Free at Last

Our little mouse friend almost lost it last night after his long, well fed, trip south.  Brought out the big guns - traps!!!  There was a snap last night in the cupboard above my head along with frantic squeaks!!!  It was extremely upsetting.  Neither Said nor I had the courage to open the cupboard and get it out.  He thrashed around all night and in the morning, Said finally rescued him.  The trap got the mouse across the back and he survived.  He's now living freely just west of St Augustine, FL.  Not bad for a Michigan mouse.   Whew, glad that's over.

Extra post today

Larry was telling us about the new ants invading Florida that are driving out the fire ants.  Well, they are called crazy ants or white footed ants and are a huge problem.  They've infected 90% of Florida counties.  Google them and you'll get freaked out - like me!!!  If they are in my campground, I'll be going to Texas or Arizona or wherever.  There were rings of dead ants around the bases of the trees on Larry's 10 acre forest.   EEEEEEEEE - YUCKIE!!!!

The good and the bad!

As with all things in life, today is a bit of the good and the bad.  We're outside St Augustine at a campground just off I95.  We're next to a little pond all by ourselves cuz we can use 110 and got a tenting spot.  Yippee!  Very nice.  The weather is awesomely body compatable.  Love it.  Well - a couple of mosquitoes nibbled on my ankles and our mouse is still with us.  Got the big guns out today. No, that little plug in thing doesn't work.  Dryer sheets are totally useless - he tore up some paper towel right next to it.  We have TRAPS!!  Brutal, disgusting, cruel traps!!!  And - I'm deleriouslly happy.  Tonight - he dies!!!

Forgot to take pictures of the ocean.  It had surfers and big waves.  It's really a beautiful thing. It appears to be foamier than our fresh water.  It is really awesome.  

Spring Hill with Larry and Edie

Staying a couple of night with Larry and Edie, ex Rialta people.  Now have a Via - bigger and better than our little moho.  Lots of interesting stories and new ideas, good food, beautiful 10 acres of Florida forest for us to experience.  

  Visited a fruit orchard to pick an orange, but the season was over so I enjoyed the lemon trees instead.  Lemon blossoms smell just like trailing arbutus in Michigan.  Heavenly like Jasmine.

Making progress

Our local Sopchoppy mechanic diagnosed our water problem.  He checked the bottom of the moho and said there was nothing he could see that would allow water in.  Then he checked the passenger rear wheel well and it has rusted through in several places.  He jury rigged up something with patching, foam, black tarry paint, ect.  He said he wasn't making any promises and charged us $44.  He wants to know if it solved the problem.  I'll get it done right when I get home.  Love these small "old Florida" towns.

It's been dreary and chilly and just plain yucky.  However, it's not freezing and snowing and slippery and I really am thankful.  Just wondering if there really is a sun.

Winter Trip South 2013

Such a crappy trip south!!!!  Woke up on Friday, 12/20, to a quarter inch of ice on the moho.  Couldn't even walk on the slippery slope of a drive way.  Said had to finish loading and I struggled to keep my footing just to get inside to start the motor.  After lots of chipping and hacking, we started out on the well salted streets and highways. Things went well til we hit Indiana and had dense fog which slowed us down.  We spent the first night at a Cracker Barrel just south of Indianapolis.  After that it was three days of intense rain.  I mean INTENSE!!!  Slowing down to 35 on a 70 mph highway is not my favorite way to travel.  However, we enjoyed the slowly developing green grass and raising temps.  I do like above freezing temps.

We have a terrible leak from underneath.  The floor in front of the fridge was a pool of water.  Have to get that fixed.

We arrived at our destination, Ochlochonee State Park, and were warmly welcomed by our ranger friends, Jason and Robert.  What a wonderful place.  30 sites and forests and rivers and deer and . .  . Everything was fine until tucker nipped a kid.  CRAP!!!  I told Jason I was not comfortable being the host because KT doesn't like strange men carrying stuff and running kids.  I'll be staying at the ranger/volunteer compound which is a beautiful area, too.  I'm the only volunteer so I may get lonesome, but I will still be working in the campground so I'll still have contract with the campers.

King Tucker surely has changed our lives.  Seems like a lot of bad, but the good still wins out.  He's our sweet, wonderful dog and we'll just keep working with him.

Merry Christmas world!  Love to all.