Category: The Big Trip Page 2 of 4

February 11, 2005

Up this morning, to cool temperatures as it came close to freezing last night and the sun had not warmed up things yet. On the recommendation of the campground host – went to Perry (25 miles) to try to get our boat motor fixed. The place that he recommended could not get to it for another two weeks – and in turn we were recommended that we go to St. Marks (45 miles the other direction). Proceeded to St. Marks – (partially as we were planning to go there at some point anyhow) – only to discover that this marina would not have time to look at it for a month. Guess we will have to continue to look elsewhere for a less busy repair shop.

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February 4, 2005

Awoke this morning to a cool and overcast sky – with a light mist / rain falling. Packed up the RV and headed a couple of miles down the road to the Skunk Ape Research Headquarters’ and Campground (for those of you who are wondering a Skunk Ape is believed to be related to our Sasquatch). Anyhow, Jack drove in as we were getting out of the motor home (he was still in his bare feet) and got the WiFi turned on for Dad – while the others went on a guided tour of the menagerie of birds and animals that they have.

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January 28, 2005

Into Florida City to take the computer in (back about 10 miles from the entrance of the Everglades) and to be back to the campground so that we could do the “Wet Walk” by 2:00. – Easy right – not.

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January 21, 2005 –

Decided to forgo the breakfast at the campground this morning and the kids concentrated on getting their schoolwork completed. This afternoon went into Clewiston – to see their small museum and a video on the sugar cane process – since the kids couldn’t take the tour. The highway was busy as this was the last day of the bass fishing tournament – and there were those staying around for the awards and prize money – and those on the road, as they did not do well enough. (Those that did not do well here – were moving on to the next location early so that they could scout out the best spots – in order to do better in the next tournament).

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January 14, 2005 –

Well the rain started about 5:30 this morning – and came down hard until about 8:30 when Mickey decided to wake up and bless us with his presence – poor boy must have needed his sleep. He did more rollercoaster type rides yesterday than he has done in all his previous years – and even wanted to repeat Space Mountain without encouragement from anyone else.

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January 7, 2005 –

This morning we woke up to a warm and muggy day. We headed east towards Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. Passed through some rain showers by before getting to the coast – but by the time we got to the Center it was 84 degrees. On the way we passed through the little town of Christmas, Florida. It has a museum; community center and you can just imagine the decorations. There was even an RV park there – complete with year round decorations and site numbers placed on 6-foot candy canes. When Dad suggested that we move there – the idea was just laughed at. (Guess they have lost that Christmas spirit).

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December 31, 2004:

Lazy morning this morning – up slowly – and down to the beach for a short walk. Found a number of interesting shells – including a mermaid’s purse, and a puffer fish.   While we were out, another rig pulled in behind us – and it turned out to be the single lady we had seen at the previous resort. Not only was she unusual to be a retired lady travelling alone, but was also the first African-American we had seen travelling in an RV. Really enjoyed our conversation with “Gloria” who turned out to be a retired teach from Washington, DC. Gloria has been travelling for a number of years – and even makes income on the road through a Shaklee Distribution network. Gloria said that she really enjoyed hearing the voices of our kids playing – as it brought back many warm memories from her teaching days. She also has a wonderful singing voice – and was trying to get us to attend their non-denominational service at the Club House on Sunday.

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December 24, 2004

In an effort to get fully into the spirit of the season (with drizzling rain and no snow) Dad had managed to bring enough Christmas Carols in MP3 format to play for 21 hours without repeating any – and had them playing throughout the day. Also started into a round robin Canasta tournament to help us feel that we were back home with the Reed clan. The elf was up to no good again and hid the boy’s gifts from Grandma Reed. It is amazing how well he can hide gifts in a place as small as the motor home, leaving the boys puzzled for over 15 minutes. However, they eventually were found and the boys had some fun with their new Nintendo games, Thanks Grandma.

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December 17, 2004

The boys were up early and into the lodge to start on their school work for the day. They were putting up the itinerary for the weekend – as there are a lot of the regulars that are planning to come out – there are a couple of Christmas events and pot lucks planned. As a result the boys had to find a small Christmas gift for a gift exchange on Saturday – so we headed into Madison for the afternoon. It unfortunately did not warm up enough for the lizards to be out and about – and after tomorrow it is supposed to get colder – and they are predicting about zero Fahrenheit with the wind chill on Monday.

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December 10, 2004 –

This morning we awoke to high clouds and sun – and the rain abated – at least for the early part of the day. The forecaster this morning stated that since the first of the month there has been between 7 and 11 inches of rain (depending upon which community or county you live in). That is an average of over an inch a day. They were also reporting that the county has had 17 inches more rain this year than on average year – so it is little wonder that fields, woodlots, and ditches are filled with water.

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