Parting shots from the RV park...Next stop Costa Rica

Mr. Turtle comes to visit

I offered lettuce, he wasn't interested 

Cold rainy day...perfect for warm muffins!

What a beauty!

Fox Squirrel

Very photogenic

We're on our way to CR!!!

A Sad Parting Ends With A Fun Filled Dinner

Today we dropped off the girls at the Kitty Camp. :-(

It is a cat resort in a private home with 10 condos. Each cat has a shelf for their bed, a mat for their food bowls, another shelf to jump and sit on and an area for play time. Both of their condos are side by side so there is an open door in between when they need to be with each other. The owners of the Kitty Camp let out each kitty family seperately for a few hours a day to roam the house and their screened in patio. Missy & Sasha took their beds, toys, food, special treats and our smelly socks with them. We will call them once a week and the owner will text a picture once a week.

Here are some parting shots from the RV...

Missy loves the heat of the lamp

OK,... what should we do to next? 

Mom, you are choking me.

Sasha spotted a BIG doggie!

Can you rub my belly?

Early this evening we met Lowell & his son Tom for dinner. Lowell had served on the Razorback back in WWII and Ron and he struck up a friendship after meeting in a local super market. We have met a few times before and this was our parting dinner before heading for Costa Rica. Lots of laughs and even a Barbra Streisand look a like was there!

Tom & Lowell 

Good News Guys... There ARE Casinos in CR!!!!  :-)

Lunch at BD Beans,Belleview, Fl

If you are ever in Belleview, Fl you have got to stop at BD Beans!  One word sums it up, Eclectic!!! The decor is all from local artists and the food is very fresh and unique. Lot's of different coffees as well. They also have a great outdoor seating area in a garden setting with water fountains.

My good friend Vicky and I had lunch there today. We had the artichoke melt sandwich with fruit. Yummy! There are so many interesting works of art that it is hard not to take pictures of everything.

Vicky & Kathrin

Stuffed and cool!

Oh really?

Artichoke Melt!

Musician

Funky place to relax

Nautical art 

Lunch With Good Friends

Ron and I met good friends (Nancy & Bruce) for lunch at Pasta Faire in Bellview, Fl. It's been a while since the four of us have gotten together and we did not want to leave for Costa Rica without catching up. It was so great to see them!

My Dear Old Friend

I met up with my dear old friend Diana. I've known Diana since we worked together in the late 70's at Liberty Mutual in New Jersey. We met half way in Palatka, Fl. After a super lunch at Corky Bell's on the St. John's River we did a bit of shopping in a few of the downtown shops.
Over the years we have shared some happy, sad, crazy memories... But whenever we see each other it is as if it was yesterday that we met last.

At Corky Bell's on the St John's River

Got to have a selfie!

A pic with Corky Bell

See ya soon my friend!

Wildlife at Grand Oaks Resort

Besides horses you will see many other wildlife residing here at the Grand Oaks. The resort protects all nesting areas with marked posts. There are many turtles and sandhill cranes, besides other birds and coyotes.

One such nest is just 30 feet in front of our RV. Mr.Turtle has recently started a family.

Cuaght Mr.Turtle starting a family!

Gopher tortoises can grow up to be 15 inches long and weigh from 8 to 15 lbs. They have very strong elephant-like back legs and front feet specialized for digging and burrowing. They are most active in summer months but spend most of their lives in their burrows. The burrows can vary from 3 to 52 ft long and 9 to 23 ft deep. Busy little guys! Most interesting is that their burrows can provide refuge for about 360 other species throughout their range. (mice, snakes, skunks, rabbits, quail, lizards, frogs, armadillos, opossums, etc) Several of those many tenants are also legally protected species adding the burrows' value to the ecosystem. They can live up to 80 years in the wild. They are a protected species in Alabama and soon will be listed as such in Florida.

Strong & Fast Legs

Mr. Turtle eating flowers...not smelling the roses 

Deep burrow opening

Marked Nest

Many folks board their horses here and they are taken care of by the resort staff. Last evening these three buddies were being led back to their field after their grooming sessions.

Thelma & Louise Road Trip!

On April 10th Kathrin (Thelma) flew to Birmingham, Al to meet up with a good friend Roberta (Louise). Louise was moving from Birmingham to Houston, Tx and Thelma was there to help her with the move and take a 13 hour road trip. Most of the day Friday was spent sorting through and downsizing, Thelma was in charge of photographing & listing stuff on Craigslist. We also went to pick up the Budget truck so that Saturday we would be ready to pack it all up. Julia was the gracious friend that stored all of Louise's stuff in her basement and hosted us at her home for the weekend. Saturday brought another friend Patti and we packed up the truck in no time with room to spare. Cold beer, lots of bubbly and sushi were the rewards of all the hard labor.  :-)
Sunday morning at 7:00 am Thelma & Louise set out on their adventure road trip!

Nice Packing Job Girls!

Parting Selfie - Thelma, Louise, Julia

Let's hit the road Louise

Tammy Faye didn't realize my lip gloss was tinted...

Superb parking over 3 spots at truck stop

First time for Louise

No road trip can be without burger & fries!

Pulled in a little too close you say?

Unpacked in Houston...Yay! 

The Scott's Back on The Loop!

Ron and I drove over to Daytona to meet up with Kathy & John on their boat "Serenity". They are on their last leg of The Loop. It is always so good to see them! We wish them safe travels & lots of new memories in the making.

Went to theme "Biker Dinner" the night before!

Kayaking on the Suwannee

During the first week of April Kathrin went with 4 other firends on a paddle adventure to the Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers. (And what an adventure that turned out to be!) The five of us rented a cabin at the Suwannee River State Park and participated in the "Paddle Florida" event with 100+ other paddlers. The park sits atop a bluff overlooking the confluence of the Suwannee & Withlacoochee Rivers. We kayaked 23 miles on the Suwannee the first day and 13 miles on the Withlacoochee the next. Activities included an evening ghost tour through the nearby ruins,a presentation from local experts dedicated to the preserving North Florida's rivers & springs, campfires and a concert. Lots of laughs and wonderful memories were made! (as well as lots of sore muscles)

Group Selfie!

Vicky & Kathrin

Natural Spring on Withlacoochee

Cindy

Mike

Natural Spring on Withlacoochee 

Friendly Visitor

The Dance

Mark & Cindy

Vicky

Cindy, Marck, Mike,Vicky

Tenting at Sunset

Beautiful Cypress

Spectacular Trees

Limestone Along the Suwannee