Getting ready

Certainly ready to warm up. Family Christmas is completed. Great time. Good food, lots of laughs, and really sweet grand and great grand kids. Love my boys and their flocks. 

Now getting prepped for the southern move.  Fit and Coco are ready. Tires rotated. Oil changed. And fluids topped off. I am wayyyyy toooo excited. I guess one is never too old for excitement. 

Well - anyway -

The people in tents were having just as good a time as we were. -except they had to use those stinky old bathrooms, no satalite dish, no hot water, etc. I remember my tenting days with much fondness. It was a very satisfying experience. Just that I'm a bit old and creaky and financially in a better place and need some additional comforts. No sleeping with my clothes so they would be warm to put on in the morning. I have a furnace. I can have liquids after 5pm. My bathroom is 1.5 feet away from my bed. Don't have to carry buckets of water long distances. Water is right there within my reach.  

Yes, life is good. 

Best birthday ever

I've had lots of great birthdays, but this is the sweetest ever. I am so happy. I feel so good for 73 years old. My life is full of good things - a few sad and worrisome things, but majority good.  I have too many people who care about me and I feel guilty about my hermit tendencies. I love all you guys - just like to be alone. 

We are at my favorite place, Leelanau State Park. The peacefulness is amazing. Every campsite is full, yet it's quiet. It's almost a sacred place. People who come here appreciate the aura of silence of a natural environment. I could say that places like this are like churches should be.  Close to nature is a close to God as you can get without dying. 

Happy birthday, Janey. You are certainly blessed with a good life. Thank you God. 

Moho IV (Coco)

She's just beautiful. Much more than I ever dreamed.  Beautiful cabinetry, slide out for extra room, satalite tv, levelers, etc. wow. The outside color is a bit wild for me, but I'll adjust.  It's used with 8000 miles on it. Phoenix cruiser 2350. Just plain gorgeous. 

Moho excitement

Well, our choice is made and the money put down and she's lovely. Her name is Coco Moho.  Phoenix cruiser 2350. It's a Cadillac of rvs - not a Chevy or a jaguar. Something good, but not extravagant.  It has many add ons and what isn't there, Said has ordered additionally. It is perfect!

It is used with 8000+ miles. The previous owner bought it 2 months ago - brought it back and had jacks and a satalite dish added (way too much money for silly things) them brought it back and ordered a bigger one. The full body paint job cost him $7000.  Some people throw money away.  Well, of couse my gambling enjoyment doesn't count. 

I am so happy we went with the phoenix. It's a well made vehicle from a small manufacturer who stands behind his product. They only do one or two a week. I've been looking and studying all Mohos that size and there a no negative problems reported by owners of this one. If there is a problem, the manufacturer is embarrassed and takes care of it. 

I am finally happy - really happy. 

Well, miss my Moho and a way of life

It was such an important part of my life for 9 years. I was fine with selling it - still am. Just a bit of sadness looking at old pictures. Meekah and Sulty were a major part of those years.  The passing of an era. 

Out with the old and in with the new. 

The search begins

Well, we really want the Phoenix Cruiser. It's top of the line for quality - that also means price. Said wants the Sprinter diesel - I don't care one way or the other. It's 10K more. 

He's researching like crazy.  The coachman prism is 15k less, but you get what you pay for. 

I'm waiting for the results.  Whatever happens - it's under warranty.  I just want to go camping. I need my woods fix. Getting really serious about my mountain fix. Hey, I've still got my tent. Will definitely need a Porta potti. 

Dream on - 

Gone - but not forgotten

She's gone. I was a bit sad until, during the orientation, the cabin lights wouldn't work. Bad fuse or whatever it's called. However, they buyers still wanted it. How embarrassing was that!!!!!!!  I know my Moho wasn't happy being sold, but she needs to control her emotions. Grrrrt!  That made my sadness go away. 

I love the couple that bought her. They are going to use the Porta Bote in those quiet little lakes in Canada and out west. How cool does that sound!  I often wished I had a little boat to explore those quiet places. 

Larry is a vintage MG racer and they are going to England next week for races. She has business of doggie play dates. That is also extremely cool

I am happy. On to bigger and better debts.  But - it's okay. 

Worn out!

