Wrapping Up the Year in the Florida Keys

Last year at this time we were in Quartzsite, Arizona—one month into our extended trip meant to determine if RVing was the life for us. We decided it was and we haven't looked back. Well, actually, I have looked back. I've looked back to test myself. The test was to take my emotional temperature if you will—to find out if I missed anything that would cause me to wish to turn back the clock. The result is I have no regrets. None. Nada. Nyet. That is not to say I don't miss our daughters and sons-in-law, or my mom, or our siblings or grandchildren. I do miss them. Surprisingly, Thanksgiving was relatively easy. Christmas was hard. Sometimes I miss my neighbors and friends. Sometimes I miss my kitchen, my own washer and dryer and my dishwasher. None of it is enough to make me want to turn back and take back all that has thus far transpired. 

It is said that at the end of one's life, a person doesn't regret what they did but what they didn't do. We are blessed to be in the midst of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure—one that I thought I'd never be able to experience. I've always said that I couldn't quite understand people being so enamored with visiting other countries when they haven't seen their own. I want to one day say that I've visited and, to a degree, gotten to know every state in the union. Then maybe I'll see other countries. But I have to say that there is one thing I've noticed: So far, I have been nowhere that smells as good as the Sierra Nevadas.

We were honored with the opportunity to be featured in CampingRoadTrip.com newsletter's 50th issue. It was fun to give thought to and answer the questions posed. I hope my experiences help someone else who may be looking to live the full-time RV lifestyle. If you haven't seen it, you can find it at http://www.campingroadtrip.com/outdoor-living-newsletter-december-2013/rob-and-linda-cook-the-class-a-boomers.

We are in the Florida Keys right now. It is beautiful. When the sun is high, the shallows are such a vibrant shade of aqua that it takes my breath away. It is brighter and more pure a color than even in Hawaii. The vibe here is laid-back and easy. But the negative for me is the humidity. I have a hard time handling it. I makes feel so wrung out and sweaty and unclean. It feels like a perpetual hot flash. I want to spend my time indoors with the air conditioning. Then in early evening with the breeze blowing through, it is wonderful to sit outside with a cocktail and watch the pelicans fly by or dive into the water for their dinner—except you have to douse yourself with insect repellent so you're not eaten up by mosquitoes and, ugh, no-see-ums, which are the worst! No-see-um bites itch up to a week or more. But it is all part of the experience—and it tells me where I'd enjoy visiting but not live.

As always, though, the people we've met are wonderful folks. In fact, when we checked into Grassy Key RV Resort, we were told that there were to be cocktails at the Tiki Hut at 6pm. We maneuvered into our spot, got set up and headed over to the Tiki Hut. Then arrived Debbie and Bob with their margarita machine in which Debbie produced some yummy daiquiris and shared them with all. Besides Bob and Debbie, we've met Alan and Bev, Bob and Brenda, Bob and Stacy, Bob and Cheryl—ummm, do we see a pattern here? Bob Bob Bob. Sounds like something you do in a swimming pool! 

We haven't been down to Key West, yet. That will be tomorrow or the next. We've had a daily threat of rain, a few short drizzles, lots of wind, and poor Rob has had a cold for the last few days. I told him I might just have to go down there by myself. Wouldn't that be sad to come all this way and miss out on a special place like Key West? He'll go, even if I have to bribe him with the promise of more cigars.

In the meantime, I wish everyone a prosperous, good-health-filled, peaceful New Year! Hello 2014.

Heading onto the Keys. The K walls are painted aqua.

One of the resorts year round residents.

Taking a swim.

Evening fish watch.

Chips and salsa at Morada Bay Beach Cafe.

Rob at Morada Bay Beach Cafe.

Our lunch guest.

Rob next to a surf board similar to what he used as a kid when living on Oahu.

Blessed with a rainbow.

GATORAMA and Other Fun Stuff

We have been enjoying our time at Fisheating Creek with our friends Mike and Janet. This past weekend friends we met in Savannah, Mike and Denise, drove in for a two night stay while on their way to Texas. Our three motorhomes were lined up one after the other. The six of us pooled our resources and had a delicious barbecue, stimulating conversation and all around good time.

We met some other folks, Bill and Holly, who are from Ft. Lauderdale. They camped in their tent-trailer just across the way from us and they joined Mike, Janet and us for an evening of talking and—ahem—drinking. Yes, Bill is a bartender and manages an establishment in Ft. Lauderdale, and he brought a bottle of Cinnamon Whiskey to the party. I don't drink whiskey, but this stuff tasted like Red-Hots and Cinnamon Hearts. Num yummy! If I'd just sipped that (I'd started the evening with a tall Margarita), I would've been fine. Enough said.

Mike (of Mike and Janet fame), took Rob and me to see Gatorama. What a fabulous place it is, too. There are both alligators and crocodiles and you are able to get pretty close to these wild, modern dinosaurs. I was even able to hold a baby alligator, which was about three feet long from nose to tail. Gatorama also had several other species of animals in a bit of a mini zoo. There were raccoons, panthers, bobcats, peacocks and peahens, macaws, tortoises and a turtle. The demonstration feeding of the alligators was interesting, too. These creatures are well trained because when they see the zookeeper with the pail of chicken pieces, they know its chow time and they come running—well, swimming.

Rob spent some time talking with the concessionaire, Allen, who runs Gatorama and the state campground where we are staying, and which Mike is a camp host/camp worker. Allen has the tip of one finger missing. It was bitten off by a crocodile a while back while he was wrestling it to get it under control. He apparently didn't realize it happened until minutes later when he took a look at the finger he had thought got scraped. Oops. I have a photo of this croc.

I know some people think I'm crazy, but I see beauty in every animal and these alligators and crocodiles are no different. Take a look at the photos and see if you don't agree with me.

Rob at our barbecue.

Janet and Mike.

The other Mike, with his cocker spaniel, Kodiak.

Mike and Denise. Sorry for the blurry photo. Hard to focus when its dark.

In Fisheating Creek Outpost.

Moss on a Palm.

'Cypress Knees' in a bed of ferns.

One of the tent campsites. 

An American Alligator.

This is the guy that took Allen's fingertip.

Same guy. Did you know that Crocodiles don't have tongues?

Snowy Egret.

Amazing texture.

Catching a chicken leg.

Ahhhh!

The big one is a crocodile and the little one is an alligator.

Meet Ted. He's the fellow I got to hold.

We were told the Turkey Vultures like to hang around because the they think the very still alligators are going to die.

Some babies huddling up to the water.

The light colored ones are crocs and the dark ones are alligators.

This tortoise smiled for the camera.

Pretty as a peacock.

Hey, are you gonna send that biscuit down the tube or what?

This macaw's head feathers were an orangy shade of red. I've never seen that before.

This crusty alligator is OLD. He was probably 15 feet long.

Peahens are pretty, too.

Regal looking, isn't he?

You wanna piece-a-me?

Interrupting a nap.

Yawning Bobcat.

This time a crusty, old croc.

White Ibis.

Swimming toward me.

Looks like he's swimming right out of the clouds.

Meet Petey.

Mike and Janet looking festive.

Holly and Bill.

Hanging out at the Janowiak's.