Nature – Adventures in the Dirt Yacht

November 8, 2021November 8, 2021

Heading South for the Winter 2021

The first night we stopped at our normal stop, South of the Border. There are several sites that can handle our entire caravan.

The second night we stopped at Flamingo Lake RV Park in Jacksonville, Floirda. This was our first time at this park and the park was very accommodating to our long length. They gave us a nice pull through site and allowed us to park the Jeep and trailer across the street, for no additional charge. Randy had to back out since he did not think he could make the sharp right turn out of the site . He still had a tough time getting around the corner at the end of the street.

Flamingo Lake RV Park in Jacksonville, Florida.

View from Brian’s house where we parked the Dirt Yacht. Looking out over the peanut and cotton fields between Brian’s house and Aunt Rene’s house. The bales are peanut vine bales that the cows love.

Randy listening to Aunt Rene’s stories on her front porch.

Aunt Rene with Randy and Karen at her 100th Birthday Celebration

Randy with his Aunt Rene at her 100th Birthday Celebration!

Beautiful decorations for Aunt Rene’s party. There were also photos of Lorene and even some of Randy’s mom decorating the tables.

Randy visiting with his cousin, Charles Reichert Jr. during Aunt Rene’s birthday party.

Entertainment for the kids during Aunt Rene’s 100th Birthday Celebration

After leaving Aunt Rene’s in Georgia, we stopped in Ocala Ranch RV Park in Ocala, Florida. The sites were huge.

Ocala Ranch RV Resort had plenty of room for everything!

Outside the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing

Randy with Don Garlits’ Swamp Rat I. This was Don’s first Chrysler Hemi powered fuel dragster that he built in his home garage in Tampa, Florida. On November 10, 1957, Don set his first World Record of 176.4 MPH in 8.79 seconds, the first over 170 MPH in the Quarter Mile. Restored in 1978 by Don Garlits and Tommy Lemons for the Museum.

1959 T.V. Tommy Ivo’s Buick Dragster. Tommy Ivy was known as the “King of the Dragsters.” This twin-engine, gas, unblown, Buick had a top time of 180 mph with a low ET of 8.69 seconds.

Shirley Muldowney’s 1980 Top Fuel car. Shirley “Cha-Cha” Muldowney considered the first woman of drag racing, is a 3 time NHRA Top Fuel World Champion. We were in the stands when the 1983 movie, “Heart Like a Wheel” about her life and drag racing career was filmed in Pamona, California, during the Winternationals.

Randy loved the 1973 Triumph Bonneville on display at the museum.

1934 Ford Coupe and 1948 Ohio George Anglia

One of several Moonbeam cars designed by Bill Devin

Connie Kalitta’s Bounty Hunter 1962. Don Garlits was named “Big Daddy” when he drove the Bounty Hunter so Kalitta could observe the run when the car was not performing as expected. Don set the NHRA National Record (180.36 mph) during the run and the announcer , Bernie Partridge, nicknamed Don, “Big Daddy”.

John Force’s Funny car body on display at Don Garlits’ Museum of Drag Racing

The only remaining Shirley Muldowney Funny Car that she drove before switching to Top Fuel dragsters. Purchased from the Bowling Green Hot Rod Reunion and scheduled for restoration.

37 Willys Coupe – The first woman in drag racing history to receive an NHRA license for driving supercharged cars, Barbara Hamilton and her best friend Nancy Leonello campaigned this 37 Willys Coupe from 1964 through 1971. Barbara won the 1966 NHRA Springnationals and runner-up at the 1968 Indy Nationals, all the while holding the NASCAR C/Gas Supercharged E.T. record of 11.94 seconds. Barbara is one of only a few women who built, owned, wrenched and drove her own car. She was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 1992.

1904 Orient Buckboard on display in the Antique Car Museum. Built by the Waltham Manufacturing Company of Waltham, MA. Original cost $375.

1 cent, 10 cent and 25 cent slot machines on display at the Antique Car Museum

1923 Ford Depot Hack on display at the Antique Car Museum. The beginning of the station wagon, these cars were called depot hacks because they were used to transport people to and from the train depot and hotel. This particular car is still driven occasionally.

