Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012

Lazy morning watching the gulls and pelicans swooping around the Gulf.  Cloudy, humid but warm.  About 11:15, walked three blocks along Water St. to Boss Oyster for lunch.  This restaurant is right on the water and we ate on the porch overlooking a small marina.  It is rated as one of America's best 50 seafood dives in 2012 by Coastal Living Magazine.  We found it charming and were told by those eating around us that it does have the best oysters anywhere.  They are caught, refrigerated on the boat and always kept cold.  I wasn't brave enough to try them, but did have the fresh-caught grouper along with the red beans a rice and slaw.  Was definitely delicious but a bit pricy for the quantity.  Jerry's BBQ sandwich was also good but pricy.  The bloody mary was a treat - haven't had one of those for ages.

Walked along the waterfront looking at the oyster shells all over everywhere, a boat being restored, rusty buildings (probably for oyster processing at one time), and an endloader scooping up oyster shells and putting them into a truck for hauling away. 

Just up the street is the Gibson Inn - described on their website as "a fine example of Florida "Cracker" Architecture. This was the style of wood frame structure used widely in the 19th and early 20th century in Florida. These homes and businesses are characterized by metal roofs, raised floors, high ceilings, center hallways, and large wrap around porches. A widows walk and cupola crown the tin roof, all a reflection of the area's steamboat past. Built in 1907 of native heart pine and black cypress, the inn soon became known as a first class luxury hotel and was the only one between Pensacola and Jacksonville heated entirely by steam. Now listed on the National Historic Register of Historic Places"

Took off about 12:30 pm and fought our way through all the traffic in Panama City, Pensacola and all those burbs.  Thpousands of houses on stilts perched on the water's edge (and on the other side of the road) to be rented.  Can't imagine how many of these sit vacant...couldn't possibly rent them all...  Some beautiful southern style homes on the waterfront.  Love the low roofs and wrap-around porches.  Some had screened in porches and others had pavillions nearby. 

 As soon as we crossed over the FL/AL line on Highway 98, the scenery changed to more rural, more midwest rather than semi-tropical in tone..  We stopped at the Escapee RV campground, Rainbow Plantation near Summerdale, AL (near Mobile) to spend the night.  First impressions are excellent.  Sites are far apart and lots of trees.  Will be here two nights.

Will load more pix when I have a better connection....to be continued.

Thursday, Dec. 6
Jerry took off in the am with the RV- went to local RV shop and found out that the wires which had torn loose from the frame when we had the blowout were clearance light wires so that repair will be added to the repairs when done. They let him dump tanks at their place - Yea! Then he took Kanga to Discount Tire. They examined all RV tires and determined that we needed 3 more replaced - that makes all of them new or almost new, so we should be good to go. They rotated all and put on the new ones.
Ruth and I checked out several thrift shops and found some bargains. I got 4 everyday tees for $6, a Squence game (a fun board game learned from Aunt and Uncle, Glenn and Helen) for $2 and a cloth medium-size satchel which I can use for a carry-on purse/computer/etc. for my plane trip. $3  Fun to ,poke.  Had great mexican casserole for supper with spinach salad...

Friday, Dec. 7

Travel day. Finally got going about 10:30 am.  Cloudy and warm which was great for travel, as you don't have to squint...lol.  Stopped for lunch at a small diner called Driftwood Cafe in Williston, FL.  Got to chatting with the two gals at the next table.  One owned a large horse farm nearby and invited us to come park there!  She put in two RV sites when she moved there for friends to use.  Said there was going to be a huge horse show this weekend with about 10 different events.  Would have loved to take her up on it!  Such friendly people we have found here in FL.    Jerry tried the alligator tail nuggets and declared them tasty.  (I liked my bite, too).  I had the chicken gumbo which was homemade and spiced just right.   Saw lots of huge mansions and horse facilities in this year. Also miles and miles of forest with lots of logging being done. When we got near the gulf coast there were thousands of houses on stilts for rent.

Fishing pier

 

 

Landed at Apalachicola, FL about 5 PM.  We're staying right in a gravel lot right near the oyster boats and near a fishing pier.  On the edge of the gulf.  Apalachicola is the oyster capital of the world.  90% of the oysters produced in FL come from here.  10% of the oysters produced in the US are from this area.

