Christmas in the Keys

Currently overnight in Naples, FL
Headed to Siesta Key tomorrow!

We had so much fun in the Keys I did not have time to update this blog.  Forgive me!
So, here goes a long one.

First, here is what greeted us in Marathon.

There is still a lot of clean up going on in the Keys.  Much of the tourist sites have been cleaned up, but houses and some businesses are still being restored.

Cate and Brian were able to join us for the holiday.  Johnny and I slept on an air mattress on the pull out couch and Cate and Brian had the back room.  It was cozy, but we made it work!  They were real troopers.

Once we had a late lunch, we took a sunset cruise.  It was a beautiful evening.

The next day we headed to Key West for a guided kayak tour of the mangroves.

The ladies relaxed while the guys did most of the paddling.

Even the old folks were having fun!

















Our guide pointed out all of the plants and animals native to this area.  We paddled by Jimmy Buffet's old house, too!



The mangroves are plants that create little canals in the water.  There are so many small canals that it is easy to get lost.  The mangroves were used by pirates to hide from the British, as well as by gangsters during prohibition to hide contraband.

We saw these old nuclear towers that were used to hold missiles when the US was defending itself against Cuba.  The missiles were removed years ago.

We saw this pelican perched on this post.  It reminded me of my dad's favorite comment about these birds - "his bill can hold more than his belly can!"

We headed into Key West for a tourist visit.  The weather was beautiful so we were able to walk to the Southern Most Point.

We had a drink at Sloppy Joe's (Ernest Hemmingway's old hangout).

Then it was on to Mallory Square to watch the sunset.  This place is something else!  Lots of street performers before the sunset.

Man jumps over trash can

Bongo drum player

Mermaid playing ukelele

Sword swallower

Finally, the sunset!!

After Mass on Christmas Day, we opened gifts.  Here is Christmas Dinner in the Keys!

Cate and Brian left mid afternoon and Johnny and I returned to San Pablo Catholic Church Christmas evening to walk through the prayer garden.  It was full of Christmas lights and had carols playing in the background.  There were several statues of saints, a small lake, and an area to say the rosary along a pathway. Stations of the cross and and area to honor the gospels were also along this path.   Pictures cannot convey how beautiful the prayer garden is, especially when decorated for Christmas.  

I loved the grotto made of shells.

Then we made it back home to our RV - all decorated for the holidays.

While we were in Marathon, we were able to visit with our friends the Hofmeyers who were in Florida for the holidays.  They came to the RV for a visit before they treated us to a wonderful dinner at John's bother's condo in Islamarada.

We had a terrific time in the Keys.  Good-bye Marathon!

River of Grass

Currently in: Marathon, FL
Next up: Siesta Key



While Johnny and I were having fun at the RV park, we did squeeze in some exploration of South Florida.  We went for a ride on a swamp boat, one thing that was on my list of things I absolutely wanted to do during our RV adventure.

Most of these types of boats operate in the Everglades.  Since Hurricane Irma, only 1 of the visitor centers in Everglades National Park is open, but there are several swamp boat tours operating throughout.  We chose one that was about an hour from our RV campground.  It was a beautiful drive down through the northern part of the Everglades.   

Once on the boat, we had several alligator sightings.  The alligator below was just a few feet from us.

              

Early explorers and cartographers called the Everglades "River of Grass" since there is so much swamp grass here.  This alligator was hiding in the swamp grass.

The tour guide explained a lot about the different types of plants and animals that live in this eco system.  There had recently been quite a bit of rain, so our boat ride was smooth.

Johnny wanted to hold a baby alligator at the end of the ride.  Yuck!

Our RV campground was right on the edge of Lake Okeechobee.  There is a 136 mile path around the lake.  We decided to go for a bike ride around the path, but it was a challenge to find the access point. As it turns out, the Army Corps of Engineers has been repairing the dikes around the lake for the last five years, and may continue for the next three years! They are trying to protect the community from flooding.  Finally, we found a 5 mile stretch of the path that had already been repaired.  We picked a perfect day and had a great ride!

Okeechobee is a Native American word for "swamp grass".   There were parts of the path where all we could see was swamp.  But when we finally saw the lake, it was beautiful.

Neighborhood Christmas Party

Currently In: Clewiston, FL
We will be in Florida until mid January; then on to Biloxi, MS

So we stopped in Clewiston before we move on to Marathon Key for Christmas.  Truth be told, there is not much to do in this part of Florida.  Which is just fine because we need a bit of a break from all the touring.  Plus, we lucked into a fabulous RV park.

