Friday - Mostly Sunny and Definitely Warmer!

Any early rise for Ken and when I came out at 7 we had "lost" our only major network on TV, so no opportunity to watch the morning news.  Instead, we had some great conversation, a very good trade off.  

I finished yesterday's blog, did devotions and we both showered before Ken cooked us breakfast - omelettes that were so good!  We cleaned up and I put things in their proper place for travel since we will be leaving by about 8 tomorrow morning for Harbor Lakes, our permanent destination until April, except for a 10 day trip back home for Christmas.  

Ernie and Noela kept busy all morning preparing their 5th wheel for storage while they are home for Christmas and then the trip back to Canada starting tomorrow.  They did some laundry and packed their warm clothes and anything else that had to go to Canada and also put dry food they wanted to keep in their RV while they are gone in a sealed container.

Ken and I went for a walk around the CG but didn't get very far before meeting up with a fellow camper from PA who comes to Lititz fairly regularly to buy his coffee at Wiff Coffee in the downtown area.  We had a nice long chat with him.  So much for a long walk.

Back to Wilbur and Ernie and Noela had returned from a trip to Wal-Mart.  We chatted a little and then all ate lunch before leaving around 1 in our CRV to go to Fred Howard Park.  Ken and I had been there about 7 or 8 years ago and knew it was a beautiful beach area at the end of the 3/4 mile Howard Park Causeway.  What a great setting! 

There were only about 4 dozen people there!

Ernie decided to take a nice long stroll.

A view of the causeway from the Park!

This would make a great setting for a wedding!

Ken enjoyed taking photos of the different types of birds!

We did some walking and then Ken and I made a heart in the sand and wrote Happy Anniversary in it for Dane and Jamie, because today is their 16th wedding anniversary.  Ken took a photo and sent it to them!

I realize I spelled anniversary wrong but I only had so
much room in the heart!!  Can't believe our daughter has
been married for 16 years, but they are definitely each
others soul mate!

We left the beach around 4:15 as the sun had "gone away" and it was starting to get a bit cool.  We stopped for coffee on the way back.  Ken loaded our bikes, we showered, and at 6:30 we went over to Ernie and Noela's to have pizza  that she made, but we each provided our own salad.  We did dishes and then played a whole game of Hand and Foot with only a difference of 80 points going into round 4.  At the end, we didn't have to count the point, because the women won by a rather large margin!

Back to Wilbur around 9:30 and after finishing this blog, it was off to dreamland.  The 4 of us head out tomorrow - some returning to the cold and the other 2 heading south.  I am thankful to be the ones heading to the warmer weather.  We will get our chance to "freeze" in about 2 weeks when we go back to Lititz for Christmas!

Thursday - Another Sunny, But Cool Day!

Ken was up early to do his morning routine.  We watched 25 minutes of the morning news and then Ken decided he would go back to bed for a short nap.

I finished yesterday's blog, did my devotions and later wrote notes to our granddaughters and a thank you to Jamie for hosting us for Thanksgiving.  Ken did some packing up outside because we will be leaving here on Saturday morning.  Ken and I took a walk around the CG and we were surprised at how large it really is and the number of permanent park models.  It is a very friendly and welcoming park with some nice amenities.  

We ate lunch, packed water and a few snacks and by 12:30 the 4 of us were on our way to Starkey Wilderness Park about 10 miles from the CG on the east side of Port Richey.  What a beautiful park that looks like old Florida with lots of different types of vegetation.  We got on our bikes and rode about 13 miles on their nicely paved trail seeing some deer along the way.  It was partly sunny and the temperature got to the upper 50's.  Fortunately there was very little wind - hallelujah!  

A beautifully maintained paved bike path!

Very natural landscaping!

It was nice to deer along the trail!

After completing our ride, we hiked about 1 1/2 miles on a nature trail that was so nice!

We enjoyed "hiking" this natural trail!

A small wooden bridge!

Noela and I were behind Ernie and Ken so we threw some
pinecones just beside them and it was fun to see them
jump and their big eyes as they looked around for some
"scary" critter, like an armadillo!

This was one gigantic tree!

We stopped at Dunkin Donuts on the way back arriving at the CG at 5:30.  Ken and Ernie unloaded the bikes and I sauteed onions, peppers, and grilled chicken for our salads.  We ate, cleaned up and watched the evening news.  At 7 we went to Ernie and Noela's to play Skip-Bo.  The women finally won Skip-Bo, something that hardly ever happens for me no matter who's my partner, and the men were victorious in Racko.  It was a fun evening.

We were in bed by 10 after an enjoyable day with some much needed exercise for this gal.  I will say my back and hip are cooperating very well so far on this trip.  I think they prefer the warmer weather and why not??????

Wednesday - Sunny Day But Still A Bit Chilly For Florida!

Ken was up at 5:45 to do his morning routine.  I came out at 7 after doing my stretches and devotions.  As per usual, we watched about 20 minutes of the morning news, showered, and got ready for the day.  

We worked together to make omelettes and enjoyed a relaxing breakfast.  Ken made some phone calls, including one to Lanie.  They had a nice chat and we wished her well as she has an interview tomorrow for an aid job at the girls elementary school.  I downloaded photos and worked on the blog.  At 10:30 we went to visit Ernie and Noela to discuss plans for today.

