Happy Valentines Day

Thursday 14 February 2019  

Smallwood's tore info

We had breakfast in then got ready and headed out, first to the Everglades City Museum, which used to be a professional Laundry then out for lunch at the 'City Seafood Restaurant'.  We then headed down towards Chokoloskee Island to another museum 'Ted Smallwood's Store'.  The store was built in 1917 and Ted did a lot of trading with the Seminole Indians as well as the local residents.  Inside the store 90 percent of the things were in the store from when it was still working and today it is still owned by his family descendants and they have it opened for visitors.  We got back home about 3:30, a walk for Rudy then the normal people watching, dinner on the grill and a discussion about starting to pack.....that waited until Friday.

Our last sunset on

the Baron River

Friday 15  February 2019

We both were up early and had a quick breakfast.  Since nothing was packed last night there was a lot to pack and some how we managed to get it all done and be on the road by 10:00 am, we can't do that when we plan and start early.  It was an uneventful ride back to Frostproof, to the Whidden Mobile Home/RV Park and we were all settled in by 1:30.  The Folks invited us over for dinner so we headed over there about 5:00 for burgers, salad and a dessert that ended up coming home with us.  Jen had made Strawberry shortcake with fresh strawberries, but we were all to full to have any that night. It was a nice visit but Brad and I were tired so we headed home about 8:30. 

Saturday 16 February 2019

Another early day for us strawberry short cake for breakfast yum!  Then packed up and on the road to Stewart's RV repair shop.  They ordered parts last week and we stopped in to get the steps and awning fixed.  Not having steps was driving us crazy that is a big stretch with out them and we had to lift Rudy in and out.  It took them quite a while to fix the steps but we were still out of there by 2pm.  What a long boring day just waiting for the Moho to be done.  We came back, parked and set up by 3pm.  It was hot and Rudy was tired from being in the truck all day so we had chicken on the grill and called it a day.

Sunday 17 February 2019

Hot and humid when we woke up.  Took Rudy for walk came back turned on the a/c before breakfast.  Eggs and little smokes on the grill for breakfast, showers and off for groceries by 10:30.

Brad's 'Grouper Special'

  And after a little site seeing adventure we notice it was 11:30.  Not wanting to do the grocery shopping hungry Diane found this little restaurant 'Harry's Old Place'.  What a find, it didn't open until 12 and when we arrived at 5 of 12 there were already 10 people waiting.  It was a seafood place and they only carried fresh seafood.  I had the grouper special(grouper with crab meat on top with scallops on top of that and then shrimp topping the whole thing).  It was hard but I ate the whole thing.  Diane mean while had plain old scallops that were delicious.  After that was shopping but who cared we were full.  Back to the Moho, walk Rudy and off to the Folk's for Home made chili and biscuits. Yum!  We talked for a while and left around 9pm.

Everglade City

Friday 8 February, 2019

We got packed up and headed out about 9:30, going to Stewart's RV Repair.  They worked on the steps and the door awning, but no luck with either, they'll have to order parts.  We finally got on the

Sunset from our Site

road to head to Everglade City about 12:00.  From there on it was an uneventful drive, through some beautiful country side.  First it was the citrus trees then on through the Sugar Cane fields.  About 30 minutes from our stop, we started seeing the alligators....yep still here.  We find the Resort and get parked, set up and sit outside the rest of the evening.  The place is beautiful and we are on the river with a pull in site....nice.

Saturday 9 February 2019

We got up to a beautiful morning so Brad made eggs and bacon on the grill and we watched the dolphins swimming down the river.  We get cleaned up, walked Rudy

then head out to find the Seafood Festival.  As it turned out they are running a golf cart shuttle from the resort to the Festival, so we just hitched a ride.  The Festival was huge and yes we spent some money, but the food was a little disappointing.  The fish was good but all the sides were a little on the nasty side.  We both had figured we would be eating lunch and dinner, so we headed back home about 2:30.  We got Rudy and took a long walk with him, managing to find a restaurant that looked pretty good and the best part is it is only about a block from the Resort.  Traffic was very heavy to and from the festival so we had dinner in and sat outside the rest of the evening.

Sunday 10 February 2019

We had breakfast here at the campsite then we got cleaned up and headed out.  We took a ride down to Chokoloskee Island just to check it out.  We drove around there for a while then parked and went  

Our Site for the Week!!

for a walk.  While we were there we checked out another RV Resort, we might come to next year.  After that we headed back home, took Rudy for a long walk.  We had dinner in and spent all afternoon and evening sitting outside people watching.  There are a couple of Airboat Rides on the river and the different people can be pretty interesting.

