Asheville is cool!!

Just had NY style pizza at Barley's Tap Room and some local beers
(thanks for the tip Isaac Wingfield). Now having dessert in an old
London double decker bus... Very hip town with lots of neat buildings
(old Woolworths, the Maste supply store and more). Cool vibe albeit a
bit hippie.

Feeding time!

Tennessee farm country

Staying at the farm of Kelli Neas Trxker's family outside of
Greeneville TN. New baby pigs and lots of goats for the kids to play
with. Beautiful all around!!

Tour of coal mine in Lynch KY

Just opened last year. A very interesting if somewhat sad history of
coal mining and the communities around it.

THIS was sposed to go up w Creation Museum post

Kids crazy pool hair

Yikes! My kids are being chased out of the Creation Museum!

Deryl from iPhone.

What do you do in the rain in Kentucky??

Go to a bourbon distillery of course!

Had a great tour of the Buffalo Trace distillery in Frankfort, KY this
afternoon. It's the oldest continuous distillery in the country. It
had a special permit during prohibition to produce bourbon for
medicinal purposes.

Kids got to taste some root beer while Deryl and I tried a few
different vintages. Several of the warehouses were over a hundred
years old and very neat inside. Isaac kept his nose plugged the whole
time.

Elena's log; Days 34 - 47

Day 34 in Robson's Runabout (March 6)
Today, we drove 5 hours to Georgia Veteran State Park. We just hung around after that, eating dinner, watching a movie, and going to bed. It was a relaxed day.

Day 35 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we drove 40 minutes to a Presbyterian church in Americus. After church, we went and walked around. Then, we went to a civil war prison and watched a really sad (and gross) movie that explained how awful the prison camps were. Then we went out to look around the 24 acres that more than 40,000 men stayed in, and 13,000 died in. When we left, we drove back to the campground and to the playground. Then, we made a fire in the fire pit. Jonah and I got a whole trash bag full of big pine cones to throw on it. Then, the boys and I designed roller coasters until we went to bed.

Day 36 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we just basically hung around the campground, until about 6:00 when we went to a really fancy restaurant in the campground's hotel. I got gumbo. When we got back to the RV, we made a campfire and roasted marshmallows.

Day 37 in Robson's Runabout
Today, the boys and I got a big trash bag and filled all the way to the top once and half once. I gave up when they lazily abandoned me saying, “the pine cones hurt”. I picked up way more then they did and my fingers hurt too but so what? When I got back to the camper Mama and I went for a little bike ride. Apparently, it was too long because the boys freaked out. They came looking for us and soiled their socks. Then, Mama started making Mac'n'cheese. When Dada got back from golfing, we started packing up for Alabama. We ended up having to get something fixed in the camper when we got there. I read Where the Red Fern Grows. It was a really good book but it made me cry. When we got there, it was raining so Jonah and I went looking for waterfalls. We went “squish-squash” through the mud and got really dirty. We had pasta with oysters and/or spaghetti sauce on top for dinner. Then, we watched a movie and went to bed.

Day 38 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we drove to Montgomery, Alabama to look at all the civil rights stuff. We took a trolley tour all the way around the city. We went to a Wirtzells Oyster House. Their motto is, “oysters... fried... stewed...and nude”. The boys made up poses. We have a video that will be posted I think. Then we went to “Tucker Pecan Company”, owned by a very nice couple. Everyone got something; the boys got ice cream, Mama and Dada shared chocolate covered pecans, and I got pecan brittle. Everything was good. We headed back to the camper and had dinner, stew with biscuits. We watched a movie and went to bed.

Day 39 in Robsons Runabout
Today, we started driving the few hours to Selma, Alabama. About three quarters of the way there, the transmission started to work wrong. We stopped at a Walmart parking lot and went in while Dada called Spartan. The boys had McDonald's while Mama and I laid off and waited. We ended up having granola bars. Dada ended up going back to the repair shop in Montgomery. The boys, Mama, and I stayed in Selma and looked around, in an old depot, in a beautiful plantation home, and in a cemetery. Then, we drove back to Montgomery in the van to see Dada. He had flowers, digital clocks for our beds, and 2 movies. We had ribs, watched a movie, and went to bed.

