Apricity South - Bradenton, Florida

November 3, 2020

Decided to have a family make your own fajita meal before going on the road to Florida. Ten people will soon be the maximum people to gather, so this could be considered our Thanksgiving! I haven't been away from the kiddos for this long ever before. Not sure if basketball will be allowed this year, so a lot of firsts in 2020!

November 5 to ??, 2020

 Though we are not camping, this is still part of our journey. We decided to take my car to save time, gas, and storage expense. When I realized my condo was not being rented for 3 weeks, it made sense to go to Bradenton, Florida to move my Suburban for paving of the parking lot and not have to bother my loyal Florida friends. A-a-a-and spend a couple of weeks or more in warm weather (thus the name Apricity) with Rich. 

 

This was my first time driving down (Rich doesn't want to fly anymore), so it is all new to me. He hasn’t driven down in 8 years and 35 years before that. He was quite amazed at how much the roads have changed in that time!! But we managed just fine with a stop at the half way point - Smithfield, NC. Day one was fine except for the countless trucks, construction and cement barriers on both sides of the road - Route 78!!! Sooooo glad we did not have the RV to maneuver through that suicide alley. 

Arrived by 3:30pm on day 2 and had a couple of stiff cocktails to begin the relaxation mode. Ah!

 

November 7, Saturday

Laid low today except for a quick tour of the immediate area - Walmart for a few items, Walgreens for a drive through Covid test, Mixons Fruit Farm for a twisted orange cream cycle cone and a few chocolate treats to keep on hand. Interesting that Florida has no travel restrictions for the state, but our condo association has a 14 day quarantine before out-of-staters can use the facilities, pool, etc. It is super simple to get a free covid test here, so we opted to do that as we will have results in 2 to 5 days. We will do the same when we return to Massachusetts. 

 

💔💗💔💗

This was a solemn day as it was the 11 month anniversary of Tres's (Rich’s wife) death and would have been my 50th anniversary married to Bob. We talk about both of them lovingly, frequently sharing stories about our former lives. The fact is that we found each other when we needed each other and are so grateful for that. 

Mom had to put her cat Sammy down today (diabetes) - she wouldn't let him suffer. Thank God she is so strong!

 

The best part of the day was when Biden and Harris became President and Vice President elect and Trump was ousted…Yay!! 👍

 

November 8, Sunday

Moved the car over to the Rec Center for the parking lot paving project occurring on Monday. Then went for a ride over to Anna Maria Island and on down Gulf Drive through Longboat Key, St. Armand’s Circle, and landing for lunch at Marina Jacks. Less than 50% of the people we saw wore masks and they didn’t care if they were far enough away either. We would step away to do window shopping to avoid them. 

 

Settled in for the evening with martinis and watched Hurricane Eta blow by. 

November 9, Monday 

Taking care of business in the condo today since the paving will be happening. The biggest problem is getting the Firestick to work for streaming television. I discontinued Spectrum TV and upgraded the internet last year.

November 10, Tuesday

Took a ride to Venice this morning to beat the stormy weather due in the afternoon. The sun was bright and it was in the 80’s. We strolled around the historic district in and out of shops and galleries. 

Drove down to the jetty to check out the hot dog shack and it appears that the owner has spent her pandemic downtime upgrading the joint and made a walk up window rather than enter inside. The paint job is nice too. 

Decided to go to the Crow’s Nest for lunch - haven’t been there since Ed rented a boat to take Terry, Tom, Colleen, me and Dee down the intracoastal to have lunch!! So much fun…

We went home via Casey Key - didn't get good pictures.

Got our call from Walgreens that we both tested negative so now we can use the pools and hot tub. 

Came back to condo and saw little miss Ally the Alligator swim across the pond - our second siting. 

Lily the kitty doesn’t have much interest in the lanai - she prefers curling up on the chair inside. 

November 11, Wednesday

Emergency weather alerts today - Hurricane Eta and tornados in the area. Laying low today with high winds and rain all day long! Ready to head for the bath tub if necessary...

 

Whitehall, NY

October 19 to 20, 2020

Really hard to capture the glorious colors in southern Vermont! It was like riding through a corridor of color. This was just before rain and darkness fell. Probably a completely different picture tomorrow...

Raymond, Maine

October 14 - 19, 2020

Time to close the camp and the weather was iffy. Wednesday was seasonably warm so we did outside jobs - hammocks, outdoor bathroom, clothes line, hose, etc. Thankfully, Randy and crew put the heavy benches and boats away when they were up last. 

Rainy Thursday afternoon and Friday for indoor tasks, eating, visiting, and drinking cocktails with Cindy and Jimmy. 

Jumbo lobsters weren't easy to get into so we had to bring out the hammer! Delicious and worth the effort. 

Sunday's ride home was sunny and mild so we drove down the coast through Saco (Ken's Place), Kennebunkport and Wells. A lot of people milling about with masks on. Nice weekend! Couldn't capture the gorgeous reds, oranges, and yellows of the foliage!

Interlake RV Park, Rhinebeck, NY

October 8 to 12, 2020

All set up, dinner devoured, relaxing with a hot fire and cold cocktail.  

 

 

 

Our fellow campers really know how to party! This being one of the last weekends to camp, the ghouls are out in full force and the early Halloween treats abound. The campground was set up with a Pumpkin Patch scavenger hunt, trick or treat parade, a hayride, and all of the decorations. 

 

A short walk reveals a stone stairway to a fountain embedded in the side of a hill. It is a true work of art! The fishing pond is lovely - catch and release.

 

Cinnamon French toast and thick sliced bacon swimming in a pool of Maple syrup is the wake up call today. NOT Keto friendly, but soooooo delicious. 

 

 

Meet Lily. All traveling companions accounted for and we are off to the next adventure...  

 

PS - The Doberts came on Saturday to join us again. They are progressing nicely with their new travel trailer. Their son, Doug, came as well. We shared travel stories, campfire cocktails and appetizers in our brief time together. Should have taken a picture! Next time...

Dorsett, VT

September 17 to 20, 2020

A quiet little campground down the street from Manchester, VT. 

Chickens and rabbits to entertain us.

Community Saturday night bonfire!

Happy camper!

Judy and Gary Dobert, friends of Rich's sister, took their maiden voyage with us. They just got a travel trailer and were looking for Rich's guidance their first time out. It was a great time with good food and conversation. We took a ride to see Manchester and check out another campground - Camp on the Battenkill River in Arlington.

Cape Ann, Gloucester, MA

September 11 to 13, 2020

Remotely attending church at 1st Congregational Church in Lee, MA. Perfect setting...

Evening fire pit to take off the chill...

Berkshire Bike And Board (son-in-law, Dave) loaned us these eBikes so we could get around easier! They sure came in handy to go to the Wingaersheek Beach a few miles down the road. We were set up on a fairly steep hill, but it was easy peasy climbing with the pedal assist!

The beach was nice to walk with occasional stops on the rocks to sit and bask in the sun! The seagulls were feasting on someone's unattended lunch.

Shanties, shops, and galleries abound in Rockport

Lobster rolls were savored on a deck looking out over rocks that were in full view with the tide out. 

Trying to stay true to Keto as much as possible. The new Coleman stove was put to good use. 

This fish house caught our eye and Rich did a pen and ink drawing of it. So did many others - it was represented in all of the art galleries. 

Couldn't resist our first ice cream treat! We also stopped in at a candy store and bought various flavors of Salt Water Taffy for the grandkids. They really didn't end up with much - too tempting.  

First time to visit this area for both of us... A great time was had by all!!