I am exhausted from answering questions about our Moho.   I'm getting cranky answering the same questions and tired of people saying they want it and never show up again. I think I'm getting old and VERY cranky about everything.  I need a vacation from all this drama. 

Sad

We have been trying to sell our Moho. It's a sad time because we've had a lot of interest, but the 108,000 mileage scares people away. I've adjusted to the fact that we will be keeping it. It has another 100,000 miles left and it's paid for. Anything that could go wrong will still be less than a new Moho. This one really meets our needs so well be farther ahead keeping it. Plus all the extra money we've saved will take care of some great trips like a Viking cruise to Portugal and some other interesting things. Either way I'm a winner - as usual. 

It's Okay

It's been a couple of weeks since we sold our Capri 22 sailboat.  It's okay!!!  First time without a sailboat in 50+ years.  I thought I was have sad, regretful feelings, but I don't.  Mostly relief from not having to get a boat ready in the spring.  Very time consuming, stressful, and exhausting.  I had a small, very small, pang driving past Torresen's this morning and didn't have a boat.  However, I don't regret anything.

I'm looking forward to selling my precious Moho and getting a new one - Phoenix Cruiser 2350.  It will be sad saying goodbye to my Moho, but life does go on. 

Home (not so) sweet home

It's nasty, cold,snowing, etc. I'm trying to be happy, but it's not working. I miss walking KT to the river for a swim and the warm sun and my friends at Ochlochonee. I'm trying to be patient for the warming up, but it's hard. 

Elkmont campground

Great Smoky National Park is a favorite of ours. The peacefulness and beauty are exceptional. It's a beautiful evening with my wonderful man and we are happy. 

A simple and beautiful life. Camping in such parks is really the way to go. 

Goodbye warmth

Started home Friday am. Sad to leave the park and friends. Drove til we were exhausted and stayed in a walmart in some nondescript Georgia town. Second night was at Flaming Arrow rv park. Took $100 into and out of the casino.  Live to gamble another day. 

Woke up to rain and cold. Don't feel like even moving this am.  Eventually. 

View from our campsite. Pretty. 

Torreya State Park

I've finally started speaking to KT. Bought myself a new steak. I'll be real careful with this one. 

Beautiful park on a very high bluff overlooking the Apalachicola River.  Small quiet campground.  Because of its elevation, it has different vegetation than the rest of Florida. 

Just one of those days

Up until today, KT and I have had a great time traveling.  We stayed at commercial campgrounds for 3 nights with cable and wifi.  I didn't even watch tv, so that was a waste.  Having the wifi was a good thing cuz I didn't have to use my data up.  We spent a night at O'Leno State Park and it was awesome.  Very, very beautiful dogwood trees - HUGE - just beginning to bloom.  Last night we stayed at a Jellystone and it was so stupid.  I have avoided them for years, but when one is tired, one just takes whatever. 

After leaving that wretched kid park, we drove through some beautiful farmland.  Very upscale - lots of horses and big houses.  As we drove past a strange flock of quail type chickeny birds, I slowed down to get a better look.   KT jumped out of my window before I knew what had happened.  He was so fast I didn't even see him go by.  Well this was a huge yard with a huge house - an estate type thing - and KT was chasing these exotic birds and proceeded to go after birds in cages - more exotic birds - peacocks flew up into trees.  It took me a while to catch him.  It was awful!!!!  He could have been shot!!!   No one came out to check on the uproar.  Embarassing, maddening, scarey, etc.

Well, that should have done it for the day!!!  Oh, no!  We arrived at our campsite in the city park in Sopchoppy.  KT was so excited he knocked over his water container and flooded the whole floor.  Oh, my.

Well!!!!  That's not all!!!   I was marinating $10 worth of steak when the guy came to collect money for the campsite.  I forgot about KT and he ate my steak!!!!  Do I really have to describe my feelings?

I certainly hope tomorrow goes better for us.  I miss my Sulty. 

Springtime

I am definitely a springtime soul. I love the waking of the wildflowers and the warmth, yet coolness of spring. I could travel the world for the rest of my life living forever in the springtime.  Violets and red bud - take my breath away. 

Fresh Beginnings

Finished my wonderful stay working at Ocholochnee River State Park.  KT and I were sad to leave, but we will return next year.  Jason, one of the rangers, told me to just stay there til Said got into town on the 18th, but I am restless and decided to move on.  If I stay there, my guilt would keep me working and I've had enough for 2 months.  Time for something new.

