Saturday, February 28, 2009

Day 17-20: Flamingo Garden, Bonnet House, Ocean 2009-2-26 thru 28

I need to think back a bit and I hope I remember it all.
Day 17: We spent the day doing laundry and just going to the pool for a swim, nothing real interesting. The only thing of interest is that we where approved by the park and we went to the Rose’s to tell them that and to setup a date and time to go transfer the title to us. We will officially own the trailer Monday afternoon. We also went to Lil and Occie's house, older cousins of Barbara's, for dinner. Their son Bob and his wife Nancy where there visiting from Kansas. George and Pat (Barbara's Brother and his wife) and Flo (Barbara's step mom) also went over for dinner. We had a very enjoyable visit.
Day 18: Barbara and I went down to Fort Lauderdale to a place called Flamingo Garden (
http://www.flamingogardens.org/ ). On the way we followed our GPS and got on the Florida Turnpike which is a toll road. I went to a booth with a person to ask if my EZ-Pass would be good or not and the gate went up as soon as I approached it so I assumed (a bad thing to do) it worked, their system is called Sun Pass. During the long ride down the turnpike I went through three high speed tolls with signs that there was a $100 fine for avoiding the tolls. When we got to the Motel that evening I called Sun Pass and found out that my EZ-Pass was not good on their system, but I could pay the tolls and after telling them where I got on and off they told me I owed them $6.95. I also got the information on where to send the check, this will be done first thing Monday morning. Back to Flamingo Garden, it really is more of an animal rescue and sanctuary then a garden. They have a large aviary you can walk into where the birds are all lose and you are walking among them. They also have many birds that are free to come and go, including several Peacocks and Peahens. This is their mating season so I got some good pictures of the males displaying for the ladies. The short animal talk was on raptors and we saw a Red Shoulder Hawk and a Red Tailed Hawk both that had damage to their left wing and they can not fly, so they will live out their lives at the sanctuary. When we left there we went to our hotel where Barbara had reserved a room with a Jacuzzi tub, she does enjoy a good tub.
Day 19: We started our day with a nice breakfast at the hotel, what they called extended continental. After leaving the hotel we went to Bonnet House Museum & Gardens (
http://www.bonnethouse.org/ ). The house was designed and built by Frederic Clay Bartlett, an artist and want to be architect. We learned that the whole Fort Lauderdale area is all reclaimed swamp land and the canals all through Fort Lauderdale are to manage the water due to the high water table.
Day 20: Well I went for a long bike ride this morning, I do not know how long because the batteries in my bike computer (it just does distance and time) died. I will have to do the same ride next week so I know how far I went. After lunch Barbara and I finally went to the ocean. The water temperature was 68 Fahrenheit. Barbara got wet up to her knees; I went in over my head when the waves came. We then sat on the beach and watched all the other people for about an hour. When we came back to the park we went in the pool for a quick swim and then back to the trailer.
That is all for now, I know this is a long post but I missed doing this for a few days. I will be posting the pictures from our adventures tonight or tomorrow so come back and check them out.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Day 16: McLarty Treasure Museum 2009-02-23

Today Barbara and I went out for the afternoon. We started with returning some items we bought last week at Bealls Outlet. Then lunch at McDonalds, first lunch out this whole trip. Then we drove out to A1A, the main road on the barrier island, up to the Sebastian Inlet State Park and the McLarty Treasure Museum ( http://www.floridastateparks.org/sebastianinlet/Info.cfm ). Treasure Coast, the name for this section of coast line, is not because of the weather but in 1715 a fleet of Spanish treasure ships sunk off the coast. It turns out treasure hunters have been finding millions of dollars worth of gold and silver since the 1960’s. The museum highlights the hunt for and discovery of the treasures that where being transported back to Spain. The fact that the main treasure, the Queens dowry, still has not been found makes it even more interesting.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Day 15: Mardi Gras 2009-2-22

Had a good nights sleep and woke around 6:30. Barbara fixed me a good breakfast of sausage patties and French toast, it was yummy. I went for a bike ride around the park I went around the park 3 times for a total of 11.75 miles. Around 10 am we put on our bathing suits and went for a swim. The water was the same temperature as the air (having a heated pool is wonderful). I did 18 laps of the pool in just under 10 minutes, getting better.
Today is Mardi Gras in Whispering Palms so at 1:30 there was a parade through the park. People decorated their golf carts, bicycles (2 and 3 wheels) even one electric cart. After the parade there was a desert party in the main hall. After I took the pictures I printed out about a dozen and brought them down to show. They give out prizes for three different categories, Golf Cart, Bicycle and Marcher (I think that was it). It was great fun.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Day 14: McKee Botanical Garden 2009-02-21

