We left home around 8:45am for a full day of driving. For the most part everything went smoothly. We stopped somewhere in Louisiana for a quick lunch and gas (in the RV...not from the lunch) and continued on our way. In the early afternoon while driving through Baton Rouge my phone rang. It was Colonial Lodge. That's where my dad and my FIL live. Couldn't be good. I answered and, sure enough, it was the nurse there. Daddy has been coughing for over a week and it has just gotten worse. No amount of Robitussin, breathing treatments or anything else is working. He coughs so badly that he can't get his breath so he blacks out for a few seconds. Once he relaxes, he catches his breath and rejoins the conscious world. It's scary to witness but he is okay. He deals with that. It's part of his COPD. Today, however, he went to the nurse and asked her to call an ambulance for him. He told her, "something is wrong. I just don't feel right." So here I am...headed to Florida...first day of our vacay...and my dad is is an ambulance on his way to the hospital. I'm sure it's pneumonia...again. He gets it every winter. After making a few phone calls to family members, we continued on our way. Nothing else we could do.
We continued to drive until it was way dark and we crossed into Mississippi. We located an RV park, pulled in, hooked up, ate dinner and called it an early night.
We got up early, had breakfast, unhooked and were on the road by 8:15am. Good timing! Today was a driving day...all day. Beau was really nervous so when we stopped for gas I went in and bought him some Benadryl and vienna sausage. He had no idea he was getting anything besides a treat, but it sure settled him down! Gotta keep some of those in the RV...just in case!
Talked to my dad today. My BIL, Keith, went by Daddy's place and picked up some of his stuff and took it to him in the hospital...along with the Medical Power of attorney authorizing them to talk to me. Thank God for sweet BILs who love your dad and who willingly go out of their way to help out! Love you Keith Morgan!
We ended the night with a giggle! Apparently ALL of the RV parks close at 5p. No exceptions. So when, at 6:30p, we tried to find a place to stay...no luck. So, we pulled into a Pilot station to fill up the tank and then pulled over by the big boys (18 wheelers) and set up camp for the night. I've never spent the night sleeping in a gas station parking lot before! Needless to say, we did not sit out in the lawn chairs with a beverage enjoying the scenery! Lol!
Sunday, Nov. 30
Our final day of driving to reach Key West. Thank you, Jesus! We arrived about 1p and were completely set up and decorated by 1:45p. We sat outside for a few minutes, enjoyed a beer, and then got dressed for lunch/dinner. We drove into Key West and found a parking spot near Duvall Street. Our dinner was at a sweet little outdoor restaurant called Caroline's. The people watching was awesome! Drunks crashing their bikes, all sorts of weirdos and regular people...like us. Lol! And the food was great! Afterward we returned to the RV for showers and bed. Who knew driving could be so exhausting?
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Oh, what a day! We got up and enjoyed sitting outside our RV for a while, walked over to the KOA store and got some needed info and then around 11:30a we headed into Marathon for lunch. We wanted to go the Hideaway Cafe (recommended by friends) but it is only open for dinner and requires reservations...and dressing up. Uhhhh, no thanks! We had lunch at a place called The Island Fish Company. Outdoor dining at it's best. Beautiful views...incredible atmosphere...and good food! We enjoyed a delicious key lime colada along with a shared piece of key lime pie. Yum! After leaving we did a bit of shopping and then headed in search of the tiki bar recommended by our friends. Didn't find it! 😟 Will keep up the search, don't worry! We returned to the RV in time for me to throw up from INTENSE stomach cramps. Yep. After that I was fine. So...all's good. We went over to the on-site Pub and had a couple of beverages before returning to the RV for a little TV, FB and a little iPad. 😃
I do need to say that at one point we were coming out of a building when an iguana jumped from the landscaping onto the cement next to me. Little cretin! I jumped and screamed! He scared the crap outta me! Malicious little punk! Other than that it was a relatively uneventful...but thoroughly enjoyable...day!
Today was an incredibly good day! We got up and enjoyed sitting outdoors and reading/working puzzles/etc. for most of the morning. The weather was awesome. Sundress and flip-flops! While Ronnie took Beau for a walk, I called my cousin, Cathy, and we talked AT LENGTH about the events taking place in our lives. I promised that after the first of the year (and after things have been clarified by my biopsy) I will make the trip to Mt. Vernon for a "girl day."