One thing we have been missing on our travels is friends and family.  We are never in one place long enough to get to know people.  We have met some wonderful folks and shared conversation or maybe an evening by a campfire, but then either they leave or we leave.  Here at the Crooked Hook RV park, we have been around more and gotten to know people a little better.

When we saw this on our drive in, we knew we were in the right place.

The Tiki Bar!  Much of the social activity happens here.  We've been to a couple of cook outs and watched some football too.  On Friday night there was karaoke and a bonfire.  It's run completely by the permanent residents so they serve one kind of beer - Bud Light - $1 each 10 oz. cup.  If you want anything else, it's BYOB.

This decoration on the ceiling makes me laugh.  It's all about gators here in South Florida.

As some of you know, we attended or hosted the Elm Street Christmas party every year.  One of the highlights of our Christmas in Downers Grove.  Last night we went to the RV version of the neighborhood Christmas party.  This one had a live band.

Many long term residents have golf carts to get around the RV park more easily.  Today they had a Christmas parade to collect toys and non-perishibles.  It's corny fun.  Remember - most of these folks are in their 70's and 80's.

Here comes Santa Claus!!!!

Merry Christmas everyone!  We miss you!!!

The good, the bad and the craziness of RV traveling

Currently in:  Clewiston, FL (near Lake Okeechobee)
We will be in Florida until mid-January


So let's start with the good.  We had a wonderful 3 days at Disney.  We decided to visit the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and EPCOT.  We went to Animal Kingdom on a Sunday, which was crazy busy, but the other days were manageable.  Nobody does it like Disney.

Many RV folks love to decorate, especially for Christmas.  Here are a couple of fun RVs at our current place.  We are still working on our outdoor decs.

Now, for a couple of challenges we've had.

First, a while back Johnny had a toothache and went to the dentist in Charleston.  You guessed it- root canal.  Both the root canal and crown are done in 2 appointments each.  Since we had future campground reservations in other cities, we had to drive back and forth a couple of times to get all the dental work done.  Johnny had very little pain throughout the whole thing.  By the way, we went on the Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield website to find providers that were in network and close to our RV parks.  All things considered, we feel like we got off pretty easy.

As mentioned in previous posts, we have had problems with coach power since we started.  We had it looked at and repaired several times along the way.  Finally, we had our inverter replaced in Kissimmee.  Glad I got the extended warranty on the RV!
A few days later we were still having problems so we had all 6 coach batteries replaced too.  Seems like things are much better now, but it took quite a bit of time to get this all done.

While the RV was being repaired, we were driving the Jeep on the highway and a small stone hit the windshield.  CRACK!  So the day we were leaving Kissimmee for Clewiston, Johnny took the Jeep in for a new windshield and the repair guy replaced the batteries.  All before noon.  We unhooked the water and electric, pulled in the slides, raised the levels and took off for South Florida.  Whew!

I've forgotten to mention some funny stuff that's happened too- no photos available on these either.
While on the highway with the RV we missed our exit (bad navigation by yours truly) and had to take a side road to turn around.  Somehow we ended up in the middle of a roadblock.  The police officer was chuckling as he approached and asked us what we were doing on that road.  He gave us directions to get us back on the highway.  Of course after we drove off, Johnny was yelling - "you'll never take me alive!"

A few weeks ago Johnny was in the shower getting ready a day of sightseeing.  All of a sudden I hear - "um, what happened to the water"?  The water to our coach had been cut off!  After checking our water hook up, I called the office only to find out that a water main had broken.  Luckily, we had some fresh water in our tank so Johnny could finish his shower.  Lesson learned: always keep a few gallons of water in the fresh water tank.

Looking forward to karaoke and bonfire at the Tiki hut here at the campground tomorrow night!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Currently In: Kissimmee, FL
Will be in Florida until mid January

Happy Holidays!

Johnny and I have had a hard time getting into the holiday spirit since it warm and sunny here.  So we stopped by the dollar store and bought decorations.  Then we played Christmas music on the iPod, lit a pine scented candle and went for it.  The results...an RV Christmas!

Tinsel and lights add to the festive feel!

Obviously Johnny isn't putting up the train set this year, but that did not prevent him from creating a little RV scene.

Naturally, my side has the Nativity scene.

Hopefully we don't knock it all over when we have dinner.

The stockings were hung over the fireplace with care...

Please notice our tree sitting on the table - Charlie Brown and Linus inspired.  It's the best we could do.  Now, back to the Christmas carols!

