Friday in the Forest

The weeks remain busy here at Shanty Pond. Billy and I picked up the boat in Astor, FL and enjoyed dinner at the The Blackwater Inn and Restaurant on the banks of the St. Johns River. The following day Billy and Kyle took the boat out for a check ride to catch a few fish. I remained behind to tidy up the motor home, with plans to lighten the load and secure "stuff" for the trip to Elijah Clark State Park in a few weeks. Yesterday we enjoyed a ride on the Centennial Trail at Big Scrub with Kathy and JC. It is a 45 mile trail so we stayed busy most of the day. The day started out a bit shaky when Billy flushed the toilet and the pump continued to run. Thankfully we were still home to see the water flowing out of the bathroom before the entire motorhome was flooded. To clean up the mess I emptied the linen drawer; therefore, I am off to the laundry mat early this morning. While posting today's blog I saw a parade of wild turkey strut down the middle of the road in front of the motor home. They were somewhat separated....wish I could have snapped a photo of them all together. Life is Good Today.

St. Patrick's Day Picnic In the Forest

This afternoon we plan to gather at the OHV (Off Highway Vehicle) Center for a St. Patrick's Day picnic. I am baking my first cake in this "Easy Bake" oven, so I hope it turns out okay. The propane ovens seem to cook much hotter, but I have left a pizza stone in the oven as other bloggers have suggested. We'll see.

We went to Gator Joe's Beach Bar and Grill for dinner with Kyle and his parents for Billy's birthday. Wow! Thanks Kyle for showing us that restaurant. We would have never found it without your guidance. It is situated on the edge of Lake Weir in Marion County and was established in 1926. It is a great place to enjoy a beautiful sunset on the lake. Gator Joe was a 16 foot 7 inch alligator that lived on Lake Weir in the early 1900's. Joe caught his fame from the Ma Barker Gang who tried to kill him on several occasions, but Joe ultimately got them instead. His local legend led the FBI to the Barker Hideout on January 16, 1935 and after a 4 hour gun battle the Barker Gang all lay dead. In 1952 Joe crossed paths with a local gator hunter. Since then Joe's foot has had many homes in Florida and now is displayed at Gator Joe's. Now that's the "rest of the story." On the way to Gator Joe's we drove the dirt roads through the forest in search of critters. A deer in a group of three almost hit our truck and a small bear (about a year old) crossed the road in front of our truck.

Below are photos of Kinley's Easter dress and undergarments! Now to make a Hawaiian dress for our little wahine. Life remains good today!

Fishing? Riding Trails and Birthdays

Yesterday, Billy prepared the boat for a day on the water and picnic while I walked around the campground. It was exciting to see bear prints and scat about again, because the bears have been quiet for a few weeks now. We took the boat and Maggie across the street to Salt Springs, and we were really looking forward to enjoying the clear spring water, fish and manatees. After launching the boat and traveling only about 100 yards we broke down. Never fear.....we dropped anchor and enjoyed the beautiful day and our picnic before limping back to the boat ramp. We then drove the boat in to the little town of Astor for repairs.

With fishing out of the question we decided to enjoy Billy's birthday today out riding the trails. We inhaled another good breakfast at Square Meal then drove out to the OHV Center Trails. We were disappointed that we didn't see one bear, but the weather was absolutely beautiful and we saw lots of bear signs. When we drove into Shanty Pond to return home we passed our Ranger, Kyle and his mom and dad who were here visiting. They turned around and spent some time out under the trees chatting. We plan to meet them at the Ranger Station to go out for Billy's birthday dinner tonight.

We were saddened to have missed the Ocala National Forest Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. I had an urgent and sudden appointment with the Radiology Doctors. Thankfully, I can report that all is fine and normal, and that life goes on!

I had the biggest bestest surprise night before last. B and L telephoned to tell us that they are expecting another baby girl in August. Gee! They will have two girls 13 months apart. This Memaw has gotten REAL busy finishing off Kinley's Easter dress, slip, and panties. I am already anticipating making two Christmas dresses for this Christmas AFTER I make all the fun summer clothes that I have been planning for years now! So you see.....Life Is Good Today! Happy Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband and best friend!

Plant City Strawberry Festival Time of the Year!!!!!

Billy and I continued our habits of recent days and stayed busy through the weekend....piddle here, piddle there. Sunday morning we drove to Tampa to enjoy the night and day with Kevin, Marianne and Jackson. What a fun busy day we enjoyed. We took Jackson to the Tampa Zoo in the afternoon and enjoyed a day with the animals and playing in the water park area. Jackson had a blast. We returned home to Marianne's house and prepared to go to Plant City to the Plant City Strawberry Festival. Marianne and Kevin surprised us at Christmas with tickets to see Reba at the Strawberry Festival. We dropped Jackson off at Kevin's Mom and Dad's house in Plant City before driving over to the festival. There we visited with Jean, Bill, Granny, Jordan and Evan. Bill had just come in from the strawberry field next door with a three gallon bucket full of fresh red, sweet, big, juicy strawberries. I sat down next to the bucket while everyone visited and almost ate my fill of strawberries still warm from the sun. The festival was crowded as usual with everything you could ever imagine to eat. I had the BESTEST fried cheddar cheese nuggets from Wisconsin while the others enjoyed corn dogs. Wish I could have frozen some of that to bring home. For dessert I had an elephant ear that was so big I couldn't eat the whole thing. I KNOW! Not one of us had strawberry shortcake. Parkesdales does not sell shortcake at the festival so we decided to do strawberry shortcake another day. The Reba concert was magnificent. Billy believes that it is the best concert that he has ever attended. I enjoyed each and every song, and I could have sat there in the outside arena all night listening to her sing. When we went to Jean and Bill's to pick up a tired little Jackson, they gave us the bucket (what was left after I invaded) of strawberries to bring home.

