Count Down To Departure

Today, Jack repaired some do-hickie on the RV kitchen slide out.  He can explain it.  I saw it before and after repair but I couldn't tell you anything about the repair.  I know it was hot out and he was outside for quite awhile.  He can give you specifics. Since he keeps up on the Mobile Suite web site and what other owners are experiencing with their RV he knew it was a common problem and exactly how to repair it.



Anyhow, we are trying to get everything readied, washed, repaired, loaded (bikes and motorcycle), our family and pet signs in the tree taken down and stored away, the picnic table cloth faded by the Florida sun thrown out.  Our sun solar birds and butterflies taken down and wrapped in a rug, to be brought out in Jacksonville, even if only for a week.  I'm sure our family and pet signs will be the only thing put out after our Jacksonville visit.  Not sure where we are going but we are thinking about Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and or Alabama. Jack wants to see where the Swamp People come from  and I'd like to see where Billy, the Exterminator, lives.  I'll keep you posted on how this all works out. 

The doggies went to the groomer yesterday and came home looking fantastic and smelling even better.  It is amazing how much less expensive dog grooming is down here compared to Warsaw.  But again, in my opinion, having the dogs groomed is worth any expense.  The last few days, before their grooming, I could smell the doggie outdoor stink on them.

So, as I write this it's 11:08 P.M. Friday night and we are making that final list of things to do.  Jack played golf today and I did attend a mock wedding for Doug and Ann, the owners, and I have to say it was about the funniest thing I have been privy to in a long time. I just hope my pictures come out ok.  The object of a mock wedding, which by the way I had no idea what it was, is to reverse everyone's roll in the ceremony.  For example, the bride was a man, the groom was a woman.  Wally was the Matron of Honor (and I just about peed myself when I saw him walk in with his blond wig), Joann was an usher.  Steve, the guy I have told you about a few times was dressed as the pregnant girlfriend of the groom.  He was funnier than heck complete with Billy Bob teeth and all.  I loved it.  Again, I hope the pictures can put you at this mock wedding.  It also should be on You Tube soon.  Check under mock wedding at Sandy Oaks RV Park, Beverly Hills, Florida. Not sure how soon they'll get it on You Tube but they did announce that it would be downloaded as soon as possible.

Today, I think Jack and I have been operating in a different level of our life.  We are doing the things we are supposed to be doing, saying all of the right things to people we are supposed to be saying to them but knowing full well we may never see some of these people again. And it kind of kicks you in the stomach.  People with whom we have bonded and truly loved and cared about for these past few months.  People we have gotten to know and who have become entwined in our life's character.  People we will never forget.  First and foremost is Joann and Wally.  For the very first time in all of these months Wally said "Good morning girls and boys."  He kids me about our foo-foo dogs and has always teased me calling them "the girls". I have corrected him time and time again but actually it's been kind of a game.  I have always bid he, Winston and J.J. everyday as "Good morning, boys."  Which, of course, they are all boys.  But he likes to rib me by calling Tanner, a foo-foo dog and a girl.  Today he finally called Tanner a boy.  It really did sadden me in a weird, kind of, I'm not going to see you next week kind of way. 

A picture of a horse Jack took with our new camera. The horse was not in the RV park but stood several hundred feet away on a farm outside of the park.

Wally and "the boys".

And the boys.

 

The "real" couple will be married in April.  Doug, in the brown t shirt (his parents owned this RV park for years) and Anne, his bride-to-be, sandwiched between the bride and banjo player.

Steve, in the yellow hat and top.  When the minister asked if anyone had any objections to the marriage Steve stood up and said, "I do.  He (pointing to the groom who was really a woman) took me to the No Tell Motel 8 1/2 months ago and now look at me!"  Of course, Steve looked as if he was 12 months pregnant.

 

Wally in the blond wig.

 

The "Minister"





Some misc pictures of a dance here at the park.

Getting ready to move on Sunday April 1st

This Sunday we are headed to Jacksonville so I have been checking tire pressures etc. in preparation for our first move in three months.  Our 5th wheel has been doing perfect with no issues with anything for our entire stay in Florida.  I plan on replacing the bathroom faucet today but this is due to personal preference rather than the current one malfunctioning.  On Saturday we will load up the motorcycle and bicycles on the swivel wheel trailer so we will be ready to pull out Sunday.

