Saturday 12/25/21 CHRISTMAS DAY Columbus, CA at Erick's home

What a wonderful day!!!  Even Moreno was enjoying the cool, sunny day.  He wore his Christmas outfit and everyone was taken by him.  Of course he had to wear his outfit last night for the group photos but today is Christmas so he needed to keep it on.  Eldon complains that Moreno doesn't like all this fuss but what does he know (Eldon).

Almost a White Christmas as at least the grass had frost.  Of course despite Clara's sentence below, she was not up early enough to walk Moreno and get this shot.  

I was up at 8am to 52 degrees and sunny.  It's suppose to be 72-49 degrees today.  No rain.  Eldon and Moreno were still sleeping.  They had a rough night last night:):)  Moreno seems to have recovered better.

There are squirrels across the street. 

I am still struggling with the Blog processing but Eldon has been helping me figure things out.  Crazy.  But at least I'm up to date with the documentation.  Now I have to finish the photos. Here are some.

This was probably the closest Eldon got to the babies.

I got a little closer.

He did have a tough day.

We have had left overs and Eldon is making the turkey broth with the bones and vegetables.  I guess he will also work on the ham bone tomorrow or later once the ham is done.  

One of neighbors decorates his house and neighbors house with very elaborate decorations.  He accepts donations for the Make a Wish Foundation.  We walked over and it was IMPRESSIVE.  Hard (impossible) to describe.  Hope the photos do it justice.  

More photos to come - maybe a video or two as well.

He built this ferris wheel for this year's show.  16 years donating to Make a Wish Foundation.

These overhead cable cars are amazing.

With that, good night and on to the New Year.

 Thursday 12/24/21 Columbus, GA at Erick’s place for the week.

Christmas Eve and I am up at 7:30am to 33 degrees outside.  Very toasty 78 degrees inside the Alto tho.  Today it’s suppose to be 32 to 67 degrees.  As long as it does not rain then all will be well.  Besides, we’ll be with family and friends waiting for Santa to arrive.  

I can’t believe it but it’s now 12:30pm and Eldon has walked Moreno, I fed Moreno and I am trying to get caught up on the OPB.  I think I'm lucky to have  Moreno to keep me company in the Alto.  I better go inside the house to shower and find some orange juice.  Eldon already showered and now it’s my turn.  I sure hope I can find someone in there that is good at Blogging so I can transfer all this info onto the Blog site.  Erick has Wifi so I should be sending out all these so you too can be up to date.

It's a different way for us in celebrating Christmas.  We usually do our main meal on Christmas day.  Erick and Judith are doing it today in a Panamanian style, Christmas eve dinner and waiting for Santa to come at Midnight.  No plan to go to church.  That is alright for Eldon and me:):)

So the day is full of people (adults and kids) and 3 dogs (Moreno, the best behaved, Luna, noisy, "Jordan" little one).  It was something that we have not been used to anymore.  Even on our Summer Party days we have controlled chaos.  Not here.  

I'll include the photos below and mark up the photo with peoples names.  Blood relative wise, it's only Erick and me.  The others are very close friends of Erick and Judith.  Also his boss and wife.  Once Luna went to bed, Moreno ruled.

Merry Christmas!!

Food was plentiful, though no one apparently took a photo.  If someone left hungry, it would have been their own fault.  Of course only one couple left.  The rest of us were staying here!!!

We had a huge turkey and huge baked ham with Judith's brown sugar and "purple" fruit glaze.  Home made potato salad, spinach and strawberry salad, Eldon's cranberry beans, pumpkin soup, stuffing of sort, turkish bread and of course many desserts.  Throughout the day there was munching and drinking (beer, wine, soft drinks and who knows what else).  So far all I have seen is people eating and drinking all day and night.  Wow, I think Eldon and I are the oldest and I know I feel it:):):)  Everyone has been great tho.

I found my spot in the midst of all this, doing dishes and cleaning up at the end.  I escaped into my world where I can control something:):).  It was wonderful.

Once we could no longer eat any more we retreated to the living room where there was a beautifully decorated tree and other festive sights.  LOTS of presents under the tree.  Santa did not miss this place!

We made a few toasts to special people in our lives and we could feel their presence.  We thanked each other for sharing this special occasion and wished for even better times for next year.

When I finally finished my "job" at 2:15AM I finally headed to our Alto to rest.  I found a passed out Eldon and Moreno.  They did not even stir when I opened the door.  Usually they know when I open the door but they were on top of the bed without changing to sleeping gear nor putting warm covers over them.  It was funny!!! We all had a great time.

