Still in Marathon

Sunday was a breakfast on the grill, then we loaded up the bikes and headed to Big Pine Key.  We managed to find a visitor center, got some information, had a quick slice of pizza, then headed down the island.  It was a nice ride, the bike trail was off from road, and we hit a couple of the side trails.  About 3.5-4 miles down the road, there was a little pull of place called 'Blue Hole', so we parked the bikes and did the short walk to the over look at the fresh water pool, where there was an alligator, turtles and lots of birds enjoying the area.  We then headed back, taking a detour (bigger that we thought) to go to an open house....wow, $370,000.00 doesn't buy you much down here.  It was creepy just walking into the place, it was a strange layout and small, but the lady there was really nice, so we chatted for a while and headed back.  We got back to the car about 3:00-3:30, loaded up the bikes and headed to 'No Name Key' hoping to see the tiny key deer.  We were not disappointed, there were lots of them, buck, doe and there was a little baby, it didn't look much bigger than Rudy, and he's just a 12 lb. dog.  After that we stopped a the 'No Name Pub' for a couple of drinks, the inside is covered with dollar bills, from floor to and including the ceiling, with an estimated value of $65,000.00....what a site to see.  We headed out to the patio with our beers and enjoyed the sunshine and breeze.  After that back home, sausages on the grill for dinner, a stay at home evening.

  

Monday, Brad made breakfast on the grill, then about 10:30 we headed up to Wheels-2-go.  We rented 2 kayaks, then over to Sombrero Beach where they delivered the Kayaks.  There were about  12 of us heading out (on our own) to do some kayaking around 'Boot Key'.  Not bad, a little ocean area (called Sister Creek) to traverse through then into 'Whiskey Creek' where there were lots of sail boats tied up, then we headed towards 'Silver Pond' looking for the smaller trails to follow.  We were trying to find 'Burdines Trail', but ended up on' Entrance Trail' that took you to 'Big Lake'.  What a beautiful trip, it's what they call an 'adventure trail' and you kayak on trails cut through the Mangroves.  We saw Sting-ray, sand-sharks and lots of other fish on the trip, with lots of birds to startle you when you got close.  After that we headed back through 'Entrance Trail', through 'Silver Pond', where we noticed a bit more wind.  Well when we hit 'Whiskey Creek' the wind was very noticeable, and then we got on 'Sister Creek'....oh no are we going to make it back, the wind was blowing  and you had to paddle hard and non stop, when finally we found the launch site....yea we made it back to the launch site.  After that back home for a couple of beers, then a nice salad with chicken for dinner, and Brad headed to bed at 8:00, I lasted until a little after 9:30, but then off to bed.

 

A Few Kayaking Pics 

Tuesday we were going to go to the beach, but it was too hot, so Brad worked on replacing the Moho batteries and I sat in the shade reading my book.....what a great day.  Something productive done and a lot of relaxing as well.  Brad had made breakfast on the grill, then we just had an orange for lunch and about 3:15 headed out to Sparky's Landing for happy hour.  Not a bad deal, .25 cent shrimp and wings..so after a bowl of gumbo, 2 dozen shrimp and 18 wings, we called our selves full and headed out.  We walked up the pier checking out the boats, trying to decide which one we liked the best.  Back home, a couple of trips around the Coast Guard Station, then we settled in about 8:00.....what a beautiful day. 

Gumbo

Relaxing at the CG

In my spare time I added up what it cost us to travel around.  A lot of RV'ers talk about but I never knew for sure.  This year we kept track to see just what it was.  So here is our 2014 expense/budget  for anyone who may be interested.


We traveled 11,128 mi, visited 16 sates for at least one night,
camp grounds cost $5113,
diesel fuel $5738,
 propane $450,
 repairs/maintenance $4090,
car fuel $1953.

The only big surprise for us was the maintenance and it appears that may be the normal. We will see how this year goes.

A Little more Paradise

Wednesday we managed to get our bike ride in.  It's a little over a mile to the Old Seven Mile Bridge, then a 2.5 mile ride out to the end.  There is a ramp that used to take you to Pigeon Key, but the ramp

View from the Bridge

is closed, so we just did some viewing from up above.  It was sunny and not too crowded, so we had a nice ride.  After that we had lunch at the Lazy Day's Marina, were we got to see a manatee, then headed over to Veterans Park.  We walked the little beach there, even managed to get out toes in the water.  After that down to Big Pine Key, heading out to the point looking for the 'Key Deer', but no luck.  On our way home we stopped at Kiki Sand Bar for a beer, checking out the place, then back home to rescue Rudy and have dinner in.



Veterans Park
 



Veterans Park
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Manatee at the Dock

 

 

 

 

Thursday was haircut time, yes I did chance it on the island and I actually like the cut.  Back home for a shower then lunch here at the house.  About 2:00 we headed out for a walk up the island, which we will never do again, to close to the main highway and too noisy to enjoy the walk.  We did find the Marathon Fish Market/Restaurant, but passed on a beer there as we still had a long walk home.  When we got to the Hyatt (next door to the CG) we stopped for a drink or 2 or 3.  The bar maid was great and the crowd that started to show up was rather interesting.  They all had yachts parked out at the dock, or were from the private club next door...rather funny to listen to their stories.  We were there until about 5:00 then headed home for grilled chicken on a salad for dinner. 