In celebration of our 41st anniversary Janet and I purchased a new camera that should allow us to capture much better wildlife pictures.  Our little Kodak cameras, that we have used for all of our pictures thus far, are small and easy to use but aren't the best for trying to get pictures of birds etc. without getting close to them.  Our new camera is a Nikon P510 and has an adjustable telephoto lens of 24mm to 1000mm so it is very flexible in terms what type of pictures we will be able to take.  We'll see if the quality is the same or better than our  current cameras.  One advantage with the new camera is it has a view finder and an lcd screen so in bright sunlight you can use the view finder since the lcd screens can be almost impossible to use.  The downside is it doesn't fit in my back pocket when I am riding my bicycle.

On top of all of the news about the healthcare debates at the Supreme Court this week we have been dealing with getting approved for our own private health insurance since our Cobra runs out the end of July which is 18 months after retiring.  As it turns out Janet only having one kidney is no issue but me being a foot too short gives me an unfavorable height to weight ratio.  Beyond that I have a few other strikes against me like the plate in my cervical spine, being on blood pressure and cholesterol medicine etc. etc. so my decision is very easy.  What is ironic is I retired from a medical device company that made money faster than they could print it and they cancelled their retiree employee health care insurance (kind of reflects the personality of the people running the company).  After talking to others in the park from bus drivers to executives employed at a variety of companies and industries it was clear I had the worst retiree health care deal of anyone in the RV park.  What blew their mind is when I told them how much I would be paying for our health insurance premiums.  Oh well don't feel sorry for Janet and I because we are just fine but I do feel bad for other people who do need help in this area. 

Well Sunday it's on to Jacksonville but we probably won't be back in Indiana before the first of May.  Then we plan on staying in Indiana only a few weeks and then we are going to take off and head west maybe to Yellowstone.  We are not sure exactly where we are going but we know we are going somewhere, God willing.  Then we will be heading south to Dunedin,  Florida the first of November, assuming we get into the park we like.  Below are a couple of pictures with the new camera although these were taken inside the 5er the first night we got it so they don't show what the camera is capable of doing.

Later,

Jack

Kind of looks like professor Peabody on the cartoons I used to watch many years ago

Sydney and Tanner get groomed today



It's a hell of an achievement!

That's what Gabe said to me in his text....why didn't you post your anniversary?  It's a hell of an achievement!

It kind of surprised me as I never thought about Jack and me being married for 41 years as being an achievement.  To me the achievement has been raising two wonderful sons, sharing life with loving families, and making wonderful memories.  The achievement has been standing together, shoulder to shoulder and hand in hand as our first born is swept from our arms and sped away to Riley Hospital so that they can save his life. An achievement is in watching your youngest son bend down and comfort his injured teammate on the football field and feeling more proud than we had a right to.  The achievement in 41 years is comforting one an another, feeling each others pain as we bury our parents, knowing that our love for each other can't lesson the pain but doesn't stop us from trying.   Holding each others hand, trying to distract them from the surgery they are about to undergo is a small achievement along the way.   To bury our heads on each others shoulder, shedding tears without reservation,  as we hear that one of our sons or someone we love has been hurt in any way is a big achievement to address together.   To know that at the end of the day you have someone to talk to about it all and to wonder together what it all means.  To share faith and the love of God together and know that our blessings have been at His hand.  The years together isn't the achievement.  It's the journey we've taken together, as one.

And then it's the fact that we don't own any guns.  That helps a lot in a successful marriage. No temptations; no worries.   So, we yell and scream (although not so much anymore-takes too much energy) and slam doors, and then slam them again and walk away, tune the other one out,  give the silent treatment (until the phone rings and you MUST call the other one to the phone) and on and on. 

So, yes, son, you are correct.  It is a hell of an achievement.  Getting this far has been a roller coaster ride from day one.  Our golden rings have been you and Jason.  But at the end of the day sitting 6 ft. from each other and remembering that we were just kids when this whole thing started does give you a since of accomplishment.  Still seeing the person you fell in love with all of those years ago as that same 17 or 18 year old who first took your breath away.  And knowing that every line on  their face is a line that you shared with them.  And finally crawling in to bed together, knowing that you can make body sounds you wouldn't wish your worst enemy to hear but knowing that this kid you married 41 years ago will pretend nothing was heard, that's life; our life and we kind of like it.

Thanks, Gabe, for reminding us that our life together is precious.  As you know, dad and I love you and Jason more than the air we breathe.

