How Found a place to move

How Found a place to move. Yesterday morning it was sunny and warm, but a storm was forecasted to arrive in the late afternoon/early evening.  Oddly enough, the weather guessers were right for a change.  At 2:00, all the volunteers and several staff members loaded up into the big van and headed for Waycross, GA.  

That’s where the north entrance to the Okefenokee NWR is.  That entrance is run by a private concessionaire, and we were visiting to experience their holiday lighting.  Tonight’s photos are from that visit.

To begin with, we all started down the swamp boardwalk on the way to the elevated observation tower.  The folks in the entrance store said it was a quarter mile walk to the tower.  I figured if I took my time, I could do it, and I sure wanted to see the views from up in the air of the swamp.

Well I’m here to tell you that it is more than a quarter mile walk down a boardwalk.  See those stairs at the end of the bridge over the water?  I think just getting there was a quarter mile, and the tower was nowhere in sight.  My hip was already killing me; I looked at those stairs and thought of all the stairs going up and down the tower.  Yep, I had to pack it in and quit.  I’ll have to wait until spring to enjoy that trail!

I gingerly made my way back, but stopped often to enjoy the reflections in the watery swamp as the storm clouds and haziness rolled in.  This may just be the headwaters of the Suwannee River that weaves its way down into Florida.

I finally plunked myself down at a picnic table near the food concession stand.  As I rested, I looked skyward and a whole bunch of vultures began to circle.  I shook my fist and told them I wasn’t dead yet!    They all began to descend, but in reality I believe they were just looking for good roosting spots to use to weather the incoming storm.  Those trees in the bottom of the pic already harbored around a dozen black and turkey vultures at 4:30 in the afternoon.

We all had tickets for a ride on the Miss Suwannee train to view the Christmas Light Display in the swamp at 6:00 pm.  As a light rain began, the train boarding whistle blew early hastening us to head out a.s.a.p. in hopes of avoiding the worst of the storm. (No refunds on tickets for bad weather.)  I had just finished a burger at the concession stand, but the workers had thankfully saved a seat up front for me in the first car so I wouldn’t have to walk so far. 

We started out in the dark just as the skies really opened up.  It was a delightful half hour ride through the dark swamp.  I was very impressed with the amount of lighted displays along the way.  There were

Christmas carols playing as we rode, and I sat back on the bench to just enjoy the experience.  Until…the train hit a curve that tilted us a bit, and all the rain water rushed down a groove at the back of the seat and quickly made me sit up and take attention as the cold water soaked into my backside!   Those clammy wet jeans never did dry out until this morning.

I worked the VC this morning, and roved in the afternoon.  It only got into the low 50’s today with very brisk cold winds.  Not many visitors today, and I can’t blame them for not coming.  During the afternoon, I took a little time to once again talk to the folks at Okefenokee Pastimes.  This is a campground/cabin/guide service establishment that is located right at the east entrance to Okefenokee NWR.  It’s only about five miles from where I’m now parked. 

I had spoken to them about staying there for my recovery last month just after my doctor appointment at Mayo.  At that time, they told me they only allowed people to stay a maximum of one week in their campground.  As things have worked out over time, they are making an exception for me, and I will be moving over there shortly before my surgery date.  I am very relieved.  While they seem to have lots of rules for their campers, the place is exceptionally clean, safe, and very well run.  There’s even a handicapped shower stool/seat in the immaculately clean shower room.  The price is $25/night or $150/week.  I can live with that. 

My other choices in the area that I investigated may be cheaper, but I would not be as comfortable at those  locations.  One was  RV sites located between two railroad tracks!  Sam may have loved that deal, but not me, for sure!  70 trains a day go though Folkston.  Well, I have rambled on enough tonight.  Guess I’d better quit.

Preparing for Nurse

Preparing for Nurse. You know, I’ve been living on the road solo for about six and a half years, and I have to admit that I’ve just about filled the closet and drawers with my clothes.  Couples that travel together have to share a closet and three drawers, but not me.  In a couple of weeks, Nurse Ratchet, aka my brother Kurt, will be arriving to help me through the surgery recovery process.  The other day I got to thinking that he’ll probably be bringing more than the clothes on his back with him since he’ll be here several weeks. 

Hmm… what’s a girl to do?  You have to remember that I have clothes for all seasons, and a drawer full of just volunteer uniform items.  Doing laundry is a pain in the neck for me, so I’m comfortable with a two week supply of all needed clothing items.  (Well, maybe a little more than that)  I had a brain storm the other day, and this was my solution:

When I first hit the road in a smaller rig, I had the passenger’s seat removed and put in two of these plastic drawer stacks to afford me more storage space.  I didn’t need them in my present rig, but they gave me the idea.  It’s hard to live out of a suitcase for an extended period, and these drawers fit nicely behind the turned around passenger’s seat.  I think this will work out just fine.

