The Week in Review-Part One

As I was explaining to Jeremy, the internet at the resort is very spotty, slow, non existent at times and very FRUSTRATING.

As a result trying to post a blog with picts is sometimes futile. It seems when the park is busy, as it currently is, downloading a pict can sometimes take quite a while. 

Bernie and I have been busy keeping up with various activities, chatting, meeting new people etc.

I will show the week in review using picts 
Good luck to me!!

Bernie and I are enjoying the water aerobics three times a week at 9 in the morning!! Proof that Bernie is participating:

My skills in pickle ball are improving,even playing (pickle ball that is)  vs the men in the resort. Despite Bob winning the game, 11-10, Bernie watched and said I looked good playing. 
mmmmmm wonder what Bernie meant?

Bernie is now going to buy himself a paddle and give it a try. He had thought of using a frying pan to play, but NO, that is not going to happen.

As the weather finally cooperated, I was able to get out on the Myakka River and paddle away. GORGEOUS!!!!
That is the scenery and the feeling-not necessarily the subject being me!

I am going to post this part of our week now before the internet takes another slow down. I will try to post the other part some time today??????

Pickle and Ice Cream

Today is Saturday January 10th and I can't believe that 5 days have gone by since my last post. 
The internet at Myakka is very challenging, with sporadic connections, no connection at all, in other words a pain in the ------ trying to download picts,videos and to post a blog.

Despite the cooler temperatures, I know not anywhere near temps northerners are experiencing, we have been busy setting up, getting organized,  meeting up with new and old friends, participating in some new activities, relaxing, taking trips, and trying to stay warm.

Thanks Patti, as your throw has been very useful.

Yes, svelties I have been good with my water aerobics, cardio fusion, yoga and learning how to play pickle ball-  a combination of tennis and racquetball.

Jackie and I were able to get a private lesson from, Sam, the "pickle ball ambassador" of Myakka.

First, we learned the basics of the court and then the fundamentals of hitting the ball, getting it over the net and of course trying to stay within the court.
It is a fun and active game that gives you quite a good work out.

First the lines and boundaries and 

then serving to get the ball over the net-a challenge at times.

Jackie did have a chance to play, but the photographer concentrated on the star pupil!!!!
(lol)

During the week, we went to Pro Bass to pick up my life jacket, so I can use my kayak. Found one in about 10 minutes.

Then we spent some additional time!!!!!! as Bernie investigated the HUGE fishing section. 

Made our purchases and went back to the resort.

As the days past by, we had some firsts of the season...

Sighting of the osprey

Visiting our favourite ice cream shop

Before and 

after

Even Guinness gets into the action. The owners of the shop provide dogs who visit, with their own ice cream dish topped off with a dog biscuit!

Patti, the ice cream awaits your arrival!

Finally one of the firsts ever experienced by Bernie, people at the meet and greet and myself, the visit of a drone capturing the fun at our weekly get together on its own camera.
Hmmmmm-- Will youtube video be next??

Today, we were off with about 30 others for lunch at the Rum Bay Restaurant on Palm Island.
Started off with water taxi over to the island.

Next came the rum cocktail drinks
MMMMM-mmmmm good!
I had a Hurricane Special-combination of tequila, rum, peach schnapps etc.

MMMMMMM-mmmmmmm good!

Then a great lunch was had by all.

After lunch, some us managed to explore the beautiful beach on the island.

While there, a pod of dolphins greeted us. I was able to capture its fin in the following picture. You might need a magnifying glass to see it, but believe me it was there. Some of you know how much I LOVE dolphins, so of course I was so excited.

Finally, the island has an abundance of shark teeth, so here is the first one of the season.

Perhaps, temperatures will warm up enough to allow us to go to our favourite beach at Stump Pass and get some more of those shark teeth.

Jeremy: Guinness has loved the ball you bought him for Christmas. I had taken a small video of him chasing the ball trying to get the treat out, but after 20 minutes of trying to upload the video I gave up. 

However, Guinness loves it.

We Have Arrived.

I'm back.

Starting out early yesterday (Sunday)with the sun rising, we started the last part of our journey.

Even though we crossed the state line into Florida,

we still had another 5 hour drive ahead of us,  but  finally made it to Myakka.

We escaped the heavy storms that had been forecast for the day and encountered only a few spots of rain now and then.

Weather, when we arrived, was fabulous with blue skies, sun shining and temperature of 29 celsius (84.2F) but high humidity .

After setting up the motorhome and  unpacking, we were so hot and exhausted, that we did not even attend the meet and greet for the week. (aka cocktail and nibblers event)
No worries we will make up for it next Friday.

We spent today finishing up, renewing acquaintances with friends at Myakka  and then taking it easy with some liquid refreshments.

Meanwhile the stork decided to welcome us back.

