Sunday, January 28, 2007

It's hard to tell from the photo but there were about 6 Manatees congregated here for their 'snack' of carrots, sweet potatoes, and lettuce. Posted by Picasa
View of part of a Manatee from the underwater observatory. Posted by Picasa
Lu the Hippo - She just turned 47 on 1/26 and has been in several movies & TV shows! Posted by Picasa
An American Bald Eagle at the Wildlife Park (he was missing part of a wing so was not in a cagePosted by Picasa

Crystal River, FL

Jan 28 … Sun - It started raining before 5:00 a.m. and did so for about an hour. It’s going to be windy and colder today and tomorrow (Monday) night the temp is supposed to go below freezing in this area. I think we need to head back to Key West if we want some warm weather in Fl. This afternoon we went to the movie “Pursuit of Happyness” at the local mall.

Jan 27 … Sat - Another cold morning but not as cold as yesterday. By noon it was sunny and 65 or so. We decided to go check out the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park which was only about 10 miles from the park. This is a park where you can see wildlife up close, especially the Florida Manatee. The park has an underwater observatory where you can view schools of fish and manatees up close. We attended the Manatee program where the volunteer instructor talked a great deal about them. He then went into the 72 degree water to feed them sweet potatoes by hand. It was very interesting to watch him feed these unusual and extremely docile mammals that can weigh up to 3,300 pounds.

Jan 26 … Fri - Woke up to a cold but sunny 38 degree morning. Took a walk around the park after it warmed up a bit. Dixie worked on campground reservations at some Corp of Engineer parks in Alabama and Tennessee for April and May.

Jan 25 … Thurs - For Florida, the weather is cold at about 45 degrees this morning. It rained most of the night. Went to the local library to use their high speed computers. Also drove around Crystal River a bit.

Jan 24 … Wed - The motorhome is at the National RV Service Center in Lakeland, Fl. We had taken it there so that they could repair a couple of items. They fixed these items but for some reason the DirecTV receiver would not work. After much conversion with DirecTV they are sending us a new receiver. While all this was happening Dixie had another doctor appointment for her knee. The MRI results show a badly torn Menicus (sp). They scheduled orthroscopic surgery for Feb 5th. Because of that we will extend our stay in this area until Feb. 15th. We then drove the 130 miles to the Crystal Isle RV resort in Crystal River, Fl.

Friday, January 26, 2007

The "Eiffel Tower" on Sunday morning, January 21, 2007 Posted by Picasa
The "Eiffel Tower" at night....we went to the top right after this photo. Every hour for about 10 minutes there are additional lights that flash on and off. It's an awesome site! Posted by Picasa
 Posted by Picasa
Dixie's 50th Birthday Dinner...We had a view of the Eiffel Tower! Posted by Picasa
Seine River is behind Mike, however the wall is blocking it. The river is down quite a ways from the walkway. Posted by Picasa
Mike in the rain in front of the "Arc de Triomphe". The is the start of the "Avenue des Champs-Elysees". (we were told that small planes have flow through this monument on a dare) Posted by Picasa
The famous "Avenue des Champs-Elysees". This view is from the top deck of the bus. (sorry about the reflection, had to take it looking through the window) This is the part of the avenue that begins at the Seine River.  Posted by Picasa
The entrance to the Louvre Museum Posted by Picasa
This is just one wing of the Louvre Museum (a small portion- there are four llours and three wings) Posted by Picasa
Inside of the Louvre...on the way to the Mona Lisa painting. Of course we could not take photos of any of the paintings. Posted by Picasa
Inside the Louvre - a portion of Napolean's Apartments (he had a full wing) Posted by Picasa
Notre-Dame....side view Posted by Picasa
Inside of Notre-Dame (it was incredible)! Posted by Picasa
Dixie at Notre-DamPosted by Picasa
Mike in front of the Baslique Du Sacre Coeur (we climbed all these steps & went in the church, which was beautiful) Posted by Picasa

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Paris, France!

