SWEET HOME ALABAMA TO SLIDELL, LOUISIANA!

Hampton Inn, Slidell, Louisiana

Friday, January 30, 2015

57 F, Sunny

We left Travelers Rest Resort this morning at 8 a.m. for the long ride to Louisiana. The roads were clear and the weather sunny.  As TK drove, I watched the southern countryside slide by. Usually I read because we have been the routes so many times, but this time I only did five USA Today crosswords and spent most of the time on watch!

From left to right: TK's Avalanche, the cabana, and Mary Lou and Scorchy's 37 ft. RV

Travelers Rest Resort, Dade City, Florida

While still in Florida’s panhandle, we got the bright idea of leaving I-10 and taking “the back roads are better” Scorchy’s advice. We drove along the gulf for the next many miles until at least an hour later we got the bright idea of using Trip Advisor to find the #1 restaurant in Fort Walton Beach, Florida:  Stewby’s Seafood Shanty.  Then, the heavy traffic appeared.  Finally, another hour later, we came upon Stewby’s, which turned out to be the size of a small McDonald’s with a drive through. Really?  We drove right on by, turned around, and rejoined the heavy traffic. Still on the gulf we entered Alabama where we saw glistening white sand and rich red soil. The white sand looked like snow! We finally found a route back to I-10 as fast as we could.

Entering Alabama!

Beautiful white sand near the Gulf of Mexico

We stopped in Mobile for dinner at Cracker Barrel and proceeded through Mississippi in the dark. What would have been a 10 hour drive (with dinner) turned into a 12 hour drive (with dinner). Lesson learned.

Things we saw along the way: the USS Alabama, a U.S. Navy Destroyer docked in Mobile Bay, sun dogs [(scientific name parhelia) are an atmospheric phenomenon that consists of a pair of bright spots on either side on the Sun, often co-occurring with a luminous ring known as a halo according to Wikipedia], a tunnel under Mobile Bay, lots of roadwork, bayous, only a few palm trees, lots of casinos in Mississippi, at least 4 major outlet malls, gas for $1.75/gallon, and sun!

TK’s Takes: In Florida near the state line we stopped at a Busy Bee. He really liked this gas station with a Dunkin Donuts, Burger King, the largest bathroom stalls we have ever seen (and clean), and grocery store. After that we saw that Tom Thumb gas stations were much more prevalent and very small.

JK’s Take: We were sad to learn that our friends from England will not be joining us on the cruise due to an unexpected medical situation.  Our Wisconsin friend Donna sent us an emailed photo of her husband Lawrence relaxing before the cruise. They are flying out of Chicago tomorrow. We are anxious to see them and our California friends Brian and Nancy who sent us a note that they are flying out of Los Angeles tomorrow morning. We have reservations together at Oceana tomorrow at 7 p.m.!!!!!

CIRCUS MUSEUM AND SINKHOLES AND OWLS AND SUCH!

Travelers Rest Resort / Dade City, Florida

Thursday, January 29, 2015 (and a report about Tuesday [27th] and Wednesday [28th])

47—70 F, Sunny

Tuesday’s ride back to Dade City from Estero included a stop at Sarasota’s The Ringling.  One of my dear Toledo cousins told me awhile back that this museum was worth a visit. She was right!  www.ringling.com

A mural in the Tibbals building

In 1926 circus king John and his wife Mabel Ringling built their ornate Venetian inspired 36,000 square foot estate, Ca’d’Zan (House of John), on the waterfront overlooking Sarasota Bay for $1 ½ million. The couple had been traveling throughout Europe acquiring circus acts and art and decided to build a home in Sarasota in the architectural style of Venice’s Ducal Palace.

Rear view of Ca'd'Zan from Promenade

The elaborate ballroom sized terrace promenade in the back of the mansion has steps leading right into the water---their 135 foot yacht was always docked there.

Promenade on Sarasota Bay, Ca'D'Zan

I loved the dining room and kitchen, with displays of their china, at least 6 different patterns, e.g. Lenox designed by Tiffany, Wedgwood, Portmeirion, and more. The dining table was set for 22 people and was decorated by the Sarasota Garden Club.

