All is Marvelous

North of Naples, Florida we stopped for several days, mostly full of the necessities of life; shopping, repairs, cleaning and the like. We were able to visit the beach only a couple of times, to my dad's disappointment. For someone who says that the beach is not my home, it sure strikes me that he is quite at home at the beach, perhaps as much as he is in the mountains of Colorado, or more. Since he laid down his fishing pole for good he now picks up shells, and more shells. But like a boy with building blocks, he is quite content for hours on end to view the wonder of the variations, colors, designs, textures and shapes. It is the beauty of God's creation in the little things that he now sees. As long as the beach has shells, he is content.

When I was out riding my bike, actually riding back from the mechanic after dropping off my truck for some brake repairs, I saw a tree of an unusual size and shape. I hoped to find occasion to take dad to see this tree remembering the worlds largest spruce tree he stood next to in the State of Washington. That occasion happened the following day. The tree had been transplanted by an early town father in 1921, carrying it on his back to the present site. It is a Banyan Tree, otherwise commonly known as a Council Tree or a Lofty Fig. So, here he is again, standing amongst the giants, marveling for the present moments that are his to still capture, happy.

We were both amazed to see how this tree, much like the mangroves close to the seaside, drops roots from his outstretched branches to form living wood that has a similar look to frozen waterfalls.

Moving farther up the western coast of Florida we chose to stay on Pine Island thinking that we would find beaches, which we did not. However, we did find a sleepy, unpopulated island with pretty waterside homes of every size and price.

And now as I end this entry, so as to not disappoint those of you that like bird shots and sunsets, here are a few pictures I took this past week.

Heading North Ever So Slowly

I hear old man winter is alive and well even dipping his hand into some of the South. This "winter" experience is a bit confusing since I have to remind myself that it is February, mid-winter, as we ran the air conditioner all today until sunset.
I understand why the easterners flock to Florida, although 90-100 percent humidity is not something Coloradans do well with. Our bath towels won't even dry! Enough musing and complaining about nothing. I almost forgot, here are the promises Everglades American Alligators!

Two more for the road, one of an alligator hand and the other of a notable 3 foot pass along the road.

We traveled across the upper part of the Everglades on Highway 41, stopped an evening in the Big Cypress National Preserve campground, then stayed two nights at a State Campground just east of Naples. This is high season for camping in southern Florida so we decided to stay at a private campground north of Naples for a week. I miss the more rural setting, but I am glad we have a place to call home for a while without having to move the trailer so often. Tomorrow, we need to find an truck mechanic, hopefully an honest one that will give fair value for the needed work. Our back wheel brakes is wanting to lock up, not a good thing when towing, or for that matter, when not towing! So, we will start out our new week with repairs and perhaps start to replace tires which have worn over this past year of travel. Getting beyond the ordinary, let me share with you some pictures I took over the past few days, and of course, sunset pictures from last evening taken from the beach.

It appears the fisherman may have been more interested in the sunset, at least for a time!

I love it when a flock of birds cooperates with my photographic efforts.

Thanks for coming on the journey with us and I will catch you next time!

The Florida Everglades!

The Everglades, a bird-watcher's paradise!

Osprey
Purple Gallinule
Great Blue Heron
Roseate Spoonbill
Snowy Egret
Great Egret
White Ibis
Reddish Egret

I have never paid much attention to birds, until now. The Everglades have quite an abundant selection well beyond the occasional sparrow or finch. Each bird listed we saw more than once, sometimes from a distance, others within a few feet. And let's not forget about the great American Alligator.

We entered the Glades from the southeastern most point, selecting this entry point because it also contained three campgrounds on a first-come, first-serve basis. We stayed at two, the first being available for the first of three nights. We were expecting something altogether different than what we experienced. Pictures and TV shows indicate a wealth of animals and plenty of swampland, and there was some. Yes, we were in the dry winter season, but it was an unusually dry season this year, causing a congregation of animals around waterholes, which meant less areas to view the wildlife. Also, we were surprised by the lack of trails for the kind of touristing that we do. If you were an adventuring, outdoors, rugged type who liked to canoe into the wilderness and camp out with the snakes and alligators, this would be your spot!