Jan 23 … Tuesday - Paris, Fr. - Very cold day.
We decided to hire a van to take us to the Charles de Gaulle airport instead of attempting the subway and train. The van driver picked us up at 0700 and after picking up some more people at various hotels in the city, we got to the airport around 0800. Everything went smoothly and we boarded in BusinessFirst class for the 1000am departure for Newark, USA. Very good flight that arrived one hour early into Newark. Since we were this early and were carrying our luggage, we were able to board an earlier flight to our destination of Tampa, FL where our motorhome was parked.

Jan 22 … Monday - Paris, Fr. - WX very cold but still dry.
We spent much of this day riding our tour bus to the different parts of the city. We saw the Latin Quarter, the Opera district, St. Germain and Montparnasse sections. We also climbed the steps of the Basilique Cu Sacre Coeur. While in the Montarie section of the city we saw the Moulin Rouge where the Can Can was invented as well as the first “strip-tease” dance. Needless to say, it was a rather “seedy” part of Paris. Later, we waited in the cold for about a half hour for our bus. When it finally arrived, the driver declared that he was through for the day but that another bus would be along in about 30 minutes. We decided to walk the approximately 2 miles back to the hotel. We stopped along the way to pick up some dinner items so we could eat in the hotel room. We had to make four stops. A grocery store for wine; another shop for some ham and cheese; another shop for the bread and yet another for fruit. Paris is a city of specialty shops for sure. By the time we got back to the hotel, the pedometer registered almost 7 miles of walking for the day. Actually, we walked about this much each of the days we were there.

Jan 21 … Paris, Fr - Dixie’s 50th birthday - Wx cold but dry.
The day started with breakfast at the hotel around 7:00 a.m. It consisted of a choice of ham, salami, boiled egg, very strong coffee, juice and delicious croissant rolls. We later boarded the L’Open Tour bus for a tour of the city. The busses were double-decked with the upper deck being open. We were issued ear phones which plugged into the jacks located at each seat. You could get off and on the bus at over 50 stops around the city. Today we boarded near the Eiffel Tower and got off at the world famous Louvre Museum. This museum is immense in size and has one of the largest collection of Art going back several centuries. And of course, it is the caretaker of the famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo D’Venci. It is an enormous building. We spent about 3 hours seeing as much as possible. Later, our bus tour took us to the Notre Dame church. It is difficult to describe this masterpiece. Although we didn’t spend a lot of time inside, we did walk through it and admired its’ awesome architecture. Construction began in 1163, during the reign of Louis VII, and opinion differs as to whether Bishop Maurice de Sully or Pope Alexander III laid the foundation stone of the cathedral. However, both were at the ceremony in question. Bishop de Sully went on to devote most of his life and wealth to the cathedral's construction. Construction of the west front, with its distinctive two towers, began circa 1200, before the nave had been completed. Over the construction period, numerous architects worked on the site, as is evidenced by the differing styles at different heights of the west front and towers. Between 1210 and 1220, the fourth architect oversaw the construction of the level with the rose window and the great halls beneath the towers. The towers were completed around 1245, and the cathedral was completed around 1345. We continued our bus tour, seeing more of the city and it's wonderful stuctures.
It was Dixie’s birthday so that evening we had dinner at one of the many sidewalk restaurants in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. This one was called Le Becupre’. The food and service was excellent. We started with Escargot - Dixie had Salmon, prepared French style, and Mike had Lasagna, again prepared like the French prepare it. The cost was 50 Euros which is about $65.00. After dinner we decided to see Paris at night from the top of the Eiffel Tower. The view was indescribable. Paris is an enormous city and to see it “lit up” at night from 905 feet, was an unforgettable sight. Unfortunately, our digital camera photos did not turn out.

Jan 20 … Saturday - Paris, Fr. Upon arriving in Paris Charles de Gaulle airport we made our way to the train station which was located in the airport. Dixie had researched it well and got our ticket and boarded the train with no problem. After we rode the train into the city, we then had to transfer to the subway in order to get closer to our hotel. Again, it went without a problem. Our hotel was less than a 1/2 mile from the Eiffel Tower. Once we got checked in, we showered, changed and started walking the city. The weather was cold and rainy. We walked past the Eiffel Tower, crossed the Seine River on one of the many bridges, walked along the Champs-Elysees and photographed the Arc de Triomphe. We had dinner at the Bistro Dupleix near the hotel. Tomorrow we plan to take a bus tour of the entire city.

