tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10123346206400492422024-03-28T03:22:12.618-04:00Rv Travels With Karen and AlOur life and travels, from fulltime Rv living, to a new home in the North Georgia Mountains, our other "home" in the Florida Keys, and traveling in our new mini RV.Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.comBlogger1267125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-40792333465524229432018-12-15T10:19:00.004-05:002018-12-15T10:19:46.750-05:00BIG Changes and Time to Update the Blog<i>Blairsville, Ga (high 64, low 42)</i><br />
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There have been a LOT of changes and it's hard to know where to start.<br />
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After Hurricane Irma struck the Keys and destroyed our fifth wheel, we decided to hold off on putting another RV there. There are some issues with the county and permanent rv's, so we're waiting to see how that all plays out. With no rv there, we are able to rent the lot out when we are not there. If anybody wants to spend Christmas in the Keys, let me know.<br />
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We decided to purchase a small trailer that we could easily tow and find campsites that we would fit. We purchased a pre owned Forest River Rockwood Mini Lite. It's only 21 ft. It has one slide, a walk around bed, ducted AC, a sofa instead of a booth, two door refrigerator and dual axle. All the things that we had been looking for and all the things that are hard to find on a rig that size.<br />
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The new trailer fit just fine on our Keys lot. We spent 3 weeks in the Keys in the little trailer, which we have named "The Dingy" <span style="text-align: start;">We were surprised at how comfy we were. It turns out the layout was perfect and very liveable. We now know that we could easily spend months in it. It looks tiny outside, but is surprisingly roomy inside.</span></div>
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During our Keys trip in April, we finally got the boat in the water. It was the first time we had been able to take it out on the water after the hurricane, and we wanted to make sure everything was ok. We found a few issues with the trailer, but Progressive was great about adding a supplement to take care of the additional damages. The motor ran fine and we got out to do some snorkeling.<br />
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Last January, we lost our live in caregiver for Mom, but we finally ended up finding someone else who is working out well (knock on wood). Between her and the ones provided by her long term care insurance policy, we are covered which allows us to travel some.<br />
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While searching for a new caregiver, we stayed in Tampa for several months we took the opportunity to do some Florida camping in the new "Dingy." We spent a few days at Rainbow Springs, where I picked up a few very tiny ticks. Apparently, I missed one because a few weeks later I found one embedded in my skin with the bulls eye mark of Lyme Disease. I went on antibiotics for 3 weeks for that. Fortunately, I have had no further symptoms.<br />
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With the new caregiver in place and settled in, we headed back up to Blairsville, GA (where we had 2 rv lots). The Dingy was parked at our rental rv lot and we moved back into the Cameo which we keep here.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">This is Old Federal Campground which is a COE campground on Lake Lanier in Georgia. We stayed there on the way back to Georgia. We decided we really like the COE campgrounds, plus the 50% discount is nice. We planned on doing some traveling during the summer but that didn't happen.</span><br />
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While in Blairsville, we decided to take a look at some houses for sale, just for kicks. We love the north Georgia mountains the city of Blairsville and knew that we would end up here someday. We especially love the area where our RV lots are because we have the nice country back roads where we can ride our golf cart and "bear hunt". Plus it is a great area for walking and there are wonderful hiking trails (Appalachian Trail is 3 miles away). We didn't want the house to be up a long twisty road with a steep driveway, no neighbors, or an area with no building restrictions and dumpy places next door.<br />
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It turned out that one came up for sale right next to the Rv park and ended up buying it. It has a long driveway with a big parking space behind the house, which is perfect for us to park the little trailer.<br />
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The cats love their new house. We still have our big boy Baxter and our old boy Chatty, who is going on 19 and has end stage kidney disease. We never thought he'd be around this long, but he's doing ok.<br />
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During the summer, someone dumped a pretty little female cat and of course we ended up with her. We didn't want another cat and didn't plan to keep her but she had a terrible skin condition, no one wanted her. She had some sort of skin condition and was losing her fur. With the help of our friends and neighbor who is a Veterinarian, and plenty of medications and care, she improved after a few months. She had to be kept isolated from the other cats so she lived in our cabin during the process. It was a process of elimination and we didn't know if she had ringworm or demodectic mange.<span style="color: #5f5f5f; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px;"> </span></span>We didn't expect our old guy would still be around so we figured we could take in another one. Which we did.<br />
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So, on Halloween, we closed on our new house. The house backs up the the Nottley river which is behind the RV park, making us close to our friends there and have all the benefits of the the area we love. It made it much easier to move all the STUFF we had in the fifth wheel and TWO cabins!<br />
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Here is our new house. It has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a double car garage, with rv parking in the back. It is on 1 1/4 acre on the Nottley River. We have a covered front and back porch and we will probably screen one of them for the cats. We have an empty field in front of the house and an empty lot next door for privacy. We will be purchasing a riding mower soon.<br />
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It seemed strange at first living in a house again. So much room. A little clutter doesn't trash the entire place like in a Rv. You don't know it's raining unless you look outside! It's easy to stay warm even with the cold weather we have now. We never missed our house while living the last 8 years in our rv's, but now that we have one again, we really are enjoying it. Of course, it's cold outside, the grass is brown now and there are no leaves on the trees. We are anxious to get outside and plant a garden and some flowers.<br />
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The front porch looks out over Brasstown Bald which is the highest mountain in Georgia.<br />
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Our good friends and neighbors Heidi and Suzanne and their three sweet little dogs. Heidi was our hero taking care of Nottley (the cat) for us!</div>
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We had a very rare Piebald deer around this year. Isn't she a beauty? It's a genetic mutation but still beautiful. I hope the hunters don't get her.</div>
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We had some bear sightings this year. We expect we will have bears in our yard here in the house. Our neighbors had one in their garage during the daytime. </div>
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We are still here in Blairsville and have experienced snow a couple times already. We really need to get back down to Tampa, but are dreading it. We are so enjoying our new house.</div>
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This is Brasstown Bald from our porch with the help of my camera zoom.</div>
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This is Nottley, our new kitty. She had to live in the cabin for a few months until we cleared up her skin issues and make sure she wasn't contagious. We didn't have much trouble introducing her to Baxter and Chatty, but she does like to pick on both of them. It's ok if she picks on Baxter. He can take it and defend himself. He weighs 18 pounds to her 6, but Chatty is too old and frail, so we don't like her attacking him.</div>
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She is young and agile, and likes to explore. We caught her on top of the cabinets in the laundry room. Al had to help her get down.</div>
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This time she was on top of the door to the laundry room. We made her find her own way down this time.</div>
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We were under a winter storm warning. Nearby Clayton, Ga and Asheville NC got a 12-18 inches of snow but we only got a little which was mostly slush. We were hoping for a nice thick fluffy snow like they had here last year. </div>
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This is the view of our snow from our front window.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSH6YVN90kejuwFZBDIpOKGVTAJEZQFZ0rs7pB7qXOqtXnKepR5-yqlQK4QLkJcaBADeJNCTAkTs5irrvnRpywnFreFY1WJ3woo9o5TZSOu-xgfC9mhEuQ3wd0SpfmA0cAwvZUe3TLZv_/s1600/IMG_20181209_071435670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdSH6YVN90kejuwFZBDIpOKGVTAJEZQFZ0rs7pB7qXOqtXnKepR5-yqlQK4QLkJcaBADeJNCTAkTs5irrvnRpywnFreFY1WJ3woo9o5TZSOu-xgfC9mhEuQ3wd0SpfmA0cAwvZUe3TLZv_/s400/IMG_20181209_071435670.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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We have no snow shovel and Al was afraid the slush would freeze, so he used a plastic lid to scrape the thick slush off the upper part of the driveway.</div>
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Hey, we're Floridians, so snow is a big deal to us! We took a drive up to Brasstown bald to see more snow.</div>
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It was a beautiful day, but freezing cold with the wind at the higher elevations.</div>
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The plan for now it so head back to Tampa before Christmas. We will hang around there a while then take the dingy out for some local camping trips and then to the Keys mid March when our renters leave our lot in the Keys. We may make a trip back here to try and see some snow. Despite the very cold weather here in Blairsville, it is very hard to want to leave this year.<br />
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So, that about catches us up. I think it's time I find a new picture and delete the one of the destroyed RV after Hurricane Irma. I can't seem to remember how to change the header photo. Any tips would be appreciated!<br />
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<br />Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-39851302528629493592017-10-14T10:21:00.000-04:002017-10-14T12:34:11.118-04:00Hurricane Irma and Information on our Boat<br />
<i><br /></i>We are trying to enjoy the fall activities, while still dealing with hurricane and insurance issues. Things are moving very slowly due to the massive amount of damage and the remote location. We are being patient.<br />
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We know our fifth wheel is a total loss and are waiting for the insurance company to find a company capable of picking the pieces up and towing it away.<br />
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We are hoping to get more info on our boat today. It is stored on Venture Out property in a secured storage lot. There are 100-150 boats in the lot, all in assigned spaces. At least they were. Now they are in a jumbled up mess. Some are some off their trailers, some on top of other boats and in all kinds of conditions.<br />
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It is a big mess and one boat can't be moved without the risk of damaging others. It needed to be a coordinated well thought out operation.<br />
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With the extent of other damages, the boat lots were not the highest priority and we completely understood that. There are still people without electricity to their lots. Ours included since our Rv destroyed our power and water pedestals. Many homes were destroyed or badly damaged. I do not believe anyone escaped some sort of damage.<br />
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The other night, we got a message from the HOA president stating Sea Tow has been contracted to begin untangling the boats and that we would all be responsible to pay their fees. Sea Tow is the company many of us use in case we breakdown offshore, they will tow you in. They were bringing in a crane and if your boat needed crane services, the cost would be $175 a <b>FOOT! </b><b> </b>Most boats would need some sort of crane service to right the boats or put them back on the trailers.<b> </b>We weren't given any choices, or notice that this was being done and no further explanation was given.<br />
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Needless to say, we were extremely upset knowing this had all been decided for us without any input, or the opportunity to involve our insurance companies. We were going to have a $3000 bill to move our boat when we had insurance that would have taken care of it with no cost to us.<br />
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After a day of phone calls, and research, we found out that marine salvage was a whole new deal and could not be done by just anyone. There was the possibility of spilled fuel and battery acid that needed to be considered. Plus the liability of possibility damaging another boat while trying to get your boat out.<br />
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We determined these charges were pretty much standard, and that most insurance companies would pay Sea Tow's outrageous fees. I think these charges are excessive but it was not my call and as long as Progressive pays the bill, we will not argue. I'm sure it will be expensive picking up our trailer as well. I am sure there are boats with no insurance which would leave these ridiculous fees up to the boat owner.<br />
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We saw a post on Facebook the other day where a guy was looking for someone to pick up his car. He had no insurance on it because he didn't use it during the summer and took the coverage off. A lot of people do that but you always need to leave <b>comprehensive</b> coverage on it and this is a perfect example why.<br />
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I made a phone call to Progressive who insures both our boat and trailer and confirmed Sea Toy was one of their contractors and there should be no problem with them paying for their fees for our boat. I will feel better when I know that for sure.<br />
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I then contacted Sea Tow and Progressive and got an appraiser scheduled to inspect the boat today once it was moved away from the other boats. They are not allowing anyone on the boat lots except employees of Sea Tow and Insurance adjusters. We do not think our boat will be a total loss, but until the adjuster is able to inspect it, we won't know for sure. We do not know what kind of water intrusion we got or if there was any damage to the motor.<br />
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This is an example of what Sea Tow has to deal with.</div>
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The small boat facing out in the picture below is ours. As it turns out, our boat had been shifted from our trailer a little bit, but our boat and trailer was on top of another trailer. We will definitely need crane services.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg839Z1qgbyxUvlI6a8Lwwd0efdSKRojExPowjWk6_d7lzT2TrDIszUMzS3bwD0eGn4X5BIFA9PvKMekgR0Cy8WPF7Eb75KU0sD6cgwzVlWX4LEYvkgvhyphenhyphenfnlrxnW2CihmOm6LuxZE-vzr4/s1600/IMG_7727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg839Z1qgbyxUvlI6a8Lwwd0efdSKRojExPowjWk6_d7lzT2TrDIszUMzS3bwD0eGn4X5BIFA9PvKMekgR0Cy8WPF7Eb75KU0sD6cgwzVlWX4LEYvkgvhyphenhyphenfnlrxnW2CihmOm6LuxZE-vzr4/s400/IMG_7727.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The Proline boat is ours. You can see how tight of a space it is in. We were not able to view the motor at all. You can see what was probably the waterline on our boat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBLuEppM0UjeYdY3UCcW5ru0GTNJ27RVwxCVGHhwTo4RI9s65v4kV9f1Ix8u5v4ftDIaO6uTrMHaJSmgAPWm_fPNogPRD-Ot6ptJolpgpwu-eggY4jpgieQx9G9Jx7mahrnhPk_Qv3BFb/s1600/IMG_7729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiBLuEppM0UjeYdY3UCcW5ru0GTNJ27RVwxCVGHhwTo4RI9s65v4kV9f1Ix8u5v4ftDIaO6uTrMHaJSmgAPWm_fPNogPRD-Ot6ptJolpgpwu-eggY4jpgieQx9G9Jx7mahrnhPk_Qv3BFb/s400/IMG_7729.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This is also part of our boat and the jumbled mess it is in.</div>
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This is a picture we took from above with our drone. Our boat is towards the left next to the white car with the yellow cushion and bait bucket in the front.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpBE5WIOwCgGl5eyWB_VhoGYo-YdcDbcatWWgom-MA87KoZLTMbUcsgqK5LXbSmIvl8uZ72iI57a_KipAkgHfmcFY7YFU0naR8YyR3rCvmgpBP1289AFugaJJ3OLcOinMQBIfP8wu8twe/s1600/vlcsnap-2017-10-04-15h46m06s035.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLpBE5WIOwCgGl5eyWB_VhoGYo-YdcDbcatWWgom-MA87KoZLTMbUcsgqK5LXbSmIvl8uZ72iI57a_KipAkgHfmcFY7YFU0naR8YyR3rCvmgpBP1289AFugaJJ3OLcOinMQBIfP8wu8twe/s400/vlcsnap-2017-10-04-15h46m06s035.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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These were also taken from our drone from above and a good example of what they have to deal with.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinTSIBQSeAx0-Gb_0nH6GQSq7AW7GppCUfJKrqDoWz2TWIvHkqb-MWJuAso3VRFlf5sHn56mAs7TVydhZhHILB9XP_Ux3SnL8ZH8FM-_mE09zPhBSmaRXE6AY8302VoHNmVPSHnX_p-e1/s1600/vlcsnap-2017-10-04-15h38m36s637.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinTSIBQSeAx0-Gb_0nH6GQSq7AW7GppCUfJKrqDoWz2TWIvHkqb-MWJuAso3VRFlf5sHn56mAs7TVydhZhHILB9XP_Ux3SnL8ZH8FM-_mE09zPhBSmaRXE6AY8302VoHNmVPSHnX_p-e1/s400/vlcsnap-2017-10-04-15h38m36s637.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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We knew it wasn't going to be an easy job to separate all these boats without damaging others.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNm8TMHyY7xAcDUCmcMR9mINsb3eCQd5O_fvD73x9SBK0tgbdaDxu1NJazI4kFnat9EQxfW5di17YMdiazEQzhcveILgN8T_lZ_-2-qc515pbDCN6_tRwB7yJW68LHAjIqDsiQv9VuNbYu/s1600/vlcsnap-2017-10-04-15h40m39s337.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNm8TMHyY7xAcDUCmcMR9mINsb3eCQd5O_fvD73x9SBK0tgbdaDxu1NJazI4kFnat9EQxfW5di17YMdiazEQzhcveILgN8T_lZ_-2-qc515pbDCN6_tRwB7yJW68LHAjIqDsiQv9VuNbYu/s400/vlcsnap-2017-10-04-15h40m39s337.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3A7GWNGFmio38fnRBWL0k7ORr5gMgk5NHVEaGFo1M5NrJQGssVvZb8mo3CBvfUp6sLHJt09zISDtXk7U4pXPzJckGnVSVg7aoeo3mL7WWKcmqR_EqEhHIjpjyti-kMRHN8e8cGdWAOHY/s1600/vlcsnap-2017-10-04-15h51m16s516.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM3A7GWNGFmio38fnRBWL0k7ORr5gMgk5NHVEaGFo1M5NrJQGssVvZb8mo3CBvfUp6sLHJt09zISDtXk7U4pXPzJckGnVSVg7aoeo3mL7WWKcmqR_EqEhHIjpjyti-kMRHN8e8cGdWAOHY/s400/vlcsnap-2017-10-04-15h51m16s516.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I am also in the process of making a detailed list of every item that was in our trailer that we were not able to salvage. <br />
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I am trying to document our Hurricane Irma adventures so I apologize for another boring disaster post. We have been doing fun things and I have some pictures taken from our drone and of our adventures. We are doing ok and dealing with this one step at a time.<br />
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<br />Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-82237978438108540282017-10-03T11:14:00.001-04:002017-10-03T11:14:49.911-04:00Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-36906603963641119572017-10-03T10:50:00.003-04:002017-10-14T09:02:56.169-04:00Hurricane Irma and Damage to Our Rv<i>Blairsville, Ga (high 75, low 46)</i><br />
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In case you haven't been following my blog, you can catch up <a href="http://florida-georgiacamping.blogspot.com/2017/09/decisions-to-make.html">HERE</a><br />
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We are now back in Georgia after a <b>very</b> hot and tiring trip down to the Keys. We felt we should go down to inspect our Fifth Wheel and boat, and to see if we could salvage anything. We left the beautiful mountains and the cool weather to go to the heat and destruction in the Florida Keys.<br />
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We (the cats included) were <b>exhausted </b>after our trip and were so glad to be back in Georgia. <br />
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We stayed with my cousin and her wife who have a home in Key West. Thankfully they only had minimal damage. They had evacuated to North Carolina and just got back a day or two before we arrived. They were generous enough to invite all of us (kitties too) to stay with them, even though they were still trying to get their house and property back to normal after their evacuation.<br />
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The eye of the hurricane struck Cudjoe Key (where our lot is) and spared Key West from the worst damage, and was lucky to have been on the "good" side of the storm. Key West lost a LOT of trees and some were real heart breakers, but for the most part they did pretty well. There is a lot of clean up to be done, but they are doing their best to open back up for tourism. Too many jobs depend on tourism and the people need to get back to work. More and more restaurants and bars are opening up every day. As of October 1st, Key West is officially open for tourism. A little beaten and battered for sure, but open for business. Cudjoe, Marathon, Big pine and the lower keys are NOT ready for tourism and it will be a while before anyone even wants to go to that part of the Keys.<br />
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We didn't do any sightseeing in Key West and only went to the places we needed to go. The heat was so overwhelming that it sapped every bit of your energy. I remember why we don't go to the Keys in the summer.<br />
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On our drive down from Tampa we didn't see too much damage until we left the mainland and got into the Keys. The further south in the Keys we drove, the more damage we saw. It was bad in the upper Keys, but once you entered Marathon, it kept getting worse and worse. The hardest hit was Marathon, Big Pine, Ramrod, and Cudjoe Key. The eye of Hurricane Irma made landfall on Cudjoe Key, but I think Big Pine Key had even worse damage than we did in Cudjoe Key.<br />
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The first days and weeks were bad for those who had not evacuated. They were not allowing anyone back into the Keys until they could inspect the bridges, and clear power lines, boats and debris off the roads. There was no power, no running water, no sewer, no hospitals, no fuel and no police, except the few that volunteered to stay. <span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span>There were a lot of emergency management folks from FEMA, the military, the insurance companies, Red Cross and many more. There were linemen from about every state in the country along with about as many tree companies from various states. They were a huge blessing and without all their help, it would have never gotten done. There was free water and ice being given out and even free meals. You could get medical help, tetanus shots and there were even <b>free veterinary clinics, </b>which of course I particularly liked.<br />
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The electric didn't come back on for days and then just a little bit at a time. The upper Keys got their power back fairly quickly, but Cudjoe Key only got electric (and air conditioning) back yesterday, which was over <b>three weeks after the storm!</b><br />
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We made a quick stop at our lot to survey the damage in person. We needed to drop the cats off at Anne and Jan's so we couldn't stay long. It was even more devastating than we thought to actually see it in person. We had seen pictures, but nothing prepares you for the real thing.<br />
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This is Spanish Main Drive. It is the road that leads into our community and the hurricane devastated the power grid. You can tell why it took three weeks to restore the power. </div>
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This is the underside of our fifth wheel. The emergency responders go around to check for dead bodies and mark the homes with the orange paint. Fortunately, ours had a 0 in the bottom part of the X which indicated no one was found inside. :)</div>
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When I first saw this picture, of the orange paint for some reason it really hit me hard and made me cry. It made it really hit home, I guess. This is the bottom of our fifth wheel.</div>
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Since our trailer was so spread out, I guess they felt the need to paint ours twice, once on the bottom and once on the other side. This is on the living room slide. You can see the microwave sitting on the top. We never could figure out how it got up there, but two shell magnets were still stuck to the sides. Those are two of the items we were able to salvage. </div>
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You can see the travel trailer upright next to ours. It was moved a little and the hurricane anchors were pulled out of the ground, but it appears to have survived. Of course we don't know if any water got inside.</div>
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We feel certain a tornado caused our damage because of the extensive damage to ours and not to the others around us. Hurricanes always spin up tornadoes. One picture I took shows where our frame was actually bent apparently from the tornado.</div>
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This is the front of our fifth wheel. It did not touch the trailer next door. His car even seemed to be fine.</div>
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We dropped the kitties off and then Anne and Jan insisted on coming back with us to help us retrieve anything that we could. They had already spend half the day helping friends on Ramrod Key and I'm sure going back out in the heat was the last thing they wanted to do. </div>
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One man in our community actually died from heat stroke and another was hospitalized for several days. You could not drink enough water to make up for that heat. We all felt the effects of the heat and could easily have gotten heat stroke.</div>
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Our community is a mixed use resort with high rise homes on stilts like you see here. Midrise, old trailers and rv lots. There are 659 lots here and I didn't see even one without some sort of damage. Some damage was obviously worse than others. </div>
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We found some of our things in the debris, some water damaged, some broken and some stuff was actually good. </div>
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If you look carefully, underneath the slide is our bent power pedestal.</div>
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This is one of the hurricane anchors Al installed before we left in June. He rented an auger that drilled down into the very hard coral rock. It was next to impossible to drill through and poor Al nearly killed himself doing it. The winds pulled them right out of the ground. The chains held though.</div>
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<span id="goog_1250406146"></span>This post is long enough so I will stop here and come back soon with more of the story. Yes, we did find the boat. Sort of.<br />
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To end the post on a positive note: Meet Mulligan. She is Anne and Jan's pup. She cheered us all up every day. </div>
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<br />Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-25219563453846870132017-09-17T10:23:00.000-04:002017-09-17T10:23:58.639-04:00Decisions to Make<i>Blairsville, Ga (high 80, low 58)</i><br />
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Things are a mess in the Keys. <br />
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Fortunately, Key West was spared the brunt of the storm, thank goodness. Key West is such a beautiful and special town, full of history, large old trees and beautiful architecture and although there is damage, it could have been worse. My cousins house is fine. No flooding. A tree or two and some fencing down. They still do not have consistent power, water, or flushable toilets so they have no urgent need to rush back down.<br />
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Information is trickling in, little by little. Things are not good. Electricity and cell service is very very limited. There is limited or no sewer service. Running water is limited and needs to be boiled but with no electricity, that's an issue. We did find out that our neighbor Randy who rode out the hurricane, was unharmed and had made his way to the mainland for much needed supplies. <br />
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Up until yesterday, most residents were still being kept out to make room for first responders to remove downed power lines, trees across the roads, washed out roads and to make sure the 46 bridges were safe. Residents were getting angry. Many people have damaged property that needs to be secured from the elements and they are very anxious to return home. People are worried about looting. Some people have run out of money and have no food or gas. Food, water and fuel is still very limited in the Keys. The powers that be finally relented and as of today have opened up the Keys to <b>residents only and a curfew is strictly enforced.</b> I have even heard that they are now allowing <b>open carry, </b>which means you can carry a weapon and not conceal it.<br />
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We have two Aircraft carries offshore in Key West proving help, along with the National Guard. I've seen pictures of Chinook helicopters landing in the grocery store parking lots. Military is out in force cleaning up. They are sleeping on cots wherever they can find a place. God bless them all for helping. The temperatures are stifling. Much of the shade has been destroyed and of course there is no air conditioning. <br />
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We already knew our RV had been destroyed from the aerial photos we had seen, but Friday we got some taken from the ground.<br />
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To say it was a shock was an understatement.<br />
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Most of us have seen news reports from different catastrophes where they paint the red "X"s on property after they check for bodies. These marks identify the agency that inspected, the date and time and on the bottom the number of fatalities. A big "0" means no fatalities.<br />
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Someone went around in a golf cart taking video of each street. It was pretty fast but we were able to identify our lot and rig. Oh the video, you could hear them comment "oh my God" when they saw ours.<br />
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Sorry for the bad quality of these pictures. They were screen shots from a video. The white Wildwood that is still standing is <b>not</b> ours. Ours is the pile of rubble to the right of it.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYledHPPf2X_v0_etW3AuOI0dOoxDqzeUaJXfRweDBLVs8fLnisgEvXiBxvZWH-dysbpRhvVQDTVJ2kTdVqLRKq2XNfHITtfTVWFGMpBZYMFFu_E0zZ3ZZrxWgi1mQzcmvDd4MWhISdf2s/s1600/IMG_7408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYledHPPf2X_v0_etW3AuOI0dOoxDqzeUaJXfRweDBLVs8fLnisgEvXiBxvZWH-dysbpRhvVQDTVJ2kTdVqLRKq2XNfHITtfTVWFGMpBZYMFFu_E0zZ3ZZrxWgi1mQzcmvDd4MWhISdf2s/s400/IMG_7408.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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For some reason, seeing the orange marks on our RV hit me really hard. It's something you see on the news all the time, but man, it really hits home when it's on your home. The furniture sitting outside got to Al more than me. I never liked that furniture. haha</div>
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The following picture shows it from another angle. This is the bottom of the RV. More orange writing</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbrcoIhNd9ARqKYJhiW-2k1Te0YRe5WyJ-GGPV2OXUTKxvBi3nTlT5igGoLmOCi1dgoeeNzVMZ3SP2jQ5Ok4rg-GNqb2J4Vc05a7XNrpJEIGeFhikokIz9DR-bgTzjIBJAGsKRsmBTHBB/s1600/IMG_7404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbrcoIhNd9ARqKYJhiW-2k1Te0YRe5WyJ-GGPV2OXUTKxvBi3nTlT5igGoLmOCi1dgoeeNzVMZ3SP2jQ5Ok4rg-GNqb2J4Vc05a7XNrpJEIGeFhikokIz9DR-bgTzjIBJAGsKRsmBTHBB/s400/IMG_7404.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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We do not know why our RV came apart like it did, when others did ok. We think it was mostly because ours was hit broadside with Cat 4 winds with nothing to buffer the wind. Our lot is near the open water with a row of tall stilt houses as the only thing that is in front of us. The stilts allow all the open air to rush right onto ours broadside. The open air that always gave us such a nice afternoon breeze was our downfall. We are guessing the broadside wind found an opening and tore it apart. Perhaps we buffered the Wildwood next door because it looks to be in pretty good shape. The stilt houses did fine, but those stilts did not block any wind from hitting us. Perhaps it was a small tornado, but whatever it was, it did a good job on our RV<br />
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We have filed a claim with Progressive. I am <b>so thankful we have Progressive </b>because as a former claim adjuster, I know them to be fair and professional. We even got a call from <b>USAA</b> since they referred us to Progressive since they don't write full coverage on rv's in Florida. They offered their assistance if we had any issues with Progressive. A team of CAT adjusters will be in the Keys as soon as they are allowed. We have $15,000 in additional coverage for contents. We should be ok there but I don't think they won't cover anything outside the rv. Unfortunately the contents will be depreciated depending on the age. Now, we need to start making a list of everything in the RV.<br />
