March 24, 2022

Overcast With Rain

Temperature 75 Degrees

Changes

Last Friday we got a new neighbor. Actually, to put it more correctly our neighbor got his new house. This one had been a long time coming. Three times prior they had given him a delivery date, and three times they failed to deliver – literally. But the fourth time turned out to be the charm. In the picture above the house is actually coming at you. They usually deliver the home to one of the gates and then use a Bobcat with a hitch to maneuver the house in the development and place it on the lot.

The installers had arrived earlier in the day to prepare the lot for the home. They needed to add some fill and deliver the blocks that it would finally sit on.

Here comes the house! It’s one of the smaller ones at 480 square feet. Would you believe even at this angle the refrigerator never moved.

Over the edge and moving back toward its final placement. I’m one of two in the development who is responsible for the proper placement of each new home. It has to be 15 feet from the front property line and 7 1/2 feet from the side property line. We measure, and measure again since we sure don’t want to move it more than once!

One its in the proper location it is placed on cinder blocks and leveled. It is then anchored to the ground as prescribed by government regulations. Over the course of the next couple of weeks the stairs will be installed, as will the A/C, and all utilities. Finally, it will be completely skirted.

That was the change to the neighborhood.

There have also been some changes to Turtle House. Hey, you didn’t think I would let my son Adam get away with doing nothing? Of course not.

Floodlights were changed at the peak on the shed

The old TV antenna was removed.

Of course since he had once been a plumber, I decided to put him to work again. This time in the front bathroom.

Out with the old and in less than an hour we had a new ADA chair height toilet installed. Of course it also has a slow close lid!

He hung two new shelves so that my turtles could be properly displayed.

Then there is this, a new ceiling fan in our bedroom. Last Friday night as I was just drifting off to sleep I heard a funny crackling noise which seemed to be coming from the old ceiling fan. When I looked up imagine my surprise when I saw blue sparks shooting out of the motor housing! Suffice to say that old fan and light quickly got the deep six and Adam installed a new unit.

That’s it for changes. We continue to make our way down The Road of Retirement and we’re starting to sing Willie’s song on the road again. Time. indeed, to get back to what we love doing. The planned jump off date is Wednesday, April 6th. We have a planned route of about 7,000 miles. Now, some say we’re foolish, what with the price of fuel. But hey, if I have to I’ll stop mid-trip and get a job at McDonald’s so we can get back home!

Thanks again for stopping by today  We always appreciate your company, and your comments and suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

March 23, 2002

From Then to Now, Conclusion

OK, time to bring it all together. A few more days and we’ll be caught up on last weeks adventures

Thursday, March 17th

Adam, somehow had talked his son Jarrett into trying wakeboarding. Now, you have to understand that Jarrett really is not an outdoor enthusiast. His idea of fun is spending a day playing video games on his phone. Therefore, I figured maybe 30 minutes at the most and he would be finished for the day. Boy, did he ever prove both myself and all of us oh so wrong!

Time for equipment. Since this was his first time, the decision was made to have him try a knee board to begin with.

Suited up and getting some pointers from the park’s instructor.

In place and ready for his first try. What would be the outcome?

Success! On the very first try.

And he made it all the way around.

Later in the day Adam decided to join him. What a great way for a father and son to spend a beautiful, warm Florida day together. All total the two of them spent a wonderful four hours on the water. Yup, Jarrett sure proved me wrong!

There’s more. Back home

There was a classic car show featuring some of the cars owned by our residents. Let me tell you some of these gents have some serious big buck rides. And several of them own not one, but three or four.

For instance, there is this Chevy pickup. Yup, that’s the motor up front under the hood. But that’s not the motor that gives it some serious get up and go. No, you find that

in the back lurking under a pickup bed that goes up at the push of a button! That motor is a Chevy LS3 putting out an impressive 450 HP. Here’s a ride definitely worth more than Elvira.

Just a few of the many other classic cars that were in attendance.

