Hi all! Happy New Year! Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!

Our year all started with the idea of traveling. With Suzi being a nurse it only seemed reasonable to have her travel to different locations taking temporary nursing positions along the way... We decided to try it for a year and see how it goes...

It has been quite the year. We started out the year by purchasing a 5th wheel travel trailer. Then we proceeded to give/sell/ throw away the majority of our "stuff" We were amazed at how much "stuff" we had accumulated! By March we had put our possessions into a 8X10 heated storage facility (had ot keep the piano)

By May we were on our way. Just us, our 2 dogs [Ginger and Samantha] and our little kitty [Buger]. Suzi accepted a position in Indianapolis, IN. We had a month to get there! We really liked it in Indy. But got tired of the tornado warnings... especially being in a trailer... Met some neat people, and visited with Suzi's relatives a bit. The 3 mos flew by! Before we knew it the job was over. Towards the end of that job Louisiana was hit by 2 large hurricanes! We were getting messages about how they need nurses down in the area to help. We decided to go help for a month, which turned into 2 mos. We were in the little town of Ville Platte, LA. We stayed at a State park there that was just beautiful! It was here that we saw our first up close alligator! We spent a lot of Suzi's time off in the town of Lafayette. We really liked it in Lafayette. Next she took a job in Gainesville, FL and that is where we are now! We are parked outside of town and have a nice little spot on the lake. Fortunately the alligators and water moccasins are dormant this time of year and hopefully will be as long as we are here... It is such fun to watch all the birds. We have a couple of blue herons that like to strut around just outside our door. Occasionally a bald eagle will perch in the tree nearby, and every evening the sand cranes make their journey across the sky forming the V formation... all the while you can hear the owl in the distance talking up a storm! Gainesville would be a great place to land on a more permanent basis if not for the summer heat and the distance to Joe back in Seattle, not to mention both of our parents out west.

We are not sure where the new year will take us, but right now we are thinking west... course in 5 minutes it might change... after all the world is our oyster...

Happy New Year Everyone!!

Sand Cranes flying overhead

Sunset from our yard:

Here is a shot of home sweet home. The RV to the left (across the water) is our closest neighbor.





Here is a shot of the view from our RV door, looking back towards the boatdock. The RV on the left is the closest to us on land.



Here is a shot of our 5er taken from the boatdock. The shack on the right is the fish cleaning station, and the RV behind it is the one that is closest to us on land. (it is easier to see the reflection of our rig, than the rig itself in this pic)

Been awhile since we have had time to blog. Ginger is tired now, so I will have to blog...

It has been busy busy busy... lets see, most stressful things in life, moving, new job, and don't forget to throw x-mas in the mix!
Got moved over to Gainesville, FL. had a bit of a time finding a place to park. We had called ahead and found out prices ect. Didn't want to obligate sight unseen. Our mind went to the park we stopped in in Minot, ND where when I called they were nice enough but upon arrival we were greeted by a brood of kids (which was fine), but the guy who appeared to be drinking all day, ran them off and greeted us... we didn't stay at that park either... anyway, we Looked on mapquest to see how far the commute was etc. Thought we had a handle on it all, then the first place we went to had space, would have been a wonderful 5 min commute, however they do not allow pets at all.... So we hit the phones called all the mobile home parks to see if we could get a good deal on rent. there were spaces out there that could take an RV, however the ones away from the airport were all full... we decided to avoid the airport area... We looked at our list of RV parks and decided based upon mileage to go check out Travelers RV Park. They said it was going to cost us $10 per month per pet extra... Upon arrival we found that there was a 2 pet limit... Buger put us over the top. We did spend 1 night. They have a separate area for overnighters. It was set up weird, they had all the rigs in a row on a dirt road. If the person in front of you didn't move by the time you are ready, you have to cut across the grass to get out. They did have cut outs, but it still was sloped, I had more stuff move in the RV than ever before on all the rough roads we have been on just getting out of there. here is a pic...




We were on our way to the most expensive place ($379 +elec per mo no wifi on grass or $500 + elec on pavement w/ wifi) The latter is the only Wifi place we could find within commute distance of the hospital... On the way there we saw a sign for an RV park, so we checked it out... by the way at this point it was pouring rain! they now say that we got 5inches of rain during the period of the storm! Anyway turned out I must have done the map wrong, since it was closer, so we pulled in. No problem with the dogs, as a matter of fact, most folks have dogs here. They were pretty close together, and I mentioned it to the manager. Next thing I know they are offering for us to move out onto the point! $250 +elec + cable per mos.

Now the point is only wide enough for 1 vehicle with water on 3 sides, and to park there one has to back around a corner, with a low branch in the way... Since it was raining and had been all day, it made for a nice muddy park... We decided to go for it... (I would not have tried with out 4x4) here is a shot of our first sunrise!



