Sanibel, Florida (86 degrees, blue skies, puffy clouds)
I experienced some “technical difficulties” this winter which
limited my ability to blog.
Unfortunately, I suddenly needed to have a partial knee replacement due
to an injury. It all started in the middle of Mohave Desert and after a few
attempts at finding medical care we decided to head back to Florida to an Orthopedic
doctor John had seen before. I had surgery on December 1st and it
went well. However, it’s not a surgery
for sissies and sitting with your knee bent at a computer desk is out of the
question for quite awhile.
We did return to J. N. Ding Darling NWR refuge and spent the
winter season volunteering. I wasn't able to volunteer initially but once my physical therapy was
completed returned to working in the administrative office and John worked in the maintenance department. I also gave an Alligator/Crocodile interpretive
program every Wednesday.
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| Special guest at one of my programs |
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| John using the mower out on the refuge |
Once again it’s been really great to be here and the support
of the other resident volunteers and some Sanibel friends during my recovery
was phenomenal. We are both so
appreciative for the support and oftentimes delicious meals I’m also nominating John for
sainthood. He took such good care of me
especially through the rough patches.
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| Caloosa Bird Club on the Green Cay Trip |
It’s great to be back birding occasionally with the Caloosa Bird Club and enjoying the beach
again. Absence certainly made our hearts
grow fonder. We've even been able to
take the kayaks out a couple of times with friends.
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| Hunting for fossils on the Peace River Paddle Trip |
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| Jen enjoying the paddle trip in her new kayak |
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| Bowman's Beach paddle trip |
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| Patsy and Bob on the Tarpon Bay paddle trip |
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| Alison and Arin |
We always enjoy visits from our family and friends. John's sister, Martha, was able to visit for a few weeks and my niece and her girl friend visited over spring break. Some RV Dreamer friends that we met in Wyoming also visited for a few days too. It has been especially wonderful having Jen (John's daughter) close by. She moved to St. Petersburg just as we were heading out to Wyoming last spring.
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| Me, Jimmy, Martha, Jen, Louie, and John |
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| Karen and Al and their beautiful dogs |
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| John, Martha, and Jimmy |
Some of our fine feathered friends!
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| Great Horned Owlets |
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| Limpkin |
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| Tri-color having a bad hair day |
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| Great Egret |
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| Beautiful White Pelicans on the Wildlife Drive |
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| Osprey looking fierce |
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| White Ibis is full breeding plumage |
John turned 60 years old in November. I had planned a surprise celebration get away with Jen to Key West. However, it had to be postponed until February due to my surgery. It was a great time and we stayed in a beautiful inn near the downtown. A high speed ferry transported us from Ft. Myers to Key West and back. What fun!
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| Ferry |
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| A mother and her new arrival |
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| Jen on ferry ride |
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| Sunset Mallory Square |
In addition, we celebrated in November our fourth year as
full timers. From late April until
September we spent an awesome season in the Tetons and Yellowstone working for
Grand Teton Association. Here is a map of our travels. In total we traveled 6,634 in the motorhome and countless miles in the Jeep exploring the area. We stayed in only 26 campgrounds this year due to extended stays in Grand Teton National Park and J.N. Ding Darling NWR.
This summer we are planning an exciting trip to Nova Scotia,
Newfoundland, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island Canada which will last almost five months. Six other couples are joining us plus some non RVing family and friends for at least some of the time. It’s taken a lot of planning but everyone is very excited. Be sure to check back. Icebergs, birding,
kayaking, and hiking are just some of the fun activities planned…and of course
lots of fresh seafood. Yum!
We have one week left at the refuge and then we will be on the road again. Check back soon. I promise to post more frequently. Happy Trails!
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| Rosetta Spoonbills |
It's really nice to read your blog again and I look forward to follow you through the summer - it will be fun to see my country and the places that I've never seen.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a swift and full recovery from your knee operation.
ReplyDeleteExcellent bird shots.
Keep it going as long as you are enjoying it.
I wondered where you were. We made an impromptu visit to the refuge and hoped to see you but thought perhaps you hadn't come back. Should have asked after you. What happened to your knee so suddenly. Sounds very difficult. So glad you were in such a nice place to recover. Boy would I give anything to be going on that summer trip with you. 5 months, how wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry we missed your visit. It would have been great to meet in person at last. We will be back next winter if you are in the area. Stop by and we'll give you a tour of our "backyard".
DeleteWe're going to be up there too this summer. Hopefully our paths will cross. However, I did not see you mention Newfoundland. We will be spending around 6 weeks in Newfoundland, right in the middle of the trip.
ReplyDeleteWe are going to Newfoundland almost immediately for two months. We are so looking forward to seeing the icebergs and attending the festival. Safe travels. I hope our paths cross as well. It would be great to see you both.
DeleteOh Carol! what a winter for you. Not a sissy for sure. In the photos you now look OK, and if you can get in the kayak, the knee must be working. How would you rate the success of the surgery now that the hardest part is over? Mo and I will be following your Maritime Provinces trip very closely. We hope to do that one in the next couple of years so it is great to have a scout! Yippee!! Leaving almost immediately you say? It will be wonderful to have your stories of this trip.
ReplyDeleteExcept for stairs I'm doing great.I have been told it takes about a year to be complexity pain free.
DeleteNo volunteering through the summer this year then?
ReplyDeleteNo we are not working or volunteering this summer...Yay! We are free as a bird.
Deletenever known anyone who had knee replacement who wasn't so glad they did it. . .once the recovery was done. . .hope your recovery is going fabulously, and you are good as new in no time. . .
ReplyDeleteGlad things are better. Loved the Key West pictures:)
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your knee surgery but glad you are doing much better now!! Sounds like you have some exciting times planned ahead....will enjoy following along!!
ReplyDelete