So, we're sitting in the Service lounge of Gator Ford, outside of Tampa, waiting to hear the estimate for fixing our blown up brake lines.
We had slept overnight in the RV in the parking lot, after being towed from another Ford garage that didn't have a lift big enough to put our baby up in the air. Big Manny woke us up at 7.30am to get the necessary mileage and other such data. We had plans of waking up early to have a good breakfast and freshen up before camping out in the lounge, but, the bottle of red wine we cracked open (due to lack of ice to make any other cocktails) and subsequently finished while playing rummy and trivial pursuit, kept us in bed until the knock at the window.
We were happy to see that there was a small diner counter in the lounge, and even more happy to see a sign reading free coffee! While we sipped our hot water with slight hints of coffee out of tiny styrofoam cups, we looked forward to ordering the scrambled eggs, sausage, and french toast breakfast for $3.95, but were letting our stomachs wake up a bit. Just as Mary Lou was standing up to order us said eggs, the lady behind the counter wiped the wipe board clean and started writing "grilled boneless porkchop with chezzy taters". Really? At 8.30 in the morning?
So Mary Lou says, "Oh, sorry, we were just coming to get some eggs." And the lady says, "Nope, sorry, they're done. They're really for the men in the garage anyway." Mary Lou says, "Well, we surely aren't ready for pork chops at this hour." And lady says, "Okay," and goes back to reading her newspaper.
This woman has not done anything for the hour we have been sitting there, and continues to do nothing but watch tv and read the National Enquirer, for the next hour. It doesn't occur to her for a second that, seeing as we're the only ones in the lobby, and her only chance for a sale and some tip, that she should just offer to make us the stupid eggs.
Kyle is always scolding his big sister to not compare India to this country, but, seriously, if we were in India, the lady behind the counter would offer to make us eggs benedict and pecan waffles if it meant a chance for tip, instead of sitting idly for hours. No wonder the United States is worried about losing engineering jobs, and the space race, and biomedical venture capital. We can't even make money off a small monopoly of a basic and much needed commodity, food. Make us some eggs dammit.
1.31.2011
Uh oh.
Not three miles North of Tampa, Nicole, driving, shouts, "Look Ma! No brakes!" The brake pedal deflated all the way to the floor. Pfffft.
Son of a.....
Son of a.....
Shotguns and Crabs in Tampa
Lee convinced us to park the RV in his driveway and just forget about it. He wanted to take us to the shooting range and teach us how to use our gun. We had decided that having a gun, just for protection was a pretty good idea for two girls on the road. Luckily, we had an experienced and helpful cousin to help us pick out the right one, a .410 gauge. "This is the gun I used to shoot them squirrels out my window with." Perfect for us.
But, the shotgun had sat on the floor, next to the bed, with the shells safely in a drawer, for many weeks. Mom used to shoot cans off the fence in the fields, back in the day, but Nicole had never fired a gun. Lee was just the man, and knew just the place. We met some more of his friends, a lovely recently engaged couple, at the Shoot Straight Shooting Range. We signed all the paperwork, copied our licenses ("Ah, New Yorkers! You guys comin' down for some real freedom, huh?"), put in the ear plugs, eyeglasses, and stepped into the range. The incredibly loud firing of multiple guns and the smell of used caps was pretty disconcerting at first. Have never heard such a racket.
Eased up to the lane, hung up our target silhouette, and Lee gave us a quick lesson of how to lock and load. Nicole stepped up first, wiping the sweat of her palms and finding the sweet spot on her shoulder to steady the sight and cushion the blow. She aimed, slid her finger onto the trigger, and focused. Deep breath out. Ready, set….ready….. Nope. Chickened out. What if there was a defect? What if she forgot to pull some packing material out? What if they weren't the right bullets? Lee offered to take the first shot, and Nicole readily accepted.
After seeing him fire the gun, she was ready to jump in. The first shot was both more and less powerful than she expected. She hit the target and didn't drop the gun. The adrenaline drained fast and the next few shots fired off without a problem. It was her gun, now. Mary Lou's turn.
Mary Lou didn't hesitate to get off a few shots. No fear. No adrenaline. But, for some reason, she doesn't feel she needs to use the sight. She is correct in thinking that our PDX40 bullets give off a good spray to stop anyone in the immediate area, but, every shot she fired hit the floor. She said she doesn't mind. From the start, when asked, "could you really shoot someone?", she has always said, "if they're coming in our RV, anywhere near my daughter, i'm shooting their nuts off." I guess her aim is just perfect.
Lee let Nicole fire off a few clips of his Smith and Wesson 9 mm. She hit the bullseye more than once, and was pretty proud of her steadiness and aim. After all the fun of using their second amendment right, the group packed up and headed out for some yummy German fare at Mr. Dunderbak's. Of the hundreds of world beers, Lee introduced us to a few winners, especially Aecht Ochlenteria Rauchbier (original Schlenkeria Smokebeer), which had hints of bacon that hit the side of the tongue. Spent a long time chatting and laughing and headed across town to another pub for some more beer and a few rounds of very competitive darts. Sarah finally took a break from her college homework and joined us for another round at another pub and then sushi and drinks at a funky sushi place. A few more friends joined there, and in the course of making merry, invited us to their birthday party bake the next day. "What are you baking?" "Alaskan King Crab legs." "We'll be there."
Suki was throwing the party for her boyfriend, Josh, and his favorite was crab legs. Both sides of their family were there, and friends, and Suki did an amazing job steaming up 25 pounds of crab legs. We each got two crabs, foiled steamed in cream cheese and heavy cream and garlic and herbs. It was just too good. And so nice of them to include us in their festivities. Absolutely lovely people all around in Tampa, but it was time to get moving on. Northward bound.