However, it's fun to remenice too.  (dang, I don't know how to spell that)

I helped out in the Prehistoric Arts Festival and learned a lot about knapping and points and - etc.   The picture below is a lizard on some furs.  Funny little guy enjoying the festival.

One of our volunteers came in a HUGE expensive motor home and proceeded to fall through a septic tank.  What a mess!  The wrecker simply pulled him out and everything was fine.  Quite a shocking and scary experience I'm sure - especially with the sinkhole stuff that's been going on in the south.

I just loved driving the "Mule" around for my various duties.  It was especially fun doing trail litter cleaning.  Saw a lot of bear and coyote scat.  I know it was black bears cuz it had berries in it - grizzly scat  has bells.  (a little ranger/bear humor)

Left the park yesterday and am staying at Holiday RV Park - my old place for many years.  The view is really astounding, especially when the dolphins are cruising by.  However, it can't even come close to Ochlochonee.  (I probably spell it different every time, but that's too many letters to remember.)

I've enjoyed my park time tremendously.  The rangers are especially kind and easy to work with.  The campers are generally happy and cheerful.  I just don't understand the couple that complained about the campfire smoke - it's a CAMPGROUND for heaven's sake.  I loved having my Muskegon friends visit - no, it's not at all like my Muskegon life - but they were all good sports.  Judy and Bob Shatney, Mhari and Peter Blacklock, and Ann and Jim Ball.   I love them all for saving a little time out of thier trip for me.  I have also loved playing Friends and Facebook.  It really makes you maintain that connection with family and friends.  Facetime every night kept Said right with us.  He enjoyed our walks, dog playing in the water, and campfires at night.  I love technology!

Tomorrow, I'm heading a little southeast.  It's been a chilly winter here with only a few "shorts" days.  I need some warmth for a day or two.  I also am anxious to see some wildflowers.  The fruit trees are blooming here, as well as azaleas and camelias.  I need my dogwood and wisteria fix.

Day off - Road Trip

KT and I decided to do some two trecking Sunday on our day off.  We went deep into Tate's Hell (look it up on the net) and saw lots of cooll things.  We had to turn around when we reached a stream crossing the road.  No, I lack bravery when stuff looks scary.  The most interesting was the bee hive group out in the middle of nowwhere.  I saw the movie, Ule's Gold, which really had a lot of info about honey production.  Fascinating if it werent for the stingly little devils.

Bee Hives deep in Tate's Hell

Our next stop was in Appalachicola because I needed one of those cool teeshirts with the fish bones on it.   Got it!  Next stop was Piggly Wiggly's with a serving of spaghetti casserole from their deli.  Took it to the river's edge where it goes into the Gulf.  Couldn't eat all of it, so I reached over to KT and he got too excited and knocked it out of my hand.  As I grabbed for it, I kind of threw it all over him.  What a mess.  He has spots of spaghetti sauce all over him.  Really attracts a lot of attention.  

Beautiful spot for lunch.  Appalachicolo River flows into the Gulf.  (site of the spaghetti/dog fiasco)

Next stop was the beach at the east end of the bridge from Appalachicola.  

Beautiful spot, but KT didn't like it.  He had sandburs in his feet.   Ouch!

More two tekking in the forest.  Found the Ocholochnee River again and there was an abandoned railroad trestle.  Cool to see.  

Next stop was home with a fabulous campfire.  Leftover pizza, beer, and my beloved Kindle.  

Great end to a great day.  

Cool stuff

Ann and Jim visited for two gorgeous days.  The weather couldn't have been better.  Sunny, warm, and - best of all - no bugs.  We cooked hot dogs over the campfire and went out to dinner at Tropical Traders one night, then Hameknockers the next.  Mmmmm.   It was so much fun to have them visit and show them my beautiful, small, park.  It was a fun time and very meaningful to me.

Our beautiful little white deer.  I took a video of her from my car and chose this picture to save.  For some reason, I don't know if videos can be used on the blog.  Guess I need to do some homework.  

This is the little white deer's mother.  She just stood there and looked and King Tucker and I.  She was interested in us - I guess.