tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-304342172024-03-07T03:41:56.313-05:00Gypsy Jane's BlogWhen I started this blog, I was a reset merchandiser, traveling the southeast. Now I'm retired, visiting and going to events. Or I was until the pandemic hit. Now I follow weather, going to places I can avoid people.
When I started this blog, I'd just moved into a 26' Class C. Since then I've lived in a 32' Class A, a Grand Caravan, and now a B3500 former wheelchair van. All these varied rigs have been right for a particular time in my travels.
~ Gypsy JaneGypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.comBlogger322125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-70219514038887434062020-12-01T10:46:00.000-05:002020-12-01T10:46:23.957-05:00HOW TO AVOID EZ-UP CANOPY COLLAPSE!<p>Have you ever seen what happens when an EZ-UP style canopy is caught in heavy rain? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7LN_3L2a61XOy-TvlZDFZcXcT0k6jXi71Bxs5fr_AyVqdC_T7efZPHw28Rim6bf-uOyImDndp3kpnH7LWE23eDBwRmCchBJcidrg33pithMspnXZZi0_LRF4yNO4M1N69zttqg/s2048/canopy+at+FMNF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7LN_3L2a61XOy-TvlZDFZcXcT0k6jXi71Bxs5fr_AyVqdC_T7efZPHw28Rim6bf-uOyImDndp3kpnH7LWE23eDBwRmCchBJcidrg33pithMspnXZZi0_LRF4yNO4M1N69zttqg/s320/canopy+at+FMNF.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I've owned one for several years, which I set up at flea markets or when I'm camping for a decent amount of time in one place. I discovered right away that the scissors style frame does not allow water to just run off like it would on my 18th century dining fly. The frame traps the water and it pools there, and you have to reach up with a broom or something and raise the cover up so the water pours off. I would watch the weather app and if rain were possible I would take the cover off. Therefore it was only good for shade, not as any sort of rain protection.</p><p>I have camped next to several EZ-UP DISASTERS. One of my neighbors' canopy got caught in wind and rain and mangled badly. He put it back up in front of his tent but it was lopsided and a lot shorter than it had been.</p><p>Another year the folks camped next to me had their canopy in front of the door of their trailer. It rained heavily during the night, the canopy collapsed and blocked their door, trapping them inside. It took them quite a while to get out.</p><p>When I parked at the end of March for a long term camp due to COVID, I set my canopy up next to my van.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifO-0BTvQV-G8537eSXuU2-dlybQtjVWs7UiSYyzHC6313mhgiY-sgorx2tHDFmPWnLcjSmMPDGTVq4VLQKK7d6MLoQU27XpKpBTqoC7TO80lFnq6sAw3YzGGR88Rpuw8uf2ajBQ/s1892/canopy+at+FF+by+van.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1593" data-original-width="1892" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifO-0BTvQV-G8537eSXuU2-dlybQtjVWs7UiSYyzHC6313mhgiY-sgorx2tHDFmPWnLcjSmMPDGTVq4VLQKK7d6MLoQU27XpKpBTqoC7TO80lFnq6sAw3YzGGR88Rpuw8uf2ajBQ/s320/canopy+at+FF+by+van.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And it was only a matter of time, and one night an unexpected heavy rain fell while I was sleeping. I was sure I had taken pictures of my mangled canopy, but apparently not. Trust me, it was not salvageable. The frame was bent in places and broken in places. It still held a pool of water large and heavy enough that I had to cut the fabric to let it out and be able to clean up the mess.</p><p>(If you want to see what all that was like, <a href="https://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/cherokee-triangle-creation-and-destruction-in-the-eternal?overrideMobileRedirect=1&id=2160589%3ABlogPost%3A308513&page=3" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">this other blogger</a> had a similar experience and did take pictures.</p><p>I hauled the frame to the dump, rolled up the cover, and ordered a new canopy. When it arrived, I put the new cover aside, and set up the new frame with the old cover. I wanted to test my theory. When I took the canopy down 6 months later I knew my theory worked.</p><p>Here's the deal: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2Non-v6KgrfawtkuKo_Ncgiw1LTl2JR-LPxsS3CBlia4Uv425Zs-QJiWPgJV4yyhIlaluP3a7QGY4f9A0ZZ6JPj3Z3zlMCMWh2GUDDbrbb_pdheBvBbj32CwONnWGDukkuFvug/s2048/the+original+cut.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL2Non-v6KgrfawtkuKo_Ncgiw1LTl2JR-LPxsS3CBlia4Uv425Zs-QJiWPgJV4yyhIlaluP3a7QGY4f9A0ZZ6JPj3Z3zlMCMWh2GUDDbrbb_pdheBvBbj32CwONnWGDukkuFvug/s320/the+original+cut.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Since the scissors frame holds the water in, I figured that if I put holes in the fabric where the water would pool, that would let it out, keep it from pooling, and keep it from collapsing the frame. I did not want to put holes in my brand new canopy top, and the old one already had a big slice where I had let the water out the day it collapsed. So I sliced holes in the other three sides and waited for the next rain to see what would happen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWV_qQDHVYmks5FLnmDqWTaKXviweBUvi29VMME3ajscC3bpbky1CArqlCOi4TS1f1F1e4u_L1hWrb4ezYy9sNHE9jijHW4Ghu2_coYIke4Rpkhc2Uoc6eecwNFEbz1nUorK-Ug/s2048/slit+over+sunshade+wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWV_qQDHVYmks5FLnmDqWTaKXviweBUvi29VMME3ajscC3bpbky1CArqlCOi4TS1f1F1e4u_L1hWrb4ezYy9sNHE9jijHW4Ghu2_coYIke4Rpkhc2Uoc6eecwNFEbz1nUorK-Ug/s320/slit+over+sunshade+wall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>IT WORKED!!! Rain came, rain hit the canopy, rain ran out through the holes instead of pooling. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWDADV-e5D_lOjCzntt_wBU81mvklBdB_rMkk41ROx1plfs8wZI6QFSLRgggtGCYvIl208r7IPQe29zhR6CptRMm7yUKkZytU4hQOnNCT1ya5wnvq6_-30ujfb1b-YCCL-AN3Vw/s2048/raining+not+collecting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWDADV-e5D_lOjCzntt_wBU81mvklBdB_rMkk41ROx1plfs8wZI6QFSLRgggtGCYvIl208r7IPQe29zhR6CptRMm7yUKkZytU4hQOnNCT1ya5wnvq6_-30ujfb1b-YCCL-AN3Vw/s320/raining+not+collecting.jpg" /></a></div><br />The canopy withstood quite a few heavy downpours over the summer. The water goes through the holes, and hits the ground right near where it would have if it would have drained off the roof properly. Buckets placed there keep me from having to haul dishwater.</p><p>So when I do open up the new canopy, I plan to put grommets in the places where I put the slits in the old ones, so the holes will be neat and finished looking. I was worried that my slits might tear, but that's good tough fabric and they didn't tear at all.</p>
Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-80275583652432943102020-11-06T18:26:00.000-05:002020-11-06T18:26:55.210-05:00I got a KAYAK!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></p><div style="text-align: left;">OK, COVID happened, I stayed in one place for 6 whole months, long enough that Gas Buddy asked if my card had been stolen. My eighteenth century events were all cancelled, so I did home improvement (another post) and then unloaded my time traveling gear into storage. My intention for now is to do a lot of woodswalking, bike riding, and every chance I get KAYAKING.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I got an <a href="https://www.orukayak.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ORU BEACH</a> folding Kayak. My VA daughter also has one, so we took them out for their first swim when I got to Virginia.</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYJd6FZokTe-4vau2Bk1Ks6w2sZS3GBBotmIqbp9OVcmtSs8x7X5Rh4PlXsu0WZI2Is3kyJvscresVCBnvbQ9dKm_lV3hyA0p-vFFJervWUjiA6ZIW8PB73hs98ldHZvXvHMGng/s960/Kayak%2527s+first+swim+setting+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYJd6FZokTe-4vau2Bk1Ks6w2sZS3GBBotmIqbp9OVcmtSs8x7X5Rh4PlXsu0WZI2Is3kyJvscresVCBnvbQ9dKm_lV3hyA0p-vFFJervWUjiA6ZIW8PB73hs98ldHZvXvHMGng/s320/Kayak%2527s+first+swim+setting+up.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My kayak folds up into a box shape 13 x 30 x 33, which I can carry INSIDE my van. It only weighs 26 pounds, and the case has backpack straps. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6_9jbIWL081zdYmRW3KdXhUfkKxap4heE6YrSKKKB5G8wllqRt6dfzSOwMi0TgLTytrLWvPr4-CBClhBCFFiQG-BOldkOncEe_0SwhEWLWICxhBPPSDAvGL3wTiCForrm2NKEA/s960/Kayak%2527s+first+swim+with+Stacy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6_9jbIWL081zdYmRW3KdXhUfkKxap4heE6YrSKKKB5G8wllqRt6dfzSOwMi0TgLTytrLWvPr4-CBClhBCFFiQG-BOldkOncEe_0SwhEWLWICxhBPPSDAvGL3wTiCForrm2NKEA/s320/Kayak%2527s+first+swim+with+Stacy+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It behaves very nicely in the water. Although ORU makes more adventurous kayaks, mine is a flat water kayak - and I am a flat water kayaker. I have no interest in careening down rapids; I like exploring soggy cypress groves and stuff like that. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuR9AZQM4BGEq1h138pRkGQ61GeI5KTFPpdfd2aCziLCMgI0eN0xgWuazRSt0_3O62KRS5nFmvuxu1CYPXEmEKkug5Xhr5lE-xCB293HJcYuiXN-l4KVLplfWY2l-fTAndJ0otw/s960/Kayak%2527s+first+swim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJuR9AZQM4BGEq1h138pRkGQ61GeI5KTFPpdfd2aCziLCMgI0eN0xgWuazRSt0_3O62KRS5nFmvuxu1CYPXEmEKkug5Xhr5lE-xCB293HJcYuiXN-l4KVLplfWY2l-fTAndJ0otw/s320/Kayak%2527s+first+swim.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So stay tuned for kayak explorations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <p></p>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-72922912657686019342020-02-28T21:37:00.000-05:002020-02-29T21:05:28.238-05:00My Thoughts on RV DesignMy home has had wheels since 1995. I've had dwellings as small as a Dodge Grand Caravan and as large as a 32 foot Class A motorhome. With an assortment of trailer and Class C in between. So I have formed some opinions on RV design. <div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoyy3ceDOXybrIROvzjHRlEqJn-K5VyI_Pzd2bR3CDLNRBlgHZvqoV8imB806TIX4vaS4VrCQkrPk2e75WY0KQT_O9W9hrop4AXOqt9Wb3Y1AWe-OgQ9nXYrb6OSDLPN5lXWxxg/s1600/1582943869869481-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOoyy3ceDOXybrIROvzjHRlEqJn-K5VyI_Pzd2bR3CDLNRBlgHZvqoV8imB806TIX4vaS4VrCQkrPk2e75WY0KQT_O9W9hrop4AXOqt9Wb3Y1AWe-OgQ9nXYrb6OSDLPN5lXWxxg/s1600/1582943869869481-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div><div>Thursday, I went to the Ocala RV show. I saw a lot of RVs. Mostly travel trailer and fifth wheels, although there were motorhomes, some Class B camper vans, some truck campers, and some A-liners. </div><div><br></div><div>It was a pleasant day to spend at the show, but I was disappointed by the RV industry. So many of the rigs, although made by different companies, looked the same. Same floor plans. Same features. Same features omitted. </div><div><br></div><div>My long standing RV pet peeve continues: rigs that sleep 6 or 8 people but have NO closet space. Really? Are nudists a large part of your market base? </div><div><br></div><div>Other peeves: </div><div><br></div><div>Slides. I found very few rigs without slides. And even though slides have been such a popular feature for quite a while now, they continue to design them in such a way that you can't use your rig without deploying the slides. Which means you can't make a quick stop on the way for coffee or to use the bathroom. </div><div><br></div><div>Beds: either they're Queens and Kings, or they're hole in the wall bunks that are impossible to make up and claustrophobic to sleep in. How about some rigs with single or full mattresses and some useable floor space. Ever try to do yoga in an RV? </div><div><br></div><div>Entertainment: There are always televisions. But never book shelves. It's been a while since I've shopped RVs, so i hadn't seen the outside TVs before. Flat screen TVs built into the outside wall of the RV. Why?! If you have that feature, please do not park next to me. </div><div><br></div><div>Something else that surprised me... The show was in Ocala FL, which is a horse area. It was held at an equestrian center. So I was surprised that living quarters equipped horse trailers were totally not represented. </div><div><br></div><div>And another thought I had... There were no rigs that seemed like they might be easy to adapt to use by people with mobility problems. Narrow doors and passageways, awkward bathrooms, beds with little space next to them. I mentioned this to several of the sales reps and was assured that there are companies that would remodel rigs to accommodate chairs and scooters. I didn't find that at all reassuring, since it would have to be extensive and expensive. </div><div><br></div><div>I know that there are no perfect rigs. But it would seem that more options would be a good thing. RVs for single people, mobility challenged people, people who need to carry craft supplies and musical instruments and books, or who do yoga.</div><div><br></div><div>I did see one rig i really liked. It was a pull behind toy hauler, with the ramp that can also be a porch. It has enough room for my music and craft stuff and a decent house layout. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoyQaR87ICVREh-aAhFH-S-eCSqY5eeqJquMKU6z4LJM9P60quHbFXZn_BVejy-ECBKujzyNhZCBuN4AndeZzXPkIJ8SQpWEIJXOWyHcycbpJwDVfzsDTIiap5XEX28jFVsVjAA/s1600/1582943866699109-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoyQaR87ICVREh-aAhFH-S-eCSqY5eeqJquMKU6z4LJM9P60quHbFXZn_BVejy-ECBKujzyNhZCBuN4AndeZzXPkIJ8SQpWEIJXOWyHcycbpJwDVfzsDTIiap5XEX28jFVsVjAA/s1600/1582943866699109-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_USrUS-GDZvfSuJPIGijSO2t7jqY3I-TJaV0aCf71wHSsb9Im5LzuyUOmntqfR1qSAl-1CNblqXkwgK-HRDuvgSkn75-JeGy7MiLmci6ShuCsEEc5MCrhWzuEcHJYYYlVZVG0PA/s1600/1582943863359967-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_USrUS-GDZvfSuJPIGijSO2t7jqY3I-TJaV0aCf71wHSsb9Im5LzuyUOmntqfR1qSAl-1CNblqXkwgK-HRDuvgSkn75-JeGy7MiLmci6ShuCsEEc5MCrhWzuEcHJYYYlVZVG0PA/s1600/1582943863359967-2.