Juke Box in the Don Garlits Antique Car Museum

Great spot at the Upriver Campground RV Resort in North Fort Myers. There was plenty of room for everything. We unhooked the trailer and parked it on the patio.

Standing next to the small boat ramp at the Upriver Capground RV Resort in North Fort Myers.

No Swimming sign! There were several signs warning about alligators near the boat ramp at the Upriver Campground RV Resort.

I believe the only canal at the Upriver RV Resort

Spent part of the day looking for shells on Turner Beach on Captiva Island.

There were sandpipers all over Turner Beach.

Based on a recommendation from Deb Stewart, we had dinner at the Lazy Flamingo on Captiva Island. There are several Lazy Flamingo restaurants. This restaurant was very close to Turner Beach.

The conch chowder at the Lazy Flamingo was outstanding!

The fried grouper and conch fritters were fabulous. Some of the best ever!

Randy liked the sign at the Lazy Flamingo “Free Beer Tomorrow”

It was great catching up with Larry and Karen again!

Dinner with Larry and Karen at the Shrimp Shack!

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum on Sanibel. This is the only accredited museum in the US devoted soley to shells and mollusks.

Some of the fish in the aquarium in the Shell Museum

More fish in the aquarium in the Shell Museum

Chambered Nautilus Shells reminded me of the shape of my cochlea when learning about the implant I had in 2017.

Parking at the Naples/Marco Island KOA was very tight but the hosts at the campground were very accommodating. We parked the Jeep and trailer in the camping spots across from us. Those spots were not open due to high water levels.

Enjoyed our walk on Via Miromar Beach in Naples

It was a windy day so perfect for parasailing.

We had to stop at the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge since we spent the summer at the Thousand Islands!

Grasslands with a hammock in the background at Shark Valley

Alligator spotted during the tram tour around Shark Valley

Momma alligator watching over her babies

Baby alligator spotted during the tram tour around Shark Valley

Blue Heron spotted while on the tram tour at Shark Valley

We made the hike up the tower at Shark Valley

August 10, 2021August 10, 2021

Antique Boat Show & Auction and Weekend Fun! 08/05 – 08/08/2021

We started out the Antique Boat Show weekend wanting to watch the boats cruise on Thursday afternoon for the 2021 Boats on Parade. According to their website, the boats were supposed to leave Clayton about 3:00 and cruise around Grindstone Island. We planned to watch the beautiful wooden boats when they went through the Wellsley Island Narrows about 4:15. We arrived in plenty of time, but only saw one wooden boat: No parade of boats! I am not sure if they just did not go or if they went later in the day. After reviewing ABM’s website, I found multiple times for the Thursday cruise on different pages: the 3:00 start time, a 5:30 start time and a 6:30 start time. Needless to say, I was very disappointed that I did not get to see the parade of boats. I wanted to grab a few pictures as the boats navigated the Narrows. Before heading in, we headed to Clayton to look at the boats tied up at the docks.

June 23, 2021July 13, 2021

Start of the 2021 Summer Season: 05/01/2021 – 06/22/2021

We left the Keys at the end of April so that I could visit my doctors at home. This is the second time I left the Keys to seek medical advice from my doctors in Baltimore. While I now have several doctors in Key West, I feel more comfortable seeing my doctors at home. There are not a lot of specialists in the Keys, so I would have probably had to go to Miami to see a kidney specialist. Fortunately only watching things at this time. I have a follow up in October to see if surgery is necessary.

August 28, 2020July 22, 2021

Hurricane Laura 08/22/2020

in anticipation of Tropical Storm Laura, Monroe County declared a State of Local Emergency on Friday, August 21 requiring the evacuation of liveaboard vessels, mobile homes, RVs, travel trailers and campers effective noon on Sunday August 23. At the time we were not sure how bad this storm would be in the Keys so we spent several days packing up the RV in case we needed to evacuate. After being in the Keys for almost 10 months, we had accumulated a lot of stuff that needed to be put away, even if we did not leave. Randy power washed the boat and even stored my trike on Sweet Thing since it would not fit anywhere else. Monroe County eventually rescinded the evacuation order, but not until late on Sunday morning. After 3 days of work to put everything away, i knew i did not want to do that again, if another storm came through. Even thought TS Laura looked like it was heading South, we decided that we were going to make a run for home. Another deciding factor for me was that the pool at VO was closing for repairs in September so i would not be able to enjoy my morning swim. Tropical Storm and then Hurricane Laura eventually passed over Cuba on its way to the Texas/Louisiana border.

