FL GTG, January 2011

[Liz]

I think the bird is a wood stork based on the head.

Thanks Marslet. Birdie has confirmed the wood stork after I twisted her arm. First time I've seen one of those on the river (or anywhere). See something new every time I go.

[Liz]

What are those round pink things I've seen in a couple of pictures? Inquiring minds want to know.

You mean the pregnant flamingos?

[dpf]

Ahhhh...Karen! I think I know what you're talking about! Do you mean the round pink things in the water? I thought they were buoys. Liz swam around in the water and painted all of them pink (while she was fighting off the alligators) just for the GTG!

[sunshinecruiserTN]

Seems like the fun is neverending. I sure hate it that I had to leave but all my oops are taken care of and I'm back home and enjoying the weather. In fact I think I'll head to the pool. Terrific pictures.

[BirdbyBird]

We are a little slow posting pictures but after the kayaking adventure we needed to give the camera a day or so to dry out since it got a little damp there at the end. Dry out successfully it did because it came right back on complete with pictures intact. I will try not to duplicate too many of the previous pics but the park is beautiful (and of course the people were so beautiful ) maybe you won't mind seeing doubles.

First, for those interested these innocent jugs hold the famous "recipe." And similar to Alligator P, it is distributed in very small cups



Here we are assembling on the cabin porch....



And here was getting ready to sing...but notice what fine "safety first" reflector key chains we all got. Thanks, Carolyn. I think they work just great!



Another shot of Paynes Prarrie.....the gentleman we met out on the boardwalk told of all the different birds and animals he had observed from walking the different trails out into the Prarrie. Kathleen had also said she had met the wild horses up close and personal. The trails did sound like an interesting adventure.



Part of the swamp you pass through on the way to the Silver River (on the swamp trail....)



and the boardwalk that crosses the swamp...on the way to the Silver River....



Well and we also headed off to the Ocala RV Show. Belle has ridden in all kinds of vehicles now: 5th wheels, Class A's, Class C's, TT but she had never had a ride of her own so she tried to do some exploring on her own.....







She thought some were too small, some where too big but the truck camper caught her eye.... We tried to explain the $49,000 was just for the camper and then she would need more money for the truck....but you have to appreciate her eye for style.



On Friday before a few of us headed off kayaking down the river I needed to move my rig over to the day parking. And as you now know, Sarah got to drive around the loops a few times. Of course, only later through Liz's photos did we know that she was driving with her eyes shut. She even backed the rig into one of the campsites upon request using the mirrors on the side. As she quickly noticed the nice rear view mirror in the cab shows you nothing. No trees or natural habitat were injured in these exercises.



Then we headed off to the river for kayaking adventures....and the river was beautiful.









Can you tell I like interesting tree roots and the reflection on trees in the water?







And these fine people had to ride in a boat and didn't get to see or hear all the neat things that kayaker do. (Well, they also didn't have to paddle upstream against the current and the WIND. The wind almost broke our resolve a couple of times but then would die down and we kept going. It was all worth it for the wonderful peaceful float back down. )



The little cove we rested in and ate some snacks in for the final paddle to the headwaters.



And the little spring to the side that Liz stopped and feed the fishes and we all admired the clear water and watching the fish swim by against the back drop of the clear spring and the white sands on the bottom....









And a glimpse of one of the glass bottom boats...did we mention that we didn't miss being on the glass bottom boat with the tourists.



And the boat dock at the head waters and the initial cluster of springs.





And then we had the most wonderful float back down stream to where we put in.







The monkeys....





The swimming 'gator.....



And then the four plus hour trip was over.....I really can't describe how tranquil that float back was...the sights...the sounds....the ability to share the beauty and wonder quietly with friends.
(No mention will be made here of the damp britches from the paddle drips and the immediate need to seek some bathroom relief in a natural setting....Liz, did a good job of that... )

[retiredhappy]

Love the pictures. Being a California girl I'm not sure I WANT to be in a little itty bitty kayak with alligators that appear to be about the same size. And where did the monkeys come from? I KNOW they're not native to Florida.

And PLEASE, what are the poink floating things? What are they for? Why are they pink?

[BirdbyBird]

Don't know why they are pink but they are used to buoy the ropes that mark off the launch ramp at the end of the Silver River trail. Liz said it is because of the boaters with motors, etc. going by heading to the head waters after putting in farther down stream at a public launch area aren't allowed to use that launch ramp to stop at during their trip up stream. They are also suppose to respect a "no wake" zone. The launch area we use is only for the park's canoes and the camper's canoes and kayaks. To get to the launch site we hiked/carted the kayaks about 1/2 mile down the trail to the launch site. And the monkeys are from the early Tarzan movies that were filmed in the area....some liked the place so much they decided to escape and stay.....

