Happy man

Sid got a great oyster fix at a raw bar at Indian Pass.  It was a rickety old building, very much "old Florida".   Bears forage in their trash containers. We didn't see any, but the trash was dragged all over.  You write your order on a piece of paper, then hand it to the cook. You get your own beverages and keep a tally on a sheet of paper at your table. When finished you take it to the cashier.  Never been in a place like that. 

Excited!

New job in March - Oman House in Apalachicola. It's a mansion and botanical garden.  George Oman was a cotton baron in the mid 1800's.   The house overlooked the river at one point, but now there are commercial fishing buildings and boats along the shore.  It is well restored with many of the original furnishings donated by family members.  We'll be working in the gardens and I'll also work inside the house working with visitors and whatever else needs doing.  It will be so dang cool.  Nice campsite and access to a washer and drier.  One of the important aspects of camping. 

St George Island uses an abandoned bridge to the mainland as a fishing pier. 

Oyster Cookoff

Great time in Apalachicola at the oyster fest. I had a hot dog.  Said had fried clams. It was fun. Families and dogs and kids and old and young.  Very happy relaxed atmosphere. Sat with some boaters who did the Indiana Ohio River part of the loop.  They used to sail - now power.  Sounds like so many people at MYC. 

Couple of big storms passed through.  Couple of tornadoes to the west and east of us.  Where in the heck do you go for shelter on an island where buildings are on stilts ready for hurricanes?  Our screen house was upside down, but still tethered to the 4/4 post. Surprised it didn't tear.  We had really big hail. The Airstream in the volunteer village received a couple of dents. Dang!

OMG! Highlight of our lives!

Turtle release!  As volunteers in the park, we were allowed to take part in it.  We could carry the boxes containing the turtles to the beach, but one has to have a licence to release them. We were right up front with crowd control and right there with the turtle release. We were both on tv several times. 

Two of Ann's friends, Barband John were staying on the island with friends. Ann hooked us up and we told them about the turtle release. They were as thrilled as we were to experience this event.  The next night they invited us for dinner and a beach fire!  How cool was that!

Punkin being released. She/he was really excited. 

Doing our part!

Happy people!

I've adjusted

It was really hard for me to not be at Ochlochnee State Park after 5 years of volunteering there.  Well, this park, St George Island SP, is perfect. Well, too perfect. Beaches are awesome. Trails are awesome. Staff is awesome. Our job is awesome. Well, I miss Jason, Steven, and Marcia. I guess it's a good thing to make new changes. I'm in a yuppie/preppie upper income area. The local bar isn't like Tropical Trader. It's a different place. 

However, eating fresh seafood is quite nice. 

Life is so dang good!

A real update!

I don't know where to begin!  Christmas involved two get togethers with the Rangers and other volunteers.  Potluck with yummy stuff.  Smoked turkey prepared by a ranger. Oyster casserole by a volunteer.  Etc!    

We're at a world class beach with people from all over the world visiting. One of the top 3 beaches in the US.  ( I don't think they visited Michigan). Our work as volunteers is really easy. 20 hours a week.  Saving at the least - $24 a night.  Walking the beach picking up a few pieces of trash is not hard duty. Washing signs and painting bike racks is also not bad duty.  That's over a grand a month and no taxes!  NO CLEANING BATHROOMS!  

Life is good for the Shazlys. 

A pond near our campsite.  Ive seen 8 great blue herons sitting pond side.