Sometimes a Bad Hand is All You've Got

I took our adopted cat, Spooky, to the Caloosa Humane Society Vet Clinic in LaBelle, Florida. We'd noticed back when Spooky was nothing but skin and bones that he'd had several ribs broken on one side. Someone had suggested that he'd been kicked. Unfortunately, that is a very likely scenario being that he'd been left behind in a campground. Since we've had him, he's never really breathed properly. It's always appeared to be a chore for him. Not long after we took him in he began sneezing, which turned into persistent cough. The cough has gotten less frequent, which is a good sign, but I'm sure it has exacerbated the issues with his labored breathing and his inability to cough successfully enough to clear his lungs. 

The Veterinarian could tell us just so much because they have rudimentary equipment there at the Humane Society and can only service the most basic of needs. But what he could tell me from the x-ray was that Spooky's breathing problem appears to be a type of hernia or a mass potentially caused by a hematoma. He speculated that Spooky could have a rent in his diaphragm. It makes sense considering Spooky's obvious history of some sort of trauma. The Vet seemed to feel this situation is an emergency. I agree that it is urgent, yes, but not a true emergency because Spooky's ribs had been healed for I don't know how long before we found him, and he seems to otherwise be doing well. He eats well, has gained weight, his bowels are normal; it's just when he coughs that he seems to be distressed (but, believe me, I'm more distressed than he). I read online that cats can be given children's Robitussen—the one that is only the expectorant—but I worry about loosening and liquifying the phlegm in his lungs and have him not be able to cough it up.

Spooky has proven to be a wonderful cat and companion and I've grown very attached to him. He is so easy going and good natured, and when I stroke his head he looks at me with such gratitude in his eyes. The Vet had a form as a checklist to note his observations of the patient and one of them was 'attitude,' to which he'd ticked the 'depressed' box. At moments I have to agree but at most times I don't. 

I'm considering taking Spooky to the emergency hospital recommended by the Humane Society Vet just to get a definitive diagnosis and prognosis.  If he requires surgery to repair him, I'll have a truly difficult decision to make. We just don't have the wherewithal to pay thousands of dollars.

It just seems a bad hand to be dealt—for both of us.

Key West and Other Bits

I don't really know what I expected from Key West. I guess I thought of it as a place with soft beaches and aqua waters washing over delicate seashells, quaint little cottages painted coral or turquoise or lemony yellow with sandy yards and swaying coconut palms towering over the hammocks slung between them; small mom and pop stores selling cigars or produce or meats or various sundries; a slowness of pace and quietness of spirit where you could stroll along tranquil, shaded lanes.

Key West does have nice beaches and aqua water, but I guess I forgot that places like that are tourist traps, plain and simple. There were so many cars, so many people—college kids still on break, a cruise ship that disgorged, en masse, it's voyagers onto the streets; and, the site seeing trolleys and trains whose guides maneuvered the narrow streets dodging pedestrians, poorly parked cars and delivery trucks. I'm glad we took the drive down and saw it for ourselves but, nonetheless, the image in my mind was dashed with the reality of modern culture and souvenir shops. I have no idea why I didn't foresee this happening—why my mind chose to imagine an ideal instead of what I know is the way of it. But, to be honest with myself, I am also one of those tourists who drove my car into this once charming, artsy and quirky beach town seeking abundant and cheap parking and, regrettably, an experience that no longer exists.

I was hoping to visit Ernest Hemingway's house and, although the line to get in wasn't too, too long, I looked beyond the walls, saw all the people milling around the grounds and the balcony and I just couldn't muster up the desire to pay the fee just to get my steamy, hot body that close to other steamy, hot bodies (Rob says he didn't think the humidity was all that bad in The Keys but, oh, if the breeze stops…). I may look back and realize that I should've just done it while I could, but I intend to go back someday because, the fact of the matter is, surprisingly, I really like the Florida Keys.

Besides visiting Key West, there were several activities in which I wanted to partake: Jet Ski in turquoise waters, soak up the sun on a beach and swim in the salty water, kayak the Gulf of Mexico and visit the Dolphin Research Center. Of all these things, we did one on our last day in The Keys and that was to visit the Dolphin Research Center. Rob had a cold for part of the stay and the weather was either too windy or too rainy the rest of the time. I don't get all worked up in disappointment, I just consider it as another reason to go back there in the future.

