Heading Home

It's been a while so here's an update:

We had fun at the Daytona Speedway Experience, but we didn't get to take the tram tour out on the speedway because of lightening. Then we went back to Orlando during a storm. We were headed south-west while the tornadoes were headed north-east so they missed us. Then we picked up the up the fifth-wheel and headed home. After giving the grandbabies another hug.

We drove to Tallahassee the first day and it rained the whole way and by the time we got to the planned KOA it was a big mud puddle. We had already decided to just go home since we had to take I-10 home instead of I-40. We had planned to be gone another month but the weather hasn't been good so we are just making a bee-line home.

Many of the RV & KOA places say they have wifi (wireless internet), but at most it isn't powerful enough to actually get online. Today I have a really good connection so I'm trying to catch up.

Two nights ago in Columbus, TX we didn't have wifi or TV, but we had a beautiful sunset and I got some great pictures. Last night at Junction, TX we had weak connections that left when the storm set in. Luckly we had the DVD set for the mini-series Band of Brothers, so we watched a couple of episodes of that - at full volume to hear it over the rain.

Today we made it to Van Horn, TX which is east of El Paso. The sun finally came out about the time we got here and we're very happy to be out of the rain! It looks like there will be a good sunset here so my camera is at the ready.

We should be home this weekend and I'm really anxious to get there. Jerry and crew have been working the whole time we've been gone and although I've seen a few pictures, I can't wait to see it in person!

The Florida Keys & up the Coast

We had a great time in the keys, even though SPRING BREAK has already started!!! (I can't believe it - we went to Disneyland once not realizing it was Spring Break.)
Not to mention that a cruise ship was in Key West too! It was kinda crowded!
At a stop light two spring break girls riding a double bicycle ran into our stopped truck - and that was at 3pm.

Anyway, we had a wonderful evening at Islamadora. A great dinner fish in an outside patio with a view of the sunset.
I know the Brown Pelican was on the endangered list (now it's off), but in the Keys there are lots of them. And I really believe they like to pose for me to take their picture.
At Key West we had a "Cheeseburger in Paradise" at Margaritaville. It's described in the song of the same name. Except we didn't put Heinz 57 sauce on it.
We also toured the Mel Fisher Museum to see the booty he collected from the sunken ship he found. It's a great story but I recommend the movie, not the museum.

Moving up the coast to Daytona. Tomorrow we check out the Speedway Experience. We tried to go to the Daytona Beach today, but with it being Spring Break that was a mistake!

The Keys

We've had a great week here with Julie, Keith & girls. I miss them very much but am glad that they have a nice life here.

Tomorrow we are going to store the 5th-wheel for a few days & go down to the keys. The weather will be good and even when it rains it is supposed to be warm.

Still in Florida

Fun day with family yestrday. Messed around - playing at the park, checking out the local area, a little shopping and dinner out.

Today is a lazy day, just hanging out with Julie and girls. Keith is back at work.

Monday Ray and I head for the Keys.

Disney Fun

Yesterday, Disney's Animal Kingdom.
It's sorta like Disneyland and a zoo in combined. We all had a great time and it was even kinda warm for a while there! Keith's dad, Chris, works for Disney so he took us.
There is this huge fake tree in the center that has all kinds of animals carved in the trunk. I loved it and couldn't stop taking pictures. Yes, I am taking pictures, LOTS!

Later we did pizza & Survivor back at Julie & Keith's. But before that, from their 3rd floor apt, we watched the shuttle take off. Very Cool! Especially for Ray and I because we are children of the space era.

Today there is talk of the guys golfing & girls shopping, but who knows what will happen. It's Keith's last day off so we should do something fun.

Moss Park

We had a fun day at Moss Park celebrating Shea's birthday. She loved it and all her presents too, but she also found a log and a pine cone that she thought were special. She carried them around most of the day. So cute!
A fun day was had by all. Even though two sandhill cranes decided to crash the party. They were looking for food. Of course, Skyler loves to chase birds, something she got from her mom. Julie & Marcy loved to chase birds when they were little, but in California there are usually just seagulls and pigeons. I had to tell Skyler not to chase birds that are bigger than she is; so her daddy chased them away from our lunch.

Then back to watch the HBO movie Temple Grandin with Clare Danes - it's a great movie that I highly recommend.

Shea's Party Day

Yesterday Julie and I had a girls day. We went shopping - she got a gift card for her birthday - then had our nails done. It's something we do, but our regular nail place is in California.

Today there is a birthday party for Shea. Her birthday is Saturday, she will be 2.
She's getting so big and she is talking quite a bit. Skyler is in school now so we plan our day after 11:30 when she gets out. Grandma and Papa are loving being here with them.

I'm hoping that the wind will let up so we can have a fun party at Moss Park today. Julie and Keith made her a Strawberry cake and we will have lunch and cake on Strawberry Shortcake plates. Shea's gonna love it!

Julie's Birthday

After spending Friday night at a campground next to the Swanee River, we finally made it to Orlando Saturday. We've been playing with Julie, Keith & the girls so we've been kinda busy.
Today is Julie's Birthday. So we all went to the Kennedy Space Center for the tour. Then we all went to dinner with Keith's sister, his mom and her boy friend. A fun time was had by all!