Running: the Sequel

While wandering through central Florida, we stopped by my cousin's log home to hook up both the RV and with him & his dogs, since wife Carol was out of town visiting family. Although we missed her in person, Carol's passion is quilting, as evidenced by her professional-looking workshop.

However, when we got home a few days later, we were able to connect with Carol, who stayed with us on her journey back to FL., and gave us a show-n-tell with her latest pieces.

Notice how the colors change when a flash is used....

Running, er - paddling.....

Kayaking in the Blackwater River, on the 99 mile paddle trail through the 10,000 Island Refuge in the Everglades. We didn't go quite that far, however. Don't I make a fetching piece of gator bait? Seriously, we weren't the only inflatables out there. The rangers seemed cool with it. Gotta love 84 degree weather in February!

Did I mention there were these birds???

Still Running....

We spent the last 3 days in the northwestern end of the Everglades, camping at Collier Seminole State Park. Below is a funky old general store in Chokaloskee Island near Everglades City which is now a museum of how life used to be. The back of the store overlooks the bay. Location, location, location! The Smallwood Store also features the distinctive stitchwork and beading of the Seminoles.

It takes a while to take it all in....

Out in the canal, dinner is served...or caught, and yes, the place was crawling with gators.

At Everglades National Park, we took the boat tour of the 10,000 Islands Wildlife Refuge. There were these birds.....

And meanwhile, back at the ranch, there were these Roadtreks! This was the camping ambience at Collier Seminole. Fortunately, folks were considerate and quiet...until Friday night of the 3 day holiday weekend. But we left Sat. AM for central Fl. Oh darn!

Running Away, (Con't.)

From Skidaway State Park and Savannah to St. Augustine....we've been without wi-fi for a few days, hence the delay, but tonight we are at a sweet RV resort on Little Manatee River where everyone hangs around all winter and it is like one big happy family. Also, they have a great internet! Our evening beach walk at Anastasia State Park. If you go, make reservations! Had the perfect kayak paddle at high tide around 4 earlier that afternoon. Can't wait to see full moon in the Everglades in a few days.

One of the many attractions on old St. Augustine...a glass 'armonica' (sort of) player. Loved this guy! He also plays weddings and bar mitzvahs! He thought it was rather sacriligious when the groom stomped the wine glass, however.

Sunset through the palms at Anastasia

Yachts lined up awaiting the next drawbridge opening. Our weather has been superb...chilly nights and 60's in Ga., upper 70's and low 80's in central Fl. Daisy and Buddy hanging in there, although Buddy got into a nest of sandspurs tonight and what fun Mike had pulling them out from between his pads. Off to the Everglades tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Running Away From Winter

Okay, winter in Ga. is definitely changing....for the worse, so we hopped in Fat Boy and went south...first to Skidaway Island State Park, where we camped for 4 nights, spending our days in Savannah, where we checked out the WWII Vets Monument, then visited with old friends at the Shrimp Factory. We visited and hiked at Wormsloe then took a sunset hike at Skidaway. Although the evenings were chilly, daytime only demanded jackets....beats the heck out of the sub-freezing temps in Atl. this week.

Oh Shenandoah, I long to kayak you! So, it's sunny out, the river is peaceful...let's go for it, since we're camping nearby at Shenandoah State Park....

From sunshine to rain as Mike and I put our kayaks in.

Rain finally drove us off the river, but as soon as we deflated the 'yaks, it stopped, of course.

I dunno, there's just something about kayaking in a gentle fall rain on the Shenandoah River that brings out the romance in me!

October in Va. & DC, Con't.

This is the classic view of the Blue Ridge Parkway with it's fall colors and stone arches. We traveled it this fall to visit Luray, the Shenandoah National Park and eventually, DC.

This is David Breneman, Carillonneur for the Luray Tower and these are the bells he plays.....

...and these are the bells I usually play....

Have you hugged your bell today? Seriously, since he was kind enough to take us up in the tower, I wanted to get as close as I could to the bells. I discovered if I tapped this monster like a trill and pressed my ear against it, I could hear it resonate, low and deep. And what a view of the countryside!

David gave us a personal concert, using both fists and feet to create dynamics with these multi-sized bells. Scroll down and notice I play with my fingers...chicken!

Not only does he play, he knows how to maintain this gi-normous instrument!

Those of you who know me well understand that I am a fan of bells....any kind and all sizes, so I was thrilled when David gave me a shot at playing the Luray Carillon. Of course, it was nerve-wracking, as the whole town hears one's mistakes....

In Luray, VA., the biggest draw are the Luray Caverns, which indeed have some of the finest specimens of 'draping' I've ever seen and I come from Ky. - cave country to the max!

The views from the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall are spectacular and we lucked out with perfect weather for camping and leaf-looking.