Monday, January 26, 2009 KOA Fiesta Key Campground

Captain’s Blog


Today we had to decide if we were driving into Miami or the Keys. We opted for the Keys to try to grab some sun and Beach time. We decided to stay at the KOA Fiesta Key Campground.

Upon arrival we noticed it had been taken over by another company. We went inside and encountered some very unpleasant women. It appeared to us that they were unhappy with life and were projecting that onto their customers. We secured a site on the water and decided their attitudes wouldn’t ruin our day.

After lunch we headed out to Ann’s Beach and enjoyed our time there. The tide was out so frolicking in the water took some doing. Jewel enjoyed running around but wasn’t crazy about getting wet however she did get muddy.

I gave Jewel a bath then made dinner. After dinner we decided to take walk. The skies were clear, temp 72 with a nice coastal breeze. I was holding Jewel’s lease and talking with Ron. We were enjoying our walk until I was catapulted into the air by who knows what. I never let go of the lease but soon found myself on the tar in THE INFAMOUS SPEED BUMP -->
serious pain. At first I thought I broke my hip but soon realized the real pain was in my right forearm. So intense was the pain I felt like vomiting. I sent Ron back to the campsite for the car thinking I may need a visit to the hospital. While he was getting the car I pushed through the pain to examine my right wrist and forearm. Nothing felt out of place and the pain was more muscular in nature. By the time he got back I determined I had not fractured anything but did incur a bad sprain –all this despite lack of x-ray vision. I believe I did not break my wrist or arm because I never let go of the dog lease box which is large and took up most of the impact when I hit the ground. As it turns out I tripped over a speed bump – yes folks a speed bump. Ron said I looked like superwoman trying to fly. He said I didn’t break my hip because of my ample butt – nice!!!! Also, that it was good I didn’t land on Jewel because she would have been road pizza. All this while I’m suffering – nice play Ron.
Back at the MH I iced, wrapped and took Ibuprophen. By 11 PM I was in less pain and able to get some sleep. I did promise Ron that if my wrist shows no improvement I will go to the local ER for an x-ray. The saga continues--------------------------!!!!!!! We’ll be heading out so not sure when we’ll have Internet connection again.

Sunday, January 25, 2009 Florida City RV Park

Captain’ Blog

We drove into Homestead and decided to spend the night at the Florida City RV Park. The park is run by the city and has over 300 sites with approx. 99% permanent residents. Many of the campers are really old and run down, while others were big, new and pristine. Some areas of the park were a little scary but we decided to stay anyway. We needed full hook-ups and at $28.00 a night it was a bargain.

After settling in and getting the laundry started we took Jewel for a walk and met very interesting people. One couple lived in a small run down RV and were excited to see new faces. They are both deaf but had some language ability and we were able to have a conversation with them. They have five children and brought us a picture of the kids. They only see the children on weekends because they live with the grandparents. These people didn’t have much but seemed very happy.

Around the corner we ran into four men who seemed enthralled with Jewel. They all live in the park in trailers owned by their boss who was there with his dog. The dog was left in a shopping cart at Home Depot and is now happy and ten years old. The boss man told us he owned four trailers in the park, two lots in the Keys, a home in the Keys and two businesses. He offered to let us stay on one of the lots for free but we didn’t take him up on his offer.
Back at the MH I finished the laundry and settled in to watch TV. There were tons of sirens in the area and then a Med Flight appeared over the CG landing in the lot across the street. We checked out the situation and a woman with a small child and dog told us there are daily flights out of that lot. She then proceeded to tell us she lives at the park and her child has had 19 surgeries in the last three years. He was born with a series of birth defects including reversal of all of his organs. Despite all that he was pretty robust and well adjusted. I’m sure if we were to stay there for several days there would have been more people to meet and stories to hear.

Saturday, January 24, 2009 Royal Palm

Captains’ Blog

We decided to go to Royal Palm to view the alligators and do some hiking. Unfortunately – no dogs allowed. After taking a short walk along the boardwalk we decided to head back to the campground and do the hiking trail adjacent to the park. Again there was a no dogs allowed sign but since there were no other people around we decided to hike the trail anyway. We ran into a guy on a bicycle that read us the riot act about bringing our dog on the trail. Busted for breaking the rules. We went back to the CG and hiked around the pond that allows dogs.

Friday January 23, 2009 Walmart

Captains’ Blog


It was another warm (74 degrees) relaxing day lounging and hiking the Everglades. We headed out to Walmart to pick up some food and two batteries for the coach. Sounded easy doesn’t – no stress here right – wrong!!!!

