Friday, January 23, 2015

KEEPING BUSY ***LOTS TO DO

                

              January 23

                        This week we have kept busy checking out a few parks for next year.  The
                      ones we checked were in Fort Myers.  We found 2 that we really like but
                      will have to wait & see if there is availability.  The important thing is that
                      they DO allow friends & family but the bad part is they rent the spaces, but
                      the spaces are also for sale, so if you get to rent one, it may not be available
                       the next year, so if we are lucky enough to get a space for next year, we
                       will continue to look at other parks.   We also picked up a flyer of a park
                       in Ocala, which is a new start up park, but not sure we want to go that far
                       north due to the fact we would leave the Motorhome there while we go
                       to Treasure Island for spring break.  We haven't got the gps to check the
                        distance.  I'm thinking it's 4 or 5 hours from there to Treasure Island, but
                        not sure.



                           Here is a couple of pictures of Cypress Trails in North Fort Myers.



                     
                























                                                                                   

                So we'll see but we're still going to look around.

                         I haven't mentioned it on the blog but I got a bicycle at Camper World.
                   This is a new model that they started carrying.   The bar is lower and I can
                   get my leg over easier.  Now no comments about the tall seat!  The bike
                    folds and that's what we were after.  It works for me. 
        
 
     
                                    Now what didn't work for me was the skinny seat.  The
                                    first ride we took we rode about 4 miles round trip.
                                     Needless to say we did not ride for a few days, and we
                                    found a bicycle shop and bought new seats for both our
                                    bikes.   Kent's seat was like mine.                                        
                                               
                                           The new seat is on the right and it is gel filled.
                                            It sure felt a lot better.   There are no paths to
                                            ride unless you transport the bikes to it, several
                                            miles away.  One of the people in the park
                                             told us where he rides without a lot of traffic.
                                               I am still wobbly.  It has been years since I rode,
                                              so give me time.                    There
                                             ought to be a law against a seat like that.**  lol
                                        




                                 Watching news the other night they told of the bridge
                                  collapse around Cincinnati.   When we came down we came
                                  right under it.   WOW !  Could have been us !
















                                              I got out my smore' maker out and used it the other day. 
                                             Still works pretty good  & it does taste like a smore'.   To
                                             those 2 people who scoffed at it!!   I will name no names,
                                             you know who you are.  Ha !  Just look at the look on his
                                             face,   that spells DELICIOUS !!!!

















YUM !  YUM !





YOU CAN TAKE MR. FIX-IT AWAY FROM HOME,
BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE THE FIX-IT OUT OF THE MR.
No luck this time cause they don't want you to fix it.
but he at least wanted to try.


Our Keurig QUIT.    We have used this one less than the
one at home.   After fighting with it for 3 weeks I finally
convinced him that trying to make coffee for the next 3
 months with it was going to get really OLD.  So he found
a smaller one and a new color.  No promises I guess how
long it will last.














THIS IS OUR NEW ONE





                                              It was really warm & sunny today (78) but was
                                             very windy.   It rained  some tonight and tomorrow
                                              it is going to be cooler.  So getting some much
                                              needed sun to make it look like we are FROM
                                              FLORIDA was the goal for today.
                                              (Photo : compliments of a tripod)
                                                
                                                                        
 
                                                                    
                                              We had to lay to rest our Florida snowman.

                                                  Today was NOT favorable for him.!
                                                            ****RIP,    SNOWY ****
                                                                        


                                               GOOD-BYE FROM THE SUNNY SOUTH
                                         
                                                                    KENT & MARTHA
                                                                               
 
 
 
 
 
 



Saturday, January 17, 2015

FAMILY HAS LEFT AND WE ARE ON OUR OWN

  January 17

           Sheila & Ayden left 4 days ago and Darren left 2 days before that to meet some friends in
     Arizona for a few days.  The day Sheila left it was to be sunny & warm, and of course it was
     not fun to leave the good weather knowing you were going back to cold. 

                 A few pictures of while they were still here.  These pictures were taken at SIESTA KEY
                 BEACH:  The sand on this beach is very white and very fine.  It's funny how much
                different the sand is in just a matter of 10 miles or so apart.