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We have no more info on the boat other than a picture of the storage lot where it was located. We do not know which is our boat. Hopefully it is not a total loss. Fortunately, it is also insured with Progressive. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Gcp14KnZlMMXeiVL6yQ8QPXuxRjEMmuhq2zXwMofdlHp2KbwpR4uI_gVCq7N4VRqWw4g_VY-vzZRtOem0IsxfhL3mOePGqGMKChG6yL3WeBFOAsZTzi_bHqlFB5aCpq9YLMPkNiIq-nU/s1600/IMG_7399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Gcp14KnZlMMXeiVL6yQ8QPXuxRjEMmuhq2zXwMofdlHp2KbwpR4uI_gVCq7N4VRqWw4g_VY-vzZRtOem0IsxfhL3mOePGqGMKChG6yL3WeBFOAsZTzi_bHqlFB5aCpq9YLMPkNiIq-nU/s400/IMG_7399.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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So what do we do now? Go down and try to salvage some of our things? Deal with no power or air conditioning, no water, sewer, cell service? We don't think much from inside the RV will be salvageable, but who knows. We are hoping to find our scuba tanks, bikes and stuff like that. <br />
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The thought of going down with no AC is not something we want to do. We would prefer power was restored so that our one night we have to spend there will not be miserable. Will it be worth the trouble for the amount we are able to salvage? We just don't know.<br />
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There will be no hotels available but fortunately my cousin offered us the use of their home in Key West. I think they are inclined to wait for the AC to be restored before they go back. They were nice enough to offer us the use of their home even before they get back, but I doubt we will do that.<br />
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To add another problem, there is a new potential hurricane heading along the same path as Irma. The models are showing it as a Cat 3 and heading towards the same islands that were decimated the last time. No one knows where she will go, but we sure do not want to be in the Keys trying to evacuate for another storm.<br />
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So, that is our dilemma. Since people are heading back today, I'm sure a lot more information will be coming out. We will give it a few days and make a decision.<br />
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We have been watching videos of the destruction in the Keys. It's heartbreaking.<br />
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Here are a few pictures of our beloved Florida Keys from the past. The Keys will recover and be the beautiful place we love again. Many people assume we won't be going back to the Keys anymore. Nothing could be further from the truth. It is our winter home, we love it there and we will be back.<br />
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Would you believe, this tiki hut survived? A little windblown I'm sure.</div>
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Happier days on our patio.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UI6ZbHLoil6AE1SvwJ3tVx73AqrN6-7k4tmJF7H6EXn5EdXejYv1z4fOElCfOh3mIQ9PmK_DMGhJa9y-2osaNpV3gkIpOxan8p2B-Tz9p9ak5n6KwuicHGz9cYwOM40WUO1U0aIrw0TF/s1600/IMG_1183-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_UI6ZbHLoil6AE1SvwJ3tVx73AqrN6-7k4tmJF7H6EXn5EdXejYv1z4fOElCfOh3mIQ9PmK_DMGhJa9y-2osaNpV3gkIpOxan8p2B-Tz9p9ak5n6KwuicHGz9cYwOM40WUO1U0aIrw0TF/s400/IMG_1183-001.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Some the decorations we had that we hope we can find.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnQnliInsyWfv1MwNkLqRWhKF4-UH-1L4Inoj0pRqAbXjdE80IqrQ7lnO46WXz-sOGX6BZde5ViQ2q15XfYaJSv4VPsbARLwb53ncRVjbSjdM5rQURStCVKqQNkiaSa8fCBFonfyHzW27/s1600/IMG_1182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOnQnliInsyWfv1MwNkLqRWhKF4-UH-1L4Inoj0pRqAbXjdE80IqrQ7lnO46WXz-sOGX6BZde5ViQ2q15XfYaJSv4VPsbARLwb53ncRVjbSjdM5rQURStCVKqQNkiaSa8fCBFonfyHzW27/s400/IMG_1182.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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I <b>really </b>want to find my wonderful bike.</div>
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Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-36213796446371292902017-09-14T06:49:00.000-04:002017-09-14T06:59:27.310-04:00It's Not the Outcome We Wanted - Hurricane Irma<i>Blairsville, Ga (high 72, low 58)</i><br />
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We have been enjoying the very fall like temperatures here in north Georgia with a cooler than normal September. We have had several mornings with temps as low as 42 degrees! That is about to change soon, as we get ready to head to they Keys and the heat and humidity.<br />
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As I posted on the past few blogs, we have been trying to figure the status of the Fifth Wheel. Last winter we had it towed down as a permanent winter home in the Florida Keys. Irma made landfall (ground zero) as a Cat 4 hurricane with winds of 140 mph, right on our little island paradise of Cudjoe Key.<br />
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Most everyone in the Keys heeded the mandatory evacuation. A few people stayed, some even rode it out on boats. I can't imagine why anyone would want to ride out a Cat 4 or 5 hurricane on a small island in the Keys, but some surely did.<br />
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The hurricane knocked out all the power, cell service, sewer, water and of course communications. For days we have all been forming Facebook groups for each area with the goal of locating "missing" people who stayed, finding out how our property fared, and when we can go back. It has been a frantic search for information.<br />
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I was asked why we can't just call the owners of our community for the status. We are the "owners" and none of us know anything except the few people who stayed and they have no way to communicate. Most of the police and first responders even evacuated. This was a BIG deal for the Keys and people took it very, very seriously, as they should have. No one that knows anything has any way to notify anyone about damages or missing people. People are frantically trying to check on missing friends and family who stayed for the hurricane.<br />
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Something I didn't know but now assume it is available for any disaster like this, is that NOAA flies planes overhead filming the area of the disaster afterwards, giving people and governments information about damages. They filmed the entire 100 + miles of the Florida Keys, starting in Key West and all the way up to Key Largo. It took three days and of course, our section was last for some reason. There were many news teams coming in and filming areas. Cudjoe Key (the island) and Venture Out (our resort community) was filmed many times, but they never quite got to our house, so we really didn't know the status or our boat and fifth wheel.<br />
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Not knowing turned out to be very stressful. We spent hours each day perusing all the FB groups, news organizations looking for video, tv channels and word of mouth. I found a lot of info and pictures of Venture Out, just nothing definitive on our property.<br />
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Last night while on our nightly golf cart ride searching for bears, we found our answer and it wasn't good.<br />
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We initially had been sure the fifth wheel was completely destroyed, but then we started seeing pictures of rv's that were still standing and looked to be fine. It allowed us to get a bit of hope.<br />
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Here is the link for the NOAA after hurricane pictures. It really is kind of interesting<br />
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<a href="https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/irma/index.html">NOAA Florida Keys after Irma</a> You click on the area in black, zoom and make sure it's set to Map Box Street under layers.<br />
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Here is what our lot and Rv looked like pre Irma</div>
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Here is what it looks like after Irma</div>
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The fifth wheel is in the middle, sitting at an angle. The problem with the location of our lot is that the only thing between us and the open water is a single row of high rises houses (on stilts) and an empty rv lot on the water. There was absolutely NO wind block. It was nice on those hot afternoons because we almost always had a wonderful breeze.<br />
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We store our boat at the Venture Out lot. We aren't even sure where the boat is from this photo. It looks like the storm surge moved them all around. There were some large boats here.</div>
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Last winter, we discovered the coolest place from the past. It was called Perky's Bat tower. We had no idea how old or what it was when we found it. After researching it, we discovered it was built in 1929 and was to house bats for mosquito control. The only problem is once released, the bats flew off never to be seen again.</div>
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Here is what it used to look like</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQezFW7K8Sg_JsTmYioNVjfoy1qcLSARBTl8I4Q71r3oE0nwUMXmrpr8wbvoHIvgfnI0L13i_TY5wcFoV8hNs59PyWvwX2WLWyHJhgVRW5inEjYXoYLdNWe1mLNKR_tNZfbHpK9UTdoXy/s1600/IMG_5828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQezFW7K8Sg_JsTmYioNVjfoy1qcLSARBTl8I4Q71r3oE0nwUMXmrpr8wbvoHIvgfnI0L13i_TY5wcFoV8hNs59PyWvwX2WLWyHJhgVRW5inEjYXoYLdNWe1mLNKR_tNZfbHpK9UTdoXy/s320/IMG_5828.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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You can see here how large it is</div>
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This is what is looks like now. You can see it toppled down. It's a shame.</div>
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So, now that we know for certain our Rv is a total loss, we need to decide what to do next. I reported the claim a few days ago and I'm sure the Catastrophe insurance adjusters are going to be arriving as soon as it's safe for them to enter the Keys.</div>
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They had to make sure the 46 or so bridges are safe, remove power lines, repair washed out roads (remember, these are a string of islands connected by roads so you want to make sure the roads are good) and attempt to restore water, sewage, electricity and cell service.</div>
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They are making progress but only allowing property owners and renters back into the upper Keys right now and curfews are being strictly enforced.</div>
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We think we should head to the Keys once we are allowed back in. There will be things from the Fifth Wheel and trailer, that hopefully we can salvage. It will not be a pleasant trip. It will be hot, we won't have a place to stay, hotels will be scarce, and supplies will be limited to what you can bring.</div>
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The good news is that at least some of the endangered Key Deer survived. Their food sources have been ravaged though and I saw a video in which they were definitely freaked out. This guy seems to be doing fine though, don't you think?</div>
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<br />Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-27650090299823592382017-09-13T06:51:00.001-04:002017-09-13T07:16:49.862-04:00Hurricane Irma Aftermath <i>Blairsville, Ga (high 66, low 55)</i><br />
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We survived Hurricane Irma and all of our close family and friends are safe and sound. We have a neighbor in the Keys who stayed to ride out the hurricane, and we haven't heard anything about him, which is not particularly unusual right now. There is no electricity, the cell towers are down, and info is scarce. We are hoping he and his friends are fine.<br />
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The Tampa area dodged a big bullet when the storm shifted a little at the last minute, sparing a direct hit over Tampa. Our motorhome appears to be fine, but I'll feel better when our friend Stephanie checks it out inside.<br />
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Mom and my brother are fine with no damage or flooding. They were without power for about 18 hours. Our rental house is fine, but 24 hours afterwards, power still had not been restored. That is miserable for them because unlike the cool temps here, it is very hot in Florida.<br />
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The media has finally realized that the big story regarding Irma, was down in the Keys. Unfortunately, Irma made landfall on Cudjoe Key. If that sounds familiar to any of you, it may be because our property is on Cudjoe, at Venture Out Resort, and you've seen many posts from there. You will be hearing a lot about the area in the days to come.<br />
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We bought an older and inexpensive (thank goodness) fifth wheel last year and had it towed down there as our winter home. Al nearly killed himself drilling down into the very, very hard rock in order to install anchors to secure the RV. We never kidded ourselves that the anchors would stop a Cat 4 or 5 hurricane, but we thought just maybe it would help during a minimal storm.<br />
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Once we knew the Keys were going to be hit with a Cat 4 hurricane, we wrote off our RV and boat, knowing they could not survive 140 mile an hour winds and 5-10 feet of storm surge. However, when the weather reports confirmed Cudjoe Key to be ground zero, it was a little emotional and very sad.<br />
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Information coming in and out of the Keys has been almost nonexistent. There is no cell service or power. No one is has been allowed in or out. Land lines seem to work, but very few people have them. Finally, the media has recognized this to be a big story and they are flocking down there filming the areas and interviewing survivors. There are survivors down there in the brutal heat with limited food, water or shelter.<br />
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There are Facebook groups forming for the different areas and everyone shares every bit of info they get. It comes in pieces. We have seen a few photos and videos of Venture Out and Cudjoe Key, but so far, not specifically our house. <br />
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NOAA, is doing a fly over filming the area so people can get a close up look at their property. My cousin Anne was able to see a picture of their house, showing them that it's still standing and has an intact roof. Such a relief for them, but they are still now allowed reentry into the Keys. They are hoping early next week.<br />
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They filmed Key West first, and were supposedly working their way up to Cudjoe Key, but for some reason skipped it and went right up to Marathon. There is speculation online that it was because Cudjoe was ground zero and the damage was so bad. I don't really know.<br />
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If you would like to see some of the damage, here is a link<br />
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<a href="https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/irma/index.html">NOAA </a><br />
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You have to zoom in and then under layers, select "map box streets". You can see cars in the driveways, boats, even my cousin's Tiki hut and pool.<br />
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After being glued to Facebook and the Tv for two days, we have finally gotten a little bit of good news. Nothing specific for our property, but there are rv's that appear to have survived. We have seen pictures of them in our park which are standing upright and even the AC covers are intact. <br />
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Unfortunately, we've also seen some completely obliterated and others laying on their sides. We have no idea about the state of ours, but after thinking about where the hurricane made landfall and the direction of travel, we realize our would have been hit broadside with only one row of homes between it and the ocean. Broadside is never good.<br />
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So, we wait. We don't know if we should go down and see if we can salvage anything or not. We don't want to go down there for nothing, but it would be nice if we could salvage some of our stuff. It will be brutally hot. We won't have a place to stay and hotels will be limited. Will there be power, water, cell service, fuel? All questions we can't answer right now. We were hoping to see the aerial photos today to confirm one way of the other if our RV was in one piece or a thousand. It looks like we have to wait another day or two.<br />
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This is a picture of the Southernmost point in the US. This buoy is famous and every tourist in Key West takes a picture of himself at this point. It's symbolizes the rest of the Keys. Battered, but not broken.<br />
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<br />Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-37508302313848070462017-09-10T20:56:00.002-04:002017-09-10T20:56:57.223-04:00Hurricane Irma Status ReportI had written a blog post a day or so ago, but hadn't gotten around to proof reading it yet and now it seems a little unimportant. Maybe I'll post it in a few days.<br />
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For now, we are very closely watching The Weather Channel and Hurricane Irma. It seems we've been watching it forever. It's very stressful.<br />
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We are safe in our Fifth Wheel in Blairsville, Georgia, but are actually under a tropical storm watch even all the way up here. Damn Irma!<br />
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My Mom and brother are in Tampa hunkered down in her concrete block house. They have lost power, but hopefully they will be ok. <br />
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Our motorhome is north of Tampa in Wesley Chapel. We are praying it is ok.<br />
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Our Fifth Wheel and boat in the Keys, sadly are gone. Apparently Irma made landfall on Cudjoe Key, which is exactly where our lot is. It's a tiny island, so we're certain it is destroyed as it came in as a Cat 4 with some 120+ mile an hour winds. It's possible the boat is still hanging around but with reports of 8-10 foot surge, it will be ruined from the salt water.<br />
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There were a few brave souls that remained in the Keys and one was a neighbor. He had posted a video right before the eye hit but had to scurry when the ocean started coming up. Scary. Of course, they have no power or cell service, so there is no way to know how he is. We are praying everyone who stayed is safe, but sadly, probably many won't be.<br />
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We expected our RV and boat to be gone, but when we saw the reports of landfall on Cudjoe, it was very sad and brought a few tears.<br />
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So, that's where we are now. We are here waiting to see what happens overnight and then decide how to proceed. We just don't know.<br />
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This is a picture from a happier time on Cudjoe Key</div>
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My last blog post was of a much happier day, out on the boat diving. </div>
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<br />Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-59556624721431311792017-05-19T11:36:00.001-04:002017-05-19T11:36:43.854-04:00A Shocking Discovery at Looe Key Marine Sanctuary<p> </p> <p>Cudjoe Key, Florida (high 90, low 80)</p> <p>We have been back in the Keys since early March. I intended to update my blog regularly, but somehow fun got in the way and it never got done.</p> <p>I will try to catch up, but not necessarily in chronological order. In March, and early April we were busy setting up our new home. Most of April, the wind blew hard every day which didn’t allow us to take the boat out. We were getting pretty discouraged but finally the wind died down AND we got a waterfront canal spot to keep our boat. Thanks to the generosity of a wonderful neighbor, our boat is in the water right behind our fifth wheel. It’s just steps away from us, so it makes it so much nicer to use the boat. All we have to do is grab our stuff, walk across the street, jump into the boat and go.</p> <p> </p> <p>Our favorite place to snorkel and dive is Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. No fishing or spearfishing is allowed, and everything is protected.</p> <p>Al and I have been Scuba certified since 1983. It’s kind of funny, but he lost his PADI certification card and we needed to get another one in order to fill our dive tanks. We went on line and ordered an E-card. I was a little worried they still had records or us because basically we were certified before the internet! Funny huh? </p> <p>Looe Key Reef is 8 miles out from us, on the Atlantic side. If it’s calm you can get out there in just a few minutes. They have anchor buoys that you hook onto instead of dropping an anchor. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WchetWXQnns/WR8NkOoUG8I/AAAAAAACTcQ/VPXEpcGUSREwg3jrH1zIiAjgSA8XxNLxQCHM/s1600-h/0%255B3%255D"><img title="0" style="display: inline" alt="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xh_FxCn3qAo/WR8NlpOOyGI/AAAAAAACTcU/qOZtzGvkVHkCWz69m8XjRs6AyKcScZa3QCHM/0_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="416" height="235"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZpE178_0C7Q/WR8NnqXCNNI/AAAAAAACTcY/g7Rh-z5KN24CI1uPe22S5kSBxRqaGkTWwCHM/s1600-h/BP-LooeKey%255B4%255D"><img title="LOOE KEY" style="display: inline" alt="LOOE KEY" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YERLUxSAMlE/WR8NpBz8xvI/AAAAAAACTcc/wL8R_Z_Ep8Q7OUo5CqTC5f5zHNBKw3wFwCHM/BP-LooeKey_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="248" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Here are a few of the photos I took from our snorkel and dive trips. I hadn’t actually dove in many years, and it felt really good to actually put on a tank and go down and see the fish, eye to eye. It took us a while to figure out what happened to our gear. The damn weight belts must have shrunk since we last used them, and we had to make some adjustments. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TXCm1buVsJU/WR8NrF9mhuI/AAAAAAACTcg/i_FTomExXQEItGD-jooFlrnLNGCEcLrtACHM/wlEmoticon-smile%255B2%255D?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p>These purple sea fans used to be everywhere in the Keys, but due to reef decline in the past 40 years, there have been fewer of them and the ones you see never looked very healthy. I was pleasantly surprised to see these gorgeous deep purple sea fans. Most didn’t look this good.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AliiXpidxr0/WR8NstjPosI/AAAAAAACTck/1yHGZzeqDgwZrLJl4rFr6p573YkShTjMwCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-10-08h12m05s761.png%255B4%255D"><img title="reef fish" style="display: inline" alt="reef fish" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T-vdndVp3gA/WR8NuVHgGNI/AAAAAAACTco/ejQYFOiuw0YaU4XNz576HADTtTX2bSQcwCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-10-08h12m05s761.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>These are yellowtail snapper. They are very good to eat, and you can literally reach out and touch them at Looe Key. If you toss a piece of bread into the water hundreds immediately go for it. Once you get one inch outside the sanctuary boundary, you can’t find a yellowtail to save your life! Darn fish! They are too smart. They like to hang out under the boats at Looe Key Reef. I’m not sure if it’s for shade or handouts.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8bX45pLdoYM/WR8NwiQ6XmI/AAAAAAACTcs/h6jX9MjTdXcoUbwT-LukiyYgSaE3fDkMwCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-04-08h39m00s226.png%255B8%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-04-08h39m00s226.png" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-04-08h39m00s226.png" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QxdVxdpsNtY/WR8NyBk18mI/AAAAAAACTc0/cv7sRc9qkFouEMeCqDH1omjA2eL8_g-7wCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-04-08h39m00s226.png_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This is a typical reef scene with some healthy looking coral and a school of Sergeant Major fish. There is a lot of dead coral, so this was nice to see.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pfmNxUtYlg8/WR8N0OwrIjI/AAAAAAACTc4/gexA5jmXJ5UZhPjZkWuFGSUwLKLRlWKiQCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h24m28s016.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Diving at Looe Key Reef" style="display: inline" alt="Diving at Looe Key Reef" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUCG_c0KrYnuoE_pUlBkXwR9j___Br9capvfue8XBimrmZg2qgRUMr_skF2DwUZhyphenhyphen3A6MjuTy-xdAHZYFMSFct_XAZh9rxvmvbTs_cMQ_bV3fkGmnSQYwmsk6m4mteOWdvAMLhKEP-aL88/?imgmax=800" width="439" height="228"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This is one of the many types of Parrotfish. They can get quite large. This one was not nearly as large as I have seen. They have huge teeth and they chomp on the rocks and excrete sand. Remember that the next time you lay out on a nice white sandy beach. </p> <p> <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TXCm1buVsJU/WR8NrF9mhuI/AAAAAAACTcg/i_FTomExXQEItGD-jooFlrnLNGCEcLrtACHM/wlEmoticon-smile%255B2%255D?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4upxkTEKZoQ/WR8N4JuFEUI/AAAAAAACTdA/Ntxjrz9uVMEEQLwQZ81Kh2OsmaYu1yxVQCHM/s1600-h/parrotfish%255B4%255D"><img title="Diving at Looe Key Reef" style="display: inline" alt="Diving at Looe Key Reef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ks-G0tAeMKk/WR8N6WVxaPI/AAAAAAACTdE/9V5wJs1s_dY00Ow0bQxxaPgOwZnfpuaDwCHM/parrotfish_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="275"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>If you look closely, you can see his front teeth. This is another of the many colors of parrotfish.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z-wJQsbZYp8/WR8N9Mz-5bI/AAAAAAACTdI/SIiCiKjDA9I48LiYoHxTpYPtHBd1MegMwCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h29m12s934%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h29m12s934" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h29m12s934" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-abjbZWRiAVo/WR8N_QnLYEI/AAAAAAACTdM/UIDKZtXaZTQS65Y3ydLx_0f5qF89goblACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h29m12s934_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p>His teeth were extremely yellow.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mn0cav2KNUw/WR8OB558XxI/AAAAAAACTdQ/TSzDKYqekU0-W9f8ucreeAb1I1flsj-OACHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h28m24s449%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h28m24s449" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h28m24s449" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TVbEPCEj1b4/WR8ODydG61I/AAAAAAACTdU/EPeYui3lXlATFpn7XDkRdCGSVKQsvtTqwCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h28m24s449_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p>Another parrotfish. They often appear to be smiling.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PlGsfEcDffQ/WR8OFfJUiEI/AAAAAAACTdY/PLceyOpji3of3Du-A-sGes6VDJwKjqtmgCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-04-08h34m16s946.png%255B4%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-04-08h34m16s946.png" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-04-08h34m16s946.png" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E_BcGCUgoEo/WR8OG8_D0uI/AAAAAAACTdc/USJ8mwXiEdcv-5Z1blEAF7bZ3zBxEKNYACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-04-08h34m16s946.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="295"></a></p> <p>The advantage of scuba diving, verses snorkeling is that you get to point the camera toward the surface and get this type of shot.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iaLB9Y7GAnM/WR8OJheNf0I/AAAAAAACTdg/mHaF1G-VnK8QEKiGG0W38Ryb-S0_elx-QCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h11m16s404%255B7%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h11m16s404" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h11m16s404" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cPDwnrWGwcE/WR8OLtj7GJI/AAAAAAACTdk/7SCbJdyIMbEyfhNZkdLu47cSFWbrkBvYACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h11m16s404_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SxXiygn0xdE/WR8OOGmnlQI/AAAAAAACTdo/AO0qf07QJMk6jrQ-GzQI6uEvCShnWpO5QCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-09h56m40s986.png%255B8%255D"><img title="Diving at Looe Key Reef" style="display: inline" alt="Diving at Looe Key Reef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iAEc8yNKhtM/WR8OP0D-BZI/AAAAAAACTdw/GjJwBAp2Id4PfG56WJqUhHspfx5q6flCACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-09h56m40s986.png_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This is another typical reef scene. You can see sergeant majors, and in front, the red fish is another parrotfish.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_lE7gQmHiMA/WR8ORbyP5MI/AAAAAAACTd0/C7yz43BM6sIUAHDs9SoJK5mUzAyE7rrQwCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h31m56s324.png%255B4%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h31m56s324.png" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h31m56s324.png" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jh8OgVX5coc/WR8OUK1lwaI/AAAAAAACTd4/7aNhXevLMAA0F7istBTqH9PO-bJc4qDkACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h31m56s324.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tnoj3gM_1LM/WR8OWwYzIPI/AAAAAAACTd8/3e1rHVZgR9Q5yE6vW0PdVWl2-pvFD-YHgCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-10-08h43m48s778%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-10-08h43m48s778" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-10-08h43m48s778" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4FYmK9AoHeg/WR8OY2_8pAI/AAAAAAACTeA/blcm4NT64AcGuk6AcnlNoJVlkqkrjG2iACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-10-08h43m48s778_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zKx7uA4-Nbc/WR8ObazWadI/AAAAAAACTeE/S-L89UehE_0Mnh3rwiPfcpa4VTv1iCNZgCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-10-08h30m20s994%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-10-08h30m20s994" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-10-08h30m20s994" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fb4w5nQ-8D4/WR8OdSxbGSI/AAAAAAACTeI/D3XEUIMWzPQpuhC0m42V8YQKMY_SgqnpQCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-10-08h30m20s994_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Parrotfish</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6M1lGUWvgEU/WR8OfE97C-I/AAAAAAACTeU/naWzrx_ujP4_wVD6s7U2FbroS50_4Zn_ACHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h20m13s244.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Diving at Looe Key Reef" style="display: inline" alt="Diving at Looe Key Reef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-muTAJnkrL-k/WR8OhJRbrMI/AAAAAAACTeY/alLUkK0EncwgGFopywCYrIPmxJao-EAWACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h20m13s244.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-radHJjYOxKM/WR8OiwFNNXI/AAAAAAACTec/7ao7Sp2qnyIANkbOIhI-8iGrLKmHp34cQCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-21h15m55s017.png%255B4%255D"><img title="parrotfish" style="display: inline" alt="parrotfish" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-57HzKn_8KVc/WR8OkiygBVI/AAAAAAACTeg/0VYAe-vDUbwlF-yQWdGi2Dyaoikcry0zwCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-21h15m55s017.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="248"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>French Angel fish</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IWOd5LQJdEI/WR8OmLqcnFI/AAAAAAACTek/JGltfnEe4kMTyhAjy-LflD66Pg7QjaVuQCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-20h59m13s910.png%255B4%255D"><img title="French Angel" style="display: inline" alt="French Angel" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SbjNNOXHya4/WR8Onzsv2AI/AAAAAAACTew/rVu-zD_mJZQr9BrBkMcbGKos3JXVCMH3gCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-20h59m13s910.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="274"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Butterfly fish, I think?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JLVNjxRGNNs/WR8Op0ehQJI/AAAAAAACTe4/b7yTJruAOgITo1Z63LECoh6L6u-_PBKfQCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h21m52s870.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Diving at Looe Key Reef" style="display: inline" alt="Diving at Looe Key Reef" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_JKFWkJ7MZRtOIQmxhlUz8hNpGqsyiGceAlb1Xf1FaSFzPDsktQPMayRRd61ub1AxsfaFkB9nreoS8_Li737DtPhW1oArtviiidTwxeE0wRQnDxIG7xdScZquTQWptPrliE40UJEt54d/?imgmax=800" width="439" height="277"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Porkfish</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sSglfkg0Rtc/WR8Otk3vKEI/AAAAAAACTfE/oWYXAqSFH8kxz74KX8Te-zGqj-I-w7MMwCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-07h53m08s906.png%255B4%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-16-07h53m08s906.png" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-16-07h53m08s906.png" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mnJlUw3cm5A/WR8OvAQkrZI/AAAAAAACTfI/F4xPNhdSsYMgTydo_r1c2vsWckXZth-hwCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-07h53m08s906.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>These two little things are called Christmas tree worms. They are about 1 inch high. They feed on plankton in the water and if you get too close then retreat back into their little hole. I needed a good close up lens where I could have gotten as close as a few inches away so this is the best picture I could get. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z2xVtQ-ydlE/WR8Ow5ngOnI/AAAAAAACTfQ/fhSUU1BA8LMWwlPenTm52TyXPaRSlp98QCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h17m54s497.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Christmas tree worms on coral" style="display: inline" alt="Christmas tree worms on coral" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9st-yjDkuk8/WR8OzVzLTmI/AAAAAAACTfU/5AE5yL6LHSIo3x1X18peD75CWrO6LpOlQCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h17m54s497.