March 1, 2013

FINALLY, we were able to pull out of Naples, FL after three months of healing.  Naples was just what "the doctor ordered" with warm weather, sun, and lots of time to go to therapy, walk, and spend time with friends.  We stayed at Imperial Wilderness, a retirement park that has mostly permanent mobile units and some spaces for motor homes.  We continue to learn a lot about ourselves and people in general.  Let's just say Jerry and I are not ready for a retirement community just yet.  For the most part, our stay was pleasant, and those folks we got to know were great.  There was an incident early on concerning a case of mistaken identity.  Some folks in the park were convinced Maci was a vicious German Shepherd puppy (she's 2 1/2 and the resemblance is two ears and a tail) and that we should probably leave because Shepherds, along with other potentially aggressive breeds, are not allowed in that community.  Oh that Maci did have some Shepherd in her when many of the little dogs snarled and barked at her.  As it was, Maci cowered enough in public that folks felt sorry for her and tried to win her over with treats - time and time again. 

Once I was mobile after knee replacement, we spent much time getting ready to move on.  We believe we have found the perfect boat for us.  It's a hand crafted Vermont Dory made by the Adirondack Guideboat Company in Vermont.   Constructed of layered Kevlar and fiberglass, the boat weighs about 80 pounds.  Since Jerry and I are of the 60+/70+ set, not hurting ourselves is of utmost concern.  With some well thought out technique, we can slide it onto the carrier of the Jeep roof, strap it down,  and head down the road.  The gunnels and seat frames or made of cherry wood.  Seat backs are woven wicker with webbed seats.  It's a rowing boat, but we also have a bracket that attaches to the back in order that a small engine can be used.  Of course we now have both electric and gas - all bases covered.  We agreed no motors until we had rowed and gotten use to the boat.  Re-discovered freedom for me was when we put the boat in the water in a "no motors" mangrove park just east of Isle of Capri which is just north of Marco Island.  The dory is meant to row.  It moves through the water easily, and is much more stable than a canoe.  After years of owning sailboats large and small, this rowing dory is a whole new experience... and a whole new set of exercises.

Our time in Florida is not over yet.  We headed south to Big Cypress National Park where we stopped at Midway Campground.  We drove a whopping 80 miles.  This little park has 26 spots, electric only, and has a small pond in the middle.  The resident alligator can be seen gliding from one side to the other with just his eyes above the water.  The volunteer park ranger tells us the gator is rather large and has a broken jaw.  I'm not at all clear how he knows that, but I don't plan on getting that close of a look.  No night walks in this park.  While here we plan to take advantage of two different waterways and board walks in the swamp in addition to doing some serious sitting.  It's so quiet here my ears are ringing.

No the dory is not a canoe...

We will stay at Midway for a about a week.  Then we are off to Flamingo City and the Keys.  It's good to be on the move again!