Campground Christmas Party

Christmas Day at the campground was highlighted by the potluck dinner that was served. The park furnished Turkey & Ham and all who attended brought a dish to pass. There was plenty of food and most went away having eaten too much.

Trip To The Mall

Have been just taking it easy and doing little stuff.
Today we went to the Millenia Mall in Orlando. They decorate it up for the holidays.

Cape Canaveral Launch

Yesterday afternoon we heard that the forth attempt to launch the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket was going to be at 5:41 PM. We had went twice to a high area to view the launch only to have it scrubbed for numerous reasons. So yesterday we drove down the road a mile or so to an area where we thought we might be able to see it. So at 5:41 sure enough there it went into space. We were 75 miles from the Cape and were still able to see it quite well. It was quite a site to see.

Ice Sculptures

Last night, Saturday, we went to the Ice Sculptures at the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Orlando. There they had brought artists from China to do the sculpturing. They had an area where they had blocked off and had lowered the temperature to 8 degrees Fahrenheit which is suppose to be the ideal temperature to sculpt the ice. The theme was "Frosty The Snowman". It was interesting to see how they portrayed the characters in ice. They even had a slide incorporated into the exhibit which you could slide down if you wished.

Last Weeks Activities

Monday is the wife's shuffleboard day. The women play in the afternoon at the game room where they have two indoor courts. This is their chance to get away from the men for a while and catch up on the latest park news. Ran into a couple staying at the same park as we are who live only 10 miles from where we used to back in Michigan.
On Tuesday we went and visited some friends who used to belong to the motorhome group we belong to now. They stay at McDill AFB in Tampa as he was in the air force. This AFB is enormous. It is it's own city in a city as they have everything you might need right there, including Burger King. There are air force jets taking off and landing there all the time.
Wednesday was the once a month Red Hat Luncheon that the women attend. They dress in red and purple colored clothing and try to be the most outrageously dressed there. Take my word for it, it is a sight to behold. Then they go out in public dressed like this. They went to Lavender & Lace restaurant in Lake Alfred and had a luncheon there.
Thursday & Friday were lazy days.
Saturday we went out to breakfast and then to Sams Club in Lakeland. We also hit JoAnn Fabrics, Harbor Freight and stopped at A&W for supper on the way home.

Blizzard Beach At Disney

Yesterday we were given two guest passes to Blizzard Beach at Disney by Carol a friend of Gary & Sandy who we are spending the winter with here in Florida. We arrived at 11:00 AM to meet Carol and get the passes. We then spent the next five hours floating in the Lazy River and sliding down the water rides there. It was a most enjoyable day just taking it easy. We wish to thank Carol for the passes.
We then went to Disney Marketplace and had dinner at Earl Of Sandwich.

Arrived At Lake Wales RV Resort

Left Sunshine Key RV Resort this morning at 8:40 AM and arrived at Lake Wales RV Resort at 4:40 PM. This is our home until May 1, 2014 when we will head back to Michigan for the summer. Here are some photos of our campsite and the campground.

Leaving The Keys For Lake Wales

We will be leaving the Keys for Lake Wales Friday morning. We have had a lot of fun here at Sunshine Key RV Resort. Who knows we might have to return here next year in October.

Fantasy Fest In Key West

Went to Fantasy Fest on Saturday. Left the campground early for the hour drive to Key West. Had breakfast on Duval Street and then walked up and down the street for a while. then at 1:00 PM got the chairs set up and sat and rested until the parade which started at 7:00 PM. There was a lot to see just sitting there people watching. Once the parade started I found out that the loudest music wins. It seemed like the floats were trying to out do the other with the absolutely loudest music. There was one that went by that had the base set so loud I thought I had been jolted with a defibrillator, my whole chest shook so violently.
The Grand Marshall of the parade was Diana Nyad the swimmer who swam from Cuba to the US. The major sponsor was Captain Morgan Spiced Rum.

Fantasy Fest In Key West

Spent the day in Key West at Fantasy Fest. They close off Duval Street and have a street fair there. It is also a day that anything goes as far as attire is concerned. Instead of wearing clothes they paint clothes on. There are some guidelines but you will see most anything. If you think you have seen it all then you haven't been to Fantasy Fest. Tomorrow is the Fantasy Fest Parade where they block off Duval Street where it is open to walk down the street until the parade starts at 7:00 PM when they close it off completely.

