tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33785930474408496572024-03-13T14:40:19.011-04:00Happy TrailsAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.comBlogger199125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-74576553100157868692014-09-02T15:05:00.000-04:002014-09-02T15:05:08.370-04:00Hello From Lake Kissimmee State Park !<span style="font-size: large;">Still no new computer. This one is still isn't working properly! We are currently at Lake Kissimmee State Park, near Lake Wales, Florida. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">http://www.floridastateparks.org/lakekissimmee/</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of deer photos to show you when I can, white tail deer everywhere here. I was lucky enough to even see a beautiful bald eagle flying above me this morning as Radar and DoogieBowser took me on our early morning walk. Chuck and I went up to the ranger station today and spoke with Andi (sp?) about the possibility of volunteering at this beautiful park. She needs summer volunteers and she is booked up for volunteers every winter. Too bad. We are pretty booked ourselves. We leave tomorrow to go back to Myakka River State Park to work Sept., Oct., and Nov. and come back to Myakka to work April, May and June, the up to St. George Island where we volunteer August and Sept 2015. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">http://www.floridastateparks.org/stgeorgeisland/</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I apologize for not posting a blog as usual, but until I get a new computer, I am very limited to what I can post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our sympathies go out to RVSue who had to say goodbye to Spike, her wonderful canine companion, friend, and a joy to all of us who read her blog. one of her regular followers said it best, "born a dog died a gentleman." We all loved Spike as if her were a part of our family. If you have never read Sue's blog, you should, it is the best blog out there! Just google RVSue and the link to her blog will pop up. Don't cheat yourself, read all the comments too... she has followers/friends all over the world!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">So..... until I get a new computer.... this may be it for another few weeks! Hope ya'll with be patient with me and I will try to make it worth your wait when I get going again! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love ya'll! Geri </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-12939565812014216912014-06-28T19:00:00.000-04:002014-08-16T18:50:23.460-04:00No computer, no new blog photosMy computer is in for repairs. No photos. Using a notepad Until computer is fixed or replaced.<br />
I am still awkward on this notepad! Please be patient. We left Myakka State Park this morning. We will<br />
Be working as volunteers at Hillsborough State Park north of Tampa Fl from July 1 to end of Sept as camp hosts at one of the campgrounds there<br />
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As soon as I get access to my computer, I will<br />
Give a post with photographs!<br />
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Thank you for your patience.<br />
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">PS</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Still having computer problems..... so sorry for the inconvenience! July 25, 2014</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-44589781409134335552014-05-25T15:14:00.001-04:002014-05-29T10:06:38.708-04:00Our Tour Of Myakka River State Park<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">On May 2nd, we took a wonderful 4 hour “Orientation Tour” given to all Myakka River State Park volunteers!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Meet Jim Watson, our tour guide and he has been a volunteer here for years.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RAMeDiZ7RiQ/U4I_jQSEedI/AAAAAAAAHFU/-_I3Sj5FwKM/s1600-h/Jim-Watson-0721.jpg"><img alt="Jim Watson 072" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gJbaL06cmFA/U4I_lalDViI/AAAAAAAAHFc/1NEqYlkzaLI/Jim-Watson-072_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="415" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Jim Watson 072" width="568" /></a> <span style="font-size: medium;">Jim and his wife Lois spend several months a year as volunteers here. Lois works in the Visitor Center answering many, many, many questions by visitors!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3cWn0B4Z4fE/U4I_nV0lY9I/AAAAAAAAHFk/X-HsgTV_OoI/s1600-h/turkey-0089.jpg"><img alt="turkey 008" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jPDUp-_Zq4I/U4I_pdFY7uI/AAAAAAAAHFs/TAAhy6uoJL4/turkey-008_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" height="402" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="turkey 008" width="563" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">First critter we saw on our orientation tour was a turkey! Warning…. most of the following images were shot through the window of a bouncing 4X4 Ford Explorer! Not much here totally in focus!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Below is Clay Gully…. a very slow moving creek</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HHyBDG5uOXY/U4I_rvfigGI/AAAAAAAAHF0/YILfh2N0kdU/s1600-h/Clay-Gully5.jpg"><img alt="Clay Gully" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YK3doaYXusI/U4I_tBbd5OI/AAAAAAAAHF8/d7cGyASWl6U/Clay-Gully_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="385" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Clay Gully" width="559" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Clay Gully is also a great fishing hole as evidenced by the red plastic bobber caught up in the tree!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Many deer share their world here at Myakka River State Park which is the main reason the speed limit is 25mph here. You never know when a deer will jump out in the middle of the road! We have witnessed it many tines!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UJFMuL69BO8/U4I_ur7EIHI/AAAAAAAAHGE/Osw0Q8u5DbM/s1600-h/deerr-0234.jpg"><img alt="deerr 023" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hBDb4SeZ2ao/U4I_wi3JgdI/AAAAAAAAHGM/T5_tEXYDSV0/deerr-023_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="331" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="deerr 023" width="560" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Jim and Chuck in the front seat as we all go “Uh Oh rain drops” on the windshield!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pfNMmH_11p8/U4I_zd5UG4I/AAAAAAAAHGU/e6m2tfwmXEs/s1600-h/raindrops6.jpg"><img alt="raindrops" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wAEoeE0HabA/U4I_04TdyJI/AAAAAAAAHGc/XOkNLmjclEs/raindrops_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" height="411" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="raindrops" width="560" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The rain stayed in the distance although we did get a few quick showers. </span></span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-d7hqzitwm0Y/U4I_2YdgIYI/AAAAAAAAHGk/b8oHW8RT1qY/s1600-h/rainstorm7.jpg"><img alt="rainstorm" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sFDqs3kzo-Y/U4I_4Ijg3ZI/AAAAAAAAHGs/1HuZ4vgRXcE/rainstorm_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" height="393" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="rainstorm" width="555" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">The Pickerelweed below is beautiful plant to look at but NOT a native plant to Florida. It is prolific and quickly chokes out native plants and choking up our waterways!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lJuNpisLs4A/U4I_6APnSUI/AAAAAAAAHG0/lDsPrmHogO8/s1600-h/pickerel-weed5.jpg"><img alt="pickerel weed" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Zbl46ZgBiT4/U4I_7mTYaaI/AAAAAAAAHG8/4QGZyAUifEY/pickerel-weed_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="396" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="pickerel weed" width="553" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I thought I had captured an alligator in the background, but upon closer examination it was just a neat old log!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P05mjYyez8E/U4I_-LSmEuI/AAAAAAAAHHE/XmyBI2b69-M/s1600-h/pond5.jpg"><img alt="pond" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3gP-q-s0ttg/U4I__q_J6ZI/AAAAAAAAHHM/NGSqjs-jkME/pond_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="378" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="pond" width="558" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1xch6_WnXv0/U4JAB4mSWaI/AAAAAAAAHHU/Ee0Janp59fQ/s1600-h/meadow5.jpg"><img alt="meadow" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_oGPM8GMsYk/U4JAD0ycwkI/AAAAAAAAHHc/rgNlw9xpIWI/meadow_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="377" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="meadow" width="555" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Another deer enjoying the wild side of Florida! New antlers are just beginning to show on this guy!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-S9swFE2Qc8I/U4JAG8NrgrI/AAAAAAAAHHk/HwyxZozZNfI/s1600-h/deer-0784.jpg"><img alt="deer 078" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vWxVqJZx320/U4JAIOgKBPI/AAAAAAAAHHs/z9KLxmJfc2M/deer-078_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="394" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="deer 078" width="564" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;">One of our stops was at the Sweetmeadow Pastures ranch site. The original pioneer family of ranching lived here, laughed here, worked here and loved here long before “here” became a state park. </span></span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0jBdx9tgepg/U4JALKjMw5I/AAAAAAAAHH0/QxpxkQ1jsLI/s1600-h/Chuck-and-Jim-Meadowsweet5.jpg"><img alt="Chuck and Jim Meadowsweet" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t16I5Oo8V2M/U4JAMrh92jI/AAAAAAAAHH8/D2AL_VsG6pQ/Chuck-and-Jim-Meadowsweet_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="395" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Chuck and Jim Meadowsweet" width="550" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Bertha Palmer was enticed by the lush wetlands and a vast grassy prairie land. In 1910 she built her 19,000 acre ranch along the banks of the Myakka River. Mrs. Palmer was innovative in her approach to ranching. Over her short 8 year tenure, she introduced Brahma bulls improving her spindly Florida herd. she also built dipping vats to combat tick fever. She also fenced in her land, all unheard of customs in her day!</span><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-txzGi7aYtaI/U4JAOOaNhEI/AAAAAAAAHIE/t0IWWJ6QVCQ/s1600-h/Meadowsweet-sign5.jpg"><img alt="Meadowsweet sign" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S6rFEUQrXC8/U4JAPivN3RI/AAAAAAAAHIM/av1JX_bUsJw/Meadowsweet-sign_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="395" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Meadowsweet sign" width="550" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">This is one of her dipping vats. You would walk the cattle in at one end, through the dip potion and out the other end.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PSFs_LD-zKg/U4JARXmdXFI/AAAAAAAAHIU/BP3f6jIBCYQ/s1600-h/cow-dip6.jpg"><img alt="cow dip" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8PSImpgj3uI/U4JATWrth-I/AAAAAAAAHIc/d34QcMxCpyE/cow-dip_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" height="401" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cow dip" width="548" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--IEZTJJlHSU/U4JAVa2T12I/AAAAAAAAHIk/k8jkPKxoc7c/s1600-h/cattle-dip-0688.jpg"><img alt="cattle dip 068" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-h0e8RXs84eQ/U4JAWqlQB3I/AAAAAAAAHIs/71f_iXkMpcE/cattle-dip-068_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="440" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cattle dip 068" width="285" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hHDQzEQECQI/U4JAYw3T-GI/AAAAAAAAHI0/yJSUTSuszGs/s1600-h/cattle-dip-0665.jpg"><img alt="cattle dip 066" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J2OKx_JUAOk/U4JAarUb7FI/AAAAAAAAHI8/8KOAGKO-M1w/cattle-dip-066_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="386" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cattle dip 066" width="540" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Can you even imagine walking 100’s of cattle through these vats???</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I am sure you all have heard of saw palmetto, the herb to help men’s prostrate. Below is a saw palmetto and the small flowers peeking out are the medicinal part of the plant.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p8s5gYxfWb8/U4JAcRkwxXI/AAAAAAAAHJE/E69pUschZdw/s1600-h/Saw-palmetto-0704.jpg"><img alt="Saw palmetto 070" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tzsX0CjJ1GU/U4JAeJEukzI/AAAAAAAAHJM/tyQiApz5LHQ/Saw-palmetto-070_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="351" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Saw palmetto 070" width="542" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Another deer watching us pass by!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BAmjDIAaiFY/U4JAf7seuBI/AAAAAAAAHJU/UUcMRp3d2GY/s1600-h/deer-05510.jpg"><img alt="deer 055" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uGx7pdPag34/U4JAhv5RWjI/AAAAAAAAHJc/B1gpVl6DdXc/deer-055_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" height="405" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="deer 055" width="564" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Below is known as “deep hole”. Alligators collect themselves here. It is just one of the mysteries of Myakka State Park.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aYyThg6UZX4/U4JAkAJ8M3I/AAAAAAAAHJk/4_jDHZ3pUlE/s1600-h/deep-hole-sign5.jpg"><img alt="deep hole sign" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nVxm5af-gf0/U4JAmJqNUjI/AAAAAAAAHJs/94gms2VG8C4/deep-hole-sign_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="408" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="deep hole sign" width="564" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-renzbELShh0/U4JAnardyII/AAAAAAAAHJ0/n2m9EtyenQ8/s1600-h/2-gators4.jpg"><img alt="2 gators" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IUmLEKbwbOw/U4JAoiQkMNI/AAAAAAAAHJ8/2Iyo9dhVTIU/2-gators_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="324" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2 gators" width="600" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-STyB7M_M1Gs/U4JAq9iBFzI/AAAAAAAAHKE/dqHzGnY2ngk/s1600-h/deep-hole-6.jpg"><img alt="deep hole " border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zu5EYDIaVWI/U4JAsa2NvoI/AAAAAAAAHKM/EhRufEB8FHc/deep-hole-_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" height="488" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="deep hole " width="616" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Below is an Osprey perched on a branch far, far, far away which my hand held 300mm tried its best to get a good image!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c16JYT5-Dw4/U4JAulv6WVI/AAAAAAAAHKU/wSX0wCDovy4/s1600-h/osprey-097.jpg"><img alt="osprey 097" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Sw0ids8U8cM/U4JAweL-wsI/AAAAAAAAHKc/FmSbNr6rXIY/osprey-097_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" height="435" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="osprey 097" width="597" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">If you enjoy camping, whether in your backyard or in one of the many state or national parks that our beautiful America enjoys, you might love this recipe!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Waffle cones with marshmallows, chocolate chips, bananas, and strawberries. Wrap in tinfoil and throw on the fire. aaaaahmazing</span><br />
<img height="635" src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10314622_300433846797310_5041423362552678849_n.jpg" width="479" /><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Saying goodbye to our good camping volunteer friends Connie and Cecil. Their time here is up and they head back to upper Michigan for the summer months and home gardens!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-y5IkGMqK9dE/U4JAycyUoaI/AAAAAAAAHKk/0McBLtA8C9M/s1600-h/connie-and-cecil5.jpg"><img alt="connie and cecil" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RK1KBEjkwiU/U4JAz71OniI/AAAAAAAAHKs/plZY2k1XEuY/connie-and-cecil_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="361" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="connie and cecil" width="500" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">DoogieBowser and Radar definitely love living the</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> life of vagabond gypsy doggies! </span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6QIS2RD_BfI/U4JA2v-Yj1I/AAAAAAAAHK0/yFPDbwQi31Y/s1600-h/Doogie-and-Radar-em6.jpg"><img alt="Doogie and Radar em" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DcMrGsuFkrM/U4JA4SdRCcI/AAAAAAAAHK8/xYcAU3DnPOc/Doogie-and-Radar-em_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" height="415" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Doogie and Radar em" width="561" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">It seems hard to believe that in 4 short weeks our time here at Myakka River State Park will be done. KaPut! Over! UNTIL we get the opportunity to return again as volunteers! We have really enjoyed our time here and we encourage all of you consider volunteering at one of the state parks in your area! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We are lucky here at Myakka that we have such a wonderful support group, “Friends Of Myakka” pay for our uniforms, our equipment and our immediate needs at the park. Below is the fancy swamp buggy used in helping with control burns and trimming the trees with low hanging branches just waiting to snag one of the larger RV Motorhomes!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QSYJP4L3RZU/U4JA6I0BKAI/AAAAAAAAHLE/et5qksIf18Q/s1600-h/Myakka-swamp-buggy-0044.jpg"><img alt="Myakka swamp buggy 004" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vTo3PdAADvQ/U4JA7WXXfxI/AAAAAAAAHLM/ijy_FJIm-1g/Myakka-swamp-buggy-004_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="390" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka swamp buggy 004" width="521" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">These tires are almost as tall as I am!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Fo8_wHxtlkA/U4JA8kAEQuI/AAAAAAAAHLU/ravxoYoSTNQ/s1600-h/Myakka-swamp-buggy-wheels-0054.jpg"><img alt="Myakka swamp buggy wheels 005" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-07nxKIeaL9U/U4JA-G0r5dI/AAAAAAAAHLc/_vncKtISBxU/Myakka-swamp-buggy-wheels-005_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="367" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka swamp buggy wheels 005" width="523" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">We hope you enjoyed this tour of Myakka State Park and will one day get to visit this piece of Old Florida!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Florida, before the land grabbers and the land developers came and decided they had bigger and better ideas for “La Florida” Land of flowers! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">We hope you get the opportunity to come explore this “wild” piece of Florida soon!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Please leave a comment! We like to read about your thoughts! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Happy Trails from the crew of the “MotherShip” Chuck, Geri, DoogieBowser and Radar!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"></span> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vRDyz8SqLqA/U4JBAf0ZKXI/AAAAAAAAHLk/kb6rEXDzMyg/s1600-h/spiritual%252520teaching%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spiritual teaching" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ATgRY0U9JO0/U4JBB-9voFI/AAAAAAAAHLs/ZNOkqpAviUg/spiritual%252520teaching_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="371" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="spiritual teaching" width="359" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-37876588794394349472014-05-01T14:34:00.001-04:002014-05-01T14:45:28.484-04:00THE ADVENTURES OF GERI AND CHUCK AS VOLUNTEERS<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">We are still in Myakka River State Park working as volunteers.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">We are enjoying the late spring, days had been in the mid-70’s until this week…. now we are mid-80’s. But Spring has sprung and the trees are loaded with all kinds of air plants or bromeliads in full bloom!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-boNS1xCClwg/U2KSi-YL4pI/AAAAAAAAHA8/O6alga86_ak/s1600-h/brom%252520037%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="brom 037" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2qGlfQ3ola0/U2KSlF1_mrI/AAAAAAAAHBE/QN_1dKVahkQ/brom%252520037_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="357" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="brom 037" width="514" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">The colors are brilliant thi</span><span style="font-size: medium;">s week! This plant had fallen from a tree and one of the workers put it behind the shed and it bloomed brighter than any other I have seen! That is the miracle of air plants, they don’t need water or soil to survive!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mN-LvM5-0yY/U2KSoCTIrKI/AAAAAAAAHBM/IaIG-EpGjTY/s1600-h/bromo-0435.jpg"><img alt="bromo 043" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c7A0b7bWo_E/U2KSqgOck1I/AAAAAAAAHBU/mRwg5ahIMNU/bromo-043_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="510" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bromo 043" width="323" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Bromeliads usually grow up high in the trees, so you have to look up high to see them. In the top photo, only one can be clearly seen but actually there are 6 plants in the photo!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Rxz8A0tZl4I/U2KSusznqJI/AAAAAAAAHBc/YJVvx8PsVtU/s1600-h/bromo-0475.jpg"><img alt="bromo 047" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XFuejkNiHyE/U2KSxA6gD2I/AAAAAAAAHBk/_F3j1PKtcp0/bromo-047_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="379" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="bromo 047" width="526" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PKmy9y33cGI/U2KS0l8HqeI/AAAAAAAAHBs/DEMAVvP53-4/s1600-h/Cabin%252520Road%252520002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cabin Road 002" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w-BWGlgcQ3k/U2KS2hUnIFI/AAAAAAAAHB0/AzHN6uLQt_o/Cabin%252520Road%252520002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="367" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cabin Road 002" width="522" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">The above photo is Cabin Road. We have to drive down this road every day to our job cleaning cabins! Beautiful jungle road! If you look closely, you can see that the trees here are loaded with air plants!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yYT3Q1zI-ec/U2KS4vqDTdI/AAAAAAAAHB8/ZG2O2VI-Eg0/s1600-h/Myakka%252520wild%252520ginger%252520006%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka wild ginger 006" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-R_6kHqRhTro/U2KS7KNGwXI/AAAAAAAAHCE/BdlJG3uAIkw/Myakka%252520wild%252520ginger%252520006_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="528" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka wild ginger 006" width="342" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">This beautiful flower is wild ginger!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B3Cpz_jM_xA/U2KS9liSJtI/AAAAAAAAHCM/RHUWEmqfd_M/s1600-h/Myakka%252520wild%252520ginger%252520012%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka wild ginger 012" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bVGrHAvRQKU/U2KS_ZhyNZI/AAAAAAAAHCU/_fAsAjoDo34/Myakka%252520wild%252520ginger%252520012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="359" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka wild ginger 012" width="511" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Can you get any more beautiful than this? I love this plant! It smells just like ginger! It is a bulb plant so I have “rescued” one and replanted it. They are not native to Florida.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ej_hHbIEfw4/U2KTA1haC_I/AAAAAAAAHCc/fqK5SF__Rlc/s1600-h/baby-grapes-0354.jpg"><img alt="baby grapes 035" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MDzb3IVKTU0/U2KTCzpr-XI/AAAAAAAAHCk/5rI4T8PJ2x8/baby-grapes-035_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="378" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="baby grapes 035" width="539" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Baby grapes! We have wild grapes growing every where! They grow up tall pine and oak trees!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I am so very happy Chuck and I decided to sell our home in NM and go full time in our RV. We really enjoy our time as volunteers or workampers. We get a free camp site with full hook ups in trade for 20 or so hours a week working in the park. We meet wonderful people every day! We are near family and we are creating new friendships! We are not rich, but we are not in debt either and not having to worry about rent or utilities frees us up to really enjoy life!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Get ready! It was time for Chuck to get another hair cut!</span><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>BEFORE!</strong></span></div>
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q26xH_lWmOQ/U2KTGPAKjRI/AAAAAAAAHCs/mBp77kf8j_4/s1600-h/chuck-before-0216.jpg"><img alt="chuck before 021" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-So2frfjbvso/U2KTIXzMUmI/AAAAAAAAHC0/xu3rKmiDvrA/chuck-before-021_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" height="454" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="chuck before 021" width="522" /></a><br />
<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>AFTER</strong></span></div>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Tgh_b2qI8hE/U2KTKVDAn3I/AAAAAAAAHC8/Kg_BlMFRXz0/s1600-h/chuck-after-0485.jpg"><img alt="chuck after 048" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MrOFFotakJE/U2KTMlzS5XI/AAAAAAAAHDE/ZP__2CfXPAQ/chuck-after-048_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="471" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="chuck after 048" width="513" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">HAHAHAAHA! A summer haircut! I took the dog clippers to him! Grin! I think he cleans up pretty good!</span><br />
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<div align="center">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">EASTER</span></strong></div>
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_JwgWk3Dgto/U2KTOsN-InI/AAAAAAAAHDM/_OsLvORQHYo/s1600-h/Annesley-Easter-0154.jpg"><img alt="Annesley Easter 015" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MrajCaxWk20/U2KTQu195XI/AAAAAAAAHDU/etfpjBT0FlE/Annesley-Easter-015_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="378" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Annesley Easter 015" width="538" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">We spent Easter with family! The girls went hunting eggs in their yard Easter morning and some of the eggs actually had money in them!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BJ3YSo8PIxQ/U2KTTFhT_UI/AAAAAAAAHDc/gGJS7lIxCTs/s1600-h/Aubrey-Easter-0125.jpg"><img alt="Aubrey Easter 012" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KSQX0RQ5KtM/U2KTVN_7DcI/AAAAAAAAHDk/JtY-xl19Y9E/Aubrey-Easter-012_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="398" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Aubrey Easter 012" width="550" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B69Ndmml5zc/U2KTWwJxW7I/AAAAAAAAHDs/EXahDO6gGGo/s1600-h/family-easter-0174.jpg"><img alt="family easter 017" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tBkK31euMUA/U2KTZI1vkqI/AAAAAAAAHD0/Dwmko9RUt6g/family-easter-017_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="383" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="family easter 017" width="545" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">After all the eggs are found, Annesley and Aubrey divvy up the candy and count the $$$$ with mom and dad!</span><br />
<div align="center">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">MYAKKA ENVIRONMENTAL BURNS</span></strong></div>
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cCy8kJtdkDY/U2KTbuwGfQI/AAAAAAAAHD8/E0qUVRbwD_4/s1600-h/Myakka-River-SP-fire-0056.jpg"><img alt="Myakka River SP fire 005" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-45wA60vKjWc/U2KTdjnSVMI/AAAAAAAAHEE/Vq1w1N1Hx9E/Myakka-River-SP-fire-005_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" height="402" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka River SP fire 005" width="549" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Prescribed burns happen often at Myakka River State Park. </span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iTx3bAjBSao/U2KTgSscyMI/AAAAAAAAHEM/SLy56B8LYs8/s1600-h/Myakka-River-SP-fire-0076.jpg"><img alt="Myakka River SP fire 007" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ADlAGk_1vHU/U2KTiZtXvnI/AAAAAAAAHEU/B1w11U88vUc/Myakka-River-SP-fire-007_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" height="406" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka River SP fire 007" width="544" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">This is one of the reasons Chuck and I volunteer! It allows the rangers to do what they were hired to do, keep Myakka River healthy! If there were no volunteers, rangers would be cleaning cabins, mowing lawns, cleaning picnic areas or spending time as camp hosts. Volunteering is essential to keeping our state parks running smoothly!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y_IIL611alw/U2KTksJpb4I/AAAAAAAAHEc/Cdj6HlUWGEY/s1600-h/Myakka-River-SP-fire-0084.jpg"><img alt="Myakka River SP fire 008" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cU3z7CwTeDE/U2KTmFx4TbI/AAAAAAAAHEk/bTpuMjeBWjg/Myakka-River-SP-fire-008_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" height="344" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka River SP fire 008" width="489" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Most of the fire crew is male, but we have a good number of women out there working the fires as well!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tztf8PoICQM/U2KTpde-r8I/AAAAAAAAHEs/rZx7-mLxHfA/s1600-h/Myakka-River-SP-fire-0105.jpg"><img alt="Myakka River SP fire 010" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iPxZP-bZ4Hs/U2KTrh_hFAI/AAAAAAAAHE0/v05n1v_yPx8/Myakka-River-SP-fire-010_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" height="364" style="background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka River SP fire 010" width="505" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Not sure this is a job I would want to do in the summer heat. But these folks do a great job of keeping the under brush contained and providing less fuel for wild fires!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Just think, if we hadn’t decided to be volunteers, we would have missed all of this!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OZMaSnn2qqc/U2KTtRJNd6I/AAAAAAAAHE8/7nniNJZSEQg/s1600-h/Doogie%252520and%252520Radar%252520001%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Doogie and Radar 001" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sKmIvD59cwc/U2KTvvylYZI/AAAAAAAAHFE/Arxck6VRbU4/Doogie%252520and%252520Radar%252520001_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="524" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Doogie and Radar 001" width="524" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Radar and DoogieBowser love to ride in the car with me, Doogie just doesn’t like sharing HIS seat!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I hope you get a chance to visit Myakka one day. I am excited… tomorrow we get to go on a 4 hour orientation tour of the park! Woooo Hooooo!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Have a great week! From the crew of The MotherShip,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Geri, Chuck, Radar and Doogie Bowser!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-9479601982204896172014-04-12T14:14:00.001-04:002014-04-12T18:59:23.380-04:00Settling in at Myakka River State Park<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">First thing I want to do is thank the company that made our wonderful MotherShip, Evergreen Recreational Vehicles</span> <span style="font-size: medium;">! Just before we began our job here at Myakka, our slide got stuck in the out position and would not come in ! We called Randy, our friend and owner of Nature Coast RV where we bought the Mothership! Randy called Tony Chupp of Evergreen for their assistance in repairing our Schwintek Lippaert slide system problem. Problem solved and we are now very happy campers! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KRH50utsvGA/U0l_qebQ-uI/AAAAAAAAG6s/A8R1DKjp2EQ/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none;" /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> CLEANING CABINS</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Okay, I have to be honest here! Cabin Cleaning isn’t always fun, but there are perks! Most folks are actually quite clean and leave the cabins like they found them! Some folks don’t! But all and all, Chuck and I like it here very much.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gCTrQBI8A2s/U0l_stCUItI/AAAAAAAAG60/pEhL3kdWxNw/s1600-h/cabin%252520040%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cabin 040" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-I1MfFBG2qwA/U0l_vd6aGwI/AAAAAAAAG68/FEGo_RvBVck/cabin%252520040_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="305" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cabin 040" width="510" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The cabins were made by the C.C.C. in the 1930’s and built with palm logs that have turned out to be bug and rot resistant.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ggsJ2hsWVbg/U0l_y9PWVYI/AAAAAAAAG7E/nYTKvkGp6f4/s1600-h/cabin%252520041%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cabin 041" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jJ8YmbfH7z4/U0l_0kkpbII/AAAAAAAAG7M/NKW_pDjkQwA/cabin%252520041_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="311" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cabin 041" width="520" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The cabins come with a kitchen with a stove, microwave and fridge. Cooking utensils and plates and silverware are also supplied!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Hdv9g1z30K4/U0l_4ZBx9AI/AAAAAAAAG7U/iE7gibhn0mI/s1600-h/cabin%252520043%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cabin 043" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rgQgh3CwEFk/U0l_-XXckzI/AAAAAAAAG7c/gUcmRmjCCw0/cabin%252520043_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="401" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cabin 043" width="443" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">A fireplace in each of the 5 cabins for those cool nights!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Aym7lntEzhY/U0mADvzBEiI/AAAAAAAAG7k/nIagXSf2Ez8/s1600-h/cabin%252520049%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cabin 049" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6xxR0N1NDdM/U0mAGSmwv2I/AAAAAAAAG7s/Lx7Ighez31E/cabin%252520049_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="294" style="background-image: none; border: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cabin 049" width="491" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Each cabin has a very private back yard complete with fire ring, BBQ, and picnic table and a very cool back porch looking out on the florida wilderness.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-904mHDis4T0/U0mH_RaQ2iI/AAAAAAAAHAY/HAQ6A5QlplQ/s1600/cabinl+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-904mHDis4T0/U0mH_RaQ2iI/AAAAAAAAHAY/HAQ6A5QlplQ/s1600/cabinl+046.jpg" height="392" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Last week was a very slow week for us, we only had to work 2 days out of the scheduled 4 because there were no scheduled check-outs! How is that for an unexpected perk???</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Two extra days off of sunny yet fairly cool weather! Highs are beginning to get up into the low 80’s now but nights are great in the low 60’s!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">We love all the wildlife here at this park!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> MYAKKA WILD LIFE</span><br />