I had a hard time sleeping last night, maybe I was more worried about buying the trailer then I thought I was (I think it was too much caffeine), and after getting up late Barbara and I packed a lunch and headed to McKee Botanical Garden ( http://www.mckeegarden.org/ ). We where pleasantly surprised to find out they where having the Frabel’s Reflection of Glass on Water exhibit. Hans Godo Frabel (http://mckeegarden.org/frabel/abouttheartist.htm ) is an artist who works in glass. He takes his inspiration from nature and it is just fabulous, see picture album. Some of the pictures do not show the detail. I am going to work on them to see if I can improve the detail, if I do I will repost those pictures.
After we left the garden we drove out to SR A1A to go look at the ocean. I walked out onto the beach and took some pictures while Barbara sat in the car, she was tired.
Then we went to Wal-Mart to get some things like milk and such. We bought some steaks that I cooked on the small charcoal grill I bought when we got here. They where delicious.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Day 13: Home Owners 2009-02-20

Barbara and I got up to a cool day; it only got into the low 70’s. I went to for a bike ride and did one and a half trips around the park when I decided it was just a little too windy. After getting a shower Barbara and I talked more about if we should buy a place down here or not. We came to the conclusion that we would use the place for three winters and if after that we could sell it again. So Barbara filled out the application for the park. Then we went to the trailer we wanted to buy and gave the owners a deposit. Then we went to the weekly Whispering Jammers session. Then it was time to get home to the trailer and go do the laundry. Barbara had to cook dinner for us and Flo, Barbara’s stepmom. So I went to the laundry mat across from our trailer to do the laundry while she cooked. After dinner we played Aggravation Rummy, Barbara won. All in all it was a good day.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Day 11 & 12: Ormond Beach 2009-02-18&19

Well yesterday Barbara and I went to Ormond Beach to visit with her cousin Marge and Marge’s husband Joe. We had a very nice lunch and then Marge and Joe took us to see some sites. Our first stop was Memorial Gardens Park. They have lovely walks through a small park with many types of Palms and flowers. They also have two turtle ponds. The first one we came across there where many turtles sitting on the rocks sunning themselves and what we believe was a Snowy Egret. In the second pool that had a sculpture of two peacocks there where more turtles sunning themselves, some of the smaller turtles where sitting on top of the bigger turtles. These turtles are not native to Florida but come from Long Island New York; they are an invasive species that they have tried to get rid of without much success. We went down the road to The Casements the Florida home of John D. Rockefeller. He bought this house after he was in his 70’s and only lived in it for 20 some odd years. We went on the tour and learned a lot about his life in Florida. After that they took us to the Bicentennial Park where Joe and I walked to the river on a nature path and then back to the ocean side where we found the ladies sitting and talking. The walk was only ¼ mile long so total Joe and I walked ½ mile. It was very interesting there was a point in the walk where you could see the change in the vegetation from small trees and bushes to tall pines and oaks see pictures. We then went back to Marge and Joe’s for a lovely chicken dinner. We left there after more talking and got home (to the trailer) around 9:30PM.
Today we got one step closer to deciding to buy a place in the park. We went to the people of the trailer we looked at earlier and asked a bunch of questions, and took a real careful look around for leaks and other things. Then we went to the park office and asked more questions of the manager. We also got a copy of the rules and a resident application. We will need to fill it out and turn it in and pay $50.00 for a background check. I think we might finalize this by early next week, one way or the other.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Day 10: Central Florida Zoo 2009-02-17

Today we drove to Sanford Fl. to the Central Florida Zoological Park. With our membership to the Morris Arboretum in Pennsylvania we got in free. It is a small zoo and it only took about 1.5 hours to see the whole place. Some of the animals seemed to be in small habitats, but they all looked healthy. I will post the pictures from the zoo on Thursday (I only have Barbara's computer on this side trip). Tomorrow we are going to visit Barbara's cousin Marge and her husband Joe in Ormand Beach, then go back to Whisphering Palms tomorrow night after dinner.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Day 9: Cooking Day 2009-02-16