Jan 19 … The day started early,departing the Hide-A-Way RV park in Ruskin bound for Lakeland and the National RV Service Center. Needed a few things done to the mh. The flight from Tampa was on time into the Newark airport. Once in Newark, we boarded the flight to Paris on time at about 6:15 p.m. However … the flight didn’t depart until just after 11:00 p.m. After we boarded, a snow shower moved in and with the temp being 32 degrees, our airplane, along with all others departing that evening, had to be deiced. This, along with having to take on more fuel, caused the lengthy delay.

Thursday, January 18, 2007


Mike and the Pelican













Saint Petes Beach Posted by Picasa

More from the Tampa/St. Petersburg area

Jan 18 … Getting ready for our big trip to Paris. Laundry this morning, packing, checking flights and generally getting everything ready to go. We leave tomorrow and return on Tuesday.
Jan 17 … Today was cooler and a bit breezy. It was also the first day of the Tampa RV Show so we decided to go. The turn out in terms of people was huge. Since it is winter in Florida, there were literally thousands of people there. Of course, there were hundreds of rv’s on display as well. Everything from million dollar Prevost to tiny travel trailers. We walked through many of the motorhomes from several manufactures. Some of them were Winnebago, National RV, Newmar, Monaco, Fleetwood, Country Coach, Alpha, Damon and more. The interior design and price is unlimited. One Damon coach was designed with five slide out walls. It made for three distinctive rooms in the coach. Today was a special day for our Grandson, Nicholas Teague. It was his 8th birthday.
Jan 16 … Walmart day.
Jan 15 … Today we took a drive to beautiful St. Petersburg, FL. The weather was just about perfect with a temp around 78 degrees, sunny skies and little wind. Our first stop was The Pier. It is built out over the water and consists of an aquarium, restaurants and shops. The view of the bay area is spectacular to say the least. We then drove to St. Pete Beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Wow!! This is without a doubt one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve seen. We had no choice but to spread a large beach towel and bask, a.k.a. nap, for awhile.

Sunday, January 14, 2007


Close up of a Manatee
and
Bay area where they 'hang out' Posted by Picasa

Ruskin (just South of Tampa)

Jan 14 ... Quite day today. Went to the pool this afternon and also did a little laundry.
Jan 13 … Little Manatee State Park was on the agenda today. We hiked the trails along the river an estimated 5 miles. Didn’t see any gators. After that we drove to the Prime Outlet center in Ellenton … and walked some more. By the time we got home we were very tired. Later that evening we went to the Steve Jeffris Show here at the rv park. We walked in about 5 minutes late and the only two seats together were on the second from the front. He’s a one man musical program of Country, Gospel, 50’s Rock n Roll, Old Standards, clean family comedy & crowd participation. Well … since we walked in late -up front- we became the crowd participation part. He told Dixie she didn’t look old enough to be in the crowd and said Mike looked like either a banker or a mortician. He handed Mike a mike and I had a “part” in one of his songs. It was an embarrassing yet fun experience. One thing for sure…we won’t walk in late to one of his shows again.
Jan 12 … We were anxious to see a Manatee up close so we went to the Manatee Viewing Center located at the Tampa Electric Power Plant. From the viewing platforms built over the water we saw many, probably as many as 30-40 in the warm waters of the power plant. When the Gulf water temp drops below 68degrees as many as 300 of them have congregated in this area.
Jan 11 … The first order of business today was to the Florida Orthopedic Institute in Sun City for Dixies’ appointment (continues to have knee problems). Later in the afternoon, we visited a AAA Travel office to pick up some travel books for our upcoming Paris trip.
Jan 10 … Today was our move day from the park in Fort Myers to the one in Ruskin, FL. Ruskin is approximately 30 miles south of Tampa. Problems with the bedroom slide out, it wouldn’t move (2nd time). Had to push the slide in from outside. Fortunately, it went in fairly easily. Luckily we already had an appt for a Warrenty Item and we were able to make arrangements to bring the mh in three days before our appointment on the 24th so that it can be repaired.