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGp1ik8w9JybfF6f4xPxikc_7fvaA_cUOruTKcK0MvnR_xbudJDBbGX6CrpnQ-2eE4UzhcUjPOXYU5S6iyNBfFHmnMo-yEsgv9QaBPC4CfDX-VIVxwbUVZnJ9Jefir39Wl9AOPQ/s1600/1582943860047682-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGp1ik8w9JybfF6f4xPxikc_7fvaA_cUOruTKcK0MvnR_xbudJDBbGX6CrpnQ-2eE4UzhcUjPOXYU5S6iyNBfFHmnMo-yEsgv9QaBPC4CfDX-VIVxwbUVZnJ9Jefir39Wl9AOPQ/s1600/1582943860047682-3.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiQx_dkAF1M26WuyrUfiViJ_uXKA1Cxaz-ZlHlTocaIKW5cKEa-DxApOuEueChZrH616paa8CbWEoZhLTjIfQgA65V_8u63YtNvovW03cwPgh6KblvXjZ7WgVneOzpjqYF9KHow/s1600/1582943855613522-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqiQx_dkAF1M26WuyrUfiViJ_uXKA1Cxaz-ZlHlTocaIKW5cKEa-DxApOuEueChZrH616paa8CbWEoZhLTjIfQgA65V_8u63YtNvovW03cwPgh6KblvXjZ7WgVneOzpjqYF9KHow/s1600/1582943855613522-4.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div>It did not follow me home because any trailer larger than what i currently pull would make it extremely difficult to visit my daughters.</div></div>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-49409277846045254192020-02-19T23:36:00.001-05:002020-02-19T23:36:37.146-05:00Today's Bird 2.17.20<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDkqZD69866Uy6Ot9pmt7Rt-TaXurQtb91xMjOt1vaVDiCpEet2iuX30-LIGiVZqy18kPAJc7yXP7v3o6v5w4pQkvAJRSFluVbQApsysWpw5Iza-s1eVMTAbp4jdc86YHxgWLcA/s1600/1582173379084550-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDkqZD69866Uy6Ot9pmt7Rt-TaXurQtb91xMjOt1vaVDiCpEet2iuX30-LIGiVZqy18kPAJc7yXP7v3o6v5w4pQkvAJRSFluVbQApsysWpw5Iza-s1eVMTAbp4jdc86YHxgWLcA/s1600/1582173379084550-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div>Hawk just hanging about for a photo op.</div>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-54445429533442659112020-02-08T20:22:00.001-05:002020-02-08T20:22:19.867-05:00Today's Bird, 2.8.20Another eagle pair. (The other flew off rather than pose)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfhpv_quVOUk4sPYzaYOLjLhsEch7i3Hu6_oAc6eBNqxJPo_2wt3ThFgdXVKpQgGqMY1u-9AhBEWrzxjsUlb0EvAz-cZqb0rUHpHQ8xZCUKOKtiUl2Yq-RrI8I7Z0UR0YXeftMg/s1600/1581211331720665-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfhpv_quVOUk4sPYzaYOLjLhsEch7i3Hu6_oAc6eBNqxJPo_2wt3ThFgdXVKpQgGqMY1u-9AhBEWrzxjsUlb0EvAz-cZqb0rUHpHQ8xZCUKOKtiUl2Yq-RrI8I7Z0UR0YXeftMg/s1600/1581211331720665-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-55779303048174353492020-02-05T15:53:00.001-05:002020-02-05T15:53:53.750-05:00Live OperaOne of the things we did last week was attend (and thoroughly enjoy) a performance of Porgi and Bess at the Metropolitan Opera. Because you can go to local theater and see the Met's performances streamed live. If you knew that, why didn't you tell me? I didn't know. Now I do. If you also didn't know, now you do. <div> https://www.metopera.org/season/in-cinemas/</div>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-80313722251904134432020-02-05T08:09:00.001-05:002020-02-05T08:09:49.914-05:00Today's Yard 2.5.20special places, special friends, <div>special times, return again, </div><div>same dock, different view, </div><div>every day, each day's new...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchmNkNVv795A-MsflBDOpgg-yn87AdUoruyCP-fF_GYKG4F3S7jGsK4r4s5Ec_SLfDLPsBvk9ehyphenhyphenX-cRfFPN4VjiVTdnMaLphKWaC3xRKTw9gVeGwYEkQw8qeYMq8FrUIizQiHw/s1600/1580908185714235-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgchmNkNVv795A-MsflBDOpgg-yn87AdUoruyCP-fF_GYKG4F3S7jGsK4r4s5Ec_SLfDLPsBvk9ehyphenhyphenX-cRfFPN4VjiVTdnMaLphKWaC3xRKTw9gVeGwYEkQw8qeYMq8FrUIizQiHw/s1600/1580908185714235-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-73128613537647545562020-02-04T00:25:00.001-05:002020-02-04T00:25:03.259-05:00Today's Birds 2.2.20The gulf of Mexico wasn't all i got to see this week. There were birds. No pictures of the first one, who presented himself to us while my friend and i were paddling a tandem kayak through mangroves. A mangrove coucou, who hung out with us for a good while, going from branch to branch, taunting is for not bringing cameras aboard.<div>Later in the week, i saw my first burrowing owls. And yesterday while hiking on Pine Island, both eagle parents were at the nest, and i caught one in flight...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPnBQ6FzHMMZpJ2rm2wGtas1a6vbAoLWat6qlSgfPL-WHkr2yjLcBmULOqWZEja7iDFVNVSpakDj8ZNcyZukETTdVqbeKI8AnThM2o8a6HmauGkFF0u4bqd-590149_yMSivoxA/s1600/1580793892213290-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPnBQ6FzHMMZpJ2rm2wGtas1a6vbAoLWat6qlSgfPL-WHkr2yjLcBmULOqWZEja7iDFVNVSpakDj8ZNcyZukETTdVqbeKI8AnThM2o8a6HmauGkFF0u4bqd-590149_yMSivoxA/s1600/1580793892213290-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-65175179065957989242020-01-29T13:10:00.001-05:002020-01-29T13:10:05.191-05:00gulf of Mexico, 1.29.2010So after several Winters in Florida, I at last got to the Gulf. <br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgSSKNC5Q8Lm3n3LQBjaz8lF9kZ5c1YftImxDI2Mg7fRDiRwbkzuUaBaxTYMF7NBuhj72bRZFlylHxEa26IREeuUa-Jol1oRaUgCi0d7AqDNSjaYAzb7hXz4x0PBrDtuciaCPOg/s1600/1580321392493561-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgSSKNC5Q8Lm3n3LQBjaz8lF9kZ5c1YftImxDI2Mg7fRDiRwbkzuUaBaxTYMF7NBuhj72bRZFlylHxEa26IREeuUa-Jol1oRaUgCi0d7AqDNSjaYAzb7hXz4x0PBrDtuciaCPOg/s1600/1580321392493561-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24tZJOj_OaNqItqlPer-jBI8w7gKv1bXaX_nv6YHP1FInCMSCX3MLT6GtqxDdyuNWV2rBDj364B0rMJrPhigjCZgddtu77fUW60HoESn6xUqDt2Z1CbYHyAshCrh8aOnCmu5UOQ/s1600/1580321384130602-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24tZJOj_OaNqItqlPer-jBI8w7gKv1bXaX_nv6YHP1FInCMSCX3MLT6GtqxDdyuNWV2rBDj364B0rMJrPhigjCZgddtu77fUW60HoESn6xUqDt2Z1CbYHyAshCrh8aOnCmu5UOQ/s1600/1580321384130602-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div>around sunset.</div>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-33725872899655604162020-01-29T13:03:00.000-05:002020-01-29T13:03:26.395-05:00Today's Yard, 1.28.2020My fortune cookie at Buffet City said "old friends are best friends". Yesterday i drove to the gulf coast in time for lunch with childhood friends I have seen in at least 50 years, reunited through Facebook. I did not know what to expect but as it turns out we have lots and lots in common, philosophically, musically, crafts-ily (is that a word?) and we're having a wonderful visit.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzbmS1y3gkKgkzvSc2xpvfcnGc09N5nbMgI8eTjAOTtp5ZYSdcyh1ynVYVVuQXMWJNZwQ5kY6Q8uP3F29QkRtftZMha-3BIqIT36TPQhyphenhyphenRv4qwX8X7Ho92yDPft-nm4nTzDMpPw/s1600/1580215111802156-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzbmS1y3gkKgkzvSc2xpvfcnGc09N5nbMgI8eTjAOTtp5ZYSdcyh1ynVYVVuQXMWJNZwQ5kY6Q8uP3F29QkRtftZMha-3BIqIT36TPQhyphenhyphenRv4qwX8X7Ho92yDPft-nm4nTzDMpPw/s1600/1580215111802156-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Morning coffee on her dock.