Click here for photos!
But, the shotgun had sat on the floor, next to the bed, with the shells safely in a drawer, for many weeks. Mom used to shoot cans off the fence in the fields, back in the day, but Nicole had never fired a gun. Lee was just the man, and knew just the place. We met some more of his friends, a lovely recently engaged couple, at the Shoot Straight Shooting Range. We signed all the paperwork, copied our licenses ("Ah, New Yorkers! You guys comin' down for some real freedom, huh?"), put in the ear plugs, eyeglasses, and stepped into the range. The incredibly loud firing of multiple guns and the smell of used caps was pretty disconcerting at first. Have never heard such a racket.
Eased up to the lane, hung up our target silhouette, and Lee gave us a quick lesson of how to lock and load. Nicole stepped up first, wiping the sweat of her palms and finding the sweet spot on her shoulder to steady the sight and cushion the blow. She aimed, slid her finger onto the trigger, and focused. Deep breath out. Ready, set….ready….. Nope. Chickened out. What if there was a defect? What if she forgot to pull some packing material out? What if they weren't the right bullets? Lee offered to take the first shot, and Nicole readily accepted.
After seeing him fire the gun, she was ready to jump in. The first shot was both more and less powerful than she expected. She hit the target and didn't drop the gun. The adrenaline drained fast and the next few shots fired off without a problem. It was her gun, now. Mary Lou's turn.
Mary Lou didn't hesitate to get off a few shots. No fear. No adrenaline. But, for some reason, she doesn't feel she needs to use the sight. She is correct in thinking that our PDX40 bullets give off a good spray to stop anyone in the immediate area, but, every shot she fired hit the floor. She said she doesn't mind. From the start, when asked, "could you really shoot someone?", she has always said, "if they're coming in our RV, anywhere near my daughter, i'm shooting their nuts off." I guess her aim is just perfect.
Lee let Nicole fire off a few clips of his Smith and Wesson 9 mm. She hit the bullseye more than once, and was pretty proud of her steadiness and aim. After all the fun of using their second amendment right, the group packed up and headed out for some yummy German fare at Mr. Dunderbak's. Of the hundreds of world beers, Lee introduced us to a few winners, especially Aecht Ochlenteria Rauchbier (original Schlenkeria Smokebeer), which had hints of bacon that hit the side of the tongue. Spent a long time chatting and laughing and headed across town to another pub for some more beer and a few rounds of very competitive darts. Sarah finally took a break from her college homework and joined us for another round at another pub and then sushi and drinks at a funky sushi place. A few more friends joined there, and in the course of making merry, invited us to their birthday party bake the next day. "What are you baking?" "Alaskan King Crab legs." "We'll be there."
Suki was throwing the party for her boyfriend, Josh, and his favorite was crab legs. Both sides of their family were there, and friends, and Suki did an amazing job steaming up 25 pounds of crab legs. We each got two crabs, foiled steamed in cream cheese and heavy cream and garlic and herbs. It was just too good. And so nice of them to include us in their festivities. Absolutely lovely people all around in Tampa, but it was time to get moving on. Northward bound.
Click here for photos!
1.29.2011
Friends, Cigars, and Guns in Tampa
Spent a few days in Tampa, FL with a college friend of Nicole's, and his lovely wife. Lee and Sarah Nelson were more than hospitable. They gave us our own separate rooms in their newly purchased home, drove us around to see the sights, and made us home cooked food. The first night, Lee grilled us up some spicy sausage, thin sliced eggplant, and fresh peppers handpicked from the local farmers' market, but only after introducing us to a local speciality, boiled peanuts. We had been warned previously, by other friends, that we probably wouldn't like them, but that's never stopped us from trying anything! These ones were boiled for 24 hours with green chillies and hot peppers. They were still hot, more like beans than peanuts, and we thought they were delicious.
The second night, Lee drove us into historic Ybor City, explaining the fascinating history along the way:
"Today, a walk down 7th Avenue is truly a walk through the history of Ybor City. Now known as Tampa's National Historic Landmark District, Ybor City in the 1880s was a melting pot of immigrants from Spain, Cuba, Germany and Italy and home to some of the world's most famous cigar factories. In the history of Ybor City, most early Ybor residents made their living from cigar making, while the occupations of many other workers revolved around the cigar trade. Known for its unique collection of mutual-aid societies and multiethnic population, Ybor remained the Cigar Capitol of the World until the 1930s. In 2008, 7th Avenue, the main commercial thoroughfare in Ybor City, was recognized as one of the "10 Great Streets in America" by the American Planning Association."
There is much more worth researching about Ybor City, and it is definitely an awesome place to visit.
Our first stop was dinner and a flamenco show at Columbia Restaurant, an institution in the area since 1905. The food was traditional Latin American, Cuban, and Spanish fare. We had "Ropa Vieja", originally introduced to Cuba by Spanish sailors and meaning "old clothes" because the choice beef is shredded, sauteéd and simmered with onions, green peppers and tomatoes, and also, seafood paella. We shared a bottle of house wine, specifically made for the restaurant. The female flamenco dancers were fantastic, colorful and powerful. The one male dancer of the troupe, not so impressive, but the whole thing was definitely entertaining.
