More on the Fire

Lots has happened ....we have been overwhelmed with insurance people and investigators trying to find out what caused the fire which at this point seems to be the electrical system in the coach somewhere. They have decided to bring in some sort of electrical specialist to make that determination. One interesting note is that the fire burns up and therefore all the goods in lower basement storage areas seem to be in good order. Most everything from the rear wheels forward down low seems to have been spared except for smoke damage. This includes the still full LP storage tank and fuel tank.


More pictures









I have more pictures and will try to get them up soon. Apparently the coach will remain in place until cause is determined and there are areas where we cannot remove or recover things yet. We have been given the go ahead to empty two of our basement cabinets and will do that tomorrow. Will try to post more info the first of the week.

FIRE!!

Last night after we had been in bed for an hour or two , I woke to the smell of smoke looked out the window and saw our motorhome in flames.



We really don't know which end is up yet and I assume insurance adjusters will bring us up to speed once they see it. We don't know what started it but it looks to be a total loss as is the building behind it. Will keep you posted

A Special Birthday

We were there when she was born but we missed her 1st Birthday last year so we hustled home to make sure we were there for Molly's 2nd Birthday. Isn't she cute!!! And the presents....it was better than Christmas...well almost! And brother Jack behaved himself and helped open the presents. Mom of course oversaw things.
One of the neat things she got was a box with hats....wigs ...boa's...shoes - all dress up stuff which I think might have been her favorite of the presents.
The Octopus from Florida was high on the list too! Dad was helping out now with "Grammy Blue Car" in the background. Marge is "Grammy Gray Car" and I am Grandpa Brown Truck". The kids picked up on the cars we all drove as a means to keep track of us all....I just wish I was called Grandpa Black Porsche!!
While we got back home in time for Molly's Birthday we also got home for freezing temperatures and a smattering of that white stuff we swore off two years ago. It's the first time I have winterized the coach in two years. This week is looking more like spring and with that in mind we are making repairs and cleaning the coach anticipating the warm months coming up here in Michigan and of course planning a few trips.

Ortona Locks on the Caloosahatchee

Sunday Morning .... and Big Al's 92nd Birthday---Happy Birthday!!!....we departed our beloved Keys to start north. Me pulling the new boat behind the motorhome and Marge following in the pickup. It's sort of a pain but we did not want to store the boat in the Keys with the threat of Hurricane season coming. We had decided on leaving it inland somewhere near Lake Okeechobee away from storms and at a substantially reduced insurance rate because of location. We had made reservations at a Corps of Engineers Park on the Caloosahatchee River called the Ortona South Campground at the Ortona Locks that had looked kind of neat and boy is it! Absolutely beautiful campground right on the river with water and electric...no sewer, but there is dump a station. I posted a couple of pictures taken from our site.

This is our site which is typical of all 51 sites on the River..... although some tables were set up to share with an adjacent site, which is perfect when traveling with others.

We had lots of boats go by during the day from large paddlewheeler excursion boats to some really unique other boats that I haven't seen before.

The view from our site West that gives you a pretty good idea of the area

And of course the locks themselves.

This was the sunset this evening it was pretty as you can see it certainly compares with those at Key West
We have stored the boat so we will be on the road home tomorrow morning.

Moving the Toys

One of the problems for full timers and others that have hobbies and interests that require things like fourwheelers and boats, is the transporting of them when you move. The RV industry in recent times have come out with built in garages and have coined the word "toyhauler" into the description for the units they produce that have storage for these toys. For the last twenty years we have been hauling a inflatable 12' boat and motor and stored them on board the motorhome without problem. Times have now changed as we have purchased the new 19' Mako fishing boat a Travel with boat and truck and motorhome now presents unique problems. Do you take two vehicles and drive both down the road? Here at Sunshine Key some have found solutions by special trailers......



The first two pictures are of a system from Heimgartner Trailer Systems (www.trailersystems.com) and is intended for aluminum light weight boats in conjunction with a special lightweight trailer. The second, manufactured by Built Rite Trailers is substantial to say the least, and frankly approaches the weight limit for towing (10,000#). This second unit would work very well for our situation and will be something to consider in the future.