Tomorrow breakfast in the clubhouse, trying out cardio fusion, and then HMMMMMM?

BARF

We are currently in Macon Georgia. Weather mild, with temperature of 12 degrees but heavy fog, drizzle and major storm forecast for tomorrow.

Not trying to be gross, but please let me explain the title of this post.

About 2.3 km or 2 miles southeast of mile 383 near Knoxville is the 3 acre Bass Anthropolical Research Facility (BARF) or the Body Farm.
 It is a highly secured area where corpses are placed in various situations (in the open, under leaves, in water etc.) and in different environments (burnt out cars, old trunks) and in the interest of forensic science, left to deteriorate.

It is used by various organizations (FBI, Interpol, police etc) to help determine how long a corpse might have been dead.

Sorry no photos, as you can't visit the "farm" and it is surrounded by razor wire fences.

If you wish further information on the process of how the farm is operated, it is portrayed in Patricia Cornwell best selling novel "The Body Farm"

Moving right along we crossed the Tennessee River

and at one of the rest stop south of Dalton Georgia, we saw the first signs of spring with blossoms on the trees.

For you Patti and Steve we saw the green hornet being towed by a motorhome. Are you sure it is still in your driveway? 
I apologize for the quality of the shot, but Bernie had the pedal to the medal.

The speed demon was soon stopped, as we hit a major traffic jam south of Atlanta, but luckily Bernie found a gospel music radio station that caught his fancy to keep me entertained??????

  Scary to think, he even knew most of the words to the song "The Old Rugged Cross." 

Clifford: Bernie tells me you know the words. I guess a duet is upcoming!

And the song continues...

                                         

Once passed the traffic jam, caused by a major accident, we sailed through to and arrived at our planned destination of Macon Georgia.

We had a lovely meal???? at the JL Barbecue, selected by Bernie.

We are anxiously looking forward to arriving at our Myakka destination tomorrow.

Long drive ahead but will be totally worth it.

Temperature forecast high for Port Charlotte tomorrow,  29 degrees celcius.(84.4 F)

YAHOO!!

Florence Y'All

I guess what I wrote initially, is not exactly as it is turning out, as it seems I am writing my blog daily. 

Guarantee, that will not continue once we are in Florida.

Just wanted to reassure family and friends, we are still on our way and have not landed in Hawaii.

We had planned on staying in Caryville TN, but quickly vetoed that decision, when I checked out the room I had reserved on line. Quickly cancelled the reservation and moved on. Our first clue should have been when I saw the two rough looking guys chugging back their cans of beers in the back of their pick up trucks in the parking lot.

Currently in a much nicer place on the outskirts of Knoxville.

Luckily, we made it through the Mountains of Kentucky and TN before storm which is  forecast to hit tomorrow. 

Snow and hazardous driving conditions were predicted, so happy and relieved we only have to deal with drizzle and rain.

If it rains heavily we can always flip the car over and use my kayak for our transportation.

Highlights of today's journey - using photos.

First, I spotted this car with lit xmas lights entwined in his roof rack to create a festive approach. Never checked-perhaps it was Santa.

Bernie at the wheel with Cincinnati in the background. Quite the skyline. Must check out this city on one of our future trips.

The Ohio Bridge over the Ohio River-the state line for Ohio and Kentucky. By the way, Ohio is called nicknamed the Buckeye State. I wonder why?

Elaine, reluctantly getting her pict taken, driving through Kentucky. Notice the safe driving hand position but also the clenched fists. I wonder why?

Well known tower in Kentucky.

Only snow we have encountered en route.

Driving through the mountains- up, up, up until we reached the highest point on I75 between Miami and Michigan.

For my Canadian fans:highest point -703 metres

For my american fans:-highest point is 2,247 feet.

Temperature currently in Knoxville is 6 degrees C or 42.8 F

Tomorrow we hit Georgia with stop over in Macon Georgia and hopefully even warmer temps.

Happy 2015

Happy New Year y'all!

Although we had planned on leaving at 6 this morning, we finally managed to get on the road by 7.

Very cold and windy but clear roads and no snow.yahoo!

With strong cross winds, we had to make several stops on the 401 to ensure the kayak would not take off like a bird.  Finally, with straps secure around my watercraft, we continued on the road without any further difficulties.

With a pit stop and some java at Timmy's near Chatham, we made it to Windsor in good time.

 However, with border officials taking their time-perhaps too much partying on New Year's eve, a major back up of traffic soon occurred,

meaning it took us about an hour to cross the border . 
With a few questions answered, we finally made it into the  states continuing our journey.

We are currently in Piqua Ohio.
With a dinner out and a shopping trip to Cracker Barrel (lol) (just for Debbie and Jan), my two male companions are currently snoring away.

Tomorrow, we continue our drive south with a destination of somewhere in Tennessee.