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="385" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>File fish</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JgDgYZ0pi7M/WR8O2rBfBFI/AAAAAAACTfY/sUt_0XvoMgQlshOT3mo9bySgXqwPZcZAQCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-12-21h02m51s156%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-12-21h02m51s156" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-12-21h02m51s156" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kMTqvjX4VmI/WR8O5VFhbQI/AAAAAAACTfc/-axh1u2oQoYGOUeH75CioB66FR5khbpnACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-12-21h02m51s156_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> Pretty large southern stingray</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vk2cJAhVgM0/WR8O7c2paBI/AAAAAAACTfg/pJPh6yej5jshrcmPVOxUXaknwpk6H8mLQCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-04-08h37m35s661.png%255B4%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-04-08h37m35s661.png" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-04-08h37m35s661.png" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8sHloa8dFWU/WR8O9fi3kAI/AAAAAAACTfk/DdNDcdMAr0EPR6zQioWQVVYzfQnllojagCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-04-08h37m35s661.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="283"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Just hanging around the reef.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B2PKNPW1F-g/WR8O_sSHnCI/AAAAAAACTfo/IoHetRMehO09Q2m6GlgSIihPlqGrmuHmQCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h18m56s737.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Diving at Looe Key Reef" style="display: inline" alt="Diving at Looe Key Reef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JmUZdw4QnjA/WR8PBipsh4I/AAAAAAACTfw/S33MFLshbdM25sf5B8vgJKPnMXmtbrv9ACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h18m56s737.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Our very favorite type of fish is one that was hunted almost to extinction. They were put on the endangered species list in the 1980’s or 90’s sometime. They were called Jewfish back then, but due to the ridiculous political correctness, they are now called Goliath Grouper. I will always think of them as Jewfish.</p> <p>They weigh in in the <strong>hundreds of pounds, </strong>and are as gentle as a big old cow. They can get up to 800 pounds and 8 feet long. You can reach out and touch them if you wanted to. However, since that would be considered harassment, it’s not something I would do, plus its thought they are the fish that swallowed Jonah. They just open their mouth, and and suck in their prey. No way am I putting my hand or camera too close to those big mouths. They were killed to near extinction because macho spear fishermen thought it was fun to swim up to them and shoot them with a bang stick (bullet). They are so gentle, you can swim right up and touch them if you like. What kind of “hunting” or sport is this? It takes less skill than it would to shoot a cow in a pasture.</p> <p>Looe Key Reef was known to have a large resident Jewfish/Goliath Grouper and we were lucky enough to snorkel with him two years ago. It’s absolutely incredible to get into the water with a fish that weighs 300-500 pounds.</p> <p>We named him BOB (big old boy)</p> <p>We were lucky enough to run into BOB again.</p> <p>Isn’t he handsome?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4DcAMWwUBL4/WR8PD79wj0I/AAAAAAACTf0/016jSmNDkF8OSB4Abuh4JuVLgCmQz2ygACHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-08-21h18m36s324%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-08-21h18m36s324" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-08-21h18m36s324" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K1CXMyOlKDU/WR8PGXzqqxI/AAAAAAACTf4/9-oAtGPmKIsbGOHgnrdvq6NBmClNpCF5wCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-08-21h18m36s324_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The little fish underneath him is a Remora. They are also known as sucker fish. They have a suction cup type thing on their back and they will anchor themselves to large fish or even scuba divers. I’ve had more than a few of them try to attach themselves to my legs. Normally they are at least a foot long. These were the tiniest ones I’ve ever seen. They are the only fish I could gladly shoot!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xiWgfBqtKHI/WR8PI6BaQyI/AAAAAAACTf8/DXHIAnQFcaYGa8EhZc1mqL5OjLVjEGkQQCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-08-20h35m10s107%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-08-20h35m10s107" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-08-20h35m10s107" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a0nShZ8eiSU/WR8PL-BE0TI/AAAAAAACTgA/BPWDJV7q_a0EE8aCe2yCCfb1asVFBjPdgCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-08-20h35m10s107_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FButoXRamSk/WR8PO7Kp9PI/AAAAAAACTgE/DqLq_nxH_owqjT59as2CU4wISBmtWr_aACHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-08-21h41m07s772%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-08-21h41m07s772" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-08-21h41m07s772" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gGiFe3j1ADU/WR8PSaNpylI/AAAAAAACTgI/atzlD50AyXMYmBZrjvBvCYotkXphHRTzwCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-08-21h41m07s772_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>He hung out with us most of the day one day, staying underneath the boat most of the time. I guess they like the shade.</p> <p>That same day, we also had another visitor hanging out around our boat. This one was less welcome and also not a bit afraid of us.</p> <p>Al estimated this shark to be about 10 foot in length. We weren’t sure what type it was but after some research we reluctantly decided that it was a bull shark. Reluctantly, because they are one of the more aggressive types of sharks and I did not want it to be a bull.</p> <p>Our neighbor Ron who is a boat captain and dive master at Looe Key Dive shop consulted with his coworkers and everyone felt it was a bull shark. He wasn’t aggressive, but sharks normally don’t hang around people much and will swim off when they see a human. Tiger sharks, great whites, bulls and lemon sharks are the exception. He wasn’t aggressive towards us and we figured he had plenty of fresh fish he could have eaten and didn’t need tough old people.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6T8hL7oIckE/WR8PYyXkVcI/AAAAAAACTgM/HyMgb7j8DdM1qJ9_4iFlK_PsNWuQdoFAACHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-08-20h41m36s520%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-08-20h41m36s520" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-08-20h41m36s520" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fcjZROhzuL4/WR8Pc0WRMAI/AAAAAAACTgQ/hIqCRxtfQp8T8iMIY8xf2F8qggzTfEVIgCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-08-20h41m36s520_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Al got this nice shot of the Jewfish and didn’t notice the shark swimming right by.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aJ_mIb-TB6E/WR8PfRU8qSI/AAAAAAACTgU/2x649ACy6X0ksZtBuwU2S4nl_V6z5jU7wCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-08h44m25s012.png%255B4%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-11-08h44m25s012.png" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-11-08h44m25s012.png" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8Nj5lcmgHaw/WR8PhiFE_7I/AAAAAAACTgY/4H-3nJF0Jz8sU_6o4_Ud6QJebOVXhWmYQCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-08h44m25s012.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="281"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZfHQ5Zb8MlY/WR8PjOVkBOI/AAAAAAACTgc/uIKJ4YcHs98h2VrTYJUVlYbyLpggDqnRACHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-08h45m18s611.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Goliath and Shark" style="display: inline" alt="Goliath and Shark" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wOpeZBj-AGQ/WR8PlxxB1_I/AAAAAAACTgg/KikV6GWBjCUzyO7qau5U_wxUzzRPp9kkwCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-08h45m18s611.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>That was a great day, but another day ended up being even better.</p> <p>We were in the boat when we saw a Jewfish/Goliath swim under the boat. Al got his snorkel gear on and jumped into the water.</p> <p>Immediately, he tells me there are two Goliath’s. A second later, he said no, there are <strong>three! </strong>I look over the side and confirmed it, but then a second later, we saw <strong>four! We had four Goliath Grouper right under our boat. </strong></p> <p>I handed the camera to Al and quickly got my gear and jumped into the water. We wanted evidence before they had a chance to swim away.</p> <p>It was absolutely amazing to see four giants right under our boat. </p> <p>It was difficult getting good pictures because: 1. the damn yellowtail were so thick I had to literally scoot them away. 2. The Goliath are so huge, it takes a wide angle lens (my camera has a wide 20mm lens) and you have to back off some to get them all.</p> <p>Here are a few of the photos I took. Keep in mind, they are right under our boat. There are two here. Note the boat propeller and ladder?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xb2jjqf_fqU/WR8PokZKWuI/AAAAAAACTgk/7GRzBQ7qW1IYQtcfft-deU4jQAzDCjPFwCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h41m10s134.png%255B4%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h41m10s134.png" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h41m10s134.png" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ybv6hOlTic4/WR8Pq16YZ3I/AAAAAAACTgo/sZlDkLS4ckkbE0WjEUjL25tqewsDgBgoACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h41m10s134.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>You can see part of all four of them here.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-guQfL9dpSfc/WR8Psp77CPI/AAAAAAACTgs/F61-G8o1HlIf5BoeWWp5X7ODJA3DJa_mACHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h48m22s744.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Goliath Grouper/Jewfish" style="display: inline" alt="Goliath Grouper/Jewfish" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yW8n1v5V5D0/WR8PvvNoCRI/AAAAAAACTgw/Kwwl3c672o0dTY0reD_CbeDP20XF6ii2wCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h48m22s744.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8d4Cduub0gA/WR8Px_Ls9eI/AAAAAAACTg0/kPQLOwSwHbw9cntM7ZKaa13yvthtXR3RgCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h43m14s673.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Goliath Grouper" style="display: inline" alt="Goliath Grouper" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ipjWEF5nhRQ/WR8Pz6bxpAI/AAAAAAACTg4/wcKSpkHtDTk1eIHCL38VSrmuuj-IRoeiQCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h43m14s673.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jo8vs6qi_nE/WR8P2uxoXYI/AAAAAAACTg8/kEM5_WB3yr4tP2kSsGAQWXQDzifs3BVLQCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h43m50s850.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Goliath Grouper" style="display: inline" alt="Goliath Grouper" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bKbe9uLle5g/WR8P45aFWnI/AAAAAAACThA/v4TibDO3S18sI48apwunchmceHPwB6hdwCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h43m50s850.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This is a good example of what I was dealing with trying to get the Goliath photos. The yellow tail were so thick I couldn’t see through them.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tMJj9-f6Cgc/WR8QA5tW9NI/AAAAAAACThE/vtPpJHlkQ-4RNun2TZ82ZuJ2QZsas7qRgCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h44m52s223%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h44m52s223" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h44m52s223" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5rdrk5D6OCQ/WR8QESTIT0I/AAAAAAACThI/vsz1VmNfEuMmoXV_ZJH3EDAjdQ8l1IWhgCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h44m52s223_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1a_nUCAJ1ac/WR8QILZ_TWI/AAAAAAACThM/P5x3N0k2l4k-3US-mdtDCghvddtN7jAgwCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h45m19s159.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Goliath Grouper" style="display: inline" alt="Goliath Grouper" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uKUr5AtNPu0/WR8QLiLNSYI/AAAAAAACThQ/Izm4MKQr9PwpBMDlia81O-fkwU7yz4-IACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h45m19s159.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The four Goliath were different sizes. It looked like Daddy, Mama, a two babies from different years. They ranged in weights from I’m guessing the largest 300-500 pounds down to the “baby” at maybe 75 pounds. </p> <p>It was an incredible experience. We understand there are supposed to be 5 Goliaths residing on Looe Key Reef, and four of them spent time with us. After 30 or 40 minutes one at a time swam away. It was one of the most spectacular days we have ever had in the ocean (and we’ve had a <strong>LOT)</strong></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tNyNTlUFdWA/WR8QNg4-ymI/AAAAAAACThU/EWM-UE2pJjwLyeK45Jk67N70RfXpntpPACHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h47m45s277.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Goliath Grouper" style="display: inline" alt="Goliath Grouper" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P5BR4jajOVI/WR8QQJzUm-I/AAAAAAACThY/Jg5AcWHYzp48zqAuTjR_qQRdIT6tDEJjACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h47m45s277.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HlJyucffLHU/WR8QTNYVfFI/AAAAAAACThc/EKG4deAjH081uwcXXkrfI9tPPhqLYhTJQCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h59m07s166.png%255B8%255D"><img title="Goliath Grouper/Jewfish" style="display: inline" alt="Goliath Grouper/Jewfish" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1wI8Qz70vEA/WR8QVuPDxFI/AAAAAAACThg/HoTKL-2YBog8A0fxABThkS8pX5HqdqxPACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-09-20h59m07s166.png_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" width="410" height="320"></a></p> <p>Remember the large bull shark? He also swam under our boat a few times. Notice the dive platform in the right side of the picture?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LfZi2tuto68/WR8QXkGfXBI/AAAAAAACThk/iSfeFx0xe4MsSRqolQutrEn0WxwmvnR1wCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-07h46m18s021.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Bull shark under boat at Looe Key" style="display: inline" alt="Bull shark under boat at Looe Key" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Inwh2xwIqx0/WR8QZljVDiI/AAAAAAACTho/udi3isoHn2M8pcZQplu-736Fl5VzuOlQACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-07h46m18s021.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="230"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oB5je3AtBvc/WR8Qc-rRkpI/AAAAAAACThs/3uLqp9I6QgU6fKSmb1dvVUnBtdjuJ0RGACHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-08-21h32m04s265%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-08-21h32m04s265" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-08-21h32m04s265" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RF_WgBEl-mU/WR8QgHWMekI/AAAAAAACThw/OdO4r5C90ksDLB6VL5Tex_XaKxgcyuV1wCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-08-21h32m04s265_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Right after the bullshark swam by, Al caught this barracuda passing by.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sO4MtSMoMtg/WR8QjFJ4XXI/AAAAAAACTh0/uq6xvkn3EO0Uqeas1e0Pb_ezZEUypIlnQCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-08h49m05s523%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-11-08h49m05s523" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-11-08h49m05s523" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dPObnK9T97I/WR8QlzHlBYI/AAAAAAACTh4/ZGpbjBbI4s4rNAw6i6fvUlAKBesERKnJACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-08h49m05s523_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Here are a few more random shots.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yHeWKf-mfSQ/WR8QouLk2DI/AAAAAAACTh8/-2FD_goehMw5KyBiKWfhbTbM2D-mUB_9gCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-08-20h53m39s982%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-08-20h53m39s982" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-08-20h53m39s982" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B0TZsKUkcAw/WR8QrCWmktI/AAAAAAACTiA/zX764TqRRBAvWp4C4VVx5rw-a84fR-L7ACHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-08-20h53m39s982_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0YaJSBORFhQ/WR8Qs8FikXI/AAAAAAACTiE/gMPCtVqaOswYBf9lOYp928xWEwKbcxrDwCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-07h54m44s506.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Diving at Looe Key Reef" style="display: inline" alt="Diving at Looe Key Reef" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qkv15DoOSQQ/WR8QvZH499I/AAAAAAACTiI/Yj3ND0hh0tgM0pwKK6gvivgClFnJshnzgCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-07h54m44s506.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="253"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Grouper</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B-w3JPH6AU0/WR8QzKVCbEI/AAAAAAACTiM/EFugxlKtdmkYmni_bUeADMH9gSHJYhXZQCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h14m15s671%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h14m15s671" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h14m15s671" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VH-CVR_ZahE/WR8Q1WFewXI/AAAAAAACTiQ/fO2oGwQNG6svQ5-EGEWloP7DarNbKC6ZgCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-18h14m15s671_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--v45MBlOdqc/WR8Q26I5elI/AAAAAAACTiU/cwvvQyGjs08Amq2iaRzxrFs3baORSxFnwCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-08h01m05s720.png%255B4%255D"><img title="Diving at Looe Key Reef'" style="display: inline" alt="Diving at Looe Key Reef'" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NhYn9xM9eyo/WR8Q42QBLYI/AAAAAAACTiY/adPOKO9KU4Qv4J5WptCEc_0MH8lkux2agCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-16-08h01m05s720.png_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The next photos are coming back into Venture Out. We sure wish we had a waterfront lot. It is so NICE keeping your boat in the water.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-US2henhxTEo/WR8Q7KdxO4I/AAAAAAACTic/dIANTEgti1QmrqvjBh7QG9DYdgHfYNW8ACHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-09h32m48s792%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-11-09h32m48s792" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-11-09h32m48s792" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lnmhZedSZXg/WR8Q9OqTiwI/AAAAAAACTig/mBMXZgQv5AAD-XacNviKkWKPm1rvGjxwwCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-09h32m48s792_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This is the canal where our boat is staying. Isn’t it beautiful?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-muOV2ZOnFOU/WR8Q_bIveCI/AAAAAAACTik/UHvUD8a9HYwdOE5g8YNjJdSWkqsbxbQUwCHM/s1600-h/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-09h35m00s316%255B3%255D"><img title="vlcsnap-2017-05-11-09h35m00s316" style="display: inline" alt="vlcsnap-2017-05-11-09h35m00s316" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BYYDpMuPffU/WR8RBLutAoI/AAAAAAACTio/G8fzaC_WjdIYYqVpFVIMgIy30OXBoxsXgCHM/vlcsnap-2017-05-11-09h35m00s316_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="439" height="249"></a></p> <p>We had about 2 weeks of good weather with low winds and calm seas before it started blowing again. We were hoping for a day or two of wind so we could rest, but what we got was so far, was a week of strong winds. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Sad smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vWr2tFq4_ak/WR8RCghTaxI/AAAAAAACTis/Fn107J5904U_sgHinbrmG-fG_fw8dpR8ACHM/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%255B2%255D?imgmax=800"></p> <p>We are hoping for a few more nice days before we have to leave. If it’s too rough on the Atlantic side, you can often get out on the bay/gulf side, but the past several days have been too windy and rough to even move the boat to dry land. We have it tied up pretty well, but the east winds are coming right into the canal with some 30 mph gusts.</p> <p>When it’s windy in the Keys, you got to Key West to party. </p> <p>I will try to update the blog again. We have Conch Republic Independence days, sunset celebrations at Mallory Square, Drag queen shows, drag races, happy hours with my Key West family, and much more. It’s always fun in the Keys.</p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-26180173611439201742017-04-14T11:09:00.001-04:002017-04-14T11:09:48.368-04:00The Jumping Bridge–Screw Worm and the Key Deer<blockquote></blockquote> <p> </p> <p><em>Cudjoe Key, Florida (high 82, low 72) and very windy</em></p> <p><em></em> </p> <p><font face="Arial">We haven’t had much rain since we’ve been in the Keys and with a “new to us” RV, you never know what a good rainstorm will bring. We finally got some good rain, off and on most of the night and morning yesterday. We were happy to find no leaks, at least none that we’ve found. </font></p> <p><font face="Arial">Al is still working a little at a time on sealing the roof openings with the Eternabond. It’s hard on his bad knee, so he tries to do a little at a time. We will feel better when he finishes that project.</font></p> <p><font face="Arial">A new project has sprung up though. Our old deck box is showing signs of wear. He tried to patch it, but it looks like it will be needing a complete new top. Since hurricane season will be upon us soon, we need to get that in better shape.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CswalfZ0YEc/WPDkj6dVA6I/AAAAAAACMAA/e70OsK40NFU/s1600-h/IMG_5090%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Venture Out" style="display: inline" alt="Venture Out" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oGNHZc_VFVU/WPDkovCJ7ZI/AAAAAAACMAE/w44RF3uq910/IMG_5090_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">The winds are still blowing 15-22 mph,and bringing some very choppy seas, so boating is out. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">We met up with some friends from south Georgia yesterday. We had lunch then did a little exploring, and finally made it to the “Jumping Bridge” on Sugarloaf Key. It is a place the locals go to swim, and play. It is down a deserted road that leads to who knows where. There is a canal cut thru the Keys lime rock with a nice concrete bridge over it.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">We saw a friend on the way sunning himself in the middle of the road. Al and Chris thought it was a harmless corn snake.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RSRQYr4eW_8/WPDks2Ov6PI/AAAAAAACMAI/PVAJRUfSD7k/s1600-h/IMG_6165%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6165" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6165" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DKgDOC5nURs/WPDkxlsJu_I/AAAAAAACMAM/iQt74reX3t8/IMG_6165_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This is the view from the bridge. The rock you see below is lime rock, which is basically what they Florida Keys are made of. (Try digging a hole) </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1LKXlKljFhI/WPDk2oaM3BI/AAAAAAACMAQ/_H763dhrDvg/s1600-h/IMG_6126%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6126" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6126" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-STE15sfnRWM/WPDk6_tHsfI/AAAAAAACMAU/DhimGVsvsVE/IMG_6126_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">The current was ripping, so you just float with it and swim to the edge, which is very rocky and per Chris was full of broken glass. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">This guy was prepared with water shoes.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-frnM9v-fBzM/WPDk-sxiCgI/AAAAAAACMAY/cqYvlPEnkxE/s1600-h/IMG_6141%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6141" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6141" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uO-7YnVelEg/WPDlDLgXEII/AAAAAAACMAc/3vVt3sXD878/IMG_6141_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">Chris went barefooted since he hadn’t prepared to jump off a bridge when he left that day.</font> <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sZSxGomS194/WPDlJPwOykI/AAAAAAACMAg/eq0KikmeWpQ/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_GzSytgFYws/WPDlO4HGSyI/AAAAAAACMAk/LLcFed1OBTo/s1600-h/IMG_6140%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6140" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6140" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zmfDtjnYGbI/WPDlSD044BI/AAAAAAACMAo/kWab5Tr_G00/IMG_6140_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">Chris was the only brave one. Kathy, Al and I just watched.</font> <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sZSxGomS194/WPDlJPwOykI/AAAAAAACMAg/eq0KikmeWpQ/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GZWS4pqJK94/WPDlVd_DzkI/AAAAAAACMAs/kHeV85_9N-k/s1600-h/jumping%252520bridge%25255B3%25255D.gif"><img title="jumping bridge" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="jumping bridge" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JNpuOzu72w8/WPDlgR_MHfI/AAAAAAACMAw/pj_lyHkqadU/jumping%252520bridge_thumb%25255B1%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="240" height="415"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">Water shoes would have been nice.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1YHHANbirEo/WPDlpH81aCI/AAAAAAACMA0/9QbNvV9Br-o/s1600-h/IMG_6133%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6133" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6133" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RiZT4QCb_kY/WPDltgzkBiI/AAAAAAACMA4/WeMP8mYIfe0/IMG_6133_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e4WAnSgV3Q4/WPDly87jrII/AAAAAAACMA8/B4I-0tKqXX4/s1600-h/IMG_6134%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6134" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6134" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WYQCrIwlprw/WPDl21fFNEI/AAAAAAACMBA/XcNnwp3qlI8/IMG_6134_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">On the path to the jumping bridge, we saw some sort of traps and then people who were checking on the traps.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">It turns out they are trap the flies to determine the extent of the screw worm infestation, and also release of millions of sterile flies to eliminate the screwworm population. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">Screwworms are fly larvae or maggots that can infest livestock and other animals. They mostly infect an animal through an open wound and feed on the animal’s living flesh.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">Screw worms were devastating to the tiny Florida Key Deer and many died because of them.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">Preventive measures are continuing at the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key, and teams of experts are treating as many Key deer as possible with an antiparasitic medicine. Trained Refuge staff are also treating Key deer reported to be infected.</font></p> <p>For several months, there was a checkpoint at Mile Marker 106 and if you brought an animal into the Keys, it had to be checked.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-azeutSCRhlk/WPDl7AneNsI/AAAAAAACMBE/8RNRw_sc5RA/s1600-h/IMG_6121%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6121" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6121" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c_-o0d07MrA/WPDl--2ISMI/AAAAAAACMBI/kcutXFiQY8U/IMG_6121_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>A few days ago, we were driving down Key Deer road and saw where it was blocked off waiting for a helicopter.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FCqvUtNa0bU/WPDmEvlQgwI/AAAAAAACMBM/SXWT2mnejxw/s1600-h/IMG_6120%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6120" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6120" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G8qm_aB1Ypc/WPDmIGSKkxI/AAAAAAACMBQ/pYdWfR0cYiY/IMG_6120_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">We were curious about what was being loaded but decided not to be nosy. We speculated it was something to do with mosquito control, since they’ve been very bad this year.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">Two years ago the first full moon in April, we happened to be coming home from Key West and saw a beautiful sight where it was huge and sitting right over the water alongside a bridge. We vowed to try and see it again this year, but we missed it. It was never in the right spot any other month, so this is all we got.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NhlpeLh_D88/WPDmLhnj3uI/AAAAAAACMBU/dk-_T0ema_Y/s1600-h/IMG_6124%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6124" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6124" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b4CHGeiFE_o/WPDmOwG53xI/AAAAAAACMBY/VEfL0uB7gak/IMG_6124_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-71890227187284945532017-04-12T09:15:00.000-04:002017-04-12T09:15:24.399-04:00Key West and a Traveling Pig From Montana (or you never know what you'll see in Key West)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cudjoe Key Florida, (high 82, low 72) windy.....</span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am attempting to write my blog with Blogger verses Live Writer as I prefer. For some reason I have been unable to upload pictures I take on my phone using LW. It has something to do with Google Photos I think. Any suggestions? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have been back in the Keys for about a month now and have yet to get the boat in the water. At first, when the winds were calm, we were busy settling into our new fifth wheel, and Al was doing some maintenance work on the boat. Since it's been too windy for boating, he's using this time working on putting Eternabond on all the roof openings. We prefer Eternabond over Dicor caulk because you only have to do it once. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been very windy for days, with no sign of stopping until April 21st according to my Windfinder App.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since we have to entertain ourselves in other ways, we've been doing a lot of exploring in Key West. There are so many interesting things to see that are off the beaten track. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0VcGLI4GNzwgW0LiAMF7WhLxH28MEJlN91vL9je3CZIWmwngzQcxC-Bewzih_Oya3_KX3mvB2AUFJ4PSWs-7nHqjasj9DFK1yhYdTSHx916the9WpdzTe8omTWG2inw0rfFfvE1spGI3/s1600/IMG_6110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP0VcGLI4GNzwgW0LiAMF7WhLxH28MEJlN91vL9je3CZIWmwngzQcxC-Bewzih_Oya3_KX3mvB2AUFJ4PSWs-7nHqjasj9DFK1yhYdTSHx916the9WpdzTe8omTWG2inw0rfFfvE1spGI3/s1600/IMG_6110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We always enjoy the cruise ships that are in port nearly every day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tour boats seem to go out and cruise around regardless of the winds and of course wind is good for the sail boats.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have had a lot of time to explore Key West. We went up into the lighthouse a few years ago, so we just took pictures from the street level. It's not free, so once was enough.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRFZBP9oxf-XIaCxIXuuG04cM1ZTrPpWzGy3AxgMHA2jgGTEkxzigXdkdLHLO3u2rOeXw-W4N7V1XL1WnficwVp37NMnW3Ux0-kcXqr8K8s92tvBIxnek1Vk2G5cm0Ii6ZxRZ-_UQ9_LF/s1600/IMG_6103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRFZBP9oxf-XIaCxIXuuG04cM1ZTrPpWzGy3AxgMHA2jgGTEkxzigXdkdLHLO3u2rOeXw-W4N7V1XL1WnficwVp37NMnW3Ux0-kcXqr8K8s92tvBIxnek1Vk2G5cm0Ii6ZxRZ-_UQ9_LF/s400/IMG_6103.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are some beautiful churches. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GezJ830O8E2KZpwxhuplBAkFyEQou-Lt74A9jUvc9kVMWQW13WoRKvELfBQMlyyxZShKG6ZYsHBbVakRMIovofo6jjV5os3t66kdvxiwp1voYI9rFPm0A73Oi5cF4CigA1uMpkuJ2OPc/s1600/IMG_6106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5GezJ830O8E2KZpwxhuplBAkFyEQou-Lt74A9jUvc9kVMWQW13WoRKvELfBQMlyyxZShKG6ZYsHBbVakRMIovofo6jjV5os3t66kdvxiwp1voYI9rFPm0A73Oi5cF4CigA1uMpkuJ2OPc/s400/IMG_6106.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some beautiful houses </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Normally we go to Mallory Square to watch the sunset, but we decided to check out Fort Zachary Taylor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The parking lot is sand/dirt and the winds kicked up a terrible dust storm. We couldn't even get out of the car for the blowing dust. After a while the winds laid down and we were able to leave the car.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I snapped my first picture and quickly realized I had left the SD card in my computer so I was going to have to rely on my phone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was a double wedding on the beach. They had an arbor set up, to frame the ceremony in the setting sun. I really wanted to get over there and get a picture, but I didn't think that would be very nice and since I didn't have my good camera, I couldn't even use my "stalker" zoom. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we walked along the beach, Al spotted something unusual.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like I always say, you never know what you will see in Key West.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It turns out Bits (as in bacon bits) the pig was traveling with his family from a 15,000 acre ranch in Montana. They left 5 days prior and somehow ended up in Key West. He is a miniature pig (not pot belly) and is also a dwarf. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had a nice time talking with the two ladies who owned Bit, but we never quite got around to exchanging names. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We chatted while we waited for the sun to set. The same boats you see on Mallory Square can be seen cruising back and forth at Ft Zach also.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunset is different every night, but always beautiful over the water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The cruise ships always take off before sunset.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We're not sure what today will bring. We bought a small freezer that fits in a basement compartment, so we definitely need to go to the store for some ice cream! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We may go to the Blue Hole and the Jumping Bridge and probably a trip into Key West. The winds are still blowing, so boating is out again. </span><br />
