Vacation ends – Back to Treatment

Tuesday April 17, 2010
Lithia Springs Site 11

 

 

We return to the land of many speed bumps.

 

After my morning run-stretch-weights routine and going down to get the awning pictures of the Gypsy Wife and say good bye to Kim and Gordon, we leave Koreshan.  We’re in no hurry to move on or more correctly, to go back.   It’s Sunday morning and after an easy 144 mile drive up I 75, we return to Lithia Spring park aka the land of speed bumps.  Why do this again you ask?  Wasn’t it 30 some speed bumps to get in and out of this park?

 

Well the predicted temperatures for this coming week and beyond are in the upper 80’s and lower 90’s.  In April, SIGH,  and there are June and July yet to come.  But, I digress.

 

There are pretty much only 3 parks inexpensive enough and close enough to all doctors to qualify for consideration.  Given the upcoming heat, shade and swimming are high on the list of requirements.  One park has swimming, almost no trees but great kayaking,  Another has trees, good kayaking but no swimming and the highest predicted temperatures of the 3 for this coming week.   Lithia has kayaking, the nicest shaded campground, a spring to swim in though it is getting shallower and shallower as is the Alafia River.  So Lithia’s only big draw back is those bumps.

 

Thus, here we are.

 

 

We roll in about 2:30 to find that our favorite site has been claimed at noon today for the foreseeable future. 

 

Our second favorite was taken on the 10th so it’s possible that they will leave tomorrow.  We took our 3rd favorite and set up minimally to see if they do leave tomorrow.   Since we will be here for 14 days, it’s nice to be in the most remote site you can get when the Warriors invade during the week-end.

 

Monday brings Good News!

 

Today, David picked up the replacement Pantech UML 290 broadband modem sent to us from Verizon and we are in business again.  No more dropping signal.  So it appears all our problems were due to a faulty device.  Yet to come are attaching the amplifier and antenna to see if this will create more problems or enable us to have signal in more remote places.  IF we are ever able to go to any remote places again, I think to myself.

 

The modem is today’s news.  It’s 89 degrees in the afternoon.  We turn on the air conditioner and hang out inside answering emails, writing blogs, doing business.

 

After dinner we take a walk around the campground and find that we are the only inhabitants in the first section, Sites 1-21.    There is one camper in the second section, sites 22-30.  And three in the third section 31-40.   During the week things are really quiet here and it is very nice.  We walk over to the spring and it looks extremely low.  The water does not come up as high on the shore and there are many more  “islands” than last time we were here.   I wonder if it is even possible to swim.   

 

Tuesday starts the medical routine again.

 

I begin my day with my ‘avoid doctors’ routine of run-stretch-weights.  I run by the spring and the water level looks higher.  Actually quite a bit higher.  What gives?   Guess I’ll have to ask the very friendly park manager next time I see him.  But I do think I’ll go up for  swim or a float or just a sit in the water, which ever is possible, today when those temperatures start getting close to 90.

 

Doctor visits, shots, pills, medicines begin again today for David.  He leaves at 10:00 for his appointment in Brandon to start treatment cycle #4.

 

At this point, he has few if any side effects from the treatment.  David’s back pain, the result of bulging discs, is now his most bothersome problem making it extremely difficult for him to sleep.  We’ve tried every combination of sleeping possibilities, bed, sofa, floor, chair with and without the Memory foam mattress at each location.  Nothing seems to make any difference.  He says the easiest is sleeping on the floor on the memory foam doubled over to create a large twin bed size.   And that is as comfortable as anything else since he doesn’t sleep more than two hours at a stretch without being awakened needing some sort of pain medication.  He takes two different things at different intervals.  Neither of which do anything more than dull the pain.

 

The pain doesn’t bother him as much during the day when he isn’t laying down so other than being tired, he does pretty well during the day.  Hope going back on treatment for the 4th round doesn’t change that too much.

 

By noon, he still hasn’t returned. 

 

That’s a long time.  I call him to make sure nothing is wrong and  find he’s just gotten into the infusion center.  There were 24 people in the waiting room when he arrived for his appointment an hour and a half ago.

 

After talking with him, I hop on my bike and ride around the campground to see if any new folks have shown up.  Nope

 

BUT the RV in our second favorite site did leave. 