We went to the gas station adjacent to Walmart to fill up the Jeep. It has the cheapest gas in town so there were multitudes of people at the pumps using no rational reasoning when entering or exiting the gas bays. We finally got to a pump that happened to pump the gas at a slower then slow rate. The guy behind us was glaring at Ron as if he was deliberately causing the delay. Finally the Jeep was full and we put our lives in jeopardy crossing the street to the car wash.

The car wash was offering a $3.00 special and since we didn’t need anymore then a basic wash we purchased the special. I was responsible for closing the sunroof and putting up the windows. All went well for about two minutes. While in the washing bay the interior of the car was being flooded through the sunroof that OOPHS! Was not closed all the way.

After exiting the car wash we pulled into the Walmart parking lot to dry out the interior of our car. Ron was careful to pick a spot with no one close by. That didn’t work out well. We had the doors open while drying out the interior of the car and some woman with her son drove into the space directly adjacent to where Ron was standing honking her horn both giving us dirty looks. Not a friendly bunch of people today. Understand we were not blocking traffic and were well out of the path of any other cars or so we thought. There were hundreds of empty spaces but she chose to nearly run Ron over and then look at us as if we did something wrong. Not a great experience so far.

After drying out the inside of the car we dared to venture into Walmart. We picked up the groceries that we needed and proceeded to the battery section of the store. Needless to say there was every battery in stock except the one we needed. I guess everyone was looking to replace his or her boat and coach batteries.

We got to the checkout and more stress. Our credit card was not accepted three times. Now we had used the card at the gas station and car wash and, oh yes, Ron double paid the credit card company so we have a substantial credit owed to us by this same company. What oh what was wrong!!! The clerk looked at us like we were losers and the lady behind us was getting impatient. Ron pulled out another credit card we rarely use and we were off with our stuff.

We called the credit card company to ask why we were denied access and they wanted to verify our last purchase or $3.00. I’m not sure why the purchase at the car wash raised a red flag but it did. Anyway everything is fine and I guess we should be happy that they are paying attention. Did I mention we called from the parking lot because we have no cell phone signal at the campground ?

We decided we had enough fun for the day and headed back to the campground for sunshine and dinner.

After dinner we decided to wash the windows on the car and motor home. Ron noticed something unusual about the car. Only the left side of the car was clean. The right side of the car looked like there had been no contact with water or soap. We forgot to read the fine print – only half a wash for $3.00.

Thursday, January 22, 2009 Flamingo

Captain’s Blog

We woke to another 41 - degree morning but the temperature rose to 72 quickly. We drove the 34 miles to Flamingo at the very end of the Everglades. We stayed there in 2007 and the campground was partially shut down. No different in 2009. The devastation from two major hurricanes left the campground uninhabitable due to the ten-foot storm surge. There has been a major clean–up since our last visit.

We walked the area that is still not being used for campers, enjoyed the solitude and had a picnic lunch. On the other side of the campground is Florida Bay. We spent time on the beach and Jewel enjoyed sniffing around bushes and getting her feet wet.

This evening we watched some TV and again went to bed early. Our plan was to lounge and rest – so far so good. We must admit that we are getting antsy. We’re not used to hanging around and since we’ve been here before there is nothing new to see or do. We’re having a hard time doing “nothing” even though that was our original plan.

The house batteries are not holding a charge so we’ve needed to charge them up with the generator. We’ll be going to Walmart tomorrow to purchase two new batteries.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 Everglades National Park

Captain’s Blog

Woke this morning, after a great night’s sleep, to 41 - degree temps with bright sunshine. Everyone here is freaking out because with the wind blowing the wind chill is around 32 degrees. The news is broadcasting safety warnings for elders, children and pets to prevent frostbite. Many locals are in super heavy gear. It’s a very dramatic temperature adjustment for Floridians.

We arrived at Everglades National Park around Noon and secured a site for the next four days at the Long Pine Key Campground. This is a no frills campground so we will be dry camping. Ron filled our water tank at the previous campground so we should be good for six days if we decide to stay longer.
We spent today lounging around our campsite and walked the one-mile trail around the pond. Ate an early dinner, watched some TV and hit the bed early.