After lunch we took the bus into Key West for our own pub crawl/shopping/dining experience. We walked down to mile marker "0" and waved at Cuba. While shopping (and buying souvenir shirts) I "accidentally" bought 3 souvenir snow globes. The reason, I was looking at something and had to back up to see it better. In the process I backed into the display case and knocked down and broke 3 small snow globes. Thank goodness they weren't bigger...and that more didn't break! The owner was gracious enough to only charge me his cost on the broken items! ::insert sarcasm:: Seriously, I know he had to pay something for them so it was only right for me to pay for what I broke. Accidents happen and life goes on. We visited a little outdoor bar that we went to about 5 years ago, called Flying Monkeys. Still as cool as ever! We also went to Fat Tuesdays and finally to a great burger joint called, Burger-fi. Biggest, fattest, best beer-battered onion rings EVER!! In the midst of our shopping/eating/drinking we booked a sunset cruise for tomorrow night! Can't wait!
We made our way back to the bus stop and then caught our ride "home." Showers, TV and relaxing ended an fabulous day.
A GREAT DAY!!! We spent the morning relaxing outside the RV, listening to music, talking to our neighbors,reading, working sudoku puzzles and just basically taking it easy. All we had scheduled for today was a sunset cruise, "Commotion on the Ocean," so with the perfect weather we were able to sit out and relax.
When the time came we drove to the pier and boarded our 2 hour sunset cruise with a live band (that was really pretty good), unlimited hors de vors and unlimited beverages (margaritas, champagne, draft beer, wine, wine spritzers, soda and water. We had THE BEST time! We were privileged to see an incredibly beautiful sunset and meet some new friends from Maryland (Tony and Colleen). Afterwards, we drove back to Sugarloaf and had dinner at Mango Mama's before heading back to the RV for showers and bed. This day earned a whopping "10" on the Good Dsy Scale!
Another incredible day in Paradise! We scheduled a Dolphin and Snorkeling Excursion for noon so we piddled for a bit after getting up. About 10:30a we headed into Key West and found parking fairly quickly and easily (something that I believe is unheard of). We ventured over to check in and await our excursion. Let me just say that we have been sooooo pleased with the Fury excursions. They are run competently and smoothly. This one was no exception. Our Captain, Ang, was a delightful, personable young lady who was VERY knowledgeable and shared a wealth of information with us about the dolphin community and habits. Her partner, Nicole, was very knowledgeable about the area where we went snorkeling in the sponge beds. Together they made an awesome team and made the whole experience very pleasant! It was the best snorkeling experience that I have had in terms of equipment for sure. I never had to adjust my mask and it never fogged or filled with water. The water was very chilly...but we rented wet suits and that made it bearable. After our snorkeling experience we walked over to Duvall St. and had lunch, exchanged a t-shirt, bought some Key West beads for my stocking (for a "to be constructed" souvenir travel necklace) and had drinks at The Flying Monkeys (our favorite Key West bar). After all that, we headed "home" for showers and to unwind before bedtime. I sat outside for a bit and enjoyed my fire bowl and called and checked on my hospitalized dad. Great day any way you look at it!
Our last full day in the Key West area. This was a day of relaxation...hanging at the pool, doing a little laundry, reading, napping and just taking it easy. That is, after all, what a vacation is supposed to be all about!