We are more sedentary than that; more "citified" trailer types. We are glad we visited the Park and we enjoyed the tours with the rangers, but it probably is not high on our revisit list for the near future, unless I take up boating or "slogging." On our last day, dad and I went out for a hike to Bear Lake, perhaps not as well planned as it should have been. The trail was a lot longer than the map indicated, perhaps around four miles total round trip. Dad got tired after three miles, he refused to grab a log to sit on and ended up catching his foot on the trail resulting in a crash and burn. I then, after further thought, felt badly that I proposed such a trip with him. He is mending now and we are glad that he did not break anything other than thin elbow skin and a bit of pride. The pride mended fast enough since he did not even remember how hurt his arm by the end of the day. He is a dutiful patient allowing regular change of dressing with minimum "pulled hair" complaints or wincing. Sorry dad.

Let me share with you some of my pictures.
The first road to the left when you enter the park brings you to a great viewing area. We visited the location twice.

Notice carefully. It is not a reed, but an Anhinga bird, fishing.

The bird fishes in the water, swimming as fast as a person customarily walks. When he is done, he comes out of the water, spreads his wing and let's the air dry them so he can fly again.

I really liked this bird, first thinking it to be a Purple Gallinule, but I was wrong. I am still exploring what this one is called, but I wanted to share it anyway. It's sleek, compact, and multi-colored.

Below, the Snowy Egret is a bit unusual compared to its cousins because its feathers.

I have more bird research to do. I don't know the name of this one either!
If it stood on two lily pads, it wouldn't sink; one pad, and down it went...

Great Blue Heron

I suppose I need to mention about the Turkey Vultures. It whole demeanor is unsettling, including it head and eyes. On occasion, they have been known to attack care and peck on the rubber around the windows and the windshield wipers. Many folk covered their cars while visiting.

I will continue the Everglades look next time, so watch out for the American Alligator and don't pull on just any tail!

United States Mile Marker 0

We did it! Key West, Florida, about a 110 miles out from the mainland, we drove it and here is the proof of our success driving as far south that you can get to in the United States.

We enjoyed the road trip down through the Keys of Florida, but, frankly, the hype about the drive and Key West outstrips the reality, at least from the perspective of these three travelers. The longest stretch over the ocean (shallow water it is)is around seven miles. I would venture that the 95 miles we drove, less than 12 was actually on bridges. Many of the islands are long and thin and the highway slices through them like a butter knife. The various towns are lined up along the highway with Key West at the southern end of our road trip. The town was busy with traffic (and traffic jams), noisy (in the parts we were in) and surprisingly there were not a lot of touristy shops (which was nice overall). We did enjoy a beautiful late lunch yesterday at an appropriately set and named cafe called, Southern Most Beach Cafe and Bar. They offered good food at a reasonable price with a killer view out-looking the Atlantic. You can't "overlook" when you are at sea level, can you?

Key West traffic mid-afternoon

Louise is looking good, but I need to work at getting in shape!!!

I didn't take very many pictures since the island lay low and there are great expanses of water between the dozens you see. Clearly, if you own a boat or have a lot of money to blow on a killer vacation, you could enjoy yourself along the whole of the Keys, including Key West. We are glad that we made the effort to go all the way out to the end and I would recommend it to all that have ventured to Southern Florida. Also, since real estate prices have fallen around 60%, surprisingly, you can pick up some pretty nice deals, even along waterfront property.

The small privately owned RV park we stayed at was quite an experience itself. From a unique proprietor to size and mix of vehicles (Motorhomes, Trailers, Fifth Wheel AND Boats, mixed with tents, the folk staying here are a mix of every generationm not just old retirees. Some are still working full-time, others may not have ever worked full-time. Most of the folk just hang out, unlike most of our days that are filled with exploring, brousing shops or walking trails. Here are some pictures that may give you mix of scenes within or surrounding the RV park.

We visited the Dagney Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park today where you park just off the highway and then walk in to enjoy the various trees and fauna, butterflys and lizards. Nope, no alligators or snakes, this time. We learned much about the Hammocks, the canopy of vegetation full of various vines, bushes and trees, some of them with a toxic resin sure to make one itch. I saw my first Ironwood tree alive in the wild. Not only is it the hardest hardwood, but the heaviest, weighing up to 88 pounds per cubic feet! Old manmade coral walls made the walk even more interesting.