Grabbed a few beers under the Ybor City sign in Muvico Plaza, wandered up and down 7th Ave and then stopped in to Ybor Cigars Plus for Cuban coffee. It's always fun to watch cigars being hand rolled, and we asked Lee to pick us out a good one from the humidor room. (He was just getting over an ear infection and couldn't share it with us!) Nicole had never really smoked a cigar before, but Lee gave some great tips and helped us light it up. The Cuban coffee was strong and robust, and the cigar was mild and sweet. We listened to a Cuban band and watched couples come in from the street to dance salsa. Had a few mojitos before wandering some more and calling it a night. Mary Lou woke up in the morning wondering what the hell that taste was in her mouth, before remembering the cigar.
The next day, Lee took us to the Shoot Straight gun range to try out our shotgun. Yes, our shotgun. Yee-haw!!
Click here for photos!
The second night, Lee drove us into historic Ybor City, explaining the fascinating history along the way:
"Today, a walk down 7th Avenue is truly a walk through the history of Ybor City. Now known as Tampa's National Historic Landmark District, Ybor City in the 1880s was a melting pot of immigrants from Spain, Cuba, Germany and Italy and home to some of the world's most famous cigar factories. In the history of Ybor City, most early Ybor residents made their living from cigar making, while the occupations of many other workers revolved around the cigar trade. Known for its unique collection of mutual-aid societies and multiethnic population, Ybor remained the Cigar Capitol of the World until the 1930s. In 2008, 7th Avenue, the main commercial thoroughfare in Ybor City, was recognized as one of the "10 Great Streets in America" by the American Planning Association."
There is much more worth researching about Ybor City, and it is definitely an awesome place to visit.
Our first stop was dinner and a flamenco show at Columbia Restaurant, an institution in the area since 1905. The food was traditional Latin American, Cuban, and Spanish fare. We had "Ropa Vieja", originally introduced to Cuba by Spanish sailors and meaning "old clothes" because the choice beef is shredded, sauteéd and simmered with onions, green peppers and tomatoes, and also, seafood paella. We shared a bottle of house wine, specifically made for the restaurant. The female flamenco dancers were fantastic, colorful and powerful. The one male dancer of the troupe, not so impressive, but the whole thing was definitely entertaining.
Grabbed a few beers under the Ybor City sign in Muvico Plaza, wandered up and down 7th Ave and then stopped in to Ybor Cigars Plus for Cuban coffee. It's always fun to watch cigars being hand rolled, and we asked Lee to pick us out a good one from the humidor room. (He was just getting over an ear infection and couldn't share it with us!) Nicole had never really smoked a cigar before, but Lee gave some great tips and helped us light it up. The Cuban coffee was strong and robust, and the cigar was mild and sweet. We listened to a Cuban band and watched couples come in from the street to dance salsa. Had a few mojitos before wandering some more and calling it a night. Mary Lou woke up in the morning wondering what the hell that taste was in her mouth, before remembering the cigar.
The next day, Lee took us to the Shoot Straight gun range to try out our shotgun. Yes, our shotgun. Yee-haw!!
Click here for photos!
1.25.2011
Salvador Dali in St. Petersburg
From Sarasota, we spent a night on Turtle Beach on Siesta Key. Mary Lou was warned that if she took one more picture of a heron, the camera was getting thrown in the ocean. Stopped at a local fresh fish market and picked up a pound of Gulf Shrimp for some shrimp cocktail with our salad. We hugged the coast North into St. Petersburg, and when reading the morning newspaper, realized that the $36 million new Salvador Dali Museum had just opened two days before. We had already seen the collection in the original museum a few years earlier, but decided that the timing of the opening was too perfect, and we had to pay it a visit.
Even though it's not cool to like Dali anymore, we still enjoy being impressed with his skill and amazed by his imagination. But we weren't big fans of the building itself. It's a giant cement box with a blue glass tumor bubbling out of the side, and what is supposed to be a boulder from Dali's home town supporting one corner of the box. It kind of looked like every other urban, modern building, designed as an experiment in form, but with the expected surrealist touch. The center spiral staircase trailed off, ribbon like, up to the glass ceiling. Predictable (and incomparable to say, a Gehry, staircase). Both the physical layout and the curation of the gallery inside, were fragmented and choppy. There was no narrative to follow and we found we had to backtrack to see areas that we had bypassed behind floating walls. We did have some of the best coffee that we have had this trip, and some decadent chocolate tiramisu, at the Gala Cafe in the lobby. We also traipsed through the hedge maze of tall bushes that led us to a disappointing climax of finding in the center, a silly tree that looked exactly like another hedge.
We decided to get back on the coast, and find some more Gulf shrimp.
Soundtrack -
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West
Four Tet
Avett Brothers
Click here for photos!
Even though it's not cool to like Dali anymore, we still enjoy being impressed with his skill and amazed by his imagination. But we weren't big fans of the building itself. It's a giant cement box with a blue glass tumor bubbling out of the side, and what is supposed to be a boulder from Dali's home town supporting one corner of the box. It kind of looked like every other urban, modern building, designed as an experiment in form, but with the expected surrealist touch. The center spiral staircase trailed off, ribbon like, up to the glass ceiling. Predictable (and incomparable to say, a Gehry, staircase). Both the physical layout and the curation of the gallery inside, were fragmented and choppy. There was no narrative to follow and we found we had to backtrack to see areas that we had bypassed behind floating walls. We did have some of the best coffee that we have had this trip, and some decadent chocolate tiramisu, at the Gala Cafe in the lobby. We also traipsed through the hedge maze of tall bushes that led us to a disappointing climax of finding in the center, a silly tree that looked exactly like another hedge.
We decided to get back on the coast, and find some more Gulf shrimp.
Soundtrack -
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West
Four Tet
Avett Brothers
Click here for photos!
