Snowbirds

Yup, we’re going to be snowbirds!  We got our confirmation e-mail for  our two month stay at Welaka Lodge and Rv Resort so unless something comes up (like the house sells) we’ll officially be “snowbirds”  starting in December!

In case anyone doesn’t know what a Snowbird is, a Snowbird is a winter resident of  Florida. They start arriving in October and keep on coming and coming, and coming!  The the population in Florida goes way up!  If you travel on interstate 75 or 95 during those months you will see so many rv’s that you wonder if anyone is left up north.  While many, many people bring their rv’s down, many more come and rent little mobile homes for the winter months.  There used to be a lot of nice little over 55 mobile home communities throughout Florida, but unfortunately the bad hurricanes of 2004 and 2005 wiped out a few of them.   These are such busy, nice places.  I was always jealous when I would go into these parks in the winter (for my job).  Here I’d be working and all these people were walking, bicycling, golfing, chatting and enjoying their day. I remember thinking how nice it looked! 

We always hate the crowds and traffic when it was snowbird season.  It would take me 30-40 minutes longer to get home from work in December,  because of the additional traffic, and forget about going to Outback Steakhouse unless you went at 4pm!  It was kind of aggravating, but now I guess we’ll be there to aggravate everyone else!

Dash Cover and Bicycle Batteries

We finally got our replacement motor home dash cover.  I was a little concerned when Al noticed the box listed the right model, but said for years between 1998-2000.  Our motorhome  is a 2002.  Uh oh.

We took it up to the motor home and it fits fine...phew!   It came rolled up in a box, so I'm letting it sit on the dash for a few days to smooth out before we attach it.  I'm still not sure I want to stick velcro to the dash, so we decided to try to attach it to the steering wheel hump (which is hard material) and maybe if we cut the vents our and attach there, and to the side of the computer desk, it will be good enough.  This one came directly from the factory and they also said they don't cut out the vents because they are not always in the same place.  The biggest issue is the little laptop desk I have on the passenger side.  The cover doesn't look good just laying on top of that and there is nothing cut out or raised for it.  I don't know what we'll do about that, cut it out, or what, but I think the cover will work out fine.  The main thing is to keep the cats from puncturing the vinyl dash.  We will keep the cover.  It's not going to fit quite as perfectly as I hoped, mainly because of the computer desk, but for the price, I think it will be fine.  I'm going to think about it before I make any cuts!

Al has been calling around trying to find new batteries for our bicycles.  Yes, Nellie, some people have electric bikes!  We bought them a few years ago and love them, but the rechargeable batteries are dead and we were afraid we wouldn't be able to find a replacement, but Al found them nearby!  Of course they are $40 each and we need 4, but at least we found them.  We find with the electric bikes, we actually get more exercise and ride further because we always know we can get home and we can rest off and on while riding.

Here is a picture of our bikes.  

The batteries are in the rectangular box under the seat. You can peddle, or if you get tired, or come to a hill, you can get a little boost.  One other thing I like is that they are lower to the ground, and not as far to fall if I crash and that has been known to happen : )

Our weather has heated back up again and it's been getting to Al. He's trying to get the area around our mailbox/entrance fixed.  He's replacing railroad ties and adding rocks and mulch.  It's just been too hot to work very long.  I think he's planning on lunch out when we go to get the batteries!

By the way, my nice little photo of the bike is courtesy of Google Chrome Awesome Screenshots.  Thanks Rick!