Day 40 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we drove around, waiting for the camper to be fixed. We went clothes shopping and got Mama and the boys some stuff. I would've gotten something, but nothing really looked right on me. Oh well. When the camper was done, we drove for 5 hours to see Mama's friend Lori. We didn't see her that night, because it was 8:00 when we got there. We watched a short movie and went to bed.

Day 41 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we met Lori in Florence, at her house. She gave us the tour of her town. We went to Helen Keller's home. Then we went to a restaurant called “Trowbridges” for lunch. They had great ice cream too. Then we went for a walk and saw the college football mascots for that town, Una and Leo, the lions. They had a very pretty enclosure. Next, we walked around the college and got in the car. We dropped Mama and Lori off at her house and Dada, the boys, and I went back to the camper for “rest time” and a walk in the woods. Isaac and I ran ahead to see if they could catch us. They didn't. Then, we went back to the RV and had dinner. Then, we watched a movie until Mama and Lori showed up. They brought us fried Snickers bars. I honestly would've rathered a regular Snickers. Then, after I ate that, Mama, Lori, and I chatted till 10:00, then went to bed.

Day 42 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we went to a Presbyterian church, right near our campground. We had a really nice time, although the pastor was just a little too goofy. After church, we stayed for a brisket dinner, and stuffed ourselves. When we left, we took a rest at the campground. Then, after that, we went for another walk in the woods. Lori brought Banana pudding over and watched our movie with us. Then, after she left, we went to bed.

Day 43 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we drove about two hours to the Space and Rocket Museum in Huntsville, Alabama. Only Mama, the boys, and I went in, because it was pretty pricy. When we got in there, we went to look at and read about rockets. Next, we went on Space Shot, one of those rides where they push you really fast up into the air, and then drop you really fast. At the top, it felt like you couldn't breath! I thought that it might be the feeling you get throwing up on a roller coaster at first (I don't know what that feels like; fortunately), but then when we dropped, I knew I was fine. It was way higher than the one we went on in Busch Gardens, and I have NEVER felt that queasy before! After that, we went inside the museum to look and learn (blah). We finally found Mars Mission, one of those rides where you sit in a car and it feels like you are on a roller coaster. I liked that a lot. Then, we got drinks and Nachos at the oh-so-expensive cafeteria. We looked around a little more, and then Mama and the boys went on Space Shot again. I a) didn't like it that much and b) wanted to film it. It's posted already. Comment on my good taping please! Well, it might not be good, but that will make me feel good anyway! Next, we went to see Dada at the campsite on the property. We hung around that night, and then went to bed.

Day 44 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we drove to Mammoth Caves, Tennessee. When we got there, we took a 3:00 tour of the Historic Entrance in Mammoth Cave, the biggest cave in the world. We hiked a little ways, and then the ranger showed us how the miners saw the cave, by lamplight. Then, he showed us how the bats would see the cave; complete darkness. I literally couldn't see my hands. It was as if my instincts saw them, but I couldn't. It was really cool. Our tour ended up being 2 hours long. 2 miles. My favorite part was Fat Mans Misery, a really skinny part; so skinny that the smooth rock touched my sides! When we finally got out of the cave, we went back to the camper and had dinner. Then, after a game of UNO, we went to bed.

Day 45 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we went on a 4 hour tour of the New Entrance of Mammoth caves. This time, we got to EAT LUNCH UNDERGROUND! Now, that was cool. We also saw a bat (asleep obviously). He was VERY cute. We saw stalactites and stalagmites, columns, and flow stone in beautiful patterns near the end, called the Frozen Niagara. When we got out of the cave, the light was blinding. Then, we just hung around, eating dinner, roasting Marshmallows, and playing UNO again. Then, we went to bed.

Day 46 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we went on a hike above ground, in and out of Mammoth Caves property. Our hike was five miles long, going up and down hills, around corners, and over rivers and streams. I was out first. My feet were killing me. Then, we got Frosties, in celebration of our first 5 mile hike. That night, we had Cheeseburgers and very crunchy fries for dinner. Then, we watched Dada's favorite movie EVER, The Incredibles, all in Mama and Dada's little bed.