On the way back to the Forest today we stopped off at Hillsborough River State Park and had a nice lunch with Ray and Mary Frances. They were volunteers with us at Elijah Clark State Park last year, and they will be returning to be with us there again this summer. It was really fun seeing them again. I'll leave with you the thought that Billy is on his way to the store for some pound cake and whipped cream, and I believe we are having strawberry shortcake for supper. You see....."Life is Good Today!"

Wildfire Safety Meeting in the Forest

Learned today that in case of wildfire in the forest, we need to run or make lemonade! We had quite a crowd at the Safety Meeting, and even met a few new people. We are sad to say that we are bidding "good-bye" to Sandy and Carl who have been our wonderful neighbors here in Shanty Pond. They have been volunteering at the Salt Springs Visitors Center here in the Forest, and now they are heading out west for the summer. You lucky dawgs! Happy Trails!!!!!!!

After the Monthly Safety Meeting this morning we enjoyed a yummy lunch at Square Meal. Billy is out with the chain saw destroying dilapidated picnic tables and I have begun to pick up fallen limbs and debris and tidying up each of our campgrounds.

Yesterday we had to drive the truck in to Ocala for a weeks worth of repairs. Let's just leave it at "there are surely a lot of trees in the Forest here." Tomorrow, I have an outpatient surgery Endoscopy procedure planned, and hopefully on Friday we will be out riding the Centennial Trail in our ATV! When oh when did we ever find the time to work and raise our beautiful children? "Life Is Good Today!"

Good Morning from a Rainy Forest

Billy and I seem to be continuing our "heavy schedule" of things to do. We spent a night and two days in the RV Service Center in Ocala Thursday and Friday. Hopefully, we finally got some stuff repaired correctly this time. They put in yet another kitchen counter because the last one that was replaced buckled around the sink again in just a few days time. Bad engineering. This time they replaced it with an upgraded Corian countertop, so we are Happy Campers. Pun intended. Now we long to replace the remaining formica countertops and table with Corian. Having two whole days to stay away from the motor home in the BUSY city of Ocala was financially draining on our wallets. We spent the two days shopping. Stopped and had a tire that had picked up a nail repaired, had two doctor's appointments, shopped at Gander Mountain to pick up items that we can use to play/swim in the lake at Elijah Clark State Park, freshened our limited wardrobes from Forest clothing to hot/hot/hot weather clothing, and of course I sewed on Kinley's Easter outfit. Her dress is almost complete but the French Hand Sewn slip and panties are taking me forever. That is quite okay because I recall with great fondness that the first Heirloom sewing that I ever completed was an Easter dress, slip, and panties (diaper cover) for Caroline. I have been shamelessly addicted ever since that time.

We are tickled to have a few campers here in the campground with us. They are part of the Escapees RV group. You may ask where they escaped from, and I would have to say they have escaped from a "normal" (define normal) life to a life of traveling around the country enjoying each and every stop. They are from parts afar such as Canada, Montana, South Dakota, Georgia, state of Washington and Maine. As for ourselves, we so wish the gas prices would drop down so we can travel back out west and explore more places. It is such an adventure to stay in a new area long enough to learn the peculiarities that make it unique. Until the gas prices fall we will continue to explore and enjoy the South that we so adore.

We have learned that next October when we return to Ocala National Forest we will be going to Big Scrub Campground. It is in the southern end of the forest and quite different from the very primitive spot that we are now enjoying. Never fear....still FL Black Bears! It is a campground with not one but TWO brand new and nice shower houses - yippee! It hosts 45 miles of The Centennial Trail (ATV or also called Off Highway Vehicle) that branches out directly from the campground. There we will be responsible for maintaining (rake, smooth, trim, saw) the trail and will also act as campground hosts for the campers who check in mostly on the weekends with their ATV's. They are even building a "Tot Lot" out there now which will be a fenced area designed strictly for the use of the young children learning how to drive the ATV. We will have cell phone service, sewer, WATER, electricity, and must I repeat......BATHROOMS! We look forward to doing something different. Yup! "Life Is Good Today!"

JC and Kathy (from Wisconsin) who volunteer at the OHV (Off Highway Vehicles) Center stopped in for a visit yesterday. We sat outside under the trees and planned a St. Patrick's Day get together and trip to ride the Centennial Trail next Friday!

Thanks for stopping in for a visit and I promise to blog more frequently. We are having such a good time, but fear that it all sounds quite boring to friends and family. I assure you that Billy and I are NEVER bored. Our boat still sits lonely under the trees in front of our motorhome. We are so looking forward to going fishing and taking the boat down the Salt Springs to see the springs, clear water, and Manatees that swim there. When did we ever have the time to work?