Historic Boston

We had to condense our visit to Boston since we have to be in Key Largo, FL for our Oct-Nov volunteer gig at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. But, we still wanted to see our friends Jim & Ann and some of historic Boston before moving on to short visits to NH & VT before turning SOUTH!

We enjoyed every day there but our time in downtown historic Boston doing the Freedom Trail was a great day, especially with Jim as our tour guide!

Faneuil Hall- one of the meeting halls in old Boston

Building was seat of British government

Grasshopper on top of Faneuil Hall!

We opted to taking a walking tour rather then the bus as we felt it would get us closer then riding around in a bus for most of the day!

North Church-one if by land, two if by sea!

Inside North Church

Durgin Park restaurant, been there hunnert+ years!

Quincy Market - a long time market area downtown!

Our guide for the Freedom Trail!!

Jim & BJ on tour!

MA State House

The next day was our last before hitting the road for NH and we had a great breakfast at Jo's Nautical at the end of the Hull peninsula.  They make the best Bloody Marys in the world. Each is a veritable breakfast with fresh vegetable selection topped off with a shrimp!

It was a suitable end to a great visit with dear friends.

On the porch at Jim & Ann's condo overlooking Boston Bay

The Breakfast is served!

Always at home, no matter where we are!!

August in Norfolk

We spent most of Aug in Norfolk and the pictures below have clues on what made that such a great time!

Catching bubbles in the air!

Pillow fight!!

Addison studying her options!!

But, also enjoyed some other things. We spent a day in Williamsburg where BJ visited a museum on early America life and I did a few geocaches!


My sister and her two 4-legged travelling companions joined us the last several days as we prepared to continue North for some more touring in New England.

Marla

TD & Chloe

Always at home, no matter where we are!!

On the Road Again - At Last (but what a day)!

We left Norfolk and the grandkids behind yesterday as, at long last, we resumed our travels.  BJ and I were glad to be back on the road after a relatively sedentary first half of 2013!  Marla and her two four legged travelling companions were in trail with us and we were headed for Boston, a two day trip at approximately 600 mi.

We did the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, a beautiful 20 mile over water route at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and continued north.  We planned on making it about half way today, finish up tomorrow.  We were not going to follow I-95 through New York City as BJ and I did several years ago.  Once was enough!  We were taking a I-287 around NY City this time. Figured we would find a convenient campground or truck stop to RON at along the way.

Our caravan stopped for lunch!

At 1530 we crossed the Delaware Memorial Bridge into NJ and stopped at the rest area for a break. Looked at the map and decided 2 more hours would do it. We would be west of NY City on I-287 and should be able to find a place to stay.

At 1700, we were near there but in extensive construction on the Interstate.  Traffic jams were frequent, but always in the other opposite lanes and we were thankful as we kept making progress. BJ was continuing to search for places to stay and not finding much.  The road sides were so heavily overgrown with mature trees you could not see much and had to depend on the limited info signs at the exit.  We finally found a truckers rest area and pulled in there so we could focus on a search for campgrounds or some suitable place. Well, we could find none using several different algorithms. 

The truckers rest area was crowded and loud and we did not think we would be welcome there for very long. BJ did find a Pilot truck stop in Mawhaw NJ at the NY line on I-287 and it was about 40 miles further so we decided to make for it!  However about halfway there we took a wrong exit and ended up winding through small town USA with tight roads and low trees until we found a parking lot big enough for us to turn around in!  The whole city seemed to turn out for the parade!

Then I determined, in our best interest, I really needed to fuel up now rather then when/if we ever stopped for the night which had been my plan.  My low fuel light came on and I did not know how long that was for so we took the first next exit that showed diesel fuel.  It had 3 stations listed.  Marla needed fuel also so we were hoping for stations large enough to accommodate both rigs! The first one absolutely not! 

The second one was not much better but I came in to the island from our travel direction and BJ got out and directed Marla in from the other direction.  There was only one pump island and fortunately from the direction Marla entered and I exited there was some little bit of room; which filled up quickly with cars wanting to gas up!  

After fueling up we had to continue on in the "wrong" direction while Marla could depart the pumps headed in the correct direction.  We managed to find a Burger King with a lot big enough (barely) for us to turn around in and we headed back to I-287 to catch up with Marla!  

