Beginning of RV season, 2016

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April 4th 2016

Published: April 30th 2016

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jdkinley

Leaving the shoes on the beach

We left the shoes above the water line so we could all go into the surf for the scattering ceremony.

After a dreary, scary winter, spring finally came to Alabama and brought our good friends from the north, Carol and Ned Gatzke. They were STILL digging out from snow in Wisconsin so were glad to find leaves, buds and warm weather in northern AL. They arrived on Thursday night and we had a wonderful 3 days visiting and seeing sights before heading to Florida together. While in AL, we "tried" to see the Space and Rocket Center but didn't know that the Friday we went, was Space Camp graduation PLUS half the schools not on spring break were attending. There was a 40 minute wait just to get tickets. Instead we toured old town Huntsville and finally came home.

On Monday morning, we all left and headed south to Troy, AL to spend the night at a campground before continuing on to Mexico Beach, FL. While we might have pushed in the past, because of my heart attack this winter, Trish wanted to play it safe and limit the drive time, particularly for me. So we got to Troy, found the campground, set up, and relaxed. Carol had some homemade chili for dinner and we sat around talking and laughing

Carol setting Aunt Margaret free

Carol went the furthest into the surf as she carefully undid the plastic bag and set her aunt free to join her husband. While we would have preferred using boat, due to small craft warnings, this was the safer alternative.

until dark. The next day it was on to Mexico Beach.

Rustic Sands Campground is one of our favorites. I had called to make reservations, requesting we be as close as possible. When we got in, the staff found that though we had been assigned 2 spots next to each other, they had been taken so we settled for sites "near" each other. After setting up, we went for a swim in the heated pool and then out to dinner at a nice restaurant on the Gulf with great sunset views. When we got back to the CG, we went to bed early. Mexico Beach is funky in that the line between Eastern and Central time zones runs down a main street. We were within 1/2 mile of Eastern so it made for confusion when planning trips east to Port St. Joe (in EST.)

The next day was the big event. Carol's aunt passed away last fall, had her body cremated, and wished to be scattered in the Gulf, as she had done with her husband over 20 years ago. Carol had a reservation for us to take out a pontoon boat, but the marina called and said

Secluded beach

It's not often you can find a stretch of beach in Florida these days that is this open and empty. We were fortunate to know of this section and find it so available and private.

due to small craft warnings, they were hesitant to let us go out. If we did, we had to stay close to shore. Well, that didn't sound good, so we gratefully accepted the cancellation at no cost and spent the morning in Port St. Joe looking around and shopping. Then it was back to the CG for quick lunch before heading out to a secluded beach where we could wade into the water to say farewell to Aunt Margaret.

We walked down the beach a bit, found a spot, and Carol did the honors. Afterwards we gathered on the sand and I read a short Native American poem on death which celebrates living and those left behind. It was quiet, solemn and yet joyful. That evening we enjoyed fish tacos from a local establishment and Carol and Ned raved over the fish, cabbage and sauce combination. They left the following day to head to central FL for hiking and then up north to the Smokies and more hiking. Trish and I relaxed in Mexico Beach, sightseeing at a state park museum in Port St. Joe and getting some fresh Snapper to put on the grill.

Sunday we left

Carol and Ned relaxing in our RV

Carol and Ned have a smaller van-type camper, so gatherings took place in our RV. While they love the handling and gas mileage of the van, they seemed to enjoy the larger area, big couch, and fresh brewed coffee, on occasion.

for Inverness to see nephew Steve Olsen and enjoy a campground we'd been at before. We also tried out on the trip a new GPS, designed for RVs and with a MUCH bigger screen (7" vs 5"...and no jokes, please.) Our old GPS stopped working (want to get it fixed) and we really needed something for finding our way around. It's pretty good, has some neat features, like IDing all Walmarts for overnight parking, and show ALL national/state park type campgrounds, including COE and BLM. It will be real handy, once I master the nuances.

We got to the park in Beverly Hills, FL, and set up to relax. The next morning, we did some quick shopping and then went for a swim in the "heated" pool. Apparently they had turned the heat off, so we did not get more than toes wet. We opted for warm showers in the bathhouse and then got ready for Steve and Denise Olsen to visit. When they arrived, we sat and chatted, catching up on family, and then headed out for dinner. They suggested Swampys in Dunellon, FL and it was delightful. Food was Creole and we sat on large bench picnic

Carol Mueller with Trish and Judy in Venice

Carol taught at Franklin, NH, when we were there in the mid 70's, and now we are all approaching the mid 70's. It was good to spend a little time catching up and sharing.

tables under a huge pavilion near the Crystal River. Trish had a shrimp and rice Creole style and I had a large garden salad with fried gator bites. After driving back to the campground, we bid the Olsens farewell and told them to stop by and camp at our homestead next time they were in the area.

Next day was off to the Venice/Sarasota area to see friends there. We stayed at a lovely campground outside Venice and though we were a bit squeezed in, it offered a warm, heated salt water pool and a hot tub. We certainly took advantage of those options! The first full day we saw our friend Carol Mueller in Venice. We had taught together in NH long ago. It was Carol who talked about her years living and teaching in Australia that helped fuel our interest in eventually going overseas. Carol and Judy were getting ready for a yard sale, so we only spent a brief time with them and then out to lunch. The next day we went to see my former boss, Ellen, and her husband Dennis. They used to live in Alabama and moved to Sarasota to be closer to

Circus mural at Ringling Museum

This mural is so large, one picture can't capture it. The mural, in the entrance to the museum, depicts famous performers from the history of the Ringling Brothers circus.

family. They have a lovely home in a gated community and we were thrilled to finally get there to see them.