From the mansion we walked by Mabel Ringling’s prized rose garden which was in full bloom on our visit. Our final stop was the Howard Bros. Circus Model that Howard Tibbals started making as a teenager. The miniature circus is ¾ inch scale to the foot and includes 42,143 items, not including small pieces such as thousands of railroad stakes: 152 circus wagons, 55 rail cars, eight tents, over 500 hand carved animals, 7,000 folding chairs,  1500 workers and circus performers, all telling the story of the circus from rolling by train into town to packing it all up again all in one day--- cook tent--- dining tent---draft horses—laundry area—the big top---the three rings---the midway freak show (step right up and see the strong man)---the aerialists—the clowns, and so much more.  It was wonderful to imagine a 1930s circus with so much going on. The sight of such intricate work was glorious. Howard Tibbals was a stickler for detail.

I remember my Erie East HS students talking about the circus when it came into Erie on the rail on the east side—the elephants walking up to the civic center on 9^th and French Streets in the 1980s. One dear, creative student “ran away” with the circus one year—I didn’t see him till years later and he truly enjoyed his experience.

The rest of the drive to TRR was uneventful and everyone was tired.

Wednesday morning we picked up friends Ron and Ginny and brought them to TRR (easier than giving them directions) after a great breakfast at Black Eyed Pea. We took a walk around the gardens and Lake Margaret and then stopped at Busch Hall for the auditions.  Every year TRR hosts auditions so that the board can determine what performers they will hire for their Sunday night entertainment in Busch Hall, now selecting for 2017. Each performer has 15 minute to showcase his/her act. We watched a magician, a singer, and a classic guitarist who played flamenco type music.

Wednesday evening we watched the Nova program on PBS, Sinkholes: Buried Alive that focused a lot on Pasco County, Florida (where we are). Plant City and Tampa are each 37 miles away from TRR.   Sinkholes are a geological hazard found all over the world that swallow highways, buildings, horses, cars, and more!  The episode also noted sinkholes in Louisiana (where we are headed), Spain, and Siberia. I would prefer not to encounter a sinkhole.

Today, Thursday, we went to the Kumquat Growers open house with the TRR Garden Club. Dade City is known as the Kumquat Capital of the World and will celebrate with a huge Kumquat Festival on Saturday.  www.KumquatFestival.org

We learned about the two varieties grown in Florida, Nagami (oval) which is tart and mostly used for cooking. The Meiwa (round) is less tart.  I tasted quite a few and I do like the Meiwa better, but TK said the Nagami had more of a taste. TK bought jam, jelly, and marmalade.  I bought kumquat hand cream that smelled so good!!

Janie and a kumquat tree, Dade City, Florida

Mary Lou bought a kumquat pie! The pie resembles key lime but with a sort of tart kumquat taste! Delicious! The open house featured a tour of the washing and packing facility, samples of jellies and jams, salsa, salad dressings, exhibits by the Florida Agriculture Extension Office with Master Gardeners, and others.

One exhibit had a beautiful tethered Eurasian eagle owl—it is the largest owl in the world. We don’t know why this one is captive in Florida (native to Europe and Asia), but I know B2 would have liked to see him. These owls resemble the Great Horned Owl, but their wingspan can be up to 74 inches and they can weigh almost 8 pounds.  It usually feeds on small mammals, such as mice and rabbits, but can also kill and eat fully-grown foxes and even young deer. Imagine that!  These people also had a 12 foot long albino Burmese Python. Apparently during a recent hurricane some short of reptile zoo was destroyed and the snakes all disappeared. Just this morning on the local news the growing python population in the Florida swamps was mentioned. The hurricane escape is one reason why.  Just think of all the things we learn when we travel!!