Today was a cooking day. Barbara made a meatloaf, chili, and two chicken breasts. Then after cleaning up we went to the store. Barbara bought a couple of pairs of pants and a bathing suit. Then we had to go to Wal-Mart to return some chair cushions we had bought earlier in the week. Then I bought some other things we needed. Then we came home and went to dinner at Flo's trailer (Barbara's step mother). We had a very nice dinner and then played a new card game, Level 10, I won after a slow start.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Day 8: Lunch Out 2009-02-15

This morning I got up and went for a bike ride around the park. By going in and out of all the streets I was able to go around the park twice in just over 30 minutes. After that I came home (to the trailer) and Barbara and I went for a morning swim. Then it was time to do laundry and get showers. After that we went to a restaurant at the Vero Beach Airport for lunch with Barbara’s Cousin Lil and her husband Occie. We then went back to their house for a visit. They live here year round and have a very nice house in a development on the outskirts of Vero Beach (sorry forgot the camera so no pictures). After dinner Barbara and I played a game of Parcheesi, Barbara won by one piece. That is all for today, see you all tomorrow.

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Day 7: Valentine's Day 2009-02-14

First thing we had to do was go shopping for some things and food so it was off to the Super Wal-Mart. We got most everything on the list, and a few things not on it. We then came home and after lunch went for a swim. It had gotten hot (in the 80F) so the pool felt great. We sat in the sun for a little while after getting out of the pool until it just got too hot. Then we went over to look at a place that is for sale. It has a new Florida room and shed. The owners are asking $8,000 for everything, so if we decide to buy the place would be fully furnished. The shed is a nice size and I could do some wood working in it. We are going to look at some others and get some answers to some questions from the office before we decide. After that we went over to George and Pat’s place to see it, see pictures in today’s album.
George then came over to our place and showed me how to put up the awning and sun screen, so now we have a place to sit outside, we are now trailer trash (just need to put the car up on blocks).

Friday, February 13, 2009

Day 6: Whispering Jammers 2009-02-13

Today was our first full day at Whisper Palms. I forgot to mention our site is in the back of the park and there is just a few palm trees and bushes between us and the railroad tracks, a very active railroad track. Last night I counted 5 trains between 10PM and 6AM. If the train is heading south and is pulling empty cars it is not so bad, but if it is going north and is full, does the trailer ever shake. Hopefully we will get used to them (everyone tells us you do) and we will not hear them after awhile.
Barbara and I went swimming this morning around 10:30 and stayed until 11:00, it is just wonderful.
After lunch we went to the jam session put on by the Whispering Jammers. Barbara’s Brother George plays guitar and sings with them. It was very entertaining as it is a sing-a-long format and as you can see from the pictures they have some interesting instruments (I really like the bass drum).
Tomorrow will be another day in paradise.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Day 5: Sebastian 2009-02-12

We left the Jacksonville around 8:30AM and arrived at Whispering Palms RV Park around 12:30 PM. The drive was uneventful, just some traffic where they are doing construction on I-95. After checking in at the office, Barbara’s brother George showed us where his fifth wheeler was parked. He had it all setup for us so we just had to unpack the car and put everything away in the trailer. Barbara and I are going to very comfortable here. I took some pictures that I will post later after I can take pictures of the inside of the trailer after all our stuff is put away. We even had a chance to go for a swim this afternoon.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Day 4: Jacksonville 2009-02-11

Today Barbara and I had the day to explore Jacksonville. We started with a wonderful breakfast, including eggs baked in little cups made from bacon, shredded potatoes with onions and other spices, pecan bread, and corn bread muffins. After breakfast we went out to see Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens ( http://www.cummer.org ). After walking through the Gardens we went inside to find the Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit. They had a short film on her work and life that was very interesting. The next exhibit we saw was titled “Women of Vision, Ten Years”. This is art that has been created by women of limited or no sight. They started this 10 years ago with 15 women of limited sight and it has grown.
The next stop was to the Museum of Science and History, MOSH (
http://www.themosh.org). It is a small museum that focuses on science and history of the north east Florida region. On the third floor they have what they called the mini-museum where everything is in miniature. It was all done by a gentleman named, Richard McMahan. A lot of the exhibits are geared to children (I am a big kid) but we enjoyed walking around and then went to the planetarium show.
Then we went back to the B&B for afternoon tea. Barbara just loved the afternoon tea; see the pictures in the album.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Day 3: Florida 2009-2-10