 

Whoopee!   I pedal over to the Ranger’s station and ask them if we can switch.  No problem.   Five minutes and all done.

 

Back to the coach I go.  I call David to tell him I’ve gotten site 25 and we can move into it.  He says he’ll come right back.  I start taking down for the move.   I have everything buttoned up,  slides in, jacks up, water and electric off,  by the time David shows up at 1:00 and we move down to site #25 where we both sing fifty miles of Elbow Room (not as well as the N.C. Red Clay Ramblers in this link for sure).  This is hands down the largest site at Lithia Springs and will be GREAT for avoiding the noise and partying of the weekend warriors.

 

 

 

We set everything back up, including all the things we held back, “just in case”.  I take pictures to post Winnona’s new location and then it is time for lunch - humus, spinach and tomato sandwich and blueberry smoothie.

 

 

 

David’s preliminary reports on today’s blood work again look very good.  He is responding extremely well.  If only his back wouldn’t have decided to complicate things.  Details on the numbers to come later in the week.  Stem Cell transplant consult on Thursday.  Next treatment Friday.
Actually 7 doctor visits in 10 days. L 

So with doctors done for today, we’re all settled in here at Lithia Springs and only have to do the speed bumps when we leave.   Hmm now that I think about it, we are going to be doing a LOT of coming and going this stay.  Poor Ruby.

Last Koreshan Days

Thursday, Friday & Saturday
April 12, 13, and 14, 2012
Koreshan State Historic Site

 

I spend my final three Koreshan days all at the beach.

I’ve combined all  the beach days for my last entry from Koreshan so as not to bore those who aren’t quite as much of an oceanoholic as I am. 
My nickname is Oceanannie for obvious reasons.

 

 

On Thursday it’s Lover’s Key State Park. 

We get there and find that I’ve forgotten the camera.  Yesterday the bike keys, today the camera.  Hmmmm this is becoming disconcerting.

  So the only pictures I have are from my droid in full sun when I can’t begin see anything we were trying to photograph.   How do you guys without eye pieces do it with nothing but those LCD screens in bright sunlight??

Lover’s Key is 30 miles from Koreshan so the distance and the $8 admission fee mean I probably won’t be returning here for subsequent beach days.  BUT today this beach does have many more birds than DelNor and many more shells. 

 

I need Leather feet.

The beach is literally covered with shells.  Now don’t get totally excited, these are not big shells or unusual shells but still they are pretty shells and numerous shells.  Better have your sandals and water shoes if you want to walk on this beach or into the gulf.

 

 

 

I guess I’m a big enough target for point and shoot as I try to walk down to the water on the shells in my bare feet.  I’m trying to tell David it’s rough going even with my tough feet.  He’s not listening.  Later, when I finally get  the pictures off the phone, I  find about a dozen shots of me going to and from the water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUP practiced here.

I did manage to get a picture of what appears to be the latest kayak craze, Stand Up Paddle Boards, known of course in the 21st century as SUP.  I’ve never tried this, but imagine it is much more likely to be successful in the placid gulf waters than in the Atlantic.  Some might say less fun too I suppose.

 

 

This was one of the best ‘birds at the beach day’ ever.

The waves picked up in the later afternoon and a pelican flotilla flew in to fish and ride them.   We saw SO many pelicans diving and eating fish.  We got so we could tell when they would dive and tried to point the phone and zoom in.  HA!   We have about 25 shots of nothing but the water trying to get them catching dinner.  There also was an osprey who was fishing successfully too.  No pictures of him either.  What a day to leave my REAL camera behind. 

 

 

These 3 in particularly fished and flew around in circles swooping down to glide right above the waves.  All in front of us for some time. 

 

 

Have you been wondering about those Flamingos who came to live with us?

You’ll remember that among the Easter chick basket gifts was not only the sparkly blue bunny but 4 pink flamingos.  I’m sure Carol and Roger knew that every “trailer” needs flamingos.  And we now have 4.  Here they are on duty.  This is also what happens when you can’t really see what you are taking a picture of.  No great loss, you can see 3 of the flamingos.

