So, the end of the 'official' winter found us still in Florida, enjoying the panhandle area, which the locals refer to as 'southern Alabama' - - same food, same southern hospitality and same thick southern accents.  After spending time in all the areas of this state, it was quite different in the northern region.  Yes, they do have beautiful beaches.  Some would even say the 'best' beaches can be found in the north - - far less touristy, for sure! 

Same birds though . . .










 
We did find that weather drama can certainly be an issue all over the south.  We dodged no less than SEVEN(!) tornadoes during the winter months in Florida, as well as all manner of severe weather.  Jeeesh, El Nino, enough all ready!
  
Alabama showed off some amazing gardens, and after visiting these show places, I even found a new 'ride' on which to explore any number of back roads!!

 

  




Helmet required . . .

Our final gulf coast stop was New Orleans!  We were finally blessed with some great weather for our very brief time there, but never knew sooo many people could visit one city during a non-vacation time.  Whew - - that gave 'crowds' a new definition for us!  Wonderful historic city. . .

Heading toward the Ozarks in Arkansas, we raced to Vicksburg, Mississippi in an attempt to outrun yet another severe weather system.  This time, we were stranded for eight days waiting for clearing.  We stayed safe, but were surrounded by flooding, severe thunder storms and more tornadoes.  Yikes!  At least Vicksburg provided much history to entertain (when we could get out.)  The Civil War-era structures and battle fields are really amazing!!

When the floods receded and we got to the Ozarks, we were blessed with some beautiful scenery.  Would like to see this area during the fall color season, but loved what we saw in the spring time.
   

Since we're slowly headed to the northwest for the summer, and we couldn't really identify any scenic back roads across the high plains, we took to the interstate and joined the truck parade across Oklahoma and the Texas panhandle.  Then, surprise, surprise - - more weather drama!  After being towed off the freeway due to a broken transmission (ugh!), we found ourselves in a 60-mph wind storm - - for three days, followed by a brief snowstorm.  I think all the dust in Oklahoma found its way into our trailer!  I'm still picking grit out of my teeth - - a problem when one smiles a lot.

The Texas panhandle helped us get over the weather and transportation drama with some spectacular park lands.  Of course, I have no words to describe what I see when visiting New Mexico!  The colors - - just 'WOW'.   And, in Arizona, the Painted Desert left me speechless as well; hard to do, as those who know me will attest to . . .

We'll be spending several months in Washington while we volunteer as docents at a museum near Olympic National Park.  Looking forward to some family celebrations and reconnecting with our northwest buddies, before getting back on the road for some snow birding during the upcoming winter months. 

When we get back on the road, you'll hear from us once again!  In the meantime, happy and healthy days to each and every one . . . and I hope you have enjoyed following my 'ramblings' so far. 

Still in Florida and still waiting for the wonderful winter weather we've heard so much about!  We experienced record-breaking heat (with the humidity to go along with it) in December, and since then we've had lots of cold winds, below zero temps, dodged FIVE January tornadoes that passed by too near us, and, oh, did I mention the very heavy rainstorms?!?  I guess I'll chalk all this up to the super El Nino that is making itself known everywhere, because everyone we talk to down here says the same thing, "this is NOT normal Florida winter weather."  At least it has not snowed, but I probably shouldn't mention that and tempt fate!!!  And, for me at least, the best part of a cooler than normal weather pattern is that it is too cold for all the creepy critters to be out playing!  Whew!  Just the other day I saw a picture and article about a 15' Diamondback Rattlesnake caught down here.  Yikes!  Come on cold weather!!!

Even with all the weather drama, this is truly a unique area.  The beaches and wildlife are amazing.

 

   We've been having great fun taking in all the cultural activities that are so numerous in this neck of the woods.  The Thomas Edison laboratory is just as it was when he was working there, and we were fortunate to be in the neighborhood when a wonderful music festival took place, bringing in musicians from all over the region for some incredible pickin' and grinnin'.

And, of course, I couldn't resist making some images of all the things these folks do so well!

It has been a real pleasure to be able to visit some outstanding public gardens and see all the plant life that is normally dormant in other regions at this time of year.  The flowers and exotic plants make you feel like you are in a jungle in some far-off location.