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<img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x2crWEHiWS8/Uq9z6kaksZI/AAAAAAAAGu8/h8vvLCTl9E0/Myakka%252520big%252520gator%252520021_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" /><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Lots of alligators and vultures here for sure, but we also have baby owls!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GGCWR0vKWP8/U0mAKGLN80I/AAAAAAAAG70/uZobWhrscig/s1600-h/baby%252520myakka%252520owl%2525202%252520em%252520032%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="baby myakka owl 2 em 032" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rIeCAcZcbQ4/U0mANBc_xoI/AAAAAAAAG78/nWBpwHJ6Hzs/baby%252520myakka%252520owl%2525202%252520em%252520032_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="377" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="baby myakka owl 2 em 032" width="512" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">This baby has already left the nest and poses on a nearby limb!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a8wRbqUnrRQ/U0mAPUZrAXI/AAAAAAAAG8E/O0bPCwcv_uo/s1600-h/baby%252520myakka%252520owl%252520em%252520016%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="baby myakka owl em 016" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jaMlwmRNlE8/U0mASh6WbYI/AAAAAAAAG8M/i9P-fz1s_6I/baby%252520myakka%252520owl%252520em%252520016_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="371" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="baby myakka owl em 016" width="515" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">This baby is still thinking about leaving the nest….</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PBmuyT9T1mA/U0mAV_W3CBI/AAAAAAAAG8U/h17CAuUv1sk/s1600-h/mama%252520myakka%252520owl%252520005%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mama myakka owl 005" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UqtRoPuC4ok/U0mAX_zO-zI/AAAAAAAAG8c/nvFE3Z3lFhI/mama%252520myakka%252520owl%252520005_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="387" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="mama myakka owl 005" width="525" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">And Mama Owl is ready to clean house, but she keeps a watchful eye on both her babies!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VL31IWHcSV8/U0mAcL7ToAI/AAAAAAAAG8k/Zzg8iJ8UDq0/s1600-h/Cecil%252520Talipia%252520001%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cecil Talipia 001" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YbJJ7Pdcv2w/U0mAhGBHoiI/AAAAAAAAG8s/JOoaqE-z8CI/Cecil%252520Talipia%252520001_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="398" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cecil Talipia 001" width="519" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Our friend Cecil catches a nice big tilapia from the nearby lake!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ycf2S7fLt0c/U0mAjjBi_CI/AAAAAAAAG80/qYn2Z7fbb8c/s1600-h/squirrel%252520wildlife%252520012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="squirrel wildlife 012" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d7bT3r94nho/U0mAnX7M1oI/AAAAAAAAG88/y5GyxpiSEJ0/squirrel%252520wildlife%252520012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="346" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="squirrel wildlife 012" width="527" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">A squirrel finds the orange 1/2 I left out hoping attract hummingbirds, to my fancy home made feeder… not squirrels!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y7jQeiOjs00/U0mAsG6DfUI/AAAAAAAAG9E/sIWQVSoN8aM/s1600-h/squirrel%252520wildlife%252520011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="squirrel wildlife 011" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OhK6fHFObSg/U0mAzxHH_rI/AAAAAAAAG9M/yhi_LHWbA48/squirrel%252520wildlife%252520011_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="350" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="squirrel wildlife 011" width="547" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Squirrel friend looks down, hoping the other guy will share his orange! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">We have seen a family of Bob White Quail here, a fox and several deer in the pasture out behind us. Also a Pileated Woodpecker makes regular trips to our camp, but by the time I grab my camera, he is gone!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fCLn9CjyoV0/U0mA3oHjU1I/AAAAAAAAG9U/O4pw5GWkTYY/s1600-h/sandhill%252520crane%252520babies%252520023%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="sandhill crane babies 023" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vIfDdEDrBJM/U0mA570XBSI/AAAAAAAAG9c/zw0FbdRlbBQ/sandhill%252520crane%252520babies%252520023_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="362" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="sandhill crane babies 023" width="519" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Yesterday, on my way to Publix Grocery I passed a Momma Sand Hill Crane and her 2 yellow babies!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-04ELa3q0xKo/U0mBpgBgvOI/AAAAAAAAG9k/abWz1SV1VuI/s1600-h/yellow%252520rat%252520snake%252520037%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="yellow rat snake 037" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IetPFUhrdoc/U0mBt8bNrOI/AAAAAAAAG9s/bgWX2mFXEsU/yellow%252520rat%252520snake%252520037_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="323" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="yellow rat snake 037" width="523" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Last week, as we were headed to clean a cabin in our golf cart, I noticed a LONG yellow rat snake wound around a tree branch. Below for a close up!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8jopnDMHKis/U0mBwB7CPEI/AAAAAAAAG90/oS_lj30zKIg/s1600-h/Yello%252520rat%252520snake%25252034%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Yello rat snake 34" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-x9y0AhRejLk/U0mBx2ivF5I/AAAAAAAAG98/fBmz859kQLU/Yello%252520rat%252520snake%25252034_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="333" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Yello rat snake 34" width="541" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This snake was probably a good 4 to 5 feet long and very skinny, probably just woke up from hibernation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"> FAMILY</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We have also been enjoying being near our family. Chuck’s daughter Glorianne and her husband Chaz are just 30 minutes away up in Bradenton!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l1F8CxUT5fc/U0mB1Pp0QBI/AAAAAAAAG-E/qPRmzEgF0do/s1600-h/kyle%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kyle" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WDKthA-E78c/U0mB3MHEqyI/AAAAAAAAG-M/S9e6zD4YhZo/kyle_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="434" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="kyle" width="316" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Last Tuesday we went to see our oldest grandson Kyle inducted into the National Honor Society.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--LJuxjW0e3I/U0mB8lxOl1I/AAAAAAAAG-U/bGAdoWb9d2c/s1600-h/Kyle%252520and%252520Ryan%252520002%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Kyle and Ryan 002" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8wyp-K2EYjI/U0mB-kTaZ9I/AAAAAAAAG-c/uBd2iJXAhlM/Kyle%252520and%252520Ryan%252520002_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="358" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kyle and Ryan 002" width="511" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Kyle with his brother Ryan!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cK1kkluafVc/U0mCAZOrRBI/AAAAAAAAG-k/zJssxA2giG0/s1600-h/Annesley%252520and%252520Aubrey%252520018%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Annesley and Aubrey 018" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-W0y0DBH7WNw/U0mCFjCCKbI/AAAAAAAAG-s/xsZ4a7BTP74/Annesley%252520and%252520Aubrey%252520018_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="366" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Annesley and Aubrey 018" width="525" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Their two little sisters, Aubrey and Annesley! Already Diva’s! Notice the princess </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">crowns ??? mmmm These two girls are gonna keep their daddy busy!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9EeBGicrUok/U0mCIOZehvI/AAAAAAAAG-0/VioC6byNsKY/s1600-h/Radar%252520and%252520Doogie%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Radar and Doogie" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e5JjBuqevAU/U0mCKFG6pJI/AAAAAAAAG-8/Havploi-4HA/Radar%252520and%252520Doogie_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="329" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Radar and Doogie" width="495" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Radar and DoogieBowser are our two wild animals! LOL!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Last week we drove all the way to Arcadia FL to eat some of the best Mexican food I have ever put into my mouth!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7GnKXI-6FJM/U0mCMqu4b_I/AAAAAAAAG_E/VrI1QO6r1-Q/s1600-h/Bill%252520and%252520Jill%252520005%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Bill and Jill 005" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0hcIdyUT_1c/U0mCUHUGNkI/AAAAAAAAG_M/yyOQHyhSDqA/Bill%252520and%252520Jill%252520005_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="354" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Bill and Jill 005" width="514" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Our friends, Jill and Bill, went with us and agreed…. GOOD EATS!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Zvj1Et69J7U/U0mCXvsF5VI/AAAAAAAAG_U/5sRASW8C20w/s1600-h/La%252520Piratea%252520003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="La Piratea 003" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X0okzOdmHjI/U0mCb2W9-rI/AAAAAAAAG_c/L7GUb51j0M8/La%252520Piratea%252520003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="340" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="La Piratea 003" width="514" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-F44JCsgYuG8/U0mCdzx_VMI/AAAAAAAAG_k/pbYNlR77VRA/s1600-h/shrimp%252520ranchero%252520006%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="shrimp ranchero 006" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SsaJp6uX9K8/U0mCgGQSj0I/AAAAAAAAG_s/BnLRLDAtZLk/shrimp%252520ranchero%252520006_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="285" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="shrimp ranchero 006" width="559" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I had Shrimp Ranchero YUM! We all just sorta waddled out of there, full and happy! El Pirata on highway 70 east end of Arcadia is worth a visit! We drove over 30 miles to get there! YUM !</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We have had a very busy month! We really do love being here and are beginning to think that this might be our best gig yet! We love workamping/volunteering! Volunteering at our state parks really helps keep these parks open and running smoothly! Rangers are so busy managing wildlife, and doing control burns, that they just simply don’t have the time or the resources to do all that is necessary to keep the parks open! We are also happy to have wonderful support from the Friends of Myakka State Park. They raise money and donate our trucks, our firefighting equipment and even our uniforms! Donations appreciated! Please make checks out to: Friends of Myakka River State Park and send to: 13208 State Road 72, Sarasota, FL 34241 Thanks for your generosity!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We lost a lot of our volunteers April 1st as they left to head home where hopefully the snow has melted and spring has begun! We now have some new volunteers that have arrived to fill those places. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">If you have never considered volunteering at your favorite state park or Army Corps or Engineers (COE) parks, maybe you should. Most only request a 2 month commitment and in return you get a free campsite with FHU and a fun place to explore!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">We hope you enjoyed this visit to Myakka River State Park and with the MotherShip crew! We have enjoyed showing you our corner of the world!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Please feel free to leave a comment! We love hearing from you!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Geri, Chuck, DoogieBowser and Radar!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-70274567721478605012014-03-08T13:19:00.001-05:002014-03-08T15:44:45.981-05:00We are working as volunteers at Myakka River State Park near Sarasota Florida!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We arrived March 1st to begin our 4 months as volunteers at Myakka River State Park. </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ARm_qHEfwts/UxtdVI_0Z6I/AAAAAAAAG4E/qDGRPnmgjS4/s1600-h/Myaka%252520entrance%252520053%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myaka entrance 053" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7pDRPWrxNaU/Uxtdgitw3YI/AAAAAAAAG4M/HElrN_XPOuU/Myaka%252520entrance%252520053_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="376" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myaka entrance 053" width="509" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Many of you may not know how interesting it can be to live in your RV fulltime, or maybe even part time, and volunteer some of your time at a state park! You provide valuable muscle to a resource that protects and yet showcases Americas wild beauty and wildlife! What a way to retire!!! We have several people working in this park escaping the harsh winter up north. Connie and Cecil leave their small farm in Michigan and volunteer those cold winter months in warmer, sunny Florida at the wonderful state parks here. A volunteer is requested to work 2 to 4 months and be required to work 10 to 20 hours a week and in return get a campsite with full hook-up. This is a win-win for you and for the State Park Service! Every state has state parks and every state has volunteers. This is the link if you are interested in volunteering.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/getinvolved/volunteer.cfm">http://www.floridastateparks.org/getinvolved/volunteer.cfm</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Here, at Myakka River, Chuck and I are cleaning cabins. There are 5 cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The cabins are snuggled in with the beautiful oaks and tall palm trees.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6e3w_DLXuMA/Uxtd8MIhGtI/AAAAAAAAG4U/huLV6yeLqnQ/s1600-h/Myaka%252520cabin%2525205%252520059%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myaka cabin 5 059" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B8pH9f364s4/UxteGJNkXSI/AAAAAAAAG4c/J2VWGsm5Jkc/Myaka%252520cabin%2525205%252520059_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="369" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myaka cabin 5 059" width="526" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myakka_River_State_Park">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myakka_River_State_Park</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were asked to arrive on Saturday March 1st. We got here about 3pm and they brought us to the best site possible for us! We love it here! Most of the volunteers are down near the office actually in the park. Still other volunteers are over in the STOP camp across the highway. We lucked out and are the only volunteers here, sharing our space with the park rangers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OaStE6CMhhg/UxteLfEM_4I/AAAAAAAAG4k/a7RQPY2qEKQ/s1600-h/Myaka%252520%252520camp%252520044%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myaka camp 044" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Yo8SuLyO4_g/UxtePTNscmI/AAAAAAAAG4s/jzhsUropWI8/Myaka%252520%252520camp%252520044_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="350" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myaka camp 044" width="547" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have a lovely space with no real close neighbors and plenty of room to walk with the dogs. One of the trails from the park run right behind us!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xIF8XnScQF0/UxteWyGycEI/AAAAAAAAG40/4F371yF0pgE/s1600-h/Myaka%252520Chuck%252520046%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myaka Chuck 046" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1I6RcFfzhv0/UxtegywU0iI/AAAAAAAAG48/C4JS4S-Bpd4/Myaka%252520Chuck%252520046_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="385" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myaka Chuck 046" width="548" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I found an old long handled fishing net propped up against a tree. The net was long gone. Didn’t take me long to re-purpose it! I had a hummingbird feeder, but no good branches to hang it from. I took the net frame, turned it upside down and had Chuck bungee cord it to a post and hung the feeder! YaY! No Hummingbirds yet… but I am sure as soon as they discover it…..</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2Zz0pZOMuzs/Uxtekr0LZJI/AAAAAAAAG5E/k_gwmsWTgl0/s1600-h/Myaka%252520feeder%252520041%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myaka feeder 041" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yIQ27x2tGw8/UxtemUMksaI/AAAAAAAAG5M/nx0xql35PQM/Myaka%252520feeder%252520041_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="430" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myaka feeder 041" width="279" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Sunday, the volunteers all gather at the STOP camp for a yummy covered dish dinner! Seems this is a Sunday tradition. It is a good way to meet other volunteers and share experiences. All the home cooked food was wonderful! I made my green chili chicken enchilada casserole, the dish was scraped clean! This is where we have covered dish on Sunday and volunteer meetings.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3UiatpzSxWE/Uxtep45QSdI/AAAAAAAAG5U/uOtaLqB_ojo/s1600-h/Myaka%252520meeting%252520051%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myaka meeting 051" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sWIb2RPCqDg/UxtesBVGsTI/AAAAAAAAG5c/P_IUm9lHAEg/Myaka%252520meeting%252520051_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="390" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myaka meeting 051" width="542" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Monday we pulled out our camp chairs and decorations and settled down to enjoy our Kindles. Work begins on Tuesday. Tuesday was more of an orientation than actual work day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Mxq8M3FyMeo/UxtewbT_L4I/AAAAAAAAG5k/dkH7RgDKrso/s1600-h/Myaka%252520Shirley%252520%252526%252520Ed%252520057%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myaka Shirley & Ed 057" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xN0jsZ44gi0/Uxteylg-GWI/AAAAAAAAG5s/7dcu_hbHBvA/Myaka%252520Shirley%252520%252526%252520Ed%252520057_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="402" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myaka Shirley & Ed 057" width="562" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Shirley and her husband Ed are also volunteers working the cabins. She came in to show us how to read the ticket for what cabins needed cleaning and how to bundle the sheets and towels needed for each cabin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jmgr1PVTnuo/Uxte1vKlBSI/AAAAAAAAG50/YXDpioCwz3M/s1600-h/Myakka%252520%252520linen%252520055%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka linen 055" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lp7D1qvUZcw/Uxte3ElxxAI/AAAAAAAAG58/YNWn5ZtTY6g/Myakka%252520%252520linen%252520055_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="394" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka linen 055" width="537" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday Phil came to take us to cabin 5 and taught us how cleaning should be done and what was expected of us. Thursday we had another day of learning from Mike. Thursday was an awful day! Not because of the cabins but because of the rain! It rained and thundered the whole 4 hours we worked! We dragged in more mud and dirt into the cabins than what was in there to begin with making more work for ourselves! Mike was more detail oriented than Phil so we learned a bit more that day. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Almost as soon as we got off work, the rain stopped! Chuck and I were soaked clear through! As soon as we got in the door we shucked off the wet clothes and put on dry warmer clothes! I didn’t feel like cooking so we took off exploring and landed at a Chili’s restaurant off Bee Ridge Road. We had a bubbly waitress named Kylie who was fun and a good waitress. She had never heard of workamping or of volunteering and the benefits so we enlightened her. Of course she has several decades ahead of her before she retires!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_5McmfuBuxo/Uxte6BoYUYI/AAAAAAAAG6E/jwHdhsg89aE/s1600-h/Myaka%252520wild%252520iris%252520064%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myaka wild iris 064" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SN2uDvqbEu8/UxtfA06pRPI/AAAAAAAAG6M/JaNjVugG9vc/Myaka%252520wild%252520iris%252520064_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="388" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myaka wild iris 064" width="533" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The wild iris is beginning to bloom in the park! So beautiful! We enjoy working as volunteers. We have worked as volunteers in Utah at Spring Hollow campground near Logan Utah, and Zion River Resort near Zion National Park, in Mimbres NM near the Gila Cliff Dwellings. Although we enjoyed working at those places, our favorite gig was in Truth or Consequences NM at the River Bend Hot Springs! Loved working there and we loved our boss Jake and all the folks we worked with that summer but most of all we enjoyed soaking in the hot springs there and tubing down the Rio Grand River!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Life is what you make of it! We like traveling and seeing life in different places and spaces. Workamping allows you to intimately get to know a place, with 3 or 4 days off you can explore and hike and try all new restaurants! You might want to consider this life style one day. Chuck and I are able to live off of our SS every month and volunteering keeps us busy and happy!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here are some links to explore. Most private campgrounds want a commitment of 6 months. Most State Parks ask for 2-4 months commitment. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.workampingjobs.com/">http://www.workampingjobs.com/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.workamper.com/">http://www.workamper.com/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.workamper.com/membertype/">http://www.workamper.com/membertype/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope you enjoyed finding out more about volunteering as a way of travelling. It’s free rent and it’s where ever you want to be! What a way to retire!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vTQZrnRfAGs/UxtfCz6dkcI/AAAAAAAAG6U/H-gJlEatWpU/s1600-h/be%252520who%252520you%252520are%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="be who you are" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BItBbZMGNmU/UxtfGoyAhHI/AAAAAAAAG6c/sVu0jJChw9o/be%252520who%252520you%252520are_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="385" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="be who you are" width="535" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-91879146214573464112014-01-16T13:23:00.001-05:002014-01-16T15:11:52.286-05:00BLUE SPRING STATE PARK! WINTER HOME TO THE MANATEE <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dqseWHjqtMw/Utgi4erVyQI/AAAAAAAAGzo/PfYXPebHxSU/s1600-h/Blue%252520Springs%252520sign%252520106%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Blue Springs sign 106" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cJfO2BL4RF0/Utgi54b-EzI/AAAAAAAAGzw/qHlpCGVWxpM/Blue%252520Springs%252520sign%252520106_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="466" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blue Springs sign 106" width="335" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Chuck and I have been camping for several days at Blue Spring State Park near Deland Florida, just off Interstate 4 north of Orlando. We had cloudy days and rain our first 3 days here so yesterday was our first day to walk along the water and watch the gentle giants of Florida, the Manatee!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I need to apologize for no recent posts. Christmas holidays, visiting family and friends and a bad cold kept me away from the computer! I will catch up! But I want you to know where we are now. Blue Spring has a very nice campground nestled in the scrub oaks and palmettos giving lots of privacy between sites. The MotherShip is 32’ long and with our room extended we are 12’ wide. We fit…. but it was a narrow entrance!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9pfzuo8wZ7c/Utgi7aYADXI/AAAAAAAAGz4/KZ2FjJeoKug/s1600-h/Blue%252520Springs%252520sign110%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Blue Springs sign110" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PVyYIBrwYu4/Utgi9wiLWpI/AAAAAAAAG0A/MrIc3XUn_hk/Blue%252520Springs%252520sign110_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="360" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blue Springs sign110" width="479" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Folks come here to see the manatee in their natural habitat. 4 miles of riverfront within the 2,483 acre park, 8 mile hiking trail, boat ramp/dock, 6cabins and a 51 site campground all with water and electric.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Blue Spring is one of three Florida State Parks where you might be lucky enough to see manatee! Yesterday there were plenty of them! The weather was predicted to get cold overnight and they were all leaving the freezing waters of the St. Johns River to refuge in the Blue Spring run where the water stays a stable 72 degrees! The best time to visit the park to see the manatee is from November through March.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nQrlALel_g0/Utgi_qXAweI/AAAAAAAAG0I/IgBOwnXGSg4/s1600-h/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520%252520Chuck%252520036%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Blue Springs SP Chuck 036" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iAtaPzS_wZU/UtgjA3--EZI/AAAAAAAAG0Q/60zvQskKCHc/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520%252520Chuck%252520036_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="314" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blue Springs SP Chuck 036" width="494" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Here, the manatee are entering the Blue Spring run from the St. John’s River. There are close to a dozen here, some hiding in the shadows of the oaks draped with Spanish moss.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pA57ygk9jdE/UtgjCsXbHAI/AAAAAAAAG0Y/yQsNlRRa-W8/s1600-h/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520%252520Chuck%252520055%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Blue Springs SP Chuck 055" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YU6FQgLKDj0/UtgjEGvpv3I/AAAAAAAAG0g/5HxeBEhXaPU/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520%252520Chuck%252520055_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="251" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blue Springs SP Chuck 055" width="528" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">These 3 are headed to the river. Manatee stay in Blue Spring at night for warmth and venture out into the river during the day, when the sun warms the water, to feed. Unfortunately this is a dangerous time for them. The only enemy the gentle manatee has is the speeding motorboat. Manatee surface often for air, making them susceptible to boat propellers that often wound them and even killing them. The white stripe you see on the top manatee is such a scar.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iulhYQprVK4/UtgjF57gZ5I/AAAAAAAAG0o/Kpf8I0pgrkM/s1600-h/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520%252520Chuck%252520056%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Blue Springs SP Chuck 056" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lnN3v0Nd5rs/UtgjHGWs2kI/AAAAAAAAG0w/2HEH8Z3pa14/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520%252520Chuck%252520056_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="320" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blue Springs SP Chuck 056" width="499" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VznOBELhyOM/UtgjIqIBWaI/AAAAAAAAG04/OsYri-ikFZw/s1600-h/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520%252520Chuck%252520058%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Blue Springs SP Chuck 058" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dGl1evg5PSo/UtgjJvwz0RI/AAAAAAAAG1A/XM1NW7CxpNI/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520%252520Chuck%252520058_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="335" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blue Springs SP Chuck 058" width="516" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EWxZB17Zk7M/UtgjLKbZ4KI/AAAAAAAAG1I/I6kMdQ1txl8/s1600-h/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520%252520Chuck%252520059%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Blue Springs SP Chuck 059" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ft6PaoOy7As/UtgjM8RslII/AAAAAAAAG1Q/dK_jvdV6C8s/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520%252520Chuck%252520059_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="356" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blue Springs SP Chuck 059" width="539" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Psr-t1NT2W8/UtgjOdEWkzI/AAAAAAAAG1Y/TaFURRObnCo/s1600-h/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520%252520Chuck%252520062%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Blue Springs SP Chuck 062" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-91dLLIO2c3c/UtgjP_mOsTI/AAAAAAAAG1g/UxvgucrgDFw/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520%252520Chuck%252520062_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="321" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blue Springs SP Chuck 062" width="536" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">The scars on the mature mother manatee show clearly in the top 3 photos and the one below. There is a cage made to fit around the boat propellers but boaters refuse to use it.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hiStb89TS2I/UtgjRI7-qeI/AAAAAAAAG1o/CJCg42JPt44/s1600-h/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520Geri%252520087%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Blue Springs SP Geri 087" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pS32LN9jmfQ/UtgjSjS8ovI/AAAAAAAAG1w/YjyCmiWz-wY/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520Geri%252520087_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="393" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blue Springs SP Geri 087" width="543" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">The manatee must surface for air. This is a dangerous time for them.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lhCbqZz9UHs/UtgjUjESiBI/AAAAAAAAG14/bjq3Rtc2YVw/s1600-h/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520Geri%252520054%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Blue Springs SP Geri 054" border="0" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ycGytIh1Wb8/UtgjWEuVYbI/AAAAAAAAG2A/Qgdf_igUZc8/Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520Geri%252520054_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="375" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blue Springs SP Geri 054" width="514" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">It was quite breezy yesterday, causing a lot of ripples in the water and making it hard to get good manatee photographs to show you. I have been to this park at least a dozen times to visit the manatee, I have never seen as many in the spring run as I saw yesterday! It just wasn’t a good photo op day because of the rippling waters!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Chuck and I were here in 2010 and got some great manatee photos. You can see them on our blog from that visit by clicking this link:</span><br />