Saturday, January 13, 2007


Mike on Sanibel Island with lighthouse in background.

















Dixie avoiding the raindrops at Lovers Keys. Posted by Picasa
The first 'motorhome' built by Henry Ford
















Thomas Edison's Botanical Lab Posted by Picasa

Fort Myers

January 9 … The highlight of the day was a visit to the Edison-Ford Lab and Museum (both had winter homes in Fort Myers). We learned that Thomas A. Edison had patented 1,097 inventions. Some of the more well known ones were the incandescent light bulb, the phonograph, moving picture camera and storage batteries. The chemical laboratory is one of the most absorbing features of the Edison Estate. Here, workers helped Edison in his research on goldenrod as a source of natural rubber. Throughout the laboratory, where Edison conducted his last major experiments, all of his things are just as they were in his lifetime, including his "cat-nap" cot. Because of his deafness, Edison's sleep was undisturbed and relaxed him so much that 15 minute sleep to him was as good as is several hours to anyone else.
When the price of rubber soared in the late 1920’s, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and Harvey Firestone combined their efforts, talents and finances in search of a natural source for rubber. Together they established the Edison Botanic Research Company. Extensive research proved Goldenrod, a common weed growing to an average height of 3-4 feet, produced 5% yield of latex. Through hybridization, Edison produced Goldenrod in excess of 12 feet, yielding 12% latex.
January 8 … Walked in the a.m. and to Walmart that afternoon.
January 7 … On tap today was the beach, specifically, Lovers Key-Carl E. Johnson State Park in Ft. Myers. In the early 1900s the islands were accessible only by boat. It was said that only lovers made the effort to get to this romantic island - thus the name Lovers Key. A road to the island was built in 1965. This large park between Fort Myers and Naples is comprised of four barrier islands - Lovers Key, Inner Key, Black Island and Long Key. It contains 2.5 miles of white sandy beaches on the Gulf of Mexico. Although the weather wasn’t perfect, clouds and light showers, it was still a great day to be outside and on the beach.
January 6 … We went to a Manatee Park today but, unfortunately, there were no Manatees to be found. The reason; the weather has been too warm so they have no reason to leave the Gulf. Manatees come to this park during the winter months when the water temp of the Gulf of Mexico and rivers drops below 68 degrees. The endangered Florida manatee then seeks refuge from the cold waters by swimming into the Florida Power and Light warm water discharge canal. This sanctuary provides a winter haven for these warm-blooded native mammals that live, feed and raise their young year round in the fresh, brackish or saltwater costal areas of Florida.
January 5 … Took a long bike ride this morning; probably 6 miles or so. We rode into a gated housing addition and asked the guard if we could ride through. She said ok and suggested we visit the models and directed us how to get to them. We went into one of them and needless to say, it was awesome. It was about 2700 sq ft; had high ceilings and opened out to a screened in pool and hot tub. It was just down the street from a golf course. We tried to not look shocked when the sales lady informed us of the 1.4 million dollar price tag. Later, the rv park was having a pool party so we had lunch and listened to a very good husband-wife duo sing a variety of music.
January 4 … Beautiful Sanibel Island was on the agenda today. With the weather being just about perfect at 75 degrees, low humidity and wind, we made the short drive over. We continued on to Captiva Island as well where we walked pristine beaches where lots of people were sun bathing, fishing and parasailing.
January 3 … Cranked up the house before 0700 this morning in order to be at the Freightliner center early for a warranty recall item. (Our neighbors musta loved us) The mh work was completed by 1000 but we couldn’t check in to our next park until 1300 so we drove to a local Walmart and did some shopping and then had lunch. The park is just off busy Hwy 41 in Fort Myers and seems to have a lot of “snowbirds” from the NE and Canada. The park is ok because it has 50 amp service and we get the satellite feed. Only down side is that we don’t get our internet connection from our t-mobile wireless card. Oh well, there’s a library close by I’m sure.

Tuesday, January 02, 2007

A view from the balcony of Hector & Georgie's Condo/Apartment on the 33rd floor of the Doubletree Grand Residences. It was an unbelievable view! Posted by Picasa