She in the meantime had found the exit to the Pilot station, but no station and was waiting for us in large nearby parking lot!  We missed the exit, crossed into NY and finally found an exit ramp in the dark and came back to her location.  

We found the Pilot which was a small one overloaded with trucks. I turned in and threaded thru the trucks to a point I could hold temporarily before exiting back on the road which had a 3 ft concrete barrier between opposite lanes. 

BJ was searching for alternatives and dealing with her i-pad and i-phone which were complaining because they had been worked too hard for the last 3 hours!  BUT, she and Marla both found nearly simultaneously a Home Depot about 2-3 miles down the road!

Camping at Home Depot

Marla is ready to go this AM!

But, remember that concrete barrier in the middle of the road, we had to go 5-6 miles before we could find a crossover. It was dark, it was heavy traffic, it was a strange road with poor lighting and we were tired.

But we made it! An, were we glad to see the big, nearly empty Home Depot lot!  We all three plus Kloe and TD our four legged travelling companions, enjoyed a really good G&T and quick snack/dinner before ending the day!  

So are Chloe and TD

On the pleasant side - we will have a short day today as it is only 200 miles to Boston. Yesterday we did 400 miles in 11 hours (9 hrs 40 min actually driving time. 

It all looks a lot better today then it did yesterday evening!  But, what's life without some adventure! 


Always at home, no matter where we are!!

Today We Had a Special Privilege

We are preparing to leave Naval Station Mayport later today, glad to be on the road at last.  I was sitting here with my back to the front of the RV and I heard an unusually loud ship's horn. The first time I sort of ignored it and went on with what I was doing, but then it bellowed out again and I had to turn to see what it was!

What a glorious sight I beheld - the shore line was filled with people with their American flags of all sizes and waving vigorously at one of the US Navy ships that was outbound from the base.  Now, ships come and go without all this hoopla several times a week from this busy Navy base.  But, today was special!

It was one of the guided missile cruisers and it was obviously headed out on deployment.  The Sailors on board were in dress whites and lining the ships railings while family and friends on the shore were waving and wishing them well on their mission in defense of this great country!

I grabbed the closest camera I could find and only got two pics that do not do this event justice, but are better then nothing! I wish I had been better prepared.  It was inspiring to see and I am privileged to have watched it.

I know we all wish them Godspeed and a safe mission and return to their loved ones!

Guided Missile Cruiser from NS Mayport

Wishing for a safe mission and speedy return!

Always at home, no matter where we are!!

Been WAAAAAY Too Long

Since I posted but will try and make this catch-up quick and sweet!

After the glorious reenactment of the Battle Of Independence of the Conch Republic we started our journey north.

A Conch Republic PT boat aka a center console fishing boat is fully involved in the melee! 

The Conch Republic Air Farce dropped flares (simulated) on opposing forces!

All hands on deck for victory!

The Conch Republic Memorial 

First stop was John Pennykamp State Park in Key Largo for two weeks.  The highlight of our stay was attending the beautiful marriage of our nephew Scott to Mary.

Can't get much closer to the ocean!

It was beautiful ceremony on an equally beautiful ocean side location!  And nice to see a lot of the family there too!

Plus we found a real FL treasure at Pennykamp!  A genuine Key Lime Grove. The only one known to still exist!  Key Limes you may see in the supermarket come from Central America, there is no commercial Key Lime production in the Keys.

Real Key Limes

The Key Lime grove on Key Largo

We had a Key Lime tree in our back yard in Melbourne and the limes were different then those you bought in the supermarket - distinctly better!  The small grove on Pennykamp St Park was started over 70 years ago.  They had to stick a stick of dynamite in the hard cochina rock to blast a hole to set each tree in, after they found enough soil to fill each hole.  That took some time to find!

Today the current trees are fairly healthy, especially considering there lack of attention. They are on a remote section of the park and receive little care. When we return there this Fall I intend to volunteer some time to care for them.  There are about 15 rows with 8 trees in each row.  Except some of the Key Lime trees were replaced over the years with Avocado or Guava trees, but the vast majority are Key Lime trees and the fruit is tasty - especially in a gin & tonic! Can't wait to get back and give them some TLC!


After Pennykamp we headed to Melbourne for a quick and hectic visit to the normal round of doctors/dentist and some time for family.  Our time there passed too quickly and too many things left undone, but we will be back there this Fall.