<a href="http://phunnyfarm.blogspot.com/2010/03/blue-spring-state-park-manatees.html"><span style="font-size: small;">http://phunnyfarm.blogspot.com/2010/03/blue-spring-state-park-manatees.html</span></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vq2DYdMBsJY/UtgjZVOx11I/AAAAAAAAG2I/jd1LbCv_RKo/s1600-h/Blue%252520Springs%252520viewing%252520031%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Blue Springs viewing 031" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EgZewMssY-4/UtgjbABruhI/AAAAAAAAG2Q/tTFSWp-n13I/Blue%252520Springs%252520viewing%252520031_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="375" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Blue Springs viewing 031" width="521" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">The park had built several very good viewing areas out over the water so you get a good up close and personal look at the manatee. It was a bit crowded yesterday, but remember… this is prime manatee viewing weather and months! We weren’t disappointed!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sjlMbm4mcuk/UtgjcaZzQLI/AAAAAAAAG2Y/5o31SCdX3rE/s1600-h/Chuck%252520Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520Geri%252520105%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Chuck Blue Springs SP Geri 105" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eYZUlaILUJw/Utgjd8d5sNI/AAAAAAAAG2g/4jVaJ4OXGe0/Chuck%252520Blue%252520Springs%252520SP%252520Geri%252520105_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="344" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Chuck Blue Springs SP Geri 105" width="489" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Chuck meets a veteran of the Korean War and a conversation starts up! Chuck is a Viet Nam vet!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XPcZTJA7Ff4/UtgjfxVKNrI/AAAAAAAAG2o/Z7IAGURwmOk/s1600-h/grilling%252520and%252520chilling%252520002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="grilling and chilling 002" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2vy1iQY0s1Q/UtgjhY0vERI/AAAAAAAAG2w/f4au-s5QdH4/grilling%252520and%252520chilling%252520002_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="348" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="grilling and chilling 002" width="495" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Back at the campground… ( see </span><span style="font-size: medium;">how nice our site is?) Chuck grills burgers. DoogieBowser and Radar wait patiently in the background hoping for a taste!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IkagZ7rAGRo/Utgjjt7tGMI/AAAAAAAAG24/VpTVYqLrXW0/s1600-h/ham%252520and%252520beans%252520003%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ham and beans 003" border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-u_midd3ollA/Utgjk8hP3zI/AAAAAAAAG3A/m1zL7NIcOU8/ham%252520and%252520beans%252520003_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="420" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="ham and beans 003" width="537" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Beans with Publix made blue cheese burgers! YUM!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-k4T7-GY85a8/Utgjmb5HaGI/AAAAAAAAG3I/fWIUrMDmT1M/s1600-h/DoogieBowseri%252520007%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DoogieBowseri 007" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2kcLGWEEBAU/UtgjnfTKk-I/AAAAAAAAG3Q/ZuDmdTGhtuo/DoogieBowseri%252520007_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="376" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DoogieBowseri 007" width="522" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">DoogieBowser sits up nicely, hoping we notice a will reward him. Both Radar and Doogie get to lick the empty plates!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mAjvy5TRlFU/Utgjo3730mI/AAAAAAAAG3Y/AMEOssgClHI/s1600-h/Chuck%252527s%252520chair%252520008%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Chuck's chair 008" border="0" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VDG1pUPdZd4/UtgjqQHOrQI/AAAAAAAAG3g/y5i-a1L8-xE/Chuck%252527s%252520chair%252520008_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="386" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Chuck's chair 008" width="537" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Chuck bought himself a Christmas present this year! A folding papasan (?) chair from C</span><span style="font-size: medium;">amping </span><span style="font-size: medium;">Wo</span><span style="font-size: medium;">rld. As we get older, most of those sagging camp chairs get harder and harder to climb out of. This one one is very comfortable and folds up much smaller than you would think! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">P</span><span style="font-size: medium;">lease take a closer look at Blue Spring State Park as a possible Florida destination. We love it here. We will be here 2 more days and then we head to Kissimmee State Park near Lake Wales FL, we could only book a few days there so from there we head back down to Highlands Hammock State Park for another visit and possibly some job training! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">As a treat for you, I found a live web cam for viewing the manatee at Blue Spring! Follow this link:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.savethemanatee.org/savethemanateecam.html">http://www.savethemanatee.org/savethemanateecam.html</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.savethemanatee.org/cam_videos_8.html#Anchor-7">http://www.savethemanatee.org/cam_videos_8.html#Anchor-7</a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Here is a link to tell you more about the park:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Hope you enjoyed the visit to Blue Spring! We sure hope you get a chance to visit here is person someday! This is a very special park!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">We love you all! From the MotherShip we are Geri, Chuck and DoogieBowser and Radar!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9BUD1-_PSNM/UtgjrfCW0EI/AAAAAAAAG3o/lwBZta_Ei8k/s1600-h/GOOD%252520side%252520effects%252521%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="GOOD side effects!" border="0" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MOtshG418WM/UtgjsgCGxBI/AAAAAAAAG3w/qab9S4aZePE/GOOD%252520side%252520effects%252521_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" height="390" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="GOOD side effects!" width="412" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-69810062960983285702013-12-16T15:48:00.000-05:002013-12-17T12:01:50.088-05:00Loving it at :-) Myakka River State Park !<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1ROzeCiZC1c/Uq9y80CUBjI/AAAAAAAAGpU/ysAkOoTb04U/s1600-h/MS%252520at%252520Myakka%252520%252520010%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="MS at Myakka 010" border="0" height="467" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qIYINAmvN0U/Uq9y-YILsMI/AAAAAAAAGpc/Hyg4uylzNEE/MS%252520at%252520Myakka%252520%252520010_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="MS at Myakka 010" width="303" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Chuck quickly backed into our beautiful, canopied campsite at the Big Flats campground at Myakka River State Park, east of Sarasota Florida. Huge old oaks, towering pines and drapery of spanish moss welcomed us!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lnhmJwhN2Gg/Uq9y_qfV9wI/AAAAAAAAGpk/2TPbcmEoiLc/s1600-h/MS%252520at%252520Myakka%252520%252520030%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="MS at Myakka 030" border="0" height="364" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ghta8Jul1BY/Uq9zA48kniI/AAAAAAAAGps/CFcz0EjMo0U/MS%252520at%252520Myakka%252520%252520030_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="MS at Myakka 030" width="519" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">With the camo color of The MotherShip, we blend right into the background!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MhHxi9YneCo/Uq9zCJZEx2I/AAAAAAAAGp0/7x3FolJpx8k/s1600-h/Myakka%252520back%252520window%252520024%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka back window 024" border="0" height="290" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D2prDZs6GRs/Uq9zDQoJuJI/AAAAAAAAGp8/zxu7mAIKUGE/Myakka%252520back%252520window%252520024_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka back window 024" width="497" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Looking out our back window, all we see are more palms and the wide open Florida prairie where the deer and the wild pigs entertain daily!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rE0uLCVBpMw/Uq9zFC1zzsI/AAAAAAAAGqE/JEOozeYlbcw/s1600-h/Myakka%252520Doogie%252520026%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka Doogie 026" border="0" height="364" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oD7lc0b_04g/Uq9zGC4dLWI/AAAAAAAAGqM/62sWZK-MrKc/Myakka%252520Doogie%252520026_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka Doogie 026" width="505" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">DoogieBowser makes himself comfey! Later, Radar grabs Doogie’s perch!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vSbWJYTUpdY/Uq9zHv8gPWI/AAAAAAAAGqU/iBOStkAk2iU/s1600-h/Radar%252520002%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Radar 002" border="0" height="388" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0LkEaYFk7uw/Uq9zI5K0ZmI/AAAAAAAAGqc/xq6CgzbHQf0/Radar%252520002_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Radar 002" width="512" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Jg3MIWbVemU/Uq9zKPApZoI/AAAAAAAAGqk/n4anIGZoYbw/s1600-h/Myakka%252520Mercadez%252520032%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka Mercadez 032" border="0" height="372" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f5gLscec2J8/Uq9zLh-OFgI/AAAAAAAAGqs/J86uutruBMw/Myakka%252520Mercadez%252520032_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka Mercadez 032" width="505" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Camped near us was this cool RV with an even cooler car tag “R RDTRIP”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And even cooler was their towed car and the car tag it wears!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">SMRTOAD!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NOhWhke7SQ0/Uq9zM8yy3DI/AAAAAAAAGq0/hhJfzt2NRMc/s1600-h/smart%252520car%252520031%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="smart car 031" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K0vif3Jg41M/Uq9zOMXM9zI/AAAAAAAAGq8/Y21dfQu0G4g/smart%252520car%252520031_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="smart car 031" width="512" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-aap_UeqatLM/Uq9zPZfVTFI/AAAAAAAAGrE/4HbfLyuG8AE/s1600-h/Myakka%252520River%252520SP%252520012%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka River SP 012" border="0" height="309" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ArFam_pZbWo/Uq9zRHZKEbI/AAAAAAAAGrM/TfvPFTajrHE/Myakka%252520River%252520SP%252520012_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka River SP 012" width="529" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Early morning starts gently at our campground, slivers of sunshine invading the wild woods. </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-id1cgghFwY0/Uq9zSZPr4sI/AAAAAAAAGrU/SUMY4LnRJRI/s1600-h/palm%252520trail%252520016%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="palm trail 016" border="0" height="256" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-noNQLMzUeX8/Uq9zTXh4gWI/AAAAAAAAGrc/RXNlmBCTVr4/palm%252520trail%252520016_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="palm trail 016" width="177" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YQSkhuTV6Xo/Uq9zUvaVT4I/AAAAAAAAGrk/Cl5RkTDhzHg/s1600-h/Spanish%252520Moss%252520007%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Spanish Moss 007" border="0" height="253" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BJcA5H0ny-c/Uq9zVyCiOQI/AAAAAAAAGrs/FTr4DUZjO8s/Spanish%252520Moss%252520007_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Spanish Moss 007" width="160" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Wild towering palms and draperies of spanish moss catching the sun!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FgyWSPmYB1U/Uq9zXl-WgHI/AAAAAAAAGr0/37W8aKptudw/s1600-h/canopy%252520rd%252520028%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="canopy rd 028" border="0" height="324" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kSWACNIhL08/Uq9zYiFBmQI/AAAAAAAAGr8/8BlaVrxXxn8/canopy%252520rd%252520028_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="canopy rd 028" width="503" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Canopied roads, ancient oak trees reaching out across the road ways to touch it’s neighbor on the opposite side providing shade for all.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iZ2D1Ct2his/Uq9zajTaBpI/AAAAAAAAGsE/GyDMttPlQfw/s1600-h/eagle%252520%252520056%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="eagle 056" border="0" height="406" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Pnan9jYOKbo/Uq9zbwdqlXI/AAAAAAAAGsM/ueToeZsuhSU/eagle%252520%252520056_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="eagle 056" width="518" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our first day there, Chuck saw this bald eagle. Of course I had my wide angle lens on and had to crop like crazy to get any sort of photo at all…. </span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v_fH_ovw9m0/Uq9zdx3eenI/AAAAAAAAGsU/yc8ovjqd_oE/s1600-h/G%252520blue%252520007%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="G blue 007" border="0" height="370" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w2Q6INQzD-E/Uq9zfPd_GZI/AAAAAAAAGsc/eRHzTwGYyKk/G%252520blue%252520007_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="G blue 007" width="515" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Great Blue Heron looking for lunch. Myakka River State Park is teeming with wildlife. Grab your camera and your longest lens and you will not be disappointed!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-o_Hd3b3xB9s/Uq9zgZSFJmI/AAAAAAAAGsk/KToDfO1eh0U/s1600-h/gator%252520spoonbill%252520%252520026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gator spoonbill 026" border="0" height="291" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YPJybHMSk6A/Uq9ziXOxG8I/AAAAAAAAGss/E0qNbYpChrk/gator%252520spoonbill%252520%252520026_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="gator spoonbill 026" width="518" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Alligator swimming towards a Roseate Spoonbill, a Snowy Egret and a couple of Cormorants. Below, the spoonbill decides to leave the alligator and heads to the resting area of several wood stork.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RRhh2MgOjqg/Uq9zj0_X2HI/AAAAAAAAGs0/GIFdkPMRjqc/s1600-h/spoonbill%252520and%252520wood%252520storksr%2525202%252520029%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="spoonbill and wood storksr 2 029" border="0" height="318" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qCXKXOm3Eao/Uq9zkxtAmdI/AAAAAAAAGs8/_gVIcG9Se1o/spoonbill%252520and%252520wood%252520storksr%2525202%252520029_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="spoonbill and wood storksr 2 029" width="524" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RmEJMUUenck/Uq9zm5_kZiI/AAAAAAAAGtE/2FZ0n27mkl4/s1600-h/kyakers%252520037%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kyakers 037" border="0" height="383" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pHlWw6BpzOI/Uq9znzEgXGI/AAAAAAAAGtM/I2bdL5oXuL0/kyakers%252520037_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="kyakers 037" width="522" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Kayaking is popular here as well as canoeing.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a-lk-LWx3bU/Uq9zpkmwbrI/AAAAAAAAGtU/YWoNdotwtlw/s1600-h/tri%252520color%252520heron%252520004%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="tri color heron 004" border="0" height="416" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0fxDU3slyJs/Uq9zq4xof7I/AAAAAAAAGtc/MC20khLhuBs/tri%252520color%252520heron%252520004_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="tri color heron 004" width="544" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Not sure, but the heron above is probably a Little Blue or maybe a Tri-colored.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-zo4pQuqFkxc/Uq9zsbjrzgI/AAAAAAAAGtk/Wn8eD6QpRsQ/s1600-h/gator%252520038%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="gator 038" border="0" height="408" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jYz6YPuSI9M/Uq9ztfplNGI/AAAAAAAAGts/Dp_oh1ZSpuw/gator%252520038_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="gator 038" width="540" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Just another Gator peeking up out of the water……</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d6HlbNAhLRk/Uq9zvGBOerI/AAAAAAAAGt0/S2l6XVlKUVk/s1600-h/Myakka%252520air%252520plants121%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka air plants121" border="0" height="406" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WXMbwf6t2a4/Uq9zwYm78uI/AAAAAAAAGt8/T8BeHyifrcQ/Myakka%252520air%252520plants121_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka air plants121" width="551" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The trees at Myakka are loaded with air plants! Everything from Resurrection Fern to Bromeliads thrive here!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qelu5_S5mig/Uq9zxk80c7I/AAAAAAAAGuE/uqXnCaG9E7g/s1600-h/Myakka%252520Amish%252520102%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka Amish 102" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TSNMQZ7FRRo/Uq9zy9bVxZI/AAAAAAAAGuM/YCXaaXWbcF8/Myakka%252520Amish%252520102_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka Amish 102" width="535" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Airboat tours are available and these ladies have a front row seat!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9wmHC5-KmzI/Uq9z0D7w6UI/AAAAAAAAGuU/Dmk-_jZUDrY/s1600-h/Myakka%252520Vultures%252520%252520010%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka Vultures 010" border="0" height="386" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7npedpeaZtQ/Uq9z1HyqWzI/AAAAAAAAGuc/OGFsoNkOIDI/Myakka%252520Vultures%252520%252520010_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka Vultures 010" width="536" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Vultures! Lots and lots of vultures! Tis the mating season and they gather in warm sunny Florida to find their love life high in the skies…. and next to some not so prudent tent campers who left their snacks out on their picnic table , below.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9vJ_0Wt7-p4/Uq9z2_k0mAI/AAAAAAAAGuk/c222YwjqP2A/s1600-h/Myakka%252520tent%252520vultures%252520001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka tent vultures 001" border="0" height="343" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-FCcemDIYzLE/Uq9z4D5XRxI/AAAAAAAAGus/Tw4qQ5zr5Xk/Myakka%252520tent%252520vultures%252520001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka tent vultures 001" width="536" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qR2W5IOtvzM/Uq9z5uWxNGI/AAAAAAAAGu0/OJ8WQVt0X60/s1600-h/Myakka%252520big%252520gator%252520021%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka big gator 021" border="0" height="278" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x2crWEHiWS8/Uq9z6kaksZI/AAAAAAAAGu8/h8vvLCTl9E0/Myakka%252520big%252520gator%252520021_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka big gator 021" width="538" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">More vultures and alligators! Look at that big boy’s tooth….. </span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bgFHsAOlSXE/Uq9z7-Tf4VI/AAAAAAAAGvE/Sn1OLS25Trc/s1600-h/Myakka%252520gator%252520049%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka gator 049" border="0" height="396" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ikz4q2JbvcU/Uq9z9BhQD5I/AAAAAAAAGvM/WsrXwQICx_I/Myakka%252520gator%252520049_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka gator 049" width="550" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-J7QlCeefWt8/Uq9z-usz8bI/AAAAAAAAGvU/otlFgMTqzi0/s1600-h/Myakka%252520canopy%252520trail%252520011%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka canopy trail 011" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IUUgB7tf6IU/Uq90AeH5BXI/AAAAAAAAGvc/GJ2RwQkYzN0/Myakka%252520canopy%252520trail%252520011_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka canopy trail 011" width="559" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the beginning of the Canopy Trail. It will take you back to the tall tower below and a suspension bridge taking you from one tower to another.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-SOuGoWHwne4/Uq90BgueJuI/AAAAAAAAGvk/ASdPk3KX90Q/s1600-h/Myakka%252520tower%252520145%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka tower 145" border="0" height="454" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fQP1faEGtnU/Uq90C_3zReI/AAAAAAAAGvs/iOUZT-6rEVw/Myakka%252520tower%252520145_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka tower 145" width="294" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Since I do not do stairs well, and these towers meant a lot of stairs, I handed Chuck the camera and up he went.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xUOuVWk0bx0/Uq90D0GIcII/AAAAAAAAGv0/GXs-caFrGbc/s1600-h/Myakka%252520tower%252520view%252520126%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka tower view 126" border="0" height="330" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pNMrW5D_4p0/Uq90FPWaq9I/AAAAAAAAGv8/oXkt193Q3gk/Myakka%252520tower%252520view%252520126_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka tower view 126" width="622" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At the top of the tower, you get a full 360 degree view of Myakka River State Park.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sopPGkiX4Xc/Uq90GgErwCI/AAAAAAAAGwE/dpKy_Ktd6e4/s1600-h/Myakka%252520tower%252520view%252520128%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka tower view 128" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TMlVjyBrj0I/Uq90HnyOHZI/AAAAAAAAGwM/qMDFsIqqQCE/Myakka%252520tower%252520view%252520128_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka tower view 128" width="617" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Two views of the suspension bridge</span> . <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-c-H79V0-eTg/Uq90I_cYqZI/AAAAAAAAGwU/jBt-iTqVLQw/s1600-h/Myakka%252520swinging%252520walkway%252520123%25255B5%25255D.jpg"> <img alt="Myakka swinging walkway 123" border="0" height="472" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M1l4KjZOux8/Uq90J915uFI/AAAAAAAAGwc/WBFp1upgZaM/Myakka%252520swinging%252520walkway%252520123_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka swinging walkway 123" width="298" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rVfPIgLV5xM/Uq90LbNg1zI/AAAAAAAAGwk/4RSDlGjAsQs/s1600-h/Myakka%252520swing%252520trees140%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka swing trees140" border="0" height="384" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SZG-aarRTgM/Uq90MwVLSEI/AAAAAAAAGws/H7KEfTanmoo/Myakka%252520swing%252520trees140_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka swing trees140" width="534" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-j9FuzT7HkzU/Uq90N3V0z_I/AAAAAAAAGw0/xUkUlen-zDo/s1600-h/Myakka%252520Anhinga%2525203%252520068%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka Anhinga 3 068" border="0" height="378" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0DcSx9XHmYM/Uq90PhG3JWI/AAAAAAAAGw8/y1SxEsoEjXU/Myakka%252520Anhinga%2525203%252520068_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka Anhinga 3 068" width="517" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Anhinga, also known as the “snakebird” because it swims below the water with only its head and long slender neck above water.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MIUUUaDvFiQ/Uq90Q7WGHsI/AAAAAAAAGxE/1vMsHiIfDRQ/s1600-h/Myakka%252520blue%252520heron%252520103%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka blue heron 103" border="0" height="368" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sZJ4gxNIC8A/Uq90SRBkjeI/AAAAAAAAGxM/Hx3lk6JHfCc/Myakka%252520blue%252520heron%252520103_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka blue heron 103" width="511" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Great Blue Heron</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qm5a58hkYSY/Uq90TprF8SI/AAAAAAAAGxU/2Y4pXCWUuTU/s1600-h/Myakka%252520osprey%252520152%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka osprey 152" border="0" height="367" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-J_kv1Mz9eTM/Uq90UsBZClI/AAAAAAAAGxc/YZvg4xaIP2U/Myakka%252520osprey%252520152_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka osprey 152" width="523" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Osprey sitting in a pine. Just moments before, I saw this bird in the sky and purposely bumping into a vulture making it tumble a bit. After the hit, the osprey gave a loud victory call, bragging to the world!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gTB5c0ZdD-g/Uq90WOtNvYI/AAAAAAAAGxk/hDJfjdLJ9BE/s1600-h/Myakka%252520woodstorks%252520158%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka woodstorks 158" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-r-yPl6eYmPc/Uq90XdzJ2ZI/AAAAAAAAGxs/YEzP3fVrci0/Myakka%252520woodstorks%252520158_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka woodstorks 158" width="540" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Wood storks resting by the waters edge. </span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-eygyy6f20f8/Uq90YrkDtiI/AAAAAAAAGx0/wco5yvh5cHk/s1600-h/Myakka%252520talipia%252520077%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka talipia 077" border="0" height="447" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lLEl_MFzNpQ/Uq90Z_gYI5I/AAAAAAAAGx8/g3BMTPuBa1w/Myakka%252520talipia%252520077_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka talipia 077" width="552" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Fishing is good from the bridge! These folks are using cast nets to catch tilapia.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tilapia are non-native and considered an invasive species of fish. Myakka will allow you to keep all the non-native fish, but you must return all native fish to the water!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xKcGhHEr0zQ/Uq90bLUPrzI/AAAAAAAAGyE/kH9vdJsFEUI/s1600-h/Myakka%252520talipai%252520080%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka talipai 080" border="0" height="316" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eWLgoPBPJWM/Uq90cdLCU0I/AAAAAAAAGyM/qXxskRpi_-8/Myakka%252520talipai%252520080_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka talipai 080" width="528" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YeX8mAZist4/Uq90dpHGA9I/AAAAAAAAGyU/VnANZhc2jBg/s1600-h/Myakka%252520talipia%252520075%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka talipia 075" border="0" height="377" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jsfTKZBJH4E/Uq90e3npMQI/AAAAAAAAGyc/c_bOud4x7VI/Myakka%252520talipia%252520075_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka talipia 075" width="523" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CDy0mtoGljAAu85Jq5dR9Cx2uTLlYAfUL1mTsLxenm_T2ztPFnDEnM0OL01dZi3_XAh9rJdT5galw7jSC8rHo2_VIsup_1HZ3FK49TL4vkwn_3Vewdz06s8SddyGkHa0AQ0kNNUWwGk/s1600/deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8CDy0mtoGljAAu85Jq5dR9Cx2uTLlYAfUL1mTsLxenm_T2ztPFnDEnM0OL01dZi3_XAh9rJdT5galw7jSC8rHo2_VIsup_1HZ3FK49TL4vkwn_3Vewdz06s8SddyGkHa0AQ0kNNUWwGk/s320/deer.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xnHqKk58jKU/Uq90fyDo4JI/AAAAAAAAGyk/HU3DsLS1jrY/s1600-h/Myakka%252520deer%252520085%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka deer 085" border="0" height="353" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KRYQnYsLbOY/Uq90hFbnr8I/AAAAAAAAGyo/whgfRfHJX38/Myakka%252520deer%252520085_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka deer 085" width="502" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Another deer taking a break in the shade.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The end to another wonderful day at Myakka River State Park! Chuck and I love Florida State Parks so much, we have decided we would like to volunteer here. We got a contact name and number and called and left a phone message expressing our interest in becoming volunteers at Myakka. That was Friday afternoon, and by golly, this morning we got a return phone call and seems like we may have a very good chance of working here this spring for a few months! YaY! Keep your fingers crossed for us!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-278HsPHXVRY/Uq90iT9WctI/AAAAAAAAGy0/bVlZcOq71cI/s1600-h/Myakka%252520Sunset%252520%252520008%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Myakka Sunset 008" border="0" height="395" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-IonCK2PrRMg/Uq90jXdW06I/AAAAAAAAGy8/-zV4OeO3Y0Q/Myakka%252520Sunset%252520%252520008_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Myakka Sunset 008" width="547" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">From the crew of the MotherShip, Chuck, Geri and our furkids DoogieBowser and Radar, we hope you enjoyed seeing this wonderful Florida park with us!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We are now camped at Highlands Hammock State Park near Sebring FL. Another jewel in the Florida State Parks Crown!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tOWNthJ-o7Y/Uq90lbDoeHI/AAAAAAAAGzE/bcmZDdHh698/s1600-h/christmas%252520hug%25255B5%25255D.png"><img alt="christmas hug" border="0" height="509" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xL9zl_Dvhh4/Uq90nJyTJCI/AAAAAAAAGzI/qLoQG8_j_Ok/christmas%252520hug_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="christmas hug" width="416" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-57238582235736085292013-12-09T13:54:00.001-05:002013-12-11T07:23:51.618-05:00FAMILY MOVING! PODS! PODS! PODS!