Eurasian eagle-owl at Kumquat Open House, Dade City, Florida

This evening we went to a “Cabana Get Together.” Everyone contributed a soup ingredient and the end result was a super tasting soup with all the fixings-bread, crackers, desserts. There were about 50 people there, those who have RVs and cabanas at TRR. We got to meet Jim, the Nail Eater, also a retired Chicago firefighter, and got the rest of the story from January 21, 22. He was actually putting up paneling and the nail he swallowed was a one inch finishing nail. Thank goodness everything turned out OK after 3 days in the hospital!

What fun we have had during our time at TRR. Mary Lou and Scorchy are sure fun to be with (married 60+ years) and they are so busy that we could hardly keep up with them. The perfect hosts!  It was nice visiting our friends, Ron and Ginny, too. They know why I am looking forward to the bread pudding at the Oceana restaurant in New Orleans—a few years ago they cruised with us on our Halloween cruise out of NOLA! They remember! 

Tomorrow we will leave early for New Orleans but we will be  thinking of our great time with family and friends here!

TK’s Takes: TK is happy—he booked another cruise for January 2016. He also said that he heard the man with the Burmese Python say that pythons don’t survive north of Orlando because of the weather.  Hmmm.

UNEXPECTED SNAKE SKINS AND TRIVIAL PURSUIT

Hampton Inn, Fort Myers-Colonial,  Fort Myers, Florida

Monday, January 26, 2015

60 F, Sunny

Last night before we were going to bed TK seemed to be fooling around behind the desk. He said, “This isn’t good,” as he pulled out a five foot snake skin.  I asked him to go to his sister’s immediately and tell them. It was horrible to think such a big snake was in the cabana.  As it turned out, Scorchy had found a corn snake’s shedded skin awhile back and was saving it. Are you kidding me???? TK said Scorchy was a grownup B2 (our granddaughter who loves to collect live insects –think tomato hornworm--and frogs and crayfish and other creatures)

This morning we all jumped into the Avalanche and TK drove about 3 hours to his brother Tom’s in Estero. We played an 8 hour game of the 80s Trivial Pursuit with pizza and Carol’s wonderful homemade rhubarb and strawberry pie. Playing Trivial Pursuit is a family tradition and we don’t all get together often anymore, so this was a special treat.  The 80s version is quite a challenge though. With categories like music, headlines, TV, movies, sports and leisure, and wild card. Reagan, Bush, Sean Connery, Pierce Brosnan, The Highwaymen, Anne Frank, AIDS, Band-Aid concert, and a few more were answers we knew.  We all have our specialties—TK: music; Mary Lou: Yankees; Tom: sports and politics; Scorchy: sports; Carol: movies and television; and me:  literature ha ha—note that wasn't a category.  This game took a long time.

I really miss B1 and B2.

ANOTHER FLEA MARKET AND RED SHOULDERED HAWKS!

TRR--Scorchy's HotSpot quickly! / Dade City, Florida

Sunday, January 25, 2015

55 F, Sunny

Bright and early we all went to a small flea market by a private airport.  I did see military items and nice produce, but nothing we were looking for.  This market had more antiques than new items. I reflected that there are no nice large flea markets with good parking in the Erie area.

Another thing I thought of was the difference between an American market, a European market, and those in the Caribbean. American vendors let buyers ask questions and react only if the buyer is interested. Vendors are very aggressive in the Caribbean. At my favorite markets in Aix en Provence, Florence, Nice, and Barcelona the vendors are somewhat in between—not too aggressive, but they encourage sales!

We had a great lunch at Florida Cracker Kitchen—TK had a Spanish Chorizo (omelette) and I had a very good burger.

Back at TRR we spotted a red shouldered hawk (buteo lineatus) on a nearby telephone pole.  I thought I got some good photos! She was beautiful. We deduced that this is the one we saw a few days ago and now we know the species for certain. She’s probably watching for squirrels.

Tomorrow we (TK, me, ML, and S) are driving to Ft. Myers to visit TK’s brother. I hope it is a little warmer there! However, there is no snow in sight!!!!!

TK’S TAKES: “Too cold for me.”

FLORIDA PIONEERS AND HIGH SCHOOL CLASSMATES!

