BIKE FT MYERS BEACH WITH THE ISSELINS

As we cross the bridge from the land side of Ft. Myers Beach to the beach side, we have a great view of fishing and pleasure boats.

A view from the top of the bridge. We were with the Friday Bike to Breakfast group.

Our friends Charles and Marielle from Montreal. Below, we are on the beach side heading for a restaurant that overlooks the beach.

BIKE SANIBEL TO GOURMET DELI

The bike ride to Sanibel Island bridge from Gulf Water RV Resort is about 5 miles. The new bridge is finally completed and there is a wide bike lane on the bridge making the 3 mile bridge crossing quite safe. As we cross, we have more time to see the birds, boaters, folks fishing and bathing and the distant sights are wonderful.

The inland waters are very calm this morning and the brilliance of sun and sky are reflected in the water. It is hard to believe we are nearing Christmas with temperatures in the low 80s.

One of the high points on the bridge with the shore of Sanibel behind Walter.

Once we are on the island, this is typical of the bike paths. All the bike paths are off the road with interesting vegetation along the route.

This gourmet deli was a find. We had a Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich and Key Lime Pie and oh so tasty. Below is the case filled with desserts.

Jerry's shopping center and grocery/restaurant is a jungle of vegetation with Parrots and Macaws that talk to folks and whistle at the ladies. Walking around this small outdoor shopping plaza, you are in a virtual jungle.
Jerry's also has great pastry. We had a final snack before we completed our 22 -mile day trip. I think Walter was quite enjoying his treat!

GOOD TO BE AT OUR WINTER HOME AGAIN

After being away nearly a whole year, it was wonderful to be back in the RV resort. Oh how things grow in Florida.

Our neighbor put had this group of plants put in while we were gone, and we are enjoying this lovely look outside our dining room window. Our own plants and trees are thriving and look very healthy.

We enjoy this glider and cabana so much. It is peaceful, restful, and just plain beautiful

The tennis court was resurfaced last year and now has the National Tennis Association colors of blue and green. We play tennis Monday and Wednesday mornings with the tennis group and on Saturday mornings, Walter and I have about an hours practice. It is great exercise. Our RV site is just across the pond. We are on the inland side of the street.

4-MONTH OLD KITTY WUBIE AT PLAY

That stuffed mouse is still his favorite toy, except that now at the adult age of 2 years he is more moderate at play.

DATASTORM RALLY 2008

After a week in Miami we hitched our rolling home and moved it to the Lazydays Rallypark West of Tampa, FL to attend the 5th annual Datastorm Rally.

This is a week of lectures and demos about satellite internet, cell internet, and WEB applications such as the blog you are reading just now, and socializing with old and new friends.

We have enjoyed full-time internet service from our Motosat Datastorm F1 .74 meter satellite internet dish since we started fulltime RVing in May 2004. Our HSN7000S and Linksys WiFi router provide WiFi internet to our house and surrounds.

The main rally sponsors are the Datastorm Users Group and Motosat, Inc. Above are Motosat's new HDTV dish at the left, their next generation XF2 dish, and a stationary commercial satellite internet dish.

The HDTV dish is receive-only, but all internet dishes have a microwave receiver and a 1 or 2 watt transmitter to beam to one of many geo-synchronous satellites at various positions over the Equator about 25,000 miles from Earth.

The first day of seminars are done and we are getting ready for dinner.

Below, to our surprise, we found that Jim and Carolyn from our summer home in Traverse Bay RV Resort in Michigan were also attending this rally.

Below, Betty and Terry, who we met on the Mexican Caravan we took last year, were also attending. It was great to meet up with them.

NORTH CAROLINA FALL 08

This is Lake Jordan, near Raleigh, NC, where we stay for two weeks each Fall and Spring while we visit Marc, Gina, and Jason. We have a beautiful view of the lake and while we are about 40 minutes away from where our children live, they also love coming here to enjoy this great State Park.

Many mornings, we would see a fog bank over the lake. In this picture the fog is rising and moving away from us. Soon the sun will be out to brighten the day.

Wubie just loves this park and is all laid out in his most relaxing pose observing the lake, trees, and birds.

NEW YORK 2008

A day visit to my nephew, Chris, his wife, Teresa, their sons, Jon and Thomas--daughter, Kathy, was away at college. This was a beautiful 1 1/2 hour drive from New Jersey to New York State. There is nothing better than visiting family.

One of four canoes Chris was building for his family. These are extremely light weight canoes and quite a project. He is building three single-person canoes for his children and then one double-person canoe for him and Teresa. The workmanship was quite impressive.

In front of Chris and Teresa's home. Back row from the left is Paul, Chris, and Walter, and front row from left is Janet, Thomas, and me. The design on the shirt I am wearing was created by Thomas when he was 8 years old.

NEW JERSEY 2008

Taking a morning walk in one of New Jersey's wonderful parks with my brother, Paul, and sister-in-law, Janet.

This river that flows through the park is a fisherman's peaceful haven in nature.

My niece, Liane, and her son George. Liane prepared a wonderful brunch that we enjoyed along with her, George, her husband, Mike, and their youngest son, Benjamin, and Paul and Janet. A good family get together to catch up with each other's lives.

Stopping by the soccer game that my niece, Aimee, and her husband, Dave, were attending in which both their children, Allison and Jason, participated with their respective teams. Both children are very good soccer players. All of us, including Paul and Janet, followed seeing some soccer action with a wonderful meal that Aimee had prepared at their nearby home.

FALL CLOUDS IN TRAVERSE BAY RESORT

Enjoy the interesting cloud formations in the Northern skies during early October.

SCENES FROM MISSION PENINSULA - MICHIGAN

On the drive to the Mission Peninsula, we pass by Traverse Bay where many boats are docked. Along the route, signs of fall are everywhere.

Driving on the Peninsula, there are winding roads with water views, lovely homes, orchards, and wineries. Also, a pumpkin patch to begin decorations for Halloween.

This is the Boathouse Restaurant, one of several restaurants, serving wonderful lunches and dinners. The patio area is in the back and from there, whether eating inside or on the patio, there are lovely views of West Traverse Bay. Just after we left the restaurant, we saw this buck strolling in a nearby field.

One of many beautiful properties on Mission Peninsula. As you can see, it is election season.
Below is another beautiful home.

An island can be seen from this view along the way. Also, one of many docks that reach out into the Bay.

Another view of the Traverse Bay as we leave the Peninsula.