Day 47 in Robson's Runabout
Today, Dada started teaching the boys how to ride bikes without training wheels. Then, after that, I played around on the little tiny bike. Then, the boys and I went to trade our junior ranger booklets for our junior ranger badges. Jonah started bawling half way there and ran back to the RV. Then, Isey and I proceeded and got ours. Then, when we got back, we left for Kentucky, horse country. When we got there, we kind of just hung around for the rest of the evening, playing at the playground, eating dinner, and playing UNO.

Just sittin' around...

Okay! This is my first time posting and I hope I'm doing it right.

Today: Went to a prebyterian church about a half an hour away this morning at 11 o'clock, and then walked around Lexington and got lunch. Then, after lunch, we walked around even more until we were tired . Mama and I sneaked through alleys trying to beat the men. Let me tell you, it's hard to run in heels! When we got back to the RV, the boys and I went to the playground while Mama and Dada rested. Now they're p and we're just sittin' around...
ER

Little cherubs of Lexington

Walking through downtown Lex after a nice lunch. In front of the old
city hall which is now a history center. A beautiful area with lots of
old historic homes and buildings. Would like to explore this area more
fully someday.

My baby's first ride. A natural!

Racing horse practicing.

At Keeneland race track in Lexington

Deryl had us up early so that we could go to the track and watch the
race horses exercised. I think this is the track where they filmed
Seabiscuit. Classic beautiful grandstands and grounds.

Savage turkeys attack

A closecrun in w a Tom this morning on the third tee at the golf
course this morning near Rogersville, AL

We drove away from campground at noon and made it to Huntsville where
Deryl and the kids visited the Space and Rocket Museum while I took a
nap and tried to recover from my harrowing experience.

Turns out there is a small RV park at the museum and they had space
for us. Chicken tenders, sticky rice and broccoli for dinner w banana
pudding from Lori for dessert. Thanks Lori!!!

Lunch in Florence, AL

At the counter at Throwbridges on main street. Ice Cream isinglass our
future I believe.

Live Oak Cemetery, Selma,AL

This is a super-funky old town. Full of history, antebellum
architecture and Reformed Presbyterian churches.

Live Oak Cemetery, Selma, AL

More fun at the Montgomery MFA

This was so much fun that we spent at least an hour goofing around with it. We were all standing in front of a wall that must have had photo sensors or something in it. Then a light was shined on us and our motion and shapes were recorded and displayed on a big screen in front of us. As we moved the screen changed colors and modified various visual effects. We took a whole bunch of different photos and videos but picked this as a good example.

Life imitating art

Still waiting for transmission wiring to be completed but using our
time well. We found the Montgomery museum of art which has a hands in
area for kids. Boys are standing in front of a 3D replica of a Hopper
painting.

Whose cow is the best?

There's nothing better than a little calf competition after a
breakfast of eggs, bacon and grits. We must still be in Alabama!

Driving through the deep south of GA & AL

This is Deryl blogging... We’ve had spotty cell coverage recently so haven’t been as up to date on blog as we’d like. (I believe Elena has been, though).

When we last left off, we had spent great time at Discovery Cove in Orlando then headed west to Tampa to do our free day at Busch Gardens.

Then onward a bit north to Homosassa Springs to see the manatee among other funky Florida creatures. Found a neat little camp right on the river and spent an afternoon watching manatee from viewing areas in Homosassa Springs State Park (Best state money use I’ve ever seen) as well as viewing the animals found injured in FL suitable for display, like the panther, some bobcats, bald eagles and an array of birds of prey –excuse me but every time I think “birds of prey” I have to add “know they’re cool” after it. An old Far Side cartoon w/ some vultures on a branch w/ jackets, cigs and dark shades. Also in residence was a fifty year old hippo and it was the sweetest hippo habitat I’ve ever seen. Plenty of space and viewing of this amazing creature. It actually had a personality.

