Mar 28, 29, 30

Saturday was a relatively quiet day - walk, wash motor home, find some items for the wedding (can't tell), time by the pool, watched the sunset at Bonita Beach and ate a really, really delicious pizza at Doc's on the beach and watched the" people " activities. Some neat bikes hanging around. Oh ya, we whopped the boys at bridge again.

After our walk on Sunday we hit the road for the north, not too far north, just enough to visit some other friends. We stopped in Punta Gorda to visit a retired Kubota dealer, and they gave us a great tour of the area in the pouring rain. The 3 day of rain they have had since Nov. To top the visit off, Ron took us to a permanent antique car show that just opened. There were 110 GM cars from the 1930's to the 1970's. Over 50 of them were corvettes - there was at least one for every year they were made. They even had a 1940's and a 1960's suburban. Enjoyed the visit immensely. As we headed out to Tampa we decided to try and catch the Ottawa/Tampa hockey game. Gave a call to Roy and Sharman to get directions and where to buy tickets - her brother knew someone and we ended up with corner bowl seats. Enjoyed the game on the ice (ottawa won) especially watching players like Martin St.Louis, Le Cavalier, Heatley, Spezza and Alferdsen. Also the show in the stands is interesting also and we did get our picture up on the big screen in center ice. We had our 3 seconds of glory !

Monday is sunny and warm but a lot cooler than Bonita Beach. The humidity is less. We had our daily walk ( oh I hope we can keep it up when we get home - Vicki keep walking ) and then visited the dealer where we bought the motor home to set up a service appointment. When you are in the sun it is really hard to think of snow and stormy days. Had a visit and lunch with Roy & Sharman and we were on the beach at North Redington to see if the sand and surf were still there. Happy to say everything is sandy and hot. Bernie has out done his yearly trips to the grocery store and came shopping again today. Leslie, we drove thru Dunedin and right by Rainbows End but they were closed. I wonder if Bernie planned that ?? A great barbecue to top the night off .

Mar 27

Happy birthday Greg. The wind is blowing again today and I guess it kept the Dows up all night. They have been away from the Maritime coast toooooo long. The sun is out and another beautiful day. On the road by 9am and heading north looking for an air boat ride on the Everglades. One important stop along the way before we pass over the last bridge off the keys (42 0f them)  - Key Lime Pie and lime juice and lime marmalade and lime salad dressing. I think we have the "lime thing" covered. Moving right along at an average speed of 40mph we find our air boat - Coopers, the original air boat tours of the Everglades. Off for an hour with our guide who took us skimming over the water and over some grass. The water level is really low. A couple of times we had to slow for a gator and bump right over him. Saw lots of herons, other huge birds, (lots of pictures Vicki) alligators, turtles, woodpeckers, small birds, water plants. We had stopped in at the Everglade Info Center a few days ago and the info we received helped a lot. The boat was great and it reminded us of touring the Amherst Marsh (without the alligators of course). One of the highlights of the trip so far. They had some huge gators in pens and it was hard to tell if they were alive - just a glimpse of the throat moving would give them away. All of a sudden one yawned and scared the living daylights out of us. They were serving up gator and frogs legs but we didn't partake. Back onto the highway and into concrete city live - traffic, sirens, heat, people. Parked the RV and headed to the Dow's for a beautiful steak barbecue and early night. No wind blowing so Steve and Denyse figured they would get a good nights sleep. Received e-mail from Burton and he is having a hard time picturing Alan barbecuing in his "thong". Happy dreams. 

Mar 26

Happy birthday Katja. Another beautiful, sunny day on the Keys. Apparently the wind blew quite a bit last night according to Steve and Denyse. I guess they don't live in an older house in the Maritimes as Bernie and I did not hear or feel a thing. We were on the road by 10 and headed south to Key West for a walk around the city. On the way we stopped at the Key West Golf Club for a look around - nice spot. We parked at the most southerly point in the US and walked and walked and walked. Visited the light house and museum and very proud of Steve as he made it to the top - not outside but to the top. He had a nice English fellow keeping him company while their wives had a look at the city. Along the way we visited St. Paul's Episcopal Church with the beautiful stain glass windows (apparently insured for a million dollars) and they had a couple giving a recital on a grand piano and then on the organ. Very moving. Of course we had to stop at Sloppy Joe's (a favourite in Key West) for a cool one and lunch. They had a super guy playing guitar & banjo & singing. The waitress was an English lady and we had quite a lively conversation after she found out that the night before we were across the street having dinner when a man feel down some stairs and was injured. Apparently his nick name is Tippy Timmy and is a tour guide with a drinking problem - therefore, his nickname. Quite a frequent visitor to all the local bars. And to make it a small world, the waitress's ex was from PEI with a last name of MacGuigan. More walking, bought hand made Key West sandals, saw the world's smallest bar, a pirate with a peg leg and parrot on shoulder, Ernest Hemmingway's house, a gold painted mime, eyebrow houses, shot gun houses, and walked some more. On the way back to our RV we checked out another campground (Boyd's) at mile 5 and for anyone coming to the Keys that is the one to stay at or the Bahia Honda State Park (need to book 11 months ahead) at mile 35. We visited the park and sat on the beach for a while - really windy and a bit cool for swimming but a beautiful park. Dinner was at the Boondocks at mile 27.5 and would recommend it highly.