 

Friday after breakfast, Brad walked up the island to the battery store, thinking he knew what he wanted, but got an education from the guy at the store, it was back home and a little more research.  We then headed to Porky's for lunch and were amused by the 2 groups of Germans that came into the restaurant.  Some spoke very broken English, while a few of them seemed to speak none at all.  We sat there for a while, enjoying the sunshine, then headed up the island to find the post office and grocery store...which is always shoulder to shoulder crowded, ugh.   We then headed home, a little cat nap and a stay at home night.  It was cool out, so grilled cheese sandwiches seemed to hit the spot. 

Guess what they
specialized in!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday(Happy Valentine's Day),  we headed out for breakfast, where we wanted to go, had about 20 people waiting for tables, so up the island we headed to the Cracked Conch Café, which ended up being very good.  I had the normal eggs and sausage while Brad stepped out and had the Conch Eggs Benedict...interesting.  We stopped at the house, walked Rudy then headed out to Bahia Honda State Park.  We walked along the beach for a while then headed up to the butterfly trail (where there weren't any), then headed out the walk to the old railroad bridge.  Amazing enough, it was loaded with butterflies and a beautiful walk.  It is amazing, as long as you were on the ocean side of the

Beautiful State Park

island, it was calm, warm and nice for the walks, but when we headed over to the nature center on the Gulf side, the wind was pretty stiff and a little cool (sweat shirts required).  We learned a lot about the building of the railroad and the hurricane of 1935, that hit the rescue train on Islamorada and swept it off the tracks.  We spent most of the day at Bahia Honda, then headed home for a steak and salad for dinner, with a nice bottle of wine, that was being saved for something special. 

 

 

Marathon Key

Saturday we left Bushnell heading to Lake Okeechobee Moose Lodge for overnight spot.  We arrived about 3:30 and after analyzing the grounds we found a spot, with electric, in back of the Lodge and in

Moose Lodge Site



front of the Tiki Bar....not a bad place to be. :-).   I think if we had some new batteries we could have spent the night parked in front under some mature pines.  We had a few drinks in the lodge, then ordered dinner (Stromboli), when delivered we headed out to the RV to eat, hung out with Rudy for a while, then back in for one last drink before bed.  Nice way to stop for the night.

 

Sunday morning we had breakfast at the lodge, eggs to order, sausage, hash browns, biscuit and coffee all for five bucks.  We pulled out around 9:30 and headed to Marathon, first stopping for gas, then finding a grocery store to hook up the car and finally hit the road about 10:30.  It was only 200 miles but a lot of 40-50 mph sections.  We arrived at Marathon around 3:30 pm got all situated and had steaks on the grill and enjoyed the warmth. 

Monday we had breakfast on the grill, got cleaned up then headed out.  We stopped for lunch at

Burdine's (great food), then to the visitors center.  Since we were so close we headed into Key Colony and drove around admiring the homes and development.  We stopped at a little park for a stroll, walking out on the pier, just enjoying the sunshine and the water.  On our way out we stopped at Sparky's for a beer or two, then headed out of there about 4:00, stopped at the grocery store then back home to save Rudy.  We had dinner in, walked around the CG (very small) a couple of trips then settled in for the night. 

Tuesday was another breakfast on the grill, and laundry, then off we go to do some more sight-seeing (bike ride was postponed due to wind).  We found a little place called Herbie's and stopped for lunch.  I had a fabulous 'Cajun Mahi Chowder' and Brad had the steamed clams, both of us having micro-brews (Brad - Sea Dog Sunfish and Diane - Golden Monkey), a nice way to top off a great meal.  We stopped and got some Cards, then headed to Sombrero Beach.  We did another stroll, even getting our toes in the water, walked the  beach for a while, then headed in and walked around the park, what a beautiful place. After that back home a couple of walks around the CG with Rudy, Chicken on the grill over salad, staying in out of the wind for the night.  Hopefully tomorrow is a little nicer. 

View from the CG.  They
have fixed up the
Light house and piers

Diane and Brad

Warming up in Bushnell

   Super bowl Sunday we did get over to visit the Lucero's for awhile.  We then watched some of the game here and had hot dogs on the grill nothing to exciting.  Monday we went to camping world looking for a tail pipe extension and then checked out all the new/used RV's on their lot.  Still nothing there we had to have....oh well.  Back home where we gathered up Rudy then headed over to the O'Donnell's for dinner.  It was good to see them all but oh my,  it is a very busy houseful.   Tuesday we headed out to find JC Penny's, Diane needed a bathing suit and refused to go to the Key's w/o one, a stop at Fresh Market, then back home for dinner, steaks on the grill with a nice salad Diane prepared  It rained with a few thunder storms on and off all day but it didn't keep us from running around.   

