Orlando and Bradenton

 So we finally "land" in the Space Coast of Florida.  Kayaking on the Indian River where dolphins played with us or around our kayaks.  Observed them playing with one another and fishing for lunch. Got up at 1:00am and went to watch Orion's first test flight but got scrubbed because of wind. After 3 almost take offs when they were counting down and suddenly came "abort, abort" The crowd loudly shouted "Awwwww"  But it took off the next day (we stayed in bed and watched on TV) Fun day!!

Randy tried frog legs (tastes like baby chicken) and gator tails.  Both were very good and being breaded and deep fried, he would eat them again.  We also attended a Beaver motorhome rally and got to try our "aim" at a shooting range.  Toured KSC (Kennedy Space Center) and learned ALOT. One of the Beavers retired from KSC and had a few "insider" stories, well actually MANY stories to tell.  I'd share, except then I'd have to kill you so I will remain silent. Toured "Swampy" the alligator preserve and other various animals native to Florida.  Randy held a baby gator and in this picture a tarantula.  I observed, someone has to take the pictures.

After leaving the Space Coast we headed inland to Orlando/Kissimmee area for our biannual trek to our time share at Vacation Village.  Our friends Karen and Pat Kelly came to visit from Wisconsin for a much needed vacation.  Both have extremely busy lives and needed to take some time away from jobs, school, kids, grandkids to unwind.  It was visibly obvious as the week went on.  We were treated to a wonderful show and meal at Kobi Japanese Steak House. Chop Chop.  Spent a day at Epcot and for the first time made it all the way around the World Showcase.  It wasn't a very busy day and we were able to hit all the attractions/rides that we wanted without too much waiting in line.  Fast Track isn't what it used to be. Way overused now and we went much quicker without using it.  Test Track had a "singles" line versus 90 minute wait.  We all went in singles line and were on in 30 minutes.  We just didn't get to sit next to each other but we all got on within a few minutes of each other.  We went to Downtown Disney to walk around.  Swam in the pool and laid in the sun.  Had a great friend of Pat and Karen's come share Thanksgiving with us. It was great to have a true holiday feast and friends around.  Holidays are never easy on the road.  Miss my kids too much and they were always big deals growing up.  Now when it is just Randy and I sitting around, sharing a holiday it doesn't have the same WOW factor as a house full of family.  I am working on how to resolve that or come up with a new holiday plan.  Maybe in the future, when we are off the road, we can begin new traditions.

After Karen and Pat went back home we decided to spend another day at Disney.  So we were now at a campground but drove the car back to the time share parking area and caught the free shuttle to the Transportation station.  Its meant for the condo people, but we knew they didn't check room keys so we figured we would take advantage of our time share fees and use the serve.  Worked out great and didn't have to pay the $15 to park each day.   We ended up going 2 days.  Did Magic Kingdom, a few more things in Epcot one day.  Animal Kingdom and Hollywood the 2nd day.  The time between Dec 1 and 15 is dead.  We didn't wait in any lines.  Just as fast as you could walk the rope lines was as fast as you got on the ride.  Great time to go!!!   We had purchased a 10 day Hopper ticket for both of us 7 years ago, figuring they never expire and over our lifetime we would use it.  It averaged about $50/day - today it is $100/day admission.  Glad we did that!!! 
We had been talking about dog/no dog for the past few weeks.  Looked into adopting a rescue dog but kept getting turned down because we weren't in a "large enough place with a fenced yard." They don't think our "dog house" could handle a dog??? or that we couldn't walk a dog????  I can't figure that one out.  Do you want the dog to stay a rescue or give him a nice home with people that will spoil him?   We did get approved for a 10 year old abuse/neglected Cocker.  Almost picked her up until Randy saw a small ad on the campground wall advising of Cocker puppies due Dec 12.  He called the number and they puppies had been born early, Dec 5.  We went over to meet the owners, and puppies at 2weeks of age.  We were hooked.  1 dog left out of 7 that were spoken for.  So now we await our new dog!!   We saw him again at 3wks, 5wks and will pick him up at 8wks.  His name is Gator.  He was named Noah by the owners, but we have a great nephew named Noah - just didn't seem right.  Hunter was our next choice, but then we sudden met adult men named Hunter and that didn't seem right.  Born in Florida - gator comes to mind and so it was.  Gator Hunter Connell.  NOT Gator Bait Connell as suggested.