Panera Bread / Dade City, Florida

Saturday, January 24, 2015

55 F, Rain—then sunny

It rained all night and we thought it was a tropical storm based on the noise on our metal roof. It

Turned out to be just an all night and morning rain----no floods!  We got up early to go to the

TRR volunteer firefighters’ Pancake Breakfast.

We headed to Blue Jay Park on the other side of Dade City after breakfast to visit my friends from high school, Ron and Ginny W. (they are TK’s friends too), who are staying in Florida for three months. 

We decided to go to the Zephyrhills Depot Museum where we learned that Zephyrhills was originally Abbott, Florida.  The area was known for its pure water and Zephyrhills water was bottled and has been on the market since the early 60s!

Ron, Ginny, and Janie at the Depot Museum

After lunch at Sunrise, we drove to Pioneer Florida Museum and Village in Dade City. We enjoyed learning some Florida history through an 1860s homestead, farm machinery, a citrus packing plant, a United Methodist Church (1800s), a one room school house (mid 19^th century),  the cane sugar syrup/molasses making process, a train depot with a telegraph room, and a barn full of phaetons, surreys, and other carriages.  My favorite parts were the kitchen separate from the homestead, the citrus industry timeline, and learning that after the cane sugar sap is gathered from the cane the syrup is made in the same way as maple syrup!! Ron was very knowledgeable about the old farm equipment so we learned a lot!

TK and Janie at Florida Pioneer Village

Kitchen at a mid 19th century homestead at the Pioneer Village

We took Ron and Ginny back to Blue Jay. We really enjoyed their company. TK and I stopped at Panera to upload part of the blog.  Back at TRR, we discovered that Mary Lou had made tasty red velvet cupcakes, a nice snack!

TK’S TAKES:  It was nice to see our friends. 

THE LULL OF RAIN ON A METAL ROOF!

THE LULL OF RAIN ON A METAL ROOF!

Travelers Rest Resort / Dade City, Florida

Friday, January 23, 2015

80 F, Sunny—then steady rain starting about 6:30 p.m.

I was really excited when a cruise friend (dear Wisconsin, how I thought she was probably heartbroken about the Packers, but then I remembered she probably liked the Bears) said she went through blog withdrawal when I did not post on Wednesday. Then another cruise friend (across the pond!) chimed in and asked how to access my blog!  Readers! Just what a writer loves!

Genealogy Lesson of the Day: This morning I went to a Genealogy Group meeting and met at least 20 people dedicated to family research. I even found kin! New cousin Pat is also researching the Skiff family from New England! There was a presentation about DNA research and organizing one’s work. I even was asked to speak about how I use Facebook for my genealogy research. Two sites I love are The Organized Genealogist and Technology for Genealogy. I have learned many techniques and learned from both! I also have asked to join “closed” genealogy Facebook pages for the counties or areas where my ancestors lived, e.g. Lucas County, Ohio History and Genealogy, Erie Society for Genealogical Research, and Ripley County, Indiana Genealogy. 

After the meeting I learned about how TK and I use data. Back at the cabana TK informed me that Scorchy and Mary Lou just got a call from Verizon that their data usage had increased past their limit (they have one of those really cute “hot spots.”  Hmmm.  That means that I can’t play Words with Friends anymore with Friend H and DDIL Denise. And, I will upload my blog from Panera or McDonalds or someplace like that. We were just having too much fun.  We both feel bad, but we will make it up to them. We are data hogs.

The next situation today was “lingerie gate.” We don’t have Dillard’s in Erie, so on Saturday’s shopping trip, I took the opportunity to order a major lingerie garment necessity (they did not have my size in the store) for delivery at TRR/Dade City, Florida.  As it turned out the package was mysteriously delivered in TK’s name to our Erie address. Son Brian in Erie confirmed this. Now doesn’t that just beat all?  I will leave this topic before it gets too dicey, but it was sort of funny.