44th Presidential Inauguration Barak Obama Tuesday January 20, 2009

Captain’s Blog

 

The morning temp wasn’t as cold as predicted – 41 degrees at 7 AM. I did laundry, made breakfast and prepared the MH for travel. We stayed long enough to watch the Inauguration and headed out in a quest for warmer weather. Despite the lower then expected temps the sun has been shining brightly – Great for the soul.

Surprisingly we drove much longer then expected spending the night in a rest area ten miles north of Homestead. We have been getting great TV reception with our digital converter box even though the official digital conversion full broadcasting date isn’t until 2/17/09.

FINALLY SOME WARM WEATHER Monday, January 19, 2009

 

Captain’s Blog

 

Left Georgia this morning and got into St. Augustine, Florida by Noon. The weather is sunny, balmy and 68 degrees. Yes!!!! Exactly what we have been waiting for. We’re spending the night at the Stagecoach RV Park. It is great to have the slides open (worked perfectly), organize and have full hook-ups. We took advantage of the weather and spent time outdoors walking the dog and enjoying the sun. True to Florida weather the warmth only lasted until Monday evening. The forecast calls for a dramatic drop in temperature with a hard freeze expected (24 degrees)

I’m not sure why we keep trying the Florida thing in January and February. Historically these are the two coldest months in Florida. Oh well, better then 7 below.

If the weather had held out we would have stayed here one more night but we’ll be heading south anticipating warmer temps. That is what is nice about having wheels on your condo.

PRE-TRIP Jan 15th and 16th

 

Captain’s Blog

Thursday, January 15, 2009

We aren’t doing so well getting the Motorhome packed and ready for takeoff. Deb’s been working all week and has been fighting a head cold. She came home today looking pretty lousy. After taking some medication and a nap she insisted we get out to the Motorhome and at least get it closed up before another below zero day.

The slides came in with great effort – so slow we didn’t think they would come in all the way. The living room slide stopped about eight inches in. We weren’t sure if it died on us or was just cold. The second try was successful. Amazingly the jacks came up without a problem. Our experience is that all things mechanical and metal don’t like the cold.

Tomorrow the plan is to finish loading and maybe leave after Deb gets home from work. I’m betting we don’t leave until Saturday.

Captain’s Blog

Friday, January 16, 2009

 

 

Great day. 7 below—Yuck – get me out of here.    Deb got home from work around 2 PM still feeling lousy. Finished packing the MH but decided it was too late to leave so stayed home, cleaned the house and into bed by 9 PM. We hope to get out of here by 7:30 AM tomorrow.

LET THE JOURNEY BEGIN Saturday, January 17, 2009

 

Captain’s Blog

Had few minor mishaps this morning resulting in a later start then planned. All started well. We went out and had an enjoyable breakfast. Ron decide to get some propane because we had used ¾ of a tank keeping the MH warm while packing. We knew we wouldn’t be getting to a warmer climate for a few days and would be staying in rest areas on the way so having propane for the MH furnace is a must. He went to the usual place not far from our home. On the way out he took the usual right turn onto Route 44. His routine is to hug to the right to avoid getting in the way of traffic. He grazed a snow bank (snow bank was frozen as a result on the –7 degree temp) but didn’t think anything of it.---------- UNTIL------ he looked at the side of the MH. The back two storage compartment doors were crinkled like a tin can and the paint peeled back.  Needless to say Ron was quite upset and somehow it ended up being my fault for not going with him as his guide. Everyone knows what a great guide I am. LOL. Anyway, after realizing it wasn’t the end of the world we left but not until 10:30 AM.

As usual the drive was long and arduous. We really don’t like the road to Florida. We drove until we got to Virginia and spent the night at a Virginia rest area. The propane furnace worked perfectly and we were nice and toasty. We were in bed and sleeping at 8:30 PM.

LONG DAY OF DRIVING Sunday, January 18, 2009

 

Captain’s Blog

 

Not much to say today. Up at 5:30 AM and on the road by 6:30 AM to avoid the crowds descending on the DC area for the Inauguration. Drove 600 miles and ran into some snow flurries and lots of rain spending the night in a Georgia welcome center. The temp was 42 degrees - a virtual heat wave. Ron watched football while I napped. I have been sleeping a lot the last few days but am starting to feel better. Jewel has been enjoying the journey and every time we stop she gets to go out and run – on a leash of course.

Florida Motorhome 2009 Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Florida Motorhome 2009

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Getting ready, ya we have been getting ready for about 3 months now. The weather is forecasting sub zero temps yep e I o.

 

 

Thursday, January 13, 2009

 

I visited Mothers. loaded more STUFF into Motorhome.