That evening we went to Neon Leons which is owned by the bassist for Lynnrd Skynnrd.  Had some good Bayou cooking and even got some beads.  Elena had her first jambalaya and liked it.

The next day we rented canoes and paddled back up the river to where the state park was.  We saw dozens of manatee in the water - most of them were swimming by us to go feeding out in the bay.  Very cool to see all these big animals just passing under our canoe.

Following our time in that area, we hightailed it up to south western Georgia close to the Georgia Veteran’s Park which was yet again another lovely state park. We headed to a PCA church on Sunday and Elena whispered “Will was right. He said there are no mean people in Georgia.” The folks at the church were all very welcoming and I think most of them spoke with us either before or after service. Close by was a quaint old town called Americus which could be renamed Jimmy and Rosalyn Carterville and the Andersonville Nat Historic Site. This was the Civil War prisoner’s camp where close to 13,000 Union soldiers and 300 Confederate guards died from dysentery, starvation and assorted influenzas in its approx 18 months of existence. A sobering visit but the evils men can inflict on one another mustn’t be pushed under the carpet. The park was quiet and also on a river-lake.

We had seasonable days and spring is finally beginning down here. Daffodils, magnolia trees, birds songs giving way to frogs chorus in the evenings. Dave actually got to play almost and entire round of golf (14 holes) on their course and we had time to sit down to a nice sunset meal in the resort restaurant porch. We saw tons of pecan trees and harvested cotton crops in the area. Oh, and the corner grocers/gas station had three different types of frozen “greens” and okra frozen three ways, but no peas, green beans or broccoli.

Two days and three nights actually felt like a rest from travel and our plan to head up to the Smokies was getting rained out, so we decided to head due west to Montgomery and Selma, AL.

Parked in an Army Corps of Engineers campsite last night on the Alabama River. It’s like the Spanish Moss breeding grounds, the river is brown and slow, and it’s been raining and thunderstorms since we arrived. Creepy. We all awoke this morning safe and sound, however and went in to Montgomery, birthplace of the Civil Rights movement. Went on a tram tour, walked through the state capitol building, the first white house of the Confederacy (a new interest in Jefferson Davis, poor man) and the Archives then lunch at an Oyster place (yay for shrimp and grits and oyster baskets) and while I rushed through a 19th century Alabama display of homes and businesses, Dave and the kids went to a great playground and the pecan factory where we blew $70 on assorted pecan treats. Watch the mail!

Back in RV and heated up some Blount Beef Stew (easy) and made some biscuits (hard in RV). Kids playing Star Wars Wii and D doing some work. Outta here tomorrow for Selma and then north toward TN and KY. Hoping to visit w/ an old Hand Therapy Assoc. friend, Lori, in Huntsville en route!

Capitol dome in Montgomery, AL

We've been touring Montgomery today and walked through the capitol. Saw the
spot where Jefferson Davis was sworn in as president of the
confederate states.

In parallel the RV is getting it's first oil change. Should be ready
for pickup before dinner. I'm a little fearful to find out what the
charge will be. The engine takes 26 quarts!

My first golf of the trip

I ducked out for a couple hrs to play while Deryl and the kids did
school. (have I ever mentioned that I have a great wife!!!). Played
all alone which was great. Course was brown but still pretty and not
too challenging.

Elena's Log; Days 24 - 33

ELENA's trip log

Day 24 in Robson's Runabout (Feb 23)
Today, we drove from the Everglades 6 hours to Marco Island, to see Mama's friends Joanne and her husband Ash. They work in a Marriott Resort and Spa. We parked in the parking lot of it, and got free passes to go in the pool and hot tub. The hot tub in the one we went to today is HUGE! There was a waterfall and a water-slide, but the slide wasn't on. We went to a place called Quinns' for dinner because Joanne gave us passes to do so (Quinns' was part of the hotel). We all ate until we were stuffed and then walked back to the parking lot and went to bed.

