Happy Summer!!

Happy Summer!!

Wherever Home is Parked?

Wherever Home is Parked?

Monday, January 30, 2012

Today was a search for Wildflowers and Nature and Happy Birthday Hailey!

Ochopee, FL

Wow, it’s hard to believe 8 years ago today we were where it was cold, spitting snow and our first grand child came into this world.  Hailey is one of the most precious gifts God has blessed us with.  Hailey even though Grandma and Papa are not there with you, you were the first thing on our minds and we will be thinking of you all day.  We love and miss you Princess.  Hope you have a great day .. Happy Birthday Princess!
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Wow, this morning the park was one big traffic jam as 13 pulled out.  The row we are on cleared out except for 3 of us.
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I got up and got my daily chores done and then it was time to walk the dogs before we headed out.  I am in search of finding some turtles.  I’ve seen a couple as we drive along the road but we were no where we could pull off the busy road safely to capture a picture.  Hwy 41 is one very busy road and you have to be really careful walking along it.
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I did find these flowers .. these beautiful morning glories.
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the yellow flowers are some type of wild flower but i have no clue what they are .. do you?
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I forget what they call these but there some type of rain bush. I just love the color
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Later in the morning we got a neighbor but the back side of us is still lonely.  Of course it will not be long and it will fill back up.  It’s amazing how campsites open and by noon they are filled back up.
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We have wooded area behind our home and this park is really quiet and good for relaxation. 
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Look what is out!!  YES .. it’s the first love bug i have seen.  Guess you see why they call them love bugs .. snicker
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This morning we took the truck and there are several places to pull off the road on 41 and we decided to brave the traffic as i was a search for a turtle.  I captured this picture of this butterfly who insisted on following us.
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I do not know what these berries are but this bush was covered .. i find them interesting.
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Since the sun was out and it’s another beautiful day .. well if the wind would lay .. it’s very breezy today.  This guy was out basking in the sun
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these birds were enjoying the sun as well
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along our hike we saw several of these fellows out basking
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We picked a great time to hike along the road as you can see traffic wasn’t bad while we did our hiking.  You have to remember to be careful because you have to look for gators laying on the bank and cars coming at you .. interesting hike huh
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more birds and gators
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we hiked our way down to the visitor center again and i was glad to see it as i needed a potty break and a place to rest.  Hubby walked back to get the truck to pick me up.
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while he did that i took the opportunity to get a better picture of the Oasis Visitor Center as it was so busy on Saturday and i really didn’t get a good picture.  Much better pic huh?
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I just couldn’t resist going to the board walk and look this must be the hang out place of the day as the gators were all hanging out together.
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Hubby showed up to get me and so we continued on our journey to find a turtle. 
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No turtle yet but these 2 sure were just visiting up a storm to each other and
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this one was talking back to them.  He/she was hidden and hubby had to climb to get a picture for me .. thanks hubby
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as we were on our hike we heard a funny noise.  I’d never heard it before and behold look what we come upon.  this little guy was growling or whatever they do and then
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this big boy was really showing his authority by flashing his pearly whites
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Then this one must of gave in because he quieted down and went back to resting 
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as we continued on this little guy was looking back and forth and all of sudden the water started making noise and fish were flopping or something
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The bird didn’t get him a fish and the fish continued to flop and finally the bird gave up and left.
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Oh my look what is hiding in this brush .. this fellow was right below our feet ..eeeeh
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There are several places you can walk along a trail here and not only can you walk, kayak, canoe, boat but you can do this …
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YES .. you can ride your ATV.  You are required to get a Florida permit but they are free and from what we’ve been told there are hundreds if not thousand of acres you can ride.  Dang we don’t have our ATV with us.
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We came home and no i never did find my turtle .. hmmmm after spending the  rest of the afternoon in my lounger just resting and enjoying a good book it was time to get dinner going and on the menu tonight was taco salad.  Oh it was yummy.
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After dinner we took the dogs on their evening walk.   Here is our home all nestled in across the lake.  We love this campground and our spot.
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see all of our new neighbors? Early this morning it was empty and when we returned from our hike it was filled in fact there are no vacancy’s for the night.  This is the 2nd time the park has filled up in the 4 days we’ve been here.  Just a tip if you ever want to come here .. get here early as by noon the park is normally filled up.
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Houston we have a problem.  Lucy thought she had made it home and flopped down and would not get up.  So after letting her rest a few minutes she was finally back up and going again .. we spent the evening inside just resting and we called our grand daughter Hailey to wish her a Happy Birthday.