We love it here out on the point!!! (course talk to us later when it warms up and the alligators are more active... or worse yet in my book, the water moccasins! It is funny talking to the folks here. Most here come back year after year, and all know each other. The guys think it is the best parking spot on the whole park, and the women think it is the worst... Nobody has ever seen an alligator on the point... this year will be the first... :)

When we go downstairs with the curtains open we feel like we are on a boat with the water all around! We get awesome sunrises over the water, which is a bay off of Orange Lake.

There is a boat dock here and it is fun to watch the boats come and go. They go right around our trailer out to the lake! The other fun thing is the birds! We have some small ducks that like to fish just outside our door. Also we have 2 small Blue Herons that are spending a lot of time hanging out the back window... glad we got the rear lounge!

It feels good to be home!

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Suzi started her new job this past Monday. They are spending this whole week doing orientation, which is refreshing after the lack of an orientation back in Ville Platte! She really likes everyone she has met, and is really enthusiast about working here!...

We have had a hard time finding a doggie field here, too swampy. Normally we find a business that is closed or has a grassy area for them, but since it is winter, it is construction season, and every empty lot we see is full of construction. Last night we drove to Ocala and found just what we were looking for, and had a great sunset while there!

12/15/05 Thursday
We had a pretty lazy day today at the campground. It was just like a rainy Seattle summer day today. Here are a couple of shots of the campground this is the view from the back in sites, not the bird is NOT a fake yard ornament rather the live kind... for some reason we were not allowed to chase or even bark at it...








We did venture into town. The surf was rough with all the wind it was fun to watch the birds navigate.

12/14/05 Wed
We had a busy day today. We got moved, but on the way we were driving down the road and Suzi saw a sign saying St. Marks Lighthouse. Which if anyone knows these 2 they know they have a weak spot for Lighthouses!

On the way we had to drive thru a wetland animal sanctuary. So the drive was slow, stopping to gawk at all the cool looking birds.





(I slept) only problem was when Kim got excited and slammed on the brakes and Buger cat fell on me... On the way in Suzi yelled "look out for the dogs" they were crossing the road, and they were not dogs, but deer. The deer here are the size of a large dog! When we finally got there they put all us pets into the trailer and went walking around the Lighthouse taking pics and admiring the structure. But they did take us for a short walk after they got done.




Buger decided she wanted to stay in the trailer when we left. We got about 1/2 way back to the main highway, when Kim yelled out Alligator, slammed on the brakes, pulled over, and jumped out of the truck with camera in tow! Here is a shot...




Turned out it is a log, not an alligator, but on the way over to see it all of a sudden Kim and Suzi heard a rattle on the weeds on the side of the road, upon looking down they saw an alligator!! Right at Suzi's feet!!! I was trapped in the cab of the truck and there was nothing I could do!! (They were happy about that fact) It is the first alligator they have seen on land! Down a few feet further from the alligator while they were walking there was another rumble in the bushes, which totally freaked them both out... turned out to be a bird...










Finally they were back on the road again... so I could sleep! They pulled into this gas station, and decided to take a pic. This is not the first one they saw like this, pull up to the door and pump the gas! Different than out west.






We pulled around the corner and found a spot to stop for lunch. Sam tried to tell them of the impending danger in the woods, but they would not listen, thankfully nothing dreadful happened, but they did stay out of the woods. Good Job Sam!

We pulled into the Sunset Resort in Cedar Key, FL Just in time to setup camp and admire the awesome sunset over the water!












The small pic is the view from our back window on the trailer.
Whew that was tiring, thankfully they are staying here for 2 nights...

We got up early today. It was awful! I wanted to stay in bed for awhile, and Samantha was totally on board with my idea. Then Kim saw the sunrise and just had to go take a photo. I remained in my rest pose when Suzi decided to Join Kim... I bolted out of my warm toasty bed and raced to Suzi's side... I was not about to be left behind. Suzi wanted to take the senic route to Kim's side, but I wouldn't hear of that. I got away from Suzi and followed Kim's path, the shortest path to the view, Suzi followed close behind! Then Kim decided a different camera was on order, and went to the truck... she wouldn't let me get into the truck! I couldn't believe it the injustice of it all. Suzi decided to take one last walk down the beach with Samantha, Thankfully I got to go back to the warm trailer with Kim.




The 5er is all hooked up and as soon as they have coffee and breakfast they are saying we are leaving... man this has been a tiring camp spot!

