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.