2008JeffJourney

Florida Fun

February 16-20, 2010

A trip to the Franklin Locks: L's studies of the Erie Canal led to a picnic at the Franklin Locks to see the locks in action.  As we picnicked and played on the playground the boats flowed through the locks, and when we decided to go and observe - no boats. We waited for about 20 minutes. Finally the lock operated passed by and C told him we would like to see the locks in operation.  He was kind and gave us a demonstration.  So we saw water pass through the locks.  But an added treat was that an seaplane landed quite near us.

 

Goats and Pigs: My cousins, adventurous couple that they are, have ventured into the world of goats and pigs. It is all good until the mom can't nurse her babies. C was good about recruiting for the nightly milking (great experience for the kids he insisted) and they all loved feeding the baby goats.  E also helped her cousin in washing and attempting to train the pig for entry into the upcoming fair.

 

A First: There were manatee at the Manatee Park! We usually are in Florida when it is too warm to see them come so close in toward the power company looking for the warmer water.  We hit the jackpot too. The manatee were all huddled in this little cove.

 

A project for the teens: Put together the trampoline.

All in all, a great week of feeling the Florida sun, catching up with Florida family and resting from the routine.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park

February 14-16, 2010

*** Sunset at Lake Wauberg

Location: Paynes Prairie State Park, Micanopy, FL: This park is in a perfect location for stopping along 75 and it is beautiful.  There are many hiking and biking trails throughout the 21,000 acres.

The goal was several days of good family time full of activity and laughter. Well, we did persevere though there were times of conflict as we have so many ages all having different ideas of what it means to "vacation." Traditional camping activities were enjoyed by most - hiking, biking, campfires, games in the camper...

***L finds a seat on our hike into see the visitor center and climb the 50 ft observation tower.

  

After receiving a bike for her birthday, L was enthusiastic about biking on this trip. She and her mom took a morning bike ride along some paths that ended up being quite waterlogged. Arriving back at the campground site weary and muddy, we joked we had ridden on the Erie Canal.

Fort Myers

April 7-10

Location: Fort Myers camping out in my cousin's back yard

The visit wasn't long enough, but we did fit in quite a bit in a short time.

Visiting 3 aunts and 2 uncles

***Uncle Dale gives Leah a lift and even lets her drive.

Playing with 6 cousins

***Girls explore the effects of sand on the ability to jump at Ft Myers beach.

***Playing with the sand continues after the beach in a pile of sand in the yard.

Counting creatures

100-plus alligators sighted as we traveled across FL via Alligator Alley

0 Manatee at Manatee Park (though kids did pose with one alligator)
1 Stingray
1 horseshoe crab (doing injury to D's foot)
many sand dollars (live ones, returned quickly to their home)

1 one legged seagull

and 1 local lizard captured for a reptile study for the BSA reptile and amphibian badge.

Procuring possessions from a local thrift store

***K models her new sunglasses

***D looks at the world with new eyes.

Exploring one of our favorite places - The Beach



Driving off into the Sunset - 6 hours behind schedule

After spending hours hunting for the Suburban key, giving up, having a new key made, programing it to start the car and hooking up the camper, we headed off into the sunset.  By midnight we were set up in Wildwood KOA embarrassed by the fact that we could not shut off the car alarm without our lost fob. What a way to end the day!

Laundry, Boo-boos and the Beach

April 6, 2009

Location:  Larry and Penny Thompson Campground.  We finally had time to check in.  What a rigmarole!  Money changing hands several times until we finally got it all figured out.  This is a campground that many people live in for up to three months at a time.  We met some friendly campers doing laundry.

 

Boo Boo's

 

A took a spill running on the pavement at the campground.  She has been a trooper.

Taking the suggestions of E's Spanish Teacher we drove out to Key Biscayne for an evening at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park and hung out at the beach near the light house.  Sand, Surf and Sunset.  Who could ask for more!

 

 

 

 

Regional 8 Men’s Gymnastic Championships

April 4, 2009

Location: Miami

The day of the Regional 8 Men’s Gymnastic Championships has finally arrived!  D had to be at Florida International University by 8 a.m. to register and join the team.  An early morning for us all!

D's Scores:  He came in 46th out of 70 at his level and age.

 

Scale on the Floor

 

The Mushroom

  

The Fly Away on Parallel Bars

 

Regripping on the High Bar

 

The Rings (Teammate and Coach looking on)

Several of the boys from our gym made it to the Georgia State Team which came in second overall.

Fun Team Shots

 

 

 

At suggestions of E’s Spanish teacher we headed to Calle de Ocho for dinner.  We found a crowded Mexican restaurant and figured it must be good.  We were not disappointed.

 

Next on the itinerary was to “zip” across Miami into Homestead to attend Redlands Community Church's evening service.  We were met by a mass of enthusiastic teens headed to Ormond Beach for a week of surfing and Bible study.  I think the kids would have been happy to join up with them instead of heading into the prayer meeting.  But we did have an encouraging time praying with several of the members of the church.

 

From Flood to Drought

April 3, 2009

Location:  Red Bingham State Park:  Even though we pulled in in the dark, we picked a great site.  It was a pull though and quite roomy.  This would be a fun park to explore by bike, kayak and walking.

Destination:  Highlands Hammock State Park, Sebring, FL

Read Aloud: Star of Light by Patricia St. John

Great camper breakfast: Oatmeal in the crockpot.  At home put all the ingredients you like in a Ziploc minus the liquid.  The night before put the package of dry ingredients in the crockpot with the liquid and put on low for the night.

Another Camper Meal: Meatball subs (I made the meatballs at home and put them in a Ziploc with the sauce) Warm the bread and Meatballs up.  Everyone enjoyed this, though it was messy.

We awoke this morning to sunny skies.  After a breakfast of oatmeal we set out to explore the campground.  We found several sites completely submerged under water.  On the way out we saw several gopher tortoises that the park is famous for and stopped to photograph the flooding around the lake.

 

**Site #35 was completely under water

 

*** The canoe rental house at the lake

We headed down 75 with the rest of the world and spent an hour in stop and go traffic due to construction.

 

*** Lunch entertainment - Waving in the Publix parking lot with orange skin grins.

Yet again we pulled into our campsite in the dark, but we were thankful that we remembered to stop at the grocery for the bread for the meatball grinders.

We were surprised to see the sign posted - Due to drought there is a campfire ban.  In a days drive we've seen flooding and drought!

Plan vs. Reality

 April 2, 2009

 

Destination: Reed Bringham State Park, Adel, GA

Memorable Quote:  “I hate thinking; it’s SO confusing!”  Student puzzling over a math problem

Read Aloud:  Star of Light by Patricia St.John

 The Plan:  Leave at 2 p.m. Drive 3 ½ hours.  Enjoy a picturesque state park.  Eat a carefully planned and prepared meal

 The Reality: 

 4:30 p.m.: Leave home under threats of severe weather and tornado warnings.

 5:30 p.m.: Call the campground.  Receive message, “Though the lake and trails are flooded, the park is still open.”  Also, “Contrary to rumors, the dam has not broken.” Hmmm … We contemplated driving to drier ground and finding a Wal-Mart parking lot in which to set up camp.

 9 p.m.:  Tired and hungry we neared exit #39 and decided to check out the campground.

 

9:30 p.m.:  Settled into a puddle filled site as the rain begins to fall heavier. We check the map and realize we are above the dam and will not be affected if it gives way. Realize we forgot to stop at the grocery for the bread for the meatball grinders.  Eat cereal.  Go to bed.