Made it to Bonita Springs Florida for the Winter…

Well we had a very short drive down to Bonita Springs Florida. We will be staying at Imperial Bonita Estates, a park we have stayed at before. This year we expected it to be different. So the day before we needed to be there we drove the 20 drive south in our CRV to check out the site they assigned to us. We had some concerns since it was on the street that had the worst damage from Hurricane Irma and the worst flooding from the Imperial River.

Sure enough our site was smack in the middle of two heavily damaged park models that are both slated to be destroyed and hauled off later in December. So we went to the park’s office and asked if any other sites were available and luckily for us there were three others. So we selected another site on one of the two roads we originally preferred to be staying on anyhow. Although the park is still showing signs of the extensive damage from the hurricane and flooding we think we will still enjoy our winter stay here. We better… as we will be here for three months not leaving until March 1st, 2018.

One other task I tackled while we were in Fort Myers was I decided to take on the task of replacing my CAC hose that I bought in Jacksonville Florida. Remember the Cummins Service Center there wanted $1000 to install this hose and had they managed us better they would have gotten that $1000 too. Well even without the right tools and without the knowledge of the tricks to replacing the hose it took me less than three hours to get the task done. I would have saved an hour if I had insert the hose first at the pipe end inside the RV rather the the pipe end from the outside of the RV. Nonetheless, we saved $1000 so I felt as if I got paid $333.00 per hour to do it myself.

The drive to Bonita Springs was uneventful but best of all we had no whooshing or squealing sound from our engine. So it appears as if my repair was the key to getting rid of the noise and apparently I did it right since it never squealed. Hooray!!!

The first few days at Imperial Bonita Estates (know as IBE to my readers for now on) we mostly spent time getting set up and organized. However, there was one event we simply had to attend as we have always had a good time at the Greyhound Race Track on their “Dollar Days” promotion. Sure enough we had a great time and even won several of our bets. No big winners but when hotdogs, beer and popcorn are only a dollars each we come out winners anyhow…

NOTE: We are now in our winter home for the next several months in Bonita Springs Florida at Imperial Bonita Estates RV park and Coop.

Some Short Hikes in the Mines of Spain Recreation Area, Iowa…

While in Dubuque Iowa we read about several parks in the area. After our downtown urban tour we wanted to balance that out with a nature outing to familiarize ourselves with the scenery in this hilly, rocky area of Iowa. The plan was to visit Mines of Spain Recreation Area which has the Julien Dubuque Monument and Eagle Point Park on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River locks.

Once we arrived at Mines of Spain Park, we were a little confused about where to start. We soon realized that the Visitor Center was on the other end of the park and did not want to waste time finding it so we decided to wing it. The signage was a little confusing in that a couple of pullouts indicated a trailhead was there when in fact it was a connecting trail instead.

We then decided to try to find the Julien Dubuque Monument. Up a winding road we found the short walk to a beautiful site. The monument overlooks the Mississippi River and offers views of Dubuque. The monument itself is unique and beautiful so we enjoyed photographing it from all angles. There were several plaques and signs along the walk describing Dubuque’s history. We were amused to read that the first murder and public hanging occurred in Dubuque in the 1834.

We couldn’t decide between hiking the Calcite Trail or the Horseshoe Bluff trail next. The confusing signage made the decision for us as the pullout we chose was a connecting trail to the Horseshoe Bluff trail. It must have been serendipity because this trail was fantastic. Although there were a few other hikers, we mostly had the trail to ourselves that meandered first through tall fields of grasses and wildflowers opening up to a stunning view of bluffs looming above on both sides of the trail. It took our breath away as its beauty was a welcome surprise!

The signage indicated that this rock was 400 million years old and was of the Ordovician Age. We so enjoyed walking through the bluffs on this beautiful sunny day lighting the contrasting colors of the rocky bluffs against the crisp blue sky. The trail took us up and across one bluff and at this juncture of the trail we saw a bunny and minutes later a fox! We have seen a fox before in the wild from afar but this view, although fleeting was really up close and personal! We wondered if we actually saved that bunny’s life as we theorized that fox was hoping for a rabbit lunch!  Anyway, we spent quite a lot of time admiring this encounter and the bluffs above and then headed back to the car to decide where to go next.

We debated finding the Calcite Trail but decided instead to drive to the Visitor Center. The E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center was very well done. It had lots of information regarding the Mines of Spain mining history as well as the Native American History. It also had a lot of animal exhibits as well as information about the vegetation and geology of the area. In the back of the building was a view of the “back yard” with bird feeders attracting Downy Woodpeckers, Titmouse, Red Breasted Grosbeaks and others. It was fun to watch the birds fly in and around the feeders.