Another Travel Day

We went back to Alabama Jacks Restaurant today for a late lunch. 160 miles round trip but worth it. Again as good as it was the first time. On the way back we made stops at numerous spots along the way. None too noteworthy but yet important.

End Of Week Activities

On Thursday we went to the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon. There they train and raise dolphins to study their habits and movements. They had many different lagoons with the dolphins spread out among them.
Back at the campground they had a country western singer who entertained at the pool in the late afternoon and evening.
Friday was the Goombay Festival in Key West. It is a street fair type of venue where there are food and craft booths lining the street. There was a stage there as well catering to the Caribbean type of music. This kicks off the Fantasy Fest at Key West which runs for ten days.
Saturday we went out to breakfast at The Wooden Spoon in Marathon. Then we drove around the northern side of Marathon Key.

Been Relaxing

We have just been relaxing the last week here in the Keys. Have made been lounging in the pool and have made short trips to go grocery shopping, out to eat and just driving around looking at the scenery.

Alabama Jacks Restaurant, Key Largo

Did something a little different today. We planned on driving from our campground on Ohio Key to Key Largo and return. Well my wife says she saw a review on a restaurant in Key Largo made by Guy Fieri from The Food Network. So we all agreed on going there for lunch. On our way to Key Largo and once there we found out it was East of Key Largo and North, a total distance of about 22 miles. Ok no problem so we continued on and found it to be in the middle of nowhere. Well maybe not in the middle of nowhere as we had to go thru a toll booth and pay $1.00 in tolls to get the last half mile to the restaurant. So here we are at Alabama Jacks, a restaurant not like most restaurants. It is completely open, meaning there are no outside  walls except for the kitchen and the bathrooms. It is next to a channel in the lower South East corner of the Everglades. Simple chairs and tables for seating and a simple single two sided menu. Our group of four had a crab cake sandwich, with two crab cakes on it, chicken fingers, with 5 large chicken fingers, wings, twelve large chicken wings, and a conch fritter as big as a plate. The servings were very large in comparison to other restaurants we have been to in the Keys. We were all filled to the top after consuming the meal. Our only complaint was the waitress put all four meals on one bill. Lets get real here, doesn't it seem obvious if there are two couples sitting at a table that the waitress would ask if there will probably be two bills. There I go thinking again.

Taking It Easy

Have had a couple of easy rest full days. Gary and I addressed the steps that stuck closed again. Finally convinced them to extend. Will have to study them further but they are out now. I installed an additional outlet just below the sink so I could plug in our night light. Had the night light plugged into the plug at the rear of the counter but the counter made a big shadow on the floor. Now the whole floor is illuminated. A very big improvement. I am going to install an additional outlet on the left side of the kitchen counter as well, like the one on the dinette.

Visited Key West

Today we visited Key West. We took the trolley tour of the city. Had supper at the Sloppy Joes Pub restaurant.

Settled In

Here we are in the keys. We will be here until November 1 then we go back to Lake Wales for the remainder of the winter.

On Our Way To The Keys

Left Lake Wales at 8:00 AM this morning for the Keys. About a six hour drive. Got half way there and pulled off the shoulder of the road behind the couple we are spending the winter with. Engine stops and will not restart. Had trouble with the instrument cluster earlier in the morning. So while I am trying to get service or a tow to a repair facility, which took an hour and a half, Gary our friend started to call Tiffin and try to diagnose the problem while I was on the phone. Well after trying a couple of things he was told to check, low and behold he fixed the problem. A great Thank You to Gary for helping me to get back on the road and to the Keys. We got to the Campground in the Keys at about 3:40 PM. Got set up and went to supper. It was a long day and am tired but we made it to our destination and all is well. 

Spent The Day Resting

We spent the day resting after almost a week on the road. Finding I can't drive for 15 hours like I used to be able to. After 8 hours I am ready to find a place to stop for the night.

Arrived At Our Winter Home

Arrived at the Lake Wales Campground, Lake Wales, Florida at 7:00 PM this evening. Got set up and went to get a quick bite to eat.