Randy's been getting a bit of golfing in.  I keep trying but it's not my favorite game.  Traditional Floridian Christmas parades are boat parades.  This one was a pontoon boat and the driver had on a Santa suit.  Very cute.
The most relaxing place, is a beautiful sandy, quiet beach.  Ahhhhh

We headed to the west coast of Florida and Bradenton for 2 weeks.  While we were there Jackie Smith and her friend Bob came to visit us for a few days out of their 2 week whirlwind vacation from Wisconsin.  We toured the Ringling Museum.  Winter quarters and residence of the Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey circus.  Knowing the history of Barnum & Bailey (originated in Delavan Wisc) it was really neat to see how their histories combined to make the Greatest Show on Earth.

They had a massive replica of a circus set up on display.  Probably 3 times the size of our motorhome.  And to think they set up and tore down this entire company every 1-2 days and moved on. 

This was a beautiful mansion of one of the Ringling Bros.  Marble, marble everywhere.  Stain glass windows and decorated for Christmas.  You know those 20 foot Christmas trees with glass ornaments and decorated garland everywhere.  It would take me a month just to decorate this place.  No, I like my 3foot, pop out of the tube, pre lit, pre decorated tree.  I even forgot the stockings this year. 

As we walked the grounds we spotted this Osprey in a tree having lunch.  The fish he was munching on was pretty well taken care of.  The bits that fell as he ate were quickly picked up by awaiting Egrets on the ground.  Lunch for all. 
We went to the Citrus Bowl parade.  Even though Wisconsin wasn't playing in it, Bob had seen the parade many years ago and said it was really different and beautiful.  He said that it wasn't as big or ornate as he had seen.  Floats decorated in oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, and any other citrus fruit was really neat to see.  Mickey and Minnie even made an appearance.  Universal studios even had a few of their characters in the parade. So it was really different then the parades we had seen before.  We had to show them the Apollo Beach Power Plant, where Manatee go in the winter.  We saw many Manatee, small sharks, and tarpon.  Glad they were there, as you hate to take people to special places and not see what you went there to see.  They continued on their vacation plans.  Outback Bowl in Tampa to see Wisconsin Badgers play, Daytona Beach, KSC, St Augustine lights, and more of Orlando before they drove back to cold, snowy Wisconsin.

Enroute to Texas

OK so quick "catch up" on our travels as I have been so BAD at posting and keeping up on the Blog.  Sorry :>(((
Paducah Illinois WalMart was a quick one night stop so I could check out the National Quilt Museum.  Beautiful quilts on display, but they wouldn't allow any pictures.  So you will never be able to view any of my quilts on display, but I can always dream and keep practicing.  We took a quick stop at the George W Bush Presidential Library in Dallas.  Duplicate Oval Office - Randy tried out the desk.  "President Randy and First Lady Lonna"  Im thinking about changing Lincoln's bedroom to a Craft room??? Naaah
Our trip took us through Texas Hill Country and a Beaver rally in Kerrville Texas, were we became the Region 3 National Director for the Beaver Ambassador Club.  Our duties are to encourage and organize RV rallies in our Region and represent the Midwest and Canada at Semi-annual meetings.  Sounds important but really just doing what we are doing and organizing rallies.  We have a Rally scheduled in May 2015 in Great Falls Montana and followed by a rally in Calgary Alberta that we are hosting before we continue on to Alaska.  Maybe have a few extras play follow the leader and take the trek to Alaska with us?!?!