June 1, 2020July 22, 2021

Keys to Reopen to Short-Term Vacationers on Monday, June 1 – 05/31/2020

Due to the COVID-19 virus, the Keys have been shut down since March 21, 2020. Only long-term residents (181 days), property owners, and workers such as first responders, healthcare workers and active military are allowed through the road blocks on US-1. We were very fortunate that we extended our lease early and our original lease was for 6 months plus one day so we had the option to stay and were not forced to leave like many of our friends.

Our lifestyle did not change very much after the road was closed and non-essential businesses were shut down, except that we were not going out to dinner when most everything was closed. Since the reopening plan that allowed limited access to restaurants, stores, etc. has been in place, we have been enjoying some of our favorite spots in the Keys. We finally were allowed to go to Nadine’s to see Susan to get our hair cut with a pedicure from Connie for me. That was a priority and i called the first morning to get appointments!

May 17, 2020July 13, 2021

Fun Boating Day of Snorkeling and Fishing 05/17/2020

We started out the day at Looe Key and finished our boating day by fishing out past Tarpon Belly. Today was Terry and Marcia’s last day before they head for home on Monday morning, so we took advantage of the nice weather to run out to Looe Key. Even thought the south wind was relatively mild, we still had some swells. But nothing the Boston Whaler could not handle.

May 16, 2020July 13, 2021

Little Palm and Geiger Key 05/16/2020

Before Terry and Marcia head for home we took them out on “Sweet Thing” to spent some time on Little Palm, followed up with dinner at Geiger Key. It was a beautiful day to be out on the water. We were one of the first boats to arrive, but because it was the weekend, several boats and jet skis soon joined us, It still was not as busy as it would normally have been on a Saturday afternoon, but more boats that what we have seen during a weekday. I know Isla enjoyed her time swimming in the shallow water!

May 15, 2020July 13, 2021

Weather in May, Fishing and Manatees 05/14/2020

A tropical system near the Bahamas has produced rain and gusty wind in the Florida Keys, portions of Southwest Florida and parts of the Bahamas. The weather forecast is for Thursday, Friday and possibly part of Saturday. The wind picked up late Wednesday night with heavy wind and rain for all of Thursday. The wind pushed the rain sideways causing a steady leak in the bedroom slide. Fortunately we caught it early, so no damage was done, but we will have to keep an eye out to make sure there is no damage to the gasket. Randy had checked the gaskets around the slide the previous day, so he does not think anything needs fixing. The leak is probably just from the sideways-driving rain. But still something to put on the maintenance list.

May 14, 2020July 13, 2021

Staying in the Keys means learning how to trap Stone Crabs 4/30/2020

Normally we head home at the beginning of May but we decided to stay. We still do not know when we will leave and head towards home. I guess the final decision will depend on COVID-19 and the weather. With no renters currently allowed into the Keys, the park has emptied out considerably. We are sorry to see our friends leave. Bruce and Joanne were forced to leave the last week in April. They were not allowed to extend their lease. I hated to see them leave, especially since I don’t think they are coming back next year. One thing we have really enjoyed and taken advantage of with no renters, is the shade and delightful breeze under Alan’s house next door. He told us before he left that we could take advantage of the shade under his house. The weather has heated up in April so in addition to relaxing under Alan’s house, we try to keep cool either at some of our favorite anchor spots, such as Tarpon Belly, or we have started going to the pool again. The pool felt really good when it hit 102 degrees. Most of the time there is hardly anyone in the pool so it is easy to maintain distance from others.

April 15, 2020July 22, 2021

April in the Keys, Fishing and COVID 4/15/2020

i think April is my favorite time in the Keys. Especially this year. The weather has warmed up and the winds have died down. Because of the COVID-19 virus, US-1 and most public boat ramps are closed. These closures have reduced the number of people in the Keys and boats out on the water. Since our boat is tied up behind the RV, we can still enjoy getting to some of our favorite spots. Being able to get out on the boat has kept the cabin fever at bay. Especially since we are no longer going to the pool (even though it is still open). I just do not feel comfortable using the pool.