<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;">THIS IS WHAT THEIR DRIVEWAY LOOKED LIKE WHEN WE ARRIVED!</span><br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-jz68_t1GakE/UqYRdGTFq4I/AAAAAAAAGmY/2EGJWwoLfeM/s1600-h/pods%252520008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pods 008" border="0" height="349" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-u2bxXol1sco/UqYRefGIeXI/AAAAAAAAGmg/3oQ4rH0U_rM/pods%252520008_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="pods 008" width="497" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-m1i6yXY4QMA/UqYRfwEUxDI/AAAAAAAAGmo/W_7j98zjQdk/s1600-h/pods%252520010%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pods 010" border="0" height="350" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BFOEbsiL-5E/UqYRhPQ3YjI/AAAAAAAAGmw/vh3BXkDnABc/pods%252520010_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="pods 010" width="498" /></a><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"> EIGHT PODS FULL !!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The garage was full! The house was full… boxes everywhere!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Hcl4ovUw8ac/UqYRiqDIPBI/AAAAAAAAGm4/9tAhUozscwk/s1600-h/kitchen%252520dining%252520018%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kitchen dining 018" border="0" height="360" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u_8sAw613iw/UqYRj5RnOmI/AAAAAAAAGnA/pBIaqq9zjMM/kitchen%252520dining%252520018_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="kitchen dining 018" width="500" /></a></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Kitchen, Dining, Living room…………</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-86TaSCJR4qA/UqYRle8MchI/AAAAAAAAGnI/S2iYAUiPYpA/s1600-h/Living%252520room%252520016%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Living room 016" border="0" height="398" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p15Fz6Po-eU/UqYRmoPfdpI/AAAAAAAAGnQ/MCn57102Flo/Living%252520room%252520016_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Living room 016" width="551" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-jA6GX60TwBw/UqYRou8oSDI/AAAAAAAAGnY/WPCkIUSLmOA/s1600-h/livingroom%252520019%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="livingroom 019" border="0" height="399" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gk2rWHucOPc/UqYRqtbYL3I/AAAAAAAAGng/MffJJNxRX2Q/livingroom%252520019_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="livingroom 019" width="554" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chuck’s daughter, Glorianne !</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vz3-jFJZYEM/UqYRsWWAz9I/AAAAAAAAGno/EOyr-7UtVWQ/s1600-h/Glorianne%252520%252520014%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Glorianne 014" border="0" height="397" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WgHbxd8adv0/UqYRuikgWZI/AAAAAAAAGnw/zsdpVfKoXEw/Glorianne%252520%252520014_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Glorianne 014" width="552" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Chuck slinging paint!</span><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k4kFMRQx7fI/UqYRv5YidmI/AAAAAAAAGn4/rvpjYQx_rwQ/s1600-h/Chuck%252520%252520022%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Chuck 022" border="0" height="426" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0Cj2BhrlKGI/UqYRxa7sobI/AAAAAAAAGoA/TCDdHdIqw-o/Chuck%252520%252520022_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Chuck 022" width="550" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Chaz doing electrical…</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-I6c7aIoS7dE/UqYRyZZYy5I/AAAAAAAAGoI/uIVeTpr0xnA/s1600-h/Chaz%252520021%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Chaz 021" border="0" height="580" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UL17HcjBTMM/UqYRzhhvc6I/AAAAAAAAGoQ/if8HOQK95xk/Chaz%252520021_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Chaz 021" width="368" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Chuck installing vents</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2MGQ4XTct5k/UqYR02uE13I/AAAAAAAAGoY/-2fPKfFrwzY/s1600-h/Chuck%252520015%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Chuck 015" border="0" height="349" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3DvtozJzrZs/UqYR2QqEkjI/AAAAAAAAGog/dInjZ0_xSrM/Chuck%252520015_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Chuck 015" width="497" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We actually lucked out…. by the time we got here, all the ceilings were painted, the floors upstairs replaced and bedrooms repainted. Basically we moved boxes around and painted the laundry room. I haven’t been much help, a bit under the weather. Chuck has been working hard though, helping where needed!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Glorianne and Chaz still have many, many, many more boxes to sort through and unpack! This isn’t gonna be the quick weekend move, not with 4 kids and all their gear to move as well! The kids have been a big help. Yesterday, the pods were all empty and taken away! All the boxes in the pods are now in the garage to be sorted and unpacked!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We are staying in a very crowded RV park just a few miles from their home.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Horseshoe Cove is full of snowbirds, here in the 75 degree warmth avoiding the snow storms up north! But the folks here are very nice and friendly.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow Chuck and I leave Bradenton, headed to Myakka River State Park for 3 days. <a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/myakkariver/default.cfm">http://www.floridastateparks.org/myakkariver/default.cfm</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Chuck hopes to come back and help the kids another day or two. From Myakka River State Park, we will head a bit north to Highlands Hammock State Park.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/highlandshammock/default.cfm"><span style="font-size: medium;">http://www.floridastateparks.org/highlandshammock/default.cfm</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We will come back to Bradenton FL and family for Christmas. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Love to you all from the crew of The MotherShip, Chuck, Geri and Doogie Bowser and Radar! </span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YpW45lvvRvo/UqYR39nmqOI/AAAAAAAAGoo/4SoeROpSds0/s1600-h/charlie%252520christmas%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="charlie christmas" border="0" height="402" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hWet6u2-QNk/UqYR5_6OkUI/AAAAAAAAGow/o_P7dArEsmQ/charlie%252520christmas_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="charlie christmas" width="501" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We say it from The MotherShip to all of you, MERRY CHRISTMAS!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-19301358005181324212013-11-24T09:39:00.001-05:002013-12-11T07:25:29.464-05:00Tate’s Hell and the Dwarf Cypress Forest<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today we finally had a bit of sun and decided on “now or never” for visiting the Dwarf Cypress Boardwalk as there is rain and more clouds predicted for the next 3 days. Today was mostly sunny in the high 70’s but storm clouds threatened while we were on the boardwalk.</span><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Y4ozd_ytghk/UpIO4uhBCPI/AAAAAAAAGh8/sm2TDPD-jZY/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-079.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 079" border="0" height="364" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KEWt1AiUo_w/UpIO6QC1QEI/AAAAAAAAGiE/XpmHuRD6dSU/Dwarf-Cypress-079_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 079" width="506" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The road to the Dwarf Cypress Boardwalk is just off Highway 98, between Eastpoint and Carrabelle FL.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The link below will give you a slide show of the boardwalk showing the trees in summer dress. Now, the cypress have dropped most of their needles and become bare branches.</span><br />
<a href="http://www.riverbanksoutdoorblog.com/adventures/visit-tates-hell-dwarf-cypress-boardwalk-to-immerse-yourself-into-a-rare-florida-habitat" title="http://www.riverbanksoutdoorblog.com/adventures/visit-tates-hell-dwarf-cypress-boardwalk-to-immerse-yourself-into-a-rare-florida-habitat"><span style="font-size: small;">http://www.riverbanksoutdoorblog.com/adventures/visit-tates-hell-dwarf-cypress-boardwalk-to-immerse-yourself-into-a-rare-florida-habitat</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-pd1TEKFDDmY/UpIO7ulaOSI/AAAAAAAAGiM/zEPCsJG0A20/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypresst-0345.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypresst 034" border="0" height="521" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NniMQ987SVc/UpIO85V--eI/AAAAAAAAGiU/wB6WObTTFq8/Dwarf-Cypresst-034_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypresst 034" width="328" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“Several stands of the distinctive "dwarf" cypress exist in the forest. Visit the Ralph G. Kendrick Dwarf Cypress Boardwalk to observe these unusual trees. To reach a viewing tower, from US Highway 98, go north on US Highway 65 for 5.5 miles, turn right onto North Road go 1.7 miles then turn right on Dry Bridge Road. The boardwalk will be on your right.”</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hTxgOfR6220/UpIO-t5L5UI/AAAAAAAAGic/G5xsNQX2ut8/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-0044.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 004" border="0" height="352" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vrTKcx214Yw/UpIO_mZb98I/AAAAAAAAGik/Pd9CgyEAljM/Dwarf-Cypress-004_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 004" width="501" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/cooperative/tates-hell" title="http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/cooperative/tates-hell"><span style="font-size: small;">http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/cooperative/tates-hell</span></a><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the beginning of the walk to the boardwalk overlooking the dwarf cypress trees. I came here several years ago with my friend Pat Barlow. On both sides of this walk through are swamp! Halfway down the path we saw a huge alligator halfway up the bank. I can remember fear rushing in but we both calmly walked past the gator, pretty much ignoring him. I say “him” because this was most probably a male “bull” gator just because of his size. We didn’t see him until we were almost totally opposite where he was laying. Too late to run, these 2 chubby old ladies were in no shape to run from a gator! Gators can run FAST! They just lift that tail and GO! I saw on a TV show once that if you wanted to outrun a gator, run in a zigzag pattern. They cannot keep up with their heavy tails running in that pattern. Well, I didn’t want to have to prove that. Pat and I spent some time up on the boardwalk, hoping he would get bored and go away. He did not! We had to walk past him a second time! This path is only about 8 or 9 feet wide… not much room for a zigzag pattern run even if we did try it! Fortunately, this alligators taste didn’t run to chubby old ladies and for that we were grateful!</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Pxo4SvGgFL0/UpIPBN5E17I/AAAAAAAAGis/HnpUcyMtAoM/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-01010.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 010" border="0" height="405" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kPvZnyROBkQ/UpIPCds75LI/AAAAAAAAGi0/v8GUY5FKP3M/Dwarf-Cypress-010_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 010" width="563" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Never has a visit to the dwarf cypress happened without the dread of meeting another big alligator near the path! But this day, all Chuck and I met were 3 turtles on a log!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some of these dwarf cypress are over 300 years old! Most are over 100 years old, the true “dwarf” trees averages 15’ tall! There are a few of the bald cypress mixed in with the dwarf cypress. Easy to tell the difference just by the height of the trees.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-96KgaZC6GXY/UpIPD65dUHI/AAAAAAAAGi8/id3X8HSZmKY/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-03710.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 037" border="0" height="408" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l1FJnrj1A3Y/UpIPE3nwIFI/AAAAAAAAGjE/IL7V9MBMWok/Dwarf-Cypress-037_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 037" width="568" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">“Florida bought the 202,437-acre property in 1994. 40 years of private ownership prior to that had seen more than 800 miles of roadways and drainage ditches built on the land to accommodate the commercial interests of a major timber corporation. Where previously there had been floodplain forest and swamp, wet prairie and flatwoods, baygall, seepage slope, basin swamp, sandhill, upland hardwood forest, dense titi thickets, pine ridges and scrub, most of the area had been drained and the vegetation converted to a pine monoculture. This caused a huge loss of varied habitat and the wildlife that goes with that. It also caused major changes in the water flow from the Apalachicola River into Apalachicola Bay (Apalachicola Bay is a Florida State Aquatic Preserve with shellfish propagation and harvesting as its primary designated use - the Apalachicola River is a designated "Outstanding Florida Water," and is managed for the propagation and maintenance of a healthy and well-balanced mix of fish and wildlife, with a side helping of recreation).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nxrzxz95lvE/UpIPGd5avxI/AAAAAAAAGjM/N42BvHnydFI/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-0336.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 033" border="0" height="450" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Wc1MxfzflNc/UpIPH1GjmoI/AAAAAAAAGjU/kJvtR19KAr8/Dwarf-Cypress-033_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 033" width="616" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2qdxaSVUR9g/UpIPJiPaEnI/AAAAAAAAGjc/rHpqaboeUng/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-0396.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 039" border="0" height="454" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-umXSKm57qD4/UpIPK29ialI/AAAAAAAAGjk/K2x19RFEI4M/Dwarf-Cypress-039_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 039" width="617" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here you can see some of the cones still hanging on this tree, along with bits of Spanish moss.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MQI6mHf1kag/UpIPMH9ZzXI/AAAAAAAAGjs/nimTIwMdWtE/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-0425.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 042" border="0" height="367" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2-4PW1LNAO4/UpIPND2LnBI/AAAAAAAAGj0/6qfUm3z35Mc/Dwarf-Cypress-042_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 042" width="510" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Those are normal sized planted pine trees in the background. Autumn has turned the swamp grass a rust color and left only a few needles on the dwarf cypress.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bTTEqD8RR58/UpIPOfkcKAI/AAAAAAAAGj8/XDA80qTq_jI/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-0495.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 049" border="0" height="360" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qO5mMMS2CwU/UpIPPTGlQmI/AAAAAAAAGkE/nA1yD3w_qRo/Dwarf-Cypress-049_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 049" width="501" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At the top of the boardwalk, Chuck and I are far above the dwarf cypress.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-J_hLRBxUqFU/UpIPRMxpkRI/AAAAAAAAGkM/j_8CzCb-05w/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-0505.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 050" border="0" height="366" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sdWTbUxRTUE/UpIPSVvYZTI/AAAAAAAAGkU/6c44MyT7pb4/Dwarf-Cypress-050_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 050" width="509" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Looking down at the treetops</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y4KxRoLF-oQ/UpIPUKxODcI/AAAAAAAAGkc/clWefUl4PFE/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-05111.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 051" border="0" height="376" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1CcMZ_kDAmo/UpIPVc17_PI/AAAAAAAAGkk/qYhSpiGwFfM/Dwarf-Cypress-051_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 051" width="510" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This was Chuck’s first visit to the Dwarf Cypress Boardwalk. As you look down, realize that these trees are standing in water… this IS a swamp after all!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0FpN07NMoPs/UpIPWzcUo3I/AAAAAAAAGks/xWRqpQT6RDI/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-0549.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 054" border="0" height="541" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eHkhzbNBjo4/UpIPYfKk6LI/AAAAAAAAGk0/JU0wNF4V_hE/Dwarf-Cypress-054_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 054" width="344" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Some of the trees have a personality all their own with their whimsical shapes .</span><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n7GDeF76sCQ/UpIPZxQ26QI/AAAAAAAAGk8/P06Fq9KHWy4/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-0606.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 060" border="0" height="421" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-euEW1-7tYy4/UpIPbKd18iI/AAAAAAAAGlE/__KGLoOv77E/Dwarf-Cypress-060_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 060" width="573" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YCKabGNcbok/UpIPcn7pAII/AAAAAAAAGlM/vUgPdke0GyE/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-0655.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 065" border="0" height="415" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-x3pXLfR-LZY/UpIPd6DFYjI/AAAAAAAAGlU/iN_jmxXrOk4/Dwarf-Cypress-065_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 065" width="577" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-DtBKDV20vo0/UpIPfL3gukI/AAAAAAAAGlc/MbSUOuiOonY/s1600-h/Dwarf%252520Cypress%252520069.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 069" border="0" height="548" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eM4aI--PvkI/UpIPgQNkdvI/AAAAAAAAGlk/CufZfBNLrGo/Dwarf%252520Cypress%252520069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 069" width="347" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you look close, you will see an opening into the brush here, above the lily pads. Alligator Alley! A pathway from the swamp to the walkway path!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XSyCmnU0uV0/UpIPiE2YzgI/AAAAAAAAGls/iqzDFPojHBk/s1600-h/Dwarf-Cypress-0715.jpg"><img alt="Dwarf Cypress 071" border="0" height="367" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l1C_WlMel7I/UpIPjY3ZQXI/AAAAAAAAGl0/cOc9T60DvF8/Dwarf-Cypress-071_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Dwarf Cypress 071" width="509" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Maybe I will come back in the spring and get photos of the Dwarf Cypress with their new green needles! But I think you get to see more of the whimsical personality of the trees in their “winter” mode! Remember, these trees were here before Florida was even a state! Ancient Ones.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hope you enjoyed visiting this part of Tate’s Hell Forest! An interesting corner of our world for sure!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Trails from the crew of the MotherShip, Chuck, Geri, Radar, and DoogieBowser!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D4zkXnkMhHE/UpIPkgG9OCI/AAAAAAAAGl8/CqK2nHPKDuU/s1600-h/Pledge%252520of%252520Allegiance%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Pledge of Allegiance" border="0" height="465" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-txtrwQGl6oA/UpIPmkxJR5I/AAAAAAAAGmE/9fZJiHrsZi0/Pledge%252520of%252520Allegiance_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Pledge of Allegiance" width="538" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-84001029964779983252013-11-18T09:53:00.001-05:002013-11-18T18:40:41.763-05:00TATE’S HELL STATE FOREST<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f845yc5cAqM/UoopPUgcQoI/AAAAAAAAGdk/XP1j-hShWaQ/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 001" border="0" height="323" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wmEHaGyvDhM/UoopQhwu6bI/AAAAAAAAGds/MNm5mLKuwPs/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 001" width="460" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Tate-s-Hell-State-Forest" title="http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Tate-s-Hell-State-Forest"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our-Forests/State-Forests/Tate-s-Hell-State-Forest</span></a><br />
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<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The Legend of TATE'S HELL...</span></h4>
<span style="font-size: large;">A tale that has been told for many years recounts how Tate's Hell Swamp got its name. Local legend has it that a farmer by the name of Cebe Tate, armed with only a shotgun and accompanied by his hunting dogs, journeyed into the swamp in search of a panther that was killing his livestock. Although there are several versions of this story, the most common describes Tate as being lost in the swamp for seven days and nights, bitten by a snake, and drinking from the murky waters to curb his thirst. Finally he came to a clearing near Carrabelle, living only long enough to murmur the words, "My name is Cebe Tate, and I just came from Hell!" Cebe Tate's adventure took place in 1875 and ever since, the area has been known as Tate's Hell, the legendary and forbidden swamp.</span><br />
<h1>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chuck and I decided to take a drive last week. Most of Franklin County is swamp or state forest. The majority of the population here, is along the beautiful coastline. I have been putting this post off because we wanted to visit the dwarf cypress forest in Tate’s Hell. It has rained 4 days now so I will just do a blog of the dwarf cypress later. But we did go to Cash Creek, one of my favorite places in Tate’s Hell, just off of Highway 65.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KXixiPbUH5U/UoopTGMMv0I/AAAAAAAAGd0/ozjjiFxGry0/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 003" border="0" height="334" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HfCFPPxxYDY/UoopUk_7QOI/AAAAAAAAGd8/hPgyLhyORmc/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 003" width="475" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Right on Cash Creek is this great pavilion with picnic tables and BBQ!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9MXv7rTTooI/UoopWEb8NVI/AAAAAAAAGeE/BnsR0HXoWfo/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520005%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 005" border="0" height="366" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z7ajWubmYNE/UoopXKSO8EI/AAAAAAAAGeM/rAPRFN16CJY/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520005_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 005" width="478" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The sky was an impossible blue, reflected in the creek. Who would have thought that night would bring rain and drizzle that last 4 days so far? We still have big, fat raindrops landing on the roof, falling from the extremely tall pine trees in this RV park! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have always loved this little park, Cash Creek, I love the tall grasses in the creek, the tall pines all around us carpeting the grass with rusty colors.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZOcnsaiccrE/UoopYRTNR0I/AAAAAAAAGeU/8-JJiFShGqw/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520006%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 006" border="0" height="346" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ahp-GUR6S6M/UoopZsIGRhI/AAAAAAAAGec/DaZglxDqUrw/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520006_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 006" width="475" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There is a boat launch here, seems like this area would be popular with canoes and kayaks. I have never seen another car here, let alone a boat here, in all the times I have visited this park. Tire tracks in the dirt show there have been visitors, we are blessed to have it to ourselves!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PTa9esSP53g/UoopbGLlybI/AAAAAAAAGek/6iPdR1ZP_2s/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 012" border="0" height="336" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JiCDZV8XQnA/Uoopcqp4QGI/AAAAAAAAGes/MPkaeZ0T-p4/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 012" width="479" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Because there are alligators in this creek, we keep the dogs leashed! Radar and DoogieBowser are used to the leashes so no problem.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8-uvIEYfnqQ/Uoopd5_hBpI/AAAAAAAAGe0/H3OxA35rXCs/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520017%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 017" border="0" height="348" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K0m9bJgWYy4/UoopfNNTfxI/AAAAAAAAGe8/Cr7jpDv9EHg/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520017_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 017" width="483" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is so peaceful here.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vX25b9QEtwQ/UoopgZnBh0I/AAAAAAAAGfE/8WFIaGqKTEQ/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520022%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 022" border="0" height="338" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ao8jSQKvc_o/Uoophtjj4hI/AAAAAAAAGfM/B6wC4djLaGE/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520022_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 022" width="481" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rS9iyIArLok/UoopjYvBflI/AAAAAAAAGfU/B3DvWVpvDAQ/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520023%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 023" border="0" height="378" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-W4MAr1DzLnc/Uoopk8PKckI/AAAAAAAAGfc/w2LkVleys30/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520023_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 023" width="245" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">My turn to hold the dogs while Chuck take a photo from the dock. This is a little too close to the water for the doggies, they want to swim but I don’t want them to be gator bait. I pull them back!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fZETD3wdj54/UoopmCyPOuI/AAAAAAAAGfk/QoLsdHdYqp4/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520025%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 025" border="0" height="296" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WesNfvRkehs/UoopnSvkrqI/AAAAAAAAGfs/H5nNernYqzI/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520025_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 025" width="421" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Wonderful reflections!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5QEqsEosjhI/Uoopo7eR3DI/AAAAAAAAGf0/bPTmCgcH7b4/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520026%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 026" border="0" height="339" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vxsjjYfpKvY/Uoopp_y0pLI/AAAAAAAAGf8/GjdnjC7b2Xo/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520026_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 026" width="482" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We decided to leave Cash Creek and take another nearby road that I had never explored. </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ck--Ut7yIZI/UooprZCOrNI/AAAAAAAAGgE/ESFtC7ikPwc/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520027%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 027" border="0" height="504" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ENY0D29DsI0/UoopsQbBaxI/AAAAAAAAGgM/8ihd88UpMKo/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520027_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 027" width="320" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QP1aJY2ElyA/Uoopt8WliDI/AAAAAAAAGgU/ccuAQJlZDfQ/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520031%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 031" border="0" height="329" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PBadVXAqoWI/UoopvFtnqwI/AAAAAAAAGgc/g1IaWdyxZI8/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520031_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 031" width="468" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Heavily wooded. If you read the link at the top, it tells all about how this forest came to be!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G7wL64v1FdM/Uoopw27UvgI/AAAAAAAAGgk/4Wz1Cjn-hq8/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520030%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 030" border="0" height="324" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rfEyZkPLbK8/UoopyFz3MmI/AAAAAAAAGgs/gxyarw4vWpQ/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520030_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 030" width="461" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ptHuGYriRhc/Uoop0CMCjjI/AAAAAAAAGg0/Peq2Ew-8xj0/s1600-h/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520028%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Tates Hell Forest 028" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1yf2PR7pi9o/Uoop1YhZVpI/AAAAAAAAGg8/0ZG-zFSnGXg/Tates%252520Hell%252520Forest%252520028_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Tates Hell Forest 028" width="465" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After about 3 miles of nothing but thick, piney forest we decided to turn around.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The next day, Friday, was drizzly rain all day. We had to go to Tallahassee for Chuck to apply for a new social security card. On the way, we stopped in Crawfordville so I could get my Florida Drivers license. 15 minutes and I was done and out the door. Chuck had filled out all his paperwork online for the SS card, but we had to go to Tallahassee SS Office to personally drop it off. This became an opportunity to meet my longtime friend Paula Nichols at Olive Garden!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3_950to0uTM/Uoop2vPPrUI/AAAAAAAAGhE/KBGhX_mjFkA/s1600-h/Geri%252520and%252520Paula%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Geri and Paula" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hyS6rXU4rBk/Uoop36vYvwI/AAAAAAAAGhM/GQ1QWZk9-jU/Geri%252520and%252520Paula_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Geri and Paula" width="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IHnaYkc1S8s/Uoop5NiVqkI/AAAAAAAAGhU/--fmVG83L_A/s1600-h/Chuck%252520and%252520Geri%252520Tally%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Chuck and Geri Tally" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ENx-nZT6gv4/Uoop6N7-J9I/AAAAAAAAGhc/mzJl4okNYxI/Chuck%252520and%252520Geri%252520Tally_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Chuck and Geri Tally" width="184" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It was good to see her! These photos were taken with her cell phone! Heck she gets more pixels with her cell phone than I get with my Nikon! LOL!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We got back Friday evening to the news that this RV Park had been sold! The owner is giving everyone 30 days to find a new spot. For some of these folks, that is not going to be easy! Chuck and I have been planning on leaving Dec 1st anyway to go south to Bradenton (south of Tampa) to help daughter Glorianne and her family paint rooms and move into their new home. We also have a boondocking rally to go to in mid-February in central Florida.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.rv-dreams.com/boondocking-rally.html" title="http://www.rv-dreams.com/boondocking-rally.html"><span style="font-size: large;">http://www.rv-dreams.com/boondocking-rally.html</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have to be back here by the end of Feb. to get new car tags for my car. But we have been fortunate, thanks to good friends Gayle and Jack, we have secured a good camping spot when we return!