Home Sweet Home

Currently In: Kissimmee, FL
Will be in Florida until mid-January

Hey all
My posts are going to be a little light over the next few days for 2 reasons: 1) I was in Chicagoland this past weekend and 2) we are "doing Disney".

My nephew Jeremy was in an event at Montini Catholic High School in Oakbrook, IL so that was the perfect time to fly back from Orlando.  I was able to stay with my mother - did we have fun!  I also saw a couple of my sisters and their families which was a real treat.  Kevin and Marianne Keefe handed off a big packet of mail (and a glass of red wine)!

One evening I took a tour of the old neighborhood.  I must say DG (Dowers Grove) is doing a wonderful job with Christmas lights this year.  Everyone got the decorations out early with the warm weather, I suppose.  I was able to visit with several neighbors and share in another adult beverage.

While I was gone Johnny was in Florida getting a few things done on the RV, getting our own Christmas decorations out, and visiting friends in Siesta Key.  He's a good egg.

Johnny has never been to Disney before so we are going to see as much as we can.  Our RV park is about 20 minutes away - very convenient.  Watch out Mickey.  Here comes Johnny Keefe!

1565

Currently in:  Kissimmee, FL
We will be in Florida until after the holidays

There is so much to do in St. Augustine, you could spend a month and still not see everything.  We did not visit anything related to Ponce de Leon, several other museums, nor the college. We chose a few historic sites that interested us.

The city of St. Augustine was founded in 1565 by Spanish explorers, namely Pedro Menendez.  He and his fellow travelers actually saw land on August 28, the feast of St. Augustine, hence the name.  They finally reached the shore on September 8.

The city includes the oldest home, school, parish, drugstore and masonry fort among other things.  When you visit each of these things you learn that after the Spanish, control of the city bounced around between the Spanish, British and the Americans until mid 1800s when it finally became a state.   St. Augustine was attacked several times and purposely burned to the ground on at least 2 occasions.  There is also an interesting history of Native Americans as well as African Americans.

We toured the oldest home which dates back to 1625 and was a simple 2 room house made of coquina, a local rock made of shells.  Future residents, all of whom were well-off, made changes and additions to the home.  Some rooms were actually removed as well.
Also of note, this is the first time on our trip that Johnny and I got the Senior Citizen discount!!

One of the more interesting stories was about this water filtering system below.  The initial owners of the home carried a piece of rock similar to lava on their ship.  They found they could filter muddy water through this piece of porous rock to make clear, and almost drinkable, water.   The water still needed to be boiled to eliminate bacteria.

When you walk through the historic downtown, you realize that many of the restaurants, bars and shops were originally homes.  Several of them are a couple of hundred years old.  Part of the downtown is a  pedestrian walkway with the occasional tourist trolley riding through.  Very fun.         

Several of the older homes just outside the shopping district are Bed and Breakfast establishments.  At one point close to the turn of the 20th century, St. Augustine became resort town for the wealthy which began the tourism industry that is thriving today.

Just across the main drag in the historic part of town is the fort known as Castillo de San Marcos.  It is now run by the National Park Service.  Also made of coquina, most of the fort walls are original to 1695.  The holes from canon fire are still visible.

The NPS does a wonderful job of explaining the history of the fort under several regimes.  They also have a cannon firing demonstration several times per day.  This really draws a crowd!!

Finally, the first thing the Spanish did when they landed in St. Augustine in September of 1565 was to celebrate Mass.  Johnny and I visited the mission of Nombre de Dios (below) just outside of the shopping district.  There is a museum that explains the early history of Catholicism in settling the area, especially describing the relationship with Native Americans.   In addition, there is a cemetery, the 7 sorrows of Mary, the shrine to Our Lady of La Leche, and other memorials.  It is a peaceful place.

Here is a photo of the recreated Rustic Altar where the first Mass in the New World was celebrated.

Our Lady of La Leche is the patron saint of expectant mothers.  Here is a beautiful chapel in her honor.

There is also a dedication to the 450th anniversary of the beginning of the Church in St. Augustine and North America.  This cross towers over the city.

Finally, the Basilica of St. Augustine calls itself "America's First Parish", established in 1565.  It is located in the historic downtown.  The building dates back to the late 1700s as all of the previous buildings had burned down either from attack or natural causes.

I found the interior particularly stunning.

Oops - one more thing.  There were too many visitors there to tour, but I couldn't leave without getting shot of the St. Augustine Lighthouse.  It's still active!!