1.24.2011
The Circus in Sarasota.
In Sarasota, we went to the Ringling Estate, consisting of:
- "Ca' d'Zan"
They said: "The Ringlings' dazzling palatial mansion is a tribute to the American Dream and reflects the splendor and romance of Italy. Described as “the last of the Gilded Age mansions” to be built in America, Cà d’Zan has 56 incredible rooms filled with art and original furnishings. With its Venetian Gothic architecture, the mansion is a combination of the grandeur of Venice’s Doge’s Palace, combined with the gothic grace of Cà d’Oro, with Sarasota Bay serving as its Grand Canal."
We said: We found the mansion interior to be lacking the magic attributes we thought we would find, but it was certainly homier than the Biltmore. The Venetian Gothic exterior and the wrap around marble patio overlooking Sarasota Bay, however, were fantastic. We could imagine ourselves having martinis on that patio, listening to jazz records, and watching the sunset.
- Ringling Museum of Art
They said: "The Museum of Art, built by John Ringling to house his personal collection of masterpieces, today features paintings and sculptures by the great Old Masters including Rubens, van Dyck, Velázquez, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, El Greco, Gainsborough and more. The European, American and Asian masterworks available here make the Museum of Art an awe-inspiring retreat. It is a palace for treasures emulating the footprint of Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, echoing its grace and grandeur.".
We said: The collection was very Italian religious and just, well, nice. It was nice to see the largest collection outside the Vatican of Rubens, but they weren't very moving. There were a lot lesser known artists, and you could understand the reason for them remaining lesser known. I guess maybe you shouldn't put a clown in charge of curating your art collection.
- Mable Ringling’s Rose Garden
The roses were in full bloom down here in Sarasota, Florida, but roses really are't the most beautiful of plants for a garden collection, are they? They look better in a nice glass vase on the dining room table, available for closer inspection. The garden sure did smell great.
- The Ringling Circus Museum
It was cool seeing the Ringling's private rail car and the colorful parade and baggage wagons, but nothing matched the amusement gained from seeing the world's largest miniature circus, The Howard Bros. Circus Model. The model is a replica of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1919 – 1938 and was created over a period of more than 50-years by master model builder and philanthropist Howard Tibbals. The model really leaves an impression of just how freaking big the circus production was, the awe-inspiring madness of the logistics expounded by the fact the Ringling's pulled their train into town in the morning and were performing in the Big Top that same night. Ridiculous.
Soundtrack -
Send in the Clowns, Judy Collins
Man on the Flying Trapeze, Bruce Springsteen or Popeye the Sailor Man
Click here for photos!
- "Ca' d'Zan"
They said: "The Ringlings' dazzling palatial mansion is a tribute to the American Dream and reflects the splendor and romance of Italy. Described as “the last of the Gilded Age mansions” to be built in America, Cà d’Zan has 56 incredible rooms filled with art and original furnishings. With its Venetian Gothic architecture, the mansion is a combination of the grandeur of Venice’s Doge’s Palace, combined with the gothic grace of Cà d’Oro, with Sarasota Bay serving as its Grand Canal."
We said: We found the mansion interior to be lacking the magic attributes we thought we would find, but it was certainly homier than the Biltmore. The Venetian Gothic exterior and the wrap around marble patio overlooking Sarasota Bay, however, were fantastic. We could imagine ourselves having martinis on that patio, listening to jazz records, and watching the sunset.
- Ringling Museum of Art
They said: "The Museum of Art, built by John Ringling to house his personal collection of masterpieces, today features paintings and sculptures by the great Old Masters including Rubens, van Dyck, Velázquez, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, El Greco, Gainsborough and more. The European, American and Asian masterworks available here make the Museum of Art an awe-inspiring retreat. It is a palace for treasures emulating the footprint of Florence’s Uffizi Gallery, echoing its grace and grandeur.".
We said: The collection was very Italian religious and just, well, nice. It was nice to see the largest collection outside the Vatican of Rubens, but they weren't very moving. There were a lot lesser known artists, and you could understand the reason for them remaining lesser known. I guess maybe you shouldn't put a clown in charge of curating your art collection.
- Mable Ringling’s Rose Garden
The roses were in full bloom down here in Sarasota, Florida, but roses really are't the most beautiful of plants for a garden collection, are they? They look better in a nice glass vase on the dining room table, available for closer inspection. The garden sure did smell great.
- The Ringling Circus Museum
It was cool seeing the Ringling's private rail car and the colorful parade and baggage wagons, but nothing matched the amusement gained from seeing the world's largest miniature circus, The Howard Bros. Circus Model. The model is a replica of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1919 – 1938 and was created over a period of more than 50-years by master model builder and philanthropist Howard Tibbals. The model really leaves an impression of just how freaking big the circus production was, the awe-inspiring madness of the logistics expounded by the fact the Ringling's pulled their train into town in the morning and were performing in the Big Top that same night. Ridiculous.
Soundtrack -
Send in the Clowns, Judy Collins
Man on the Flying Trapeze, Bruce Springsteen or Popeye the Sailor Man
Click here for photos!
