February 26, 2014
Englewood, FL

How can two people pile up so much dirty laundry in one week?

We gathered up our baskets and headed over to my parents house to take advantage of their washer and dryer.

On the way home we picked up a pizza for dinner, got showers and settled in for the night.  We hadn’t done anything really physical all day but still I was exhausted.  That usually means I need to get some exercise.  Maybe tomorrow.

Monte and Annie shared some cookies and milk 

I wish I could read her mind--

Annie and I have this weird relationship--she came with Monte so they were a package deal.  In the plus 10 years I have co-habituated with her she had yet allowed me to pick her up.  She has mellowed a little since we lost our sweet pumpkin last April in Sedona by allowing me to pet her.  In her eyes, Monte can do no wrong--she even allows him to pet her while she is eating so she is definitely a "Daddy's" girl.

 

February 25, 2014

Englewood, FL

One of those oh so perfect lazy days.

Well, at least for me it was—I sat outside reading most of the day while Monte did chores including replacing the part he had ordered for our stabilizer system that had gotten bent when we had our “little” mishap last week.

 

We did have some guests drop by-

 

 

Annie was chasing her tail but by the time I got the camera she had stopped. 

She is getting up there in age so it is cute when she acts like a kitten.

 

 

February 24, 2014
Looking for a place to stay (Bradenton or Wimauma, FL)

Originally, we planned on heading up the east coast in the spring BUT due to some unexpected and not budgeted repairs and purchases, we have decided to either just travel as far as North Carolina staying a few weeks at each spot or seek a job hosting position in Florida for a few months.

On the spur of the moment, in the late afternoon, we decided to check out a couple of State Parks to see what they were like and if there was an opening for the months we wanted.

Our first stop was at Lake Manatee State Park.  After telling the clerk of our interest in the park she gave us a map and allowed us to take a ride through the park waiving the entrance fee.  Lake Manatee State Park is located on State Road 64 in Bradenton. 

The park extends along three miles of the south shore of Lake Manatee.  We drove around the two campground loops checking out the camp hosts sites.

(Months ago we had accepted a position at another park for the months of April and May but after checking the park out we were forced to back out of the commitment when we saw that the hosts sites would not accommodate our size rig.)

We liked Lake Manatee SP, and although we weren’t overly enthused, we felt it wouldn’t be a hardship to work there a couple of months. 

 

 

 

Before exiting the park we submitted our contact information.

Our next destination was only a few miles away.   Little Manatee River State Park is located off Lightfoot Road in Wimauma. 

The entrance to the park is set far back from the road.  We later found out that the one loop campground is three and a half miles from the entrance.  

When we told the ranger manning the entrance booth why we were at the park, he invited us inside to meet with the volunteer coordinator who just happened to be on site.  (Fate-kismet?)

  The coordinator, Joey, gave us a map and told us to stop back in after we toured the park.  There is a kayak launch and a 6.5 mile hiking trail that meanders through a wilderness area.  In addition to the 30 RV/Tent sites there is a 4 equestrian campsite loop.

When we stopped back in at the entrance booth, Joey informed us that he already had enough campground hosts for the time we were available but he may have an opening for a maintenance host.  He drove us down the service road to the maintenance compound that includes a few full hook-up sites.  It really had that homey feeling.

Before offering us a position, Joey said he had to check with the current maintenance hosts to see when they planned on leaving.

We really like Little Manatee SP and think we would enjoy working there for a couple of months.  Keeping our fingers crossed! 

February 23, 2014

Stump Pass Beach State Park

Englewood, FL

We made a date with my brother, Jon, and sister-in-law, Margaret, to go kayaking today.  We opted to borrow kayaks from Jon rather than bring along our inflatable.

Jon and Margaret picked us up at 9:30 for the short drive down to Stump Pass Beach State Park.  We made a note of the fact, for future reference, that by the time we arrived the parking lot was almost full already.  So if we want to return to kayak again we know to plan on arriving before 9AM.

 

The area we put in was tight so Margaret went out first. 

 

 

 

 

 

 I went next, followed by Monte

 

 

 

 

 

 

 and then Jon.

 

 

 

 

 

It was very overcast making it great weather for kayaking. 

We encountered many different birds including osprey, herons, and a white pelican.

 

 

When we approached Stump Pass, Jon gave me a tow when I got stuck in the shallow water.

After going ashore we had a snack and walked along the beach looking for shark teeth and shells. 

 

 

 

Monte couldn’t help himself when we came across a flock of Black Skimmers and Least Turns.  He just had to stir them up so they would take flight.

 

 

 

 

He has that mischievous Monte grin that is his trademark. 

But they didn’t go far.

 

Until I walked too close for their comfort and they flew away.

Time to start back 

We encountered several dolphins but every time I spotted one I didn’t have my camera ready.   These were the best shots I was able to take.

This one was so close to Monte he could have reached out and touched him but of course, I was a great distance away and I had the camera.

It was overcast most of the time but every once in a while the sun would poke through and the intense heat had us grateful when the clouds returned.

All too soon we arrived back at the point we had launched.

After Jon and Margaret dropped us off at home we relaxed a while, took showers and then it was our turn to pick them up on our way to Applebee’s for dinner.

It had been a most excellent day of enjoying nature, getting some exercise and spending time with family.

February 22, 2014

Englewood, FL

The Moon and Stars in our Universe are once again aligned.

You can't have a bad day when you begin it with bacon and eggs.

After the roller coaster ride we have been on this past week I was happy to have a relatively boring and uneventful day shopping and driving around in our “new” old car.

February 21, 2014

Englewood, FL

Do we really need all this stuff?

We spent a good part of the day going through the bins and bags that had been in the truck and the items that had been in my car. 

We managed to consolidate a lot of the items so that only the very back of the Jeep was piled high leaving the back seat empty. 

 

YAHOO, now when I go shopping or to the Laundromat I won’t have to shift things around to make room.

 

February 20, 2014

Englewood, FL

Decisions, decisions, decisions!

Around 9AM I received a call from Pete at Nissan.  He told me that if I wanted the Jeep I could have it at the Out the Door priced I offered.  I told him I would buy the car contingent on getting a positive report from a mechanic.

We arranged to meet Pete at Flagship at 1PM for the inspection.  We also arranged to meet Mike, who was going to buy my car, at the same time.  We emptied the truck, putting all the things inside our rig, to make room for all the stuff from the Eclipse. 

It was very hot as we emptied out my car. 

 I had forgotten how much stuff I had in the car.

  As I said a tearful goodbye to my car, Mike showed up and we accomplished the transaction.

In the meantime, Pete had arrived with the Jeep and it was taken into the bay for inspection.

I was very impressed with the thorough inspection performed by Flagship and relieved to get a good report.

I drove the Jeep the short distance to the dealer with Monte following in our truck.

It didn’t take long to do all the paperwork.

By 4PM I was driving out the parking lot the owner of a “New” old Jeep.