Day 25 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we went for a buffet breakfast in the hotel. I ate too much to list. We went straight to the pool after breakfast and Mama went to the Spa (courtesy of Joanne). This time, the water-slide was on, but the waterfall wasn't because of the wind. After we played in that pool, we went over to the other one. It had little water arches coming out of six planters in the center of the pool. We borrowed a noodle and all sat on it like a boat. We had to steer successfully under them, as though they were bridges. After that, we used the tokens that Joanne had given to us at the game room. Then we went back to the camper and had lunch. During lunch, our used-to-be next door neighbor Miss Sharon stopped by to say hello and to check out the camper. While we were chatting, we arranged to go down to her house on our way to Orlando two days later. When she left, we watched a movie and then went back to the pool, played, then showered to prepare for going to Joanne and Ash's for pizza. We watched Madagascar 2 there (it was on TV) and then watched the Olympics. It was 10:00 when we got back to the camper and went to bed.

Day 26 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we spent all day in the pool playing in the waterfall and on the water-slide. Not too much to report, except that a boy named Luca played with us. His brother would've played, but we had no idea what to play with him (he was blind). That night, we went out for Mexican not to far away. At the restaurant, a band made up of guys in their 50's that called themselves the Lords of Cool came and played for everyone. It was 8:00ish when we got back to the camper and went to bed.

Day 27 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we drove to Naples, Florida, to eat lunch with Miss Sharon, Mr. Stew (her husband), Miss Sharon's mom, her aunt, and her neighbors. We were going to park in her neighbors driveway, but we didn't. Instead, we parked in a dead end road with no houses on it. We got to see Mrs. Nelsons' (one of the 2 neighbors) birds. My favorite was a Indian Ring-necked Parakeet named Bo. He landed on me and talked and kissed me. Now, I am OBSESSED with getting my own Indian Ring-necked Parakeet and will be saving up to do so. After we ate with everyone, we started driving the few more hours to Orlando. On the way, we stopped to see Dada's high-school friend for about an hour, then kept going. We finally stopped moving around 9:45 and went to bed.

Day 28 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we drove about half an hour to a Reformed Presbyterian Church in Orlando. Being Robson's, most people there knew us because of Papa, Reverend Ed Robson. When we got back to the camper, we had lunch, then went for a bike ride to the playground in the campground. Mama and I went for a bike ride after that and then went back to the camper. For the rest of the day, we just hung around the camper, feeding the horses in the field behind it, eating Salmon Burgers for dinner, watching the ending ceremony in the Olympics,and going to bed at 9: 00.


MARCH

Day 29 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we drove about half an hour to Discovery Cove, a big park with lots of fish and dolphins. We played in the lazy river, and then we went to the coral reef. I didn't like it at all, so I got out. I REALLY don't like big, slimy, fat fish. At 1:00, we went for our dolphin swim session. It was SO exciting. We got to pet Yoko (the 14 year old female dolphin we interacted with), kiss Yoko, hug her, feed her fish, and RIDE HER! It was so magical and amazing, and, since the dolphins wanted to play together, what was supposed to be a half an hour session ended up being an hour and a half long! Like I said, it was magical. After our dolphin swim, we went back into the lazy river three more times and then got our pictures from the dolphin swim. Then we went back to the RV and got ready for bed.

Day 30 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we drove. We drove for 2 hours while I finished the inspiring book “Soul Surfer”. EVERYONE should read it. When we got to the campground, the boys and I went outside while Mama and Dada rested. About 20 minutes later Dada came out and we walked (I biked) to the front office that had a little store in it. We all got candy, then went to watch a shuffle board game a little ways away. When we went back to the camper, I left my bike, and then we went over to the little golf course a block away. The boys and I went and climbed a big heap of dead grass that was about 20 feet tall. Our fun was ruined when a guy came and asked Dada, “Are those your kids?” Obviously, Dada said yes. Then the guy said, “Well, I should warn you, that thing is infested with snakes. The yellow ones are poisonous. The black ones aren't.” So, we left. When we went home, Dada went and made dinner on the grill. Barbeque chicken, baked beans, and (just for Mama and I) baked potato. After dinner, we wanted to go see if we could play Bingo. We would have to pay $.50 to get in, the winner would take home $11. When we walked in, the lady at the desk said, “I'm sorry, the kids can't come in. It's considered gambling.” So we left and played our own game of Bingo at the RV. It was 8:00 when we went to bed.