Taxidermy and Birding at The Linger Lodge
After Naples, we headed up to Sarasota. We parked outside the city at the Linger Lodge RV park, named by Forbes.com as one of the
"Most Unusual Restaurants in the World" and also by Al Roker, as one of the "Top 5 Weirdest Restaurants in America". We paid the extra $10 to get a spot right on the small river and under the oak trees. It was jungly, and Nicole loved it. Nicole sat on the riverside and caught up with some important phone calls, while Mary Lou wandered the riverbend, camera ready, looking for wildlife. There was a blue heron and a white heron in the marshlands across the river, a cormorant drying his wings on some fallen logs, and a turtle sunning himself over on another log. On her way back, she saw a strange little bird sitting on top of a neighboring RV. Short and squat, with red, red eyes, it looked like a grumpy old man. Mom inched closer and closer to take photos of the bird, and I told her, don't worry, I could photoshop the satellite dish out of the picture. After 10 minutes of slow stalking, our neighbor, an airport employee who was parked at Linger Lodge permanently, said, "It's a night heron. If you want to get to know them closer, they really like bread." I threw Mom a piece of bread, and before she even tore off the first piece, two more night herons came floating down from the Spanish Moss, joined, seconds later, by two more from across the river. They each waited patiently for their bit, until the 5 foot tall blue heron came swooping over, screaming, and demanding full attention. The blue heron hung around for quite a while, watching us through the windows from the picnic table.
Dinner was inside the freakish marvel that is the Linger Lodge, care of previous owner and amateur taxidermist Frank Gamsky. There were snakes, bobcats, alligators, squirrels playing basketball, the owner's lopsided house cat, a jack-o-lope, a snake with a chicken head and pigeon wings, and other things real or compiled. We had the deep fried platter of green tomatoes, alligator and frogs legs, and a freshly caught grouper rueben. We also spotted an elusive, brilliant white mullet. There are photo's in the album. The Linger Lodge was like a little forgotten hickville, tucked on the jungle riverbed amidst the sprawling prefabricated, gated communities and we rather enjoyed ourselves.
We also experienced rain for the first time in the RV. Slept like babies with the fat raindrops pounding down on the roof.
Soundtrack -
Ode to Billie Jo, Bobby Gentry
Dueling Banjos, Deliverance
Rain Please Go Away, Alison Kraus
Click here for photo album.
Dinner was inside the freakish marvel that is the Linger Lodge, care of previous owner and amateur taxidermist Frank Gamsky. There were snakes, bobcats, alligators, squirrels playing basketball, the owner's lopsided house cat, a jack-o-lope, a snake with a chicken head and pigeon wings, and other things real or compiled. We had the deep fried platter of green tomatoes, alligator and frogs legs, and a freshly caught grouper rueben. We also spotted an elusive, brilliant white mullet. There are photo's in the album. The Linger Lodge was like a little forgotten hickville, tucked on the jungle riverbed amidst the sprawling prefabricated, gated communities and we rather enjoyed ourselves.
We also experienced rain for the first time in the RV. Slept like babies with the fat raindrops pounding down on the roof.
Soundtrack -
Ode to Billie Jo, Bobby Gentry
Dueling Banjos, Deliverance
Rain Please Go Away, Alison Kraus
Click here for photo album.
1.17.2011
Naples
Once Kyle left, Mary Lou and Nicole and Grammama spent the rest of holidays with good food, wine, and conversation. Gram pulled out all the old photo albums and a box of airmail and postcards that Mary Lou had written during her study abroad in Italy. Fun family fact: The Stack family, with the five daughters, had a dachshund who gave birth only one time, to five female puppies.
After finishing the wine, playing numerous rounds of cards, a wedding shower, going to a senior citizen social club social, bingo, and buying two used cruiser bicycles, Mary Lou and Nicole decided it was time to press on. We packed up the RV and drove West through Alligator Alley, which did indeed have insane numbers of alligators, each sunning themselves on any flat patch of riverbank.
We slept overnight in a Naples Walmart, woke up and drove into and around Marco Island. We walked along the beach, the pier, and watched the Pelicans. We decided that instead of paying to get into the Naples Art Museum, or paying to walk the Boardwalk through the marshes, we would spend the day's budgeted admission money on a worthier cause, The Wonder Gardens.
We had no idea what to expect at the Wonder Gardens, but we had read that it was started and run by an animal lover that took in abounded, abused, or otherwise rescued animals. After buying our tickets, they told us to wait by the otter enclosure for the next tour. For the next hour, we followed our fantastic tour guide through the maze of enclosures in the park. He told the story of how each animal had been brought to the park, told us about the animals themselves, and added in lots of common sense information about how we should be treating these animals and their environments. Many of the big cats in the park, the pumas and panthers and bobcats, had been rescued from wealthy individuals who though it would be cute to keep these animals as pets, and then found out how much raw meat it takes to feed them or that they aren't as cuddly as house cats.
The alligators were freaking awesome. They loomed silently below in the water as we walked across swinging wooden bridges over their ponds. The Gardens had actually built its reputation on the first rescue that was ever taken in - a gigantic alligator that, now dead and stuffed in the lobby, still holds the title for largest gator ever in captivity. There are lots of pics in the album of all the beautiful, and happy to still be alive animals. The Wonder Gardens is a fantastic place doing really fantastic things for the animals there. We read in the paper that the owner had recently been diagnosed with an inoperable spinal tumor, and is looking to sell the whole park. We hope that someone sees the value in what they have built, and takes over the place in the same spirit….
Click here for photos!
After finishing the wine, playing numerous rounds of cards, a wedding shower, going to a senior citizen social club social, bingo, and buying two used cruiser bicycles, Mary Lou and Nicole decided it was time to press on. We packed up the RV and drove West through Alligator Alley, which did indeed have insane numbers of alligators, each sunning themselves on any flat patch of riverbank.