</div>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-40829050719670152402020-01-28T07:30:00.001-05:002020-01-28T07:30:40.627-05:00Today's Yard, 1.27.2020After a long day of breaking camp, my friend Teresa and I had a delicious dinner at Buffet City in Winter Haven, FL. Conveniently, there was an ANYTIME FITNESS in the same shopping center. The parking lot was level and a good night's sleep was had.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOuR2F17z9pfqwMXNQH0aLf7G7boNnpeCND8fAJq6LhNFhRBj0kZRogay39TnkZs7UpT4VtCtikujBS5DIHwqkjwG2ivKmg0sjcbt8crwMmetzz8pP03u3twoozmds0Gs1LkMxw/s1600/1580214634912322-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVOuR2F17z9pfqwMXNQH0aLf7G7boNnpeCND8fAJq6LhNFhRBj0kZRogay39TnkZs7UpT4VtCtikujBS5DIHwqkjwG2ivKmg0sjcbt8crwMmetzz8pP03u3twoozmds0Gs1LkMxw/s1600/1580214634912322-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-72958800083353605622020-01-27T06:55:00.001-05:002020-01-27T06:55:21.552-05:00Today's Yard 1/26/2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Do7rwZU7hakgbNJh1Yi3XbvrHP5ii3M3Nt-uquMNeG6M-mRpoiNmHejaPFOM0kE-Eu3xGsUDjsUMaU_bWqLGKL3bTSfUS6idLskImsQdGhdAa0ZCnZYJvTX-Y9piiBT2VPxzag/s1600/1580126118041622-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Do7rwZU7hakgbNJh1Yi3XbvrHP5ii3M3Nt-uquMNeG6M-mRpoiNmHejaPFOM0kE-Eu3xGsUDjsUMaU_bWqLGKL3bTSfUS6idLskImsQdGhdAa0ZCnZYJvTX-Y9piiBT2VPxzag/s1600/1580126118041622-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><div><br></div><div>Breaking camp after the Alafia River Rendezvous. We had some cold and windy but we didn't have wet, and we're packing out dry canvas. It was a good time.</div>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-5747619561701656802018-07-04T15:33:00.000-04:002018-07-04T15:41:35.946-04:00Land Between the LakesOn my phone, I can only post one-picture blog entries. Now that I'm where I can use my computer to do it, I can put the pictures with this one and post it.<br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr">
My friend Norajean told me I should go to <a href="https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/" target="_blank">Land Between The Lakes</a> on the KY/TN border, and since it was about 200 miles from Memphis, I did.<br />
I stopped at the South Welcome Center on June 12th, and bought a basis/dispersed camping permit good for 3 days for $7. There was no cell signal, so I went back to town for ice and enough internet to let my kids know where I was. It was a hot sunny day so when I got to the area I would camp in I was glad to find a shady spot by the lake shore. It was beautiful. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIfRBNqIaQSRQixHJ6mST7iniBX4HRpal93PZ0r6SPLDH-pHrvvElNpgHV0Pll4RV_i9wEv3H2qHPxZIMrGdqNx-Es7Fq__YKdokOrmpUMOc8b_MihE1FkxU9NWa2UsEsAUcS9Q/s1600/1+First+LBL+campsite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIfRBNqIaQSRQixHJ6mST7iniBX4HRpal93PZ0r6SPLDH-pHrvvElNpgHV0Pll4RV_i9wEv3H2qHPxZIMrGdqNx-Es7Fq__YKdokOrmpUMOc8b_MihE1FkxU9NWa2UsEsAUcS9Q/s320/1+First+LBL+campsite.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I set up my privacy tent and hung my hammock and sorted out some things that needed sorting out, and read some more of the series I've been reading.and started to hear thunder.<br />
<br />
It was very distant and not in the direction the wind was coming from, so I didn't really think it would come to where I was. Just in case, I fixed dinner and that was done just in time. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89CjV0vhCnwLT8OhFuhodKcjU6CWWUn7gyv0ZSOv2Q5KUsf5Ti1GoBGxFN365U3Jjr6yITioBSQbMNUT8Au5ET_pHBDWurdAfz1ei98krZGhFLCVEfzmLnJlPHiMNZlZjcM0mJQ/s1600/2+Deluge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1034" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi89CjV0vhCnwLT8OhFuhodKcjU6CWWUn7gyv0ZSOv2Q5KUsf5Ti1GoBGxFN365U3Jjr6yITioBSQbMNUT8Au5ET_pHBDWurdAfz1ei98krZGhFLCVEfzmLnJlPHiMNZlZjcM0mJQ/s320/2+Deluge.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<br />
It rained. Off and on all night and into Wednesday morning. <br />
<br />
I was reminded of things I already knew but had failed to practice. Assume it WILL rain. Don't put the totes on the ground; they'll get muddy. Don't let stuff block the sliding side door of the van. Don't park on a place where all the water goes. Especially, check the weather report before you go to a campsite with no internet access.<br />
<br />
I spent a lot of Wednesday drying stuff that shouldn't have gotten wet.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj526LjyWI_By88pWcKw7WTly9s9emgLNgBFupoXl-0x6bHz-Z2qjHoq2LM8UU_R9bHwIlFKh8ur_tBLvrm07-QvdJNNiluzsNEnA_i2OXjEzKmRJEpXibPO5mQHnVIwzqivjdZ9A/s1600/3+Mud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj526LjyWI_By88pWcKw7WTly9s9emgLNgBFupoXl-0x6bHz-Z2qjHoq2LM8UU_R9bHwIlFKh8ur_tBLvrm07-QvdJNNiluzsNEnA_i2OXjEzKmRJEpXibPO5mQHnVIwzqivjdZ9A/s320/3+Mud.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My original plan had been to camp at that southern camp one night, then explore and camp at one in the central part of LBL on Wednesday night, then explore again and camp at one of the northernmost camps Thursday night. I felt torn, because that first site was so beautiful and I wanted to stay. As it turned out, I couldn't actually drive out of there until Thursday anyway due to the rain and mud, so I spent 2 nights there.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirugjoDToQHwEYpUM99NuwjsEAzuZEzpe3U01t4eKp5kmGn6KwOvQvhKMQzbYVTq_0t5p5StzSmakZBbM9PVStoH_YrDSUlS9o13HOtJJev6JQKCAwB-RV32jUPmE6iJvwh1HFg/s1600/4+So+another+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjirugjoDToQHwEYpUM99NuwjsEAzuZEzpe3U01t4eKp5kmGn6KwOvQvhKMQzbYVTq_0t5p5StzSmakZBbM9PVStoH_YrDSUlS9o13HOtJJev6JQKCAwB-RV32jUPmE6iJvwh1HFg/s320/4+So+another+night.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6avNypUu3RgHyDmdQzEbWQwSYPS-t7yAGQJfJhLTQWGvp3BhpwX2IoOi1y-YnP28mXTyJrIB5pwkotMeThHetQeMP_hSLXmwsM2FTmTeIamJWCeVqOswx5DTAPTjIGdL1sub3gg/s1600/5+In+this+beautiful+place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6avNypUu3RgHyDmdQzEbWQwSYPS-t7yAGQJfJhLTQWGvp3BhpwX2IoOi1y-YnP28mXTyJrIB5pwkotMeThHetQeMP_hSLXmwsM2FTmTeIamJWCeVqOswx5DTAPTjIGdL1sub3gg/s320/5+In+this+beautiful+place.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov2FN0lr-ONTRmaGQnO0zGogQzHh_cnEy6p6f2XB1ViPCwv7qGaE6iji6KluRyNh4j_JHJ_pN7b4pzC9U2jY_Kb5bma_Bt8uFqJiNs02yZgysB993ZrkST_lJPsnWGmY-9qR7VA/s1600/6+Buffalo+Herd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov2FN0lr-ONTRmaGQnO0zGogQzHh_cnEy6p6f2XB1ViPCwv7qGaE6iji6KluRyNh4j_JHJ_pN7b4pzC9U2jY_Kb5bma_Bt8uFqJiNs02yZgysB993ZrkST_lJPsnWGmY-9qR7VA/s320/6+Buffalo+Herd.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