In other news around here, a commenter a while back suggested I offer to sign a liability release with the refuge so I wouldn’t have to move off refuge for my surgery.  Well, that offer was turned down as well, so I’ll be packing up soon and moving down the road.  It had come to my attention that others had been allowed to stay while having surgery, but they were all couples where the husband could continue to volunteer while the wife recuperated.  I guess I’ll just chalk that up to another disadvantage to traveling solo. 

While I was out shopping for the drawers yesterday, I decided to break down and buy a new set of pajamas for my hospital stay and recovery.  I haven’t bought new PJs since before I went on the road, so what I have is pretty ragged.  Won’t I be stylish?

Good news today, was that I finally got my first customer at the Hard Rock Bird Café.  A little American goldfinch came in for a bite to eat.  I hope he returns with some friends.  Wouldn’t you know, now that I have to leave, a bird comes.  I’m thinking I may leave the feeders up and just ask Barry and Barb to keep them filled with my supply of seeds until I return.

I thought I’d include my view out my dining booth window tonight.  That view could change soon.  There is another volunteer couple coming in at the end of the month.  They have two sites to choose from, and I’m hoping they choose the site across from me.  We’ll see.

Exciting around here

Exciting around here. Since I last posted, there hasn’t been much that’s been exciting around here.  I roved on Sunday morning, and worked the VC in the afternoon.  We had a whopping six visitors for the day, sold nothing in the nature store, and closed up in record time.  I was able to get a few pictures during my roving time, so that’s what you’ll see tonight.

It was cold enough in the morning that this pied-billed grebe didn’t have to worry about any alligators snacking on it in Alligator Pond.

Yesterday morning, I attended a two hour refuge staff meeting that included welcoming a new staff member, Cindy, who will have her office in the VC.  Guess I’ll be seeing her often and getting to know her.  She likes birds, so I think we’ll get along just fine.

Found my three sandhill crane friends again in the field around the secret pond.  My guess is this is a family of cheese heads (from Wisconsin).  Looks like the adults are on the outside of the pic with the youngster in the middle.  The top of its head doesn’t seem as red as the adults.

A couple of other bloggers have talked about the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC) that has been going on across the Americas since 1900.  With a surgery date of Jan. 8, I will be able to participate in the refuge CBC on Dec. 29.  During yesterday’s meeting, I talked with staff member Art, and will be traveling with him in a boat that day to count the birds out in the swamp.  I’m excited about that!  Any time I can get out on the waters of the Okefenokee swamp I’m a happy camper.

The cranes were a little skittish on Sunday, and soon silently took flight.  Cranes are usually pretty vocal, but they were quiet as mice this time.  I try to stay far enough away that I don’t disturb them.

A good share of today was taken up with a trip to Kingsland, GA, to take care of errands.  I’ll probably talk about some of my purchases tomorrow night.  Spending a little time at the Publix grocery store was amongst my stops.  I succumbed to their individual packaging and bought a slice of cheese cake.  I so appreciate being able to buy just one slice as apposed to a whole cake.  That one slice will last me three days.  Once again I ended up with more in my cart than was on my shopping list.  Some day I’ll learn not to go grocery shopping when I’m hungry.

Adios, my friends.  See you next time!

I actually got a promised call from Mayo in Waycross this afternoon.  My pre-op appointment to be checked out to be okay for surgery and meet with the anesthesiologist has been scheduled for Dec. 31.  If all goes well, I’ll have something to celebrate on New Year’s Eve!

                                                                            

A Trip to God’s Own Country

A Trip to God’s Own Country.  Welcome to Kerala, God’s own country with tranquil beaches, serene backwaters and enjoy the best climate. With friendly people around, you would never find yourself alone wherever you go. Do not miss the colorful festivals of Kerala like Kathakali, Kalaripayattu, Koodiyattom, Thullal which is an added attraction for the tourists. Also feel the gentle touch of nature. You can also visit ayurvedic treatment centers as well.

You can taste the food of Kerala which is really very tasty. You would get fresh fruits. There are lots of pilgrimages where you need to pass through the thick forests to Sabarimla or Agastyarkoodom. In terms of technology Kerala is much ahead and it is ranked best in soicio-political index. You can find astrology, palmistry, vastu, gemology and lots more. So enjoy the fantastic weather along with the tasty foods of Kerala. You would never forget your memorable days spent in the “God’s own country.” For more travel information you can visit here.

Travel to educate self

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The right travel tips will help a person to educate his or her own self as it will bring him or her to terms with the various ground realities of his or her life. With the right travel guide a journey can help to broaden the outlook of a person and will easily clarify the various differences between rural, suburban and urban lifestyles. This educates a person in the ways of the world.

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