Our last week at Sandy Oaks

Today was Jack's last day playing golf with the park's league.  I'm sure it was bittersweet for him.  Tomorrow is our 41st. anniversary and we are sharing the evening with JoAnn and Wally.  I don't want to even think about telling them goodbye.  These past 3 months have gone by fast and we've met some very, very wonderful people and enjoyed ourselves tremendously. Many of the people will always be with us in thought.

Since today was my last "alone" day for awhile I decided to take a nice bike ride.  BUT getting to the trail head was the biggest task.  Word going around the park the last few weeks was that there was a huge rattlesnake in the woods along the back of the park.  Didn't remember that little bit of info until I was half way through the area adjacent to the woods.  And since the whole area was sand I had to walk my bike. I kept telling myself that "they are more afraid of me than I am of them." Fat chance of that being true but I plugged on, my eyes constantly scanning the ground.  Finally made it to the trail and promised myself  I'd just go as far as I felt comfortable and then turn around.  Well, well, well.  Another blond moment.  The wind was to my back so for the 12 or so miles I rode (two towns away from the campground) it was easy peasy.  I did manage to lose one of my waters so by the time I made it in to Inverness (where the laundry mat was, Gabe) I was sucking down the last drop of water from my one water bottle.  I picked up another bottle of water and a bottle of Diet Pepsi.  Rested for awhile and headed back.

While being alone on the trail I decided it would be a great time to call my sister.  There was nothing around me but the sounds of nature so where better to pull out the old cell phone?  We talked quite awhile before I approached the busiest highway between me and our RV park.  Now I have to admit I'm not the most
coordinated person on a bike, let alone with a cell phone in my hand and trying to cross 8 lanes of traffic.  I asked Brenda to hold on a second.  I began to cross the first 2 lanes.  My Diet Pepsi fell out of it's holder and rolled about 6 foot down the street. I looked at my soda, looked at the semi barring down on me and decided to return to the curb.  I watched as several cars passed, each one missing my bottle. Again I asked Brenda to hold.  I felt like that old frog game trying to dodge traffic but I am a very frugal person by nature and I just paid $1.45 for that bottle of pop.  I was not about to let it just lay there.  I do admit a car did have to stop for me but I was thankful they didn't blow their horn making me feel like a total loser.  Got my pop, crossed the other 6 lanes and proceeded to talk to my sister.

After ending our conversation I began to notice that the trail was becoming totally shaded.  I looked at my phone and realized I had been gone for nearly 5 hours.  I worried about the dogs.  I peddled faster.  And here is where my true hair color came through; I was riding against the wind.  What had I been thinking?  Thank goodness I ran in to a few people from our park.  I felt a little safer but the ride back for me was crazy hard.  My legs hurt, my face was sunburned and the Diet Pepsi that I was willing to give up life and limb for was now warm.  Nothing worse than warm soda.  YUK!

By the time I made it back to the park I wanted to fall to my knees and thank the Good Lord for my safe ride.  But as soon as I entered the park I saw my two babies being walked by my even bigger baby.  What a wonderful sight! 

P.S. I stuck my Diet Pepsi in the freezer and drank it the next day.  I was not about to give up that $1.45 come hell or high water. 

Our exploration of the Withlacoochie and Rainbow Rivers

I planned on playing golf today but instead Janet and  I rented a row boat with an eight horse power motor and did a four hour exploration of the Withlacoochee and Rainbow rivers that are about 7 miles from our RV park in Dunnellon, Florida.  The unique thing about the Rainbow river is that it starts about 5 miles from where we started our journey from a hugh underground spring.  Since the river is supplied entirely by spring water it is perfectly clear and is 72 degrees year round.  This is one reason the manatees spend some of the winter months in this river.  You can see the bottom perfectly even when you are in 20 ft deep water.  The Withlacoochee, besides having an unusual name, reminds you of the TV show Swamp People which takes place in Louisiana.  In some of the pictures below it looks just like the Louisiana swamp with the hugh birds, turtles and cypress trees although we didn't see any alligators.  The river also has many little inlets and smaller rivers joining it so you have to pay attention to where you are going so you don't get lost  Below are some of the pictures we took of today's boat trip.

Huli was reluctant to drive at first.  Then I couldn't get her to give it up.  She was the boat captain for about three of our four hour trip.  She did good though.

Having an air boat on this river would be really cool.

A really neat cloud.