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today is Monday, November 18, 2013. We left Truth or Consequences NM a month ago yesterday! Seems like such a long time ago! Yet in so many ways, I feel like I have never left here, Franklin County Florida, it feels like home to me and Chuck likes it too! Feels good being back and seeing old friends and trying new restaurants! However, our favorite buffalo shrimp still comes from AJ’s in Apalachicola! If you were at our wedding, AJ’s catered it and the buffalo shrimp was a hit with everybody!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hope you enjoyed the visit to Tate’s Hell.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We will be signing off from the MotherShip now! Geri, Chuck, Radar and DoogieBowser.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We want to leave you the words of Thomas Jefferson, consider them please.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gFevepDe3RA/Uoop7NOEl-I/AAAAAAAAGhk/Z5T_m9bhw9I/s1600-h/2nd%252520amendment%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2nd amendment" border="0" height="384" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KZaY2n-4DpU/Uoop8O9fL3I/AAAAAAAAGhs/uR6OIa11EuM/2nd%252520amendment_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2nd amendment" width="476" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-20335148366223107092013-11-10T17:27:00.001-05:002013-11-10T17:56:16.090-05:00LIFE IS GOOD!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Life IS good. We just kind of kicked back today and between our kindles and Facebook, we stayed entertained. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Time for an early supper and Chuck fired up the grill!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-23y46rjYmbw/UoAIGxfbRGI/AAAAAAAAGcE/geTvWCmqOQ8/s1600-h/chuck%252520n%252520geri%252520001a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chuck n geri 001a" border="0" height="348" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sUqqqZevZeY/UoAIIM0tK6I/AAAAAAAAGcM/SaCJyc4ucPs/chuck%252520n%252520geri%252520001a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="chuck n geri 001a" width="483" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ribeye steaks by Piggly Wiggly and Wine by WalMart, PRICELESS!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-92VlnVvw4fQ/UoAIJQk9KtI/AAAAAAAAGcU/9tBC53ViCdU/s1600-h/chuck%252520n%252520geri%252520002a%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chuck n geri 002a" border="0" height="384" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WJ4gzGwYQuE/UoAIKqzpwkI/AAAAAAAAGcc/o-IXRj_tH14/chuck%252520n%252520geri%252520002a_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="chuck n geri 002a" width="483" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Entertainment from outside dining area watching the birds dive for their supper in the bay!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Life is good! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Nothing real exciting happening, just wanted to make ya’ll a bit jealous! <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y2g6EdUeSQY/UoAILq0akeI/AAAAAAAAGck/9yvRu52tofQ/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ax4D8vpwh_Y/UoAINI0ydxI/AAAAAAAAGcs/EWfG3I6FHdU/s1600-h/HOME%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="HOME" border="0" height="331" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bO3ab6Uko2I/UoAIOSomzgI/AAAAAAAAGc0/ZXvDS7CXxhQ/HOME_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="HOME" width="471" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT8ZVLhIFA8XB3fhT9LZU9nKq0KoxQpjc1cQoCKZpNivliNXdJzaP40aW2yqz-TN4EOGJzgN6LtyihbOwg43XAEmu8gDuLmMesQC9ToYzxfco9LHsTfSLglmQ7HOaeaJrVro5tBBJBHQ/s1600/sunset+002a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCT8ZVLhIFA8XB3fhT9LZU9nKq0KoxQpjc1cQoCKZpNivliNXdJzaP40aW2yqz-TN4EOGJzgN6LtyihbOwg43XAEmu8gDuLmMesQC9ToYzxfco9LHsTfSLglmQ7HOaeaJrVro5tBBJBHQ/s320/sunset+002a.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then we had a Sunset!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Photo by Chuck!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">That’s it from the Crew of the MotherShip! Chuck, Geri and our navigators DoogieBowser and Radar!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dVoj1r9uW7s/UoAIPa948hI/AAAAAAAAGc8/bUBOzOYocHg/s1600-h/the%252520world%252520is%252520a%252520book%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="the world is a book" border="0" height="293" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-MDG7VmIU32M/UoAIQRA7SPI/AAAAAAAAGdE/mzCqwGktPOc/the%252520world%252520is%252520a%252520book_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="the world is a book" width="448" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-21942298259276648852013-11-06T16:04:00.001-05:002013-11-07T06:08:13.023-05:00WHO IS THIS NEW MAN IN MY LIFE ???<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Today started out like normal </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">a beautiful sunrise on the bay<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PnGeekiNgGg/UnquRYNjUQI/AAAAAAAAGYM/o8Rm-8yL8Xo/s1600-h/003%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="003" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l-ZtJFwofbc/UnquSpo7vVI/AAAAAAAAGYU/Yf_J7Jf85ao/003_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="003" width="474" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The sunrise, the waves, the gentle breeze from the sea…</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Le4nULqqu40/UnquUNONM_I/AAAAAAAAGYc/eON39ZZebU0/s1600-h/006%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="006" border="0" height="296" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-euM6SHIjWeI/UnquVElzLDI/AAAAAAAAGYk/WBRBux4mS7U/006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="006" width="478" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The sunrise even reflects it’s glory against the MotherShip this morning!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Then I wake up and the nightmare begins! Today is the day Chuck gets his hair cut! YIKES! Now you gotta understand, when I first met Chuck in 2008, he had a crew cut! I kinda told him that I really liked longer hair and that I thought he would look great with long hair! Well, he aimed to please and he never cut it again…. in 4 years!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QmYEF5IIXoA/UnquWX7ccmI/AAAAAAAAGYs/uwiamMv56Pk/s1600-h/008%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="008" border="0" height="340" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iq3tYtDModY/UnquX8ykkrI/AAAAAAAAGY0/5F5VOcHHB2o/008_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="008" width="484" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today was THE day! Chuck waited until we got back to Florida just so Stacy could cut his hair. We have known Stacy quite awhile and trusted her skill with scissors!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M8Va9mLBx8A/UnquZxAe48I/AAAAAAAAGY8/0DLz7m0AkVY/s1600-h/009%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="009" border="0" height="336" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hKXWkXJMOAc/UnqubInWA-I/AAAAAAAAGZE/5Bfs09_tBnY/009_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="009" width="478" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dfbW5ASyf_U/UnqucTVvutI/AAAAAAAAGZM/lLdP7iObcJc/s1600-h/011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="011" border="0" height="351" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lO0Q2PpdcH4/UnqudlDzSKI/AAAAAAAAGZQ/KIudk6ciK_o/011_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="011" width="472" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2Mq0cmd9aHM/UnqueyjIZII/AAAAAAAAGZc/ZoeTHj9FrWc/s1600-h/013%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="013" border="0" height="334" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P-vipvkV0a4/Unquf1SgrJI/AAAAAAAAGZk/GNWicuIZuX8/013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="013" width="475" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VZG1brEF6UU/UnquhFT_ngI/AAAAAAAAGZs/_E3EoEtJ5Eo/s1600-h/015%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="015" border="0" height="348" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oO-Cv1m22e4/UnquiAfUuyI/AAAAAAAAGZ0/OdVjp9nVN8I/015_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="015" width="483" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">All brushed, shampooed and ready for the scissors!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-EOo-5dG3SQY/UnqujX6cUDI/AAAAAAAAGZ8/A9FCoNuUbc8/s1600-h/024%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="024" border="0" height="335" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v5Khc1icfj0/UnqukgV1K-I/AAAAAAAAGaE/RjsD7dp7anM/024_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="024" width="477" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">EEEEEK! It was much more traumatic for me than it was for Chuck!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IHL73jkPcAw/Unqul9lsbAI/AAAAAAAAGaM/lUgKo7th4Tw/s1600-h/027%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="027" border="0" height="336" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xwxIbc_n29c/UnqunJYrwTI/AAAAAAAAGaU/A8Opm3k2pao/027_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="027" width="478" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tE7AAvNBXOk/UnquosiT24I/AAAAAAAAGac/ZISwluMgCsY/s1600-h/032%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="032" border="0" height="344" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--ClCRazIuGc/Unqup7p8XAI/AAAAAAAAGak/4xOKj1vUsrg/032_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="032" width="477" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ycf3L13c2KE/UnqurAk_gyI/AAAAAAAAGas/BNQu7bRtEyQ/s1600-h/036%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="036" border="0" height="328" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-D9RbOUOnmKA/UnqusJ5HPEI/AAAAAAAAGa0/PUn7pmJlk70/036_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="036" width="467" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Chuck now has 14” of hair to be donated to Locks of Love!</span><br />
<a href="http://www.locksoflove.org/faq.html" title="http://www.locksoflove.org/faq.html"><span style="font-size: medium;">http://www.locksoflove.org/faq.html</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I have a new man! He looks really good! Stacy did a wonderful job and I guess I will get used to the look because he looks really good! I just hope he doesn’t get a head cold now, with no hair to keep his head warm! <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VUfBAZutHko/UnquszVgM1I/AAAAAAAAGa8/cnt6TkNkGa8/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjC2V84wDjgKDbhbYMTRAKheL6QXBJzvWQeoRQ21HWZrPVIGlIRhwCG2ywUJG79PN9VSjK77Srt-8hgDIzGgm8coqaDfCihK1OmNSeQODaCL5dgFJP0H6HKFwTrBWZPbHlI5VCg3MvPY/s1600/chuck+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjC2V84wDjgKDbhbYMTRAKheL6QXBJzvWQeoRQ21HWZrPVIGlIRhwCG2ywUJG79PN9VSjK77Srt-8hgDIzGgm8coqaDfCihK1OmNSeQODaCL5dgFJP0H6HKFwTrBWZPbHlI5VCg3MvPY/s320/chuck+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-16PmYMIqF94/Unqutz0iy3I/AAAAAAAAGbE/1TBtYvzZpXo/s1600-h/007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="007" border="0" height="323" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1apz5Qhck6g/UnquvLozslI/AAAAAAAAGbM/44iZa7k8bVY/007_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="007" width="460" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Our new neighbor keeps an eye on us!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, thanks for meeting my new man and let us know what you think! </span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VmR51gi4bdU/UnquwOrIMtI/AAAAAAAAGbU/LqF6yQ9pfLI/s1600-h/CHUCK%252520AND%252520GERI%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CHUCK AND GERI" border="0" height="364" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-XU9P4m91MTk/UnquxTuxb_I/AAAAAAAAGbc/r7IQSptjv7s/CHUCK%252520AND%252520GERI_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="CHUCK AND GERI" width="464" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Coming to you from the MotherShip. Geri, her new man Chuck, DoogieBowser and Radar!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-86275609972210427162013-11-03T13:06:00.001-05:002013-11-03T18:04:42.446-05:00HOORAY! WE HAVE ARRIVED!<div align="center">
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Apalachicola Florida’s </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;">50th Seafood Festival !</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CTahNpEb-rY/UnaPol_3F6I/AAAAAAAAGSM/_sF6Crcy_5g/s1600-h/Apalachicola%252520River%252520042%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Apalachicola River 042" border="0" height="318" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BqQVbxRtFuc/UnaPq2MNQDI/AAAAAAAAGSU/nJRWH75tx-0/Apalachicola%252520River%252520042_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Apalachicola River 042" width="494" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is the view of the Apalachicola River as seen from the bridge. A small fishing village that has a new generation and an old generation appreciating the natural beauty that is alive here.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ArXUilttfD0/UnaPsl3vp0I/AAAAAAAAGSc/1sBKIiQRDiE/s1600-h/cars%252520traffic%252520046%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cars traffic 046" border="0" height="339" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qAKdIitCzEk/UnaPt3Xl2vI/AAAAAAAAGSk/llqYdMKMxac/cars%252520traffic%252520046_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cars traffic 046" width="482" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Obviously it is more appreciated during the Seafood Festival! Lots of traffic jams but it gives you a minute to appreciate the old grandeur of the Gibson Hotel as we enter the town of Apalachicola.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After walking</span><span style="font-size: large;"> about 10 blocks from where we parked, we made to the front gate, we paid $5 to join the packed crowd on the other side of the gate! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z0DziueQmO0/UnaPvig_0wI/AAAAAAAAGSs/1_bjbDmfQyo/s1600-h/crowd%252520061%25255B17%25255D.jpg"><img alt="crowd 061" border="0" height="362" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EOJeyD8iYaQ/UnaPw5BYXVI/AAAAAAAAGS0/TLddqgjIeDc/crowd%252520061_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="crowd 061" width="486" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Loved seeing all the kids with painted faces! This young lady has a shark about to gobble up her pretty brown eye!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r1Etu99a4wA/UnaPyhL3hhI/AAAAAAAAGS8/6-HIg-yJgxE/s1600-h/face%252520paint%252520060%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="face paint 060" border="0" height="359" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A-mIqGKOSTU/UnaP0QsYWyI/AAAAAAAAGTE/rieJXfsWX2M/face%252520paint%252520060_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="face paint 060" width="476" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vMUvHSYdHsY/UnaP13T048I/AAAAAAAAGTM/AN_HSYJxiRo/s1600-h/Funnel%252520Cake%252520062%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Funnel Cake 062" border="0" height="342" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6JdMV-jB4OA/UnaP3PoQz9I/AAAAAAAAGTU/uqKLgQ2mKus/Funnel%252520Cake%252520062_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Funnel Cake 062" width="476" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Funnel cake anyone??</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ih4jDKkPZss/UnaP5HGXYrI/AAAAAAAAGTc/iGVBUY1BEA4/s1600-h/Last%252520Ride%252520053%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Last Ride 053" border="0" height="331" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AvEdtTRSllI/UnaP6rmL-oI/AAAAAAAAGTk/iKQeeuZoFWk/Last%252520Ride%252520053_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Last Ride 053" width="456" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VhgD3uhfvXU/UnaP8cK15xI/AAAAAAAAGTs/GidrhyjRLCc/s1600-h/Last%252520Ride%252520051%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Last Ride 051" border="0" height="358" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8kFHezOQXCo/UnaP9Xhhq2I/AAAAAAAAGT0/NSrkLIon-w0/Last%252520Ride%252520051_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Last Ride 051" width="224" /></a> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The “Last Ride” rat rod belonged to one of the many Harley riders in town.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Myf-7zol06o/UnaP_pgs26I/AAAAAAAAGT8/pJB56NgYudM/s1600-h/Harleys%252520047%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Harleys 047" border="0" height="331" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-okNTMOAVhBU/UnaQApf-uPI/AAAAAAAAGUE/cosPWHviR3w/Harleys%252520047_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Harleys 047" width="471" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-kqa41FySJzU/UnaQB7U5AgI/AAAAAAAAGUM/XS3nr0fPVrg/s1600-h/not%252520perfectl%252520059%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="not perfectl 059" border="0" height="343" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9Pse00V7CjE/UnaQDSGB_pI/AAAAAAAAGUU/9U8Qozrh91I/not%252520perfectl%252520059_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="not perfectl 059" width="466" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I need this T-shirt for Chuck!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The was more food there than you could even imagine! Look at these onion rings!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-svvRZs12gvc/UnaQEnjMyAI/AAAAAAAAGUc/S6jwKOjivFE/s1600-h/onion%252520ringsl%252520070%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="onion ringsl 070" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-et3sDg2ZLJg/UnaQGH_AV3I/AAAAAAAAGUk/Ev7TllYQz2Q/onion%252520ringsl%252520070_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="onion ringsl 070" width="477" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">They are HUGE!!!</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AJabjPUKxEY/UnaQId677RI/AAAAAAAAGUs/vwOQ2GWDXDc/s1600-h/Seafood%252520%252520069%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Seafood 069" border="0" height="360" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eOXonmmxR94/UnaQJx4dBSI/AAAAAAAAGU0/lJ0I-jQTTZw/Seafood%252520%252520069_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Seafood 069" width="487" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Long lines at the seafood vendors!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aYvgq6D_e_w/UnaQLfmUFGI/AAAAAAAAGU8/HhebyuPiOGg/s1600-h/mud%252520bugs%252520068%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="mud bugs 068" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-la7E9A2JPMw/UnaQOBulzkI/AAAAAAAAGVE/hpRrgu10g9E/mud%252520bugs%252520068_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="mud bugs 068" width="474" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Larry Harmon loves these “Mud Bugs” or Crawfish. I have never tried one. The lines at the shrimp and oyster booths were so long and so crowded I couldn’t even elbow my way in to get a picture!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KE5Mte3R1UM/UnaQPz7MocI/AAAAAAAAGVM/4GFfllEWoGc/s1600-h/honey%252520054%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="honey 054" border="0" height="349" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dNVzqEYNNcU/UnaQRVA4B1I/AAAAAAAAGVU/pZX_5tN8kHA/honey%252520054_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="honey 054" width="456" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One thing I love about this area is Tupelo Honey! Unlike other honeys, Tupelo never turns sugary in the colder months! Yummy flavor too, from the Tupelo tree that grows along the rivers and swamps of the south!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CLeqlJGeq50/UnaQS7gS8tI/AAAAAAAAGVc/vV_1odmQFQ0/s1600-h/Kelliel%252520044%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Kelliel 044" border="0" height="257" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3THZBEIxmjk/UnaQUVtSzYI/AAAAAAAAGVk/OgnpCbOuMKs/Kelliel%252520044_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kelliel 044" width="458" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Kellie Pickler was the star entertainment for Saturday night! I love her, but I was worn out to a nub from all the walking and gawking around the festival site!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rxd6jzZBpbc/UnaQWITPBCI/AAAAAAAAGVs/g9j1fmFj3Zw/s1600-h/Kellie%252520Pickler%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Kellie Pickler" border="0" height="361" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mtVpkSH8wdU/UnaQXTtbjpI/AAAAAAAAGV0/JDkW3cKhDFo/Kellie%252520Pickler_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Kellie Pickler" width="262" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But I heard that she put on a wonderful show for everybody. I “borrowed” this photo from FaceBook! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally we got back to the MotherShip! After we rested a few hours Chuck “created” our living room outside so we could sit, read our Kindles and enjoy the beautiful view!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0ydVAah0jGY/UnaQY5YHMEI/AAAAAAAAGV8/1bSCGEQsSzc/s1600-h/home%252520074%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="home 074" border="0" height="417" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-egBzMmHpZvM/UnaQabZ7XxI/AAAAAAAAGWE/y7jnSufvLzY/home%252520074_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="home 074" width="279" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9ZdH6rKGKIs/UnaQbrbpmKI/AAAAAAAAGWM/tfq8GBM6xmY/s1600-h/homel%252520077%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="homel 077" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LSiI1sBzE8w/UnaQdXnZ1LI/AAAAAAAAGWU/kACL14reIjQ/homel%252520077_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="homel 077" width="467" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Radar and DoogieBowser approve!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P5IeMRrfcxQ/UnaQeqFkdBI/AAAAAAAAGWc/9wjpRn_n23I/s1600-h/home%252520083%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="home 083" border="0" height="323" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tjabRatmK7Y/UnaQf4rppYI/AAAAAAAAGWk/LNicnV6WkRA/home%252520083_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="home 083" width="460" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Chuck and DoogieBowser!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q2qzZVQHI4k/UnaQhZfvX0I/AAAAAAAAGWs/jGp9jgGYS8Q/s1600-h/view%252520071%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="view 071" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qvBxRee0sMc/UnaQjO-EjEI/AAAAAAAAGW0/uZkgKRGm8WU/view%252520071_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="view 071" width="474" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The view out our window isn’t too bad either! </span><br />
he snsets behind<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mDPPcDHaylA/UnaQkjrexkI/AAAAAAAAGW8/Ehwjh1UpMcY/s1600-h/Sunset%252520087%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Sunset 087" border="0" height="287" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2X7_WvXFHTU/UnaQljPk3EI/AAAAAAAAGXE/IcMKbAKLnfI/Sunset%252520087_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Sunset 087" width="473" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The sun sets behind us and gives our world a pinkish hue. In the morning we get the glory of a sunrise across the bay!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That tiny bit of land you see topping the horizon is St. George Island.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_fQQFze1hJA/UnaQnbDBKyI/AAAAAAAAGXM/W3BMtBT6Av4/s1600-h/Radar%252520041%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Radar 041" border="0" height="351" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GuLl-bN1EsU/UnaQouSEZeI/AAAAAAAAGXQ/5bYVTCEfpkw/Radar%252520041_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Radar 041" width="456" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Okay… Radar and Doogie are in the bedroom waiting for us to give it up and come to bed! So I guess we will!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-6K2csnXK0dw/UnaQqaDv0nI/AAAAAAAAGXc/PeBJkjaOcE0/s1600-h/Doogie%252520040%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Doogie 040" border="0" height="356" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oDyThi1oQ5c/UnaQrQrko3I/AAAAAAAAGXk/yGyneJ3Q0-s/Doogie%252520040_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Doogie 040" width="474" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am going to leave ya’ll with a photograph that I took back in the 1980’s of 3 kids who were waiting for daddy to come home!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D-syumrKfqI/UnaQtMxyJ1I/AAAAAAAAGXs/q1WznzwNvQc/s1600-h/Waiting%252520for%252520Daddy%25252007-1993%252520sepia%252520gfm%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Waiting for Daddy 07-1993 sepia gfm" border="0" height="362" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pFdwYaqy6bI/UnaQup4wQRI/AAAAAAAAGX0/IOrQT8y-woM/Waiting%252520for%252520Daddy%25252007-1993%252520sepia%252520gfm_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Waiting for Daddy 07-1993 sepia gfm" width="466" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Hoping you enjoyed visiting the seafood festival and our new “home” for a month or so! We enjoyed having you along!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Trails from the crew of The MotherShip… Chuck, Geri, Radar and DoogieBowser!</span> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-30679146425908109382013-10-30T17:30:00.001-04:002013-10-31T10:34:36.470-04:00Could Life Get Any Better Than This?<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We have a sky filled with blue and gauzy wisps of clouds. It’s close to 80 degrees and a gentle breeze touching the air. Autumn has started dressing the trees here with color. Barges and yachts cruise up and down the Tombigbee River. Squirrels chatter as they chase each other up and down the trees and along the wooden pole fence. No, I don’t think it could get any better than this! Today is Wednesday… was it only 5 days ago on Friday that our axle broke? Whew…. well let’s go back to Saturday after we left DeQueen Arkansas, we dropped down and did a short 2 1/2 hour trip to Columbia Lake, near Magnolia! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The skies drizzled on us all day!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-T59Ged7Iss8/UnF5x6c5xKI/AAAAAAAAGOU/UuZu2hyhs5I/s1600-h/Gas%252520001%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Gas 001" border="0" height="318" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CO6kG5zOCps/UnF5zAfY5SI/AAAAAAAAGOc/wJApFTV8SkQ/Gas%252520001_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Gas 001" width="461" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When was the last time you saw a gas station with gas posted for 91.9 cents a gallon? We were stopped for a dog walk and bathroom break and I had to take a photo. Grandkids will never believe that gas was so cheap!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">An hour or so later we ended up at Lake Columbia!<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dRdoQ9riUVw/UnF50Wa_aKI/AAAAAAAAGOk/jooRLf3p7YU/s1600-h/lake%252520Columbia%2525205%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="lake Columbia 5" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VJgyEUZo5ZY/UnF51UqDAkI/AAAAAAAAGOs/qGETz4xZN90/lake%252520Columbia%2525205_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="lake Columbia 5" width="464" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">All the colors here helped a gloomy day look better!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5PMbseBoA7A/UnF52RLNnuI/AAAAAAAAGO0/cWWIfSrAZeU/s1600-h/Lake%252520Columbia%252520006%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Lake Columbia 006" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WJxUtf2E4AU/UnF53WGhiUI/AAAAAAAAGO4/R9Qwr1mZvRw/Lake%252520Columbia%252520006_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lake Columbia 006" width="463" /></span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">Predictions for 60% rain for Sunday helped us decide we were going to stay over one more day. We were still a bit nervous about our new rebuilt axle. Losing an axle is a scary thing!</span></span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-e4x0bKUIEbU/UnF54maHHLI/AAAAAAAAGPE/U7_xpsMzjLQ/s1600-h/lake%252520columbia%252520012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="lake columbia 012" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R2BJR9a7eKI/UnF556nDqAI/AAAAAAAAGPM/MKBTrd4k9vQ/lake%252520columbia%252520012_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="lake columbia 012" width="467" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Lake Columbia is a beautiful campground near Magnolia Arkansas. We had the place to ourselves on Sunday. $16.00 per nights for W/E.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Do2cqRirPgU/UnF57LPtjgI/AAAAAAAAGPU/4s_3IU9gBAA/s1600-h/lake%252520columbia%252520010%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="lake columbia 010" border="0" height="317" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fh3u99-jAkk/UnF6BlgLIVI/AAAAAAAAGPc/nw_vkBdreXM/lake%252520columbia%252520010_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="lake columbia 010" width="451" /></a> <span style="font-size: large;">This wooded road was next to The MotherShip, you can see a few autumn colors trying to show through at the top of the photograph. We walked about as far down as you can see in the picture when I was literally attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes! YIKES! We (me and the dogs) ran back to the MotherShip as fast as our ample butts could get us there!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Monday we travelled to Louisiana to Chemin-A-Haute State Park just a bit north of Bastrop LA. We had spent a night here on our last trip from Florida to NM 3 years ago. We remembered it as being a nice clean park. 3 years and we cannot say the same thing now! DIRTY!</span><span style="font-size: large;">The restrooms/showers were nasty and the park looked abandoned! I didn’t even bother with photos it was that sad!</span><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">So Tuesday finds us on the road for 7.5 hours and over 300 miles! That for us was amazing. We crossed the Mississippi River at Natchez and it was a breeze at 1 pm! No traffic to make me feel rushed or pushed or nervous UNTIL we hit the Natchez side. Holey Moley! Just as I was getting ready to celebrate making across THE BRIDGE one more time, all heck broke loose on the highways! Where did all this traffic come from? I had a hard time keeping up with Chuck and not getting stuck at traffic lights for about 10 minutes until we finally turned off on highway 84 and as fast as all the traffic had surrounded us, it was gone! Highway 84 across Mississippi is 4 lanes of almost non-existent traffic! Very few gas stations and we only saw 2 signs for campgrounds the whole way! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Finally we crossed the Alabama state line and in about 20 miles we located the C.O.E.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fh5jLwdF2b8/UnF6Cz47raI/AAAAAAAAGPk/U6YR-vFMijI/s1600-h/tombigbee%252520030%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="tombigbee 030" border="0" height="334" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cALi7g1RzSk/UnF6EB4HVmI/AAAAAAAAGPs/w1Nube4SRX8/tombigbee%252520030_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="tombigbee 030" width="432" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Campground on the Tombigbee River. Just a small, simple sign out on the highway that just says “Service Park”. Easy to miss unless you know where it is. Just a bit west of Coffeeville Alabama.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Campsites are right next to the river! We have been sitting around all day watching the yachts and barges go up and down the river.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--tAPSnArsNQ/UnF6FdSoMNI/AAAAAAAAGP0/1HFdsNcsrDk/s1600-h/tombigbee%252520031%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="tombigbee 031" border="0" height="326" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yu-J-utuJLM/UnF6GVKLacI/AAAAAAAAGP8/O8IvgxGZNHQ/tombigbee%252520031_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="tombigbee 031" width="442" /></a></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yep, this is as good as it gets!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-heuRi4gGlgQ/UnF6HtdcUSI/AAAAAAAAGQE/nhz3zic0PrA/s1600-h/tombigbee%252520032%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="tombigbee 032" border="0" height="362" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-y7hR00yKCKg/UnF6IwnZGxI/AAAAAAAAGQM/4AgEXpPzj44/tombigbee%252520032_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="tombigbee 032" width="479" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We get to camp next to the river with a great table and fire ring and scenery!