Next big event was in Jacksonville in early June.  BJ had decided to finally get some foot surgery on her right foot.  She had a hugh bunion that has bothered her for years and it had gotten worse and was keeping her from doing some of the hiking we both love to do.  My brother, Gary, had similar problem and had surgery last year that went so well BJ went to same surgeon here in Jax for same procedure.

We have been here now for 6 weeks while she was in rehab and just a few days ago the doctor released her and was totally satisfied with her rehab/recovery.  She is slowly putting more weight on her foot and limbering it up after 6 weeks in a cast or walking boot.

We are excited about at last hitting the road for some summer travels.  We will be heading to points north and evenutally end up in Norfolk in early August to spend some time the granddaughters!

Then on to New England for the Fall.

We are really excited to get back on the road, the first half of this year as been too stationary!

Always at home, no matter where we are!!

The Conch Republic Celebration of Independence

Tomorrow begins the 31st anniversary celebration of our Independence from our northern neighbor   the USofA. You can read the history of the CR here!

With our mighty arsenal we have maintained our independence and allow the USofA to maintain a presence here via US Navy and US Coast Guard facilities!  This year due to sequestrations issues the USGC is not able to participate in the reenactment of the Bloody Battle of Independence where one of our mighty navy vessels bombarded a CG cutter with stale Cuban bread (our weapon of choice) and left over Bloody Mary's, Margaritas and Mojitis.  There puny return fire from water cannons was ineffective - just helped sober up our brave crew!

At any rate we have started a collection of spare nickles and dimes in the Republic to send to the nickle and dime Congress!  If they refuse the offer we will donate it to the USCG Foundation instead!  In the spirit of good neighbors we have forgiven the $182 million accrued interest on the $31 billion debt they still owe for 1982 wartime reparations!

Other events include the worlds longest parade from the Atlantic to the Gulf; a Drag Race down Duval St featuring some of our best Drag Queens; a CR Military Reception hosted by our CIA (Cuties in Action); Conch Crawl (worlds longest pub crawl down Duval St). Also, returning this  year is "The Awesome Second Time Arounders" a/k/a "Thunder on Duval". The group consists of former high school, college, and military marching band members ranging in age from 18 to 85!  They dominate Duval St while there!

Our military is a "farce to be reckoned with" and will be a potent presence throughout the celebration and on Friday, 26 April will be on full display at KW Seaport.

I know you want to join the celebration.  You can see the full schedule of events here!

Hope to see you there!    

Always at home, no matter where we are!!

A Day Under Sail

A number of our friends here have joined the Key West Sailing Center.  For your very reasonable annual dues you get the free use of the sailboats the Center maintains.  They have sail boat races regularly, usually on Thur and Sunday and all seem to enjoy it.  BJ has shown a real interest in trying out sailing and today, Jerry Manchester, a friend and experiences sailor took us out for the afternoon in one of the Clubs 19 ft O'Day sailboats.  It has been pretty windy this year and we have not been out in our kayaks nearly as much as we would have liked so this was an alternative!

The Center is in Garrison Bight which is home to the few remaining real houseboats that use to be common here but have been gradually regulated out of existence except for the few last ones here in the bight!

Houseboat Row in Garrison Bight

One of the houseboats as we head out!

The bight is also home to Charter Boat Row where the boats for hire all dock.  So it is a busy place, But, we cast off and Jerry sailed us right out thru the channel and into the open water.  Actually Sigsbee where the Navy RV park is was on our east and Fleming Key was to our west and we had a mile plus between them.


Shortly after we exited the bight channel Jerry turned the tiller over to BJ!  And, away we went in a pretty brisk wind.  She successfully dodged all the boats tied up in the city anchor area and got us to clear water north of Sigsbee.  Jerry being the master sailor continue to manage the main sail we were safe!  He showed us how we could tilt the boat (probably not what the sailors call it) and recover.  I was surprised our maneuverable the boat was in the brisk breeze!  It is the first time I have been on a sail boat under sail!  While I missed the comforting roar of a motor, it was a very enjoyable afternoon.

BJ checking her mainsail!

BJ & Jerry checking her clearance with a nearby boat and holding on tight to the tiller!

Hey, I'm just along for the beer!

Always at home, no matter where we are!!