 

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We've been surprised at the differences in the local populations in the various areas of this state.  The locals in the southern part of Florida have totally different lifestyles and ideals from those folks who live in the panhandle areas, where some consider themselves to be more like southern Alabamians (is that even a word???  Not sure, but I'll use it like it is!)  While staying in the northern/panhandle region, we've had many opportunities to hear serious southern accents, been blessed with that amazing hospitality and friendliness that really does exist in the south, and had wonderful southern comfort food usually found in Louisiana, Alabama and Texas.

 The Florida scenery continues to delight and amaze us.  Very exotic, and so very different from our home base landscape in the pacific northwest.

Normally in these blogs, I have some unforeseen RV lifestyle lessons to pass on from our experiences on the road, but luckily, this time things have been pretty quiet and uneventful in that department.  No, we haven't 'learned' it all, but I do think we are making progress!  Ha!

When we leave Florida we're going to be heading toward the Ozarks and the mid-west before turning back west.  Our summer destination will be back in Washington for several months where we are going to try our hand at work camping - - in our case, we'll be museum docents!

I hope you enjoy reading about our adventures and seeing the photos we post.  We'll be writing more as our journey continues.  Until then, take good care.

Ahhhhh - - our first visit to Florida - - land of beautiful beaches, birds, BUGS, and, for the winter months at least, much of the northern east coast population, I am sure! 

On our first beach visit, I was fortunate enough to witness the pathway to a shorebird conference!  They put their feathers down, however, when I tried to sit in on their meetings . . .

 

So many birds - - they're everywhere you look.  Many I have never seen before, but so beautiful!  I have mentioned before that I usually only do wildlife portraits if the critter steps out in front of me and strikes a pose, like this big guy did.

They play in the water, on the sand, and some creep up on their prey - - just waiting for that tasty morsel to show itself. 

A place that has always been on my 'bucket list' is Everglades National Park.  We went there, and it was not at all what either of us expected.  Very interesting and beautiful place with lots of open marshes and meadows - - not the dense swampy areas I expected.  

Did get to see some local fauna (gators!) but the most populous were millions of bugs!  Thought that by visiting in late November, all that would be over - - wrong again boys and girls!  Due to the unusually warm, wet fall and early winter, the skeeters and no-see-ums just decided to hang out instead of going to wherever they usually winter!  (By the way, you CAN see no-see-ums - - you just have to look hard to do so, usually when they are feasting on you.  Ha!)  If you wanted to be in the great outdoors, mosquito netting was the only way to go.  Enjoyed our visit, but decided to beat a hasty retreat!  Before we left the Everglades, however, we got to experience a real, Florida mountain(?) pass - - it was even marked with a sign!  Couldn't pass up a picture of that one!

I mentioned beaches - - you can see where I've been spending lots of time!  Really lovely with wonderful shelling as a major pastime on these shores.  Actually found some sharks teeth for the grandson!  Great lighthouses down here too . . . this one on Sanibel Island was all decked out for the season.

Lots of rain showers too.  More than I would have guessed, until I saw the trees laden with Spanish Moss.  I had the misguided notion that we left all that in the Louisiana swamp

lands earlier this year!

 

Speaking of rain, our RV lesson this month has to do with what happens when you leave your awning out during a short, but very fierce downpour.  You see, the awning then fills with LOTS of water (we're talking a small lake here), and when silly folks like us try to tilt the awning arm down to allow the water to drain, the entire structure warps and folds like tissue paper!  The good news is that the insurance came through and we get our new awning tomorrow.   Hooray!  Fellow RVers, I hope you are taking notes to learn from our experiences!

Another lesson I've learned is that, like the west coast, the east coast also has wonderful sunsets - - you just have to remember which direction to look!  Took me a little while to get that figured, but then I was able to get a few good images when all was said and done.

As another year draws to a close, I am once again reminded of how grateful I am to have the health and spirit to be able to continue this adventure we're on!  To all our family, friends and folks who follow these 'ramblings from the road', I wish you all a very joyous holiday season and extend our hope that the new year brings all you wish for.

Until next time . . . .