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<br />Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-66740416016225329662017-04-06T09:28:00.001-04:002017-04-06T09:28:19.355-04:00Key West, Fascinating History<blockquote></blockquote> <p> </p> <p><em>Cudjoe Key, Florida (high 85, low 68)</em></p> <p><em></em> </p> <p>We haven’t gotten the boat out yet. Al is trying to put a 2nd bilge pump in, the boat seat needed to be rebuilt, plus our dive platform broke, so that’s another project. Working on boats is very much like working on RV’s. Nothing is ever easy or quick. </p> <p>It is starting to feel like summer here, so we try to plan our outdoor activities early. Fortunately, we are morning people, so sunrise is something we frequently see! To properly explore Key West, you really need to walk. You can park in Key West for free before noon on Sundays, so that’s a great day to explore. </p> <p>Some days we head uptown and some days we head downtown (towards Key West).</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iwM0QVFxomY/WOY-2YjvHkI/AAAAAAACLi8/YqbA2R59lo0/s1600-h/IMG_6030%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="sunrise" style="display: inline" alt="sunrise" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t0FqmCgVbxs/WOY-8Pj18OI/AAAAAAACLjA/5ubswktqKVI/IMG_6030_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>The Old Town section in Key West is quite interesting. There is a lot of history in Key West and there seems to be a never ending list of things we want to see and do. We’ve been coming to the Keys quite a few years now and still haven’t come close to seeing all that Key West has to offer.</p> <p>The other morning, we stopped at McDonalds for a quick breakfast. We noticed the car parked next to us and of course if there is a cat anywhere around, I will spot it.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0Dym_TDyH0c/WOY_BkjNu8I/AAAAAAACLjE/dwST33EwTmE/s1600-h/IMG_6023%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Homeless people" style="display: inline" alt="Homeless people" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WDALGSfn_AE/WOY_FmluOeI/AAAAAAACLjI/x9OGD6xvYjo/IMG_6023_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>Can you see it? There is a yellow cat on the dash. The window is cracked enough that the cat could have gotten out, which concerned me.</p> <p>We waited for the young couple to come back to the car. They were obviously living out of the car. They bragged that they came all the way to Key West from North Carolina. I wanted to tell them, to turn around and go home. Key West is not exactly cheap.</p> <p>We gave them $11 for breakfast as they were obviously living out of their car. It was all the cash we had on hand and I said I was sorry it wasn’t more. He told me thanks, that was more than they had. Oh brother! Came to Key West with NO MONEY? How could they be that stupid? </p> <p>As it turned out, they have two cats AND a puppy. It was SO hot that day and we felt particularly bad for the animals. The people had a choice as to their circumstances. The animals did not.</p> <p>We left and went to Publix, got some cash, water and pet food, but by the time we got back they were gone. We haven’t seen them since, but are still carrying about the pet food. Hopefully they wised up and went home. Dumb ass kids.</p> <p>In Key West, every one wants to be the southernmost of whatever type of business they are. The southernmost dive shop, bar, hotel, house, gift shop… You name it. Some one wants to claim the fame of being the southernmost.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j3Izl4_Vd_Y/WOY_K2PEN4I/AAAAAAACLjM/VE-OHXE3LcM/s1600-h/IMG_6081%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="southernmost" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="southernmost" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PP1yApxs-sU/WOY_OKqz1BI/AAAAAAACLjQ/20kWXAIcs6k/IMG_6081_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></a></p> <p>This is the southernmost point in the United States. The fence you see on the right is the barrier between the Naval Air Station and Key West.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YTa9vvVV0mY/WOY_RYs1vzI/AAAAAAACLjU/oEZjz-neQ5U/s1600-h/IMG_6076%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Southernmost point" style="display: inline" alt="Southernmost point" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dosLXyWb2s0/WOY_UU_iINI/AAAAAAACLjY/PE0jgM7Mqg4/IMG_6076_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>Both of our fathers were military and Al and I both lived on Air Force bases. Neither one of us ever had such a beautiful view out of our back yard.</p> <p>Here is the base housing. I’m shooting thru a fence, but you get the idea.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iYytzj9Fuug/WOY_X2aNIHI/AAAAAAACLjc/yeNS5p8HztQ/s1600-h/IMG_6072%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Base housing NAS" style="display: inline" alt="Base housing NAS" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o3HnNxuGfxc/WOY_bKNgDTI/AAAAAAACLjg/_yrB6V0tsy0/IMG_6072_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="320"></a></p> <p>Here is their back yard view. Yep, much better than we ever had.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E4ykUKolbZU/WOY_evoVGmI/AAAAAAACLjk/9SiTURmFM3M/s1600-h/IMG_6075%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="back yard view of base housing NAS" style="display: inline" alt="back yard view of base housing NAS" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xYOnBWgFngo/WOY_iOUSRNI/AAAAAAACLjo/ij1gKW8kYz4/IMG_6075_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>There are a lot of old churches in Key West. Most of them seem to be Catholic. (<em>warning….. if you get offended by anything to do with religion, you might want to quit reading now).</em></p> <p><em></em> </p> <p>This particular church was right on Truman street, which is another place you can park for free. Parking is between 3.50 and $4. an hour to park, so free parking is always good.</p> <p>The church grounds were beautiful and inviting, so we took a walk around.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-obuZ5LyyWZo/WOY_lOtc6CI/AAAAAAACLjs/RKiajlCQAYQ/s1600-h/IMG_6051%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6051" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6051" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p97BZS094WQ/WOY_ohguuQI/AAAAAAACLjw/EBMad0lhiWE/IMG_6051_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RoAKFIS8Rvk/WOY_rwpz06I/AAAAAAACLj0/lmxuCIsMFrI/s1600-h/IMG_6042%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6042" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6042" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xTWRC5IkcDk/WOY_wlZaxcI/AAAAAAACLj4/U2fzpFKpW5A/IMG_6042_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="270"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cL_JS5e1mp4/WOY_z8_7IoI/AAAAAAACLj8/NgkTiRCjaHE/s1600-h/IMG_6043%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6043" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6043" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NVbaGsKRzUY/WOY_4EfK9fI/AAAAAAACLkA/pcD96Mf6Oz0/IMG_6043_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Notice all the rock with the coral?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_2Tv2HmOEjw/WOY_8OWBhgI/AAAAAAACLkE/boyMhEvTUQY/s1600-h/IMG_6045%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6045" style="float: right; display: inline" alt="IMG_6045" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-frRmYEPwaZc/WOY__xycpMI/AAAAAAACLkI/vXNsv-CP4uU/IMG_6045_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" align="right" height="480"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center">Keep up the good work</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iussfOC2z2M/WOZAC_GE1-I/AAAAAAACLkM/SV5LHURBs9k/s1600-h/IMG_6048%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6048" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6048" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U2bDUQpQjNc/WOZAGfPxx7I/AAAAAAACLkQ/YF4UnsUpmvs/IMG_6048_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nyvS5oRW-1Q/WOZAKJmXgLI/AAAAAAACLkU/wcJO8VikuMo/s1600-h/IMG_6046%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6046" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6046" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dfri15bLhoo/WOZANdT_bvI/AAAAAAACLkY/EzPt2JRi_94/IMG_6046_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Eia0-6gPfQU/WOZAQUbOYYI/AAAAAAACLkc/SPQrJBwBs3E/s1600-h/IMG_6049%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6049" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6049" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z64actjYJGU/WOZATv4_wGI/AAAAAAACLkg/6E-qRU90NE4/IMG_6049_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yeu8xMS2CD8/WOZAXBysoMI/AAAAAAACLkk/NkejhYgi2M0/s1600-h/IMG_6047%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6047" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6047" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SvkVUTSiQhk/WOZAaTyGH6I/AAAAAAACLko/GA96b-k3yRY/IMG_6047_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AvMN_myt4Ec/WOZAdtFGYEI/AAAAAAACLks/D2jhwo_kTRk/s1600-h/IMG_6052%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6052" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6052" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pWS9B7L4KjI/WOZAh3JgiaI/AAAAAAACLkw/MXHxDQi0_4c/IMG_6052_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The church was initially a Canadian order and had history back to 1868. The Sisters offered their services to the Navy in the treatment of yellow fever during the Spanish American War.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VDRlpU8qTsk/WOZAlEG7UhI/AAAAAAACLk0/sf2YoHb3lKw/s1600-h/IMG_6054%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6054" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6054" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4Eh-XGnBxzY/WOZApVQewsI/AAAAAAACLk4/SebLbhu5Pww/IMG_6054_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Colonel Teddy Roosevelt fought in Key West with his Rough Riders. This was the war where Cuba obtained their independence, the US obtained both Guam (where Al and I met) and the Philippine Islands.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oGyL5R1MJnc/WOZAsg4wniI/AAAAAAACLk8/p12pVTtRkok/s1600-h/IMG_6055%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6055" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6055" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hCnWycVmNhA/WOZAwc4G3CI/AAAAAAACLlA/R3rcEfIgvbc/IMG_6055_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="379" height="320"></a></p> <p>Take a minute to read the signs if you can.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W-alJOr-hwM/WOZA0ZfIyvI/AAAAAAACLlE/YrpTQJapO40/s1600-h/IMG_6056%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6056" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6056" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BHeI5A4nAuc/WOZA3r6KmyI/AAAAAAACLlI/n4YHA8cUOIw/IMG_6056_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This church was turned into a hospital at the time and was the first place the x-ray was used to find bullets and shrapnel, saving patients from exploratory surgery. </p> <p> </p> <p>We strolled down Truman Ave and discovered a few restaurants to try at a later point. Made to order burritos. Sounds good to me!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D-FKaelvG5U/WOZA7E5TMxI/AAAAAAACLlM/XfjZRRVITxY/s1600-h/IMG_6064%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="bad boy buttito" style="display: inline" alt="bad boy buttito" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jWmSIWi0ESY/WOZA-AfGORI/AAAAAAACLlQ/D0G3k4xbNxs/IMG_6064_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This next building was an old cigar factory with it’s own history.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-otL62qftSnY/WOZBBPhIo7I/AAAAAAACLlU/A81ptGMyqng/s1600-h/IMG_6059%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="E.H. Gato Cigar factory" style="display: inline" alt="E.H. Gato Cigar factory" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JFBkseP7OAY/WOZBEjE-k7I/AAAAAAACLlY/yvNaz4N8L6E/IMG_6059_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This is one of the first integrated workplaces in America and also where a lot of planning and fundraising was done in effort to free Cuba from Spain. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4QIBYpvDCY0/WOZBIHOvENI/AAAAAAACLlc/XSG-Sdsb_AA/s1600-h/IMG_6060%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="E.H. Gato Cigar factory" style="display: inline" alt="E.H. Gato Cigar factory" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hEDpIp_IneE/WOZBLe3dFnI/AAAAAAACLlg/11AOyoBalz0/IMG_6060_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="374"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CB9uB1iqzoA/WOZBO6kkAHI/AAAAAAACLlk/GTlIduY-MUY/s1600-h/IMG_6062%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="E.H. Gato Cigar factory" style="display: inline" alt="E.H. Gato Cigar factory" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XhCTGsPMJYw/WOZBRgDPreI/AAAAAAACLlo/Uyeldb1zdt4/IMG_6062_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>You never know what you’ll find strolling down the streets in Old Town Key West.</p> <p> </p> <p>gnarly trees</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X95avbDzIdw/WOZBVCd0g0I/AAAAAAACLls/RmJ1yL3m3dU/s1600-h/IMG_6053%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6053" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6053" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l2G27up1I2Q/WOZBYJRtJAI/AAAAAAACLlw/E2j-H2cU5Yc/IMG_6053_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vJSOnIQ_EUE/WOZBbe3mVsI/AAAAAAACLl0/-CB4YdwvRZU/s1600-h/IMG_6080%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="gnarly tree" style="display: inline" alt="gnarly tree" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8ijMDbeW9cA/WOZBffr4DlI/AAAAAAACLl4/mh8NVYj5peE/IMG_6080_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Tours</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--frUtPuKdAM/WOZBiXRXlSI/AAAAAAACLl8/YaI6zVfu314/s1600-h/IMG_6058%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6058" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6058" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TWaGFPe6ElY/WOZBlftgnZI/AAAAAAACLmA/s016AVbwp8Y/IMG_6058_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Flowering trees</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8rm8TP2Eb48/WOZBol8ObvI/AAAAAAACLmE/iHMihxwIaX0/s1600-h/IMG_6057%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6057" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6057" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VJSCnzV3K7U/WOZBsFVBWAI/AAAAAAACLmI/i6abh0o32Ec/IMG_6057_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n3UBh1AEWDM/WOZBvJXWuEI/AAAAAAACLmM/fEVdbwTqUeo/s1600-h/IMG_6066%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="bouganiveala" style="display: inline" alt="bouganiveala" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yqSuGcSmTfI/WOZBzcLZEpI/AAAAAAACLmQ/FRBw3LQjeok/IMG_6066_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Shady spots to sit. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-34mUnNKnM3Q/WOZB2bwWreI/AAAAAAACLmU/tk4pAkjzhHQ/s1600-h/IMG_6070%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_6070" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_6070" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ILQZS1OFeSE/WOZB5Hj5xMI/AAAAAAACLmY/57xEzn4WsCU/IMG_6070_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center">Weather Prediction help</p> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XZFqmyWxDXI/WOZB8qM3MKI/AAAAAAACLmc/2MxiY2Lc2ME/s1600-h/IMG_6069%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Key West Weather Station" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Key West Weather Station" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-za2PV9kM9d4/WOZB__yN05I/AAAAAAACLmg/vCWK8LKYceo/IMG_6069_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="362"></a> <p> </p> <p>This is a Kapok tree. I had to take the picture from the car, but I will go back and try again. Look at the bottom of the tree. Isn’t is amazing?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nawQq-3My1Q/WOZCE3xXmOI/AAAAAAACLmk/njZ_7PdJLzg/s1600-h/IMG_6086%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kapok tree" style="display: inline" alt="Kapok tree" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lfInJLoDx_U/WOZCIFpB6FI/AAAAAAACLmo/ln_gJiRJCAo/IMG_6086_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="360" height="480"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Twhxkwfgcig/WOZCL1IeMQI/AAAAAAACLms/sAC6bKdcEAQ/s1600-h/IMG_6085%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="Kapok tree" style="display: inline" alt="Kapok tree" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NEteoNSlqpo/WOZCO4tV9cI/AAAAAAACLmw/2m54UY2rC6A/IMG_6085_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="480"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Another “southernmost” </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ux9f4-ERwAg/WOZCSfnYciI/AAAAAAACLm0/881bI-pP3yc/s1600-h/IMG_6082%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="southernmost" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="southernmost" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NWo279jDShk/WOZCVfRPrBI/AAAAAAACLm4/OVLAX1FiINs/IMG_6082_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="320"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2fsPYkR9SI0/WOZCZP1_dwI/AAAAAAACLm8/QkQFWNUclh8/s1600-h/IMG_6084%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="southernmost" style="display: inline" alt="southernmost" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sgsRyeDaSdc/WOZCcjg7lqI/AAAAAAACLnA/4lVx7LaL96w/IMG_6084_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>There are so many areas in Old Town to explore. Next time, we’re planning on exploring the old cemetery and maybe even the Truman House.</p> <p>Today, might get us to the “jumping bridge”.</p> <p> </p> <p>Stay tuned.</p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-42215245823859329192017-03-24T09:08:00.001-04:002017-03-24T09:11:26.710-04:00WOW! An Exciting Drive to Key West with RV accident, Bat House, Sky Diving, and Fighter Jets<p> </p> <p>Cudjoe Key, Florida (high 80, low 68)</p> <p> </p> <p>We had to make yet another trip to Key West to go to Home Depot. The trip on Wednesday brought a lot of excitement.</p> <p>When we’re here in the Keys, I have learned to always bring my camera because you never know what you will see and that is particularly true in Key West.</p> <p>We headed south towards Key West and the first unusual thing we saw was some kind of issue with 3 large motorhomes and cargo trailers parked on the side of US 1. They were in the northbound lane, along with tow trucks, police and various people standing around. The Overseas Highway or US 1 varies from narrow strips of land, to bridges, to large pieces of land. This happened to occur on a narrow strip of land where the ocean was only about 25-30 feet from the road.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-naP78_J-LGE/WNUYIm_iX4I/AAAAAAACKWk/UeBuddY3Xns/s1600-h/6_Overseas_Highway%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="6_Overseas_Highway" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="6_Overseas_Highway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gCrpA2QKrqE/WNUYMaJNxXI/AAAAAAACKWo/g9efKoyoIQA/6_Overseas_Highway_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="200" height="299"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l1b2iWL2y-I/WNUYPh9JMfI/AAAAAAACKWs/cGSq3iv92uc/s1600-h/IMG_5836%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Cargo Trailer came loose from tag Diesel pusher near Key West on US 1" style="display: inline" alt="Cargo Trailer came loose from tag Diesel pusher near Key West on US 1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vdIEUlItrGc/WNUYSRgkydI/AAAAAAACKWw/9IejMnLoVbo/IMG_5836_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>One of the motorhomes was a large tag axel Travel Supreme. There was a huge triple axel cargo trailer painted to match, that was sideways along the side of the road. It appeared that the mangroves in the water may have been the only thing that kept it from going into the water.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iZZ2XRCOu7o/WNUYVLxSRuI/AAAAAAACKW0/dm7ghaqvhzU/s1600-h/IMG_5838%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Cargo Trailer came loose from tag Diesel pusher near Key West on US 1" style="display: inline" alt="Cargo Trailer came loose from tag Diesel pusher near Key West on US 1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jcNX3Q4I6JI/WNUYYVIBa0I/AAAAAAACKW4/YxcVQ_oqPdQ/IMG_5838_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This next picture was after it was hooked up to the tow truck.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-USgPOYk7kfI/WNUYbRB9CbI/AAAAAAACKW8/J801pS9rAa8/s1600-h/IMG_5850%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Cargo Trailer came loose from tag Diesel pusher near Key West on US 1" style="display: inline" alt="Cargo Trailer came loose from tag Diesel pusher near Key West on US 1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5hEBGVxRuFw/WNUYe5sZfFI/AAAAAAACKXA/eEJxsWNGl9s/IMG_5850_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>You can see it’s a triple axel trailer. It was very large and I’m sure very heavy.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XQtCwnWYz0Q/WNUYhl29TsI/AAAAAAACKXE/0wUbuE6ifTk/s1600-h/IMG_5852%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Cargo Trailer came loose from tag Diesel pusher near Key West on US 1" style="display: inline" alt="Cargo Trailer came loose from tag Diesel pusher near Key West on US 1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_2EtHQRi3Iw/WNUYk1kcenI/AAAAAAACKXI/2kRKgMV03Qc/IMG_5852_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>The other two motorhomes also had trailers attached and appeared to be ok.</p> <p>We surmised the trailer broke free from the motorhome. We don’t know why. We didn’t see any sign of a blow out on either vehicle, but there were cables hanging loose from the motorhome, as if it had pulled loose. People load these cargo trailers with a lot of toys. </p> <p>Could the hitch have come loose because the cargo trailer was too heavy? The biggest hitch I’ve seen for our motorhome only had a 10,000 pound capacity. Surely these carrying all these toys weigh more than that. I guess they probably can be beefed up, but we sure wondered if this was the cause. What do you think?</p> <p> </p> <p>That was the first excitement on the way to Key West. The next was <strong><em>Key West Sky Dive</em>. </strong>We had driven by this place for years and decided to check it out.</p> <p>It was such a quaint little place and perfect for the Keys. It’s located on Sugarloaf Key, which is about milemarker 18. Everything on the Keys can be found by the mile marker. Key Largo is around MM 100. Key West ends at MM 0. We are located on MM 23.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SRKtH4yrk4U/WNUYnVoCV3I/AAAAAAACKXM/-2non6l6R60/s1600-h/IMG_5821%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Key West Sky Dive" style="display: inline" alt="Key West Sky Dive" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JRh2r7uGLC0/WNUYqtXiUgI/AAAAAAACKXQ/sT8D_S45VyY/IMG_5821_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The Skydive center was located in a remote area with bad roads and lots of potholes to dodge.</p> <p>These pretty motorcycles parked there must have had to really be careful on the road.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p4ORN1RcBwk/WNUYtU7h_PI/AAAAAAACKXU/OMEDpnWZtmY/s1600-h/IMG_5819%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Key West Sky Dive" style="display: inline" alt="Key West Sky Dive" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VJpiM0u6ySk/WNUYwU9aZgI/AAAAAAACKXY/BIrqHYZ6ric/IMG_5819_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>You can see the runway which runs right along the water (of course everything does here).</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vK_7w1BDjI4/WNUYzY-A8RI/AAAAAAACKXc/jr8ujL_7YBQ/s1600-h/IMG_5824%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Key West Sky Dive" style="display: inline" alt="Key West Sky Dive" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PSC-b3IGT9U/WNUY15YQMXI/AAAAAAACKXg/48EAItA1j3k/IMG_5824_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The runway looks a little bumpy to me.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EM5gK7v1ed8/WNUY8J3kcpI/AAAAAAACKXk/x5peJP4cQJI/s1600-h/IMG_5825%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Key West Sky Dive" style="display: inline" alt="Key West Sky Dive" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eCgw1v8CoW4/WNUY_mT1GbI/AAAAAAACKXo/euoPBhd25_A/IMG_5825_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>I wonder how many skydivers land in the water? There were three planes on land (I hesitated to say tarmac) and one in the air. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9vkiYAL5D3c/WNUZCpPdj4I/AAAAAAACKXs/DC9p2XwsL80/s1600-h/IMG_5826%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Key West Sky Dive" style="display: inline" alt="Key West Sky Dive" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lcs4EzZh1Kw/WNUZGX1DY7I/AAAAAAACKXw/PrZ07Lnumuo/IMG_5826_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> We’ll have to go back and watch them skydive. I don’t think we’ll be doing any skydiving this year. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7QcdqeN2fME/WNUZJFdC5WI/AAAAAAACKX0/00jZo-yYSDg/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p>Our next interesting thing was found as we were leaving the airport. </p> <p>Al saw this huge wooden building so we drove up to check it out.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kgJ7ANcS530/WNUZMSLkRWI/AAAAAAACKX4/3KIv6k3sl9I/s1600-h/IMG_5828%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bat Tower from 1929" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Bat Tower from 1929" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yzkZRnom2Nw/WNUZPXCSIPI/AAAAAAACKX8/AorKauGppl8/IMG_5828_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="320"></a></p> <p>It was obviously very old. There was a huge nest on top but we didn’t see any nesting birds.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V4Yze_go5xo/WNUZS0GqS2I/AAAAAAACKYA/PWkt29xTPRc/s1600-h/IMG_5829%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bat Tower from 1929" style="display: inline" alt="Bat Tower from 1929" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4yeZZHPeWJM/WNUZVyN_AOI/AAAAAAACKYE/4zrKQCEcn_4/IMG_5829_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This picture gives you a better idea how tall it was.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ELdn5qkSYUU/WNUZZJFQBtI/AAAAAAACKYI/FsdWSIA0QX0/s1600-h/IMG_5832%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bat Tower from 1929" style="display: inline" alt="Bat Tower from 1929" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H4pIyrIPqeM/WNUZcd9eVuI/AAAAAAACKYM/2TYdM4pnskQ/IMG_5832_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>There was nothing outside to tell what the tower was. This was in the ground right beside the tower and I thought maybe it would give me a clue. Notice the word Perky?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3XNDjNjD-0Y/WNUZfxnGqMI/AAAAAAACKYQ/LEH82NAoVPE/s1600-h/IMG_5834%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bat Tower from 1929" style="display: inline" alt="Bat Tower from 1929" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rTNtKUne-FI/WNUZjTrZPHI/AAAAAAACKYU/bZ4MOru2nZA/IMG_5834_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Looking up, it looked very much like a huge bat house. This picture was taken from underneath looking up. See the wood slats? That is exactly like they have on bat houses, but we saw no guano so we nixed that idea.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hviKbprxFOo/WNUZmXLoI_I/AAAAAAACKYY/RdYX8XwRLRk/s1600-h/IMG_5830%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bat Tower from 1929" style="display: inline" alt="Bat Tower from 1929" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tcbcEAz3384/WNUZpUk4iKI/AAAAAAACKYc/L2B-wKXV_es/IMG_5830_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zFzeJMikGQA/WNUZsorui_I/AAAAAAACKYg/nA53wfSfrpk/s1600-h/IMG_5831%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bat Tower from 1929" style="display: inline" alt="Bat Tower from 1929" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Eya9jIbdbPQ/WNUZvm8GpsI/AAAAAAACKYk/DY0Y2atxXUI/IMG_5831_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>It was such a cool tower so I knew I would be able to find out more info online. Here is what I found.</p> <p>“Tall pine wood structure is a failed experiment in enviro-bug-control. Mosquito problem, bats imported to solve, bats flew away. Richter Clyde Perky hired a guy to build it in 1929, using plans from Charles Campbell.”</p> <p>Apparently the bats didn’t like it because they flew off, however it was a great idea for controlling mosquitos in the Florida Keys, don’t you think? It’s amazing that it has withstood all the hurricanes since 1929, including the Labor Day hurricane of 1935 that mostly wiped out Flagler's Railroad.</p> <p>It’s such a quirky place that it is listed on <em>Roadside America. </em>Here is the link: </p> <p><a title="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/238" href="http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/238">http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/238</a></p> <p> </p> <p>After we left that area, we continued to head towards Key West and about the time we passed by Boca Chica Key, we started seeing F/A 18 fighter jets blasting by and circling with their landing gear down. It is always a huge thrill to see them and they never fail to give me goose bumps.</p> <p>Three jets circled right in front of us. They were going pretty slow for them because I was able to take a photo. Usually, you hear them, look up and they are long gone. What a sound they make as they are taking off! It’s thrilling.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hl5aPU6ciBA/WNUZzPMQiQI/AAAAAAACKYo/D5EhZEvM2-Q/s1600-h/IMG_5855%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5855" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5855" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WcOO3IX2PlE/WNUZ3SkkgOI/AAAAAAACKYs/TRJdA-6uvJo/IMG_5855_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oEC9brOBOyI/WNUZ6smjbeI/AAAAAAACKYw/jlrmPkYXeFk/s1600-h/IMG_5857%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5857" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5857" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9ekTdVNDpqw/WNUZ-a8HonI/AAAAAAACKY0/J8D5pfURwKQ/IMG_5857_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="242"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>They were obviously landing. Al mentioned if we had been eating lunch at Geiger Key Fish camp, we would have had a birds eye view of them landing. Geiger Key is home to world famous hogfish sandwiches and is one of our favorite places to eat in the Keys. </p> <p>We hadn’t considered Geiger Key for lunch, but as soon as we thought of it, we both started getting hungry. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q97rakDraDs/WNUaCvuWDjI/AAAAAAACKY4/iT-KiGM67ac/s1600-h/IMG_5856%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5856" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5856" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ol53AbHg_HI/WNUaF6iCBRI/AAAAAAACKY8/DQ9nv84qT_U/IMG_5856_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="280"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>A minute or two after we saw the jets, we saw yet ANOTHER interesting site. Along another narrow strip of land was a large old sailboat on the side of the road laying on it’s side. Obviously it had been pulled out of the water. There are a lot of derelict boats around these islands and they are trying to get them cleaned up. Unfortunately, we had passed it before I could get a photo and I forgot when we went back by on the way home. It was gone the next time we went to Key West (and Home Depot).</p> <p> </p> <p>That was the end of our exciting things on our way to Key West. We went to Home Depot and returned the freezer we had just picked up the day before (long story) and by that time we were really hungry and someone mentioned hogfish…… So you know what happened next. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7QcdqeN2fME/WNUZJFdC5WI/AAAAAAACKX0/00jZo-yYSDg/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p>Geiger Key Fish Camp, Rv Park and Restaurant. It’s a pretty nice little hidden RV park right on the water if anyone is interested.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vx4n0t3nJ9M/WNUaJRz6QuI/AAAAAAACKZA/4uCm5EgK4vw/s1600-h/IMG_20170322_143206712_HDR%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20170322_143206712_HDR" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_20170322_143206712_HDR" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rOENNp538sE/WNUaMct8uJI/AAAAAAACKZE/BOfgCnAqsv0/IMG_20170322_143206712_HDR_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We got 4 nice filets with a ton of fries and a tiny bit of coleslaw. It was delicious and we had extra for dinner later.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0lJNb_9OB8s/WNUaPyUT9fI/AAAAAAACKZI/k3WgBhRWWNg/s1600-h/IMG_20170322_143158961%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20170322_143158961" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_20170322_143158961" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Oed0KAiF_pE/WNUaSyF8ywI/AAAAAAACKZM/VUIzyW4aUZM/IMG_20170322_143158961_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Every time I mention eating hogfish, some asks about them. They are also called hog snapper but are really a member of the wrasse family. They change colors under water. They go from light to patchy orange color. The males turn black and white.</p> <p>The meat it white, not fishy, and delicious! Here is a picture of a rather large one. Probably 18-19 pounds I would guess. This is a male. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7IxPxB8_-l4/WNUaVqW-obI/AAAAAAACKZQ/w4c6CeA7FxU/s1600-h/hogfish%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="hogfish" style="display: inline" alt="hogfish" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NXGf0SBblPY/WNUaYG0feuI/AAAAAAACKZU/9ayDZf5bZ2w/hogfish_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We came home, took a rest after our big meal and then and worked around the house for a while. We’re still settling in to our new home and there are still plenty of things to do. We had a few fun nights in Key West and ended up getting run off last night with an approaching storm. More on that later. Key West is always a fun place to go.</p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-58134907619235813182017-03-22T21:14:00.001-04:002017-03-22T21:14:23.745-04:00A Day in Beautiful Key West<p> </p> <p><em>Cudjoe Key, Florida (high 80, low 65)</em></p> <p>Our cool front has held but it looks like we are returning to more normal temperatures. This time of the year the high is usually 80 and the low 70. Day after day…</p> <p>We’ve been busy settling into our new home. More about that on another post.