Day 31 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we went to Busch Gardens, part of Sea World. It was an amusement park. Our FAVORITE ride was Cheetah Chase; a smallish roller coaster with whippin' fast turn and steep downs and ups (like a “U”). I still am too chicken to go on Loop-Da-Loops. When we left, we went to the grocery store and bought fried chicken for dinner. We also got a red box movie and brought a homeless women back to where she was staying. When we got back to the RV, we ate our chicken, then watched our red box movie, Pink Panther 2. At 9:00, we went to bed.

Day 32 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we drove for about 2 hours to Camp'n'Water. When we got settled, we went to a state park, where we saw 6 manatees in captivity. They where there because they had either gotten injured or where born in captivity. They were VERY cute. One of them would roll over and over and over again, even in it's lettuce floating on the surface! After we saw a presentation on the manatees, we went on a nature walk. It consisted of a 50 year old hippo named Lu (Lucifer), pelicans, spoonbills,foxes, owls, eagles, bobcats, panthers, and much more. There were even deer! I suppose I should mention that they were all in very spacious cages. When we were walking back to the car, a ranger passed by and told us to watch Lu. Then, he called Lu and blew his lips at him. Suddenly, Lu did a laugh that made him sound like Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars! It was SO funny! When we were at the parking lot, Dada raced me to the car. I won!!! Then, we went out to a place called Neon Leon's. He was a guitar player in Lynard Skynard. They play there on Tuesday's and Friday's. I got my first Jambalaya. We got pineapple upside down cake and blackberry cobbler for dessert. When we got back to the camper, and went to bed.

Day 33 in Robson's Runabout
Today, we rented canoes and went out looking for manatees. On the way to finding them, we passed an island with 4 monkeys on it. They were under supervision we think. When we got to where the manatee usually are, we saw about 30 including more then 5 babies!!! It was so cool how they just swam under Mama and my canoe like we weren't there. We know that they knew that they knew we were there though. They have very good eyesight, but not good hearing and they don't move very fast. They don't know where motor boats are coming from, so they get hit. When we were paddling the three miles back, it felt like our arms were going to fall off because the wind was against us. It took us 2 and a ½ hours to paddle back when it only took 1 hour to get there. When we got back to land, I was DESPERATE for a bathroom. I tried to jump out of the canoe, but my legs were so wobbly, I had to hobble. At the bathroom, I ran into the nearest stall, but then realized the light wasn't on. So I ran out of the stall and turned it on. Then, as I sat down, I saw the stall door still open. Oh well. The only people here were retired and in RVs. When we got back to the camper, we made brownies, but didn't bake them. Instead, we just ate the soft gooey dough. Then we went to the store and bought ice cream for after dinner. It was fried chicken, and after that we watched Ice Age and ate our ice cream. I had mine with a drizzle of brownie mix on top. We went to bed at 9:30.

Congo River Rapids update

This is from Wed but I forgot to post til now. Worth a look!

Coffee, tea or manatee??

At Homostassa Springs state park. These guys are BIG!!

Kids and I about to ride this for their fourth time!!!! D and I switching off.

E with Lory at Busch Gardens, Tampa

Month in Review and recap of Discovery Cove.

