Mr. Butts

Mr. Butts

My mother and I do not always see eye to eye. No surprise there. But every afternoon my dear mother and I sit down, call a truce and pay tribute to Alfred Mosher Butts. Every afternoon Mom and I play Scrabble.

The year my mother was hauling me around on her hip, Al Butts was washed up as an architect and invented the game of Scrabble. Not until the 1950s did the game take off and now it is found in one of every three homes in North America. Our family has played for as long as I can remember. (I hate to tell you that Doug and I even took our board and letters on our honeymoon! But we did play while drinking some Caribbean cocktails, so I guess it isn't that bad!)

At eighty-two years old, Mom is sharp as a tack, and to prove it she scored an all time high of 333 points this week. Any score of over 300 is recorded on the lid of our game box. So it was quite an accomplishment that she beat every number on the tattered box! Our games are cut-throat with Mom pretending to accuse me of denying her legitimate words, wrecking her planned next move, or fudging the score. When my sister joins in, we share the heat.

I will miss this part of our time together when we head west.

Thank you, Mr. Butts.

On the Beach

On the Beach
Lucky to get a permit to hike into one of two 'primitive campsites' on the beach at the Canaveral National Seashore while the Blogmistress was in NC last weekend, I learned the following: (1) sand is a lot harder at 3am than 3pm; (2) ten-foot surf is lot louder at 3am than 3pm; and (3) the last beer in the little cooler tastes just as good at 3am as at 3pm.
Despite less than a great night's sleep, it was memorable. Just before sunset I was successful in getting a ruddy turnstone to eat peanuts nearly out of my hand, and in the middle of the night the Milky Way seemed bright enough to read by. Definitely my kind o' place.
And an encouraging sign for the rest of our trip: the tent--and I--remained dry as a bone through an early morning rainstorm. -DJN

Strip Joints

Strip Joints

A lot of creative entrepreneurship takes place on the side of Florida's roads. Strip malls and flea markets seem to stretch as far as the eye can see along busy byways like Route 1 or the non-beach side of A1A. Mom loves to amble through the flea market stalls, just looking at the bizarre offerings. We did that last week until my sister suffered from sensory overload.

Some businesses crop up overnight and often are gone just as quickly. But unlike the cloned burger doodle joints at every I-95 interchange, these small, locally owned establishments sport very clever names, choose strange neighbors, and offer some wild stuff. Casually glancing out the car window today, I found Gutter King sharing a block with the Faith & Deliverance Ministries. You could wash at Soap Opera Laundry while losing money at Country Bingo next door. Eat a dog at Mustard's Last Stand before your appointment at Life Force Chiropracter. And, I am not making this up, Discount Plumbing Supplies is too close for comfort to Dr. Zipper, the urologist.

A Step Back in Time

A Step Back in Time

I took a trip with my mother and sister Nancy to visit my childhood friend in Gainesville. When Paula and I entered the University of Florida in 1965, we had already been best friends for eight years. Our sisters were friends and our mothers were bosom buddies. So, we have a lot of history - memories that are painfully embarrassing (The wacky freshmen guys took our bedspread instead of our lingerie during a campus panty raid!), hysterically funny (We can still sing the entire song for our horrible 8th grade play entitled "Our Lady of Guadalupe"), or sweet (I think she actually gave me her 7th grade boyfriend 'cause I couldn't get one on my own!). We talked and laughed, finished each other's sentences, sang the songs from school, and shared stories. It was very special. Mom was a real trooper and took us to a lakeside dinner in Mount Dora (more like 'very small hill' Dora). And whenever a day ends with hot fudge, you know it has been a great one!

The Beast

The Beast

Many of you have noted that I haven't included photos of Doug. Come on, folks! You know what he's like. As my sister says, "He's a beast!" If Doug is not running or walking or swimming, he's riding his bike. Back and forth he goes - up a trail, down the road, over the bridge. Doug's days do include a lot of reading, but with the weather cooperating so beautifully, he has been outside most of the time. And, believe it or not, he took in the Italian-American Padre Pia Festival as well as the Melbourne St. Patrick's Day street celebration. I think the green beer had something to do with that. The 'beast' usually crashes by 8:30 every evening. What a guy!