We got up early today. It was awful! I wanted to stay in bed for awhile, and Samantha was totally on board with my idea. Then Kim saw the sunrise and just had to go take a photo. I remained in my rest pose when Suzi decided to Join Kim... I bolted out of my warm toasty bed and raced to Suzi's side... I was not about to be left behind. Suzi wanted to take the senic route to Kim's side, but I wouldn't hear of that. I got away from Suzi and followed Kim's path, the shortest path to the view, Suzi followed close behind! Then Kim decided a different camera was on order, and went to the truck... she wouldn't let me get into the truck! I couldn't believe it the injustice of it all. Suzi decided to take one last walk down the beach with Samantha, Thankfully I got to go back to the warm trailer with Kim.




The 5er is all hooked up and as soon as they have coffee and breakfast they are saying we are leaving... man this has been a tiring camp spot!

Well, we decided to stay for 1 more day. We drove over to St. Joe to watch the sunset. There is a state campground there, but they do not allow dogs in the campground or on the beach there. The ranger told us where we could go on leash to the beach 3 mile down the road. It was cool, there was this sand cliff we got to jump down, and Samantha and I had a blast rompting on the sandy cliff.




Kim and Suzi were party poopers though and made us stop... something about erosion, and houses...

The Sunset there was great, it was directly out over the water!

Here is last nights Sunset. How can we leave here, we are after all on vacation... Suzi just went to pay for another night. This is the nice thing about travelling with no reservations... We will have reservations before we leave here though... this is great, that means another romp on the beach.



Kim has taken to making us come, sit, stay. Then after she gives us kudos she tells us to go get em... We get very excited about this whole process and reward her with running as fast as we can spinning in circles, and spashing in the water! What fun!
One thing that is kind of weird though is she has also taken to making us sit and stay while she cleans up after us. There is sooo much to smell while she works, but she says it is easier this way... I humor her.

Samantha and I have been having a blast this past week here in the Panhandle of Florida. We have found that we, being dogs are not allowed on the beaches in the state parks and some towns, but thankfully with the assistance of the internet our people were able to find several beaches we could romp on! As far as we are concerned we would love to just stay here at the Ho Hum RV Park for the rest of the winter, but there is something about making money for kibble.... hmmm... I heard we might leave tomorrow. We are exhausted staying here, between the sunrises and the sunsets it makes for a long day at the beach!


There are lots of neat smells and fish carcasses and other neat smelling things to eat and roll in... One of our neighbors told us about the Crucifix Shell, and we found a couple of them. The shells here are a bit more colorful than up in Washington, but not as colorful as we had hoped...
Crucifix Shell

The shell of the Gaftopsail Catfish known as the crucifix shell symbolizes Christ on the cross, including the spear wound. If you find one, shake it to see of it rattles. "a sign of extreme good luck"
The rattling is said to symbolize the sound of soldiers throwing dice, gambling for Christ's garments. (it's actually from two small bones inside which help the fish keep its equilibrium . Religious scholars say teh Gafttopsail or Sail cat is the fish Christ used to feed the masses.

We also found this site: http://www.lafishmag.com/CrucifixFish.html

Been a lazy day. Saw more fins in the water. no pics :( We have decided they are dolphins. Here is what the sunrise was like today. It was a nice sunny day!

The sun finally came out this afternoon, so we ventured out to St George Island. This bad boy just hung around, didn't even care much about the pups...

We found this lighthouse right in the town of Carrabelle, FL. It is Crooked Creek Lighthouse, and was built in 1875, to replace the one that was lost to a hurricane out on Dog Island. You can only goto Dog Island via boat, but we have a view of it from our RV park.

Found a great spot to run the dogs in the rain! Also found a fruit stand... Suzi is happy again... Course her mouth is soar now from over indulging...

Here is a shot of our little house at the beach.

Went looking for Florida oranges. Only found dried up California oranges... they were expensive too!

This is wierd, people in parkas all around, no fresh fruit, gray skies... If it wasn't for the palm trees I would think we were back in Washington...

Carrabelle FL is home to the smallest police station. The kid at the grocery store was telling us how he remembers when there used to be a guy sitting in the phone booth. One time a guy came to town and wanted to buy it for a souvenir. There used to be a phone, but people made long distant phone calles on it so the took the dial off. now it is just empty.

(note the Florida attire)



Across the street we found this historic jail cell.

Found out today that this area is considered the forgotten coast. I can see why they say that, we are in heaven. Little traffic, wifi (hit and miss on the wifi), cell phone service, good electricity, good water, Sewer, and the most important reason, and the reason we chose to come here we are right on the beach and our dogs are welcome! Others have come here for the same reason as us, and it is dogs galore here at the park, and on the beach...

Today we saw 3 fins breaching the water. Too small to be whales, but they were shaped like the orca, no white that we could see though. Porpoises?? Dolfins?? maybe I will find out and let you know...

Here is a flock of pelicans taking off. Of course the photo does not do it justice!




Kim's cloud over her head is following us again... sure feels like Seattle here now... but it is warmer than December should be... 60F today.