Sunrise from our RV Sat. 12-8-12

Wed. Dec. 5, 2012

Not sure what else happened, but John was able to get Jerry into the NASCAR track and watch some time trials  - cars zooming 180 mpr around the track.  Really cool!  Later we were just relaxing and went out into John and Ruth's side yard and finally got to see a gopher turtle.  Had first heard the term at Ft. McCoy at the Indian Powwow - kept seeing holes in the ground and were told they were gopher turtle homes.  Went to Pickle's a local restaurant where they have a salad bar featuring pickles, wonderful garlic bean salad and pasta salad.  I had great fish!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Jerry spent time working on generator carburetor.  Cousin John took me grocery shopping at his favorite stores and to the bank.  Ruth is a great cook and had a wonderful crockpot roast and veggies for supper.

Thursday, November 29

After getting great tips from John and Ruth, Jerry and I took off in the truck to go north on A1A.  Stopped several times to park and walk over the dunes to look for whales which are in the area now, but none in sight today.  Very breezy wind from the East today so the had the red flag out for warning if going out into the Atlantic.  Nice condos and mansions along the ocean - and beautiful landscaping. 

 

Flagler Beach Pier



Fishing Boat out in Ocean

Stopped about half way for lunch at JT's Seafood Shack.  I had the most awesome Seafood Reuben with tilapia.  It was to die for!  Jerry had the burger, fries and chili which were also very good!

After lunch proceeded to St. Augustine, the oldest permanent European settlement in the continental US., being established by the Spaniard Don Pedro  de Aviles in 1565.  The highway crosses a river to get to St. A and it is a drawbridge - had to wait about 5 minutes for the yachts to go through.

Drawbridge

Took a tour at the Fort.   In 1672 they began construction for the Castillo de San Marcos.  The fort was completed in 1695 (and renamed Ft. Marion in 1825.  We toured the fort after paying to park.  Great talk by a park employee about the history of the fort.  Imagine some of the cannons and mortars were made in 1642!  Just hard to get your head around so long ago. 

Harbor view from top of the Fort

Some of the cannon

History lesson at the Fprt

Some of the cannon - made in the 1600's

After an hour there, we walked to the carriage rides and engaged Carl and Chocolate Mousse to give us a history tour of the city.






Saw wonderful architecture of the homes and hotels. Many of the gorgeous churches here were built with funds from Henry Flagler (the entrepreneur who brought the railroad from New York to Florida). Some of the stained glass windows in the church were done by Tiffany. Also, Flagler College was established and is still educating young adults. Many of the homes were decorated for Christmas which added to their charm. (A few years ago, National Geographic Magazine had an article on St. A Christmas decor and named them one of the 10th best decorated cities.

Flagler Memorial Presbyterian Church

After walking around the city a bit, we stopped at the AlA Ale Works. 

A1A Ale Works in corner of this building

Jerry tried the A. Strange Stout (named for the grandfather of the pub's founder, Alexander Strange.)  I had the Bridge of Lion's Brown Ale.  The Bridge is right across the street.  We had a wonderful table in front of the corner window and it was a great people-watching spot.   Jerry had an appetizer of Coconut shrimp with honey-mustard sauce that he oohed about and I tried the lobster bisque which was also to die for!  That was all we needed after the big lunch.



 Walked about 6 blocks to our parking place while viewing the Christmas lights which went on at 5 PM. 

Friday, Nov. 30

Jerry turned in the nasty tire from Tuesday's debacle at Discount Tire (yea) and bought a new one.  In the afternoon, Jerry and I ran some errands - Groceries at Publix (really like this supermarket - wish we had one in Iowa!  Reminds me somewhat of Safeway, except here you don't have to remember your card - everyone gets the sale items...yippee.)  Also a trip to the liquor store next door. 

Saturday, December 1

Oh no, I've got some kind of crud.  (Turned out to be a sinus infection.)  Spent the whole weekend thinking I was dying - in bed, hacking.  Thank you John and Ruth for feeding Jerry pizza Saturday night  - keeps him happy!

Sunday, December 2

In the afternoon, Jerry took a BMW ride down A1A to the south all the way to the end tip.  He treated himself to supper there with a great view.  (Wish I had been there, too)  He enjoyed the sight-seeing trip.