Hard to believe a month has passed. So much water under the bridge, missing my family and friends and regular connections, but know that this is a unique opportunity for us and appreciate all we have seen and done. We've stayed in about twelve campsites ranging from private camp "resorts" with full hookups to state parks -often more pretty but with fewer amenities, to highway rest areas and resort parking lots. Today we find ourselves at a semi-permanent trailer park after finding out the lovely state park up the road here near Tampa was full. We learn to flex. We're here because we had the times of our lives at Discovery Cove in Orlando (owned by Sea World/Busch Gardens) yesterday and one then has the option to go to any other of their parks within 14 days. Since we want to head up the West Coast a little further to see manatees in the Springs, we chose to come back out to the coast and go to Busch Gardens tomorrow.
The weather has been unseasonably chilly everywhere we've been but we know we can't complain and are hoping for spring to show up everywhere soon. We have managed a few too many hours in FL sun w/out enough SPF, however.
Highlights have been previously posted on blog but I'll run down in no partic order: DC sites, visit w/ Willie T. and family in snow in Richmond, VA, Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, all the great southern zone flora (the gardener in me is hankering for tropical climate), mounted shooting competition in Jax, kennedy Space Center, manatee rescue and wild dolphin sightings, Keys beaches and sunsets w/ Darren, Kathleen and Evan, and Doug, Anisa and family, listening to my kids play so well and creatively together for so much of the time, all the historica and descriptive markers in abundance for me to read and slow down my on-the -move family, the gators and awesome birds in Everglades, time w/ Joanne and Ash in Marco along w/ phenomenal Marriott pool, beach, spa..., visitng w/ old neighbor Sharon Eddy twice and seeing her home and family in Naples, and finally, the first day of March-Discovery Cove in Orlando.
The Yoders had raved about this place and we had considered it but it's pricey, so we decided against it for a more "natural " dolphin encounter. Well, as none are guaranteed unless you pay for them and prices are clsoe to Disc. Cove anyway, we decided to try it out.  Not a moment's regret. The day began in a lovely checkin building- only 1000 persons admitted for the day, meals, snacks included. Next a so-so breakfast buffet but then, the donning of wetsuits and snorkels and masks. What a funny sight. Hundreds of folks who woulsdn't normally be caught in a wetsuit, trotting around. It's required that guests wear full, short or vests for safety purposes -more buoyancy (nice teachable moments w/ that one) and visual (bright yellow backs) for lifeguards. Our first plunge was a wonderful warm foray into the winding river portion. The water was 78 degrees, I think, very comfy, and one is gently propelled with the current through lush and varied settings and water depths for about half an hour if you go slowly.
After that we ventured into the "Coral Reef" and snorkeled with a good  variety of tropical fish in a really naturalistic, colder, salt water pool. Some fish were huge! Another little surprise is that the pool had four varieties of large Rays which were comfortable to skim right next to us. Very, very cool. I LOVE snorkeling and still toy w/ the idea of scuba although I'm a cold water wmp, so I may wait and do "resort dives" if I ever have a chance.
Then I had a private horticulture tour, I tell you, these people are so accomodating, then our dolphin experience orientation.
We were broken into groups of ten and given two trainers and a speical dolphin friend to learn about. Note to self: full wetsuit in temps under 73. Brrrrrrrr. As there were other encounters for other groups there were a bunch of other dolphins in the lagoon to also be watching. One little dolphin wanted to play and not attend so all of the others got distracted after a while, and we got extra time in the water. about 45 minutes more brrrbrrrbrrr but worth it for the extra close time w/ dolphins and talk w/ trainers. We all had time to pat, touch, hug, kiss, and ask for behaviors and sounds of our dolphin "Yoko" a 14 year old female. The we swam as a group of four, Isaac, Jonah, Elena and I, out deeper with the trainer and Yoko followed us, waited for Isaac to hold her dorsal fin and flipper so she could pull him back to shore. He was soo brave. He yelled "This is awesome!" while they swam. Then  the rest of us got a tow. What joy. It was over too quickly. I'd love more one on one time somewhere becasue it seems surreal.
A dip in each of the other pools after a late lunch and we wandered over to the aviary. We had such a neat time in there feeding the variety of exotic birds who landed on us! (Aunt Jude, you've gotta come) Wish we had more time, but the park was closing soon and Jonah always fears we 'll get stuck places, so we hustled out after half an hour. We left all weary and content about ten hours after we arrived. It was the fastest day I can ever recall. We bought the ESB port of the day's potos
After manatees, we plan to spend the month of March in GA,TN, NC, KY,AL and part of LA before catching up in New Orleans w/ Rob, Aunt Judy and Uncle Ted for a music festival in early April. Had no idea we'd spend three weeks in Florida.
I love you all and miss talking and interacting daily with the rest of you folks who make my life worth living.

Swimming w the dolphins

At discovery cove in Orlando