Monday 11 February 2019

We had breakfast here at the campsite but for lunch we headed over to the Camellia Street Grill.  I had the Mahi sandwich and Brad had the crab cake sandwich...….and now once again he remembers why you don't get the crab cakes in Florida they had corn in them.  We then went for a nice drive to check out the place since the festival is over and you can actually drive up and down the Island.  The Island was covered with 6 foot of water during Hurricane Irma and there are still a lot of vacant/abandoned homes and businesses here on the Island.  We stopped in at the Everglades National Park and decided on coming back for a boat tour.  We headed back to the Moho, gathered up Rudy and went for another long walk and had dinner in.

Tuesday 12 February 2019

White Pelicans

in the Everglades

We decided we were doing the 11:00 boat ride, so it was just cereal for breakfast, showers for both and off we head.  We got there about 10:20 to get our tickets, only to find out they aren't doing the Mangrove tours yet, they have to get all new government approval since the hurricane destroyed their routes in 2017.   So we got tickets for the 10:30 boat ride through the Park and the 10,000 Islands.  It was a beautiful trip, that we both enjoyed, with lots of birds, a manatee and dolphins.  The speaker did a very nice job, he was very knowledgeable about the different birds and all the little islands that we passed.  After that we headed back down to Chokoloskee Island to try the Havana Café, and we were glad we did.  I had the blackened Scallops and

The Havana Café  

Brad had the blackened Shrimp, both meals were delicious.  We headed back up to Everglades City and did a little side trip out Plantation Blvd., which just took you off to another little island of residential home.  There were just a lot of homes vacated since the hurricane and others that looked like they should have been condemned but were being lived in.  A quick stop at the Everglades National Park so I could stamp my Park Book and then it's off to home to rescue Rudy.  We took him for a  long walk to the other side of the River to check out the Airboat Rides and a Seafood Market we had seen from the CG.  Back home for a light dinner and to watch NCIS.  

Wednesday 13 February 2019

We got up to the sound of rain.....ugh.  It stopped for a few minutes so Brad headed out the door with Rudy.  Back home and about 10:00 I headed up to the shop for a Pedi.....makes it nice they have that here at the Resort.  Brad picked me up when I was finished and we headed over to the Triad Café for lunch.  I had the Stone Crab Claws and Brad, of course, had Grilled Shrimp, both were delicious and I have some leftovers for dinner tonight.  Back home we gathered up the laundry and headed up to the office, well being a rainy day everybody must have had the same idea.  They only have 3 washers and 3 dryers and the place was packed so back home we go.  About 2:15 Brad headed back up and called the washers were open, so I headed up.   It was still crazy busy when I finished up at 4:45.  What a way to spend a rainy day, but it's all finished.  Well it's 5:30 and the rain has quit, so Brad and Rudy are off for a walk while I finish with the blog.  One more day here and I'm sure one more restaurant to try.  

Visiting in Frost Proof

Friday 1 February, 2019

We managed to move, but it was anything but uneventful.  First off I started the engine and was bringing the slides in when Brad noticed the steps didn't retract.  A little work underneath the Moho,

then he just pulled the motor and we tied them up, and everybody close to us in the park were

Broken Steps

standing around watching us, but nobody helped.  We got that done and got Brad cleaned up then we headed down the road.  The ride it's self wasn't bad and we made it here about 2:00, checked in, got propane and headed to our site.  Well that's were the next fun started, as we were backing in, the mud flat and the hitch on the back of the Moho got hung up on the cement pad, so as we blocked the road, Brad pulled of the hitch and crawled under the Moho and removed the mud flap...needless to say we are a little frazzled by now.  We finally got parked and were getting things put together when Jen showed up for a look around, but there were no steps so she couldn't come in.  We are living with a stool at the step so we can get in and out without having to jump.  It was nice, we headed over to the Jen and Greg's for dinner (pulled pork sandwich with slaw and fries) and a beer or two, hung out until about 8:00 then headed home, we were both exhausted.  