Monday, December 2

Happy birthday, Abbie (13 yrs old!)  Found a walk-in clinic a couple of blocks from John's home.  Open at 8:30 so Jerry took me and I got in right away.  Yup - the dust I got in my lungs and sinuses at the Indian Pow Wow compromised my immune system as it was trying to get rid of it.  Then I apparently caught a virus which turned into a sinus infection.  Had to pay as for some reason my medicare card wasn't going to (But I can submit the bill for reimbursement...what the ?  Will call today to see what that's about.)  But I would have paid more than the $95 they charged just to get help.  Saw a great PA, very sweet gal.  She gave me sample of Dymista - a wonderful nasal spray (get it if you can/need it).  And we took the scripts to Publix to be filled, stocked up on chicken noodle soup and kleenex.  Spent the rest of the day in bed.

Jerry and John were able to round up a float valve for the carburetor!  Several stops, but that was OK.  Jerry installed it and changed the generator oil and Abba Cadabra - it now works!  So glad he is mechanically inclined - saves our tushes a lot of time and money!)
By suppertime I was feeling well enough to eat real food besides tea, toast and soup, so Jerry brought me a Ruth's special - Baked pork chops with fresh basil, mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts and salad.  I ate half!  Hope she will share her pork chop recipe!  What a different the fresh herbs make! 

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Said good bye to Ron and Diana about 9:30 am.

The fine dust has finally gotten to me and my lungs and sinuses.  Awful cough and congestion, so I stayed in until about 2 PM and went to watch the end of the closing ceremony.  Such gorgeous regalia worn by the participants.  Here are some:

The drummers in the center of the ceremonial ring
 



The grand event begins with the eagle feather staff followed by the American Flag and POW/MIA flag.  The gentleman to the right with the red shirt was the Arena Master.
 

A WWII vet
 

Two Princesses
 

These were the "Grass Dancers" and did amazing moves.  My favorite of all the dancers

 

One of the "warriors," I think they were called speaking to the princesses.

A family affair

One of the "Shawl Dancers"

Cynthia, our hostess.  She has on the traditional Cherokee colors.

Keep in mind all the regalia is hand made and represents something meaningful to the participant.

 

The rally was over after the closing ceremonies. 

 

Monday, November 26, 2012

 

We rested in the morning.  My congestion was finally clearing up - so glad as I am tired of sleeping in the chair half-sitting so I could breathe and not cough my head off!

 

Cleaned the house in the afternoon.  Kind of nice to not have a schedule!

 

 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

 

 

The generator quit working as it was coughing and choking (maybe it caught it from me?  LOL)  So after breakfast Jerry went out and took the carburetor apart.  The needle valve isn't working correctly so the generator is flooding.  He tried to fix it but to no avail.  (We put this carburetor in just a year ago in Dec.)  Ugh.  Will have to work on it later.  Got the rig ready to go and said goodbye to our host and hostess with the mostess.  Thanks to Cynthia and Nathan, it was a great learning experience and fun to get to know some new Skps.  Was also great to have Ron and Diana join us for a few days.

 

Got on the road about 10:30 am.  Egads - Jerry looked out his rear view mirror and saw something flapping in the wind. 

 



 Sure enough, the left rear trailer tire had lost almost all of it's tread and that had blown apart the skirting and fender! This was one of two tires left on the RV from when we purchased it.  Of course, it hadn't lost any air, so the tire sensor didn't go off.  I guess the tire angels were on vacation again! 

Luckily we could pull into a church parking lot and change the tire in safety and on level ground.  A nice Canadian couple (RVers) stopped by to see if we needed any help.  Very nice of them.

Finally got to Ormund Beach and found  Love's with a sewer dump and also filled up water and gas in the RV for the generator.  Made it to cousin John and Ruth's home about 3:30 PM! 

The well-drillers were finishing up drilling their new well.  John was glad we had emptied our tanks as they were planning on using our rig's facilities since they had been out of water since last Thursday.  LOL

Side yard

They have a chicken coop out in their back yard and Volusia county uses the two chickens in it to monitor the West Nile Virus and Encyphalitis problems in the county via testing these chickens to get a handle on what infected mosquitos have bitten them. 

We had a nice visit with Ruth and John and their daughter, Sarah, who had stopped by to meet us on her way to work. 

We went to Stavros restaurant not too far away for delicious Italian.  This is a family-run eatery that is Ruth and John's favorite.  They had spaghetti and meat balls and Jerry and I had pizza...of course, he had the meat lover's and my half was Greek!  Awesome food.  A very nice ending to a busy day.