Friday, March 18th

This is a local museum about twenty minutes from our house. It is a private collection owned by one individual but it is not the greatest by any means. However, it is still a fantastic collection that features a great layout with super documentation.

Take a look for yourself.

There are many more planes and engines on display but this will give you a taste of what is on the floor. There are, actually have been, rumors of expansion but to date nothing has come to fruition. Remember, this is a private collection and one man gets to call all the shots so what happens is all up to him. It will be interesting to see if anything really comes to pass in the years ahead.

So, that was the week that was. I do believe we managed to pack a lot into seven days. Sightseeing during the day, and card games and dominoes at night. It was the best of the best of time made so special by being able to spend it with family. We’re looking forward to many more times to come just like this. But for now, we need a rest. And we need to get to packing since we are going back on the road in just two weeks! Oh yes, it is really here.

So if you’ll excuse me – Elvira is waiting for me to get her ready for this summer’s adventure.

Tuesday March 22, 2022

From Then to Now

I’m sure by now a lot of people have probably given up on this blog. I can’t say that I blame them. I’ve sort of lost my direction and my desire. Hopefully, that is all about to change. Once I asked and answered the question “Who am I writing for” the way forward became crystal clear. I’m writing solely for myself. My blog is my way of reminding myself of the many wonderful and fantastic times, experiences and memories of our life both home and on the road. So, time to get back in it.

I’ll begin by going back a bit and sharing what’s been going on from “then to now”.

Friday, March 11th

We said “till we meet again” to Isaac and Sheila who are now back on the road as full-timers. Isaac has become “my brother from another mother”. It was tough seeing them go but we knew it had to be. Hopefully, we’ll see each other again this summer and if the planets align just right hopefully next winter here in Mount Olive Shores.

Saturday, March 12th

They came from the North. They came in force. And we welcomed them with open arms.

They being Adam and his son, and our grandson, Jarrett.

Adam’s girlfriend, Joanna also came with them. They would all stay for the week. And oh what a wonderful week it turned out to be. Sightseeing, card games and dominoes often late into the night. How glad we are indeed that we decided to settle in Florida and not Arizona. Had we not, visits like this probably would have never happened.

That evening we decided – on one of the coldest nights in Florida – to go the

Auburndale Speedway. The temperature by race time was down to 45 degrees with a stiff wind from the north. Hot chocolate was the called for beverage once we got back home. No matter the frigid weather boy oh boy did we have a great time! It’s been a long time since any of us had gone to the stock car races and we can’t wait to go again. This time, though, on a much warmer night.

Monday, March 14th

On Monday we took a trip to the visitor center for Florida’s Natural Orange Juice. It is the only juice that uses 100% Florida oranges. It is, by the way, the only juice this family will drink.

It is not a big museum but it is full of all kinds of history and so many wonderful facts about the citrus industry and oranges in general.

We learned about labels and packaging.

We learned how the extraction of juice has evolved over the years.

We learned that even today 95% of oranges are still hand picked.

We also learned, unfortunately, that the blight that began to decimate the orange groves some ten years ago still continues today unchecked. The cause of it and ways to halt its spread have still not been discovered.

Tuesday, March 15th

On Tuesday we took a day trip to Silver Springs in Ocala. Once known as Wild Waters it was once the premier tourist attraction in Florida. September 2013 was the last month that the park operated as a private entity. The State then took over with the stated goal of returning it to its natural glory.

Even if you’ve never visited Silver Springs, perhaps you have seen it on TV. The TV show Sea Hunt filmed 100 episodes here as were numerous movies, including Tarzan, Creature From The Black Lagoon, and the James Bond movie Thunderball.

The best way to see the beauty of the springs is still aboard a glass bottom boat. The first glass bottom boats, actually row boats with small port holes in the bottom, began tours in 1878.

Jarrett, Joanna and Adam waiting to board. It was wonderful beyond words being with the three of them throughout the week. I look forward to many, many more times together in the future. This is truly what life is really all about, spending time with family.

Looking down the river.

That “stick” down there is an ancient dugout canoe that once belonged to the Timucuan tribe.