Saturday 2 February, 2019

We got up and had a quick breakfast, a nice walk for Rudy then it's time to work on the steps.  Brad tested the motor and it seemed to work OK.  Back under the Moho where he checked all the wires and

Rudy enjoy the 

Florida Sunshine!!

they are connected as per the schematic, so he narrowed it down to the module, he thinks.  We had a quick bite of lunch then headed out to the local recommended repair shop.  Brad talked to the guy there to see if they could come out Monday to look at the steps, but he just laughed and said they are scheduling on site visits for the 19th, but if we stop in on our way out he would have time to look at the steps and probably get them working for us.  That just means Brad needs to remove the motor on Thursday and we are scheduled to be at the shop about 10:00 on Friday.  After that we did some running around looking for an in-line pressure regulator for the Moho, after about 4 stops no luck.  We finally headed back about 3:30, rescued Rudy and had another long walk, then back to Jen and Greg's for dinner, Hog-maw sausage, slaw and chips, a nice evening.   

Sunday 3 February 2019

Had a quick breakfast and did a load of laundry to hang at Jen and Greg's.  Then  Jen and I headed up to the grocery store while Brad and Greg worked on straightening out the mud flap.  It took Jen and I about 2 hours until we headed back found the boys were still sitting at the Moho chatting.  We all put our stuff away, took Rudy for a long walk then headed over to the Folks for dinner...a salad with grilled chicken....yum.  Not much happening today, but things got done. 

Monday 4 February, 2019

A quick breakfast, another load of laundry to hang out, then off Brad and I go.  First to the Fedex building to mail a package, the ABC (liquor) store then off to lunch.  At this time Brad realized he left his glasses at the ABC store so back there after lunch.  We hit the Publix grocery store but our wine wasn't in so we headed home via a couple of Mobile home/Moho parks, a stop at the local Ace Hardware store, where we ran into Greg, a stop at another Campground and then home.  That whole trip took us about 5 hours, but we had a nice time and Rudy was happy to see us when we got home. Brad had a quick shower then we headed to the Folks for a dinner of Haddock and Veggies....delicious..

Tuesday 5 February, 2019

Cereal for breakfast, showers for us both, a long walk for Rudy then off we head.  We get to Jen and  

Greg's about 11:30 and head out to the Goodson Farms Strawberry Market.  It was Cuban's for lunch and Strawberry Shortcake for dessert, both were delicious and very filling. Next we headed over to the Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach to visit the 'Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center'. What a great place, there must have been 100 Manatee's.  There were a couple of hiking trails, but we got there to late to be able to do the hikes, but we were on the platform for about an hour watching the Manatee's.  We headed home about 3:30, rescued the dogs then headed back to the Folk's about 6:00, with a bottle of wine in hand.  We were all still stuffed from lunch so we settled on snacks for dinner cheese, bologna and crackers.  We hung out until about 8:30 then headed home.  

The Tamps Electric's View Center and a photo of a few Manatees.

Wednesday 6 February, 2019

A quick breakfast, two loads of laundry done, then off to Avon Park to get parts to rehang the mud flap. We did our shopping for parts then stopped at Winn Dixie to get wine (it was still on sale with a stop at Publix for money. We were headed home when we decided to take 17, the scenic route, back to the CG. What a pretty ride. After we get home, Brad and I attached the parts he got to the mud flap then waited for Greg to come down to help hang it, another job done. I got the laundry all folded and put away then we headed to the Folks for a Taco salad for dinner, yum. We hung out until about 9:00 then headed home.

Thursday 7 February, 2019

Another load of laundry to hang out and off we go for lunch.  We stopped at the fruit stand for a pineapple then headed to the Farm to Fork restaurant.  Their Cuban sandwiches were delicious, made with real beef and , no lunch meat on this one.  We did a little walk around Frost Proof then took

Orange Country!!

Route 17 up to Lake Wales, we rode through orange country.   A stop at Kohl's for 2 tee shirts, then to Publix's to grocery shop for stuff for the next week.  We headed back home, put the food away then I went on a cleaning frenzy inside while Brad worked on cleaning up the out side.  We got finished with that then Brad cleaned up and we headed over to Jen and Greg's for out last meal of hot dogs, cole slaw and a goody bag that they sent along.  We had a nice visit then headed home about 8:00 so we could pack up some of the inside things and get ready for our move tomorrow.

Lakeland to Frostproof

Tuesday, Wednesday, 

    Well Kate and Tony have been really sick so we haven't been doing to much.  We went to Harry's seafood restaurant for lunch and that was good, Jambalaya for me and shrimp and scallops over a grit cake for Diane. And we took a nice long walk around Lake Mirror that included two different flower gardens. Wednesday we spent trying to plan our path after Frostproof.  After hours of mapping, planning and scheduling we called four campgrounds.... all full.  So we quit.  The weather has been unusually cool and cloudy and not much to do around here inside.  Friday we are heading down to Frostpoof for a week to visit with Jen and Greg. 