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gv69aX04OP4/UnF6KNNimcI/AAAAAAAAGQU/btwlTUX8F_U/s1600-h/tombigbee%252520035%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="tombigbee 035" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oRcO_4NCt58/UnF6LbpvhbI/AAAAAAAAGQc/BHl-Rfg61ys/tombigbee%252520035_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="tombigbee 035" width="457" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">AND Golden Orb Spiders! This beauty was almost palm sized! In case you are not familiar with the Golden Orb, they weave a web that looks like spun gold!</span><span style="font-size: large;">One of my favorite spiders!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VF5ck5Ilip8/UnF6MoJtMnI/AAAAAAAAGQk/0dFpt1jhgns/s1600-h/tombigbee%252520044%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="tombigbee 044" border="0" height="324" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-f5s8xF9COxM/UnF6N1szbxI/AAAAAAAAGQs/LiJSzGmMsKY/tombigbee%252520044_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="tombigbee 044" width="461" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the several barges that were headed up the river today.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0jmkyBru6Dc/UnF6PYB6eWI/AAAAAAAAGQ0/qxxsAirS6Iw/s1600-h/tombigbee%252520048%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="tombigbee 048" border="0" height="289" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--qaXgsUA4GM/UnF6R7w6kfI/AAAAAAAAGQ4/1N1rPrtjNVw/tombigbee%252520048_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="tombigbee 048" width="448" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MEawJHDzqxc/UnF6TG2A6JI/AAAAAAAAGRE/UP8nuVA56T0/s1600-h/tombigbee%252520049%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="tombigbee 049" border="0" height="318" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hxnFIEyGAtM/UnF6Udo3LSI/AAAAAAAAGRI/kzG_I7DkMBM/tombigbee%252520049_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="tombigbee 049" width="453" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hCGjATRyO0I/UnF6WMiHXlI/AAAAAAAAGRU/JWhOZCSQ_Gc/s1600-h/tombigbee%252520052%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="tombigbee 052" border="0" height="318" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p3SzTtkIZgg/UnF6XYhZoYI/AAAAAAAAGRY/r7ZDmZmBYqg/tombigbee%252520052_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="tombigbee 052" width="453" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-a02B6S3QfRM/UnF6YzMK07I/AAAAAAAAGRk/sf5WqufUlKU/s1600-h/tombigbee%252520054%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="tombigbee 054" border="0" height="284" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wHHB4BhqnvA/UnF6aRthW8I/AAAAAAAAGRs/AQy_INEuoJ4/tombigbee%252520054_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="tombigbee 054" width="461" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The campsites are very large and roomy! There is one campsite between us and the RV you see in the background. Plenty of room leftover for the truck, The MotherShip and my TrailBlazer in our site! As I type this another tug just went downriver pushing 3 barges loaded with coal! So glad we decided to stay 2 nights. The cost for 2 nights was $22! Life really doesn’t get any better than this! This park is most definately on our top 5 list! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">P.S, Woke up this morning to a "trick or treat" bag full of candy on our doorstep! Now was that nice or what? This is just one of the many things that make this park so special!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Headed to Florida tomorrow! YaY! So will sign off for now from the crew of The MotherShip Chuck, Geri, DoogieBowser and Radar! Thanks for coming along!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-lO9vO4VjJ-I/UnF6bfqO03I/AAAAAAAAGR0/VjOv9qcv1d0/s1600-h/wonder%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wonder" border="0" height="359" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Zf63DfV6_WU/UnF6ctlCAoI/AAAAAAAAGR8/BpyhdtYG0wQ/wonder_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="wonder" width="459" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-37690801162506673062013-10-25T18:02:00.001-04:002013-10-25T18:54:52.273-04:00Down and Out in DeQueen Arkansas !<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We had just made a left turn at Idabel Oklahoma, and our axle broke! Chuck said he never really felt anything because our truck is so big. He looked in the rearview and saw the MotherShip following at a 20% angle! We were on a 4-lane divided highway. Narrow side shoulders with some grass and then it dropped off a bit to the right down to a rain gutter. Chuck pulled over as much as he could, but the MotherShip was still a bit catawampus to the road, safely off the road… barely! I pulled up behind and put my emergency flashers on. This was about 2 pm Thursday. Chuck called Good Sam Roadside Assistance and after about 20 minutes they located By-Pass Diesel & Wrecker Service. They have 5 locations in Arkansas and had someone available in DeQueen to come take care of us. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qdMq2n1AKzo/UmrpEzWdf3I/AAAAAAAAGL0/JJEl8AvgBLM/s1600-h/004%25255B13%25255D.jpg"><img alt="004" border="0" height="302" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZL4kQga_abw/UmrpGQ_ittI/AAAAAAAAGL8/HVhaSAiXZIc/004_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="004" width="430" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Daryl showed up in 45 minutes! He crawled under the MotherShip for over an hour and competently repaired the axle enough for travel. We drove another 45 miles into DeQueen to the repair shop here. Daryl followed Chuck all the way and I followed Daryl in my Trailblazer.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-l6LwZCm35OA/UmrpOU3yKiI/AAAAAAAAGME/Bf8qk2JXNCA/s1600-h/003%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt=" 003" border="0" height="380" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VmhdwJPNwT0/UmrpSeEmI8I/AAAAAAAAGMM/xUPTGCJE5F0/003_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title=" 003" width="471" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We arrived shortly after 5 pm, or thereabouts. We pulled in to spend the night inside the fenced property to deal with everything tomorrow. We were all exhausted! By morning Daryl realized we were not going to find an axle to replace the broken one. Our axle is a bit wide compared to the norm. However, there is a business nearby that could rebuild it like new and have it back to us by late afternoon!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4tfSYikoG3U/UmrprwPYRQI/AAAAAAAAGMc/Zy5ztrCpGvU/s1600-h/2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2" border="0" height="354" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HAjPhQ9JNRY/UmrptX-cNRI/AAAAAAAAGMk/WgY2xNiC2dU/2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2" width="491" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So off our axle went, on it’s way to be rebuilt about 10 am. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ZB-ixXEIFRc/UmrpxPRCIkI/AAAAAAAAGMs/qldrgrhwOh8/s1600-h/006%25255B16%25255D.jpg"><img alt=" 006" border="0" height="368" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p4XupDp_75E/UmrpyvIgR6I/AAAAAAAAGM0/JnNxbwbUxtg/006_thumb%25255B10%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title=" 006" width="475" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Chuck and Daryl spend the time doing a lot of man-talk stuff and I went to WalMart to stock up. While in WalMart I decided to buy the resident office cat, “Sunny” some treats.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-g2LpUsj30fs/Umrp1JnoKcI/AAAAAAAAGM8/Dm5Ag-ajRa4/s1600-h/013%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="013" border="0" height="474" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fbh0DTJxz4w/Umrp3P4m1UI/AAAAAAAAGNE/VMw4RVxqxVw/013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="013" width="307" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">By 3:30 pm the axle was back looking brand new!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wyw51N6Y-R4/Umrp-1so16I/AAAAAAAAGNM/bd1X9c2C9I0/s1600-h/009%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="009" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IeKaAn_sYGA/UmrqBrEfImI/AAAAAAAAGNU/s1X2cOlN3zE/009_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="009" width="466" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6sbHXnYn-LY/UmrqNWNdtRI/AAAAAAAAGNc/EN0Ucdg-w6E/s1600-h/007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="007" border="0" height="325" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fZnjs6BY6Ug/UmrqSewNLzI/AAAAAAAAGNk/RCH5hYpopwM/007_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="007" width="462" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As I sit here typing away, Daryl is busy under the MotherShip re-attaching the axle!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8DwnA6P3Cso/UmrqWk4KmkI/AAAAAAAAGNs/V8Z0IVDQTXg/s1600-h/014%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="014" border="0" height="349" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lyTPPgEWHfo/UmrqZ9blkiI/AAAAAAAAGN0/xr6lp44EvS0/014_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="014" width="485" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It is now 4:45 pm Friday and the axle will be finished in a few minutes. We also had to replace 2 tires and they should be on by tonight!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A1Zaj_zNRys/Umrqfd6__iI/AAAAAAAAGN8/x6W7kvnwRtQ/s1600-h/012%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="012" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TWpLPONI7hk/Umrqi50KrVI/AAAAAAAAGOE/C_YsJ4cjq7s/012_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="012" width="474" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Daryl was nice enough to let us run the generator so we could get online and post this to you! We found out that not only does Daryl work here, he is the boss of this location of By-Pass Diesel & Wrecker Service! A very nice man and thank God, he is very knowledgeable and competent! He really pulled us out of a not to happy situation! We are now Happy Campers for sure.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So obviously we didn’t make it to Crater of Diamonds State Park, nor will we. We will spend one more night here inside the compound and head out tomorrow for a new destination! I will fill you in later about that! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Keep your fingers crossed that the rest of this trip goes well! We would really like to be in Apalachicola FL in time for the Seafood Festival!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">That’s it from the MotherShip and DeQueen Arkansas! If ya’ll are ever out this way in Arkansas and need help… Daryl at By-Pass Diesel & Wrecker Service is the man to call!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Bye for now…. Geri, Chuck, Doogie and Radar!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-53509023596595410232013-10-23T17:44:00.001-04:002013-12-11T07:31:13.035-05:00LAKE TEXAHOMA STATE PARK OK<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Chuck and I left Floydada Texas on Oct. 20th and stayed on Highway 70 for 2.5 hours arriving in Crowell Texas to stay at Longhorn RV Park and Steakhouse. It sits 15 miles west of Crowell, entrance is next to a very nice state picnic area off the highway. We cut our day short because we knew the next day we would be heading to Lake Texahoma State Park. From Floydada it would have meant a 7 hour day on the road and we just don’t do those anymore! The Longhorn was a no-frills campground $15 for Full Hook Ups but no restrooms or showers available! We ended up staying 2 nights because I just didn’t feel real good. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We left the Longhorn at 10am Monday morning and drove 4.5 hours on Highway 70 out of Texas and into Oklahoma. Highway 70 is a wonderful east/west highway through the Texas Panhandle into and across lower Oklahoma and well into Arkansas! We don’t do Interstates except in short hops because I hate driving on them! But Highway 70 is very well maintained and very low traffic! We had a great day to be on the road passing huge ranches, cotton and cornfields, horses, cows and more than a few small and unique towns.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We arrived in Lake Texahoma tired, hungry and a bit grouchy! But oh my… this is still one of our favorite stops!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D0vnsgIfpuk/UmhCzFG-BXI/AAAAAAAAGKE/JlnJPicrre0/s1600-h/Lake%252520Texahoma%252520SP%252520001%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lake Texahoma SP 001" border="0" height="219" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EjVBEgvtvww/UmhC0rEIv8I/AAAAAAAAGKM/qXY3ZmSnJA4/Lake%252520Texahoma%252520SP%252520001_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lake Texahoma SP 001" width="482" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The folks across the road all line up for full hook-ups and no shade! </span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CMB1OVqdFbE/UmhC34abPbI/AAAAAAAAGKU/87Q5BivLtpY/s1600-h/Lcamp%252520siteake%252520Texahoma%252520SP%252520016%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lcamp siteake Texahoma SP 016" border="0" height="337" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YaHfMUA7sYU/UmhC6T5mCzI/AAAAAAAAGKc/bGmGXDyN08o/Lcamp%252520siteake%252520Texahoma%252520SP%252520016_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lcamp siteake Texahoma SP 016" width="460" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">While Chuck and I were all alone over in the Water & Electric only sites…. in the shade! That’s us on the far right!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Ujd4i-z_jJk/UmhC-XBJwsI/AAAAAAAAGKk/Pn0X4Hs2tjU/s1600-h/camper%252520Lake%252520Texahoma%252520SP%252520004%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="camper Lake Texahoma SP 004" border="0" height="293" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kYgdiR5ZCRk/UmhDAv4-SAI/AAAAAAAAGKs/Qp-12VmCco8/camper%252520Lake%252520Texahoma%252520SP%252520004_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="camper Lake Texahoma SP 004" width="466" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Radar and DoogieBowser get to explore off leash and we get the shade from nearby trees! Our site was $15 and next to the restrooms/showers! The hot shower felt great! The restrooms are a bit dated and could use a few updates but I really appreciated a good hot shower. This morning I took the dogs for a walk off leash and they got to run around and act like dogs, even chased a squirrel up a tree! They loved it.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sjuMW2FytPE/UmhDC1s1MQI/AAAAAAAAGK0/Q4YRJJSMvPg/s1600-h/a%252520point%252520Lake%252520Texahoma%252520SP%252520011%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="a point Lake Texahoma SP 011" border="0" height="333" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-s8ctkRxGX24/UmhDGA7lkAI/AAAAAAAAGK8/FtGPSiYSpyY/a%252520point%252520Lake%252520Texahoma%252520SP%252520011_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="a point Lake Texahoma SP 011" width="474" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The lake is beautiful! Of you strain your eyes a bit to the center of the picture, you can see a couple walking out to the point to fish. The lake is down a bit but it is still a great place to be. We decided to stay here 2 nights also. Guess we are showing our age, even just driving by the geezer 2-4-4 rule (200 miles, 4 hours or 4 pm) means it’s time to pull in! But we were ready to pull in after 3 hours! LOL!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0v0jUPc4Jb0/UmhDIvvs4AI/AAAAAAAAGLE/F0uGY8O_xtk/s1600-h/CHUCK%252520Lake%252520Texahoma%252520SP%252520003%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="CHUCK Lake Texahoma SP 003" border="0" height="438" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qWMDpqytQLM/UmhDK-n1qpI/AAAAAAAAGLM/AUOIlcaCFYk/CHUCK%252520Lake%252520Texahoma%252520SP%252520003_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="CHUCK Lake Texahoma SP 003" width="278" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">One of the first things Chuck is going to do when we get to Florida is donate his hair to “Locks of Love”. He lost his mother to breast cancer and he wanted to grow his hair at least one time so he could offer it for wigs for the chemo ladies. “Locks of Love” will be getting one beautiful head of hair when his is donated! I would love to have hair like that, long, thick & curly!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Tomorrow we leave here and head for Crater of Diamonds State Park for a couple of nights. It is near Murfreesboro Arkansas! We have been there once before and liked it. It will be another 4 hour drive for us. Maybe we will be lucky this time, a 14 year old girl found a big yellow diamond just last week! OUR TURN! <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wQK0aelsxZI/UmhDLnQv9-I/AAAAAAAAGLU/rGkWgHwOAjs/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Signing off for now from the crew of The MotherShip , Chuck, Geri, DoogieBowser and Radar! </span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L6vyBImkji0/UmhDMhsFOLI/AAAAAAAAGLc/1rgYny4Yoko/s1600-h/Am.%252520Indian%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Am. Indian" border="0" height="291" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mnAcgasxthA/UmhDN7nM24I/AAAAAAAAGLk/lduTUQj2E8I/Am.%252520Indian_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Am. Indian" width="457" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-36474311707489652462013-10-19T14:30:00.001-04:002013-10-19T14:37:29.361-04:00FORT SUMNER NM–BILLY THE KID– FLOYDADA TEXAS!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">After travelling from Truth or Consequences NM to Fort Sumner NM on highway 60 East, we pulled into a nice but no frills campground right off the highway. $20 a night for FHU but no showers or restrooms. Valley View Campground. Nice long spaces, plenty of room for The MotherShip and my Trailblazer!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OEBUJA1sHCU/UmLObRGm0EI/AAAAAAAAGGM/r0RO1DjsxfQ/s1600-h/Fort%252520Sumner%252520RV%252520Park%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Fort Sumner RV Park" border="0" height="321" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UUzxbS05P8Q/UmLOeWvO9bI/AAAAAAAAGGU/Rb6BaAqm6Jw/Fort%252520Sumner%252520RV%252520Park_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Fort Sumner RV Park" width="649" /></a><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="font-size: large;">Across the road was a great restaurant, FRED’S RESTAURANT where I ate the best ever blue corn enchilada and Chuck had a smothered burrito. YUMMY! One block east of the campground is the Billy The Kid Museum!</span></blockquote>
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iTPqIAi7KTg/UmLOiJqk2AI/AAAAAAAAGGc/EYLJhWf_fc0/s1600-h/BTK%252520Museum%252520ent%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="BTK Museum ent" border="0" height="317" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nMmE2G-dlyE/UmLOlDXBZJI/AAAAAAAAGGk/zWTvkETfaGE/BTK%252520Museum%252520ent_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="BTK Museum ent" width="673" /></a> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The museum was more than expected. So many artifacts of the old west!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F7-03Z13So8/UmLOnjy9udI/AAAAAAAAGGs/ot-zYMpi1JQ/s1600-h/chuck%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="chuck" border="0" height="503" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-p3XiTXPSodM/UmLOrExLmHI/AAAAAAAAGG0/1h4d9lddPI8/chuck_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="chuck" width="686" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Mr. Sweet is the owner of the museum and this man knows his history! His family has lived here many generations!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-v7TklBzeaIw/UmLOuphU2ZI/AAAAAAAAGG8/0BklUbC8yJU/s1600-h/BTK%252520Museum%252520grinding%252520stones%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="BTK Museum grinding stones" border="0" height="303" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6DGhg9oAQx4/UmLOyltsrEI/AAAAAAAAGHE/B5lcD62t75g/BTK%252520Museum%252520grinding%252520stones_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="BTK Museum grinding stones" width="587" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">At the entrance, mill stones or grinding stones are displayed. I have never seen so many in one place!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--yJUBkestfA/UmLO17xIkvI/AAAAAAAAGHM/EHTAlONEd14/s1600-h/Chuck%252520aka%252520BTK%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Chuck aka BTK" border="0" height="373" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-We_trKvyc2Q/UmLO5l2pc-I/AAAAAAAAGHU/Oj07zTtRIaQ/Chuck%252520aka%252520BTK_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Chuck aka BTK" width="200" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Chuck pretending to be Billy the Kid!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-HYbpsJhNdLo/UmLO8fDWBpI/AAAAAAAAGHc/i6JbJOeolVM/s1600-h/BTK%252520Museum%252520spurs%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="BTK Museum spurs" border="0" height="322" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5ivYZiP_ANo/UmLO_WxjPiI/AAAAAAAAGHk/X3xqsKFUu1k/BTK%252520Museum%252520spurs_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="BTK Museum spurs" width="575" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There were cases full of spurs…. who knew there were so many differently designed spurs for different purposes?</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bc-5nHvZN8Y/UmLPCiVh6xI/AAAAAAAAGHs/kiB2viqtFBM/s1600-h/BTK%252520Museum%252520Guns%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="BTK Museum Guns" border="0" height="410" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MWDrhckQCh8/UmLPGGKNfeI/AAAAAAAAGH0/b4iblbQqN2M/BTK%252520Museum%252520Guns_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="BTK Museum Guns" width="330" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There were rooms lined with all kinds of guns, one of them really belonged to Billy the Kid!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-5KqjrCWUssc/UmLPJIYLz-I/AAAAAAAAGH8/YYr_mxZLv0k/s1600-h/BTK%252520Museum%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="BTK Museum" border="0" height="439" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gZH9L4wBi7k/UmLPLCrxogI/AAAAAAAAGIE/pzlTb_vuJf0/BTK%252520Museum_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="BTK Museum" width="529" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The museum is a lot larger than it looks! It spreads out through several rooms!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RwiFYB-50Ag/UmLPOCVSqVI/AAAAAAAAGIM/Pwn3oYFP9ug/s1600-h/BTK%252520Museum%252520clay%252520figure%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="BTK Museum clay figure" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-t83ohIkCV7c/UmLPRJEEsKI/AAAAAAAAGIU/U8PXYPYLfCo/BTK%252520Museum%252520clay%252520figure_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="BTK Museum clay figure" width="581" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">This case had nothing to do with Billy, but it interested me the most. Found in a cave in Silver City… to me it looks like a dragon with wings but the sign below says:</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RHrd4JJ95eA/UmLPTGxL7iI/AAAAAAAAGIc/t_-IsmRULpc/s1600-h/BTK%252520Museum%252520clay%252520figure%252520sign%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="BTK Museum clay figure sign" border="0" height="376" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ShIM8xpKdJ8/UmLPU4RyCzI/AAAAAAAAGIk/v8HF4yNbMGk/BTK%252520Museum%252520clay%252520figure%252520sign_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="BTK Museum clay figure sign" width="585" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Whatever it was, it was interesting!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We left the museum and headed back to The MotherShip. It was noon and we were ready to hit the road! We got back on Highway 60East headed to Clovis where we also picked up Highway 84S.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We also picked up the wind and the dark threatening clouds and the cold! It went from 60’s that morning to the 40’s within an hour on the road! It was hell on wheels and no other words are available to describe it. Wicked winds fighting our steering wheels the whole three </span><span style="font-size: large;">1/2 hours we were on the road!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We usually check the wind map that gives good solid information about winds on your route! We did not, but here is the link so you have it. </span><br />
<a href="http://hint.fm/wind/" title="http://hint.fm/wind/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://hint.fm/wind/</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I keep it on my desktop ready to use, now I just have to remember to use it!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We followed 84South to Muleshoe Texas where we picked up 70 East which brought us here to Floydata and the great little city FREE campground!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_X9OJhjFE5o/UmLPV86C-cI/AAAAAAAAGIs/evi9dvA85vM/s1600-h/Floydada%252520st%252520sign%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Floydada st sign" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tm8fk8_41jA/UmLPXw9IGFI/AAAAAAAAGI0/bAHotdEmzg8/Floydada%252520st%252520sign_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Floydada st sign" width="540" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">From the west, you enter Floydata on Highway 70/North 2nd Street, the campground is on the right at Taft. </span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9-Jv_dxol58/UmLPb1UoSWI/AAAAAAAAGI8/h2ChlUy4T-s/s1600-h/Floydata%252520maintenence%252520office%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Floydata maintenence office" border="0" height="378" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Umhi964Z5_k/UmLPde4dNnI/AAAAAAAAGJE/Er_uin3UfTI/Floydata%252520maintenence%252520office_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Floydata maintenence office" width="562" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The Texas D.O.T. is right next door, just east of campground entrance. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2Cyjy5G8bC6gcF8szd0q5vYqChnL-88BZDhBtCry3lt9u3YGERO6NtPHQRPNvO7OmA7MOCryM9865zSB55dfFu1jAgHQ6HWOzMl9EnNtFxvNhhM1mGs2po3PmnZqa4Wlr4KIcQmrviA5/s1600/Floydada%252C+TX+007.JPG"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2Cyjy5G8bC6gcF8szd0q5vYqChnL-88BZDhBtCry3lt9u3YGERO6NtPHQRPNvO7OmA7MOCryM9865zSB55dfFu1jAgHQ6HWOzMl9EnNtFxvNhhM1mGs2po3PmnZqa4Wlr4KIcQmrviA5/s640/Floydada%252C+TX+007.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I apologise! Yesterday I told you that it was free here for 4 nights WRONG! It is free 2 nights and you can stay an additional 3 night for $5.00 per night! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But there is the 5 night stay rule and you must leave! No Showers, No Bathrooms. But the city of Floydata gives you water and electric and a dump station for free! It’s a cute little town and they want to show off. Folks who camp here seek out the restaurants, gas stations (there is a gas station and a propane station nearby) A good example is the family camped next to us last night, they came back with arms full of grocery bags and Dollar General bags! This nice little campground encourages the tourist dollar to stay and visit Floydada awhile! Certainly helps the local economy!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-74St68dNiPE/UmLPgSdyKSI/AAAAAAAAGJM/HVePP6ROgXo/s1600-h/Floydata%252520campground%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Floydata campground" border="0" height="390" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-402KTJI591s/UmLPitfoyVI/AAAAAAAAGJU/KU3MHjM-qWI/Floydata%252520campground_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Floydata campground" width="542" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There were 3 of us camped here last night, and room for several more.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bxc-6G3EVvI/UmLPl_7HeMI/AAAAAAAAGJc/37IN3haNakY/s1600-h/Floydada%252520dog%252520walk%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Floydada dog walk" border="0" height="463" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-IrCe42lxm4E/UmLPnAMFiZI/AAAAAAAAGJk/L8LgJBySVKc/Floydada%252520dog%252520walk_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Floydada dog walk" width="294" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">There was frost on the ground earlier this morning, but Radar and DoogieBowser never noticed! Their noses were on the ground reading all the doggie news!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">With all the wind and rocking and rolling we were doing yesterday on our drive here, we were not too surprised to find one of our cupboard doors had opened and dumped the contents out on the floor…..</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">INCLUDING 1/2 quart of honey that leaked out all over everything else that fell out and all over the floor! It was cold and wickedly windy outside, everybody wanted to come in…. but I had to clean up the sticky mess as much as possible before we could let the dogs come in!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What a mess! We have decided to stay in Floydada one more night so I can finish cleaning up the sticky mess and so Chuck can fix our step on the MotherShip. The top bolt has come loose and needs to be replaced!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">From here….. still not sure what tom</span><span style="font-size: large;">orrow brings… </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">there is a turn in the road that we are considering!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BP5ggqg54po/UmLPouSI4eI/AAAAAAAAGJs/Y4Iam-XkrPI/s1600-h/DO%252520NOT%252520FOLLOW%252520-%252520LEAD%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DO NOT FOLLOW - LEAD" border="0" height="365" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EvmlQJ-BBOA/UmLPrsX82EI/AAAAAAAAGJ0/FCdPS45CUQc/DO%252520NOT%252520FOLLOW%252520-%252520LEAD_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="DO NOT FOLLOW - LEAD" width="465" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Happy Trails from The MotherShip and her crew. Chuck, pilot. Geri, co-pilot and our navigators DoogieBowser and Radar.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-89703922783124025092013-10-18T09:47:00.001-04:002013-10-18T11:16:50.987-04:00Leaving Truth or Consequences, NM<span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: medium;"> On The Road Again</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">T or C has been our home base since 2009. I started writing our blog in 2008. Chuck and I have visited a lot of beautiful places in our time on the road… we were not ready to give it up which made our decision to go full time living in our RV, The MotherShip! But we could have not lived in a town that suited us better than Truth or Consequences NM.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://phunnyfarm.blogspot.com/2012/02/truth-or-consequences-new-mexico-usa.html" title="http://phunnyfarm.blogspot.com/2012/02/truth-or-consequences-new-mexico-usa.html"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">http://phunnyfarm.blogspot.com/2012/02/truth-or-consequences-new-mexico-usa.html</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We are down to 3 days before take off! Emily returns from Kansas Tuesday. Wednesday 10/16/2013 we sign the papers turning the mobile home over to Emily. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Wednesday has come and gone! Papers signed sealed and delivered! Emily now has a new home near her son, Jim! Her daughter, Juno, also seemed to like T or C very much… so just maybe we will see her leaving Kansas also for the uniqueness that is Truth or Consequences NM.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> We say goodbye to Jake, general manager and imagineer for the beautiful Riverbend Hot Springs. Our favorite soaking place!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiResb9knEhde2ML4m8sHbECgiKCdVmF2jaQ0BFdbHzik5m6BH3AoImOZNgcJ_ePvlDxn4KXl0G5M1qT3k1dt98Ix-UG0lCCDGO2UPTonCMfnSXz1ObE04Lxrhhv4-ETkOGlYfwAlxrdNyW/s1600/RiverBend+etc+071ab.jpg"><img border="0" height="361" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiResb9knEhde2ML4m8sHbECgiKCdVmF2jaQ0BFdbHzik5m6BH3AoImOZNgcJ_ePvlDxn4KXl0G5M1qT3k1dt98Ix-UG0lCCDGO2UPTonCMfnSXz1ObE04Lxrhhv4-ETkOGlYfwAlxrdNyW/s400/RiverBend+etc+071ab.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Jake provided us with our first workamping job and once here, we fell in love with Truth or Consequences!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.riverbendhotsprings.com/">http://www.riverbendhotsprings.com/</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Thursday we got on the road headed east to Florida! We don’t do interstate travelling very much. You can’t see the heart of America from the interstate! I will try to post every night and show you our camps. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We drive by the RV Geezer 2-4- 4Rule, 200 miles, 4 hours or 4 pm. Whichever comes first, we pull off the road. 10/17/2013 we stretched the rules a bit. 4.5 hours, about 230 miles and we pulled in around 3:30pm. We landed in Fort Sumner NM, very close to the Texas border, near Clovis NM. We left T or C on I-25 to Socorro and highway 60East joined I-25 for awhile the veered off the interstate and headed east. From the I-25, highway 60 meandered through ranches and desert roads until we came to Mountainair NM. A small town that looked like it would be fun to explore… but we drove on! From there Highway 60 ran parallel to the busiest train tracks I have ever seen. Trains pulling endless miles of containers…. full containers headed east and empty containers headed west. Some of these trains were following each other only a mile or two apart!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Highway 60 East from I-25 starts out as very good road, newly paved and wide shoulders. After Mountainaire we lost the new pavement and wide shoulders but the road was still very good and well maintained. We encountered very little traffic and made good time, but we had to make 3 doggie rest stops along the way. No pictures, hard to drive and take photographs! I am driving my Chevy TrailBlazer loaded to the hilt leading Chuck and the MotherShip back east.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The campground in Fort Sumner is right on Highway 60 and impossible to miss. Large clean sites, nothing fancy but for one night very suitable and with Full Hook-ups $20 a night.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today we will walk next door and visit the Billy The Kid Museum, located next to the campground . Billy is buried nearby and apparently created some history in this small town! I will post some pictures tomorrow.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: large;"> Today we are headed to Floydada Texas. We will camp at our favorite FREE city park campground</span>.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2Cyjy5G8bC6gcF8szd0q5vYqChnL-88BZDhBtCry3lt9u3YGERO6NtPHQRPNvO7OmA7MOCryM9865zSB55dfFu1jAgHQ6HWOzMl9EnNtFxvNhhM1mGs2po3PmnZqa4Wlr4KIcQmrviA5/s1600/Floydada%252C+TX+007.JPG"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2Cyjy5G8bC6gcF8szd0q5vYqChnL-88BZDhBtCry3lt9u3YGERO6NtPHQRPNvO7OmA7MOCryM9865zSB55dfFu1jAgHQ6HWOzMl9EnNtFxvNhhM1mGs2po3PmnZqa4Wlr4KIcQmrviA5/s640/Floydada%252C+TX+007.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">City provides <strong>FREE full hook-ups for 4 nights!</strong> They want you to visit and explore their town, eat at their restaurants, fill up your gas tanks, buy groceries and enjoy your stay in Floydada! I will post more photos of the park later! It’s a very nice one!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I just wanted to post to let family and friends know that we are on the road and loving it!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l1cENMKbHYQ/UmE7-z6MrtI/AAAAAAAAGF0/4N2a61D9MSQ/s1600-h/be%252520happy%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="be happy" border="0" height="398" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5jsTpajx4Fc/UmE7_gr_uiI/AAAAAAAAGF8/jTSA-FuUhm8/be%252520happy_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="be happy" width="563" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So long from the crew of the MotherShip! Chuck, Geri and our navigators DoogieBowser and Radar! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Happy Trails to you until we meet again!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-27619145602671406182013-10-01T11:17:00.001-04:002013-10-02T14:06:54.325-04:00Emily and Family Arrive !<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: small;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Finally the day we have all been waiting for arrives! Our mobile home is empty and clean waiting for the new owners to move in!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Emily and family are from Kansas and Emily is moving back to New Mexico where she was raised. They are meeting us at Walmart with a U-haul packed to the max!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ct_2a-YSNcA/UkrnNo0Sb6I/AAAAAAAAGC4/yYVLOVLTbeA/s1600-h/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520004em%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1006 east 8th 004em" border="0" height="252" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RIkYzSmr2tE/UkrnPMrU1OI/AAAAAAAAGDA/uPhQCqarDR0/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520004em_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1006 east 8th 004em" width="360" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">I am excited as I see them coming up the hill, E</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">mily at the wheel!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-O5isGY7SvW8/UkrnQVbhDCI/AAAAAAAAGDI/9uqSf35aKmI/s1600-h/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520006em%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1006 east 8th 006em" border="0" height="275" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AqWR6227AeA/UkrnRvAQd0I/AAAAAAAAGDQ/zji98Obw49E/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520006em_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1006 east 8th 006em" width="357" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Emily and her housemate Jim peer out….</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tR-lDUSbKiw/UkrnTWltdnI/AAAAAAAAGDY/HrGyWgD1XnU/s1600-h/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520007em%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1006 east 8th 007em" border="0" height="310" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sy8rcGEoBXA/UkrnUu1ktRI/AAAAAAAAGDg/-u9ENA65OrU/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520007em_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1006 east 8th 007em" width="363" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Chuck takes over the U-Haul as Emily rides with me. Jim, her son, follows with his car as Juno, her daughter follows driving Emily’s truck as we arrive at Emily’s new home on the hill! Chuck backs the U-Haul in from the alley. It’s a tight turn and uphill!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z0tNQ-djwag/UkrnVxBB0dI/AAAAAAAAGDo/DtP5NQaAUTc/s1600-h/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520008em%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1006 east 8th 008em" border="0" height="274" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8wD-NZonBZc/UkrnW5kYeNI/AAAAAAAAGDw/09o3FcyLgQk/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520008em_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1006 east 8th 008em" width="380" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Housemate Jim relaxes under the Mulberry tree as Juno’s dog, Buster,</span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"> keeps an eye on Juno!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rV90Hlqos3I/UkrnYFgq4mI/AAAAAAAAGD4/XESSdR4qtIg/s1600-h/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520009em%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1006 east 8th 009em" border="0" height="274" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3IYqxGTRbwM/UkrnZUKdDNI/AAAAAAAAGEA/aXDoSbxk-1c/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520009em_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1006 east 8th 009em" width="390" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Things are quickly unloaded!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5NkKKhpneXQ/Ukrna9CR8SI/AAAAAAAAGEI/0ExGIrVjLDM/s1600-h/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520010em%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1006 east 8th 010em" border="0" height="290" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v-Q_9dqjbqA/Ukrncr8GIcI/AAAAAAAAGEQ/1ShN_1BJRYk/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520010em_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1006 east 8th 010em" width="394" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Emily and her son take a break as he tries to locate the insurance company on his cell phone.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-S1-L_-B8nSQ/Ukrndx7Ve-I/AAAAAAAAGEY/63Iun66tP6A/s1600-h/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520011em%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="1006 east 8th 011em" border="0" height="336" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0VaRA-LJaEg/UkrnfT2jjsI/AAAAAAAAGEg/YXJpuuSOrqM/1006%252520east%2525208th%252520011em_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="1006 east 8th 011em" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Juno takes the opportunity to relax on the futon.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">She has decided to take this one back with her to Kansas.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">So it’s all over now but the signing of the paperwork!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-q8vwuO94RAc/Ukrngx2kC7I/AAAAAAAAGEo/kIVvyCFU0Ks/s1600-h/Agua%252520Vista%252520RV%252520Park%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Agua Vista RV Park" border="0" height="283" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PxgUXEWYKNg/Ukrnim7XMFI/AAAAAAAAGEw/SMTuRfSoPWc/Agua%252520Vista%252520RV%252520Park_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Agua Vista RV Park" width="403" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">This is the RV Park where the MotherShip is temporarily docked. Agua Vista RV Park in Elephant Butte NM and Elephant Butte Lake is in the background. Nice, small park with 30 roomy RV slots, friendly folks, most stay several months at a time. Rent is very reasonable at $200 a month plus electric! Great big salt water swimming pool and showers and laundry!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Owner Mike is a super nice man and we have enjoyed our stay here. But we will be leaving as soon as all the paperwork is signed and headed to Florida to see family and friends. We are now truly full time RV’ers!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">The water in Elephant Butte Lake has risen about 17 feet due to all the recent flooding here in NM. It all ends up in the Rio Grande and from there into Elephant Butte Lake where it is dammed up and released in the spring for the farmers. Colorado got all the press and their flooding was worse than what we had here, but there was loss of life all over NM. We lost 2 lives right here in Sierra County! They were calling it the 100 year flood!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ClaAFkkmYi4/UkrnkcLHMEI/AAAAAAAAGE4/i1SRpx6yMYQ/s1600-h/Ralph%252520Edwards%252520Park%252520T%252520or%252520C%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Ralph Edwards Park T or C" border="0" height="281" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-X4is-poEfhI/Ukrnl0ATLOI/AAAAAAAAGFA/gGrxGAOHG2E/Ralph%252520Edwards%252520Park%252520T%252520or%252520C_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Ralph Edwards Park T or C" width="400" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Ralph Edwards Park sits next to the Rio Grande River and it was totally flooded! Downtown Truth or Consequences also suffered a lot of flooding but the worst happened in southern Sierra County. Ranches were flooded, homes were severely damaged or totally ruined by the flood waters. However, all this water helped put a dent into the severe drought situation that has had a strangle hold on New Mexico for the past 5+ years!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWjjwjwHFBWy8MF81K2uSPyDZWlNI7EVL9BjDs_Vm7F8VG6lekCxDGPbt0e6RaZAAet1SzDvlbJo3Ajbww7q7hKzbWWtziLcpslzE6pJ7j3SVPCkTh6o-fXzLDcDyl5eXa8VwUN3yLDo/s1600/flooded+T+or+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifWjjwjwHFBWy8MF81K2uSPyDZWlNI7EVL9BjDs_Vm7F8VG6lekCxDGPbt0e6RaZAAet1SzDvlbJo3Ajbww7q7hKzbWWtziLcpslzE6pJ7j3SVPCkTh6o-fXzLDcDyl5eXa8VwUN3yLDo/s320/flooded+T+or+C.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">Life goes on and so do we. We will be leaving soon. Chuck and I will miss New Mexico, but we will be back. We are looking forward to seeing our daughter and Glorianne and her husband Chaz and our 4 grandchildren Kyle, Ryan, Annesley and Aubrey!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: medium;">That’s the news from the MotherShip! Signing off, Geri, Chuck and the K-9 Kids DoogieBowser and Radar!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-abO8t3S4X8E/UkrnnnXq-nI/AAAAAAAAGFI/chqVY9m3YrA/s1600-h/all%252520u%252520need%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="all u need" border="0" height="342" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Vx0QjhRI5FI/Ukrno_HlFqI/AAAAAAAAGFQ/MxjBbXE2y1c/all%252520u%252520need_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="all u need" width="401" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-38571560780652866882013-08-03T17:22:00.001-04:002013-08-04T10:40:24.117-04:00Moving on out–Moving on in!<br />
<span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: large;">Whew, it has been a long hot summer! We have been busy packing up and moving out. We have sold a lot of stuff we will not need in the MotherShip… like a spare queen bed, a few recliners, medium format cameras, my collection of USA Pottery (all around circa 1950’s), gave away more than we sold. I gave away at least 100 empty picture frames all various sizes! We both donated a lot of items to Paws and Claws, the local resale store that helps support the local Humane Society. Now it’s pretty much down to give away or throw away! We should be in the MotherShip in a couple of weeks and start the deep cleaning here so Emily will be moving into a new, clean home. For those of you who don’t know, Emily Ogle, a friend and fellow camper, has bought our home. She has lived in New Mexico before and her son lives in Socorro NM (about 100 miles north of here).</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q9gv40RNHoU/Uf10CkN8KKI/AAAAAAAAF-k/rvOFEm0pDa0/s1600-h/BOP%252520JULY%252520%25252712%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="BOP JULY '12" height="346" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fV0t1wu7_To/Uf10EiNieCI/AAAAAAAAF-s/nirX9Ol8X5Q/BOP%252520JULY%252520%25252712_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="BOP JULY '12" width="440" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is one thing I will miss! I started this SW Bird of Paradise from a seed. Out of 12 seeds banged around in a jar 1/2 full of water and a handful of pebbles and shaking the holy heck out of that jar every time I passed by for about 2 weeks, one seed bloomed into a real plant! Now, almost 2 years later, I rejoice at the beauty everyday! But God one upped me! I worked so hard to get this lady going and He gives me 2 wild ones almost as big and pretty as this one! He gets that last laugh!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7CHQQa-lFz8/Uf10F8YGNTI/AAAAAAAAF-0/1DKQ2KZwuJg/s1600-h/Cactus%2525202%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Cactus 2" border="0" height="470" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tp4q9K9Fb2Y/Uf10HS_MHHI/AAAAAAAAF-8/F5Cbf0gQrqI/Cactus%2525202_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Cactus 2" width="406" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Last summer, while RVSue was visiting us in Zion Utah where we were workamping, she gave me a small dish cactus garden!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, it outgrew that small dish! I put them in a big pot and they are loving stretching their roots and have grown even bigger since being planted a few months ago! Obviously, this is too big to come with us, so we will leave it here for Emily to enjoy!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-od53v--syUk/Uf10IjSaDBI/AAAAAAAAF_E/8B9N5dFPNww/s1600-h/Chuck%252527s%252520fire%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Chuck's fire" border="0" height="302" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-CHU6zmRMN5E/Uf10KALcrfI/AAAAAAAAF_M/OZFtRDVupxU/Chuck%252527s%252520fire_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Chuck's fire" width="430" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Chuck has been busy too! As you can see, we have no grass. Our yard is hardscape, all rocks and no mowing! But we have weeds that pop up anyway so Chuck takes his yard flame thrower and burns the weeds. Yep, that’s smoke you see on the left! The baby yucca caught fire. First he took a pitcher of water over to it, nope! The he took a bucket of water over to it, nope! Finally he takes the hose over to it (5 feet to short) but yep, that does it! Fire out!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-d2eq6TbNhIA/Uf10Lxvq3JI/AAAAAAAAF_U/iHoWdFb2Fhc/s1600-h/Radar%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Radar" border="0" height="315" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qpu88JV4bzc/Uf10NDDs8-I/AAAAAAAAF_c/FUHodJ5kTrk/Radar_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Radar" width="438" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Radar pursues lizards into the bushes, his tail causing a mild breeze with it’s wild wagging in anticipation! Of course he never catches one, but hope is still there!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WivKM9Tnv-o/Uf10OqJiaGI/AAAAAAAAF_k/XHYWTqoPK-4/s1600-h/Doogie%252520bowser%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Doogie bowser" border="0" height="327" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-H-XjiBF3Cy0/Uf10QdDliqI/AAAAAAAAF_s/xKEv4cL-hoU/Doogie%252520bowser_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Doogie bowser" width="451" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">DoogieBowser on the other hand looks at me like , “What the heck is that crazy Radar doing? Nope not me! I’m staying on the porch in the SHADE!”</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Moving is hard! I never want to do this again! We have been packing, stacking, donating and tossing for at least 6 months now and Whew! I am ready to be done. I would say that we are at least 90% empty in the mobile home and 90% full in the MotherShip! We are down to the bare necessities here now. We have even sold our bed and sleeping on the 2 futons!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Parting with my “stuff” has been hard! I’m not gonna lie to you! Sometimes it even hurts real bad. Al Bossence from The Bayfield Bunch blogged the other day that he was copying every slide he has ever made. I considered that, heck I have done that in the past. This time I just let myself get all melancholy as I sat and looked at each page of 20 slides and as a tears slid down my face, I tossed them, page after page until they were all in the trash! Same with old photographs. They all got tossed. I save some old family photos…. hard to let go of mom and dad even though they let go and passed on years ago. I have a small 3 ring notebook with a few plastic pages and my few photos I couldn’t let slip away. Clothes too. Dang, I had 4 different sizes in my closet! After my lapband surgery I went from size 24 to size 16 before the band slipped and emergency surgery was needed to remove it! So now I am back to size 24 with no effort on my part at all and a ton of smaller sizes I will never fit into again! They left my closet easily! But even so….</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> You know, once everything was in the trash and gone a few days, I was glad it was done and over with. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Gonna miss all the finches playing out front!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HfyWx2uG7Pk/Uf10RWlUUrI/AAAAAAAAF_0/0SCB9Ejsuso/s1600-h/finches%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="finches" border="0" height="290" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-CrZiFOToVZE/Uf10TG6dGEI/AAAAAAAAF_8/8K02A9rtm5Q/finches_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="finches" width="413" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I am gonna miss all the flowering cactus too in our yard!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F0DEnfErJRY/Uf10Um_n68I/AAAAAAAAGAE/Nlr2WhBW4Zs/s1600-h/cactus%2525201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cactus 1" border="0" height="390" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XYAeFw8F_K8/Uf10V79t0sI/AAAAAAAAGAM/b_RN8KSZJLQ/cactus%2525201_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cactus 1" width="449" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v9VinqLO72w/Uf10XMC9KvI/AAAAAAAAGAU/YfCxvbQg9wg/s1600-h/cactus%2525203%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cactus 3" border="0" height="312" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XigwuX9D-nk/Uf10YKbdqMI/AAAAAAAAGAc/02GeJk-4nYU/cactus%2525203_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cactus 3" width="447" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">And I am gonna miss this beautiful purple flowering bush! Don’t know it’s name, but Oh My! It smells heavenly!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YZdK8esZkGM/Uf10ZaLgNGI/AAAAAAAAGAk/dT6JxBOpORA/s1600-h/purple%252520bush%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="purple bush" border="0" height="324" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fda0K67ggv8/Uf10au2jfjI/AAAAAAAAGAs/YUeYhuX89EM/purple%252520bush_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="purple bush" width="461" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We have cactus living the left side of our drive way that were full of yellow flowers a few days ago! OOPS! Missed those!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eSorHMcLoRE/Uf10b0hezLI/AAAAAAAAGA0/K1owBgVLhAI/s1600-h/cactus%2525204%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cactus 4" border="0" height="421" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Dqqa6nO2oaQ/Uf10dH7aSwI/AAAAAAAAGA8/YioeGulemtM/cactus%2525204_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cactus 4" width="273" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And we have what we jokingly call “Lake Hajek”</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-72dQF4WPsVE/Uf10eqYIbTI/AAAAAAAAGBE/5XFZLDj9_7k/s1600-h/Lake%252520Hajek%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Lake Hajek" border="0" height="318" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-j5pgTMmjnE4/Uf10gM17l5I/AAAAAAAAGBM/lig4BazSVho/Lake%252520Hajek_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Lake Hajek" width="455" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It sits beneath the water spout and catches all the Monsoon Rain! Complete with wooden duck! I’m sure Emily and Jim will enjoy sitting out in front of Lake Hajek !!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ann and Bill Condron bought a new RV. Ann designs and builds stained Glass windows for the doors of RV's. When they bought their new RV, Ann made a new window for it and sold us their old window! We had it installed last week! This is as seen from the outside....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3cXwgkBMpQlyDlXDzEltipg2u0t4veFeBIPm3CgJHNiI517VfQ1gA3X1cFkoMj0dhWJBFV6x1nu0taz1UdCLA8D8XrS4moRNxyLIqTHEXgB1yGr4Od5M-i8G8RBh8EuZJy7N9Kinar0/s1600/stained+glass+window+001+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-3cXwgkBMpQlyDlXDzEltipg2u0t4veFeBIPm3CgJHNiI517VfQ1gA3X1cFkoMj0dhWJBFV6x1nu0taz1UdCLA8D8XrS4moRNxyLIqTHEXgB1yGr4Od5M-i8G8RBh8EuZJy7N9Kinar0/s320/stained+glass+window+001+em.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWbErUzX1jUP3ir4sMEka3jYIi5bLZirrd8tCJ-8f7AVRjbFJQtKdrx3vLQIc3KOCSE-hF6DLXl7KEMyz_L4_lxHCMiapRmhvXqC0mpNqRygmGSqyAjx6nbQvbAqpa9BMXvOtyPUsGvI/s1600/stained+glass+window+002em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXWbErUzX1jUP3ir4sMEka3jYIi5bLZirrd8tCJ-8f7AVRjbFJQtKdrx3vLQIc3KOCSE-hF6DLXl7KEMyz_L4_lxHCMiapRmhvXqC0mpNqRygmGSqyAjx6nbQvbAqpa9BMXvOtyPUsGvI/s320/stained+glass+window+002em.jpg" width="212" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">This is from the inside looking out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We love our new window, it helps to make our RV our home!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you would like a window for the door to your RV, please contact Ann, she does beautiful work, here is her link:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://www.littlehousestainedglass.com/" id="yui_3_7_2_1_1375569290364_2045" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">www.littlehousestainedglass.com</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, that’s it for now. We have 7 – 10 weeks left in New Mexico before Emily gets here to officially take over and we head to family and friends in Florida! Thanks for dropping by and sharing a moment of this moving moment!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">P.S. WHOA !!! HOLD ON A SEC!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Apparently I have given the impression that I am sad about this move! NOT! Absolutely NOT SO! I am really excitedly looking forward to seeing family and friends and Chuck and I are going to spend time exploring the wonderful Florida State Parks and we want to visit and explore GA, NC, TN and AR!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">YES I was sad about the PURGING as my friend Fay Cope called it in her email to me, but I am not sad about moving into the MotherShip and sailing off to family, friends and new adventures!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">So PLEASE don't think I am sad or upset because that ain't so!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">"Nuff" said????? OK then, I am ok, you are ok we are all OK!</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_iGMZSi_9Eg/Uf10hoJgPlI/AAAAAAAAGBU/F7sc6ss19nk/s1600-h/crispy%252520cat%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="crispy cat" border="0" height="475" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XqiO0G29phw/Uf10jE8kqbI/AAAAAAAAGBc/f35Kn7jggaI/crispy%252520cat_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="crispy cat" width="386" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-62087552269732184752013-06-23T13:51:00.001-04:002013-06-23T14:01:11.591-04:00DETAILS ABOUT DATIL<h3>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Funny thing about Datil New Mexico is that we have gone through here twice last year and 4 times this year! Always just kinda blew through town, thinking a blink and it’s done! This is our 4th visit this year and finally we have the details on Datil! First of all, it is pronounced DA-TIL, rhymes with rattle! Like the big snakes they got around here. DATIL ! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Well, seems we ran out of some milk, bread, cereal and eggs! We have been camping a few more days than originally planned. We asked the camp host here at Datil Well campground where we could find a store so we could resupply our cupboards. All we had ever noticed in the rush to get through Datil was the blinking light and the gas station in the middle crossroads of town.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-x1UxwpkBK8s/UccxsYv10KI/AAAAAAAAF6Q/zYWGxGoc0AI/s1600-h/Datil%252520NM%252520em%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Datil NM em" border="0" height="328" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nIvo1jLLENw/Uccx6pPivNI/AAAAAAAAF6Y/amav5ndJgiA/Datil%252520NM%252520em_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="Datil NM em" width="565" /></a></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Basically, this is what you glance at as you buzz through town without blinking! HOWEVER if you read that sign closely, it says: “Eagle Guest Ranch, Café, Grocery, Motel, RV Park, Gas.” and in the blue section with the yellow letters “RAIN BABY RAIN”! So it ain’t just a gas station, in case you blinked! This is the whole danged town on one corner!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-63NH3xDW9Ys/UccyLRWRNyI/AAAAAAAAF6g/ml8AKF0tz0M/s1600-h/cashier%252520%252520004%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cashier 004" border="0" height="423" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ygLvKeUVl1k/UccyURZ7FII/AAAAAAAAF6o/BBZHioqeejk/cashier%252520%252520004_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cashier 004" width="550" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Pretty cashiers and long shelves fully stocked with all kinds of food goodies, soda pops, beer, ice cream, deer heads and would you take a look at the rattle snake skin hanging on the wall to your left!!! It must have been 20 feet long and big around as your leg! Sheeeeeesh!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LOxHN8lszGI/UccyfFXivOI/AAAAAAAAF6w/nrLcXPrNVCI/s1600-h/grocery%2525201%252520006%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="grocery 1 006" border="0" height="431" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UzBgcCLJnV8/UccylldamhI/AAAAAAAAF64/uLCxat03Hu0/grocery%2525201%252520006_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="grocery 1 006" width="570" /></a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">This grocery store has everything from Asprin, to Jack Daniels, spagetti sauce to snowshoes? Yep, that’s a snowshoe on the wall, and another view of that rattle snake skin!</span></blockquote>