</p> <p>Key West is the closest place for us for shopping, so we’ve been there quite often for one thing or another. There is a lot to buy when you’re setting up a new home. If you missed my last post, it explained about our new home in the Keys.</p> <p>Yesterday morning we headed there to Home Depot to pick up a freezer we ordered last week. That will be covered in a later post as well since that didn’t turn out quite as we had expected.</p> <p>After Home Depot, we grabbed a burger from McDonalds and parked by the dog park to eat and watch the dogs. We miss our puppy friends from Quail Run Rv park so we decided to get a puppy fix. Actually, we found there were more dogs in Home Depot than at the dog park.</p> <p>Later, we walked over to the Key West Garden Center which is in the old Martello Fort. It was one of three that secured Key West and the Gulf Coast after the war of 1812, and after the British burned DC.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j09EvfdBwLE/WNKKNZ_bm9I/AAAAAAACKD0/RaqJq6oMHvw/s1600-h/IMG_5704%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="Garden Club / Fort West Martello" style="display: inline" alt="Garden Club / Fort West Martello" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6YKi-JAyNKU/WNKKRAMumYI/AAAAAAACKD4/nnhXOY7cSzc/IMG_5704_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="372" height="320"></a><sub></sub></p> <p>The garden club keeps the grounds up and offers free tours. It’s a lovely place to spend some time on a hot day. Isn’t this a beautiful entrance?</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3Oozh1LA3qw/WNKKUwKaeFI/AAAAAAACKEA/G51VyZRLIG4/s1600-h/IMG_5692%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Garden Club / Fort" style="display: inline" alt="Garden Club / Fort" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ELjKX9igFKw/WNKKYaCW-jI/AAAAAAACKEE/Vu_Pd2wlwoY/IMG_5692_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This “tree” is apparently just a Strangler Fig which at some point must have strangled the tree it was attached to because we could see no tree. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RFDt0mJC904/WNKKbrzTVUI/AAAAAAACKEI/1z6La20IDGI/s1600-h/IMG_5695%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Garden Club / Fort" style="display: inline" alt="Garden Club / Fort" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WA-LJcgseeo/WNKKfEFwrDI/AAAAAAACKEM/kVQ4dnZGtrM/IMG_5695_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>There are paths around the gardens, some of which give you a beautiful ocean view.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-82BlmkBAqEE/WNKKijrBY4I/AAAAAAACKEQ/M37amMbUVHk/s1600-h/IMG_5701%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Garden Club / Fort" style="display: inline" alt="Garden Club / Fort" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mFNa6BAG2Z8/WNKKlznxVNI/AAAAAAACKEU/PXNAH8xz9OQ/IMG_5701_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3ct_0Y_UV44/WNKKpgLMP-I/AAAAAAACKEY/X-MwhqtSqZM/s1600-h/IMG_5702%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Garden Club / Fort" style="display: inline" alt="Garden Club / Fort" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T8aqMJRpGFI/WNKKtmrOkkI/AAAAAAACKEc/DV6Rklg1iQ0/IMG_5702_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>In the following picture is a Key West Red Frangi Pani tree which is also know as a Plumeria. There were a few blooms on it, but in a few weeks it should be covered with flowers. We made a note to go back then. These flowers are the flowers on a Hawaiian Lei. They are beautiful and smell wonderful. Here is a picture from a previous visit. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ND15-ZbLATA/WNKKxEcuVVI/AAAAAAACKEg/OyxNdzH8I4I/s1600-h/IMG_1218%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="frangipani" style="display: inline" alt="frangipani" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BjoO4nkcDxc/WNKK0bPHg5I/AAAAAAACKEk/Ignj36zIE4w/IMG_1218_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="293"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KtTvy1TTuJM/WNKK3rff4UI/AAAAAAACKEo/XuaE45MS5-M/s1600-h/IMG_5708%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Garden Club / Fort West Martello - huge Frangi pani" style="display: inline" alt="Garden Club / Fort West Martello - huge Frangi pani" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aOUdpw4apLY/WNKK65A4oPI/AAAAAAACKEs/iNSlZw2XDTs/IMG_5708_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This next picture shows how large it is.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SuOe2VjngX4/WNKK-pBg5mI/AAAAAAACKEw/071wYaQE5cI/s1600-h/IMG_5710%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Garden Club / Fort West Martello huge frangi pani" style="display: inline" alt="Garden Club / Fort West Martello huge frangi pani" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4H6kDQioh-o/WNKLB6HaXRI/AAAAAAACKE0/bkvAfLGPld0/IMG_5710_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Frangi Pani grow very well here in the Keys. The last time we were here, two years ago, we got two small cuttings and stuck them into the ground and left town a week later. They were ignored for two years and when we came back, this is what one of them looked like. The other cutting must have gotten knocked down or run over because it’s just a broken stump in the ground. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BIO6Nl6om2U/WNKLFmHFmEI/AAAAAAACKE4/GAjYcTZESVE/s1600-h/IMG_5811%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5811" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5811" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WObIA2VOES0/WNKLJuSI9xI/AAAAAAACKE8/z97QaMx6SwI/IMG_5811_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="275"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Caladium</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8bwBCo8B9dA/WNKLND-17eI/AAAAAAACKFA/ZVa78_Bibzc/s1600-h/IMG_5713%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Garden Club / Fort West Martello" style="display: inline" alt="Garden Club / Fort West Martello" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u6C2ShQLis4/WNKLQN8uJjI/AAAAAAACKFE/6ckq112wmHs/IMG_5713_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Ginger</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6xCWFz5mLm8/WNKLTQhNfeI/AAAAAAACKFI/YLMjZvTfRGU/s1600-h/IMG_5720%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Garden Club / Fort West Martello - ginger" style="display: inline" alt="Garden Club / Fort West Martello - ginger" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKex_9QlvGdw3Mrnoz3-s4B0jj6Rt0nsm2xfj3mPvmnY6O0iv5yTZqHmBA0R9XwROa97t-ql798uEzM83W7ZfRCPRxcGCH0PUBKykoMjR5XfUuhMlpcYCJQZg-qpyVH2SDqr6SF0JHxQ9/?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p>Apparently the garden club holds there meeting in these beautiful rooms.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b5G05bjylV4/WNKLaEriFgI/AAAAAAACKFQ/uq4-N67aci8/s1600-h/IMG_5725%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Inside rooms at Garden Club / Fort West Martello" style="display: inline" alt="Inside rooms at Garden Club / Fort West Martello" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mgP9aHdyxzI/WNKLd_2NvcI/AAAAAAACKFU/py1pO0lk62s/IMG_5725_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TWWFgWW62b4/WNKLhwobdKI/AAAAAAACKFY/o3u8SYQ6TM4/s1600-h/IMG_5723%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Inside rooms at Garden Club / Fort West Martello" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Inside rooms at Garden Club / Fort West Martello" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U9yWtdgUZtU/WNKLlgDM13I/AAAAAAACKFc/rBZKxzKg99M/IMG_5723_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dVkQ3OTdaMI/WNKLo8FMpZI/AAAAAAACKFg/VuLApYTRXJc/s1600-h/IMG_5727%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Inside rooms at Garden Club / Fort West Martello" style="display: inline" alt="Inside rooms at Garden Club / Fort West Martello" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vy6SN4hQIQ0/WNKLsoUG6TI/AAAAAAACKFk/zejMMbFwstc/IMG_5727_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3ACt2GoBkZ0/WNKLwNnLGGI/AAAAAAACKFo/6UaBRZ_pClk/s1600-h/IMG_5731%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Inside rooms at Garden Club / Fort West Martello" style="display: inline" alt="Inside rooms at Garden Club / Fort West Martello" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HWMhZa2NSEA/WNKLzuaUj4I/AAAAAAACKFs/TRs6xqxxu9M/IMG_5731_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iIS8X2a70_I/WNKL3idmVbI/AAAAAAACKFw/xBH775qh1vQ/s1600-h/IMG_5726%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Inside rooms at Garden Club / Fort West Martello" style="display: inline" alt="Inside rooms at Garden Club / Fort West Martello" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hAwnTa1Gkhc/WNKL7lyEUfI/AAAAAAACKF0/QBTvWn82jJo/IMG_5726_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Our next stop was to Higgs Beach and the White Street Pier. </p> <p>The pier is a good place to watch sunrise. It’s quite a popular place and you never know who or what you will see. Yesterday, the most interesting thing was a guy on a very speedy motorized skateboard. He had some great balance to stay on that thing as fast as it was going. The girl on the bike must have been with him.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B6_8xDPbtew/WNKMAuehW2I/AAAAAAACKF4/l-ofyqWGDB4/s1600-h/IMG_5791%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="White Street Pier Higgs Beach, Key West" style="display: inline" alt="White Street Pier Higgs Beach, Key West" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mMUdFc9mWoA/WNKME5DdmdI/AAAAAAACKF8/OgheIXCEmOs/IMG_5791_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This is the pier. To the right you can see part of the AIDS Memorial.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SUl5pC1GH2k/WNKMInHVR4I/AAAAAAACKGA/iDP4Z0Lh18c/s1600-h/IMG_5749%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="White Street Pier Higgs Beach, Key West" style="display: inline" alt="White Street Pier Higgs Beach, Key West" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vGdRY9ttSIs/WNKMLk-R6BI/AAAAAAACKGE/rI7vHjSFl9w/IMG_5749_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ULA4W9T3fxM/WNKMRHWu7VI/AAAAAAACKGI/1EGb13IO5pM/s1600-h/IMG_5783%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="White Street Pier Higgs Beach, Key West" style="display: inline" alt="White Street Pier Higgs Beach, Key West" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gZgNfMA-MTM/WNKMVLw-H8I/AAAAAAACKGM/ZPerhyLKiwA/IMG_5783_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2k0mTa0g2Fs/WNKMZJrL8GI/AAAAAAACKGQ/h0qCuBokDnw/s1600-h/IMG_5737%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="White Street Pier, Higgs Beach, Key West" style="display: inline" alt="White Street Pier, Higgs Beach, Key West" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--6V6Xs3LNxk/WNKMdRCm8YI/AAAAAAACKGU/0FGaqZOI-e4/IMG_5737_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>Higgs Beach is a lovely beach with a lot of hotels overlooking the Atlantic.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FJk7wbul3QQ/WNKMgtdoJ6I/AAAAAAACKGY/iq4V1yikph0/s1600-h/IMG_5758%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5758" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5758" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SrfUXR0LWTo/WNKMjbLjDbI/AAAAAAACKGc/OCeaPXWcMwI/IMG_5758_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GZ3cqY7AH28/WNKMm96KFhI/AAAAAAACKGg/Y30r7pA5mQw/s1600-h/IMG_5736%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Higgs Beach, Key West" style="display: inline" alt="Higgs Beach, Key West" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oDlqYDkl3FA/WNKMrZIjdQI/AAAAAAACKGk/ivFPBRMclss/IMG_5736_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fah5apGyWrg/WNKMu5OvZLI/AAAAAAACKGo/XH78HsNDc8k/s1600-h/IMG_5752%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5752" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5752" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8XQuTOMRr-k/WNKM0L7wp9I/AAAAAAACKGs/sQI6Hs-JdWY/IMG_5752_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CgPhd8QSUgI/WNKM35VxW9I/AAAAAAACKGw/ji-NfgN23hs/s1600-h/IMG_5753%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="White Street Pier Higgs Beach, Key West" style="display: inline" alt="White Street Pier Higgs Beach, Key West" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-200q_Bb1_TE/WNKM8pssGaI/AAAAAAACKG0/TDv-UN9MeWY/IMG_5753_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>People were enjoying water activities.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TrVirCaFHcI/WNKNAtlauHI/AAAAAAACKG4/cvfSq-LW-dY/s1600-h/IMG_5773%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="White Street Pier Higgs Beach, Key West" style="display: inline" alt="White Street Pier Higgs Beach, Key West" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XNeSsiv_56U/WNKNEaDcgtI/AAAAAAACKG8/blpK09dw878/IMG_5773_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>That water is too cold for me!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vuq8wibj5fU/WNKNHzSvSRI/AAAAAAACKHA/tOvj4_jet4U/s1600-h/IMG_5763%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="White Street Pier Higgs Beach, Key West" style="display: inline" alt="White Street Pier Higgs Beach, Key West" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZkAtstNebF4/WNKNL1rNVQI/AAAAAAACKHE/IXVq__4_KWQ/IMG_5763_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>AIDS hit Key West particularly hard and they did a nice job on the AIDS Memorial.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JF7_HFbWcpw/WNKNPI64yJI/AAAAAAACKHI/l6eMoLxmbIg/s1600-h/IMG_5745%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Key West Aids Memorial" style="display: inline" alt="Key West Aids Memorial" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r9W418u8QOE/WNKNSZi9xTI/AAAAAAACKHM/XCktxfvTNNE/IMG_5745_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>All the black granite blocks have names of AIDS victims on them.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mpOt8JHoIEQ/WNKNWfOeYgI/AAAAAAACKHQ/Xa0hvnvzZ78/s1600-h/IMG_5746%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Key West Aids Memorial" style="display: inline" alt="Key West Aids Memorial" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CRGcjLUjWCQ/WNKNZ4a4DqI/AAAAAAACKHU/VUkeHtgNzyE/IMG_5746_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>There were a LOT of names carved into the granite. There were a lot of men who died here during the AIDS epidemic. </p> <p><br><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-53POUT_A_Bw/WNMgZAsszAI/AAAAAAACKHo/wzk_mWl1v74/s1600-h/IMG_5748%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Key West Aids Memorial" style="display: inline" alt="Key West Aids Memorial" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZiuzJxfXEuU/WNMgc1TJBOI/AAAAAAACKHs/tZuyx_CB6cw/IMG_5748_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>On another part of the beach is the African Cemetery. It is another place that is very thought provoking and sad.</p> <p>There were 294 men, women and children who were rescued from slave ships bound for Cuba, but later died from illnesses from being held captive in deplorable conditions on slave ships. It was another nice, but very sad memorial.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FvlK9yZm2dg/WNMgv1H_enI/AAAAAAACKHw/bZ9_Pq_N904/s1600-h/IMG_5734%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="African American Cemetary at Higgs Beach, Key West" style="display: inline" alt="African American Cemetary at Higgs Beach, Key West" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tFMJqnG92fY/WNMgzCXwiuI/AAAAAAACKH0/6RX1SyE6orc/IMG_5734_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dOTmtyC9r8M/WNMg4LWEBgI/AAAAAAACKH4/qsLHYgr27j0/s1600-h/IMG_5735%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="African American Cemetary at Higgs Beach, Key West" style="display: inline" alt="African American Cemetary at Higgs Beach, Key West" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LORApTckr-w/WNMg8D_4jdI/AAAAAAACKH8/ta4ij7xCimY/IMG_5735_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>We didn’t make it to the newly completed Viet Nam Veteran Memorial, but will get back there another day.</p> <p>After finishing our errands and sightseeing, we headed home to put groceries away, then back to Key West for the nightly sunset Celebration at Mallory Square.</p> <p>Unfortunately, March and most of April if I remember correctly is spring break. That doesn’t mean there are thousands of drunk college kids (although they are here) there are just as many young families with children. It seems to be a popular time of year for Asians as well. The point it, Mallory Square was unusually crowded. We were unable to find a parking place in our favorite lot. We finally found another place to park, and walked down to Mallory Square which was back to back people who lined up by the pier for a view of the setting sun.</p> <p>This is all we got.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sN5bvxxPZ5k/WNMhAJmAc6I/AAAAAAACKIA/T-ANTJALVro/s1600-h/IMG_5803%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Key West Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square" style="display: inline" alt="Key West Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eeD8rFtwQEI/WNMhFjJIN3I/AAAAAAACKIE/TPwy2jKNEuw/IMG_5803_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G0fd_YA7yCE/WNMhJFUqUoI/AAAAAAACKII/kulmFnGmG-c/s1600-h/IMG_5806%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Key West Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square" style="display: inline" alt="Key West Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ms5qBlShUnU/WNMhLq2LUNI/AAAAAAACKIM/myhlsyZlFhY/IMG_5806_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The usual street performers were out. The sword swallower who we met on a bus one afternoon was performing. Unfortunately, the battery on my camera died. I took pictures on my cell phone, but for some reason I am no longer able to down load them into my laptop. I used to be able to, but for some reason, I can’t anymore. If anyone has any suggestions, I’m open to help.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AF5nS29XD2k/WNMhO5VyCXI/AAAAAAACKIQ/Uv7dXO9_fDs/s1600-h/IMG_5808%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Key West Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square" style="display: inline" alt="Key West Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QQH2yFBrZ9Y/WNMhRhZZQ3I/AAAAAAACKIU/C88--DYf2IA/IMG_5808_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pHhPlQgNh8U/WNMhUXK6KUI/AAAAAAACKIY/MNGTyevmJd8/s1600-h/IMG_5810%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Key West Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square" style="display: inline" alt="Key West Sunset Celebration on Mallory Square" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4rrm5mhb_0g/WNMhXGFGDhI/AAAAAAACKIc/GMdhNOk3g8A/IMG_5810_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We strolled along the pier and looked at some of the beautiful and interesting things the vendors were selling. There were some beautiful framed photos that would have looked nice on a few open walls in our new fifth wheel, but we’re over budget now. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-giMrEwrLMbM/WNMhaDxCUkI/AAAAAAACKIg/cA-zpqLIAPk/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p>As we walked back to our car, we got behind two young guys, either college or high school. It was hard to tell which was the drunker of the two and which was holding the other up. We found out a few minutes later when one was laying down on the ground passed out. We walked right on by. They’ll have to figure out how to handle the consequences of their own behavior themselves. I bet they had a big hangover this morning.</p> <p> </p> <p>I think today will be a stay home and work around the house day. Maybe another venture into Key West for sunset tonight…or maybe not. We’ll see how the day goes.</p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-72972345773517646062017-03-15T11:01:00.001-04:002017-03-15T11:01:23.143-04:00Back in the Keys and Some Big Changes<blockquote></blockquote> <p> </p> <p><em>Cudjoe Key, Florida (high 70, low 57)</em></p> <p> </p> <p>So much has been happening that I don’t know where to begin. Our plan for continuing to be full-time RV’ers has evolved over the past year and we just made another big change.</p> <p>Since we have RV lots in the north Georgia mountains, and one in the Keys, and spend a lot of time in each place, we decided to put a fifth wheel on each lot. Last summer we purchased a used fifth wheel for our Blairsville lot and recently we bought another fifth wheel for our Keys lot.</p> <p>Our plan is to eventually trade in our motorhome for a smaller Rv like a B+, that we will use for travel. That won’t happen while Mom is still alive, but it’s our plan for the future.</p> <p>We had been looking for months for the right RV and we finally found one that seemed to be in good shape and priced right. It’s not new, or pretty, but it fit on our small lot in the Keys. It passed the rain test last night, so that’s always a good thing! We had an extra air conditioner installed and bought a washer/dryer combo, so hopefully it will work out. We had it towed down here, since we don’t have anything that would have pulled it.</p> <p>We normally rent out our lot a few months in the winter to help with some of the annual expenses and we still may be able to do that. We could have it towed and stored at the place where we used to store our boat. We will play that by ear.</p> <p>One good thing is that there are a lot of pre owned RV’s in the Tampa area and it’s a buyers market. We knew that closer to the end of snowbird season, the prices would come down and they did. We got a good deal on our new to us Fifth Wheel. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k8xtk3zGrZc/WMlUKQmjm_I/AAAAAAACIzw/3rE2AQttTnU/s1600-h/IMG_5619%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5619" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5619" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GFU8xZG9T7Y/WMlUPDvhQzI/AAAAAAACIz0/dHMLAe7bvo0/IMG_5619_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We bought it from a lady who stored it inside this fabulous garage/barn. It was HUGE. The owner has a horse stable and a trucking business. The horse trailer next to our fifth wheel is a 53 foot (the size of a trailer semi’s pull). It is a horse trailer with RV quarters. You can see how huge the storage building was.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f6xthf-Jqf0/WMlUTyLqzYI/AAAAAAACIz4/QT0lgXLAJ8k/s1600-h/IMG_5614%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5614" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5614" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SVkB7Ho6QKg/WMlUZfHZg_I/AAAAAAACIz8/X9jLZk-YfuI/IMG_5614_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>The owner, Jeremiah agreed to tow it down for us and also keep it there until we were ready to move it. He allowed us to have a Rv tech come and add our bedroom AC unit. He gave us his gate code so that we could come and go from his beautiful property at will. He and his wife Jen were so nice and helpful.</p> <p>We will miss going out to the beautiful property and watching the horses jump. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hF8jAkVodHs/WMlUf87uCdI/AAAAAAACI0A/9AL74vZbgfg/s1600-h/IMG_5624%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5624" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5624" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pTlG18njNww/WMlUmS7nB9I/AAAAAAACI0E/wmBcLDf4PB0/IMG_5624_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>The tires on the trailer were dry rotted, so Jeremiah told us about a tire place nearby and he arranged for us to get a discount. He then had his workman Jared take the tires off the trailer. We got the new ones and Jared put the new ones back on the trailer for us. How nice was that? We also used Jared to help get the very heavy Splendide washer/dryer combo inside the fiver. Of course we gave him some money for his efforts.</p> <p>We were a little concerned the Fiver wouldn’t fit on our Rv lot and still leave us room to park our truck. We have to park up under the front a little, but Jeremiah managed to get it on our small Keys lot.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tk7yPds3IJ0/WMlUxaoA1uI/AAAAAAACI0I/SrW2FGKU6Dg/s1600-h/IMG_5629%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5629" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5629" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FmorGZFw_5Q/WMlU4POkUUI/AAAAAAACI0M/8-rW3TRRZrU/IMG_5629_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>You can see why I was a little worried. There was a patio and a power pedestal that needed to be avoided.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oFnJ6_gJt2k/WMlU_lEaZaI/AAAAAAACI0Q/Jl1bWix54Ew/s1600-h/IMG_5632%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5632" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5632" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AbFSUh15NKk/WMlVF2N4A-I/AAAAAAACI0U/rAozA76vXXM/IMG_5632_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>He slipped it right in there and maneuvered it so that it was straight and where it needed to be.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hEk1G6DcjAk/WMlVNj-6ZoI/AAAAAAACI0Y/zup5dFKV6rQ/s1600-h/IMG_5634%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5634" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5634" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O6toUDl5qdI/WMlVVLjHORI/AAAAAAACI0c/E9v3QJUgB7I/IMG_5634_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Here are a few pictures of the inside. It has a rv size King bed, which of course means it’s smaller than a regular king bed, but it’s much larger than we had before. The cats have plenty of room now too. I tossed this old comforter out, put a pretty blue and white one with a beachy theme. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xqwhG3FBSrI/WMlVa0CbVdI/AAAAAAACI0g/p4TboKjrSBI/s1600-h/IMG_5576%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5576" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5576" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tKathc2oDlo/WMlVfo1c4sI/AAAAAAACI0k/pLonZf4AW9w/IMG_5576_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1WWcTXJyyE8/WMlVluXb_SI/AAAAAAACI0o/6s1RVatp-Ec/s1600-h/IMG_5584%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5584" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5584" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i7igpvS9Fuc/WMlVr8QbK8I/AAAAAAACI0s/qpfakKc-k4g/IMG_5584_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_7-HPtBluek/WMlV1sXii4I/AAAAAAACI0w/FVVhVBfhPq0/s1600-h/IMG_5594%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5594" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="IMG_5594" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cMuY-X3yd2M/WMlV9RKMkhI/AAAAAAACI00/oYwTpnfyjdo/IMG_5594_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="240" height="320"></a></p> <p>The recliners travel sideways, but turn for use. Unfortunately, they seemed comfortable at first but we’ve changed our minds. The only good thing, is you don’t tend to want to sit in them too long and waste the day away on the internet. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZUw5YQETedc/WMlWFoSVsHI/AAAAAAACI04/Kd1FcSwqfAg/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FKzdCaWkIS0/WMlWxCmRTII/AAAAAAACI1A/xcxArx5O22c/s1600-h/IMG_5588%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5588" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5588" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dDeYM-GMuxg/WMlW0zJV3wI/AAAAAAACI1E/RHZ63zy8ox4/IMG_5588_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We’re settling in and trying to do a little decorating “Keys Style.” </p> <p>We’ve managed to eat at or favorite places and got our first hogfish sandwich of the season.</p> <p> </p> <p>We took a trip to Key West for sunrise one morning.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pcRl84fnpDw/WMlW4pgGjlI/AAAAAAACI1I/FpXfbPwZIJM/s1600-h/IMG_5652%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5652" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5652" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eIiVAtFLpOc/WMlW8Ec_RjI/AAAAAAACI1M/mNTyN-If73c/IMG_5652_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>We were lucky enough to watch a cruise ship come into port. It was interesting how they got the huge dock lines from way up high on the ship, down to the water below and tied off.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oVPWDLRlZDI/WMlW_LBeFLI/AAAAAAACI1Q/MESHum6FG0s/s1600-h/IMG_5658%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5658" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5658" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-169G78tu4jM/WMlXCD5QOgI/AAAAAAACI1U/0OnuDSpT8AU/IMG_5658_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rjlt_jxCex8/WMlXGT09iuI/AAAAAAACI1Y/FW060ivG1pE/s1600-h/IMG_5671%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5671" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5671" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x1AahsHkk9A/WMlXI28ZQJI/AAAAAAACI1c/RXj0qN22ojo/IMG_5671_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>The lines are dropped and a guy in a small boat takes them over to the dock where someone else is there to attach them.</p> <p>We didn’t wait around to watch the gangplank being lowered and the people disembarking.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tTb23eS0K0s/WMlXLYEoYOI/AAAAAAACI1g/GdtTNkDQqYs/s1600-h/IMG_5673%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5673" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5673" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qZFtOfwJ6e8/WMlXPfEXqOI/AAAAAAACI1k/miECcQ2E8Lk/IMG_5673_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Did anyone notice the predicted temperatures today for Key West? Yep…..there is a cold front. We nearly froze last night in Key West. My teeth actually chattered and I cannot remember the last time that happened. </p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-70600330073964171802017-02-02T08:07:00.001-05:002017-02-02T08:07:25.451-05:00We’re Still Alive<blockquote></blockquote> <p> </p> <p><em>Wesley Chapel, Florida (high 78, low 52)</em></p> <p><em></em> </p> <p>It’s been so long since I posted a blog, I had to go back and read up to see where I left off.</p> <p>We managed to be able to stay up in Georgia until the first week in December. We’ve never stayed there that late in the year, but the weather was unusually warm so we stayed until the cold weather pushed us out.</p> <p>As I mentioned in an earlier blog, we bought a Fifth Wheel that we are keeping on our lot. We thought it would be easier to come and go, but now I’m not so sure. We had to remove any products that would be damaged by the cold. No food products to attract mice or bugs, and we had to <strong>winterize! </strong> We need to work on our exit strategy the next time, because it was a lot of work. Hopefully with more practice, we’ll speed up the process.</p> <p> </p> <p>As I previously posted, I found a lady (Stacy) to live in the house with my Mom, and assist in her care in exchange for room and board. My brother also lives there, so it’s working out well, and we couldn’t be more pleased. It has taken a big load off Al and I.</p> <p>Mom has been having some major issues again. She gets these urinary tract infections which in elderly people can make them crazy. She hallucinates, is argumentative, mean, and extremely uncooperative. Getting her to eat and drink is next to impossible. She had been on antibiotics but nothing seemed to help and finally ended up back in the hospital after she got so bad that she kept telling everyone she was dead. </p> <p>She is resistant to antibiotics due to overuse most of her life, so finding an antibiotic that works is difficult. After many tests, was sent home with a diagnosis of another UTI and a prescription for <strong>five days</strong> of antibiotics for a total cost of<strong> $5000. </strong>Thank goodness her insurance paid for it. She improved some but we think the five days didn’t do the trick and we’re waiting the results of another urine culture. </p> <p>So, despite the fact that we have Stacy, my brother Steve and also home health care 7 hours a day, I don’t feel comfortable leaving town while she is like she is. Hopefully we can get her back on track soon. </p> <p>Our plan is to head down to the Keys on March first. Our Rv lot there has been rented since December and will be waiting for us when/if we are able to get there. Hopefully we’ll get things figured out with Mom and be able to get back to our happy place in the Keys.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FmfIfbUVeiY/WJMuj-2KkQI/AAAAAAACHr4/TMjjP2oGUJw/s1600-h/IMG_8855%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_8855" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_8855" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dp_fM757u_E/WJMumsjcWyI/AAAAAAACHr8/Pu6-_bXM9Z8/IMG_8855_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Our big excitement this winter was going to Lazy Days for tires and an oil change, and then 2 days in Ocala, at Rainbow Springs State Park and another 2 days at Silver Springs State Park.</p> <p>Since we got last minute reservations, the best we could get was two nights in a row, but it was nice to get away and it gave us a chance to run the motorhome, which had been sitting for over a year. </p> <p>We didn’t do any kayaking, but enjoyed a little time enjoying the beautiful Rainbow River.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--6SmPK5QS4c/WJMupTDNR9I/AAAAAAACHsA/K1nvBXATb5U/s1600-h/IMG_5501%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5501" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5501" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FIYiJCSYRVA/WJMusCGeQAI/AAAAAAACHsE/8vidDWJc4yk/IMG_5501_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jlN-bCBo7SQ/WJMuutZEt5I/AAAAAAACHsI/ZhPfozuxp2s/s1600-h/IMG_5492%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rainbow River" style="display: inline" alt="Rainbow River" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ww-o8tE6UhA/WJMuxitddlI/AAAAAAACHsM/wcT7ibehViU/IMG_5492_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p>We were shocked to see some construction of a natural gas pipeline near Rainbow Springs.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F6IBytpxMwU/WJMu0j5q8XI/AAAAAAACHsQ/52nZgaZ-RAk/s1600-h/IMG_5515%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="gas pipeline being built. Rainbow Springs SP" style="display: inline" alt="gas pipeline being built. Rainbow Springs SP" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JauAn7omOBA/WJMu3LSwWaI/AAAAAAACHsU/PfDf02bylJE/IMG_5515_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We do not intend to keep the motor home after Mom is no longer with us, but the tires were aged out and we didn’t feel like risking a blowout, so we bit the bullet and got new Toyo tires. We had done some research and decided we were comfortable with them and they were much cheaper than the Bridge Stone’s we previously had. The six tires cost $3000 out the door. Two days before our appointment to replace them, I put an ad on Craig’s List to sell the old ones. </p> <p>I had heard truckers buy used RV tires and we figured anything we could get would be better than nothing.