We slept overnight in a Naples Walmart, woke up and drove into and around Marco Island. We walked along the beach, the pier, and watched the Pelicans. We decided that instead of paying to get into the Naples Art Museum, or paying to walk the Boardwalk through the marshes, we would spend the day's budgeted admission money on a worthier cause, The Wonder Gardens.
We had no idea what to expect at the Wonder Gardens, but we had read that it was started and run by an animal lover that took in abounded, abused, or otherwise rescued animals. After buying our tickets, they told us to wait by the otter enclosure for the next tour. For the next hour, we followed our fantastic tour guide through the maze of enclosures in the park. He told the story of how each animal had been brought to the park, told us about the animals themselves, and added in lots of common sense information about how we should be treating these animals and their environments. Many of the big cats in the park, the pumas and panthers and bobcats, had been rescued from wealthy individuals who though it would be cute to keep these animals as pets, and then found out how much raw meat it takes to feed them or that they aren't as cuddly as house cats.
The alligators were freaking awesome. They loomed silently below in the water as we walked across swinging wooden bridges over their ponds. The Gardens had actually built its reputation on the first rescue that was ever taken in - a gigantic alligator that, now dead and stuffed in the lobby, still holds the title for largest gator ever in captivity. There are lots of pics in the album of all the beautiful, and happy to still be alive animals. The Wonder Gardens is a fantastic place doing really fantastic things for the animals there. We read in the paper that the owner had recently been diagnosed with an inoperable spinal tumor, and is looking to sell the whole park. We hope that someone sees the value in what they have built, and takes over the place in the same spirit….
Click here for photos!
Funny Story of the Day
So... we're driving back to our RV park in St. Petersburg, Florida, and we need to pick up a few groceries. We decide to go to Walmart, because we have a few non-grocery items to get as well. As Mom thinks about that, she smacks her forehead and says, "Aw, but I left my shopping list at home!"
As I continue driving and trying to shift across 4 lanes of traffic to the turning lane, I say, "You are home, Mom."
"Yeah," she says, "I left it right on the kitchen table."
"Mom," I say, "The kitchen table is right behind your head."
Short pause.
Mom, "Ooooooooh! Of course! Ha ha... Yeah, our house. Is behind us. Yeah... "
As I continue driving and trying to shift across 4 lanes of traffic to the turning lane, I say, "You are home, Mom."
"Yeah," she says, "I left it right on the kitchen table."
"Mom," I say, "The kitchen table is right behind your head."
Short pause.
Mom, "Ooooooooh! Of course! Ha ha... Yeah, our house. Is behind us. Yeah... "
1.16.2011
Mini-Roadtrip with Kyle
Kyle wanted to experience RV'ing, so we left Grammama to resume the care of all her neighbors and headed to the Southernmost point in the United States of America on a Mini-Roadtrip.
Day 1 - Key West
Using all of Nicole's incredibly helpful apps on her incredibly smart phone, we located the RV park closest to party central, on neighboring Stock Island, just over the bridge, and on a major bus route. It was nearing sunset/happy hour time when we parked up and plugged in, so we decided to not even bother with the buses and just call a cab. Got dropped in Mallory Square to watch the grand finales of all the numerous street performers, see all the ridiculously opulent yaughts docked in the harbor, and watch the sun set over the sunset cruise sail boats.
Then, we bellied up to the bar at The Bull and Whistle. Had some very disgusting, but two for the price of one margaritas, and moved on. Walked directly across the street to check out a place called The Porch. The Porch was awesome; we ended up spending the rest of the night, and our dinner budget, there. Fantastic and delicious beer selection: Rogue's Chocolate Stout, Southern Tier's Unearthly, Monk in a Trunk, Wake and Bake, and our favorite of the evening, Lefthand and Terrapin's Oxymoron. We made friends with some absolutely lovely local ladies, Vanessa and Shauna and they in turn introduced to us the owner of The Porch, who was also bartending and suggesting many of our pints.
We like the name. Chilled at The Porch. Had so much fun on The Porch, that Nicole and Kyle have no recollection of touring the aboveground cemetery on the return trip home, compliments of the cab driver. Nicole threw up a little in her mouth.
Day 2 - Key West
The next morning, we woke up hardly bright eyed and bushy tailed, but packed our bags for the beach. Even though Nicole's Droid was able to supply us with detailed routes for and real-time-tracking of the public buses, our human instincts led us to stand at an abandoned bus shelter, half a block from the route, with a wart riddled giant black duck and a vagabond, missing probably 4 cycles of buses. Finally sorted that out and caught a ride to Rigg's Beach. Watched the naked males (photo in the album) play in the sand and soaked up some much needed sunshine. Wandered through the Key West Horticulture Club's Tropical Garden Center, where Nicole recognized much of the flora as native to Goa, as well. The fact that the temperature in Key West never drops below 41 degrees helps make that possible.
Cleaned ourselves up, took the bus to the middle of Duvall Street. We definitely couldn't drink beer, so ordered vodka or gin and tonics, first at Green Parrot, then at Baba Louie's with a nice live band. Walked through the streets, window-shopping, perusing the pretty cool Alan S Maltz Gallery (www.AlanMaltz.com), crossed all the bawdy drag queens starting the party on the sidewalk, and settled in to 9-15 for a perfect dinner of beet root salad, vietnamese chicken lettuce wraps, some tapas and mimosas. Cabbed it back to the park to crash out.