The day began EARLY as I woke at 5:30a and couldn't go back to sleep. Rather than just lying there staring into the dark, I got up, got dressed, took Beau for a potty walk and returned to the RV to play on my iPad and watch HGTV. Sitting in the living room we watched the rain begin to fall and work itself into a downpour...for all of about 3 minutes! Lol! After Ronnie had breakfast and got dressed we drove into Marathon for a bit of shopping. Gotta try out the local businesses! We went to a Beall's Outlet store and made a haul on stocking stuffers for Ronnie and Kristin. We also bought a couple of swimsuits for me (mine were stretch out and semi-indecent) along with some stuff for around the house. Awesome!! ::insert sing-song voice here:: Afterwards we went to Dollar Tree and bought some stuff we needed for the RV. Then....home for laundry and pool time. Hanging at the pool we met a new friend...Iggy. He strolled across the deck and only watched us as we watched him. We washed all the towels and underwear and then returned to the RV to pack up as much as possible. We ordered a delicious pizza and key lime pie from Mangrove Mama's and prepped for bed and moving to Miami tomorrow. 😊
Today we left Key West in the rearview mirror 😢 and drove to our new home for a week...Miami. A short drive (comparatively speaking) to a much bigger RV park. Once we arrived, we stopped and Ronnie checked us in. When we disconnected the car to go to our campsite, the car battery was dead. Crap! For whatever reason that sometimes happens when the auxiliary brake is in place. Anyway, the guy who led us to the campsite took me back and jump started the car. Once it ran s few minutes and Ronnie put our charger on it...we were good to go. And we did. But more on that in a few. At the campsite we got the RV set up, opened the awning, put up the awning lights, put out the table cloth and fire pot and got the outside set up so we can sit out in the evening...if there is a day with the humidity isn't 9000%. Seriously, by the time we got all set up we both had to have a shower. My clothes were drenched in sweat! After showering, we rested for a bit and then started getting ready for the evening's activity...a Florida Panthers hockey Game! We had really good seats, it was a cool arena and the Panthers won! Trifecta!! On the way home a trip to Walmart replenished our supplies and then home for a late dinner and bed!
Pearl Harbor Day. "A day which will live in infamy," according to President Harry Truman. Hope that isn't a reflection/forecast for today!
We decided to use today as a relaxing/planning day. It started off with a 1.5 mile walk with Beau. This is really a nice RV park! After the walk we found the doggy playground and let Beau play for about 10 minutes. Then...back to the RV where we made tentative plans for the next week based on the things we would like to do here in Miami. Then, while Ronnie dozed on the sofa, I went outside and started my
Psalm 46:10 painting. I bought painting supplies last night...but I still need a silver paint pen. I also designed a tattoo that I hope to get one day. It's based on 1 Cor. 13:13 and is a combination cross and anchor with a heart at the intersection of the cross (Faith, Hope and Love). Lunch was leftovers and I followed that with the 2nd coat of white paint on the canvass.
After Beau and I got up from a nap, Ronnie and I went outside and put up our canopy. We sat outside for quite a while enjoying our music, the firepot and the cool breeze blowing through. I talked with Kristin via text and with my dad's nurse via phone call. Apparently Daddy's bronchitis has morphed into pneumonia and he has been spitting up blood clots. As soon as he realizes he has told me something that may make me worry he says, "But I'm feeling better now." I had to have reassurance from his nurse that yes, indeed, he is getting better...compliments of 3 IV antibiotics.
I worked more on my painting until it was too dark to see it, then I went inside and called it a night. A good day. A REALLY good day.
We drove into Miami Beach today and took a Duck tour. A good tour...a little too much historical info, however. A bit is good, but this was overload. Still, a good tour. Afterwards we went souvenir shopping and hit the motherlode of stores. Great! After that we walked down to Ocean Blvd. and had a couple of drinks at Finnegan's Way. I had a delicious Irish Coffee followed by a Bud Light Draft. Ronnie stuck with beer. Either way, it was good. We came back to the RV about 7:00p and settled in for the night. Tomorrow is a big day!
Today we got an early start. We planned on visiting Everglades Holiday Park today (home of Gator Boys Alligator Rescue). A "cold front" was coming in and temps were already beginning to lower. We took a swamp boat (airboat) tour through the swamp and found 3 gators that we took a zillion pics of. Afterwards we attending the alligator show being conducted by Chris (one of the stars of the show "Gator Boys"). Took another zillion pics. Afterwards we visited the "rescued animals" portion of the park and petted a skunk and saw ball pythons. The skunk was as cute as she could be. The snakes...not so much. Ashley, another of the show stars, was working in that area and we visited with her and took pics of her with another of their employees who had been injured on the job...Zoe the dog. A few dozen more pics of peacocks and stuff and we left. Lunch was at a nearby Cracker Barrel and then back to the RV. I walked to the Club House and signed us up for the pot luck on Friday night, visited the camp store and got a good lead on a place to eat dinner, Scully's Tavern (featured on Diners, drive-ins and Dives), and located the laundromat. Back at the RV we sat outside in the screened-in canopy with the fire pot and talked until the pot burned out and we went inside for the night. Tomorrow is a new day!