Merry Christmas!!

 12/23/21 Fort Clinch State Park, FL to Columbus, GA

Crisp Clear day with a 44 degree temperature. People here think it’s shorts and t-shirt weather.  Crazy people.  They are from the South after all.

Moreno's of course.

Great spot at the campsite and we managed to get warm showers too!!!

This tote bag had my “go to shower” stuff.  I liked the bag so I’m sharing.

Now that we are ready to hit the road we go into town for breakfast.  Found this fantastic place (made me think of The Filling Station at home).

This little flying creature found a fun spot on top of my sneaker.  He is brave to be sitting so close to Moreno.

So the flying creature and Moreno did not have an issue and our bellies were full and ready to continue our journey.  The Alto (trailer) is packed and ready to head to Columbus, GA and see the family and friends awaiting our arrival

Since we have to go through the quaint little town of Amelia again we spotted yet another Distillery.  Imagine that!!!  

Moreno and I stayed in the car while Mr. Gath went to “check it out”.  More bottles for the car.  "Just trying to support local businesses."

Once we were finally on the road to Erick’s we text him with our GPS data and alert him of our upcoming arrival.  He and Judith text back their elation.  I know we are VERY happy to finally get to their place and more than anything, to be able to see them and the new babies.  They also have a miniature Showzer (? spelling) which will prove to be a challenge for us and Moreno.  

We finally arrive at 6:30PM.  Beautiful neighborhood and I’m afraid that the neighbors will think twice about Erick’s relatives as they (the neighbors) wake up tomorrow to see a VERY dirty, muddy trailer and SUV in the driveway.   

If you have seen the movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with Chevy Chase and cast you KNOW what I mean.  It’s worth seeing and here the Griswold family stays home for Christmas while their relatives (US) show us and one relative has an old beat up RV.  

I think this is Emma she is feeding.  The king and queen below.  Judith and Erick.

We will be meeting a lot of new friends that I hope to capture for the Blog.  Below is a very special guy!  Armando.  He has known Erick “forever” and been through a lot with him.  Armando is a guy who can do anything and fix anything. Very fun guy and of course from Panama.   Where else do you find Great people?????

 Wed. 12/22/21 Jacksonville, FL to Fort Clinch State Park, FL

And so as we awoke today, in Jacksonville, we realized that half our journey was now done. We are at the farthest east and southernmost distance of the trip. Right on the water next to the Atlantic Ocean.  

Today the sun is out and the day is clear and crisp.  Everyone says that the recent rain is NOT normal for this time of the year but at least today it’s stopped and they will have 75 degrees for Christmas.  Today it is 41 degrees and feels very cold.  

We managed to see Buddy, Jimmy and his wife Donna before leaving their area.  Left about 9am and we are figuring that we should try to get to be early tonight since we need to get on the road early for our 6 hour trip to Erick’s tomorrow.  The distance is not 6 hours worth but the slow traffic getting out of the peninsula here and then stopping a couple times for gas and stretching take up time.

We took advantage of the clear day to visit a couple of nearby historical sites that allowed me to get my book stamped. (See photos below) I have a “Passport to the National Parks” that actually also includes more than just National Parks.  When you go to the sites they have a date stamper that you then put that on the matching site in the book.  Not only do you have a date stamped but also you can buy stamps that are like postage stamps but bigger to affix to the book too.  Anyway, it’s a little fun thing to do since we usually visit those types of places.  I’ll put some photos with captions of where we went today.  

Here we saw tall skinny trees along the road in SC and parts of GA here we see the canopy of moss hanging from the tree branches.  It is so beautiful to see how the light filters through them.  It certainly gives you the full effect of the old plantation days of the South.

This campsite is really nice and comfortable and right along the banks of the Amelia River.  Moreno was able to run along but has to be on the leash.  Bummer.  

Dinner tonight was another magical creation.  Eldon came up with left overs to make fish tacos (of sort) and some fries and ham and chicken.  We will not be starving if he is along.

Here is a collection of photos that can speak better than words.  Some descriptions have been attempted above but it’s impossible to describe life.

Along the road to Fort Clinch State Park we found this wonderful eatery.  What a life.

Keeping an eye for interesting places we spot this Brewery in town.  The word Mocama (mo-comma) historically translates it to be "the ocean, or big water where the sun is born"

Still trying to use a wifi to do the OPB but could not finish.  Maybe all that beer on the table was getting in the way.