Day 3 - South Beach, Miami
Pulled anchor from Key West and headed back North, via Miami. Kyle navigated the RV, with Nicole at the helm, straight through the heart of Miami proper, over the bridge and into the art deco district. Took one hour of circling around to find a suitable parking spot and then Kyle spent an hour wandering around trying to locate enough quarters for us to pay both the meters for our 5 hour sojourn into South Beach. We started with a light dinner and drinks in trendy Lincoln Promenade. We walked up and down and all around through the streets, checking out the scene, architecture, plastic surgeries, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Porsches. We walked through the gorgeous art deco Raleigh Hotel, got turned away from the Delano because Kyle was wearing short pants, got some gelattos, sat in front of the country's largest Menorah, embedded with over 450,000 found seashells, and people watched for over an hour. Time was up in the parking meters, so drove off to the closest Walmart and slept.
Day 4 - Atlantic Avenue, Palm Beach
Back with Grammama for some home cooked meals and New Years Eve, 2010. Kyle and Nicole got all dressed up and Gram and Mary Lou dropped them to Atlantic Avenue for the festivities. Took almost an hour to even get a first drink, but 'the kids' listened to a good live band until they brought in the New Year with a big hug, happy to have the time together after many years of being half a world apart. Nicole tried to wish Happy New Years to the gathered people all around, but the closest family reacted like she was trying to hijack their baby, and she stopped.
Kyle left on Jan 2nd, happy to get back to work (finally with a new assistant); less happy to get back to winter. He called two days later to say that in June, during his summer break, we could pick him up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and he would not only accompany us, but plan, our Yellowstone Park leg of the trip. Fantastic!
Soundtrack...
Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet
White Rabbit - live covers
One Hundred Bottles of Beer on the Wall
Click here for photos!
Day 1 - Key West
Using all of Nicole's incredibly helpful apps on her incredibly smart phone, we located the RV park closest to party central, on neighboring Stock Island, just over the bridge, and on a major bus route. It was nearing sunset/happy hour time when we parked up and plugged in, so we decided to not even bother with the buses and just call a cab. Got dropped in Mallory Square to watch the grand finales of all the numerous street performers, see all the ridiculously opulent yaughts docked in the harbor, and watch the sun set over the sunset cruise sail boats.
Then, we bellied up to the bar at The Bull and Whistle. Had some very disgusting, but two for the price of one margaritas, and moved on. Walked directly across the street to check out a place called The Porch. The Porch was awesome; we ended up spending the rest of the night, and our dinner budget, there. Fantastic and delicious beer selection: Rogue's Chocolate Stout, Southern Tier's Unearthly, Monk in a Trunk, Wake and Bake, and our favorite of the evening, Lefthand and Terrapin's Oxymoron. We made friends with some absolutely lovely local ladies, Vanessa and Shauna and they in turn introduced to us the owner of The Porch, who was also bartending and suggesting many of our pints.
We like the name. Chilled at The Porch. Had so much fun on The Porch, that Nicole and Kyle have no recollection of touring the aboveground cemetery on the return trip home, compliments of the cab driver. Nicole threw up a little in her mouth.
Day 2 - Key West
The next morning, we woke up hardly bright eyed and bushy tailed, but packed our bags for the beach. Even though Nicole's Droid was able to supply us with detailed routes for and real-time-tracking of the public buses, our human instincts led us to stand at an abandoned bus shelter, half a block from the route, with a wart riddled giant black duck and a vagabond, missing probably 4 cycles of buses. Finally sorted that out and caught a ride to Rigg's Beach. Watched the naked males (photo in the album) play in the sand and soaked up some much needed sunshine. Wandered through the Key West Horticulture Club's Tropical Garden Center, where Nicole recognized much of the flora as native to Goa, as well. The fact that the temperature in Key West never drops below 41 degrees helps make that possible.
Cleaned ourselves up, took the bus to the middle of Duvall Street. We definitely couldn't drink beer, so ordered vodka or gin and tonics, first at Green Parrot, then at Baba Louie's with a nice live band. Walked through the streets, window-shopping, perusing the pretty cool Alan S Maltz Gallery (www.AlanMaltz.com), crossed all the bawdy drag queens starting the party on the sidewalk, and settled in to 9-15 for a perfect dinner of beet root salad, vietnamese chicken lettuce wraps, some tapas and mimosas. Cabbed it back to the park to crash out.
Day 3 - South Beach, Miami
Pulled anchor from Key West and headed back North, via Miami. Kyle navigated the RV, with Nicole at the helm, straight through the heart of Miami proper, over the bridge and into the art deco district. Took one hour of circling around to find a suitable parking spot and then Kyle spent an hour wandering around trying to locate enough quarters for us to pay both the meters for our 5 hour sojourn into South Beach. We started with a light dinner and drinks in trendy Lincoln Promenade. We walked up and down and all around through the streets, checking out the scene, architecture, plastic surgeries, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and Porsches. We walked through the gorgeous art deco Raleigh Hotel, got turned away from the Delano because Kyle was wearing short pants, got some gelattos, sat in front of the country's largest Menorah, embedded with over 450,000 found seashells, and people watched for over an hour. Time was up in the parking meters, so drove off to the closest Walmart and slept.
Day 4 - Atlantic Avenue, Palm Beach
Back with Grammama for some home cooked meals and New Years Eve, 2010. Kyle and Nicole got all dressed up and Gram and Mary Lou dropped them to Atlantic Avenue for the festivities. Took almost an hour to even get a first drink, but 'the kids' listened to a good live band until they brought in the New Year with a big hug, happy to have the time together after many years of being half a world apart. Nicole tried to wish Happy New Years to the gathered people all around, but the closest family reacted like she was trying to hijack their baby, and she stopped.