[MsBHaven]

Great story and photos Tina. I think that kayaking must be a lot of fun to see the animals and plant life and to enjoy the peacefulness of floating along...but how do you or did you overcome the fear of alligators? I would be afraid I would go crazy and fall out when I saw my first gator.

Sarah, I'm so proud of you driving the RV. Now, go buy one!

[Gentleladybear]

I am back home now. Bear had to go sniff out everything to see who had been in the house while we were gone. It was wonderful meeting everyone and look forward to our next meeting.

Tomorrow is back to work for a 60 day count down. April 8, 2011 I am retiring. Hopefully this time will pass fast.

Tina thank you for allowing me to go with you down the river. It was a wonderful experience.

[VickieP]

Wow, 60 days will pass in what seems like no time at all for you, Nan!!! Then you'll get to take Belle on all kinds of adventures.

[dayspring39]

Do you really want more pictures Vickie? Think you should not have asked... I will post the wild horses in another area later... they were not at Silver River... LIz said I could pick and choose but wow now I know how to add pictures I need all of the practice I can get...

Liz getting ready for the big day the FLORIDA ANNUAL GTG begins... Sarah reading...



It looks so lonely now... But you just wait...



Ah here is a friendly face I do believe it is Wendy!!! Oh and she is struggling with Pepper... hold on Pepper...




[
Then the party began in earnest... Sarah, Soos, Liz, Peggy's friend and Peggy... then the obscure faces with cold weather setting in.... burrrrr




I think Beth and Soos are having way to much fun way to early !



Nan, Sarah and Wendy are way way to serious!



Oh Nan please come back we will let you win the first prize honest we will... Now Soos next time for you share with Hershel... and Tina is that a new lap warmer you are hiding?....



We were all excited with our gift baskets... so many great things... I use my flashlight every night...



Tina, Nan and Sarah enjoying the cold as they bundle up more and more...



Liz please pose for a picture... oops Roe had other ideas... but she did recover and look at that great smile! (mom all that dental work paid off!)




I think Beth is very happy with her gift bag...



Alice came to join us she wondered what all the noise was about!



Dum ta Dum ta Dum it is tour the rig day...



Oh Oh Oh no Nan you didn't... oh oh oh yes you did... now you can't come in my MH it is not that nice... wow wow you did a great job and your bed is is is is so tall you need a step ladder to get in... are you Queen for a day or what... (It was really very nice and we were all just jealous!)



And on and on we went it took us over 2 hours to go through 9 MH we were all awww and awwwing about what everyone had done... how much fun are we allowed in one day anyway?






I think Sarah and Nan were worn out from cooking for the pot luck... wheeee we have a cabin for two nights...



And Prizes...



and Games, and songs and so much fun you could not hold it all... Please Tina come to my next Birthday Party... I like Bunny Foo Foo!!



I truly wonder how much fun and food and fun and prizes and fun and more fun can be packed into 5 days (7 for us early birds) what a great GTG it has been...










The ORS lapped over onto the Womans group so our friend Pete came to party also... he was a great addition... I understand he even cooked dinner for the left over group on Sat or Sunday... how brave can one be!!

Liz told me I could pick and choose but when you give a kid a toy what do they do they play all day with it... sorry for the long long post...
I truly love each of you...
Kathleen

[Bethers]

Wow - love all the new pics added - and Kathleen - how proud we are of you now that you got the hang of it. Course, the less pics of me, the happier I am - and you didn't pay any attn to that at all

Pete, Soos and I never did make it down the river. Yesterday it was planned. And we cxl'd it. Today Pete said he wasn't going - was going to be just Soos and me - and we cxl'd. Yesterday we hiked, and hiked, though. Peaches was exhausted again. Today, Pete wanted to head to the river early. But the mists came in - so Peaches and I didn't knock on his door till about 8:15. We headed over to Soos' and she was still sleeping. She needed it. Pete and I headed to the water, and the sun just didn't want to clear the mist from the air. We waited, and waited and waited some more. Was fun picking out some of the birds - anyway, and you can see yesterday and today on tonight's blog post. http://ontheroadwithbeth.com/blog/2011/ ... -river-sp/

Soos, Pete, Alice and I met for dinner at Pete's - where we had a final fire and good conversations with lots of laughs. Soos and I will leave in the morning, Pete on Tuesday - Alice the end of the week. Bet she's looking forward to some quiet time

[VickieP]

You did good Kathleen, there's never too many pics when it comes to showing all the fun we can have at GTG's!!

[MsBHaven]

Thanks for posting Kathleen - good example of the fun GTG! Can never have too many photos!

[AlmostThere]

Great pictures, Kathleen! Gosh, you all had soo much fun and no one got hurt.