Morning Cup Of Coffee And Weather

Speaking of hot coffee, cold weather, music and folkart on the fantabulous Tour931 Forum:

https://uploads0.wikiart.org/images/emile-claus/the-ice-birds-1891.jpg

Bring back memories?...
H/t AoS (scroll down to art thread...)
Ace of Spades HQ

 

It finally stayed above zero for a night and was 12F this morning as a low. It will only be brief as the low tonight is expected to be -22F and that is before the wind chill.

In less than two weeks I’m going to blow this popsicle stand and spend two weeks in Texas.

 

You're talking me out of Wisconsin!

My 2 favorite park in the my travel so far are both in Florida. Kissimmee State Park, and Silver Springs. The attention to detail astounded me.

• The hosts daily will blow the leaves off the roads in the park
• They have washers and dryers in the shower houses
• The showers are tiled, clean, and beautifully maintained, better than some RV resorts.
• They actually de-ash the fire pits between customers. No beer cans, cigarette butts or (yuck!) condoms from the previous guest.

Florida knows how to treat tourists --- and their prices are on par with my own state.

Not perfect though --- there are downsides.

The HUGE problem is they are all reserved up for as far out as you can reasonably see --- I found a couple of sites in July for a couple of days. To stay there more than 3 or 4 days would mean moving between sites.

I'm not sure where "locals" camp in floria for their weekend romps --- there are just no place to stay down there. This is the biggest check against moving there for me.

Ocala -- nice size little city. Not too big, not too small. Love it there. I always am sure to stop in Micanopy which is where "Doc Hollywood" --- one of my favorite films was made. If you haven't seen it --- you'll enjoy it. Michael J Fox

Kissimme -- bok tower isn't far away, and worth the visit --- this site is very much a destination by itself, there isn' much near it.

 

We have reservations at Silver Springs State Park during Thanksgiving. The Silver River is one of our favorites to kayak.

 

Hardsided or inflatable?

 

JEALOUS!

 

I have 3 kayaks. Each is individually suited for where we go. I take my NDK Explorer on the Silver River. Springs such as Juniper, I take a shorter kayak since Juniper is twisty and narrow in spots. Kayaking allows one to explore and see things many others don’t get to experience.

 

WOOHOO!!!! Got a site at Silver Springs!!! In November, a damned fine time to be in Florida.

I say again, Florida is awesome, and I like having some sites resevable that far out --- but it would be great to have a lottery system or something for nearer stays -- I'd LOVE to go down in March...but no way to do it without starting the search last year.

 

I'm sure its a thing --- I've only visited the south in the cold months. My brother lives in Tampa area, and he tells me if I come in July - I'll hate it. It takes a year or two to get used to it he says. Of course, another family member lives in Vero and she says its not bad, there's always a breeze.

I suspect its closer to the later. Tampa is a big city, and they tend to have their own micro-ecosystem...

I DO know this:

1] In winter months, Florida is gorgeous though slightly 'dead' looking because of the moss that is grey. Get to spring, and it all comes to life and is amazingly beuatiful.
2] In the Summer months, get north of the 45'th parallel and things change dramatically -- especially in michigan surrounded by the big water.

If I were insanely wealthy, I'd have a home in both places and travel between in the shoulder months chasing 80 degree weather... and I am sure there are people who do this.

I would not however want to be stranded in Tour 931's neck of the woods in January...


Right now, here in my own little berg, its rainy and 50. I dislike February and March. But at least April is in sight...that is when things change dramatically.

 

I’m not stranded -I’m holed up! I leave for Yexas in six days and will be gone for two weeks. I was in Florida for two weeks in December. The winters are cold and long here. I don’t mind the cold but the long can get old fast. Breaking it up with get-aways breaks it up so one might enjoy the cold.

 

I suspect if I had a fire, and a nice view, it would be better. Perhaps a few toys (snowmobiles) and such too. I've actually never had the opportunity for that kind of 'play' outside the house. My winters have been stuck inside wanting to be out exploring....

Of course at -15 degrees, I'm not sure I'd want to be doing that kind of thing --- Though Gerbing heated suits, socks, and gloves do a tremendous job of keeping you warm...

 

I have the view but not the fire. The radiant floor heat makes it very comfortable. Minus 15 isn’t all that bad if you are dressed for it and only out for a few hours.

 

Somehow this reminds me of this:

 

Great movie! One of the best.

The fire is the ambiance. My dream home would be Walter Longmire cabin...at least how it was presented in the TV show, with a big picture window looking out over a field, or to a barn. I fancy myself (slightly) like Walter -- a bit of a man outside of his time.

 

You would like my view. This was yesterdays sunrise. If you look close you can see a log cabin from the 1880’s and a single room school from the 1920’s. My home was the first stick built house in the county and it was built in 1886.

47E0CDE0-47BB-4C3F-87C8-AFC31ECB0D1D by Tour 931 posted Feb 8, 2023 at 5:52 AM

 

What kind of photo-shop magic did that sunset/sunrise...wow.

 

No comment.

 

Artist's prerogative.

 

OOH!!!! Not good -- One nice day will only arouse my appetite without bedding it down.

I woke up this morning and the first thing I see is the daily status report on my smart watch....

Current temperature: 59

Too bad it won't last --- but I have a couple of hours still until the bottom falls out and we're back into low 40 by evening. The small in the air is clearly 'florida' - you know that smell right?

Speaking of which, I just searched all Florida parks --- the no vacancy sign is up again....couple sites in last week of March. Where do the locals camp? Is there a hidden county park system or something like that unknown to us foreign invaders?

 

I’m thinking of doing this in 2024. My friend in Fairbanks called and told me about it. I think it would be a great adventure.