Well we made it to Florida. We stopped at the Jacksonville Zoo ( http://www.jaxzoo.org )which is just north of the city about 5 minutes from I-95. Barbara had a buy one get one free coupon so it only cost us $13.00 to get in. The first thing we wanted to see was the talk on Bald Eagles at noon. We had some time to kill so we got a chance to see the African Flamingoes, and a strange bird I think it was called a spoon billed egret. Then we walked over to where the eagles are and waited for the talk. It was not much of a talk but the person from the zoo explained that the pair of eagles they had both had an injury and they could no longer fly. This pair still mates but the handlers take any eggs away and replace them with fake eggs. They do this because of government regulations and due to the fact these eagles would not be able to teach any young how to fly and hunt. The eggs are destroyed and the shells given to Native Americans who are the only people who can have anything from eagles. We went to the other side of the zoo by train and went into the primate area. They had cute little squirrel monkeys, gorillas and a cousin of the chimpanzee called Pygmy Chimps or Bonobos. The next stop was to go feed the giraffes. That was great fun; the giraffe’s tongue is so long, and quick. When we went over to the Jaguar habitat the black jaguar was in the water trying to catch a fish while her sibling ( the two jaguars the zoo has are from the same litter) was trying to get her attention from the log that was over the water. The black jaguar kept diving under the water and trying to catch a fish, and these where pretty big fish, it was great fun to watch it. There where a few other animal areas along with the jaguars including a giant anteater. We where tiered by then so we got on the train and took it back to the main entrance and headed to our B&B, House on Cherry Street (http://www.houseoncherry.com ). We will be here for the two nights.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Day 2: NC to SC 2009-2-9

I forgot to mention one thing about yesterdays drive. Anyone who has driven the I-95 route to Florida knows about South of the Border and all the billboards that advertize how many miles it is to afore mentioned tourist trap. There aren’t as many billboards and they are not as inventive, but they are there and so is South of the Border.
Today we drove from Smithfield, NC to Bluffton, SC. This took us about five and a half hours. Nothing interesting happened on the drive. After we checked into the hotel Barbara called our friends Helen and Jim who have a house in the area. We went over to their house and then went out to dinner. We had a very nice visit with Helen and Jim.
That is all until tomorrow when we will be in Florida.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Day 1: On Our Way 2009-02-08

Well the car was all packed by Saturday evening, except for the coolers and Barbara and I. If you look at the pictures to the left you will see I packed every inch of the car.
We got up at 5:30AM today and where ready to leave at 7AM. We drove for a little over 5 hours to Agecroft Hall (
http://www.agecrofthall.com ) in Richmond Va. This is an English Tudor estate that was taken apart in Lancashire, England and put back together in Richmond. The estate was purchased for $19,000 and cost $250,000 to take apart, ship and reassemble. The new owners in Virginia also added a lovely English Garden. From the pictures you can see nothing is on bloom, but you can tell it is lovely when it is. One note, the roof is what is called Cut Stone. Each piece of stone looks like it is at least an inch thick. When they put the house back together they reinforced the frame with steel beams.
After leaving Agecroft Hall we drove another 2.5 hours to Smithfield North Carolina to the Comfort Inn we had reservations at. It turns out the Comfort Inn is in a Shoppers heaven, there are no fewer then 3 strip malls full of shops. We had dinner in a Texas Steakhouse; it was a very nice dinner. In a little while I will walk over to the Stone Cold Creamery for our Ice Cream treat.
Tomorrow we drive to South Carolina for a visit with our old neighbors who have a place there so they can get away from the New Jersey winter.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Pack the Trunk day

In the latest album you will see that today was pack the trunk day. We had quite allot of stuff to get into the trunk but I was successful. After packing the trunk we where concerned about the cold temperature, it was in the teens this morning, freezing some of the canned goods. I had to make room in the garage for the car. I had to bring in the metal cabinet we bought last summer at an estate sale and then clear the floor so I could get the car in. It took awhile but in the end I was successful and the car is in the garage. I then put the bike carrier on, once I am sure I will not have to get into the trunk anymore I will put the bike on, most likely that will be Saturday evening.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Getting Ready for Trip to Florida

Next Sunday Barbara and I will be leaving for our adventure to Florida. We have made a list (which keeps getting longer) and are gathering everything in the living room and garage. So far I think everything will fit into the car (anybody have a large shoehorn?). I was hoping to get the car to a carwash before we left but today it is snowing, maybe tomorrow or Thursday. I will update this in the next few days.