Kyle left on Jan 2nd, happy to get back to work (finally with a new assistant); less happy to get back to winter. He called two days later to say that in June, during his summer break, we could pick him up in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and he would not only accompany us, but plan, our Yellowstone Park leg of the trip. Fantastic!
Soundtrack...
Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet
White Rabbit - live covers
One Hundred Bottles of Beer on the Wall
Click here for photos!
1.14.2011
Florida for the Holidays!
Florida.
Ah! Okay… It's been a really long time chilling in Florida, and we didn't write anything, so now we are going to try and remember and tell you about our family fun holiday with Grandma, Sister Susan & Eric, and Kyle! It is Friday night, but we are exhausted from a day of sightseeing, so cracked open a bottle of red wine, started our Pandora station with Billie Holiday, and declined an invitation to the RV park's $3 buy-in Bingo Game (but we are contemplating going to the Dance Social tomorrow night), to take the time to catch up. . .
When we reached Florida, we spent a few days catching up and gossiping with Grandma. Then, Susan and Eric came to town. We met them at the Norton Museum of Art, in the fantastic Hollywood Icons exhibit, to be precise. They shacked up in the RV, parked at Delray Beach. Then Kyle flew in to spend his much needed vacation days with us! Susan and Eric drove us all to sunbathe at Delray Beach one day, and Singer island the next. The adults walked to the Inter-coastal bridges to see the manatees while Kyle and Nicole anchored down the beach blankets. Nicole learned that Kyle won't go swimming in the ocean because he is afraid of sharks. Susan cooked some delicious, and strength-and-conditioning-coach-diet-compatible, salmon with mustard and almonds and Eric treated us to a lovely and sunny lunch at Testa's restaurant in Palm Beach. They drove us and down A1A Inter-coastal to see John Lennon's (formerly a Vanderbilt) home, a Madoff brother now-for-sale villa, Este Lauder's mansion, Trump's Mar Lago, and an ostentatious Mafia Don's Italianate palace. We window shopped along Worth Ave.
After we all shared Grandma's Beef Bourguignon Christmas Eve dinner and opened presents (the daughters bought Grandma Joanie a Garmin GPS, and Mary and Nicole assured her that they would, slowly, teach her how to use it), Susan and Eric left for their next family festivity destination, and Grandma took the rest of us to the two and half hour long Midnight Mass (first hour - Christmas Carols performed by the local high school brass band and the Vietamese Choir (Fa-rah-rah-rah-rah…). It was. . . lovely. Kyle only nodded off once and Nicole only caught the giggles once when Kyle observed that the giant Jesus on the cross wouldn't look so giant if his head was exactly 30% larger (don't worry, Kyle, Grandma doesn't read the blog!).
And then…. Mary, Nicole and Kyle went to Key West!
Soundtrack -
Cleveland Orchestra Chorus
Bing Crosby's Christmas Favorites
The Christmas Story's 24-hour Marathon (Fa-rah-rah-rah-rah…)
For Photos - Click Here!
Ah! Okay… It's been a really long time chilling in Florida, and we didn't write anything, so now we are going to try and remember and tell you about our family fun holiday with Grandma, Sister Susan & Eric, and Kyle! It is Friday night, but we are exhausted from a day of sightseeing, so cracked open a bottle of red wine, started our Pandora station with Billie Holiday, and declined an invitation to the RV park's $3 buy-in Bingo Game (but we are contemplating going to the Dance Social tomorrow night), to take the time to catch up. . .
When we reached Florida, we spent a few days catching up and gossiping with Grandma. Then, Susan and Eric came to town. We met them at the Norton Museum of Art, in the fantastic Hollywood Icons exhibit, to be precise. They shacked up in the RV, parked at Delray Beach. Then Kyle flew in to spend his much needed vacation days with us! Susan and Eric drove us all to sunbathe at Delray Beach one day, and Singer island the next. The adults walked to the Inter-coastal bridges to see the manatees while Kyle and Nicole anchored down the beach blankets. Nicole learned that Kyle won't go swimming in the ocean because he is afraid of sharks. Susan cooked some delicious, and strength-and-conditioning-coach-diet-compatible, salmon with mustard and almonds and Eric treated us to a lovely and sunny lunch at Testa's restaurant in Palm Beach. They drove us and down A1A Inter-coastal to see John Lennon's (formerly a Vanderbilt) home, a Madoff brother now-for-sale villa, Este Lauder's mansion, Trump's Mar Lago, and an ostentatious Mafia Don's Italianate palace. We window shopped along Worth Ave.
After we all shared Grandma's Beef Bourguignon Christmas Eve dinner and opened presents (the daughters bought Grandma Joanie a Garmin GPS, and Mary and Nicole assured her that they would, slowly, teach her how to use it), Susan and Eric left for their next family festivity destination, and Grandma took the rest of us to the two and half hour long Midnight Mass (first hour - Christmas Carols performed by the local high school brass band and the Vietamese Choir (Fa-rah-rah-rah-rah…). It was. . . lovely. Kyle only nodded off once and Nicole only caught the giggles once when Kyle observed that the giant Jesus on the cross wouldn't look so giant if his head was exactly 30% larger (don't worry, Kyle, Grandma doesn't read the blog!).
And then…. Mary, Nicole and Kyle went to Key West!
Soundtrack -
Cleveland Orchestra Chorus
Bing Crosby's Christmas Favorites
The Christmas Story's 24-hour Marathon (Fa-rah-rah-rah-rah…)
For Photos - Click Here!
1.05.2011
Peace, Love, and Grammama!
We've been in Florida, with Gram! Kyle came down and spent 10 days with us... So, we've been slacking on the blog. More postings and pictures coming very soon!
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