We will be visiting the Everglades next. I will finish this entry with a picture of my dad who is happy, relaxed and is looking years younger. The traveling is doing him well.

Finishing the Annual Celebration

I will be trying to catch up a bit on our travels after posting a few more shot of our travel. I left you off at Prince Rupert, B.C. with dad having a good time hugging a paper mache King Salmon. So, here are a few more pics and then I will catch you up to the present.
This picture was taken at Mt. Robson, B.C., Canada's second tallest mountain-

As part of our stop at the Ukrainian Village east of Edmonton, Alberta, an older man was demonstrating the technique of plowing using true horsepower-

Although the travel is great it is even greater to be reunited with family! Here Grandpa Floyd hugs youngest grand daughter, Dinae in Denver-

And grand daughter, Emily, Dinae and Ben's daughter at the Botanical Gardens in Denver-

The young one earnestly praying over her soon-to-arrive lunch!

Many months ago I showed a picture an old time Barber Shop in the town of Hardy where we also had lunch where they set up the table and chairs just for us. Well, that same town had absolutely the best local crafted wood flutes for sale. I almost bought one although I do not play

The largest rock dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC)in Cumberland State Park in Kentucky. It was a wonderful place to stay.

The Outer Bank beach of North Carolina. Just dad, Louise and I on the beach this time.

In the old downtown of Ocracoat N.C., I mean old, I found the these unique house steps-

You may recall, we spent Christmas with our daughter, Sarah, her husband, Simon, and our two other grandboys. Here is the oldest, Tristan James-

Who is that happy guy who enjoys every single day of vagabond retirement?

The sculpture at Brook Green Gardens was "Eat More Beef." Worth a good chuckle.

I do not recall if I had posted this picture earlier in my blog. It is one of the most unique interior walls I have seen, like a big basket woven

I have never seen a bird, any bird, fly so close to the water as this Pelican in South Carolina-

Sorry for the mix-up on the pictures and the wording. I am not going to go back at this stage and change them. It just takes too long to re-post and it is getting late. I told you I would be skipping around!!!
My Aunt, Verda, noticed that I had not previously mentioned anything about our time in Georgia. So, in honor of her, here is a port shot along the river in Savannah. It was a nice city, very similar to Charleston

Look carefully. This is a cement wall using oyster shells and then finishing it up with wood! I really liked the look-

South of Titusville, Florida, we stay in a small mobile home park that rented out a few of their sites to vagabonds like us. We discovered, really for the first time, how inexpensive it would be to live here in Florida. Space rent was $350 per month and you have a shared dock for river/ocean access. They even provide a space to park your boat. One mobile homes were for sale from $65K down to $7K. I almost inquired-

On the same island that the Kennedy Space Center is located, there is also a large nature preserve. We had the fortune of seeing this rare Roseate Spoonbill bird

There was an abundance of wildlife-

How is this for a Florida sunset complete with a seagull!

One of the parks we stayed at was run by Martin County. It had it's own little Island. Look what I found as one of the most unique fishing piers I have seen-

Unique bird, quite ugly, until you see it fly. I used a little photographic license and tilted my camera to get as close of a shot of it standing by the dock looking on-

I took Louise out to the ocean as part of her birthday celebration. This surfer I captured in Palm Beach. The water wash warm and surf was up-

A strange site to behold outside of Stuart, Florida. These Turkey Vultures were drying out after a full night of downpour-

Well, I finally caught up to today, February 7th! We arrived on a small island (almost part of the mainland of Florida)close to Key Largo Island, staying at a small RV park of perhaps 25 residents, some on boats. It was hot today, at least 80F and it was the tightest fit I have experienced in all of our travels. The truck was so strained by the manuvering back and forth, that it actually vapor locked on me! That is its first, and hopefully last time. Yes, I know it was 27F in Denver, so I will not complain.

A number of the residents went out fishing on the board walk in the warmth of the dark evening. It feels like what I imagined the tropics would be like, other than the sweltering summer heat. Is this really February 7th?

On this same spit of land, there are other "Condo Associations" of RV parks that look idyllic. Live in your trailer and park a boat just outside. I will leave you with two pictures from earlier today. Tomorrow, we head out just in our truck for the some of the Key islands.

Oh, by the way, the property where the chair is sitting, is for sale. I dare not ask or it might not be very long...