A Day at Key West

Each year we go to Key West a number of times to see the sights and watch everyone having a good time. One of the stops my friends Ross, Art and I like to make is the marina at stock island where there is always someone working on a project boat. The boat below is an old Alco from the 1930's or so being redone. We thought that it was originally a launch used to transport people to and from larger boats and we were told the guy that was working on it planned to do somewhat the same as a commercial venture after restoration was complete. There wasn't much else to look at which pleased the ladies so we went on into Key West. After shopping and wandering around for a few hours we always meet up at Sloppy Joe's where we were fortunate enough to see Pete and Wayne's show. Risque!!!! but great fun.
We took over a table by the open window/door and while waiting for everyone to show we met a nice couple, John and Sonja on vacation from the cold north. They joined us and we helped them prepare for Sonja's planned mechanical bull riding event later in the evening. Unfortunately, we missed that, but we did enjoy meeting them and wished them well

The reason we missed the bull riding was the wonderful dinner at Pepe's which we would recommend to all if your ever in Key West. The meal was great and atmosphere unique as only a restaurant in Key West can be. The structure and signage certainly wasn't new but don't let that scare your away from and excellent meal.

Snowbird Plantings

I'm not sure exactly the reason...... whether it's an opportunity to have a touch of home or what, but most snowbirds seem to plant either some vegetables or flowering plants. We have done that in the past with Hibiscus plants outside our door every year. They really are nice with new flowers most mornings. This year I decided to try something with zucchini plants which has worked out well with a limited crop coming in now. I'm not sure whether there is too much sun or what but I have been disappointed with the crop to this date. We have watered regularly but they are not the large size I expected.

Our neighbors tomatoes
Peppers

Herbs

Hibiscus

Zucchini

Of course, it would be much simpler to just go to the outdoor market or flea market for vegetables and probably pay a normal price for these items but instead we buy potting soil, pots fertilizer, seeds........ which probably works out 20 or 30 times a price for what we do get...but it is fun!

Manatees Redux

We have had warmer temperatures this last week and yesterday after returning to the marina from a less than successful fishing trip we were surprised to see our manatee buddy from the other day back with 5 or six of his friends. Our buddy was easily recognized by the scars on his body and cut tail, but his friends did not seemed to be as marked up as he was which is probably a good sign.

Once again the inappropriate watering of the animals below

These guys would vie for getting the stream of water directed their way as best they could even rolling over like a dog would to get attention. There were a total of six animals that I saw and a variety of sizes although no young ones.

Our neighbor is a skindiver and has enjoyed going to an area called "the horseshoe" which is an area nearby that was dredged out for fill and has become a good place to fish from shore and dive. On his last dive he was fortunate enough to swim with a manatee and its youngster for some time without alarming them.....even allowing him to "pet" the young one. Unfortunately, his wife wasn't able to get a picture.

These guys just kind of jostled for position to get at the water stream

Needless to say these animals brought quite a crowd to the marina and docks. Do you suppose the manatees are watching them as much as we watch the manatees?

Seadoo commercial

This week we had a little excitement when cast and crew for a new Seadoo commercial was to be filmed in waters between Sunshine Key and Bahia Honda State Park. The crew arrived bright and early with a motor home full of coffee and treats, cameras were being prepared and a few young ladies (models) wandering around while all the fishermen waiting for the bait truck watched.


Below were two boats rigged for filming that were unique. The first one below was a specially built catamaran that had detachable wing walkways for directors and tech's with a gimbal mount for the special cameras they were using.
I found it interesting that they used a Seadoo for one of the cameras. Note..... it has a special gyroscopic attachment to keep the camera steady.
And of course there were the models although they kept a low profile when on shore.

At Bahia Honda State Park, they had more crew as well as a helicopter for shooting scenes although we were not able to get close for pictures. All in all it was fascinating to see all that goes into what I assume will be a 60 second blip on TV someday.

Manatee

From time to time a manatee wanders into the harbor and marina area at Sunshine Key and there is usually a lot of people that come down and look at them. They are beautiful gentle creatures in their own way and big! We have been told they weigh as much as 1,000#.
Were not sure what exactly would draw them into the marina but they do love fresh water and will drink from a hose as this one above is doing. It is however illegal to feed them or water them.

These kids were just in awe as we all were and were thrilled to be able to "pet" it.You can see where this one has been hit or scraped on the head from I assume a boat that hit itThis picture shows its tail that has been sliced off presumably from a speeding boat.

During the winter each year there are "Manatee areas" that are protected that are essentially a no wake area for boats. Hopefully, that will prevent things like this tail slice from happening.
After spending the afternoon in the harbor the Manatee left and hasn't been back. Hard to figure where it would go although the waters around here are nice and warm which it probably likes.