Shangri-la

Shangri-la

Sometimes you just don't know what is hidden around the corner. That is what happened to us Wednesday. Expecting very primitive camping in the Ocala National Forest, we pulled into Juniper Springs Campground just before sunset. Taking our bearings and the usual walk around the place, checking out the big RVs, finding the water pump, we followed a path to the actual spring. Unbelievable! Thanks to the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, we found a gorgeous natural swimming area, surrounded with terraced stone steps and tall oaks. And, thank the Lord, no alligators in the spring pool. Instead we watched a running water mill turn at one end of the spring and sand boils beneath us. A sand boil is water erupting from underground causing the white sand to ‘bubble.’

The only downer at this gorgeous spot was the sight of raccoons who have learned to ‘perform’ for humans. The behavior is bizarre, and I reported it to a ranger thinking I had saved everyone there from a case of rabies. These critters stand on their hind legs, place their front legs under their chin, and ... shimmy. Doug thought he was witnessing a case of wild hiccups; I thought seizure. Anyway, we were assured that these guys have learned how to get a free meal.

Stegosaurus

Stegosaurus
On Wednesday, 3/14, we found another hidden gem. Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge hugs the St. John's River and includes earthen dikes around water impoundment areas. We biked along these raised paths enjoying the warmth, the open sky, the expansive views and the dinosaurs. Yes, they certainly looked like dinosaurs to me! One big-ass gator was spread across our path and, when he raised his massive self up on all fours, I thought, “My, Lord! That must be a stegosaurus!” We gaped as he lumbered into the water and submerged in the muck. My hat blew off, I couldn’t get the camera set, and we missed the photo op of the day. But, hey, all fingers and toes are present and accounted for. Whew!

Herons, and Gators, and Trains

Herons, and gators and trains, oh, my!
Doug and I spent the last few days camping in central Florida, the Old Florida where you can go miles and never see a tourist attraction or a Disney billboard. Just marsh, forest and boiled peanuts. We popped that tent up at Blue Spring State Park where we slept with the freight trains rumbling past our heads. We now know why God invented ear plugs. Doug led me on a very long, very warm hike through the jungle. It counted for several days of exercise, and needless to say, we met just one other masochist during the four hours. Even I was willing to jump into the 72-degree spring which bubbles up a gazillion gallons of crystal clear water each day. Above us, the herons watched from the moss-draped trees, the garfish tread water below with their mouths open waiting for something with more meat on its bones, and the gators sat silently soaking up the sun on the banks. It was a bit nerve-wracking, and I didn't last long, but it was deliciously cool. Wish you were here!

Sisters

Sisters

Among my best memories of this trip will surely be watching Judy and Nancy in each other's company.
-DN
-Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, 3/11/07

Looking Skyward

Looking Skyward

It was a most exciting Thursday night! Doug could barely wait for the rocket launch from Cape Canaveral. The countdown was delayed until way past our embarrassingly early bedtime. So, while Mom, Dad and I watched from the balcony, Doug was pacing the sidewalk and running back and forth up the steps to check the NASA channel. Finally, we had lift-off. The rocket rose up in a ball of fire, streaked slowly across the sky and sailed out into space. Worth the wait.

Today we spent the day looking up at the amazing wildlife at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and Cape Canaveral National Seashore. Arriving very early in a fog (literally), we hiked the five-mile marshland trail along the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon. Until the National Park Service took measures to control the salinity and water levels, this preserve sometimes put out a million mosquitoes per square yard per day! Poor Ponce de Leon! My sister Nancy, Doug and I had no such problems and were rewarded at each bend in the road. Roseate spoonbills, ibis, wood storks, herons, egrets, white pelicans, ospreys, hundreds of ducks and migrating shore birds, and (are you ready?) a gorgeous bald eagle high atop his post near a huge nest. Lest you think we are total bird nerds, we did spy a couple of snakes, a raccoon, and several GATORS!

After all that educational activity, we headed for the beach and hung with the surfer dudes. We were the second-oldest folks on the beach, but as you can see, I, for one, fit right in.

Thanks for the messages. We miss all of you!