Three of six statues left over from the filming of I Spy. After filming all six statues were slated to be removed but through some good fortune three were left behind.

Wednesday, March 16th

Wednesday was Barb’s birthday. Well, all she has talked about since we moved here is going to Disney Springs. Can you guess where we took her for her birthday?

A glorified outdoor mall? A playground for kids? A place to take an afternoon stroll? A place where you had best hang on tight to your wallet! It’s all this and more.

One thing I’m sure of, they have some fine places to eat. This being one of them.

What a place for lunch. Heaping sandwiches at a bargain price. What more could one ask for. I would come back here again if the circumstances were right.

A perfect pair!

Like cookies? Then this is the place for you.

Cakes and cookies for one and all.

The end of a long day for the birthday girl. She is already making plans to visit again.

OK, we have more catching up to do but that is for tomorrow.

Thanks again for stopping by today  We always appreciate your company, and your comments and suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before

February 27,

Temperature 84 Degrees

Florida Flywheelers – Tractor Show

It was Friday, a day we usually never go out sightseeing because of the crowds; it was already 84 degrees by mid-morning – and yet sightseeing we did go. Sometimes I have to wonder if maybe I’m loosing a bit with age!

Somewhere, probably on the internet and somehow, probably through one of the many sites I follow I had discovered that there was going to be an antique tractor show the last week in February in central Florida. So, heat or no heat, Friday notwithstanding off we went!

We were going to the Florida Flywheelers Park. An internet search reveals the following: The Florida Flywheelers Antique Engine Club is a non-profit organization, founded in 1972, to promote interest in restoring, preserving and exhibiting antique internal combustion engines, steam engines, antique tractors and autos and other labor saving devices from the by-gone years. In 1997 it was decided to purchase property in a central location in south Polk County where members could have a show to display their collections to the public without the need to rent facilities. Flywheeler Park has now grown to almost 240 acres and includes a tractor pull track, club and member buildings which house displays, collections and many large engines, and a membership which is over 1,500.

So, put on your walking shoes and join us as we walk around the park.

There were of course tractors. Some not so new.

Some were on the small size.

Some were a bit bigger.

This character was bearly able to reach the pedals.

There were antique engines of all types. Most, if not all of them, were running and supplying power to another piece of equipment. For instance, the water wheel was turning because of water supplied by a pump driven by the red engine in the left of the picture.

Then there were the vendors. You could buy almost anything here.

And when I say anything and everything was for sale, here is proof! You could even buy the kitchen sink!

They even have their own little village jam packed with all kinds of displays.

So many fascinating gizmos and gadgets you didn’t know which way to turn.

Can’t forget the ice cream truck.

Yes, of course we taste tested the ice cream and it was delish!

There were tractor pulls. From the classic and antique to the hot rods. We both really enjoyed tractor pulls and have opportunity to attend a good number over the last several years.

Sometimes it was a bit hard to decide which was older, the tractor or the driver!

Then there were what they called the mini-rods. They were a blast and a half. They seem to be going a mile a minute but never really get over twenty MPH.

Then, well, then I decided instead of buying a golf cart to tool around our development why not a tractor. Now how cool would that be!

The first one to catch my eye. Nice and small and easy to drive. But it sort of lacked character.

Then this one caught my eye. Now, how cool would this be to drive around the neighborhood.

Super! Of course I would need to get the siren working.

Now that big boy in yellow would really let them know I’m coming! Image how it would stand out in the weekly golf cart parade. Alas, Ms. Barbara would not agree to a one of them. So, I came home empty handed.

We spent about four hours at the park and yet missed so much. We agreed we really need to allow at least two days, maybe more, to see it all. Maybe next year we’ll get a multi day pass. All in all it was a lot of fun and a day we absolutely enjoyed.

Life remains good on The Road of Retirement. Our days are easy with no pressing concerns to trouble us. What more could one ask for. Hope life is good for you as well.

Thanks again for stopping by today  We always appreciate your company, and your comments and suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

Our continuing mission remains the same: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have not been before