</p> <p>I stipulated they would need to pick them up at Lazy Days on the day we replaced them. There was no way we could haul those big things home in our truck. I didn’t have much hope, but figured it was worth a try. Long story short, we sold them for $450! Sometimes things just work out! </p> <p>Before the tires, Al decided to replace all six batteries which were 6 years old. The motorhome had been sitting unused too long, and when we got back from Blairsville, the engine wouldn’t start. We pushed the battery boost button and immediately heard a loud boom. We hoped our cat Baxter knocked something over, but it turned out to be a battery that had blown up!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Sgz6LZRa_JM/WJMu55jC7KI/AAAAAAACHsY/pcx4TMOFQqw/s1600-h/IMG_5243%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Motorhome battery pictures" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Motorhome battery pictures" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-09MrQTwYdD4/WJMu8h-yZsI/AAAAAAACHsc/yuvfgvZ88b0/IMG_5243_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p>Al marked each end of the cable to the corresponding battery post and successfully got them all re-connected properly.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ygm335l5jmM/WJMu_qb1BlI/AAAAAAACHsg/U-QfaJz-gow/s1600-h/IMG_5260%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Motorhome battery pictures" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Motorhome battery pictures" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gvC9I7-3rv4/WJMvDG-Z7gI/AAAAAAACHsk/4NSo0ECFaHI/IMG_5260_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We did some other fun stuff in Blairsville before we left and I have some pictures. Maybe one day I’ll go back and post some of them. </p> <p>Wish us luck getting to the Keys.</p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-8733895037754903702016-11-03T09:23:00.000-04:002016-11-06T10:25:56.971-05:00Rv Issues, More Critters and Fall Foliage<blockquote></blockquote> <p> </p> <p><em>Blairsville, Ga (high 70, low 45)</em> </p> <p>We had a cold front a week or so ago which brought overnight temperatures down into the 30’s. Wouldn’t you know that would be the time our furnace decided to quit? We don’t have a heat pump on the Cameo, and have been very happy with the furnace which is much quieter than the one in the motorhome. We never use the furnace in the motorhome because it’s so noisy. We have been enjoying having a quiet furnace and not having to worry about the heat pump quitting when the temperature got below 40 degrees. </p> <p>The other morning when I turned on the furnace the fan started right up, but it never got warm. After a few minutes the fan kicked off. We re-started it 3 or 4 times with the same results. No heat. We did a little trouble shooting. It wasn’t an air pocket and we weren’t out of propane, so we called a new mobile rv service that we hadn’t used before. Integrity Rv service (for my records). The first thing he did was to turn on the furnace and wouldn’t you know it started right up and warmed up right away? We turned it off and on a few times and it always worked. He didn’t find anything he thought was wrong, so we paid for a $100 service call for nothing. Fortunately, it has been working just fine ever since. We’re having another cold front and so far so good. </p> <p> </p> <p>In a previous post I mentioned the mama cat and kittens that had been dumped here in the Rv park. Thankfully, we were able to find good homes for them all. The mother cat is in a shelter and has recently had another three kittens. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Sad smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K0vNyWaalqE/WB9LZU7gXTI/AAAAAAABOOs/fqc4tKoHwX8/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p>We had been hearing that there was another stray cat hanging around on the other side of the rv park. The people there had been feeding her all summer and were now worrying about her since everybody was preparing to leave for the winter. We hadn’t see her, and I figured all these “caring” people that were feeding her would take care of her. I was wrong! At that point we realized if we didn’t help this cat, she would be on her own all winter.</p> <p>We finally realized we needed to intervene or the cat would be on her own all winter. It turned out a local Veterinarian had lost her cat a few months ago in this area. Apparently it wasn’t the same cat, but she agreed to take this cat if we could catch it and bring it to her. We figured the cat was pretty wild and would be difficult to catch, but we were wrong. We quickly located her and in about two minutes she was in my lap, and shortly after that was in a cage on her way to the veterinarians office and her new home. </p> <p>That makes 7 cats and kittens that we got out of our RV park this fall. We got real lucky that we were able to find homes for all of them. I hate to think how many cats we would have had here next year after they had a few more litters of kittens. We feel good that we were able to make a big difference in the lives of these poor little kitties. I still miss the kittens two kittens we kept for so long, but I’m adjusting and they are happy in their new home.</p> <p>We still have Baxter but he loves his dad the best. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TSaBTCSSyMo/WBs59D8x1HI/AAAAAAABOC8/qU_BxxWeY1E/s1600-h/IMG_7143%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Baxter" style="display: inline" alt="Baxter" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0hwyQVlZixg/WBs592pv1HI/AAAAAAABODA/GGm_sEpyPbI/IMG_7143_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="293"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Mom has been doing ok back in Tampa. We have some new caregivers and our live-in Stacy has been working out real well. Knock on wood. We are in no hurry to go back to Tampa and are planning on staying here until the cold drives us away. The weather has been warmer than usual giving us days in the 70’s and nights in the 50’s. This is our idea of perfect weather. </p> <p>We’ve really enjoyed the fall foliage this year. We have been in a drought all summer so we didn’t know what to expect. It seemed the reds have been more vibrant than other years and the color has lasted for weeks now.</p> <p>Here are a few photos from our travels around town. Our Rv park is situated between several scenic and popular drives, so we don’t have to go far to find beautiful places.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-As0K94NMjMQ/WB9LaRXzYBI/AAAAAAABOOw/O0C3-80gg_U/s1600-h/IMG_4534%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4534" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_4534" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H9wVkpG5NvU/WB9LbuBIN1I/AAAAAAABOO0/Ft1c6o-5r48/IMG_4534_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="508" height="338"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X1-UYSvlsm8/WBs6ANBtQ8I/AAAAAAABODM/ajn08wdwY00/s1600-h/IMG_8167%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Brasstown Bald" style="display: inline" alt="Brasstown Bald" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ugq9onuqJNY/WBs6A4Jmk4I/AAAAAAABODQ/lZvlrqE3r30/IMG_8167_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="293"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ovDlt2dHW3o/WB9LchcXs2I/AAAAAAABOO4/6KcIE58YwKA/s1600-h/IMG_4540a%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img title="" style="display: inline" alt="" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vUf3elFnxoA/WB9Ld_RGdSI/AAAAAAABOO8/96T7Eth3Jow/IMG_4540a_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="463" height="265"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Y4vZ-R6KxE/WB9LemXPYbI/AAAAAAABOPA/CjU1lpnbFq4/s1600-h/IMG_8218%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Brasstown Bald" style="display: inline" alt="Brasstown Bald" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LdzQ2uwfL50/WB9LfZogFHI/AAAAAAABOPE/MN3b5R1c3cs/IMG_8218_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="482" height="325"></a></p> <p>Suzanne and Heidi who are our part time neighbors in Wesley Chapel and also have a lot here, came for 2 weeks with Heidi’s Mom Madge. Madge is 80 year old, but didn’t let her age stop her from a hike on the Appalachian trail!</p> <p>The next picture shows Madge, Suzanne, rescue dog Cindi And Al in the background. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MX_zVfCOQ3c/WBs6EgaeMPI/AAAAAAABODk/2qfKKZmDFy8/s1600-h/IMG_8205%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Brasstown Bald Heidi, Suzy, Madge, Cindi and Al" style="display: inline" alt="Brasstown Bald Heidi, Suzy, Madge, Cindi and Al" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8mM1oG-dyG0/WBs6FRiQh4I/AAAAAAABODo/P43Vp5MLFbw/IMG_8205_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="293"></a></p> <p>This next photo is Heidi and Cindi at the top of Brasstown Bald which is the highest mountain in Georgia. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RfBnT1EVkKc/WBs6GWH_JbI/AAAAAAABODs/GfQszeVzqsI/s1600-h/IMG_8223%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Heidi and Cindy" style="display: inline" alt="Heidi and Cindy" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qs6VZV_uspM/WBs6HMA53II/AAAAAAABODw/g3GtxXwLGNQ/IMG_8223_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="293"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lbmkKC_qKnQ/WB9LgB827CI/AAAAAAABOPI/C9tI6fk998g/s1600-h/IMG_4810a%25255B1%25255D%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img title="Brasstown Bald" style="display: inline" alt="Brasstown Bald" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U3_6NoK9oQY/WB9LhOGzINI/AAAAAAABOPM/GerCoyOgrfk/IMG_4810a%25255B1%25255D_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="478" height="274"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Since we are so close to Brasstown Bald, we go there often and on this particular day, it was clear enough that we could see the Atlanta skyline, some 85 miles away.</p> <p>Can you see it? The blue haze you see in these mountains is not smog, it is isoprene gas which is caused by decaying vegetation.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-atV-wvqOAMg/WBs6KHDXV-I/AAAAAAABOD8/H9qftJ8oW4g/s1600-h/IMG_4825%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Brasstown Bald - Atlanta" style="display: inline" alt="Brasstown Bald - Atlanta" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ng-EGQXGbmA/WBs6KqG_suI/AAAAAAABOEA/KBRiv9cXxqo/IMG_4825_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>On cold days, you have a better change of seeing the Atlanta skyline. Can you see it now after I zoomed in?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EO_zSRW6xoU/WBs6LcexFVI/AAAAAAABOEE/7zGR-jKqXkY/s1600-h/IMG_4821%25255B1%25255D%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Brasstown Bald - Atlanta" style="display: inline" alt="Brasstown Bald - Atlanta" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WQ-i4AP220M/WBs6MNGufkI/AAAAAAABOEI/vzwhXRbQ5fM/IMG_4821%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="528" height="353"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We sometimes get up early and drive up to watch the sun rise over the mountains.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1zuQlCMnSDQ/WByEz7rU3rI/AAAAAAABOEk/-BR4l995qY0/s1600-h/IMG_5034%25255B34%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_5034" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_5034" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qmqrJXle0ZQ/WByE0lF1qGI/AAAAAAABOEo/kSUKtUKQLTA/IMG_5034_thumb%25255B31%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="326"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We’ve been hiking, and were really enjoying it since it had gotten cooler. Unfortunately, Al hurt his knee the other day so our hiking has been curtailed for now. We’re hoping a few days of rest will help, but we’re already on day 3 or 4.</p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-85082707774209691642016-10-20T10:20:00.001-04:002016-10-20T10:20:03.564-04:00Blue Ridge Parkway<blockquote></blockquote> <p> </p> <p><em>Blairsville, Ga (high 85, low 52)</em></p> <p><em></em> </p> <p>Did you notice our predicted high temps today? Yep. 85 degrees. No fear, the high for tomorrow is supposed to be 60 degrees with a low of 38 for the next few nights. We’ve had perfect weather until the last few days when we had a bit of a heat wave.</p> <p>Our Tampa/Wesley Chapel friends arrived here about the time of the heat wave. Hummmmm?</p> <p>Fall in the north Georgia mountains is the best time to be here and we try to enjoy every day. Unfortunately, the fall foliage show only lasts a short time, so you have to catch it while you can and that means a lot of driving if you want to catch the best shows.</p> <p>Last week we took a very long drive up to Cades Cove in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I’m behind on my posting but will post some pictures later. </p> <p>Twice this week, we did a fall foliage tour nearby on Brasstown Bald Mountain, which is the highest peak in Georgia. It was gorgeous. More on that later.</p> <p>We got up and were on the road by 6:40 am yesterday morning. It was dark when we left and we normally try not to drive at dark. </p> <p>It’s about 80 miles from here to Cherokee, NC which is the beginning (for us) of the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s actually the end, I guess since it starts at mile marker 1 in Virginia, and ends at mile marker 469 in Cherokee. </p> <p>We took the scenic route from Hayesville, NC on Highway 64. Shortly after we left Hayesville, the colors started getting very pretty. As we approached Cherokee, the color was faded.</p> <p>It was pretty foggy as you can see.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-50cJJDcWxOQ/WAjRsjfEKMI/AAAAAAABNvw/7LGPI_xwwoM/s1600-h/IMG_4568%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dol4dAy5u3A/WAjRtq3gPuI/AAAAAAABNv0/CbZ0ib-E1A4/IMG_4568_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="269"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pTQWSqirDDw/WAjRuHO7PjI/AAAAAAABNv4/PSQTdeqzFsU/s1600-h/IMG_4565%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4565" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_4565" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HEvsj99Mjsk/WAjRuziTARI/AAAAAAABNv8/zPWzmXn5pu0/IMG_4565_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Of course, the Appalachian mountains, whether they be called the Blue Ridge, the Smoky, or the Appalachians, are noted for being “smoky.”</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PgWnaDd-Q44/WAjRvm4Q_0I/AAAAAAABNwA/i2QV0L77yFM/s1600-h/IMG_8266%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iNEwQS60HbM/WAjRwUeBpyI/AAAAAAABNwE/-MlNxnBgNt4/IMG_8266_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="293"></a></p> <p>It started off pretty chilly with temps in the 50’s, but by mid afternoon it was getting pretty warm.</p> <p>We make a quick stop at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee. There is a herd of elk that often hang out there. We were hoping to see the herd with the big bull Elk.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Iaa_Wj2H5lE/WAjRxEREUiI/AAAAAAABNwI/26TupwuZD28/s1600-h/IMG_4589%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Oconaluftee visitor Center" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Oconaluftee visitor Center" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OE24NyEMHMs/WAjRxlNssGI/AAAAAAABNwM/kON-_ZxUzN4/IMG_4589_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="251"></a></p> <p>We only saw a young bull that was not allowed to be around the herd. There is one bull elk in charge and he chases any other males away.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wWhp5De-HYg/WAjRyp3bs8I/AAAAAAABNwQ/Zd6cecY6cks/s1600-h/IMG_4584%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Oconaluftee visitor Center" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Oconaluftee visitor Center" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8lVV1Jkf7js/WAjRzVgQm-I/AAAAAAABNwU/bivkykZz23A/IMG_4584_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p>This is rutting season (mating) to you might be lucky and hear them bugle. Fighting is common among the males.</p> <p> </p> <p>The entrance to the Blue Ridge is a short drive away. Getting a picture of the entrance sign, is about as difficult as getting a picture of the Southernmost sign in Key West. </p> <p><img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EJbdrUoq5y4/WAjR0MQcIdI/AAAAAAABNwY/JSqqLY3TLPg/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4Ii6Co9lL2g/WAjR0_CJi0I/AAAAAAABNwc/UEV3qGoto7s/s1600-h/IMG_2930%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Southernmost point" style="display: inline" alt="Southernmost point" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ciYXn7GwLg/WAjR17ofqII/AAAAAAABNwg/E0Y7knHhfNg/IMG_2930_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-34tuqFvod8s/WAjR2n5eOPI/AAAAAAABNwk/_Ca1J20m5jQ/s1600-h/IMG_8281%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="entrance to Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="entrance to Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1sLPgCJItwo/WAjR3cKjL_I/AAAAAAABNwo/BSQ0kY9Vl34/IMG_8281_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="274"></a></p> <p>The fall color wasn’t great in Cherokee, but it started to change very quickly as soon as we got on the Parkway.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6rU8v935GbQ/WAjR4KyqMJI/AAAAAAABNws/HuB2CSjCWzE/s1600-h/IMG_4590%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FDicyo6Rrtg/WAjR449V3II/AAAAAAABNww/jzqgvS0-Sjs/IMG_4590_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z5YTjI0f_YY/WAjR5nXHROI/AAAAAAABNw0/B6KUgkqzCe0/s1600-h/IMG_4577%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S2u2e59Nbc4/WAjR6Sfp0cI/AAAAAAABNw4/EECv24aRMkI/IMG_4577_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="275"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g2QimPHSHXU/WAjR7ALk6QI/AAAAAAABNw8/hiF7OULN16M/s1600-h/IMG_4598%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_UWkuNtUgM0/WAjR70LT-9I/AAAAAAABNxA/SCMz5C1iGd4/IMG_4598_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="257"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zoLA1fcL4fo/WAjR8xGqJ7I/AAAAAAABNxE/RQmyPxiVkps/s1600-h/IMG_4604%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cj9XD_xO0_g/WAjR9U2fLFI/AAAAAAABNxI/7c9F2KgJ_lU/IMG_4604_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ie7EpYEYhLY/WAjR-Duk7UI/AAAAAAABNxM/lrCQqqqD10o/s1600-h/IMG_4608%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q6Sxbwtvvow/WAjR_FYZvLI/AAAAAAABNxQ/0BAlXP6-ZS0/IMG_4608_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ePRYF6LuBGw/WAjR_9SIITI/AAAAAAABNxU/ZUeeCp1PHQk/s1600-h/IMG_4621%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SyEPNtTWe9M/WAjSAqiUroI/AAAAAAABNxY/ObDO43WgRDU/IMG_4621_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fuo66YDo9vY/WAjSBi__x8I/AAAAAAABNxc/de-rhvJ-EQc/s1600-h/IMG_4619%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FoV_bVrj6bo/WAjSCfNHGrI/AAAAAAABNxg/sJMPrfiH_-g/IMG_4619_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zPzsAUHOX78/WAjSCwrXDkI/AAAAAAABNxk/7Klt-CTZ12w/s1600-h/IMG_4627%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XeiBx8OsVYw/WAjSD_VJPtI/AAAAAAABNxo/eML6rYV2WbY/IMG_4627_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qz-kAJJKIp8/WAjSE7vXkjI/AAAAAAABNxs/mv_3LGzgDkU/s1600-h/IMG_4638%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gaprzClzk3Q/WAjSF0Yv0xI/AAAAAAABNxw/WwFcpFUIado/IMG_4638_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9deFKGxLLgc/WAjSHF6N1eI/AAAAAAABNx0/oLM3qYoDRYo/s1600-h/IMG_4639%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FhoA0QKEG4c/WAjSIDu8HLI/AAAAAAABNx4/yJptDaOgVYA/IMG_4639_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Eg-TUbPkcbI/WAjSI8aazPI/AAAAAAABNx8/aoz3SxiTuYc/s1600-h/IMG_4659%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SsJFOuWRKNc/WAjSJrD1N0I/AAAAAAABNyA/OFOwZMnUtFU/IMG_4659_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xj1abhDX6-8/WAjSKH7bjHI/AAAAAAABNyE/MPpCZ_LyhUw/s1600-h/IMG_4640%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M21UH_OBcuM/WAjSLFH96LI/AAAAAAABNyI/jNDWnW_7-qs/IMG_4640_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ccI91S3gWpA/WAjSLjsEEnI/AAAAAAABNyM/8jjQ05VHAEE/s1600-h/IMG_4613%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WR7awObQ0ao/WAjSMbYP0II/AAAAAAABNyQ/unsJMZ-Z2MI/IMG_4613_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p>The nice thing about the Blue Ridge is that there are a LOT of scenic overlooks. Some have picnic tables and some have nearby hiking trails.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f_3EoIJ0fys/WAjSNNTU_7I/AAAAAAABNyU/0lzGpnoiHiA/s1600-h/IMG_8382%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--U8gQZJ0d8k/WAjSOLvdqcI/AAAAAAABNyY/o6wa4uu0-gk/IMG_8382_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="293"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ar9Kh08FO78/WAjSOyYuacI/AAAAAAABNyc/7eq5t4DYCdA/s1600-h/IMG_8377%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dNrOnIzbSJc/WAjSPrWfC1I/AAAAAAABNyg/K3Vd7XPx_OI/IMG_8377_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="293"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nxPm5i-JQ7g/WAjSQpx7KDI/AAAAAAABNyk/ZgGQaEuIGFE/s1600-h/IMG_8334%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TfeN_e2YUcg/WAjSRj8CPUI/AAAAAAABNyo/kzX8XpT7yaM/IMG_8334_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="293"></a></p> <p>There are many tunnels on the parkway. A lot of people take motorhomes and drive the Blue Ridge.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xGUyDQ5yTWA/WAjSSevK0jI/AAAAAAABNys/uJCUaOH1SgE/s1600-h/IMG_8297%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DD1snl3HxWg/WAjSTRALOII/AAAAAAABNyw/0dXTnpqzmaw/IMG_8297_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="293"></a></p> <p>I don’t think we’ll be taking our motorhome up there anytime soon. There are others not this tall.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-csZ6RpSwtMU/WAjSUHNWAwI/AAAAAAABNy0/KwuU8wxTxLs/s1600-h/IMG_4615%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway, Tunnel height" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway, Tunnel height" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yr4BNHLoGkU/WAjSVIVchcI/AAAAAAABNy4/NMQNloxC7rk/IMG_4615_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="320"></a></p> <p>This next overlook was was about as high as we got in elevation. The trees had really lost a lot of leaves and the color was fading. We didn’t go any further but it appeared the color was better at lower elevations.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HWxg6K7zXAI/WAjSVo-KncI/AAAAAAABNy8/vnKultN6zSc/s1600-h/IMG_4652%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qwu1B3_KWuI/WAjSWTvYHgI/AAAAAAABNzA/GdpYTuSs-ns/IMG_4652_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="251"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I loved all the Blue Spruce trees that were at this overlook. Sadly there were many dead ones due to some sort of blight.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QJiYk8S3ato/WAjSXJZtj-I/AAAAAAABNzE/29jkTXWWMKQ/s1600-h/IMG_4645%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AiMwrKufMdU/WAjSXwySSzI/AAAAAAABNzI/l-vRpC9AKJg/IMG_4645_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ESKlFcX5jHI/WAjSYq7FZMI/AAAAAAABNzM/ua9wVq2EolE/s1600-h/IMG_4649%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wc3bIop7Eos/WAjSZe7GrVI/AAAAAAABNzQ/2N2gRbZupwQ/IMG_4649_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8n8Jn1AhgZI/WAjSaVFsmaI/AAAAAAABNzU/3g61b7oSkKs/s1600-h/IMG_4671%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y2_mhVbklls/WAjSa2i8sEI/AAAAAAABNzY/9Fr513s6dh0/IMG_4671_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>You can see all the bare trees.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uxVSjwxAZx4/WAjSb4uOboI/AAAAAAABNzc/-qPOYMmddvA/s1600-h/IMG_4662%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RbPVL7xlbdE/WAjScmRLj4I/AAAAAAABNzg/QjBIqMyutzo/IMG_4662_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OQ0mb0rLoMc/WAjSd5uuUxI/AAAAAAABNzk/AKm4l3SICM8/s1600-h/IMG_4678%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cr6PH7ewdK8/WAjSei7abSI/AAAAAAABNzo/GGNIv8h2tlw/IMG_4678_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LTp8-5qiY0Y/WAjSfWISgDI/AAAAAAABNzs/a6eT5j-ATYo/s1600-h/IMG_4669%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DaPKjgwtT7A/WAjSgNTx14I/AAAAAAABNzw/Nk0rNou-pVU/IMG_4669_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p>We would have loved to have been able to keep on driving and heading further north, but unfortunately, we had to head back home.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pgj-wE9LvVA/WAjSgwgNTnI/AAAAAAABNz0/yKGdzGNUBgU/s1600-h/IMG_4690%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uhBCTqo6lmw/WAjShh7TLWI/AAAAAAABNz4/d6UPWUlFnTY/IMG_4690_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We left the parkway and took a side road back to Cherokee. It was Al’s choice. My vote was to stay on the parkway. He had to admit I was right and the parkway would have been the more scenic. He thought it was going to be a pretty mountain road but it turned out to be a busy road with tons of electric poles and wires and trashy homes and businesses. The expressway has no businesses and only occasionally can you see a home off in the distance up on a mountain.</p> <p>We ended up back at the visitor center in Cherokee, hoping to catch the elk herd. They are known to be there grazing in the field early morning and late afternoon. </p> <p>Everybody knows this and the cars were piling into the visitor center. It reminded me of going to a drive in theater years ago.</p> <p>We saw an elk cow at the edge of the field, and felt sure the rest would show up soon, but we were so tired by this time and we still had a two hour drive home, so we left before the herd came.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kkc9tAefuwc/WAjSiMG6ltI/AAAAAAABNz8/r2plCrukebw/s1600-h/IMG_4768%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4768" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_4768" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X93NGY6ZbHQ/WAjSjGW0K1I/AAAAAAABN0A/cBpw6LJ5r8w/IMG_4768_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-88nnGBZO-ws/WAjSj3ZdELI/AAAAAAABN0E/VBAcnGVNsGY/s1600-h/IMG_8424%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Blue Ridge Parkway" style="display: inline" alt="Blue Ridge Parkway" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NDKvZ_yaAcA/WAjSkowjg5I/AAAAAAABN0I/9PxhqZlTH50/IMG_8424_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="320"></a></p> <p>We had a lovely day and thoroughly enjoyed our drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. </p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-44697560676341434632016-10-15T09:48:00.001-04:002016-10-15T09:48:45.646-04:00Good, But Sad News<p> </p> <p><em>Blairsville, Ga, (high 74, low 55)</em></p> <p> </p> <p>We have been enjoying absolutely fabulous weather here in the north Georgia mountain. We’ve had to run the furnace at night and have gone from shorts and flip flops, to long pants, jackets and real shoes. We are so very happy to be away from the stifling Florida heat and humidity. I don’t understand why people who don’t have to, spend their summers in Florida. </p> <p>We are settling into our “new” Fifth Wheel and have worked hard to set up another household. It took <strong>many </strong>trips to Walmart, Home Depot and Amazon!</p> <p> </p> <p>In a previous post, I mentioned the homeless cats that were here at the RV park. If you’re interested, you can read about it <a href="http://florida-georgiacamping.blogspot.com/2016/09/setting-up-new-rv-gas-shortage-homeless.html">HERE</a></p> <p>We found a shelter that agreed to take the mama cat, but they couldn’t take her two babies.</p> <p>As it turned out, she was pregnant again (naturally) and has since had three more kittens.</p> <p>Here is a picture of their Mom with her new babies. I hope she and her babies find wonderful homes. Thank you Nancy at <a href="http://whollycats.org/adopt.html">Wholly Cats</a>. If I can personally vouch for this wonderful lady. If anyone feel charitable, she could always use donations. If you know anyone looking for a kitten, she would make arrangements to get on to you (provided you passed her very stringent test)</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8gybL5HtCkM/WAIzRQbGPVI/AAAAAAABNoo/bz79IF1iyAc/s1600-h/14463028_10207663628532962_4381678707404479868_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="14463028_10207663628532962_4381678707404479868_n" style="display: inline" alt="14463028_10207663628532962_4381678707404479868_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0dUHEaqn4tM/WAIzSnwgdaI/AAAAAAABNos/blqaMJkYAEo/14463028_10207663628532962_4381678707404479868_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>In the meantime, we kept the other two kittens and had them spayed and neutered. We worked on taming them and eventually moved them into our cabin, so they could be out of the cold and safe. They settled in and learned to use a kitty pan immediately. Cats are so easy! </p> <p>I put an add in Craig’s List and thankfully got a call from a lady wanting the long haired kitten. I was very particular who I gave them to, and most people would not have qualified. The one and only call I got turned out to be a wonderful lady who will give them an excellent forever home. I managed to talk her into taking them both!</p> <p>The problem was, that I had an appointment to have them neutered but it wasn’t until Oct 5th. Deb wanted to wait until after the surgery to take them. I reluctantly agreed but knew I was in danger of falling in love, and of course I did. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IwaFWcf57LM/WAIzTuvc7uI/AAAAAAABNow/-fdhcXczU-0/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"> </p> <p>How could you not love these adorable and sweet babies?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ipZ2rgwUpiI/WAIzVSpi_7I/AAAAAAABNo0/ujTcjy66O5o/s1600-h/IMG_4146%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4146" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_4146" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KElWHSdsEQY/WAIzWIF3zBI/AAAAAAABNo4/MwCKErIdlWI/IMG_4146_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b0Rxx7Eeuk0/WAIzWwpLTrI/AAAAAAABNo8/qQcp_M1Vu6g/s1600-h/IMG_4139%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4139" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_4139" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6WDV018LOLk/WAIzX8tBbeI/AAAAAAABNpA/kV9Fk1mUYwI/IMG_4139_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="251"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I was worried that she would change her mind, but in the end, it all worked out and Deb took the two babies. They will be inside only cats and will be well loved and cared for.</p> <p>Someone asked me in a comment on the previous post what I would do if I couldn’t find them a home. There was never any question, they would have come with us. There was no way we would have left them here to die. </p> <p>Of course, when we brought them to meet their new owner, I was <strong>extremely </strong>sad. There were tears shed (a <strong>lot</strong> of them). That was Tuesday and I’m adjusting but I still miss those guys like crazy. Deb is sending me pictures and updates. The kittens are doing fine and are adjusting to their new home. They have a big brother that they have yet to meet, but that is coming soon. </p> <p> </p> <p>We have been keeping busy here. There are a lot of fall festivals and things to do. The leaves are starting to change colors and we’re hoping for a good fall show. Since there has been a drought all summer, we’re not too optimistic.</p> <p>Here are some pictures from some of our activities.</p> <p>There is no shortage of places to hike, including the Appalachian Trail which is just 2-3 miles from here.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-At6DqqQADMs/WAIzYhf0-kI/AAAAAAABNpE/Ui_JUCz1ANo/s1600-h/IMG_4228%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Brasstown Bald Arkaquah Trail" style="display: inline" alt="Brasstown Bald Arkaquah Trail" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bmrm4zU4GEY/WAIzZi1R-PI/AAAAAAABNpI/Sc3RMe3UtiM/IMG_4228_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p>campsite along the Appalachian Trail</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WFZn0vaONG4/WAIzab1J2JI/AAAAAAABNpM/0OpvJ7VgsYU/s1600-h/IMG_4291%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Appalachian Trail" style="display: inline" alt="Appalachian Trail" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0MjYlX2aVXw/WAIzbMUTYcI/AAAAAAABNpQ/8wk3leE_aAQ/IMG_4291_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>We’re happy to see that it’s going to be a good year for acorns, so that we don’t see the squirrel carnage of a few years ago when they were crossing the roads frantically searching for very limited food.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BO3hBqJXZsU/WAIzcKQS2gI/AAAAAAABNpU/AbtG3hrrBJQ/s1600-h/IMG_4198%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="acorns at Bear Hair Gap trail" style="display: inline" alt="acorns at Bear Hair Gap trail" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mxs7UlekM-8/WAIzc96sdiI/AAAAAAABNpY/OeCAEbdprkw/IMG_4198_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>A trip up to Brasstown Bald (highest peak in Ga). It was a little chilly up there.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B3Tsm_wmNMk/WAIzd4_FJdI/AAAAAAABNpc/2vC6eynLUJY/s1600-h/IMG_4232%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Brasstown Bald view" style="display: inline" alt="Brasstown Bald view" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qWMmHN2XdYM/WAIzehDHvrI/AAAAAAABNpg/z1GUgSSsklk/IMG_4232_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f-9AgQD4ChU/WAIzfiNy9yI/AAAAAAABNpk/k8e2hzUhO0g/s1600-h/IMG_4230%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="temp on Sept 30th on top of Brasstown Bald" style="display: inline" alt="temp on Sept 30th on top of Brasstown Bald" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iFup6OcBJ2Q/WAIzgbDZfkI/AAAAAAABNpo/8yUnKX-zuc4/IMG_4230_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lb6eC05s3jc/WAIzhKoQt1I/AAAAAAABNps/XxrtsZfgZDw/s1600-h/IMG_4237%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Brasstown Bald view" style="display: inline" alt="Brasstown Bald view" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S1zz78UzX0A/WAIziJ8yRgI/AAAAAAABNpw/PeeZvd1LnNI/IMG_4237_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p>You can’t see too many waterfalls.