We noticed a trail alongside the feeding area so we decided to check it out. It began with an interpretative trail describing plants along the way. The Junkerman Trail descended down 172 steps (Sharon counted) over to a site that was a farm belonging to Otto Junkerman and his family in 1859. Though the house was gone there was an old water pump and another trail upward to Otto’s Retreat and his farm. He built a miniature replica of a his old church in Germany to use as his study and retreat and called it the Pine Chapel. It was a beautiful place and must have offered him much enjoyment in its peaceful solitude.

The day got away from us so we scrapped the trip over to Eagle Point opting instead to drive home for a nice dinner then a we walked over to the nearby casino and gambled the $5.00 each free play they gave us as new members. Since we won about $10.00 (no we are not big gamblers) we decided to watch some of the greyhound races that were held in the same casino/track. We bet on five races and pretty much broke even but had a great time on this last day in Dubuque Iowa.

NOTE: We are currently in Madison Wisconsin hiding out for the fourth of July weekend and have not yet decided where we will go next.

More fun with Katie and Merry Christmas to all…

Still enjoying our visit from Katie as we took a trip down to the Everglades where we showed her some swampland that encompasses so much of southern Florida. She was able to see lots of big alligators as well as the abundance of butterflies and birds that area always has to offer. Her favorite sighting was a bald eagle who soared over our heads and she was in awe of its sheer size and power.  A little further down the trail we spotted an eagles nest, so it was indeed a successful trip.

On the way back it was nearing evening so we pulled into the town of Naples where we strolled the downtown areas of 3rd Avenue and 5th Street.  Katie really enjoyed the Christmas lights and decorations. Based upon the weather here you would never know that the winter solstice passed and it is nearly Christmas. The decorations along with a little people watching we found ourselves experiencing a bit of the Christmas cheer.

Another trip we shared with Katie was one over to the greyhound track during “Dollar Days.” Dollar Days features dollar hotdogs along with dollar draft beer so it is always an inexpensive way to enjoy a long afternoon. Katie learned all about the greyhound racing industry and how it has changed over the years.  She even placed a few bets as we did. We won a couple of races but no big score yet it helped pay for a few of those dollar beers! It was still a great time watching the dogs and having a good laugh at some of our not so lucky picks. And  of course you just can’t beat dollar beer and dollar hot dogs to round out a day of fun.

Lastly, I want to wish all who read this prose a very happy holiday season and may your Christmas time be joyous and delightful!

Greyhound Races and Naples Florida…

We were looking for something different to do in the area and we noticed that there was a greyhound racing track nearby and that on two nights during each month they had “DOLLAR NIGHT”… that meant that race programs, hotdogs, popcorn and draft beers were only one dollar American!!! I use to go to the greyhound races when I was in the Air Force in Rapid City, South Dakota and remembered having a fun night when all us guys went out.

When I mentioned to Sharon about the dog track she said she did want to go since she had never been to one before. So it was a done deal… we were off to the races. We got there a bit late but there was no fee for parking and only $2.00 per person entry. So with the one dollar program we started off $5.00 out of pocket… 3 hotdogs and 2 beers later we were out $11.00. We had some work to do to break even on the day. We watched a total of 13 races and bet on 9 of them with our our wagers ranging from 2-6 dollars each race. We actually did pretty well at the track winning several bets with the whole day costing us less than eight bucks… despite having’s muchos cervezas!!!

The next day we had a date with some other bloggers Jeannie and Eldo of Where’s Eldo fame in Naples Florida about 25 minutes south of our park. We spent some time on the way down checking out other RV parks in the neighborhood for potential camping places for January… we will be site-less unless we find something soon.

The parks we checked out were less than satisfactory or didn’t have any availability for January so it was on to down town Naples. We were to meet our soon to be friends at the Jolly Cricket which is a fine British Pub/Restaurant.They have a nice happy hour ($2.50 pints) and a great atmosphere. We walked up to the front of the bar and we recognized them right away from pictures in their blog.

With introductions out of the way we shared lots of stories about our RV travels and our trials and tribulations about locating future sites in the area for the rest of the winter. After happy hour we walked down the street on 5th Avenue to partake in the music scene (Evening on the Fifth) held on the streets in downtown Naples every second Thursday of every month (they provide free musicians along the shopping area).

I can tell you right now they had some very talented musicians there… we were strolling along the Christmas lit store fronts listening to an array of musicians when we came upon a band called Soundcheck and let me tell you, they could flat out play!!! Their upbeat sound along with the perfect weather that night combined with an amazing young fellow who could cut a rug better than Fred Astaire to the delight of the crowd made for a captivating evening. Sharon and Jeanie were out dancing up a storm while Eldo and I tried to look nonchalant holding their purses…

We had a grand time… great music, great weather, fun times at happy hour and great company with our new friends Jeanie and Eldo…. Thanks you two for showing us a great time in Naples!!!