On my way up the trace, I stopped to say hello to the bison herd at the southern bison range. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCFxdYOmkPntS_gil-xdW74UGSYdDVhRwVMAI-g-muXCxPiMQU51a2NxPa5lefEghZx9XY8nAatGZLnQKiz-5BjPJteUAnDAjIVadD-UrsiRrOAM2jj80OEH5pNE3pQU0-gsDWw/s1600/7+Babies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCFxdYOmkPntS_gil-xdW74UGSYdDVhRwVMAI-g-muXCxPiMQU51a2NxPa5lefEghZx9XY8nAatGZLnQKiz-5BjPJteUAnDAjIVadD-UrsiRrOAM2jj80OEH5pNE3pQU0-gsDWw/s320/7+Babies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoYE10wbTuX9iqmonzIVG6RVmfrCE5FveAwjICqpAoTN2C5isdmamRJomUPOxnCvmwNqh8_oepnyoMV4tjhVzUPOnuPAsGKwt8qNRvuLws_pqj0SzCVcZULHr8pDqgzZ0RlITwA/s1600/8+Brought+them+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdoYE10wbTuX9iqmonzIVG6RVmfrCE5FveAwjICqpAoTN2C5isdmamRJomUPOxnCvmwNqh8_oepnyoMV4tjhVzUPOnuPAsGKwt8qNRvuLws_pqj0SzCVcZULHr8pDqgzZ0RlITwA/s320/8+Brought+them+close.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
They had calves, and obligingly came to me so I could take pictures. Then they ran off, only to all come back and watch me do a K-turn with my trailer.<br />
<br />
<br />
I checked out the exhibit and film and gift shop at the Golden Pond Visitor's Center, and filled up my water containers. Three was 4G Verizon signal there so I caught up with some internet stuff and a raccoon investigated my trailer hoping for goodies. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXsAV5T1Pqw3j18AxoBz515JtSrvV-Kjj2eZNzsgHfy-OsbmE4x2EioHX4vma2es-lkkzHT1j9Ttt8k8bfehYtrTh3tVRe_QwstRBKD17Ctoshf8YWWeP5Bv6VHZY1dUnN0LZyw/s1600/9+Raccoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1253" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXsAV5T1Pqw3j18AxoBz515JtSrvV-Kjj2eZNzsgHfy-OsbmE4x2EioHX4vma2es-lkkzHT1j9Ttt8k8bfehYtrTh3tVRe_QwstRBKD17Ctoshf8YWWeP5Bv6VHZY1dUnN0LZyw/s320/9+Raccoon.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Then I moseyed down the road, got a shower (available at the campgrounds with more amenities and nightly fees, for $2), found the Twin Lakes campground and took a nice but unspectacular site on solid ground. With 4G Verizon signal. That last enabled me to connect with who I needed to to plan my next stop.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQogRaGZxW0bTCQHU9or0Ky36B5xv9nH_o3JeBpRcHme9UiXK3DByfgOareHtz0nuSe_qwFkbBX2NfdqIlKKMCPwVoUs8YLw49MPgmFBGFwSWD-d1oOBnAg47k7W40CLBU9swTw/s1600/10+Twin+Lakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQogRaGZxW0bTCQHU9or0Ky36B5xv9nH_o3JeBpRcHme9UiXK3DByfgOareHtz0nuSe_qwFkbBX2NfdqIlKKMCPwVoUs8YLw49MPgmFBGFwSWD-d1oOBnAg47k7W40CLBU9swTw/s320/10+Twin+Lakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tvKpJC_mPBhrSCMMriYsox8oUQrfPPHbS7A5k9Bdh8BJuYtEgNzMVtNQ82SFPZ1RAxlwWuS666EhhxZpDq4YkO6RMs9Mh_4pK7v36bwdJoe_tga1yr5dgGX4xdm0M_Zvy7yLZQ/s1600/11+Twin+Lakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0tvKpJC_mPBhrSCMMriYsox8oUQrfPPHbS7A5k9Bdh8BJuYtEgNzMVtNQ82SFPZ1RAxlwWuS666EhhxZpDq4YkO6RMs9Mh_4pK7v36bwdJoe_tga1yr5dgGX4xdm0M_Zvy7yLZQ/s320/11+Twin+Lakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Besides lots of camping, hiking, boating, etc., there is a planetarium, a living history farm, a nature center, the bison and elk prairie... I'll leave those things for another time when I can get the annual pass and spend more time here.</div>
<br />
<br />
Did you notice, in one of those last pictures, that the hood was up?<br />
<br />Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-44717031489159883302018-07-03T07:51:00.001-04:002018-07-03T07:51:08.280-04:00Today's Yard, 7/3/18<p dir="ltr">Enjoying the cool of the morning on my friends' porch in Ohio. Coffee, internet, BuJo, until the sun clears the tree and chases me into the shade or into productivity. Birds are singing, solar panel's charging my house battery, flowers are in bloom, life is good.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQ_HPYm6rcPhZIy3PbLLl2wfHt8bNNWZl-OWbzW7e9yTWCqkOLXa1rFDVN1Oc8vXWmcbHe8aAYwC9whQGyTVQNyhWmwmFPBbeYto_Rwuw0TNJ9U6y2cOfVtvAvuco2JB-8qg9iQ/s1600/1530618276311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQ_HPYm6rcPhZIy3PbLLl2wfHt8bNNWZl-OWbzW7e9yTWCqkOLXa1rFDVN1Oc8vXWmcbHe8aAYwC9whQGyTVQNyhWmwmFPBbeYto_Rwuw0TNJ9U6y2cOfVtvAvuco2JB-8qg9iQ/s640/1530618276311.jpg"> </a> </div>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-37727389480731051862018-06-29T08:26:00.001-04:002018-06-29T08:26:53.843-04:00Today's Yard, end of FONW<p dir="ltr">There goes the neighborhood.</p>
<p dir="ltr">It's a sad scene. This rendezvous is over til next year. Some return to the modern world quickly, dressing in modern clothes, packing up, and leaving early in the day. Some of us return reluctantly, slowly, sipping our coffee, and are still dressed in 18th century clothing even as we load the last items into our vehicles.</p>
Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-34222443145618889902018-06-28T13:47:00.001-04:002018-06-28T13:47:53.630-04:00Today's Yard, Friends of Old Northwest rendezvous<p dir="ltr">Soon I'll be doing several posts, but computers haven't been invented yet. I'm in the 18th century at the Friends of Old Northwest rendezvous, at Grand Rapids, Ohio. We've had excellent weather, food, friends, music. I'm told the competitive events were good too.<br>
And in Grand Rapids, I found the Natural Fiber and Yarn Company. They have yarn, roving, and an amazing variety of Alpaca socks. Hmmmm, comfy!</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONmnmC8_M3QJyIXaebhXHPERXepPTMTPFKPHVPkKOJTmnQyQWuuA1qlkvDWazBnZhXR_p0-iDWolDwJzsLGy0NDqImjVwCrgIZkUI9hVW0htCznG0BRCOD14kxWDMsCPDfXgHNg/s1600/0628181332_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhONmnmC8_M3QJyIXaebhXHPERXepPTMTPFKPHVPkKOJTmnQyQWuuA1qlkvDWazBnZhXR_p0-iDWolDwJzsLGy0NDqImjVwCrgIZkUI9hVW0htCznG0BRCOD14kxWDMsCPDfXgHNg/s640/0628181332_HDR.jpg"> </a> </div>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-82818960792226789572018-06-08T12:57:00.000-04:002018-07-04T15:36:28.880-04:00Repair of the Month Club Membership
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtoNoezhrJHetvLx3gVphCXWQw67qcgXS3kcYKA2WR_UKFy6w7kgbHy-J_0z-Kg52QwHEmdKC_XXal2jNQffwLOoPX4h-p_CNMyoJeyj0YYecbqBuUFMjEXQ4EFdMFq1S8rhv9g/s1600/2018-02-19+11.59.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtoNoezhrJHetvLx3gVphCXWQw67qcgXS3kcYKA2WR_UKFy6w7kgbHy-J_0z-Kg52QwHEmdKC_XXal2jNQffwLOoPX4h-p_CNMyoJeyj0YYecbqBuUFMjEXQ4EFdMFq1S8rhv9g/s320/2018-02-19+11.59.48.jpg" title="Getting brake line fixed" width="180" /></a>I've been traveling with Maxine the Minivan for several years now. She's been a wonderfully reliable vehicle. She is, however, a 19-year old and has covered a lot of miles. And someone seems to have signed me up for the Repair of the Month club. I'd like to cancel my membership, thank you.