Jamie called while we were there and Ken had a great conversation with her.  We were back to Wilbur by 12 and Ken and I worked together to empty the tanks and then load our bikes on Ernie's truck for a bike adventure after lunch.  We ate lunch, packed a few snacks and water and the 4 of us were on our way to The Pinellas Rail Trail, starting in downtown Tarpon Springs.  This trail is about 42 miles and goes from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg. Ken and I had ridden part of the trail several years ago with Barry and Deb and had enjoyed it, so we were happy to do some of it again. 

Starting the trail in Tarpon Springs!

It is such a nice wide, paved trail.

The markers along the trail are so unique, a whimsical
resemblance to a railroad crossing sign!

We turned around when we reached Palm Harbor enjoying
a total ride of about 10 or 11 miles.  We did get off the
trail to get warm drinks at a 7 Eleven.  They offer a
White Chocolate Peppermint Cappuccino is delicious!

They even offer tools and air along the trail for
minor bike repairs.

It really is a very nice trail!

Ken and I remembered that the  Suncoast Primate Sanctuary was along the trail that there were some caged orangutans and chimpanzees.  Ernie and Noela weren't sure they believed us because seeing monkeys 2 days in a row didn't seem possible!  But sure enough, we found them and they were happy to give us a little show!  A local gentleman told us that some of them were retired Hollywood primates, like the one that did the Samsonite luggage commercial.  What fun! 

This guy loved giving us a show......

...swinging.....

...climbing and swinging....

...and then making sure we enjoyed his act!!!!!  He was
rather verbal too!

We saw a turtle and some ducks along the way too -

It was a rather cool day in the 50's and rather breezy, but a nice day to ride bike.  We were back to the truck by 4:45, loaded the bikes, and drove into the Tarpon Springs Dock area so Noela could buy a loofah sponge (really a sea veggie that looks like a French loaf of bread) that she wants to cut into smaller pieces and give to her children for Christmas.  The main use of this type of "sponge" is for scrubbing pots and pans.  We were back to the CG around 6.

Ken grilled salmon and chicken and we made salads for tonight and tomorrow.  After a delicious dinner we cleaned up and I had a nice phone conversation with Ken's sister.  Ernie and Noela were here from 7:45 to 9:30 and we played a game of Uno with the women being victorious.

We were in bed by 10.

Tuesday - Cold, Blustery Day!

Ken was up by 4:30 and appreciated having a quiet morning to "catch up" on his usual morning routine.  I was awake at 6:15 and did my stretches and devotions.  We watched the morning news and then got ready.

I talked to my good friend, Jackie, my mother, and then left a message for Cindy.  Ernie and Noela stopped by around 8:30 to discuss our plans for the day.  They left to get an oil change for their truck and to stop at a Ford Dealer for a small part needed so they could use their windshield wiper fluid.  Ken and I spent that time making omelettes for breakfast, cleaning up, and then I worked on our blog.

The 4 of us left around 11:15 to head to the Homosassa area, because they wanted to stop at the storage area where they will keep their 5th wheel starting on Saturday until they return after New Year's Day.  From there we went to see the sugar mill ruins and then to the bridge at 3 Sisters Springs, an area where you  can often see manatees going in and out of the natural inlet on the east side of King's Bay.  Fortunately we were able to see many manatees coming into the 3 Sisters Springs, even a mother and her calves.  The wind gusts were up to 30 mph, making the water choppy and harder to see the manatees, but still very enjoyable!

The manatees are very large and so "ugly" that they really
are cute!

This is a channel from King's Bay that goes to the 3 Sisters.
This is a great area to see manatees!

A mother and her calf!

We were so excited to see so many manatees!

Many boat tours are available in this area!

The manatees just kept coming to see us!

We took Route 44 West and drove to the very end, Fort Island Gulf Beach.  Ken and I realized we had gone there at least 7 years ago when we had been in this area.  Only Ernie went to the water's edge, the rest of us decided to stay in their warm truck.

Then it was time to to go to The Freezer, a very unique eatery that is way "off the radar" but a favorite place to get fresh steamed shrimp and known by all the locals!  Again, Ken and I found out about it the last time we were here and were sure that Ernie and Noela would really enjoy it!  They were not disappointed.  I even ate shrimp for my late lunch, so they must have been good!  

The Freezer certainly doesn't look like a very exciting place
to eat, but the shrimp are exceptional!

They don't have menus, you just have to read their hand-
written board!

It really is a huge old freezer that they made into a
eatery!

The 1/2 lb. of shrimp is so fresh because it is brought
in by boats in that area!

This Christmas display was life size and just a small part
of their decorations!

When leaving there we went about 1/2 mile to Monkey Island. a teeny tiny island with a little "playhouse", ropes, a boat, etc. and 4 or 5 spider monkeys - how cute!

Such a small island, but so cute!

Don't you just love these spider monkeys!

Lunchtime!

It is so nice when they are happy to pose for a picture!

We were back to the CG by 5:30 after one stop at Dunkin Donuts for hot drinks!  They tasted great after a rather cold day here in Florida, especially with the wind chill factor.  Ken and I watched the Evening News and at 6:45 went to Ernie and Noela's to play cards.  It was a very successful night for the men, winning all 4 rounds of Hand and Foot - not good!  We were back to Wilbur by 9:30 and we headed to bed!  

We are hoping for a warmer day tomorrow with a lot less wind.  It was still so cold and blustery when we went to bed!