Dolphins, Woodpeckers, Manatees and Other Wild Things

Since our last report we've made the most astounding discovery. There's a lot more to Florida than Fort Wilderness Camp ground at Disney.

We took a boat ride on the intercoastal waterway with Rob and Val. Someone had to be the lookout and watch for Dolphins which are known to ram and sink boats.

Captain Rob assembled the crew for a group hug when we set off.
Here are a flock of hostile Dolphins off our Port (maybe Starboard/never could get the lingo). Thanks to my sharp eyes Captain Rob was able to avoid them.

After an exhausting boat ride avoiding Dolphins we picked up Rob's mother Pam and she took us (by boat) to the American Legion Hall (in this case the hall is on the bay) where they had a live band playing Jimmy Buffit music and selling beer for 2 dollars a pitcher.

Then we were off to the McGormans (talk about wild life) where Mike beat me twice at golf. The second 18 holes I only lost by one stroke. I of course had a hole in one. I got so excited I almost dropped my wee (wii) remote.

Then we were off to Manatee Springs. A really really big spring (1.5 million gallons a day) where Manatees hang out. Maybe that explains the name.

Woodpeckers can really be annoying. This one was making a racket next to our trailer. No wonder they're on the endanger species list. I was tempted to chuck a rock at it myself.

At Manitee Springs we learned that Manitees are to be found in the wild. Until then I thought they only lived in Disney World. Unlike the one's in Disney the wild ones just sort of lay around in the mud all day. The grey spots behind Cindy are a herd of the critters.

On our way to Panama Beach we stopped in Apalachicola for oysters. (The town and surrounding area provides 80% of the raw oysters American's eat everyday.) We had no idea until we stopped for gas.

This is Cindy studying her new bird book in back of our camp site. Yup, we're camped on a beach. Life is indeed a beach!

Next week we're heading to Mardi Gras and I'll have more wild animal reports. Missing all our friends and family. Love Bo and Cindy

BADGERS TRIP TO FLORIDA

As most of you know I sent mom and dad off on a cruise. We had a long talk about a baby sister (or brother if they must) so I decided it was best they go off alone for a while.

I suggested that I stay with Grandmother and Grandfather Mulder at the Villages.

This is their back yard.

I helped Grandfather Don with some computer problems he had.

Grandmother needed help with the chocolate chip cookies. Funny how grandparents never say 'no' to another cookie.

I showed Grandmother Mulder and Nana how to color.

Later Nana and Grandpa Bo took me out dancing .

The rock band was a little dated. (The youngest guy was in his 70's) But they did ok. I did notice a bunch of old guys circling the square in their tricked out golf carts hooting at the girls who stood in groups giggling. There was a lot of talk about "drugs", colestoral/heart/arthritis etc. but I think it was mainly talk. Someone really should have been there to chaperone though.

Grandpa Bo and I danced a bit but we kept knocking people over in their walkers and when the wheelchair folks tried to start a mosh pit I decided we better get off the floor. Besides, I think Grandpa Bo was winded.

The next day we went to lunch. I had a hard time keeping those four in line. You'd think nobody else in the world had a granddaughter. Geeze!

Finally I took Grandpa Bo's Beer away from him.

I've decided that babysitting grandparents is exhausting work. I hope mom and dad get back soon. Thats all for now- will report on the brother/sister thing later.... Badger (aka Adeline)

Woman Shoots Retired Husband At Village's "He Upset Me"

The title of this update (a recent headline in the Flordia Papers) has nothing to do with Bo and Cindy (so far).

We had a great time at Disney and were pleased that the McGormans could join us. With Mike along we got the insiders perspective. We also learned that Kelly knows every person in Central Florida who works with horses. Including Joe who gives hay rides at Disney. A little weird because there's no hay and they use a horse (Belgian not American) to pull the wagon instead of a John Deere tractor.

We were serenaded by the 'Hat Lady' at the Rose and Crown. We though were doing pretty good with 37 years of marriage but 'Hat Lady's' parents were sitting with us and they had 64 years. 'Hat Lady's' mom and Cindy got a little toasted and began exchanging ideas on marriage.

We were surprised to find that Florida has other places to stay besides Disney. More economical too. As we write this we are presently in Little Manatee River State park. $24. a night, but no 'Hat Lady'. But judging from the jolly way our camp hosts greeted us (Jerry and Caroline) I don't think it will be that different.

Anniversary #37

Happy Anniversary to us! Our 37th, hard to believe! We started the day in Hollywood studios, formerly MGM studios. It looks mainly the same, but colder than last time we were here. We walked from Hollywood studios to Epcot via a long canal and the Boardwalk, about 2 1/2 miles and our first stop was, of course, the Rose and Crown, Bo's favorite pub west of London.

We met a couple there who are originally from the thumb area of Michigan, who left for Florida when they retired 10 years ago and never looked back. They were also camping in Fort Wilderness, why, I am not sure.

We are inside the Japanese Restaurant, awaiting our wonderful dinner. So where's the saki?

So this is our personal chef, grilling steak, shrimp, mushrooms, zucchini and onions. Here he is making a Micky Mouse volcano with zucchini and onions... I guess you have to be there! Great dinner, costing more money than a year's worth of tortillas in a Yucatecan village.

Having slept through the New Year's Eve fireworks, we managed to stay up for the Epcot Fireworks, cold notwithstanding. Life is good.