Wednesday morning we hung out, ordering water filters and checking on new batteries, then headed out about noon.  Off to Odd c'upels for lunch, then to Wally World for supplies......I don't care where you are they are all the same.  We had planned on going out to dinner, but changed our minds, we need to use some of the stuff out of the freezer so we had a wonderful Seafood Chowder(imported from Dillsburg) for dinner. 

 

Thursday it rained on and off until late afternoon.  We went out for breakfast to Licky Spilts yes it is an ice cream place but they have a good breakfast also.  Then over Lake Pan for a look see, nothing much has changed there in a year.  Back to the camper where we spent hours researching which would be best replacement coach batteries until we couldn't take it any more.  Then I called Winnebago and they told us to use a NAPA battery available anywhere.  Diane went to play chili bingo with Shari at the high school.  What is chili bingo you ask, we didn't know either.  Well it is just bingo where they serve chili. Brad had dinner with Len and Ashley.

 

Friday what a nice morning cool but sunny so we decided to have breakfast on the grill.  Today will be cleaning, laundry, packing and grocery shopping for the trip to Marathon Key with a stop over in Okeechobee.  Dinner will  be hog maw sausage on the grill before packing up the  grill. 

Heading south soon

We are ready to head south on Monday the 26th and wouldn't you know it they are calling for snow again.  It is to snow today 2-4 inches and then again on Monday.  I guess we will just have to wait and see if we make out on Monday. We have visited with a lot of friends and family this past couple of weeks.  It is always comforting to visit and share stories with each other.  The weather hasn't been all that bad just cold enough that we have to hook and unhook the water every day.  But, that will end here soon as we head south.  Today we are going to hang out around Dillsburg and see how much snow we get.  This weekend Diane and her sisters will get together again to sort through the household items.  I think we are both ready to go south.  Rudy wears his jacket inside half the time just to stay warm.

 

We ended up leaving on Sunday the 25th trying to beat the big snow storm.  Well I left Sunday around lunch heading to Ashland Va.  Diane stayed and went to help sort things at her dad's.  She meet up with Rudy and I in VA around 10:00 pm.  We were ahead of the cold and decided to keep

Headed to the park to watch
the Sunset! Parris Island

moving.  We made it to South of the Border in SC on Monday and on to Paris Island Marine Base on Tuesday.  Stayed an extra day and visited Beaufort SC and just enjoyed waking up to small arms fire at daylight. Thursday we make the long 189 mile drive to Mayport Naval Base and stayed here two nights.  Now here we noticed the chrome tail pipe piece was missing and we have a few new dents in the hood of the car, not bad.  We enjoyed our stay at Mayport and worked on getting some things organized, warm but windy.

 

Saturday morning, 11:00 we headed out for Bushnell, hoping to see the kids.....no luck they are all out running around.  We hang out at the CG, dinner on the grill and a relaxing evening of nothing.  We are into the warm weather,

Getting settled,
Bushnell, Florida

but the breeze is still pretty stiff, but I won't complain too much, we have no snow.  Sunday morning out to breakfast and now Brad is working on getting the TV to work....not much luck with the satellite, it keeps cutting out.  Grocery shopping and visiting the kids is on the list for the rest of the day.  This week will go fast since we are leaving Friday to head to the Keys. 

 

I will miss having Dad critique the blog and complaining about my English/grammar, but I'll try to get back into typing the blog. I sure do miss the ole guy!! 

Diane and Brad

Frozen Tundra of PA

Wed 7 Jan.  No doubt about it.  It is cooooold in PA.  The service for Lowell was on Monday and so many tears were shed.  The weather was cool but the sun was shining and all went well.   There just isn't any magic words that can make the pain go away but we are slowly starting to recover.  The big word for this week is cold.  This morning our water pump was froze.  Luckily nothing broke I put a little heater in the compartment as soon as I got up and the water was on in less than a half hour.  Then I went out to dump the grey water and the valve was froze shut,  so I get the heater out of one compartment and move to the next.  Just got that all hooked up when the propane truck drove by.  Out the door I go flag him down and talk him into filling our tank on the motorhome.  Finally just before lunch we headed out the door.  We returned around 5pm the temperature had dropped to 16

 and is on the way down to 6 tonight.

We need to get to the frost free zone,
Diane and Brad

Dillsburg

I can't believe 2015 is under weigh already.  We still have no idea how long we will be in Dillsburg.  Services for Diane's dad will be Monday 5 Jan.  We are hoping to still make it to the Keys in February.  The weather has not been near as bad as it was last year although a mixture of sleet and freezing rain has started to fall.  But tomorrow the high is to be in the mid 50's.  Things are still hectic as final plans are made. We did manage to get our pork and sauerkraut on New Years day and last evening shared some wings with Lynne and Rick.  Todays job is to find a kennel for Rudy.  Yesterday I went to the storage unit and retrieved the winter clothing we just put away last week.  Things should settle down next week as everyone heads back to work.  We should have a good idea of what we are doing by the end of next week.  Thanks to all for your condolences, thoughts and prayers.