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mNCwzIk72F8/WAIzjIG7MII/AAAAAAABNp0/RaJX3kTCJ-8/s1600-h/IMG_4266%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Mud Creek falls in sky valley" style="display: inline" alt="Mud Creek falls in sky valley" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vo2q740THp0/WAIzj-bsIoI/AAAAAAABNp4/O3Wyk5aI35s/IMG_4266_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p>Our birdfeeders have been busy. This was our first ever Rose Grosebeak. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6EU0nmcP0Fw/WAIzku_zBsI/AAAAAAABNp8/1R6g2N8bQl8/s1600-h/IMG_4301%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rose Grosebeak" style="display: inline" alt="Rose Grosebeak" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FdSXQTOkKk0/WAIzlkIUWqI/AAAAAAABNqA/GZy3eYoZlEk/IMG_4301_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p>Al put up a bluebird box behind the rv and we had a nest of them when we got here. They fledged shortly after we arrived. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o3Bu0bUA7yo/WAIzmbSa41I/AAAAAAABNqE/bg8iOG_csFo/s1600-h/IMG_4296%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rose Grosebeak" style="display: inline" alt="Rose Grosebeak" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2j0hQLOGh5I/WAIznG6AO7I/AAAAAAABNqI/VdIzIdGFB6c/IMG_4296_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The trees around the campground are changing colors.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FiES9nQwVTA/WAIznzT5RTI/AAAAAAABNqM/Lqxjr-p-5xs/s1600-h/14607951_10209055928188660_654757022_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rivers Edge fall foliage" style="display: inline" alt="Rivers Edge fall foliage" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ukf_oDkBegY/WAIzowBwWZI/AAAAAAABNqQ/PfnuyWErxtI/14607951_10209055928188660_654757022_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-567VIwTd02A/WAIzpsmA2bI/AAAAAAABNqU/cY_wa0Qwlag/s1600-h/14610834_10209055928268662_414031729_n%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rivers Edge fall foliage" style="float: none; margin-left: auto; display: block; margin-right: auto" alt="Rivers Edge fall foliage" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--jqXxN4VQwc/WAIzqUK3LeI/AAAAAAABNqY/QYJHOgECt9E/14610834_10209055928268662_414031729_n_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="180" height="320"></a></p> <p align="left">We took a drive out to Lake Chatuge Dam. All the lakes in this region are brought to you by the Tennessee Valley Authority and the water levels are controlled by a series of dams.</p> <p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9-Q-5i0UImo/WAIzrNdZAbI/AAAAAAABNqc/-82CTnjeo7A/s1600-h/IMG_4308%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Lake Chatuge Dam" style="display: inline" alt="Lake Chatuge Dam" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vATY9l839MY/WAIzr4VMnHI/AAAAAAABNqg/Echb-VQHkhg/IMG_4308_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p>I love mountain lakes.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9ACKHrX1oKw/WAIzskRircI/AAAAAAABNqk/UZ5eaLwLjao/s1600-h/IMG_4312%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Lake Chatuge Dam" style="display: inline" alt="Lake Chatuge Dam" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1UcNrYmzun8/WAIztgC5T3I/AAAAAAABNqo/_zccOm7UPJc/IMG_4312_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We are always amazed at the beauty in this area. We are thankful to be here and are hopeful we will be able to stay until at least the end of the month. Mom is doing ok for now. We’re keeping our fingers crossed. She has her good and bad days.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u_f2O6bKRZs/WAIzucB-T2I/AAAAAAABNqs/VUmaPRVCb-k/s1600-h/IMG_7921%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_7921" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_7921" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tP_x0sKx7yc/WAIzvM2T3zI/AAAAAAABNqw/GudEUf3xIgo/IMG_7921_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="293"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Stay tuned for some hermits, bear and dragons.</p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-84329433589744365172016-09-25T09:58:00.001-04:002016-09-25T09:58:50.138-04:00Elk in North Carolina, Sunflowers, Pumpkins and COLD Front<blockquote></blockquote> <p> </p> <p><em>Blairsville, Ga (high 86, low 62)</em></p> <p><em></em> </p> <p>It’s been a particularly warm summer this year and the north Georgia mountains are no exception. At least it’s not as miserable and sticky as it is in Florida. </p> <p>It looks like a cold front is coming this week with lows predicted to be in the upper 40’s. Burrr. I’m not looking forward to that. We don’t have a heat pump or dual pane windows on the Cameo like we do on the motorhome, so it will be harder to stay warm. The highs are predicted to be low 70’s, so we will enjoy that.</p> <p>We finally decided to take a couple trips and see some sights. What started out as a trip to get a 48v bulb for the golf cart tail light, ended up with us up in Cherokee, North Carolina at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center. It’s one of the four visitor centers in the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.</p> <p>We wanted to go see the herd of wild elk. Yes, there are elk in this area but it wasn’t always so.</p> <p><em>“ Elk once roamed the southern Appalachian mountains and elsewhere in the eastern United States. They were eliminated from the region by over-hunting and loss of habitat. The last elk in North Carolina was believed to have been killed in the late 1700s. In Tennessee, the last elk was killed in the mid-1800s. By 1900, the population of elk in North America dropped to the point that hunting groups and other conservation organizations became concerned the species was headed for extinction.</em></p> <p><em>Reintroduction of elk into Great Smoky Mountains National Park began in 2001 when 25 elk were brought from the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area along the Tennessee-Kentucky border. In 2002, the park imported another 27 animals.”</em></p> <p>We arrived there during the hot part of the day and not the best time to see them. When we drove up, there was a ranger vehicle parked along side of the road, with warning signs so we thought for sure the herd was in the field.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RDyWdiaPRDY/V-fXXizANSI/AAAAAAABNBQ/GYbR-oRuBDI/s1600-h/IMG_3940%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Elk" style="display: inline" alt="Elk" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yaIBl93h9JE/V-fXZKK2QsI/AAAAAAABNBU/Q8sFUHVvwUU/IMG_3940_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We were disappointed to find nothing but a few wood chucks.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tOefcmiU8E4/V-fXafldXGI/AAAAAAABNBY/3nsNalmZwCI/s1600-h/IMG_3949%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Woodchuck at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" style="display: inline" alt="Woodchuck at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-coDWIDqBl1U/V-fXaw6HoqI/AAAAAAABNBc/es6dsYIXDQs/IMG_3949_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>There is a trail and <a href="https://www.romanticasheville.com/oconaluftee.htm">Mountain Farm Museum</a> which winds around the field where the elk graze. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4CHl6qJhMto/V-fXbtr8MmI/AAAAAAABNBg/MUnAQiV6BGE/s1600-h/IMG_3948%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" style="display: inline" alt="Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e-CbA_dEVTM/V-fXcXyBaSI/AAAAAAABNBk/J-Svxl_dA3s/IMG_3948_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1kF_3iUBU0k/V-fXdFynjEI/AAAAAAABNBo/WnJG8jvuwyQ/s1600-h/IMG_3997%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" style="display: inline" alt="Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8AewTr4D78g/V-fXd2i00FI/AAAAAAABNBs/gIet1wVjZjk/IMG_3997_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0H_DflE88Lo/V-fXekpkPOI/AAAAAAABNBw/NPyrVJvItyU/s1600-h/IMG_3998%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" style="display: inline" alt="Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-alHX8En4tOs/V-fXfiSvU5I/AAAAAAABNB0/e6Zw6wsC5NU/IMG_3998_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QGzHUkiiTSw/V-fXgQjKukI/AAAAAAABNB4/JYPfAAK1K20/s1600-h/IMG_4001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" style="display: inline" alt="Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B6RQOKtmW64/V-fXg0KYJLI/AAAAAAABNB8/j_9ueKs_C-o/IMG_4001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>The river winds alongside the village.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aia6ZwQSH0E/V-fXhz5FqAI/AAAAAAABNCA/IyNQdFv_EUs/s1600-h/IMG_3951%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" style="display: inline" alt="Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-778OZcwZKn8/V-fXiSqBbKI/AAAAAAABNCE/852vVAArDcs/IMG_3951_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We took a walk in the shade along the river and came across a young bull elk on the other side of the river.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Q1CLAmtEG4/V-fXjUcblmI/AAAAAAABNCI/nVav0uZiwPw/s1600-h/IMG_3954%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Young bull elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" style="display: inline" alt="Young bull elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ARSSZDmumLc/V-fXkMGv6zI/AAAAAAABNCM/R6mVO-yUdxU/IMG_3954_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Apparently, he wanted to cross the river and come over to where we were standing. We backed up to allow him to cross and soon we saw another young elk.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UzM5hoOSlXs/V-fXk2ACxfI/AAAAAAABNCQ/CZTb6oQxHDc/s1600-h/IMG_3964%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Young bull elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" style="display: inline" alt="Young bull elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ai7UkyhhvAc/V-fXlj7ToaI/AAAAAAABNCU/JhXKvQU9GmY/IMG_3964_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p>He wasn’t the most handsome fellow, was he?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RcDFGUElLIQ/V-fXmQd0mwI/AAAAAAABNCY/-6-3gGTqubM/s1600-h/IMG_3976%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Young bull elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" style="display: inline" alt="Young bull elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mUiuMFIFVt4/V-fXm1QSnZI/AAAAAAABNCc/5sOyVwYHYV0/IMG_3976_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I don’t know if he lost his antlers in a fight, or if he is starting to shed them. They shed their antlers every winter, so maybe that was it.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6P8hN5P9q1s/V-fXnvWvdFI/AAAAAAABNCg/4izA3h9CHiU/s1600-h/IMG_3975%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Young bull elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" style="display: inline" alt="Young bull elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V42gneZ1Igs/V-fXoUvQ0oI/AAAAAAABNCk/0g17L1sQFmI/IMG_3975_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>I liked this next picture that the reflection on the water showed his face better than the actual photo of his face.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lTZ1xJ_R4u4/V-fXpBuUEwI/AAAAAAABNCo/sSnXwEWOn8s/s1600-h/IMG_3978%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Young bull elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" style="display: inline" alt="Young bull elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mg6asDsASSI/V-fXp8QqW_I/AAAAAAABNCs/3ZA9WVbLJAE/IMG_3978_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="315"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We stayed around awhile until it became apparent we were keeping them from going where they wanted to go. We were a little hesitant to go back down the trail because we didn’t want them following behind us with those big pointy antlers. They didn’t.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e0pgm4ZxfdA/V-fXqjWBsGI/AAAAAAABNCw/Te-4D9qPez4/s1600-h/IMG_3991%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Young bull elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" style="display: inline" alt="Young bull elk at Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MUomsSCZv80/V-fXrXqWnbI/AAAAAAABNC0/fTZOeBZcciA/IMG_3991_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p>We never saw the main herd. The head guy in charge has a much larger rack and he seems to keep the other males away from his herd. When we were there last year, we saw him chasing the young male back into the woods. I’m assuming nothing has changed there.</p> <p>We took a drive around the area looking for the big turkey. Baxter loves turkey feathers and he is in need of a replacement. Other feathers just don’t do the job like a big tail feather from a turkey. We found turkey, but no feathers. I think I’m going to have to go on Amazon in search of a turkey feather. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4hbKt1lbqtw/V-fXrx06QcI/AAAAAAABNC4/0WpmLafbuSQ/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NOMcYdpzUgM/V-fXsmKt8II/AAAAAAABNC8/MeVtPtyoMW0/s1600-h/IMG_4004%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" style="display: inline" alt="Oconaluftee Visitor Center, Cherokee, NC" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yqIVW_jLXuI/V-fXtYh2bqI/AAAAAAABNDA/9zVZb2BQIcg/IMG_4004_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Yesterday, we took a drive over to Dawsonville, GA for the opening of the sunflower fields and the Pumpkin patch.</p> <p> </p> <p>First stop was <a href="http://www.fausettfarmshorsetrails.com/home.html">Fausett Farms and Horse Trails</a>. They have 13+ acres of sunflowers planted and it’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon. We should have waited until later in the week when the cold front came because it was HOT there yesterday.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r6ynaZ8SUJs/V-fXuEuHCOI/AAAAAAABNDE/upuQInmY-Go/s1600-h/IMG_4061%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4061" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_4061" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V3fcgH7OTeU/V-fXu8jjagI/AAAAAAABNDI/3m9BR7teA9U/IMG_4061_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aLY7ttXVAjQ/V-fXvqvm-wI/AAAAAAABNDM/MNWyeR-PZh4/s1600-h/IMG_4029%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4029" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_4029" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mxd7oB859Vc/V-fXwcqMiaI/AAAAAAABNDQ/2bA23-vLAtI/IMG_4029_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>There were sunflowers everywhere.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2ifPygqlnpI/V-fXxOIO-WI/AAAAAAABNDU/iE1MR0neo7s/s1600-h/IMG_4038%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Sunflowers at Faucettes" style="display: inline" alt="Sunflowers at Faucettes" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wpvUyUm7r0Y/V-fXyBMEEdI/AAAAAAABNDY/GcF-OPEHtVY/IMG_4038_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="273"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Rows and rows of sunflowers.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G5hN65NbLsM/V-fXyyXibPI/AAAAAAABNDc/JPHSX24kk_U/s1600-h/IMG_4081%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4081" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_4081" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yoN_7Ek0GzM/V-fXzil2-tI/AAAAAAABNDg/__-PmSpBMKM/IMG_4081_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RYoJ9TslXKM/V-fX0VFQlPI/AAAAAAABNDk/9KrzLlcmyA8/s1600-h/IMG_4041%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4041" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_4041" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E9e1IVqbU8U/V-fX1N-7ZtI/AAAAAAABNDo/eog9OMaYkH8/IMG_4041_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HJchzD5O4ZU/V-fX101pJfI/AAAAAAABNDs/LVzPEUJlwdU/s1600-h/IMG_4082%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4082" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_4082" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ncPCXYnx7uE/V-fX2nZjxlI/AAAAAAABNDw/JLoQPQSGeC4/IMG_4082_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>For $5 a person you could take what turned out to be a very short mule train ride. I’m glad we passed on that since it didn’t take you anywhere you couldn’t easily have walked on your own.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m65QNpDX9l4/V-fX3UQtH8I/AAAAAAABND0/WaYGHSxkgDg/s1600-h/IMG_4096%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4096" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_4096" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3VT4ZUQkdow/V-fX3yCPsUI/AAAAAAABND4/Ux5kfXXwJXI/IMG_4096_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YCi150ShN8Q/V-fX4sfX7II/AAAAAAABND8/cmuZotBCDkI/s1600-h/IMG_4091%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4091" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_4091" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fFJzmHuQ2_g/V-fX5WTaS7I/AAAAAAABNEA/r4tZhlaG5u8/IMG_4091_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Al was hiding in the sunflowers.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ev8LnQEPm0o/V-fX6I9zSSI/AAAAAAABNEE/5OAWH-Fes8w/s1600-h/IMG_4053%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4053" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_4053" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z3mBVfXw_RE/V-fX7ABNrXI/AAAAAAABNEI/XPh5XO7NJ-c/IMG_4053_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This sunflower field is near <a href="http://Amicalola Falls State Park">Amicalola Falls State Park</a>, which is where the southern portion of the Appalachian Trail starts. There are some lovely waterfalls there with some great hikes (one all the way to Maine) but it was too hot so we didn’t stop.</p> <p><br>Instead, we went to <a href="http://www.burtsfarm.com/">Burts Pumpkin Farm</a>. It’s always kind of fun to see all the pumpkins and gourds. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U0XsBwWxAFg/V-fX7lKCUwI/AAAAAAABNEM/20xJKRIUL2I/s1600-h/IMG_4121%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_4121" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_4121" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lSElFKq2ozU/V-fX8n-G4WI/AAAAAAABNEQ/fCaDu7ui8ZY/IMG_4121_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uMIbHbSpL50/V-fX9fM9flI/AAAAAAABNEU/2ag-bbmM14I/s1600-h/IMG_4113%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Burts Pumpkin Farm" style="display: inline" alt="Burts Pumpkin Farm" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aT6j2CdsXxQ/V-fX-OQkZ8I/AAAAAAABNEY/nhodjhR9EhE/IMG_4113_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eH_i7UlQ0zw/V-fX-vXg5gI/AAAAAAABNEc/RUcX-VIFzEg/s1600-h/IMG_4123%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Burts Pumpkin Farm" style="display: inline" alt="Burts Pumpkin Farm" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ljLCo6hJVg4/V-fX_W3XgqI/AAAAAAABNEg/YBjmfVZ8sl8/IMG_4123_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>There are some big pumpkins there. I saw one with an $84 price tag. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eZPmcduMD0U/V-fYALsRApI/AAAAAAABNEk/_IQnd2n7Dm0/s1600-h/IMG_4132%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Burts Pumpkin Farm" style="display: inline" alt="Burts Pumpkin Farm" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-krtEyj1txgA/V-fYAy1QcnI/AAAAAAABNEo/mayF-19IGSA/IMG_4132_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>They have a gift shop and sell home made goodies, mostly of the pumpkin variety. It sure smelled good walking around the grounds.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C2QTwlPJbc0/V-fYBpQUEhI/AAAAAAABNEs/on01x6Nc5OM/s1600-h/IMG_4129%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Burts Pumpkin Farm" style="display: inline" alt="Burts Pumpkin Farm" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Bn51Oea11uQ/V-fYCJI_yII/AAAAAAABNEw/AmzKgdHLla8/IMG_4129_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We love this area because everywhere we go anywhere, there is beautiful scenery. The drive home was no exception. I rarely leave my camera at home.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-um_oXAPBCX8/V-fYC0LMhPI/AAAAAAABNE0/fLja3ZEQFDc/s1600-h/IMG_3923%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3923" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3923" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0sddRARCNP0/V-fYDtlla4I/AAAAAAABNE4/-dOHRlyCZu0/IMG_3923_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="263"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PGKBkBZqmco/V-fYEZ4QbYI/AAAAAAABNE8/0GpxlGisngc/s1600-h/IMG_3926%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3926" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3926" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vcJ_esRXp5E/V-fYFCaNxCI/AAAAAAABNFA/rF93On1qUWo/IMG_3926_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="223"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We had a friend waiting for us when we got home. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EPdMlD0kSho/V-fYFoLKrMI/AAAAAAABNFE/UgngtljtRK8/s1600-h/IMG_4016%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="kitten" style="display: inline" alt="kitten" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WWoyepEdMCA/V-fYGf6IDbI/AAAAAAABNFI/TPcNN1F6IwA/IMG_4016_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Sure wish I could find these kittens a home.</p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-72351336860227405242016-09-23T08:33:00.001-04:002016-09-23T08:33:06.216-04:00Setting Up New RV, Gas Shortage, Homeless Kittens, & Chicken Poop<p> </p> <p><em>Blairsville, GA (high 82, low 60)</em></p> <p><em></em> </p> <p>We’ve been so busy setting up the new to us fifth wheel, that we haven’t had much time for fun. The Cameo we bought was used, so it needs a lot of routine maintenance. Al has been trying to inspect and re-caulk all the seams and openings around the windows, doors and such. It’s not made like the motorhome and seems to need a lot more upkeep.</p> <p>We always seal the roof openings with Eternabond tape instead of Dicor caulk. That way you do it once and don't’ have to worry about it again. Al is working on that between other projects. </p> <p>We’re working on making the Cameo feel like home and there seems to be an endless list of things we need to purchase. Little things like kitchen items, storage shelves and bins, hooks and all those types of things you find helpful. We seem to find the need to run to Walmart or Home Depot about every day for one thing or another and Amazon has been our friend.</p> <p>We have an RV gas oven for the first time in years and we LOVE it. My convection on the motorhome just didn’t work well for home made pizza and we’ve missed having it. The gas oven in the Cameo works great….once you get the darn thing to light. My first pizza attempt was a failure. It turns out I killed the yeast when the water I added was too hot. I was always envious of the wonderful pizzas David and Sherry made and now we can have them too! <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jErG6POZrFY/V-UgqO64viI/AAAAAAABM7o/_3uIqFqv0uQ/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p>You may have heard about the gas pipeline in Alabama that broke causing a fuel spill and subsequent shortage to 5 south eastern states….Georgia included. It’s been going on about a week now. We’ve had to watch our fuel usage lately. The gas stations in town have been mostly out of gas and there have been long lines and very little gas available. It seems to be getting better finally. </p> <p>In the meantime, we discovered some homeless kittens and a mama cat across the street. It seems some <strong>dumbass</strong> had mice and figured an unspayed female cat was the answer. Of course she had kittens and as it turned out she is pregnant again. </p> <p>We tried to ignore the situation because we really don’t need any more cats. The problem with ignoring it (which is what everybody else did) is that in a year we could have a hundred feral cats around the RV park. We camped at a state park in Georgia many years ago and there were <strong>hundreds</strong> of feral cats and kittens. Mostly kittens. All the suffering was heartbreaking.</p> <p>So…… I got online and located a local lady who found homes for kittens. She agreed to take the mama cat provided we took her to the vet to check out and confirm she was healthy and pregnant. She was both. Nancy took her and will find a home for her and her kittens when she has them.</p> <p>The other two kittens she had were older and Nancy didn’t want to take them. I couldn’t blame here because she had a LOT of kittens. </p> <p>We found a place in nearby Murphy, NC that would neuter them and give them a rabies shot for $30 each, so we have an appointment for the on October 5th.</p> <p>In the meantime, of course we had to start feeding them and now they don’t leave our site unless the neighbor dog chases them up a tree.</p> <p>I’m trying to find them homes, but without much success. In the meantime, we’re enjoying watching them play. I know, I know…..that’s not a good sign.</p> <p>This is a male. He’s the friendliest of the two. He met Baxter thru the screen door this morning and they got along surprisingly. No hissing or spitting, which was a shock.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-senCqA-A6EI/V-Ugq3Y6OoI/AAAAAAABM7s/PcqB3KrfE6M/s1600-h/IMG_38583.jpg"><img title="IMG_3858" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3858" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kNd9CjiG4ZU/V-Ugr6s6mVI/AAAAAAABM7w/rUKcAijDWCI/IMG_3858_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This is the female. When she met Baxter thru the screen door she hissed and spit….much more typical behavior when cats first meet. Isn’t she pretty?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TNjD3a7YVik/V-UgsbA5LzI/AAAAAAABM70/4UnQAUy0eTE/s1600-h/IMG_38693.jpg"><img title="IMG_3869" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3869" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Orf9hOtN5Ak/V-UgtPXfxoI/AAAAAAABM74/PnoHb3AtuwQ/IMG_3869_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p>When it rained the other day, we closed up the golf cart and made them a bed on the seat. They are pretty smart and got right in the cart. Our cats wouldn’t have the sense to get out of the rain. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jErG6POZrFY/V-UgqO64viI/AAAAAAABM7o/_3uIqFqv0uQ/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800"> They have never been rained on.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IW5NJjMX9HY/V-Ugt4PsPwI/AAAAAAABM78/5npGjoX1qMs/s1600-h/IMG_38703.jpg"><img title="IMG_3870" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3870" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T2m_ov33KII/V-UgunstqaI/AAAAAAABM8A/c47d1BqiZcs/IMG_3870_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p>They decided to use my planter to do their business, so I put out a kitty pan for them and darned if one of them didn’t use it overnight. Cats are so smart about using a kitty pan. I’d rather scoop the pan than have cat poop in my plants!</p> <p>So, between worrying about Mom, and getting a new household set up, we have kittens to deal with. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Sad smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VLS2MLka3Yk/V-Ugve3cmxI/AAAAAAABM8E/mrcLuRajiW4/wlEmoticon-sadsmile2.png?imgmax=800"> If anybody knows someone who might want a kitten, we will deliver. Seriously…..we will deliver to a reasonably close area within a days drive. </p> <p> </p> <p>Since the Fifth Wheel will be permanent here, we had steps built. One thing I always hated about Fifth Wheels was their flimsy steps. Problem solved. I <strong>love these steps. </strong> We have to wait for the wood to dry before we can stain them. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2AC_3lV_94w/V-UgwNR4WTI/AAAAAAABM8I/2tV8DgbkeEY/s1600-h/IMG_3911%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Cameo steps and kittens" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Cameo steps and kittens" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gLvukLiktdY/V-UgxZi25PI/AAAAAAABM8M/WV76bUb9oFM/IMG_3911_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="387" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We did manage to sneak in one short hike the other day at nearby Vogel State Park. I think it might be the oldest state park in Georgie. It’s lovely.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tw1LKtCiczU/V-Ugx-XNV_I/AAAAAAABM8Q/H-9spOWawb8/s1600-h/IMG_3899%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3899" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3899" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pyUklXkZ9dA/V-Ugy6L4EKI/AAAAAAABM8U/Y2i1awfMwJ0/IMG_3899_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p>The dogwoods are starting to change color.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QyuWV9z_TYM/V-Ugzf09mBI/AAAAAAABM8Y/MnfERoDi450/s1600-h/IMG_3902%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3902" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3902" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kp4vI2yPd-4/V-Ug0Qn0iGI/AAAAAAABM8c/PDcX2R7lUhM/IMG_3902_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We’ve had a drought all summer so the waterfall wasn’t as nice as usual.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-chF5EbI1iiI/V-Ug1BtxJMI/AAAAAAABM8g/XN-3OZVPOQE/s1600-h/IMG_3894%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3894" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3894" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Psiq6PJxqHQ/V-Ug19vORzI/AAAAAAABM8k/tf-91a49K6o/IMG_3894_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We’ve taken golf cart rides every night. We haven’t seen any bears yet, but we keep looking.</p> <p>Hawk</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m3y_W1IloYg/V-Ug2pOoksI/AAAAAAABM8o/W7zodmLxbSA/s1600-h/IMG_3876%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="hawk" style="display: inline" alt="hawk" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DsEtfCLQnlk/V-Ug3S6EoaI/AAAAAAABM8s/OU8n9Y91IDM/IMG_3876_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>turkey</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9O5HWEda8UE/V-Ug4PTOVRI/AAAAAAABM8w/ffFZ46F4zu8/s1600-h/IMG_3796%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Golf cart rides around Rivers Edge turkey" style="display: inline" alt="Golf cart rides around Rivers Edge turkey" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dW3LW-ErykI/V-Ug445pe-I/AAAAAAABM80/j5XZziV2aeM/IMG_3796_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HHDxIvOUkX8/V-Ug5l3feZI/AAAAAAABM84/45O0YegQrQE/s1600-h/IMG_3801%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Golf cart rides around Rivers Edge" style="display: inline" alt="Golf cart rides around Rivers Edge" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d5qwXRKRA88/V-Ug6cZ8eAI/AAAAAAABM88/8L3ESbRNnnA/IMG_3801_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5wUYYOy1uv8/V-Ug7Z3TDdI/AAAAAAABM9A/1iyIdVgmK3Y/s1600-h/IMG_3812%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3812" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3812" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-moGBufdX5Rc/V-Ug7y_2kFI/AAAAAAABM9E/OizXC8iOJEI/IMG_3812_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mj8vgiUtp4Y/V-Ug8sbaQNI/AAAAAAABM9I/oNQPjhaUfRY/s1600-h/IMG_3837%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Deer and fawn on golf cart ride rivers edge" style="display: inline" alt="Deer and fawn on golf cart ride rivers edge" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jLfypIzyo9E/V-Ug9m0dQ5I/AAAAAAABM9M/dhFtkQqYdZ4/IMG_3837_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-druwRvH0_so/V-Ug-INHjXI/AAAAAAABM9Q/krFRwS7jnPU/s1600-h/IMG_3849%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3849" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3849" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_l-hjz0mFJk/V-Ug-zldC1I/AAAAAAABM9U/iqrBVKtOpKc/IMG_3849_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>And last, but not least. Chicken poop. See the truck in the field on the right side of the picture? That is a truck spreading chicken poop in the field. Apparently it makes great fertilizer. The smell is terrible! Its been cool at night and we like to keep the windows open, but depending on which way the wind is blowing, it can get a little stinky. We’re anxious for some rain! <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jErG6POZrFY/V-UgqO64viI/AAAAAAABM7o/_3uIqFqv0uQ/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800"><br></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oK0xlNPC2S4/V-Ug_sQ-7ZI/AAAAAAABM9Y/GvI35O_Thko/s1600-h/IMG_3910%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3910" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3910" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5cHSXDCFaAo/V-UhAePqMEI/AAAAAAABM9c/1fy3hAm6W7g/IMG_3910_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-33969007941591409762016-09-05T09:52:00.000-04:002016-09-05T09:53:51.901-04:00Settling in and Making Changes<p> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Verdana"><em>Blairsville, GA (high 82, low 60)</em></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">We have been pretty busy moving into our new “home” and trying to organize. We brought a lot of stuff with us from Tampa that will be permanent in the Cameo, like extra dishes, towels, blankets, sheets, etc. We want to be able to come up here at a moments notice and have pretty much everything we need. It was a good chance to clean out some of the excess stuff we kept in the motorhome and didn’t really need.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">A few months ago I ordered a set of the Magma Nesting cookware. It’s very nice cookware but since I haven’t been cooking much in Tampa, I decided I would bring it and leave it in Georgia.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JiKzdTkwBQQ/V814J2dteQI/AAAAAAABMok/cr6a4vA8hTs/s1600-h/Magma%252520Compact%252520Nestable%25252010%252520Piece%252520Induction%252520Cookware%252520for%252520Boat%252520RV%252520Camping%252520%252520%252520eBay%25255B7%25255D.png"><img title="Magma Compact Nestable 10 Piece Induction Cookware for Boat RV Camping eBay" style="display: inline" alt="Magma Compact Nestable 10 Piece Induction Cookware for Boat RV Camping eBay" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VRXTogsnNtI/V814Ld-ELpI/AAAAAAABMoo/OBLB60Qmt4E/Magma%252520Compact%252520Nestable%25252010%252520Piece%252520Induction%252520Cookware%252520for%252520Boat%252520RV%252520Camping%252520%252520%252520eBay_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="318" height="320"></a></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"> We got here and I started unpacking and darned it I didn’t forget them! So, I have my Instant Pot power pressure cooker, one small fry pan, two cast iron pizza pans and <strong>nothing else </strong>to use for cooking.<strong> </strong> I can’t even boil water to make hummingbird food. I hate like hell to have to go out and buy other pans just for a few weeks of use, but I can’t even make a pot of soup. I’m hoping to find a garage sale and pick up a bargain or two.