucks and trailers! New Year’s Eve, D&S joined us one last time for steaks on the grill! It felt good to be able to provide a meal for them after all they have done for us when we’re in their neighborhood!
On New Year’s Day, H and I headed for K.P. Hole Park – the county park where we launched the canoe last year. On Christmas AND New Year’s day the park is officially closed but the launch areas are open and minus the $5 per person charge! The kayaks slipped into the water more gracefully than we did “slipping” into them! Paddling upstream in those bright orange bubbles was a lot easier than H had expected, especially since the currant is quite strong in some areas due to all the springs that flow along the way. We made the mile and a half to the headsprings and when the time came to come back downstream, the going was much easier. We saw a Bald Eagle, along with the neat assortment of wading birds and various ducks. On the list were also turtles and a water snake slithering by H’s bubble. With the kayaks it was fun to pivot quick and then almost catch up to it! When we came to a small shallow cove amongst the jungle trees on the shoreline, the wetsuits were yanked on and the kayaks tied together so we could finish up our adventure viewing it from under the crystal clear water. Bass of all sizes, curious bluegills, mullet, catfish and others swam ahead of us thru the waving sea grasses or darted away as we crossed the top of their water filled canyons! However, even with the wetsuits on – we were way cold by the time we paddled up to the launch area! That big towel that had grown warm in the back of the parked truck sure felt good around my shivering shoulders!
E.G. Simmons in Ruskin is now our home for the week. We pulled in and parked about noon on Monday and R&N arrived about 4 30pm. They FINALLY came and parked next to us when the Michigan State football game reached its final fevered finish! They had been watching the last nail biting minutes at the entry gate to the park but managed to get just barely parked and plugged in before joining us for the exciting overtimes and the joyous outcome of the game!
The brothers are being brothers and Nancy and I are enjoying some female conversations and such! Of course, H and I are blaming them for bringing down the cold air with them! When it’s cold tho, the manatees are up in the channel at the Power Plant in Apollo Beach! Last year it was warm when R&N were here with us and there were no manatees! Manatees got viewed and we hustled back to the truck for warmth and the next stop was for groceries. We did NOT need them because in the afternoon, we headed for Ellenton and H’s FAVORITE seafood eatery – Anna Marie’s Oyster Bar. Shop till you drop – we hit the outlet mall next for good measure!
Tuesday night was supposed to be the coldest night and this day is now sunny and getting warmer with very calm winds! Monday night none of us slept well due to the 50 mph winds that howled and raged thru the palm trees and around the corners of this 3 story tall condo and R’s trailer sitting next door. Sunny and warmer days are promised for our future!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
Our sweet little Christmas tree is decorated with its glittered seashells, blue shiny ornaments, a real starfish, several small birds and blue and silver garlands. It stands proudly on the dinette in front of that big window. From the outside it looks way bigger than it is! The back picture window is dressed in blue and white lights with white poinsettias in each corner of the cornice boards. The bathroom vanity even has red poinsettias! H is thrilled. Not really. But he does like Christmas lights as you can tell from some of the past blog pictures!
Ocala Sun RV Resort on Hwy 484 is in the Passport America discount book and was our plug in to wifi and cable for three nights. As in a lot of RV resorts, the transients get relegated to an open field and are parked wall to wall. Even though we now have a “condo” we were still the smallest unit in the entire park! The folks were very hospitable and made us feel welcomed at their Christmas potluck dinner.
Dick and Sharon live in a gated community just 8 miles down the road from Ocala Sun and we knocked on their door more than once in those 3 days! My sister and I had a lot of catching up to do! The 4 of us shared some great eating times and as always, each Christmas season, S invites some of her good friends in for an evening of good food and great chatter! R&N, T &CJ, E&R- Thanks for including us! Neal’s mom sat in on the party this year! Neither H nor I have ever met someone who is 105!!
Christmas Day we joined D&S at the Maranantha Baptist Church and then back to their gorgeous home for the afternoon. Dick’s kids ( SPFB!) - son Rick, daughter Terri - the JUDGE and son in law John kept the afternoon in stitches, telling stories on their dad and on each other! Siblings! For a change – Sharon and I behaved! The dinner was scrumptious and we all ate wayyyyyyyyyyyy too much!
Our hope and prayer is that all our friends and family have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas Season this year and for your futures – peace and health!
Ocala Sun RV Resort on Hwy 484 is in the Passport America discount book and was our plug in to wifi and cable for three nights. As in a lot of RV resorts, the transients get relegated to an open field and are parked wall to wall. Even though we now have a “condo” we were still the smallest unit in the entire park! The folks were very hospitable and made us feel welcomed at their Christmas potluck dinner.
Dick and Sharon live in a gated community just 8 miles down the road from Ocala Sun and we knocked on their door more than once in those 3 days! My sister and I had a lot of catching up to do! The 4 of us shared some great eating times and as always, each Christmas season, S invites some of her good friends in for an evening of good food and great chatter! R&N, T &CJ, E&R- Thanks for including us! Neal’s mom sat in on the party this year! Neither H nor I have ever met someone who is 105!!
Christmas Day we joined D&S at the Maranantha Baptist Church and then back to their gorgeous home for the afternoon. Dick’s kids ( SPFB!) - son Rick, daughter Terri - the JUDGE and son in law John kept the afternoon in stitches, telling stories on their dad and on each other! Siblings! For a change – Sharon and I behaved! The dinner was scrumptious and we all ate wayyyyyyyyyyyy too much!
Our hope and prayer is that all our friends and family have a very Merry and Blessed Christmas Season this year and for your futures – peace and health!
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
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