Some of the scenery from our 

walk.  It was a beautiful park.

Thursday January 31 2019

    As luck would have it we ran out of propane last night with temps in the 30's.  I had to switch tanks around 5:30 this morning.  A little warmer this morning so I made breakfast on the grill, but I did need my sweatshirt.  We cleaned up, did some laundry then headed over to Plant City for lunch and propane.  We found a lot of restaurants but no propane.  We ate at a little Italian place called  Esposito's and the food was good. (pizza).  We drove around for a hour never did find a place to get propane.  Back home about 2:30, an extra long walk for Rudy and then started to pack for tomorrow trip. We have over 50 miles to travel down to Frostpoof. 😄😄

We did find this guy running around.  "Grave Digger".  

Tiny camping in Lakeland FL. (the site that is)

Thursday 24 January

     We had breakfast in and a nice walk for Rudy.  I was sweeping the Moho when Dave came down to visit, so Brad sat and talked while I finished cleaning.  Brad had a bike ride then came and got me and we headed back to check out the Park Models.  Back home and I was ready to shower.....no hot water.  We had a nasty storm during the night and water got into the water heater vent tube, Brad drained that and voilà, I had hot water.  I headed over to Winn Dixie for a few things while Brad stayed home to clean up the outside of the Moho.  Back home a walk for Rudy and a meet and greet with people from Lawrenceville, PA.  They are volunteers at Ives Run and then we found out there are 3 more couples here in the park that volunteer at Ives Run as well, I guess this is Ives Run South.   I cooked dinner so we would have left overs for lunch tomorrow, after our move.  

Friday 25 January

     We moved from Paradise Oaks to Woodall MHP and Campground....we should have stayed at Paradise Oaks.  It was fun getting here, we had a glitch with steps and they would just go out, then

We got in here, just hoping

we can get out!!

back in whenever Brad hit a pretty good bump.  They park is packed full and very tight, I had to knock on someone's door to have them move a golf cart and Brad still had to back up to make that corner.  When we were getting ready to park the guy across the street was nice enough to move his truck to we could get into our spot.  Now this place is crossed off our list as a stop over, the people are nice enough, but just to tight for us.  We have already mapped our exit plan, one of two of the normal exit turns we just can't make in the Moho.  After walking the park, that is kind of a maze, we managed to find our way back home.  We had burgers for dinner and were in early, it's been pretty cool in the evenings.

Saturday 26 January 2019

     Nice morning cool but sunny 45 degrees.  Brad made breakfast, sausage and pancakes on the grill.  A couple of walks around the park and I think we have finalized our way out of this park. 

Pictures just doesn't let you see how tight the corners are.  Anyway, we went over to visit Kate and Tony and of course stopped for lunch on the way.  They are all sick with cold/flu so we sat outside and talked until they were froze and when they went in we headed home. We are planning to go back on Monday hoping they are feeling a little better.   The park was really nice but the neighborhood out side of the fence is rough and kind of run down.  We had Apple sausage cooked on the grill for dinner.

Sunday 27 January 2019

    Rain, rain and more cold rain.  We had an all day steady rain from daylight to dark.  Poor Rudy did not go out until 11:30am when he couldn't hold it any more. Since it was so cold and rainy we went to meet Buddy and Teresa for lunch at Cracker Barrel.  It is right beside Lazy Days RV sale and was crazy busy.    No we didn't look at any RV's but we did go to the parts department to get a water filter, but it was closed.  We got back home and forced Rudy out for a walk about 6:00 pm.  We had left overs for dinner and then just listened to rain until bed.

Monday 28 January 2019

Woke up to a cloudy morning but by 10:00 the sun was shining and the thermal heat from it felt good.  Diane made breakfast, while doing 2 loads of laundry, then she showered and called the Ochenrider's to make some plans.  Well the plans were, no visit everyone is still sick and not up to doing anything...Oh well.  We had a quick lunch here at the Moho then headed out to the grocery store.  Back home and a long walk for Rudy.  After yesterday he was refusing to get back in the Moho,

 "I was locked in there all day yesterday, you can't make me go back inside.

I'm just going to lay here in the middle of the Road and enjoy the sunshine!!". 

We did manage to get him inside.....he is only 15 lbs after all.  We had dinner in and are hoping to see Kate and Tony tomorrow.  

