A Drop In Visitor

Thursday and Friday - 2/27-28

Thursday
The day began with an unexpected drop-in visitor. A hot air ballon made an unexpected landing in Lake Louisa State Park!

One part of the Geezer journey is over, another begins. Al left today after a great two weeks paddling; birding and just acting Geezer-like (See the post on what defines a Geezer). Kathy arrived within an hour and a half of dropping Al at the airport – I didn’t even have time to get lonely!

Geezerette and I took a walk around one of the lakes at the campsite and then cleaned up for a great dinner at Devenneys Irish Pub where we had some wonderful beef & Guinness Pie, Potato and Leek soup, and Bangers and Mash. To top it off there was some very nice live Irish music by a husband & wife duo called “Shamrocks in the Wind”. Brought a tear to the old Geezer’s eye.

Today, (Friday) after a walk around the lake and a nice breakfast and some reading, we broke camp and moved to a KOA about 30 minutes away! Aside from the very expensive price tag ($60/night) it seems to be a nice place, heated pool, game room and actual trees! It has wireless internet throughout the campsite (I’m at the picnic table right now) and LOTS OF HUGE motorhomes – makes my 11 year old pop-up trailer look like a begger at the queens ball. Kinda like it that way, but that's the geezer in me.

Mike's Favorite Road

Al Turns Into Pumpkin Tomorrow

Geezers Composing Blog Updates

Geezers reluctantly packed up the trailer and departed Highlands Hammock, heading to the Orlando area. It's nearly the end for Geezer Al – flying back home tomorrow, back to the cold weather, but also the warm company of his wife, Char.

Paddling friend Pete Devitt sent a note to Al yesterday, and we hope he does not mind our sharing:

Hey Alan,

I've been following your blog.
I'm jealous.
There was freezing rain Sunday.
It was cold again today.
I saw a Robin today.
Dead and frozen.
You are paddling on salt water.
I'm paddling on chlorinated water.

Pete

Some thoughts...

Well, this have been a heck of a couple of weeks - 3,000 miles, lots of birds, many campgrounds, dive restaurants and a beer or two. The geezer co-pilot is leaving tomorrow - headed back north to the "Real World" My Geezerette is coming down for a while and I'm really looking forward to it, but I'll miss Al. A true friend for well over 30 years, companion on many adventures and mis-adventures, great kayaker, naturalist, and, as I said - friend.

You know how to tell the difference between a friend and a good friend? A friend will bail you out of jail. A true friend will be sitting in the cell besides you, saying "Man, that was fun!"

Yep - it was fun!

Watch for further updates as we continue through Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana then north.

Geezers Go to Duffer's

It was a laid-back day for the Geezers – actually, that's become the theme of the trip. After a leisurely morning, we got going around noon, walking some of the trails in the park. Walked a ½ mile trail; had lunch at the park restaurant/store; walked another 1 mile trail (complete with wild orange trees and a 1000 year-old live oak tree); returned to park store for wild orange ice cream and wild orange cake.

The evening meal was pizza at Duffer's Sports Bar – the Geezers like Duffer's! So far the only thing we've found wrong with Florida is the lack of good ales. The Geezers are concerned that we are developing a taste for Amber Bock by Michelob (ugh).

Posting From the Land of Small Chairs

The Geezers have been swiping Internet access while parked behind motels and next to coffee shops, but sometimes we go right into a public library and sit in comfort while posting the news. This evening, we are in the library in Frostfree, Florida where it's “Tax Night” and the place is mobbed with folks getting their taxes done by volunteers. The nice lady at the desk found a spot for us, though – the childrens room, where we got really well acquainted with our knees!