Today began early for me. I awoke before 7a but lay in bed trying to go back to sleep until 7:20. Once up, I began assembling the items that I wanted to take to the laundry. Once Ronnie was up I added the bed linens and took my loads over. While the laundry was washing I cleaned at the RV...swept, cleaned bathroom, cleaned the sink and mirrors. When I went back over to switch the laundry from washers to dryers, I went into the store there and bought a sundress. Too stinkin' cute! Back at the RV we read some, played on the ipads some, ate lunch and killed a bit of time. This evening is South Beach time and we want to go before dark but stay through it getting dark. Want to see SB by day and by night!
South Beach was incredible. Beautiful!! We ate at the Corona Cafe where, unknown to us, the drinks were BOGO. Had we known, we would not have ordered the 60 oz. fishbowl coronarita! Yeah. After a delicious dinner and an overload of beverage we went for a bit of shopping before heading back to the RV. Once back at our place we went to the hot tub for about 45 minutes. Back for showers and bed!
We got up today and just enjoyed the morning of sunshine while things warmed up. After lunch we headed to the Seminole Hard Rock Cafe in Ft. Lauderdale. Neither of us did any good so we called it quits before long and headed to Scully's Tavern for an early dinner. This place has been featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. It was good, but nothing special. After that a trip to the grocery store for supplies for tomorrow's Pot Luck get-together and then back home. Met some nice people at the resort, Randy and Mary Ann from Tennessee. Stood outside and talked to Randy for a looooonnnnggg time. Nice people.
On a different, and heart-breaking note, my BIL, Keith, called today to tell Ronnie that his dad is not doing well and hospice has said that they would be surprised if he survived through the weekend. Because of that, we decided to leave Saturday morning instead of Sunday morning and we will drive straight home. No stopping in Destin to see our friend Katie Winn. 😟 Praying that Harry survives long enough for us to see him again.
Well, God stepped in and took away Harry's pain and he is now alive in Heaven with his beloved Winnie...while we who remain behind are already feeling the loss. We got the phone call at 12:25 this morning saying that Harry had passed. So this morning we broke down our campsite and headed for home. No winding, leisurely journey with stops along the way. Instead, a straight path with heavy hearts. A day of driving and remembering...
We made it west of Tallahassee today. We pulled into the RV park just after dark and set up for the night. We texted back and forth with Ryan to make arrangements for him to get home from New Orleans in time for the funeral. Since we will driving through New Orleans on the way home, we are going to meet him for lunch/dinner and leave Ronnie's car with him. All Monday flights were full and he was looking into renting a car to drive home. This worked out perfectly.
After dinner and a shower, we called it an early night and headed off to dreamland, but not before being lambasted by a full-scale, all out, commercial quality fireworks detonation. Don't have a clue what they were celebrating, but they gave new meaning to the phrase, "Go big or go home!"
Saturday: Dec. 13
I started our drive today and took us the remainder of the way through Florida, through Alabama and into Mississippi. Ronnie took over and drove us into New Orleans for a late lunch/early dinner with Ryan and Richard. We needed to leave Ronnie's car with them so they could drive back Sunday and be home for the visitation/funeral. All Monday flights were booked! 😦
After enjoying our meal in the food court of the mall (Lol) Ronnie and I headed out and made it to Lafayette, Louisiana where we bedded down for the night. The final leg of the journey tomorrow.
This is the day we would have been leaving Miami for a leisurely drive back home. Instead, tragedy intervened and we are only 4 or 5 hours from home now. Headed back to say goodbye to Ronnie's dad. We will have to hit the ground running once we get home. I've been asked to make the photo montage video and I need to go pay my dad's rent, stop in to visit with him, buy a scripture picture (in lieu of flowers) and find something to wear to the visitation and the funeral. I also need to take down Harry's Christmas decorations. Wow! I'm feeling overwhelmed just thinking about it all!
We drove home and arrived about 4p. We immediately unpacked the RV and once inside the house I began the arduous task of working on the video for Harry's funeral while simultaneously doing our laundry. The last time I checked the clock it was 5:25...a.m. Yep, up all night. The video, to make a long story short, never worked. I was so disappointed...felt like I had let everyone down...including Harry.
Whatever may have transpired on our trip, it was still a good trip. Circumstances are beyond our mere mortal control. Florida was awesome and we will go back sooner rather than later. Hopefully next time our trip won't be marred with "what ifs" and "if onlys."