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ihBSe2tyF8M/UccyrxkWS8I/AAAAAAAAF7A/dVqeqPbyT_c/s1600-h/grocery%2525201%252520007%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="grocery 1 007" border="0" height="445" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kkvsJvOIMGA/UccyxqKK7RI/AAAAAAAAF7I/Qjw4soFke5w/grocery%2525201%252520007_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="grocery 1 007" width="600" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Now off to the right of the grocery store is the first dining room. Yes, I said first because there are TWO dining rooms here!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9NO1aHEudb0/Uccy8TKdFtI/AAAAAAAAF7Q/aCRMNbE0CGU/s1600-h/dining%252520room%2525201%252520%252520008%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="dining room 1 008" border="0" height="360" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-K_9yxCZxAZI/UcczEbAG3fI/AAAAAAAAF7Y/HhGbQKPtOXg/dining%252520room%2525201%252520%252520008_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="dining room 1 008" width="591" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">The first dining room has a big, beautiful old rock fireplace to grab your attention, complete with a huge long horned steer over the mantle! If that doesn’t grab your attention, maybe the javelina on the left or the goat on the right will make your eyeballs perk up! Chuck and I ate 2 of the best ever ribeye steaks there on Friday night! HUGE! Probaby a good inch+ thick and it covered our plates! Chuck managed to finish his but 1/2 of mine came home with me! I even ordered a slice of the homemade very berry pie to go. Oh Man Oh Man Oh Yum, I actually managed to take a photo of it before I gobbled it all up! Before you ask: blueberrues, blackberries, raspberrys, cherrys!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-noRjs095Oz0/UcczPcc3JoI/AAAAAAAAF7g/3chzednpJ5Q/s1600-h/berry%252520pie%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="berry pie" border="0" height="389" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VyOEvskjANM/UcczVWI44XI/AAAAAAAAF7o/D4Ly7USqO0g/berry%252520pie_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="berry pie" width="524" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">There is also a full bar for your pleasure……. and home made ice tea……. to wet your whistle!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-96ICj1NoKQs/Ucczb9zPzgI/AAAAAAAAF7w/z2fjODbb8cE/s1600-h/full%252520bar%252520009%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="full bar 009" border="0" height="413" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MC1j_v__SVc/UcczhzH3ffI/AAAAAAAAF74/yBAxzViLkpw/full%252520bar%252520009_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="full bar 009" width="526" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Chuck got his good ice cold beer just before dinner!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Look how frosty that beer glass is!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-29iTxXsiusM/UcczpFzZH4I/AAAAAAAAF8A/9iovCsq-BFo/s1600-h/cold%252520beer%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="cold beer" border="0" height="391" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-r0byGcYd6e0/Ucczyf5D8HI/AAAAAAAAF8I/yy3X5Oio7ws/cold%252520beer_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="cold beer" width="524" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Last night when we were there, both dining rooms were packed! AND we got some good bluegrass music too!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pXZfpfvAu8A/Uccz89CJw2I/AAAAAAAAF8Q/O9TKNvGMq4I/s1600-h/full%252520house%252520014%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="full house 014" border="0" height="421" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-K9c5xbna5xE/Ucc0M0MDZiI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/zcx2a3yNjwM/full%252520house%252520014_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="full house 014" width="534" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OewHsoB9saw/Ucc0aMPH2WI/AAAAAAAAF8g/-kEtFm_8oBo/s1600-h/band%252520015%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="band 015" border="0" height="379" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GmWx9m8zn24/Ucc0g_DjSvI/AAAAAAAAF8o/01OFhSdVoaI/band%252520015_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="band 015" width="540" /></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Al72K-RYOA0/Ucc0pOWlVsI/AAAAAAAAF8w/ST1zLLVhYnc/s1600-h/band%2525202%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="band 2" border="0" height="359" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zthOMHbKJhM/Ucc0xX7QStI/AAAAAAAAF84/qdWDjNqyvOU/band%2525202_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="band 2" width="545" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Hkhgck-ama8/Ucc0_YqmRmI/AAAAAAAAF9A/Me2O-fUT-Jk/s1600-h/band%2525203%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="band 3" border="0" height="323" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AflLrEttRtA/Ucc1IMOxMqI/AAAAAAAAF9I/HwbP0hOhePY/band%2525203_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="band 3" width="210" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">The Lost Howlin’ Coyotes were in town to entertain and they were good! Lots of foot stomping and hand clapping going on in Datil NM last night, let me tell you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">Then we get home to The MotherShip and there’s that big old SUPERmoon coming up at the sunset. I handed Chuck the camera and he came up with the beautiful shots below!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PpTYH7ho_6w/Ucc1ODr9vaI/AAAAAAAAF9Q/62tyX7lXfpA/s1600-h/june%252520moon%252520009em%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="june moon 009em" border="0" height="419" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9rAcwFA0U0c/Ucc1UOXFpZI/AAAAAAAAF9Y/25fCcvjoKyU/june%252520moon%252520009em_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="june moon 009em" width="576" /></a><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_eLEDu36XvQ/Ucc1bbvIoII/AAAAAAAAF9g/xGyep8jwGT0/s1600-h/june%252520moon%252520003%252520em%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="june moon 003 em" border="0" height="425" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uCiDx6st8jQ/Ucc1g9PkBoI/AAAAAAAAF9o/_cAawUGdTLA/june%252520moon%252520003%252520em_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="june moon 003 em" width="585" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">We have really enjoyed our visit to Datil this time. Glad we took the time to explore this tiny town. Full of good, honest, hardworking, FRIENDLY folks! We sincerely hope you won’t blow through this town like we did the first few times. Datil is worth a second look! We didn’t realize until last night that there was a second RV park in town with 32 full hook up sites, conveniently located right next to that wonderful little café with the amazing home cooked meals! Datil is on Highway 60 west of Socorro and about 70 miles east of Arizona!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS; font-size: medium;">We hope you enjoyed your visit! Geri, Chuck, DoogieBowser and Radar reporting from The MotherShip!</span><br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zYC93CWJuwA/Ucc1lZxscEI/AAAAAAAAF9w/PPz3J0U688U/s1600-h/friends%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="friends" border="0" height="417" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qt1vdD7hRhE/Ucc1rgRwUnI/AAAAAAAAF94/rwCEdmnEVlQ/friends_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="friends" width="445" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-90086721025965768722013-06-19T14:53:00.002-04:002013-06-19T15:46:16.352-04:00Boondocking in the White Mountains of Arizona<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We had been planning a trip to Arizona anyway, but this Silver Fire as seen from our front yard was not a wildfire to ignore! It was over 80 miles away, but still very imposing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We packed The MotherShip, filled our bird feeders and headed off to Arizona!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlhUo84OjOgydcm504y-xsMp2h0h4mibmvR6E5lBiCthku4oZTkpdVNKvepdw96oXXiNrb58TstHLrMYOdKVxGHUa9XVLg9B6FVUxLwf7OK1ZiQnveSSAa1fWgAglK9898U21JSImm0I/s1600/birds+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlhUo84OjOgydcm504y-xsMp2h0h4mibmvR6E5lBiCthku4oZTkpdVNKvepdw96oXXiNrb58TstHLrMYOdKVxGHUa9XVLg9B6FVUxLwf7OK1ZiQnveSSAa1fWgAglK9898U21JSImm0I/s320/birds+.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our first stop is only 2.5 hours from Truth or Consequences, but it is a great little boondocking campground at Datil Well, just off Highway 60 west.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">$5.00 a night for non-geezers and $2.50 a night for geezers! It gives us a chance to "settle in", put things in proper places. Seems we always leave in a bit of a frenzy, so having a nice cool place in the mountains to stop and re-organize a bit makes it nice!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: x-large;">BOONDOCKING 101</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I have always been a fan of boondocking, tucking myself away in some corner of my world, like I spent my early camping days. Chuck.... not so much. He has always preferred campgrounds. But I think RVSue and I have changed that idea a bit. Datil Well is step one... It's a campground BUT it's dry camping! NO UTILITIES, but they have good clean pit toilets and a place to refill your water jugs. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Last year, we took our first positive step towards boondocking more often!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had a big metal box welded to the frame of the MotherShip!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> We then installed our Honda i200eu generator and 2 propane tanks. Chuck had the generator converted to propane because he didn't like the idea of carrying gasoline around with us everywhere!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Propane is definitely the way to go for us, it lasts a very long time. We are still on the little tank and it has been a week now since we left home!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">After we left Datil Well, we went up to I-40 and camped at Homolovi State Park near Winslow AZ.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">$25 for full hook-ups. We wanted to fill our water tanks and use their dump station. I understand the ruins there are worth the visit, but we got there late and left early. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">One sad note, as we got close to Flagstaff, we saw an elk doe carcass on the road. I have been wanting to see an elk for years..... but not this way. Bummer!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Finally we got to Sheilah and Chuck's home in Paulden. They have quite a farm going there! BIG garden and fruit trees and bee hives and lots of yummy things from the garden. I am sorry, we were so into visiting after so many years.... I forgot to take pictures! But Sheilah decided to try and make Navajo Pizza like we had in Bluff Utah. Her daughter Alana came to visit with her two sons so we got busy in Sheilah's kitchen. Sheilah made the frybread while Alana and I loaded on the tomato sauce, cheese, onions, avocado, asparagus, & elk meat! YUM!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">All 7 of us pigged out on amazing Navajo Pizza!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">If any of you would like to learn how to make fry bread, here is a link to an earlier visit to Shiela's kitchen where she taight me how to make frybread!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="http://phunnyfarm.blogspot.com/2008/10/az-day-2-and-navajo-tacos.html">http://phunnyfarm.blogspot.com/2008/10/az-day-2-and-navajo-tacos.html</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we left Sheilah and Chuck's great company, we headed to Camp Verde to meet our old friend John.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We went to a very fancy campground where John used to workcamp! Distant Drums come complete with pool, spa, laundry facilities, and gym with a high price tag too! Distant Drums was $39 per night but well laid out and a fun Casino across the way! John tried hard to get off work... but as it turned out, none of his co-workers would cover for him at his current workamper job in Apache Junction and (as much as we love you John)we didn't want to get involved in Phoenix traffic or heat! So we left Camp Verde after one night of leaving the Yavapai Apache some of our hard earned $$$ at the Casino! We headed east down highway 260 through the mountain towns of Strawberry and Pine on to Payson and Star Valley. We ended up in a beautiful pine forest in the White Mountains.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are tucked away comfortably, lots of room to play! We took Young Road off of highway 260 and within the first few miles found this lovely site!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Doogie Bowser and Radar love being off leash and raising the dust level in the forest!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think they would both add a huge hip hip hooray for being free of campgrounds into FREE campgrounds!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAJnEr8R-OQysiHisIw2UGg7Mr3TmwJxC0V_qoqpD5Uhu0rWxDlBI4mMD-Bx9am3qd2ML_5eukPVsGPL12i2xDwAuRkIS7K_wTDkOsm3Co195ebBSu5VhqeatiKoQMlR5j5B7fVk9Nto/s1600/DoogieBowser+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAJnEr8R-OQysiHisIw2UGg7Mr3TmwJxC0V_qoqpD5Uhu0rWxDlBI4mMD-Bx9am3qd2ML_5eukPVsGPL12i2xDwAuRkIS7K_wTDkOsm3Co195ebBSu5VhqeatiKoQMlR5j5B7fVk9Nto/s320/DoogieBowser+020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In fact, it's so nice here, at noon temp is all of 74 degrees, the trees are gently blowing in the breeze and we have the whole place to ourselves! We have decided to stay one more day! YaY!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">So that's it from the crew of the MotherShip, Geri and Chuck with our K-9 kids DoogieBowser and Radar! I sure hope we boondock like this more often! Thank you RVSue for being such a good influence! For those who have never read her blog... take note! </span><a href="http://rvsueandcrew.net/"><span style="font-size: large;">rvsueandcrew.net</span></a> <span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">She writes a fun blog about her life choice of life, living in a Casita and boondocking full time!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-89055017340939796412013-06-03T20:23:00.001-04:002013-06-03T20:26:22.513-04:00Leaving RVSue and Utah too!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been working on this blog for several days, BlogSpot is not co-operating! It is not letting me resize my photographs like it usually does. Grrrr!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Therefore, if you want to see the photos full size, PLEASE try clicking on it and the photograph should come up. I apologize and IF I can figure this glitch out, I will come back and resize all the images for you!</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Geri</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Leaving RVSue and Crew and Utah!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We had a great time.... checking out all the restaurants! LOL! Sue loved our favorite from the Twin Bluff Cafe, Navajo Pizza - A normal Italian style pizza placed on top of Indian fry bread! Yummy!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQn3WcIlsPbhzLQZBcdxCO67zmoM3ewuNfci2RVde-8Tqrevd5Yqce3msD3EaBAHiAhhHrsKjeRRdjXqcCKrDzyjt7nkDNIuL47uheJHmzLWTXu5s86jvqk3kvgubYmIdW6CgOxcTbTqQ/s1600/Navajo+Pizza+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQn3WcIlsPbhzLQZBcdxCO67zmoM3ewuNfci2RVde-8Tqrevd5Yqce3msD3EaBAHiAhhHrsKjeRRdjXqcCKrDzyjt7nkDNIuL47uheJHmzLWTXu5s86jvqk3kvgubYmIdW6CgOxcTbTqQ/s400/Navajo+Pizza+em.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Chuck loves this! Can you tell?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GyY9v0U9jSyMG0cwLU5XXxgG5QuCdR2biSxU0IkF1leThEVUe6CUItuCdSI4PVob8SxZ3TWoVdCMu-Znos0bDysAKBotzJh2N7ovm6HdCkpeOD-uXrm0aQB5VGp-pNKIWCzz2fTJ4YI/s1600/Cadillac+Ranch+RV+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GyY9v0U9jSyMG0cwLU5XXxgG5QuCdR2biSxU0IkF1leThEVUe6CUItuCdSI4PVob8SxZ3TWoVdCMu-Znos0bDysAKBotzJh2N7ovm6HdCkpeOD-uXrm0aQB5VGp-pNKIWCzz2fTJ4YI/s400/Cadillac+Ranch+RV+em.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We spent 3 days at Sand Island with Sue and then moved up to Cadillac Ranch in Bluff Utah. Two of our good friends, Tim and Diana manage this campground. It's small, a bit close together, but we have never been sorry we stopped here. Cost is $25.00 per night with FHU (full hook ups) a nice shower and laundry onsite and the views are wonderful!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96NO_-2XPcDySIo5swOZtwRNylxIuz84SkH_sykGSDgBzjOqzDVYuRnrBE5w5mVL4ShtGYN6VFnFca10yk1bkHGUPUX6fL0L2O3ZWA8ou6J140Jf8FmE90FTYW10xXWGeejcXoWSq4FE/s1600/black+Ibis+Bluff+UT+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96NO_-2XPcDySIo5swOZtwRNylxIuz84SkH_sykGSDgBzjOqzDVYuRnrBE5w5mVL4ShtGYN6VFnFca10yk1bkHGUPUX6fL0L2O3ZWA8ou6J140Jf8FmE90FTYW10xXWGeejcXoWSq4FE/s400/black+Ibis+Bluff+UT+em.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year we had a special treat at Cadillac Ranch, near sunset, a flock of white face black Ibis flew into the pond at the park! Unfortunately I did not have the 300mm zoom lens on.... but you get the idea!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaaVySSnn4RAf3vstbIYJdGRDnuT8u8116BWJfeHcs04zrg87-7lFrAPD18kuMnIlLxOWHnNF_G8urnedVN18LrlwleXS62L_bp7-SUYyBo-9FyTELMuSxArqi9iGQwRTf1hkvairB8s/s1600/Bluff+Fort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaaVySSnn4RAf3vstbIYJdGRDnuT8u8116BWJfeHcs04zrg87-7lFrAPD18kuMnIlLxOWHnNF_G8urnedVN18LrlwleXS62L_bp7-SUYyBo-9FyTELMuSxArqi9iGQwRTf1hkvairB8s/s320/Bluff+Fort.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Chuck and Sue visited the Bluff Fort while I dogsat for Bridgette and Spike! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg6da4irS_dwcIH8HgCP_E6i-mtt0A1dRboqMrAeUno1dWyRmnNm_G3Glys9mvVkxRo3724ZCG281dTV8rnxbxu3iMGLOu9ZvQMAnIXxdeBLn7WkshFIG10zCio5oWxtIQOCBYn5qO04/s1600/RVSue+and+Crew+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg6da4irS_dwcIH8HgCP_E6i-mtt0A1dRboqMrAeUno1dWyRmnNm_G3Glys9mvVkxRo3724ZCG281dTV8rnxbxu3iMGLOu9ZvQMAnIXxdeBLn7WkshFIG10zCio5oWxtIQOCBYn5qO04/s320/RVSue+and+Crew+em.jpg" width="270" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Both Bridgette and Spike were overjoyed when Sue came home! Separation anxiety? Not much!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Sue isn't much for posing, but then neither am I, so we both snuck a quick snap sneaky photo of each other!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8j31iauP3uUwqEmEoy0-8pxS3yi4bTupTaS4TtaN5eD7GSbXPeWeo0GRW32UutYK2U_aFyCkbzAiqpEHAoPaj2hw2bruYR9JSBeYMGGV92Z_B5babfC5coySad2BExPRWW9Omp6vQQws/s1600/RVSue+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8j31iauP3uUwqEmEoy0-8pxS3yi4bTupTaS4TtaN5eD7GSbXPeWeo0GRW32UutYK2U_aFyCkbzAiqpEHAoPaj2hw2bruYR9JSBeYMGGV92Z_B5babfC5coySad2BExPRWW9Omp6vQQws/s320/RVSue+em.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">CAMO LIZARD!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Can you spot the lizard on this tree?</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7u1JwI6Lm0dy8P6y5l1u9VDj9aDTbfPkb4_yGTmHukWbK4PoI4UdY7uwzXaiM9tnHNPTSJT4MQ609hXA7AREqBggafbD5pMTRhe_nYFJcRn9VB9Egk8LQlsapaxOkirUCWVwEmf8pXE/s1600/camo+lizard+-Sand+Island+UT+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB7u1JwI6Lm0dy8P6y5l1u9VDj9aDTbfPkb4_yGTmHukWbK4PoI4UdY7uwzXaiM9tnHNPTSJT4MQ609hXA7AREqBggafbD5pMTRhe_nYFJcRn9VB9Egk8LQlsapaxOkirUCWVwEmf8pXE/s320/camo+lizard+-Sand+Island+UT+em.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you look close below, I have outlined him in red! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">He/She/It was 10 to 12 inches long!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb0BYBlcmx-KPwdsmwPNdSmxH1WDKMMd4SOSrLaKv4mAHUcBQTGPkozp_nPEgJD6D_7lSaN9zEXde74wbRkE0FaqU1_8xqu8DQaifnzZxYXVu77JXM_ClTmTnmUVsgrmxbzAf55N9sBs/s1600/camo+lizard+-Sand+Island+UT+em2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSb0BYBlcmx-KPwdsmwPNdSmxH1WDKMMd4SOSrLaKv4mAHUcBQTGPkozp_nPEgJD6D_7lSaN9zEXde74wbRkE0FaqU1_8xqu8DQaifnzZxYXVu77JXM_ClTmTnmUVsgrmxbzAf55N9sBs/s320/camo+lizard+-Sand+Island+UT+em2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We overnighted in Chinle again, in the Cottonwood Campground at Canyon de Chelly National Monument. The road from Bluff, Utah to Chinle is just jaw dropping beautiful! It looks totally different</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">depending on whether you are headed nort or south on Highway 191. On this day, we hit the scenic roadway right after a rainstorm had passed over. Wet rocks are much more colorful than dry rocks and it was amazing!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUXePkTWfoEj-U9H3RLf7bB0Rxl7EX4qNmt7ARTQaCXioK8uNq9YGC8qgqj0fIu6KER9bB_LthJM7yz2JGc8DQstpDKAx1sValG3jhL_BTWbEbpqsRHUqqMDSLem8Bii3mX8In8y_aPE/s1600/earthmother2+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUXePkTWfoEj-U9H3RLf7bB0Rxl7EX4qNmt7ARTQaCXioK8uNq9YGC8qgqj0fIu6KER9bB_LthJM7yz2JGc8DQstpDKAx1sValG3jhL_BTWbEbpqsRHUqqMDSLem8Bii3mX8In8y_aPE/s320/earthmother2+em.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This above shot was the beginning of a steep downhill curve and I was yelling at Chuck to slow down and still managed to snap this image through the window! The one below is just layers of colors dressing the earthmother! Shot this one out the passenger window.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEedjPvWDlB6uALZdzXnfXn5IagDz8oumFT13og3zZpjQ0RTWr25lbIToFk5iajZtusGB9pTahjAwAFnv9h-I1cO8WnztJJBoRuyevfNkV7GE_yfm6EcigcA2UttCIc-42En6SnJyEYw/s1600/earthmother+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOEedjPvWDlB6uALZdzXnfXn5IagDz8oumFT13og3zZpjQ0RTWr25lbIToFk5iajZtusGB9pTahjAwAFnv9h-I1cO8WnztJJBoRuyevfNkV7GE_yfm6EcigcA2UttCIc-42En6SnJyEYw/s320/earthmother+em.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Below is the storm that had just passed over, giving the rocks their colorful beauty!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZF3uUjG03c33kzesvfUIs-Zs0MlHE62kqD3QJei_Kx9KyyYh14hDZ6bYVbWadwZ5QUB6qtwtjKf4bHtpJC4yJa-oKCUhVUT6oWRxp_q_iDLrVGX2bGE2SBGqrMkv7JXySIazTFzMtRo/s1600/approaching+storm+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZF3uUjG03c33kzesvfUIs-Zs0MlHE62kqD3QJei_Kx9KyyYh14hDZ6bYVbWadwZ5QUB6qtwtjKf4bHtpJC4yJa-oKCUhVUT6oWRxp_q_iDLrVGX2bGE2SBGqrMkv7JXySIazTFzMtRo/s320/approaching+storm+em.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Always remember when driving on any Native American Reservation, it is open range... horses, cattle, sheep, goats ALL have the right of way. Please drive accordingly!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbsV2c_LSXgsoTpO4gzC91DZOfvnqdkrswHTEiUB_NJK4UBh00IP1PCAQaIbBJ8L-fUh5z6iuaQYBZBod3UcOpE-BArk2ZsrR9zydbs08F2fPANiwzM7_rCle5AmUhv36136fSs1ia64/s1600/Open+Range+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbsV2c_LSXgsoTpO4gzC91DZOfvnqdkrswHTEiUB_NJK4UBh00IP1PCAQaIbBJ8L-fUh5z6iuaQYBZBod3UcOpE-BArk2ZsrR9zydbs08F2fPANiwzM7_rCle5AmUhv36136fSs1ia64/s320/Open+Range+em.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Datil Well Recreation Area Campground</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We discovered this nice campground just off of Highway 60 in western NM. Just a mile or so out of</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the town of Datil and down a short dirt road you will see the Visitor Center and campground on your left!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbVhBTBnEEjNQf0dkwl4mWnDXOYVkvllBQEdUSTAaIr-3S8PMJ3ta-aYefOyc-SXNRu3yNY0D4QxFcyrAEtKmGVjh0K-TwbhVfmVGbxOAZg6id-l6Qd7BxU8z73HBGvVDBWgIlBuxQYs/s1600/Datil+Well+office+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbVhBTBnEEjNQf0dkwl4mWnDXOYVkvllBQEdUSTAaIr-3S8PMJ3ta-aYefOyc-SXNRu3yNY0D4QxFcyrAEtKmGVjh0K-TwbhVfmVGbxOAZg6id-l6Qd7BxU8z73HBGvVDBWgIlBuxQYs/s320/Datil+Well+office+em.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A whole lot of history happened around here!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVIS_2cKkrq3I8xZyNacc8E513ahsPzwyJ9eb9URuEfwYOaIDIxxE2lF5go48Lcj4zvmVJ8nXy7WY26WMcu0nogPsd-da5bducTynIE-TlgcCXKjk4RTiO2_gN-ntnoODf7FD4Nvoa9M/s1600/Hoof+Highway+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbVIS_2cKkrq3I8xZyNacc8E513ahsPzwyJ9eb9URuEfwYOaIDIxxE2lF5go48Lcj4zvmVJ8nXy7WY26WMcu0nogPsd-da5bducTynIE-TlgcCXKjk4RTiO2_gN-ntnoODf7FD4Nvoa9M/s320/Hoof+Highway+em.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There area scenic mountains all around the campground area,</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosFXGsdFvUpQoQdDvH4fVw1btKZ28er92kj40gFL7v_OWZhPL0S0LJWSmGYjvDwyNQc7Y5tNbgsYlVKYTVhUbXWf_Bcm0DKKTKUHvmWER-Bg8TFl8NQS-wxoKb54kVqepeNnVzNLNkfE/s1600/datil+well+campground+views+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosFXGsdFvUpQoQdDvH4fVw1btKZ28er92kj40gFL7v_OWZhPL0S0LJWSmGYjvDwyNQc7Y5tNbgsYlVKYTVhUbXWf_Bcm0DKKTKUHvmWER-Bg8TFl8NQS-wxoKb54kVqepeNnVzNLNkfE/s320/datil+well+campground+views+em.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The sites are well spaced with a lot of foliage spaced in between. There will be $300,000 worth of improvements taking place here this year. The only problem we had was finding a level area for the MotherShip but we were assured that leveling the sites was high on the list of repairs as are showers. The pit toilets were nice though.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIpagTJdjZmK4_JdCPH15S_Ft8SNrBMJP00dvS1Ub7xkK5nDLVNG47u5AlIX6KVG1_KdAo-YEh1C4jq1o0rE1g4wWfLzgJKG1zBCKeqXVVkm9-efGk9EDc9xag9p40wFjZ6ta6ABG3X4/s1600/datil+camp+area++em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIpagTJdjZmK4_JdCPH15S_Ft8SNrBMJP00dvS1Ub7xkK5nDLVNG47u5AlIX6KVG1_KdAo-YEh1C4jq1o0rE1g4wWfLzgJKG1zBCKeqXVVkm9-efGk9EDc9xag9p40wFjZ6ta6ABG3X4/s320/datil+camp+area++em.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are well marked hiking paths throughout.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfkB-ss-nSXxPNxuSAGCfSpLOzQm27OM12FKFESF0IqBut_rBi_ryQfEie-6L1uwYV2j7Rmybt_jbYQbkzMSHEk-Xv5EuezntscTucPQRfkKdkYkZBIsaCxa97JTILyPaxKoUyGKrVL4/s1600/Datil+Well+sign+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfkB-ss-nSXxPNxuSAGCfSpLOzQm27OM12FKFESF0IqBut_rBi_ryQfEie-6L1uwYV2j7Rmybt_jbYQbkzMSHEk-Xv5EuezntscTucPQRfkKdkYkZBIsaCxa97JTILyPaxKoUyGKrVL4/s320/Datil+Well+sign+em.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We liked it so well, nice and cool temps, we stayed 3 nights and with our geezer pass it was $2.50 a night!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">$5.00 for those of you too young for a geezer pass.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_J5SH2BBrQ84jSV5Oy0oVYXAxd8QpZrtCBXoWlyaZoWWA87UTYdm7TFTdq4yjs95JMbcu0_AOrXPleFTPVHlf8KlptfgWVnTrcMQsLNwC1AfIKkNx4Vuh2RHKELPkzplY8KVxBSBGpE/s1600/datil+well+trail+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_J5SH2BBrQ84jSV5Oy0oVYXAxd8QpZrtCBXoWlyaZoWWA87UTYdm7TFTdq4yjs95JMbcu0_AOrXPleFTPVHlf8KlptfgWVnTrcMQsLNwC1AfIKkNx4Vuh2RHKELPkzplY8KVxBSBGpE/s320/datil+well+trail+em.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">However, Radar was missing RVSue and the crew and so were we! It was a fun week.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBzq3ljZruS1sKzwO8LHAISUh1hPPRgIdEQqNXoL5KzPyyBmI0moGtB_idAqNMdUAfMTFqKW9NhC95towe2PRFH6k96MW7kvG5wnBRhmV3xAUX-Qk8nJeLiZg5i3kdRR8BPEPLBj2000/s1600/Radar+em.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBzq3ljZruS1sKzwO8LHAISUh1hPPRgIdEQqNXoL5KzPyyBmI0moGtB_idAqNMdUAfMTFqKW9NhC95towe2PRFH6k96MW7kvG5wnBRhmV3xAUX-Qk8nJeLiZg5i3kdRR8BPEPLBj2000/s320/Radar+em.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We will be heading to Arizona to visit some good friends in the next few weeks. I promise a good blog!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Meanwhile that is it from the MotherShip Crew: Chuck, Geri, Radar and DoogieBowser! Thanks for stopping by!</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18386689689391401164noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3378593047440849657.post-17100901874714096582013-05-16T11:46:00.000-04:002013-05-16T21:50:45.130-04:00Sand Island, Utah - Petroglyphs and Camping<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Just a few miles south of Bluff Utah, you will find a
sign on your left announcing Sand Island. It doesn't tell you what it is, just
turn left there! You will find a rock art panel easily as big as the one we
found on Potash Road in Moab! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSn8xc6tMfyds2lpA1yMSINOb2SsafCgE7yb9ovWKRl9cnMjLopvmd60GGl9M-QBEByall4VZtgqPK_SxOINJpxFefotE3U9O-Y7t0rY66c5QpaFaCajMrKTv8CUihliAdOR5nZTi6CDEt/s1600/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_832183404="1" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSn8xc6tMfyds2lpA1yMSINOb2SsafCgE7yb9ovWKRl9cnMjLopvmd60GGl9M-QBEByall4VZtgqPK_SxOINJpxFefotE3U9O-Y7t0rY66c5QpaFaCajMrKTv8CUihliAdOR5nZTi6CDEt/s640/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+001.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">From a distance, it is hard to tell how large this panel
really is. It extends from the far left behind that big rock to the far right,
beyond the frame of this picture.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Uf0PnAP8b7hQuioR9q-ajPIkrP6_Hqspd53Mxu2F5Kff_yzg2mb9DyiFCR9mW_eZdw-qQdzTW0oSaw6tvsSnM4EhIqj-0NcKQqO5o5J6zbHiL1cCOVnJ_itpBdWo0TdABVnSFbWveln4/s1600/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_832183404="2" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Uf0PnAP8b7hQuioR9q-ajPIkrP6_Hqspd53Mxu2F5Kff_yzg2mb9DyiFCR9mW_eZdw-qQdzTW0oSaw6tvsSnM4EhIqj-0NcKQqO5o5J6zbHiL1cCOVnJ_itpBdWo0TdABVnSFbWveln4/s640/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Remember you can click on the photos to enlarge them to
full size, making seeing the rock art easier!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheE7s_aB59OV6-jwy8dNmNF6wgew7Ku0zsCfGJa7juM6fGaRrQw0upktsbxUDa9Ogoy0vT3jRDojknsdKdfxmdNW0NSJmR6sNj_PUeMTO46so6AWWnu1ZfuWzaNTraP_uNg9HFfoIRg9Hy/s1600/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_832183404="3" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheE7s_aB59OV6-jwy8dNmNF6wgew7Ku0zsCfGJa7juM6fGaRrQw0upktsbxUDa9Ogoy0vT3jRDojknsdKdfxmdNW0NSJmR6sNj_PUeMTO46so6AWWnu1ZfuWzaNTraP_uNg9HFfoIRg9Hy/s640/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMJAQF0R6w7gok49wdVrBghqoZPs3UbNItVKtWVnjwp8N49EBrTzrNgM37YIoOSXIonEaBCdOGmcIGMS5xNOPXXbsSluomnDxGlKkw5M4QwnZELwbWr_9heTeCuPeaSeTVOdNxtVhyphenhyphensPx/s1600/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_832183404="8" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMJAQF0R6w7gok49wdVrBghqoZPs3UbNItVKtWVnjwp8N49EBrTzrNgM37YIoOSXIonEaBCdOGmcIGMS5xNOPXXbsSluomnDxGlKkw5M4QwnZELwbWr_9heTeCuPeaSeTVOdNxtVhyphenhyphensPx/s640/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Of course, graffitti is always a problem! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXL3GNvoMJAvaruyLBQxo9sGRD8lZ1lTr2RIAGQd2xiZgRRNGShGWhG7-S-bOsppdiVALcg-3AIGxS9z-N13kCN9JxVuE-YD6Qy540lVZE8rVswoEln8-OVhLsCFMlTbT2SVXatvXrshFw/s1600/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_832183404="18" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXL3GNvoMJAvaruyLBQxo9sGRD8lZ1lTr2RIAGQd2xiZgRRNGShGWhG7-S-bOsppdiVALcg-3AIGxS9z-N13kCN9JxVuE-YD6Qy540lVZE8rVswoEln8-OVhLsCFMlTbT2SVXatvXrshFw/s640/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT16e_Ece7A2BGk_8W8aUlP3Ug9Wbg3ucTMCSXWYBmb-ImGBA7pctSpj-XUR_wTgs0hGGBSGqmtqKPkabjt3C10jLP1p8SBHu2UAfj6kEbjOY4oWEojOtLeETwLC1u-T-oFRrWGtTy6Hm/s1600/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_832183404="19" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGT16e_Ece7A2BGk_8W8aUlP3Ug9Wbg3ucTMCSXWYBmb-ImGBA7pctSpj-XUR_wTgs0hGGBSGqmtqKPkabjt3C10jLP1p8SBHu2UAfj6kEbjOY4oWEojOtLeETwLC1u-T-oFRrWGtTy6Hm/s640/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The one thing I have never seen, even in the petroglyph
books, is that pair of "oars" top center! Maybe that is modern graffitti, I
haven't a clue!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenHXxkoyGItZojJTT7kRADQ4hOVWIHe2_P4xY4-mbYdNdAt8egyA0lhbgNTW77fMmhZnbDimr9_76HqEtIHxvDkFOxM1DpVRXgS-sdrBNZ6MX5IvyuZBfQ9s4kI-JaM41cKlt9pw7XhGf/s1600/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_832183404="20" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhyphenhyphenHXxkoyGItZojJTT7kRADQ4hOVWIHe2_P4xY4-mbYdNdAt8egyA0lhbgNTW77fMmhZnbDimr9_76HqEtIHxvDkFOxM1DpVRXgS-sdrBNZ6MX5IvyuZBfQ9s4kI-JaM41cKlt9pw7XhGf/s640/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Probably the most
amazing thing about Sand Island Petroglyphs is that for many years they were
hidden from sight by the pesky tamerisk trees. Non-native, these plants take
over everywhere in the Southwest where there is water! Utah is trying an
experiment with a worm that feeds on tamerisk (or salt cedar) and it seems to be
working! The worms actually cleared out the tamerisk from in front of these
petroglyphs, petroglyphs that many folk had forgotten about.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApScTth5bb_0o1SSq1kTGxOh3KUUwrMQZgYfzIQkq-f2ExK6QwiQdQBju8Phaa-gKkbth6CbKfk37huCsnfTOB9M50XeANGRqOnfkfwxoGkRFV8bL8OE0W2SFI1Nnj_AGN5oYgPZ1pdUT/s1600/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_832183404="21" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApScTth5bb_0o1SSq1kTGxOh3KUUwrMQZgYfzIQkq-f2ExK6QwiQdQBju8Phaa-gKkbth6CbKfk37huCsnfTOB9M50XeANGRqOnfkfwxoGkRFV8bL8OE0W2SFI1Nnj_AGN5oYgPZ1pdUT/s640/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+028.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">3 strange figures at
the top. Human or Alien ???</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMgbCHmV_VVfANiemXYgg00YnhjpmxH_ylIE757OeZjAEXy_iEMNVkRN0Q0kvzbH0FFIoURZ2rSTFf_ufpSoAlIyMN324amfeRDdOqrMgk134qbsGjBvvjQMWHjOQdMDQBXP_DnfDN6iK/s1600/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_832183404="22" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMgbCHmV_VVfANiemXYgg00YnhjpmxH_ylIE757OeZjAEXy_iEMNVkRN0Q0kvzbH0FFIoURZ2rSTFf_ufpSoAlIyMN324amfeRDdOqrMgk134qbsGjBvvjQMWHjOQdMDQBXP_DnfDN6iK/s640/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+031.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfBwT5344vdbVJKxru31gpVzxdrzmJ53dbjPlfS4rV4nLbtKxOpG345Rq7yjXBol3QyDSWjyDvC2jbYibR5R2ze6ZDgrkJQGxAXWxrdLND_VwHLeFSLv3Zu-UKybwR2oo563eLa7ZG3Zm/s1600/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_832183404="23" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfBwT5344vdbVJKxru31gpVzxdrzmJ53dbjPlfS4rV4nLbtKxOpG345Rq7yjXBol3QyDSWjyDvC2jbYibR5R2ze6ZDgrkJQGxAXWxrdLND_VwHLeFSLv3Zu-UKybwR2oo563eLa7ZG3Zm/s640/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFT1uGl246k2lxBqUwNRDBJ1kr-g1KDqmOJn6C_GczvzTTuYbZgcSEBRK1nyhBHz5ekuZ1eiC-KkeraORFGK7WwFB9uQs9D3Iii9tIuimD7wRHxgkS3S8clygzdPAG2GXhRnfOYILZUet3/s1600/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_832183404="24" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFT1uGl246k2lxBqUwNRDBJ1kr-g1KDqmOJn6C_GczvzTTuYbZgcSEBRK1nyhBHz5ekuZ1eiC-KkeraORFGK7WwFB9uQs9D3Iii9tIuimD7wRHxgkS3S8clygzdPAG2GXhRnfOYILZUet3/s640/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">From a distance, it was hard to tell this panel existed.
The fence it below was the clue! There are still some tamerisk trees trying to
make a come back here.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtk7dPjcZHVoKyLKReaRME_nnG9NxBaJWPLMMp3_rbxCQ57AElbQVcZbkCDBRxJW0eV2Zv8qaw0q16e9h0x8G07wwrJM1I7iRCebJs79Ra-Lo5qQHw_jgfxGB6SIersSfwVrr8_Nt95BTh/s1600/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_832183404="25" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtk7dPjcZHVoKyLKReaRME_nnG9NxBaJWPLMMp3_rbxCQ57AElbQVcZbkCDBRxJW0eV2Zv8qaw0q16e9h0x8G07wwrJM1I7iRCebJs79Ra-Lo5qQHw_jgfxGB6SIersSfwVrr8_Nt95BTh/s640/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The second part of the panel...... this panel was well
protected by the rock overhang.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe4P8AFV2lXu99z423f0vPFqweIyEsMXe59DFjgtV_MZXaxiVnlWNXp1k8kGqL78Rhp_SKYO_V7rEfjKSKvEq8AYXxsVJ63DLItYrOPdDvTvJlJSVsIrWEzQiqXLMi40wvLcrugxl19vF/s1600/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_832183404="26" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHe4P8AFV2lXu99z423f0vPFqweIyEsMXe59DFjgtV_MZXaxiVnlWNXp1k8kGqL78Rhp_SKYO_V7rEfjKSKvEq8AYXxsVJ63DLItYrOPdDvTvJlJSVsIrWEzQiqXLMi40wvLcrugxl19vF/s640/Sand+Island%252C+Newspaper+Rock%252C+Canyonlands+048.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Twin Rocks, landmark in Bluff Utah! Also one of the better restaurants sits under the Twin Rocks.... Twin Rocks Cafe and we heartily recommend their Navajo Pizza! Chuck and Sue loved the classic pizza ! Instead of the usual pizza crust, they use Navajo fry bread and YUM!</span><br />
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Our Sand Island camp site! </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Hope you enjoyed the petroglyphs from Sand Island. T</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">here is a vey nice campground here, right on the river. It is a BLM campground and the rates were very reasonable. $5.00 a night for Seniors and $10.00 a night for you youngsters!There were bathrooms
provided throughout the campground. RV Sue had the best campsite, right on the San Juan River watching the float trips go by! We said our sad goodbyes to Sue yesterday... :-( she is such a very special friend! We will see you on down the road Sue, we love you too!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">Crew of the MotherShip signing off for the night!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">Chuck, Geri, DoogieBowser and Radar!</span><br />
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