 

Ok so Here’s the other part of that shot with the other  flamingos. All in pink of course

 

This bird was easy to photograph even with a phone since it doesn’t move.

 

If you are in the area, Lover’s Beach is a very nice beach to spend time on so do go. 

And when you do, here’s some advice.  If you are going to be in Florida doing the state park beaches buying an annual pass to the parks, $60 for one $120 for the family (don’t get me started on why the price for a family of 2 should be the same as a family of 7-one of my REAL rants), might be worth doing.  $8 and $6 daily entrance fees add up quickly.  Bring water shoes here if you want to go in the gulf without jumping sky high when you step on something sharp.  Come early in the day to see the max  birds and stay late to see the least people.  Everyone starts clearing out about 3pm.  There are beach side picnic tables along the paths back to the parking lot so bring lunch.  

AND HAVE FUN !   We did!!

 

 

On Friday we go our separate ways.

Although I love kayaking, I haven’t overdosed on beach yet so I head back to DelNor where the admission for one is only $4.  David goes out with his kayak on the Estero River.  Sadly, he still has no camera so there are no pictures of his paddle. But he reports that the park has a very nice easy entry boat launch.  Only a short walk from the campground if you have a cart.  Otherwise there is a parking lot there.  He describes his trip as a “mixed paddle” between beautiful stretches of what looked like “original Florida” and development - marinas, private communities etc.  He does see one manatee.  He sees big fish.  One he says is 30” although he “didn’t get his name or model number”.  He paddles as far up river as is possible given how narrow it becomes and then a ways down river but not all the way to Estero Bay.  He is out a little over 2 hours.

 

Hooray, today I forget NOTHING!

I am at the beach WITH the camera for 7 hours. LOL.   I stay to watch the sun set.

DelNor, just like the other day when I was here,  has a beautiful SOFT white sand beach.  Very walkable without shoes.  :-)

 

My spot is right between these next two pictures.

 

 

 

 

Great clouds today!

 

 

The bird watching wasn’t as good as at Lover’s Beach, but the people watching was great.

 

Especially the posing.  Tell me how is he seeing her in his cell phone?  There’s just as much sun here today.  Maybe that’s why they take SO many pictures.  It really was a riot watching her pose.  This went on and on in various locations around their beach chairs for about 20 minutes.

 

 

 

For me, this is as good as it gets.

Here’s my spot in the later afternoon when the winds picked up and I closed the umbrella.

 

 

 

The waves picked up and the gulf began to look more like the Atlantic.

Fun playing in the waves. Fun taking pictures of the waves.

 

 

 

 

By about 4:00, only we diehards are left waiting for the sundown which isn’t until 7:55 pm tonight.  I’m the furthest one down the beach.  There is no one beyond me just the open sand.

 

 

This is the beach look I like!

 

 

The sun is right on time and doesn’t disappoint.

 

 

 

 

The end of another wonderful day.

 

 

Saturday is it, my last day at the beach.  Well until next time that is.

We again go to DelNor-Wiggins State Park.  Today they are having some sort of festival so the entrance fee is $7 rather than $6 for two people.  By the time we walk down the beach to check out the festival, they have packed it up because of the dark clouds in the sky.  It never does rain here but unfortunately I can’t report on what was at the festival everyone was supporting with their extra entrance fee dollar.

 

Today seems to be couples day at the beach.  

It’s interesting what you can speculate about a relationship from the way people walk down the beach together.

 

 

 

 

 

I’ll admit, the sky does look sketchy at times.

 

But it never rains at DelNor Wiggins although it is clearly raining across the water somewhere.  See it coming down from the clouds to the water in narrow sheets?

 

It was enough to scare of the festival folks with their booths but not enough to scare off we serious beach lovers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This fellow was today’s joy!

He paraded up and down in front of our beach chairs, preened himself thoroughly and in general just put on a long long show for us.  Captivating to watch.

Another great day at the beach.   Never too many for me.  

We’re headed back to Treatmentville tomorrow.   Other than back pain, the patient is currently feeling pretty good all things considered.

No more yellow school bus

Thursday  April 12, 2012
Koreshan State Historic Site

 

Where did you stay?