<br /><br />
It started in March when a brake line blew out in Florida on my way to the Osceola NF. Of course, I was attempting to stop for a red light when that happened, and I'm truly grateful that the traffic going the other way hadn't started moving yet. I got stopped on the shoulder and a mobile mechanic came out and fixed the problem.
<br /><br />
Then I heard power steering noises on my way into Lake City. Yes, the fluid was low. Added fluid and that took care of it. For then.
<br /><br />
When I got to my SC daughter's, the high pressure steering hose blew and spewed fluid all over her father-in-law's driveway. Got that fixed.
<br /><br />
In April, I was driving, on a Sunday, from Stevenson AL to Memphis TN. I had just got on the interstate, in pouring rain, when I heard an ugly crunchy noise and my wipers quit working. I couldn't see squat! I managed to get off at the next exit and parked at the conveniently located convenience store and drank coffee 'til the rain stopped. Then I went to my Memphis destination and Maxine got to visit another repair shop for a new wiper motor.
<br /><br />
At the end of April (sometimes the ROTM Club shipments come early), on another rainy day, I suddenly had no defroster and yet another visibility problem. Cue installation of new blower motor. I had for about a year only had on and off for the blower, not the full range of speeds that I was supposed to have, so I was even kind of glad about this one. Have all the speeds now, and it's quieter too.
<br /><br />
During May, it became apparent that coolant was getting out somehow. A new thermostat and new radiator cap did not fix the problem, so Maxine went into the shop yet again, for a radiator replacement.
<br /><br />
And then the wipers suddenly have only high and low speeds, don't have intermittent, and don't park themselves. After investigating all the possibilities, the mechanics who installed my radiator determined that the wiper motor was at fault. So I'm headed back to Memphis to get that taken care of.<br /><br />
And at the first rest area in Arkansas, the transmission started slipping. I put 3 quarts of fluid in and went to a repair shop. It's always an adventure when you have to pick a shop in a place where you don't know anyone and you're on the road with your rolling home, but I checked Google Maps, and the reviews, and went to Jody's in Van Buren AR. Drop the trailer, put the van on the lift... Well, the bottom of Maxine is thoroughly lubricated by tranny fluid now. The radiator includes a transmission cooler (who knew?) and the hose connecting them was old and set in its ways and decided to blow tranny fluid Everywhere instead of where it belonged. Fixed now. I recommend this shop: they passed up a golden opportunity to fleece a lone woman traveler.<br /><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcrBJwmNIG-6dFwakRMLAwmVu22l9jh1JcSQpk8oO0vVlZ5tMo09X06-P61oMXCBBDVfssRwTb1KMB-AkozetGwy4yMeRyvNQl9MZ0g6yCVn1EKeoSMkJQTy8fXulegKDq2FGFA/s1600/2018-06-05+15.53.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhcrBJwmNIG-6dFwakRMLAwmVu22l9jh1JcSQpk8oO0vVlZ5tMo09X06-P61oMXCBBDVfssRwTb1KMB-AkozetGwy4yMeRyvNQl9MZ0g6yCVn1EKeoSMkJQTy8fXulegKDq2FGFA/s320/2018-06-05+15.53.01.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The offending hose is found.<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br /><br />
So I think maybe Mercury went retrograde or something, as some of this stuff came with do-overs. (I also had to get my new glasses done over!) I'm hoping that once I've gotten the wiper motor thing straightened out in Memphis, that we can stop this series of repairs and go back to buying gasoline and doing regular maintenance.
<br /><br />
Til next post, May there be a Road!
Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-90475678006766946922018-06-08T00:56:00.000-04:002018-06-08T00:56:17.147-04:00The Old Mill at Little Rock ARYou didn't really want to read about me sorting through storage or getting bit up by chiggers, right? This is more interesting.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQV6Dq-ltesi35GX-bEw22k7H0-Vzk82r2GhXNgsj5mxPCsc8KhoSKuMeLZKnADO-Un1CSAPUj02ZmWFbSpByJsnl_5ApA3bWZBN6TcVngyYc5d0k37j6WiMeDMjliVuFDYXxn1A/s1600/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQV6Dq-ltesi35GX-bEw22k7H0-Vzk82r2GhXNgsj5mxPCsc8KhoSKuMeLZKnADO-Un1CSAPUj02ZmWFbSpByJsnl_5ApA3bWZBN6TcVngyYc5d0k37j6WiMeDMjliVuFDYXxn1A/s320/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />I would never have found this on my own, because I avoid cities. But since my good friends NoNose and Miss Hattie live in Little Rock, Arkansas, I find myself in Little Rock to visit them. Nothing like having a local tour guide. <br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2Fn6JLh-EIjaHrQ_IsZeAHzWzowEzGVnh_3HGgLzPcpTpSOVssloKFznKfbiijcgkgfEKjrxHk9nXEKHGWkAPlP4QF107QPgLRDol37eqmnA9wJVr0nSGxyis7LpDFmVtomvTA/s1600/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU2Fn6JLh-EIjaHrQ_IsZeAHzWzowEzGVnh_3HGgLzPcpTpSOVssloKFznKfbiijcgkgfEKjrxHk9nXEKHGWkAPlP4QF107QPgLRDol37eqmnA9wJVr0nSGxyis7LpDFmVtomvTA/s320/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />The Old Mill was in Gone With The Wind.
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsRhi9PuzDDp4E9lZ2U2Bzi4Eq4J5FptoVpdcRg1VUn2UJGDN7xcpJ82SNiNJLqUKDIMksrCzLP_IGxkErfKwxRTFdLsnz5t7t94Xk8N50EJ2dP1C9LN3YEhl4O1DQfGF-nikJg/s1600/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%25287%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsRhi9PuzDDp4E9lZ2U2Bzi4Eq4J5FptoVpdcRg1VUn2UJGDN7xcpJ82SNiNJLqUKDIMksrCzLP_IGxkErfKwxRTFdLsnz5t7t94Xk8N50EJ2dP1C9LN3YEhl4O1DQfGF-nikJg/s320/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%25287%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />What looks like wood, in bridges and archways and what-not, is actually concrete.
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UNJp1wWlOSTzOzEe1TRwE9z7fK8JG61vE1QatVhSZV5sKd-l2LYdsHXKlQTz5u5FvtI7033W_YMdTgvjRXQVKaTuHihyM10d1xCj5K_mF-I2ipDzmxtJudOOQ25RQuDY3ian8w/s1600/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%252816%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_UNJp1wWlOSTzOzEe1TRwE9z7fK8JG61vE1QatVhSZV5sKd-l2LYdsHXKlQTz5u5FvtI7033W_YMdTgvjRXQVKaTuHihyM10d1xCj5K_mF-I2ipDzmxtJudOOQ25RQuDY3ian8w/s320/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%252816%2529.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />The millstone inside, however, is real and authentic, brought here from an <i>actual</i> old mill.
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iRzJfQw8Hyvtwr6hBFpUtFnH_2aza5RZAKHN4_PDoq8nYSrZHEPsXIl_nDxqmHWqqZU691NgTBr9emGeHlc96xaAWidW2t1IWd37AKGOWjCAScG6wD_sN2MDYizereQCDgGG3Q/s1600/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%252818%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6iRzJfQw8Hyvtwr6hBFpUtFnH_2aza5RZAKHN4_PDoq8nYSrZHEPsXIl_nDxqmHWqqZU691NgTBr9emGeHlc96xaAWidW2t1IWd37AKGOWjCAScG6wD_sN2MDYizereQCDgGG3Q/s320/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%252818%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Lots of wedding and graduation pictures happen here, because it's so pretty.