Dennis and Ellen took us to the Ringling Museum in Sarasota and what a trip!! Trish had been as a child, but so much had changed. We started in the museum and barely got through the diorama that covers hundreds of square feet, showing how the circus came to town and set up in the 1920s. Then it was off to the Ringling mansion and a guided tour of not only the main floor, but upper level bedrooms as well. The home and grounds were left to the state of Florida and though they sat idle for years, have been restored to their original glory. It was awe inspiring to see what gobs of money could do in the Gatsby era. Then we hopped a tram (large golf cart) for a ride to the art museum where they had a special display of Samurai battle dress and swords. WOW!! We have seen many exhibits in Japan and this one topped them all. There were over 8 full sets of armor and dozens of swords and hilts. In addition,

Roustabouts unloading train

There is a HUGE diorama in the museum, hand crafted over a 50 year time frame, of the circus. In the early part of the walk, you see the trains on sidings unloading.

they had a huge display of hand crafted helmets, several of which were very rare. It was a remarkable display on loan from a museum in Italy (so no pictures allowed.) We went back to Dennis and Ellen's for dinner and relaxing in the pool and hot tub. Sad to say good bye, but I'm sure we'll be back.

Next day we drove to Jacksonville to the Naval Air Station campground and a chance to spend time with kids and grandkids. Our friends, Kurt and Annette, were headed to Tampa and we were supposed to meet them and camp there for a few days, but their trip got delayed so we suggested they stop in Jacksonville as well. They jumped at it and got reservations at the same time. Monday we spent time with Josh and Xander and that evening, Josh made fish tacos for dinner and it was really yummy! The boys thought so took and gobbled them down.They were awesome! He is a stay at home Dad and has learned to cook and experiment. Food was great and I know Jen appreciates all he does during the day before heading off to work about 5PM. We went

Circus Tent Resturant for performers and workers

One of the first tents unloaded and set up was the food service tent and kitchen supplies. Meals were prepared for over 1000 performers and workers. Each person sat in an assigned area of the tent. This is easily the most complex, fascinating and educational diorama we have ever seen!

back to the campground and looked for our friends, but their RV was no where to be seen. I finally went to the camp host to ask what had happened. No problem; they were in and just across from us in a pull through. WTH?! There was a HUGE 5th wheel RV there. Then we realized, we had been fooled. Yep, they had traded in the Class A for a 5th wheel, and about 2 weeks ago. So they were there and we had a great visit. We invited them to come to breakfast with us the next morning and they quickly accepted once I assured Kurt that this little diner carried SOS.

Next morning we all drove to Grumpy's and they were wow'd. Lots of food, great coffee, and a huge menu. We went back to the campground, dropped them off and then off to the kids' house for an afternoon with Josh and Xander. Next morning, we told Josh we'd meet him at...Grumpy's for breakfast after he dropped Drew at school. When we got back to camp, Kurt and Annette said Sure, let's do it again. So with 2 cars instead of one, the next morning we

Grounds of Ringling Mansion

John Ringling left his estate to Florida. On the grounds are his home, an art museum, several circus museums, and the lovely gardens and walks as seen here.

drove to Grumpy's, met Josh and Xander, and had a huge breakfast. Then we all drove to Chamblin's Used Book Mine and spent an hour or more browsing for titles we had to have. Kurt was dubious, but then very excited when he found a used book he had been looking for. Mission accomplished!

Thursday was a big day as we met Josh and Xander at Drew's school at 1030 and were going to have lunch in the school cafeteria with Drew and about 120 of his closest and noisiest friends. Oh my! I was reminded of the Grinch complaining about the Who's Christmas and how after opening all the presents he said, "Oh the noise, noise, noise, NOISE!" They had hamburgers, whole wheat buns, over-cooked (limp) broccoli, choice of milks (white, brown, red) or water and fruit cocktail. Apparently mustard is NOT in favor in elementary school so they had to go find the packets in the cooler. It was an interesting experience.

That night we met with James Mraz and the kids at a Hibachi restaurant. Knew there would be noise there, but forgot how they showed off with fire and flames. Trish was sitting near

Back patio of Ringling mansion

Marble terrace with view of stained glass windows in the mansion.

two of the chefs and had flames leaping up around her. Unfortunately, she has a deep, abiding fear of fire and flames; it was not a comfortable experience for her.

Saturday was Drew's soccer game so we met the kids about 1100 at the fields and watched him play. They have significantly smaller fields for the younger kids, smaller goals and no goalie. There were also only 4 kids to a side on the field per team at any one time and the coach ran up and down with the kids, providing guidance and support. Drew seemed to enjoy this more than the football we saw 2 years ago or the karate he took for a couple of years. After the game, and lunch, Jen brought home a new Slip 'n Slide and set it up in the back yard. The boys had fun sliding, bouncing, and getting soaked on a hot afternoon. When it was time to go, we hugged all and said goodbye since the next day we would be heading home.

We left Sunday morning and got to Columbus, GA where we spent the night at a Corps of Engineer campground. It was good and

Dining mural at Dennis and Ellen's

They had a blank wall and had a local artist paint a scene of Siesta Key on the wall. This is a flat wall, but the artist matched curves in the home and made it look like it was 3-D arch.

relaxing drive and the campground was peaceful and quiet; only a faint sound of trains in the distance and the hum of powerboats on the lake puttering along as the fishermen came in for the evening. Monday we came on home and started with the unloading, cleaning and maintenance needed around the house.

It's been a good trip and we learned several things; most important was that I could handle the driving and though I found myself getting more tired than I wanted, we can go out and keep traveling. Now we are looking forward to our next trip.

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