I was thrilled with the Dolphin Research Center. They allow visitors to get pretty darn close to the dolphins—so close, in fact, that you can tell they are looking you right in the eye. They work with the dolphins several times a day, teaching them what appears to be typical tricks but is actually meant to learn more of the dolphins' capabilities. If you are willing to pay more (much more), you can choose one of several types of dolphin encounters. The Dolphin Encounter lets you swim with them; for a lesser fee you can stand on a submerged platform and interact with the dolphins that way; you can be trainer for a day or researcher for a day; and one that is wonderful for children is painting with a dolphin—a T-shirt is placed over a board and while holding it, a dolphin paints it with a paintbrush in it's mouth. Besides the fun the public can have there, they do good work.

One of the fun and funny things that occurred while we were in The Keys was the evening we went to dinner at the Sunset Grille and Raw Bar, which is located in Marathon below the start of the Seven Mile Bridge. The Sunset Grille is a place with lots of seating outside overlooking the gulf with sunset views (hence the name), sandy areas where drinks may be had while lounging in Adirondack chairs and chaise longues, and a pool in which to swim while waiting for dinner to arrive or to occupy the kids, and a grass-roof covered bar. 

As we were finishing our meal, a young couple was walking by with their pitbull puppy and, if you know me, I had to meet this sweet dog. We were making small talk with the couple and Rob asked where they were from, to which the young lady replied she was from New Jersey. I am a native Californian but my dad was transferred by Chevron to New Jersey when I was 13 and I graduated high school and had my children there. Our conversation went as follows:

"Really? What part of New Jersey are you from?" I asked.

"Oh," she said, with body language and facial expressions that meant I would never know the place, "Monmouth County. The Jersey shore."

I kept my face completely neutral and casually replied, "So, what part of Monmouth County?"

This young lady, instead of telling me, say, Long Branch or Little Silver or Red Bank, replies, "Exit 105."

Exit 105?! Now, when a person is asked from where they hail, it is appropriate to give a general vicinity as a start. Her first response was reasonable, such as when we are asked that question, we state that we are from the San Francisco Bay Area. If people are somewhat familiar with the place they typically ask for a more specific area until they reach the point of unfamiliarity. But to be given an exit number? Who does that?

So I replied, "Oh, Eatontown!"

The poor girl's jaw nearly hit the concrete patio. I suppose she thought I might stop with 'Exit 105' and drop the subject. As she stood there with her mouth gaping, I asked, "where did you go to high school?"

She said, "Shore Regional."

I said, "Rumson-Fair Haven Regional."

She said, "No kidding! They kicked our ass in soccer!"

I said, "GO BULLDOGS!"

You know, they didn't even have soccer when I went to high school. Small world, though.

I wish to thank everyone who takes the time to read about our travels. I hope you continue to do so. I invite you to leave comments and feedback, especially if you like a particular photograph. If you are not Google + members, you may have to leave comments as 'anonymous' but please 'sign' your name(s) in your message so I know who you are. And if you are RVers, please remind me where we met. I value all of you. Thanks, again.

Our home in the Florida Keys. Best RV park yet.

We stopped in to see this small air museum because Rob remembers being on an Ozark Airline flight as a child.

It just so happens that this particular plane flew Grace Kelly back in the 60s, in the seat that dons her photograph,

The pool at the Sunset Grille and Raw Bar.

Folks enjoying the sunset on the dock at the Sunset Grille.

Going, going…

The view from our table showing the beginning of the Seven Mile Bridge.

The pool after sunset.

On our way to Key West on the Seven Mile Bridge.

Royal Caribbean's Majesty of the Seas added a few thousand people to the streets.

Jet Skis! Someday…

The Southernmost Point of the continental US. So many people.

The restaurant where we had lunch in Key West is located next to Ernest Hemingway's house. Six-Toed Cat refers to the cats that Hemingway kept who have produced generation after generation of six-toed cats.

How could I not take a photo of this handsome guy. He was begging for scraps from diners.

Soaking up the afternoon sun.

This pelican let me get within a foot and showed no fear of my camera.

Rob making friends.

Seagulls resting on the cruise ship's lines.

Caught him with his eyes open. I kept disturbing his nap.

This guy at the Dolphin Research Center was very interested in my clucking. He kept looking for the new girl.

It can be disconcerting to be looked at straight in the eye by these beautiful creatures.

This one's name is Rainbow. He's a gentle giant. The center's website has a photo called Double Rainbow. Rainbow is in the air and there is a rainbow in the sky behind him.

Tails. You win!

Going fast! This pair had yellow markings to identify them as mother and child.

Showing off.

Joie de vie!

I'm sexy and I know it.

What a handsome fellow.

In the Mangroves.

Doesn't she look like a dragon?

A spot of color.

Hanging out across from the Tiki Hut.

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.