We then headed to Florida for our winter quarters.  Loved Biloxi and the panhandle coastal area.  Would really like to stay much longer or even make it our winter choice in the future.  Much quieter beaches and not a lot of buildings on the beach side of the road so you can actually SEE the ocean, instead of a business or house. Lots of wide sidewalks and trails for walking and biking too.

We took the ferry to Mustang Island on the East coast of Texas (backing up in our trip) and saw dolphins playing in the bay.  Randy went into a "tourist" store and came out the sharks mouth.  Never know what that guys going to do......

I will try to keep the Blog updated more frequently 1) so there is something to read 2) So I remember more of what we did  3) So I can keep documenting our travels.  We have many people as us questions about where we've been or what we did at a certain place.  So I just jump on the internet and review the Blog so I can tell them the right info.  We are both doing well and still loving the gypsy life.  Christmas was hard being away from family and the kids but Randy let me cry and then we went for a nice walk.  So I made it through.  Kids Skyped so we could see them open gifts (that helped a lot).  Warm winter in Florida so more adventures to come.

Door County & home

Spent 2 weeks in Door County and Harbour View Campground on Hwy 42 - We love the location and nice facilities here.  We wandered the peninsula and really had a hard time finding a place we hadn't visited before.  It was nice to re-visit our favorite shops and antique stores.  We must be getting old, as we love reminiscing about old toys or items that we grew up with, that are now in the "antique" section.  Samantha came up and spent 3 nights with us. James and Jamie spent a few nights, and Amber and her new "friend" Will camped in his pop-up a few nights.  Sarah was the only one that wasn't able to come up.  But we saw her when we got back to Delavan, as well as the other kids too.  It was a nice restful time, no rush or major stuff to do.  Finished a few projects on and in the motorhome.  On the way back to Delavan we overnighted in the parking lot of Bauer Tire in Waukesha.  Got new tires put on the Motorhome - major budget !!!  But our RV insurance has a clause that the tires should not be more than 7 years old or they won't cover damage to the motorhome, if one should blow or whatever.  Ours were going on 8 and I can not imagine what kind of damage or cost it would take to repair my bathroom getting blown out or a wall or the motorhome.  So, "gulp", we got 8 new tires.  My brother Jim, suggested we keep the old tires and try to resell them as a set of 8 to a trucker (great tread and minimal wear for truckers).  Hauled them back to Delavan and put them on Ebay - sold in 2 weeks to a trucker from Rockford.  Repay a 1/5 of the cost of the new tires.  YAHHH   SCORE!!! 
The kids were all doing great.  James & Jamie are preparing for their wedding in May 2015, Amber's working hard at the roofing company and enjoys hunting/fishing every other waking hour (grand dog Duke is still chasing every tennis ball he can)
Sarah & boyfriend Tim are doing well and see each other when their schedules mesh. (grand dog Mr Jack is his usually character)  Samantha is looking for different jobs, caring for the love of her life (horses) and texting her mom frequently!  Brother Jim is working 2 jobs and so the farm is in the ladies hands during the week and his hands on the weekend.  Never enough time.  We always try to help out, when in town.  Helped clean out their garage, sort, and repack.  By garage I mean 4 barn doors wide and their stuff, 3 kids stuff, and some of our stuff - All packed in there.  Now everyone has their area and ALOT of stuff got put by the road, for sale, or on the burn pile. It amazes me how much stuff we all accumulate and can forget we even had.  It made me think, so I went through our storage trailer at the farm and didn't get rid of anything more but rearranged and made room for stuff in the motorhome that we hadn't used in the last 6 months.  May want it when we settle down in a bricks & sticks home again.  Don't know when that will be but always thinking ahead.  They say you should have an Exit plan, small 1 story house/apart/condo in Wisconsin is my plan.  Randy's still thinking.....

Yoopsconsin

Thought we would follow the "directions" of a local to find a row of 22 cascading waterfalls in the U.P.  This was near Marquette Michigan.  The terrain was a bit non-level and the only thing that saved us from many a slide was the tree roots that were above ground.  We each slid/fell twice but neither was off the cliff!  I didn't count how many of the falls we actually did see but there were sure a lot of locals having a great time swimming in the pools at the base of the different falls.  Wish we would have brought our swim suits.