Today we just stayed in the park to enjoy the sunny, warm day in contrast to a 23 F day in Erie. We saw the anhinga down by the lake spreading its wings to dry. A hawk swooped by our cabana after a little animal a few hours ago. About 6:30 it started raining and the tempo does seem to be increasing. We don’t have to shovel rain!! It was a quiet day.

Since we are data hogs my blog will have to wait till I have WiFi access. I don't think I can do it from my phone.

CHEFS DI NAPOLI AND FRESH STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE

Travelers Rest Resort / Dade City, Florida

Wednesday/Thursday, January 21, 22, 2015

77 F, Sunny

OK, so our days are not “living on the edge” exciting! This morning we went to a lecture at the main building about shoulder pain mostly for the free coffee and muffins.  Christopher E. Baker, M.D., a board certified orthopedic surgeon at the Florida Orthopaedic Institute, visited TRR to speak about shoulder “malfunctions.” I was very impressed by his detailed PowerPoint presentation. Dr. Baker has worked with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, the Pittsburgh Panthers, and the Colorado Rockies as the orthopedic and sports medicine physician. He patiently answered everyone’s questions.  He stayed after the lecture and I decided to ask him about heavy purses. He said that is really not a shoulder problem, more a neck problem, and as long as I switch sides and put the purse cross body when walking around antique shows for hours I will be fine!

Mary Lou worked in the garden today and Scorchy golfed while Tim and I read. I thought I would post a few photos of the cabana we are staying in. As you can see we are every comfortable. The cabana is larger than a balcony stateroom on a cruise.

The full bath is on my right as I take the photo. 

The mirrored door on the left is to the closet.

Looking the other direction--the bath door is on the left 

just past the chest with my suitcase.

The dinette overlooks the street that passes by the cabana. 

One can see where some neighbors live across the street.

The TRR park news flash is that a neighbor was putting up dry wall while keeping the nails in his mouth yesterday. He sneezed or coughed or just breathed and ended up swallowing one nail. Now he is in the local hospital waiting hopefully for the nail to pass. Apparently x-rays are taken every so often.

This afternoon we drove to Brooksville for dinner at Chefs di Napoli (14277 Powell Rd, Brooksville, FL 3460), a great Italian restaurant. White tablecloths, freshly baked bread, a delicate marinara sauce, baked cheese ravioli, and tortellini (TK).

Tonight I prepared 2 pints of fresh local strawberries while Mary Lou baked biscuits for wonderful strawberry shortcake we enjoyed on the patio outdoors!!!

Yesterday TK and I went to the Wiregrass Mall in nearby Zephyrhills. This is a nice mall with Macy’s, Dillard’s, Penney’s, Chicos, Pandora, Barnes and Noble, and so on. He got gas at Sam’s Club for $1.83/gallon.

TK’s Takes: It was a relaxing, mild day. The orthopedic doctor answered a lot of questions at the morning lecture. There is a different lecture every Tuesday and Thursday. The tortellini was very good at Chef di Napoli and the bread was the best he ever had in an Italian restaurant. 

FLEA MARKETS AND MORE

Travelers Rest Resort / Dade City, Florida

Monday/Tuesday, January 21, 20, 2015

72 F, Sunny

On sunny Monday we went to the huge Flea Market in Webster, Florida—with high quality antiques, collectibles, new items and old. We heard that today the market had the most vendors ever.  There were thirty five acres of fresh produce, seafood, jewelry, boutique items, furniture, electronics, hardware/tools, crafts, clothing, with great deals.  Our travel space is limited, so we didn't buy too much! I especially liked the old clocks, buttons, and vintage quilts.

Webster Flea Market, Webster, Florida

On sunny Tuesday we decided to take a break. TK got his truck washed—it had never been so dirty and I read. Scorchy golfed and Mary Lou gardened with her garden club. In the afternoon we strolled through the lovely gardens. It is January, really! Begonias, spiderwort (Tradescantia pallida ), snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), honeysuckle, staghorn ferns, leather ferns, elephant ears (Alocasia), bromeliads, blooming yellow and white angel’s trumpet (Brugmansia), azaleas (full bloom), and so many more lined the pathways. A mango tree is growing near the mulch pile. There are two small lakes beyond the tranquil garden. Mary Lou’s garden club faithfully tends the garden.