Denyse and Jen whopped the boys again at bridge - two nights in a row. Night, night to all.

Mar 24, 25

Hi to all in the snowy north. The only reminder we have of home is the wind. Steve and Denyse were commenting that the wind blew a gale last night and there were noises everywhere. I guess  they don't live in an old house in the Maritimes. Bernie and I never heard a thing. 

We had a slow start to the day on Tuesday, coffee, walk, news on the internet, etc but finally on the road by 11 in time to drive 30 miles towards Key West and stop at Big Pine Key. Don and Joanne Giberson (who used to live in Amherst and owned the Canadian Tire)  wanted us to stop and have lunch with them. They put on a huge feed and we had a great visit. We drove another 10 miles down the road to Key West and pulled into the KOA Sugarloaf camp ground. Anybody see a pattern ? The driving is getting less and less. Saves on diesel. We are really amazed how populated the Keys are, knew the driving would be slow, at the State Parks you have to reserve 11 months in advance, and the temp is moderate - no huge highs and lows. Barbecued with our "new barbecue thong" (my younger brother, again, commented he had never barbecued in a thong before. My spelling - should have been tong. Brings back memories of Dad circling my spelling mistakes and mailing a letter back to me. Just a younger version doing it to me now ), a quiet night listening to the water and trying another game of Mexican Train. The local entertainment was watching a couple iquanas waddle around - one was 4' and the other 2'.

Wednesday we rented a car as we are 20 miles north of Key West and we had been told by several people - Don't drive the motor home in Key West. Off to the city we go with all our gear - cameras, swim gear, tourist info, hats, water - you know the stuff to make us look like tourists. The first thing we had to do was have lunch and a wet one at the Hog's Breath Pub. By the name you can get a picture of what it looked like. Their motto is "A Hog's Breath is Better Than No Breath At All". Bernie and I did the Trolley Car 1 1/2 hr tour which was well worth the dollars. There is so much history here and so many historic homes - around 4000 homes on the Historic Homes List. Lots of people, very few chickens, saw the Little White House, watched the Buskers on the water front, walked and people watched, met up with the Giberson's by chance, had to eat again, at Fogarty's this time, listened to some bands in different bars (memories of Nashville music in bars) and back to the motor home by 9pm. It was really windy so all boat activities were not on our list for the day. The girls whipped the boys at bridge !!!

Mar 22, 23

Sunday was a day of walking, Bernie and Steve did some RV maintenance and we all did a bit of shopping for odd things like sunglasses, barbecue thongs, roasting dish for the RV, beer. A lot of traffic with very long lights but the sun is shining and it is warm. Packing for the Dows, barbecue for supper and an early night.

Monday we hit the road for the Keys along the 41. Great road and tons of alligators along the ditches sunning themselves and looking very meek and mild. We did not stop to take a picture ! Could not believe the amount of cash crops and nurseries along the way. There were miles and miles of tomatoes being picked. Before we hit the keys we stopped at a State Park Info centre and saw an excellent film on the everglades - how they were, what they are and what they want them to be again. Learned a lot and we hope to take an air boat ride thru the everglades on the way back to Bonita Beach. To start our trip off on the Keys we stopped at Alabama Jack's for a cold one and some Conch Fritters. My they were good. We putted along thru Key Largo and pulled into Fiesta Key campground right on the beach to watch the sunset. Barbecue, the Dow's initiation to Mexican Train and the camp make up the beds routine played out the night.

Mar 21

Good to be rooted in one place for a couple days. Great visit with Annie especially after we  straightened out the question "How is the lovebird?" (we are asking about Chris) but Annie was thinking we were talking about her real live "lovebird". She answered the question by saying "He is great. He moved out and is living with Mom's mother. We all had some very strange looks on our faces wondering why her boyfriend was living with her grandmother. A few chuckles over that one. Had our first game of golf , a lot of fun, a lot of shots, and we will not discuss the scores. All I can say is that the Long Island Ice Teas were delicious afterwards. Cheers to all.

MAr 18, 19, and 20

The days have slipped by especially without computer hook up every day. You know you are ruffing it when there is no WiFi. We have had a great trip from Mrytle Beach to Bonita Springs at Steve and Denyse's. Leaving Myrtle Beach we braved the cold and went to capris and shorts and it worked ! By the time we hit mid Georgia we were up to 22, people were cutting lawns and the trees were covered in leaves. Beautiful. Rolled thru on the 95 to St. Augustine in Florida on Wed and found a campground on the marsh. 