I’ve been asking myself that question when I see all the comments on the Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge Post.  Lots of folks have been there and I’m wondering, for next time of course, where is a closer place to stay than at Koreshan?  I’d like to visit the refuge multiple days and shorten the drive if possible.   SO here’s a request for information.   If you have visited Ding Darling, where were you camped at the time.  No need for hotel recommends since that isn’t happening.  :-

 

What an eye catcher!

 

I see it the minute we drive into the campground.  She is parked two sites down from Winnona so I go down to get some pictures and see if the owners are on board.   I do think about the fact that they must get a lot of curiosity seekers and don’t want to bother them.  But then I thought, gee maybe that’s one of the reasons they have the bus, so they can meet the sorts of people it would attract.  Including me.  So I go on up and knock on the door. But they are gone.   I take some pictures anyway.  I’ll come back.

 

I do get to meet the creative team.

Next morning just as I am finishing my run and going by the bus, Kim comes out and I say,  “Really love your rig”.  She tells me to come back at the end of my run and she’ll give me a tour.  Since I am at the end I quickly take her up on her offer and go down to Winnona to get David.

 

Two nicer folks you will never meet than Kim Marcus and Gordon Hoover.  And do they ever have some great stories to tell.  Including that she is from Arizona and he from Florida and they met at a Subaru dealer in Colorado and had a whirlwind courtship both long distance and close distanced including moving Gordon’s boat from Annapolis to Florida and having several breakdowns.   They figured if they could weather that, they were destined for each other.

 

Their latest adventure is the Gypsy Wife. 

Back plate Florida, front plate (unofficial) Arizona of course.  

 

 

 

They have done all the work themselves to convert this old school bus including the painting – Kim – and the awnings – Gordon- and together all the interior modifications.  The took out all the school bus seats, added a pair of more comfortable seats (almost out of the picture in the front left) with seatbelts for passengers and all the comforts of home including skylights, water, electric and AC.  Having had so much boating experience made Gordon full of ideas for using the space in the bus to its full advantage.

 

The Gypsy wife has a Diesel cat engine, Allison transmission and freightliner chassis.  Between every window there is a steel roll bar that goes up between the windows and across the roof.   This is one sturdy and powerful rig.

 

 

Isn’t she a beauty?? 

 

I just love the paint job which Kim says isn’t quite finished.  She wants to get rid of all the school bus yellow.  There is going to be a 3rd color, a teal I believe.

 

 

Their latest projects have been the awnings and in particular the one on the driver’s side which they’ve been working on during their two weeks at Koreshan.  Ever on the look out for things his Gypsy Wife can use, Gordon got an awning frame from a man who had an old RV out in a pasture with a tree growing through it (David heard this story so I’m getting it second hand).  Gordon installed the frame and then his daughter, who happens to work for the TV News program Face the Nation, mentioned that the program was getting new back drops and she could have  the old ones.  She offered one to Gordon.   Kim & Gordon thought homeland security might not like them traveling with the White House so they chose the capitol building and had it trimmed and stitched to size while they were here.  They got the fabric back and Gordon installed it the day before we both left to go on our separate ways.  I was out running when Gordon came down to get David to show him the result.  AMAZING!!  

 

How difficult can it be to photograph an awning?

 

When I go back later to see it and wish them Happy Trails they are out.   So I try, from every angle possible, to get a picture of this cool awning.  It is hilarious.  I stand on the picnic table in the site next to them.

 

Well you can see the awning but not the fabric.  Doesn’t even look like it would have helped if I were taller.

 

 

 

 

 

So I go over to their site and try standing on their picnic table.  Still not right.

 

 

 

I try raising the camera up over my head and pointing down while standing on their picnic table.

 

  This results in some good shots of their ladder on the ground and terrific shots of the awning arms.   And these best of the too many close but no cigar shots.

 

View Full Album

 

Really too bad they are gone.  They miss great laughs over my efforts and I’m sure either one of them could have gotten me a picture better than this one which was my star.  BUT you can for sure see the capitol building even if it is from the underneath side.  :-)

 

So if you see this bus on your travels be sure to go by and see the awning first hand and say Hi to Kim and Gordon.   Tell them Sherry & David sent you!

 

 

Happy Trails to the Gypsy Wife and her creators!! 
We’ll be keeping in touch so we can meet you again down the road.