Nothing like the shade of Elephant ears! Gardens at Lake Margaret, Travelers Rest Resort

As if the garden wasn't enough, we saw six anhinga (a cormorant-like water bird that produces no oil,  it excels in diving but often has to spread its wings to dry them off), two short tailed hawks, and squirrels.

Today was Geri’s birthday, Scorchy and Mary Lou’s friend and neighbor, so we went to Gene and Geri’s house for snacks and cake.  There was much banter and now they all rely on our smart phones to verify what they are saying, whether about sports or music or history.

Son Randy called and took us back to reality—he is going ice fishing in Presque Isle Bay, Lake Erie this weekend. Randy, Coleen, and B2 went to Chapman’s Dam Winter Festival last weekend and he sent video of them sledding and ice skating. None of that is happening here!! Even though it is cool at night, TK is wearing shorts during the day! 

TK’s Takes:  He said there were more people at Webster than at Renninger’s.  He said he was in kettle corn heaven—he never saw so many booths selling kettle corn!!

ANTIQUES GALORE! SEAHAWKS WIN!

Travelers Rest Resort / Dade City, Florida

Sunday, January 18, 2015

65 F, Sunny

According to the website, Renninger’s Antique Extravaganza is “located on 117 acres of scenic, rolling land in beautiful Lake County, the heart of Central Florida; amid spreading oaks, garlands of Spanish moss waving gently from their branches in Mt. Dora. Two large buildings and a number of open air shopping areas house a wide variety of dealers from produce stands, clothing shops, and oddity vendors, to high quality antiques and collectibles.”

The drive to Mt. Dora is only an hour and a half, but we were up early to get an early start. By 9:30 a.m. the parking lots were already full of bargain hunters looking for that special treasure to add to their collection. Each of us went our separate ways.

This is only a small section--you can see the vendors through the tree line.

Seventeen acres is a lot to cover but this time I wanted to go more slowly than usual. I loved seeing the vintage buttons, quilts, tablecloths, vintage Woolrich coats in abundance, garden wrought iron, fine china, cranberry pickle jars, Fiesta in every color, Star Wars toys, a Franciscan platter $100 more than I paid for the same one last year, Bakelite jewelry, curly maple furniture, World War I memorabilia, and so much more. So what did I buy? Fiesta, of course….

Scorchy was very interested in the old record players and phonograph records.

One of my favorite foods is available at the show, Gran Arepa. It is a delicious Venezuelan/Colombian treat—a grilled cornmeal flat cake like stuffed with mozzarella cheese. That was my only slow down.

By 2:30 p.m. we were ready to go—I did not get all the way through, but I enjoyed every minute seeing all the vendors, dealers, buyers, dogs, and of course the antiques!

On the way home we decided to find a restaurant—everyone was tired. It turns out that most restaurants in Dade City are closed on Sunday, so we headed to Pancho Villa in San Antonio.  There are so many good restaurants in Florida!

Did you know that Dade City is the kumquat capital of the world? Every January tens of thousands of people visit Dade City to enjoy the “down home old Florida experience. We saw a delightful Kumquat orchard near TRR.

Look closer to see the little orange gems---kumquats!

Back at TRR, TK was totally involved in the  NFC football game today---

Finally, yesterday we went to a mall and another shopping area in Lakeland, Florida--dinner at Fish City Grill--shrimp again!

TK’s Take: He didn't think the antique show was as busy as in past years. (MJK: we never went on a Sunday).  He is very excited that Seattle won in a come from behind game against the Green Bay Packers. The Seahawks are very tough to defeat at home. Super Bowl, here we come!