The next day we spent the morning exploring the historic town of St. Augustine and having some great conversations with crafts people at a historic working village. The blacksmith gave us animated discussion on Divinci and his drawings and concepts. The calligrapher was a retired history professor who liked the Irish, not the presbyterian Scots, and when he heard we were from NS he shook his head (the expulsion of the Acadians). It was a fun morning and we had a few laughs. Headed to Daytona Beach and "drove by "the speedway. It is huge !!! Found our way to the beach and "did" lunch with a few hundred of our closest friends. They all had their vehicles on the beach but we decided to leave the RV on dry land.  Fun time to watch people roll by, sun was out and the surf was up. Continued south on the 95 toward Fort Pierce, taking note of a silver alert for a 2003 red oldsmobile (stolen). Near Vero Beach the traffic was slowing down and stopped. Luckily an exit was right there so we detoured, had a scenic tour of Vero Beach and took the 70 across the middle of the state to Lake Okeechobee (2nd largest fresh water lake in US ). Camped in the biggest KOA campground in the world, clean, 9 hole golf course in the middle, friendly. The people across the road were from Ontario and had the exact same motorhome as our last one - same year, same colours, same layout. The people next to them were from St. Stephen, NB. We found out why the traffic was stopped. They found the hijacked car and had  shootout on the 95 with the State Troopers - the hijacker lost big time. 

Friday the sun came up and we were in to 24 degrees by 9am. The drive thru the center of Florida was beautiful in its own way - miles upon miles of orange groves, dairy and beef farms, sugarcane but you cannot see the lake as there is a huge dike surrounding it. You can drive up onto the dyke (much like home) but didn't want to try with the RV. Arrived in Bonita Beach in time to hit the beach for the afternoon with Steve, Denyse and Annie - that first swim is always so great but you do forget how salty the water is. Dinner at an Asian restaurant and we called it a day. Happy dreams to all.

Mar 16 and Mar 17

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all you Irish. We have managed to find a St. Paddy's party in  Myrtle Beach at a local pub with a bunch of Nova Scotian's (wearing the tartan) playing the pipes. The local decor included hats, Irish mini skirts, dyed green Santa beards (and they were real hair on the chin), and green Bud Light bottles. Apparently it is one of the biggest sellers in Ireland. 

Yesterday we were on the road at 7am and it was a typical NS April day - fog, rain, everything gray and only 9 degrees. A great day to travel. By the time we hit North Carolina palm trees were evident, grass is green and shrubs are all in bloom. Cruised our way thru the town of Pinehurst and surrounding  area and there are one bunch of pine trees. Miles and miles of huge pine trees - very pretty area. Drove into Myrtle Beach in time to have a quick bite and off to a show at the Palace Theatre of Irish Dancers and the Irish Tenors. Great show. Hooked up the RV in the dark and pouring rain but we could hear the surf. Magical. 

Today the rain has cleared, sun trying to peek thru but the wind blowing a gale from the north. Who sent it down ? Rented a car and scouted out the area - miles and miles of hotels and resorts on the beach. I think we have found the only Irish Pub but Bernie is determined to find another pub tonight. I will go along and be a very supporting wife (I might miss something).  Vicki, we did get our walk in today. Cheers to all and have a great night. 

March 15th

Up and on the road by 8. Eager beavers we are. Continued on the #9 thru NH and we twisted and turned, went up hills and down but it was a very pretty drive. Would love to come back in the fall for the scenery and the craft shops, little restaurants and quint villages. The town of Bennington was really unique - huge old stately homes and properties and quaint little stores. Finally hit the 87 and 84 and got back into "the traffic" especially around Scranton and Harrisburg. I've been driving a bit and feel like a real trucker - will have to get myself a handle. Any suggestions ? One spot today the temp was up to 14 but then dropped back to 7. Grass is starting to green up in Virginia and one or two bushes are in bloom. Things are looking up. Staying in a hotel again tonight as it is to dip near zero tonight. All is well. Happy dreams

Sat, March 14

Sunny but cold (-13). On the road by 10:00 but did not cross the border until 11:15 as we had to do a Tim's stop, Globe and Mail stop and a Canadian "pop" stop. A person has to have the essentials ! At the border the only question asked when the guard poked his head in the motor  home was "Did we have any baskets of money back here ?". Humor at the border. Great day for travelling especially after we figured out why there was a draft on our backs. The bedroom window had worked it's way open a few inches. The wind was blowing that -13 degree wind right thru to the front. Also had my "quilting fix" at Keepsake Quilting for an hour. Thousands of bolts of material to fondle. Mom and Les are drolling at this moment. Having a sleep over at the Best Western in NH. Night, night.

  

Heading South, Friday, March 13

We are on our way south for 6-7 weeks . Will miss everyone but what can I say. Some one has to do it. It has been a long and cold winter and the sun and heat will be a nice change. Roads are good but it is bloody cold (-14) and the heater only heats the front of the RV.  Stopped in Woodstock to fuel up ( we won't go there ) and have a coffee with Billy. Then onto Johnville to spend the night with Grammie Jeanne.