Then switching gears we ended up in Ishpeming and the National Ski Museum.  Did not know that skiing and Olympic training originated in the U.P.  Great memorabilia are housed in this museum.  Snowboarding even has it's special part in the museum.  Randy & I just gave up downhill about 4 years ago but I've loved the sport since I was about 8 and we got skis for Christmas and we were at the local ski hills every Friday. Saturday, if we could talk my parents into taking us.  I was even President and originator of the Elkhorn High School Ski Team.  Great fun and great memories.  Now too worried about breaking something.

We toured an old Iron Ore Mine and got a lot of history behind the many mines in Northern Wisconsin and the U.P.  I had a cousin, but we always called him Grandpa, as he was the only older relative left on my dad's side.  He worked for decades in an Iron Ore Mine in California after leaving Wisconsin.  Had Black Lung to prove it.  So it was great to get an idea of the working conditions and what he must have gone through. Tedious, hard, hard labor and always damp, cold surroundings. I don't think my claustrophobia would have faired well going miles into a tunnel and if it caved in, or your candle/lamp went out - you were in the dark of dark.  Nope, glad I didn't chose that occupation. 
*******
Many years ago, before Upper Michigan was stolen from Wisconsin and because part of Michigan, this peninsula was known as 'Yoopsconsin'.  The king of all this territory, King Vince Lombardi, ruled over his subjects with an iron fist from his castle in the  Field of Lambeau, near the Hamlet of Green Bay.  The Knights of the Shining Deer guarded against violators who were always trying to shoot the king's deer.  These knights were the forerunners of today's dreaded D&R.
Da Yoopers Toursit Trap
This is a fun, funny place to stop and see all of the ODD inventions that are on display.  Link 3 snow blowers together and you can clear your driveway in 2 swipes!  Put a push lawnmower in place of your front bike tire and you can get the lawn mowed faster!  We laughed and thought, why can't we come up with these ideas and then go on Shark Tank and get them to invest.  Oh well, we will stick to what we know (or don't know) and be happy as we are.  But someday???



In Iron Mountain Michigan is the WWII glider and pump museum.  Blows my mind that this ginormous pump was made in the 1800's, to keep the mines from flooding on the workers. You could see many of it's parts were "hand" made but still works today.  Next door was the Glider museum, they were invented and build right here in the U.P. to basically make a One Way trip over the enemy (silently) and deliver jeeps, supplies, men to our troops. Another invention that blows my mind.  Great WWII artifacts.  Randy has been putting up with my obsession of WWII museums.  My dad, uncle, and my mom's 4 brothers all served in WWII.  Never got to talk to him much about it, as at 17 it wasn't an interest of a teenage girl.  But we do have lots of photos and items from all that now I want to look into.  Very, very interesting.  I even got online and was able to obtain the Incident Report of my Uncle Elmer (mom's brother) who's plane crashed over the ocean in Hawaii, and what may have happened.  The internet is a wonderful tool.
On to Northern Wisconsin and checking out more waterfalls that we had not been to.  Well Randy had been to many, many of them when he attended Northland Bible College, back in the 70's.  We stopped at Northland which has changed drastically in the last decade since we drove through.  Buildings everywhere, they even added a mini-golf course and a huge rec center.  We stopped in the office and got a tour of the facilities.  Randy had helped build many of the original buildings or renovated, as the college was only a few years old when he started.  The buildings are still there, many re-renovated but he had many stories to tell of his "saintly" days at Bible College.  Keeping his motorcycle to do a tune up, in his dorm.  Keeping his pet turtle in the toilet reservoir tank.  Hidden radio (not allowed at the time).  Yup, learned a lot at college, he did!
Leaving Northland the fog was setting and so the sun.  Awesome views and a great day in Northern Wisconsin.