Campmobile

Campmobile

This is Doug with a 'guest post' as permitted by the Chief Blogmeister. As we will be spending the greater part of the next two months driving, eating and sleeping in the non-Roadtrek, I thought I'd offer a fifty-cent tour for those who have yet to see it.

Our campmobile is a Buick Rendezvous with the rear seat removed and a 3/4 inch particle board sleeping platform riding atop four 18 x 24 inch plastic storage containers. Two of these are our suitcases; one holds our laptop, small crank/dynamo radio, books/games, etc.; the fourth, non-perishable food. Built-in compartments to the rear contain our tent, small cookstove, toolbox, medical kit, hatchet, bicycle pump, and the critical roll of duct tape. Above us are two bicycles and a luggage carrier about the size and shape of a coffin. In it are three soft-sided travel bags holding Coleman stove, cook gear, lantern, sleeping bags, bike helmets, and two camp chairs.

With all this storage space over and under us, the only item visible in the rear windows is a blue air mattress, which folds up to the size of a large pillow when not inflated. And in a stroke of genius, J created 'cubbies' for each us by modifying two plastic hanging shoe bags and attaching them to the rear of the front seats--perfect for flashlights, notebooks, toothbrushes, camera, extra eyeglasses, and other small stuff.

Following our shakedown cruise to the Sunshine State, some minor re-arranging is in the cards--mostly to place the things we use the most in the most accessible places. Duh. We think we're going to be very comfortable as we head west in the weeks ahead. Stay tuned.

Guitar Man

Guitar Man

I almost hate to tell you how lovely the skies, warm the air, and gentle the breezes are here on the east coast of Florida. Like rock and roll music, it soothes the soul. We did try to camp at Tomoka State Park this week, but the Harleys had taken it over. It is Bike Week at Daytona and the place is crawling with motorcyclists. Doug and I agree that these folks are polite on the road and a change of scenery from Cape Cod in July.

Speaking of rock and roll, here is my dad, aka Guitar Man, here at the retirement community. What a trip he is! Mom and Dad are in great shape and we are enjoying their company. Doug is running around in shorts and t-shirts; I am bobbing around in the 80 degree pool and yakking with the yarn club. I hope to clean-up at Bingo this week!

South Carolina

South Carolina
The second week of our trip began with a stop in Hilton Head, South Carolina. It is the land of Spanish moss, bike paths and wide beaches. Never having been there before, we were surprised at the size of the island and the amount of traffic. If you play tennis, bike or play golf, it must be heaven. Our friends Bob and Trish (he is one of the Buds), took us in for the night, so the tent remains hidden away with the camping paraphernalia. We spent the afternoon walking, talking, eating and listening to 60's tunes. What a life!

North Carolina

North Carolina
Heavens! I never thought it would be so complicated to keep up with this blog business! We have had wireless connection problems. So much to report! Last week Doug and I enjoyed our crossing of the Delaware Bay aboard the Cape May ferry. That was a blue highway if there ever was one. Brilliant sunshine, cold air, and ninety minutes at sea! Then we headed due south along the eastern shore, arriving late on Day 2 of our trip. Several days of basketball, family and friends followed. We loved being with Wendy, Jon and Lucky. It was great fun sharing conversation and meals with our generous friends. We look forward to our new grandchild's arrival!

New Jersey

New Jersey
New Jersey gets bad press! We have found this state to be full of surprises! Not only do the attendants wash the windshields at the NJTP service plazas, there are always fresh flowers at each restroom sink! A nice touch to an otherwise dismal stretch of highway. After sharing tea with my relatives in Riverside, we raced the sunset to Belleplain State Forest near Cape May. We set up camp (well, parked the car and blew up an air mattress), walked the forest for an hour (okay, got somewhat lost) and watched white-tailed deer romp through a clearing. We had the entire place to ourselves. Toasting our good fortune with Chianti and bean soup, we then donned the headlamps and read, snug as two bugs in a Buick. All was right with the world, at least the southern part of New Jersey. As one traveler commented to a trucker outside the rest area of my favorite turnpike, "All days are good ones. Some are just better than others." Tuesday was one of those. Did I mention that ice coated the inside of the windshield during the night?!