There are large pine trees here and this evening the wind has kicked up and we are being plummeted with the pine cones, which are good sized and heavy... expecting more of the same tomorrow, rain, clouds and wind... just a normal day at the beach!

Here is the sunrise we awoke to this morning. There was only about a 5 min window of opportunity to see the sun due to the clouds.

We landed for the next week. We are at Ho Hum RV Park outside of Carrabelle, FL. We found the places we were planning on going they did not allow the dogs to go onto the beach. So we paused and did more research and Ho Hum won out, it is right on the beach! Perfect for us!
http://www.hohumrvpark.com/

We did it!! We have arrived in Florida! We are going to spend some time playing in the panhandle, before going to Gainesville.

Our flexability came in handy again today. We were headed for Tallahassee, FL. But decided to stop early. Then this evening we turned on the news, and eek... they had a tornado touch down on the south side of town... Yes, we were headed to the south side of town... dodged another one! whew... hopfully the last... keeping our eye on the hurricane situation also, hurricane season was supposed to end in November, but nobody told that to Hurricane Epsilon... Don't worry, he/she is fluttering about out in the atlantic...

Florida is not very dog friendly. Most state parks and public beaches do not alow dogs. Thank goodness for the internet, we think we might have found some places that look interesting. Also we are in price shock, but that was to be expected. At least we are not down south where it is even more pricey yet!

Mississippi looked the same as it did 2 mos ago. We did learn that when in a town that recently had a natural disaster you do not want to accidently pull into a Home Depot Parking lot... especially when towing a 5th wheel. Sorry to all those who we bothered... We were very thankful to get out of that parking lot! so we stopped in the mall parking lot next door (where we were headed in the first place) Just wanted a bit of rest... It was hard to rest. turned we were directly at the beginning of the runway for the local airport. saw alot of military transport planes flying over to land. Looked a bit close to the power lines to us... Forgot to get a pic...

Here is a pic of Lousiana along interstate 10. The swamp looked awsome.

Here is a shot of the Hospital Suzi worked at for the past 2 mos. It is alot smaller than what she is used to...
Ville Platte Medical Center, Ville Platte, Louisiana.



This is the park in the front of the Hospital. It is hard to see in this pic, but there is a merry go round on the right that goes around and is lit up. Looks neat at night...

Here is a shot the Daiquiri's to go shack in Ville Platte. Looks like an expresso coffee place to me. It is quite the happening place in the evenings and at night.

Here is a shot of our home for the past 2 mos. During the week it is empty, and Samantha and I get to run free. But come the weekend it is completely full and we get to get re-aquainted with our leashes... It is a beautiful 6,400 acre park!
http://www.lastateparks.com/chicot/chicot.htm

Idiosyncrasies of Louisiana

1. In Seattle, once you get off the beaten path and onto the back roads, everyone waves as they drive by. Here, in Ville Platte, it is such a small town that I think most view strangers with suspicion. But after a month of waving at the workers here in the park where we're living, the workers started waving back! I think they were just humoring us at first but after a few months I have seen some genuine waves. They've accepted us into the fold.

2. We were wondering why there were so many strings attached to a bridge over a Bayou in the park. Only during our last days here did we finally understand. This bridge is our favorite alligator bridge and we have seen some beautiful one's snoozing right below. The strings we found out, are for sending food to the alligators to play with them. Probably a good thing we didn't know!


3. In Seattle there are drive through Coffee shops on every corner so you can get your caffeine buzz. Here, there are drive through Margarita shops on every corner... daiquiris to go is a common slogan... well its a little scary driving down here knowing they exist!

4. The local news stations pause in the middle of broadcast to give you bible study class and Merry Christmas signs are everywhere. It just isn't like this in the rest of the country that I'm aware of. We found out also, that the youth ministries are scheduled to come into the public schools. This is just so odd from where we are coming from.

5. If you look closely at the trees in the campground there are Mardi Gras bead necklaces strewn all throughout the branches. After a windy day, they are scattered all over the grounds. Mardi Gras is a big thing down here, and after Thanksgiving partying here, I can only imagine how wild it is here!

6. Coming out as someone who doesn't eat much meat, is a strange thing. I don't think there are very many vegetarians here and when I brought my veggie enchiladas to work, it was a strange sight! At Burger King, I will often order their soyburger, BK Veggie Burger. Here, when I ordered the BK Veggie they gave me a hamburger with extra lettuce and tomatoes. It's the thought that counts!

7. Graveyards here are just amazing! Because of the low water table, the coffins are not buried but closed into cement, marble and even bricks. In many old graveyards, large swirling marble structures hold the dead, and one old crypt had a beautiful marble angel on the top. They are just beautiful.

8. P.S. Spiders are BIGGER here...

Got a kick out of this headstone... Check out the age of this guy!