MORE SHRIMP AND A LONG RIDE

Travelers Rest Resort, Dade City, Florida

Friday, January 16, 2015 / 60 F, sun

We meandered a bit today after leaving Titusville.  After a stop at Ron Jon’s in Cocoa Beach, we followed the roads to Dade City. The multitude of egrets, herons, and cormorants greeted us along the way. By 1 p.m. we arrived at Mary Lou and Scorchy’s comfortable and friendly “resort.” We have been here enough times that we know their fascinating neighbors and friends.   For example, their next door neighbors are Gene and Gerry from Michigan. He is a retired professional firefighter and she is a retired school teacher. Does that sound familiar?

After a little discussion about dinner, we decided to try out a restaurant that had been recommended to them.  Apparently the motorcycle “gang” at TRR (most residents, actually “snowbirds,” are over 55 years old….) had just visited the restaurant.  Our circuitous ride (driven by TK and directed by Scorchy) took us through many small towns and tree lined back roads, but we finally arrived at Peck’s Old Port Cove, owned by Capt. Tommy Williams. The restaurant sits on a small inlet in Crystal River, Florida. Fresh local seafood was the key!  We enjoyed the fried large white shrimp, the almond crusted grouper, the blackened grouper, and the Combination Plate (fried clam strips, scallops, and shrimp)—all super fresh! I love shrimp and this fresh shrimp was certainly as good as yesterday’s at Dixie Crossroads.  The key lime pie was divine. Definitely worth the ride.

Now we are comfortably settled in to the cabana (separate dinette room), living space with pull out bed and comfy chairs, TV, desk and refrigerator area, and a full bath. We are tired!

ROYAL RED SHRIMP! DIXIE CROSSROADS IS THE BEST!

Hampton Inn

Titusville, Florida

Thursday, January 15, 2015 / 53 F, rain

We got started about 8 a.m. this morning with 29 F.  We drove through South Carolina, Georgia, and Titusville, Florida with a few gas stops. Tim let me drive his Avalanche for the first time (it is 2 years old) for well over an hour. It’s a beautiful, powerful ride, but I sometimes felt like I was riding a bronco ready to bolt at any minute.

By about 4:30 we arrived at our destination, Dixie Crossroads. This restaurant has become a favorite for its seafood.  The proprietor owns his own shrimp boats and the restaurant boasts 4 species of shrimp based on a particular season. Right now, the Royal Reds (Pleoticus Robustus) are in season and they are especially delicious.  http://dixiecrossroads.com 

Science Lesson of the Day: Royal Reds (Pleoticus Robustus) are perhaps the softest and most delicate of all our native shrimp species. This vibrant red shrimp never sees the light of day, preferring the cold dark depths out at the edge where the gently sloping bottom of the Gulf drops abruptly off the continental shelf. Depths from 1,200 ft. to over a half mile down are the home to this sweetest of all shrimp. (from http://woodsfisheries.com/products/wild-american/view/royal-reds/)

Right now it is rainy and about 53 F.  It sure is great to be in warmer weather.  We are tired tonight!

TK’s Takes: He loved the shrimp for dinner. He’s glad most of the hard driving is finished for awhile. We are about 3 or 4 hours from our first destination, Travelers Rest Resort, Dade, City, Florida.

ROCKIN AGAIN IN ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA

Hampton Inn
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Good morning, Erie. We are out of here! Our earliest driving departure at 7:40 a.m. The temperature fluctuated from  -16F between Erie and Meadville to 17 F in Pittsburgh.  In Grove City we paid $2.35/gallon for gas. Just past Grove City the snow was just a dusting on the ground.  After 3 hours we greeted West Virginia and 27 F, still a bit of snow dust.

History Lesson of the Day: While TK settled in for a long drive, I read about vacations in the 1700s in the American Spirit magazine (July-August 2014). Only a tiny number of the colonial elite traveled because of the lack of good roads, maps, bridges, and places to stay. The Puritan sense of guilt played a role, the value of work—the dangers of idle time. Then, religion itself became an impetus for getting away from home for ordinary folk—religious revivals! By 1850 newspapers and magazines shared medical advice about the importance of taking a break from work. (Nancy Jackson in “The History of The American Vacation”). So there you have it! We are taking a break from work just like our forefathers!