Last days at Paradise Oaks

Sunday 20 January, 2019

It was windy and rainy last night so neither of us slept very well.  Brad got up this morning and the temp was 65, now that is our high for the day.  About 9:00 the 4 of us headed out for breakfast, then

Our site for the week

back to the CG for Buddy and Teresa to finish packing and head out.  We said goodbyes walked Rudy before heading out for gas, credit union, a little drive and stopped at the inside out grill for a mid afternoon snack.  Groceries then back home grilled cheese and soup to warm us up.  It was down in the 40's by bed time.

Monday 21 January 2019

There was a hard frost this morning and it was only 33 degrees.  We had breakfast in, then about 11:30 we headed up to O'Shucks for lunch, stopped at the bike shop to get Brad's tire fixed and a trip to Beall's (Diane needs a pair of sneakers).  We did some touring around then headed home about 3:00 with a stop to get water and a quick beer at the VFW.  There was nothing quick about the beer, we ended up being there until 5:30 or so before we headed home.  

Tuesday 22 January 2019

Today it was cool and windy so it was a good day to do some running around.  We headed to CVS to get Brad's prescription, then over to Big O's for lunch.....it was ok.  Over to hardware store, Tractor Supply and True Value.  Now they are all surrounded by RV parks so you think one of them would carry water hoses....nope.  Back home and we found the on Amazon, so we placed another order with them.  We had baked haddock for dinner and just as we finished, Len stopped in for a quick visit.  It was good to see him, but after about 30 min., he was off again to his last call of the day....at 8:30 pm.  He does keep busy.

Wednesday 23 January 2019

We got up and it actually warmed enough to make breakfast on the grill.  We then got cleaned up and headed over to Len's, first to check out his new office and our second job was getting Rudy all his shots.  Now he had never been to Len's office before, but at the door he knew it was a Vet's office and we had to drag him in the door.  He did his normal barking/growl at Len and when a dog came over to visit him, he hid behind Brad....it really was a funny site.  After that we took Rudy back home, had lunch then headed over to the cemetery.  After that we stopped at the VFW just up the road from the

The old Truck

cemetery and got to check out this old truck.  It was the owners everyday, run around truck. 

We then headed home and Brad walked Rudy while Diane worked on getting dinner ready.  Steaks, mushrooms and a baked potatoes, but we  didn't get to eat until about 7:00.  Gene and Dawn stopped by for a visit then a phone call or two, but it was all good and the only thing that was a little crispy were the potatoes.  

The original vehicle

Air Conditioner

From Lake front to Paradise Oaks.

Thursday 17 January, 2019

Up this morning and Diane made breakfast....yes inside scrapple and eggs. We have one pack left we are saving.  While Diane was rearranging the cupboards she found a bag of Wege pretzels, what a lovely surprise.  A load of laundry done and now time to finalize the washing of the truck.  The inside of the doors are still full of mud, how it gets there we'll never know but we washed them off,  the truck is starting to look good.  Then usual trip into town.  Propane, wire and electrical connectors to fix the awnings. We had lunch at the 'Downtown Grill' Brad had salad with shrimp, Diane chicken salad sandwich on a croissant Yum. Back home and we noticed the camp ground starting to fill up, there

Sunset on the Lake

was a BMW motorcycle rally being held here this weekend.  The landing pads for RV arrived at 4:30 as scheduled (we were worried they wouldn't be here before the office closed),  but it was a little to late to install them tonight.  We had Chicken on the grill and enjoyed our last campfire for a while.  

Friday 18 January, 2019

Up and packing.  By  10:00 jacks were up and Brad crawled underneath to change the landing pads, bolt came out easy enough new pad installed....but wait they don't fit.  So take the new ones off, put the old ones back on  and Brad is dirty from being under the Moho, he cleaned up and we got on the road.  Stopped at a truck stop for fuel and had some nasty food from inside, another break at the rest area and back on the road to Paradise Oaks where Buddy and Teresa were waiting on us.  We parked almost back to back, had a nice visit then off to get dinner at the Mexican place.  The food was just OK, but the margaritas might have us going back.  Back home, hooked up water and satellite dish and Brad was off to bed about 9:30,  Diane at 10:30.

Saturday19 January 2019

We had cereal for breakfast, showered and visited with Buddy and T for a while.  We then gathered up and headed to the River Ratz for lunch.  It was a bit disappointing as they were out of Shrimp and Cat Fish, but we should have gone someplace else when we pulled in and there were about 100 motorcycles parked in the lot.  It was a fairly nice sunny day to sit and chat which we did.  We had Happy hour on the patio and "Buddy" burgers (Buddy's secret recipe) for dinner, yum. Then sat and talked til 9pm