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePIRSn1cbE5rK_tdDaSE0lSZZyLw5lw0w1tZL3AoKhYptoNemtXn-S85nchzTP-JZRUosBcoCEsK8N8T6Gi9Ek81Qyer8wqH3HL0zM8b8Nuaupf6KEmjz6EUs29c1R7cRACa_mw/s1600/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%252821%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhePIRSn1cbE5rK_tdDaSE0lSZZyLw5lw0w1tZL3AoKhYptoNemtXn-S85nchzTP-JZRUosBcoCEsK8N8T6Gi9Ek81Qyer8wqH3HL0zM8b8Nuaupf6KEmjz6EUs29c1R7cRACa_mw/s320/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%252821%2529.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br /><a href="http://nlrpr.org/parks/old_mill/">Find out more here.</a>
<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqjnzcCs2nIWZaJ9JpU9koyX0MX_CUjs7zySPiUZFDy5fs5FkeWajHqqjFTzNqnSgxuQPZ3_FgDfJPxR8WSo7o1vdPEecGWYZyV9hyuktfAQVQqKxAKxOQuToW8VmzSc6RpUndA/s1600/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%252824%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOqjnzcCs2nIWZaJ9JpU9koyX0MX_CUjs7zySPiUZFDy5fs5FkeWajHqqjFTzNqnSgxuQPZ3_FgDfJPxR8WSo7o1vdPEecGWYZyV9hyuktfAQVQqKxAKxOQuToW8VmzSc6RpUndA/s320/Old+Mill+Little+Rock+AR+%252824%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Until next post, May there be a Road!
Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-88177990779527350012018-04-10T08:56:00.001-04:002018-06-08T00:35:34.974-04:00Spring OVPR<div dir="ltr">
Update time. Many years I'm still down south and miss the Spring OVPR, but this year it worked out. I left St. Augustine, stopped at SC daughter's, where I got a receiver welded onto the trailer for the bike rack, and the tongue reinforced. Then I dropped off a lot of Stuff at storage and went to OVPR in time for early setup. Good thing. It rained like heck there right after I set my camp up, but it snowed further west and north and some of my friends weren't able to attend due to not being able to get out of where they lived. Those of us who did go had a great time.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWWh3to5MWjqUgvnYsNg00XlkWK5tI_z0auWb5LEAzRnZR-wmnXADEjBqhuxlBouJR6hVS1UiqvoGBowvMGoXOcdVYA_V6EF294LjAYrGKVCFTQ5bduAnujRzVHhxmJ0UDS_KLA/s1600/180410_075224_COLLAGE-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWWh3to5MWjqUgvnYsNg00XlkWK5tI_z0auWb5LEAzRnZR-wmnXADEjBqhuxlBouJR6hVS1UiqvoGBowvMGoXOcdVYA_V6EF294LjAYrGKVCFTQ5bduAnujRzVHhxmJ0UDS_KLA/s320/180410_075224_COLLAGE-1.jpg" width="272" /> </a> </div>
Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-88008373318748584212018-03-16T19:49:00.001-04:002018-03-16T19:49:39.753-04:00DuPuis Management AreaIn January, before I went to the Alafia, I camped at DuPuis Management Area's family campground. I posted when I got camp set up and promised more later. Later has arrived.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrv_GivA9QpUILQrs-j9PfjWi9ba3lP4NPYDKPCkytIJHy-rDrondWTqjalOO9a5rpCiO5HqfAvzuOQVSCu9n9BiAEZ0I2RM077C3ryu0BQ3rLh97C0XTbP0ui6P_5HFczrHh1iQ/s1600/2018-03-16+19.41.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrv_GivA9QpUILQrs-j9PfjWi9ba3lP4NPYDKPCkytIJHy-rDrondWTqjalOO9a5rpCiO5HqfAvzuOQVSCu9n9BiAEZ0I2RM077C3ryu0BQ3rLh97C0XTbP0ui6P_5HFczrHh1iQ/s320/2018-03-16+19.41.37.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The campground loop goes around a good-sized pond, and is quite pretty. I met up with several friends from one of my Facebook groups there. If I were camping alone, there's a neat campsite on a spit of land that juts into the pond that I would want to grab! I understand there's also an alligator - well, of course there is, it's Florida - but I did not see one.<br />
This was the first time I used my new Connect-tent with my 10 x 10 canopy. It made a nice stand-up-in-it space.Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-61583257368226440472018-03-16T19:27:00.000-04:002018-03-16T19:28:44.027-04:00ISO BicycleI've been wishing for a bicycle for a while, but the ones I liked tended to be in the way-out-of-budget category. So about halfway through my time at the Osceola last month, on a Walmart run, I was interested to find a bike I liked at a price I could consider. (comfort bike, low center stuff so I can actually get on and off, luggage rack, fenders, touring handlebars...) However, I was driving Maxine the Minivan <i>without</i> the trailer, so buying it was out of the question. I had no way to carry it.<br />
<br />
Then 2 days later, on one of my walkabouts, I found a hitch-mount bike rack, discarded at the trash. OK, then! Mine! I guess I'm supposed to get a bike.<br />
<br />
Well, usually I'm towing the trailer. Maxine, being a Dodge Grand Caravan, is rather low to the ground and has the kind of hitch that raises the ball up to where the tongue of the trailer ought to be - so putting the bike on one of those over under hitches is not an option.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnMoqOSDuN7MtgEs_Y5pyMDE5jwx4osFV360VAkR0piOUbHGvcYeWBVgRgaTjGvw0dAVe481MhtiPQqfCmM4t6WUNdiNl7VJ9z_sqSN_aM9sBxWiGzqPI6hyphenhyphen5LCHat2IGpGudBw/s1600/2018-03-16+19.14.38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnMoqOSDuN7MtgEs_Y5pyMDE5jwx4osFV360VAkR0piOUbHGvcYeWBVgRgaTjGvw0dAVe481MhtiPQqfCmM4t6WUNdiNl7VJ9z_sqSN_aM9sBxWiGzqPI6hyphenhyphen5LCHat2IGpGudBw/s320/2018-03-16+19.14.38.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Not a problem, though. SC Daughter's father-in-law was reinforcing the tongue of the trailer this week and while he was at it, he welded a receiver onto the tongue so the bike rack can be mounted there or removed and carried behind Maxine when the trailer is parked.<br />
<br />
Now, I need to decide exactly which bike to get...<br />
<br />Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-66536079010216468252018-03-16T18:51:00.000-04:002018-03-16T19:29:06.993-04:00St. Augustine for the WeekendWhen I left the Osceola NF, I went to St. Augustine, where I'd never been, to visit with some friends I hadn't seen in a couple of years. They were great tour guides.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQ9VelcWJwHDJEdjLXbDsHiWgW_XbukY-ejwx5YV5CM7dsw-j_MJoPvrVd8qrMzBDtUEVWYzIyqiGpVUd6byCsthfys4VKmSC_YbWJeC-D2yTlfYP-kuK-lbTF3WDwGqnMLjk9Q/s1600/2018-03-16+18.16.19-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicQ9VelcWJwHDJEdjLXbDsHiWgW_XbukY-ejwx5YV5CM7dsw-j_MJoPvrVd8qrMzBDtUEVWYzIyqiGpVUd6byCsthfys4VKmSC_YbWJeC-D2yTlfYP-kuK-lbTF3WDwGqnMLjk9Q/s320/2018-03-16+18.16.19-2.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />
First thing on Saturday, we went to Flagler College, because the architecture is well worth seeing. This was originally the Ponce de Leon Hotel, built by Henry Flagler in 1888. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknxY3BzpWTl9Sc5VO_uDBc02LoOSJikNrb7FxJI6eKqy4snr4yNo_5LwV8ISsN7T06h9ke6jgYk5Q1py_oyn6WKCz_8wxpTrrkag4-Sv9qB1uX1nUMFQoVHS9Hbdfby4Rss1w2g/s1600/2018-03-16+18.16.19-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknxY3BzpWTl9Sc5VO_uDBc02LoOSJikNrb7FxJI6eKqy4snr4yNo_5LwV8ISsN7T06h9ke6jgYk5Q1py_oyn6WKCz_8wxpTrrkag4-Sv9qB1uX1nUMFQoVHS9Hbdfby4Rss1w2g/s320/2018-03-16+18.16.19-1.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />
Then we went to the fort, The Castillo de San Marcos, which is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States, located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine. My Senior Pass got us inside the fort.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZoOBkAbLO_Kujiis57VWZBljQrTKIWgdq6rngSrEPzhXYHTcPwDHLRTOJCM78_75ljS2yHbRpj_G6faT1wNCteBnqiIiMNfUc_Suu-jtgYbofiYWoRcuKvajymYk6Dtdh1Z4jw/s1600/2018-03-16+18.16.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="1304" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZoOBkAbLO_Kujiis57VWZBljQrTKIWgdq6rngSrEPzhXYHTcPwDHLRTOJCM78_75ljS2yHbRpj_G6faT1wNCteBnqiIiMNfUc_Suu-jtgYbofiYWoRcuKvajymYk6Dtdh1Z4jw/s320/2018-03-16+18.16.19.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />
Sunday, after a walk in the woods (step goals exceeded), we went to the beach, out on the pier, and then to the Lighthouse. We didn't take the tour - have to save something for another visit.Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-83967812735174575862018-03-16T18:02:00.000-04:002018-03-16T19:29:31.470-04:00Osceola National ForestSince I usually try to post about where I've just left, rather than where I am, I kind of didn't post for a month because I stayed put for two weeks and it's a newly resurrected habit so I forgot.<br />
<br />
Anyway - On my way to the Osceola National Forest, I had a bit of excitement. A light turned red, I hit the brake, and nothing happened. I leaned on my horn and hoped no one was going through the green light! One "house-call" by the mobile mechanic later, the offending brake line is repaired and once again Maxine stops when I tell her to.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg7JYD75hM-rloSax7hBvWVg2vampHFNk2RqZLu_VKJLUkCCG7RV8NFugaa6Z08UX083dgYDEaz3hZzm3WBBTP2ewuN6DiT7iVGbCFmwRbXoo26NZYdzaBNfd0lO70LtDoHG9og/s1600/2018-02-19+11.59.48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg7JYD75hM-rloSax7hBvWVg2vampHFNk2RqZLu_VKJLUkCCG7RV8NFugaa6Z08UX083dgYDEaz3hZzm3WBBTP2ewuN6DiT7iVGbCFmwRbXoo26NZYdzaBNfd0lO70LtDoHG9og/s400/2018-02-19+11.59.48.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
On my way south, I stopped at Cobb Camp in the Osceola National Forest overnight, but this time I stayed two weeks, camped with old friends, met some new ones. I got to sleep in the hammock and enjoy the 10x10 canopy with the connect-tent. It was a lovely, relaxing time and furthermore the weather was great. OK, it did get cold toward the end, but that's ok. Didn't have to shovel it.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vMUfnFoxQBbRTvws87f1NEWaZU7TOFYvgv_77F3Mjzya490ONPLbt4ODSQ_6YK2QA89yOq7RzcND-mD3dACgKaL0AQTXBtbwXZtpsTTPC5_cYU41varDAUL0NrwOtEiewduIhw/s1600/2018-02-19+18.09.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0vMUfnFoxQBbRTvws87f1NEWaZU7TOFYvgv_77F3Mjzya490ONPLbt4ODSQ_6YK2QA89yOq7RzcND-mD3dACgKaL0AQTXBtbwXZtpsTTPC5_cYU41varDAUL0NrwOtEiewduIhw/s400/2018-02-19+18.09.44.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Trish and I walked every day and I usually hit my step goals.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQeUz8RO2_gTIFYvxlHFyL5JG6JqODOdFvmPMRKAnOWgJhMBauru0TvuMtNtpiN9oD6ccy5_hKiU8lyxDlhNO5485-j8mE07eVKmc5r_IjzNkaERaG4Sf1BesPBcYjiIF4OBwPA/s1600/2018-02-20+11.21.14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQeUz8RO2_gTIFYvxlHFyL5JG6JqODOdFvmPMRKAnOWgJhMBauru0TvuMtNtpiN9oD6ccy5_hKiU8lyxDlhNO5485-j8mE07eVKmc5r_IjzNkaERaG4Sf1BesPBcYjiIF4OBwPA/s400/2018-02-20+11.21.14.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-91542094022735590132018-02-16T23:34:00.001-05:002018-03-16T19:30:19.861-04:00Homosassa Springs<p dir="ltr">Thursday (February 15) Norajean and I decided to go to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. (https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Homosassa-Springs) </p><p dir="ltr">We parked her truck and rode the boat to the springs. (There is also a tram, but the boat tour is more fun to our way of thinking.) What they have here is a rehab facility for rescued wildlife and a home for wildlife that can't be released, such as eagles who have lost part of their wings.<br>
I got to see my first MANATEES, and a couple of big cats, an otter, a (hopefully) breeding pair of red wolves, lots of alligators, snakes, lots and lots of birds.<br>
Another neat thing was the underwater observatory, where you can watch through the windows as fish swim free in the waters of the spring.<br>
</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOe0xAAv-QqkVjcehbSSNDeOjqRv48s5EdgUhHZ-c5z9_qBbmqfGLd-ic-L9Emv7cj6HQoWoSX1Kl0jhRWKDa44RId3tHHg8A_eCZ64V50TV8PJPeo3PJ4WKZqs_fNgZPKuzcqQ/s1600/180216_231948_COLLAGE-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOe0xAAv-QqkVjcehbSSNDeOjqRv48s5EdgUhHZ-c5z9_qBbmqfGLd-ic-L9Emv7cj6HQoWoSX1Kl0jhRWKDa44RId3tHHg8A_eCZ64V50TV8PJPeo3PJ4WKZqs_fNgZPKuzcqQ/s640/180216_231948_COLLAGE-1.jpg"> </a> </div>Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30434217.post-68165561023524160812018-02-16T23:01:00.001-05:002018-03-16T19:30:43.859-04:00Today's Yard, February 16, 2018 - Dade Battlefield SP<p dir="ltr">Dade Battlefield State Park. This tree is the oldest live oak in the park, and was here 200 years ago for the first battle of the 2nd Seminole War. <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmAJHmJm7Lm7lrU6HJa4XuMDayt0q6ziJR2Da1zYHJUEIjINOiep9CyWD4F02t8Tpi7MUTvQVObi3XQQuw0W7lNkoqYzcawxLLrFPO_7Sy_otororYdde5Rrh2wSiNfgO9etuGA/s1600/2018-02-14+18.18.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSmAJHmJm7Lm7lrU6HJa4XuMDayt0q6ziJR2Da1zYHJUEIjINOiep9CyWD4F02t8Tpi7MUTvQVObi3XQQuw0W7lNkoqYzcawxLLrFPO_7Sy_otororYdde5Rrh2wSiNfgO9etuGA/s400/2018-02-14+18.18.47.jpg" width="400" height="225" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="900" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K22JQbNffN_0JQqSNprEguA3M8rZVk1K5C9cmGacGfV3L1t4ab18I0DWU_SVK3flZG8BcVuWxunSQaObTuDehJoyxlc0JpQSjI6CInNjCY8CUmzw-H34MkfZsk6a5J8X1i8VQQ/s1600/2018-02-14+18.19.06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6K22JQbNffN_0JQqSNprEguA3M8rZVk1K5C9cmGacGfV3L1t4ab18I0DWU_SVK3flZG8BcVuWxunSQaObTuDehJoyxlc0JpQSjI6CInNjCY8CUmzw-H34MkfZsk6a5J8X1i8VQQ/s400/2018-02-14+18.19.06.jpg" width="225" height="400" data-original-width="900" data-original-height="1600" /></a></div>
I spent a few days here visiting an RVing friend who's a volunteer working at the park. In between a wonderful potluck dinner and yesterday's trip to Homosassa Springs, I did a major van rearrange and found a number of items that had slipped into the black hole that seems to be standard equipment in residential vans.<br>
Of course, I also watched the film at the visitor's center and checked out the museum. This is a cool place - there's lots going on, from reenactments to craft classes. I wish it had worked out schedule-wise for me to take the pine needle basket weaving class, but they give it monthly and I'll probably be back.</p>
Gypsy Janehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00323291902679620484noreply@blogger.com0