        
   















                                                                                                                               
          
 


First time for tootsies in the  Gulf waters










                                                                          



                                              
Grandpa & Ayden playing in the sand
    

Sheila & Ayden

  
 
Notice the bird in top right corner
that I accidently caught--
Oh I mean that I skillfully captured......





Three Generations


 







                  NOKOMIS BEACH

Somehow I got these guys standing at attention--lol
Couple more birds I found walking on the beach


              We were looking for sharks teeth on Nokomis Beach but were not having much luck. 
               We talked to a couple on the beach that said CASPERSEN BEACH was a better beach
                to find them usually.  It was maybe another 5 miles or so south, so we headed that way.

                                                              CASPERSEN BEACH                    

                                    
                                       

                                 Not on the beach longer than 10 minutes Darren found a tooth.

                                                        


               We only looked for about 20 minutes but did not find anymore.  Sure they were there
                but guess we saved them for our next visitors.  Make sure you bring a kitchen strainer
                 or if not we will go to a thrift store and pick one up.  It will make it easier scooping
                up a bunch of sand and sift it out.  


                                                    A couple pictures of Caspersen Beach

                               






























             *********************** Few more pictures of the week *******************


             
Aydens makeshift bathtub





We drove up to the super BIG  RV show in TAMPA

                                                                                                                 



















     

Kent using his purchase (the ladder) from the show.  He has always talked
   of getting one but never did.    Pretty Handy.
Time to repack the cargo bay AGAIN!




See about anything down here



This is the table that Nick made for us
to use in the motorhome.  It is working
out really well. 
Nick can make a table for anyone
who wants one. It sets by a chair or under
a couch.  Very handy !













This is a snowflake that we were given by
 Von & Jenny so that we would not
forget what we left back in Indiana.
It is up in the motorhome and I do
look at it everyday and know that
I am very thankful to be here in the
SUNNY SOUTH





UNTIL THE SUN SHINES AGAIN
Sending warm & sunny thoughts
to our Northern Family & Friends


KENT & MARTHA

 
           



                                                           









               

Saturday, January 10, 2015

ONE WEEK & COUNTING



         One week ago today is when we arrived at our new WINTER residence.   I am really sad that  
    back home you are getting the weather you are.   No I am not gloating that it is nice here.  We
    are having cooler temps but by Sunday we are to be back up to 75-80.  I have to admit I am
    glad we are here rather than there, but not gloating.   You are my family and friends, and wish
    I could wish you ALL down here.  
          Sheila and Darren flew down 2 days after we were here.  They have been watching the weather
    back home and are not looking forward to going home in a couple days.  We have traveled around
    everyday and they have gotten to see our surroundings.  Ayden has been really good, not always
    wanting to give it up and take his nap, but he has been good.   He always attracts attention where
    ever he goes.  His smile is infectious, and of course Darren has no problem talking with people, 
     he is a people person. 
                    Here are a few pics of our week.

           
This is our home away from home
















                                                                     

some of our surrondings



           The park is very nice & clean BUT we will not return here next year.  We found out only
        when we checked in that this is a "55" only park.   The way we found out was when checking in
        Saturday I mentioned that Sheila & our grandson was coming.  I was told that they could not stay here. When our "elderly" friends come they can stay but it costs extra.   Believe me we now know when checking
         other parks, we will be asking MORE questions!  

                                                       This was a stop at LIDO BEACH



                              
Aydens FIRST time with toes in the sand

                                                         
This is Aydens new Face  SO FUNNY








       


Someone told us about this place to get a good Grouper
This was in Bradenton



                                                          
                            

A Day trip to Hard Rock


 A few pictures of Ayden


         
 
 
 
 
 
                                                                                                                                                                                       


We made a trip to the Aquarium









 
Darren in a Hurricane machine at the Aquarium
 
 
 
 
 
This is at the hotel where Sheila & Darren stayed
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hmmmmmm   let me see




My grandma says "hope you enjoy the blog   Bye Bye