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">One project we started on yesterday was to cover the rear windows. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">In the Cameo, there are windows along the whole back of the trailer. They let in a lot of sun and the day/night shades on the windows won’t allow you to see outside very well. We would love to put in <a href="MCD Shades">MCD Shades</a> but they are not in the budget. I decided to put the same type of fabric that MCD uses over those windows.It blocks the sun and heat and gives you privacy during the daytime</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">Before we left Florida, we bought some fabric at Beasley Manufacturing in Center Hill, Florida. It’s the same sort of fabric like we have on the motorhome front windshield and also the same type that MCD Shades uses for the day shade.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">This is the same place where we bought the fabric to make a patio rug, and tire covers several years ago. If you’re interested, you can click on the <a href="http://florida-georgiacamping.blogspot.com/2012/01/tire-coversplan-b.html">link</a> here to see how I made them.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">The link for the patio mat is <a href="http://florida-georgiacamping.blogspot.com/2011/02/rv-sunshades-manatees-and-rv-lots.html">here</a>, if you’re interested.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1W-llH0dIyk/V814MymZgxI/AAAAAAABMos/uws3uGOTIhM/s1600-h/February%2525209%25252C%2525202011%2525202-9-2011%2525202-11-04%252520PM%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Rv Sunshades fabric" style="display: inline" alt="Rv Sunshades fabric" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-02f0hb4JyTI/V814OI1XpwI/AAAAAAABMow/_CMOUKhxa_M/February%2525209%25252C%2525202011%2525202-9-2011%2525202-11-04%252520PM_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="320"></a></p> <p><em><font face="Georgia"></font></em> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">Yesterday, with the help of Baxter and Al, we made shades for the rear windows in the cameo.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">Things needed:</font></p> <ul> <li><font face="Verdana">fabric, we chose black but there are tons of colors</font></li> <li><font face="Verdana">suction cups and hooks</font></li> <li><font face="Verdana">scissors</font></li> <li><font face="Verdana">tape measure</font></li> <li><font face="Georgia"><font face="Verdana">fat, furry cat</font> <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zl8cd_xSQ7U/V814PEBJH0I/AAAAAAABMo0/iNod2AEp7wY/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></li></ul> <p><font face="Georgia"></font> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">The fabric is easy to cut and no sewing is required as it doesn’t ravel</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">I laid the fabric on the floor to measure and cut, and of course I immediately got an unwanted helper.</font></p> <p><font face="Georgia"></font> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iD81nsYMARk/V814Qby-qpI/AAAAAAABMo4/EanDUKaWpWs/s1600-h/IMG_3708%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3708" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3708" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tEvW3v9xQAU/V814Rh5DP7I/AAAAAAABMo8/l9Xd62sjsqY/IMG_3708_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p><font face="Verdana">He particularly liked to help measure.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Msqj6vajHdo/V814SsAoCII/AAAAAAABMpA/vLotw_GlenQ/s1600-h/IMG_3710%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3710" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3710" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uHcltxRb1vU/V814UEhOsrI/AAAAAAABMpE/u5if72Pm3Is/IMG_3710_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">The tip of the white disc in the following picture goes through a small hole you put in the fabric, and then it attaches on the other side of the fabric where you attach the suction cup to the window. All you see from the inside is the small disc. We could paint them black, but they are out of the way where they aren’t seen, so we didn’t bother.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EIa5T4RTPYs/V814VCJWdII/AAAAAAABMpI/qJkJWmjQFic/s1600-h/IMG_3735%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3735" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3735" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GpPgOzAbbD8/V814Wbl03cI/AAAAAAABMpM/3q8f0Nxl6ZY/IMG_3735_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">The following picture shows the middle window with the screen and the side windows without. The pictures don’t really show how much sun it blocks, but trust me, it makes a huge difference.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G25FQcoU_gg/V814XXLwHVI/AAAAAAABMpQ/w6hYSnfyilM/s1600-h/IMG_3720%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3720" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3720" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z47k9vTPnS8/V814YjYemjI/AAAAAAABMpU/mqXMaILXMpo/IMG_3720_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">Later in the day we went to town for groceries and decided to take the scenic route. Isn’t it beautiful here?</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JlJ_kpaif1I/V814Z9nSalI/AAAAAAABMpY/QEdfbXh8dOs/s1600-h/IMG_3738%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3738" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3738" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qHXKQW2ucAI/V814bfKsIYI/AAAAAAABMpc/nIj90rK_oWA/IMG_3738_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7eYWsZJg7wI/V814cqkRO6I/AAAAAAABMpg/vsqmEMo-Qbw/s1600-h/IMG_3741%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3741" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3741" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lVKvGB3cjyU/V814dy51uxI/AAAAAAABMpk/aD3r2-ST8Ig/IMG_3741_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p><font face="Verdana">The red barn made for a great photo opp.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8FTOlKFITuw/V814e7Vwk0I/AAAAAAABMpo/6cEGf4YOYTg/s1600-h/IMG_3744%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3744" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3744" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GwG-oal1JNg/V814gBzO0wI/AAAAAAABMps/pxTsnBA57yk/IMG_3744_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p><font face="Verdana">I thought this house was in lovely setting with amazing views.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ym14-lJ3pUA/V814hlq5N9I/AAAAAAABMpw/ZPVdv_aAkCQ/s1600-h/IMG_3743%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3743" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3743" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e-vCDUW5Wws/V814i2GS3-I/AAAAAAABMp0/edXNk9rQC6k/IMG_3743_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p><font face="Verdana">This place had beautiful and fragrant Christmas trees all along the slopes leading to the house.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xfUoXOA9Sro/V814kBwxc4I/AAAAAAABMp4/JwyHP7LrgQw/s1600-h/IMG_3751%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3751" style="display: inline" alt="IMG_3751" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7k5CnJrvUFk/V814lUCIBDI/AAAAAAABMp8/vkJ4HsMSsVE/IMG_3751_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247"></a></p> <p><font face="Verdana">As it turned out, we got to take this scenic drive again because Al forgot his wallet at home and we had no money to buy groceries. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">There is a new pharmacy opening soon. Interesting name, huh?</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7Xd4mYT7b0c/V814muQvtpI/AAAAAAABMqA/jttYR8GyzQs/s1600-h/IMG_3754%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3754" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3754" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-voEMq08i8t0/V814n5MT9BI/AAAAAAABMqE/s1A4cu1tw84/IMG_3754_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="251"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">It was closed but we now know the rules for entering the store. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zl8cd_xSQ7U/V814PEBJH0I/AAAAAAABMo0/iNod2AEp7wY/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WsczP5Mrvno/V814pUOkWvI/AAAAAAABMqI/c1DIbFHgYl0/s1600-h/IMG_3753%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3753" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3753" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4KeUyWtO698/V814qhjyYsI/AAAAAAABMqM/wl-JU0t-jOg/IMG_3753_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="251"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><font face="Verdana">Today is Labor Day and there are some festivities in town we may go to. This is the start of the big fall festival season here in the mountains. </font></p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-38811098963407101082016-09-04T10:19:00.001-04:002016-09-04T10:19:47.728-04:00Plan S Finally Came to Fruition<blockquote></blockquote> <p> </p> <p><em><font face="Verdana">Blairsville, Ga (high 78, low 58)</font></em></p> <p><font face="Verdana">For the past 9 or 10 months, I have been working on a plan that would allow us to get away from the heat and storms in Florida in the summer and still care for my Mom.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">As most of you know, we have been trying to help take care of my elderly mother. She cannot be left alone anymore. We prefer to keep her in her own home as long as possible, where we know she gets much better care than in an Assisted Living Facility.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">My plan was for someone to move into the house to assist in her care, in exchange for free rent. I had someone I knew and trusted that was willing to do it, but she had some serious health issues which prevented the move. I had to move on to “Plan B”. I went down the alphabet from Plan B all the way down to what I dub “Plan S.” </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">One plan after the other failed, but a few weeks ago, my plan worked out and Stacy moved in with Mom. She will assist my brother and the caregivers provided by her Long Term Care policy (thank God she bought that plan many years ago).</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">Stacy is a very nice lady who is good to Mom and we trust her. She is taking our place so that Al and I could get out of town for awhile. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">So, on Tuesday, we headed north towing our little U-haul trailer. The last time we were here, we purchased a used Fifth Wheel and set it up on our RV lot in Blairsville, GA. The motorhome was left back in the Tampa area to fend for itself during the approaching hurricane Hermine.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">We had serious reservations about leaving town right before a potential hurricane, but decided to go while we had the chance. It’s a good thing we left when we did, because they got hammered with heavy rains for several days.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">We arrived in Blairsville, Georgia on Wednesday. It was sure good to see our mountains again.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NAotluFfu_E/V8wtZWaNlUI/AAAAAAABMm0/-UlVSIFyBnE/s1600-h/IMG_3680%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="approaching Blairsville" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="approaching Blairsville" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sSA0XoFpUes/V8wtahgkWGI/AAAAAAABMm4/kZdEOWF6xAo/IMG_3680_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="257"></a></p> <p><font face="Verdana">It has been warmer than usual with some daytime temps getting up to 88 or so. Thankfully, it has been cooling down at night allowing for us to be able to turn off the AC for the first time in months!</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">We’ve been working hard to get this place set up with all the comforts of home. We took our Directv Genie receivers from the motorhome and had them set up here, so all we have to do is grab the boxes and go.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">Being in a small town sure has its advantages. We went by the local Directv installer in the late morning and had service a few hours later. We found a bargain on a 40 inch Samsung Smart Tv for $249, so it will live up here in the 5th wheel.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">We’ve been busy working in the Cameo, setting up another “home.” We have managed to squeeze in a few evening golf cart rides/bear hunting excursions. We haven’t seen any bears, but there have been some pretty cloud formations.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H9WQYUFe9D8/V8wtbj-2CcI/AAAAAAABMm8/JQtzhHGbRMQ/s1600-h/IMG_3689%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="golf cart ride near Rivers Edge" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="golf cart ride near Rivers Edge" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Tb1zele_F0/V8wtc5vZeRI/AAAAAAABMnA/ZgoddYsraW8/IMG_3689_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="251"></a></p> <p><font face="Verdana"></font> </p> <p><font face="Verdana"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dJIj2YQ2KFk/V8wtdwhy89I/AAAAAAABMnE/ODr7OQHokUU/s1600-h/IMG_3697%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="golf cart ride near Rivers Edge" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="golf cart ride near Rivers Edge" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hOTXQ9sFXS0/V8wtfYUlHZI/AAAAAAABMnI/WMqUrwVl8gg/IMG_3697_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">We filled the hot tub and had a nice long soak last night. Boy, did that feel good. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">Our project for yesterday was to attend the annual HOA meeting to elect new board members and then a dinner and bingo tonight. We took a ride up to NC to the nearest Lowes to pick up a gas outdoor fireplace.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">I have been searching online to find LED bulb replacements for the 8 million “puc lights” we have in the Cameo. If anyone has any online suggestions for reasonably priced LED lights, please let me know. </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">I am sitting here typing this, in my robe and furry slippers. We were able to turn the AC off for the first time since probably March. It was wonderful sleeping with the windows open, although we all woke up chilly…..even the cats.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana">We are very, very glad to be back up in the mountains. We hope we can stay. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1uPo7WGiL1Q/V8wtgav28kI/AAAAAAABMnM/V-fBvQYTo4o/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana"></font></p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-7626081036195414792016-08-17T09:34:00.001-04:002016-08-17T09:34:32.626-04:00Big Changes<p> </p> <p><em><font size="2">I started this post about two weeks ago while we were up in our lot in Georgia. I’ve been trying to get it finished ever since.</font> </em></p> <p><em></em> </p> <p>It’s hard to know where to begin. I haven’t written a blog for so long. Until recently, there was nothing to write about. Some things haven’t changed. We are still helping to care for my mom. She is still in her own home with caregivers 7 hours a day, paid for by her LTC insurance policy. My brother, Al and I are staying with her the rest of the time.</p> <p>We are trying to find a live in caregiver that will care for her about 15-20 hours a week in exchange for free room and board. Our friend Cindi who was going to do it, has had some major health issues so that didn’t work out. If we can find the right person, it will allow us to be able to leave town on a more regular basis.</p> <p>We managed to get away from the stifling heat of Tampa and spend 2 weeks up in the north Georgia mountains on our lot at Rivers Edge.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yoBoBechvpE/V7RnlYLwfeI/AAAAAAABMGU/JbaONe9cqks/s1600-h/IMG_3526%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3526" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3526" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WvWuo6hYyEg/V7RnmazbpCI/AAAAAAABMGY/VCZ2gzo8MuY/IMG_3526_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p>We didn’t have the time for much fun, but Al did manage to get in some fishing and tubing. You’ll understand why we didn’t have much time to play, when I tell you what else we have been doing. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Iz87BSZ9JH8/V7RnnDAz6ZI/AAAAAAABMGc/rByF9ydUX0M/s1600-h/IMG_3587%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3587" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3587" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w1nBsmb63tk/V7RnoVBd1fI/AAAAAAABMGg/Zh8AK2cwFjk/IMG_3587_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p>Our Florida friends, Heidi and Suzanne (in the above picture) visited Blairsville last fall with the intention of buying some property and a cabin. We found them a RV lot to rent at Rivers Edge where we own our lot. They fell in love with the area, the rv park, and in the 2 weeks they were there, bought a lot on the river and made plans to upgrade the lot with a lovely cabin (She-Shed) concrete drive, and deck. As it turned out, their She-Shed came in very handy for us. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XYvGDVXSA4Q/V7RnpZwcakI/AAAAAAABMGk/dQ0al8_3ZZk/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-trLVB34vF-Y/V7RnqI65P2I/AAAAAAABMGo/c9Ba70dtgOk/s1600-h/IMG_3577%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Heidi, Suzanne and Al tubing" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Heidi, Suzanne and Al tubing" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KtjzmjdMm3o/V7Rnre0BzRI/AAAAAAABMGs/i51q2wWqJ1Y/IMG_3577_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3Xcm1tXjuyY/V7RnsrncE9I/AAAAAAABMGw/WYn7fURA434/s1600-h/IMG_3445%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3445" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3445" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ur5Ro7RDRRs/V7RntcAWrgI/AAAAAAABMG0/2twgPBFmBhw/IMG_3445_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p>We took some golf cart rides and some scenic drives. You notice Al with a dog on his lap? That is Cindy. She is a rescue that was brought to the animal hospital nearly dead, by owners who couldn’t be bothered to care for her. After weeks of intensive veterinary care, she improved enough to be released. Heidi decided she needed a good home and she has certainly won the doggie lottery with Suzanne and Heidi. Oh, and guess who got poison ivy? </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xNAVgNw5Mts/V7RnuqdZ-iI/AAAAAAABMG4/TvpD6Q9EFFQ/s1600-h/IMG_20160730_101625965%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_20160730_101625965" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20160730_101625965" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uPXQxR_J7Co/V7RnvSHTECI/AAAAAAABMG8/ovPlyGwlpts/IMG_20160730_101625965_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="251"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KEsNeBvwnBc/V7RnwZ0G14I/AAAAAAABMHA/pJOm_CP_D68/s1600-h/IMG_3541%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3541" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3541" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nPOO9ccvsVo/V7RnxLijMEI/AAAAAAABMHE/xjNfnCnrr2A/IMG_3541_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Our plan for going to Blairsville was to purchase a Fifth Wheel that we could leave on our lot. We had done some looking in person and on line and we had decided what we wanted.</p> <p>We decided that when we get to travel we will be happier in something smaller than a big class A motorhome. Since we have RV lots in the Keys and in the mountains, and we love both places, we know we will spend a lot of time on our lots. Our plans for the future are evolving, but we now think we will put something permanent on both lots and travel in something smaller. We’ve looked at a few Class B motorhomes. Heidi and Suzanne just purchased a new Road Trek Popular Class B, which they love. It’s surprisingly roomy, but I think we need a little more room. We think we would be happy in a B+ with a couple of slides. We couldn’t live in something so small, but I think we could travel extensively in one and the B+ with slides have quite a bit of space. A class B would be for the future when we are free to travel.</p> <p>When we headed up to Blairsville, we left the motorhome here in Florida with the intention to stay a few nights in a hotel and a few nights in our cabin. The cabin on our RV lot is pretty comfortable, but has no bathroom facilities. We figured, we would use the campground bathrooms. Luckily, Heidi and Suzanne were nice enough to offer the use of their She-Shed while we searched for a Fifth Wheel. </p> <p>We had done some Fifth Wheel shopping on line and in person, and found what we were looking for.</p> <p>It was delivered and set up just a few days before we had to head back to Tampa. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Sad smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xrpYALS4mDs/V7Rnx6epGQI/AAAAAAABMHI/g4H9i8asqcM/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p>It’s a 35 foot Carriage Cameo. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Aj7hzLVi0eA/V7RnzKzIFwI/AAAAAAABMHM/_rIk8qUODFY/s1600-h/IMG_3611%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Cameo" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Cameo" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TS7D1ZxGiXk/V7Rn0lNCM-I/AAAAAAABMHQ/3_hPAjNdNho/IMG_3611_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QcBu7N6zT_4/V7Rn1RZMB2I/AAAAAAABMHU/FJ4I2D209ns/s1600-h/IMG_3603%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="Cameo" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Cameo" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y7-9ppc_WhE/V7Rn2SfoWeI/AAAAAAABMHY/UQ3OOGO23rw/IMG_3603_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="251"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CNAMPkqdU-E/V7Rn3d4jGyI/AAAAAAABMHc/cx9QoxP6YHQ/s1600-h/IMG_3598_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3598_thumb" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3598_thumb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R1MyBUAnyCQ/V7Rn4WULnZI/AAAAAAABMHg/pRlHP6ZN5_Y/IMG_3598_thumb_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="251"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Uo8r1bRJaIA/V7Rn5BUp-bI/AAAAAAABMHk/vbFR4kIvPNo/s1600-h/IMG_3627%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Cameo" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Cameo" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SRenQFS3i6g/V7Rn6K2YxAI/AAAAAAABMHo/ZvdRGf1gf20/IMG_3627_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="251"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We got to spend two nights in our new home, but then had to leave and get back to Florida.</p> <p>So, now that we’re back in Florida, we are working on ways to get back up to the mountains, hopefully for September and October. </p> <p>Stay tuned……</p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1012334620640049242.post-32952842954174833742016-05-18T14:58:00.001-04:002016-05-18T14:58:06.609-04:00RV Temperature Alert for Pets, and Fun on the Island<p> </p> <p><em><font size="3" face="Georgia">Wesley Chapel, Fl (high 90, low 68)</font></em></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Things are about the same here. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">Our friend Cindi is still in the hospital. The doctors are waiting for some test results and then hopefully she will be released and can recover. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia">We still have her dog Kujo. He is doing well and seems happy. We love dogs. We love <strong>other peoples</strong> dogs, but we don’t want a dog. Cats are so much easier. He is a good dog, but he’s a dog, and we don’t want a dog. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Georgia"></font> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qNrgLD7T6NE/Vzy6zCCqSxI/AAAAAAABJu8/6GSDDBzz6Ro/s1600-h/IMG_20160512_1849513663.jpg"><img title="Kujo" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Kujo" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_JJGlPOaNVA/Vzy60e21NDI/AAAAAAABJvA/gFrGieCI3QQ/IMG_20160512_184951366_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="251"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Now that we have the boat here, we have been taking every opportunity to use it. With the hot Florida weather, we always worry about leaving the cats alone inside the motorhome. If there should be a power outage, or the AC quits, they could quickly overheat and could die by the time we got home.</p> <p>We have a camera set up in the motorhome and I can look at the thermometer inside the coach from my phone and check on the cats. It is a great thing to have, but requires internet and of course I have to remember to check. I began searching for an alternative that would work without internet, and that would send me alerts if the temperature got too high. I finally found another system that will do the job. You set the alerts for the high and lows you want and it will send you a text if the RV gets too hot or cold (yeah right). </p> <p>I found this gadget here: <a href="http://www.cellsigntechnologies.com/simpal-t2.html">Cell Sign Technology</a></p> <p>Here is what it looks like. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZzqClgOF3_4/Vzy61LkTBkI/AAAAAAABJvE/n8J55b8qi0Q/s1600-h/Cellsign-Technologies.com2.png"><img title="Cellsign Technologies.com" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Cellsign Technologies.com" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hlLO6uNB1lA/Vzy613qxDBI/AAAAAAABJvI/pXrBJ8IFYos/Cellsign-Technologies.com_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="422" height="324"></a></p> <p>I’m not exactly sure how it works, but it has a Sim card inside and works much like a cell phone does for texts. You have to purchase the unit, which is $119. Then you pay $13.50 a month for the sim card alerts. You can cancel at any time and there are no contracts. It’s well worth the money for my peace of mind. We love our kitties and would feel horrible if something were to happen to them while we were gone.</p> <p>It does not require internet, but you do have to have some sort of cell signal in your area. </p> <p>It plugs into an outlet and is only about the size of a cell phone. If the power goes out, or the temperature gets too warm, it will send you a text to notify you of the problem. You can also text it anytime you want to know the temperature, or to double check that it’s working. With this and the camera, I feel pretty comfortable leaving the cats alone for the day.</p> <p>So, now that we have the cats (and dog) covered, we can feel safe going out in the boat. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RXUPuqc0-7c/Vzy63We5eKI/AAAAAAABJvM/7eRAlNvnhLE/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800"> The dog stays at home with the cats when we go boating and so far, so good. </p> <p>We managed to get out twice last week and both times the water was clear, blue and beautiful. From where we store the boat, we have a short three mile run down the Anclote River in Tarpon Springs, out to Anclote Key. It’s a beautiful barrier island right off the coast. The past two times we’ve been there the water was as clear and beautiful as I’ve ever seen it.</p> <p>We anchored right off the beach where we could wade over to the island.</p> <p>There weren’t many people when we go there, but they started arriving later in the afternoon.</p> <p>We had two manatees hanging around all day. That’s pretty unusual for that area and I worried about them with all the boats around.</p> <p>The picture isn’t real clear, but the dark spots are manatee. They were right in front of our boat by our anchor.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-83a0e0Mx7h8/Vzy64KiScMI/AAAAAAABJvQ/ZSXIWCf92Bs/s1600-h/IMG_31293.jpg"><img title="IMG_3129" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3129" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QZI1-NliRoU/Vzy64tid1qI/AAAAAAABJvU/063g_7DxprM/IMG_3129_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We saw a school of Snook hanging around all day and another boater saw a huge Tarpon (fish). </p> <p>We saw this crazy boat. It is one boat, but looks like a combination of two different boats. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Blj3ltL-VOo/Vzy65ixhN5I/AAAAAAABJvY/dD3TiBLjbFU/s1600-h/IMG_31243.jpg"><img title="Crazy boat" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Crazy boat" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zxc_OJuoC9c/Vzy66bBvcOI/AAAAAAABJvc/DvDTHpN_byM/IMG_3124_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a_P_d771gEk/Vzy67M6Hl9I/AAAAAAABJvg/1pTdMcYthYY/s1600-h/IMG_31253.jpg"><img title="IMG_3125" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3125" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VOZo7FBUo08/Vzy68EvesZI/AAAAAAABJvk/0ASi4zTaGRY/IMG_3125_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This boat apparently went to Anclote Key and never made it back. The black thing in is a mercury motor. The island is growing constantly and the last time we were there the boat numbers were no longer showing. It will be covered up completely probably by the next time we go out. It’s interesting to watch how islands form and change over time. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GDM-8FJBJPA/Vzy681DDbjI/AAAAAAABJvo/Xi6VIaY6d8Y/s1600-h/IMG_31333.jpg"><img title="capcized boat on Anclote" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="capcized boat on Anclote" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9byL3sNCcHk/Vzy69qBWJpI/AAAAAAABJvs/CntTigIZdNs/IMG_3133_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> Isn’t that beautiful?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x9VqFoYyTao/Vzy6-XuCbAI/AAAAAAABJvw/XlQYjNSu9hE/s1600-h/IMG_31353.jpg"><img title="IMG_3135" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3135" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e1e4WcpVurQ/Vzy6_HnIlXI/AAAAAAABJv0/Iph_s8ysi10/IMG_3135_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>We took a long walk along the beach, and picked up a few shells. There have always been a lot of shells there.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EGQyg8KLjzA/Vzy6_ycPSrI/AAAAAAABJv4/G9A2diOkeZg/s1600-h/IMG_31393.jpg"><img title="IMG_3139" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3139" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PcaM1OqpWIQ/Vzy7Ap9o-wI/AAAAAAABJv8/ppgusA6tYI8/IMG_3139_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p>We’ve been to Anclote Key hundreds and hundreds of times and it was rarely like this.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-quUjVu7fTKY/Vzy7BuTu_XI/AAAAAAABJwA/Qy59HsUqBkc/s1600-h/IMG_31383.jpg"><img title="IMG_3138" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3138" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-am7Mn7tCyDY/Vzy7CfX58TI/AAAAAAABJwE/Emjq6qxsbtk/IMG_3138_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-soZnaHxt3ro/Vzy7DbTxrdI/AAAAAAABJwI/Lm3iPvn5I1E/s1600-h/IMG_31453.jpg"><img title="IMG_3145" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3145" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m2o4_B_nGfc/Vzy7EXlH_zI/AAAAAAABJwM/7FRiYLzeWME/IMG_3145_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ph9RvUXDRYs/Vzy7E_quhTI/AAAAAAABJwQ/1tOTV8Wkp4k/s1600-h/IMG_31503.jpg"><img title="IMG_3150" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3150" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Haqx4FwuE0Y/Vzy7FiKXVkI/AAAAAAABJwU/tR4qR6PChqg/IMG_3150_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aPgsK1xAG1U/Vzy7GcSCu_I/AAAAAAABJwY/Rk4ZySl8oHI/s1600-h/IMG_31563.jpg"><img title="IMG_3156" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3156" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T1Drxl1ZfwQ/Vzy7HCjzJdI/AAAAAAABJwc/z4Z1Zgxo5nU/IMG_3156_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r0HIDwSHs_k/Vzy7H6jsGWI/AAAAAAABJwg/MDX3AmHT2ag/s1600-h/IMG_31903.jpg"><img title="IMG_3190" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3190" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yd-Wb-BF6Xk/Vzy7I3UucLI/AAAAAAABJwk/n86REmeZ9gY/IMG_3190_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p>After out second walk, we headed back towards the boat and found we weren’t alone anymore.</p> <p>We almost couldn’t see our boat from the others that decided they needed to park right next to us.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EuTmDuebcQQ/Vzy7JtO0N-I/AAAAAAABJwo/VNDKNt7izhM/s1600-h/IMG_32013.jpg"><img title="IMG_3201" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3201" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G8JgsKDPOzU/Vzy7KXZdb_I/AAAAAAABJws/NZrKmhGYxk8/IMG_3201_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p>We are the little boat with the blue top in the middle. There was plenty of beach area, but for some reason they felt the need to park right on top of us. </p> <p>This is what it looked like when we left. <img class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" style="border-top-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none" alt="Smile" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RXUPuqc0-7c/Vzy63We5eKI/AAAAAAABJvM/7eRAlNvnhLE/wlEmoticon-smile2.png?imgmax=800"></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-s1KpXhKM808/Vzy7LDyoVRI/AAAAAAABJww/4gXXkOL-7rk/s1600-h/IMG_31713.jpg"><img title="IMG_3171" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3171" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cwghpsOukXA/Vzy7MEXFJrI/AAAAAAABJw0/qlVbrl1wehY/IMG_3171_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FTyZy-q9TJU/Vzy7M2JGu0I/AAAAAAABJw4/5LTGi8k8qtA/s1600-h/IMG_30893.jpg"><img title="IMG_3089" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3089" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wD0PdZuh9lo/Vzy7OEh97TI/AAAAAAABJw8/gmCU6mirD30/IMG_3089_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="324"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Shortly after we got back to the boat, we got another visitor. It’s an island hopper from Tarpon Springs….AKA cattle boat. YIKES! Look at all those people!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kH2E2N9_qd8/Vzy7OsXbswI/AAAAAAABJxA/7zflcoS_1LI/s1600-h/IMG_20160513_1336537993.jpg"><img title="IMG_20160513_133653799" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_20160513_133653799" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ywy9R9WCkB0/Vzy7PSWVcMI/AAAAAAABJxE/kWbuSVRGyJ0/IMG_20160513_133653799_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="251"></a></p> <p> </p> <p>This is going to be a rainy week in Florida, so it looks like no boating for a few days. </p>Karen and Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15284661066870109259noreply@blogger.com8