And speaking of forefathers, as we pass through West Virginia I can’t help but think of my maternal gg grandfather who served in the Pennsylvania 12^th Cavalry during the Civil War in the Harrison County, West Virginia region and my paternal grandfather who worked as an electrician in the coal mines in the late 1800s, early 1900s. TK promised me I could plan a road trip this May/June to explore the Harper Ferry region through Kentucky to Indiana!!!  All right!
By noon we reached the Flatwoods, WV mini mall area where we planned on eating TK’s delicious tuna fish pocket sandwiches that he always packs. One problem. No sandwiches. They were apparently safely hanging from the doorknob on the door leading to the garage. Fortunately the Bulk Foods store had a little deli and we had them make a grilled cheese for me and a BBQ pulled pork sandwich for TK. We still had time to check out the Fiesta outlet where the gusto bowls were the best seconds I ever saw at Fiesta. We are already packing boxes into the Avalanche!

On Route 19 we saw iced trees and shrubs near Muddlety, WV (there’s a whole web page devoted to town names in West Virginia—I tried to find out the origin). It was 29 F.

By Virginia the temperature was 35 F. After the traffic snarl in Charlotte, North Carolina, we reached Rock Hill, South Carolina and 45 F—ten and a half hours on the road.
TK’s Takes: No more snow and a range of temps from 16 below zero to 45!! He has no comment about tuna sandwiches….

Note to D: We hope you are feeling better!


I am very disappointed that I cannot upload my photos! Darn!

ANOTHER WINTER, ANOTHER TRIP!

Hello friends an family! Cheerful TK has planned another trip south. We are leaving Erie next week to drive to Florida. Of course, TK has a two cruises to sail away on. The exciting part is that these cruises on the Carnival Dream depart from New Orleans!! 

We are packed -- the last thing I have to do is make sure all the technology is ready to go. Laptops, tablets, phones, cameras, binoculars, styli, and chargers galore. How did we travel without all that????

Here is a reason to head south!! Cold and colder--snow and more snow:

photo taken in Erie, Pennsylvania on January 9, 2015

 



 

Oceana Grill, here we come!!

 

On our first visit to New Orleans a few years ago we discovered Oceana Grill at 739 Conti Street, French Quarter.  The best bread pudding on the planet. We went there every day sometimes for lunch, sometimes for dinner, sometimes just for bread pudding. Each time I would ask for one more tip on how they made it (all night by the way). They caught on to me and said they would have to hire me!!  Check it out!!    http://www.oceanagrill.com/

 

OUR ITINERARY--2015

January 14: Leave Erie to South Carolina

January 15: South Carolina to Titusville, Florida

January 16-30: Travelers Rest Resort, Dade City, Florida (Antique Show in Mt. Dora, Ringling Museum, etc.)

January 30: Drive to just outside New Orleans

January 31: Arrive New Orleans--Hyatt. Meet up with Donna, Lawrence, Brian, and Nancy. Reservations at Oceana Grill in the French Quarter!!

February 1: Board Carnival Dream/Super Bowl Party!!

February 2: At Sea

February 3: Cozumel/Palancar Beach

February 4: Costa Maya/Mahahua/Tropicana Beach

February 5: Roatan, Honduras/Mahogany Bay Beach

February 6: At Sea

February 7: At Sea

February 8: Arrive New Orleans/Mardi Gras Pre-Parade/Board Carnival Dream

February 9: At Sea

February 10: At Sea

February 11: Jamaica/Montego Bay/Chukka 4x4 Safari

February 12:Grand Cayman

February 13: Cozumel/Chankanaab/Nachi Cocom/BRIAN K'S BIRTHDAY

February 14: AT SEA

February 15:  Arrive New Orleans/DONNA’S BIRTHDAY/Drive to Avery Island

February 16:   Visit Avery Island/Tabasco Factory

February 17: Headed home--itinerary depends on weather as we drive and at home!!!!